Bay of Strangers (Manila Girls #2)

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

Afraid

"This is fucking torture," River whispered under his breath.

Suminghap ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. Hindi matagalan ang tingin niya.

At ano raw? Hindi niya ako kayang tiisin?

My cheeks felt hot. My palms, my stomach, and my whole body felt hot too. I'm sober now, the cold wind brushed against my bare legs. River's flannel provided enough warmth for my upper body, but my legs are still so exposed.

I played with my fingers, I really don't know what to say to him or if I should say anything at all.

"B-bakit ka pumunta rito?" Tanong ko, namamaos at nanliliit.

"I'm worried,"

I shot my head back again. My eyes met his. There is a tangible tension between us, his eyes spoke a lot and I know my eyes did the same thing.

He took a step forward. Nagulat ako nang inabot niya ang kamay ko. Tinitigan ko iyon. His Kurapika's chain felt cold, like the wind. It felt a bit harsh on my sensitive skin.

Nilagay niya ang cellphone ko sa kamay ko.

"Uuwi na tayo,"

"If you're not mad at me..." I trailed off. Tinignan niya ako. Mayroong lintanya ng lungkot at inis sa mga mata niya.

"I'm not,"

"So..." Halos magdugo na ang labi ko sa labis na pagkakakagat doon.

He sighed.

"Pinakalat mo ba na may sugar mommy ako?"

Mabilis akong umiling. Although, I felt a bit guilty because I know my friends are the proprietor.

"Then I'm not mad at you..."

"But I know who did... And I did not stop them."

He licked his lower lip. Nagtagal ang tingin niya sa akin. Kalaunan ay tumango siya at tumikhim.

"Naniniwala ka?"

"I don't know, River... Everything's just so complicated when it comes to you."

"When it comes to me?" He echoed.

Tumango ako dahil iyon ang totoo.

I thought I know him. I was starting to know him and I thought it's enough. But who am I fooling? River will always remain a mystery to me. He will always be a stranger to me if he won't open up...

From the very start, I thought I can play with him. I thought I am snob and arrogant enough to drive him away but I guess I'm not. Instead, he knocked down some of my walls and I let him... I let him because I like him too much.

And instead, here I am... falling harder for him despite even having a hunch that he's my cousin.

I know I'll probably be hated for it. Incest is not a good thing, and no matter how much I try to push and justify it-it is never morally right. I'll be disgusted with myself too.

Pero siguro naman kapag nakumpirma kong magpinsan na nga kami, sisikapin ko talagang lumayo at pigilan ang sarili. Magagawa ko naman siguro.

But who am I kidding? There is no coming back from falling for him.

Once you fall for him, it's impossible to get back up.

"Do you want to know who that woman is?"

"Yes,"

"She's my father's secretary."

"Wait... Iyong kinalakihan mong ama mo?"