Dancing with the Devil

Chapter 37

Ginawa ko ang mga bagay na gusto kong gawin, mga hindi ko malayang magawa kapag nasa manila. It was surprising how he didn't bother me—unless it was time to eat. He always made sure I ate on time

Sa totoo lang, kung hindi dahil sa kanya ay hindi ko maalala na kumain. The place is undeniably a paradise, but still I felt trapped into something undefined that I don't notice how time took a leap bypassing me or some sort.

At sa bawat araw ring lumipas ay hindi ako humintong pilitin siyang umuwi na ng Manila. He doesn't have a reason to stay here for more, especially that on some days I'll catch him on the call and his face paint is stressed. Just last night, I saw him in front of his laptop, obviously doing work.

Napapaisip tuloy ako kung hindi ba siya naabala sa mga dapat niyang gawin? He's not needed here, why stay?

This is supposedly my time alone, not alone—with his presence!

I continued bugging him, hoping that he'll lose patience, get annoyed, then finally back up but when did I ever win over him, right?

As petty as I am. Para makabawi, hinayaan ko siyang parang tangang at may kausap sa hangin, hindi na nag-abala na sagutin siya o tapunan man lang ng tingin.

At this point, I already earned myself a personal bodyguard; who's always ready and focused with following me around.

Maybe a dog, I kept on a leash. Sunod nang sunod. Akala mo ay kulang sa aruga at nanghihingi ng atensyon sa furparent niya.

"You're drinking out, again?"

His gaze locked on the screen of his laptop, not even looking my way.

"Anong paki mo?"

Irritated? Damn right I am—big time. But more than anyone, I'm irritated with myself for acting like a stranger. I didn't even plan on going out tonight. But something shifted. My mood flipped instantly—did a full 180 the moment I saw that.

He was acting like some free food on the table, like he owned the right to take whatever he wanted.

The nerve of him!

He looked at me, brows furrowed in confusion. "What's with the attitude I'm hearing?"

What do I expect from a guy like him? Of course, girls are everywhere, and with a man like him? Bestowed with an inhumanly beautiful face, as if every feature were carved with meticulous precision—almost unreal.

All he needs to do is sit, let every girl flock all around him. My lips pressed into a thin line, sealed tightly together. I strode over to his side, closing the distance between us while my eyes bore into him intently—silently hoping he'd understand the answer I couldn't say out loud, because I didn't want to be rude.

Maldita na ko, ayaw ko ng dagdagan pa. Kapag ganitong mainit ang ulo ko, mas mabuting manahimik at magpalamig muna. I never like myself whenever I get angry because I tend to do things that I'll soon regret when my head cooled down.

"Hey..."

Kinabig niya ang kamay ko, nahulog ako sa kaniyang hita. I squealed in silence. I move my face away from him, but he manages to tuck strands of my hair. Sinubukan kong tumayo, ngunit mahigpit ang yakap niya sa akin.

To free myself from his hold, I had to do it the right way. Let him loosen his grip on his own.

"May problema ba tayo? You can tell me about it."

"We were fine just a while ago... Did I do something, what is it?

We were fine? Siya lang ata may alam ng mga pinagsasabi niya. I shifted on his lap, mentally rolling my eyes.