Taming The Devil's Heart

Kabanata 1

Kabanata 1

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Hindi ko alam kung saan ako ngayon. A blindfold was placed on my eyes. Ropes on my hands and feet, keeping me tied. Ang tanging naririnig ko lang ngayon ay ang mahinang ugong ng sasakyan at ramdam ko rin ang dalawang lalaking nakaupo sa magkabilang gilid ko. I tried to fight the tight rope in my hands but I can't.

"Please don't leave my Papa bleeding like that." I pleaded. Tears are falling down but the blindfold is stopping it from falling into my cheeks.

Narinig ko pa ang pagtawag ni papa sa akin kanina. Nagmamakaawa siya sa lalaking iyon na huwag akong kunin at sa halip ay siya nalang. That Sancho only laughed at his begging. Naiiyak nanaman ako sa lahat ng kaganapang ito. Dapat ay sinunod ko nalang ang utos ni Papa na huwag ng lumabas ng silid gaya ng pangkaraniwan naming ginagawa sa tuwing may bisita.

I cried more while thinking if manang saw Papa lying on the floor. Sana ay madala kaagad siya sa hospital bago pa may mangyaring masama.

"Manahimik ka, miss!" sigaw ng isa sa mga tauhan na sa aking kanang bahagi.

Sa halip na manahimik ako ay mas lalo pa akong umiyak. There's no way I would let them get what they want. If I'll have an opportunity to escape from the, I would risk it.

"Patulugin mo na nga lang iyan, Gardo!" rinig kong utas ng isa pa.

My eyes widened because of that. Hindi p'wedeng makatulog ako dahil masisira lahat ng plano ko. sinubukan kong magpumiglas ng maramdaman ko ang hawak sa akin ng isa at ang paglalagay nito ng tela sa aking bibig at ilong. I tried so hard not to sniffed the chemical which makes my lids heavy and my breathing shallow.

I woke up to a rustic designed room. Hindi ito pamilyar sa akin at alam kong sa mga oras na ito ay mahihirapan na akong makatakas mula sa kamay nila. Based from the silence on my surrounding, this place is away from someone or somewhere out of reach.

I started panicking when I realized what happened.

"Sir, gising na po siya." A baritone voice echoed in the room.

Napasinghap ako at kusang napaupo dahil sa takot sa kung anong p'wedeng gawin sa akin ng kung sino man. Tears started forming on the corner of my eyes.

"Where am I?" I croaked.

Tinapunan ako ng tingin ng nagbabantay. Hawak ang isang walkie-talkie device sa kaliwang kamay at baril sa kanang kamay. Kinabahan ako lalo.

"Mag-ayos ka na, inaantay ka na ni Sir Sancho sa baba." Saad ng lalaki.

Itinuro niya ang isang pinto na sa tingin ko ay bathroom. Sinulyapan ko pa ang tauhan. Seryoso lang ang tingin nito at nakatingin sa dingding.

I walked so fast to the bathroom. I slammed the door close. Napabuntong hininga ako ng makitang wala akong p'wedeng daanan palabas. There's no window on the bathroom. Hindi ko rin naman sigurado kung may vent dito. I sighed again.

I guessed the only way to escape from this is to talk to him.

Naligo ako at nag-ayos na. thankfully, there's a new clothes for me. Maayos iyong nakatupi sa may sink at may kasamang robe.

Tahimik ako habang naglalakad kami patungo sa baba ng malaking bahay. The whole hose is stained with time. Some colors are fading but it is still well kept.

"Pumasok ka na sa loob." Lahad ng guard sa isang itim na double doors.

I nodded then face the door. My heart is thumping because of nervousness.

"Sit down." His baritone voice surprised me.

Halos mapatalon ako sa biglang pagsasalita niya. He is seating on a one sitter sofa. Wearing his tux and his hair is fixed in a sleek way.

"What do you want me to do?" agad kong salubong ng makaupo sa ako sa kanyang harap.

His grayish orbs followed my movement. He's handsome but his horns are showing in my eyes.

Nakita ko ang pagkuha niya ng isang itim na folder mula sa side table. He slowly opened it.

"Anna Eleanor Sanchez, eighteen years old, the only child of Mr. Sanchez." He speaks.

Namilog ang mata ko. Ipinaimbestigahan niya ba ako?

"I-I--"

"You were a minor." A smirk crept up onto his lips.

Napalunok ako ng tumayo siya at marahang nagsalin ng alak sa isang glass. He tilted his head to the side when he glances at me. His menacing stare pointed at me.

"Hmm. I don't like liars. How about you start begging for your father's life?" he mocked.

I stood in panic. "Not my Papa, please?" I begged.

"Uh-huh. What can you offer to me then?" umikot siya palapit sa aking upuan.

"Innocence? I don't accept just a part, young lady. I want the whole." He whispered near my ear.

Kinuyom ko ang aking palad. I hate him. I hate his attitude!

"Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin ko para lang pakawalan mo ako?" mariin kong tanong.

His loud bark of laughter entered my ears. Napalingon ako sa aking likod kung saan siya nakatayo. He held on my gaze making my whole being shiver. Hanggang sa balikat niya lang yata ako. I can stare to his eyes but I have to lift up my chin to do that.

"Who told you that I'm going to free you?" he asked.

Napakurap ako at bahagyang umatras ng hawakan niya ang aking pisngi kasabay ng ngiti na nagbigay sa akin ng pangamba. I know that when he's near I am in danger.

"Wala namang ibang rason para manatili ako rito, mister. If it is about my father's debt, I can promise you that I'll pay you!"

He continued to advance to me. Sinubukan ko pang umatras pero nahapit niya na ang baywang ko bago ko pa magawa ang balak na paglayo. Goosebumps crept to my skin when our eyes met. His eyes dilated as he stared through my eyes.

"I only want one payment from you..." he said, touching my jaw up to my cheeks. "You are going to marry me soon in exchange of your father's life and his debt."

"What?" bulong ko.

"Sign a contract stating that you'll marry me on the date I'll choose. You will be receiving a conjugal property and a money right after signing the marriage contract. It's not a question." he said.

Binitiwan niya ako at humakbang siya palayo. Kinuha niya ang inilapag pala niyang baso ng alak saka naupo ulit sa kanyang upuan.

"No, I won't. Kaya kong bayaran ang utang ni Papa." I said, almost convincing myself.

"Five hundred million, interest is still not counted. Now tell me, can you pay me full cash?"

Pakiramdam ko ay nahulog ng literal ang panga ko. I don't know if I have that amount of money. Hindi ko rin alam ang mismong halaga ng savings ko mula kay Mommy. I have my bank account but it is not enough.