Author's Note (The Villain Series 1)

Kabanata 18

Warning: This chapter contains violence. This may be uncomfortable for some readers so please, be advised. Prioritize one's state of mind all the time. Thank you.

THE event changed and Adamas was already beside Noa. Nasa loob siya ng kuwarto nito at hindi ito kagaya ng kuwarto na pinuntahan niya rati. Iba ang bahay na ito.

"Noa, kain na."

"Lalabas na, Ma," sagot ni Noa at dali-daling lumabas sa kuwarto.

Sumunod naman kaagad siya papuntang kusina. Naupo siya sa tabi ni Noa at pinagmasdang kumain. Maya't maya niya ring sinusulyapan ang  ina nitong halata na ang katandaan sa mukha, ngunit bakas ang masayahing aura.

"May dumaan pa lang lalaki kanina rito, nak. Hinahanap ka."

"Sino raw po?"

"Adamas daw." Humigop muna ng sabaw ang ina bago nagpatuloy. "Boyfriend mo ba 'yon, nak? First time lang 'to nangyari na may naghanap sa 'yo na lalaki."

Namula naman ang mukha ni Noa at napatikhim. "B-bakit daw, Ma? Saka ba't 'di niyo 'ko ginising?"

"Siya nagsabi huwag daw kitang gisingin, e." Ngumiti ang kaniyang ina. "Infairness nak, ha. Gusto mo pala ang mga bad boy ang dating. Nako! Mana ka talaga sa akin, kasi 'yong papa mo, ganoon din, e."

Kumunot naman ang Noa ni noo. He, too, frowned. Bad boy? Kailan pa nagmukhang bad boy ang iyakin na si Adamas? How could that soft and weak face be a bad boy when he even moved so timid?

"Sure ka, Ma? His name was Adamas?"

Tumango ang kaniyang ina. "May iniwan din siyang bulaklak para sa 'yo. Nandoon sa salas nilagay ko."

Pagkatapos kumain ni Noa, kaagad itong nagtungo sa salas at tinignan ang sinasabing bulaklak ng kaniyang ina. It was a bouquet of red roses.

But Noa didn't like that flower.

May sulat pang nakalagay.

'See me at lunch in the lake.'

"Who came in here?" Napahigpit ang hawak nito sa bulaklak.

He crossed his arms and thought as well. Something's up. At hindi maganda ang kutob niya. Adamas couldn't help but think that this was one of his families' doing. Based on the events he saw, Noa was not in good side of the Laurien.

"Ma, alis na ako," nagpaalam na si Noa at dali-daling lumabas ng bahay.

He followed her until she reached the school ground. Naglalakad sila sa loob ng hallway nang may babaeng biglang humarang. Nagtangis ang ngipin ni Adamas dahil sa kulay ng emosyong bumabalot dito. May masama itong binabalak.

"My Noa, you should stay away." He glanced at her with a worried face. The frustration he felt came back because he wouldn't be able to do anything again, just like how he just watched Adamas Laurien being looked down by his mother.

"Are you Lilianoa?" The woman looked at her from head to toe while pursing her red lips. "My little brother's taste is really awful. You look so basic."

"What the hell? How dare you call my Noa like that?!" Adamas didn't hesitate to run toward her and landed a blow on her face. But like what happened, it just passed through and that made him groan in anger. "Damn fucking annoying!"

"Who are you?" sagot ni Noa.

"I am Adamas' sister, Azaliah." Naglakad ito papalapit kay Noa. Pinaglaruan nito sa mga daliri ang dulo ng buhok ni Noa. "I'm curious. Why did you like my brother? Is it because of money? Sa pagkakaalam ko, your family is not really wealthy. Your father went abroad last year para buhayin kayo but unfortunately, he didn't bother to contact you nor come back. And now you're left with your sick mother who is barely holding on with her daily medications."