Bound by Bullets and Vows

CHAPTER 18

AFTER DINNER, Alaric brought Reese to their room to rest. Pero sa nakikita niya, mukhang hindi masaya si Reese. She stood near the window with her arms crossed and silver mask still in place—kailan ba nito tinanggal ang maskara.

Alaric leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, watching Reese stare outside. Kapagkuwan, bumuntong-hininga siya. Isinara niya ang pinto at naglakad palapit kay Reese.

“You said separate room,” Reese said. “You’re violating the contract.”

Alaric sighed. “We don’t have a choice.”

“Anong ibig mong sabihin?” tanong ni Reese.

Umupo siya sa leather seat na nasa loob ng silid. “My people are watching. Your people, too. If they sense distance between us, they’ll assume we are not really a couple. Moreover, this is the main Headquarters of Shadow.”

Reese studied Alaric. “So?”

“So, we should share a room,” Alaric said bluntly. “We should show them that we’re a loving couple. Otherwise, you won’t get their loyalty and respect—and neither will I.”

Pilit na ngumiti si Reese. “Puwede bang sakalin na lamang kita?”

Umiling si Alaric. “You won’t get out alive if you kill me.”

Reese rolled her eyes. She pointed herself. “You’re asking me to sleep in the same room with a mercenary boss who runs an illegal organization.”

“50-50. Volkov’s business is legitimate.” Sabi ni Alaric. Then he smiled. “You married him.”

She clicked her tongue. “Tsk.” Hindi kasi siya makagalaw nang maayos kapag may kasama siya sa loob ng kwarto.

After a moment, Reese let out a sigh. “Fine. But boundaries.”

Tumango si Alaric. “Of course.”

She walked past him toward the bathroom. “Maliligo lang ako. Don’t peek.”

“I won’t,” Alaric said. “But if you want me to join you—”

“Mr. Volkov!”

Natawa nang mahina si Alaric. “Just kidding. Take your time.”

Reese entered the bathroom and forgot to lock the door.

Minutes later, while answering Julian’s message, Alaric pushed open the bathroom door without thinking. Nakalimutan niya na may tao sa loob dahil nasanay siyang wala siyang kasama sa loob ng kwarto.

And then he froze when steam filled the room.

Reese was in the bathtub, her dark hair was damp, her shoulders bare above the water, and her mask was placed on the counter. Nakatalikod ito sa kaniya kaya hindi niya makita ang mukha nito.

Alaric’s breath caught.

Narinig ni Reese ang pagbukas ng pinto. So, she slowly sank deeper into the water. “Get out.”

“Sorry! Nakalimutan kong nasa loob ka.” Alaric spun around instantly and slammed the door shut, heart pounding like gunfire.

Napasandal na lamang siya sa pader. “Idiot…” he cussed at himself.

Alaric gulped when Reese’s back view replayed in his mind. His mind could still see the curve of her shoulders. His lips parted as he felt something stirring within him.

That night, Alaric barely slept.

At nang makatulog naman siya, nanaginip siya.

He dreamed of Reese in the dimly lit room, on top of him, kissing him, her hands caressing his body, and whispering his name. He could feel the warmth against him.

Her lips—

Biglang nagising si Alaric. And he was breathing hard. His body was tense, and his thoughts were in a mess.

“What the hell…” he muttered. Sa dami ng puwede niyang mapanaginipan, bakit ‘yon pa?

Then he realized something else. Napatingin siya sa kaniyang tabi. Reese was sleeping next to him. She was fully clothed, and there was a proper distance between them. Yet closed enough that he could hear her steady breathing.

Natigilan si Alaric nang makita niyang walang suot na maskara si Reese, pero medyo madilim sa kwarto kaya hindi rin niya maaninag nang mabuti ang mukha nito.

Alaric wanted to see Reese face that his hand was already reaching the switch to turn on the lights, but before his hand could touch the switch, he stopped.

Kapagkuwan, biglang pumasok sa isipan niya ang kaniyang napanaginipan. He facepalmed. He didn’t expect himself to dream of that of Reese, nor have improper thoughts about her.

Alaric stared at the ceiling. “Mabuti pa siya at natutulog ng mahmbing,” he muttered quietly. They glanced sideways at her. “While I’m being tortured here.”

He carefully turned to his side, facing her. This woman was dangerous. Not because she was powerful, and not because she could make weapons that could destroy buildings.

But because she had already invaded his mind without even trying.

“Reese, I regret it. I should not make that contract, so I can hold you freely,” he whispered.

But unexpectedly, biglang pumasok sa isipan niya si Rica.

Napabuntong-hininga na lamang si Alaric. He won’t fall on two women at the same time, right?

Well, he was hoping.

NANG SUMAPIT ANG UMAGA, unang nagising si Reese kaysa kay Alaric. Agad niyang inabot ang kaniyang maskara at isinuot. Kung wala lang siyang kasama sa loob ng kwarto, she would not wear her mask. Pero hindi pa siya handang ipakita kay Alaric kung sino siya.

She’s not yet comfortable taking off her mask in front of him.

Bumaba siya sa kama at pumasok sa banyo. She took a bath and wore her casual clothes—a simple shirt and jeans. Nagpatuyo pa siya ng buhok bago lumabas ng banyo, put on her mask, at nang makalabas siya, nakita niyang gising na si Alaric pero nakahiga pa rin ito sa kama.

“You look like you fought a war before breakfast.” Sabi ni Reese nang mapansin niya ang hitsura ni Alaric.

“I’m fine.” Alaric turned his back on her.

Tumaas ang isang kilay ni Reese sa likod ng suot na maskara.

“Didn’t sleep well?” tanong pa niya.

“Enough,” sagot ni Alaric.

“That wasn’t my question.”

Napatigil si Alaric. Then he answered honestly. “Not really.”

“Then sleep more.”

Umiling si Alaric saka bumangon. “I have a meeting today. I can’t accompany you. If you want to go out, you can tell the butler, and he’ll arrange bodyguards for you. Huwag kang lumabas nang mag-isa.”

Tumango si Reese. She took her tablet from the study table. “I’ll wait for you at the dining table.”

“Alright.” Sabi ni Alaric at nagmamadaling pumasok sa banyo.

Napakunot naman ng nuo si Reese. “Why does he look guilty? Para siyang nakagawa ng kasalanan na hindi niya sinasadya.”

Reese shook her head and stepped out of the room.

She went to the dining hall. The breakfast was already prepared. The maid and the butler were standing at the side, waiting for orders.

“Just leave me alone,” sabi ni Reese. “Do your thing.”

Yumukod ang mga ito saka umalis sa kusina.

Huminga pa nang malalim si Reese. “Finally. I’m alone,” she said.

But not when Julian came into the dining area and approached her.

“Madam.” Julian greeted.

“Alaric was still in the room.”

Tumango si Julian. “I came for you, Madam.”

Itinuro ni Reese ang sarili. “Ako? Bakit?”

Julian placed a folder on the table beside Reese’s glass of water. “Boss asked me to give you this.”

Nagtaka naman si Reese kung ano ang laman ng folder. She opened the folder, and her eyebrow raised. “Anong gagawin ko sa blueprint na ‘to?” tanong niya kay Julian. “This was the blueprint of the whole mansion and the whole underground base.”

“Yes, Madam. The boss wants you to keep it. Kung gusto niyo raw na magkaroon ng ganito sa Pilipinas. You can use that blueprint.”

Reese chuckled and closed the folder. “Is he testing me?”

“Of course not, Madam.” Sagot ni Julian. Ito ang pakiramdam na kapag nagkamali siya sa sagot, ulo niya ang magiging kabayaran.

“Julian, I’m not naïve. This blueprint can cause the Shadow to collapse if it is given to the enemies.” Aniya. “But this blueprint,” tumaas ang sulok ng kaniyang labi. “I’ll keep it.”

Julian bowed his head and left.

Napailing si Reese saka natawa na lamang nang mahina. For someone who ruled an underground empire, Alaric just gave her the blueprint of his underground base, as if he were giving her food for her plate.

“Interesting,” wika ni Reese.

She stared at the folder. But having this kind of mansion in the Philippines isn’t as bad as she thinks.

Pero naisip siya, bakit naman ibibigay ito sa kaniya ni Alaric nang ganun kadali?

Or was it because of the Sinclair System?

And the trust?

Reese let out a sigh, not a heavy one. “Alaric, what are you planning to do?”

But as a Sinclair, she won’t let anyone manipulate her.