Mysterious Heart (Tagalog/Filipino)

Crown 5 ♚ THE DEVIL

NAIWAN akong mag-isa sa loob, nag-iisip ng dahilan kung bakit ganoon na lang ang naging reaksyon ni Draco sa sinabi ko. What nerve did I strike back there? Was I right? Was that what he’s doing here all along? Hiding?

Nawala ang gana kong kumain kaya ibinalik ko na lang ang sandwich sa plato. I've been feeling so much nerve that I couldn't control my emotions around him.

Draco. He unsettles me. He rattles me so easily. The way he talks, every word he says, his rough attitude, his chinky eye smile, his personal scent... the way he looks at me. Just him.

No one ever made me feel like this. Kahit ang mga kaibigan ng mga kuya ko, ang mga nakatrabaho kong modelo, kahit noong nakilala ko ang unang lalaking inakala kong... it was all buried deep under mud water.

My teeth worried on my bottom lip and realized I had been unpleasant to him, as well. Well, he’s very morbid towards me too, but still... I think maybe I should thank him. He made me breakfast after all, washed my clothes, lit the fire to keep me warm last night and... well, he helped me not to fall sick, didn't he? And though he’s nothing but mean to me, he still took care of me.

Perhaps I should've just told him thank you and apologize too for being insensitive. Mom said it's always best to be kind and tolerant even when you want to be is vindictive. Kill your enemy with kindness. That's what grace and elegance is.

I sighed abjectly and got on my feet. I'm not nearly sure what to tell him but I still walked out of the kitchen, abandoning my cup of coffee to follow Draco.

My steps faltered as I emerged from the door. Agad na napakunot ang noo ko sa nakikiita ko. His back yard is a paradise!

Malawak ang lupa ni Draco. Now that the sun is breaking through the clouds, I can see the beauty of the land. The green meadow blanketed the ground, still moist from the morning dew and branches of Bougainvillea surrounded the fences which added vibrancy to the whole place. Hectares of vegetables and fruits planted in organized rows as far as my eye could see.

This place isn’t so bad as I've seen it yesterday. Well, his front yard looks scary than here. Para bang gusto niyang itago ang ganda ng lugar na ito sa pamamagitan ng nakakatakot na itsura ng unahan ng bahay.

I roamed my eyes around and looked for a trace of Draco. Hindi ko alam kung saan ko siya hahanapin. I see another house and a stable far from here. And an ominous forest ahead of the trail.

Pumasok kaya siya doon sa may kakahuyan?

Taking a full deep breath, I walked out of the open gate of the fence to seek for the master of the house. Dahil hindi ko siya makita sa labas, una kong sinilip ang isang bahay.

I heard movements from the inside, like scratches. At dahil bahagyang bukas ang pintuan, pumasok na ako. I immediately saw him taking out some boxes and I'm glad he didn't take off his shirt this time. But his tight backside was still distracting as ever.

My boots tapped as I stepped in, the sound pronouncing my presence which made him stop and his body immediately stiffened. He emitted a loud grunt to make sure I heard him and it doesn't take a second guess that I'm not welcome here, and that he's annoyed that I had the nerve to show up here.

Tumikhim ako habang dahan-dahang naglakad. I said I won't be intimidated by him. But his muscled back is a force I couldn't contain.

"'Wag kang mag-alala," kinakabahang simula ko nang tumigil ako ilang hakbang mula sa kanya. I even tried a laugh but it sounded tremulous. Tumikhim muli ako. I don't do nervous. But I freaking am.

"Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa pagkain... at sa ginawa mo kagabi. I know you said you didn't want to help me, but I still think I had to thank you. Galit lang ako kagabi kaya hindi kita napasalamatan kaagad." Aside from the fact that I was freezing because of him.

Tumango lang siya at hindi tumigil sa ginagawa. After placing the big empty box to the floor, he turned away again and took another box from the lines of boxes, and I couldn't help noticing how his scapula flexed and his biceps contract visibly underneath his thin gray shirt, stretching the material.

Iniwas ko na lang ang tingin ko at piniling tumingin sa paligid. At least, it would divert the tension I was feeling. Noon ko lang napansin na isa iyong storage house. More like a barn. Maraming farming tools ang naka-display sa gilid, pagkain ng mga hayop at mga sako. What's inside those?

I looked at him again when he stopped to wipe a sweat on his brow and resumed picking up another box. He’s lining them up on the floor. Nakunot ang noo ko. Wala ba siyang katulong sa mga gawain dito?

He must've sensed me watching, kaya siya tumigil at nameywang. "Iyon lang ba?" parang bagot na bagot niyang sabi.

I tried to still my nerves and smiled as far as my lips can stretch. God! But his rough and ugly attitude has been really grating on my nerves and it just rubs off my good intentions.

"Ano?" he asked in an irritated tone, his brows knotted angrily. "Nakapagpasalamat ka na," he pointed out impatiently

My temples twitched, at mabilis na nawala ang ngiti ko. "Bakit ba ang sungit-sungit-sungit mo? Are you angry because of what I said? It was just a harmless question, that's all. Hindi kita pinilit na sagutin ako. At kung galit ka, 'wag mo akong gawing punching bag!" I huffed furiously. Ako na nga itong nakikipag-ayos, siya pa itong galit?

He suddenly sighed a heavy breath. Hinilot niya ang batok niya at tumingala sa bubong. "This woman is driving me nuts," he muttered skyward, pero rinig na rinig ko iyon.

Hindi ko tuloy mapigilang magtaas ng isang kilay at humalukipkip. Oh, am I? Ako pa ngayon ang nagpapairita sa kanya? Wow!

My nose flared as I dragged an angry breath in. "FYI, you're the one who's been driving me mad. Muntik na akong mamatay sa lamig kahapon. And whose fault was that? Did you even think about the danger you put me into? What if the storm wiped me out?"

Ayaw kong aminin at sabihin sa kanya, pero natakot ako kahapon. Takot na takot. By the time my fingers were all numbed, I thought I wouldn't be able to swim if it floods. I couldn't call anyone for help! Did he have any idea how frightening it was imagining how you'd die? Ilang ulit nang dumaan sa utak ko kung ano ang mangyayari sa akin habang bumabagyo at ako lang mag-isa sa loob ng kotse ko. I would've cried if I was just anybody else. But I am a Steele—and Steeles don't cry. Iyon ang turo sa 'kin ng mga kuya ko.

I gritted my teeth in frustration, anger, and the fear that almost numbed me last night. "Kung nagkasakit ako kagabi, at kung may nangyaring masama sa akin, iyon ay dahil kasalanan mo. You threw me out into the storm without mercy and still here I am, thanking you. But you just couldn't help yourself to act like a royal prick, could you?"

Nagdilim ang mukha niya. His mouth thinned and his cheekbones sharpened from anger. His taut face was beyond angry. And when he spoke, his voice was so calm and deep that I thought his anger was just hanging there on the surface. "It's not my fault that you came here driving a car with an empty gas."

His message was never clear enough. My eyes fiercely narrowed at him. "Are you saying I'm stupid?"

"Your words, princess. Not mine."

Nagtagis ang mga ngipin ko sa tinawag niya sa akin. This insurmountable jerk! "I told you not to call me that," I bit out. "Kung pumayag ka lang na kausapin ako ng maayos kahapon—"

"We are not talking about that again!" he growled, and I thought the intensity of his voice shook the ground.

Mabilis na naitikom ko ang bibig ko—which never happened, by the way. I always got to say what I wanted to say and damn this man for being an ass!

"Nakapagpasalamat ka na," mahinahon niyang sabi, pero kitang-kita ko pa rin ang pagpipigil niya. The muscles in his jaw were ticking as he clenched his teeth. "Now, you can take your little princess boots out of here and run back to your brother like a brat always do."

Nagpantig ang tenga ko.

No, he did not just call me a brat!

He c****d his head with a saucy smirk on his face. "Iiyak ka na?"

I glared at him too as his empty eyes fixed me a mocking stare. Did he think he can intimidate me with his nasty—gorgeous—face?

Maybe he should know that I'm the defiant heiress of my father, Stanfield Steele. Not some bratty princess who sits and waits for her nail polish to dry. And I feel violated that he just called me a brat.

"You're a lousy bully."

Isang mapaklang tawa ang ginawa niya. "It's part of my name, princess."

I tried not to flinch when he called me princess again. Is that his endearment now for me?

Nagsimula siyang maglakad papunta sa akin. His face was still cocky and mocking, but his eyes remained dark, serious and empty. "I'm surprised you didn't do your homework and run a profile on me. Kung ginawa mo iyon, siguro hindi mo maiisip na umapak rito sa lupa ko."

"No need because I know for a fact that you're a caveman with a barbaric attitude. Completely uncivilized, horrible and—"

"I know who I am, princess," mariing putol niya.

Lalo pa siyang lumapit sa akin. He didn't stop until his boots touched mine. Alam ko iyon kahit na hindi tumitingin sa ibaba. I can feel his boots pressing insistently against my feet. Is he trying to make me move? Step back?

Dahan-dahang tumaas ang kamay niya, the one with the black leather glove. I tried to edge away from him but I wasn't moving at all. He ran a finger down the strands of my hair and it made me tremble inside.

"I am Draco DeVilla," he said dangerously, his tongue curling like a snake to emphasize the 'Devil' on his name. "I am danger, I am darkness and I fear no one. People walk away from me, because I am the Devil's son. I don't know mercy, I care for nothing and I know no good."

Titig na titig siya sa 'kin and I couldn't look away. He wasn't touching me but his body heat felt like it was stroking every skin of my body. His every word sounded like a dark promise. I pursed my lips and tried to steady my choppy breathes. I don't even want to know why I’m feeling so tensed.

He’s basically standing in front of my nose and I can freaking smell him. His eyes cloaked with thick and long lashes were mesmerizing and glinting as he looked at me closely. Menacingly. And I just know he's not good to my senses.

Sinubukan kong humakbang paatras pero nakaabang na ang isang kamay niya sa braso ko. I gasped startlingly and my heart kicked up twice as he held me to stay where I am.

He smirked, as if he can read my mind, hear my heartbeat, and sense what I'm feeling. "Scared of me now, Ms. Steele?"

Tumiim ang bagang ko. "You wish."

I know he's testing me. Codding me. Deliberately provoking me to scare me away. I can see it in his eyes, the challenge.

But why? Why did he want to keep me away? Dahil lang ba sa lupa?

He chuckled slowly, but he surprised me when he suddenly stepped back. Pinuno ko agad ang dibdib ko ng hangin, his musk still in the air, mocking me.

Bumalik siya sa likod ng mga karton na parang gusto niyang maglagay ng distansya mula sa 'kin. "Your brother must have thought you'll bore me to death that's why he sent you here. So I would have no choice but to succumb to what he wanted and take his money instead of driving you away."

His eyes were no longer provoking. They're expressionless. His smirk faded and it was replaced with bitterness and resentment that made him look threatening. "Pero nakalimutan niyang isiping matagal na akong walang pakialam sa pera. You can keep all your offer and your money, Ms. Steele. At 'wag ka nang magpapakita ulit rito."

I didn't wait for another second to get out of there. Lumabas ako at hindi na tumuloy sa kusina. I just rounded the house and went to the front yard to get to my car. I was fuming I didn't give any notice at the thick branches of the flowers coiling around the fences, until it cut my skin.

"Aw!" I inhaled sharply and examined my palm. Wala akong nakitang sugat doon pero nang pisilin ko ang kamay ko, blood started to ooze from the invisible cut.

"Buwist na lalaki," I muttered through my steaming anger and walked to my car.

"Anong akala niya, babalik pa ako rito? The hell with that jerk." Marahas na inapakan ko ang accelerator pagkaandar ko ng sasakyan at mabilis na pinasibad iyon.

I glanced at the gas meter at mas lalo akong nabuwisit nang makita kong halos puno na iyon. The man was resourceful. But he still is the biggest prick I have ever met in my entire life.

Paulit-ulit na nagre-replay sa utak ko ang mga sinabi niya kanina. All of his mocking words and his stupid smirk.

How dare him call me stupid and a brat? Bore him to death? My God!

I could almost feel my blood boiling inside my veins, it was deafening. To even think that I initiated to be polite and thank him properly. Tapos sasabihin niyang... ugh! I shouldn't have come here in the first place.

Sa ganoong ayos ako umuwi ng mansyon. My anger didn't dissipate until I was half a mile away from the ranch. By the time I was home, hindi na ako nag-abalang magbihis o kung ano. Hinanap ko agad si Kuya Duke sa study office niya.

Ate Louraine saw me thundering through the staircase. Tinawag pa niya ako pero talagang umuusok na ako sa inis.

I knocked twice and let myself in. Tumingala siya saglit sa akin bago bumalik ang tingin niya sa mac book niya.

"Hello, baby sister. Kumusta ang lakad mo?" he asked with a welcoming smile that I didn't return.

Sinabi ko sa kanya ang lahat ng nangyari. Except for the storm part, when Draco throw me out of his house. He didn't have to know. I know Duke is going to have a fit and he won't think twice going after Draco. But thinking about what my brother would do, it would only prove Draco that what he thought about me is true. That I am a spineless brat who hide behind my brothers. Well, I won't justify him with that.

I have never cared what people thought about me. At hindi ko alam bakit inis na inis ako sa lalaking iyon, why I want to prove myself to him.

"He's too barbaric, kuya."

Duke just casted his eyes up to me again and without saying a word, he continued reading business reports from his mac book.

"Kuya, aren't you listening to anything I say?" 'Cause I've been talking here for fifteen minutes since I came home and he never said anything. It was bloody hell frustrating.

Akala ko pa naman nag-aalala na siya sa 'kin dahil hindi ako umuwi kagabi sa kabila ng bagyo. But he wasn't. And that made me feel even more disappointed.

"I am hearing you, Serena," aniya nang hindi ako tinitingnan. "And so far, you've only been speaking about how barbaric DeVilla is. I think, you've been very generous about your vocabulary. And did you..." tiningnan niya ulit ako at ang suoot ko. "...particularly wear that dress in your business meeting?"

Tiningnan ko ang damit ko. I know he didn't like my abs showing because, of course, he's my brother. Pero hindi iyon ang problema ko.

Humalikipkip ako para takpan ang tiyan ko. "I didn't talk to him, kuya. He didn't want to listen. And will you stop being sarcastic for one second. I am serious." Can't he guess?

Tiningnan lang niya ako nang seryoso at hindi sumagot. I know that look. He's thinking I'm absurd and I'm saying nonsense. But what could be more senseless than trying to convince a man who is very much unpersuadable?

On second thought, maybe I should tell him that Draco DeVilla almost killed me.

Huminga ako nang malalim. "How can you want to negotiate with that kind of man? And did you see what his house looks like?"

Sumadal siya sa upuan niya sabay buntong hininga at hinilot ang batok niya. "Listen, Serena. I want his land, not him. If the house comes along with it, then I'll have it too. Hindi sa akin mahalaga ang ugali niya at kung ano ang itsura ng bahay niya."

"What about me?" I couldn't hide the frustration grating in the surface of my voice. "I'm your sister and you're supposed to look after me, not the one pushing me into the cliff." Iyon lang ba talaga ang mahalaga sa kanya? "Actually, I'd prefer a cliff than a dreadful, horrible excuse of a man with a rotten attitude."

He sighed again, his eyes were filled with regret and wariness. "I'm sorry, Win. I wish I can personally talk to him, but things are not stable with the business right now. I can't be in two places at once, even if I want to."

Pati ako ay nahahapong umupo. Sometimes, I really despise my brothers' business-minded heads and their strong sense of responsibility.

"Then why don't you hire someone who can talk sense out of him,"—that is, kung meron man siya noon. But I highly doubt it. "Labas na ako sa usapan ninyo. He said he already told you his answer at hindi na magbabago ang isip niya. Might as well give it up, kuya. Besides, I don't want to see that maggot again." Ever.

"I can't just delegate this task to anyone because no one will take it." He fixed me a knowing stare as he leaned on the table and laced his fingers. "There's a reason why people stir away from him, Serena."

Bigla ay sumiksik sa utak ko ang mga sinabi ni Draco sa akin kanina.

"I am danger, I am darkness... I am the Devil's son."

Shiver gilded down my spine as I remembered his mouth breathing down on me. I swallowed and tried to stay still as my brother watched me closely.

"Then why me?" tanong ko na lang para hindi niya mahalata ang epekto sa akin ng lalaking iyon.

"You're brave and hard as rock. You don't shrink to anyone, not even to us, and I'm damn sure you don't fear someone like DeVilla. He can't get through you. That's why I trust you enough to look him in the eye and convince him without flinching," aniya. He gently smiled at me. "No one can faze you, baby sister."

My heart melted when he said his endearment to me—as it always does every time he called me that. Pero ngayon, may kalakip iyong pangamba. I don't want to disappoint him... but I feel like I will.

"I'm aware that he's a real pain in the ass, but you're so much more than that," dagdag pa ni kuya.

I sighed and looked at him worriedly. I don't need to hear that insignificant comparison because I know Draco's worse than me. But I couldn't ignore the faint desperate tone on my brother's voice. And even with those compliments of my character, I know he's not using them to win a point. He's genuine as much as he wants this deal.

But how do I get through Draco DeVilla? Somehow, I'm not certain about what he said. Fact is, I have met someone who can faze me. And that alone is a very bad news.

Bago ako lumabas ng opisina niya ay tinawag niyang muli ang pangalan ko. Bahagya ko siyang nilingon habang hawak ko ang door knob sa isang kamay.

He was smiling slightly, his knowledgeable eyes daring me to a match. "I know you can do this. You're forgetting that you are a Steele."

And Steeles do not give up.