Burning in Diamonds (COMPLETED)

Kabanata Dalawampu't Isa

"What do you mean?" tanong ko nang unti-unting nagproseso ang lahat ng sinabi niya sa akin.

How could this simple necklace do that?

"That mark inside of the diamond is the symbol of my responsibility and protection, all of mafia heirs and dynasties has their different symbol and mine is a red dot."

Hinaplos niya ang kuwintas sa leeg ko, may kung anong emosyon sa kanyang mga mata na parang sinabing napakaganda nito sa akin.

"We use this protection for someone who's important to us, every fucking person who's involve in Mafia will be aware of this once they see it and they will fucking stop seeing you. Isang pitik lang ng mga daliri ko ay na nitong tawagin ang lahat ng nasa itaas, so please accept this." Sambit niya pa.

Is that how can be his mark this powerful?

"I bet you also give your mark in your families, diba you value families in the first place?" I joked and laugh softly, pero nawala rin kaagad ang tawa ko nang makita ang mukha niyang seryoso habang nakatingin lang sa mga mata ko.

"No, yes we value families but that doesn't mean I'll give this to them. My mark was only for two person, myself and. . . for the person who I value more than my family."

And he value me that much. . . ?

"M-Mendoza, what do you mean?"

Inayos niya ang pagkakatayo sa harapan ko at mas inilapit pa ang aming mga katawan, "what do you think?" he asked back like he was challenging me.

Uminit ang mga pisngi ko at ramdam ko ang pagkulo ng sikmura ko, hindi iyon dahil sa gutom kundi dahil sa kilig na nabubuo sa loob ng sistema ko.

He always have that effect on me.

But in the end, I smiled and hold his both hands. He also look like he was observing what I am gonna do after that.

"Thank you, thank you for giving me this protection. It's an honor and I will always thank you for always being there when I am happy, silly, broken and messy." Ngumiti ako ng malapad sa kanya, I don't like this anymore, I don't like myself lying with myself.

It was always been me vs me, I can't keep it secret but he was right. I am always running away and afraid of the truth, truth that I like him and I am afraid that I would be dependent behind.

"And to be honest. . . I think I also felt something for you. I like you, Tenzuos." Humigpit ang hawak ko sa dalawa niyang mga kamay habang nakikipaglaban sa mga mata niya, umangat ang sulok ng kanyang bibig hanggang sa umuwi ito sa malapad na ngisi.

"Fuck, you have no idea how the fuck did I imagined you saying this before."

Bumuo ako ng isang magiliw na ngiti sa labi, parang natunaw ang puso ko nang makita siyang nakangiti ulit. Gone being his usual self, just like this.

Smiling sincerely, iyong parang nakangiti lang na para sa akin. That's it. . . my favorite.

"Uhm. . . can I ask you something?" Tumango lang siya.

"Would you mind me calling you Yoren? lahat kasi ng tao sa paligid mo ay iyon ang tinatawag sa'yo." Naiilang kong inayos ang buhok na kumakalat sa pisngi ko, napatingin lang siya sa akin ng matagal.

"No, just call me Tenzuos. I like hearing that from you." Nakita ko kung paano lumambot ang mukha ni Mendoza.

"O-okay, Tenzuos then. I like it too."

Nawala na ang kaba sa akin kapag malapit siya, a one thing replaced it. Home, I suddenly felt comfortable around him like, I love this energy like it was giving me a vibe that's everything is going to be okay.