The First Fall

Chapter Eighteen

     I pulled away again as the scent of her perfume fills my nose as I take in a deep breath. How can she be this confident and strong, yet still carry an air of insecurity and vulnerability?

     Nanatili siyang tahimik at nakatingin lang sa aking mga mata. I know that her mind is spinning right now, looking for the right words to say. So, I didn't push her more. Napabuntong-hininga ako at lumayo para makaupo ng maayos. Ibinaba ko yung kanyang pang-itaas, at hinawi yung kanyang buhok pagkatapos.

     "I'm sorry if my words have stirred up something in you," I say softly. "But I mean every word."

     Nagsimula akong tumayo sa sofa para pulutin yung kanyang mga damit, pero pinigilan ako ng kanyang kamay sa pag-alis. Napaupo siya at tumingala sa akin. "Can I stay here for tonight?" She asked.

     A feeling of warmth floods in my chest at her request, and I nod my head without hesitation. "Of course," I say, my voice reassuring. "You're welcome to stay here. Come, you can freshen up upstairs."

     Inalok ko yung aking kamay at tumayo si Ilya para ayusin yung kanyang damit para matakpan yung kanyang ibaba. I smiled at how cute she looks right now. With a confident step, I led the way, guiding her towards the stairs that ascended to my bedroom. The soft glow of the hallway lights illuminated our path.

     I may be a son of a bitch, and a crazy motherfucker obsessed with her, but I understand her hesitation. At tsaka kakapatay lang niya kay Darren kanina at baka high pa siya sa adrenaline....and also to what I just gave her.

     Sa dulo ng hallway, binuksan ko yung pinto ng aking kwarto, gesturing my left hand for her to get inside, while the other is holding her clothes. I lean against the door frame as I watch her take in the decor of my bedroom.

     Yung kama ay makikita sa gitna na nakasandal sa isang dingding na may mga katabing bedside table sa magkabilaan nito. There is really nothing special about my room; it's rather just a plain one—no ostentatious details or opulent adornments. On the bed, pillows and sheets in dark shades of blacks, grays, and blue. Yung tanging nagdadagdag kulay lang rito sa kwarto ko ay yung blue-gray na rectangular carpet sa sahig, wooden panels sa ulo ng kama, yung puting kurtina sa bintana at strip lights na nakapalibot sa gilid ng kisame.

     Pinagmasdan ni Ilya yung aking kwarto nang para bang may hinahanap siya rito. "Bakit?" Tanong ko.

     Humarap siya sa akin nang may maliit na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. "Tinitingnan ko lang na baka nakakabit rito yung painting ko."

     "I'm sorry, but you will never see art in here."

     "Why not? Ang ganda ng dingding mo para hindi sabitan ng painting," sabi niya.

     When I tell you that Calliope hates the simplicity of my home, she is right.

     Umalis ako sa pagkakasandal sa pinto at lumapit sa kanya. "I just like my space unpretentious," I answered and pointed at an arch on a wall at our left. "You can use my bathroom over there. Iiwanan nalang kita ng damit rito sa kama. I'll just head down to my office in a bit."

     "I can use the bathroom in your guest bedroom, Killian."

     "No."

     "I can sleep there too, kung may gagawin ka pa."

     My eyes darken. "No. You will not."

     "Ayokong makaistorbo."

     "Ilya, when I said that you have this effect on me," I began, my voice tinged with a mixture of sincerity and vulnerability, "I meant it in ways I can't fully put into words."