GABRIELLE
SOMETHING HAD shifted in the dynamics I had with Zerachiel. No matter how I refused the factuality of that idea, I couldn't wipe off the reality of it that settled within me every time he was around. This realization had been bugging me since the rooftop.
I was falling for him.
It was a truth I could no longer deny. These feelings, powerful and persistent, were edging closer to the center of my heart, and I couldn't pretend they didn't exist any longer. The realization sent shivers of fear coursing through me. I had never experienced anything so profound as what I felt for him. Ever since Papa passed away, it felt like I had lost both my parents. My mother, following him into the void, had left behind a mere shadow of the woman I once revered.
That kind of love was a weight I wasn't prepared to bear. It had the potential to dismantle my world, shattering it into irreparable fragments. When your heart is tethered to someone else's existence, their absence can leave you adrift, lost in a sea of grief. In the romantic tales we often celebrate, such love seems beautiful—a haunting narrative that dances with idealism. Yet it carries with it the darkness that could extinguish the very light within me.
"Zerachiel . . ." I whispered silently as I watched him in the ring, fighting for his life.
Blood sprinkled everywhere. Screams scratched through my senses. My heart had been in a series of painful panic. However, despite all that, my eyes were all set on the man in front of me— in the center of the entire crowd, throwing punches and kicks.
"Don't worry, he got this," Kaye nudged me, watching Zerachiel as well.
He was team Zerachiel now since Konstantin was not around.
"There's too much blood,"
Kaye chuckled and shook her head, "Isn't that amazing? Blood of men. That only means they were hurting. That idea itself makes me the happiest woman alive,"
Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin at tinuon ulit ang atensiyon kay Zerachiel. He was covered with blood and sweat. His muscles had been flexing. I knew this was not the right time to fantasize about my boyfriend, but I couldn't help it. Memories of us in the College of Nursing rolled into my brain— replaying the cat and mouse we played, with him covered in blood as he chased me down the hallway.
"Are you using protection?" Kaye suddenly asked, which made me almost choke on my own saliva.
"What?"
She shrugged, "I know you are doing the deed with him. I am just curious if you guys are using protection?"
I chewed the bottom of my lips as I realized what she was talking about. Apprehension slithered through my veins when the reality of it all settled in the pit of my stomach. Never did I recall Zerachiel using protection. We were both reckless and negligent about the possibilities of what would happen to us.
"I just got my period last week,"
"So, you are not really using protection, huh?" She looked at me, concern masking her features, "That's kind of reckless for someone like you. I hope Zerachiel is not forcing you into something you don't want,"
I shook my head, "It's not like that. Zerachiel isn't forcing me to do anything against my will,"
She nodded in understanding. Should I tell Zerachiel that we should use protection next time? My eyes darted to the man in front of me— covered in sweat and smeared with blood, he looked hot. I chewed the bottom of my lips as my breathing hitched, and my body started to heat up.
When the fight was done, and Zerachiel got the victory at the end, he immediately snatched me out of the arena. He was holding my hand as he waded through the roaring crowd. Some familiar faces were congratulating him by patting his shoulder. May mga iilang babae rin ang nagtangkang hawakan siya ngunit no'ng napansin ako ay hindi na nila iyon tinuloy.
