The Devil's Trap

Chapter 14: Drunk and Heated

Chapter 14: Drunk and Heated

Hindi ko na muling nakausap pa sina Justin matapos ang araw na yon. Hindi na nila ako hinihintay o niyayang lumabas matapos ang klase. Tuwing nasasalubong ko sila, humaharap sila sa hawak nilang cellphones, o makikipag usap sa katabi. They acted like I was nothing. And I did the same.

Nakahiga ako sa kama noong gabing yon. The week was almost over. Gusto ko ng magpahinga. Nakaidlip ako habang hawak ang cellphone ko. I was too exhausted I didn't even get to secure the apartment before I hit the hay.

Naalimpungatan ako noong tumunog ang aking cellphone. Kinapa ko ang bed sheet kung saan ko ito nabitawan. I held it against my ear.

"Hello?"

Sinilip ko ang screen ng phone. I winced due to the blinding brightness. Nakita ko ang oras. Ala una ng madaling araw.

"Hello?" Ulit ko.

The number was unrecognized. Narinig ko sa background ang ingay. Ilang mga boses. Beat of loud music.

"Ah, finally. My lady answered the phone."

Sa unang mga salita pa lamang ay alam ko na kung sino ang aking kausap. Siya lamang ang kayang magbigay ng ganitong reaction sa akin. A few words and I was breathless.

The beat on the background was defeaning. But his smooth baritone voice stood out. Automatiko na dumako ang aking daliri sa cancel button.

"Wrong number."

Tatapusin ko na sana ang tawag nang marinig kong humalakhak si Landon. Kahit kausap ko lang siya sa kabilang linya hindi ko maiwasan na mangilabot dahil lamang sa kanyang tawa. That deep, sexy, chuckle of his.

"Come on, Denise. We both know where that dread in your voice is reserved for."

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa telepono. He knew so well his effect on me.

"I own you, every goddamn part of you, and whatever I tell you to do, you do it. Don't be a little bitch."

"I'm not your fucking slave."

"Ah, you and your filthy mouth." sinabi niya. "Too bad you're not in front of me right now so I can shut your mouth with mine until all I have to hear is your voice moaning my name."

My hands trembled due to severe hatred for this man.

"I'll see you in Brenton in fifteen minutes."

Namatay ang tawag. Landon ended the call. Napatitig ako sa kawalan. Damn him.

Nanatili akong gising ilang minuto matapos ang tawag. Ang Brenton ay ang bar kung saan huling nakitang may malay si Elyse. I've never been in that place since the incident. But now I'm forced to go by the devil if I want my bestfriend back.

--

Pinagmasdan ang makukulay na neon signs sa gilid ng daan. Labas pasok ang mga tao sa mga establishment. Alas dos na ng madaling araw pero buhay na buhay parin ang parte na ito ng lungsod.

Pinahinto ko ang taxi sa tapat ng isang familiar na signage. It was a gold and silver signage. The most elegant by far. Brenton is a high end restaurant by morning and a chic club by night.

Bumaba ako sa sasakyan. Halos mabingi ako sa magkahalong ingay at musika mula sa club at bar na makikita sa kalyeng ito. Tanging ang taxi kung saan ako nangaling ang public vehicle na makikita sa lugar. Karamihan sa mga nakaparadang sasakyan ay pribado at mamahalin.

Isang grupo ng mga kababaihan ang nasalubong ko. They were giggling and tipsy as they made their way toward the cars lining the parking lot. They wore flimsy dresses and expensive looking clothes, their hair and face made up for party, smocking, red, and mysterious alluring in the dark.