Rad and Yelena (chapters 1-10 only)

Chapter 3

"Yelena, don't do this!" Pumulupot ang mga daliri ni Melissa sa braso niya at namimilog ang mga mata nang umiling sa kanya. "Baka ano'ng gawin n'un sa 'yo!"

"Oo nga, Yelena." Hinawakan din siya ni Desiree sa balikat. "We don't know him, and now he's blackmailing you. Delikado 'to."

"I know."

Tumingala siya sa kisame habang nakahawak sa counter. Malamig ang semento at lalong nakadagdag iyon sa panlalamig ng kanyang mga kamay. Napatitig siya sa salamin ng girl's restroom. Medyo namumutla siya dahil sa kaba.

"I know. Chances are, he won't hold his end of the bargain. Ang totoo, we haven't even talked about his end of the bargain. I have to clear that with him. He has to destroy all copies after two weeks. But of course, ano'ng assurance ko, di ba? Ang naiisip ko na lang ngayon, maybe I can find out something about him in these two weeks and use that against him."

"Still too dangerous, girl," pilit ni Melissa.

Niyakap siya ni Desiree mula sa likod. "We're so sorry, Yelena. Dapat hindi ka namin pinilit–"

"It's my fault. I kissed him."

Bumuntong-hininga ang dalawa.

"He's still an asshole," usal ni Desiree.

"I second the motion," dagdag ni Melissa. "Anyway, here."

May kinuha ito mula sa bag at inilagay sa kamay niya. Pepper spray at taser iyon. "Dalhin mo. My brothers gave that to me. Be careful, okay?"

"Yes, thank you."

Bumukas ang pinto ng restroom at pumasok ang isang estudyante. They'd better get out now before somebody overhears them talking about her problem. The last thing she needed was more complications. Ipinasok ni Yelena sa bag ang mga ibinigay ni Melissa at lumabas sila ng restroom.

"Tatawag ako sa bahay para sabihing hindi agad ako uuwi at nasa bahay n'yo 'ko, Melissa, for a school project."

"Sige, okay lang. I'll cover for you."

Thank God for her friends. Matamlay na ngumiti si Yelena at bumalik sila sa classroom. Agad nahila ang mga mata niya sa upuan ni Rad.

And there he was, lounging like a king as their classmates surrounded him. He looked bored as he sat there, a polite smile on his hard mouth, a passive haze in his dark eyes.

"The red Ferrari outside is yours?" manghang tanong ni Paul, isa sa mga classmates nila at captain ng basketball team ng kanilang school. Kasing-tangkad ito ni Rad at malaki rin ang pangangatawan. Mestizo rin ito gaya ng huli. But unlike their new classmate, Paul looked cute and harmless.

"Yes."

"Wow. I want that for graduation, but I think I'll be stuck with a BMW. Hey, you play basketball?"

"Sometimes. But I'm not particularly good at it."

"Hindi nga?" Tumawa si Paul. "'Yang tangkad mong 'yan? Subukan natin minsan, siguradong lalakas lalo ang team natin kapag sumali ka."

The other guymerely smiled, and lifted his gaze to meet hers.

Gusto ni Yelena na bigyan ito ng dirty finger. His smile turned cocky, but his dark eyes hardened like diamonds.

Pilit niyang iniwas ang tingin dito at lumapit na sa upuan niya. She could feel his gaze as she sat at her desk.

"Class, take your seats," bungad ng English teacher nila.