Found You, Cindirella (Cast a Spell Series #2)

Chapter XII

Dedicated to: tomatofruitsalad

***

Him

Ci— my new bodyguard, stood stiff beside the door, looking straight at nothingness.

I stared at him longer than needed as we both wait for Angelo to bring the sugar I ordered him. He glanced at me and avoided his eyes immediately, he seemed flustered.

My eyes went down to his small body. I see the cute biceps he's talking about but I don't think that's enough to protect me. Mataas siya pero hindi kasingtaas ko, maliit din ang lapad ng kamay niya at kung tutuusin, kung magsusuntukan kami, ako ang mananalo. I'm not body shaming him, I just think he's meant to study and take a course that does not require any physical effort.

You are body shaming him.

I'm not! Just stating facts. He seemed weak, he cannot be with me during my dangerous jobs!

And why am I worried?

Umiling ako at bumuntong-hininga. I'm being paranoid just because he looks like someone I know.

I closed my eyes when I remembered that specific person I'm trying my best to forget. Umiling muli ako at itinuon nalang ang atensyon sa computer ko. I'm watching an action movie. Ito ang palagi kong ginagawa para hindi ako makatulog. I hate sleeping, it reminds me of— stop! Stop thinking!

Isang katok ang nagpabaling sa akin sa pintuan. Angelo entered the office with a grim expression as he threw the sugar on Ci's hands. Ci was fast that he catched it at instant. I can see it now, one of his strength— speed.

"Sa susunod, si Mavrik na ang uutusan kong bumili ng mga pinapabili niya. Hindi kita puwedeng iwan dito." Seryosong saad ni Angelo.

I shrugged and stood. Ci straightened his back as I stepped close to him. He was holding his breath when we were few inches away from each other, gripping the sugar tight in his hands, I grabbed the sugar he was holding and turned my back on him.

He has long lashes.

Umiling ako nang mapagtanto ang iniisip. Pumasok ako sa pantry at narinig ko ang magaan ngunit mariin niyang yapak sa likod ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ang dami kong napapansin sa ginagawa niya ngayon.

"Pagtitimplahan mo siya ng kape?" Gulat na saad ni Angelo.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit. Bakit nga ba?

"Naaawa ako." That's the most plausible answer.

Angelo scoffed but I ignored him. I threw the black coffee I stirred earlier and create a new one. This time, with a right amount of sugar. Not too sweet but not too bitter. I gave it to Ci who was avoiding his eyes at me or at Angelo, looking flustered.

"Ci." I offered the coffee.

Tinanggap niya ito at tahimik na nagpasalamat. I tilted my head and stared at him. His voice was soft when he whispered, different from his usual gruff tone.

Tahimik siyang humigop habang si Angelo ay masama pa rin ang tingin kay Ci.

"Akala ko ba gusto mo siyang tanggalin sa trabaho?" Si Angelo.

"My decision doesn't change. He's not meant to be my bodyguard but that doesn't mean we should treat him rudely." I said, changing my idea of being rude to him so he would resign. Nakakaawa siya, wala naman siyang ginawang masama para magalit ako.

Natigil sa paghigop ng kape si Ci at nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. His black eyes widened and I raised my brow at him.

"I trained military for five years, I am sure this is my job." Mariin niyang sabi.