Dancing in the Dark (Aurora Series #2)

Chapter 22

Warning: SPG. Read at your own risk.

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Contain and Control.

"What? Do you want to repeat what happened to you before?" Ate Heaven asked and raised a brow.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. She opened the topic about my dark past and it triggered something in me. Nangilid ang aking mga luha at umiling-iling sa kaniya. Not now that Mama and Papa are listening, please.

Nathan's friends are gesturing him the 'you're in trouble' sign. Except for Rust, maybe because he knows something. Nanatili siyang seryoso habang nakatingin kay Ate.

"Ate, please, it's my birthday," I reminded her. This is why I hate to celebrate the day I was born. Puro trauma ang nangyayari.

Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Nathan sa likod ko. He's caressing my back. Mabilis na lumipat ang mga mata roon ni Mama, her eyes twinkled because of the obvious joy.

Ate Heaven's eyes widened as if she realized something. Mabilis siyang lumapit sa akin. She pulled me in for a hug. I closed my eyes, and let the warmth of her hug solace me.

"I'm sorry. Ayoko lang na maulit ang nangyari sa'yo noon. Hindi ka namin makausap ng ilang lingo. Hindi ka makakain ng maayos. You were always paranoid. You almost lost yourself. You almost took it, remember? Kung hindi lang kita nakita..." She paused. "I don't want that to happen again."

Naiintindihan ko kung saan nagmumula ang pagiging istrikto ni Ate Heaven. She experienced being cheated on too. Alam niya kung ano ang naramdaman ko nang maloko ako. And she knows that I experienced worser.

She wanted to put Matias behind the bars so much. Gustong-gusto niyang kalabanin ang pamilya ni Matias kahit maubos man ang yaman niya, iyon ang sabi niya sa akin. At hindi lang iyon, Ate Heaven wanted to kill Matias too. Gusto ko rin, pero ayaw ko naman na si Ate ang makulong.

"Ate, kahit kailan ay wala pang ginagawang masama sa akin si Nathan. He's a good man. Lahat ng ginawa niya sa akin, I consented. I promise," I defended Nathan in a low voice.

"Okay, I'll give your boy a chance. Pero pag may ginawang masama sa'yo 'yan, ako mismo ang papatay riyan. O kaya naman, sabay ko silang ililibing ni Matias ng buhay. Happy birthday, my little Lucifer," malambing ang boses niya na tila walang pagbabanta sa sinabi.

I just pouted. I scrunched my nose up when she kissed my cheeks.

"Heaven Persephone, what's that?" Mama asked.

Humiwalay si Ate Heaven sa akin at hinarap si Mama. Nakangiti na umiling siya kay Mama.

Then, the party continued as if no confrontation happened. Umingay muli ang paligid.

Damon and Scarlette are here too. Nandito rin ang buong barkada ni Nathan kung saan nanggagaling ang ingay. My friends from Spain are here too! Nasa isang mahabang lamesa lang sila at umiinom doon. My family is with Abuela whose here too. Nakaupo sila sa hindi kalayuan na lamesa. Sabay-sabay silang nagpunta rito sa Pilipinas, ang alam ko. They used Adriana Elena's airplane.

"Happy birthday, Lucifer!" Damon greeted me.

Tinanggap ko ang paper bag mula sa kaniya.

"Happy birthday. That's my gift," Scarlette said.

"Regalo naming dalawa," si Damon ulit.

Inirapan ko siya. Sa sobrang kuripot niyan, sigurado ako na isinali niya lang ang sarili sa pangalan na nakasulat sa card.

I suddenly stopped walking. My lips parted when the The Cosmic started drum covering the Pity Party by Melanie Martinez. There's a soft voice coming from Mia, and it doesn't overshadow the drum. I was amazed, really. I never thought that The Cosmic was this great and passionate about their craft. I thought they're just pretty famous because of their aesthetically pleasing faces and aura that people will praise, hype, and clap for.