Deceret Series #1: His Lips On My Neck

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Nanuot ang amoy ng usok sa ilong ko. Thankfully, it was the scented smoke that was coming from grilled ribs, not their cigarette butts. I watched Philodemus moved, slow and precise, as he simply rested the succulent plant on the metal rack.

Nilingon niya ako. Hindi pa rin ako gumagalaw mula sa kinatatayuan. Hawak ni Philodemus ang ginamit na tong sa isang kamay nang mabagal siyang naglalakad pabalik. A crooked smile appeared on his lips as he mouthed the lyrics of It's not living if it's not with you by the The 1975 booming loudly inside and outside of his house.

He looks so careless yet so... powerful. Para lang siyang naglalakad sa sariling concert kahit na pabalik lang siya dito upang magsugba. He didn't even bother to break his gaze from me. Truth be told, ako pa ang nahihiya sa titig niya. Lahat ata ng self-esteem na inagaw sa akin ni mommy ay napunta sa kaniya at nag-uumapaw na. He's slightly banging his head to the music and plucked his non-existent electric guitar in the air.

I sighed. If only I could be that confident in my own skin.

"It's not living if it's not with you..." he chuckled when the song ended and another electronic music immediately sounded from the speakers that I still couldn't spot until now. His smirk grew bigger as he continued to stare at me. "Are you just gonna stand there, Shortie?"

"Ah... uhm..." nag-alinlangan ako. What was I supposed to do? I know it's a party but I don't drink. If anything, I feel extremely uncomfortable, knowing that some of his friends are watching me.

"C'mere..." he commanded.

Kumurap ako saka mabagal na lumapit sa kaniya. When the song hit the chorus, I realized it was one of Tove Lo's pop songs. Her sensual voice added to the dark atmosphere hanging heavily around us.

"You want to grill?"

Ngumuso ako nang konti. I don't know how. But I supposed I'll just make sure that I don't burn the meat. Mabuti na din yun at para may ginagawa ako. I'm starting to feel really awkward. It's not the kind of party that I grew up with. The guys are topless and the girls are flaunting their bodies with their skimpy outfits. Walang ka glamor-glamor, pero mas komportable ako dito kesa sa mga party na dinadaluhan namin kasama si mommy, dad, at Shantel.

"Titingnan ko lang sila sa baba. Baka may gawin na naman ang mga yun," he shook his head lightly. Iniwan na niya ako hawak ang tong. I licked my lower lips and then picked up the meat, placing it carefully on the griddle station.

Ngayon ko lang mas na-appreciate ang kaniyang bahay, lalo na ang rooftop. He even bothered to put on some fairy lights for decorations. I giggled inside of my head, imagining Philodemus with furrowed brows, decorating his house for his housewarming party.

Cute.

"Hi."

Napaigtad ako sa gulat nang biglang may lumapit sa aking lalaki. Magulo ang mataas nitong buhok at halos matabunan ang namumungay na mata. Pinigilan ko ang pagngiwi ko ng maamoy ang amoy-tsiko niyang hininga.

"Chics ka ni Elton?" he slurred.

"Uh..."

"Calvin! Gago, huwag mo yang gagalawin!" narinig kong sigaw ng isang lalaki sa likuran namin. "Lagot ka kay Elton niyan!" at nasundan pa iyon ng halakhakan.

"Nagtatanong lang ako 'pre!" he shouted back and then turned to me, grinning widely. Nagsimula na tuloy akong kabahan. "Anong pangalan mo?"

I looked desperately. Nawalan na din ng interes ang lalaking sumigaw sa kaniya at binalingan ang mga kainuman nito. I suddenly felt trapped when he took a step closer. Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko at desperadang iginala ang paningin, hinahanap si Philodemus.