Unforgotten Love Affair

Chapter 24 The Cousin

Working at Oregon Hotel is quite new to me.  But Raphael is always there to assist me.  My interest on this also help me to learn things the easy way.  During working hours, as if we mutually agreed to act as colleagues.   Whatever relationship we have, we left it at our penthouse.  Nadadala na rin ako sa ganoong set-up nya.  It makes our working environment in harmony.  He is very professional and I love more each passing day.  He gave me private space though he sometimes sneaked on me late at night.  Making alibi that he can't sleep and he just want to cuddle and sleep beside me.  Pinagbigyan ko naman.  Who am I to resist the charm of Raphael Marko.  A living temptation I must say.   But true to his words, he just cuddle me the whole night.  He may have kissed me but just on top of my hair and my temple. 
He is occupying the room next to me.  On everyday being together, we were able know each other's individuality aside from us being into romantic relationship.  We were able to establish friendship as working partners.  I guess it makes our relationship deeper and getting stronger.  Masyado syang maalaga sa akin.  He cooked for us if times we won't be eating outside or not having room service.  Like now we're heading to make some groceries.
"Babe,  what do you like for dinner later?" We're heading to meat section.
"I'd like to have steak chef, medium cooked.  Juicy and tender" I winked at him playfully.
He pinched my nose "you're such a tease baby.  You don't know how much self-control been through every chance I get close to you." Halos pabulong na sabi niya.  I can still hear his sentiments.  I smiled to myself.  That's how gentle he is nowadays.  His mere presence fills the whole of me.  Sobra ko na syang mahal ngayon. Promise!  He gained my respect and so much love.  Long gone the womanizer Raphael Marko.  He is now my sweet, irresistible lover.  But he still resists my temptation, I am starting to feel bad about it.
Like last night, no matter how I initiate for a more intimate moment with him,  he just pull me tight and said, "shhh...keep still baby.  You're starting to awake the beast underneath."
"Let him be" mapanukso kong kiniskis ang likuran ko sa kanya kaso pinandigan niya na talagang hanggang cuddle Lang kami kagaya ng mga nagdaang gabi.  Naiinis na ako sa kanya. Kung bakit ganito sya, di ko maintindihan. I don't want to make it obvious he might think of me as that pervert.
He snapped at me. "Hey you spaced out.  Is everything alright?"
"Yeah." Tipid kong sagot sa kanya.  Kung ayaw niya eh di huwag.  I proceeded to vegetable section.  I'd rather have salad and fruits for dinner instead of that ugh!...meat.  I suddenly lost my appetite dahil sa sobrang inis.

I find it amusing seeing her stomping feet.  Sinundan ko pa rin sya, inakbayan sa balikat... "Baby, kala ko ba, steak tayo for dinner" malumanay Kong tanong sa kanya.  I don't want to fuel up her bad mood.  Ayoko namang awayin niya ako.  Baka di matuloy balak ko kinabukasan.  Patience Raphael.
"No! I'd rather not."  Nakanguso na sya this time while picking up veggies for  the salad. 
"Hey! What's wrong with the sudden change baby?"
"I don't know. I just don't like it anymore." Hindi na maipinta ang mukha niya this time.  I kissed her temple to somehow ease her tension.  I think I did the right thing.  Tiningnan niya ako with questioning look. 
"I love you babe,  don't ever doubt it." Buong puso kong sinabi sa kanya.  Hindi ko na siya pakakawalan.  Not this time.

"Raph? Oh my! It that you?" Isang seksing babae ang papalapit sa amin. With fair skin at di maikailang maganda siya.  Who is she?
Biglang yakap niya Kay Raphael.  Napatikwas ako Ng kilay.  Another bitch in town?
"Oh I'm sorry."  Napansin na ata ang reaksyon ko.  "Raph, who is this beautiful lady beside you?"
"Yeah,  my woman, Sophie.  Babe... meet Via, my cousin"
"Oh the famous Sophia, who have captured the heart of a known elusive hot bachelor.  It's an honor to finally meet you!" I can see gladness beaming in her eyes.  She even hugged me and later hold me on both arms.
"Thank you for taming him.  Now everyone in the family can live in peace.  No bitches going crazy over this gorgeous man" she laughed dramatically.  Grabe tong babaeng to, parang fully charged battery sa sobrang energized niya.
"Hindi sya mahirap mahalin" sagot ko naman.  That true,  staying with him few weeks now makes me love him even more.  Sobra syang maalaga at his respect towards me is unbelievable.  Gone is the naughty and charming Raphael I know.  As if he let me see his other version of self.  The responsible and gentleman Raphael I certainly didn't know he is capable of.
"Yeah,  that's why lot of women are chasing him.  Tinagurian about namang great lover yan.  Dunno what that truly means.  I lost counting how many of them gone crazy over him.  But none of them passed the quality of a woman who can make him settle.  I happy that you came along.  He is like a brother to me more than a cousin, you know." 
"Hey!  I'm done" Putol ni Raphael sa mahaba-habang kwento ng pinsan niya.  Ngayon ko Lang napansin na puno na pala ang cart namin with variety of meat, chicken, seafoods at yung mga pinili ko kanina.  Yun pala umalis siya habang nawili kaming mag-usap ng pinsan niya.
"Yeah! I'd better get going."  Si via at parang bigla may naalala.  "I think he is already here" sabay tingin sa phone niya.
I can see a tall guy approaching our direction.  It's Daniel, my cousin! So?
I can smell something fishy here...