The Billionaire's Bedwarmer - (BOOK ONE | COMPLETE)

Kabanata 17

When Almirah thought she's early, may mas maaga pa palang nagising sa kaniya sa sumunod na araw. It was his father and Lazarus having coffee in the kitchen.

Maaga siyang nagisin sa araw na iyon dahil mayroon silang importanteng lalakarin ng kaniyang ama. She wasn't actually informed yet kung ano iyon, pero iyon din ang dahilan kung bakit siya pinauwi pansamantala sa Italy ng kaniyang pamilya.

They were talking very comfortably with each other kaya hindi muna siya tuluyang pumasok sa kusina. Sumandal lamang siya sa hamba ng pinto habang nakahalukipkip na pinapanood ang dalawa na nag-uusap tungkol sa isang bagay na hindi niya naman naiintindihan.

Nang sa tingin niya ay safe na para ipaalam ang kaniyang presensiya ay tuluyan na siyang pumasok doon. It was Lazarus who first saw her and the first thing he did was to scan her from head to toe.

She was just wearing her silk night dress. Iyon naman ang palagi niyang sinusuot kapag naroon siya sa kanilang bahay, but she somehow regrets wearing it now by the way Lazarus is looking at her, especially when she saw how his eyes twinkled in passion.

"Good morning, Papa," she greeted her father with a smile on her face. She kissed his cheeks, but her eyes remained on Lazarus who's still looking at her every move.

"Good morning," bati niya na rin kay Lazarus na pasimpleng sumimsim sa kape nito para itago ang pagkamangha.

"We'll be leaving by nine in the morning, my love. I supposed you're ready for this day?" anang kaniyang ama bago ito umupo sa high chair na kaharap ni Lazarus.

"Am I really not supposed to know our errand today, Papa? I'm really curious," anito bago umupo sa katabing highchair ni Lazarus. The latter watched as her night dress revealed a portion of her legs when she sat beside him.

Almirah was well aware of that and she's enjoying how Lazarus grew more tensed in every second that would pass. Palihim siyang napangiti nang umayos ito sa pagkakaupo sa highchair nito pagkatapos ng isang tikhim.

"It's a surprise, my love. You'll know when we get there," anang kaniyang ama na walang kamalay-malay sa nangyayari.

Nang hindi pa nakuntento ay pasimpleng ipinatong ni Almirah ang kaniyang kaliwang kamay sa kanang hita ni Lazarus. Sinundan naman ng tingin ng huli ang kamay niyang namamahinga sa hita nito.

"Hmm, okay..." she calmly said as if nothing intense was happening.

"What was it again that you're saying earlier, Lazarus?" Tanong ng kaniyang ama pagkatapos nilang mag-usap para ibalik ang anumang napag-usapan ng mga ito kanina bago pa man siya dumating.

"Uh... it's about my offer of help on the construction of your company in the Philippines, Sir..." patigil-tigil nitong sinabi. He can't help but get distracted by the way how Almirah is now drawing circles using her palm on his leg. He cleared his throat once again as he tried not to react on what she's doing under the table.

Tumango ang ama sa sinabi ng kaharap. Wala man lang itong kamuwang-muwang sa lahat ng nangyayari.

"That's so nice of you, Lazarus. But I want to hear what my daughter has to say on that matter," said Don Lorenzo as he averted his gaze on her.

"The offer is tempting, Papa, but I still need to think about it. I don't want to be abusive towards other people's kindness. Besides, I'm sure that's not the only help he had offered you?" Taas noo niyang sinabi sa ama.

Natawa naman ang ama sa kaniyang sinabi dahil tama iyon. Bukod sa construction, pati ang pagpapahiram ng tauhan ay kasama na rin sa tulong na inaalok ni Lazarus para sa ipinapatayong negosyo nila Almirah sa Pilipinas.