Danger, Danger, Mr. Stranger

#DDMS2

#DDMS2

❦
XANTIEL

FEUILLE was still sniffling, her nose a reddish pink, when we went inside my car. I sighed as I leaned my tall back against the car seat. Finally, my shoulders were able to relax after the unsolicited stress she gave me tonight.

Naka-recline ang aking upuan at nakasandal nang malalim ang ulo ko sa headrest nang lumingon ako sa kaniyang gawi.

Humihikbi pa rin. Dammit, paano ba magpatahan ng babae?

"P-paano mo nalaman kung nasaan ako?" her shaky voice managed to ask.

My mouth fell open. That's her voice? No fucking way she's this cute.

I mean, I did hear her speak at the hotel earlier, but now that we're alone, and not to mention inside a confined intimate space . . .

Napatikhim muna ako bago siya sagutin. Hinigpitan ko ang kapit sa manibela.

"Well, I—"

"Was sent by my uncle XV, of course," singit niya bigla. "Wala namang nakakatakas sa professor na 'yon, eh. Tiyak na nalaman niyang nakatakas ako sa 'yo, tapos pinadala ka niya para sunduin ako."

Nagpanting ang tainga ko sa kaniyang sinabi. Aba, aba! Ako mag-isa ang nakahanap sa 'yo, walang tulong ni Xildius!

Nakanganga na ako para itama ang akala niya, kaso bigla akong napaisip. Kung malalaman ni Feuille na may access ako sa kaniyang phone, ano na lang ang magiging reaksyon niya?

"Can we . . . go to some place first before heading to your house?" wika ni Feuille, na alam kong nahihiya dahil hindi siya makatingin. Nakasilip lamang siya sa bintana.

Cute ka sana kung marunong ka lang mag-please.

Pero heto ako ngayon na pinapagana ang sasakyan, handang mag-drive para sa babaeng 'to. "Saan ba?"

Habang nagmamaneho ay tahimik lamang kaming dalawa. Tuwing sumisilip ako sa rearview mirror, natatagpuan ko siyang nakasalumbaba lamang sa may bintana at nakatingin sa labas.

"I owe my life to the person who saved me," kaniyang mahinang salita.

Good. Buti at marunong ka pa lang magpasalama—

"Kay deuxXxmachina. Niligtas niya 'ko kanina," pagpapatuloy ni Feuille.

Hmm . . . fine. Alright. I'll take tha—

"Kinontak siguro siya ni Professor. My uncle has a lot of connections."

My fucking mouth found my fist. Si XV na naman? With my left elbow resting on the base of the window, I bit a chunk of my bony knuckle, trying to digest what she just said.

Ako 'yong naghirap, pero iba ang nakinabang.

Hindi alam ni Feuille na ako si Deux. And it's better that way. Palihim ko na lamang kinagat ang labi ko dahil sa inis. If only you knew, little lady.

"Though, I feel like that Deux is a big asshole," pahabol pa niya.

"Uh-huh?" Umangat ang kilay ko. But I wasn't really annoyed. I was more curious as to what she has to say about Deux. "Why so?"

Her shoulders did a quick adorable shrug. She's still looking far out into the distance, her small curved chin held up by her palm. Her pinkish cheek pushed up.

Sheesh, I want to pinch those cute little cheeks.

My heart jumped when she suddenly spoke, I forgot we were talking. "Feel ko lang. Tingin ko, enjoy na enjoy 'yon na marami siyang fans," kaniyang walang prenong pahayag.