Diamond Eyes

Chapter 37

"What happened?"

"S-She died because of me." Ang mapait niya sagot sa akin.

"Don't say that." Saad ko at napatingin din sa portrait ni Tita Rainne sa sala ng aming bahay.

"It's true. One night we were all just having fun together and then it only took five minutes to take away my Mom from me."

"My Dad was on a business trip when that night happened. Yes, my Mom had cancer but she was also recovering. Our house got ambushed by unknown men. The plan was to massacre us but my Mom was a clever and fast woman. Naitago niya kaagad si Cloud mula sa kanila at ako naman ay inutusan niyang bumaril kung sino man ang papunta sa amin."

I took a deep breath. Unti-unting humihigpit ang paghinga ko dahil sa sinasabi niya. Bakit ngayon ko lang 'to nalaman?

"You know, I was always a Mommy's boy. I loved and adored her so much. She even supported me every time I would compete in shooting. I was a gold medalist back then and I never miss a shot pero... putangina, kung kailan namin pinakakailangan 'yung talentong iyon, I missed. I fucking missed." He started to grit his teeth at kumuyom ang mga kamao niya.

"I only had one job and I failed at it. Hindi ko nabaril ang hayop na iyon. Naagaw ni Mama yung baril niya pero hindi niya alam kung paano 'yun gamitin. She told me to run and hide. I followed her order. I was a coward. Pagdating ng Pulis ay wala ng buhay si Mama at 'yung nagtatangkang pumatay sa amin. I guess she successfully killed that bastard but in the end the consequence to pay was her own life too."

"Vladimir..." Ani ko at hinawakan ang kanang kamay niya. He looked so mad but when he looked at me, his eyes turned tender and sorrowful.

"I never competed ever again. I focused on doing my job as the heir of my Father's company. I focused on training self defense especially that I knew that I was gonna marry someone like you." Sabi niya at hinawakan rin ang kamay ko.

Pinisil niya iyon. "I'm so scared that I'll do the same mistake. I don't want to lose you, Celaine. I almost lost you because of your best friend. Actually, I'm thankful for him though. That jerk was too dumb to realize that he was already holding a diamond."

I chuckled. "Grabe ka naman. You don't need to worry about him, wala na akong nararamdaman para sa kanya." I said sincerely and his dark face turned bright. Ngumiti siya nang malaki.

"I know, I know."

"I know tapos magseselos ka lang naman."

"Psh, naiinis lang talaga ako kapag nakikita ko ang mukha non. Kahit wala siyang gawin ay naiinis ako."

"Hahaha, don't think about him anymore. I love you, Vlad."

"I love you more. Let's go to bed, I know you're tired. I'm sorry for my attitude earlier, please don't do it again, Celaine. I'm serious. Now that you know my talent, you also know what I'm capable of." Aniya at tiningnan ako nang deretsa sa mga mata ko. Ang bilis talaga magbago ng mood ng lalaking ito kapag ito ang usapan.

I pinched his cheek. "Okay, Daddy." At biglang namula ang mukha niya. "Hey! D-Don't call me that!" Naiinis niyng tugon at tumakbo ako palayo sa kanya.

"What? Daddy?"

"Ikaw talaga!"

•••••••

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Kasalukuyan kong kinukusot ang mga mata ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Vlad sa baba. Kakagising ko lang at naglalakad na ako sa hallway papuntang hagdan. I felt relieved when I realized we solved our fight earlier. I really appreciate how honest he is when it comes to me.