Captivated- An Isla De Fuego Prequel (Erotic-Romance, Short Story)

Isla Anubis

AFTER THAT night, Alessa and Rick spent years of their marriage without sexual relations.

Alessa also spent those years regretting her wantonness for sexual pleasure. Iyon ata ang dahilan kung bakit lumayo ang asawa sa kanya.

And she can't help herself but vent out her sentiments to JM, her brother's visitor.

"I can't blame Lex, Em. Halos patayin niya ang sarili niya para may makain kami dati. Mas lalo niya pang binugbog ang sarili sa trabaho para makalimutan ang pagkamatay nila Mommy at Daddy." Alessa sniffed as she wiped the tears on her cheeks. "Until I visited him in the construction site. Nagmakaawa akong magpahinga siya. A-Ayaw kong pati si Lex ay mawala sa'kin."

Alessa's pain is evident in her voice. Natatakot si JM na tingnan ang maamong mukha ni Alessa dahil alam niyang kalungkutan lang ang nakaukit doon.

"Doon ko nakilala ang asawa ko. Pagmamay-ari ni Ricky ang building na itinatayo nila Lex. Doon kami nagkita ni Rick at alam ko sa sarili kong doon niya ako unang minahal." Alessa smiled as bitterness painted her face dull. "Nakahanap ako ng madaling paraan para makaakyat muli sa rurok ng tagumpay. Naisama ko si Lex at natulungan siyang magsimula ng negosyo sa pamamagitan ng asawa kong si Ricky. I used a desperate man, JM. I used Ricky, married him for my own gain.."

Oh, how heartbreaking it is to admit that one bit. But Alessa wouldn't let a tear drop from her eyes, especially in front of a stranger.

Hinatid nila Lex at JM si Alessa sa bahay-bakasyunan nito sa Aristocrat Village. Mukhang balak ni Alessa na manatili ng ilang araw doon sa Isla.

Bisita ng kanyang kapatid si JM at naninirahan ang dala nang magkasama. Hindi naman tanga si Alessa para hindi makita ang tunay na ugnayan ng dalawa.

"Can you stop running away from Kuya Rick, Ate? I've received countless emails from him." Lex hissed under his breath. "Sabihin mo na lang kaya kay kuya na nahihiya ka lang makatabi siya?"

Kaagad na binato ni Alessa ng neck pillow ang nakababatang kapatid na nakaupo sa backseat ng kotse. Natawa si JM sa ginawang niyang iyon.

Sa loob ng ilang taong pagsasama ni Alessa at ng asawa nitong si Rick ay tila naglalaro sila ng tagu-taguan. Alessa was too scared to confront him of her feelings.

It is true that she married Rick for his money but that was a long time ago. Sa tinagal ng pagsasama nila ay unti-unting nahuhulog ang loob ni Alessa sa asawa, kahit na madalang lang silang magkita dahil sa madalas na business trips nito overseas.

Kaagad na lumabas si Alessa nang huminto ang sasakyan sa bahay-bakasyunan niya.

"Bakit bukas ang ilaw? May caretaker ka ba, Ate?" Tanong ni JM na nakakunot-noo. Mabilis pa sa alas-kwatrong lumabas ng kotse si Alessa at nagpaalam na sa dalawa at kay Mang Ernie.

The gate was unlocked and the door, too. Nang buksan niya ang pinto ay bumungad kaagad ang asawang si Ricky at may suot pang apron. Nakangiti itong lumapit sa kanya at may hawak pang spatula.

Her legs trembled. No way!

She knew that her husband had arrived in the Philippines, but he usually goes to his hometown when he arrives. "A-Akala ko pupunta ka sa chinatown—"

"Why, I want to be with my beautiful wife." Hinalikan siya ni Ricky sa pisngi at hinila siya papunta sa kusina.

"Come here, wifey. Ako nagluto masarap pagkain."

A soft smile curved on her lips. Seeing her husband smile relieved her of any negative emotions she was feeling. Her doubts suddenly dissipated in the vacuum.

"You can speak in English, Rick. You know I can understand."

"Pero ikaw gusto ako magsalita tagalog. Sabi mo ako gwapo."

She chuckled at his Chinese accent. Lumawak pa ang ngiti sa gwapo nitong mukha nang makita siya nitong ngumiti.

"See? You smiled when I talked in Tagalog."

Kinurot na lamang niya ang pisngi ni Rick at tinanong kung anong lulutuin nito para sa hapunan.

                 

                      

                      

                              

ALESSA brushed her hair in front of her vanity desk. Suot niya ang manipis na nightgown na hindi aabot sa tuhod ang haba. Maybe this time, she'll be able to seduce her husband to bed.

Lumabas ng bathroom ang asawang si Rick suot ang kadalasan nitong suot na puting shirt at boxers. Napalunok si Alessa sa matipunong pangangatawan nito.

She focused on brushing her hair. Nang matapos siya sa pagsusuklay ng buhok ay nag-apply naman siya ng lotion sa kanyang hita. Sinadya niya pang ipatong ang paa sa silya para naipakita sa asawa ang magandang hubog ng kanyang binti. He was facing his laptop so, literally, he didn't see her little stunt there. Alessa gritted her teeth.

Eversince they first had sex years ago, hindi na nag-attempt si Rick na hawakan siya. It was his way with her eversince. They would kiss and cuddle but that's it! They never had sex again. Naiinis si Alessa sa asawa dahil pakiramdam niya'y hindi siya kaakit-akit. Inismiran niya na lamang ito at humiga na sa kama.

"Sleep well, wife."

Iyon ang huling narinig ni Alessa mula sa asawa bago siya lamunin ng antok.

And then she remembered their first night together as a married couple. She could vividly see his worried eyes as Ricky stared at her underneath him, sobbing.

Ever since that day, he had changed, and Alessa doesn't know how to mend their passionless marriage.

She was afraid of her sensualities. If only someone could tell her if she was doing right in the bedroom, she could have been more confident.

Alessa was afraid to make a mistake. Baka magsisi lang si Richard at pandirihan siya nito kapag ipinakita niya ang tunay na nadarama.

She can't seem to control her sensuality. Tila ba sabik ba sabik siya sa bawat bayo ng asawa sa kanyang kaibuturan. Is that how it's supposed to be? She was too sheltered that she didn't have a basis of comparison regarding the matter.

All Alessa wanted was assurance. One 'go' signal from him and she'll unleash her true self. Sadyang hindi niya lang alam kung ano ba ang dapat gawin.

And Richard seemed to be disgusted by their first and only lovemaking that he didn't initiate another one with her again.

A lone tear found its way to her cheek as she mourned for her shortcomings.