The Engineer (Batchelor Series #2)

30

I was pacing back and forth in the hallway, trying to wrap my head around everything that happened today. Tangina. Bakit ako napasok sa ganitong sitwasyon? My fists clenched as I remembered Renz's smug grin. That look in his eyes—like he knew exactly what buttons to push and how far to press them.

The kiss incident replayed in my mind. Renz had this way of getting under my skin, making me react. Sira talaga ulo ko, napapatol pa ako.

The door to the classroom opened, and I saw him. Of course, nandiyan na naman siya. He sauntered over like he owned the place, that irritating smirk never leaving his face. Burgis talaga. Okay Drakon calm down, for the sake of his semen. You need to follow.

"Drakon," he called out, that playful tone in his voice. "We need to talk."

I stopped pacing and stared at him, fists still clenched. "About what, Renz? Wala akong oras sa laro mo."

He stepped closer, his eyes locking onto mine, serious for once. "No games this time. I’m here to make things clear. You and me, Drakon. I know you feel something, kahit gaano mo pa i-deny."

Tangina. Bakit ang kapal ng mukha nito? I glared at him, trying to keep my cool, but his words hit me like a punch to the gut.

"Anong pinagsasabi mo, ha? Wala akong oras para sa kalokohan mo."

Renz sighed, stepping closer until he was just a few inches from me. His hand brushed against my arm, lingering longer than it should. "Listen, Drakon. Let’s cut the crap. I know you're not just some random guy. You’re different, and I’m not letting this...whatever this is, slip away."

My heart raced, and I hated that it was because of him. I took a step back, creating space between us. "Ano bang gusto mo? Why are you even doing this?"

He crossed his arms, his expression shifting from playful to something darker, more serious. "I want you. Plain and simple. But we do this on my terms."

I raised an eyebrow. "Your terms? You think I'm just gonna follow whatever the hell you say?"

Renz smirked again, but this time there was an edge to it. "If you want this to work, you follow my rules. Puwede ka naman maghanap ng ibang donor dyan."

And here he is. Semen card again. Kung puwede lang tamod ko eh, ginawa ko na.

The air around us felt heavy, tension thick as I waited for him to explain. What the hell was he talking about?

"No one else, Drakon," Renz said, his voice low, almost possessive. "That means no one else touches you, no one else flirts with you, and especially no interaction with that guy—Kaizer."

I frowned. "Kaizer? Anong konek niya dito? He’s just my co-council."

Renz stepped closer again, his hand brushing my arm once more, this time more intentional. "I don’t care what he is. I see the way he looks at you. Hell, even if you don’t see it, I do. So, my condition is simple, no Kaizer. Wala. You avoid him, or this thing between us doesn’t happen."

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Gago ba ‘to? Possesive na nga, tapos diktador pa. "And if I don’t agree to your stupid conditions? What then?"

Renz’s gaze darkened, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "Then we’re done. No more teasing, no more whatever this is between us, the semen. You walk away, and you go back to your normal, boring life."

I felt my jaw tighten. Normal? Boring?He didn’t even know what I had to go through every day, balancing family, school, and now him.

"So you’re telling me...you want to be, what, some kind of fuck buddy, but with rules? And I can’t even talk to certain people?" My voice came out more frustrated than I wanted.

Renz chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "If that’s how you want to put it, fine. But I’m not sharing you, Drakon. I’m not into competition."

I scoffed. "Competition? Gago ka talaga, Renz. You think I’m just some prize you can claim?"

His expression hardened. "Maybe I do. Or maybe I just don’t like the idea of anyone else getting close to you." He paused, his eyes narrowing. "I’m territorial, Drakon. When I want something, it’s mine. You understand?"

There was something about the way he said that—possessive, almost dangerous. And as much as I hated to admit it, there was a part of me that was intrigued by it. But I wasn’t about to let him control me.

"So, what happens if I break your rules? If I talk to Kaizer? If I decide I don’t want to follow your stupid conditions?"

Renz’s eyes flashed with something I couldn’t quite read. "Then I’m done. And you know what that means. No more games, no more anything. You go back to being just another guy in the crowd, invisible again. But if you agree to this...I’ll make sure you're never bored. Sagot ko lahat, pati matrikula mo sa course mo. Hell yeah, I can be your sugar daddy."

My pulse quickened, and I hated that he had this effect on me. Tangina, bakit ka pa pumayag sa ganitong sitwasyon, Drakon?

He waited, watching me, knowing I was caught in his web. I could walk away, but something inside me was curious—curious about what would happen if I stayed. What would it be like to have Renz’s attention, all of it, even if it came with strings attached?

I took a deep breath, meeting his gaze head-on. "Fine. But don’t expect me to be one of your conquests, Renz. I don’t play games."

Renz grinned, a predatory glint in his eyes. "Oh, I don’t need you to play, Drakon. Just be ready, because this is going to be fun."