When The Bitch Falls

CHAPTER 4

Heres guided her to a table for two near the glass wall where they could gaze at the city lights. For a moment, she had forgotten that she was in the same space with Cadmium now.

"I'm still having second thoughts about going back to London," seryosong sambit nito at sumubo ng maliit na hiwa ng steak.

"You want to stay here with me?"

Kira cocked her head on the side and smiled at him seductively. Well, there's really no malice with that. They never share romantic feelings for each other. They're just close and she often tease him that way.

"Of course not!" pabirong pagtanggi nito kasabay ng marahang pag-iling. "I don't want to suffer that much in life."

"Whatever, freak," she uttered, stressing every syllable, as she crossed her arms above her chest. "I'm absolutely gorgeous!"

"You are as proud as a peacock," he mocked and chuckled a bit. "Ain't you, bleach-haired bad girl?"

Nanlilisik ang kanyang mga matang tinitigan si Heres. "Don't use your idioms on me, smarty pants. I may be a bitch but I still have my brains with me."

Hindi ito natinag sa masamang tingin na pinukol niya dito. Sa halip ay ngumisi lang si Heres na para bang may masamang balak. Yeah, that's how unpredictable her bestfriend is.

Gumapang ang mga kamay ni Heres papunta sa kanyang kamay na nasa ibabaw ng table. Marahan itong pinisil ng kaibigan nang tuluyang mahawakan.

Tumikhim si Heres at biglang sumeryoso ang mukha nito. And that look tells her he's up to something.

"Remember that promise we made when we were inside our treehouse years ago?"

She let out a chuckle. "What promise? Iyon bang papakasalan mo ako kapag 27 years old na ako?"

"Yeah, that one." Lumitaw ang matamis na ngiti sa labi nito. "I'm glad you remembered."

She faked a gasp. "That was silly!"

Sure they made that promise but they were too young back then. There's nothing serious about it.

"No, I've committed myself to that promise." Diretso ang tingin nito sa kanyang mga mata. "You're twenty six years old now. And after a year, you'll be Mrs. Heres Gerbana."

"Is thatㅡ"

Napasinghap si Kira nang may biglang humablot sa kanyang braso. Sumalubong sa kanyang paningin ang madilim na mukha ni Cadmium. Her nerves rumbled before his cold presence and because of his tight grip on her wrist. Napasinghap siya nang marahas siya nitong hinila patayo.

She flinched. She could feel her wrist bone breaking from his hold. "Ouch! Black!"

Biglang nawala ang pangungunot ng noo ni Cadmium nang dumako ang tingin nito sa kanyang braso. Lumuwag ang kapit nito. Akala niya'y bibitawan na siya nito nang tuluyan ngunit mabilis siyang kinaladkad ng binata palabas sa restaurant. As he dragged her out, she looked back at Heres with pleading eyes, her mind screaming for help. Unfortunately, Heres seemed to have no plan of rescuing her. He just shrugged his shoulders off and raised two thumbs up in the air. Her best friend is so wicked!

Tila napapasong binitawan ni Cadmium ang braso ni Kira nang makarating sila sa madilim na parte ng parking lot. Agad niyang hinaplos ang humahapding parte ng braso.

"What the hell is your problem?!" naiinis niyang tanong sa binata.

Napahinto si Cadmium sa paghilot sa sentido nito. Lumingon ito sa kanya at sinipat siya ng masamang tingin.

"You!" pagalit na sambit nito habang tinuturo siya. "Ikaw ang problema ko!"

Napapantastikuhan siya sa naging sagot nito. Kailan pa ito nagkaroon ng pakealam?

"Excuse me?" She crossed her arms above her chest. "Ano bang ginawa ko, ha? Pumunta ka lang ba dito para pangaralan na naman ako?"

Mariin itong pumikit at tumingala sa madilim na kalangitan. Ang magkabilang kamay nito'y lumapat sa sariling beywang. Nahuli niya itong bumubuga ng hangin sa ere.

"God, she's unbelievable!"He whispered which she didn't actually hear. That made her roll her eyes in irritation.

"Stop murmuring and just talk to me, will you? You can't just drag me here and ignore me afterwards!"

Nagbaba ito ng tingin. His intense gaze settled on her. And just like the old times, his eyebrows were meeting halfway when he threw her a glance. Her knees wobbled.

"Ikaw ang problema ko," mas mahinahon nitong sambit ngayon ngunit rinig niya pa rin ang galit sa tono ng pananalita nito. "Ikaw at iyang asal mo!"

Here they are again, talking about her bitchy attitude. Napabuntong-hininga siya. It stings a little to know that Black only sees her as a low-profiled woman. Right now, she badly needed to defend herself.

Tumikhim siya at taas-noong nagtanong, "Why do I have this feeling that you're too concerned about me?"

Napailing-iling ito. Siguro'y 'di masabayan ang kahanginan niya.

"Hindi ka ba nag-aalala sa kung anong tingin ng ibang tao sayo? Hindi ka ba nababahala sa reputasyon mo?" seryosong tanong ni Black. Kumislap ang mata nito sa ilalim ng ilaw ng poste. "I can see no elegance in you, Kira. You have all the wealth but you look so cheap."

Tila huminto ang paggalaw ng lahat ng bagay sa paligid niya. Sa ilang segundo ay wala siyang ibang narinig kung 'di ang boses ni Cadmium na paulit-ulit na binibigkas ang salitang 'cheap'. Her heart seemed to stop pumping.

A few moments later, when she has recovered from the pain, she composed herself and stared at Cadmium blankly.

"What can I do, Black? This is me. This is Kira Fuentes. And I won't change myself just to please you."

Napasinghap siya nang hawakan nito ang beywang niya. Kumalabog ang pintig ng puso niya nang hinila siya nito palapit. His manly scent ran through her nose, and to her head. This is the very first time he got real close to her. He's holding her and they're standing in a dark corner, under the moonlight. Downright romantic, if only they were in a different situation.

"Don't do it for me." Ipinaglandas nito ang daliri sa kanyang buhok. "Gawin mo para sa sarili mo, Kira."

Her lips parted as she was surprised of his sudden gentle gesture. She nodded, as if under hypnosis, her heart beating uncontrollably.

"Alright." Nagpakawala ito ng malalim na hininga at dumampi ang labi nito sa kanyang noo. "Good night."

Kira's eyes grew wide from the pressure of his soft lips against her skin. The least she expected tonight was his kiss. Miracles do happen sometimes.