The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 39

Kabanata 39

Gone

For the first time in my life, it was peacefully, blissfully, quiet. Payapa ang lahat, kahit ang isipan ko. Both Atlas and I's backs were propped against the headboard of my suite's bedroom. Nakahilig ako sa bandang dibdib niya samantalang nakapulupot naman sa bewang ko ang dalawang kamay niya. His chin was on top of my head and he would sometimes kiss me there while we listened to the sound of our breathing and the air conditioning kicking off and on.

"We need to talk about us," wika niya sa malalim na boses.

Tumikhim ako, tila nasa alapaap pa rin. "I know."

To be honest, I wasn't sure whether what happened to us last night would change anything. Pero natanto ko ring tama siya at kailangan naming pag-usapan ang magiging estado ng relasyon namin magmula ngayon. We had sex. Gusto ko mang palawakin at bigyan ng kahulugan 'yon, alam kong kung tutuusi'y normal lang 'yon sa kaniya. He was a beast and for sure, I wasn't that different from all the other girls he had bedded before.

"I still love you."

Natigilan ako. "Did you ever stop?"

"No, never," he whispered and kissed my temple.

The funny thing was, I was surprised but then, I actually wasn't. Siguro ay dahil gano'n din ako sa kaniya. I never stopped thinking about him over these years. At noong nagkita kaming muli, pilit man naming itago na wala na kaming nararamdaman sa isa't-isa, alam namin parehong meron pa rin. Hindi 'yon nawala kailanman.

"Wow. So all we needed was to fuck each other, huh?" I joked.

He chuckled dryly. "That wasn't fucking yet. Because if it was, you'd be limp by now."

"The hell?" Lumayo ako sa kaniya at 'di siya makapaniwalang tinignan. All he did was raise a brow.

"I was gentle because it's your first time."

"So kapag second time na, 'di ka na gentle?"

Astonishment flickered in his eyes. "You're looking forward to it already?"

"No, but..."

He smirked. "I'll make a mess out of you in our second time, princess."

Sasapakin ko na sana siya nang tumunog ang cellphone niya. He reached out for it from the bedside table. I went back to leaning against his chest while he was busy fumbling over it. Pareho kaming walang saplot pang-itaas pero nakasuot naman na kami ng underwear. Namilog ang mga mata ko nang biglang umakyat ang kamay niya sa dibdib ko at bahagyang pinisili 'yon. I turned to him.

"Detective Gomez," he answered the call, oblivious of the glare that I was giving him. Kinurot ko ang tagiliran niya kaya bumaba ang tingin niya sa 'kin.

"Stop squeezing my boob," I mouthed.

And he did. But then his hand slid down to my bum and he squeezed it instead. Marahas akong napabuntong-hininga at ipinirmi ang malikot niyang kamay sa bewang ko. Dahil sa ginawa ko'y ginawaran niya ako ng matilim na tingin. He slightly protruded his lips like he was a child robbed off of his candy. Itinuon niya na lamang ang atensyon niya sa katawagan niya.

The contour of his face darkened after a few exchanges with Manuel. "Alright. Thanks for all your help, Detective. We'll go to Capiz today."

"What happened?" I asked after the call ended.

He massaged the bridge of his nose before turning to me. "It's Kiro. He's back in the Philippines and is now at Capiz."

Dahil sa impormasyong 'yon ay 'di na kami nagtagal sa suite namin at gumayak na patungong Capiz. The peace that had blossomed in my heart was helplessly squashed by my thoughts as we traveled toward Kiro's place. I was fidgeting uncomfortably on the passenger's seat of Atlas' Maserati. We were in a rush because we were scared that Kiro would leave the province right away. Suot pa rin tuloy namin ang damit namin kahapon sa kasal.