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

Chapter XXXV

Her

I was dumbfounded.

"H-Huh?"

Kumalas si Erikson sa pagkakayakap at hinarap ko. His eyes were determined and broken. I gulped the ache.

"Marry me..." He whispered.

"A-Ang bilis naman?" Sinubukan kong matawa pero hindi ko nakaya.

He bit his lower lip and lowered his head. I gulped as I stared at his disheveled state.

"Ayos ka lang ba?"

"I'm sorry I was too fast."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita.

I can't simply marry him! It's complicated! It's not like he can reveal my real gender, everybody knows Henry wouldn't let my deception slide. Pinakaayaw ni Henry ang niloloko siya. 'Tsaka anong mangyayari kapag ikakasal kami? Baka mamaya may balang tumagos sa loob ng simbahan! It's dangerous. I... can't! I'm not ready to risk all of it.

Tangina naman kasi, Ci. Bakit umabot ka sa ganito? Hindi ba ang pinag-usapan natin ay poprotektahan lang siya?! Bakit parang mauuwi yata 'to sa kasalanan?!

"Magpahinga ka na, Ci." Umatras si Erikson kaya kumunot ang noo ko.

My lips part to say a word but he turned his back on me and went out. I sighed and shook my head. Anong sasabihin ko kung mag-uusap kami? I can't tell him I'm agreeing to it! There's a lot at stake! But I... I also can't deny him!

Mas mabuti nang hindi muna kami mag-usap.

Kaya lumabas ako sa opisina at nagmartsa papunta sa kwarto ko. The moment I entered my room, I immediately slumped on the bed, lids were heavy and tired.

Today was a tiring and confusing day.

Tinanggal ko muna ang contact lens ko at dali-daling naligo bago tuluyang bumagsak sa kama. I shut my heaving lids and let myself drift off to unknown.

My body had a specific alarm clock. It woke up five in the morning. Nasanay kasi akong nagigising ng maaga noong nasa militarya pa ako kaya kahit puyat ay nabubuksan ko kaagad ang mata. I took a quick cold shower, my thoughts were running to Erikson's all of a sudden proposal.

Marry me.

I didn't notice it that much but as the memory played like a broken tape in my head, I recognized the pleading and desperation in his tone. It was as if... he was in a hurry?

Mas lalong nagkabuhol-buhol ang nasa utak ko dahil sa napagtanto. I shoo the thoughts away and decided to change in my usual bodyguard attire. When I deemed myself perfect as the "Ci bodyguard" on the mirror, I went out of my room.

Usually Erikson would insist having a breakfast with me so I told him we would eat inside his office— with of course, a specific time. Iyong hindi pa shift ni Angelo kaya palagi akong maaga nagigising.

I stopped walking when I saw Erikson's familiar office door. Am I ready to face him? What if he'll ask me to marry him? How would I react? What will I say?

Umiling ako at bumuntong-hininga. I can do this! I grabbed the door knob and twist it open but then I heard someone talk. My feet halt.

"I'm announcing our engagement."

"Shut-up."

"Wala kang magagawa, Hendrik. Ikakasal tayo sa ayaw at sa gusto mo."

"Just shut the fuck up, Ana."