NS 03: THE COVENANT ✅ (Published)

Chapter 5

Vladimir caught a deep sigh of relief after Lyam turned to his direction and nodded.

"She's fine, no need to worry. It must be the shock that got her. She'll wake up soon." Pagtitiyak nito at tumayo matapos suriing maigi si Glen.

Nawalan ng malay-tao kanina ang dalaga matapos siyang makita na walang anumang saplot sa katawan. He was just fooling around. She's too touchy that he thought of teasing her a little. He forgot that she's virgin and she might never see a naked man in the flesh before. That shows in her fragile and tentative demeanor whenever their eyes met.

"But I suggest you wear something proper. Baka himatayin ulit iyan 'pag nakita kang nagtiyaga riyan sa kakarampot na towel," may halong biro na wika ng kapatid.

Tumango siya at hinango ang sarili mula sa couch. Nagsuot siya ng pantalon at shirt. Unti-unti nang nagkakakulay ang mukha ng dalaga. Hindi tulad kanina na dinaig ang papel sa sobrang putla. Ang gumigitaw na mumunting pawis sa noo at ilong nito ay mistulang tipak ng diyamanteng kumikinang sa makinis nitong balat.

"Are you sure you're going to marry her? I mean, I can see she's nice but do you share the same values?" seryosong tanong ni Lyam na sumandal sa dingding habang nakapamulsa ang mga kamay.

Matagal siyang napatitig sa kapatid. "I still didn't catch the whole purpose of this idea. But it seems she's too desperate to have my name attached to hers." Naupo siya sa may paanan ng kama. "Kung pangalan lang naman ang habol niya, hindi ko iyon ipagdadamot, Lyam. Bibigyan ko siya ng pagkakataong ituwid lahat ng ito at sabihin sa akin ang katotohanan."

"That she is just protecting the Iraya's home in Mindoro? Rajive told me. But the thing is, why would she needed you to marry her? Kung proteksiyon lang para sa mga katutubo, kaya naman nating ibigay iyon. You don't have to put your freedom on the line." Argumento ni Lyam.

"It's not just about that. I'm positive someone influential is working behind the scene. Someone related to the baby." Nilatag niya ang senaryong naglalaro sa utak. "Let's say, this girl was asked by the biological mother of the baby to approach me."

"With her personality do you think she could be that gullible? Papayag siyang gawing tool ng iba?"

"Bakit hindi kung binigyan siya ng assurance na makaliligtas ang mga taong gusto niyang protektahan? She is not gullible but it is because of her character that I know she'll dive into the hot water. Kaya pakakasalan ko siya para mapalabas ang tunay na salarin at hindi ang inosenteng gaya niya ang mahatulan."

"I'm following you, but can't you do that without marrying her? You don't know her that much. Of course, our information network and Rajive's investigations speaks volume, only, getting a wife and a life with her is different, Vlad. You get to decide both. Dito, dehado ka na, napikot ka pa."

"Don't worry, I got this. Trust me." He re-assured.

Umiling si Lyam. "You're going straight to a complicated 'I do', Vladimir. Without even dating. What on earth did you got?"

"Just exactly what you said, Lyam." Natawa siya sa nadamang over-protection.

"No, you are missing the drift."

"Lyam, kahit sinong Andromida pwede niyang lapitan, it doesn't have to be me. Pero ako ang pinili niya. May dahilan iyon."

Natigil sa pakikipagdebate sa kanya ang kapatid nang kumislot si Glen. He stood up. Nilapitan niya ang dalaga.

"Morning, Miss Virgin? What's up?"

"Anong nangyari sa akin?" Sinalat nito ang noo at bumalikwas ng bangon. Sinilip ang sarili sa ilalim ng kumot.