✓ | The Assailant's Affection (Fate's Transgression Series, #5)

TAA 16: Love Bond

CHAPTER 16: LOVE BOND

FABBY | FABIENNE

“You are finally awake.”

Lavander was the first to break the silence occupying the room. Kahit may irita sa boses niya ay hindi maipagkakaila na may bahid ng kaginhawaan sa mukha niya. She may not directly say it, but I can see it on her face that she was glad that I am finally awake.

”Siyempre, ayoko naman mamamatay ng hindi ka natatalo,” nakangising litanya ko. I slowly walked towards them while giving my utmost genuine smile.

Lavander scoffed as a response and immediately crossed her arms. “Buong akala ko dahil sa nangyari aalog ‘yang utak mo at titino ka na, mukhang kabaliktaran pa ang resulta,” walang gana niyang sabi.

“Lumaki kasi akong competitive,” saad ko.

I diverted my gaze at Zaryn and was hoping he would feel relief to see me but I got caught off guard by his expression. He looked cold and serious. He looked at me as if he wasn't glad I was here.

“Zaryn—”

“Winchester, prepare the vehicle. Lavander, gather rations for our travel. We will be leaving in an hour,” he said in his most cold and nonchalant voice.

Kahit malayo ako ay ramdam ko ang lamig ng presensya niya. Agad naman tumalima ang dalawa at kahit nagtatakang umalis si Lavander ay hindi na siya nakapagtanong dahil sa paghila ni Winchester sa braso nito saka sabay lumabas ng kwarto.

Naningkit ang aking mga kilay dahil sa inaasal niya. Bakit para siyang galit nang makita ako. May ginawa ba akong mali? May something ba sa mukha ko?

“Ano ba ang problema mo?” tanong ko.

He turned his eyes away from meeting mine. “Nothing, I did not expect you to come here. You should be resting.”

I crossed my arms. “I had my rest. Parang ikaw ata ang kailangan magpahinga— itigil mo muna kaya ‘yang ginagawa mo,” saad ko. He was sprinting around, putting all his things on the table and then settled them on his luggage.

“My team will no longer stay here,” he said as he was busy packing up. When he was done, he forcibly closed the zipper and looked at me. “My mission is done. The conductor is safely escorted to Huin. I have no reason for staying here anymore. Another mission is waiting for me in Narta.”

Napamaang ako saglit. “Kung gayon, you are going to leave me here?’ saad ko. May halong lungkot ang aking boses, subalit pinipilit kong tinatago iyon.

“Leaving you? No, Fabby. You are meant to be here. Ngayon na nandito ka na, tapos na ang trabaho ko,” sagot niya. Wala ni kahit emosyon any nananalaytay sa kanyang mukha at boses.

I felt a pang in my chest. So, all this time, it was work— a job to get done as a gentry. Alam ko naman sa umpisa kung ano ang dahilan nang mga kinikilos niya. Bringing me to Huin is his top most priority. It was all that, and nothing else.

“Was it all work for you?” tanong ko. I couldn't hide the bitterness in my mouth as I expressed my disappointment. “Was those blueberries you gave me just a part of doing your job, too? Was this a job to be done, too?” pinakita ko sa kanya ang palapulsuhan ko na may tattoo na kagagawan niya.

He looked at my wrist but still continued giving me a poker face. I didn't get a reaction from him so my anger burst. May galit sa aking mga mata akong nakatingin sa kanya. Ang higpit ng dibdib ko, para akong nakagapos sa kadena at hindi makahinga.

“I cannot stay in Huin, Fabby. I have a task to fulfill, another order from her majesty. While you, you need to train under her jurisdiction to be able to harness the Dalaysian Beast's power. This journey is meant to be short,” he explained. Although his words struck a sense of realization, he didn't express any concerned eyes.