Tumunog ang suot na takong ni Tanya papalabas ng banquet hall. Orion was walking beside Tanya. Si Hezekiah naman ay nakasunod lang. She felt small and low even someone defended her. The same way she felt when she was younger. Nagtatago, nahihiya, sinasampal ng katotohanang wala siyang karapatan. She cannot live this way. Kailangan niyang mapabilis ang mga plano. She went a long way for this and she can't just stop until her hands are full.

When they reached the parking lot, the three of them formed a small circle in front of Orion's car. Pinilit niyang itaas ang kanyang noo upang itago ang hiya pero mas higit na matapang si Tanya.

"Use my car, Ia. I'll go with Orion. Let's meet at the office." Inabot ni Tanya sa kanya ang susi nito at kinuha naman niya agad.

"Tanya..." She gently called.

"I did not do it for you. I did it for Orion." Tumuwid ito ng tayo at tinaasan siya ng kilay.

Of course, she still hates her. Iniisip nitong aagawin niya ang ama ni Gunner. She doesn't want to do that and she cannot do that~ Orion will be kicked out in their corporation once her plan succeeded, that includes herself of not having any piece of Orion at all too, not even Gunner, or Tanya. Kahit papaano ay hindi niya kinakalimutan ang role niya sa pamilya ng Ricafort. A secret daughter, the one who should clean up the mess and continue the legacy of Fausto because there's no other choice. She's the only one who can do it.

"I know. Salamat pa rin, Tanya."

Umirap sa hangin si Tanya na para bang naiinis. Hinampas nito si Orion ng malakas sa balikat na ikinagulat naman niyon.

"You are still stupidly whipped. Don't make it look too obvious, it is for you and me." 

"There's a lot of bitches out there, it is not our fault, Tanya!" Pagrarason pa ni Orion. "Are you okay, Ia?" Nag-aalala siya nitong tiningnan. Tanya rolled her eyes heavenwards.

 "Mamaya na kayo maglandian." Pagkasabi non kay Orion ay sumakay na ito sa passenger seat.

Napakurap-kurap siya. Did Tanya just acknowledge their relationship? Kung relasyon nga ba ang maitatawag doon.

Nang makarating sila sa opisina ay nag-schedule ng meeting si Tanya sa kanya atkay  Orion. They will quickly plan what they will do with the LUMOS Project. Napatingin siya sa direksyon ng opisina ni Domini at naisipang magbitbit din ng kakampi. Tinungo niya ito at hinila sa braso patungo sa conference room kung saan naghihintay si Tanya at Orion.

"Wait!" Nagpabikat ang kanyang kaibigan at siya naman ang nabitbit nito. Ibinalik siya ni Domini sa opisina nito. "Are you crazy? Bakit mo ako isasama sa proyektong iyon?"

"You have to double time." Makahulugang wika niya.

"Double time what?" Takang-taka naman ang kanyang kaibigan.

"Did I not ask you to steal Tanya from Orion? Iyon lang ang paraan para mailigtas ko ang kompanyang ito, Domini. Iyon ang utos sa akin ni Mr. Ricafort."

"Are you asking me to steal Tanya to have Orion by yourself, Ia? Nababaliw ka na ba?"

"Nabibingi ka na ba, Domini? I am tasked to do this. Mr. Ricafort do not trust Mr. De Salcedo. Kapag naging matagumpay tayo, kapalit nito ang posisyon ko sa kompanya. Tanya will be unscathed. Pabor sa kanya ang ginagawa ko ngayon. After this, we're all good."

Nagpamewang si Domini, "I think you have to accept failure ngayon pa lang, Ia."

Kinunutan niya ito ng noo, hindi nauunawaan ang sinasabi. 

"I don't want anything to do with Tanya. Iba ang misyon ko rito."

"At ano naman iyon, aber?"

"Huwag kang mag-overthink, hindi ito tungkol sa iyo. Let's go." Wala nang binanggit pa si Domini at hinila na siya. Nagpatiuna pa ito sa conference room kung nasaan si Orion at Tanya.

"What is he doing here?" Sabay na tanong ni Orion at Tanya sa magkaibang tono. Orion is irritated, Tanya though looks~ scared. Iniisip niya tuloy kung anong kasamaan ang ginagawa ni Domini sa kanyang kapatid. She should talk to him and stop him.

"Am I not welcome here, Miss Ricafort?" Tumaas ang kilay ni Domini at naghanap ng kanyang puwesto. At ang magaling niyang kaibigan ay tumabi kay Tanya. "I am better than your COO here when it comes to ideas. Itanong mo pa sa kanya."

"Of course that is not true, Mr. Croix." Tutol niya sabay angil dito.

"Really?" Tumayo ito, "Then, I shall leave?" Akmang lalabas na ito nang biglang hawakan ni Tanya ang braso nito.

"D-don't leave, Mr. Croix. Please."

May sumilay na ngisi sa labi ng kanyang kaibigan. That made her more confused! Kanina ay napakatapang ni Tanya ngayon ay naging maamong tupa sa harap ng kanyang kaibigan. Maldito talaga si Domini! Palibhasa'y alam nito na kailangan siya rito.

"Let's get back to work, everyone." Tumikhim si Orion. "So.. what's the plan?"

They planned carefully on what should be done. Domini will be heading the design team. The intricate details. While she and Tanya will focus on the concept. Every step ay involved si Tanya. She needs to familiarize her way to the project. Orion will be the—

"Coffee, anyone?" May bitbit itong kape para sa apat. Humihikab na siya. Her bestfriend though is really energetic. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang inalmusal nito noong umaga. Tanya looks really tired too but Domini just wants her to work as if she ever worked for a project ever.

"Thanks, Pre." Si Domini ang nanguna sa pagkuha ng dalawang baso ng kape. Inilagay niya sa harap ni Tanya ang isa. Tumaas ang kanyang kilay, himala at hindi ito nakikipag-unahan kay Orion sa pag-aabot sa kanya ng kape.

"Tired?" Bulong ni Orion sa kanyang tainga habang inilalagay ang kape. Awtomatikong umangat ang kamay nito sa kanyang batok at minasahe iyon. Traces of small voltage felt by her body. Pilit niyang inalis ang kamay nito sa kanya pero nanatili ito roon at tinaasan siya ng kilay, nakikipaghamunan pa ng tingin. Hinayaan niya na dahil tiyak na gagawa pa ito ng eksena. Hiniling niya na hindi sila mapansin ni Tanya kundi ay babatuhin na naman siya ng matatanim na tingin. However, she did not stare at them at all. Nakafocus ito sa design na ginagawa ni Domini. The two looked weird.

"Your place later?" Bulong muli sa kanyang tainga ni Orion.

"What's with the whispers? May meeting ba riyan na kailangan naming malaman?" Domini protested. She raised her hand at him and changed it to middle finger after. Humagalpak si Domini at humawak sa beywang ni Tanya na nakaupo sa tabi nito. Akala ba nito ay hindi niya nakikita ang mga hindi nito ikunukwento sa kanya?! What's the progress though? Will Tanya unleash Orion now? If that works, Gunner will have a wonderful stepfather. Or maybe not.

"Miss Ricafort, I want to continue this at my office." Suhestiyon ni Domini at saka siya tinapunan ng nakakalokong tingin. 

"Your office? I think we should all rest." Tumayo na siya at inayos ang gamit.

"No you rest." Itinuro pa siya ni Domini.

"And why?" Tumaas ang kanyang kilay.

"I am still your fcking bestfriend, Ia. So, I am working extra hours for you. Please go home and rest. Alone." Pagdidiin pa nito sabay tingin ng makahulugan kay Orion.

Orion sent her home, or should she say they went home together. Dumiretso ito sa kanyang kusina at nakialam sa kanyang refrigarator.

"Can you tell that fcker Domini to buy his own groceries instead of getting yours?" Reklamo nito na parang nahihirapang maghanap ng sangkap.

"Hindi ako nagluluto. Isa pa, what's mine is his too."

"Damn it, that's not true!" Mabilis na reaksyon ni Orion. Nagulat pa siya sa pagbagsak ng frozen meat sa kanyang sink para ipagdiinan nito ang punto.

"Chill." Napakamot siya ng ulo. "I'll go and take a shower. Narito ang ilang mga damit mo, ilalabas ko na rin para makapagbihis ka pagkatapos mo riyan."

Orion's face softened. He walked towards her and grab her by the waist.

"Gusto mo ba na dumito ako?" Nanunudyo niyang tanong. Lumipat ito sa kanyang likuran at masuyong dinampian ng halik ang kanyang leeg. Her knees weaken for he knows where to soften her at the right places.

"Huwag ka nang magdrive at gabi na." Sambit niya, but the real goal is to make him keep coming back for more. Once he's fully smitten, she'll ask him to leave Tanya alone, and then leave the business alone.

"Iyon lang?" Giit nito, naglalambing at paulit-ulit na pinatakan siya ng maliliit na halik sa pisngi. Hinarap niya at tinaasan ng kilay si Orion.

"Yes, that's it, Mr. De Salcedo. Bilisan mong magluto riyan at gutom na ako."

"Yes, my queen!" Malapad ang ngiti nito sa kanya at masayang-masaya na tinungo ang kusina. She spent a good amount time at the tub. Stress is what keeping her occupied. She has no birth right so she has to work hard, lie, and kill for her dreams. Mula sa glass wall ng kanyang tub ay nasisilip niya roon si Orion. Happily preparing for her meal. Kung pwedeng ganito na lang palagi, tapos na sana ang kwento. But there's one truth that's bugging her.

She can't have him.

Kahit na layuan pa ito ni Tanya, the same rule will apply to her as a Ricafort and an upcoming heiress of FRINC. Siguro ay tatanda talaga siyang mag-isa, magpapakalunod sa pangarap niyang sa wakas ay natupad na. Mamatay siyang yakap ang mga certificates at tropeyo pero walang saysay dahil mag-isa pa rin siya.

When she went out of the shower ay naroon si Orion sa lamesa, inihahanda ang wine. May steak at aglio olio roon.

"That's fast. Mabuti at magaling ka magluto." Papuri niya.

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "During college, I realized that my girlfriend doesn't know how to cook."

"Si Tanya."

"She's good. Ikaw ang tinutukoy ko. I have to learn these things for you. I saw how frustrated you are kapag may hindi ka nagagawa kaya ako na lang ang gumawa para sa iyo." Hiniwa nito ang steak sa kanyang plato at pinagpalit ang plato nilang dalawa.

"It is a good skill to have. Magagamit mo ngayong may pamilya ka na." Tinikman niya ang pagkain. It melted inside her mouth; the seasoning is great too. Hindi niya alam kung ano pa ang hindi kayang gawin ni Orion.

"I only cook for you." Sinusukat siya nito ng tingin pero umiwas siya at sumimsim na lamang ng wine.

They ate quietly. Sumusulyap sulyap siya kay Orion. He's very at ease and calm, as if eating together is something that is normal for him. Siya na ang nagpresinta na maghugas ng pinagkainan habang naliligo ito. He's still not done showering when she returned to the bedroom.

She removed her white silk robe and sprayed her perfume. Pumwesto siya sa kama at nagbasa ng emails mula sa kanyang cellphone. Orion went out of the bathroom, towel draped around his waist, and droplets of water on his body. Tiningnan siya nito, siya naman ay tumayo para kumuha ng mas maliit na towel sa kanyang closet nang napapailing. Hindi man lang ito nagtuyo ng katawan. Tinulungan niya si Orion na tuyuin ang katawan nito. His body froze and he swallowed hard as she busied herself damp his body with a white towel. Bawat dampi niya ng towel sa katawan nito ay hindi niya iniaalis ang tingin niya sa mata ni Orion.

He lost his patience when he grabbed her by the wrist and led her to bed. He pulled down the string of her lingerie strap and exposed her breast. Pumintig ng mabilis ang kanyang puso, hinihintay kung anong gagawin sa kanya. He passionately dropped a kiss on her lips that made her instantly moan. Like a bomb exploded with desire, she went on top of Orion, unclasped his towel, grinded like an animal on his seemingly hardened rod ready to ravage her.

"Damn it, Ia. Are we going to do this again?" Gulong-gulong na tanong ni Orion.

She did not answer. For her dreams, she will do it. Tatapusin na rin niya ang hirap ng kanyang kalooban. She just cannot stay this way deceiving people for her dreams. Huli na dapat ito pagkatapos ay mapapasakanya na ang pangarap niya. Maybe she will stop after that. She will be contented after that. She will live merry, but alone. Who cares? This is her goal. This has been always her goal. Naawa siya sa sarili sa isiping iyon.

She reversed her body to hide her tears. In a reversed cowgirl she mounted him, grind on top of him. He went crazy with the pleasure; she was silently crying in disgust on what she's doing. Hindi dapat ganito. Ano nga bang ipinagkaiba niya sa pagiging puta niya noon sa ngayon? Maybe the stake now is higher, worth billions. Siguro nga ay nabihisan lang siya ng ginto, pero ang puta ay mananatiling puta, isang alipin ng pangarap at salapi. 

After Orion released inside her, she went to his side. Bumaluktot siya at tinanggap ang paanyaya nitong yakap. She felt clothed beside him. Parang pinupunuan ang wala sa kanya. 

Mas maaga siyang nagising kaysa kay Orion kinabukasan dahil tumunog ang cellphone niya. Or, maybe she didn't sleep at all. 

Nakita niyang si Fausto ang tumatawag. Marahan siyang lumabas ng silid para kunin ang tawag na iyon.

"Hija, kakatapos lang ng dialysis ko."

"How did it go?"

"Painful. But I am really looking forward that De Salcedo will leave my company, and my daughter. Pagkatapos 'non ay ipagkakatiwala ko na sa iyo ang kompanya at si Tanya."

"Don't say that. You still have a chance for liver transplant." Bulong niya.

"Hindi ko na inaasahan iyon, if I'll die, I'll die contented seeing that my plans pan out. Don't delay, Miss Cruz. Every second, De Salcedo is having an opportunity to steal my company. Kailan ba siya mapapaalis?"

"Malapit na. I'll make sure to take over the company. I will go above and beyond to have it myself. Mr. De Salcedo will have to leave the premise because it will be mine."

"That's my girl. Napapanatag ako, Hezekiah."

"Please rest, you are—" Huminga siya ng malalim at pumikit, "You mean the most to me. You are all that I have and I need you in my life more than you know." Pagkasabi 'non ay ibinaba na niya ang tawag.

She waited for the sun to rise from her couch. Nakatulala siya sa nahihiyang pagputok ng liwanag ng araw. Just before the sun lit her whole condo, Orion, half naked went outside her room. Gulo-gulo ang buhok nito at pupungas-pungas pa.

"Why did you leave me there?" Tila batang tanong nito. Umupo ito sa couch pagkatapos ay humiga sa kanyang mga binti.

"Don't leave me again, Ia." Inaantok pang sambit nito. Hinaplos niya ng masuyo ang buhok nito. This is temporary, Orion will leave on his own.

"If you really want me, Orion, then take me. Choose me instead of Tanya. Choose me instead of your fraternity."

"Is that what you want?"

Bumangon muli at tinitigan siya sa mata. Marahan siyang tumango. "Stay away from Tanya, give up FRINC." Kusang dumulas sa kanya ang mga salita. That's it, she said it. It is now up to Orion what he will do about it.

"Then I am yours.."

He kissed her on the lips and started their way to each other arms again. They were making love at the couch while the sun is rising. Bathing them with its heat and glory.

--

1/5 last chapters. Iupload ko na ba ang mga climax eksena now? Yes or no?! 

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Thank you sa pagtitiyaga! Malapit na tayo sa katapusan mga besh!