This chapter's dedicated to her, msserendipity ang galing mag analyze. Wow na wow. Hahaha. Although, I'm not saying that it's all true. Naappreciate ko lang ng bongga 'yung nasa isip n'ya. :)

****

2 years ago...

"So, why did you show me that pictures? What really do you want, darling..."

Ericka slide her hand on Rake's neck, and pulled him closer. Ibinaba ni Rake ang kamay sa bewang n'ya, travelling it around her back. They were dancing slowly in the dance floor, ignoring everyone like they were the only one dancing.

Kinagat ni Rake ang kaliwang tenga n'ya, napangiti si Ericka. "Because I want to know you more... and I want you to know how's your life before."

Ericka laughed seductively. "Are you one planning to change me as well?" tanong n'ya kay Rake at tumingin sa bughaw na mata nito.

His eyes were almost burning to her. She was like drowning to it. Dahan-dahan inikot ni Rake ang kamay sa buhok n'ya. He tugged it with his hand. "I am, Quinn."

Tinulak ni Ericka ng marahan si Rake. "Pero ano ang kapalit?" she asked. "Fame?" hinimas n'ya ang matipunong dibdib nito at bumaba sa bewang ni Rake. "Wealth?" mas lalo n'ya ibinaba ang kamay. "Or power?"

Pinigilan ni Rake ang kamay n'ya, ibinalik sa leeg. "I have those three. But I want more of it. I want it more..."

"I can give that to you." she was about to kiss him, nang biglang sumulpot si Martha. Nakangiti ang kaibigan n'ya sa kanya, isang awkward na ngiti. "Excuse me, darling." tumango si Rake at bumalik sa couch na kinauupuan nila kanina lang.

"What?" tanong n'ya rito.

"Anong what, what? Sinasabi ko sa'yo, Merlat. H'wag kang bibigay dyan kay Mr. Alicanted, ha? You know naman."

"Kailan ba ako bumigay, Martha?" inis na sabi n'ya rito. "Pakipaalala kung kailan?"

"Nung last... last time?"

"See? You're not even sure. I'm telling you, I'm still on track. Don't worry about me."

"Sure ka, ha?" tinapik n'ya ang kaibigan saka bumalik sa pwesto ni Rake.

Napahinto s'ya dahil hawak nito ang cellphone n'ya. Although, wala naman s'yang tinatagong sikreto. But it's off limits! Kinuha n'ya agad ito kay Rake at itinabi sa bag n'ya. She felt annoyed. She walked out at the bar, naramdaman n'ya agad ang paghawak ni Rake sa braso n'ya.

"Who's James?" mariin tanong nito. "And why's fvcking you?"

Tumingin s'ya kay Rake, his face was so serious. Ericka never thought that she could see him this mad right now. "He's a client, Rake. Nothing more, nothing less."  Ericka knows, James was more than that. "At pwede ba Rake, h'wag mong pakialaman mga gamit ko."

Mas dumiin ang hawak nito sa braso n'ya. "What's really your problem?"

"Is he your fuck buddy?" Rake gritted his teeth. Hindi n'ya alam kung bakit ganito ang reaksyon nito. He's jealous? For pete's sake!

"Yes, he was." she said, emphasizing the word 'was'.

"Nabasa ko 'yung text n'ya, did you just use him? And now you're using me too?"

Ericka was taken aback. Using? Well, it's her job to use people. But not James, he's her pet.

Hinawakan n'ya ang braso ni Rake, nakapikit ito. He's controlling his anger. "Let go of it, Rake. Past is past. I'm yours right now..." agad naman lumuwag ang pagkakahawak nito roon.

Ericka put her hand on Rake's lips, she's tracing it. "And darling, it's up to you if you'll let me use you. The way I see it, you're not that type of guy who would let himself to be use by me."

Dumilat si Rake at hinawakan din s'ya sa mukha. "I'm not gonna let you use me, Quinn. And I want us to be clear, that you belong to me now. You are mine."

PRESENT DAY

Pagkauwi n'ya ng bahay, bumungad si Martha sa kanya. Nakangiti ito na parang may pinapahiwatig na may nangyari sa kanya at kay Rake. "Sinaksak mo na ba ng kamalditahan sa hospital si Laura?"

Inirapan n'ya ito at umupo sa sofa. "Wala s'ya doon, naabutan ko lang si Rake at ang anak n'ya."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Martha. "Anak?! Wow! Ang maharot na si Laura may anak---"

"Hindi s'ya ang ina."

"What? How come? Kawawang bruha naman pala 'yon eh. Bakit gustong gusto n'ya kay Rake, eh halata naman walang gusto 'yung lalaki sa kanya?"

"Who knows Martha? Maybe he's after his money. Rake's a good catch. Noon nagkita kami dati, when Greg told me that it's one of his richest friend---"

"Tigilan mo na. H'wag mo na saktan sarili mo, Merlat." sabi nito sa kanya. Alam kasi nito na ayaw na n'ya pinaguusapan ang nangyari sa nakaraan. "May sulat ka pala galing kay James." kinuha nito ang papel mula sa ilalim ng lamesa.

James again? Bakit bigla bigla ito nagkainterest sa kanya na naman?

I saw you, Ericka.. I saw you. I missed you.. Come with me. Take me, like what you did before.

Hinagis n'ya ang sulat bago pa s'ya mayamot. She had too much bullshit for one day. Alam n'ya namimiss s'ya ni James at alam n'yang may kailangan s'yang ipaliwanag dito pero hindi ngayon. Dimapot naman ni Martha iyon agad, at masamang tumingin sa kanya. "You owe him an explanation."

"Not today, Martha. Nasaan nga pala si Tiya Judith?"

"Nasa taas padin! Ay wait, kunin ko lang s'ya. Ilan araw na 'yon walang gana kumain. Nasa kwarto lang s'ya ni Hope palagi."

Ericka didn't say a thing. Ayaw n'ya magpakita ng pakialam sa babaeng nagmaltrato sa kanya noong bata pa s'ya.

Paakyat na s'ya papuntang kwarto nang biglang tumunog ang doorbell sa gate nila. Ilan minuto rin ito paulit-ulit na pinipindot hangga't walang nagbubukas nito. She was irritated by the noise, kaya pagkabukas n'ya ng gate agad n'yang binulyawan ang hindi makapaghintay na bisita n'ya.

"Ano ba! One is enough! Hindi mo kailangan pindutin ng paulit ulit--- Sonya?"

It's Rake's mother again. Holy shit.