She Loved, He Fought (The Daughters' Series #1)

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Lunch

The next day, I woke up from a very beautiful sleep. My eyes opened at the exact time my alarm rang. Bumangon na ako para gawin ang ritwal ko tuwing umaga. Shower, skin care, and now I was staring at my whole naked body reflection in the full length mirror of my room. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi para pigilan ang ngisi. I stepped closer to the mirror and tilted my head to have a clearer view of hickeys that Elias inflicted on my neck.

Napasimangot ako nang mapansin na mas madami iyon kaysa sa inaasahan ko. Mukhang mahihirapan ako takpan ang mga ito.

"Napaghahalataan na sabik masiyado," I whispered to myself, suppressing the growing smirk on my face.

Umirap ako sa kawalan at naglakad patungo sa aking walk-in closet. I have already prepared my outfits for the entire week, and most of it reveals so much of my skin. Apparently, I cannot wear those clothes because of Elias' kiss marks on my delicate epidermis. If I do, I'd just make myself look like I purposely make it appear as if I am a proud kissed woman for the first time, it might just bring controversies in our company. And I can't afford that to happen.

I sighed. Why am I thinking that by the way? Hindi ko rin naman gusto ipakita ang mga ito!

Umakyat ang init sa aking pisngi nang dumaan na naman ang alaala sa nangyari kagabi. Sa huli umiling nalang ako bago pa ako mahatak ng pagroromansa ko kay Elias. Itinulak ko nalang ang sarili para makapaghanap na ng isusuot. Natagalan pa ako sa pagpili ng damit na umaayon sa timpla ko para sa araw na iyon. 

Yet, in the end, I found myself holding two different pairs of clothes.

I threw it on my bed and crossed my arms. Nagtagal ang tingin ko sa mga iyon, hindi talaga kasi ako makapagdesisyon kung ano ang gusto ko sa dalawa. I was torn between a black tube paired with a yellow slacks and a blazer in the same color, and to a black turtle neck that I might pair with a mini beige pencil skirt and boots.

Though, the first pair was sort of revealing.

Eventually, my heart chose the tube partnered with a slacks. Matatakpan din naman nito ang leeg ko dahil sa blazer. Isa pa, malamig naman ang opisina at hindi ko naman siguro maiisipan maghubad... sana.

After I put a subtle makeup on my face and concealer down my neck, I proceeded in doing my hairstyle─ I parted my hair and pulled the other half into a bun then curled the tips of my loose hair. I let it brush along my clavicle. My hair appears longer than before. Hindi ko na maalala kung kailan ako huling nagpagupit. I feel like I was born with a natural brown and mid-length hair. Pero sino ba ang niloko ko? Puro itim ang buhok ng mga kasama ko rito sa bahay.

I leaned over my dresser to hook my earing when I caught a tattoo in the back of my ear. I paused a bit to have a good look at it. It was an infinity sign with a wing of an eagle at the end of its loop. My lips formed a smile involuntarily. I may not remember when and who put that ink in my skin─ my subconscious could still decipher the meaning behind it. That I was and am still the girl who's chasing freedom endlessly. The tattoo was buried in my skin just as I am imprisoned in my own fate.

For my final touch, I sprayed an expensive perfume all over my body. I could say that I put an extra effort for my look today. As a result, I headed late in the office. Walang nangahas na sumita sa akin kahit isang empleyado. Puno pa nga ng papuri ang natanggap ko nang makatungtong sa lobby ng Velez Law Firm.

"Miss Soledad, mas lalong gumanda ang umaga!" bati ng guard.

I replied a thank you for his compliment using only my eyes.