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Chapter 35: Usapang-Lasing

IT WAS SUNSET WHEN BREE WENT TO THE DECK. Sumalubong sa kanya ang sariwang hangin. Pumagaspas ang suot niyang maxi dress habang naglalakad papunta kay Virgo.

Virgo laid on the deck, his elbow propped to keep his upper body lifted. Nasa isang kamay naman ng lalaki ang baso na may lamang brandy. Nakapatong sa tabi nito ang bote na pinanggalingan ng alak.

Bree sat, letting the bottle stay in between them. Nag-angat ito ng tingin at napatitig siya sa kung paano bumalot ang gintong liwanag ng papalubog na araw sa katawan nito. He was wearing a pair of board shorts, a button-down white shirt made of thin cloth. Bree sat like a siren to make sure her skirt would not be flown. She tucked the damp strands of her hair behind her ear. It was damp since she took a shower when she woke up minutes earlier.

Sumilay ang ngiti sa mga labi nito. "How's your sleep?"

"Diyos ko, hindi ko alam na ganoon na pala kagrabe ang pagod ko," mahina niyang tawa.

Inangat nito ang hawak na baso. "Brandy?"

"No, thanks," she smiled. "Ano'ng ginawa mo habang tulog ako?"

Kanina kasi, pagkahatid sa kanya ni Virgo sa bedroom, hindi na namalayan ni Breen a nakatulog na siya. She just woke up wrapped in a blanket and her bags were already kept in one of the cabinets. The orange sunset streamed through the glass wall and it woke her up. Nakahawi na kasi ang kurtina niyon.

"Well," he sighed, there was something lonely in his smile, "I just checked the yacht. May kausap akong crew sa cellphone kanina, so I will be oriented about the things here."

"I'm sure it will be easier if they are here," nagi-guilty niyang saad.

"It's okay, I know how to drive this one," he proudly smiled, sitting now. "Kailangan ko lang i-refresh 'yung mga natutunan ko."

"How did you learn to drive a yacht, Mr. President?" usog niya palapit dito.

Sumimsim ito ng kaunting alak.

"How about you?" he smirked. "How did you learn to drive me crazy?"

Natigilan siya saglit. Hindi niya ine-expect ang banat na iyon.

"Crazy isn't it? Sneaking away this yacht-"

"Tinakas mo lang ito?" singhap niya.

"-and making Prince swear to never let anyone know na ikaw ang makakasama ko rito."

"Sino'ng Prince?"

"Yung piloto," uminom ulit ito.

"Oh..." Inihilig ni Bree ang ulo at nakangiting pinagmasdan ang umiinom na lalaki.

Damn, so wickedly handsome. Parang pelikula ang pinapanood niya- isang gwapong leading man, ang papalubog na araw, ang kumikislap na tubig na umuugoy sa yate at halos magkulay ginto ang alak na sinasaid nito.

"Well, mas crazy 'yung pinababa mo ako sa lubid mula sa helicopter."

Oh, she felt really scared. But now, the memory of that was making her laugh... and smile with pride as well. Sigurado si Bree na hindi lahat ng babae nagawa 'yung ginawa niya kanina. Daig pa niya ang grand entrance sa isang show.

Binaba nito ang baso, nakatingin sa kawalan. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" nawala ang masigla niyang tawa.

His soft eyes gazed on hers. "For putting you in that danger."

"Ang OA ha?" tawa niya para lang mapalagay na ang loob nito. "Ang mas mapanganib, eh kapag may naka-discover sa atin. Kaya 'yung pagbaba ko sa helicopter, wala iyon."