The Greek's Affection ✔ COMPLETED

Affection 16

Zary was on his way to his Condo. As usual, he is literally happy. Her reactions really amused him. Kung paano sya nito paalisin sa apartment nito, he keeps on smiling. Her yelling and punching didn't affect him. Nadidistract kasi sya sa itsura nito. She was covered by her matress but under that, her body was fully naked.

Nangingiti nalang syang naalala 'yon. It was a memorable night for him. He kissed her and she didn't push him away. Maybe, that's a hint for him?

Nakarating na rin sya sa kanyang Condo. Pagkapasok nya sa kanyang kwarto ay hinubad nya ang lahat ng saplot saka nagshower. Matapos ng ilang minuto ay lumabas ito sa banyo na nakatapis lang ng tuwalya sa kanyang ibaba, habang may nakasakbit naman na isa pang malinis na tuwalya sa balikat niya. Naglakad syang pumasok sa kanyang kwarto.

Naririnig nyang nagriring ang kanyang cellphone. Pinapatuyo naman nya ang basang buhok nang kuhain nya ito sa ibabaw ng kama. His face immediately became annoyed when he saw the name of the caller. He heavily sighed as he answered the call.

"Hello, my son." Unang bati ng kabilang linya. Napalatak naman sya. 'My son, my ass.'

"What do you want STEPMOTHER?" inemphasize talaga niya ang pagtawag dito ng stepmother.

"Chill, Zary. I just called you because your Dad wants you to attend to our family dinner." Bakas naman sa tono nitong na-eexcite. Still the calmness and the sophisticated of her voice intact. Napabuga ng marahas na hangin. Family eh? It's not a family rather its a hell for him.

"Sorry to disappoint him. Just tell my old man I won't come."

"Oh, I would like to tell him that but--we have a visitor. It's Ivone." Sandali syang hindi makaimik. Tsk! Just like Luke said huh? He did expect this coming but it's too early. Guess he needs help from someone. 

"Tss. Fine. I'll come. And don't you dare ever call me again."

Napatawa naman ng mahinhin ang ginang. "Still hate me, ei? Fine. Not unless your Dad said so." Napakuyom nalang kamao nya. "Don't exhaust yourself, son. Your plans ain't work for me. Bye."

Nagbabagis ang panga nyang nakatingin sa kawalan.

So she knew, huh? Don't worry stepmother. Your sins will come back at you.

"Guess I will call her." He means Reith. He immediately dialed her number and in a few moments, it's ringing. Mabuti naman ay sinagot rin iyon ng dalaga.

And as he expected, she was annoyed when she heard his voice. Nawala nalang bigla ang galit nya nang marinig nya ang boses nito kahit pa na tinatalakan na naman sya nito.

REITH NERVOUSLY sat in a passenger seat. They'll attending a family dinner at Zary's house. Hindi pa nga sya nakakamove-on sa nangyari nung isang gabi, heto na naman sya at kasama pa nya ang binata. Nagsabi na ito nung isang araw tungkol sa family dinner. Nung una naguluhan pa sya dahil bakit ba sya isasama nito? Hanggang sa pumasok sa isip nya na nagpapanggap pala sila. Tss.

She turns her gaze on Zary. Her eyebrows furrowed when she saw his face while driving. She even saw how he clenched his hands on maneuver. Nakita rin nya kung paano nag-igting ang panga nito, habang nakakunot ang noo. The air between them is indeed cold--no, rather it was serious.

Hindi lang nya unang beses nakita ang pagkaseryoso nito dahil nakita na nya dati nung birthday party ni Desy at sa unang pagkikita nila, subalit mas kakaiba ang emosyon nito ngayon.

Nagulat nga sya nung tumawag ito sa kanya na dadalo sila sa family dinner ng pamilya nito. Bakit naman kaya biglaan? Hindi nya naman kasi inaasahan na ngayon na mismo sila magpapanggap, higit sa lahat sa pamilya pa ng binata.

Mahaba ang paghinga ni Reith na bumaling sa labas ng bintana. Inaaliw ang sarili sa pagtanaw ng mga street lights at ang ilaw ng mga gusali. Ayaw nya munang kausapin ito. Matapos ang nangyari nung isang gabi? Isa pa mukhang wala rin ito sa mood na makipag-usap sa kanya.

ZARY was controlling his anger. He knew that Reith did saw his serious face earlier. Mabuti nalang at hindi ito nagtatanong, dahil sa nararamdaman nya ngayon ay hindi nya kayang sagutin kung anuman 'yon.

He can even remember what his stepmother said. And the problem really is, Ivone. Mukhang tama nga ang sinabi ni Luke. Ivone did really make a move and it will be a hindrance for him. Lalo na sa mga plano nya. Siguradong ginatungan rin ito ng magaling na madrasta.

He knows that Reith still confused and shocked. Binigla ba naman nya ito. But, right now he can't do anything but to attend that damn dinner and with Reith, he wished that Ivone stay herself out of his life. He didn't want to be that rude but for the sake of his plan and for his love, he will do anything just to make Ivone stay away.

******

TUMIGIL ang sasakyan sa isang kanto, malapit lang sa entrance ng Greenhills Village--na tanging makakatira ay mga mayayamang pamilya o may kaya.

Bagamat alam na ni Reith ang nasabing Village dahil nakadalo sya sa Birthday party ni Desy---hindi naman nya inaasahang nandun rin ang tirahan ng binata.

Bumaling ang kanyang tingin kay Zary. Hanggang ngayon  ay nakatuon pa rin ang tanaw nito sa kawalan at nakahawak ng mahigpit ang kamay sa manibela. Tila malalim ang iniisip nito.

Napabuntong-hininga sya ng malalim saka nagsalita.

"Bakit tayo tumigil?" Tanong nya. Mukha namang napukaw nya ito dahil medyo nagulat at napakurap-kurap na tumingin sa kanya.

Tumikhim naman ito. "I just reminding you, once we take actions in front of them. Make sure you'll do what I was said."

Napalabi sya mariin na pumikit. "Kailangan ko ba talagang gawin 'yon?"

Ang tinutukoy nya ay ang pagiging sweet nila o kaya naman ang mga dapat gawin nila bilang totoong magkasintahan.

Ibig sabihin magagawa nang binata ang hawakan sya, yakapin at... halikan.

Holy wow.

Mukhang sa mga susunod na mga oras ay hindi sya makakapalag at suswertehin naman ang katabi nya.

"It is needed." Sinamaan nya ito ng tingin. A smirk drew his lips. "Don't worry I won't eat you anyway."

Pinamulahan naman ang kanyang pisngi. Nanlalaki ang mga mata nya sa sinabi nito. "Tumahimik ka!" Umingos sya saka agad na ibinaling ang sarili at tingin sa labas.

She can't talk back because she is also out of words. Her heart was pounding faster and hammering as she feels like her body burning in sensation.

Napakagat nalang sya sa labi dahil sa maling nararamdaman nya. Why her body became so vulnerable when he says something like that?

Kabadong-kabado si Reith nang pumasok na silang dalawa ni Zary sa pamamahay nito. Magkahawak lang ang kamay nila. Sa ngayon ay wala siyang tutol dahil kailangan rin naman niya nang panlakas nang loob para sa sarili kaya hinigpitan niya ang pagkakapit niya sa kamay nito.

Ang mga katulong naman ay napapatingin sa gawi nila. Marahil ay nagtatanong kung sino ang kasama ng katabi niya. Hanggang sa tuluyan na silang dumeretso at dumating sa Diner.

Naririnig pa ni Reith ang mga boses nang pamilya nang binata.

Until Reith dart her gaze on one woman. Nakita na niya ito sa letratong ipinakita sa kanya ni Zary.

So. that's Ivone.

Reith clearly see Ivone whose now super excited to see Zary as she giggling from her seat. Zachariass--Zary's dad as Reith remember him from the picture--is just looking seriously while Elaine--the second wife of Zary's father still sitting in a sophisticated way.

And Reith saw their shock with their clueless minds. That Zary is not alone attending the family dinner, there's her beside him, and as they held hands as they face them.

"Hello, it's nice to come here." He said in a sarcastic way. "By the way, " He grabbed her waist pulling into him with widen eyes. "She's my girlfriend." Tumingin naman ito sa kanya. "My Reith." Saka walang pakundangan na hinalikan siya sa harapan ng mga ito.