One With You

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 22

"Are you out of your mind?" Sean shrieked in disagreement with my decision. "We already talked about this for five years, Luna. And now that we're here in this situation, you suddenly changed your mind?"

"Because I didn't expect my brother's arranged marriage with Eve." Kanina pa namamanhid ang mga kamao ko ngunit nanatili iyong nakakuyom dahil sa halo-halong emosyon umiiral. "I didn't see that coming. Naging panatag ako. Na hindi pala dapat." I shook my head. "I can't let that happen to my brother."

Lalo na't matapos naming kumain ni Iver kanina ay nakatanggap ako ng sikretong tawag mula kay Law. He begged me to came home and save his ass. May iba siyang gusto at ayaw niyang magpakasal sa hindi niya naman mahal in the first place.

"Then what about our son? Iver?"

"He will stay here. Hindi ko siya isasama. Delikado."

"Luna..."

"Marami kang tauhan sa palasyo. Alam kong mapoprotektahan nila ang anak ko habang wala ako." Humawak ako sa kamay niya. "Gaya ng ginawa mong pagprotekta sa amin noon hanggang ngayon."

He heaved a deep sigh. "It's still dangerous."

"I'm not scared." I stared at him intently. "Kasama naman kita."

Napaayos siya ng upo. "Me?"

"Why? You're not coming?" My lips twitched. "Alam kong affected ka rin dahil may kinalaman do'n si Eve. Hahayaan mo ba talagang maikasal siya sa iba?"

He quickly looked away. "If that's what she wants, so be it. Nand'yan ka naman."

"Wow, gagawin mo pa kong panakip butas," irap ko. "Where's Iver?"

"Upstairs with West. Napagod kalalaro kaya nakatulog."

Tumango ako. "So, are you coming? Sa Friday na ang flight ko."

"Luna, we all know na hahanapin ka ni Iver. He's too attached with you. Remember the first time you didn't pick him up in school? He cried until he fell asleep."

Tila nilapirot ang puso ko sa narinig. Ayaw ko rin namang mawalay sa kaniya. Iyon ang pinakahuling sitwasyon na ayaw kong mangyari. Gusto kong nasa tabi ko lang siya parati. But desperate times called abruptly.

"But yeah, I understand how you feel."

Napatingin ako sa kaniya nang idugtong 'yon.

"You want to help your brother not to involve in arranged marriage. And to stop the law from punishing your protector."

"I'm fine," sabat ni West habang bumababa ng hagdan. "Kaya ko naman. I also want them to be safe. Kaya hindi ko sinasabi sa palasyo."

"Pero, West," angil ko. "Kapag nadagdagan pa 'yan, maaari mong ikamatay. Lalo na't alam ko kung gaano kalupit ang palasyo ngayon."

Hindi ko rin masisi ang kapatid kong si King Luca. Sumusunod lang siya sa batas at payo ng councilor. Ayaw niya ring masira ang buong emperyo kapag nalaman iyon ng Empress.

"If it's about Iver, I'll stay here to take care of him." West smiled. "You two can go back there. Pass muna ko. Nakakasawa ro'n, eh."

I eyed him. "Are you sure?"

"Mas sure pa sa sure." Then he winked at me.

"Tsh." Ngumiwi si Sean. "You're a player."

"Coming from you."

"Woy, hindi na siya gano'n," ngisi ko. "Stick to one na 'yan."

"Stick to one with you." He smiled at me sweetly as he held my hand. "Tulog na tayo."