Chapter 29

MEDYO SPG LMFAO. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

The city is spread wide below me, from the penthouse's balcony the world felt so vast, and I feel free just by standing here on the balcony. Lights glittered everywhere, they seem like stars that fell from the sky and is now widely scattered around the city. Skyscrapers are scattered everywhere, I can almost feel the buzz that is going on below.

I raised my head to look at the night sky, I sighed at how beautiful it is. The stars are shining so bright, and the moon seems so magnificent. It was chilly considering it just rained a few hours ago, but it didn't bother me.

I felt his presence behind me, and my heart automatically jumps from excitement. He moved closer, but not enough to touch. He spread both of his hands to the railings kaya tila nakakulong ako sa mga braso nya.

I glanced at his right forearm, and I can see how strong it is. Alam kong matipuno ang pangangatawan ni Ivo, it's a body that a lot of women lust after. His presence is surrounding me, kulang nalang ay yakapin nya ako mula sa likod, considering our position now.

I can feel his breath against my left ear, but I didn't bother looking at him. I let my eyes roam around the city kahit na gusto ng kumawala ng puso dahil sa sobrang lakas ng tibok nito.

Ivo brought me to his penthouse. Hindi ko pa rin sinasabi sa kanya kung anong nangyari sa akin, but when he saw a few bruises on my body, I'm sure he had an idea. I'm thankful that he didn't ask me, respecting my privacy. Sasabihin ko rin naman sa kanya sa oras na okay na ako pero sa ngayon. Ang gusto ko lang ay makalimot.

He was kind enough to lend some of his clothes to me. Suot ko ngayon ang putting t-shirt nya, na nagmukhang dress dahil medyo malaki ito. Dahil sa nabasa ako sa ulan and I don't have clothes with me, I almost blushed like a teenager when Ivo lend me his boxers. Mas lalong uminit ang pisnge ko dahil alam kong wala akong panloob ngayon.

"Yung totoo? Ilan bahay mo?" I laughed at my question.

If I remember correctly, the first time we met he brought me to his private house, sa pangalawang pagkakataon ay dinala nya naman ako sa bahay kung saan nakatira rin ang barkada nya, at ngayon nasa isa kami sa mga pinakamahal na penthouse sa city.

"This is one of the few," he chuckles, and it vibrated lightly on my back. "Stay here."

Ivo didn't ask. He just declared it right away. Looking back to what happened earlier with Uncle Bern, I might actually say yes. Hindi ko alam kung saan galling ang lakas ng loob ko, I slowly moved my body to face him. Hindi nya pa rin inaalis ang mga kamay nya sa railings.

I rested my elbows on the railings and faced him. The wind blew, and the cold air touched my skin. I can feel my nipples perking because of it.

Ivo looked at me in the eyes before going down to look at my nose, my lips and my chest. Napaawang ang mga bibig ko dahil sa mainit nya mga tingin sa akin at mas lalong nag-init ang pakiramdam ko.

There's hunger in his eyes, it's so evident I could touch it. I've never been intimate between someone. I never had a boyfriend, but Ivo. Ivo Luca Moretti is doing a lot of things to me kahit hindi nya pa ako nahahawakan.

"Why?" Why should I stay here?" I say softly, and my voice sultry. I almost didn't recognize my own voice when I asked him.

He moved an inch closer, gustuhin ko mang umatras ay hindi ko magagawa. We are chest to chest, and I know he can feel the raise of my chest, and my nipples brushing his chest. He moved his right hand to touch my waist.

"I like you close."

I couldn't help but ask, "How close?" I breathe.

Ivo then pulled me, napasinghap ako. Napakapit ako sa mga balikat nya. We are nose to nose, I can feel his breath, he snaked his right arm on my waist. Dikit na dikit ang mga katawan naming.

My heart is beating so fast like it never did before. Talo ko pa ang nag-marathon dahil sa sobrang lakas ng pintig ng puso ko.

"This close." I can feel his arousal below me, and I blushed like crazy. It didn't seem to bother him tho sa halip nangaakit ang bawat tingin nya sa akin. Kung pwede lang siguro akong matunaw ay kanina pa ako natunaw dahil sa kanya.

I can't seem to find my voice because of our closeness, and I can't seem to concentrate, but I have to, "Who are you, Ivo?"

Kung pipiliin kong manatili dito then I should at least know something about Ivo na hindi nya pa sinasabi sa akin. I know by now that I can trust him. He saved my life quite a few times already. I want to get to know him more. Anything. He can tell me anything.

"You'll run away from me if you find out." Simple nyang sagot.

"I saw you kill a man." The image of the guy he shot popped in my mind, but I pushed it away, "and I'm still here in your arms." An unreadable expression passed his face, but I couldn't identify what it was.

Ivo then says, "As you should be." He then dips his mouth on my neck. His hot breath and the tender touch of his lips. I feel like my body is on fire the moment his lips made contack on my neck. I felt his right hand travel from my waist to my hair.

This is the first time a man kissed me on my neck. This is also the first time I've been close to any guy. Nothing about our position is innocent. His kisses are making my head spin. Halik pa lang ito sa leeg paano kung sa labi na? Hindi ko ata kakayanin.

I felt his fingers grazed the side of my left boob at halos mabaliw ako sa maiksing kontak na iyon. I want him to touch me more, I want to feel him more, I want him to do anything he wants with me. Napasinghap ako ng maramdam ko ang mga labi nya sa tenga ko, he then works his way down to my neck again and left shoulder.

"I-vo," I moaned his name na ikinagulat ko. Kailan man ay hindi ko naisip na galing sa akin ang tono na ito.

"Stay." He says as he continues to torture me with his kisses on my neck.

I know what he means. He's asking me to stay here sa penthouse nya. I could stay somewhere else like a hotel or something, but I know that Uncle Bern will then block my access to my credit cards.

I could stay with Alexavia, but I know that she'll ask questions about why I left the house. Ayoko ng dumagdag pa sa mga problema nya.

I can call Anthony and make up with him, but I don't think he'll be up for it, so he's definetly out of the choices.

Ivo then pulls my hair so he can get better access of my neck, he kisses my throat, and I sighed. His kisses are good, halos mawala na ako sa katinuan ko. I can feel his hand on my stomach as it raises above and grazes just a little on my lower boob. Teasing me like he did earlier. "Stay," he says again.

Hindi ko na alam saan ko ifo-focus ang atensyon ko. His teasing me like crazy, and I'm getting frustrated because I want him to touch me somewhere, but I don't know where! He then licks my neck, I had to grip his shoulder para hindi ako matumba dahil nanghihina na ang tuhod ko sa bawat halik nya.

"Stay, Skyla." His voice demands. He's not asking me, but he's demanding. He requires me to stay. He wants me to stay.

I lost it and moaned again when Ivo sucked at a susceptible part of my skin. My body moves automatically against his. Grinding trying to find a sense of comfort na hindi ko mahahanap sa iba kundi kay Ivo lang.

"I-ll stay." Pasinghap kong sabi. I can feel his smile against my neck. He gives one last nip on my neck and gently releases me. I almost cried out when his warmth leaves my body. I look at him still dazed about what just happened between us.

"Good," he slightly grinned, cleared his throat, "Just grab a few of you stuff tomorrow." Para naman akong tangang tumango lang sa kanya. Now, he smiled genuinely, "I'm glad that you're staying."

He then walked toward the doors. Is he leaving? "San ka pupunta?" bumalik na sa normal ang boses ko pero mabilis pa rin ang tibok ng puso ko dahil kay Ivo.

"I'll let you rest." Simple nya namang sagot.

"You're not staying?" I blushed at my question, and I wanted to punch myself when I realized how I sounded.

"Not for tonight, Skyla. I may lose control next time." It took some time when it dawned to me what he meant. He can probably see the crimson color of my cheeks.

"Oh," yun lang ang nasabi ko.

He smirked lazily at me, "Goodnight, Skyla."

I'm thankful that Ivo is the one who found me. Kahit ako rin naman ay hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta. Everything has been crazy for the past weeks, and I badly need a break. His kisses gave it to me.

Pilit kong pinipigilan ang pag init ng pisnge ko, "Goodnight, Ivo."

He gave me one last glance before he left. The moment the door closed, I ran to the bed at binalot ang sarili ko ng kumot. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko and my heart is beating so fast para akong sumabak sa karera ng takbuhan.

"Oh my gosh, what's happening to me?" I asked myself, I couldn't help but giggle at my own silliness. Should I consult Alexavia about this?

Umiling iling ako sa sarili. Alexavia will only tease me to death. Knowing her, alam kong pipigain nya ako para lang makuha ang mga impormasyon na gusto nya.

The sound of my cellphone got my attention. Agad kong winakli ang kumot na nakabalot sa akin. My bag is placed above the table, I immediately grabbed it to check who sent me a message.

From: +639xxxxxxxx

I'm sorry to message you this late, but I asked some of my men to allow you to gather some of your stuff, but it'll be supervised. Just a thought, let me know if you're up to it. I'll meet you tomorrow outside your previous apartment. – D. Michaels.

I smiled at Detective Michaels' message because I really thought of asking him, but he beat me to it. At least mababawasan na ang mga iisipin ko. This is a massive help to me. I immediately replied to him.

To: +639xxxxxxxx

Yes, please! I badly need some clothes. Thank you so much, Detective Michaels. Can I meet you after my class? Around 11 am.

Mabilis din na nag-reply si Detective. Ang tanging message lang nya ay, 'Alright.' Binalik ko sa bag ang cellphone ko and scanned the room.

Ivo's penthouse reeks luxury. I wonder how often he comes here? If he does come here, is he alone, or is he with someone? At the thought of it, agad na nanikip ang dibdib ko. I shook my head, I shouldn't be curious.

It's his life at mukha namang single sya. Bumuntong hininga ako at bumalik sa kama. I lay in bed slowly, wrapped the blanket, and sighed again. The bed is soft and comfortable. Nawala lahat ng sakit ng katawan ko. Did Ivo's kiss take it all? Uminit ang pisnge ko. His kisses are addicting, paano pa kaya kung labi nya na ako hinalikan?

I wonder how soft his lips are. I wonder how he'll kiss me. Mas lalong uminit ang pisnge ko. Ano bang nangyayari sa akin? I sighed and smelled the manly scent of the pillow. Everything about this room feels like Ivo, and that gave me comfort.

I inhaled the familiar scent and sighed in happiness until sleep took me.

               "Is that all you need?" Detective Michaels asked eyeing my things. After ng klase ko sa umaga ay agad akong nakipagkita kay Detective Michaels. Nasa loob pa rin kami ng apartment ko at kasalukuyang nakatayo sa sala. We left the door open kasi hindi rin namam kami magtatagal dito.

Wala naman nagbago sa kwarto ko. Everything seems to be excellent around here. According to Detective Michaels and his men, wala naman ginalaw ang suspect sa apartment ko. Ang hinala nila ay nilagay iyon para takutin ako pero bakit?

"Yeah," I told him. Kumuha lang ako ng ilang damit and some personal stuff that I used, other than that wala naman akong masyadong importanteng bagay sa loob ng apartment na ito. Curious, I asked him, "Who do you think, did it?"

His face went black to my question, "We still haven't figured it out."

Tumango ako, "How about the head? Kanino yun?"

Detective sighed, "Hindi pa rin namin alam. Masyadong sunog ang katawan nito. If you think about it, a charred body can relatively be natural to find if we only have an idea who it is. The problem is..." he rubbed the back of his neck like some sort of comfort, "We asked every authorities and police stations in our city for any missing person report, but we couldn't find any. The neighboring cities and towns don't have any too." He sighed.

My forehead furrowed. "How about any fire incidents?" I asked before he could answer me, I added, "Posible rin na may fire incidents to some places, and someone turned the burnt body to some kind of a joke and sent it to me?"

His expression hardened at umiling din sya sa akin, "Walang kahit anong fire incidents for the past 6 months, Ms. Vielle."

Bumagsak ang balikat ko sa sinabi nya, "Then who could it be?," I'm beyond curious kung sino ang may ari ng sunog na ulo na iyon. Why was she/he killed?

"Our hunch is that the burnt head is from someone not from here." I can feel my face grew tight when I realized what Detective Michaels is trying to imply.

"A person not from here..." I whispered to myself. I know that it's just a hunch pero they might be right. I felt sad for whoever this person is. I wonder if may alam ba ang mga magulang nito o kaya naman kamag-anak?

"You don't have to worry, Ms. Vielle. Rest assured that my men and I are doing their best." I nodded in acknowledgment, but my instincts are screaming at me. Something's wrong.

"Do you think the Cos—" a knocked on the door interrupted me. I looked at the source, and my face automatically turned into dismay.

Kev Conti is leaning at my door with his arms crossed on his chest. He is smiling brightly at me na para bang he's the happiest person in the world lalo na't nakita nya ako.

"Kev," walang emosyon kong sabi sa kanya. I glanced at Detective Michaels, his expression is neutral, and I immediately read on what is he trying to tell me. I should be calm.

"Skyla," ani naman ni Kev pabalik sa akin.

"What are you doing here?" I asked politely and smiled at him.

"I just got back from Welston when I saw your door open, I thought you might be here, and I was right." He grinned at me.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "How would you know I'm here?"

"You're my neighbor, Skyla." He said nonchalantly. Nilagay nya sa mga bulsa nya ang dalawa nyang kamay.

"What?" halos hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga naririnig ko. Kailan ko pa sya naging kapitbahay? 

Seeing the confused look on my face, "I live next to your unit." I'm so stunned at this information that I don't even know what to say to him. He gave me Detective a once over and asked, "Who's that?" he asked, looking at Detective Michaels.

"I'm Detective Christopher Michaels. I'm accompanying Ms. Vielle to collect some of her essential belongings."

Kev stared at him with a scrutinized look tila kinikilatis nya si Detective Michaels ng maiigi. I have to be careful around Kev. I have to make sure that he wouldn't catch on what's my relationship with Detective Michaels.

"Ah," he smirked, and his eyes traveled to mine. "See you around, Skyla."

I didn't answer him. I only narrowed my eyes at him. I don't know what Kev Conti's motives are, but the thought of him as a neighbor is a scary thought to me.

Is he the new neighbor that one of the building's cleaner meant? He left right away when I didn't understand, but I didn't miss the meaningful smile he has on his face.

A memory of Megan with her skin flushed, messy hair, and swollen lips dawn upon me. I can only mutter a word, "Shit." 

=================

   C O N T A C T 

   hanaemiwp 

     facebook  ∘  twitter  ∘  instagram 

  @liefdesverdriet 

 wattpad