F.L.A.W Series Book 4: SAPPHIRE

Chapter Fourteen

Pagkatapos kumain ni Saph ng agahan ay nagprepara na siya upang bumiyahe patungong Cornejo Compound. Kailangan na niyang magtraining ulit dahil tatlong araw siyang natengga sa bahay niya. Ni hindi na muna siya nakipagkita kaninoman sa dalawang lalaki dahil pakiramdam niya ay parehong sakit lamang sa ulo niya ang ibibigay ng mga ito.

Though she's still curious about Finnegan's life story, she didn't push him coz it would mean that she must also share hers and she's not ready yet or it's better to say that it isn't negotiable. Her dark past isn't something that she should share, it is something that she should bury and forget.

And for Nate's behavior, it's the last thing she needs, it will only hinder her from her goal, and knowing him, he'll dominate her again like an older brother. Kung hindi nga lang niya kailangang masanay muli sa pakikipaglaban sa gitna ng ring ay hindi na siya mag-aaksaya ng panahon na mag-ensayo para maiwasan na sana ang binata. Ngunit kung makikita siya ni Cornejo na nagsasanay ay makukumbinsi ito na kaya niyang makipagsabayan sa mga kagaya ni Nate na bihasa na sa ganoong paligsahan.

"I thought you'd never come back." May pahaging na salita si Nate nang maabutan niyang nagsasanay rin sa loob ng training room. "That you got scared and decided to just run away." Sabay halakhak. "But I know you better, you're not a quitter."

"Glad you still know that." Aniya at nagsimula nang magstretching muna.

"So, how was your date with Brandt?" Tanong nito habang tinitingnan ang ginagawa niya. "Did you two have fun?"

"It wasn't a date!" Inis niyang tugon na hindi ito nililingon.

"Uhuh." Iyon lang ang ibinalik sa kanya ngunit medyo naasar siya roon.

"Will you stop it, Nate?!" At inis nang nilingon ang lalaki.

"Stop what?" Gulat pa sa galit niya ngunit pinipigilan lang ang matawa.

"Stop acting like a goddamn brother to me!" Hindi na niya napigilan ang pagtaas ng boses niya. "I don't need your concern or any form of protection from you. I know you've been used to doing that but I am not that weak li'l girl anymore."

"I know that you think you don't need my advice or my concern but I still want to protect you, Xury. I didn't have the chance to do any of those because we got separated-"

"Exactly!" Putol niya. "You already lost that chance, Nate, so please stop." At umiwas na ng tingin. "I am fine on my own. I live by my own rules now and I won't take anything anymore from anyone, even if it is from you."

"But you're here and you're taking orders from Cornejo. Isn't that the same?"

"It isn't." Sabay iling. "I had no choice on this one but to follow him. But once I am done, no one can make me do anything anymore. And if they push me, I won't hesitate to put them all down."

Hindi niya nilingon ang binata upang hindi na idiin ang ibig niyang sabihin roon. Dahil kung darating man siya sa puntong kailangan niyang pabagsakin si Cornejo upang tigilan siya ay kakalabanin din niya ito dahil kasali rin ito bilang isang tauhan.

"I'll leave you so you could start your training now. Tomorrow will be a busy day, who knows if you'll be a part of the battle."

Doon siya napalingon sa sinabi nito.

"May labanan bukas? Akala ko sa makalawa pa?"

"It was moved tomorrow night and the list of fighters isn't final yet."

Mas lalo siyang ginanahang magensayo dahil gusto niyang mapasamang muli sa mga lalaban bukas. Kinagabihan ay ipinatawag silang lahat ni Cornejo upang planuhin ang mga sasali sa labanan.