Trigger Warning:
Profanities

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As soon as we arrived at the headquarters, no one between Romeo and I said a word.

"T-toni." Romeo started and when I turned around to face him, I threw him one hard punch. "Aw. Fuck." He winced and blood dripped from his nose and jaw.

"Kulang pa yan." I glared at him and continued walking to my room inside this headquarters.

"Pwede ba magpaliwanag muna ako!" He protested and I ignored him. "Naknampota naman oh! Pinilit ako pero hindi ako napasunod! Pinsan pa rin kita at alam kong wala akong mapapala kung lokohin man kita! Hindi ako ganoon katanga para mamanipula ni Wesley!"

I went upstairs and when I was about to open my door, I remembered Kristina.

"Shit." I muttered and turned to the direction of our shelter for victims of several cases.

"I'll make sure that you will forgive me soon, brad!" Romeo yelled and I sighed.

As soon as I reached the door to the room we call as shelter, I knocked twice and went inside.

A confused and lost Kristina stared at me.

"Kristina." I said and looked at her.
Her questioning eyes locked at mine.
"Look, I know you are confused with what happened earlier-"

"-You tell me about it, Jessica. Or is it Toni?" She asked sarcastically.

"I am Jesstoni Del Mundo. A man. A straight man. I pretended to be gay to find my parents' murderers. I also did that even in public to get used to it para hindi ako maharapan kapag nasa lugar ako nila." I explained everything while she remained silent. "What you are seeing now is the real me. No pretentions just me. I am working as a part of this agency in solving crimes and giving them to the authorities. It is supposed to be a secret from everyone. Even you. But you were abducted. And I wanted to save you. Hindi ka dapat nadadamay sa personal kong buhay but they were smart when they learned about you. About what you mean to me."

"Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong maramdaman. Hindi ko alam ang dapat kong sabihin." She mumbled and looked away.

I approached her and knelt to level at her face. I held her chin up and at that moment, her eyes are telling me to just do what I have always been wanting to do ever since I met her.

"There's nothing you need to say, Kristina. Just allow me to protect you and care for you." I said and the next thing we knew, we were kissing and making out.

I was on fire as she was and it was only when she whimpered and said my name when I stopped myself from scaring her.

"T-toni." She whispered. "Stop. Please."

I blinked and saw myself on top of her, her face all red.

"S-sorry!" I panicked and stood up abruptly. "I have to go. Goodnight."

I walked briskly out of the shelter and into my room. I shut the door as soon as I entered and covered my face with a pillow in frustration.

"Shit! I love her!" I blurt out in realization.