OBSESSION TRILOGY 1: Hunger [REPOST]

CHAPTER 5

"IS THERE A PROBLEM HERE?"

Napadilat siya nang marinig ang mababang boses na iyon. She looked up... and up to the tall man now standing beside them. He was looking at them with a seemingly blank stare, but the fire in his eyes told everything he felt. He was furious. And not just furious but try-to-mess-with-me-and-you're-dead furious.

"We're okay. Nothing to worry about." Sa tono ni Ryan ay parang dini-dismiss na nito ang bagong-dating na lalaki.

The man stayed. Tahimik na tumitig ito ng mataman kay Ryan. Tumindi ang tensyon sa pagitan ng mga ito dahil sa mahabang katahimikan, tila ba sila nagsusukatan ng tingin.

Napatitig si Alice s bagong dating. He was the one from a while back, the one with the eyes like a lion's. And now his eyes glinted more with a dangerous intent directed to the male in front of him. The two were in a stand-off. But she doubted if Ryan stood a chance. He was at least a foot shorter than the man and leaning towards an average body build. One punch from the tall man, she thought, and Ryan will surely fall unconscious.

Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata nang bigla itong tumingin sa kaniya. Yes, she was right. Eyes of gold, like a lion's eyes. But his eyes had specks of hazel and brown ringed with fiery amber. Hindi pa siya nakakakilala ng kahit sino na mayroong mga mata na tulad nito maliban kay Jake na golden brown naman ang mga mata.

Dahil nakatulala na lamang siya rito, hindi niya napansin na nahablot na pala nito ang braso niya mula kay Ryan. Napatingin siya sa kamay nito sa kaniyang braso. His hands were big, his fingers long and elegant. It wrapped easily around her upper arm with a firm but gentle grip. Tumingala siya nang magsalita ito.

"I'm taking her," simpleng sabi nito kay Ryan. At base sa tono, he wasn't asking permission but merely stating a fact. Or an order.

Bubuka pa lamang ang bibig ni Ryan para siguro tumutol ngunit natigilan ito nang mariing tumitig dito ang lalaki. It lasted for about three seconds pero agad na namutla at pinagpawisan ito.

Hindi na naghintay pa ng ibang reaksyon ang lalaki at dire-diretso na siya nitong hinila palayo roon. Curious na sinundan sila ng tingin ng ibang mga guests. She caught Amanda's eyes and waved her free hand for a sign of help. But to her utter shock, her cousin smiled widely and raised her glass of wine in her direction, as if making a toast in the air.

Hindi pa siya nakaka-get over sa shock doon kaya hindi niya napansing nakalabas na pala sila sa double doors ng hall at paliko sa isang maluwang na pasilyo.

Tahimik na tinitigan niya ang malapad na likod ng lalaki, maging ang kamay nito na nakahawak sa braso niya. He had long strides and she tried to match his fast pace. Pero medyo mahirap iyon dahil nga hindi siya sanay sa suot na heeled na sapatos.

"Can you slow down?" tawag-pansin niya rito. Muntik nang tumama ang mukha niya sa likod nito dahil biglaan itong huminto.

He turned to face down at her. "Hmm?"

"Sabi ko, pwede bang pakibagalan ang paglalakad? Medyo masakit na kasi ang mga paa ko, 'tapos ang bilis mo pang maglakad."

Nanatili itong nakakunot ang noong nakatitig sa kaniya. Pakiramdam niya ay napakaliit niya sa paraan ng pagkakatingin nito sa kaniya.

"Ay, baka hindi Pilipino 'to," bulong niya sa sarili. "Malamang hindi nakakaintindi ng Tagalog. Tsk."

"Come."

Muli siya nitong hinawakan, but this time, he held her hand. He gently pulled her into a spacious hallway. Sa dulo niyon ay malalaking double-doors na yari sa furnished wood. He pushed one door and led her into what seems like an office.