He's a Dangerous Man

Chapter Five - Off Limits

"Sorry miss" hinging paumanhin ko sa babaeng nabangga ko. I was busy looking for clothes na hindi ko na nakita ang nilalakaran ko.

It is my day-off today so I decided to roam around the area. And since hindi ako masyadong nakapagdala ng damit, dumaan ako sa isang clothing store. Good thing, kuya Khalil sent me money kahapon through Nana Teresa.

Napatingin ako sa babae nang lumingon ito. Kumunot ang noo nito na tila kinikilala ako. I know her.

"Stephanie/Leigh!" sabay naming bigkas at napatawa kami pareho.

She's really a beauty, lalo na ang pagtawa nito.

"What are you doing here? Are you with someone?" she asked at tumingin pa sa likod ko. Umiling ako.

"I am alone. Ikaw?" I asked her back.

Umiling din ito. "Wala din. Do you want to hang out for a while? May alam akong masarap na restaurant." Her eyes are hopeful.

Tumango ako. I have nowhere to go na din naman. And it's already past lunch. Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras habang nag iikot ako.

Pagdating namin sa isang restaurant na sinasabi nya ay agad kaming umorder. We waited for some minutes bago dumating ang pagkain namin. 

"Good thing I bumped into you. Nakakabore umikot mag isa" she said at sipped on her mango shake and then started eating.

"Are you a resident here?" I asked. Kasi mukhang dito na talaga sya nagstay.

Umiling ito. "Sa Manila talaga kami nakatira. We are just here so I could breathe some fresh air. I need it for my baby" nakangiti nitong hinaplos ang tiyan. Nanlaki ang mata ko.

"You are pregnant?" she doesn't look like pregnant to me.

She chuckled "Four months already"
Wow, she looks so radiant ang blooming. Ganito ba ang epekto ng buntis?

I smiled. How does it feel to be married and have a baby? I bet it feels magical. Especially if you end up with the one you really love.

"Congratulations." I greeted her. Ang gaan talaga ng pakiramdam ko sa kanya.

"Thank you. How about you? Are you in a relationship?" She asked.

I shook my head. "Nope. I haven't found the perfect match yet."

"You'll find him soon"

Ngumiti ako ng alanganin. I hope so. I hope dad will give me my freedom back and let my find someone I want to be with.

I know this isn't permanent. Sooner or later dad will eventually use his connections para lang mahanap ako.

I was about to say something when someone entered the restaurant. Nanlaki ang mata ko. He looks mad while looking at our direction. Is he looking at us? Sinundan ko ang direksyon na tinitingnan ni Damon. Is it Stephanie?

They know each other?

I saw how his eyes shifted to mine at tila nagulat ito nang makita ako.

He walked towards us, he's not wearing any expression at all. Tumigil ito sa likod ni Stephanie.

"Princess" he called her. This time his voice is different from the usual cold tone. Napalingon si Stephanie dito at agad na ngumiti nang malawak.

"Damon!" Mabilis na tumayo ito dahilan para muntikan ng ma out of balance. Maagap naman na hinawakan ni Damon ang braso nito.

Inis na tumingin ito kay Stephanie. Nakahawak pa din ito sa braso nya. I felt something squeezed my heart. What is this? Am I hurting?

"Be careful Stephanie!" He said in a worried tone.