In the Shadow of Diamond (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 10

Kabanata 10

"Ang ganda mo, Miss Satin," nakangiting puri ni Manang Hilda.

I used to think diamonds were the most beautiful thing in the world. Now I know beauty can be a weapon.

Gold on my skin and red on my lips. The silk dress fits. The mirror tells me I'm perfect, his version of perfect. But all I can see is a stranger looking back.

Kaya pala may bahay dito sa Canada si Cronus ay dahil nandito ang main office. This is where the company manages international sales, marketing, luxury branding, and exports.

Mabilis na dumaan ang isang buwan matapos akong dalhin ni Cronus sa iba't ibang bansa kung saan nag-o-operate ang negosyo niya. Wala naman akong naging problema dahil normal ang buhay ko sa mga nagdaang linggo. May mga pagkakataon na patago akong umiiyak dahil sa pangungulila sa pamilya ko, at sa pilit na pilit kong loob na ipinapakita kay Cronus Morfeo na gusto ko na ang buhay na ibinibigay niya sa akin.

Nagkakasama kami sa iisang kama, pero kapag matutulog lang. Hindi niya ako ginagalaw, ni hindi na rin niya ako binabastos. Ang pinagkaabalahan ko sa mga nagdaang linggo ay ang makipag-close sa mga kasambahay at security, paraan ko na rin para makuha ang loob nila. Hindi lang dapat si Cronus.

"Salamat po, Manang Hilda."

"O basta, huwag mong kakalimutang ngumiti. Tandaan mo, ibang mga tao ang makikita at makakasalamuha mo roon."

I nodded. "Opo. Salamat."

Private jet pa rin ang gamit namin papuntang Paris. The sky over Paris was dark blue, almost black, as the car rolled through wide streets. I sat beside Cronus in silence, wearing a golden dress. My hair was in waves, my lips painted red. Hindi ako sanay sa ganito.

The gala was held at a château just outside the city. The building looked like a palace, its high windows glowing like fireflies.

Bumaba kami ng sasakyam. Photographers waited by the entrance. Kumuha sila ng mga litrato nang makita kami, bigla akong kinabahan at nahiya.

"Smile," Cronus whispered to me, his hand on my back. So I did.

Inside, everything sparkled. Ang malawak at mataas na kisame ay pinintahan ng mga anghel. The crowd was dressed like gods, men in tuxedos, women in silk and diamonds. I had never felt smaller.

Cronus led me through the crowd. Everyone knew him. Everyone wanted to speak to him. He nodded, shook hands, said a few words in different languages. French, spanish and Italian.

"This is Satin," he said. "My wife."

Every time he said it, the people smiled. Some looked at me with interest. Others, with something colder. But I kept smiling.

A tall woman in emerald green approached. Mukha siyang model sa ganda ng hubog ng katawan niya at ng mukha niya.

"So this is your bride," she said in a silky voice.

"Yes," Cronus replied, his smile tight. "Satin, meet Madelaine Renault. She runs our European partners."

I reached out and shook her hand. Hers was cold and strong.

"I hope you enjoy your new world," she said. "It's full of... surprises."

"Thank you," I said, not knowing what else to say.

Madelaine's smile didn't reach her eyes. I could tell she was someone who never said anything without meaning more. She looked me up and down, not like a person, but like a threat.

"I imagine it must be overwhelming," she added.

"I'm adjusting."

Cronus leaned in, his hand still at the small of my back.