Red Strings of Fate (Haunted Series 2)

Strings 28: Risk

I gulp down the acid coating my windpipe with her revelation. Sa lahat ng masasabi niya, hindi ko inaasahan na sasabihin niya 'to.

"I was scared of the dark, claustrophobic, I hate sleeping alone." Kitang kita ko ang tensyon sa kanyang panga at ang galit sa kanyang mga mata. "It was... well... I'm sure you can imagine how awful it was."

Napalunok ako. "I'm s—"

"Don't apologize. Don't feel sorry for me, okay? It was awful and terrifying. It destroyed me, but I worked through it. I'm not scared of all men or angry at the world or any of that stuff."

I say nothing as Jamie's expression turns fiercer than I've ever seen it.

"I've put it behind me. I have. But that's just a small part of what haunts our family." Tumango ako pero nanigas sa sunod niyang sinabi. "I'm not against your relationship with my brother."

She stares at me straight to my soul, delivering her message to my core. "But I want you to know—I want you to think if my brother is worth all this."

Hinawakan ko ang lamesa sa likod ko para matulungan akong tumayo.

"I have no idea what will happen next, but we won't ever back down from these threats, and it will be messy. Might be messier than what happened today."

Her words take me by surprise, even though they shouldn't. If there's anything I've learned about Jamie after working for her this long, it is that she has a strong sense of justice and compassion and doesn't back down when she decides to protect someone.

Humakbang siya palapit, "So go and save yourself before you're in too deep. Before you decide it's too much for you, and it's late because you're too attached, and both of you get hurt."

Unfortunately, I already am.

"TJ." Katok ko sa pintuan ng kwarto niya at inikot ang tingin sa walang laman na hallway. Sumisikat na ang araw kaya mayat maya ay may iikot nanamang staff dito. "Bossing."

Binuksan ni TJ ang pintuan at bumati sa akin ang gwapong nilalang na naka puting t-shirt at boxers.

"Here's your coffee."

Umalis agad ako pagkaabot ng kape sa kanyang kamay, pero hinila niya ako sa likod ng hoodie. "And where are you going?"

Lumingon ako sa kanya mula sa itaas. "Aalis?"

"You don't get to leave." Sinipa niya ang pinto at nang marinig namin ang pagsara nito, niyakap niya ako.

"Eh—"

Niyakap niya ako. I was shocked for a second until I let myself relax and hug him back. I didn't peg TJ to be a hugger. But in forty-eight hours, he has been squeezing my body like he's pumping my life, or I'm pumping him his.

TJ kissed my jaw quietly as if he were a bird pecking with its beak. As if he's asking for something. "You smell like lilies and peaches together."

I hummed at di mapigilan ang pagbulong ng konsensya ko. "Magtataka ang mga tao ang tagal ko rito sa kwarto."

"Fuck them." Hinila niya ako papunta sa corner table na meroong pagkain na nakahanda. "Eat. You didn't have dinner last night."

Nakasalansan ang ibat-ibang putahe sa lamesa. There is turkey smothered with sweet sauce, broccoli with pork as a side dish, and a cold pitcher of water.

Nakatitig lang ako sa pagkain nang umupo siya sa isang upuan. "Hindi ako nagugutom."

"Eat or I force-feed you?"

"TJ, hindi ako—" Hinila niya ako sa kanyang kandungan at niyakap ng kaliwa niyang kamay para hindi ako makagalaw.

Aapila pa sana ako pero gusto ko naman ang posisyon ko ngayon. Ang init ng kanyang katawan ang tumatanggal sa takot na naramdaman ko sa aking panaginip.