Dagger Series #8: Uncovered

Chapter 6: Decency

"And that's okay with you?" Ember asked. "You never hated him for taking so long?"

"It's not his fault that he didn't fall in love with me first." Kumagat ako sa hawak ko na tinapay. "Why would I resent someone for that? Wala namang on and off switch ang puso. Just because we like someone doesn't mean that the feelings will automatically be reciprocated."

Belaya pursed her lips a little. "Pero hindi ka napagod? Some would have given up."

I did give up. At some point, I did.

"I'm a Dawson," I said with a shrug, as if it were enough of an explanation.

Nagtaas ulit ng kamay si Mireia. "Last question." Nang tumango ako ay nagpatuloy siya, "Hindi ka na galit kay Lucienne? Kahit kaunti?"

My gaze went to Lucienne, and she gave me a reassuring smile, as if telling me that it's okay even if I did. "Hindi."

"Why not?" Mireia pressed.

"Because I love her too. Why would I hate her? It wasn't her fault. Wala sa kanilang dalawa ang may kasalanan. Liking Magnus is my choice."

Lumambot ang mukha ni Lucienne at inangat niya ang tasa niya ng kape na parang nakikipag-cheers. "Aww I wuv you too!"

Naiiling na idinikit ko ang tasa ko sa kaniya bago ko pinadaanan ang tingin ang mga babae. "May mga tanong pa ba? Masipag akong sumagot ngayon."

"Napansin ko nga," nakangising sabi ni Belaya. "Getting anything from you before feels like pulling teeth out of their sockets."

Mireia nodded in agreement. "Kaya nga nilubos na namin ngayon."

My brothers, Trace and Axel, approached the table and took their seats as well. Kasunod nila sina Kuya Gun at Kuya Pierce.

"I would rather answer your questions about me and Magnus than to talk about what happened last night."

The atmosphere instantly shifted to something more heavy. Anyone could have cut the tension in the air with a knife.

Itinaas ko ang kamay ko nang makita kong magsasalita sana si Kuya Thorn. "Can we talk about it later? I know everyone wants to know. But I want to eat first without emptying my stomach."

My eldest brother nodded, his face grim. The expressions on the other men's faces weren't any better.

Pinanlakihan ko ng mga mata si Kuya Trace. Siya ang clown namin. Baka hindi pa kaming matunawan lahat kapag hindi nabago ang mood ng paligid.

Malakas na napabuntong-hininga ako nang hindi mabago ang ekspresyon sa mukha niya. He might be our cheerful chihuahua, but he's still my brother. None of them will be at ease that their little sister is the focus of the kind of attention that no one would want on anyone.

"That wasn't the only reason." Lahat kami ay napabaling kay Magnus nang siya ang bumasag sa tensyon sa paligid. "It wasn't just because I was honest with my feelings or that you're a Dawson."

Himala at kusang nagsasalita ang isang 'to ngayon. Kung sa ibang araw ay baka hinayaan niya na lang malipat sa iba ang usapan. Maybe he felt my desperation to change the subject.

"Eh ano? You just didn't find me attractive enough?" Itinuro ko ang mga kapatid ko at pagkatapos ay tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Ayusin mo ang sagot mo. Kapag hindi nagustuhan ng mga kapatid ko ang sagot mo baka matuluyan kang ilibing ng buhay."

"Don't be absurd," he said, ignoring my threat. "You know you're beautiful."

"Alam ko. Gusto ko lang masiguro na alam mo."