Isla De Fuego Series 1: Deception (EROTIC-ROMANCE)

Chapter Seven: Hustle

Chapter Seven: Hustle

Namumula ang pisngi ni JM nang humarap sa full-length mirror suot ang peach-colored, string bikini na ipinasuot sa kanya ni Corinne.

"Oh my god, you look so sweet!" Corinne smirked at JM's reflection on the mirror. "...and sultry. So much for a sweet and spicy."

"I don't need to wear bikinis—"

"I'm not here for that." Inilapit ni Corinne ang mukha nito sa leeg ni JM. "Anong koneksyon mo sa kaibigan namin?"

Nangunot-noo siya. "Si Mr. Trivano ba?" She gulped. Totally, Alexander didn't give her instructions about what she would tell about their bargain. Halatang maiilang ang mga kaibigan ni Alexander kapag nalaman ng mga ito na ginawa siyang collateral ng lolo niya.

"T-Tanungin mo na lang si Mr. Trivano."

"Uh-huh?" Corinne's glare was analyzing, the same glare she received from the guy with the eyeglasses. "Whatever you say." May kinuha ito sa tambak na mga damit na nakakalat sa kama. "Anyhow, I know just the right clothes for you."

Corinne chose a pink off-shoulder dress with a butterfly and floral pattern just right above the hem of the knee-length skirt. Corinne even made her wear a white slipper and a long, seashell necklace.

"Yep. Glamorous!" Pumalakpak ito at hinila siya pababa. "Lex should see this!"

"See what?"

Sabay na napasinghap sila Corinne at JM nang marinig ang boses ni Lex at nilingon ang pinanggalingan no'n. He's leaning on the doorframe with his hands inside his pocket. Lumapit na ito sa kanila ni Corinne at kinilatis ang suot niyang damit. Nakita ni JM nag bahagyang pag-galaw ng Adam's apple nito bago nag-iwas ng tingin. "We're only here to pick-up the clothes, Corinne. You're wasting my time—"

"Blablabla—whatever, Lex. Ibinigay ko na kay Mang Ernie ang mga boxes." Halos matawa si JM nang makitang inirapan ni Corinne si Lex. "And we need to talk about your guest here, Lex."

"She's none of your business."

"I know. Ayaw ko lang naman na nagtatago ka ng lihim sa grupo, Lex. This is not you."

Lex heaved a sigh and held Corinne's hand. "I'm going to tell you all about it, Corinne. Just give me time."

Tumango na lamang si Corinne at sinimulan nang ayusin ang mga damit na nakakalat sa kama.

Sinundan niya si Lex hanggang sa makalabas sila ng HQ at sumakay ng kotse. Tahimik silang tatlo ni Mang Ernie sa buong byahe at napansin niya ring kakaiba kung tumingin sa kanya si Lex simula nang umalis sila sa HQ. As if he was examining her movements and such. Maging ang simpleng pag-ayos niya ng skirt ay tila sinusuri nito. He's on the backseat yet the distance between them seems so... narrow.

"Nga pala, Ma'am JM. Kung gusto mong mamasyal paminsan-minsan, huwag kang mahiyang magsabi sa'kin. Pwedeng-pwede akong maging tour guide—"

"I'll get to decide about that matter. Huwag ka nang mag-abala pa, Mang Ernie." Pagputol ni Lex sa mga sasabihin pa ni Mang Ernie. Tumikhim na lamang si JM at ngumiti sa katiwala bilang pagtugon."

The cold register on his voice reminded her of why she's here and that is to warm his bed or do his bidding without oppositions. Why did she even thought of having fun in that island when she was brought there to pay for her grandfather's debt. JM heaved a sigh.

Nakauwi na sila sa bahay ng binata. Kaagad siyang nagtungo sa ref para tingnan kung anong pwede lutuin doon para sa tanghalian. Natuwa siya na kahit paano'y may nakita siyang mga karne at gulay pero karamihan ng nasa ref ay prutas. Sa tingin niya'y ginagawa iyong smoothie ng binata.

"Don't bother cooking. Our food will be delivered here shortly."

Ang tinig ni Lex mula sa kanyang likuran ang gumulat sa kanya. Mabilis niyang isinara ang ref at napaayos ng tayo.

"Kaya kong magluto—"

"Ayaw ko ng kalat sa kusina, lalo na sa bahay ko. Ayaw ko ng dumi."

"Anong silbi ko rito?"

He shrugged as he examined the bottles of wine on the wine cabinet. "Straightforward, huh? I think that's a part of your personality. I could get used to it."

Nilapitan niya ang binata. "You had all the chances in the world last night. Why did you..." Napalunok si JM dahil sa biglaan niyang pagtanong ng tungkol sa nangyari kagabi. And there it goes again, that tingling sensation in between her thighs that's making her nipples pert up. "...I mean, why did you stop?"

The corner of his lips lifted up and formed a half-smirk. His eyes met hers and locked the intimidation in between them.

"I'll have you, Ms. Beltran. Hindi ako ang tipo ng taong pinipilit ang gusto ko. I want you to submit yourself freely without inhibitions. I'd love to enjoy consensual fucking."

"Why do you want my consent? You own me."

"Me and your grandfather are nothing alike. I do consider someone's desires and choices—"

"That doesn't make you better, Mr. Trivano." JM's brow clashed in frustration about what he said. She could swear that her cheeks are red and the veins on her neck evident and pulsating. "Parehas lang kayo ni lolo. Don't even try to wipe your slate clean."

He grabbed her shoulders and gripped it firmly. His face resembles that of the furious beast's. As if he's going to devour her when the momemt she flinch. Pero hindi nagpatinag ang dalaga. She stood on her ground firmly.

"Am I supposed to believe a hustler?"

Napatiim-bagang siya. "How did you know that?"

He leaned his face closer to her, increasing the tension and intimidation there is. "I happen to have tons of connections. My source said that you're a compulsive gambler and a hustler."

"Why do you care so much?"

"Because that's what makes you vulnerable, JM. That's what makes you pathetic."

Tila may kutsilyong sumugat sa pagkatao niya. Her jaw trembled. "Hindi mo ako kilala. Wala knag karapatan para husgahan ako."

"Then why are you here? Is that why you willingly came here? You wanna hustle your way out and do your end of the bargain with your grandfather? You're going to spy, aren't you? Do you think I'm dumb not to notice that?"

JM wriggled and tried to escape but his grip on her shoulders rendered her weak and helpless. Tanging ang galit na lamang na nadarama ang pinagkukuhanan niya ng lakas ngayon. There's no point explaining herself. Alam naman niyang hindi siya maiiintindihan nito.

"You said so yourself, Mr. Trivano. I'm a hustler. Alam kong hindi mo paniniwalaan ang mga rason ko kaya walang kwenta kung ipagpapatuloy pa natin ang usapan na 'to."

He released her in an instant. Tila ba natauhan ito sa kanyang sinabi. Bukod pa roon ay nawala na nag anumang bahid ng galit sa mukha ng binata.

She stormed her way to her room. Ibinaon niya ang mukha sa kama at pinilit alisin ang galit at hinanakit na nadama niya para sa binata.