Chapter 3

HE SIGHED and step back from me. Nakahinga naman ako nang maluwag. I've finally found my breath and took some air. Without a word, lumabas siya at iniwan ako roon na nakaupo sa lamesa. I jumped off and fix my clothes. Saktong pasok naman ng isang katulong.

"Ma'am, nakahanda na po ang pagkain. Sumunod po kayo sa ‘kin," magalang niyang sabi.

I opened my mouth to say something but I stopped myself eventually. Nagugutom na rin ako kaya sinundan ko na lang siya. Mamaya na lang siguro ako mag-iisip ng plano para tumakas.

I just hope not see him again.

DAWN CAME and I'm glad hindi siya umuwi ng bahay. About my plan. Mahihirapan ako. The house are surrounded by impossible number of guards. Napapaisip nga ako kung miyembro ng sindikato ang lalaking iyon. Napapaisip rin ako kung anong nangyayari sa buhay ko.

Ma, how could you trust that man too much? Nakikita mo ba ngayon kung ano’ng kalagayan ko? You let yourself fell too deep that you forgot me.

Niyakap ko ang aking mga tuhod at kinalma ang sarili.

Loving is not a bad thing but it will be when you forget everything around you.

Napaayos ako nang upo nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. Nanlamig ang buo kong katawan nang makita ang bulto ng isang lalaki sa aking harap.

What now?

I closed my eyes when he open the lights. It took me a minute before my eyes finally adjusted to the lights. I looked at his deep emerald eyes again.

How could someone have that gorgeous yet intimidating eyes?

There's no need to deny that he's really one handsome man no matter how intimidating he looked. But he's a stranger to me and who knows what more attitude he has inside. Who knows if he was an addict, or a killer, or a jerk, or a rapist.

He frowned at me nang mapansin niya kung paano ko siya tingnan.

"Don't look at me that way. Unless you wanted me to take you."

"Jerk! I would never want you! Over my dead body! You're just an average," asik ko.

He didn't look surprise. He doesn't even show emotion at all! He cocks his face at the other side and look at me again.

"Average? You seriously need to check that eyes of yours. As much as I wanted to pick a fucking fight with you. I need to think about why I am here. Fix yourself. We're going out."

He turned around to leave when I spoke again. Tumigil siya sa paglalakad.

"Hindi ako sasama sa ‘yo!" matapang kong sabi.

He slowly turn around and gave me a look. An emotionless look. Napalunok ako. I think it was a wrong move.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang maglakad siya palapit sa ‘kin at hinila ang kamay ko. I yelped and tried to free my hand from his grip but to no avail. Nahila niya ako papasok sa banyo.

He and pushed me to the sink. Tumama pa ang likod ko sa lababo dahil rahas ng kanyang galaw. Natigilan ako nang lumapit siya sa akin. Hindi ko kinayang salubingin ang kanyang mga mata kaya nagbaba ako ng tingin.

"Stop disobeying me, Audry. Your life depends on me. You should be thankful that I saved you from that disgusting old man. I am the ruler of this house will live. If I told or demand you to do something, do it. No discussion. No buts. No more questions. I hate people who don't know how to follow their boss. Now if I still hear buts or refusal from anything I want you to do. Punishments is served," mautoridad niyang uyos.

I was hurt. Sa bawat salitang binitawan niya pakiramdam ko ay isa lang akong laruan. Isang tau-tauhan. Hindi na ako nagsalita hanggang sa lumabas siya. I even flinched when he slammed the door.

When he was no longer in sight, I broke down.

Is this what I'm destined to be?

Maging tau-tauhan?

HINDI KO alam kung ilang minuto akong inabot sa paliligo. I can't help but cry while showering. Kailangan ko lang ilabas ‘yung sakit at acceptance sa mga nangyayari sa ‘kin. But I'm still hoping na makakalaya ako rito.

I wrapped a towel around my body. Nakahanda na kaagad ang damit ko na maayos na nakalagay sa higaan. It was a simple off shoulder, dark blue, dress that ended above the knee with a pair of five inches blue high heels. I slipped it in and proceed to dry my hair.

Napansin ko ang iba't ibang klase at kulay ng mga lipstick, make-ups and accessories sa vanity table. I choose a lip gloss instead and just straighten my hair. I wore the simplest earrings and necklace. Tumayo ako at isinuot ang heels nang may kumatok sa pinto.

"Pinapasabi po ni Sir na bilisan niyo ho raw."

"Tapos na ako," sambit ko.

I stood up and balance myself. I'm worst at heels. Trust me. Hindi ko alam kung makakauwi ba ako mamaya nang walang bali sa paa. Where are we going anyway?

The maid lead the way to her so-called boss. Maingat akong bumaba ng hagdan at nakahinga nang maluwag dahil hindi ako tumambling sa hagdan. I released a harsh breath. Maybe I can somehow survive this night.

"I'm glad it fits you."

I froze at the voice. Mabilis akong napatingin kay Ace na nakatayo ilang dipa mula sa akin. He looks so dashing in his black suit. His hair was comb back giving him a sharp and strong look. I cleared my throat and step back. He roamed his eyes over my body, from toe to head. He nodded in approval.

"Behave. That's all you needed to do."

He started walking and I followed him. Isang limousine ang bumungad sa akin paglabas ng bahay. The guard opens the door for us and we hopped in. Naramdaman ko kaagad ang tensyon sa loob. The size is huge but it feels small when a man like him was sitting beside me.

"Casino," maikli niyang utos sa chauffeur.

Isiniksik ko ang sarili ko sa gilid ng pintuan. No. I won't let him me again. Pasimple ko siyang tiningnan.

Nabigla naman ako nang sakto ay bigla siyang tumingin sa ‘kin. I looked at the window immediately. No, no, no! Don't look!

DON'T LOOK!

I yelped when he suddenly pulled me to his lap.

Akma ko siyang sasampalin dahil sa kapangahasan niya nang mahawakan niya ang aking kamay.

"My friend spent million of dollars to get you. I want to know if it's really worth it. . ."

I gritted my teeth. "You made a wrong choice!"

I gasped when he caressed my bare thigh. Sinubukan kong alisin ang kamay niya pero sinampal niya lang iyon paalis. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin pero nginisihan niya lamang ako.

His eyes were glinting with mischief. Naipikit ko ang mga mata nang maramdaman ang isa niyang kamay sa aking likod. His finger caressed my skin like he was tracing a pattern.

Pinaglaruan niya ang buhok ko gamit ang isa niya pang daliri. Pilit ko namang ikinakalma ang sarili ko para hindi ko siya masapak. For so many years, I forbid myself to be touch by man, but look where I am now. Great!

"S-Stop!"

My hands are sweating heavily. Nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko nang maramdaman ang mainit niyang paghinga sa aking leeg.

"Strawberry. . . I like eating strawberries, Audry. It was so sweet. Addicting. Tempting. I wanna ravish every part of it. . ."

Our eyes locked. Isang ngisi ang nabuo sa kanyang mga mapupulang labi bago ko naramdaman ang paglapat niyon sa aking balat. Kahit nanghihina ay pilit ko siyang itinulak. He didn't stop but he steadied me instead with his strong arms. I can't do nothing but to shut my mouth. His hands trailing up my dress.

No!

I can't calm down!

"S-Stop!"

I cursed mentally when it came out like a moan. I can feel him smirking while trailing down my chest. He was about to pull out my dress strap nang magsalita ang driver.

"Nandito na tayo, Sir."

He looked so annoyed and frustrated when he let go of me. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. Bumalik ako sa aking upuan at inayos ang sarili.

"Fuck this party."