Living with the Seven Princes of Hell

- DUO -

CONTRACT

"My guts never failed to amaze me."

I swallowed hard and hesitated to turn my head. But in the end, I gathered all my courage and face the man.

There, behind me, was a man taller than me, standing with both of his hands on his pocket. He wore an eyeglass with an expressionless look on his face.

"W-who are you?" I asked as I was scanning his whole appearance.

He chuckled coldly. "Really? You have the guts to ask me that when in fact, you're the one who trespassed here."

Napahinto ako. Oo nga, ano? Ako pa talaga ang may ganang mag tanong kung sino siya when in fact, pamamahay naman niya 'to.

"S-sorry -

"Louder." He commanded.

"Sorry -

"I said, louder."

"I'm sorry." I said in a more clear voice, but not that loud.

Sandaling katahimikan ang namutawi sa'min. Nakatitig lang ako sa kaniya at ganon din siya sa'kin.

"Thank you for last night." I broke the silence.

"I don't want to hear that word again."

I looked at him, confused. Bakit? Ayaw ba niyang magpasalamat ako sa kaniya?

"Ha -

"Say it again, and you will be punished. I don't want to hear such disgusting words in my territory." He cut me off.

Huh? Disgusting? Giving thanks to him is disgusting? Anong klaseng lalaki 'to?

"You call that disgust -

"And don't talk back either. If I'm talking, you just have to lower your head or when I'm asking you, you just have to answer yes or no. I don't accept nodding because I consider that disrespect. Am I understood?" He said with a voice full of authority.

Nakatingin pa rin ako sa kaniya. So that's the law of this mansion, yeah? Pero bakit ko pa ba gagawin 'yon, e 'di rin naman ako magtatagal dito? Maybe ten minutes from now, kukunin ko na ang hoodie ko at aalis na.

"I'm asking you, am I understood?" He asked firmly.

I nodded. "Aalis na ako."

Akmang lalampasan ko na siya nang mag salita ito. "I'm not done talking. I also consider that disrespect."

I stopped and looked at him. Nasa gilid na niya ako at siya naman ay nakatingin pa rin sa kung saan man ako kanina.

He looked at me. "And who told you that you can go?"

I squinted my eyes. "Ako. Aalis na ako dahil hindi ko naman bahay 'to."

"I fired our maid ten minutes from now." He said and walked towards his swivel chair and sat.

"And? So what if you fired your maid?" Tuluyan na akong naka tingin sa kaniya.