#DS6Unwavering #CirCoal #SharkFamily #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER TWENTY: BEST GIRLS

CIRCE'S POV

"Call."

"Con..."

Umiling ako. "Call."

"Call."

"Mommy."

"Mommy," she mimicked.

"Call mommy."

Kaise gave me a toothy smile. "Mommy!"

I couldn't help but join Coal when he started laughing. Kasalukuyan kong tinuturuan si Kaise ng dapat niyang sabihin kapag gusto niya ng magpasundo sa amin.

We're in front of a picturesque leisure place here in Tagaytay. It's like a secret world hidden in the middle of paradise. Parang ang sarap magbakasyon.

They have villas for families and even tents available for glamping. Hindi mo na rin kakailanganin lumayo dahil halos lahat meron sila. May convenience store pa nga raw sa loob. The place is huge, but you can easily go from one place to another since there are buggy cars available to cart you around.

"Is this place really safe? And is it really okay to leave Kaise here? They don't know her and they have a place to run so we might be disturbing—"

"Baby." I pressed my lips together. His "baby" has an effect on me in ways that I don't want him to know because he'll surely use it to always get his way. "Look."

I followed the direction of his gaze, and I saw cars lined up in front of us. Mula sa mga sasakyan ay nagbababaan ang mga sister-in-law at ilan sa mga kapatid ni Coal.

The eldest of the Dawson children, Arctic, ran out of the car, and he just waved his hands without looking back at his parents. Sumunod sa kaniya si Cookie na tumatakbo rin habang hawak ang kamay ng nakababatang kapatid habang nakapamewang na napapailing na lang si Lucienne na tinatanaw ang mga anak niya.

"The kids loved it here. Belaya's family spoils the children a lot. We won't be disturbing them. Sanay sila na sa kanila namin naiiwan minsan ang mga bata. They like having the kids over because they are used to having a big family and the children in their family are all grown ups now." He tipped my chin a little with his finger, and his gaze studied the worry that could still be seen on my face. "If there's a place safer than Dagger, it would be this place."

BHO CAMP ang pangalan ng lugar. It's the public area opened for guests. The huge building with a different name that could be seen from here despite the distance, separated by towering walls, is the private side of the business. According to Coal, they're the top investigation agency in the country.

"I don't know... I just," I sighed. "Kaise's different with you and your family, and it might not look like it, but she's not really good with strangers. Kadalasan kailangan makita niya muna ng ilang beses ang isang tao bago siya sumama."

"How about we see first how it will play out? Kung ayaw ni Kaise isasama na lang natin siya."

There's not a hint of impatience in the way he's looking at me. He doesn't expect me to trust him blindly, nor is he expecting me to be comfortable at the thought of leaving my daughter with people I don't know.

Tala needed to meet with her surfer in Manila to discuss some things. After that, she'll stay there for awhile for her other meetings with my sponsors, and then she'll head straight to La Union, where she will be waiting for me. Balak namin na mauna doon ng ilang araw para makapag-practice din. I've been practicing in Lemery, but it's better to have a head start in La Union by trying to get used to the temperament of the waves there.

"Okay," I said after awhile.

Lumabas siya ng sasakyan at pinagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan bago pumunta sa likod para kunin mula sa car seat ang anak namin. I reached for Kaise's pink duffel bag, but Coal beat me to it. Hawak iyon sa isang kamay pati na si Kaise na nakaupo sa braso niya na yumuko siya para halikan ang noo ko. After that, he wrapped his other arm around me and guided me towards the others.

He's such a super dad. Kahit siguro sumampa rin ako sa kaniya ay magagawa niya kaming buhatin parehas ni Kaise.

"Cee!" tawag sa akin ni Lucienne na kumaway. "Ready ka na sa inuman mamaya?"

"May inuman?"

The way she winked and didn't answer my question is enough of an answer. Binalingan niya si Kaise at pinisil-pisil niya ang braso ng bata. "Ikaw Sese? Ready ka na ba sa overnight mo?" Nang mapansin ni Lucienne ang pagbalik ng pag-aalala sa mga mata ko ay nakakaunawang tinapik niya ako sa balikat. "Huwag kang mag-alala. Bukas pagkauha mo kay Sese siya na ang aayaw sumama sa'yo. Tignan mo nga ang mga anak ko, lalong lalo na si Cookie. No'ng baby 'yan sanay na nakadikit sa akin lagi dahil sinanay ko. Ngayon hindi man lang ako nilingon at basta na lang akong nilayasan."

Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay may lumapit sa amin na babae at lalaki. Lucienne excused herself and just waved at the pair before walking towards Thorn, who was calling her.

The older woman who is walking in our direction looks a lot like Belaya, and the man couldn't be mistaken for anything but her husband with the way he's looking at her.

How wonderful it is to be with someone for years and yet they will still look at you as if it's the very first time?

Inabot sa akin ng babae ang kamay niya. "Dawniella Lawrence."

"Circe Andino..." I cleared my throat. We're almost the same height, with me being a little taller than her, but there's something about the way she carries herself that makes me nervous. Pakiramdam ko may kaharap ako na terror na teacher. "Ma'am."

Umangat ang sulok ng labi ng babae habang ang asawa niya ay para bang teenager na humagikhik. Ngiting ngiti na inabot sa akin ng lalaki ang kamay niya. "I'm Triton Lawrence, the husband of this beautiful lady that can still intimidate anyone she comes across. Isn't she amazing?"

I nodded quickly because I'd rather not be on anyone's bad side.

Binalingan ng lalaki si Kaise na karga pa rin ni Coal pero nakatingin din sa nakatatandang lalaki. "Is this our youngest guest tonight?"

Mireia and Axel's daughter will stay with Marthena, Mireia's cousin. Ang anak naman nila Trace na si Kairos Lucian ay maiiwan sa ama ni Ember dahil hiniram niyon ang bata.

Mr. Lawrence clapped his hands together. "Want to come with me? We have ice cream in many flavors."

Kaise buried her face in Coal's neck, her arms tightening around him.

Napakagat ako sa ibabang labi ko. Kapag nasa Sand Dollar si Kaise, uupo lang siya sa isang tabi at hindi niya papansin ang mga hindi niya kilala. Even if someone's trying to talk to her, she'll just act as if she can't hear them. May pagkasuplada din kasi talaga si Kaise.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. "Sorry about that. It takes her some time to warm up with strangers."

"That's okay," Mrs. Lawrence said. "That means she's smart. She knows how to be cautious around people, and that's a good thing. You can't just trust people nowadays without knowing them first."

"Hindi ba ako mukhang katiwatiwala?" nakangusong tanong ng asawa ng ginang.

"Hindi."

I pressed my lips together to stop myself from laughing. Coal didn't seem to care because he just chuckled loudly.

The woman ignored her husband, who threw her his puppy-dog eyes, and she rounded Coal and stopped beside him. She tilted her head and looked at Kaise, who was still clinging to her father. "My name's Dawniella Lawrence, little Kaise. Your mom and dad have an important event to go to, but they will pick you up tomorrow. For now, do you want to go inside and play with the others? If you don't want that, we can just watch something on TV. What do you think?"

"Shak?"

Kumunot ang noo ng babae. "Jaws?"

I winced at the same time that Coal laughed again. Mr. Lawrence just grinned as if he already expected it from his wife.

"She loves sharks, but not when they... eat other things," I explained.

"Oh." Mrs. Lawrence looked at Kaise again. "Finding Nemo?"

"No no. Bad shak," Kaise said.

"Shark Tale, then. The shark there is vegetarian."

I don't know what film that is, but if the shark doesn't eat anything that is living, then I think it would be alright. I should buy a copy too.

Kaise regarded her for a moment before she finally nodded and leaned down toward the woman. With a triumphant smile, Dawniela Lawrence looked at her husband and tipped her head towards Coal. "Carry the bag, Monster."

The man pouted, but he did what she asked. Nang makita niya akong titig na titig kay Kaise ay nginitian ako ng lalaki. "Don't worry, we'll call you if there's any problem. I'll send you pictures too and update you."

I gave him a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"No harm will come to this little one," Mrs. Lawrence said, looking straight into my eyes. "Say bye to your mommy, Kaise."

"Bye mommy!"

Naiwan kaming tinatanaw na lang sila habang naglalakad sila papasok ng establisyimento. I'm familiar with the feeling swirling around me. Ganito din kasi ako noong unang beses kong iwan si Kaise kahit na ilang oras lang naman akong mawawala para mag-training.

"Are you okay?"

Nag-angat ako ng tingin kay Coal. "Not really. But I think it would be harder when she goes to pre-school. I will probably start bawling then." Huminga ako ng malalim. "She's growing up too fast."

Nangingiting pinaloob niya ako sa mga bisig niya. I felt his lips touch the top of my head.

"When you start crying when that time comes, I'll be with you like this," Coal murmured.

The promise of the future is not lost on me. It made me remember the first night he had me in his arms. At that time, I marveled at how strong his hold felt. How his strength feels unwavering, so steady.

At this moment... it feels the same way too. Like nothing will be too hard for me to face as long as he is with me.

PAKIRAMDAM ko ay malapit na akong mawalan ng boses sa kakasigaw ko. I never thought I was the kind of person who had it in her to be a fan girl, but I guess I just didn't have the chance. Isa pa ay nakakahawa rin talaga ang mga kasama ko na tumatayo pa para pumalakpak kada lalabas ng stage si Mireia.

She's one of the models for one of the biggest fundraising fashion events happening tonight here in Manila. Hindi lang local models ang dumalo kundi maging ilang kilalang international models. Proceeds from the event will go to victims of war all over the globe.

"Hindi mo aakalain na retired na si Mireia," sabi ni Lucienne na bumalik sa pagkakaupo. "And that body. Sana all!"

My chest area is on the bigger side, especially when I had Kaise, but Mireia is on a different level. She also has a narrow waist and to-die for hips. And she's tall. No wonder she became a supermodel.

Ang kuwento nila Lucienne, nag-retire na raw si Mireia no'ng malaman niya na buntis siya. Traveling without Axel also became hard for the both of them. Hindi niya naman kasi pwedeng isama lagi ang lalaki dahil kailangan din sa Dagger si Axel.

It wasn't something she regretted. Mireia actually enjoys just managing TDN and being around her family. Pero minsan kapag ganitong fundraising ay sumasali pa rin siya kapag naimbitihan siya. She still walks the runway abroad sometimes, but only for events like this one.

"Having fun?"

Nakangiting tinanguhan ko si Coal. "Yes." I eyed the glass of beer in front of him. Halos hindi niya iyon nagalaw. "You can drink, you know? Hindi mo naman kailangang magmaneho mamaya."

He leaned down to kiss my bare shoulder. "Later."

I wanted to jump him. That's the first thing that came to mind when I saw him wearing his tux. I'm pretty sure that's what he was thinking too, when he saw me in my dark purple tube dress. Especially when he discovered the thigh-high slit.

"Sus. Ayaw niya lang kamong malaman mo ang sikreto niya kapag nakainom siya."

Napatingin ako kay Trace na siyang nagsalita at pagkatapos ay nagtatakang binalik ko ang mga mata ko kay Coal. "What secret?"

Mariing pinikit ng lalaki ang mga mata niya na para bang nagbibilang siya hanggang sampu para kalmahin ang sarili niya.

"No'ng una kayong nagkakilala ni Coal di ba sa bar din?" tanong ni Trace.

"Yup."

"Didn't you notice anything when he got drunk?"

"He wasn't that drunk," I answered Trace, but my eyes were on Coal. We were both drinking that night, but except for the alcohol helping to strip away my inhibitions, I wasn't really that inebriated, and neither was he. "Why? Do you do a strip tease when you're drunk? Because if that's it, I wouldn't mind."

Napuno ng kantiyawan ang lamesa namin habang si Coal ay naiiling na hinapit ako sa kaniya. "Bakit nga?" tanong ko ulit.

"Oo nga. Bakit nga ba?" singit ni Belaya. "I always wonder how it started and why."

I was dying of curiosity, but I didn't want to push. Tanging pagtaas lang ng kilay sa lalaki ang ginawa ko, pero mukha namang epektibo iyon dahil napabuntong-hininga ang binata.

"I haven't told anyone, but I'm sure my brothers have their own guesses." His hand went to the back of my head, his fingers playing with my hair. "I stayed in the UK for more than a year when I was in my early twenties. I convinced everyone that I wanted to have more experience, though the truth is I just wanted a break after I graduated."

Coal took Forensic Science in college. It was kind of surprising and cool at the same time. Halos lahat daw silang magkakapatid ay kumuha ng course na makakatulong sa family business nila.

"And?" I pressed.

"UK has a British pub culture. Let's just say that I enjoyed myself too much in numerous pubs in Britain. When I get drunk, my friends love to make me imitate their accent. It stuck, and whenever I'm drunk, it comes out naturally."

I studied him for a moment, gauging his seriousness. Base na rin sa bahagyang pamumula ng mga pisngi niya at ang mahinang pagtawan ng pamilya niya ay mukhang totoo naman ang sinasabi niya.

Forcing myself not to smile, I push the glass of beer toward him. "Drink more. I want to see."

Nalukot ang ilong niya. "No."

"I always have a thing for accents."

Coal's face darkened and I know that I accidentally turn on what I call his "Ogre switch". Sigurado akong si Augustin na naman ang nasa isip niya. He probably thought of ways to end the poor man's life just because he's jealous.

Kita ko sa gilid ng mga mata ko ang pagpapalipat-lipat ng tingin ng pamilya niya sa amin. They are probably sensing Coal's mood too.

Pinagapang ko ang kamay ko sa braso ng binata paakyat sa balikat niya. "The only thing that can beat my "thing" for accents is you and your..." I whispered the word "thing" in his ear. "So with the combination of your accent and you... I wonder how I can survive?"

The red on Coal's neck is spreading up towards his face, but this time the anger was gone and was replaced by another thing. Nangingiting binalik ko ang atensyon ko sa pamilya ni Coal. His sisters-in-law are smiling their knowing smile, something only a person who's been with a Dawson could understand. They probably needed to diffuse their husbands' anger a lot of times, and I'm sure they all have their own ways to do it.

"Excuse me." A shy-looking woman approached our table. "Pinapatawag po kayo ni Miss Mireia."

Nag-aalalang tumayo si Axel na para bang handa ng takbuhin ang kinaroroonan ng asawa niya pero muling nagsalita ang babae. "Sabihin ko raw po sa asawa niya na okay lang siya. Kailangan niya lang daw po sila Miss..." Nagbaba siya ng tingin sa hawak na papel. "Lucienne, Lia, Belaya, Ember, Circe, at Luna."

Nagtataka man ay tumayo kami. I gave Coal a reassuring smile before I went with the others who followed the woman.

"Umm..." Nahihiyang tumingin ang babae kay Belaya. "Fan niyo po ako."

Belaya made an "aww" sound, and she hooked her arm to the woman's arm as if they were the best of friends. She's always been gracious with her fans, and I've noticed that every time she's been recognized since earlier. Kahit ang ibang mga babae ay ganoon din.

Ember gave me a smile, and I know we're both thinking the same thing. Anyone who is up to date with sports or the surfing world would have known me. I also have a lot of followers on my social media accounts, and I have brands left and right wanting to collaborate with me, but compared to the other women, I can still live life without often being recognized. Athletes have a smaller world than other popularity-based industries. Sometimes we get noticed by the public, but only by people who are familiar with our sport.

"My life was more quiet compared to when I met them," Ember whispered to me. "Bukod sa isang post lang nila ay dinudumog ang social media ko, may sarili ring fan base ang magkakapatid na Dawson."

Napakurap ako. "Sila Coal?"

Tumango siya. "They're married to popular people, and it's not long before the fans noticed them. I mean, they are all hot." Nangingiting napailing siya. "I'm an introvert, but it didn't take long for me to adjust. Isang post nga lang ni Lucienne noon dinumog ang social media accounts ko."

"Having a larger audience is not a bad thing." Napangiwi ako nang may maisip. "Unless magsimula ang mga tao na gumawa ng kuwento."

That's the problem with popularity. Their images are often curated from the littlest of things. Kahit simpleng pag-post lang ay parang dapat pang pag-isipan ng mabuti dahil sa mga taong ang hilig lagyan ng ibang meaning ang mga bagay-bagay pati na ang ilan na hobby ata ang gumawa ng kuwento kahit wala naman silang alam. That's why, oftentimes, they are not as free to be with the people they like to be with. Kasi pati ang mga iyon nadadamay.

"I know what you mean. But it's worth it. I wouldn't trade these women for anything. They're good people, and they don't want their popularity to stop them from living freely."

"I can't say that I'm an introvert, but I've been living a low-key life since I had Kaise." Tinignan ko ang mga babae na nasa unahan namin. "Like you said, they're good people, so I don't mind."

"That's good." Her smile widened. "Since Lucienne already posted a picture on her Instagram and she tagged all of us."

Hindi ko na nagawang makapagsalita nang pumasok na kami sa backstage. Parehas na namilog ang mga mata namin ni Ember nang muntik kaming mabangga nang mga dumadaan.

It's pandemonium.

Lahat ng tao nagmamadali sa pagkilos. May mga babae na parang iiyak na sa kaba habang may ilan na relax na relax habang umiinom ng kung anumang alak na nasa baso nila. Some women are dressed to the nines, while others are barely clothed. Meron pa ngang pang-ibaba lang ang suot.

"Woah. Cool."

Kay Lucienne nanggaling iyon. She looked around as if she were absorbing everything.

"This way, please," the woman who picked us up from our table said. Dinala niya kami sa dulo ng malaking backstage kung saan may nakahanay na mga vanity table at mga upuan. Mireia's sitting on one of the chairs, wearing a black velvet robe.

Mireia let out a sigh of relief. "You're here."

"What happened?" Belaya asked immediately.

"A group of women has been kicked out of the show."

Lia's forehead knotted. "Why?"

Nagpalingon-lingon si Mireia bago bumulong. "They were high. As in totally high. The designers are freaking out, and the floor director wants to commit murder."

"I don't like where this is going," Luna muttered.

Lucienne's lips shaped an "O" while the rest of us looked at them in confusion.

Pinagsalikop ni Mireia ang mga kamay niya. "Please... please, join us. Konti na lang ang set na natitira. We really need help."

Napanganga ako at tulalang napatingin lang ako sa kaniya. Oh no.

"We could ask other people, but out of everyone outside, you all have a fan base. People will most likely buy the clothes you wear. At hindi lang ang mga nasa labas ang bibili kundi maging ang mga nanonood online. Imagine how much we could raise tonight and how many people it could help."

She's guilt-tripping us. She knows it. We all know it. And it's working.

"Umm... Mireia." Napapakamot sa pisngi na alanganing ngumiti si Lucienne. "Gets ko pa kung si Luna ang iniimbita mo." She pointed at herself and circled it to Lia, Belaya, Ember, and me. "Pero kami?"

"There are petite models," Mirei argued.

"I don't think we can be called petite. We're munchkins."

Despite everything, I couldn't help but chuckle at Lucienne's choice of words. She's not wrong. Kumpara kay Mireia at kay Luna di hamak na ang liit namin.

"No one's going to care. A well-known journalist, a singer, an actress, and two athletes that brought honor to our country. Sinong magrereklamo?" Nagpapaawang tinignan niya kami isa-isa. "Imagine the babies that won't have to worry about the next meal they will eat."

I let out a breath. There's no way I can refuse after that, and it looks like that's the way it is with the others too.

"Ano pa bang segment ang gagawin?" tanong ni Belaya.

"You'll do it?" Mireia asked, her eyes twinkling.

"You emotionally blackmailed us. Of course I'm doing it, bitch." Nagkibit-balikat ang actress. "I'm not a shy person. Kung walang problema sa inyo ang height ko, okay lang sa akin. It's not like I can do anything with my height."

"Wench," Mireia threw back at her best friend. "Thank you!" Bumaling siya sa amin. "How about you guys?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "Ano pa nga ba?"

"I'm fine with it," Lia said with a small smile. "As long as I'm only going to wear clothes that won't make Gun breathe fire."

Mireia turned to me after nodding at the singer, and I shrugged. "I'm fine with it. Just don't expect a lot from me. I don't have a single clue when it comes to modeling."

"Don't worry. Just walk straight," she beamed.

We all turned to Ember when she was the only one who didn't speak out. She looks torn between agreeing and running away.

I can't blame her. Kami man ang pokus ng lahat kapag may competition pero ibang usapan kapag ganito ang sitwasyon. When we're competing, our focus is to win. We've trained so many times that what we do feels like second nature.

This one is uncharted territory.

Guilt colored Mireia's face. "I'm sorry, Ember. Don't think about what I said. I'm just being a pushy bitch. You don't need to do this. Promise. I'm sure you already donated for the charity."

"You're not being a bitch," Ember said with a small smile.

"Pushy lang," singit ni Belaya.

Ember chuckled. "It's okay. Of course I want to help." Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga. "I'm just going to imagine that Trace's face is a target board and I won't look at anyone else."

Tumango si Lucienne. "Kung gusto mong batuhin pwede din."

Lahat kami ay napatawa sa sinabi ng babae. Kasaman man o hindi si Trace talagang nakakahanap siya ng ipang-aasar sa lalaki.

"Hindi ka kinakabahan?" tanong ko sa manunulat.

"Slight lang. Sa lahat sa atin dito ako iyong hindi sanay sa tao. But since I'm doing it with all of you, I know it would be fun. I'm friends with the best girls after all."

Maging ako ay napasali sa pag "aww" ng iba dahil sa sinabi ni Lucienne. The woman just rolled her eyes as if she were finding us ridiculous.

"So? What are we supposed to wear? What kind of line-up?" Belaya asked again, pressing for information.

"Nightwear." Nang magsimulang umangal ang mga babae ay inangat ni Mireia ang kamay. "Huwag kayong mag-alala. It won't be lingerie. I'll make sure none of you wear anything too short."

"That won't be surprising. Ang tatangkad niyong lahat. Siyempre mahaba sa amin ang mga damit niyo," natatawang sabi ng aktres

Oo nga naman.

"But..." Mireia grimaced.

"Here it goes," Luna sighed.

"I need someone with me to do the swimsuit line. The model who was assigned to the swimwear has a..." Inilagay niya ang dalawang kamay niya sa harapan niya. Her hands gestured something that didn't need to be said.

All the women's eyes went straight to me, and their gazes comically dropped to my chest area.

Oh no.

__________________________End of Chapter 20.