The Antiquity of Us (La Fortuna Series #2)

Kabanata 25

Kabanata 25

Don't

Hindi naman ako bayolenteng tao pero noong sinabi sa 'kin ni Maeve 'yon ay parang gusto ko talaga siyang itulak pababa ng stage noon din mismo. I was not having it with her cheap antics. As a woman who went through hell and high waters, I could've easily slapped her, merciless and unholy like my team name: Heathens.

But I was more than that. Kaya kahit natigilan ako sa gitna ng entablado ng mga sampung segundo at kahit umalingawngaw na ang bulungan mula sa mga manonood, unti-unti ay rumampa pa rin ako.

"What happened? That was so unprofessional of you, Ionna! Shit, can you please stop sabotaging yourself?" Chad hissed and gave me a disappointed look.

Nasa backstage ako at dahil nasa iisang espasyo nalang kaming lahat na mga kandidata, rinig na rinig ang singhal niyang iyon. Some of my co-candidates gave me a consoling smile but I acted oblivious to it. Napaiwas ako ng tingin kay Chad at saka bumuntong-hininga. 

"I'm sorry. I'll do better next time," tanging nasabi ko.

Inilingan niya ako at matagal na tinitigan. Alam kong alam niyang hindi maganda ang disposisyon ko ngayon kaya sa huli'y namungay ang kaniyang mga mata. He gave me a tight hug and tapped my back twice. Niyakap ko siya pabalik.

"Look, if you're going to defeat that bitch, then might as well take back your presence of mind first. It's going to be a close fight so please just hang in there. Ain't no time to be a pussy now."

I chuckled at his choice of words. "Very encouraging."

"Harsh, but at least I'm not fake," aniya at kumalas. 

Pasimple niyang sinipat si Maeve na nagbibihis na ngayon para sa next category. I shook my head at how shady he was. Mabuti nalang ay walang nakakarinig sa amin.

Kahit papaano ay nakatulong ang pagiging bruhilda ni Chad para bahagyang gumaan ang nararamdaman ko. Not soon after, the next category, Team Costume, began. Noong bumitin na sa ere ang pagpapakilala ng emcee sa amin ay agad na gumapang ang kaba sa sistema ko. Our Team Costume was like the National Costume category in the Miss Universe so it was a big deal.

My high-heeled gladiator clanked against the tiled stage as I walked, showcasing my classic black angel costume. Warm air brushed against my skin due to my lingerie top and my thighs itched at the tulle fabric of my tutu-styled skirt. Para akong VS model, pero imbes na anghel ay tila asawa ako ni satanas. I even had a classic fallen angel wings behind my back as props.

Kung paanong nagtama ulit ang mga mata namin ni Atlas habang rumarampa ako ay labas na sa akin. I clearly saw how his eyes raked over my body like the starved beast that he always was. We locked gazes once again and since I was feeling a little braver, I paused on my place, posed, and gave him a flying kiss. Kinindatan ko pa siya bago tumungo na pabalik sa backstage.

Habang naglalakad ay pinaulit-ulit ko ang gulat at 'di makapaniwalang mukha niya sa isipan ko. I took pleasure in it. Akala niya siguro ay siya lang ang kayang magpapresko rito. I could do things he could, maybe even better than the way he did it.

"That's how you do it, you little devil!" Chad slapped my bum and squinted his eyes on me. "Tangina no'ng paflying kiss mo girl, ah? Pag ako 'yong boyfriend mo, nako, malamang pinagsisisihan ko nang pinaiyak kita!"

I smirked without humor. "He's not my boyfriend."

And it was a funny thing because I actually planned on making us official after the pageant. 'Yun nga lang, napurnada pa dahil sa nakita ko kanina sa parking lot. It was a slap in the face for me.