#DS7Unbalanced #InoCent #SMCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER EIGHT: TROUBLE

TIARA'S POV

I let out a sigh, and I closed my eyes when strings of Ukrainian took over the other line. I should have expected it, especially when I just told my mother, who hates being contradicted, that it was my decision to sign a contract with the Dawsons. As if it's that surprising that I made a decision for my own safety.

"You are not thinking about this clearly. The government is offering you protection, and you're going to trade that for what?"

"The bodyguards they gave me are in the mortuary as we speak, Mother. Protection? They didn't stand a chance. They didn't even manage to take out their guns before those men blew up their heads. I wouldn't be speaking to you right now if not for Dagger." I fixed my gaze on the pool I could see from the window where I am currently standing, marvelling for a second how the moon's reflection shimmered on the surface of the water. "I don't know why you're so against them. They're one of the top security and investigation companies in the country."

Sandaling hindi siya nagsalita. But when she did, the anger in her voice remained the same. "Naomi wouldn't allow this."

"She hardly gets a say on this. She might be my manager, but this is above her paygrade."

"Tiara! Why would you talk about her that way? What's the matter with you?"

I tried not to roll my eyes. My mother has always liked Naomi. It came as no shock to me. They act and think the same, they love money, they hardly care about anyone, they won't hesitate to offend other people as long as they get what they want, and they're both a nightmare when it comes to those that will dare breathe the same air they breathe.

The only reason I kept Naomi was because she was efficient and knew how to do her job. Other than that, she's a headache that is slowly becoming a tumor. "Dagger will coordinate with Naomi regarding my schedule. Some of my schedule will be pushed back."

"Great. Do you know what that would look like? You will look weak, dochka."

I inhaled a deep breath before I found myself screaming. Which would be a first. No matter how much she stressed me out, I tried my best not to lose it. But at this juncture, who wouldn't? People are dying around me. My safety is being constantly threatened.

"I don't care about looking weak. What I care about is staying alive so that I can attend to my commitments. I'm sure they would understand why I need to take a moment." I massaged my temple, which is beginning to throb. "I'm not saying that I'm going to cancel on them. They will just need to be delayed for the moment as Dagger does their primary investigation and so that they can take preventative measures to guarantee that it won't be my head that will be blown off next."

"I want the address of the place they put you in," she huffed.

"I can't do that. It's a safe house. I can't just give it to you and risk the possibility of you just coming here unannounced—"

She gasped, clearly outraged. "I'm your mother! Will they stop me from seeing you? Are they treating me like a suspect too? This is ridiculous!"

"Mother. Please. For once, can you just listen? Someone is threatening me. People are dying. It is not safe for anyone to be around me."

"Then what's the use of those people you hired?"

"Their job is to protect me. Their focus is to keep me unharmed. Why make their job more complicated?"

"You know what, Tiara? Do as you want. It looks like you have everything handled, and you're not going to listen to me. I don't know what's happening with you. You're disregarding my opinion, and you're even talking about Naomi as if she hasn't been with us for years."

It took a lot of me not to throw the phone in anger. The huge factor in my restraint is the fact that it isn't mine. It was a secure phone provided by Dagger.

Control.

I closed my eyes tightly, and I inhaled a huge breath, holding it for a few seconds before letting it out. "Maybe next time, Mother, ask how I am first." I smiled bitterly. "It's not like you don't know what's been happening with me."

I ended the call before she could say anything. If I left it up to her, we could be talking all night, and she wouldn't run out of things to argue about.

Isinandal ko ang noo ko sa salamin na bintana. I know not to have any expectations when it comes to her. She was never really... motherly. But on some days like this, I just really want to feel that someone cares enough to ask me if I'm okay. Someone who will let me fall apart but won't let me get destroyed completely in the process.

Control.

"Blyat."

"I really find your language fascinating. It always sounds so beautiful." I turned around in the direction of the voice, and I found Domino standing a few paces behind me, holding a bowl and a glass of water. He raised them a little when he saw me looking at him. "Fruits?"

Concealing any emotion on my face, I walk closer to him. "Thanks," I said quietly.

He placed the bowl of fruit on the wooden walnut coffee table. I sat on the couch and ate the first fruit that I touched. Strawberry.

"What does it mean?"

My forehead knotted. "Hmm?"

"Bly... blyat?"

I coughed, almost spitting out the fruit that I was eating. The problem was that it lodged itself in my throat, choking me in the process.

In the blink of an eye, Domino was next to me, looking at me full of worry. He handed me the water, which I drank gratefully. When I was done, he brushed my bottom with his thumb as if to wipe it.

I looked up, and heat pooled on my cheeks when I saw him staring at my lips in an almost entranced way. When his eyes met mine, surprise registered in his, and he moved his hand away as if it had gotten burned.

He cleared his throat. His smile returned to his lips, but it looked strained. "So... bl—"

"Please. Don't repeat it again."

He grimaced. "Am I butchering it? Sorry. It just sounded beautiful."

Despite the call with my mother and the recent awkwardness between Domino and me, I couldn't help feeling amused. "You think it's beautiful?"

"Yeah. Why? What does it mean?"

"Fuck."

He blinked in surprise. I'm pretty sure it was the last thing he ever thought I would say. "Umm... what?"

"That's one of the meanings of the word. Blyat. Fuck."

He ran his hand over his mouth, and I caught the smile he was trying to hide. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin mula kaniya para itago ang sarili kong ngiti.

We both ate in silence. From time to time, we would catch each other's eyes when our hands accidentally touched as we reached for a fruit. He would smile, and I would feel myself blushing, which is a surprise for someone who rarely does it.

I ate about five different pieces of fruit before I stopped, and I saw Domino's forehead furrow for a moment, but he didn't say anything.

"You speak Ukrainian, English, and Filipino?" he asked after awhile. "That's a lot."

"And Italian and French. Though not as fluent as the others." I glanced at him. "How about you? Do you speak any other languages?"

"Except for Filipino and English? No." His gaze held mine for a moment. "But I think I'm feeling inspired to learn Ukrainian now."

I struggled to keep a straight face. "Hmm."

He caught a lock of my hair carried by the wind coming from the open window. He gently tucked it behind my ear. "Will you teach me?"

It really is difficult not to get overwhelmed by the things I feel whenever he's this close to me. Whenever I'm with him, it's like it's a constant battle to recognize things that all feel new to me because I haven't experienced them before. "Maybe. What's in it for me?"

There's a smile playing at the corner of his lips at the same time as the familiar glint returns in his eyes. Zmiya. Serpent. Slithering, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"I'm sure we could find something I could teach you, doll."

I PLAYED WITH the ends of my dress nervously. I'm wearing a pink dress with thin straps and an inner white long-sleeve blouse. It's one of the new clothes that Domino's sisters-in-law bought for me months ago that I haven't gotten the chance to use.

"Are you okay?"

I looked up at Domino. "Y-Yeah." Sinulyapan ko ang bahay na nasa harapan namin. "But is this a good idea? They don't really know me."

Ngumiti lang siya imbis na sagutin ako at bumaba na siya ng sasakyan. He rounded the car, and he opened the door for me.

Domino closed the door behind me, and he looked down at what I was wearing. He took my hand. I hadn't realized I was wringing the ends of the dress. "There's nothing to be nervous about."

I widened my eyes at him. "I'm an outsider."

"You're a client, and we're friends."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "We're friends now?"

He grinned. "We survived a plane crash together. If that doesn't pass the friendship test, I don't know what will."

I let out a huff with a roll of my eyes. Pinagpag ko ang damit ko at nagbaba ako ng tingin doon. "Do you think I look okay? I don't really have many options since I don't have my things yet."

I do like the dress. It feels chic, free, and casual. Unlike my clothes, which have been handpicked by my mother. They always make me feel like I'm about to meet the royal family.

"You look beautiful." He studied me for a moment. "Well, if you could just..."

My eyes grew large in panic. "What's wrong? I look bad, right? What should I do?"

Biting back a smile, he reached for my bun. I gasped when he carefully pulled out the bobby pins from my hair and undid my bun, letting my tresses fall around me.

"Perfect," he murmured.

All I could do was stand there and stare at him. He didn't seem to mind. He was staring back at me with his gaze showing a mixture of fascination, admiration, and something else that I don't know where to start uncovering.

I didn't have the chance to delve more into it when a humorous cough broke whatever spell was binding me to the man in front of me.

We both turned to the sound, and I was surprised to see that his family was crowding the door. The women were all squashed together, with Trace between all of them, who looked as if he was about to die. Ang iba naman na mga kapatid na lalaki ni Domino ay nasa likuran nila at nakatingin din sa amin.

"Tito Dom Dom!"

A pretty little girl squeezed herself out, breaking the huddle. Trace flew out, and he almost went splat to the floor if only he hadn't managed to grab what seemed to be an ornamental shrub at the last minute.

The girl dashed straight into Domino's arms, who caught her immediately so that he could lift her in his arms. He let out a playful puff. "Ang bigat mo na baby shark ah. Ano bang pinapakain sa'yo nila Kuya?"

"Cookies!"

"And?"

"Pancit Canton!"

Kiniliti ni Domino ang tiyan ng bata. The child's laughter filled the air, and no one around was strong enough not to join her, as if her happiness were that infectious.

Her beautiful chocolate-colored eyes went to me. She leaned closer to Domino, and then she placed her hand in front of her mouth. "Tito Dom Dom, girlfwend?" she staged whispered.

There's a collective laughter coming from Domino's family that instantly makes me blush.

Domino chuckled awkwardly. "Oh. No, Sese. She's—"

"Babi wants to be a flower girl!"

Napabuntong-hininga ang lalaki. He mouthed an apology to me, and I shrugged to tell him that it's okay, even though my face feels like it's burning.

Hinarap niya ang mga babaeng nakamata pa rin sa amin. "Kunin mo na nga itong anak mo na mana sa'yo."

A woman who looks like a sea goddess with her wild hair, naturally sun-kissed cheeks, and long flowy dress approached us and took the child in her arms. I remember meeting her as well briefly before.

She batted her eyelashes innocently at Domino. "I don't know what you mean by that."

Domino sighed and shook his head. I felt his hand on my back, and he gestured me forward with a smile. Lumapit kami sa pamilya niya at huminto lang kami nang nasa tapat na kami ng pintuan kung saan nandoon pa rin ang mga babae.

The man beside me sighed again. "Tiara, meet everyone." He gave his family a look. "You all met her before, but to formally introduce her, this is Tiara Millicent Silvano."

"Ang tipid mo naman, kapatid," sabi ng isang babae na humakbang palapit sa akin. She tapped Domino's shoulder before turning to me. "Hi, Tiara! Remember me? I'm Lucienne. Ako iyong cute na bumisita sa inyo sa ospital."

I remember her. I love the energy around her. She seems to be exuding bright and happy energy. And I also remember her being the one with a lot of questions for me.

As if reading my mind, she beamed. "I have a thousand questions for you, but since I don't want to tire you, i-schedule ko na lang ng mga ten questions a day. Okay ba?"

"Umm... sure?" naging patanong na sabi ko.

"Great!" She turned towards the others, and she beckoned them to come forward. As if used to her antics, they all stepped closer, smiling at each other.

"Hi, again," Mireia greeted. "You already know my cute self."

"Yes." I looked down shyly at my clasped hands for a moment before meeting her gaze. "Thank you. For the... umm..."

"You're welcome." Inginuso niya ang babae na karga ang bata na tinawag ni Domino na "Sese". "That's Circe."

The woman waved at me as if we were standing close to each other. "Cute din ako." Pinisil niya ang pisngi ng anak. "At ito ang cute ko rin na babi. Her name's Kailani Sereia, but we call her Kaise or Sese."

"Isa rin ako sa mga cute na bumisita sa inyo," sabi naman ng isang maliit na babae na pamilyar sa akin ang mukha. She waved her fingers at me playfully. "I'm Belaya."

They all looked at a black-haired beauty who seemed to be feeling the same thing that I'm feeling at the moment. Ang pagkakaiba nga lang namin ay mas matagal na siyang na-expose sa mga kasama niya kaya mukhang sanay na rin siya.

"I'm Ember. Isa sa cute—"

"Maganda!" Trace shook off the leaves from his clothes that he probably got from hugging the shrub. He wrapped an arm around the woman's shoulder. "Siya iyong magandang dumalaw sa inyo ni Domino sa ospital. She's my beautiful wife, by the way."

"Hindi pa nakaka-five minutes dito si Tiara pinalulungkot mo na siya agad." Lucienne gave me a sad look of understanding. "Nakakaiyak no? Ang ganda-ganda ni Ember para bigyan ng pangit na kapalaran."

"Excuse me! Wala ng gagwapo pa sa akin kaya bagay na bagay kami ng princess ko," nakaismid na sabi ni Trace.

"Ilang taon na tayong magkakilala pero hanggang ngayon hindi mo pa rin natutunang uminom ng gamot mo sa tamang oras. Ang gamot sa halusinasyon ay hindi iniinom na parang pang sakit ng tiyan lang na pabugso-bugso, Trace."

I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing, which wasn't easy to do. I looked up when I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I met Domino's eyes that were twinkling with amusement. He shooed away the others, and we both climbed the few stairs up to the door.

Nang nasa loob na kami ay nakangiting hinalikan niya sa pisngi ang isang magandang babae na may hawak na tray ng pagkain. "Tiara, this is Lia. Isa sa pinakamagandang babae na pumunta noon sa ospital."

The woman named Lia laughed with a shake of her head. "Don't believe him."

"Of course you should," singit ni Trace na nakapasok na rin ng bahay. "Ikaw talaga ang the best sa lahat." He winked at his wife. "Siyempre bukod sa asawa ko."

I expected the other women to complain, but they all just gave a thumbs up while some of them echoed Trace's words.

"For once, mukhang agree ako kay Trace." Tumatango-tangong tinapik pa ni Lucienne ang dibdib niya. "Kung hindi lang ako loyal kay Thorn matagal na kitang inagaw kay Gun," sabi niya sa babae.

Lia burst out laughing. With a roll of her eyes, she looked at me. "Don't mind them, Tiara. They're all just like that because I feed them."

Carrying the tray, she excused herself. Parang masusunuring mga bata na sumunod naman sa kaniya ang mga kakabaihan at pati na ang mga kapatid na lalaki ni Domino.

Domino tipped his head in their direction, and I gave him a small smile. We walked towards the others, and I blink back my surprise when we reach the dining area of the house.

Mahaba ang lamesa na nandoon pero para bang kulang pa iyon dahil may isa pa silang inilabas na lamesa na puno rin ng pagkain. There are different kinds of food that are plated beautifully, from appetizers to desserts. I wonder how they got all of it delivered. I doubt a food delivery company that relies on motorcycles as a mode of transportation can carry all that.

"Si Lia ang nagluto ng lahat ng ulam. She's known for cooking in bulk, so this is not something that is new to her," Domino explained when he saw me staring. "She got more help now. Ember usually cooks the appetizers, Mireia's responsible for the desserts, and Belaya makes the drinks."

"They cooked all these? They didn't have them delivered?" I asked him in a whisper.

"I can't remember the last time I ordered food. They cook a lot, not just because we have big stomachs but also because we often take leftovers home." He pulled out a chair for me, and I sat down without saying a word. He leaned down, and my spine tingles when the heat of his breath touched the side of my face. "Tell me what you like best, and I'll save them."

I watched him expertly grab plates for me and himself, avoiding his family, which erupted in chaos. The older Dawsons, who appear to be used to this kind of commotion, are all just quietly drinking. They look as if they're just waiting for the others to calm down. Mukha ring wala silang balak sawayin ang mga nagkakagulo. Maybe because they know it will only fall on deaf ears.

Axel, who I noticed was being given food by his sisters-in-law, handed me a spoon. "Get what you want. They're not going to calm down anytime soon. Lia's in a good mood, and she cooked everyone's favorites."

I reluctantly took the spoon from him. I scanned the array of food in front of me, and I decided to take a bit of what looked like a mix of different vegetables. Kumuha rin ako ng dalawang maliit na slice ng watermelon.

I felt Domino's presence before he even took a seat beside me. May hawak siya na plato na puno ng iba't ibang pagkain.

He eyed my plate, which looks bare compared to anyone else's in the house. Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya at binaba niya ang plato niya. "Are you allergic to a lot of food? Do you have health restrictions?" he asked quietly, so only I could hear.

"Umm... no."

"So you're just restricting yourself from eating?"

I looked away. "I'm on a diet."

"I know different kinds of diets, and I haven't seen one that will have you eat less than a newborn would eat."

"I'm full."

Even to myself, the lie sounded weak.

"You ate five pieces of fruit. Before that, you hadn't had anything except water."

Hindi ako umimik at tahimik lang na itinuon ko ang mga mata ko sa plato ko. I'm human. I also feel hungry. Sometimes I get cravings. But I don't really give in a lot to it, and even if I did, I would just take a bite, and then I'd be good.

"Tiara," he said with a warning in his tone.

"Just drop it, please," I whispered, still not looking at him. "I'm not really hungry."

He didn't say anything for a moment, so I thought he let it go. I realized that I was wrong when I felt his fingers on my chin, urging it upward, so that he could coax me to meet his gaze.

It felt like the air in my lungs was thinning with the way he stared at me. But instead of feeling faint from the lack of oxygen, I felt more centered. The noise around us became quiet, as if it were far away from where we were. As if the world slowed down around us and there were just the two of us.

"Why are you not eating?" he murmured.

I couldn't lie. I wanted to, but I couldn't. "I need to control the amount of food I eat."

"You're not controlling what you eat. You're controlling yourself from eating anything."

He's right. I know he is. It's been like this for me for years. Noong una kasi akala ko normal lang para sa taong nasa propesyon ko. Then the next, I just wanted my mother to stop obsessing about it, so I just ended up doing what she wanted, which was for me to stop eating like a normal human being.

I've met people in the industry I'm in who suffer from a lot of eating disorders, and mine isn't like theirs. But I do know that my eating pattern is not normal.

"You need to eat. You're going through a lot. You will still need to go through many. You need to be healthy, Tiara," Domino murmured. "You understand that?"

"Y-Yes."

Our eyes stayed connected for a few more moments before his gaze dropped to his own plate. "Are you vegetarian?" When he saw me shake my head to say no, he scooped up a chunk of baked fish and transferred it to my plate. "Eat."

I don't know what it makes of me that I just found myself following his command. Disappointing him feels wrong. Something I don't really understand. Why does it mean anything to me? Why do I care if I let him down?

As if it had a mind of its own, my hand moved to take a piece of the food he gave me. Flavors burst inside my mouth, and I couldn't help but look at him, my eyes wide in surprise.

He grinned, and before I understood what he was about to do, I felt his hand on the top of my head. "Good job, doll."

Oh, I am in trouble.

The first reason? It's because I like it too much. I like the feeling of being praised by him. Second? His touch is sending jolts of warmth all around me, so that the cold, bleak place that I've been in for years feels like a thing of the past.

But the most important out of them all? It's the way my heart wanted to leap out of my chest, as if wanting to surrender completely to this man that I barely knew.