Chapter 5 (ASWANG)

CRIMSON

I immediately rose from my bed as I felt scared again of what happened last night. The man... that gorgeous man is an evil one. 

He is no human. 

I remember how his eyes brightened in the dark. I could not forget it. He was like a beast ready to attack and instantly saved me from falling... and it made me mesmerized by him.

Oh, gee! How could I have these mixed emotions now for him? I was in between scared and thankful, frightened and curious. Probably, I am getting sick because of what I experienced at the club last night. It was nothing special. I was only enthralled by his gesture as he helped me from falling.  

I was in that deep thought when I heard some sounds coming from my five-year-old phone. I picked it up and immediately answered the caller. 

It was Daisy calling. 

"Hello..." my voice trailed off while answering the incoming call as my mind was into remembering how I got home after the incident. 

All I could recollect was being frightened when I saw the eyes of that man, whom I recall that last name is Adamos, changed into a fiery red. And I remember what I felt while he was asking about my price. I felt degraded and categorized. 

But there is something that happened that I could not place off now... there is something weird that occurred, and I know it... I felt it... but the funny thing is, it was no longer in my thoughts like it was deleted. 

The only thing I could think of was how his eyes changed to like a flaming red. It was like that and... after that I... I accidentally fell. It was so close my head almost hit the marble floor when he saved me.   

Yeah, he helped me even though the funny thing is... I became afraid of him for something I no longer remember aside from his eyes that glistened in the dark. 

I went home straight after I ran out of the club as fast as I could. Daisy could not stop me from going home nor did the manager. 

“You need to come here,” I heard Daisy say on the other line as she stopped me from recollecting my thoughts of what had happened last night. 

“No, I can’t.” I immediately shook my head as if Daisy could see my gesture. I do not want to go to that club anymore. I will look for some sideline but no more substituting in that club. 

Truth is... I am still scared of that man. Adamos. 

“You need to come here, Crim. You need to get your payment. The man gave you a hundred grand for your performance last night. I think he likes you,” Daisy giggled. “Lucky girl you are, Crim!” she exclaimed. 

I went dumbfounded. 

Why would Mr. Adamos wanna give me that amount of money? 

Why would he double the amount? 

I did not finish the performance and failed to do my pole dance stints. It was a flop.

“No, Dey. I—I can’t accept that.” 

“But why? You danced last night. It seems he liked it to even double the amount.”

“No, Dey. I did not finish the dance. I slipped and failed to complete it. That is why I instantly went home, for I was afraid the manager would get mad at me,” I explained but omitted the truth that I was afraid of Mr. Adamos himself. 

“Oh…” Daisy hushedly said it. “Then... Why did he like to give you this money as payment? He surely likes you, Crim.”

"Oh, gee!" I shook my head vigorously as I did not want to think that way. I do not like that possibility!

"But... what would be his reason for giving you this amount if he did not like you?" 

“I... I really don’t know either,” I answered and started to look at myself in the mirror. I looked like someone that was wasted, my messy hair and… and why did I feel soreness in my right hip? 

Holy cow... It felt like I was hit by something last night. 

“If I return this payment for you to the manager, he will probably take this money. You know how money hungry he is, right?” 

I nodded knowingly. “Just give it back to Mr. Adamos, Dey..."

"Mr. Adamos?" 

"The man we are talking about. Just tell him please that I couldn't accept that money.” 

"Okay, but are you sure? Crim, this hundred thousand bucks could help you with your plan," Daisy emphasized the 'plan' word, and I almost got tempted. 

I sighed. “Dey, I need to go. I need to prepare now to go to the flower shop,” I said to excuse myself and end our phone conversation. 

I brushed my teeth as fast as I could and took a bath. I wore my usual simple clothes, my white t-shirt and denim pants. I wore my old sneakers and went outside the small apartment I occupied after I made a bun of my hair.  

I walked, and since the flower shop was just a walking distance, I did not look for a cab to ride. Saving money still matters to me but taking a huge sum of it from someone without valid reasons made me doubt its purpose. 

A hundred grand that was tempting me, but still a no for an answer!

Yes, it will surely help me, but I still believe the thought that easy money is not clean money. 

And oh, God… Even though I know that the money would be a great help for someone like me, still I won't take it. 

I am not comfortable thinking of someone paying me for a failed performance. Why would he want to pay me that amount? It was like he was buying me... me as a person... or me as a woman. 

I stopped stepping forward, closed my eyes first, and counted from one to ten. I need to relax and not think any more of what happened last night. 

Daisy even said last night that Mr. Adamos is a big shot. I know he is not just rich but incredibly rich. Still, the irony of paying a pole dancer for a failed performance is not the same as donating money to a charity. 

I wasn’t like a charity last night. I was like some flesh worker who used dancing to work for a club and find a man to pick me up. I was like that, someone with a price on my head and for sale to whoever wanted to F me. 

And sadly... Mr. Adamos is a handsome devil and a rich man. He is out of my league. 

For someone like that man... with his looks and status... a woman who denied his wants was nothing as he had too many options waiting and crawling at his feet.

I dismissed my thought as it started to sadden me. This feeling towards someone is not a good emotion for me. I should stop this.

I was near the flower shop when I noticed it was already open. Wow! Mrs. Li's store had a customer at an early hour as I saw a car in the parking area for the shop's customers. It is a sports car, and even though I have no idea about cars, just looking at it made me know how expensive it is. 

Wow for the second time! Another big time is buying flowers for his loved one for sure, and that is for certain the reason why Mrs. Li entertained the customer even though the store supposedly should still be closed at this hour. 

I was near the entrance door of the establishment when I saw Mrs. Li talking to that VIP. I was preparing my smile when I stopped continuing my walk. 

Shocks! I knew the customer inside. I knew it was him... It was Mr. Adamos. Again.

Flashes from last night came to my mind, especially how I vividly remember his eyes turning red, which made me shiver with fear. I was getting scared and I liked it more than getting amazed by his fast reflexes when he saved me. 

I think he was here to look for me. And even though only his back was all I could see... his masculinity and overpowering aura wanted to penetrate my mind and emotion. 

I stepped back as I didn't want to enter the establishment anymore when two women almost pushed me to make way as they entered the shop.

As the door opens, the door chime makes a sound. Mrs. Li and the man named Adamos glanced at the entrance door and found me standing there. I had no chance to go away as they already saw me. I entered the store and smiled like it was my normal day working for Mrs. Li.  

“Crim, there you are. Mr. Adamos is looking for you.” Mrs. Li smiling widely made me wonder why she seemed happy and not angry. I thought this man said nasty things about me. 

Oh no… wait! Maybe this man is trying to lure Mrs. Li. What if this man is like the folklore creatures called ‘aswang’ in this country? 

Yeah... that's right! What if aswang is true? 

I saw how his eyes turned red last night and only an aswang could do that based on stories as old as the pre-colonial period here in this country started.

What is aswang? 

Well… Aswang is the usual term for most of those shape-shifting evil creatures in Filipino folklore. The aswang is the subject of a wide variety of myths, stories, arts, and movies, as it is well known throughout the Philippines. 

Anyway, I don’t believe in the stories of aswang… but it was before and I am starting to doubt my belief since I met this man whose last name is Adamos. He is an aswang, I know it for sure and that is why he sniffed me yesterday morning when I delivered the roses to his penthouse. 

“G-good morning, Mrs. Li,” I greeted my employer but I just bypassed the man she was talking to. I didn’t even give him a glance. I don’t like to. I am still feeling the fire in his flaming gazes last night. 

“It’s so nice that you are here, Crim. Our regular customer, Mr. Adamos, was so happy to commend you for the nice delivery service you offered yesterday.”

My brows furrowed and formed a crease on my forehead. What the F! What nice delivery was she talking about? 

Oh! Was that the reason why this man told me yesterday that I needed to inform Mrs. Li that he wanted to talk? Did he want to commend me? 

Sweet! Duh! As if I believed that... I won't buy that. It’s so lame for a reason. 

And I thought they already talked yesterday afternoon... Sounds suspicious, right? 

So why is he here? 

One valid reason, he is here because he is an aswang. He cannot attack me since it's morning, aswang attacks only at midnight... so I am safe. 

Argh! I should stop myself from thinking stupid things, there is no aswang, this man is not an aswang. 

I looked into Mr. Adamos’ eyes and that made me feel that I was lost. I don’t know why but his stares are like hypnotizing me. 

“Leave us,” the man commanded the shop owner and she immediately stepped away from us and even left us all alone in her store. I wondered why Mrs. Li follows the command of this man as easy as that, she even told the other customers choosing flowers that the store is closed already. 

Closed? 

It was already eight in the morning. Was it opened so early to be closed at eight? Weird.

Stupid thoughts succumbed to my system again... this man is not an aswang. He is not a Filipino and aswangs are only Filipinos. Is this man a vampire or a… a werewolf? 

No! Those are not true either. I won't believe in any supernatural things that can only be seen in movies, TV series, and programs.

“I like you,” the man stated without further ado which made my eyes bulge. 

Uh-oh… Does he want me in his bed or want me as his food? Why do I feel that it was the latter? I am thinking it was the latter and I know he wants to eat me when…

“No! You have a girlfriend!” I said stupidly and when I realized it, I can’t take back my words anymore. 

“That woman is just my servant,” he explained even though he doesn’t need to do it.  

“I… I don’t like you and please take your money from the club that you pay for the dance I did last night, it was a flop show so I can’t take the money.”

“That’s not a payment for your dance. It’s a payment for the chance you gave me to talk to you,” he said huskily and I don’t know why I felt I am getting weak with his gazes. 

No, this can’t be! He isn’t the only hot guy who has talked to me, there are lots of attractive men who blatantly told me before that they wanna date me but I refused for the same reason, I have no time for flirting. I need to earn and that is all I want… money. 

“You are badly needing money, right?” he asked me which made me wonder why he asked that. 

Does he read minds? Oh no! I think aswangs not only eat babies in the bellies but also read minds.

“I’m not pregnant!” I exclaimed without realizing that I was uttering words that were supposed to be on my mind only. 

“Pregnant?” He frowned.

“No. I’m not!” 

“And who says you are?”

“Ugh! Nevermind, Mr. Adamos, I don't like you. Sorry.”

“Call me Solo.” 

Solo? Why does his name sound weird but... but sexy and hot to me? 

Oh, gosh… this is not good! I was scared last night of him but now I am talking to him casually. 

Casually? This is not casual talk. This is a stupid me talking to a gorgeous man who saw me doing a sexy pole dance last night, then I remember his eyes turned to… to… to what is it again? 

“Solo…” I said his name as if I were tasting it. I looked at him and blinked multiple times, why does it seem I forgot everything that happened last night?  

“It is still too early, I haven’t eaten my breakfast.” His fingers played with some strands of my hair and I don’t know why I was in a trance as if I can’t make him stop his advances on me. Then he touched my left cheek. 

“Beautiful… and delicious.” He sniffed my neck and then I felt his mouth on the side of it. I felt a prick on my skin as if he had bitten me but he instantly stood straight while looking at my neck. 

“What the fuck* are you?!” he harshly said and that made me touch my neck and check what he did to me. 

As I faced him again to ask what he did to me, he was no longer there. 

Hey… What the fudge! Where is he?!