Make It Without You

Chapter 20: Paradise

A/N: Warning: R18.

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"Here." Gabo handed Billy a towel and a nice T-shirt, as well as a comb and a toothbrush set still in plastic, like those given in hotels. He looked at her pants which had a few streaks of the cupcake batter. "Give me those once you're in the shower. Ipapakiusap ko sa baba," sabi niya.

"Thank you. And okay na 'to. Punasan ko na lang tapos hair dryer," Billy assured him, smiling.

Gabo shrugged. "Okay. Use anything you want. I'll be downstairs," he said and gestured towards his room's huge bathroom before going out.

Pumasok si Billy sa banyo. Akala niya noon malaki na masyado yung mga banyo sa guest rooms ni Gabo, pero mas malawak pa yung nasa kwarto niya. May shower, may tub, dalawang sink at syempre toilet na may enclosure pa. Iba talaga ang mga richie rich.

She took a quick shower and nagbihis na rin. Natanggal naman niya ang dumi sa pantalon kaya sinuot na lang niya ulit, even her underwear. Uuwi din naman ako agad! Shower na lang ako ulit sa condo. She tucked in Gabo's oversized shirt at matapos magpatuyo ng buhok, lumabas na siya at bumaba para hanapin si Gabo.

Gabo saw her from the kitchen. Even my shirt looks good on her. How unfair. "I made pesto pasta. Para mabilis. Is that okay?" he asked her as she walked closer to him.

"Mhmm," Billy answered and stood beside him in front of the stove para matignan ang ginagawa niya. She had a bit of her dinner back in the condo pero ginutom siya sa niluluto ni Gabo. Lalo na nung binudburan niya ng napakaraming parmesan cheese ang pasta.

"Dun tayo sa nook. This is a special occasion," Gabo said, carrying the plates towards a smaller dining table near a floor length window. Si Billy na ang nagdala ng ginawa ni Gabo na apple juice at mga baso ng tubig. Gabo put down the plates and took the tray from Billy before pulling out a chair for her. Umupo siya sa tapat ni Billy.

Billy looked at him. "Anong special occasion?"

Gabo smiled. "It's our first real date after a long time. And you still love me! Let me celebrate," he said with a laugh. Tumawa din si Billy.

They ate their late dinner leisurely, talking about their day at work. In the middle of their dessert — a no-bake cheescake — naalala ni Billy ang napag-usapan nila ni Sputnik tungkol sa apelyido ng mga bata.

"Oo nga pala. I already talked to Sputnik about changing the kids' surname. For me, okay lang naman," Billy said.

"Okay. Sasabihan kita kapag sisimulan nang i-process," Gabo answered. "Kailan pala tayo pupunta sa Nueva Valencia? I'm planning to take a week off work habang hindi pa kami masyadong hectic ulit. I wanted to invite you and the kids to my beach house in Cebu. Tapos pwedeng within that week, isabay na natin yung pagpunta sa Nueva Valencia. Kung okay lang sa'yo."

Billy's brows were furrowed. "Cebu?"

Gabo nodded. "Yes. Sa Mactan. Naisip ko kasi since mahilig magswimming yung kambal, may mga pool ako dun. Saka maganda yung dagat," he told her. "Syempre, sagot ko lahat. So if you're also willing to take a leave for a week, I can arrange everything for us."

"Sure ka? Kaya ko namang magbayad ng airfare—"

"Love, ako na," Gabo insisted.

Billy blushed at the endearment. Ang landi landi talaga. Kakayanin ko ba 'to? Tunaw na tunaw na ako ah. "Fine. Sige, I'll check my schedule and see kung kailan pwede."

They cleared the plates in no time at sabay ulit silang naghugas kasi ayaw magpatinag ni Gabo. When they finished, nagpunta saglit si Gabo sa home office niya kasi may tumawag galing sa Finance team nila kaya naiwan si Billy sa sala na umiinom ng tsaa.