#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: TERMS
TIARA'S POV
"Arms up."
I tried not to smile, and I did what Domino said. Naramdaman kong tumayo siya sa likod ko at itinali ang ribbon ng suot ko na apron. When he was done, he circled back to my front, and I couldn't stop giggling anymore.
I'm wearing a pink apron with lace ruffles. It looks like it came straight from the 50s. But it's not the reason why I can't keep a straight face. It was because of the similar apron that Domino is wearing. Except his was blue.
"Is this really necessary?" I asked.
"You don't like it? It looks beautiful on you."
I bit the inside of my cheek, but there was really no way to keep my amusement locked inside me. "You look beautiful too."
He turned from side to side while holding the skirt of his apron. He batted his eyelashes at me demurely, which is in contrast to his words. "I know, right?"
I snickered in response, which made him grin. Domino always seems to have an unlimited pool of confidence. And it's not just him. Napansin ko na rin iyon sa mga kapatid niya. Though, unlike some people, their confidence doesn't come with arrogance. With them, it feels natural and, at times, funny.
I eyed the food on the center island. "So... what are we going to do first?"
"We're going to wash the vegetables."
Sinimulan niyang alisin ang mga gulay sa mga lalagyanan no'n at lumapit ako sa kaniya para tulungan siya. The corner of his lips tipped up, but he didn't say anything. When we were done, he started inspecting the greens, and he plucked some that appeared to be withered.
Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. "Can you get the colander under the sink for me?" When I just stood there looking at him blankly, his eyes flickered with amusement. "A strainer of some kind."
Oh. "Coming right up, Sir—" I stopped when I suddenly remembered the conversation we had when we first met. With the way he's staring at me, it looks like he's remembering the same thing. "Chef."
"Hmm."
I quickly turned my back on him so I could hide my face from him. Not just because I feel embarrassed by the memory, but also because I don't want him to notice how his simple "hmm" affects me.
I opened the sink base cabinet, and I pulled out the first thing that I saw.
"That's a sieve," Domino said. Binalik ko ang hawak ko at kumuha ako ng isa pa. "That's a chinois strainer." I let out a sigh, and I pulled out another one. "That's a spider—"
Magkasalubong ang mga kilay na dumiretso ako ng tayo at nilingon ko siya. "Please just describe it to me because if you don't, I'll be here all day and I won't find what you're looking for."
Hindi siya nagsalita at nanatili lang siyang nakatingin sa akin. Domino didn't look surprised at my outburst. He also doesn't look turned off by it, because the way he's looking at me tells me that he's feeling the exact opposite.
"What?!" I hissed.
"Millie Mouse," he said, trying to fight a smile. "I didn't understand one thing you said except for "what"."
Damn it. Sometimes the Ukrainian in me makes an appearance before I even realize it, and this is one of those times. I wasn't even aware that I wasn't speaking English if he didn't point it out.
Pumikit ako at humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago ko siya muling binalingan. I plastered a practiced smile on my face that I usually give strangers that attend my shows, which seems to amuse Domino more. "Please describe what you want to me because if you don't, we will be here all day because I wouldn't be able to find what you're looking for."
He chuckled. "Okay, baby."
Did he just... I already have Millie mouse, then doll, now I have baby?
"It looks like a big bowl. It's aluminum. It has holes and two handles."
I forced myself to look away from him so that I could focus on the task at hand. Halos kahati na ang katawan ko ang nakapasok sa ilalim ng sink bago ko nahanap ang colander na kailangan niya. When I crawled back so that I could remove myself from the cabinet, I found Domino standing close with his hand at the edge of the sink, as if making sure that I wouldn't bump into it when I stood up.
There was an unfamiliar fluttering in my stomach for some reason because of his action.
I looked down. "Tyscha!", I said in my mind to attempt to hush the fluttering. Why does something as simple as that give me butterflies in my stomach?
"Is this it?" I asked him, showing him the kitchen utensil.
"Yup. Great job."
I just rolled my eyes at him before I straightened up. Inabot ko sa kaniya ang colander at nameywang ako habang pinapanood siya. Nilagay niya ang mga gulay sa loob niyon at pagkatapos ay nilagay niya sa lababo para hugasan. Huh. So that's how you use it.
"Can I ask you something?"
He glanced at me. "Of course you can, doll."
Let's get this over with. "You like me. That much is obvious to me."
Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya. "I do."
"But what's with the Millie Mouse, doll, and baby? Do you call all your clients with endearments, or I'm different because you like me, so I have all three?" I asked, the last part laced with sarcasm.
"I like you, so you're the only one who has any." Inangat niya ang colander at nang wala ng tumutulo ay kumuha siya ng isang zucchini at sinimulan niya iyong hiwain. "I call my clients ma'am or sir, miss or mister, or I just call them by their name if they ask me to."
I ignored the elation I instantly felt because of his words. What he just told me, the way he acknowledged that I'm an exemption from all the clients that came into his life, makes me feel special.
"That's a lot of endearments for just one person," I muttered, acting coyly. "Paano pa kaya kapag in love ka na?" My skin flushed when I realized how my words could come off to him. "I mean, I'm not saying that... I'm that person. Ang ibig kong sabihin ay sa kung sino mo gusto... umm... someday."
Domino shrugged. "I guess the person that I will love will get five."
He didn't even hesitate to answer. "Wow."
"It's only natural that she gets to have more, right?"
Kumuha ako ng zucchini sa colander at umabot din ako ng sarili kong kutsilyo. Sinimulan kong gayahin ang ginagawa niya sa chopping board na nasa tabi ng sa kaniya.
"Sure," I said without a hint of emotion. Pinokus ko na lang ang sarili ko sa harapan ko. Since I'm not good in the kitchen, I'm basically just stabbing the poor vegetable.
Naramdaman ko na kumilos siya at tumayo sa likuran ko. He stopped my right hand from moving, and he reached for the other. He tucked my fingers into a claw-like way, and then, still holding the other one, he helped me chop the zucchini.
"You almost gave me a heart attack," he murmured, his breath brushing the side of my neck. "Always tuck your fingers so you won't cut yourself."
Tinangka kong bawiin ang kamay ko pero hindi pa rin niya ako pinakawalan at sa halip ay nagpatuloy siya sa ginagawang pag-alalay sa akin sa paghihiwa. "I got it."
"I don't think you do."
Naniningkit ang mga mata na nag-angat ako ng mukha sa kaniya. "I said I got it."
"Eyes back on the board," he ordered firmly, and I automatically did what he asked. What is wrong with me? "You don't get it, doll."
"I do—"
"You only need two more."
Nagtataka man ay hindi ako tumingin sa kaniya. I know he'll just make me look back on what I'm doing. "What?"
His breath tickled my neck. "Two endearments."
I stilled, finally understanding that we were no longer talking about my knife skills—or lack of it. "I-I don't know what you're talking about.
"Mine and wife."
I NEARLY JUMPED from my seat when Domino's booming voice echoed and filled the huge space of the living room. Hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko at sa kabila ng nagdaan sa amin ay napangiti ako nang tumayo pa siya habang hawak ang maliit na banner na may mukha at pangalan ng sister-in-law niya na si Ember.
The reason he was teaching me how to cook was not just because he wanted me to learn but also because he said that it's game night. I didn't ask more, but I was expecting that it'd be about some sports like basketball, football, baseball, or any of those that most men love. Hindi ko nga lang inaasahan na ang game night na tinutukoy niya ay ang competition ni Ember na ngayon ay nasa China para sa World Archery Championships.
I eyed the food on the coffee table in front of us. There's Crispy Lemon Parmesan Zucchini, Eggplant Pizza, Pesto Grilled Shrimp, Spinach Hummus, and Kutia, which is made of wheat berries, which happened to be one of my favorite Ukrainian foods that babusya used to make for me. I don't know how he learned to cook it. I don't even remember telling him that I liked it, though I think it came up in one of my interviews.
Everything was cooked by him, though I assisted him. Barely. Tagalagay lang ako ng ingredients, taga-sprinkle ng kung anuman, at tagahawak ng plato habang hinihintay siya na matapos siya sa ginagawa niya.
I didn't complain since I doubt my brain can handle anything that requires the use of more than two brain cells after he dropped the "mine and wife" bomb in the kitchen.
It was awkward. At least for me. Domino was just his usual happy self, as if he didn't just blow my mind.
"Perfect score again!" Domino shouted while sitting back down. Nagniningning ang mga mata na nilingon niya ako habang nakaturo sa smart TV niya. "Did you see that? She was amazing!"
"She is," I agreed.
It's like Ember has an aversion when it comes to having less than a perfect score. She never missed it, and I never saw something like it. She was so different from the quiet woman I've met. Now on the screen, it's like she's some fictional character from a dystopian novel, conquering the world with just a bow and arrow.
"You know, you could have swapped with someone to stay with me. It's not like I need to go anywhere."
Pulling his attention from the screen, he looked at me. "Hmm?"
I inclined my head to point at the television. "So you could watch her live. Ang sabi ng mga sister-in-law mo ikaw daw ang official fan boy nila. Maybe you should have traded shifts with someone else so you could join your family."
Sa pagkakaalam ko ay bukod kay Trace ay kasama rin ang iba pang mga babaeng Dawson. The men also came, except for Thorn, Gun, and Coal.
"I wouldn't trade being here for anything else." Kinindatan niya ako dahilan para mamula ang mukha ko. "Besides, it's normal with our job to miss some things. My sisters-in-law understand that. Tignan mo nga si Kuya Axel ngayon lang nakalabas iyan ng control room para samahan ang asawa niya sa ibang bansa." He raised an eyebrow at me, but there was a playful smile playing on his lips. "Are you tired of me now?"
"N-No. Of course not! That's not why I asked."
"Akala ko naghahanap ka ng ibang gwapo kasi nagsasawa ka na sa mukha ko."
"W-What—"
"Because that wouldn't be an easy request since I doubt you can find anyone more handsome than me."
I rolled my eyes. He's teasing me again. "Your brothers would disagree."
His gaze narrowed. "Do you find them handsome?"
"Who wouldn't?"
"No. But do you? Find any Dawson men acttractive?" he pressed.
"Sure." You.
"Who?"
Nagkibit-balikat ako. "All of them."
"But if you'll just choose one?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Why are you so invested with this?"
"Just because."
Hindi muna ako sumagot agad. The truth is, I wasn't lying. They are all handsome. But of course I'll choose one, I would be choosing the one sitting beside me. "Uhh... Gun?"
"Why?"
"I don't know. There's something about him that I like." Sandaling nakatingin lang siya sa akin na para bang may mali akong nasabi. "What?"
Binalik niya ang atensyon niya sa screen at dumampot siya ng iba't ibang klaseng pagkain at inilagay iyon sa plato niya. The way he's moving brusquely reminds me of a child throwing a tantrum.
I picked up a piece of crispy zucchini and nibbled on it. I haven't tasted anything yet from the food we cooked, but surprisingly, I like this one.
Imbis na panoorin si Ember ay paulit-ulit na napupunta ang atensyon ko kay Domino hanggang sa siya na lang ang pinapanood ko. He's stuffing his face with food angrily as if the food did something to offend him.
"Shcho ne tak?"
Like he always does when I speak my language, it's like he couldn't help himself, and he's gravitating towards me. He held my gaze for a moment, but he quickly averted it by dropping his eyes on the zucchini I'm holding.
"What's wrong?" repeating my question, but this time in English.
"Nothing," he mumbled. "Is that the only thing you're going to eat?"
Tinignan ko ang hawak ko. "I'll eat two."
For a moment, his adult version of a pout disappeared, and he gave me a look that was telling me that there's no way he'll let me only eat two.
"I ate an apple before we started cooking and—" I let out a surprise shriek when I felt him tugging me up. I wasn't even standing that long when he pulled me and deposited me right on his lap. "Wha... what? W-What are you doing?"
"I told you. I'll make you sit on my lap and feed you," he answered simply.
"I... I don't think this is appropriate."
"Do you feel like slapping me and throwing a law suit in my face?"
"No. But—"
"Do you hate this because there's nothing in me that you like? Hindi katulad sa kapatid ko?"
Oh. He was pouting because of that?
Sa kabila ng mukhang sama ng loob niya ay umabot pa rin siya ng pagkain mula sa plato niya at isinubo niya iyon sa akin. Unable to resist him, my mouth instinctively opened to take in the food he was offering.
"When we first met, you seemed to hesitate a lot about touching me."
Inumang niya sa bibig ko ang isang piraso ng eggplant pizza at kumagat ako ro'n. I licked my lower lip unconsciously, and the glint in Domino's eyes was back as he stared at my lips. "What about it?" he murmured.
"What changed?" I waved a hand at the both of us. "You're obviously over whatever reason you had before."
"I was a stranger to you."
"We still barely know each other right now."
"I was a stranger to you," he said again. "And you're young. You don't need a creepy old man circling around you. So I held myself back from approaching you."
I tried not to roll my eyes at his "creepy old man" remark. None of the Dawson men looked their age. Besides, he's in his early thirties. That's not old. "And how about now?"
He didn't answer for a few heartbeats, as if my question were something that was not easy to answer. "I stopped."
"You stopped?"
"I stopped fighting." His hand rose, and he used his thumb to wipe my lower lip. "There was never a chance of winning anyway. Not when it comes to you."
Shit. Now what do I say to that?
Right at this very moment, I know that even ballet couldn't empty my mind. Nothing could help me block the memory of him. Domino has always been consuming, and I was far too gone to stop him from taking over what's left of me.
"I lied," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Lied?"
"I do know why I like your brother." When his lips parted as if to speak, I beat him to it. "He's broody, and that's not my thing. I like a man who has an easy smile. But I do notice how Gun commands presence, and that's what I like about him."
His eyes turned unreadable. "Right."
"You command presence like it's your second nature. You made me trust you enough to follow what you tell me to do, which normally doesn't happen to me. Not without me getting stressed out in the end because, with other people, every fiber of my being doesn't want to do it. But with you, I feel relieved. I feel at ease."
"Tiara—"
"We're moving at the speed of light, and I can't breathe, but for some reason I don't care. Or I don't want to care. I like your smile. I like that you take care of me. I like that with you, I don't need to think of anything else."
I don't know what's going to happen. Everything that made me who I am is telling me to stop, but I couldn't. Every fear I have—those that are hiding in the darkest corners of my soul—feels like a vice around my neck that wants to stop the sound coming from my lips.
"There's a lot of things about you that I like. But I guess by now you know me. I don't look at the future like everyone else. For me, I already have one waiting for me, and I'm not sure I'm ready to mess that up. So I don't know how this would work. I don't know if I want it to work. I don't know if I would want more than liking these things—liking you. What I do know is that I don't want to think about anything. I don't want to face the questions that keep piling up every day when I'm around you. I don't want answers. At least not yet." I met his gaze, and I tried my best not to get swept up with the emotions circling in his. "Can you live with that?"
Umangat ang kamay niya. He caught a lock of my hair between his fingers, and he played with it. "What if I could? What would you want from me then?"
Bozhe moya. Is this really happening? Did I just say all those things to him? Do I really want the possible result of the answer that I would give to him?
"Everything." His eyes flashed at my words, and the proximity between us became more apparent, making the air start to thin and undeniable heat flare up around us.
"I don't think you know exactly what that means, doll." He brushed his thumb along my lower lip again, lingering for a moment. "What if I take everything?" Our gazes connected, and as if it were a trap that had been waiting for me, he didn't let me go. "Can you live with that?"
Everything. The word suddenly holds so much meaning. And god, I can't deny that it frightens me at the same time that it's awakening something inside me that I've never met. Someone who needs all he can give. Someonewhot yearns for it.
"Yes," I said breathlessly. "Until it's over and I'm free to walk away from your castle's walls."
For a moment, I thought he would say no. He seems to be the kind of person who is looking for the same things his siblings have. Stability. Commitment. An unchanging future. So I was a little surprised when he agreed easily. "Okay then."
"You agree?" I confirmed.
"Yes." Umangat ang isang kilay niya. "Do you?"
"It was my idea. Of course I do."
"You can't back out now," he said, his tone sounding like a challenge.
Sa kabila ng nararamdaman ko ay pilit na pinakalma ko ang ekspresyon ko. "You can't either." I cleared my throat and squared my shoulders. "So once everything concludes regarding my case, we will be over too."
"That wasn't what I agreed on."
My eyes widened. "What—"
"You want everything, I'll give it to you. I'll stop holding back. You don't want to think about anything else? About how we will label us? The future? So be it. I always like the present more, so I'll make sure that you have nothing to think about except everything that I'm about to give you. When everything is over, when you're safe, when you can walk out freely of this place on your own, I wouldn't stop you. Because when that time comes, I'll make sure that you come back on your own. That you will want to."
"Domino—"
"Because I agree on one thing. The danger around you? I want it to be done just like you do." I stiffened when he leaned down so that he could whisper in my ear. "But I never agreed on us being over."
"That's not... that's not..."
A gasp fell from my lips when I felt warmth touch my ear, followed by the graze of what I'm sure were his teeth. "That's why you always need to clear the terms before agreeing on something, doll. I told you. You can't back out now."
_________________________End of Chapter 13.