Chapter 6: Knives within thy Mouth

The sunlight-like gleam of the luxurious chandelier highlighted the speckle of silver and gold in the vicinity of the event hall. Its elegance shone an invitation for the people to dance. And with a single stump of heels, the boisterous, busy crowd suddenly hushed with their eyes locked to us.

Bewildered and beguiled—their eyes screamed curiosity as they were engrossed in the gossip about the youngest daughter of the Dela Vega family along with the mysterious guest she brought.

And while I was anxious about the attention that I was receiving, Asher suddenly held my hand and intertwined it with mine, “You have me. You don’t have to be nervous,” he whispered.

“I… I…”

“You’re not alone this time, so… just walk. Hayaan mo silang tingnan ka dahil hanggang nandito ako sa tabi mo ayon lang ang magagawa nilang gawin.”

Ang mga salita niya ay nagmistulang musika sa aking tainga, isang himala na nagawa kong pakalmahin ang aking sarili dahil sa kanyang boses. Nang maramdaman niyang handa na ako upang maglakad muli ay ginawi niya ako sa direksyon kung nasaan ang aking pamilya.

Magalang akong yumuko sa harap ng aking ina at ama samantalang ang kapatid ko at ang nobya nito ay nakapako ang mga mata sa aking kasama.

“Mom, Dad, this is Dwayne Asher Perez,” pagpakilala ko sa aking kasama, magalang na nakipagkamay si Asher sa aking ama at nakipagbeso sa aking ina.

Nang muli akong napatingin sa aking kapatid ay kapansin-pansin ang ngisi nitong nakakubra sa kanyang labi habang ang mga mata ay nakapako pa rin kay Asher, “Perez… Perez…” sambit nito.

“Archer, don’t intimidate your sister’s guest.” My father jeered. Asher and I silently occupied the remaining seat, and even though I do not want to be here, my mind is eager to accumulate facts and pieces of evidence, especially that our suspects are all present here aside from Mr. Enrile.

Archer let out a soft laugh and amusedly looked at me, “I just can’t imagine that the black sheep of the family somehow get a hold of one of the finest dishes…”

“Archer,” Mom warned.

Our father and mother’s gazed didn’t budge him, and instead, he furrowed his eyes more to us, “So… tell me, Dwayne Asher Perez, you’ve come from the family of elites, judges to be specific, so what did you say to my sister?”

“Things that you aren’t able to see.” Asher smiled genuinely. He suddenly held my hand as if I am someone to be proud of, “She’s someone that every man dreamt of.”

I am aware that he’s just saying those beautiful things, just to save my ass from my brother’s remarks. But for some reason, I can’t help but look at him with so much affection. This unexplainable feeling inside is daunting, a feeling that I don’t want to acknowledge, or else I might get hurt—big time.

Asher diverted his attention to me along with a charming smile, making me avoid his eyes. Damn, those alluring eyes! Another second, or I might trip, and that is not fucking good.

“Please take good care of my daughter, ijo.” Natuon ang aming atensyon sa aking ina kasabay nito ang pagdating ng pagkain sa aming lamesa.

“Don’t worry. I will.”

Nang matapos ang saglit na usapan na iyon ay napunta ang pag-uusap sa ibang bagay—ang mga bagay na tungkol sa politika na tanging sila lamang ang nagkakaintindihan. Taimtim lamang akong nakikinig sa kanilang usapan tungkol sa bagong proyekto na gagawin ng aking ama, samantalang si Asher ay malimit nilang tanungin sa mga mungkahi nito.

“Mas mainam po siguro kung itutuon niyo po muna ang inyong oras sa pagtatapos sa Angat Hydro Electric Power Plant.”

Naging matalas ang tingin ng aking tatay kay Asher ngunit agad iyon na nawala nang binaba nito ang kanyang kubyertos, “Bakit naman, ijo?”

“Mrs. Enrile, Attorney Salvatore’s client, was the head engineer of your current project. And with her current issue, her work efficiency will reduce lalo na’t hahanapin namin siya every now, and then.”

My father’s eyes glittered as if he finally found the perfect timing to ask him an inevitable question, “I know that I’m not in the right position to ask this. But how’s Salvatore’s case?” He purposely did it!

“He’s not answering that question.” I pointed. Archer’s girlfriend secretly gawked at me, “All of the pieces of information we gathered are classified.”

Iinom sana ako nang biglang dinanggil ng kasintahan ni Archer ang red wine sa aking harapan, pinanood ko lamang iyon hanggang sa tuluyan itong matapon sa aking suot.

“Oh my gosh! Thea, are you alright?” I looked at her sternly. I can’t even feel any concerns, but again, I don’t want to conclude.

Asher immediately handed me his handkerchief to wipe my dress, but the red wine already stained on it. Damn.

“Thea, princess, are you alright?” My mother asked, and I nodded.

“Yes, I’m going upstairs.”

Nagulat ako nang biglang tumayo sina Asher at ang nanay ko, “I’ll you go with princess,” sambit ni Mommy.

She need something from me. I can feel it. Hindi ako sanay na ganito siya ka-concern sa bunsong anak niya, at sa hindi mapaliwanag na dahilan ay medyo nasusulasok ako.

“You don’t have to—”

“I’ll just accompany her, Mrs. Dela Vega.” Asher interrupted.

“Then, I’ll just look for another dress for her.”

My mother immediately hushed after that and because this party belongs to the beloved senator in town. Our table seems to gather all the eyes once again. I quickly stole a glance towards Archer’s girlfriend before pulling Asher out of the people’s sight.

“Kahit saan ka talaga magpunta, may kaaway ka.” Pagbibiro ni Asher. Sinamaan ko lamang siya ng tingin saka kami nagmartsa patungo sa kuwarto ko.

“I don’t know why they hated me. I’m silent—”

“You’re silent, and you look so fragile and vulnerable. That’s why they tend to belittle you.”

I rolled my eyes at him and immediately held the doorknob towards my room. It’s unlocked? I just shook the thought off and went inside. Hindi ko na rin naman kailangan pang ayain sa loob si Asher dahil feel at home na feel at home siya.

Walang pasabi akong dumiretso sa banyo upang alisin ang damit ko, saglit kong pinunasan ang malagkit na parte sa aking katawan saka kinuha ang aking roba. At sa munting sandali na ‘yon, na-realized ko ang aking pagiging bobo.

Wala akong damit na pamalit. Tangina, ang bobo ko.

I cleared my throat, “Perez.” Nasaan na ‘yon?

“Perez! Perez! Perez…” Iniwan na ba ako no’n?

Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang pinto saka sumilip sa kuwarto, wala siya ro’n kaya’t minabuti kong tumungo sa cabinet ko. Inis akong napangiti nang mapansin kong naka-lock ang aking damitan at sadyang nakikipaggaguhan sa akin ang tadhana dahil nasa balkunahe si Asher, nakatingin ito sa akin ngayon na para bang nakapa-weird ko.

Muli kong sinubukang buksan ang aking cabinet, ngunit ayaw talaga nitong bumukas. Nawawala rin ang susi nito.

“This was set-up,” Asher said while slowly making his way towards me.

“Alam ko. Hindi lang ikaw ang matalino rito,” asar kong sambit.

Bigla na lamang siyang tumawa’t sumandal sa aking cabinet, “Hindi lang ikaw ang matalino rito pero hindi man lang naisip na kumuha muna ng damit bago pumunta sa banyo. Wow, totally a genius move.”

“Shut up!” And because of embarrassment, I slammed my body to my bed and curled to the comforter. “Why don’t you just get out?”

“I don’t want to socialize,” he responded. Asher gradually walked to the door and tried opening it, “And it was locked.”

I amusedly smirked. I don’t know who set this up pero alam kong nasa plano na tapunan ang suot ko ng wine. I should have been more cautious nang mapansin kong bukas ang kuwarto ko lalo na’t hindi pa naman ako muling nakakapunta rito.

“My bag is in your car, right?” I asked.

“Why don’t you just destroy your cabinet?”

I grimaced at him, “Try destroying a customized narra cabinet, genius.”

Dahan-dahan komg sinilip ang balkunahe, mabilis naman na napangiwi si Asher nang maintindihan agad niya ang binabalak kong gawin.

“Stop what you are thinking, moron.” He jeered.

I squinted my eyes at him and slowly walked towards him, “I can’t stay here wearing nothing but this! Tapos I’m with you pa!”

“Dream on. Hindi kita papatulan—”

Mabilis kong kinuha sa bulsa niya ang susi ng sasakyan niya at tumakbo patungo sa balcony. Nasa likuran na bahagi ang aking kuwarto kaya’t ang ibaba nito ay ang kusina. Kagat-labi akong nakipagtalo sa isip ko kung tatalon ba ako o hindi.

Hindi rin ako sigurado kung makapal na ba ang damuhan para hindi ako masaktan o ano pa.

“I’ll jump first. I’ll catch you after,” Asher said, and then he suddenly flicked my forehead.

“Dumbass—”

My eyes widened with surprise when he suddenly jumps without informing me first. He landed on the bush, safe and sound. He extended both of his arms and waited for me to jump.

And with so much hesitation, I jumped. It was fortunate that he actually caught me.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

Nakangiwi niya akong tiningnan saka siya namumulang umiwas ng tingin, bigla na lamang akong napatikom ng bibig nang mapansin kong nakasalip ang aking bra.

Putangina!

Nahihiya kong inayos ang aking roba saka namin tinungo ang parking lot, nang makapasok ako sa loob ng sasakyan niya ay agad kong kinuha ang aking bag at aking extrang mga damit do’n. Samantalang nanatili naman siya sa labas upang makapagbihis ako.

At sa kasagsagan nang pagsusuot ko ng blouse, bigla na lamang pumasok si Asher sa loob at tinakpan ang aking bibig saka ako hinila pababa sa upuan.

“Hush…”

“Think, Allaine. We will lose tons of money if failed to put your husband behind bars! Bakit ba si Salvatore pa ang pinili mo? Exactly! Hindi siya katulad ng ibang mga abogado— what if he meddles with our projects? Think!”

I am tensed. I carefully shut my eyes. I can myself trembling from fear.

“Ayokong gamitin ang posisyon ko bilang pulis para lang makulong si Zacharias.” Police Lieutenant General Fuentes?

I gaped when I suddenly kicked the front seat, making both Asher and I’s eyes widened.

“Shit. Shit—”

“Stay, at ease…” he mumbled. All of a sudden, he purposely knocked himself to the window and pulled me with him. I was dazed and confused when he captivated my lips, soft and gentle and with a swift gradation of intensity. Asher clangs my arms around his neck, “And kiss.”

It was also timely because we suddenly saw Police Lieutenant General Fuentes trying to peek in the window. Hindi naman malabo ang bintana ni Asher sa kanyang sasakyan, agad na nagpanggap na nagulat si Asher nang magtama ang mga mata nila ni General Fuentes habang ako’y bahagyang nakapatong sa kanya.

Pakunwari pa siyang nagmamadaling lumabas sa sasakyan at nahihiyang humarap sa general, “General Fuentes… magandang gabi po.”

Gumala ang mata sa akin ni General Fuentes dahilan upang tumabi ako kay Asher, nang muntik na mapunta ang paningin nito sa bahagyang bukas kong blouse ay mabilis na hinubad ni Asher ang suot niyang coat at pinangtakip sa akin.

“Are you two have been here the whole time?” General Fuentes asked.

Asher shyly scratches his chin. Tangina ang husay umarte. “Yeah. We’re actually in the middle of something.”

“I can see that,” he stated. “But you two should be cautious of your actions. Both of you came from respectable families, don’t stain your family’s name. People nowadays like making made stories and controversies.”

“We will take note on that, General,” Asher said.

General smiled and nodded, “Have you heard something around while you are here? I was actually chasing a man trying to take scope from Senator Dela Vega’s party.” What a big old liar.

“I don’t think so… We’re kind of busy earlier.” I awkwardly smiled.

His eyes felt relief after hearing my answer, making his smile turn into a grin.

“Shouldn’t you be inside, Thea? It’s your father’s party, after all.” General Fuentes pointed out. I smiled at him genuinely in response.

“We’re already tired, and we needed to go back to the university. Paalis na rin po kami kanina.” Nang magpaalam siya sa amin ay isang malakas na suntok ang agad na binigay ko kay Asher dahilan upang tingnan niya ako nang masama, “Who told you that you can kiss me?!”

“That idea saved your ass, moron!”

“You could think of another idea!”

He grimaced, “Why didn’t you? It was your fault why he almost caught us!”

I angrily hissed at him and grumpily went inside his car in the passenger’s seat. Asher followed and sat on the driver’s seat.

We remained silent, waiting for the silence to break himself. Damn, can’t Attorney Salvatore get a normal fucking case for once?

“They are framing him up, aren’t they?” I confirmed.

“It seems like that.” He agreed, “But we still cannot be sure until we visit the Balencia Building tomorrow.”

We need proof before validating our conclusions. That’s how we work.

But General Fuentes will never leave my suspect list.

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