Dancing With Fire (Published Under Flutter Fic)
Kabanata 20
Kabanata 20
"ANG INGAY MO, MIRANDA," I scoffed with a grimace.
He chuckled softly and glanced at me.
"Why? I just miss talking to you. I even bought you some dresses... may bulaklak din sa likod."
"What?" My brow furrowed. I turned to the backseat and saw paper bags and a bouquet of blue roses. "Akala ko ba naghihirap ka?" I crossed my arms and glared at him.
"I wasn't poor earlier, but now you have my wallet... so I'm kinda broke." He licked his lower lip.
"Oh, eh 'di sa 'yo na." I placed the wallet back on his lap. "I don't really need that."
"No," he said, putting the wallet back on my leg. "Take it. That's yours now."
"Seriously." I sighed. "P'wede ba? I told you I don't want to deal with you again. Bakit ba sunod ka nang sunod?"
'Di siya sumagot.
"Engineer..."
"Mahal kita, Serafine," he answered lightly, like that alone was enough reason.
I cleared my throat and looked away, clenching my fists as I stared at the road.
"Bakit mo ba ako pinapahirapan? It's better to just leave. Alam mo namang walang patutunguhan."
"I won't leave without a fight, Sera," he said firmly. "I love you and I will pursue you, no matter what it takes."
I shook my head, exhaling deeply.
"You're crazy," I muttered. "Really, really crazy, Miranda."
"I may be... but I won't just stop here," he murmured.
"You're getting married, right? To Alice Tan? Bakit nandito ka pa? Why don't you just please her and leave me?"
I was confused when he suddenly stopped the car. I glanced at him, puzzled.
"Why did we stop?"
"I can't keep this from you anymore," he started. "Fuck, I don't want you involved here but..."
"But what?" I pressed. "Tell me. Hindi 'yong nagtatago ka. Magkasama naman na tayo, huwag na tayong magpaligoy-ligoy."
His jaw clenched, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
I crossed my arms and faced him. "So?"
Hindi siya nagsalita kaagad, pinag-isipan pa kung sasabihin ba talaga. It pissed me off and I was about to shrug everything when he spoke.
"We are suspecting Alice Tan for Akisha's murder," he muttered. I froze.
"What?"
"We still can't prove it, but I know. I have men tailing her, watching her moves. We just lack evidence, but I know she's involved."
"What... why? Kung gano'n, bakit nasa opisina n'yo siya? Bakit kayo magpapakasal? Bakit niya gagawin 'yon?" Gulong-gulo kong tanong.
"My mom likes her family," aniya. "And I can't tell her either, because she might slip and ask her. Baka masira ang mga plano ko."
"Then... why? Why are you telling me this? Hindi ka ba natatakot na masira ang plano mo?" I asked. He sighed, lowering his head against the steering wheel, his eyes locked on mine.
"Kasi mahal na mahal kita," he whispered. "I will protect you... no matter what."
My heart pounded painfully. I inhaled sharply, my fists tightening.
"Is that why you said that?"
"I don't want you to hear it," he muttered. "I just... want to stop her from meddling with you. She keeps asking me about us, and you know I can't risk it. Ayaw kong isipin niyang seryoso, na importante ka sa 'kin. I was afraid she'd do what we suspected her of doing to Akisha to you, too.
"I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have done it that way. I should've evaded the topic in another way but at that time, 'yon lang ang naisip ko..."
I bit my lip to stop my tears, turning back to the window to distract myself.
"L-Let's go, baka gabihin tayo," I murmured.
I felt his gaze linger before he sighed and nodded.
"Alright," he whispered.
It was a long drive. When we arrived in Sta. Monica, I was overwhelmed and quite excited with the thought of finally being here—of meeting her, of being in the same place as she was, even if she was gone.
"Ihahatid kita sa mansyon n'yo—"
"No." I shook my head.
"Come on," he tried to persuade me. "Mag-gagabi na, it's dangerous at night, baka—"
"Just let me do things my own, Vioxx." I sighed, glancing at him. "Gusto kong pumunta na ako lang. Ayokong kasama ka. Hindi mo ba naiintindihan?"
"I understand, baby." He nodded, licking his lip. "But I just want you safe—"
"Susunduin ako ng sasakyan," I said, stopping him. "Thank you for this, but I can go on my own now."
He stared at me, sighed, then nodded slightly before stepping out of the car. He helped me take my things out while we waited.
As he leaned against the car and I gazed at the starry sky, the silence had never been this loud between us.
"Sera?" I turned to him, meeting his gaze. "Can I see you again?"
"No," I answered. "This ends here, Engineer."
"Please?" I was startled when he caught my hand, pressing a kiss, his eyes misty and pleading.
"No," I murmured. "You may have a reason, but I can't trust you again. I can't trust you not to break me again."
"I love you," he whispered. My heart constricted when I saw a tear fall down his cheek.
"M-Makakalimutan mo rin ako," I said, sniffing when I couldn't hold it back anymore.
"B-Baby..." he whispered.
"I love you, but I can't do this with you again. Not when I'm still shattered."
I felt his hand on my cheek. I inhaled sharply as he brushed away my tears.
"G-Give me a chance, please?" he whispered. I kept shaking my head, but he slowly tugged my arm, pulling me into an embrace.
My lips quivered as I felt his warmth and that's when I snapped. My tears were falling before I even realized it.
"S-Sorry. Hindi ko alam, h-hindi ko kaya," I whispered.
He hugged me tighter, burying me against his chest, his hand stroking my hair, his lips pressing soft kisses on it.
"I understand," he whispered. "I-I'm sorry. I will wait for you. I'll do everything."
I sniffled, still shaking my head as he caressed my hair.
"I-I'm sorry," he rasped. "Mahal na mahal kita."
I didn't know how I managed to stop myself from crying. For a long moment, I just stared blankly at the road, letting him hold my hand.
I felt every caress, pitying him, but pitying myself even more. I was tired of being weak, tired of being hurt. And if this love meant pain and getting burned, then it was better to let it go before it consumed me.
The sound of an approaching car pulled me back. I looked up and quickly straightened my back. Tita Asunta waved at me.
I smiled. She glanced at my side. I cleared my throat, quickly pushing Vioxx away. He stumbled back against the car, staring at me in shock.
"W-Why?" he asked, confused.
Tinakpan ko siya para 'di makita ni Tita.
"Sera? Tara na? Sino 'yang kasama mo?"
"W-Wala, Tita!" mabilis kong sagot.
"Ano'ng—"
"Tahimik!" I hissed quietly. Vioxx immediately shut his mouth, his eyes locked on mine. I forced him to lower himself.
"Alright, come on. Inaantay ka na ni Migs," Tita said.
"O-Opo!" I stammered.
She glanced at us again, suspicious, but I forced myself to hide him kahit ano'ng laki niya.
"Sera—"
"Sshh," I hushed him. He nodded, blinking, and I turned back to the car before facing him again.
"Thank you for this," I murmured.
"Welcome."
"But I hope this is the last time," I said firmly. "I want to start a new life here, Engineer. I appreciate the help and everything you've done for us. I'm thankful but I want a fresh start."
He stared at me, his eyes glistening as he licked his lower lip.
"I... wanted a fresh start, too," he whispered. "C-Can't I do it with you? Can't I have a start with you?"
"Sorry, b-but..." I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I don't want my new life to be with you. S-Sorry..."
He just stared silently. Nagtitigan kami hanggang sa narinig ko ang busina.
"Sera, come on!" Tita called.
"Yes po!" I cleared my throat, slowly pulling my hand from Vioxx's grip before turning away.
My feet shook as I walked toward the car. Behind me, I heard him call my name.
"Sera!" He called. I didn't look. "Sera," he called again and reached for my arm. I turned, my heart aching.
"Why?"
"I-I love you..." he murmured.
"I-I can't..." Tumalikod ako pero muli niya 'kong tinawag.
"Serafine!" His hand gripped my wrist this time. I glanced at him.
Tatagan mo, Serafine. Tatagan mo!
I sighed. "What? 'Di ba, sabi ko nang—"
"No."
"Engineer, I made it clear—"
"It's not that," aniya.
"What?" I asked.
"I... just..." Kumalat ang pula sa mukha niya.
"What?"
"M-Maniningil lang sana ako ng pamasahe mo sa grab," he said, making my jaw drop.
"What the hell... Miranda!" Suminghap ako.
Napakamot siya sa batok.
"S-Sorry, uhm... kasi 'di ba, nag-iipon nga ako para may budget ako para makita ka—"
"Sabi nang ayoko nga—"
"Gusto ko," he sighed. "Take my money, sa 'yo na 'yan. I'm sure it could last for at least a year. Kailangan ko lang mag-ipon sa mga susunod."
"Vioxx!" I said frustratedly, closing my eyes. "Akala ko ba bayad na ni Kikay, 'yan?"
"Hindi, libre na sana talaga," he explained. "Kaso bigla akong nagipit sa bayad ko sa 'yo kaya void na."
"My goodness, Miranda! Magkano?" Nasapo ko ang mukha.
"Huh?" He blinked. "Uhm... fare mo, five hundred forty-three."
I gasped again, bumalik ang luha dahil sa tarantadong 'to!
"Miranda naman..."
"N-Negosyo lang." Ngumuso siya.
I shook my head, pulled out his wallet, and handed it back.
"Take it back," I said.
He took it, and my chest tightened involuntarily with the thought of him finally giving up. But then, I watched him take the fare from his wallet and hand it back to me.
"Bakit mo ibabalik?" Takang tanong ko.
"Sa 'yo na 'yan," he said. "Nag-discount ako sa 'yong three pesos kasi maganda ka."
"What the hell... No..." Tanggi ko pa pero ayaw niya patalo at no'ng 'di ko tinanggap, ipinasok niya sa bag ko ang wallet!
"Ayoko nga—"
"Bye!" He waved and jogged away before I could stop him.
Nasapo ko ang noo.
"Miranda!"
"See you tomorrow!" he exclaimed happily, nauna pang magmaneho palayo na akala mo'y may isang booking pa siya!
And he wasn't lying. The next day, he appeared again. And again.
Even at my new university for the remaining semester.
It annoyed me every time—his persistence was relentless. Kahit nabalita na sa TV ang pagkawala niya bilang CEO ng kanilang firm, hindi siya nawala. Mas gumulo lang at dahil wala na siyang magawang trabaho, ako iyong tinatrabaho niya!
He befriended the staff, the school admin, and even secured a post as an instructor because the faculty of engineering knew the Vioxx Ephraim Miranda.
And my new life had him all over it. Again.
"Wala nang test paper?" I asked my classmate.
"Ay, sorry, wala na, kulang. Hingi ka na lang kay Engineer."
My blood boiled. I glanced at the annoying engineer. Alam ko na itong modus niya!
He smirked, but when he caught my glare, he cleared his throat and looked away.
He adjusted his dark-framed eyeglasses with his index finger, his jaw tightening when he saw me stand. His messy hair fell across his forehead as he lowered his head, pretending to be busy.
I even noticed some of my classmates sneaking glances at him, biting their pens as they stared at the irritating engineer.
My forehead creased. I raised my hand slightly, accidentally–intentionally hitting the back of a female classmate's head.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed.
"Oops!" My eyes widened. "Sorry, hindi ko sinasadya." I smiled apologetically.
She shook her head, while I secretly rolled my eyes and muttered another apology.
I glanced at Vioxx again and caught him hiding a smirk. My brows furrowed, and I nearly kicked his desk.
"Hoy!" I exclaimed.
He froze. My eyes widened at what I'd just said. Quickly, I glanced at my classmates na gulantang din!
Reality hit me, I had just yelled at my instructor! Shit!
"Uh, I mean... hoy!" I jumped. "M-May ano... ipis!"
Dahil sa sinabi ay nagkagulo ang mga kaklase ko, nagsitalunan sa mga upuan pati na rin ang mga lalaki.
Nagsisigawan sila, napangiwi ako sa ginagawa at naguluhan din. Biglang nag-ingay ang paa ni Vioxx at nang sulyapan ko siya ay nakalabas na ang isang paa sa lamesa.
"It's dead," he said.
I blinked rapidly.
"T-Talaga, Engineer?" my classmate asked.
"Yes." He nodded, glancing at me. I rolled my eyes.
"Go back to your seats," he ordered, and my terrified classmates scrambled back to their chairs.
"You're a hero, Engineer. Thank you!" my classmate said sweetly.
Seriously? He's just pretending!
But at least he saved your ass, Serafine.
"Okay, go back and continue answering." He glanced at me, shooting a brow. "Sasamahan ko lang si Miss Mendez na kumuha ng test paper sa faculty."
My eyes widened. Nang tumayo siya, muntik ko nang takbuhin pabalik ang upuan.
"Hindi ba p'wedeng ikaw na lang?" I scoffed.
Gasps filled the room. I turned, startled, seeing my classmates scandalized by my words.
Damn it.
"I-I mean po? Opo? Hindi po ba p'wedeng ikaw na lang po, Engineer po?" I emphasized.
He smirked but shook his head.
"May kailangan din kasi akong kunin sa faculty, Miss. Para habang nagsasagot kayo, magre-record ako," he explained.
I groaned quietly.
"O-Okay po," I muttered, clearing my throat. His lip twitched as he brushed his hair back and nodded.
He spoke on the phone, and soon a faculty teacher arrived to look over the class briefly, just around his age, blushing as she entered.
"Akong bahala, Engineer," she said with a sweet, flirty smile.
I raised my brow.
"Thanks, Miss Mercado." He smiled back.
Halos magpuso ang mata ng guro, kumukunot pa ang noo ko kung hindi ko lang napansin ang tabinging lakad ng pabibong-feeling gwapo na gurang na engineer.
It looked like he was hiding something with his foot. He walked that way until he reached the door, then pretended to kick something out.
"Ano 'yon?" I asked.
"Ipis," he said.
"Huh? I was joking, walang ipis. Palusot ko lang 'yon."
"May ipis," he insisted, adjusting his glasses.
'Di ko naiwasang hagudin siya ng tingin. He was wearing a navy-blue long-sleeved shirt and black slacks, with sleeves rolled up, and three buttons undone.
"Wala nga—"
"Kapag sinabi ng mahal ko na may ipis, may ipis," he said. My mouth parted.
"W-What?"
"You said there was a cockroach, and there is one."
"You're crazy, Miranda..." I muttered.
"Don't blame me. Love made me crazy—" I gasped and smacked his arm.
"Kanta 'yan!" I groaned.
"Ganyan talaga. Kapag nagmamahal, imagination mo ang limit," masaya pa siya sa katarantaduhan niya.
Nasapo ko ang noo at 'di inaasahang mas magugulantang pa ako sa sunod na nakita!
Nalaglag nga lang ang panga ko nang makitang naglalakad palapit ang nagma-mop na si Lando sa may floor namin!
"Seriously?" I grunted.
"Hi, Ma'am!" He grinned happily.
"Diyos ko..." I whined.
"Bukas saan naman tayo?" Nag-apir pa sila ni Vioxx.
"Doon naman tayo sa tubuhan nila, mag-kakargador naman—" Vioxx groaned when I smacked him.
"What?" He winced.
"P'wede ba?" My brows furrowed.
"Kailangan namin ng sideline ni Lando kasi mahirap na kami."
I rubbed my temples.
"Wala na ngang pansweldo sa akin si Engineer kaya suma-sideline na rin ako," Lando added with a smile.
"Hay, ewan!" I muttered, massaging my temples again.
I walked out. They talked for a bit before Vioxx ran after me and put his arm around my shoulders. I smacked his arm off me.
"Nasa school!" I exclaimed.
"So?" His brow arched. "Wala namang makakakita, saka bayad ko 'tong araw na 'to."
"At sineryoso mo nga?" I sighed, removing his hand again, this time, 'di na siya nagpumilit ibalik.
He grinned. When we entered the faculty room, it was empty.
"Sinadya mong kulang ang test paper?" I snorted when I noticed a stack of test papers on his desk.
"Hindi kaya," he said coolly, kumukuha ng test paper. He handed it to me. I reached out to take it, but he suddenly lifted it higher.
I gasped loudly when I fell on his chest, nanlaki ang mata ko at tinulak ang dibdib niya pero mabilis niya akong nahuli.
He encircled his hand around my waist. Sumubsob tuloy ako sa kanyang leeg at halos masapak na siya.
"Engineer!" I groaned.
My back hit the door as he walked forward. My eyes widened at how close we were, our noses nearly touching.
"I missed it when you called me daddy," he said randomly. My lips parted when he planted a small kiss on my cheek.
"Uh-huh? Too bad but you're not my Papa dè Asukal anymore," I teased.
"What am I, then?" His curious face almost made me laugh.
Hindi ka talaga tatahimik kakakulit sa akin, ah?
"You know what you are?" I teased.
"What?" he asked huskily. I slowly placed my hand on his waist, pretending to caress it, then tilted my head.
"Minatamis na gurang," I whispered sensually, then pinched his side until he cursed.
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