The Indulgence to Desire (SPG)

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen | Anyone
Warning: SPG

"Lara."

Mukha kaagad ni Valen ang bumungad sa akin pagkalabas ko galing sa room. He was pacing back and forth nang nadatnan ko siya sa hallway.

It's five thirty in the afternoon, and my last class just ended. I hovered next to the railings when I sensed his approach. I hadn't seen him since this morning, and I was taken aback by how much I'd been longing to see his face.

Halos wala nang tao sa floor. IIlan nalang sa mga blockmates ko ang nasa loob pa ng room. We had to meet after class for a report due next week. Kahit si Kell ay umuwi na.

The corner of his lips lifted when he saw me.

There was a comfortable silence swinging about the floor. It was so suiting to the calmness and satisfaction that came with finally seeing Valen after what seemed like an eternity. Something burned in my chest.

"Hello, stranger..." I awkwardly said nang nakarating siya sa aking harapan, not knowing how to approach him after what happened with Kell earlier.

And honestly... after what happened last night and this morning!

Valen stopped in his tracks. Something flickered in his eyes as I spoke.

Kanina pa siguro siya dito sa labas. The meeting lasted at least thirty minutes. I wish he would've texted.

"Wanna go home?" His voice was soothing, his gaze was soft as though he wasn't upset about Kell just hours ago.

"Well..." I took one step toward him, "I have an appointment with the President of the Republic of the Philippines, but home is good, too."

"Hmm," he hummed in approval,  "Funny."

Amusement seeped into his eyes as he stepped closer.

"Let's go home..." Aniya, reaching out to grab my hand.

I stiffened when our fingers interlocked with each other. Valen's gaze shifted, worry etched into his beautiful features.

"What's wrong?" Tanong niya.

Inilipat ko ang tigin sa kamay namin. I hesitated. Mental images of the last few days popped into my mind. The sex, my feelings for Valen, Kell's confession. It all seemed too much all of a sudden, now that Valen's fingers were grazing mine.

Valen stepped closer. His free hand slowly reached my face to cup my chin. He guided my head so that our gazes found each other.

"What's wrong?" Tanong niya ulit.

I took a deep breath, "I... I just feel a little awkward. Everything seems weird and different suddenly."

A small smile tugged at Valen's lips. His rough finger stroked my chin carefully, as if afraid that I would break.

"Nothing's changed, baby..." He whispered, "It's still you and me."

I stared at him.

"Nothing has to change. If you don't like the touching, then we won't touch..." He assured, his voice breaking. Unti-unti niyang kinalas ang kamay niya.

Panic surged inside me as I took in his retreating hand. The way he withdrew his hand from my clutch felt reassuring and gentle like he was giving me space from the discomfort.

I tugged at his hand, brushing my fingers on his.

"No..." I asserted, "I... I w-want to touch."

The smile tugged at the side of his lips. Humigpit ang hawak niya sa aking kamay.