One Last Time

Kabanata VII: RESCUED

Rescued.
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"KEI, umuwi na si Sapphire. Uuwi na rin kami. Hindi ka pa ba sasabay sa'min?"

I glanced at Anja when I felt her hand on my shoulder. "You two go ahead. Ayoko pang umuwi," I replied.

"Lasing ka na. Sumabay ka na sa'ming umuwi. Baka mapano ka pa kapag iniwan ka naming mag-isa dito." Nag-aalalang sabi ni Irinne na nasa tabi ko.

I exhaled a frustrated sigh. "Just leave me here. I can take care of myself."

"No! We are going home, whether you like it or not."

My eyebrow raised in disbelief as Anja swiftly moved the shotglass away from me before I could touch it.

I gave Anja an irritated look. "What on earth are you doing, Anj?"

I stood up and tried to snatch the shotglass from her, but she quickly moved it away from my reach.

"I already said we're going home, Kei." Anja stated firmly.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "I'm not going home. What part of 'just leave me here' don't you understand?"

"Fine! Do whatever you want! Bahala ka!" Anja snapped before turning her back on me without a second thought.

I shrugged and glanced at Irinne, who was just watching us. "I'm not really drunk, Irinne. Just follow Anja and go home too."

Irinne exhaled a sigh. "Okay. We're leaving. Have your driver pick you up. And please don't go with someone you don't even know."

"Yeah, I got it. Bye!"

Nagbeso muna kami ni Irinne bago siya nagpaalam sa'kin. Hinatid ko siya ng tingin habang naglalakad palayo hanggang sa tuluyan na siyang mawala sa paningin ko.

"Mind if I sit beside you?"

Puminid ang labi ko nang marinig ko ang malalim na boses sa'king tabi.

"Go ahead." Malamig ang tinging nilingon ko ang taong 'yon.

"Thanks."

Sumalubong sa'kin ang pares ng asul mata ng lalaking nakatayo sa gilid ko. He's wearing a black three-piece suit, and his black Scorpion tattoo on the side of his neck was clearly visible.

The man flashed a wide smile at me. Naglahad ito ng kamay sa'kin. "By the way, ma'am, my name is Yllad and yours?"

"Keira," I replied, ignoring his hand in front of me.

Sandali ko siyang pinasadahan ng tingin bago ko ibinalik ang mga mata ko sa shotglass na nasa harapan ko. Naramdaman ko naman ang pag-upo niya sa tabi ko.

"A woman with a few words huh? Interesting..." he said.

I wrinkled my nose when I heard him even chuckle. Malamig ang ekspresyong nilingon ko siya. "Are you flirting with me?"

He brushed up his mid-fade haircut and gave me a sly smile. "If that's what you think, then I guess I am."

I raised an eyebrow, especially when he brought his face closer to mine, with one hand on the counter. His alcohol breath is now hitting my face.

Umismid ako saka inilayo ang mukha ko. "Sorry, but I'm not interested in you-"

Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko nang biglang hinapit ng isa niyang kamay ang baywang ko palapit sa kanya.

I swallowed hard, I could feel my body shuddering in fear.

"But I'm interested in someone like you..." His lips curved into a devilish smile. "Keira Yturralde."