Enjoy!

~Athaia's POV

"Z-Zethary."

Lips parted while shaking. I looked at him in pure shock and disbelief. The left side of his head is bleeding, as well as his left shoulder and left leg.

May mga bubog pa ng crystal sa sahig at may isang SUV na nakahinto mismo sa likuran niya.

"A-Athaia...you have the hardest h-head,"

Nahihirapang saad niya at inabot ako ng kanyang kaliwang kamay na siya ring may hawak ng baril.

My eyes heated when I realized how hurt he is. He's badly hurt, pain visible in his face and his eyes were about to close.

Napatakip ako ng bibig at hindi siya magawang hawakan. Natatakot akong baka mas masaktan lang siya.

"A-Athaia...Mia moglie," nanghihinang tawag niya sa'kin at pilit akong inaabot.

May mga armadong lalaki rin akong nakikita na palapit sa'min pero may bumaril sa kanila.

It was my brother. He somehow looks fine. He fired the enemies back as he shouted.

"Athaia! Leave now! This place's dangerous!"

"Kuya!"

Napasigaw din ako nang muntik na siyang tamaan. Maraming kalaban ang dumating at halos palibutan na ang buong restaurant.

"Athaia..." Muling tawag ni Zeth sa'kin at paika-ika akong nilapitan.

"Leave now. You need to escape. Let us handle this."

I shook my head. How can he say this when in fact he looks terrible?

Hinila ko siya para magtago nang magputukan na naman. Mag-isa lang si Kuya pero nagagawa niyang pabagsakin ang sino mang magtangka na pumasok.

May bumabagsak din mula sa labas. Siguro ay may sniper.

"A-ahh! Fuck...it hurts like hell!" Zethary hissed loudly as he tried to stop the blood from flowing out.

Ako naman ay hindi alam kung saan siya hahawakan. Napanganga lang ako at napaluha.

When he heard me sob, he immediately smiled even if he's hurting so fucking obvious.

"Hey, don't cry,"  nahihirapang wika niya at inabot ang kamay ko. Palapit ng palapit naman ang mga putok sa'min.

I then realized that the SUV was meant for me. If I didn't go to follow him, perhaps he's fine now. I know he can handle himself.

"Mi dispiace... Bambino." Baby.

He cracked a smile. I breathed in and out and that's when I saw four men coming near us with a long armored gun.

Sasabihin ko pa lang dapat kay Zethary pero agad ng bumagsak yung apat. Napatingin ako sa dulo ng kanyang baril na umuusok pa.

"Used the door in this restaurant's kitchen. Go, leave and call Stynx to fetch you——"

"What?! At ikaw?!"

"I'll be fine. I'll be fine." Fine?! E habang nga nagsasalita siya ay panay ang kanyang ngiwi!

Umiling ako at akmang kukunin ang baril sa kanya nang ilayo niya ito.

"Don't,"

"I know how to use it. Give me the gun." I commanded but he shook his head. I can also hear Kuya calling for me, telling me to go.

"I don't like you—using gun. As long as I can, I want you free from deadly weapons."

"At ngayon mo pa talaga naisip 'yan? Ngayon kung kailan ka ganyan? Mamamatay ka na oh——"

"Psst. Ang dila mo—ang talas. Baka matuluyan ako." Sansala niya kaya tinaas ko ang kamay ko para sana batukan siya nang dumating si Kuya Ferrin at hinila ako patayo. Paalis.

"Kuya!" Ungot ko.

"Leave, Athaia! Use the door in the kitchen——"

"Kuya, I won't leave Zethary. Look, he's dying!" Ungot ko at tinuro pa si Zeth na nakataas ang kilay habang para ng mahihimatay.

"Baby, your tongue—I don't wanna die yet," reklamo pa ng dumuho at sinubukang tumayo pero hindi na niya kinaya.

Agad ko siyang dinaluhan nang bumagsak niya. His right arm wrapped around my shoulder and neck, he pushed himself up and we both faced my brother who's just watching us.

"Coother's outside, Brendel's on the way and my men were scattered outside. You can go and just leave my wife since I'm fine," agad niyang banat kay Kuya.

"Fine?! Naggagaguhan ba tayo? Zethary, tignan mo nga sarili mo sa salamin? You'll just endanger my sister. Tara na Athaia." Hinila na naman ako ni Kuya kaya muntik nang madapa si Zeth kasi hindi niya ako nabitawan agad.

My eyes widened. O my! We're in the middle of this mess and yet they're fighting?! Like a kids!

"Fuck you, Alfaza!"

"Fuck you too, Freñier! I'll take my sister back now. Tara na Athaia, hinihintay ka na nila."

"Kuya. Kasi..."

"I'm hurt, it hurts. Mia moglie, I know I told you to leave but...I need you."

"Athaia, let's go! We need to leave ASAP!" Ani kuya at tuluyan na akong hinila paalis.

Pero nanatili ang mga mata ko kay Zethary na nakatunganga sa'min habang bakas sa mukha ang paghihirap at sakit.

Napapikit ako sa sobrang lito. Pero dahil ayaw ko siyang iwan ay buong lakas kong binawi ang kamay ko kay Kuya at tumakbo pabalik sa kanya.

"Athaia! Duck!"

My brother shouted. The moment I have hugged him was the moment bullets rain.

Saktong agad kaming nakapagtago sa ilalim ng counter.

I heard Zethary groaned in pain. While my brother shook his head in annoyance and cover us.

We heard explosion outside and later on, I saw Maxer, Stynx and Gray coming near.

"Boss! Ma'am Athaia!"

"Fuck! You're terrible, Zethary! Anyare?" Sabi lang ni Maxer na tatawa-tawa pa.

Then Collin and Knave came, lalapitan pa sana ako ni Knave pero pinigilan siya ni Kuya Ferrin dahil paalis na kami.

Sumakay kami sa White SUV na dala ni Alexen at agad na humarurot ang sasakyan. Ako naman ay naiwan ang tingin sa restaurant na hindi na makilala ngayon dahil sa dami ng sira.

***

"Athaia." Napadilat ako nang marinig ang boses ni Maxer.

Naupo siya sa tabi ko at nginitian ako. Ngumiti rin ako. Ilang linggo ko ring hindi nakita ang pangit niyang mukha, at hindi ko alam kung paanong nandito na siya.

"Max. You're back," mahina kong saad.

"Yeah? But I'm not coming back yet, Athaia. I just wanna help. I'm still a hostage." Tawa niya. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinabi niya pero di na ako nagtanong pa.

Nasa labas ng hospital ang iba at si Zethary ay hindi pa nagigising. Nasa labas kami ngayon ng kwarto niya.

"Bakit ka nandito? Ayaw mo bang abangan ang pag gising ng mahal mong asawa?" Nakangising sabi niya.

"Mahal kong asawa....hmmm."

"Oo, bakit hindi ba?"

Umiling ako.

"Kung hindi, then why stay, Athaia? Ferrin was there, I bet he tried to took you home. And you stayed? Let me guess why, its's because you are already in love with him,"

He stated while smirking. Hindi naman ako sumagot at sumimangot lang.

"Looks like cupid hit you too!" He exclaimed. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin kaya tumigil siya agad.

"Know what? Let's just go inside. Your hubby's perhaps awake now," aniya at hinila ako papasok sa kwarto ni Zethary.

Pero agad din kaming napatigil nang makita ang lalaking nakaupo sa hospital bed at masama pa sa masama ang tingin sa'min ni Maxer. Lalo na sa magkahawak naming kamay.

"Zethary! Best friend! Gising ka na sa wakas!" Walang pakealam na bati ni Maxer na hindi pinansin ng huli.

Instead of greeting back his best friend kuno, he glared at me.

He looks deadly serious. He has cast in his left hand and a bandage in his head.

"Oy, Zethary, buti hindi ka natuluyan. Malala ka kanina. Good thing we arrived on time," kausap sa kanya ni Maxer.

"It wasn't my time yet. I still have to live," sagot niya pero sa'kin ang tingin.

I wonder then if he's still mad?

"Sa bagay, ang masamang damo nga nama'y matagal mamatay. Ika nga nila."

"Hindi pa ako tapos maningil kaya hindi pa pwede. Ikaw, buti bumalik ka pa. Akala ko namaalam ka na."

"Ha! Ha! I can't die too!"

"We don't know."

"Hindi pa nga. O siya, aalis na ako. Hinihintay na ako ng mahal ko eh,"

Ani Max at lumingon sa'kin. He smiled and winked before leaving.

Nang wala na siya ay agad kaming natahimik. Nasa pintuan pa rin ako at siya nama'y nakaupo lang at seryuso.

I thought the awkward silence would last forever but he finally spoke.

"May kasalanan ka na naman," mahina ngunit malamig niyang gagad. Napalabi lang ako at umirap sa ere.

"Ang tigas talaga ng ulo mo kahit kelan. You always disobey me. You're not yet forgiven but you did something wrong again," he added, this time more serious and timid.

I clenched my jaw and faced him. Oo na, mali na naman. But what's wrong in checking my brother's safety? He threatened me! He's partly at fault too.

"I was threatened," matigas kong saad kasi para akong maiiyak dahil sa paninisi niya. Naninikip na naman ang dibdib ko. "You threatened me,"

"I told you not to escape. Now look at what happened, you almost got hurt. You were endangered."

Seryuso pa rin niyang pagalit sa'kin. Malamig ang boses niya na nagpapatayo sa balahibo ko sa batok. Pero hindi yun ang dahilan kung bakit ako umiwas ng tingin.

It's because my heart is aching. Before, whenever he's scolding me, no matter how brute his words were, I don't feel anything but anger. But now, it hurts.

"When we got home, you'll be grounded for a month."

"You're overly reacting," naiinis kong bulong pero narinig niya pa rin.

"I'm doing this for your own good too, Athaia. I know what's best for you than letting you off the hook. You obey."

Sa labas lang ako nakatingin at kasabay ng inis at puot ay ang mainit kong luha na kumawala. Agad ko yung pinalis at umirap.

I heard him sighed heavily. Akmang bababa siya ng kama nang biglang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Victoria.

And just like what happened the other day, they talked like I don't exist at all.

"Zethary! O god! Zethary! You look terrible!" Victoria exclaimed exaggeratedly.

She approached Zethary, whose eyes are all on me. She held her shoulder and examined his wounds. She even hugged him with closed eyes.

While Zethary is all silent—watching me closely. I gritted my teeth then. My heart is heavy and tight. Seeing them up close, so intimate and all is tearing my heart apart.

I know I've done something wrong-and perhaps this is the real punishment. Karma.

"Zethary, o gosh love! How are you feeling? Does your head hurt? Your leg? Your arm? You're badly hurt! How come you were?!" I don't know how did this Victoria knew about Zethary's well-being-but I don't care anymore.

Tumalikod na lang ako ng walang sinasabi at lumabas. I shouldn't do that—leaving him with his ex-fiancé but I couldn't take it.

Sakto ring paglabas ko ay may biglang yumakap sa'kin at base pa lang sa amoy ay alam ko ng si Kuya Ferrin yun.

I smiled wearily as I hugged my brother back. I miss his embrace, I somehow felt light.

And when I thought I could rest for a minute, there I saw Maxer—leaning against the wall. While Gray and Alexen are facing Knave, Stynx and Coother are also facing Mollin. Nandito rin si Yvon at Yashika.

Nagtataka ko silang tinignan lahat dahil para silang magsusuntukan. Seryuso pareho at maiging nakamasid.

"Kuya, what's going on? Why are you guys all here?" Kumalas ako kay Kuya Ferrin at nalilitong tinignan siya.

He smiled sweetly before patting my head and announced something.

"We are taking you home now, baby. You'll finally be freed from the Mafia Boss' grasp."

***

It's been days since I came back home—in our mansion in Sicily. Where we really are originated.

The mansion is big but not as big as the Freñier mansion that I'd been. Well, It doesn't matter to me anyway.

All I care about is my brothers and Thaina. As long as we're together and complete, I would be okay.

"Baby? Come down now, dinner is set." I heard my brother's voice outside the room I occupied.

"Wait lang kuya! Nandiyan na!"

Pasigaw kong sagot dahil nasa harap pa ako ng vanity mirror at nagsusuklay.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked fine though my new hairstyle feels odd. Tila ba ay may manghihinayang na pinaputulan ko ang dati ay abot bewang kong buhok.

Now it's just leveled in my chest.

"Athaia? You ready now?" I heard a knock so I was left with no choice but to go.

I then saw Knave patiently waiting for me while leaning against the nearest wall.

He smiled gleefully and hugged me. Malaki ang kanyang ngisi na animo'y may gagawing masama.

I glared at him so he laughed.

"What's with that face? Why do you look like you're about to hit me?"

"Because you're planning something! I know that face. I would know."

He chuckled to himself before shaking his head as we both step down the stairs.

"Kuya,"

"I'm just happy because you're here already, we're together again. I missed you so much, baby. God knows how hard it was for me." Ngumiti ako nang marinig ang sinabi niya. No wonder he's the sweetest.

"Me too, I missed you and your wits. It has been months since I last live here with you."

"Kaya nga binawi ka na namin mula sa potang'na mong asawa."

"Kuya." Pinanlakihan ko siya mata pero ngumisi lang siya. Saktong nakababa na kami at sumalubong sa'min si Kuya Ferrin na may kasamang isang babae na sobrang ganda.

As in. I even stared at her from head to toe and back. I know I'm tall, Thaina is tall but she's even taller! She has long sexy legs that are too evident in her dress. She has long wavy golden hair and heart-shaped face.

Sobrang tangos pa ng ilong niya at kung tignan ay animo'y isang dyosa. Eva is beautiful but she's like a living goddess from the old Era of Greek myth.

"Athaia, good thing you're already here," ani Kuya Ferrin at tinignan si...? Who is she again?

"Thalia, le presenta Athaia, my sister." This is Athaia. " Athaia, this is Thalia, you're soon to be...sister-in law." Nahihiya pa kunwareng wika ni Kuya.

Hindi ko alam na itong babae na'to pala ang dahilan ng paghiwalay nila ni Eva.

"È state in piacere conoscerla," It's nice to meet you. aniya at naglahad ng kamay.

"Piacere," I replied and accepted her hand. "Parla inglese?" Do you speak english? Tanong ko pa at tumango naman siya.

Nagkakilala na rin pala sila ni Knave and Thaina. Matapos ng pagpapakilala ay naupo na kaming lahat sa hapag kainan. Masaya naman lalo na nang makita ko si Maxer na kasalo pa!

"Max?!" Gulat kong tawag. Ngumiti lang siya.

"Athaia. Hey, how's life?"

"Okay lang."

"How are you?"

"Same answer."

"Hmmm, how's the life of my boss then?"

Biglang singit niya na hindi ko agad nasagot. Natigil sa pagkain si Knave at tinaasan siya ng kilay habang si Kuya Ferrin ay patuloy lang sa pagkain at hindi yata kami narinig dahil busy siya kay Thalia.

"Mi dispiace. I'm just curious. It's been days since you left Zethary and so I'm curious about him. I bet my life, he's going crazy now," patuloy niya pa.

Hindi lang ako sumagot dahil ilang araw din akong walang balita sa lalaking yun. Nang sumama ako kay Kuya ay wala akong narinig ni isang balita tungkol sa kanya.

"Alam mo, lalaking bubwet? Tumahimik ka na lang at kumain. Wag kang chismuso," hirit ni insan.

"Hindi kaya, nakikibalita lang ako. Saka totoo naman e, tiyak na baliw na baliw na yun ngayon. Just a matter of time and he'll be here," banat din ni Maxer at hinarap si insan.

"And he'll be beaten up. So shut up."

"Kahit mabugbog yun, 'di yun titigil. Kilala ko ang manok ko, babaeng mainitin ang ulo."

"Alam mo, isang tawag pa sa'kin ng ganyan talagang papasok sa bunganga mo ng buo ang isang paa ng manok."

"As if you can. Let me remind you, you're badly in love with me."

"Ah ganun, baka gusto mong bumalik sa dati? Noong hostage pa kita at alalay pa?"

Nakamasid lang ako sa kanila ni insan at Maxer habang nagkukulitan at kumakain. Hindi ko alam kung paano silang umabot sa puntong minahal nila ang isa't-isa. Ni ayaw na nga ni Max umuwi sa mansion ng boss niya.

AFTER DINNER, usual night routines followed. Maliligo ako at matutulog. O di kaya ay manunuod muna ng TV. For days, my life's unnoticeably boring here.

I'm standing in my terrace in my room, it's already midnight but I can't sleep. Madilim dahil nakapatay na ang ilaw sa kwarto ko at tanging isang maliit na lampara lang ang nakasindi.

At sa kailaliman ng gabi ay naalala ko siya. Ni hindi niya man lang ako sinundan. Naiisip ko rin kung anong ginagawa niya ngayon. Kung kamusta siya. O baka naman kasama niya si Victoria?

Napabuga ako ng hangin at pilit na kumalma.

God, Athaia. Kung masasaktan ka lang din naman pala ay bakit ka pa umalis diba? Bakit hindi ka nanatili? And now you're emoting?

ANOTHER day had passed and my life is still the same. Thaina and I would go shopping with Knave, Yvon and Maxer.

At habang pumipili ako ng damit na susuutin ay naramdaman kong parang may nakatitig sa'kin kaya pasimple kong tinignan kung sino pero wala naman akong nakitang kahina-hinala.

Napatingin ako kina Maxer at insan na masayang namimili ng damit, ganun din naman sina Kuya at Yvon.

Hmp! Now, I'm just alone? Ako na lang talaga ang walang partner dahil silang umaya sa'kin dito ay nakalimutan na ako.

Umirap ako sa hangin ng paulit-ulit. Panay pa ang bulong ko sa hangin na, "walang forever, magbe-break din kayo." Napailing na lang din ako dahil ang bitter ko na.

Akmang kukuha pa sana ako nang mga damit pero may biglang tumakip sa bibig ko at hinila ako papasok sa fitting room.

My chest pounded in fear when I think of the worst. What if I'm gonna be kidnapped?! Shit!

"Ahh-uh." I tried to remove the hand covering my mouth but the man behind me is so strong that I couldn't even get to move him a bit.

He's also holding my left arm so I can't fight back. Akmang sisipain ko na sana yung pangahas nang makita ko yung Piaget wrist watch na kanyang suot at...at napatigil ako sa paggalaw nang makilala yun.

Kumabog ng malakas ang dibdib ko at para akong nanghihina na napabitaw sa pag-alis ng kamay niya.

Then I felt his arm encircling around my waist and stomach—the thing that I missed the most about him.

"Mia moglie...." Namamaos niyang bulong sa'king tenga habang pahigpit ng pahigpit ang yakap niya sa'kin.

My heart became wild and hot as fire, conquering the whole of it. And as he gently kissed my temple, my eyes heated up.

I miss him. I miss his embrace so much.

"Athaia... b-bakit mo naman ako iniwan," nahihirapang sambit niya. "I told you, It has always been you...no other woman involved. But why did you left me, mia moglie?" Bulong niya pa at dahan-dahan akong pinaharap sa kanya.

Doon ko lang natitigan ang mukha niya na hindi ko nakita ng ilang araw. And unlike before, he now look more terrible. He has dark bugs under his eyes, his hair is messy and his eyes screamed terror.

My heart's aching seeing him again, this way. It's breaking my heart than seeing him with Victoria. And he's remarkable remark is present again. 'The It has always been you'.

Hindi ako nakapagsalita at natulala lang sa kanya. Habang siya ay nanlulumo at muli akong niyakap ng mahigpit.

Napapikit ako kasabay ng pagtulo ng mga mainit kong luha. Naninikip ang dibdib ko at hindi na halos makahinga.

Gusto ko siyang yakapin pabalik pero natulala na lang ako. Hanggang sa may biglang kumatok sa pinto kaya napabalikwas ako at gulat na napatingin sa pinto.

"Athaia, are you there?" Rinig kong tanong ni Kuya.

Napalunok naman ako at hindi ko ata kayang magsalita. Naramdaman ko ang pag pulupot ng kamay ni Zethary sa bewang at tiyan ko. Maging ang bulong niya.

"Tell him your fitting a dress," mahinang bulong niya na walang alinlangan kong sinunod.

"I-I'm fitting a dress, Kuya." Mabilis ang kabog ng dibdib ko at halos habulin ko na ang hininga.

But Zethary just held me softly in my jaw and turned my head to him—he then claimed my lips without warning.

I didn't get to move even a muscle and just let him kiss me hungrily. He devoured my lips and sucked my tongue, then bit my bottom lip and kissed me hungrily again.

My eyes widened in shocked and fear when I heard Knave's voice outside. Asking me to go out so he would see the dress.

"Athaia?"

"N-Nandiyan na Kuya!" Taranta kong sagot nang pinakawalan na ni Zethary ang labi ko.

Mabilis niyang inabot sa'kin ang pulang above the knee halter dress at kinindatan pa ako.

"Go change, I'll watch the door," aniya na parang wala lang sa kanya yung pinapagawa niya sa'kin.

Halos lumuwa ang mata ko sa kanya at nanlamig. He then smiled and playfully clicked his tongue.

"I'll turn around, don't worry. You change now," aniya habang nakangisi na bagong tumalikod.

Wala na akong nagawa kundi ang magbihis.

...

"Athaia. "

"Wait up, Kuya Knave. I'm coming out!" Sigaw ko nang matapos na sa pagbihis at akmang lalabas na nang hinawakan ni Zethary ang braso ko.

"We're not done yet, moglie. We still have lot of things to talk about. For now, I'll let you go with your rogue brother,"

Aniya sa seryuso ng mukha at napabuntong-hininga. Tila ba ay labag sa kaluoban niya na hayaan na naman akong makalayo.

I won't deny that I now feel delighted after seeing him again even if it's in secret.

Paglabas ay agad kong sinimangutan si Kuya Knave. Disturbo!

WHEN we got home, another matter welcomed us. Ferrin is standing seriously before the long wooden table where a board of chess is placed.

There's also a blueprint, a laptop and many more.

"....from this day onward, we will all be vigilant. Don't trust anyone except yourself and us—the Alfazas. Act accordingly," ani Kuya Ferrin sa mga mafia reaper na nakakalat sa salas at maging sa pintuan.

Napamaang naman ako nang makita kung gaano sila karami at kaseryuso. Mukhang papatay talaga sila kapag may nagtangka na manakit.

Even Collin, Yashika and Yvon. Hinila ako ni Kuya Knave palapit sa sofa at pinaupo.

"They fooled us. The Stavros. Now they have the Alta Mercy, Montevalore, Almedra and Morché's support. They expanded and had gained enough power to pull us down. We don't wanna suffer any longer, don't we?" Ferrin added and explained more, about the strategies they're going to pull.

Nang matapos ang diskusyon ay tanghalian na kaya't sabay na kaming kumain lahat.

Naupo ako sa tabi ni Knave at nasa kabila ko naman si Insan. Habang si Kuya Ferrin ay nasa kabesira at nasa tabi niya ang kanyang fiancé na tahimik lang.

I then remembered something so familiar way back in the Freñier mansion.

Zethary himself also claims the center as his throne—and beside him is mine's. And he would always feed me the first spoon.

I looked away and started eating without saying anything. While the others are noisy.

Yashika and Collin are bickering but they're so sweet. While Knave and Yvon are feeding each other. Thaina and Maxer are, well, they are talking back to each other too like kids!

Ako lang talaga ang walang kapares dito.

"Knave, you want toceno?" Yvon.

"Sure, honey but...I want it more in between your lips," Knave replied playfully and winked.

"Ehhhh! I changed my mind, I'll just eat this."

"Whutt? But Honey, there's nothing left. Hati tayo, ilagay mo na lang 'yan sa gitna ng bibig mo—then I'll cut it. Swear I won't do anything bad," Knave said in conviction. But Yvon just grinned before eating the whole toceno for herself—leaving nothing for my brother.

"Burned....she did not left you even a half." Tawa ni Thaina.

"She's so mean. My honey's so mean." Knave clicked his tongue.

"Thaina-babe, paki-abot naman ng kanin oh. Di ko maabot eh." Utos ni Maxer kay Insan.

"What? Ayuko nga, ano mo'ko yaya?"

"Tsk, okay fine. I'll get it myself then." Akmang tatayo si Maxer para abutin yung kanin nang unahan siya ni insan at nilagyan pa nito ang plato niya.

"I changed my mind, ako na pala."

"Uhuh? So sudden, huh?"

"Yeah? Now you owe me. Mamaya samahan mo'ko sa kwarto, maglilinis. Then we'll play. Okay?" Ngising wika ni insan.

Nagkasagutan pa sila at ako naman ay nakatunganga lang sa kanilang lahat. Grabe, bakit ba parang nakalimutan na nilang nandito pa ako? Nagka-love life lang mga 'to?!

Umirap na lang ako sa hangin at inis na nagpatuloy kumain.

Naaalala ko dati, kapag kumakain kami ay ang iingay din nila Stynx at ng iba pa. Nag-aagawan pa nga sila ng ulam eh.

"Merda," Shit.

Tanging usal ko na lang nang bigla akong nakaramdam ng lungkot at pangungulila.

I felt like, I've missed so many things that I suppose to have. That I was had stolen an opportunity. That I'd lost the chance.

I bit my bottom lip and was about to finish my food when suddenly, a mafia reaper from the garden entered, he whispered something to Knave, that's also the moment that we heard a commotion from outside.

My head then turned outside the huge tinted window glass to see what's going on but I only saw four of our guards standing straight at parang may pinipigilang pumasok.

"What's the matter?" Ferrin asked.

"Nothing serious, Kuya. Let me handle it. Mi scusi," ani Knave at nagpunas ng bibig gamit ang table napkin.

Tumayo siya't walang lingon likod na lumabas para siguro ayusin ang gusot sa labas.

"Resume eating. Knave will handle that," seryusong wika ni Kuya Ferrin at tinignan ako. "Eat up, bambina." Baby. "You look too slender to me, you lose weight. Kumakain ka ng marami para tumaba ka ulit," He said lightly the last part.

I just grimaced and tried to crack a smile even though I don't feel like smiling.

Kumain na ulit ang iba at maging si Thalia. Nang mapatingin siya sa'kin ay nginitian niya ako ng matamis.

"I will go to a spa later, wanna come with me?" Malambing niyang tanong at agad akong nabuhayan ng loob.

"Sure! Gosh, nabuburyo na ako rito. Buti inaya mo—wait, do you understand tagalog?" I remembered that she only speaks Italian and english.

She just smiled and shook her head. Ako naman ay napangiwi. Ang hirap naman nito, so kelangan ko pala mag-english nito?

"I mean, sure. I'm so bored here too, I've been doing the same thing everyday. I'm like repeating it all! Thanks for inviting me!" Ngiti ko.

"Sure! No problem, Athaia. Good thing I've made a reservation for two people yesterday,"

Aniya kaya napangiti pa ako ng mas malawak. Ferrin just smiled while listening to us.

Bumalik na rin si Knave na may malawak na ngisi. Agad niya akong kinindatan nang magkatinginan kami. At para bang may ipinahihiwatig siya sa ngising 'yon.

"What's that, Kuya?" I asked, looking curious as hell.

"Wala, isang asong ulol lang. Nababaliw na ata talaga," ngising sagot niya

Then Maxer clicked his tongue like as if he's suppressing a laugh.

"I bet my life, babalik pa ang asong ulol na yun," sabi niya.

"He'll try and I'll beat him up until he's half dead," Knave retorted.

"Wanna bet?" Banat ni Max na nginisian lang ni Knave.

Hmmm... I smell something fishy.

At pag sapit ng hapon ay pumunta nga kaming spa. Hindi ko alam na mayron palang spa na malapit lang sa hotel na mismong pag-aari namin.

Si Kuya Ferrin pa mismo ang naghatid sa'min at may mga iniwan din siyang mga magmamasid sa paligid.

"What time you'll be done? I'll fetch you up. Just text me," he said softly while caressing Thalia's long golden hair.

"Maybe around six? I'm not sure, Ferrin. I'll just text you later."

"Hmmm. So, where's your room anyway? I'll send you there."

"We can handle ourselves. For Pete's sake! You can go now, we won't be lost. I'm always going here so let me handle things."

Nagtaas ako ng kilay nang parang ayaw pa rin ni Kuya umalis. Hinawakan pa niya ang kamay ni Thalia at pinatakan ng halik ang likod nun.

God! Kahit saan na lang talaga may PDA! Ako ba pinagti-tripan ng mga couple na'to? Pinapa-inggit yata ako nila eh. Alam nang wala akong jowabells dito eh.

"Just wanna make sure. So, which room, Il mio amore?"

"Tsk, the last room in the right wing. Now, go and leave us. We will talk things out," ani Thalia at hinaklit ang braso ko. Akmang papasok na siya nang pigilan siya ni Kuya sa braso kaya nadala rin ako at nauntog pa.

Puta! Alam kong kapatid ko siya pero ang sarap niyang bigwasan. Aalis na kami, Kuya! Can't you resist your kalandian naman minsan?! God!

"Ferrin?!"

"Talk about?"

"About girly things! Of course. Come on, let me go now. I'm tired. I've been standing for minutes," Reklamo ni Thalia kaya napabuntong-hininga si Kuya.

Eh? Patay na Patay?

He sighed and nodded. Then he kissed Thalia's temple gently. And again, I rolled my eyes!

NANG makaalis na si Kuya ay agad na kaming pumasok. Naka-kapit si Thalia sa braso ko at iginiya ako papasok.

Sinalubong kami ng isang babae at kinausap sa salitang Italian. Pero si Thalia lang ang nagsalita kasi mas magaling siya kesa sa'kin.

Then we were brought into a room that has two bed, only for one person each. The room is dim and is only lighted by a two lamp shades.

"Grazie, Vahnny. Thanks for accompanying us," ani Thalia. Nagsalita ulit yung babae sa wikang Italian at ang tangi ko lang naintindihan ay ang part na magsisimula na kami.

NOW Thalia and I are lying on our stomach in the bed. Magkaharap kami at hinihintay ang magma-massage sa'min na pumasok.

At hindi nagtagal ay dumating nga sila. Isang babae at isang lalaki.

"Ma'am, are you ready for the massage? I'll start now," anang babae na naka-assign kay Thalia at parang pamilyar yata ang boses niya sa'kin.

Nang tignan ko yung babae ay naka-mask ito kaya hindi ko makita ang kanyang buong mukha. Hindi ko alam kung bakit naka-mask siya e hindi naman yun kailangang talaga.

Ngumiti si Thalia sa'kin bago sumagot at pumikit.

"Signora, are you ready for my touch?" Bigla ay tanong din sa'kin ng magmamasahe sa'kin at napaawang ang bibig ko dahil sa lalim ng boses nito.

As in, so deep, husky and baritone. He sounds so manly and his voice is undoubtedly good in my ears. Tila ba ay may anghel akong narinig na kumanta.

"S-Sí." Kumabog ng malakas ang dibdib ko at para akong hindi makahinga sa kakaibang saya at excitement na bigla kong naramdaman.

Napa-awang ang bibig ko at napapikit na lang nang may malambot at mainit na kamay na lumapat sa likod ko at nagsimula na itong pumisil at lumandas sa'king balat.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinakabahan at nakakaramdam ng pananabik, lungkot, saya, pangungulila at init habang nimanamnam ang sarap ng hagod ng nagmamasahe sa'kin. Pero isang tao lang ang naiisip ko ngayon.

And that's beyond impossible! Last time I check, he's just a business man, an engineer, an architect and a mafia boss.

***

End of this chapter. Hope you enjoyed reading.