A Bloodless War

Kabanata 17

I know... Naisip ko na 'yon pero ayaw paniwalaan ng puso ko.

"He pretended to be the person he's not. He lied to you. Don't hate me, okay? Gusto ko lang na magising ka sa katotohanang hindi lang siya ang nasasaktan. I know you're hurting too pero itinatago mo kaya ka mas nasasaktang lalo..."

"I also thought about it but..."

"Why did he stick to you in the first place?" she cut me off. "Why did he pretended to be someone you can trust kahit alam niyang kalaban ka, huh? Lyx? Ever thought about that?"

Natahimik na lang ako.

"Paano pala kung kagaya mo ay misyon din niya ang kunin ang loob mo para bumigay ka?" That hurt me.

Hindi ko naisip 'yon. I was thinking positive that maybe he's there to be my haven, to be my family...

"Kalaban mo siya, Lyx. He's Archer and you're Viper. You're both in two different sides. Do you think he'll keep you because of other reasons?"

That was my wake-up call.

Kumirot ang dibdib ko sa sinabi niya at kumuyom ang kamay ko.

"I am just thinking about your safety, Lyx. What if one day he'll stab you to death? Hindi natin alam, Lyx..." she said softly. Lumapit siya sa akin at naupo sa tabi ko.

"I was just worried about you, kasi palagi na lang ang kapakanan ni Zeijan ang nasa isip mo sa mga nakalipas na taon. Ayokong sisihin mo ang sarili mo sa pakikitungo niyang iyon sa 'yo kasi una sa lahat, siya ang unang nagsinungaling..."

Nangilid ang luha ko sa sinabi niya at inabot niya ang kamay ko at hinawakan.

"Think of your safety this time, Lyx. I'm worried about you, Antonio almost killed you when you pretended not to know Archer's identity..."

"Ibig sabihin... Kaya niya ako nilalapitan dahil sa misyon niya?" mahinang sabi ko.

"I think so. He knows you're Viper so bakit siya lalapit nang walang dahilan, 'di ba?" I nodded.

"Sorry, hindi ko naisip 'yon," bulong ko.

"For now, h'wag mo muna siyang isipin. Focus on your work, mission 'tsaka sa Mommy mo. Think of yourself, Lyx. Sarili mo lang ang makakapitan mo."

Napaluha na ako sa sinabi niya at kaagad niya akong hinila para yakapin.

"I'm sorry, Lyx, if you have to experience this..." My heart throbbed painfully.

He came so he can kill me too. Kaya ba siya nakipaglapit sa akin dahil sa misyon niya? He didn't treat me as his wife. He sticked because of his mission.

Para akong nabuhusan ng tubig sa nalaman at napagtanto. I was an idiot. Humapdi ang puso ko at namuo ang galit sa puso ko.

He... He manipulated me, he betrayed me. I was just too dumb to even realize that.

I can't believe I fell for his lies. He was nothing but a liar, a cheater and a fucking manipulator. I was just naivé enough to trust him.

•─────⋅☾ ☽⋅─────•

"WEARING a black tuxedo, Vipe," Hawk said. Inayos ko ang earpiece sa tainga ko at tinabunan ng buhok.

"Hmm, 'yong picture na pinakita mo, is that the latest photo he has?" tanong ko.

"Yes," he answered. "He'll be there in five."

"Okay, I'll keep you updated," sagot ko. "Is Trece in there?"

"Yup, hacking the cameras so we can see his location," sagot niya.

I fixed my dress. I am wearing a silver satin maxi dress and a two inches black stiletto for the night's event.