CHAPTER 3

JACQUES should feel tired by now, normal people should feel tired, but him? No. He couldn't feel it, but he knew in his mind that after working in the café that long, he must rest his body or else he'll collapse. Ever since he can remember, he'd been suffering from CIP also known as Congenital Insensitivity to Pain — in short, he can't feel pain. At all. But unlike other patients, he has the ability to sweat — enough to regulate his body's temperature.

And when someone couldn't feel pain, they also couldn't feel hunger, they don't feel tired, they don't feel discomfort in their body and so on, but unlike other patients, he can feel when it's hot or cold, but not the pain and discomfort accompanied by it. CIP can result in different gene mutation, and in his case — since it's different with every patient — it causes him to lose 80% of his sense of smell and that's already severe.

The odor must be extreme for him to be able to smell it and since his sense of smell was lacking, it also affected his sense of taste. The food tastes different and most of the time, it's even tasteless.

How his parents kept him alive when he was a child, he had know idea. Normally, CIP patients die young, so it's a miracle that he's still alive.

Physically, he's numb. Emotionally, he has them like everybody else, but he's unstable. He easily gets irritated and moody and just plain jerk. But he was trained at a very young age how to live with this disease. And it helps him live a normal life — well, maybe not even close to normal, but it's bearable and it keeps him alive.

And because of his training, without actually feeling tired, he knows that he should be tired by now, after working for so many hours.

Lady SM didn't return to the café after leaving with the motherfucking Count. So he and Cloud helped around the café. Good thing he understands Tagalog because his father forced him to learn it a year ago for the sole purpose of being Lady SM's butler, though he couldn't speak the language fluently.

Monet said she'll take care of everything after Jacques acted and pretended like he's tired, and when she said that, he immediately dragged Cloud out of the café.

It's a good thing Cloud didn't resist and just went along. Wala siya sa mood para makipagmurahan dito pero gusto niya ng kasama. He's used to being alone, but sometimes he craves company.

"So fucking tired..." Jacques groaned while walking. That's what normal people would say after working that much, though he doesn't feel a thing at all.

Yes, he already perfected the art of acting like a normal person. His mother forced him to learn and act like a normal person for years and it has been engraved on him because she hates imperfection.

Umaakto siyang ganun dahil ayaw din niyang malaman ng ibang tao na may ganito siyang sakit. Because when people finds out that he couldn't feel pain, they usually avoid him, looked at him weirdly and pitifully, make fun of him or take advantage of his inability to feel pain.

Naputol ang pag-iisip niya ng makitang tinuro ni Cloud ang Mercedes-Maybach Exelero na nakaparada sa labas ng café ni Lady SM. "Get in."

"Your car?" Tanong niya sa kasama.

As far as he knows, Mercedes-Maybach was one of the most expensive car. Jacques sometimes forgets that Cloud came from a very wealthy family in Spain that hailed originally from France.

"Mmm." Cloud just hummed to answer him before getting inside the driver's seat.

Kaagad namang sumakay si Jacques saka sinuot ang seatbelt. He knows how to do it now, thanks to Cloud.

Habang minamaniobra ni Cloud ang sasakyan paalis sa parking lot ng café, nagsalita si Jacques. "Can we drive around a bit?" He's uncomfortable in the Count's house. He just wanted to breathe a little.

"Thought you're tired."

Jacques sighed. "Never mind."

Akala ni Jacques ay uuwi na sila sa bahay ng konde, kaya nagulat siya ng makitang nilampasan nila ang Bachelor's Village at nagmaneho si Cloud ng walang destinasyon.

Pasimple niyang sinulyapan ang nagmamaneho.

Cloud told him that he's not a nice person, but somehow, he doesn't believe that. In Count Knight's household, Cloud was the person who took care of him, even though he's an outsider and he appreciates that. He knew how hard it must be for Cloud to deal with him. Back home, in Spain, no one can stand him.

Maybe, he's just really kind...

"I hate kind people." Unconsciously, Jacques muttered under his breath.

"What?" Tanong naman ni Cloud na abala sa pagmamaneho.

"I fucking hate kind people." Ulit niya na may iritasyong kasama.

"Don't worry. They hate you too." Cloud replied in thick sarcasm.

Jacques tsked. "Kindness is scary, don't you think? When people are kind, they usually want something in return."

"Yep." Cloud agreed. "As the saying goes, there's no free lunch in this world. Everyone has their own hidden agendas."

Nakatutok sa daan ang mga mata ni Jacques ng magsalita ulit. "So what's your fucking agenda?"

"What?" Cloud sounded taken aback.

"You're nice to me. What's up with that?"

Sinulyapan siya nito. "Kailan ako naging mabait sa 'yo?"

Jacques let out a sarcastic scoffed. "Really? Playing dumb? Doesn't suit you."

Cloud chuckled. "Maybe I'm one of those rare genuine kind people."

Jacques scoffed. "Yeah, and pigs can fly."

Cloud let out a short laugh then shook his head. "Don't mind what I do, Lord Jacques. I've been a Butler since I was fourteen. It's in my nature to take care of the people around me, even when they're spoiled and pompous ass Marquess."

Napailing siya sa huli nitong sinabi. "Spoiled and pompous, huh?" Natawa siya. "Trust me, I can be worse than that."

Cloud just shrugged like he doesn't care. "I'm well experienced in dealing with the likes of you. Maybe you've forgotten who my boss is. He may not be spoiled and pompous like you, but he's crazy and moody, so give it your best shot, Lord Jacques." Sinulyapan siya nito habang nakangisi, "I'm one hell of a Butler after all."

"Challenge accepted." Jacques matched the smirk on Cloud's lips. "I'm pretty sure you won't be able to stand me."

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Cloud saka kapagkuwan ay nagtanong sa kaniya. "You okay now?"

Jacques frowned. "What?"

"Mukhang maayos ka naman na." Wika nito na mas lalong ikinakunot ng nuo niya.

What the fuck is this asshole talking about — Jacques stilled and glanced at Cloud. Did he notice that he felt uncomfortable going home earlier? Was that why he went along with him when he told him to drive around a bit?

Cloud was too observant. Maybe because he'd been a Butler and it's his job.

Tumingin siya sa labas ng sasakyan. "Keep driving."

Cloud didn't complain nor say anything. He just drove the car like Jacques asked. No questions asked and just comfortable silence.

Thirty minutes later, Cloud was still letting him do what he wanted. No complaints.

"What's that?" Mabagal lang ang takbo ng sasakyan nila kaya nakikita niya ang mga nagbebenta ng kakaibang pagkain sa gilid ng kalsada.

"The kind of food you probably wouldn't eat." Sagot ng kasama niya.

Jacques scowled. "Don't be so fucking judgemental. Go buy me one."

Masama ang tingin na pinukol sa kaniya ni Cloud. Sinagot naman niya iyon ng pekeng ngiti.

"Go buy me one." Ulit niyang utos rito.

Jacques knew Cloud was irritated. After all, he hates being bossed around by him because he's not his master. But to his surprise, after glaring at him for a couple of seconds, Cloud sighed then he pulled over near the food cart.

"Anong gusto mo?" Tanong nito sa kaniya.

"The one on the stick." Sagot niya saka nilabas ang pitaka sa bulsa. "The one that looks like little worms? I wanna try it."

Cloud looked at him flatly. "It's called isaw."

Nagkibit-balikat lang siya saka kinuha ang card sa pitaka at inabot yon kay Cloud.

"Huh?" Now Cloud looks confused while looking at him and then to his card.

"Payment for the isaw." Sagot niya.

Suddenly, Cloud started laughing really hard. And Jacques was looking at the man, confused.

"Why the fuck are you laughing, asshole?" He asked, irritated. Cloud's laughter sounded like an insult to him.

"N-nothing..." Cloud was still laughing and was trying to sober up but failing. "Fuck!"

Jacques glared at the Butler. "Continue laughing, you motherfucker, and I'll kick you out of this car even if this is yours. I swear, Cloud! Don't test me!"

Slowly, Cloud sobered up, but he would still chuckle from time to time.

Masama ang tingin niya rito.

"That was epic," natatawang sabi nito saka tinulak pabalik sa kaniya ang kamay niyang may hawak na card. "Hindi sila tumatanggap ng card." Natawa na naman ito. "I can't believe you gave me a black card to buy an isaw."

Nagtagis ang bagang ni Jacques habang matalim ang tingin kay Cloud na patawa-tawa pa rin habang papalabas ng sasakyan para bilhan siya ng isaw.

Still irritated, he put his black card back in his wallet and grumpily waited for Cloud to come back.

Habang bumibili si Cloud, nakamasid siya rito.

It's not like he wanted to taste it, it's because he wanted to test something. It's because of the vegetable salad last night. Normally, he couldn't appreciate food because if it's not tasteless, it lacks flavor that it's almost tasteless. But there's something about the salad that made him taste something he couldn't explain. That was why he was grimacing, because he couldn't explain it. Kaya nang makapasok siya sa kuwarto niya kagabi, pilit niyang isinuka ang kinain niya. Thinking that there must be something wrong with the food.

And then Cloud brought him another meal. He knew, just by looking at Cloud, that he made the food for him because he was worried he might be hungry.

At sa hindi niya malamang kadahilanan, may nalasahan siya sa niluto nito. It lacks flavour, close enough to be called tasteless, but there's something in the food that he couldn't quite explain, and he liked it. He liked what he tasted when he ate it.

Or was it really a flavor? Did he really taste something? Or his mind was just playing with him?

With those questions in his mind, Cloud gave him a sandwich earlier. Pinaalis nito ang gulay dahil akala nito hindi siya kumakain nun dahil sa nangyari kagabi. And when he bit into it, there's that similar taste again. Same flavour. Same feeling.

And he doesn't even know why he's tasting something. He has to get himself checked first to know what's happening to him.

But for the meantime, he concluded that it has something to do with Cloud giving him food. Kaya ngayon, gusto niyang subukan ulit, kung may malalasahan siya sa 'isaw' na pinabili niya kay Cloud.

Minutes later, Cloud came back with five pieces of isaw and a bottle of water. At sa limang piraso na binili nito, isa lang ang binigay sa kaniya.

Jacques scowled. "The fuck..."

"Try it first." Wika nito. "Tingnan natin kung magugustuhan mo."

Inis na tinanggap ni Jacques ang isang isaw saka tiningnan yon na parang sinusuri.

May malalasahan kaya siya?

Dahil hindi niya alam kung paano kainin ang isaw, pasimple siyang tumingin kay Cloud para obserbahan kung paano ito kumain.

Nang makita kung paano, kaagad niyang ginaya iyon at hindi alam ni Jacques kung anong hitsura ang ipapakita niya ng nasa loob na ng bibig niya ang isaw.

As usual. It tastes bland. He didn't feel or taste anything at all. Maybe Cloud giving him food and him asking Cloud some food has different effects? How the fuck would I know?! At dahil masyado siyang focus kung may malalasahan ba siya, it was too late for him to realize that the food got stuck in his throat. He felt the pressure in his throat and the struggle to breath but not the discomfort or pain.

Jacques calmly took the water bottle in Cloud's hand and chugged it down his throat. He never stops drinking until the pressure on his throat disappeared.

"You okay?" Kaagad na tanong sa kaniya ni Cloud matapos siyang uminom ng tubig.

Tumango siya saka ibinigay pabalik ni Jacques kay Cloud ang isaw na hindi pa niya nauubos.

"Tastes bad." Pagdadahilan niya habang bakas sa mukha ang iritasyon dahil wala siyang malasahan. "Fuck!" He cussed in annoyance.

"Give me a sec." Lumabas si Cloud ng sasakyan at itinapon ang stick sa basurahan saka bumalik kaagad.

When Cloud came back in the car, Cloud immediately drove the car. Mabilis itong nagmaneho patungo sa kung saan. Kapagkuwan ay biglang bumagal ang takbo ng sasakyan nila at pumasok iyon sa isang drive thru fast food Restaurant.

Confused, Jacques just watched what Cloud was doing.

Cloud ordered something — a drink — then when he got the order, he gave it to him.

"Here." Inagaw nito ang hawak niyang water bottle saka ipinalit nito doon ang inorder nito. "It's coke float — a soda with ice cream on top. It'll help erase the bad taste in your mouth. This," Cloud shakes the water bottle in front of him, "can't help you."

Jacques looked at the drink he was holding then he frowned at Cloud.

Iniisip ba nito na kaya siya uminom ng tubig ay para mawala ang lasa ng isaw sa bibig niya?

Jacques looked at the drink he's holding again. Back in Spain, he was not allowed to drink this kind of stuff. His mother would surely scream at him for even holding one right now.

"Inumin mo na 'yan para mawala ang lasa ng isaw sa bibig mo." Wika ni Cloud habang nagmamaneho ito palabas ng drive thru. "Hindi lahat, nagugustuhan ang lasa ng isaw. It's an acquired taste."

Jacques didn't say anything and took a sip. He stilled when he tasted something. It's the same taste as when he ate Cloud's cooking and the sandwich! The same euphoric taste!

What the fuck is happening?!

"Don't like it?" Tanong sa kaniya ng kasama ng nakitang natigilan siya.

"It's okay ..." he drawls, still confused.

"So picky." Tumatawa na sabi ni Cloud saka pasulyap-sulyap sa kaniya na nagtanong. "By the way, what do you want for dinner? I'll cook it for you since you work really hard today."

It's not like I can taste it. "Anything's fine."

"There's no 'anything' on the menu. Try again."

He sighed. "The same one you cooked last night."

"The air fried chicken?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." Cloud glanced at him after a long minute or so. "You okay now, or I'll drive some more?"

Jacques took a deep breath. "Let's head back."

Tumango lang si Cloud saka binilisan ang pagmamaneho. Siya naman ay nakatingin lang sa labas ng sasakyan. Nasa isip pa rin niya ang nalasahan niya kagabi habang kumakain ng vegetable salad na hindi niya maipaliwanag.

Cloud will be cooking the same food for him tonight. Would he be able to taste something? Would it be tasteless this time? Or maybe he was just imagining it because he was tired of feeling numb?

Who the fuck knows? Definitely not him.

ALAM NA ALAM ni Cloud na baliw ang boss niya, pero hindi niya inakalang mas may ilalala pa ang kabaliwan nito dahil lang sa lava cake na gawa ni Lady SM na kinain nila ni Lord Jacques.

Wala talagang sinasanto ang boss niya kapag inatake ito ng kabaliwan. His Lord chased him and Lord Jacques with his katana and he didn't stop attacking them until Lady SM came to stop the Count.

And the audacity of his boss to blame everything on him and Lord Jacques. The mess and the broken furnitures. Samantalang ito ang bigla nalang nagwala.

His master's craziness annoys him sometimes, and this was one of those times, but seeing the Marquess stomping his feet on the floor like a kid because of too much anger and frustration towards Count Knight was so amusing that it melted his annoyance away.

Naiiling nalang si Cloud habang hinahayaan ang nagpupuyos sa galit na Marquess na hilahin siya sa kuwelyo patungong garahe.

"That motherfucker!" Lord Jacques keeps on cursing his Lord to no end while dragging him towards the garage. "You motherfucking Count! Fuck you! Go to hell!"

He's still angry, alright. So Cloud stayed silent and kept his laughter to himself.

Lord Jacques being angry was amusing to watch.

"Stop smiling!" Lord Jacques hissed angrily at him before slamming him on the Rolls-Royce window — Lord Jacques' car. "So fucking annoying!" He hissed again and cussed.

Nakatingin lang si Cloud sa Marquess na nanggagaliiti pa rin sa boss niya. Nanatili siyang tahimik hanggang sa nagtatanong ang matalim nitong mata na nakatingin sa kaniya.

"What?!" The Marquess snapped at him.

Cloud sighed while leaning on the Marquess' car. "I'm waiting for you to calm down."

"Fuck you!"

"Mmm." Cloud just hummed while looking at the fuming mad Marquess.

He's already used to this kind of behaviour. Mas malala pa rito ang boss niya kapag nagagalit dahil namamaril ito at sa kaniya nito palagi itinututok ang baril. And it never break his calmness. Not even once.

Ilang ulit pang minura ni Lord Jacques ang boss niya bago ito nagtatagis ang bagang na ibinalik ang tingin sa kaniya.

"Why are you so calm?!" Lord Jacques snapped at him again. "Are you not even angry at what your master did?!"

"Used to it." Cloud said with a shrugged.

Pagak itong tumawa. "No wonder you were cocky when you told me that you can endure my attitude. Your master is the worst!"

"Mmm." Cloud just hummed while moving his chin upward.

"Fuck him!" Lord Jacques hissed before glaring at him. "And fuck you too!"

Cloud just let the Marquess fumed.

Pasimple siyang tumingin sa relong pambisig. Labinglimang minuto na itong galit at malapit na ring kumalma sa wakas.

Couple minutes later, Lord Jacques finally calmed down and went to open the backseat of his car to get something. When he resurfaced from the car, he handed him a new t-shirt.

"Don't know if it'll fit." Anang Marquess, "were almost the same in height but you're a bit bigger than me."

Cloud just nodded and bit the new t-shirt in between his lips before taking off his tattered shirt caused by his master's katana in front of the Marquess.

After dropping the torn shirt on the floor, he put the Marquess' shirt on.

"It's a bit tight." Komento niya habang inaayos ang t-shirt na suot. "But it'll do." Kapagkuwan ay tumingin siya sa Marquess. "What now? You still mad? Still wanna curse? Or we're gonna buy some furnitures?"

The Marquess sighed. "Let's buy some furniture."

Akmang sasakay ito sa sasakyan nito ng pigilan niya ito.

"Let's use my car." Aniya. "Hindi mo alam ang pasikot-sikot dito. At siguradong pagod ka pa sa pagta-trabaho kanina sa café. Unlike me, I'm used to working non-stop."

Tumango lang ang Marquess at nauna na sa sasakyan niya.

Lihim namang napangiti si Cloud. Seeing the Marquess fuming mad was amusing but seeing him being submissive and just going along with him was more enjoyable, maybe because he knows how foulmouthed the Marquess was.

Lihim na napailing si Cloud. Even though he doesn't know why the Marquess' amuses him — and why he's allowing this pompous ass to cuss at him, he doesn't have the slightest idea.

He just enjoys his presence. That's all.

Is it because I'm always alone and now I'm craving for company and I saw that with Lord Jacques because he's also a Butler staying in the same house? Must be.

Sumakay siya sa sasakyan niya at sinulyapan ang Marquess. Naka-seatbelt na ito.

"Bago tayo umalis," binuhay niya ang makina ng sasakyan saka bahagyang tumagilid paharap sa Marquess, "I have to tell you something."

"What?"

"We're broke."

"I know." The Marquess replied. "I'll take care of it." Kapagkuwan ay umiling ito, "you spoiled your master too much."

He gave the Marquess a lopsided smile. "Want me to spoil you too?"

"Fuck you." The Marquess replied.

Mahina lang siyang tumawa saka pina-usad ang sasakyan. Minutes later, Cloud pulled over in front of a Pharmacy.

"Wait— I thought we're gonna buy some furnitures?" Nagtatakang tanong ng Marquess sa kaniya.

"Give me a sec." Aniya saka nagmamadaling lumabas ng sasakyan at pumasok ng Pharmacy.

After buying the things he needed, he went back to the car and immediately went to work.

"Don't move." Sabi niya sa Marquess bago inumpisahang gamutin ang sugat nito sa braso na kagagawan ng katana ng boss niya. "Your wound is quite deep." Obserba niya habang nililinis ang sugat nito. "Hold a little, this will sting a bit." He said before putting an antiseptic on the Marquess' wound and blowing a soft air on it to lessen the sting. "There. Done."

Umayos ng upo si Cloud sa driver's seat kapagkuwan ay natigilan ng makitang nakatingin sa kaniya ang Marquess.

There's something in Marquess' eyes that made his breathing hitched, taking him off guard.

"W-what?" He actually stuttered, stunning him.

Lord Jacques didn't answer.

"May sugat ka pa sa ibang parte ng katawan?" Tanong niya habang nagtataka pa rin kung bakit ganun ang naging reaksiyon niya sa tingin ng Marquess. "Well?"

Umiling ito saka nag-iwas ng tingin. "Not that I know of."

"Good." Then he leaned in to the Marquess again, to put the gauze over the wound this time, and Cloud was taken aback by the Marquess' sandalwood scent that made him move closer and sniff the intoxicating scent softly — it was intoxicating enough for him to want to bury his nose on Lord Jacques' neck and inhale his aroma.

Good thing he was able to stop himself midway!

Fuck!

Mabilis niyang tinapos ang paglalagay ng gauze sa sugat nito saka tumikhim siya bago walang imik na pinausad ulit ang sasakyan.

While driving to the nearest Home Depot, Cloud's head was in a mess!

He knew that what he just did wasn't normal. No guy would sniff another guy! No scent has ever intoxicated him to the point that he wanted to bury his nose on that person's neck — let alone from a guy!

Fuck!

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa manibela.

Something's up with him. He's being weird.

Something is definitely going on with me!


*

NANG MAKAUWI SILA ni Cloud mula sa Home Depot, dumeretso kaagad si Jacques sa kuwarto niya at kaagad na naghubad ng damit pagkatapos ay humarap siya sa life size mirror na nasa loob ng kuwarto.

Jacques checked every part of his body for cuts and bruises. He was relieved to see that other than his cut wound that Cloud cleaned earlier, there's nothing.

Jacques stilled then chuckled remembering Cloud blowing a soft air on his wound after putting the antiseptic. Akala siguro nito mararamdaman niya ang hapdi na kalakip niyon. Cloud was very careful while cleaning his wound.

And he admitted, it was a good feeling. Being taken care of like a normal person.

Back home, when he gets cut or bruises, the Doctor would come to clean his wound or put something in his bruises, but there's no care to it. It's just a job. Alam niyang wala itong pakialam kahit hindi nito dahan-dahanin ang paggamot sa sugat niya dahil alam nitong hindi siya nakakaramdam ng sakit.

Everyone was taking advantage of his inability to feel pain. From his parents to every person in their household.

Madilim ang mukha na umalis siya sa harapan ng salamin at nagdamit ulit, saka binuksan ang cellphone niya na itinago niya sa ilalim ng kama niya.

There's a message from Kaius — the person he considered as a close friend and also one of the leaders of the Triad.

From: Kaius V.

How's it going?

Jacques replied. 'Need a Doctor's opinion. It's urgent.'

From: Kaius V.

Call Doc. Kamden.

Sa sinabi nito, kaagad niyang tinawagan si Kamden. He's a Doctor working for the Triad, he calls him sometimes for second opinion because Kamden knows his condition.

"Can't talk right now." Kaagad nitong sabi sa kabilang linya ng sagutin nito ang tawag niya. "I'm busy—"

"I tasted something, Doc."

Natahimik ang nasa kabilang linya bago maingat na may pagtatakang nagsalita. "Like food?"

"Yeah."

"But you can't taste them." Kaagad nitong sabi. "I mean you can, but it lacks flavour that it's almost tasteless."

"Yeah. I know. But I can taste now — I mean, not really."

"How does the food taste?"

"I don't know." Aniya na umiling pa. "I can't explain it but it taste weirdly good."

"What?" There's a frown in Kamden's voice. "Fuck. I can't tell you anything unless I see you and run some test. Where are you?"

"Philippines. Mission."

"That's a bummer." Kamden sighed. "Okay, just answer some questions for me and I'll try to give you answers."

"Okay." Jacques readied himself for the questions.

"What kind of food did you eat that you actually tasted the flavour?" Una nitong tanong.

"Air fried chicken."

"And after that?"

"A sandwich."

"And?"

"A soda with ice cream on top."

"That's weird." Kamden tsked. "I can see no common denominator in those food you mentioned."

Jacques took a deep breath. "There's two actually."

"What?"

"They all tasted the same to me and they're all given to me by the same person."

"Oh." Kamden said like something clicked.

"Well?"

"Must be Psychological response."

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you're a CIP patient. And because of gene mutation, you lack the sense of smell that's why it affected your sense of taste as well. And that will never change, Sotelo. That's why I said that it must be a Psychological response. Your brain is responding to this person and because of this response, you actually felt like you tasted something, when in fact, it's just your brain. Amazing, isn't it?"

Halos malukot ang mukha ni Jacques. "Now I'm just confused."

Tumawa ang nasa kabilang linya. "Me too. The brain is the most complicated part of our body. Some parts of it remain a mystery. Fuck. Honestly, that's just my opinion. Maybe this person triggered something in your brain. Don't know what though. You have to see your Doctor to check and make sure of what's going on with your body—"

"Wait, hold up!" He cut him off, "triggered what exactly?"

"Don't know." Kamden's voice was like shrugging, "you have to get yourself check to make sure."

"So it's just a Psychological response?" Mabulong niyang tanong dahil hindi niya maintindihan 'yon.

"Could be, but not sure. Anyway, what did this person do to you that your brain responded to him?" Kamden sounded curious. "This person must have done something to make your brain respond that made you feel like you tasted something."

"Don't know." Sagot niya. "I have to go."

"Get yourself check, Sotelo. Make sure nothing's wrong with you." Bilin ni Doc. Kamden bago nito pinatay ang tawag.

Napatitig naman si Jacques sa cellphone na hawak.

What did Cloud do?

Nothing.

He just took care of him.

Care. Was it because of that?

Was care really enough for his brain to respond and make him think that he tasted something? Well, care was something his life lacks, so maybe that's what triggered his brain?

Napailing siya. Hindi man siya makaramdam ng sakit ng ulo pero nararamdaman niyang parang sasabog ang utak niya dahil wala siyang maisagot sa sariling katanungan.

And then the culprit of his confusion knocked on the door and entered his room, holding a tray with food.

"Eat." Maingat na inilapag ni Cloud ang tray sa pahabang bench na nasa paanan ng kama. "Tapos na kumain si Lady SM at ang baliw kong boss, kaya dinala ko na rito ang pagkain mo. Wala kang kasamang kakain doon sa kusina." Jacques was just looking at Cloud while the latter was talking. "Sandwich, kalahating isaw at coke float lang ang laman ng tiyan mo kaya gumalaw ka na riyan at kumain ka na."

Jacques couldn't move. He was just looking at Cloud who got pissed because he wouldn't budge.

"Gagalaw ka riyan at kakain o susubuan kita?" May pananakot sa boses nito.

While Jacques grimaced at Cloud when he said he'll feed him. "Fuck you."

"Fuck you too, Lord Jacques." Cloud replied calmly before leaving his room.

Nang sumara ang pinto, kaagad niyang nilapitan ang pagkain at kumagat sa air fried chicken na luto ni Cloud.

And there it was ... the taste that he couldn't explain.

Jacques sighed and shook his head before speaking with thick sarcasm. "First, my body, and now there's something wrong with my brain."

Geez! I feel so fucking lucky.