#DS8Uncovered #LuMa #BearCouple #DaggerSeries

CHAPTER 9: CHANGE

LUNA'S POV

Muntik akong bumangga kay Kuya Gun na nasa harapan ko nang bigla siyang huminto. Palabas pa lang sana kami ng elevator nang huminto iyon sa palapag ng penthouse.

Kunot ang noo na sumilip ako mula sa likod ng kapatid ko at napaangat ang kilay ko nang makita ko si Magnus na nakatayo sa gitna ng sala. Mukhang kararating niya lang din. He's still in his suit and he's still holding his briefcase.

I rounded Kuya Gun to approach my husband who seemed to be sleeping while standing up. "Akala ko mamaya pa ang uwi mo?"

He attended a function in Singapore. Dapat ay mamaya pang tanghali ang uwi niya pabalik.

"I caught an earlier flight."

It's six in the morning. Knowing Magnus, kahit maagang natapos ang event ay sigurado akong late na siya natulog dahil sa trabaho. Kung nandito na siya ng ganitong kaaga ay madaling-araw siyang umalis sa Singapore. Kaya mukha siyang zombie. Mukhang hindi na naman siya nakatulog.

"Do you want breakfast?" Inangat ko ang hawak ko na paper bag. Ang iba pa ay bitbit ni Kuya Gun na ngayon ay tahimik lang na nakamasid sa amin. "Wala na tayong groceries kaya bumili na ako."

Magnus brushed his hair up. "I forgot. This week has been hectic."

That's an understatement of the year. "It's fine. Ikaw kadalasan ang nagluluto kaya wala namang problema kung ako na ang mag-grocery."

"Kadalasan?"

I rolled my eyes. "I sometimes cooked."

"Assembling a sandwich is not cooking."

Humalukipkip ako. "Do you want breakfast or not? Kung kakain ka matulog ka muna. Tatawagin na lang kita."

He just nodded as if it's the only thing his leftover energy allows him to do. Pero imbis na maglakad paakyat sa kuwarto namin ay dumiretso siya sa kinaroroonan ng reading nook.

"Why don't you sleep in the room?"

Humiga siya sa sofa at itinakip niya ang braso niya sa mga mata niya. "I'm going to work. I'm riding with you, remember?"

He's been adamant about his decision to use his car wherever I want to go. Magkasabay kaming pumapasok at umuuwi. Minsan ay siya na ang pumupunta sa Maven at kapag nauuna naman ako ay dinadaanan namin siya dala ang sasakyan para sunduin siya sa Quetzal.

Unlike before, both of us leave work on time. I have a feeling that it's just because of my situation and not because he doesn't have much work to do. Kapag umuuwi kasi kami ay nakikita ko pa rin siya na nagtatrabaho.

Fortunately, he agreed to my desperate begging to have another car at the ready in case we both have other engagements that don't need the participation of the other. Isang halimbawa no'n ang event niya sa Singapore. Alangan namang sumama pa ako.

Kapag lalagpas sa office hours ang kailangan naming lakarin ay ang Dagger na ang sasama sa akin gamit ang kotse na provided nila para hindi na namin kailangan balikan pa ang isa't isa. Pero kung within the day lang at babalik pa rin ako sa opisina ay sabay kaming uuwi.

"Papasok ka pa rin? You know that Quetzal won't fall apart just because you take one day off, right?"

"I could say the same to you." Inalis niya ang braso niya sa pagkakatakip sa mukha niya at nilingon niya ako. "Kung hindi ako pupunta sa trabaho papayag ka ba na hindi rin pumasok? I'll be more than willing to stay here all day with you."

I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. Tumikhim si Kuya Gun at napalingon ako sa kaniya. Ibinaba niya ang mga hawak niya sa center island sa kusina bago niya ako muling hinarap. "I'll be downstairs. I need to talk to Pike. Tawagan mo ako kapag aalis na tayo."

Hindi na siya naghintay ng sagot ko at tinalikuran niya na kami para pumasok ulit ng elevator. Napapabuntong-hininga na naglakad ako papunta sa kusina at sinimulan ko ng ayusin ang mga pinamili ko kanina. Kumuha ako ng tupperware sa cupboard at pagkatapos ay naglabas ako ng itlog at hotdog dahil iyon ang pinakamadaling lutuin.

"Kung may kanin lang eh di sana nag-fried rice ako para hindi ako nasasabihan na sandwich lang ang alam gawin," paghihimutok ko.

Naglagay ako ng dalawang slice ng tinapay sa toaster bago ako lumapit sa fridge para kumuha ng itlog. I cracked it open on the pan. Napatalon ako palayo nang sa pagkagulat ko ay bigla na lang nagtalsikan ang mantika.

I cursed under my breath as I moved sideways to snatch the slotted turner from its hook. Pero bago ko pa mailapit iyon sa kawali ay muli na naman nag-alburoto ang mantika roon na parang ayaw makisama sa akin para makapagluto ako.

The egg made a popping sound, making me jump back again. Sa pagkakataon nga lang na ito ay naramdaman kong tumama ang likod ko sa matigas na bagay. I would have toppled sideways if an arm hadn't caught me to straighten me up.

Nag-angat ako ng mukha at nakasalubong ko ang antok pang mga mata ni Magnus. "Ako na. Masasaktan ka pa sa ginagawa mo."

Kinuha niya sa akin ang hawak ko na turner at pagkatapos ay may pinindot siya na buton para hinaan ang heat level ng stove na inilagay ko pala sa pinakamainit. He let out a sigh when he scooped the egg, which was already beginning to turn black, out of the pan. Kumuha siya ng dalawa pa mula sa fridge at ginawa niya rin ang ginawa ko kanina. Ang pagkakaiba nga lang ay di hamak na mas peaceful ang pagluluto niya kesa sa akin.

While the egg was cooking, he took out the slices of toast, and then he turned to the fruit bowl on the countertop to take an avocado. Nakahalukipkip na pinanood ko siya nang simulan niya iyong hiwain at iayos sa toast.

"I know how to cook. Hindi lang ako mahilig," I grumbled.

"You're you. You can do anything you put your mind to." He was focused on what he's doing, which is why he didn't see the surprise on my face. "But you're also you, and that includes your impatience and short temper. Sa pagluluto hindi pwedeng dinadaan sa bilis lahat."

"I'm a Dawson."

He shook his head at my go-to answer. "You're Dawson-Aquillan now."

Nilukutan ko siya ng ilong pero hindi na ako nagsalita pa. I watched as he put an egg on top of the toast before putting another piece of bread on top of it. Nang mamataan niya ang dalawang kulay dilaw na tupperware container at inilagay niya iyon doon.

Humaba ang nguso ko. "Hotdog ang gusto ko."

"I asked Lia for her hotdog recipe. She gave it to me, but she also told me that she'd send some tomorrow. Iyon na lang ang kainin mo."

"You're such a health buff."

Sa lahat kasi ng ayaw niya ay processed food. Para sa taong busy siya itong ayaw sa mga convenient kainin na pagkain.

"Hindi mo ba dadalan ang kuya mo at si Pike?" tanong niya.

"Nag-almusal na daw sila eh."

Tumango-tango siya. "You want a smoothie?"

"Yes please."

I moved away from the counter and stretched. Ang aga ko nagising dahil naalala ko na wala na kaming pagkain. I could have just bought breakfast on the way to the office, but I'll be busier tomorrow. Baka makalimutan ko na naman mag-grocery. Ang mangyayari kasi no'n ay si Magnus na naman ang gagawa no'n. He's busy as well, so I can't just let him shoulder everything.

"Mag-aayos muna ako," sabi ko sa kaniya. "Sigurado ka na papasok ka today?"

I shook my head when he just gave me a look. Iniwan ko na siya sa kusina at naglakad na ako papunta sa kuwarto namin para maghanda para sa opisina. I was done in less than thirty minutes since I don't put on heavy makeup when I don't have an important meeting.

Sinipat ko ang sarili ko sa salamin. I'm wearing an off-white trouser and pants, which I paired with a russet-colored blazer. Nang makuntento na ako sa itsura ko ay lumabas na ako ng kuwarto at pumanaog na ako.

Naabutan ko si Magnus na nilalagay ang dalawang tupperware sa isang kulay brown na paper bag. Sa tabi niyon ay may apat na travel mugs. One of them is my pink Kleen Kanteen tumbler. Binuksan ko iyon at nakita kong kulay orange ang laman no'n. I took a sip, and I nodded in satisfaction. Carrot-orange smoothie. Yum.

"Has he reached out?"

Natigilan ako sa naging tanong ni Magnus. I knew what he was talking about instantly. I knew that he'd been wanting to ask, but I also knew that he understood why I didn't say anything about it.

"Of course he did." I saw his throat bob when he swallowed. "The—"

"Magnus."

For a moment, all we could do was stare at each other. I didn't need to say anything more. Alam kong naiintindihan niya.

He looks more exhausted than he did before. "How are we going to do this, LA?" he asked quietly.

I looked down at my hands. "I don't know."

Muli kaming binalot ng katahimikan. I couldn't help but wonder if the course of our lives would have been different if he hadn't gotten involved with me. Maybe then he wouldn't need to go through all of this.

"I'll think of something."

"Mags—"

"I'll think of something so you could go see him." Binigyan niya ako ng maliit na ngiti. "You need him."

I need you more. But I shouldn't.

RAMDAM KO ang tingin ni Alex na nakapukol sa akin. Imbis na balingan siya ay tahimik na sinalansan ko ang mga gamit na nasa harapan ko at inilagay ko iyon sa bag ko. Nang matapos ay inabot ko ang lipstick ko mula sa bag at bahagya akong yumuko para silipin ang sarili ko sa monitor na nakapatong sa office desk.

"It's four o'clock."

I threw him a glance. "Ahuh."

"Himala at maaga ka atang aalis." Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. "Hot date with Daddy Magnus?"

I tried not to roll my eyes at what he calls Magnus. Iyon naman kasi ang tawag nila ni Stella sa lalaki at maging ang iba ko pang mga empleyado. And once upon a time, ganoon din ang tawag ko sa kaniya sa isip ko.

"I'm meeting someone," I said, emphasizing the word "meeting".

"At hindi si Magnus ang kasama mo?"

"He's going with me, but he's not the one I'm meeting." Dumiretso ako ng tayo at tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "It's for work. Any more questions?"

His eyes narrowed a bit. Alam niya ang schedule ko. Aside from closely working together, I don't have an assistant yet. Kahit wala naman akong nakakalimutan sa mga kailangan kong gawin ay sinisiguro niya na wala akong makakaligtaan.

I know he wanted to say more, but thankfully he chose not to. Instead, he handed me a folder, which I grudgingly accepted. Hindi ko na kasi kailangan tanungin kung para saan 'yon.

"I need you to give me an answer tomorrow regarding you having a second assistant."

"Fine," I mumbled.

"Pinili ko lahat 'yan. Pwede mong ipakita sa mga kapatid mo para ma-background check pa nila." He tapped the folder. "If you're still unsure and you have multiple choices, pwede natin silang bigyan ng probationary period. Just try to narrow down your choices."

Buntong-hininga lang ang sinagot ko sa kaniya. Mukha namang sapat na iyon sa kaniya dahil napangisi siya. Alam naman na kasi niyang wala na akong magagawa.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kaniya pagkaraan at lumabas na ako ng opisina. Eden, who was stationed outside of my office door by choice, stood up to accompany me. Magkasabay na bumaba kami sa basement kung saan naghihintay na sa sasakyan si Leo.

Napailing ako nang makita kong inismiran ni Eden ang lalaki. Pinaparusahan ata ang dalawang 'to kaya sila ang magkasamang inassign sa akin. The two are notorious for their bickering and antics. Eden can't stand Leo, and Leo loves pissing her off.

"Magnus and I are meeting someone." Nagkasalubong ang tingin namin ni Leo mula sa rearview mirror. "We'll be quick. Is it okay for you guys to wait for us in the car–"

"We can't do that," Leo said, cutting me off immediately.

I expected that. "It's a private meeting that I really prefer to keep between Magnus and me."

Leo and Eden shared a look. I know they understand what I meant. They're working for my brothers, and they need to report every little thing to them. They are obligated to inform them about this, but they wouldn't be able to tell them anything if they didn't know what was really going on.

"How about we stand guard at the doors?" Eden suggested. "I'll cover the front."

"I'll be at the front. You stay at the back door," Leo argued.

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Eden pero marahil para matapos na ang usapan ay humalukipkip na lang siya.

"That works for me. Thanks guys," may maliit na ngiti sa mga labi na sabi ko sa kanila.

They murmured their welcome, and the car was once again filled with silence. Tinungo namin ang building ng Quetzal at hindi pa nagtatagal na nakahinto ang sasakyan sa harapan niyon ay namataan na namin si Magnus na lumabas ng gusali at naglalakad papunta sa kinaroroonan namin.

Nang makapasok siya sa sasakyan ay ibinigay kila Leo ang pangalan ng restaurant na pupuntahan namin.

I could feel their rising curiosity, but thankfully, they didn't ask me anything. Nilingon ko si Magnus at nakita kong nasa akin ang atensyon niya. I gave him a nod, which conveyed things that I didn't need to say.

He was the one who arranged all this. He promised me that he'd do something to make it work. Kung may isang bagay man na hindi nagbabago kay Magnus ay iyon ay kapag nangako siya ay gagawin niya ang lahat para tuparin iyon. He never goes back on his words.

Less than half an hour had passed, and we were pulling over in front of Enclave. Ibinigay ni Leo sa valet ang susi bago niya kami pinagbuksan ng pintuan. Naramdaman kong pumalibot sa balikat ko ang braso ni Magnus habang sina Leo at Eden ay naka posisyon sa magkabila namin. They escort us from the car to the door of the restaurant, their stance vigilant and on alert.

Huminto si Leo sa pintuan na nasa harapan ng establisimyento habang si Eden ay sumama sa amin hanggang sa loob. When we were inside, she gave us a nod and walked towards what I think is the other door of the restaurant. Sigurado akong bago pa kami makarating dito ay nakakuha na sila ng impormasyon tungkol sa lugar.

"We reserved a private booth. Aquillan," Magnus informed the waitress that approached us.

Nagbaba ng mga mata ang babae sa hawak niya na clipboard. When she confirmed our reservation, she guided us towards the private rooms.

I felt my husband's hand on the small of my back. Magkasabay na sinundan namin ang babae na huminto sa pangalawang kuwarto at binuksan niya ang pintuan.

Magnus squeezed my shoulder lightly. "I'm going to make a call." Pagkasabi niya ay naglakad siya palayo na hindi man lang tinapunan ng tingin ang taong nasa loob na ng kuwarto.

Taking in a huge breath, I entered the room. The man inside stood up with his usual kind smile, which lit up his whole handsome face.

I wasn't lying to Eden and Leo when I told them that it would be quick. Once seated, I ordered the first drink I saw on the menu, and then I commenced discussing everything I needed to discuss. Bawat minutong lumilipas ay lumalalim ang pagkakakunot ng noo ng lalaking nakaupo sa harapan ko.

"Luna—"

"I just need a little more time. With my current situation... and then there's Magnus and I, it would be difficult for me to tell them about everything and you." I wrung my hands together, tension enveloping my body. "When this... when it started between us, I told you everything you needed to know. I explained to you why it would be complicated."

"I know."

"We surpassed that, and we're now in a more challenging situation." Sumandal ako sa kinauupuan ko at nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga. "I know that I need to tell them about you soon, but I can't do that now. Not with my on-going predicament."

We were shrouded in silence for awhile. I understand that he needed to think more about this. It wouldn't be easy. Not that it ever did.

It feels like I'm running in a never-ending wheel of fate where there's no door to escape to. Every time it seems to be halting, another shift will come my way. Another inevitable change.

In life, change is something that you can't stop from happening. It's the most constant thing in the world. Happiness can turn into pain. Desire can turn into indifference. As seasons shift, so do priorities. People change, and for some... feelings change.

I've been changing for awhile now. While in most situations, it's a good thing, I feel like mine is a continuous bout of struggle. But it's my fault. I have no one to blame but myself.

I was the first one to break the silence. He needed more time to think, and I understand that. "I need to go."

He nodded without a word and stood up. Like the gentleman that he is, he walked me to the door. Saktong pagkabukas niya no'n ay may dumaan naman at muntik pang tumama iyon sa kanila kung hindi lang napigilan ng lalaki na nakatayo sa tabi ko ang pintuan. I jumped back instinctively, but the heel of my shoe got caught on something.

I would have fallen if the man I'm with hadn't caught me in the waist. Naramdaman kong hinapit niya ako palapit sa kaniya. My natural reaction was to cling to his arm as he brought me closer to help straighten me up.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, his breath fanning my face.

"Y-Yes—"

"Luna?"

It was like time was suspended in midair when I heard the familiar voice. Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatingin ako sa kaliwa namin kung saan ngayon nakatayo ang nakatatandang kapatid ko na si Domino kasama ang asawa niya na si Tiara.

Damn it!

__________________________________End of Chapter 9.