PROLOGUE
Aramis Eduardo's
The room was dark. Tanging ilaw mula sa buwan lang ang nagsisilbing liwanag. Bukas ang balkonahe ng kwarto kaya malayang pumapasok ang malamig na hangin dito. The cold breeze touched my bare skin and it sent shivers down my spine. My knees trembled with fear.
I am scared. Pero kailangan kong lakasan ang loob ko. I have no one but myself.
This is my last chance to have my freedom back. This is my last chance to get justice for myself but I will have it kapag tuluyang nakawala ako sa demonyong nakatawang-tao. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-back out dahil lang natatakot ako. This isn't the time to back out and live in fear.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa roba habang nililibot ko ang buong kwarto. Hindi ko magawang mapagtuunan ng pansin ang interior design nito. Sari-saring emosyon ang lumulukob sa akin, but I have to fight and overcome the fear. Hindi ako sigurado sa naturang plano ko, I'll forever hate myself for considering this plan and my hunger for freedom.
Kung tutuusin wala na naman akong babalikan pa. Everyone there abandoned me even what I used to call my family and destiny itself, kaya nga napasakamay ako ng isang masahol na nilalang.
"What do you need?" Damn that baritone voice! Muntikan na akong matapilok sa gulat. His voice still has the same effect on me.
Hinarap ko siya – he's topless. His chiseled chest is on view. Pakiramdam ko ay pinagpawisan ako nang malapot. Tanging kupasing maong lang ang suot niyang pang-ibaba.
His dark brown eyes met mine. Gustuhin ko mang mag-iwas ng tingin, hindi ko magawa. Nakasandal ito sa may teresa habang pinapaikot-ikot ang wine sa glass.
"Why are you here?" he asked me again with the same tone he usually uses on me.
Hindi ko alam kung paano ko s'ya pakikiharapan at kung paano kakausapin.
I gulped hard. I couldn't stare at him that long. Every passing second, I looked paler.
"G–give me back my freedom,"
Gusto kong iwasan ang mapanghipnotismo niyang tingin pero hindi ko rin magawang tumingin sa ibang direksyon.
He smirked.
"Why would I give it to you?"
Mas lalo akong napalunok. "I'll do everything you want," I answered unsure, but determined.
He glanced at me from head to toe, still wearing that smirk.
"What in that everything that could make me change my mind?" nanghahamon niyang tanong. Naglakad siya papalapit sa akin. I was glued on the spot. I couldn't move my feet.
He looked devilishly handsome being topless and that. Nangungusap ang mga mata niya at ang mga labing nang-aakit tikman. I should not think that way, oh gosh! He's a living sin! The merely reason why he's not yet dead is to tempt everyone that will come his way!
Well, he is really a demon with that freaking abs and biceps.
Holy moly.
"I–I..." I started taking off my robe. "P–pwede mong g–gawin ang lahat sa akin ngayong gabi," tumambad sa kanya ang skimpy lingerie na suot ko.
Huminga ako nang malalim. I'll give him the full access of my body in exchange of my freedom. Ang desperada ko, pero sa pagkakataong ito hindi ko kailangang pairalin ang dignidad ko kung may natitira pa man. Wala na akong maitatago pa sa kanya. He saw it already, and he even touched and entered my holes. Isang gabi lang, ipagkakanulo ko ang aking katawan.
I fought back my tears. This is my chance... my last chance.
I couldn't understand his stares but it was intense. It was like he was going to swallow me whole.
"Please, T–trigger,"
And with that, I don't know, instead of having my freedom back – no, I was still trapped.