T R A V I S

Pagkalabas ko ng banyo nakita ko na natutulog na ng mahimbing si Maxene, kaagad ko naman siyang tinabihan at inakala ko pa na nagkukunwari lang siyang tulog pero bigla siyang humilik.

Natawa ako, kay ganda gandang babae, pero may pagkabalahura din.

My one unbelievable woman.

Akala ko maabutan ko pa siyang gising, edi sana kung gising pa siya, nakumbinsi ko siyang mag-session kami ulit. Hindi naman mapagkakaila na natutukso na siya kanina, tch, sayang edi sana sinungaban ko siya. Pakipot pa kasi.

Pero maliwanag naman na gusto niya sulitin ang huling araw niya dito sa Japan. Masyado na akong selfish kung hindi ko siya pagbibigyan, babawian ko na lang siya kapag nakauwi na kami, halos wala na rin pala akong natirang rubber dahil nakailan din kami kanina pagkagising niya.

Punyeta! Tiis ka muna ngayon Travis! Abuso kang gago ka eh!

Napapailing na lang talaga ako sa sarili ko. Bakit kasi napakaganda ng girlfriend ko, nakakagigil.

Natawa ako ulit, girlfriend ko.

Kulit din eh, noong una fiance, tapos girlfriend, bakit ba baligtad ang naging arrangement namin?

I held her close to me and savored her scent. Hindi ako magsasawang gawin ito ng paulit-ulit, kahit pa minsan sinasabi niyang mabantot siya. Para sa akin napakabango ni Maxene.

I planted a kiss on her forehead and whispered, "I love you Maxene, I love you very much."

Those words aren't just words. Nang sabihin ko iyon sa kanya, parang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Parang mas nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

This is me freeing myself from the person I once was.

Alam ko hindi pa ako buo, pero katulad din naman niya ako.

Hanggang ngayon binubuo niya pa rin ang sarili niya matapos siyang ma-heartbroken kay Kenzo.

At least I wanted her to give the security she deserves.

Hindi naman ako talaga pupunta dito kung hindi ako talaga seryoso sa kung anong nabubuo sa aming dalawa ngayon.

I couldn't help myself to fall for her.

Halos lahat na ata ng akala kong hindi ko nararamdaman dati, naramdaman ko sa kanya, halos sumabog na ako sa sobrang pagkikimkim ko sa nararamdaman ko sa kanya.

Hindi naman mainitin ang ulo ko dati, pero isang anomalya lang sa relasyon namin, ikinakagalit ko na iyon ng sobra, na ayokong palampasin ang isang araw para lang ayusin ang kung anong mali sa amin.

Hindi ako mapakali sa tuwing wala siya sa tabi ko. Pakiramdam ko parating may nagmamasid, nag-aabang o naghihintay ng oportunidad para lang magkagulo kami. Hindi maalis sa akin na isipin iyon dahil natatakot akong mawala siya sa akin.

Siguro nga ang laki ng insecurity ko, tatanggapin ko nalang ang fact na iyon sa akin.

Kung pwede lang na ikulong ko talaga siya sa akin, gagawin ko. Pero masyado ko siyang mahal para masakal ko siya ng ganon. Kung kailangan lagi ko siyang sabayan o habulin sa mga hakbang na tatahakin niya, gagawin ko. Kahit saan pa siya magpunta susunod ako.

Natatawa ako na napapailing, hulog na hulog na ata talaga ako kay Maxene.

Pero may ilang bagay pa akong hindi masabi sa kanya tungkol sa akin at hindi ko alam kung paano ko iyon sasabihin ng walang takot at pag-aalinlangan.

Tulad na lang kanina noong nagtanong siya sa akin tungkol sa mga magulang ko. Pakiramdam ko kailangan ko lagi mag-ingat kung tungkol sa mga magulang ko ang magiging usapan. Hindi naman sa ikinahihiya ko kung sino sila. Kung tutuusin malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanila dahil tinuring nila akong parang tunay nilang anak. Pero may parte sa puso ko na pakiramdam ko kailangan ko bayaran ang lahat ng ibinigay nila sa akin.

I don't even consider myself as my father or my mother's successor. Because as much as possible I wanted to make a name for myself. Like Maxene, I just want to be just Travis.

But then what if she'll know the truth about me?

The last time I told someone the truth, she left me. Monique left me.

I wouldn't risk making the same mistake twice.

If I have to lie, I would, just to keep her with me. I can't imagine my life without Maxene now.

My past will always be a part of me and I can't do anything to change it.

It's not that I don't trust Maxene, it's just I know to myself that if she'll know, she will hate me, the worst part is, she'll also end up leaving me.

I hug her close, I won't give her any reason to leave me no matter what.

M A X E N E

Madami-dami kaming naikutan ngayon dahil na rin sa maaga kaming nagising.

Sumama kami ni Travis sa itinerary ng mga kagrupo ko at pumunta kami ng Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Disneyland and lastly, sa Tokyo Skytree.

This is our last day here, but if someone's going to ask me, I still wanted to stay.

Napakaganda talaga ng Japan or mas naappreciate ko ito kasi pumunta ako dito ng walang restrictions.

"What are you thinking?" Travis plants a kiss on my cheeks and hugs me from behind.

I lock my hands with his. "Sa totoo lang, pangarap ko ikutin ang buong mundo, I felt like the world is so big that I want to just be out there."

Bahagya ko siyang nilingon at nginitian, "You know, I just wanted to make good memories while I still can."

Humigpit ang yakap niya sa akin. "Don't speak as if there's no tomorrow Maxene." There's this fear in his voice and he puts his head on my shoulder. "Let's do what you wanted, but promise me you won't let go of my hand no matter what."

I giggled. "I know I wouldn't." I told him. "Not unless you let me go." I teased.

"You know I wouldn't Maxene. I know I wouldn't." I couldn't help but smile hearing such selfish words that gave me security.

I turn and faced him with a smile. Something is new with him, his eyes were just filled with light.

"Bakit ba napakagwapo mo ngayon sa paningin ko?" I asked an impulsive question that is supposed to be hidden inside my thoughts at this very moment. I saw how his lips turned into a wide smile, but he lightly shook his head.

"Don't flatter me, hindi ako sanay." There's this ray of insecurity in his eyes even if that's supposed to be a compliment for him.

For some reason I wanted to remove that from him. I just don't know how. But I'll figure something out.

I held my phone and pressed the camera button. I'm about to take a picture of him but he evades.

"Pipicture lang eh!" I pouted.

"If you want to take a picture, I want you with me, hindi yung puro stolen shot Maxene." He said. Wait, how did he know that?

Hindi ko ito mapapalagpas ngayon. "How did you--"

He took my phone and key in the combination, nagulat ako kasi alam niya ang passcode ko.

"I see you as well." He said, opening the camera and muttered next to my ears. "Now smile."

He clicks the camera and I feel his lips on my cheeks.

Tiningnan niya yung picture at parang ikinatuwa niya kung ano man ang hitsura ko doon, I'm sure pangit ako sa picture na yun. Hmp!

"Lemme see Travis." I said but he shakes his head. "Phone ko iyan!" I pouted.

"I'll let you see them, kapag uuwi na tayo, for now, I'll take more pictures of your candid face."

"Sinasabi mo iyan kasi pangit ako sa picture." Pagtatampo ko.

"My woman isn't ugly," he said with adoration in his voice, "She's the most beautiful girl in my life."

I didn't know how to react. I just noticed that the flash of my camera just blinked, madiskarte siyang kumuha ng photos ah! Naiinis na ako.

Again he looks at the picture and I see warmth in his face.

"Patingin." Sabi ko ulit sa kanya.

"More candid pictures to go." He said as he held my hand.

Hindi ko alam kung nakakailan na si Travis sa pagkuha ng pictures sa akin, pero mukhang ineenjoy niya ang pagiging photographer ko at pinapatulan ko naman ang trip niya.

Bigla ko tuloy naisip, bakit ba kasi nasira ang phone niya eh napakaingat nitong taong ito sa gamit.

Nang makabalik na kami sa hotel, siya na halos ang nag-impake ng gamit ko, sabi ko ako na pero ayaw niya, mapilit siya kaya pinagbigyan ko na lang, tutal, gusto naman niya ata ang ginagawa niya.

Yung dating magaan na bagahe ko, nadagdagan dahil na rin sa mga pasalubong na binili ko at konting gamit niya.

"Tinawagan ka na ba nila Anderson?" He asked, at dahil wala pa naman akong nakukuhang message mula sa kanila, umiling ako bilang tugon at nakita kong umupo siya sa sofa.

"Wala ka naman nakalimutan?" Muli niyang tanong sa akin.

"I don't think so, halos lahat nga ikaw na ang nag-asikaso, ano pa ba ang makakalimutan ko doon?" Sagot ko sa kanya na dahilan kung bakit napangiti siya sa akin. He signals me to approach him and I did.

He embraces me and looks at me like a child, "I know you plan this trip without me, but I won't say sorry for being here, since I won't want to spend another day thinking how I should make up with you, especially that I made you angry."

"Travis." I called him but he's now hiding his face at my chest.

This is the first time na ako ang hinabol. Dati kasi mas sanay ako na ako ang sumusuyo kay Kenzo pag nagkakatampuhan kami. Madalas pa napapatagal ang tampuhan namin, pero ngayon, na-ooverwhelm ako dahil ganito na lang ang pagpapahalaga ni Travis sa akin.

"I can't imagine a day without you Maxene." He said feeling a little embarrassed.

I held his face to meet my eyes. "Don't worry, next time kapag nag-plan ako ng trip, kasama ka na."

He looks at me with a weak smile. "Baka naman masyado ka ng masakal sa akin niyan." Typical selfless Travis face.

"Ang akin lang, ayoko ng malayo ka tapos magkakagulo tayo. Kulang na lang mapraning ako, kung alam mo lang." He's facing me with complete honesty.

This side of him is also cute.

"Let's just say that," I bowed just to meet his face closer, "Ayoko din na hindi kita kasama." At least I should admit that and I kissed his forehead.

Originally my plan was to win that cosplay event, go here and meet him after we had that break. Mag-lalaan sana ako ng at least one month para ayusin ang sarili ko kahit papaano, pero wala eh.

I didn't expect that he would miss me so bad.

I didn't expect that I'd tell him how much I love him.

I didn't expect that he would hate the idea of me going alone on this trip without him.

I didn't expect that he'd just show up again because of our misunderstanding.

I didn't expect that he loves me this much even if like me, he's still building himself from the ground up.

Kung ano pa ang hindi planado, iyon talaga ang madalas na nangyayari.

"Talaga ba?" His eyes shine and I nod.

"From now on," I say, touching his face, "There is us." I said, "Not just you and me, but us."

His face softens as if he lingers for those words for so long.

From my pocket I put the bracelet in his hand, nagulat siya at bago pa niya ako tanungin, I showed him that I'm also wearing mine.

"They called this the red string of fate." Panimula ko, "They said that, in a lifetime, may nakatadhana sayo at ano man ang mangyari, magkikita at magkikita kayo sa tamang panahon." I paused and I look at him.

"What do you think, would you call it fate? We met three years ago and here we are three years later." I giggled, "Or masyado lang akong nagpapaka-hopeless romantic."

He stood up and now that he's taller than me, I'm now looking at him.

"Nonetheless, you're here with me and that's enough." He said and he held my face and gave me a kiss.

"Fate still leads you to me." He smiles as he kisses the bracelet at my hand. "I love you Maxene." His lips smile, his eyes smiles, he smiles at me.

I still couldn't contain my happiness hearing him say those words to me. I kissed his bracelet in exchange of what he did with mine earlier and uttered, "I love you too Travis."

Umaga na kami nakabalik ng bansa, dahil nagkaroon lang ng konting aberya dahil sa flight schedules. Noong hinihintay namin yung flight namin pinatulog ako ni Travis sa hita niya dahil antok na antok na ako kanina.

Bago pa man kami magkanya-kanya ulit hinila ako ni Peter.

"Max, I was thinking, na ipakilala ko si Audrey sa media, what do you think?" That alone gave me an idea as well.

"Why not? Pero paano?"

"I don't know, maybe kapag nagkaroon ako ng interview one of these days." Kita sa mga mata niya na seryoso siya at natutuwa naman ako kay Peter para doon.

"Do whatever is best for her, I'm happy for you Pete."

"Actually laking tulong nila Anderson, bwisit nga eh." Napakamot siya sa ulo niya. "Bwisit kasi tama sila, I couldn't let just Audrey adjust for me."

Same goes here, now that I'm aware of Travis's insecurity, I know I have to do something about it.

"Eh kayo ni Travis, kamusta ba?" He asked.

"We're good, why ask?"

"Wala lang, kasi noong gabing pumunta siya sa hotel, sakto ko siyang nakita kasi lumabas ako at bumili ng makakain saglit, hindi nga niya ako napansin kaagad kaya ako ang lumapit sa kanya. Ang agad niyang tanong sa akin noon ay kung nasaan ka." He paused, "Nung gabing iyon, balisang balisa siya, kaya akala ko nag-away kayo."

Well technically we did, but I don't want to discuss private matters. I just smiled at Peter.

"Wala lang, para kasing ibang tao siya nung gabing iyon, ibang-iba siya noong unang beses namin siyang nakilala." He commented.

Typical Travis face, kapag ibang tao, he's just that cautious. I couldn't help to smile, siguro kasi kilalang kilala ko na siya tapos ganito ang tingin sa kanya ng ibang tao.

"Maxene." Tinawag ako ni Travis at nilingon ko naman siya kaagad. Kita sa mga mata niya na inis pa rin siya kay Peter. Ilang araw na nakalipas yung nag-smack kami ni Peter sa event pero hindi pa rin niya mapalampas. Bakit ba ang cute niyang magselos?

Kaagad naman na ako lumapit sa kanya.

"You need anything?" I asked, dahil siya na rin naman ang nagbitbit ng gamit ko.

"I need you beside me." He holds my hand.

"Kung saan, saan ka nagpupunta." Dahilan niya lang iyan ang totoo, badtrip pa rin siya kay Peter. Hindi ko maiwasan ngumiti, nakakainis!

"What's funny?" He asked with a little annoyance in his voice.

I shake my head. I'll tell him later for now ieenjoy ko muna ang pagmasdan siyang naiinis. Pero hindi ko siya sasagarin, baka magalit siya.

"So this is where we part." Sabi ni Anderson. "Buti at nakahabol ka sa trip Travis."

Habol? Ano naman kaya ang sinabi ni Travis kay Anderson para iyon ang isipin niya? Nung si Peter ang kausap ko, iba ang pagkakaunawa niya sa 'paghabol' ni Travis sa amin.

"Oo nga eh, though bitin ang three days, next time na lang ulit." He answered Anderson casually.

"Pero sana kung gusto mo pala sumama noong una palang, sumabay ka na sa amin." Singit ni Audrey. "Mysterious din talaga ni boyfie Maxene eh." Napatingin si Audrey sa gawi ko at kinindatan ako.

Napailing na lang ako. They have no idea.

Sumakay na sila ng cab at kinawayan ko naman sila pag-alis nila. Kaagad naman akong hinila ni Travis at dinala ako sa parking lot, sa may basement.

"You left your car here?" I asked.

"Angalang dalhin ko yung kotse sa Japan." May inis pa rin sa boses niya.

I know I just have to ask. "Bakit ba inis ka pa rin kay Peter?"

"No I'm not." He lies. "Get in the car Maxene, uuwi na tayo."

Nang sumakay na siya ng kotse, I hold his hand.

"Travis," I looked at him, "We just talked earlier."

"I know." He puts on his seat belt turning on the engine.

"Pero bakit ka pa rin naiinis?" I'm still looking at his annoyed face.

"I don't know." There's a little frustration in his voice. Parang nakakalat ang emosyon niya pagdating sa akin.

"I'm sorry, it's stupid, just ignore it." He's trying to conceal his temper but I know I couldn't let it pass. I grab his face close to me and kissed him.

For some reason he was able to calm himself down from what I did.

He looks into my eyes. "I'm sorry for--"

"It's okay." I cut him. For some reason, I just knew what he's going to say right away. We're on the same page, lagi naman ata kaming ganun.

"I'll try harder." He said with a small smile. "I'll be more patient Maxene."

I put my head on his shoulder. "Cute mo magselos, kung hindi ka aware." I giggled and feel him took a deep breath.

"What's mine is mine." He said impatiently. "I just hate when someone takes what's mine." He muttered like a spoiled child.

"Travis, I am yours." Natatawa kong paalala sa kanya. Halata na pinipigilan niya ang sarili niyang mainis, oo mababaw pero first time niya kasi naramdaman ito, kaya naiintindihan ko siya.

"I know. I'll do better. Ayokong mainis na lang ng ganon, it's not my character to just--" Napailing siya na natatawa sa sarili niya.

Looks like he just realized something on himself.

"I have to be more patient and understanding. Kasalanan mo kung bakit ako nagkakaganito ngayon." Nagawa pa nga niya ako sisihin.

"Cute talaga ng boyfriend ko." Sinubukan kong bolahin siya.

"Shut up." Nagpipigil ng kilig si loko and he restarted the engine.

For some reason, siguro nga dapat sisihin ko ang sarili ko, kasi ang laki ng pinagbago ni Travis, ibang-iba na siya ngayon kaysa noong makilala ko siya.

Kung dati kulang na lang maging manhid ang mga mata niya sa paligid niya, ngayon, parang nagkaroon na ito ng iba't-ibang expression.

Kung dati pinipilit lang niya ang ngumiti, ngayon, nakakangiti na siya ng kusa. Tapos kung dati ang initmidating niyang tignan, ngayon, ewan ko, ang gwapo niya lang sa paningin ko ngayon.

Nah, bakit ko naman sisisihin ang sarili ko? May epekto din naman siya sa akin.

Biglang nag-ring yung phone ko, pero siya ang sumagot, dahil nasa kanya pa ang phone ko.

Bakit kasi nasira yung phone niya?

Inabot niya sa akin yung phone ko nang may pag-aalinlangan.

Bakit naman kaya, "Hello?" I answered.

"Maxene." Si mom. Bakit naman niya ako tatawagan?

"Hello Mom, how's--"

"Umuwi ka dito sa mansion." Iyon lang ang sinabi niya at binaba na niya ang tawag.

Bigla akong kinabahan. Ano na naman kaya ang nangyari?

"Anong sabi ng Mommy mo?" Travis asked me with concern.

"I need to go sa mansion, mukhang may nagawa na naman ako." Hindi ko alam kung bakit sa tuwing tinatawagan ako ni mommy, parang lagi akong may nagagawang kasalanan. Kaya minsan sinasadya ko rin eh, kasi nakukuha ko ang atensyon niya.

"I'll go with you." Hinawakan ni Travis ang kamay ko at ngumiti ako sa kanya.

Nang makarating na kami sa mansion kaagad akong pumunta sa kung nasaan si Mommy. Bumitaw muna ako saglit kay Travis at nilapitan si mom.

"Hello Mom, I'm here." I announced myself. Tumayo si mom pagkalapag ng tsaa niya as usual at nilapitan ako.

It all happens so fast as I felt her slap me as hard as I couldn't even feel my face. Hindi ako pinagbuhatan ni Mommy kahit kailan, but why now?

"Maxene," I look at her and she stares me as cold as ice, "Do you think I'm stupid?"

"Mom, what are you talking about?"

She held an envelope and scattered pictures of me and Kenzo that night when I ran away.

Kahit pa pictures lang iyon, pakiramdam ko bumalik lahat ang sakit na naramdaman ko nung gabing iyon.

"You dare to run away?" Her voice is filled with disappointment.

"Mom, I can explain." She raised her hand cutting me off. She just wouldn't let me talk.

Nilapitan ni mom si Travis na ngayon ko lang napansin na nagpipigil ng galit sa likod ng blanko niyang mukha.

"Travis, do you know this?" Mom asked him. He gulped and from the look of his face I just know that he's going to own my mistake.

"Wala siyang alam Mom." I answered her. "I ran away, walang alam si Travis tungkol dito Mom, tinakasan ko nga siya, bakit ako magpapaalam kung tatakas ako?" My voice sounds convincing as I caught her attention.

Mom approached me again. "Smart, you're smart Maxene. So you're planning to use him to escape?"

I look at Travis and see pain in his eyes, hinarap ko si Mom at sinagot siya.

"I do Mom." I admit. In the first place that was my plan.

"Ganyan ka na ba talaga kababa? Hindi kita pinalaki ng ganyan Maxene!" Mom just snaps at me. "Nakakahiya ka, makikipagtanan ka sa lalaking iyon? Pathetic! Desperate! Stupid!" Her words are like daggers stabbing my heart repeatedly.

"Ni wala kang future sa kanya, masyado kang baliw na baliw sa lalaking iyon. Plano mo bang gawin ulit yung ginawa mo dati?" I couldn't blame mom if she's angry like this, I pushed her to. Kasalanan ko naman talaga.

"I'm sorry Mom." I just have to say it. "I'm sorry that I am your endless disappointment."

She shakes her head in disbelief.

"Kung alam ko lang na magkakaganyan ka, you shouldn't have been born Maxene." Her voice is cold as ice.

A tear fell from my eyes, I couldn't blame mom, pero masakit pa rin marinig.

"Get out of my sight Maxene. Your behavior is unforgivable. Mag-uusap kami ni Travis." Mom demanded and I obliged.

I look at Travis with a smile and I know from his stance he would just want to take me away from the place, but I have to stay in character. Ayokong masisi siya ni mom sa kalokohan ko.

I left the room and I went straight to my old bedroom.

Pictures lang iyon, pero bakit apektado pa rin ako?

Bakit masakit pa rin?

T R A V I S

It's not my place to be angry but I couldn't help it.

Sinampal niya si Maxene, minaliit at yung huli.

'You shouldn't have been born Maxene.'

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko lulunukin ang mga salitang iyon kung sa akin sinabi iyon ng nanay ko. No wonder bakit laging escape ni Maxene ang magpakamatay na lang.

"Travis, let's talk." Tinawag ako ng mommy niya at kahit pa nawalan ako ng respeto sa kanya, kailangan ko pa rin sumunod dahil gusto kong protektahan si Maxene.

"First, I want to apologize from what you saw earlier, it's just I couldn't let it pass." She sips her tea and whatever fucked up reasons she might say, it's not enough to push her daughter like that.

"She's really difficult to deal with, kaya minsan kailangan disiplinahin." She speaks with her usual voice.

Sasakyan ko na lang kung ano ang pinaglalaban niya, but I have to make some sense with her.

"I understand, but isn't this too much Ma'm?" she looks at me, "She's a free spirited woman. Hindi po ba at may kasabihan din na kapag mas lalo mong sinasakal ang isang bagay, mas lalo nito gusto kumawala sa'yo?"

She smirks. "You question my methods young man?"

"It's just my opinion Ma'm." Oo, kasi sumosobra ka na.

"Maxene is a special case," she said, "Para siyang tupa na kailangan mong ipastol. Kapag naligaw siya ng landas, ikakapahamak niya iyon."

"Wala po ba kayong tiwala sa anak ninyo?" Hindi ko mapigilan itanong. This is too much to be called as overprotective.

"Sadly, wala." She stirs her tea as if what she said doesn't hold meaning.

"She betrayed my trust once. Kapag ang tiwala ko ay nawala na," she looks at me as if she's giving me a warning, "Wala na akong tiwala talaga."

"What did she do to push you like that?" I know I have to ask, kasi may iba pa ata akong hindi alam.

"Matagal ng plano ni Maxene na sumama kay Kenzo dati. Patay na patay talaga siya sa lalaking iyon," She scoffs as if she's disgusted with her own daughter. "Akala ko noong una, dating lang, yung tamang labas-labas lang, pero mas lumalim pa ang ugnayan nilang dalawa. I should say that I'm amazed, tuso ang anak ko, hindi lang siya aware." She chuckled with a little sarcasm in her voice.

"What do you mean by that?"

"The last option she made to be with that boy is to offer herself." She shakes her head. "It's a very disappointing story since gusto ni Maxene na may mabuo para lang magkasama sila, ang pathetic lang ng anak ko sa lalaking iyon." She paused, "Pero buti na lang hindi siya ganon katalino."

I don't know what to feel hearing this from her mother. Is she aware that what she's doing suffocates Maxene?

All Maxene wants was to be free but her mother couldn't give her that.

Hindi ko maintindihan kahit ano pa ang pag-unawang gawin ko, bakit ganito na lang niya kontrolin si Maxene?

"Utang na loob niya sa akin ang buhay niya, to think na dapat pinalaglag ko na lang siya dati."

I couldn't help to clench my fist from that thought alone.

Hindi niya rin pinili na ikaw ang maging ina niya. Kung pwede ko lang sabihin iyon.

She looked at me and I know I just have to maintain my composure.

"Kaya mo ba siya kontrolin Travis?"

Sa totoo lang, kaya ko, pero ayoko.

"Is it necessary?" I asked mimicking her tone.

She smirks at me, "Kasi kung hindi mo kaya ihandle si Maxene, habang maaga pa, sabihin mo na sa akin. Kasi kung minsan na siyang nakatakas sa'yo at hindi pa naman kayo official, I might as well look for another person to take care of Maxene."

Bigla kong naalala ang sinabi ni Pierre. 'There's more on the line.'

This is her warning me.

"That's just one time." I told her, "I know it won't happen again." My voice is solid.

"How sure are you?" She asked me. "Parang kilalang kilala mo na si Maxene sa maikling panahon ah?" Her voice sounds amused.

Alam ko kasi kami na.

"Let me keep her under my wing, just to keep her close." I know I have to say it because I wanted to protect her. "The more na malapit siya sa akin, the more na mababantayan ko siya."

"Are you sure about this?" She asked with a cold voice.

I smirked, "Crystal."