Got Me Captive (Got Me #1) | ✓

39

Nakasunod lang sa akin si Posadaz matapos kong maglakad palayo sa kapatid ko. Everyone was already sending their way off the palace and going home. I never had the chance to talk to my father. I don't want to.

Eros was with my father. That leaves me going straightly to my kids. Bago ko pa man maipihit ang seradura ng pinto ay nagsalita ang lalaki sa tabi ko. 

"Here," I looked down at his hand.

May isang gintong metal roon sa palad niya at kumikinang ang nakapalibot na mga bato roon sa mata ko.

"A ring?"

"Nagmamadali ka kanina," pagaabot niya. "It's up to you if you'll wear it or not."

"I prefer not," matigas kong sagot sa kaniya.

It's still a marriage. It needs a tool that will bind the two of us. Or at least a facade for everyone to believe. After all, it was not disclosed to the public what this marriage was for. All they know is the typical reason why two people end up in wedlock.

"Even so, take it. You'll be needing it," tipid niyang sabi. "In the public, you will need it. Iyon ay kung gusto mo lang magwork ang set-up na 'to."

Hindi na ako nagmatigas tsaka kinuha iyon. I know what he's trying to point out. He could be my most potent line in protecting my children. That I don't have to worry about hiding them and that they can already freely call me their mother. 

Bumuntonghininga ako tsaka tumingin sa kaniya."Magpapalipas muna ako ng gabi rito. I will be in the children's room with them. I will be gone in the morning," paninigurado ko pa.

Nakababa lang ang tingin niyang pinapanood ako. "You will be gone in the morning. . . to take your things."

Ano daw?

"Come again?" pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. "I didn't quite get that."

"I had given you the power to review the contract but you didn't. If only you read the papers; on the terms, there's a part there that stated that you and the kids shall live under my care," untag niya.

Ikinakunot iyon ng kilay ko. "We do? I don't think that's fair on my end, Mr. Rucci."

"What's not fair? You declined my suggestion, my fault?"

Seriously, we're arguing again? "I will let the kids live under your roof."

"The particular term includes you and you legally signed it. Unless you want to breach—"

"Fine!" whatever. "This isn't gonna work if we keep on arguing. Para sa mga bata. . ."

Ipinihit ko na ang doorknob tsaka pumasok sa loob para lang makita ang mga anak ko na nakapajamas na at mahimbing na natutulog sa kama. I let out a deep sigh.

I tilted my body towards the man behind me. "I will get some of my things tomorrow but just some. I don't wanna be in this place more often."

"You'll be in my house, not here, Xantelli. As soon as we get there, we can set rules and boundaries," aniya.

Oh. Buti naman.

"Good to know. I'll die in here," my voice eventually faded.

Lumapit ako sa gawi ng mga anak ko tsaka parehas na hinaplos at hinagkan ang mga ulo nila. Pinatitigan ko lang ang mga mukha nila at tila nakatitig lang ako sa iisang tao. Maybe mabuti na rin at nandito kami. Ewan ko pero may kung anong kakaibang nakakapagparamdam sa akin ng seguridad sa lugar na ito. O baka sa kung sino ang narito at kasama namin.

Tumayo ako nang nakasilay pa rin sa kanila. Humarap ako kay Posadaz na ganoon rin nakatingin sa mga anak niya.

I cleared my throat. "Siguro naman ay maibibigay mo na sa akin ang impormasyon na kailangan ko ngayong nakuha mo na rin ang gusto mo?"