The Blooming Flower and The Sunlight

Chapter Sette

Dahan-dahang inabot ni Himari ang kamay ko.

I can feel the trembling of her fingers, pero hindi dahil sa takot — it was excitement, the kind that blooms after ten years of waiting.

Paglapat ng balat niya sa suot kong leather gloves, parang tumigil ang mundo.

"Himari-sama, don't!" sigaw ni Yuki, pero bago pa siya makahakbang, Ace and Vel already had their hands on their holsters, giving him a look that said, 'Subukan mo, at ito na ang huling hininga mo.'

Inalalayan ko siyang makababa ng BMW 7-Series.

She looked stunning, parang isang anghel na naligaw sa gitna ng mga demonyo.

"Cassian!" Ken’s voice was vibrating with rage, papalapit na siya sa amin. "You’re making a huge mistake. She is not yours to take. Binitawan mo na siya sampung taon na ang nakakaraan!"

Hinarap ko siya, hindi binibitawan ang kamay ni Himari. "Hindi ko siya binitawan, Ken. Ninakaw niyo siya. And today? I’m just taking back what’s mine."

"Enough!"

Isang boses ang umalingawngaw mula sa itaas. Napatingin kaming lahat sa grand balcony ng estate. My father, Stepan Kuznetsov, was standing there like a cold, stone statue.

Hawak niya ang isang baso ng scotch, looking down at us with pure disappointment.

"Pumasok na kayo sa loob. We have guests waiting. Stop this circus in front of my gates," he command. His voice was like ice, walang bahid ng pagmamahal sa sariling anak.

Tumingin ako kay Himari. "Ready ka na ba? Once we step inside, there’s no turning back."

"Hangga't hawak mo ang kamay ko, Cassi," she whispered back, her voice surprisingly steady. "I’m ready for war." I love this side of you too, Himari.

THE DINING HALL

Pagpasok namin sa hall, literal na tumigil ang lahat ng usapan.

The Russian elite, the oligarchs, and the deadliest men in Moscow were all there. Ang bango ng lavender ni Himari ay humahalo sa amoy ng mamahaling tabako at tensyon.

Ken walked past us, his shoulder hitting mine on purpose. Umupo siya sa tabi ng upuang nakareserba para kay Himari—right next to my father at the head table.

"Cassian, sit at the far end," Stepan commanded, pointing to the edge of the long table, far away from Himari. "And Himari, come here. Your place is next to your future husband."

Ramdam ko ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Himari sa braso ko. But I didn't move.

"I don't think so, Papochka," I said, my voice echoing through the silent hall. "Hindi siya uupo d'yan. At lalong hindi ako uupo sa dulo na parang asong naghihintay ng tira."

Hinila ko ang upuan sa gitna ng table, right across from my father and Ken. I sat down and pulled another chair for Himari.

"Dito lang siya. Sa tabi ko," I stated, my eyes locking with Stepan’s.

"You’re disrespecting the arrangement, Cassian!" Ken slammed his hand on the table.

"The Setagaya and Kuznetsov merger is built on this union! 'wag mong idamay ang negosyo dahil lang sa childhood obsessions mo."

"Negosyo?" I chuckled, a dark, humorless sound. Inilabas ko ang lavender scrunchie mula sa bulsa ko at ipinatong ito sa table, right in front of everyone.

"You call her a business deal. I call her my life. Magkaiba tayo, Ken."

Biglang lumapit si Maxim, ang higanteng guard ni Himari, intending to pull her away.

Clack.

Sabay-sabay na tumayo sina Ace, Killian, at Vel. The sound of three pistols being c****d was enough to make the guests gasp and duck.

"Try to touch her, Maxim," banta ni Killian, his finger on the trigger. "And I’ll make sure your head decorates that chandelier."

"Cassian, stop this madness!" Stepan shouted, his face turning red.

"No," I replied, leaning back, looking completely relaxed despite the guns pointed everywhere.

"This isn't madness, Father. This is the new order. Ngayon, kakain ba tayo nang maayos... o gusto niyo nang simulan ang libing ni Ken?"

This is just the beginning.