Chapter 44
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“I don’t have a boyfriend,” she said, voice low, but certain. “And I want you, right now, Sylvia.”
Time stopped. Her words echoed in my mind like a slow-burning fuse that just reached the spark.
“What?” I blinked, stunned. “What do you mean?”
She looked me dead in the eyes—serious, unwavering. “Do I really have to explain it? I said I don’t have a boyfriend. The whole thing was a setup. A lie. For appearances. For his damn family.” She rolled her eyes and stepped closer. “None of it was real.”
My breath caught in my throat. I could feel the blood rushing to my face, to my chest, to places that hadn’t felt alive in so long. My thoughts scrambled to make sense of everything, but my body already knew. It understood her before my mind could.
“And you…” she exhaled sharply. “You kept ignoring me. Pretending like I wasn’t even there. Like I didn’t matter.”
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. Every part of me was too focused on the way her voice trembled, the way her lips parted slightly as she breathed, the fire in her eyes—ang halong galit, tampo, at pagnanasa. Her presence was overwhelming.
“Can you just stop asking questions for once?” she said, voice softer now, more vulnerable. “I want you. I want you in me, Sylvia. Do you even know how crazy it made me—when you’d annoy the hell out of me just to suddenly vanish like I didn’t matter?"
That was it.
I reached for her and kissed her like I’d been holding it in for eternity. I pulled her onto my lap, my hands settling firmly on her waist, guiding her down as she straddled me. Her thighs locked around my hips and our lips collided—urgent, full of tension, full of everything we never said.
Her mouth tasted sweet, just like I remembered—strawberries. I slid my tongue against hers, slow and deliberate, savoring the way she moaned softly into the kiss. She clung to my shoulders, her nails digging in just slightly, her body already moving against mine.
I deepened the kiss, letting my hands roam—up her back, down her sides. I could feel the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her top. Her hips began to grind into me unconsciously, searching for friction, for something more.
We pulled away for air, both of us panting.
“Sylvia…” she murmured, her voice trembling, lips swollen. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, looking down at me, then biting her lower lip. “You’re such a tease.”
I chuckled.
“Stop smiling,” she muttered, her eyes narrowing, cheeks flushed.
I grinned wider, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “I’m sorry. For everything. For ignoring you. For making you feel like you didn’t matter.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want an apology.”
“Then what do you want, baby?”
She looked away for a second, hesitant. Then back at me. “I want you to do something about it.”
“What exactly do you want me to do?” I teased, moving my lips near her ear, my breath warm on her skin. “Tell me.”
Her breath hitched. “I want you." she whispered, almost shyly.
I leaned back, smirking. “Sorry, baby. I didn’t hear that.”
She narrowed her eyes and glared at me, louder this time, “Fuck me, Sylvia. Do I really need to say it again?” her voice was sharp.
That did it.
Something inside me snapped.
I grabbed her by the waist, and I laid her down gently, hovering above her, and looked at her—really looked.
Her hair was messy, lips slightly parted, eyes full of need. She looked perfect.
I leaned down and kissed her again, dragging my lips down her jawline, to her neck, to her collarbone. I could feel her squirming beneath me, her hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer. I slipped a hand beneath her shirt, feeling the warmth of her skin, tracing my fingertips along her ribs.
Her breath caught.
She arched her back slightly as I kissed lower, my hands roaming her body like I was trying to memorize every inch. Every gasp she let out only pushed me further. She was soft, warm, trembling—eager and so damn beautiful.
I leaned in and kissed her again, slower this time, almost reverent. I wanted to savor every inch of her. My lips explored her neck, planting soft kisses that made her sigh, her fingers gripping the bedsheets as she arched into me. I felt the way her chest rose and fell.
I sat up slightly, my hands running beneath her top, sliding it up slowly, giving her time—giving us time.
Our eyes met as I peeled it off her.
She didn’t look away.
There was no hesitation now.
Her lips were parted, her cheeks flushed, her skin warm beneath my fingertips.
Her bra followed, unhooked and dropped aside, and for a moment, I just looked at her.
“You’re beautiful,” I said, almost breathless.
She rolled her eyes lightly but couldn’t stop the way her lips curved. “Don’t be cheesy now, Sylvia.”
“I mean it,” I whispered, leaning down to kiss her collarbone, down to her chest, trailing slow, warm kisses along her skin. Her breath quickened with every touch, every flick of my tongue, every graze of my teeth.
“God, Sylvia,” she whispered, her hands in my hair, pulling me closer, as if she couldn’t stand to have me anywhere else.
I slid down her body, taking my time. My hands caressed her sides, down to her hips. I unbuttoned her shorts, watching her expression shift—nervous, excited, burning with anticipation. I tugged the fabric down slowly, kissing along the way, listening to every gasp and soft moan she gave me.
“You’re driving me insane,” she said between shallow breaths.
I kissed her inner thighs, taking my time, letting her squirm beneath me. Her skin was soft, trembling, and warm. She looked down at me, flushed and breathless, eyes wide and wanting.
“Please,” she whispered, the word barely audible.
“Tell me if you want me to stop,” I whispered.
She looked up at me with eyes dark and shining, and said, “Don’t you dare.”
---
I woke up to the soft light of early morning seeping through the curtains. The room was quiet—too quiet, save for the gentle rhythm of breathing beside me. I turned my head and there she was—still sleeping soundly, curled up under the sheets like nothing else in the world mattered.
I couldn’t help but smile. My chest felt light, like I was floating. I still couldn’t believe what happened last night. I didn’t even know if I should believe it. Parang panaginip lang talaga. Parang kung kukurutin ko sarili ko, gigising na ako sa kama ko mag-isa. But no—I was here, and so was she.
Lumapit ako sa kanya, carefully brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face.
I stared at her for a moment, my heart swelling.
She looked so peaceful, so beautiful—like she wasn’t the same woman who turned my world upside down with just a few whispered words and the way she touched me like I mattered.
Ang ganda niya. And I thought, kung ganito lang ang bungad ko sa araw-araw, hindi ako magsasawa gumising.
I checked the time on my phone—6:04 AM. Crap. I still had class today. Pero si Cynthia naman ang first subject ko, so technically, kahit malate ako ng konti… she probably wouldn’t care. Right?
“Stop looking at me, Gomez,” she muttered, still half-asleep. Her voice was hoarse, groggy, and undeniably sexy.
I blinked. Gomez?
“Really? ‘Gomez,’ huh?” I teased, raising an eyebrow. “Calling me that like you weren’t screaming ‘Sylvia’ last night, practically begging for more.”
As expected, sinapak niya ako nang mahina sa braso, her eyes now fully open and glaring at me.
“Oh shut up,” she grumbled, cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. “Forget what happened last night.”
Bigla akong natahimik.
Her words hit me like a punch in the gut. My chest tightened. What does she mean ‘forget’? Was it a mistake for her?
“W-what?” I asked, barely managing to speak.
She looked at me for a second, then groaned in frustration. “Stupid. That’s not what I meant. I mean, stop talking about it—it’s embarrassing!”
I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding, and my shoulders relaxed. Parang gumaan bigla ang pakiramdam ko.
“Oh,” I said, trying to hold back a grin. “Akala ko naman… kala ko you regretted it.”
“Ugh, you’re so dramatic,” she rolled her eyes but smiled a little.
“You looked so hot last night, y’know. Do you think we can continue it right now?” I leaned in, whispering near her ear. “Where were we, fourth round?”
She gave me another playful glare and turned her back on me.
“You’re so annoying,” she muttered, but I could hear the smile in her voice.
I pulled her closer and wrapped my arms around her waist, her back against my chest. I kissed the top of her head softly. “You’re so pretty, Cynthia,” I murmured.
She didn’t say anything, just let out a sleepy sigh.
“I’m still sleepy,” she whispered, eyes already closed again.
I smiled and held her tighter, letting her rest her head on my shoulder. Her skin was warm against mine, and the room was quiet again. For a moment, I forgot about everything else.
“I still have class today,” I said after a while, running my fingers slowly up and down her arm. “And you’re my professor, remember?”
She groaned lightly, not even opening her eyes. “Hmm. I don’t care. Do you want me to suspend the class today?”
My eyes widened. “Are you serious?”
She nodded lazily, a sly smile forming on her lips even with her eyes shut. “Mm-hmm. I’m the owner, I can do what I want.”
I chuckled. “Wow. Power trip ka pala.”
“I'm sleeping. Don’t disturb me,” she mumbled.
I kissed her cheek. “Okay, Ma’am."
And just like that, we stayed like that—quiet, tangled in each other, wrapped in warmth and soft sheets. For a few more minutes, I let myself forget the world outside this room. Because right now, nothing else mattered except her—and the way her breathing slowed again, safe in my arms.
"Via, have you seen Cynthia?" I heard my Ate's voice call out from outside my door, and agad akong kinabahan.
Panic started creeping up my spine. Shit. What should I say?
I turned to look at Cynthia, who was still lying on the bed, eyes closed like nothing was happening—like she wasn’t hiding in her student’s room, half-naked and wrapped in my sheets.
"What should I say?" I whispered in panic, gently nudging her shoulder.
Without even opening her eyes, she muttered, “Tell her I’m not here.”
My eyes widened. “But Ate’s gonna have a hard time looking for you...”
She let out an annoyed sigh, still not bothering to move. “Just tell her I’m not here, okay? Let me sleep peacefully. You made me tired last night, it’s your fault.”
Her tone was half-serious, half-playful, and for a second I didn’t know if I should laugh or apologize. Instead, I bit my lip, holding back a smirk.
I quickly scrambled out of bed, grabbing the nearest hoodie and slipping it on before walking over to the door.
“She’s not here, Ate!” I shouted, trying to sound casual.
There was a pause, then I heard her footsteps retreating.
“Okay, get down later. You still have class,” she called back.
Cynthia didn’t even flinch. She just rolled to her side, pulling the blanket higher up to her chin like she had all the time in the world.
“Five minutes, then we’ll go downstairs, okay?” I said gently, walking back to the bed and sitting beside her.
She didn’t answer.
“Cynthia,” I called again, leaning closer.
She finally cracked one eye open and looked at me with the most annoyed expression ever. “Fine. Whatever,” she muttered, her voice thick with sleep and just a hint of irritation.
I smiled. Gosh, she’s grumpy in the morning. But somehow, even that made her more endearing.
I reached out to brush her hair away from her face again, my fingers lingering just a second longer. “You’re cute when you’re annoyed.”
She groaned into the pillow. “Stop talking before I change my mind and leave.”
I laughed softly, then laid back down beside her, just for a bit more warmth before the day started. “Five minutes,” I whispered again.
And she didn’t answer anymore—but I felt her reach for my hand under the blanket, intertwining our fingers like a silent agreement that this—whatever this was—was real.
After a few more minutes of silence, I sighed and sat up. “We really have to go now. Unless gusto mong si Ate mismo ang umakyat dito at hilahin tayo palabas.”
Cynthia groaned and finally sat up, pulling the blanket with her as if it could shield her from reality. “Fine. But I swear, if my body aches because of you, I'm failing you."
I laughed. “So much for being a professional.”
She glared at me playfully, then stood and began picking up her clothes from the floor. “Look who’s talking. You’re the one seducing your professor.”
“You’re the one who sneaked into my room,” I teased while standing up.
“Because you looked too good to resist. Don’t flatter yourself too much,” she said with a smug smile, pulling on her blouse and fixing her hair like nothing had happened.
But I saw it—the faint blush on her cheeks. The way her eyes softened when they met mine in the mirror. She may be good at hiding it, but I wasn’t blind.
A few minutes later, we snuck down the stairs separately—me first, to make it look less suspicious, and then her, after a safe gap. I could feel my Ate’s eyes on me while I ate breakfast, but she didn’t say anything. Thank God.
“Where were you, Cynthia?” tanong ni Ate, pagkakita sa kanya pababa ng hagdan.
Cynthia didn’t flinch. Cool and composed as always. She casually brushed a few strands of hair behind her ear before answering.
“Roaming around in your rooftop,” she said nonchalantly, as if that explained everything. “The view’s nice.
Ate raised a brow but didn’t press further. She just nodded slowly, obviously trying to decide whether to believe her or not. But Cynthia didn’t give her time to ask more questions.
“But anyway, I have to go now,” dagdag ni Cynthia, already walking towards the door while adjusting the strap of her bag.
“Oh, okay,” Ate finally said. “Be safe,"
She didn’t look back. Just gave a small wave before stepping out, like she hadn’t just spent the night hiding in my room.
As soon as the door closed behind her, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Ate turned to me, arms crossed. “Rooftop, huh?”
I laughed nervously. “Yeah… she likes high places, I guess?”
She gave me a long, suspicious look, but thankfully, she didn’t dig deeper.
“Hmm. Okay. Get ready. You still have class."
“Right. Yes. Class,” I nodded, trying not to look too guilty.
By 7:45, I was already in the classroom, pretending to reread some notes. My classmates were still noisy, chatting about random things, unaware that my heart was racing for a very different reason.
Then the door opened, and she walked in.
Cynthia.
Professor Cynthia Lim Sevilla Sanchez.
"Parang pagod si Miss ngayon. Also you, Sylvia," sabi ni Kinsley habang nakakunot-noo at nakatingin sa aming dalawa as she entered the room and greeted Ms. Sanchez.
"Napagod ata sa activity kahapon. Kahit ako, mapapagod kung gano’n ka intense," dagdag ni Cecilia, chuckling. She probably meant the class activity, but my mind instantly went somewhere else.
"Right," I said quickly, trying to act normal, though my cheeks were already starting to warm up. I avoided looking at Cynthia.
We were tired, yes—but not because of any written reports or physical exercises from class. Nope. Let’s just say… it was a different kind of activity. One that involved tangled sheets, breathless kisses, and a lot of whispered names in the dark.
Her heels clicked on the tiles with every step as she walked toward her desk with her usual cold, collected air. But our eyes met—just for a second—and I saw it.
The tiny twitch of her lips.
No one else noticed, but I did.
“Settle down,” she said, her voice sharp and firm like always. “We’re starting.”
The class fell silent instantly.
She started the lecture as if she didn’t just wake up in my bed thirty minutes ago. As if she didn’t kiss me, or whisper my name last night like it meant everything. She was back to being Professor Sanchez, the ice queen of this University.
But I saw it again—that subtle glance she threw my way when she turned to write on the whiteboard. That half-second of softness in her eyes. That was mine.
I couldn’t help it. I smirked.
Then, suddenly—
“Gomez,” she said without turning around, still facing the board.
Shit. That was me.
“Yes, Miss?” I answered quickly, straightening in my seat.
“Can you come solve this equation?” she asked, stepping aside and motioning toward the board.
Of course. Of course she’d do this.
I stood up and walked to the front, feeling her eyes on me the whole time. I could sense her smugness from a mile away. She handed me the marker with a straight face, but I caught the slight raise of her brow, like she was daring me to mess up.
I leaned in closer and whispered just loud enough for her to hear, “Revenge, huh?”
She didn’t answer. Just stepped back with that same unreadable expression.
Fine. Game on.
I answered the equation confidently, stepping back with a small bow as I handed her the marker. She took it, brushing her fingers against mine just briefly.
“No errors,” she said, nodding. “Impressive.”
Then she turned back to the class and continued the lesson like it never happened.
After an hour, we finally wrapped up the class. Cynthia was already busy fixing her things, and I walked over to help her. "Do you have next class? Let me help you bring your things," I said as I gathered her belongings.
"I don't have class," she replied, and I simply nodded in understanding. We slowly walked out of the room together.
"I won't go to the faculty; I need to go to my personal office," she sabi nito sa akin, her tone calm yet determined.
At our University, every Professor has their own office.
Oo, each professor has a faculty, but it's not assigned by subjects; it’s more based on their inner circle of friends. This University truly values freedom—it's enormous, with 3 buildings dedicated solely for the Professors.
Hindi na ako magtataka, kasi sa laki ba naman ng University na 'to.
Without even noticing, we had already reached her office. Her office was minimalist-looking, yet it held a charm that was familiar to me; it wasn’t my first time being there.
Inside her office, as soon as we settled in, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. "I miss you so bad," I confessed, wrapping my arms around her in a gentle back hug as we stepped further inside. I leaned in and kissed her neck softly.
"Stop. You're abusing this already," sabi nito, her voice a mix of playful rebuke and gentle affection. I couldn’t help but pout in response.
"Bawal kaba ma miss? You were the one who asked for this. Panindigan mo ako," I insisted, taking her belongings while we moved towards the couch. I sat down, hoping that my words would lighten her mood.
Despite my words, she continued to ignore me, her eyes distant for a moment. "Ganyan ka ba talaga? After getting what you want, itataboy mo na ako?"
I stood up and said, "Okay, labas nalang ako," convinced that maybe I should give her some space.
"Stay," she suddenly commanded.
I paused in confusion and replied, "What?"
"Stay, Sylvia," she said, looking directly at me while slowly walking towards me. She gracefully sat beside me on the couch and hugged me tightly, her head gently nestling into my neck.
"I'm tired. And it's your fault," sabi nito, closing her eyes as if seeking solace in the comfort of the moment.
Her tired but soft expression made it impossible for me not to chuckle. I mean, how could anyone resist her cuteness? Parang ako'y nahuhulog sa kanya at nawawala ang aking pakiramdam sa sobrang kilig.
"I'm sorry. You were the one who kept asking for more kaya!" I replied, returning her hug while she rested on my shoulder, her eyes still closed in a peaceful daze.
After a brief pause, she said, "Oh, shut up. Stay here, just for 5 minutes. Or do you want me to excuse you for your next class?" Her tone was playful yet sincere, and even though she didn’t open her eyes again, I could sense her affection.
I smiled warmly and replied, "No need. I'll stay here, okay? Just sleep." I softly kissed her forehead, and she nodded in agreement, allowing the calm of the moment to envelop us.
In that quiet space, time seemed to stand still.
The ambiance of her minimalist office, combined with the soft hum of distant conversations from the hallway, created a serene backdrop to our intimate exchange.
Please God, let me have this girl for the rest of my life—these unspoken wishes echoed in my heart as I held her close, cherishing every precious second in that peaceful haven where love, mischief, and soft dreams intertwined.