IDLE DESIRE 10: THE SINFUL LOVE

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THIRD PERSON POV

“I'm happy to see you again!” Isang masigla at matinis na boses ang narinig ni Herschel habang tahimik siyang nakaupo sa silya.

He was already at his dad's office, and he was expecting to see him, but his forehead furrowed when he saw his father's mistress. Tama nga ang sinabi ni Arawn sa kaniya, si Navarette na ang umaasikaso sa business ng kaniyang ama.

“Where is my father? I want to talk to him,” seryoso niyang sabi.

But the woman in the black dress just smiled sweetly at him before sitting down in his father's swivel chair.

“Your father is on a business trip, and I don't know when he'll be back. Just tell me what you need or if you have something important to say to him, I will make sure na makakarating sa kaniya,” nakangiti nitong saad.

Imbis na sumagot ay malalim lang siyang bumuntonghininga. Hindi siya naniniwala na nasa ibang bansa ang kaniyang ama.

He looked at her firmly. “I know you're hiding my father. You don't have to deny it anymore, Mrs. Navarette.”

Saglit na hindi nakakibo ang ginang sa kaniya. Alam ni Herschel na sa kabila ng ngiti nito ay mayroon itong lihim na tinatago.

“Bakit ko naman itatago ang daddy mo, hijo? Wala naman akong dahilan para gawin iyon,” ani nito sa malambing na tono.

“Because you're crazy,” malamig at diretso niyang tugon. “I know that you are behind the deaths of my mother and younger sister.”

Natawa nang bahagya si Navarette.

“You and your dad are the same. Bakit ba ako ang sinisisi ninyo sa pagkamatay ng mommy mo at ni Solene? I could never do that. Parang anak na ang turing ko sa inyo ni Solene,” wika niya at pinalungkot pa ang tono ng kaniyang boses to make him believe that she is telling the truth. But Herschel won't buy into her poor acting. He won't be convinced by anything this woman says.

“You are wrong. I am not like my father that you can manipulate and make a fool of. I'm not like him who would fall in love with a witch like you,” walang kautal-utal niyang sabi kaya muling natawa si Navarette.

“I can't believe you can be so harsh with me. You can also speak sharply and directly. Is that what a priest should be like, Father Herschel?” At tumaas ang kilay nito sa kaniya.

Herschel's mischievous grin drew on his lips. “I was just blunting the truth, Mrs. Navarette. It's not my fault if you get hurt by me stating the fact that you're an evil witch, because you are nothing but a cunning manipulator. Palibhasa ay hindi lahat ay kaya mong utuin at maging sunud-sunuran sa 'yo. You can't control everything or anyone, so I wouldn't be surprised if one day, my father regrets loving you and choosing you over my mother,” mahaba at may diin niyang sabi.

He doesn't want to be harsh on her or provoke her to be mad at him. He was just doing this to let her know who he was and what he could do. Yes, he is a priest who is admired and respected by the people of San Agustin, but he can be a wolf in sheep's clothing. He is a holy man, but he is willing to become evil just to protect his loved ones.

Napansin niya kung paano tumalim ang tingin ni Navarette sa kaniya. Hindi rin nakaligtas sa kaniya kung paano mahigpit na kumuyom ang kamao nito habang mariin na nakatitig sa kaniya.

“You're a priest, right? Know your place and respect me because I'm still your stepmom---”

“Not anymore, Mrs. Navarette. I can be whatever I want,” he cut her off.

“Pero isa ka lang pari at wala kang kahit na ano'ng kakayahan---”

Herschel let out a low laugh before giving her a sly grin. “Do you think I'm just a priest who's incapable of being anything?” he asked before standing up.