Gunita [EDITING]

catorce

I was shaking in fear the moment Zachary got up, holding Fallon's hand and then pushing it upwards just right before he was able to pull the gun's trigger—which had no bullets in. Napakuyom na lang ako ng kamao habang nakatingin lang kay Fallon.

Oh God...

Why... why are they so scary?

Fallon grinned, "You could've died, huh," he said, trying to stop himself from laughing—but still, he eventually did. "I'd kill you somewhere else, Benitez. Not here."

"S-stop..." I whispered. "Fallon please, tigilan mo naman na ako... Four years na nga 'di ba? Ilang taon ako kinulong ni Anna, two years? Two years na rin akong walang kibo sa lahat ng nangyari, Fallon. Bakit ba takot na takot ka?"

His jaw clenched, "Because I know how impulsive you are, Brandi," he said. "Don't you realize? You were impulsive on trusting your stepmother..." he chuckled. "I'm the only person who'd be able to shut your impulsiveness, Brandi. That's why your mom wants you by my side. We don't want any problems with Brandi's impulsiveness and your family's politics, right?"

Anna kept mum; she was just watching us like we're in a theater who're supposed to entertain her. I wanted to strangle her so bad, pero sobrang hinang-hina na'ko... sobrang daming nangyayari. Gusto ko na lang magising kung binabangungot ako. Kasi sobrang nakakapagod...

Fallon tried to move forward but Zachary immediately went between the two of us, stretching his left arm sideward, his eyes—filled with anger, "Leave her alone."

He smirked, "Trying to be a hero again, Dominique Zachary Bustamante. Mind you, the last time you tried playing hero... you almost died." Zach's jaw clenched pero nanatili pa rin siyang nakatayo sa harapan ko para harangan si Fallon. "Come on... give yourselves a break. The cards are all stacked against all of you. There's nothing you can do."

"Fallon, pwede ba? Tigilan mo na lang," sambit ni Zach. "Tahimik naman lahat, e. Wala ka namang narinig sa aming lahat... ano ba'ng gusto mo?"

"Simple..." Lumapit nang kaunti si Fallon, pero nanatali pa ring nakaharang si Zachary. Napakuyom na lang ako ng kamao... shit lang. I wanted Zachary out of this the most, pero bakit laging siya 'yung napapahamak nang dahil lang sa'kin!? "I want Brandi to marry me."

"She can't... you already heard her. Ayaw niya." Fallon let out a loud and mocking laugh, dahilan para mas matakot ako. Zachary tightened his grip on my right hand habang nakaharang pa rin siya sa'kin. "Bakit hindi niyo maintindihan 'yun?"

"Zach... please lang..."

Zach smiled, "You can't always be scared, Brandi," he whispered back.

"You look so tough, Benitez. I wonder what would you feel if I tell you that I can kill your fiancée... any minute right now?" Nakita ko kung paano biglang nagbago ang emosyon ng mukha ni Zach pagkarinig pa lang no'n. The corner of his eyes started to water, but he remained stoic as he stares at Fallon. His hands started to shiver, and all I could do was hold it tighter.

Ito na naman ako, walang magawa.

Fallon... Fallon can kill Sofia. Hindi man niya alam kung nasaan siya ngayon, alam kong gagawa at gagawa siya ng paraan para lang matunton kung nasaan ito ngayon.

When it comes to the Juarez.... There's just nothing impossible. Their words are sharper than the law. They can do anything they want and still get away with it.

They're just that... scary.

And I know I'm far more superior than them, but every time they're in front of me, they make me feel less than I am and should be. Na inferior ako sa kanila. Na apo man ako ng Bise Presidente ng Pilipinas, wala pa rin akong kapangyarihan laban sa kanila.