Until you are mine

19. I now belong to...

"Hey, Leighton."

I smiled at Ares when I saw him going down the stairs that night. I spent all day trying to figure out why he's here but then in the end, I gave up. Naniwala na lang ako sa sinabi niya na nandito siya para sa bakasyon niya. Alam kong meron pang dahilan kaya nandito siya pero ayoko nang isipin pa.

"Hey..." I greeted him back. Paakyat na ako sa taas. I really want to talk to Yllak, maghapon na kasing mainit ang ulo niya. Hindi ko pa siya masyadong nakausap dahil naging busy ako. I went to the armory earlier. Tinapos ko na ang lahat ng trabaho ko para sa pagbalik ko sa Pilipinas. I am kinda sad about leaving Greece. Ayoko pa sanang umalis. Natatakot ako na sa oras na bumalik kami ni Yllak sa Pilipinas ay magbago ang lahat.

"Where have you been? I missed you all morning." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang bigla niyang haplusin ang pisngi ko. "I missed you for five years, pumpkin." He whispered. Lumayo ako sa kanya. I shook my head. I'm not his pumpkin anymore. I'm not a Consunji anymore, isa pa alam ko naman talaga ang rason kung bakit ipinagpilitan ni Ares ang mag-stay dito sa glass mansion at hindi sa hotel.

I could still remember that night when he told me he was in love with me. I was only seventeen and innocent. I was vulnerable but then Ares kissed me and told me he was in love with me. I wonder if he still feels the same...

Natigilan ako. Nandito siya ngayon – that could only mean one thing. Itinaas niya pa ang isa niyang kamay para hapulsin ang kabila kong pisngi. He, then, cupped my face and stared at my eyes.

"Leighton Selene Demitri – Consunji." He grinned. "It sounds good to me." He whispered in my ear. Hindi ako mapakali. What Ares is doing is too much. He needed to give me distance. I want distance. I feel like he's invading my personal space.

"I'm not a Consunji, Ares. You know that." I said to him. He smiled at me again.

"But I intend to make you one again by marrying you." Walang abog na sabi niya. Nanlaki lalo ang mga mata ko nang bigla niyang kunin ang palad ko at doon, inilagay niya ang isang Harry Winston diamond plated ring. My eyes widened with awe and shocked. I wanted to scream at him.

"I won't ask you. But I will tell you to think it over. I know you have been invaded by my good for nothing, happy –go –lucky cousin, Leighton. Pero isipin mo, anong mapapala mo kay Yllak? I can give you the wolrd, just say it, I'll take it to you. I'll do everything, I'll make you feel special – I'll take care of you, pumpkin – just have me."

Bigla ko siyang naitulak. Ibinato ko sa kanya ang singsing na ibinigay niya sa akin at saka siya nilagpasan . He grabbed my arm.

"You are mine, Leighton. Since that night of your debut, I have marked you." Napatingin ako sa kanya. Iniisip ko kung anong sinasabi niya, kung paano iyon lumabas sa bibig niya and then suddenly, I realized what he was saying. I remembered that masked man who kissed me – si Zachary Drew – pero ngayon – alam ko at sigurado ako na hindi si Zachary Drew ang lalaking iyon kundi si....

"You were that guy?" I whispered. Ares smiled – para bang nanalo siya sa lotto.

"I am your first kiss, Leighton."

Napanganga ako. I was about to say something when I remembered what Yllak told me the other night.

"You may not remember it, but I am your first kiss..."

Muli kong tinulak si Ares at saka tumakbo ako paakytat. Dapat pupunta ako sa silid ko, pero sa ibang direksyon ako dinala ng mga paa ko. I thanked all the gods and goddesses at Mt Olympus when I realized that Yllak's door is open. I went inside and I found him lying on his bed, eyes closed. Dali-dali kong hinubad ang sapatos ko at saka sumampa sa kama. Isiniksik ko ang sarili ko sa kanya. He was half naked under the sheets. Yumakap ako sa kanya. I suddenly felt better when I felt the warmth of his body against mine. Inihilig ko ang ulo ko sa dibdib niya. I wanted to hear his heartbeat – the beating of his heart is enough for me to believe that he is indeed my first kiss.