Under His Spell

Kabanata XLII

I clearly saw how Tyler was taken aback because of what I've said.

Huh. What is he expecting? That I'll immediately wrap my arms around him? Hug him as tight as I could? Throw myself at him and kiss him passionately? Huh. That ain't gonna happen.

"Zafi--"

I cut him off by turning my back on him. "It's Zarina..." I emphasized and started walking down the remaining stairs.

I didn't dare to look back. Tuloy-tuloy lang akong bumaba, still carrying my almost shattered composure and confidence with me. But as I walk, I can feel my fists clenching.

I saw him again... We met again... But I swear, hanggang doon na lamang iyon.

An authorized staff welcomed me at the end of the staircase. She greeted me and asked me to follow her so I did. But when I saw where we are heading, my breathing became instantly heavy.

"Aren't I supposed to sit with the Publishing Companies' CEOs?" Hindi ko napigilang tanong sa babae habang patuloy kaming naglalakad.

Bahagya siyang lumingon sa akin ng nakangiti bago sumagot. "Hindi po pinagsama-sama ang mga tycoons with the same kind of businesses, para po maiwasan natin ang kung anong away na pwedeng mamuo sa pagitan nila. Kaya ang pinagsama-sama na lang po namin ay ang mga rank 1, rank 2, rank 3, and so on."

I just nodded. I get her point, but still, I don't agree with whom table I will be sitting.

So they're all rank 1. Dapat pa ba akong magtaka roon?

"Here's your place, ma'am. Enjoy the night!" She pulled a chair for me before leaving.

I suppressed a sigh. Seeing Tyler's friends once again right now is not a good thing for me.

I just don't want to have any other connections with him again. But of course, Dark is different.

Now I wonder if the two of them are still friends.

Tahimik akong umupo sa isang upuan na naroon. May dalawa pang bakanteng upuan sa magkabilang gilid ko at ayoko ng isipin kung sino pa ang uupo roon.

"So you changed your name..."

Una akong napatingin kay Maxwell na nagsalita. Actually, everyone of them are staring at me and I don't know if I should be glad for that.

"Zarina Light Vergara..." I heard Smoke whispered under his breath. "That sounds familiar to me."

"And I thought I am the only one who felt the familiarization." Said Chase.

I avoided their gaze. So they doesn't know that I'm Dark's long lost sister. They doesn't even recognize my name, my name as a Vergara, which I will take as a good thing.

I just took my phone out of my purse to avoid their gazes. But then I immediately stiffened when the chair beside me moved.

Pero pinilit ko pa ring ipakita na wala iyong naging epekto sa akin. Ngunit ang hindi ko napigilan ay ang kunin ang kopita ng alak sa aking harapan, sumimsim ako roon habang ang mga mata ko ay nasa akin pa ring cellphone na naglalaman ng mga text galing kay Dark.

"You drink now..."

Halos mabitawan ko ang kopitang hawak ko nang makaramdam ako ng mainit na hininga sa aking tenga. And I clearly know who it was. Isa lang naman ang taong katabi ko.

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa kopitang hawak. Hindi ko tinangkang tumingin sa kanya dahil ramdam ko kung gaano siya kalapit.

"Things do change, Mr. Smith... Sometimes, even everything." Sinigurado kong walang mababakas na emosyon sa aking boses.