Aphrodisia | 18+ (Written In Filipino) ✔️

ika-21

Ikadalawampu't-isa

Text

-

I was now standing on the point that I would make a deal with the devil just to make sure he'd help me and know that there was going to be a place in hell for me for doing so.

   'Yun ang nararamdaman ko pagkatapos kong makipagkita at makipag-ugnayan kay Duke. Ugnayan. Even the word itself felt wrong in every sense of it. My supposed to be brother-in-law and enemy was now the one I could only rely on my safety.

   The world truly did made a full 180° on me.

   Pagkatapos sumulyap sa phone ay binaba ko iyon ng patago. Ramona's phone has been with me since yesterday because I told her mine was with Dad. Like it or not, I have been exchanging texts with Duke. And it was the weirdest thing yet dahil kahit oo at hindi at maiikling mensahe lang na nag-iimporma ang binibigay namin sa isa't-isa ay hindi ko pa rin mawaglit sa isip ko ang paninibago doon.

   Me and Duke. Texting.

   It's not even a casual conversation. Nagtatanong lang siya tungkol sa security na pinapatong sa'kin ni Dad, sa schedule ko na maaaring gamitin ni Anselm upang makipagkita sa'kin. Including the dates my Mom told me were for me and Saverio, even. And it was weird telling Duke that.

   My heart did a furious jump when I saw Dad stepping down the staircase with my sister. Ramona already gazed at me with warning saka ko ibinulsa ang phone at nagdasal na sana hindi iyon mahalata sa dress kong suot.

   "And invite Giles over at the few dinners I'm planning with the Stefan's—" Napatigil si Dad ng saglit nang namataan ako. Mula sa kalmadong ayos ay naging madilim ang hitsura ng mukha niya. "And make sure your sister won't cause trouble, Ramona."

   It didn't hurt anymore thinking I was being looked over and being the older one at that. Sa segundong iyon ay may isang malaking anino ang sumakop sa espasyo ko at kinailangan kong tumingala sa bagong bodyguard na inatasan ni Dad para sa'kin.

   A huge weight sat on my shoulders. But I didn't let Dad notice that when I kissed his cheeks even as displeasure coruscated through his cold eyes.

   "You know what to do," aniya sa bodyguard na maliit lang na tumango. He had a more stable relationship with his employees than me.

   "Have a safe flight, Dad," habol ni Ramona sa pagsakay niya sa BMW. Doon lang kami huminga ng maluwag at nagkatinginan nang mawala na ng tuluyan si Dad sakay n’on.

   I didn't speak even if I wanted to. There was enough communication conveyed in our eyes.

   Kanina, nakatanggap ako ng isang text message mula sa isang "Hon" na alam kong si Giles. He excused himself for being absent for the occasion because he has unexpected business. Ramona assured me she will inform him of her new contact number.

   I didn't want to be nervous about certain events in my life. I didn't want to be bored either. Kaya ngayon na mawawala si Dad ng dalawang linggo at si Mom ay binibisita ang mga amiga niya, hindi ko alam ang gagawin.

   I dreaded for one of Anselm's moves now that it was only me and my sister in the mansion.

   "I'm heading for a dip in the pool," sabi ko sa bodyguard ko upang tignan ang reaksiyon. He didn't budge.

   Taas-noo akong naglakad sa washroom sa gilid ng pool at binuksan ang phone ni Ramona at nakita ang isang notification para sa isang society club na kasali rin ako. It was an invitation for a social event happening earlier this evening.