The Underworld Prince Next Door

CHAPTER 13

HARRIET'S POINT OF VIEW

We used our whole day celebrating. We also tried to invite the other editors and managers from the other floor, but they simply refused us due to the reason of being 'busy'. We know that they are just preserving their dignity and save their face to their subordinates, so we let them go.

We aren't so proud with what we achieved. It's just that, this chances are so rare for us to achieve.

I burped carelessly in front of the sink. I am tipsy and I can't stand straight without the support of the tables, wall and doorframes. This is the first time I experienced to be drunk.

My Master doesn't let me to drink this until I turn into my legal age. I am used to tea, milk and coffee he served me. We seldom drinks wine especially when we are celebrating an event worth to be celebrated. In short, I am still new in hard drinks.

My knees wobble when I let go of the doorframe of the pantry. I tried to balance myself yet in vain. I was about to fall when I feel a strong arms wrapped around me. I looked up at the owner of those formidable arms then I smiled happily.

"Hey! You! Who are you? Wait! Am I in heaven already? Why is there a handsome angel in front of me?" I asked to the air while staring at the man's face that is turning red.

His dark eyes is like a vortex. It sips my soul and makes me forget everything. His aristocratic nose is like a new heights of beauty that I have ever seen. His thin and luscious lips are so attractive for me to bare. And his face that is so perfect to called as legendary.

I only learned those things from the books we have in the Eternal Temple. Master Chrys is a writer of those, of course we have the original ones.

How come there is such a beauty in this era? How come I become so lucky to meet and be embraced by one?

I reached for his face and slightly press my fingers on his skin.

His soft and smooth skin like jade really surprises me. In every press I make, there is a pinch of pinkish contrast onto them. I really envy this man. Is he really a man?

I touched my skin and notices that the man's skin is smoother than mine. I can't help but to pout and stomp my feet on the ground. Why is it so unfair?

Argh! Even in between of a man and a woman, there unfairness still exists! I thought it is only for...

"Hey, Harriet. Are you okay?" He asked me.

Awe! Can I already take him home now? I want to keep him!

"You know me? Oh! You know me? What an honor to be known by a young beauty like you." I giggled then poke his hard wide chest.

"I know you, of course. So now sober up Harriet! I'll take you home!" The man demanded.

I went silent and thought about the times that my Master is trying to help me recall all my lost memories. My master will make me sober every time I went sleepy or what. My master always scolded me whenever I make something naughty. He will punish me fairly and I didn't even complain. I love my Master's attention. I love his existence. I love his existence that I already depended to it unknowingly. I must say that, I really miss him.

I let the man take me out of the building, get in his car with an envoy and also, I let him take me home.

When I reached home, I rushed towards the refrigerator to get some water and yogurt to ease my drunk state. I offered him one, too and we eat them together, sitting on my couch, side by side.

"How are you feeling?" Crow asked worriedly while eating the yogurt.

"Better than earlier. I feel like I am so high. And it's unpleasant for me. It's a horrible feeling." I explained.

"That's good. I'll wait until you fall asleep before going home. It's hard for me to—"

"Just sleep here. There is a guest room at the second floor."

"Huh?"

"I mean. You're drunk, too. I can get rest assured if you will not drive yourself at home. Especially, your guards aren't here. It's way to dangerous for you." I explained myself.

"Oh! Okay. Don't worry. I'll go home tomorrow before the sun—"

"Forget that idea. You are not an outsider so you can stay here even until tomorrow evening. Just rest well." I caught his sentence again. "I'll prepare your room, then you can go upstairs if you feel like it." I added before going upstairs.

Nang makaakyat sa kwarto na gagamitin ni Crow, agad kong nilinisan iyon, pinalitan ang punda ng unan at ng kumot na gagamitin niya. Tiningnan ko din ang gamit sa loob ng banyo kung kumpleto ba iyon at nasa ayos.

Unang beses ko pa lang na mang-imbita rito sa bahay ko mula ng lumipat ako. Wala din akong karanasan sa mga ito kaya naman grabe na lamang ang kabog ng dibdib ko.

"Maganda na kaya ito?" Kinakabahan kong bulong sa sarili ko.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas, hindi pa din ako makapagpasya sa itsura ng kwarto. Nagdadalawang-isip ako palagi at umabot pa sa punto na naghanap ako ng magandang disenyo sa internet.

Napahikab na lamang ako at saka bumuntong-hininga habang pinagmamasdan ang kwarto.

"Bahala na nga—"

Natigilan ako ng biglang bumukas ang pintuan at niluwa nu'n si Crow na mukhang nagulat pa na nakita ako sa loob ng silid.

"Sorry. Natagalan ba? Matagal ba ako?" Nag-aalala kong tanong sa kaniya.

"Huwag kang mag-alala. Ngayon lang ako dinalaw ng antok at naaliw din ako sa panunuod ng T.V kaya hindi ko rin napansin ang oras." Paliwanag niya.

"Ah! Salamat naman kung ganu'n." Lumingon ako at pinasadahan ng tingin ang loob ng kwarto. "Pagpasensyahan mo na ang kwartong ito. Hindi kasi ako marunong mag-ayos ng ganito. Unang beses ko lang rin kasi na magpatulog ng bisita rito. Sana pagtyagaan mo na lang." Paliwanag ko.

Ngumiti si Crow at saka pinagmasdan ang loob ng silid. Natulala ito at tila ba nawala siya kahit naririto siya sa aking harapan. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nakiya niya o anuman ang naramdaman o naiisip niya. Ang alam ko lang, pagod siya at kailangan na niyang magpahinga.

Kaya naman, tahimik akong naglakad palabas ng kwarto para iwanan na siyang mag-isa ng may humiklat sa palapulsuhan ko at hilahin ako pabalik sa loob ng kwarto.

Natameme ako ng walang pasabing niyakap ako ni Crow ng mahigpit. Malakas ang pagtambol ng aking dibdib na hindi ko na halos maisip pang huminga. Nakalimutan ko na yatang gawin iyon sa aking halo-halong nadarama.

Kaba, takot, saya, mga nadarama ko sa pagkakataong iyon na yakap-yakap ako ng matalik kong kaibigan.

Hindi man niya sabihin, pero sa pagyugyog ng kaniyang balikat. Alam ko ng may pinagdaraanan siyang mabigat na hindi niya magawang ibahagi.

Hinimas ko ang kaniyang likod at hinayaan na mabasa ang damit ko sa mga luha na nagmumula sa kaniya. Napangiti ako at saka siya tinapik ng marahan.

"Ilabas mo lang iyan. No one will judge you. No one can see you. No one will know this side of yours. But me. I'll stay here until you calm down. Just... Let it go." Sabi ko habang nakakulong pa din ako sa kaniyang bisig. Lalong lumakas ang pagyugyog ng kaniyang balikat na hindi ko naiwasang makaramdam ng kalungkutan.

Alam kong wala akong magagawa kundi ang yakapin siya at damayan. Anuman ang problema niya, mananatili akong nasa tabi niya, kailan pa man.