Chapter 11:Kiss Now, Regret Later

Jhoanna's POV

"Ayan, just put her here," sabi ni Gelo habang ina-assist ko si Stacey papunta sa kama niya.

"Wait, I'll carry her na lang," sabi niya habang inaabot ang braso ni Stacey para ipatong sa balikat niya. Pero out of nowhere, bigla siyang tinulak ni Stacey.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and gave him a glare. "Y-you! Jhoanna...is.. the.. only one allowed to touch me! So..stay away from me!"

Gelo sighed deeply, his face turning red-halatang he's really holding back his annoyance. I mean, who wouldn't be? Stacey's acting like a total brat right now.

He cleared his throat and tried again. "Come on, you need to rest na," he said, still calm.

Pero for the second time, Stacey pushed him away. Mas malakas pa this time.

"S-stay away from me! I... only... want Jho... !" sigaw ni Stacey

"F*ck!" Gelo muttered, obviously getting fed up.

"Fine, I give in." humarap sya sakin

"Jho, can you stay with her tonight? Please? Just for one night. I can't watch over her kasi look-she's only talking about you. Ikaw lang gusto niyang mag-alaga sa kanya. Please lang, one night lang talaga," Gelo begged.

No. This is a bad idea.

I wanted to say it outright pero nakaka-guilty naman mag-refuse. I mean, look at Stacey-scratching her arm like a weirdo habang nakangiti. She really needs someone to take care of her, and since ayaw niya kay Gelo... obviously, ako na lang.

Aiiish! Bakit ako pa? I'm just a secretary, okay?!

"Shut up and stop pretending," sabi ng annoying inner self ko. "We all know you like this idea. Ikaw at si Stacey under the same blanket? Come on, Jho-this is your dream!"

Ugh! Ano ba tong bumubulong sakin?

"Ahm... one night lang, right?" I asked Gelo

He nodded eagerly.

I sighed. "Okay. But just for tonight." I tried to sound chill.

"Really? Oh my God! Thank you Jho!" Gelo said in a girly tone sabay yakap sa akin ng sobrang higpit.

...Eh?

I arched my brows.

As he hugged me, napaisip ako. He's so... weird. May something off sa kanya. I don't want to assume.

"Thanks, Jhoanna!" he said cheerfully.

"Gelo!" may sumigaw sa likod namin.

"Oh my God! Gising pa siya," Gelo whispered in panic, biglang bitaw sa akin.

"Gelo, umalis kana or I will slice your neck into pieces!" Stacey growled.

Gelo panicked. "Please, Jho, take care of her. Aalis na ako!" He rushed out of the room.

And now...

It's just me and Stacey

Alone.

Under the same roof.

What a bad idea.

Before I let my mind wander to crazy thoughts, I quickly grabbed a thick blanket from her cabinet. There's no way na tatabi ako sa kanyang matulog noh. Mas pipiliin ko nalang matulog sa sahig kesa makatabi sya.

I was fixing my spot when Stacey suddenly sat up from her bed.

"W-what are... you d-doing?" tanong nya sakin

I scratched my nape. "Ahh... dito nalang ako matutulog."

"B-bakit hindi dito sa tabi ko?" she patted the space next to her.

"Nah, okey na ako dito ."

Please, Stacey, just sleep!

"You don't like me?"

"No!"

"O-oh. Okay..." she whispered, looking down. Then she suddenly looked at me again, pouting. "You don't find me sexy?" she said in a husky voice habang unti-unting lumalapit sa akin.

"S-stacey! What the hell is wrong with you?" I hissed.

She pouted more. "I just want to be with you pero ayaw mo Jho, Am I not attractive? Kasi what? Dahil kay Taneo?"

Her eyes turned watery.

Oh my God. Don't tell me iiyak siya?!

"You really hate me that much, don't you? You hate me! You can't even notice my presence!" her voice cracked.

Sh*t.

"Stacey, please, I don't hate you. Stop crying."

"No, you hate me!"

"Promise, hindi-"

But instead of stopping, mas lumakas pa yung iyak niya.

Damn. Wala akong choice.

"Fine! Matutulog na ako sa tabi mo!" I said in surrender.

She instantly stopped crying. Then, biglang lumiwanag ang mukha niya at ngumiti siya na parang batang nabigyan ng candy.

"Really?" she asked.

I sighed in defeat. "Yes. So stop crying, okay?"

"Yes!" she cheered and quickly walked towards me.

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Wait... bakit ka lumalapit, Anong gagawin mo?"

She smiled-a devilish one.

"I... think it's okay if we do something exciting before we sleep," she said huskily, tracing circles on my neck.

I felt my blood rush up to my face. Sh*t. I'm blushing.

This... this... THIS is what I was afraid of.

"She's already doing it, and I'm scared that I might not be able to control myself."

Oh my God, Jho, control yourself.

"I-inaantok na ako," I faked a yawn.

"Then let's kill your drowsiness." She smirked and took another step closer.

Aiiish! This girl is testing me!

My heart started pounding fast. I tried to move away, but I ended up getting cornered against her soft bed.

In short-I had no choice.

"P-please, Stacey. Di ako nakikipaglaro sayo"

"I know," she whispered. "But I want to play with you Jho"

Her lips were almost touching my ears, sending shivers down my whole body.

"S-stacey-"

"I know you want it too Robles" she whispered seductively.

Her words sent a wave of emotions through me. My eyes darkened.

She turned me on, and I can't fucking bear this seduction anymore.

"Stacey, you don't know how much I've tried controlling myself," I said seriously. "Iniiwasan kita, but you keep provoking me. I don't want to punish you but... sorry. You pulled yourself into trouble."

Stacey chuckled. "I know what I'm doing, Jho. And besides... I love being in trouble with you."

"Baka pagsisihan m-"

Stacey cut me off by kissing me.

Her lips pressed against mine-forceful yet passionate.

I swear, my heart skipped a beat when I heard her moan.

Her hands slid up my hips, wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer. Our chests pressed together.

Her hands roamed my skin, slipping under my top. She was about to pull off my shirt when-

Something made me snap.

I saw her diamond ring graze against my stomach.

Her wedding ring.

She's married.

She's already married, and what just happened between us is totally wrong.

"Stacey, stop." I lightly pushed her away.

"H-huh?" Stacey asked, confused. She kissed me again.

"No-stop!" This time, I pushed her harder.

"What's your problem?" she asked, frustrated.

"Lasing ka lang. This is wrong. This can't happen."

"But I know what I'm doing-"

"No, you don't."

I clenched my fists.

"I'm sorry." I walked towards the door.

"No Jho! Please don't leave!"

But I turned away.

This has to stop.

_

Stacey's POV

"Wow! Ang busy mo naman. You also need to have a break Staks"

I almost jumped nang may biglang bumulong sa tenga ko. I was so focused on my work that I didn't even notice someone entered my office. I turn around to check who's this bastard person and found out that the culprit behind it is no other than but my one and only annoying bestfriend

"Please, I'm busy. Iba nalang guluhin mo Lim" I shooed her away.

Mikha just smirked. "Busy because absent yung secretary mo? Where is she by the way?"

I ignored her and focused back on my laptop.

"Hey, I'm just asking about your secretary."

"Please, Mikha, she's not your problem. Stop ruining my mood," I said firmly while still typing.

She shrugged. "I'm just asking! Ano bang problem dun? Ahh, alam ko na!" Bigla siyang pumalakpak, as if may na-discover siyang importante. "You miss her, don't you? Kaya ang sungit mo today. You're missing her so bad, para kang menopausal!"

Can I kill this girl now?

I sighed in surrender. "Fine. She filed a three-day leave. Two days na siyang absent. So please, umalis ka na. I already answered your question. Stop accusing me of ridiculous things. She's my secretary, okay? Just a secretary. So stop imagining things."

"Satisfied?" I added.

Natahimik siya for a moment, at akala ko titigil na siya. Pero hindi.

"Woah, chill! I just asked if you miss working with your secretary. Kasi, mas madali naman talaga kapag nandito siya, 'di ba? Nakakatulong siya sa work mo." Tumawa siya. "I didn't know na iba pala iniisip mo, Staku. Oh my God, what's happening to you?"

I felt my blood boil. So she's implying na nami-miss ko si Jhoanna?

"And so?" I asked, raising a brow.

Mikha just smiled and sat comfortably on my couch. She crossed her legs, giving me her signature teasing look.

"I want to give you advice," she said.

"I don't need it Lim."

"No, you do. Trust me."

"Mikha, please stop minding my business."

"I know it's not my business, pero bilang kaibigan mo, let me enlighten your mind." Ngumiti siya, pero seryoso ang tono niya.

Tumingin siya diretso sa mga mata ko. "Before it's too late, why don't you show your true feelings? You know wala kang mapapala sa kung itatago mo lang yan. Be honest with yourself, Sevilleja."

I immediately averted my gaze. Damn, I don't like her words.

"I don't get your point," I said seriously.

"You do. You're just ignoring it."

Biglang naging tahimik ang paligid after that. I couldn't say a word. Her words hit me hard.

"So, I guess I'll leave now. Busy ka pa naman, 'di ba?" she said, smiling.

Tumayo siya at naglakad papunta sa pinto. I watched her go, pero nag-aalangan ako. Shit. May point siya.

"Goodbye, Sta-"

"Lim" I called out, stopping her.

Napalingon siya. "Hmm?"

"May trabaho ka ba today?"

Her face instantly lit up. "I'll get my car keys kung gusto mong lumabas. Tell me, san tayo pupunta?"

She really knows me well.

"Yes, we're going somewhere else."

_

"Ahh hello?Sino kayo? Matagal na akong bayad sa 5-6 ahh " tanong ng babae na nagbukas ng pinto.

I took out my business card at inabot sa kanya. "I'm the CEO of LSA Corp. And if you don't mind, nandito ba si Jhoanna?"

Pagtingin niya sa business card ko, biglang nagbago ang expression niya. Parang naging dark ang aura niya. Napansin ko rin 'yon, pero dedma.

"Wala si Jho dito" she said, glaring at me.

I arched a brow. Ang tapang naman nito.

"I know Jhoanna is here. Nasa resume niya ang address na 'to."

"Sinabi nang wala siya dito. Bingi ka ba?"

I sighed, trying to control my temper. "Please, may kailangan akong pag-usapan with her. It's not about work."

"Piskit sinabi nang wala siya dito, umalis nagpakalayo layo!"

"And where do you think she is?" singit ni Mikha

"And bakit ko naman sasabihin sa inyo kung asan si Jho? Dahil sayo, imbes na magpahinga si Jho kailangan nya pang lumabas ng gabi para lang sundin yung utos mo. Nagpapahinga na siya nun, pero isang tawag mo lang para syang aso na sumunod agad. Grabe ka naman, Tao lang si Jhoanna, hindi siya robot! Wala pang isang buwan si Jhoanna si kumpanya mo pero pang isang taon na yung stress nya, nagamit na nga nya agad yung leave niya para lang magpahinga eh, kaya please, hayaan mo muna siyang magpahinga kahit ngayon lang. Just this once, please be considerate."

I can't say any words to her. Is that how Jhoanna see me? A monster boss? I didn't know I already became hard to her. I just didn't noticed it.

Mikha stepped forward, ready to punch her, pero hinawakan ko ang kamay niya.

"Lim, calm down," I whispered.

"Please, I'm already begging you. Sabihin mo na kung nasaan si Jhoanna bago pa ako mawalan ng pasensya at may mangyari pang hindi maganda. I'm trying my best here, I'm a short-tempered person just like this dumb girl" I take a glance to Mikha. "Please before I can think properly, please tell it to me immediately. I'm not joking here" I give her my deadliest glare.

"Tell me, bakit ko naman kailangang sabihin sayo kung nasan si Jho?"

"You need to tell me because I know you love your life. May iba't ibang connections ako sa mga professional gunmen. Well, being the heiress of the Sevilleja's, lahat kami may personal gunman if ever na gusto naming ipapatay ang isang tao- And do you know what I mean by telling you this?" Lumapit ako sa tenga niya at bumulong. "I think I already found my target."

I noticed her face turned pale from what I did. She got scared on my words and oh wells, perks of being a natural bitch, it's not new with me anymore.

"Sinabi ko...na d-diba wala.. nga sya dito," nauutal niyang sabi.

"Then where is she?" I seriously asked

"Na..na.. nasa bahay ng magulang nya, dun muna sya nagstay."

"Ahh, okay. Can you give me her parents' address?"

And tumango naman sya.

_

Jhoanna's POV

"Tin, gising na! Alas dose na! Bumangon ka na, ang tamad mo talagang bata ka!"

Narinig ko ang boses ni mama habang tinatapik ako.

"Ma, five minutes pa please..."

"Hindi pwede! Bumangon ka na, may bisita ka!"

B-bisita?

"Sino?" tanong ko, nakapikit pa rin.

"Hindi ko alam, pero sabi nila kaibigan mo raw sila, kaya pinapasok ko na"

Alam ko namang sina Ate Colet at yung mga girls lang yun, maghintay sila, Ang gusto ko lang gawin ngayon ay matulog sa umaga, matulog sa hapon, at syempre, sa gabi, matulog din. Tulog, tulog, tulog!

"Uy Johan! Di ko kayang gisingin ate mo, puntahan mo na. Gisingin mo, ako na lang magluluto ng tanghalian." Narinig kong sigaw ni mama sa kapatid ko.

Niyakap ko nalang ng mahigpit and unan ko. Alam ko malapit na ako makatulog nang biglang may tumapik sa likod ko.

"Ate Tin! Ate Tin! Please gising na!" Sabi ng nakakainis kong kapatid habang tinutulak-tulak ako.

"Johan! Please, umalis kana nga dito! Baka mawalan ako ng pasensya mabato ko sayo tong unan ko!" Sigaw ko

"Sorry po, ganyan talaga ugali nyan. Huwag kayong mag-alala, babangon din yan." Narinig ko yung kapatid kong humihingi ng sorry

"Johan! Lumayas ka na, please! Wag ka ngang mag sorry kay Ate Colet sabihin mo nalang sa kanya kailangan ko pang matulog!" Pumikit na lang ulit ako

"Pero Ate Tin, hindi sila si Ate Colet, di ko sila kilala pero sabi nila friends mo daw sila, kaya pinapasok ko sila sa kwarto mo. Please gising na, naghihintay sila."

Napabalikwas ako ng bangon.

WHAT?!

Pagtingin ko, andun na sila. Stacey.

OH. MY. GOD.

What is she doing here?!

Panic. I look like a mess!

"Uh, iihi muna ako!" I rushed to the bathroom. Damn it! Bakit nandito sya?!

---

Paglabas ko, wala na siya sa kwarto.

"Tintin! Kung tapos ka na, pumunta kana dito sa kusina, kumakain na kami kasama ng mga kaibigan mo!" sigaw ni Mama.

What the hell is happening?

Pagdating ko sa kusina, Stacey was casually talking to my mom, looking so... comfortable.

Naupo ako sa tabi ng kapatid ko.

Johan my brother smirked. "Ate, kakain lang tayo bat mukhang aattend kana ng sagala, ayos na ayos ahh?"

I rolled my eyes. "Manahimik ka dyan, ingay mo!"

"Tin, bakit di mo sinabi na may magaganda ka palang kaibigan ?" natatawang sabi ni Mama.

"Ma, di ko sya kaibigan. She's my boss. CEO ng LSA Corp."

Nagulat si Mama. "ANO?!"

"Ba't 'di mo agad sinabi sakin para nakapaghanda ako ng mas masarap na pagkain para sa kanila? Naku, pasensya na po, Ms. Sevilleja, ito lang po ang naihanda ko para sa inyo ngayon," paumanhin ni Mama kay Stacey

"It's okay po, Ma'am! Masasarap naman lahat ng luto niyo. It's enough for us, right Mikhs?" sagot ni Stacey

"Yes, Ma'am! Ang sarap po talaga ng luto niyo!" sagot ni Mikha, nakangiti habang kumakain.

Natawa naman si Mama. "Salamat ha! Para kang si Taneo, mahilig sa luto ko kahit mayayaman kayo"

Biglang natahimik ang paligid pagkatapos sabihin ni Mama yun. Napansin ko din na nagbago yung expression ni Stacey.

"If you don't mind, Mrs. Robles, puwede ko po bang hiramin si Jho sandali? May gusto lang akong pag-usapan with her," seryosong sabi ni Stacey

"Oh sure! Sige na usap muna kayo" sagot ni Mama, nakangiti pa.

Hindi na hinintay ni Stacey ang sagot ko. Pagkarinig niya kay Mama, agad niya akong hinila palayo, mahigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay ko.

"Stacey, ang sakit! Bitawan mo nga ako!" reklamo ko, pero parang wala siyang naririnig at tuloy-tuloy lang sa paghila sa'kin.

"Stacey! Ang sakit na, ano bang problema mo?!" sigaw ko habang namumuo na ang luha sa mata ko.

Napansin ni Stacey na tumulo na ang luha ko kaya bigla siyang huminto at niluwagan ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko.

"Jho, I need to talk to you," she said seriously.

Nagtama ang mga mata namin, at hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan.

"Bakit ba?"

"Jho, please, bumalik ka na."

"I'm on my leave. Babalik naman ako after neto ah" sabi ko nang hindi man lang siya nililingon.

"But I need you there! Sobrang busy ko kaya please sumama ka na sa'kin ngayon!" sigaw niya, halatang inis.

"Just fucking let me spend my last day tomorrow. Promise, babalik ako," sagot ko

"No! Sabi ko, sumama ka na sa'kin now!" pilit niya pa rin.

"Ang hirap mo talagang intindihin! Sabi nang babalik ako pagkatapos ng three days leave ko!" naiinis kong sagot, tinaasan ko na rin siya ng boses.

"At bakit hindi mo ako maintindihan?! Sinabi ko na 'yung reason ko, ha?! Bingi ka b-"

"Because I already missed you Jho"

What?

"Ano ulit sabi mo?" tanong ko, halatang naguluhan.

"I won't repeat it. Alam kong narinig mo 'yon," sagot niya bago tumalikod.

"Stacey!" tinawag ko siya, pero naglakad lang siya palayo.

Hayst, ang gulo talaga ng babaeng to'

Nakatitig na lang ako sa kanya habang palayo siya, I was still left dumbfounded by her words. I thought she's already finished messing with my feelings but I didn't know there's still more confusing words she will left to me.

Bigla siyang huminto at lumingon.

"And wait, I forgot," sabi niya. "Since ikaw rin naman nagsabi, babalik ka lang after mo maubos 'yung three days leave mo. May one day ka pa bukas, 'di ba?" tanong niya mula sa malayo.

Hindi ako sumagot. I just started wiping my tears lately. Her words is still not sinking on my mind right now.

"Let's just consume it together. Susunduin kita bukas. Wear a decent dress because we're going to somewhere else " sabi niya, habang nakangiti.

"Ano nanaman plano mo? Saan tayo pupunta?" tanong ko.

She smiled widely.

"To a place where you can remember me Jho."

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 11 ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆