Her

I lead the target to a closed room.

Pagkasara na pagkasara ko sa pintuan ay kaagad niyang hinablot ang kamay ko ngunit dahil mabilis ako kumilos, nailagan ko ito. Isang sipa at umalingawngaw ang sigaw siya sa buong kuwarto. Mabuti nalang at soundproof ang nakuha ni Erikson na kuwarto kaya walang makakarinig sa kaniya gaano man kalakas ang isigaw niya.

"Tangina, eh! Kung makasipa akala mo wala ring itlog!" He groaned in pain as he held his balls tight.

He deserves more. So I grabbed him by the collar, lifted his weight and punched his face like how I wanted to punch the girl Erikson was flirtimg to earlier.

What the hell, Ci?

The old man groaned but I continue to punch him until his lips bleed out. Mabigat siya pero kaya ko siyang buhatin dahil sa galit kong kanina pa napuno. It's the adrenaline rush to kill someone that made me lift him so easily as I beat the fuck out.

The door banged loud and I stopped. Pumasok si Erikson na hinihingal at namumutla. He looked apprehensive as if he was expecting to caught me in a compromising position. His fist was ready to fight and his breathing was hectic. His sweats were dripping and he looked like he's about to pass out.

Nang nagtama ang tingin namin ay kaagad na bumaba ang mata niya sa duguang lalake. His eyes widened as his lips parted out of shock, he obviously didn't expect this scene. Well, I'm in the mood to beat someone and this old man happened to be my punching bag.

"Gutierez! T-Tulungan mo 'ko!" Iyak ng matanda sa kamay ko kaya ibinalik ko ang atensyon sa lalake, the old man cowared in fear as he screamed a cry.

"Wow..." Si Erikson, halatang hindi makapaniwala.

"Lock the door unless you want an audience." I hissed at the still stunned Erikson.

That made him snap back. Sinarado niya ang pinto kaya malakas kong inihagis ang matanda sa sahig. I heard a bone breaking along with his cry, I shook my head and sighed.

"Well... we weren't supposed to beat him up." Kalamadong aniya kaya nilingon ko siya.

Erikson grabbed something inside his suit and we both saw the silencer on his hands. Mr. Mondragon shouted and began to thrash but I held him again by the collar and punched his gut.

"Stay back, Ci." Erikson's tone was dripping with... what? Rage?

One step back and I flinched as a loud thud echoed around the room. Nilingon ko ang matandang lalake at napasinghap nang makitang dilat ang mata niya ngunit walang buhay na makikita rito. A bullet was on his forehead as blood surround his head, dripping on the floor.

"Anong mababalita?" I asked and turned to Erikson.

Nanatili ang mata niya sa matandang lalake. I flinched when he pulled the trigger again, on the target's eyes that I had to avoid my eyes and glared at him.

"Tama na. Patay na." Kalmado kong sabi pero hindi siya nakinig.

He pulled many trigger until he ran out of bullet. I released a heavy sigh. Mabuti nalang at hindi ako nakatingin sa katawan ng matandang lalake, pakiramdam ko hindi kaaya-aya ang magiging mukha niya.

"Anong mangyayari? It's obviously a murder." I pointed out.

Erikson looked so lost in his rage that he didn't hear me. I tried to call him but he didn't listen. Nilapitan ko siya ngunit hindi niya pa rin iyon napapansin. I snapped a finger in front of his eyes and that's when he snapped back. Our eyes met and the soul that left his body earlier came back.

"Ano?" He asked again.

"Anong mangyayari? Halatang pinatay siya." Sabi ko.

Umiling siya at bumuntong-hininga. He put the silencer back on his suit and avoided his eyes from of the corpse.

"He has drugs. He went nuts due to drugs and caused a fire. Mavrik will set the fire in this room." Tinuro niya ang pugon kaya tumango lang ako.

We discreetly went out of the room when Mavrik told us the CCTV was not working at the moment. Hinawakan ni Erikson ang kamay ko at hinila ako palabas sa kuwarto kaya nakakunot ang noong bumaba ang mata ko sa magkahawak naming kamay. He seemed to be distracted that he didn't notice our hands together. Wala naman akong reklamo...

Nang makalabas kami ay kaagad kaming sinalubong ng malamig na panggabing simoy ng hangin. Despite the cold breeze, his warm hands reigned over my body that I didn't mind the weather. Nilingon ako ni Erikson kasabay ng pagbaba ng mata niya sa kamay naming magkahawak. His eyes widened in panic and he immediately removed his hands off me as if he was burned by me.

"Sorry!" He apologized, a little flustered.

Hindi ako nagsalita. I acted natural and stood straight. He pouted as he scratched his nape, he seemed embarrassed.

"Ahh... puwede ka nang maunang umuwi. May lakad pa ako." Aniya matapos ng ilang minutong kahihiyan. Hindi ko alam kung saan siya nahihiya.

"Saan ka pupunta?" Nakakunot ang noo kong tanong.

"Sa club. With Jericho." He sighed as if he really didn't want to go.

"Pinipilit ka ba?" Seryoso kong tanong dahil halata namang napipilitan siya.

"Hindi naman...?" The question mark on his tone confirmed it.

"Ako na kakausap sa kaniya." Sabi ko at lalagpasan sana siya para sugurin si Jericho na nakikipagtawanan pa sa party pero hinawakan ako ni Erikson sa braso ko.

His huge palms encircled my arms completely. It just showed how small my arms were or how big his hands were. Mukhang napagtanto niya ang paglalapat ng kamay niya sa akin kaya kaagad niya itong tinanggal. 

"I mean... hindi sa hindi ko gusto. Gusto ko lang bumalik sa mansyon at magpahinga pero kaya ko namang samahan si Jeri—"

"Bakit hindi mo tanggihan?"

"Hindi puwede! I'm proving a point!"

"What point?"

"Na straight ako!" His tone was defensive, answered it too fast before he can think of the words that came out of his mouth.

My eyes squinted at him. "Hindi ka straight?"

"Straight ako! Kaya nga I'm proving a point!" He seemed flustered from the topic.

"Bakit kailangan mong patunayan?"

"Kasi..." Namula siyang muli at nag-iwas ng tingin. I stared at him straight, he cleared his throat and shook his head.

"'Wag mo nang alamin. Umuwi ka na."

"Hindi. Sasama ako." Giit ko dahil paniguradong may mga haliparot nanamang didikit sa kaniya.

"Nandiyan naman si Mavri—"

"Sasama ako sa ayaw at sa gusto mo." Putol ko sa kaniya.

Ngumuso siya at unti-unting tumango. Alam niyang hindi ako titigil. Kahit na tabuyin niya ako ay susundan ko siya. He knew my nature, how assertive I am with all my decisions, especially when it concerned his safety. Sometimes, he even questioned my overprotectiveness but I shrugged it off, not bothering giving him answers. 

"Bakit kasama 'yan?" Reklamo ni Jericho nang makita ako sa likod ni Erikson.

I glared at Jericho and he glared back. He seemed to hate me and I don't know why. Wala rin akong pakealam dahil ayaw ko rin sa kaniya dahil masama siyang impluwensiya kay Erikson.

"Gustong sumama." Sagot ni Erikson sabay buntong-hininga.

"Baka mamaya pipigilan ka nanamang makahanap ng babae, ha." Pasaring niya sa akin, inirapan ko siya.

"Hindi 'yan. He'll behave." Erikson said that I scoffed too loud, they both turn my way. Inilingan ko lang si Erikson at hindi nagsalita.

"Tingnan mo! Kj 'yan, eh! Ibalik mo na 'yan sa mansyon!" Si Jericho.

"Huwag mong inuutusan ang boss ko." I stepped forward, ready to lunge my attack but Erikson stopped me.

"Hayaan mo na, Jericho."

"Nasaan na ba iyong si Angelo? Kahit boring 'yon kasama, mas maayos pa 'yon kasi hindi kj!" Reklamo niya, umirap ako.

"Tumahimik ka kung ayaw mong mabugbog." Hindi ko na napigilang sabat.

Suminghap si Jericho kasabay ng buntong-hininga ni Erikson. Inilingan ko sila at tahimik na nauna sa sasakyan. Jericho murmured incoherent words but proceeded to follow us. Ako ang nagdrive dahil alam kong sa usual exclusive bar slash club sila pupunta. Erikson told me that Mavrik will follow after he set the plan in its place.

Naunang umalis si Jericho sa sasakyan. He was on the backseat while Erikson was on the passenger's seat. Sinulyapan ko siya dahil hindi pa rin siya lumalabas.

"Puwede nating iwan si Jericho at paandarin ang sasakyan." I offered.

But then Jericho must've noticed he was alone that he stepped back and knocked on the car's window.

"'Wag mong itatakas ang bestfriend ko!" He accused me, inirapan ko siya. Ang sakit sa ulo.

Erikson released a long sigh and forcefully opened the door. Lumabas siya at naunang pumasok sa bar kaya sinamaan muna ako ng tingin ni Jericho bago sinundan ang lalake.

"Puwede ka nang umalis!" Sigaw pa ni Jericho sa akin.

I didn't. Of course I wouldn't. Hindi ko siya puwedeng iwan sa mga babae! Kaya sumunod ako sa kanilang dalawa. Jericho's hands were wrapped around Erikson's shoulder as he glanced back at me. He looked at me suspiciously and like a child, whispered things to Erikson's ears as if it was a topic meant only for the two of them and I'm out of it.

"Isip-bata." Bulong ko at inirapan sila.

Rony the bodyguard saw us and he immediately stepped back to give us way. I glanced at him and just like any othe usual night, he eyed me suspiciously. He still couldn't accept the fact that I was a man. Hanggang ngayon may pagdududa siya sa akin kaya ginagawa ko ang lahat para maiwasan siya at ang mata niya.

Instead of going to the VVIP spot where they always sit, hinila kaagad si Jericho si Erikson papunta sa dance club. I tried to chase them but they disappeared from my line of vision due to a flock of people dancing all over the dance floor. I cursed and glared at the crowd.

Maingay ang musika at puno ng sigawan. Kahit ilang beses na akong nakapunta rito ay masakit pa rin talaga sa ulo ang malilikot na mga ilaw sa ibabaw. The crowd was in hype as the music reverbrated against my ears. Sweats and alcohol mixed along with the air that I stepped back. I couldn't stand this kind of crowd. It's just too overwhelming and irritaring. Kaya umalis ako sa dance club at nagpasiyang tumayo malapit sa kung saan walang masyadong tao.

Rinig pa rin ang maingay na musika ngunit hindi na siya masakit sa tainga ngayong nakalayo na ako sa dance floor. I sat on a bar stool where people drink and observed my surrounding like a hawk, trying to find Erikson's body.

"Hi."

Bumaling ako sa lumapit at isang babae iyon. She smiled sweetly at me, wearing a red short dress, barely covering her ass as she tried to order for a drink, I'm pretty sure she did it on purpose to grab my attention.

Sorry, girl. I like boys.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at binalingan ang bartender. "Harvey Weissbanger please." I said and he nodded.

"Oh..." She chuckled. "Masungit, I like that."

Take a hint! I don't like you!

Inirapan ko siya at bumuntong-hininga nang binigay na ng bartender ang inumin ko. I sipped on my drink, silently hoping the girl would disappear but she seemed persistent!

"What's your na—"

"I'm gay." I cut her off so she wouldn't bother me.

I'm not gay but I like boys so I guess it's considered gay? Since I'm a 'man'?

Napangisi ako nang unti-unting nawala ang mapang-akit niyang ngiti. Her jaw went slack and I sipped my drink, enjoying the look on her face.

"Fine." She turned her back on me and flipped her hair, but something changed in her posture, it must've been the disappointment. I smirked and relish the sight.

Ngunit biglaang nawala ang ngisi sa labi ko nang makita si Erikson. She was approaching Erikson! It's her new target! And Erikson was oblivious to that as he talked to Jericho kaya bago niya pa malapitan si Erikson ay binaba ko na ang inumin at hinabol ang babae.

"Hi—"

I grabbed the woman's waist and chuckled. Her eyes widened when she saw me. I charmingly smiled at her that she blinked several times.

"Just kidding, baby. Mind if we can talk?" I uttered in my deep voice.

She cleared her throat and flushed. "I thought you're ga—" Bago niya pa masabi ang sasabihin ay hinila ko na siya papalayo kay Erikson.

She's blond. And the fact that I didn't notice that earlier until now left me buffled. Ngayon ko lang napansin ang kulay ng buhok niya nang nilapitan niya na si Erikson! Next time, I'll find all the blond woman and charm them out of Erikson's sight.

"Akala ko ayaw mo sa—"

Binitiwan ko ang babae at nilayuan. I glared at her and for the nth time, her jaw dropped. Confused at my change of emotions.

"Don't come near him or I'll slice your throat." I warned and her eyes widened in fear.

"Wha—"

Tinalikuran ko siya at iniwan. I was about to exit the hallway where I practically dragged her but stopped midway when I saw a familiar man who was looking at me with his usual suspicious eyes.

I cleared my throat and straightened my posture. "Ano?" Nakakunot ang noo kong tanong kay Rony.

"You like him." He said. He must've seen it!

My heartbeat picked up. "Sino?" I asked calmly.

Inilingan niya lang ako kaya mas lalo akong kinabahan. Baka magsumbong siya kay Erikson! Or worse, kay Mavrik! Marvrik and him seemed to be buddies and I wouldn't trust him not to say this concern out loud!

Kaya bago pa siya makatakas ay mahigpit kong hinawakan ang malaki niyang braso para mapigilan siya. I didn't even get to wrap my whole hands around his arms. My hands are frustratingly small.

"Hindi ko siya gusto." Malamig kong sabi sa kaniya.

He scoffed and shook his head. "Okay." He's provoking me!

"Kapag nagkalat ka ng balita na gusto ko—"

"Yeah. Yeah. Don't worry. Hindi ko sasabihin sa kanilang babae ka."

My eyes widened in panic. Kung kanina ay kaya ko pang kontrolin ang boses, ngayon ay hindi na! Pakiramdam ko lalabas sa dibdib ko ang puso ko dahil sa sobrang lakas nito. And it's not good! I feel like I'm about to pass out!

"H-Hindi ako babae." Hindi ko napigilang mautal.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay sa akim. Halatang hindi naniniwala. But hen he nodded and I don't know if I should be relieved by that or not.

"Okay."

"Tangina, Rony. Subukan mo lang." I buried my hands around his arms tight, scratching him, inflicting pain, warning him, threatening him.

"Bakit? Totoo ba?" Hamon niya.

"Hindi." I said, almost breathless.

"Iyon naman pala..." Mahinahon niyang sabi.

In the end I let go. Wala siyang patunay. Wala siyang patunay! Calm down, Ci. Wala siyang patunay. So I released him, heaved a breath and stepped back. He looked at me calmly and awfully quiet.

Instead of talking to him, or giving him a chance to provoke me, I turned my back on him and walked away. Calming myself. Narrating to myself that he doesn't have any evidence to prove his point.

Wala siyang patunay, Ci. Wala siyang patu—

"I thought you're gay."

I yelp and turned to Erikson. Ang akala ko'y kalmado ko nang puso ay biglaang nagwala dahil sa kaba. My lips pale as I looked at Erikson, who was looking at me with deep brows and crossed arms over his chest.

"H-Huh?"

"Are you lying, Ci?" He stepped forward and I paled.

This is it. I think this is the end.