Dangerous Embrace

CHAPTER 10

ELLIOT happened to be free that morning and scrolled through his phone to pass the time. Until a notification popped up on his phone. The headline news caught his attention.

ISABELLE VALENCIA AND JAMES RAMOS ARE NOW OFFICIALLY ENGAGED.

Napatitig siya sa screen ng kaniyang cellphone.

Elliot’s face may be calm, but his blood was boiling inside.

Kumuyom ang kaniyang kamay.

Below the headline was the photograph of the two families. James stood beside Isabelle, smiling for the cameras.

Maganda si Isabelle. Alam ‘yon ni Elliot. Pero may napansin siya. Hindi umabot hanggang mata ang ngiti ni Isabelle.

He stared at the photograph on his phone. For several seconds, he said nothing. Then he read the headline again.

Engaged.

Umigting ang kaniyang panga.

He had known Isabelle was getting married, but seeing the announcement made something inside him snap.

Huminga nang malalim si Elliot upang kalmahin ang kaniyang sarili.

For sure, if his twin brother saw him like this, Ellis would surely laugh at him.

That evening, Elliot sat alone in his room with a glass of wine in his hand.

Napatitig siya sa labas ng bintana. He was trying to convince himself that none of this concerned him.

Isabelle wasn’t his.

But you two already kissed.

And they did. Pero ‘yon lang ‘yon. Wala nang ibang nangyari. Wala siyang ibang panghawakan.

Isabelle had never been his. He had no right to feel anything. Yet the thought of another man putting a wedding ring on her finger made his chest burn.

Hindi niya namalayan na napahigpit ang hawak niya sa wine glass. Hanggang sa mabasag ito.

Wine spilled across the table, and a sharp piece of glass cut into his palm.

Elliot barely noticed the wound in his hand because his mind was filled with Isabelle.

He was thinking of a plan to take Isabelle away.

Hindi niya hahayaan na magpakasal si Isabelle sa iba.

He stood and walked toward the window. For the first time in years, Elliot felt something he couldn’t control.

Jealousy, possessiveness, and fear.

Napatingin si Elliot sa dumudugong kamay nang maramdaman niya ang pahapdi nito.

“Did I really fall for her?” he muttered.

Elliot closed his eyes.

“Isabelle…” his fingers curled into a fist. “You are mine.”

Nagmulat siya ng mga mata. “Hindi kita hahayaan na magpakasal sa ibang lalaki.”

Ngayon, naiintindihan na ni Elliot ang lahat.

Tama ang kaniyang ama. Time doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter how many times you meet. What matters is that when you already fell in love… and that’s it. No excuses.

Elliot realized.

He had fallen for Isabelle.

And now that he realized it, Elliot Amir Rios had no intention of letting her go.

Hindi ininda ni Elliot ang hapdi ng kaniyang sugat.

He picked up his phone and called his assistant.

“Sir?”

“Investigate Isabelle’s fiancée for me.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Noah, get a doubled salary this month as compensation for disturbing your night.”

And Elliot ended the call.

Napatingin siya sa pintuan nang may kumatok.

“Busy?” Ellis asked.

Umiling si Elliot.

Ellis stopped seeing the broken glass on the table. “Anong nangyari?”

Umiling si Elliot. “Nothing.”

Ellis didn’t believe his twin brother. He just let out a small sigh when he saw his bleeding hand. Umalis siya upang kunin ang first aid kit saka bumalik sa study room ng kakambal.

When he entered the study again, he saw him sitting and leaning on his swivel chair.

Bumuntong-hininga na lamang si Ellis bago humugot ng upuan saka nagsimulang linisin ang sugat ng kakambal niya.

“It's so rare for you to lose your temper,” Ellis couldn’t help but say.

“Don’t mind me.”

“Elliot, we’re twins. We’re connected. Alam ko ang nararamdaman mo.” Ellis bandaged Elliot’s injured hand. “So, what’s bothering you?” His eyes narrowed. “And don’t you dare to lie.”

Napatingin si Elliot sa kakambal. Ellis was right. They were twins. They are connected. They can feel each other’s pain and happiness. When Ellis was hurt, his heart felt heavy. And he assumed Ellis felt the same… that’s why he came to see him.

“I’m fine.”

Tumaas ang kilay ni Ellis. “Don’t give me that bullshit reason, Elliot.”

Elliot let out a small sigh.

Ellis was playful by nature, but when he became serious, it would be disastrous. And looking at him right now, he is serious as if Ellis was ready to kill anyone.

“Have you liked someone before?” mahinang tanong ni Elliot na sinamahan pa niya ng tikhim.

Natigilan si Ellis at hindi agad nakaimik. Nawala ang kaniyang seryosong anyo at gumuhit ang mapang-asar na ngiti sa kaniyang labi. Hindi niya napigilan ang sarili na tumawa.

“Kambal, are you into someone?” Ellis asked teasingly.

Mabilis na nag-iwas ng tingin si Elliot at itinuon ang atensiyon sa kamay na binendahan ng kaniyang kakambal.

Ellis chuckled. “Don’t bother denying it. We’re twins. I can feel you.”

Elliot closed his eyes and leaned on his swivel chair. Tama si Ellis. Wala ring saysay kung magsisinungaling siya. Magkambal silang dalawa. His twin brother will feel it if he’s lying.

“So, who’s the lucky girl?” tanong ni Ellis. He was wiggling his eyebrows.

Nagmulat ng mata si Elliot. “She’s getting married.”

Natahimik si Ellis. Kapagkuwan tumaas ang isa niyang kilay. “She’s—what? Getting married?” Hindi makapaniwalang gagad niya.

Parang si Ellis ang nagkaroon ng malaking problema. Sino ba naman kasing mag-aakala na ang first love ng kakambal niya ay ikakasal pa?

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Elliot. “I want her, Ellis. I only want her.”

“Then get her,” Ellis advised. “Hindi pa naman kasal. Ikakasal pa lang.” Aniya. “That means my pag-asa ka pa.” Dagdag niya. “You know, I will always support you. If our parents hear about this, we both know that they will support you too.”

Napabuga ng hangin si Elliot.

“You’re bothered?”

Tumango si Elliot. “I was thinking of a plan to get my woman, but if I do what was on my mind, she’ll hate me.”

Tumaas ang isang sulok ng labi ni Ellis. Mukhang tinamaan nga ang kakambal ko. His face was determined now.

“Ano bang plano mo?”

“Kidnap her.”

Napaubo si Ellis. “Momma will castrate you. And Dad will break your legs.”

“So, I don’t know what to do.”

With Black Lotus behind him, it was easy to kidnap Isabelle. But Isabelle will hate him and will be scared of him. Ayaw naman niyang matakot sa kaniya ang dalaga.

He wants her willingness.

Nahilot ni Elliot ang sentido. A few times meeting, and some of those encounters were just coincidences, but he ended up acting like this.

He didn’t want Isabelle to marry another man.

Ellis rolled his eyes. “That’s why you need me. Matalino ka naman. You’re scheming and calculated just like that—”

“Correction. Tayong lahat sa pamilya.” Pagtatama ni Elliot.

Napaisip si Ellis. “Well… that was true,” he said as he shrugged his shoulders. “Huwag mong ipunta sa akin ang usapan, Elliot.” He looked at his twin brother. “Anyway, what’s your plan?”

“When will you be back to France?” Elliot asked.

“I don’t know. Pero ayaw ko pang bumalik sa ngayon. I’m on indefinite leave.” Sabi ni Ellis habang nakangisi.

Napailing na lamang si Elliot. Sa kalokohan ni Ellis, siguradong magtatagal ito sa Pilipinas.

“Since you’re here, then help me.”

“Wait, are you really going to kidnap her?” Ellis asked. “I’m out.”

Elliot let out a small sigh. “No. We will not.” Tumingin siya sa labas ng bintana. “Pinaimbestigahan ko na kay Noah ang lahat. Let’s wait for the result before making a move.”

Ellis narrowed his eyes at his twin brother. “Who’s the lucky girl? I want to know who made my twin brother like this.”

“Her name is Isabelle.”

Napatango si Ellis. “Judging by the name, I’m sure she’s a beautiful woman. Otherwise, you won’t act like this.”

Hindi umimik si Elliot.

Tumayo si Ellis. “Get some rest. If you already have a plan, just tell me. I’ll help you.”

Elliot just nods his head.

Nang makalabas ang kakambal niya, napasandal na lamang si Elliot sa kaniyang kinauupuan.

At that moment, he had only one thing in mind.

Isabelle is his. And no one could take her away from him.