"MA'AM THALIA!"

The frantic voice of my bodyguard, Julio, woke me up from my slumber. I was about to scold him for disturbing me from resting when not even a minute later, countless gunshots were heard from nowhere immediately sending my mood in complete panic.

Oh my god! What is happening?!

I opened the car door on my right only to be frozen in the spot when Julio's body dropped on the ground with his eyes wide open. I screamed, my hands shaking while reaching the other door, scared to be shot.

"Dante! Si Julio!"

"Joaquin! Kunin mo si Ma'am! Umalis na kayo dito! Bilisan mo!"

Joaquin cursed. He grabbed my hand and roughly dragged me out of the car.

"What the hell is happening?"

"Ma'am, makinig ka sakin, hindi ito mga tauhan ng-" Another gunshot.

"Ma'am!"

* * *

And I woke up. I sighed, heavily. I hoped Dante made it out alive? I knew I was asking for a miracle, knowing my kidnappers shot them all dead but that was as far as I could remember before I fainted.

"Mayaman siguro kaya kinidnap. Ano sa tingin mo, Uno?"

"Kuya, ang ganda-ganda niya din para siyang anghel!"

"Pen-pen, 'di ba sabi ko mag-igib ka ng tubig? Amoy araw ka na! Ipag-igib mo na din si Miss Tisa para paggising niya makapagayos agad siya."

My head feels like it's about to burst from my skull but as I listen to the voices of the people who rescued me, I feel like taking it out myself. Not that I'm not thankful and all but they were rather loud.

I surveyed the room I was in. Everything is made out of bamboo and wood - old, about-to-give-up-in-seconds kind of wood. I stretched my aching body to realize I slept in a blanket - a not-so-clean kind of blanket.

I looked to my right to see that there was only a curtain made of shells that served as the door of this room. I can see another bamboo-kind ladder that's peaking at the bottom of my feet, I figured its function is the same as of stairs.

I can feel the breeze of the trees outside. I guess, my lifesaver lived in a remote area like in a very small province. And that he was poor. Well, I guess, I know now how to pay them back.

"I have to get out of here." I have to contact my dad. I'll fly back to San Francisco and I will never come back here. And I don't think I'll survive staying here for a longer period of time... I don't think they can provide for my needs. Let alone wants.

I tried brushing, as much as it disgusts me to say, my greasy hair with my fingers and fixed my clothes. There was no mirror so I had hoped I looked bearable at least. Because I sure as hell can't bear to look at myself, I need to shower first. Like now.

Thank God, I'm beautiful- that's a relief. I had heard I'd still look beautiful even in a potato sack so...

"Wala na ba tayong ibang maipapakain?" I think that was my lifesaver. I recognized his voice instantly.

"'Wag na siyang maginarte." I gasped at an unfamiliar deep, rough voice. That was rude! Who was that? I decided to climb down the ladder. I'd like to put a face on him! I bet he's ugly... "At bakit mo ba niligtas? Pa'no kung balikan tayo nung mga kumidnap?"

"Tulog sila nung tinakas ko siya. Mga nakainom eh. Tsaka kawawa naman." A pause. "Nakakahiya naman kay Miss Tisa baka 'di kumakain ng tuyo 'yun!"

"Baka nakakalimutan mong mahirap lang tayo. Bumili ka kung gusto mo-"

"Baka nakakalimutan mong wala akong pera, Uno. Sabi ko nga eh..."

My lifesaver was scratching his head when I opened another curtain of shells to their living room. He saw me right away and smiled brightly. I smiled back and walked up to him.

"Miss Tisa! Gising ka na pala!"

I frowned. "I'm not Miss Tisa. I'm Madeline Fierro." I smiled. "Thank you for being so brave last night. You saved my life."

Having the chance to finally look at him in the light, I realized he wasn't that bad but he wasn't that good looking either, sorry. Don't mean to offend, just saying based on personal preference. He was built, that's for sure. His hair was messy and he had a tattoo on his arm. He's a little bit taller than me and his complexion was a darker shade of tan, probably due to being exposed to the sunlight more often.

"Miss Tisa tinawag namin sayo kasi mestisa ka. Pero wala pong anuman 'yun Miss Madeline! Medyo tatanga-tanga 'yung mga kidnaper mo! Tinutulugan ka tapos iniiwang bukas 'yung gate." He said. "Teka, nakapaghanda na si Uno ng almusal natin. Kain na tayo!"

I followed him. "Still, I'm grateful. Just give me your contact number and as soon as I reach my daddy, I'll pay back your kindness. Just name a price."

"Talaga po, Miss Tisa?" His eyes widened and I frowned at the name again but I just let it go. It wasn't important, I won't be staying here for long anyway.

I saw how his eyes come alive at the mention of money. Money is a necessity after all. I mean, who could live without it? I as am can't.

"Hindi namin kailangan ng pera mo. Makaalis ka lang agad dito, okay na." That voice butt in. I leaned my head a little bit to the side. My eyes passed my lifesaver's shoulders to see a man at the table, eating with his bare hands. "Anong akala mo samin mukhang pera?"

"Ako, Miss Tisa! Ako mukha akong pera!"

I cleared my throat. Suddenly embarrassed.

"I'm not saying that." I am saying just that. I mean, aren't all? Aren't they?

I watched as his eyes lazily landed on me. I unconsciously straightened my back. I felt naked. Like, he could see right through me. His face was arrogant and I can't help the heat that framed my face.

"I just think between the two of us, you'd need it more than I do." I furrowed my eyebrows. "Besides, you can't exactly say that you don't need it, I mean- look at this place!"

He smirked, arrogantly. "Pinagmukhang pera mo na nga kami, iniinsulto mo pa tinitirhan namin." He drank a glass of water. "Nacio, dalhin mo na 'yan sa bayan at ipatawag mo na sa mga magulang niya nang makaalis na dito." He said not leaving his eyes off me.

What? Is he not even offering a shower? Let alone the food, but seriously?

I glared at him and he glared back at me.

"Uno, 'di ba pwedeng kumain muna kami? Nagugutom na ko! Malamang nagugutom na din si Miss Tisa..." Nacio pleaded.

Uno's piercing eyes shifted to Nacio and I had the chance to really look at him. His black hair was kinda long, reaching his nape, and is tied at the back. He had a gray muscle-tee that showed his muscular and no doubt, strong arms. His complexion was fair though, a complete contrast to Nacio's. And when he stood up to wash his hands in the faucet, I realized he was taller than Nacio's. Heck, he towered over me. He must be at least 6 ft. tall.

Damn it! I was a sucker for guys with long legs. Too bad this guy has attitude problem. And poor. And hot. And the list goes on...

He walked and stopped in front of us. "'Di ko kayang makasama ang mga katulad niya." He nodded towards me as if I wasn't there. Fucking blunt...

"Saglit lang naman kami kakain!"

"'Di yan kumakain ng tuyo. Mayaman eh." He said, looking at me.

"You're right! I don't eat tuyo! I'd rather eat dirt." I glared. Petty, I know...

He smiled and looked at Nacio. "Nacio, aalisin mo ba 'to sa paningin ko o pakakainin ko 'to ng lupa?" He said casually. The fucking nerve!

Nacio made a dash outside as if he was scared Uno would really do it. He wouldn't. Right? What did I ever do to this person?

I heard a roar of a motorcycle. "Miss Tisa! Tara na!" I heard him call me.

I glanced outside. I can still feel Uno's eyes on me. I looked back at him. I smiled at him. "You poor, ill-mannered, egotistic bastard." He clenched his jaw.

"One day, you'll be begging for help and I'll be there laughing at you. You hate the word rich because you can never be one. You're jealous because I have everything and you have nothing." I reached for his cheek and caressed it. "Well, except tuyo." I laughed. "Goodbye, Uno. Have a miserable life."

I left him seething. I wasn't bothered, I was too smug for it. And damn it, why does he have a soft skin? I pouted, prettily. It's not fair.

* * *

"Miss Tisa, andito na tayo."

We stopped at a public market. We walked further. I never imagined ever walking at this kind of place where people don't mind being well, dirty. Literally. They don't seem to mind the wet dirt on their feet and the sweat that drenched their heads. Everyone was working and shouting, trying to sell their fishes and meats, vegetables and fruits. I also saw some racks that sell clothes as cheap as nothing I can compare. What was that? 75 pesos? I dread to think what kind of fabric they used on that top.

I grimaced. I have to get out of here...

"Aling Helen, patawag ah!"

"Aba, Ignacio. Sino naman kaya ang tatawagan mo?"

"Wala ka na dun, Aling Helen! Napakatsismosa mo talaga."

He motioned for me to come closer to him. "Ayan, Miss Tisa. Tumawag ka na."

"Nasan ba si Uno? Ba't ikaw ang nandito?"

"Mamaya pa, Aling Helen. Nagdeliver pa ng mga prutas kela Mang Fuego."

I eyed the telephone. Oh god, I can see the germs crawling all over it. But I had no choice... "Can I make an international call?"

Nacio scratched his head. "Local only, Miss Tisa eh. Wala namang mayaman na naninirahan sa barrio namin kaya walang nangangailangan ng ganun."

"Sino 'yan? Gerlpren ni Uno?"

"Syota agad ni Uno? 'Di ba pwedeng syota ko muna?"

"Eh sino bang magandang papatol sayo?"

"Ubod ka talaga ng kapintasan, Aling Helen."

"Nagsasabi lang ng totoo."

I guess I'll just call for Fred- my dad hired him to guard me during my stay here. And he was the only one I can trust, father's words, not mine. Dad said as soon as I land here, I have to contact him and all that. So, let's see then... I prayed that the calling card was still in my pocket and thank God, it's there.

But he's not answering... God damn it!

The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area...

The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area...

The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area...

The number you have dialed is either unattended or out of coverage area...

Fuck!

"Bakit, Miss Tisa?"

"He's not answering."

Nacio frowned. "Aling Helen, gumagana ba talaga 'tong telepono niyo?"

"Aba syempre naman..." She said while eyeing me up and down. "Miss, 'di ka taga-dito 'no? Mayaman ka 'no? Ga'no ka kayaman?"

I sighed. What the hell am I going to do now?

"Nacio, he's my only help..."

Nacio bit his lip as if trying to think of something. "Ganito na lang, Miss Tisa. Iiwan na lang muna kita dito. Tawag-tawagan mo lang. 'Wag kang mag-alala. Mababait ang mga tao dito. Walang yayari sayo. Kailangan ko na kasing magtrabaho. Aling Helen, iiwan ko muna dito si Miss Tisa."

I sat on a plastic chair. I observed the people around me. I looked so out of place. My white body-con dress is starting to itch me and I badly needed a long shower. My hair is all over the place, only tamed when I brush my fingers through it. My makeup is probably smudged right now, I thank myself for putting a light makeup or else things would have ended worst. I am starting to sweat what with the heat of the sun and by being in a very crowded place.

A truck stopped at my right. I saw Nacio immediately running towards the back to open the trunk. It was full of vegetables. He grabbed a crate and distributed it to each of the vegetable vendors. He did that at every truck that came. Right before the 5th truck stop, a motorcycle stopped at the tail of it.

It was Uno.

A flock of girls ran towards them as if men carrying sacks of rice was a blockbuster movie. I frowned. Uno glistened from the heat of the sun. His arms bulged from carrying the sacks but he made it look like it was weightless. He moved with manly agility. His form shouted arrogance and mysterious. Not for once did he looked at the crowd that formed when he arrived watching his every move. He only smiled and laughed at the men he was working with. He was sweating. The sun was starting to drain the little breeze.

He caught my eyes watching him. He smirked. And that's when he did it. He took his shirt off without taking his eyes off of me. I gulped.

They screamed.

I pouted. I wanted to scream too... I sighed. Okay, he's probably the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on and so what?

Yeah, Madeline, so what?

He raised his eyebrows at me. He was amused. Good. What did he think? That I'd pass not admiring a god-like body? He must be out of his mind! I'm a lady after all!

I sent him a nod as if saying not bad and he laughed. Don't laugh, you fool!

He walked towards me with a water bottle in his hand. One of the girls, who was pushed by her groupies, gave him one when he took his shirt off. The thirst was real, all right.

"Nakatawag ka na?" He said as I looked up at him. He stopped right in front of me, his sweaty hot self-displayed for my eyes to feed. Right... I am hungry, all right. I'm talking about food!

I pouted angrily. "Out of coverage area." I eyed his water. I've never eaten anything since last night. I am so hungry. I'm talking about food! Yes, I have to repeat that every time, just to make things clear.

He leaned over me. His hands rested on his knees. "Basta gawin mo ang lahat para makaalis ka na dito."

I glared at him. "What do you think I'm doing? Having the time of my life? Yes, Uno. I'm jumping with joy..." I rolled my eyes at him. My eyes landed on my hands that was resting on my lap.

I looked up at him again.

He looked at me. I can see his eyes roaming all over my face, all over me... "Ang dungis mo. Ang baho mo pa. Ilang araw ka nang 'di naliligo?"

"Why you!" This man is so rude!