Rose's Thorn PHR

CHAPTER NINE

"MATANONG NGA KITA, Mr. Conteras," aniya habang nakapamewang. "May nakita ka bang nakasabit na For Sale sign sa labas ng flowershop ko? Saan mo nabalitaan na balak kong ibenta ang flowershop na ito?" nagtitimping tanong niya rito.

"I'm willing to offer a generous amount for this little business. Magkano ba ang gusto mo? I can double the price, or even triple it, if you want," kaswal nitong sagot.

Hindi siya tanga para hindi malaman kung ano ang dahilan nito para tangkaing bilhin ang flowershop niya. Hindi niya naisip na magiging ganon ito kababa para idamay ang ikinabubuhay ng pamilya nila para lamang makaganti ito sa kanya.

Did she really piss him that hard to avenge as if she'd murdered his family? Muli niya itong pinagmasdan. By the looks of him, he sure had that "Prince Syndrome." Marami siyang kilalang mga tao na may matatas na pride but the jerk in front of her bagged the first prize!

"Ayaw mo ng offer ko? Name your price," nakakalokong ngisi nito nang hindi pa rin siya sumasagot. He must've researched about her, para maisip nito na ang flowershop ang pinakamahalagang bagay sa buhay. But did he really think she'd give up her flowershop to him?

"Get out," aniya sa mababang boses.

Ayaw niyang patulan ang pang-iinis nito sa kanya. For all she knew, wala naman talaga itong balak na bilhin ang flowershop niya. Tiyak niyang nais lang nitong mang-asar dahil hindi pa rin ito nakakapag-move on sa mga ginawa niya rito. Ngunit kung inaakala nitong magpapatalo siya rito ay nagkakamali ito.

Kung may isang bagay man siyang napatunayan dahil sa pagtungo nito roon na walang dalang atomic bom o Granada, iyon ay ang katotohanang hindi siya nito kayang saktan—physically. And as of hurting her feelings or making her fume, she wouldn't let him walk away with a wide grin on his face. Hindi niya hahayaang manalo ito sa labanan nila.

"Bakit hindi natin ito pag-usapan? I am willing too—"

"I said get out!" sigaw niya. Nang hindi pa rin ito kumikilos upang umalis ay lalong nag-init ang bumbunan niya. "Dracula, chase him out. Now!" utos niya sa alaga. Dracula instantly angrily growled at Thorn, who was at the moment was shocked and couldn't move.

"T-Tell your damned dog to stop," nanginginig na utos nito sa kanya.

"Alam mo bang nakakaintindi ng English 'yan? And he hates being cursed in front of his girlfriend. I'll open the door for you. Dahil sa oras na makita niyang gumalaw ka, hahabulin ka niya and who knows what he'd do to you," pananakot niya rito. Napangisi siya nang bigla itong namulta. She's never seen him look that scared. "I should get a camera to capture that face."

"I'll kill you for this, you witch!" he growled, yet still ashen-faced.

Napahagalpak siya siya ng tawa. Ni hindi nito mgawang ibuka ng maayos ang bunganga nito habang nagsasalita ito. He was too afraid to move. Lumuhod siya sa harap ni Dracula. She stroked Dracula's head and kissed him. She cooed at her little friend—her protector.

Sa loob loob niya ay humihingi siya ng tawad sa kanyang alaga. She never wanted to use him that way. Ni minsan ay hindi niya ito tinuruang gumawa ng kahit na ano'ng bayolenteng bagay. Dracula was a very sweet and loving dog. But she had no way of chasing Thorn away.

Isa pa, kapag hindi niya kinontrol si Dracula ay malamang na dambahin rin nito si Thorn—in his own wicked way. Dracula was very protective of her. Seloso ito kapag may lumalapit sa kanyang lalaki. Dracula was her boyfriend. Marahan siyang tumayo.

"On the count of three," baling niya kay Thorn bago naglakad patungo sa pinto.

"I'll really kill you for this!" sigaw nito.