#DS3Unscripted #BelayaxPierce #LKCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 19: CALAMITY

BELAYA'S POV

I'm starting to get overwhelm with what I'm seeing in front of me. It's a rare thing for me. I don't get easily overwhelmed with important matters. Pero kung tutuusin naman kasi ay iba naman kasi ang klase ng sitwasyon na kinahaharap ko ngayon.

"That's... a lot."

Tinignan ako ni Pierce na siyang nag-aayos ng mga nakadikit na papel sa salamin na pader ng conference room. It's a different room. Not the one that they put me into when I first went here at Dagger's headquarters. Itong lugar kung saan naroon kami ay ang conference room na malapit sa opisina nila.

"Axel compiled all of this," he said.

"A list of my ex-boyfriends and the other people that got involved with me?"

Umigting ang mga panga niya sa sinabi ko. Niyakap ko ang sarili ko hindi lang dahil sa malamig ang paligid kundi dahil pakiramdam ko ay nanlalamig ako sa posibilidad na nasa harapan ko. That someone I know is out there with the intent to hurt me.

"We want you to tell us if we're missing some."

There must be at least twenty pictures that are hanging on the wall. Some of them I did went out on a date once or twice, some were just rumored to be one of the people that I dated, and some of them I stayed with a bit longer.

They're missing one though. I just don't think it's necessary to tell them. Sigurado akong nakita ni Axel ang impormasyon na iyon at naiintindihan ko rin kung bakit hindi niya isinama iyon. There's no need to.

"Do you really think one of them is doing this?"

Umupo si Axel sa harapan ko at ibinaba niya ang laptop niya. He started typing but he's the one who answered my question. "There are a few kinds of stalkers. Some is in the form of intimacy seeking. Sometimes it's out of their want to have someone and they usually develop a delusional belief that they already have a connection with the person that they chose as their focal point. There's also the predatory ones. They stalk people that they're sexually interested with. But most common stalkers are those who felt like they've been rejected. They can't let go and they still think that what they're doing is a form of trying to get the relationship back. It's them trying to take control despite being out of the life of that person. Most stalkers claim that they just want to keep the person they love safe, when in truth, what they're doing is making them feel the opposite."

Humigpit ang pagkakayakap ko sa sarili ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko kasi magawang pigilan ang sarili ko na maalala ang gabi na iyon kung saan mismong nakaharap ko ang taong gumagawa ng mga ito sa akin.

"He said that to me. Ang sabi niya alam daw niya na komportable ako kapag nasa malapit siya. That's why I didn't notice that he's always close to me." Hinawi ko ang mahaba kong buhok at tinignan ko si Axel ng direkta sa mga mata habang mahigpit na magkasalikop ang mga kamay ko. "I didn't know. I'm used to zoning out the people around me. I needed to be like that because of my job. There's always people looking at me... and I... and I didn't know."

Umupo si Pierce sa tabi ko at inanggulo niya ang upuan niya para mapaharap iyon sa akin. He's face is set hard and his eyes are like steels.

"It's not your fault, Belaya," he said.

"But I... I encouraged him-"

"You didn't. He's a sick person with a twisted mind. He's delusional. There's nothing that you could do to convince him otherwise."

I felt him reach for my hand under the table and he squeezed it gently. Nilingon ko ang larawan ng mga taong naging parte ng buhay ko kahit pa sabihin na karamihan sa mga iyon ay saglit lang nagtagal.

"We want to know if there's one of them that made you feel like they didn't want to break up with you or stop dating you," Thorn said after awhile. May hawak siya na ballpen at sa harapan niya ay may kulay abo na notebook.

"All of them." Naramdaman ko na bahagyang lumuwag ang pagkakahawak sa akin ni Pierce pero pinigilan ko ang kamay niya na bitawan ako. Nananatiling na kay Thorn ang mga mata ko pero hindi ko pinakawalan ang kamay ni Pierce. "Except Lance Bernal, Oliver Castillo, Grayson Cervantes, James Espino, or Renzo Gerona. I never dated them. They were just rumored to be."

"Any ugly breakups?" Gun asked.

"Most of them." Napabuntong-hininga ako. I know that I'm not helping but I don't know what to say. None of my ex wanted to break up with me and most of the breakups I had are ugly. "The problem is always the cheating. I'm a busy person. Most of the time I'm absent in the relationship. So when they can't have my attention they usually try to get what they want from someone else. And I hate cheaters. It's the kind of disrespect that I can never forgive, and... well let's just say that I don't exactly stop myself from retaliating."

"We should investigate the third party too," Thorn said looking at his brothers. "We know about Belaya's last break up. It didn't end well with the woman too and they exchanged words that could trigger this."

"But... it's clearly a man that took me that night."

This time it's Gun who speak. "This could be another conspiracy. It happened to my wife. We can't rule out the possibility yet that the man who tried to take you might be hired by someone to scare you."

"I'm still angling on this being a really full blown stalker," singit ni Domino.

Tumango si Coal at hinarap niya sa amin ang laptop niya. May litrato roon ng mga bawas na pagkain sa isang parte ng bahay ko at mayroon ding kuha mula sa sasakyan ko. "He's committed. He stayed a lot of time in your car and in your home. Of course it's still possible na binayaran lang ang tao na ito pero malaki din ang posibilidad na totoong stalker talaga ang perpetrator natin ngayon."

I felt my body quivered at what he said. At the mere thought of that man being so close to me... watching me... and I didn't even notice. He was so close. He could have taken me a long time ago and who knows if I would be as lucky as I did that night.

"We need to narrow down this list. It's too broad. We need to investigate this people and maybe talk to some of them," Gun said.

"I'll arrange that but it's better if the list is shorter. Pwede nating simulan sa mga taong mas may posibilidad na umakto ng ganito. Someone that really showed a bit of a characteristic for a stalker."

The last part came from Trace. The way he speak is different now than his usual self. He's not the happy go lucky Trace anymore. This is the version of him that is focus on his job.

Thorn gave him a nod. "We also need more information. Aside from what we have already."

"The masks..." I whispered.

"We're running a fingerprint scan but I don't think we'll get what we need." Sumandal ang nakatatandang Dawson sa upuan. "May ibig bang sabihin ang mask na iyon para sa iyo?"

"It means something to anyone that has the same job as mine. It's Thalia's mask."

"Thalia?" Axel asked.

"One of the seven muses. I found out about it when I had my first acting workshop when I was young. Dalawa lang sa seven muses ang importante sa mundo na ginagalawan ko. It's Melpomene and Thalia. They're the Greek muses of tragedy and comedy and they're the only one carrying masks. The mask that Pierce found is Thalia's. But it's not what that man was wearing that night that he took me. He was wearing the tragedy mask that time... Melpomene's."

"He's not only connected to you," Pierce whispered, his hand holding me getting tighter. "He's also connected to the industry."

"Fuck," Axel whispered.

Sa itsura niya ay para bang alam niya na kung anong kailangan niyang gawin... o kung ano ang malamang ay ipagagawa sa kaniya.

"Axel, make another list. This one I want her competitions to be in it, someone that she had altercation with." Tinignan ako ni Thorn at tinuro niya ang mga larawan. "Meron ba sa mga nakalista rito ang konektado sa industriya niyo?"

"Most of them are. I can give the names to you."

"Don't worry. Axel will handle it."

Axel grabbed one of the cinnamon bread on the table and he gave me a small smile before he put it in his mouth. Kagat iyon na kinuha niya ang laptop niya bago walang salitang umalis na ng conference room.

Nahugot mula sa kaniya ang atensyon ko at napatingin ako kay Pierce nang tumayo siya. Dahil hawak niya ang kamay ko ay napilitan akong sumunod sa kaniya. I can feel the eyes of his brothers on us... specially to the hand he's still holding.

"Let's go. You need to sleep," Pierce said. "We'll handle this. This is our job. What you need to do is take a rest."

"I know that but-"

I looked at his brothers and they're all moving as if it's not the middle of the night. Para bang normal na lang ang mga ganitong tagpo para sa kanila.

I want to help. It's not like I gave them any important information. Their list is still long because there's no way for me to narrow it down. Most of the people I dated is in the industry, most of them I had a breakup that didn't end good, and most of them involved a third party.

"I don't know how to help," I whispered.

"We got it."

"Pierce..."

His eyes softened. "Kitty, let's go home."

Home.

Oh I'm in trouble. And he is too. He just don't know it yet. With him and me... it's not just trouble. That word is an understatement.

Calamity sounds better.

PINIGILAN kong mapangiti habang pinapanood ang dalawang babae na nasa harapan ko na para bang mga propesyonal sa ginagawa nila. They're face looks serious as they move around me while the sound of clicking follows them.

"Tilt your head back a little," Lucienne directed me.

Sinunod ko siya at napasipol siya dahilan para mapangiti ako. She could work as a photographer. Women need the hype she's giving. Akala mo ay photoshoot ng Vogue ang ginagawa namin samantalang nandito lang naman kami sa swimming pool ni Pierce.

They heard about what happened two days ago and they wanted to visit me. Ang problema kahapon ay kinailangan kong asikasuhin ang contract signing para sa bago kong project. I'm officially Sariah for The Chains of Ravine. The day before that I needed to be at Dagger because I asked Pierce to let me help Axel make a list.

"I think I want to buy a swimsuit like that."

"I have two more but in a different color. I haven't used them. It's yours if you want," sabi ko kay Lia. Katulad ni Lucienne na siyang may hawak ng cellphone ko ay nakalubog din siya sa tubig kasama namin.

She's wearing a white swimsuit that looks familiar to me because I think I saw a picture online of a famous model, Candice Swanepoel, wearing one before. It's a simple one piece swimsuit except the V is very low with two string crisscrossed on her chest accentuating the deep cleavage that her suit is showing. Her body is on a prime condition which is amazing for a woman who just gave birth to twins. She's rocking motherhood to a new level.

Lucienne on the hand looks great except her being adorable is winning because of her swimsuit. She's in a tankini with mermaid design.

"Uhh..."

"It's fine with me, promise." Tinignan ko si Lucienne at nginitian ko siya. "Kung gusto mo rin sa'yo na ang isa."

"I would love that except I don't think this..." She pointed at her chest area. "You know what I mean. Your vavaboom is bigger than mine and Lia is closer to your girls' size but still she's just so little."

Napatawa ako nang pinaliit niya pa ang boses niya nang sabihin niya ang salitang "little" dahilan para paningkitan siya ng mga mata ng babae. Wala namang matangkad sa aming tatlo but Lia's smaller than us. She's really a tiny thing.

I've been called shorty and munchkin thanks to my family and my best friend but when I met Lia she's like... well if I'm a munchkin then she's Thumbelina.

"I'll order you guys a pair. Just text me your sizes," I told them.

"You don't need to do that-"

"Sure!"

Nangingiting napailing ako dahil sa game na game na pagpayag ni Lucienne. I looked at Lia and I gave her a smile. "It's sponsored so it won't cost me anything. Isa pa if they know that you'll wear it they probably will lose their mind."

"Oo nga. Kung nahihiya ka pa rin eh di bigyan mo rin kami ng mga iniisponsor sa iyo." Itinaas ni Lucienne ang kamay. "I want the Nike shoes."

"Nike sponsored you?" Shoe brand companies as sponsors is kind of a big thing. "Wow!"

"Fine. Just send me your sizes too." Lia rolled her eyes at Lucienne before she turned to me. "Akala mo walang sponsor 'yan eh ang dami namang nag-aalok sa kaniya."

"Hindi ko naman kasi kailangan. I'm not into social media and I'm still not comfortable posting my pictures. Simpleng manunulat lang ako."

"That is earning millions." Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay dahil alam kong totoo iyon. Hindi lang naman kasi dito sumikat ang mga kuwento niya. Her books got translated and it's making a noise internationally. "You had a lot of books. Your royalties must be a killer." Hindi siya sumagot at nginusuan niya lang kami ni Lia. Naiiling na sumandal ako sa pader ng swimming pool. "Kapag naging movie ang isa sa libro mo gusto kong maging cast."

Namilog ang mga mata niya. "Talaga?"

"As long as hindi papatayin agad ang character ko."

"Uy nagsusulat na rin ako ng romance ngayon. Crime romance pero pwede na di ba?" Humagikhik siya. "Akala mo talaga magiging movie eh."

"Why not? For sure it's about to happen any moment," sabi ko.

Tumango si Lia at tinapik sa balikat ang babae. "Huwag mo kaming kakalimutan kapag lalo ka ng sumikat, friend."

Nagusot ang ilong ni Lucienne habang nagpapalipat-lipat ang tingin sa amin. "Kung makapagsalita kayong dalawa parang hindi kayo sikat no? Noong isang araw nga nag go-grocery kami ni Thorn tas nakita namin sa commercial si Belaya. I told him that we should buy the product because we're close to her. Narinig ata no'ng sales lady tapos kung makatingin sa akin akala mo gumagawa lang ako ng kuwento. Pinakitaan ko nga ng selfie natin. Panes si ate. Sayang nga hinila na ako paalis ng asawa ko. Tatawagan ko pa nga sana si Belaya."

Lia and I laugh at that. Sa paraan kasi ng pagkukuwento ni Lucienne parang ang laki ng sama ng loob niya sa saleslady na pinaghinalaan siya.

"One more pic," sabi ni Lia pagkaraan sa akin. "Itukod mo ang mga siko mo sa gutter ng pool. Then arched your back a little."

Nangingiting sinunod ko ang inuutos niya. "Pwede na kayong maging photographer."

Sebastian sent me some products from my sponsors. Ilan sa mga iyon ay ang swimsuit na suot ko. It's a burgundy halter top two piece bikini. It has a deep cut-out ring on the middle of my cleavage. The bottom is tiny and lined with two straps that are showing the skin on the side of my hips.

Nang makita iyon nila Lucienne kanina ay nag suggest siya na mag photoshoot kami. Gun and Thorn even went out to get their swimsuits for them. Sila kasing dalawa ang kasama namin dito dahil umalis si Pierce para pumunta sa headquarters saglit.

"Your sponsor will love this," Lia said as Lucienne keep on clicking.

"They will," Lucienne readily agreed. "This is hawt! You need to post this one on Instagram."

"No."

Napatingin kaming lahat sa taas ng swimming pool. My eyes widened a bit when I saw Pierce standing there, looking directly at me. His eyes looks heated when they wandered down to what I'm wearing. Because I have my arms on the gutter and I'm pushing myself up to pose for the picture, my breasts are pushed together, highlighting the swell of them more.

I always have the eyes of a lot of people. People watched me played characters that are sensual. There's power with being free in terms of being a sexual being, but with Pierce looking at me, it feels different. I don't need his hands on me to feel his warmth or to feel owned. With just him looking at me it's more than sensuality... it's also brazen and wild.

I never felt that. Not with anyone. Not ever.

"No?" I asked.

"No."

"It's sponsored."

"Then take the swimsuit off and take a picture of it."

Nakita kong nagkatinginan si Lia at Lucienne. Parehas may pigil na ngiti sa mga labi nila na lumangoy sila patungo sa hagdanan na malayo sa amin. I stopped myself from smiling too and I walked towards the pool ladder. Humawak ako sa magkabilang gilid no'n at hinila ko ang sarili ko paangat. Hindi ko inalis ang mga mata ko sa direksyon ni Pierce at kita ko kung paanong sinundan niya ng tingin ang bawat kilos ko.

Imbis na lumapit sa tuwalya na ipinatong ko sa isa sa mga lounger kanina ay naglakad ako papunta sa direksyon ng lalaki. Huminto ako sa tapat niya at kita ko kung paanong manigas ang leeg niya.

Binigyan ko siya ng matamis na ngiti at inabot ko gamit ng isa kong kamay ang strap ng bikini top ko na nasa likod ko. Without even having second thought, I pulled it off. I gasped in surprise when as I fast I pulled the strap, Pierce's hands are suddenly on mine. Pinigilan niyang kumawala ang damit ko at mabilis niya iyong ikinabit ulit.

"What the hell are you doing?" he hissed.

"You said I should take it off."

"Belaya-"

Humakbang ako palapit sa kaniya dahilan para muling mapuno ng tensyon ang katawan niya. This is why I like it when he's around. He's a distraction that I always needed. One that I'm planning to keep for as long as I can.

"Fine, I won't do it now." Nakangiting inilapat ko ang kamay ko sa dibdib niya. Tumingkayad ako hangang sa magkalapit ang mga mukha namin. "I'll take it off later and you can watch if you want."

He continued looking at me as if he's trying to understand me... like I'm some puzzle that is hard to solve.

"You're a little calamity, aren't you?" he whispered after awhile.

Hmm. That word. "With a capital C."