Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Tattoo Artist: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

When I pushed open the heavy glass door of the Nightshade Tattoo Studio, the wind chime above it rang out in a crisp cascade of sound.Henry Kane sat on a tall stool behind the workstation, wearing a black mask as he lowered his head and sketched.The air-conditioning ran cold inside the shop, carrying a faint blend of disinfectant and sharp tobacco. It was an unmistakable scent that belonged only to him.At the sound, he did not even look up; only the pencil in his hand paused for a brief moment.A black T-shirt stretched across his broad back, and with each breath, his shoulder blades lifted the fabric, outlining muscle lines taut with restrained power.In that instant, excited comments filled my vision:“Ahhh! Those shoulders! That waistline! I could just embrace him from behind…”“Hey, stop daydreaming! Henry is desperately suppressing the restlessness inside him. His woman is here, and he can barely hide his tail!”“So this is the legendary beast in human form? He’s just

The comments exploded instantly:“Ahhh! That sounded so good it killed me!”“Did you see Henry’s ears turn red? This pure-hearted beast is shy!”“That soft whimper was basically toeing the ferocious beast’s danger zone! Henry’s sanity meter must be nearly drained!”“This is the moment! Female lead, make your move! His defenses are at their weakest!”Provoked by the barrage of comments, my face heated up.That pent-up frustration, the longing to touch him yet not daring to, mixed with the days of suppressed yearning, instantly shattered my reason.Before I could think, I turned around and met the eyes that had not yet managed to rein in their emotions.Our gazes locked.Henry’s hand holding the cotton swab stiffened in midair.“Um… Hi…”I drew in a deep breath, my fingers twisting the hem of my shirt as I gathered every ounce of courage I had.“Since this piece is ruined, then I… I want to get a new one somewhere else.”Henry looked at me quietly, his voice so low and hoars

In the few seconds I spent hesitating, Henry had already walked behind me.He said nothing, not even the teasing remark he had made earlier.The hand in the black glove clenched the tattoo machine tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force.That suppressed despair, the kind that wanted to destroy everything yet had no choice but to restrain itself, was so intense it made my heart jolt.“Lie down.”The words were brief, his voice cold as ice.I obediently lay back down, hardly daring to breathe.Just then, my phone screen lit up again.Ethan had sent a message:[Wear something nice tomorrow night. You have to outshine everyone. Make my parents feel like this money was well spent. Whatever you do, don’t let anything slip!]The notification popped up at the worst possible angle, directly in Henry’s line of sight.Although I reacted quickly and turned off the screen, the prickling sensation only grew sharper.I was finished. He completely misunderstood it.Henry did not

The next evening, Ethan’s flashy sports car pulled up outside my house, right on time.“Miss Rivers, please,” he said as he offered me his arm.He wore a crisp white suit, looking every bit the playboy, while I was dressed in the champagne-colored gown he had picked out for me. I took a deep breath and silently recited in my mind: “For Henry’s motorcycle, I’ll endure anything.”“Remember to send the motorcycle to me,” I reminded him.“Don’t worry. You’ll get it,” he replied.I looped my arm through his and stepped into the grand ballroom.The hall glittered with gold, filled with swirling perfumes and elegant chatter.The moment Ethan entered, he flaunted himself like a peacock, parading me across the room.The recently returned heiress of the Whitmans kept her eyes fixed on us, her gaze sharp enough to devour someone.For the motorcycle, I endured every humiliation, occasionally playing along with Ethan’s so-called misty-eyed looks.“Look at her! She’s so jealous!” Ethan w

The kiss ended, and my legs went weak. I could only hang onto Henry as he steadied his breath.“Now that you’ve drawn me to you, don’t even think about running,” he whispered possessively.I laughed between gasps. “I won’t run. Even if you try to push me away, I won’t leave!”Suddenly, footsteps echoed outside.“Strange… I clearly saw her run this way just now.”It was Ethan.Henry’s eyes darkened, and he moved toward the door.I grabbed his arm. “Don’t. Let him keep searching.”He looked down at me, a wicked smile forming at the corner of his lips.“Fine. As you say.”We huddled in the supply room like two schoolchildren caught doing mischief.The tension between us thickened again.Henry’s hand unconsciously brushed against my lower back, the spot of my new tattoo.“Does it hurt?”“No… not anymore.”“Claire?”“Yes?”“I… I’m not a normal man…” he whispered, voice tinged with unease.“I know.”“You do?” Henry’s eyes widened in surprise.I pointed at the air.