Chapter 7

Tumikhim ako at umayos ng upo at itinuloy ko ang pag-scan ng ibang catalogue, but I got conscious with how his hand caressed my waist, he’s making tiny circles in the fabric of my dress, and I can’t help but compare how it felt when Sebastion touched me, I didn’t feel the same kind of electrical surge when Sebastian caressed my lips. Nakakakiliti ang bawat haplos niya at malaki ang epekto nu’n sa katawan ko.

Just remembering those times when his body accidentally touched mine, I felt my body burn with need. Hindi ko maintindihan pero alam ng utak ko kung bakit ganito ang nararamdaman ko kay Seb. I am completely attracted to him. My body sent me signals but my mind refused to accept that fact. The norms in our society condemned this kind of situation. It’s taboo.

“Hey, are you okay?” tanong ni Niu. He leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear. I didn’t feel anything when his lips brushed against my earlobe.  Walang iyong nakakaliting sensasyon no’ng si Sebastian ang bumulong sa tainga ko, no electrical surge that poked every nerve of my body. Hindi ako nakaramdam ng pag-iinit ng katawan gaya ng pag-iinit ng katawan ko no’ng dumikit ang katawan ni Sebastian sa akin.

“Yeah, I’ll just go get the snacks,” paalam ko. Tumayo na ako at deritsong pumasok sa kusina. Para akong nakahinga ng maluwag nang marating ko ang kusina, nagpapasamalat na walang ibang tao dito.

Sumandal ako sa kitchen counter at bumuntong hininga. I calmed myself by repeatedly inhaling deep breathes. I hated myself for feeling like this when my husband was just beside me. I felt a tingling sensation poked in my most sensitive part when I thought how warm his breathe when he whispered in my ear. Biglang nanuyo ang lalamunan ko at nauhaw, kumuha ako ng tubig sa ref at deri-deritsong inubos iyon.

“Nandito ka lang pala,”

Nagulat ako nang biglang may nagsalita sa likod ko. Sebastian was now standing behind me with eyes that are intensely looking at me. Tumagos sa kaluluwa ko ang kanyang mga titig, parang hinukay ang tiyan ko sa paraan ng pagtitig niya sa akin. Napaatras ako nang umabante siya palapit sa akin, the distance between our bodies made me uncomfortable. Naalala ko ‘yung huling tagpo namin dito sa kusina. Bakit ba palagi na lang kaming may encounter dito sa kusina?

“A-anong ginagawa mo dito?” nauutal na tanong ko sa kanya. Mas lalo pa akong umatras pero napatigil ako nang napag-tanto kong wala na pala akong aatrasan. I’m trapped!

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang umalis siya sa harapan ko. I needed support because my knees suddenly become weak.

He shrugged his shoulders and headed to the refrigerator. Kumuha siya ng tubig doon, binuksan ang cap ng bottled water and then drank on it while his eyes were looking at me. Kitang-kita ko ang pag-galaw ng adam’s apple niya habang inuubos ang tubig. Napalunok ako sa sariling laway. Why does he looked so sexy doing that? Hindi naman ganu’n ka attractive si Niu kapag umiinum ng tubig.

Para na rin akong nauhaw ulit sa nakita kong paglunok niya habang nakatitig sa akin. I’m sure he knows I’m affected by his presence and he always teased me! Alam niya iyon at nag-e-enjoy siya sa reaksyon ko!

Tumikhim ako at umayos ng tayo. I have to hide this feeling, total ay doon naman ako magaling, ang magtago ng totoo kong nararamdaman. I mastered that art already and it won’t be hard for me.

I crossed my arms on my chest and arched a brow at him. I needed to act unaffected when around him, if need to act bitchy in front of him just so I can hide this, then I’ll gladly be the bitch for him.

“Are you following me? You know what? Just stop this,” mataray na sabi ko sa kanya habang nakataas ang noo ko. I put on a bitchy tone in my voice.

“Stop what? What are you talking about, Claire?” he asked me innocently. He made his face look like he really doesn’t have any idea what I’m talking about. Ugh!

Naiinis ko siyang tinignan. He’s now acting innocent and clueless. Ang galing!

“Alam mo kung ano ang sinasabi ko. Please, just stop it. For chrissake, Seb I’m your brother’s wife. You can’t just do that to me!” mariin kong sabi. Medyo hininaan ko ang boses dahil baka marinig kami sa labas.

From acting innocent, he suddenly changed his mode. He no longer has the playful and innocent aura. Naging seryoso siya at mariin akong tiningnan. His gaze penetrated my whole being, mas naging madilim ang kanyang mata habang nakatitig sa akin. Para akong nahihigop habang nakatingin sa kanyang mga mata.

Napaatras ako nang unti-unti siyang lumapit sa direksyon ko. I wanted to have a decent distance between the two of us, until I felt the cold exterior of the kitchen counter.

“Do what, Claire?” tanong niya nang tumapat siya sa akin and I’m stuck again in the kitchen counter with his massive body in front of mine. Bakit ba palagi na lang akong napupunta sa ganitong sitwasyon?

Napapikit ako nang mas lalo niya pang inilat ang mukha niya sa akin. He leaned a little to level his face on mine, put his hands on the counter. He’s caging me. Umasulto sa pang-amoy ko ang mabango niyang hininga. His manly scent mixed with his after-shave. Mas lalong nanlambot ang tuhod ko.

“You can’t do this,” I whispered. My defensive stance earlier shattered. Mas lalo niya pang inilapit ang katawan sa akin kaya itinukod ko ang kamay sa dibdib niya. I felt the hard muscles in my chest. Mas lalo akong kinapos ng hininga dahil ang lapit-lapit niya na sa akin.

“Please,” I begged him. I couldn’t recognize my voice anymore. Nawala na ang mataray na tono ng boses na ginamit ko kanina. “Don’t do this,” I moaned when he dipped his head in the crook of my shoulder and felt him inhale my scent.

“Yes, I can. You, being my brother’s wife can’t stop me from wanting you.”

Napakapit ako ng mahigpit sa balikat niya nang maramdaman kong tumusok ang mainit niyang dila sa leeg.