Elysian Secrets

Kabanata 26

Pens in the drawer in a precise order: black, blue, red. Notepads came came after that. Despite owning the newest iPad, Lia still won't part with those things. Next, the computer monitor was turned off. Everything would have appeared perfect if not for the anti-radiation glasses that are haphazardly clipped over the monitor.

Lia then got up and moved to the side, pushing the ergonomic office chair off the desk. After that, the chair was straightened and pushed back in. The blazer hanging over its back was grabbed, folded, and slid inside the office bag on top of the desk.

Mula sa kinauupuan, pinanood ni Raphael and mga ritual na ito ni Lia.

After returning from a business lunch, he was suprised to see Lia still in her station. He didn't bother to shut the blinds in his office and sulked there, his thoughts racing through a hundred and one explanations for why his secretary had stayed in the office today.

It's Friday! Why the hell was she still there?

Until he went out there and demanded an answer, Raphael could do nothing but stew in his annoyance, confusion, and bitter disappointment.

Lia walked to his office and knocked three times on the door. The woman started to open the door before he could give her permission. Sumilip ang ulo nito sa pinto at tinitigan siya.

"Bababa na ako," inosente nitong sabi.

She is gazing expectantly at him while he is staring at the one top button on her blouse that is left open.

The marks have vanished. His marks. Too bad. If only she hadn't abruptly changed the plans for today, he would have been sucking another hickey on that silky stretch of skin at this very moment.

Couldn't tonight. Sorry. — L. Ang unang beses na sumagot ito sa mga texts niya, iyon pa ang sinabi. Oh, how tempting it is to bite this woman for driving him insane.

What in hell is he supposed to reply to that message? Okay lang, kahit hindi?

He was already the equivalent of a simpering teenager who purchased a secret SIM card to text a teacher inappropriate things. Could he sink any lower than that?

Out of spite, he didn't bother to text back. He's behaving like a child throwing a tantrum, but that's better than a furious dragon, right?

"Do you need anything else, sir?" muli nitong tanong habang nakatingin pa rin sa kanya.

Yes, you. Come here and spread your legs so I could lick you.

That's what he wanted to say, but this is what came out: "Nothing. You're free to go."

"Free naman na talaga dapat ako." May himig nang panunukso sa boses nito. "Tapos na ang office hours."

"Aren't we in a good mood?"

The fictitious dragon in his mind grumbled, huffed, and averted his gaze from the smiling woman. Matinding cuddles ang kailangan nito para mapaamo pero mukhang hindi iyon mangyayari ngayong gabi.

"Where are you going anyway?" He asked again, almost to the point of rudeness.

She answered without seeming to mind his nosiness. "TGIF meeting with friends. Matagal na rin kaming hindi lumalabas."

Natigilan siya sa sagot na iyon. Sa dinami-dami nang tagpong na-imagine niya since that text, this didn't come up. His dragon was mollified. He doesn't need to hunt and burn anyone to death tonight, after all.

"Nasa ibaba na sila?"

"Papunta pa lang yata. By the time na makarating ako sa lobby, nandoon na rin siguro sila."