The Limit to Your Love (18+)

20 | The Talk

Ginising ako ng isang pamilyar na pabango. I open my eyes and see my legs dangling on a strong arm. I look up and see Gideon's chin, it's usual light stubble now perfectly trimmed. He's carrying me like a baby, walking through a long hallway. 

Oh-uh.

Beside him is a tall woman with inky black hair, dressed like high-positioned hotel staff. Nang kaswal na nagawi sa'kin ang mga mata ng babae, agad akong bumalik sa pagpikit at nagkunwaring tulog pa rin.

"Sir, here's the room—" sabi ng babae na narinig kong binuksan ang kwarto gamit ang isang susi. When Gideon steps in, the heavy and crisp sound of his footsteps immediately disappear. May carpet ang kwarto. Sumasaliw din sa hangin ang pagiging luma ng mga kahoy dito kasama ng mabangong amoy ng vanilla.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" magalang na sabi ng babae habang maingat akong inilalagay ni Gideon sa malambot na kama.

"We're fine, now. Thank you," sagot niya rito bago ko marinig na sumara ang pinto.

Then, while mimicking a dead log, I stay motionless and try to calm my breaths when Gideon starts taking my boots off of me. Hinawakan pa niya ang mga paa ko't naramdaman ang panlalamig ng mga ito kahit na nakamedyas ako. He rubs his hands together, creating warmth, and then cups my feet between them.

Then, the sound of him fiddling with the remote control reaches my ears as he adjusts the heater. The room gradually warms up while he smooths the blanket over me, tucking it snugly around my body.

I feel the mattress dip beside me as he sits down. Then, he starts to gently brush my hair, slow and careful, like he's handling something precious. I can't help but feel tears sting my closed eyes. Pinaghirapan kong huwag maglaglagan ang mga ito gayong alam kong nakatutok sa mukha ko ngayon ang kanyang mga mata.

Nang maglakad siya paalis at narinig kong pumasok siya sa ibang silid, mabilis kong binuksan ang mga mata ko't pinunasan ang mga luhang nakabalandra roon. I also sit up and take in the beautiful view around me.

The room features high ceilings with intricate moldings, adorned with a vintage chandelier that casts a warm, inviting glow. The walls are paneled in rich, dark wood, complemented by soft, floral wallpaper in muted tones of cream and sage. Large, leaded glass windows draped with heavy velvet curtains offer a view outside. Napanganga ako nang mapansin kong umuulan pala sa labas ngayon.

Nakita ko ang maliit kong luggage na nakapatong sa isang upuan, katabi ang isang malaking itim na rolling bag na malamang ay kay Gideon. So. . .we're sleeping in the same room—what? As the thought starts to sink into me, a door opens and I see Gideon walking out of it. Hindi na ako nakabalik sa'king pagkukunwari dahil mabilis niya akong nakitang nakaupo na.

"You're. . .awake," he says, a ghost of a smile flitting across his lips. He's now dressed down in his usual sleepwear—Brunello Cucinelli white top and Tom Ford black drawstring pants duo.

Napalunok ako. I can't believe he's here in front of me again. "Hmm. . .Why am I here?" I say, trying to sound calm.

"To sleep," he says straight out, casually walking over to his luggage. He grabs a small microfiber cloth from the side and starts cleaning his reading glasses he just took out of their case.

Tumikhim ako. "I'm ah. . .I can rent another room. Para hindi kita magambala rito."

"This entire hotel is fully-booked today because of the city's Highland Games which is opening tomorrow," sabi niya bago nagdekwatro sa isang gilid. Binuksan niya ang kanyang Macbook at doon tumingin nang ituloy niya ang kanyang pagsasalita.