WRITTEN BY: eternal_chi
PROMPT:
PROMPT BY: anaen013
"Sir, there's a development on the case, we finally got a suspect"
Naalala ni Richard ang tawag na natanggap niya. Napahawak siya sa sentido. Ilang buwan na rin ang nakalipas mula ng matapos ang leave nya at makabalik sa trabaho, pero ngayon pa lang nagkaroon ng possibility na mahuli na nila ang killer.
A scent of sweet cherry fills the air, napalingon siya at kaagad na napangiti, Nicomaine, the miracle he never expected.
"Masakit na naman ba ang ulo mo?"
"How did you know?"
Nicomaine tugged the lapel of his coat and smile. They're both in formal attire for the get-together her family planned for. Isa iyon sa hiniling ng magulang nito when they finally got to talk sincerely. She leans forward, she smoothen his knotted brows with her fingers, "Nakakunot na naman kasi" she massages his forehead a little when she notices, "Malakas ang aircon pero bakit pinagpapawisan ka?"
"Wala ito" Richard quickly holds her hand, intertwined it with his and kissed its back, "Kinakabahan lang siguro" he said with a reluctant smile.
"Are you serious, detective?"
"Detective?" he cupped her face on his hands, "Sabi ko sa iyo, Tisoy na, di ba? Why are you making that face?"
Sa halip na sagutin si Nicomaine, Richard bought her fingertips to his mouth, her perfectly polished French-tipped nails, and bit gently, scraping his teeth back and forth, it was that or kiss her, and he thought it was far safer than kissing her, he's not sure if he could stop himself once he started... after all, a room full of her relatives are waiting for them.
Nicomaine's eyes darkened, a frown appeared but she did not pull away. "Stop evading my question, bakit ka kinakabahan?"
"Well, this is the first time I'll be meeting your whole clan—" naputol ang sasabihin ni Richard dahil bahagya siyang pinalo sa dibdib ni Nicomaine, "Grabe ka naman, maka-whole clan. My titos and titas and some of my cousins lang naman...hindi pa ito ang buong clan" she said with a teasing smile.
Tiningnan lang siya ni Richard sa halip na sumagot. Kinabahan siya, "Detective, what is it?"
Malalim na buntong-hininga ang sinagot sa kanya nito bago nagsumiksik sa gilid ng leeg at balikat niya, "I love you, Nicomaine"
Nicomaine hold his head up to look upon his eyes, her worries visible when she said, "I love you too...but what is this all about, Detective?"
"Stop calling me, detective" he grunted but nuzzled closer to her neck. Softly hugging her closer to his body.
"I'll keep calling you that if you don't explain yourself..." napalunok siya, a fire is slowly building inside of her that Richard's hug has started, she run her hands through his hair, trying to calm the fire "Tisoy, is this about the case you've been working on?" She knew how affected he was about the serial killer roaming the metro. Kasabay ng pagdating niya sa bansa from the states ay halos kasagsagan ng mga krimen nito at iyon din ang mga araw na sobrang sungit ng nito.
"Yes, we finally have a suspect" He whispered. Lumayo ito at mahigpit na humawak sa kamay niya, "Let's go. Naghihintay na ang mga bisita mo"
"Bisita natin. They all want to know you" she teases.
Richard stands straight, nagpagpag ng kunwari dumi sa balikat then he smirk with one raise eyebrow as he circled his arms around her waist, "I'm ready. Let's go" natawa na lang si Nicomaine
Alden scans the room, he checks from memory all the faces he has already memorize and knew before.
Mrs. Anette Concio, owner of multiple fast food chains, wife to Joseph Concio, cousin of Mr. Mendoza.
Agustin Dionisio, bar and grill restaurant owner, the son of Tina de Leon, the sister of Joseph Concio and cousin of Maine.
Lindsay Ongpauco, married to a mall owner, cousin of Maine, daughter of Arthur Capili, only brother of Mrs. Mendoza.
Nicomaine happily introduces him to all her relatives. Richard smiles and shakes their hands firmly. "Tito Arthur, Richard, my boyfriend"
"I remember you, Detective Faulkerson"
"Magkakilala po kayo?" mabilis na tanong ni Nicomaine
Richard nod but it was Tito Arthur who said, "Your boyfriend helped us save little Andrew" ngumiti ito at tinapik-tapik ang braso ng binata "You're still at the states nun, hija, Andrew, Lindsay's son got kidnapped and he solved that case in just a day. You got a very reliable man beside you, Nicomaine"
"I'm just doing my job, Sir" Richard humbly said.
Tito Arthur just shook his head and smile. "Nevertheless, glad to see you again. Please come by our table later. I'm sure Lindsay, John & Andrew will be glad to see you again"
"We'll go there, Tito"
"Welcome back, Nicomaine"
"Thank you po" when Tito Arthur leave there side, Nicomaine pulled him to the side, she just stared back at her handsome boyfriend in wonder, "How many of my relatives do you know?"
"A few..." sagot ni Richard pero ng magtaas ng isang kilay ang kasintahan sa kanya ay napangiti na lamang siya, "Karamihan sa kanila nakilala ako through a case they get involved with"
"That mean you're really good at your job"
"I have to. Life's are at stake" he lean down, kissed the back of her hands as he said, "Precious life"
Nicomaine hugged him close, "I'm glad I met you....its very convenient na lahat sila kilala ka na, we can enjoy the night na" she said, grinning mischievously
Richard laughed out loud much to the surprise of everyone in the room. But the couple did not mind the looks given to them, mostly, smiling ones, especially from Maine's family.
"I have a gift for you" he took out a ring from his pocket, "Nicomaine, this is for the time...paghanda ka na" he looked at her for a second, awaiting her approval. When she nod and smile, Richard put it on her finger and sealed their silent agreement with a soft kiss.
