DANCING WITH THE VILLAIN

XIII | Enemy

Adriene Constance

Sinclaire Grande

Tiningnan niya ang kanyang repleksyon sa salamin. She was wearing a dress that covered almost all of her skin. It was a few inches down her knees. She paired it with block-heeled shoes and a pair of black gloves. It was very different from the kind of clothing she wore the first time she arrived. At iyon talaga ang plano niya. If Rhysand sees her as someone he could bring to his bed that easily, she wanted to disappoint him.

She wants to be not just a bed warmer but someone he could confide in. Someone he could tell his concerns. What better way to know the Skulls' secrets than knowing it directly from their leader? And she's sure as hell he wouldn't just tell her about it if she becomes his bedwarmer. Kaya napagdesisyunan niya kung anong gagawin niya ngayon.

Heaving a sigh, she straightened her dress. Mentally encouraging herself helped a little. Then off she went.

The walk towards the Sinclaire Grande wasn't so far. After five minutes ay naroon na siya't nakatayo sa harapan nito. She was a few minutes early sa usapan nila ni Rhysand but she didn't mind. She would be more bothered if she was the one late. Ayaw niyang may naghihintay sa kanya.

But then she realized what Rhysand had said yesterday. That he will come if he comes back alive. Hindi niya mapigilang magtaka kung saan ito pumunta kahapon. Was it another mission? Another off-the-radar transaction? Is it worth knowing? Does she need to know about it? How is she going to bring it up? What if Rhysand finds it odd for her to take interest in such matters? What would he say? Will asking about it give her away?

She was thinking about it that she didn't notice a man until he was already standing in front of her. Nang tingnan niya kung sino ito ay bigla naman siyang napaatras dahil nakita niyang sobrang lapit ng lalaki sa kanya.

Rhysand noticed her stagger back and he tilted his head as if curious to what she was thinking about. Tumikhim nalang si Adriene at ngumiti sa lalaki.

"You were thinking about something so deep you didn't even notice me coming," saad ng lalaki bago nito isiniksik ang mga kamay sa bulsa. Adriene couldn't help but scan him. She couldn't see any wounds or bruises. At least on his face. If the Skulls did something important yesterday, clearly it was successful.

"You're alive," she muttered. Dapat sa isip lang niya iyon ngunit hindi niya namalayang nasabi niya pala iyon nang malakas.

The corners of Rhysand's lips lifted before he looked to the ground to hide it and when he looked back up, wala na ang ngiting iyon. But she could still see ghosts ofit. Nakatingin lang si Adriene sa lalaki. Unable to process what she was seeing. Hindi niya alam kung nagkukunwari lang ang lalaki o sadyang natutuwa talaga ito sa sinabi niya.

Then she heard him clear his throat and said, "Yes, fortunately, I am still alive." Nakatingin ang lalaki sa kanya. Although his lips aren't smiling, she could still see it in his eyes. But before she could say something ay naunahan na siya ng lalaki.

"And here you are. You were hoping I would come back alive," he said. Bigla naman siyang natigilan. Hindi niya naisip iyon.

"In my defense, I didn't know it was serious. But anyway, even if I knew you were serious, I still would come," she said. Hindi siya makapaniwalang nakikipagsabayan siya sa lalaking ito. And she couldn't believe how good she was at it. Iyon ba ang nakita ng Crown sa kanya? Her ability to talk and get along with people well? Even the most feared man in Sinclaire is smiling at her.

"Why do you say so?" tanong ng lalaki. A small smile plastered his face but she could tell he was suppressing it.

Kaya naman ngumiti siya. It was broad and without restraint. "You did not become the leader of Ivory Skulls for nothing, Mr. Marfori. There has to be a reason behind it. A reason that would make you win every battle you're into," she said and she did not remove her gaze from him.

Rhysand also stared back. Gone was the smile on his face. His face was grave serious at bigla naman siyang kinabahan. But before she could even think of other things, Rhysand offered his hand. Tiningnan niya ito, nagtataka kung anong balak gawin ng lalaki.

He must have read her mind because he said, "I will take you all around Sinclaire." He tilted his head as if it would make her agree. Of course, it would make her agree. Iyon nga ang ipinunta niya dito.

Kaya nagpakawala siya ng ngiti sa lalaki bago sinabing, "It's an honor." Kinuha niya ang kamay nito and they walked to his car. Hindi niya alam kung saang parte ng Sinclaire siya dadalhin ng lalaki but then it would be something she will find out later.

"Where are we first off to?" tanong niya sa lalaki. Rhysand looked at her.

"If you are not my employee then I would bring you first to Sinclaire Grande," saad ng lalaki.

Napataas naman ang kilay niya sa sinabi nito. "So since I am your employee, take me to the Grande last."

She heard him chuckle. "That's the plan."

"Do you always do this to other people too? Take them on a tour?" It was a dangerous question. and one she shouldn't have asked in the first place. Ngunit mas nabigla siya sa sagot ni Rhysand.

"Actually, yes." He looked at her while he was driving. "If they're not from here then I would take them on a tour."

Napataas naman ang kilay niya. As far as she knows Sinclaire Grande had just been established and that she's the first one employee who doesn't come from Sinclaire. Ngunit nagtanong pa rin siya, "So you have employees not from around here?"

Natahimik saglit ang lalaki at pagkatapos ay sinabing, "Ikaw p lang."

It was her turn to keep quiet dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang sinabi ng lalaki. And she could say that he is a smooth talker. He doesn't have much experience with men but she could tell. Because every he says felt like a prayer. Even if it isn't something that flattering, it sounded like a compliment. And if she hadn't known better, she would have fallen for it. If she is not some spy of the Crown, she would have believed it. Ngunit alam na niya ang motibo ng lalaki.

Base na rin sa sinabi ng babae sa katabing kwarto niya, she could tell Rhysand isn't someone fond of romantic relationship. A bed-warmer, that's what he wants. And if he tries to make her one of his bed-warmers, wala siyang pakialam, sasapakin niya ang lalaki. Her goal for the day would be to befriend Rhysand enough for her to get information she will need.

"So where are you going to take me first?" tanong niya sa lalaki.

Rhysand looked like he was thinking about it. And then he said, "I'm famished. I guess we'll eat." He gave her a sideward glance before she feigned a smile. Totoong nadala siya kanina habang nagsasalita ito ngunit alam niya ring iyon ang plano ng lalaki. So she wants to make him see that she has fallen right into his trap.

The way to the restaurant was silent. But it wasn't an awkward silence. It was comfortable. Very unusual for her to feel comfortable when she was sitting next to her enemy who would kill her any second kapag nalaman nitong isa siyang kaaway. But that is something she would avoid at all costs. So she smiles without restraint.

Nang makarating sila sa sinasabing restaurant ng lalaki, walang masyadong tao ang naroon. And the moment they were inside, it was then she realized the power that the Marforis hold. The staff inside the restaurant were whispering to each other the moment Rhysand stepped in. And then the manager came in their direction to greet him.

"Mr. Marfori, what can we do for you today?"

He was expecting Rhysand to be all bossy and demanding ngunit nagulat naman siya sa sinabi nito.

"I want a private table, please," saad nito sa manager. The manager gave them both a warm smile before he gestured his hand. Agad naman siyang sumunod nang magsimulang maglakad si Rhysand papunta sa kwartong naroon. It was indeed private dahil sila lang ang naroon. May malaking table rin sa loob. The manager gave them a menu and they sat down. Silence filled hte room.

"What do you want?" tanong nito sa kanya. Napatingin naman siya sa lalaki and he was still looking at the menu. Agad naman naman niyang ibinalik ang kanyang tingin sa menu na hawak niya nang tumingin ang lalaki sa kanya.

She cleared her throat and focused on the food. Ngunit nang tingnan niya ang menu ay muntikan na siyang mapaubo nang makita ang presyo ng mga ito.

Hindi niya maafford iyon. Ngunit bago pa man siya makapagsalita ay naunahan na siya ni Rhysand. Tinawag na nito ang waiter saka ito lumingon sa kanya.

"I will pay for the meal. It's my way of apologizing for ignoring you that day," saad ng lalaki. Agad naman siyang nahiya nang mapagtanto niyang nabasa ng lalaki ang ekspresyon niya kanina nang makita niya ang presyo.

They ate in silence at first but then as time passed by, they started talking. The very first time she saw Rhysand was when Ariela gave her a file about the Skulls. She saw a picture of him and the first thing she thought was that he's someone cold. Isang tuso at isang lalaking mahirap kausapin. But as she listened to him talk, she could see he is a smooth talker. Someone who knows how to use his words. Kaya siguro magaling ito sa kahit anong negosasyon. Kaya siguro ito ang lider ng grupo.

"So, where do you really come from?"

Bigla naman siyang natigilan sa sinabi ng lalaki. She looked at him, hoping she heard the wrong thing. But Rhysand continued eating as if he hadn't just asked her something that made her heart thump.

"Excuse me?" tanong niya. Kinakabahan siya. Ngunit hindi niya iyon pinahalata. She had to remain calm. And when Rhysand looked at her, gone was the smile on his face. His eyes were cold and she felt like he wouldn't hesitate to slit her throat if she says the wrong thing.

"Where are you really from?" tanong ulit nito sa kanya. She pursed her lips as she meet his eyes. Hindi niya alam kung kailan nagsimulang magduda amg lalaki. Ngunit ang hula niya'y bago pa man siya nitp inayang lumabas.

Adriene let out a chuckle. Although it appeared nervous and she didn't bother to hide it.

"Is this what this is all about?" she asked. "If you were going to interrogate me you could have done so in Sinclaire Grande."

Rhysand eyed her and his face remained unmoving.

"I already told you where I am from. Kubg nakalimutan mo iyon, uulitin ko nalang para sa 'yo. I'm from Springvale. A small town in the North-"

"You are from the North and you bothered going to the South because Sinclaire Grande pays well?"

She looked at the man in front of her. Of course, he would wonder. All his life he spent it doubting and judging people. She's no exception.

She sighed. She didnt lie. Hindi niya lang sinabi ang buong katotohanan. "That's right, Mr. Marfori," sagot niya. She did not take her eyes from him at ganoon din ang lalaki sa kanya.

"Why here of all places?" tanong nito sa kanya. "Sigurado akong may naririnig ka tungkol sa lugar na ito. This is the city of sin, Adriene. Why did you come here?" His voice was calm.

Hindi na niya alam kung anong sasabihin sa lalaki. Because the reason why she came to Sinclaire was something that Rhysand and the rest of the skulls should know about.

"Natatakot ka ba na baka isa ako sa mga nakaaway mo?" tanong niya sa lalaki. She wanted to applaud herself for asking that kind of question.

Rhysand studied her before he said, "Are you?"

Hindi siya makasagot dahil ano nang sasabihin niya? At alam niyang wala siyang karapatang magalit kaya naman tumayo nalang siya.

"If it bothers you so much, you can find out for yourself, Mr. Marfori. Dig up everything about me if that helps." She bowed her head slightly because after all, it's her boss. "Thank you for the meal," she said. Hindi na niya hinintay na makasagot ito at agad siyang naglakad papalabas.

And when she was finally out, she heaved a sighed. Lahat ng kaba na naipon niya ay inilabas niya doon. And thats wheb she felt her hands trembling and her shuddering breath. Hindi siya makapaniwalang nakayanan niyang manatili doon nang hindi nanginginig.

Ngunit alam niyang nagtagumpay siya. There is a huge chance that Rhysand Marfori would really look her up. Pwede rin na hindi. Either way, she won. The Crown has covered all her connections with them so walamg mahahanap si Rhysand tungkol sa koneksyon niya sa Crown.

She looked back and she was slightly disappointed when Rhysand didnt come after her. Hindi niya rin alam bakit siya umaasang susundan siya ng lalaki. Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya at agad na naglakad papalayo. She decided to go home dahil kakanta pa siya mamaya sa Sinclaire Grande.

Ngunit hindi niya maiwasang mangamba. Dahil malaki rin ang tsansa na tatanggalin siya ni Rhysand sa trabaho niya dahil sa kanyang mga isinagot.

She groaned in frustration at sumakay nalang ng taxi pauwi.

* * *