Chapter 14: Shattered Glass
We decided to go back. I also told Lady Dinah not to talk about Lady Massie and Terrence's situation as much as possible. I wanted to gather information about him in secret— just like what he's been doing to me. It's just a fair game.
I went to my room. Napangiti ako nung mapagtanto na wala gaanong nagbago rito. Hindi man nila alam ang lahat tungkol sa akin, alam na alam naman nila ang paborito kong kulay.
They know nothing about me aside from my first name. They don't even know why I was wrecked at that time— why I stumbled into this place. They welcomed me without asking anything.
That's how welcoming this place is. I don't know if that's a good thing.
I walked to the cabinet. I grabbed myself a pair of comfortable nightclothes and took a quick shower. Nakabalot sa ulo ko ang towel nung lumabas ng shower room.
I found Kristan lying on my bed with his hands stretching on both sides. Bahagyang tumaas ang puting t-shirt niya sa kaniyang tiyan. His eyes were shut, but I knew he was conscious.
"Who told you that you can touch my bed with your outside clothes?" I asked him, but all I got was a frown as he pulled himself up.
Kinusot niya ang kanyang mga mata. Alam kong nakarami siyang alak sa hapag-kainan kanina, pero mukhang nag-inuman pa sila ni Terrence.
"I told you to stay away from him," I said, shaking my head. Tumayo ako para isampay ang tuwalya. Saka ako humarap kay Kristan na nanatiling nakatayo sa gilid ng kama ko. "You can say no, Kristan."
His lazy eyes focused on me. Lumapit siya sa akin para kunin ang hair brush. Pumunta siya sa likod ko para hagurin ang buhok ko. I could feel his warm breathe brushing against my nape.
"What did he tell you?" I asked again.
"How much you mean to him..." The warmth of his breath touching my skin and raspy voice echoing inside my head tingled me. "How much he waited for this moment."
I turned to him. Seryoso ang mukha niya. Kahit na natingin siya sa akin ay tila wala sa akin ang kanyang atensyon.
Ilang segundo ay napangiti siya. Iyong ngiti na hindi masaya, kung hindi panunuya. Natawa pa nga siya bago humakbang paatras.
"Your beauty is a curse," he told me.
"We are long over, Mr. Admiral. He's dead to me."
"He's alive and kicking," he smirked. "Don't you like it that way—watching all these men begging for your attention? This is what fuels you. This is what makes life to you."
That's right. I love it when men drool over me. But hearing that to him didn't seem right to me. Instead, I somehow got offended.
He stepped closer to me again. He pulled my waist closer to him. Napahawak ako sa balikat niya nung magdikit ang mga katawan namin.
"It gets frustrating sometimes, Nathalia," he whispered while looking into my eyes. "Because I know I am not in the right position to be so protective of you. You are stronger than me. Probably wiser to know what's good and not for yourself. I don't even know why you are still keeping me."
He licked his bottom lip as he looked away. He released a heavy sigh. Lumunok siya bago muling humarap sa akin.
"You don't even seem merciful, Nathalia."
I pulled him and kissed his lips. Mabilis na bumalot sa akin ang kanyang braso. Madiin, ngunit maingat ang paghalik niya sa akin. He's always been gentle to me and I've never liked gentlemen until him.
