"Ano yun?! " kunot noong tanong ni Nick when they heard something.
Even Amara knitted her brows. The noise came from the hall outside her room. Nagtiniginan na lang silang mag-ama and before they could utter some words, bumukas ang pintuan.
"Uncle Nick! Ara!! " masiglang bati ni Hope na malapad na malapad ang ngiti.
***
"You know naman tita that I can't stay for a long time in one place. And besides I have to go back. May uumpisahan kaming i-shoot na commercial the day after tomorrow. I still have to meet the producer and my co-star." masayang sabi ni Hope bago sumubo ng pagkain.
" Akala ko sabay-sabay na kayong uuwi sa isang linggo." komento ni Stacey na nakaupo sa tabi ni Nick.
The cousins are sitting opposite her.
"You didn't tell me in your email na uuwi ka na ngayon. You are so secretive." naiiling naman na sabi ni Amara.
"Surprise nga eh." sabi pa nito and stuck her tongue out at her playfully kaya natawa na lang siya ng mahina.
"Tamang-tama ang dating mo. Gustong makilala ng anak n kaibigan ko ang pinsan mo kaya may dinner dito mamaya. Join us." Nick said.
"Thank you uncle! I would love that! ! Can I sleep over? " she asked them.
"Of course naman. No need to ask iha. You can sleep or even stay here anytime. You and Amara can catch up on things. " sagot ni Stacey while Nick nodded bago nag-ring ang telepono nito.
"I have to take this call please continue eating. Sandali lang ito." sabi nito bago tumayo.
"Uncle Nick is just like my dad! They never slow down basta trabaho. " Hope said with a sigh.
"We got used to it. Kami ng mama mo. By the way.. totoo ba yung nababalita tungkol sayo and one basketball player?" Stacey asked.
"Nope tita. Friends lang kami. You know I don't like guys with tattoos."
Nakagat ni Amara ang labi. Naalala niya bigla ang instant badass bf niya.
"Maybe it’s because you got tired of seeing such men every day. Your father and brother have them." sabi ng mommy niya sa pinsan.
"That is one thing I don't understand! Bakit kailangang dumihan ang balat? I have never thought about having any tattoos! I don't have prejudice against men with them... " sabi ng daddy niya as he came back to their table.
" .. I just can't seem to trust them except for your brother and father of course."
(Amara)
Paakyat sila ni Hope sa kwarto niya when her cousin said, "Actually may ipapakilala daw sa akin si Khylie. You know how well she knows me. Alam niya ang mga type ko na lalake. Gusto kitang isama. Sana pwede. Ipagpapaalam kita ha?" tanong nito sa kanya.
She just nodded lightly na ikinalapad lalo ng ngiti nito.
"Actually I am so excited for later! Finally pumayag si uncle na ipakilala ka sa anak ng kaibigan niya. Aayusan kita to make you even more alluring..." hagikgik nito as they came in her room.
Both of them gasped with what they saw on her bed.
Ang instant boyfriend niya from hell... nakahiga sa kama niya without his top on! Nakatapis lang ito ng puting tuwalya!
"Hello babe. Ang tagal mo naman ....." nakangising sabi nito but his eyes have a mysterious glint in them.
He was busy with his cellphone when they got in. At home na at home ito na para bang nasa sariling kama at kwarto lang.
Mabilis na isinarado niya at ini-lock ang pintuan. Her cousin is still in shock as she looks at Brad. Parang napako lang ito sa kinatatayuan. Nginitian naman ito ni Brad matapos tumayo from her bed. Ibinaba nito ang cellphone sa kama bago lumapit sa kanila. Before she can say anything, he pulled her to him by her arm.
And without taking his amused eyes from Hope, na tila lalong napaawang ang bibig when she saw his tattoos and big hunky frame, said, " Hi. I am Brad Tanner Lopez. Amara's boyfriend."
"F-For real?" nautal na tanong ng pinsan niya as she stares at them.
Ang manyak na lalake, hinahalik-halikan pa ang tuktok ng ulo niya and his right arm is snaked around her waist possessively.
"Babe? I think you need to answer that. " he said in his deep and sexy voice but she can sense the hidden menace behind it.
Kahit ayaw niyang magsalita, she has to lalo at diniinan pa nito ang kamay na nasa ibaba ngayon ng dibdib niya. She knows that it is a warning.
Swallowing, she nodded. "Y-Yes." mahinang sabi niya.
Kumurap-kurap pa si Hope before she composed herself. She extended her hand to Brad.
" Hope Acosta. Ara's cousin." pakilala nito.
She threw her a glance before moving her eyes to Brad who took her hand. She knows that look. They will definitely talk later.
"Nice to meet you. Can I have your cousin for a few minutes? Aalis na din kasi ako. Gusto ko lang muna siyang masolo." he said to Hope with his sexy smile.
Tumango naman ang pinsan niya.
"Okay. I guess baba muna ako ulit." sabi nito na bahagyang nakakunot ang noo pero may tipid na ngiti sa labi.
"That will be good. Err.. Hope, I have to inform you na walang may alam ng tungkol sa amin ng pinsan mo dahil ayaw niyang biglain ang daddy niya. I just sneaked up here to see her so if maari, don't tell a soul okay?" Brad asked na bahagyang nakangiti din but hindi umaabot sa mga mata.
"Okay. I got it. " tumangong sagot ng pinsan bago lumabas and closed the door.
Kakalapat pa lang ng pintuan, Brad grabbed her nape and kissed her on the mouth.
"Mmpp!" She tried to push him from her pero mas hinigpitan nito ang kamay na nasa likod at batok niya.
She held his right bicep to squeeze it a little as his kiss deepened.
"Fuck..! What?!" bugnot na tanong nito because he had to end what he was doing with her mouth, lips and tongue. Dalawang kamay na niya ang mga nasa braso nito.
"T-The door..." sabi na lang niya.
Mabilis pa sa kidlat na ni-lock agad ito ni Brad.
Napasigaw siya when he scooped her then threw her on her bed. She barely had time to breath in because of surprise and shock when he went on top of her. Hindi siya dinadaganan nito but his face is really close to hers. He laid his palms flat on either side of her. She can smell his wonderful breath which is so manly and yummy that she considers so unfair. His good looks and devilish charms can make women giddy but for her, he is her curse. Napasok siya sa sitwasyon dahil sa pananakot nito. She can't live like this. Palaging may halong takot at minsan excitement ang nararamdaman niya. She tried to erase the last thought. Pumapasok ang ganun sa kanya when he kisses her. Hindi niya dapat makalimutan na hindi sila bagay .
Brad Tanner Lopez is a lunatic! A crazed! Mad as a hatter!
Tila nagising siya sa naiisip nang magsalita ito.
"Who the fuck is that asshole your father wants you to meet?" tanong nito while gritting his teeth.
She swallowed not only because of his question and obviously his anger but because she can feel his arousal.
Is he naked under the towel? She thought in panic.
"You know fucking well you can't meet any fucking trash! " gigil pa din na sabi nito.
Binasa niya ang mga labi. " W-Why are you in my towel?" natanong niya imbes na sumagot sa sinabi nito.
She can't seem to focus on anything else but his bulge. At this point, its hardness and size scares her more than his pistol. She now knows that he won't use the latter with her but with who he calls assholes. Pero itong sobrang tigas at mukhang saksakan ng laki na tumutusok sa itaas ng tiyan niya, ito ang sobrang nag-aalala siya. Brad can use this to her anytime.
He was probably taken aback by her question because his brows knitted. Inilayo nito ng bahagya ang mukha to see her face clearly. She watched in fascination as his hot as hell face lost its grimness for a moment. Ngumisi ito.
"I had to take a cold shower babe. You woke up my mate down there. Can you feel it?" tila nakakalokong tanong nito.
She has to breath in some air. Hindi pa din siya masanay-sanay with his bluntness. She really needs some advice on how to handle this beast. She can't anger him but she doesn't want to be always scared of him. Lalo itong mananamantala.
"Get off me please. My mom or dad can knock anytime.." sabi na lang niya.
Wala naman kasi siyang alam isagot sa mga sinasabi at tinatanong nito. She doesn't want to fuel his desire for her baka pagsamantalahan pa siya nito ngayon. Anything is possible with this insane badass.
She was waiting for him to speak again but his mobile phone on her bed rang. With a heavy frown, he got off her then took the phone. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag. She sat up and covered her body with her pillow. Nakatingin sa kanya ito as he listens to the caller. Isang malamig na okay lang ang sinagot nito sa kausap.
A quiet sound of surprise escaped her when he quickly walked to the bed at hinablot nito ang unan sa katawan niya before he pulled her from the bed.
Ngayon yakap-yakap siya nito with his other arm , ang isang kamay nito nasa ilalim ng baba niya. He is intensely looking at her.
" Don't think of fucking with me babe! By now you should know me. Hindi ako papayag na may makalapit sayo na basura.. kahit isa! Next time I will really to mark you!" sabi nito before giving her a punishing kiss.
***
She didn't have the chance to talk to Hope when Brad left because kinailangan nitong sumaglit sa manager nito. Alam naman niya na hindi papalampasin ng pinsan ang pagkakataon to ask her about her instant badass bf (IBBF). Nagpasalamat na din siya because she has time to clear her head bago sila makapagusap. Parang lutang pa siya because Brad took advantage again. As usual he kissed her and touched her body. He even insisted that she takes off her shirt to see her tits but she begged him. At first, she thought hindi ito papayag, knowing how horny he is but he agreed at last. Pero hindi nga siya naghubad , he kneaded and kissed her breasts and sucked her nipples through her shirt. His saliva penetrated the thin material of her top and lacy bra. Ang feeling niya para na din siya nitong pinapak without her clothes on. Pasalamat na lang siya that he just cupped her pie and didn't attempt to kiss it too. But deep inside she knows malapit na ding mangyari yun. Napaungol siya sa naisip. Hindi niya alam kung mapipigilan pa niya si Brad when that time comes.
Siniko siya ni Hope na tila nagpabalik sa kanya sa kasalukuyan. She looked at her and her surroundings. She found out that she spaced out. Nasa hotel sila.
There has been a change with the original plan. Last minute nagdecide ang daddy niya na dito na lang imeet ang kaibigan at anak nito.
" Amara? Is something wrong?" tanong ng mommy niya.
Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi. Narinig yata nila ang ungol niya. She almost colored from embarrassment.
"W-Wala mommy. Matagal pa ba sila?" she just asked as she sips her juice.
"They are on their way. Mauuna lang ng kaunti sa kanila ang isa sa dati kong kliyente. " sagot naman ng daddy niya.
"Excited ka yata to meet your first future..... suitor? Baka sa wakas papayag na din si uncle Nick na mag-bf ka." nakataas naman ang kilay na sabi ni Hope.
She just threw her cousin a glance . Kinindatan pa siya nito. Alam naman niya na tila nanunukso lang ito. They share a secret. Her IBBf.
Her daddy made an ugly sound from his throat. "No! I told Romualdo na ipapakilala lang niya ang anak niya. Hindi manliligaw! he said with clipped tone.
Nailing na lang ang mommy niya and Hope just shrugged her shoulders sa sinabi nito.
The waiter interrupted them to serve their appetizers.
She was busy checking the food when she felt Hope's hand on her thigh.
"Don't look now but..." bulong nito sa kanya.
"Mr. Alcantara!" tawag ng boses ng lalaki sa daddy niya.
Napaangat ang ulo niya to look at the owner of the voice. May idad na din ito like her dad but still good-looking.
Her father looked at the newcomer and stood up. Inilahad nito ang kamay sa bagong dating. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya when she saw who is with him.
"Kumusta Mr. Lopez?" bati ng daddy niya.
"Okay naman. By the way, I am with my youngest son, Brad." sabi nito as he turned his head behind him.
"Oh God Ara..." dinig niyang sabi sa kanya ni Hope sa mahinang boses.
Her IBBf is looking at her with intensity. Naka-leather jacket ito and the expression on his face gives her goose bumps. He has his phone in his hand.