The Princess and Her Knight (WHIPPED SERIES #1) (Completed)

Chapter 5

Electrifying Touch

I saw her fixing her hair when I walked inside her room. The light inside was dim, her fair but not white as paper skin glowed. I watched her until she was done and looked at my direction, still sitting in front of her dresser table. She was wearing her night wear, a dark red sleeveless that covered her legs, only if she wasn't sitting. The cloth was pulled up until the half of her legs while she continuously played with her hands, easing the tension between us. She was oblivious by the fire that was burning in me, her innocent face looking at me.

I leaned toward the door frame and looked at her intensely, the fire dancing and she was the innocent woman who triggered the fire.

"Sinisiguro ko lang na maayos ang lagay mo." I lied. It may be one of the reasons but it's because I wanted to see her. Her long dark hair that has a curl at the bottom part, her glowing ocean deep eyes, her cute nose, and her pink, plump lips. She was perfectly made to tempt me, for me to become sinfully attracted to her. "Would you like me to stay?"

She shook her head and then walked toward the edge of her bed. I watched her close, her steps were soft and small, gentle and undeniably beautiful.

Napaawang ang bibig ko nang makita ko siyang umupo. Inosente man, she is still my greatest seductress without her knowing it.

"Ayos lang naman ako. Thank you."

She always argue with me but tonight is different. She was at peace.

Tumango ako at tumalikod na. Nang isasarado ko na sana ang pinto ay nahagip ng tenga ko ang maliit na boses ni Catalina. It must have been so small but I heard it.

"Good night... sweet dreams."

A smile creeped on my lips as I softly closed the door, my heart pounded fast and heavy, almost painful but it felt so good.

Bumaba ako mula sa ikalawang palapag at naglakad papunta sa itim na pinto. Binuksan ko ito at narinig ang nakakairitang ingay ng paggalaw nito. Pumasok ako at nadatnan ang kapatid na naninigarilyo, nakaharap siya sa semi-window, ang kaniyang balikat ay tensyonado at mabigat ang kaniyang bawat paghinga.

"What was that, kuya?" He asked, his voice taunting.

I walked to the coffee table and grabbed the bottle of whiskey, filling the glass that was neatly prepared. Lumakad ako patungo sa kinatatayuan niya at mahinang inikot ang baso bago uminom. I saw my brother puffed smoke while intently staring at the outside of the mansion. Huminga ako ng malalim dahil minsan lang siya kung manigarilyo, at nasisiguro kong tungkol ito sa nangyari kanina.

"Wala."

Hindi siya sumagot at ilang segundo ay tumawa ng walang kabuhay-buhay.

"Hindi wala ang hinihintay kong sagot, kuya. That's far from nothing," he said and glared. "Ano, akala ko ba gusto mong malayo sa kaniya."

"That was four years ago, when she was still sixteen, enjoying life and her friends. At hindi ako ang lumapit, siya ang inilapit sa'kin."

The discussion ended with a long silence, there was barely a sound of our breathing that resonates in the cold room.

Morning came and I was still sitting, my back leaning at the sofa chair, head tilted toward the ceiling. My mind clouded by the images of Catalina. I swallowed the lump on my throat and touched the tip of my nose, trying to ease the tension that was building.

Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto sa kwarto. Sinarado ko ang aking mata at hinintay na pumasok si Cain. Wala namang magtatangkang pumasok nang walang paalam bukod sa kaniya. People in this house knew their place, Cain on the other hand felt like he was an exception.

"It's still dark outside, hindi ka pa matutulog?"

I sat straight before leaning my chin on my hands clasped, my forearm resting on my legs.

"Magbubukang liwayway na. Sa tingin mo ba may gana pa akong matulog?"

Tumango siya bilang tugon at may tinapon sa'kin. Mabilis ko iyong sinalo at tiningnan, it was a key.

"My birthday gift. Wala ako bukas kaya ngayon ko na binigay. Enjoy your day."

Umiling ako at ngumisi, tiningnan ko ang tag ng susi at nakita ang brand nito.

"I know you're not fond of motorbikes but for the sake of present, please, accept it."

Tumango na lamang ako saka tinaas ang kamay na may hawak ng susi. "Thanks for this."

Akala ko ay lalabas na siya nang huminto siya bigla sa harap ng pintuan. His back facing me when he spoke.

"Huwag mo munang ilalabas dito si Catalina. The election will be on three days, masyadong delikado para sa kaniya."

I know, I wanted to fire back but I know he was right. And he was just reminding me.

The remaining days will be bloodshed. Everybody would want the former mayor down, they wanted him out of the picture. At hindi ako tanga para hindi malaman 'yon, because some businessmen who were under me are paid to support the running candidates. Illegal business transactions are being held under my nose but they didn't know that the boss was at the back of their counterparts.

Catalina

Naglalakad ako sa mahabang pasilyo nang makita ko si Cain na pababa ng hagdanpalabas ng bahay. Tinakbo ko ang distansya namin at tinawag ang pangalan niya. He stopped and looked at me, his right brows raised.

"Bakit?"

I cleared my throat and handed him the envelope. Inside it was the letter I wanted to give my father.

"Pakibigay kay Papà, kung ayos lang."

Nanliit ang mata niyang tinitigan ang envelope bago tinanggap. Tumango siya saka tinalikuran ako ngunit hinila ko ang kaniyang braso dahilan para tingnan niya akong muli.

"Gusto ko rin sanang itanong kung mayroon kang balita tungkol kay Papà."

Binawi niya ang kaniyang braso saka pinasok ang kamay sa kaniyang magkabilang bulsa. I saw how the envelope crumpled as I bit my lower lips, fighting back the urge of hitting him.

"Your father is completely fine. He was discharged this morning. Any other questions?"

Iling ang sinagot ko sa kaniya bago niya akong iniwan ng mag-isa. I sucked in a deep breath and shrugged. Siguro ay ganoon talaga ang ugali niya.

Tumalikod na ako para pumunta ng kusina nang makita ko na may nakatayo pala sa likuran ko. Sa gulat ay napaatras ako bago napagtantong si Dante pala iyon. I stumbled back almost falling buti nalang at nahila niya ang aking braso. Nang mabalanse ang sarili ay tumingala ako at nakita si Dante na nakatitig sa'kin.

"Uh, sorry."

"Para saan?"

"Hindi kita napansin.. muntik na kitang mabangga."

I played with my fingers while looking at him, my neck suddenly felt stiff and I reached for it to massage it slightly.

"You okay?" He asked reaching for my nape. His hand felt like electricity as I stumbled back again. I sucked in a deep breath and swallowed. Nanginginig ang kamay na hinawakan ko ang parte na nahawakan ni Dante at ngumiti sa kaniya. Feeling ko ay tumaas lahat ng dugo ko sa kahihiyan.

"A-ayos lang ako."

Kumunot ang noo niya saka pinasok ang kaniyang mga kamay sa bulsa ng kaniyang pantalon.

"You looked flush."

Dumaan ang kamay ko sa aking mukha saka kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi. Oh, God. What are you doing to me, Dante? That was just a touch. A single touch in my nape!

Umiling ako at nilagpasan siya. Naramdaman ko pa ang pagsunod niya sa'kin. So close that I couldn't breath.