#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER ELEVEN: FREE

TIARA'S POV

I feel embarrassed. First, it's because it feels like since I've been in Domino's care, I just keep on giving him grief over food. Parang wala atang araw na lumipas na hindi kami nagpipilitan sa pagkain. And just a few moments ago, I had a meltdown over it.

I shouldn't have quit therapy.

I've only been into one a few years ago when I had an accident during rehearsal, and the doctor advised that I take a break for a couple of weeks. The director of the ballet company in Ukraine that I was in at the time forced me into therapy. For a person who lived for ballet at such a young age, working non-stop for grueling hours and being locked in one place where I couldn't dance and basically do anything is like torture. And at that time, I lived with my mother.

I stopped going when my injury healed, despite my therapist's wishes to continue. It wasn't because I didn't want to or didn't think she was helping me. It's more because my mother wanted me to stop since she said I wouldn't need it anymore.

"Here."

I looked up, and I was greeted by Lia's gentle eyes. She handed me a plate with small portions of food, but more than what I usually eat. Even a rat eats more than me. My eyes grew misty when I saw a tiny rectangular piece that had been cut out of a pizza.

"Thank you," I whispered. "You didn't have to."

She just smiled before taking a seat in the space Lucienne vacated. Kasalukuyan kasing nasa kabilang bahagi ng kinaroroonan namin ang babae at kausap si Domino.

I noticed that the other women were no longer sitting on the floor. Mukhang hinanapan sila ng upuan ng mga asawa nila.

"It's our fault for not thinking well enough about what to bring. You're probably on a strict diet—"

Sunod-sunod na umiling ako at pinutol ko ang sasabihin ni Lia. "This is not anyone's fault. I'm just... not normal. I'm weird. Especially with food."

"You're not weird," Ember said, entering the conversation. "In today's age, normal is not a thing anymore. We all have different issues, different upbringings, and different views, and that doesn't make us weird."

"That's why we're going to discover what you like." Lia's eyes became light with excitement. "I'm going to do research on Ukrainian foods. Oh! And Italian. Circe said your grandfather was Italian."

"You really didn't have to."

Belaya, who was busy sipping on her drinks, just waved her hand. "Hindi mo mapipigilan ang isang 'yan. She likes a challenge." Tinuro niya ang direksyon nina Ember at Circe. "Those two are athletes, and Lia loves experimenting for them. You're one too, so you're probably her next project."

Natigilan ako sandali sa huli niyang sinabi. "You said athlete." Nang tumango siya ay sumilay ang maliit na ngiti sa mga labi ko. "Most people don't consider ballerinas athletes."

"Seriously?" Circe entered the conversation with a knotted forehead. "But what you do requires so much athleticism."

I shrugged. "We wear dresses, tutus, and tights. I guess that makes it hard for some to take it seriously."

They all made varying sounds of disagreement, and I found myself smiling hugely. No wonder Domino regards his sisters-in-law highly. They are so considerate and unprejudiced.

Napabaling ako sa kinaroroonan ni Domino nang makarinig ako ng ingay na nanggagaling doon. I was torn from being concerned and amused when I saw Lucienne stomping her feet with her face scrunched up as if she's throwing a tantrum.

"She's negotiating with Domino."

I glance at Mireia. "Negotiating?"

"She wanted to give you books. Domino doesn't agree because he doesn't want you to get overwhelmed." Napangisi ang babae habang ang iba ay mahinang napatawa. "Para namang mapipigilan iyon eh sa kaniya pa lang sigurado kaming overwhelmed ka na."

I'm pretty sure my face turned crimson. I couldn't help but replay what happened moments ago. The second reason why I feel embarrassed

That kiss...

It wasn't my first, but it might as well be. I don't think I've ever been kissed the way Domino kissed me. His was... claiming... consuming.

Unconsciously, I found my hand moving toward the plate, and it wasn't long before I started eating while my mind remained trapped in the memory of the kiss Domino and I shared.

It's only been three days.

Napakurap ako. That's right. It's only been three days. The only man I had a relationship with kissed me after almost a year of dating, and we've known each other for years. Domino and I barely know anything about each other. How could we when we were most of those times we were being chased, surviving a plane crash, and being rained on by bullets?

"So..." Napatingin ako kay Belaya at nakita kong nakangiting nakataas ang kilay niya sa akin. "We're right, aren't we?"

"Umm..."

"You probably have a few questions," Ember said with an understanding smile. "Or thousands."

Lia placed a glass of water in front of me. "We can help if you want."

I don't know these people. The few times I've been in their presence, I've been either tense, confused, or emotional. Despite that, I couldn't help but trust them. It's like my intuition is telling me that I could because they seem to be genuinely good people.

I threw a glance in Domino's direction, making sure that he was out of earshot. "Is he always like this?"

"They are always like this," Belaya corrected me. "But not in a way that would mean that they act possessive and protective toward all women they encounter."

"They reserve their craziness for one person only," Circe said with a grin.

"Why?" It's the most frequent question in my mind since my path crossed with Domino. Why?

It was Lia who answered. "Because when a Dawson knows, he knows. It's simple, but it's also complex. It's not something that is easy to explain."

Kinagat ko ang ibabang labi ko. They are all looking at me with knowing gazes. It was as if they knew that I'd have a hard time understanding what they were telling me.

"We don't really know each other," I found myself saying. "If we're going to add those times after the plane crash to the last few days, we probably just know each other for a week. And yet... we... I..."

"Let's put it this way." Tinuro ni Belaya ang sarili. "I was interested in Pierce the first moment I met him. I know he felt the same way, but his couldn't just be called a simple interest. Kaya nga niya pinipigilan noon eh. He tried to hide behind the facade of finding me annoying and a pain in his ass so that he could deny that he was into me." She tipped her head in the direction of Lucienne and Domino. "Lucienne's situation then was similar. Thorn tried to fight it, but he was soon drawn to her. And once it happens to a Dawson, it's not really something they can fight against or want to try fighting with."

"Axel was into me the moment he found me ranting about market power and monopolistic abuse," Mireia recounted, her eyes filled with nostalgia at the memory.

"I met Gunter at a bar. I was a minor, so he didn't want to pursue me. I made him meet me at his favorite place a few days later when I turned eighteen, and then we were officially dating before that day ended," Lia shared.

Namimilog ang mga matang inalis ko ang tingin ko sa kaniya para ibaling iyon kay Ember na nahihiyang ngumiti. "Trace and I kissed the first time we met."

Woah.

As if reading my mind, she blushed. "It was nothing compared to Circe and Coal."

Circe shrugged before winking at me. "I slept with Coal when we first met, and I got pregnant." Nilingon niya sa Luna at tinaasan niya ng kilay ang babae. "But I think it's much better to hear from a Dawson herself."

Something that is close to melancholy crossed Luna's eyes, but it was so quick that I wasn't sure if I was just imagining it. "I fell in love with my husband the moment I met him, even though he was clearly in love with someone else."

I stared at them blankly, blinking rapidly as if trying to process everything that I just heard. They already told me their stories when Domino and I had dinner with them, but of course they probably glossed over a lot of things since it would be impossible to go through all their lives in one night.

"Are you saying that I... that Domino is with me..." I couldn't finish my words. It feels so farfetched, and yet what explanation could make sense at this moment?

"Read the books," Lia suggested. "But only when you think that you really need to. Think of them as a cheat sheet." Namula ang mukha niya nang parang may maisip siya. "Start with Lucienne's, though. Their book is funny. Mine's a little bit..."

"Rawr," pagkukumpleto ni Circe para kay Lia at umakto pang kumakalmot dahilan para lalong mamula ang babae. "Iyong libro rin namin ni Coal. Though to be released pa lang siya."

"Iyong sa amin ni Pierce, more on harutan lang." Belaya grinned before batting her eyelashes innocently. "Ang totoo niyan wholesome talaga kami. G rating and all. We have our Arctic after all."

"Yeah, right," Mireia said, clearly not believing her. The supermodel turned to me, and her eyes went soft. "You can read mine too... though it's a little bit heartbreaking. Or so they say."

The atmosphere took on a more serious tone, with palpable sadness enveloping the other women. I heard about what happened to her and how she lost her mother. But it was amazing to see how Mireia looks free from the things in her story that might be painful for most. It was as if those were just memories that no longer affected her present.

I pulled my gaze away from Mireia, and I looked at Ember. "And yours? How would you describe your and Trace's story?"

She pauses briefly in contemplation. "It's hard to say. It's a happy light book, but of course it isn't as funny as Lucienne's story." Mahinang napatawa siya. The others joined her, and I couldn't help but smile too. Lucienne is the kind of person that is hard to find. Like a unicorn. "But for me, our story was just that. When happy doesn't need to be loud. It could be a subtle glow. A small light. A ray of happiness at times when it feels like the rain in your life is never ending."

"Hindi halatang in love no?" natatawang tanong ni Mireia.

Ember chuckled and she threw a smile in my way. "Well aside from what I said, ang sabi nila malaking percentage ng libro namin ni Trace ang puro kakulitan niya lang sa akin."

"At kayabangan."

The women snickered at Lucienne's words who joined the group again. Sumalampak siya ng upo sa sahig imbis sa nakahandang upuan at pagkatapos ay umabot siya ng fried chicken.

The writer's lips tipped up. Nag thumbs up siya sa direksyon ko. "May approval na akong bigyan ka ng mga libro." She rolled her eyes. "That control freak fanboy."

They all shared a look that makes me want to blush for a reason unknown to me.

Should I be scared? With all that has been said, with all that has happened and is still happening, and with that kiss, it is safe to say that there's only one answer.

Yes. Yes indeed. I should be scared.

At that moment, it was like I could hear what babusya told me the week before she died. "Tiara, remember this. Everything worth it comes with a risk. The more it has an impact on our lives, the greater the price once we lose it. But if you don't gamble, you will regret it for the rest of your life, because there is no better way to lose than giving up."

I TRIED TO FIGHT a smile when I glanced at Domino and I caught him staring at the things scattered in front of me in astonishment. Hindi ko siya masisisi. He already spent hours helping me organize my things and clothes. Sinadiya kong hinuli ang mga sapatos dahil alam kong marami iyon.

"Do you really need this many shoes?"

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Are you really telling a woman that she has a lot of shoes?"

Tumingin siya sa mga sapatos ko bago niya ibinalik ang tingin sa akin. "I mean, I get it. Women have different shoes for different occasions. But these..."

A giggle escaped my lips before I could stop it. A glint of light colored his eyes, and he stared at me for a moment, as if me smiling and laughing were things he wished to commit to memory.

"These shoes die easily." Itinuro ko ang nagkalat na pointe shoes sa harapan namin. "I go through nine to fourteen shoes a month."

He blinked in surprise. "Shouldn't you just buy something more sturdy? So that it will last long?"

I scoff. What a dream come true that would be. "No matter how high the quality of the materials that make the shoes expensive, they can't really last that long if a ballerina uses them for hours and hours. Soon it will no longer provide support, and we consider those dead shoes, which must be replaced. Kapag ginamit pa rin namin, most likely mauuwi sa injury."

Inangat niya ang isang sapatos. I've been tying the ribbons of each pair with each other so I can dispose of the box. The boxes would just take up space, especially when we have thirty of those in front of us right now.

"How much is one of these?" he asked curiously.

"Hmm. It depends. My favorites are Grishko and Merlet. The shoes I love with their brand, range from one hundred fifteen to one hundred seventy-five dollars a pair."

He let out a whistle. I know how he felt. Pointe shoes are very expensive. A pair of sports shoes could be used for a long time, but one pair of pointe shoes wouldn't survive the month. Not for a professional dancer.

"That's why you didn't use the pointe shoes you brought with you. The one you used that day."

Tumango ako at sinimulan kong isalansan ang mga sapatos sa shelves na nandito sa loob ng malaking walk-in closet ng kuwartong ginagamit ko. My room looks like it could be long in a fairy tale book with a princess using it. It exudes elegance with its simple but intricate design. The colors around were mainly ranging from light beige to darker ones, with a hint of ornate gold embellishments. The bed even looks like it's intended for a royal. Though it wasn't a four-poster, it has this baroque feel.

Mabilis kong naiayos ang mga sapatos, salamat na rin kay Domino na tinulungan ako. Kinuha ko ang tinabi ko na pares. I bent and flexed it, and I saw Domino watching me do it with a confused look on his face.

"It needs breaking in before it can be used," I explained.

Kinuha niya ang kapares ng sapatos at ginaya niya ang ginagawa ko. "I just need to do it like this?"

"Yeah. And this."

I started banging the shoe I was holding on the floor like a psychopath. If someone could hear us, there's no doubt that this would raise concern. Mabuti na lang nakauwi na ang pamilya niya.

Napatigil ako sa ginagawa ko nang maramdaman ko ang kamay ni Domino na pumipigil sa akin. Nagtatakang nag-angat ako ng mukha sa kaniya. "Bakit?"

"You might hurt yourself. I'll do it for you."

Natatawang binawi ko ang kamay ko. "This is one of my favorite parts. It's relaxing."

He watched me, frozen in place, as I continued abusing the shoe. Hindi pa ako nakuntento at kinuha ko ang hawak niya para gawin din iyon doon.

"I don't think I want to be on your bad side," he murmured when I paused to take a breath.

I rolled my eyes. "What makes you think you haven't?"

The corner of his lips tipped up. "So I've been in danger a couple of times, and I didn't even know it." Tumayo siya at inilahad niya sa akin ang kamay niya na wala sa sariling inabot ko. He righted me up, his eyes dancing on my face. "What a dangerous Millie Mouse."

I scrunched up my nose at his use of my second name in exchange for the famous mouse, Minnie.

Inabot niya ang naka-bun ko na buhok at bago ko pa siya mapigilan ay naramdaman kong inaalis niya iyon sa pagkakatali.

I let out a sigh. "Why do you keep ruining my bun?"

"Why do you keep putting up your hair?" He ran his fingers through my tendrils. "You'll get a headache."

I shrugged. "I can keep it down, or it will smack me on the face when I dance."

"You're not dancing now." He tucked my hair behind my ear, his hand not letting the locks go, and instead he traced a path down until he reached the ends of it. "Free yourself a little."

"And if I can't?"

He tapped the tip of my nose gently. "Then I'll free you myself, doll," he murmured, his eyes dropping to my lips. "Understand?"

Despite the erratic beating of my heart, the lack of air, and the rush of emotions trying to overpower me, I found myself answering him. "Yes, miy zmiya."