Lords Series #1: Lord's Obsession (UNDER MAJOR REVISION)

CHAPTER 15

VALOUISE WAS HAVING FUN with all these simple things she spends with Bylur. She doesn't need to act fancy and elegant with him, she doesn't need a filter to hide herself from him. He was a comfortable companion for Valouise. He's the only one to make him feel that way except to her dead parents. She never had been this comfortable ever since her parents’ death and it was a new feeling for her.

“Tigilan mo na ako kakapang-asar mo ha! Pikon ka rin naman kung inaasar ka nila Dolion.” Bato ni Valouise rito ng hindi ito matapos kakatawa habang pinaulit-ulit nitong sabihin ang reaksyon ni Valouise kanina umaga nang makita n'ya itong walang damit. Hindi pa rin ito natapos kakatawa kaya gumanti si Valouise rito.

“You prefer seeing me in my nightdress though.”  Valouise casually said, making Bylur shut up immediately. He was silent after hearing those words from her, making him realize that Valouise heard his dirty language.

Valouise smirked in secret.

“I know how to play your game, Bylur. I'm not that innocent.” Valouise hissed and smiled at him. He shook his head and secretly chuckled. After that, Bylur stopped teasing her and they ended up being busy bringing things to their carts.

With their silence, Valouise thought about the thing she had always wanted to ask him.

“Bylur…” Valouise uttered his name while walking.  Valouise was hesitant but if she won't grab this opportunity to ask him, she doesn't know when she'll be able to.

“Who's Galina?” She asked straightforwardly. Nakita n'ya kung paano natigilan si Valouise at hindi makaimik kaagad. Bylur looked at him with a puzzled expression.

“Why and how do you know that name?” He asked.

“I've heard it a couple of times. ‘Yong mga umatake sa akin, lagi nilang binabanggit si Galina. Tinatawag nila akong Galina. And— and maybe that's the reason why I am stuck in this situation. I want to know.” Valouise answered as disheartened glister in her eyes.

“Valouise… She's one of us.” Bulong ni Bylur at yumuko. Rinig ni Valouise ang pagbuntong hininga nito bago ito muling tumingin sa kaniya.

“She looks like you. No— You look exactly like her.” Bylur bit his lower lip before continuing, “From your eyes, your nose and lips, to your face marks… It reminds everyone of her— it reminds me of her.”

Valouise gulped and she felt a little ache in her chest. Para bang may konting kirot nang marinig n'ya iyon ngunit hindi n'ya alam kung bakit.

“Does she love japonica?” Valouise asked and Bylur just nodded. Valouise gave him a bittersweet smile and nodded.

“I love it too.” Valouise said and tried to stop herself from sighing.

“I think everything you said answers my thoughts.” sambit niya at tumalikod kay Bylur. She acted like they talked about nothing. She didn't let it make the atmosphere between them awkward and tried to lighten it up a bit.

Agad namang gumaan ang pakiramdam ni Valouise nang hindi na n'ya naramdaman ang ilang ni Bylur. Nang matapos na silang mamili ay deretso silang pumunta nang restaurant para kumain. Hindi alam ni Valouise kung paano pasalamatan si Bylur sa mga ginagawa nito para sa kaniya — she has experienced the most expensive and comfortable things because of him without making her feel little and different.

“Nabusog ka ba?” Tanong ni Bylur nang palabas na sila ng restaurant.

“Sakto lang. Masyadong yayamanin ‘to eh! ‘Di ko maenjoy ‘yong food kakaisip sa presyo.” Biro niya rito na nagpatawa kay Bylur.

“Damn, that's sad!” Biro rin ni Bylur kaya inirapan n'ya ito.

“Shut up!” Valouise gasped and they both laughed. They then went back to the car and went straight back home. Pagkauwi ay agad nilang inayos ito sa mga istante at paminggalan.