Chapter 24: A Cozy Prize
I tried my best to act casually, although this wasn't a typical experience for me. Never had I walked in public places while clinging to someone's hand. I had the poise to maintain, and being held felt like being held hostage. I couldn't flip my hair, couldn't run a finger through it, or even turn around. All my moves were basically restricted.
Kristan is making me feel like I don't have any authority over him or my words are not appealing or intimidating. That's bullshit. Everyone fears me. Everyone who knows me knows that my words are everything. Even fucking Brixton wouldn't want to mess with me.
Huminto kami sa waiting area para doon hintayin si Hestia na mukhang naligo sa rest room dahil sa sobrang tagal. Niluwagan ni Kristan ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko at bago pa man siya maunang bumitiw ay bumitiw na ako.
He held my hand first. I had to finish it by letting go first.
As soon as his hand was unwrapped on me, I felt weirdly. Gusto kong isampal kay Kristan ang palad ko para malaman ng palad ko na hindi nito dapat nagustuhan na hinawakan siya.
Kristan's silence made me shift my head. Nakaupo siya sa marmol na sahig at kasalukuyang nilalabas si Lilly mula sa pet carrier bag. I could even hear him muttering words to soothe his cat.
"It's snowing outside, Lilly. I want you to see it," he whispered.
He stood and walked in my direction. Nilagay niya sa tabi ko ang pet bag saka siya lumilingon-lingon sa paligid. Kumunot ang noo niya.
"Where are the people?" he asked me.
"Probably being human somewhere."
"No. Bakit tayo lang ang narito?" Hindi makapaniwalang tingingnan pa niya ako. "Nagsasarado ba ang airport tuwing gabi?"
I sighed. Why is he even bothering to think about that? The entire population of people could disappear out of nowhere, and vampires would still mind their own business.
"We will take my private jet, which requires a private terminal and definitely, a private lobby," I just answered his questions all at once.
He nodded. "I see. Hmm..."
"We are leaving in twenty minutes."
"Can I take Lilly outside for five minutes?" he winced. "Gusto ko lang maranasan niya rin ang snow. Nasa loob kasi siya ng bag buong byahe."
Oh, my feels!
"Please? For only three minutes."
He seemed so excited that I could see him being disappointed if I said no. Hindi ko lang alam kung si Lilly ba talaga ang gusto niyang makaranas ng snow o siya mismo. Mukhang matatagalan pa naman si Hestia kaya pumayag na lang ako.
"There's a back door if you go straight on the right hallway leading to the parking lot. Be back in two minutes if you don't want to be left here."
He smiled and directly walked to the direction I pointed for him. Bago pa siya mawala sa paningin ko ay humarap pa siya sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang isang paa ni Lilly saka kumaway sa akin.
"Thank you, Mommy!" he said out loud.
I swear I almost vomited all my century-old internal organs when he said that, and I wasn't exaggerating. Those were the corniest words I have ever heard someone say to me.
Mommy? Holy fuck. Just kill me.
Someone laughed behind me. It was Hestia who obviously heard it. That made things even more embarrassing for me. She placed her luggage on the side of the bench and sat beside me.
