The Bastard I Hate

Chapter Eight

Hindi niya alam kung saang parte ng bahay siya dinala ni Spade pero halata namang solo nila yun.

"Anong alam mo?" tanong ni Thedries.

"Wala pa. At ayoko ng masangkot ka dito. Dahil bago pa kita naging Ace, madami ng kaaway ang Lucky Nine. And involving you wouldn't do anything but putting you in harm," paliwanag ni Spade.

"If I remember correctly, you are the one who's harmed," pagrarason ni Dreis.

"And if they discovered that you know anything, it will be you, and you means me," paliwanag ni Spade. Matagal na natigilan si Dreis.

She remembers everything. Every single picture of Spade's epic condition at the hospital.

Gosh, it hurts.

"I can kiss you for a deal," she traded. Ayaw naman niya mabulag at palamuti lang sa tabi ni Spade. Mas natatakot pa nga siya para dito kaysa para sa sarili niya.

Tinignan lang siya ni Spade. At hindi niya alam pero nag-aalala talaga siya.

Nilapitan niya ito at yumakap.

"Don't," saway nito na gumanti din ng yakap at bumulong. "I know what you're doing," dugtong nito.

"Please, Spade," pakiusap niya.

"No," he finalized. Ok, hindi effective ang paawa at pacute charm ko.

"Spade, sinasabi ko sayo pag hindi mo sinabi sa akin---" she stopped. Tatalab ba dito ang santong paspasan?

"...you means me."

"Anong gagawin nyo kapag nalaman niyo kung sino?" tanong ni Dreis. Totoo ba 'to? Naghi- hysterical ba talaga ako?

"You really don't have to worry about this too much. Peter will most likely do all the job. Kailangan ko lang malaman," pagpapakalma sa kanya ni Spade.

"Niloloko mo ba ako?" inis na bulyaw ni Dreis.

"I don't know what that means," nalilitong saad ni Spade.

"Don't make me look stupid Fairsleigh. You can't keep this from me. Kung ang gusto mo ay babaeng pangdisplay na walang muwang at kung iniisip mong mag-e-enjoy ako, nagkakamali ka. Una, kung ayaw mo akong nainvolve dito, eh di i-declare mo nang hindi ako Ace. Kung magiging selfish ka, kailangan kong mainvolve dito, hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang detalye," saad ni Dreis.

"Bakit ba kasi hindi mo na lang sundin ang gusto ko?" inis na patol ni Spade sa kanya.

"I don't think I'm going to be your Ace if I follow everything that you say," she commented.

"You're right," he agreed. "Exactly," dagdag pa nito.

"So, are you going to tell me?" tanong ni Dreis.

"Ace, please stop pushing this topic," saad ni Spade.

"And what? Die with worry? No way!" sigaw niya dito. Natahimik ito at saka ngumiti.

"You're worried?" nakasmile na tanong nito. Naningkit ang mga mata niya.

"Don't make me hate you more," pagbabanta niya kay Spade. Tinitigan siya nito ng seryoso.

"You're so brave," komento nito. She rolled her eyes.

"That's my fourth kiss," saad ni Spade.

"You're really going to make a hard bargain, aren't you?" bwisit na tanong ni Spade. Hindi ito sumagot.

"They're trying to know who sent me the letter. There's a letter, I- It was a threat. Tapos may natanggap pa akong isa. May oras at lugar," simula ni Spade.