CHAPTER 28

"I CAN'T say, Knight," wika ni Shun na kausap niya sa video sa loob ng Security Room ng HQ ng Organósi sa Pilipinas. Malapit nang mag-isang linggo mula ng makabalik sila galing Hong Kong. "Ginawa ko na lahat ng magagawa ko, pero wala akong mahanap ni isa. There is a House of Lopez in Spain but everything about that house is blank. Like every record of a family member has been erased. I can't find anything, Velasquez. I tried. And you know me, I won't tell you any of this if I'm not sure."

Knight sighed. "And this Don Ambrose César? May nalaman ka ba tungkol sa kaniya?"

"He's a Dignitary in Spain."

"In Spain..." ulit niya saka bumungong-hininga, "bakit hindi ko siya kilala? I know every noble family there is in Spain and I'm a Count. If he's a Dignitary, then our paths would have crossed a long time ago."

"He went off the radar twenty-seven years ago." Wika ni Shun, "bigla lang siyang nawala at sumulpot lang isang taon na ang nakakaraan."

Isang taon ang nakakaraan? Hindi ba isang taon na rin ang nakakaraan mula ng akalain ni SM na patay na ang mga magulang nito?

So, when SM's parents 'died', this Don Ambrose resurfaced? Too much of a coincidence.

Mensajero to the House of Lopez.

A Dignitary as a messenger? What kind of family does SM has?

"Kumusta na ang paghahanap mo sa mga magulang ni SM?" Tanong niya kay Shun.

"I pulled out an old photo of his father from the company he was working for a year before he 'died' and I search every data base I know but nothing, Velasquez. I didn't find anything after he died. His records ended in the Philippines."

"Pero buhay siya..." aniya na puno ng pagtataka. "Paano siya nakakagalaw na walang iniiwang bakas?"

Shun shrugged, "bud, we both know the answer to that."

Bumuntong-hininga si Knight, "fuck."

"Only powerful people can move without a trace, Velasquez." Shun chuckled. "Looks like your girlfriend have that kind of family— you know, the kind that makes you feel like you're an ant even when you're a Count?" Shun laughed. "That rhymes."

Knight blows a loud breath. "Can you dig deeper?"

"Susubukan ko." Ani Shun na nagkibit-balikat. "Pero hindi ako nangangako. It's like the family members of the House of Lopez doesn't exist."

"Maghanap ka ng ibang data base." Suhestiyon niya, "napaka-imposibleng wala silang record. It's just there, hidden somewhere, we just have to look harder."

Shun looked at him incredulously, "you mean, I have to look harder."

Knight nodded without a humour. "I have to know what's going on."

Napailing si Shun, "you really don't like being blind, huh?"

"Who does?"

Bumuntong-hininga si Shun, "kumusta na pala ang girlfriend mo? Is she doing fine?"

Sa tanong na 'yon ni Shun, napatitig siya sa monitor kung saan naroon ang live footage ng CCTV sa bahay niya. And he can see SM on his room, sitting on the sofa and just staring at the wall while she keeps on sighing.

Back in the infirmary, she didn't chose. Tumahimik lang ito hanggang sa magsabi si Don Ambrose na bibigyan ito ng ilang araw para mag-isip.

He knew she wanted to see her father— hell! She thought her father was dead! She has all the right to want to see her father. Gusto rin niyang makita na nito ang ama, hindi niya ito pipigilan kahit pa nga gustong-gusto niyang ipagdamot si SM kahit sa sarili nitong ama. Pero alam niyang hindi puwedeng ganun siya. He's still SM's father.

Pero hanggat hindi siya nakakasiguro na walang panganib sa pupuntahan nito, hindi siya makakapayag na basta na lang kunin sa kaniya ang kasintahan.

And after what happened in Hong Kong, his father will surely know about SM. Kailangan niya itong protektahan. Hindi siya makakapayag na saktan ito ng ama niya. He was the one who dragged her into his chaotic world, he should be the one to protect her at all cost.

"Hindi pa ba naghilom ang sugat niya?" Tanong ni Shun sa kaniya ng hindi siya sumagot.

"She's okay." Nanatili siyang nakatitig kay SM sa monitor ng CCTV sa bahay niya na ngayon ay sinasabunutan na ang sariling buhok at halatang malalim ang iniisip nito. "She's gonna be okay."

Shun sighed. "What is it? You don't sound and look good."

Nakatitig pa rin siya kay SM sa monitor, "I hate myself for being selfish, keeping SM to myself. I mean, I didn't even urged her to go to her father. I didn't. Kahit alam kong gusto niya pero hindi lang niya ako maiwan. She's the sweetest, Shun."

"Oh, tapos?" Tanong sa kaniya ni Shun na nakatingin sa kaniya, "kaya mo ba siyang hayaang umalis? Na maiwan kang mag-isa? Na bumalik ka na naman sa dati? Trust me, Velasquez, you'll lost it if she ever leave you. At hindi ba ayaw sa 'yo ng ama niya? Kung itutulak mo siya papunta sa ama niya, sa tingin mo, ibabalik pa siya sa 'yo?"

Nagbaba siya ng tingin. "I want to manipulate her into staying— into choosing me— I know I can, and I know it'll work, but seeing her stressed and problematic because of this, I don't want to anymore."

Bumuga ng marahas na hininga si Shun, "that's relationship for you, bud. It's not easy." Napailing ito. "Napakadaling sabihin na 'oo, tayo na', 'oo, mahalaga ka sa 'kin' pero napakahirap ng mga 'yon gawin o panindigan. Sometimes, it's easy to enter into a relationship, but so hard to stay in it, but at the end, it always comes down to the both of you. Kung lalaban ba kayo hanggang sa huli o pakakawalan ang isa't-isa dahil sa ganitong problema?"

Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "I'm keeping her, Shun."

"Then go, be with your woman and let me do the digging." Pagtataboy sa kaniya ni Shun. "Talk to her. Don't let this issue put a distance between you two. Kung ayaw mo siyang mawala sa 'yo, gumawa ka ng paraan na hindi siya mawawala pero hindi rin siya masasakal sa 'yo. Get me?"

Tumango siya, huminga ng malalim saka nginitian ang kaibigan. "Thanks, best friend."

Nanatiling kalmado si Shun kahit alam niyang ayaw na ayaw nitong naririnig ang huling sinabi niya. "Ayoko talaga kapag tinatawag mo akong best friend. Nagtataasan ang balahibo ko."

Knight laughed a little, "this is why it's more fun calling Valerian best friend than you. His reaction is always lit as fuck."

Shun tsked. "Yeah, yeah. I'll sell him to you anytime with that best friend shit."

Natawa siya saka nagpaalam na. "Sige na. Gawin mo na ang pinapagawa ko."

"Wow, nagmamadali?" Puno ng sarkasmong tanong ni Shun.

"The Organósi is paying you a lot for that."

Shun tsked. "Kung hindi lang kayo malaki magpasahod, nunkang tatanggapin ko maging tracker mo. This job sucks. Big time!"

Ano pa kaya siya na walang sahod? Mahirap naman talaga lahat ang trabaho nila, pero kahit naman magreklamo siya ng magreklamo, alam niyang gagawin pa rin niya kaya mabuting manahimik na lang. Para naman 'to sa ikabubuti ng lahat.

"I have to go." Aniya.

Gusto niyang makausap si SM. Kapag kasama niya ito nitong mga nakaraang araw, palagi itong nakangiti sa kaniya. But seeing her in the CCTV footage like this, he can't just forget about it.

Bakit ba hindi ko napansin na problemado siya? I'm always good at reading and picking up emotions in the face and through body language. Is she really that good of hiding it— even from me?

Pinatay niya ang video call nila ni Shun at ang monitor kung saan naroon ang live CCTV footage ng bahay niya saka lumabas ng Security room at dumeretso sa parking lot kung nasaan ang motorsiklo niya.

Nang makarating sa mansiyon niya, kaagad siyang pumasok at hindi pinansin ang tatlo, si Cloud, Jacques at Dimitri na nasa salas at naglalaro ng Snake and Ladder.

Dumeretso siya sa kuwarto niya.

The moment he opened the door and saw SM looking at him, she has a smile on her lips again.

Bumuntong-hininga siya. Looks like I have to work harder to flush out the emotion she was hiding.

*

KAAGAD NA NGUMITI si SM ng makita si Knight na pumasok ng kuwarto. Kinalimutan muna niya ang mga iniisip saka sinalubong ito ng mahigpit na yakap. "How's work?"

Nagkibit-balikat lang ito saka hinalikan siya sa nuo. "How about you? Doing okay?"

Sa tono ng boses nito, nababasa niyang gusto nitong magkuwento siya kung anong tunay niyang nararamdaman. SM can tell that Knight knew that she's stressed. The tone on his voice was different from yesterday and the other day.

Maybe it would be better to talk to him, rather than keeping it to herself for nearly a week now. They're in a relationship, after all. He deserves to know what's on her mind as her boyfriend.

Pinakawalan niya sa pagkakayakap ang kasintahan saka hinawakan ito sa kamay at hinila pa-upo sa sofa at paharap naman siyang umupo sa mga hita nito.

Hinalikan niya ito sa noo bago ito tinitigan. "Naguguluhan ako. 'Yon ang totoo. Gusto kong makita si Dad, pero naisip ko na paano kung mapahamak ako? Paano ako nakakasiguro na si Dad nga 'yon? It's too risky but I wanna see Dad. And there's you... I don't wanna leave you. Kung pupunta ako kay Dad gusto ko kasama kita. I want him to meet you. Kasi iniisip ko, baka hindi ka lang niya gusto kasi hindi ka pa niya kilala. Maybe once he gets to know you, he'll like you. I mean, you're an amazing person, why wouldn't he like you?"

Knight's face softened before he cupped her face and place a soft lingering kiss on her lips. "How about this, baby. Let me clear the way first." Anito habang titig na titig sa kaniya, "kapag nasiguro kong hindi ka mapapahamak, hahayaan kitang puntahan ang Daddy mo."

Her lips thinned, "paano ka?" Tanong niya habang sinusuklay ang buhok nito, "mag-isa ka na naman. Hindi ka na naman makakatulog. Hindi ako mapapakali sa isiping hindi ka na naman makakapagpahinga ng maayos. And what if you came home bloody or wounded...I don't want you to be alone, Knight."

Knight smiled sadly, "ayoko rin namang mag-isa ulit. Gusto ko talagang ipagdamot ka at pigilan, pero, alam ko ring gusto mong makita ang Daddy mo. I mean, hell, you thought he was dead. I know you wanna see him and talk to him and be with him. I wanna be selfish but... I don't want to. I know that being with your Dad will make you very happy—"

"Yes, but being away from you will make me very worried." SM blows a loud breath and buried her face on Knight's chest. "Sumama ka na lang sa 'kin. Ayokong iwan kang mag-isa."

"Ayaw nga ng Daddy mo 'di ba? And Baby, I have my Butler with me— and Dimitri and my friends."

Umiling siya. "I know you, Knight. Hindi mo sasabihin sa kanila ang mga sinasabi mo sa 'kin. I know you put a distance between you and them and you always act tough in front of them. Kaya nga hindi ako umalis dito sa bahay mo, kasi gusto kong pagkatapos mong maging malakas at matapang sa harap ng maraming tao na umaasa sa 'yo, nandito ako, para samahan at yakapin ka kapag gusto mo nang maging mahina. Paano ko gagawin 'yon kung malayo ako sa 'yo?"

Masuyong sinapo ni Knight ang mukha niya saka pilit siyang pina-angat ng tingin at pinatingin dito. "Baby, who's your boyfriend?"

Naguguluhan man sa tanong ni Knight, sumagot siya. "Count Knight Velasquez."

"Precisely." He smiled. "Wherever you go, I'll follow you. Hindi man tayo magkasama, pero sisiguraduhin kong malapit lang ako sa 'yo."

That made her eyes water. "I can see you whenever I want?"

"Yes."

"I can kiss and hug you whenever I want?"

Knight chuckled. "Hell, yeah. I'll go crazy missing you, you know that, baby. So, I'll just follow you."

Gumuhit ang malapad na ngiti sa mga labi niya saka mahigpit na niyakap ang kasintahan. "I like that. Thank you, Knight."

Mahigpit din siya nitong niyakap saka hinalikan ang balikat niya.

"Teka," kumawala siya sa yakap ng binata para magtanong dito, "paano mo malalaman kung nasaan ako?"

Kinuha nito ang kamay niyang may singsing saka hinalikan ang daliring may suot nun bago sumagot. "I'll activate the tracking device on your ring. I put it there in case of emergency."

Napatanga siya sa kasintahan kapagkuwan ay natawa. "I'm not even angry when I should be." Napailing siya. "Fine. I'll let you put a tracking device on me. Basta bilisan mong sumunod sa 'kin, okay?"

Knight nodded. "Of course. I don't want to miss my baby so bad now, do i?"

Malapad siyang ngumiti saka hinalikan ang binata sa baba, pababa sa leeg nito hanggang sa pinaglandas niya ang dila pataas, patungo sa tainga ng kasintahan.

"Uhmmm..." Knight moaned, "that feels good, baby."

Lihim siyang napangiti at habang pinaglalandas niya ang dila sa tainga nito ay kinakagat-kagat ang gilid niyon, gumagalaw ang kamay niya para buksan ang butones ng suot nitong button down shirt.

And when she kissed and run her tongue down on his chest, she moved her body to grind her core against his length.

Knight groaned lustfully. "Ohh..."

Mas lalo pang bumaba ang mga labi niya, pababa sa tiyan nito hanggang sa natagpuan niya ang sariling nakaluhod sa harapan ng nakabukang mga hita ng binata.

Mas lalong lumalim ang paghinga ng binata ng paglandasin niya ang dila sa abs nito pababa sa puson.

"Baby..." He was panting.

Gumalaw ang kamay niya para buksan ang belt nito at butones ng pantalon habang ang mga labi niya ay umakyat ulit sa dibdib nito at pinaikot ang dila sa utong nitong naninigas.

It's small and feels so good to nibble.

"Ahh..." Knight let out a soft moan.

Nang lumipat siya sa isa pa nitong utong, ibinababa niya ng mga daliri niya ang zipper ng pantalon nitong suot.

And Knight was just leaning on the back of the sofa, moaning and enjoying what she was doing.

"Ahh... fuck that feels good..." mahinang daing ni Knight habang nakapikit ang mga mata.

Napangiti siya saka bumabang muli ang mga labi niya sa tiyan nito, pababa sa puson habang ibinababa niya ang harapan ng pantalon nito. At habang mas lalong bumababa ang mga labi niya ay inilabas naman niya ang kahabaan ng kasintahan.

As it sprang from its confinement, SM gulped.

Even when she has seen it a lot of times already, she's still amazed how endowed her boyfriend is in that department.

Hinawakan niya ang dulo ng kahabaan nito saka inilabas ang dila at pinaglandas sa kahabaan nito. Ilang beses niyang inulit iyon bago pinaikot ang dila sa dulo ng pagkalalaki nito at nilaro ang munting hiwa na naroon sa tuktok bago niya ipinasok ang matigas na matigas na kahabaan ng kasintahan.

Her mouth felt so full but she doesn't care, when she looked up at Knight, he was panting and lust filled his face as he looked down at her.

At dahil nakalugay ang buhok niya, inabot iyon ng kasintahan saka tinali iyon sa pamamagitan ng paghawak niyon gamit ang isang kamay para hindi ulit bumagsak at tumabing sa mukha niya.

"Baby..." he whispered while looking at her looking at him, "move your mouth."

And she did.

Slowly, she moved her mouth up and down while her hand was masturbating half of his length. SM can taste her own saliva mixing with Knight pre-cum and it made her more aggressive. Mas binilisan pa niya ang pagtaas-baba ng bibig habang sinisipsip iyon at parang ahas na kumikiwal ang dila niya.

And every-time she would suck him and pull away a little, she would suck the tip of his sex softly then she would release it making a loud popping sound. Then she licked and licked, surrounding his shaft with her saliva and then she buried his shaft inside her mouth again.

"Ohh— fuck, baby!" Knight hissed as his hips moved to fuck her mouth.

SM knew Knight wanted to fuck her mouth hard and rough, she can see it in the emotion in his face that he was stopping himself from doing that— maybe because he was big and her mouth was already full.

"Fuck..." Knight hissed again.

SM continued sucking Knight and licking him and eating him up like a lollipop until he felt him hardened even more.

"Ohh—fuck! Baby... Ahh..."

Mas binilisan pa niya ang paglabas-masok ng kahabaan nito sa loob ng bibig niya hanggang sa mapaigtad siya dahil sumabog na ang katas nito sa loob ng bibig niya na aksidente niyang nalunok ang kalahati, habang ang kalahati ay tumutulo pababa sa baba niya.

SM stands up, Knight was staring at him, there's still lust in his eyes.

"Sorry, baby," he said with his half-hooded eyes, "I made a mess in your mouth."

SM wiped off the semen on her chin. Pagkatapos ay isa-isa niyang hinubad ang suot na damit habang hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa mga mata ng kasintahan saka kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi.

"That's okay." Aniya saka nang-aakit ang tingin na paharap siyang umupo sa mga hita nito at pinaglandas niya ang dila leeg nito bago bumulong sa tainga ng binata, "you can make a mess out of me and I'll be sure to enjoy it, my Lord."

Knight gulped before holding her waist and pulling her ass down to his shaft, "ride me." Hinuli nito ang mga labi niya saka kinagat ang pang-ibaba niyang labi na parang gigil na gigil bago pinakawalan iyon ay tumingin sa mga mata niya, "grind that sexy ass of yours, baby."

SM smiled before kissing Knight fully on the mouth and grinding her on her manhood that's now starting to harden again.

She keeps on grinding while kissing Knight and their hands touching and caressing each other.

SM felt like she was dancing to the rhythm while their saliva and breathing mixed while kissing.

And when SM felt how hard Knight already is, she moved her hips and guided his hard, big and long shaft inside her.

"Ohhhh..." mahaba niyang ungol habang naka-arko ang katawan niya at nakaawang ang mga labi niya.

Sagad na sagad ang kahabaan ng binata sa loob niya, nararamdaman niya ang hindi maipaliwanag na sensasyong lumulukob sa buo niyang pagkatao habang mas isinasagad pa 'yon ng binata.

"Ohhh..." hindi niya mapigilang mapadaing ng mahaba at sunod-sunod habang pumipikit ang mga mata niya. "Ahhhh..."

She can feel all of Knight, inside. So good... it feels so good. She wanted more— more of this sensation, so she moved her hips and rode Knight hard and rough.

Sabay na gumagalaw ang katawan nilang dalawa, nagsasalubong ang maseselang bahagi ng katawan nila na lumilikha ng tunog na mas lalong nagpapabilis sa bawat galaw niya sa ibabaw ng mga hita ng kasintahan.

Gumigiling ang balakang niya, nagtaas-baba at napasabunot siya sa sariling buhok habang habol ang hiningang gumagalaw para masagad na masagad ni Knight ang kahabaan nito sa loob niya.

SM was panting and sweating but Knight was licking her skin, sucking her nipples and moving roughly inside her making her scream.

"Ohhh! Ohh! Ahhh! Knight— uhmm!" She was so loud, she was shameless. "Ohh! Ohh! Knight. Knight. Kniiiight!"

Knight sucked and bit her nipples earning a loud moan from her.

"Ahhh!" Sigaw niya saka napayakap sa leeg ng kasintahan habang binabayo nito ang pagkababae niya habang gumigiling siya sa ibabaw nito at ang bibig nito ay nasa utong niya.

And then he held her thighs before thrusting so hard and fast inside her. Umuuga ang dibdib niya habang walang habas siyang inaakin ng binata. Sa sobrang lakas ng bawat pagsagad nito ng kahabaan sa loob niya at tumaataas ang katawan at mas nabalot siya ng pawis.

"Ohhh! Oh! Knight— Oh! Ang sarap..." hindi niya napigilang bulalas habang sagad na sagad sa loob niya ang kasintahan.

SM was riding Knight, but Knight was the one fucking her.

At mabilis siyang napayakap sa leeg ng kasintahan ng tumayo ito habang nakahawak ang mga kamay sa pang-upo niya saka habang nakatayo ay doon mas binayo ng binata ang pagkababae niya.

"Ohh! Ahh! Ohh!" Halos sumigaw na si SM sa sobrang sarap, "ohhh! Kniiight! Ohh, god, ohhhh!"

Wala na, hibang na hibang na siya sa pag-angkin sa kaniya ng kasintahan na naging bingi na siya sa lahat. Kahit ang isip niya ay hindi na gumagana.

Her mind was black, the pleasure was already in her mind.

Kaya wala na siyang pakialam kahit pinasandal ni Knight ang likod niya sa pader habang inaangkin siya nito ng paulit-ulit. Nakakapit lang siya sa leeg nito, nakasubsob ang mukha sa balikat nito habang hinihinga at namamaos na umuungol.

"Oohhh... ohhh... Ahhhh..."

SM already lost track on how long Knight was fucking her. Standing, leaning on the wall and now she was standing and leaning down, her hands gripping the edge of the center table as Knight fuck her from behind.

SM's whole body was vibrating at every thrust. She already lost her mind, now she's into slipping into lust mode where everything doesn't matter.

All she can focus on was the lust and the pleasure combined inside her.

Natutulak na niya ang center table sa bawat malakas na ulos ni Knight sa loob ng pagkababae niya at nanginginig na ang buong katawan niya dahil ramdam na ramdam niyang lalabasan na siya.

She can feel it— she can taste her orgasm coming.

Mas lalo pang humigpit ang hawak niya sa gilid ng center table, pinipigilan niya ang sarili na huwag munang labasan dahil gusto pa niyang magtagal ang nakakabaliw na sensasyong 'yon pero hindi na niya kinaya pang pigilan ng biglang tinampal ni Knight ang pag-upo niya.

SM came. Hard. She was dripping with her own cum.

And Knight immediately followed. Filling her core— burying all his seed inside her until there's nothing left.

At nang hugutin nito ang pagkalalaki sa loob niya, nanghihina ang tuhod na muntik na siyang mapaluhod at madapa sa sahig pero mabilis siyang naalalayan ni Knight saka pinangko siya at dinala sa banyo.

"Let's clean up." As he laid her on the bathtub and open the faucet, he asked, "did I drain you?"

Mahina siyang natawa saka tumango at namamaos na sumagot. "But it's so good. I like it."

"And your wound?"

Pilya siyang ngumiti. "Salamat at hindi bumukas ulit pero medyo sumakit."

Napailing ito. "Maybe we shouldn't do it again." Hinalikan siya nito sa noo saka sinamahan siya sa bathtub ng mapuno iyon ng tubig. Nasa likod niya ito habang nakasandal siya sa dibdib nito.

"Let's do it again?"

Mahinang natawa si SM. "Akala ko ba huwag na muna nating gawin? At teka lang— hinihingal pa ako. I think my legs are shaking. You really did make a mess out of me."

Knight chuckled before whispering over her ear, "baby, hindi pa nga 'yon nangangalahati sa gusto kong gawin sa 'yo. I was holding back because of your wound. I wanna take you in every position I know. I wanna hear you scream in pleasure and I wanna love-fuck you so hard that when you think of making love, you'll only think of me."

SM closed her eyes as she leaned in on Knight's chest, "don't worry, baby, it's just you. Only you."

Niyakap siya sa beywang ng kasintahan sa hinalik-halikan ang batok at balikat niya bayo isinubsob ang mukha doon. "I, ahm... I think I'm being unfair to you, baby."

"Huh? Bahagyan niya itong nilingon na ngayon ay nakatingin na sa kaniya. "What are you talking about?"

Kinagat nito ang pang-ibabang labi bago nagsalita. "You see... I was engaged once."

SM stared at Knight, shocked. She couldn't even say anything.

"It was an arrange engagement." Mabilis nitong paliwanag ng makita ang gulat sa mukha niya, "but we cut it off and she's married to my friend now."

"Friend..." bulong niyang gagad, "s-sinong kaibigan?"

"Iuhence."

Napatanga siya, "si Mhelanie?!"

Nakangiwing tumango ang binata. "Yeah. Her."

Her lips parted open in shock. "She's a beauty—"

"—so are you, baby—"

"—hindi ako makapaniwalang umu-o siya sa 'yo."

Knight looked at her flatly, "baby, you're insulting me now."

"No, no," natatawa siyang humarap dito saka umupo sa mga hita nito saka sinapo ang mukha nito, "of course, my baby is the most handsome man in the whole world and the most amazing and the most awesome but... does she know that you're weird and crazy before she said yes to you?"

Umiling ito. "I was cold back then— still am, but, back then, I still don't know those lunatics. So, I was a pretty serious guy."

Natawa siya sa 'pretty serious guy', "unbelievable."

"Believe it, baby."

Napailing-iling siya. "But I guess it explains why she said yes to you."

Tiningnan siya ng masama ni Knight. "Nakakadalawa ka na, Sweet Monday. Nasasaktan na ako."

Malakas siyang natawa saka hinalikan ang tungki ng ilong nito, "you're so cute... anyways, bakit unfair 'yon sa 'kin? Bakit nagso-sorry ka na na- engage ka na noon?"

"Baka kasi magalit ka..."

Napapantastikuhang napatitig siya sa kasintahan, "baby, that was what? Years ago? Ni hindi mo pa nga alam na nag-i-exist ako sa mundo kaya ayos lang 'yon. It's not a big deal for me and you said it's an arranged engagement so that explains everything."

Knight blows a loud breath. "One secret off my chest."

Natawa siya. "Mabigat ba?"

"Very." Then Knight looked at her, "oh, and I smoke way back in College."

Doon nalukot ang mukha niya. "Still smoking?"

Umiling ito. "Hindi na."

"Buti naman. Ayoko sa taong naninigarilyo." Sumama ang mukha niya, "you're not just killing yourself, you're also killing the people around you because of secondhand smoke. Masama 'yon sa katawan."

Sumaludo pa ang loko. "Yes, boss."

Pinanggigilan niya ang tungki ng ilong nito. "Anymore secrets I need to know?"

"Hmm..." sumandal si Knight sa gilid ng bathtub bago nagsalita, "ano pa ba...well, I grew up in a very harsh place. Our family's own palace or mansion. Isang pagkakamali lang, pinaparusahan kaagad ako. It's either beating or lashes." Nakatitig lang ito sa kisame ng banyo habang nakasandal sa gilid ng bathtub, "when I was a kid, I'm not allowed to play because I have lots of things to do and study. Martial arts, school and then Psychological manipulation Training. I was raised like a warrior. I was forced to know how to kill or I'll be killed. I was an obedient dog to my father and I keep all the pain and suffering I felt from my little brother. "

"Midnight thinks that I was pampered and treated kindly and I want him to think that way forever. He doesn't need to know my pain. He already has so much baggage as it is. And then when I was fifteen, Papa gave me a dog to care for. I was so damn happy. Then years later, he told me to kill it because I'm being emotionally attached."

Napanganga siya. "You didn't... right?"

Tumango ito saka mahinang tumawa. "I let it loose and then I saw him again. And that's how I met my friends, Val and Shun."

Napangiti siya. It's so clear that Knight treasures his friends, especially Valerian and Shun. They really had a special place in his heart and it makes her happy that he has such good friends who guided him and always there for him.

"Val is the kind of person who can't say no." Natawa ito saka tumingin sa kaniya, "he really can't say no. Especially if he has the means to do it. He'll really do it however pissed he is, he will. And Shun, he's a badass and a good friend even though he's the leader of the budol-budol Gang."

Natawa siya. "Baliw ka talaga."

Nagkibit-balikat lang si Knight saka bumuga ng hininga, "marami na kaming pinagdaanan para marating namin itong klase nang pagkakaibigan. Valerian controls the crazy side of me— the Knight Velasquez. Kapag may problema ako, sa kaniya palagi ang takbo ko. Because I know he'll insult me and cussed at me but at the end of the day, he'll prove to me that he's my best friend without saying the word best friend.

"And Shun, he, ahm, he controls the monstrous side of me— the Minrod Velasquez. He always tried his best to pull me away when I'm over doing my work as a boss. If I'm having problem at work, Shun is always just one call away. He's opposite to Valerian who doesn't know anything about my world and Shun's. But I guess that's what makes us tight, you know. Shun knows the dangerous side of me but still considers me his best friend— without saying the word best friend of course."

Hinaplos niya ang buhok ni Knight gamit ang mga daliri. "Masaya ako dahil may mga kaibigan kang tulad nila."

Knight smiled. "I know some of my friends thinks that I only care about Val and Shun, but what they didn't know is that, it's not just Val and Shun— I do care for my thirty plus friends in my own way. And as of now, I'm keeping a big secret from two of my friends, they're twins and we've been fighting the Triad together. At nahihirapan ako kung paano ko 'to itatago kasi para sa 'kin, ito ang mas nakabubuti sa ngayon. Para hindi sila mapahamak na tatlo. Pero paano ko 'yon ipapaintindi sa kanila pagdating ng panahon na kailangan ko ng magsabi ng totoo?

"It's their Mom for fuck's sake! Kahit saang anggulo tingnan, kahit anong paliwanag ang gawin ko, ako pa rin ang lalabas na masama. But that's okay," he smiled, "If pretending and manipulating everyone to keep them safe and happy makes me a bad guy, then I accept being a villain. I don't care if I look bad in their eyes, as long as they're safe, I can live with that."

SM caress Knight's face as she smiled proudly, "an angel in the devil's clothing. I'm so proud to call you mine."

"Even when I chopped someone off and push someone off the building?" Nakangiwing tanong nito.

"Except that. Don't do that again. Ever." Pinagsiklop niya ang kamay nilang dalawa, "alam kong galit na galit ka sa bumaril sa 'kin, pero huwag mo nang uulitin 'yong ganung klaseng kaparusahan. It's too brutal, Knight. I don't want you to fell into bloodlust. Promise me... you'll never do that kind of brutality again. It's not healthy for you."

Knight took a deep breath before nodding, "okay... I won't do it anymore."

"Promise?"

Knight nodded. "Promise. If my baby says it's not healthy, then I'll try my hardest not do it again. Shun will be very happy with this."

Natawa siya sa huli nitong sinabi at kahit papaano ay nakahinga siya ng maluwang. It really bothered her for days— what Knight did.

It was inhumane and it's not healthy for him. Sana talaga hindi na nito ulitin 'yon.

Hinalikan niya ito sa mga labi saka masuyong nginitian. "Knight, it's not easy being a villain with a soft and good heart— but know this— I'm just here for you. Magkaiba man tayo ng mga paniniwala, magkaiba man ang opinyon natin sa mga bagay-bagay lalo na sa ginagawa mo, nandito lang ako. I will wholeheartedly accept the hero and the villain in you."

Knight hugged her tightly on the waist before kissing her on the lips. "You're the most amazing woman I have ever met, do you know that?"

"I know." Natatawang sabi niya saka hinalikan ito sa mga labi, "anyways, since you told me a secret, I will tell you mine as well."

Knight looked interested immediately. "Tell me. I'm all ears."

Ang ngiti niya ay nauwi sa ngiwi bago huminga ng malalim at nagsalita, "I, ahm, remember Capt. Sanford?"

Kaagad na sumama ang mukha ni Knight. "What about him?"

"Ahm," kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi, "I had a crush on him." Mabilis niyang dinagdagan ang inamin. "Dati— pero hindi na ngayon. Wala na. Gusto ko lang sabihin sa 'yo."

After her confession, Knight didn't say anything for a minute. He just took a deep breath and blows a loud breath before saying, "good thing his grave is still there. I will bury him alive."

SM immediately negate the bad thoughts in his mind. "Huwag kang magalit kay Captain, hindi naman niya kasalanan na nagka-crush ako sa kaniya, katulad ng hindi kasalanan ni Mhelanie na na-engage kayong dalawa, hindi ba? So, kung magagalita ka, magagalit din ako, pero hindi kay Mhelanie, kundi sa 'yo. Kasi sigurado naman akong ikaw ang nag-aya ng kasal, tama ba ako?"

Knight immediately calmed down. "Baby naman. That was years ago."

Tumango siya. "Years ago na rin naman 'yong sa 'kin."

"Baby, it's different—"

"How so?" Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "I'm sure you proposed?"

Knight blows a loud breath before smiling. "Baby, I yield."

Nakangiting hinalikan niya sa labi ang kasintahan. "Thank you."

Knight sighed then he stilled and frowned, "wait a minute, did you just manipulated me into calming down and not hurting that motherfucker?"

SM gave Knight a mysterious smile, "you yield, remember?" Umahon siya sa bathtub saka nakangiting tinungo ang shower.

"Baby, that was bad!" Pangaral sa kaniya ni Knight. "Manipulating someone is bad!"

Mahina lang siyang natawa saka nagpatuloy sa pagsabon ng katawan hanggang sa naramdaman niya sa likuran niya ang kasintahan.

Knight kissed her bare shoulder. "That was a smooth manipulation, baby, but that was not nice."

Humarap siya sa kasintahan saka hinalikan ito sa mga labi at naglalambing na yumakap sa leeg nito. "You yield, right, my Lord?"

Knight's breathing stopped before nodding. "Yes."

"Then drop the topic and kiss me." She pouted her lips.

Knight chuckled before shaking his head. "This is manipulation 102, the 101 was earlier but hell yeah I'm kissing you."

With that, he claimed her lips and sucked her tongue making her groaned and when he pinned her on the bathroom wall, SM smile inwardly.

Hmm... second round it is.