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CHAPTER 1

KNIGHT WAS trained to speak fluently and smartly to people. He was trained to socialize perfectly as a noble man. He was trained to know what to say and do in front of people. He was trained to perfect his communication skills.

... but at that very moment, when the woman's eyes held his, he was frozen and couldn't communicate.

His mind went blank.

He was speechless.

His tongue tied.

His heart was pounding.

His palm was sweating.

What the fuck is happening to me?

Seconds later, his brain was still not functioning right.

Am I in shock?

Knight was just looking at the woman, unable to say anything.

"Monet," anang babaeng kaharap, nakatingin ito sa babae na nasa likod ng counter. "Pasuyo naman pagpakain sa mga bata."

"Yes, boss." Sagot ng babaeng nagngangalang Monet bago nito kinuha ang mga bata.

So, this woman is the owner of this café?

Natigilan siya nang bumalik ang tingin ng babae sa kaniya saka inilang hakbang nito ang pagitan nilang dalawa, parang nanunuri ang mga mata nito.

She was so near, and his mind was a mess!

"Mukhang maayos na ang lagay mo." Anang babae saka ngumiti sa kaniya. "I'm glad."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa sinabi nito. "It's really you..." I was right. Ito nga ang babaeng may-ari ng boses na 'yon.

May gulat sa mga mata ng babae habang nakatingin sa kaniya. "Talagang naaalala mo ako? I mean, you were unconscious at the time."

"I heard you and remembered your voice." He said.

"Ah..." tumango-tango ito saka may tinurong bakanteng mesa. "Upo muna tayo. Siguradong kalalabas mo lang ng Hospital. Baka mabinat ka."

Natigilan siya sa pag-aalala sa boses nito. Why is she worried?

"So, how are you?" Tanong ng babae ng makaupo silang dalawa. Walang pagkailang sa boses at pakikitungo nito sa kaniya. "Maayos na ba ang lagay mo?"

He nodded. Thank God he can at least nod his head. "Y-yeah."

"I'm glad." She smiled making his chest pound even harder. "I was really worried of you. Tinakot mo ako sa lagay mo ng makita kitang walang malay sa daan. Mabuti na lang may first aid kit dito sa café kaya natulungan kita kaagad."

Knight stared at the woman. Looking at her and studying her face, she looks genuinely worried of him.

But why? He was a stranger to her.

Tumikhim siya. "Thanks for saving me."

She smiled. "You're welcome." Then she abruptly leaned in and move her face closer to his. Kapagkuwan ay umangat ang kamay nito sa may gilid ng noo niya. "Mayroon ka rin palang sugat dito. Hindi ko 'to nakita. Ayos ka na ba talaga?"

Napalunok siya. "Yes. Can you move away a little?" Pabulong niyang sabi. "Kababalik lang ng isip ko sa tamang huwisyo."

Kaagad namang umayos sa pagkakaupo ang babae. "Sorry."

He breathes out. "Anyways, if you're the one who saved me, how did those two old men got involve? Sabi nila silang dalawa lang ang nagligtas sa 'kin." Greedy people and their lies. Dahil siguro ayaw ng mga itong magkaroon ng kahati sa pabuya na binigay ni Cloud.

"Sila yata ang may-ari ng Taxi na pinara ko para magpahatid sa Hospital." Anang babae, "buti nga dumaan sila kung hindi baka napaano ka na. Tinulungan din nila akong buhatin ka at sila ang naghatid sa 'yo sa loob ng Hospital. Nagkaroon kasi ako ng emergency kaya hindi na kita nasamahan."

Knight sighed. "Kung alam mo naman pala kung nasaang Hospital ako, bakit hindi mo ako binalikan?" Natigilan si Knight sa sariling tanong. Huli na para mabawi niya 'yon.

Why did he even ask her that?! It's not her obligation to visit him in the Hospital.

"That came out wrong." Mabilis niyang sabi. "I apologize."

Ngumiti ito na parang wala lang iyon dito. "That's okay. Sinadya ko talagang hindi pumunta. Hindi mo naman kasi ako makikilala e, tapos anong gagawin ko ro'n?"

Napatango-tango siya, nawalan na siya ng sasabihin. Now, he's waiting for the most dreaded question.

Kung sinong may gawa nun sa kaniya.

But seconds passed... nothing. The woman didn't ask.

"Hindi ka ba magtatanong kung bakit ako nagkaganun?" Hindi niya mapigilang tanong sa babae.

He was curious as to why she's not asking. People are curious beings.

Umiling ang kaharap. "It's none of my business and I'm sure you'll feel uncomfortable if I ask you that."

She seems genuinely uninterested. And he doesn't know why he's feeling pissed. Gusto niyang magtanong ito. Pero bakit? Dahil gusto niyang makitang may pakialam ito?

"Niligtas mo ako tapos wala kang pakialam kung bakit nangyari sa 'kin 'yon?" Madilim ang mukhang tanong niya. "Aren't you curious at all? People usually are."

Nangalumbaba ito habang nakatingin pa rin sa kaniya. "Ayokong sariwain mo kung ano man ang nangyari sa 'yo ng araw na 'yon para lang ma-satisfy ang kuryusidad ko." She smiled softly. "Yes, I want to know but... as I said... it's really none of my business."

He understands her but why is he feeling pissed? Seeing her uninterested like this? Goodness! What the hell is happening to him? He's not an irrational person!

He just met her for goodness' sake! Wala siyang karapatang magalit dito. Niligtas na nga siya e.

Ang kailangan niyang gawin ay pagbayaran ang utang na loob niya rito. "Gusto kong bayaran ang ginawa mong pagtulong sa 'kin. Binayaran ko na 'yong dalawang lalaki. Ikaw na lang ang hindi."

Tumaas ang kilay nito. "Bayaran? Para sa pagtulong sa 'yo?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Okay. Pero bakit mo ako babayaran?"

"I hate owning someone." Aniya, "Tell me what you want, I'll do it. Or how much and I'll pay for it."

Pinakatitigan siya nito. "Kahit anong gusto ko?"

Tumango siya.

"Promise?"

He nodded again feeling disappointed. He thought she's different. Oh well... might as well get this over with.

"Sabihin mo munang nangangako ka." Anang babae.

Bumuntong-hininga siya. "I promise."

"Okay. What I want is for you to rest. Can you do that?"

He stilled and looked at the woman, bewildered. "What—"

"You promised." Paalala ng babae saka tumayo at iniwan siya sa lamesa. Akala niya ay hindi na ito babalik kaya laking gulat niya ng bumalik ito at may dala nang dalawang slice ng cake at inilapag iyon sa harapan niya. "Here. Eat up, go home and rest. Please?"

Napatitig siya sa babaeng nakatayo sa tab ing mesa.

Why is she nice to him? What does she really want? Everyone has a hidden agenda when it comes to him.

But what could this woman possibly want from him?

"Umuwi ka na." Anito sa malumanay na boses. "Nakita ko ang mga sugat mo, hindi 'yon basta-basta maghihilum ng ilang araw lang. So please rest. I don't want anything from you other than that."

"Why are you nice to me?" He couldn't help but ask. He's bewildered. "You don't even know me."

The woman shrugged and smiled. "I don't need to know you to help you. Kailangan mo ng tulong kaya tinulungan kita. Gagawin ko yon sa kahit na kanino. 'Yon lang 'yon. You don't owe me anything and you don't need to pay me."

Knight just stared at the woman, unable to move or talk.

"Do you want water or coffee to go with your cake?" Tanong ulit nito sa kaniya na parang wala lang.

"Beer would be nice." Bulong niya.

Tiningnan siya nito ng masama na ikinatigil niya. "Kagagaling mo lang ng Hospital 'di ba? Ibig sabihin may mga gamot kang dapat inumin. Paano yon eepekto kung umiinom ka ng alak?"

Napipilan siya ng ilang segundo. "Bakit parang galit ka?"

Tumalim ang mga mata nito. "Kasi may pa-save me, save me ka pang sinasabi hindi mo naman pala aalagaan ang katawan mo."

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. "Save me?"

"You lost too much blood and deliriously asking for someone to save you."

Namilog ang mga mata ni Knight. Holy mother fucker! He said that out loud?! He thought it was just in his head. Holy fuck!

Fuck!

Holy fuck!

His inside was screaming but outside he was calm and collected even though his cheeks feels like it's burning. "Yon lang ba ang sinabi ko habang tinutulungan mo ako?"

Sa halip na sagutin siya, misteryusong ngumiti ang dalaga. "You don't wanna know."

"Wait— what—"

"Kumain ka na lang tapos magpahinga ka na." Pagkasabi nun ay iniwan na siya nito.

"Wait." Pigil niya sa babae. "Puwede ko bang malaman ang pangalan mo?"

"SM." Sagot nito.

He blinked, stunned. "Like the Mall? Super Market?"

She chuckled. "SM for Sweet Monday."

"Sweet Monday..." he said her name softly before smiling, "I'm Knight Velasquez. Nice to meet you."

"Same here. Alagaan mo ang sarili mo. Bye." Anito bago siya tuluyang iniwan.

And he just looked at her walk until she disappeared from his sight.

Sweet Monday. "What a weird name." At least it's not Super Market.

Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa cake na bigay sa kaniya ni SM. It's two slices of Chocolate Bavarian Cake. His favourite.

Wala sa sariling napangiti siya.

A woman who doesn't want anything but for him to rest. A woman who seems unaffected by him. To actually meet a woman like her... he felt lucky.

But he can't let his guards down. Maybe she wants something different. People always have ulterior motive.

NAPAKURAP-KURAP si SM ng makita si Knight sa labas ng café niya umagang-umaga. Magbubukas palang sila pero nasa labas na ito. What is he doing here?

"Diba sabi ko magpahinga ka?" Kaagad niyang sabi rito ng makalapit siya rito.

Ngumiti lang ito saka kinuha ang susi na hawak at ito na ang nagbukas ng café niya. Worry consumed her when she saw him open the steel roll up door with force.

"Careful! Baka bumukas ang mga sugat mo."

"It won't kill me." Sagot lang nito saka sunod na binuksan ang glass door ng café niya. "There." He grinned at her cheekily. "I'm still alive."

Napailing na inagaw niya ang susi rito. "Anong ginagawa mo rito? Hindi ba dapat nagpapahinga ka? You promised me yesterday."

"Nagpahinga na ako. Saka ang sabi mo lang kahapon, magpahinga ako na ginawa ko naman, pero hindi mo sinabi kung hanggang kailan."

Naiiling na bumuntong-hininga siya. "Smart-ass."

Knight smiled at her. "I'll take that as a compliment. Anyways... nandito ako kasi gusto kong tumulong. I always wanted to be a waiter and—"

"Knight." She narrowed her gaze on him, "hindi mo naman 'di ba ito ginagawa kasi gusto mong bayaran yong pagtulong ko sa 'yo?"

Natigilan ito kapagkuwan ay ngumiti sa kaniya. "Of course not. I really just want to help. No compensation needed since you also helped me."

Yep. He's an smart-ass. "Paano 'yan? Hindi ka naman puwedeng maging waiter kung hindi ka pipirma ng kontrata kasi baka ikapahamak ko naman 'yon na pinagta-trabaho kita ng libre." She smiled innocently at him. "And if you sign the contract, of course I'm oblige to follow what's written and one them is called compensation."

Pinakatitigan siya ni Knight. "Smart-ass."

Mahina siyang natawa. "You think you can trick me? Think again, buddy." Kapagkuwan ay tinuro niya ang sign na nakapaskil sa gilid ng pinto. 'Looking for Waiter. Male. 18-25 Years old' "Ilang taon ka na ba? Malakas ang pakiramdam ko na hindi ka na pasok diyan."

Sumandal si Knight sa pader na nasa likuran nito saka namulsa. "Don't worry. Nasa-kalendaryo pa ako."

Natawa siya. "You look like you're sulking... isa lang ibig sabihin nun, nasa panghuli ka na sa kalendaryo."

"Anong masama dun?"

"Ang tanda mo na pala."

All emotion was drained on his face and he stayed silent. Siya naman ay pinag-krus ang mga braso sa harap ng dibdib saka sinalubong ang walang emosyon nitong mga mata.

She didn't budge or look away. Nakipaglaban siya ng titigan dito hanggang sa bumalik ang kislap ng mga mata nito.

"Done sulking?" She asked.

"Yeah."

She smiled. "Then you're hired if you want it." Sabi niya saka ini-explain dito ang lahat kasama na ang sahod nito at oras ng trabaho. "Kailangan talaga namin ng waiter kasi isa lang ang waiter namin. Kapag nagdi-deliver siya, naiiwan ang café. Pero sigurado ka ba sa gusto mo?"

"Very."

"Sige." Nilingon niya si Juls— ang nag-iisa nilang waiter— na nag-aayos ng mga mesa. "Juls, pa-orient kay Knight." Pagkatapos at ibinalik niya ang atensiyon sa lalaki. "Have fun."

"Yes, boss." Sagot nito.

Naiiling naglakad siya patungo sa opisina niya na siyang nagsisilbing gawaan din niya ng cake.

Nang mailapag niya ang mga gamit na dala at nakapagpahinga siya ng ilang minuto, kaagad siyang nagtrabaho.

She makes cake for a living now. Though a year ago, making cakes was just her hobby but now it's her bread and butter.

Kumuyom ang kamao niya ng maalala kung bakit nawala na siya sa serbisyo at may ari na nang café ngayon.

No bad vibes, SM. Don't go there. Pagkausap niya sa sarili saka pilit na winaksi sa isip niya ang mga isiping alam niyang sisira lang sa araw niya.

Nang maipasok niya sa oven ang cake na ginawa, lumabas siya ng opisina para tingnan kung kumusta na ang bago nilang waiter.

Natigilan siya ng makita si Knight na walang ekspresyon ang mukha habang nagsi-serve ng pagkain.

Where's the smiling Knight? May nangyari ba rito?

Is he in pain or something?

Sigurado siyang hindi pa tuluyang naghihilom ang mga sugat nito. Sa dami ng sugat nito sa likod na nakita niya, hindi niya maiwasang hindi mag-alala.

To suffer those kinds of cuts and wounds... something horrible must've happen to him.

Kukunin sana niya ang atensiyon ni Knight para kausapin ito ng lumingon ito at nagtama ang mga mata nila.

In an instant, he saw his face lit up and smile appeared on his lips.

Napakurap-kurap siya sa lalaki. What the hell was that? One minute he was expressionless and the next second he was smiling?

"Boss." Nakangiting lumapit sa kaniya si Knight. "Look." Dinipa nito ang mga braso para ipakita ang polo shirt nito na siyang uniporme sa café. "I look good, yeah?"

Hindi niya mapigilan ang matawa sa pagbubuhat nito ng sariling bangko. But yeah, he's handsome— no, more like gorgeous. With his deep eyes, aristocrat nose, thin lips and slightly square jaw, he's a sight to behold.

Dahil sa pagtitig niya rito, may nakita siyang kakaiba sa kulay brown nitong buhok at hindi niya napigilan ang sarili na hawakan iyon. "Blonde ka?"

Walang pag-aalinlangan na sumagot si Knight. "No."

He's lying. She can see the colour blonde on the roots of his hair. Nangyayari iyon kapag kinulayan ang buhok at nag-uumpisa nang humaba iyon kaya lumalaba ang tunay na kulay. Well... maybe he has his reason for lying. None of my business.

"So..." she changed the topic, "kumusta ang maging waiter dito sa café ko? Itutuloy mo pa rin?"

"It's fun."

"Fun?" Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "E wala ngang ekspresyon ang mukha mo kanina."

Knight blinked at her. "Do I have to smile while serving them? Just say it and I'll do it with a smile."

Napatitig siya sa kaharap. "Gusto mong... utusan kitang ngumiti?"

Tumango ito. "Yeah. Kung 'yon ang gusto mo."

Hindi siya makapaniwalang napatitig kay Knight. "Pero hindi naman inuutos 'yon 'di ba?"

Knight tsked. "Not in my life."

Napakurap-kurap siya. What kind of life is he living? "Sorry... pero hindi ako komportableng utusan kang ngumiti. If you don't want to smile, then don't. Huwag mong pilitin."

SM was taken aback when Knight's face softened while looking at her.

"That's nice to hear." He whispered while smiling softly at her. "Thank you."

She smiled back. "Just smile when you feel like it." Sinilip niya ang mga costumer ng café na halos maghugis puso ang mga mata habang nakatingin kay Knight. "Mukha namang walang problema sa mga costumers natin. Anyways, lunch time na." Tiningnan niya ang relong pambisig. "Kumain ka na ba?"

"Hindi pa."

"Kumain ka na." Aniya. "Paano ang gamot mo?"

She can still vividly remember his wounds. They were long, some are deep some are shallow. To bear that kind of pain on his back while working... it must be hellish.

"Binigyan ka ba ng pain reliever?" Tanong ulit niya ng hindi ito sumagot at nanatiling masuyong nakatitig sa kaniya. "How's your back? Hindi ba masakit? Okay ka lang ba talaga? Maybe you shouldn't be working. I mean... I saw your wounds..."

Kaya siguro ganun na lang ang pag-aalala niya rito, kasi nakita niya mismo ang kalagayan nito. Those wounds... so many... he must be in so much pain and just enduring it.

"Kumain ka na tapos uminom ka na nang gamot. Si Juls muna ang paasikasuhin mo sa mga costumer." Sabi niya kay Knight nang nanatili itong tahimik at nakatitig lang sa kaniya. "Sige, babalikan ko na 'yong bini-bake ko—"

"Can we eat together?" Putol ni Knight sa iba pa niyang sasabihin na nagpatigil sa kaniya sa paghakbang sana pabalik sa opisina niya.

Bumaling siya rito. "We can't." Nakangiwing sabi niya. "Tatapusin ko pa 'yong bini-bake ko. Maybe some other time."

"I'll wait."

"No—"

"I'll wait." May diing ulit nito saka bumalik sa pagsi-serve sa mga customers.

Napakurap-kurap na lang si SM sa papalayong likod ni Knight. At habang nakatitig sa likod nito ay bumalik sa ala-ala niya ang mga sinabi nito habang nagdi-deleryo nuong tinulungan niya ito.

I'm tired... I'm so tired or living. Someone... please... save me.

For a person to say those things... he must have a hard life.

And for some reason... she wants to do something to save him. But how can she do that when she, herself, needs saving too?

HE'S NOT SPECIAL. 'Yon ang umukilkil sa isip ni Knight habang pinagmamasdan si SM na inaasikaso ang mga trabahante nito. Kung paano siya nito tratuhin ay ganun din nito tratuhin ang iba.

"Juls, kumain ka na." Wika si SM. "Huwag kang magpapagutom. Papayat ka na naman."

Ngumiti si Juls. "Hindi naman, Boss."

"Kung gusto mo ng cake kumuha ka na lang." Sabi ni SM kay Juls. "Ayokong pumayat ka. Tatamaan ka sa 'kin Juls. Hindi ako natutuwa."

Tumawa si Juls. "Salamat, Boss."

SM looked at Monet, "kumain ka na rin ba? Ako na muna riyan."

"Salamat, boss."

"Sabihan mo na rin si Josh." Si Josh ang cook ng café. "Siguradong pagod na rin 'yon. Kawawa naman." Pagkatapos ay bumaling ito sa kaniya. "Kumain ka na rin."

"I told you I'll wait." Iritado niyang sabi.

Lumapit sa kaniya si SM saka sinalat ng kamay nito ang noo niya. "Hmm... hindi ka naman mainit." Kapagkuwan ay bumulong ito. "Masakit ba ang sugat mo kaya ka iritado? You can take the day off if you want."

Napatitig siya sa dalaga. Hindi niya alam kung bakit naiirita siya.

Is it knowing that she treats him the same like the others? Fuck! But he can't hold it against her.

"I'm fine." Aniya sa walang emosyong boses. "No worries." Hindi naman siya puwedeng magalit dahil lang mabait ito sa lahat.

Maybe that's why she helped him. Because she's just kind. That's it. Wala nang ibang rason. And that irritated him even more.

Pinakatitigan siya ni SM. "You're not fine." Masuyong lumapat ang kamay nito sa likod niya. "Masakit ba?"

Nagtagis ang bagang na inalis niya ang kamay nito sa likod niya. "I told you I'm fine."

Bumuntong-hininga ito saka pinakatitigan siya. "But you're not. I can tell. You're making me worry. Magpahinga ka na kaya muna?"

Looking at her, she's really worried.

Knight sighed before standing up, "magpapahinga na ako." Aniya saka naglakad palabas ng café ng walang lingon-likod.

Fuck! He's losing his mind and he's confused as fuck. Motherfucker! I need a drink!

"Knight!"

Napatigil siya sa paglalakad at awtomatikong lumingon ng marinig si SM na tinawag ang pangalan niya.

"What?" He asked.

"Come on." She smiled and offered him her hand. "Let's eat together."

Just like that, his feet started walking back towards the café... obediently. Nawala ang kagustuhan niyang umalis sa café. This time no one was forcing him, he's walking back obediently... on his own volition.

Fuck... I don't want to get addicted to this feeling. This will ruin him one way or another. He's sure of it.

It's just a matter of time...