Captured and Tainted (SERIE FEROCI 2)

Chapter Seven

“This is against my will, Zak.”

Nanatili akong nakatingin sa bintana ng kotse. I don't want to look at him right now, baka masapak ko lang siya ng wala sa oras.

“I know, no need to remind me,” he responded. I just snorted and took a deep breath.

“Naiirita ako sa pagmumukha mo,” I said while gritting my teeth. Zakarius didn't say anything, he remained quiet, he just focused on driving. I hate him, I f*****g hate him!

I closed my eyes and tried to relax. Baka masipa ko pa 'tong si Zak sa inis ko. I'll just ignore him while he's taking me as a ‘hostage’ kuno. When will Jaze come back? Mababaliw na ako sa pinaggagawa nitong si Zakarius.

My eyes widened when I heard a gunshot from somewhere, halatang natigilan din si Zakarius.

“What the f**k was that, Zak?” I asked nervously, and shaking. I gripped Zakarius' arm. My whole body shivered because of fear.

“Wear your face mask, make sure no one can see your face,” he said in a cold tone.

Agad kong sinunod ang utos niya. Nanginginig ang mga kamay na kinuha ako ang face mask sa sling bag ko at sinuot 'yon. Napatili ako nang makarinig na naman ako ng putok ng baril.

Zakarius started driving three times faster than usual. I gasped and gripped my seatbelt, pakiramdam ko tatalsik ang kotseng 'to sa bilis ng pagpapaandar niya.

“Kumapit ka nang maigi,” he demanded and looked at the side mirror of the car.

Tumingin din ako sa side mirror. I gasped in horror when I saw three black cars following us. Napasigaw na naman ako nang malakas nang magpaputok sila ng baril, sumakto 'yon sa side mirror na tinitingnan ko.

“Z-Zakarius, who are they? W-why are they following us?” I asked, my voice is literally shaking.

I love starring in action movies but I don't want real action in real life. I don't want to die yet, for heaven's sake.

Zakarius didn't respond. He took a gun from his coat and looked at the side mirror once again. Binuksan niya ang bintana ng kotse saka nilusot ang ulo ro'n. Napasigaw na lang ako nang paputukin niya ang baril niya.

I looked at the cars following us, dalawa na lang ang kotseng nakasunod sa 'min, siguro binaril ni Zak ang gulong ng isang kotse.

Zakarius continued driving, mas naging mabilis ang pagpapaandar niya ng sasakyan. I tried to stop from screaming and just gripped my seatbelt tightly. Wala na nga akong maitulong kay Zakarius sa sitwasyon na 'to, pipigilan ko na lang ang sarili ko na sumigaw para hindi siya ma-distract kahit na takot na takot na 'ko.

Zakarius tried to shoot their car again. I held his arm and pulled him. He looked at me with creased forehead. I gulped and bit my lower lip.

“B-baka mabaril ka sa ginagawa mo, tumakas na lang tayo,” I said and turned my gaze away from him.

Zakarius remained silent, he just continued driving the car, much faster than it was earlier. I closed my eyes tightly. Mukhang hindi kami sa baril mamamatay kundi sa bilis ng pagpapatakbo niya ng kotse.

I don't know where we are right now, the place is dark, there's no streetlights around. We're just on the dark road with no people nor houses around... Kaya mas lalo akong kinakabahan.

“s**t,” Zakarius cussed. Lalong umakyat ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang bumagal ang andar ng kotse hanggang sa tuluyan 'yong tumigil. Siguro nabaril din nila ang gulong ng kotse namin.

“Hey, listen to me.” Zakarius held my hand and looked at me with serious eyes.

My vision became blurry because of the tears I've been stopping. Zakarius wiped my tears on my cheek and gently caressed it. I'm scared, my whole body is literally shaking, my lips are quivering like hell because I'm so scared.

“Don't worry, I'll take care of them fast, don't get out of this car. Okay? This is my phone, call Cad and tell him to track my phone. Ask for his help, he'll be here in a few minutes.”

Hindi na niya ako hinintay na sumagot at agad na lumabas ng kotse. Hindi na ako nagsayang ng oras at agad na binuksan ang phone niya. My hands are shaking while browsing for Cad's number on his contacts. Agad kong tinawagan nang makita ko ang pangalan niya. Laking pasasalamat ko nang agad niyang sinagot ang tawag.

“Hello, Zak. What's up?”

“H-hello, Cadence. M-may nangyayari kasi, basta! Nakikipagbarilan si Zakarius sa labas. Tulungan mo kami, b-baka kung ano pang mangyari sa kanya,” I nervously said, my voice is still shaking.

“Oh, alright. We'll be there in a few minutes. By the way, don't worry about Zak, kaya niya 'yan, and don't call the police, unless Zakarius is dead. Bye!” sabi nito saka agad na binaba ang tawag. Mas lalong umakyat ang kaba sa dibdib ko dahil sa sinabi niya.

Napakagat na lang ako sa ibabang labi ko at napatingin kay Zakarius na nasa gilid ng kotse at nagtatago habang nakikipagpalitan ng bala. I really want to call the police right now. I don't think I can wait longer.

I bit my nails, my knees are still shaking. I'm worried as hell about Zakarius, I don't know what to do if something happens to him.

Please, don't die.

I gasped in horror when he was shot on his left shoulder. Napahawak siya ro'n at napangiwi ngunit hindi niya 'yon ininda. Mas lalong umakyat ang kaba sa dibdib ko nang lumapit si Zakarius sa kanila at walang habas na nakipagpalitan ng mga bala sa mg 'yon.

Is he f*****g crazy?! Paano kung mabaril siya?!

I supressed a scream when he was about to get shot again. With pounding heart, I look around his car to look for another gun. I'm sure he has another gun here.

My eyes widened when I saw a silver-colored gun under his seat. Agad kong kinuha 'yon, tila ba nawala na sa isip ko ang binilin ni Zakarius at agad na lumabas ng kotse.

My hands are shaking while holding the gun with both of my hands, I don't even know if I'm holding it right. I want to help him, I don't want him to die.

“I won't do that if I were you.”

Natigilan ako at napatingin sa nagsalita sa likod ko.

“W-who are you?” I nervously asked. Is he an enemy?

He looks like a foreigner but with black hair and black eyes. He has serious and mysterious look in his eyes. I immediately pointed the gun at him.

“Calm down, I'm your ally,” tila natatawang sabi pa nito saka lumapit sa 'kin.

“Don't f*****g come near me,” I said, trying to sound strong, but in reality... I'm so scared.

Natigilan ako nang mapansing wala ng putok ng baril sa paligid. What happened?

“I clearly told you not to get off the car.”

Napasinghap ako at napalingon sa likuran ko. Pakiramdam ko natanggal ang tinik sa dibdib ko nang makita si Zakarius na ligtas. Katabi niya si Cadence na may hawak ding baril, ngumisi siya sa 'kin.

I removed my face mask and bit my lower lip as tears instantly stream down to my cheeks. I bit the insides of my cheeks to stop myself from sobbing. Kusang nabitiwan ng kamay ko ang baril na hawak ko. I felt weak, I was about to fall down the ground but Zakarius immediately come near me and held my waist, he carried me as if he doesn't have a wound on his arm. I clung on his nape and buried my face on his chest. I suddenly feel embarrassed because he saw me like this, so weak and fragile.

“Why is she crying? Did you scare her, Frenier?” Cadence asked, maybe he's talking to the guy who talked to me earlier. I guess he's really our ally.

“The f**k did I do? I just told her I'm her ally. Tangina, bakit ba kasi sinama mo pa ako rito? Kaya niyo na naman palang dalawa,” the foreigner-like guy said. I didn't expect he can speak tagalog like a pro.

“Are you alright?” tanong ni Zakarius. Napatingala ako sa kanya saka tumango habang lumuluha pa rin. Kanina ko pa pinipigil na umiyak dahil sa halo halong emosyon, takot na takot ako kanina. Akala ko talaga ay may mangyayari nang masama sa kanya.

“How about you? A-are you alright?” I asked and looked at his shoulder. May dugo nga siya ro'n, muling nanginig ang labi ko dahil sa kaba.

Hindi niya sinagot ang tanong ko, binuhat niya lang ako at ipinasok sa ibang kotse dahil nga sira na ang gulong ng kotse niya. He sat beside me and pulled me closer to him. I didn't protest and just let him held my waist. Cadence and the man I don't know also got inside the car, Cadence started driving and I finally felt at ease.

* * *

“Damn this night.”

I looked at myself in the mirror while doing my skin care routine. Nagtagal ako nang maigi sa banyo kanina habang pilit na pinakakalma ang sarili ko. Tonight's happening is too much to bear, I was so scared knowing that Zakarius almost died.

I bit my lower lip and stomped my feet. What the f**k am I thinking? Ano naman kung mamatay siya ro'n? Bakit ba masyado akong concerned? He's a killer, he can handle himself, why the f**k am so worried about him earlier?

I shook my head and groaned. I don't give a f**k about Zakarius. Natural lang na matakot ako sa sitwasyong 'yon, kapag namatay siya, ako na lang mag-isa ro'n.

I sighed and stood up. By the way, how is he? Did he already cure his wound?

Lumabas ako ng kwarto at sinilip siya sa living room. Natigilan ako nang makitang nandoon pa si Cadence at ang isang lalaking kasama nila. Zakarius is sitting on the couch while the two are standing, it seems like they are talking about something serious. My forehead creased when I saw his wounded shoulder. He's not wearing his leather jacket anymore that's why his wound is much visible now.

Bakit hindi niya pa ginagamot 'yon?

“Cadence, tell the others that we will annihilate that f*****g group tonight. Tell Xanthos that he'll lead tonight's annihilation, I won't be able to come with you, I'm so drained,” Zakarius said and closed his eyes.

Mukha ngang pagod na pagod siya.

“Woah, easy there man. Annihilation agad? Wala ka namang pakialam sa grupong 'yon diba? Bakit gusto mong patumbahin sila ngayon?” Cadence asked. Zakarius opened his eyes and looked at him.

“I wouldn't care if I was alone that time, Cadence, but I'm with that woman. They're still lucky because nothing happened to her, I will kill them and their f*****g whole clan if something happened to that woman.”

Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Napalunok ako at napakapit nang mahigpit sa stair handrail dahil sa sinabi niya. My pulse races as well as my heartbeat. I can feel that my cheeks are heating up, I touched them unknowingly. Why did I get so worked up because of what he said? f**k.

“Hey, Ms. Mendoza, nandiyan ka pala.”

I was taken aback and looked at them. Cadence called me and gave me his usual playful smile. I just smiled awkwardly at them, I tried to calm my heartbeat. I just won't look at Zakarius for the meantime. Right, don't look at him, Angel.

Bumaba na ako ng hagdan at lumapit sa kanila. Oddly, I can feel Zakarius' intense gaze even though I'm not looking at him which is weird. Focus, Angel. Don't f*****g look at him.

“Eron, ito nga pala ang kaibigan kong artista, si Angel Mendoza,” sabi ni Cadence sa lalaking Eron ang pangalan saka inakbayan ako.

My forehead creased with his remark. When did we become friends? Hindi ko alam na magkaibigan pala kami.

“Hello, Ms. Angel Mendoza, I'm Eron... Eron Frenier. Sorry for scaring you earlier,” Eron said smiled a little.

Eron Frenier is a handsome man too, mas mukha siyang approachable kaysa sa dating kasama ni Cadence dito na Arken yata ang pangalan. I think he's a half-French or what.

“It's fine. Sorry rin sa pagtutok ko ng baril sa 'yo kanina,” sabi ko na lang saka alanganing ngumiti sa kanya.

Napatingin ako kay Zak nang tumayo siya. He pulled me away from Cadence and glared at him. I was stunned when he put me on his back as if he's hiding me from Cadence.

“Stop fooling around and do what I said,” Zakarius said in a cold tone, I almost shivered.

“Fine, fine, init agad ng ulo mo, e. We'll go ahead,” sabi na lang ni Cadence habang natatawa. Lumabas na silang pareho ni Eron at iniwan kami ni Zak.

I removed Zak's grip on my wrist and glared at him.

“Bakit hindi mo pa ginagamot ang sugat mo?! Inuna mo pa ang pagpa-plano ng kung ano-ano, paano kung naubusan ka ng dugo?!” naiinis na singhal ko saka itinulak ang dibdib niya.

Natigilan siya nang hawakan ko ang kamay niya saka hinila siya paakyat ng hagdan... How dare he ignore his wound?

“Where's your first aid kit?” I asked.

“In my room,” he answered shortly and just let me pull him.

Hinila ko siya hanggang sa silid niya at basta na lang binuksan ang pinto. Hindi naman siya tumutol at hinayaan lang ako.

I was stunned when I finally entered his room. I'm actually expecting snake-like room but surprisingly, his room is just simple with large bed and gray color scheme. Wala siyang masyadong gamit dito sa kuwarto niya.

“Where's your first aid kit?” I asked and raised my eyebrow at him.

Zakarius pointed the drawer beside the bed. Agad kong binuksan 'yon at kinuha ang first aid kit. Siguro madalas na talaga siyang masugatan.

Pinaupo ko si Zakarius sa kama saka inilapag ang first aid kit sa tabi niya. Agad kong binuksan 'yon. Natigilan ako nang may mapagtanto ako.

“Ahm, can you remove your shirt?” I awkwardly asked.

I was taken aback when Zakarius removed his shirt and threw it on the floor. I turned my gaze away from his body. I can feel my cheeks heating up but I remained calm and just paid my attention on his wound.

Zakarius is ripped all over, but it's not scary unlike other muscled men. His shoulder is broad, just like what I expected, his muscled arms are to die for. It feels like those arms can protect me in any harm.

I just gulped and tried my best to focus on cleaning his wound. Mukhang nadaplisan lang siya ng bala sa balikat, kaya pala parang wala lang sa kanya, pero alam kong masakit pa rin 'yon.

I straightened my back and punched it slightly. Ang hirap pumwesto na nakatayo habang ginagamot ang sugat niya. Ayaw ko namang umupo sa tabi niya dahil mataas ang balikat niya, lalo akong mahihirapan.

I gasped in shock when Zakarius suddenly pulled me to sit on his right thigh. My eyes widened in disbelief and looked at him. As usual, there's no emotion in his eyes. He's just looking at me as if he didn't do something.

“It will be easier for you to cure my wound this way, right?” he asked. Our faces are just few inches away from each other so I can almost smell his minty breath.

Napalunok na lang ako habang pilit na pinakakalma ang puso ko na halos nagwawala na. I licked my lower lip and starts cleaning his wound. My hands are literally shaking because of our awkward position but I just did my best to act cool because Zakarius seemed so cool about this. Halos manginig na ang buong katawan ko pero kalmado lang siya.

With shaking hands, I covered his wound using a gauze pad after cleaning it.

I was about to stand up but I was stunned when I saw his stomach. My lips parted when I saw his tattoo there.

Zakarius has a snake tattoo on the left part of his abdomen up to the lower part of his chest. It's a snake swirling on a trident, a king cobra. It was beautifully tattooed, I hate snakes, everything about snaked but the snake tattoo on his abdomen turns me on.

I suddenly want to touch it, to look at it closely. His snake tattoo suits his firm abs, it suited his ripped body so well I almost salivate. Tattoos are cool and I actually planning to have one, but his tattoo is the most admiring tattoo I've ever seen.

Bumaba ang kamay ko ro'n, napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko nang kaunti na lang ay mahahawakan ko na 'yon ngunit agad na hinablot ni Zak ang kamay ko. Tila natauhan ako at napatingin sa kanya.

“What the hell are you doing?” he asked. I almost shivered because of his cold voice.

“Z-Zak...”

He loked at me with those intense eyes. I bit my lower lip once again and looked at his beautiful tattoo.

“Am I not allowed to touch it?” I asked while staring at his tattoo.

Natigilan ako nang siya mismo ang nagdikit ng kamay ko ro'n. I inhaled deeply when my fingers finally touched his tattoo. My whole body shivered when I finally touched it. May kung anong nagwawala sa tiyan ko na hindi ko maipaliwanag... That familiar heat, it's spreading like a wildfire throughout my body. I looked at his face once again. Zakarius held my back and slowly pulled me closer to him.

Bumigat ang paghinga ko at tila nanghina ang buong katawan ko nang mapatitig sa mga mata niya. I can't take the intensity of his stare anymore. It feels like he's marking my whole being, it feels like I am his.

Our nose almost touched, my lips automatically parted when I smelled the addictive smell of his breath. Kaunti na lang ang layo ng mga labi namin, pilit kong pinipigilan ang sarili na hilahin ang batok niya at siilin ng halik ang nakakaakit na labi niya.

Natauhan na lang ako nang pumasok sa isip ko si Jaze. Agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko at napatayo. Halata namang natigilan siya sa ginawa ko.

“I-it's done. I-I will go to sleep now,” I uttered and immediately left his room.

Napasandal na lang ako sa pinto at napapikit nang mariin nang makalabas na ako sa silid niya.

What the hell? I almost lose it... Muntik na akong malunod sa emosyon at mahalikan siya. What the f**k am I thinking?