Delicate and Ruthless (SERIE FEROCI 11)

Chapter Twelve

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na hindi kaagad umaalis si Lorden sa umaga. Simula nang umamin kami na crush namin ang isa't isa, hindi na siya umaalis kaagad at hinihintay akong magising.

"Good morning, Kate," Lorden greeted me with his raspy voice. His morning voice never failed to make my knees wobble.

"G-good morning, Lorden."

Lorden stroked his hair and got off the bed. He held my hand and helped stand up. Yumakap ako sa baywang niya at napapikit dahil inaantok pa ako. Umakbay naman siya sa akin saka dinala ako sa dining area. He made me sit on the chair and kissed my cheek. I just closed my eyes and intertwined our fingers when he was about to leave.

"Dito ka lang..."

"I'll just cook breakfast for us," he said in a soft voice and kissed my temple. "Still sleepy, huh," he murmured and touched my cheek. He gently caressed my under eye with his thumb.

Bumitiw na lang ako sa kaniya dahil kailangan na niyang magluto. Kinusot ko ang mga mata ko saka tumayo na rin at dumiretso sa bathroom.

I looked at myself in the mirror. It felt like I was glowing. My eyebags were fading and I felt... more beautiful than before. I'd never been like this before. I'd never been this light-hearted and happy.

I sighed and touched my arm. I knew this would be just a temporary happiness for me... but I just wanted to enjoy every moment. I want to be free and selfish even just for a short time.

"Kate... Once I'm done with my current project, let's have a date," biglang sinabi ni Lorden nang paupuin ako sa tabi niya.

I looked at him; my eyes widened. "Wow. Talaga? Saan tayo magde-date?" excited na tanong ko saka humawak sa matipunong braso niya.

"Hmm... I don't have plans yet. Do you have anything in mind?" he asked and put his arm on my shoulder, then his hand slid to my arm and gently caressed it.

Napaisip naman ako. I was really into art gallery or library dates, but I knew Lorden wouldn't enjoy it. Kailangan kong mag-isip na mag-e-enjoy kaming dalawa at hindi lang ako.

"Wala pa akong maisip. Ikaw? Saan mo gusto?" tanong ko sa kaniya saka humilig sa balikat niya.

Lorden kissed my forehead then watched me eat my sandwich. "We can have a date overseas. Where do you want to go? Paris? London? Greenland?"

Nasamid na lang ako sa mga pinagsasabi niya. Agad niya naman akong inabutan ng tubig saka hinaplos ang likod ko. Nagtatakang tumingin pa siya sa akin na para bang nagtataak siya kung bakit bigla akong nasamid.

"G-grabe naman 'yan. Bakit sa ibang bansa pa?"

Lorden chuckled. "What's wrong with that?"

"Uhm... I-I'll think about it," I muttered.

We just talked about random stuff after that.

"Masama magsigarilyo... Nagsisigarilyo ka pa rin?" tanong ko habang sinasabunan ang dibdib ni Lorden.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked and raised his eyebrow.

I nodded. "Of course. I want you to have a healthy body."

"It won't be easy to stop. I've been smoking since I was in my mid-20s," he said.

My eyes widened. "M-mid 20s? Ilang taon ka na ba?"

Lorden chuckled and kissed the tip of my nose. "35..."

I gasped. "Wow. I'm just 25."

Lorden blinked and stared at me. "I'm ten years older than you. Damn. I feel so old."