The Governor

Prologue

I heard the running water in the shower closed. He's done.

Nagpapanggap akong tulog kanina pang dumating siya. Ayokong may mangyari pa samin kapag naabutan niya akong gising pa.

Bumukas ang pinto. I smelled his usual after shower smell. Very masculine. But I don't care. Gusto ko ng mag-umaga.

Nararamdaman ko ang mga yapak niya. Pilit kong pinipikit ang mga mata ko.

I really hate this! Sana tumukas na lang ako noong may oras pa ako, akala ko malimit lang niya akong bibigyan ng atensyon. Akala ko lang pala.

I want to open my eyes but I'm afraid he will catch me here still wide awake.

Naramdaman kong lumundo ang kama.

His warmth is slowly creeping into my back, as I felt his hand caressed my hair.

But he stopped when his phone buzzed.

"Jethro." His deep gruff voice greeted the other line, Jethro, his ever loyal friend. That jerk, I shouldn't have trusted him from the beginning.

"No. I'm home already." I felt his fingers playing with the ends of my hair. Naman oh.

"Still busy. We're preparing for the festival."

Anong oras na ba?

Since nakatalikod naman ako sa kanya hindi naman niya makikita kung bubuksan ko ng konti ang mga mata ko.

11:37 pm.

He's usually here before 10. Bakit di na lang siya dumating tuwing umaga?

"Like I said I'm busy. Last month we just went from New Zealand. Going out of the country this time will be hard. My schedule is full."

New Zealand. Muntik ķo ng makontak ang pinsan ko doon, pero itong hudas barabas na ito natunugan akong may ginagawa. Kinaumagahan halos hindi na tuloy ako makabangon sa kama.

"Isa? She's fine. Why ask about her?" My interest creeped up. Pinag-uusapan yata nila ako ah.

"Nah. I don't want to bring her when there's a crowd. She'll take up her chances to sneak away from me."

I gritted my teeth. Maghintay ka lang.

"My woman is cunning. I know she won't give up easily."

Of course! I shall try and try until I succeed. Ako mismo ang magsasadlak sayo sa lupa.

Tumigil siya sa paglalaro ng buhok ko. Bakit kaya?

"Make damn sure they won't interfere in my plans, Jethro. I've been very patient with them."

Teka.

Tungkol ba ito sa mga chismis kung saan may koneksyon siya sa mga drug dealers?

"I gave them what they wanted. And if ever they try to break the contract, they fucking know what will happen." Galit niyang saad. Ano ba naman itong lalaking ito?

Naturingang gobernador, napakadumi naman ng ginagawa.

Pero totoo kaya?

"They'll face my grandfather if they won't heed my warning this time." Grandfather?

Oh no. I still remember the first time I met the Salcedo patriarch. Jesus! I thought that will be my last time eating.

One time, dinala niya ako sa family gathering nila, gusto akong makilala ng lolo niya. Noong nagkakakilala na kami halos mawalan ako ng hininga sa paraan ng pagkilatis niya sa akin. Kung hindi lang dahil sa emergency sa capitol, nasabon na siguro ako.

I heard he bid his goodbye.

Chill Isa.

Matutulog na siya.

I felt him lift my head and laid his left arm, caging my neck, while the other is wrapped around my waist.

Sana hindi niya maramdaman ang tibok ng puso ko. Mabilis iyon at alam kong malalaman niyang gising pa ako.

I felt his lips on my nape.

Anak ng! No goosebumps! Please.

Pero nakikiliti ako!

His lips reached my ears.

"Stop pretending. I know you're still awake."

Napaigik tuloy ako dahil kinagat niya ang leeg ko, na magmamarka na naman.

Tinulak ko siya pero ayaw niyang pumalag.

"Let go." I said, but he still caged me within him.

He made me look straight into his eyes.

Those black eyes shouts the emotions I always feel every night whenever he hold me in his arms.

Desire.

"It's good that you're still awake. 'Cause I know you're not fond of morning sex."

His lips crashed on mine. And the fireworks in us was ignited and blazed like a glowing fire. 

Oh boy.

This will be another long long night.