The Montelier Bride

Chapter 5: Compromised is the Word

"JUST blame it on me," he said. But the second my consciousness rose from the depths of darkness, all I can think of was how quickly things escalated. A plea that could've been left uninterpreted and ignored was miraculously answered the same day it was made. Is this even real?

I had my eyes open and cannot help but sigh. The apartment that I was living for seven months burned down to ashes. The people I least needed to encounter while on the run ended up saving me when I fell unconscious. Thinking it was challenging, I casually deciphered a problem that is supposed to be unbreakable until I foolishly put my hand on it. I also learned that my caretaker who I have so much guilt and gratitude towards had been locking me up in our unit all this time and thanks to that, I almost had a sizzling death. Knowing nothing good will come by staying with him, I handed my fate to the most unlikely people to ask help for--- the Monteliers. And just when I was about to properly part ways with that caretaker, a person from the Monteliers staged a dramatic rescue that involves kissing and drugging.

Naitakip ko na lang sa mukha ko ang dalawa kong mga palad. Anong ginagawa mo sa buhay mo. Quinzel?!

Heh. It's a common tactic to kiss someone to have them consume something. Yet it felt strange knowing it's always me who'd do it to my enemies, not the other way around.

Sa pagbangon ko, madaling nalaglag sa hita ko ang kumot na kanina'y tumatabing sa buong katawan ko. Tamad na inalo ko ang mga mata ko upang pagmasdan ang lugar, pilit nilalabanan ang mabigat na pakiramdam na dulot ng umaga. Nariyan ang nakaririnding ingay na nanggagaling sa aircon na siyang kapansin-pansin gawa ng katahimikang umi-echo sa pandinig. Walang bintanang mapagmamasiran at panay ang pilitik na tunog na nagmumula sa orasan sa hindi kalayuan.

Iniayos ko ang pagkakaupo ko, pumatagilid nang masilayan ang taong nagmamay-ari ng mga mahahabang binti't itim na pormal na slacks na naabutan ko sa pagbangon. Prenteng nakaupo ang lalaki sa katabi ng pinag-uunanan ko kanina, habang ang likod at ulo naman niya'y nakasandal sa headrest ng kama. Sa nakapa-ekis niyang mga binti ay kanlungan ng mga kamay niyang nakahawak pa rin sa isang makapal na libro.

Geez. I'm the one who's getting uncomfortable by the way he's sleeping.

I unconsciously extended my hand to him. And as if simply waiting for a saving, his head fell from the headrest's support, ultimately landing right on my palm. I was surprised for a second. Holding someone and even being able to feel their very warmth and breath grazing upon my skin felt surreal.

Should I put him down? Should I wake him up? Those are the questions spiraling into my mind. But before I could come up with a definite answer, the man inhaled with a shaking breath as if running out of air to breathe. And somehow, I also forgot for a moment how to.

"Hngg..." he moaned deeply. "P-Please... s-stop."

I leaned back reflexively due to surprise, unaware of what I should do or what is happening at all.

"D-Don't... Not m-mom, please!" he begs in his sleep, cold sweat breaking on his now wrinkled forehead. Over time, his voice becomes more strained yet also hopelessly louder. Still holding him, I start to turn my gaze in every direction and see if I can find something that could aid the situation.