Decadence [Published]

Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Pinagmasdan ko ang maamong mukha ni Matteo habang natutulog. He never looked this calm and peaceful before. Noong mga nakaraang araw kasi ay medyo nangingitim na ang ilalim ng kanyang mga mata. Bagamat hindi naman naging kabawasan iyon sa kanyang pagkalalaki at kakisigang taglay, he should have learned how to find balance in all things.

Isa pa, hindi siya hiyang sa pagiging workaholic niya.

I sighed in content as I felt his arm tighten around me, pulling me unbelievably closer to his body.

Nitong mga nakaraang araw ay mabilis akong mapagod at antukin. It felt like my body was trying to adapt to some uncharted changes. I wasn't really quite sure if it was because of the environment-Matteo being with me for almost 24/7 or the scheduled meals.

Parang may mali.

I just couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was.

Ilang araw ko ring pinag-isipan iyong pabor na hinihingi sa akin ni Tripp.

Yes, I hadn't given him my sweet 'yes', yet. I figured that waiting wouldn't hurt him, especially if it was about Mims. Minsan ay gusto ko na lang matawa sa kanilang pareho.

I wanted them back together, alright.

I wanted Mims to be happy, too.

The young girl deserved it.

Marahan kong hinaplos ang mukha ni Matteo. We had settled our mini LQ by talking it out. I thought I was going to come around sooner, but it seemed like he couldn't wait anymore.

Matteo made the first move.

Natagpuan ko na lamang ang sarili kong na-corner sa kitchen habang nagtitimpla ng gatas. Sa pagtatagpo pa lang ng aming mga mata noong gabing iyon ay alam kong yari na ako.

"Babe?"

I jumped in surprise and held the glass of milk to me closer.

Wala naman talaga akong balak na kausapin siya pero masyado siyang mapilit. Nang gumilid ako at humakbang sa kanan ay ganoon din ang ginawa niya. Nang umiwas naman ako't nagmamadaling maglakad nang dire-diretso ay mabilis niyang hinuli ang aking braso.

I would have screamed at his face if it wasn't for the pleading look he was giving me.

He looked so lost.

"I'm not going to try anything that would infuriate you more this time," mahinahon niyang sinabi.

I felt my knees wobble at the sound of his low, guttural voice. Gusto ko na agad bumigay kahit wala pang isang minuto ang lumilipas. Ganoon kalakas ang epekto niya sa akin.

I could see the love and yearning in his eyes. Matteo wanted us to end this bullshit. He wasn't afraid to concede defeat-something that even if I could, too, I wouldn't still do.

"So, this is not infuriating me?" patukoy ko sa kanyang kamay na mahigpit ang pagkakahawak sa aking braso-ayaw akong pakawalan.

Desidido na si Matteo upang tapusin ang maliit na alitan sa pagitan namin.

Ngayon at ngayon din.

Bumuntong-hininga siya at dahan-dahang pinakawalan ang braso ko. "This fight is killing me." Umiling siya. "I'd rather have you spitting curses and snide remarks than ignoring me like I'm non-existent," he admitted truthfully. "Ang bigat kasi sa dibdib, mia bella."

Napalunok ako. "S-sinong may kasalanan?"

"Where did I go wrong? Inaalagaan naman kita, ah? Saan ba ako nagkulang? Sabihin mo. I'll make it right. I'll do it better." Matiim niya akong tinitigan. "Baka naman ayaw mo na? Nagsasawa ka na ba sa akin? Is it really true? Nasasakal ka na ba, Jergen?" May pagkabahala sa kanyang boses. "Sagutin mo ako."