Captured and Tainted (SERIE FEROCI 2)

Chapter Four

I couldn't how long I've been quiet while hugging my legs. My whole body is still trembling with fear. Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong maramdaman, Zakarius came and saved me... But he killed the man, he killed him without a blink of an eye.

“You should've controlled yourself, Zakarius. That woman still looks horrified. You'd never been this careless before,” someone said. I don't know who he is, but he's with Cadence.

“Same thoughts, Arken. Zakarius got no chill this time,” Cadence remarked.

I remained silent and still trembling with fear. Wala na ang bangkay ng lalaki rito pati na rin ang dugo nito sa sahig dahil inasikaso na ni Cadence at ng lalaking kasama niya. But I'm still terrified, I won't be able to forget that scene forever, it will hunt me in my sleep. Yes, he harassed me, but he just died in front me for heaven's sake!

“We'll go ahead, Zak. Ikaw na ang bahala sa kanya,” sabi ni Cadence at lumabas na kasama ang lalaking kasama niya.

Naiwan na ulit kami ni Zakarius dito. I didn't look at him, I can't look at him right now after what happened. What happened tonight is too much to bear for me. This is the first time I saw someone who had been killed in front of my very eyes.

After deep thoughts, I gained my courage and look at him. Nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko nang mapansing nakatingin din siya sa 'kin. As usual, there's no emotion in those blue eyes. Walang pagsisisi, walang takot.

“W-why did you kill him, Zakarius? You killed someone for f**k's sake! Ni hindi ka man lang nakonsensya, h-how... How did you manage to stay calm and cool as if killing someone is not a big deal to you? f**k it, Zakarius. f**k you!”

I don't know how I managed to curse at him and act tough after what happened. It's just, I can't believe it. I was literally shocked, hindi ko magawang kumalma. Zakarius, my best friend's boyfriend is a killer, and I'm here inside a killer's house. How can I calm down?

“I already killed lots of people, others are worse than that. Sometimes, I'll torture them first before killing them, and yes, I'm a killer. I kill people to get what I want, to achieve what I want to achieve... But don't get me wrong, woman. I don't, and I will never kill innocent people,” he explained and took a step forward. Agad akong sumiksik sa sulok ng couch upang lumayo sa kanya.

“H-how did that thief manage to enter here? You have high walls a-and... and everything,” I muttered.

Zakarius sighed.

“This is not the first time this s**t happened. Expert thieves with appropriate tools can pass over the wall. My security system isn't that tight since I live alone and I can protect myself. I'm sorry for forgetting that you're here now. I should've hired some guards and tighten the security. I'll promise this will never happen again.”

I remained silent. I gulped and bit the insides of my cheeks.

“Is that the reason why Jaze left? She discovered about this? Nalaman niya na pumapatay ka ng tao, k-kaya ba siya nawala?” tanong ko saka tumingin sa asul niyang mga mata.

He became silent for a few minutes while I was staring intently at him, waiting for his answer.

“Yes, Jaze discovered that I'm a killer that's why she left... Natatakot siya sa 'kin,” he answered and turned his gaze away from me.

I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes tightly. So that's the reason? I can't blame her, I can't blame Jaze for doing that. Kung ako ang nasa posisyon niya ay matatakot din ako at madidismaya. The man he loved for how many years is a ferocious killer. That probably broke her heart into pieces.

“Now, I can't blame her for disappearing just like that,” I murmured.

Parehas kaming natahimik ni Zak. The atmosphere between us is awkward. I don't know if I can still boss him around, paano kung mapikon siya at barilin niya rin ako?

But he said he doesn't kill innocent people.

I shook my head at the sudden thought in my mind. Why am I defending him? He's a killer, he doesn't deserve to be defended in any way. Why is there something inside me that defends him?

“I want to sleep,” I mumbled and stood up. My knees are still trembling but I did my best to stand up and walk away from him.

“Ouch!” Napasigaw ako nang tuluyang bumigay ang mga tuhod ko at napaupo sa sahig.

I bit my lower lip and immediately checked my knees, laking pasasalamat ko nang hindi naman 'yon nagkasugat.

Natigilan ako nang makitang lumapit sa 'kin si Zakarius saka yumuko at binuhat ako. My hands move on its own and clung on his nape. I immediately turned my gaze away from him when our eyes met. I can feel something in my stomach that I couldn't explain, especially when his calloused hands touched my exposed waist and soft arm. I felt electrified, I can feel electricity gushing through my veins when our skins touched. It feels like my soft body belongs to his hard one. Bakit ko ba 'to nararamdaman? Did I eat too much fruits or what? Maybe I'm still terrified about what happened, maybe that's why.

“Put me down, I can walk on my own,” I hissed. I'm still not looking at him, I can't look at him for some unknown reason.

“You can't,” he responded. Umakyat siya ng hagdan habang buhat pa rin ako. I just remained silent and stopped struggling, baka malaglag pa ako rito.

I took a glimpse of him, there's no emotions in his eyes.

Binuksan na ni Zakarius ang pinto ng silid ko nang makarating kami ro'n. Dahan dahan niya akong ibinaba sa kama. I didn't say anything, and I honestly don't know what to say. I'm starting to be comfortable with him but s**t happened, and he killed someone in front of me. I don't know how to act in front of him now. I'm kinda scared of him, who wouldn't be? He may be one of the most handsome and attractive man alive but he's still a killer. I never imagined being involved with a killer before...and I don't wanna be involved with them anyway.

Hindi nagsalita si Zakarius at basta na lang lumabas ng silid ko. Nanghihinang napahiga ako sa kama nang makaalis na siya. I felt weak, all over. I couldn't even move my fingers, nanghihina ang buong katawan ko.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself, and my rapid heartbeat. How am I going to sleep peacefully now? After what I saw... after what I discovered about Zakarius?

I did my best to stand up, I'm so drained but I need to take a shower. I hope it helps in relaxing my mind. I just need to stop thinking about it, about the man who died in front of me. Right, I'm just a weak woman earlier, I can't do anything to save him for I was shocked too. Right, it's not my fault. Angelica, it's not your fault.

Simpleng pares ng pantulog na lang ang sinuot ko matapos kong maligo. Tila wala rin akong buhay habang nakatingin sa salamin at ginagawa ang skin care routine ko. I can't stop thinking about what happened, it still haunts me. This night is too much to bear, I was harassed by a thief and that thief was killed in front of me. I don't know what to do to ease my mind.

I stopped from combing my hair when I heard a knock on the door. I sighed and stood up. What does he need? I don't want to see him right now.

Even though I don't want to see Zakarius, I still opened the door for him. I'm sure he has a key to this room anyway, so what's the point?

“What do you need?” I asked and raised my eyebrow at him. Even after what happened, I will never show him that I'm scared nor intimidated... Well, I'll try my best to do so.

Inabutan niya ako ng paper bag. Kinuha ko 'yon mula sa kanya at tiningnan ang laman no'n.

Blower?

“I bought a new TV, it's way bigger this time. You can watch yourself clearly there,” he mumbled. His voice is so faint that I almost couldn't hear it.

I honestly don't know what to say or to react. Should I say thank you or what?

“Good night,” I said and instantly closed the door.

I bit my lower lip and hugged the blower. My heartbeat is not normal right now. Why am I reacting like this when I should not? Nothing, maybe I'm still scared of him. Maybe that's why.

HINDI ako nakatulog nang ayos kagabi. Siguro ay wala pa sa apat na oras ang tulog ko.

I stepped out my room after taking a bath. I just wore a simple blouse and jogging pants with a very minimal make up, I don't have much energy today, and I don't know how long will it take since I couldn't get last night happenings off my mind.

Natigilan ako nang makababa ng hagdan. The design of the living room changed, from the carpet, the couch, everything changed. Pati ang pwesto ng couch at TV ay nagbago na. I smiled a little, it seems like Zakarius is not that heartless jerk after all. I judged him too much. But he's still a killer, a dangerous killer.

I sat on the couch and opened the TV. The TV is twice larger than the last one, I couldn't help but to smile. Am I really a hostage here? Lahat ng sabihin ko ay sinusunod niya. Zakarius is an oddball to the highest degree.

I want to open Zakarius' phone and see my social media accounts but I don't want to talk to Chan and Cassian right now. Paniguradong sesermunan lang nila ako dahil wala na naman ako sa shooting. Buti na lang talaga at wala akong tinanggap na teleserye ngayon. Right now, I have a lot of product endorsement and a romance-action movie with a famous but arrogant actor, I forgot his name. Iyon lang muna ang tinanggap kong role sa ngayon dahil tinatamad pa 'ko.

I cooked fried chicken for my lunch, papapakin ko na lang iyon dahil tinatamad akong magluto ng kanin, besides I can't cook rice perfectly without rice cooker. Bakit ba walang rice cooker dito?

I stopped from eating fried chicken when I heard steps from the living room. Panic rushed through my system. I immediately hide under the table, while I'm still holding the plate with fried chickens.

Mauulit na naman ba ang nangyari kagabi?

Napahawak ako nang mahigpit sa plato. Ipupukpok ko na lang itong plato sa ulo ng magnanakaw kung sakali. Sisiguraduhin kong malakas 'yon.

I gulped when someone entered the kitchen. I bit my lower lip and tried to fight my fear and nervousness. I should be strong in this situation because I'm all alone here.

“What are you doing there?”

I gasped in pure shock when I saw Zakarius looking at me. Nakayuko siya habang nakatingin sa 'kin na nasa ilalim pa rin ng mesa.

Dali dali akong umalis sa ilalim ng mesa. I cleared my throat and fixed myself. I can feel that my cheeks are crimson red now because of embarrassment. Bakit kailangan niya pa akong makita sa gano'ng sitwasyon?

Fucking embarrassing to the highest degree!

“I just want to. It was fun,” I murmured and turned my gaze away from him.

Umupo na lang ulit ako sa upuan at muling kumain ng chicken. He will forget about that ‘under the table’ scene eventually. Stop thinking about it!

I didn't bother to say anything. Kung hindi lang nangyari ang kagabi ay baka kung ano-ano na ang pinagsasabi at ni-request ko sa kanya. I feel somewhat uncomfortable around him now.

Uminom siya ng tubig saka hinugasan ang basong ginamit niya. He's wearing his usual attire, siguro papasok na siya sa trabaho.

“Do you need something?” he asked and looked at me. I just shook my head as my respond. Actually I need new sets of make up, but no, I will fight this feeling. I won't talk to him until I'm finally comfortable with him.

“Do you want to go out?”

My eyes widened with his remark. I looked at him with disbelief. Agad kong ininom ang tubig na nasa mesa saka pinakalma ang paghinga ko.

Maybe he's just kidding or playing with me, pero na-excite pa rin ako. Pero hindi dapat ako magpadala sa excitement, maybe this is just a prank or what, uso pa naman 'yon ngayon.

“You have a shoot, right? Do you wanna go out?” he asked once again.

I can't take my eyes off him, I don't want to believe him but my heart is hoping that he's not kidding. I bit my lower lip and nodded. Bahala na kung prank lang 'to.

“Get ready, wear a jacket and face mask so that people won't recognize you.”

Right, magiging issue pa kapag nakita ng mga tao na kasama ko siya. He's a well-known movie director. Many people recognize him.

Hindi ko na ako sumagot sa sinabi niya at dali daling tumakbo papuntang kwarto ko. Mabagal talaga akong maghanda kapag ganito, but I'll try my best to prepare faster. He might change his mind, mahirap na.

I just took a fast shower and brushed my teeth. Usually, I do skin care routine first before going on a shoot but I didn't bother to do so this time.

I wore a black see-through chiffon blouse and I wore a black tube inside. I paired it with white boot cut pants and black wedge heels. I put a minimal make up and wore my large jacket. Naglagay na rin ako ng face mask gaya ng sinabi ni Zakarius kahit hindi ako comfortable na magsuot no'n.

“Please, I hope Zakarius is still here,” bulong ko nang makalabas ako ng silid ko.

I will literally crush his whole existence if he was just playing with me. I swear, I'll kick his balls!

“What took you so long?”

I smiled widely when I saw Zakarius waiting for me at the living room while sitting on the couch. His forehead's creased, but still no emotion in his eyes. Mukhang pinaghintay ko nga siya nang matagal.

“Let's go,” he said and stood up. I quietly followed him, fighting the urge to smile like an idiot.

Nakahanda na ang kotse niya nang makalabas kami ng bahay, lalo akong na-excite. In my estimation, it has been two to three days since he kidnapped me, but for me, it felt like three years.

We're both quiet inside the car, but my knees are shaking because of excitement. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nakain ni Zakarius at pinayagan niya akong lumabas.

But of course, tatakas na ako sa kanya pagkatapos nito 'no. Hindi ako gano'ng ka-tanga para bumalik pa sa mala-presong bahay ni Zakarius.

My lips parted when I saw the gate of this prison-like house. The gate automatically opened but unlike other gates, this gate is made of thick steel, his gate is consists of pure steel only. Hindi mo talaga makikita ang nasa labas dahil walang butas unlike other gates which is weird. I think the high walls in this place are weird too. Wala naman kami sa Attack on Titan, para saan ang mga pader na nakapaligid sa bahay ni Zakarius?

I chose to stay silent during the ride. I'll be a good girl to him this time, only this time because he let me go outside. I won't annoy him too much.

Nakarating din kami sa agency makalipas ang ilang minuto. I can feel butterflies in my stomach when I saw the tall building.

I looked at Zakarius and bit my lower lip, trying to find the right words to say to him. Of course I won't thank him, he kidnapped me in the first place... What should I say then?

“Can I go now?” I asked and smiled awkwardly at him.

He just nodded. Zakarius is really a man of few words. How did he manage to become a successful director with that attitude? I suddenly want to work with him and see him act like a director.

“Babalik ka sa 'kin.”

Nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko sa sinabi niya. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at tila hindi makapaniwalang napatingin sa kanya. He remained emotionless while staring at me. The words he said earlier echoed in my mind once again, his deep but sexy voice lingered in my mind.

Babalik ka sa 'kin.

Bakit iba ang meaning no'n para sa 'kin?

“W-whatever,” mahinang usal ko na lang at agad na lumabas ng kotse niya.

I fixed my face mask and walked inside the building. My heart is still fluttering like crazy. I just shook my head and tried to get that off my mind. Why am I being like this?

What the f**k are you thinking, Angel?

“Angelica Louise Calderon Mendoza!”

I closed my eyes tightly when I heard Cassian's voice. Damn him, I told him not to call me by my f*****g whole name. sighed and turned my gaze at him. Damn, Chan is with him. Double kill.

“You... You b***h, kung hindi lang talaga malaking pera ang pinapasok mo sa agency, naku!” nanggagalaiting sabi ni Cassian na halos tirisin na ako sa inis.

“Hindi magandang biro 'yon, Angel. Pinag-alala mo kami,” seryosong sabi ni Chan.

“Sorry, okay? Something just came up. I'm here now, h'wag niyo na akong sermunan,” I said and rolled my eyes at them.

“You have lots to do for today, Angel. Get ready,” Cassian warned me.

Damn, I missed this.

* * *

“I'm tired as f**k,” I murmured. I massaged my temple, I don't have energy to do anything now. Gusto ko na lang mahiga agad.

“Didiretso ka na ba sa bahay mo, Angel?” tanong ni Chan nang makasakay sa van.

Biglang pumasok si Zakarius sa isip ko... Nevermind, I have my own house and I won't let him take me again.

“Chan, bakit hindi mo pa pinapaandar ang van?!” I shouted and kicked his seat. Gustong gusto ko ng magpahinga.

“Angel, kasi... Si Director Cavalcante, nakaharang siya sa daraanan natin.”

My eyes widened and looked at the front. Chan's right, Zakarius is literally blocking our way himself. Had he gone mad?!

Isinuot ko ang face mask ko at agad na lumabas, may mga fans din na palaging nakabantay rito sa parking lot, mahirap na.

Lumapit ako kay Zakarius at tinaasan siya ng kilay. He remained emotionless while staring at me, we're just a meter away from each other. I sighed and put my hands on my waist.

“Zakarius, let's stop this k********g s**t. Kakalimutan ko na ang lahat ng ginawa mo at ang ginawa mong... pagpatay. So please, let's stop this now. Let's just find Jaze in our own ways and--”

Hindi ko natapos ang sasabihin ko nang hawakan niya ang palapulsuhan ko at hinila ako papalapit sa kanya.

My eyes widened and my heart is now beating faster than usual. I don't know why but my whole body instantly shivered when our skin touched. He held my back and pulled me closer to him.

“Z-Zakarius...”

He removed my face mask and stared intensely at me, it may be weird but it feels like my whole body is burning because of his blue eyes that scream unknown emotion I couldn't explain.

Tila nawalan ako ng pakialam sa paligid habang nakikipaglabanan ng titig sa kanya. Alam kong may mga nakakakita sa 'min ngayon pero tila nawala ang mga 'yon sa isip ko.

He touched my cheek and gently caressed it while he was looking into my eyes, as if he owns me... my body and soul.

“Jaze will come out this way, she gets jealous easily... You're worried about her, right? Why don't we help each other to find her in my way? Be my hostage, be with me.”