"YOU WENT HOME early last night, right? Ang fresh mo."

Pinisil ni Jane ang pisngi niya at mahinang tumawa. Her laugh didn't mean anything, but Amanda and Gayle took Jane's laugh maliciously. Tiningnan niya lang ang dalawa at mabilis ang mga ito na nagkunwari na may ginagawa.

"Maaga rin umalis si Veron sa venue. Reporters flocked around her. They're questioning her about the third party issue. Nag backfire sa kanya ang isyu na ginawa niya para sayo." Umiiling na sabi ni Jane.

"Really?" hindi makapaniwala na tanong niya.

Tumango si Jane sa kanya. "Unfortunately, they saw how Atticus shooed her hand away."

"May nakarinig ba sa usapan nila?" kinakabahan na tanong niya.

If someone heard their conversation, sigurado na mahahalungkat ang past ni Veron at Atticus. That means, damay ang bata, si Fleair. Khaila won't stay still and do nothing.

"Wala naman… Ang balita lang at usap-usapan sa social media ay ang pagtanggi ni Atticus kay Veron. I think… I saw an article wherein they published a picture of you and Atticus, habang nakatingin sa malayo si Veron."

"Nakita ko rin 'yon! Ang sama ng tingin sayo, beh!" Gayle butt in. Sa gigil nito ay napatayo pa.

Khaila swayed her swivel chair a little and waved her hand. "Hayaan niyo na. As long as it's not something na kailangan talaga natin ma-bother."

Naka kondisyon ang utak at katawan niya para magtrabaho. Atticus put her to sleep first and left to picked Fleair from his secretary's house. Maaga lang siyang nagising kanina dahil sa food delivery. It was home-made food from Atticus, meron din cookies na gawa ni Fleair.

Atticus sends a picture of Fleair learning how to bake brownies. Her lesson starts in the morning. Mukhang sinusulit na nito ang mga araw na hindi pa ito nag-aaral. Her father always comes first to taste her first try, kapag medyo na-perfect na ni Fleair, saka lang ipapatikim sa kanya.

Even Kyst, her father, was asking Fleair to give them some of her baked goods. Parang wala silang every day supply mula sa asawa at anak ng Tito Yves niya.

Her mother, on the other hand, was spoiling Fleair with educational books and toys. Which was good.

It was around afternoon, patapos na siya sa trabaho niya sa Agency nila nang natataranta na pumasok si Jane sa office. She was holding her phone and immediately handed it to her.

Her mood immediately dropped upon seeing the images. It didn't last. It wasn't because of her piled up work.

"Ngayon lang 'to?" nanghihina niyang tanong kay Jane.

Namanhid ang ulo niya sa nakita. Gusto niyang matawa at maiyak sa nakikita niya. People were having a feast on the internet because of her photo. A photo that she never took.

"I don't know… It was so fast that I couldn't keep up!" problemado na sagot sa kanya ni Jane.

Nanginginig ang mga kamay niya at nabitawan sa lamesa niya ang cellphone ni Jane. Ang tagal niya sa industriya ng pagmomodelo pero ngayon lang nangyari sa kanya 'to.

People actually never did something like this to her because they knew who the people were behind her back.

"Please, do something about the photo first. Walang maglalabas ng statement sa atin." Khaila firmly instructed.

"Kanina ko pa 'yan ginagawa. We already took down some of the photos, pero may mga nagbabalik pa rin!" Nasapo ni Jane ang sariling noo nito.

Khaila offered a small smile, showing her that she's fine. She's going to be fine. A simple edited photo of her, naked, won't shake her. She won't let mere pictures ruin her.

Jane left her office and asked her to stay inside. There's a lot of media outside their Agency, at hindi kasama roon ang mga nagtatrabaho sa Tito Killian niya. Khaila was so sure na alam na ng pamilya niya ang balita. It was a big scandal for her.

She sighed heavily before deciding to open her dummy account. She scrolled through her news feed and saw a lot of people sharing her edited photos. Making fun of her. Lusting over her body. Saying inappropriate words.

Gusto niyang masuka. Some people were really meant to be evil. No matter how good you treated them.

Namasahe niya ang sariling noo nang makita ang iba pang comments. They were questioning her and her ability to manage their school. Saying, she's not a good influence.

Napapitlag siya nang mag vibrate ang cellphone niya at nakita ang pangalan ni Atticus. It was a video call and Khaila immediately answered it.

[Hey, are you okay?] nag-aalala na tanong nito sa kanya. [Do you want me to help?] He looks desperate.

"Can I decline?" pagod na sagot niya.

[Of course, ma'am. Do you want me to come over?]

She smiled. Genuinely. "Yes, please?"

Nailing siya nang makita na kaagad tumayo si Atticus at dinampot ang susi sa lamesa nito. She dropped his call and decided to wait for him.

And while waiting, she called for Arki.

[Don't worry, Ate. We're already working on it. We're trying to take down the photos and track who posted it.] Ani Arki nang sumagot ito. [All you need to do is hide from the meantime. Umuwi ka muna sa village. Mas safe dito.]

"Tomorrow. I'll stay in my unit today."

Arki didn't say anything and let her do what she wants. But he advised her not to open her dummy account, ilang segundo niya lang 'yon sinuway, hindi na niya nabuksan ulit ang ginawa niyang dummy account.

Pawisan si Atticus nang dumating ito sa opisina niya. His tie was loose and there's a little stain on his long sleeve.

"Did something happen outside?" nag-aalala na tanong niya at mabilis na tumayo para daluhan ito.

Atticus brushed his hair up. "There's a lot of reporters outside. I don't think, makakalabas tayo dito. May helipad ba kayo?"

Khaila flatly looked at him. Yes, throughout the years, lumaki ang building na meron sila. But her father, not even once, thought of having a freaking helipad because they don't have a freaking helicopter. It's a luxury for them.

"Wala?" tanong ulit nito.

Khaila sighed. "I can climb through the ladder."

"Delikado…"

"Trust me, sir. I can." Khaila answered.

Atticus pursed his lips. He called someone to pick them up using a freaking helicopter. Meron ang iba niyang Tito, but lately, they're not fond of using it.

They went to the rooftop. Mabuti na lang at hindi siya mahilig magsuot ng dress kapag sa opisina ang punta niya. She's not also wearing heels, parang alam niyang kukuyugin siya ngayon. Someone dropped the ladder and Atticus let her climbed first.

"I told you. Kaya ko." Mayabang na sabi niya nang makaakyat na sila.

"Yeah, yeah, I underestimate you. I'm sorry." Hinalikan siya nito sa pisngi at tinulungan na ilagay ang harness sa kanya.

Every building that owns by her Tito Ryker has helipad. Nang makababa sila, Atticus scooped her and didn't say anything. Halata sa mukha niya ang pagod sa pag-iisip. Khaila rested her head against his chest.

"Ma'am…"

"Aila… Baby, ayos ka lang?" nag-aalala na tanong sa kanya ng Mamu niya. Dahan-dahan siyang binaba ni Atticus. Her mother hugged her tightly and caressed her back. Comforting her. "I'll handle our school for the meantime, ang agency rin ng Papa mo. Please, take this opportunity to rest, hm?"

"Mamu, ayos lang naman po ako."

"I know you're not. Anak kita, e." Her mother brushed her hair. "Hindi kami makikialam, we'll let you handle the situation alone. Pero hindi ibig sabihin noon ay tatanggihan ka namin sa oras na humingi ka ng tulong. Ask for help if you badly need a hand, Aila."

"Uuwi po ako bukas sa village…"

"Then, that's good. Mas mabuti nga na nandoon ka muna sa bahay natin." Her mother smiled. Nakahinga ito nang marinig ang sagot niya. "Please, take care of my baby. Just for tonight."

Atticus bowed his head a little. "Of course, ma'am. I will."

Umalis din kaagad ang Mamu niya. Mainit ang mata ng mga media sa pamilya niya dahil sa mga litrato na kumalat sa social media. Atticus stayed with him through the night, he just hugged her and caressed her hair until she fell asleep.

HINATID siya ni Atticus sa village nila kinabukasan. They had to go through the reporters, bago sila makasakay sa sasakyan nito.

"Call me if you need a support, yeah?" Atticus asked. Tumango lang siya at mabilis itong hinalikan sa pisngi bago bumaba sa sasakyan.

Arki was already in their house, even Jane. Umupo siya sa sofa at inabot sa kanya ni Arki ang envelope na hawak nito.

"That envelope contains everything we found yesterday. That includes who posted the pictures, the editor, and their backgrounds."

She laughed sarcastically when she saw a picture of Veron. So, the evil witch started it.

"Jane, release a statement that we're still investigating and that we're going to take legal action whoever shared the photos, and re-uploaded it on social media. And that we're already looking for the person who uploaded it." Khaila commanded.

"It was a spotless one, kaya medyo— medyo lang naman, nahirapan kami." Arki shrugged. "At first, Kia thought it was Tally's body, but it's not. It was someone else's and tampered it with your face."

"I'm going to crush her if she uses my sister's body." Her jaw clenched. "Wait for me here… I'll ask Tita Shawn if she could help me."

"Hello! Narinig ko ang pangalan ko. Anyway, ulam niyo?" Pinakita nito ang Tupperware na madalas gamit ng Tito Yves niya kapag padadalhan sila nito ng pagkain.

Khaila asked her Tita to be her lawyer and she agreed immediately, kahit na marami pa itong kaso na hawak. Madali na lang para sa kanya ang magsampa ng kaso. Using her Uncle's connection, they blocked Veron in every airline, in case she tried to fly abroad.

Even her projects were put on hold. Malas nito dahil sa Agency nila ito naka kontrata. Khaila was updating Atticus from time to time, he was behind her and cheering for her.

"Madali lang 'to, Aila. Isang hearing lang tapos na 'to." Her Tita Shawn assured her.

Lumabas ang warrant of arrest para kay Veron. Her mother told her to handle this alone, but without her Tito's connections? Sigurado na mahihirapan siya.

"Wait for me here, Archer."

Tumango lang si Archer sa kanya at lumabas din sa sasakyan para manigarilyo. She shook her head. Khaila pressed the button in front of the gate. Malawak siyang ngumiti nang makita ang pakay niya.

"Hello, Mr. Gracia!" Khaila greeted him.

"Miller. What are you doing here?" matigas na tanong nito. His face saying that she's not welcome to his land. Of course, bitter ito sa kanya. Tinanggihan ni Khaila ang offer nito noon na maging asawa nito, kapalit ay kasikatan na nakuha rin naman siya sa sipag.

Khaila smiled sweetly at him. "I am here to warn you not to help your lovely wife."

"So what? Who are you and what is your right to forbid me to offer help? At sa asawa ko pa?" galit na tanong nito.

"I am Khaila Miller, Mr. Garcia. My name alone is enough to drive my enemies insane. I hope you know the people behind my name." She proudly answered. Khaila smirked smugly at him and added, "Offer some help, and you'll be in hell."

Archer proudly smiled at her. "We're late. Lagot ako nito kay Mama."

"Hindi 'yan?" natawa siya sa sagot niya.

There was a tension inside the courtroom when she entered. Veron's eyes darted to her. If looks could kill, she's dead. Mayabang siyang ngumiti sa babae. All she could do was to glare at her. Veron was smart enough not to hurt her physically, that's gonna be another case.

Khaila only talked when she needed to. Her lawyer, who happens to be her aunt, did everything to put her behind the bars. Her lips parted when her aunt did some dirty tricks para lang hindi ito makapag pyansa.

"I told you. Hindi tayo tatagal." Shawn winked at her.

"Thank you, Tita…" Khaila whispered.

"I got you."

Kumalat ang balita sa pagkakulong ni Veron. In addition, they spilled the truth behind Veron's success. The old man's money and connection. Turns out, they're not really married and they were deceiving his wife for a long time.

She did everything she could to exclude the part, where Atticus and Fleair were part of her life.

The old man's family problem wasn't her problem anymore. Part of her was happy, and part of her was being eaten by her conscience.

"I thought, you wanted to be kind all the time?" Atticus teasingly asked. Hawak nito ang iPad at doon tumitingin ng balita.

Khaila scoffed. "She pushed the right button to summon the evil me, sir."

"You have horns?" Atticus glanced at her. His lips formed into an 'O' shape. "Wow! I'm surprised…"

Pabiro niya itong inirapan. "I basically grow up with 15 wild animals as my father."

☕
last one chapter :)