Alluring The Fire [Under Revision]

IKALABING-ANIM NA KABANATA

IKALABING-ANIM NA KABANATA

No, he's not going to do the thing I have in mind, right? Hindi naman siya rapist, 'di ba? Hindi niya ako pagsasamantalahan—what an imbecile!  Cassandra, wake up! You two had a sexual encounter last night; however, you still believed that he wasn't a frickin' seducer?!

"Cassandra—"

"Please, please po. H-hindi ako magsusumbong, wala akong p-pagsasabihan, at magiging tahimik ako. Basta huwag n'yo lang po akong h-halayin!" Cassandra can hear herself beseeching Lorenzo. The mayor may be right about what happened between them last night—perhaps they "both" liked it—but it was because she was inebriated and lost control of her actions. However, today is different. She is sober and free from the curse of alcohol. Nasa katinuan siya at the moment.

Napakunot ang noo ni Lorenzo nang marinig ang nanginginig na boses ng dalaga. Mariing niyang tinitigan ito, na kasalukuyang nasa ilalim niya, sa pagitan ng kaniyang dalawang bisig na nakasangga sa kama. What does this woman think of me? A fucking rapist?

Umalis si Lorenzo sa pagkakaibabaw dito at umupo sa tabi niya, mabilis din sumunod si Cassandra. Halos mapatawa pa ang binata nang makitang kumuha si Cassandra ng unan at pinangsangga iyon upang protektahan ang katawan niya.

"P-please po, uuwi na po ako, m-mayor. Hindi po ako m-magsusumbong... wala po akong p-pagsasabihan..." Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ni Lorenzo. This woman is really accusing me of taking advantage of her and raping her.

"Cassandra, have you heard the expression, "The devil tempts but does not force"? Because if not, I'm sorry to inform you that... that also applies to me." Wika ni Lorenzo at saka nagpakawala ng buntong hininga. "Isa pa, I didn't rape you and will never have the desire to do so. Hindi halang ang kaluluwa ko, Cassandra. I may be vulgar and immoral most of the time and have a high level of sexual desire, but I still have a sister and a mother..." Lorenzo whispered. "At ayaw ko namang sila ang balikan ng karma. Therefore, please refrain from accusing me of raping you or exploiting you while intoxicated, as I don't behave in that way."

Nagulat si Cassandra nang hinila ni Lorenzo ang unan mula sa kaniya, "H-hoy, ibalik mo nga 'yan—" Napatigil siya nang lumapit ang mukha ng binata sa kaniya.

"Another thing, to be quite honest, I don't think I ever heard you say "no" or "stop" during what transpired last night—not even a single protest, if I recall what happened correctly. So I assumed you liked it as well. In fact, I believe you enjoyed it. You know why?" Lorenzo wore a flirty grin all over his face. He mentally smirked as he sensed Cassandra's unease at their proximity. Nanatiling tikom ang bibig ng dalaga habang nakatingin ito sa espasyong nasa pagitan nila.

"L-lumayo ka nga—"