FEROX FOREVER 1: Nothing Sinful ✓

Kabanata 19

Abby

At the crack of dawn, I was awakened by a warm sensation blasting across my face.

Grunting, I slowly opened my eyes and blinked away the remnants of sleep, only to find myself just mere inches away from smooching Veric's slightly parted lips.

Our faces were so close, our mouths a hairline away from rubbing together. It didn't help that Veric's hot breath was like a gentle tickle against my cheeks, sending my pulse to be arrhythmic.

I tugged my head back in an instant. Agad din akong umusod paatras ng kama para lang makalayo kay Veric. Maluwag naman yung higaan, at sa naaalala ko, natulog kaming pareho ni Veric sa magkabilaang dulo ng kudson. It seemed as though during the night, we had unwittingly gravitated toward one another, seeking solace in each other's warmth since most nights in the island were always frigid. We were only using one blanket and requesting for another would only raise suspicion in the Clan. Because why would we need two blankets, anyway? Mag-asawa kami, 'di ba? So to prevent risking ourselves, Veric and I had forgone with it.

Last night had been my first night sleeping alone with Veric. My fake husband. My captor. And the only person who could save me from this hell he'd gotten ourselves into.

I observed his features as he slept, his face relaxed and peaceful. For a moment, I could almost convince myself that this was real, that we were a happily married couple, waking up on any ordinary morning. But deep down, I knew the truth. This was nothing more than an elaborate façade, a necessary fiction we'd constructed because we were trying to save Cal's life.

I didn't wish to be a part of it. But I was into deep with this now for me to make an escape. And I couldn't just let Cal die.

With a sigh, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my feet landing on the plush carpet below. Imbes na dumeretso ako sa bathroom para maghilamos, nahagip ng mga mata ko yung burdadong likod ni Veric. He was lying on his stomach, so his whole back was in full display.

The swirling ink were intricate, like vines crawling across his skin, traveling over every ridge of his hard back and fanning out in rippling waves. The urge to trace the bending lines with my fingertips was like an itch I couldn't scratch since I wasn't stupid enough to let the temptation overrule the rational part of my brain.

Veric Mavros was my captor. No matter what incentive I'd get out of this situation, I was forced to be here, and no matter how sexy and enchanting he was with his defenses down as he slept soundlessly, it should never cloud my judgement.

Let yourself be a pawn but not a prisoner. Turn the odds in your favor. I let my own words sink in. Despite of everything, I didn't want to look like a damsel in distress. I'd get through this by playing along with the game.

Sa tokador sa tabi ng kama, may suklay sa drawer na yari sa bakal. May matulis na hawakan 'to. A random thought occured to me. Kung gugustuhin ko, kaya kong patayin si Veric habang mahimbing siyang natutulog.

I could end this once and for all.

But I knew the Clan would dispose of me in return for killing one of them. Not to mention, Veric was a scion. A royal. Murdering him wouldn't do me any good and could only worsen things.

And it wasn't like I was totally being abused here. Quite the contrary. Para naman talaga akong nasa bakasyon dahil natutulog ako sa komportableng kama at nakakakain ako ng masasarap na pagkain na alam kong hindi ko matitikman ulit sa buong buhay ko pagkatapos nito.

Memories from yesterday's event snapped back into me like a reel. Hindi ako makapaniwalang nagawa kong maging pariwarang babae kahapon.

Did I really made a fool of myself in front of Veric?