The Gentlemen Series 6: Chris, The Macho Lawyer (SELF-PUBLISHED)

TWENTY-EIGHT

Crazy

"How did you manage to get inside my apartment, Chris? At kailan ka pa dumating? Paano mo nalaman ang address ko? At higit sa lahat, anong ginagawa mo dito sa Paris?" Sunod-sunod na tanong ko.

He sighed and straightened his body. Umupo ito sa tabi ko. Mabilis akong umiwas sa kanya at tumayo. Hindi ako mapakali at panay lamang ang lakad ko paroon at parito. My hands were placed on my hips as I keep throwing glances at Chris na nakamasid lamang sa akin.

"Stop walking around, Nica. Hindi ka ba nahihilo? Sit here. We'll talk." He said calmly at tinapik ang espasyo ng sofa.

"We are talking, Mr. Villaforte." Pagsusungit ko.

Pinasadahan ako ng tingin nito. "You just came back from the gym, I see. Why don't you take a shower first while I prepare our dinner."

My eyes hooded as I look at him. Did I really hear that clearly? "Wow. Bahay mo? Ni-welcome kita? Did I even agree na dito ka mag-stay sa apartment ko?"

Bumuntong-hininga ito. He was contemplating which right words to say. "Nica, I thought we're friends. Am I not welcome here? Is this how you treat a friend na ilang oras palang ang nakakalipas mula nang lumapag ang eroplano? A friend, who, instead of going straight to the hotel, chose to come here? A friend who is dying to see you because....I am about to lose my mind if I don't see you now."

Suminghap ako sa huli nitong sinabi. I moved my gaze away from him at nilingon ang direksyon ng kwarto ko. My heart was being crazy again, beating so loudly it could be heard in all corners of the room.

I heard footsteps and I almost jump off my feet when he suddenly wrapped his arms around me. He placed his chin on my shoulder, making his hold tighter.

"Friends are allowed to miss each other, right? Friends are allowed to hug like this." He breathe huskily near my ear. Shivers went down my spine.

"God sweetheart, I missed you."

I missed you too. My heart answered without even thinking for a second. What a traitor organ of mine.

I gathered all my strength to cock my head sideway to be able to look at him. Muntik pa akong mapamura nang tumama ang labi nito sa tungki ng aking ilong. "I....I will take a shower and we will talk after, Mr. Villaforte."

Gosh, why are we in this situation again? Why the heck did I stutter like that? When will myself get use of his presence?

"You really need to move now, Nica. I might do something na hindi mo magugustuhan." There was amusement in his voice. He shoved his hands in the front pockets of his pants and bent his knees to level our heights. Pinakatitigan ako nito ng mabuti.

Ako naman na gaga ay tila hindi nakuha ang tinutukoy niya. "Tulad ng?"

"Like kissing you until we both run out of breaths."

Napahumindig ako at tinampal ang dibdib nito. "Friends don't kiss like that, Chris!" I glared at him, trying my hardest to hide the redness of my cheeks.

"Oh really? It actually depends though. If you would allow me, then there's nothing wrong with it." He smirked. "Friends do kiss, like what you and Zandro did the last time we had a meeting with him, remember?"

"I won't allow, jerk!" I snarled at him.

"Oh. You're being selective here, I see. So you don't want my kisses anymore? If I could remember it clearly, you enjoyed kissing me. That hurts a little." He clutched his chest, contorted his face like he's in pain.

Then he gave me a mocking expression that totally infuriate the hell out of me! I want to scratch the smug face I am seeing on him now!

Mablis akong umalis sa harap nito.  I was stomping heavily as I approached my room. The hell I care kung mabulabog man ang mga tao sa ibabang apartment!