Owned by a Billionaire (Monteverde Series 1)

20

"Stop giving me that menacing smile," I told Aaron who was busy smirking at me. We played rock, paper, scissors and of course I lost. "Truth or dare?" he sniggered.

"Truth,"I answered. Ano naman kayang itatanong nito?

"Sino'ng mas guwapo, ako o si Aerold?"

I laughed. Grabe talaga ang pagiging seloso niya.

"Easy. You."

His face lit up, he even grinned. "Okay, next round."

We did it again, but I lost. Papel siya tapos bato ako. Why do I suck at this? "Truth," napipikong sagot ko.

"Okay. Pero kapag natalo ka pa ulit, dapat mag-dare ka na. Bawal tatlong truth."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Kailan nagkaroon ng ganong rule?" I complained but he just stuck his tongue out.

"Kanina lang no'ng sinabi ko. Now, truth. Hmm."

I crossed my arms while he was busy thinking of a question he could ask.

"Am I good in bed?" mabilis niyang tanong.

Naningkit ang mga mata ko at nangamatis ang mga pisngi ko."You're not allowed to ask questions like that!" I exclaimed out of shyness.

"I'm waiting for the answer, Cassidy," he jested, but I only shot him a death stare.

"Baguhin mo 'yong tanong!"

"Nope, sorry. I get to choose what question I'm going to ask. You don't have a say on this," mapang-asar niyang sagot.

Nahihiyang yumuko ako. "Yes."

His laugh reverberated on all four corners of the living room. He crossed the distance between us and leaned. His face was only inches away from mine that my breathing suddenly became labored. "Am. I. Good. In. Bed?" He gave emphasis on each word.

Napalunok ako. "Yes." My voice was soft and was almost inaudible. Lumayo na siya but he kissed my forehead first.

The third round went to me. "Truth or dare?"

He thought for a while. Then he said, "Truth."

I nodded. "Kung babalik si Aliya, sino pipiliin mo saaming dalawa?"

He chuckled. "Ikaw. Aliya's nothing."

I was satisfied so I nodded. He lost another round. Truth ulit pinili niya. "Did you have sex with other women when you were in New York?"

Kinakabahan ako sa magiging sagot niya.

He looked at me nervously. I saw anxiety in his eyes. Hindi parin siya sumasagot.

"Just forget it, Aaron. Alam ko naman 'yong sagot.."

Akmang tatayo na sana ko nang pigilan niyaako. He put his hand on my arm but I removed it.

"Cassid—"

"Let's go to sleep." I cut him off.

He sighed deeply. "I didn't sleep with anyone when I was in New York."

"Stop lying to me just to make me feel better. You hesitated before answering my question. How many girls have you slept with? Gusto ko lang naman malaman."

Rumehistro ang bahagyang inis sa mukha niya. "I said wala. Hindi ka ba naniniwala? I was also a virgin when I took you! I couldn't answer your question straight away because it was embarrassing to admit that I, a 24-year old billionaire, only got laid a few days ago!" He angrily stormed into his room.

I was left there speechless, gaping in thin air. Gusto kong magbunyi sa narinig ko kaso na-guilty rin ako. Aaron's angry at me because I accused him of something he did not do.

Gusto ko sanang mag-sorry sa kanya kaya lang galit pa 'yon. Maybe tomorrow. Naiiling na pumasok ako sa kuwarto ko at natulog.

---

When I woke up the next morning ay nakahanda na ang almusal. As usual, Aaron was seated on the wooden bamboo sofa.

Sorry I shouted at you last night, chief."Guilt was etched on his face.

I hugged him tighter."Sorry I jumped into conclusions. Sana nakinig muna ako sa paliwanag mo." I looked on my feet.

Hinaplos niya ang likod ko at hinalikan ang tuktok ng ulo ko. "Forgiven. I love you, Cassidy," sambit niya na nakapagpangiti sa akin.

"I love you more." Ang tagal namin sa ganoong posisyon.

"Bakit hindi ka nagsasalita? Galit ka parin ba?"Tanong niya. I smiled and shook my head.

"Hindi." Kinikilig kasi ako sa simple sweet gestures niya. At naiisip ko lang naang suwerte-suwerte ko.

"I'm lucky to have you." I said as I leaned against his chest. "I'm a million times luckier, Cassidy."

And just like that, we're okay again.