Chapter XI

Him

"Hmm . . ."

"Shut up, Lumiere." Inilingan ko siya at tinanggal na ang ngising kanina pa nakaplastar sa labi ko.

"Usually, kapag namumula ang isang babae—" Iniwan ko siya sa ere at humakbang na sa hagdan, I need to change clothes, although it would be nice if I tease her a little more with how wet I am right now.

Nahh . . . baka bulyawan niya lang ako.

Pinilig ko ang ulo at dumiretso na sa silid ko para makapagbihis. I removed my wet pants all thanks to that bastard Lumiere. I remember that a few minutes ago I was about to broke his hands when I saw Arabelle's shadow on the balcony. Baka mapagsabihan niya nanaman ako kapag hindi ko nakontrol ang emosyon ko so I held back my anger and looked up at her.

Para makita niyang hindi na ako bayolente.

But then the look she gave me was far different from what I expected. She was fast, but I was faster. I saw how her eyes roamed around my body and that faint blush that formed on her cheeks before she turned her back on me.

"H-Hindi ko sinasadya." Nanginginig na paumanhin ni Lumiere.

But I seemed to be in a good mood, hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy na sa pagsuklay sa buhok ng kabayo, reminiscing the look she gave me.

Hmm . . .

Pinilig ko ang ulo at tinapon na ang basang pantalon sa upuan. I need to cleanse my mind with all that dirty look she gave me earlier down there.

Unsurprisingly, I took a shower longer than usual. Pagkatapos na pagkatapos ko sa pagligo ay ang siyang pagkatok sa pintuan ng kuwarto ko.

"Master, hindi ka magtatanghalian?" Si Lumiere.

I grabbed the black mask on my table to cover the scar on my left side. Without looking back at the mirror, I went out.

"Let her eat alone." I bet she won't be able to finish her food if I was there.

Humakbang na ako pababa sa hagdan ngunit natigil lamang nang magsalita si Lumiere.

"Actually, kasama niya ngayon si Cog. Nagpapasipsip yata."

"Cog?" I scoffed and shook my head. That playboy bastard.

"Sasamahan mo na?" Lumiere asked expectantly.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "Why would I? Let them enjoy their time." I shrugged it off and continued my step.

I heard Lumiere sigh heavily. I don't know why they want me to do something about it. Arabelle is nothing but a sister to Cara. That's all. Why waste time barging in their date?

Lalabas na sana ako ngunit may narinig akong hindi kaaya-ayang tunog. My steps halted as I once again listened to that unfamiliar sound.

It was a laugh.

Not just a laugh. Arabelle's laugh.

"Looks like he's using his charms again." Parinig ni Lumiere.

Why would I care?

"Stop meddling their business and let them have fun." I said and shook my head.

Although I do want to see her laugh for the first time.

I fucking take that back.

"Lumiere!" I roared as I watch them ride a fucking horse together.

Saglit lang akong nawala tapos makikita ko silang naglalandian na sa labas?

"Y-Yes, Master!"

She's laughing around that bastard. I puffed a smoke and scoffed when he laughed as well. Their laughs are ugly, what a sore eye. I fucking hate this balcony for giving me such a clear view for the lovey-dover couple.

"Tell Cog I need him right now." I coldly said as I lean in closer to the railing so I could stare at her annoying laugh a little more.

He disappeared at instant, as he should. Cog should know his place, he's a servant and even when I'm indebted to him it doesn't change the fact that I'm still his Master and he's just a mere servant.

I watched as her laugh disappeared when Lumiere delivered the message. I annoyingly laugh at the change of her disposition. What a pity, Beauty. You got yourself a monster master all thanks to your beauty.

Her eyes went to me when Cog disappeared on her line of sight. I stared at her coldly, she retaliated. I scoffed and shook my head. She scoffed back and turned her back on me with her horse, I laughed at her rudeness. She must've forgot that horse she's riding is mine.

"Yes, Master?"

I didn't turn to look at Cog. My eyes remained on the Beauty's back, riding mg horse.

"Ban the use of horse."

"Ha?!" Reklamo ni Lumiere.

I smirked. "Unless she really wants to ride it, I can help her with that."

"Master!"

"Cog." Malamig kong baling sa lalake.

Napayuko siya at tumango. "I obey."

"Good." Tango ko at binalingan si Lumiere. "Escort him to the garage. I need him to fix Evelyn's car."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Lumiere, "pero hindi naman sira—"

"I broke it." Bumaling ako kay Cog. "I need you to fix it at instant." Malamig kong utos.

Tumango lang ang lalake at hindi na nagsalita. I caught Lumiere's glare but a coward he is, he escorted Cog out of my sight.

He should know by now that everything in this household is mine.

🥀

"Halimaw ka! Wala kang pinagbago sa kaniya!"

I blinked back the shock as I stare at my crying mom. My small hands holding the broken vase are now trembling under my hold.

"Ma—" Nanginginig kong tawag pero lumayo siya.

"Lumayo ka! Natatakot ako sa iyo!"  Hikbi niya.

"Mama . . ." I called.

But she's slowly disappearing from my line of sight.

I want to protect you.

But now you're protecting yourself from me.

Is that why you left me?

"Ma . . ."

The darkness fades as the lonely night welcomed my empty soul. I opened my eyes and saw the dimly lit candle on my table, I stared at its light, envying the way it illuminated its dark shadows.

When will my candle welcome the fire?

I'm still stuck at its darkness.

Malakas na kalabog ang pumutol sa titig ko.

"Bakit hindi na ako puwedemg gumamit ng kabayo?! Sa wakas at dinalaw ka na ba talaga ng demonyo?! Bakit hindi mo pa imbitahan ang diyablo para mag-enjoy kayong tatlo sa pagpapahirap sa buhay ko?!"

I huffed a laugh at her discourtesy, I cannot believe such vulgar woman is Cara's twin sister.

Tumayo ako sa pagkakaupo sa upuan at naglakad na patungo sa kumakalabog na pintuan. Kulang nalang sirain niya ito para lang makapasok.

Click. I unlocked the door and the moment it clicked, she barged in without hesitation.

I thought I made my warning clear. The first time she didn't heed my warning, I let her go.

I don't think I have the patience to be lenient anymore.

"Strip."

Her eyes widened. "Ano?! Baliw ka ba?!" Bulyaw niya.

"My warning was clear, Beauty." I stepped forward, she stepped back.

"Wala akong maalalang warning!" She denied and stepped back once again.

Too bad, she got nowhere to go. I trapped her on the door and clicked the lock button behind her, her eyes widened in panic.

"Si-Sigaw ako!" Tangka niya.

"You've proven it yourself. My room is soundproof." I smirked.

"L-Liar! Nakarinig ako ng u-ungol ni Evelyn!" Namula siya kaya humalakhak ako.

"Oh really? I don't quite remember the sound of her moan. Why don't you imitate it?" Nagtaas ako ng kilay.

"Why would I?! It's disgusting!"

I leaned in closer to her ear. "Then I'll make you moan myself." I whispered, she shivered.

"Y-You're a cheater then!"

Natigilan ako.

"You're cheating! M-May fiancée ka na!"

"I'm not." I clenched my fist on the wall.

"Yes you are!" Giit niya.

I want to emphasize that Cara is just my sister but who am I kidding when I'm trapping her sister between my arms and planning on doing something to her.

Sister my ass.

I clenched my eyes shut when I remember the innocent looking Cara. Fuck, ang layo. Ang layo ng nararamdaman ko ngayon sa nararamdaman ko kay Cara. This feeling . . . is far more evil.

She's right. Mukhang dinalaw nga talaga ako ng demonyo.

"See?!"

I want to step back and let her go but she's damn provoking me.

"Hindi mo ka—"

I slammed my lips against hers and bit those damn provoking noisy and annoying lips. She gasped and that gave me access inside her mouth. My tongue thrusted inside her mouth and I didn't expect sin would taste this sweet.

"Master?"

Tinulak ako ni Arabelle nang marinig ang boses ni Lumiere. Gasping for breath, she glared at me, flushed and ruined. I smirked. She looked like she's been fucked when it's just her mouth.

"Master? May bisita ka."

Tinalikuran ako ni Arabelle at aamba sanang buksan ang pinto ngunit pinigilan ko siya. She yelped when I held her hand.

"Beauty, your lips looks like they've been fucked." I said huskily, her eyes widened.

Bago niya pa mapunasan ang labi ay naunahan ko na siya. I wiped the traces of the smudged pink lipstick on her mouth but before I could fully wipe them clean, she bit my fingers. Damn provoking.

"Adam?" It was Evelyn's voice outside.

Kaagad akong tinalikuran ni Arabelle para buksan ang pinto, ni hindi pa nga tuluyang nawawala ang mantsa sa labi niya. Is she that excited to get out?

"Ad—" Natigilan si Evelyn nang magtama ang mata nila Arabelle.

Pinagmasdan ko kung paano pagtaasana ni Arabelle ng kilay si Evelyn at ang mata ni Evelyn na dumapo sa labi ni Arabelle. I watched the two of them as they had a silent war. Interesting.

"Bakit ka—" Bago paman makapagsalita si Evelyn ay nilagpasan na ito ni Arabelle. I chuckled, she's such a fierce woman.

"Adam!" Reklamo ni Evelyn.

"Go get your car, Evelyn." Sabi ko, nanatili ang tingin sa likod ni Arabelle.

"Why! Why!" Kuha ni Evelyn sa atensyon. Kunot-noo ko siyang binalingan. 

She's pouting.

"Stop pouting. You look like a goldfish." Nilagpasan ko siya para makababa na.

"What!" Dabog ng babae. I sighed loud, clearly annoyed.

"Lumiere."

"Yes, Master!" He sounded jolly.

"Escort Evelyn to the garage."

"At your service!" I wonder why he's in a good mood.

Hindi ko na pinakinggan pa ang reklamo ng babae, nagtungo na ako sa baba para makapunta sa library. Maybe I should get back to work so I could forget what happened earlier. I should go and forget the taste of sin or else I'll get stuck.

🥀

Natigil ako sa pagbabasa ng dokumento nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng library. Binalingan ko ang pinanggalingan ng tunog at nagulat nang makita ang ulo ni Arabelle sa pintuan. Nanlaki ang mata niya nang magtama ang tingin namin, siguro'y hindi niya alam na dito ako nagtatrabaho. I wonder who gave her the idea to visit the library despite knowing that I'm here.

"H-Hindi ko alam." Aniya at aamba sanang lalabas pero pinigilan ko.

"The library is spacious, Beauty." I said in a matter of fact. "You could come, there are a lot of books." I offered.

I heard her gulp. "No nee—"

"Oh, you're shy?" I provoked.

Kumunot and noo niya kaya napangisi ako. Now I know how to persuade her. She do things that challenges her just to prove that person wrong. In this case . . .

"Okay." Taas-noo siyang pumasok sa loob, dala-dala ang isang notebook at ballpen.

Tuluyan na akong tumigil sa trabaho at pinagmasdan siyang umupo sa sofa katapat ng office table ko, nakita ko ang pagsulyap niya sa akin ngunit dali-dali niyang ibinaling ang mata sa mga librong nakapalibot sa kaniya.

"Do you read all of this books?" Namamangha niyang tanong.

"Obviously not." I said, not breaking free from my stare.

"Bakit ang yaman niyo? Ano bang trabaho mo?" She asked curiously.

My brows hiked up. Now she's curious about me, huh?

"Well, we had a family business that's been passed down from generation to generation."

Tuluyan na niya akong binalingan.

"What business?" Kyuryoso niyang tanong.

Killing people.

"Guarding people." I shrugged.

"Ahh . . . iyong mga taong naka-itim ba no'ng sinugod mo kami ni Papa ang mga nagtatrabaho sa 'yo?" 

"Uh-huh." I nodded, suddenly amused at the conversation we're having.

"So you're like the CEO of a private security firm?" Tanong niya na tinanguan ko.

"What about you?" I asked.

Namula siya. "Uhm . . . just a writer." She shrugged.

"Uh-huh. Romance writer." I concluded, her eyes widened.

"You searched for my novels?!" Bulyaw niya at napatayo na, ambang susugurin ako.

"Chill!" Tawa ko. "I didn't! I just assumed but based on your reaction maybe you are!" Natatawa kong sabi.

Her eyes widened and I could see the regret flashing through her eyes. I let out an ohh sound and laughed, her eyes widened once again in panic and tried to school her expression but it's too late.

"I bet it's not allowed for kid—"

"Stop!" Galit niyang putol at nagmartsa na palabas sa library, I couldn't help but laugh. I knew it! She knew dirty things so it's possible she also write dirty scenes!

Humupa na ang tawa ko at nawala na rin siya sa paningin ko. There's no traces of Arabelle left but my smile remained. I'm getting crazy! Damn.

Sinandal ko ang ulo sa upuan at pinikit ang mata, reminiscing how profusely she blushed towards me.

"Here you are, Adam! I've been looking for you!"

Hindi ko na kailangang idilat ang mga mata ko para malaman kung kaninong boses iyon nanggagaling.

"And by the way, natagalan ako dahil lumabas ako saglit. I bought you strawberry cake! Your favorite! Thanks for fixing the car nga pala!" I felt her sit on my lap.

"Evelyn." I groaned in frustration, she's disturbing my peace.

"What, honey?"

"Get up." I warned, not bothering to open my eyes.

"Hmm? Why?" She whispered seductively.

"I don't want to be violent, Evelyn." Nagtitimpi kong sabi, counting numbers in my head.

"Oh come on!" Reklamo niya at umalis na sa pagkakandong sa akin. Thank god she knew me well or else I'll end up losing my temper.

"Get out." Kalmado kong sabi.

She huffed loud and I heard her heels clacking on the floor. A door then banged loudly, that's when I opened my eyes and saw the cake on the table.

It wasn't my favorite cake.

It was Cara's favorite.

"I hate sweets, Evelyn." I smiled bitterly while staring at the cake.

The little Adam and little Cara would've fought over this cake. Not because they both like it but because the little Cara would force the little Adam to eat even just a little piece of it.

And the little Adam being the kind and loving older brother he is would concede to little Cara.

"I love you, Adam! Hihi." I could still remember her mischievous smile as I forcefully swallow the sweet cake.

And it would give a smile on my face, knowing I made her happy even when I really didn't want it.

Because at the end, it's only Cara whom I care genuinely for, not anyone, not even myself.

🥀