Luminaria

Chapter 12

A/N: While all chapters require understanding, this one particularly needs deeper reading comprehension to fully interpret its details.

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Steam

Tulala akong lumabas sa balkonahe, reflecting on whether my charm has faded.

I never chase, I don't have a lahing aso 'no!

I've never seek attention from anyone. Even my head turns are too precious! Yet, I stepped on my pride by approaching that man... Blast it all! I even invited him to dance!

I stamped my foot in frustration, replaying the events in my mind.

Halos mabingi ako sa katahimikan. Hindi man lang nagbago ang ekspresyon ng lalaki. His gaze remained stoic, expression remained impassive. I shivered at the thought of using those words to invite him to dance, ngunit nanatili ang kumpiyansa sa aking tingin. Man... that was life-threatening!

Binalik ko ang atensyon sa kaharap at tila lumalagpas sa aking kaluluwa ang tinging gingawad nito. He didn't even react after witnessing my impressive flirting skills!

I was about to repeat myself when he suddenly spoke, causing me to still.

"I don't require your company, Young Lady," he said in an intimidating baritone, almost causing me to disregard his words.

Bakit maging ang boses nito'y nag-uumapaw sa biyaya?!

But wait... He just said he doesn't need my company?! How dare this man! And why does him referring me as 'Young Lady' sound so off? Tingin niya ba'y isa akong bata na nag-aasam ng wala sa hulog na pag-ibig? Halos malukot ang mukha ko. Hah! Tiyak kong ilang taon lang ang tanda nito kay Pheryncia, 'no!

Tumikhim ako, kinakalma ang pag-aalburoto.

"My company offers more warmth than your cold drink, Young Master," pagdidiin ko sa huling bigkas, indirectly implying that he's still young and suitable for me—particularly, his wealth and power.

Taking a step forward, I continued, "You shouldn't settle for the chill of your beverage. You deserve someone who will enliven your evening with a flawless dance, and that someone... is unquestionably me." Nilunok ko ang pagbaliktad ng aking sikmura.

For freedom, Morina... You'll endure this pathetic, lovesick, desperate woman role for freedom, I convinced myself.

Lalabas na sana ang sumusupil na katarayan sa kaloob-looban ko dahil sa pananahimik niya nang inisang hakbang nito ang aming distansya. He leaned closer, causing me to suppress my smirk.

Gosh! Finally, I thought, he's taking my bait—

My thoughts froze as I heard his whisper.

"Satisfy yourself, Lady. That doesn't include me," his raspy voice filled my ears.

Nalunod ako sa lalim at lamig ng kulay abo nitong mga mata. I suddenly felt so small, standing in front of his towering height.

Gritting my teeth, I clenched my fist. What is he trying to say, huh?

Before I could process how my ass had gotten humiliated ay nilagpasan na ako nito. Lutang sa galit at pagtataka ang isip ko dahilan upang hindi ko magawang hilahin pabalik ang lalaki.

Did he just... reject me?

Right infront of my fucking dignity?! That man rejected the heartbreaker Morinathia Rosales!

"There you are, Pheryncia!" Isang matinis na boses ang nagpabalik sa akin sa kasalukuyan. Nakatayo sa harapan ko si Xena suot ang mapanuri nitong tingin. She glanced back at the balcony I had just come from, furrowing her brows.