Chapter 3 – Exes and Enemies
782 Words
Loveleen stared at the woman in front of her.
Matangkad, flawless, confident. Naka-red silk dress pa kahit umaga. Parang hindi dumadaan sa normal na problema ng tao. At ang mga mata nito — mapanukso, pero may halong paninira.
“You look surprised,” ani Bianca habang tinitingnan siya mula ulo hanggang paa. “Don’t worry. You’re not the first girl Hades has brought into this island.”
“Who are you exactly?” malamig na tanong ni Loveleen habang pilit bumabangon sa kama. “And what do you want?”
“Oh,” ngumisi ito habang dahan-dahang naglalakad papalapit sa kanya, “I’m just here to check kung anong klase ng babae ang kayang ipagpalit ni Hades sa akin.”
Loveleen raised a brow. “So you’re the ex.”
Bianca laughed mockingly. “Correction: I’m the first. The woman who actually knew him before he turned into the king of shadows. We go way back.”
“Then why aren’t you together anymore?” buwelta ni Loveleen, keeping her tone cool.
Bianca’s smile faded a little. “Because I made one mistake… I underestimated how dangerous he could be.”
Loveleen stiffened. Hindi man direktang sinabi, pero parang may pinapatamaan ang babae. She wasn’t stupid. Bianca was marking territory — warning her.
But Loveleen was never the type to back down.
“Well, if you’re trying to intimidate me, it’s not working,” sagot niya. “I don’t even want to be here.”
“You don’t want to be here,” Bianca echoed, “but here you are — sa private room ng king. He never brings women here. Never.”
Before Loveleen could answer, bumukas ang pinto. Tumigil ang mundo nila pareho nang pumasok si Hades, suot ang black polo at watch na mas mahal pa sa buong equipment sa operating room.
His eyes went straight to Loveleen.
“You’re awake,” he said. Then he turned to Bianca, his tone colder. “What are you doing here?”
Bianca smiled sweetly. “Just saying hi. You didn’t tell me you had a guest.”
“She’s not a guest. She’s recovering.”
“Ooh,” aniyang pabiro pero may sarcasm sa boses, “so we’re calling it that now?”
“I said get out, Bianca.”
Tahimik. Mabigat ang hangin.
Pero hindi agad umalis si Bianca. Instead, lumapit ito kay Hades, tinapik ang dibdib nito gamit ang hintuturo.
“Careful, Hades. Girls like her? They heal you, but they also break you.” At may matalim na tingin kay Loveleen, saka siya lumabas ng kwarto.
Pagkaalis ni Bianca, hindi agad nagsalita si Hades. Tumayo lang siya sa gilid ng kama, nakatitig sa kanya.
“You okay?” tanong niya.
Loveleen scoffed. “Really? You lock me up in a place I don’t know, with a psycho ex and armed guards everywhere, and then you ask me if I’m okay?”
He stepped closer. “She wasn’t supposed to be here.”
“Then why is she walking around like she owns the place?”
“Because she used to.”
Tahimik si Loveleen. Pero sa loob niya, may kumikirot. Hindi dahil sa selos. Hindi pa.
Pero sa katotohanang... hindi niya alam kung saan siya lulugar.
“Listen, I’m not one of your girls, Hades. You don’t get to play protector and captor at the same time. I want out.”
“No.”
Mabilis ang sagot ng lalaki. Walang pasubali.
“You’re not going anywhere until I find out why you were on that ship, and what business you have with Silvano.”
Napatingin si Loveleen sa kanya.
“So this is about Silvano?”
“It’s always been about Silvano. He wants you for a reason. And if he wants something…” Nilapitan siya ni Hades, bahagyang yumuko, “…then I want it more.”
Loveleen’s heart skipped. Hindi niya alam kung dahil sa kaba, o sa titig ng lalaki. Yung tipong kahit hindi ka hinahawakan, parang kinukuryente ka.
“I’m not an object you can claim,” bulong niya.
“I never said you were. But I protect what’s mine.”
“You’re delusional—”
Suddenly, he cupped her face — gentle pero firm. Eye to eye. Heart to heart. Dangerous.
“Then hate me all you want, doctora. But you’re staying here. With me.”
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That night, habang nakaupo si Loveleen sa may bintana ng silid, nakita niyang may helikopterong lumapag sa gilid ng isla.
Mula sa dilim, isang lalaki ang bumaba — matangkad, naka-itim, may hawak na baril.
Pagkakita sa litrato ni Loveleen na hawak ng tauhan niya, ngumiti ito.
“She’s here. Hades won’t know what hit him.”
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- Writer
