Romancing the Enemy (Part 2)- Sneak Preview

Chapter 1

The ghost of one's past has a way of catching up with you when you least expect it. Napatunayan 'yon ni Tori sa sandaling itinapon ulit ng tadhana sa landas niya ang isang multong bahagi ng kahapon niya——walang iba kundi si Luke Alvarado, ang nag-iisang lalaking dahilan kung bakit luray-luray ang puso niya.

Si Luke din ang tanging dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay parang may malaking butas na dala-dala si Tori, isang butas na puno ng kahungkagan. That no matter what she does, there is no way to fill that big gaping hole. Maliban pa sa patong-patong na kasalanan sa kanya ng lalaki, nag-iwan ito ng naapakalaking espasyo na gustuhin man niyang alisin ay nananatiling naroon. That space seemed to mock her every waking moment.

And looking at the same man tonight across from her, something in her felt dead. Para bang biglang isa-isang nag-shut down ang sistema niya sa katawan. It left her feeling empty, devoid of anything. Noon ay na-i-imagine niya ang posibleng scenario kung sakaling adyain ng pagkakataon na magkrus muli ang landas nilang dalawa.

But it wasn't anything similar to this, to this actual moment where she was finally face to face with the man. She expected herself to blow up with anger, or something like that. Pero walang nangyaring ganoon. Kahit siya ay hindi niya maipaliwanag kung bakit.

Her initial thought was she would turn and run away. But she found her feet glued on the spot, unresponsive to the screaming in her head. Kaya minabuti na lang niyang manatili doon. Ano pa bang magagawa niya? Nandito na siya. Hindi niya bibigyan ng satisfaction ang lalaki na makitang apektado siya sa presensya nito.

She didn't try hard to pull herself together after she survived the assassination just to let Luke shatter it. Isa siyang Di Salvo. And a Di Salvo doesn't cower in the face of whatever adversity. Hindi siya ang magiging unang source ng karuwagan. Makukurot siya sa singit ng ina kung sakaling nabubuhay ito at nakikita siya ngayon.

She saw Luke stepped forward, meaning to get to her. Or should she call him Alexander instead? Ah, whatever. Hindi siya kumilos. Pinanood lang ni Tori ang paglapit ng lalaki, pinanatili ang mukhang hindi kababakasan ng anomang emosyon.

Maging nang tumigil ang lalaki sa harapan niya at unti-unting umangat ang kamay nito ay wala pa rin siyang kakilos-kilos sa kinatatayuan. Balewalang sinalubong niya ang tingin ng lalaki, para bang nakatingin lang sa isang tipak ng bato. Tori breathed through her mouth to keep herself in check. Gustong-gusto niyang bigwasan ang lalaki sa mukha, eh.

His hand lifted. Hindi umiwas si Tori until Alexander's digits caressed her petal-like skin. She didn't expect the warmth coming from his skin, considering the temperature tonight. Muntik na siyang mapapitlag. It took her tremendous amount of self-control that she gritted her teeth.

Biglang nag-flash sa utak niya ang huling sandaling magkasama sila sa Paris, kasama na ang pagsusumamo niya noon sa lalaki. She was at the lowest point that time, even her self-worth, because of this man.

"It's really you," he said, voice giving away nothing.

"Yeah, it's me," matabang na tugon ni Tori. Doon na niya iniwas ang mukha. "And I really hate it when strangers just touch me however they want."

She pushed her hands against his chest. Sinadya niyang lapatan ng lakas ang simpleng galaw na 'yon. Napaatras si Alexander. Tori hoped he got her message loud and clear without the need for words. Gusto niyang iparating sa lalaki na hindi siya natutuwang makita itong muli. Who would be?

Pagkatapos ng ginawa sa kanya ng lalaki, baliw na lang siguro ang tatanggap dito nang dalawang kamay at ikatutuwa ang muli nilang pagkikita. Pero sadyang may kakambal yata siyang malas sa gabing ito. The memories came flooding back, as well as her tear-stricken face.