The next day, I was still in deep slumber when I felt someone poking my sides. I was in no mood to argue with anyone first thing in the morning, but he's really getting on my nerves.

"Ano ba?" I blurted out, my eyes still closed. "Get lost. I'm still sleepy. Huwag kang magulo."

Atticus chuckled heartily when I rolled myself to the other side of the bed.

"Love gets up early to cook breakfast." Napadilat ako sa sinabi ni Atticus. "Since you're borrowing her body, the least you can do is to fulfill her duties on her behalf, right?

"Huwag mo akong sumbatan. It's not like I chose to be in this body." I scoffed in irritation. "Gosh, you're so annoying."

Labag man sa aking kalooban, bumangon na ako. I grudingly folded the sheets, not minding Atticus who watched me dreamily like the creep that he is.

"Can you stop staring at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like that! Pakiramdam ko hinuhubaran mo na ako sa utak mo. Gosh."

"For the record, I've already seen every inch of that body you're borrowing, Stellar." His lips waned into a thin smile. "Natikman ko na rin. It's the best dish, really."

"Atticus!" I gasped and then threw him a pillow. "Language, please! You're so gross!"

Mukhang hindi naman siya nainis na binato ko siya ng unan at tawa lamang siya nang tawa. Anong nakain nito at parang sobrang saya niya?

I went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Kahit na wala akong naaalala tungkol sa sarili ko, napagtanto kong maalam ako sa pagluluto. Being Stellar, I have a hunch that cooking is my thing. The way I cooked seemed like my hands knew it all.

I prepared the usual eggs, fried rice, and toasted bread. Ipinagtimpla ko rin siya ng kape at natuwa naman ako dahil nagustuhan ni Atticus ang timpla ko.

"This flavor..." His face softened. "It tastes so familiar."

My eyes widened. "Really? That's weird."

"How did you make this?" he curiously queried.

I winked. "I added a bit of milk and cocoa."

"I see." malumanay na tugon ni Atticus habang patuloy na hinahalo ang kapeng itinimpla ko para sa kanya.

Kalaunan, natapos na ako sa paghanda ng almusal.

"I swear, I'm near to stabbing your eyeballs. Don't look at me like that, you perverted asshole." I told him while putting the food on the table. "Nakakainis ka na, ha!"

Ang bastos niya ngayong araw! Atticus was grinning from ear to ear and it seemed like he's enjoying my frustration!

Kumain na kami. Good thing he knew when to stop. Tinigilan na niya ako sa mga nakakadiri niyang tingin pero natatawa parin siya tuwing nagkakatinginan kaming dalawa.

As we relished our breakfast, Atticus spoke fondly of my name for the first time. "I have this feeling that you're still a teenager, Stellar."

"Why do you think so?" pagtataka ko.

He laughed. "Your reaction says it all. So innocent."

Shortly, we finished our breakfast. It was only a matter of minutes when somebody knocked on the unit. I was washing the dishes at the moment, so Atticus went to open the door.

"You're early." narinig kong sabi ni Atticus sa bisita.

"Pardon my intrusion." It was a low and baritone voice.

Naintriga ako kung sinong dumating niya kaya binilisan ko nang tapusin ang mga hugasin. Pagkatapos kong maglinis ng kusina, nagmadali akong pumunta sa sala.

There, I found the stranger seated quietly on the sofa. He was a man around his late twenties. There was nothing special about him, except that he's wearing a black-rimmed spectacles and he looked like a genius.

Napatingin naman siya sa akin.

"Good morning." he greeted.

Gosh, even his voice sounds so boring.

"Good morning." I awkwardly replied.

Since I don't know him personally, I have no idea how to interact with him. Marahil kilala siya ni Gaia pero ako hindi.

Humalukipkip naman si Atticus sa harap nung lalaki. Nagpalipat-lipat siya ng tingin sa aming dalawa. "Ano pang hinihintay niyo? Theme song?"

I glared at him. Inirapan naman niya ako at sinenyasan niya akong maupo sa tabi niya. I did. Halos mapatalon naman ako sa gulat nang bigla niyang ipulupot ang braso niya sa bewang ko.

Darn. Ang init.

"Sandro, were you able to create the list?" My lips parted when Atticus caressed my waist with his thumb. Ano bang ginagawa niya?!

The guest cleared his throat before placing a white folder on the table. "There's a total of twenty-five Stellars within our area."

Kinuha naman iyon ni Atticus. He even smirked before letting go of my waist. Ugh! Bakit ako naiinis? Dahil ba tinigil niya yung ginagawa niya?! Get a grip, Stellar!

"I wonder which one of them are you." he whispered while skimming the contents of the folder. "Look, love."

Sinilip ko naman ang nilalaman ng folder. Kada lipat niya ng pahina, may impormasyon at litrato ng iba't ibang Stellar. Sino kaya ako sa kanila?

My mouth twitched in discomfort when I caught Sandro staring at me. This secretary... why do I feel like I know him? Have we ever met before?

"None of them are interesting." Atticus carelessly slid the folder to the table. Tila tamad na tamad siya. "No one else?"

"I found an exceptional case. I'm sure you'll find this interesting." Sandro answered, triggering Atticus who immediately sat up straight. Wow, he really wants to meet me that bad, huh?

"Tell me about it, my friend."

"This case is kind of delicate, so..." The secretary suspiciously threw me a glance. Mukhang naintindihan naman ni Atticus ang tingin na iyon.

What? Ayaw ba nilang nandito ako?

"Alright," Both of them stood up. Bumaling sa akin si Atticus. "Study room lang kami."

I pouted. "Bawal ba akong sumali?"

He chuckled. "I'll tell you about it, okay?"

"Ang damot niyo naman." reklamo ko.

Atticus led the way to the study room. Sandro threw me one last look before following him. That nerd! Sino ba talaga siya? His presence feels freaking familiar! It's bothersome.

I heaved out a deep sigh. I can't believe that they actually left me out of the discussion. Well, I guess it can't be helped. Wala namang alam si Sandro sa mga nangyayari.

I stiffened on my seat when I heard a phone ringing. The sound came from the purse nearby. Nilapitan ko ito at kinuha ko ang phone na tumutunog. I suppose this is Gaia's phone?

Yvonne calling...

Yvonne? Maybe one of her friends. Sinagot ko na lang ito dahil baka importante ang sasabihin niya.

I cleared my throat. "Hello?"

"Gaia."

My heart raced wildly upon hearing a man's voice. Bakit lalaki ang sumagot? Akala ko ba, Yvonne? For some reason, fear clouded my mind. What's with this chill? Why am I feeling scared?

"Who is this?" I nervously queried.

"We have a lot of things to discuss."

I caressed my chest in an attempt to calm myself, but it was futile. I couldn't stop the rise and fall of my chest. What's happening to me? Who is he?

"Tinatanong kita. Sino ka?" matapang kong tanong. I heard him sighing from the other line before answering my question.

"Before anything else, turn the television on. I have good news for you."

He suddenly ended the call, leaving me dumbfounded. Hindi ko alam kung sino siya, pero wala naman sigurong masama kung gagawin ko ang sinabi niya.

I hesitantly turned the television on.

Conan Solaire officially declared as the primary suspect for the rape and murder case of Stellar Lumina.

My eyes watered with tears.

I stared at the walking figure shown on the television, unable to prevent my sobs. The boy looked so tired and stressed, and the remorse on his face was evident.

He was handcuffed and escorted by three policemen. The reporters were so eager to take a statement from him, desperately shoving their recorders to his mouth. Every time the camera flashed to his face, his eyes subconsciously blink.

Conan.

Mas lalo akong napaiyak nang makita ko ang mga luha sa kanyang mata. Pasimple niya itong pinunasan at huminto sila sa paglalakad upang makapagbigay siya ng mensahe sa mga mamamahayag.

Looking straight into the camera with his bloodshot eyes, he muttered the words that broke my heart into pieces.

"I didn't do it."

The door of the study room swung open. Atticus emerged from inside, but he didn't say anything to me. For a moment, he stood there quietly, not daring to close the distance between us.

At that moment, we both knew.

I suffered such a tragic fate that cannot be overturned anymore. Hindi na mababago ang kapalaran ko. Wala na si Stellar. Whatever I do from here, she's never coming back to life.

Atticus slowly shortened the space between us. Each step he took was careful and light.

And then he embraced me.

His touch was so comforting.

"I'm sorry for finding you, Stellar."

Whatever I do, she's never coming back to life. The only thing that I can do for Stellar Lumina... is to make her murderer pay the price.

---