The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 21

Kabanata 21

Galit

My six-inch-heels clanked against the floor as I tried to do a professional-looking ramp. Hindi ako sanay na nakasuot ng gano'n kaya hirap na hirap akong i-balanse ang sarili ko. Tumigil ako sa gitna ng sala namin at gagawin na sana ang signature post na tinuro ni Chad nang bigla siyang tumayo at umiling.

"Ionna! Honey, don't rush your steps!" He clapped twice and sighed. "We've been going on and on about this for three hours now! God, nakaka-stress na, ha?"

Napakagat-labi ako. My eyes darted at Atlas who was sitting at our couch, katabi ni Chad, naka-manspread at nakatuko sa magkabilang tuhod ang siko. He was looking intently at me. 'Di ko mawari kung bakit ang dilim ng mukha niya at parang tigreng susunggaban ako anong oras mula ngayon. I stared back at Chad.

"Sorry. Uh, ulitin na lang natin ulit—"

"No, no, no." He made a dismissive gesture. "You know what? Magpahinga ka muna at babalikan natin 'to mamaya."

"O-okay."

Lumapit si Chad sa 'kin at inusisa ang postura ko. He walked behind me, pushed the small of my back forward, and pulled my shoulders toward him in a firm manner. Umikot ulit siya na tila ba hinihusgahan ang katawan ko. He stopped in front of me.

"We have to work on this," he said and motioned my boobs.

Pinamulahan ako ng pisngi. What the hell?

Tinapunan ko ng tingin si Atlas at nakitang nakataas ang isang kilay niya. He also stared at my boobs which made me flush some more. This is too much!

"Maliit naman ang bewang mo kaya hindi mo kailangang magpapayat. We need your body to be toned though, so you must work out. As for your ass..." He tapped my bum once. "It's nice. No squats on your workout, then? Good for you."

"I'll keep that in mind," I said in a brittle voice.

Matapos akong bilinan ng mga bagay-bagay ay tumungo siya sa kusina upang kausapin si Mom na nagbi-bake doon. It was a sunny Saturday and instead of doing my school works, I was practicing my ramp for Mr. and Ms. LFU.

Muling nagtama ang mga mata namin ni Atlas. He straightened on his seat and tapped his right thigh, as if gesturing me to sit there. Seryoso at nakakapanindig-balahibo ang tingin niya kaya wala akong nagawa kundi sundin ang gusto niya.

My buttocks dented as I sat on his thigh. I was wearing a skimpy one-shoulder bodycon so there wasn't that much fabric separating our skin. Kinulong niya ako sa braso niya. Para akong bata sa posisyon namin lalo na't kinailangan kong iangat ang tingin ko dahil sa tangkad niya.

"M-may problema ba?"

He shook his head. "None."

"E ba't mukha kang galit?"

"I don't like your dress."

I sighed. "We have no choice. Ayoko rin nito kasi masyadong masikip at sexy pero ito ang pinapasuot sa mga kandidata."

"As long as your comfortable with it then..." He looked away. "I'll endure."

"Endure what?"

He swallowed. "My fucking hard-on."

Namilog ang mga mata ko sa gulat. Hawak-hawak niya ako sa likod ko at bewang kaya hindi ako masyadong makagalaw, ngunit nang aksidenteng madampian ng tuhod ko ang gitna ng pantalon niya'y napagtanto kong totoo nga ang sinasabi niya.

"What the hell, Atlas? Ano bang pinag-iisip mo habang rumarampa ako?" nahahapo kong singhal.

Sinipat niya ako sa madidilim niyang mga mata. He twisted his lips in a sensual manner before letting out a sharp breath.