[Play Music: I'm your angel by Celine Dion and R Kelly]

Chapter  19

I'm your angel

Pagdating namin ni Luke sa table ni Zak ay  agad kong nakita ang makinang na dress at ang mahabang buhok na naka-high ponytail. How the hell she get there so fast?   

"Yeah, Zak..." Dinig kong wika ni Bella sa malanding tono at hinawakan ang dibdib ni Zak, habang ang binata naman ay parang bato at ni hindi man lang ngumingiti at nakikipag usap sa ibang businessmen.
 

"Nice talking to you, Mr.Montanari." Pormal na wika ng isang lalaking nasa late 40's at may payat na pangangatawan.

"It's a pleasure, Dantre." Simpleng saad ng binata at nakipagkamay. Montanari, huh? Hmm...

Natigil sa paglalandi si Bella ka Zak ng mapansin nila ang presensiya ko. Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Bella at nginitian ko ito ng peke.
 

"Hey there, lover boy." Wika ko kay Zak, bahagya itong natigilan pero hindi ko iyon pinansin.

Lihim akong tumingin kay Bella na masama na ang tingin sa'kin. Hinalikan ko ang pisngi ng binata at umupo sa tabi nito at pianlupot ang kamay ko sa matipunong braso ni Zak.

Naramdaman ko ang init ng pagtitig ni Zak sa amin. Kaya't mas natutuwa lang ako. Nahuli ko ang matiim na titig sa akin ni Zak kaya nginitian ko ito.

"Hi..." I said in a very low voice.

Bumaba ang tingin nito sa aking labi bago unti unting bumaba at bumalik ang kaniyang lalagukan. Kahit pa halos mabingi na ako sa lakas ng tibok ng puso ko dahil sa sobrang lapit ng mukha namin ay nagawa ko pa ring magmukhang kalmado kahit pa parang sasabog na ang loob ko.

"Where have you been?" Bulong niya at tinitigan ako ng kaniyang mapupungay na mga mata.

I let out a chuckle and snake my arm around his nape, "Missing me too much, lover boy?" I spoke in a sexy voice.

Humigpit ang kapit nito sa beywang ko at mas inilapit sa kaniya at namula ang naman ang pisngi ko sa lapit namin. Gusto ko ng lumayo dahil baka marinig na niya ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.

Bella cleared her throat and catch our attention. Napatingin ako sa kanya at umaktong nagulat ng makita ko siya.

"Oh, hi." Bati ko at hinawakan ang kamay ni Zak. Intertwining our hands.

Ngumiti lang si Bella pero halatang pilit lang at binalewala ang bati ko, what a bitch.

"So, Zak..." Aniya sa napakalanding boses. Napairap na lang ako sa nakakairita niyang boses.

"Let's talk again about..." Wika ni Bella at mas lumapit pa kay Zak.  

"Business..." Ani Bella at hinaplos ang balikat pa dibdib ng binata at tinignan ako. This bitch!

"So, babe. What business you two are talking about?"  Tanong ko ng may sarkasamo kay Zak at tinignan si Bella.

"It— it's nothing, don't mind her." Bulong ni Zak.

"Hi, miss." Tawag ko sa atensyon ni Bella na panay ang haplos sa binata sa gitna namin.

Tumingin ito sa akin ng may mataray na tingin pero may ngiti sa labi.
 

"Yes?" She said in a bitchy tone. 

"Have we met before?" Tanong ko.

Tumawa ito at ipinatong ang wine glass sa lamesa bago bumaling sa akin.

"Yes, forgot me already?" Aniya ng may pang-aasar sa tono nito.
 

"Oh..." Tumango tango ako at umaktong kinikilala siya kahit pa halos magsabunutan na kami kanina kung hindi lang dumating si Luke.

"What is your name again?" I ask and raise a brow.

"Arabella Daustin, you can call me Bella." She said clicking her tongue between her teeth while emphasizing her cheap name.

I gave her a laugh, tinanggap ko ang kamay na inilahad niya at nginitian ito.
   

"Nice meeting you, Bella." I smiled, fakely.

"By the way, I am Talya Allegro-Montanari, you can call me Mrs. Montanari." I smiled sweetly as I can be. Her face went pale, gumagalaw ang panga nito sa inis kaya mabilis ko ng tinanggal ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya.

Marahas na tumaas at bumababa ang peke niyang dibdib at nakatiim ang bagang ng dalaga. Kinuyom din nito ang kaniyang kamay at nilagok nito ang wine sa kaniyang kopita bago humarap sa amin ni Zak ng may pilit na ngiti sa labi. Go try it girl, you won't win against me.
  

"Would you mind if you share with me about your business?" Ani ko at inihilig ang ulo sa balikat ni Zak. Narinig ko ang malakas na pagbuntong hininga ng binata at humigpit ang hapit niya sa beywang ko. 

"That business is just for the two of us only right, Zak?" Bumaling si Bella kay Zak pero hindi sumagot ang binata.

"Why so?" I asked. Her jaw clench,  sign that I irritates her.

"It's just between the two of us." Mahinang wika ng dalaga at hinimas himas ang braso ni Zak. This bitch, napaka kapal na nga ng make up makapal pa ang mukha. Okay she's getting under my skin it's lesson time.

"No wife allowed?" Wika ko sa mas kalmadong tono. Calm down, Talya. A woman like you won't make a fight with a bitch like her.

"Sadly yes, am I right Zak?" Aniya at idinikit ang dibdib sa braso ni Zak. What a total desperate bitch.

Nilakbay ko ang kamay ko sa hita ni Zak at itinaas iyon hanggang gitnang bahagi ng hita ng binata. Bella looked at my hands traveling down Zak's thigh and I stop near his manhood and I heard Zak's breath hitched and his ears are turning red.

"Back off with my husband, Daustin. Or I'll rip your dirty face apart." I said in a very serious tone and lightly squeezed Zak's thigh.

"Fuck..." He groaned and pulled me closer to him and his hands fell down to my ass. Itinaas ko ang kamay niya sa beywang ko at  bumaling sa binata.

"Kumalma ka." Bulong ko at tumingin muli kay Bella.

"I'm not scared, young lady." She said making fun of my threat.

"And I am not joking, old hag." Wika ko at sumimsim ng champagne. And again, another strike for me.

"Montanari! It's nice to seeing you here." Pumagitan sa amin ang isang lalaking naka blue suit at may quiff. Payat ang pangangatawan nito at matangkad, he looks like in mid 20's.

"How are you, Jones." Bati ni Zak at kinamayan ang binata.  

"Fine." They shake hands at magiliw itong ngumiti kay Zak. Tumama ang tingin nito sa akin at maayos na humarap sa akin bago ako tinuro.

"Risa! How are you? You are definitely looking gorgeous tonight." Puri nito sa'kin kaya nginitian ko ito ng matamis.

"As always, I'm fine and as always gorgeous." I winked at the man and we both chuckled.

"You look younger! What's the secret madame?" He wiggled his brows and I giggled.

"Just, Zak's love." Wika ko habang nakatingin kay Bella na halos mabungi na sa pagngingitngit ng kaniyang ngipin.

"Oh, that's incredibly good. The aftermath was really look good on you." He winked and we laughed again.
 

"Odia's performance was good too, Jones." Singit ni Bella.

Jones laughed, "Thank you, Bella. But my girlfriend wasn't in a condition so she can't perform for tonight's show." He said, almost sorry.

"Oh, hope she'll get fine soon." Maarteng wika ni Bella. Napakapeke.

"Yeah, sooner of course. But, the organizers are having difficulty because they loss a performer for tonight and I felt extremely guilty." The english man said.

"Performer? Risa, I heard you are a great performer before. You know? Back in Italy?" She bit her lip and hid her stupid smirk.
 

"Really? You are?" Tanong nung Jones.

"No." Matigas na sagot ni Zak. Now, he's the one whose jaw is clenching.

"Oh, come on Zak. She's a great performer back then. Let's take this opportunity tonight like... her debut." Makahulugang tumingin sa akin si Bella. Honestly, I didn't get her message. But I knew there's something about her tone and her eyes.

"That's great!" Komento ni Jones.

"Come on, Risa." She sarcastically said.

"No." Matipid na sagot ni Zak.

"Oh come on, Montanari." Sabat ni Jones.

"Yes, Zak. Let her." Gatong ni Bella.

"Shut the fuck up, Bella." Galit na saad ni Zak at tinapunan ng napakasamang tingin si Bella. But the bitch didn't get the threat of Zak's frightening stare. Boba talaga.

"Why Zak?" She mocked, "What's wrong with that, right Risa?" Bumaling ito sa akin at may nang aasar na tingin. Giving me a challenge look.
 

"Come on, just like good 'ol times." She said persuading me underneath was giving me a challenge. Damn this bitch!

"Don't listen to her—" Pinigilan ko ang bulong ni Zak at sinagot si Bella. I'm up for a fight right now.

"Fine, Miss Daustin, Mister Jones. I'll perform." I announced. 

"Fuck no, listen to me—" Bumaling ako kay Zak at nginitian ito. Nagkakaroon ako ng kaaway dahil sa'yo eh.

"I won't, babe." Mapang-asar kong sagot.

"Great, the stage is yours, madame." Jones winked and held his glass high and sips. Tumayo ako at sinundan si Jones na iginiya ako papunta sa stage.

M

ay kinausap na bakla si Jones, may makulay itong scarf palupot sa leeg niya at may malaking sumbrero sa ulo at mabalahibong pamaypay sa kamay. Mula sa likod ay sinilip ako ng baklang pranses at hinead to foot ako bago tumingin muli kay Jones at tumango ito.

"Mademoiselle, the stage is ready for you, whenever you want." The French gay winked at me and lead me to the stage.

Nagsalita ang host at nang ipinakilala na ako ay malakas na kumabog ang puso ko at nanginig ang kalamnan ko. Bakit ngayon pa ako tinamaan ng kaba?

I'm not into performing, I can sing but never in my life that I've experienced to perform in front of a crowd and now, I'm doomed. Wala na akong kawala ng makatapak na ako sa stage. Lumapit si Jones sa banda sa likod ko at may sinabi sa mga ito. Habang ako ay halos mahimatay na sa sobrang kaba habang naglalakad palapit sa mikropono sa gitna.

The spotlight is focusing on me. And the guests looks like a silhouettes of crowd in the platform and their eyes are judging me. Kinakabahan ako, sobra sobra, pero ng mahuli ko ang malalim at seryosong mata ni Zak mula sa malayo ay mas kinabahan ako.

When the band hit the first note I held into the high microphone's body and sang the first verse of the song I'm your angel by Celine Dion.

Ipinikit ko ang mata ko upang maiwasan ang nakakakabang titig ng mga tao sa akin. Ngunit sa tuwing pumipikit ako ay ang mukha ni Zak ang nakikita ko. Dumilat ako at nagtagpo ang tingin namin ng lalaking palaisipan pa rin sa akin.

His eyes were dark but it is shining from afar. His eyes were set on mine and I can see a glint of amusement and stunned in those pair of brown eyes. He licked his lips and bit it, I gave my response by smiling at him and he smirked in return.

Habang pinapanood ako ni Zak ay pilit na idinidikit ni Bella ang katawan niya kay Zak at kinakausap ito pero nakatuon sa akin ang tingin ng bintana, sa akin lang.

Kumunot ang noo ko ng kunin ni Bella ang panga ni Zak at pinaharap ito sa kanya but he refused and said something and Bella's face turned pale again, draining all her colors away from her stupid face.

Inalis ni Zak ang tingin kay Bella at tinuon sa akin. Tumiim ang panga ni Bella at padabog na umalis sa tabi ng binata. I looked at Zak and can't help but to smile at him. He smirked again and I winked at him.

Pagkatapos na pagkatapos ng huling liriko ng kanta ko ay inilipat agad ang spotlight sa host ng pumasok ito. Kaya habang pumapalakpak pa ang audience ay nawala na sakin ang atensyon ng lahat at naging madilim na ang paligid para sa akin.

"This way, madame." Anang ng lalaki at hinawakan ang siko ko. Nagpagiya ako dahil sa tingin ko itong yung guard na aalalay sa akin pababa ng stage.

Pagkababa ko sa entablado ay sa ibang direksyon ako tinungo ng lalaki at tinakpan ang bibig ko. Agad na nilukob ng takot at kaba ang dibdib ko.

"Move silently." Utos ng lalaki at may naramdaman akong matulis at malamig na bakal sa leeg ko.

Napasinghap ako sa kamay ng lalaki at naglakad na lang. What the fuck is going on? Naglakad kami at dinala ako ng lalaki sa likod ng stage. Binuksan nito ang pinto sa pinakadulo ng hallway na tinahak namin at tinulak ako papasok doon.

"What's going on?!" Sigaw ko sa babaeng nakaupo sa swivel chair sa loob ng isang random dressing room.

"Why am I here?" Tanong ko ulit. She laughed and stood.

"I just want a little chat with you." She said. 

"I don't have a time chatting with you, Bella." Matigas kong wika at tinignan siya pati ang mga kasama niyang naglalakihan at nagtatangkarang mga lalaki.

"You know what, I don't have a time too and you," Dinuro ako nito, "Stay away from Zak." Aniya.

Napairap na lang ako, seriously? "Ahh, shit what a drama queen." I rolled my eyes.
 

"What a cheap act of yours." Komento ko ng may pagkadisgusto at tinignan ang paligid kasama siya.
 

"No wonder." Habol ko.
 

"You bitch, listen to me." Wika niya at may humablot sa likod ko at tinapat sa leeg ko ang matalas na metal.

"Simple rule, stay away from Zak or I'll teach you a lesson on my own way and you, you won't gonna like it." She flipped her hair and I laughed at her face.

"A knife? Really? Is that how cheap you are?" I laughed and the man pressed harshly the sharp of the knife on my flesh, surely leaving a huge cut on my neck.

"If you will took me again make sure you have a gun to you because your little kitchen knife didn't scared me at all." Wika ko upang mairita siya. I am not scared at all, kasi kung aayain ako nito makipagpatayan ay papatulan ko 'to.

S

umenyas ang impakta at mas dumiin ang talim ng kutsilyo at ramdam ko ang pagtulo ng dugo mula roon.

Tumawa ako, "I am not scared, Bella. Don't you get it?"

Hindi imposibleng mapatay ako nitong Bella na'to. Dahil isang senyas niya lang ay pwede na akong gilitan ng lalaking nakahawak sa akin. Pero hindi porket nasa bingit na ako ng kamatayan ay ipapakita ko ng natatakot ako.

"Really?" Nangingiting sabi ni Bella at may narinig akong pagkasa.  

"How 'bout this?" She said and pointed the gun on my temple. Napapikit ako.

Another wave of horror hit my system but I sighed deeply and remain my face calm though my heart is in a huge chaos.

Isang malakas na putok ng baril ang namayani at ang pagkalabog ng pinto sa likod namin. Napatingin si Bella sa likod ko and for the third time she turned pale again.

Mabilis ang pangyayari at naramdaman ko na lang na wala na ang kutsilyong nakadiin sa akin. Namalayan ko na lang na nasa bisig ako ng isang lalaking may matapang at nakakaadik na pabango, napahawak ako sa dibdib niya at tiningala ito. He had this dark, serious face and multiple clicking of guns have been heard. I looked over my shoulder and Bella's  guards have been held by Luke's.

I saw Zak, holding a silver shining pistol on his right hand pointing straight to white paled Bella's head. Zak's tightened his grip on my hips as well as to his gun pointed to her forehead. 

"Come near my angel again and I will plant all my bullets to your fucking head."  He said in grave and his eyes were darker than the evening sky and it scared the whole shit out of us. It doesn't sound like a warn, but more of a death threat.

Nanginig ang mga mata ni Bella at ang kamay nito at may luhang pumatak sa kaniyang pisngi.

"Clear the area." He commanded and a loud gasps escape from Bella's lips.

"Yes, boss." Luke answered.

Zak pulls me and walked us out of the room. That's when I felt my limbs are shakening and my chest are tightening giving me a hard time to gasps for air. 

"What's wrong?" I heard Zak asks in a thick voice.

"I—I, uh..." I can't construct a word, my head is dizzy.

My chest went up and down, shit, this is bad.

"Shit!" He hissed and lift me up.

Nagising na lang ako ng may maramdamang masakit sa leeg ko. Bumangon ako at tinignan ang paligid, nasa hotel na ako. All I remembered was...

"Hey, are you okay?" Rinig kong tawag ni Zak. Nakaupo ito sa tabi ko, nakaalis na ang coat nito. Leaving only his white polo.

"Yeah, masakit lang leeg ko." Wika ko.

"Get a rest, tomorrow morning is our flight back." He whispered.

"I thought—" He cut me off.

"It's dangerous for you." Zak answered.

Napatango na lang ako ng maalala ang nangyari, it felt like a scene in a movie. But damn, it was real.  

"Why did you save me..?" I ask almost whispering. He looked at me and lean closer to my face, here again , my heart is in chaos and untameable.

"Because," He didn't continue and look at my eyes down to my lips and back again. I looked at his hallucinating eyes, it was like an abyss, I felt like falling into it everytime I looked at it and I don't know how to float anymore.

"Because, I'm your angel..." I answered for him and I smirked.

He licked his lips and leans closer.

"Because, you're my angel..." He whispered huskily. Sweet Jesus, I'm drowned.