Chapter 20

Napatitig sa akin si Sage. I couldn't tear my gaze away from him. My heart keeps on pounding wildly inside of my chest.

"I'm the father?" he echoed.

"Yes, you are—"

Before I could even finish my sentence, Sage pulled me closer and covered my lips with his. I gasped at the sudden action. He buried his fingers on my hair and tilted his head, trying to deepen the kiss. My body melted in his touch. His masculine stance and manly scent. I sighed inwardly.

"You're not kidding me, right?" Sage asked when we pulled away.

Tumango-tango ako.

"Good." He kissed me again. This time, deeper. Gumapang ang kaniyang kamay sa aking likod at hinila ako palapit sa kaniya. "Kasi wala nang bawian . . ."

Abot-abot ang tahip ng puso ko. 'Twas like Sage is holding and kissing me for the first time. Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mapangiti.

"Mal . . ." he traced my cheeks and leaned down to kiss me again. "God, I could never get enough of you. You made me so happy . . ."

Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi nang bigla kong maalala kay Leon. Sage noticed my sudden discomfort.

"What's wrong?"

I swallowed. "It's Leon."

His face went into a grim as he stared at me. "Why?"

"He just found out that I'm carrying . . . your child. And now he's gone. He hasn't come back since last night."

Tahimik lang si Sage na nakatingin sa akin.

"Sage," hinarap ko siya at hinawakan ang kaniyang dalawang kamay. "You know I could never be happy knowing that Leon is hurting right now, right?"

"What do you mean—"

"I have to talk to him. I have to end things properly. Hindi puwedeng hindi kami muling magka-usap ni Leon. He's . . . He's so precious to me. He was there when I was at my lowest—"

"Okay, okay. I know and I'm getting jealous." Sage cut me off. When he saw the shocked expression on my face, a ghost of smile appeared on his lips. "I understand that you have to talk to him first before I could marry you, is that right?"

Pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha at humalakhak nang mahina. "You really are crazy."

"So, where do we find Leon?" nagpalinga-linga siya sa paligid. "I'm sure he'd like to punch me right now."

"Sage," mahina kong sambit. "I have to talk to him. Alone."

Matagal akong tinitigan ni Sage before he nodded his head. "Fine, fine. I'll time the two of you. Hanggang 15 minutes lang, okay?"

"Are you kidding me right now?"

Sage chuckled. "I'm sorry, I'm just so happy that I couldn't be mad at Leon for stealing you from me for four damn years. Take as much time as you need. I know I'm going to have a word with him as well. But that's after you two sort it out. I promise to stay out of your way."

"But we have to find it first."

"I'll find him. Go back to your house and rest. You don't seem like you're getting enough sleep, Mallory. You're making me worry about the baby . . . our baby."

I swallowed.

Hinila muli ako ni Sage at niyakap. "Don't worry. If I ever find him, I'll let him punch me twice before I punch back. I know I deserve it."

I bit my lips. If there's someone who needs a good punch in the face, it's me. It's going to be me for being this stupid.

"So . . . any place you think Leon would've gone to?"

"I know one."

---

Suki prepared a hearty meal for all of us. Pero hindi ko magawang maging masigla at kumain nang marami. The tension between the three of us is thick and begs to be noticed. Kaya naman tahimik lang kaming kumakain hanggang sa binasag ni Sierra ang katahimikan.

"Okay, tell me what's really going on, Mallory . . ." anito sa akin. "Why is Sage here and . . . why is he the one looking for Leon?"

I glanced down at my half-eaten ramen. The noodles are thick and the soup is hot and creamy. I licked my lips first before answering. "He went here, Sierra. He went after me."

"What's going to happen to Leon?" tanong ni Suki sa akin.

Umiling ako. "I honestly don't know."

"Mallory—" si Sierra.

"And I know it's so selfish of me to be happy that Sage had come here for me. But I also wanted to talk to Leon. I don't want to hurt him anymore."

"You're breaking up with Leon?" hindi maitago ni Suki ang lungkot sa kaniyang boses.

"I'm sorry, Suki. I have to."

Tinitigan lamang ako ni Sierra. Tapos ay nagpakawala siya ng isang malalim na buntong-hininga. "Well, I will support you anyway if you're really happy with Sage. I don't oppose to the two of you. Highschool pa lang tayo, Mal ay alam kong gusto mo talaga si Sage."

I smiled tightly at her. "Thanks, Sierra. I'm glad you understand me."

Just then, my phone rang violently in my pocket. I was just about to ignore it when I saw Leon's number flashing on the screen. I muttered an excuse me and ran outside the yard to answer his call.

"Leon—"

"At the rooftop of Odeon Tokyo." Anito sa malamig na boses. "I'll be waiting.

"Wait—"

But the call ended. Napatitig na lamang ako sa aking cellphone.

"Mallory?" Sierra called out. "Was that Leon?"

"I'm sorry, Sierra. I have to go . . ."

"Saan ka pupunta—"

Hindi ko na siya pinatapos sa pagsasalita pa. Tumakbo ako palabas at pinara ang unang taxi na aking nakita. I gasped for breath as I dialed Sage's number. Mabilis ang pagpapatakbo ng taxi driver gaya ng aking sabi sa kaniya. Malakas ang pintig ng aking puso. Finally, Leon is giving me a chance to talk!

"Sage . . . answer the call . . ."

Nakakatatlong tawag na ako sa kaniya ngunit ang lahat ng ito ay napunta lamang sa voicemail. Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi. What is Leon doing at te rooftop of the Odeon Tokyo? It's a night club, I suppose. Ang akala ko ay sa shrine siya maglalagi ngayon. It's one of his favorite places here.

The rain poured down gently. Odeon Tokyo's sign pulsed in red neon light from a distance. Binayaran ko kaagad ang taxi driver at tinakbo ang pagitan ng kalsada at ng entrance ng club.

The security guard scrutinized me. He must've been thinking that a woman who's still in her house dress does not belong to this place but he didn't say anything when I entered the club. Nakakabasag ng tainga ang lakas ng kanilang musika. Napuno ng sigawan, halakhakan, at amoy ng usok at sigarilyo ang lugar.

I covered my nose and scanned the surroundings, looking for a staircase that might lead me to the rooftop. What is Leon doing in a place like this? This isn't like him.

Drawing in a deep breath, I waded through the sea of people. Most of them are drunk and are already acting silly. Some even cat-called me but I ignored them. Nang sa wakas ay nakakita na ako ng hagdanan ay dali-dali akong tumakbo at umakyat.

The staircase is narrow and makes creaking sounds every time I step a flight. I threw the door open and the cold breeze from the rain slapped my cheeks harshly.

I looked around. Madilim na ang paligid ngunit kitang-kita ko si Leon. Nakatalikod siya sa akin at nakapamulsa. He's already soaking wet. My heart ached upon watching him.

I was about to take a step when my phone rang. Napalingon si Leon sa aking kinaroroonan. I pulled out my phone from my pocket, hoping it would be Sage but it was Gideon.

I pressed the end call.

"Leon . . ." I bit my lower lips. Nakatitig lamang siya sa akin.

My phone started ringing again. I scowled at the screen and pressed the answer button.

I hissed. "Gid, this isn't the right time to call—"

"Where are you?!" natigilan ako nang marinig ang panic at takot sa kaniyang boses.

"At the Odeon Tokyo . . ."

"Mallory!" sigaw niya mula sa kabilang linya. "Are you with Leon right now?"

"Ahm . . . yes." I hesitated.

"Fuck!" napamura siya nang malakas sa kabilang linya. "Get away from him as far as you can! Now!"

"Gid . . . I don't understand . . ." nakatitig na ako kay Leon ngayon.

"Stay away from him, Mallory. He's dangerous!" singhal niya sa akin.

"What are you talking about, Gid?" I asked weakly.

"Mallory . . ." he said in a firm voice. "His family is the real suspect of your mother's death. They are the one who killed your mother, not Sage's mother."

My entire body went numb at what he said. Nanatili pa rin akong nakatitig kay Leon. He's also staring at me. Bumaba ang aking tingin sa kaniyang mga kamay.

And there, shining in the darkness like a diamond in the rough, is a silver gun in Leon's hand.