Heart of Darkness (To Be Published)

Kabanata 8

Kabanata 8

"I have a proposition to make!" Pinagsaklop ko ang kamay ko habang nakatitig kay Warrion na seryoso sa pagmamaneho.

"What is it this time?" He asked, not looking at me.

"Uhm, bale salitan lang 'to," I said. "I will ask you a favor, then you can ask me one, too! Deal?"

"I don't do deals," he answered, staring briefly at me for a while.

"Why not?" My lips protruded. "Isn't it a good thing? At least, 'di ba may favor ka rin?"

Hindi siya umimik, tila malalim ang iniisip. His thick brows furrowed.

"Simple lang naman ang favor ko," I added.

Sumulyap siya sa akin at tumaas ang kanyang kilay.

"Kasi that reunion," I said. "I have a cousin. My mortal enemy, Elisse. Back in the past, I had this suitor named Ralph."

Kahit sa dilim ay nakita ko ang pagtigas ng ekspresyon niya. He looked away.

"So, Max isn't the only one, huh?" I could sense the irritation and sarcasm in his voice. "How many are they?

"Hmm, 'di ko sure ilan exactly," I babbled. "Anyway, ano'ng magagawa natin, e, maganda ako tapos single? S'yempre maraming admirers at suitors!"

"You knew them all?" Iritado siyang lumingon.

"'Yong lahat-lahat 'di ko sure kasi may iba d'yan lihim na pagtingin." Humagikhik ako. "Pero mostly? Yeah, si Max lang ang harap-harapang manligaw pero marami pa r'yang iba. Bakit, gusto mo makisali?"

I grinned but he didn't even smile.

"Get my phone," utos niya.

"Huh?"

"Dashboard, get it," he said at naguguluhan man ay inabot ko ang telepono niya.

"And?" My brow raised.

"Open it, go to notes," aniya at sa pag-swipe ko ay wala nga siyang password! Even his wallpaper is default!

Mabilis kong hinanap ang notes niya at sumulyap sa kanya.

"Tapos? Anong gagawin? Bilis na, kikwento ko pa sa 'yo 'yong favor ko–"

"List the names of your suitors, so I can check," he said coldly.

"What?!" singhap ko at gulantang siyang nilingon.

His brow shot up, jaw clenching.

"List it, sabi mo kilala mo?" Masungit niyang sabi pero nanatili lang akong tulala sa kanya.

"Bakit ko naman gagawin 'yon? Why the fuck would I list it down–"

"Don't fuck me, woman. List the names so I can visit them–"

"For?" Gulong sabi ko.

"I have to do a background check. Utos ng Dad mo. Everyone. Maybe one of them is the culprit–"

"My goodness, of course not!" Angil ko. "Dad is just OA! The shootout yesterday was because of the election! This is–"

"You have stalkers, right?" Iritado niya akong nilingon. "Don't you think it was from your admirers?"

I sighed. "Warrion–"

"List it down, Almedarez," he demanded but I shook my head, ibinaba ko ang phone niya at nagmatigas.

"No way," I hissed.

"Do it," he demanded.

"Sige, ganyan ka naman! Minsan mabait ka sa 'kin, minsan hindi. Oo, I admit, I like you. I really do pero mukhang wala ka namang interes sa akin!" I hissed quietly.