Virgin Villain (The Villain Series 2)

Kabanata 13

JASIA hurried inside her car to drive toward Xibel's haunted-looking mansion. It was past a week after they had their agreement. That week, she barely got her sleep. It wasn't because she was busy, but because it was still surreal that the man she had a deal with was a fictional character.

But what was done is done.

Sinilip niya muna ang sarili sa rear view mirror at inayos ang pink na head band na suot sa naka-pony tail niyang buhok. Pagkatapos ay nagsimula na siyang mag-drive.

Natapos na rin niyang ihain ang mga papeles na kakailanganin sa adoption at sa pagpapa-enroll niya kay Imris sa isang pre-school. Papunta na siya ngayon upang ihatid si Imris sa magiging paaralan nito.

Magpapatugtog na sana siya sa kaniyang phone nang bigla itong mag-ring. It was her secretary.

"Hello? What is it?" saad niya pagkatapos pindutin ang answer button.

"Miss Cecora, are you already going to your pretend-husband's home? Kakarating ko lang kasi sa bahay niyo at wala kayo."

"Yes. I'm on my way. Do you need something?" She pressed the brake when she reached the intersection and found the traffic light green. The people started crossing the pedestrian lane just in front of her car.

"I just want to inform you the change of schedule for your performance this coming week. It will be Saturday, instead of Friday. President Lan also notified me yesterday that she wants you to attend the upcoming company anniversary's ball."

"I see." Nagsimula na siyang magmaneho ulit. "She also texted me last night."

Perti Lan or President Lan is the head of the Portal Shoe Ballet Company. Taon-taon, ang kompanya ay palaging nagdadaos ng ball para ipagdiwang ang anibersaryo nito. Pero sa loob ng mga taong naging parte siya ng kompanya, isang beses lang siyang dumalo. Hindi na nasundan pa ang pagdalo niya sa una niyang taon matapos ng isang pangyayari.

"Will you attend this year?"

"Pag-iisipan ko pa." Lumiko siya sa mabatong daanan. Pinasok niya ang kalsadang inabanduna na dulot ng panibagong daanang pinatayo ng gobyerno.

"All right. Also, the media will pay more attention to you, so please, be careful all the time. Take care, Miss Cecora."

"I will." She ended the call and fasten her ride. Nang mahagilap na niya ang kaisa-isang bahay sa gitna ng matatayog na mga puno ng manga, hininaan na niya ang takbo.

She stopped in front of his house.

Lumabas na siya pero bago niya maisipang kumatok, pinagmasdan niya muna ang labas ng bahay. Wala man lang tarangkahan ang malaki nitong mansyon. Ang mga patay na halamang nakapaligid ang tangi lang nagsisilbing hangganan ng teritoryo nito.

She wanted to know more about Xibel, but when she asked about him from Isabella, she was shut out. She wouldn't believe her.

"I think I need to bring her here some other time to believe me." She sighed and knocked on the door.

Kaagad itong bumukas. Ang akala niya'y nakatayo sa harapan ng pinto ang bumukas, subalit nakatayo pala ito ng ilang metro mula sa kaniya.

How did he open it?

"Did you use your magic to open this door?" tanong niya. Inikot niya ang mga mata sa paligid. She wasn't able to glance around the last time she got here for she was too focused on the deal.  Now that she wasn't feeling any sense of urgency, she could perfectly see how the place complimented the man staring at him with disgust.

What's his problem?

"Our deal is for you to come here at eight in the morning. It's still seven." Tumalikod ito sa kaniya at umupo sa sofa nitong kakaiba ang disenyo. Purong mga buto na hindi siya sigurado kung totoo ba o ito'y mga peke lang. Kahit na ganoon, komportable naman siyang upuan.