Hold Me Close (DeMarcus 1)

Chapter Seven

EVELYN DeMARCUS

From: Baby Eva

Mommy demands lunch with everyone. Invite kuya Third din daw kung gusto niya.

From: Russell

Should I pick you up? I'm at HQ.

From: Ruel

Ate can I borrow your Bentley? This weekend please..

From: Ruel

P.S. Hope you're OK. See you later ate!

Napailing nalang ako sa mga kapatid ko. The reason I woke up was because of the vibrations of my phone. It is times like this that I wish I was a heavy sleeper, hindi 'yung konting galaw lang ay nagigising ako.

Last night was mentally tiring for me at hindi na ako nagulat kung bakit late ako nagising. The headache I was feeling was worse than any hangover I never really had.

Tumayo ako at naisipang mag-ayos na. It's past ten and I should be ready for lunch in a bit. Medyo malayo ang byahe papunta sa family house namin.

Lumabas ako sa room at nagulat ako nang batiin ako ni Third mula sa couch. He was wearing dark blue pajamas and nothing else, may suot na eyeglasses, tapos prenteng nagbabasa ng mga papeles. I was a bit shocked. He's never here in the mornings..

"You should eat brunch," mahinahon niyang sabi.

I shook my head, still a bit surprised. "Uhm, uuwi na ako, it's fine. Mommy's inviting everyone to lunch."

Dahan-dahan siyang tumango, nakatingin parin sa'kin na para bang nanunuri. His lips were pressed together na para bang ayaw niya akong umalis, but I never say no to my mommy.

"Mom called me."

"Oh?"

Tumango-tango siya at tinapik ang tabi niya. I followed and sat beside him. Tinanggal niya ang suot niyang glasses at medyo napasimangot ako. He looked really sexy with those.

His eyes narrowed towards me. "Tuloy daw ang pagp-plano mo para sa kasal."

Oh, I thought grimly. Galit parin ba siya doon? Maybe that's why he's still here. Para tanungin ako tungkol doon.

"Yes, pero nakausap ko na sina tita at mommy. They know what to do..."

"I'm still with Jane, Evelyn," malumanay niyang sabi, na para bang ayaw niyang masaktan ako. But, really, I've accepted it already. I've accepted the facts.

I nodded at him, hindi nakatingin sakanya. "Well, actually, they're only planning the wedding. Some details aren't sure yet."

"Tulad ng...?" He was pouting.

I shrugged. "Guest list, some of the entourage, the venue of the reception, the groom, all that.."

This time, his neck reddened. "The groom? Really, Evelyn?"

"Don't worry about it, Third. I already promise you na hindi ka madadamay, hindi ba? Your mom is only helping out dahil nasimulan na nila ni mommy and I have no time to deal with the tiniest details of the wedding. Pasensya na kung tingin mo ginugulo parin kita, but I promise I'm not planning anything with you." Tinignan ko siya at bumuntong-hininga ako. "You can assure Jane that I won't be meddling anymore, as I promised. I'm also sorry about the dinner, mommy and tita didn't know about the will."

Masungit na naman ang mukha niya habang nakatingin sa'kin. Hindi siya nagsalita pero nagulat ako nang buhatin niya ako. I shrieked his name as he placed me on his lap.

"Third! You're crazy! Let me go! Ano ba!"

His arms caged me like a prisoner at kahit na anong galaw galaw ko ay hindi ako makawala. Naiipit ang legs ko kaya maman hirap na ginalaw ko ang mga 'yon. He saw me struggle and he forced my legs around his hips. Gusto ko mang magprotesta pero hindi ko na ginawa. Being so close to him always weakens me in some ways. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na napabilang na siya sa mga taong kayang pahinain ako.