Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 22

"Taro, I'm home!"

I sat on my couch and lay there comfortably, waiting for my dog to jump on me and shower me with the usual kisses I had been getting since I got him.

Tila anino, rumaragasang tumakbo siya patungo sa akin dahil sa kulay niyang purong itim. His midnight black fur danced with his every step. For an aspin, masyadong makapal ang balahibo niya na napagkakamalan siyang golden retriever.

For five months, I have had him. My father adopted him because he thought that Taro was perfect for me. I was about to lash out at him, thinking he had bought him, but this cutie turned out to be a rescued pup—left behind when he was still really young!

Taro survived the cruelty of life at a young age. He has been my companion since then. He is my son, and I don't think anyone can argue with me on that.

"My baby!" Mas lalo akong natuwa nang mas lumakas ang pag-alog ng kanyang buntot, nakuha pang dilaan ang buo kong mukha.

"Who's mommy's good boy?" I chanted in a high-pitched manner.

"Me."

Nalunod ang tahol ng aking aso dahil sa narinig. My spine shivered at how deeply his eyes bore into me while he leaned over, his hand resting on the back of the sofa.

I almost forgot that he's here...

"I am mommy's good boy." A coy smile etched on his lips that he tried to hide with his calloused hand but failed.

My stomach stirred at the sound of his voice—undeniably low. It sounded so hoarse and sensual. Nagpantig ang tenga ko, hindi maitanggi ang biglaang pag-init nito.

I resisted the urge to bite my lower lip, then rolled my eyes instead. "Shut up," suway ko sa kanya.

Simula nang pumunta siya rito, hindi na ata lumipas ang araw na hindi siya nagawi sa pamamahay ko. I never gave him the passcode, but his sharp eyes caught it every time I typed it in. He was smart enough to memorize it, too.

Hinding-hindi ko rin makalimutan ang ginawa niya. Sobrang proud ako sa sarili at sa mahabang pasensya na meron ako. I forced myself to calm down, even though I was ready to spit fire at him. After all, it's against God's law to kill someone—and I had no intention of becoming a criminal.

The brute innocently eyed me, explaining the reason why he had bought a pack of sanitary napkins and a bucket of buffalo wings...

"Your brother told me to buy you a sanitary napkin and called me later on about the wings," he explained with a straight face.

Later, I realized that they had a miscommunication and learned the hard way that I shouldn't ask smart guys for help. Masyado silang seryoso para sa mga makamundong bagay na babae lamang ang nakakaintindi.

"You're blushing." Pang-aasar niya.

"And you're assuming. Mainit, bobo." I smoothly removed my cardigan to refute his words.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin nang hindi ko marinig ang kaniyang binulong.

"What did you say?" Nang hindi niya ako sinagot, nagsalita akong muli. "Bakit ka ba nandito?"

"Kulang na lang makihati ka na sa gastusin ko sa condo. Bakit hindi na lang kaya ikaw ang magbayad ng bills ko, tutal halos dito ka na rin naman nakatira," sarkastikong banat ko.

Taro rested between us, laying his head on my lap. Marahan kong hinaplos ang malambot niyang balahibo at ibinalik ang tingin sa katabi.

"Magkano ba?"

Mabilis niyang inilabas ang mamahaling itim na wallet sa bulsa. Diretso siyang nakatingin sa akin, tila kabisado na ang labas at loob ng kaniyang pitaka.