Dancing With Fire (TO BE PUBLISHED)
Kabanata 7
Kabanata 7
"SI ENGINEER MIRANDA," Marco informed me.
My lips parted. My eyes and Rai's remained locked.
"Nice meeting you again, Engr. Miranda!" the girl in front greeted pero tahimik lang ang huli, seryoso.
Kumurap ako habang unti-unting lumaki ang ngiti. However, Rai didn't smile! He just raised a brow!
"Seryoso 'yang si Engineer, pero mabait naman," Marco whispered.
My daddy's jaw clenched as he looked away and cleared his throat. "
One seat apart, class. I'll be giving you a diagnostic exam," he said coldly, and the classroom immediately filled with complaints.
I stood up and slightly moved my armchair pero inabot kaagad iyon ni Marco para tumulong.
"Let me, Sera," he said.
I smiled and nodded.
He helped me move my chair to the side, then grinned and pointed to his seat. "Dito lang ako sa tabi mo."
"Mr. Flores, sit here in the first row," Rai's cold voice commanded, and I was taken aback.
Marco scratched his nape in protest. "Engineer, dito na lang po, ayoko sa unahan—"
I pouted, sat back down, and observed quietly.
"Sit there, or no test for you," he said coldly.
Marco glanced at me.
"Sige na, sumunod ka na," I told him with a small smile.
Marco reluctantly moved to the front row.
I silently watched Rai as he counted the test papers. I tried catching his eyes every now and then, but he kept avoiding me.
He looked incredibly attractive right now. Well, he always did, but today was different—he looked more casual than usual. He's wearing a deep black sweater, the collar of his white shirt peeking at his neck, paired with denim pants and white sneakers. His hair was slightly disheveled.
In short, sobrang Daddy ang awrahan!
I have to talk to him later. Why didn't he tell me he was a part-time engineering professor?! At sakto pa kung saan akong university nag-aaral!
I picked up my pen, waiting for the questionnaire to be passed to me but paused when none arrived.
"Excuse me..." Tinawag ko sa atensyon ng kaklase na nagbigay ng questionnaires. "May questionnaire pa?"
"Ay, sorry, Miss, kulang ang naibigay ni Engineer. Lapit ka na lang sa table niya."
I looked around. Everyone else had papers, except me.
Bakit wala ako?
I hesitantly stood from my chair and glanced at Rai, who was quietly opening his laptop. I nervously walked toward his desk, feeling like a naughty student caught red-handed.
"Uh, Dad—"
His sharp glare silenced me instantly.
"Ay, I mean Rai—"
He raised a brow, and I coughed awkwardly, noticing my classmates' stares.
"Uhm, Sir..." My voice softened. "Kulang po 'yong questionnaire. Wala po akong natanggap."
We stared at each other for a moment. His piercing brown eyes glared before he looked away, grabbed a paper, and handed it to me.
I smiled, sinadyang haplusin ang kamay niya habang kinukuha ko ang test paper.
His jaw tightened, lips pressed firmly together.
I licked my lower lip slowly and smiled innocently. "Thank you, Sir," I said, my voice playful, before turning away.
"Kaya mo 'yan, Sera!" Marco cheered as I returned to my seat.
"Salamat—"
"Mr. Flores, eyes on the paper!" Rai snapped.
Ang init naman ng ulo... muntik na akong humalakhak.
Marco quickly looked down. Binilisan ko ang lakad papuntang upuan ko.
After I finished answering the exam, I turned to Rai, who was typing seriously on his laptop. I pouted, staring at him. I silently wished Engineer Magkaya were absent more often, para siya lagi ang nandito! Eh 'di nakakasipag talagang mag-aral!
We passed the papers to the front. As he organized them, I bit my lip, waiting for the right moment to approach him.
"Engineer Magkaya might be here next meeting. The lecture will start then. Thank you, class," he said.
Aww... Nalungkot naman ang kalandian ko.
"Thank you din, Engineer!" the girl in front exclaimed, giggling.
My forehead creased as the chatty girl said something to Rai that made him smile.
Hoy, anong nginingiti-ngiti mo d'yan?!
"Engineer, tanong lang po," she asked. "Magsa-start na po kasi ang internship namin. Open po ba ang company n'yo for interns?"
Oh, that's interesting.
Rai paused and glanced briefly at me—our eyes met.
"Yes," he said, shifting his gaze back to the girl. "We'll be accepting interns. You may send your applications and resumes. HR will review them and send you an invitation for the interview."
"Oh! Salamat, Engineer! Pangarap ko talagang makapag-intern sa kompanya n'yo!"
"No worries." His lip twitched into a smile.
I rolled my eyes when I heard the heavy sighs of the girls.
"Do you have any more questions, class?" He asked, scanning the room.
I raised my hand discreetly. When our eyes met, I winked at him, and he froze for a moment.
I smiled at him, and he snorted and cleared his throat.
"No more questions. Alright, class dismissed," he said coldly.
I stood up and grabbed my bag. I was about approach Rai, but Marco immediately appeared beside me.
"Sera, uwian mo na, 'di ba? Kain muna tayo."
"Miss Mendez..."
That familiar voice made me stiffen. I quickly turned and saw Rai's serious, furrowed brows. "Help me carry these," he ordered.
I immediately walked toward him, overhearing a girl whisper. "Kahit ako na lang, Engineer."
I smirked. As I approached Rai, he put his laptop away.
"Tutulong rin ako, Engineer. Hihintayin ko rin naman si Sera," Marco said, following me.
Rai looked seriously annoyed. I knew he wanted me say something, but stayed quiet until I caught the tightening of his jaw.
"Uhm, Marco..." I turned to my classmate. "Mauna ka na pala... nakalimutan kong may kailangan pa akong daanan."
"Oh..." He nodded, then smiled slowly. "Alright. Ingat."
"Salamat, Marco. Ingat din."
He smiled cheekily, nodded again, and glanced at Rai, who wasn't even looking—too busy pretending to work.
"Bye, Engineer," Marco said.
Rai just nodded at him.
When Marco left the room, I hugged the papers while Rai carried his laptop. We exchanged glances—I smiled at him, but he just snorted and looked away.
"Suplado," I whispered.
As we walked down the hallway, he suddenly took the papers from my arms. I blinked in surprise and looked at him.
"I thought..."
"Ako na lang buhatin mo," he murmured softly, making me laugh.
"'Laki mo, hindi kita kaya." I pouted. "Dapat ako ang binubuhat mo."
He raised a brow, shifted his laptop onto the stack of papers, and flexed one arm toward me.
"Come on, I can still carry you," he teased.
Natawa ako, pasimpleng kinurot ang tagiliran niya. He pulled away.
"Serafine!" he groaned.
I giggled, but when some students passed by, we both froze and cleared our throats.
We walked quietly to the faculty room, and I couldn't stop smiling. The room was empty, which made me grin even more.
"Daddy, may CCTV ba dito?"
"There's none right now. They're in the process of replacing the old ones."
I smirked.
As he went straight to his desk, I quietly closed the door and followed him.
He placed his laptop and the test papers on the desk while I moved behind him. When he turned around, tumama siya sa 'kin at muntik nang magbanggaan ang mukha namin.
He stopped, and I smirked again, slowly placing my hand on his shoulder.
"You didn't tell me you teach sometimes, Sir," I said softly.
He glared at me, but I knew deep down he was affected. I could see it in his eyes, in the way his jaw moved and his lips pressed firmly.
"And you didn't tell me you have another boy, huh?" ganti niya.
"Marco is just a friend. He introduced himself to me earlier."
His hand slid to my waist, gently guiding me toward his desk. Walang hirap na isinampa niya akong paupo dahilan para mahulog ang mga papel.
"First, Gino, then that Marco..."
"They're just my friends, Rai," I said, lifting my head to meet his brown eyes.
"Yeah?" His gaze dropped to my lips, and he swallowed hard.
"Hmm..." I hummed, pulling him closer. "I don't like boys... I like Daddy more."
I bit my lip. Namungay ang tingin niya.
"Serafine, we're in a fucking school," he whispered, tense and irritated.
"So?" I brushed my nose against his cheek and kissed it softly.
"I don't wanna kiss you here," he whispered, tightening his grip on my waist.
"Why?" I chuckled.
"Because—"
I stole a quick kiss on his lips, and his cheeks flushed.
"Serafine!" he groaned.
"Yes, Daddy?" I whispered, teasingly kissing him again.
"Fuck school. I'm kissing you right now," he growled, tilting my chin and pressing his lips to mine.
I was about to kiss him back, pero ang biglang ingay sa pintuan ay nagpatalon sa 'kin sa gulat kaya inaitulak ko siya. Napaupo siya sa lapag, nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko at napatingin ako sa pinto. Naabutang nakatunghay sa amin ang secretary niya at si Lando.
"Engineer, kanina pa po namin kayo hinahanap," his secretary said.
"Ay, nandito pala si Ma'am Sera," Lando added, staring at me teasingly.
I cleared my throat, standing stiffly in panic. Rai, on the other hand, quickly sat up, gathering the scattered papers. I hurried to help him, picking up the sheets from the floor.
His secretary rushed over, confused, and joined us. "Natagalan ka 'ata, Engineer?" he asked innocently.
Rai gritted his teeth in annoyance.
"Baka gusto mong matanggalan ng trabaho?" he snapped, almost lunging forward.
Tinakbo ko siya at hinawakan. "Rai!"
"What?!" he grimaced.
"Busy si Engineer kasi nandito si Ma'am Sera—"
"Isa ka pa!" he groaned, making Lando blink in surprise.
I sighed, grimaced, and lightly tapped Rai before quickly gathering the papers and returning them to the table.
Mahina akong humingi ng pasensiya sa secretary ni Rai habang papalabas kami ng faculty. "May mens..." I joked.
We walked out of the room, nangunguna si kami ni Rai habang nakasunod ang dalawang nagbubulungan sa supladong engineer.
When we reached Rai's car, I pursed my lips and glanced at him.
"Rai, dito na lang ako. Dadaanan ko pa kasi si Miggy sa school niya. Absent kasi 'yong kapatid ni Kikay, kaya wala siyang kasabay pauwi," paalam ko.
His forehead creased. He took my bag from me, and I looked at him in surprise.
"Ihahatid kita," he said, opening the door by the passenger seat.
"Huwag na," I replied.
"Just get inside the car, Serafine," he said firmly.
I nodded, glancing at Rai's secretary and Lando, who stood like posts on one side, takot na baka sila naman ang mapagbalingan ng iritasyon.
I got into the car, hugged my bag on my lap, and watched Rai say something to the men outside. When they left, he slid into the driver's seat.
He looked at me, and his gaze dropped to my feet.
"I'm wearing it," I said with a smile, lifting my foot to show him the shoes he bought for me.
His lip protruded slightly as he smiled, staring at my feet. "Maybe we should have also bought the waterproof—"
"Come on, Vioxx," I interrupted, making him stop. "Marami ka nang binili para sa 'kin."
"You called me—"
"Vioxx?" I smiled cheekily. "Kasi lahat kasi sila, Vioxx ang tawag sa 'yo. I'm the only one who calls you Rai."
He licked his lower lip, tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, and tilted his head.
"Any name sounds sexy coming from you... fuck!" he said under his breath.
I chuckled, fluttered, catching his finger and playing with it.
"You know, I sometimes wonder—bakit ang bait mo sa 'kin?" I asked curiously, smiling.
He stared at me. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of brown I'd ever seen. His face looked sculpted with perfection, crafted by the most talented artist.
"I just feel like you deserve kindness. You deserve better in this harsh world we're in, Sera." His words made my heart race.
Though I don't think I ever deserved that.
"Opportunista ako, Rai." Pinrangka ko na siya. I don't want to sugarcoat it and make myself believe I wasn't doing something wrong. "I'm a liar, a social climber. I always want to fit in. I want all the riches in the world."
"I know..." he hummed, resting his face against the steering wheel, still staring at me.
"You know?"
"I had your background checked."
Inasahan ko na naman 'yon. S'yempre, mayaman siya—bago magtiwala sa 'kin, aalamin muna niya talaga kung saan ako nanggaling. Kaya siguro 'di siya nagtanong no'ng nagtago ako sa mga kaibigan ko ay dahil alam na niya ang dahilan ko.
"And you still chose to get involved with me?" Naguguluhan kong tanong.
If it's anyone else, they'll run away without even thinking twice.
"Why not?" Kumunot ang noo niya.
"I always want money," I said as a matter-of-fact.
"Then I'll give you that," he replied. "I'll give you all the riches I can offer."
I gulped, my heart thumping harder. Habang pinagmamasdan ko siya, napagtanto kong ibang-iba siya sa mga taong kilala ko.
People usually think the worst of me, especially Nanay. She treats me like I'm nothing—sa bagay, wala naman talaga akong halaga sa kanya because I am my father's mistake.
Wala akong ideya kung sino ang tunay kong ina. Ang alam ko lang, iniwan niya ako sa labas ng bahay nila Nanay at Tatay, kaya galit na galit sa akin si Nanay.
The only people who truly treasure me—who make me feel important and real—are my brother Miggy and our tatay.
And now, there's also Rai.
"You like me that much, huh?" I asked, half-joking.
He moistened his lip, his messy hair falling slightly over his forehead. I thought he wouldn't answer, but I was wrong.
"Yeah," napapaos niyang sagot.
"R-Really?" My voice quivered, lips parted in disbelief as I stared at him.
"Hmm," he hummed.
"I'm poor, Rai," I repeated. "I'm a liar, a scam. I lied for a living. Nagsisinungaling akong mayaman para magkaroon ng kaibigang mayayaman. Kunwari nakatira ako ro'n sa mamahaling village tapos nagpapagawa ng indoor pool pero doon lang talaga sa may squatter na butas-butas ang bubong at kulang na lang magising na inaararo ng bulldozer!"
He chuckled but he only looked amused.
"I know," he whispered, his gaze gentle.
"K-Kakakilala pa lang natin! I mean, normal ba 'yon? It's too fast! Alam ko namang maganda ako at baka naaakit ka lang–"
"I've seen plenty of pretty girls, Serafine," aniya kaya nangunot naman ang noo ko.
"Ano? Sinasabi mo bang–"
"There, magsisimula siya ng away." He sighed. "I meant to say, I've seen lots of pretty girls, Sera. Did I become like this? No. Am I attracted to you physically? Yes. Do I like you? Fucking yes. Do I care if we just met? Fucking no."
Nagririgudon ang puso ko. "Sigurado ka ba? 'Di pa natin masyadong kilala ang isa't-isa—"
"We have a long time learning each other, Sera," aniya. "We're attracted to each other. Period. Ayoko nang paikot-ikutin 'to."
Namamangha ako kaya 'di ko mabuo ang mga salitang sasabihin.
"Hindi mo ba ako gusto?" he asked, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Hindi naman ako mamimilit. If you're uncomfortable with me, then I'll try to stay away—"
"No!" I exclaimed, shaking my head. "Don't... Don't stay away from me."
Tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya, tila natutuwa sa reaksyon ko.
He chuckled. "I won't stay away. I'll woo you, hoping that maybe I can sway you to like me back."
I rolled my eyes, and he grinned, watching me closely.
"Magkamatayan na, Serafine—hindi ako lalayo sa 'yo."
I bit my lip, stared at him, and let out a sigh.
"Ganyan mo ako kagusto, Daddy?" I teased, pouting playfully.
He snorted and cursed under his breath.
"Oh, come on, baby girl..." he said huskily.
My cheeks burned—I hadn't expected that at all. I kicked him lightly, laughing, and he pulled his leg away, staring at me.
"Huwag ganyan ang tono! Nanghihina ako!" I scolded him, making him roar with laughter no'ng kunwari'y natutunaw ako. "Don't spoil me too much, Rai! Baka masanay ako!"
"E 'di masanay ka..." he said lowly. "I don't care what other people say. I'm gonna spoil my baby so much."
Nagtitigan kami uli. Ilang sandali pa at nagseryoso na uli ako.
"Thank you, Rai. Thank you... for not judging me."
"What others think of you will never define who you are, Serafine. What matters is what you think about yourself." He leaned closer, touching my cheek. "What others say will never make me think less of you. But I'm not gonna tolerate what you're doing, okay? Your friends deserved the truth, too."
I know...
"Natatakot lang ako..." I closed my eyes, a tear slipped down my face, and he immediately caught it with his finger.
"You don't have to lie for money, you have me..."
"So p'wede ako magsinungaling sa 'yo?" I joked to lighten the mood.
He chuckled. "No, I want honesty from you, Sera. But you can have all my cards, if you want."
Nag-init ang mukha ko. "Ano ba naman 'to? Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kikiligin—sa 'yo o do'n sa offer na akin na lahat ng cards mo?"
Iyak-tawa tuloy ako.
He held me firmly, clicked the seatbelt, and I leaned against him. Ikinulong niya ako sa braso niya.
"If this will hurt me in the end...if the fire we started burns me in the end...I'll happily dance with it."
"Me too," I whispered. "P-Pero, Rai, huwag mo akong sanayin. I'm telling you, I'll be spoiled!"
"Then be my spoiled brat." He chuckled, kissing my ear and holding me closer.
"E 'di payag ka na talagang sugar daddy kita?" I whispered teasingly.
"Damn, Serafine..." He chuckled deeply. "I'm too young—"
"Pero 'yong crush ko—"
"Oh, fuck that asshole. I'm older and more mature! Don't like him! Ako dapat ang crush mo!" he whined.
"Alright...you're my sugar daddy, then?" I whispered.
"Whatever suits you, baby," he said, shaking his head with a chuckle.
I smirked, pulling away as he reached for something in the backseat. Confused, I stared when he placed paper bags with branded logos on my lap.
"Ano 'to?" I asked curiously.
He cleared his throat.
"This is the waterproof shoes I was talking about," he said, pointing at the bag.
I froze. "What the...binili mo?!"
He smiled awkwardly and nodded.
"Yeah...and I also bought bags for you. Hindi ko alam kung anong kulay gusto mo kaya binili ko lahat—" He cursed when I squealed, hitting him playfully, laughing.
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