•Ozanne•
He didn’t have to be told twice. Nang kumapit si Ozanne sa kaniyang batok at siya na mismo ang humalik rito ay agad na pinakawalan ni Yves ang matagal na pagpipigil sa kaniyang pagnanasa.
Sandali siyang lumayo kay Ozanne. His eyes was ignited with passion. And he vigorously did what he warned Ozanne.
Without taking their eyes off each other, Yves held on the hem with both hands and started to pull divergently. Her clothes was made of soft cotton that made it easier for him to rip it into two.
After what he did, it revealed the woman in her brassiere. He was still wearing his slacks on and felt his beast started getting hard and that made him suffocated.
He whispered on her ears. “Cling on me.”
Ipinulupot ni Ozanne and mga bisig sa kaniyang leeg at nilingkis ang kaniyang mga paa sa likod ng bewang ni Yves.
He swiftly moved until he stood while Ozanne remained on his arms. She was intently staring at
•Ozanne•“Maiwan ko na po kayo.”Pagkaalis ni Kelly ay agad na binalot ng umaaligid na tensyon ang buong hapag-kainan.Mula pagsubo hanggang sa pagnguya ng cereal ay hindi maitatanggi ang pinong galaw ng ginang ganoon na rin ang pagsimsim ng tsaa ng kaniyang asawa na nakaupo sa kabisera.Habang abala ang mga Herrera sa agahan ay hindi naman magawang galawin ni Ozanne ang pagkain sa harap nito at nanatiling nakayuko.At that moment, Ozanne’s over thinker side started to activate. The recent issue about her 'cheating' was still fresh in the public's mind. Hindi malayong nakarating na ang balita nito sa magulang ni Yves.Hindi niya alam kung ano ang magiging reaksiyon nila dahil hindi pa siya nito kinakausap. Dahil sa kaba ay nagsimula na siyang paglaruan ang mga daliri habang kinakagat ang pang-ibabang labi.Napansin ni Yves ang hindi mapakaling si Ozanne. Hinawakan nito ang kaniyang kamay dahilan para mapati
•Yves•“Weren’t you bored in the office?” Pinagbuksan ni Yves si Ozanne ng pinto ng sasakyan, at nang makapasok na ito ay umikot siya sa kabila.He fasten his seatbelt and the engine roared to life.“Hindi, ayos lang. Nanood ako ng movie hanggang sa makatulog ako. And then it was getting dark when I woke up.”“ I also filed for a leave. We should start planning our vacation. I think it’s also time for the both of us to get along. You know, for this relationship to work out.” Yves said as he drove his way out the parking lot.Moments later, they were already on the road.“ Building friendship can somehow make this marriage last for several years, so yeah, let’s do it.” Sagot ni Ozanne.Friends? Yves was pretty much amused that he couldn’t help but feel annoyed. He knew that Ozanne openly talked about keeping their arrangement for only a certain time. He b
•Ozanne•They’re slowly fading out until those voices are completely hushed. Mabilis ang naging paghinga ni Ozanne. It seems like all the pent up sufferings she kept inside of her was slowly gushing out as she shed beads of tears.Ang malakas na paghikbi niya ang tanging maririnig. Yves kept silent and he continued to caress her back. He pat the top of her head and occasionally whispered on her ears.“It’s okay. I’m here, I won’t leave you. It’s okay.”Those words unleashed Ozanne’s hidden feelings but it also started lull her. Unti-unting humina ang pag iyak ni Ozanne.Marahang kumakalma ang kaniyang paghinga hanggang sa naramdaman na lamang niya ang pagsarado ng talukip ng kaniyang mata. Tila pagod na pagod siya hanggang sa tuluyag bumagbagsak ng buo niyang kabigatan tungo kay Yves._Magaan ang pakiramdam ni Ozanne. She felt so refreshed. Kinapa niya ang katabi ngunit tangin
•Ozanne• “ A son? How old is he?” “He’s seven.” “Do you have a picture of him? I’m sure magandang lalaki rin katulad ng tatay.” Nakangiting turan ni Mrs. Herrera. “Hahaha, sakto lang po.” Nahihiyang inabot naman ni Marcus ang kaniyang telepono. “Oh! What a cute boy! He looks so much like you, Marcus.” Abot tengang ngiti ng ginang. She was moving her fingers seems like she is zooming picture. Magalang na napangiti lamang si Marcus sa papuri nito. She heaved a sigh. “When will I ever have a grandchild, son? I am expecting to see little kiddos running around the house. It has been months since you two got married and still nothing? What happened to your sperm, son? Don’t tell me your getting weak on bed?” “Say what?!” Agad na napabalikwas si Yves sa pagkasandal sa upuan. Mahinang natatawa si Marcus pati na rin ang ama ni Yves. “ Don’t be such a pussy, Merrick. You’re disgracing our name.” Nang aasar na sambit naman ng ama
•Ozanne•She felt a sudden pity. Naipagkakait niya ba ang karapatan ng kaniyang asawa. ‘Hindi’ pagtututol ng isip niya. Simula pa lang ay nilinaw niya na kay Yves na ang relasyon nila ay pawang kasunduan lamang. He even agreed to let her have her freedom. Ang tanging nais lamang ni Yves ay ang hindi siya magkaroon ng ibang karelasyon.‘Kung ganoon ay bakit mo sinuko ang Bataan?’Oo nga naman. Hindi naman siguro paraan iyon ni Ozanne upang makuha ang loob ni Yves gaya ng utos ng kaniyang ina. O baka naman ay ginusto rin ni Ozanne ito.Neither. Maging si Ozanne ay hindi alam kung bakit nawalan siya ng kontrol ng araw na iyon. Kaya iniiwasan niya ang mga tanong ni Yves lalo pa’t patungkol ito sa mga ganoong bagay.Sa tuwing hinahawakan siya ni Yves. Sa tuwing tinitigan siya nito na para bang siya lang ang tanging nasa paningin nito. Sa tuwing dumadampi ang kaniyang mga labi sa kaniya. Hindi niya maiwasang manghi
• Yves•“Why the hell are you here?” Mababa ngunit nanggigil na sambit ni Yves nang dalhin niya si Marianna papasok sa bakanteng elevator .Marahas na pinindot niya ang button papuntang parking lot.“Let go of me!” Hinila ni Marianna ang braso na mahigpit na hinawakan ni Yves. Hinaplos niya ang namumulang palapulsuhan.Matalim na tiningnan ni Yves si Marianna sanhi upang mapalunok ito at dahan-dahang napapaatras.“I-I j-just want to see you, okay? Is that a bad thing now? It just happened that she was there in your office.”“I thought I already made it clear that I’m already done with you.” Lumapit na si Yves sa kaniya. Bahagyang tinatabunan ng kaniyang anino si Marianna.“What did you tell her?”“Nothing much.” Inilapat ni Marianna ang dalawang palad nito sa daibdib ni Yves. “ But if you’re really eager to know, we can make some
•Ozanne•She never really given it much thought. Never did she imagine that she would be attending Oscar’s wedding nang wala si Nanay Isay. They made a promise to each other. But she guess, it was just a broken case.Isa iyon sa mga naging hinanakit ni Ozanne sa kaniyang Nanay Isay. Marami pa silang dapat gawin. Dapat ay dadalhin niya pa ito abroad para magbakasyon ngunit naudlot iyon. At kahit kaya niya nang gawin ito ngayon ay hindi niya naman makakasama ang kaniyang pinangakuan.May mga bagay talagang hindi naisasakatuparan kahit anong pilit man natin. Ngunit may mga bagay namang kayang-kaya nating gawin kailangan nga lang ng motibasyon na siyang magtutulak sa atin upang abutin iyon.Pero sa sitwasyong kinaroroonan ni Ozanne at Oscar, kahit anong tulak yatang gawin nila ay hindi sila aabot sa oras na ipinangako nila.“Wala ba talagang dumadaang sasakyan sa oras na’to?!” Naiinis na sambit ni Ozanne. Kinuha nito a
• Ozanne•As she was slowly getting out of the abyss, she felt the soft pillow that she was hugging. Ozanne knitted her brows as she went up and scanned the room.That’s strange. Sa tuwing nagtatabi sila ay palaging nakangising mukha ni Yves ang bubungad sa kaniya tuwing umaga.She composed herself, getting toothbrush , changed into a proper pair of clothing, and all. Just as she was about to went out the room, napansin niya ang dalawang maleta na nasa may bandang pintuan.Hindi niya inalintana iyon at dumiretso nalang sa sala.“Good morning, sweetheart. How’s your sleep?” Pagbati agad sa kaniya ng Ina ni Yves kahit hindi pa siya tuluyang nakababa ng hagdan. At hindi pa ito nakuntento dahil inakyat pa nito ang natitirang dalawang baitang upang mabeso si Ozanne.“Hello po. You’re so early. Where’s Yves?” nakangiting tanong ni Ozanne.“He’s with her father inside the
•Yves•“Hey.” Napalingon si Yves ng tawagin siya ni Karson. Agad Naman niyang sinenyas ang cellphone na nasa tainga pa niya.Karson formed an ‘o’ with his lips, signaling that he understood what he meant. Itinaas na lamang niya ang dalawang canned beer na hawak nito. Tumabi si Karson sa kaniya at sinimulan na ang pag inom ng alak.It took a couple of minutes hanggang sa matapos ang ginagawa ni Yves. Pagkababa niya ng tawag ay inabot na ni Karson ang Isa pang alak na dala niya.“You don’t wanna join them?” Gamit ang ulo ay itinuro ni Yves ang iba pa. Masayang nagsasayawan Ang mga ito. Bagama’t may kalayuan ay dinig pa rin ang tunog at tawanan Nila. “I don’t dance.” Karson softly chuckled. “At least I have someone that is on the same boat as me.” Tugon naman ni Yves. Kapwa silang nakatayo sa baybayin. Kapwa may hawak na alak sa Isang kamay. Kapwa nakatanaw sa bilog at mahiwagang buwan.“So, the team building’s will end tonight huh?” pagbubukas ni Karson ng usapan.“ Yeah.”
•Xienna•So the next morning, Yves decided to tag her along. May meeting si Yves sa labas Ng isla kaya isasama na niya si Xienna upang mapatingn Ang kaniyang paa sa Isang clinic doon. Tutal ay wala namang mapagkakaabalahan si Xienna kung mananatili sya sa Isla Lalo pa’t abala ang mga tao roon sa mga team building activities na inihanfa ni Kyson.After the 30 minutes sail on the yacht, narating na nila ang syudad. Alas nuwebe na ng umaga pagkababa nila kaya naman ay abalang abala na ang mga tao roon. Hindi pa rin nakakalakad Ng maayos si Xienna kaya inaakay siya ni Yves pababa. “Are we going to commute?” tanong ni Xienna habang inaayos ang buhok nito na Kumakawala sa pagkaipit sa likod ng kaniyang tenga. Sinundan ng tingin ni Xienna si Yves na naglakad sa kaniyang likod at bahagyang lumapit sa kaniya.“We’ll be in my car. The driver is on his way.”Tumango si Xienna at nagsimula nang maglakad patungo sa isang drugstore na malapit sa kinatatayuan nila. Habang si Yves naman a
•Yves•“You have already told me that for like five times now… I know. Just trust me. I’ll be fine. Alright, I’ll see you soon. Take care. “ Xienna put down her phone and walked towards Yves who is now standing as they are about to enter the airport.Sinabay na ni Yves si Xienna papunta sa airport dahil kinakailangan pang umalis nila ni Karson at Aaliyah dahil sa isang family reunion. Gustuhin man ni Karson na personal na mamaalam ay Hindi pwede dahil kukulangin na sila sa oras.“Let’s get going, Ms. Johnson.” Tutulungan na sana siya ni Yves sa kaniyang maleta pero agad itong nilayo ni Xienna.Nagulat naman si Yves sa ginawa nito. Matamis na ngiti Ang ginawad ni Xienna sa kaniya. “ It’s fine. I’m just not used to people keeping my things for me. I can handle myself.”Nagkibit balikat na lamang si Yves at pinauna na si Xienna.Pagkarating sa loob ng eroplano ay magkatabi si Yves at si Kyson habang nasa likuran naman nila ang limang investors na sumama sa kanila at ang dalawam
•Yves•“For how many days again?” Xienna ask.“Three. Stakeholders are encouraged to join this event to raise the workforce morale, but this is not mandatory, you still have the right to decline.” Explained Yves.“Do you need my answer right now?” “Preferably yes, but I can still wait up until tomorrow so that we can fix the documents.”“How many stakeholders had already raised a thumbs up?”“So far there’s two.”Xienna nodded. “I’ll think about it.”Aalis na sana si Xienna nang tawagin siya ni Yves. “Uhmm-““Yes?”“Are. We. Okay? Like did I do anything wrong?”She smiled. “You’re thinking too much. Of course we’re okay… Wait, I’ll just go grab something.” Xienna softly laughed as if brushing the topic off.Yves let out an awkward smile. “Sure.”At naiwan na nga itong mag-isa. Habang abala sa kaniyang selpon ay siya namang pagbaba ni Aaliyah.“Hey.” Pagkalapit ni Aaliyah ay hinalikan niya si Yves sa pisngi. “Today’s Sunday, do you have somewhere to go to?”“Lemme chec
•Yves•Hawak niya ang kamay ni Xienna habang mahimbing itong natutulog. Nakaupo si Yves sa gilid Ng higaan habang nakadapa Ang kalahati Ng kaniyang katawan.The rain has already stopped. The sun is starting to come out. Bahagyang gumalaw si Xienna dahilan upang magising si Yves. Yves run his hand through his hair as he looked around. “Xienna?”Xienna on the other hand has just started to open her eyes. Inilibot niya rin ang paningin sa paligid . Dumapo Ang kaniyang tingin sa magkahawak nilang kamay kaya agad niyang inilayo ang sa kaniya.Tumikhim si Yves. “I already called Karson, he’s on his way. Are you feeling better?”“I’m thirsty.”Inabot ni Yves ang nakapatong na water bottle sa ibabaw Ng bedside table at pinainom na Kay Xienna ang laman nito. Xienna looked at her hands. “Ummm… I have nyctophobia. I had a panic attack, I don’t mean to trouble you.” Her voice was so low.Lumipat si Yves mula sa upuan niya papunta sa kama. Umupo siya doon. He placed his hands on he
•Yves•“You got a nice office here, dude.” Ani Xienna habang sinusuri Ang bawat sulok ng opisina ni Yves.“Sure.” Tipid na tugon naman ni Yves habang pinagpapatuloy ang pagliligpit sa mga dokumentong na pirmahan na ni Xienna. Nang matapos si Yves sa ginagawa ay inayos niya ang kaniyang suot. Tumayo siya at pinagkrus ang mga braso habang sinusundan ng tingin ang kaniyang bisita na ngayon ay abala na sa mga aklat na nakahilera doon.“By the way, when you told me that I was about to meet someone, did you already know that you’ll be having a deal with me?” Asked Yves.Kumuha si Xienna ng isang aklat roon bago hinarap si Yves. “Well, your name do ring a bell. But mind you, I’m not that sure. I don’t remember names that much but I got a feeling that it’s you. Karson’s the one who recommended MH Suites to me, I’m a freelance model and I’m looking for something where I can grow my money into. Karson once checked in to a branch you have in Japan after his flight. He liked the accomm
•Yves•He’s feeling out of place with all their talks and whatnots. Kaya naman nagpokus na lamang siya sa pagmamaneho. And besides, having a lot of people inside the car with him as the driver is taking a toll. Malayo ang kanilang biyahe, mula airport papunta sa beach house nila sa Batangas. Aaliyah’s brother and his friend is going to stay there for their vacation.“Are you sure it’s okay for you to have an overnight here? You seem to be a busy man.” Tanong ni Larson.“I got an off. It’s fine, I don’t have a lot of work to do anyway.”Liar. Even Aaliyah knows that he’s lying right now. She looked at him with a questioning look and he just nodded. Kahit sarili niya mismo ay hindi alam kung bakit siya pumayag. Yves’ phone beeped announcing that they have already reached their destination.“Is this it?” Yves said, making sure. “Yes, yes.” Karson.They all went out the car. “This place didn’t even change for a bit.” Pagsasalita pa ni Xienna.“Oh? You’ve been here alre
•Aaliyah•“What’s happening? Why are you crying?”Yves said as he cupped her face. He guided him to the seat while delicately holding her shoulders.“How’s your head? Does it hurts? Should we go back to the hospital?”Aaliyah firmly shook her head. “Ayos lang. I just remembered something.”“You sure? You’re not feeling weird? Or anything?”“I hate sunsets.” Pag aamin ni Aaliyah. Sinundan ni Yves ang tingin ni Aaliyah sa album na ngayon ay nahulog na sa sahig. “I got a bitter memory with it.”_She’d been staying at Yves’ residence for two days.'I’m bored'. That crossed Aaliyah’s mind for quite some time now.Bumangon siyang muli sa pagkakahiga Ng halos ilang oras na din. Pagkatapos mag-agahan kanina ay diretso lang siyang kwarto. At dahil Wala naman siyang magawa at hindi siya pinapayagang magkikilos masyado, nanghiram na lamang siya ng libro at iyon ang pinagdiskitahan niya.Magulo at tumatakip sa kaniyang mata An
• Yves•Hindi siya mapakaling naglalakad nang paikot-ikot. Pinagmamasdan niya ang kaniyang mga palad na may bakas pa Ng pulang likido. A certain image continuously flash in his mind.Ilang sandali pa ay dumating na si Kyson. Tinawagan ito ni Yves pagkatapos madala ni Aaliyah sa ospital. “Dude, can you please sit down?”Pero imbes na sundin ito ni Yves ay mas pinili niyang idikit ang likod na lamang sa dingding . Pinagkrus niya ang mga braso, umaasang maitatago nito ang panginginig Ng kaniyang mga kamay.“Drink this. And stay calm, will you?” Inabot ni Kyson ang isang bote ng tubig Ng hindi siya tinitingnan. Agad naman itong tinungga ni Yves. Nang maubos nito ang laman ay siya namang paglabas at paglapit ng doktor.“It’s a mild concussion. She just lost unconsciousness. Other than the external bleeding in the left temporal lobe, fortunately she didn’t acquired other physical injury. She’ll undergo some tests. But for now, we need to let h