Art Of Temptation Series: Forbidden Desire [COMPLETED]

Sixteen

"DID you already tell him about your pregnancy?"

Nasabi ko na sa kanilang tatlo ang tungkol sa pinag usapan namin ni Gideon. Sobrang saya nila para sa akin.

There is no hint of judgement in their eyes. Kahit na alam nilang step-brother ko si Gideon, wala akong narinig na kahit ano sa mga bunganga nila.

I am now on my second month, mabuti na lang at hindi pa medyo klaro ang umbok ng tiyan ko. That's because I always wear baggy clothes to hide my tummy.

Hindi kami pwede mag hang-out sa bar ngayon dahil bawal ako roon. I already told them that I can accompany them, but they didn't like the idea. Baka raw kasi makasama sa akin ang ambiance doon.

Kaya dito na lang kami sa bahay nina Lorelei. We can talk here without anyone hearing our conversation. Baka kasi isumbong ako ng Dad ni Lorelei. His Dad and My Dad are business partners, not just business partners but they are also best friends, like how Lorelei and I. Mabuti na lang at wala dito 'yung parents niya sa bahay.

"Nope, I haven't told him yet." I informed them.

"I can't believe na magiging Tita na talaga ako!" Brianna dramatically said while fanning herself using her hand.

Natawa naman ako sa sinabi niya. Habang ang dalawa naman ay tiningnan lang siya.

"Ang OA," Veronica said as she rolled her eyes. Veronica and Brianna are best of friends, too. It's just their love language to insult one another.

"Totoo naman, uh. Magiging Tita na tayong tatlo." Brianna countered.

Lorelei held my hand. "When are you going to tell him?" Lorelei asked, ignoring these two girls who are about to start a quarrel.

"... I don't know, naghahanap pa ako ng lakas ng loob para sabihin sa kanila ang tungkol dito." I replied.

"Mukha namang deads na deads sa 'yo ang lover boy mo. So, what's stopping you?" Brianna asked.

Nagkibit ako ng balikat. "Honestly... I really don't know kung bakit hindi ko kayang sabihin sa kanya."

Veronica smiled at me. "Basta, kung ano man ang desisyon mo ay palagi mong tandaan na nandito lamang kami upang sumuporta sa 'yo." Veronica comfort me with her words, she is really good at it.

"Thank you," I sincerely thanked them saka tiningnan sila isa-isa.

"Oh my gosh, wala namang iyakan, oh." Brianna dramatically said, again. Umarte pa siyang nagpupunas ng luha kahit wala naman.

Napangiwi naman si Veronica sa sinabi niya. "Kahit kailan ang OA mong gaga ka. Wala namang umiiyak rito, uh?" Veronica grumbled.

Natawa na lamang ako sa kanilang dalawa kahit si Lorelei ay napapa-iling na lamang sa dalawa.

---

"DO you want some red wine, Caily?"

Umiling ako sa tanong ni Dad. No, I can't have that wine even though the smell of it is tempting me. But, I can't just afford what will happen to my unborn child if I drink that.

"I'm fine with juice, Dad." I said while raising the glass of orange juice. We are having our usual dinner.

Gideon is sitting right next to me, kahit na sinabi ko na sa kanya na sana wag siya masyadong lumapit sa akin dahil naiirita ako sa mukha niya.

"Cely, pakilabas naman ng carbonara."utos ni Dad kay Nanay Cely, who's still preparing at the kitchen.

When Nanay Cely arrived with the plate of carbonara in her hands, pinaupo na siya kaagad ni Dad kasama namin upang mag hapunan.

"Ahm, can you remove away the carbonara from me?" sabi ko. Para kasing naduduwal na ako anumang oras.

Kumunot ang noo ni Dad. "Why? Isn't that your favorite?" not anymore.

I just smiled awkwardly at him. "Ahm, just I don't like the smell of it." sabi ko saka tiningnan sila isa-isa upang tingnan ang mga reaksyon nila. Lahat sila ay nakatingin lamang sa akin.

I know they find me weird, 'cause their face says it all.

Konting-konti na lang at maduduwal na talaga ako sa amoy at itsura nito

Please My angel, not now. Paulit-ulit kong bulong sa aking isipang habang hinahaplos ang tiyan ko.

But, gosh! Mukhang hindi ko na kaya pang pigilan ito. Dali-dali na akong tumayo at dumiretso sa banyo.

Pagkalabas ko ay bumalik na ako sa mesa. Lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin, kulang na lang ay palitan ng question mark ang mga ulo nila.

Hindi ko na lamang ito pinansin at bumalik na sa upuan ko.

"Caily, can you tell us the truth?" seryosong tanong ni Dad.

Pakiramdam ko ay parang sasabog na ang puso ko. Alam ko na kung ano ang kahihinatnan nito.

"Are you pregnant?"

I awkwardly laugh at his question. "Naduwal lang ay buntis na agad?" tanong din ang sinagot ko sa tanong niya.

Dad's getting serious, I can see it in his face that he didn't like my answer.

"Just tell me the truth, Caily Zain!" Dad said in a warning tone. Tita Helen held his hand trying to calm him down.

I scoffed. "I am not pregnant. You're just being delusional." I lied.

Gosh, konting-konti na lang ay sasabog na talaga itong si Dad. Minsan lamang siya kung magalit, kaya pag galit na ito ay hindi ko na alam kung ano ang susunod na mangyayari.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Gideon looking at me. Maybe he hopes that I am just lying (I really am)

"You are not a good liar, My princess. You're my daughter of course I know when you are lying or not." he said.

Oh, shoot! Ito na nga ba talaga ang mahirap kay Dad, he knows me to much.

Gideon held my shoulder, napalingon ako sa kanya. "A-are you p-pregnant?" Oh boy, don't stutter like that. Baka mapaghalataan na ikaw 'yong ama (kahit ikaw naman talaga)

Hindi ko pinansin ang tanong niya at muling tumingin kay Dad. Gosh, sa ganitong pagkakataon ko ba talagang kailangan sabihin?

I am not really ready. Their eyes are still on me, waiting for my answer. I took a deep breath first, I need to get some strength.

"Yes, Dad, I'm pregnant... I'm two months pregnant."