Dei immediately crossed her arms across her chest as soon as she heard him say that.
Ite-take home niya ko? Teka, that doesn't sound right.
"Bakit?!" hindi niya napigilang itanong kay Alden.
"No one's going to take care of you at your place." He drove the car inside the parking entrance of an exclusive condominium so Dei had to get use at the lack of light in the basement before replying.
"I can take care of myself. Hindi tama itong magkasama tayo sa iisang bubong before our marriage."
He safely parked his car on his parking slot and turned to Dei. "I can't take you home. Maraming reporters ang nakaantabay sayo dun because they couldn't find you in hospitals. What happened to you is news-worthy, Dei. Those reporters are hungry for details."
Hindi makaangal si Dei ng pinakitaan siya nito ng picture nang labas ng apartment building kung saan siya nakatira. Maraming reporters ang naghihintay sa labas.
"You're safe here, Dei. May mag-aalaga pa sayo. May maghahatid sundo sayo mula sa trabaho. The food is served by a chef, may taga-linis din ako, and you have your own room. What is making you worry?"
His eyes went down to her arms crossing across her chest. "I am not going to molest you, Dei. I have an image to uphold."
"Pwede naman ako makitulog muna ngayon sa bahay ng kaibigan ko..."
"No. This isn't a request. I am giving you orders. You will stay at my place until we find you a suitable place to live in. I discussed it already with your mother and she has no problem with it."
"Teka... maghahanap ako ng ibang tirahan? Eh mahirap makahanap ng murang apartment ngayon."
"Ikaw pa rin naman ang magdedesisyon kung saan ka titira. As long as it's a new place, I will help you with everything."
"I don't want to be dependent on you."
"I listened to your every whims and requests yesterday. Sa'kin ka naman ngayon makinig. Be good to me. Nasa teritoryo kita ngayon, Dei."
Dahan-dahan na napalunok si Dei. She could hear warning bells ringing in her head. Ito na siguro ang kabayaran ng panggagamit niya sa kabaitan nito kahapon.
*****
Napamangha si Dei pagkapasok sa Bachelor's Pad ni Alden. Her worries... gone. Napalitan na ito ng pagiging utak praktikal niya. Ito na siguro ang una at huling pagkakataon niya na makatuntong siya sa isang penthouse so she should savor this moment.
"Your room is there on the right and mine's at the end of this hallway on the left. So you're safe, Dei," he uttered.
He watched her scan the open dining and living area leading to a large balcony before tracing the way to the hallway on the right where her bedroom was. "Sa dulo ng hallway na 'yan, may swimming pool. Malapit lang sa kwarto mo. You can take a dip before going to sleep."
Malungkot na tinuro ni Dei ang cast sa right wrist niya.
"Oh," tanging naibulalas ni Alden nang maalalang injured pala siya.
"Tayong dalawa lang pala dito?"
"Yes. May oras ang pagpunta dito ng mga staff ko. They'll probably be here around 7pm to clean the area and served us dinner."
