"ARE you freaking serious?!" halos mapapikit ako ng mariin nang marinig ang biglaang pagbulahaw ni Claude sa akin. Halatang hindi maka-move on sa nasaksihan. "Tangina, isang yummy na Alastair Aldeguer ang nabingwit mong hayup ka!"

Napabaling na lamang ang aking ulo sa gawi kung saan hindi sa harapan nko bumubulyaw ang babaeng ito. Gosh! What's the big deal?

"Can you tone down a bit? Kanina ka pa nasigaw diyan." Rinig kong saway ni Austin na maging ito ay naiirita na sa paghihisterya ni Claude.

"How am I supposed to do that?! Huh?!" napangiwi pa lalo ako sa mas mataas na tono niya sa pagsagot kay Austin.

"Well, if your senses were still on you, you would know how." Pabalang na turan ni Austin na may halong sarkasmo.

Napailing iling na lamang ako.

"Stop freaking out, Claude— "

At hindi niya na naman ako pinatapos.

"Like hello?! Paano aber! Ang swerte swerte mong hinayupak ka!"

Kung pupwede lang sigurong i-record ang pag-ikot ng ilang beses ng aking mata ay siguro masasama ako sa Guiness sa pinakamabilis umirap.

"He's the Mafia Boss of Aldeguer's Clan, Asia! One of the most powerful Mafia Clan in this century!"

Like the hell, I wouldn't know that. His surname marks it all.

"And he wants something from you. You're supposed to be dead a while ago pero may kailangan siya sa'yo. Gosh! Ano naman kaya iyon? Wait, hindi kaya ang katawan mo? Nadala kaya siya sa nakasulat sa t-shirt mo? Nalibugan siya kaya hindi ka niya muna pinatay kasi gusto ka niyang tikman?"

Mabigat ang pagsinghap ko nang marinig ang mga salitang namutawi at naglandas sa bunganga ni Claude. Hindi ko napigilan ang pag-initan ng pisngi sa mga kataga nito at talagang walang preno niya iyong sinabi!

"Puno na naman ng bacteria iyang bunganga mo, Claudette." Anas ni Austin na sanay nang makarinig ng ganoon kay Claude. "Magmumog ka nga ng holy water."

Buti pa si Austin sanay na. Ako, kahit yata matagal na kaming magkasama nitong babaitang ito ay hindi pa rin ako nakakahuma kapag puro kabastusan ang lumalabas sa bibig niya.

"Tse! Manahimik ka diyan nerdy." Saway ni Claudette at pagkatapos niyon ay naramdaman na lamang niyang nakaupo na sa kanyang tabi ang dalaga at mariin na hinawakan ang magkabila niyang kamay.

"What?" tanong ko at bahagyang natuwa nang hindi ako nagtunog kinakabahan.

Kasi kinakabahan talaga ako! Now that Claude mentioned those ideas she has. Hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi rin maisip iyon.

Maganda naman ako. Seksi at hot. Kahit na hindi ako nakakakita ay bilang isang tao, masasabi kong may maibubuga ako.

At ngayon ka pa naging conscious sa katawan mo, Asia? Ridiculous!

"Utang na loob," napabalik ang aking atensyon kay Claude nang bigla itong mag-utas. "I-record mo naman ang pagtatalik niyo, oh. Please!"

Mabilis akong kumalas sa pagkakahawak ni Claude at mas suminghap ng marahas sa hinihingi nito. What the hell?!

"You're insane, Claude. You should s-sleep." Naiilang kong wika sa kanya.

"No! I'll sleep if you're going to promise me that you'll record your sex with him. I wanna see how big he is. So please naman, para naman hindi tayo magkaibigan."

Napahawak na ako sa aking batok dahil sa dahilan nitong si Claude. Tila yata nagkakaroon na ako ng alta-presyon dahil sa mga sinasabi niya.

"Please, Claudette. Stop it, naiirita na ako." Nangigigil kong utos sa kanya. "We should talk about their sudden appearance and not that... nasty things."

Sa pagkakaalala ko'y nag-uusap kami at nag-iisip ng sagot sa kung bakit nagkaroon ng sudden appearance sa kanilang ginagawa kanina ang Elites ng Underground Society. But here they are, listening to Claude's SPG thoughts.

"Asia's right. Elites' appearance is a thing we should worry. But them being complete including the Boss of Aldeguer's Mafia is a nightmare we should be afraid. If the Supremo of Privus Trata wants Asia's dead, then we should know why." Austin repelled the conversation.

Rinig ko ang malalim na pagbuga ng hininga ni Claudette sa aking gilid. Jusko, sukuan mo na iyang nais mo!

"Hay nako, ang damot," rinig niyang komento nito. "Anyways, you're right. If the reason why you're being chase to death because you neglected their offer, then that's something we shouldn't worry about. Hindi ganoon kababaw magpasya ang mga taga Privus. There might be something big."

Ramdam ko ang tingin ng dalawa sa akin nang matapos magsalita si Claude na ngayo'y bumalik na sa pagseseryoso.

I know what she's talking about.

"Impossible, my existence is something no one could dig deeply. Ang alam nila hindi na nagkaanak pa ang aking ina." Pagtanggi ko sa naiisip ni Claude.

"But we are talking about the entire Underground Society, Asia. You know they have ways to dig deeply. They know how to unveil a secret."

She's right. Matagal nang lumipas ang panahon at mas nagiging makabago na rin ang paraan upang makahanap ng sagot sa isang katanungan.

Malalim akong bumuntung-hininga at kapagkuwa'y lumapit sa bintana. I closed my eyes and mentally activated my Lenses.

Nang muli akong magmulat ay muli kong natanaw ang ganda ng mundo. Isang bagay na hindi ko nakikita sa tuwing ako'y nasasadlak sa kadiliman.

Lights from the buildings were simply adding the great view of the scenery from the 31st floor of the hotel we've checked-in.

Bahagya akong napangiti at napuno ng galak ang aking puso. Kailan kaya ang araw na makakakita na talaga ako ng permanente?

"If we need to know why the Supremo needs to kill me then, I should dig deeply as well." Komento ko habang nakatingin pa rin sa labas ng bintana. "I highly doubt na alam nilang nag-e-exist ako o maging ang iba pang kaibigan ko. Iyon ang pinaniwalaan nila noon nang patayin nila isa-isa ang mga magulang namin. At hindi ko malilimutan ang araw na iyon bago pa ako mawalan ng paningin."

They felt my rage when I said the last sentence. As the rage enveloped my being, I felt the Curse reactivating again.

"Asia," muling nagbalik ang aking katinuan nang marinig ko ang pagtawag ng dalawa sa akin. That was close.

"You should be careful remembering your past," paunang sermon ni Claude. "You know that is something that can trigger your curse."

"Or even the Wave." Dugtong pa ni Austin.

Sa kahuli-hulihang pagkakataon ay muli akong bumuntung-hininga at hinarap na ang dalawa.

"Thanks," wika ko. "For now, I want you to do something for me. We should make a move."

"Saan tayo magsisimula?" Tanong ni Austin sa kanya.

"First, we shouldn't let them feel that we are making a move as to know why they're chasing me. Someone should do it for us." Then I smirked when I thought about something. "And I know someone who could help us."

"YOU'RE here. What an unpleasant surprise." Umayos ako ng pagkakakaupo nang sa wakas ay dumating na ang taong kanina ko pa hinihintay sa opisinang ito.

"I never thought na hobby mo pala ang ma-late sa opisina, Nicholas." Puna niya sa lalaking kanyang binisita.

"Why am I hearing something peculiar from you, Ms. Graham. You sounded like a nagging girlfriend to her boyfriend." Dama ko ang malokong tono ng binata nang sabihin nito iyon.

Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o maiirita sa kanyang sinaad. How boastful.

"I think you're forgiven as to why you are late. Never thought that you're still daydreaming, Mr. Javier. Ganoon na ba ang pagkakaroon mo ng interes sa akin para mag-isip ka ng gan'yan?"

I heard him gawked from what I have said. Huh! Take that!

"Never thought that you'll be this playful, Ms. Graham." Komento nito at mukhang sinukuan na ako. Aba dapat lang, sinisipag akong mang-asar ngayon. "What's the reason why you are here?"

Now his tone turned into a business-like manner. And I must say his voice is too hot to hear.

"I'm here to boost your heroic manifestation about justice. Would like to hear something interesting?"

I felt him stiffened from my words. A person who always wants to dig secrets would always be fascinated to hear topics they would want to hear.

"I have no time for that, Ms. Graham. When you announced my obligation to this company that's the time I need to take this position seriously."

I was fascinated by his answer. Wow, a person who realized things must have doing their part accordingly.

But sorry, my boy. Your help would really an advantage for me. So, hell I would let you slip that fast.

"Even the topic would be the Heir of Aldeguer's arrival in the Philippines? You're going to neglect it just like that?" I grinned when I said the magic words.

Kahit pa anong tanggi ng taong gustong magbago ng pananaw ay hihilain pa rin siya pabalik if there's something could trigger them to.

"What did you say?" Now I really got his attention. "I might have heard you wrong."

Sumandal ako sa inuupuan kong sofa at kapagkuwa'y dumikwarto sa kanyang harap. The slit of my pencil cut skirt had shown incredulously. And I was shocked by doing that move. But no, baka mahalata nitong kumag na ito na na-conscious ako sa naging ayos ng legs ko.

"You're after with the syndicates whose assaulting people with their prejudices. Aldeguer's Clan must have been in the news even before as one of the most powerful family in business industry. And they somehow just like that. They conquered the business line even the Era of the Spaniards here in the Philippines. But as being one of the richest and sought-after company globally, they also went into certain issues about their reputation and wrongdoings. Different articles about them have been released as well about their notorious membership with the Black Market. But it has been turned down immediately and those who wrote those articles had died in different predicament. That must've been the turning point to somehow conclude that the Aldeguer's did that. Pero no one dared to investigate."

A long quiet moment happened after my first speech. I might not be seeing him literally but his rage from where am I sitting in proves that I really got his attention into this. And my next sentence would really conclude why he's being like that.

"I heard that one of those writers who wrote the articles was your mother and father."

I heard his silent exhale. Tanda na sinusubukan nitong kumalma ngunit bawat pagbunga nito ng hangin ay pabigat iyon ng pabigat. I might have re-opened a concealed wound but I really need his help.

"They're here?" a deep and dangerous asking tone cracked the silence.

"Yes," I simply answered.

"And you want me to investigate why they're here?" Nicholas finally concluded.

"Yes," I answered once more.

"Ginagamit mo ang galit ko sa kanila para lang sa gusto mong mangyari, Asia Graham? Are you that merciless?!" his voice roared the whole room. I maintained my composure why I'm still figuring out why is he mad at me. "Ganoon ka ba magtrabaho, huh? You're too fond of using people just to protect yourself. Para kapag nagkaroon ng pagkakamali, hindi ikaw ang mapagbubuntungan."

I scoffed by his accusation. How dare him to judge me just like that? Yes, I'm using people for my own advantage but I'm not those people na pinapabayaan ang mga taong ginamit. I'm held to take them as my responsibility! How dare him!

Marahas akong tumayo sa naririnig ko sa kanya. Hindi ko na naitago ang pagkamuhi sa mga salitang binitawan nito laban sa akin.

"You don't judge people as easy as pie, Nicholas Javier. You don't know me at all. I'm just asking a favor not because you have a favor that you need to take granted because I helped you. I'm asking a favor because they're after me. I need to know why. I need to know why they need to hunt me down."

Mas marahas ngayon ang pagbunga ko ng hangin kesa sa kanya kanina. Yeah, I must tell him the reason why I want him to take this favor.

Base sa katahimikan nito ay napagtanto kong natigilan ito sa dahilang ibinigay ko. Sino ba ang hindi? Nakataya ba naman ang buhay mo.

"Are you up to it?" tanong ko sa kanya.

Akmang sasagot na ito nang bigla kaming nakarinig ng hiyawan sa labas ng kwarto. Not sure if sigaw ba ng takot o pagkamangha ang naisigaw ng sekretarya nitong si Nicholas.

Then the door opened harshly. Napagawi ang aming atensyon sa mga taong pumasok.

"Sino kayo?! Ano'ng ginaga—" putol na utas ni Nicholas ngunit may nangbatok na kaagad rito. Dahilan upang mapagtanto kong nawalan ito ng malay.

Someone held me tightly. Dalawang lalaki na tantya ko'y mas malalaki ang katawan base sa laki ng brasong nakapulupot sa magkabila kong braso. Nilagay nilang pareho ang braso ko sa likod. Paraan upang hindi na ako makahuma pa.

Chizo barked loudly but I stopped him immediately. Chizo went to my feet to make me feel that he's just here beside me.

"Sino kayo?" I asked coldly but no one answered me. I was about to ask again when sudden footsteps from a man's leather shoes enveloped my ears.

"Let her go. Don't you dare touch her just like that." Rinig kong utos ng isang pamilyar na boses. At gaya ng gabing iyon, para isang kumpas ang utos nito at mabilis na binitawan ako ng dalawang malaking taong nangmimilipit ng braso ko.

I held my arms sa higpit ng pagkakapilipit sa akin. Bayagan ko itong dalawang ito kapag pagkakataon.

I was startled when Alastair started to walk in front of me. Hindi ko ma-explain kung bakit dalawang tunog ang tangi kong naririnig. Ang tunog ng kanyang sapatos... at ang pagkalabog ng aking puso.

"Why are you here?" tanong ko sa kanya at pinagpapasalamat ko ng taus-puso na hindi ako nagkada-utal utal. His effects on me is mysterious. Why is that?

"Do you still know my name?" his deep baritone voice gave me chills. So, cold yet so, hot to hear.

I mentally shook my head with my comment. What the hell, Premiere? What's the meaning of that?!

Iniiwas ko ang aking gawi sa kanya. Ewan ko ba, I'm proud with myself even though I don't have eyesight but when it comes to him, I feel so bad. And again, Anastasia? Where the hell did you get that?

"I asked you a question. Answer me." That authoritative tone again. An order you shouldn't defy. But no, even though he has this effect on me, I need to redeem myself as I am Premiere, I am a Royalty.

"I asked the question first. If you want me to answer you, answer me first."

Bahagya kong narinig ang pagkamangha sa kanya nang sabihin ko ang mga linyang iyon. Tila isa iyong nakakagimbal na pangyayari sa kanya. Ang tanong ay kung bakit?

"You're the first—" unang utas nito matapos ang pagkagulat. "You defy me that easily."

Curious with his words ay nagawa kong lapitan ang walang malay na katawan ni Nicholas. Sinubukan ko itong gisingin ngunit may biglang humablot sa aking braso.

Tila kuryente na biglang dumaloy nang magdikit ang balat namin ni Alastair. Isang bagay na ikinasinghap ko.

"No!" pigil ko sa kanya ngunit nilagyan na nito ng pwersa ang pagkakahablot sa akin dahilan upang mapalayo muli ako kay Nicholas.

I said I will held responsible for the people I would engage with my business.

"Let me go! Nicholas, wake up!" sigaw ko kahit na alam kong hindi ako maririnig ng walang malay na lalaking ito.

I heard Chizo running into Alastair but, "You stay there, little puppy." From a mad Chizo, my dog suddenly stopped and his bark sounds too submissive.

What the hell? Even my dog?

Mas marahas na akong itinayo ni Alastair. Nang magawa iyon ay iniharap niya ako sa kanya.

I don't want to see his face kahit na kaya kong i-activate ang aking Lenses. Dahil kung gagawin ko iyon ay hindi ko alam ang mangyayari. Kung ganitong wala akong paningin ay kakaiba na ang epekto niya akin, what more if I could see his damn face.

"You will be with me starting today. You must have forgotten that you're now wanted and Supremo will do any method he has in his sleeves just to get you. If you want to live... essere con me." Be with me.

Mas naghuramentado ang pagkatao ko sa mga pinagsasasabi ng lalaking ito. I know na wanted ako ngayon sa Privus pero ganoon na ba ka-kritikal ang buhay ko para tugisin ako? Gosh, something's not right. At isa sa ang mga iyon ay mga salitang binitawan nitong si Alastair.

Wala na akong nagawa pa matapos niyang sabihin iyon. Yes, nakaka-tangina ang mga ginamit na salita nitong si Alastair pero he has a point.

Gusto ko ring malaman kung bakit at kung ano'ng rason kung bakit wanted ako sa Supremo na iyon.

"Fine. But let him go. And this company." Wika ko na may halong kapalit. "You made a scene, fix it."

Alastair's grip on my arms suddenly loosen up when I agreed with his terms. Now, he needs to deal with mine.

"I don't care with them. All I care is to get you."

I tried not put other meaning with his line and still uttered, "You're the future Mafia Boss of Aldeguer Mafia. Your method is too way harsh than the others. Baka balikan mo ang kompanyang ito matapos mo rito. Para lang makasiguro. I'll go with you if you're going to remove this company from your list."

Alastair gnashed nonchalantly. He seems amused with the knowledge that I have. "You really know us." Pauna nitong wika bago bumuntung-hininga at muli siyang sinagot.

"Fine. I leave them alone. Questa è una promessa." That is a promise. "Now, we should go."

"No!" mabilis kong kinalas ang pagkakahawak sa akin ni Alastair at tinawag ko si Chizo. My dog jumped on my arms.

"No, dogs." Isang balita na hindi ko gusto na sinabi ni Alastair. As if I'll leave my dog alone.

"If you still want me to stay sane then you'll let my dog be with me. He's all that I have so fucking give this to me."

Hindi na ako nakarinig ng pagtutol sa kanya. Bagkus ay hinawakan na niya ako sa balikat at iginaya sa daan na aming tatahakin. All I heard from him was...

"Vi sono interessanti." You're interesting.