"ARE YOU FREAKING serious, Ate?" 'di makapaniwalang tanong ni Travis nang magsabi ako sa kanya patungkol sa sinabi sa 'kin ng tropa niya—and also my conclusion. "You judged my best friend because of what?!"

"Pwede ba! Tigilan mo nga 'yang pagtawa mo! Walang nakakatawa!" yamot kong angil rito.

"Sorry, that was just too funny! If you are an author? Siguro you're the Queen of Twist. Nabali mo 'yung original plot akalain mo 'yon?" natatawa pa rin nitong wika kung kaya't sinipa ko ang tagiliran niya at isa sa braso. "Aww! That was foul!"

"You are the foul! Ate mo 'ko asungot ka!" inis kong wika rito tapos ay dinamba ko siya at sinimulang kutusan.

Both of us are now in our gym area in the mansion. Dito nalang ako dumiretso at 'di ko na hinintay pa si Enrico, for sure he'll text me later his initial update. I just needed to vent out my anger dahil sa mga naisip ko kanina sa mga sinabi ni Troy.

"Why don't you try to consider Rolando to be the father of Gabgab for once? I gave you the hint of their background remember?"

Why did I even forget that? Rolando, Helena, and Adrianna were childhood friends.

"So that means Troy was not the father of Gabriel?" I asked Travis habang iniipit ko ang ulo nito sa hita ko habang hila ang isa niyang braso.

"'Eh kung bigyan mo... muna ako... ng... hangin?" Napatingin ako sa kapatid ko.

"Ay sorry," sa lalim ng iniisip ko, napatagal pala yung ginawa ko. I sighed.

Travis looked at me with glare. "Troy may be a fucker, and heartless towards his flings but he won't be an irresponsible father... he wants to be better than his dad. Kaya 'di na kami pumalag nang gusto niyang ampunin si Gabriel noong sanggol palang yung bata."

"He wants to be better than his... dad?" nagtataka kong tanong.

Travis sighed and replied, "It's not my business to tell you his family background. You should do it. Katulad ng ginagawa mo kay Helena."

I immediately rolled my eyes at him when he's trying to change the subject.

"I am just being cautious, Trav."

"She's still our sister," Travis said trying to point that out.

I rolled my eyes again, "Don't worry, I don't know how to miraculously change her DNA as much as I want to, so rest assured that she will always be."

"Then act as her sister," Troy added. I cringed at his words.

"I will, only if, she's not someone I don't want her to be."

Travis sighed in defeat. "Just... try to be nicer."

"I don't know if I can, lalo na sa ginawa niyang pag-abandona sa pamangkin mo?" My face turned cold upon pointing out one of the things that I hate about Helena. "Walang matinong ina ang mag-aabandona ng anak."

My fist suddenly clenched as my emotion got build up because I remembered someone.

Napansin 'yon ni Travis kaya naging malambot ang pagtingin niya sa 'kin and then hugged me. "I'm sorry... I just want us to get along."

I also sighed, "My intentions are pure, Trav. Hangga't hindi ko nalalaman ang nangyari sa kanya sa mga nagdaang taon na wala siya, 'di ko siya kayang pakitunguhan ng maayos. But fine, I'll try to be nicer... for you bro."

Travis smiled and then said, "Dad must be on it already."

"And you too, for sure." I grinned at my brother because I knew him well. Gustuhin man niyang maging maganda ang pakikitungo namin kay Helena, he is still the Travis that I knew who would put the safety of our family first before anything else.

"Is that the reason why you just want to know her movements through that Villalobos?" Travis smirked at me.

Well, I got ahead of you already brother. So, why would I do the same of what you are and Dad's been doing?

"You can get more info than me," I just replied nonchalantly.

"About Gabriel," wikang sunod ni Travis while he's removing his gloves. We just finished a session and I think that's enough for today.

"What about him?" I asked while drinking my water.

"She's treating you like his own mother," it's not a question but a statement.

"Is it bad?" I asked.

"No, no. I guess I just want you to give Helena a chance—" I was about to stop him from what he wants to say when he pushed to finish his words. "—once you think she deserves it, okay?"

Ang tanong deserve niya ba? At kailan naman?

"Then she better try her best to be a better mother now. Time is running too fast, Gab is growing."

We went back to the mansion to change our clothes since it's already dinner. Nagulat ako nang makitang nakasandal si Troy sa hamba ng kwarto ko. Bakit nandito 'to?

"Why you're here?" tanong ko rito na may halong pagkasungit.

Troy looked at me as if he was able to be released from a trance. He looked at me with his sad face. Oh god! Seriously?

"I j-just want to explain about a while ago— listen to me first, okay?" I tried to ignore him by opening my door and get in but he stopped me.

'Di ko siya nilingon dahil nakakaramdam ako bibigay ang marupok kong puso. Dahil nahimasmasan na ako at nakapag-usap kami ng maayos ni Travis, I am now seeing what's happening here. But I decided to just ask the most important question that's been bugging me since lumitaw ang Helena na 'yon.

I faced him with grim on my face and said, "Just answer this question,"

Troy gulped and I saw that but he'd became attentive as if he's ready to be straightforward to answer my question.

"Are you Gabriel's biological fa—"

"No."

I sighed pero 'di ko inasahan yung sunod niyang sinabi. "... but I want to, in a condition that you'll be his mother."

A loud pump on my chest suddenly made my feet tremble. My stomach is swirling but the feeling is very tickling.

Shit is that what you called... Kilig? The hell?

"I'll j-just change," iyon lang ang nasabi ko at agaran kong sinarado ang pintuan. Hindi ako agad naka-react at napatulala pa ako dahil sa epekto ng sinabi ni Troy.

I could feel my lips were about to form a smile but I immediately put it inside my mouth and stopped myself from doing that.

No, Serena! Baka nakakalimutan mong ginawa kang gago niyan 'di ba? Ginamit ka niyan!

Pero 'di pa kayo tapos mag-usap 'di ba? He only discussed about Helena—he was just starting to explain pero pinairal mo ang kagagahan mo kaya 'di natapos kaya 'di mo pa sure kung talagang intensyon niyang gamitin ka!

Pero whatever his explanation may be, you seem to forget the emotional damage he created has been done right? He hurt you! If nagawa ka niyang saktan ngayon, what more sa mga susunod pa kapag nagparupok kang gaga ka?! Can you afford to be hurt again?!

"Buwisit!" angil ko habang inuuntog ang sarili sa kalapit na pader.

Why is it so hard to think about this?! Nakakabobo!

After taking a bath, I went down when I was called that the dinner is ready. Pero iyong akala mo umalis na ang lalaking 'yon pero 'di pa rin dahil nakaupo pa sa hapagkainan katabi si Gabgab at sa kabilang side ng bata ay ang ina nitong trying hard na pangitiin ang bata pero nananatiling nakasimangot.

"You're still here?" tanong ko habang sinasalubong si Gabriel na biglang lumiwanag ang mukha nang makita ako. I smirked at my sister when I saw her glaring at me.

"U-uhh, she will be here muna Serena dear, since Gabgab is still not comfortable sleeping here." My step-Mom replied but I didn't dare to look at her dahil nagpapa-cute itong batang 'to at gusto na ako raw ang magsubo sa kanya ng food.

"We decided na dito na muna tumira si Gabriel since ang yaya lang pala nito ang madalas na kasama at nagtatrabaho si Troy sa opisina. Since your mother is here, she can look after him." Dad added.

"Pumayag ka?" tanong ko kay Troy na parang nagulat pa 'ata na kinausap ko siya ng kusa.

"At bakit naman hindi, Sis?" biglang singit ni Helena at tumayo pa para yakapin ang balikat ni Troy. "Troy agreed for as long as he can stay here as well. Isn't it great? A complete family for my Gabriel?"

"M-'my—" Troy uttered but I immediately stopped him.

"'E 'di masaya, mas madalas kaming magkikita ni Gabgab dito." Masaya kong utas sa harap ng bata na sinunggaban ako ng yakap at napapa-yehey pa.

Helena's expression immediately turned sour upon seeing the look in Gabriel's eyes. It's twinkling.

"You are really trying to own my—" I ignored this woman and caught the attention of Gabgab.

"Gabgab, baby. I am happy that you will stay here but you need to learn how to eat beside your Mama, okay?" wika ko rito na nagpasimangot uli sa bata pero I kissed endlessly hanggang sa sumuko ito at napatawa nalang dahil nakikiliti ito sa leeg.

"Mom, stop! It's ticklish!"

"Then, promise me that you'll be a good boy with your Mama."

"No—Hahaha! Okay, okay! I'll try!" I immediately stopped when I heard the word I wanted to hear from the kid.

"Good boy! So, now go and finish your food now. It's getting cold."

"Ayee!"

Napangiti nalang ako habang natakbo na ito sa pwesto kung saan katabi nito si Helena.

Helena looked stunned when Gabriel really went back to sit beside her and also heard him say "C-Can I f-finish my food now?"

"S-sure! Of c-course, my boy, here eat more. But don't call your Aunt—"

"Helena?" I immediately called her out. She only glared at me. "One step at a time. Or I'll stop giving you chances."

Doon ko lang napansin ang tingin ng mga nakapanuod sa usapan namin ng bata at ni Helena. Step-mom was almost in tears that she even held Helena's hand to give her a signal that she agrees with me. Travis was just grinning at me and also stunned because he didn't expect that the chance he's asking for started right away. Dad was also mesmerized and it's too obvious on his face. And lastly, Troy was also the same. Ang kaibahan lang, he looks at me as if he wanted to devour me for some reason.

"Oh, please. Stop looking at me like that. Let's just eat." I grunted.

KINABUKASAN, I didn't expect an invitation from Troy's father. He called me this morning that he'd like to meet me. Since wala rin naman akong gagawin masyado this day ay pinaunlakan ko siya. We talked to see him at his office instead. He was asking If it's okay to meet me in my office but I told him that I don't have a room yet sa Fontanilla Royale. I basically left my business and work in the US because of my father's request and to finish my masteral.

"Ika'y kabighabighani pa rin, Binibini." Pagbati nito nang umupo na rin ito sa aking harapan. I almost forgot that this man is a fanatic of our dialect.

"Tungkol saan ang pagkikita natin, Don Alfonso?" tanong ko rito ng walang paligoy ligoy.

"Gusto ko lamang personal na manghingi ng paumanhin sa nangyari sa huli nating pagkikita." He was talking about the dinner Troy held na naroon si Rolando. "May mga bagay na dapat ay hindi ka na naging parte dahil sa nakaraan—"

"Stop sugarcoating it, Don Alfonso. You also expected that to happen. Alam mong hindi tatanggi si Troy na maging sekretarya niya ako kaya you and Dad asked me to disguise. You knew that he already knew who am I at nakisakay ka sa trip niya dahil gusto mo rin ang nangyayari. You wanted to keep what happened to Rolando and Adrianna to him dahil ayaw mong masira uli ang relasyon mo at ugnayan sa pamilya namin gaya ng ginawa ni Rolando kay Helena. Ang tanong ay bakit?"

"Bakit ang alin, hija?"

I scoffed with his obvious denial. "Was it because you want to ruin Rolando? Since magiging part naman na kayo ng Joaquin, it would be easier for you to ruin him in the inside. Gusto mo siyang wasakin dahil nasira nang dahil sa kanya at nagkagulo kayo ng Ama ko noon."

'Di ko inasahan ang biglaan nitong pagtawa dahil sa mga nahinuha ko. His laugh is loud that it insults me beyond my core being.

"You really are his daughter, hindi ko inaasahan na mahilig ka rin palang magtagni-tagni ng mga pangyayari."

"You all used me, baka nakakalimutan mo."

"It was my son who used you. I have to admit, inaasahan ko nang gagamitin ka ng anak ko pero nakita ko ang problema kung paano. Sabihin na nating... tinulungan ko siya dahil alam niya na alam ko ang ginagawa niya."

"And masked it as if you wanted me to stop him."

"Dahil iyon ang totoo. Estupido man ang kanyang plano, pero nakikita ko ang potensyal na mapapabalik niya ng Pilipinas si Rolando. At hindi, Hija. 'Di ko planong sirain si Rolando. Ba't ko sisirain ang success ng anak ko?"

It was like a bomb defused in my face. Rolando is what?

"It seems you didn't know. I guess, I hid it well." Don Alfonso said while grinning at me.

A-anak niya si Rolando...? Biglang rumehistro sa 'kin ang mukha nito at ngayon ko lang napansin ang kaunting pagkakahawig nito sa matanda. Hindi lang agad mapapansin dahil mukhang mas nakuha ni Rolando ang wangis ng ina nito... so, that means... alam nitong anak niya si Rolando at ang nabuntis na babae ay ang isang maid kung saan nagtatrabaho ang ina ng binata.

"Sa tingin ko, masasabi kong tama ang naiisip mo ngayon. He's my illegitimate child, Serena."

"P-pero... papaano? Alam ba 'to ni Troy?"

"I need a deserving heir," simpleng tugon ni Don Alfonso at sumandal pa sa sofa.

"You need a what?" hindi ko napigilan ang sariling taasan ito ng boses. Is it exactly the same reason I'm thinking of?

"Well, both of them are illegitimate anyway, I can't put Adrianna as my heir because—"

"Because she's a woman?" she asked while glaring at him.

"Hindi ko intensyon na mainsulto ka, Hija. It's the normal way, a tradition, a norm."

I scoffed even more. I can't believe this old man. I didn't know na ganito pala kadumi ang pag-iisip nito sa aming mga babae!

He wanted a deserving heir that's why he's checking Rolando and Troy. He must have been firm na gawing heir si Rolando dahil sa pagiging successful nito internationally but something urged this old man to reconsider Troy. At malakas ang kutob kong hindi ang plano nitong gamitin ako ang dahilan.

"Kung tapos ka nang manghingi ng paumanhin, I should better get going, Don Alfonso. I can't promise to disrespect you even more dahil sa mga naririnig ko sa bibig mo. So, please excuse me."

Nang makalabas ng opisina ng matanda ay halos manghina ang tuhod ko.

Ito ba ang sinasabi ni Travis sa 'kin?

"He wants to be better than his dad."

Wala sa sarili kong napindot ang floor kung nasaan ang opisina ni Troy. Na-realize ko lang nang tumunog na uli ang elevator at bumungad sa 'kin ang sekretarya nitong si Yvonne.

Nandito pa pala 'to.

"Lady S-Serena," gulat na wika ni Yvonne.

Ah yeah, hindi nga pala ako naka-Serena Angeles kaya kung sinong inosente ang babaeng 'to ngayon.

"Where's Troy?" tanong ko rito. Since nandito na lang naman ako, ituloy ko nalang rin. Hindi ko nga lang ma-figure out pa kung ano ang pakay ko mismo.

"H-he's inside, speaking with Mr. Ramirez—one of his business partners in Los Solteros." She replied with an explanation.

Bida bida?

"I can call him for you if you want—"

"No need, I'll just get inside." Anas ko dahil wala ako sa mood makipagbangayan.

"B-but he's still in a m-meeting with—" pero ang gaga talagang sinusubukan ang pasensya ko.

I looked at her with coldness. "Did I ask you to speak?"

Naumid ang dila nito dahil sa tanong ko. Dapat lang, tumabi ka girl. Kaya ko na 'to.

I opened Troy's room and both men were shocked upon seeing me. It was Erik Angelo nga at nakasuot pa ito ng lab coat. "Let's talk over the phone, bro. I don't think I have a right to spoil, Miss Fontanilla's visit here."

Mukha ngang nakaistorbo ako.

"N-No, that's fine. I didn't know na may pinag-uusapan kayo. Balik nalang ako—"

"No! He will leave this instance, 'My. No need to leave. H-here... sit here."

I obliged kahit na medyo tinablan ng kaunting hiya. Narinig ko pa ang mahinang pagtawa ni Erik.

"Sinong sunud-sunuran ngayon?" mahinang bulong pa nito but Troy glared at him. Erik just raised his both hands... surrendering. "Fine, I'll leave. Enjoy your stay, Miss Fontanilla."

That man... he's gullible and friendly-looking but why do I feel like something is off about him?

"Hindi ko a-alam na pupunta ka, sana sinabi mo para 'di k-ko na inentertain si—" hindi na nakatapos ng pagsasalita si Troy when I stood up again and gave him a hug.

I felt him stifled and stunned by what I did.

Thinking about what he went through dahil sa ama nitong masahol pa sa pagkaganid. I can't imagine what kind of pain he felt. I sensed already na may mali sa pakikitungo nito sa sariling ama but I didn't know that this can be so deep.

Was he treated different ba kay Adrianna? Pero nasabi nito sa 'kin na dati ay magkasundo silang magkapatid, I guess her sister had a history of protecting his brother against their father pero dahil sa alitan nila sa 'di ko alam kung bakit, ay maaaring naging mapag-isa siya habang nalaki.

"Y-you're scaring me, 'My. Why I felt like you are leaving me?" agad akong bumitaw sa pagkakayakap sa kanya at tiningnan ang kanyang mukha. He has that pain expression dahil sa naiisip nito kung ba't ko siya yinakap. That same pained expression I always see with Gabgab.

Pained of being left alone. Pained of being neglected.

"A-Are you leaving me because of what I d-did? I know I haven't explained everything yet and I admit it was really such a bullshit move but... c-can you stay? Babalik ka na ba ng US? Can you stay at least for a week? No, a month? No, a year. Please? At least year, 'My. I promise I won't do it again... I p-promise to do whatever you want. J-just don't leave."

According to the records, your very first friend was my sister. Was it because of how they treat you there? Kaya ilag ka sa ibang tao? What happened to you when Helena died? Did you suffer again?

"I promise to explain what happened... just give a chance to do so—"

I kissed him.

He moved away from our kiss and his face was even more confused. "Is this your f-farewell kiss—"

Nairita na ako. Panira ng moment.

I moved away a bit and started to undress my top then I jumped on him.

"Just shut up and kiss me."