บท 35: Chapter 34 - Tears and Smiles
Steffanie was now standing face to face to the man than she hated and loved at the same time. Kadarating lang niya sa Asphodel kasama si Tristan. She immediately went to see him.
"Glad to see you here," he said. But his tone of voice was far from being glad. He sounded so serious and his stare was piercing right through her being.
"A pleasure to serve His Highness and the people of Asphodel," she gave a courtesy bow.
"Please sit down, sweetheart."
Napapikit siya. That endearment again. It brought so much hurt that she opted to just completely shut her mind.
Umupo siya sa sofa ng opisina nito.
Complete silence engulfed the whole place.
She just waited for him as he sorted some papers in desk.
"Again, sweetheart. Salamat at pinagbigyan mo ang hiling naming dito Asphodel."
As if she had a choice. He already used his Royal Decree to tie her down in this project. And for what? Para saktan siya ng paulit-ulit?
"You'll find this job quite lucrative. Hindi mo ito pagsisihan."
But contrary to that, ngayon pa lang ay nagsisisi na siya. The mere presence of this man brought pain in her heart. As of now, she just wanted to finish everything. The faster she could get this over with, the better. Ayaw na niyang makasalamuha man lang si Gareth.
Umupo ito sa harap niya. May inabot itong isang folder. Enclosed there were two different checks, both of which were under her name.
Sinuri niya itong maigi. The first check was worth one hundred fifty million, while the other was one hundred million.
What was this? Ayon sa kanilang kontrata. Her talent fee will just be fifty million. Anong ibig sabihin nito?
Marahil ay nabasa nito ang pagtataka sa kanyang mukha.
"I've decided to double your pay for this project. This way, well be sure that you'll finish this project. The other check, it's your advance payment on the service that you'll provide in my bed."
Napapakit siya. Mayroong bikig na sa kanyang lalamunan. A sob was now threatening come out.
How can he think the worst of her? His words were enough to completely crush her heart.
Gusto niyang isampal ditto ang hawak na cheke. Gusto niyang ipamukha dito na mali ito sa iniisip nito sa kanya, that she was not a whore.
But what's the use? She very well knew that Gareth had already made up its mind regarding her. For him, she was nothing more but a good for nothing, gold digging slut.
She took in a heavy sigh. She needed to show him that she was not affected, kahit na nga ba parang pinipiga na ang puso niya sa sobrang sakit.
She raised her chin. She will not let him hurt her anymore. If he thinks that she's a whore, then so be it.
"There's no need for you to be this overly generous. If you want a partner in bed, then okay. Fine by me. Kagaya nga noong huling napag-usapin natin. I call the shots here. We'll fuck when I fell like fucking. Very simple."
Nakita niya ang pagtatagis ng bagang nito. His face became harder. He was angry now.
Lalo lamang lumakas ang kanyang loob. She grabbed all of the checks.
"But if you'll insist, sino ba naman ako para tumanggi? I have a daughter to raise and being a single parent is very costly."
Isinilid niya ang mga tseke sa kanyang bag. She immediately stood. Mahirap na, baka ipagkanulo na naman siya ng kanyang damdamin. Kanina pa kasi nagbabadyang pumatak ang kanyang mga luha.
She would never let him see her cry. Not today, not ever. She would never give him that satisfaction.
With her pride still intact, she walked away.
Tristan took her in a date that night. They were inside a very private and expensive restaurant.
Nasa roofdeck sila kung saan mayroon isang open space. She could truly feel the chilling breeze of the winter air. Sila lang kasi ang taong naroroon. Apparaently, Tristan had once again prove that he was indeed a Prince of the Kingdom. He rented the whole place for the just the both of them.
"How's your encounter with my asshole of a brother?" he said. Hindi man lang nito tinago ang pagkairita sa tinig nito.
She gave a heavy sigh. Naaalala pa rin niya kung paano siya nito pinagmukhang isang bayarang babae.
"Well, he's still the usual asshole," she replied to him.
"Nag-aalala ako para sa 'yo, angel. You're just hurting yourself." He said to her.
She gave him her sweetest smile. She really appreciated his concerns for her. Somehow, becoming his best friend felt right for her. Lagi siya nitong dinadamayan at konsintindor ito. Naging maayos din ang relationship nito sa kanyang anak. Her daughter just adored him. Hindi naman niya masisisi ito, dahil maging siya ay tuwang-tuwa dito.
Whenever she's with Tristan, she just couldn't help herself but to smile. He had this very feel-so-good aura surrounding him. She felt very light and happy when he's around.
Tumingin ito sa kanyang mga mata. His eyes were truly the same as Gareth. But it's quite different as well. Gareth was more expressive. She could see his desire for her, his flaming anger for her, his adoration to her. But with Tristan, she could only see happiness radiating in his eyes. But something was off, it seemed faked. Somehow, she could tell that was something behind that smile. She knew that there was a veil shrouding his true self.
"Angel," he said.
"Don't worry about me, Tristan, I can handle myself," she said to him.
Tristan didn't look relieved at all. Maging siya kasi ay hindi sigurado kung talagang kaya niya.
"Look at that sweetheart." Turo nito sa kalangitan.
"The Aurora Borealis is really a sight to behold," he said as he fascinatingly stared at the illuminating sky lights.
Napangiti na lamang siya. Hindi pa nito marahil alam ang kalagayan niya.
"Look at that!" turan nito.
Lumingon naman siya sa tinuro nito. And just like what she expected, she saw nothing but pitch darkness.
"Ain't those a beauty, angel." He said to her.
Tumango-tango na lamang siya. She just watched his fascinated expression as he appreciated the beauty of the northern lights.
It was like de javu all over. Naalala niya ang isang gabing isinama siya ni Gareth para manuod ng meteor shower. It was the first time that she realized how she loved that man. It was that moment that she fell deeply in love with him.
Those were the days when they were both happy. No hurtful words. No cold gazes. Only love.
"What's the matter? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?" may pag-aalalang tanong niya sa binata.
"I am legally blind Tristan. Night blind ako. I cannot see within the dark."
His eyes widened in shock. "I am sorry, Angel. I didn't know." He said to him. She could feel the sincerity in his voice.
"That's okay, Tristan. It's not your fault that you didn't know."
There was this awkward silence between them. She held his hand.
"Thanks for this night, it's wonderful."
Waring may pagsisisi sa hitsura nito.
"Really, Tristan, don't feel bad. I really appreciate it what you did. And I know you mean well. Alam ko rin na napakaganda ng gusto mong ipakita sa akin."
"Please bear in mind that I'm just here for you, Angel. Every time you need me, just call and I'll come for you. I'll be your super best friend."
She looked at him with a smile in her eyes. Bakit hindi na lamang ito ang kanyang nagustuhan? He was cunning, smart and very funny. Napakamaaalalahanin din nito at napakabait pa. Tristan was the perfect man, a girl's every childhood dream. But she guessed that one just couldn't simply teach your heart who to love. Because despite everything that Gareth did to her, she still loved him in multitudes.
Love also made her very crazy. Because given the chance to turn back time and redo everything, wala pa rin siyang babaguhin sa mga nangyari. Nagkahiwalay sila ni Gareth because they were not just meant to be. But the memories of the two of them were priceless to her. It was a reminder that once a upon a time, she fell in love with a prince and by some miracle, the prince loved her back – even just for a short period of time.
Gareth clenched his fist in a ball. From where he stood, he could clearly both Steff and Tristan came together.
Saan nanggaling ang mga ito?
And the judging by the looks on their faces, they seemed to have fun.
He tasted bile in his mouth. He suddenly felt like going down to snatch that woman away from Tristan.
Hindi niya makuha kung bakit nagpapaloko ang kapatid sa babaeng iyon. Steff was nothing but a vamp and a tramp. Paulit-ulit na pinatunayan ito ng babae sa kanya. She received all the checks that he made for her without any signs of hesitations. She was indeed a professional and a hustler in whoring herself.
At ano ang gagawin ng mga ito ngayong gabi?
He very well knew Tristan. He's a smooth operator. Alam na alam niya kung paano ito dumiskarte sa mga babae. He was never a monk, nor a saint.
Damn it! The thought of the two having great wild sex consumed him to the core.
It was a mistake to have Steff at the Boreas Palace. But he didn't anticipate that Tristan would return immediately. Damn it! He felt like a jealous teenager.
Steffanie had just taken a bath. Kasalukuyan siyang nagpapatuyo ng buhok sa kanyang suite. Gareth had prepared her a suite suited for diplomats. Napakalaki niyon. It had its own living room and kitchen.
She was trying to appreciate the place when she saw the small velvet box that she brought along with her.
She grabbed and opened the box.
It was the complete set of the Sirius Gems; the necklace that Gareth had given to her, the earrings from the Queen Dowager, and the ring that Gareth had offered to her during his proposal.
Dinala niya ito para tuluyan na niyang ibaon sa limot ang nakaraan. She finally decided to give it all back to him. Nakatulong ito nang husto sa kanya. But for her to completely rid of everything in past, she should give up on everything that reminded her of it.
Isang malaking bahagi ito ng kanyang buhay. Ito ang makakapagpatunay na minsan siyang nagmahal at minahal. And now, it's time to let go.
Isang katok ang nagpabalik sa kanya sa kasalukuyan.
Agad naman niyang pinagbuksan ang pinto. It was Gareth, he stood dangerously in her door jamb. He looked like a predator who was hunting for his prey. And when he saw her, it was as if her already found his victim for tonight.
"Where's Tristan?" agad na tanong nito.
She was frozen in her tracks, her eyes were on him. He reeked of alcohol. And his eyes, it emanated scorching hot desire.
Napalunok siya. "I don't know."
"Don't play coy with me, sweetheart. Where. Is. He." He said those words silently but the danger in his words were evident.
"I am not, I just here all alone," she spoke those words in her most sensual tone.
The sexual tension between them was overwhelming. She saw his Adams apple moved up in the down.
They both stare at each other, and on one swift moment, he kissed her hard on the mouth. He cupped her face while giving her a hot wet kiss.
They immediately went inside her room, their lips were still interlocked with each other.
She moaned in excitement as she kissed him back. He tasted of whisky and tobacco, but she didn't mind. It just made her hotter and more sensitive.
He immediately dragged her to her bed. He pinned her down to the bed.
"Tell me you want me, Gareth," she said.
Call her crazy or whatever, but she was now in a state of delirium. The only that mattered was this man and him alone.
She heard him grunt. He just remained standing in front of her, smolodering her body with his hot and scorching stare.
She suddenly felt her inner vixen take over. Dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang kanyang roba. She was just wearing her panties underneath. Nakita niya ang panlalaki ng mga mata nito. It inflamed her lust more.
She stood up. Her eyes were focus only to Gareth.
He began to massage her own breast. Moaning and whimpering while she imagined his hands groping her feminine globe. She pinched one nipple and turned the other. It was a glorious feeling and she wanted it to show to him.
Walang kibo pa rin itong nakatitig sa kanya.
She finally removed the remainder of her clothes. She was now completely naked as she approached him.
Their eyes met. His amber eyes emanated a hot flaming desire. It showed dancing and flickering lust and decadence.
Dahan-dahan niyang tinanggal ang suot nitong coat. There was no retaliation on his part. He just let her do it.
Then, she removed his shirt. She rained butterfly kisses on his chest and on his washboard stomach.
She looked like a perfect demigod while she was nothing but a priestess who worshipped the beauty of masculinity.
Her fingers started to unbuckle his belt. She knelt down in front of him. His bulge excited her. It was so huge, she just wanted to release it from its confinement.
Her flimsy fingers began to work. She completely removed all of his clothing.
She looked at his protruding rod. This was the first time that she could see it this closely.
Nammangha siya dito. How could this muscle stand without any bones supporting it?
She looked at his dick once more, this time her fingers traced out the veins on the sides. She gently caressed it. She heard him groan in anticipation.
She felt herself invigorated. She had found the inner courage that she needed. She held it by her hands. It was so huge, she had to use both of her hands just to completely cover its length.
"Ahhh..." she heard him as she moved her hands in an up and down motion.
His steely rod became hotter in her hands. She wanted to try one thing. She kissed its head. Her tounge began to explore its entirety, licking to and fro as he continued to touch him. She tasted his pearly essence as it came out from its mushroom like head. She licked him like a delectable candy. She devoured him like her most favorite treat. She knew that she was pleasuring him beyond compare. His moans and groans were the proof as fvcked the insides of her mouth.
Gareth was now on the verge of distraction. Having Steff knelt in front of him was the best. Fvck! He was tipsy alright, but he had never been this sober before in his life.
Her tongue promised pleasure and bliss. Her mouth promised carnal sensations as she took his c0ck all the way in. He cannot help himself but to groan. His balls were so fvcking aching he wanted to explode.
She pulled away, and with those burning blue flames in her eyes, she said, "I want you to come in to my mouth."
The way she said those syllables made him pump harder into his mouth. This woman would be the end of him.
He felt his seeds rose in anticipation of what's to come. She started bobbing up and down, tasting and taking his c0ck in every possible way.
Her mouth welcomed his engorged sex faster and harder, her mouth was widening and opening to completely accommodate him. She firmly held his c0ck, stroking him up and down as her mouth worked its wonders on him.
He felt like was on the edge of a cliff. Any moment and he will completely fall. And in one final stroke, he plunged into the deep ravine of decadence.
He came with a shout. She completely milked him as his pulsating seeds shot out from his c0ck. Not a drop wasted.
"Delicious," Steff teased as she released his c0ck.
She was about to stand up but he prevented her from doing so.
"Not so fast, sweetheart. My turn," he said.
He lifted her up. Muli niyang dinala ito sa kama. Kinubabawan niya ito.
The firing sensation in her eyes was not yet extinguished. Her body was still hot with desire.
His hands suddenly worked on the delta between her legs. She was completely wet. All for him and him alone.
She melted at his touch like he had known she would.
He instantly grew into life as he traced her folds with his fingers.
"You're so wet, Steffanie. Is that all for me?"
"Yes, Gareth, it's for you and only for you," she said as her writhe in pleasure.
He tickled her knob with his thumb, circling it clockwise, twisting and pinching it. It drove her crazy, she shouted in pleasure.
"More... More—"
She didn't have to say it. He immediately slid his c0ck inside her.
And ah! He was home.
Gareth started thrusting in and out of her, filling her balls deep. He wanted to be deep inside her. He wanted to fully invade her whole being.
"Do you love what I am doing baby?"
She raised her head and kissed him hard on the mouth. His tongue started to dart inside her mouth. Both of his tongue and d!ck were working in synch as pummelled his way inside her.
Hiniwalay nito ang labi niya "Do you love this baby?" he said once more, wanting to hear her answer.
She snaked both of her hands on his nape. She looked at him sincerely in the eyes. The blue flame in her eyes was now coupled with overwhelming affection and understanding.
"I love you, Gareth."
It triggered something inside him. Her declaration brought undiluted emotion in him. He felt different. He felt proud. He felt like a true alpha.
So in one big thrust, he came. His climax felt like no other. He felt complete.
After the blizzard of lust, Steffanie just remained still as she watched the sleeping Gareth beside him. This overwhelming sensation between them was undeniable. Kahit siya ay hindi mawari kung anong mahika ang mayroon sa kanilang dalawa. One touch and everything just went out of the window. Their desire for each other was so overwhelming that everything round them did not seem to matter.
She gently touched his face, a tear was now flowing in her left eye.
Slut. Whore. Vamp. Tramp. Bitch.
Lahat na yata ng masasakit na salita ay tinawag nito sa kanya. But still, her heart still knew of this man and him alone.
Kanina, when they were thrown in the throes of passion, she unintentionally poured her heart out. Everything that she felt for him was summarized into three words. I. Love. You.
"I love you, Gareth," she repeated. Alam niyang sa mga ganitong pagkakataon lamang niya masasabi ang tunay niyang nararamdaman.
Gareth woke up with a sense of completion. He looked at the woman beside him. Steffanie was looking like a beautiful ancient goddess.
Her hair was a little bit dishevelled, but it didn't mar her beauty. Her skin was illuminating like an alabaster.
Napaupo siya. Last night was another one of his stupid move. He let his dick control his mind. He let his sexual desires overrode him.
He was so jealous of Tristan that he just blacked out. One thing lead to another. So here they were again, sharing another undiluted night together.
But the thing was, he realized something last night.
No matter how he tried to deny it to himself. No matter how hard he tried to conceal it. His heart was just simply shouting her name.
He still cared for her. He still wanted her like no other. And another gruesome revelation, he still loved her.
There were so many questions lurking in his mind. All of those were unanswered.
Naputol ang pagmumuni-muni niya nang marinig ang pagsigaw ni Steff sa kanyang tabi.
Gumapang ang kaba sa kanyang dibdib. It was not a shout of shock it was a shout of pain.
"Ahhhhh!!!!!!" she shouted.
He immediately enveloped her in his arms.
"Shhh... I am here, sweetheart. I am here."
But she didn't answer him. She was just still in her hysterics.
Naninikip ang didbid niya sa nakikitang ayos nito.
"Tell me what's wrong, sweetheart."
"My eyes Gareth! It hurts so much!"
He immediately went to her dresser and grabbed some clothes to her. Mabilis niya itong dinaminatan. He grabbed his own clothes as well. Agad niya itong sinugod sa kanyang personal na clinic.
Panic and worry flooded his being as he deposited her in the surgical bed.
Mabilis niyang inayos ang lahat ng mga kagamitan doon.
He immediately instructed one of the court ladies to fetch his team.
Several hours had passed since Steff felt that excruciating pain in her eyes. Maayos na siya ngayon. She could finally see again. But the quality of her vision had diminished again.
She was now lying on the surgical bed at Gareth's clinic. Thanks to him and to his group of doctors they were able to somehow treat her.
"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Gareth asked.
Nahihiya niya itong tiningnan.
"I am sorry for the trouble," she said apologetically. Ngayong araw kasi dapat ang simula ng photoshoot nila. But it was unfortunately cancelled because of her.
"What are you sorry for?" he just blankly said.
"The photo shoot was cancelled because of me..." she silently said, still not being able to look at him in the eyes.
Bumuntong hininga ito. "Don't worry about trivial things anymore."
"How can I not worry! Ito ang unang pagkakataong nangyari sa akin to. I am not like this. I am never late in a fashion show. I don't cancel photo shoots. Ayaw kong masayang ang effort ng mga taong naghanda," she said in hysterics.
He held her hand tightly.
"Shhh... calm down sweetheart. Ako ang bahala. As the Viceroy of Asphodel, I'll say it's okay. As you doctor, I'll say not to worry about it. Make sure na magpagaling ka lamang."
She nodded to him.
Muli siya nitong sinuri. He held a flashlight in his right hand as he examined both of her eyes. He noted something in his clip board.
"Tell me, Gareth. What's wrong with me?"
He could see the hesitation in his eye.
"You can tell me anything. I would appreciate it more. At least, I could prepare myself for the worst."
"One of the nerves connecting to your retina burst." He said.
"So, it's just a matter of time for me right?" she said with a smiling face.
"Not if we can do anything about it."
Gareth couldn't bear the sorrow and loneliness in her eyes as he delivered the bad news to her. She was smiling all right but didn't just reach her eyes.
"Our team is developing something to cure your disease Steff and we are making some progress," he didn't want to get her hopes up, but he still cannot help himself to give hope to her. Iyon ang trabaho niya bilang doktor, to give hope. But it was more to it pagdating kay Steff, he just didn't want to see her that way.
"Thank you Gareth, but I already accepted everything. Simula pagkabata ay sakit ko na ito. Alam kong masakit, but I just have to accept my fate."
He balled his fist in frustration.
"How can you give up just like that?!" he said.
But despite his tone, her smile didn't left her beautiful face.
"Gareth, all those years, my life is in a total darkness. I was born with this. I am legally blind. For quite some time, I was able to see the world. To see the colors. To see its beauty."
"This was also the reason why I became a painter. Alam kong tuluyan na akong mabubulag, na pahiram lang sa akin ang mga sandaling ito. I want to memorize every color. I want to memorize every lines and contours of those people that I love. So that when the darkness will take me back. I'll have all of those beauty stored in my mind."
How can she be so positive? His heart was breaking at her words. He suddenly want to get back in his lab to develop a fucking cure for her?
"Steff," he said. May kaunting bara sa kanyang lalamunaan.
"I will develop a cure for you."
Tumingin ito sa kanya.
"Don't develop a cure for me. Develop that for the others as well."
He held her tightly. He nodded at her.
"Just give me your faith in this one, trust me."
Her eyes suddenly went from hopeful to sadness. He saw her hesitation.
"I'll find a cure for this disease. Please, just trust me on this one."
Unti-unting nagliwanag ang mukha nito. Then there it was, the smile that he had missed. He felt his whole world lightened.
She nodded at him.
"Sure, but on one condition."
"Anything, sweetheart. Kahit ano basta magtiwala ka lamang sa akin."
"I want you forgive me for whatever I've done in the past. I never meant to hurt you, Gareth."
He suddenly remembered all of her lies and treachery. He felt his chest tightened. Was he prepared to completely let everything go?
He just nodded at her.
"We'll start anew, sweetheart," he didn't had to think. The words just went out of his mouth automatically.
"Thank you, Gareth."
Tumayo na siya para bumalik sa kanyang laboratory. He still had some testings to conduct.
He was about to leave when she called her once more.
"Doctor Gareth."
"Yes?" he was surprised. It was the first time that she addressed him as doctor. Somehow, he felt proud.
"I always knew that you will be a great doctor," she said with a very sweet smile on her face. And with that, he was sure that he had completely let go of the past.
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