Dangerous Embrace

CHAPTER 11

“YOU CAN’T MARRY HIM, ISA.”

Hazel’s voice trembled as she stared at her best friend. Nang mabasa niya ang news kaninang umaga, nag-alala siya para kay Isabelle.

They were now sitting inside the bakery after closing time. The chairs had already been placed on the tables, and the only sound filling the room was the soft hum of the refrigerator.

Tahimik na nakaupo si Isabelle sa harapan ni Hazel habang nakahawak siya sa isang tasa ng kape na hindi pa niya nagagalaw.

“Alam mo naman ang relasyon ni James sa kapatid mo, hindi ba?” Hazel continued. “You know what James and Sabrina are doing behind your back.”

Nagbaba ng tingin si Isabelle. “Alam ko.”

“Then why are you still going through with this?” Hazel asked.

Isabelle gave a small, humorless smile. “May magagawa pa ba ako?”

Hazel fell silent.

Bumaba ang tingin ni Isabelle sa kaniyang sariling mga kamay. “My parents favored Sabrina. You know that.”

“I know.”

“My father already announced the engagement. They were happy because James’s family is going to help their business. If I refused, they’ll blame me for ruining everything.” Sabi ni Isabelle saka nag-iwas ng tingin.

Mabigat ang pakiramdam niya habang pinag-uusapan ang tungkol sa kaniyang pamilya.

“Isa, are you really going to marry the man who doesn’t love you?” Hazel asked. “You will only suffer in the end.”

Hazel was trying to convince Isabelle not to jump into a fire pit. Even if she’s just an ordinary woman, she will do everything she can to help Isabelle.

A bitter laugh escaped Isabelle’s lips.

“Love?” Umiling siya. “Sa tingin mo ba may pakialam sila tungkol sa bagay na ‘yan?”

Hazel didn't answer because she knew what kind of people Isabelle’s parents were.

“My father doesn’t care if James loves Sabrina or me. My mother doesn’t care if I’m happy. They only care about the business and what this marriage can give them.”

Hazel reached across the table and held her hand. “Then leave them.”

Tumingin si Isabelle sa kaibigan. “Saan naman ako pupunta?”

“Come and stay with me.”

“I can’t do that forever.”

“You don’t have to do it forever. Hanggang sa kaya mo nang tumayo sa sarili mo.”

Malungkot na ngumiti si Isabelle. “You make it sound so easy.”

“Hindi madali,” pag-amin ni Hazel. “But staying with those toxic people will destroy you.”

Isabelle’s eyes began to glisten. “I’ve been trying to leave for years.” Napalunok siya bago magpatuloy. “Everytime I try to stand up for myself, they remind me of everything they have given me. The roof over my head, the food I eat, and the clothes I wear.” She let out a shaky breath. “They make me feel like I owe them my entire life.”

“Isa, matagal ka nang nakapagbayad sa kanila. You don’t owe them anything. They were just guilt-tripping you.”

Tumingin si Isabelle sa labas ng bintana. “I don’t know how to choose myself yet,” she said in a weak voice.

“Tutulungan kita.” Sabi ni Hazel, pinisil ang kamay ng kaibigan.

For a moment, Isabelle wanted to believe that she could walk away… that she could start over… that she could finally choose a life that belonged to her.

Pero tumunog ang cellphone niya na nasa lamesa.

The message was from her mother. ‘Be home before dinner. We need to discuss the wedding. Don’t embarrass this family.’

Napatitig si Isabelle sa mensahe ng kaniyang ina.

Unti-unting nawala ang pag-asa sa kaniyang mga mata.

Nakita naman ito ni Hazel. “Isa…”

Isabelle turned off her phone. “I have to go.”

“Hindi mo na kailangan pang bumalik doon, Isa.”

Isabelle stood, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Pero kung hindi ako uuwi, pupunta sila dito upang manggulo.”

Tumayo na rin si Hazel. “Then let them come.”

Tumingin si Isabelle sa kaibigan. “Natatakot ako, Hazel. Alam ko kung ano ang kayang gawin ng magulang ko.”

Hazel pulled Isabelle into a hug.

Gusto niyang tulungan si Isabelle, pero ang kaibigan naman niya ang umaatras dahil sa takot nito.

Isabelle pulled away from the hug, but the fear was still there. The engagement was already announced. The wedding preparations had begun. And somewhere in the city, James was still pretending to be the perfect fiancé while secretly loving her sister.

Alam niya kung ano ang naghihintay sa kaniya pagkatapos ng kasal nila ni James.

She’d been racking her brain on how to escape, and yet she still had no idea.

Hindi alam ni Isabelle kung ano ba ang dapat niyang gawin.

Matamlay siyang umalis sa bakery ni Hazel.

She walked on the sidewalk going to the terminal as if she were a living dead. No emotion in her eyes, and her expression was blank.

“Isabelle.”

Napasinghap si Isabelle nang biglang may tumawag sa kaniyang pangalan mula sa likuran. Mabilis siyang humarap at nasurpresa nang makita niya si Elliot.

It’s been a few days since she saw him. And he's gotten more handsome in her eyes.

Mabilis na umiling si Isabelle. Ano bang pinag-iisip ko?

Namulsa si Elliot. “It’s been a few days.”

“Y-yeah… It’s been a few days.” Mahina ang boses na sabi ni Isabelle. Biglang pumasok sa isipan niya ang halikan nilang dalawa ni Elliot noong nakaraang araw.

That kiss still lingers in her mind.

Mabuti na lamang at gabi na. Hindi masyadong halata ang pamumula niya. Ayaw niyang makita ni Elliot ang pamumula niya. That would be embarrassing.

Elliot took a step forward until he stopped in front of Isabelle. Napabuntong-hininga siya nang makita niyang walang suot na jacket ang dalaga. Malamig na ang panahon at mabilis na ginawin ang mga babae. Women are prone to cold.

So, he undressed his coat and put it on her shoulders.

“Elliot—”

“Giginawin ka.” Seryoso ang boses na sabi ni Elliot. “Huwag mong hubarin.” Mabilis niyang pinigilan si Isabelle nang balak nitong tanggalin ang coat na ipinasuot niya rito.

Isabelle stopped what she was doing. “Thanks.”

“Going home?”

Tumango si Isabelle.

“What kind of fiancé do you have? Hindi ka man lang niya sunduin. It was dangerous for a woman like you to walk on the sidewalk at night.”

“Sanay na ako.” Sabi ni Isabelle. Sa tono ng boses ni Elliot, parang galit ito pero nagpipigil lamang.

“Ihatid na kita.”

Mabilis na umatras si Isabelle. “No need. Salamat na lang. Malapit na ako sa terminal—” hindi na niya natapos ang kaniyang sasabihin dahil hinawakan ni Elliot ang pulsuhan niya.

His grip was firm.

He pulled her to the nearest car and opened the passenger seat’s door. “Get in, or I’ll kiss you right here.”

Mabilis namang pumasok si Isabelle dahil natakot na baka totohanin ni Elliot ang sinabi nito.

Napailing si Elliot. “Kailangan lang palang takutin.” Aniya, saka isinara ang pinto ng sasakyan.

Umikot siya patungong driver's seat.

Pagkaupo niya sa driver's seat, inabot niya mula sa backseat ang isang brown paper bag na may lamang mooncake at tinapay tsaka ang isang tumbler kung saan nakalagay ang tsaa.

“Here.” Inilagay niya sa kandungan ni Isabelle ang paper bag at pinahawak niya rito ang tumbler. “Eat first.”

Isabelle was stunned. She stared at the food Elliot had given her. Except for Hazel, no one has cared if she eats or not.

“That’s mooncake and some bread. Bahala ka na kung anong gusto mong kainin diyan. And buckwheat tea is in the tumbler. I made it.”

Isabelle’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t put anything on it.”

Napatingin si Isabelle kay Elliot dahil sa sinabi nito. “I didn’t say anything.”

Tipid na ngumiti si Elliot at pinaandar ang makina ng sasakyan.

Isabelle was hungry, so she opened the paper bag. Sumaubong sa ilong niya ang masarap na aroma ng pagkain. She didn’t think twice and dug into the food.

Napapangiti naman si Elliot habang pasulyap-sulyap kay Isabelle habang kumakain ito. She was also smiling and looked happy with her mooncake and tea.

He was glad that he made her smile.

But then his face turned cold as he thought that, in the future, those smiles Isabelle had would no longer be for him.

Humigpit ang hawak sa manibela.

No, I should act fast before it was too late.

He needs to safeguard what belongs to him.