Màu nền Màu tối Mặc định Xám nhạt Xanh nhạt Xanh đậm Vàng nhạt Màu sepia Vàng đậm Vàng ố

Font chữ: Palatino Linotype Bookerly Segoe UI Patrick Hand Times New Roman Verdana Tahoma Arial

Chiều cao dòng: 100 120 140 160 180 200

Kích cỡ chữ:

DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 28: SIMPLE

LUNA'S POV

I don't really know what woke me up. I just suddenly felt cold, and when I opened my eyes, I saw an empty space beside me. Mukhang kanina pa gising si Magnus. I doubt he'll be invading Circe and Kuya Coal's gym, so he's either swimming or he's out running.

Kinuha ko ang crocheted throw blanket na bumagsak mula sa kama at ibinalot ko iyon sa sarili ko bago ako lumabas ng kuwarto. Dumiretso ako sa kusina nang may maamoy akong mabango.

I stopped on my tracks when I caught sight of Magnus cooking in the kitchen. Mukhang kagagaling niya lang sa pagtakbo. His skin is glistening with sweat, which is why he probably took off his shirt.

"Did I die and go to heaven?" I whispered to myself.

May kung ano siyang inabot mula sa cupboard na nasa ulunan niya. His sculpted muscles rippled at the movement, and I couldn't help but stare.

I let out a breath, fanning myself unconsciously. Nang hindi nabawasan ang init na nararamdaman kong yumayakap sa akin ay tinanggal ko ang nakabalot sa akin na kumot at ipinatong ko iyon sa sofa. He must have heard me moving because his body turned slightly in my direction.

Kung maganda ang view kanina na nakatalikod siya ay mas maganda ngayon na nakaharap siya sa akin. Parang may sariling mga buhay ang mga paa ko na dinala ako ng mga iyon palapit sa kinaroroonan niya.

He pointed at the chair with the slotted turner he's holding. "Sit."

Kung sasabihan niya akong tumahol baka gawin ko rin sa mga oras na 'to.

"You want tea?" he asked.

"Sure."

Ipinatong ko ang siko ko sa lamesa at nangalumbaba ako habang pinapanood ko siya. Sabi nila maganda raw na maagang nagigising para una ka raw makatanggap ng biyaya. Ito na kaya iyon?

Magnus fully turned to me while holding a cup of tea. I can't find it in me to look away from his abs, which appear to be slowly getting closer to me.

"Breakfast will be ready in five."

Hindi pa rin maialis ang tingin sa tiyan niya na nagsalita ako. "Gusto ko ng pandesal."

"Hindi bagay sa fried rice 'yon."

Napakurap ako. "Ha?"

He put down the tea in front of me, bringing his broad chest just one breath away from me. Umangat ang kamay niya at pakiramdam ko ay tumigil ang paghinga ko nang maramdaman kong inipit niya ang buhok ko sa likod ng tenga ko.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"H-Ha?" Pinilig ko ang ulo ko. Get a grip, Luna Alondra. "Oo naman. Bakit naman magiging hindi?"

"Your face is red." Inilapat niya ang palad niya sa noo ko. "At mainit ka."

"Naiinitan lang ako."

"Nakabukas ang aircon."

Nilutan ko siya ng ilong. "Basta naiinitan ako. Bakit ba?"

He regarded me for a moment. "Maybe that time is coming."

"Time?"

"You know... that time." Naguguluhang nakatingin lang ako sa kaniya na ikinabuntong-hininga niya. "That time of the month."

Probably became more read than I already was. "Oh my god, Magnus Aquillan!"

"What?" Dumiretso siya ng tayo at napakamot siya sa ulo niya. "It's completely normal."

"I don't want to talk about that with you!"

"Why not?"

Pinandilatan ko siya. "Just because."

Bumuntong-hininga siya at napailing. "Fine." Binalikan niya ang niluluto niya. "Gusto mo talaga ng pandesal? Pwede naman akong lumabas para bumili."

"No." Tumikhim ako. Wala ka namang mabibili sa labas ng klase ng pandesal na gusto ko. "I'll eat the fried rice."

He expertly moves the huge wok I didn't even notice he's using. Kung saan-saan ka kasi nakatingin.

"Bakit pala ang aga mong magluto?" Tinignan ko ang wall clock na nakasabit sa sala. It's five minutes away before six, so he's probably been cooking for awhile now. "Magluluto naman sila mamaya. My brothers cooked yesterday so Lia and the others probably already plan to cook breakfast. Saka mamaya pa gigising ang mga 'yon."

"Maaga kang magising."

Sinipat ko ang lutuan niya. "So para sa akin lahat 'yan? Ganiyan na ba katakaw ang tingin mo sa akin?"

He took another huge pan from a drawer under the sink. Ipinatong niya iyon sa tabi ng pinaglulutuan niya.

"Silly. Of course the rest is for the others." Magnus walked to the fridge and took off a huge tupperware full of grilled chicken. "Hindi ko nga lang alam kung kakasya dahil hindi ako sanay magluto para sa marami. I don't know how Lia got used to it. It must have been tiring."

"Lia cooks a lot, even if she's just cooking for herself."

"Huh. I think I've read that in her book."

Dalawang siko ko na ang ipinatong ko sa lamesa. "Binabasa mo talaga lahat ng mga libro ni Lucienne?"

"Hindi lang libro niya. Libro ng lahat ng writers ng Quetzal."

"Bakit? Wala kang tiwala sa editors mo? I mean, I get it. Nowadays, it's hard to separate what's really good from just something that seems good because it's been overly hyped."

"It's not that I don't trust them. I just want to understand what they see in a particular book. Subjective ang gusto ng isang tao. If a person is not a wide reader, most likely he has his favorite genres. If he reads something outside of that genre, there's a huge chance that he won't be as open to trying new ones. Ganoon din sa mga editor. They might be wide readers, but editing something they don't really want might lead to them ignoring their own preferences because it's their job."

"Is that wrong?"

"No, but it takes away the benefit of what it's like to work on something you really like. Kapag gusto mo ang nasa harapan mo ay mas marami kang nakikita roon. You have a better appreciation for it. Kaya as much as possible ay sila ang pinapapili ko ng gusto nilang i-edit. During hiring, we also made sure to employ diverse editors so we could cover a wide range of genres."

"Being objective is good too, you know? Aren't you worried about bias?"

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "That's why I read them."

A smile curve on my lips. "Has someone told you that you're a bit of a control freak?"

"Like you're not the same." Nang ngumuso ako ay napangiti rin siya. "There's a lot of things I can't control in this life. I'm just doing my best with what I can."

"Point well made, Aquillan."

He chuckled before focusing again on cooking. Hiniwa niya ang ilang piraso ng mga manok at sa pagtataka ko ay nilagyan niya iyon ng coat ng harina. I watched as he made magic with a couple of oranges, chicken chopped into cubes, and a pan he doused with olive oil.

He's repurposing it into another recipe. Looks like he's doing an orange chicken.

"Mags?"

"Hmm?"

"I talked to Mireia last night." Hindi siya nagsalita hindi dahil sa kung ano pa man kundi dahil naghihintay siya ng kadugtong ng sinabi ko. "She's starting to realize what's happening. She's trying not to, but sooner or later she has no choice but..."

Magnus fully turned to me. He didn't look surprised, or panicked. Instead, he's just looking at me in a way that tells me that he's worried for me.

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I don't really know," I told him honestly.

"Do you want me to talk to her?"

"No!" I looked around me before I lowered my voice into a whisper. "You don't need to do that. I... I don't know. Everything is just messed up. I feel like... I should go away or something. Distance myself from them—"

"LA." Pinatay niya ang kalan at umikot siya sa center island para magawa niyang makalapit sa akin. "You don't need to do that. They're your family."

"But what if..." Umiling ako. "I'm not ready. I don't think I ever will."

"We'll cross the bridge when we get there. For now, we keep doing what we've been doing. Hindi mo sila kailangan layuan. I know you love your family and how important they are to you. Dahil kung hindi, hindi mo gagawin ang lahat ng 'to." Inabot niya ang kamay ko at marahang pinisil iyon. "You're aware that one day they will find out about everything, right?"

"Yes."

"Then nothing changed. We'll think of Mireia knowing just another variable, but the end is the same. One day, you will need to give them the truth. Pero sa ngayon, huwag mo munang isipin kung hindi pa naman nangyayari. Be with your family, and let them be with you."

Bumuntong-hininga ako. He's always been the voice of reason. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing, Mags?"

"Yes." Nang makita niya ang gulat sa mga mata ko sa mabilis niya na sagot ay sumilay ang maliit na ngiti sa mga labi niya. "They might not understand it at first, but you want to protect them. I don't see anything wrong with that."

"Kaya kampi ka sa akin? Kasi alam mong tama ako?"

"No." Pinakawalan niya ang kamay ko pero hindi siya lumayo. "Only with you could I be biased. I promised you, remember? No matter what happens, I'm always going to have your back. It doesn't matter to me if you're right or wrong. My decision wouldn't change, and I won't break my promise just like that." He caught a lock of my hair between his fingers. "But you're my LA. You always do the right thing."

"You're putting so much fate on me."

"If I couldn't trust my own wife, then who should I trust?"

"Yourself?"

He shook his head. "Sometimes, it's hard to do that. There are a lot of things I regret that make me lose trust in myself. But you're different. You always stay on one course. You don't get swayed easily unless it's necessary." He tapped my nose. "So I'm always going to trust you. Even if I do it blindly."

"That's dangerous."

"As everything is in this world. We choose our own battles, and we also choose our own set of risks."

"So I'm a risk you're willing to take?" I asked.

"You're the risk I'm always willing to take."

Hindi ko alam kung ilang sandali lang kaming nakatayo roon at nakatingin sa isa't isa. Hindi pa kami mapaghihiwalay kung hindi namin narinig ang papalapit na mga yabag na palapit na nang palapit sa amin.

"Ay! Ang aga namang R18 nito!"

Bahagya kong tinulak si Magnus nang marinig ko ang boses ni Lucienne pero hindi man lang siya natinag sa kinauupuan niya. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata. "Put on a shirt!"

"Why?"

"Anong why?" I hissed.

"Kanina mo pa tinitignan tapos ngayon mo lang ako pagbibihisin?"

Pakiramdam ko ay namula ako hanggang talampakan sa sinabi niya. I stumbled out of my chair, and he moved to catch me, but I managed to evade his hands. Lumapit ako sa isang panig ng lugar at hinablot ang t-shirt niya. Para bang bola iyon sa baseball na malakas na inihagis ko iyon sa direksyon ni Magnus na kaagad namang nasalo iyon.

"Go take a shower." Nang hindi pa rin siya kumilos ay napapadiyak na ako. "Mags!"

"Alright, alright."

Dumaan siya sa tabi ko at akala ko ay basta niya na lang akong lalagpasan. Pero sa pagkagulat ko ay bigla siyang yumuko at kinintalan ako ng halik sa pisngi bago malalaki ang mga hakbang na naglakad na siya pabalik sa kuwarto na inookupa namin.

"Nag-aaway ba kayo?" tanong ni Lucienne na lumapit sa niluluto kanina ni Magnus.

"No. He's just being annoying."

"Si Sir Magnus? Huh."

"He hasn't been like that to you?"

Tumingin siya sa kisame na parang nag-iisip. "Not really. Nakakastress siya minsan kapag may mga pinapagawa siya sa akin para sa mga libro ko pero iyon lang."

"Well, he is annoying." Nagdadabog na naglakad ako papuntang kusina at binuksan ko ang pan na pagpiprituhan sana ni Magnus. "For one, he keeps flaunting his body in front of me."

"Is that wrong?"

Napalingon ako sa kaniya. She looks really confused. Oo nga naman. Ano namang masama kung makita ko ang katawan ng "asawa" ko?

Lucienne's eyes widened. "Oh."

"What?"

Her smile turned teasing. "I get it now."

"Get what?"

Hindi sa akin nanggaling ang tanong kundi kay Belaya na mukhang kagigising lang. Kasunod niya si Lia.

Binalingan sila ni Lucienne. "Sir Magnus is showing off his ripped body and Luna's annoyed with him."

The two women let out an understanding "ahh". Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila. I'm growing more confused as the second passes. "What do you mean by "ahh"?"

"Ayaw mong makita namin siya," maikling paliwanag ni Lucienne. "We get it. Ganiyan din kami sa mga asawa namin minsan kahit na ikaw na kapatid nila at kami lang naman ang nandito. It's just a natural instinct. We want to keep what is ours, ours."

"That's not it!" mariin na tanggi ko.

They all just smiled meaningfully, and I couldn't do anything but sigh. I mean... maybe they're right. Ngiti pa nga lang ni Magnus gusto ko ng ipagdamot.

"Ako na diyan," sabi ni Lia at tumabi sa akin.

"Kaya ko naman—" Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko nang maglagay ng manok si Lia sa pan at lumikha ng tunog iyon dahilan para mapatalon ako. "Sabi ko nga ikaw na."

Lumapit ako sa kinaroroonan ni Lush at umupo ako sa tabi niya. Nagbabrowse siya sa phone niya habang pinapanood ko si Lia na magluto at si Belaya na ginagamit ang juicer. I was sitting so close to Lucienne that I instantly felt when she stilled.

Kunot ang noo na binalingan ko siya. "What's wrong?"

"I'm going to kill her."

Napakurap ako. "What?"

She gritted her teeth. "Well, in my book at least." Inangat niya ang phone niya at hinarap niya iyon sa akin. "I'm inspired to do another gore book just for this Vixen Wilder."

VIXEN WILDER

@VixenWilderTales

Insecurity is really a poison to the soul. Sweetie, being insecure doesn't look good on anyone. If you're threatened that your man wants me, is that my fault? It's not like I did something except simply exist. #InsecureMuch

"The nerve," Belaya growled.

Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Lia sa skimmer na hawak niya. "I can't believe she has the guts to say that."

Kung sa ibang pagkakataon lang ay baka natawa na ako sa kanila. They're smushing Lucienne's face since they're standing on both her sides so that they could look at her phone.

"I need to get my phone," nanggigigil na sabi ni Belaya.

Tumango si Lia. "Me too."

Lucienne started typing, but I took the phone from her. "No. No one's doing anything." It's obvious on their faces that they don't want to back down. "She can't do anything to me. She can't release my name, or Magnus'. If she did, I doubt people would still back her up, like her fans who are commenting on her post. My brothers have their own fan base, and I have famous sisters-in-law. Vixen Wilder is trying to stir up humor, but that's all she can do. She knows she could be destroyed. Hindi lang talaga kaya ng pride niya na manahimik."

The three pouts, which I find adorable. Lia is usually the one who is more level-headed, but we all know she has a temper kaya hindi na ako nagtataka sa reaksyon niya.

"Well... maybe we should talk to Circe and Ember. It's too late for Mireia." Nakangising hinarap sa akin ni Lucienne ang phone niya at napanganga ako sa nabasa ko.

MIREIA DAWSON

@maaadforever

There's nothing "simple" about existing just to put other women down. I'll tell you what simple is. When you see a ring, you don't flirt with the man. When the man clearly puts you in place by showing you that he will choose his wife a hundred times over you, you don't post shit on social media and instead you keep your mouth shut and move on. #GetAClue

"Infernes kay Mireia naka premium+ sa X ha? Inggit ako. Makapag-subscribe para mahaba rin ang ma-comment ko," sabi ni Belaya.

"Guys," angal ko. "I'll talk to Mireia. Wala ng mag-co-comment, okay?"

Lucienne blinked innocently and showed me her phone again. "You should talk to Ember too."

EMBRACE DAWSON

@princessniTrace

It's sad that not everyone is a girls' girl. Sweetie, the insecurity of others is not your fault, but you don't rub it on their faces just to feel good. But how did the wife act insecure? Did the wife say anything to you? Has she been rude? It's SIMPLE, you know? It's not hard to keep your hands away from a man who has a wife. Even if she reacted, it's not being insecure. It's called having the right. But I guess you don't understand the concept, right? #HandsOff

Lucienne swiped down so I could see another comment. "Ang dami mong kakausapin today." Nilingon niya si Belaya. "Gumawa ka na rin ng kape. Siguradong maiinit ang ulo ng mga 'yon kapag lumabas."

Belaya saluted and moved to do as she asked.

CIRCE DAWSON

@circoalandsharkies

Don't go close to any body of water with me around, please. Nagdidilim ang paningin ko. #FishFood

I let out a sigh. "Where's Tiara's?"

She grinned and she showed me the last comment which, unsurprisingly, is Tiara's.

TIARA DAWSON

@milliemouse

The only thing that is simple here is you. For an author, you're crass and SIMPLEminded. I wish you really write great erotic stories, because with the way you think, you sound moronic. #EducateYourself

Nakarinig kami ng mga kalabugan at muli akong napabuntong-hininga nang hindi nagtagal ay naglabasan na ang mga babaeng hindi maipinta ang mga mukha. Mas nalukot nga lang ang mukha ni Circe na nasa unahan nila.

Bago pa may makapagsalita sa kanila ay napatakip sa bibig niya si Circe. She looks like she was about to run to the room, but she must have decided that the sink is closest.

We all watched her in surprise as she heaved, holding on to her stomach.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I watched five women before her did the same thing. "Oh my gosh!"

Napairit ang iba pang mga babae na mukhang naintindihan din ang nangyayari. Circe turned to us with a sheepish smile on her lips. Despite her pale face, she seems to be glowing with unmistakable happiness.

"I'm pregnant."

The kitchen got filled with our screams, and I have no doubt that if there's anyone sleeping, they're all probably awake right now.

What a morning.

_____________________________End of Chapter 28.