Her

Tahimik akong natapos sa kinakain ko. I glanced at Erikson who seemed to be in deep thought.

"Hindi ka pa tapos." Puna ko sa pagkain niya.

Doon yata siya natauhan. He straightened his back and cleared throat. Sumulyap siya sa akin bago nagsimulang kumain. I stood and threw the cup inside a bin. Bumalik ako sa puwesto ko malapit sa pintuan ng pantry room, stading stiff.

Tahimik niyang tinapos ang kinakain. Nang matapos ay tunayo siya at itinapon ito sa bin. He looked at me and tilted his head.

"Your shift is over. Si Angelo na ang papalit sa 'yo." Aniya.

Tumango ako at nagpaalam. I released a sigh of relief when I reached my room. Mabilis akong naligo at nagbihis. After a cold and refreshing shower, I lie down on my best and let the drowsiness engulf my brain.

Isang katok ang nagpagising sa akin. My state of consciousness immediately filled me as I quickly rose from bed, assembled my contact lens on the night stand and stood. Dahan-dahan akong lumapit sa pinto at nang buksan ko ito ay nakita ko ang isa sa kasama ko kanina sa misyon.

"Hi! I'm Mavrik." He said with a smile.

I stared at him for a bit. He's tall and has a usual bodyguard build. He's in his uniform and an earpiece was attached to his ears. He looks young and innocent especially when he smiles. There's this small dimples in the corner of his mouth and his eyes were dark but lively at the same time. Overall, I think he's meant to be a model than a bodyguard.

Still, I believe thag Erikson would be much more handsome compared to him.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko dahil pinutol niya ang pahinga ko.

"Ahh... Nasa club ngayon si Boss at Angelo kaya ginising kita para makapunta na tayo."

Tumango ako at sinarhan siya ng pinto. His smile dissipated because of hat but I didn't care. Dali-dali akong nagbihis ng uniform ko at lumabas ng kuwarto. He was pouting when I opened the door. I raised my brow at him and motioned him to lead the way.

"You know, almost everyone here is my friend. That's my charisma." He said as he walked down the hallway with me.

Hindi ako nagsalita dahil wala naman akong pake.

"Kaya huwag mo akong susungitan dahil alam kong lalambot ka sa akin." Aniya nang makalabas na kami sa mansiyon.

Napailing nalang ako. Bago ko pa mabuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan ay inunahan na ako ni Mavrik. Nakakunot ang noo ko siyang nilingon, he winked at me.

"Mavrik." I called seriously.

"Yes?" He smirked.

"Are you gay?" That was a serious question. I'm a man, at least what they view me. Because his actions just now... seemed like they're flirting.

The smirk poof out of his face. He glared at me, I remained serious because I'm really serious.

"Why does my sexual orientation matter to you?" He raised his brow at me.

I huffed and ducked inside the car. Sinarado ko ang pinto bago niya pa ako magulo. Kaagad siyang umikot at pumasok sa driver seat. Kumalabog ang pintuan nang sinarado niya ito pagkatapos ay nilingon ako, handang magsalita sa nakabukang bibig ngunit kaagad kong pinatunog ang stereotype. Loud music surround the car and I closed my eyes, resting my head against the car's seat.

"Are you gay?" He asked me.

Hindi ko siya sinagot. Unang pagkikita palang namin ay ang daldal-daldal niya na. Hindi ko iyon gusto, masakit sa ulo at tainga. Mabuti nalang at matapos ng ilang minutong pagtitiis ay huminto na ang sasakyan. I released a sigh of relief, Mavrik must've heard it that he turned my way as his smile once again poof out of his face. He looked offended. Bago niya pa ako mapagsabihan ay binuksan ko na ang pinto at lumabas.

Kumalabog ang pitno sa likod ko, senyas na lumabas na rin siya ngunit nanatili ang mata ko sa establisyimentong nasa harapan ko. It's an exclusive bar for politicians and any other powerful people in Casa Cantatio. Hindi ko ito napuntahan ngunit pamilyar na ang pangalan sa akin— Casa Cantina. I heard this a lot from Drizzy. How she dreamt of being there because that's where she can find handsome and wealthy men.

Malaki ang gusali at halatang moderno ang istilo. Kulay abo at itim ito ngunit ang ilaw ay kulay dilaw sa labas. Nakakalula ang laki pero hindi ako rito nagulat. Ang tanging nasa isipan ko ay kung bakit... bakit nandito siya?

I shook my head and sighed. Marvrik passed by me and entered the bar, I followed him. The bouncer even nodded at him when Mavrik entered as if it was a common occurrence. Was Erikson a customer here?

"Tigil." Malalim na baritono ang nagpatigil sa lakad ko.

Nakakunot ang noo kong nilingon ang maskulado at malaking bouncer. His brows were furrowed as he looked down at me.

"Kasama ko." Si Mavrik nang mapansin ang pagtitigil sa akin ng bouncer.

The bouncer looked at me from head to toe. As if mocking, he clicked his tongue and stepped back, giving me space to enter the bar but I feel kind of offended. Did he just mock me because I'm smaller than him?

"Pasok na miss." Ani ng lalake kaya kumalabog ang puso ko kasabay ng panlalaki ng mata.

Natawa si Mavrik kaya binalingan ko ito, gulat at hindi makapaniwala. He... knew?

"Lalake 'yan, Rony! Hindi lang halata!" Natatawang saad ni Mavrik.

I don't know if I should be relief by that or should I get offended again. Wow. The amount of offend I felt today is huge.

"Lalake?" The bouncer looked at me from head to toe.

"Lalake! Maganda lang 'yang mukha niya pero may ti—"

"Oo na." Putol ni Rony sa kaniya bago pa masabi ni Mavrik ang mahiwagang salita.

I released a sigh of relief and walked out of Rony's scrutinizng gaze. Hanggang ngayon ay natatawa pa rin si Mavrik kahit na wala na si Rony sa paningin niya. He's snickers were irritating at its best.

"Babae ka raw!" Asar ni Mavrik sa akin, I glared at him. Mas lalo siyang natawa.

"Ano naman ngayon?"

"Bakit kasi ganyan mukha ko? Kung magbibihis ka ng babae, aakalain ko rin na babae ka! I'm not mocking you!" But he proceed to laugh at me.

"Hindi ko kasalanan." Kalmado ngunit iritado kong saad.

"You should grow some mustach. Ang linis ng mukha mo, dapat may balbas ka para naman magmukha kang maskulado. Kapag ganyan, lalake ang maaakit mo! Madami pa namang may gusto ng ganyang mukha!" Pagpapatuloy niya.

Hindi ko siya sinagot. Nanatili ang masama kong ekspresyon sa nilalakaran ko. We entered a dim hallway as he continued to laugh, tease me. The loud music echoed but his laugh remained. Unti-unti ko na ring nakikita ang maingay na ilaw at ang sigawan. Various colors hit my face, dancing against the corners of the building, circling and twirling along with the wild crowd. I heard laughs and shouts from different direction. Sweats and smoke were palpable and the dim lit of the bar— maybe club as well? Was wild. Everything felt animalistic and primal.

"Nasa VVIP section si Boss!" Sigaw ni Mavrik nang unti-unti nang natatabunan ng ingay ang tawa niya.

Tumango ako at sinundan siya. He climbed up the stair and I followed his steps. Hanggang sa umabot kami sa mezzanine. I sighed in relief when the crowd in this floor was a bit tamer compared to the first floor. Rinig pa rin ang musika hanggang dito ngunit sa palapag na ito ay ramdam mong mga bigatin ang mga taong nandito. Mavrik walked towards the corner of the floor and there's a huge and cozy u-shaped couch with a large table. It felt private since only few people are in this floor, plus the distance are wide.

"Boss." Si Mavrik kaya bumaling ako sa kung saan nakatingin si Mavrik.

My lips part as my heart beat loud. No words could describe the terror I felt when I saw Erikson sitting casually on the couch— with a fucking woman beside him! What the hell?!

"Mavrik." He acknowledged and drank a bottle of vodka. Fucking vodka. My glare remained on the vodka. He drink? "Ci."

My eyes snapped at him. He raised his brow at me when my glare remained. He drank again and I glared at the bottle again. Erikson tilted his head at me and I stood straight, controlling my face back into neutral.

"Hendrik." Malanding usal ng babaeng katabi niya.

I want to throw-up. I want to run. I want to regret why the fuck am I even here? May babae siya? He... moved on?

Bobo. Patay na nga si Ella 'di ba?! Anong in-expect mo? Magmumukmok siya habang buhay dahil namatay ka?!

"Go grab some drink, Mav." Si Erikson.

"Ayos lang, bossing." Si Mavrik.

"Accompany Ci. He looked to be in bad mood." He glanced at me but I remained stoic.

Natawa si Mavrik kaya mas lalong sumama ang mukha ko.

"Natawag kasi siyang babae ni Rony." Si Mavrik.

"Babae?" Nagtaas ng kilay si Erikson sabay sulyap sa akin.

"He thought he was a girl." Hanggang ngayon ay natatawa pa rin si Mavrik sa nangyari.

"He looked like one." Erikson agreed and my glare vanished as my heart thunder in rhythm. Nervous and... what? Hopeful?

"A girl? Boss! Ma-oofend 'yan!" Si Mavrik sabay sulyap sa akin. I glared at Mavrik.

"Yeah. Forgive Rony, Ci." Erikson turned to me and my heartbeat doubled.

Hindi ko na siya gusto... kaya bakit ganito?

Tanging tango ang naging sagot ko dahil hindi ko alam kung may lakas pa ba ako para magsalita. Bumalik na ang atensyon ni Erikson sa babae niya kaya mas lalong nasira ang mukha ko. The two whispered sweet nothing's in his ears and he smirked at her. Napailing nalang ako at bumuntong-hininga.

"Mav, Angelo's in the bar. Might want to accompany him?" Si Erikson sa lalake. Ramdam kong may balak silang gumawa ng kung ano rito.

Mavrik smirked and he gave Erikson a knowing look. "Sige, bossing. Enjoy." Pagkatapos ay bumaling sa akin. "Halika—"

"Dito lang ako." I said coldly.

Pinandilatan ako ni Mavrik. "Ci, samahan mo ako! Bigyan mo sila ng privacy!" Bulong sa akin ni Mavrik pero nanatiling malamig ang mata ko.

"Dito lang ako. Pumunta nga tayo rito para bantayan siya 'di ba?!" Hindi ko napigilan ang pagtaas ng tono ko.

"I heard you. I can protect myself really well." Erikson said casually, I glared at him.

"Hindi ka nakakasiguro, baka may kutsilyo 'yang babaeng 'yan sa katawan niya." Seryoso kong sabi.

"Kutsilyo?" He looked at the girl beside him who smirked.

"You can touch myself and see for yourself I have none." She offered him.

"Okay, aalis na 'ko. Bahala ka na, Ci!" Si Mavrik sabay takbo palayo bago pa madumihan ang mata niya.

"Get a room." I hissed.

"Relax, Ci." Erikson chuckled.

The girl glanced at me and she met my deadly glare. I scoffed when I caught her winking at me!

She's a blond woman although I'm not sure if that's her natural hair color. She's paper white as well and has an hourglass body shape. Sophisticated if only her arms are not wrapped around Erikson, I would've complimented her. But no, I don't want to compliment her.

Is that his type? A blond woman? Because that's definitely me?

Assumera.

I snapped at the voice inside my head. Tumuwid ako sa pagkakatayo at pinagmasdang magharutan ang dalawa. I cringed. Nasa sulok ako ngunit sinigurado kong nakikita nilang may nakakita sa kung ano mang kababalaghang ginagawa nila.

"Let's dance!" Ani ng babae sabay tayo, she glanced at me once again, I furrowed my brows.

"Nah." Si Erikson sabay tunggab ng alak.

"Come on! Doon natin ipagpatuloy!" Pamumulit ng babae.

"Just go, babe."

I cringed once again. Babe? Ang pangit pakinggan lalo na kapag boses niya ang gamit!

"Fine!" The girl stomped out with a pout and I tried my best not to roll my eyes.

"Stop glaring."

"I'm not." I said coldly.

"You are."

Hindi ako nagsalita. Parehas kaming natahimik sa kabila ng ingay sa baba. I glanced at him and caught him staring at me.

"No wonder why." He said unconsciously.

"Ano?" Binalingan ko siya.

"Rony thinks you're a girl. You really look like one." He said, I gulped.

"Hindi ako babae." My tone came out harsh, a little defensive.

"I know." He sighed and drank a liquor. "Umaasta lang."

I gave him my death glare, he chuckled.

A sudden shadow loomed beside me and my head snapped at the intruder's direction. Our eyes met and my lips part as I observed his familiar eyes. I don't know him personally but I've met him before.

"Jericho, anong ginagawa mo rito?"

Right. Jericho, the man who tried to hit on me six years ago!

Jericho's eyes went slits as he observed me but I remained neutral even though my heart is about to burst from my suffocating ribcage.

"New bodyguard. Henry gave me one just because he felt like it." Erikson explained.

"Bodyguard?" Bumaba ang tingin niya sa katawan ko, my stance went on defensive mode.

"I can shoot." I said in a warn.

His brows shoot up as he scrutinize my being. Erikson tsk-ed and I thought Jericho's gonna roast me alive but he made a move that shocked me. My lips part as he gave me his hand.

"Nice to meet you. Erikson's friend, Jericho." He said in an amicable tone.

Suspicious.

"Ci." Tanging tango ang sagot ko, hindi binabalingan ang kamay niyang nakalahad.

Jericho's smile faltered a little but he remained smiling. He put his hand down and swiftly slid it inside his pockets. Bumaling siya kay Erikson na nakamasid sa amin habang iniinom ang inumin.

"Nandito ka nanaman? Hindi ba't dapat nagpapahinga ka?" Si Jericho.

"Girls and club are my rest." Erikson smirked, I clenched my fist.

A lot has changed, I guess.

Or maybe, my expectations of him are just too high for reality.

"You should quit playing around. Uncle has been bugging me about your sexapades. Natatakot siya baka makabuntis ka."

"Iyon naman gusto niya, ah? An heir." His tone appeared innocent but there's hidden malice in it.

"He'll kill the child once he knew the girl isn't worthy enough."

Erikson scoffed and drank more liquor. Kumunot ang noo ni Jericho at tumabi sa kaniya. He glanced at me as if my presence is bugging their private conversation but I remained tall and firm.

"Once is enough. Tinanggihan mo na si Ana noon kaya huwag mo nang tanggihan ngayon si Drizzy." Jericho continued and my lips part at the mention of a familiar name.

"Just tell him I'll think about it."

"But you won't." Jericho said seriously.

"Who knows? I might." He smirked and Jericho eyes observed him like a cat.

"Is there a big chance you'll agree to marry her?"

My heart went berserk as if an animal was caged inside my ribcage. I felt suffocated inside and the loud music seemed to disappear around the background as my eyes zeroed on Erikson, anticipating, waiting, hoping... his answer wouldn't be as disappointing as I expect.

"Yes."

All my hopes shattered into pieces.

What do I expect? I'm dead. Ella is dead. I'm nothing but a mere bodyguard to him now.