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

The Secluded Trails of Deceit
written by : riyanisity

After that, Draven, without waiting for any response, pulled my wrist back, guided me inside the kitchen area, and made me sit down on one of the stools there. Binitawan niya lang ako no'ng magsimula na siyang initin sa microwave ang iilang mangkok at plato na may lamang pagkain na kinuha niya mula sa loob ng refrigerator.

Using a tray, he brought some of the meals and desserts outside before coming back to take a pitcher of water and orange juice with him. Sa muling pagbalik niya, mga kutsara, tinidor, at baso naman ang dinala niya papunta sa labas. Without anything else to take care of, it's me who's being steered away after he returned for the fourth time.

Now, we're at the exterior part of the building, with a few wooden benches and tables arranged. Above, they consist of a lattice roof to somehow cover them up — that's called a pergola, based on my architectural knowledge. In addition, every space is designed with vines, flowers, and vintage lampposts attached to its four main columns.

Lumapit kami sa lamesang natatanging bukas ang ilaw, kung saan nakapatong lahat ng hinanda ni Draven kanina. Mula sa aming pwesto, tanaw mula roon ang nakapalibot na bundok sa paligid at syudad sa kalapit na mga bayan.

"It's pretty nice here..." I heard him mumble as I felt him looking at me from the side of his eyes.

My shoulders shrugged, "Maybe, but I prefer the city life." sapilitang pagtanggi ko.

"Doesn't matter." Nakita ko ang multo ng ngiti mula sakanya, "Everywhere's pretty nice if you're in it." bulong niyang muli.

Hindi na 'ko pumalag pa sa kaniyang sinabi, pero bago pa man mahila ni Draven ang upuan para sa'kin na nasa tapat namin, dumiretso ako sa kasalungat no'n para kusang alalayan ang sarili ko. Even so, despite being bewildered by what I just did, at the end, he couldn't do anything but simply sit there himself.

Nang akma ko na sanang kukunin ang sandok, kaagad na inagaw ni Draven 'yon. Ngayon, siya na ang naglalagay ng kanin sa plato ko, bago niya ilapit sa aking gawi ang mangkok na may lamang ulam. Sinalinan niya rin ng juice ang baso ko matapos no'n.

"Eat well... Sabihin mo lang kung may gusto ka pa." I heard him say when he was done serving me.

With just a single nod as my response, I shifted on my seat and didn't look back at him. Sinimulan ko nang kumain habang inasikaso niya naman ang sarili niya.

So long, until Draven and I cleared our fill, there's not a single word that ran off from us. The only things echoing around are the various crickets of insects, the tweeting of birds flying, and the kiss of a strong, cold breeze touching our skin — we had our silence between us 'till the end of our meal.

Tsaka niya lang binasag ang katahimikan no'ng nasa kalagitnaan na kami nang pagkain sa mga panghimagas na hinanda niya rin: malalakas na buntong hininga, hindi mapakaling pagtikhim, at pagkabalisa niya rin sa kaniyang kinauupuan — he was contemplating and debating within himself.

"I know you told me not to say this again, b-but..." He sat straight. "I'm sincerely and genuinely sorry for everything that I did wrong. I-I deeply apologize for hurting you, Miss."

Bumagal ang pagnguya ko sa cheesecake sa aking bibig no'ng marinig 'yon, habang si Draven naman ay napayuko at nakaiwas na ang tingin sa'kin ngayon.

"Sorry... I-I'm really sorry. I j-just... I badly want to tell that to you in person. Pinagsisisihan ko lahat ng nangyari — 'yong mga ginawa kong hindi maganda, hindi ka komportable, k-kung saan kita nasaktan.... G-Gaano... Pa'no..." His head shook lightly. "Lahat ng hindi mo nagustuhan sa mga sinabi ko."