"I told you I'll fetch you up." Busangot na mukha ang sumalubong sa akin nang lingunin ko si Alastair habang busy ako sa pagma-marinate ng chicken sa kanyang kusina. "Why are you here early this morning?" he asked.

I sarcastically smiled at him and said, "Rise and shine, Mio Caro. How's your sleep? Me? Oh, I slept so well last night. C'mon let's eat." Then I glared at him instantly. "Ramdam mo ba ang pagka-sweet ko? Huh? Tsk." I rolled my eyes then I went back from what I'm doing.

Napakawalang puso nitong lalaking ito. Umagang umaga iyon ang ibubungad. Hindi man lang ba niya na-appreciate ang ginawa ko? Napaka-sweet kaya. Sarap hampasin ng mainit na kawali sa mukha.

I almost spilled the plate when I felt him hugging me from behind. Halos malagutan ako ng hininga dahil sa ginawa ng binata. Pinakiramdaman ko ang dibdib ko at hayun na naman at halos parang tunog na yakag ng kabayo sa bilis. He makes me feel nervous whenever we are this close.

Napalabi ako ng sobra nang maramdaman kong biglang pinatong ni Alastair ang baba nito sa kanang bahagi ng leeg ko. I also felt that he hugged me tighter that I almost feel his entire physique.

"Mi dispiace, Cara Mia. I was just shocked to see you here... cooking." I'm sorry, Honey. Sabi niya sa tono ng paglalambing.

Napalabi ako sa tinawag niya sa akin. Pakiramdam ko may langgam sa tiyan ko. Ito ba iyong sinasabi nilang kilig? Gosh, sorry I do not know. Inosente ako sa mga ganito.

Hindi ko sinagot ang pasaring niya. I pretended that it was nothing kahit na ang katotohanan ay halos gusto ko na siyang sampalin, sabunutan, tadyakan, at laplapin sa sobrang kilig.

Maria Clara tayo, Anastasia. Let's preserve it once and for all, utang na loob.

"Please don't be mad. I don't want you not talking back at me. I'm not used to it." Pangungulit nito sa akin tapos ay hinallik halikan niya pa ang leeg ko at inamoy amoy.

Para naman akong nakuryente sa kanyang ginawa. Biglang nag-init ang pakiramdam ko sa hindi malamang dahilan. Kusang napasandal ang likod ko sa matigas niyang katawan. Napapapikit pikit pa ako at bahagyang napapaigtad sa tuwing nasayad ang labi niya sa balat ko.

Umakyat pa ang mga mumunti nitong halik pataas hanggang sa siya na mismo ang naglingon sa aking ulo upang makuha ang hinahanap ng labi nito. He crushed his delectable lips on my mine. Tuluyan ko nang nabitawan ang plato at hinarap ang binata upang sabayan ang kanyang mga halik.

His kiss turned wild when I responded back. Kung gaano katindi ang binibigay niya ay sinasabayan ko iyon. I do not know how am I doing it but this is the first time I did something like this... wild and fiery. I put my both arms on his nape and forced him to make the kiss deeper. I heard him moaned with pleasure. I know for sure that he liked what I did.

I felt his arms on my belly. Then, mas lalo ata akong nabaliw when his hands started to roam around on my body. I gasped slightly when I felt him grabbing my mountains. He started massaging it while we are still kissing torridly.

It's my turn to moan aloud. I felt his grin on top of my lips and I know for sure na mas namula yata ang mukha ko sa kahihiyan. I was about to cut our kiss when he stopped me by holding my delectable ass then put me on the kitchen marble. His hands travelled back on my chest and he looked at me with desire.

"Mia." Mine. He growled then he started kissing me again.

When I was about to remove his sleeveless shirt, he stopped me. Pati ako ay napatigil at napatingin ako sa kanya. We are both panting. Desire is visible on our eyes.

"We need to stop." Wika niya na nagpabahag ng aking buntot. That's when I realized what was about to happen.

Namula ang buo kong mukha sa nangyari and I just decided to avoid his gaze.

My god, Anastasia! Ano ba itong ginagawa mo?! You almost gave yourself to this man! Wala ka man lang tinira na respeto sa sarili mo!

I cringed when I also realized my sudden move of removing his shirt. I'm too aggressive to the point that I almost forgot that I'm still a woman.

"Sorry," that's all I could say then I closed my Lenses. Ayoko ko siyang makita. Ayokong makita pa lalo ang mukha niya sa bagay na muntik nang mangyari.

He touched my cheeks then he tried to move my head to face him. Buti nalang at hindi na muli ako nakakakita.

"I should be the one saying sorry, Bella Cieco." He said then he rested his head on my collar bone. Alam niyang nakapatay na ang Lenses ko at naintindihan niya kung bakit ko iyon ginawa. "I'm the man, I should have stopped when we are almost beyond having fucked."

Ang kagutushan kong umalis na sa lugar na iyon ay biglang naglaho dahil sa sinabi nito. Then we didn't talk for about a minute. We just stayed like that. After a while, he put both of his large hands on my face then said, "You may open your eyesight again, Bella. I'll just go to the shower. I badly need a cold shower. I need to release something you, Giocherellona donna." Naughty woman, he said then left.

Nang masiguro kong wala na ang presensiya niya ay tsaka ko pa lamang binuksan muli ang aking paningin. I stared at where am I. I really looked like a mess. I just wore a simple white t-shirt and ripped jeans but here I am, almost naked.

Inayos ko bigla ang aking sarili.

Note to yourself, Anastasia. Huwag tayong agresibo, huh? Napaghahalataan tayo.

"You know how to cook." Komento ni Alastair nang simulan na naming lantakan ang pagkaing aking niluto. It's already past ten in the morning when we started. Napalabi na lang ako ng sobra dahil gusto kong pigilan ang sariling ngumiti ng labis dahil sa dinahilan ng binata kung bakit ito natagalan sa banyo ng halos isa't kalahating oras.

"I need to do it thrice for me not to ravish you again, Bella Cieco."

Jushko, shayang ang latak. Sayang ang mga bata na hindi man lang binigyan ng pagkakataong mabuhay ni Alastair. Hihihi!

"I need to learn everything." Iyon lamang ang tinugon ko sa binata habang busy ako sa paglalagay ng ginawa kong chicken spread sa tinapay.

"It has been a rough experience, I supposed." Anas nito na mabilis kong nakuha ang ibig niyang sabihin.

Yeah, it's really a tough and challenging part of my life before. The Lenses were not yet existing that time. Iyon ang mga panahong lagi akong naiiwanan ng aking Mamma sa bahay at ako ang gumagawa ng lahat. Mula sa paglalaba, paglilinis, pagluluto, pag-aayos at iba pa. I never asked for a nanny before. Kahit na halos mag-away kami ng aking ina noon dahil napakatigas daw ng ulo ko. Indeed, I'm really stubborn, stubborn in a way that I almost burned our house because I really insisted to learn everything. Ginawa ko ang mga bagay na iyon dahil kung may Nanny akong kasama sa bahay, mas lalo ko lang mararamdaman ang pagiging walang kwenta dahil sa kakulangan ko. I need to divert myself to escape from depression. I need to live longer because I have an oath to someone.

Claude and Austin were the ones who helped me. Kahit na mga bata palang kami noon ay lagi silang nakaalalay sa akin. Maybe that's the reason why kahit na saksakan ng yaman ng dalawa ay kaya nilang mag-adjust kahit na walang pera. Sa mura naming edad noon ay marami kaming natutunan.

"I know," iyon lamang ang aking nasabi tapos ay kinagatan ko na ang tinapay na may palaman.

I was munching my food when someone interrupted our morning.

"Good morning, Alas!"

Parehas kaming napatingin ni Alastair sa dumating. It was Anabelle. Mabuti na lamang at kay Alastair ito unang tumingin at hindi sa akin. I managed to close my Lenses abruptly.

"Anabelle?" Alastair asked.

"It seems like you have company." Anabelle managed to hide her irritation upon seeing me here on Alastair's pad by maintaining the jolly tone. Anabelle indeed has this unique way of controlling her tune. "Anyway, I hope I'm not yet late giving you your breakfast? It seems like both of you just started eating. May I join?"

Kumunot ang aking noo sa winika ni Anabelle.

"There's no need, Ana—" pipigilan sana ng binata ang paepal na babaeng ito pero pinigilan naman kaagad ng babae.

"Ano ka ba, Alas. Para ka namang hindi sanay na nandito ako lagi sa pad mo every morning. You must have forgotten that I'm your cook ever since we are kids before, right? Minsan pa nga naabutan pa kitang topless because you like sleeping naked."

Pumintig ang kanang kilay ko pataas. Biglaan iyon at tila kusang gumalaw dahil sa naririnig ko mula sa maruming bunganga ni Anabelle.

"Anabelle, stop—" muli itong pinigilan ng hitad.

"... But of course, I don't mind. Like hello? I've known you for a long time. We are very comfortable with each other. By the way, I thought you don't like bread in the morning? That's what you hate the most right? Here, I've already cooked your favorite Muesli partner with the best Café Latte in Vexigo."

Napalunok ako dahil hindi ko alam if ano ang dapat maramdaman. Tila nanliit ako sa kanilang dalawa. Alam ko namang magkaibigan at magkakilala na silang dalawa simula pa lang noong mga bata pa sila. Pero hindi ko inasahan na ganitong ka-close. Galing na rin sa punyetang bunganga ni Anabelle, lagi nitong hinahatiran ng almusal si Alastair at madalas na naabutang hubad dahil mahilig matulog ng walang saplot. I just couldn't imagine what they're doing with those instances.

Iyong normal kong pagnguya ng tinapay ay tila gusto ko nang idura. Hindi ko alam na ayaw pala ng binata ng toasted bread. Kaya pala medyo natigilan ito nang makita ang mga hinain ko sa mesa pero kalaunan ay tinanggap na lamang ng binata kasi siguro nahihiyang sabihin na ayaw nito ng pagkain hinain ko.

I feel so down. At first time ko itong naramdaman towards a guy.

"Bella C-Cieco?" rinig kong tawag sa akin ni Alastair nang bigla akong tumayo. I can only imagine the evil smirk plastered on Anabelle's face. Alam niyang nakaisa siya sa akin. Alam niyang kahit paano ay nasaktan niya ako sa ginawa niya.

Hindi ko pinakita ang emosyong iyon. I've already mastered to hide my true emotions thru my stoic façade. As if namang ipapakita ko sa kanyang natalo ako. She maybe succeeded but I'm not a type of woman who would settle of being defeated and surrender everything after the battle.

I stopped from walking away then I moved my head on their side. Para ipakitang narinig ko ang tawag ng binatang halata sa tono ang pagkataranta dahil sa ginawa kong pag-alis sa hapag.

I smiled at them sincerely. A Queen should never show that she has been defeated. She should always make sure to show that she would always win in the end.

"I just need to get my ripped jeans on the kitchen floor, Alastair. I forgot to get it after of what we did... a while ago." I smirked mentally.

I made sure that Anabelle would see my perfectly toned legs while walking away. Did I forget to tell you that Alastair spent the last round on his comfort room because I tempted him again by ripping my ripped jeans totally?

I know that I mentally noted that I should get a grip of myself. Na dapat hindi tayo agresibo. Hindi ko lang talaga napigilang maging naughty dahil lumabas na nakatapis lang si Alastair sa banyo. I told him to wear something decent but he ignored me by saying, he's comfortable showing his perfectly sculptured abs on his pad. Kaya hayun, sinira ko ang suot kong jeans to tempt him again and in the end... of course I won, he spent the remaining thirty minutes in the CR because his buddy saluted behind his towel.

At dahil wala na akong pang-ibaba kanina, binigyan niya—or should I say binatuhan niya ako ng isang malaking white long sleeves polo at boxer short. That's why I ended up looking as if we did something nasty. Ternuhan mo pa ng magulo kong wavy na buhok.

"B-Both of you..." rinig kong nagulantang wika ni Anabelle sa aming dalawa. I just shrugged in front of her when I put my jeans on the other side of the table. Pinaparating na tama ang iniisip nito. I know her eyes landed on my jeans and I just can't really help but to smile secretly.

You don't outsmart the Queen without hurting twice in return, Bitch.

"I t-think I'm already full, A-Alas. Here, I hope you can still eat the food that I brought." Then Anabelle immediately exit her way out of this place.

"Anabelle..." rinig ko pang tawag ni Alastair. I turned on my Lenses again and glared at him.

"Seems like you preferred having her on this table. Should I take my leave?" I asked her with cold stare.

Alastair squinted his eyes on me and said, "You are not just a naughty woman, Bella. A cunning woman as well." Then he showed his lovely grin on me. "But you don't need to be too harsh on her." Dugtong pa nito na dahilan kung bakit nagpagting ang tainga ko.

"Ako pa talaga ang harsh, Alastair? Talaga?" hindi ko na napigilang magtaas ng boses. Sabi ko while still hiding my true emotions perfectly, pero kapag talaga sinasagad ako ng lalaking ito ay tila nakakalimutan ko na uling gawin iyon kung paano.

"Whoah, chill there, Amore. I was just saying..."

"That I should be sensitive enough? Because I hurt her feelings?" I interrupted.

Napakunot ng noo ang binata. "What? What feelings?" he asked cluelessly.

I scoffed from his question. Like fucking seriously?

"I can't believe you." Mahina kong turan sa kanya showing how disappointed I am to him.

Hindi niya alam na may pagtatangi ang Anabelle na iyon sa kanya? Gaano ka kamanhid, Koya?

Alastair immediately held my hand when he saw me standing up. "W-Wait, what? Where are you going?" he asked then he stood up to cut the distance we have and held my both arms. "Me and Anabelle are just friends, Bella Cieco. She's my childhood friend ever since but rest assured that I don't feel anything special just like what I feel for you."

He cupped my face and continued to say something more, "I know what she said are too much for you. I didn't tell you that I don't like bread in the morning because I want to try it this time. I have a bad memory with bread, Anastasia. I held it in because I don't want to ruin our day. I don't want to ruin the atmosphere that we created. I don't want to ruin the perfect scene of my life."

My heart melted by his words. I really never thought that he could utter more than fifty words. He's now totally different from the first Alastair that I knew. Nakakapanibago.

"Please," at nagugulat rin ako sa madalas na niyang pagsabi ng please. An unusual word for a Mafioso. "... let's not ruin our morning. It's Christmas Eve, this will be the first time that I will celebrate it again. And I want it to be with you."

Wala na akong nagawa dahil kapag pala mas tumatagal mong kasama ang masharap na Alastair na ito, mas lalong hindi mo siya matitiis kapag naglalambing.

Ganito rin kaya siya sa mga huli niyang nobya?

I mentally asked myself but I immediately washed it off. No, not now. As he mentioned, its Christmas Eve. Think positive muna tayo.

Chizo barked at me when he noticed that I'm thinking too much. Doon ko lang napansin na hindi ko na siya nahahaplos while waiting for Alastair. I'm currently at Villa Tortura Mall. Sa may labas specifically. I'm sitting here comfortably in the middle of a wooden bench on its garden-like open house area. Ito iyong madalas na tambayan ng mga may jowa dito sa Vexigo. It's really amusing to hear a lot of students playing around the vicinity. I can hear their laughter, their music jamming, their heartful screams while they're watching a basketball play nearby.

Hindi ko inasahan na may normal na parte pa rin pala talaga sa loob ng Vexigo. Since wala pa ring klase hanggang ngayon ay dito madalas tumambay ang ibang kabataan. Nakakataba ng puso na marinig at masaksihan ang normal na pamumuhay nila kahit na nasa loob sila ng lugar na ito.

Chizo barks momentarily. Alam ko na kung bakit. Medyo pabebe ang tahol ng aso kong ito, so for sure, nakita na nito si Alastair na parating.

Sa akin ba nagmana ang aso kong ito? I can't really tell. Ugh!

Napansin ko bigla ang pagtahimik ng paligid. Noong una hindi ko alam kung bakit. Pero nang akayin ni Alastair si Chizo ay doon ko napagtanto na dahil iyon sa binatang nasa harapan ko.

Hindi mahirap isipin ang dahilan kung bakit. I think this is the first time they saw their future Boss to visit this kind of place. Place where you can be normal.

"Non mi dispiace. Andare avanti e continuare quello che stanno facendo." Wika ng binata ng mapansin na rin sa wakas ang biglaang katahimikan. Don't mind me. Go ahead and continue what you are all doing.

Most of the teenage girls giggled and boys eventually continue to do their own stuffs.

I re-opened my Lenses just to sneak a peak why. And oh boy, Alastair is smiling widely while he's tossing Chizo in the air.

What a heartwarming scene you could ever witness.

Ang sayang nakabalatay sa mukha ni Alastair ay ang isa sa mga panahon na dapat iyong kuhanan ng litrato. This is his most genuine smile. He never smile widely, that's for sure. Tila mas nahuhulog ang puso ko sa nakikita ko.

Mas magandang tanawin ito sa lahat ng nakita kong lugar. If I would be given a chance to spend my entire money for a day before I die? Ito ang pipiliin kong pagkagastusan. No money in the universe you could be satisfied seeing someone's genuinely smiling.

"I never thought that walking here would be this... refreshing." Rinig kong wika ni Alastair habang naglalakad lakad kami. I pursed my lips suddenly. Hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi mangiti dahil sa itsura naming dalawa. We are walking like a lovesick-fool lovers. He's holding my right hand while he's holding Chizo's tie.

"Refreshing because it's the first time you have this flirting thing with your professor?" I teased but I think he mistook it differently.

"Bella Cieco." He said with his warning tone.

"What?" I asked innocently. "They're all looking at us right now with two different reasons. One, you being with a woman out in a public and second, you're with a professor."

"We don't have any rules about professor and student relationship, Bella Cieco. Drop it off." He simply reasoned out. "Vexigo is a home for all kinds of demons. It only follows one rule, serve, survive and show your worth."

Wala na akong sinabi na iba. Alam kong medyo na-badtrip ko na siya sa mga pinagsasasabi ko dahil kahit papaano ay totoo naman. Kung hindi nga naman ito Vexigo, this kind of connection that we have is still unforgivable. Daig pa nito ang incest kung saka-sakali. Mawawalan pa ako ng trabaho.

"You're all here?" tanong ni Alastair nang kami'y makarating kami sa pinagtatambayan ng mga Elites. Ang pagtataka sa tono ni Alastair ay siyang reaksyon ko rin nang marinig ko na ang daming tao sa lugar ng mga Elites.

"Boss! Nako mabuti nalang at nandito na kayong dalawa. Sawayin mo nga si Dasha, she has plans of killing us sa gusto niyang lutuin ngayon." Rinig kong sumbong ni Aarav sa amin nang ito'y makalapit.

"Hey! I can cook food asshole!" rinig kong sigaw ni Dasha sa may bandang kusina ng lugar.

"Don't worry, Boss. I'm here, I can look after her." Seryosong wika ni Oliver na paniguradong katabi ni Dasha. Napaseryoso ako lalo sa tugon nito. I can sense his stares towards my point. Alam kong may pinaparating siya sa akin. He's giving me the message that I should back-off. Na hindi ko dapat galawin si Dasha.

Muli kong naalala ang aming pagtutuos kagabi. Pero isinantabi ko iyon lalo na nang maramdaman kong may sumagi sa akin mula sa likuran.

"Ops! Sorry, hindi kita nakita Professor Asia." Rinig kong paghingi ng paumanhin ni Anabelle pero ramdam na ramdam ko ang sarkasmo doon at kawalan ng sinseridad.

Pwede bang i-request ko kay Dasha na ito ang lasunin? Sasampalin ko na talaga ito ng sofa.

"Aww-- sino ka para danggain ako!" rinig kong irit nito bigla na siyang kinataas ng dalawa kong kilay. Sayang hindi ko nakita ang itsura niya, pagtatawanan ko pa sana.

"Ops, sorry. Hindi ko alam na may naligaw palang damo rito sa kuta niyo. Sorry, my bad." Hindi ko napigilan ang hindi mapalaglagan ng panga. Bakit nandito si Claudette?

"Claude, behave." At maging si Austin? What the hell is happening?

"Asia, hi!" I jerked up when I felt Nikkadorpha held my shoulder. "Sorry, I wasn't able to inform you last night that I invited these two friends of yours today. Sana hindi mo masamain?"

"Nikka, c'mon! Hindi mo na kailangan pang sabihan iyan. Malaki na iyang si Bulag. Ang hindi ko lang malaman ay kung bakit pati itong mga batang ito ay sinama mo pa?" rinig kong wika ni Maxwell mula sa aming likuran.

May kasama nga ito. Marami itong kasama.

"Hello, all!" rinig kong anas ni Marc.

"Ah, do we really need dito?" takang tanong ni Yanna.

Someone made her stop from asking. "Shut up, Yanna. Be formal." Saway ni Inah sa kasama.

I can hear a music from them. I supposed, nandito rin si George na paniguradong nakasuot ng headphones.

"Wazzup, people." Maangas na wika naman ni Jake.

The Investigativo Club is also here.

Teka, ramdam kong parehas kami ni Alastair na hindi maka-catch up sa nangyayari.

"Can someone tell us what's happening? Why are you all here?" maawtoridad na utos ni Alastair sa kanilang lahat.

"U-Uhh, I actually organized this mini-celebration since... it's Christmas Eve?" tugon ni Nikkadorpha na halatang kinakabahan sa pag-e-explain.

"Elites... you agreed on this?" takang tanong muli ng binata.

"Well, I'm actually the one who disagreed on this union. Hindi na naman kailangan nito but they insisted. Dasha, Oliver, and Aarav agreed. Punish them if you want, Alas." Pagbibida agad ni Anabelle.

Oh, tapos? Bakit nandito ka kung gano'n?

"You're too insensitive, Ana. We need to get a grip for a while. Kahit ngayong araw lang." Depensang sagot ni Oliver rito.

"Insensitive person means abnormal brain. I really hate defective organ." Segunda ni Dasha na inulan ng pagpipigil ng tawa ng karamihan.

Maging ako. Gusto kong bumulanghit ng tawa. Pinigilan ko lang by pursing my lips.

"How dare you guys!" maarte nitong wika sa kanila.

"Let's just eat then leave." Masungit na ungot ni Maxwell.

"I hope you don't mind us being here as well, Future Boss." wika ni Jake nang tuluyan nang makalapit at makapasok sa kwarto. "We were invited to dine with you."

I have an eerie feeling with Jake Dela Cruz. The way he throws his words, the way he used his voice to give us this unusual feeling, I feel like there's something with this man that I shouldn't let my guard off.

I heard Alastair's deep breathe before he shocked me with his question.

"What do you think, Bella Cieco?"

If being OA is an understatement then so be it. People around us literally gasped silently from Alastair's question. Who wouldn't?

A future Mafia Boss is asking a mere professor to decide. They reacted that way as if it's really impossible to happen. And it is, damn it!

Heat consumed my cheeks and I don't know how to hide if it's now visible. I just can't really be this comfortable with the way he's treating me. Those are just simple gestures but the fact that it came from him, it's a lot to take! I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in town!

"Marunong nang duma-moves si Bossing, brad. Ayos 'to. Nagbibinata na siya." Rinig kong bulong ni Aarav sa kakambal na si Oliver. Oliver elbowed him to stop. "What? You're too violent, brother."

"Why asking me?" I whispered to him with a gritted teeth. He should get it by now what I'm trying to imply.

I didn't expect that he would lean forward and put his face beside my ears in a romantic way. I barely caught my breath from his move. "Because it's supposed to be our day. Our own freakin' day, Bella."

He's doing this in purpose. He's damn teasing me in front of them. I can't believe that he has this jolly side.

"A'right, porn will be played live so c'mon guys! Let's gather ourselves on that side and leave them here." Iyon na lamang ang narinig ko sa sinabi ni Jake sa kanilang lahat bago kami iniwan sa barandilya ng pintuan.

Alastair caught my waist and he swayed me to follow him. Hindi ko napansin na may maliit na hagdanan paitaas ang barandilya ng pintuan nila.

"Let's go upstairs, Bella Cieco. Let's leave them here. I gave my answer and I think it's pretty obvious."

Jushko! Ito na ba ang inaabangan nating lahat? Maisusuko ko na ba ang Bataan. Shige lang, Anashtashia. Follow your hormones right now. Hihihi!

"Why is it too dark?" I asked Alastair when he opened a room. Iyong tanong ko, feeling ko hindi tanong ng pagtataka 'eh. Tanong iyon na iyong talaga ang gusto kong mangyari.

Jusko, Anastasia Kriselle. Huwag mong ipahalata masyado na ready ka na. Relax ka lang diyan, girl!

Naramdaman kong yinakap ako ni Alastair mula sa aking likod when he already closed the door.

"Do you want me to open the lights, Bella Cieco?" he seductively asked me while his lips are roaming around my neck.

His kisses are sending shivers to my spine and I couldn't help myself but to close my eyes and moan a little. Hindi ko rin napansin na nawawalan na ako ng balanse at mabuti na lamang at nakasandal ako sa binata at siya mismo ang umaalalay sa akin.

"You like my kisses, Bella Cieco." He said as if it's the obvious.

Huy! Ano'ng gusto ko?

Gushtong gushto shira!

I made him stop from taking me when I looked at him and grabbed his nape then kissed him hard. Oh yes, ako na ang nagpatuloy. Ang bagal bagal niya nakakairita.

I can feel his evil grin on his lips while he's returning my deep kisses.

Ngingisi ngisi ka pa, tingnan natin if makakangisi ka pang hayup ka.

My hand is too itchy to hold some banana. Ayoko nang i-deprived ang gusto ng kamay kung kaya't mariin ko iyong ipinatong sa ibabaw ng umbok ni Alastair na siyang kinagulat ng binata. Napaungol ito ng hindi sinasadya.

"Fuck, I never thought that you are this wild." Mahina nitong kumento habang napapatingala sa ginagawa kong pagbabalat ng saging.

When I say, nagbabalat, nagsimula sa mahabang sinturon. Ang higpit nga ng sinturon ng binata kung kaya't mas dinalian ko na lamang.

"Massage it, Bella. Fuck, never do this to anyone but me." Anang pa nito na tila nadedeliryo na yata sa nalalasap na ligaya.

I gave him a lopsided grin then I attacked his sinful lips once again. His hands started to touch mine but ops! Sorry, Alastair. It's my time to shine.

I pushed him hard and as expected. Kama ang nasa likod namin. I heard his manly giggle and I'm pretty sure that he's loving this.

"Do you really want me just to do this to you?" tanong ko sa kanya when I sat on top of him. I can really feel his hardness beneath me and I just can't really stop myself now.

He arrogantly grabbed my nape with force and glared at me with his rage look.

"Every flesh that you have are all mine, Bella Cieco. And I hate to share this but I'm not really a type of person who's generous enough to share what's mine." Ramdam ko sa tono ng boses nito ang magkahalong pagbabanta at init sa kabila ng aming ginagawa.

I screamed seductively when I felt his both hands are now on my ass. He's holding it while kissing my neck and mountains. I didn't expect that my moans could be this loud when he's been doing that.

I never thought that Claude's stories about making love are totally true. I'm literally out of my mind right now. I can't think straight. My rationality left my being but everything went back when I saw on my Lenses' view point a two different message.

Anastasia Kriselle Graham! Turn off your fucking audio! Claude is laughing so hard at hindi maintindihan ng iba rito ang nangyayari sa kanya! Your moans are.... damn! Just turn it off! - Austin

You go girl! Do it properly, Asia! Make me proud! I'm not going to let you go later because you need to share everything to me... in detailed! Go, Cowgirl! - Claude

Bigla akong napaatras at hindi ko namalayan na lumagabog ang buo kong katawan sa sahig.

"Bella! Merda! Are you okay?!" bakas sa tono ni Alastair ang pag-aalala sa nangyari pero ako?

Utang na loob! Mas gugustuhin ko nang lamunin ngayon ng lupa! Bakit ba hindi ko naisip na nakabukas nga pala sa aming tatlo ang audio ng Lenses? Gusto kong magmura ng isang dosena kasi putangina lang talaga! As in nakakahiya! I can feel all heat went straight to my face.

"Hey, Mia Caro. Are you okay? You're making me worried. Put down your both hands and look at me."

Hindi ko kaya putaragis ka, Alastair! Nang dahil talaga sa'yo, may nagising na halimaw sa loob ko at heto ang resulta! Isang kahihiyan. Jusko talagang nakakahiya. Ayoko nang magpakita sa dalawang ungas na nakarinig sa aming dalawa. Lord! Why?! Gusto ko lang naman tumikim ng isang beses na sinasabi nilang langit, bakit hinayaan mo na makalimutan ko ang earpiece namin! Nandoon na kasi eh! From Assassin, magiging Exhibitionist na ako! Why naman bakit?

Hindi namin namalayan na biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng kwarto kung nasaan kami at pinasok niyon ang mga taong nasa baba.

"Boss! Okay lang kayo?" tanong ni Aarav pero bakas sa tono ang pagpipigil na malagyan ng malisya ang paraan ng pagkakatanong nito.

Puputulan kita, Aarav! Handa mo iyang talong mo bisugo ka!

"May narinig kaming lagabog, may kalaban ba?" tanong naman ni Oliver.

Hindi ko sila magawang tingnan. Mabuti na lamang at yakap yakap ako ng malapad at malinamnam na katawan ni Alastair at ito lamang ang nakaharap sa kanila. Mabuti na rin at ganito nila kami naabutan kung'di makikita nilang halos mahubad na ang pangbaba ng Boss nila na natatakpan ko lang.

"Ang O-OA niyo naman masyado. Walang kalaban mga bata! Ibang laban ang kinahaharap nila at baka kayo ang pagbuntungungan niyang Boss niyo kapag hindi pa tayo umalis."

Isa kang traydor na kaibigan, Claudette Dizon! Hayup kang animal ka talaga!

WE ARE all in the beach sitting and circling the bonfire that they've made. Nakatingin lamang ako sa apoy na sumisiklab at iniiwasang mapatingin sa gawi nina Claude at Austin. Lahat sila may topic na pinag-uusapan. Kung minsan nasa iisang topic sila at nagkakasundo sa mga biro na hindi ko naman ma-appreciate dahil pa rin sa kahihiyan na natamo ko kanina.

I decided to turn off my Lenses. Masasampal ko na kasi ng baga ng apoy itong si Claudette. Punyeta talaga ang gagang ito at sa amin na ni Alastair napunta ang usapan.

"So, Alastair. Kumusta ka naman ngayon? Medyo tahimik tayo, ah. C'mon! Join our conversation. Minsan lang naman ito mangyari dahil panigurado kinabukasan, balik na tayo sa reyalidad. Kumusta naman ang gabi mo since magkasama kayo ni Professor Asia?"

Lulunurin ko itong bunganga ni Claude sa buhangin makita niyo lang. Pigilan nawa ako ng konsensya ko.

"We're fine here." Maikling tugon ni Alastair and I was shocked when I felt that he's hugging me and he has a blanket to cover us from the cold sea breeze.

Men teased us by saying, "Lupet ni Lodi," "Galing ng da-moves mo, Bossing" "Ganiyan ang bossing namin!" and many more. Ang hindi ko lang narinig ay sina Jake, Austin at Oliver.

Ang mga babae naman ay napa-"Aww, so kilig" except kay alam niyo na, si intrimitidang Anabelle.

I actually heard her saying, "Such a Leech," then she sipped her wine.

Inggitera! Maglagay ka na rin ng buhangin diyan sa iniinom mo. Lagyan ko pa ng baga ng kahoy iyang bunganga mo nang sa gano'n ay hindi ka na makapagsalita.

Na-g-GG talaga ako sa babaeng ito 'eh. Ba't ba pinanganak ito?

"You better save her from getting killed, Alastair. Alam mong nakadikit sa babaeng gugustuhin mo ang pangalan ng kamatayan dahil ayaw nilang kung sinu-sino lang ang magiging Reyna ng hukbo ng Privus Trata."

"Maxwell! Shut it!" pagpigil ni Nikka sa bibig ng nakainom nang si Maxwell.

"What? I'm just saying the truth, Nikka! Nandiyan lang naman ang Council para hintayin at makahanap ng butas para pabagsakin ang pamilyang Aldeguer sa pamamalakad ng buong Privus. Alam naman ng lahat na mas pinapaboran pa rin nila na makabalik sa trono ang tatlong Royalties." Dugtong pa ng lasing na Maxwell.

Biglang nagkaroon ng malalim na katahimikan sa lahat. I can feel Austin and Claude's stares dahil sa binanggit ni Maxwell.

"Sir Maxwell, panira ka ng ambiance." Wika ni Yanna at paniguradong inirapan nito ang lasing na si Maxwell.

"The Royalties were all dead. Nothing to worry about, Maxwell." Segunda ni Anabelle na nagpakuyom ng kamao ko.

Maxwell scoffed from Anabelle's point. "But there's still a rumor that their inheritors are all alive."

Naramdaman ko ang biglang paghigpit ng hawak sa akin ni Alastair nang marinig iyon. Bigla akong kinabahan. Hindi ko alam kung para saan ang nararamdaman kong lakas sa paraan ng paghawak nito sa braso ko.

"In which, there's no any proof that they conceived any assholes to exist." Bawi ni Anabelle.

Kung hindi lang ako concern sa dahilan ng pagbabago ng mood ni Alastair sa tabi ko ay baka napakain ko na talaga ng buhangin ang bibig nitong si Anabelle.

"I never thought that the stories behind the Royalties are all true. They're a myth to me." Rinig kong wika ni Geoff nang tanggalin nito ang headphones.

"So totoong may mga Royalties? Totoo iyong mga kwento-kwentong may tinuturing pinaka-leader ang buong Privus Trata noon?" takang tanong ni Inah.

Rinig ko ang mahinang pagmumura ng ilang Elites sa mga narinig na tanong ng mga batang imbestigador. Hindi magandang narinig nila ang isang kasaysayan na hindi na nagawa pang sabihin sa bagong henerasyon.

"Yeah, they're all true!" Mas lasing na sagot ni Maxwell tapos ay tumawa pa ito ng malakas.

"Maxwell! Enough sharing any of those!" ramdam ko ang inis sa tono ni Nikka kay Maxwell.

"Bakit? Hindi ba dapat malaman? Opps! Sorry!" anito sabay tawang muli.

"Don't ask anything about it, Kids." wika ni Claude sa mga estudyante naming kasama. Ramdam nito ang tensyon kung kaya't hinila rin ni Austin si Archilliah sa tabi nito.

"What? Is there something wrong para hindi namin iyon malaman?" ang pang-uuyam sa tanong ni Jake ang nagdala upang tutukan ng nagbabagang kahoy ni Oliver ang nasabing bata. Naalarma ang lahat sa ginawa ni Oliver.

Oliver is a cleaner. Kung pribadong malaman ang tungkol sa Royalties then he's planning to kill him or them.

"Puta, maniwala akong hindi niyo alam ang tungkol sa kanila, young detectives." Nang-uuyam ring wika ni Maxwell na patuloy sa pagsasalita at hindi magawang pigilan ni Nikka. "You're one of the best detectives of Vexigo. Walang nakakaligtas sa inyong impormasyon patungkol sa mga ganoong kwento kwento."

"Ah, I see." Wika ni Marc na siyang may hawak ng isang kahoy sa may bonfire at tila busy sa pagpapalakas ng apoy nito. "You're talking about us, knowing that the Council are still on the roll to look for those inheritors para pabalikin at ilagay sa trono ng mga magulang nila?"

"And you're talking about us, knowing that once they found them... all of these that we have. It will be gone?" ngising turan naman ni Inah na nang matapos ay humalukipkip sa harap nila.

"Knowing that the Councils are doing the side-by-side investigation because hindi nila sure if one of those inheritors is already inside the campus roaming around and started the mass killing?" Segunda naman ni Yanna.

"And they're all doing that because they don't have any trust anymore with the Aldeguers' way of ruling Privus?" dugtong ni Geoff.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi mapanganga sa mga narinig sa mga bata. Hindi ko inasahan na--

I heard someone is giggling. Kumabog ang dibdib kong nilingon ang pwesto ni Alastair sa tabi ko.

He's laughing with pure evil.

"This is the first time I would be saying this to anyone. In my entire life, I've never done this before. Investigativo? Thank you so much for your non-stop sharing of your information about the killer or killers that we are all looking for."

The Investigativo kids were all dumbfounded from Alastair's words. Maging ako ay napakunot noo dahil sa sinabi nito. What does it mean?

"We're all have been under his compulsion, dammit!" rinig kong wika ni Inah at masamang tumingin kay Alastair. "You planned these?!"

"What you have shared about the investigation are all just part of your circular questions that all of you are still wondering because you lacked of evidence. You didn't share everything especially when Bella Cieco helped you somehow in one particular video. From the date that those kids were killed, hidden videos that you failed to submit to us and so on, it was never your intention to know who killed them. You're all investigating about one person who you all allegedly thinking one of the inheritors of the Royalties who's currently living with us."

Hindi ako makahuma sa nangyayari. Hindi ako makapaniwala sa mga naririnig ko mula sa kanila. Unti-unti kong napagtatagpi ang gustong palabasin ni Alastair.

"Sorry, but our Boss didn't use his ability to all of you. Pinlano lang namin lahat para kusa kayong magsalita." Anas ni Oliver na ngayon ay nakabalik na sa pwesto nito.

"I agree, hindi ko akalain na okay rin palang maglasing lasingan. I hate to say this, Alastair, but I like your guts. We can be a buddy." Dugtong ni Maxwell na ngayon ay nagsasalita na parang hindi talaga lasing.

"You deceived us all!" Nanggagalaiting sigaw ni Inah nang marinig ang lahat ng pag-amin nina Alastair.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat maramdaman. Ngayon ay pakiramdam ko, naging parte ako ng isang act na hindi ko alam na hindi pala totoo. Walang nabanggit na anumang plano si Alastair tungkol dito. Kailan niya ito ginawa? Kagabi lang? Noong oras na sinabi niyang susunduin niya ako ng maaga na kinainis nito nang ako ang pumunta sa kwarto nito? Nang mga panahong bang andoon si Anabelle ay plano nilang pag-usapan ang gagawing pag-arte?

"Y'all just fell on Aldeguer's trap, that's it."

Anabelle answered my hidden question.

Nanuot ang katahimikan sa bawat isa. Hanggang sa...

Ang tawa ni Jake at Nikka ang bumalot sa katahimikan. Tawang nagpataka sa lahat.

I suddenly smirked when I finally caught them both.

As I promised, palalabasin ko kayong lahat sa lungga ninyo.

It's not Alastair's plan after all. Hindi talaga plano ni Alastair na gamitin ang taktikang ito para ilabas ng mga Investigativo ang lahat ng nalalaman nila. I made a way for him to execute this plan.

It's my idea. It's my plan to let Alastair use this kind of tactic and deceive them including me.

I just can't say anything more because I really love my Christmas gifts this year.

The two Enhanced who tortured me this past few weeks. It's my time to torture you both.