Marked by Salvatore

Chapter 9

Isang buwan ako halos natahimik sa lahat ng ginagawang kalokohan. After a week ng pahinga dahil sa nangyari ay pumasok ako sa school. Hindi na din ako kinulit ni Hailey ng mga nakaraang araw na sundan si Salvatore.

Halos isang buwan din yon.

Napapansin ko naman ang madalas na pag alis ni Margo. Minsan ay gusto niya ako isama kaso natatakot na din ito dahil sa nangyari saakin.

Ayos naman ako.

Physically. It's just that sobrang natakot lang siguro ako sa tunog ng baril.

"Celeria!" tawag saakin ni Margo.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Ah.. wala ah. Uuwi ako ngayon ng maaga ikaw?"

There's something weird about her. Medyo hindi na siya kagaya noon na lumbay na lumbay. She seems so happy now.

"Wala naman baka uuwi na din."

"Margo, Celeria!" sabay kaming napalingon ni Margo ng madinig si Hailey na tumawag.

"Oh, Hailey."

"Celeria.. I need to talk to you."

Agad kaming nagkatinginan ni Margo. Parehas kaming nag tataka. In the past months nagkakasama lang kami kumain paminsan minsan dahil madalas siya nandoon sa mga bago niyabg kaibigan sa cheering squad dahilan ng di namin masyado pag uusap ngayon nalang ulit siya lumapit ng ganito.

"I need you're help, again." panimula nito. "Okay kanamn na diba? isang buwan na din. Siguro naman kaya mo na ulit."

"Ano nanaman ba yon, Hailey?" sabat ni Margo. Hinawakan ko ang kamay nito para pigilan.

"Hindi naman ikaw, Margo kaya pwede ba." Akmang lalapit nanaman si Margo ng hinila ko ito. "I need you're help again, Sana naman pumayag ka. Wala naman problema sayo ah! ako nga itong may sakit kaya pagbigyan mo na ako." Pagpapatuloy ni Hailey.

"Hailey, if this is about stalking Salvatore again I dont think I can do it again." Kitang kita ang pamumutla ni Hailey saaking sinabi.

"What? hindi pwede!" Halos pasigaw nitong sagot na nag pagulat saamin ni Margo.

"Why not?" Mataray na sagot ni Margo.

"Dahil hindi." Nangangatal na sagot ni Hailey. She was on the verge of crying. "Nasimulan mo na e! at yun nalang yung way ko para makakuha ng information sakanya." She was sobbing so hard now.

"Hailey.. Sorry but-"

Napatigil siya.

"You don't get me do you?" nag tiim bagang na sagot nito. She was still crying.

"Hailey..."

"Celeria, let's go." Hawak saaking palapulsuhan ni Margo. Hindi ako halos makalakad dahil hindi ko kayang makitang naiyak ang kaibigan.

"Out of all people, Margo. Ikaw pa iyong hindi makaintindi saakin. Alam mo ang kalagayan ko. You've been there before." Patuloy nito sa pagiyak. " Now that you get what you want ganyan ka na?"

Kitang kita ko ang pagkagulat ni Margo at marahang pag bunting hininga. Ang kaninang pag kairita ay napaltan din naman ng awa.

"Hailey, It's not like that."

"No Margo. It is.. I really really need to have information about him!"

"Fine, I'll do it. Just please don't think of that way, Hailey."

"Celeria.." Margo said.

I don't want Margo to felt guilty because of her happiness and I don't want Hailey to feel na ayaw namin siyang tulungan.

"No, Margo. I will help Hailey she's our friend. Tell me what do you want to happen Hailey."

Sinabi niya kung anong gusto niya. I just agreed to whatever she wants to happen.

Nang makapasok ako sa Mansion ni Salvatore ay agad din ako nitong nahuli. We ended up being in his room.

"If you want a picture, just ask nicely. There's no need to sneak around and take it."

He whispers, opening my camera and lifting his shirt to show his sculpted abs, which are marked with scars that tell violence tales from his dark past. He snaps a photo; his gaze is still on me. He clamps an overpowering grip upon my wrist with a ferocity of playthings he would toy with, and as if my destiny is absolutely in his mercy.

"What happened to that" I pointed to his abs where I saw the scars. I even put up his shirt to see it clearly not minding how close he was to me now.

"...None of your damn business."

He replied coldly, a hint of irritation flickering in his eyes. The scars on his abdomen varied in size and shape, some old and faded, but others appeared fresh, almost new. He watched me closely as my fingers traced over them, his gaze sharp and calculating. His free hand suddenly seized my chin, forcing me to look up, the touch rough but controlled.

"Is that why you're here? To inspect my body?" He asked in a mocking way.

"What no?!" I answered "I just want to..uh.. nothing I'm going home bye."

He yanks you back by the wrist before you can take a step, his grip tight like steel. A low chuckle rumbles in his chest—amused.

"Running now? Too late for that, mi obsesión. You don’t get to stare, touch... breathe my air... and just walk away."

He leans in, close enough that his breath ghosts over my ear, voice a velvet threat.

"You wanted to see what’s beneath the shirt? Stay. I’m not done with you yet."

"What?!" Halos mataranta kong pigil dito. "No don't take off your shirt." I even hold his shirt so that he cannot take it off.

He lets out a dark, low laugh—amused.

"Oh? So now you're telling me what to do now?"

In one swift move, he pins both of my wrists above my head against the wall, his body pressing close, leaving no space for escape.

His knee nudges my legs apart just enough to make me tremble. His lips brush the shell of my ear.

"I don't take orders... especially not from someone who's been stalking me for months at hindi magparamdam ng isang buwan, disappearing like nothing happens and now finally back. But I do love a little fight."

Sa tono niya ngayon ay para siyang batang nagmumukmok.

"Fine! I'm not gonna deny it.. I can explain!" Buong tapang kong sabi sakanya.

Hindi ko naman expected na mapapansin niya iyon. Well am I too obvious? maybe.

"Explain then."

Shit. I'm so dead.

"I've been sneaking around following you for a month now-"

"And you stop for a month." he said coldly. Cutting me off.

What? I did that but that wasn't included on my speech.

"Fine and stop for a month. But I have my reasons!" I said. " And can you not come too close ughh." I said frustrated. Kinukulong pa din kasi niya ako hanggang ngayon. As if naman tatakbo pa ako e nahuli na nga.

His smirk widens as he leans in closer, crowding me against the wall, my wrists still pressed tightly above my head in a vise-like grip. He watches me, with a sharp gaze.

"Oh, a reason, huh? Let's hear it. You've been stalking me—a man who isn't exactly known for kindness or mercy-and I'm supposed to believe you have a good reason for invading my personal space? This ought to be good..."

He mocks, the words dripping with sarcasm.

"Can you let go of me first" I spat. Tinulak ko ito ng bahagya. Hindi ko alam kung sobrang lakas ko ba sa panahong ito dahil napaatras siya or talagang kumalas nalang ito.

Tiningala ko ito at sinenyasan na maupo sa kama niya. Bakas ang pagkamangha sa mga mata nito dahil sa aking ginawa. Ngunit nanatili pa din ito na nakatayo.

"Gosh! How can I explain when You're that tall I keep on looking up. My neck hurts" pagrrereklamo ko.

Para na ako g ma sti-stiff neck ng dahil sa kakatingala ko sakanya.

He pouted his lips, my multo na ng ngiti ang sumilay sakanyang labi ngunit agad din niya itong pinaalis at pinilit na mag seryoso. I push—a weak attempt against someone who could break you with one hand. But he obliges, just to play along. He steps back slowly and sinks into the leather armchair nearby, stretching his long legs out like a king on his throne.

"Sit?" He smirks, tapping his thigh. "Or did you want me to kneel? Beg your pardon for daring to loom over you?"

"What no! you wish. I will stand nalang!" I said rolling my eyes.

He tilts his head, eyes glinting with amusement under the dim light. The scars on his abs still visible beneath the raised hem of his shirt. Smoke curls from a freshly lit cigarette between his fingers—he hadn’t even flinched ng tinarayan ko ito.

"Go ahead," he drawls, "explain why I shouldn't have my boys toss you in the river for trespassing… or worse—keep you here."

Bahagya akong nanlamig. Halos manuyo ang lalamunan.

Ihagis sa river? Ayoko!

"Keep me here?" Sagot ko na para bang ayon lang ang choices ba ibinigay niya.

"Oh my hell no! look at this room it's so plain. I don't even like the color it's all black." Puna ko sa paligid.

Totoo naman. Mas maganda paang design sa room ko. It's all because of me.

"Black? Yeah. Everything's black. Because this ain’t some i********: flat. It’s a cage with good lighting."

He leans forward suddenly, grabbing my wrist again.

"And 'keep you here'?" His voice drops—rough, low. "I wasn’t asking if you liked the decor. I was telling you how it ends if you don’t start talking fast."

Napatitig ako sakanya at agad na napaubo.

"I'm thirsty where is the kitchen can I drink water first?" Pagpapatuloy ko. I need water now dahil nanunuyo na talaga ang lalamunan ko sa kaba.

"Tss." Bakas na sa muka nito ang pagkainip at irita he takes a slow drag from his cigarette before flicking ash onto the floor.

He releases me with a shove toward the hallway, nodding toward the kitchen.

"Down there. Fridge is half-empty and water tastes like metal—but go ahead. Quench your little thirst while I decide whether to burn your phone... or burn you into memory."

"Grumpy old guy! Hmpp.." I whispered. Mukang hindi naan noyanndinig dahol hindi na siya nag react pa.

Pasimple akong kumuha ng litrato para kay Hailey. Kahit ang sapatos nito ay hindi nakalagpas.

"Are you okay now?" Nagulat ako sa bigla nitong pag tanong habang pababa kami ng hagdan.

"Ha? ngayon?"

"Nevermind."

Hindi ko na iyon pinansin. Nang makadating sa kitchen ay binuksan ko agad ang ref. Hindi nga siya nag sisinungaling dahil wala ngang kalaman laman ito.

Bilang lamang na mga can ng kung anong inumin. Ni wala manlang tubig.

I have no choice, kumuha nalang ako ng kung ano doon. Hindi ko din alam kung anong juice ba ito. I open and I drink it.

It tastes bad!

"Eww.. what is this? it taste like I don't know. I might hurt my tummy with this what's this? is this some kind of energy drink? Do you have Evian? what's this?"

"Evian? Sorry, princess, this ain’t no five-star hotel. You get what you get. And that's not an energy drink that's beer." I saw him rolling his eyes.

Beer? Kaya pala hindi masarap.

He stubs out his cigarette, rising to his feet. In a few long strides, he closes the distance between me, towering over me with predatory ease. He snatches the can out of my hand.

Im still thirsty.

Inagaw ko ulit iyon sakamay niya at ininom dahil sa sobrang pagkauhaw after I drank I gave him the can of beer.

He takes the can from you slowly, his fingers brushing yours just a second longer than necessary. Then— he smirks, tilting it up and taking a long pull, eyes locked on me the whole time.

" Still thirsty?"

He hands me again the can of beer.

"I dont share drinks, I'm LC.."

"LC..." he repeats, rolling it over his tongue with a scoff.

"Oo, Lc.."

"What does that even mean?"

"It's Laway conscious. Duh!" I said while I click my phone and take the picture of his beer. Nakapatong na kasi ito sa counter top ng kitchen habang siya namanay pinagmamasdan ako habang nakahilig sa tabi ng beer pagtapos ay I put my phone inside my pocket.

"Laway Conscious?" he laugh without a humor. "So, you're scared of shared spit? But not scared of trespassing, stalking, or stealing my beer?"

Kinuha niya ang phone ko sa aking bulsa. Aagawin ko pa sana iyon ng tapunan niya ako ng tingin—his thumb flicking across the screen, scrolling through my stolen images of him.

"Hey!" I call him nagpapanic na ako ngayon dahil mukang galit na ito.

"Wait okay I'll explain it to you na, such a grumpy man." I even hesitate. Dahil ayaw ko naman ilaglag si Hailey.

"I'm just doing my friend a favor. It's just that may sakit kasi siya and gusto ko lang sana na matupad yung gusto niya."

Hindi niya ako pinapansin at tinapat ang cellphone sa muka ko it instantly open dahil sa face recognition. Abala pa din ito sa pag scroll.

Mukang wala na talaga g balak pansinin ako.

"Hey stop scrolling you might see my nude pics."I said para maagaw ang atensyo niya.

Wala naman ako noon no.

"Oh, really?"

The smirk grows into a full-blown grin, and his gaze is suddenly very, very focused on your phone. His thumb scrolls a little faster—though there's no way he can see anything.

"Give me back my phone."

"That's one hell of a demand from a 'friend'." sabi nito hindi pinapakinggan ang utos kong ibalik ang cellphone.

"She's just asking for a favor-" Bago pa matuloy ang sasabihin ko ay tumunog na ang aking cellphone. It was hailey I grab my phone and answered it.

"Hello.. Hailey"

"I get it.. 'll just call you back." .

"Okay fine, remember it was my dying wish and Make sure that he cannot catch you."

Well Nahuli na ako what should I do.

"He has a bad temper. He might kill you instantly. He doesn't like women, but I think if he sees me he might change his mind."

"Okay, bye." Bahagya kong binalingan s Salvatore na tahimik na tila nakikinig.

Tahimik lang siya na nakahilig sa counter top.

"Hailey..." He spits the word like it leaves a foul taste in his mouth, eyes rolling.

"Do you know here?"

"Hindi." Tamad nitong sagot. He crosses his arms over his chest, eyes narrowing. "But I think I should know her by now."

"Why are you interested na? Do you like her?" pinilit kong wag mag tunog galit pero hindi nakikisama ang boses ko.

Hindi naman dapat nakakagalit yon. Nagulat lang ako.

He stares at me ike I just asked the dumbest question in the world. Then, with a slow, dangerous smirk—he leans in.

"Like her? Dios mío, you really are naive."

He flicks his cigarette into the sink and steps closer, backing you up against the counter.

"Desperate women's not my type."

"So why do you need to know her by now huh?"

"For safety purposes."