Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 10

I spent another busy week in Manila, which is another valid reason for me not to visit the shop. I just made sure that everything was fine by having Adeline report to me every week.

I don't even remember how I got home last night to my parents' house—safe and sound. Sobrang lasing ako kagabi, pero sigurado akong pinilit ko pa rin ang sarili. Bwisit, mapapahamak ako sa sarili kong kagagawan! Seeing that I'm wearing my nightdress, I must've still had the strength to clean up and change before finally passing out.

Minasahe ko ang ulo at napaungol, "Fuck, I swear this is the last time I'll go home drunk and wasted."

I reprimanded myself, realizing how careless I was. Sinong tanga ang uuwing mag-isa from Manila to Bulacan ng lasing? Ako lang naman.

Naalala ko pa kung paano kong minabuting ligtas na makauwi ang dalawang kaibigan, tapos pagdating sa akin, sobrang pabaya ko? I just hope my parents were already fast asleep when I got home. I wouldn't want to hear their sermon and worries today—at isa pa, may hangover rin ako.

I didn't bother changing out of my nightdress. Nauuhaw ako, at wala akong tubig sa kwarto. My throat felt so dry from all the drinking and shouting the whole night.

I walked down the stairs, making sure to hold on to the railing tightly, afraid I might roll down. I was still dazed and oblivious to my surroundings. And when I saw Kuya Ezra's head peeking from the single sofa he was leaning on, instead of going straight to the kitchen, I strode toward him.

He was busy with something, but I still approached him. I glanced down at some papers and blueprints spread across our coffee table.

"Good morning, Kuya," I said, kissing him on the cheek.

Mabilis niya akong nilingon, kita ang gulat sa kanyang mukha. "I thought you were going home today? Sino naghatid sa'yo?"

"I took a cab, chill," nginisihan ko siya. I sat down on the armrest of the sofa. Tumalim ang tingin niya sa akin at pinatong ang kanyang braso sa hita ko.

"Amoy alak ka," ngiwi niya.

"By the way, I'm with my friends," he said, motioning toward the people I hadn't noticed earlier.

"I know you already met Art and Jacques—nakasama mo na 'yan sa mga hangout dati." Tumango ako. "This is Akio. He's also our friend. Busy man, kaya hindi mo nakikita."

I was closely familiar with the two guys, while this other guy... oh, you wouldn't want to dive deep into the details. But sure, I was very familiar with him too—especially in bed, even if what happened between us was just for one night.

Shocked is an understatement to define what I'm feeling right now. I didn't know he was in my brother's circle! This is fucked up. Oh, for sure, my brother would be mad. No—hell would rise and break if he ever found out about it!

Kung kilala ko siya, of course, I wouldn't have even slept with him! Kuya will surely get mad—and probably kill me. Gusto ko mang pairalin ang emosyon ko, hindi puwede. I can't let them know about that one night when lust completely took over the both of us.

"Maia, just call me Maya," I introduced myself briefly. I didn't even bother offering a handshake and only gave him a small nod. I kept a straight face, acted normal even if my insides were in absolute havoc! Our eyes met, but he didn't let a minute pass before shifting his gaze, staring piercingly at my brother's arm.

The shift in his expression emitted a cold and dark aura, but instead of making me nervous, it sent a thrill through my chest. Where's your signature smirk, boy?

My lips curved lightly into a small grin that I instantly dropped, breaking eye contact. Inilipat ko ang tingin sa dalawa at binati ko ang lalaki sa aking harapan. This situation is really nerve-wracking but I couldn't deny that his reactions were quite amusing. It entertained me.