Chapter 6: True Feelings 2

Naalimpungatan si Charlie dahil sa mabangong aroma ng kape na naamoy niya. Last night, 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. That's something she won't forget. 

She sighed and slowly opened her eyes. Halos madilim pa, she knew the sun has not risen yet. Agad na  bumungad sa kanya ang isang hindi pamilyar na silid. Kumabog ang dibdib niya.

"Glad you're awake," nakangiting sabi ni Gael sa may pinto, hawak ang isang mug ng umuusok na kape. His hair is wet and he seemed 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. Kumpirmado, wala siya sa kuwarto niya.

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

Oh my god!

Napasinghap na siya. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin no'n. She really slept beside Gael last night!

Nagmamadali siyang bumangon sa kama, 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. I-I... need to go h-home," tarantang sagot niya.

Binitiwan siya ni Gael at humakbang patungo sa sofa. Pinulot nito ang  sapatos niya na nasa gilid niyon, 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. 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 chose 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 missing the admiration in his eyes. He picked up her sneakers and placed it just in-front of her feet.

"Let me," anito bago tinulungan ang kanang paa niya sa pagsusuot ng kanyang sapatos.

 Her cheeks heated up instantly. 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.

She watched him as he ties her left shoe.

"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 an 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’m with you para hindi sila mag-alala. Okay?"

 Alanganin siyang tumango.Wala sa sarili niyang niyuko ang damit niya.

"Hiniram ko muna ‘yan kay Ava, Gray’s sister, remember?" anito muling binalikan ang kape nito sa center table., pumihit 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.

"Ready?" tanong nito maya-maya. Marahan siyang tumango.

Nauna na ito sa pinto, subalit hindi binuksan iyon, nanatili lang itong nakahawak sa seradura.

"Is there something wrong, Gael?" she asked.

Unti-unti itong humarap sa kanya. "I lied," he said in a low voice. His eyes looking intently at her.

"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."

"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. So, paano na ngayon? 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.