CHAPTER 21

NAGULAT SI SM ng magpaalam sa kaniya si Knight na pupunta na ito sa trabaho. Her very protective boyfriend wants to leave her together with the man she barely knew. Right there and then, she knew Knight is planning something. Kilala niya ang kasintahan niya at kahit papaano ay nababasa na niya ang takbo ng utak nito.

Kaya naman hinayaan niya itong makaalis.

Nang makalabas si Knight sa café niya, humarap siya kay Jacques.

"A billionaire Marquess..." aniya habang nakatingin sa lalaki, "are you pranking me? Is this some kind of a joke?"

Namulsa ang Marquess, "last time I check, I was dead serious."

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga saka napapantastikuhang napatingin ulit kay Jacques. "My butler? You?"

Tumango ito saka ngumiti kapagkuwan ay kinuha ang nag-iingay nitong cellphone sa bulsa at sinagot ang tawag.

The Marquess' face darkened before ending the call and staring at her. "Kindly call your lover boy and tell him to call off the ten Snipers surrounding us with their guns aimed at me. I will not harm you in any way."

Lihim siyang napangiti. So, this is Knight's plan. One wrong move and the Marquess will drop dead.

"Let the Snipers be." Aniya saka umupo sa bakanteng lamesa at pinag-krus ang mga paa habang nakatingin ky Jacques. "Kung wala ka namang masamang pakay sa 'kin, wala kang dapat na ipag-alala. I'm sure those Snipers won't shoot unless you do something bad."

Malalim na napabuntong-hininga si Jacques. "You have a very protective boyfriend."

SM smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Napailing si Jacques saka umupo ito sa bakanteng upuan na kaharap ng kinauupuan niya. "Are you not gonna ask me why I'm here and all that stuff?"

"Why don't you tell me yourself?"

Ilang segundo siyang tinitigan ni Jacques bago nagsalita, "my family always has been a part of yours as servants. And in this generation, it's my turn to serve you."

Nag-isang linya ang kilay niya. "I had a very simple family, Marquess." Aniya. "My Mother was a Teacher and my father was a simple office employee. So I'm sorry if I'm having a hard time believing you. Napaka-imposible lang kasi ng sinasabi mo."

Tumiim ang titig nito sa kaniya. "Your father Is a very powerful Aristocrat. Very powerful that even my family, a Marquess, bows down to him in many ways."

SM was having a hard time absorbing all this information about her family— about her father! Her brain was trained to absorb information faster than normal people but this piece of information the Marquess was telling her— she's having a hard time wrapping her mind around it.

Mahina siyang natawa. "Trust me, simpleng empleyado lang ang ama ko." Giit niya. "He's not some powerful aristocrat. I would know. Nabuhay kaming hindi mayaman, pero hindi rin naman mahirap. Simple lang ang buhay namin dito. My father is a very hard-working man and he died more than a year ago together with my mother. They were murdered."

The Marquess' face hardened, "but I'm not lying. Your mother's name was Isabella Canja and your father's name is Stevan Lopez. Am I right?"

Natigilan siya.

Pilit na ginigiit ng isip niya na biro lang ang lahat ng ito pero may parte rin naman ng isip niya na tinatanggap ang mga sinasabi ng Marquess.

It just doesn't make sense to her... a Marquess coming to her, telling her he's her butler. It's absurd!

"Do you think I'll drop everything just to come here if I'm kidding?" The Marquess asked her, clearly annoyed. "I dropped a billion dollar deal just to come here and be your butler, do you think I'm still joking? I take my family's belief seriously, milady. Since I was in High School, I studied how to become an efficient butler diligently and earnestly. I even studied your language when I learned from Father that your family moved here."

Napatanga siya sa kaharap. Pinag-aralan nito iyon? He was that serious?

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga. "Say it's true... then why just now?"

"I just receive the summon."

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "Summon?"

"A letter of order."

"Saan naman galing 'yon?"

"From the house of Lopez, of course."

"From the house of Lopez?" Ulit niya saka napakurap-kurap, "m-my house?"

The Marquess smiled at the incredulous look she has. "Yes. In Spain."

Napatanga siya sa kaharap at walang lumabas na salita sa mga labi niya. She's shook beyond belief.

Their family has a house in Spain? What the freaking hell?!

SM blows a loud breath, "I'm shock right now."

The Marquess chuckled before turning serious. "I can tell you more but you have to sign this first." May inilabas itong papel galing sa isa sa mga inner pocket ng suot nitong Italian Suit at ibinigay sa kaniya.

Siya naman ay binasa niya ang nakasulat doon saka mahinang natawa at nag-angat ng tingin sa Marquess, "so... I still have to accept you as my butler by signing this letter of order? It's not automatic?"

"No." He sighed. "There are five families that are more than willing to serve your family and my family is one of them. I'm sure the other family's butler representative is already on their way to you but I'm here first."

Tumaas ang kilay niya, hindi pa rin makapaniwala. "So, what? It's a race?"

"Kind of." The Marquess smiled.

"Ano naman ang mapapala niyo sa 'kin?" Naguguluhan niyang tanong sa kaharap.

"As I said earlier, you came from a distinguished family and you are destined to do great things—"

"I bake great cakes."

Napatitig ito sa kaniya. "Say what?"

Mahina siyang natawa. "I bake great cakes." Ulit niya. "I have a very normal life. I own this small café and I live in a normal house. The only amazing thing about me is my boyfriend."

"Count Knight Velasquez." The Marquess spoke Knight's name as if he knew him.

"Kilala mo siya?" Gulat niyang tanong.

Tumango ang Marquess. "I have heard of him. Who haven't? He destroyed the noble house of Suárez just because the head of the Suárez House misspoke about the Velasquez Family. He's manipulative, cunning and dangerous."

"My Knight?" Hindi makapaniwalang gagad niya. "My baby?"

Napangiwi ang Marquess. "Your baby is a dangerous man, milady. He's not a nice person."

Napangiti siya. "Well, that's okay." Mahina siyang tumawa. "I don't exactly like him for being a nice guy. I like him for who he is— flaws and all. Bad attitude and all. And if you want me to sign this—" itinaas niya ang papel na binigay nito sa kaniya, "— I suggest you don't judge my man. There's more to him than meets the eye."

"Yes, milady."

Napatitig ulit siya sa letter of order na hawak. If she signed this, then Marquess Jacques will be her butler? Kung hindi naman, may darating pang iba?

She looked up at the Marquess, "my father... does he had a butler?"

Tumango ang kaharap. "Unfortunately, he didn't choose my family at the time."

"Kung ganun bakit hindi ko nakilala ang butler ng ama ko?" Tanong niya kay Jacques at sa sarili niya.

"I heard that when your family moved, your father left everything behind." He took a deep breath. "No one knows what happened actually. It was sudden."

So, her parents are from Spain and they just moved here. For what reason? Unknown. Kaya ba pinalaki siyang ganun ng mga magulang niya? Her father taught her a lot of things that normal father won't teach their kids. Her father also enrolled her to a martial art school while her mother taught her how to deduce a person to find their weakness and use it against them. Akala niyang nuong una, normal lang 'yon hanggang sa nag-koleheyo siya at nalaman niyang pangmamanipula ang tawag dun.

From then on, she suppressed that side of her.

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga saka tumingin sa Marquess. "I honestly don't know what to do with you."

"Accept me." Seryoso nitong sabi. "I'll help you in any way."

"Bakit gusto mong maging butler ko?" Hindi niya maarok ang isip ng kaharap kung bakit nito ginagawa ito. "Wala kang mahihita sa 'kin. I have nothing to offer nor give you so I suggest you go home."

The Marquess looked into her eyes. "I'm staying. You can't make me go away."

Ibinalik niya ang letter of order dito, "I'm not signing that."

"I'm still staying." Matigas ang ulo nito.

"Wala kang mapapala sa 'kin." Ulit niyang sabi.

The Marquess smiled. "Still staying."

Napabuga siya ng marahas na hininga. "Bahala ka, basta sinabihan na kita."

He just smiled.

Napailing siya saka kinuha ang cellphone para tawagan si Knight ng magsalita si Jacques.

"Are you gonna call your lover?" Tanong nito.

Tumango siya.

"Don't bother." Anito na ikinakunot ng noo niya, "I'm pretty sure he can hear us since earlier."

Pinalibot niya ang tingin sa kabuonan ng café at doon pumasok sa isip niya ang ibig sabihin ni Jacques.

The place is bugged?!

Hindi makapaniwalang napaawang ang labi niya.

"He is Count Knight Velasquez." Anang Marquess na para bang sagot yon sa lahat ng problema, "do you really think he'll leave you alone with me without him knowing what's happening? He's not called cunning and manipulative for no reason, milady."

Kalmado siyang huminga ng malalim at nagsalita. "I swear, baby, if you bugged my café, no hugs and kisses for you."

Kaagad na tumunog ang cellphone niya.

My Baby Calling...

Kaagad niya iyong sinagot. "So, you bugged my café?"

"I have no excuse. I'm so sorry. I was just worried, and I want to make sure that that Marquess is telling the truth." Kaagad na paliwanag sa kaniya ng kasintahan.

"Well... is he?" Pasimple siyang tumingin kay Jacques. "...Telling the truth?"

"Yes." Ani Knight, "pero pinasuyod ko na ang buong data base ng Organósi pero wala akong mahanap na tungkol sa ama mo. Which is odd, because Marquess Jacques' family is a member of the Organization— not a front liner though. More on a supporter. Nakatayo ngayon ang Organósi dahil sa mga mayayaman at makapangyarihang pamilya na nasa likod nito katulad ng pamilya ng Marquess."

But his father is not part of the Organization? "Wait... inisip mo ba na kasapi ang ama ko sa inyo?"

"Yes." Knight answered honestly. "Nang makita ko ang Marquess, naghinala kaagad ako, kaya umalis ako para imbestigahan ang ama mo. Not everyone in the Organization gets to have a butler. But I was wrong— your father— he's not part of the Organósi and I don't have any idea where the Marquess is coming from with this butler talk and serving you."

Tumingin siya sa Marquess habang kausap si Knight. "He said he's staying."

"So, I heard." Knight sounded irritated, "tell him that if he touches you or hurt you in any way, l'll destroy him."

Ngumiti siya sa Marquess, "My baby said he'll destroy you if you hurt or touch me."

"Duly noted."

Bumalik siya sa pagkausap kay Knight. "He understands. And baby?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't care if you're the boss of Asia," sumama ang mukha niya, "you have no right to bug my café. Alisin mo 'to ngayon din. Hindi ako natutuwa."

"Sorry, baby. I'll send Cloud to clean up."

She smiled sweetly. "Thanks."

"So... may hugs and kisses na ako ulit?"

Pigil niya ang matawa. "Nope. No hugs and kisses for you. Bye." Pinatay niya ang tawag saka nagtanong sa Marquess. "So... saan ka nakatira ngayon dito?"

"Wherever you'll be." Sagot nito.

Napatanga siya sa kausap. "Sa bahay ako ni Knight nakatira."

"Then I'll stay there."

Hindi makapaniwalang napatitig siya sa Marquess. "Hindi ka niya papapasukin, nasisiguro ko 'yon."

"Don't you have a house?" Tanong nito kapagkuwan. "I'll stay there."

"Mayaman ka naman," aniya, "mag-renta ka na lang ng hotel room or bahay."

"I have to be close to you."

Hinilot niya ang sentido. "Bakit?"

"Because I'm your butler." May diin nitong sabi.

Mas lalong sumasakit ang ulo niya. "Siguro naman hindi lingid sa kaalaman mo na isa kang Marquess. By rank in nobility, you are just below the Duke in power. Sa tingin mo, uutusan kita?"

"Yeah." Tumango ito ng parang wala lang. "it's my job."

SM blows out in frustration. "Fine. You wanna be my butler?" Gusto niyang subukan kung totoo ang pinagsasasabi nito. "Clean this place."

Walang pag-aalinlangan o reklamo na tumayo si Jacques at naglinis saka nagligpit ng kalat sa café.

At nakatanga lang siya sa lalaki.

A Billionaire Marquess... cleaning her café... how absurd is this?!

At 'yon ang naabutan ni Cloud ng pumasok ito sa café niya. Napatanga ito sa Marquess na naglilinis pa rin sa café niya.

"...what the fuck is this?" Cloud asked in shock. "Is that Marquess Jacques Sotelo?"

Tumango siya. "Yep."

"And the Billionaire Marquess is cleaning your café?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong sa kaniya ni Cloud.

Tumango ulit siya. "Don't ask me why. I'm shook, Cloud."

Napakurap-kurap si Cloud sa Marquess. "I think I'm shook too. Ni hindi ko alam na marunong pala siyang gumamit ng vacuum. Wow! He's holding a dustpan. Holy fuck..."

Hindi alam ni SM kung magugulat siya o matatawa sa nasasaksihan. Even Cloud was shock. Who wouldn't be? A Billionaire Marquess, cleaning? Unheard of!

Nakangiting humarap sa kaniya ang Marquess. "I'm done. Should I cook for you now, milady?"

SM didn't know what to say or how to answer him. Nakatitig lang siya rito.

Marquess Jacques smiled at her. "Don't think of my title or my money. I'm your butler."

Pinagkrus ni Cloud ang mga braso sa harap ng dibdib habang nakatingin sa Marquess? "Don't think of your tittle and money?" Tanong ni Cloud saka parang hindi makapaniwalang napailing. "Lord Jacques, you are wearing an Alexander Amosu Vanquish II Bespoke Italian Suit worth One hundred and one thousand dollars. I even heard that it has to be delivered via armoured car because of the gold buttons. Your watch is Louis Moinet Meteoris worth 4.6 Million Dollars. Your shoes is also worth thousands of dollars. Even your sunglasses is Prada. You are a walking Million of Dollars. Now tell us to not think of your tittle and money?"

Sinalubong ng Marquess ang tingin dito ni Cloud. "You're the one to talk. You may have no tittle but I know you also came from a wealthy family, Cloud Beaumont Sebastian."

"At least I don't prance around with thousand of dollars clothing."

Napakamot sa batok ang Marquess. "If it bothers you, I have a jeans and a shirt in the car. I can change."

Hindi niya napigilan ang malakas na matawa sa usapan ng dalawa. There's no point stressing herself over this. The Marquess wants to be a butler... then so be it.

"Fine." Tumayo siya mula sa kinauupuan habang hawak ang cellphone. "Be my butler. Kung yun ang gusto mo. You can wear the most expensive suit you have while cleaning, I don't mind. Kung saan ka komportable, doon ka. Hindi kita pakikialaman."

The Marquess grinned. "Thank you, milady. I'll do my very best."

Tumango na lang siya saka nginitian ito. "Tidy everything up." Utos niya kay Jacques, "isasara ko ang café na 'to pansamantala kaya kailangang malinis lahat ng sulok. I hope that's okay, Marquess?"

"You can call me Jac." Hinubad ni Jacques and coat ng suit nito. "I'll work hard."

Nagkatinginan sila ni Cloud at nagkibit-balikat siya. Since he's staying, she can't do anything about it. He wants to play butler and serve her? Fine with her.

Whatever floats his boat. She won't interfere. Maybe just like Knight... the Marquess is also a weird dude.

Well... only time can tell.

*

TO SM'S SHOCK, KNIGHT let Jacques stayed at his house. His reason? He can monitor him up close and he will immediately know if the Marquess is planing something bad. Kaya naman dalawa na ang butler nila sa bahay ni Knight.

And she was right with her assumption... the Marquess was just like Knight. Maybe because they're both nobility.

"So... after three minutes..." tumingin ang Marquess kay Knight, "this thing," tinuro nito ang instant cup noodles, "will provide a very tasty soup?"

Pigil niya ang natawa. Really? Provide?

And of course, Knight and his weirdness.

Tumango ang kasintahan na parang nagmamalaki pa. "Yes. Very delicious soup."

"That fast?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Jacques kay Knight.

Knight looks smug and proud. "It's not called instant for nothing. And there's more!" He looks excited while showing the coffee stick to Jacques. "This has coffee inside. No need to grind or soaked. It's already a powder and you just have to pour it into a cup then use that thing," tinuro nito ang Thermos, "its like magic... and hello coffee. We don't need a freaking coffee maker."

Jacques lips were parted in shock. "Wow... that's amazing."

"Very! And the good thing is... it's not poisonous!" Knight exclaimed. "It's a commoners food but a good food."

"Awesome!"

Napailing na lang si SM. Mababaliw siya sa dalawang 'to.

"Anyways," ani Knight, "just a heads up for you, Jacques. I don't care if you're a Marquess. You're in my territory and if you touch my Sweet Monday, I'll destroy you from head to toe."

Napangiwi ang Marquess. "Duly noted. I can still clearly remember how you destroyed the Suárez Family. I just want to be her butler. That's all."

"Good. Keep your hands to yourself." Dagdag ni Knight. "Masyado akong seloso. Mapapatay talaga kita. So, don't think I didn't warn you, okay? Sweet Monday is mine. I'll gut you open if you try touching her. Trust me, I will not hesitate to end you. To hell with your tittle."

Kapagkuwan ay hinawakan siya ni Knight saka hinila palabas ng kusina, pataas, patungo sa kuwarto nito.

Kaagad siya nitong paharap na pina-upo sa mga hita nito ng makaupo ito sa mahabang sofa.

"Baby, that letter this morning... walang nakitang ibang fingerprint doon si Shun, ang tracker ko. It's just yours and mine." Kaagad na kuwento sa kaniya ni Knight, "I'm pissed. I don't care who he is. Only I get to call you 'baby'."

So, he's jealous that's why he's mad?

Lihim siyang napailing. "So... nasaan na 'yong sulat?"

"Still in the HQ. It's being analyze."

Napabuntong-hininga siya. "Ganun ba talaga nakakatakot ang Triad para isara ko ang café ko? I don't like this, Knight. I don't like being threatened. I don't like backing away. I'm only hiding because I don't want to worry you. Pero kung ako lang, lalaban ako."

"Ayokong mapahamak ka." Ani Knight sa mahinang boses habang hinahaplos ang buhok niya.

"Knight, nang malaman ko ang nakaraan mo at kung anong ginagawa mo, naisip ko na ang kapahamakang puwedeng mangyari sa 'kin." Umayos siya ng upo sa mga hita nito saka tinitigan ang kasintahan. "And I want to face whatever threat there is head on. I won't let them bully me into hiding behind your back all the time. Kaya kong lumaban, Knight. Kaya ko silang labanan."

Titig na titig sa kaniya si Knight bago ito bumuntong-hininga. "Let me guess, you're gonna ask me if you can open the café tomorrow?"

Ngumiti siya saka tumango. "Ayoko lang na tumakbo sa buhay na mayroon ako. It's my café... it's my life. I shouldn't be scared, they should be. Saka," masuyo niyang sinapo ang pisngi ng kasintahan, "hindi mo naman ako pababayaan 'di ba? And I have a butler now. Sa tingin ko naman, po-protektahan niya ako. And I don't mind being surrounded with ten Snipers."

Knight let out a deep chuckle. "Then as long as you don't mind those snipers, I'll let you open your café."

SM grinned happily before kissing Knight on the lips. "Thank you! Thank you! Pangako, hindi ko ipapahamak ang sarili ko. Hindi kita pag-aalahanin."

Knight took a deep breath before nodding, "I'm letting you open your café because I don't want to hold you back. Naisip ko rin kanina na hindi tama na pilitin kitang magtago. You've been fighting for your life and safety all these years without me. Ayokong baguhin ka at gawing duwag. Ang kailangan kong gawin ay suportahan ka sa abot ng makakaya ko at protektahan ka hanggang sa kaya ko. I will not block your way, baby, instead, I'll be by your side, holding your hand and encouraging you that you can do it— whatever it is that you want to do. I'm just here for you."

Nanubig ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ni Knight. He's really trying his best to understand her and not change her. "Thank you, Knight."

He smiled. "Anything for my baby."

Niyakap niya ng mahigpit ang kasintahan at pinakawalan niya lang ito ng tumunog ang cellphone nito.

Malakas na bumuntong-hininga si Knight bago kinuha ang cellphone sa front pocket ng suot nitong pantalon saka sinagot ang tawag.

"Shun, napatawag ka." Paused. "What— wait! SM is with me. I-loudspeaker kita."

Knight pressed the loudspeaker button.

"Hi." Magiliw niyang sabi, "good evening. I'm SM, Knight's girlfriend."

"Hey. I'm Shun Kim." Anang nasa kabilang linya, "nice to finally speak with you. I'm one of Knight's best friend— but I'm always the second choice. He always goes to Valerian. Nagseselos na nga ako e. Naaalala niya lang ang pangalang Shun Kim kapag may kailangan siya. Manggagamit."

Mahina siyang natawa. "Nice to finally speak with you too, Mr. Kim."

"Just Shun—"

"Whatever, motherfucker." Knight cut Shun off. "Just tell us why you called."

"So impatient..." Shun tsked, "well, SM, nasabi na ba sa 'yo ni Knight kung gaano ako kagaling na hacker at tracker?"

Umiling siya. "Hindi pa."

"Well, now you know. Anyways, I'd been trying to look for any information about your father per Knight request and I stumbled into something weird."

Hindi alam ni SM kung bakit kumabog ng mabilis ang puso niya. "Define weird, Shun?"

Ilang segundong natahimik ang nasa kabilang linya. "Weird as in... I think he's alive."

Namilog ang mga mata niya at umawang ang mga labi niya.

My father... is alive?