Chapter 2

-(GELAL THEODEN FRANCISCO POV)-

I was in disbelief. This woman? Helping me? Pft. I am on the stage of mourning and this woman came into my unit unannounced. 

Hindi pa rin nagssink in sa utak ko ang sinabi nito na aakto ako para lang hindi masira ang repustasyon namin ni Dad.

Pero bakit pati repustasyon ko masisira? The fuck are they even thinking to put me in this situation?.

"You, helping me? This is nonsense." I laughed sarcastically as I looked away.

"Then talk to my dad Mr. Francisco. Let's see kung sino ang magmamakaawa sating dalawa.'' Sagot niya na parang naiinis.

"Bakit naman ako magmamakaawa?" I asked, a grin plastered on my face.

Hindi ito sumagot bagkus ay seryoso itong tumingin sa akin. 

"Ano? Sagot. Wala sa vocabulary ko-" I was cut off when she spoke.

"Kung ayaw mong umakto, bahala ka. Basta ako sinabi ko na sayo na sisisrain ni Dad ang reputasyon ng yumao mong ama at ang reputasyon mo." Saad niya bago umalis sa harap ko.

But before she can walk past me, I held her wrist. Causing her to stop. Lumingon ako rito at nakita ko kung paano niya bigyan tingin ang kamay kong nakahawak sakanya before locking her eyes on mine.

"What?" She asked, obviously wondering.

"Where are you going?" I asked back as I faced her.

"I'm going home. Ayaw mo naman makipag cooperate eh kaya uuwi nalang ako." Sagot nito, her face so calm. 

"You're not going anywhere." Sagot ko pabalik, my brows slightly furrowed.

"At bakit? Pagmamay ari mo ba ako para sabihin sa akin yan?" She asked, her one eyebrow raised.

I smirked. "Oo, pagmamay ari kita. You're already mine actually. I already marked you three days ago so it means…" Linapit ko ang aking bibig sa kanyang tenga. "You're mine, Corlyn. Just mine…" I mumbled bago lumayo ng bahagya.

Kita ko ang pamumula ng mukha niya na naging dahilan upang tumawa ako ng bahagya.

"You can't claim me, Theo." Saad niya habang binabawi nito ang kanyang braso.

"But I already did. Remember the last time we did it? You were even screaming… and moaning my name to the top of your lungs, sexy bunny." I huskily retorted as I reminisced what we did three days ago.

Her face was flushed as she looked at me. Those emerald orbs of hers had something within them.

"What? Cat got your tongue?" I asked as I bit my inner cheek.

"That is not what I'm talking about, Theo." Sagot niya before looking away.

I placed my index finger and thumb on her chin, forcing her to look at me. Her face is red like a tomato and her eyes had different emotions lingering around them.

"Really? Then what do you mean by that, sexy bunny?" I asked, closing the space between us as I pulled her close to me.

Kulang na lamang ay maglapat ang mga labi namin dahil sa sobrang lapit ko rito, her breath fanning at my face.

The sweet scent of her body had me intoxicated for the second time, making my heart pound wildly.

Dinig ko ang malakas na pintig ng kanyang puso as she locked her eyes on mine, unable to speak.

"Answer me, Corlyn." Saad ko, my free hand reaching for her cheek before caressing it.

"I have to go, Theo." Sagot niya but I shook my head.

"I already told you, you're not going anywhere." Sagot ko pabalik before pulling her in for a kiss.

Dali dali itong tumugon sa halik ko at walang alinlangan kong ipinulupot ang isa kong braso sa kanyang baywang, my other hand placed on her cheek to deepen the kiss.

Ramdam ko na ipinulupot nito ang kanyang mga braso sa aking leeg, her hand gripping my hair.

The heat in my body was increasing as we continued to kiss, my tongue interacting with hers, our lips colliding with each other amd our arms wrapped around one another.

"Fuck, I wanna have sex with you right now." I proclaimed as we kissed.

Hindi ko na control ang sarili ko at naging agresibo ang aking mga halik sa kanya. Walang alinlangan ko iton binuhat, her legs wrapped around my waist.

"Theo…" Sambit nito habang hinahalikan ko siya.

Humingig ako bilang tugon habang patuloy ako sa paghalik sa kanya. Nagsimula akong maglakad patungo sa living room, never breaking the kiss.

Kinapa kapa ko ang mga gamit hanggang sa mahawakan ko ang sofa, quickly sitting down as she was on my lap.

The bulge in my pants hardened as she sat on me. My hands roaming around her back before gripping her hair sexually.

"Theo, wait…" Sambit nito muli bago humiwalay sa halik.

Hingal na hingal kaming napatingin sa isa't isa. Her lips a bit swollen from what happened just now. Nothing was lingering in my mind except for the sexual arousal that I'm feeling right now.

"What's wrong, sexy bunny?" I asked as I catch my breath.

"Kailangan ko ng umalis. Baka hanapin ako-" Naputol ang kanyang sasabihin nang halikan ko siya muli.

It was only a span of few minutes before pulling her lips away.

"Why can't you just fucking stay for awhile? I'm already turned on." Saad ko, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"I'm aroused too but… I really have to go. Baka hanapin ako ni Dad." Sagot niya ngunit hindi ako nasiyahan sa kanyang sagot.

"Edi hatid kita sa inyo pagkatapos natin. You can't leave me undone, sexy bunny." Sagot ko pabalik, my brows furrowed.

But she shook her head. "I really have to leave. Kahit na gustuhin kong mag stay dito, hindi pwede." Saad niya na ikinainis ko.

"Fine, the door is widely open." I grumbled, letting her get off my lap.

Tumayo na rin ako at hinatid ito hanggang sa front door, my body leaning on the wall as she opened the door.

"You're really gonna leave me undone, sexy bunny?" I asked, my one eyebrow raised.

Tumingin ito sa direksyon ko and watched her stride towards me. She snaked her arms around my neck before giving me a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm sorry, may next time naman eh." Sagot niya but I shook my head.

"There will be no next time. Once you fucking get out that door, you will never have a taste of me again." Sagot ko pabalik, my expression solemn.

Bumusangot ito bago halikan ang aking labi. "Ito akala mo talaga pag mamay ari ako. Nag one night stand lang naman tayo eh." Saad niya, her brows furrowed.

"You are mine. Hindi yun one night stand para sa akin, Corlyn. For me, it was more than just a one night stand." Sambit ko na nakapag patahimik sa kanya.

Tahimik kaming napatingin sa isa't isa. The silence was fucking deafening to the point I can't bear it.

I sighed. "Give me your address and your number. Pupunta ako sa inyo mamaya." Saad ko muli before  seeing her confused expression.

"Bakit?" She asked, bakas sa tono nito na nagtataka siya.

"Sabi mo kakausapin ako ng Dad mo. Edi ibigay mo ang number mo at ang address mo para mapuntahan ko kayo mamaya." Sagot ko.

Lumayo ito ng bahagya sa akin and watched her grab something from her bag.

May inabot itong card sa akin na siyang sinuri ko naman, seeing her number and the address on it.

"I'll call you when I get there." Sambit ko habang tinatabi sa wallet ko ang calling card na binigay niya.

She nodded. "I'll be expecting you." Sagot nito sa akin before striding towards the open door.

Pinanood ko itong lumabas before she closed the door behind her. I ran my fingers through my hair bago kunin ang bagahe sa living room at itabi sa kwarto.

Kumuha na rin ako ng damit na pwedeng suotin para naman mukhang presentable ang itsura ko pagdating duon.

The outfit was simple. Black sleeves with black trousers paired with decent shoes.

I made my way to the shower upang makapag ready na para sa pupuntahan mamaya.

-(EMERALD CORLYN VERDANIO POV)-

My heart was beating fast when I saw him. All I want to do is talk about our marriage.

I don't want to marry him, yet I'm falling for him quite fast. And the audacity he had to call me 'sexy bunny' was on the extreme level.

Nag aya pa ng sexual session… gosh…

Kasalukuyan akong nagda-drive ng kotse nang may tumawag sa phone. Agad kong kinuha yun sa dashboard at sinagot.

"Hello?" I asked nang sagutin ko ang tawag.

"This is your brother, Lezalel. Where the heck are you? Sabi mo saglit ka lang." My brother answered, a bit pissed.

Shit Kuya Lezalel arrived. Think of a way, Corlyn.

 Pumikit ako ng mariin bago sumagot. Sa lahat ng pwedeng tumawag. Siya pa.

"I'm heading home, Kuya. Tell Father I'm meeting him in his study." Sagot ko, holding back my fear.

"I'll tell him. But you have to tell me kung saan ka galing." He retorted.

"Galing lang ako sa mall. Kasama ko si Winter kanina. I have to go, I'm driving." Sagot ko bago ibaba ang tawag.

Binaba ko ang cellphone ko at binilisan ang pagpapatakbo ng kotse. It was a 30 minute drive mula sa condo hanggang sa mansyon. Never to mention the goddamn traffic kaya matagal bago ako dumating.

Nang makarating ako ay bumusina ako sa gate, the guards immediately opening it at walang alinlangan kong pinasok agad ang kotse sa driveway.

The first person I saw was Kuya Lezalel with Ate Seraphina looking so serious on the front porch. 

I got myself together bago lumabas ng kotse, keeping my resting bitch face with my head raised.

Naglakad ako patungo sa kanila, bumping my shoulder to them ngunit nahawakan ni Kuya ang aking braso na naging dahilan upang lingunin ko ito.

"Saan ka galing?" Tanong niya, his face solemn.

"Sinabi ko na sayo, galing ako sa mall." Sagot ko, my one eyebrow raised.

"Winter told me you didn't go to the mall." Sabat ni Ate Sera, which caused me to look at her.

Argh this bitch… I'm so fed up with her attitude.

"Am I even talking to you? This is between me and Kuya, so shut your fucking mouth up." Sagot ko na ikinainis niya.

"You bitch, how dare you." Sambit nito as she was about to slap me ngunit may humawak sa braso nito.

Lumingon ako sa likod dahil hindi naman braso ni Kuya yun. My body froze nang makita ko ang mata nito na naniningkit habang nakatingin kay Ate. 

"Don't even think about slapping her." Sambit nito as he held her wrist.

"Sino ka ba, ha? Bitawan mo nga ako." Sagot ni Ate as she aggressively took back her wrist.

Binitawan nito ang braso niya but his expression remained unchanged.

"You wouldn't wanna know, so shut up." Sambit niya bago ilipat ang tingin sa akin.

"You okay?" He asked na parang sinusuri ako nito.

I nodded in response bago lumingon kina Kuya. Their expressions were solemn as they looked at me.

"We'll be getting inside now. Nasa study si Dad, waiting for you." Sambit ni Kuya bago hilahin si Ate papasok ng bahay.

She glared at me one last time ngunit nakipag sukatan ako ng tingin rito bago sila tuluyang pumasok sa loob.

I sighed in relief before facing him, his manly scent intoxicating my body as his body was a bit close to mine.

"Akala ko ba mamaya ka pa pupunta?" I asked, keeping my hands from hugging him.

Grabe ang bango niyaaa…

"I fucking missed you already kaya hindi ako nakatiis." Sagot nito, his arms snaking around my waist before pulling me close to him.

Sinasabi ko na nga ba…

"Theo…" Saad ko when he started to brush his nose against mine.

"You left me undone… kaya pagtapos namin mag usap ng Dad mo, mayayardo ka sa akin." He mumbled huskily before grazing his lips on mine.

"Dang it, Theo… stop it." Awat ko as I laughed softly.

Kinikilig ako sa bruhong to s***a…

He giggled softly bago tanggalin ang mga braso niya sa bewang ko. His eyes had multiple emotions lingering around them.

Halatang nagpipigil siyang sarili as he kept his hands to himself. Well, ako rin naman.

"Alam mo na yung gagawin?" I asked, assuring myself if alam na niya ang plano.

He nodded. "Yeah, act all lovey dovey like a goddamn couple? Got it." Sagot niya na parang naiinis.

"I'm just gonna talk to Dad, you can wait for me in the living room." Saad ko bago siya talikuran.

I made my way inside and headed upstairs, the fear and anxiety slowly crawling on my skin as I walked through the corridor.

Nang makarating ako, kumatok ako ng tatlong beses before opening the office door.

He was signing some papers, as usual. Never took his eyes off of it since yesterday.

"Sit down." Utos niya without taking a glance at my direction.

Sinundan ko ang utos nito at umupo sa tapat niya bago ito bumaling sakin.

"Have you talked to him?" He asked, taking his glasses off as he rested his back on the swivel chair.

"Yes. Sinabi ko na pinapapunta niyo po siya dito sa mansion. And luckily, he obeyed. Nandito na nga po siya eh." Sagot ko, my eyes focused on him.

He heaved a sigh before he raised an eyebrow "Make sure na may contact ka sa kanya and make him fall in love with you in anyways possible. You may leave now, I'll be down in a minute."

*but, It seems that I'm the first one to fall, Father...*

"Opo." Yun lang ang naging sagot ko bago umalis. 

I left the room and closed the door behind me, speeding up my pace as I walked through the corridor.

Bumaba ako ng hagdan and saw him focused on his phone as he sat on the couch. Tumungo ako sa direksyon nito at walang alinlangan na umupo sa tabi niya.

"Nakausap mo na ang Dad mo?" He asked without glancing at me.

"Oo, he'll be down in a minute." I answered before I felt an arm around my waist.

Tiningnan ko iyon and saw the black sleeve, cursing myself internally on to why I wore a crop top and jeans instead of a bodycon dress. He can make me shiver just by his touch. My body reacting so weird when he's near me.

My heart pounding and butterflies roaming around my stomach as his finger drew circles on my abdomen. Making the spark inside me ignite and create a flame, spreading wildly through my body.

"Theo… stop it." I mumbled in his ear, which caused him to look at me.

"Stop what?" He mumbled back, curiously wondering.

"This…" I answered, which confused him.

He furrowed his brows. "I'm not doing anything." Sagot nito.

I looked away, biting the tip of my thumb as I held his hand on my abdomen. I saw him in my peripheral vision looking down.

"Stop drawing circles, please…" Saad ko as I look at him.

Hindi ito sumagot and looked at me dead in the eye before I saw a smirk form in his face.

His handsome and flawless face…

"Are you getting butterflies?" He asked loud enough for me to hear.

"Pag sinabi kong oo, anong gagawin mo?" I asked back, ramdam ko ang pamumula ng aking mukha.

"I'll stop." He answered before looking back at his phone.

And he did. Tumigil nga ito at kumalma ang buong pagkatao ko nang gawin niya ang sinabi niya.

I looked at my wristwatch to see it was 2:00 in the afternoon. Sabi ni Dad bababa siya pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin. 

"Your Dad is taking too long upstairs." Sambit niya as he kept his phone in his pocket.

"Oo nga eh. Saglit tatawagin-" Naputol na ang sasabihin ko nang sumagot ito.

"Wag mo siyang tawagin. Just let him come on his own. And while we wait…" Tumingin ito sa akin. "Why don't we distract ourselves for a moment?" He mumbled, his hand on my cheek as he caressed it.

His thumb caressed my bottom lip that caused my mouth to slightly open.

"You're so gorgeous, sexy bunny…" He mumbled, inserting his thumb inside my mouth.

Walang alinlangan kong sinubo iyon, my tongue moving in circular motion as I sexually sucked his thumb.

Bakas sa mukha nito na nagpipigil siya ng sarili. His eyes lustfully staring at me, his breathing was heavy as he grunted.

"Dang, wag yan ang isubo mo sexy bunny." Saad niya, sapat lang ang lakas para marinig ko siya.

Tinanggal nito ang kanyang daliri sa bunganga ko, letting him wipe it with his handkerchief.

"Ano ba ang dapat kong isubo?" I asked seductively, my hand having its own mind to roam from his abdomen up to his chest.

He leaned his back on the backrest of the couch as he licked his lips. "You know what it is, sexy bunny. He's already waiting for you…" He answered, which caused me to look down.

Nakita ko ang matigas niyang ari na nakabakat sa kanyang pantalon. Just by the pants, alam kong malaki iyon. I looked back at him and without warning, I touched his hardened manhood. Stroking it to be exact.

I heard him grunt and watched him rest his head on the backrest, his hand gripping my waist as I continued stroking it.

S***a nasa bahay kami pero ganito kami umaakto…

"Are you enjoying it?" I asked seductively, never stopping my hand.

Pinantay nito ang aming tingin. "Unbuckle my pants. Right. Now." He mumbled as he breathed heavily.

I smirked. "Bawal. Nanjan sina Dad." Sagot ko pabalik bago itigil ang aking ginagawa.

As if on cue, we heard someone clear their throat.

Pareho kaming napalingon and my body froze nang makita ko kung sino iyon.

Dali dali kong tinanggal ang kamay ko sa kanya bago tumayo sa aking inuupuan.

"Dad, kanina pa kayo?" I asked as I fixed my crop top.

He shook his head but I can tell in his eyes na hindi niya gusto ang nakikita. Nakita ko sa likod nito si Kuya, standing there like a bodyguard behind him.

"I just arrived, anyways where is he?" He asked, glancing beside me.

"Hello, Mr. Verdanio. It's a pleasure to meet you." Sambit nung katabi ko, ramdam ko na ipinulupot niya ang kanyang braso sa aking balikat.

My Father gave him a wide smile. "A pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Francisco. Is your Mom with you?" He asked, curiously wondering.

Lumingon ako rito and saw him shaking his head. "No, Sir. I came here alone." Saad nito, ramdam ko ang higpit ng hawak niya sa aking balikat.

I turned back to face Dad. Seeing him nod at him eased me a bit. "Okay. Well, shall we?" He presented, gesturing us to go at the conference room.

We all followed him as he made his way towards the room, my hands trembling as I take every step.

"Are you alright?" He whispered to my ear as we walked behind Dad.

I nodded. "Just anxious…" I mumbled, never glancing at him.

Nang makapasok kami roon, nandun na ang aking mga kapatid pati na rin si Mom. Sitting all quietly and patiently.

We took our seats, him sitting beside me as Kuya sat beside Ate Sera.

Tiningnan ko si Papa na nasa harap na nakatayo. He lets out a deep breath before we heard him speak.

"First of all, me and my family would like to give our deepest condolences para sa ama mong yumao, Mr. Francisco. He was a dear friend of mine kaya nagulat ako sa balitang dumating na namatay na ito." He started, his face a bit gloomy.

"Thank you, Mr. Verdanio." Sagot niya, bakas sa tono nito na malungkot siya.

"Anyways, I want to talk to you about something on where my children are witnessing right now." Dad proclaimed, keeping his hands together.

"What do you wanna talk about, Mr. Verdanio?" He asked, obviously wondering.

"Clearly I want to talk about the marriage we arranged for you and for my daughter Emerald. We can talk about this personal matter in a calm and friendly way, no frustrations and stress involved." He said in an authoritative way.

I saw my three siblings taken aback while Ate Sera looked calm. Kuya Lezalel um… he seemed pissed.

 

Kung ako ang pagdedesisyonin, di ko pakakasalan tong lalaking nasa tabi ko.

Pero kung ganito kagwapo, why not? Coconut. Char…

I barely even knew him. Yet after what happened that night, everything changed. My life fucking went upside down at para kaming mag nobyo kanina… but the anxiety that Father might have caught us flirting with each other a while ago was still within me.

Dang it bakit ba kasi ginawa ko yun?

Stupid Corlyn…

Halos mapaiktad kami nang kalabugin ni Kuya ang conference table at tumayo para pantayan ng tingin si Papa. Makikita mong galit na ito dahil dumidilim ang mata niya.

"Are you out of your mind Father? My sister is just a freakin' minor and magdedecide ka na ipapakasal mo siya sa isang lalaking di niya kilala? Are you joking?" Tanong nito with his jaw clenched.

Father heaved a sigh. "Mahasiah Lezalel, sit down when I'm not talking to you. Don't talk unless I say you do." Father answered solemnly.

He laughed sarcastically "I have the rights to talk whenever I want to. Kung ako sayo, wag mo ituloy ang pinaplano mo. Dimo alam kung ano ugali ng kumag na ipapakasal mo sa anak mo."

Nagulat ako nang tumayo ito, facing my brother with his jaw clenched and his hands turned into fists.

"Sinong tinatawag mong kumag ha?" Tanong nito with a cold tone.

Kuya looked at him seriously "Bakit natamaan ka? menor pakakasalan mo pero di ka man lang magprotesta and object your opinion. Clearly kumag ka talaga." He answered.

Wala bang aawat sa kanila?? Gosh.

"I didn't want this fucking marriage either. Pero kahit anong sabihin ko or ano ang opinion mo, your Father won't listen to us. Keep that in your worthless mind." Gelal replied, his face solemn.

I stood up when my brother was about to attack him. Pumagitna ako sa kanilang dalawa and faced Kuya. 

"Please, lumipat ka na ng upuan. I'll handle this." Sambit ko, looking at him worryingly.

"Hindi ka man lang ba magpo-protesta about this 'marriage'? You're a minor, Corlyn." Sambit nito sa akin, his brows furrowed.

"Gelal is right, kahit anong opinyon niyo or magprotesta ako, Father wouldn't change his mind. Alam mo isang salita't gawa si Dad. Kaya please, stop." Sagot ko sa kanya.

He glared at him for the last time bago ito umalis sa harap ko.

"You, callm down okay? Everything will be fine as long as you're with me. Got it?" I asked calmly as I faced him.

Tumango ito bilang tugon bago ko halikan ang kanyang pisngi, my family shocked because of my actions.

"Dad, you may continue your talk." Saad ko nang makaupo na kami.

Tumango ito and they did. They continued while the rest of us were silent before I felt a hand in my thigh. 

Lumingon ako sa baba at nakitang hinahaplos nito ang hita ko before gently squeezing it. I caressed his hand and intertwined our fingers.

Liningon ko ito at halatang pinipigilan niya ang kanyang sarili as he talked to Dad. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko ginawa iyon but I felt the need to do it.

Looking down, I removed my hands from his and started caressing his thigh as I looked at him from time to time.

Kita ko ang pamumula ng kanyang mukha as he continuously nodded at Dad's suggestions.

My hand slowly made its way to his bulge as I listened. Keeping the smirk to myself nang maramdaman kong tumitigas iyon kahit sa haplos ko lang.

Liningon ko ito nang tumigil siya sa pagsasalita. His eyes locked on mine as he breathed heavily. 

"What?" I asked, removing my hand from him.

Hindi ito sumagot and shook his head before looking away, biting the tip of his thumb. Hinawakan ko muli ang kanyang kamay bago sumandal sa swivel chair.

Bumaling muli ako sa harap and saw everyone was looking at us suspiciously, seeing Ate Seraphina looking down at our hands made me remove mine from his bago ayusin ang aking upo.

"Are you guys sure na patatagalan niyo pa ang kasal?" Ate asked nang bumaling ito kay Papa.

"Bakit? Is there something wrong Seraphina?" Dad asked, confused by Ate's question.

"Wala pa kasi ang kasal, naghholding hands na sila." She answered nonchalantly.

Father laughed softly bago ito lumingon sa akin, a small smile plastered on his face.

"Emerald, it's up to you kung kelan magaganap ang kasal. Clearly you already like Gelal from the way you acted earlier." 

I was taken aback. I looked at Gelal with worry signaling him for backup. He laughed softly before I heard him answering my father.

"We will get married next month Tito."