Song: Thunderclouds- LSD ft. Sia, Diplo, Labrinth

Thank you

I gulped before I positioned myself. I tried reading him, hinahanap ang posibleng rason kung bakit ganito siya kaseryoso ngayon. But I just can't.

This man changes mood every 0.25 seconds.

I took a step forward. He stayed in his position, waiting for me to make another move other than taking a step forward.

I punched the air to... I don't know.

I don't even know why the hell I did that? Maybe to scare him? Hell no. He will never get scared of me. Baka ako pa ang makatakot sakanya!

Damn. Ngayon lang ako kinabahan ng ganito.

What the hell is wrong with him? Why isn't he moving?

Binagsak ko ang aking mga kamay at hindi makapaniwala siyang tiningnan.

"Come on, aren't you gonna do something to- Ah! What the hell?!" I screamed.

I quickly ran away when he almost launch at me. Kung hindi ako siguro tumakbo palayo, baka bumagsak na ako sa sahig.

"Hindi ka man lang nag-warning!" reklamo ko. He scoffs.

"Why? Do you think... in an actual fight your opponent will give you a warning on when he'll attack or-"

"I didn't say that!"

"But that's your point. Come on, Ariadne. Take this seriously."

"I'm taking this seriously! You're just... scary."

He smirked and shakes his head. "Then don't let your opponent know that you're scared of him. That will be his advantage."

"O-Oh..."

This time he attacked first. I was able to dodge it naman but boy, he's fast! I was just about to make a move when he already managed to stop me.

"You are very predictable. Your attacks can be read."

"But didn't I do an amazing job a while ago? What's the matter?" nagugulohan kong tinanong.

Akala ko talaga kanina, nasatisfy na siya sa pinakita ko. Damn! That fight made me exhausted tapos hindi pa siya satisfied doon?

"You think that's enough? Try something new. Be unpredictable."

Bumagsak ang balikat ko at inirapan siya. Dami namang reklamo ng isang 'to! If he will keep on challenging me like this then I'll freaking take this seriously this time. I will make sure that he'll be very much surprise!

Umayos ako at sinimulan nang seryosohin ang lahat. He was a bit shocked that I attacked first, siguro iniisip niya na siya na muna gaya nang nangyari kanina. Nagpapalitan lang kami ng suntok at sipa. Parehas namin naiilagan ang mga atake ng isa't isa.

The bodyguards started cheering. Some are on my side, and the others are on Axel. Hindi ko sila nilingon dahil alam kong madidistract lang ako kapag ginawa ko iyon.

I launch my arm forward. At first, I thought he was going to dodge it and throw me a punch on my stomach but I was wrong. My eyes widened when he grabbed my arm to pull me closer to him. Our bodies almost touched. My mouth parted.

Natahimik ang lahat nang dahil sa ginawa niya. Hindi ko man lang magawang bawiin ang aking braso sakanya nang dahil sa pagkabigla. And to my surprise, I was suddenly lost in his eyes. Those eyes are the most beautiful pair of eyes that I have ever seen.

Is he half or something? He definitely should be! His eyes are a mixture of green and gray. Wala akong kakilalang Pinoy na may ganitong kulay ng mga mata. How come I didn't notice that?

Nawala lang ang pagkalunod ko sa kanyang mga mata nang makita ko siyang ngumisi. Little did I know that it was his tactic to get me distracted. Nang matauhan ako at sinubukang bawiin ang aking braso ay mabilis niya akong inikot at inilagay ang kanyang braso sa aking leeg.

Damn. I lost this one.

I pushed his arm off of me angrily. I heard him chuckled. Hinarap ko siya at masamang tiningnan.

"Maduga!"

"Sometimes you just gotta do something to keep your opponent distracted," he said with a teasing smirk on his lips. I pouted and continued to glare at him. "Anyway, you did well today. I hope you can still join us for your firearm training tomorrow."

"Wait. I have that?"

Nagugulohan siyang tumango. I smiled. Wow! I wasn't expecting that my parents would let me have that kind of training. I've always had this curiosity towards firearms and how to use them. So, knowing that I'll be able to learn now... it excites me.

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising nang dahil sa sobrang excitement. I put my hair up in a high pony tail and wore my gym clothes. Pagkalabas ko ng aking kwarto ay binati ko si Joseph na matyagang naghihintay sa paglabas ko.

"Good morning." bati ko at dali-daling naglakad upang makapagpunta na sakanilang headquarters.

"Wait, Aria. Hindi ka magbbreakfast?" nagtataka niyang tinanong.

"Mamaya na 'yon. I'm excited for today! Come on!" tinalikuran ko siya at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Nang tuluyan na akong makalabas ay abot langit na ata ang ngiti ko. Kung sinabi lang nila na may ganito akong klaseng training edi sana hindi na ako naginarte noon.

The first thing that they taught me is how to disarm a weapon from the opponent. Axel demonstrated it to me and I tried it to Damon. Nakailang ulit pa ako hanggang sa makuha ko rin.

Sunod naman nilang tinuro sa akin ay ang pagkasa ng baril.

"You should do this as fast as you can. Your enemies can shoot you anytime and they're not going to wait whether you already loaded your gun or not." Ani Axel.

I nod my head and watch as Joseph and the other bodyguards demonstrate how to load different types of firearms to me.

I can't help but get amazed while watching them. This is so cool!

"The only gun you're allowed to use is a handgun. Any guns other than that are not allowed." paalala ni Axel.

As if I have plans on using a shot gun or something! I have already been aware of that.

We went towards the table wherein the magazine is still detached from the gun. Unang nagtungo si Axel doon. He carefully teaches me how to load , unload and reload a gun.

Ngunit sa halip na magfocus ako sa kung paano niya hawakan ang baril ay nagagawi ang tingin ko sa kanyang braso. His biceps caught my attention. I watch as they flex whenever he loads the gun.

Then my eyes went to his perfectly sculpted jawline. The way those move whenever he speaks, and the way he licks his lips while talking.

Oh fuck, Aria! Why are you focusing on something else? Why are you checking this man out instead of listening to him?

I blinked a lot of times and shake my head. Tumayo ako ng maayos at sinubukang mas magfocus nalang sa kailangan kong matutunan ngayong araw.

"It's your turn to do it." sabi ni Axel. Nagulat naman ako.

He unloaded the gun for me. Meaning, he's going to watch me load it. Titingnan niya kung nakinig ba ako sakanya ng mabuti. Pero paano ko magagawa 'yun kung kakabalik palang ng isip ko sa katinuan?

"W-What? C-Can you show it again? I-I didn't quite get it."

He looks at me for a while. Hindi siguro makapaniwala na hindi ko nakuha iyon kahit dahan-dahan na niyang tinuturo sa akin kung paano. He sighed heavily and followed my command.

Kung hindi niya 'yon inulit, malamang magmumukha akong tanga habang sinusubukan na ikasa ang baril. He handed me the gun. Nagpalit naman kami ng pwesto.

"Do it as fast as you can," ani Damon. "Oorasan ka namin."

Tumango ako. I put both of my hands up in the air while I wait for them to tell me to start now. Damon checks his timer before he told me to start now.

With shaking hands, I started to apply what Axel taught me. The first thing I did was to load the gun. The second was to reload and the third was to unload. I put the gun down when I finished and raised both of my hands up in the air again.

"Thirty seconds. Not bad for a first timer." Damon commented and smiled.

"Do it again," sabi ni Axel. "Faster this time."

I pursed my lips. "I was a bit slow because I was nervous."

"I understand. That's why you have to try and try until you do it real fast."

Tinotoo niya nga ang sinabi niya. Hindi niya ako tinigilan hanggang sa hangga't hindi siya nasasatisfy sa bilis ko. Hindi ko na nabilang kung nakailang beses akong ulit, natuwa nalang ako nang bigla silang maghiwayan nang nagawa ko iyon sa loob ng sampung segundo.

The next thing that Axel taught me is how to fire a gun properly. Naglabas sila ng shooting target. Isa-isa naman nila akong pinakitaan kung paano bumaril.

The sound of guns being shot are somewhat new to me so it kind of hurt my ear. I was busy watching when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turn to look at whoever it is.

Axel handed me a pair of glasses and some earmuffs to prevent me from losing my hearing. Tumabi siya sa akin at sinuot na rin ang kanya.

"Thanks." I said.

"Let's go. I'll teach you."

Sumunod ako sakanya. Ang iba ay nagpatuloy sa pagbaril. They also consider this as their training kaya naman ay hinahayaan lang ni Axel.

Axel positioned himself behind me. Now I'm clearly inside his arms because I can feel my back touching his chest.

"Extend your arms," utos niya. Sinunod ko naman iyon. Binigay niya sa akin ang baril at inayos niya ang pwesto nito sa aking kamay.

"Always make sure that these are extended," he pointed at my arms. "Hold the gun with both hands, unless you're a great shooter you can hold it with one. But you're just starting so..."

Kung wala siguro 'tong earmuffs sa tenga ko baka kanina ko pa ramdam ang hininga niya doon. He's just so close that I can't even make myself to turn to him because I'm afraid that our faces would meet if I do that.

I gulped while he keeps on instructing me. Hindi ko na talaga alam kung saan lumipad ang utak ko. I don't even know why my soul is suddenly leaving my body whenever he's this near.

"Shoot the target."

"W-What?"

"Shoot the target." he repeated.

"O-Oh..." then I fired the gun. Napapikit pa ako noong una nang dahil sa lakas nito. Nang minulat ko ang aking mga mata ay nakita ko na pinipigilan ni Axel ang pagtawa.

"What? What happened?"

"I said shoot the target, Ma'am. Not the floor."

Nilingon ko ang target at nakitang wala man lang marka ng bala doon. Ngumiwi ako. Now he's making fun of me.

Baka kung hindi lang talaga ako distracted baka maganda ang naging aim ko. Ugh! Gosh, Aria! Focus! Kahapon ka pa!

"Okay! Then I'll try it again. Move." sabi ko at pinalayo siya sa akin.

"As you wish." aniya at nagbigay ng espasyo sa pagitan naming dalawa.

I reloaded the gun and extended my arm. I made sure that my eyes are locked on the target. I need to get a good range.

When I fired the gun, I was surprised to where the bullet landed. Bull's eye!

"Oh my god!" I squealed. "I shot it! I shot it!"

I put the gun down and raised my right hand asking for a high five. I was smiling so wide at Axel, hoping that he'll join me with my celebration. But what I got from him is a surprised expression and a creased forehead.

Nawala ang ngiti ko at ibababa na sana ang aking kamay nang sumingit si Damon na nasa tabi lang namin at nagpapractice. Kung hindi siguro siya dumating baka napahiya na ako dahil ayaw tanggapin ni Axel ang high five ko.

"Good job!" Damon complimented and take the high five. I smiled again.

"Now... you gonna mock me again?" tinaasan ko ng kilay si Axel.

Wala siyang sinabi. Seryoso lang siyang nakatingin sa akin habang nakakunot parin ang noo. Tumalikod ako sakanya at nagpatuloy sa pagputok ng baril.

O diba? Maayos naman ako kapag hindi ako distracted. Alam lang siguro nito ni Axel na madali akong madistract kaya tinetake advantage niya. O baka naman... alam nitong si Axel na may epekto ako sakanya kaya ganon nalang siya lumapit?

Oh! No, no, no, Aria! Wala siyang epekto sa'yo! My gosh! He's just a bodyguard!

Magpapatuloy pa sana ako nang biglang lumapit sa pwesto namin si Joseph.

"Aria, kakain ka pa daw ba?" tanong niya.

Nang dahil doon ay tsaka ko lang din narealize na hindi pa nga pala ako naguumagahan. I instantly left my room without food inside my stomach because I was just too excited.

"You haven't eaten yet?" Axel asked, there was a glint of disappointment in his voice.

"I was just excited for this so I completely forgotten about it-"

"You should've told me. I would've let you eat first."

Nilingon ko naman si Joseph na mukhang sinusubukan na wag makisawsaw sa usapan namin. Agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin sa akin.

"No, it's fine. Joseph reminded me but I told him that I'll eat later."

My forehead almost creased because of the worried tone in his voice. But maybe I was only imagining it. He wouldn't worry about me. This guy doesn't even care about me.

"You should go and eat now. You're done for today."

As much as I wanted to practice more, I know that I also need to eat. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So skipping it, it's actually not good.

"Okay."

Nabigla naman si Axel at Joseph sa mabilis kong pagpayag sa utos niya. Normally, we would argue first before I follow him. But this time, he didn't need to do a lot of convincing.

Well, I realized that breakfast is really important so... I want to eat.

Hindi na ako nagpaalam pa sakanila at nagsimula nang maglakad pabalik ng palasyo. Ngunit bago pa ako tuluyang makalayo ay hinarap ko silang muli nang may biglang sumagi sa aking isip.

"Have you guys eaten breakfast yet?" tanong ko.

Maaga silang gumising ngayon at hindi ko alam kung naisingit pa ba nila ang pagkain ng umagahan nang dahil sa dami ng ginagawa nila ngayong araw.

Nagtinginan muna sila. Hindi alam kung ano ang isasagot. May ibang umiling habang ang iba naman ay mas pinili na wag nalang sumagot gaya ni Axel.

"Well, if you don't mind... I would like to join me for breakfast. I mean, wala rin naman kasing ibang kakain nung hinanda, e. And also, this is thank you for keeping me busy for the last two days," I bit my lip as I watch for their expression to change.

Ang iba ay nabigla. Ang iba ay namangha. Pero ang isa... hindi parin nagbabago ang ekspresyon. I don't even know what he's thinking. All I know that he's just staring without showing any emotion at me. I tore my eyes away from him.

"I'm... going to expect to see you all at the breakfast table." I smiled before I continued to walk back into the palace.

Si Damon na ang nakaatas na magbantay sa akin. He tried to keep up with me and joined me to enter the palace. I turn to him to ask something while he's opening the doors for me.

"Do you think they'll come?"

He scoffs and let me in first. I waited for him to answer.

"I highly doubt it, Aria. We have limitations to follow."

"But I invited you so I don't think it's against the rules."

Damon smiled apologetically at me. Sabay kaming nagtungo sa dining area. Sa itsura palang niya na iyon alam ko na. They couldn't afford to break the rules that was given to them. They were trained to follow them.

"Kahit coffee lang? Bawal?"

I hated how I sound so desperate. But hell, it's been a while since I eaten breakfast with someone. It gets lonelier each day.

"I'm sorry, Aria." Damon smiled sadly. Tumango ako at naupo na sa aking pwesto sa lamesa.

"I understand."

Nagtungo naman si Damon sa kanyang pwesto at tsaka nagsimula nang gawin ang kanyang trabaho. I ate my breakfast quietly.

Marami ang nakahain sa lamesa para sa iisang tao na kakain. Hindi ko na nga alam kung ano ang pakiramdam ng may kasabay kumain, e.

I was just about to finish my food when Axel arrived at the dining area. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin. He went to Damon and talked to him.

I bet Damon's shift is over. Pero bakit ang bilis naman? Wala pa naman akong isang oras dito kaya hindi pa gaanong nagtatagal ang shift ni Damon sa pagbabantay sa akin.

But who am I to question, right? Baka nagbago o kaya may kailangang gawin si Damon?

Maybe I should stop making everything a big deal. Ano naman kung magpalit sila diba?

Nakita kong tumango si Damon at mamaya maya pa ay nagtungo na ito palabas ng dining area. Nagkatinginan naman kami ni Axel.

Inilubay ko lang ang tingin sakanya nang makita kong papalapit siya sa pwesto ko.

"I have been informed that your parents are coming home today, Ma'am." aniya.

Natigilan ako ng sandali doon. Oh, yes. It's been three days since they left. Sigurado naman ako na kahit bumalik na sila, pakiramdam ko wala parin sila dito.

"Isusumbong mo ba ako?" tanong ko nang hindi siya tinitingnan. Pinaglaruan ko ang pagkain sa aking plato habang hinihintay siyang sumagot.

Ilang segundo na ang nakalipas pero hindi parin siya sumasagot. I get it. I asked a dumb question! Of course he would report everything I did to my father.

Binagsak ko ang kubyertos. Siguro kailangan ko na rin ihanda ang sarili ko para sa mga sasabihin ni Daddy sa akin. I should be ready to get scolded again.

"No," Axel spoke after a minute of silence. My mouth parted in surprise. "You already learned your lesson. I think that's already enough."

I turn to him in surprise. Whoa! I wasn't expecting that from him. My brows rose because I still couldn't believe that he's not going to report me to my father.

"No..." I repeated his answer. "O-Oh..."

It took me a minute before I could properly process everything. I smiled a little at him. His jaw clenched.

"Thank you."