Elysian Secrets

Kabanata 48 (Part 1)

"This is overkill," Lia whispered, casting a sidelong glance at Raphael.

Raphael stared at the lineup of eight waiters and one anxious butler standing vigil over what appeared to be their breakfast table. What was the head butler thinking? He'd simply asked for an American breakfast for two to be served on the terrace. So why send a whole entourage to deliver it? Was this some sort of culinary relay race? One pair carrying the forks, another the spoons, the next the knives, and the final duo triumphantly presenting the food itself?

The nine hotel staff stared back at them. Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Raphael, inabot ang kamay ni Lia, at magkasabay silang lumapit sa nakahandang almusal. Raphael wanted to roll his eyes at the nervously twittering butler na hindi magkandaugaga sa paghihila ng upuan ni Lia. Nang pasalamatan ito ng babae, the older man blushed. 

Pinanood muna nila ang paglayo ng siyam bago hinarap ang mesa. Inabot ni Raphael ang isang bowl ng fruits at inisa-isang kuhain ang slices ng strawberry na nandoon at inilipat sa kabilang bowl. Sinubukan niya ang isang slice ng pinya at nang malamang matamis, nilipat niya lahat ng slices sa bowl na kinuhaan niya ng strawberry. Pagkatapos, inabot niya ang bowl sa kasama.

Lia is not a picky eater, but she's particular with the order she eats her food. Kung may prutas, iyon ang inuuna nitong kainin. Except strawberry. She hated strawberries, which was a shame. He'd always imagined drizzling melted chocolate on her navel, dipping strawberries in it, and feeding them to each other. He guessed he'd have to make do with pineapple slices instead since she loved those. Maybe that was why her pussy tasted like something made for the gods. It had to be the pineapples.

"Bakit ka nakangiti nang ganyan?" 

Lumapad ang pagkakangisi niya. "Ano'ng problema sa ngiti ko?"

"Ngiti nang may hindi magandang binabalak."

He threw his head back and laughed heartily. "I always have plans, sugar. You should know that by now. Whether they are good or bad, remains to be seen."

Nakasimangot siya nitong tinitigan bago binalikan ang bowl ng prutas. Pasimple rin nitong inurong ang platito ng toasted sourdough bread palapit sa kanya. Hindi siya nito matitigan ng diretso at nasa kinakain ang buong atensyon, but he noticed na may palaman na ang toasted bread at nakahiwa na rin ang mga suasages. He grinned at the sight of her bowed head. She really doesn't want to be caught dead being nice to him, huh? He leaned in to savor the offering she'd given him.

They ate in comfortable silence for some minutes before he decided to break it. "So, tell me about that night. Why were you there?"

Huminto ito sa pagtitinidor ng pineapple at nag-angat ng tingin. "What night?" defensive agad nitong balik-tanong.

"Guiliana, you wanted us to talk, correct? Now, talk."

She pursed her lips, hesitating for a moment before grudgingly muttering, "You go first."

He shrugged, cut into his perfectly fluffed omelette. Gruyere cheese and sauteed mushrooms oozed out from the middle. Naglaway siya pero hindi pa rin naaalis sa utak ang pinag-uusapan nila. He forked a portion, then replied. "The Elysium was coming along nicely, and I thought I deserved a bit of a jolly good time for it."

"And The Playground is where you thought you'll find that good time?" Lia's expression looked like she bit into a strawberry.

He shot her a sharp grin, eyes edgy with intent. "I would have gone to your home, but you never gave me a damn sign you wanted to play, no matter how many hints I threw your way. The Elysium Suites weren't even open back then, and even if they were, I don't make a habit of eating where I shit, so to speak. Well, not until you. You I'd eat. Anytime, anywhere. Now, tell me, where else could I have gone back then?"