STRINGS AND CHAINS

CHAPTER 28

Gumapang ako kay Raiden. I kissed him on his forehead, down to his nose, cheeks, and lips. He opened his eyes when he felt me on his top. He flashed a sweet smile that could melt any woman, even me. I smiled at him too.

"Good morning, sexy," bati niya sa akin.

"Good morning," bati ko rin at muli siyang hinalikan sa labi. Ipinulupot niya ang kanang kamay niya sa baywang ko at inilagay ang kanyang kaliwang kamay sa batok ko. He moved slowly first, like a ship sailing on smooth waves. I can feel and taste every part of his pink soft lips. And it tasted nothing but honey. Sweet it is, gentle he is, and a perfect kiss. Raiden Frey will be the death of me.

Napalayo ako ng kaunti when he bit my lower lip. I looked at him and he chuckled. He looks so happy I can't help myself but to laugh too.

"Can we just stay like this forever?" He asked. Raiden Frey asked.

It took me a minute before I could even answer it. Maybe after everything that happened, I became much more of a realist. We both know that we can't. But even if it's a wish, I want to keep wishing for that forever. Ngumiti ako sa kanya. I want him to feed lies. I want to say, "Yes." I also just want to stay like this. Him and I living peacefully malayo sa gulo at sa iba.

"But it's still not over, not yet," sagot ko. Nawala ang ngiti sa kanyang labi.

"What should I do, mmm, Maru?"

"We still got a lot of things to do. One of it is to get up and get ready."

Kumunot-noo siya. "Where are we going?"

"First, let's save your ass and get that orb," sagot ko sa kanya saka ako tumayo at umalis sa kama. Binuksan ko ang cabinet niya at tiningnan kung mayroon ba akong masusuot doon. May malaking short at puwede na rin 'tong t-shirt n'ya. Puwede ko naman sigurong gamitin ang boxer niya. I can go out without a bra. This will do.

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya kaya't lumingon ako sa kanya.

"How?" Tumingin siya sa akin, still looking bored, like he just want to stay on his bed for the whole day.

"Mmm, we're going to steal it."

"You know that we can't."

"I survived hell, I will survive this too. Walang we can't, we can lang. And we're going to get that orb before someone does and we'll save everyone's ass kahit ayaw mo."

"Maru," tawag niya. He's giving me a warning. He's warning me not to act reckless again. Humarap na ako sa kanya at ngumiti.

"Stop me?" panunukso ko saka ako pumunta sa banyo. I continued showering without him joining me here. Patapos na ako nang makita ko siya sa pintuan. He's watching me habang nagbabanlaw na ako. Humarap ako sa kanya habang kinukuskos ang braso ko. Umakyat ang kamay ko sa leeg ko at tinanggal ang sabon doon. Inayos ko ang buhok ko at itinaas 'yon upang pati ang batok ko ay malinis ko nang mabuti. Bumaba ang kamay ko sa dibdb ko at sinugurong walang matitirang kahit anong sabon sa kahit saang parte nito. Hinugasan ko nang mabuti 'yon, itaas pati na rin sa ibaba, habang nakatingin si Rai sa ginagawa kong pagmamasahe rito.

Tumaas ang kanang kilay ko nang makitang nakatayo pa rin siya roon at talagang mukhang ipagpapatuloy niya 'yang panonood niya.

Fine. I'll continue washing my body here. Tumalikod ako sa kanya. Hinaplos ko ang tiyan ko at ang tagiliran ko. I want to make sure na wala ng sabon doon. Ang sumunod kong ginawa ay ang binanlawan ang hita, nasa gitna no'n, at legs ko. I was about to get the towel nang matapos ako. Pagharap ko ay nakita kong naroon na siya.

Hubot hubad.

"Katatapos ko lang maligo. Padaanin mo ako."

Umiling ito saka nito hinawakan ang baywang ko.

"Nangaasar ka ba? I will have to wash my body again kapag—" Hindi pa ako tapos sa pagsasalita nang lumapit siya sa leeg ko at humalik doon. Napakagat labi na lamang ako. Bumaba ng bumaba ang halik niya hanggang sa makarating ito sa dibdib ko. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanya at pinanood siya kung paano niya minamasahe at pinaglalaruan ang nipples ko. He would suck, bit, and played it with his fingers.

At ako ay walang ibang magawa kung hindi ang pigilan ang sarili ko na mapa-ungol ng malakas.

We had sex earlier. Once inside the warehouse while I could no longer count how many times we did it when reached his house. Hinawakan ko siya sa magkabilang braso at bumulong, "Let's do it fast. Marami pa tayong gagawin bukod dito."

Walang ano-ano'y hinawakan niya ang hita ko at hinaplos ang nasa gitna nito.

"Then let me see if it's ready," bulong n'ya pabalik.

"It's always ready... for you."

I bit my lip when he wrapped my left leg on his waist.

"Good," bulong niya. He inserted his cock inside my core and moved slowly at first. He drowned me with his kisses and thrust faster and aggressively this time.

Pleasure can make you forget your name for a short time. We did it not just once inside his bathroom but thrice. I could not even believe myself how I lasted for that long. All I remember is when I do it with Rai, there was something flowing inside my body. And I feel stronger than ever. I could even do it the whole day if he wants.

***

I am currently here in a café, naghihintay sa pagdating nina Ginger at Ura. I badly miss those two. The last time I talked to them was when I wanted to know where Joseph lived. After that, masyado nang madaming problema ang nangyari sa akin. I forgot to call or even text them that I'm okay. I'm worried too na baka madamay sila sa gulong 'to kaya I tried not to contact them. Now that panatag na ako na wala na sina Jax, I can now see those bitches.

"Maru!" Isang malakas na sigaw ang narinig ko. Lumingon ako sa likod ko at nakita si Ura. Madali itong tumakbo sa akin. Isang katakot-takot na yakap ang ibinigay sa akin nito. I hugged her back. I missed her.

"How are you? I've been calling you! Ginger and I also went to your house but it was empty. What happened?"

Tumingin ako kay Ginger na nakatayo sa likod ni Ura. Napangiti na lamang ako.

"Come here," aya ko sa kanya. I hugged Ginger at hinigit na rin si Ura. Ilang araw ko lang na hindi nakita ang mga ito pero ganito ko na sila ka-miss. Makakayanan ko bang mawala muna sa tabi nila? Na lumayo muna sa kanila? Lalo na't ngayon na nagbago na ang lahat.

"Mom decided to move out the country," pagsisinungaling ko.

"Pasensya na kung hindi ko nasabi sa inyo. I was busy dealing problems in the house and I don't want you guys to be involved with it. It was too messy. I'm sorry."

Tumango-tango si Ura. Ginger sighed.

"It's okay. We understand," sagot sa akin ni Ginger kaya't muli na lamang ako napangiti.

"It's a family matter, so it's okay," sagot naman ni Ura.

"I don't want to leave but we have to," pagsisimula ko. "My family can't deal with the problem alone so we have to reach out to other people to help us," dugtong ko.

I am telling lies but this is for the better. I want them to continue having normal life. Ura and Ginger are my two sweetest best friends and I don't want them to suffer like I did. I don't want to introduce them to their world and now my world because I am now also one of them. It's too dangerous and a lot complicated.

"Whatever that is, malalagpasan ninyo 'yan. I will pray for your safety, Maru."

I smiled at Ginger. She's really sweet. I looked at Ura and expecting colourful words to assure me and make me feel okay.

But—

"So saang bansa ka pupunta? Make sure to contact me and find me a man with a long and big dick."

This is Ura, the one and only. Natawa na lamang ako. Kahit saan mang sitwasyon, Ura will always find a way to talk about dirty things. I will miss them. Hindi ako agad sumagot sa dalawa kasi I'm trying my best not to cry. And they seem to see na paiyak na ako. They both smiled.

"There are still gadgets, Maru. Don't be such a cry baby," wika ni Ginger.

"Bansa lang 'yan. No matter what happens, nasa dulo ka man ng mundo o nasa ibang planeta na, we are still you best friends and we will always be. We're just one call away. So if may nangyari sa 'yo, do not hesitate to contact us dahil lilipad talaga kami papunta sa 'yo," wika naman ni Ura.

I was about to say something when she talked again, "Pero please huwag kang tumawag ng gabi while I'm riding a dick. Okay?"

"Alam mo, ang gago mo."

"I know," sagot naman nito sa akin.

"Are you still with him?" tanong ni Ura sa akin. Tumango ako.

"He's coming with you?" tanong naman ni Ginger.

"For a while, yes," sagot ko. Kinuha ko ang paper bag na dala-dala ni Ura. "Glad you prepared this for me. Tingnan mo naman ang suot ko. And you felt it 'di ba?"

"Eww, you're not wearing any bra. I can feel your tits jiggling on me," sagot naman nito kaya mas lalo akong natawa.

"Punta lang akong restroom. And thank you so much, Ura."

Ngumiti s'ya sa akin. "No worries."

They sat down before I left. I went inside the restroom at chineck ang dalang damit ni Ura. At nang makita ko 'to ay napamura na lang ako. This is a fucking slutty clothes pero do I have a choice? Kahit t-shirt man lang na maayos pero ano bang dapat kong i-expect kay Ura? Dapat nanghiram na lang ako ng damit kay Ginger.

Lumabas akong naiilang at tumingin sa dalawa. Sumipol pa itong si Ura habang si Ginger ay napa-iling na lamang. I'm wearing a shorts na sobrang ikli at spaghetti strapped na sando. Seriously. Sana naghubad na lang pala ako wala na rin naman akong matatakpan. Anyway, I do not care na. I have a sexy body rin naman so ibalandra na natin 'to.

"Bakit parang mas lalo kang naging sexy? What happened? You have curves na. Anong sikreto mo?" tanong ni Ura sa akin.

Kumunot-noo naman ako. "I have curves noon pa man."

"No, you don't have, Maru," pagsisiguro naman ni Ginger.

"Tangina?" sagot ko sa dalawa.

"Pero you look sexy na so don't worry. So anong sikreto mo?" tanong ni Ura.

"You can't achieve this body ng isang linggo!" dugtong pa ni Ura.

I just rolled my eyes. Huminto ang tingin ko kay Ginger na tahimik lamang na nakatingin sa akin. Lumunok ako.

"What's with that look?"

"Why do you need her clothes?" Nagtataka nitong tanong. Sh-t.

I looked at Ura and back to her. "I—"

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga ni Ginger. "You're not in danger, are you? The last time we talked you wanted to go to the Livertons. What happened to you after that?"

"Ginger..." pag-aawat ni Ura dahil kahit siya ay nakakaramdam ng tension sa pagitan naming dalawa ni Ginger.

"Look, I'm just like this because I'm worried. Kilala kita, Maru. Once may pumukaw ng atensyon mo, hindi mo tatantanan 'yon. You are like a detective. You will not stop unless you get answers to your questions. I hope hindi ka naiipit sa kung nasaan mang sitwasyon ka sa katigasan ng ulo mo."

"I know... I know. I'm not—I'm not really in danger but it's difficult to explain. Not here and not now."

Tumango siya sa akin. "Keep yourself safe."

"I will."

"Use protection too," payo naman sa akin ni Ura. Kahit kailan talaga 'to.

"Oh paano? We have to go. We still have an afternoon class," wika ni Ura.

Tumango ako. "Okay. Mag-iingat kayo."

Tumayo ang dalawa at muling yumakap sa akin sa huling pagkakataon. This doesn't feel like a good bye. Para bang magkikita lang din kami ulit sa ginagawa namin. Ang tanong, magkikita pa nga ba kami ulit nina Ginger at Ura?

"Call us whenever you have time," wika ni Ginger.

"I will miss you," wika naman ni Ura.

"I will miss you both. And take care always."

For one last time we smiled at each other. They waved at me as they walked toward the door. I smiled and waved at them until I could no longer see them. I wish this wouldn't be the last time na makikita ko sila.

Huminga ako ng malalim. Tumayo ako at lumabas ng café. I'm expecting na si Raiden ang susundo sa akin. To my surprise, I see Trojan with his cousins. Where is Raiden?

"You're alive. Good. Now let's go." Kaaga-agang naninira ng araw 'tong si Vanilla.

"Where's Raiden?" tanong ko.

"Entertaining the guests," sagot niya.

"Guests?" nagtataka kong tanong.

Tumango siya sa akin.

"His brothers. They're here and they want the orb. Now let's go."

His brothers?

"How many?" tanong ko agad.

"Are they all here?"

"Two of them."

Is it Gregory? King? Shit.

"Let's go, Maru. I know you're worried. They are at the mansion. Your parents want to see you too," wika naman ni Trojan.

Ang bilis ng pintig ng puso ko. Raiden's brothers are here. My parents want to see me. Nine-nerbiyos ako. Huminga ako ng malalim. Sumunod ako sa tatlo at sumakay sa sasakyan. At habang nasa biyahe kami patungo sa bahay nila Trojan ay hindi ako mapakali. Mamamatay ako sa kaba.

"So what happened to you?" tanong ni Vanilla sa akin.

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Sumimangot siya sa ginawa kong pag i-snob sa kanya. May panahon pa ba akong makipag gaguhan sa kanya kung mamamatay na ako sa kaba?

First of all, Raiden violated his master's orders. Maybe that's why his brothers are here. Pero hindi ko alam kung sino sa anim. Is it Gregory again? Si King? I haven't met the others pero based sa naku-kuwento sa akin ni Raiden, it's not a good thing na nandito sila. Lalo na't ang pinag-uusapan dito ay ang orb.

I need to get there.

Trojan didn't talk to me the entire ride. Natahimik na rin si Vanilla. Good. I don't have time to tell a long story tungkol sa nangyari sa akin. I have to get there as soon as possible at hindi na ako mapakali.

A fifteen minute ride killed me. Pagkahinto ng sasakyan sa tapat ng mansyon nila Trojan ay agad akong bumaba. Dire-diretso ako sa sala. Nakita ko roon si Raiden. Prenteng naka-upo sa sofa. Sa harap niya ay isang lalaki ang naka-upo. Isang lalaki naman ang nakatayo.

Hindi ko pa nakikita ang dalawang 'to. This is not Gregory or King.

Who are they?

"Raiden," tawag ko kay Rai. Sabay na tumingin sa akin ang tatlo. His two brothers are assessing me and their faces are unreadable. I'm so nervous kaya't hindi ako makapagfan girl dito. I mean, Raiden is extremely hot. But how can I describe these two?

Pero mamaya na 'yan.

"Maru, come here."

Lumapit ako kay Raiden at tumayo sa likod ng sofa. Muli akong tumingin sa dalawa na hanggang ngayon ay nakatingin pa rin sa akin. This is so weird and awkward. But I can also feel the tension between Raiden and his brothers.

Two pair of cold gazes peered at me. Napalunok na lamang ako. The silence is killing me too.

Now that I have a good look sa dalawa. I can clearly see them. They're hot, attractive, and handsome. But these two are intimidating. The way pa lang sa pagtingin nila sa akin. Any minute you will bow and bend. Or at first maglalaway ka talaga sa kanila, but once they paid attention to you, you will probably run away from them as fast as you can. They pretty look human, but somehow when you look closely, they're different from the rest.

Raiden looks approachable. Like if you see my man and he gives hints to you, tatalon ka agad. Pero dito sa dalawa, they're giving an aura na you back off or else I'll kill you.

Who are they?

"So..." Nagsalita ang lalaking nakatayo. He put his hands inside his pocket and continued to talk, "This woman is the reason why you couldn't finish your damn job."

His deep raspy voice rang all over the room. He looked disappointed to Raiden while the other brother, sitting on the sofa, looked pretty bored. He has no interest with me or his brother. He looked like he just wanted to finish this quick and be done.

The man standing looked at me. "I don't mean to offend you," wika niya sa akin. Okay, even he looks pretty scary, he's gentle.

"And I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself. My name's Alexander and you are?"

"Maru," pagpapakilala ko. His silver cloud hair is the first thing that I noticed when I entered the room. Though he gives a scary aura, his ocean eyes can make you calm.

"Maru," pag-uulit niya saka ito ngumiti. I was damn shocked to see him smile. Ang ine-expect ko ay magkakaroon na ng patayan dito. I'm so glad he's good and gentle.

"How did you meet this succubus?" Napatingin kaming tatlo sa kapatid nilang nakaupo. Tumingin siya sa akin.

"And you are Lilith's," wika pa nito. His hazel eyes peered at me again and he's killing me with the way he looks. He has an eye of a predator. He's the real deal. He's fucking scary. Tahimik lamang siya no'ng una until he sensed me. How did he know that?

"H-how did you know that?" tanong ko.

"She's an enemy. Kill her," utos nito kaya't agad na tumayo si Raiden.

"She's not an enemy and no one's going to kill her."

The two exchange glares kaya tumingin ako kay Alexander. But the man is just staring at me too, waiting for an explanation.

"No—No. I wasn't a succubus before. I was a human and I'm not a threat. I swear to God, I'm not."

Nakita ko ang pagngisi ng isa pa nilang kapatid. "For now but maybe soon."

I want to explain my side but I couldn't. He knows something that I do not know.

"Cael." Raiden called his name with a warning. So his name is Cael.

Cael...

Cael...

He's the brother who killed their own father. Now I know why I felt fear when I saw him. He's dangerous. I know he is. I can sense and feel it. Kung wala rito si Raiden, hindi magdadalawang isip si Cael na patayin ako.

"You wiped out a horde of incubi in just one night and you can't kill a single woman who had gone to hell and came back completely different." Tumingin siya muli sa akin.

"If you can't, I can," dugtong pa nito.

Nagulat na lamang ako nang makitang nasa harapan ko na siya. I just blinked and now he's standing in front of me.

"She's inside you. Can't you feel? I have to kill you right here, right now."

I felt his strong grip on my neck.

And what happened next is a bloody nightmare.

***

(As much as possible I want to introduce all of them here in SAC since this is the first book in the series. We met four of them so far. We can't still pick a favorite. But who's winning your hearts?)