It's the Same Old Song (The Runaway Girls Series #4)

Chapter 6

Case

Love is a paradox. It's a contradiction—a rivalry between two opposing forces.

Just the thought of it is terrifying, on my part. Like what I've always seen in the movies and even in the books I've read. I know those feelings are powerful enough to give us the courage to face the world, knowing that we have someone by our side. Yet, it also means entrusting someone with the power to hurt us deeply.

Nakakatakot.

Hindi ko makita ang sarili ko na ginagawa iyon. Having someone see me at my lowest? It just means giving them the power to destroy me, to use me, or take advantage of me.

"Dela Vega, naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo?"

He is reckless... and weak. Masyado niyang binubuksan ang sarili niya. Para bang willing pa na magpasagasa lalo na kapag ako ang driver ng sasakyan. Ang tanga lang.

"Alam ko kung ano ang ginagawa ko, Beatrice."

Bobo talaga.

"I did not expect your feelings to be so profound. Grabe, parang tamang term na ata ang sabihin na patay na patay ka sa akin."

Ngumisi siya. "And what if I really am? May problema ka ba doon?"

"Wala naman." Ngumisi rin ako. "Naaawa lang ako sa'yo."

"Good to know that you feel something for me." He walked towards me, but I stood my ground as I felt him draw nearer with each step. "Kahit awa lang tanggap ko, Beatrice."

"You're a hopeless case, Dela Vega."

"I've long accepted that, Beatrice. Maybe you'd like to try exploring this hopeless case? Because I think it's worth studying."

I chuckled with no humor. "Nah, I won't even bat an eye at a case that is subject to rejection."

Mas malapit na siya sa akin ngayon. Bahagyang nakaawang ang labi nang makita niya akong tumawa. Tinikom ko ang bibig ko at ginantihan ko rin ang mga titig niya sa akin.

And he's looking down at me again. Dahil mas matangkad siya sa akin, parang ako pa ang tumitingala sa kaniya kahit siya naman itong dapat na nagnanakaw ng tingin sa akin!

Nakakairita.

"Rejections... are once part of those groundbreaking studies. Just so you know."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Bakit ako magsasayang ng oras sa'yo?"

"Chill." Humalakhak siya at tinaas ang dalawa niyang kamay. "I thought we were playing? Pikon mo naman."

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa tupperware na inaabot niya sa akin ngayon.

"Kunin mo na ito, please? Alam kong gutom ka pa kaya kunin mo na. Hindi naman ako nanghihingi ng kapalit. Ginagawa ko lang ito kasi gusto ko."

Napangiwi ako. "Okay."

"Eat well," he softly said. "Una na ako. Have a great night, Beatrice."

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa tupperware. Binilang ko ang cordon bleu na nasa loob. Lima lahat iyon. Mas marami kung ikukumpara sa tatlo na kinuha ko kanina noong pumila ako. Mas malaki rin at mukhang mas masarap, parang hindi dito nanggaling.

Vance Emerson Dela Vega is really into me.

I hate the guy to the guts... but knowing that he has feelings for me... gave me something that I did not expect. Power. The ability to control. That whatever I do will have an effect on him. That I am able to manipulate someone like him.

Tanga niya lang para aminin sa akin iyon. Hindi siya nag-iisip sa mga sinasabi niya. Para siyang dire-diretsong pumasok sa teritoryo ng mga tigre. Aamo ba ang tigre kahit sabihin mong mahal mo siya? Hindi. Dadambain ka niya. Lalapain ka niya. He will destroy you, eat you. Wala siyang ititira.