Deceret Series #2: Bleed for Love

Chapter 10

Throughout the evening, Rigor could barely look at me. Sa tuwing nagtatama ang mga mata namin, siya ang unang umiiwas. He didn't even eat. Nakita ko siyang palaging may kausap. It's like he's avoiding to vacant himself so I could go near him.

"Ayos lang ba kayong dalawa?" si Silver naman ang nakapansin. Tiningnan niya ako.

Binigyan ko siya ng pilit na ngiti. "Ayos lang."

"Hindi ka pinapansin ni Kuya," turan niya. "May nangyari ba?"

I look at her. She's not a big fan of mine ever since kaya nagtataka ako sa pinapakita niyang concern sa akin. Her cheeks flushed when she realizes what she's doing.

"N-Not that I care! I mean, Kuya has many flings and you're just an ex so..."

Natawa ako sa inakto niya. Kahit papaano ay nabawasan ang tension na nararamdaman ko.

"Ikaw ba ang nag-aalaga sa mga pamangkin mo sa bahay?"

Ngumuso siya. "Sino pa ba! Wala ka namang maaasahan sa Kuya ko. He can't handle Freuss and Kenna just left like that. If being Tita has an award, I'd be the best!" she boasted.

Napangiti ulit ako. At least I know she's going to like Castian. Thyron, too. That's two of them already. Masaya na ako kahit ganun.

I tried to console myself for the rest of the event. Nang matapos ang after-party ay nilapitan ako ni Lyle.

"Ma'am pinapasundo po kayo sa akin ni Sir," bulong niya.

Binalingan ko siya at tumango. "Where is he?"

"Nauna na po umuwi, eh. Nag-taxi nalang yata."

Mas lalong dumoble ang kaba ko. He doesn't even want to be in the same place as me! Habang sinusundan ko si Lyle patungo sa parking lot hanggang sa makasakay kami, hindi humihinto sa pag-aalburuto ang puso ko.

When we finally arrived, my heart is in my throat.

"Salamat, Lyle. Pagkatapos mong i-park, pwede ka nang umuwi," I instruct him while gathering my things.

Nang makaalis na siya ay mabagal akong naglakad patungo sa elevator. If I could drag the time to reach the second floor, I would. Parang hindi ko pa kaya na harapin siya, pero kailangan. I step inside the lift and pressed the second floor. Ilang segundo lang, nasa taas na ako. I took in a deep breath and step into the short hallway.

Nag-dadalawang isip pa ako sa harap ng pintuan. I pressed my forehead against the metal door, trying to find courage inside of me. humugot ulit ako ng buntong-hininga at pinindot ang buzzer. No one answered. I twisted the doorknob and step inside.

The room is poorly lit. I could barely make out the outlines of the furniture and appliances. Ang tanging may ilaw lang ay ang living room. Nakataas ang blinds ngayon at kitang-kita ang city lights. Two side lamps are lit in the couch, outlining Rigor's built in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

I carefully walk towards him. He's holding a crystal glass. Brandy, probably to calm himself. Bahagya siyang napalingon nang marinig ako.

"Rigor..." my voice comes out as a squeak.

His shoulders are tense. Unti-unti, nilingon niya ako. His eyes are angry and full of pain. Hindi pa man ako nagsasalita ay naluluha na ako.

"You know why I called you here, right?" his voice is laced with so much danger.

Tumango ako.

"You have a son, Czarina." he says in a firm tone. His voice is laced with betrayal geared towards me. He pauses for a bit, his chest heaving. I could tell he's trying too hard to restrain himself. "Castian... is he my son?"