The Art of Loving a Beast (La Fortuna Series #4)

Kabanata 7

I threw a gaze at him. "Yes, I do. Ano naman 'yon sa 'yo?" simple kong tugon.

His eyes darkened more. Para ako nitong hinihigupan ng paghinga. "Do your cousins know you intend to be a whore at their parents' party tonight?"

Imbes na mas lalong magalit ay kinalma ko ang aking sarili. I knew what he was doing. He was trying to piss me off and get a reaction from me. Ayaw ko ng gano'n. It made me feel powerless. Huminga ako ng malalim at nagdasal na bumalik ang pagiging kalmado ko. It's okay, Celia. You don't have to be a jerk like him.

"My sexual activities are none of my cousins' concern," I said calmly. "And frankly, it shouldn't be yours, too."

Nilapag na ng bartender 'yong drinks na in-order ko kaya kinuha ko 'yon gamit ang dalawang kamay. On the side of my eyes, I could see Zadkiel straightening on his place. The other bartender served his drink. Kinuha niya 'yon at sumimsim dito.

As much as I wanted to leave unannounced, hindi ko talaga ugali 'yon. Isa pa, baka kasi isumbong niya ako kay Kuya Liam at Kenneth. My attitude tonight wasn't exactly something to brag about.

I cleared my throat. "I'm done here. Enjoy the rest of the night, Zadkiel."

"Not so fast, angel." 

Before I could take a single step, Zadkiel was already pouring his drink on me! Ramdam ko ang lamig ng inumin sa pang-itaas kong katawan. I shivered as the cold nipped my skin and the people around us started gossiping. 

Did he just?

Basang-basa ako! Uminit ang aking pisngi sa kahihiyan. I did everything right tonight! I did everything to look presentable and perfect. Ayaw kong ako pa ang dahilan upang pag-usapan ng masama sina Tito at Tita. Ayaw kong maging rason upang masira ang party na pinagplanuhan nila.

But it was too late because I already ruined it with this stupid mess! My dress was soaking wet. Rinig ko ang paglakas ng mga bulungan sa paligid. The bartender offered me some tissues to wipe my chest. Tinanggap ko iyon at nagsimulang magpunas. I didn't even have it in me to look Zadkiel in the eyes.

I was so embarrassed. Nakayuko lang ako habang nagpupunas. Ano naman kaya ang reaksyon ni Zadkiel habang nakikita akong ganito? He's probably sporting that devilish grin on his face. Now I wouldn't have a choice but to change! Good for him! Baka umuwi na rin ako ng diretso dahil sa pagkapahiya.

"Celia? You took too long to return so I looked for you. Anong nangyari sa damit mo?" Jameson was suddenly beside me. Puno ng pag-aalala ang kanyang boses.

"Just... an accident," I lied. 

Ayoko mang magsinungaling, mas mabuti na iyon kaysa malaman niya na binuhusan ako ni Zadkiel ng inumin. It would just cause more questions, and I wasn't in the mood to answer any of them right now.

Jameson removed his blazer and wrapped it around me. Inangat ko ang aking tingin sa kanya. He looked genuinely concerned for me, which warmed my heart a little. 

"What happened here?" 

Napatingin ako sa kararating lang na si Kenneth. He literally flew to my side when he realized what happened. Bahagya niyang itinulak sa dibdib si Jameson upang mapalayo siya sa akin. Jameson raised both his arms in surrender.

"Chill. It was an accident," Jameson told Kenny.

"I don't care, bro. Stay the fuck away from my cousin." 

"I was helping her—"

"Not anymore," putol ni Ken sa kanya. "You can go now. I'll take care of the rest of this. Thanks for the concern."