Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

"ANG INGAY MO, MIRANDA," I scoffed with a grimace.

He chuckled softly and glanced at me.

"Why? I just miss talking to you. I even bought you some dresses... may bulaklak din sa likod."

"What?" My brow furrowed. I turned to the backseat and saw paper bags and a bouquet of blue roses. "Akala ko ba naghihirap ka?" I crossed my arms and glared at him.

"I wasn't poor earlier, but now you have my wallet... so I'm kinda broke." He licked his lower lip.

"Oh, eh 'di sa 'yo na." I placed the wallet back on his lap. "I don't really need that."

"No," he said, putting the wallet back on my leg. "Take it. That's yours now."

"Seriously." I sighed. "P'wede ba? I told you I don't want to deal with you again. Bakit ba sunod ka nang sunod?"

'Di siya sumagot.

"Engineer..."

"Mahal kita, Serafine," he answered lightly, like that alone was enough reason.

I cleared my throat and looked away, clenching my fists as I stared at the road.

"Bakit mo ba ako pinapahirapan? It's better to just leave. Alam mo namang walang patutunguhan."

"I won't leave without a fight, Sera," he said firmly. "I love you and I will pursue you, no matter what it takes."

I shook my head, exhaling deeply.

"You're crazy," I muttered. "Really, really crazy, Miranda."

"I may be... but I won't just stop here," he murmured.

"You're getting married, right? To Alice Tan? Bakit nandito ka pa? Why don't you just please her and leave me?"

I was confused when he suddenly stopped the car. I glanced at him, puzzled.

"Why did we stop?"

"I can't keep this from you anymore," he started. "Fuck, I don't want you involved here but..."

"But what?" I pressed. "Tell me. Hindi 'yong nagtatago ka. Magkasama naman na tayo, huwag na tayong magpaligoy-ligoy."

His jaw clenched, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.

I crossed my arms and faced him. "So?"

Hindi siya nagsalita kaagad, pinag-isipan pa kung sasabihin ba talaga. It pissed me off and I was about to shrug everything when he spoke.

"We are suspecting Alice Tan for Akisha's murder," he muttered. I froze.

"What?"

"We still can't prove it, but I know. I have men tailing her, watching her moves. We just lack evidence, but I know she's involved."

"What... why? Kung gano'n, bakit nasa opisina n'yo siya? Bakit kayo magpapakasal? Bakit niya gagawin 'yon?" Gulong-gulo kong tanong.

"My mom likes her family," aniya. "And I can't tell her either, because she might slip and ask her. Baka masira ang mga plano ko."

"Then... why? Why are you telling me this? Hindi ka ba natatakot na masira ang plano mo?" I asked. He sighed, lowering his head against the steering wheel, his eyes locked on mine.

"Kasi mahal na mahal kita," he whispered. "I will protect you... no matter what."

My heart pounded painfully. I inhaled sharply, my fists tightening.