Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 33

I blacked out, and the next thing I knew—I woke up lying comfortably against his bare chest. Mula sa likod ng makapal na kurtina ay tahimik na sumisilip ang haring araw. I winced as a slight sting pricked my dry eyes—probably from crying too long. I must've cried myself to sleep last night.

Iba na ang damit ko—isang puting t-shirt na paniguradong sa kaniya. Pinalitan niya siguro ako kagabi nang makatulog, para mas maging komportable. My head throbbed in pain as I pushed myself upright.

Bumaba ang kamay ni Akio mula sa aking likod patungo sa bewang, humigpit ng bahagya ang yakap nito. I reached for his hand, trying to remove his hold, but he put it back, not letting me go.

"Akio, I need to go. I have an important meeting to go to," I softly explained to him.

I threw a quick glance at the clock on his bedside table. The time made me want to rush out, but I held myself back—I didn't want him to think I was running away. Kaya nga nagpapaalam ako, kaso mukhang nasa mundo pa siya ng pagtulog.

"Akio, let me go na."

Pakiusap ko, gamit ang malambing na tono. Matapos ang mahigit sampung minuto, ay kusa niya rin akong binitawan. Tinalikuran niya ako, humarap sa kabilang bahagi ng kwarto, at niyakap ang unan. Napanganga ako sa kaniyang ginawa, ngunit 'di na nag-abalang sitahin siya dahil nagmamadali ako.

I put on my dress from last night because I can't just go out wearing this shirt of his. Bumuntong-hininga ako, malalim, halos umabot na sa ilalim ng lupa. The empty space beside him calls me—I still want to stay and claim the spot, but responsibilities were already calling.

Lumapit ako at sinilip siya. I placed my hand on his arm and gently rested my chin on top of it. He looked calm, relaxed, and collected—his breathing steady, like someone who had a peaceful night.

How unfair—his lashes were naturally long and curled upward, and not even a hint of eye bags showed beneath his eyes. After spending a minute or so watching him purr softly in his sleep, I smiled in quiet satisfaction and decided it was time to go.

Gallo had been blowing up my phone with reminders of the important things I needed to do today. May sumbat pa na, ito na lang yung gagawin ko para sa shop, kaya 'wag ko raw susubukang i-ditch siya.

Kulang na lang sabihin niya: 'Wala ka na ngang kwenta dahil 'di ka naman araw-araw nagtatrabaho sa shop, kaya 'wag mong susubukang magkakamali.'

"Alis na ako, ah." I caressed his arm tenderly and moved away from him.

Before I could move any further, nilingon niya ako.

"Wait up," he said, his voice hoarse and hot.

With his eyes still closed, he leaned closer, one hand reaching behind my head as he planted a kiss just beside my lips.

"You take care, a'ight?" he added, his familiar accent wrapping around the words like warmth.

Bumalik siya sa pagkakahiga, parang walang ginawa, habang natulala na ako sa kanyang likuran. I was frozen with every simple thing he did.

"Lock the door, please," huling paalala niya na siyang gumising sa akin.

That morning, I went to work with my heart beating in rage, which I feared they'd let themselves go out of their cave.

Hastily, I kissed him, pushing his back against the door aggressively. He grunted in between our lips, but it didn't stop him from responding to my wet kisses. Fuck, blame the alcohol!

Not that this wouldn't happen—but because I was under the influence, it gave me the courage to do all of it... it urged me to push myself to him, again and again, until he could move an inch of his muscle.