M A X E N E

Pierre and I arranged a private luncheon for both of our families to discuss the plans of our wedding. Everything started smoothly, until we opened the discussion itself.

May pag-aalala man sa mga mata ni Mom at Dad, dahil para sa kanila, masyado naming minamadali ni Pierre ang progress ng arrangement namin, pero lagi ko namang paliwanag sa mga magulang ko ay: bakit pa namin patatagalin kung doon din naman ang bagsak ng kasunduan namin?

Besides, I have to make this work.

Hindi naman ako dapat umasa sa sinabi ni Travis noon, isa pa, ilang araw na rin ang nagdaan matapos ang huli naming pagkikita na iyon, kung ano man ang nangyari noon sa vacation house ay bugso lang ng damdamin ko at dahil naging mahina na naman ako.

I don't want to rely on him this time. I know I have to be stronger and sustain my resolve.

Dahil na rin sa naging usapan namin ni Pierre, nagkasundo na kami na hindi na ulit magtatago ng sikreto sa isa't-isa, kaya noong hindi ko inaasahan na pinuntahan ako ni Travis, agad ko ring sinabi iyon kay Pierre. Hindi ko sigurado kung may ginawa na naman siya para matigil ang pangungulit ni Travis, pero sana magtuloy-tuloy na ang hindi niya pagpapakita niya sa buhay ko.

Ayoko rin umabot pa na si Senator na ang kikilos para saktan ang mga taong malalapit sa akin.

Hindi ko man alam ang buong kwento tungkol sa naging issue niya kay Mommy dati, pero alam ko naman na sa tamang panahon, malalaman ko rin iyon.

Lubos na ikinatuwa ni Senator ang desisyon ko kahit pa kabaligtaran iyon ng nakikita ko sa mga mata ng asawa niyang si Tita Adelaide, habang pinagmamasdan ko siya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang iniisip niya tungkol sa desisyon ko, dahil halatang nalulungkot siya para sa akin at kay Pierre, lalo na at siya ang pumigil sa asawa niya noong lasing siyang sinunggaban ako.

"Isn't this exciting, two families will be reunited as one?" masayang kumento ni Senator na para bang naaayon ang lahat sa gusto niyang mangyari.

"Well, we discussed that the marriage will be after your son's graduation, so I'm wondering why the wedding took so soon as expected?" Mom couldn't hide her curiosity as she eyes on the Senator. "Isa pa, ilang buwan pa lang din naman ang nakalipas noong--"

"Are we having second doubts now, Miranda?" The Senator's voice seems to intimidate Mom as he eyes on Dad, "Wala naman usually sa tagal iyon ng pagsasama, hindi ba?" He scoffs, "You should be in fact proud of your daughter, she's just doing what's supposed to be done." He pauses and chuckles, "Buti pa nga yung anak mo, may isang salita."

"Anong mangyayari pagkatapos ng kasal nila?" I was surprised when Dad asked the Senator that question. "May balak pang mag-college si Max, kaya--"

"She doesn't need to go to school, after the marriage, she will stay with us. She's part of the family now." The Senator cuts off dad and looks back at me, "Tell your father, Maxene."

I put up my best smile and answered, "It's true po, Mom and Dad." I answered my parents with a warm smile, hoping to convince them.

"But you told me Maxene--" disappointment is obvious in my father's voice.

"I changed my mind Dad, it's okay. I'm already working anyway, kaya bakit pa po ako mag-cocollege?" muli kong sagot na may malawak na ngiti sa labi ko. I hope they'll believe me.

"I'm just proud of my daughter in law." The Senator stated and I just maintained my composure in front of them.

"At ayos lang ba ito sa iyo, Adelaide?" tanong ni Mommy sa mommy ni Pierre, "Hindi ba masyadong mabilis?"

Napapikit lang si Tita Adelaide at lumunok, "Doon din naman ang bagsak ng arrangement na ito, hindi ba?" she put up a small smile, "You know how this works Miranda."

"I'm perfectly aware how this works, but this seems different, because it feels like everything is happening in a rush." Mom eyes the Senator.

"What are you trying to imply, Miranda?" The Senator faces mom formally.

This time Mom raised her eyebrow towards the Senator, "My daughter may be impulsive towards her decision sometimes, pero hindi siya gagawa ng isang desisyon na hindi niya pinag-iisipan mabuti," I look at mom and for some reason, she just saw right through me even if I am doing my best not to look like defensive. "Why did she resort to this resolve if something didn't push her to do it?" Mom is probably having her suspicions. I gulped.

The Senator looks back at me with a smile, "Didn't you tell your mother?"

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong i-sagot sa tanong niyang iyon, wala naman akong kinuwento kay Mom o kay Dad, pero bakit parang naipit ako sa sitwasyon ngayon? This is not what I planned.

"Ano pa ba ang dapat namin malaman, na hindi sinasabi sa amin ni Maxene, Franco?" Mom's voice is getting a little impatient.

"Ask your daughter yourself Miranda." The Senator tosses the ball to my court.

I guess I have no other choice but to tell them as I hold my fiance's arm, "Mom, Dad, I love Pierre, so please respect my decision."

Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sila Mom at Dad sa narinig nila mula sa akin, pero kailangan ko itong panindigan. "Sabi ko naman po sa inyo, magkaibigan kami noon pa man, kaya po kahit papaano, may pinagsamahan din po kami." nakangiti kong sambit at tiningnan si Pierre, "Hindi ba?"

He said nothing but smiled at me. I'm expecting that he would support my statement, we're a team on this. After all that has happened, he's the only ally I got.

"Now that's funny hearing it from you, kasi kung totoo man iyon, ibig sabihin, hindi mo talaga nirespeto ang namagitan sa ating dalawa, Maxene." Said by that unexpected voice that startles everyone at our table. He hides his sarcasm with a smug smile on his face. He clicks his tongue shaking his head, "Hindi ko naman inaasahan na two-timer ka pala Max."

"What brings you here, Travis?" Pierre asks him with a smirk, "I believe that this meeting is exclusively for family members only." I can sense that Pierre doesn't like how his friend faces him like this, in front of our families and especially in front of his father.

Bakit ba ang tigas ng ulo nito ni Travis? Gusto ba niya talaga ng gulo? Talking about timing and how does he know we're here?

Nagulat na lang ako nang matawa si Senator na napapailing, "Like mother, like daughter. Isn't Miranda?"

Hindi na maipinta ang mukha ni Mommy sa naging kumento ni Senator.

"This is just a misunderstanding Senator," I defended, trying not to sound defensive as I give Travis a 'back off' look, "Aalis na rin naman po agad si Travis, nagbibiro lang naman siya." I met his dark brown eyes looking at me eye to eye as if he's waiting for my next move, "Isa pa, may girlfriend ka na naman na, hindi ba?" I tilted my head beside and saw him narrowing his eyes with a smirk, "You were just another guy who came out to be my mother's prospect for me before and it's nothing serious."

"See, you're embarrassing yourself Travis." Natatawang pigil sa kanya ni Pierre, "I think you should leave." I'm not sure if the tone of his voice is angry, but it holds a great warning.

Tiningnan ni Travis isa-isa ang mga tao na nasa table namin at binalikan kaming dalawa ni Pierre ng malawak na ngiti, "I had a girlfriend, that's true, she was stolen from me." his eyes are now on Pierre, "By the person who I thought was my friend."

Pierre smirked, "She was meant to be mine in the first place, sinabi ko na naman iyon sa iyo, kaya ikaw ang wala sa lugar Travis, you heard what she said, she's mine now."

"Boys, just stop this. Mahiya naman kayo, madadaan naman ito sa usapan." The Senator spoke, the tone of his voice wasn't friendly at all. Bigla akong kinabahan sa pwedeng kahantungan ng ginawa na ito ni Travis.

"Opo nga naman Tito," Travis get a chair and take his place between me and Pierre, "Madadaan naman sa usapan ang lahat, besides, we're all the same here, iyon nga lang, mukhang nakaligtaan ng anak ninyo kung sino ang tinuklaw niya patalikod."

"Travis, again, this is a misunderstanding, ni hindi nga namin alam kung bakit nakasama ka sa naging prospect ni Miranda, in fact you're not even supposed to be involved in this matter, matagal na kayong magkaibigan ni Pierre." sagot sa kanya ni Senator at nginitian lang siya ng binata, "Hindi naman dahil lang sa isang babae kaya masisira ang pagkakaibigan ninyo ni Pierre, hindi ba?" Senator tilted his head beside, "Hindi ka naman katulad ng isa diyan, nakahanap lang ng pagkakataon, pinagsamantalahan na ang babaeng walang malay."

"Franco, stop it." mahinang suway sa kanya ni Tita Adelaide.

Napansin ko naman na masama na rin na nakatingin si Dad kay Senator, pero pinipigilan lang siya ni Mom.

Travis chuckled, "Is that right Tito," he shakes his head with his face amused by the Senator's statement, "Kaya po ba ang hindi ninyo nagawa sa Mommy ni Maxene noon ay muntikan na po ninyong nagawa sa sarili niyang anak?"

Travis just drops the bomb on my face. Mom and Dad's eyes were on me, sana kainin na lang ako ng lupa sa pagkakataong ito dahil hindi ito ang gusto kong mangyari.

"Stop it." I can't recognize my own voice, he's sabotaging my plans.

"Bakit, totoo naman hindi ba?" Is he enjoying this right now? Nag-iisip pa ba siya ng tama? Tinuro niya ang kaibigan niya na nasa kaliwa niya, "Kaya ka magpapakasal agad dito kay Pierre, dahil iyon ang kinatatakutan mong mangyari sa iyo, hindi ba?"

I shake my head, biting my lip. Nablanko ang utak ko na para bang lahat ng inayos kong plano para lang maging maayos ang samahan namin ni Pierre, lahat iyon, itinapon niya ng isang bagsakan sa harapan ko na para bang isang malaking kalokohan na itago ko ang totoo sa mga magulang ko na alam kong mag-aalala lang sa akin ngayon.

Especially remembering that all these time...

"Maxene, was that true?" That's mom's angry voice. I bit my lip, I have to maintain my composure. I have to make this work or else--

"Bakit hindi mo sabihin sa Mommy mo kung ano ang totoo?" muling sulsol ni Travis na iniipit ako sa sitwasyon na wala akong takas.

"Masama ang mambintang Travis," panimula ni Senator, malamig at malalim ang kanyang boses, "I get it that you're still a young lad taking law, but your accusations are all false."

"May CCTV po kayo sa bahay, hindi po ba Tito?" balik na tanong sa kanya ni Travis na dahilan kung bakit natahimik si Senator, "In the video, I saw how you offered Maxene a drink in your office, that video took more than ten minutes and up until--" he paused and chuckled humoring himself, halata kay Senator na hindi niya nagustuhan ang mga salitang lumabas sa bibig ni Travis, "Ayaw niyo po pala ng spoiler, Tito, buti na nga lang at dumating agad si Tita, para pigilan kayo, paano na lang po kung hindi, malamang pinagsamantalahan niyo na si Maxene noong gabing iyon, lalo na at halata naman na may hinalo kayo sa inumin niya."

"Adelaide, you know about this?" Mom's voice is upset anxious and frustrated, "May anak kang babae, kung sa kanya nangyari iyon, ano ang mararamdaman mo?" sumbat ni Mommy kay Tita, walang nasabi si Tita kundi ang umiwas na lang ng tingin.

The Senator laughed dismissing my mother's statement, "Come on Miranda, really? Don't tell me you're believing this stupid joke?" he looks at Travis, "Come on, he must be bluffing."

Hindi ko na gusto ang takbo ng kaganapan, I have to do something to ease the tension between my family and the Senator, yet before I could recoup the situation Travis did something I didn't expect.

"If I am bluffing," hinagis niya sa lamesa namin ang pictures na galing sa CCTV na nakuha niya, "Then these pictures could tell if I am or you are, Tito."

"This is enough." That's my father's angry voice, hinila ako ni Dad palayo kina Pierre, "This arrangement is off Franco."

"Hindi mo ako gusto kalaban Benjamin," that's him warning my father, "Kung tutuusin, nagbabayad ka rin naman ng utang sa akin." he must be pertaining to me. I look down.

I feel my dad's grip on me tighten and in his eyes, I know that he is blaming himself again.

Travis laughs as if he is hearing a funny joke from the Senator that immediately caught his attention, "Now, is there something funny, Travis?"

"I'm just wondering, if that's how you demand payment from those who wronged you, have you ever thought about how you'll pay from the people you've wronged in the past?"

The Senator chucked, "Wala akong naaalala na may inargabyado akong tao."

Travis shakes his head laughing at him as if he just heard a funny joke, "As expected, puro naman po kasi pabango sa pulitika hindi po ba?" he asks with a smirk.

"Alam mo ba kung ano ang sinasabi mo Travis?" hindi na mapinta ng mukha ni Senator sa inis, "Mukhang nakalimot ka na rumespeto sa mga mas nakakatanda sa iyo."

"People usually don't demand respect, they earn it and it's a privilege one could give towards any people, dahil kung tutuusin naman po, pantay pantay naman ang mga tao." Travis declares, with a smirk. "Yet there are some who are that entitled just because they thought that no one could surpass them."

Ano ba ang pinaplano ni Travis?

Bahagya akong masilayan si Pierre na seryosong pinagmamasdan ang susunod na gagawin ni Travis.

"I didn't expect that you're this cocky, Travis." The Senator eyes on him belittling him in his mind.

Pierre doesn't like what's going on, this is one of the confrontation that he is trying to avoid, dahil kapag si Senator ang nagalit--

"I sincerely apologize for not introducing myself sooner, but my real name is Azrael Trevis Romanov Hayes." he stated that name as he faced the senator with pride, "But you do remember my father: Joseph Ashikaga Hayes, right? Well, I hope you also remember my mother, Tito." The Senator was caught off guard at the moment that made Travis smirk as if he got the reaction he is expecting to see.

"Trudi Mikhailovich Romanov Hayes is her name, in case you pretend to forget." He observes the senator's reaction as if he clicks a certain switch.

Halatang pati si Tita Adalaide nagulat sa sinabi ni Travis. Natigilan si Senator na para bang pilit niyang binabasa ang binatang nasa harapan niya.

"Siguro nga po, nakalimutan na ninyo ang ginawa niyo sa isang batang walang muwang, para lang makapanlamang sa taong hindi ninyo katulad na mayaman, maimpluwensya at mapagsamantala sa mga taong hindi ninyo ka-antas." Travis paused as if he was enjoying seeing the Senator unveils his true colors.

"I don't know what you're talking about Travis." The Senator's voice holds great warning.

"Pina-kidnap niyo ang anak ng kakumpitensya ninyo sa pulitika, hindi po ba? Tapos pinagtangkaan ninyo ang buhay ng isang inosenteng bata na dahilan kung bakit yung kumilos mag-isa ang ina niya para iligtas ang batang iyon, pero nabaril siya." He's now looking at him eye to eye interrogating the Senator.

Akala ko nakalimutan na niya iyon, ang sabi ni Pierre, hindi na niya naalala iyon, pero paano?

"Those are just baseless accusations with no proof young man, you're embarrassing yourself." the Senator dismissed him as if he didn't believe him as he regained his composure.

"Travis, you're barking at the wrong tree." muling balik ni Pierre sa kanya na pinagtatanggol si Senator, "This discussion is over."

Pierre might want him to stop getting his friend into trouble. His voice is a little restless warning his friend.

"Oh, I'm just getting started," Travis stood up, "Masama akong maningil, alam mo naman siguro iyon, Pierre. Lintik lang ang walang ganti." There's a blaze in his eyes as he looks at them seriously.

"A person like you, is no threat to me." The Senator stated with a triumphant smirk looking down at Travis.

Travis uttered a word that is foreign for me to understand and I barely recognize him now. To our surprise, someone wearing the restaurant's uniform came behind Tita Adelaide and cut her pearl necklace that is now scattered on the floor.

Miski si Pierre hindi niya inaasahan makita iyon na para bang ang bilis ng pangyayari, "That's a warning Tito, do not underestimate me."

Lumapit ang taong naka-uniform sa tabi ni Travis at laking gulat ko nang makita ang mukha niya sa malapitan.

It's Natasha.

"Now that's assault!" The Senator raised his voice.

"Hindi naman nasaktan si Tita, pinaputol ko lang naman yung kwintas niya." Travis answered back tilting his head beside, "Those who know their enemy always have the upper hand." Travis added that intimidates the Senator, "Hindi po porket may posisyon ka, kakaya-kayanin mo na ang mga taong mas mababa sa iyo, Tito." He let out a small smile.

"I don't understand." Mom's voice is confused looking at Natasha, "You were just our--"

"She doesn't work for you anymore, Mrs. Campbell," Travis uttered, not looking at my mother, "She works for me."

"Now, no wonder why," Pierre intervened, "No wonder why, Maxene was arranged with you in the first place, you're the anomaly in this set-up Travis. Lumabas din ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit nadawit ka, kahit na hindi naman dapat. It fits." Pierre chuckled, "Matagal tagal mo na rin pinlano ito, ano? You just used Maxene for your personal vendetta, you're this cunning, for what? What are you trying to prove?"

Pierre has a good point, but something doesn't fit I know Travis... this isn't like him at all, yet for some reason--

"To remind you of your place, dahil sumosobra na kayo minsan, lalo ka na, Pierre." he stated and blinks.

Pinanindigan na lang niya ang sitwasyon na kinakaharap niya.

"And what does that mean, young lad?" The Senator asks him.

"There's always bigger predators in the ocean, Tito. Iyon nga lang, nakaligtaan ninyo kung sino ang binangga ninyo." Malamig na tugon sa kanya ni Travis at eksaktong may tumawag sa cellphone ni Senator, kung ano man ang nalaman niya sa kabilang linya, halata na namutla siya.

"That's strike two, for a friendly warning, well illegal businesses were meant to be put away." Travis spoke again chuckling, "Sa pangatlo pong tawag na makukuha mo, lalabas ang iba pang kalat na tinatago, tago mo Tito. Syempre mas maganda po kung hihimay-himayin mo muna ang nakahain sa lamesa, bago mo ito masimot, hindi po ba?"

I'm not sure how he got such authority to do this, kaya ba matagal din siyang hindi nangulit, dahil may iba siyang inaasikaso?

Ito ba... Ito ba ang sinasabi niya?

"What the hell do you want Travis Hayes?" Pierre intervenes facing his friend with a serious face.

"Let Maxene and her family go. Lahat ng ginawa niyong pag sabotahe sa negosyo ng mga magulang niya, lahat ng ninakaw ninyo, ibalik niyo lahat iyon sa kanila at huwag niyo na sila guluhin pa."

How... How does he... know about that?

"Wala akong ninakaw kahit kanino." muling depensa ni Senator sa kanya.

"Well, swindling is another term for feeding off money from big businesses, which is also stealing. Pinagandang version lang po iyon pero pagnanakaw pa rin po iyon Tito." Travis hits another bullseye shutting off the Senator.

"Oh, and just to set things straight, Tito, kilala ko rin po pala ang taong inutusan ninyo, para i-orchestrate ang nangyari sa Mommy ni Maxene noon, dahil kung tutuusin naman po, tauhan niyo rin iyon, hindi po ba?"

I look at my mom and see the reflection of horror of what could have happened to her that night.

Halata na kay Senator ang matinding galit na namumuo sa mga mata niya na para ba siyang paulit ulit na napapahiya sa amin dahil sa isang bagsakang inilahad ni Travis ang mga naipong kalokohan ni Senator.

"Iyon nga lang, nagkamali kayo ng inutusan dahil miski ang taong iyon gusto rin maka-isa sa dapat ay fiance ninyo noon," he tilted his head beside, "Tama po ba?"

"Masyado nga siguro kitang minaliit, Travis." Senator eyes on him gritting his teeth, "Tell me, if we did what you asked and cooperated with your petty games," he smirks, "Ano ang kapalit noon?"

"Ang pagsalba sa eskandalo na tinatago-tago mo sa maraming tao, Tito. Lahat ng nakuha ni Papa tungkol sa iyo, ako mismo ang magbibigay noon sa iyo, kung ayaw ninyong may mawala pa sa inyo."

I'm not sure why I am intimidated by his presence, kilala ko ba ng lubos si Travis? Bakit pakiramdam ko, hindi ko kilala itong Travis na ito? Sa mga nalaman ko mula kay Pierre, oo may dahilan siya para maghiganti, pero ang magkaroon ng kontrol sa mga bagay-bagay na hindi kayang kontrolin ng ordinaryong tao, na miski si Natasha na akala ko ay maid lang namin ay tauhan niya pala. Who is the real Travis Hayes?

Tila natawa si Senator sa sinabi ni Travis na para bang nakarining siya ng isang malaking joke mula sa mas bata sa kanya, "Alam ba ng Ama mo na ito ang isusugal mo, para saan, sa isang babae?" The Senator mocks him, "Your father wouldn't surely want that."

"Well, I am not my father," Travis stated holding his ground, "What he does isn't my business and I'm not going to allow him influence me because I am my own person and I'll do what I believe is best, not just for me, but for also the people involved in it. That's how I'll honor him."

I noticed Pierre with a hint of fire in his eyes as he told his friend, "Then, let's play your game, Travis." Pierre smirked at him, "Winner, takes it all. You said your bargain and now, I'll state mine."

"Pierre, huwag kang padalos dalos!" Tutol ni Senator sa sugal na sinasabi ni Pierre sa kaibigan pero pinigilan siya ni Tita Adelaide.

"If I win, you'll disappear in our lives completely leaving whatever it is you hold against my father and I'll still marry Maxene."

"It's all or nothing," Travis smirked, "Your call, then?"

"Poker." Pierre suggested and they both agreed.

Sa katunayan kung alam ng isang babae na pinagpupustahan siya, maiinis siya; iyon ang unang instinct na mararamdaman niya, pero hindi ko alam kung dapat ba ako mainis o mag-alala sa sugal na ito ni Travis para lang hindi matuloy ang binabalak kong pagpapakasal kay Pierre.

If he says that this is his resolve, this is a huge bargain that he shouldn't just give away because of me, especially knowing that would be like betraying his adoptive father.

I'm not familiar with how to play poker, but it surely took everyone a long time to see who wins in this game. Winner takes it all, as both of them agreed and they even use money for their chips. Naging alanganin pa ang posisyon ni Pierre kanina, pero agad din naman siyang nakabawi sa hindi ko masabing paraan at dahil doon, ikinatuwa iyon ni Senator dahil natalo niya si Travis.

I bitterly close my eyes as I feel my heart sink seeing how he loses a fight he is trying to win. Bakit kasi ang tigas ng ulo niya, ang lakas ng loob niyang maghamon, tapos siya pa itong natalo.

"Your bargain, Travis?" Pierre smirks at him belittling him in his mind.

Travis let out a small chuckle tilting his head beside, "Since I lost," he handed him a USB.

"Nandito na ba lahat ng sinasabi mo kanina?" Tanong pabalik sa kanya ni Pierre.

"You surely demand a lot for a cheater, Pierre." Travis stated, looking him in the eye.

"I won, fair and square, Travis." Pierre speaks with certainty. "Just admit it, this game isn't your forte."

"Kaya nga ito ang sinuggest mo, hindi ba?" Travis finished his friend's statement, "For your information, I also play poker and I know how you cheated the game just to win, matagal mo nang gawain iyon kapag alanganin ka na."

I see Pierre gritted his teeth as he tries his best to keep his composure.

"You're just being a sore loser, young man." The Senator intervenes, mocking Travis impassively while patting his son on his shoulder, "Be a good sport, you lost, so just give up."

"Tito, do you want me to tell you how your son won this game, by cheating?" Travis shakes his head as if he is amused, "Hindi po ba masyadong nakakahiya iyon?" He looks at Pierre, "Knowing my friend here, of course he'll do everything to win, even if he uses some dirty tricks under his sleeve." Travis seems to push a sensitive button towards Pierre and chuckles. "One out of three." He stated, "If I lose the second time, then I'll accept your victory."

The Senator shakes his head, "Travis, Travis, Travis, hindi iyon ang--"

"Fine." Pierre answered him even if his father was protesting with the idea, "This time, your call."

"I heard that there's a charity event that will be held in school," Travis started casually, "Kung pupusta tayo, mas maganda kung may mga taong makinabang, hindi ba?"

"Eh paano mo gagawin iyon, eh wala kang banda?" Pierre mocked him, "Plus you skipped the semester, kaya--"

"I may skip a semester, but that doesn't mean I am not a student in the university anymore, besides, my records are still there, it is not withdrawn."

Tumigil siya sa school? Bakit? Teka bakit hindi niya sinabi sa akin ito? Kailan pa?

Pierre smirked, "Fine then, but again, let me remind you that Joshua and Gerard are with me, you have no one with you, Travis."

"Like I said, this is all or nothing Pierre." Travis tilted his head beside looking at his friend, "You do know that the ones who threaten others, are the ones who are susceptible to fear." he smirks and gives a respectful nod to the Senator. "Until next time, Tito."

Pierre shakes his head with a smug face as Travis turns his back attempting to walk away, but I'm not sure of myself why I stopped him.

"Travis." I muttered his name as he slowly gazed back to the hand that I am holding. I want him to stop already.

"I told you, I'm not yet done Maxene." He uttered enough for me to hear as he met my eyes, "And I'll prove you wrong." he added as he took his hand away from me and walked away filled with determination.

"What an interesting afternoon right?" the Senator playfully commented. "Though who would have thought--" Nagulat na lang ako nang suntukin ni Daddy si Senator sa mukha kaya agad ko naman siyang pinigilan.

"Franco, kung ano man ang gusto mong gawin laban sa akin o kung kukunin mo ang lahat sa amin, wala na akong pakialam, pero hindi na magpapakasal si Maxene sa anak mo." That's my father's voice holding his ground keeping me away from them, "Pera, pera lang naman ito sa iyo, hindi ba? Matapos ng lahat ng ginawa mo kay Miranda at sa anak ko, hindi ko na ito mapapalagpas."

"Baka nakakalimutan mo Benjamin, rape is still rape. Makukulong ka pa rin." The Senator smirked as if he held that trump card against my father, "Kasiraan din ito ng asawa mo, years of building such perfect credibility could be destroyed in a matter of seconds."

I wouldn't want that to happen in my family.

"If you'll stoop that low Franco, then I don't care what you do anymore, I'll be ready for it." mom snaps at him, "Pero ang kantiin ang anak ko, magka-kamatayan tayo!" napaluha ako habang hawak-hawak ni mommy ang kamay ko at hinatak ako palayo sa pamilya ni Pierre.

Pagkauwi namin sa bahay, tulad ng inaasahan, "Bakit nagsinungaling ka sa amin Maxene?" I can't blame mom if she's angry at me, I also see my father disappointed in hiding what almost happened to me.

"Why didn't you say something Maxene? Bakit?" muling sigaw ni mommy sa akin na may namumuong luha sa mga mata niya.

I bit my lip, "Kasi akala ko po, kung papayag ako sa gusto niya mangyari, hindi na niya kayo guguluhin, isa pa po, hindi po ba, kung hindi naman po dahil sa akin--" Bago ko pa man matuloy ang mga bibitawan kong salita, niyakap na ako ni mommy agad.

"I don't regret any of what I did in the past." Mom confessed as I saw myself in her eyes.

"Mom," I don't know what to say, "I don't understand."

"You almost made the same mistake as I did, Maxene." mom uttered, looking into my soul. "I don't want you to think that you should carry this on your own, what happened to me wasn't your fault. Pero hindi kita masisi na mas piliing itago ito sa amin, lalo na at matagal ko rin pinaramdam sa iyo na hindi ka mahalaga sa akin." mom closes her eyes filled with bitterness in her face, "I should have been a better mother for you, this is my fault."

I shake my head, "But Mom..."

"Ayaw mo kaming pag-alalahanin ng Daddy mo, I get it." She tilted her head beside me as if she just read my mind, "But that's also our job, because you're our daughter."

"Kakayanin natin ito, anak." Dad caresses my face, "Pagsubok lang ito, pero hindi ibig sabihin noon, pababayaan ka namin ipahamak mo ang sarili mo sa maling desisyon na iniisip mong tanging solusyon sa problemang ito."

'I'll prove you wrong.' Kaya ba niya nasabi iyon?

I'm guilty. I embraced them as I felt them embracing me tightly.

Mom wipes my tears away as she kisses my temple, "It's a very stressful day, magpahinga ka na muna sa kwarto mo Maxene." I nodded as I went inside my room.

Hindi ko mapigilan na mag-alala para kay Travis matapos niyang matalo sa naging pustahan nila ni Pierre kanina.

But he can't do this alone.

But still I have questions that confuses me--

"Miss Maxene." To my surprise that was Natasha's voice knocking outside my room. I immediately opened the door and saw her looking down as if she's embarrassed of me.

"You're still here." I couldn't hide my happiness and see her surprised by my reaction. I embraced her and I felt her embracing me back. "Pero akala ko ba--"

"Gusto ko lang po na pormal na magpaalam." Nalungkot ako sa sabi niya kahit pa pilit niyang hindi pinapahalata sa akin ang tunay niyang emosyon. "Ngayon na po nakatakda ang pag-alis ko."

"Bakit naman biglaan?" Hindi ko maiwasang maiyak sa narinig ko mula sa kanya, "Matagal ka na rin dito sa pamilya, para na nga kitang Ate, tapos ngayon, iiwan mo ako?"

She put up a confident smile that I never got to see that brings me such joy and wonder, she looks so beautiful. She puts her index finger on her lips as if she's about to tell me a secret, "I know you got a lot to ask, but limit it to five questions, I'll answer them before I go as my gift of gratitude to you."

She simply knows how I think, I couldn't help but smile at that thought alone. Pero talagang nalulungkot ako na kailangan na niyang umalis ngayon matapos ng nasaksihan namin kanina, hindi lang siya kung sinong maid lang basta-basta.

This is a part of her boss's plan.

Pinabayaan ni Natasha na ihatid ko siya hanggang sa main door, matapos niyang magpaalam at humingi ng pasensya sa mga magulang ko dahil sa sorpresang hindi nila inaasahan na kaya niyang gawin.

Inamin niya rin kay Mommy na siya ang dahilan kung bakit nakapasok si Travis sa buhay namin kahit hindi naman daw dapat, iyon ay dahil pinoprotektahan niya lang ako at isa ako sa naging tulay para makuha ng pinaka 'amo' niya ang kailangan nilang impormasyon at ugnayan ni Dad kay Senator Valentine.

Hindi ko pa inaasahan na makikita ang taong minsan ko nang nakita sa naging event ni Senator kamakailan na sumundo kay Natasha.

He's still wearing that fedora hat smiling at us with respect. That silver bull ring is indeed a fact that he served the military once, but he is retired. Of all the five questions I asked from Natasha, one thing is clear as day: Everything was set by Joseph Ashikaga Hayes, that he even used his own son just to set everything in order according to his plans.

I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing because as far as I can remember, Travis wouldn't like to meddle with his adoptive parent's business, he wants to keep things on his terms.

But he is acting on behalf of his father's unfinished business with Senator Valentine.

Now I understand why Travis can't tell me anything about this, not because he's embarrassed by those who adopted him, but because of the ugly image that his people have become in the eyes of other people.

Now, knowing the real business that his family has after the death of his adoptive mother, tila nawala ang pundasyon ang mundong ginagalawan nila, kaya pala hindi rin madalas mahagilap ang adoptive father niya, kaya mas madalas siyang nagtatrabaho overseas dahil malawak ang mundo nila sa inaasahan ko at marami din silang taong tinutulungan dahil hindi sila katulad ng ibang tao na ang gusto lang ay makapanlamang at manakit ng tao dahil lang sa mas makapangyarihan sila at dapat sila katakutan.

"Pasensya na kung natagalan bago ako nakabalik, Benjamin." paumanhin ng ginoo kay Daddy at nakangiting binati rin si Mommy. Sa mukha ni mommy, masasabi kong, hindi niya inaasahan na makita ang taong ito sa ganitong pagkakataon, pero tila naka-ayon ang lahat sa plano ng taong ito.

I can say that Travis learned a lot and was influenced by this person. No wonder why he is filled with mystery at first look, he's not like the other guys I know, he naturally blends in but he is still that cautious about this part of him that he never ever thought of sharing with me. Hindi ko pa ma-figure out kung bakit.

"Akala ko, hindi mo na tutugunan ang pabor ko sa iyo, Mr. Hayes." tugon ni Dad at nakipag kamay sa ginoo.

This is the former General Joseph Ashikaga Hayes, the husband of the late mafia heiress Trudi Mikhailovich Romanov who were the parents of the one and only Azrael Trevis Romanov Hayes.

Kaya ganoon na lang ang authority niya sa tao.

'Trust me and everything will be okay.' I remembered him telling me as I saw his adoptive father looking me in the eye.

"Hello young miss, it's been a while."

Ampon man siya, pero tunay na anak ang turing sa kanya ng Mama at Papa niya.

Anak ng Russian Mafia si Travis.