Màu nền Màu tối Mặc định Xám nhạt Xanh nhạt Xanh đậm Vàng nhạt Màu sepia Vàng đậm Vàng ố

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#DS5Unbowed #EmbRace #DaggerSeries

A/N: Huwag na nating ikaila na may iba riyan na iba ang naisip nang mabasa ang chapter title XD

CHAPTER 9: FAVORITE T

EMBER'S POV

I wasn't surprised when I found Trace waiting for me at the gazebo. Nitong nakaraang isang linggo ay sadiyang inuunahan niya ako sa paggising para makagawa siya ng almusal para sa aming dalawa bago ako magsimula sa pag-e-ehersisyo.

Naawa naman ako sa kaniya dahil sigurado akong gumigising na siya bago mag alas-kuwatro kaya sinabihan ko siya na ala-singko na lang ako magsisimula sa mga gawain ko para naman hindi ga'nong kaaga siya kinakailangan na bumangon. I tried convincing him that I can make my own breakfast, but of course, I didn't win that argument.

Umupo ako sa tabi niya at nakita ko ang nakahandang pagkain. Looks like we're having waffles today. May slice fruits pa iyon at syrup. "You always plate them beautifully."

"Lia's instructions," sabi niya at inabot sa akin ang tsaa ko.

"Siya ang nagturo sa'yo?"

"Sa kaniya iyong recipe. Ginawan niya rin ako ng pinterest board para may inspiration daw ako sa plating. She loves that stuff."

"But you know how to cook?" I asked.

"I do. Lahat kaming magkakapatid marunong. Isa kasi iyon sa turo ng Mama namin. Hindi raw pwedeng iasa na lang namin sa mga babae ang pagluluto."

"What a great mom."

A melancholic smile spread his lips. "She was."

Hindi ako nakapagsalita kaagad. I understand the implication of his words. "I'm sorry."

"It was a long time ago." He let out a breath while looking at the sky, where the remnants of the night were succumbing to the rising sun. "She and my father were inseparable. Maybe that's the reason why my father didn't let her be alone for a long time without him."

Even if he tries to make everything light, I can see the truth. Hindi naman kasi nakadepende sa tagal ng panahon na lumipas para masabi mong tapos ka ng masaktan kada naaalala mo ang mga taong nawala sa'yo. I barely even remember my own mother because I was too young when I lost her, and yet there are times that I can still feel the gravity of losing her.

"They sound very in love," I said to him gently.

"They were. My father was a US Army veteran, and my mother was an army doctor. They said it was love at first sight. Papa used to say that it's the gift of the Dawsons. Ganoon din daw ang tatay niya at ang lolo niya. Somehow they just know when they've found their one." Napangiti siya nang parang may naisip. "Iyon nga lang kahit malakas ang dugo ng mga Dawson sa amin ay lumalaban ang dugo ni Mama. No wonder most of my siblings try to fight it even though they know it's futile." Nilingon niya ako at sandaling naglakbay ang mga mata niya sa mukha ko. "But not me. I'm more than willing to surrender."

Nagbaba ako ng tingin sa pagkain ko. My hair, which I haven't tied yet, hid my face. Which is a good thing because I can feel it burning.

"I always forgot to ask. You're not pure Filipino, are you?" tanong ko pagkaraan bilang pag-iiba ng usapan.

"My father was American and my mother was half Filipino. When my parents retired, they decided to move here and create Dagger. Hindi kasi talaga nagawang makalimutan ni Mama ang Pilipinas. Even if life was better there, she always wanted to come back."

"Your father didn't mind?"

"He would do anything for my mother. Ang gusto niya lang ay maging masaya si Mama." Nagkibit-balikat siya. "He liked it here. Ang bilis niya ngang natutong managalog. He always loves to surprise people because there's no mistaking that he's a foreigner, yet he can use deep Filipino words while barely having a hint of an accent."

"That explains the eyes." Muling nag-init ang mga pisngi ko nang lumingon siya sa akin. "Your eyes. They are the lightest of brown I ever seen. It's almost hazel."

Lahat silang magkakapatid ay kakikitaan ng banyagang dugo. All of them also have varying shades of brown eyes, some darker than the others, while Trace has the lightest.

His eyes searched my face for a moment before the corner of his lips went up. "Do you like them then?"

"H-Ha? Oo... oo naman."

"Eh ako—"

Tinusok ko ng tinidor ang waffles at kumagat ako ng malaki ro'n. "Wow! Ang sarap!"

Lumawak ang ngiti ni Trace pero nagpatuloy lang ako sa pagkain. He's not dumb to understand that I'm maneuvering us out of the current topic, but thankfully, he didn't fight it.

"What's your plan for today?" he asked after awhile.

"I'm going to visit the babies because I haven't spent time with them for awhile. If you need to do something, you don't need to come with me. Nandoon naman si Cristiano—"

"I'm going with you."

Kumunot ang noo ko. Kada bumibisita ako sa kamalig sandali para kamustahin ang mga alaga ko ay lagi siyang nakasunod sa akin. Kapag kausap ko naman si Cristiano ay kulang na lang idikit niya ang sarili niya sa akin na para bang conjoined twins kami.

Thankfully, Cristiano didn't appear to mind his presence even though Trace is always on my tail. That man rarely cares about anything anyway except for the animals.

"Bibisitahin ko rin naman ang best friend ko," sabi ni Trace pagkaraan.

Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko. Trace managed to befriend my goats by bribing them with treats. Nabibili ang loyalty nila sa pamamagitan ng pagkain. Go figure. Now he's all chummy with all my animals, especially the billy goat whom he considers his best friend.

"That reminds me," panimula ko. "You need to spend time with your horse too. Hanggang ngayon parang may masama siyang balak sa'yo. What did you even do to that poor horse?"

"Wala ah."

"Maybe because you named him Choc Nut?"

"Eh bakit ikaw kapag tinatawag siyang Choc Nut hindi nagagalit?" tanong niya.

"Animals tend to like me. Even Potchi didn't take long to warm up to me. She even sneaked into my room the other night."

Sandaling hindi nagsalita ang lalaki habang umaktong tila nag-iisip. "I think Choc Nut still remembers what I said to him when I freaked out the first time I took a lesson on riding him." Ngumuso si Trace. "You can't blame me. Nakasakay na ako sa kabayo noon pero hindi sa kasing laki niya."

Namilog ang mga mata ko. "Hindi ka marunong mangabayo?"

Kaya naman pala hindi ko pa siya nakikitang inilalabas si Choc Nut maliban na lang kapag sumasama siya sa akin na ilakad sina Vanilla at Bean. Not that I'm waiting for him to make my fantasy of him riding a horse a reality.

Alanginin ang ngiti na napakamot si Trace sa ulo niya. "Uhhh..."

"Then why did you get a horse?"

"Because I have a barn?" Nang tumaas ang kilay ko ay ngumisi siya. "Saka pangarap kong magkaroon ng kabayo."

Napapailing na sumubo ako ng waffles. "What did you even say to him that made him hate you?"

"He almost threw me sideways."

"And?"

"I might have told him that I was going to turn him into a tapa and eat him."

Napasinghap ako at saklot ang dibdib na nilingon ko siya. "No wonder he hates you."

"I wasn't planning to harm him in any way. It was just a joke."

I crossed my arms and gave him a look. "Matutuwa ka ba kapag biniro kitang kakainin kita?"

Trace's lips parted for a moment, but they were soon replaced by his usual mischievous smile. Muli akong napasinghap pero sa pagkakataon na ito ay sa iba ng rason.

"That's not what I meant—"

"Bakit pa gagawing biro kung pwede namang totohanin?" nakangising tanong niya.

I pressed my lips together and gave him a narrow look. Hindi na ako nagsalita at nagdadabog na pinagpatuloy ko na lang ang pagkain ko bago pa may iba na naman akong masabi na magagamit niya laban sa akin.

Nang matapos kami ay maayos na ibinalik niya sa tray ang mga pinagkainan namin. "Dalin ko muna 'to sa loob. I need to let Potchi out too. Can you wait for me here?"

He carried the tray back to the house when I nodded at him. Hindi naman siya nagtagal dahil ilang sandali lang ay narinig ko siyang tinatawag si Potchi na mabilis tumakbo palabas ng bahay. The white dog zoomed past the gazebo and towards the corral.

Nangingiting tumayo ako at naglakad ako sa direksyon niya. She's vibrating with so much energy that it reminds me of her owner.

"Do you want to visit the other babies?" I asked Potchi when I stopped beside the fence.

Binuksan ko ang gate nang tumahol siya bilang sagot at kaagad siyang tumakbo papasok. She went straight to the door of the barn, which opened just on time.

"Pangarap pa ata ng aso ko na maging herding dog," sabi ni Trace nang huminto siya sa tabi ko.

"She'll be the cutest herding dog." Pinagmasdan ko si Potchi na tumatalon-talon habang nakikipaglaro kay Cristiano na yumuko para batiin siya. "I never thought much of West Highland Terriers, but I think I like them now."

"Bakit hindi ka nagkaroon ng aso? With all your pets, I thought you'll have one by now. Marami ring for adoption na aso kung iyon ang gusto mo."

"I'm actually part of an organization that established a no-kill animal shelter back in my province. Marami na silang napaampon na mga hayop. Hindi pa nga lang talaga ako nagkakaroon ng pagkakataon na umampon ng sa akin." I've been so busy these past few years that I haven't really thought about finally adopting one. Maybe I should start with fostering.

Trace looked at his dog, which had now entered the barn. "You have Potchi. You came here with two horses, cows, goats, hens, and one rooster... now you have a dog."

"While I'm still here."

He didn't say anything, but his gaze went to me, and there was something in his eyes that I couldn't understand. Before I had the chance to delve into it, he reached for my hand, and he guided me to walk inside the corral.

"How did you meet the babies?" tanong niya habang naglalakad kami papunta sa barn. I love it when he calls them babies.

"Vanilla and Bean came from Ilocos and they are retired carriage horses. I attended an event with a sponsor there. Nag-aya sila for a carriage tour. I was uncomfortable, but the horses were treated well. At least with the coachman we have. When we were done, I heard one of the sponsors that lives there talking to one of the coachmen about old horses and what they planned to do with them... and..."

Trace's eyes flashed as he watched my hesitation. "Now I feel guilty for making that joke about Choc Nut."

Umiling ako at binigyan ko siya ng maliit na ngiti. "Katulad nga ng sabi mo, wala ka namang balak totohanin iyon." Huminga ako ng malalim. "The rest was history. I asked around, and then I adopted Vanilla and Bean."

"And the cows?"

"They came from a farm that specializes in veal production." Ikinuwento ko sa kaniya ang tungkol sa farm na pasarado na noon kung saan ko nakuha sina Ruby at Emerald.

"How about Ranger and Turbo?" tanong niya nang makapasok na kami sa kamalig.

Sinilip ko ang dalawang kambing na pinag-uusapan namin. "They were orphans. Alaga ang nanay nila ng hardinero namin. She died giving birth to the two and back then Ranger and Turbo were dying too. Kuya Mark didn't want to give up on them but there wasn't much else to do. I bough them from him." Naglakad ako papunta sa kinaroroonan ng mga manok at naramdaman kong nakasunod si Trace. "I got Tootsie as a prize for a game of luck thing. Basta iyong nasa push cart. Nakita ko sa labas ng simbahan malapit sa rancho. Gabi na no'n and manong was almost done with his cart."

Kumibot ang mga labi ni Trace. "Iyong mga sisiw sa fiesta na iba-iba ang kulay?"

"Yup. There were five of them left and I bought all of them. Kaya lang isa lang ang nabuhay at si Tootsie iyon." I cried for days when I lost the other four. "Peep was a different case. May napanood ako na video na bumili iyong lalaki ng isang tray ng itlog sa market just to see kung may possibility na may isa ro'n ang mabubuhay. I was curious and I tried it. Peep's the only one that hatched."

"Eh si Albert Eggstein?"

Pinaikot ko ang mga mata ko nang kakikitaan na naman siya ng pagkaaliw pagkabanggit sa pangalan ng tandang. "He was a fighting rooster. He lost and he was on the brink of death."

"Paano mo nalaman ang tungkol sa kaniya?"

"Because he was a fighter for an illegal cockfight which they so happened to do on our land. I have every right to shut it down."

I watched Albert look in our direction for a moment before he went up on his perch. He threw his head back and made a loud sound. Nang matapos siya ay tumingin siya sa amin ulit na para bang proud na proud sa sarili.

Nakangiting nilingon ko si Trace. He was already looking at me. "Now they are all here with me, and I'm the lucky person that gets to have them."

He watched my face for a few seconds before he murmured gently, "I think anyone would agree with me when I say that everyone here is the lucky one to have you."

NAPAPAILING na nilingon ko ang audience ko nang sa hindi mabilang na pagkakataon ay nagpalakpakan sila. Domino is even whistling while waving his waist in time with his hands. Sa tabi niya ay naroon sina Trace at Lucienne na para bang nag-practice dahil synchronized silang dalawa kay Domino.

It's a wonder that I can shoot straight with all the commotion, but I didn't stop them. I know they mean well, and besides, they make training more fun. Minsan lang naman. I can just relax today.

Dumating kasi kanina sina Lia at Gun na may dalang tanghalian. For some reason ay parang kahit saan magpunta si Lia ay sinusundan siya ng ibang mga Dawson. Kaya siguro laging madaming niluluto si Lia. Perfect attendance kasi ang magkakapatid maliban kay Luna na abala sa trabaho.

When we were done with lunch ay nagpaalam ako sa kanila dahil kailangan ko ng bumalik sa kailangan kong gawin. Lucienne asked if she could come, and I didn't have the heart to turn her down. Not that I'd want to anyway. When I agreed, all the women decided that they wanted to watch me train too.

Now here we all are. Kasalukuyan akong nagpa-practice habang ang mga Dawson ay kaniya-kaniya ng puwesto sa likurang bahagi ko, maliban kina Pierce, Axel, at Coal na bumalik sa headquarters.

Lucienne is sitting with her daughter, Adalyn Liana, in her arms on a huge picnic blanket. Inilatag iyon kanina ni Thorn. Katabi niya si Mireia na patagilid na nakahiga roon habang yakap ang natutulog na panganay nila Lucienne na si Cookie. Belaya's sitting on an actor's chair na may nakasulat pa sa likod na "Belaya Lawrence-Dawson, Property of Pierce Dawson" na ibinaba ni Pierce mula sa sasakyan nila bago siya umalis.

Gun, on the other hand, retrieved a chair from the dining area when he saw his wife was about to sit on the blanket too. I don't know if he just wants the other women to have more space on the blanket o sadiyang over protective lang siya sa asawa niya. He's carrying one of his twin daughters, while the other one is being carried by Thorn.

"Ang galing mo naman, Ember," puri sa akin ni Lucienne. Inangat niya ang hawak na mansanas. "Kaya mo ring panain 'to?"

"Kaya naman," nakangiting sabi ko.

Kinalabit niya si Trace na katabi niya. He and Domino are sitting on the grass and they were still both moving to an imaginary beat for their cheer steps. "What?" Inabot sa kaniya ng babae ang mansanas. "Anong gagawin ko rito?"

"An apple a day keeps Trace Dawson away." Nginuso ni Lucienne ang target board ko. "Tumayo ka ro'n."

Pinaningkitan ni Trace ng mga mata ang babae. "Ang sama talaga ng mga gusto mong mangyari sa akin." Dinutdot ng binata ang noo ni Lucienne. "Ayoko."

"Ay bakit? Titignan lang naman natin kung arrow proof ka tutal ang kapal ng confidence mo— aray!" Nakangusong nilingon ng babae ang asawang si Thorn habang hawak ang pisngi na kinurot ni Trace. "Bossing oh. Sinasaktan ako ng kapatid mo."

"Trace," Thorn warned.

"Your wife wants me to stand in front of an arrow, Kuya. Maaatim mo bang masaktan ang pogi mong kapatid?"

Thorn gave me a beleaguered look, as if telling me about the kind of headache he has to deal with every day.

"Ember," Lucienne called out to me. Nang tumingin ako sa kaniya ay pumapalatak na umiling siya. "Walang tiwala si Trace sa kakayahan mo. Takot na mapana mo."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Trace beat me to it. "Fake news ka na naman. Kahit langaw kayang panain ni Ember."

Mahina akong napatawa. I highly doubt that.

"Eh bakit ayaw mong tumayo ro'n hawak ang mansanas kung hindi ka takot mapana ni Ember?" tanong ng babae.

The smile that curved the man in question's lip was so familiar to me that I should have readied myself for his words. "Hindi ko na kailangan magpapana kasi matagal ng napana ni Ember ang puso ko."

Kaagad kong naramdaman ang pamumula ko nang mapuno ng kantiyawan ang paligid. The others cheered while some of the men acted as if they wanted to throw up.

Lucienne rolled her eyes. "Reason. Naduduwag ka lang."

"Hindi ako naduduwag. Itaya mo pa sa abs ko."

"Imahinasyon mo na naman. Akala ko ba ako ang writer dito?"

Trace clearly looked offended. "Hoy! Hindi imahinasyon ang abs ko! Anim na pandesal 'to!"

"Pita bread kamo," pang-aasar ng babae. "Itaas ang kamay ng mga taong nakakita ng pandesal kay Trace."

Napuno ng katahimikan ang lugar at lahat sila ay napatingin sa akin nang sa lahat ng taong naroon ay tanging ako lang ang nagtaas ng kamay.

The Dawson men are all fighting a smile, except for Trace, who is already smiling widely. I doubt these men haven't seen each other's bodies. They probably worked out together before. Pero mukhang hindi na naman ako nakasabay sa kagustuhan nilang bawasan ang confidence ni Trace dahil ako lang ang umamin ng katotohanan na mukhang alam din naman nila talaga.

"She's so adorably honest," Lia said while giggling.

"Ang saklap para kay Lush," natatawang sabi ni Mireia. "Kada babawasan niya ang humbleness ni Trace eh madadagdagan ulit dahil kay Ember."

"No wonder he appears to worship the land she walks on," si Belaya na nangingiti rin. "She doesn't need a plaque for Trace's office claiming him."

Naguguluhang tumingin ako sa aktres. I didn't want to pry, but my curiosity won over me. "A plaque?"

She nodded. "I gave my husband an office plaque with "Pierce Dawson, Property of Belaya Lawrence-Dawson" written on it."

Lia blushed when Belaya looked at him. "Gun has a tattoo reminding him of me."

"I have a framed boudoir portrait in Axel's office," nakangising sabi ni Mireia.

"Boudoir my foot," Belaya scoffed. "That's more of a nude."

Akmang magsasalita si Lucienne pero naunahan siya ni Trace. "At walang magtatangkang umagaw kay Kuya Thorn dahil isang tingin pa lang kay Lucienne ay babangungutin na sila."

I was so sure they would commence to arguing again, but Lucienne didn't have the chance to speak when this time it was her husband that stopped her by putting a piece of apple inside her mouth. Inabot ni Thorn ang bata na karga kay Lia bago niya kinuha ang sariling anak mula kay Lucienne at pagkatapos ay hinalikan niya sa sentido ang asawa.

When the eldest Dawson straightened, his eyes were on me, "What they are saying is that Trace doesn't need all of that because, with one look at him, no one will be able to mistake how smitten he already is. He has always been the one to wear his heart on his sleeve. He's stupidly exposed, but that's the way he is."

For some reason, I can hear that there's more to his words. The others might love to tease Trace, but even if they don't reveal it blatantly, they are protective of him. The way they show me that Trace is loved and cared for by many, that he has people behind him, and the way Thorn looks at me when he says those words—it was like a warning of some kind, and yet I don't feel offended by it.

I am in a place right now where I have no clear view of what I want, despite the fact that the feelings I keep on discovering when I'm around Trace are feelings that I have never once felt in my life. It's the kind of road where I'm not the only person who could get hurt by the decisions that I make. The Dawsons knew that.

I found myself respecting them even more... and yet also envious of what they have. I never had that. Iyong may kakampi ako kahit na hindi ko naman pinapakita na kailangan ko. Iyong meron lang akong aasahan kung sakaling kailanganin ko.

"Hey, princess."

I tore my eyes away from the oldest Dawson, and I turned to Trace. Sandaling wala siyang sinabi at nanatiling nakatingin lang sa akin. He does that sometimes. He seems to know what I'm feeling or thinking even before I say it. Like he knows what I need.

And right now, it's like he's telling me that I already have what I thought I never had. That he will be the first person to be that for me.

"You should take a break," he said.

Tumango ako. "I could do that."

"Do you need something? Your favorite T as in tea... or T as in Trace?" His gaze traveled around my face, stopping on my blushing cheeks, and he grinned. "Do you want tea or do you want me?"

"H-Ha?"

"I'll give you the Trace's special." He winked at me, and my chest drummed loudly in response to it. "You can have both."

_______________________________End of Chapter 9.