Kabanata 5

Shooting Range

I arranged my own schedule just to be with Ares today. This is his first favor, kaya wala akong lakas ng loob na tanggihan siya. I should be grateful that he agreed with the proposal I offered him yesterday.

I will be free for the whole day. I told my father about this already. He agreed because he thought that I would be with Ares to make him invest in our company.

Ayaw ko mang sabihin sa kanya, siguradong malalaman niya rin dahil buong araw akong mawawala sa kompanya. Hindi ko na inisip pa ang posibleng iniisip ni Zoey ngayon sa plano ko.

She seems to like Ares a lot. Except from the riches of fame, for sure she likes him because he's extremely attractive. Siguro kahit hindi mayaman o sikat, sa mukha pa lang, saktong bawing-bawi na.

I will admit that he's handsome, but that's it. I don't need to feel guilty of being with him because in the first place, I don't have plans in pursuing him or what. I'm only talking to him because of the debt I have. Kung wala akong utang, there's no way I would approach him like this.

Bumalik sa isipan ko ang kompanya. That's the reason why Papa is allowing me to get near of Ares. Pero sa hindi malamang kadahilanan, wala doon ang focus ko. Halos kalimutan ko pa nga.

I went out of my condo wearing a black corset top paired with straight jeans and black shoes. For finishing touches, I brought a Gucci shoulder bag with me and wore a black square sunglasses and tied my hair in a high ponytail.

I look trendy and casual. Halatang-halata sa suot ko na wala akong planong humawak ng baril. That's exactly my plan. Pupunta lang ako sa isang shooting range para samahan siya.

I'm inside the elevator when someone texted me. Binasa ko agad ang mensahe.

Ares:

I'm now in the parking lot.

Magtitipa na sana ako ng reply nang bumukas na ang elevator sa basement. Hahakbang na sana ako palabas nang matigilan nang makita ang nakatayo sa bukana ng lift.

Standing tall and handsome, Ares Madriaga looks so unapproachable with his stance. He doesn't look like he's waiting for someone. It was like he's standing there, waiting for the lift to open so that he can use it.

He's wearing a black leather jacket with a white shirt inside. He paired it with jeans and boots.

Everything he wears just suits him, and it was almost unfair to me. Siya yung walang binabagayan.

Sa unang tama ng kanyang mata, agad niya akong pinasadahan ng tingin. I was confident with my outfit, but with his stares, I suddenly felt conscious. He's not saying anything, but it was like he's already judging me silently.

I know that my outfit doesn't suit the environment of a shooting range. But then, I have no plans in holding a gun. I'm excited, maybe, but it's not part of my plans.

Lumabas ako ng elevator at nilagpasan siya. He walked on my side.

"I'm just gonna watch you," I said to clear something.

He nodded calmly as he gently put his hand on my lower back. Bahagya akong napaigtad pero agad ko ring inayos ang sarili, tila wala lang sa akin ang reaksyong iyon.

"Have you eaten your breakfast?" he asked.

I glanced at him and nodded. Hindi na sana ako magtatanong kung nag-breakfast na ba siya pero may bigla akong naisip. He looks like someone who doesn't prioritize his meals.

"How about you?" pagbabalik ko sa tanong.

Tumikhim siya.

"I had my coffee,"

My forehead knotted. Niyuko niya ako.

"Coffee lang? You should eat rice too."

"I don't usually eat meals in the morning." he stated.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. He has a perfect built. Nakuha niya ba ang katawang 'yan nang hindi kumakain ng maayos?

"Let's get you some breakfast before going to the shooting range."

"Hmm. Okay," he shockingly agreed.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa hanggang sa makapasok kami sa kanyang sasakyan. Hindi ko na nakita pa ang sasakyan niya na nabangga ko. I'm wondering if naayos na ba or hindi pa.

We were both silent when he started the engine of his car. We stopped in a restaurant to have a breakfast. I ordered a single pancake and a coffee. I'm full, but for some reason, I don't want to let him eat alone.

Nang matapos kumain, nagpatuloy na rin kami papunta sa shooting range. It was almost an hour drive before we finally arrived in our destination.

He went out of the car and opened the door for me. Agad akong bumaba at nagtanong.

"Where's the comfort room here?"

Isinara niya ang pinto sa likuran ko. I silently surveyed the environment. May iilang police na naka-uniporme at labas-masok sa bukana ng shooting range. The parking lot is outside the place, but I can already hear the loud gun shots from where I'm standing.

Bumalik ang tingin ko sa kanya nang kunin niya ang aking bag at hinawakan ang kamay ko. Saka lang ako nagulat nang maiproseso ang kanyang ginagawa.

"I'll accompany you,"

I was speechless and for some reason, my heart was booming loudly inside my chest.

Hawak niya ako hanggang sa makapasok kami sa shooting range. Nakalimutan ko ang gulat nang makita ang iba't ibang kalibre ng baril na hawak ng iba't ibang police.

On the other side of the place, I saw a table that is full of rifles. The long gold bullets are almost shining that it scares me. Nandoon sa table ang isang police official na mukhang may mataas na posisyon.

"Dion,"

"Ares," isang baritonong boses ang nagpabalik sa mga mata ko sa harapan.

But I can't see him properly because of Ares' wide frame that is almost covering me. Nagtungo ako sa kanyang tabi para tuluyang masilip ang kasalukuyang kaharap niya.

A tall man, almost like Ares' height, looked down on me. He stared at me for a moment before he smirked suspiciously at Ares.

"Magpapatali na ba?"

Ares cursed at him silently. Halos hindi ako makapaniwalang narinig ko sa kanya iyon. Humalakhak lamang ang kaharap at muli akong tinignan.

"Dion Medina, Miss." he introduced himself while smirking.

Tipid akong ngumiti at magsasalita na sana nang takpan ni Ares ang harapan ko. My forehead knotted and stared at his back in confusion.

"Where's Dylan?" sabi niya sa tono na tila mumurahin muli ang kausap.

Dion Medina chuckled.

"You're fucking whipped. Wala rito," natatawang sagot niya.

Ares cursed at him again, before he bid goodbye to his friend.

Nagpatuloy kami sa paglalakad. My eyes are wandering around. Nakita ko ang iba't ibang firing line na may iilang gumagamit na police.

This shooting range is different from what I expected. Ang lugar ay nasa likuran ng isang bundok kaya umaalingawngaw sa bawat putok ng baril. The place is also very open and windy because of the big tress.

May maliit na station kada shooting line kung saan tatayo ang magbabaril. The targets are on the far front of them near at the back of the mountain. Kaya ang mga bala na tumatama sa target ay bumabaon sa lupa ng bundok.

Ares brought me outside the women's comfort room. Sinilip ko ang looban at nakita ang tatlong cubicles doon. It also looks clean and well-maintained.

"I'll wait for you here,"

Nais ko sanang umapela pero agad ring naalala na hindi ko kabisado ang lugar.

I nodded and carefully went inside the comfort room. I can hear the small noises of the one cubicle kaya I'm sure mayroong gumagamit.

Rinig na rinig mula rito ang bawat putok ng baril. It's just so loud that I think it could really disturb the people living near the place. Are they not allowed to use a silencer?

I did my thing inside the cubicle. I washed my hands and dried them before going out.

"No one told me that you will be here," I heard a sweet voice outside the comfort room.

Bumagal ang lakad ko at dahan-dahang sinilip ang nasa labas. A girl wearing a fitted police uniform is talking to Ares.

Her hair is in a tight bun, and even when she's wearing a formal uniform, I could see the opening of her breast. The first three buttons of her uniform are open, and I don't think that's the right way to wear it, especially she's a public official.

I'm facing Ares' back, kaya ang babae lang na kaharap niya ang tanaw ko. I saw how her eyes looked down to my bag that Ares is holding.

"Kaninong bag 'yan?" she asked curiously.

Ares didn't answer. Tiningala siya ng babae.

"Sa girlfriend mo?"

Umayos ng tayo si Ares. I can't see what his reaction, and suddenly, I'm desperate for it.

"Yes,"

My heart totally fell. Napasandal ako sa gilid nang maramdaman ang panlalambot ng tuhod. I can't believe this!

The girl is obviously flirting with him and maybe, he said that to get rid of her. Agad akong nag-isip ng rason kung bakit niya sinabi iyon.

I should get mad because he used me, but my insides are reacting otherwise. My heart was beating so loud that I couldn't even hear myself breathing anymore.

Hindi na nagsalita ang babae. Inipon ko ang lakas at kalmadong lumabas ng comfort room, tila walang narinig o nangyari.

Ares felt my arrival. Agad niya akong nilingon at hinawakan ang aking likuran. Ang malakas na pintig ng puso ay mas tumindi nang maramdaman ang kanyang kamay.

The girl looks shocked with my presence. Maliit ko siyang nginitian bago kami nagsimulang maglakad palayo roon.

Hindi ko kailanman binuksan ang usapan tungkol sa mga narinig. Wala rin akong plano. I don't want to make it as a big deal. Ginawa niya lang iyon para makaiwas sa babae.

Also, there's no reason for me to take it as a big deal. Hindi naman ako nasaktan. Hindi ko rin naman kilala ang babaeng iyon kaya siguradong hindi rin masisira ang pangalan ko.

Ang mga police na nag-training kanina ay dahan-dahan ng nag-alisan. May iilan namang nagdatingan na naka-sibilyan.

Ares is known in this place. Lahat ng staff ng shooting range ay kilala siya, pati na ang iilang police official na nandito kanina. He's obviously a regular here.

Nakaupo ako sa isang monoblock chair habang tinatanaw ang nasa line 3 na kasalukuyang may gumagamit na sibilyan. I watched how the personnel teach the civilians on how to hold the gun, and what is the right posture in shooting.

Habang nanonood, hindi ko tuloy maiwasang gustuhin na sumubok.

"Let's go,"

I looked up on Ares and stood up. Mukhang tapos na ang usapan niya sa isang personnel dito sa shooting range.

Nagtungo kami sa line 1 na walang gumagamit. Nakarating kami sa open shed na may table. Sa ibabaw noon ay dalawang clear protective eyewear at hearing protector.

Hindi nagtagal ay may lalaking lumapit sa amin na may dalang itim na briefcase. Pinanood ko siyang ilapag iyon sa lamesa at binuksan ang briefcase.

Umawang ang labi ko nang makita ang isang calibre ng baril at mga bala. The gun looks new and shiny clean.

"Here's the gun, Sir."

Lumapit si Ares doon at kinuha ang baril. Tinignan niya ang bawat detalye ng hawak. Nang mukhang nakuntento sa baril, tumango siya.

"This will be fine,"

The personnel of the shooting range left. Kaming dalawa na lang ang natitira dito sa shed. I waited for someone to come near us, but it didn't happen. Inakala kong may magtuturo kagaya ng mga nasa ibang shooting line ngunit wala.

I put my bag at the top of the table and watched him. He looked at me darkly while filling the gun with bullets expertly. Dahil sa tanawing iyon, halos nilipad ang utak ko.

"Do you want to try?"

"I don't know how to hold a gun,"

Bahagyang tumaas ang kanyang labi, halos manghamon.

"I can teach you..."

I'm really not sure about this. I stared at him and nodded. Pinagpatuloy ko ang panonood sa kanya.

Nang malagyan ng bala ang baril, inilapag niya iyon sa sa ibabaw ng lamesa. Hindi niya pa iyon kinasa kaya siguradong hindi pa puputok.

I wasn't able to get ready when he removed his black leather jacket revealing his white inner shirt. The muscles on his arm and his chest are perfect. Also, with his tattoo...

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang kanyang tattoo na nagsisimula sa likod ng kanyang kanang kamay patungo sa kanyang braso hanggang sa kanyang batok. Tuluyan kong napatunayan na sleeve tattoo nga ang mayroon siya.

Having a tattoo is not a crime, but looking at him, I'm already thinking that having a tattoo should be illegal. His appeal is unbelievably oozing.

The curiosity has been fulfilled and I can't believe the satisfaction I'm feeling. I can't remember myself getting attracted to someone like this.

Well, at least I will admit that. I'm attracted to him, but that's it.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at tinignan na lang ang iilang target sa harapan. Hindi ko na siya tinignan pa kaya nagulat ako nang maramdaman ang pagtayo niya sa gilid ko.

Before I could even get away from him, he carefully put the hearing protector on my ear together with the clear eyewear for my eyes. Hindi ako nakagalaw at sa huli, hinayaan ko lang.

Nang mailagay niya iyon sa akin, niyuko niya ako. He stared at me darkly before he licked his lips and get back to his business again.

Lumunok ako at pilit inayos ang sarili. I won't let my feelings control my actions. That's the last thing I will do.

I remained standing beside him as he put on the two protective gear and took the gun. Muli niya akong nilingon at tahimik na sinuri ang gear na suot ko. He made sure that my gear was secure before he went out of the shed.

He's only a meter away from me, the reason I can still see him clearly. I watched him fix his posture and direct his eagle sharp eyes on the target.

He looks dangerously hot with a gun on his hand together with the tattoo on his arms. Imbes na matakot sa baril, manghang-mangha pa ako sa nakikita.

Napabalik lang ako sa sarili nang nagsimula siyang magpaputok. He shot the three different targets three times and shockingly, he hit the center of the three targets!

Tanaw-tanaw ko mula rito ang butas sa tatlong target. Awang ang labi ko siyang tinignan nang bumalik siya sa tabi ko. Tinanggal niya ang hearing protection gear, ganoon din ang ginawa ko.

"You're an expert with this!" hindi ko napigilan ang sarili.

He smirked while filling the gun with bullets again.

"I don't think so,"

My forehead knotted with his remark.

"Yabang,"

He chuckled and looked at me.

"Now, it's your turn."

Umiling ako, nagbago na ang isip. Wala akong alam sa bagay na ito at kahit turuan niya ako, siguradong wala pa ring magbabago. I'm not even sure if I can go near with the target.

He only smirked and pulled me.

"Huwag na. Nagbago na ang isip ko!" matinding pagpigil ko.

Hindi niya ako binitawan at sa huli, wala akong nagawa nang pinatayo niya ako sa kanyang harapan.

He pulled me towards his hard chest that I couldn't move anymore. His hand landed on my waist as he tried to fix my posture. He raised both of my hands and made me hold the loaded gun.

"Stand straight and hold the gun fixed to your target." he whispered into my ear.

Kahit halos wala na sa sarili dahil sa kasalukuyang posisyon, pilit ko pa ring sinunod ang sinabi niya. I can already feel his breathe at the back of my ear.

Inilagay niya muli ang aking hearing protection bago muling hinawakan ang kamay ko na may baril. I couldn't hear him anymore, but I'm so attentive with his touch that is now demanding me to move.

He lifted my hand a bit and in one blink, he made me pull the trigger. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa sobrang bilis.

Maingat niyang tinanggal ang hearing gear ko matapos ang isang bala.

"Nice one," he whispered sensually.

Natigilan ako at hindi makapaniwalang tinanaw ang butas sa gitna ng target.

Bulls eye.