Captured by darkness ( Dark series #1 ) UNDER-EDITING

Chapter 22

Risk

It's been weeks since that incident happened, but that incident feels like yesterday. That night was unexpected. That night keeps hunting and chasing me. Because the man that I didn't expect was there, and killed a human.

"Axia... Ilang araw ka ng hindi kumakain," Aviana said, while gently caressing my back.

"Not hungry." Tipid kong sabi.

Bumuntong hininga siya sa sinabi ko at tumayo na lang para lumabas ng kawarto, dahil alam niyang hindi ako magpapapilit. For weeks, all I did was to cry and kept thinking about Malcolm. Kung kakain man ako, wala pa sa kalahati ay tatayo na ako at babalik sa kwarto.

3 days before the deal between us and Malcolm. Earn me through it's sense, seize me by your thoughts... I look at the three pictures that I will give to him in exchange of my camera.

Numerous of what if's' and should' keep bugging my mind. I'm scared. Not to him. But for him! my traitor tears keeps falling. Hindi na ko magugulat isang araw kusa na lang titigil ang mga ito. Pero hihintayin ko pa ba ang araw na 'yon? Sayang ang oras.

Hindi pwedeng ganito, kung iiyak na lang ako, anong mangyayari? I should make some moves. Law of Inertia, Nothing happens until something moves. It's just the beginning. I will not fucking end this without knowing him.

I'll take a risk. For him...

Agaran akong tumayo at nag ayos para puntahan si Malcolm . Isa lang ang alam kong pinupuntahan nito. Sana naroon siya. I don't want to waste time. Nang makababa sa hagdan, sinalubong ako ni Aviana.

"Oh. Saan ka pupunta? You okay na ?" With her worried face. 

"May pupuntahan lang ako." Avoiding her eyes.  

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sunod na sasabihin niya at tumalikod na lang. I looked at my watch. 8 pm. 2 hours bago makapunta doon.

Pinara ko ang taxi ng makarating sa Club. I glanced at my watch. I'm just in time. As I walk inside this place, I can't help but think all the time that I've said I will not comeback here again.  Lagi ko na lang ba kakainin ang mga sinasabi ko? And yet, I'll find myself here once again,  finding the man that keeps pestering my mind.

Nang makapasok sa loob nakita ko na nasa bar stool ito. Hindi nga ko nagkamali na narito nga siya. Kinuha ko ang camera na binigay niya sa akin at naglakad papalapit sa kabila ng mabibigat kong paghinga.

Pero lalapit paba ako? Kung anong gaaan ng hakbang ko kanina, ganoon naman kabigat ngayon. Just a few steps and I could finally talk to him. Hahakbang na sana ko palayo ng tumingin siya sa gawi ko.

I literally catch my breath.

Malcolm's brown orbs that was glistening because of the lights emphasize more of his features. He grinned when he catch me ready to turned my back on him. Hindi ako nagsalita at nanginginig na tinaas na lang ang camera.

As if on cue, he knows what I'm pertaining for and drag me outside. Lumipas ang oras at nakarating kami dito sa loob ng condo niya. Akala ko mahihirapan pa akong kumbinsihin siyang palabasin sa loob ng club. Mabuti na lang at siya na mismo ang gumawa ng paraan para lumabas kami sa lugar na iyon. 

Malcolm's eyes bore into mine as he was sat not too far away from where I stand. Nilapag ko ang tatlong photo paper sa study table niya. He looked at me before glancing at the photos.

He wickedly grinned. "It's empty, do you really want to get your camera back?"

Nanginginig na tumango ako sa harap niya. Kinalkal ko ang pouch ko at kinuha ang pang apat na litarto na ipapakita ko.

"Here..." Handing the fourth photo to him. 

His eyes screams confusion, yet coldness still dominates his brown orbs. He gave me a wicked smile when he saw my hand trembling as I still hand him the last photo. He clicked his tounge and stretch his arms. 

Naroon pa rin sa mukha niya ang angas at ngiting nakakaloko. But when his eyes landed on the last photo, his face became pale, and shocked was written all over his face. Yeah! Fucking Malcolm. It's you--- it was the night you kill the man. It was the night you corrupted my innocent mind. And It was the night where you make my heart intertwined!

Tumaas ang mga balahibo ko sa batok nang mabilis nawala ang ekspresyon niya. Being shocked from being emotionless. It's real quick. "Oh, It's me... At least it's not empty," With his monotone voice. 

I grinned. "It's not,"

His face now screams confusion. "Look closely..."

Kinuha ko ang litrato sa kamay niya. It's him, holding the gun while looking on the darkest abyss. The headlights of the car emphasize his dreadful orbs. And all I could see was heartless Malcolm.

Tinatapat ko sa mukha niya ang litrato. "His eyes, screams danger. Surroundings-- his eyes was my surroundings, drag me into different places where I would never expected to be." I gulped, as I sat and level his face. "But despite of his dangerous thoughts, I would gladly be caught. Even if it cost my life..." 

He looked away from me while swallowing hard. Mas lumapit pa ako at lumuhod sa harapan niya. "It's empty," Sabay hawak ko kung nasaan ang puso niya. 

Mabilis at marahas niyang tinabig ang kamay ko. Napangiwi ako sa sakit. Hinaplos ko ang nasaktan na kamay. Namula iyon. Tumingin ako kay Malcolm na mayroon ng pagkabahala sa mukha. But he's good on hiding. Now his face filled with apathy. 

"Left side. Small black cabinet." 

"Please..."

He look at me with his insulting eyes. "No, you can't." He scoffed. " You're wrong about me. It' not empty. So, just go!"

"It is!" Pamimilit ko. 

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya. "And why is that?"

"K-kasi wala ako! Wala ko sa puso mo!" Biting my lips hard, because it's really sounds cringe.

Really Axia?! Why did you said that? It sounds so cringe.

Malcolm's eyes, enveloped with different emotions that I can't name. But he hardened his face as he clenched his jaw. 

I leaned in, despite of my doubt and sealed my lips on his. The lips that once I tasted with the bitterness of the alcohol, not knowing that I will ache to taste again to have some more.

Dampi lang iyon, pero sapat na para baliwin ako. Nang ilayo ko ang mukha ko, dinikit ang noo namin sa isa't-isa. "Please..." as I caress his face. 

Feeling disappointed, and ready to turned my back on him, when he drag me on the sofa and sealed my lips with his. He angled his jaw so he could have a better access on my mouth. At first I was shocked, but eventually I was able to meet the heat the he's giving me.

Malcolm close his eyes tightly and muttered curses.

"Just don't leave me," He said and kiss me on my forehead.

Hinaplos ko ang buhok niya pababa sa mukha. "I'm afraid that you will," I kiss the tip of his nose and buried my face on his neck.

I'll take a risk, for you Malcolm. Because, In the first place, I was captured.

Literally and hard. 

KEYMEMOIRS