UNLOVING YOU [completed]

ULY #3

Matalim lang ang tinginan naming dalawa habang kumakain na may sama ng loob. Vanilla didn't even notice the awkwardness at our table. She's just enjoying her food, hindi man lang niya kami tinatapunan ng tingin. On the other hand, Rhysand looks like a wild lion who desperately wanted to eat his prey.

I rolled my eyes at him. Para bang sinasabi ko sakaniya na hindi niya ako matatakot aa mga madilim niyang tingin. 'Cause who will? Pusa lang ang matatakot sakaniya.

“Mommy,” napahinto ako sa pag hakbang ng biglang may kumalabit sa damit ko.

I tilted my head down to look at Vanilla who has sleepy-eyed but still looking cute.

“Yes, love?”

“Dito ka po ba matutulog?”

Mas lalo akong napahinto dahil sa tanong niya. Tumingin ako sa tatay niya na nakahalukipkip habang hinihintay rin ang sagot ko. I cleared my throat and bent my knees.

“No love. I'll be staying at my house, but I'll visit you everyday.” nakangiting sagot ko sakaniya.

Nakita ko kung paano lumungkot ang mukha niya. She slowly nodded her head and bowed her head to avoid having eye contact with me. Na una siyang umakyat na hindi man lang kami nilingon o hinintay.

Tumikhim si Rhysand sa tabi ko at hinarap ako.

“You shouldn't have said that, Leur.” seryosong sabi niya.

“What? Bakit? Ano ba dapat ang sasabihin ko? Oo Vanilla, dito ako matutulog.” sarkastikong sabi ko “mag sisinungaling ako, gano'n?”

“Still, you shouldn't have said that. Vanilla wanted to sleep with you. Sana hindi mo nalang sinagot para hindi siya malungkot.”

Is he seriously guilt tripping me right now? Using his daughter? I scoffed.

“Just,” pumikit siya ng mariin bago pinagpatuloy ang sasabihin. “Then at least read her a bed time story.”

I rolled my eyes and turned my heels and went straight to Vanilla's room. I actually don't know where her room is, though... pero madali lang naman malaman kasi may pangalan niya ang pinto ng kwarto.

I knocked three times before entering her room.

“Hey, do you want me to read you a bed time story?” mahinang tanong ko kay Vanilla.

She just finished changing her clothes into pajamas. Nakabagsak na rin ang buhok niya.

She pursed her lips and jiggle her head. Sinundan ko siya at tumabi sakaniya ng mahiga ito sa kama. I was reading Cinderella's story when I realize na naka tulog na pala siya. Dahan-dahan naman akong umalis sa kama niya at kinumotan siya bago lumabas ng kwarto.

I jolted when I saw Rhysand who is standing while crossing his arms on his chest. Seryoso niya akong tiningnan.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at taas noong lalagpasan na sana siya pero hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. My gaze went to his hand that was holding my wrist.

“Where's my good night?”

Binawa ko ang kamay ko. “Ulol. Masama sana panaginip mo!” I hissed and walked out from him.

Kailan ka pa natutong gumamit ng salita na 'yon Fleur? I laughed jokingly. Of course when I was in college.

Nagising nalang ako dahil sa ingay ng kalabog ng pinto ko. Iritadong tumayo ay at binuksan iyon kahit hindi pa ako naka bra. Bumungad sa akin ang mukha ng isa sa katulong namin sa bahay. She looks terrified and nervous.