Her Knight Till Night

Chapter 18

__Quiceleth's POV__

"S-SINO ka?!"

Tigagal na tanong sa akin ng babaeng kaharap ko. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha sa kabuuan nito. Maging ang mukha nito ay parang nilagyan ng ilang pampakulay. Ang damit naman nito ay sobrang iksi na parang kinulang sa damit.

“Bakit suot mo ang damit ni Aciee?!”

Tinignan ko ang damit ko. “Ahh heto? Wala kasi akong maisusuot na damit n’on ehh…” Nakangiting sagot ko.

Nanlaki ang mata niya nang sabihin ko iyon.

“At bakit naman?! What rights do you have to own his shirt?! Are you even his girlfriend?!” Nakataas ang isa niyang kilay habang nagsasalita siya.

Mapansin ko lang na kanina pa iyon taas ng taas. Nakakamangha, may mga taong gano’n pala na automatikong tumataas na ang kilay nila.

“Ano?! Sagot ka!”

Saglit akong nagisip sa tanong niya. Kung boyfriend ko si Monster edi ibig sabihin ay girlfriend niya ako.

“Uhm…” Mahinang paninimula ko. “Yes, girlfriend niya ako.”

Nakita kong tumalim ang pagkakatingin niya sa akin. Hindi kaya gusto niya ring maging boyfriend si Monster?

“Woah…is that a girl?”

Napatingin naman ako sa kararating na lalaki Matangkad din ito, may bagay na nakalagay sa gilid ng bibig nito. The guy has a piercing gray eyes, and those flawless cheeks and pointed nose were a perfect match for it!

“Triumphere! She said she’s Ace’s girlfriend!”

Umangat ang magkabilang kilay nung lalaki. “Oh! Really?! Ask her some more!”

Nilingon naman ako ng babae saka siya humalukipkip.

“Why are you wearing his shirt anyway?! Did you sleep together?!”

Kumunot ang noo ko sa pagtatanong niya.

“Oo.” Maikling sagot ko.

“Did you have great time?! Is he good?!”

Napaisip naman ako sa sinabi nung lalaki. Great time?! Good? Nakatulog naman ako ng maayos kagabi at dahil don ay good mood ako. At saka mabait naman siya habang natutulog ako.

Muli akong tumango. Halos pandilatan na akong ng babae.

“WHAT THE HECK! ARE YOU LIVING WITH HIM IN HERE?!” Napaatras ako sa bigla niyang pagsigaw.

Para kasi siyang nagbubuga ng apoy. Balak na niya sana akong lapitan kung hindi lang nga siya hinila palayo nung kasama niyang lalaki.

“Easy, now Wanda,” He said soothingly. “Why can’t you just be happy that our Ace had found someone he is serious about–“

“NO! DAPAT SA AKIN SIYA SERYOSO! BINIGAY KO SA KANYA LAHAT TRIUMPHERE! AKIN LANG SI ACE!”

Sigaw nung babae.

“Okay…” Nakita ko ang pagkibit balikat nung lalaki ang paghila niya sa nagwawalang babae.

Hinila niya yung babae papunta sa gate at doon ay may binuksan iyong kotse at doon pinasok ang nagwawalang babae. Saka humarap papunta dito ang lalaki. Papunta na sana dito ang lalaki nang bigla na lamang may nagsara sa pintuan na hinahawakan ko. Napatingin ako kay Monster na kinukusot-kusot pa ang mata at gulo-gulo pa ang buhok habang nakahawak ang kamay sa door knob.

“Good morning!” Masayang bati ko.

Tumango-tango siya, saka siya humikab.

“You should have slammed the door shut when you saw that a**hole!” He muttered but I heard him.

“Okay…”

Narinig ko ang pagkalampag ng pintuan sa harapan naming.

“Open the door Clace!”

Sigaw nung lalaki sa labas.

“Look at me, Quiceleth.” Napatingin naman ako sa kanya.

“Go inside your bathroom and take a bath okay?”

Tinitigan ko muna siya bago ako nakangiting sumunod sa kanyang sinabi. Umakyat na ako sa hagdanan at pumasok sa kwarto ko at doon ay naligo sa aking sariling bathroom.

__Clacesier’s POV__

“WHY the heck are you here, Sphere?!”

I hissed at his face. He just grinned wickedly as if he got something to taunt me. Great! Sabi ko na nga ba at ganito ang mangyayari kapag nakita niya si Quiceleth! Tinitigan ko siya ng masama.

“Don’t you ever think about it Sphere!” I warned.

“Oh, relax, relax. Wala akong balak na hiramin siya sa’yo…besides mukha ka naming seryoso sa kanya base sa pagkarinig ko sa mga sinagot niya sa interview ni Wanda.”

Kumunot ang nook o pagkarinig sa pangalan ng babaeng iyon.

“Wanda?!”

“Yup, you should have looked at her face when she listened to your girlfriend’s answer.”

“What?!”

“And how could you be so secretive when it comes to your relationship?!” Naguluhan pa ako nang bigla niya lamang sinuntok ng mahina ang dibdib ko. “Congratulation man! You’re the next man in line with that hopeless romantic, psycho!”

“Wait!” What the hell is he talking about?! “Did you just say that she is my girlfriend?!”

“Yup. Ang ganda pala ng tipo mo ah? Mukhang high class yung girlfriend. Her feature scream the air of royalty. Like she  kinda resemble you–“

Natigilan to bigla sa pananalita at napatigin sa akin.

“Wait...is she someone from England?” He slowly asked. I didn’t answer. “Is she a princess?!”

"Well—"

"So she's a freakin princess!?"

Napaatras ako nang bigla niya akong sigawan dahil sa sobrang gulat. Tinakpan ko ang isa kong tainga saka siya bahagyang tinulak.

"Could you shut up for a minute, Sphere!" I hissed.

Using my right hand, I dragged him by his collar, we stopped just beside the living room of my house.

He stared at me after releasing him. Waiting for my answer. I wasn't planning to tell him anything, but there's no point keeping secrets from him since he could dug deeper. They would soon know about this anyways...

"So you stole a princess from a palace?" He slowly asked with teasing smile.

I shooked my head abruptly and let my fingers run through my hair.

"No I didn't."

"Care to explain, why are you with a royal princess who is wearing your shirt in your bed?!"

My forehead creased, "How come you know so many details already?!"

He grinned widely. "Magaling mag-interview yung babaeng laging nagsasabi na girlfriend mo daw siya."

My eyes widen in realization.

"Wanda was here?!"

Sphere nodded, "Now tell me what's yout relationship with the princess."

Humugot ako ng isang malalim na hininga at tinignan si Sphere na hindi na makapaghintay sa sasabihin ko. Duda pa rin talaga ako sa lalaking ito. Pero sabihin na nga at para matigil na ito.

"She's on a run because a group of nameless people attacked her kingdom. To be safe, I brought her here while my mother as well her mother is uncovering the truth behind the assault. I choosed here since I am more familiar in Philippines."

"She's a fugitive?!"

Tumango ako. "Kinda...but she's not a criminal."

Sphere snorted, "She's a royal princess, I think I know that."

I let out a breath.

"Since I've told you my biggest secret—"

"So that means your a baby sitter?!" He joked, though it got me annoyed.

"I am not some sort of low level baby sitter...carrying a cry baby!"

I almost shouted in annoyance. Just the thought of it made me gagged, oh how it will suffocate me to my death when that happened.

"So what are you called?"

"Nevermind what I am called."

"Okay...," He said, the smiled never leaving his face. If snatching his mouth was possible, I would have done it. "What's her name?"

I let out a frustrated breath, "Quiceleth Ferneliya Bellatrix Granderfauld."

Nanlaki ang mata nito nang sabihin ko iyon.

"Is it necessary for a royal family to have such complexity in their name?"

Nagkibit-balikat ako. "Blame it on our ancestors, they have complex problems."

He laughed. "You're rude, aren't you?" Then he suddenly stopped as if he recalled some event. "Uhh...that night, when we are guarding Icell's girlfriend, is she the one you are looking for?"

Tumango ulit ako. "She was locked inside her home since she was little and never have she known the outside world, and also the everything, and even rules here. She's a little naive..." I trailed off. "scratch that, she is naive. Purely naive."

"I think you are having the hardest time of your life." He concluded.

"This is the worst." I said, rolling my eyes. "Now, I believed that you've come here with your reason. Spill." I demanded as I make my way through the kitchen.

I opened the refrigerator and pulled us some beer, I was about to throw his can when I spotted him pulling the door cabinet on top of my counter.

"Clacesier, why..." He picked something inside and read it with creased forehead. "why are your condoms..."

He trailed off, and when he turned to look at me, he burst out laughing.

"Did you just put your condoms at your cabinet kitchen?!" Sphere said, shaking with laughter, "Let me guess, the princess didn't know what this is she got it mistaken from something?!"

I finished what he was trying to say.

"She have mistaken my condoms for a f*ck*ng food, Sphere!" I angrily tossed him the can of beer.

I am disappointed when he successfuly catch when I meant to hit his face. Darn! I hate this guy!

I pulled the seal of my can and gradually took a sip.

"Now, tell me why you're here." I nudged him.

Kumibit-balikat siya, uminom muna siya bago ako hinarap.

"Well, I just want to help with your problem..." He started.

"What problem?" I asked. I got so much problem, and I won't understand if he won't be specific.

Kumuha siya ng isang litrato sa kanyang bulsa at pinakita sa akin. Nanlaki ang mata ko ng mamukhaan ko ang kuha n'on. It's was taken in prison.

"That's Earl a.k.a E. You know him, I am sure of that."

I faced him and snatched the photo out of his grasp. Earl was one of Enil's closest friend.

"Did you know that he was one of the bosses of the Parasites?" He said. "It might not sound right, but tattoo were found on his left wrist. His pawns were also caught, some escaped but the police are now chasing them."

"Earl is a traitor?" Hindi ko makapaniwalang saad. "H-how could he—"

"According to Drozell, he was now being questioned, but he won't talk." Triumphere added, cutting my sentence. "At pinapasabi sa akin ni Drozell kung gusto mong tulungan ka niya. Baka kasi maisip mo na itakas siya d'on, you know, to get answer's from him."

I touched my chin with my finger and put the picture down.

"Does Drozell tipped about the police involved in protecting the parasites?"

Umiling siya, "Nah, he was trying to figure that out since he won't accept that someone is also clever to play both sides."

Bumuntung-hininga ako at hinilot ang aking sentido. This giving me headaches.

"Ibig sabihin hinayaan ng mga Parasites na ipahuli ang isa sa boss. Tsk, I don't know what's happening anymore. I need to get Earl—"

"Good."

Automatikong napaangat ang aking kamay nang may hinagis siya sa akin. Nang tignan ko iyon ay nakita kong gawang fake I.D. iyon. Our names are already written on it and our faces are plastered just beside our names.

"Fourth district?"

"Sila ang in charge sa pagtatanong kay E. You should thank Weirdo."

Tumango ako at nilapag ang ID sa lamesa.

"For now, nilagay nila si E at ang mga kasamahan niya sa selda."

"That's a great chance to get him out." I said.

Tumango si Triumphere bilang pagsangayon ngunit napansin ko ang pagdadalawang isip sa kanyang mukha.

"What if we happen to cross path by those involved in Parasites, they could easily spot us."

"Uh-huh, but it's also a way to know who is involved," I said sounding a bit like Icell who is repulsive enough when it comes with decisions. "Are you in?"

"Huwag mo na akong tanugin kasi talagang sangayon ako," He said. "but what about Quiceleth, shall we bring her?"

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mata. "Are you crazy?! Mapapahamak si Quiceleth!"

"Come on it's not like we will bring her inside the police station to come and help us—Wait! She could help us!"

Hinilot ko ang sentido ko. Walang saysay talaga ang pakikipagusap dito sa isang ito.

"Just stay here, titignan ko lang kung tapos na siya..."

"Isasama ba natin—"

"No! I won't let her get involved by our sh*t, Triumphere!" Medyo napataas ang boses na sambit ko sa kanya.

Napaatras naman siya habang nakataas ang dalawang kamay. He laughed at my reaction and tried to calm me down.

"Hey, hey, easy, you don't have to be so mad like a—"

"Like what!"

"Woah! I said easy there, Clace. Clear your mind...unwind...stress lang 'yan..."

Naaasar na iniwan ko nalang siya na ikinatwa niya. Tsk! Why does he need to laugh when it's not necissary.

Umakyat ako sa hagdanan at tinungo ang pintuan ni Quiceleth. Kumatok ako ng isang beses ngunit ilang segundo na ang lumipas ay hindi pa rin niya iyon binubuksan. Tumikhim ako at muling kumatok, ngayon ay dalawang beses na.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang hindi pa rin iyon binubuksan ng babaeng iyon. Impatiently, I turned the knob around and pushed the door open. I looked at the bed, I gulped for no reason. I tore my eyes away from the bed that seemed to be taunting me.

Clacesier, focus and stop thinking dirty, better yet stop thinking anything!

I inhaled and exhaled, did the process for I don't know how many times! As long as I could get my breathing to normal.

"Quiceleth?!" I called out.

Then I heard the water running at the bathroom. Slowly I walked my way through the ground connecting a heavenly sight—bathroom, Clace, bathroom!

Agad akong nakapasok nang makita kong nakabukas iyon. The curtain were covering her that's why I still couldn't see her, though I can only see a blurry figure of her naked body through the curtain.

"Quice..." My voice weakly trailed off.

It's not my fault, my lungs went dry all of a sudden. I lost all the ability to speak.

"Hmm..." I heard her humming, and it sounded good in my ear. F*ck I even imagined that voice, that f*ck*ng voice to scream my name!

My eyes closed tightly to gain strength to talk, but it was a wrong move. As soon as I closed my eyes, the image of her naked body flashed in my mind, with all those water evident around her body.

Napasandal ako sa sink, para akong hapong-hapo sa mga pinagiisip ko.

Really Clacesier, she's off limits! And that's unfair, thats so f*ck*ng unfair...

My breathing seemed to come up with a plan to make me unable to breathe. I imagined with every splash of the water on her body, I imagined how it touches her and ran down. Now I envy the water for they were able to touch her freely.

"Oh, Monster?!"

Napapitlag ako nang bigla niya akong tawagin. Nakalitaw lang ang ulo niya at nakatago ang katawan niya sa kurtina.

"You're here!" She smiled, and I wished she didn't! "Could you get me my towel over there?"

"H-huh?!" Sh*t kanina pa ako hindi makapagsalita ng maayos! Tinignan ko ang tuwalya na nakasabit at nilapitan siya.

Nang iabot ko iyon sa kanya ay napatingin ako sa malabong imahe ng kanyang katawan na tinatakpan ng kurtina. Napakagat labi ako habang titig na titig doon, naghihintay na lumitaw man lang ang kahit anong parte ng katawan niya.

Ngunit nadismaya ako nang makuha na niya ang kanyang tuwalya ay muli na siyang pumasok sa loob.

Really?! Clacesier, the notorious playboy who can have everywoman he can to f*ck is now only peeping to a woman he wanted to f*ck?!

"Bakit ka pala nandito?" Tanong niya habang nasa loob pa siya.

Tumikhim ako at pinilit na habulin ang aking hininga.

"I just...uh...going outside with Triumphere, don't worry I will be back before night time."

"It's alright, just keep your promise that you'll come back early!"

"Yeah, I will go now!" Sabi ko saka nagmamadaling lumabas sa banyo.

I closed the door behind me and leaned. This is bad, this is really bad, if this goes on i'd end up being f*cked!

TRIUMPHERE and I arrived just in time of lunch break for the officers. Someone might still be inside but it is still an advantage since the security won't be that hard to break through.

Ngayon ay nakasuot kami ng uniporme na suot ng pulis na pinatulog namin kanina. After clipping our I.D just our pocket we abruptly fled the scene and tried as hard as possible to walk calmly inside the police station.

We spotted a police officer sitting on the table, maybe he is in charge of checking the identification of his fellow police officer.

"Name and district number?"

After stating our fake name and fake district number, he faced the monitor and checked if our names are listed, then our names spotted, the police officer let us pass through.

Tahimik kaming naglalakad sa kulungang nadadaanan naming dalawa. Ngunit nalibot na namin ang lahat, wala sa mga ito si Earl.

"E must be at that interrogation room thing," Triumphere whisphered, his face showed disgust upon the thought. "Oh, those poor soul..."

Triumphere once been put at the interrogtion room, and he said that it's better to be jailed than to be put there while asking their annoying questions. Those investigators just can't shut up. Well, aren't they the most curious type of people?

Bumuntung-hininga kaming dalawa at tinungo ang ikalawang palapag.

"What took you guys so long?!"

Parehas naming nilingon ang taong nagsalita na walang iba kundi ay si Drozell. Nakaupo ito sa isang squad team leader table which is not his. Sa ibang district kasi ito naka-assign, the b*stard probably putting his nose on a case that wasn't even assigned to him. Mahilig lang talaga itong humuli ng mga kriminal, ngunit kami lang ang hindi niya hinuli.

"Don't mind me, just get inside that room and release E, he's waiting for you inside." Drozell said without looking at us.

He sat at the table and pulled a drawer open as he scanned a case document. He picked something and tossed it at our direction.

"Are you sure that you should be hanging out here?" I asked.

He shook his head a little, I almost can't see his movements.

"Nah, I put those who monitored the CCTV to sleep, and I turned that off. Everyone should know how to conserve energy, thanks to me."

I rolled my eyes. "Where's E?"

"He was helping his self by lying on the ground. I let him rest, I just hope that he wouldn't spread so much blood."

Nagtagis ang bagang ko sa sinabi niya.

"You shot him!"

"It's part of the plan," He said. "I let him escape while the CCTV were still running to make it look like that he really did break out, when he shot the CCTV at that area," He pointed at the wall connecting the hallway. "i shot him knowing that he will just escape even if I was planning to do that, don't worry I shot him on a safe spot, too bad I missed his nerves..."

I heaved a deep sigh, at least he did not shoot him dead.

"I contacted the quack doctor who'll be treating him.

Hindi na ako sumagot at pinuntahan ang katawan ni E. Nakahandusay ito sa sahig at walang tigil ang pagdurugo nito. Ang tama nito ay sa paa, ngunit dumudugo rin ang noo nito, marahil para mawalan ito ng malay.

Tinignan ko si Drozell na abala sa pagtingin sa mga dokumento. I didn't said any thing and went towards the police station back entrance where no one is present there, I used the key that Drozell gave me and unlocked the door.

Triumphere and I carried E's body and headed towards our parked car at the area and successfully drove towards the location of the quack doctor.