CHAPTER 2: Penthouse, Silk, and Handcuffs

Ang lamig ng gabi sa labas ay tila walang epekto sa loob ng customized matte-black SUV ni Rafael. Inside the tinted vehicle, the atmosphere was suffocatingly warm, heavy with the rich scent of leather and Rafael’s intoxicating cologne.

Si Frances ay nakaupo sa passenger seat, habang si Rafael ay nasa tabi niya, prenteng nakasandal at pinapanood ang bawat galaw niya. Sa back seat naman ay ang dalawa sa kaniyang mga tauhan na sina Gino at Marco—na ngayon ay may ice pack na nakatapat sa kaniyang basag na ilong.

"Bossing," panimula ni Frances, dahan-dahang iniinom ang natitirang boba sa kaniyang baso. "Saan niyo ba talaga ako dadalhin? Kasi kung sa abandoned warehouse din lang ulit, medyo nakakasawa na 'yung aesthetic. Mas gusto ko 'yung may magandang lighting para aesthetic din 'yung hostage photos ko."

Si Gino at Marco sa likod ay sabay na napasinghap. Mabilis na nagkatinginan ang dalawang matitipunong lalaki na parang hindi makapaniwala na may lakas ng loob ang babaeng ito na kausapin ang kanilang Capo nang ganoon.

Rafael didn't yell. Instead, a tiny, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. Inilagay niya ang kaniyang siko sa may bintana at ipinatong ang kaniyang baba sa kaniyang kamao, his dark eyes tracking every shift in Frances's expression.

"You speak too much, tesoro," Rafael said softly, his voice a quiet murmur that cut through the engine's hum. "In my line of work, loud people don't last very long."

"Aba, Bossing, sa buhay ngayon, kapag tahimik ka, tatapakan ka lang," palaban na sagot ni Frances habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "At tsaka, kasalanan ko bang na-kidnap ako habang gutom? Try mo kayang maging hostage nang walang laman ang tiyan?"

Bumaba ang tingin ni Rafael sa hawak niyang boba cup, bago muling tumingin sa kaniyang mga mata. "We're going to my penthouse. And yes, there is food."

Pagkaraan ng dalawampung minuto, pumasok ang sasakyan sa underground garage ng isang ultra-exclusive high-rise tower sa Bonifacio Global City. The private elevator went straight up to the top floor, opening directly into a massive, minimalist penthouse. High ceilings, glass walls showing the Manila skyline, and black velvet furniture dominated the space.

Pumasok si Frances habang nakatingala. "Ang yaman naman ni Bossing... Ito ba ang bunga ng hindi pagbabayad ng tax?"

"Gino," utos ni Rafael habang tinatanggal ang kaniyang suit jacket at itinatapon ito sa sofa. "Order a full Italian dinner. And get... whatever it is she eats."

"Samgyupsal, Kuya! Extra kimchi and cheese dip!" habol ni Frances bago pa makalabas si Gino.

Nang maiwan silang dalawa sa malaking sala, naglakad si Rafael papunta sa bar counter para magbuhos ng scotch. Unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt, he turned around and leaned against the mahogany bar, taking a slow sip.

"Now," Rafael started, his gaze turning razor-sharp. "Let's talk about our situation, Francesca."

"Anong situation? You kidnapped me. Simple," sagot niya habang nakatayo sa gitna ng sala, nakahalukipkip at nakatingin sa kaniya.

"It’s not that simple," Rafael countered, taking a step toward her. Bawat hakbang niya ay tila nakakapagpadagdag ng boltahe sa ere. "You saw Marco. You saw the guns. My rivals, the Moretti syndicate, already have eyes on that warehouse. If they find out an innocent civilian walked out of there alive, they will assume you are my witness... or my weakness."

Napatigil si Frances. Ang mga mata niyang kanina pa puno ng biro ay biglang nanliit. "Weakness? Magkakilala nga lang tayo limang minuto ang nakalipas!"

"They don't care about details," Rafael growled softly, stopping right in front of her. Towering over her small frame, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek pair of silver handcuffs.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Frances. "Wait! Hold on! Bossing, teka lang! Anong gagawin mo diyan?! W*****d romance ba 'to o police operation?!"

Before she could step back, Rafael grabbed her hand with surprising gentleness, clicking one side of the cuff around her slender wrist. Then, with a smooth twist, he clicked the other side to his own left wrist.

CLICK.

The cold metal pressed against her skin, binding her directly to the most dangerous man in the city.

"Rafael!" sigaw ni Frances, the flush on her cheeks turning violently red. "Ano 'to?!"

Rafael leaned down until his lips were just inches away from her ear, his hot breath sending a violent wave of shivers down her spine. His free hand slowly wrapped around her waist, pulling her impossibly close until her chest was pressed against his broad, tattooed torso.

"This," Rafael whispered, his deep voice dripping with dangerous promise, "is to make sure you don't do anything stupid tonight. Until I figure out how to keep you safe, Francesca... you're tied to me."

Frances looked up into his dark, possessive eyes, feeling the rapid beat of her own heart racing against his. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry.

"Bossing..." she squeaked softly, her brave front crumbling just a tiny bit under his intense stare. "Paano ako kakain ng samgyupsal nang nakatali sa'yo?"

A slow, breath-taking smile spread across Rafael's lips—the first genuine smile she had seen on his face.

"Then I guess," Rafael purred, his fingers tightening slightly on her waist, "I'll just have to feed you myself."