Chasing the Forbidden (SERIE FEROCI 3)

Chapter Nineteen

Hindi ko alam kung gaano katagal akong nag-stay sa bathroom. Pakiramdam ko inabot na 'ko ng mahigit dalawang oras. Napilitan lang akong tapusin at lumabas dahil nakailang katok na si Xanthos at mukhang nag-aalala na. 

Nagbihis na ako ng damit na inihanda n'ya, si Xanthos naman ang sumunod na nag-shower kaya lumabas na muna ako ng silid para tingnan ang buwan at dagat. Halos sumakit na yata ang mga mata ko dahil sa pag-iyak. Hindi ko na maalala ang huling beses na umiyak ako nang ganito katindi. Hanggang ngayon nga ay mabigat pa rin ang dibdib ko.

I want to call Dad right now and ask him about that woman, Paula. But if I do that, it means I'm doubting myself as Akira North's daughter. She's my mother and no one else. I know she's just mad that's why she said that. I'm her daughter, I shouldn't doubt that.

I was taken aback when I felt a warm embrace behind me. Amoy pa lang alam ko na kung sino 'yon. Tipid na napangiti na lang ako at napahawak sa braso ni Xanthos. 

"You can tell me what's bothering you. I can't give you the help you need but I will listen to you and I won't leave you." He kissed my hair and hugged me tighter.

"Your presence is enough, Xanthos. Thank you for your efforts," I mumbled.

Saglit kaming natahimik habang nakatitig sa dagat. Napapakalma ako ng dagat dagdag pa ang mainit na yakap ni Xanthos. Alam kong hindi ko matatakasan ang problema ko pero gaya ng sabi ni Xanthos, dapat ko munang ipahinga ang isip ko sa lahat at bumalik nang mas matatag.

Natigilan lang kami nang kumalam ang sikmura ko. Agad na nag-init ang mukha ko. Natatawang pinaharap naman ako ni Xanthos sa kanya.

"I think you should eat first, baby," he muttered and kissed my lips. 

Napaismid na lang ako saka tumango. Inakbayan na lang n'ya ako at muling iginiya pabalik sa loob. Hanga na talaga ako sa laki ng yacht na 'to. Mas malaki pa ang espasyo nito sa loob kaysa sa tinuluyan kong unit noon. 

Nakarating kami sa dining area pero agad akong natigilan at napahawak sa damit ni Xanthos nang may makita akong lalaking nakain do'n.

"What the fuck are you doing here, Xceron?" nakakunot-noong tanong ni Xanthos.

"Eating... obviously," tipid na sabi ng lalaki na tinawag ni Xanthos na Xceron.

I stared at the man intently. He looks like a slightly younger version of Xanthos. I blinked twice and stared at him again... don't tell me he's...

"He's my younger brother, Xceron Archante," Xanthos said.

I gulped and nodded. No wonder Xceron looks like him a lot. I think the only difference between them is their hair. Xceron is not curly-haired like Xanthos. I think Xanthos is a little bit taller than him. But it seems like he's colder and more intimidating than Xanthos.

"H-Hello, Xceron. I'm Kiara North," I said and smiled awkwardly at him.

Xceron didn't say anything, he didn't even look at me. I just sighed and bit my lower lip. It seems like he's a rude guy.

"Xceron," Xanthos said in a warning tone. I just held his arm and shook my head.

"It's fine," I mumbled and smiled at him.

"I'm done," Xceron announced and immediately stood up. 

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Xanthos sa dining area. Napailing na lang si Xanthos at iginiya ako paupo sa upuan. 

"I'm sorry about him. He's worse than me when it comes to communicating with people. I'll kick him out of this yacht later," he said and caressed my hair.