Blood for Blood (Blood Series 1) (COMPLETED)

14: Who poisoned who?

"Say, Aria, naniniwala ka pa rin sa mga mafia?" tanong ni Gio. Gio extended his arms on the sofa, the sofa for Aria's clients. Tumitig lang si Aria kay Gio.

"Ewan ko. Malay ko." sagot niya kahit alam niyang gusto siyang tuksuhin ni Gio dahil sa isang pocketbook about a woman falling in love with a mafia boss na binabasa niya.

Ang bilis ng mata ni Gio para mapansin ito sa desk niya. Tsaka, ano bang ginagawa ng lalaking ito sa opisina niya? It's been over a week since their trip to Palawan.

"Because in modern times, mafias are now called political families."

Hindi alam ni Aria ang isasagot. She's from a political family. Gio is too. Why is this man so vocal about gangsters and mafias? Yet he easily dismisses the topic when he seems bored by it, as if he's not part of one. And that scorpion tattoo still bothers her. She actually wanted to see that again.

Kung sabagay, siya rin naman ay may marka. Isang pulang paru-paro na lumilipad at ang ibabang pakpak nito ay dumudugo. Ang Trinity at Red Ladies ang nagmamay-ari ng markang ito. Naalala bigla ni Aria ang gabing sinimulang halikan ni Gio ang kanyang red butterfly tattoo.

"What's on your mind?" biglang tanong ni Gio. Biglang naramdaman ni Aria na nag-iinit ang kanyang pisngi. Tumalikod siya kay Gio.

"Come on, Aria. Sa akin ka pa nahihiya? I made you purr like a kitten that night."

That night. How can she forget? Gusto ni Aria na sana lunukin nalang siya ng lupa. Gio has this effect on her. And the attraction was mutual. When Gio is turned on, Aria notices how his voice becomes breathy.

His voice was breathy.

Thanks to that three days in Palawan, Aria is already familliar with Gio's body language.

"Gio, lets go back to business please." wika ni Aria, at humarap ulit sa bisita niya. Wala na siyang pakialam kung namumula siya o ano. Basta haharapin niya si Gio. Nagulat si Gio sa tugon nito. Ilang segundo ang nakalipas bago ulit siya nagsalita.

"You wanted to talk to me?" tanong ni Aria in her business voice.

"About that night in Palawan," umpisa ni Gio.

"Paano mo nalamang ikaw dapat ang iinom ng poisoned drink?" tanong ni Aria.

Tumingin si Gio sa paligid, naninigurong sila lang ang nasa opisina.

"May bartender na nag-abot sa akin ng drink. Complimentary daw for our room. Pero halos mahihimatay ka na sa lasing nang mga oras na iyon,"

Nag-init ang mga pisngi ni Aria. Ganoon ba siya kalasing nang gabing iyon? 

"I offered na bumalik na tayo sa hotel room pero pagtayo mo, halos matumba ka na sa isang lalaki. I gave him the complimentary drink. I'm actually glad you were that drunk that night. It somehow saved both of us."

"Oh my God, nakakahiya." wika ni Aria at nagtakip ulit ng mukha. Gio likes seeing Aria in this office. It's like seeing her where she naturally thrives. And seeing her embarrassed? He is having the time of his life.

Tumawa si Gio. "Ngayon ka pa nahiya? Nakita ko na lahat." pang-aasar nito.

"Gio, could you stop teasing me?" naiinis na sagot ni Aria.

"Sorry,"

"You came all the way here just to say that?" tanong ni Aria.

Napatitig si Gio sa magandang babae sa harapan niya. Hindi niya alam kung paano pa magsasalita. Bakit nga ba siya pumunta sa opisina ni Aria? Nami-miss niya si Charmaine and he knows her hospital is around? That'll be a lie. Lizzie's PR firm location is close to Aria? Gio was actually thankful he bought it. But that's also a lame excuse.