Burnt Traces (Esquivel Series #1)

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1
HEIRON CINCO ESQUIVEL

ISANG ORAS na ang nakalipas, narito pa rin ako sa prisinto kasama ang mga pulis, mga kaibigan ko, at pati ni Heiron. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong maramdaman. Nakayuko lang ako habang tulala. The alcohol makes me dizzy. I tried not to puke. I covered my mouth with my palm that smells like mint.

"She's not stealing anything, officer! Baka nagkamali lang kayo!" Pagpupumilit ni Brent sa mamang pulis. Bumuntong-hinga ang pulis.

"Ser, nakita po namin mismo sa cctv. Sinadyang binangga ni Ms. Atalia si Ser Heiron. Binili niya po ang pera sa suot niya ngayon. Heto po iyong kuha sa cctv." Inangat ko ang tingin ko at nakita kong nanlaki ang mata ni Brent.

This is the moment when I want the ground to swallow me. It's the most horrifying and embarrassing experience. Kakalat ito sa social media. I know. Nakailang issue na ako noon. Ngunit ngayon ay ang pinakamalaki. My mom usually saves me and cover me up from my mistakes. But not now since I'm already 18.

I watched the prison that I may be in one of these days. The idea of it makes me disgusted and humiliated.

Nakakabawas ito sa pagkatao ko. I never realized how horrible my mistake was. I committed a crime!

"Ninakawan niya si Ser Heiron sa mismong boutique ng pamilya niya." Dagdag ng officer. I was stunned. Unti-unti kong tiningala si Heiron.

His jaw was clenched. Salubong ang kilay niya at kunot ang kaniyang noo. He stared at me without any emotions. Masyadong malamig ang titig na iyon. Parang sinusukat niya ako gamit lamang sa kaniyang tingin. I gulped and bit my tongue. I was out of words. If I will try to speak, I'll surely tremble in fear.

"Cyanara, ito na iyong kinatatakutan ko eh." Iyak ni Dayla. Bigla siyang yinakap ni Paul, isa sa mga kaibigan namin.

I felt guilty. I should have not done it. It's really true that regret will come in the end. I don't know what to do! I'm already shaking. Kinakabahan na ako sa magiging kalabasan nito.

"T-then, I'll pay! Magkano ba?" Brent was already aggressive. He's willing to pay just to set me free. He stepped my pride. My ego was bruised. I'm a woman with no dignity.

"No." My heartbeat raised when I heard his baritone voice.

Masyadong malalim ang kaniyang boses. Napalunok ako at napapikit. He really wants me to put behind bars. He wants me to suffer, I get it. Naiiyak ako dahil sa frustration. I am doomed. My mother will be very disappointed. As well as my grandfather.

"What do you mean by no?" Asik ni Brent. Ngumisi si Heiron na siyang dahilan kung bakit tumindig ang mga balahibo ko. It's like he's the danger that I must avoid.

"I won't accept cash, Agoncillo." Aniya. Liningon niya ako. I saw how anger flashed into his eyes. And it slowly shifted into hatred.. and worry. He avoided my gaze and looked at Brent.

"Then what?!"

"Her."

Silence ate the office. I was shocked with his response. Anong ako?! Everyone went speechless. Heiron was just calm. It's like he really meant what he said.

"WHAT?!" Aambang susuntukin niya si Heiron ngunit napigilan siya nina Paul at Dayla. Heiron laughed like a jerk. He's crazy!