#DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries
A/N: Don't worry. Lilinaw din 'yan. Mga dalawang chapters pa. Be patient at damahin niyo muna kasi mas ma-i-i-stress kayo sa mga susunod pa na chapters :)
CHAPTER 11: SAFE
LUNA'S POV
Napabaling ako sa mga kapatid ko na mga nakatayo di kalayuan nang makita ko na sila ang pinagbubulungan ng kumpol ng mga babae na dumaan sa tabi ko. All my brothers look dashing in their suits, but they also look like they would rather be anywhere but here. Their minds are probably filled with all the work they left behind. Hindi na ako magtataka na workaholic ako. Hindi lang naman ako ang nag-iisa sa pamilya.
Tanging sina Kuya Axel at Kuya Pierce lang ang wala rito dahil sila ang naiwan sa opisina. But their wives are here together with the other Dawson wives.
Sa totoo lang ay hindi ko naman talaga sila inimbitahan. I'm not usually reserved when it comes to using my connections, and they're also my family, so I know they won't turn me down, but I know how busy they are. Isa pa ay mga kilalang personalidad sila. People line up, and some even pay a huge amount of money just to invite them to events.
I used Maven to promote Zachary Carter's art event. Wala pa atang sampung minuto pagkatapos ng announcement ng Maven ay sunod-sunod ang naging notification sa messenger ko dahil tinatag na ako ng mga sister-in-law ko na nagtatanungan na kung anong oras sila pupunta at kung anong kailangan nilang isuot.
"This is the best night of my life."
I gave the man beside me a glance, and I chuckled. Zachary looks like he's on cloud nine while watching the scene in front of us.
"They all purchased something. Belaya Lawrence-Dawson even bought a series of art photographs."
Malaki ang pamilya ni Belaya. Hindi na ako magtataka kung marami siyang naisip na pagbigyan kaya nag-panic buying siya.
Tinapik-tapik ko ang likod ni Zachary. "You can cry. I won't judge."
Nilukutan niya ako ng ilong pero hindi mawala-wala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya. Zachary's an art curator and owner of Obscura. He's an artist himself, and I know some of his creations are up for sale tonight as well. Obscura is starting to make its name known in the art industry, and they earn enough to keep the business going, but they're still relatively new.
I came across his gallery when I was looking for a photoshoot location. Since then, he has become my go-to connection when we need photographs or paintings as props for our shoot or if we need an artist.
Inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid. There's a lot being showcased tonight. Hindi lang paintings o photographs ang makikita. There are also sculptures, calligraphy, pottery and ceramics, mixed-media, and even digital art.
Kaya hindi na nakakapagtakang ang laki ng espasyo na inookupa ng Obscura. It's like all the colors that exist in the world decided to be here to party. Arts with different colors, sizes, and forms decorated the vast space. The paintings alone covered a wide range of artistic styles. There's landscape, portraits, geometric art, abstract, surrealism, and so much more.
"Choose any art you want." Nagniningning ang mga matang nilingon ako ng lalaki. "Libre ko na."
"Kahit ano?" nagdududang tanong ko.
"Siyempre mas gusto ko kung isa sa mga gawa ko ang pipiliin mo."
Napangisi ako. Of course he would prefer that. Para nga naman wala siyang babayaran na artist kapag binigay niya sa akin ng libre ang mapipili ko.
Itinuro ko ang painting na nasa malapit sa kinaroroonan namin. It's a landscape painting of a red tree illuminated by the moon. I've been admiring it before my family caught my attention.
My smile widened when Zachary feigned a wince. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Hindi sa'yo 'yan? You used to love painting landscapes."
"Unfortunately for me, that's not one of mine. It's from that artist." Itinuro niya ang isang lalaki na pinagkukumpulan na mga tao i kalayuan sa amin. One look at the man, and I know he's an artist. His curly hair falls just right above his collarbone, and he's wearing a gorgeous white tuxedo with splashes of orange strokes with complicated patterns and lines. "That's Darius Benitez."
My eyebrows furrowed a bit. "I think I've seen him somewhere before. Is he famous?"
"Of course you're familiar with him. He's—"
Hindi niya natapos ang sasabihin niya nang lumapit sa kaniya ang babae niyang sales associate. Nakangiting tinanguhan ko si Zachary nang tapunan niya ako ng tingin na humihingi ng dispensa bago siya sumama sa empleyado niya na mukhang may importanteng kailangan sa kaniya.
"Cute bracelet."
Nilingon ko ang pinanggalingan nang nagsalita at nakita ko si Lucienne na nakalapit na pala sa akin. She's looking down at my wrist, and I looked down to see that I'm still wearing the glittery beaded bracelet I was given yesterday. Hindi ko pala natanggal.
"It's a gift from someone I visited in the hospital." I glanced in the direction of our other family members. Nakatayo pa rin sila kung saan ko silang huling nakita pero wala ro'n si Kuya Thorn. "Nasaan ang asawa mo at himalang iniwan kang mag-isa?"
"Nagpunta sa CR." She flipped her hair back. "Sa sobrang irresistible ko sa kuya mo, wiwi na lang ang pahinga namin."
My face scrunched up, and she responded with a tinkering laugh. The nightmares I have to suffer with these women. Lagi kong kailangan na ipaalala sa kanila na magkakasing wavelength man kami ay kapatid pa rin ako ng mga kuya ko at wala akong balak marinig ang mga bagay na hindi rin gugustuhin ng mga iyon na marinig sa akin.
"Okay din kayo ng ex mo 'no? Walang awkwardness," komento ng babae na nakatingin sa kinaroroonan ni Zachary.
"We were just kids back then. We're better off as friends, and we both know it."
"Buti okay lang kay Sir Magnus. Di ba nakipagkita ka rin doon sa isa mo pang ex?"
"Si Brandon?"
Umiling siya. "Di ba sabi mo may isa pa? Iyong photographer?"
I told her and the other women about the case since I know they're dying of curiosity. Kaya nabanggit ko rin ang mga taong nasa suspect list ng Dagger sa ngayon.
"Oh, that's Daniel. I was supposed to meet him and his wife pero sabi ni Amanda nagkasakit daw si Daniel at hindi niya naman maiwanan." I remembered her first question, and I decided to answer it as well. "And Magnus is okay with me meeting them."
"He's not bothered by it?"
"No. He knows it's all business."
I mean, why wouldn't he be okay with it? It's not like he'll be jealous. Isa pa ay hindi naman namin napag-uusapan ni Magnus ang tungkol sa mga ex ko kahit noon.
"Somehow, I don't really believe that he's not even a bit bothered with you and your exes. Sa nakikita ko, kahit siguro lamok na magtangkang dapuan ka pagseselosan no'n." When I just blinked at her without saying anything, she rolled her eyes. "Dadating ang araw mapagsasalita rin kita. Wala kang choice kasi na-announce ko ng ikaw ang huling libro ng Dagger Series."
I let out a groan of protest. "Lush—"
Nakangising pinutol niya ang sasabihin ko. "Magpapaalam na kami sa'yo. The others have somewhere to go. Wala na rin kaming pera kaya kami na ang iiwas sa temptasyon."
I believe the first thing she said, the second, not so much. Siguradong hindi man lang naramdaman ng bank account nila ang ipinangbili nila ngayong gabi. "Sinabi ko naman kasi sa inyong hindi niyo na kailangan gumastos. Your presence alone is enough." Inginuso ko ang pintuan ng gallery kung saan marami pa rin ang nagsisipasukan. Karamihan sa kanila ay ang mga sister-in-law ko kaagad ang tinitignan na para bang sila ang main attraction ng event.
"Presence lang nila. Hindi kasama ang cute na si ako."
Even though Lucienne sometimes seems to come from another planet where there's an unlimited supply of confidence, her humility can't be hidden. She's proud of what she does, but she's not arrogant about it. Something that most experienced and famous people feel like they should rub on those they think are below them.
"Nasaan nga pala si Sir Magnus? Hintayin na muna namin siya bago kami umalis."
"May kausap lang sa phone. It's okay. Mauna na kayo at babalik naman 'yon. Kasama ko naman si Leo at Eden," sabi ko.
The two are standing not far from me. They're giving me enough space to mingle, but not so much of it that they won't be able to get to me on the chance that something might occur.
"Himalang pinagsama ang dalawang 'yan," komento ng manunulat.
"I know, right? Minsan iniintay ko na lang silang magbarilan pero mukhang winarningan na sila nila kuya kasi tumatahimik na lang sila kapag nagkakapikunan sila."
"Si Leo ang unang nagbaback down 'no?"
I thought about it for a few seconds. "Yeah. Paano mo nalaman?"
"Dumalaw ako minsan sa Dagger at nakakuwentuhan ko si Warrick. Alam mo naman ang isang 'yon. Dakilang tsismoso rin. Nakuwento niya sa akin na narinig niya raw si Eden at Rage na nag-uusap nang minsan na bibisitahin niya sana si Rage. He heard Eden say that sometimes she really wanted to resign. She likes working for Dagger, but there are things that sometimes make her feel the opposite. No'ng tinanong daw ni Rage kung si Leo ba ang dahilan hindi raw sumagot si Eden."
"At sinabi ni Warrick ang narinig niya kay Leo?" tanong ko.
"Nope. But when Warrick left and I decided to go to the pantry, I saw Leo there. With the look on his face, it looks like he heard everything."
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Oh no."
Imbis na mabahala ay ngumisi si Lucienne. "Mukhang kapag natapos kong isulat ang story mo ay may pagkakakitaan pa rin ako."
That's news to me. Akala ko tapos na siya sa romance pag natapos niya ang Dagger Series. "I didn't know you're planning to write a second series."
Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Plano pa lang naman. Dagger Series has been my breathing space when I'm getting too exhausted with my main genre. Kaya ang hirap bitawan basta."
"Dagger Series batch two o iba na ang itatawag mo?"
"How does Dagger Team Series sound?"
"I love it!"
Ilang sandali na pinagdikusyunan lang namin ang plano niya sa panibagong series niya. I like her ideas, and I'm excited to read them. Lalo pa at hindi ko na mga kapatid ang mga magiging bida kaya mababasa ko na ng buo ang mga libro.
Natigil lang kami sa pinag-uusapan namin nang bumalik na ang asawa niya at halos kasunod lang niya ay dumating din si Magnus. Lumapit na rin ang iba pa sa amin para magpaalam at pagkaraan lang ay kami na lang ni Magnus ang nandoon.
"Is everything okay?" I asked him.
"Yes. Nagkaroon lang ng problema sa papel pero nakatawag na ako sa supplier."
"Anong klaseng problema?"
"May delay sa delivery. We probably need to adjust our schedule for book releases," he explained.
"May kilala ako na supplier. Gusto mong tawagan ko?"
He looked at me weirdly. For a moment, I thought I saw a flare of annoyance in his eyes. "You mean your ex? No thanks."
Napigil ang kung anuman na sasabihin ko nang lumapit sa akin si Zachary na ngiting ngiti. Magnus' jaw hardened, but he didn't say anything, and he just stood beside me quietly.
"The painting's yours for free." His eyes were shining with happiness, and to my surprise, he suddenly hugged me. Saglit lang iyon at dumiretso siyang muli ng tayo pero nananatiling nakahawak sa magkabilang braso ko ag mga kamay niya. "We're officially sold out!"
His joy was contagious, and I beamed at him. "Congratulations! I knew you could do it!"
"Hindi magiging posible kung hindi dahil sa'yo. Hindi na ako magugulat kung lahat ng artists ko ay ikaw ang gawing inspirasyon sa susunod nilang mga project."
I laughed and shook my head. "That's not necessary."
Akmang yayakapin niya ako ulit pero may mga kamay na pumigil sa kaniya. Magnus put his huge body in front of me, and Zachary had no choice but to let go of me. The other man's surprise at my husband's action turned to happiness again when Magnus took his hand to shake it.
"Congratulations on the success of your event." Binitawan ni Magnus ang kamay ng lalaki at sa pagkagulat ko ay naramdaman kong pumaikot sa bewang ko ang braso niya. "We'll pay for the painting."
"No, it's okay—"
"We insist." Magnus' voice sounded like he'd given Zachary no choice, but the polite smile on his face softened the blow. "We haven't bought anything yet, and we want to show our support to you."
That's a lot of we in a couple of sentences.
I watched Magnus in awe as he managed to convince Zachary in no time. Hindi na nakakapagtakang ang dami niyang book deal na naisarado. He knows how to stroke the ego of the person he's talking to without sounding too eager to get what he wants.
Magnus and I stayed around for half an hour or so after I was done filling up the form for the delivery before I said goodbye to Zachary. Malalim na rin kasi ang gabi at nakakaramdam na ako ng pagod. By the time I decided to leave, I was already leaning heavily on Magnus.
When we got out of the establishment, Leo left to get the car while Eden stayed with us. It was then that the rain decided to pour hard. Hindi naman kami nababagsakan niyon maliban sa paminsan-minsan na tilamsik dahil may bubong naman ang entrance ng gusali na sakto sa aming tatlo. Eden stepped away from us, her phone in her hand.
"Do you want to go back inside?" Magnus asked.
Umiling ako. "Leo won't be long. Besides, I like the smell of rain."
Mukhang gusto niya pa sanang makipagtalo pero sa huli ay bumuntong-hininga na lang siya at hinubad niya ang suot niya na suit jacket. Bahagya niya akong hinarap sa kaniya at sinuot niya sa akin ang damit niya na halos lunurin na ako sa laki niyon.
"This kind of reminds me of that night." When he made a non-commentary sound, I continued, "Iyong gabi na ikaw ang sunod nang sunod at nagpapapansin sa akin."
Umangat ang sulok ng mga labi ko nang hindi niya itinanggi ang sinabi ko. He was so bothered by me that night because, for the first time, I wasn't giving him any attention. In fact, it was so obvious that I'm ignoring him. "Wala lang bubong no'n pero katulad ngayon wala tayong dalang payong at ibinigay mo sa akin ang suot mo na coat kahit wala namang masyadong maitutulong 'yon kasi mababasa rin naman tayo."
"How will I ever forget that night? It's not everyday that I get to experience someone asking me to marry her."
"It's also not everyday that someone will say yes. Especially not when that someone's been turning me down for years." I looked up at the starless sky. Even the moon is hiding behind the thick, dark clouds. "I want to go back to that night."
"That wasn't exactly a happy moment."
"I know." Inalis ko ang tingin ko sa langit at sinalubong ko ang mga mata niya. "But back then, I was more hopeful than I am tonight."
I COULDN'T taste anything that I was shoving in my mouth. Pero nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagkain habang paminsan-minsan ay nakikitawa sa mga kalokohan ng pamilya ko. I feel tired to the bone, and I want to sleep, but not even a fever can stop me from being with my family.
It's Kuya Thorn's birthday, and his wife decided to throw a small dinner party for him. Dahil masyadong abala ang mga kapatid ko sa trabaho ay dito na lang sa rooftop ng Dagger napagdesisyunan ni Lucienne na ganaptin ang party.
"Ang sarap!" hindi magkamayaw sa pagsubo ng pagkain na bulalas ni Kuya Trace. "Mabuti na lang may Foodpanda kundi baka na-food poison pa tayo— aray!"
Binigyan siya nang masamang tingin ni Lucienne na may hawak na barbecue stick na pinantusok niya sa kapatid ko. "Nakikikain ka na lang ang dami mo pang sinasabi. Singilin kita riyan eh."
"Maniningil ka pa eh ang mayaman ka naman. Marami kang M." Ipinagpag pa ni Kuya Trace ang kamay niya sa nakabuka niyang palad na para bang may imaginary siyang pera na pinapalis sa kamay niya. "Millions."
"Marami ka rin namang M— malandi, matakaw, mayabang, at matahol."
I chuckled when Kuya Trace pouted and turned to his wife. Akala mo naman kasi mananalo siya kay Lucienne eh parang pinadala si Lush sa buhay namin para soplahin siya forever. "Princess inaapi na naman ako ni Lush."
Ember tapped his cheek lightly. "It's okay. I like M."
"Anong M?" nakanguso pa rin na tanong ng kapatid ko.
"Mahal ko."
Nangaligkig ako at hindi lang ako ang ganoon ang reaksyon. Kuya Domino even acted as if he were about to vomit lalo na ng nangisay-ngisay ang kapatid namin na kinikilig pero mas mukhang bulateng inasinan.
"Mas mahal niya ang mga alaga niya," pambabasag ni Lucienne sa kasiyahan ni Kuya Trace.
"Hindi kaya. Mas love ako ng princess ko."
"Akala mo lang 'yon. Sinasabi lang 'yan ni Ember kasi kaharap ka niya pero kapag nakatalikod ka iba ang sinasabi niya kila Ruby."
Humalukipkip si Kuya Trace. "At paano mo naman nasabi?"
"Close kami ni Ruby. Nag-promise ako sa kaniya na hindi na ako kakain ng beef."
I burst out laughing at their exchange, and I wasn't the only one. Naputol nga lang ang tawa ko ng ihitin ako ng ubo.
A crocheted blanket was placed on my shoulders, and when I looked up, I saw that Magnus had arrived. Magkasama kaming dumating ng Cavite pero ibinaba niya lang ako at sina Eden at Leo dito sa Dagger dahil may kailangan siya sa opisina niya sa bahay na kailangan niyang kuhanan ng litrato at ipadala sa isa pang EIC ng Quetzal.
My husband's warm hand touched my cheek. "I'll get you some tea. You're cold."
Sinundan ko siya ng tingin nang tumalikod siya at naglakad papunta sa pintuan ng rooftop para siguro kumuha ng tsaa sa pantry ng Dagger.
"Sometimes he surprises me."
I glanced at Lia, who was the one who spoke. Katulad ko ay nakatingin din siya sa direksyong tinungo ni Magnus bago siya tumingin sa akin.
A soft smile spread on her lips. "He's not exactly the most expressive man. When I look at him, it's like he's completely shut down."
I swallowed, but I forced myself to grin. "Says a woman married to the grumpiest man."
"It's different. Gun might be grumpy, but he is expressive." Tinapunan niya ng tingin ang asawa. "Sometimes too much." My brothers, with the exception of Kuya Gun, who grinned, groaned at the implication behind her words. She flushed, but she ignored the others, clearly focused on the point she wanted to get across. "What I'm saying is that sometimes... Magnus could be withdrawn. It's like he doesn't care about anything."
"That's not true—"
"Except when he looks at you."
With that, I couldn't say anything. Fortunately, it was then that Magnus decided to come back. Nagbaba siya ng tasa ng tsaa sa harapan ko bago siya umupo sa tabi ng loveseat na kinaroroonan ko. Without a word, I felt his arm wrapped around my shoulder. He moved his hand up and down my arm as if trying to warm me.
My heart fluttered loudly, and I found myself knifing up from my seat. Napatingin sa akin ang lahat at pilit na nginitian ko sila. "I need to go to the powder room."
"Sasamahan na kita."
Pinigilan ko si Magnus na akmang tatayo. "Stay here and eat, hubby bear. Bantayan mo na rin ang pagkain ko at baka ubusin pa ni Kuya Trace."
Kuya Trace narrowed his eyes on me, but I just stuck out my tongue at him. I shrugged off the blanket that was still on my shoulders and put it beside Magnus.
I gave his shoulder a weak tap. "I'll be back."
Hindi ko na siya inintay pa na makapagsalita at naglakad na ako palayo. I quickly shut the door of the rooftop behind me when I entered the stairwell.
"They're just seeing things," I said to myself as I slowly descended the stairs. "He's safe. I chose him because he's safe."
And because you love him. A familiar ache squeezed my chest so hard that I didn't have the choice but to stop.
When I decided to love Magnus, I accepted everything. Tinanggap ko na hindi magiging madali lahat. It's not like I expected that I would fall for him at first sight. It's not like I was prepared to fall so hard.
Wala lang sa akin na mag-intay. Kahit na tinatanggihan niya ako hindi ako nasasaktan. No matter how many times he turned me down, it never swayed my feelings. Because I don't mind the time it took for my feelings to be returned. I don't mind because I have forever to make him see and feel what I do.
That to love is warm. To love is like a pocket of happiness that I can always carry with me. That loving is easy.
Until... it wasn't anymore. Until it became so excruciatingly painful because I needed to change. I needed to be content that I only have now because forever is just a dream that might not be granted.
"I was too selfish to completely let you go when I should have," I whispered.
My eyes clouded, and I raised my hand to wipe my tears away. But even though I did, my vision was still hazy.
Mahigpit na humawak ako sa handrail at itinuloy ko ang pagbaba ng hagdanan. Each step felt heavier than the last. There was one step left when my knees gave out at the same time that the haze in my vision intensified and the world felt like it suddenly tilted.
The hold I had on the handrail loosened, and I remember the feeling of falling before I was suddenly plunged into the void of darkness.
_____________________________End of Chapter 11.