The Secluded Trails of Deceit ( Ruler of Fate Series #1 ) UNDER REVISION

KABANATA 35

Kabanata 35

His jurisdiction crossing the line

During our scuba diving, Draven kept taking pictures of the both of us. He also checks on me from time to time to see if I'm still okay. He never once left my side during that, and instead, he showered me with some assurance and comfort by squeezing my hand and pulling me closer to him every time we saw a new fish or when some of them were close to us.

I was still afraid, if I'm being honest, but not how scared I was when we were still on the boat. It was pretty fun, even just thinking about it now. There are so many fish and corals underwater, which was exciting but frightening at the same time. 'Yon nga lang, matapos no'n, ay siya ring pagsakit ng buong katawan ko dahil sa pagod, kaya nagpahinga na lamang kami ni Draven no'n sa kubo at inabala ang sarili namin na tumingin sa paligid, habang nagkwekwentuhan. Nang sumapit ang dilim ay tsaka pa lang kami bumangon para maghanap ng kakainan.

In the end, I chose an opened restaurant close to the bay and dock, where you could pick fresh and still alive seafood swimming in their own designated aquarium.

Yumuko ako tinignan ang mga sandamakmak na shells sa baba, bago ko 'yon iangat para makita ang mga lumalangoy na pusit at pugita sa taas nila. On the other container, there's a huge number of crawfish in different sizes. Meron pang kasunod 'yon kung saan naman may mga alimango at alimasag. The list goes on just like that for various breeds and types of fish.

Tinuro ko ang scallops, "I want this." bago ko ituro ang lobster at hipon. "Ito at ito rin."

When I glanced back at Draven, he had his lips pursed while tapping his index finger on the glass. Mistulang nakikipaglaro siya sa mga 'yon tuwing lumalapit o dumadaan sila malapit sakanya.

He shook his head, "Parang kanina lang, naliligo tayong lahat nang magkakasama, no?" may awa na saad niya.

My forehead creased at his. "You're dumb. Pa'no mo nasabing sila nga 'yon? Ang laki-laki ng dagat."

His nose scrunched before even staring at me, "Hindi ka ba naaawa sakanila, Miss..? Tignan mo 'tong isa — baby pa." tukoy niya sa maliit na isdang lumalangoy.

"Bahala ka sa buhay mo. Kung gusto mo, bilhin mo silang lahat, tapos ibalik mo." I said, rolling my eyes before I told the server what I wanted to eat and the type of dish they would make out of it.

Draven could only pout his lips before he finally picked from the menu itself, avoiding asking any questions and pointing at them directly.

Nang matapos siya ay inabutan kami ng numero ng tauhan do'n, kaya aalis na sana kami para makahanap ng mauupuan, pero saktong pagtalikod ko ay siya rin namang pagkabunggo sa'kin ng isang lalaki. Draven was quick to hold my waist to support me after I unconsciously stepped back because of the force.

"I'm sorry." I heard him saying that.

I nodded my head before looking back at him. "It's fi—" What I was supposed to answer didn't come out fully when I suddenly stopped after realizing who it was again this time.

His mouth formed an 'o' as he surveyed my whole face, but he immediately stopped when it was about to go down on my neck, "Hi, I guess..? Intern." bati niya sa'kin at mabilis na tinignan akong muli sa aking mga mata.

Draven cleared his throat, which made our eyes look away from each other and our attention go towards him. Pasimple lang naman siyang sumimangot sa'kin at hindi na nagsalita, habang inaayos ang puting sando at gray niyang short. Maging ang salamin at buhok niya ay hindi niya pinalampas.

Nang akmang magsasalita na si Khalil ay tumikhim muli si Draven sa tabi ko, tinanggal ang jacket na kaniyang suot, at binalot 'yon sa'kin, para matakpan ang buong katawan ko. He made sure that nothing could be seen, not even my thin green onepiece, which was backless. Sa suot ko ay maski ang magkabilang bewang ko ay kita dahil tanging crossed straps lang ang sumusuporta do'n, na hinawakan niya rin gamit ang dalawa niyang kamay.