Chapter 20: Burn

Nathalia Cardinal doesn't approach. She doesn't initiate. Everything comes at her willingly and without lifting a finger.

"How to become friendly?" I typed on the keyboard of my laptop, and it redirected me to a webpage showing random websites about friendships.

I literally forgot how Google works and almost googled how it works. But the first result usually means a lot of people or curious techy vampires already clicked on it. It's the most popular one. Therefore, I clicked it and skimmed through the content.

I devoted almost half an hour just rereading the content of the page over and over because I tend to forget everything after I look away from the screen of my laptop. The single friendly cell in me was fighting for her life.

After successfully getting into the content, I conclude that I think I can do this. I mean this is not as hard as I thought it will be.

I shut my laptop and took a glance at the wall clock. It was almost midnight, and I could already feel my hunger knocking on my stomach. My throat felt parched. This is bad for the single-friendly cell in me. I need to nourish it.

Nag-inat ako ng katawan bago lumabas ng kwarto. Tahimik na ang sala. Wala na rin ang dustpan na hinagis ko kanina kay Kristan. Maayos na rin ang amoy.

Oh, my feels. That was so embarrassing!

Ang buong akala ko ay nasa kwarto na si Kristan, pero naabutan ko siya sa kusina. Taimtim itong nagbabasa ng libro. Umangat sa akin ang tingin niya nung maramdaman ang presensya ko.

"Finally. Iinitin ko lang ang ulam," aniya.

He closed the book and placed it on the countertop as he started to heat the food. Binuksan niya ang oven at pinasok doon ang pagkain. Saka siya kumuha ng alak at nagsalin sa baso.

"Hey. Good evening. What are you reading?" I asked.

Greet people— or vampires and try to open a light topic. It doesn't need to be about how vampire exists or how the world is created. The simplest question, the better.

Lumapit ako sa countertop saka sinilip ang binabasa niya. Base sa book cover nito ay mukhang inspirational book. The author isn't familiar to me. Maybe I will suggest to him some vampire authors, too. Their novels about our kinds are more realistic.

Kristan promptly turned to me. His lips were slightly parted. Napailing pa siya saka lumapit sa akin. Pinatong niya sa harapan ko ang baso ng alak.

I smiled at him. "Where's Lilly?"

Always wear your smile. This is the easiest part of being friendly. I have been faking my smile since then.

"S-she's in the room now." He pulled me a chair. "Please, have a seat first. Give me five to ten minutes before I prepare the food. Enjoy your wine for now."

I nodded. Before I took the seat, I had patted his shoulder and said with my sweetest voice possible, "Thanks. Nag-dinner ka na ba?"

Break the wall between us. Not the world that separates our reality, but just the thin wall for a better and genuine conversation. Just to relate, I guess.

I felt him jump when I suddenly patted his shoulder. I think I even heard him mutter a curse in his head as he slightly moved away from me.

Oh, no. I don't think there's a script on my research that says startle him. He looked so frightened of me. I didn't mind it and still played it cool.

"I haven't. I waited for you," he said, looking at me suspiciously. "Initially, I thought you were tired. Maybe you are just hungry."

His voice sounded like he was mocking me and on the edge of bursting into laughter at the same time. I don't think it will be good for both of us he started laughing out of nowhere.

"Maybe..." I shrugged as I relaxed my arms on the table. "Anyway, about the necklace Hando gave you. Don't wear it unless you need to go outside."

"What do you mean unless?" he bobbed his head as he sipped on my wine glass. Ngumiti na lang ako kahit na gusto kong isaboy sa kanya 'yong alak dahil inunahan niya pa akong uminom. "I am coming wherever you go starting now. I have the permission."

Now, he's being slightly boastful. He's fucking being an asshole when I am starting to be friendly to him. How fucking ironic is that?

I sucked a deep breath and took a sip on the glass he first touched. Pasimple kong pinunasan ang gilid no'n na ininuman niya. That was disrespectful of him.

I suddenly started to question my friendship with Hestia. We have known each other since then. Iyon din siguro ang dahilan kaya alam na niya ang mga ayaw at ayaw na ayaw ko.

"So..." He sat on the chair across me. "Ano'ng nangyari kanina?"

"What?" I pretended not to know his question.

He sat straight on his seat and took a glance at the oven. Ngayon ko lang napansin na nakakulay itim pala siyang tanktop. His messy hair made me realize he hadn't received a proper haircut since we got in here. It perfectly suits him, though.

"There's a gym on the ground floor. You can use it whenever you feel to," I said, opening up another topic. "You can have it solo if you want to."

He cleared his throat as he stared at me again.

"Do you believe me now?" he asked.

"I believe that you unwillingly read my thoughts," I nodded taking another sip on my drink."There's that. I also believe that you know how privacy works."

He nodded. Tumayo siya saka nagsalin ng alak sa baso kong walang laman. Saka siya bumalik sa pagkakaupo saka sinalikop ang mga daliri sa ibabaw ng lamesa.

"I know it's disrespectful, Nathalia. I will try to control myself from involuntary getting into your head. It's not like I really want to know your thoughts. It's affecting me in a not-so-good way, too."

That should be the best possible answer to relax me, but it came out like an insult. Does he mean my thoughts bother him that much? Not surprising. The world inside my head is too much for him.

I was about to part my lips to state something when Kristan stood up to turn the oven off. Pinanuod ko na lang siyang maghain sa harapan ko.

"Thanks," I said.

He chuckled. "No worries."

I took a bite on the steak. "Hmm. It's tasty. Ikaw ang nagluto nito?"

It really tastes damn good. This is just one of the few truths I've said this night alone. He's an excellent cook.

"Yup. I'm delighted you liked it."

"You are delighted I liked it?" I groaned and munched the food as it melted on my tongue. "I love it!"

His eyes were wide while staring at me. Sumimsim siya sa alak. "I don't think it's also because you were hungry. Now, I am confused—"

"I would love to learn this recipe!" I said.

I gasped when he stood and sat beside me. Hindi pa kami nagtabi sa tuwing kumakain. It's either our seating arrangement will be facing each other or we are seated one seat apart.

But that was not all. He took the dinner knife and fork from my hand and I observed him slice a small portion of steak and took it on my mouth.

"Open your mouth," he told me.

I slightly opened my lips and he slid the food in my mouth. I munched it gracefully while staring at him. Muli siyang humiwa ng steak at nilapit 'yon sa bibig ko.

Appreciate even the slightest effort. I was holding on to this part of my process to being friendly the whole time he's feeding me. I appreciate it. It's unnecessary, but I appreciate it.

"Done. Here," he handed me the glass of wine.

I just ate all my food without realizing it.

Kristan stood up to clean up. Tumayo ako saka siya tinulungan. Pinagsabihan niya pa akong kaya na niya, pero nagpumilit ako.

"Don't press the sponge hard." He laughed and walked behind me. Naramdaman kong sinandal niya ang katawan sa akin saka hinawakan ang mga kamay ko para gabayan ako sa paghuhugas. "Like this..."

I could feel his warm breath brushing against my nape as he whispered the instructions on how to wash the dishes from scrubbing to cleansing them. I've never understood instructions so quickly as they did.

"I will dry the dishes," he said.

Napasimangot ako nung umalis siya sa likod ko para patuyuin ang mga nahugasan ko. I was still enjoying how close we were.

"You are doing good!" he cheered me up.

Damn. I was doing even better when you were escorting me.

He chuckled. That's when I knew he read my thought.

"I don't want to break the momentum of this moment, but I really want to say that I like the approachable version of you. It feels odd, but I like it."

"Yeah."

"So... what really is the matter?"

Tapos na akong maghugas ng mga plato kaya naghugas na rin ako ng kamay. Saka ako sumandal sa lababo at humalukipkip habang pinapanuod siyang patuyuin ang mga kasangkapan.

"May hangover ka pa rin ba galing sa Azalea Village?"

"Not at all," I thought and paused for a moment. "I just realized..."

He took a glance at me. His brows were arched as he anticipated what I was about to declare. His smile turned into a grin.

"Look how cute you are." Humalakhak siya.

I winced. "The lamest compliment. What are you laughing about?"

"Nothing. I just really find it cute when you are holding back."

"I am not holding back. I mean... why would I?"

Napailing na lang siya at hindi na nagsalita. Tinuon niya ang buong atensyon sa pagpapatuyo ng mga kasangkapan habang ako naman ay nakatitig sa kanyang mukha.

"How do you feel about me?" I questioned.

"Shit." He muttered when the wine of glass slipped away from his grasp. Mabuti na lang ay agad ko 'yong nasalo saka binalik sa countertop. "T-thank you."

"So..."

"How honest do you want me to be?"

I jerked my head. "Just the initial thought that popped into your mind after I asked it."

"I think you are cool, funny... and," he paused to look at me. "You need a friend."

My lips parted. "Exactly!"

Halos mapatalon ako sa tuwa. Oh, my feels. At least I didn't need to say it. Siya na mismo ang nagsuhestiyon na kailangan ko ng kaibigan.

"I need a friend aside from Hestia."

"Kathlysse has been trying to—"

I groaned. "I need a vampire friend. As much as possible, I don't really want to associate myself with humans. As you see, I only let my kind secure the spots beside me. My manager, Hestia... you."

He nodded. Tapos na rin siya sa trabaho kaya naghugas na siya ng kamay. Nagpunas siya ng towel bago humarap sa akin at naglahad ng kamay.

"To a friendship that won't let you down," he muttered.

I shook his head. "To a friendship that never leaks secrets."

He smirked.

Before that night, I wrapped up my plan to become friends with him as successful. I just don't know how to keep it working, but I will try.

Oh, my feels. What am I doing?

The next morning, I had a virtual meeting with my manager and Kathlysse. Kathlysse couldn't meet us up personally since she's out of town.

"That's all for now," Hando said. "I will let you know if there are some changes. When will you return from vacation, Kath?"

"Probably next week," Kath responded.

"Are you good now?" I asked.

Kathlysse smiled at the camera and nodded. "I'm doing better now. Thank you for asking. How about you?"

I smiled. "I'm good. I am glad that I will get to work with you. I mean not just to work with you in the same event, but to share the stage with you."

I could see my manager rolling his eyes.

"Oh, God. I'm so thrilled!" she giggled.

After the meeting had ended, I took a quick shower since I need to catch up with Hestia. She informed me earlier this morning that she has the source now— about the mystery behind Terrence.

Speaking of the devil. When I was scanning through my feed this morning, nalaman kong bumalik na uli siya sa trabaho. He came back to being the superstar— Dylan Carter. That's a good thing. I still can't face him after what happened. Alam kong ganoon din siya.

I drove to the address Hestia sent me for our rendezvous. Inabot din ako ng isang araw bago nakarating. Kung hindi lang ako good mood ay kanina pa ako nairita na bakit ang layo.

Where is this place even?

I parked my car outside the compound and stepped out. I leaned my back against my car as I took my phone out of the pocket of my jeans. I winced when I didn't get any connection.

What's up with this place? I sighed as I stared at the desolation of this place. Don't tell me this is where her boyfriend lives? Not surprising. The place looked as uncanny as him.

I decided to enter the compound and as soon as I closed the gates, an intense magnitude of sound waves bombed in my ears. I tried to put my hands to cover my ears, but it's penetrating.

It was so loud that I could feel it resonating not just in my head, but around my entire body. It didn't just feel like some deafening and piercing noise. It came with a strong force pulling me down.

"What the fuck is happening?!" I screamed, but I failed to hear my voice. Nanginig ang mga tuhod ko kaya napaluhod ako sa lupa. Stop!"

My hands felt sticky. Saka ko lang napagtanto na dumudugo na pala ang mga tainga ko. Naramdaman ko rin na may tumulo sa mga mata ko at hindi ito luha.

What the fuck is happening?

I shuddered and fell to the ground. The sky was spinning while my eyes were starting to blur. Seconds after, I couldn't feel my body anymore.

Before I passed out, I had noticed a group of silhouette.

I woke up and the first thing I noticed was the white ceiling. Ramdam ko pa rin ang panghihina sa katawan ko. Sinubukan kong bumangon pero hindi ko nagawa.

I tilted my head and I realized why. I was chained in bed, restricting me from producing any movement. Masyadong mahigpit ang mga tanikala. Ang tanging kaya ko lang gawin ay galawin ang aking ulo.

"Finally. You are conscious."

First, I heard footsteps coming in my direction. Second, a man was standing in front of me. Third, he smiled at me maliciously.

He leaned to roll the bed, so I could sit. Umupo siya sa paanan ko. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya habang hinihipo niya ang mga binti ko.

"I waited for this moment..." he muttered.

I knew he was untrustworthy, but he failed to make me feel like he was a coward, too. Really? Is that his way just to capture me? Is that his way just to capture me?

"I could finally feel you..." he whispered.

Ngayon ko lang napagtanto na naka underwear na lang pala ako. Wala na akong saplot sa katawan. That made me more infuriated. How dare he undressed me in this filthy place.

"Where's Hestia?" I asked.

He chuckled. "I don't care about her."

"Is she part of this, Cole?" I tried to ask again.

I don't know why I asked about that. Hestia only showed support and love to me. It's not right to distrust her to be involved here.

Cole shook his head. "Not really. But... let's not talk about her."

I sniffed when his hand went up on my exposed legs. Hinipo niya ako habang nakatingin sa mukha ko. Kitang-kita ang pagkasabik sa kanyang mga mata.

He moved beside me. Hinawi niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok ko. Tinagilid ko ang mukha ko nung tinangka niya akong halikan. Madiin na hinawakan niya ang ulo ng baba ko para iharap ako sa kanya.

"You are what Hestia will never be. Gorgeous. Fierce. Hot."

I grinned. "You just proved my assumptions. You are coward, disgusting, and untrustworthy. And please, don't even whisper to me. Your fake deep voice irritates me so much."

He slapped me hard and oh, fucking hell— that was the lamest slap I've ever felt. He was establishing dominance by glaring at me. But I knew how to play it. I gave him my unaffected look, and he didn't like it. He started to kiss my neck.

I let him. His kisses were violent and coming from an intense drought. I felt terrible for Hestia. Not because she got a straight-from-the-trash boyfriend, but also the lamest one.

I sighed. "Can you put more pressure? Use your tongue and suck it."

"Shut up!"

"Damn. Do you know that you can use your hands while kissing me? Touch my legs or breasts. Squeeze them. I don't deserve this lameness."

I winced when he hit my nose with his head. Naramdaman kong may umagos na dugo roon. He's now staring at me using his bloody eyes.

"You loud bitch!" He chocked me and kissed my lips. No matter how he exert effort into it, I couldn't feel its intensity. I smirked when he bit my bottom lip.

I fought back by biting his lips. He abruptly withdrew his closeness to me and stared at me with so much irritation. He was about to throw another punch when someone came in.

"Boss. Your girlfriend is on the line," the guy said.

Cole turned to me. "Shut your mouth, or I will slit your throat," he threatened me.

Pagkaabot ng kasamahang lalaki nung cell phone kay Cole ay agad din itong umalis. Tumalikod sa akin si Cole saka naglakad sa gilid.

I licked my lips. Hindi sapat ang dugo sa kanyang labi, pero naramdaman kong bahagya akong nakabawi ng lakas mula sa nangyari kanina.

"Yeah. I'm sorry, I can't," I heard Cole. "Later, babe. After this— Yes. I love you. See you later."

Just after he had ended the call, I managed to release myself from the chains. Pagkaharap niya sa akin ay nag-iinat na ako ng katawan.

"How the—"

I pulled the sharp part of the bedpost and struck it in his chest as I pinned him against the wall, pressing the wood inside him even more. His sticky blood stained the wood and my hand.

"This is how intense I wanted you to be, Cole." I smirked as I twisted the wood inside him. He coughed blood that splashed on my face. "You are still lucky because the last face you will see is the face of the most gorgeous, fiercest, and hottest woman from your fantasy."

"P-please—"

I withdrew the sword from his chest and used it to behead him. His body fell on the floor while his head remained on my hand.

I slowly walked out of the room where his men were waiting. I watched how their jaws dropped at the sight of the head of their leader on my hand.

"Burn this whole compound," I said as I flung the head to them. Napaatras sila sa takot. "Make sure no trace that this place even existed or else..." I looked at them one by one. "I will come after each of you."

Lumabas na ako ng lugar na 'yon. Sumakay ako sa sasakyan ko saka umalis. Nung may madaanan akong tubig ay huminto ako para maglinis ng katawan.

Oh, my feels. It felt weird to wear only undies when no camera would catch my exquisite features. This setup of me alone could sell million dollars.

After washing the blood from my face and hands, I stood and walked to my car. Bago ako pumasok ay napansin ko ang isang malaking apoy sa malayo.

Huh. Good.

Now... where the fuck is Hestia?

I have some good news for her.