Claimed Beauty (Burning Dominance #4)

CHAPTER 40

A/N: This story deserves this kind of ending. Hehe! Enjoy reading, everyone! ;)

"I JUST WANT to ask something..." Cress asked while playing with the cake on his plate. Nangalumbaba siya at matamang tumingin sa akin.

Narito kami ngayon sa isang Starbucks shop malapit sa Quezon Memorial circle. Cress suddenly invited me to catch up, as we barely see each other now because of some important things in our lives. He was taking care of General del Valle, his boyfriend, and me--I was renovating and supporting Knight Andrius in their upcoming comeback.

Speaking of which, finally, the day has come... ngayong gabi na magaganap ang napipintong pagbabalik ng BRAVIARY K-Pop group sa entablado. The day that everyone's waiting for.

"Well, what is it?" I asked back at Cress, and I sipped on my cup of tea.

"Naisip mo man lang ba... na maghiganti kina Knight at Diana noon? Is there a moment that crossed your mind that you wanted to take revenge on those two?"

I shook my head. "That idea actually never came into my mind," I answered.

He sighed. "Bakit? Bakit ayaw mong mag-revenge-revenge epek sa kanila? You know, they hurt you, ha... I mean, bago kayo mag-reconcile ni, Knight, noong hindi pa kayo nakakapag-usap at nagkaka-paliwanag-an..."

"Forgiveness is the best revenge, Cress," I told him, smiling. "I chose forgiveness rather than revenge, kasi... ayoko ng may bigat na dinadala rito dibdib, ayokong mapuno ng galit ang puso ko at matabunan no'n ang pagmamahal ko para kay, Knight..."

"Hmmp." He rolled his eyes then sighed. "Pero grabe ka rin, 'te, ah. Santa-santahan ka rin, 'no. 'Di 'ko keri 'yan. Naku, kapag ako, naganiyan ni, del Valle, sisiguraduhin kong putol sa akin 'yung titi niyang kasing taba ng lata ng sardinas at kasing haba ng size niya sa paa."

Napailing-iling na lang ako. Mabuti na lang at wala rito ang anak ko. Tama nga ang desisyon kong huwag na siyang pasamahin pa rito sa Tinong Cress niya at baka mapariwa lang ang buhay niya sa isang 'to kapag nagkataon.

"That's also the reason why I chose forgiveness over violence, Cress." Sumeryoso ako. "I know myself better than anyone knows me. I was born into a family with illegal businesses... once na magdesisyon akong maghiganti sa kanila, panigurado, mauubos ang lahi nilang pareho..."

He nodded his head. "Korik ka rin naman diyan, baks. Well, the Greccos and the Fulgencios are equal when it comes to money and business," he smirked. "But if we're talking about the connections, the fighting strategy, and killings, well, I gotta say that the crown will be on the Greccos."

"Mabuti na lang talaga at mas pinili kong mamuhay ng tahimik at magmove-on..." I whispered and got another sip of tea.

"Anong move-on ka diyan? Mahal mo pa nga si, Knight Andrius, e." He arched a brow, then rolled his eyes at me.

I laughed. "Kaya nga, e... nakakatawa, 'no? After how many years, my feelings for him did not fade away. Parang natulog lang sandali dito sa puso ko, then, noong pomorma-porma lang si, Knight, nang kaunti... ayon. Nagparupok na naman."

Natawa rin siya. "Pero seryoso, bading..." Iniabot niya ang kamay ko at hinawakan 'yon. "Alam mo, proud na proud, na proud ako sa 'yo... nag-mature ka na talaga. Hindi na ikaw ang baby, Lili, ko." Nagpunas-punas pa siya ng pekeng luha sa mga mata, nagda-drama.

"I know, and I am proud of myself too." We smiled at each other. "Pero wala naman ako ngayon sa kinatatayuan ko kung hindi dahil sa 'yo--sa inyo. Thank you for always being by my side."

"My gosh, ha. Ayokong maiyak." He shook his head vigorously and stood up from his seat. "Pasakal--este payakap nga, bading." Pinatayo niya ako sa upuan at mabilis na hinigit upang yakapin.