Taming the Vampire

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

M I L L E R

Isang buong araw na naman na puno ng taguan ang natapos. Pauwi na ako nang makaramdam ulit ako ng gutom. I took a detour to the nearest convenience store before the condominium building to grab a cup of noodles and bread.

Once I'm done satisfying my tummy, I did not hesitate to leave and start walking in the quiet alley of the neighborhood. It is a little bit inappropriate to call the area a neighborhood. Because instead of houses, they have condominium and apartment buildings around the area.

Rich people.

Ilang metro na lang ang layo ko mula sa entrance ng building nang may dumaang sasakyan. It is rare to have one in this area at this hour.

Huminto ang sasakyan sa harap ng entrance. At first, I did not pay too much attention. Baka kasi residente lang din ng building ang bababa. But then when the passengers came out, I thought that indeed the person is a resident in the building but the one with him is not. Lumabas sa sasakyan ang isang hindi pamilyar na lalaki habang akay-akay nito sa balikat si Axel. He sure has a lot of friends despite of his exclusive personality.

Nagmadali akong lumapit. Tumakbo ako para maabutan sila bago pa man pumasok sa entrance ang lalaki.

"Is he drunk again?" tanong ko sa sandaling nakalapit ako sa kanila. Sakto lang din dahil hindi pa nakakahakbang patungo sa entrance ang dalawa at kasasara lang ng lalaki sa pinto ng sasakyan.

Mukhang may driver din sa loob. I then instantly confirmed it when the car slowly moved forward and turned to where the underground parking area is located.

Wrinkles appeared on the man's forehead as he asked, "Uh, who are you?"

Tumingin ako saglit kay Axel na maliban sa nakayuko lang ay puno rin ng malalaking butil ng pawis ang gilid ng mukha niya. "Oh, he did not tell you about me?" banggit ko.

Hindi pa man nakakasagot sa akin ang lalaki ay nagsalita na si Axel. Although his voice sounded hoarse and fainting hindi pa rin niya inangat ang mukha niya.

"Mat... Mateo..."

It is as if he is talking in his sleep.

"I am his housemate." Nauna na akong magpakilala sa kanya, and decided to have a guess since Axel already mentioned a name. "I'm Miller, and I supposed you are Mateo?"

"Uh-huh," tipid niyang sagot.

He is also checking me out from head to toe.

"Great. Thank you for bringing him home," bati ko habang ipinapakita ang ngiti ko. I just want to appear friendly and trustworthy to this person. "Should I carry him instead? Pabalik na rin naman ako, I just got home from work."

Hindi pa rin ata siya tapos sa pag-sususpetsa sa akin at tinitigan lang ako sa mukha. After a few seconds he said, "... No, I'll help you in. Instead of being drunk, this guy is having a hard time with his... wound."

"Wound?" Ano na naman kaya ang nangyari? "Hey, you. Don't tell me that vamp—that guy bothered you again?"

"So, you know about us?"

"Ah—a little bit."

Us. He must be Axel's another vampire friend.

"Why is there a mortal in your house?" tanong nito kay Axel. His voice kind of sounds angry yet worried at the same time.

Axel scoffed as a reply. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang ibig sabihin niya doon pero imbes na tugunan ang katanungan ng lalaki ay unti-unti na inangat ni Axel ang kanyang ulo habang iniwika ang mga katagang, "C-Could you just bring me inside?" His request is quiet and tired. He must be really hurt.