Palubog na ang araw ng makarating kami sa restaurant. Tatlong bayan ang dinaanan namin kaya matagal ang byahe. Bukod roon ay traffic and we even encountered a stupid parade. Pagkababa ko sa van ay agad naman nitong pinaharurot paaalis.

I gaze at those coverings in front of the restaurant. I've also read the 'Under Renovation' sign on it. Napailing na lang ako at tinulak ang nakasara sa dadaanan ko. Behind those covers is a mess. The glass wall was gone while the little garden outside was now destroyed, broken pots and uprooted flowering plants. Tanaw ko rin mula dito sa labas ang mga natumba at gulo-gulong lamesa at upuan sa loob. Yeah... This place really needs a renovation.

Nagkibit-balikat na lamang ako at muling naglakad papasok. Hobbling, I walk taking tentative steps. Dumudugo ang sugat ko every time I took a lot of movements with coordination of my legs. My breath slightly shudders in pain. Had I mention that I'm hungry, too? If they took me away the other night and I came back tonight, this means I haven't eaten for a day. Kaya bahagyang nanginginig na rin ang mga kamay ko sa gutom at pagod. Damn those stupid kidnappers! As if, they gain any ransom for this. Tsk!

Habang naglalakad ako papasok ay tanaw ko rin ang mga tao sa loob. Limang kalalakihan ang nakayuko sa harap ng isang lalaking tila sumisigaw sa galit. Nakatalikod ang lalaking iyon sa akin pero nakikilala ko siya. Naglakad pa ako palapit para marinig ko ang pinag-uusapan nila. Ano kayang ikinagagalit ng demonyong 'to?

"If you can't find her then you're all fucking useless!"

Mas lalong yumuko ang mga taong kaharap niya ng muli itong sumigaw. I rolled my eyes at them. Scaredy-cats!

"S-sir Henderson, but we already know what organization was behind this." Mahinang saad ng isa sa kanila. I believe these five morons are one of his minions the way they talk to him with respect.

"Who?" Devon asked impatiently.

"We figured out that they are from Dark Clan−−." Natigil ito sa binabalita niya ng iniangat nito ang kanyang ulo at nagtama ang mga mata namin. Ang apat nitong katabi ay nagtaka sa pagtigil nito kaya't tumingin sila sa kanya hanggang sa sinundan din nila ang tinitignan nito. Even Devon followed their gaze and it end up on me. Mukha silang nakakita ng multo. They look stupid. I just stared at them looking bored.

"What are you looking at?" Taas-kilay kong tanong sa kanila. The frustration in Devon's face was wiped out with relief that quickly turned into a blank expression. Sinenyasan nito ang minions niya na umalis kaya agad naman nilang nilisan ang lugar.

A weird tension surrounds the two of us after they left. Tinignan niya ako ng unti-unti mula ulo hanggang paa. Napakunot ang noo nito ng makita ang telang may dugo na nakapalibot sa hita ko.

"What happen?" He asked breaking the silence. 

Naglakad ako na parang normal paabante habang nakatingin lang siya sakin, naghihintay ng sagot. At naghihintay ito sa wala. Nilagpasan ko ito pero bigla niya akong hinawakan sa braso at wala akong nagawa kundi ay tumigil. Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin at ganon din siya sa akin.

"I haven't eaten for a day so stop bugging me, demon." I told him in a controlled tone. Sometimes you became someone else if there is nothing inside your stomach. And right now, I'm not in the mood to bicker with this demon and do storytelling. Kanina ko pa rin tinatago ang pagpapakahirap ko sa paglalakad. Ayokong mapansin niya o kahit na sino ang bigat ng paghinga ko dahil sa sakit. Hinawakan ko ang kamay nito at tinanggal mula sa pagkakakapit sa braso ko. Muli akong naglakad patunggo sa kusina.

I wish there are foods left in the gigantic refrigerator. Sa palagay ko naman ay di ito ginalaw ngayon dahil sa gulong nangyare. Mostly, deserts, frozen goods, vegetables and bottled beverages lang ang nilalagay. Anyway, anything will do as long it is edible−−.

My imagination about food was cut off when an arm surrounds my waist and I was scoped upward carrying in bridal style. My normal self will rant about this while struggling. But now, I don't have the energy to do it anymore. Naramdaman ko kasi ang muling paghapdi ng sugat ko because of the movement. I feel it bleeds again. I can't help but to dig my fingers on his shoulder because of pain. Napapikit na lang ako habang kinokontrol ang bawat paghinga.

Mukhang napansin niya ang hirap kong kalagayan. I heard a few curses from him. Yeah, right. Kasalanan niya 'to. Of course, hindi niya ako pwedeng ibaba ulit dahil mas lalo akong mahihirapan. Loss of blood. Hunger. Pain. Somehow, I feel comfortable in his arms and my head went heavy. Nakakaantok. Nah. Gutom lang 'to.

Nakaramdam ako ng mahinang pagtapik sa aking pisngi. "Wake up." Ugh. I've fallen asleep. However, I don't want to wake up yet. I'm enjoying the softness of this mattress. It's as if this bed has a higher level of gravitational force. So comfortable−−Wait! Mattress? Bed? Minulat ko agad ang aking mga mata. I first saw the white ceiling and I am really lying flat on a bed. Paanong napunta ako rito?

"Maupo ka." Dumako ang tingin sa taong nakaupo sa may gilid ko. Well, who else would bring me here? Of course, it's none other than the demon itself. He brought me again to the mansion, I assume. Tinignan ko ito ng masama. "Umupo ka. Gagamutin ko yang sugat mo." He said. Hindi ako nagsalita at umupo na lang, leaning my back on the headboard.

Tinanggal niya ng dahan-dahan ang nakatali sa may binti ko. The wound is open but it's not bleeding anymore. He placed the first aid kit on the bed and opened it. Una nitong nilinisan ang paligid ng sugat. Dried bloods. Pumikit na lang ako ng umpisahan niya na itong gamutin. Now, I wonder if he's really a doctor.

"I'll make a few stitches to close your wound." Narinig kong paalam niya sa kanyang gagawin. Nakapikit ang mga mata kong tumango sa kanya. Tahimik kong ininda ang paghapdi ng sugat ko. When I open my eyes, I gaze at Devon. He is focus on what he is doing.

"Are you really a doctor?" Natanong ko na lamang. Saglit itong tumigil para tumingin sa akin pero agad ding itinuloy ang ginagawa.

"No." He answered. "But my mother was." Dadag nito. Maybe he was close to his mother that he had learned and was exposed to medical treatments. Natahimik kaming muli hanggang sa matapos siya.

Nakarinig kami ng pagkatok sa pinto habang naliligpit ni Devon ang ginamit nito.

"Come in." He said and the door went open. I first recognize her hair dyed in bright blue. Pumasok si April na may hawak na mga damit. Nakatungo itong lumapit sa amin.

"April brought the clothes you're asking, Sir Devon." She told him.

"Okay. Help her wear it." Utos nito bago tumayo. "I'll be back." Dagdag nito at naglakad palabas ng kwarto.

April handed me the said clothes, a blue T-shirt and a cotton shorts. While removing my blouse, nakatungo pa rin si April at seryosong nakatingin sa sahig. I eyed her while I'm putting the T-shirt on. I think she has a problem or thinking something seriously. Tinulungan niya ako sa pagtayo at pag-alis sa suot kong maong shorts ng mapansing nahihirapan ako. I went back to the bed when I successfully put the cotton shorts on.

"Just kill the person that gives you a problem." I told April. Nagulat naman ito at napatingin sakin.

"H-ha?" Takang tanong nito.

"Just kill the person that gives you a problem." I said much slower than before. Her eyes dropped down to the floor again. She looks serious and uncomfortable. "My eyes are up here." Sita ko sa kanya. "What is your problem?" I asked.

"W-walang problema si April." She stuttered while fidgeting her fingers. "A-April is just depressed." She told me and it looks like she's about cry. Tsk. Well, she's still a normal kid after all.

"Depressed about what?"

"Kasi... April failed the mission. If April is stronger, h-hindi ka sana nakuha. It's April's fault. A-April is sorry." Aniya. Tuluyan na itong naiyak. I don't how to comfort a crying person so hinayaan ko itong umiyak hanggang sa kusa itong tumigil. She wiped out her own tears with her sleeves.

"Listen. It's not your fault. It's no one's fault. And I'm already here. There is nothing to be depressed about so stop thinking nonsense." I said blankly. Comforting someone is really not my thing. There is still harshness in my tone.

"But April heard that they are from Dark Clan. They are the ones who killed my parents. April can't stop but to worry. April thinks she can't protect you like what happened in her parents." Sabi niya at bahagyang pinipigilang ang sarili sa muling pag-iyak.

"I killed them. There is nothing to worry." I told her reassuringly. "And do you think I still need protection?" Tanong ko. I think I don't need that. I can handle myself pretty well.

"Yes, you need protection."

Hindi si April ang sumagot. Sabay kaming napatingin sa pintuan ng sumabat ang demonyo. Pumasok ito kasunod ang apat na tagapagsilbi na pare-parehong may mga dalang tray. Tsk. Protection my ass.

"And April will still be guarding you." Dadag pa nito. Tinaasan ko lang ito ng kilay. Makasabat parang siya ang kausap ko.

Parang robot namang inilagay ang mga hawak nilang tray sa mismong higaan na kinauupuan ko. Agad din silang umalis ng nakatungo at sumabay na rin si April sa kanila. Once the door closes, I look at the four trays that they put beside me. Each tray carries different mouthwatering foods. I know I'm hungry pero sobra naman ata tong apat na tray ng pagkain. Pang dalawang araw ata 'to, eh!

"Ano to? Last supper?" Kunot-noong tanong ko. Masyadong madaming pagkain at para akong bibitayin kinabukasan.

"Shut up and eat." Walang emosyong sagot nito. "Walang lason yan so it's safe." Aniya at umupo sa sofa. Naalala niya siguro ang tinanong ko sa kanya dati rito.

"Tinatanong ko ba?" Mataray kong sagot sa kanya. I heard him chuckled. I took the nearest plate and dig in. Every meal looks delicious. I want to eat it all but of course I can't. My small stomach won't allow it.

I was busy eating and the demon was also busy starring. Ang it's awkward. Nakakairita kaya, "Will you stop starring." Sabi ko at sinamaan siya ng tingin. Kung makatingin parang anytime may gagawin akong masama o kaya naman ay mawawala. "Hindi ako tatakas." Dagdag ko na nagpatawa sa kanya.

"Yeah, right. Kumain ka na lang dyan." He replied with a mocking smile and we became quiet again.

So tell me, why is he doing this? It seems wrong. I mean, he's helping me recover and that's weird. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit bumalik ako sa restaurant. I could have just accept the offer or go to a much farther city from here, right? But I feel like I have an unfinished business here so I went back. May mga katanungan pa akong gustong malaman. Too many questions that I want to be answered. Masyadong malabo ang lahat at gusto ko iyong bigyang linaw. Why am I born with a complicated life? Can I have a normal one? Dagdag pa ang offer ng Underboss ng Dark Clan. Sino ba ang pesteng Underboss na yan, ha? He's giving another load of question to me to be thought and analyzed. That Underboss is a pain in the ass. Pagnakilala ko siya, papatayin ko siya dahil binibigyan niya ako ng problema! Tsk. Well, I shouldn't stress myself with that. I declined already.

I was drinking an orange juice when the demon spoke, "What happen?" He asked once more.

"Nothing happen." I answered sounding bored, binalewala ang tanong nito. Hindi ko naman kailangan ikwento sa kanya ang mga pangyayare sa buhay ko. At isa pa, tinatamad ako. Inayos ko ang pinagkaininan ko ng matapos at iginilid ang dalawang tray ng pagkain na hindi ko nagalaw. Andami naman kasi!

"Just tell me." Iritableng saad nito. Humalukipkip pa ito sa kanyang kinauupuan. I crossed my arms over my chest, too. Taas-kilay ko pa itong tinignan. Nagtuos kami sa masamang titigan. Ilang segundo ang nakalipas ay bumigay ito at napailing. "Paano ka nakatakas sa kanila?" Muli itong nagtanong.

"Takas? Hindi ako tumakas." Nagtataka itong tinignan ako. "At hindi rin ako nahuli." Dagdag ko pa. Yeah. I voluntarily went to the rival's lair. Too much for adventure.

"What?" He asked confused. Tilting his head to the ceiling, het let out a heavy sigh. "Can you just narrate what happen?" He asked irritably.

Bumuntong-hininga ako at sinandal ang ulo ko sa headboard. "Fine!" I said while rolling my eyes. "They shot me on my leg and hit my head so I passed out. I woke up on a van. Pinatay ko ang mga nandoon habang nagbabyahe. So technically, they didn't catch me. Pero dumeritso ako because I want to know who's behind that shit. At nalaman ko na galing sila sa Dark Clan. I met a stupid old man, telling me the offer of their Underboss... Blah. Blah. Blah. I killed him. End of the story." I narrated lazily. Nang tignan ko ito'y nakakunot na ang kanyang noo.

"Offer of their Underboss? What offer?"

"A stupid offer." Sagot ko at humiga sa kama. Pumikit ako at umaktong matutulog na. I just want him to stop interrogating me. I know he's staring at me with a pinched expression. Ilang minutong katahimikan ay naramdaman kong tumayo ito at naglakad papunta sa pinto. When I heard the door opened, I spoke and I know he stopped. "Tell your Mafia Boss that his rival organization is offering me to join their clan. Sweet, right?" My lips twitched into a smirk when I said the last part. Ilang segundong katahimikan bago ko marinig ang paglabas niya at ang pagsara ng pinto. Everything is starting to turn upside down.

* * *

I woke up in the early morning and I felt my mouth is pretty dry. I need water or something to drink. Nakakunot ang noo kong bumangon paupo. I removed the soft bedding over me, which I don't remember that I had put on. Dahan-dahan akong tumayo. Napansin kong wala na rin ang mga pinagkainan ko at mga tray ng pagkain sa pinaglagyan ko. Mukhang malalim ang naging tulog ko at di naramdaman ang pumasok.

I tried a few steps at ng makita kong di gaanong kumikirot ay tinuloy-tuloy ko na ang paglabas ng kwarto. Everything is fine until I reached the grand staircase. Damn! Pahirap sa buhay! Tsk! I took steps one at a time. Hell! Anong oras ako makakababa nito? I'm thirsty!

Nang tuluyan na akong makababa ay halos mawala naman ako kakahanap ng kusina. One disadvantage of a mansion if you're just a visitor, you'll surely get lost. I almost run when I saw the kitchen but of course I can't. I mean, I can but I won't. Baka bumuka ang tahi. I want this wound to heal rapidly so I could kick some asses.

Nadatnan ko doon si Devon na nakasandal sa lamesa at nakatingin sa kawalan. May hawak pa itong baso ng tubig. Masyado atang malalim ang iniisip nito. It looks like he came from a jog based on his slightly wet T-shirt and jogging pants. Darn. I miss jogging at this early morning. Napatingin lang siya sa direksyon ko ng marinig ang pagbukas ko ng fridge.

"What are you doing here? You should be upstairs." Rinig kong tanong nito. Busy naman ako sa pagpili ng nakitang kong iinumin. Hmm. Milk or chocolate?

"I'm thirsty." I replied blankly. And I took out the box of milk. Kumuha ako ng malinis na baso at sinalin dito.

"You should just tell me. You're wounded!" Napatingin ako sakanya habang umiinom nang sumigaw ito. Napataas pa ang kilay ko. At anong ikinagagalit ng pesteng, 'to? I'm wounded but I'm not paralyzed. At paano ko naman masasabi sa kanya na gusto ko ng maiinom kung andito siya sa baba. Alangang sumigaw ako? Tsk! Not that I want him their upstairs.

"Whatever." Sagot ko na lamang at nagsalin muli ng gatas sa baso. I'm really thirsty. I heard him hissed pero di ko na lang pinansin.

"What do you want for breakfast?" Nagulat ako sa tanong niya pero agad kong binalik sa blangkong ekspresyon. He cooks? Well, maybe yes, maybe not. Pwede niya namang sabihin sa tagapagsilbi ang pagkaing iluluto. Nevertheless, it's an odd question coming from him, isn't it?

"I don't know." Wika ko. "You?"  

A moment of silence. After some realization, I froze. Maang ang demonyong napatingin sa akin. −−Want for breakfast? You? −−Damn! Even for me, that sounds terribly wrong!

"You choose." Kalmadong dagdag ko sa sinabi ko. I hope it doesn't sounds like I'm explaining. And good thing I didn't stutter. Baka kung anong isipin ng demonyong 'to.

"Oh. Okay." Aniya. And then, he chuckled. I just rolled my eyes heavenward. Nilagay ko na lang ang basong ginamit ko sa sink habang kumuha naman siya ng chopping board at nilagay sa lamesa. I gazed at him. Therefore, he does cook.

"What?" Takang-tanong nito ng mapansing nakatingin ako sa kanya. Hindi ako nagsalita hanggang siya naman ang nakatitig sa akin. Later on, "Don't you remember me?" He asked another odd question. Odd, really odd.

"Hah?" My mouth gaped open.

"Hindi mo ba ako natatan−−Tsk! Go back to your room." Napakunot ang noo ko ng bigla itong mang-utos. He suddenly became bossy. What is his freaking problem?! Groaning, he shoke his head while his eyes are closed. He leaned his palms on the table, too. Yumuko ito pagkatapos. He looks frustrated.

And that's entertaining. The demon is frustrated and out of focus. Yey! Now is the time to do evil things.

"I remember you..." Akto akong may naalala. Agad naman itong napatingin sakin. Para itong nagkaroon ng pag-asa. Now I wonder why I should remember him. Nakilala ko na ba siya dati? Nah. Hindi pa siguro. Eh di sana nakilala ko ang aroganteng ugali nito dati. Tsk! "I remember your name written in my death list." Dugtong ko na ikinasimangot niya.

"Should I laugh now?" He told me in a poker face. Dahil sa sinabi niya ay ako tuloy ang natawa. Tumalikod ito at muling napailing.

"But I'm not joking." I said. Dahan-dahan kong kinuha ang kutsilyong malapit sa akin. "I'm deadly serious."

In one-step, I attack him in one slicing motion directed to his back. But surprisingly, humarap ito sa akin. He used the chopping board as his shield. Damn! Naramdaman niya ang gagawin ko? He's fast and has a stong reflexes. However, I'm the one with a knife, a great advantage. I jab him continuously and all he can do is to counter my every attack with the chopping board. A chopping board that will soon break. And that's the time he'll be dead.

"Damn! Aurora, stop!" He shouted and I just giggled. It is fun, isn't? When you overpowered your enemy and all he can do was to beg you to stop? Euphoria.

I keep stabbing him, specifically the chopping board. But it won't fucking break. "Fucking chopping board!" I hissed. I aimed for his fingers instead.

"Fuck! I said stop!" Muling sigaw nito. Napansin niya atang pinupuntirya ko na ang mga daliri nito. Natawa na naman ako. This is really entertaining.

But he found an open corner and he ran to that place. Hindi naman ako nakasunod. Hell! Stupid wound! I can't run. Hingal na hingal itong nakatingin sa akin. Nakikita ko sa mga mata niya ang gulat. You can't predict the things that I'll do. I have a twisted murderous mind here. 

Naging alerto ito ng akmang lalapitan ko na siya. Pero bigla akong napahawak sa lamesa at nakatungong tinignan ang sugat ko. "Aww!" Daing ko.

"What−−What happen?" He asked worriedly. At naramdaman ko ang mabilis na paglapit nito sakin. I can't help but to hide my smirk. Because it is only a prod act. I gripped the knife and sliced it to him in a horizontal motion. Agad niya itong sinubukang iwasan pero naabutan pa rin ito at nakatamo ng maliit ng hiwa sa kaliwang pisngi.

Nakita ko ang pagkunot ng noo nito at hindi nagustuhan ang nangyare. Malakas at mabilis nitong hinawakan ang kanang kamay ko na siyang may hawak ng kutsilyo.

"You deceived me, kitten." He said in a low and velvety voice. He gripped my wrist tightly that I was forced to let go of the knife and it fell on the floor. He stared at me with a menacing glare. Okay. Is he about to turn into Hulk? Why do I felt a sudden urge to flee with those orbs of his eyes? Pinagmasdan kong dahan-dahan na tumulo ang dugong lumabas sa sugat nito sa pisngi. And why do I felt I sudden pang of guilt?

Guilt? Oh, come on! Fuck! That is stupid! Aaargh!