#DS5Unbowed #EmbRace #PuppyCouple #DaggerSeries

A/N: I hope you enjoy your holidays with your friends and family. Happy New Year na rin ♡. Thank you so much for being part of my 2022 and for making it a wonderful year for me. Your support means the world to me, and everything that I achieved this year wouldn't be possible if not for your love and support for my books. Thank you again, BHO CAMPERS! Wuvwuv ♡

CHAPTER 22: CHARACTER

EMBER'S POV

The sun has already set, and the gust of wind touching my skin became colder, but I'm comfortable and warm thanks to the hot chocolate drink that I'm drinking, Trace's hoodie, and my new baby, Sir Francis Bacon who is sleeping in my arms.

He's an orphan piglet that the farm owners fostered temporarily. Namatay kasi ang nanay ni Sir Francis Bacon at ang orihinal na may-ari naman ay uuwi muna dapat saglit sa Visayas. Ang kaso hindi na nakuha ulit si Sir Francisc Bacon dahil hindi na bumalik ang may-ari. The farm owners were planning to sell him kasi hindi naman sila nag-aalaga talaga ng hayop at tanging ang taniman talaga nila ang pangkabuhayan nila. Then Trace bought him for me.

"This is the life," Lucienne exhaled with a smile. Kasalukuyan siyang nakasandal sa asawa niyang tahimik lang sa tabi niya.

Kasama ko silang mga Dawson na nakaupo sa labas ng bahay ng mag-asawang Alma at Paolo. Coal and Domino went back to the office but the others stayed. Kanina ay kasama din namin ang mag-asawa dahil hindi nila kami pinayagang umalis nang matapos kami sa pag-harvest hanggang hindi kami kumakain ng hapunan. They retired to their rooms after dinner, but their daughter, Maria Elaine, stayed with us. Siya rin ang gumawa ng hot chocolate para sa amin.

No'ng una ay nag-aalinlangan ako na mag-stay. I was tempted to ask Trace if we could go back to the farmhouse, but he looked like he was enjoying the company of his siblings and his friend, so I didn't. Tama ang desisyon na pinili ko. Elaine turns out to be a lot of fun to be around.

Nahugot ako pabalik sa kasalukuyang pinag-uusapan ng mga babae nang maagaw ang pansin ko ng tanong ni Lucienne. "Hindi ka nagsisi na hindi mo sinagot si Trace? I mean, kung ako rin hindi ako magsisisi. You don't have to endure the lifetime pain of pangingilo at sakit ng ulo."

"Anong kinalaman ng pangingilo ro'n?" nakasimangot na tanong ni Trace.

"Wala lang. Ginaya ko lang sa commercial."

I chuckled under my breath. Nakikinig lang ako sa kanila at ini-enjoy ang perks ng pagiging audience. Iyong tatawa ka lang at hindi mo kailangang mag-ambag ng kuwento. At kapag sinuwerte ka ay baka sakaling hindi ka makita nila Lucienne at gawing topic din.

"So?" Lucienne pressed.

Nagkibit-balikat si Elaine. "Noong umpisa. Siyempre hindi ka ba magsisisi kung gwapo, mayaman, at mabait na ang nanligaw sa'yo?"

True.

"Hindi ko alam na malabo rin pala ang mga mata mo." Inginuso ako ni Lucienne at nanigas ako sa kinauupuan nang mapagtanto ko na wala sa sariling tumatango pala ako at napansin niya iyon. "Gusto niyo regaluhan ko kayo ng pampa-lasik surgery? Advance Christmas gift ko sa inyo kahit ang tagal pa bago mag-Pasko."

The woman just laughed, while I slouched more on my seat as if to hide myself while hugging the piglet in my arms tighter.

"Pero bakit hindi mo naisipang kontakin si Trace ulit? Tutal inistorbo ka namin noong naglilihi ako," tanong ni Belaya.

"Ewan ko ba. Feeling ko kasi lalong tataas ang insecurity ko kapag naging higit sa magkaibigan kami. Para kasing ang perpekto niya na. Iyon pang trabaho niya na lagi siyang wala tapos sikat ang mga kliyente niya. Saka masaya siyang maging kaibigan lang. Iyong masaya lang kayo at hindi komplikado."

I understand her reasons. I've thought about it before noong sinabi ni Trace sa akin na karamihan sa mga nakilala niya ay kung hindi siya nauuwi sa friendzone ay naghihiwalay naman sila at nagiging magkaibigan na lang.

Friendship is not as vulnerable as a romantic relationship. There are a lot of situations in a relationship that could ruin your connection permanently. People tend to forget that they started good, severing all ties because how they ended hurts too much.

They talked some more, and the subject changed when Lia asked if Elaine had a boyfriend now. And she has.

"Ikaw?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang marinig ko si Trace na nagsalita. Mahina lang iyon na para bang ako lang ang gusto niyang makarinig. "Ha?"

"Ikaw rin ba gusto mo iyong masaya lang at hindi komplikado?"

Sa kabila ng lamig ay naramdaman kong nag-init ang magkabila kong pisngi. "Sino bang tao ang hindi gustong maging masaya lang?"

"And?"

"But nothing worth it in life is uncomplicated. It's why the word often used to describe it is 'rewarding'. How could you get a reward without working hard for it?"

Kumibot ang mga labi ni Trace. "So you mean to say that I'm worth it?"

"Ha?"

"Kasasabi mo lang."

I cleared my throat. "I gave an answer to a hypothetical question."

"I didn't say it was hypothetical."

"My answer was hypothetical."

He's fighting a smile but he didn't push more. Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko at binalingan ko na lang ang natutulog na biik na yakap-yakap ko. He's so cute. He's like a baby. Nang ibigay siya sa akin ni Trace kanina ay hindi na siya humiwalay sa akin. Partly because I didn't want to let him go. Pero kahit nang kumakain kami ay gusto niyang magpakarga. His behavior is more of a dog.

"Ganiyan silang magkakapatid. Mabilis mambakod pero matagal bago gumawa ng move nila. Ang first kiss namin ni Bossing Thorn medyo matagal. Nakalipat na kami no'n sa safe house that time."

Napatingin ako kay Lucienne nang marinig ko ang bagong topic nila. Parang kinakabahan ako sa pinag-uusapan nila. Mukhang first kiss kasi ang topic.

"Mas matagal sa amin ni Pierce," nakangusong sabi ni Belaya. "Kahit anong harot ko sa kaniya wala talaga."

"Iyan ba 'yung time na gusto niyang panagutan mo ang feelings niya?" natatawang tanong ni Lucienne.

"Oo. Nasa bazaar tayo no'n." The expression on Belaya's face went dreamy. "It was straight out of a movie though, so I'm glad we waited. I got jealous, I ran away, he followed me, and then we kissed while the rain was pouring."

The men groan, but Pierce just smiled as if he's proud of it. Hinalikan ng lalaki ang sentido ng asawa na para bang magkasintahan pa lang sila na humagikhik.

"Kami ni Bossing Thorn nagkayayaan lang mag-inuman. Tumugtog iyong kanta ni Ed Sheeran na Kiss Me at dahil masunurin kami, ayon."

"Kung makapagsalita ka parang magkumpare lang kayo na umiinom gabi-gabi. Virgin pa nga ata ang atay mo sa alcohol no'n," pang-aasar ni Trace kay Lucienne.

"Hindi lang atay ko ang virgin that time."

Napuno ng tawanan ang kinaroroonan namin lalo pa at umaktong nasusuka si Trace.

"Kayo rin medyo matagal no Mireia?" tanong ni Belaya sa kaibigan nang humina na ang tawanan. "Though speed si Axel pagdating sa pambabakod sa'yo."

"Sobrang tagal kung tutuusin. Unofficially, first kiss namin noong nasa college pa kami. Hindi nga lang niya alam. It's more of my goodbye kiss to him."

Mireia told me about her story, and it was heartbreaking. But the way she speaks now, it's as if she's free from the nightmares of her past.

"Iyong official kiss matagal din. Nagtatabi na kami matulog pero hindi pa nakakahalik ang isang 'yon," nangingiting sabi niya bago siya bumaling kay Lia. "Kayo ata ang number one no? Sa pinakamabilis na first kiss?"

"Three days after we met." Nilingon ng babae ang asawa. Something passed by between them, and her eyes twinkled brighter than the scattered stars above us. "We kissed at the summit of Mt. Pulag."

My attention went to Trace because I just knew... he would say something for sure. Hindi ako nagkamali nang makita kong ngiting-ngiti siya na para bang nanalo siya ng gold medal sa isang patimpalak.

"Trace—"

Idinipa niya ang mga kamay niya at nakapikit na tumingala siya sa langit. "I'm the king of the universe!"

Hinila ko ang manggas ng t-shirt niya. "Trace!"

"Nag-kiss na kayo?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Belaya.

"No. It's not like that..." Binigyan ko ng matalim na tingin si Trace. "It's before."

"Noong panahon na akala namin imahinasyon ka lang niya?" tanong ulit ng babae.

"Uhh..."

Inakbayan ako ni Trace at hinapit niya ako palapit sa kaniya. Tinapik-tapik niya ang dibdib niya na para bang naghahanda siya para sa kung ano.

"I'll tell you all how it happened. How I met a princess in that dimly lit bar and how she beat me at a game of darts. "

I sighed and shook my head. He's on his "zone". Iyong klase na kahit na sino ay hindi siya magagawang hilahin pabalik sa present time.

"One upon a time, a lonely prince decided to drink his pain away—"

"Ang boring naman. Sino bang writer niyan at ng mademanda?"

Trace ignored Lucienne as well as the laughter that erupted around us again. "I was so overcome with grief that I didn't notice her at first, but then I heard her sigh, and when I turned, I saw the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. Her long, shiny black hair is the color of the dark night sky, and her pearl skin is as light as the moon. Her eyes seem to see right through your soul, digging deep for your secrets. I forced myself to speak, fearing that no words would come out given how captivated I am by her beauty. Then that's when I heard her voice..." He dramatically put the back of his palm on his forehead as if he were a lady from the Victorian era who's about to faint. "It sounded like music that had never been discovered. A melody that no ordinary ear could hear."

"Parang ang gandang gawing kanta," narinig kong bulong ni Lia.

Pumalatak si Lucienne. "Lia, huwag mong sirain ang career mo."

"She asked me to play a game. The winner will receive a wish as a prize. Hindi na mahalaga sa akin kung manalo o matalo. Meeting her... I was already winning, and it was also a dream fulfilled," Trace continued, lost in his story, where he's the main character.

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko para mapigilan ang ngiti na nais kumurba ro'n. I am still embarrassed, but the way he's narrating the first time that we met is so hilarious that I can't help but feel the urge to laugh.

"She won, just as she did my heart. She claimed her prize, and it was my lips that she asked for as a reward. I said to her, 'I made a promise to myself that I have no plans on breaking. You might be at a disadvantage. Do you still want to claim it? Your prize?' and she answered..." Tumikhim si Trace at napabunghalit na ako ng tawa nang liitan niya ang boses niya. "It's mine to—"

Tinakpan ko ang bibig niya dahilan para maputol ang sasabihin niya. "Stop!"

Kinuha niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan niya ang likod ng palad ko at pagkatapos ay ikinulong niya iyon sa malaki niyang kamay. He proudly looked at the people watching us with mixed expressions on their faces; may natatawa, may nangingilabot, at merong mga blangko na para bang hindi maarok ng utak nila kung ano ang nangyari.

"Ano kayang magandang title sa kuwento ni Trace?" naiiling na tanong ni Mireia.

"Marami akong idea," proud na sabi ni Lucienne. "The Count of Muntinlupa Loob, Grimm's Fairy Tales new version and inspired by true story, Ales Miserable, Dracula: Ang Bampirang Walang Pangil, at Ibong Andoksna."

Even the always serious Gun Dawson laughed out loud, while the rest of us were on the verge of tears.

"I thought you already had one?" Lia asked when she managed to calm herself.

"Iyon pa rin ang first choice ko. Anpanget. Hindi U-N ha? Kasi kapag Unpanget parang ang ibig sabihin hindi na siya pangit. Gusto ko Anpanget kasi parang Ang Panget."

Trace threw daggers at her with his eyes, but when he turned to me, he was like a sad puppy.

I reached for him before I could stop myself. I pat his head, even though he's taller and bigger than me. Para namang nagustuhan niya iyon dahil mas lalo pa niyang idinikit ang ulo niya sa akin.

Sa kabila ng mga pang-aasar sa kaniya ng sister-in-law niya ay alam ko na kapag dumating ang araw na ang libro na niya ang isusulat ng babae, ay katulad ng mga nauna, buong puso ang ibubuhos ni Lucienne doon. I've read her books. She gave them life in the only way she knew how.

I'm just not sure if my name will appear alongside Trace's... or if I'll be just another character passing through the pages of the book.

I have a lot going on in my life. I have demons whispering in my ears, haunting my dreams, and poisoning my reality.

"Nothing worth it in life is uncomplicated."

I meant that. He's worthy to fight for. But for the first time in my life, I'm scared of the end result. For the first time in my life... I have so much to lose.

HUMAKBANG ako papunta sa kabilang bahagi ng safety gate. A bark, a meow, and an oink resonated around the living room. Nginitian ko ang tatlo na ngayon ay hindi makasunod sa akin at kasalukuyang mga nagpapaawa sa kabilang bahagi ng harang.

Trace installed a safety gate so that Sir Francis Bacon and Bingo could stay in the living room. Iyon nga lang ay maging si Potchi ay kasama na nila dahil kada gabi ay pumupuslit ang aso ni Trace para samahan ang mga kaibigan niya.

I leaned down and tapped their noses with my forefinger. "I'll be back, guys. Be good."

May hinihintay kasi na dokumento si Trace na ipinadala ni Axel mula sa headquarters nila. Huli kong nakita ang binata ay nang pumasok siya sa opisina niya. When Miss Asencio received the documents, she gave them to me.

Kumatok ako sa opisina ni Trace pero nang walang sumagot ay binuksan ko ang pintuan. He's not here.

Kunot ang noo na naglakad ako papunta sa kuwarto niya. Kumatok ako roon pero nang wala pa ring sumagot ay pinihit ko ang seradura para sumilip. "Trace?"

Bantulot na pumasok ako sa loob nang makita kong wala rin siya sa kuwarto. Curiosity took over my rationality. I don't think I've ever been inside his room. Kung sakali man ay siguro sandali lang o nasa labas lang ako ng pinto.

His room is clean, just like the first time I saw it when he gave me a tour. There weren't any clothes lying on the floor, but there were two on the small sofa. He's not meticulously tidy, but he doesn't live like a teenager either. His room smells like his cologne too.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng kuwarto sa kabila ng mga warning alarm na tila umaalingawngaw sa tenga ko. Maybe this is why it is said that curiosity killed the cat.

Ipinatong ko ang naka-envelope na dokumento sa kama habang iniikot ko pa rin ang paningin ko sa paligid. The framed pictures on his wall caught my attention, and I went straight to them.

He has a lot of pictures. Pero hindi katulad sa Facebook niya ay puro pamilya niya lang ang nandito. Even the pictures of his nephews and nieces are here.

Napapitlag ako nang makarinig ako ng ingay na nagmumula sa kaliwang bahagi ko at tumama ang kamay ko roon. Dahil titig na titig ako sa mga larawan ay huli na para mapansin ko na pintuan pala ng banyo ang naroon. Banyo na ngayon ay dahan-dahang bumukas dahil hindi iyon nakapinid ng mabuti.

I have a direct line of sight to the mirror, which despite beginning to get foggy, still reveals a clear view of the man, who obviously just got out of the bath and is now drying himself.

Tinakpan ko ang bibig ko at nanlalaki ang mga matang napaatras ako nang makita kong paharap na siya sa pintuan na para bang lalabas na ng banyo. I should have run straight to the door, but in my panic, my first instinct was to hide myself.

Kaagad na pumasok ako sa loob ng malaki niyang walk-in closet. One that I would have admired if not for my current dilemma. I was about to give myself a whiplash when I circled around as I looked for a place where I would be obscured from view and not in the open.

Nang mamataan ko ang nakasaradong pintuan ng cabinet na nasa kabilang direksyon ng kinaroroonan ko ay tinakbo ko iyon at walang pagdadalawang isip na pumasok ako sa loob. I closed the door by pulling the two hooks at the back of the closet doors, my heart thumping loudly inside my chest.

Hindi naman siguro siya pupunta rito. Hindi naman siguro nandito ang mga pambahay niya.

Kinapa ko ang mga nauupuan ko na damit at pati na ang mga nakasabit. Please be a suit. Please be a suit. There's no way he would need a suit right now.

As if proving that I'm not the universe's favorite being, the clothes on the hangers feel soft to the touch. Like hoodies and shirts. Mga damit na kalimitang sinusuot ni Trace kapag nasa bahay lang siya. His clothes are always straight, as if they've been freshly ironed and not folded. Now I know why.

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko nang marinig ko ang palapit na mga yabag sa kinaroroonan ko. The bifold door doesn't have a double knob that I could hold on to. Muli kong inabot ang mga hook na hinila ko kanina para maisarado ang pinto pero hindi na ako nagkaroon ng pagkakataon pa.

I screamed bloody murder when the doors opened, frightening the living daylights out of Trace. "AHHHHH!"

"AHHHHH!" sigaw rin ni Trace na napaatras habang nanlalaki ang mga mata.

Due to his sudden movements, his towel, which was already hanging loosely on his hips, slipped down. Tinangka niyang pigilan na mahulog iyon pero huli na ang lahat.

It feels like my eyes would fall from their sockets when the image of something I shouldn't be looking at is now in front of me. It's long, thick, and veiny for something that is not erect— "AHHHHH!"

"AHHHHH!"

__________________________________End of Chapter 22.