Danger is just a word for her. She's been into extreme sports, challenging mountains, seas, and snow. She's a woman made of courage. A rebellious princess who defies order and getting married is one of those standard traditions in the society she finds superficial. But then, she is fated to it and escaping away is unthinkable more so because her fix marriage will be to an Andromida and a prince. Running away is a form of suicide.
Yvienne grimaced, clutching tightly on the holes drilled into the thick multiplex board of the modern wall she is climbing. Narinig niya ang hiyawan mula sa ibaba matapos niyang maabot ang pinakatuktok nang inaakyat na wall. Bumitaw siya at hinayaang hilahin ng gravity pababa habang iginigiya ng suot na harness at lubid ang katawan niya.
Sana katulad lang ng wall climbing ang pag-aasawa, na pwede siyang bumalik sa dati kapag nagawa na niya ang nararapat. Pero hindi. Marami siyang kailangang isakripisyo at hindi pa siya handa. Baka nga hindi siya magiging handa kahit na kailan.
"As usual, Vienne, so reckless and impressive!" Nilapitan siya ng kaibigang si Austin at tinapik sa balikat.
"You're exaggerating, Tin. We've done stuff crasier than these. Why always so surprise?" Binara niya ang pambobola nito.
She glanced around them and saw that everyone was looking at her with awe in their faces. She had no choice but to flatter herself with the compliment.
Men in the nooks are watching her with obvious admiration in their eyes. Some are giving her a toneless hello and warm smile. She never gotten used to this subtle affection from the crowd. Everyday she had to confront her fear to keep it dormant and this must be the reward.
Nagsimula siyang magtanggal ng mga safety gears sa katawan at natuon ang mga mata sa itim na bagpack na nakasiksik sa isang sulok. What is it? Sa kanya ba iyon?
"She's incredible..."
"Yeah, she is."
"Girlfriend mo?"
"Austin!" tawag niya sa lalaking may kausap na babaeng aspirant wall climber. "Is that ours?" Itinuro niya ang bag. Gusto niyang makasiguro baka may maiiwan silang importanteng mga gamit pag-alis.
"The bag?" Natuon doon ang paningin nito saka umiling. "No, that isn't ours. Aalis na ba tayo? Excuse me," nagpaalam sa kausap ang kaibigan at dinaluhan siya sa pagpapalaya ng sarili niya sa climbing ropes at harness.
Hinatak niya ang itim na duffel bag na nasa sahig gamit ang kaliwang paa at hinulog sa loob niyon ang belay device, carabiners, quickdraws, chalk bag, chalk at climbing tape. Niligpit naman ni Austin ang mat at climbing, helmet.
Handa na siyang umalis nang mapansin niya ang bultong umaalon mula sa likod ng salaming dingding kanugnog ng bukana ng hall. Sinuntok ng kaba ang diddib niya nang lumitaw ang bruskong tindig ng isang lalaki sa restricted door.
Half of his face is covered with black respirators, a customed leather mask. However that was not enough to camouflage his identity. Why? Because out of thousand men she met in her entire single life, he's the only one who can brutally aroused a chaotic desire within her.
Mikael Andromida, the dark angel as she had known him. Moving like a combination of god and shadow, and the most beautiful version of darkness everytime he appeared in the light. His amber gray eyes bleed sex and can send her into overdrive.
Dumaan sa kanya ang paningin nito at para siyang tinakpan ng gahiganteng supercell mula sa kalawakan. Kung hindi niya hinigop ng maigi ang kanyang hininga baka humandusay siyang nakatirik ang mga mata.
"Let's go, Vienne!" apura ni Austin. Hinawakan siya sa siko.
Pero kinandado ang mga paa niya sa sahig at ang mga mata niya sa lalaking kalmadong naglalakad patungo sa sulok na kinaroroonan ng itim na bagpack. Hinablot nito ang bag at binuksan. Kinalikot ang laman. Mahigit isang minuto lamang iyon at natapos na. Hindi lamang siya, lahat sila roon ay nakatulala rito at nahuhumaling sa mga kilos ng binata.
