Kabanata 7
Kabanata 7
.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.
BULLET
My house was trashed. My babies? Destroyed.
If I know what broken heart was, it was this.
After I wiped the blood off me back in the office and saw Wyatt on my way out. He gave me a cold look and just like that, I knew he did something to punish me for my attitude. When I rode back home, this was what I will see.
Hinaplos ko si Zion. He was the one who didn't receive much damage but it was also him who broke me.
This was my first bike. I have never cared for anyone but this. He started my fascination in riding and seeing him broken now...I don't know.
The wind blew but I was suffocating. I shut my eyes closed, heaving a deep sigh to control myself from retching seeing my babies this way.
All eight of them, destroyed. Some even beyond recognition.
My bleeding palm traced the shattered pieces of my bike's dash board and felt so fucking numb.
Gusto kong tumayo. Magwala. I wanted to scream and raise my gun to shoot anyone and anything on my sight but couldn't.
"This is just punishment, Scythe. You're a bad girl. I'm only doing this so you'd learn. We can't risk our family."
Family... Family...
Do I have one? Do I deserve this punishment?
Tumayo ako. I made sure to cover Zion first with the white cloth and walked towards my house and saw my furnitures are turned upside down. My table was smashed, even the television I just bought with my first salary being a secretary to DEA was gone.
My head's spinning. My ears are ringing and I'm sure I'd pass out if I fall. Naabot ko pa ang kwarto ko, kampante na hindi nila iyon pinasok. I made sure it was secured. It was the only safe space I had but before I could open it with my code, I realized it was open.
My blood turned cold. Dali-dali kong tinulak iyon papasok at napaatras nang makitang kagaya ng sa sala ay gano'n din ang nangyari rito.
They smashed my mirrors and emptied my closet and upon realizing it, tinakbo ko ang dresser, hinanap ang maliit na kahon na itinatago ko nang makitang bukas iyon at ibinagsak lang kung saan.
I haven't grabbed anything that fast. I opened it and a loud gasp left my lips when I realized the contents weren't here.
Horror filled my chest.
"Saan na 'yon..." I whispered and frantically looked around.
I immediately saw the gold chain necklace kaya dali-dali akong lumuhod at sinakop iyon sa palad ko. My head bumped on cabinet, making me feel dizzier that moment.
"Fuck!" I cursed and gripped Zion's necklace tighter, realizing his ponytail was just beside it kaya naabot ko iyon at inilapit sa dibdib ko.
Just one...just one more...
"Saan na 'yon!" I hissed under my breath, walking with my knees around, searching for the floor for any signs of the other one.
A piece of glass pierced through my skin but I didn't mind. My eyes are already blurry, my mouth dry and my fingers are trembling but I still looked around for anything pink—contrast to the color of my room to stand out.
My phone vibrated, humawak ako sa cabinet para tumayo at inabot ang bulsa ko. Without looking at the caller, I answered it while walking around.
"Tish?" I froze upon hearing that familiar voice.
Humigpit ang hawak ko sa phone at nagsalita.
"Again?"
"Ayaw mo?" He chuckled, "edi, hi, Bulbu—"
"Shut up, what do you want?"
He chuckled, "ang sungit naman palagi. Ang sakit mo maging crush!"
"What is it, boss," I asked, resting my head on the cabinet. "If it's the files, I've sent it to your house earlier. Sign it before I make a resignation for you tapos ako na ang bagong boss."
"You're my boss," he answered.
I couldn't answer. My heart spiked.
He cleared his throat and spoke and I'm thankful when he changed the subject, "are you home?"
"Yeah," I nodded, balancing myself to not fall and didn't stop walking around to look.
"Good, are you free?" he asked, "Sibyl just wrapped filming her newest soap. We'll have a mini celebration. Where are you? Sunduin kita."
I shut my eyes closed, his gentle and soft voice taming the storm raging inside my chest.
"I-I'm busy, boss," sagot ko at mahigpit na hinawakan sa palad ko ang necklace at ponytail niya.
"Busy? Oh?" He chuckled huskily, "you don't do anything than sleep and watch television, honey. I know it's your off but I'm sure you missed my handsome face."
"Bastard," I spat, a small smile leaving my lips.
His hearty laugh filled my ear.
"Come on, saan ka? Sa bahay mo? Give me the address now, Tish. I'll fetch you. Sayang naman ang kagwapuhan ko today kung 'di mo 'ko makikita. Baka manghina ka."
I shook my head.
"If I see you I swear I'll—" I slipped. A loud gasp left my lips as I fell on the ground and my head bumped on the floor. Tumalsik ang phone ko.
"Shit," I cursed loudly, looking around to see where my phone fell when my eyes leveled under my bed and saw something pink on it.
My heart raced, my head went blank as I crawled towards it. I grabbed it, took it closer to my chest, content and exhausted.
"Found you," I whispered as I stare at my room's ceiling, my eyes are heavy and dropping and that's when I let the darkness from the cracks slipped through it to take me.
Baritone, hush voices made me stir from my deep sleep.
"Shh! Shut up, she's sleeping," Zion's voice filled my ear.
What?
I didn't open my eyes, processing what just happened. I was home and then I fell...how...
I felt my hand stinging, it was as if my hand was connected to something I almost jumped in panic but realized it's probably just some dextrose.
My hearing adjusted, I started to became fully aware of my surroundings. The whirl from the aircon and the disgusting smell of antiseptics filled my nostrils.
I'm in the hospital.
Fuck. Not again.
"When do you care when someone's sleeping, huh, Zy?" Another male's voice.
"What? No, I'm not." It was Zion defending himself.
"You're not?" Another voice, "gago, nagising ako kaninang umaga sa bibig mo. You could've woke me up but instead, you even asked my kids to join you."
"What did he do this time?" I heard the sound of laughters.
"I had a late flight last night when three hours after I got home, this idiot went in the room with the twins. May dalang speaker. He played Sunny's barbie song and they sang it inside my room."
"Gago, ganyan kasi kita kamahal, Macky-beybe!" He spat.
Mas lumakas ang tawanan. I pressed my lips together to stop myself from saying anything.
Weirdos.
"Tang ina ka talaga, Zion," mas lumakas ang tawanan. "Nadamay mo si Sky sa kalokohan mo?"
"Nah, he's throwing tantrums earlier but say the magic word?" aniya.
"Macaroons," three voices combined answered.
"—and voila! 'Yan ang aking life hack para sa inyo," Zion answered and cackled like an idiot.
Crazy. This man was crazy.
His laughter was hearty and filled with joy. It was annoying.
Annoying because it made me feel something I was never supposed to.
This is just a job, Bullet. Get over it.
After you kill him, you'll be free again. Feelings are farce. They're weakness. Bullshit.
I stirred. Natahimik sila at narinig ko ang mabilis na yapak bago pa ako magmulat ng mata.
I pulled myself up to sit on the bed when my eyes met with his blue ones and before I could even utter a word, he pulled me closer for a tight hug.
My throat dried. Wala pang ilang segundo nang yakapin niya ako pero unti-unti nang nabawasan ang puwang sa 'king dibdib.
Why does he feel so warm?
I curled my fist closed, trying my best to not hug him back. I shouldn't. I couldn't. But my palms had minds I found myself reaching for his back to touch his shirt.
My cold palms were warm against his. My lips trembled and closed my eyes.
He's real...fuck, he's real.
"Fuck it, Bullet," he whispered on my ear, his voice trembling. "I'm fucking worried!"
"I'm okay," I whispered.
He huffed and squeezed me more, "Okay? You aren't answering! What am I supposed to do when I didn't even know what happened to you! I heard you falling!"
When he pulled away from me, I was startled seeing his bloodshot eyes. Umawang ang labi ko. Lalo na nang mabakas ang galit at panganib sa boses niya.
He cupped my cheek, his eyes wandering and checking my skin. He touched my cheek, I flinched not in pain but at the fact that he was worried.
Someone is worried about me.
"Who hurt you?" The danger on that voice made my skin burn, my skin tickled with the harsh tone he used.
"I'm okay—"
"Who. Hurt. You." He repeated, checking my arm this time, his jaw clenching when he got a look at my palm wrapped in white bandage.
I knew who did. I knew who probably trashed my house but...umiling ako.
"I don't know," I whispered.
"Your house was trashed, I saw you lying on the floor, unconscious, Bullet." He explained. "You didn't answer after I heard you fall."
"Then...how did you find me?" I asked, my eyes seeking for his.
He gave me a look, reaching for my face to caress my cheek.
"You might be forgetting who I was, Miss Blondie," he whispered and touched my jaw softly it was barely a caress.
Oh, of course. Shit, of course he'll know my location.
"Then why didn't you just check it some time ago? So you could fetch me?" I asked, inaaliw siya ng tanong habang nag-iisip ng idadahilan kung bakit gano'n ang nangyari sa bahay ko.
"You refused to tell me," hinuli niya ang hibla ng buhok ko at inilagay sa likod ng tainga ko bago muling titigan ang mukha ko. "So, I didn't."
My palm trembled beneath his touch. I didn't anticipate it, confused too why I was reacting that way but he only held it tighter.
"I don't know what I'll do if something happened to you," he whispered again, those bloodshot eyes refusing to look at mine.
"Did I worry you?" I asked, amazed and awed seeing that look.
Was it real?
He didn't answer and just looked at me intently. Those bloodshot blue eyes watered and I panicked.
"Are you crying?!" I gasped.
I realized I still had a heart when I felt it fell and broke with the look in his eyes.
Umiwas siya, "no—"
But I pulled his face back to my palms to stare at him, "you are crying!" I stated.
Umiling siya at muling kumawala, he lifted his hand to dry his tears with it and stood.
"Excuse me," he said lowly and walked away. I followed his massive frame, watching his stiff back as he walked out and disappeared from my sight.
"My apologies for that," I whipped my head to see where the voice was coming.
Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. Why am I so lost these days? I used to be alert and hyper-vigilant! I don't faint with things like what happened to my house! I don't forget my surroundings but with that man around...palagi na lang akong nawawala sa focus.
It was as if in another world where it was only me and him existing that I tend to forget my surroundings and how dangerous that could be.
"Sir," I greeted the handsome man with blue eyes.
"Sir," he smiled a little. "It's just Macky," aniya at inilahad ang kamay sa 'kin, "I know we met each other but I don't think I introduced myself formally back then."
I moved a little to accept his palm, "nice meeting you, uh, Macky?"
"Your boss calls him Macky-beybe, you can call him that way, too." Another voice appeared, accompanied by a soft smile and those blue eyes looking back at me. "Alchiel."
"Attorney," I greeted back and accepted his palm.
"Just Chiel," he answered.
"Chie-taba naman tawag sa kanya ni pangit," and that very familiar doctor with black eyes appeared from the bathroom, fixing his glasses as he extended his palm at me. "I believe we knew each other, I'm Deion."
"Bullet," I answered before accepting his hand.
"We know," they all answered. I watched them in confusion.
Oh, of course, you're the secretary.
"Zion won't stop talking to you all the time," Macky tilted his head and watched the door. Nangunot ang noo ko.
"Why?" I asked, "about my job? What?" Kumunot na ang noo ko. "Tell me, was he saying I suck at my job? Because honestly, sa aming dalawa parang ako na 'yong boss."
The twitch on their lips and the silly smiles from their faces stopped me from saying things.
Nakagat ko ang labi.
Fuck your mouth, woman! Shut up! Mukhang matatanggal pa 'ko sa trabaho!
"First love," Alchiel pointed out, confusing me.
"Shh, our patient confided on us with great confidence," ani Deion. "We shouldn't say this to her. He's her first love." He smirked.
I'm sure I had question marks on my head now they shook their heads at me, "sorry, they're weird, too, Miss Bullet." Macky pointed the other two. "Ako lang matino rito—"
"You sounded like him," I pointed out.
He bit his tongue after the pause and the two laughed, shaking their heads.
"Right?" Chiel smirked. "We kept on saying that. Kakasama niya sa kagaguhan ni Zion nahahawa na do'n sa huli, ayaw maniwala."
"I am not," he pointed out, his brow shot up. "Stop saying—"
"Denial is a river in Egypt," Deion muttered.
Mas lumaki ang question mark sa ulo ko sa kanila. Was there a river with that name?
"I'm not," he insisted. "Let me remind you that I didn't even ate poop when I was little—"
Wait, what?
"Tanga, pero no'ng pinagbubuntis ka stress si Tita Reah," Alchiel interrupted. "Tignan mo, nadala mo paglaki 'yong stress mo simula no'ng fetus ka pa."
Macky smacked the laughing Alchiel. Deion just watched them with his "I'm done" look and then shook his head.
I cleared my throat, "excuse me," I called.
The two stopped then glanced my way.
"No offense meant but honestly...you're all weirdos." I pointed out.
And when their mouths parted, it was now my turn to smirk.
"She really has a sharp tongue," Deion Valderama smiled at me.
"What? Don't you agree?" Tinaasan ko sila ng kilay sabay titig sa dalawang lalaki na naghahawakan na ng kwelyo ng damit ng isa't-isa.
Alchiel blinked at me before letting go of Macky's collar, "I'm calling my attorney." He took his phone.
"You are an attorney," I pointed out.
He blinked and froze, "then, I have the right to remain silent." He pointed out before glaring at me.
I just shrugged and rested my back on the bed before speaking, my mind wandering back to Zion walking out from the room.
"My house was robbed." I came out with an excuse.
I opened my eyes and saw the three of them staring at me.
"We already know," ani Deion. Kumunot ang noo ko.
"The police are already on the way for an interview, see what things are missing from your house," now, Alchiel was back to his formal, strict voice. "We're hoping for your cooperation."
I nodded, "sure," bumagsak ang tingin ko sa palad ko kung saan bumaon ang salamin kanina bago natahimik.
The two excused themselves after talking quietly from the distance. Nang makaalis na sila ay napunta ang tingin ko kay Macky na nanatiling nakaupo sa sofa.
Our eyes met, he stood and gave me a small smile.
"He likes you,"
My heart jumped.
"Who?"
"My cousin," he answered as he stood beside me. "He was panicking when he couldn't reach you. I haven't seen that face ever since Sibyl got her injury."
I didn't react, still processing his words.
"You might can't see it, you might not notice but he is into you." He stared at me intently, his eyes turning serious. "I haven't seen the glow on his eyes ever since his family's tragedy, Miss Bullet. You gave it back to him, if you didn't like him, please tell him this early."
Tragedy?
"What are you saying?" Umiling ako, "Zion was just playful—"
"I know my cousin, Miss. We're arguing since we're little. I know what he likes and what he didn't without even asking. I know he likes you, everyone knew he's into you. That obviously was showing, I assume. Zion was playful but he's only soft to people he cared about. He's dangerous, let me warn you. But I wanted to warn you, too, to not fool him. If you like him, then, you go with it if you like, I don't care but if you don't, please. Just tell him to leave you alone."
I fought with his gaze. He didn't back down and saw the coldness lingering his blue eyes.
"I don't hold much power in this family and I hope you won't take it as offending,"
I nodded, "go on."
"I didn't know you or why you appeared as his secretary after that night in the bar, Miss," aniya. "But if you did things to hurt my family? My cousin? Let me remind you we aren't an easy target. Zion's family got enough trauma for more to be added."
He smiled, a cold, calculating one and it still shock me he could be this way. He looked so soft to me in first glance, cold but gentle but right now...
"If you may excuse me," he nodded his head before placing his palm on his pockets and left.
This family was something else. They're more than what people knew. That was just their facade. They're much secretive than I think they were.
Wala pang ilang segundo pagkaalis niya ay may pumasok na doctor. Hindi ko iyon pinansin at nanatiling nakatitig sa palad ko nang marinig ko ang boses.
"You okay, Bullet?"
I jumped. I lifted my gaze and a loud gasp left my lips when I saw Jayden.
I suddenly remembered something.
"What...shit!" I looked around, stopping when my reflection stared right back at me. I reached for my blonde hair, my cheek, my lips, my black eyes...
"You're good," Jayden answered casually while fixing the fluids. "I got to you before the other doctors did."
Nahulog ako paupo sa kama at sinapo ang buhok, "damn it, I didn't even thought my cover would blow!"
"Don't worry about it," aniya na seryoso pa rin ang tingin sa fluids. "Claudine already took care of your house and they won't suspect."
I remained in that position, "they didn't follow while you're checking on me?"
"Colonel did," he answered.
I shot my brow up and glanced at him.
"Your boss," he cleared. "But he was preoccupied and mad. He didn't even ask more questions, he just wanted to make sure you're doing okay. Seems like you got him in the palm of your hands, Scythe."
My throat tightened.
"Wasn't that how's that supposed to?" I mumbled. "At least boss' punishment had some good results other than bruises."
He sighed, "Bullet..."
"You can leave, I can handle myself here. What happened was robbery. I fought with the attacker and fainted."
"It was the boss' best men," aniya. "Those who trashed your house. They're looking for more information, they believed you're hiding something from him."
"What do I have to hide when I have nothing?" I lied. I was always good with it. "Who led them?"
"Bernard," sagot niya.
That asshat. He destroyed my children.
I fisted my palm.
"Don't think about it," he sighed, "Bullet, they're boss' best men. You can't touch them."
"Try me," I clenched my jaw. "I won't come after them if they only messed with my house but they laid their filthy hands on my children."
"I heard," he sighed. "Clau and Rick was there earlier to see the damage before Sandejas arrived. I don't think there's anything they could do with your bikes."
It only sparked my anger. Fuck them to hell.
"Where's Clau?"
"I'm on the comms with her," he answered and took his chart to pretend he's checking on my vitals. "Talk."
"I want you to look for something for me, Clau," I started.
Jayden nodded.
"Go on," he answered.
"Find out any tragedy about Zion Sandejas' family. I'm not sure how many years ago but look for anything involving their whole family."
Jayden watched me, "what for?"
Hindi ako sumagot at tumitig lang sa kanya. I don't trust them.
"Come on, we're a team, right? We only found out about him being your target the same night. Before we could warn you, you're hooking up with him! You're having fun, Bullet. It was the first time we saw you like that."
And what? You expect me to trust you?
"Then if you're telling the truth, keep what I'm asking you to do as secret," I said and shut my eyes closed. "Leave. I still have a mission to do."
I was alert and didn't rest again the whole day. Police came to question me about the robbery and asked what things I could've lost inside.
"Are there still police investigating?" I asked the gray-eyed police officer.
Why is everyone so beautiful in this place?
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered, nodding.
"And did they find anything?" I asked.
I hope they didn't saw my underground room. I made sure it was fucking secured. Please. Please.
He stared at me intently and nodded. I stiffened.
"What is it?"
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa name plate niya.
Dmitrov.
"Just some clue who the attackers could be," he answered. "It will be hard finding them since you didn't see their faces, right, Ma'am?"
"They're wearing masks," I repeated. "I couldn't see their faces."
He nodded. He stared at me with watchful eyes. I secretly touched the gun strapped under my hospital gown.
If he attempted even one wrong move, I won't hesitate to shoot him.
"Thank you for the cooperation, Ma'am. We'll keep you posted," then he closed his small notebook and turned his back from me and walked out when I remembered something.
"Excuse me, can I go home now?" I called loudly but he was out of earshot when I finished it.
I sighed and touched my head.
"You're staying with me," napatalon ako at nasalubong ang seryosong mata ni Zion.
"What do you mean?" I asked, "I have a house and I think it's clear—"
"It wasn't," he placed the paper bag on the side table before he rolled up his sleeves up his elbow while maintaining eye contact with me.
My bastard heart made a jump. Nag-iwas ako.
"I have friends," I answered. "I can sleep with them."
"You'll stay in my unit, Bevurleigh," he answered stiffly before reaching for my chin so he could look at my eyes.
"No," I snapped.
"Yes, you will," I saw nothing but determination on his eyes. Gone was the vulnerability on it earlier and was replaced with coldness.
"Are you crazy?" I pulled my face away, "I won't stay with you! I can rent a room or something kung hindi pa ayos ang bahay! I can stay there after, I'm safe there—"
"Safe?" The sarcastic voice dripped acid, "safe? I just got back from your house. After what happened to you? That's safe? You're robbed. You were attacked, right?" The way he said the last words slow made me look at him.
He moistened his lower lip and tilted his head while staring, "perhaps you're hiding something from me?"
My shoulders stiffened.
"What are you saying?" I narrowed my angry eyes at him.
He took a step closer to me. Tumama ang likod ko sa headboard nang lumuhod ang isang paa niya sa hospital bed at inilapit ang katawan sa akin.
Our chests touched. He placed his palm above my head and leveled our faces.
"So you're hiding something from me, Miss Secretary," the side of his lips tilted up, his expression with amusement and anger.
Some strands of his hair fell down his forehead as his touch reached my leg to my hospital gown.
My stomach churned. The familiar and unique anticipation whenever we're close came back. The wanting. The forbidden liking of something I shouldn't even dare have.
"G-get off me," I hissed, my voice lacking conviction.
"Uh-hmm," his blue orbs screamed danger but instead, I wanted to join the chaos. Lumunok ako at humawak sa dibdib niya.
"Get off, Sandejas!" I pushed his chest but he was unwavering.
I sharply glared at him, "fuck you."
I felt his palm from the hem of my hospital gun and before I could react, he was too quick it was a blur. The next thing I know, the muzzle of my own gun was now pointed below my chin.
A loud gasp left my lips.
"What, honey? Are you cursing me or giving me a job to do?" He smiled with mirth.
"How..." napalunok ako habang pinapakiramdaman ang malamig na baril sa balat ko.
"Your intel didn't tell you, Tish?" he smiled and reached for the strands of my hair and placed it behind my ear. "You're looking for Reaper? Congrats. You just found him, honey."
My eyes widened upon realizing what he meant.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!
"Nice basement, by the way," he smirked.
My heart was mad against my chest. I gripped the bed sheets tighter, my hand lurking to find something to defend myself but he caught my hand before I could even find one.
He pinned it in place, the gun still on my chin.
Shit. I have to escape! I have to think of more ways...I can't fucking die yet! Not now! I didn't even had my revenge to those assholes for touching my babies!
Mostly, I wouldn't die in Reaper's hands! Fuck him!
I softened my gaze and shook my head, "I-I didn't have a choice! I was forced into this mission! I was—"
"Sweet but I'm no fool, baby." He moistened his lower lip. My expression turned blank. He smirked.
"Why didn't you tell them about my sister?"
Hindi ako umimik.
Because she's a leverage against you and them!
"What are you planning?"
"This was a fight against adults, why would I involve a clueless child?" I answered instead with finality.
He just stared at me, his eyes are cold and emotionless as he pushed the gun further on my skin. I closed my eyes tightly.
Shit. I will fucking die. This will be my end and I didn't even had my fucking revenge!
I waited for the sound. For the sudden dull feeling and inviting presence of death when the cold metal vanished from my skin.
When I opened my Zion, he's already taking a step away while gripping the gun on his large hand, the veins protruding on his skin. It took me a blink and a few seconds and my gun is already disassembled.
He threw it on the trash can beside me and watched my face down my body before taking the paper back and throwing it on my bed then folded his arm on his chest while still watching.
My eyes caught the peek of his tattoo peeking from his shirt, the black ink showing on his nape and a part of his neck.
I snapped back from my reverie. I'm about to die and I'm fantasizing about this fucker!
"Fix yourself and wear the dress," he glanced at the paper bag.
"For what?" Inabot ko ang paper bag at nakita ang dress mula roon. My forehead creased.
What will I do with a fucking white dress?
"Get ready and be beautiful for me, wife." He smiled tauntingly. "We're getting married tonight, Scythe."
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen3h.Co