T R A V I S

Walking alone in the lion's den is a stupid thing to do especially when you don't know what to expect from a predator waiting for it's prey.

But unlike the last time I've been here, I know I must take precautions to avoid making the same mistake twice.

Yet for some reason, he called me out here in the middle of the afternoon.

Wala siyang ibang kasama at para sa taong katulad niya, ito ay ang isang bagay na hindi ko inaasahan na gawin niya. Pumasok ako sa loob ng dati naming tambayan nang makita ko siyang nakapamulsa.

"Ikaw lang?" I put my hands inside my pocket looking around the place. I shouldn't let my guard down, especially around him.

"Why do you expect that you'll have another brawl with the boys?" Pierre smirked, shaking his head with amusement. "Aren't you a little delinquent, like your brother."

I chuckled, "Alam mo naman na hindi ako pumapatol sa mga takaw gulo," I grinned, "Time is precious, so why would I bother wasting my energy playing around with your minions?"

Sapat na ang tatlong beses na pinabayaan kong ipabugbog niya ako, noong una na hindi ko kailanman inaasahang gagawin niya sa akin, yung pangalawa kung kailan napikon siya sa ginawa kong pamamahiya sa kanya sa harapan ni Maxene, yung pangatlo ay sana ay utang na loob niya sa akin dahil niligtas ko lang naman yung fiance niya noong iniwan siya ni Joshua sa bar.

Muntik pang masundan iyon, pero hindi ko na siya inatrasan at binigay ko ang gulo na gusto niya, pero kasabay noon ay ang madamay si Laurenz dahil sa tigas din ng ulo nun na sundan ako kahit pa hindi ko sinasabi sa kanya kung saan ako nagpupunta matapos akong bumalik ulit dito sa siyudad.

Enough is enough, I wouldn't stand down to him. If he wants to declare war with me, then he shouldn't involve someone else, besides this is between me and him... From the start this is between me and him.

The asshole just laughed at me and sighs with satisfaction.

"Now it feels like we're being completely honest with each other," he tilted his head beside with a playful smile, "For the very first time, it seems like finally, you were able to be who you really are, Travis." he grins and arch an eyebrow. "Sa totoo lang, mas gusto ko 'tong Travis na ganito. Mas authentic, mas matapang, mas palaban, kesa yung dati na tahimik lang, masyadong stiff na parang ayaw mong magkamali, though of course, you're cunning and smart. We both hate losing which is our common ground and you're the only one whom I acknowledge as my equal. Kaya nga naging kanang kamay kita, eh. Yet, tell me, is it really your forte to pretend to be someone you're not?"

"Enough talk Pierre, why did you call me out here without anyone with you? Hindi mo ugali na harapin ang kalaban mo mag-isa." I smirked, attempting to read him. Anong binabalak niya?

"Nothing special, I'm just here to talk." He started putting his hand in his pocket, "Oh, before I forgot, I just want you to know na ikakasal na kami ni Max bago ang graduation."

"Oh talaga, should I say good job and congratulations?"

He laughed at me as if my reaction amused him. I gritted my teeth controlling myself before I could snap in front of him.

Tanginang gago ito, sinusubukan ba niya ang pasensya ko? Kung mandilim ang paningin ko, pasensyahan na lang, hinding hindi ko siya aatrasan.

"Well, I'm actually inviting you. I know you wouldn't miss it for the world." he playfully smiled at me. "I'll send the invitation at your place."

The nerve of this asshole, he is enjoying himself pissing me off.

I should play my cards right.

"Hindi ka naman naninigurado masyado, ano?" I mocked him, "Masyado ka na bang nababahala sa presensya ko kaya si Maxene ang iniipit mo?"

He looked amused from my reaction, "This isn't my resolve," he declared, "This is in fact Maxene's plan." he chuckled, "I must say that, she exceeded my expectation. She's more than just a pretty face." That statement backfired me at the moment. "She's really making this work between us, I should be flattered to have a woman like her."

May kung anong bumara sa lalamunan ko na dahilan kung bakit parang nababawasan ang daloy ng hangin sa baga ko.

He must be bluffing.

"Then you must have done or told her something that made her resort to that resolve, especially knowing you." I tilted my head beside, "Blackmail, perhaps?" I observed his reaction, "What dirty tricks you did this time?"

"I didn't do anything this time Travis," his voice is serious as he keeps eye contact, "In fact, this is the result of what you've done."

I scoffed, walked towards him and took his collar with force, "Ako pa talaga ang may kasalanan?" I glared at him, "O baka naman wala ka ng masisi sa kalokohan mo Pierre?" I'm not going to allow him this turn this argument against me.

"I told you many times to keep your place Travis, if only you'd cooperate, like how you used to," He weakly looks away, "Then Dad wouldn't..." tila hindi niya malunok ang mga salita na gusto niyang sabihin sa akin at napapikit siya na may bakas ng pait at panghihinayang, pero kaagad din napalitan ang ekspresyon niya nang sinalubong ng kamao niya ang panga ko.

Tanginang hayop 'to!

Binalikan ko siya ng suntok sa mukha na halos mawalan siya ng balanse at natumba sa harapan ko. Sumosobra na siyang gago siya.

"Huwag mo ako subukan, masasaktan ka lang." babala ko sa kanya, pero sadyang matigas ang ulo niya at sinugod niya ako ulit, pero bago dampihan ng kamao niya ang mukha ko, naunahan ko na siya.

He smirks, spitting some blood from his mouth, "Come on Travis, hanggang dito lang ba ang kaya mong gawin?" he mocks me as he spreads his arms wide taunting me. Masyado nang mataas ang tingin niya sa sarili niya.

Pinabayaan ko na siya ang maunang sumugod sa akin dahil sinisigurado ko na hindi na niya ako masasaktan pang muli.

"Baka naman pagod ka na," I grinned back at him tilting my head beside, "Aminin mo na lang kasi na hindi mo ako kaya mag-isa, Pierre," I shake my head laughing at him, "Kaya nga laging kang may inuutusan para gulpihin ako, hindi ba?" Now I turned the table around and my expectation didn't fail me, he is now pissed.

He attempted to grab me but before he did, I kicked his gut using my knee and pushed him away from me.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit kahit ilang beses ko na siyang naiisahan sa gulong sinimulan niya, ayaw pa niyang tumigil. Pabor din naman sa akin ito dahil matagal tagal na rin akong nagtitimpi sa kanya, kung tutuusin, kulang na kulang pa ito kumpara sa mga ginawa niya sa akin, sa kapatid ko at sa pang-aagaw niya kay Maxene.

I'm not sure how many hours have passed, now that we are both panting sitting on the ground facing each other oppositely.

Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako dahil mas basag ang mukha niya kaysa sa akin, o sadyang mas mahina lang talaga siya sa akin, o sadyang alam ko lang talaga kung paano protektahan ang sarili ko.

"Had enough?" I asked mocking him and the asshole just laughed at me.

"Hindi ba dapat itanong mo iyan sa sarili mo?" He stares back at me, "Sapat na ba ito bilang ganti mo sa mga ginawa ko sa iyo?"

"Is that some sort of joke?" I couldn't contain my sarcasm as I let out a huge sneering laugh, "You're really something else Pierre, ito ba ang dahilan kung bakit mo ako tinawag dito?"

He shrugs non committedly with an amused face.

"You dare to declare war with me and now you think that I'll just let this pass, as easy as that?" I didn't break eye contact, letting him know that he owes me more than this. "Ganoon ba talaga ako kababaw sayo, hayop ka?"

"Kung ganoon, ano pa ang gusto mo Travis?" He closed his eyes with that smug face of his. "What will make you stop fighting this fight you can't win?" he asks as if he is asking himself.

"I want to know the truth." I declared as he met my gaze.

"Truth about what?" He tilted his head observing my next move.

"Why did you choose to betray me? Bakit ginamit mo si Moe para magulo kami ni Maxene?" I asked him but see him amused by my question, "Sagutin mo ako ng maayos hanggang maayos pa kitang pinapakisamahan."

He chuckled, "I just have to do it." he pauses as he takes a deep breath leaning using his arms with his palm on the ground, "For your information, we were the ones to be arranged in the first place, Travis. Kinuha ko lang kung ano ang sa akin, besides I told you, enjoy it while it lasts."

This truth is bitter. I hate it.

"Again, the truth Pierre." I asked again, before I could make my move. "Why?"

"Kung tingnan mo ako, parang may alam ka na hindi ko alam ah?" He says without breaking eye contact. "You really never fail to amaze me." He added as I hear his confession.

He told me everything that I already presumed as pieces of the picture came to light. Everything now fits.

They said that the truth should set someone free, yet this truth has a different toll against me after he confirms everything from what I learned on Natasha's USB.

Now I just realized why he decided to call me out here alone and from how I understand it, I know that he already knew. He's just testing the waters.

"You know, you're more than who you think you are," I hear him comment, "Yet you're still holding back to who you could have become, that's still a mystery to me." he tilted his head beside.

"Paano mo nalaman?" I asked nonchalantly, observing his reaction.

"Paano ko hindi malalaman, eh halos pareho tayo ng pangalan?" he chuckled, shaking his head.

I close my eyes, and it looks like I can't hide this secret any longer.

"So, what are you going to do now, Azrael Trevis Romanov Hayes?" I hear him ask me, tilting his head.

M A X E N E

"Kailan ka uuwi?" Tanong sa akin ni Mom na may halong pag-aalala, hindi ko na balak pang sabihin sa kanya ang muntik nang mangyari sa akin dahil alam kong mas lalaki pa ang gulo. "Bakit naman kasi biglaan kang pumunta diyan ng walang pasabi?"

"I'm okay Mom, don't worry, biglaan lang din po kasi, matapos ng birthday ni Addy." I hope my tone was able to convince her.

"Anak, may nangyari ba?" I gulped, I don't know why it took me a while to rebuild my voice.

"Wala po Mom." I told her with certainty, "The beach is so nice," I said diverting her attention, "No wonder Pierre's mother loves this place."

I hear mom sighed, "Maxene, are you sure you're okay?"

I look at the wide horizon as I walk near the seashore. "I am fine Mom, don't worry. You should be happy that I'm getting close with his family, right? Mabait din si Tita, I guess magkakasundo kayong dalawa sa kasal namin ni Pierre."

For a minute there was silence between me and mom, I checked my phone but I'm still on call with her. "Mom, are you still there?"

"Yes anak." Her voice sounds soft as if she's holding something back at her end. "Sigurado ka na ba dito talaga?"

"I already signed the contract, right?" I giggled just to make the situation sound normal for someone who is about to marry someone. "Bakit pa po patatagalin, kung pwede naman na kami ikasal kaagad?"

"Kung noon mo iyan sinabi, baka maniwala pa ako." Hindi ko alam kung sinasakyan ni mommy ang mood ng usapan namin, pero parang may panghihinayang at pag-aalala sa boses niya.

"Mom, please don't worry much, okay?" I tell her with certainty. "I have to charge my phone, I'll see you soon, okay?"

"Okay, Anak, i-update mo na lang ako ulit." Mahinang sambit ni mom at binaba ko na ang tawag.

Palubog na ang araw at napaka tahimik dito sa vacation house. May ilang mga kasambahay na nag-asikaso sa akin matapos umalis ni Pierre kanina. Private ang lugar kaya wala masyadong tao, pwera lang syempre sa guard na nasa guardhouse ng vicinity.

Pakiramdam ko naman ay taga dito rin naman ang mga taong kasama ko kanina, mga pili atang housekeepers sila ni Tita para mapangalagaan ang kanyang munting paraiso.

Naalala ko pa na sinabi ni Pierre, na sa tuwing masama ang loob ni Tita kay Senator, dito siya nananatili para lang makahinga, pero minsan ang escape ni Tita ay ang paglabas-labas ng ibang bansa.

Baka ganoon na lang din ang maging buhay ko matapos ang kasal. Well, looking at the bright side, Pierre isn't like his father.

Especially now that he came out clean in front of me.

Pierre confessed the things he did, just to manipulate me through my emotions, he truly did his job on being the devil's advocate. He successfully got inside my head and by clicking the right switch, he triggered my fears, insecurities and anxiety as I reacted to how he expected me to.

Maybe I'm just that weak.

Pero hindi rin naman niya nakuha ng mabilisan ang reaksyon na inaasahan niya mula sa akin, dahil na lang sa pagmamatigas ni Travis na kumapit sa amin.

Because he just always finds a way to get me back on track.

Come to think of it, I was the one who is always running away when I'm about to get hurt, there comes a time that I'd just feel numb to my own pain, ended up feeling lost and hanging like I'm not sure of myself anymore because I couldn't help to compare myself to the first girl he loved unconditionally.

Everytime I hear Monique' s confession in my head: that she still loves Travis since then, up until now. It just feeds the great amount of fear and insecurity from me, especially remembering the first time when he looked at her when he got hospitalized because of me.

Takot ako sumugal, takot akong maiwan ulit, pero alam ko sa sarili ko, napamahal na ako sa kanya bago pa man niya ako mahalin. Takot na takot ako na isang araw, baka mawala na lang ang pagtingin niya sa akin.

Hindi man totoo ang sinabi ni Kenzo na na-fall out of love siya sa akin, pero matindi ang naging epekto noon sa akin.

Hindi maalis sa isipan ko ang takot na maaaring mahal ako ngayon ni Travis, pero paano kung isang araw magbago na lang ang lahat?

I did everything to change myself, to be better than who I was back when I'm with my first relationship. Lahat ng pagkukulang ko sa unang relationship ko, lahat iyon pinunan ko sa naging relationship namin ni Travis para lang hindi kami masira.

Oo nagalit din ako sa ginawa ni Pierre, dahil talaga namang pinagsikapan niyang sirain kami ni Travis. Siya rin ang dahilan kung bakit nakatatak sa isipan ko na: kapag masyado akong naging clingy, baka maumay si Travis, eh hindi naman daw ganoon si Monique.

Na hindi ko dapat ialis kay Travis ang social life niya, dahil hindi lang ako ang tao sa buhay niya.

Na kapag nagkaka-problema kami, lalo na noong na sa Japan ako, imbis na pumasok siya sa school, pinuntahan niya ako, isama na rin natin ang pagtakas ko sa kanya noon at pagsunod kay Kenzo.

Na kapag daw masyado akong pasaway, immature at demanding, baka mapagod siyang unawain ako lalo na yung ginawa ko dati kung saan pinangunahan ko siya para lang muli silang magkita ng kapatid niya.

Na huwag daw akong pakampante masyado dahil walang wala pa ang taon na minahal ni Travis si Monique sa ilang buwan naming magkasama.

At higit sa lahat, nagkakilala lang naman kami dahil arranged kami.

I know that they're facts and I know that I can't change his past or even at least be a part of it.

Nakakainis si Pierre, oo, kung hindi dahil sa kanya, malamang hindi kami nag break ni Travis. Gusto ko siyang sisihin sa naging gulo sa relasyon namin ni Travis.

Pero mas naiinis ako sa sarili ko.

Naiinis ako sa sarili ko, dahil pinabayaan kong lamunin ako ng mga insecurities ko, hanggang sa mawalan ako ng kumpiyansa sa sarili ko, na siyang naging dahilan kung bakit tuluyan kaming nasira ni Travis.

I remember him telling me how upset he is because he did everything he could for us, but in the end he lost me.

He said that he failed to protect my feelings, but to be honest, I am the one who failed to protect him.

Naging unfair ako sa kanya.

I wasn't strong enough to protect his feelings, na noong nakita ko kung paano lumabas si Monique sa kwarto niya, mas inuna ko ang malisya, pagdududa, selos at galit hanggang sa iniwan ko siya bago pa man siya nakapag paliwanag sa akin.

Na dahilan kung bakit din nawala si Hope sa amin.

When all is lost, I just left, leaving him with nothing.

I sabotaged our relationship and because of that, we lost the fight we're fighting for in the first place.

Oo hindi mawawala sa relasyon ang magkatampuhan, ang magselosan, ang hindi magka-unawaan sa mga issues ng dalawang tao sa kanilang buhay, pero hanggang sa may isa na handang umunawa, magparaya at magpakumbaba para lang maayos ang problema sa pagitan nila--

I shake my head. I just realized that all this time, he's doing that job just to keep me... To keep us.

But I screwed up.

Biglang umecho ang sinabi niya sa akin noon, 'Kung wala kang sasabihing maganda, umalis ka na lang nga, tutal doon ka naman magaling.'

Tama naman siya, tama siya eh...

I'm worse than Monique, that fact is true.

A tear fell from my eye.

I once told him that my love for him isn't weak, pero nagkaroon lang ng unos, bumigay ako agad.

I know he deserves better. I hope he could let himself move on and forget me.

The least that I can do now is protect him by keeping him away from me. This is the only way.

Is this what you really wanted Maxene, or you're just convincing that your plan is going to work... without him knowing?

Me and my subconscious are having an argument since I suggested to Pierre that we should just get married right away to convince his father that I'm not going to escape and rebel like my mother.

Besides, my situation isn't about me anymore.

Tutal sapat na siguro yung huli naming pagkikita bilang closure, pinatawad ko na rin siya dahil deserve niya rin naman ang makaahon.

Mas ayos na ang ganito, at least, kapag kinasal na ako kay Pierre, hindi na magkakaroon ng dahilan si Senator para pag-initan si Travis.

Ginawa man ni Pierre na ipagulpi si Travis noon, iyon naman ay dahil lang sa gusto niyang ipakita kay Senator na kaya niyang kontrolin si Travis, pero dahil nga sa may katigasan ng ulo itong si Travis, kaya naubusan na si Pierre ng solusyon para lang hindi na maulit ang nangyari dati.

Remembering what the Senator could do, to be honest, Pierre is the lesser evil than his father.

Like Pierre, I just want to lessen the possible casualties of the possible conflict.

I wouldn't want to involve anyone as much as possible. If I have to lie just to convince everyone that I'm going to make my engagement with Pierre work, I would.

Maprotektahan lang ang mga taong malalapit sa akin. Lalong lalo na siya.

I took a glimpse of my ring and noticed the tiny tattoo I designed for us. I closed my eyes, I'm being sentimental again.

Mukhang lumalamig na, siguro maaga na lang akong magpapahinga ngayon, tutal usapan namin ni Pierre na bukas babalik na kami sa normal at kailangan mag harap-harap ng pamilya namin para sa pagpaplano ng kasal namin.

I fix myself, turn around and my heart stops. I gulped convincing myself that I was seeing a ghost but as he walked towards me, I just literally froze.

This isn't my imagination playing tricks on me, this is real.

His eyes look defeated, he obviously just had another fight because there's an open wound on his lip.

I couldn't help but worry, kaya ba umalis si Pierre para ipabugbog na naman ang kaibigan niya? Pero sabi naman niya, hindi na niya kailangan pang gawin iyon, pero bakit ganito ang itsura niya?

"Found you." He uttered as his voice resonated with me.

"Travis..." I bit my lip inwardly containing my emotions, "Bakit ka nandito, paano mo nalaman kung nasaan ako..." I convince my lungs to work with me but I am melting from his gaze again, "What happened to you--?"

He puts his hand on my lips and smiled, "Ang daming tanong."

No voice or word escaped from my mouth as I saw how his eyes mirrored mine like I'm feeling what he's feeling.

I traced his jaw and saw a bruise, I gulped by the time my eyes gaze to his wounded lip. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Travis..." my voice then breaks and instantly I am in his arms. I feel his right hand behind my nape as his left on my waist, not letting me go.

"Are you okay?" There's a ray of anxiousness in his voice that he is trying to conceal from me. I nodded as I inhaled his scent, "Stop lying." Now there's remorse in his voice as he planted a kiss on my temple.

"I'll be." I gently pushed him away as I met his gaze and smiled. "I have to be." I paused as I felt his hand locking with mine. "You shouldn't be here." I tell him, putting up a smile as I attempt to take my hand away from him, but he's not letting go of my hand "You have to go, mamaya may makakita sa iyo dito."

He holds my hands tightly, "You can still run away Maxene." he gently cups my face again, "Run away with me."

I shake my head, "Hindi pwede. Ang sabi ko nga sa iyo, hindi na ito tungkol sa akin ngayon." I reminded him and saw him gulp bitterly. "I'm not running away from anything anymore." I tell him with a smile, "I have to marry Pierre." my statement seemed to pinch something in him that made him close his eyes. "You have to let go Travis."

His grip tightened as he looked at our hands, "I'm not yet done..."

"Done with what?" I asked him but he chose not to look at me, I cupped his face and felt his hand holding mine on his face. His eyes slowly meet mine as he contains his emotions. "Kung ang ibig mong sabihin ay 'tayo'," I paused looking at him, "Matagal na tayong tapos Travis." He says nothing but closes his eyes. He planted a kiss on the palm of my hand.

How long will he do this to himself?

I wouldn't want him to be in pain. I caressed his face as I put up a smile convincing him like the way I was convincing myself, but words fail me as dark brown eyes stare into my soul. I am lost in his eyes again as we read each other like an open book. "I'm not going to involve you with my decisions." I tell him, letting out a smile.

"So, this is your resolve?" He uttered as if he just read what I'm hiding inside my mind. "Just say the words Maxene," he paused, "Tutulungan naman kita eh."

"Travis---" I look down and gulped, "What I do in my life doesn't concern you anymore." Ayoko na siyang madamay pa. "Akala ko ba malinaw na sa iyo na, iyon na ang huli nating pagkikita?" kailangan kong manindigan at magmatigas ngayon.

"But this is nothing but another cage, Maxene." His voice almost breaks even if there's a hint of him opposing my decision.

Alam ko naman eh. I'm perfectly aware of my situation.

"Matapos kong malaman ang muntikan ng mangyari sa iyo," he pauses, bitterness is obvious in his voice, "Alam kong hindi ko ito mapapalagpas. Sa tingin mo ba, hindi na uulitin ni Senator ang ginawa niya sa iyo kapag itinuloy mo ang pagpapakasal kay Pierre?" his voice is upset as he controls his temper.

I smiled at him, "I told you I'll make it work."

"If you say that this is your resolve, then I'll have mine." he declared with determination and fire emerging from his eyes.

"Huwag ka na nga lang mangialam dito Travis!" napilitan akong pagtaasan siya ng boses. I have to push him away. "You're not my fiance, so stop involving yourself around--" he cut me by taking my lips before I could finish my sentence.

Before I could melt, I pushed him away with force, wiped my lips and walked ahead of him but he caged me in his arms again, "Travis, just stop this!" I couldn't defy his strength as I felt him cry a tear on my shoulder as he embraced me from behind.

"Why are you so stubborn?" I close my eyes still attempting to break free from him but he just wouldn't let go. "Why do you keep on doing this?" I couldn't hide my frustration anymore. "Bakit ba ang kulit kulit mo na kahit ilang beses kitang saktan at itulak palayo sa akin, lagi mo pa rin akong sinusundan?" my tears betray me as I feel them falling from my eyes. "We're just a phase, we're done Travis. Wala na tayo, bakit ba nandito ka pa rin?"

"You know why." he muttered in defeat as I felt his hand on my cheek catching my tears and brushing the ones that were still falling from my eyes as if he is seeing the look on my face even if he is behind me.

"I don't need your help." I say as I try my best not to fall apart in front of him.

He inhales my scent. "I still owe you a promise," he uttered like a soft melody. "You just need to trust me Maxene. Just trust me and everything will be okay."

Gusto ko mang harapin siya, pero hindi ko kaya. Ayokong makita niya na hindi ko kaya, gusto kong makita niya na kaya ko panindigan ito ng hindi humihingi ng tulong sa kanya.

"Kaya ko ang sarili ko." mahinahong sambit ko at niluwagan niya ang pagka kayakap sa akin. Tiningnan niya ako na para bang may inaasahan pa siyang marinig sa akin. "I don't need you."

He smiles weakly, shaking his head, "Liar." he didn't dare to break eye contact.

"I don't need you to believe me." my voice is stubborn. "Wala ng dahilan para mag-usap tayo Travis!" I tell him and he just chuckled. "Do you find this amusing?" tinaasan ko siya ng kilay pero nagulat na lang ako nang muli niyang nilapat ang labi ko sa kanya.

Muli ko siyang itinulak at--

"Ano, sasaktan mo ako uli? Pagsasalitaan ng kung anu-anong masasakit na salita para lumayo ako sa'yo?" He read me before I could even act. "Bakit, dahil gusto mong panindigan ang kasinungalingan mo?" muli niya akong hinila sa kanya at akmang hahalikan ako ulit pero pinili ko ang labanan siya bago pa niya mapagtagumpayan ang gusto niyang mangyari.

"Enough, Travis." I tell him, but he is stubborn, "Ano ba Travis?" I'm starting to get annoyed. "Bakit mo ba ito ginagawa, ano ba ang gusto mong patunayan?"

"Wala akong gustong patunayan, baka ikaw meron." he titled his head beside, nainis na naman ako sa sarili ko dahil napahiya ako sa sinabi niya.

I feel his hand on my face again as his eyes stares into my soul.

"Each time you lie, I will kiss you." he started with a warning. I gulped, "Each time you hurt me, I will still kiss you." he didn't break eye contact, "Each time you turn your back at me, I will pull you back and I will still kiss you."

I bit my lip as I closed my eyes.

"Tell me a lie and without breaking eye contact." he speaks as his thumb brushes my lips. "I dare you."

I opened my eyes telling him, "I don't want you here." I tell him and see him gulp. I avoided his gaze, "You shouldn't be here." his hands are now carrying my face to meet his eyes again. "I am sick of telling you that you shouldn't waste your time on something temporary, this is not worth it." I cried a tear as I saw how his breathing started to change. "I. Loathe. You."

His lips shuts me as he takes all of my lies within this kiss. I feel and taste his tears as his arms hold me tightly. He takes the air out of me as he gives me his strength that fuels my weak soul. I feel his forehead on mine as we both catch our breaths after we break our kiss.

"There's always that one truth hiding behind a thread of lies." he says awkwardly with his eyes closed like a child.

I bit my lip, looking at him in defeat, "So, are you telling me that I'm a bad liar?"

He chuckled looking into my eyes again, "I just see you." He says tracing my face with his fingers like a soft feather. "Do you trust me?"

I say nothing but look into his eyes, feeling his lips on my temple. Even if I didn't say anything, he just sees the answer right through me...

T R A V I S

The pieces of the puzzle are already in place as the whole picture comes to light. Everything fits.

Alas na lang ang kulang at nasa kamay ko na ang set ng royal flush.

But everything comes with a price.

After hearing her resolve, I guess, I have to use this ace under my sleeve.

It wasn't the one I originally have in mind, but I have to admit that, everything is much easier when everything is already set for you.

I went home and to my surprise I was welcomed by my father's right hand telling me that he's waiting for me inside his study. Kailan pa siya umuwi ng bansa?

Nakakasama man ng loob dahil para akong naging piyesa ni Papa para muling makalapit sa taong sisingilin niya, pero hindi ko naman magawang magkimkim sa kanya ng sama ng loob matapos ko malaman ang naging dahilan kung bakit agad din binawi sa amin si Mama.

To him this is personal.

For him, this is revenge.

To him this is how he'll make him pay for everything he has done; it's not just about the issue with the Campbell's, it's not just from the incident that happened when I was kidnapped and almost starved to death, but the regret that he failed Mama back then.

Hindi ko man maalala ng malinaw ang insidenteng iyon, pero sa kung paano ko nakasama ang mga umampon sa akin, hindi naman imposible na nag-undergo ako ng hypnosis para lang ipakalimot sa akin ang alaalang iyon, lalo na at alam nila kung anong trauma ang naiwan sa akin ni Nanay noon na dala-dala ko hanggang ngayon.

Knowing Mama, I know that she'll do everything to protect me, even taking away my bad memories.

"Papa." I greeted him and saw him smoking his tobacco.

"It's been a while, son." he greeted me with a smile and I smiled back. He's reading me and let out a chuckle as if he just knew what's on my mind. "So, alam mo na pala."

"I'm willing to play along Papa." I tell him and see him raising an eyebrow. "Just give this part to me."

"Bakit naman ako papayag sa gusto mo, anak?" he releases a smoke.

Alam ko naman na hindi ako makakapag sinungaling sa kanya, "This involves Maxene, so please let me do this."

"Are you even ready to take on this task?" He asks me seriously. Kapag hindi nakangiti si Papa, hindi ko siya mabasa. Sa totoo lang hindi siya madaling basahin, hindi tulad ni Tatay.

After all that has happened, this is personal to me too, "I know what I have to do, Pa."

"How are you sure that this plan of yours will work?" he asks me as if he just read what's on my mind facing me indifferently.

I can tell that he's having second thoughts. Sigurado akong matagal na rin niya itong pinlano, kaya lahat ng inipon niyang ebidensya laban kay Senator, ilalapag niya ng isang bagsakan. Masama siyang magalit, masamang napupuno ang taong mapagpasensya.

"I'm willing to bet everything, to make this work Papa." tapat kong sagot sa kanya, "Marami din naman po akong natutunan sa inyo, lalo na po kay Mama, kaya sana po, pagbigyan niyo po ako."

"Hindi mo na naman na responsibilidad ang babaeng iyon, tapos na kayo, hindi ba?" he says inconsiderately, "The maid told me that you're not going to meddle with my affairs, yet here you are." Nilagay niya ang tobacco niya sa ashtray at hindi pa rin nagbabago ang ekspresyon sa mukha niya.

"Ginagawa niyo rin naman po ito para kay Mama, hindi po ba?" balik kong tanong sa kanya at halatang natigilan siya pero agad din siyang napailing at tumawa.

"Pasensya, sadyang hindi lang ako sanay na ganito tayo mag-usap." he looks back at me, "It's not easy to accept that I lost her just like that." halos pabulong niyang sambit na may pait sa kanyang boses. Huminga siya ng malalim at muling nagsalita, "Sige, papayag ako, basta papayag ka rin sa pabor na hihingiin ko sa iyo balang araw."

The statement doesn't accept 'no' as an answer.

"I understand, Papa." I answered and saw him smile at me.

There's no turning back now.