Dangerously Yours (SERIE FEROCI 10)

Chapter Three

I stared at myself in the mirror. I look like I didn't get to sleep for a f*****g decade. Mas lalo yatang lumalim ang eyebags ko.

I sighed and massaged my temple. Wala pa yatang dalawang oras akong nakatulog. Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang beses kong sinilip si Caius sa living room. I want him to sleep beside me, but I couldn't get to force him. Natitigilan ako palagi sa tuwing mapapatingin ako sa payapang mukha niya na natutulog.

I shook my head and took another clothes from Caius' wardrobe. I went to the bathroom to take a bath. I almost stayed for an hour there, I enjoyed Caius' scent lingering in the air. Lumabas ako ng bathroom na halos kaamoy ko na naman siya. Napangiti na lang ako at nagsuklay saka agad na lumabas ng silid ni Caius.

Naamoy ko kaagad ang fried rice na niluluto niya. I went straight to the kitchen. Naabutan ko siyang nagluluto. Napakagat na lang ako sa ibabang labi ko at tumitig sa likod niya. Simpleng t-shirt at sweatpants lang ang suot niya, medyo magulo pa ang buhok, pero ang lakas pa rin ng dating niya.

"Caius... Good morning."

He turned his gaze at me. I bit the insides of my cheeks when our eyes met. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself.

He didn't say anything. Binalik na niya ang atensyon sa niluluto. Hindi na lang din ako nagsalita at umupo na. Tumungo ako at inayos ang buhok ko. Iniharang ko ulit 'yon sa mukha ko. Hindi na yata ako komportable na hindi tumatakip ang buhok ko sa mukha ko.

Nang matapos si Caius magluto, umupo na rin siya sa tapat ko. He started eating after that. I blinked twice while staring at him. My cheeks heated when I realized that he only cooked for himself. There are rare moments that I was embarrassed, and this moment was included.

Caius stopped eating and looked at me. I bit my lower lip and tried to calm myself. Stay cool, stay cool, stay cool.

"If you want to eat, cook your own food," he said coldly then continued eating.

I gulped and nodded. "O-oh, yes."

Tumayo ako at nagtungo sa kitchen counter. Kumuha na lang ako ng instant coffee para magtimpla. I'm not really fond of eating breakfast. Kape lang, okay na sa akin. Mahina rin naman kasi akong kumain. Minsan isa hanggang dalawang beses sa isang araw lang akong kumakain.

I'm aware that my mental instability affects my eating habits. I'm aware that I'm mentally unstable. I'm aware my actions are not normal. I'm aware that I need mental help... but I really just don't care about it all.

Before I met Caius, I just wanted to die. When I met him, I realized I want to live for him. I gave my life to him... I know it's bad to depend on him this way, to use him to keep me sane... I'm sure I wasn't sane right now though. This is something that a sane person won't do.

My life was meaningless before he came. I don't believe in God, though if He's real, He just wasted a life on me... I was never loved my whole life. No one cared for me, not even my family. It's not that I cared for them anyway. I was just an apathetic b***h.

But when I met Caius, I was glad I'm alive. He's the only person I care about, the only person that I love... He's my life.

Caius glanced at me when I sat in front of him again. His forehead creased. He looked at the cup of coffee in front of me. "Coffee is your breakfast?" he asked.

I nodded. "Hindi ako mahilig kumain ng almusal," bulong ko na lang.

Hindi na nagsalita si Caius, pero tumayo siya saka inilagay ang plato niya sa tapat ko. "Eat that," sabi na lang niya saka umalis na at nagtungo sa kwarto niya.

Napatingin ako sa fried rice na hindi nangalahati. Napangiti ako saka napahawak sa magkabilang pisngi ko. I stared at the fried rice for a long time before I decided to eat. I don't like eating breakfast, pero kung si Caius ang magluluto, palagi na 'kong kakain.

It honestly tastes good. I know Caius can cook, pero ngayon ko lang natikman ang luto niya, maliban na lang sa sunog na fried chicken kagabi. Masarap siyang magluto!

Matagal bago ako natapos kumain dahil ninanamnam ko talagang maigi ang niluto ni Caius... Tumayo na ako at hinugasan ang plato pagkatapos kong kumain. Papasok na sana ako sa kwarto niya, natigilan lang ako nang lumabas siya. He's now wearing a white long sleeve button up shirt, nakatupi hanggang siko niya. Maayos na rin ang buhok niya at amoy na amoy ko na ang pabango niya na mabango at hindi masakit sa ilong.

He was about to leave but I held his wrist. I just pulled back when I felt an unfamiliar spark when our skin touched. I stared at him. "Pupunta ka na sa campus? Dapat sinabi mo sa'kin para sabay na tayo," sabi ko na lang.

Caius stared at me intently. "Are you f*****g kidding me? Why the hell would I do that?" he asked in a cold tone. "Don't talk to me at the campus. Don't try to approach me. Don't even dare to look at me."

Pagkasabi no'n, agad ako nitong tinalikuran saka umalis. Imbis na magalit, napangiti na lang ako habang hinahabol siya ng tingin... Pwedeng pwede niya akong sungitan at insultuhin, hindi ako maiinis o magrereklamo.

Pumasok na lang ako sa kwarto saka kinuha ang bag ko. Umuwi muna ako sa apartment ko para magpalit ng damit. Tinawagan ko ang secretary ni Papa pagkatapos para ipaasikaso ang marriage contract ko kay Caius.

Tahimik na naghintay na lang ako sa coffee shop na malapit sa campus. Napatingin ako sa relo ko. Natagalan siya ngayon... Busy yata.

"Luisa!"

I turned my gaze at Neron Maravilla. He's my father's trusted secretary. He's kind and somehow, I consider him as my friend. He's the only person that acknowledged my existence... I think. He's really not bad. I hate all people in the world, but I don't hate Neron that much.

Neron sat on the chair and sighed. He wiped the sweat on his forehead using his handkerchief and smiled at me. "Hello, Luisa. I missed you."

I remained emotionless. "I didn't miss you."

Neron chuckled. "I expected that... By the way, why did you call me? What do you need this time?"

Kinuha ko ang marriage contract mula sa bag ko saka ipinakita sa kaniya. "Asikasuhin mo 'yan. Madali lang sa'yo 'yan, 'di ba?"

Nakita ko kung paano nagbago ang ekspresyon ni Neron sa nakita. Tumingin siya sa'kin saka tipid na ngumiti. "You're really serious about that Caius Lettiere guy, huh."

Tumango ako. "I did everything just to have him sign that... so please, take care of it for me."

Neron sighed and licked his lower lip. "Okay. You really know I can't say no to you... You're taking advantage of that." He gave me a small smile.

I stared at him. If I hadn't fell for Caius, I'm probably obsessing over him now. I had a crush on him during my teenage years. Neron is kind and handsome, he never treated me like a weirdo. But I know he's just kind to everyone. Kaya rin siguro hindi lumalim ang nararamdaman ko sa kaniya.

For now, I see him as a friend, as someone I can trust. He knows about my weird obsession on Caius Lettiere, but he never judged me. Tumutulong pa siya sa akin sa lahat ng kailangan ko.

"Thank you, Neron. Sige na, umalis ka na. Baka malaman pa ni Papa na nakipagkita ka sa'kin," sabi ko na lang.

Akmang tatayo na ako, natigilan lang ako nang humawak si Neron sa kamay ko. Napakunot ang noo ko sa kaniya. He just made a sad face and slightly pouted his lips. He acts like a child sometimes.

"We hadn't seen each other for a long time, tapos aalis ka kaagad? Mag-usap muna tayo," sabi pa niya.

Tumango na lang ako. "I don't have anything exciting to tell you though." I shrugged.

"I think this is exciting enough," he said and pointed the marriage contract. "Magkwento ka naman," he said and stared at me.

Bahagya siyang lumapit sa'kin saka inayos ang bangs ko. Hinayaan ko na lang siya nang marahan niyang inipit ang buhok ko sa ilalim ng tainga ko. Madalas niya namang ginagawa 'yan pag kausap ko siya.

"I want to see your eyes as you talk..." he smiled, "go ahead."

I just nodded and told him everything that I did to make Caius sign the paper. Neron just laughed the whole time as if he didn't find it weird. I'm honestly starting to think that he's not sane too. No sane people would find what I did funny. He's probably crazy too. Baka itinatago niya lang... Well, I honestly don't mind.

"You're crazy," Neron said, still laughing.

I just nodded. "I was quite desperate."

Natahimik na lang si Neron, pero nanatili siyang nakatitig sa'kin. "Why did you even fall for him that hard?" tanong niya.

Saglit akong natahimik bago sumagot. "Hmm... I don't know. Ever since he bought a cake for me three years ago, it felt like we have a connection. He looked at me that night in the way that no one did. That night, it felt like someone cared for me... it felt like I was loved," I murmured. I stared at my phone. Picture ni Caius ang screen lock doon.

"Why are you thinking that way? There are people who care for you," Neron murmured. "I'm here. I care for you. Hindi ba 'yon halata?"

I looked at him. I rarely smile, but I gave him a small smile and nodded. "Hmm... I can feel it. I care for you too... a little," I mumbled.

Neron chuckled and touched his nape. "Well, thanks for that."

I nodded. "If you need help, I'll try to help you too. Do you have someone that you like?" I asked him.

Neron flinched. He chuckled awkwardly and touched his nape. "I don't have time for that, to be honest."

"Your life is boring. You should stop serving my father and just be my slave instead," I said and shrugged.

Neron laughed. "Ano namang ipapasweldo mo sa'kin?"

"My husband is rich," I mumbled.

"Too bad, your relationship with him is quite forced."

I rolled my eyes. "Bakit ka pa ba nagtatrabaho para kay Papa? You're hella rich."

"I'm not rich. Pera ng mga magulang ko 'yon," depensa niya.

"Your parents are dead. Their riches are yours now," I said as if it was nothing.

Neron just laughed at me. Sanay na rin naman siya sa pananalita ko.

"Kaya kang buhayin ng yaman na meron ka... Siguradong aabot pa 'yon hanggang sa apo mo sa tuhod," sabi ko pa.

Neron smiled at me. "Well, I don't know. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ayokong umalis sa trabaho ko ngayon... But don't worry, I'll consider your offer... But I will only accept that once you're no longer obsessed with Caius Lettiere," he smiled at me.

My forehead creased. "Why?"

Neron smirked and touhed his nape. "I can't be your slave if you have a husband..."

I sighed. "That's too bad... I will never let him go."

Neron chuckled. "That's too bad indeed."

I just drank my coffee. Natigilan lang ako nang mapatingin sa gate ng campus. Napakunot ang noo ko nang makitang nandoon si Caius... Kausap si Lynne. Napahawak ako nang mahigpit sa tasang hawak ko, tila mababasag na 'yon.

"Hey, is there something wrong?" Neron asked, worried.

Pumasok na si Lynne sa campus, naiwan si Caius. Natigilan ako nang mapatingin siya sa direksyon ko. Napakunot pa ang noo niya nang makita ako.

Tumingin din si Neron sa tinitingnan ko. "Woah, is that your Caius Lettiere?" tanong niya.

"Yeah... He's my Caius," bulong ko na lang habang nakikipaglabanan ng tingin kay Caius.

"That man is something, Luisa. I can feel it," bulong pa ni Neron.

Lumipat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Napakunot ang noo ko. This is the first time that Neron saw Caius in person. Neron is quite good in judging characters and observing people. Madalas, nalalaman niya rin kung anong klaseng tao ang isang tao... I don't know if it has something to do with him being a psych graduate.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Neron's eyes narrowed while staring at Caius. "You've been stalking him for three years, right? Are you sure you didn't notice something off about him?" tanong pa niya.

"I don't get you at all, Neron," sabi ko na lang.

Neron looked at me, his eyes are serious. "I'm sure he's not an ordinary person. The look in his eyes gave me the creeps... He's a dangerous man, Luisa."