CHAPTER S I X

BRYSON'S POV

Hindi ko makuhang makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko nang sundan ko ng tingin ang pagbagsak ng isa sa lalaking kanina ay nagtangkang dakipin ako. His head is bleeding and he's unconscious. Ganoon din ang unang tinamaan ni Aelari ng crowbar.

She could have been hurt but the men weren't expecting her to fight back. This could have end differently.

Hindi ko ininda ang kirot sa braso ko at hinarangan ko ang isa pang lalaki na akmang hahaklitin ang babae. I gripped on his pulse tightly and pulled it behind his back while I force to use my injured arm to grab the back of his head. Lumikha ng malakas na galabog ang pagpalo ng ulo niya sa katawan ng sasakyan at hinayaan ko siyang mapadausdos sa lupa nang maramdaman kong bumigat ang katawan niya.

"Kuya!"

"Do not leave the house, Braylene!" I shouted at my sister. She froze for a few seconds before she ran back inside. "Aelari, please, go with Braylene."

"I don't want to."

Nakangiting ipinatong niya ang crowbar sa balikat niya habang nagnining-ning ang mga mata niyang tinignan ang hindi kilalang mga lalaki sa harapan namin.

Ilang beses ko lang siyang nakita ng ganitong kalapit. Sa mga pagkakataon na iyon ay tahimik lang siya at kimi. She's the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes on but I am not a fool to not see that she's more than that. She's shy and skittish around people but her words could be sharp as knives when she wanted to.

Hindi naging maganda ang huling pag-uusap namin. I've been an ass leaving her like that. I should have tried to understand her more and I know that now.

"Aelari-"

"Hush," she motioned with her forefinger on her lush lips. "Sino bang mag-aakala? I wish I have the time to change my clothes at least."

Naguguluhang sinundan ko siya ng tingin nang makita kong lumapit siya sa driver side ng sasakyan ko. Akmang papasok siya sa loob pero tumigil siya at tinignan ako. She squinted her eyes at me for a few moments before she smiled widely.

"Let's go."

"What?" I whispered.

"You're coming with me.

"Aelari-"

"Kung ayaw mo okay lang naman. Let poor Aelari wander alone around this dangerous country."

Yumuko siya at simpleng pinalis ang bubog na nagkalat sa upuan dahil sa pagbasag doon ng mga lalaki kanina. She smiled at me again before she went inside the car.

Ang pagsarado ng pintuan ang naging hudyat sa akin para magising. I hurriedly open the passenger side door. Pumasok ako hindi para samahan siya kundi para sana pigilan siya pero nang tangkain ko na hawakan siya ay mabilis na lumayo siya.

"Don't. I'm going to drive."

I'm used to her moving away or trying to not be around anyone. But that night that someone broke inside her home, I touched her and nothing happened. Was that just a fluke? May sakit ba siya talaga? Did I put her in danger by touching her before?

Pero bakit pakiramdam ko iba ang dahilan niya kung bakit ayaw niyang hawakan ko siya? Not because she don't want me to touch her but instead she just don't want me to stop her?

"We need to wait for the police."

Umiling ang babae, "Nope. Ang kailangan nating gawin ay puntahan ang ama mo."

Pakiramdam ko ay nanlamig ang buong katawan ko sa sinabi niya. She says it so naturally as if we're old friends and we know a lot about each other's lives. Samantalang narito ako at hindi ko alam kung saan sisimulan na kilalanin siya.

"My father?"

"You're Alderidge son aren't you?"

"How-"

"Hindi ako sigurado pero dahil ikaw ang kinukuha nila at hindi ako ibig sabihin ikaw talaga ang sadiya nila. Alderidge men will just try to kill me on the spot." Ngumisi siya. "Isa pa kamukhang-kamukha mo ang kapatid mo."

"They almost did last night." I ignored the last part that she said. "Do you think he's behind that?"

Napahawak ako sa dashboard nang basta na lang niya iatras ang sasakyan at inikot iyon na parang hindi siya natatakot na sumagi man lang.

"That's why I almost wake up," she said nodding before she looked at me up and down. "Someone stopped her and I have a guess that it's probably you. I have a theory about that but we're not testing that now."

She's not making any sense. What she's saying and her actions are confusing me. "Aelari-"

"Answering your question, yes. Sigurado ako na may kinalaman ang ama mo sa nangyari. Lagi naman siyang may kinalaman. That bullshit of a deal he made with us is exactly just that; bullshit." Pagak na tumawa siya. "Hahayaan niya kaming mamuhay ng payapa basta hindi kami makikielam ng husto sa kompanya? That he will make all the important decision as the CEO and we will remain as the silent partner. That's the deal."

"Benveniste & Alderidge Tech."

"Yup." Tinuro niya ang sarili, "I'm a Benveniste."

Diniinan niya ang busina dahilan para umiwas ang mga sasakyan na papasok sana ng subdivision. Hindi niya pinansin ang pagbusina ng mga iyon pabalik at sa halip ay lalo lang niyang binilisan ang takbo ng sasakyan.

"If he tried to hurt Aelari last night and now he's trying to take you it means either he's trying to take over fast or he put together the pieces; that we're neighbors and you're within reach."

"Why does that matter?"

"Dahil hindi niya gugustuhin na maging malapit kami sa'yo."

She said it again. Kami. She's also speaking about herself in third person. And the way she's acting... it's far different than the Aelari that I met.

"So... you're what? The first son?" Tinapunan niya ako ng tingin. "Nah. I doubt that. Mas matanda panigurado si Brandon Alderidge. So you're probably the mistress' child."

Automatikong kumuyom ang mga kamay ko sa sinabi niya. "Don't talk to her that way."

"I have nothing against her. She's the only sane person here because she have enough sanity to leave your father."

Ang dami niyang alam tungkol sa amin pero nang una ko siyang makita ay walang kahit na anong bahid ng rekognasyon sa kaniya. Did she hide that as well? Katulad kung paanong tinatago niya ang lahat ng tungkol sa kaniya?

"Ang dami mo sigurong tanong. I can't blame you. Aelari doesn't know all of it anyway."

"Aelari-"

"Ella na lang," nakangiting sabi niya at tumingin sa akin. "Para cute."

Bumitaw ang isa niyang kamay sa manibela at may inabot siya sa cup holder ng sasakyan. Lumawak ang ngiti sa mga labi niya nang tignan iyon. She pulled off the cap with one hand and rotated the stick, revealing a red lipstick.

"Your sister's?"

"Yes-"

"Thank, God."

Binaba niya ang rear view mirror at panaka-naka ay tumitingin doon habang inilalagay niya sa labi iyon.

"Pull over and I'll drive."

"Nope. Una, injured ka. Hindi ko ilalagay ang buhay namin sa mga kamay mo." She upped the speed again as she speak. "Pangalawa, wala akong tiwala na hindi mo ibabalik ang sasakyan. You clearly don't like to see your father."

There she goes again. She's not talking just about herself. Sa paraan nang pagsasalita niya ay parang may isa pa kaming tao na kasama.

"Aelari, you need to pull over."

"Ella and no."

Umangat ang kamay ko papunta sa direksyon niya pero tumigil ako nang pumiksi siya kasabay nang pagkatigilan ko. What if touching her really puts her in danger? Paano kung may sakit talaga siya? I'm a risk to her and I don't want that.

"You seem like a good guy. Hindi katulad ng ama at kapatid mo na isang tingin pa lang alam mo ng hindi gagawa ng matino. Obviously din, Aelari likes you. For years she locked me away but she risked everything because she wanted to save you." She glance at me and raise an eyebrow. "I would never thought that it would be about a guy."

"You don't understand. It's safer this way."

She said that to me. Akala ko ay ang sarili niya ang tinutukoy niya. That it's safer for her. But what if it's not the case?

What if she's trying to protect me?

"I'm like a demon leaving inside her or at least that's what she thought of me. Hindi niya kasi alam at hindi ko kayang ipaliwanag sa kaniya ang lahat. That would be easier but she can't handle it." Halos tumama ang mga katawan namin sa dashboard nang basta na lang niyang apakan ang preno. Outside, a huge building is towering over us. "I just want to keep her safe and I know you want that too."

"We can't be here."

"Nothing will ever end if we keep running away."

Inabot niya ang jacket ko na nakasampay sa balikat ng upuan at sinuot iyon at pagkatapos ay walang pag-aalinlangan na naglakad siya papasok sa building dahilan para nagmamadaling lumabas ako ng sasakyan para sundan siya. She was stopped by a security guard when he saw the crowbar she's still holding.

"Ma'am iyong dala niyo ho hindi pwede sa loob-"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang matumba ang babae sa security guard na kaagad naman siyang sinalo. Nabitawan ng babae ang bakal na hawak at kumapit siya sa leeg ng lalaki.

She's touching him.

I moved forward to help her pero nauna na siyang makatayo. Nginitian niya ang guard at pinagpag pa niya ang uniporme no'n. "Sorry, natapilok lang and sorry for bringing that crowbar. Nawala na sa isip ko."

"Ma'am hindi rin ho kasi nagpapasok basta dito. Kailangan po namin ng identification."

"I don't have one and I don't need one."

"Ma'am-"

"My name is Aelari Benveniste and I own half of the company. Kapag hindi mo ako pinadaan at ang taong kasama ko, wala ka ng trabaho mamaya." She patted the shoulder of the security guard. "So... move."

Napapalunok na tumabi ang security guard at dire-diretso namang pumasok ang babae. Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa elevator.

"Aelari this is not right," I whispered. "It's not safe for you."

"Sa akin?" tanong niya at tinuro ang sarili. The door of the elevator opened and she went inside. Wala akong nagawa kundi sundan siya. I hate elevators but I have no time to think about that now. When we got inside she looked up at me, "I'm fine. Ikaw ata ang may problema kung bakit tayo nandito."

"Hindi ko gustong makita ang tao na iyon."

Nagkibit-baliakt siya, "Sino bang gusto?"

"Then why?"

"Iba ang gusto sa kailangan. Alderidge won't stop like this."

"Aelari-"

She sighed loudly, "You're so stubborn. Ella nga. Alam kong marami kang tanong at masasagot 'yon mamaya. Alderidge doesn't even know everything. Pero dahil hindi niya kami binibigyan ng choice, wala akong magagawa. Hindi naman ako ang sumira sa kasunduan."

"Ae-"

Nakahalukipkip na humarap siya sa akin. "Ella nga. Tandaan mo ang pangalan na 'yan dahil kung gugustuhin mo pang makilala pa si Aelari pagkatapos ng lahat ng 'to wala kang choice kundi kilalanin din ako." Tumingin siya sa kisame ng may maisip. "Sino ka nga ba?"

"Bryson Castellan," I whispered.

"Huh. Now I like you more. You didn't take your father's name."

ELLA'S POV

I can see why she likes him. He's tall and big. He looks like a king but also he somewhat looks like a knight. I just hope he can protect Aelari. Dahil kung gusto niyang makasama si Aelari, he need to learn how to protect her because it means I won't be in control much.

Not that Aelari will allow that.

After that one fateful night, she tried to lock me away. Nakakalabas pa rin ako minsan pero hindi sobrang tagal. It's fine with me if I'm being honest. Ang ayoko lang ay iyong pinipilit niya na ikulong ako kahit na alam kong kailangan niya ako.

No matter how Aelari tries to live alone, she still need me. And by trying to lock me in when I am needed, she's putting herself in danger. Lalo pa at hindi siya kundi ako ang nakakaalam ng lahat.

"Your sister looks like your mother."

Naramdaman kong napatingin siya sa akin, "Kilala mo ang nanay namin?"

"Not really. Naalala ko lang ng konti. Masyado pa kaming bata noong huli kong makita ang nanay niyo." Lumingon ako sa kaniya at pinasadahan ko siya ng tingin. "Huh. Maybe that's you."

"What?"

"That boy with her when she saved us from that car accident."

Bryson's jaw dropped through the ground and I can't help but smile at that. He acts adorable but he could be frightening. Sa laki niyang tao parang kaya niyang mambali ng leeg kung gugustuhin niya.

Kumuyom ang mga kamay niya at nakita kong napahawak siya sa pader ng elevator. I looked at the LED number monitor of the lift and we're still a bit far from the top floor. "You look tense."

"You kept throwing bombs at me," he returned.

"I don't think that's it." I raise an eyebrow at him. "Takot ka sa elevator?"

"I hate small spaces. I already told you about that."

"Sinabi mo kay Aelari hindi sa akin." Humalukipkip ako at sumandal ako sa malamig na elevator. "I know it's hard to grasp but I'll spell it out for you to make it easy. D-I-D. Dissociative Identity Disorder. Some call it multiple identity. Thank goodness, it's just me and Aelari."

As if on cue, the door of the elevator opened. Napapangiting sinundan ko ng tingin si Bryson nang maunahan niya pa akong lumabas. He's really scared huh?

I followed him and I went straight to the receptionist, "I'm here for Alderidge."

"May appointment po ba?" tanong niya habang napapatingin sa kasama ko.

"Wala at hindi ko kailangan."

"We can't accommodate you Ma'am if you don't have an appointment."

"Gusto mo rin bang mawalan ng trabaho?" Nanlaki ang mga mata ng babae pero lumapit lang ako sa kaniya at sinandal ko ang siko ko sa counter na nasa harapan ko. Nakapalumbaba na tinignan ko siya ng diretso. "I'm Aelari Benveniste and please I hate repeating myself."

"Nasa meeting po ang board-"

"Good. Nandoon ba ang mga uncle at auntie ko?"

Hindi ko na hinintay ang sagot niya at naglakad na ako patungo sa conference room. I'm familiar with the place because when I managed to take control a few years back, part of my research was the blueprint of this place.

Without breaking a stride, I push the doors open at the end of the hallway. Lahat ng tao na nasa loob ng kuwarto ay natigilan sa ginagawa nila. Lahat ng pares ng mga mata ay gulat na napatingin sa akin.

"Aelari," my uncle, Johan, whispered.

"It's Ella, Uncle."

A burst of satisfaction went through me when I saw his hands started to shake while looking at me. I don't hate him. His family took care of Aelari for a few years which was a good thing than our other uncle and auntie, James and Aurora, that tried so hard to not be responsible of us. But I don't particularly like any of them. People that are old school and afraid of the things that are not normal. Kinukupkop nila si Aelari dahil iyon ang kailangan. But they never really tried to understand us more. Specially me.

"Iyong hindi Alderidge o Benveniste, pwede na kayong lumabas," I said to the others.

Hindi ko na sila binigyan ng pagkakataon dahil lalo ko pang niluwagan ang pintuan at dire-diretso akong pumasok. I moved aside and my lips curved upward when I saw the shock in Rex Alderidge's eyes. Dahil sa nakabukas na pintuan na nilabasan ng lahat ng tao maliban sa apat kong kamag-anak at kay Alderidge ay nakatayo ang anak niya.

"Bryson," he rasped. "How?"

"Sumakay ako ng sasakyan at naglakad ako papunta rito katulad ng normal na tao. Mali ba? Should I have been dragged here by your minions?"

I stopped myself from clapping. That's a good one. Okay, Aelari. I think you got a good one here.

"Why are you with him?" Alderidge asked, staring directly at me.

"Well... you made a call."

"You broke the deal just now."

"I don't think so. Ikaw ang unang sumira no'n. You said that we will be safe and you will not retaliate. After all, I never spoke about what happened that night as if I didn't remember, right? But you tried to hurt us."

"Hindi ko alam kung anong sinasabi mo."

The same old Alderidge. Para sa marami para siyang santo. Ang dami niyang charities na binibigyan ng pera at walang reklamo ang mga empleyado niya sa kaniya. Pero kung may nakakaalam ng totoong siya ay walang iba 'yon kundi ako.

"You tried to kidnap your own son because you're in a hurry to take over. Kasi kailangan mo ng anak na hahawak ng kompanya para sa'yo lalo pa at may sakit ka."

I've been conscious before. Not that Aelari knows that. Saka wala rin naman akong masyadong nagawa. Her house is built to keep me in. But I did manage to research things... a lot of things.

"Miss Aelari-"

"Then I found out you tried to hurt us yesterday. Ibig sabihin gusto mong mawala ako sa kuwento. My shares would be given to my family and my family will be forced to divide it. When that happens you'll have the biggest share and you'll take over." Tumango-tango ako at umupo ako sa isa sa mga swivel chair. "I have to give it to you. At least you waited this long. Hindi katulad noon, bata pa lang kami gusto mo na kaming mawala."

"Kami?"

He didn't know. Kasi kung noon pa niya alam dapat matagal na niyang natapos ang problema sa akin. I wouldn't be a problem this long if he knew. Kaya nga itinago iyon ng lahat ng mga Benveniste. By the fear in their eyes I know they're imagining the end already.

"Do you have a contract? Para ilipat kay Bryson lahat?"

"What-"

"Brandon Alderidge doesn't have the ability to take care of the company. Bukod sa lumpo na siya, hindi pa siya nagigising di ba?"

Lumabas ang ugat sa leeg ng matandang Alderidge sa binanggit ko na pangalan, "Don't you ever say his name!"

I rolled my eyes at him before I looked back at Bryson. Hindi ko alam kung naiintindihan niya. But I hope he does so that we could fix this. I hope we could trust him.

"If Bryson will agree to sign, I will give all my shares to him."

______________End of Chapter 6.