CHAPTER 38

VALENTINA IMARA MEADOWS

"Let me go, Helios!"

Kahit na anong lakas ng sigaw ko sa loob ng kuwartong pinasukan namin walang makakarinig sa akin dahil ang layo nito sa hall kung nasaan ang party.

He didn't listen to me and walked toward the soft bed. I gasped loudly when I felt his hand on my butt.

Tinampal niya ang pang upo ko! I squeezed my eyes shut from the sting of the slap, but there was something strange I felt in my body when he did that. I was annoyed, but why was there a hint of an unfamiliar sensation coursing through me when he slapped me?

"You stay here," malamig niyang sambit, ng basta niya lang ako ibaba sa malambot na kama.

I glared at him sharply, my hands pressed against the bed to keep myself from lying down completely. Nagtaas baba ang dibdib ko habang nanatiling nakatingin sa kan'ya.

Bakit ba kasi hindi puwede ang armas dito? Pagkakataon ko na sana na saktan siya!

"You have no right to order me around, Helios. Hindi mo ako pagmamay ari," I snapped at him angrily.

Tumayo na ako at hindi na siya pinansin. I walked toward the closed door to leave. Narinig ko ang yabag ng kan'yang mga paa; papalapit na siya sa akin pero hindi ko na siya pinansin pa. Just as I was about to grab the doorknob, I felt Helios' hand stopping mine from opening the door.

"You sure?" he whispered softly, his warm breath brushing against my ear. "Are you sure that I didn't own you, Hexia?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. I kept my eyes on his right hand that's now resting on mine, na ngayon ay sobrang higpit ang hawak sa doorknob. The silver ring on his pinky was noticeable, and I could feel it pressing against my skin. The warmth of his palm on mine was impossible to ignore.

My heart started to beat faster as his words echoed repeatedly in my mind. Ramdam ko ang pagtanggal niya ng tali sa suot kong mask hanggang sa tuluyan na 'yong mahulog sa lapag.

"I made you moan my name. I made you come with my mouth and my finger. Isn't that enough proof that I own you?" His voice was rough, as if trying to seduce me.

Napakuyom na lang ako sa kaliwanag kamay at mariin na napapikit dahil doon. Bakit ba kailangan niya pang ipaalala ang bagay na 'yon!? The memory of what happened between us at Hyperion's house and on Isla de Brawl quickly flashed in my mind. I was breathing rapidly, and no matter how hard I tried to forget it, I couldn't. Hindi siya mawala sa isipan ko!

"Nagpapatawa ka ba?" sarkastiko kong tanong sa kan'ya. "It was just a mistake. All of that was a mistake, and you know it yourself, Helios. Masyado lang tayong dalawa na nadala sa init ng katawan noong gabing 'yon."

Mabilis akong umikot at hinarap siya para itulak ng malakas. He stumbled back because of what I did. Kaya ngayon ay kitang kita ko na sa malapitan ang kan'yang itsura. His hair was disheveled, and a few buttons of his white polo shirt under his black vest were undone. Even though he looked a bit disheveled, he still appeared clean in my eyes.

Nang umangat ang tingin ko sa kan'ya ay doon nagtagpo ang tingin naming dalawa. His ash eyes were hazy, and I couldn't tell what other emotions were playing in his gaze.

"Sa tingin mo nag bibiro ako?" he asked me sarcastically. "And no, Hexia. Not everything we did was a mistake."

"Ano bang problema mo? Why did you bring me here?" irita kong tanong sa kan'ya.

Napaatras ako nang maglakad siya papalapit pa lalo sa akin. Walang emosyon ang mukha ni Helios hanggang sa isang dipa na lang ang layo niya sa akin. Helios was so broad that I could almost hide behind him, and his chest looked like it could be a pillow.

Kailangan ko pang tumingala para matingnan siya dahil mas matangkad siya sa akin, at kahit na naka heels ako ay kailangan ko pa rin na gawin 'yon. His eyes seemed to hypnotize me again when our gaze met closely. His eyes darted around as if he were memorizing my face.

"I need you to answer this. What is your husband's name, Hexia?" he asked me firmly.

I quickly glanced at a small drawer next to me and saw a glass there. I grabbed it and slammed it against the wall while looking at him. I pointed the broken glass shards at him. Napaatras siya dahil doon, at mukhang hindi inaasahan na gagawin 'yon. I saw the corner of his lip rise as if he were amazed by what I had done.

Parang imbis na matakot o masindak man lang siya sa ginawa ko... why does it seem like he's proud of what I have done to him?

Mahina akong natawa. "Why would I tell you Atlas' real name?"

He chuckled softly at what I said, and I saw in his eyes that he looked sad and hurt.

Something ached in my chest when I saw that, and I wanted to ask him what was wrong and why he was sad. At bakit mo naman gagawin 'yon, Hexia?! Atlas has told me countless times to kill Helios, pero bakit parang hindi ko naman magawa!?

Nanginginig ang kamay ko ng tinapat ang basag na baso sa leeg nito. My head was tilted back, and my gaze was still sharp. But he seemed indifferent to my angry stare. In fact, he seemed to enjoy that I was irritated with him.

"If you won't tell me his real name, you know there's another way we can get closer to your husband, don't you?" He leaned slightly and brought his face closer to my ear. "And that way is to kill you, Hexia. Kill Atlas' wife. Because we know she's important to him."

Huminga ako ng malalim at pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili. I closed my eyes for a few seconds and gasped softly when I saw how close Helios was to me. His lips were almost touching mine. Ni hindi man lang ako makaatras ng maayos dahil saradong pintuan na ang nasa likuran ko.

"Bakit hindi mo gawin, Helios?" I asked him boldly. "We both have the same goal, don't we? Bakit hindi mo ako patayin? 'Yon naman ang gusto mong gawin sa akin hindi ba? To kill Atlas' wife."

Hindi agad ako nakakilos ng maayos sa sunod niyang ginawa. Helios simply pulled off his long-sleeved white polo shirt, and the buttons scattered across the floor of the room. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng makitang kinuha niya ang kamay ko kung saan ko hawak hawak ang basag na baso.

"Anong g-gagawin mo?" nanginginig ang boses ko ng tanungin siya.

"You know we both want the same thing, Hexia. So why don't you go first?" His voice was soft, and he spoke slowly. "I know you want to kill me, don't you? Why don't you do it now? Kill me with that broken glass you're holding."

I looked down at his chest as the shard of glass he was holding slowly pierced his chest. It wasn't very deep, but blood was still oozing out. I watched as blood dripped continuously as he slowly cut his own chest. I was holding the shard while he was holding my hand, and he was guiding me on how to injure himself.

"N-nababaliw ka na..." nauutal kong tanong.

Sinusubukan kong bawiin ang kamay ko sa kan'ya pero hindi niya binibitawan ang kamay ko! His grip on my hand tightened where it was holding the broken glass. I could feel the stinging of my palm as I realized the shard had penetrated my skin a little deeper. Our blood mixed with Helios' because a part of the shard had cut his hand.

"I know, Hexia. I'm fucking crazy, and you know who I'm crazy about?" he asked me maniacally as our eyes met again.

That look... It said that he was crazy about me. That's what I see in his eyes now.

Halos mamanhid ang kamay ko dahil sa ugat. I can no longer feel the pain. I can still see Helios fresh wound... it was red, especially with the blood that continued to drip and stain his white long-sleeved polo.

"Bitawan mo ang kamay ko," malamig kong sambit sa kan'ya.

Why was it that whenever I was with him, I felt like all my strength was leaving me? It was as if he were draining it all, which was why this was happening to me. Nawawalan ako ng lakas na labanan siya at sundin ang inuutos ni Atlas sa akin.

"You should know who I'm crazy about, Hexia," he whispered to me. His expression seemed almost pleading. "You know exactly who I'm crazy about."

Kunot noo na tiningnan ko siya at tinulak papalayo sa akin. Pero imbis na pigilan ako ay nagpatulak lang siya sa akin. He took a step back, looking at me softly. He didn't seem to mind the blood dripping from his chest. The cut on his chest was long, and I couldn't help but look at it, worried.

Bakit ba ako nagaalala sa kan'ya!? I was worried about my enemy!?

A pang of pain shot through my chest as I watched him. We both felt weak whenever we were together. It was as if something was whispering in my mind that we were each other's weaknesses.

"Atlas is your husband, Hexia. I know you're not telling the truth just to stay safe, but I know he's your husband. You're good at playing safe; you don't speak or agree when they ask you about your husband because if they confirm that you're really Atlas' wife, they'll use you against your husband," he took another step towards me, and our positions were the same as before.

Muli akong napatingala sa kan'ya ng macorner na naman ako sa likod ng pintuan. Hindi nakatakas sa paningin ko ang suot niyang white long-sleeved na namantsahan na ng sarili niyang dugo.

I leaned back against the door and couldn't move when Helios bent down to rest his forehead on my left shoulder. Halos mabingi ako sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko. I didn't know if I was feeling this way because I was nervous or because of something else.

"I knew it," he whispered softly, his forehead still resting on my shoulder. "I'm too late. I'm already too late; he's your husband now. I'm jealous. Why do I feel jealous? You're mine, Hexia. You've always been mine, not his."

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kan'ya dahil doon. Halos maging isang linya ang kilay ko dahil sa mga pinagsasabi niya. I laughed awkwardly at him.

Sira na talaga ang ulo niya. Jealous? Of what? Napapailing na hinawakan ko ang balikat niya para lumayo siya sa akin... I was starting to feel weird. I'd rather fight him or try to kill each other than have this happen. I was confused and honestly, I didn't like it

"You're crazy. Mas gusto ko pang magkasakitan tayong dalawa kaysa sa mangyari 'to, Helios. Una sa lahat, hindi mo ako pagmamay ari," I said to him seriously. I turned away from him and spoke again before turning the doorknob to open the door. "And no matter what you do, I will never tell you or anyone else Atlas' real name. Remember that."

I was about to turn and open the door when I heard Helios' reply, which stopped me.

"I saw your birthmark behind your left ear. It's just a bit familiar, and I think... I've seen it before."

Mabilis na napakuyom ang kamao ko dahil doon... pakiramdam ko nabingi pa yata ako nang marinig na sabihin niya 'yon. A long, deafening silence filled the room as I stared blankly behind the door.

Pumasok sa isip ko ang mga panahon na hindi ako si Valentina... kundi si Sarah Dayanghirang. Those were the times when I almost cursed myself because I didn't like my physical appearance. Times when I wanted to just lock myself in my room and not go to school because of the hurtful words I would get just because of my looks.

At lahat ng mga 'yon ay bumalik sa alaala ko ng isang iglapan lang dahil kay Helios. Sa tingin ko kasalanan ko na rin 'yon dahil nasa akin naman ang desisyon na puwede kong ipatanggal 'yon, pero pinili kong huwag gawin. Hindi ko magawang ipatanggal 'yon, because there was something in my heart that told me not to because it was my birthmark.

My chest heaved up and down, and I couldn't stop the tears from welling up in my eyes. I glared at Helios when I faced him. I moved quickly and attacked him.

"Fuck you! Bakit ba ang hilig mong mangielam, huh?!" singhal ko sa kan'yang harapan nang makalapit sa kan'ya. He was dodging all the punches I was throwing at him. "You talk too much! Bakit ba hindi mo na lang ako hayaan na makalayas sa pesteng kuwartong 'to, at ang dami mong sinasabi na kung ano-ano!"

"What's wrong with you? Can't you calm down—"

"Papatayin kita!"

My heart was pounding uncontrollably fast with rage. I shoved him hard, causing him to sit at the edge of the bed. Patuloy pa rin ako sa pagsuntok sa kan'ya habang nagagawa niyang iwasan 'yon. My hands moved so quickly in an attempt to hit him, and eventually, he fell back completely onto the bed. Nanlilisik pa rin ang mga mata ko na umakyat sa kama at inupuan ang dibdib niya habang hindi napapagod na suntukin ang mukha niya dahil sa galit.

"Calm down, Hexia—"

"I can't calm down!" I snapped at him. I roughly removed his arm that was covering his face and elbowed it. He didn't block it immediately, so I hit him. "I can't calm down because of you, meddler! Sino ka ba, huh!? Bakit ba hindi mo na lang itikom 'yang bibig mo at manahimik ka!? Kayong mga tao ang dami niyong mga sinasabi! Ang hilig niyong mangielam! Mas mainam pa na manahimik na lang kayo kung wala kayong magandang sasabihin!"

"Why can't you just let me be happy with how I look?" I said tremblingly, looking down at him. "Why are you reminding me of all that? I'm not her anymore... I'm so far from who I used to be... I killed her a long time ago. She's been dead for five years, kaya bakit kailangan mong ipaalala siya sa akin?" nanghihina kong sambit at hindi na napigilan ang sarili na lumuha sa harapan niya.

I couldn't see Helios' face anymore because of the tears that I couldn't stop shedding on his handsome face. He let it be and didn't complain to me at all.

"Hexia..."

"Stop talking—"

Nanlaki ang mata ko ng maramdaman ang kamay niya sa batok ko; I felt a warm, soft lip on mine. He kissed me; that's why I couldn't finish what I was about to say.

Hindi ko alam... pero pakiramdam ko parang mas lalo akong naluha nang maramdaman ang mainit niyang labi sa akin. With every movement of his lips on mine and every touch of his hand on my body, I felt like I was melting. I could feel my hot tears rolling down my cheek and onto Helios' cheek, but it didn't stop the passionate kiss we shared.

Instead of pulling away from his arms when they wrapped around my waist, I pressed my body closer to him. He gently bit my lower lip, and I did the same to him. Whatever he was doing to me, I was returning it to him.

His hand, which was still caressing my body, moved up to my cheek and gently stroked it while we were still kissing.

"Open your mouth," bulong niya sa akin.

We both let out a soft moan when I felt his tongue inside me, ramdam na ramdam ko ang malikot niyang dila sa akin. I felt a strange tingling sensation every time he did that.

Habang nasa kalagitnaan ng paghahalikan ay napadilat ako ng biglang pumasok sa isipan ko si Rafael. The face of Helios that I saw when I opened my eyes earlier was replaced by Rafael's face. His face looked like he didn't commit any crimes. He looked like the male version of those women who couldn't break a dish as long as you didn't provoke them. That's what he looked like.

Why do I see Rafael when we're kissing?

Napatayo ako nang marealize kung ano ang ginawa naming dalawa. I got off the bed and unconsciously touched my lips, halos hindi ko na maramdaman ang sarili kong labi dahil sa paghahalikan naming dalawa. Meanwhile, I watched Helios lean back against the headboard, his eyes never leaving mine.

Nakita ko ang pagtaas ng gilid ng kan'yang labi. His hair was disheveled, and his long-sleeved white polo shirt was open because some of the buttons had come undone. I didn't say anything about what he said. I bent down and picked up my mask that was on the floor and turned away from him to leave the room.

"You're always running away from me. Just run and escape from me, but I know you'll still come back to me, Cinderella."

Those were the last words I heard before I slammed the door shut. Lakad takbo ang ginagawa pabalik sa hall kung nasaan ang party. Siguro naman ay tapos na si Atlas at Oceanus sa meeting nila. As I got closer and closer, I fixed myself, especially my mask, because we had to wear it.

"Margarita, Mrs. Collazo?" a waiter greeted me when I entered.

I stood at the side and listened to a speech by Cronus on an open second-floor terrace of the main hall. He was wearing a silver mask while his three-piece suit was black, almost the same as the other men here.

"Thank you." I smiled at him and immediately took a sip of the margarita in my glass.

Hindi ko maiwasan na mapangiwi nang maramdamang kumikirot ang sugat ko sa palad. Thankfully, my gloves were dark red, so it wasn't immediately noticeable. I sighed and ignored the pain. Maliit lang naman 'yon at malayo sa bituka kaya ayos lang.

"There you are, Mrs. Collazo. Atlas has been looking for you since they got out of the meeting hall earlier."

I turned around when a man approached me and spoke. Tinuro niya kung nasaan si Atlas na ngayon ay nakatayo sa gilid ng nakabukas na pintuan ng meeting hall nila; nasa tabi niya si Oceanus. na may hawak na plato at kumakain na. It seems like Oceanus was constantly looking around as if he were looking for something. I knew he was looking for me.

"Thank you. I thought I'd take a walk around our safe zone because this is my first time here. Thank you again," I thanked him.

"You're always welcome, Mrs. Collazo. I have to go now; I have something else to do."

"Sure."

We exchanged smiles with each other, and then we parted ways. I walked towards Atlas and Oceanus, and I saw that they were already looking at me. Tinaas ko ang kamay ko sa ere at kumaway sa kanilang dalawa.

"And tonight, the rankings in our organization will change—" I stopped walking towards them when I heard a loud gunshot that startled everyone in the hall.

Anong meron... akala ko ba ay bawal ang armas dito sa loob ng safe zone?! Awtomatikong namatay ang ikaw sa loob at nangibabaw na agad ang mga sigawan ng ibang tao. At ang tanging nagsisilbing ilaw lang ngayon ay ang malaking buwan sa labas ng malaking bintana.

"Hexia!?" sigaw ni Oceanus.

Napantig ang tainga ko at pilit na sinusundan ang boses ni Oceanus kung nasaan man siya. I grabbed the end of my gown and lifted it slightly to run towards their position when a strong hand pulled my arm away from them.

Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa pagkabigla. I tried to fight back. I raised my hand to grab the arm of the stranger who pulled me, but he easily lifted me like a toy. Pakiramdam ko wala na akong takas sa hawak nila, dahil kahit anong pagpupumiglas ko, hindi ako makawala sa hawak ng sino mang tao na may hawak sa akin.

I couldn't tell who it was because he smelled of gunpowder, and it was very strong. My nose wrinkled because I smelled it again and I didn't like it. Ang baho niya.

"Atlas! Oceanus!" I shouted as I struggled. Hindi ko alam kung naririnig ba nila ako o ano. Pero bakit naguunahan na agad ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Hindi ko nagugustuhan ang susunod na mangyayari.

"Atlas—ouch!"

Parang may tumusok sa leeg ko, napahawak ako roon at mahinang napadaing. My body automatically weakened, like a wilted plant. My eyelids drooped quickly, and I felt a rapid heartbeat before darkness engulfed me and I lost consciousness.

This was the first time I felt such a strange fear in my heart.

This isn't good.

SHANGPU