The Perfect Tandem

Kabanata 19

Nakahiga kami ngayon sa king-sized bed ni Thanatos.

I was on his arms and we are both naked. Paulit-ulit niyang hinahaplos ang braso ko. It feels nice, like a massage.

The sun is already up and we decided to laze a bit.

I tried to stop my smile. Does he realize we're cuddling? There's something flying in my stomach but I try to ignore it.

"Do you think we'll have a boy or a girl?" mahinang sambit ko.

Pareho kaming nakatingin sa ceiling.

"Doesn't matter. They're still heirs of Ambrosia." he said, still in his bedroom voice. Hinampas ko ang matigas niyang braso.

"Okay lang na hindi siya maging tagapagmana. I prefer my kid to be raised in a normal environment. Kahit di naman marangya pamumuhay niya. Importante, ikaw ang kinikilalang ama." I shared my thoughts to him.

"Ambrosia siya. That alone makes the kid special. Our kid deserves everything." anito na parang di narinig ang sinabi ko.

"Are you disappointed?"

His eyes turned to me, questioning. "At what?"

"At me. At the baby." His eyes became blank. I couldn't read him. "This is gonna take away your bachelor status. I'm sure you didn't plan to be a father soon."

Lumipat ang kamay niya sa bewang ko at hinaplos haplos ang tiyan ko. Simula ng malaman niyang buntis ako ay ginagawa niya iyon tuwing umaga. It sends me shiver sometimes but I also find it sweet.

"I'm more disappointed you didn't tell me first." he said, with conviction. "But all in all, I have never been disappointed with you. At all aspects. You made my life easier, Aleera. Furthermore, you gave me the best gift of all." He reached for my hand and kissed it. "Thank you." He kissed me on the lips.

Now, tell me how do I stop myself from falling...

~•~

I was minding my own business, typing on my cubicle when I saw Mariela, one of Thanatos' flings.

I don't know what to feel. Ang tagal ko na ring hindi nakakakita ng mga fling niya simula nang ikasal kami. They only come when he calls them.

Did he call her?

Is he bored with me now?

Damn it, Aleera! You're just his wife in contract! You don't own him!

--

I entered the room and I saw them talking. She was on the seat in front of Thanatos. "Juice, Miss." Inabot ko sa kaniya ang baso.

"Thank you." sabi nito. I looked at her. She had a fitted short dress, which I think is too vulgar to be formal. It was pink, at kitang-kita ang puti ng legs niya. Kaka-perm lang din ata niya ng buhok.

I looked at Thanatos and he gave me a questioning look. What? Can't I serve visitors?

Bago ako makalabas ay may narinig akong natapon.

"Oh my god! Sorry! I'm sorry..." naiiyak na sabi ni Mariela. Natapunan nito ang papel sa harap ni Thanatos at nabasa ang cuffs ng long sleeves niya.

Kinuha ni Mariela ang kamay ni Thanatos at pinunasan ang juice na natapon dito.

Mukhang asar ang mukha ni Thanatos pero kalamado itong nagsalita, "No. It's fine." Binawi nito ang sariling kamay at nagpunas.

Napailing ako. Bahala sila dyan.

--

Kakatapos lang ng meeting with IT department. Humabol si Thanatos sa meeting. He kept on eyeing me but ai didn't meet his gaze.

When it was just the two of us, he finally said something.

"I apologise for being late. Can you tell me gist?"

"Apologize to them, not me. Besides, you're not required to attend this. I'll send you the minutes later."

His lips thinned and only nodded.

"Why is Mariela here?" pasimpleng tanong ko habang inaayos by category ang mga papel.

"She's the new client, apparently." He cleared his throat. "Are you upset?"

"No." mabilis kong sagot. "Why would I be?"

Tumango ito. "Good. You don't have to be."

I nodded. Do I, really?

"When is your appointment to the doctor?"

I turned to him. "Tomorrow." I'll be taking a half day. I want to finally confirm and get an advice.

Gusto ko sanang kasama siya. Wala rin naman siyang schedule na mabigat bukas.

With courage, I asked. "Would you like to go with me?"

The end of his lips lifted. He nodded. Lumapit ito at niyakap ako pagilid.

"Let's go home, hon."