Camille Syanna

"Morning," napatigil ako sa pagbabasa ng libro at napalingon sa kinaroroonan ni ZA.

He was busy making coffee and preparing our breakfast. While I read my book and wait for him to finish. These past few days, ZA had seemed to accept defeat in making me do things I wasn't born to do. It had become our routine. He prepares the food, I eat them.

Akala ko ako ang binabati niya, but I was wrong. Why niya nga naman ako babatiin, eh, sabay kaming natulog at nagising.

Red walked into the kitchen, owning every space with his presence. If God had spent an entire night drowning himself in Johnnie Walker and woke up with a bitching headache. He would look exactly like Red Santa de Leones on this glorious morning.

Kagabi ay hindi na ito pinayagan pa ni ZA na bumyahe pauwi. He asked Red to stay for the night to cool down a bit. Hindi naman sila nalasing, pero marami silang nainom. Miski si ZA! Nakakainis nga kasi sobrang daldal bago matulog.

Red took a seat at the table. It gave me a better view of him. I always knew he wasn't the typical gwapo women would go crazy for. He looked lethal, dangerous even. But hot darn, he was gorgeous. I couldn't blame Chi for ditching Chase over this man. Red wasn't dreamy, but boy, he was the nightmare you'd want to experience.

Although, I preferred ZA's charm. Red was too Alpha for me.

"Eat something before you leave," ZA placed a plate of French toast with bacon and eggs in front of Red. He also gave him a cup of brewed coffee. "Sugar is on the side if you'd like some."

Red ignored him. He was too busy checking his phone.

Naramdaman kong inangat ni Andrei ang aking mga binti mula sa upuan at naupo roon bago ilapag muli iyon sa kanyang kandungan.

"Kain ka na," he said as he began massaging my leg.

ZA's simple touch causes too much havoc in my system. I wanted him to stop, but I also wanted him to continue. I looked up at him, and he was sipping coffee with his other hand.

"What are you reading?" Malumanay niyang tanong sa akin.

"The Time Keeper," I showed him the book. "Have you read it na ba? If not, then you should."

"The inventor of the world's first clock is punished for trying to measure God's greatest gift." He nodded. "Yeah, that is a good book. You will learn a lot from it."

"I know, right?" I closed the book and pulled my legs from ZA's lap. Umupo ako ng maayos at hinarap na ang inihanda niyang pagkain. I looked up at Red. "Red, let's eat?"

He didn't say anything. He just nod and kept his attention on his phone.

Binalingan ko si ZA at sinenyasan.

"Red, kumain ka muna. If you want I'll try calling her. Baka sumagot siya sa akin." ZA offered.

Hindi pa rin nagsalita si Red, tahimik niyang ibinulsang muli ang kanyang cellphone. If his problem was Chiara, maybe I could help. Pero buti na lang pala at hindi ako nag-offer dahil na-confirm ko na hindi nga si Chi ang problema ni Red.

"Nah," umiiling na sabi ni ZA bago muling nag dial sa kanyang cellphone. "Dana is not picking up my call. It just kept ringing."

Dana? Like, ZA's ex-girlfriend Dana? Did Red know her too?

"You know there's one way left to locate her, right?" ZA asked. "We ran the plate. It was Zanti Dela Paz's. If she was with him then, she still might be with him now."

ZA turned to me at the mention of Zanti's name. What was he expecting I'd do? Blush? I wanted to roll my eyes.

"You couldn't kill Zanti because of Chi," ZA reminded him. "But I could, for many reasons."

I shook my head and shot him a glare. He wasn't backing down. He meant what he said. I didn't know what was happening, but planning to kill someone was reaching the boundaries. It didn't matter if it was Zanti or someone else!

Red stood up and finished his coffee in one go because he needed that.

Ganoon rin ang ginawa ni ZA. "I'm going with you,"

He should. Kung sino man si Dana sa buhay ng mga ito ay nasisiguro kong mahalaga ang babaeng iyon sa kanila at hindi malabong magsakitan nga ang mga ito.

"Zanti would try to kill you,"

"I don't mind dying," Red said.

Iyon lamang at iniwan na kami ni Red sa komedor. Sandali pa ay narinig na namin ang tunong ng papaalis nitong sasakyan. I didn't know how I should react. Things are happening too fast.

Binalingan ako ni ZA. He asked me a question I was afraid to ask myself.

"Camille, are you still in love with Zanti?"

Am I still in love with Zanti? Pinakiramdaman ko ang aking sarili.

Was I ever?

My feelings for Zanti were as grandiose as I made them to be. I never assessed what I really felt about him, because I hadn't really felt it with someone else. No, I wasn't sure if I loved Zanti or if I thought I loved him.

"S-siguro..." siguro hindi talaga.

Tipid na ngumiti sa akin si ZA matapos ay nagpaalam. "Aalis ako saglit. Kailangan kong sundan si Red. Hindi ako natatakot na may mangyari sa kanya, natatakot ako sa mangyayari sa makakabangga niya."

Nakakaintindi naman akong tumango. That was the best thing to do.

Hindi ako tumayo aking kinauupuan, at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa kong pagbabasa nang matapos akong kumain. Ilang sandali pa ay nakabihis na bumabang muli si ZA.

"Andrei.." Tawag ko sa kanya nang tunguhin niya ang pinto.

He stopped and turned his head in my direction. Those green eyes. If he'd asked me if I love those green eyes, I would've said yes without thinking twice.

I stood up and walked up to him. "Take care, please..."

ZA nodded. "Will you be alright here?"

Inilibot niya ang tingin sa paligid at siniguro na ligtas niya akong iiwan.

"Always keep the door locked, okay? I left your phone on the bedside table. Kung hindi na kita madadatnan dito, nasa sa'yo na 'yun. But if you ever decided to escape, be very careful and don't harm yourself."

Tatakas? Kinapa ko sa aking dibdib kung naroon pa ang kagustuhan kong tumakas. Ni hindi ko nga iyon naisip.

Pakiramdam ko, hindi na ako nakakulong dito. I was starting to feel that this was my home. Unti-unti na akong nasasanay sa sukat ng bahay na ito. And my heart didn't feel like going anymore.

Now I understand when ZA said he'd let me go kapag hindi ko na gustong umalis.

And this is exactly what he's doing right now. He was setting me free.

"I'll go ahead," he whispered and planted a kiss on my forehead.

I closed my eyes. Why was I sad? Why did it hurt?

ANNOUNCEMENT:

VLADISLAV - ZA's POV which covers the first and second-generation timeline is open for pre-order. We have limited slots left. Please message us on Facebook to order: https://web.facebook.com/frapwpstories or https://web.facebook.com/frxppauchino/

Title: Vladislav (ZA's POV) | Price: P550

Book details: 5x8 perfect bind, 200 pages, cream paper, matte cover.

Thank you!