MEMOIRS OF INNOCENCE
HINDI ALAM ni Alexis kung bakit siya naroon. He wasn’t there to conduct business with Leandro. He should not be there because he did not have any good reason to be there at all. But he was there anyway. And he knew damn well why he wanted to be there.
To see the ugly duckling.
Binabaktas niya ang paved walk patungo sa studio ni Yandra, his heart racing a bit in anticipation. Naiiling siya sa nararamdaman. The kid could raise his blood pressure so effortlessly, alright. Strange of him to be feeling that for a young girl. Geeez! Not even the craziest, most dangerous stunts he'd done in the name of thrill had made him feel this kind of what... nervousness? Bullshit! Him, nervous, over a kid? Ridiculous!
Nakita niya ito, nakaupo sa isang highstool habang nagpipinta. Naka-side view ito sa kanya, her long hair was tied at the back of her head haphazardly with a ribbon. A few lustrous strands fell to frame her cheeks. The kid was lovely. A lovely, ugly duckling, he mused inwardly. Tsk, tsk. Naloloko na nga yata siya.
He stopped at the door and leaned on the jamb, watching her. Pinaglakbay niya ang mga mata sa kabuuan nito. She was skinny as a reed and she was wearing a loose-filling shirt that hang unbecomingly on her waiflike frame. Her huge, round glasses made her look like a cartoon character too, like Kermit the frog. He almost chuckled at the thought. But damn, she looked adorable to him.
Hindi niya maipaliwanag ang panlalambot ng kaloobang nararamdaman habang pinagmamasdan si Yandra. A certain rush assaulted him, making his throat constrict. His heart raced erratically and his mouth went dry. It was her hair, that fiery mass of spun bronze was casting some spell on him. It drew him to her against his will. “Hello, pumpkin.”
Gulat na napalingon ito sa kanyang kinatatayuan. “Alexis!” singhap nito saka nagliwanag ang mukha.
The happiness in her face when she saw him made his insides flutter like crazy. Damnit, what in hell am I feeling all of a sudden?! Fucking weird! Lumapit siya sa kinaroroonan nito. “Ano’ng ipinipinta mo?” tanong niya sabay silip sa canvas nito.
“Landscape,” mahinang sagot nito. “H-hindi pa tapos. Saka mo na tingnan,” anitong iniharang ang katawan sa harap ng canvas.
Ngumiti siya. “Nakikita ko naman o.”
Nagsalubong ang mga kilay nito. “Ang daya mo! You sneaked in here!”
“Bakit ba ayaw mong ipakita. Maganda naman ah.”
Umiling ito. “Hindi. Kulang pa. Aayusin ko pa.”
“Sweetheart, it is good, trust me. I know a brilliant artist when I see one.”
Nahihiyang nagbaba ito ng tingin pero nakita niyang namula ang magkabilang pisngi nito. Her skin was so smooth and creamy, almost translucent. “Thank you,” she mumbled shyly.
“I brought you something.” Inilabas niya mula sa hawak na plastic bag ang isang nakabalot na regalo.
Namilog ang mga mata nito at inabot ang regalo. “What is it?” parang paslit na excited na tanong nito.
An indulgent smile broke on his lips. “Open it.”
Dali-dali nitong binuksan ang regalo. “Oh! Oil paints!”
Nagkibit-balikat siya. “I figured you’d be needing more of them now that you’re about to paint your masterpiece.”
Her radiant smile almost made his heart stop. Damn, weird na talaga ‘to!
“Oh, thank you, Alexis! Ikaw lang ang nagsasabing magaling ako. Kahit na hindi pa talaga.”
“It’s true, pumpkin. Magaling ka and you’re gonna be famous one day. I know it.”
Her eyes twinkled as she seemed to bask in his compliments. Hindi na ito tumanggi nang lumigid siya at tiningnan ang canvas nito. What he saw truly took his breath away. The landscape she was doing was a keliedsocope of vivid colors. Hindi siya marunong magpinta pero marunong siyang mag-appreciate ng art. In fact, extensive ang collection ng mga Allende ng mga paintings na pawang likha ng mga pamosong pintor ng Europa at Pilipinas. His grandparents were major art patrons. Nakikita niyang may taglay talagang talento sa pagpinta si Alyandra. Her brushstrokes were confident, rough, strong lines of blended, brilliant colors.
“Swwetheart, this is beautiful!” Iyon lamang ang nasambit niya sa sobrang pagkamangha sa galing nito.
“T-talaga bang nagustuhan mo?” she asked, uncertainty in her voice.
He grinned at her. “Yes. I love it. It’s really great.”
She smiled shyly. “uhm, Ibibigay ko sa ‘yo pag tapos na.”
“Talaga?”
“Oo. Ikaw lang kasi ang naniniwalang magaling ako kaya susuhulan kita para lagi mo akong pupuriin.” she said smiling widely, showing off a good portion of her braces.
Those wires looked dangerous, he thought. But she actually looked cute in 'em. He chuckled. “Napaganda namang suhol. Thank you very much!”
Natahimik sila, parehong nakatingin sa canvas.
“Nagkita na ba kayo ni Ate Kitkat?” tanong nito maya-maya.
Umubo siya. He had no plans of seeing her horny older sister today or any other day. His attraction for Kitkat had worn off. As always, no woman could hold his attention for long. “Uh, hindi.”
“Alam ba niya na narito ka?”
“No, at ayokong malaman niya. Ikaw ang dinalaw ko dito, hindi siya.”
“Ako?”
Ngumisi siya. “Uh-huh. Na-miss kita eh.”
She smiled back at him sweetly. “Na-miss din kita.”
“Good. So, how’s school?
“Okay lang,” matamlay na sagot nito, nilaro-laro ng mga daliri ang hawak na paintbrush.
“O, bakit parang malungkot ka? Problem?”
Ilang saglit itong hindi sumagot pagkuwa’y lumabi ito. “Malapit na kasi ang junior-senior prom namin.”
“Ahh. O bakit hindi ka yata masaya? Sino ang escort mo? Ipakilala mo sa akin ha para makaliskisan ko.”
Umiling ito, lumabi. “Wala.”
Umarko ang mga kilay niya, naintriga. “Wala?”
Nakita niyang bahagyang namasa ang mga mata nito. “Nobody asked me to the prom. Wala akong escort. Hindi na lang ako a-attend. Maa-out of place lang ako doon,” she said in a rush, a tell-tale catch in her voice.
He peered at her face. “Are you crying?”
Suminghot it at inirapan siya. “Hindi ah!”
But he knew better. He started to really feel uncomfortable when he saw her watery eyes. Damn. He hated women’s tears. But this was hardly a woman yet. Well, a kid's tears he could probably handle...
“Hmm, ayaw mo ba talagang pumunta sa prom?”
Ilang saglit itong hindi umimik, pagkuwa’y nahihikbing nagsalita. “Wala namang
makakapansin kung nandoon ako o wala. Nobody likes me in that school anyway. I hate it there.”
Aw shit…Don’t cry, please, baby, you’re killing me! Ano ba ang sasabihin niya? Malay ba niya sa mga ganitong teenage problems? Meron siyang mga kapatid na babae sa labas pero hindi naman nagkakaproblema nang ganito. Lagi ngang pinuputakti ng mga boys ang mga kid sisters niya na sobra niyang ikinaiirita. Kinakailangan tuloy niyang takutin ang mga binatilyong pumuporma sa mga kapatid niya at baka maagang madisgrasya ang mga ‘to. Kahit mga half-sisters lamang niya ang mga ‘ito, he loved them very much. Pero si Yandra, namumrublema dahil walang boys na lumalapit? Jesus, ano ang sasabihin niya dito?
“Uhm...wala ka bang nagugustuhang maging escort mo
Nagkibit-balikat ito.“Meron, but I would never dream of him asking me. He's like the most popular guy in the campus. He can have any girl he wants. I’m the last girl he would ask to the prom. O kahit na siguro wala na siyang ibang choice, hindi niya ako pipiliin.”
He didn’t like what she just said. She was too young to be so defeatist. “Ah, sino ba siya?”
She looked up at him with wet eyes. She removed her glasses and wiped her tears with her fingers. “You’ll laugh. Hindi kami bagay.”
God, she had beautiful eyes. Right now, they were almost green as her emotions were currently intense. But the dejected tone in her voice touched a cord deep inside of him. Natanto niyang grabe ang insecurity ni Alyandra. Sabagay, bakit nga naman hindi eh kahit siya ay napapa-iling sa hitsura nito, so unlike the girls her age. She had, sad to say, terrible fashion sense. Maski siya na lalaki ay nababaduyan sa porma nito.
He wiped more tears from her eyes with his fingers. “I won’t laugh, sweetheart, promise.”
Lumabi ito. “It’s your brother, Apollo. He is a senior.”
Natigilan siya. “Si Apollo?” pag-uulit niya sa medyo mataas na boses.
It was all he could do not to laugh. Si Apollo ang crush nito? Apollo was his half-brother, sixteen and already showing the early signs of being a womanizer as well. Yeah, that affliction ran in their family bigtime.
“You’re laughing! I told you naman, hindi naman talaga ako papansinin ‘non! I wish I didn’t tell you na lang! Pinagtatawanan mo ako!” akusa nito at tinalikuran siya.
He touched her shoulders and guided her so she’d face him. Kumurap-kurap ito upang pigilin ang mga luha. “Aww, don’t cry, pumpkin. I wasn’t making fun of you. Tell you what, I will go with you to the prom if you want. As your escort.”
The moment the words left his mouth, he felt a surge of panic. Jesus, he must be some ten kinds of nuts volunteering for the job! He was too old for this! Mingling with highscoolers would be a total nightmare for a man of his age and experience. He’d be bored shitless!
Namilog ang mga mata nito, umawang ang mga labi. “H-ha?! Ikaw? Magiging escort…ko?” Itinuro pa nito ang dibdib na parang hindi makapaniwalang ito ang tinutukoy niya. Her eyes were round now in disbelief.
It was his chance to take back what he said but the words wouldn’t form in his mouth. Ang isiping walang escort si Alyandra sa prom nito ay nagpabangon sa kanyang protective instinct. He did not want her cheated of a prom. A young woman like her should be able to attend her prom. With an escort. He hoisted one hip on the edge of her working table. “Yeah. Ayaw mo ba?”
“B-but…why would you want to do that? I mean…nakakahiya naman sa ‘yo…”
Right then and there, he decided to be the best escort every teenager could only dream of. He wanted her to have the most memorable prom any young woman could ever have. Yeah, he didn’t mind playing the chivalrous knight once in a while. Pleased with his rationalizations, he grinned at her and watched her stupefied reaction to his sudden offer. Nakatanga pa rin ito sa kanya, bahagyang nakaawang ang bibig. “Wala ‘yon sa akin. I’d love to go with you to your prom, sweetheart. Hmmm, do you find me too old to be your escort?” he asked her teasingly.
Ah baby, before I finish with you, you’re gonna be the most popular girl in the campus. I swear.
HIHIMATAYIN yata si Alyandra sa magkakahalong shock at sobrang kilig. Too old? My gosh! Was he kidding? Alexis Benedicto was the most gorgeous guy in the whole of Metro Manila, no, in the whole world, and every girl in her school loved to gossip about him! Everyone wanted and fantasized to be his girlfriend! Naririnig niya noon na pinagtitsismisan ng ate Kitkat niya at ng mga kaibigan nito si Alexis. They talked about his escapades, his notoriety, his crazy lifestyle, his string of girlfriends that ranged from models to socialites to actresses to even married women! He was a hunk to die for! And he just volunteered to be her escort to the prom! My Gosh! Hindi siya makapaniwala! Her heart was beating so fast she had difficulty breathing!
“Yandra…are you okay?”
Napalunok siya nang sunod-sunod bago nakasagot. Muli niyang isinuot ang glasses niya. Parang tinatambol ang dibdib niya sa sobrang excitement at kaba. “Yes…Yes!” Lordy, I’m gonna die!
“Yes, what?” came his low husky voice.
She smiled broadly, her braces must be sticking out grossly but she didn’t care! Masayang-masaya siya. “Yes, Alexis! I would love for you to be my escort to the prom!”
He grinned boyishly. “Good. Kelan ba ito?”
“Sa linggo na!” She was breathless. Oh my gosh talaga!
Tumayo na ito. “Okay. So, susunduin na lang kita dito sa linggo? Around what time?”
“Around seven PM.”
“Alright, sweety. I’ll see you then.”
Kinindatan siya nito bago lumakad palabas ng kanyang studio. Nang masiguro niyang malayo na ito ay tumalon siya mula sa kanyang high stool at naglululundag sa buong studio. Impit siyang nagtitili. She could not contain her excitement and joy!
Alexis Benedicto, the most gorgeous guy that ever walked the face of the earth will be her escort to the prom!
She must have died and gone to heaven.
EXCERPT FROM "X"
MADALING-ARAW, tahimik na ang buong Kamaynilaan.
"Shit, X, kung bakit ba naman kasi si Coco pa ang pinatos mo! Ang dami namang mga avalaible diyan, walang sabit, gusto mo pa sa may-asawa," himutok ni Kit.
Alexis checked his weapon, a nine-millimeter Glock automatic. Ikinabit niya ang silencer ng armas. "Alam mo namang mas masarap ang bawal, bro," natatawang sagot niya.
"Tarantado! Is she such a great lay that you’d face a duel for her?" angil ni Kit.
"She’s a hot chick, alright. Pero para ito sa asawa niya, pare. Hayaan mo ng makabawi ang pride niya."
"Gago! Gagawin mo pa akong kriminal! Kapag napuruhan ka ng gagong ‘yon, ako ang tatapos sa kanya."
He grinned at his friend, "Aw, thanks, brother. I appreciate that. O, mukhang ready na si mokong," aniyang nilingon ang kinaroroonan ni Aaron Dupasquier, ang konsul ng Pilipinas para sa bansang France. May kasama rin itong isang lalaki.
He was about to face Coco’s husband in a duel. Hindi natapos sa boxing ring ang pagtutuos nila ni Aaron. Puro bugbog ang inabot sa kanya ng lalaki at hindi ito tumigil sa pagmumura sa kanya at sa taksil nitong asawa. Napikon siya at hinamon ng isa pang laban ang konsul para maiganti ang napindeho nitong pagkalalaki. He let the other man choose the weapon. Aaron chose guns. He agreed.
"O, sinesenyasan ka na ng second ni Dupasquier. Bilisan mo at palabas na ang araw."
Tinapik siya ni Kit sa balikat. "Pag namatay ka dahil sa walang-kwentang bagay na ito ay papatayin kita ulit. H’wag mong kalimutan, kaliwete si Dupasquier. Don’t underestimate him. Magaling tumira ‘yan. I saw him at the firing range. Feign to the left, okay?"
Tinapik niya ang balikat ng kaibigan. "You worry too much, bro. Pa-shot nga."
Iniabot sa kanya ni Kit ang bote ng Jack Daniels. Alam na ni Kit at ng lahat ng mga kaibigan niya na mas asintado at matalas ang utak niya kapag nakainom siya. "Okay, game."
Minutes later, he strode to take his place in the open field. Nasa isang stadium sila sa Pasig. It was owned by one of his friends kaya malaya silang nakapasok. Alam na ng mga gwardiya ng stadium ang bisyo niyang ito.
Makapal pa rin ang hamog pero aninag niya si Dupasquier. He wondered if the man knew that his wife was screwing three men aside from him as well.
"Okay, men, fifty paces, one shot!" sigaw ng segundo ni Dupasquier. "One…!
He started pacing, his senses converging inside him, into the very core of him, creating an utter calm. This total stillness of all his senses really gave him a kick. Playing with death was his favorite past time. His hand tightened on the butt of his gun while his heightened instincts calculated the time and distance. His heartbeat slowed to an almost imperceptible thudding, his blood seemed to have frozen in his veins…forty- three…forty- four…forty-five…
His mind’s eye knew exactly when his opponent turned around. He smelled his fear, tasted it, felt it. He waited for him to pull the trigger, a millisecond later he ever slightly leaned to his left, taunting danger. He actually felt the bullet silently wheeze past his right shoulder. Ahhh, you missed again, fucker! He laughed at Death. Maybe next time, buddy.
Then he turned gracefully and fired. Waring isang palakpak lang ang ingay na nilikha ng kanyang baril dahil sa silencer nito. Seconds later he heard Dupasquier shout and he crumbled to the ground.
Agad na lumapit sa kanya si Kit. "Fuck it, man! You didn’t feign like I told you!" galit asik nito na itinulak siya.
He shrugged. "I did, bro. He missed, didn’t he?"
"Barely! ‘Tang ina ka talaga, X! Muktik ka na ah!"
He shrugged. "Muntik lang. Is he alright?"
Nalita nilang tinulungan ng kaibigan nito na makatayo si Aaron. Nilapitan nila ni Kit ang mga ito.
"You okay, Aaron?" tanong niya sa consul na sapo ang balikat na dumudugo. He hoped he didn’t hit bone. He meant to only give him a scratch on the shoulder.
"Fuck you, X!"
"Is that what I get for hitting you where it doesn’t really hurt?" pagbibiro niya dito. "Come on, man, chill out."
"May araw ka rin, Alexis!" puno ng poot na turan nito.
He shook his head. "You know, man, if she had been in-love with you, there was no way she would have come to me. I’m not some super-jock who seduces wives from their marriage beds, you know. They have strayed before I even came near them. The truth is simple and it will do you a lot of good if you’ll just accept it. You and Coco…it’s hopeless, man."
"Thanks for pointing that out, but what do you know about love, you piece of whoreshit?" Aaron said acidly.
He sighed. "You’re right about that, but I also know how many other guys you could challenge for a duel over your precious Coco."
Nandilat ang mga mata ng consul. "What do you mean?!"
"It doesn’t matter, man. Unless you can accept that your Coco likes to get her kicks from other dicks aside from yours, divorce her, man. Find another woman worthy of your love."
"A sound advice coming from the King of Lothario, I suppose." Aaron said bitterly, but a hint of resigned acceptance in his tone.
"Actually, yeah. I seldom give it and never to people I don’t give a shit about. As for Coco, believe me, you might thank me one day for screwing her. You deserve someone better, buddy. Let’s go, pare," yakag na niya kay Kit.
Hindi na nakaimik pa si Aaron. Maya-maya’y nilingon niya ito. "Oh, by the way, I am inviting you to fill a vacant slot at Lothario, Aaron."
"What?! I’ve been applying for the last two years and you turned me down every time! Why now?"
"Call it peace offering. Your first year is on me."
Napailing si Aaron. "I don’t believe this. You screw my wife and now you offer me a brotherhood. What do you take me for, X?"
"A wise and practical man, Aaron. And I tell you, this brotherhood is far more valuable and profitable than your soon to be ex-wife. Don’t worry, brother, you’ll get over Coco within a day with the geishas. I’ll guarantee that."
Aaron Dupasquier was speecless, his face a mixture of total incredulity.
Moments later, Kit was driving them back to his house in Makati. Nagmumura pa rin ang kanyang kaibigan.
"Pare naman, okay na, ano ba," himutok niya.
Kit floored the Mustang’s accelerator. "Fuck you! I ain’t doin’ that for you again, X!"
He chuckled. "I’ve never ever asked you to, man."
"Iyon na nga eh, alam mong hindi kita matitiis!"
"Hindi mo matiis na hindi mo makita kung paano ako mamatay?" pagbibiro niya.
Lalong napikon si Kit. "Gago! Nang dahil sa babae ka lang mamamatay? Bobo! I’ve never seen anything so stupid!"
He sighed again. "Hindi pa ako mamamatay, bro. Ang masamang damo, matagal mamatay."
"Shut the fuck up!"
"Idiretso mo sa Lothario. Let’s get laid. You can have Iris, tonight."
Kit snorted. "Bago ‘yon, di ba? Magaling ba?"
Ngumisi siya. "I taught her some tricks. See if she’s learned it well. She can deep throat for thirty minutes straight, no gag-reflex. Baka ikaw ang mamatay sa sarap."
Doon natawa si Kit. "Then that’s the way I wanna die."
ONE WISH
"Okay boy, let's start with the basics. What is your full name?"
"I was christened Marcus Alexis Allende-Benedicto. My mother Ellinor was fond of anything Greek, specially the great ruler Alexander the Great. I guess she got carried away. My first name...well, it's obvious where it came from."
"She's gone now..."
"Yeah, when I was only seventeen..."
"What happened to her?"
Sighs..."I was sent by my parents in Greece during the 80's for security reasons. My father was incarcerated for several political crimes. Mother was left all alone to fight our enemies. She struggled to free her husband from prison, stood by him during the toughest times of our lives. She died one night in her sleep. I wan't beside her when she passed away."
"Sorry for bringing back sad memories, man. Let's talk about the lighter stuff. Okay, where did the X monicker come from?"
"Actually, it's a shortened version of Alexis. My name has a funny history. Many years ago, a three year old little girl named Yandra, the daughter of my godfather Leandro Monleon couldn't pronounce my name correctly. She used to call me Exis. People kinda got used to it. That's actually my nick until now, only it has a new meaning now 'coz they spell it as an English word (laughs). My closest buddies tend to shorten it to X. Ewan ko ba, nahahabaan siguro sila sa pangalan ko, tinatamad yata lilang banggitin ng buo."
"Oh, you mean Alyandra Monleon? The very controversial Ms. Monleon?"
(Brows furrowing in irritation) "Yes. Her."
"You've known her that long?"
"Her dad is my Ninong. My dad is her Ninong. I guess we're like family."
"But you two act like mortal enemies in public."
(Coughs uncomfortably) "Yandra is rather...spirited. She likes to do things her way."
"And you don't like it?"
"Sometimes. Can we talk about something else?"
"What's your star sign?"
"Leo, I think, but I'm really not into that."
"Humor me, darling. How old are you now? Do you mind?"
"34 and a half."
"And still unapologetically single."
"Yup."
"Why?"
"Why not?"
"No plans of settling down?"
"Personally, I like my state of unattachment just fine. But alas, duties abound."
"Ah, you need to expand the Benedicto dynasty."
"No, the Allende."
"Are you not in good terms with your father?"
"I'd rather not talk about that. It has political repercussions."
'I understand. So you do have plans of settling down, after all?"
(Pauses) "One day."
"How soon is that day? Just to give your legions of fans some hope that you're actually gonna be on the marriage market one day."
"Marriage market? You make it sound like I'm a stud for sale, Evie." (grumbles)
"Hmmm. Speaking of studs, You do have a legendary reputation, my boy. Voted Sexiest CEO alive for four consecutive years by a reputed women's magazine. Care to comment on that?"
"Ewww, next question please."
"Who are you dating recently?"
"None exclusively."
"As if you ever went exclusive."
"You have a point there. I believe in sharing my...errr....blessings."
"You are dating Renee Montenegro."
"We are good friends."
"She said in one interview that she's enamoured with you."
"She did? Man, I'm flattrered. She's a very beautiful and intelligent woman."
"Is she a potential Mrs. Benedicto?"
"Any man would be lucky to have her for a wife."
"But it's not going to be you, I know it."
"Evie, you're rude. That's off the record. Next question."
"You are seen with the pretty widow Madame Vicky Feliciano a lot. Are you dating her?"
"She's a big client of IAB. I value my clients."
"Ah, you never mix business with pleasure?"
"If I do, I'm not the kiss and tell type."
"And Arianna Niarkos, the greek heiress, what is she to you?"
"A very good friend also."
"It seems that you have an awful lot of female friends, Alex."
"What can I say, I'm the perfect gentleman."
"My ass."
"Insolence becomes you, sweetheart."
"And arrogance fits you to a tee, Xcess."
"Are you interviewing me or lambasting me?"
"I guess the sexy Hollywood actress Dewanna James cried on your shoulder when she broke up with her famous rock star boyfriend."
"As a matter of fact she did. I'm a great listener. She was heartbroken. We spent some time in St. Tropez last summer."
"I bet she was very comforted by you." ( sarcastic)
"Yes she was. Wait a minute...are you jealous, Evie?"
"You flatter yourself, A-hole. Here's a Q a lot of women are dying to know about you."
"Fire away."
"How big is your dong?"
(Smiles wickedly) "Maybe you'd care to answer that, honey since you've got first hand info about my vital stats."
"They won't believe me."
(Shrugs. ) "Not my problem."
"I ain't telling. You do it. You're supposed to answer my questions."
"Not when they're rhetorical, honey."
"Arrogant Bastard. It's not fair to have it all. Big name, big money, big dick. You must be defficient some place."
(Sad eyes) "I do have defficiencies, far bigger than you can imagine."
"Yeah? Name one."
"I miss my beloved mother but she's been six feet under for more than a decade now and I miss her every fuckin' day. I'm about to lose my sweet stepmother and all our fortunes combined cannot save her. I hate my father to damnation but he's a monkey on my back that I cannot shake no matter what I do. I have fifteen illegitimate siblings and five pseudo-stepmothers all fighting to get in my favor for a lifetime of free meal ticket. And women only love me precisely for all the things you mentioned. My name, my money, my dick."
Seldom would anything cause Evie to shut her trap. But she couldn't find anything to say to that.
"I love you, Alex."
(Smiles sadly). "Yeah, because you have no choice but to love me. I'm your creation. And you love punishing me. You give everything to me, Evie, all the power and fame and riches, but you take away my simplest joys. You are the most heartless bitch I've ever known."
Silence.
"I can have your life for such insolence, boy."
"Yeah. Do me a favor. End my worthless. miserable existence. I'd be very grateful".
"And what are your simple joys?"
(Looks far away, eyes sad.) I just want...to feel...and be felt...I just wanna sleep with someone and dream of waking up with her still there."
Silence.
"Okay. I will grant you one wish. In exchange for all the wealth, money and power I've bestowed on you, I will give you a woman. She will love you. Truly love you. Is that what you truly desire?"
"Yes."
"Then choose who you want to love you."
Silence.
"Genie's waiting, darling. One wish. Just one wish."
(Looks uncertain but hopeful like a little child.) "She would really, truly love me?"
Eve nods.
Marcus Alexis Benedicto smiled his most beautific smile. There was only one person in his mind.
And then he woke up.
He was lying naked on his huge four poster Moroccan bed, inside his opulent suite in Lothario.
And there was no Evie the Genie in sight.
He sat up on the side of the bed holding his head which felt like it was about to crack. God, how he hated hang-overs. He had a huge party last night. And man, how he partied. Booze, women, more booze, loud music, and endless fucking. No wonder he felt sore to the soles of his feet.
He sighed and got up. He padded towards the shower. He had an empire to run and he was late for work.
Sheesh, what a freaky dream. Evie the Genie, huh? Since when did Evie become a Genie? Obviously, only in his dreams. Man, but he missed the bitch. Nasaang parte ng mundo na naman kaya naglalagalag 'yon?
He chuckled while relishing the soothingly warm feel of flowing water on his skin . Ah, his life was as decadent and desolate as the City of Dis. And genies were lynched in his chosen world.
But Evie the Genie stuck in his mind all the way to work.Evie the Genie would grant him one woman to love and would love him back unconditionally. What a freaky deal, he thought with his usual casual indifference to anything connected to that alien emotion.
But a part of him, deep, deep inside of him was crying out for Evie the Genie.
One wish...One wish...
THE WICKED GAMES YOU PLAY...
Marcus Alexis Benedicto, heir to a fortune so vast, holder of power so influential, owner of an establishment so decadent and lover to a thousand women-- rose languidly from the bed in his birthday suit.
Renee Montenegro , socialite extraordinaire, an heiress herself but a woman of independent means sighed longingly as she looked at her current lover flex his muscles, carelessly unapologetic of his nudity like a romantique narcissist, unabashed like the most seasoned hedonist. She bit her bottom lip, drinking in his magnificence, devouring the length of his 6 feet 2 inches frame of solid, lean, smoothly bronzed muscles. Not an ounce of extra fat to mar that physical perfection.
He looked at her on the bed and winked at her, his rakish lopsided grin captivating her like a blushing, innocent schoolgirl. He knew he looked great with or without a stitch on his body, the bastard, she thought with slight resentment. It wasn't fair that he was so goodlooking and fabulously wealthy but to be a literal God's gift to women as well? It didn't seem fair to bestow it all on a man who didn't believe in love and happy endings. Alexis Benedicto was a legitimate practitioner of casual sex and he had a harem to prove it, if all those rumors were true.
She fought the urge to drag him back to bed. She still had some pride left. Just a little bit and she wasn't about to surrender everything to this man whom she knew would break her heart if she let herself forget for one moment that this episode with him was very temporary. But nonetheless, she felt her nipples tingle with familiar excitement and her loins contract with the sexual hunger only him can assuage to her satisfaction.
She watched him disappear into her luxurious bathroom. Moments later, she heard the sound of the shower. Again, she fought the urge to join his bath. How is this possible, she asked herself inwardly. How could she want him again so soon after six mind-blowing, toe-curling, teeth grinding orgasms in his arms which came in rapid succession just an hour ago? She was right now a thouroughly fucked woman courtesy of his divinely adept fingers-which were so nimble and gentle for such a strong man, his sublimely fabulous lips and tongue which made her scream one too many, and his magnificent love tool, that part of him that had created a legend among women, for he used it with such wicked creativity and awesome power that defied human nature---ahhhh, now that was really something she couldn't get enough of for it had given her so much pleasure that no matter how much she curtailed the feeling, she did want him for herself exclusively.
How she wanted to posses him for herself alone. But of course that was just wishful thinking. Alexis Benedicto was the most notorious womanizer this side of the universe and no woman can hold his attention for long, least of all bind him in matrimony. That was a fact that women who had come to his bed had accepted with a mixture of wistful resignation and bittersweet regret. But that was a fair price to pay for the privilege of sharing Alexis' bed. And women were willing to pay the price. Including her.
Alexis came back, rubbing a towel on his wet hair, his body glistening from his recent bath. He looked so powerful, so gorgeous even in this relaxed mood, from the tip of his thick, black, slightly wavy hair to his utterly sexy toes. " I need to run, sweety," he drawled lazily.
No, don't leave me yet, love, she wanted to plead, but of course she held her tongue. Clinging women turned Alexis off like the plague and that was a fact too that she had picked up from his past amours. Women gossiped about Alexis a lot and since no one had actually managed to string him to exclusivity, they gladly shared infos on their dalliances with this infamous playboy. So she kept her need in check and smiled at him wickedly instead. "Are you sure you want to leave now?"
He smiled sexily, eyeing her reclining form on the bed. She raised her knee, exposing herself to him. She too was very confident of her body. Her hand slowly travelled from her lush breasts down to her belly and down below where she was still dewy from his thorough lovemaking.
"Hmmm, Renee, honey, I have to be in the boardroom in an hour. A very important meeting, which I regretfully cannot miss," he said, his eyes lazily focusing on her dancing fingers. She saw his manhood slowly stir and thicken and lengthen impressively and she rejoiced inside for inciting him to arousal so quickly, like he effortlessly did to her.
But where Alexis was known to fuck in excess, he was also legendary for his self-control. "I'll ba back, sweety and when I do, make sure you have three dozens of Trojans in stock for i'll be very hungry," he said with the confidence of a man used to having women wait on him patiently but anticipatingly of course. With that, he picked up his clothes strewn on the carpeted floor and dressed up. She watched him carelessly don his shirt, zip his pants and put his loafers on, counting every second of being with him.
"Will I see you on Dad's birthday next month?" she said in an attempt to prolong his stay.If anything could hold Alexis' attention for at least a while, it was her father's huge deposits on IAB, Alexis' multi-billion banking empire.
She was rewarded by his megawatt smile. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, sweety."
She made a face. "But you wouldn't have time for me. When you and Daddy get together, all you talk about is business."
"Aw baby, of course I've got time for you. I definitley will make time for us," he said in a soothing tone, his voice going an octave lower, like the most sensuous caress.
"When will you be back...here?" she couldn't help but ask. She hoped she did not sound too eager and needy. She was a major player herself. No man had ever made her needy. Until now.
"I will come aknockin' sweety, I promise," he answered in an indulgent tone that she found so endearing. He was a combination of boyish charm and Neanderthal testosterone appeal. Lethal combination in a man. Fully dressed now, he picked up his platinum watch from the side table and slid it on his wrist. He combed his hands through his wet hair, not bothering to look in a mirror. He was devastatingly gorgeous in his black shirt and black designer denim pants. He looked so casual but she was not fooled. When Alexis had turned his mind to business, no amount of teasing and flirting could distract him.
He walked towards the bed, bent down and kissed her cheek. She wished he'd kissed her lips, hot, wet and dirty like he did hours back. She fought yet another urge to cling to his neck and never let him go. God, she was acting like an obsessed, undersexed bimbo. How can she be undersexed with Alexis? And yet, everything that they'd had wasn't enough. It was never enough.
"When?" she prodded.
"Soon." He headed for the door.
"I hate it when you say soon and you won't even call," her petulant tone escaped her cool demeanor. She couldn't help it. Her father's birthday was still a month away. She couldn't wait that long!
"Patience my dear, is a great virtue." he said, throwing her an amused look.
She pouted. "And you are a paragon of virtue, I suppose?"
He laughed and shugged. "Touche, sweetheart," he said, saluted, and quietly went out.
She flopped back on her huge bed, alone. Her luxurious flat in the poshest condominium building in Rockwell seemed so bereft now that he was gone.She turned her head and burried her face on the pillow next to hers, where he had lain for three precious hours, his woody, masculine scent clinging to the soft fabric. She had yet to have him spend the whole night with her. Alexis was not known to spend a whole night in bed with a woman. And no one could actually boast of having actually shared his personal bed. The bed that he slept in any of his known residences. Now, that was a record she wanted to break, she thought with a smile. That at least was attainable. Probably.
Marcus Alexis Benedicto. The most notorious heartbreaker she had ever known. The best lover she had ever had. And probably ever will.
But he would never be hers.
Create a free website at Webs.com