Chapter 24: A Cozy Prize

I tried my best to act casually, although this wasn't a typical experience for me. Never had I walked in public places while clinging to someone's hand. I had the poise to maintain, and being held felt like being held hostage. I couldn't flip my hair, couldn't run a finger through it, or even turn around. All my moves were basically restricted.

Kristan is making me feel like I don't have any authority over him or my words are not appealing or intimidating. That's bullshit. Everyone fears me. Everyone who knows me knows that my words are everything. Even fucking Brixton wouldn't want to mess with me.

Huminto kami sa waiting area para doon hintayin si Hestia na mukhang naligo sa rest room dahil sa sobrang tagal. Niluwagan ni Kristan ang pagkakahawak sa kamay ko at bago pa man siya maunang bumitiw ay bumitiw na ako.

He held my hand first. I had to finish it by letting go first.

As soon as his hand was unwrapped on me, I felt weirdly. Gusto kong isampal kay Kristan ang palad ko para malaman ng palad ko na hindi nito dapat nagustuhan na hinawakan siya.

Kristan's silence made me shift my head. Nakaupo siya sa marmol na sahig at kasalukuyang nilalabas si Lilly mula sa pet carrier bag. I could even hear him muttering words to soothe his cat.

"It's snowing outside, Lilly. I want you to see it," he whispered.

He stood and walked in my direction. Nilagay niya sa tabi ko ang pet bag saka siya lumilingon-lingon sa paligid. Kumunot ang noo niya.

"Where are the people?" he asked me.

"Probably being human somewhere."

"No. Bakit tayo lang ang narito?" Hindi makapaniwalang tingingnan pa niya ako. "Nagsasarado ba ang airport tuwing gabi?"

I sighed. Why is he even bothering to think about that? The entire population of people could disappear out of nowhere, and vampires would still mind their own business.

"We will take my private jet, which requires a private terminal and definitely, a private lobby," I just answered his questions all at once.

He nodded. "I see. Hmm..."

"We are leaving in twenty minutes."

"Can I take Lilly outside for five minutes?" he winced. "Gusto ko lang maranasan niya rin ang snow. Nasa loob kasi siya ng bag buong byahe."

Oh, my feels!

"Please? For only three minutes."

He seemed so excited that I could see him being disappointed if I said no. Hindi ko lang alam kung si Lilly ba talaga ang gusto niyang makaranas ng snow o siya mismo. Mukhang matatagalan pa naman si Hestia kaya pumayag na lang ako.

"There's a back door if you go straight on the right hallway leading to the parking lot. Be back in two minutes if you don't want to be left here."

He smiled and directly walked to the direction I pointed for him. Bago pa siya mawala sa paningin ko ay humarap pa siya sa akin. Hinawakan niya ang isang paa ni Lilly saka kumaway sa akin.

"Thank you, Mommy!" he said out loud.

I swear I almost vomited all my century-old internal organs when he said that, and I wasn't exaggerating. Those were the corniest words I have ever heard someone say to me.

Mommy? Holy fuck. Just kill me.

Someone laughed behind me. It was Hestia who obviously heard it. That made things even more embarrassing for me. She placed her luggage on the side of the bench and sat beside me.

"Where is he going?" she asked. "Hindi pa ba tayo aalis?"

"Give him two minutes after you took ten minutes in the restroom," I said while looking in the direction he walked. "The kid is going to play outside with his cat."

She chuckled. "You are really going to pursue this mother and kid roleplay, huh?"

Mabilis na napalingon ako sa kanya. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. I clearly just called Kristan a kid because he was acting like one and not because he called me... fuck it.

We had waited for five minutes, and Kristan had yet to return. His cat must have enjoyed the snow. I had given him another minute before I stood and prepared to leave—enough waiting.

"Where are you going?" Hestia asked.

"Home. Aren't you?"

I rolled my eyes as I started to walk away. Mabilis na kumilos si Hestia. Kinuha niya ang kanyang maleta saka humabol sa akin. Pumantay siya sa mabilis kong paglalakad.

"How about Kristan?"

"Let him play outside. I don't have all the time in the world."

"I'm already here!" Kristan appeared beside us out of nowhere. He was panting while carefully keeping Lilly inside the pet carrier bag. "She was shaking. Mukhang napasobra paglalaro namin."

I noticed that his cat was unusually stiffened. If a cat sneezes, I definitely heard her sneeze.

"Your cat can withstand cold and not direct snow, Kristan," ani Hestia. "I don't think her breed is for that. Look at her. She looks so cold.

"What do you mean?" There was a hint of panic in his voice. "She's going to be fine, right?"

"I think so," Hestia responded. "Take her somewhere warm, I suggest. She will feel better."

After passing the jet bridge, the temperature dropped warm as a sign that we had finally entered my jet plane. The interior looked like a cozy mini sala of a hotel room. The floor was carpeted in white and red patterns. There were couches, a table, a minibar, and a theater area.

"Good evening, Ma'am," the hostess greeted me, so I smiled at her. She helped Hestia, who looked so stunned, handle her luggage at the back.

"So... this is the four hundred million dollars worth jet plane you bought last year?" Hestia gasped at the sight. "Did you solely design the interior?"

I sat on a long couch and propped my legs. The hostess immediately served us some drinks. I sipped on it while I roamed my eyes, looking proud of the outcome of my design. The money I invested here was really worth it.

"This is gorgeous." Hestia sat on the couch across from me. She crossed her legs and roved her eyes around. "This is your third jet plane, right?"

"Fourth, actually. Niregaluhan ako ng isang fan ng jet plane, remember?"

She gasped. "I almost forgot. Insane."

Napatingin ako kay Kristan na nakaupo sa sahig. Nakahiga sa hita niya si Lilly na mukhang nanghihina. Narinig kong suminghap siya.

"You will be all right, Lilly," he whispered. "It's warm here. Can you feel it?"

"Hindi ko alam kung kanino ba ako maaawa," bulong ni Hestia na nakatingin din sa kanila.

I told the hostess to lower the lights until it's almost dimmed. She turned on the theater screen and played some videos about modeling. I know I'm already professional or maybe even already perfected my work, but I still wonder what the other models do.

"Who is that?" I asked Hestia when a woman in a white bikini captured my attention. She has good tanned skin and body. I also noticed how her videos could easily reach a million views which is not extremely impressive.

"That's Sania Anderson," Hestia answered. "A rookie."

"A rookie," I mumbled while staring at her ramping.

"She's the current trending model next to you. Her hype is kind of insane, too. She first won the title of Miss Universe before she welcomely pursued the modeling career."

I should have heard from her already if she was really that hyped. This was the first time her name rang a bell. Maybe Hestia was just exaggerating as usual.

"I see. A Miss Universe titleholder cannot be a rookie in modeling, Hestia." I sipped on my wine as I swiped to the following video, which was still about her. "And she doesn't look like one."

Hestia chuckled. "I think she named you as one of her inspirations in one of her interviews. Nasabi ko lang na rookie kasi sa pagkakaalam ko ay magaling lang talaga siyang rumampa at hindi focus sa modeling talaga."

"Everyone is a rookie, Hestia. She will always remain as one."

Everyone who tried to climb on the same spot as I failed. I have no competition at all. I always remain the highest-paid model in the world every year. There will never be another Nathalia Cardinal.

"I think she needs heat!"

I almost jumped and spilled my drink when Kristan abruptly appeared beside me. He was carrying his cat and looking so anxious.

"What?"

I sat up and set the glass down on the table.

"Lilly is still shaking," he said in his frantic voice. "Is there a heater room here?"

"It's already warm here, Mr. Admiral. Saka sino ba kasing nagsabing ilabas mo ang pusa mo?"

When he knew that I had no intention of helping him, he rapidly approached the hostess at the back. My brows arched when he clung to her arm out of desperation and pleaded for help.

"The heater room is this way, Sir." The hostess headed him to the back door. They disappeared.

Malamang na ang tinutukoy ng hostess ay ang personal room ko. Baka inisip niyang kaibigan ko si Kristan para payagan na lang siyang pumasok doon basta.

"I've never seen a vampire who pets a cat with so much passion," Hestia murmured. "That's cute, though."

I shrugged it away and just focused on the video. Sania Anderson reminds me so much of Kathylsse Merlington. They both looked friendly, approachable, and with so much positivity. That's good.

When I got wearied and realized Sania wasn't that interesting at all, I stood and walked to the restroom in the back. The restroom was located on the right door, but I took the way to the heater room.

I was about to twist the doorknob when the hostess first opened it. She bowed to me and respectfully walked past me. Inside the ajar door was Kristan, who was sitting on a bed and comforting his cat.

"I can't lose her," he mumbled.

"Cats have twenty lives, Mr. Admiral." I got in and closed the door, locked it. Naglakad ako palapit sa kanila. "She still has nineteen."

He sniffed. "I'm so messed up. I forgot that Lilly was not developed like us."

I sat on the bed and looked at Lilly. She was sleeping peacefully and comfortably while Kristan was cuddling her. Her position seemed so cozy. The room helped that—even Kristan's comforting touch.

My attention shifted at Kristan. Kahit na mukhang maayos na ang pakiramdam ni Lilly ay bakas pa rin sa kanyang mukha ang pangamba. Sobrang babaw niya para sa akin. Sa sobrang babaw niya ay hindi ako makasunod.

The cat was first introduced to him as food to satisfy his thirst. For a newly turned vampire— it was terribly hard to control your senses and your body from attacking someone. He didn't just halt himself from killing it. He also managed to make it his pet.

"But she enjoyed the snow." He smiled, still looking down at his cat. "We ran and played around the parking lot. I even almost forgot that I promised you that we would be back in two minutes."

I swallowed ang looked away. Humiga ako sa kama habang nakatingala sa kisame. May malawak na pagitan sa amin ni Lilly.

"By the way..." He sniffed and finally looked at me. I could see him in my peripheral vision. "Why are you here? Do you need something?"

I looked at him but didn't say a word. I stared at him with hovering questions in my head. As if the answer would somehow show up around his face, I did nothing but focus my eyes on him.

He nodded after my lengthy silence. "You need some rest. Is it fine to leave Lilly here? This is your room, right?"

I looked elsewhere instead. Masyado namang malawak ang kama na sa tingin ko ay hindi ako madidikitan kahit man lang kuko ni Lilly. Baka nga takot din siyang tumabi sa akin.

Kristan walked to the door, but before he left, he said something unnecessary or at least inappropriate for the situation I was currently in. His words made everything worse.

"I don't see any reason for you to worry about being replaced by these rising models. You are not just beautiful, but also charismatic. I hope you know that."

After he had closed the door, I buried my face against the pillow as I released a frustrating inaudible scream. My fingers dug into the silken cushion as his words went down my throat.

Why in the world would he say that?

Who said I needed his assurance?

Why am I blushing?

I'm so used to compliments that I no longer feel plastered when someone says something, but why do I feel like someone praised me for the first time?

Fucking Admiral!

It took a minute before I realized I was smiling.

Bumangon ako saka kinalma ang sarili. Hindi naman niya kailangang sabihin 'yon. Who even said that I am bothered that I might get replaced one day?

I ran a hand down my face before lying down in bed again. I was more relaxed this time. Whenever I feel an unusual stretch on my lips, I would immediately pout them. It felt more normal to frown than to smile.

"Meow." Lilly woke up and decided to crawl on my chest like she had some bad dreams and wanted someone to hug. She sat there and gawked at me for a second before she lay down.

I let a cat lied on my chest. Not just let her lie, but I also found myself caressing her soft and furry head. I could still feel her slightly trembling.

"Do you know that someone would die for you?" I whispered foolishly. "Of course, you don't. You don't even know that the man petting you was a vampire."

Hinayaan kong makatulog sa dibdib ko si Lilly bago siya dahan-dahan na nilipat sa kama. Tumayo ako at nag-inat ng mga nangawit na braso. Nakaramdam ako ng gutom kaya lumabas na ako ng kwarto.

Naabutan kong naglalaro ng cards sina Hestia at Kristan. They asked me to join them, but I refused. I just sat beside Hestia and watched them play. I couldn't understand a thing because I had never really tried gambling.

"How is Lilly?" Hestia asked.

Napatingin sa akin si Kristan. Bumaba sa dibdib ko ang kanyang tingin. Kumunot ang noo niya bago napangiti at napailing.

"What?" I mouthed at him.

He bobbed his head, but his smile grew bigger.

"I bet she's cozy inside," Kristan said before putting down one card. Binalik niya sa akin ang kanyang tingin. "I suddenly want to feel cozy, too."

Saka ko lang napagtanto na may mga puting balahibo ng pusa ang dumikit sa pula kong blouse. That was the reason behind his mysterious smile. And what? He wanted to feel cozy too?

"I already won two games in a row," Hestia proudly said.

I cleared my throat. "What is the prize in this game?"

"Gusto mong sumali?" tanong ni Hestia. "Madali lang naman 'tong card game. I just actually taught Kristan."

"No. But I would give my bet on you." Saka ako bumaling kay Kristan. Nginisian ko siya. "But... what is the prize if someone wins?"

Kristan understood my words quickly. Umayos siya ng pagkakaupo saka nilapag lahat ng cards niya sa table.

He coughed. "A cozy prize for the winner."

"What if you lost?" I arched a brow.

"Hmmm..." Napaisip pa siya. "I don't know. You decide."

"How about..." I paused for a moment. "You let me paint Lilly's nails again."

"Sealed." He gulped.

"Wait..." Nagpalipat-lipat sa amin ang tingin ni Hestia. "I don't understand. What's a cozy prize? Saka... ano naman ang makukuha ko?"

"You can use this jet plane for one time only. Anywhere," I said, which made her hastily agree.

The game has been decided. Hestia had reshuffled the cards before she distributed them between her and Kristan. I observed them as I tried to follow the game.

The game was I thought intense, since no one on both sides could utter a word. Kapag naglalapag ng baraha si Kristan ay mabilis 'yong tinatapalan ni Hestia.

"Who's winning?" I asked.

"The first one who drops all the cards wins," Hestia winked at me because she has fewer cards than Kristan. "I think you better tell the pilot now that I will be his boss for the next flight."

Hestia was confident that she would win it. That was more likely to happen based on the number of cards they had in their hands.

I tried to peak on Hestia's remaining cards. There were numbers, colors, and shapes. Sumunod akong bumaling kay Kristan na nakatingin sa akin.

"What?" he mouthed.

Napakurap ako. What?

Bumilong ang lips ko nung mapagtanto ang gusto niyang mangyari. "7 red heart," I mouted back, secretly revealing one of the cards on Hestia's grasp. "J spade."

In just a matter of seconds, the tables have turned. The game was now in favor of Kristan, who only had two cards left on his hand. Hestia still has four. She barely drops a card after that.

"What the heck?" she cursed.

Tumikhim ako saka umatras. Napatingin sa akin si Hestia. Kumunot ang noo niya bago nanlaki ang mga mata. Umawang ang kanyang labi.

"Two..." Kristan dropped all his cards. "Looks like I won. Finally."

I looked down to suppress my smile. I felt bad for Hestia, but I could let her borrow this vehicle for once. I was feeling a little generous.

Hestia gasped. "Really?"

"I won." Kristan laughed.

"Wait. T-that's unfair..." Hestia cried and stood angrily in front of us. "You teamed up just to beat me. That's really unfair! That's unacceptable."

Before Hestia could even walk out, I already gave her my words. Ang malungkot niyang mukha ay napangiti at nabuhayan.

"Ang daya kasi..." She wiped her tears. "Wait. What's the cozy prize?"

Tumayo sa harapan ko si Kristan saka nag-abot ng kamay sa akin. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya saka ako tinulungang makatayo.

"Oh, gosh." Hestia winced. "Really? This is the cozy prize?"

We chuckled before Kristan pulled me away and to my personal room. As soon as he shut the door closed, he started kissing me.

I'm giving in... again.

But... fucking shouldn't be a big deal. Aside from offering his blood, he should also satisfy my thirst and need in bed. That was just supposed to be it. It doesn't matter if I am needier in bed than his blood.

Kristan gently placed me down in bed and away from Lilly. He placed his hands on both sides while staring intently at me.

"Why do you hate me more than you like me?" he asked.

"I don't hate you. I don't like you either."

"Fair enough." He pinned his body against me as he tucked some strands of hair behind my ears. That was the coziest thing I have felt that night. "Am I doing my role right? Do you think having me as your slave isn't something you regret?"

I wanted to scream fucking no, but I just shook my head.

He chuckled and gave me a peck. "What's with that question? I'm sorry. It doesn't really matter if you like me or hate me, right? As long as I satisfy you. That's all that matters."

I just pulled him into me. Enough questions.

It's hard to assume that what we do is merely fucking since fucking means just pleasuring each other. But I knew deep inside that I was allowing myself to feel more than pleasure. The needy feeling doesn't stop right after we both reach the peak.

I am allowing him to take some extra space in my life. The most restricted area where my darkness and regrets lie. It's slowly making sense.

This cozy prize didn't feel cozy at all. It's just making me realize things.

I think I already have the right question for Oscar to answer, "How far would you willingly go just for Celeste?"

After I stepped out of the private jet, there was a heavy feeling inside me. The air was warmer than inside the plane. I just came back, but I suddenly wanted to go back and leave.

"Welcome back, Miss Nathalia."

I turned to Mr. Billy Sandoval, the butler of Mansion.

I smiled at him, weirdly. Oh, my feels. Ayoko talagang bumalik sa lugar na ito. Pakiramdam ko ay mai-stress na naman ako. Hindi rin naman ako magtatagal.

"What time is it there?" I asked.

Every time I go back here, there's a huge difference in time between us. Not literally time, but just the happenings. It's tough to catch up sometimes.

"They are preparing..."

My brows arched. "Preparing for what?"

"The Unus."