THE SECLUDED TRAILS OF DECEIT '. ruler of fate series l first book

The Secluded Trails of Deceit
written by : riyanisity

Simula nang araw na 'yon, kahit na may pinagusapan na kami, ay halos araw-araw pa rin ang pagkikita namin ni Draven dahil sa katigasan ng ulo niya. Sa mga natitirang pasok ko ay nagagawa niya pa rin akong sunduin at ihatid, pero hindi na ako pumapayag na pumunta pa kami sa malalayong lugar kagaya ng palagi niyang ginagawa. We just often stay at his condo and spend our time there, whether I'm doing my dishes or not. Hindi naman ako makahindi sakanya dahil binilhan niya ako ng sariling drafting table at upuan para magamit ko.

For today, it's Draven's birthday. May plano kaming kumain mamayang gabi sa isang restaurant kung saan nagpareserve si Mama. He was supposed to fetch me after my class for that, which is a few hours from now, but luckily, my two last major subjects turned vacant since my professors weren't able to attend. So, I commuted all the way here with the cake I had been practicing to make for weeks. Kay Ais ako nagpatulong, kaya kampante naman akong maayos ang pagkakagawa ko nito kagabi. And she was there with me last night too, to taste everything.

Kinatok ko ang pinto ng unit niya, habang hawak-hawak ang cake na aking binili sa kabila kong kamay. Kaagad din naman akong gumilid para hindi niya ako masilip at ang bitbit ko mula sa loob.

The lid of the box, where the cake was placed, was already opened, revealing the blue heart-shaped design, which is hammered by a gavel on the upper right corner. The whole pastry was covered in chunks of different white icing around it, while the upper part was full of fondants of anything related to his course, like mini glasses, books, etc. His name and the greeting were, of course, written right at the center.

When I heard the sound of the doorknob twisting, I immediately went back to my original place and stood right in front of his door.

"Happy Birthday!" I said, right after he opened it.

His eyes widened because of shock. Saglit pang tumagal ang tingin niya sa'kin nang may gano'ng reaksyon bago siya tuluyang nakabawi. "Hala, bakit nandito ka..?" His eyes squinted, "Scammer ka talaga, eh, no?" nagdududang tanong niya.

I rolled my eyes and pushed the cake closer to his face. "Huwag ng maraming sinasabi. Nakakangawit kaya hipan mo na."

He smiled widely at me and down to my cake. "Happy birthday, Love..?" Tinignan niya ulit 'yon nang ilang segundo, sinasaulo ang bawat nakalagay do'n, at maging ang nakasulat, bago niya tuluyang ipikit ang kaniyang mga mata para humiling. Nang matapos, hinipan niya rin kaagad at kinuha mula sa'kin ang cake.

He encircled his other arm around my waist, pulled me inside, and closed the door with his foot. "Thank you, Miss." His nose scrunched, "Or should I say... Mahal?" puno ng sinseredad niyang bulong bago ako halikan.

I cleared my throat and pushed him lightly, which made his body stay away from me for only a few inches. Matapos no'n ay mabilis kong pinatakan ng halik ang ilalim ng mata niya, kung nasaan nakaukit mismo ang kaniyang nunal, "I love you." sagot ko bago dumiretso papunta sa sala.

He, on the other hand, went straight to the kitchen. Kumuha siya ro'n ng platito, tinidor, at tinidor para aming magamit, "Where did you buy this?" tukoy niya sa cake bago siya lumapit kung saan ako nakapwesto.

"I made that." I smiled and took the cake from him before placing it on his coffee table. "It's caramel and mocha inside, both your favorites."

"Made..." He tilted his head to the other side. "Ikaw? You in english..? As in my girlfriend? Draven's miss made this?" His eyes widened even more, like what he was doing and saying wasn't enough to express his feelings, "Really?" hindi makapaniwala niyang tanong.