Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)
Kabanata 24
Kabanata 24
NAKA MOVE-ON NA ako! Naka move-on na ako!
My eyes sharpened when I saw him talking to a woman. Nagbubulungan naman ang mga kasama sa tabi ko.
"Kilala mo ang asawa, Engineer?" they kept asking.
I shrugged, ignoring them, my gaze locked on the irritating man.
Naka move-on na ako, okay? Saka, malay ko ba kung may girlfriend na 'yang lalaking 'yan!
Humalukipkip ako, ang mata'y nasa kanya pa rin.
He was leaning casually on the side of the yacht, speaking to a tall, elegant woman in a blue dress. She looked formal and poised. I only caught a glimpse of her face.
She's pretty. Probably one of the elites.
Nawala lang ang atensyon ko ro'n nang mapansing medyo may kumosyon.
"Tara na kasi, isa!" Winter hissed, hinihila ang isang lalaki.
I glanced at him. Napatuwid ako ng upo at tumaas ang kilay.
"Oh, 'yong bellboy?" I murmured.
"Huh? Ano 'yon, Ma'am?" Jade asked, confused. I pointed at the man Winter was dragging.
"Ang gwapo," Joanna whispered. "Engineer, ganito ba talaga sa lugar n'yo? Puno ng mga guwapo?"
"Ano'ng pangalan, Engineer?" Clarisse chimed in.
"Warren!" Winter snapped, taking my attention off the girls, and glanced at the two again. "Lapitan mo na, ayan, oh!"
"No, Win. Ayoko!" Warren scoffed, trying to resist.
Para tuloy siyang higante na hinihila ni Winter palabas.
"Sige na, arte mo. Kaya parehas kayong tuyot ng pinsan mong 'yan, eh. Sige na."
"No..." Warren shook his head, his eyes drifting back to the woman Vioxx was speaking with.
"Ren!"
"Hindi talaga..." Warren sighed, shaking his head.
Winter stomped her foot in frustration.
"Baby..." A baritone voice echoed and a man with striking green eyes suddenly approached her. It was Warrion. My teammates squealed, kinakalabit ako.
"Yan 'yong sinasabi namin sa 'yong gwapo! May kasama pa 'yong isa kanina!" Jade whispered excitedly.
I pouted, watching Winter and her husband talk to Warren—the supposed bellboy.
Bellboy sa yate? P'wede pala 'yon?
Confused, I turned back to the annoying, arrogant engineer speaking with the lady in blue, and caught him watching me.
I scowled, my brows knitting. His lips twitched into a smirk before he returned to his conversation like it was the most interesting talk he ever had in his entire life.
"Si Architect Sandejas ba 'yan?" ani Engr. Silvano na tinabihan ako.
"Sino?"
"Si Architect Sandejas. Her mother is a Sandejas, her father a Valderama," he explained, pointing at the woman with Vioxx.
"Sandejas-Valderama?" My brows furrowed as recognition hit. "Oh..."
So she was high-class. Wow. From the Sandejas clan.
Vioxx smiled when she laughed. Curiosity tugged at me, but I shook my head.
Get a grip, Serafine! Paki mo ba sa kanila?!
I stood abruptly, ignoring Jade and the others calling after me.
Dinaanan ko sila. I caught him pausing mid-conversation, his eyes flicking toward me in confusion. I raised a brow, rolled my eyes, and walked away irritably.
I circled the yacht, heading to the quieter back deck, where the waves were calmer. I need to see something beautiful at puro eyesore sa labas.
Mag-gagabi na siguro kami makakarating ng isla.
I rested my arm on the railing, taking my gaze back to the gentle crash of waves against the deep blue sea. The water was so clear I could see fish and coral under. The sky stretched endlessly, the horizon blending sea and sky into one.
Kapag talaga papalubog ang araw, nagiging apoy ang kulay. I was always fascinated by watching it burn with beauty.
I smiled faintly at the peaceful sight before me.
I got everything now... but why does my heart feel empty?
I adjusted the scarf around my neck, gasping when suddenly, the wind snatched it away. Suminghap ako at sinubukang maagaw pa iyon pero napunta lang sa metal bar sa itaas na parte ng yate! I reached for it but I couldn't grasp it.
I sighed and prepared myself to try and take it. Hindi p'wedeng 'di ko makuha. Mahal 'yan!
I stepped onto the railing, gripping the metal, lifting myself higher to reach the scarf but still, I failed. I climbed further, stretching my hand desperately but a sudden force around my waist, prying me off the railing, made me scream.
"What the hell are you doing, Serafine?!" His voice thundered.
"'Yong scarf ko!" I exclaimed.
I struggled, but his grip tightened around my waist, dragging me back. My mouth parted in anger as I turned to face him, glaring.
"Problema mo?!" I snapped.
His forehead creased. I can see the anger evident in his eyes.
"Ako pang may problema? Sino sa atin ang umakyat d'yan habang umaandar ang yate?!"
"I will get my scarf!"
"Bullshit, Serafine! Paano kung nahulog ka?! Are you crazy?!" he roared.
"Hindi ako nahulog! And I can handle myself just fine! I don't need your fucking help—"
"I am not fucking helping you, Serafine! Alam mong dapat hindi mo ginawa 'yon!"
"At bakit hindi, ha?!" I shot back. "Kukunin ko lang naman—"
"Paano kung nahulog ka?! You weren't thinking! Pinag-aalala mo pa ang mga tao—"
"Wow, ha?" I groaned, shoving him. "Who told you to care, anyway? Pakialam mo ba sa akin? I don't think you should be worried!"
"I am fucking worried, Serafine!" His dark eyes locked onto mine, making my heart pound wildly. "Hindi mo alam kung anong naramdaman ko nang makita kitang ganyan! If you fell, huh? What would I do?"
"A-Aba, ewan ko sa 'yo!" My fists clenched, trembling.
"I would fucking jump in that ocean just to find you, woman!" he burst out, frustration lacing his voice.
I paused, my heart now in my throat as I stared at him.
We locked gazes until he finally looked away, closing his eyes and tilting his head. He pressed his fingers on the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"Tangina..." he cursed under his breath, then opened his eyes again, staring straight at me. "Look who's still a fool for you. In the end, I still care, huh?" His jaw tightened.
I swallowed hard.
"S-Sino ba nagsabing mag-alala ka..." I whispered.
"No one, Serafine." He sighed. "Just my fucking old self again, still hoping like a fool for attention."
My chest ached.
"I...I was just cold, k-kaya ko inaabot 'yong scarf ko," I explained softly.
"It doesn't make sense when your arms are bare. Ano, leeg mo lang ang nilalamig?" he said sarcastically, making me roll my eyes.
"Moody ka!" I groaned.
His jaw clenched again, his head tilting slightly.
"I'm really getting old, I guess," he scoffed.
I fell silent, watching as he removed his black jacket. My throat dried up when he draped it over my shoulders without hesitation.
Startled, I grabbed the jacket, about to hand it back, but he pulled it firmly over my shoulders again.
"B-But..."
"You're cold, right? Then take it," he said.
"P-Paano ka?" I asked, clutching the jacket tighter.
"I'm used to the cold, Engineer," he replied, crossing his arms in front of me, his biceps obvious beneath his clothes. "Mas malamig ka pa d'yan."
"What..." My mouth parted, but he only licked his lower lip, shook his head, and turned away.
"I'm fucking thirsty," reklamo niya at tumalilis ng alis, hawak ang batok.
I didn't see him again after that. His cousins were around, but he was nowhere in sight.
The jacket he gave me smelled like him. Niyakap ng init at bango no'n ang katawan ko kaya napapikit ako at napamulat lang nang sabihin nilang nasa isla na kami.
I expected the island to be marvelous, but not this marvelous. Even without words, the awe on my team's faces said it all. Over the years, I've traveled to different countries and islands, but this one was truly one of a kind.
The coconut trees were tall, and the sun loungers were lined at the shore. In the distance, cabanas can be seen on the beach with a few restaurants nearby. The island was quiet, with only a handful of employees assisting with the yacht's docking.
"Engineer, may free day din naman tayo, 'no?" Jade asked.
"Hmm." I nodded, preparing my camera to take pictures.
"Wow! Buti nagdala ako ng bikinis!" Clarisse cheered.
"Yay! Nandito na tayo!" I jumped when Winter suddenly appeared, clinging to my arm. I chuckled, looping my arm through hers.
"Nakita ko na 'to sa picture, pero mas maganda pala sa personal," I shared.
"Of course!" she giggled, her smile bright. "Wait 'til you see the other attractions. May shipwreck dito."
"I've read about it, pero gusto kong makita ng personal."
"Baka yayain ka ni Vioxx," she teased.
I blinked at her, startled.
"B-Bakit naman?" I asked.
"Patola ka, Sera." She chuckled. "Crush ka ni Engineer!"
"H-Huh? Hindi, ah!" I gasped, shaking my head. "Impossible, malay ko ba kung may girlfriend 'yan—"
"Wala. Single and tuyot 'yan!" she cleared. "Kagaya ko dati, pero ngayon sagana na sa dilig ang Sahara desert—"
"Win..." We both jumped when someone cleared his throat. Our eyes widened at Warrion, who was staring at his wife.
"Ano? Tsismoso 'to!" Winter rolled her eyes. "Maya na kita lambingin, 'kay? May bago akong friend!" She laughed, pulling me away from her smiling husband.
"Pero anyway," she said, smirking at me. "Crush ka nga."
"Hindi, 'no..." I gulped, but her smirk deepened.
"Weh? Eh, ano 'yang jacket na 'yan? Kay engineer 'yan, ah?" she teased.
Napapikit ako.
"Amin na..." she giggled. I bit my lip, my cheeks heating.
Winter left as we prepared to disembark. We stepped off the yacht, walking along the boardwalk. Nandito pa lang ay punong-puno na ang camera ko.
The island was breathtaking—the fine white sand glittered like crystals and the clear blue sea shimmered. Rock formations rose majestically in the distance, sculpted by nature's hand.
Beautiful...
"Ma'am, nandoon na po ang mga bagahe," an employee informed so I went there.
I grabbed mine, pulling my two luggage, pero bago pa ako makalayo, may kumuha no'n sa kamay ko. It was Vioxx, carrying them effortlessly.
"Kaya ko," I said.
He glanced at me coldly, avoiding my gaze, and carried my bags without a word, ignoring me.
"Hoy..." Habol ko sabay abot sa kanya pero akala ko'y ibabalik na niya ang gamit ko pero ipinahawak niya lang sa 'kin ang travel bag niya. I looked at him with a puzzled look.
"Bakit? Ano'ng gagawin ko?" I asked.
He didn't answer. Sa halip ay kinuha niya lang ang isa ko pang suitcase!
"What..." I muttered, straightening up when I caught Lars and Winter watching us with teasing smiles.
I spent the rest of the time taking photos and discussing plans with my team. Caspian had already met with the employees, so everything was settled.
We had dinner at a nearby restaurant, where I saw Vioxx with his cousins, Caspian and Warrion. Pinagtitinginan sila, natural nang agaw-pansin.
Nasa Manila daw si Wave kasama ang asawa. Ang ibang pinsan ay babalik din pa-Casa Amara para sa mga anak pero parang may kulang...
Lucian! Nasaan si Lucian?
I pouted, chewing my food when I accidentally saw Vioxx combing his hair with a smirk on his lips.
I sipped my drink, staring at him. It wasn't even cold anymore, yet I couldn't bring myself to take off his jacket.
He shifted his gaze, and our eyes met. My eyes widened na pumasok ata sa ilong ko at iniinom at nabilaukan!
"Engineer!" Jade exclaimed.
I shook my head, lowering it as I coughed, trying to hide my embarrassment.
Shit, Serafine! Nakakahiya ka! Tanga!
A hand touched my back as I continued coughing. Natahimik ang ingay nila Jade bigla.
"Give her water," a baritone voice commanded, his hand steady on my back. I looked up quickly, hiccupping when I saw Vioxx leaning close, his brows furrowed.
"Tubig? Uh, tubig daw!" Clarisse panicked, handing him a glass.
My cheeks burned. I looked away as my coughing subsided, sininok nga lang lalo!
What the actual fuck, Serafine?!
"Here..." He caught my hand, pulling it down gently as he handed me the glass.
Mabilis ang kalabog ng puso ko habang inaabot 'yon at akala ko'y ibibigay niya 'yon sa 'kin pero nagkamali ako. His hand stayed, guiding mine as I drank.
I nodded slowly when I finished, setting the glass down, realizing how awkward everything had become.
Nakaupo ako, pulang-pula. Si Vioxx ay nasa harapan ko't nakadukwang, inaayos ang buhok paalis sa mukha ko habang ang buong team ay tahimik, tila nanunuod ng teleserye.
"Uhm, awkward..." Caspian said loudly. I bit my lip in embarrassment as laughter erupted around the table.
Vioxx smirked, stood, and shook his head. Bumalik siya sa puwesto ng pinsan at sinapok ang batok nito.
"Fuck you," he cursed, making them laugh harder.
I closed my eyes, sipping water again, when Jade whispered beside me.
"Gwapo si Engineer, at mas bagay kayo, Engineer... kaso bawal na."
I blinked and looked at her curiously. "B-Bakit?"
"Eh, 'di ba, sabi mo may asawa na siya? Secret marriage?" she asked. Nasapo ko ang noo.
So much embarrassment for one day, Serafine!
After dinner, Caspian and Warrion left with their wives. I spoke with them briefly before they departed to attend to their children that night.
"Sugar daddy pa rin?" Cas teased before his wife arrived no'ng makita niya ako.
"Dati pa 'yon." I scoffed. He laughed, shaking his head with a smirk. "Una na kami, Sera. You take care of that old daddy of yours, okay?"
"Old daddy?" Lars asked curiously na narinig iyon paglapit niya.
Cas smirked, and I shot him a sharp glare of warning. He chuckled, shaking his head, then wrapped an arm around his wife's waist.
"Nothing, my star," he said warmly. "I was just teasing Sera. Anyway, uuna na kami. 'Yong triplets ko kasi at panganay nagwawala na."
My mouth fell open, blinking in shock.
"W-What? Naka-apat ka?!" I exclaimed.
"Yup," he said proudly, and my jaw dropped again.
"Kaya pala ang OA ng sideline mo dati! Nag-traysikel ka pa!" I exclaimed. Humalakhak siya at tumango.
"Teka, magkakilala na ba kayo dati?" Lars asked, confused, glancing at me.
Natahimik tuloy ako.I smiled faintly and nodded.
"Long time ago, Lars. Mahabang kwento."
"Oh, what a coincidence." Her eyes widened as she looked at her husband. "You never told me."
"Well, I didn't know you two knew each other. No'ng nag-meet kami ni Sera, I swore to secrecy. H'wag ko raw itsismis sa 'yo, Reev," sumbong pa niya na parang kasalanan ko pa.
I shook my head. Natawa ang asawa niya.
"Oh, I see." Lars nodded, smiling at me as she offered her hand. "Thank you, Sera. Nice meeting you again. I didn't know you knew my husband."
"No worries, Lars, and thank you, too." I smiled back. "I knew them years ago. Dito kasi ako nakatira dati, and it just happened that I met him and his cousins. Ask Cas, he'll tell you how we met."
"Is it okay?" Cas glanced at me, smiling. I nodded.
"Oo, h'wag ka na mag-secret sa asawa mo baka 'di ka makatulog. And it's a long time ago. What happened between your cousin and me should be forgotten. We have our own lives now, and I think it's alright. Lars is my friend and your wife, so it's fine."
I bid farewell to them, as well as Warrion and his wife, before returning to my team.
Kaunti na lang ang available na cabanas at cabins dahil karamihan ay isinara para sa renovation. The bellboy, Warren, was the one listing the designated rooms, and Vioxx was nowhere to be found.
Hinayaan ko silang mag-agawan ng kwarto at maghilahan ng kasama. Tanging maliliit na rooms na lang daw ang available, at nakapili na sila.
"Has anyone got their rooms yet?" Warren asked in a thick English accent.
Napanguso ako at naningkit ang mata. To me, he had this different air in him. He didn't look like a regular bellboy at all.
Matangkad, matipuno, gwapo rin. Hawig pa niya si Vioxx!
"Do you have your room?" Engr. Silvano asked as he sat beside me.
"Wala pa. I'll ask later, nag-uunahan pa sila."
He nodded. "Kaunti na lang ang kwarto and I think most are occupied already. I got mine, mag-isa lang ako. Do you want to share with me?"
"Uhmm..."
"Si Vioxx ang sa—" Warren stopped, looking around. "Nasaan ba 'yon?"
Oh, Vioxx? First name basis sila?
"Anyway, Vioxx is occupying one room. Wala na bang walang kwarto d'yan? It's okay with him to share," Warren said.
I saw Vioxx's female teammates giggling, teasing one of the women to raise her hand.
"Sera..." Engr. Silvano caught my hand.
"Anyone?" Warren asked.
I saw the lady trying to raise her hand a bit, nahihiya pa kaya competitive kong itinaas ang kamay at inuhan siya.
"Ako!" I exclaimed at natahimik sila.
Warren glanced at me and smiled.
"Yes, Engr. Mendez?" He smirked, his eyes playful. Bigla naman akong nahiya at natigilan nang matanto ang ginawa.
Ewan ko ba sa 'kin at kapag napi-pressure, 'di na nag-iisip!
"A-Ako na lang sasama sa kwarto," I said, trying to ignore the awkwardness.
"Serafine," Engr. Silvano called. "Sa kwarto ko na lang, ayos lang sa akin."
"Is it fine with you, Engineer? He's a man and you're a woman?" Warren asked seriously, though I could see him fighting a smile.
"Why not?" I cleared my throat. "Vioxx is my friend. Nothing's wrong—we're colleagues," I said firmly.
I felt the glares from his team, while my own teammates, especially the women, gaped at my sudden decision.
"Okay, it's settled then. Everyone can go to their respective rooms," Warren announced with a smile.
A woman arrived—the same one I saw talking to Vioxx earlier. The architect?
"Uh, are there any rooms left? Sorry, I'm late," the beautiful lady asked. Warren only shrugged and took her arm.
"You'll stay in my room," he said timidly, and I blinked rapidly at the sight.
What is that?
Nagkagulo ang team sa naging desisyon ko, nagtatanong kung sure ba raw ako. Kahit si Engr. Silvano ay nakitaan ko ng disgusto pero desisyon ko na 'to kaya bahala na sila.
"Nothing's wrong, really. Dito ako nakatira dati, and it happens that Engr. Miranda is my friend. It's not a big deal!" I defended.
"Pero si Engr. Miranda iyon, ang super gwapong Engineer ng taon," Clarisse explained.
"Kaso, Engineer, 'di ba married na?" she whispered lowly. "Ano 'yon, p'wede ba 'yon? Paano ang asawa niya?" She looked horrified.
Napabuntonghininga ako. Tangina, mukhang magiging mukhang kabit pa ako, ah?
Kasalan ko talaga 'to...
"Sandali," I said, letting the men walk ahead before pulling the girls aside.
"Bakit?" Joanna asked curiously.
"Huwag kayong maingay, okay?" I whispered, and they all nodded, waiting for me to speak.
And so, I gathered the courage and finally let another lie spill.
"Ako ang secret wife," I said softly.
Their mouths dropped in exaggerated shock. I almost laughed when they believed me.
"Charot—" I was about to say when I felt a grip on my waist and a baritone voice in my ear.
"That's supposed to be a secret, baby. Pinagkakalat mo na pala?" ani ng malambing at mapaglarong boses kaya bigla akong nanlamig.
My friends' jaws dropped. My heart exploded and my cheeks burned as his hand tightened on my waist, brushing lightly against my stomach.
"Engr. Miranda!" Clarisse exclaimed, looking at me, then at him. "T-Totoo po? Secret ang..."
I pinched Vioxx discreetly to stop him, but he only squeezed my waist tighter, making me flinch.
"Guess my secret wife told you about our secret wedding, huh..." he said with a now wider smile.
I cleared my throat, trying to push him away.
"J-Joke lang—" I attempted to cover up my lie, but Vioxx pulled me against his chest.
"What the hell—" Tinulak ko siyang muli pero mas yumakap pa siya.
"But can you keep this a secret first, ladies?" he asked in that deep, sexy, bedroom voice. I wanted to see their reactions, but he didn't let me go.
"O-Opo, Engineer!" they chorused.
"Thank you, ladies. Medyo maselan kasi itong... misis ko sa ganyang usapan." His voice was dripping with amusement kaya kinurot ko na nang mariin na napapikit siya't natawa pero pinakawalan ako.
Tulala pa ang mga kaibigan ko at parang nakakita ng multo nang lingunin ko.
"G-Good night! Papahinga na kami," I said, not waiting for their response as I dragged Vioxx away, who was still grinning.
"Bye, guys. Papahinga lang ang asawa ko!" he exclaimed like a child, waving his hand.
He kept waving until we were far enough, and once my friends were gone, I punched his arm hard, making him wince.
"Ouch!" he whined. "Inaano kita?"
"Ano 'yong sinasabi mo do'n?" I snapped.
"Ah? You started it first, my wife." He smirked. "Kailan pala tayo kinasal? Parang hindi ako invited no'ng kasal natin, ah?"
"Miranda!" I groaned, my cheeks burning with so much embarrassment.
"Yes, baby? Papalambing ka?" he teased, his eyes gleaming with amusement. Nang nakita na niyang mas tumalim ang tingin ko, lumakas ang tawa niya sabay takbo kaya hinabol ko siya.
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