T R A V I S

"Pupunta ka sa birthday ni Addy." derecho kong utos kay Monique.

Alam kong pupunta siya doon at gusto ko siyang makita ulit.

Ilang araw matapos kaming maghiwalay noong araw na iyon, kahit pa sabihin niya na tigilan ko na ang paglapit sa kanya, alam ko sa sarili ko na kahit man lang mula sa malayo, makita ko siya.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit matapos ang araw na iyon, hindi ko na rin ma-contact si Natasha. Kung hindi siya ang koneksyon ko kay Maxene, kay Monique ako napipilitan kumapit dahil siya lang ang pwede kong maging palusot para mapalapit sa mundo niya.

"You know that we're no longer friends, she hates me Travis." paliwanag niya na alam ko naman ang dahilan. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya nang magkatugma ang mga mata namin. "Anyway, last semester mo na dapat, napag-isipan mo na bang--?"

"May I remind you of why we are here, Monique," I cut her monotonously before she could change the subject, "We're just talking because you owe me a favor." I cross my arms as I lean on the chair while drinking my coffee.

Paano ako babalik sa school kung hindi maayos ang isipan ko? Anong mukha ang ihaharap ko sa school matapos kaming maghiwalay ni Maxene? Tapos makikita ng mga tao na fiance na siya ni Pierre ngayon.

Knowing the asshole, he'd use that against me in any way he pleases. To humiliate me, to torment me, to make me feel inferior against him. From the very start that's his game. He wanted me out so badly so that he could take Maxene from me.

He started a war with me and I'm not going to stop until I win. I'll make sure that he will have a taste of his own medicine. Pagsisisihan niya na tinuklaw niya ako patalikod gagong hayop siya!

"Nagkausap na naman kayo, hindi pa ba iyon sapat para maging closure ninyo?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Monique.

How the fuck did she knew about that? I didn't say anything as I read her. She let out a huge sigh and looked away.

"I told her about--" she gulps and blinks as she cautiously puts her thoughts into words, "About the whereabouts of her child."

Now that made sense. Sino pa ba bukod kay Monique ang nakakaalam kung saan ko inilibing si Hope? Minsan na rin siyang pumunta doon. Maganda man ang intensyon niya, pero naging defense mechanism ko na ata ang itulak siya palayo mula sa akin.

"Akala ko nagkaroon na kayo ng closure matapos ang araw na iyon." she let out a small awkward smile.

"Do you expect me to tell you 'thank you' because of that?"

Her eyes soften as she shakes her head, "I'm not expecting anything. I just did what's best for you. Akala ko pagkatapos noon, mapapatawad mo na ang sarili mo, Travis."

"Pupunta ka sa birthday ni Addy. Bumili ka ng regalo, tiyak ko na aasahan niya iyon." binigyan ko siya ng blank check.

"Para saan naman ito?"

"What you earn isn't enough. You need resources. Your father may have accepted you, but financially, you lack credibility."

"So, I work for you, ganoon ba?" If she's trying to humor the situation, I don't have enough time to listen to her.

"Ganoon din naman ang naging usapan ninyo ni Pierre, hindi ba?" I scoffed, "Pareho lang tayong nakikinabang sa isa't-isa ngayon, Monique."

She forced out a smile, "Oo nga naman." there's a hint of bitterness in her voice, "As long as I am needed, I am being used, right?" I choose to look away and noticed that she took the check, "I guess upgraded na ako, dahil nababayaran na rin pala ang serbisyo ko ngayon."

Muli ko siyang binalikan ng tingin. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong sabihin sa kanya dahil ang sa akin lang, gusto ko mapadali ang trabaho at mapapadali ang trabaho kung may pera ka.

Ganoon naman ang mundo, kung sino ang mas nakakataas, iyon ang agad-agad na pinagtutuunan ng pansin.

Kailangang mapaniwala sila Addy na suportado ni Tito Matt si Monique tulad ng dati. Bigla kong naalala ang gown na sinuot niya sa gala, nirentahan niya lang iyon para lang magmukhang kaaya-aya bilang date ko noong araw na iyon. Kung hindi siya pumunta noon, malamang hindi ko malalapitan si Maxene, akala ko pa hindi siya sisipot dahil ilang oras din akong naghintay sa kanya yun pala naman ay na-traffic siya.

I know she's doing everything she could. I should at least be grateful for the favor she's doing for me, but every damn time I see her face, I couldn't forget that God forsaken day. Antipathy and bitterness just overtakes me and because of that I was an asshole towards Monique.

"I get it." she breaks the silence between us, "Alam ko naman Travis dahil naiintindihan kita. Pero sana kahit konti lang, sana maalala mo na kaibigan mo pa rin ako," she paused, "Alam kong galit ka pa rin sa akin. Alam kong nasaktan din kita. Ilang beses man ako humingi ng tawad, alam kong hindi pa rin iyon sapat. Kung tutuusin nga, wala ka namang ginawa para masaktan ako, pero ito ang iginanti ko sa iyo."

Biglang bumigat ang dibdib ko. Hindi ko alam kung dapat ko pa bang marinig ito. Alam ko naman kung bakit niya ginawa iyon at naipit lang siya sa sitwasyon. Muli siyang nabigyan ng pagkakataon na umahon sa kahirapan sa tulong ni Pierre, kapalit ng katapatan niya sa akin.

Alam ko naman na ginagamit lang din siya ni Pierre para guluhin ako noon, para hiwalayan ako ni Maxene. Oo at may mga pagkakataon na nadadala ako sa tukso dahil naging malapit din naman si Monique sa buhay ko, pero sa tuwing naalala ko ang pag-asa na binigay sa akin ni Maxene, alam ko sa sarili ko na kailangan ko ng iwan ang nakaraan ko, para makapag simula ulit na kasama siya.

She's everything I ever hoped for and I knew to myself that I wouldn't let go of someone like her who saw through me when no one else has. She embraced my demons, she served as my light, my hope and my second chance in life.

But in the end I lost her.

I messed up and for that reason she's back in the cage where everyone restricts her to fly from the chains that kept her before.

I just don't understand why she said that, she needed to make her arrangement with Pierre work this time. That it's not about what she wants anymore.

Tila naglalaro sa isipan ko kung bakit niya sinabi iyon.

"So anong oras ka pupunta doon?" I hear Monique's voice taking me back from my reality.

"Susunduin na lang kita, para sabay na rin tayo."

"You really don't have to, just tell me what time and--"

"I insist Moe."

She let out an awkward giggle, "It felt like it's been a long time since you called me in that name."

"I know I was unfair around you. To be honest, I don't know how to face you because I can't forget that day." I see her nodding at me with a small smile, "But thank you, thank you for telling her. I know I needed that."

I needed her to put me back on track.

Noong nakipaghiwalay si Maxene, akala ko hanggang doon na lang magiging ugnayan namin. Tinanggap ko iyon dahil alam ko namang hindi ko na-protektahan ang relasyon naming dalawa. Lugmok na lugmok ako noon na halos ayokong lumabas ng bahay. Ilang buwan din matapos niya ako iwan, ayokong umuwi sa penthouse dahil lagi ko siyang nakikita kahit saan ako tumingin.

Tumigil ako sa school pansamantala dahil nagluluksa rin ako sa pagkawala ng anak namin. Pilit kong inaayos ang sarili ko kahit hirap na hirap ako. Lalo na at alam kong mahal na mahal ko pa rin si Maxene.

Matagal na kaming tapos, pero matapos ng ilang buwan at na-interview siya sa TV, doon na niya ipinakilala ang fiance niya na hindi ako.

Tila bumalik muli ang lahat sa akin ang lahat at napag dugtong dugtong ko ang lahat ng pangyayari matapos ng hiwalayan namin ni Maxene. Napuno ng matinding galit ang puso ko dahil naisahan ako ng ahas kong kaibigan. Hindi ko matatanggap na ang magiging kapalit ko sa buhay ni Maxene ay ang lalaking tulad ni Pierre.

Tangina talagang hayop siya!

"Hanggang kailan mo gagawin ito, Travis?" muling binasag ni Monique ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin, "Alam ko naman na sa mga oras na ito, siya lang ang iniisip mo. Pero hanggang kailan mo ito gagawin?"

"Hanggang sa matapos ko ang dapat kong tapusin."

"How sure are you that you can win this?" she asks with concern in her voice, "Kilala mo naman si Pierre. Ngayon at nakuha na niya ang gusto niya, wala na siyang balak bitawan kung ano ang pagmamay-ari niya."

I smirked, "She's not his." I told her with certainty and stood up.

"But she wasn't yours either. Not anymore." She stated an obvious fact that I am dealing every damn day.

"She was mine." I uttered, "But she's her own person too and she deserves more than where she is now." I started to walk away from our table, "See you when I see you Moe."

"See you around, Travis."

THE DAY that I am waiting for has come.

Bumili na rin ako ng regalo kay Addy para naman may maabot din ako.

Monique was my date and she didn't disappoint me at all. The way she carried herself was the Monique from way back high school; a classy prima donna. Some of the people recognized her right away and some old friends welcomed her back.

Hindi naman mahirap kay Monique ang magpanggap sa harapan ng maraming tao. Nakasanayan na niya iyon simulang ipakilala siya ng daddy niya sa iba't-ibang tao at dahil sa araw-araw na kailangan niyang i-meet ang expectation ng daddy niya, nakakalimutan na rin niya minsan kung sino talaga siya.

"Happiest birthday, dear Addy!" She smiles at her old friend, yet Addy skeptically looks at her.

"I didn't know that you're invited here." Tinaasan niya ng kilay ang dating kaibigan pero hindi nagpasindak si Monique sa intimidation ni Addy.

"Well surprise," she handed her gift, "Here's my gift to you and I know that you're going to like it."

Addy opened her present and looked at Monique with a little hint of satisfaction, "So you still remember?"

"Of course, kahit naman pa paano ay naging magkaibigan din naman tayo. So bakit ko naman malilimutan kung ano ang paborito mo?" she winked at her but Addy just rolled her eyes at her with a small smile.

"For you." I gave her my gift, "Happy birthday Addy."

"Now, I know that you're not invited here Travis." There's a hint of worry in her sassy voice as I try to read between the lines.

"Ano ka ba, kasama ko siya." Monique diverted Addy's attention, clinging onto me, "He's my date. Don't ruin it for me."

"I have nothing against it," Addy holds up her hand playing along with Monique, "Ayoko lang magkaroon ng gulo dito sa birthday ko, lalo na at ex niya yung fiance ng Kuya ko." suplada niyang ani.

I let out a playful smile and put my arms around Monique, "Why worry, tulad naman ng kuya mo, na-arrange lang din naman siya kay Maxene, hindi ba?"

Addy looks at me eye to eye, trying to read my thoughts. "How sure are you that I'll believe you?" she raised an eyebrow, "Si Kuya nga hindi mo mapaniwala, so bakit ako maniniwala sa iyo, Travis?" She crossed her arms, intimidating me.

I don't actually need Pierre to believe me. I know he wouldn't after I figured out his game, I'm just here to piss him off even more.

To my surprise Monique pulls me for a kiss and I just let myself go with the flow.

"Boyfriend ko na siya at tulad nga ng sinabi mo, na-arrange lang naman sila noon ni Max," tiningnan niya ako ng nakangiti, "It's nothing serious, right Travis?"

I gulped and smiled looking back at Addy, "It's true."

She sighs as if she's relieved, "Well, I don't know the details. But if that's true, then good for the both of you, but still," she looks back at me as if her eyes had a hint of disheartenment, "Hindi ko alam kung dapat kang makita ni Kuya dito. Pero sana huwag mo na lang din siya lapitan, utang na loob lang Travis."

"I don't want to cause you any trouble, it's your birthday anyway." a waiter carrying a tray of tequila approaches us and I signaled Monique to take two for her and Addy, "We're just here to have fun." I say as I give her a toast and drink together.

"Fine." Addy smiled, "I'll just catch you later, madami dami pa akong bisita na sasamahan. Hindi rin ako pwede malasing, lagot ako kay Kuya kapag nagkataon." She excused herself at nakipag beso kay Monique. "I'm just glad that you're back Moe." Addy commended her and left as she entertained her newly arrived guests.

"I just have to do that, I'm sorry." Monique uttered enough for me to hear.

"I know." I put up a friendly smile playing the role we have in front of the people around us.

I let Monique mingle around people as I blend in the crowd. Hindi pa rin nadating si Maxene.

I'm getting a little impatient as I drink up another glass not knowing that Gerard is sitting next to me.

"You're not supposed to be here, Travis."

"Party ni Addy, plus kasama ko si Moe." I reasoned as I saw him letting out a disappointing sigh.

"You shouldn't push Pierre like this."

Halata na ba ako masyado?

I chuckled as I closed my eyes, "I'm not the one who started this." I reminded him with a smirk.

"You don't understand, Travis." Gerard anxiously shakes his head, looking around us with worry in his eyes, "Kailangan niyang gawin iyon." he uttered those words enough for me to hear.

"Ang alin, ang kunin si Max sa akin?" I scoffed, "Wala siya kamong respeto sa akin at sa pagkakaibigan namin. Ginago niya ako Ge." I wouldn't expect him to see my point, "It's understandable if you're siding with him."

"I'm not siding with anyone, Travis. In fact," he paused, letting out a heavy sigh, "In fact, Maxene wasn't supposed to be arranged with you in the first place."

"Ano namang katarantaduhan iyan Ge?" I'll laugh on his face if this is a joke.

"Bata pa lang sila, sila na ang ipinagkasundo ng mga magulang nila. Kasunduan iyon na namagitan kay Tito Franco at sa daddy ni Maxene." paliwanag ni Gerard, "Kaya walang inagaw si Pierre sa iyo Travis, kinuha niya lang ang para sa kanya."

I clenched my fist feeling the weight in my chest.

I shake my head and faced him as I keep my cool, "Sigurado naman na pinapasabi iyan ni Pierre sa iyo para layuan ko si Maxene, hindi ba?" I scoffed, "Ganyan na ba siya masyadong nababahala sa presensya ko?"

"Ayokong makisali sa gulo ninyo hangga't maaari. Huli ko na lang din ito nalaman matapos ka niyang ipabugbog noon. Ayoko yung ginawa niya noon sa iyo dahil hindi rin naman makatarungan iyon." tumungo siya at muling huminga ng malalim, "Ako ang inutusan niya na siraan ka sa Nanay mo Travis. Pero hindi ko iyon ginawa, mas pinili kong lumapit sa kapatid mo."

Umismid ako, "So talagang matagal niyo na palang alam, ganoon ba?"

"Akala ko noong una, malapit na kaibigan mo lang si Laurenz at iniwasan mo lang siya nang dahil sa kahihyan na kumalat sa kanya noong mga bata pa tayo. Pero noong hindi ko sinasadya na marinig ang pagtatapat mo kay Monique noon, doon ko nalaman ang totoo." He paused, facing me genuinely, "I kept my mouth shut since then. Because I valued our friendship together and besides, it wasn't my story to tell."

I was taken aback by his confession, I didn't expect that of all people, he will be the person who'll keep my secret for so long. "So, paano nalaman ni Pierre ang tungkol dito?" I couldn't help but ask, "Ito rin ang kinakasama ng loob niya noong unang beses niya akong ipinagulpi, hindi ba?"

"When you watched a play together with Maxene, kasama mo sila noon hindi ba?" He explained, "He had someone follow you after that. And the rest was like a piece of a puzzle that he solved on his own."

My jaw hardened, well fucking played.

"But knowing Pierre, he just has to do what he believes he'll benefit from it." Gerard added, "At ang pagkakaibigan ninyo ang isinugal niya para makuha ang dapat sa kanya."

"Why should I believe you, Gerard?"

"You don't have to believe me, because I'm stating a fact that has been sealed a long time ago." he didn't look away as I see nothing but truth in his eyes, "Hindi ako kailanman nagsinungaling sa iyo Travis," he paused, "Kaibigan kita at kaibigan ko siya, pero kilala mo naman siya, hindi ba? Sana ikaw ang na lang ang umiwas. Pakiusap Travis, huwag mo na lapitan pa si Maxene. Huwag mo bigyan si Pierre ng dahilan para saktan ka." Malungkot na nginitian ako ni Gerard, "Move on and let her go man." Tinapik niya ang balikat ko at naglakad na palayo sa akin.

Bakit hindi ko pa rin tanggap?

Ilang beses ko na nilulunok ang sinasabi ni Gerard sa akin pero hindi ko pa rin tanggap.

'Walang inagaw si Pierre sa iyo Travis, kinuha niya lang ang para sa kanya.'

Tangina kahit ano pa ang dahilan, hindi ko pa rin tanggap.

Gulong-gulo na ako, gusto kong isipin na may iba pang dahilan dahil hindi ko tanggap na ganito na kahihinatnan ng ugnayan ko kina Pierre at Maxene.

Tvoy vrag.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko naalala ang mga salitang sinabi noon ni Natasha. Ano ba talaga ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit naninilbihan si Natasha sa mga Campbell? Yung Daddy ba talaga ni Maxene ang sadya niya o yung scandal na nangyari dati sa Mommy niya?

Kung tama man ang hinala ko, ano ba talaga ang plano ni Papa?

"Travis." Monique calls my attention, "Dumating si Pierre kanina, pero agad din siyang umalis. Hindi niya kasama si Maxene." paliwanag niya pa, "Akala pa nga niya na kasabay ni Maxene si Addy na dumating dito. Pero ang akala naman ni Addy, sila ni Pierre ang magsasabay na pumunta dito."

Something is not right. It didn't feel right.

Sana lang talaga, mali ako sa inaakala ko. Pero mukhang kailangan ko ng buksan ang laman ng USB na iyon.

M A X E N E

I know I'm supposed to be at Addy's party, but for some reason, Senator Valentine requires my presence.

Hindi ko pa alam kung bakit niya ako biglang pinatawag, akala ko naman dahil kasama niya si Pierre, pero kaming dalawa lang ang nasa mansion nila.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakakaramdam ako ng matinding tensyon sa kung paano niya ako tingnan, na para bang may ginawa akong malaking kasalanan sa kanya.

"You remind me so much of Miranda, Maxene." He complimented me by handing me a cup of wine. "Noong ka-edad mo pa lang siya, marami ang pumipila sa kanya. Pero sadyang mataas ang pamantayan ng mommy mo." he speaks with an unfamiliar humor that doesn't suit his character.

I let out a friendly smile, "So, ganoon na po pala siya, umpisa pa lang?" I took a sip of the wine.

I hear the Senator chuckled, "Kaya noong ipinagkasundo kami ng mga magulang namin dati, talaga namang ang laki ng kumpiyansa ko sa magiging buhay kasama si Miranda noon."

I didn't know what to say as I took another sip and saw him approaching me, sitting right next to me with his arms at the back of the sofa.

"But little did I know, behind your mom's prideful face hides a secret that only I know." Senator uttered with a low and husky voice.

I guess, this is the time that I should ask a question, "Ano naman po iyon?"

"Na nasa loob ang kulo niya," he chuckled, "That in order to see her real face, you have to offer her a strong wine."

Nakangiti kong ibinaba ang baso, pero bago ko pa man iyon maibaba sa lamesa, dinagdagan ulit ni Senator ng wine ang baso ko.

"Drink up." He says with a ray of mischief.

"Pupunta pa po ako sa party ni Addy eh." I reasoned, "Baka hinihintay niya rin po ako doon."

"Well, they can't refuse their father, right?" He smirked playfully that it made me feel a little uncomfortable.

I bit my lip inwardly to maintain my cool but to my surprise, he pulled some strand of my hair and inhaled it.

This is not normal.

Nagulat na lang ako nang muli siyang ngumiti, hindi ko alam kung bakit pakiramdam ko nakalutang ang utak ko sa ulap.

"Pareho kayo ni Miranda, pareho kayong rebelde sa kapalaran na inihain sa inyo." Senator Valentine uttered next to my ear. Pilit kong nilalabanan ang hilo na nararamdaman ko, pero nanghihina ang buong sistema ko, "Sa tingin mo ba, hindi ko alam na nakipagkita ka ulit sa dati mong fiance," he uttered sinisterly next to my ear, "Plano mo rin bang tumakbo sa kanya para tumakas sa pinirmahan mong kontrata?"

"Hindi ko po alam ang sinasabi ninyo Senator." depensa ko sa sarili ko pero sa sobrang lakas niya napahiga ako sa sofa. Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa hita ko.  Hindi tama ito, lasing ba si Senator?

"Sinungaling." He growled and grabbed both of my wrists upward. Napapaluha na ako, "Pareho kayo ni Miranda na sinungaling. Hindi niya kailanman inaamin ang nararamdaman niya noon kahit na kanino man. Pero nagbago iyon noong magpakita siya ng motibo sa hampaslupa mong ama." Bitterness is obvious in his voice as he shut his eyes.

"Ano bang meron kay Benjamin na wala sa akin Miranda. I'm sure that I'm better than him, yet you cunning woman!" he gritted his teeth as if he is seeing the face of my mom inside his mind, "The more that you're playing hard to get, the more it makes me want you so badly."

"Senator..." my voice is weak yet it seems that my voice slaps his reality that I am not my mother.

"Hinding-hindi na ako papayag na maisahan ako ulit, kaya kung hindi magawa ni Pierre ang gusto ko, ako na lang ang gagawa. Tutal naman dakilang mapagpanggap din ang anak ko na iyon at mukhang kuntento na siya sa pagiging pangalawa lang, lalo na at napakalambot niya para sumunod sa yapak ko." he says belittling his son.

My vision is getting blurry and eyelids are getting heavy. It's so damn heavy that I can't fight it.

Naiiyak ako dahil wala akong lakas para labanan ang lakas ni Senator.

Someone please... help me...

"FRANCO STOP!"

I'm not sure what's happening around me. I only hear a woman's voice yelling towards the Senator and I see a familiar face. It is Pierre, looking at me with regret in his eyes. I cried a tear as I succumbed into darkness.

I WOKE UP in a place that is alien to me. I checked myself and gladly, I'm still wearing the clothes I wore from last night.

Biglang bumalik sa alaala ko ang lahat, napayakap ako sa sarili ko at napaluha sa takot sa muntik nang mangyari sa akin kagabi. Pakiramdam ko kanina lang nangyari ang lahat, pero buti na lang at umaga na.

I walked towards the window and saw the wide ocean.

Nasaan ako?

"Gising ka na pala." Pierre greeted me with a friendly smile on his face.

I couldn't look at him as I bit my lip inwardly. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya haharapin pagkatapos ng nangyari kagabi, "Nasaan ako?" I asked, my voice was insecure.

"This is my mother's vacation house." he says, handing me a cup of coffee. "You're safe here."

"I'm still confused about everything that has happened." I tell him and see uncertainty in his eyes. "Why would your father do that to me?"

His smile weakened, "Sa totoo lang, gusto niyang may mangyari na sa atin. Ang sabi niya pa, 'insurance' daw iyon na hindi ka bibitaw sa usapan natin," he chuckled as he puts up a prideful face, "Well, hindi naman iyon mahirap sa akin kung tutuusin."

"But you didn't." I paused, asking him, "Why?"

He turns his back away from me, answering me impassively. "Let's just say, out of respect." he chuckled inwardly, "Kapag ginawa ko iyon, masasaktan siya." Pierre uttered, shaking his head, "Masama din naman ang sobra."

"You mean, Travis?" He took a deep breath, attempting to walk away from me. But I'm not going to let this pass, "Pierre, please... I just want to understand what role I play in this situation." I pleaded and he stopped from pacing, "Obviously, we're just in this arrangement because of your father and obviously you don't have feelings for me." I paused, "Am just I your ticket just please your father?"

He said nothing but chuckled as if he heard a funny joke from me. I'm getting a little impatient, anxious, and frustrated.

"I just don't understand anything anymore. I thought we're friends, partners, I even played my role as your fiance, but I don't know why you're keeping a distance from me that makes me feel that you don't trust me."

I'm lost. I don't even have a guide. I thought we're allies, at least. But it seems like he's kept me in the dark ever since we got arranged.

"Hindi ko maintindihan bakit kailangan pang humantong sa punto na muntikan ng mangyari ang muntik na mangyari sa akin kagabi. Bakit sinabi ng Daddy mo na dakilang mapagpanggap ka? Bakit sinabi ni Addy na kailangan mong putulin ang pakikipagkaibigan mo kay Travis. Bakit kailangan mo siyang ipabugbog?"

Alam ko naman na siya lang ang taong sinasabi ni Addy noon sa gala at pinatunayan naman iyon ng reaksyon ni Pierre, na ngayon ay bahagya na akong binabasa sa mata na para bang nagdadalawang isip siya kung kasinungalingan ba ang mga nasabi ko o katotohanan.

"What happened last night wasn't supposed to happen and I'm sorry." he started with regret in his voice, facing me as composed as he could be, "Hindi ko alam na ganoon ang gagawin ni Dad. Kung hindi lang siya agad napigilan ni Mom, baka kung ano na ang nangyari sa iyo."

I sigh, so yung Mommy niya pala ang pumigil sa kahibangan ni Senator kagabi, "How's your Mom?"

"Syempre masakit pa rin sa kanya, you already know the story Maxene." he chuckled, shaking his head avoiding my gaze.

"But there are still questions left unanswered, Pierre." I reminded him. "I think you owe me more than that, after last night."

He sighs as he shakes his head and sits on the chair beside the bed.

"Fine, fire away." he uninterestedly raised his hand as a go signal for me.

"True or false," I remembered when he asked me the same question back in the day as he faced me with pride, "Pinapabugbog mo ba si Travis?"

"True."

"Why?" I mean for what purpose, actually?

"That's me doing him a favor, he has to stand down." He says casually.

"How's that doing him a favor, kung sinasaktan mo siya?"

"Ayokong makita ni Dad na hindi ko kaya si Travis, ayoko rin na maulit yung dati." he paused closing his eyes, "Dahil malaki ang pagkakamali ni Dad na minsang bungguin niya yung Papa ni Travis."

"What do you mean?"

He looked at me in disbelief tilting his head beside, "You didn't know about his parents?"

"His father is a retired Military General, that's for sure." Alam ko man ang tungkol sa biological parents niya pero angalang ikwento ko pa iyon.

"He didn't tell you about his mother?" he chuckled, "My bad, his adoptive mother?" He knows that Travis was adopted? I shake my head and see him smiling at me playfully. "Do you know his real name?"

"What's with that stupid question Pierre?" I'm getting a little impatient.

"He is not using his real name. The name he is using is just a proxy from the real name that his parents gave him, Maxene." a small smile formed on his lips as he meets my curious eyes, "Azrael Trevis Romanov Hayes, that is his name. His legal name to be exact." I looked at him in disbelief as he continues telling me something that Travis hasn't told me.

"His adoptive mother was a no ordinary woman. I heard that she's an assassin, but she retired when she got married and adopted Travis. Yet, when his father; General Joseph Ashikaga Hayes attempted to run for higher office after he served the military and was recognized by the people, my Dad did a dick move where it'll hurt his opponent the most to forcefully step down from candidacy."

Bakit hindi ito naikwento sa akin ni Travis?

Wait, he has no plans of telling me in the first place, I asked him but he's not completely confident telling me about his adoptive parents.

Pierre told me that the incident that happened years ago almost got his friend killed, if Travis's adoptive mother didn't arrive in time which changed her life forever.

Trudi Mikhailovich Romanov Hayes holds a fine reputation in combat and was a trained assassin in her early years. But when she found out that her son was in danger, she didn't hesitate to move on her own to save her only son without her husband knowing.

True that Travis told me once that he lost his adoptive mother to cancer, but he didn't tell me the cause of it. Her cancer was triggered after she was shot in the back abdomen. Trudi Hayes was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma that took her life in the long run.

[A/N Here is the sample case study of Adenocarcinoma :(https://www.hindawi.com/journals/cripa/2019/8059346/)]

"How are you protecting him by hurting him at the same time, Pierre?" I asked once again.

"It's a little ironic," he chuckled, shaking his head, "Because how he resorted to keeping Laurenz away from trouble was the same thing I am doing for him."

"Alam mo ang ugnayan nilang dalawa?"

He shrugs, "I have my hints. Magkaibigan kami mula pa noong mga bata pa kami, kaya kahit papaano kilala ko siya. Sa tuwing pinagtitripan namin si Laurenz dati, laging pumapagitna si Travis sa amin at imbis na pisikalin namin yung taong ayaw namin, kinukutya namin dahil ano ba naman ang mas masakit sa pisikal na sugat, hindi ba?" Pierre cuts with amusement in his face, "I learned that from the great Travis Hayes." he chuckled, meeting my eyes, "Ganoon ko siya nakilala. Pero nang dumating ka sa buhay niya, nagbago ang pagkakakilala ko sa kanya. Minsan napapatanong din ako kung talaga bang kilala ko siya o pati ako, napapaikot niya."

I look away, I don't know why that made me feel guilty.

"Pero wala rin namang lihim ang hindi nabubunyag. Laking pasasalamat ko rin sa iyo nang makita ko kayong nanood ng musical play sa Solaire." He smirked at me, "Doon ko napagtanto na isang estranghero ang akala kong malapit na kaibigan ko dahil hindi niya kami lubusang pinagkakatiwalaan." I gulped, tasting the bitterness from his words that he hides in humor.

"So to answer your questions: Oo, pinagulpi ko siya. Pinutol ko rin ang pakikipagkaibigan ko sa kanya. Oo, kailangan ko siyang saktan para ipaalala sa kanya na wala siya sa lugar, eh matigas ang ulo niya. Ayaw niyang magpapigil kaya lagi siyang nasasaktan," he paused, hiding the color of bitterness from his eyes, "And yes, after we agreed on this engagement we had, I just can't do what my father asks me to do with you. Because even if I cut off Travis as a friend, I know how much you mean to him. It's mostly out of respect."

Pierre looks away and sighs, "I guess, I just don't have anything under my sleeve anymore." He uttered in defeat, "He's stubborn to give up on you." There's a ray of distress in his voice that he is taking under control. Closing his eyes, he recalled, "Kadalasan kapag wala na akong maisip na iba pang paraan para kontrolin ang isang sitwasyon, siya ang katuwang ko para maging maayos ang problema ko." he muttered, "Yet I lost a valuable ally and made him my enemy."

Seeing him like a defeated child, I know how difficult this is for him because he values Travis as his friend. Sinabi naman din niya sa akin na si Travis ang pinakamalapit niyang kaibigan sa kanilang tatlo.

"You haven't answered why your father--?"

"Sa tingin mo, bakit ko alam kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya noon?" He cuts me by changing our conversation. Looking at me with precaution.

"Where is this conversation going?"

"I was there when it happened." he admitted, "I wasn't supposed to be there when that happened and so are you." he paused but he's not yet done, "Remember the Treasure Hunting?" I nodded, "Si Travis ang kasama mo noon, hindi ako. Wala sa plano ang pati ikaw ay ma-kidnap, nadamay ka lang. Samantalang scapegoat lang ako para mapagtakpan ang pagkakamali ng ama ko."

"But you said--"

"I just took advantage of that memory to get closer to you. Hindi rin naman naalala ni Travis iyon. But for what's worth, that's a memory that I know he shouldn't remember." I observed his reaction as if he was telling me a part of a secret that he was hiding for so long.

I know the background why Pierre and I were in this arrangement together. Now looking at the bigger picture, I know that everything revolves around his father's demands and Pierre just wants to meet his father's expectations.

Gusto ni Senator Valentine maikasal ako kay Pierre dahil ako ang dahilan kung bakit tuluyang nawala sa kanya si Mom noon. Pero ibang istorya pala ang madamay si Travis sa kwentong ito.

"Kung wala ka ng itatanong, ipapahanda ko na ang agahan mo." Pierre stood up heading towards the door with a gentle smile.

Looking at Pierre, I know he just did the wrong things for the right reason. I picked up the pieces he left unconsciously in front of me and I just can't assume unless a fact is stated.

I can feel that he is not being honest with himself.

This is his way of protecting his closest friend from the opponent that he can't win.

"This is not just about your respect for him, am I right?" I asked him and he halted. Of all the things he had risked for him, "Pierre do you..."

'Being able to stay beside the one whom you hold dear, is one of the privileges of being a close friend.' minsan ko na ring narinig iyon mula kay Cyriel noon.

"I guess I am chained to the colors that are given to me." he chuckled, almost sounding resigned.

"Then mix them all together, if you want to create a colorful picture, then do it." I tell him loudly, "Mix them with pride and own it." mali man ako ng iniisip, pero sa pagkakataong ito nakikita ko unti-unti ang totoong kulay ni Pierre na pilit niyang tinatago sa mundo.

"You don't have to disguise and wear that monochromatic color alone, where you can have all the colors around you."

"What makes you say that I'm pretending?" he asks playfully.

"Now, those were your words Pierre, not mine."