OS #4: Claws of Dominance

19th Dominance

Trek 

I cleared my throat and slowly removed my hand to clasp it.

What a coincidence!

"I'm obviously staying?" Hindi sinasadyang naging tunog sarkastiko iyon kaya mas nagdilim ang kanyang mukha.

He scoffed and tilted his head. "And having fun with a boy?"

Napakunot ang noo ko habang nag-isip agad kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.

Was it the guy back at the restaurant? Did he misinterpret the situation? Dang it.

Tinuro ko ang bandang restaurant. "Oh, him? He was dared by his frie-."

Pinutol niya ako. "That boy is a complete stranger."

"Uh... yes?" Hindi ko alam kung anong isasagot kasi hindi naman 'ata tanong iyon.

The way he stared at me fiercely intimidated me a little, somehow irritated by how I didn't find it a big deal.

"His friends were obviously taking photos, videos of you, and... that's fine as well?"

I laughed a bit to shake off the tension but that made him shoot his eyebrow up. "I'm... used to it?"

Bahagyang umihip ang hangin kaya saglit akong napapikit, medyo malakas iyon at malamig. Pagdilat ko ay napansin kong may tinititigan siya. I followed his line of vision and saw that it's directed on what I'm wearing.

Consciously, I hide my night dress with my cardigan kasi kulang na lang ituro niya na hindi appropriate iyon.

I can almost feel his annoyance when he flicked his gaze back at me as if he didn't like my sudden movement.

He licked his lips and slowly nodded. His expression turned cold, realizing something.

"Right. I forgot you're so used to it... anywhere and anytime."

Makahulugan iyon at agad kong nakuha kung ano ang tinutukoy niya. He just pointed out that I'm so used to people taking pictures of me with guys doing things, anywhere and anytime.

My lips parted. I want to say something but I can't find the right words. Nakakabahala din kasi baka lumala lang kapag may nasabi akong hindi niya magustuhan.

Naging kabado ako ng dumaan ang disappointment sa kanyang mga mata.

I made him mad last time and again today too! What should I do?

Nagsimula siyang maglakad kaya nagpanick ako kung ano ang gagawin.

He was about to walk past me but I just found myself rashly taking a hold on his hand. Our eyes locked and he's looking at me as if I'm just a bother to him.

"I-It's not like that," I stammered for answers.

Kumabog ang puso ko sa halo-halong emosyon pero hindi ako bumitaw at mas hinigpitan ang hawak. Napuna ko pa ang init sa kanyang kamay dahil sa dalang kalamigan ng gabi.

He shifted his weight and didn't say anything.

I bit my lip forcefully as I quickly try to think of reasons pero wala. Wala talaga akong maisip dahil ang gulo-gulo ng utak ko! Ano ba kasi ang gusto niyang sabihin ko?

Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya ng biglang maalala ang sinabi ni Nereus.

Should I do what he told me to?

He sighed. "If there's nothi-"

"I... I will quit entertaining them."

Bahagyang namilog ang kanyang mga mata kaya mas naging desidido akong magpatuloy.