Dangerous Solace

CHAPTER 25

NERIAH had just returned to the apartment after the photography exhibit. Hindi niya kasama si Lucien dahil may business conference ito. And it can’t be rescheduled. Pero ayos lang ‘yon sa kaniya. Sanay naman na siya na mag-isa.

She placed her camera carefully on the table before stretching her tired shoulders.

And just as she was about to make herself a cup of coffee, her phone rang.

Agad na gumuhit ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi nang makita niya kung sino ang tumatawag sa kaniya.

She answered immediately. “Kuya.”

“Neriah.”

His voice was calm as always, and Neriah instantly knew something was wrong.

“What happened, Kuya? You didn't sound okay.”

“Someone is trying to investigate you.”

Kumunot ang noo ni Neriah. “Sino naman, Kuya?” She genuinely looked confused. “I remember, I didn’t offend anyone at all.”

A quiet sigh came from the other end of the line.

“It’s the Verdan Family.”

Hindi na nagulat si Neriah. Inaasahan na niya na darating ang araw na ‘to. And she was not disappointed.

“Specifically, someone was using the Verdan family’s private intelligence network.”

Naglakad si Neriah patungo sa balkonahe at isinara ang sliding door sa kaniyang likuran. “Lucien’s father?”

“We’re still confirming.”

“Anong nalaman nila tungkol sa akin, Kuya?”

Evron let out a small chuckle. “They found almost nothing.”

Neriah smiled knowingly. “Of course, they didn’t.”

The Laurent family had spent years ensuring their personal information remained protected. And with Black Lotus quietly watching over the family from the shadows, penetrating their security was nearly impossible.

“The records they accessed only show your public identity.”

Napatango si Neriah.

“Mostly, they know you’re a photographer… you’re traveling, but they don’t know your background at all. They don’t know about your combat record, your overseas operations, and can even speak five languages.”

Natawa nang mahina si Neriah. “So, wala talaga silang nalaman tungkol sa akin?”

“Exactly.”

Neriah leaned against the balcony railing. “Why are they investigating me?”

“Siguro interesado sila.”

“In me?”

“Hindi,” tugon ni Evron. “In your relationship with Lucien.”

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Neriah. “Too long for them to notice it.”

Napailing na lamang si Evron sa kabilang linya. “Sasabihin mo ba ‘to kay Lucien?” tanong niya.

“Hindi na kailangan, Kuya,” tugon ni Neriah. “Because if I tell him, he will only blame himself.”

Evron let out a small sigh. “Looks like he was the type of man who would carry that guilt alone.” Aniya. “I’ll keep monitoring them.”

“Thanks, Kuya.”

“Neriah,” seryosong wika ni Evron. “Be careful.”

“I’ll be careful, Kuya.”

Then Evron hesitated before speaking again. “One more thing.”

“What is it?”

“We traced the order,” sabi ni Evron. “Hindi ito direktang galing sa ama ni Lucien.”

“Then who?”

“It came from his stepmother.”

Hindi na nagulat si Neriah. Hindi niya batid kung ano ang gulo sa pagitan ni Lucien at ng stepmother nito, pero isa lang ang alam niya. Lucien does not have a good relationship with his family, especially with his stepmother.

Evron clicked his tongue. “If she learns who you are, then she’ll probably stop investigating you.”

Neriah shook her head. “She’s probably learned why people don’t provoke a Laurent.”

Tumawa nang mahina si Evron. “That’s my little sister. But remember, you don’t have to fight alone, Neriah. You have our whole family and me. Since you have accepted Lucien into your life, then he’s one of us now.”

Warmth spread through Neriah. She was fortunate to be born into a loving family. “I know, Kuya.”

After ending the call, she remained on the balcony for several minutes.

“Good luck investigating me,” Neriah murmured into the air.

Alam niyang wala silang malalaman tungkol sa kaniya.

MEANWHILE, inside Eleonor’s office, a confidential report landed on her desk.

Subject: Neriah Autumn Laurent Rios.

Below it… almost every important section contained the same frustrating word.

CLASSIFIED.

The more she tried to uncover who Neriah truly was, the more doors remained firmly shut. And she had no idea that those doors were being guarded by one of the most feared organizations in the underworld.

NERIAH went back inside after hearing the main door open. Gumuhit ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi nang makita niyang nakaupo si Lucien sa may sofa.

“Done with your—” Napatigil siya nang may naamoy siya mula kay Lucien. “Nakainom ka?”

Lucien opened his eyes. He suddenly pulled Neriah into his lap and kissed her fervently.

They kissed like there was no tomorrow.

But seeing Lucien like this, Neriah was turned on.

“Lucien…” she whispered when their lips parted, and Lucien kissed her jaw. His lips traveled to her neck.

Neriah moaned softly.

Hindi na rin nagpigil si Lucien sa sarili. The alcohol in his system somehow ignited his desire for Neriah even more. He couldn’t say no to his friends when they asked him to have a drink with them. And this was the effect of the alcohol on him. Parang ito na ang kumokontrol sa katawan niya at sumusunod na lamang siya.

And—

“I want you…” they both said in unison.

Ngumiti si Neriah at sinapo ang mukha ni Lucien. “Do we have that thing?” she asked.

“What thing?” Lucien asked as he kept kissing Neriah’s neck and unbuttoning her blouse. Nang matanggal niya ang pagkakabutones ng suot ni Neriah, agad niyang hinila pababa ang damit nito. Her skin was exposed before his eyes.

Lucien gulped and kissed her skin, and this time, he used his tongue.

Neriah closed her eyes. “…you know what I meant…ahmm…”

Tumigil si Lucien sa ginagawa at tumingin kay Neriah. “Remember the supermarket?”

Tumango si Neriah.

“You secretly put something in our shopping cart.”

Namula si Neriah.

“Hindi ko ‘yon itinapon.”

“Hindi mo itinapon?” Medyo nanlaki pa ang mata ni Neriah.

“Bakit ko naman itatatapon? It fits my size.”

Bumaba ang tingin ni Neriah sa pagitan ng mga hita ni Lucien. Now, she’s curious what kind of size he is.

“What’s your size?” she asked with a straight face, making Lucien chuckle.

“You want to see it?” Lucien asked. “Eventually, you will see it,” he said as he unbuckled his belt.

Mabilis na tinakpan ni Neriah ang mata. Ganito ba talaga kapag first time? I’m embarrassed.

Kinuha ni Lucien ang kamay ni Neriah at pinahawak ito sa p*********i niya.

Neriah’s eyes widened and she immediately looked at her hand. She was stunned to see Lucien’s. He was big and long. At hindi niya inisip na hahawakan niya ito. She looked up—shy but thrilled. “A-anong size ng c-condom ang kinuha ko?” nahihiya niyang tanong.

“Luckily, the one you got fits my size,” Lucien said as he unbuttoned Neriah’s jeans.

Mabilis na hinawakan ni Neriah ang kamay ni Lucien. “Shower…” aniya habang umiiwas ang tingin.

She doesn’t want to do it without taking a shower.

Ngumiti si Lucien saka tumayo habang buhat si Neriah. “Then let’s take a shower together.” Aniya, saka hinalikan si Neriah sa labi.

Ipinalibot ni Neriah ang braso sa leeg ni Lucien at tumugon sa halik nito.

They kissed hungrily.

Hindi alam ni Neriah kung paano sila nakarating ni Lucien sa loob ng kwarto niya, pero pagmulat ng kaniyang mata, nasa loob na sila ng banyo. Lucien put her down and started to undress her, while kissing her body.

Hinayaan naman ni Neriah si Lucien. Because she likes the tingling sensation that runs through her body. As if her body was waiting and wanting to do it.

“Lucien…” she moaned. She arched her back as she leaned on the wall.

Lucien stopped and quickly undressed himself.

As they both stood under the shower, they kissed and embraced each other.

“I love you, Neriah…”

Ngumiti si Neriah. “I—” Her words were cut off when Lucien kissed her lips.

Neriah let out a contented sigh. Maybe this was not the right now.

As the water continued pouring over them, two people who had spent their lives searching for a place to belong finally found it in each other.