CHAPTER 1
Muntik nang mapatalon sa gulat si Catalina nang madatnan niyang nakasandal sa hamba ng pinto ng kwarto si Hugo. Nakakrus ang braso nito habang nakakunot ang noo, halatang galit na nakatingin sa asawa.“I should’ve picked you up,” Hugo said, a bit mad.Catalina sighed. “I’m fine.”“Why are you late?”Umirap si Catalina sa hanging. “Hugo pagod ako, gusto kong maglinis ng katawan. Leave.”Ngumisi si Hugo. “You used to call me Sebastian…”“Get out,” turo ni Catalina sa labas ng pinto.“I’m already out,” ngising tugon ng binata.Napairap si Catalina. She harshly took the hair tie from her messy bun and tossed it on the bed. She seductively walked closer to Hugo. Nakasuot pa ng vest ang binata habang nakaipit ang necktie nito sa loob. Catalina slowly pulled the necktie from his chest while staring into Hugo’s eyes. She heard Hugo breathing heavily. Napaayos ng tayo ang binata dahil sa ginagawa ni Catalina. Slowly, Catalina lifted her hands up to caress his chest. Lalong uminit si Hugo. She saw him groan softly from her touch. Hugo started to lift his hand and hug her waist.“Don’t touch me,” mariing sabi ng dalaga.Kumnot ang noo ni Hugo. Luckily, he wasn’t gripping her waist tightly. Tinulak ni Catalina si Hugo palabas ng kaniyang kwarto. Then, she slammed the door against him. Napangisi si Catalina nang malock niya ang pinto. But what made her laugh so hard was because Hugo screamed her name in annoyance.“T*ngina, Catalina!”Hindi niya ito pinansin at pumasok sa banyo.Catalina took her bathrobe out of the glass cabinet and hung it on the wall near the shower. She went into the shower as she drowned in the memories of them together.Catalina slowly removed Hugo's hand from her small waist. Maingat na bumaba ang dalaga sa kama nang makita niya ang itim na polo ni Hugo sa sahig. She took it from the floor and wore it on her sleeves. Wala itong kaisa-isang saplot. Binutones nito ang polo ng binata pero napatigil ito nang marinig niya si Hugo na gumalaw sa kama."Sienna..." she called.Napalingon ang dalaga sa kaniya. His husky bedroom voice turned her on. Ngumisi and dalaga. Hugo lazily looked beside the empty bed where Catalina slept, asking her to come back. Hindi na tinapos ng dalaga ang pagbutones at naglakad pabalik sa kama. She placed one of her knees on the bed. She thought of crawling back to him, but to her surprise, Hugo suddenly pulled her into his arms.Hugo let out a sexy chuckle when he heard Catalina gasped in shock. Napailing si Catalina at mahinang tumawa. Mahigpit na niyakap ni Hugo ang dalaga kasabay ng pagsuklay niya sa buhok nito. She sneaked closer to his chest."You woke up so early," he whispered.Umangat ang tingin ng dalaga sa kaniya habang nakangiti. It's been years and next week is her graduation day. Hindi siguardo si Catalina kung naalala ba ng lalaki na kailangan niyang bumalik ng Pilipinas, sa ayaw o gusto man nito.Hinaplos ni Hugo ang pisngi ni Catalina. She closed her eyes, feeling his calloused hand on her flawless cheek. She smiled at his actions."What should we do..." He stopped. "On your birthday?""I don't know? Make love?" She giggled.“I’m not surprised, tempting, but no,” pagkatapos ay pinaulanan niya ng halik sa pisnge at leeg ang dalaga.Catalina laughed. "Sebastian!"His kisses on her neck were making her feel ticklish. Lalong lumakas ang tawa ni Catalina na siyang nagpatawa na rin kay Hugo. He stopped tickling her neck and finally kissed her lips."We can travel..." Hugo insisted."I don't know, I just want to be with you,” she lied.Ngumiti ng maliit si Hugo. Catalina knows him, his antics, and he never lies. Akmang magsasalita na ang dalaga nang maring niya ang pamilyar na ringtone ng kaniyang cellphone.“Gabrielle is calling…” Bumangon si Catalina sa kama kasabay nang pagsama ng tingin ni Hugo sa kaniya.“She always calls at the wrong time,” reklamo ni Hugo.“She calls every once in a blue moon, dear. ‘Wag kang magreklamo.”“She calls when we make love, she calls when we kiss, she calls every time I want baby time,” nakangusong tugon ni Hugo.Catalina picked up her phone. “Seb, stop being an a*shole. Hindi pa nga kita boyfriend,” asik ng dalaga sabay sagot ng tawag.“Paano kung ligawan na kita, Sienna?” he asked in a small voice.Tumalikod si Catalina mula kay Hugo. He didn't think she heard him but she did. Kinagat ni Catalina ang ibabang labi sabay labas nito sa kwarto nila. Hugo laid back on the bed again and stared on the white concrete ceiling. Everything is white in Catalina's condo, she's the only existing person living in bright white color while all her clothes are dark colors close to black.Gustong-gusto ni Hugo na mapasakaniya si Catalina. Natatakot lang siya na baka isang araw kapag sinabi ni Hugo ang totoo ay lalayuan na ito ng dalaga. After all, Catalina has someone behind her, supporting her New York living. Gustong makilala lalo ni Hugo ang dalaga. But for some reason, he couldn't ask about anything personal.“Seb, if you're not sending me to school, umuwi ka na lang sa condo mo. Ginawa mong iyo ‘tong condo ko,” reklamo ni Catalina.Napangisi si Hugo. He was naked too. But the sheets were covering his abdomen and inner thighs, hiding his long erect shaft. Tinukod niya ang siko sa kama at saka pinatong ang ulo sa kamay niya. He stared at Catalina wearing his black shirt. Kumunot ang noo ni Catalina nang makita niya ang pilyong ngisi ni Hugo. Agad na umiling ang dalaga.“Oh no, Dear, na-uh,” mabilis na iling ni Catalina. “No way we’re bathing together again. Na-late na ako kahapon at kahapon ng kahapon! Sebastian, I am not sharing the shower with you.”Hugo wiggled his brows as a sign of sexy time. "Yes baby, we're bathing together. Let's go."Walang hiyang tumayo si Hugo sa kabila ng hubo't h***d na katawan nito. Catalina's eyes widened, she've seen it before but now feels different. Tayung-tayo ang s*****a ni Hugo na tila bang handa na sa tusukan."C'mon, I swear you won’t be late," aya ni Hugo sabay hila kay Catalina.Catalina couldn't even disagree when she saw his nakedness. What else could she do anyways?In the end, they shared the shower together. They made love and shared hot kisses. But of course, she went to school late.Natigil sa pagligo si Catalina nang marinig niya ang malakas na kalabog ng pintuan sa labas ng banyo. She turned off the shower and went out if the bathroom with a black robe. Nagtataka niyang tinignan ang pintuang kwarto niya sabay bukas noon.Walang sabi-sabing binuhat ni Hugo si Catalina. Catalina shrieked in shock but she eventually hit Hugo's muscular arm because of the sudden action. Ibinaba ni Hugo si Catalina sa loob ng kwarto niya. Catalina frowned in annoyance."What is happening, you A*shole?" mahinang singhal ni Catalina."Shh... Mom is downstairs..."Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalaga. "Wait, what? Malalim na ang gabi ah?"Hugo rubbed his temple. "I saw her on the CCTV. She has spare keys to this house remember? She wants to see if we're really happily married."Umirap ang dalaga. "Perhaps let me change?"Huminga ng malalim si Hugo. "I'll get your clothes and lock all the other rooms so mom won't get suspicious."Matapos lumabas ni Hugo mula sa kwarto niya ay naiwang nakatulala si Catalina. She doesn't know what to do since she can't change her clothes. Hinintay ng dalaga si Hugo habang nakaupo at nakasandal sa headboard ng kama. A couple of moments later she drifted to sleep without seeing Hugo entering the room.Hugo slightly opened the door to check if Catalina was really sleeping. Huminga ng malalim ang binata at inilagay ang mga damit ng dalaga sa loob ng kabinet niya. Hugo talked to his mom, he hates lying, but he doesn't hate pretending. Nang mapaalis niya ang ina niya kanina ay agad na bumalik si Hugo sa kwarto niya.Marahang lumapit ang binata sa dalaga. She was still in her robe and her long hair was semi-dry. Napalunok si Hugo nang mapansin niyang halos matanggal na ang bathrobe ng dalaga. Her bare shoulders are showing together with her collarbone, her upper chest was also showing. He covered her up and tapped her lightly."Sienna..." He called. "Sienna, wake up..." Hugo whispered.Naalimpungatan si Catalina sa munting mga salita ni Hugo. She cleared her throat. "Mom left?""I told her you were asleep," Hugo said.Tumango ang dalaga sabay bangon sa kama. "I'll go get changed."Tumango lang si Hugo bilang tugon. Kinuha ng babae ang damit at pumasok ulit sa banyo. Nnag masigurong nasa loob na ang asawa, he looked down at his crotch.Napahilamos sa sariling mukha ang binata kasabay ng mahinang pagbulong. "D*mn, why have a hard on now?"CHAPTER 2"Catalina we're leaving!" sigaw ni Hugo mula sa ibaba.Catalina took her bag and went out of the room. It's been a year since they got married, and never once did she hear Hugo call her by her second name again. She was at fault by that, but Hugo also kept things from her so it's a fair situation for the both of them.Napaangat ang tingin ni Hugo nang makita niya si Catalina pababa ng hagdan. His throat went dry and he gulped at the sight of her. She was on her usual black dress, but today was different, she was wearing a black skin tight halter top dress. Wala sa sariling napahilot ng sintido si Hugo."What are you wearing?" he asked, a little irritated."Damit, Sebastian. And if you don't stop staring, I'll poke your eyes."Agad na nagiwas ng tingin si Hugo nang tuluyang bumaba si Catalina. She was always wearing dark-colored clothes it matches her porcelain skin. Contrasting her beauty, she didn't have jewelry around her except for the golden rings on her fingers, isa na
CHAPTER 3Sunod-sunod na putok ng baril ang binitawan ni Catalina. Hugo replaced the empty strawberry shake on her table as he watched her shoot all the dummies in a mile. Walang palya lahat ng baril ng dalaga, it was all bull’s eye, as if she was shooting with a sniper.Catalina was currently enjoying the shooting range in her parent’s mansion. Alas quarto na nang hapon pero abala pa rin si Catalina sa pagputok ng baril. It was like she was releasing her stress from something, she couldn’t tell.“Babe, sit down and drink your shake first.”Napatigil si Catalina sa paghila ng gantilyo, nilingon niya si Hugo at maliit na ngumiti. She sat down beside him on the bench and reached for her strawberry shake. Hugo pulled out a cigarette pack from his pocket and lit up one stick.“Anong lasa?” she asked him.“Mapait, it’s not for you.”“Sabrina smokes too… Though I rarely see her smoke,” saad ng dalaga. “May problema ba?”Umiling si Hugo. “No, babe, everything’s fine.”“Sebastian,” nagbabanta
CHAPTER 4Kunot ang noo ni Hugo habang nakaupo sa sofa ng opisina niya. Kanina pa nakatitig ang binata sa ibabaw ng center table niya pero wala pa rin itong kibo. Nakatitig si Adamson kay Hugo na mukhang naguguluhan pa rin. Napailing si Zero dahil sa inaasta ni Hugo habang halos matawa naman si Kyrus sa kanilang tatlo.“Men, you’re all smitten to the same sisters,” natatawang tugon ni Kyrus.Umiling si Adam. “I’m not smitten!” Dipensa niya.“I’m confused…” saad ni Hugo.“I think I failed as her boyfriend and her friend,” si Zero naman.Sabay na umiling ang tatlo habang si Kyrus ay napatawa. “Buti na lang hindi pa ako nababaliw.”“Magpakasaya ka na,” Zero said.“Sulitin mo na…” si Adam naman.“Araw-arawin mo na,” si Hugo.“What the fck is wrong with you guys?!”“We’re smitten!” Sabay-sabay nilang sigaw.Napahilamos si Kyrus sa mukha niya. “Ang gugulo niyo! Mauna na ako,” aniya at lumabas sa opisina ni Hugo.Kumunot ang noo ni Hugo. “She said that marriage is sacred…”Zero sighed. “She
Chapter 5“Sorry, I was late…” Bulong ng dalaga habang nakatayo sa harapan ni Hugo.Nakaupo si Hugo sa mahabang upuan sa labas ng courtroom ni Atty. Hidalgo dahil hindi pa tapos ang kaniyang hearing. Kitang-kita ni Hugo ang pagkurba ng katawan ni Catalina dahil sa hapit ng suot nitong damit. Hinilot ni Hugo ang sentido at huminga ng malalim.“Why are you wearing white?” Taka niyang tanong.“I decided to… Face my demons?” Patanong na sagot ni Catalina.Tunaas ang isang kilay ni Hugo. “You’re asking ‘cause you know you’re more like the devil than the demon,” sabat ni Hugo.Catalina smiled awkwardly. Tumango siya bilang pagsang-ayon sa sinabi ng asawa.“Akala ko ayaw mo pa magpakilala?”Huminga ng malalim si Catalina. “I… I think it’s time… Slowly. I won’t shock the public.”Hinilit ni Hugo ang sentido niya. “You’ll be in the headlines tomorrow."Alam ni Catalina 'yon. Kahit sabihin niyang doon lang siya sa loob ng meeting room nagpakil
Chapter 6Hugo made her drove back to their condo in Megaworld. Mas malapit 'yon kaysa sa bahay nila. It was a penthouse where Catalina had designed a glass divider in between the bedroom and the office. The city was overlooking, but the air was fresh. Nagtataasan rin ang mga building na kung titignan mo ay mukhang Makati lang.Marahas na hinubad ni Hugo ang suot niyang necktie habang tinatanggal ni Catalina ang butones ng vest ni Hugo. Paakyat sila nang hagdan habang mapusok na naghahalikan. Muling sinunggaban ni Hugo ng marahas na halik ang asawa sabay hila niya rito papasok sa kwarto.He pulled her closer to him as he continued his rough but gentle kisses. Tumama na sa kung saan-saan ang dalawa. Hugo threw his vest on the floor, pagkatapos ay sinira niya ang zipper ng suot na bestida ni Catalina. Napasinghap si Catalina sa gulat."Sebastian!""I'll buy you a new one, a lot," he answered and kissed her lips ferociously again.Mabilis na nahulog mula sa katawan ni Catalina ang bestid
Chapter 7Naalimpungatan si Catalina dahil sa kausap ni Hugo sa telepono. He was gently taking like he doesn't want to wake her up. Huminga ng malalim si Hugo."Yeah, I'm coming... No, you take care of it... I'll tell my wife... I'll call you later..."Marahang gumalaw si Catalina sa kunwaring pagtulog. She felt Hugo walking towards her. Maingat na nagmulat ng mata ang dalaga at unti-unting tumingin sa binata. He was standing beside the bed where she was sleeping, half naked."Good morning, Sienna," Hugo said and the blinds opened.Agad kumunot ang noo ni Catalina. Hugo bent down to kiss her forehead and smiled."Good morning, babe.""Good morning..." She answered. "Since when did you change my system's name?""Oh, four months ago when you'd suddenly throw a dagger at me," kibit balikat ni Hugo.Napairap si Catalina. "I'm washing up."Tango lang ang itinugon ni Hugo. He handed her her black satin robe as she went inside the bathroom to wash up. The bathroom was spacious, it had a sofa
Chapter 8Tumunog ang telepono ni Hugo sa kalagitnaan ng pagbabasa niya ng reports sa nakaraan taon. Mariing napapikit ang binata nang abutin niya ang telepono at sinagot ang tawag."What is it?" Inis na sabi ni Hugo."S-sir... May iniwan po kasi si Mrs. Ruiz n-na lunch b-box... P-para daw sa inyo..." Kabadong sagot ng receptionist.Kumunot ang noo ni Hugo at naptingin sa relo sa palapulsuhan niya. It was quarter to 11. Could it be that Catalina sent the lunch box?"From my wife?""O-opo sir..."Maliit na napngiti si Hugo. "A'ight, I'm coming down to get it."Binaba ni Hugo ang telepono at nagmadaling lumabas sa opisina niya. Nagkatinginan ang dalawang receptionist at napalunok."A-anong sabi ni Mr. Ruiz?" Tanong ni Lyn."B-bababa daw s-siya... Kukunin niya..." Kabadong sagot ni Anya."Hindi ba ayaw niyang bumabana sa o-opisina niya?"Tumango si Anya. "Except ka Mrs. Ruiz.""Ang sweet..." Saad ni Lyn. "Pero nakakatakot pa rin si sir, kahit gwapo siya.""Bad boy si sir e, gwapo," tili
Chapter 9Catalina stared at Hugo's dark face. Kakauwi niya pa lang sa bahay nila pero heto ang kaniyang asawa at lasing na lasing. He drank the whiskey straight and then he smoked his cigarette. Kanina pa umuusok ang kusina nila, even the lights were dimmed everywhere. Ilang araw nang hindi umuuwi si Catalina, hindi alam ni Hugo kung kailan siya maghihintay hanggang sa dumating ito.Hinagis ni Hugo ang hawak na kopita at kumuha ng bago. Catalina secretly gasped when he heard the glass shattered. Hugo poured the whiskey in and drank straight then ended up cracking the glass in his hands. Napamura si Hugo. "Fck!""Sebastian," he heard Catalina's voice.Tumawa si Hugo ng malakas. He's been hearing her here and there. Hindi alam ni Hugo kung totoo na ang naririnig niya at hindi niya rin alam kung totoo ang nakikita niya. He's been like this for a week, napailing na lang siya at muling kumuha ng kopita para sirain ulit.Before Hugo could even throw the glass, he heard noises from behind