KING OF TORMENTS [Completed]

CHAPTER 78

If someone had told me ten years ago I would love this way, maybe I would fucking laugh at their faces. If someone had told me that I would be willing to catch bullets and pain for a woman, I would surely punch them straight to the face. Before I met Sapphire, I was not the type of guy who would chase women as if they were limited editions. I  was the master of my own emotions and hormones. I was guarded with the principles and beliefs that my father instilled in my young mind. Romantic love before Sapphire was vague concept for me.

I looked at Leandro's eyes. He was giving me a triumphant grin.

"So?"

I grinned. He was caught off guard with my expression. I tapped his shoulder playfully.

"Don't worry, father-in-law, I would prepare red carpets when you arrived in hell. Mauuna lang ako sayo pero tangina... doon ka rin papunta." I looked at the men who were holding him. "Jail him but don't hurt him."

Hindi ko na hinintay ang kanyang sagot. Inagaw ko mula sa isang naka-men in black ang baril at mabilis tumalikod. Sapphire became more hysterical when she saw me heading to her direction. Yakap-yakap siya ni Lush. She was crying and shouting. Vain and Thatum were crying, too. Nabitiwan pa ni Thatum ang kaniyang hawak-hawak na mansanas kanina, at ngayon ay sumisinghot-singhot na. When he caught me staring, he pulled Vain's shirt and used it to wipe his face.

"Tanginang shit naman 'to! Maging maayos lang talaga si Sapphire handa akong isakripisyo ang isa kong abs!"

"H-hey, ugly girl... please stop being such a pain in the ass. P-please be okay. I still want to attend your wedding with Davil. Sa kanila na ang lechon pero sa akin ang mga mansanas."

"Sappy, baby, nag-aalala na si Kuya." Lush cried harder.

But my brat seemed deaf with their pleads. Paulit-ulit niyang sinisigaw ang isang pangalan—ang pangalang matagal ng nagbibigay na sa akin ng bangungot.

Nagtama ang aming tingin. My heart ached when she called Dale's name while looking at me. Damn. And her voice... she sounded so afraid and in pain.

Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa baril. Nakita ko ang pagkunot sa noo ni Lush nang makita ako.

"Please! I need to see Dale!"

"B-brat..." My voice croaked. Mabilis siyang kumapit ng mahigpit kay Lush nang marinig ang boses ko. Kung kanina ay para siyang tigreng gusto akong atakihin, ngayon naman ay tila takot na takot siya sa aking presensya.

Tinangka kong haplusin ang kaniyang buhok ngunit mabilis siyang sumigaw.

"Alis! Umalis ka! Ayaw kitang makita! Alis!"

"Hey, come here, brat," I gently called her. Nanginginig na ang boses ko. Seeing her in this state was energy consuming. Nakakapanghina ang kanyang pagmamakaawa at mga luha.

"Go away!" she screamed.

"I-I won't hurt you. Come here, please?" I attempted to touch her again, but she shook her head and clung on Lush.

Naramdaman ko ang pagtapik sa aking balikat.

"K-king..." Vain said in a hesitant voice. Hindi ko siya nilingon.

"I don't want to see you!"

"Sappy..."

Lush looked troubled, too. Bahagya na siyang kumalma dahil hindi na nagpupumilit si Sapphire na umalis sa pagkakahawak niya.

I took a deep breath. Saglit akong napatingin sa itaas. I massaged the bridge of my nose while trying to stop the new set of tears from falling. Tangina!