*Mielle's POV*

My nape hurts like hell. I groaned in frustration then I opened my eye, that's when I realized that I was handcuff in a chair at the end of a long dinner table. I scan the whole area, I'm not familiar with this place. Sinubukan kong alisin yung kamay ko pero hindi ko magawa.

Then I felt someone's presence, sa palagay ko nasa likod ko sya. I calmed myself and sighed deeply.

"Ms. Mielle" she said.

"Amanda!" I exclaimed.

Humarap sya sa akin then she removed my handcuffs, itatakas nya ba ako? Akala ko katapusan ko na! I don't want to be locked up in a mansion!

"Young Lady" she said.

"Where are we, Amanda?" I asked.

Hindi sya samagot.

"England?" I asked.

Yumuko lang sya, I can't understand! I walked passed her at napatigil sa harap ng salamin, that's when I noticed I'm wearing a bloody red fitted dress, a brown wig and pair of silver stilettos. Tumakbo ako palabas ng dining hall and I ended up on the receiving area in front of the staircase.

"Hey there, milady" he said. I turned around and faced him, he just smirked at me tapos dahan dahang naglakad papunta sa akin.

I run towards him and lunched my fist on his face but he caught my hand. Inikot nya ako and now he's back hugging me! He started swaying as if we're dancing! Damn him, tumawa lang sya sa tenga ko then I rolled my eyes.

"Ugh! You bastard!" I said then I step on his foot kaya nakawala ako sa kanya.

"Damn, I missed you too" he said then he flashed his smirk at me. It's freaking annoying!

I faced him and throw some punches pero iniilagan lang nya. I love to erase that stupid smirk on his face using my punch! Umatras sya at pinagpagan yung suit na suot nya, I took that chance to kick him kaya napunit yung bandang baba ng dress ko.

"Argh!" he groaned.

Sumugod na din sya sa akin, I continuously dodging his attacks then sinipa ko ulit sya at tuluyan ng napunit yung dalawang gilid ng dress ko—nagkaroon na ng slits.

"Oh, you look hot in that bloody dress" he said then he smiled naughtily at me.

"You perverted bastard! I'll send you to hell!" I screamed pero natawa lang sya.

We exchange kicks and punches pero wala ring kwenta dahil naiilagan din namin yung mga attacks, so basically nagpakapagod lang kami. We stopped at pareho kaming hinihingal, nakayuko na sya and I took that opportunity to give him a punch on his stomach.

"Ugh! C-Curse you" he said habang hawak nya yung tyan nya.

"Serves you right, bastard" I said.

"MI AMOR!"

Napatingin ako sa taas ng staircase and I saw an elegant old woman along with an old man who's smiling from ear to ear. So hindi yung witch ang nagpakuha sa akin, it's my grandparents.

"Señor, Señora" I said.

They elegantly walk down the staircase hanggang sa makarating sila sa harapan ko.

"Mi amor, I told you it's Mamita" She said. She's my grandmother on my father's side.

"You can call me Paps" he said. He's my grandfather on my father's side.

I nodded and smiled at them bigla naman nila akong niyakap.

"Looks like you missed each other a lot to witness the two of brawl" Paps said the he laughed.

"Yeah I really missed her Paps" the bastard said.

Since when did he start calling my grandfather as Paps?!

"Aww Cipher, are you ok? Mukhang masakit yung suntok ni Louisse" Mamita asked with concern.

"Hindi naman po, Mami. I'm used to it" he answered.

Ha! What a jerk! Nakiki-Mami at Paps din sya ah? What is he doing here anyways? Paps raised his hands then may lumapit na katulong.

"Prepare the dining hall" he said, the maid just nodded and left.

"Mi amor, let's sit" Mamita said then she motioned us towards the couch. Naupo ako sa gitna ni Mamita and Paps while the bastard sat on the single couch in front of me with a smirk written on his face.

"What is he doing here?" I asked them referring to that bastard.

Mamita and Paps just laughed at me and the bastard just smile at me sweetly, damn I almost puke! Ang pangit nya!

"Hindi mo ba alam?" Paps asked.

Magtatanong ba ako kung alam ko? Seriously people!

"He's the new sentinel" Mamita said.

"What?!" I asked.

He's too young to be a sentinel! He can't manage the Imperial guards! What the hell!? He's too childish and he doesn't fit to that position!

"Besides, para ko na ring apo si Cipher. He lives with us" Paps said.

I cringe on what he said. I understand them, though. Benjamin Cipher Montecarlo is my best friend aside from Rae, mas madalas kaming magkasam sa mansion noon compare to Rae because Cipher's dad was the former sentinel of Rosa Familia, he's the one who taught me how to fight along with his son, Cipher.

But, unfortunately Cipher's dad died while protecting Mamita and Paps on an event several years ago, while his mom died as she labored him. So basically Cipher is an orphan that's why Mamita and Paps decided to keep him and the President and Vice President agreed.

"I missed you, Mi amor" Mamita said then she hugged me.

Ngayon ko lang naisip, how did they find me? Where are we? Nasa England? Spain? Paano ako uuwi?

"Where are we?" I asked in a serious tone.

Cipher burst out laughing while tugging his stomach. I glared at him pero tawa lang sya ng tawa, what a psycho!

"Mi amor, we're in tagaytay" Paps answered, then Amanda entered the hall.

"The dinner is ready" she said then nauna ng pumasok sa loob ng dining hall.

We followed her, Mamita and Paps walk along with each other, then the bastard is walking beside me. He pulled me closer to him then he wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Kumakain ka ba?" he asked.

"What the hell? Of course!" I answered.

He just smirked at me then I rolled my eyes at him. Humarap naman sina Mamita sa amin then they gave us a meaningful smile. Great! They want Cipher for me—they want him to be my husband.

The bastard pulled a chair for me then umupo naman ako, he sat beside me and smiled at me, I smiled back at him mockingly.

"Ang pangit mo" he said.

What the hell!? I pulled his necktie then his face was only inches away from mine then I smirked at him.

"Pardon?" I asked while I smiled sweetly at him.

Someone cleared his throat kaya tinulak ko yung mukha ni Cipher palayo sa mukha ko.

"Should I call the wedding planner?" Mamita asked jokingly.

"Do you prefer a church wedding or a beach wedding?" Paps asked.

Great! Just great! I glared at them; I took a glance on that bastard he's blushing furiously. What a gay! Several maids entered the hall along with food trays.

"Where's Amanda?" I asked the bastard, he peeked inside his pocket then shook his head.

"Wala sa bulsa ko" he said.

I hit his head at na-aray naman sya then he pouted.

"Wala pang isang oras tayong magkasama pero bugbog sarado na ako" he said while massaging the back of his head. Eh kung sumagot sya ng tama hindi sana sya nakatikim ng batok sa akin. Seriously? Yan ba yung bagong sentinel?!

"You two look good together" Mamita said then she sighed dreamily, I bet she's imagining things between Cipher and me. Paps just laughed as he drinks his wine.

"I apologize for my tardiness"

I immediately rose from my seat as well as Cipher. My heart starts to beat faster, what is he doing here?!

"President" I said.

"Call me dad since you're my daughter" He said. Nilingon ko sya at may kasama syang aso!

"Happy Birthday, My princess" He said.

"Arf! Arf!"

The dog run towards Cipher, the bastard took the leash and patted the dog's head.

"She's Luna, A half gray wolf and a half Alaskan malamute" Dad said as he walks towards me.

Sinalubong ko sya then he open his arms out wide to give me a hug, I run towards him then niyakap ko sya ng mahigpit. Damn it, I missed Dad so much.

"Where's the witch?" I asked.

He laughed then ginulo nya yung buhok ko.

"Dummy, that's your mom. Well she's busy, you know her" he said.

Umupo na kami sa dining table at kumain, dumating na din si Amanda at nakisabay sa amin. We had our late dinner then nagpunta ulit kami sa receiving area para magusap.

"So what brought here, President?" I asked.

I know him, hindi sya pupunta dito dahil lang sa birthday ko probably may project sya. His face became serious, dahil na rin sa tinawag ko syang President, it means I want to talk about their business—the Empire.

"I'm planning on building a school" he answered, napatango-tango ako.

A school is good investment lalo na dito sa pilipinas, the country needs more school for the poor.

"What kind of school?" I asked as I took a sip from my wine.

"A dormitory school for Elites" he said, I raised my brows.

"Why not build a public school?" I asked.

He took his wine glass then drank from it. Hindi kumikibo sina Mamita and Paps, the bastard is just listening habang hawak nya yung aso.

"Empire is a sophisticated company-- hi-end. Hindi yata bagay kung public school ang gagawin, besides kaya naisip kong magtayo ng elite dormitory school para makuha din ng great return in exchange for the hi-end education that the Empire will offer" He answered.

I smirked, wala sa plano nya ang tumulong. He just wanted to gain more money, well that's business. I took a glance at Amanda then she nodded at me.

"How are you doing, my princess" he asked.

I smiled at him.

"I'm doing good, dad" I answered.

Si Mamita, Paps, Amanda at Cipher lang ang nakakalam kung ano talaga ang mga ginagawa ko. I don't have any plans on telling them, lalo na sa witch na yun.

"When are you going to return?" he asked.

"When I feel like to" I answered then he sighed.

Dad and Paps talked privately on the study room, nalaman ko na matagal na pala yung mansion na 'to dito, it was actually made for me pero sabi ni Mamita natigil yung construction dahil pinatigil ng witch pero pinatuloy nila secretly.

Umalis na si dad dahil may flight pa sya pabalik sa U.S. I told him not to tell the witch about me then he nodded, we bid our good byes.

"Hindi pa pala namin nabibigay yung gift namin, Mi amor" Mamita said.

Paps handed me a small box, I bet it's a car key, I just hope it's not a sports car dahil hindi ko magagamit yun.

"Sabi ni Amanda, nagcocommute ka lang papasok ng school or minsan sinasabay kay ni Alexandrei. I decided to buy you a car para may magamit ka" Paps said, hindi nya alam na may dala akong sasakyan nung umuwi ako dito sa pilipinas.

"Don't worry, Mi amor. It's just a common car, marami akong nakitang same brand nyan dito" Mamita said.

"Ako pumili ng kulay nun" the bastard said then he smirked at me.

"Where's your gift?" I asked.

Puro sya smirk tapos wala syang regalo sa akin, ang kapal nya! He handed me a rectangular box, nung binuksan ko, wallet yung laman—a pink wallet. Err, I don't like pink and he knows that! Tinignan ko sya ng masama pero nagpipigil sya ng tawa, inopen ko yung wallet then I stared at him with a blank expression.

"Seriously?" I asked.

Hinarap ko yung wallet sa kanya at pinakita yung laman. May picture nya! Natawa naman sila Mamita at Paps.

"Para hindi mo ako ma-miss" He said then he smirked at me.

"Such a conceited jerk" I said.

"You can just stare at my face then ask "bakit ang gwapo gwapo ni Cipher?" haaay" he said, trying to imitate my voice.

I glared at him, nagpaalam na si Mamita kasi inaantok na sya. It's already 3 in the morning, masyadong napahaba yung kwentuhan namin.

"You can stay here , Mi amor" Paps said.

"Yeah, tabi tayo" Cipher said then he smiled at me playfully.

"Uuwi na ako sa Manila, Paps. I'm sure Alexandrei is worried about me since that bastard abducted me" I said then I took a glance at Cipher.

Paps just laughed then nodded, hindi din naman nya ako mapipigilan eh.

"Magpahatid ka kay Cipher" He said then the bastard smiled victoriously.

"No" I answered firmly.

"Maliligaw ka, I'm telling you" Cipher said.

"What's the use of GPS?" I asked.

Hindi na kami pinansin ni Paps then umakyat na sya kasama ni Mamita para matulog. Nagpalit na ulit ako ng damit, yung dress na binigay ni Alexandrei yung sinuot ko buti na lang hindi nila tinapon.

Hinatid naman ako ni Cipher palabas ng mansion.Kasama rin si Luna, I'm taking her with me of course, such a cute dog. Nilabas ko yung car key sa box, it's Honda.

"I don't mind kung magcocommute ako pabalik dito basta mahatid lang kita" Cipher said while his hands are in his pocket.

I stared at him for a while; it's been a long time since I last saw him doon pa sa mansion sa U.S. I think five years ago, halos kamamatay lang ng dad nya, then sumama na sya kila Mamita. He changed a lot, tumangkad, naging manly, mas lalo syang gumwapo at naging conceited, mas naging malakas din sya.

"So who's the lucky girl?" I asked.

I'm sure may nakilalang ibang babae 'to. Hindi sa sumagot, I removed my wig tapos hinampas ko sa mukha nya.

"Hey!" he scolded me.

"Tinatanong kita" I said.

Natigilan ako nung makita ko yung sasakyan. What can I expect? Its Honda, a common brand of car in the country but this is the latest model of Honda Civic—Type R. I bet hindi pa 'to nirerelease dito.

"Ang galing kong pumili di ba?" Cipher asked.

"Yeah" I answered sarcastically, and then I pressed the car key. Bubuksan ko na sana yung car door but the bastard pulled me then may naramdaman akong malamig sa leeg ko. It's a silver necklace.

Tinignan ko yung pendant, it's a rose. Yung stem nya naka-hang pabaliktad then yung pinaka flower ay gawa sa ruby. Humarap ako sa kanya.

"Happy Birthday, Marielle Louisse" He said then he hugged me, I hug him back.

"Thank you, Cipher" I said. Mas hinigpitan nya yung yakap nya sa akin kaya natawa na ako.

"Damn it so good to hear you laugh" he said then he caressed my hair.

Bumitaw na ako sa kanya then pinagbuksan nya ako ng pinto. He smirked at me, he can't hide the sadness in his eyes, I'm his best friend!

"See you soon" He said and I raised my brows.

I ignored what he said.

"Hindi mo pa rin ako sinasagot" I said, then he smirked at me.

"Bakit nanliligaw ka ba? Sige tayo na" he said, I glared at him pero ginulo lang nya yung buhok ko.

"Who's the lucky girl?" I asked.

Natahimik sya then he smiled at me but it didn't reach his eyes. He cupped my face, which is lagi naman nyang ginagawa kaya sanay na ako.

"It's still you and it will always be you" He answered sincerely then he kissed me on my forehead.

I look away from him then I sighed. He's an amazing guy, bukod kay Alexandrei, Paps and Dad, kasama si Cipher sa mga pinakaimportanteng lalake sa buhay ko.

"Will you marry me?" he asked. I punched his face lightly then natawa kami. Inalalayan nya ako papasok sa sasakyan then pinapasok na din nya si Luna sa passenger seat.

"Thank you" I said.

"Ayaw mo talagang magpahatid? Or baka hindi mo na ako pabalikin dito pag sumama ako sayo?" he asked with a playful grin on his face.

"You're the sentinel, take care of my family" I said.

"Of course, I will take care of OUR family" he said in a serious tone.

I started the engine the inopen ko na yung gps. Buti na lang behave lang si Luna sa tabi ko. Binaba ko yung bintana at pinalapit si Cipher, I pulled his necktie and I gave him a kiss on his cheeks.

"I missed you too, bastard" I said then umalis na ako.

Just let me finish my family issues, Cipher. If that time will come, I will give you a chance since you're not that hard to love. You've been my best friend since we were kids and I know your feelings for me, you just chose not to take a step closer to me. Maybe one day, I will be the one who will take a step closer to you.

I headed straight to the expressway pero natraffic ako dahil may ginagawang daanan kaya inabutan ako ng umaga bago makarating sa bahay ni Alexandrei. Damn wala pa akong tulog! I parked the car near the gate then pinababa ko na si Luna.

I opened the gate then pumasok sa bahay, my jaw dropped when I saw them sleeping on the floor—I mean yeah, all of them are here, sila Nadia pati na rin sila Gabby.

When Alexandrei saw me, he rushed towards me and gave me a really tight hug, ramdam ko yung bilis ng tibok ng puso nya.

"Damn, where have you been?" He asked.

Nagising naman silang lahat, pati yung beast na nakaupo habang natutulog.

"Mielle!" sabay na sabi ni Kat at Nadia.

"I was so worried sick about you!" seryosong sabi ni Alexandrei habang nakayakap pa rin sa akin, owkay? Hindi na ulit maganda yung tingin ni Arielle sa akin.

Nagulat ako nung hinawakan ni Alexandrei yung mukha ako, isa-isa nyang chineck kung may sugat ako or wala, he's really worried about me.

"Nagalala kami sayo, nakita kasi namin yung phone mo sa sahig then naiwang nakabukas yung bahay" Thor said.

"nabalitaan din namin na may nakarinig daw ng ilang gunshots" Alex said.

"I'm sorry" I said sincerely.

"Next time, magpapaalam ka para hindi kami magalala sayo" Arielle said in a cold tone, I calmed myself dahil hindi ito yung tamang oras para sagutin ko sya.

"Buti na lang nakabalik ka na" Ellena said.

"Muntik na kaming mapaaway sa police station kasi ayaw pa nilang magrelease ng search team kasi wala pang 24 hours simula nung nawala ka" Ken said.

"Nakipagsapakan tuloy si Clyde sa mga pulis" Kat said.

I glanced at the beast; kaya pala may pasa sya sa gilid ng labi nya.

"I'm glad you're safe" Gabby said.

Nagsorry ulit ako sa kanila then hinatid na ni Alex sila Nadia, umalis na din sila Thor, Ken at Gabby. Ihahatid na din ni Alexandrei si Arielle pero sinabihan nya si Clyde na magstay muna at wag akong palabasin. I've got a lot of explaining to do, blame it all on my crazy grandparents.

Kinuha ko yung medicine kit sa CR, then bumalik ako sa sala. Naabutan ko yung beast na nakikipag laro kay Luna.

"Let me clean your wound" I said then pinaharap ko sa akin yung beast.

Humarap naman sya sa akin, ang sama pa rin ng tingin nya—he's mad, I know. Kumuha ako ng cotton buds then nilagyan ko ng ointment. I gently clean his wound sa gilid ng labi nya, napapangiwi sya pag masakit.

"I'm sorry, I made you worry" I said.

Our eyes met, he's looking at me intently.

"Sinong nagsabing nagalala ako sayo?" he asked then he looks away.

Tinapos ko na yung paglinis ng wound nya. Oo nga naman, bakit sya magaalala? We're not even close! Tumayo na ako at naglakad papuntang hagdanan, sumunod naman sa akin si Luna.

"Don't ever do that again" he said then I froze.

Nilingon ko sya, nakahiga na sya sa couch habang yung arms nya nakatakip na sa mata nya.

"Muntik ko ng mapatay yung pulis dahil ayaw ka nilang hanapin" he said.

I smiled. Yeah, hindi sya nagalala.

*End of Chapter*