Oblique Flames Of Beauty ( Universidad de Cebu Series 1)

PROLOGO

"Attorney, dumating na po ang mga Duke de Alba."

Marahan kong pinagdikit ang talukap ng aking mga mata sa narinig. It's been quite a long time since I last heard about that surname. Ganoon parin ang dating nito, mamahalin at kagalang-galang. However, I'd rather stab myself than to bow my head at them again. Never. I'll make sure they will be the one who will kneel their jellied knees this time.

Pinagmasdan ko ang aking repleksyon sa salamin. I look too different from the foolish girl I've been 7 years ago. I feel more powerful. Powerful enough to make them pay. Ang purong itim ng aking mata ay ginawang kalmado ng  kalaliman nito. My nose is sufficiently protruded making most of my features sharp and mature. Ginalaw ko ang aking labi at marahan itong inipit sa isa't-isa. Making the deep, red lipstick's pigment more evident.

Bitbit ang aking bag ay lumabas ako sa kwartong 'yon at binaybay ang hallway patungo sa korte.
Kaagad akong pumasok sa sandaling nahawakan ko ang doorknob. With my stern and eligible aura, I walked infront with graceful confidence. Randam ko ang mga matatalim na titig na ipinupukol sakin. Though, I am too amused and thrilled with everything that I couldn't even care less.

"Are you ready?" bungad sa akin ni Aldus nang umupo na ako sa tabi niya.

Pabiro ko siyang tinaasan ng kilay. I grinned.

"Alam mo na naman ang sagot diyan," I smirked.

Napangisi siya dahilan ng paglitaw ng biloy sa kanyang pisngi.

Walang malay na lumipat ang aking tingin sa katapat na direksiyon. I sharpened  my gaze boredly as I met his eyes. Those hypnotic and ruddy eyes that I once adored foolishly.

Saber.. Even the thought of his name brings hostile and nostalgia within me. Nakipagtitigan ito sa'kin  ngunit hindi rin nagtagal dahil nag-iwas ito ng tingin. I almost laughed with that gesture but the sound of the gavel immediately interrupted me. Tumikhim ako at tumingin na lamang sa harap.

"Please rise. The Court of the Second Judicial Circuit, Criminal Division, is now in session, the
Honorable Judge Aldus Sigobia presiding," the bailiff.

Kalmado kong tinitigan ang bawat sulok ng korte. A faint bitter smile creeps over my lip as I remember my moments in this the same court 7 years ago. How pathetic.

"Your Honor, today's case is The Renewal-"

"T-tama na... I pledged.. g-guilty."

Napatigil ako sa aking pagmuni-muni nang marinig ang mahinhin at namamaos na boses na iyon.

Tears and horror overwhelmed her face as she look at me. Don't give me that look! Pretending to be the victim with that face huh! How lame.

Humalukipkip ako nang gamit ang kanyang nanginginig na tuhod ay lumuhod siya sa aking harap. Dapat lang! Narinig ko ang singhapan doon sa kanilang parte. Of course, an aristocrat kneeling infront of a supposed mediocre is a big insult. Ngunit ganoon naman talaga dapat. You should kneel if you seek forgiveness.

"I-I'm... sorry..." hikbi nito.

Nakakatawa dahil ang paghingi nito ng despensa ay tila musika sa aking tenga. Sweet... but it's unforgivable! They expect me to forgive with just a mere sorry? Ridiculous!

Gayunpaman ay matamis akong ngumiti. I'd predicted this. Nagkibit-balikat ako at magaang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo.

"Your Honor, hindi ko na itutuloy ang demanda."

I twitched my lips to suppress my victorious smile.

Rinig ko ang mga pagsinghap at gulat sa kanilang mga boses. Let's just make them feel like I still couldn't anything. After all, the best weapon has always been the scene when the opponent is underestimating you. Parte pa rin ito ng plano ko. Inignora ko ang lahat ng mga tingin at tuluyan ng lumabas.

Dumiretso ako sa basement at inihanda ang susi ng aking puting Mercedes-Benz. Ngunit hindi ko pa man ito nabubuksan ay napaurong ako nang may mga kamay ng humila sa'kin patungo sa madilim na parte ng basement.

The familiar intoxicating sweet aroma blended with a sultry scent filled my nostrils. Naramdaman ko ang maingat na pagtama ng aking likod sa malamig na semento. His breathing is tinglingly
touching my ears.

"Still your favorite position, huh?" I mocked.

Ngunit agad ring napawi ang aking ngisi nang malakas na sinuntok ni Saber ang dingding sa mismong gilid ng aking tenga. It was too shattering that I'd flinched.

"How could you.."

His voice was hoarse.

"Damn ignore me, Yngrid.."

And tender.

Magaspang akong napalunok.

"I didn't came back for you-"

A warm, supple brim interrupted me.

Marahas ko siyang itinulak ngunit desbentaha ang posisyon ko. The motion of his lips felt nostalgic to mine. Nagulat ako sa sarili ko nang gumanti ang aking labi ng halik. I closed my eyes tightly. Damn!  Fool!

"Then I'll make you come back for me. This time with whole flames and never that oblique ways of yours. Never again."

He then left. Leaving me ill-fully dumbfounded.