Arabella's Game

Chapter 7: Curtis?

Cebu, Philippines

“Miss A, your reservation in Plantation Bay has been clarified. You can check in now. Welcome,” bati ng receptionist ng Plantation Bay Resort. Arabella was back in the Philippines for another WHO project launch hold in Cebu. Biglaan ang pagsabi sa kanya kaya di siya nakapag hindi. Kaya sinadya niyang nalang dumating ng gabi, kinabukasan pa naman ang project launching but it’s ideal if she arrived when everybody’s asleep. She has to move smoothly and quietly like a cat. She has to be careful. Philippines is one of his family’s stronghold. Anytime her parents can hunt her. Since the moment the plane entered the Philippine territory, she’s never been safe.

Papasok na siya ng kanyang suite nang biglang may nakabangga sa kanya patulak paloob. She never expected the instant approach. It was a guy. Masyadong nabigla siya kaya di siya nakapagpumiglas sa lalaking namimilipit sa kanya. May na rinig siyang sigaw, “Sander! Wag mo akong iwan,” boses babae iyon. Nang mahimigan ng lalaki, he pushed her to the wall and granted her a kiss. She was shocked. She freezes. Her whole body weakened with their every contact. She can’t react, her body can’t. Her brain temporarily shut. She never had that intimate moment with any other guy. Kahit pa kay Nico, all they did was hold hands, hugs, and sweet kisses. Di niya alam kung paano tumugon. Teka nga! Ba’t nga ba niya kelangang tugunan ang halik nito. Di niya namalayan, the door was closed and he already layed her on the bed, the kiss they’re sharing got deeper. Doon na lang siya na tauhan. She pushed him away. With the dim light, she noticed the prominent features of the guy’s face. She got stunned pero nangibabaw pa ring ang galit nito. She jumped off the bed and run out of the scene. “Security! I need security!” sigaw niya habang tumatakbo papalabas ng pinto. Hinabol siya ng lalaki hanggang sa ailse ng hotel. Nang maabutan siya ay pinigilan siya nito sa katatakbo, “Miss, it was never my intention, hindi ako masamang tao. Please,” sabay hila dito. Nang magkaharapan sila, napatunganga ang lalaki, there she had the total access to his face. She noticed his almond shaped eyes. “Dalja?” wika ng lalaki.

“Curt?” yes it was him. Nobody called her that way except for Curtis. That’s how unique he is. He never wanted similarities. Astang espesyal palagi.

“Yeah right. Affirmative. Ikaw nga,” sabi pa ng lalaki. “Bloody hell! Tell me I didn’t kiss you,” napamurang sabi nito.

“Damn it! It’s you, Curtie! Pakiss ‘Tol!” yan palagi ang kulitan nila noon pa man. Na-excite siya sa di malamang kadahilanan. Nakalimutan niya ang kanyang pagtatago sa lalaking ‘to. Saka natahimik siya. Naalala niya ang nangyari kanikanina lang sa loob ng suite.

Inusad ni Curtis ang kanyang labi. “Oh, titiisin ko na lang ang kadirian,” inginuso pa nito ang labi. “Kiss na, di kita kakasuhan. I’ll close my eyes. No peeking. Promise,”

Namula siya bigla saka nailang, Curtis is still holding her arm. Nagmulat ng mga mata si Curtis, “Oh, ba’t namumula ka?” saka tumawa. “Sus me!” napatapik siya sa noo nito, “dalaga ka na?”

“Shut up, Curt!”

“That’s my Aja!” he smiled. “Wait, don’t shut me up,” he takes his phone out of his pocket. “Hello, Kuya. I changed my mind. I’ll be staying in PI for quite a while. Don’t look for me. Bye,” saka hinila si Arabella. “Come, make love with me,” sabay kindat.

“Don’t talk bullshit, Curtis!”

“Yeah, that’s my Aja,” napangiti ito. “Di tayo talo, dude, saka nurse ka at di naman ako manyak, don’t feel awkward,” inakbayan niya lang ito na parang lalaki din. “Let’s eat,”

They were inside the restaurant. He still treats her like one of the guys. That made her feel something she can’t explain. Naiinis ba o naaasar dahil sa parang walang talab ang ganda niya sa pagkakulit-kulit niyang barkada. Kain lang ng kain ito. Walang pasulyap-sulyap man lang.