CHAPTER 18

THIS IS THE FIRST time Knight had seen SM angry. She was always smiling happily and even when irritated, there's still an air of kindness around her. But today, there was no niceness or kindness visible.

Panay ang kuyom ng kamao nito habang nagtatagis ang bagang. Madilim ang mukha at matalim ang mga mata nito.

Her body posture was like an animal ready to pounce and devours her prey in just one movement, her sharp cold eyes feels like one glance can make a grown man tremble in fear.

She's exuding a dangerous aura. Knight can feel the dangerous air around her and it was enough for him to conclude that he doesn't want SM's anger pointed at him.

Alam niyang hindi lang siya ang nakakaramdam sa mapanganib na aura na nakapalibot kay SM. Alam niyang nararamdaman din iyon ni Cloud na panay ang sulyap kay SM na walang imik na nakaupo sa tabi niya sa loob ng van na kinalululanan nila.

"Please calm down, Lady SM—"

"Trust me, Cloud, I am calm." SM said through her gritted teeth.

"No, you're not—"

SM's sharp eyes held Cloud's and Cloud actually flinched a little and stopped talking. Isa lang ang ibig sabihin nun, nakakatakot ang titig na binigay ni SM sa butler niya na hindi basta-basta natatakot.

Napatitig siya sa kasintahan na panay ang tagis ng bagang.

My baby... she doesn't seem like just an ordinary woman.

To make Cloud flinched just by her sharp glare... she's no joke. Now he asks, what kind life did she live before meeting him?

Ni minsan, mula ng makilala niya si SM, hindi niya ito pina-imbestigahan kung anong buhay mayroon ito dahil ayaw niyang pangunahan ang dalaga. Gusto niyang sa bibig nito mismo manggaling ang lahat ng tungkol dito.

He wanted to respect her privacy because she respect his. But now, his curiosity about her just heightened.

"Turn left." Utos ni Love kay Midnight na siyang nagmamaneho ng van.

"Fuck." Midnight hissed. "We're heading out of the city—"

"Just listen to me." Putol ni Love sa iba pang sasabihin ni Midnight. Abala si Love sa harap ng laptop nito at mabilis na tumitipa ang mga daliri sa keyboard niyon. "I'm the one who's navigating."

"Bakit hindi na lang si Mr. Kim ang hiningan mo ng tulong?" Tanong sa kaniya ni Cloud. "Those two is arguing again."

His butler knew about Shun and his skills.

"He's busy with his honeymoon." Sagot niya.

"You better not fall asleep you fucker." Midnight hissed at Love who's still telling Midnight where to turn and go.

"Hopefully..." Love tsked. "I'm tracking her phone number and as of now she's unmoving."

"Where is she?" Shockingly, SM was calm. Hindi tulad kanina na nag-panic ito.

"Your friend is in an apartment outside the city." Sagot ni Love kay SM. "This is base on the GPS on her phone that was connected to yours."

"Mabuti na lang naka-konekta ang GPS niyong dalawa." Sabad ni Midnight. "Hindi tayo mahihirapang hanapin siya."

Napatingin sa labas ng bintana si SM. "It was Eli's idea. After what happened to me when I got kidnapped, she was worried sick."

Kinuha ni Knight ang cellphone sa bulsa. "Tatawagan ko ang kaibigan kong Police—"

"No." Pinigilan siya ni SM sa kamay, "don't." Nag-angat ito ng tingin sa kaniya, "we can save her without the Police."

Napatitig siya sa kasintahan. "Baby, this is kidnapping—"

"Precisely." Tumalim ang mga mata nito na ikinatigil niya dahil sa kaunting takot na naramdaman ng sinalubong niya ng tingin ang matalim nitong mga mata. "No Police, Knight."

The way she looked at him, it's not a request, it's command. Her eyes... they're commanding him.

And it caught him off guard. He never thought that her always kind eyes could make that ferocious glint.

"Okay." Pinagsiklop niya ang kamay nilang dalawa. "No Police."

SM's looks relieved. "Thank you, Knight!"

Knight intertwined their hands before whispering over SM's ear. "Calm down, Sweet Monday. We'll save your friend."

Tahimik lang itong tumango at humigpit ang hawak sa kamay niya.

"Stop here." Biglang sabi ni Love at kaagad namang itinigil ni Midnight ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang malaking apartment building.

Kaagad na humarang sa kanila ang mga kalalakihang naglalaro sa basketball court na nasa labas ng gusali ng makalabas silang lima sa van. The way these men carry themselves, he can feel that they're not a normal citizen.

Hmm...so SM's friend was kidnapped by a gang.

"Sino kayo?" Maangas na tanong ng lalaking may hawak ng bola. "Sagot!"

Pinameywangan naman sila ng lalaking malaki ang katawan. "Kung sino man kayo, magsialisan na kayo bago pa namin kayo turuan ng leksiyon. Alis!"

Hinalikan niya sa gilid ng noo si SM bago binitawan ang kamay nito. "Close your eyes for a second, baby."

Tumango naman ang dalaga saka pasimpleng tumingin sa kaniya. "Siguraduhin mong masasaktan siya."

Natigilan siya, "ano?"

"You're pissed." Obserba nito.

"I'm expressionless at the moment." Wika niya.

"Kilala kita, Knight." 'Yon lang ang sinabi ni SM bago ito tumingin sa lalaking nakapameywang, "'di ba sabi ko tanggap kita? Go on. Do what you want to do in front of me. Hindi ako pipikit. Even if you became violent, it's still you and I wanna see all of you."

Napangiti siya. What an odd woman. And she's mine.

"Sabi nang magsilayas kayo sa teritoryo namin! Alis!"

Mabilis pa sa kisap-mata na lumapit siya sa lalaki at walang sabi-sabing buong lakas na sinuntok niya ang tadyang nito saka umangat ang paa niya at malakas na tinuhod ang tiyan ng lalaki.

His one punch to the rib and one knee-kick to the stomach is enough to render the person incapable.

The man staggered back while he coughed blood. Not shocking. I broke one of his rib after all. Piercing his lungs.

Bumaling siya sa isa pang lalaking nagpapaalis sa kanila. "Gusto mong sumunod?"

Napaatras ito. "A-ano ba'ng kailangan niyo?" Maangas pa rin 'yon pero may kakabit ng takot.

Ipinakita rito ni SM ang larawan sa cellphone nito. "Nandito kami para sa kaibigan ko. Nasaan siya?"

"Hindi ko alam." Mabilis na sabi ng lalaki. "Wala akong alam! Umalis na kayo ngayon din!"

Cloud gripped the man's jaw and lift him a foot high from the ground. "Magsalita ka na lang." Mas humigpit pa lalo ang pagkakasal ni Cloud sa lalaki. "Huwag mong sayangin ang oras namin."

The man started choking but Cloud didn't let go of him until he spoke.

"S—sa l—l-loo—b."

Cloud, then, smiled before letting go of the man. "Not so hard, ei?"

Napaatras ang lalaki habang sapo ang leeg nito samantalang ang mga naglalaro ng basketball ay masama ang tingin sa kanila. At nang humakbang sila papasok ay bigla na lang silang inatake.

"Love continue tracking Eli's phone." Utos ni Knight habang sinasalag ang bawat atake ng kalalakihan kasama si Cloud, "Midnight protect my Sweet Monday!"

Nang makita mula sa gilid ng mga mata niya na nakapasok na ang tatlo, hindi na niya pinigilan ang sarili.

Knight let his monstrous side out as he used his fist and feet to render their enemy unconscious.

He punches them in parts of the body that were dangerous and deadly. One strong punch to the rib and a strong kick to the neck.

Cloud did the same.

And when they're finish, everyone was coughing blood others were unconscious.

Knight tsked and run towards the apartment building's entrance together with Cloud. Akala niya wala nang problema pero napasukan nilang nakikipaglaban si Love habang hawak ng isa nitong kamay ang laptop na halatang prino-protektahan nito.

"Fuck." Knight tsked as he blocks their opponents' attacks. "Where's Midnight?"

"Up! Fourth floor! With SM!" Pasigaw na sagot ni Love habang ginagamit ang laptop nitong hawak para ihampas sa ulo ng kalaban. "I'm gonna kill you for making me use my precious laptop on your head!"

Sinipa niya ang lalaking nakaharang sa hagdanan na maghahatid sa kaniya sa itaas ng apartment building, "Cloud! Stay with Love!"

Hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot ni Cloud sa utos niya. Deretso siyang tumakbo pataas ng hagdanan hanggang sa makita niyang nakikipaglaban si Midnight sa ikatlong palapag.

Akmang may aatake sa kaniya pero mabilis na ihinarang ng kapatid niya ang katawan saka ito ang pumigil sa kamao ng lalaki at tatlong beses na sinipa ni Midnight ang lalaki sa tagiliran dahilan para bumagsak ito.

"SM is on the fourth floor." Ani Midnight habang tinatali ang medyo mahaba nitong buhok na nasa parteng itaas ng ulo nito.

"Your hair is getting longer." Pansin niya. Midnight has been staying in his mansion these past few weeks that's why he's not conscious of how he looks, "cut it before Papa sees it."

"Tomorrow." Anito na tapos na ang pagtali sa buhok nito at nakakuyom na ang kamao at nakahanda nang makipaglaban.

"Ingat." Sabi niya sa kapatid bago umakyat patungong ika-apat na palapag.

Natigilan si Knight ng makita ang mga kalalakihang nakahandusay sa pasilyo ng apartment building. Buhay pa ang mga ito pero wala lang malay at halatang binugbog ang mga ito ng kung sino man.

But only SM got to the fourth floor, right? Kagagawan ba ito ni SM?

Malalaki ang hakbang na tinungo niya ang kuwarto kung saan naririnig niya ang ingay ng nababasag na kagamitan.

Fear consumed him. Sweet Monday!

I will kill them all if they hurt my SM! Walang pag-aalinlangan sa isip niya na tapusin ang buhay ng kung sino man ang nananakit kay SM dahil sa naririnig niyang ingay sa kuwartong 'yon.

His mind was already picturing SM hurt from being thrown multiple time on the floor and walls because of the crashing sound coming from that room.

Her fragile and slim body.

No! SM!

Mas binilisan pa niya ang pagtakbo patungo sa kuwarto at humahangos na pumasok sa nakabukas na pinto.

He was relieved that SM was unharmed but at the same time surprise to see what's happening inside the room.

SM was not getting beat up, it was SM who's beating three men like it's nothing.

Hindi makagalaw si Knight habang pinagmamasdan kung paano umatake at sumalag si SM laban sa tatlong kalalakihan. She was effortlessly moving her body to block and attack. She was graceful. Perfectly executing different style of fighting put into one movement known as Krav Maga.

"This is for kidnapping my friend." Her sharp ferocious eyes were glaring as she swings her hand, palm facing up to the enemy's neck. Followed by a strong palm heel strike on the chin and a strong knee kick on the gut.

Nang bumagsak ang isa, patuloy itong nakipaglaban sa natitira pang dalawa.

And he just looked at her... fascinated at the way she fights and moves her fragile looking yet strong body. He doesn't even feel scared that she might get hurt.

My girlfriend... is indeed a badass.

She was a Police Officer after all.

But Knight snapped from his reverie when one of the men she was fighting touched her waist.

"You motherfucker!" His voice thundered inside the room. "Don't touch my woman!"

Lumipad ang paa niya sa leeg ng lalaki at hinawakan ito sa ulo, hinila iyon pababa at tinuhod niya ang pagmumukha nito. Nang mapaatras ito habang sapo ang dumudugong ilong at bibig, hinawakan niya sa magkabilang beywang ang kasintahan at binuhat ito sa ere.

Their eyes met.

"Kick him." Aniya.

SM smiled at him before holding unto his shoulder and moving her body mid-air with him holding her waist and stretch her legs to deliver a strong kick on the head.

Nang maibaba niya ang dalaga at umapak ang paa nito sa sahig, awtomatikong tumalikod sila sa isa't-isa habang magkadikit ang likod nila.

Their body were in a fighting stance when their eyes settled at the only conscious remaining.

"He's mine." SM said with gritted teeth. "He kidnapped my best friend."

"Fine. But don't let him touch you." Bumuntong-hininga siya saka namulsa, "I'll get jealous."

The corner of SM's lips tugged upward, "of course, my Lord."

Napangiti siya at pinagmasdan lang ang kasintahan na pinatumba ang lalaki na hindi ito nahahawakan tulad ng hiling niya.

Those powerful kicks on the side and knee-kicks on the rib and abdomen was enough for the man to drop unconscious on the floor.

And Knight can't help it. He was fucking turned on watching SM fight.

He likes the fact that his baby is not fragile and weak. He adores how strong and good she is in fighting.

Inilang hakbang niya ang pagitan nilang dalawa saka sinapo ang mukha nito at mapusok na hinalikan ang mga labi ng kasintahan na kaagad naman nitong tinugon.

Their tongue battled and teased each other before their lips parted from each other.

"Where did you learn to fight like that?" He asked.

"My Dad trained me since I was a kid. For self-defense."

"That was hot and sexy."

Nangingiting hinalikan siya sa pisngi ni SM bago ito umalis sa harapan niya para buksan ang tanging nakasarang pinto sa kuwartong 'yon.

"Eli! Thank God!" She looks relieved as she enters the room.

Napangiti naman siya. Mabuti naman at nakahanap kaagad nila ang kaibigan nito.

Nakapamulsa siyang sumunod kay SM na pumasok sa kuwarto para magpakita at magpakilala sa kaibigan nito. He has to be in SM's friend's good side after all.

But when he steps inside the room, and saw the woman hugging SM tightly... he froze and felt his world stop.

After searching so long... he found her in the most unexpected way.

"Elizabeth..." it's been so long since he called out that name. "Mi Hermanita..."

Knight was still rooted in place when the women let go of each other and faced him.

And when his eyes met Elizabeth's, he wanted to run to her and gather her in his arms but the way she looked at him... like he's a stranger made him stop.

"H-have we met before?" Was the first thing Elizabeth asked him, dumbfounding him.

Kahit maraming taon na ang lumipas, hinding-hindi niya makakalimutan ang mukha ng nakababata niyang kapatid. Kahit tumangkad na ito at lumaki na, hinding-hindi niya ito makakalimutan.

But looks like it's just him who didn't forget. So neat... yet so far away.

Maybe this is a sign from above... a sign not to drag his sister into the life he has. After all, he plans to hide her from their father once he finds her.

Dahil sigurado siyang gagawin ng ama niya sa nakababata niyang kapatid na babae ang ginawa nito kay Midnight? His father will use Elizabeth against him as well.

He already has too many weaknesses.

If his father finds out that he found Elizabeth... her life now would be ruined. His little sister will be drag to hell.

My little sister... I will not let her suffer the same fate as me and Midnight.

Maybe by pretending that he didn't know her is the way to protect her from his father's wickedness and greed.

Knight forced a smile at Elizabeth. "Pakalat-kalat lang ako kung saan." Inilahad niya ang kamay, "Knight Velasquez. SM's boyfriend."

"We have the same surname!" She grinned happily as she accepts his hand. "I'm Eliza Velasquez. Eli for short. Hindi kaya pinsan kita o kamag-anak? You look really familiar."

Mahina siyang tumawa habang nakatitig sa nakababatang kapatid. "Definitely not."

"Too bad." Nangingiting sabi ni Elizabeth saka yumakap ulit kay SM. "I'm so happy that you came to my rescue, matamis na Lunes! Hindi ko akalaing ki-kidnapin ako ni Ben."

"Sino ba siya?" Tanong ni SM habang kumakawala sa yakap ni Elizabeth.

"Manliligaw." Bumuntong-hinga ang kapatid niya. "Stalker na manliligaw na leader pala ng gang. Gosh! Ang haba talaga ng buhok ko para maka-attract ng mga weirdong manliligaw."

SM laughed. "Yeah, yeah..."

Elizabeth laughed as well. "Teka, paano mo pala nalaman na na-kidnap ako?"

"Tita called."

Humaba ang nguso ni Elizabeth. "Ayoko tuloy umuwi sa condo ko. Puwede ba akong mag-stay muna sa bahay mo?"

Napatingin sa kaniya si SM na para bang nanghihingi ng saklolo.

Tumikhim siya, "sa bahay ko siya nakatira pansamantala."

Elizabeth's lips formed into an 'o'. "Woah... living together already?" She gasped. "Hindi ba masyadong maaga?"

"May nangyari lang na aksidente kaya doon muna ako nakitira sa kaniya." Kaagad na paliwanag ni SM na namumula ang pisngi.

Nanunudyo ang ngiti ni Elizabeth. "Ayeii... mukhang madami kang ikukuwento sa 'kin, Matamis na Lunes." Sinundot-sundot nito ang pisngi ni SM. "Mag staycation tayo ulit tapos tsismisan mo ako?"

SM rolled her eyes. "Baliw."

SM and Elizabeth... looking at them talking and laughing, they're really close friends. His girlfriend and his little sister.

Fate really has a twisted sense of humour.

Fuck!

Bahagyan siyang napaigtad ng salubungin ni Eli ang tingin niya. "Knight... 'yan ba ang tunay na kulay ng buhok mo?"

Knight froze. "Why do you ask?"

"Nothing much." Elizabeth grinned. "Just curious."

Hindi ba talaga siya nito naaalala? For her to ask him that... does she remember him? Even vaguely? He was blonde when Elizabeth was still in the Palace.

"Yosh!" Ininat ni Elizabeth ang mga braso nito, "uwi na tayo. Tinakot ako ng gagong 'yon. Anyways, salamat sa pagligtas sa 'kin."

Naka-angkla ang mga braso ni Elizabeth sa braso ni SM habang naglalakad ang dalawa palabas ng kuwarto. Siya naman ay nakasunod lang sa dalawa.

Why can't Elizabeth remember him? What happened after they left? I have to know everything about her.

Nang makalabas sila sa apartment, tamang-tama naman na papasok sina Cloud, Love at Midnight.

Midnight and Cloud froze when they saw Elizabeth while SM introduce them to Eli.

"My Lord, isn't she—"

Umiling siya kay Cloud at Midnight. "For her safety." Bulong niya. "Pretend that you don't know her."

Sabay namang tumango ang dalawa at tahimik na lumabas ng apartment pagkatapos ang mga itong ipakilala ni SM ky Eli.

Nang makasakay si Elizabeth at SM sa van, tinawagan niya si Dimitri para patahimikin ang lahat ng kumidnap sa kapatid niya.

"Leave no survivors." Utos niya kay Dimitri.

"Yes, boss."

Pinatay niya ang tawag saka sumakay na ng van. Una nilang hinatid si Elizabeth sa condo nito at pasimple niyang inutusan si Midnight na bantayan ang kapatid nila kaya bumaba ito ng van hindi kalayuan sa condo ni Elizabeth.

Si Cloud na ang nagmaneho ng van hanggang sa mansiyon niya sa BV.

Nang makapasok sila sa kabahayan— sa kuwarto niya— nagulat na lang siya ng yakapin siya ni SM at tumingin sa mga mata niya.

"Alam kong hindi ka okay." Anito sa kaniya na ikinatigil niya, "you know I'm just here for you...so don't bottle it up. I will listen."

Ipinalibot niya ang mga braso sa katawan ng kasintahan at isinubsob niya ang mukha sa leeg nito.

His mask was on... he made sure that no one will notice that he's having a hard time but SM— she knew— she can tell that he's just pretending, and it makes him feel relieved that someone can tell that he's not okay.

Mula noon, kahit si Cloud, hindi matukoy-tukoy kung maayos lang ba siya o hindi kapag nakasuot ang maskara niya. But he knew deep down, he secretly wants someone to notice that he's just pretending... he wants someone to notice the real him...

... to notice, embrace and care for the suffering monster behind the mask.

Knight clung to his salvation named Sweet Monday as he spoke with no lies and no mask on. "It was a sudden decision when I saw her earlier ..." he whispered while his chest feels like being twisted, "for her safety... fuck! I'd been looking for her half of my life and now I found her but— b-but I couldn't even h-hug her... and introduce myself afraid that my father will use her against me. And She doesn't even remember me... I can't drag her to my messed-up world... I can't do that to her. Kahit man lang isa sa 'ming magkakapatid ay mabuhay ng masaya at normal. I won't let her suffer the same fate as me and Midnight. I want my little sister to be happy and continue with her life, but I didn't realize making that decision will hurt like this..."

Hinagod ni SM ang buhok niya at niyakap lang siya ng mahigpit. Hindi ito nagsalita basta nanatili lang ito sa tabi niya, nakaalalay sa kaniya.

And he just hugged her... tightly. Feeling her warmth, letting him soak and bathe on SM's care for him.

"Elizabeth..." he whispered after a while. "My missing sister... it's Eli."