Dark Side

CHAPTER THREE

CYAN stood abruptly in surprise, not at what he had said, but because his eyes had turned completely black. She blinked and stared at him again, both confused and frightened. Ngunit nang muli niyang titigan ang mga mata nito ay hindi naman iyon nagbago tulad ng inaakala niya. His eyes still looked normal; they were still the perfect forest-green against his stony expression. Naipilig niya ang ulo. It must be the light playing tricks with her eyes.

She recovered fast and stared daggers at him. Hindi niya inaasahan na magsasabi ito ng ganoong bagay. Although she also couldn't ignore the fact that something abnormal from inside her began to palpitate with an unexpected excitement.

"Are you insulting me?" she asked through gritted teeth, each of her nerves filling with anger. "Ano'ng akala ninyong mga lalaki sa 'kin? Simpleng babae lang? Na handang ibigay lahat kapag naalokan ng libre?"

Sobrang galit ang kaniyang nararamdaman lalo na't naalala niyang bigla ang pagsasamantala ni Mr. Chua sa kaniyang sitwasyon. Hindi niya akalain na ganoon din ang sasabihin ng Mr. Roberts na ito. Pare-pareho talaga ang mga lalaki.

Lawrence's face darkened. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, who also seemed taken aback.

"Kung akala mo mapapapayag mo 'ko sa alok mo, nagkakamali ka. Ibabalik ko ang pera mo nang buo kahit na malubog din ako sa utang," sabi niya, hindi na mapigilan ang pagtaas ng boses. "Akala mo siguro madadala mo 'ko sa kagwapuhan mo at sa libreng alok mo. Puwes, nagkakamali ka! Ganyan din ang sinabi sa 'kin ni Mr. Chua..." and she told him the old man's disgusting offer.

An angry growl echoed inside the room, causing Cyan to gasp in shock and looked wildly around her, looking for the source, her anger dissipating a little. Dalawang lalaki ang biglang pumasok sa loob ng sala. Both of them looked apprehensive and alert as they fixed their gaze on Mr. Roberts. Mas lalong nagulat si Cyan sa biglang paglitaw ng mga ito at napaatras palayo. She bumped into Lawrence who automatically wrapped his arm around her waist. The contact causes her abnormal heart to pound wildly against her chest. Pakiramdam niya ay sasabog na ang dibdib sa sobrang kaba. Ngunit ano iyong estrangherong damdamin na tila may mga paru-parong lumilipad sa kaniyang tiyan?

"Find this man immediately, human or not," ordered Lawrence at the two, his dark voice harsh and angry.

Human or not?

"What's his name again?" he asked and glanced at Cyan for a second, calling her attention once again.

"Ano? Teka lang!" gulat na sambit ni Cyan. "What are you trying to do?" tanong niya na puno ng pangamba at sinubukang kumawala sa matipunong bisig nito.

"Ah, yes, find an old man whose last name is Chua, who is also the current owner of the Salvatore Enterprises," he said. He did not even budge a little when Cyan was frantically trying to escape from his binding arm.

Mukhang hindi pa nga nito nararamdaman na kumakawala siya. At paanong nalaman ng lalaking ito ang pangalan ng kumpanyang dati ay pagmamay-ari nila? Pinaimbestigahan ba siya nito?

The two immediately said yes and bowed their heads slightly, before leaving the house. Nangangambang pinanood ni Cyan ang mabilis na pag-alis ng mga ito. Ano'ng gagawin ng mga iyon?

Cyan desperately tried to get away from Lawrence's arms again. "Let me go!" she screamed at him.

Lawrence seemed to finally realize her struggle and gently let her go.

Nagmamadaling lumayo si Cyan mula sa lalaki kahit na parang ayaw ng katawan niya ang malayo rito. Napahawak siya sa dibdib. Pakiramdam niya ay nag-crack na ang ribs niya sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng kaniyang puso.

"Ano'ng ginawa mo? Ano'ng sinabi mo sa kanila?" she demanded, her face still flushed both in anger and embarrassment. She still hadn't moved on by their inappropriate embrace in front of other people, if that's what it's called.