Flying Without Wings (Del Gallego Series #1)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Brave

"Bakit ngayon ka lang dumating?" iyon agad ang bumungad sa akin pagka-pasok ng mansyon.

Nanigas ang buong katawan ko, dahilan para mapahinto ako sa maingat na paglalakad. With my trembling hands, I lifted my head to where his voice came from, and there I saw him, sitting menacingly on the leather couch while holding a flute with red wine. His eyes are blank and his expression is hard. It's Titus. He really never failed to give me this feeling of being scared.

I chose to hide my inner feeling with an innocent countenance and answered, "In Hacienda." After that, I instantly averted his scrutiny and ignored his intimidating presence, and trodden in the direction of the grand staircase.

But, midway, I was rooted upon— again.

"Save your lies, Athena. It won't work on me." The frightfulness of his tone was the extent.

Napabaling muli ako sa kanya at doon na dumagundong ang mas malalakas na tibok sa aking dibdib. His lips sluggishly curve at the side, forming a wicked smirk. The hair on my nape rose. My knees wobble and I rushed to hide my hands behind my back. My system abruptly took his serious stance. I nearly lost my composure because of it. I'm sure my face is pale, but I'm trying to conceal that. I'm trying so hard. So hard for him not to notice that I'm affected.

"W-What are y-you talking about?" I shut my eyes firmly when I stuttered!

Damn it, Athena! Bakit ngayon pa? Estupida!

"You can't hide everything from me," he coldly told me.

Tumayo ito ng matikas at tinungo ang aking direksyon, huminto siya sa aking harapan pagkatapos. His piercing gawk never leaves mine.

"I'm Tyrone Atticus Herrera, Athena. I have eyes everywhere. You can't fool me like anyone in this mansion, so spare me with your nonsense lies. I'm not interested in feeding it like an idiot."

"W-What d-do you m-mean?" I stammered again, asking nervously.

He then started to laugh, humorless. His face is shaking sideways, clearly amused for whatsoever. "Oh, no, no, no, Athena. Great pretender, huh?" he teased me, but I can't see it as words to make me laugh. "Tell me, Athena..." he then stopped laughing and began to serve me a serious look on his face when he added, "Ano kaya ang sasabihin ni Tita Adri, kapag nalaman niya ang lahat ng pinaggagawa mo?"

I shivered instantly with wide eyes open and mouth parted.

"T-Titus—"

He cut me off with his empty hand in the air. "This is a warning, Athena. Once I caught you in the act doing it again, I'll never hesitate to ring a bell. I'm sure Tita Adri will be mad at her unica hija if that happens."

He tsk-ed and sip on his flute nonchalantly.

Meanwhile, I'm still rooted to where I stood still. Walang imik. Walang kibo. Nanatiling nakayuko at kuyom ang kamao. I cursed myself nonstop in my head. He knows! Titus knew!

Paano?

I stilled when I remembered some of Hacienda and Casa workers noticing me always. Damn it! Napapikit pa lalo ako ng mariin. Of course, they told him! Ang tanga tanga ko, dahil hindi nag-iingat. Wala na naman akong ibang magagawa, kung hindi ang sabayan na lamang ang kanyang mga salita. My fist clenched even more when realization hit me. Susunod? I chuckled mutedly in my head for what I'm thinking. All this time, despite of being their family, I always follow their words like a puppet.

When will this stop?

I'm so tired of it.

"You should thank me for this, prima. Ako pa lang ang unang nakakaalam na umaakyat ng bakod ang isang prinsesa ng Herrera, para lang makalabas sa teritoryo ng angkan niya at makaapak sa pagmamay-ari ng kaaway." He impassively chuckled and I stilled thereafter. "Punyetang Guerrero."