His Virgin Stripper

24

I woke up to a familiar scent and a strange sense of calm. A duvet covered my fragile body, and something firm was wrapped around me.

From what I remembered, I had fallen asleep crying on his shoulders.

Nang tignan ko ang bagay na nakayakap sakin ay nakita ko si Elijah na nakatingin lang sa akin. Was he staring at me? Watching me sleep?

I missed us like this. I missed his warmth, the way he held me like I was something fragile, and those eyes that always looked at me like I was his whole world.

"Were you awake for some time now?" I asked softly, my voice still rough from sleep. I shifted slightly under the duvet, my fingers instinctively gripping the fabric as I looked up at him. "I missed you... so much. If only you knew how much I wanted to run into your arms that day."

He didn't answer right away. He just looked at me for a moment longer, like he was memorizing me all over again.

Then he exhaled quietly.

"You don't have to explain anything," he said, his voice was calm and low. "I already know everything. I remember every detail you told me... and everything my investigator found."

He gently adjusted the blanket around me, like it was second nature to him now.

"So you don't have to worry about anything anymore, hmm?" A faint softness crossed his face. "I'll take care of everything for you. And I'll help your sister too, if that's what you want."

He looked at me softly and smiled.

"As for Richard..." his jaw tightened slightly. "I might file charges for assault."

"You don't have to," I said softly, my fingers tightening around the duvet as I avoided his gaze. 

"Baby, he didn't just hurt you, he took your identity and your freedom too."

He lifted his hand to my face, gently brushing his thumb against my cheek.

"And I'm not going to let him get away with that." 

"I should go to the hospital today. My baby's probably all alone," I said, quickly getting up.

Before I could take another step, Elijah gently caught my wrist.

"Hey... slow down," he said. "He's not alone."

I froze, turning back to him.

He smiled, standing up and walking closer. "There's someone I trust watching over him. A private nurse—and the NICU staff are with him 24/7. He's safe, Valerie. Our baby is safe and I won't let anything happen to  him."

My shoulders slowly eased, but I was still worried.

"I can take you there anytime you want," he added, softer now. "But right now... you just woke up. We haven't even taken care of ourselves yet."

I looked down, unsure. 

He studied my face for a moment, then a small smile tugged at his lips.

"You know what, let's take the  day off together and rest. Labas muna tayo." Sabi niya at hinila ako sa kamay.

"I guess we can finally be free to go out together," I smiled at him.

Gusto ko siyang halikan, pero sino ba ako para gawin iyon? I was once just his stripper... nothing more.

"Bakit mo 'ko tinitingnan ng ganyan?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

"Huh? Nothing. May laway ka sa pisngi mo," I teased, then ran toward the bathroom.

"Valerie, please don't tease me—let's shower together," he said, knocking on the door.

Shower together? No.

It's been a while since we did anything like that, and now he's asking so casually?

"It's not like we're a couple who does things together," banat ko sa kaniya.

Siguro kung tatanungin niya 'ko na maging girlfriend niya... baka masagot ko siya agad.

"Hmm... then pwede ba kitang ligawan, Rie?" bigla niyang tanong.

I froze.

Nagulat ako sa tanong niya. Instead na mag-shower na lang, binuksan ko ang pinto—and there he was, standing right in front of me, holding a single flower.

"You know... the first time I saw you at that party, I fell in love instantly," he said softly. "You were wearing that body-hugging dress that caught everyone's attention... but it was your eyes that made me love you."

He took a small step closer.

"Every time you snuck out, I was worried you'd get caught. I really thought you were close with your parents—that they were just strict." His voice softened even more. "But after everything that happened... you risked everything just to see me, didn't you?"

Luh... bakit parang basa na ang mga pisngi ko?

Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na masyado na rin pala akong nakulong sa piling nila.

From being excited to get adopted... to becoming their dog. And then finding out she's my real mother? The same person who tortured me.

Kaya siguro minsan gano'n siya tumingin sa'kin—na parang anak niya ako. Pero hindi ko man lang napansin.

"Valerie?"

Valerie... Valerie Cuerva in the papers. But I don't even know what my real surname is. He died because of a Cuerva.

I sobbed.

"Elijah, I'm so sorry for everything. Sorry for hiding your child from you and not telling you everything. But you don't have to court me... because I already see my future with you."

I hugged him tightly, and he kissed me softly.

Then, after a beat—

"But you still won't shower with me" habol ko.