Love, Pearl

LOVE, PEARL 10

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

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I covered my face in embarrassment, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks as Iyana's loud voice echoed through the restaurant. Of all the things to talk about, she had to bring up that. It's always like this with her—zero filter, no regard for where we are.

"Nadiligan ka na or madidiligan ka ulit mamaya?"

"I swear, Iyana, if you don't lower your voice..." I muttered through gritted teeth, trying to look calm while internally screaming.

She gave me a smug grin and leaned in closer, whispering—but still loud enough for the people next to us to hear. "So, are you getting some action or not?"

I could feel the stares from nearby tables. I wanted the earth to swallow me whole.

Wala talagang pinipiling lugar 'tong pinsan ko.

"Iyana! For heaven's sake, we're in public! Do you want me to die of embarrassment?"

She just laughed, enjoying my misery way too much. "Fine, fine. But seriously, Pearl, is Mauri taking care of you or not? 'Cause you're glowing, girl. And we both know that glow only comes from one thing."

Alam ko kung ano tinutukoy niya.

Pero... i am getting flowered by him.

I sighed, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "First of all, you're insane. Second, I'm fine, okay? Happy, even. Mauri's great, we're great. And no, my 'glow' is from my skin care routine, thank you very much. You gago."

"At kailan ka pa nag skin care? Eh, ang kinis kinis na ng mukha mo?" Iyana rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, right. Skin care. Sure, let's go with that."

In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but think about how nice it was to laugh with her, despite the awkwardness she always brings to the table. Sometimes, I need this ridiculousness—a break from all the heaviness life throws my way. Especially with the heart stuff looming over me like a storm cloud. I don't need anyone worrying, least of all Iyana.

But she knows me too well.

"Seriously though, Pearl," her tone softened a bit, "you good? I know I joke a lot, but I can tell something's been off lately. Ooperahan ka na ba?"

I blinked, surprised by her sudden shift. She's usually all jokes, rarely digging deeper.

"I... yeah, I'm good," I managed, but even I didn't believe it. The truth was, everything felt heavy. The heart diagnosis. The what-ifs. "And yeah, ooperahan ako pero... hindi muna ngayon."

She gave me a knowing look, leaning back in her chair. "Okay. Just... you know I'm here, right?"

"Miss ko na rin 'yung little girl niyo. Si Ciella," She took a bite of the salad.

Parang gusto ko tuloy nung Caesar Salad pero dapat si Mauri ang gagawa at naka topless...

What? You're so weird, Pearl.

"Nasa school siya pero hayaan mo. May family dinner tayo sa weekend." I said and smiled at her.

•*. 🤍 .*•

"MAURI..."

I whispered, barely able to catch my breath as his lips trailed across my skin.

His touch was electric, each kiss igniting a fire I hadn't realized was smoldering inside me.

Tila ba'y manghuhula si Iyana. Nangyayari na nga ang sinabi niya.

He kissed me gently at first, slow and tender, but then it grew deeper, more urgent.

Our bodies were pressed together, his hands roaming over my waist, pulling me closer like he couldn't get enough. I could feel his heart beating against mine, strong and steady, and yet somehow wild, like it was only racing for me.

Yes, we're making out and I know where this will lead.

I thought, a nervous excitement bubbling in my chest. I tried to speak, tried to remind myself to take things slow, but his lips were on me again, and every coherent thought slipped away.

"M-Mauri... o-oh..." I tried to say, but he wasn't listening—or maybe he didn't need to. He could feel what I wanted, what I needed.

"Tell me, love. Do you want this?" His voice was husky, low, and I could feel the words vibrating against my neck as he spoke between kisses.

His mouth traveled lower, down to my collarbone, then to my shoulder, sending shivers across my skin.

I felt the bed beneath me as we sank deeper into it. The room was quiet, the world outside fading away until it was just us. Everyone was asleep—everyone but us.

"I..." I breathed out, hesitating for a second, my mind swirling. Could I really handle this? Everything felt so overwhelming, like I was about to step over a line I could never go back from.

"Hmm?" He murmured against my skin, his lips tracing the curve of my shoulder.

His hands moved gently, but with purpose, making it clear where this was going. There was no turning back, no stopping the momentum of what was happening between us.

"I want you, Mauri," I finally said, the words slipping out in a whisper, almost like I couldn't believe I was admitting it out loud.

His eyes met mine, dark and intense, filled with a kind of love and desire that made my chest ache. He kissed me again, more fiercely this time, like he had been waiting for those words. Every touch, every movement felt like it had been building up to this moment.

"Mauri..." I whispered again, my voice catching as the intensity of the moment wrapped itself around us.

I felt like I was standing on the edge of something huge, something I couldn't quite name, but I knew it was going to change everything.

And I wanted it. All of it.

He chuckled softly, feeling how tight and warm my maidenhood was around his finger, making him want more. His other hand caressed my cheek, wiping away a tear that had slipped down.

Ilang taon na nakalipas kaya't masakit ang ibaba ko.

"Come on, don't hold back, let me hear those sweet sounds," he murmured, pushing another finger into my wetness, stretching me gently, preparing me for what was coming next.

He leaned closer, whispering hotly against my ear, "I want to hear every sound you make, every moan, every whimper... Let me know exactly how good this feels."

His voice was low and husky, filled with desire and need. He slowly pulled his fingers out before thrusting them back in, curving them to stroke my inner walls.

Each movement was deliberate, designed to draw out my pleasure.

His thumb circled my clit, applying just enough pressure to keep me teetering on the edge.

"Fuck. you're still so fucking tight," he groaned, watching my reactions closely.

He knew just how to touch me, how to push me to the brink. His other hand roamed freely over my body, cupping my breasts, teasing my nipples until they were hard nubs begging for his attention.

"M-Mauri..."

Mauri's breath hitched as he felt me clench around his fingers, signaling my impending climax.

With a low growl, he curled his fingers deeper, rubbing that sensitive spot inside me that always made me see stars. His thumb pressed harder against my clit, the dual stimulation pushing me closer to the edge.

"That's it, baby, come for me," he urged, his voice thick with lust.

As my orgasm crashed over me, he worked me through it, fingers pumping relentlessly until I collapsed against him, spent and trembling.

We already did this multiple times but still it made me sore down there.

Nadiligan nanaman ang hardin ni Scarlet Margaret.