Hide And Seek With Mr. Devil

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Artiona Novaliege.

De Niro wants a game where the price is truth or dare at naglalaro na kami at nakadalawang panalo na s'ya. What can I expect since he's the cave's master? The dealer collected our bet for a restart and waited us to put our coins.

"I bet on player.", he said then looked at me.

We are playing banker at sa larong 'yon ay dalawa lang ang pagpipiliian, banker o player at nakasulat 'yon sa game table. May dealer sa gitna at maglalagay s'ya ng dalawang baraha sa magkabilang side at kailangan mag equal 'yon sa 9 o sa mas mababa. Tinanguhan ko s'ya at naglagay sa banker.

Sa banker side ay may dalawang hearts at pitong flower while in player's side ay may dalawang queen, dahil sakto sa nuebe ang banker, definitely, I won.

"Tsk! Pure luck.", pang-aasar n'ya na tinawanan ko lang. Everything looks normal so far and we're like old friends playing casually but my guard is still up since I am in his cage.

"Maybe you're just a little.. unfortunate.", pabalik kong pang-aasar at nginitian n'ya lang ako. Inisip ko naman ang pwede kong itanong o ipagawa sa kanya dahil bukod sa buo kong pangalan at paborito kong pagkain kanina ay wala na s'yang ibang malalim na itinanong. "This table.. do you like playing in it?", I asked randomly since it's only fair.
Mukang hindi naman n'ya inaasahan ang tanong at mahina s'yang tumawa.

"Of course.", maikli n'yang sagot bago n'ya titigan ang lamesa. "I like playing in it pero.. hindi baraha o kung anong pera.", he seductively said then stared at me. I know what he meant.

Ngumisi naman ako. "Dream on, De Niro.", I said pettily. He laughed before smiling playful again.

"Why would I?", he asked innocently na ikinataas naman ng kilay ko. "You might fall for me, you know.", he said like a devil.

Hindi ko makuha ang timpla n'ya pero alam ko rin na may iba pa s'yang itinatago. He's really trying to seduce me but I know something is off, something that I do not wanted to see. Something he's trying to hide.

I just stared at him and throw the idea of me falling in love with this man. Tinawanan ko lang s'ya at tumaya na.

"How can I? I loath you, De Niro.", I seriously said at pinaramdam kung gaano kalalim ang galit na itinatago. I don't have time to deal with devils or waste my times on them. Ramdam ko naman ang pagkakaroon ng tensyon sa'ming dalawa.

Nawala ang asar sa muka n'ya at nawalan 'yon ng emosyon. "Loathing me won't do anything.", he said with mockery. Hindi ko naman 'yon nagustuhan at nang makitang ako ang nanalo ay hindi ko na sinagot ang sambit n'yang 'yon.

"I dare you to not call me by my name.", I said na nagpatahimik sa kanya. The banker clean the the table again and De Niro is now looking at me.

"What should I call you then?", he asked casually. The tension faded and bumalik ang normal naming usapan.

I shrugged. "Depends if you win.", I said and I immediately saw his little grin.

We started the bet again and then I won again. Hindi ko 'yun inaasahan dahil hindi katulad n'ya na talaga may alam sa larangang 'to, pure luck lang ang meron ako. I do play games in casino but cards are my weakness.

He then leaned in his arm rest at ipinatong ang ulo sa kamay n'ya - naghihintay sa susunod kong gagawin. His stare is one of a kind, it's too deep, too intimidating, seductive yet so cold. A beauty inside this majestic man.

"What are you planning to do? I meant the drug inside the yacht.", I said in a serious tone. Everyone around us stopped- the waiters, banker, and his guards. They are all looking at me like I am some kind of thief, ready to be seized.

They are all staring at me and De Niro look calm. Mukang inaasahan na n'ya na mapupunta ang usapan sa ganitong pagkakataon kaya naman walang kahit na anong bahala sa mga mata n'ya.

He licked his lips and innocently looked at me. "I don't know.", he said casually like he's clueless. He doesn't even bother the fact that I might do something ridiculous again, like killing him or kill his people.

"Is that possible?", I asked with sarcasm, trying to hide my frustrations.

Bumuntong hininga naman s'ya at hindi nabago ang pwesto. "I really do not know what's with the drugs. That night, you made a scene, remember?", he said with boredom. Hindi naman agad ako nagsalita. Nang ibubuka ko na ang bibig ay muli s'yang nagsalita. "One more question and I will dare you something you'll regret.", he threatened me with confidence. He will win the next round.

Nagsimula na ulit ang banker na kumuha at magbukas ng baraha matapos naming tumaya. We're both watching attentively at naririnig ko ang mahinang pagkanta n'ya na parang himno.

I don't find it anything ridiculous since ang naramdaman ko ay pinaglalaruan n'ya ako. He's trying to mock and play with me with the way things are always in my favor.

"Then, does it involve children?", I asked meaningfully. Nawala ang ngiti n'ya at sumeryoso ang muka. Tumitig s'ya ng matagal at mukang hinahanap ang susunod na sasabihin.

Tinignan naman n'ya ako ng malalim at marahang nagsalita. "It does.. involve them.", he casually said before the banker announce the winner. De Niro won and I really expect it.

Sinubukan ko talagang pigilan ang sariling puntahan s'ya at patayin matapos n'yang sabihin ang mga salitang 'yon. Nakatingin s'ya sa'kin at ganoon din ako sa kanya, naghihintay kung sino ang unang kikilos at kung saan kami magsisimula.

Maya-maya'y nagsalita s'ya at nag-utos sa tauhan n'yang katabi.

"Get everyone out."