"Oh my gosh, Galaxy!" Sigaw ni London sabay pakita ng nasa kaniyang phone. The rest of her words were drowned when I saw the reason of her sudden exclaim.

I clicked the link but there was an error. London refreshed the site but the link was nowhere to be found. I left London's side and rushed to get my phone to call Martell but before I even got my phone, it already rang.

"Axyne—"

"Martell! Irene wasn't bluffing about leaking the vid! I thought—"

"Axyne, calm down—"

"How can I calm down?! How about your reputation—"

"Axyne, we took it down already."

Dahil sa narinig ay saka lang ako kumalma. Parang nanlamig ako at nanghina sa pag-iisip na baka marami na ang nakakita niyon. Mapanghusga pa naman ang mga tao ngayon at ayaw ko ring madungisan ang pangalan ni Martell.

"Are you still with London? I'll tell you about it when we meet later," aniya sa nagpapakalmang boses. Alam niya siguro na nag-panic ako.

"I'll meet you now. Where are you?"

I heard him sigh on the other line before telling me that we'll see each other in our hotel room. I bade London goodbye and hurried back to our hotel. Martell was already there when I arrived.

He didn't waste any time and proceeded in telling me. It turns out that they couldn't get hold of the video since the copy was with Irene. So unless they take it by force, they had to wait for her to make a move before they were able to track it down.

Simula noong sinabihan ko siya tungkol sa banta ni Irene ay may mga nagbabantay na raw. Sila mismo ay may alam na ngayong araw ang balak ni Irene na ipalabas ang video na iyon kaya mabilis pa sa isang kurap ay nawala na kaagad iyon. Kinailangan lang daw talaga nilang hintayin na si Irene ang unang gumawa ng hakbang.

"Come here," aniya sa malamyos na boses. He opened his arms as if inviting me to hug him. I looked at him and heaved a deep sigh before encircling my arms on his waist. Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakayakap sa kaniya at lalong idiniin ang katawan. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero parang binibigyan ako ng lakas kapag kayakap ko siya.

Naramdaman ko ang paghalik niya sa ibabaw ng aking ulo habang sinusuklay-suklay niya ang buhok ko. "You okay? I hope that didn't stress you out..."

I smiled. "I'm okay now," I said assuringly before looking up to him. He was looking down at me with a small smile. He nodded at my answer and messed with my hair.

"I'll drive you back to London's," he offered, making me smile again. Alam niyang na-miss ko ang kaibigan kaya heto siya at palagi akong pinapapunta kay London.

Imbes na gumamit ng sasakyan ay pinili na lang naming maglakad. Mas gusto ko ito kesyo malaya kaming makapaghawak-kamay habang naglalakad. Paminsan-minsan ay sumasandal ako sa kaniya habang nakaakbay siya sa akin. Humihinto rin kami sa mga kiosk at cafe at bumibili ng mga kung ano-anong pagkain at inumin.

"We're here," pag-anunsyo niya nang makarating kami sa harap ng gusali ng condo ni London. Sabay kaming napatanga sa mataas na gusali bago kami nagkatinginan. Para kaming baliw na nagngingitian sa bangketa. Buti na lang at walang sumita sa amin.

"Send my regards to her," ani ulit ni Martell at saka sinara ang maliit na espasyo sa pagitan namin.

He hooked a finger on my chin and lifted it, then placing a soft kiss on my lips. Bigla niya iyong pinutol kaya parang hinabol ko pa ang kaniyang labi na ikinangisi niya naman. Looks like he meant it to be a quick one.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin bago ipinalibot ang tingin, biglang nahiya na baka may nakakita ng nangyari. Pagbalik ng mga mata ko kay Martell ay nakangisi pa rin ang loko.

He bit his lips as if stifling his smirk before he dipped his head and reached for my lips. He took me by surprise so I wasn't able to react but unlike awhile ago, he didn't pull away but waited for me to kiss him back, uncaring of what the passersby might think.

"Happy?" He asked, amused and almost chuckling. His innocent-like eyes were twinkling with something that I can't name.

Instead of answering, I encircled my arms around his neck, our eyes locking on each other. "Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain..."

Napapikit siya ng mga mata at saka napatingala habang may mga ngiti sa kaniyang labi. He was like that for a moment before he brought his eyes back to me. "That song's gonna be stuck in my head."

"That's enough, lovers in Paris," a familiar voice from the side said. I brought my eyes to London who then gave me a mocking smile when she saw me looking at her. "I know this is the city of love and all these French-kiss whatsoever pero respeto naman sa walang kalandi!"

Sabay kaming natawa ni Martell dahil sa kaniya. She spoke the first half of her sentence in a calm yet strict librarian-like manner but the other half was full of sarcasm and amused bitterness.

"If you want a lover, I can suggest—"

Before Martell could even finish, London was already covering her ears while making faces. She stuck her tongue out at Martell before pulling me by the wrist towards the building. I waved at Martell and gave him a flying kiss. He did the same but scratched his head afterwards and looked shy.

"To Galaxy and Martell, may their love continue to overpower all the heartbreaks they went through," Sasha said while raising her glass, her eyes shining with tears as she looked at our side.

They all raised their glasses and cheered. They popped a champagne and gave Martell and I matching sashes and crowns that according to them marks us as the ones whom they are celebrating for.

"Bachelor's and bachelorette's parties are fun," ani Vanilla at ipinalibot ang tingin, mukhang manghang-mangha pa at nasisiyahan.

Sabay kaming nag-celebrate ng bachelor at bachelorettes party pero maya-maya ay maghihiwalay rin ang kaniya-kaniya naming mga grupo dahil may mga separate na hinanda ang mga kaibigan namin. 

"The guys and I will leave in a few," ani Martell nang ma-corner niya ako. His hand was on my waist while the other was on the wall behind me. "We can message each other, right?"

Tumango ako at saka napangiti. He's cute when he's like this. I'm not sure if which one do I prefer — the manly man Martell or the cute and clingy one?

He bent his head and I thought he'd give me a kiss. But then, he stopped his face when it was only a few inches away from mine's, his hand then making its way to my hair.

"I run my fingers through your hair and watch the lights go wild," he sang softly as he did what the lyrics says. Though the booming music was deafening, it was as if my ears could only focus on what he's saying.

And as if on cue, the lights did go wild. The strobes of neon lights became brighter as it danced around the whole bar with the electro music.

"So, how was your party?" Ate Mimosa asked. She sat beside me and leaned on the backrest of the couch, her attentive and curious eyes delving into me.

I smiled when I recalled the happenings of our bachelor's and bachelorette's party last time. I did have a lot of fun and so did my friends. Martell and I were sending each other pictures and I did have a good laugh with all of that.

Martell's sister and I continued chatting. It was only when Martell came back with his brother and niece when Ate Mimosa and I stopped.

"You've grown a lot, Fairy," pambati ko kay Fairy. Una at huli ko siyang nakita noong nawala siya sa ospital. Natatandaan ko pa kung gaano ka sumakit ang mga braso ko dahil sa pagkarga ko sa kaniya. Natatandaan ko rin ang gulat na natamo ko noong inakala kong anak siya ni Martell.

She smiled cutely at me before positioning herself in between her aunt and I. Nahihiya niya akong tinitigan bago yumakap kay Ate Mimosa.

"I think she wants to ask for the Cinderella shirt you had," pabirong sambit naman ni Martinez, iyong isa pang kapatid ni Martell.

Kahit pa ay nakangisi na ngayon si Martinez at binibiro ang anak ay nakaka-intimidate pa rin ito. Kuhang-kuhang niya ang aura at mga mata ng kanilang ina. Grabe rin ang isang 'yon kung pagiging intimidating lang ang pag-uusapan.

"Stop teasing your child," mahinhing saway ni Ate Mimosa sa kapatid bago kinandong ang pamangkin na ngayon ay nakanguso na.

Hindi nagtagal ay dumating din sina Margarita at Martini. Nakakatuwa silang magkakapatid at kahit pa close silang apat at parang outcast ako rito ay hindi naman ako na out-of-place. Mas nakakatuwa pa dahil dala nina Marga at Martini ang sanggol na anak ni Ate Mimosa na kapag tinitingnan ko ay nakakapayapa ng loob.

"Wait, why is my child here?" Biglang tanong ni Ate Mimosa na ikinatigil naman namin sa pag-uusap. Tumaas ang kilay nina Martell at Martinez at mukhang gusto pang tumawa dahil sa tanong ng kapatid. "Where's my husband?"

Sandali ring natigilan sina Margarita at Martini at sabay pang napa-"ahh" bago nagpaliwanag. Anila na nakasalubong daw nila ang asawa ni Ate Mimosa sa ibaba.

"Why didn't you tell me? We're supposed to go to that meeting together," dismayadong sabi ni Ate Mimosa at saka siya tumayo at nag-ayos ng kaniyang kagamitan.

"Well, you didn't ask," pabalik na sagot ni Martini na ikinasama naman ng tingin ng kanilang kapatid. Kahit may pagkagalit ito ay napakahinhin at malumanay pa rin ng boses. Hindi halata na galit o dismayado siya.

"Look out for her please," ani Ate Mimosa at inilahad ang anak sa kay Martinez.

"I can't, I have to drive Fairy to her friend's party," sagot ni Martinez at saka kinarga ang pamangkin.

Sandaling napakamot ng ulo si Ate Mimosa bago isa-isang tiningnan ang mga kapatid. "Marga has a conference, Martini can't be trusted—I'm just kidding! I know you have a date— how about you, Forrest? Gazella? Do you guys mind?" Aniya at saka nagpabalik-balik ang kaniyang tingin sa amin ni Martell.

I bit my lips, trying to hide my excitement. I looked at Martell and nodded. Wala naman kaming plano para ngayong araw maliban na lang sa paghanda sa pagbisita ng kaniyang mga kapatid.

Pagkatapos magtanghalian ay nagsialisan na rin ang mga kapatid niya at naiwan kami kasama ang kaniyang pamangkin. Mahimbing pa rin itong natutulog sa kaniyang stroller at kanina pa ako nanggigigil sa mala-siopao niyang pisngi.

Si Martell ang nanghugas ng mga pinggan kaya naiwan ako sa salas kasama ang kaniyang pamangkin. Umupo ako sa sahig para malapitan kong mapagmasdan ang sanggol.

She moved a bit which made her blankets move as well. Her cute and chubby hands stretched and before I knew it, she was already awake. I smiled at her but not even after a second, she was already wailing, making me panic.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at sandali pa akong naestatwa bago ko naisipang kargahin siya. Hindi naman ako nahirapan na patahanin siya dahil mukhang nakukumportablehan naman siya sa pagkarga ko.

I waltz around the salas while the baby's eyes were fixated on me. I smiled at her and brought her hands to my lips, kissing the back of her hand. Martell's niece looks like a Baby Alive doll and if I'm not restraining myself, I would've showered her cheeks with kisses already.

Patuloy ko siyang hinele-hele hanggang sa may naramdaman akong nakatingin sa akin. Napatingin ako sa may kusina at nakita si Martell na nakasandal sa dingding habang nakahalukipkip. May mapayapang ngiti sa kaniyang mga labi bago siya lumapit sa amin.

Pumuwesto siya sa aking likuran at saka ipinalibot ang mga braso sa aking baywang bago ipinatong ang kaniyang baba sa balikat ko, ang mga mata ay nasa pamangkin niya rin.

"She's so adorable— look! Aww! She's trying to breastfeed from me," natatawa kong sabi habang ang mga mata ay nasa sanggol pa rin na ngayon ay sinusubukang dumede sa akin. Parang biglang piniga ang kalooban ko dahil sa nakikita.

"Baby, there's no milk in there," pagkakausap ko sa sanggol na sandaling napatingin sa akin nang nagsalita ako. Bilog na bilog ang kaniyang mga mata at ganoon din ang kaniyang mga pisngi na kanina ko pa gustong halik-halikan. Mahahaba rin ang kaniyang mga pilik-mata at matangos ang ilong. Kahit sanggol pa lamang siya ay natitiyak ko na makukuha niya ang kagandahan ng lahi nina Martell.

If my pregnancy didn't fail, would my child get Martell's looks as well? Or would she be more like me? I asked in my mind, suddenly feeling suffocated because of those questions.

Ayaw ko mang matandaan ang nakaraan ay hindi ko pa rin mapigilan ang sarili na malungkot tuwing natatandaan ko iyon. I guess carrying this little human being that looks so peaceful just brings back the memories of the part of my past that I don't like recalling.

Napakagat-labi ako nang maramdamang namamasa na ang gilid ng mga mata ko. Inayos ko ang pagkakakarga at pinaunan na ang pamangkin sa aking balikat bago tumungo sa kaniyang baby bag para makuha ang gatas.

Pumuwesto ako sa sofa at tumabi naman si Martell sa akin. I couldn't afford to look at him right now because the more I look at his niece, the more my heart aches and the more I feel compelled to cry. Kung titingin ako sa kaniya ay baka manghina lang ako at lalong malungkot at manabik.

Napaigtad ako nang maramdaman ang kamay ni Martell sa aking pisngi. Nanlulumo akong napatingin sa kaniya na ngayon ay may kung anong malungkot na ngiti na rin.

"Just keep on keeping your eyes on me," pagkanta niya sabay patuloy na pinahiran ang aking pisngi. "I know it's wrong enough to make it feel right."

He placed his arms over my shoulders and pulled me to lean on him. He placed a soft kiss on my temple as we both stared at his niece who's now almost finish with her milk.

No words may have been said but I do know that he knows and he understands. As much as I don't want to admit this but my heart literally feels like it's being crumpled right now.

"You can kiss her forehead if you want," ani Martell at binigyan ako ng nang-uudyok na ngiti. Napangiti ako pero agad din namang umiling. Gusto ko mang gawin iyon ay ayaw ko namang humagulgol dito. Tama na ang kaunting luha at ayaw ko nang mas sumama ang nararamdaman.

Naramdaman kong nangangalay na ang mga braso ko dahil sa kakakarga at mukhang napansin naman iyon ni Martell kaya agad niyang kinuha ang pamangkin mula sa akin. Hinalikan niya ito sa noo na ikinangiti niya rin pagkatapos.

My heart feels like it's melting at the sight of Martell and the baby who now looks even smaller now that Martell's carrying her. Martell looks rough and rugged but how he's looking and carrying his niece is actually the opposite. He's so gentle and it's like she's the most precious and delicate thing he has ever held.

Naramdaman niya siguro ang pagtitig ko sa kaniya at napatingin naman siya sa direksyon ko at saka ako nginitian. Sumandal ako sa kaniyang balikat habang ang mga mata ay nasa kaniyang pamangkin na ngayon ay tulog na naman. Umalis lang ako sa pagkakaupo nang may nag-doorbell. Karga-karga pa rin ni Martell ang pamangkin kaya ako na ang nagbukas ng pintuan.

"Mrs Oliveira! You're here!" Gulat kong sambit nang makita ang ina ni Martell. She still looks intimidating, as expected, but she rather looked worn out as well.

"Can I talk to you? Don't worry, I'm not gonna lash out. I just want to tell you about—"

"What are you doing here?" Tanong ni Martell sa mababa ngunit matigas na boses at mariing tiningnan ang ina. While still carrying his niece, his other hand went to my waist as he protectively stood beside me, not leaving even just a few inches of distance between us.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, son," malumanay na sagot ng kaniyang ina. Kasabay niyon ay ang pagdapo ng kaniyang tingin sa sanggol. "Is that—"

"Axyne, can you please carry her for a while?" Ani Martell sabay lahad ng pamangkin sa akin. Maingat ko siyang kinarga at saka bumalik sa salas.

Hindi nagtagal ay bumalik din si Martell sa salas at saka ako tinabihan. Ipinalibot niya ang mga braso sa aking baywang at ipinatong ang baba sa balikat ko.

"I don't mean to intrude but don't be so hard on her," I said in a low voice, a bit unsure if my words would help.

Instead of answering, he only nodded and kissed my forehead. After a few moments, he got up and said that he'll be back in a while.

Naiwan akong mag-isa kasama ang kaniyang pamangkin na hanggang ngayon ay tulog pa rin. Just like what he said, Martell did come back after an hour.

"Axyne, look," he said, raising a tiny black object. "This is the culprit."

I took it from him and examined it, then realizing it was a mini camcorder. I only know about those bugging device that records voices but I wasn't aware that there is one for videoing too!

My mouth gaped open as I looked at Martell. "It was on the lamp on my bedside table. It was a gift from Irene," he said with a sigh. "I should've known."

I sighed too. "Well, at least it's over."

"Yeah," he agreed with a nod, then sitting on the couch and tapping the space beside him. "Mom knows about the video. She told me about your little talk years ago. It turns out that she was threatened by this and the only solution she could think of was to persuade you to leave me."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil sa narinig. Hilaw na ngumiti si Martell at saka isinandal ang ulo sa sofa. "She said she was just concerned and didn't want my reputation to get ruined but she still shouldn't have done things on her own. She pushed you away—"

"It was my decision to leave. I chose to leave—"

"So her words didn't, at least, play a role in that decision making of yours?"

Sandali kaming nagkatinginan ni Martell at parehong natahimik. Napakagat-labi ako at saka itinuon ang tingin sa gilid. We both heaved a deep sigh before silently staring at his niece who's still asleep in her stroller.

"I'm sorry," we both said in unison. Nagkatinginan kami ulit pero hindi katulad kanina ay lumipas na ang tensyon.

Tahimik akong sumandal sa kaniya at mabilis niya namang ipinalibot ang braso sa aking balikat. Ipinagsalikop niya ang isang kamay sa akin at patuloy naming pinagmasdan ang pamangkin niyang mahimbing na natutulog.

"So, which wedding ceremony did you like best?" London asked with an expectant smile. Vanilla, Caramel, and Sugar turned to us and did the same. I'm sure that they want me to say I like this one better since they're the ones who organized this.

"Both," I answered, then chuckling at their frowning faces.

Though both ceremonies means a lot to me, I guess I do prefer this one because first, this feels lighter. There's no more guilt and pain present on this. And unlike the last time, it was a spur-of-the-moment one. Things weren't clear between Martell and I, and I couldn't really enjoy the Maldives wedding as much as I wanted to.

"Sige na nga... ito na lang dahil nandito kayo," dagdag ko sabay kindat na ikinangisi naman ng apat.

The sun is almost setting and one by one, the lights were turned on. They highlighted the old-yellow color of the vintage castle in front of us.

Unlike the Maldives wedding which was held in a forest, this one is on one of the preserved castles in Italy. Both Martell and I agreed to this and my friends were more than happy to help us find a perfect place. Fortunately, Martell knew some people and we didn't have a hard time searching for a venue.

Both the ceremony and reception was and are held here. Kaninang hapon ang seremonya at sa loob ng kastilo iyon ginanap at ngayon naman ay ang informal party na. The huge castle was more of a decoration now since after the ceremony, we made use of its wide front yard to house our few guesses. We didn't invite a lot of people and only those who are really close to us are here.

"I think your babe's here," ani Caramel sabay sulyap sa pintuan.

I grinned, then thanking my friends for helping me change. We used one of the rooms in this old castle as a dressing room. And if it wasn't for the person who's knocking, we'd probably stay longer in here.

I stood from my chair and glanced at my reflection, then smiling gratefully at my friends before heading to the door. I reached for the doorknob but before turning it to get out, I faced my friends again.

"You all look like fairies and goddesses," I said, making them smirk.

"Yeah... yeah... you're welcome," sagot ni Sugar sa kunyareng tinatamad na boses pero agad din namang nag hair toss. "Nambola ka pa talaga, ano?"

Napailing na lang ako at lumabas na. Tama nga si Caramel at naghihintay na si Martell sa akin. Terno iyong damit namin at nagmistula na naman siyang parang character sa isang libro.

He held my hand and led me to the grand staircase. "Sing it. I know you want this part."

I gave him a confused look, not having any idea as to what he's talking about. Sandali pa akong nag-isip bago napagtanto ang tinutukoy niya. Dawn of realization hit me which also made him smile.

Napakagat labi pa ako at hindi mapigilang mapaluha dahil sa gusto niyang gawin. "Suportado mo 'ko sa kahibangan kong 'yon?"

Instead of answering, he nodded and went up to the first step with a smile, then stretching his hand in front of me.

"And lead me up the staircase," I sang in almost a whisper.

Nang makarating kami sa ikalawang palapag ay dumiretso kami sa parang balkonahe kung saan kita ang lahat nang nasa ibaba. Nang namataan kami ng mga kaibigan at ng mga pinsan ni Martell ay naghiyawan sila kaya napatingin din ang iba pang mga bisita sa amin.

Nakatingala sila sa amin at may mga ngiti sa kanilang mga labi. Kinindatan ako ng iilang kaibigan habang ang iba naman ay nag-thumbs up pa.

"Won't you whisper something slow?" I continued the song, my heart aching inside my chest but it's the good kind of ache. The kind of aching that tells me that I should savor this moment so that I have something really wonderful and magical to reminisce about.

It's the kind of ache that I get when I know that something is so ethereally beautiful yet it's only just for this moment.

If it wasn't for the cheers and clinking of glasses from below, I probably would've forgotten that we are actually being watched.

Martell smiled and neared me, his hands making their way to my waist. "I'm captivated by you baby like a fireworks show," he sang softly, his eyes never leaving me as he did.

And to answer the clinking of glasses, he dipped his head and reached for my lips. And as if on cue again, there came a booming sound from the fireworks, with it were the cheers and applause of our guests.

Truly, this is better than a fireworks show; better than anything. Better than what I've hoped for, and better than I could've imagined.

This is better than what I have expected for my secret heartbreaks to result into.