II: The Morning After

The sun was already up when Chloe opened her eyes. Sunlight beams beautifully to the glass walls as it is filtered by a wall-to-ceiling gray curtain that is far too expensive to belong to a hotel. Ganitong uri ng umaga ang nababagay sa mga rooms na idini-disenyo niya, para sa mga customers na walang pakialam sa gagastusin nitong mga materyales. As an architect, alam niyang mamahalin ang suite na kinaroroonan niya ngayon. Hindi basta-basta ang owner nito.

She touched the silk that covers her skin- it is pure, and the matress felt like a cloud. Hindi siya ignorante sa mga ganitong bagay, pero iba pa rin ang mahiga sa ganitong kalambot na higaan.

Chloe lay still, allowing her mind to catch up to her body. She remembered the passionate night they had. It was raw, intense and purely earth-shaking. Hindi siya ganito noon sa dati niyang boyfriend, pero iba ang effect nitong kasiping niya kagabi. The way he wrapped his strong arms; the way she purred under his kisses. The way he trailed his touch to her lower body; and the way she moaned when he rocked her into the seventh heaven.

Why am I thinking this way? No, freaking way. She shook her head in disapproval.

The woman decided to push herself up, dala-dala ang kumot na nakatabing sa kanyang katawan. Pinagmasdan niya sa ibaba ang kabuuan ng Bonifacio Global City. Perfect grid and far more stunning than the night's view.

Hindi ito standard suite, this is a penthouse.

A quiet sound from the kitchen pulled her out of the trance. She started to wear the loose shirt and a pair of sweatpants that seated in the nearest clothes rack beside the table and decided to follow the scent of a rich, earthy aroma of reshly brewed coffee. Dinala siya ng amoy na ito papunta sa kitchen na gawa sa pinong granite at chrome.

Mayaman. Isip-isip niya dahil parang hindi ito kusina ayon sa malinis at maganda nitong disenyo, kung hindi parang isang showroom. Idagdag pa ang chandelier sa gitna nasa pagitan dining at kitchen area.

Chloe went to the counter where a mug of coffee is waiting for her. Habang iniinom niya ang kape na saktong-sakto ang timpla para sa panlasa niya, nilibot niya ang paningin at umaasang makita ang estrangherong nakilala niya kagabi.

Nagulat na lamang ang dalaga ng biglang nag-ring ang isang smartphone sa may bandang dining area. Without hesitation, she went near the phone and saw a name on screen "My Lily". A small pang of confusion washed over her.

Oh so, may jowa pala siya? Hmm. Her pretty face frowned when realization hit her hard.

And then as if pulled by an unseen string, a man walked briskly pass her to answer the call. He was no longer shirtless; he was dressed in a simple, crisp white t-shirt.

"Oh hi, baby!" he answered and his voice in a soft rumble. Tumingin siya sa dalaga, but his eyes held a gentle warmth she had never seen before.

"Shit." Chloe muttered to herself while returning to her pose minutes ago.

He laughed about something but Chloe just focused on her coffee.

It is not my business, so do not mind, self.

She watched, mesmerized by this sudden change of this demeanor from this guy. Chloe find this guy more intriguing as he is now the paradox of the man she met last night- a powerful man who commanded a room. He is relaxed and soft this morning. She felt a wave of curiosity wash over her.

She looked at the man answering cheerfully on his phone, differently. His hair is still wet and messy, but it is sexy. His sweatpants, matched his toned body perfectly and his bulge down there is s----

"Oh I love you too, baby." then he hang up the phone.

Chloe caught her own breath while hearing those words.

Why is this guy totally different with that Lily? Is that really her girlfriend?

She cleared her throat before finishing her mug of coffee, as she also cleared her mind with this inquisitive thoughts.

Aiden went to her side and get a freshly brewed coffee for himself. The woman can't help but capture his manly scent-- just like last night.

"My driver is ready to send you home or wherever you wanted to go," then he went on the couch on the far end of the dining area and checked his phone without giving her a glance.

Chloe wanted to ask who is this Lily, and why he behaves differently. But she thought the guy is not in the mood to share anything with her- based on his statement.

"Thank you," that's all she can say upon sensing the guy will not talk to her again.

This is good, right? No strings attached? She told herself as collect her things back from the room where she stayed the night.

Ito ang umaga pagkatapos ng nangyari, at ito na rin ang huli. Instead of feeling dismissed, naramdaman ni Chloe ang matinding pagnanais na makilala ang binata.

Inihatid siya nito sa lobby, at ang kamay nito ang nasa likuran niya- gaya ng nagdaang gabi. The silence between them is not awkward pero puno ito ng mga hindi masabing mga salita at init na silang dalawa lang ang makakaapula.

There is a black sedan waiting for them with the driver, a tall man in a suit, held the door open for her. May pag-aalinlangan man ay pumasok na siya sa loob nito. May mga katanungan siya sa isip sa lalaking di man lang niya alam ang pangalan, but she keep it to herself.

As the door closed with a soft click, hinabol pa niya ng tingin ang lalaking naghatid sa kanya. Aiden was standing on the curb, with hands on his pockets, watching the car go.

He was a perfect statue of a man, and his gaze was fixed on her as the distance between them stretches out. Nung nawala na sa paningin niya ang binata, ay doon lamang naisip ni Chloe na hindi niya ito malilimutan. This is a first for her.

He was just not a one night stand. He was a puzzle she had to solve, a quiet promise of a world she just glimpsed. At ang kanyang maganda at malamyos na tinig ay mayroong pangalan- Lily.