Chapter 9: Dinner

I tried to ignore the pun he intended to startle me, and instead, I gave him my resting bitch face. The devil in shades was doing the same, pretending he didn't try to frighten me.

I need to know if he really has the other point of view of that scandal or he was just luring me to a trap.

"Come on, Nath. I was your friend before I became your boyfriend. A simple dinner between two long-lost best friends wouldn't hurt, would it?"

"We already had dinners before this, Mister Carter. Or should I say, Mr. Maniago? You even tried to drug me up, right?" I sarcastically gave him my smile.

"Hindi naman umepekto sa 'yo, hindi ba?" He finally opened the door and got out of his car. He leaned against it and crossed arms stared at me. "Do you really think I can harm you?"

I sighed. Fuck!

"I just want to catch up with you." His voice was more friendly now. "Not as Dylan Carter. I want to talk to you using my real identity. Terrence Andreus Maniago."

I felt uneasiness when he said his full name.

Dumating na ang driver na susundo sa akin. Imbes na pumasok na ako roon ay nanatili pa rin ako sa harapan ni Terrence.

I had the chance to have a glimpse of his full body. He was wearing a long white sweater fitted on his body and black pants.

"I need to go home first," I said, meeting his gaze back. "You said dinner. Masyado pang maaga."

"Sure." He casually shrugged his shoulders. "I will take you home."

Pumayag na rin ako. Pinagbuksan pa niya ako ng pinto bago umikot para pumasok sa kabila. He immediately ignited the engine and maneuvered his car ouf of the parking lot.

"Buti hindi mo muna pinuntahan si Kathlysse?" pagbukas ko ng topic.

I was looking outside the window. I flinched when I felt his arms touch my stomach. He fastened me on the seatbelt. As if I would die if we ever get into an accident.

"Why? Hindi naman kami magkaibigan," kaswal na sagot niya.

"How about your jerk friend?"

He chuckled. "I couldn't contact him. Malamang na magpapahinga muna siya. His face and dick were all over the internet."

"What a coward. Couldn't even man up to explain himself." I shook my head in disappointment. "But then, he's a human after all. Isn't he?"

"Yeah. He is."

I see. If Kathlysse overdosed herself with pills, Wilson ran away like a scaredy-cat. I really hate how humans cope with their problems. If they can't face it, they will just ignore it or worse run away. As if that will do anything.

"I'm surprised your slave isn't with you," biglang sabi ni Terrence.

"He is..." I paused to catch a perfect phrase to explain it. He would surely mock me if I told him Kristan left me. Instead, I said, "I gave him another task."

Mabuti na lang ay nasa tapat na kami ng building. I didn't hesitate to open the door and got out. I didn't look back, but I heard him say something.

"Dinner, aight? Susunduin na lang kita!"

I was gritting my teeth while inside the elevator. I need to know if he really has the footage of me taking that video. He can't use that against me!

Pagpasok ko ng bahay ay agad akong naghubad ng damit. Kinuha ko ang cell phone para tawagan si Hestia. Ilang ring bago niya nasagot ang tawag ko.

"Hello?"

My forehead creased when I heard a voice of a man. His forced deep voice made me want to drop the call promptly, but I remained on the line.

"Nathalia?" tawag niya pa sa akin. "Hestia is currently on a meeting. She forgot her phone."

"Forgot or you stole it?"

Ilang segundo bago siya nakasagot. "Mapagbiro ka talaga. Ano ba ang sasabihin mo sa kanya? Ako na lang ang magsasabi."

"Okay..." I swallowed. "Tell her... to drop her ugly ass boyfriend as soon as possible."

I ended the call.

Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa cell phone. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang susunod kong tatawagan. Hindi naman puwedeng si Hando dahil alam kong isa ako sa mga pinagduduhan niya.

If I know, I am the first one on his list who can possibly take that video.

I mean... mas maganda na 'yon. It's either he will lose me or Kath. But I don't think he can drop me. I am the reason why he can afford to bed men.

Nagsalin ako ng alak sa baso habang nagtitingin ng mga pangalan sa contact list ko. There were a few more, but no one I can trust with.

If Terrence really has that, I know he will use it against me. Ayoko pa naman sa lahat ay 'yong hinahawakan ako sa leeg para mapasunod sa gusto nila.

I will kill him.

But I can't kill him without knowing the reason how he can still remember me after his heart got extricated from his chest.

Where the fuck is Kristan?

Nah. I don't need him.

He's been outside for almost a day now. He's probably dead. Hindi pa niya kontrolado ang kanyang sarili. Nakakalungkot lang na hindi man lang niya ako napagsilbihan nang matagal.

Nakaisang bote na ako ng alak ngunit wala pa ring ibang pumapasok na plano sa isipan ko. I guess I really need to show up later.

I have to play it cool.

He can ruin my career anytime he wants.

It wasn't easy to achieve everything I have today. I also worked hard to get here. Hindi ito maaaring maglaho nang gano'n lang. I will do anything to keep my name on the top.

But right now... I have a dinner date to attend to.

I dressed in a crimson red slinky high neck long sleeve and black flared pants. I tried to look like what I looked like back when we were still together. He has always liked my hair in messy buns so he could easily put his lips on my neck.

I saw him waiting at the exit when I got out of the elevator. He was on his phone, but he sensed me approaching so he tilted his head in my direction. A smile flashed on his lips.

"Gorgeous," he mouthed and he immediately wrapped his arms around my waist the moment I got near him. His warm breath brushed against my cheeks. "You never failed to impress me, Nathalia."

I stared at his lips before meeting his gaze. Even my feelings for him were filled with abhorrence, I couldn't deny how gorgeous he was in that black suit.

"Shall we?" he whispered in my ears.

Nasa likod kami kaya walang nakakakita sa amin. Malaya akong makakagalaw at ganoon din siya. Nagkalakas ako ng loob na hawakan ang kanyang kamay.

I put aside my resentment towards him for the sake of my plan.

He willingly opened the door of his car for me. The moment I got inside, I instantly put a hidden recorder under my seat.

Nagkunwari akong nag-aayos ng buhok nung makapasok siya ng sasakyan. Hinawakan niya ang ulo ko at sinubukan akong halikan pero tinulak ko siya.

"Really, Andreus?" I rolled my eyes.

His lips parted. "W-what did you just call me?"

"Your name?"

"Andreus? Did you really call me by my second name?"

Ikinunot ko ang noo ko at nagkunwaring hindi alam ang sinasabi niya. I used to call him by his second name when we were together. Mula noon ay ayaw na niyang tawagin siya ng iba sa pangalan na tawag ko sa kanya.

"You are the only one who can call me by my second name, Nathalia. You are first and last love," he told me back then.

Hindi ko maatim na kinilig ako sa mga salitang 'yon. Ngayon ay wala na akong ibang maramdaman para sa kanya kung hindi pagkamuhi.

He brought me to his luxurious place. It was on the rooftop— exactly where we were supposed to have dinner last time. The setup of the place failed to acknowledge what he said to me earlier— it was a friendly dinner. It's not.

He pulled me a seat, but I stood still. Tumikhim siya saka binalik ang upuan sa dating ayos. Ako mismo ang humila ng upuan para sa akin.

"I still find it ironic how you got yourself a slave when you hate being served in the first place." Marahan pa siyang tumawa bago naupo sa tapat kong upuan.

I looked up at the wide starry sky when I felt the stern wind brushed against my skin. Buti na lang ay naisipan kong huwag ibagsak ang buhok ko ngayon.

"Sagitarrius," he suddenly said.

Napatingin ako sa kanya nung marinig 'yon. Nakangiti siya habang nakatingala at pinagmamasdan ang kalangitan.

We don't celebrate our birthdays. We don't even know the exact date when we were born. December 15. Sagitarrius. That's when we first met.

I still remember it.

"I am hungry," sabi ko na lang dahil lumalalim na naman ang paghungkat ko sa naraan.

"Yeah. Sure."

While Andreus was busy talking to the waiter, I kept another recorder device under our table. Naabutan niya akong umiinom ng wine.

"Five minutes," he said.

"Sure. No worries."

He intertwined his fingers on top of the table. He then sighed and shook his head. Sumandal siya sa upuan at in-unbutton ang ilang butones ng suot.

"Hindi ka ba uuwi sa inyo?" tanong niya.

"I'm home," kaswal kong sagot.

"How about your father?"

"How about my brothers?" I asked, instead.

Semeryoso ang tingin niya sa akin.

"Kidding. Wala pa sa plano ko ang pag-uwi," sagot ko na lang. "Marami pa akong trabaho. Saka... ayoko ring umuwi."

"How's Oscar?" he asked.

Sa dalawa kong kapatid, si Oscar ang gusto niya. I mean... bakit naman niya magugustuhan ang lalaking pumatay sa kanya?

"He's fine. His slave is treating him well," ngiti ko.

"He really deserves to be treated with kindness. I wouldn't ask for you father," natawa pa siya. "Did your father order Brixton to kill me?"

His question made me cackle. Why is he still asking about that?

"I bet, no. That devil would kill for fun," he mocked.

"Well, he's still... Brixton. He has a slave though."

"Damn. What an unlucky slave. Si Brixton pa talaga?"

"What do you mean? Brixton is a good man."

"Are we talking about the same vampire? The one who killed an entire clan just for fun?"

I glared at him. "Didn't you kill many lives because of your obsession too?"

"Three? Four?" He shrugged his shoulders. "How about him? He slaughtered an entire clan. Nagtataka pa rin ako kung bakit nakaligtas siya roon."

Bumalik ang kulo ng dugo ko sa kanya. Mabuti na lang ay dumating na ang waiter para i-serve ang food. Kung makapagsalita siya ay parang hindi sila magkaugali ni Brixton. Ang pinagkaiba lang nila ay wala siyang laban sa kanya.

"Thanks," I smiled at the waiter.

I was enjoying my steak while Andreus was reminiscing about the past. Wala siyang tigil sa pag-balik tanaw sa nakaraan namin.

"Remember when Mr. Billy caught us kissing?" he laughed. "He didn't tell about it to your father, but instead, he locked you in your room. I would sneak at night just to see you!"

"Yeah..." I smiled.

"How about when I first got into a fight because of you?"

"You started the fight, Andreus. You just saw him talking to me and you suddenly punched him!"

"He was flirting with you."

"That's what you thought. Not everything in your head is real."

I sipped on my wine to chill. He's trying to paint himself as a victim when he's the evil one in the first place. He was so obsessed with me!

He talked about everything, but not when he killed my best friend. Not when he killed my teacher. Not when he killed my next boyfriend. All because it was what he thought was right.

"So... can we be back to friends again?" he asked when we were standing beside the railing and watching the small lights from the buildings.

Inalis ko ang pin sa buhok ko kaya bumagsak na ito. Saka ko pinaragasa ang kamay ko para ayusin ito kahit na nagugulo pa rin dahil sa lakas ng hangin.

"I want to make it up to you, Nath."

I sighed. "Marami nang nangyari..."

"I'm sorry for not being there."

What do you mean? I was so thankful you were not there. You would just make everything worse!

I turned to him. Napalunok siya.

"The truth is... I need more time, Andreus."

"That's fine. Just don't hate me, Nathalia." I could sense the desperation in his voice. "Ang rason kaya ako bumalik ay dahil sa 'yo."

"H-how?"

He smiled. "I don't need my heart to remember you."

"But..." I swallowed. "That's impossible."

"I loved you, Nathalia." He closed the distance between us and caressed my face. "I still do."

"Do you really love me?"

"What can I do to prove it to you?"

That... confused me.

I've known him as a cunning observant man. I found it puzzling how he was falling into this so easily when it was obvious that I hated him so much to permit him to befriend me again.

No. He wasn't easy to deceive.

"I will do anything to prove to you my loyalty, Nathalia. I love you. You know that. Nothing I will do for you. Just tell me."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. He knew my plan.

"Stay away from me..." I said.

The innocent smile on his lips turned into a smirk.

"Nathalia..." His voice sounded astonished of me. "You really never failed to impress me. But sadly..." He turned his back and walked to the table. Yumuko siya saka humarap sa akin. Hinagis niya sa akin ang recorder device na nilagay ko kanina. "I am not the fool you think I am."

I see. I was right.

He pulled out a remote control from his pocket. Tumalikod siya saka pinindot 'yon. Umilaw ang isang projector device at pinakita ang isang video.

I felt my eyes burning as I watched myself film the viral scandal on the video flashing right now. From when I pulled my camera to when I stopped filming to walk away with a smirk on my face. It's all recorded.

He then turned to me. "What do you think will be the bigger scandal?"

"You—" Nahinto ako sa pag-atake nung pinakita niya sa akin ang cell phone niya.

"One wrong move and the world will know how insecure of a woman you are, Miss Nathalia Cardinal."

My fists balled up. I got frustrated with myself that I underestimated how evil this person was. He was the worst thing that ever happened to me.

"Nakakalungkot naman." Bumuntonghininga pa siya. "Kathlysse is a kind hearted woman. How could you do this to her?"

I stood still, composing myself from attacking him. It would make things worse. He could easily post that video and disappear. Alam kong wala rin siyang pakialam kung malaman ng mga tao na dawit siya rito.

I do. I do fucking care about my image.

I sighed. "Tragic," I whispered.

"Don't worry—"

"I would rather die than to live with such shame," I cut him off.

Natikom ang bibig niya. Napansin kong humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa remote control.

"It's your choice after all," I smiled at him.

"All I wanted was your heart—"

"You can easily take it after you click the upload button, Andreus." Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya. "Nakakalungkot lang dahil kapag nangyari ay puso ko na lang ang hawak mo. Hindi na ako."

Saka ko na siya nilagpasan.

Bago pa man ako makaalis ay may sinabi pa siya.

"Don't fool me, Nathalia! You can't kill yourself!"

I left his place with a victorious smile. Mukhang may gamit naman pala ang pagmamahal niya sa akin. As long he loves me, he won't do anything to harm me.

I had no choice but to take a taxi to drive me home. Kaya ayoko sa lahat ay 'yong sinusundo ako ng hindi ko driver. Hilig ko pa namang mag walk away. Walang maghahatid sa akin!

Damn that guy!

Nakatingin ako sa labas ng bintana. Nahagip ng isang nakahandusay na lalaki ang atensyon ko. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Stop the car," I said.

Tinabi naman agad ng driver ang sasakyan.

"Wait, Ma'am. You haven't paid—"

Tumakbo ako pabalik. Nilapitan ko ang isang lalaki na nakahandusay sa tabi ng mga trashbin. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"K-Kristan..."

He has cuts all over his face and his wounds were not healing. Maitim na rin ang kanyang mga labi. His body was stiffed.

I carried him into my arms and walked casually away. Nung nasa madilim na bahagi na kami ay binilisan ko na ang pagtakbo. Dumaan kami sa likod ng building.

Habang nasa elevator kami ay pinagmasdan ko uli ang kanyang mukha. I could feel him breathing, but he looked so tired.

What the fuck happened to him?

Hiniga ko siya sa sofa. Tatayo na sana ako para kumuha ng supot ng dugo nung mapagtanto na wala na nga pala kaming stock.

I sighed. "Really, Kristan? I gave you comfort in my own house, but you chose to leave only to end up like this? Wounded and hopeless? So much for being a slave."

Madiin akong napapikit.

Fine!

I bit my arm to lend him some of my blood. Sa sandaling tanggapin ng kanyang katawan ang dugo ko ay bumalik sa kulay ang kanyang labi. Gumaling ang kanyang mga sugat at mas bumilis ang paghinga niya.

He gasped loudly. His eyes were wide open and they look terrified as hell while staring at me. He then pushed himself up.

"Where are you going?" I asked him.

Napaluhod siya nung makailang hakbang pa lang.

"T-they still have Lilly..." he whispered.

Napatitig na lang ako sa kanya.

"I-I need to get her back. They will hurt her," he said before he collapsed on the floor. This time... he fell asleep due to exhaustion.

I let out a sigh.

I pursed my lips as I contemplated what to do.

I carried Kristan to his room.

Pumasok ako sa kwarto ko para magpalit ng damit. Nagsuot ako ng hoodie.  Pagkatapos ay binalikan ko si Kristan sa kanyang kwarto. Mahimbing ang tulog nito.

"Lilly..." he murmured in his dream.

"You need to pay for this, Mr. Admiral," I whispered.

But first... I need to save that bitch.