Bow & Tuxedo (Opposites Attract #1)

Chapter 28

Twenty-Eight

WHEN THEY ENTERED the penthouse, David didn't let go of Warren's wrist and just guided him into the living room.

"Sit." David ordered gently.

Warren didn't show any type of resistance and just flopped his entire weight on the sofa. Warren straightened his back, placed his hands on top of his thighs, and massaged his knees.

"Relax, my lord. You looked stiff." David chuckled softly when Warren flinched from the gentle tap he made on his shoulder.

Warren cleared his throat. "What you said... at the hospital. You said you were worried about me, why?"

Umikot si David sa sofa at naupo sa kanyang tabi. He sat with his legs folded on the cushion, maintaining an indian style position.

"Seryoso ka sa tanong mo?"

"Yes," Warren said, almost breathless.

I need to know the reason or else I'll be filling my mind with all of these irritating what-ifs again. Warren thought.

The corner of David's lips twitched. He shakes his head lightly later on. "Sasabihin ko sa 'yo kung bakit, but only after you tell me the reason why you're acting like this."

Napatingin si Warren sa kamay ni David nang pumatong ito sa tuktok ng kanyang kamay.

"Make me understand, my lord. I want to help you... but I can't do that if you're going to keep me in the dark here," David said in a sincere voice.

Matagal na tumitig si Warren sa kamay ni David na nasa tuktok ng kanya. Taimtim niyang ding iniisip ang mga salitang binitawan ni David.

Throughout his entire existence, no one had tried reaching out to him like this. Warren never once encountered a person who wanted to understand him so badly and find out the reasons behind his actions.

These gestures were kind of new for him. The kind of gestures that make Warren feel seen, heard, and understood.

But all of that changes now.

At this very moment, one man was sitting in front of Warren, asking him to tell his story so he could understand him better.

Finally, someone wanted to hear him. And that man was David.

"I know you always say that you've been doing this thing ever since your father gave you your first task, but I refused to believe that you were actually comfortable with all of this." David gently squeezed Warren's hand as he continued his words. "It's problematic, and it's not right. How your father treats you is not right, Warren. You deserve so much more than that."

And like a reflex, Warren recoiled from David's touch and quickly rose to his feet. The words David threw at his father somehow made Warren extremely uncomfortable. Hindi sanay si Warren na nakakarinig ng ganoong mga salita laban sa kanyang ama.

"Don't... talk to my father that way." Warren's voice was weak and a bit shaky. "He... He's not that bad."

"Oh, is that right?" David scoffed. "So your father could degrade you like you're a stranger and not his son, but I can't voice my opinions about how shitty your father is."

Hindi sumagot si Warren kaya nagpatuloy lang si David. "Tingin mo ba natutuwa ako sa ginawa niya sayo? Kung magsalita siya parang wala kang silbi, eh halos mamatay ka na 'nga sa pagod para makausad lang yung plano niya sa lintek na hotel na yan—"

"David! Please! God—no more, please!" Warren's shout was like the sound of a person who's torn and conflicted inside.

David's chest ached in sympathy as he watched Warren's reactions.