#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: REVEAL

TIARA'S POV

"Did you invite them?"

Before the Dawsons got the chance to approach us, Senator Harrison Radley had pulled me and Emeric to the side where the guests wouldn't be able to hear our conversation. Despite his calm tone, I could sense the anger he's trying to conceal pulsed on the surface of his question.

"I—"

Emeric pulled me a little to the side so that he could position himself in front of me. "She didn't invite anyone. I was the one who invited them."

"Why would—" Tinapunan ako sandali ng tingin ng senator bago siya bumaling sa lalaking anak. "Why would you invite them?"

"They're my friends, and they're Tiara's friends. It's her party. And let's not forget that they're all close to Damian. What's wrong with inviting them?"Emeric looked at the on-going party. "I bet the Dawsons also know a lot of people here."

"That's the problem!" the senator hissed, barely containing himself. "A lot of people here wouldn't be comfortable that they're here. They even brought a journalist."

I found myself taking an involuntary step forward. He's talking about Luna. But before I could speak, I felt Emeric reach for my hand to squeeze it gently, as if to stop me from doing anything. "Luna Dawson is a journalist, but I doubt she cares about any of these people here. I heard she tried focusing on politics before, but she didn't like it, so she changed her field. But even if she did care about someone here, I'm pretty sure it would be Tiara. She's not here for anything except to support her friend."

"The Dawsons—"

"Are on the side of the people. It's similar to what those in the government vowed to the public, isn't it, Senator?" Lahat kami ay napatingin sa nagsalita at nakita kong palapit na sa amin si Damian na kanina ay nagkusang puntahan ang mga Dawson nang makita niyang gusto kaming kausapin ng nakatatandang Radley. "They fit perfectly here. Or is there a problem that we don't know about?"

The older man struggled to answer Damian's question. His face went red, but he pressed his lips together to stop himself from saying whatever he wanted to say. Hindi siya umimik sandali at mukhang kinalma muna niya ang sarili niya bago siya muling nagsalita. "Of course not. I was just surprised that they were here. I was expecting that it would just be a small and intimate event, but they are already here, so..." Ipinaskil niya ang pilit na ngiti sa mga labi niya. "It's okay that they're here, I guess."

Small and intimate? I feel like he invited all the members of the three branches of the government.

"I'll let you get back to the party." The senator turned to me and gave me a tight smile. "Go on and enjoy the night, hija. There are a lot of people who want to meet you. Make sure to give attention to them too."

There was something in the way he said it that tells me that he's trying to imply more than what he just said. It sounded like he's telling me to socialize with the others and that I shouldn't just spend time with the Dawsons. I realize that I wasn't wrong to think that this was what he meant when I saw Emeric and Damian exchange looks.

Nang makalayo na ang matandang Radley ay nilingon ako ni Damian. "Can I, your handsome brother, talk to your ugly "other brother" for a minute?"

"Wow. Ganiyan ba ang may constant affirmation sa asawa? Lumalaki ang ulo?" naniningkit ang mga matang tanong ni Emeric sa kaniya. "At saka bakit parang sampid ang datingan ko sa tanong mo?"

Damian patted his head like he does with me. The only difference is that with me, he does it affectionately. Iyong kay Emeric parang batok na dahil halos mapayuko na ang binata sa ginagawa niya.

"I'll leave you two alone..." Binitin ko ang dapat ay sasabihin ko at nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanila saglit. "... in your bromance."

"What? No! This is not a bromance!" narinig kong tanggi ni Emeric pero nangingiting nakalayo na ako sa kanila.

The smile on my face melted though when I realized who I'm about to meet. Nanlalamig na inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid. The nervousness was replaced with confusion when I didn't see Domino's shadow anywhere else.

The other Dawsons were talking to different people. I saw Trace trying to navigate himself away from the clutches of two women who seemed to be interested in talking to him. Alanganing ngumiti siya sa direksyon ko at kumaway siya.

Mukhang wala ang mga babaeng Dawson maliban kay Luna. "Speaking of..."

I surveyed the area around me to look for the woman. Napatigil ako nang matanaw ko siya malapit sa bar. Naglakad ako palapit doon at nakita kong kasalukuyan siyang may kausap na lalaki. O mas tamang sabihin na pilit siyang kinakausap ng lalaki.

I was a few steps from them when I saw Luna reach for the glass that the bartender the Radleys hired gave her, and then she turned to look at the man blankly. Walang salitang itinaas niya ang isa niyang kamay. She wiggled her fingers as if to emphasize the wedding band she's wearing.

"Luna." I threw the man a look, who immediately excused himself, looking embarrassed. "You're here."

Nakangiting bumeso siya sa akin. The smile on her lips transforms her face into that of a sweet woman. The expression she had moments ago, though, reminds me how she's every bit a Dawson. Para kasing naalala ko sa kaniya ang mga nakatatanda niyang kapatid.

"Bihira lang akong ayain ng mga kapatid ko kaya sumama ako kaagad." Napangisi siya nang parang may maisip. "Kung sabagay wala namang ibang pinupuntahan ang mga iyon na pwede nila akong imbitahin unless ang mga asawa nila ang mag-aaya." Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. "You look great, by the way."

I'm wearing a gown in the palest shade of pink. It has drop-down long sleeves, and the cut of the dress makes me feel like I'm a princess. Maybe too princessy, but it's better than what Marcella originally wanted for me to wear.

"You should have seen the other one. That one would have swallowed me whole."

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Red again?" she asked, remembering what my mother wanted for me to wear to the other party that we attended.

"No. Gold." Tumingin ako ssa paligid namin at namataan ko di kalayuan ang asawa ng ama ko. "Tight and with a lot of sequins."

"Yikes."

It would look good on somebody else, but on me? It wouldn't. "Nasaan nga pala sila Lucienne?" tanong ko pagkaraan.

"Mga busy."

My forehead knotted at the way she answered quickly. For some reason, I feel like she's trying to hide something from me. Are the other women angry at me? Sandaling binalot ako ng takot pero kaagad ding nawala iyon nang maalala ko na nag-message pa sa akin kaninang umaga si Lucienne.

"Want a drink?" Luna asked.

"I had champagne. I don't want to get drunk."

Inangat niya ang baso at sumimsim doon. "So am I. I'm drinking a Shirley Temple."

"Then I suppose I could have some."

She ordered it for me while I just watched her do it. I couldn't help but think about Lucienne's books. Ilang beses nabanggit doon na kayang sumabay ni Luna sa mga kapatid niya pagdating sa inuman. Kaya nakakapagtaka na nitong mga nakaraan ay hindi ko siya nakikitang uminom.

Maybe she's... Pinilig ko ang ulo. It's not my business, and I shouldn't ask her about it. Kung hindi niya pa sinasabi sa kahit na kanino lalo na sa pamilya niya ay walang karapatan ang kahit na sino na pilitin siyang umamin sa kung ano man ang tinatago niya. There's probably a good reason why she's hiding it in the first place.

Inabot niya sa akin ang baso ng matapos iyong gawin. Parehas na sumandal kami sa bar habang nakatanaw sa mga kaganapan.

"This place makes my skin crawl." She threw me a glance. "Sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. I know exactly what you meant by that."

She raises her glance in the direction of two women talking nearby, as if to point to them. "But those two I like. They're mother and daughter. The mother has been a public servant for years, and the daughter followed in her footsteps. You might think it's the usual story of political dynasties, but actually they're one of the rare treasures of the country. They have been fearless, and they proved a long time ago what integrity and leadership mean in the political arena."

"You sound like you want to interview them," I note with a smile.

Napangiti rin siya. "Gusto nga eh."

"I don't know them, but do you want me to introduce you?" Nagkibit ako ng balikat. "I might as well use the fact that the party was created to introduce the daughter of the mistress to my advantage."

She chuckled at what I said. One of the things I like about her is that she doesn't mind other people's humor. Even though some can get a little dark. "Nah. I promise my brothers that I won't bring my nosy self in here. At least not in the way that I usually do it." She turned to the bartender. "Can I have one red, please?"

So... not pregnant?

Nang bumaling sa akin ang babae at nakita niyang nakatitig ako sa kaniya ay umangat ang sulok ng mga labi niya. I flushed, and I looked down at my own glass.

"I'm not pregnant, if that's what you're thinking."

I looked at her guiltily. "I'm sorry—"

"Don't be. Si Lucienne nga ginising ako ng madaling-araw noong nakaraan dahil hindi na raw siya matahimik. Sumunod sa kaniya si Belaya. Secrets don't last long in the family." Isinandal niya ang siko niya sa counter. "Unless it's a secret you're desperate to keep, then maybe you'll find a way." Nang makita niya ang pagkalito sa mukha ko ay lumawak ang ngiti niya. "I have a question for you."

"Umm... what?"

Kinuha niya ang wine glass na inabot ng bartender. "How much do you love the dress you're wearing?"

Nagtatakang nagbaba ako ng tingin sa suot ko. "Well, it's just a dress. Actually, I have another one that I like better. It was a dusty purple one, but Marcella told me that it was too simple."

"Good. Because I want to see how this will play out."

Napasinghap ako nang makaramdam ako ng lamig. At first, I thought it was Luna who poured the contents of her glass on me. Pero nang makita ko na hawak niya pa rin ang baso niya ay napalingon ako sa taong ngayon ay nasa tabi na namin.

"Oh gosh! Tiara, I'm so sorry." Marcella hurriedly took out a handkerchief and patted my wet gown. "You should change your clothes—" Napatigil siya at napatin kay Luna na hinawakan ang laylayan ng sleeve ng kulay berde na gown ng ginang. "What are you doing?"

"Sorry. Dumidikit ho kasi sa basa ang gown mo." Luna gave her a sweet smile. "I love the gown, by the way. It complements your color. I would love to know the designer."

Kumislap ang mga mata ni Marcella. "Oh, it's one of the latest collections from—" She stopped midway when she realized that I'm looking at her. "Dear, why don't you go to your room first and change your dress?"

Luna nodded, and she hooked her arms around Marcella's as if they were old friends. "We'll wait for you here."

Nagtataka man sa kinikilos ng babaeng Dawson ay nagpaalam na ako sa kanila. I walked in the direction of the stairs, but before I could go up, I noticed Damian heading for the door, bidding farewell to everyone. Kumaway na lang ako sa kaniya mula sa kinatatayuan ko bago ako naglakad papunta ng kuwarto. When I was in the confines of my room, I locked the door and immediately went to find the other dress to change into.

When I was done changing, instead of heading back to the party, I took a seat on the bed and let myself enjoy the silence for awhile.

The Dawsons are loud people, but I never felt as drained as I am right now. Samantalang hindi pa naman ako masyadong nagtatagal sa pagtitipon. Kapag ang mga Dawson ang kasama ko ay pakiramdam ko kulang pa ang isang araw.

Napapabuntong-hininga na tumayo ako at akmang lalabas na sana ako nang mahagip ng mga mata ko ang music box na ibinigay sa akin ni Domino. It's not in the place where I left it.

Binundol ng kaba ang dibdib na lumapit ako roon at binuksan iyon. For once, I ignored the soft music and instead took the necklace inside. I pressed the jewel in the middle of the pendant, and my stomach dropped when I saw the inside of the locket. There's one more left and it's missing.

I was about to descend into panic when I heard a click. Nagtaas ako ng mukha at muntik akong mapasigaw kung hindi pa may tumakip sa bibig ko.

"Shh. I need you to be quiet." Nakatakip pa rin ang kamay sa bibig ko na tumango ako. His arms around me loosened, and he lowered his hand. "Are you okay?"

"What do you think?" I said in a voice that was as quiet as his. "I thought you're some person who's here to abduct me."

Domino stared at me for awhile. I was expecting him to point out my "hyperactive imagination" that he always teases me about. But to my astonishment, the corner of his lips turned up, accompanied by a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"W-What... are you?"

"Am I here to kidnap you again?" Domino stepped closer to me. He tugged my chin up with his finger. "Yes, I am."

It was as if his words were a cue to trigger an event. I could hear shouting and the tangible upheaval of commotion coming from downstairs.

"Is that your doing?" I whispered.

He searched my face, and for a moment, it was as if he were transfixed to my lips. He forced himself to look away, and he looked up at me again. "Was Moscow my doing?"

My heart thudded loudly in my chest again. I know the answer to his question. Kinidnap niya rin ako noon at akala ko ay siya ang nagsimula ng kaguluhan. Pero ang totoo ay nandoon siya para iligtas ako.

So he's here because I'm in a similar situation again?

I turned my frightened eyes at him, but as always, he's the epitome of calmness. Kasabay nang pag-abot niya ng kamay ko ay narinig namin ang tunog na nagmumula sa pagpihit ng naka-lock na door knob. It rattled a few more times, louder than the first, and that's when Domino pulled me in the direction of the balcony.

As soon as I stepped foot on the balcony, the door of the room blasted open, revealing the figure of a gunman wearing a black mask. He didn't make it far. Not when Domino was quick to pull out his own gun and fire without hesitation.

In the next second, he returned to my side. May hinila siya mula sa gilid ng balcony at mabilis niyang ikinabit sa katawan ko iyon.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

"Y-Yes."

"Still? Even when you keep running away from me?"

I instinctively stepped back, proving his point. I swallowed, knowing that he wouldn't let me go, and I nodded.

"Even when you keep trying to deny that you love me back?"

Air whooshed out of me, but I found myself nodding. Yumuko siya at inilapat niya ang mga labi niya sa noo ko. The second that passed felt like forever, and when he pulled away, time continued to flow again.

"You should know, sweet doll," he murmured. "That I love you."

"D-Domino..."

"Even so, you're going to get punished, and it will be me who delivers it to you."

Napasinghap ako. May ngiti sa mga labi na hindi niya ako hinayaang makabawi. In a move so fast, I found him pulling me over the balcony's balustrade—then he let me go.

I closed my eyes tight, bracing for the heart-dropping descent, but instead I was lowered quickly but carefully. Nang malapit na ako sa lupa ay naramdaman ko ang mga kamay na sumalo sa akin. I was expecting one of the Dawsons, but to my utter shock, I found myself staring at the face of Damian Salazar.

Inalis niya ang mga nakakabit sa akin at hinila niya ako palayo sa bahay. When I realized that Domino was not coming with us, I pulled on my hand so that Damian could let me go. "We need... we need to go back for him."

"He can take care of himself."

"No—"

"Tiara, you know you can trust me," he said softly.

I know that. I can feel that. But I can't just leave everyone. "Luna's in there! And how about Emeric? They're in danger!"

"You're in danger." He pulled me again, and this time I didn't have the choice but to follow. "I will explain everything to you later. For now, I need you to believe me that they will be okay."

"How can you be so sure?"

Hindi siya kaagad sumagot. Nagpatuloy lang kami sa paglalakad hanggang sa marating namin ang mataas na gate sa dulong bahagi ng property ng mga Radley. There was a small exit there, and I caught a glimpse of a car waiting outside.

Iginaya niya ako papasok sa backseat at pumasok din siya roon. Sa loob ay naghihintay na sa amin si Jace na mabilis na pinaandar ang sasakyan.

Niyakap ko ang sarili ko nang bigla akong makaramdam ng panlalamig. "What is going on? Who was that man in a mask? What's going to happen with everyone? Why is Jace here? Why did Domino leave me with you?"

"I can't tell you everything. I'm not even sure if I know everything. I also don't know who's the masked man you're talking about." Umangat ang kamay ni Damian na parang aaluin ako pero muli niya lang ibinaba iyon. "But I do know that everyone is safe. No one's after them."

"B-Because... because they're after me," I said more as a statement than a question.

He nodded. "Jace is my bodyguard. Not one that my father hired for me, but one I hired a long time ago to give to Emeric." Damian threw the man who was driving a small smile. "I just didn't know that a time would come that we will also need to trust your protection to him." Sumandal siya sa kinauupuan at nagpakawala siya ng malalim na hininga. "And for your last question, Domino needs to stay in Radley's mansion. All the Dawsons need to stay there."

"Why?"

"So everyone will know that you're not with them."

"Everyone?"

Sinalubong niya ang mga mata ko. "The senator, his wife... and my father."

I can feel my nails digging into my palms. I have a feeling that the answer that he will give me to my next question could possibly threaten the already unstable ground I'm standing on. "What have the Radleys got to do with you and your father?"

He held my gaze. May pakiramdam ako na kung ano man ang nakatago sa likod ng mga mata niya na minsan ay nasisilip ko sa kaniya ay ngayon makikita ko na ng buong-buo. That it would be at this moment that it would all be revealed.

"It's because me, Emeric, and you have the same father, Tiara. And it isn't Harrison Radley."