Taming the Vampire

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

M I L L E R

"So... in the end, y-you told the Supreme without my permission."

Bumuntong-hininga naman si Mateo sabay pikit ng mata, he then immediately opened his eyes and uttered,"Yes, I thought that we can no longer hesitate. The Supreme is pleased with Miller's cooperation. Good thing he is a smart person. He knows what's the right thing to do."

Hindi muna sumagot si Axel. He just looked down, tila ba sumusuko na siya. Pero bigla niya ulit inangat ang ulo niya at tumingin sa akin.

"Miller, do you know what it implies if the Supreme discovered about you?" he demanded.

I did not reply. I have one thing in mind pero hindi ko rin alam kung tama. And the vampires always surprises me. It's a waste to guess about it. Sa palagay ko may tsansa na iba ang magiging sagot.

"He won't let you go, Miller," sambit niya. "The other vampirized humans might have their own choice to stay or leave, but you are a different case. The Supreme will use you to gain answers behind vampirization. Why did you agree? You can just refuse and be free. He's a kind person, he will let you be if you refuse him."

Why did I agree? Oo nga naman, bakit nga ba? I was just thinking about him. I was thinking that there was no other choice. Totoo rin naman. Pagod na akong maghabol. Pagod na akong sumalo sa responsibilidad ni Dad.

I might be a cold person, yet I hate that I can't cut my attachment to other people. I... I just hate being kind.

Hindi ako sumagot. I can't reply him with my disoriented thoughts. Ang gulo-gulo pa ng isipan ko, baka lumala lang ang sitwasyon at magkaroon ng hindi pagkakaintindihan dahil dito.

Tumabi si Mateo. Hinayaan niya akong makapasok sa silid at lumapit kay Axel. Although I did not get any closer than a meter and half as I can still perceive his disappointed aura.

"It's his decision," tugon ni Mateo matapos ang mahabang katahimikan. "Why do you care about his decision?"

Axel jolted, as if Mateo has uttered a word that caused an epiphany for him. Gayunpaman ay mabilis din itong nawala nang bumagsak ang balikat niya at bumuga siya ng hangin sa ilong.

Umiwas siya ng tingin, and with a hint of reluctance he said, "I... I don't want to be burdened..." He gasped. He must have realized that he just thought out loud. "I mean... I only meant that it was me who brought him under these circumstances. I made him a vampire."

I clenched my fist. I hate that I can see through his lies. Halatang-halata na sinasabi niya na ayaw niyang madagdagan ang pasanin niya. Siguro nga malaki ang kontribusyon niya sa aksidenteng pagkakakagat niya sa akin. But if they say that a vampire's instinct to obtain blood is beyond the control of the vampire himself, doesn't it make the both of us the victims? We are just unlucky to get caught up in such situation.

"It's fine. I don't blame you," I said.

How is it still fine, Miller? I questioned myself. But even I can't say... yet.

"I must leave first. I still have a few things to arrange with the newbie alphas," Mateo mentioned before he left the room.

The room became quiet. Ako at si Axel na lang ang naiwan sa loob. The room is too big for two people yet the silence is suffocating. I wanted to start a conversation but I am not the talkative type. I am never good at starting one so I decided to get used to the silence kung saan talaga ako magaling.

But then the silence was broken by a sharp noise. Napalingon ako sa bed side table kung saan nanggagaling ang ingay. Napaatras ako ng isang hakbang sa gulat habang kalmado naman na inabot ni Axel ang drawer ng lamesa. He pulled it out and a tiny bronze clock appeared in his hand after he pushed it back close.