There are always a lot of different sides in every story.

This is a short special chapter written in Vivienne Leigh's Point of View. Enjoy!~

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The Night Before | After the Secret Meeting

       "You're not who you say you are, are you?"

       I turned to the guy sitting beside me, his face showing no expression. Tilting my head sidewards, I can't help but wonder how the both of us got here... How the both of us ended up sitting in the hood of his car, with the whole Town Center quiet below us.

       Ang plano ko lang naman ay magpahangin. I asked Arianne to drop me off in TC after that secret meeting, she insisted on taking me home but I rejected the offer... for I, myself, doesn't even know where my home is. So, I just quickly reasoned out and told her I'm going to grab something first before heading home. Mabuti nalang, sa huli, pumayag din siyang ibaba nalang ako rito.

       Napagpasyahan ko ring magpalipas nalang ng oras sa coffee shop na paborito niya. I've been watching Arianne since who knows when, and I already memorized her routine, her favorite places and her favorite foods. It's my task.

        Aalis na sana ako nang may humintong sasakyan sa harapan ko, paglabas na paglabas ko ng coffee shop. I quickly recognized the car, and who owns it.

       Travis Montecillo's Red Mazda CX5...

       And like what I expected, the most handsome Montecillo, in my opinion, came out of his car. His hands on his hoodie's pocket, looking like a damn boyfriend material. There's a hint of pride in his eyes, as if saying that he's proud he found me.

        "Vivienne..." The way he called my name sent shivers down my spine. Damn, why? Why am I feeling so... weird?

       Naalala ko noong unang beses na dumapo ang mga mata ko sa kanya. Nang dumating sila ng mga kapatid niya sa Academy, bago magpasukan. It's also the day I arrived at the school, but of course I am aware of who they are, who wouldn't be? Pero aaminin ko namang matagal tagal na simula nang huli ko siyang makita and I didn't give any damn back then. But that day... that day was different. There was something in him that I couldn't fathom... something that made me curious about him. He have this intimidating yet inviting aura surrounding him, is it possible?

       And it felt like luck was on my side. Si Arianne lang naman dapat ang babantayan ko, kaso palagi siyang kasama ng magkakapatid, kaya palagi ko rin siyang napagmamasdan.

       Travis.. The way he spoke, the way he acted, smiled and attended to a particular someone got me... interested. Masyado lang akong naguguluhan dahil ibang iba siya pagdating sa kanya... and now I know why.

       "Can I talk to you?" His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. At ewan ko ba, pero tumango nalang ako sa tanong niya. I don't even know why.

       Sumakay kami pareho sa sasakyan niya, at nag drive siya papunta sa may overlooking coffee shop sa bungad ng Town Center. There was nothing but silence surrounding us. Hindi naman siya nagsalita, at wala rin naman akong sasabihin kaya nanahimik lang ako. Pagdating namin sa coffee shop ay agad siyang nag parking, malapit sa may dulo at bumili ng maiinom.

       I just sat at the hood of his car, enjoying the stillness of the night and admiring the exquisite view the Town Center offers. Nang dumating siya ay ganoon lang din ang ginawa niya. It lasted for almost fifteen minutes before he uttered that question.

       "You're not who you say you are, Vivienne." Gone was the interrogation in his sentence for it is now replaced by something else. I guess he took my silence as a yes to his question.

       "I never should've underestimated your Ability, Empath." Isang kibit-balikat lang ang ibinigay niya sa akin bago sumimsim ng kape na binili niya. I can't help but stare at him.

       I know... I know we both had a physical contact earlier. Pero sobrang dali lang no'n, na parang hanging dumaan lang, kaya hindi ko akalaing sa ganoon lang ay magkaka-access agad siya sa buong emosyon ko. I didn't know it triggered him, to the point that he went out at this time, only to ask me about it.

       Sighing, I turned my gaze on a different direction. Sakto namang lumingon siya muli sa akin para magtanong.

       "What is your story, Vivienne?" His question got me caught off guard. I was expecting him to ask about things like what I'm really doing, or to whom am I really working for... but this– this isn't what I predicted.

       Hindi ako nakasagot agad sa tanong niya. I looked at him, dazed at what he just asked. Of all the questions he can ask, why that particular one?

       Ngayon lang... ngayon lang may nagtanong sa akin ng ganyan.

       In my whole life, people only came to me to give me tasks. They only approached me and talked to me about missions and orders. When you ask someone about their story... it's like asking them of their side, their feelings, their opinions and their life.  And I never had a chance to experience such... question. Never did anyone ask me how I am, or what my journey is. Yet... this guy...

       "Why are you asking?" I want to know... why. Gusto kong malaman kung naghahanap lang ba siya ng dumi na magagamit laban sa akin, o kung gusto talaga niyang malaman ang side ko. I want and I need to know.

       Travis gave me a half but genuine smile, before answering. "Because I already know what you really are, but I don't know if it's the truth."

       Umismid naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Don't you trust your Ability, Empath?" I'm pretty sure he already got me... and the truth figured out.

       "Emotions... can be really complicated sometimes. They are misleading. At kung sa ganoong paraan kita makikilala, unfair iyon sa iyo. It's already bad that I invaded your privacy, and if I don't hear your own side... that's worse. You deserve to tell your own story... to have others heard your own version of it." Why is this guy being like this?

       Umiling nalang ako sa kanya. "There is no need. You can just assume whatever it is you that you found out."

       Akala ko sasang-ayon na siya at hindi na magtatanong pa. Akala ko tatahimik nalang siya at hindi na itutuloy pa ang pagtatanong. Pero hindi, dahil nagpakawala siya ng isang mahinang tawa.

       "The emotion you feel right now says otherwise." Forehead creasing, I turned to him. His laughter has changed into a boxy smile.

       Bumuntong hininga nalang ako at inalis na ang tingin sa kanya. "There's no escaping from you, huh?"

       "I'm afraid so." I can't help but smile a little.

       Where do I begin? How do I start?

       "It's Arianne.."

       "The person I'm really protecting and watching... it's Arianne." Panimula ko, kahit na alam ko namang alam na niya.

       Travis didn't answer. He just gave me his attentive eyes, as if waiting for the things I'm about to say. Weird as it is, I really feel like I can open up to him. I feel like he will understand my story.

       "I grew up without knowing who my father is. It was just me and Nanay and that's fine with me, I was happy. Lahat ata ng pagmamahal binigay niya na sa akin. Pinunan niya yung kawalan ko ng Ama. Pero hindi ata sapat yung pagmamahal na binalik ko para sabihin niya sa akin ang totoo."

       Napansin ko ang pagkunot ng noo ni Travis sa gilid ng mga mata ko, pero hindi ko siya nilingon. If I am to spill all of this, I need courage. And looking at him will be a wrong move.

      "When Nanay died, I felt lost and scared. I didn't know what to do... and then Papa appeared. Umiiyak lang ako ng mag-isa no'n sa bahay, natatakot. Alam ko kasing anumang oras darating na ang kung sino na kukuha sa akin, para dalhin ako sa kung saang Foundation. I know I still have a family left, a family that can take care of me... but for some reason, they didn't want me, so I didn't bother, too. Ni hindi nga ata nila alam na wala na si Nanay."

       "Dumating sila, alam mo ba? Ang dami nila. Handang-handa na silang kunin ako, kupkupin o kung ano pa. Kaso biglang dumating ang Mommy mo." Napansin ko namang nagulat si Travis sa sinabi ko, pero hindi ko pa rin siya nilingon.

       "I was surprised, because I didn't know her personally... or so I thought. It turned out that your Mom and my Nanay were close. Kinausap niya yung mga gustong kumuha sa akin. Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya no'n, humahanga. She really looked so elegant and soft-spoken yet overflowing with authority. I even thought that she was the one who will take care of me." A small smile escaped from my lips as I reminisce that moment. I still remember how Mrs. Montecillo looked that day.

       "Noong naka-alis na yung mga taga-Foundation, kinausap niya ako. Ang sabi niya, may kailangan siyang ipakilala sa akin. She even gave me a tight hug while she was saying sorry for my loss. And Papa, he came a few seconds after that. Doon ko pa lang nalaman ang lahat."

       "Thinking about it now, it was frightening. The fact that I had a father, and he knew all this time that I was alive... The fact that my Nanay intentionally hid the truth from me, and was hell bent on stopping my father from getting close to me... It was very scary." I can't help but let out a humorless laugh.

       "Naisip ko nga, parang mas gusto ko pa noong hindi ko alam. Kasi takot lang ako no'n, takot kung anong mangyayari sa'kin. But I'm also happy when I found out I still have a father, it's just that... it wasn't easy to accept. I didn't know what to feel, and how to react... and that's what I don't like."

       Kapag kasi nasanay ka sa isang bagay tapos biglang nagbago yung kinasanayan mo, hindi iyon madali. Para kang pwersahang tinanggal sa comfort zone. Para kang sapilitang itinulak sa bagong mundo. Change is normal, but a forced one isn't. Hindi iyon madaling tanggapin. It's a different kind of pain that no one will understand.

       "It must've been really hard for you." Except this Empath beside me, I guess. He knows and see things in a way others will never understand.

       "Akala ko makakasama ko na si Papa noon. Kaso nalaman ko rin na may sarili siyang pamilya. He admitted everything to me, he told me he have his own family and that his wife, Tita Aleece, knows about me. Dinala pa niya ako sa kanila, dahil andoon daw si Tita. Natatakot pa ako noong una na baka ayaw niya sa'kin, pero hindi. She welcomed me with open arms." Diba dapat kapag ganoom masaya ako? Pero takot pa ang mas nangingibabaw sa akin. The fear of unfamiliarity, of not knowing what's waiting for me.

       "Tita Aleece and Papa, they were kind. Doon nila ako pinatira sa bahay nila dahil palagi naman palang wala si Tita, at ang mga anak niya. It turned out that she was just home for a visit, because she left Arianne and Anthony back in the States. Bumalik din siya agad noon, at gusto nilang ipaalam sa dalawa ang tungkol sa akin pero tumanggi ako. I just didn't want them to know, yet."

        I was uncomfortable. It felt like I don't know how to act anymore. Masaya naman ako, pero sadyang hindi ko maintindihan. I felt more lost.

        "You felt out of place?" Tumango naman ako kay Travis nang marinig ko ang tanong niya. I was right, he understands.

       "Kaya doon ako nagsimulang magpumilit na kung pwede sa bahay nalang ako namin titira. My father was adamant at first, he didn't want to agree. But in the end, he approved of it. Only of course with the condition that he will visit me weekly, and that I will accept all of his financial support." I remember how strongly he disagreed that time.

       "Wala naman akong magawa kung hindi pumayag nalang, kesa hindi niya ako pagbigyan. Hindi ko rin naman ginagamit ang mga binigay niya. I wanted to experience to earn money and stand on my own, naisip ko baka sa ganoong paraan mas maging madali sa akin ang tanggapin ang mga bagay bagay. Kaya nga nag-apply ako sa Montecillo Academy through scholarship. Papa was furious but there was nothing he can do."

       Naalala ko gusto niya pa na sabay kami mag-enroll noon ni Arianne, dahil nakauwi na pala sila ng Hillwood. Pero tumanggi ako, dahil mas lalong umurong ang lakas ng loob kong sabihin sa mga kapatid ko ang totoo. Maybe I was just scared... that they won't accept me.

       "Seeing that Arianne still doesn't know the truth about you, it means your Father still hasn't told her. Paano mo siya napilit na huwag munang ipaalam sa kanila?" Curious na tanong ng katabi ko.

       Nilingon ko naman siya at mginitian, bago sinagot. "I made a deal with him."

       "The thing is, he wanted me to stop working so I can finally focus on studying, but I refused. I think he already grew frustrated that's why he offered me a job instead, a job that won't compromise my studies." Kumunot naman ang noo ni Travis sa sinabi ko.

       "What job?"

       "To watch over Arianne." Ang babaeng iyon, masyadong curious sa mga bagay. She thinks that our father doesn't know about her digging things up, but he actually knows. Alam nila ni Tita Aleece na hindi nila mapapatigil si Arianne sa pag-iimbestiga sa mga bagay bagay, kahit na pwede niyang ikapahamak... Kaya iyon nalang ang pinagawa sa akin ni Papa: ang bantayan ang kapatid ko.

        "So that is the reason why you keep on watching over us... Because she's always with my sister." He nodded as if he's answering his own question. Napa-iling nalang ako at napangiti.

       "Yes, but your sister caught me once. I still can't believe that she used her ability to hide Arianne from my sight." Dahil sa sinabi ko ay natawa naman siya. That girl is just really cute. Nakakatuwa dahil ramdam kong ayaw niya sa akin, pero alam ko naman kung ano ang pinanggagalingan ng feeling niyang iyon... kaya ayos lang sa akin.

       "That's just Alexandria. She's very protective." Agreed.

       Itinagilid ko naman ang ko para matitigan siya.

        "You know it's not good, right? Alexandria's willingness to protect everyone around her... That attitude will put her life in danger one day." Alam kong nakuha ko ang atensyon ni Travis sa sinabi ko dahil lumungkot ang mukha niya. Alam ko rin namang alam din niya iyon.

        "In order to protect our loved ones, one must pay the price of being the protector. Don't let it be your sister." Nasorpresa naman ako nang ngumiti siya at bumaling na sa tanawin sa ibaba.

       "I'm afraid that there's nothing I can do about that. It might not seem like it, but she's a hard-headed. And knowing Alexandria, she will always do everything just to ensure everyone's safety."

       "So, you will just let her risk her life?" Umiling naman agad siya sa tanong ko. "Of course not. I only said I won't stop her. That doesn't mean I won't stand by her." Ako naman ang natahimik at napatango nalang sa sinabi niya.

        He's giving her sister a free will– free will to do everything she wants to do. But he still has her back. For no matter what happens, Travis will make sure that he's there for her... Always.

       It must be nice to have a brother like him.

       For a moment, silence engulfed us. Walang nagsalita sa aming dalawa, at pareho lang kaming tumitig sa city lights sa ibaba.

       It lasted for a minute or two, before Travis broke it. "Why are you making it look like you work for our family?" Rinig kong tanong niya.

       "Haven't you met Arianne? She's a detective." Natawa naman siya sa sagot ko pero kita kong tumango rin siya sa gilid ng mga mata ko.

       Noong kinu-kwento palang sa akin nila Papa at Tita Aleece ang tungkol kay Arianne at Anthony, naisip ko na agad na baka isang araw kapag nagkrus ang landas naming magkapatid, ay mag-imbestiga siya. Syempre, ayokong malaman niyang magkapatid kami sa ganoong paraan. Gusto kong ako mismo ang magsasabi sa kanya, sa panahong handa na ako. Kaya kanila Mrs. Montecillo pinapadaan ni Papa ang lahat ng financial support na ibinibigay niya sa akin.

        "When Arianne finally confronted me about my connection with your Mom, I lied. I had to lie. I wasn't ready. Maswerte na nga lang ako na pinagtatakpan ako ng mga magulang mo." Too bad Travis got me figured out, though.

       "Don't be fooled by my brothers. I have a feeling that they don't believe you, especially with the way Alexandria acted earlier. One way or another, malalaman din nilang anak ka talaga ni Tito Favian." Tinanguan ko nalang siya at uminom na ako sa baso ng kapeng hawak ko.

       Alam ko namang hindi ko maloloko ang magkakapatid na ito. They're all just too smart. Baka nga alam na rin ni Yohan kung sino talaga ako. I just wish that they won't tell Arianne.

       "Your Mother and Tito Favian, how did they meet?" Natigilan naman ako sa tanong na binitawan niya. Akala ko hindi na kami aabot sa parteng iyon... pero sinong niloko ko? If I want to tell my story, it must be completed.

       He wants to know the truth, after all.

       Tumikhim muna ako at umupo ng maayos bago ako sumagot. "My mother never told me their story. Noong una, hindi ko alam kung bakit. Pero no'ng nalaman ko, saka ko lang narealize na may rason siya."

       I can feel his stare, eyes patiently waiting for the narration of my side, my story. He's giving off this genuine aura, as if saying that he's here to understand me, that he won't judge and more importantly... he will listen.

       The girl who can see the future is lucky... this guy is so into her.

       "I found out what really happened to my parents through your Mother. Since she is my Nanay's friend, she knows the story. Siya ang nag-kwento sa akin kung paano nagkakilala ang mga magulang ko." Noong bumalik na ako sa bahay, binisita ako isang beses ni Mrs. Montecillo. Aniya ay nangangamusta lang siya, pero ipinagluto niya pa ako noon. Sinaluhan niya rin ako sa pagkain, at doon niya naikwento ang nangyari kay Nanay.

       "Si Tita Aleece at si Papa pala, matagal na silang may gusto sa isa't isa. Kaso, kinailangang umalis ni Tita Aleece dahil iyon ang gusto ng family niya. So, when she left for States, Papa was devastated and broken. He started longing for her, for love and affection that only Tita Aleece can give... kaso wala siya." Naalala ko natuwa rin ako na may ganoong love story si Papa. It's a love that I would also want... one day. Pero syempre, may kaakibat iyong lungkot.

       "My Nanay visited Hillwood one time. Bumisita lang dapat siya para sa Mommy mo, pero nakilala niya si Papa. Hindi ko alam kung may pagkatanga ba ang Nanay ko, nagawa pa rin niyang magkagusto sa taong may ibang gusto. She fell for Papa, hard. She loved Papa, she cared for him, she did everything to make him happy again even though she was completely aware that her love was unrequited." Napansin ko namang tahimik pa rin si Travis, nakikinig pa rin sa kinukwento ko, kaya napabuntong hininga ako.

       Hindi ko alam kung bakit masyadong mapaglaro ang tadhana. Bakit ba tayo nagkaka-gusto sa taong may iba namang gusto? Bakit bigay pa rin tayo ng bigay ng pagmamahal kahit alam nating wala naman tayong matatanggap na kapalit?

       Bakit naging ganoon si Nanay?

       Magiging ganoon din ba ako?

       "Nanay then visited Hillwood almost everyday. Kulang na nga lang daw ay dito na siya tumira." I can't help but giggle at that. Kaya siguro nagalit ng sobra sa kanya sila Lola...

       "She was really... persevere. She was patient, too. Ang sabi sa'kin ng Mommy mo, hindi siya sumuko sa pagmamahal kay Papa. At nagbubunga rin talaga ang pag-iintay, 'no? Because one day, finally, Papa looked at Nanay, too." Nakita ko naman sa gilid ng aking mata ang pagngiti ni Travis.

       "Your Nanay's patient love has been reciprocated." Komento ng katabi ko, na tinanguan ko naman.

       Nanay must've been the happiest girl that time. Ang sarap siguro sa pakiramdam ng gano'n...

       "They were happy, but it only lasted for a few months. Sabi sa akin ng Mommy mo, nagulat nalang sila nang isang araw ay bumalik na si Tita Aleece. And knowing how Papa loves Tita so much, he came running back to her, leaving Nanay broken."

       Ang sakit sakit siguro ng gano'n. Ang magkagusto ka sa isang taong may ibang minamahal, at ang makita siyang tumakbo pabalik sa kanya, kahit na andyan ka na. Ang makitang binalewala na niya ang pagmamahal na minsan ay humilom sa kanya, para sa pagmamahal ng taong wumasak sa puso niya.

        Falling in love with someone who's in love with someone else already hurts, a lot... like a dagger ripping through your chest. But to see that someone give the love and affection you badly want to other people, again and again– that's on a different level of pain.

       "But Nanay... She– she knew the consequences. She knew what's her stand on Papa's life... So, she let him go. Pinakawalan niya si Papa, kahit na masakit para sa kanya. Dahil kahit mahal na mahal niya ito at handa siyang gawin lahat para sa kanya, alam naman niyang hindi sa kanya sasaya si Papa." For that, I admire my Nanay.

       She gave a love... A love so big, it can't be reciprocated equally.

       "I just hope he loved Nanay, too. Kahit kaonti lang." Tinapik naman ni Travis ang balikat ko, kaya napatingin ako sa kanya. He gave me a smile as he answered, "he did."

       Napakunot naman ang noo ko sa sagot niya. "Paano mo alam?"

       "There are different kinds of love, Vivienne. Your Father might have chose Tita Aleece, but that doesn't mean he didn't love your Mother. It's just that, no love is the same. Mahirap mang intindihin, pero sigurado akong minahal din ni Tito Favian ang Nanay mo. Just not the love you expect."

       Sasagot na sana ako sa kanya, para sabihing naiintindihan ko ang punto niya pero hindi ko na nagawa. Inunahan niya na kasi ako ng karugtong ng tinuran niya. "Besides, they have you. You won't be here if they didn't love each other, don't you agree?"

         Bumuntong hininga naman ako sa sinabi niya. "Alam ko naman iyon, alam ko ring mahal ako ng Nanay ko. But at some point, I can't help but feel bad, too. For I am also the reason why she suffered and why she was abandoned by her own family."

       The way Travis' forehead creased didn't escape my eyes. Kitang-kita ko rin ang pagtataka sa mga mata niya kaya binigyan ko nalang siya ng isang malungkot na ngiti.

       "Nanay came back to Central, to her parents, after breaking up with Papa. But two months after, she found out she's pregnant with me. Nang nalaman niya, nagkataon ding malapit ng ikasal si Papa kay Tita Aleece, kaya hindi niya sinabi sa parents niya na si Papa ang Ama. Nanay didn't want to take away Papa from his happiness, and in return, she suffered her family's wrath." Hindi kasi matanggap nila Lola na nabuntis si Nanay, ang kanilang nag-iisang anak. Hindi rin sinasabi ni Nanay ang tungkol kay Papa, kaya inakala nilang isa siyang disgrace sa pamilya. Itinakwil siya ni Lolo, at tinanggalan ng karapatan sa lahat... maging sa sarili niyang apelyido. And that... extended to me. Dahil ayaw din akong tanggapin nila. Pero ayos lang, ayoko rin sa kanila.

      "Nanay was repudiated by her own family, leaving her with no choice but to come back to Hillwood. Apparently, she asked a little help from your parents. With a little of her savings, bumili siya ng bahay sa Hillwood para dito na tumira. Ang mga magulang mo ang nag-alaga kay Nanay habang ipinagbubuntis niya ako. Hindi pa kasi niya ipinaalam kay Papa ang tungkol sa akin, dahil ayaw niyang masira ang nakaplanong kasal nila."

       Nang nalaman ko iyon, gusto kong magalit kay Nanay saglit. Naisip ko, bakit ganoon siya? Bakit sobrang minahal niya si Papa? Bakit inuna niya ang happiness nito, kesa sa sarili niyang kasiyahan?

       "Is that also the reason why she didn't want you to get close to your Father? Because she didn't want to ruin their family?" Umiling naman ako agad sa tanong ni Travis. Sana nga ganoon nalang.

       "No, because right after the wedding, Papa found out about me. Pero pinagbawalan siya ni Nanay na lumapit sa akin, o kahit magkaroon ng koneksyon sa akin. Somehow, her love has turned into anger... She started getting envious with his happiness, so she decided to punish Papa by restraining him from coming near me." At iyon ang hindi ko nagustuhan. Hindi ko alam kung paano umabot sa ganoon si Nanay. Sumobra ba iyong pagmamahal niya? Masyado lang din ba siyang nasaktan na nawalay siya sa pamilya niya? Iyon talaga ang hindi ko maintindihan, kahit saang anggulo ko tingnan.

       "I understand that she loved too deeply. I understand that she was in pain because at the end of everything, she lost her heart and her family. Nanay lost everything, and I was the only one left in her life. Alam kong sobra niya akong mahal, pero alam ko ring nasasaktan siya kapag nakikita ako. Alam kong sa tuwing tinitingnan niya ang mga mata ko, naaalala niya lahat ng sakit... o baka mas lalo lang lumalala."

       Naisip ko nga, baka iyon din ang rason kung bakit hindi niya ipinaalam sa akin ang kay Papa. Perhaps, she wanted me to share her pain.

       Hindi naman ako nakarinig ng sagot o komento mula sa katabi ko, kaya agad ko siyang nilingon. Medyo nagulat naman ako nang makitang titig na titig pa rin siya sa akin.

       "You're hurting." He said in a low voice full of sincerity, making me gulp. What is with this weird feeling bubbling in the pits of my stomach?

       Hindi ako sanay makatanggap ng ganitong pang-unawa. Hindi ko alam paano tatanggapin ang sinseridad ng pag-aalala niya. After all, he's the only person whom I poured my story to.

       Iniwas ko agad ang tingin ko sa kanya at iniling ang ulo ko. "No, I'm okay." Iyon nalang din ang mahinang sagot ko. Hindi ko kasi alam ano ba dapat sabihin.

       Humugot nalang ako ng buntong hininga at tumingin na sa harapan. Alam kong sinusundan niya ako ng tingin pero hinayaan ko nalang siya. Kahit naman hindi na ako magsalita, alam kong maiintindihan niya.

       "Hey, Empath. She's leaving later, isn't she?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan nang hinarap ko siya. Kumunot naman ang noo niya, marahil ay nagulat sa sinabi ko. Alam ko na alam niya kung sino ang tinutukoy ko– the girl who holds his heart.

       This time, it's his turn to look away. His ears even turned red, and I can't help but smile a little.

       "You know?" Mahinang tanong niya. "About her leaving or about your feelings?" Naubo naman siya sa balik-tanong ko kaya natawa ako ng mahina.

       "Did you observe a lot?" Parang hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya, kaya mas lalo akong napangiti.

       "It was too visible to ignore." Maybe from his brothers' perspective and from Cassandra's, it's just nothing. Pero alam kong hindi. He's just really different when he's with her. Ibang-iba ang trato niya kay Alexandria, pero mas iba ang trato niya kay Cassandra.

       "I won't pursue her." Even with sadness on his tone, the finality is overpowering. I can't help but raise my eyebrow at him. Pero hindi na ako nagtanong kung bakit.

       I just have this feeling that no matter what happen, his answer won't change. And that his reasons are far more complicated than anything. His reasons have depths that no one will understand.

       Wala ng nagsalita sa aming dalawa, at binalot nalang kami ng katahimikan. Pareho lang kaming nakamasid sa city lights sa baba habang iniinom ang kape namin. It's the silence of knowing– the silence that understands and gives off answer... answer to both of our questions, thoughts, feelings and problems. Like a reflecting quietness.

       Makalipas ang halos kalahating oras, muli namang binasag ng katabi ko ang katahimikan. His words shocked the whole life out of me.

       "You're a Montclair, aren't you?" I gasped, and he smiled. A smile that says he's right.

       Paano niya nalaman kung sino talaga ako... o kung ano talaga ang apelyido ni Nanay?

       Nabasa siguro ni Travis ang gulat at pagtataka sa mukha ko dahil agad siyang nagsalita. "I told you I already know who you are, I just wasn't sure. But after you told me your story, it started making sense to me."

       Gaano ba kalakas ang Ability ng lalaking ito? He's an Empath, and an Illusionist, but up to what extent? How powerful is he that he had me figured out with just a slight touch of skin?

       This Travis Montecillo is unbelievable.

       "Your grandparents are one of the Top 5 Family of Central. At one point, your Nanay became a candidate for the Council, too. They're that powerful... And you... you're their remaining heiress. It's been sealed as your birthright since the day you came into this world. Do you really think they don't have eyes on you? " Napaisip naman ako sa tanong niya at napayuko.

       "Hindi ko alam, hindi ko naman sila gusto, at wala akong pakialam sa kanila." Halos pabulong kong sagot. Nagulat naman ako nang tumawa siya ng mahina.

       "We both know you're longing for them, too. There's no need to lie to me." Napanguso nalang ako at nanahimik na. Alam na alam, at kuhang-kuha talaga niya ang emosyon ko.

       I don't know whether to hate him for seeing through me, or to admire him for the very same reason.

       Akala ko ay hindi na siya magsasalita pa, dahil wala na rin naman akong masabi. Pero hindi... dahil sunod niyang binitawan ang mga salitang matagal ko ng gustong marinig– mga salitang kailangan ko upang mabuo sa pagkatao ko.

       "No matter what you assume, or what happened in the past, you're not a mistake. You are a special person, Vivienne Montclair Arabella."

        He gave me his genuine boxy smile, one that reaches his eyes. I can feel his sincerity flowing, and that made me feel scared.

        I'm scared of the fact that I opened up to him, that I showed him my vulnerability... That he understands me more than anyone else in this world. That he... he completed me.

       "Your name is beautiful, isn't it?" Hindi pa rin ako makasagot sa kanya. Na-frozen ata ang utak ko kaya di ako makapag-isip ng isasagot.

       "Vivienne Montclair Arabella..." He repeated, making my system flip.

       The girl who can see the future is lucky... she have this guy in her life.

       "You're one unbelievable man, Empath." I weakly whispered.