A DANGEROUS MAFIA BOOK1&2

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

Dámn, why do I feel... Guilty? Like I betrayed my family. No, I don't betrayed anyone. Iniisip ko lang ang magiging kaligtasan ng magiging anak namin ni Blake, dahil kung patuloy kaming mamumuhay sa ganito ay hindi malabong mapahamak ang anak namin. Blake has his hands shoved in his pockets, and he's pacing, a worried look on his face. “Did you see the look on my father's face? What if I went too far?” nagaalalang sabi nito at umiling ako.

“Blake, you did not go too far. You did exactly the right thing.” sabi ko saka hinawakan ang kamay niya at inilagay sa tyan ko. “You were being an incredible father and protecting your family. You should be proud of yourself.” sabi ko at napapikit ito ng mariin.

“I want to settle down with both of you. I want our lives to be less complicated. I'll make sure all your dreams come true. But I can't help but feel like I'm letting my family... my father...down." sabi nito saka napayuko as if he can throw a mask over the sadness on his eyes. God, Blake, I want to take away all of your hurts. Mabilis akong lumapit para yakapin siya ng mahigpit, sobrang higpit, sorry, Blake. Kasalanan ko 'to kung bakit nalalagay ka ngayon sa ganito.. sana lang hindi ka mapagod sa pag-pili saakin.

This is all I can do, hinawakan ko ang pisngi niya at hinalikan siya sa pisngi niya at huminga ito ng malalim saka ngumiti.

KINAGABIHAN I fall asleep, cradled in Blake's arms, only to be shaken awake a short time later. Blake's eyes are wide, almost frantic, and it takes a minute to register what he's saying to me.

“Fire! There's a fire!” sigaw nito saakin.

The door. Without another thought, bumangon kaagad ako saka lumapit sa pinto para isara ito. “It will take longer to spread.” sabi ko saka inayos ang suot kong robe. Pumasok naman si Blake sa banyo at paglabas nito ay may dala na siyang dalawang basang towel.

“Put this over your mouth and follow me.” sinunod ko naman ang inutos nito, saka ko kinuha ang baril na binigay ni Blake noon na Inilalagay ko lang sa ilalim ng unan ko. I might need this.

Sinundan ko agad si Blake na nakalabas nasa bintana pero nakaalalay ang kamay nito sa loob para makalabas din ako. “Come. Now!” sigaw nito. Blake's helps me out the window into the fresh air. He jumps onto the ground and puts me in his arms to pull me down. “Isabella, you're safe now!”

Nang makarating kami ng ligtas sa isa sa mga apartment ni Blake ay halata ang galit sa mukha nito. “That's definitely arson! Someone is fúcking around. And I'm fúcking to kíll him.” His rage is palpable, his face twisted in a grimace and covered in dust, the smell of smoke still faint on his clothes.

“Blake, maligo ka muna? Baka makatulong ito para kumalma ka.” sabi ko at huminga ito ng malalim.

“I'm sorry. I'm just angry. We both could have díe.” sabi nito at tumango ako.

“Alam ko. Paguusapan natin to mamaya, magayos ka muna, okay.” sabi ko at tumango ito.

Nang makaalis na nga si Blake para maligo ay nagring agad ang phone ko at mula ito kay Papa. “Hello?” mahina kong sabi.

“Isabella, narinig ko yung nangyari sainyo? Mabuti naman at ayos kalang.” kumunot naman ang noo ko, heard about the fire? Already? Pero nangyari lang yon halos about  half an hour?

“Paano ho ninyo nalaman?” takang tanong ko at huminga siya ng malalim.

“Police ako, at meron akong tagabalita sa mga nangyayari sainyo.” sabi nito at hindi nalang ako nagusisa pa.

“I'm fine. Blake is fine. The baby is fine. Lahat naman ng tao sa bahay ni Blake ay nakalabas ng ligtas.” sabi ko at kumunot agad ang noo ni Papa.

“The baby?” sabi nito at napakagat naman ako sa ibabang labi ko.