LUNA: The Witching Hour

17: Unveiling

"You've lost a lot of weight" 'Yan kaagad ang bungad saakin ni Midnight ng pumasok ako sakanyang opisina. Nakaupo ako ngayon sa isang silya na naka pwesto lamang sa harapan ng kanyang lamesa. He was behind the table, signing a ton of papers. "Kailangan ko na bang mag-alala para sayo?"

I was so close from arching one brow up at him but I forced myself not to, instead I neutralized my face. Pinatawag niya ako dito at saktong kakatapos ko lang 'rin maligo. So I put on a short black dress with little flower beads carved over the bottom of the bodice. It had a scoop neckline deep enough for a cleavage, plus the long tight sleeves were surprisingly comfortable for a witch like me who always preferred short sleeves, loose sleeves, or sleeveless. I paired the dress with black boots that reached up to my thighs. 3 inches thick high heels. Seated cross-legged and with a straight back, I watched the king in front as he tapped the pen's end cap on the desk. Eyes still focused on the papers he was reading.

After last night's oath taking, the pack, specifically Radu and Arius, were so much in glee that they almost tried to carry me in their arms and lift me like I was a triumphant warrior that needs to be thrown off in the air. They had stopped midway when they saw my glare. Sabay pa sila nag peace sign saakin.

Pagbalik ko sa kwarto kagabi, wala akong ibang naisip kundi ang pack--- I'm a member now. It took me a while to sink it in.

"Have you eaten your breakfast, Your Majesty?" Tanong ko na lang para ibahin ang topic.

He spared me a glance through his dark lashes and stopped his work for a while. "Hindi ba't para sayo 'yang tanong na 'yan?"

"Kumain na ako"

He straightened his back para mas matignan niya ako ng maayos. "Ang haba na ng buhok mo" He shamelessly said. "Ang itim pa ng ilalim ng mga mata mo"

Nandito lang ata ako para marinig mula sakanya ang obvious. "Does a haggard face bothers you, Your Majesty?"

"It does"

I pressed my lips into a thin line. He's obnoxious. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at napag pasyahan na lang na ibahin uli ang topic. "Bakit mo ako pinatawag?"

"You keep on asking the wrong questions, love" Bumalik siya sa mga papeles. "Sigurado ka bang ganyan na mga tanong ang gusto mong itanong saakin?"

It wasn't that clear to me for a second there but when I finally understood what he was trying to convey I shifted uncomfortably on my seat. The air suddenly felt suffocating around us and it had made the pit of my stomach churn. Being in a closed room with him always felt so different and ghostly. Tumalim paningin ko sa harapan. Hindi muna ako nagsalita ng mga ilang segundo. Ganon 'din siya. He continued reading and signing like I wasn't here in the first place.

He wants me to initiate it. Simply because between us two, ako ang mas maaapektuhan.

I longed for this. I wanted this. I was looking forward to the day I would have all the answers to the questions that kept me thinking all night. Unti unti kong naririnig ang pagbilis ng tibok ng aking puso. Unti unti 'rin akong nanlalamig. Kinagat ko ang aking dila saloob at nag-isip. Don't think. I blinked. Just ask.

"Now?" I hated how my voice sounded so small. I cleared my throat and repeated the question with more power in my tone. "Now?"

Tumango lamang si Midnight sa harapan. Hindi ako binibigyan ng tingin. "Not yet ready?"

I frown. "Paano kung hindi nga"

"The door's behind you"

Mas lalong nagdugtong ang aking mga kilay. "Hindi ko alam kung anong tatanungin ko" pag-aamin ko. "Why don't you just say everything all at once?"