Chapter 6: True Feelings 2

Naalimpungatan si Charlie dahil sa mabangong aroma ng kape na na amoy niya. How many gallons of coffee have they made in the kitchen that she can smell its heavenly aroma up into her bedroom?

She shifted a little on her bed and hugged the pillow she was holding, keeping her eyes closed. She had a good sleep and a nice dream.

Napaniginipan niya na kasama raw niyang natulog kagabi si Gael. Sinabi pa nito sa kanya na mahal siya nito-- bagay na kahit ngayon na gising na gising na siya, hindi pa rin niya makalimutan.

Honestly, she doesn't want to wake up today just yet. She wanted to sleep some more in the hopes that maybe she'd dream of Gael again. Because in the dream world, Gael is close and he loves her. An illusion she cannot bring into the real world-- her real world.

She sighed and slowly opened her eyes. Halos madilim pa, she new the sun has not risen yet. Unang bumungad sa kanya ang kulay brown na sofa na sa pagkakatanda niya ay wala naman sa kuwarto niya. She also has become aware of the scent of the pillow she was holding. The soft pillow smelled of Gael-- masculine, fresh-- enticing.

She blinked a few times and tried to shook the cloud of confusion inside her head. But even before she could do that, Gael come into her view.

"Glad you're awake," nakangiting sabi nito, hawak ang isang mug ng umuusok na kape. His hair is wet and he seeemed ready to go out and start his day.

Agad siyang napabalikwas ng bangon. Setting aside the slight pounding in her head, she quickly surveyed the place. Not a single thing was familiar to her. Noon niya napagtanto na wala siya sa kuwarto niya.

How did she--

Then the events of last night came crashing to her like a bullet train-- the converstaion she overheard between her parents, the hurt she felt, the few drinks she had, her calling Gael--

Oh my god!

She gasped and caught her head in her hand. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin no'n. She really slept beside Gael last night!

Nagmamadali siyang bumangon sa kama at mabilis na nagpalinga-linga-- sinusubukang hanapin ang sapatos niya. Lumipad ang tingin niya sa bintana. The sun is about to rise from the horizon. She needs to go home. Now!

Nasa ganoon siyang pag-iisip nang mabilis na hinagip ni Gael ang isang braso niya at pilit siyang pinaharap dito.

"Calm down, Charlize," he said, gently reaching for her face. She was instantly surrounded by his warmth and presence-- making her mind hazy all the more! "Anong hinahanap mo?"

She blinked a few times, trying to tear her eyes away from his hypnotizing gaze. "M-my s-shoes," she croaked, still in a daze. "I-I... need to go h-home," tarantang dugtong niya.

Binitiwan siya ni Gael at humakbang patungo sa sofa. Sa gilid niyon, pinulot nito ang sapatos niya bago humakbang pabalik sa kanya. Subalit imbes na ibigay sa kanya iyon, inilapag nito iyon sa sahig bago nito inabot ang isang paper bag at ibinigay sa kanya.

"Here, change into one of those clothes before you put on your shoes," kalmadong utos nito. Nagtataka niyang pinaglipat-lipat ang tingin sa bag at kay Gael. "Pumili ka na lang kung anong gusto mong isuot. I'll explain to you later." Alanganin niyang tinanggap ang paper bag. "Puwede kang magpalit sa banyo." Tinuro nito ang isang pinto at nagmadali siyang humakbang patungo roon.

The bathroom is small and clean, filled with just the basics. She quickly did her morning business, washed her face and changed her clothes. The contents of the paper bag were all gym clothes. She choose a pair of black tights and tank-top. She quickly put it on and walked out back into the room.

Gael gave her a once over, never misisng the admiration in his eyes. He picked up her sneakers and placed it just infront of her feet. Subalit nang yuyuko na siya upang suutin sana ang mga iyon, inunahan siya nito sa pagluhod.

"Let me," anito bago tinulungan ang kanang paa niya sa pagsusuot ng kanyang sapatos. Her cheeks heated up instantly when she felt a sudden gush of wonderful feeling wash over her. Gael is really sweet-- a gentleman through and through. Well, he had always been like that to her. But that all changed when he rejected her heartlessly during her 18th birthday.

Then she remembered the reason why she got drunk last night. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mga nasabi niya kay Gael kagabi. Hiling niya na sana ay wala o kung meron man, kaunti lang. She doesn't want other people to be bothered by her problems. Her problems are her own to solve. Not other poeple. Specially not Gael.

She watched him as he ties her left shoe.

Bakit kasi hindi na lang si Gael? She'd be happy to be Gael's wife anytime, anywhere. But then, she doesn't hold his heart. And her heart, apparently, as of last night, is not her property.

"Naiintindihan mo ba?" pukaw ni Gael sa kanya maya-maya, tiningala pa siya. His gray eyes looking at her quizzically.

She blinked. "H-ha?"

He released a slow breath. Tumayo na ito. "Listen, we have to make your alibi para hindi sila magtaka sa mansiyon. You will have to make them believe that you went out early to have a run. You will tell them that I was with you para hindi sila mag-alala. Okay?"

"How did you--" She bit her bottol lip as realization dawned at her. Alanganin siyang tumango. He probably thought of that alibi the whole night she was out. Wala sa sarili niyang niyuko ang damit niya.

"Ava's clothes fits you well. Gray said that you and his sister might be of the same size and he was right. I hope you don't mind wearing Ava's clothes going home," anito muling binalikan ang kape nito sa center table. Maya-maya pa pumihit ito paharap sa kanya. "Gusto mong magkape bago kita ihatid pauwi? It's still 5: 30 A.M. I can make a cup--"

She walked over at him and shook her head. "No need," sabi niya bago marahang inagaw ang mug ng kape sa kamay nito at sumimsim din doon.

His coffee was black but not too bitter, just enough to keep her head sane for the task ahead. Kailangan niyang ayusin ang pag-arte niya pag-uwi sa kanila kundi malalagot silang dalawa ni Gael. Lalo na si Gael.

Nang ibalik niya rito ang mug, nagpasalamat siya. He didn't reply. Inubos lang nito ang laman ng mug bago dumiretso sa sink.

"Ready?" tanong ito nang muli itong humarap sa kanya. Marahan siyang tumango.

Nagpatiuna na itong maglakad patungo sa pinto. Susunod na sana siya subalit nang makarating ito roon, mahigpit lang nitong hinawakan ang doorknob at hindi binuksan ang pinto.

Fearing there's something wrong with him, "Is there something wrong, Gael?" she asked.

Binitiwan nito ang doorknob, unti-unting humarap sa kanya. Kaiba kanina, he's now a picture of uncertainty, of fear.

"I lied," he said in a low voice His eyes looking intently at her.

Her brows furrowed. "W-what?"

"That night, on your 18th birthday. I lied."

Kumabog na ang dibdib niya. "W-what do you mean, Gael?"

He walked over towards her in few long strides until he's standing in front of her. "I have always loved you, Charlie. Kahit na ilang beses nila 'kong pagsabihan na hindi kita puwedeng mahalin dahil malayo ang agwat natin sa buhay, I cannot teach my heart to forget you."

She felt her eyes watered at his revelation. "B-but you s-said--"

"I know and I'm sorry. I know it's stupid of me to lie and hurt you that way. But I was desperate to be someone who is worthy to by your side-- a man with a name and money but..." Pumiyok na ito, marahang umiling. "Three years after and I still need more time to be that someone. But I think I'm running out of time when your parents had already chose to whom you are for."

Napahikbi na siya. Too much for keeping her problems to herself. She did told him eveything last night.

He gently reached for her face and said. "It has always been you, Charlize Elizabeth. Just you. Now and then. For always."

Hindi na siya nakatiis, siya na ang kusang yumakap dito. For the past three years she had longed for him to says those words to her-- for Gael to love her the same way she loves him. Ngunit bakit gano'n? Pakiramdam niya lalong nadudurog ang puso niya dahil sa pagtatapat nito.

Maybe because it just made more complicated the already complicated situation she's in. She's promised to Theo but her heart belongs only to Gael. She has a responsibility to her family but she also wants to be happy. So, what should she do?

Humigpit ang yakap niya kay Gael. Confusion drowning her again.

Isa lang ang sigurado siya. Mahal niya si Gael at hinding-hindi iyon magbabago kailanman.

"P-please don't let me go, Gael. I don't want Theo. I only want to be with you and no one else," she declared in between sobs.

Imbes na sumagot, marahang inangat ni Gael ang mukha niya. A familiar warmth rose inside her chest when she met his familiar gray eyes filled with so much love... just for her.

"I will never let you go. I will stay. I promise," he said before claiming her mouth into a sweet kiss filled with many promises.

That day they started a relationship... in secret.

---

Somewhere in Germany

"Really? Good. Now watch him carefully. I want his every move reported to me. If he be good and obedient, I might show mercy but if not..." He ended the call without finishing his sentence.

His men would know what to do. They had never failed him, not even once. In the meantime, he needs to work... so that more things will work on his favor.