Man at Arms

Chapter Fifteen: Sneaky Bitchy Witch

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 
"I think you need to work more on your abs, Ci."

"What do you think I'm doing?" I asked through gritted teeth and groaned as I curled up and lay down, repeating the process until my body screamed to stop.

I dropped flat on the yoga mat beneath me and gasped, catching my breath like my life just had a marathon with death. Nang kumalma ay bumangon ako at tinanggap ang alok na towel ni Lesser. Dinampi ko ito sa pawisang mukha at leeg bago sinabit sa batok ko. I trekked to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.

Ramdam ko ang tingin ni Lesser na nakasunod sa akin. Matapos ubusin ang laman ng bote ay humarap ako sakanya at binagsak ang mga balikat.

"What?"

He shrugged his shoulders and proceeded to collect the boxing gloves scattered on the floor and started fixing the equipment I used in the gym.

Inikot ko ang mga mata at shinoot sa basurahan ang bote bago tinulungan siyang magligpit.

"You forgot our dinner yesterday."

I froze but quickly collected myself and sighed. "I'm sorry."

"No reasons?" Lumingon siya sa akin.

Nirolyo ko ang yoga mat at sinalansan iyon sa iba pang kasama niya sa gilid. Humarap ako sakanya.

"Aside from I really did forget about it, nope. Gusto mo bang magrason ako?"

"No."

There was silence between us.

Lesser and I weren't romantically something. Just like Ariadne, we were best of friends. Kuya ang dating niya sa akin at nakakabatang kapatid naman ang tingin niya sa akin. Of all my friends, Lesser is the only one who could tolerate my bullshitness when Betty died. Naging maramot ako sa mga tao, dinistansiya ko ang sarili sa mga kaibigan pero si Lesser ay hindi niya ako sinukuan. He listened to me, stayed with me, and wipe my tears when my hands were too numb to do so. He basically became a walking reminder to me every day to hold on and keep on fighting. Nakabangon ako sa kalungkutan dahil sakanya at dahil na rin sa mga kaibigan namin sa pag-iintindi sa akin.

Lesser was the second-in-command of the BIA Force. Aside from being on the front line to protect the royal family, he was also responsible for his members. He saved my life on my first day as a BIA Force member. I was too careless. I didn't notice a security breach in the system, and the enemies found my coordinates. Someone came to kill me and steal informations.

Lesser abandoned his post and came to my rescue right before the man could plunge his knife into my chest. It was a horrible memory and somewhat of a life lesson. Natuto akong mag-ingat simula 'nun.

I peered at him through my lashes and smiled. He was wearing a formal white button-down shirt, tucked into dark trousers, and his hair was brushed up properly. Lesser is a handsome guy, honorable, and did I mention he's a Duke?

"If it wouldn't waste your time to wait, I could go and wear my best dress," I said gently, holding back a smile.

Buminat ang malaking ngiti sa mukha niya at humalukipkip sa harapan ko. "Only if you add sparkling glittering something in your eyes and put a color on your lips."

"I like my natural beauty."

He made a disgusting face and eyed me from head to toe. "Oil and sweat?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Fine."

An hour later, Lesser and I sat across from each other in a luxurious outdoor restaurant by the coastline. The air was cool and smelled of salt. Ang mahinang hampas ng alon sa dalampasigan ay bumabagay sa masuyong musika mula sa loob ng restaurant. The sky was orange and purple, almost surreal. It was ethereal and I couldn't get my eyes off of the sky even when the food was served at our table.