Blood Between Us

CHAPTER 6

SORRELL STUDIO CONFERENCE ROOM, LATE MORNING.

ESTHER SMILED softly as the last signature echoed softly in the room as she set down her pen. Tinignan niya ang kaniyang pinirmahan saka ito itinulak patungo kay Ciaran.

Ciaran slid the final page back toward the legal representative of Vireaux Global, nodding without a word.

“And that’s it,” the lawyer added with a polite smile. “All parties signed. The Solace Tower project has received official approval. Material procurement begins next week.”

Tahimik na napabuga ng hangin si Esther. Parang hindi pa rin totoo ang mga nangyayari. Three months ago, she was barely sleeping to design the Solace Tower. Now, it had a contract, a timeline, and a skyscraper—Vireaux Global attached to each name.

Solace Tower.

Esther’s name is on the blueprint. Finally, her vision was brought to life.

The room began to empty. Papers stacked, coffee cups gathered, polite goodbyes exchanged between architects, engineers, and consultants.

Pero nanatili si Esther sa kaniyang kinauupuan at ganun din si Ciaran.

Walang masyadong sinabi si Ciaran during the signing. Just a quiet presence across the table.

“Congratulations, Esther,” Ciaran said, finally breaking his silence.

Tumango si Esther. Her fingers traced the edge of the leather folder in front of her. This was the moment they had worked hard for, long nights, revisions, and doubts.

“Sinabi ko naman sa ‘yo na sa ‘yo ito. It will be your lead. I won’t interfere. No boardroom of Vireaux Global politics. Just your vision.”

“And your backing,” Esther said, and she looked at Ciaran.

Ciaran smiled faintly. “That too.”

Napatingin si Esther sa may pinto nang marinig niya ang pag-clicked ng pinto. The last person of the room had left. At silang dalawa na lang ni Ciaran ang naiwan.

“Parang hindi ko pa rin alam kung tama ba itong naging desisyon ko,” sabi ni Esther.

“But it’s yours,” Ciaran said. “And you made it.”

Muling tumango si Esther.

The contracts were signed.

The materials were being sourced.

Solace Tower was finally in motion.

It was real now. Esther now looked at Ciaran, who was two seats away from her. And so was he.

“By the way,” Ciaran said while standing, “I’m coming to your condo later to clean.”

“No need. Just once.”

“I insist,” sabi ni Ciaran. Ngumiti ito. “And I’ll bring your latte.”

“Ciaran—”

“See you, Esther.” And then he left.

Esther could only sigh while a small smile played on her lips and staring at the latte in front of her that Ciaran brought.

LATER THAT DAY, early evening, Ciaran indeed came to Esther’s condo, at nagkataon na naroon si Mira. Nagulat pa si Mira nang makita si Ciaran sa condo ni Esther.

“Ano to? Katapusan na ba ng mundo?” tanong ni Mira. She was already half-laughing, half-choking on her milk tea as she stood beside Esther by the kitchen archway, staring at the surreal sight in front of them.

There, in Esther’s kitchen, crouched by the lower cabinet, sleeves rolled, sweat on his brow, and a scrub in his gloved hand, was none other than Ciaran Vireaux.

Yes, the heir of hell was scrubbing Esther’s tiles.

“Totoo ba ‘tong nakikita ko?” Mira hissed with wide eyes. “Ciaran Vireaux is cleaning your condo?”

Question marked was drawn in Mira’s face. Hindi ito makapaniwala sa nakikita nitong nangyayari.

“Pakiramdam ko nananaginip nga rin ako, eh,” bulong ni Esther.

Though Ciaran had already done it once, until now, she was still stunned and in disbelief. Sino ba namang maniniwala kung sasabihin mo sa kanila na ang tagapagmana ng isa sa pinakamayamang korporasyon sa mundo ay naglilinis ng condo niya.

Ciaran was currently inspecting the kitchen like it had personally offended him. May checklist pa siyang dinukot mula sa back pocket nito na parang nagka-conduct ng boardroom audit.

“Damn, Esther,” Mira whispered, eyes still wide. “Did you save the universe in your last life? You’re so lucky. Damn.”

Siniko ni Esther si Mira habang ramdam niya ang pag-iinit ng kaniyang mukha. “Tama na ang mura mo. Nakarami ka na.”

But Mira wouldn’t stop. “Pucha! Alam mo bang kung ako ‘yan, I’d frame that sponge after he uses it. Like, ilalagay ko sa glass case tapos lalagyan ko ng label na “Exhibit A: The Day the Heir of Hell Mopped My Floor”. Mararaming gustong bumili diyan for sure.”

Esther groaned. “Mira…”

“I mean, look at him!” Mira hissed again. “He’s not even complaining. Tapos ang neat pa niyang maglinis, girl. Para bang may training.”

“Baka trained nga.”

“Trained to impress you,” Mira smirked.

Napairap na lamang si Esther. Sinubukan niyang itago ang ngiti na gustong kumawala sa kaniyang labi.

Just then, Ciaran turned around, wiping his hands on the towel slung over his shoulder. “Done. Kitchen’s spotless.”

Mira clapped, slowly and sarcastically. “Bravo.” And then she rolled her eyes.

Ciaran looked at Esther. “Your friend was being sarcastic.”

Tumaas ang kilay ni Mira. “And so?”

Napailing na lamang si Esther at hinayaan ang dalawa.

“But I will never forget this. May bago na akong bansag sa ‘yo.” Ngumisi si Mira. “It’s not heir of hell anymore. Cleaning King na ngayon.”

Esther looked at Ciaran. She just realized something. This wasn’t just about cleaning the condo anymore. It was about something she was starting to feel, no matter how much she tried to deny it.

Something dangerously close to falling.

Habang naglilinis si Ciaran ng condo ni Esther, panay ang tanong ni Mira tungkol sa lalaki pero syempre hindi sasagot si Esther habang naroon ang lalaki.

“I’ll call you later,” sabi ni Mira saka lumabas ng condo ni Esther.

Esther closed the door, so Mira couldn’t come back to ask a question again.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Esther saka bumalik sa kusina kung saan ay naroon si Ciaran at nagpupunas ng kamay.

“Hey,” Esther said, “hindi mo naman kailangang gawin ‘to.”

“I said I’d clean,” Ciaran shrugged, eyes scanning the space. “I don’t break promises. I keep my word. Always.”

“Even the ridiculous ones?”

“Especially those,” Ciaran smirked.

Pumunta si Esther banyo upang kumuha ng bagong towel para kay Ciaran nang makabalik siya nakita niya ang lalaki na nasa living room with his brows furrowed, fingertips gently turning pages of my sketchbook on the coffee table.

Natigilan si Esther. It was her college sketchbook.

Her college sketchbook was one of her rawest designs, incomplete thoughts, and the house she once drew for her future family.

Esther looked at Ciaran, and at that moment, her heart beat fast.

“I’m in danger,” she said.

“GIRL. SPILL.” May diing sabi ni Mira habang kausap si Esther sa video call. Hindi niya talaga papalagpasin na lilipas ang gabing ‘to na hindi niya nagisa ang kaibigan niya ng tanong.

“Can I just sleep first?” Esther groaned, flopping back on her bed.

“Nope,” Mira grinned. “The heir of hell cleaned your whole condo and then looked at your sketched like you were the eighth wonder of the world. I want updates. Come on, my friend. Spill the bean.”

Natakpan na lamang ni Esther ang mukha gamit ang unan. “Mira…”

“Don’t Mira me. You like him.” It wasn’t a question but a statement.

Esther peeked at the screen. “I think so.”

Mira rolled her eyes. “Anong, I think so? Oo na ‘yan, Esther. Aminin mo na.”

Natahimik si Esther at hindi agad nakasagot.

Mira leaned closer, eyes narrowing. “Wait. Wait lang, ha. Don’t tell me you’re falling for him na?” Diniinan niya ang kaniyang mga salita.

Umiling si Esther. “I don’t know. Hindi ko pa naman naranasan ‘yan.”

“Esther, that’s not the point. It’s not the point kung hindi mo pa naranasan ang ma-inlove. What I am asking was… if you’re already falling for him?” Mira raised a brow. Pero kahit hindi sumagot si Esther mukhang alam na niya ang sagot sa kaniyang katanungan.

Esther sighed. Until the call ended, Mira’s question lingered in her mind.

“Are you falling for him?”

Napahawak si Esther sa tapat ng kaniyang puso. “Am I?”