Warning: This chapter mentions rape, abuse and assault. You can skip this chapter if this chapter is too hard for you to take. Reader's discretion is advised.

Habang naglalakad ako ay may nakita akong bata na nagtitinda sa gitna ng kalsada. He's wearing a light blue shirt and a black shorts. Wasak-wasak pa ang damit niya na parang basahan, wala pang sapin sa paa. Not minding the scorching sun. Siguro ay sanay na siya sa ganito. Naawa ako sa kaniya, gusto ko sanang tulungan kaso kahit ako ay kailangan din ng tulong.

I sighed whilst walking. I didn't bring anything with me. Wala akong pera, cellphone o kahit na ano, I just act with my instincts.

Patuloy lang ako sa paglalakad nang may makita akong mga lalakeng naka black suit. They were looking around like they were searching for someone or something, and then a black van hovered on the way. He stepped out then look around as well. In an all black suit with his hair disheveled.

I panicked then start running through the crowds. I don't want to go back there! Never! I started running as fast as I could. Hindi pa ako nakakalayo ay may sumigaw na sa likod ko. I heard them screaming my name as well as their footsteps rushing towards me.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako patungo basta ang alam ko lang ay kailangan kong umalis sa lugar na 'yon. Kung babalik ako roon ay mas mabuting patay na lang ako. I don't want to be assaulted so many times. I don't want to be used. I don't deserve that. Gusto ko lang naman mabuhay nang tahimik.

I run and find a spot to hide. Sa eskinita ko napagdesisyunan magtago. Sa gilid ako ng basurahan nagtago. Feeling ko naman ay hindi na nila ako makikita rito.

Nagdasal na lang ako na sana hindi nila ako makita. I catch a glimpse of Austin's servers searching kaya nagtago ako ng maigi sa gilid. I was crying and hoping that he will never find me. I can't afford to go back to that hell.

Naramdaman ko ang presensya sa gilid ko. I thought I was the only one there, may tao pa pala. I looked up to see a guy smoking. Nakatingin ito sa kawalan habang bumubuga ng usok. He was wearing a suit as well, a black suit. I don't know what he was doing here, but I pray that he wasn't Austin's servers as well.

He glanced at me before puffing the smoke.

"Please don't tell them where am I..." I cried to him. His forehead knotted but didn't speak. Tumingin din siya sa bukana ng eskinita at saka bumalik sa paghithit ng sigarilyo niya. I thanked him on my mind for not saying a word.

Tumingin ulit ako sa labas. Hindi ko na nakita ang mga tauhan ni Austin sa paligid. Nawala na rin ang ingay. I guess they were gone. Naghintay pa muna ako ng ilang saglit bago napagdesisyunang tignan sa labas. I looked carefully around, cautious that they might be somewhere. Pero wala akong nakita roon. I sighed then looked at the guy. He was standing there still, looking at me while puffing a smoke.

"Why are you hiding here?" his deep voice growled. Humakbang siya papalapit sa akin kaya't napaatras ako. I'm afraid of him. I'm afraid of any man. I don't want to be around with any of them.

"I... I was..." hindi ko maituloy ang sasabihin ko dahil sa kabang nararamdaman ko. My body is very cautious right now. Siguro ay kahit konting hawak lang sa akin ay magwawala na ako. Nanatili akong nakayuko at hindi tumitingin sa kaniya.

"I'm harmless, kid. No need to be afraid," he said. I can here stomps on the ground. Nakita kong inapakan niya ang sigarilyo bago niya inilagay ang mga kamay niya sa bulsa ng slacks niya.

I didn't speak and remained cautious.

"My name's Adrian... Adrian Jade Fernando. You can call me AJ," he offered his left hand to me kaya't napatingin ako roon.

"Samara Brie Javier..." I said not touching his hand. I looked at his eyes to see his reaction, but he remained stoic. Tumango siya at saka ibinalik ang kamay sa bulsa.

"I usually don't help strangers, but I think you are exceptional," he studied my face and my reaction before walking pass me.

"Let's go. Let's buy you some clothes," he said. I felt something on my shoulders at pagkatingin ko kung ano iyon ay iyon pala ang coat niya. I glanced at him silently thanking for the gesture. He nodded then guided me outside.

Pagkalabas namin ng eskinita ay may kotse na nakaparada sa gilid. It's a black audi. I glanced at him again feeling the awkward tension. Hindi pa rin ako sanay na may lalaki sa paligid ko. I'm afraid that they'll do something like Austin did to me. I got scared at the thought so I tightly closed my eyes.

Naramdaman kong may humila sa coat na nakapatong sa balikat ko, parang sinasabi na gumalaw ako, so I moved. Tumingin ulit ako sa lalaki na nasa tabi ko. He's silent and observing my movements. I got awkward by his stare so I looked away.

Bumukas ang pinto ng kotse sa harap ko. Pumasok ako roon. I don't know where he's taking me, but I feel safe with him somehow, pero hindi pa rin maaalis ang takot ko. I'm still getting over about what happened to me just days ago.

He got into the driver's seat. I'm on the back seat observing the people outside. Heavy tinted ang sasakyan kaya for sure na hindi kami makikita sa loob.

He started the engine then drove off. Nakatingin lang ako sa bintana habang bumabyahe kami. There's a lot of people outside. Umaga rin kasi.

I sighed then lean my head against the window. At least I'm safe for the mean time, he feels no harm and I don't think he'll cause harm to me. For now, I just want to be away. I want to be away to them, to him.

Tumigil kami sa isang convenience store. Napatingin ako kay Adrian na nagtanggal ng seatbelt. I want to ask him pero nahihiya ako.

"Stay here. I'll buy you food," tumango na lang ako kahit hindi niya ako kita.

Lumabas siya ng kotse at saka pumasok sa convenience store. I sighed again, getting bored. Narinig ko ring kumalam ang tiyan ko. I bit my lower lip. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang gutom simula kanina.

After a couple of minutes, lumabas na rin si Adrian na may dalang tatlong supot. Pumasok siya sa kotse at saka inilapag sa passenger side ang dalawang supot, ang isa ay ibinigay niya sa akin. Hindi ko na iyon tinanggihan at tinanggap na lang.

"Eat that. I know you're famished,"

I nodded then started getting what's in there. Burger iyon, siopao and packed lunch. May orange juice pa roon at tubig. I almost drool at the sight. Damn, I'm so hungry.

"T-thank you..."

Napansin ko kasing nakatingin siya sa akin sa rearview mirror na tila nag-aantay ng reaksyon. He nodded then start the engine then drove off again. Nagsimula na rin akong kumain habang bumabyahe. I almost moaned when biting the burger. I feel like I didn't eat for a year kahit may ibinibigay naman na pagkain si Austin sa akin. Most of it ay hindi ko naman kinakain dahil natatakot ako na baka nilagyan niya iyon nang pampatulog.

I actually thought of going home. I want to go home and contact my mother about all of this. I want to sue him, but part of me doesn't want it. I don't know why. Iniisip ko kung uuwi ako ngayon, malamang ay naroon na si Austin. He might use my family against me. O baka nandoon na 'yon ngayon at binubulabog sila.

I know I'm selfish about this, pero ito rin ang naiisip kong mas mabuting paraan para maging ligtas. I'm not safe in his hands anymore. Kung dati siya ang pumoprotekta sa akin. Ngayon, siya naman ang gumagawa ng ikapapahamak ko.

We stopped at the tall building. I know this building. It is owned by the rich tycoon in the country. It was owned by the Tans.

Lumabas si Adrian ng kotse. He opened the door for me as well. Lumabas ako kahit na nahihiya ako. I am bared foot and for sure I look like a beggar. Pero mukhang hindi naman bothered si Adrian. He even covered my face with his coat before gently putting his arm at my shoulder then pulled me closer.

I flinched at his touch. Flashbacks rushing through my memories. Kahit na alam kong harmless ang hawak na iyon ay hindi ko magawang maging kalmado. My body is traumatized.

Lumayo ako ng bahagya sa kaniya. Naramdaman kong natigilan siya pero hindi kumibo.

Nakapasok naman kami sa building nang hindi nakkwestyon ng guard. Maybe he's a VIP here kaya't hindi na siya kwinestyon. Pumasok kami sa elevator. He pushed the P button which I assumed was the penthouse. We are silent the whole ride on the elevator. Kami lang naman din kasing dalawa ang naroon.

At hindi nga ako nagkamali dahil doon kami dinala ng elevator. Pagkabukas ng elevator ay bumungad agad ang maliwanag na kalangitan. Lumabas agad kami ng elevator at inalalayan niya ako.

"You'll stay here for a while. And I'm sorry for touching you earlier, I should ask your permission first," he said softly in my ear before guiding me towards the door. He swiped his key card there then the door opened.

Bumungad ulit ang glass wall sa paningin ko. Puros ulap lang ang makikita mo roon. It felt like you're in heaven.

Hindi pa rin ako umiimik kahit noong ayain niya ako na umupo sa sofa. I remained silent. Ayaw ko rin naman magsalita dahil wala rin naman akong sasabihin.

"What happened by the way? Why are you hiding there? And who are you hiding from?"

I heard him said while pouring something on a glass. Lumingon ako sa kaniya. "I-I'm chased by my rapist..." I almost whispered the last word.

Nag-uunahan namang tumulo ang luha ko. Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko habang nakakapit sa coat na nasa balikat ko. I sobbed when I can feel his touch against my skin. Sinubukan kong kuskusin 'yon at alisin sa katawan ko, pero namula lang ang balat ko sa ginawa.

Lumapit naman si Adrian sa akin at nang naramdaman ko ang presensya niya ay lumayo na lang ako. I'm afraid. Ngayong kaming dalawa na lang dito ay na-realize ko na masiyado akong naging komportable sa kaniya kanina. Baka rape-in niya rin ako kagaya ng ginawa sa akin ni Austin.

"P-please... don't..." I pleaded.

"Please don't what? Hm?" I hear Austin's voice inside my head. I pulled my hair to get it out pero paulit-ulit ko lang naririnig ang boses niya.

"You can't escape from me, Samara. You can't..." the I heard him laugh hysterically.

"Tama na! Tama na! Please, pakawalan mo na ako!" I continued pulling my hair while I screamed.

I'm scared. I'm really scared. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.

"Sshh... Samara it's me..." I heard Adrian's voice. Napalingon ako sa kaniya habang umiiyak. I shook my head then pushed myself aside.

Sinubukan niya akong hawakan pero inalagan ko lang 'yon. I don't want anybody to touch me. I feel like if they will, they would assault me.

"Shhh... just rest for now... It's hard I know, but please rest," he said softly. I can see his eyes soften while he looks at me.

Umiyak lang ako ng umiyak doon habang si Adrian ay patuloy na inaalo ako. We stayed like that for a while. Nang kumalma na ako ay nagluto na siya ng makakain namin.

I leaned at the backrest of the sofa then closed my eyes. I'm tired and I just want to end this. Hindi ko alam kung kailan matatapos ito. And I just prayed that Adrian will do nothing to me.

Nakatulog ako sa ganoong pwesto. Pagkagising ko ay may kumot na sa katawan ko. Maybe Adrian did it. Tinignan ko rin ang suot ko, ganoon pa rin. Napahangi ako ng maluwag dahil mukhang hindi naman ako ginalaw ni Adrian.

I felt sticky all over. Gusto ko sanang maligo kaso nahihiya naman akong magsabi kay Adrian, so I just stayed there waiting for him.

Narinig kong bumukas ang pinto. I looked at the door expecting Adrian, at hindi nga ako nagkamali, siya iyon, may dalang mga supot. I saw Chanel, Victoria Secret and other brands outside of the paperbags. Pumasok siyang bitbit ang mga iyon. Marami iyon na halos hindi mo mabilang. Inilagay niya iyon sa center table na nasa harap ko.

"These are your clothes. Hindi ko alam ang size mo so baka ang iba ay maluwag. You can use the bathroom on the guestroom. I already put your essentials there, sa guestroom. You can stay here for as long as you like," he said

"Thank you," 'yon na lang ang nasabi ko, nahihiya.

Tinanguan niya lang ako at saka pumasok sa kwarto na nasa kanan ko sa harap.

Bumuntong hininga ako saka tinignan ang loob ng nasa paperbags. Dahan-dahan ko 'yong binuksan. I saw shirts and pants there. May mga lacy underwears din. Pinamulahan ako ng mukha.

It was all in small and medium size na sa tingin ko naman ay kasya sa akin. I got the paperbags then put it on the guestroom. Like Adrian said, dito raw muna ako.

Pagkapasok ko ng guestroom ay queen size bed agad ang bumungad sa akin. Its sheets are all white. Nakaplastar iyon ng mabuti sa kama. The windows are all in my left. May tv din sa gilid at air-conditioned ang kwarto.

May cabinet din sa kanan ko. Malawak ang kwarto. Kasing lawak siguro ng kwarto ko sa mansyon. Sa kaliwang gilid malapit sa kama ay naroon ang cr.

Nilagay ko na muna ang mga damit ko sa cabinet bago ako pumunta ng cr para magbihis. Pagkarating ko sa cr ay agad na akong naghubad at saka naligo.

I closed my eyes then feel the water rush through my skin. It was tiring today. Pagod ako galing sa takbo, sa iyak, sa lahat. Nakakapagod na parang gusto ko na lang mawala sa mundo.

Naalala ko na naman ang mukha ni Austin. His smirk while he raped me. His hands roaming around my body. I tried to get rid of it by scrubbing my skin harshly, pero kahit anong gawin ko ay nararamdaman ko pa rin 'yon.

I cried while showering. I cried all my pain. All my misery. I wish my dad was here. Hindi man kami masiyadong close noon but he treat me good. He cradles me when I cry, even bought me chocolate to stop me from crying.

I miss my daddy. Gusto ko na lang sumama kung nasaan siya ngayon. I felt dirty. I don't think nobody deserves me anymore because I'm tainted. I'm used. Sino pa bang gugustuhin akong makasama? Wala na.

I breathed out the pain but my tears won't stop falling. I calmed myself before I finish my shower. Nagbihis na ako at nagpatuyo ng buhok.

I sat at the bed then stared at myself from the television. I saw no life in my eyes. I felt like it was taken away from me—my innocence. Well, it is. My innocence is taken away by the person I trust my life with. Napaluha na lang ulit ako nang mapagtanto ko iyon.

How do you end this pain? Do you end your life as well? Gusto ko mang mabuhay pero wala ng pag-asa.

I wiped my tears then lay myself on the bed. I wish I have powers to turn back time so I could prevent this from happening.