EZECQUIEL didn't know that sneaking out without going back to their house was this fun. Imbes na makaramdam siya nang kaba, all she can feel was the excitement! Hindi na siya nag-abala na mag empake ng damit. Mikael assured her that he'll buy her a lot of clothes.

Kampante siyang naglalakad sa daan. Hindi siya dumaan sa hagdanan pababa sa kwarto ng mga maid. Delikado at baka pati sila ay madamay sa kagagahan niya.

"They will surely find me tomorrow..." she whispered to herself as she walked slowly and kicking the small stones. Ezecquiel smiled bitterly.

Of course, hahanapin siya ng mga ito. Sino ang gagamitin ng Daddy at kapatid niya para tuloy tuloy ang panalo ng lampa niyang kapatid sa pagkakarera? Sino na gagamitin ng mommy niya para sa mga charity works kuno nito? Sino ang ihaharap ng mommy niya sa mga media as a proof that the Mayor's wife raised a lovely daughter? For sure her Amiga's will bugged her if they found out that she's missing, they're so fond of her, after all.

"You look happy and sad at the same time."

Umangat ang ulo ni Ezecquiel nang marinig ang baritonong boses ni Mikael. He was smiling at her warmly and spread his arms. Ezecquiel chuckled and run towards him. Agad niya itong niyakap.

"Let's go to my friends house first." inakbayan siya ni Mikael at iginiya sa sasakyan nito. "Kumain ka na ba?" he asked while putting her seatbelt on.

"Oo." she replied.

Mikael grinned mischievously. "Sana all."

Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Ezecquiel at agad tinampal ang balikat ni Mikael. "Bakit hindi ka kumain?!" singhal niya.

"Babe, I was waiting for you. Malay ko ba na magtatagal ka sa inyo? Chichibog ka pala di ka man lang nag-abalang mag text." pabalang na sagot nito sa kanya. Tumalim ang tingin ni Ezecquiel kay Mikael.

While the man in front of her just smirk playfully at her and pinch her chin. "Galit ka na niyan?"

Hindi kayang panatilihin ni Ezecquiel ang galit galitan na mukha niya. Lalo na at hindi mabura ang pag ngisi sa labi ni Mikael habang nakatingin sa kanya.

"Smile babe. Hindi bagay sayo ang naka simangot." he said and leaned forward to kiss her lips. It was just a peck but the butterflies in her stomach rumbled. A soft kiss that send her heart into frenzy.

Ezecquiel rolled her eyes and chose to stay silent. Isa pa, ninamnam niya pa ang kilig na nararamdaman niya nang halikan siya ni Mikael sa labi. She wants more, but she needs to consider their situation too. Sa simpling halik nito sa kanya, nawala na sa utak niya na tumatakas pala siya sa mga magulang niya. At hindi pa kumakain ang baliw na kasama niya.

Hawak hawak ni Mikael ang kamay niya habang prente itong nagmamaneho, at paminsan minsan ay hinahalikan ang likuran ng palad niya. At sa tuwing ginagawa nito 'yon, nag-iiwas ng tingin si Ezecquiel. Hindi niya mapigilan ang mapa ngisi sa simpling paglalambing nito sa kanya.

And she was never expecting that Mikael would be like this.

Ezecquiel looked at Mikael when they entered a subdivision. The village is cozy, naglalaban sa ganda at laki ang mga bahay na nadadaanan nila. But one house caught her attention, more like a mansion na may mataas na pader kumpara sa mga ibang bahay na nadaanan nila.

Nauna nang bumaba si Mikael sa sasakyan pagtapos ay umikot para pag buksan siya. She smiled as he intertwined their hands again. Hinila siya ni Mikael sa isang bahay na malapit sa mansyon na naka kuha sa atensyon niya, she was fascinated by the house design that she can't take her eyes off.

Kumatok muna si Mikael sa pintuan bago pinihit ang door knob.

"Is it okay to barge in? Hayaan mo muna kaya na pag buksan tayo?" she suggested. Pero umiling lang si Mikael at pinilit pa rin ang gusto nito.

"No it's —" Mikael's word cut off when a man wearing a silk robe open the door. "Esel!" biglang nagliwanag ang mukha ni Mikael na parang bata.

"It's late, Mikael." the man grunted. "Tangina, gusto mo ba talagang magilitan ng leeg?!" he added.

"Bud, I have an emergency you know. It's a matter of life and death situation." he said in a exaggerating voice.

Now she feel betrayed. Bakit hindi yata nasabi sa kanya ni Kade na may pagka isip bata ang lalaking nagustuhan niya?

"Emergency my ass!" the man hissed and was about to hit Mikael's face. But he stopped midway when he saw her, standing beside Mikael. "Who are you?" he immediately asked.

Ezecquiel smiled a bit. "I'm his girlfriend—"

He cut her words off and pointed at Mikael. His eyes landed on Mikael and then shifted his gazed to her. Parang hindi ito makapinawala sa sinabi niya.

Napaatras si Ezecquiel nang bigla nalang itong tumawa habang nakaturo sa mukha ni Mikael. She's confused why he suddenly burst out laughing, kahit si Mikael ay masama ang tingin sa kaibigan niya.

"I'm sorry for laughing. But this," itinuro nito si Mikael. "hindi ko lang akalain na may ipapakilala siyang girlfriend sa akin!"

"I didn't laugh at you when you got married to Shawn. On the spot." Mikael said dryly.

"Paano ka makakatawa? E hindi mo naman nalaman kaagad. Tarantado." the man scoffed. "Dito ka ba matutulog?" he asked.

"Esel! Kung si Mikael ang nasa labas huwag mong papapasukin!" sigaw nang isang babae mula sa loob ng bahay. Lihim na napa ngiwi si Ezecquiel.

"Bakit galit na naman sa akin? Sigurado ka ba na hindi mo pa nabuntis ulit?!" Mikael asked the man he called Esel.

"Ahmm... Who's that?" she interrupted the two man bickering. Hindi niya napigilan na magtaas ng kilay.

Esel looked at her and smile widely. "That's my wife."

"A Lion."

Esel looked at Mikael. "Na kinakatakutan mo?" pang-aasar nito.

"Bud, she's scary!" umakto pa na kinikilabutan si Mikael.

Nanahimik nalang si Ezecquiel sa tabi ni Mikael at hinayaan muna ang dalawa na mag-away, nangangalay na siya pero wala siyang choice kung hindi ang magtiis dahil mukhang hindi welcome ang boyfriend niya sa loob ng bahay.

"Ano na naman ginagawa mo dito?" paanas na tanong ng babae na bigla nalang sumulpot sa likod ni Esel. She's pretty, kahit salubong na salubong na ang kilay nito habang nakatingin kay Mikael.

Her boyfriend immediately hide behind her back. Ezecquiel gasped and was about to smack Mikael head, dahil sa ginawa nito muntikan ng mag hello ang mukha nila sa semento!

"Well, I have a request?" ani ni Mikael.

"Kung dito ka matutulog. Hard pass! Hindi pwede. Teka... who are you?" tumuon sa kanya ang mga mata nito. Ezecquiel isn't in the mood anymore to play nice, lalo na at nangangalay na ang mga paa niya.

"Girlfriend daw ni Mikael." sagot ni Esel.

"Tangina?" mura ng babae. Pagkatapos ay tumingin ito kay Mikael. "Ayos yan, para hindi mo na kami istorbohin na tangina ka!" She hissed at her boyfriend, Mikael. Pero nang tumingin ito sa kanya, may ngiti na ito sa labi. "Hi! I'm Shawn, sorry mukhang nangalay at nilamok na kayo dito. Banned kasi 'yang jowa mo dito sa bahay namin. Pasok na kayo." she explained.

Hindi na nagtanong si Ezecquiel kung bakit banned ang boyfriend niya sa pamamahay ng mga ito. Umakbay kaagad si Mikael sa kanya at sabay silang pumasok sa loob. Hinila siya ni Mikael sa sofa at pinaupo sa hita nito. She blushed.

"So? What is it? The life and death situation you have?" tanong ni Esel. 

"Nagtanan kami." Mikael said like it was nothing.

Esel looked at them flatly. "Oh bakit mo dito dinala?" nakataas ang kilay na tanong nito kay Mikael. "Ahm, hindi naman sa ayaw namin na nandito kayo." Esel looked apologetically at her.

Mikael wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "Siya yung sinasabi ko sayo. For sure, her parents will come to me tomorrow morning. Hindi ko siya pwedeng i-uwi sa bahay."

"My wife is a lawyer. Sabihan mo lang kami kung gusto mong kasuhan ang tatay mo. Tsk, sinong matinong tatay ang ibubugaw ang anak?" Esel hissed.

"Her Father will win hands down." Shawn interject and hand her a glass of orange juice. "My brother will handle the case, if you want. He's ruthless like him." itinuro nito ang asawa at kumindat sa kanya.

Ezecquiel smiled at them. Mikael is lucky to have a friends like them.

Shawn gave her a new set of undergarments and unused pair of pajamas. Mikael patiently waited for her, hanggang sa matapos siyang maligo. Inayos pa nito ang higaan nito bago ito magpaalam at umuwi.

"Good night babe, babalik ako bukas." Mikael whispered and kissed her temple, down to the tip of her nose and lastly her lips.

"Ingat ka..."

Mikael just smiled at her as a response and left the room.

HINDI PA tumutunog ang alarm clock ni Mikael nang gisingin siya ng mga magulang niya. His mother look worried and his father looks angry. Tamad siyang tumayo at nagbihis.

"What the hell is going on, Mikael!" sigaw ng Papa niya. Mikael looked at his father confused.

"Why? What happened?" walang ganang tanong niya habang naghihilamos ng mukha. Inabot sa kanya ni Blade ang towel kaya agad niya 'yong kinuha.

"Michael, calm down okay? Hayaan mo munang mag explain ang panganay natin!" singhal naman ng Mama niya.

His Father let out a loud breath. "Nasa baba ang Mayor, hinahanap sayo ang bunsong anak niya."

"Inuwi ko naman kagabi ah?" kinuha ko nga lang ulit.

"And he said that you rape his daughter!" sigaw nito. Mikael just laughed sarcastically.

"Anak niyo ako. Kayo ang nagpalaki sa akin. Now, tell me. Do I look like I'm going to fuck a woman without her consent? Come on, Pa! Don't be ridiculous!"

Mikael clenched his fist. What the hell is that man up to? Napailing nalang si Mikael. Napaka tanda na nito para mag laro, and he really choose a game where he knows that he's going to lose.

"Pinipili ko kung sino ang gagalawin ko, Pa. I may be a man whore, fuck boy, call it whatever you want. But I am not a fucking rapist. That old man, makikita niya ang hinahanap niya." he hissed and left his parents in his room.

Mabilis siyang bumaba at nakita ang Mayor na nakaupo sa sofa, sa sala nila at kasama ang asawa nito. Mikael smiled sarcastically.

"Where's my daughter?!" agad na sigaw ng ginang nang makita siyang pababa sa hagdan.

"I don't know. Why don't you find her, instead of bugging me?" sarkastikong sagot niya.

"Umiiyak ang anak ko! Ezecquiel said that you forced her! You rapist!" dinuro siya ng ama ni Ezecquiel.

Hindi nga siya nagkamali. Kung gaano ka dumi maglaro ang anak nito sa drag racing, ganon din ka dumi mag laro ang ama. It's a good thing that he didn't brought Ezecquiel here, tama ang hinala niya na sa kanya ito hahanapin dahil siya ang huling nakasama nito kahapon.

"I can sue you for accusing me, Mayor. Dahan dahan sa pagbitaw ng mga salita." he smirked smugly. Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ni Mikael nang makitang matigilan ito.

Mikael sighed. "You can check our house first. Wala dito ang hinahanap niyo. And for accusing me that I rape your daughter. I'm innocent. Hindi ko ginalaw ang anak mo kahit halos bihisan mo siya ng ganoong klaseng damit at ibenta sa akin para lang manalo ang anak mo sa karera namin." ngumisi si Mikael.

Ezecquiel father clenched his fist. Mikael was enjoying the face of his future father in law. Mabuti nalang pala at hindi agad pumayag si Ezecquiel sa kasal na inaalok niya. He will probably go to hell, for teasing the old man.

"Now, leave. I have a proof. Naka record ang usapan natin nang gabing 'yon." he added. "I thought your genius, I mean, Mayor ka." Mikael said while looking at his eyes.

"Don't you dare insult me!" nanggigigil na sigaw ng ama ni Ezecquiel sa kanya.

"Then don't you dare called me a fucking rapist without a proof. Don't you dare shout at me, because you are inside my territory." he calmly said.

"Mayor. Now that we heard our son statement, there's no way that we're going to hand him to you. We'll see you in court." narinig niya ang boses ng ama niya mula sa itaas.

Walang nagawa ang tatay ni Ezecquiel, maski ang nanay nito. Mikael watched them as they leave their house. Umupo si Mikael sa sofa at napahilamos sa mukha niya. Ezecquiel have a problematic family.

"Mikael. We're going to talk." ani ng Papa niya.

Mikael sighed and nod his head. Agad siyang sumunod sa Papa niya papunta sa office nito. His father started to ask him a question the moment he stepped inside the office, wala itong pinalagpas kahit isa. And it's not like that Mikael can hide a secret from his parents. Masyado silang open sa isa't isa.

"So, you asked her to marry you but she declined?" natatawang tanong ng ama niya.

Mikael rolled his eyes and nod his head.

"Hmmm... I like her." His mother interject while sipping on her tea.

"I like her more, Mama." nagtaas baba ang kilay niya.

"I'm very proud of you, Son! You found a good Queen. Mana ka talaga sa akin, magaling kang pumili." tinapik ng Papa niya ang balikat niya.

Ngiti lang ang sinagot niya sa ama. Nakahinga siya nang maluwag na tinanggap ng mga ito ang desisyon nilang dalawa ni Ezecquiel.

"I can't wait to see her wearing my beautiful wedding gown! Pagka tapos nitong gulo na 'to sa mga magulang niya. Planuhin na natin ang kasal niyo!" His mother giggled.

If I am going to marry Ezecquiel. I will have my own baby lion. A lion who can't roar because she's too in love with me.