The Beast in the City

Kabanata 6

"Ken."

I stopped and turned to my elder sister, Cisum, who called me when she noticed we're about to leave.
 
"Leaving already? Aren't you going to introduce me to your wife?" She raised a brow and then crossed her arms.

"What for?" I asked boredly.

I don't understand why I have to introduce her to them one by one, since when they got married, I didn't even bother to show any interest.
 
She laughed ridiculously and gave a smug look.

"Aren't you going to let her eat first? Mukhang kanina pa siya nagugutom." She pointed at the woman with her lips.

I looked at the woman beside me. Nakanguso siya at palingalinga sa paligid habang pinaglalaruan ang bestida.

"Let her eat. I reserved a private table inside," she said, leaving first.
 
I sighed and followed her into the mansion. We were guided to the dining hall, where a candlelight table was already waiting. The lunatic woman immediately rushed across it, her eyes sparkling and her hands clapping.
 
"You starved her so much, bro." Cisum gave a wicked smirk before she pulled a chair for her.

Naupo agad ang babae at masayang tumingin sa mga nakahain. Napabuntonghininga na lang ako at naupo sa katapat na upuan. Umupo rin si Cisum sa kabisera at pumangalumbaba, nangingiting pinagmamasdan kami.

I started to eat casually; the woman also did, but I flicked her fingers when she was about to eat with bare hands. She immediately pouted at me, giving me a sad face.
 
Cisum chuckled sarcastically. "I didn't know that this is now your type. Really."

"Can you just leave us alone?" I glared at her sharply.

"I'll be. I'm just waiting for Zion."

"Yeah. Better flirt with your husband than mind our own business here," I said while slowly putting food on the woman's plate.
 
"But where did you get her? She doesn't seem sane. Is she sick or what?" She was staring seriously at her.
 
"Stop minding other people's businesses, Cisum. It's not your problem to watch," I said coldly.

I really hate girls. They're too nosy, loud and annoying. Mabuti na lang at tahimik ang isang 'yon na masayang nilalantakan ang mga pagkain.

"I know you, Ken. This kind of girl is not your cup of tea. Lolo has something to do with it, am I right?" Nilingon niya ako.

"You don't really care," sabi ko bago sumubo.

She shifted in her seat. "I don't really care about your dirty stuff, brother. I'm more worried about the innocent people you're dragging." She turned to her. "And... she looks familiar. I'm sure I've seen her somewhere else."

I frozed and slowly looked at her. What does she mean? She knows her?

Tinignan ko ang babae. Masayang masaya pa rin siyang kumakain na parang bata.

Tumingin sa akin si Cisum. "You better know who you're engaging with, bro. Bukod sa nandadamay ka ng inosente sa mga kahangalan mo, you'll never know... maybe one day, it falls back to you."

I looked at her intently. "I don't really give a fucking damn. My life isn't yours to run. So shut the fuck up and just mind your own fucking business," I said with conviction.

I don't care if she's my sister. Or older than me. I will cut whoever stands in my way unhesitatingly. No one can stop me. I am a Montenegro. I'm not a soft Esquivel.
 
She looked at me, kind of pissed off. She shook her head and stood. "Let's see where it will take you, brother. Congratulations on your wedding," she coldly said and left.

I stared at the doorway for a while before I slowly sipped on my wine.

                      ◌◌◌