Chapter 25: Aftermath of Us 🔞

Warning: Some parts of this chapter contains themes that may be uncomfortable for some readers. If you feel uneasy with this kind of content, feel free to skip this chapter. Thank you!

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JHOANNA'S POV

It's already two in the afternoon. Stacey's room is quiet, except for the faint beeping of the heart monitor and her steady breathing as she sleeps. She's been dozing off for a while now after the doctor insisted she get some rest. I know she needs this, so even though I want to talk to her, I just let her be.

Nasa tabi lang ako, hawak pa rin ang kamay niya. Ilang oras na akong nandito, pero hindi pa rin ako mapakali. After everything na nangyari, parang kailangan kong bantayan siya palagi-just to make sure she's really okay.

Then, may kumatok sa pinto.

Napalingon ako agad.

Pagbukas nito, bumungad sa akin si Akira.

He looked at Stacey first, then shifted his gaze to me.

"Pwede bang pumasok?" tanong niya, voice calm but unsure.

Tumango lang ako. Wala naman akong reason para pigilan siya.

Lumapit siya sa kama ni Stacey at tahimik na pinagmasdan ang kapatid niya. Hindi siya nagsasalita, pero obvious sa mukha niya ang relief. Parang ngayon lang siya naka-exhale nang maayos after all the chaos.

"She looks better," he murmured, almost to himself.

"Mas malakas na siya ngayon," sagot ko, carefully watching him.

Silence.

Ni hindi ko alam kung paano sisimulan ang conversation namin. Hindi naman kami friends ni Akira-honestly, I just met him during the hostage.

After ilang seconds ng awkward silence, he finally looked at me.

"You must be Jhoanna," sabi niya, eyes studying me.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Alam mo na pala pangalan ko?"

"Syempre." He smirked slightly. "I did my research."

I rolled my eyes. "Wow, research?"

"Hey, I had to know who my sister has been spending so much time with."

I crossed my arms. "And? Ano'ng findings mo, investigator?"

He chuckled. "That you're annoyingly persistent."

Napangiti ako. "Flattered."

Muli siyang tumingin kay Stacey, this time, with something softer in his eyes. Hindi na siya 'yung dating cold and unreadable Akira na nakita ko noon. Ngayon, mas halata na 'yung pagiging protective kuya niya.

"She's lucky to have you Jho" he murmured.

Napatingin din ako kay Stacey. I swallowed hard habang pinagmamasdan siya. I don't know what I would've done if I lost her.

"Mas maswerte ako" bulong ko pabalik.

Narinig ko ang buntong-hininga ni Akira.

"Alam mo," he started, "hindi kami sanay na may ibang taong sobrang lapit kay Stacey. Hindi siya 'yung type na basta-basta lang nagpapapasok ng tao sa buhay niya."

I know. Alam kong may pinagdaanan sila ni Akira na hindi lang simpleng sibling rivalry.

Hindi ko na napigilang tanungin.

"Pwede bang magtanong?" Tanong ko

"Go ahead, nakikinig ako" sagot naman nya

"Ganito ba talaga kayo ni Stacey?" I asked. "I mean, I know she loves you, pero bakit parang may distance sa inyo"

He went silent.

Maya-maya, he exhaled deeply.

"It's because of our father," he admitted.

Napakunot ang noo ko. Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging open siya sa akin tungkol dito.

Tahimik niyang pinagmasdan ang kapatid niya bago ulit nagsalita.

"Our dad was... complicated," he said. "Hindi siya mabuting ama. Hindi rin siya mabuting tao."

Nagkaroon ng bigat sa kwarto, ramdam ko 'yung tension sa boses niya.

"He treated Stacey differently," Akira continued. "He was controlling, manipulative... and he had a way of making people feel like they were never enough...."

"We both had to survive in our own ways. Ako, I hardened myself. Stacey... she learned to hide. To act like she was fine, even when she wasn't."

Napatingin ako kay Stacey, and suddenly, everything made sense.

"That's why you're so protective of her," I whispered.

Akira sighed. "I failed her before."

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Huh?"

"I was supposed to protect her. Pero may mga panahong iniwan ko siya mag-isa sa puder ni daddy"

Halatang may guilt sa boses niya. Parang may mabigat siyang dinadala sa loob nang matagal na panahon.

"Pero hindi ko na siya iniiwan ngayon, lalo na wala na si dad" sabi ko.

Tumango siya, pero halatang may lungkot pa rin.

Maya-maya, bigla siyang nagsalita at nag-iba ng tono.

"Anyway," he said, trying to shake off the heaviness. "I just wanted to see how she's doing."

Tumango ako. "She's getting better. Thanks to you."

Nagtagal pa siya sandali sa tabi ni Stacey, bago siya lumingon sa akin.

"Alagaan mo siya, Robles."

Ngumiti ako. "Kahit di mo sabihin yun naman ang gagawin ko"

Tumango siya, satisfied. Then, he leaned down at marahang hinalikan ang noo ni Stacey.

"I'll be around," he said. "Tawagan mo ako if anything happens."

Tumango ako, pinapanood siyang lumakad papunta sa pinto. Pero bago siya lumabas, lumingon ulit siya.

"And, Jhoanna?"

"Ano?"

"Welcome to the family."

Napakurap ako. "Ha?"

Pero bago ko pa ma-process ang sinabi niya, umalis na siya, iniwan akong tulala sa tabi ni Stacey.

I stared at the door for a moment before looking back at Stacey's sleeping face.

STACEY'S POV

I woke up to the sound of faint voices in the room. Medyo blurry pa ang paningin ko, but I could feel the cold air from the aircon and the heavy blanket over me. May mahina ring amoy ng antiseptic-yeah, hospital pa rin.

Masakit pa rin yung sugat ko, but at least hindi na kasing lala ng dati.

Slowly, I scanned the room. The first thing I saw was Akira, standing with his arms crossed, giving Jhoanna that usual unreadable look. Meanwhile, si Jhoanna naman, halatang confused habang nakaupo sa tabi ng kama ko.

"...Welcome to the family," sabi ni Kuya Aki bago siya tumalikod at naglakad palabas.

Napakurap ako.

Wait. What?

Tumingin ako kay Jhoanna, at mukhang pareho kaming na-culture shock sa nangyari.

"Anong... nangyari?" mahina kong tanong.

Lumingon si Jhoanna sa akin, halatang hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa narinig niya.

"Uh," she blinked. "Akira just-uh-welcomed me to the family?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "HA?!"

Napangisi siya. "Gulat ka rin?"

"Anong pinag-usapan niyo?" pilit kong bumangon, pero mabilis akong hinawakan ni Jhoanna sa balikat at pinigilan akong masyadong gumalaw.

"Relax, Staks" bulong niya, hinahagod ang braso ko na parang nagpapakalma sa isang batang makulit. "Wala namang nangyari. Dumaan lang yung kuya mo para kamustahin ka... and, I guess, para aprubahan ako?"

I stared at her. "Are you now approved by my brother?"

She shrugged, obviously still trying to process it herself. "Uh, yeah? Hindi ko alam kung anong sumapi sa kanya, pero ayun nga, sabi niya, alagaan daw kita."

Napailing ako, pero hindi ko rin mapigilang ngumiti "Baka na-brainwash ka ni kuya. Ang bilis mong mauto."

"Excuse me," she scoffed playfully, "Nadala lang sya sa charm ko"

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "Charm? Eh halos sugurin ka nga niya nung una kayong nagkita sa warehouse."

"Exactly," she grinned, leaning back sa upuan niya. "Pero kita mo naman, ngayon, aprubado na ako. Must be my irresistible charm."

I rolled my eyes. "Ang kapal talaga"

She just smirked. "Admit it, Staks. Gustong-gusto mo 'tong mukhang 'to."

I shook my head again, but I couldn't stop myself from letting out a soft yet genuine laugh.

A few weeks ago, everything was a complete mess-betrayals, kidnappings, gunfights. Pero ngayon, nandito na kami. Safe. Healing. And somehow, Jhoanna managed to win over my overprotective older brother in record time.

I glanced at her, watching as she absentmindedly traced patterns on the back of my hand. Halatang pagod siya, pero nandito pa rin siya, nakabantay.

I tightened my grip on her fingers, making her look at me.

"Jho..." I whispered, suddenly feeling a little emotional.

"Hmm?"

"Thankyou..."

For everything. For staying with me. For not leaving no matter how chaotic my world gets.

She smiled, softer this time. "You don't have to thank me for that."

Naramdaman kong may tumulong luha sa gilid ng mata ko, but before I could wipe it away, she reached out and gently brushed it away with her thumb.

"Ikaw pa," she murmured, her voice filled with something warm and steady. "No matter what happens, I won't leave Stacey."

My chest tightened at her words, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in slightly.

She noticed, at hindi na ako pinaghintay. Dahan-dahan niyang inilapit ang mukha niya sa akin, her lips barely ghosting over mine.

And then, she kissed me.

It was soft, gentle, but filled with promise.

And for the first time in a long while...

I finally felt safe.

Timeskip-

Still, Stacey's POV

To be honest, I don't even know how I survived almost a month of being stuck there. Between the endless check-ups, strict diet, and everyone being ridiculously overprotective-especially Jhoanna-parang gusto ko na lang magtago sa ilalim ng kama.

But now, I'm free. Well, almost.

"Kailangan mo bang bantayan ako every second?" I asked, nakahiga sa kama namin ni Jhoanna habang abala siya sa pag-aayos ng unan ko.

"Stacey. Muntik ka nang mamatay. You think I would let it happen again?" she shot back, giving me a pointed look.

I rolled my eyes. "Babe, I'm fine."

"Hindi ako convinced."

I groaned. "Jho-"

"Don't Jho me," she cut me off, arms crossed. "Bawal kang magpagod, bawal kang umalis nang walang kasama, bawal kang magpuyat-"

"Okay, okay, gets ko na!" I huffed, pulling her by the wrist para mapaupo siya sa tabi ko. "Halika nga dito."

She sighed pero hindi na rin pumalag nung hinila ko siya. She sat down beside me, still pouting.

"Alam kong worried ka," I said, squeezing her hand. "And I love you for that. Pero, okay na ako. Hindi mo kailangang alagaan ako na parang bata."

She narrowed her eyes. "Hilig kaseng magpapababy"

I grinned. "Well... that's different Jho"

She snorted. "Tsk. Ang arte mo."

I laughed before pulling her closer hanggang sa nakasandal na siya sa dibdib ko. I felt her body relax against mine, kahit kanina lang para siyang war freak na ready makipaglaban sa kahit sino.

For a moment, we just stayed like that, tahimik lang, enjoying each other's presence. I ran my fingers through her hair, while she absentmindedly traced patterns sa braso ko.

"I thought I was gonna lose you," she murmured after a while, her voice softer now.

Hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya, lifting her face so she could look at me.

"You won't," I whispered.

She stared at me, eyes full of emotions. Then, slowly, she leaned in.

Her lips moved slowly against mine, savoring the moment. Her hands found my waist, gently pulling me closer. I sighed softly, melting into her touch.

I deepened the kiss, her hands trailing up my back. Napapikit ako, completely lost in her.

Her kisses became sloppy and now going from my jawline down to my neck where my weak spot was located.

"Oh God Jho!" I moaned her name when she massaged my breast sensually and pinched my nipple making it erected.

She kissed between the valley of my mounds and sucked it hard leaving a mark on it.

I'm burning under her touches and I know that she feels the same. I can't hold it anymore. I need her.

I groped her hair pushing her head hard against my chest where she was sucking in, "Mmm. Robles, please. Take me." I bursted. I can feel the tingling sensation between my legs. It's so sharp and makes me feel so needy.

As if a magic word, she stopped and looked at me with fire in her eyes, "Are you sure babe?" she asked.

I bit my lower lip and nodded eagerly. "Yes, I want you Jho. I want you now."

She kissed me again harshly and I reciprocated it with the same amount of lust and desire. She slipped her tongue out and used it tracing my jawline down to my neck to my breast's valley and stopped at my lower abdomen. She inhaled deeply taking all my skin's scent, "You smell sweet Stacey."

My thoughts disappeared when she slid my pants down leaving me with only an underwear. She kissed my inside thighs which made me moaned louder," Mmmm Jho! Ugh! Please. I need you." I said in a hoarse voice.

Without a word she gritted my panty between her teeth and pull it down in a very sensual way. I can feel my sex soaking.

Her head between my legs is an art. A very mesmerizing art.

Jhoanna's POV

"Mmm! Jho! Yes!" Stacey shouted when I begun to lick her clit. She was already wet.

"Mmm. You're delicious babe" as I deepened my tongue inside her. She arched her back, groped my hair and started grinding against me. Yes Staku! That's it! Ride my tongue real good!

I can taste the precum dripping off her throbbing sex.

"Mmm. Jho! Pleaaase." she begged.

"Very impatient. Mmm." I responded.

I stopped licking her wet sex and let her suck my finger.

"Uhmm!" she moaned and didn't complained.

I love her moans especially how she cried my name in pleasure.

I withdrawn my finger off her mouth and put it on the entrance of her dripping sex. I thrust it inside and I heard her whimpered in pain, "Oh God! Stacey! I'm sorry! Di ko alam." she's a freakin' virgin for Pete's sake!

"No, no. Don't stop Jho Please. Just go slowly." she begged.

"Sure ka? I don't want to hurt you." she looked straight at me and nodded.

"I'll be gentle Stacey. I promise." I said kissing her passionately.

I pushed my finger again back to her womanhood slowly not wanting to hurt her.

I felt her himen tore apart and with that for sure we will be waking up tomorrow with blood on the sheets.

"Ugh! Jhooo." she cried in pain and in pleasure.

I felt her body adjusting to the sensation and now she is slowly thrusting her hips back and forth my finger.

"Yeah. That's it baby, ride my finger." My goodness! She's driving me insane! I'm feeling my center throbbing and being wet right now.

"Faster Robles! Mmm. Faster!" she shouted.

That's my que, I pushed my finger harder and even added another one.

She pulled my hair aggressively that made me more aroused. I increased my pace and all I can hear we're loud moans and cursing. I felt her walls tightens, she is near.

"I'm cumming. I'm cumming. Don't dare to stop!" shit! Her words made me wet even more and cum without even her touching me.

After a couple of minutes, she finally cummed and I lean forward to her soaking center and licked it clean tasting her sweetness.

"That was heaven" she groaned as I pulled out. I was panting so hard but Stacey's face was still buried at the crook of my neck. She pushed me away on top of her but when I saw Stacey's eyes. It scream hungriness.

"We're not yet done yet Robles, It's my turn" Stacey said huskily. I shivers as I heard Stacey's deep voice, I wasn't able to replied as she turned me around in all force.

"Let me give you back the pleasure Jhoanna-slowly, deeply, and begging for more" Stacey said seductively

"Then show me what you got Sevilleja" I said while smirking.

Stacey pulled me aggressively by the nape as she bite and lick my lips, asking for an entrance which I granted her as soon as I opened my mouth, Stacey immediately darted her tongue inside. My knees became weak as I held my breath for so long, Stacey's too aggressive that I was trying to pushed her body. Stacey pulled away from the kiss only for a few seconds, but smashed her lips back again on mine.

"Uhmm..Staks", I moaned between our hot kiss. And this made Stacey more aggressive.

Her hands roamed around my waist digging her fingers on it. I can feel the pain of her fingernails but I don't care. She's being aggressive and I'm enjoying it.

"I love seeing how wet you are for me Robles, and expect that I won't be gentle" she lustfuly said and didn't let me respond when she lick against the entrance of my folds.

"Oh Sevilleja!" I gasped in surprise. Stacey is different from being a top

She slid her tongue inside me savoring every inch of me. I grabbed her head harshly pushing it more against my sex. I arched my back making my hips thrust further into her mouth.

"I am cumming Staks. Oh shit! I am cumming!" I moaned as I felt my walls clenching against her tongue.

"Fvck!" and with that last curse I finally came. Stacey lick all of my juices swallowing them without disgust on her face.

"I want more" She seductively stated while licking her lips finishing off the last drop of my juice on it.

STACEY'S POV

I don't know how long we stayed like that-just wrapped up in each other with our naked body, letting the silence speak for us. Every kiss, every touch, felt grounding, like Jhoanna was trying to remind me that I was here-alive, safe, with her.

Eventually, she pulled away just enough para magtama ulit ang mga mata namin.

"Matulog ka na Stacey, Di ka ba napagod" she murmured.

I pouted. "Ayoko pa, I still have a lot energy Jho"

She sighed, amused but firm. "Oh please Staku, magpahinga na tayo."

I groaned but didn't protest further. Alam kong hindi rin ako mananalo sa kanya. Instead, I tightened my arms around her.

"One more time?" I mumbled against her hair.

"Staks, please let's rest for now" she whispered, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead.

"Mabilis ka lang mapagod ehh, We should exercise like this daily to increase your stamina" I smirk at her, finally allowing my eyes to close. With her warmth beside me, for the first time in a long while, I actually felt at peace.

"Goodnight, Jho" I whispered back.

And with that, I drifted off to sleep in her arms.

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 25── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆