A Name Whispers Fear

Elara’s POV

Hindi ako nakatulog halos kagabi. Paulit-ulit na pumapasok sa isip ko ‘yung mga nangyari—‘yung tatlong lalaki, ‘yung suntok na parang kayang pumatay, at higit sa lahat… siya.

Si Damian.

Ang mga mata niya na parang kasalanan. His voice—low, lethal, at sobrang commanding. Paano mo ba makakalimutan ‘yon?

At the same time, isang tanong ang kumakain sa isip ko: sino ba talaga siya?

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“Girl, mukhang bangungot ang peg mo.” ani Maya, best friend ko, habang hinihigop ang milk tea niya sa canteen.

Napatingin ako sa kanya, sabay napairap. “I just… had a weird night.”

“Weird night as in, what? Weird dream? Weird guy? Spill!”

Umiling ako, pero halata sa mukha ko na may itinatago. Of course, Maya knows me too well.

“Fine.” Nagbuntong-hininga ako. “May mga lalaki kagabi… you know, mga lasing, bastos. They cornered me sa eskinita.”

Nanlaki ang mata ni Maya. “WHAT?! Elara, bakit hindi ka tumawag sa’kin? Or sa guard man lang?”

“I was about to, pero…” tumigil ako. Napalunok. “…someone helped me.”

Maya froze. Then she leaned closer, excited and worried at the same time. “Wait. Helped you? As in, pogi? Gwapo? Mabait? Rich? Sino?”

I pressed my lips together. My heart beat faster just saying his name. “His name is… Damian.”

The moment the name left my mouth, parang nawala lahat ng kulay sa mukha ni Maya.

Tumigil siya. Hindi na ngumiti. Hindi na nagtatawa.

“Elara,” bulong niya, seryoso bigla. “Don’t joke about that name.”

Napakunot ang noo ko. “What do you mean? You know him?”

Maya leaned closer, halos pabulong. “Everyone knows him. Damian Blackthorn. Elara… he’s not just some guy. He’s dangerous.”

Nanginginig ang kamay ko habang pinipilit kong magpaka-normal. “Dangerous how?”

Maya glanced around, making sure walang nakikinig. “He’s the Blackthorn heir. The family na may hawak ng—” tumigil siya, bumaba pa ang boses. “Syndicate. Drugs. Guns. Even politicians. Elara, they don’t just own businesses. They own the city.”

Parang biglang bumigat ang hangin sa paligid.

“Are you saying… he’s a criminal?”

“Not just criminal.” Maya swallowed. “He’s the criminal. The one everyone fears. The name mothers whisper when they warn their kids. Damian Blackthorn is the kind of man na kapag tumingin sa’yo… either protektado ka—o doomed ka.”

Biglang bumalik sa isip ko ‘yung gabi kagabi. The thugs running. The way he punched without hesitation. The way he looked at me—like I was already his.

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko.

Maya’s words were like knives: protektado ka—o doomed ka.

At hindi ko alam kung alin doon ang akin.

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Damian’s POV

Her name has been burning on my tongue all day.

Elara.

My dove.

I thought I could let her walk away kagabi. Thought I could just enjoy the thrill of scaring those rats away. But no. The taste of fear in her eyes, the fire in her defiance—it lingered.

I wanted more.

Sitting inside my black car, tinted windows hiding me, I watched her from across the street. She was with her little friend—Maya. Chattering, sipping bubble tea, laughing nervously.

I smirked. Maya knew me. Of course she did. Everyone does. The Blackthorn name is enough to silence a room.

But Elara… she was different. She didn’t know, not until today. And now she’s looking pale, troubled, her hand gripping her cup too tightly.

Good. Fear was settling in. My shadow was already crawling into her veins.

I lit a cigarette, the smoke curling as I leaned back.

She’d learn soon enough—there’s no running from me. Once Damian Blackthorn touches your life, you’re bound.

And Elara Cruz… was already mine.

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Elara’s POV

Pag-uwi ko, hindi ako mapakali. Hindi nawala sa utak ko ‘yung sinabi ni Maya.

The one everyone fears.

Pero bakit ako? Bakit ako ang tinulungan niya? Bakit ako ang tinitingnan niya na parang may claim?

Naglakad-lakad ako sa kwarto, hindi makatulog, hindi makaisip ng tama. Then suddenly, naramdaman ko—parang may tumitig.

Lumapit ako sa bintana.

At doon ko siya nakita.

Sa ilalim ng poste ng ilaw sa kalsada. Nakasandal sa kotse niya, naninigarilyo. His eyes—fixed on my window.

Damian Blackthorn.

I froze.

At sa loob-loob ko, alam ko… wala na ‘kong takas.

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