Dangerous Solace

CHAPTER 24

NERIAH couldn’t help herself from smiling after seeing what her mother had sent to her. It was a picture of her brother with a beautiful woman. Halatang stolen shots ang pagkakuha dahil parehong naka-side view ang dalawa.

Napailing siya. “So, my brother had finally learned how to pursue a woman.”

She chuckled.

Neriah was enjoying her coffee when a familiar woman sat down in front of her.

Ella removed her sunglasses. “Why did you call me here?” she asked as if she were in a business meeting.

Ngumiti si Neriah. Her mother told her not to judge people easily. But right now, she couldn’t help it. Ella is a sophisticated woman. Halatang business woman ito. The way she carried herself oozed confidence, but seeing the woman without Lucien around, she could tell Ella was a calculating woman.

But Neriah doesn’t feel inferior because she’s not like any other woman. She’s independent and capable on her own. At isa pa, kaya niyang kumita ng pera nang hindi humihingi sa pamilya niya.

And she’s proud of what she is right now.

“We’re both women here. So, I hope you know what I want?” Neriah said with a smile on her face. Well, that’s how she deceived people.

Ngumisi si Ella at napailing. “Are you afraid that I might take Lucien away from you?”

Indeed. Neriah had thought about that. So, she needs to take caution. It’s better to prevent Ella from doing something she will not like before it’s too late.

Moreover, she didn’t want to have regrets at the end.

Matamis na ngumiti si Neriah at sa ngiting ‘yon, nakaramdam ng kilabot si Ella. “You can never take him away from me. I trust Lucien. But I hope you will never do something that will make me kill you,” she said, looking directly into the woman’s eyes.

Ella suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Ngayon lamang siya nakaramdam ng ganito. Neriah looked like a harmless and simple woman, but she didn’t expect that she was this dangerous. “D-don’t worry, I won’t bother Lucien.”

Bumalik ang ngiti ni Neriah. “I hope you do because if I say I’ll kill you, I will. But my Lucien doesn’t like violence, so I can only destroy your family.”

Ella gulped. “You can rest assured,” she said. She had spent most of her life threatening people around her to expand her family’s business because she was the heiress, but she was afraid of the woman in front of her, who actually looked harmless and innocent.

Just right… Looks can be deceiving.

“Good.”

Muling ngumiti si Neriah at kalmadong uminom ng kape.

Kinuha ni Ella ang sunglasses na inilapag niya sa lamesa, saka tahimik na umalis.

Sumandal si Neriah sa kaniyang kinauupuan at may tinawagan.

“Yes, Young Lady?”

“Kuya Kaiden, may ipinadala akong larawan sa ‘yo. Can you send someone to watch her?”

“Sure, Young Lady,” Kaiden answered. “But may I ask why? Did she piss you? Do you want her to disappear into this world?”

Natawa nang mahina si Neriah. “I just don’t trust her, Kuya. She likes my man, and I heard she’s been pursuing my Lucien for years when they were at the university. Though she told me she won’t bother Lucien. But I only trust my instinct.”

“Got it, Young Lady. Don’t worry, she won’t bother your man, and if she does… she will face the consequence.”

Ngumisi si Neriah at pinatay ang tawag.

Tiningnan niya si Ella na pasakay sa kotse niya. The look in her eyes earlier was not genuine. And Neriah could feel that Ella was the kind of woman who would do anything to get what she wanted.

THE APARTMENT was unusually quiet that afternoon.

Komportableng nakaupo si Neriah sa sofa ng living room habang tinitingnan ang mga larawan na kinuha niya kanina habang namamasyal siya. She had just visited another city and taken a lot of pictures. It will be a shot for her photo exhibit when the time comes.

Sayang lang at hindi nakasama si Lucien dahil may inasikaso ito.

Neriah frowned, looking at one picture. “I should’ve adjusted the exposure…”

Bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto ni Lucien.

Nag-angat naman ng tingin si Neriah. And immediately forgot about her camera.

Lucien stepped out wearing nothing but a pair of dark lounge pants, a towel draped over one of his shoulders. His hair was still damp from washing his face, and tiny droplets of water traced down his neck.

Hindi alam ni Lucien ang naging epekto niya kay Neriah.

“What?” he asked after noticing her stare.

Napakurap si Neriah. “Can I touch you?”

Lucien nearly laughed. Only Neriah could ask something like that with such a straight face.

“You always ask the most unexpected questions.” Naiiling na wika ni Lucien.

“That’s not a no.”

Ngumiti si Lucien saka umupo sa tabi ni Neriah.

Neriah shifted and sat on Lucien’s lap.

Hindi na nagulat si Lucien sa ginawa ni Neriah. But he indulges her even if he will be tortured again.

Neriah gently placed her palm against Lucien’s chest. She looked genuinely fascinated. “You have a great body.”

Napahawak si Lucien sa baywang ni Neriah. “Neriah…”

Her fingertips traced lightly across the contours of his chest before moving lower over his abdomen.

Lucien’s breathing hitched. “Neriah…”

“Hm?” Nagtaas ng tingin si Neriah.

“Don’t go any lower.”

Agad namang tumigil si Neriah. And instead of teasing him, she withdrew her hand—which made Lucien sigh in relief—and folded her arms.

“Alam mo, may naisip lang ako.”

“What is it?” Lucien asked.

“Why is it that when a woman asks before touching a man, people usually laugh…” She tilted her head thoughtfully. “…but if a man touched a woman without permission, that would be harassment?”

Lumambot ang ekspresyon ni Lucien. “The difference isn’t whether it’s a man or a woman.”

Tahimik na nakinig si Neriah habang nakaupo pa rin siya sa kandungan ni Lucien. Ayaw niyang umalis roon at wala siyang balak. It was more comfortable sitting on his lap than sitting on the sofa.

“It’s whether the other person wants it.”

Napatango si Neriah.

“Respect goes both ways.”

Ngumiti si Neriah at yumakap kay Lucien.

Hinagod naman ni Lucien ang likod ng dalaga.

Then later, he sighed. “I should take my shower now.”

“Cold shower again?”

Ngumiti si Lucien saka tumayo habang binubuhat si Neriah para hindi ito mahulog. Then he gently settled her down on the sofa. Hinalikan niya ito sa noo.

Neriah looked up at him with a mischievous grin. “Running away?”

“I’m preserving what’s left of my composure.”

Tumawa si Neriah. “I know. I have a big effect on you.” Tumingin siya sa pagitan ng mga hita ni Lucien.

“Neriah…”

“Yes?”

“Alam mo na ganito ang epekto mo sa akin.”

Before she could tease him again, Lucien gently squeezed her hand, let it go, and headed toward the bathroom.

As the door closed behind him, Neriah couldn’t stop smiling.

From behind the bathroom door, Lucien leaned against the wall and shook his head with a quiet laugh.

“She’s going to be the death of me.”