ELLISSE ZERINA 

It's been one week since the fake dark list's elimination ended. CIT's now back to their normal routine kung saan chill na ang research and investigation team, pero syempre tuloy parin ang pagmo-monitor nila sa HQ at ibang kaso na hawak ng Serpent, hindi nga lang gano'n ka-busy kompara last week. 

And how about the gang? Well, I don't know. For sure na may kaniya-kaniya silang mundo ngayon. From what I have heard, they're currently free to hang out. Well, they must take this chance now dahil base sa narinig ko, minsan lang sila makalabas ng HQ. They must be partying wild and free now as if they're living their lives to the fullest like ordinary people who know nothing about the mafia. 

At ako? Of course, still alive. Actually, may plano dapat kami ngayong magsalo-salo sa Filiergo kaso si Tanya hindi raw makakapunta dahil nauna ang plano nila ni Lucas. I can't still believe, she's dating the Royal Knight of Canis. Hindi pa niya naku-kwento kung pa'no sila nagkakilala at hindi ko pa rin nakakausap ang boyfriend niya...maybe one of these days. 

And since Dhale is Dhale, she excused herself for she have to get her research done in the CIT as soon as possible. Ang sabi lang niya mahalaga raw talaga 'yon kaya minamadali na niya. I heard it's a confidential case. Si Daniella naman, she decided to help Dhale since they're both a CIT member. Baka raw makalimutan na naman ng kaibigan naming kumain hanggang hindi niya natatapos ang trabaho niya. Well, we're grateful to have Daniella as the most caring among us. 

While Axcel, Nick, and Rix are nowhere to be found. Kung noon, hindi ko maiisip na baka nagpunta sila sa club o nasa casino, pero iba na ngayon. We're part of mafia, hindi na ako magugulat kung naisipan nilang mag-night club o mag-casino. Wherever they're in right now, for sure they're also extremely living this once-in-a-while freedom. Hindi ko lang masisiguro kung gano'n din ba ang ganap kay Rix. Well, knowing that innocent man? It's either he's spending the entire twenty four hours dating his desktop while coding or expect him doing some weird d*mn stuffs no one would never expect he could do. Rix will always be Rix. 

And how about the Royal Knightress? 

Napa-buga ako ng hangin tiyaka ko marahang hinilot ang sentido ko. I fix the bridge of my reading eye glasses before I went on scrolling the word document through Renzo's laptop. Nanatiling nakatuon ang tingin ko sa screen nang maisipan kong abutin ang tasa na katabi ng laptop. Humigop ako, pero wala ni isang patak man lang ang dumampi sa dila ko. Medyo iritado kong tiningnan ang tasa. D*mn, I didn't even notice that I've already empty my first cup. Dahil tinatamad akong mag-timpla ng kape, itinuloy ko nalang ang pags-scroll ko sa document. 

Since hindi rin naman tuloy ang plano naming get-together ngayon, I just decided to stay here in maze's basement. Of course, I'm not a fool to stay here, waste my time swimming, and have some d*mn fun with the car racing simulator. D*mn! Not again! Pumunta ako rito para i-review ang confidential file na hiningi ko kay Commander. Renzo has an underground transaction today and I don't know what time he'll get back. When I said confidential file, I'm referring to the file containing the profile of the people listed in the REAL dark list. 

No'ng una talaga, ayaw pa akong pagbigyan ni Renzo sa hiling ko. Come on! Ako na nga 'tong nag-aalok na tulungan siya, siya pa 'tong choosy. Baka raw kung ano na naman ang maisip ko once malaman ko ang laman ng dark list profiles. Well, honestly, I think, Renzo knows me well, coz after skimming the file, I already want to set up canons and bombs in our targets' location to start the real elimination para matapos na 'to, but of course, I'm not that stupid to start a d*mn mafia war and end it in a snap. We're talking about WAR here, not just a d*mn one-on-one combat. 

Actually, hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin aware ang gang tungkol sa tunay na dark list. Well, I'm not sure. I guess, some of them were already aware of the existence of another dark list which is the real one. Posibleng makatunog ang gang at ma-realize na maling tao ang nakalista sa listahang sinusundan nila para sa elimination. But whatever the case was for them, they still followed the order from their Commander dahil sigurado sila na alam ng Serpent Commander ang ginagawa niya. 

Base sa huling sinabi sa akin ni Renzo, Creid is his second card to eliminate the people in the real list, that's why he sent him to Germany where he killed Sigmund Crowseigh during the auction—the owner of one of the largest casinos in Australia and the very successor of Alfrigal. Kung hindi ko pa nabasa 'tong confidential profile nila, hindi ko malalaman na isa rin si Dominico Alfrigal sa mga taong nasa tunay na dark list...hence, Rix and me are Renzo's first two cards who killed the first target, Dominico. 

I couldn't help but smirk while I went on reading the profiles. The Serpent Commander silently started the annihilation, and I guarantee, sooner or later, Korbin will then notice their invaluable people getting eliminated from the board game one by one, and there would be the moment they will realize that Serpent outwitted them. Imagine, Mr. X's reaction when he learned that Renzo has the real list from the very start. 

Hindi na ako makapag-hintay na makatanggap ng threat galing sa Korbin oras na malaman nilang isa-isang nalalagas ang mga tunay na wealth sources ng grupo nila. Well, they will surely turn against us, but we're expecting the attack. We're waiting for it. 

As soon as I finished reviewing the document, I turned off the laptop and leaned on the couch's backrest. Napansin kong umilaw ang screen ng phone pero namatay rin ulit kaya kinuha ko 'to mula sa mesa katabi ng tasa. 

When I turned it on, napabalikwas ako dahil bumungad sa akin ang sunod-sunod na text messages at missed calls mula kay Renzo. Oh d*mn! I forgot, I turned my phone on a silent mode earlier. 

From: Demonyong walang puso 

How's the file? Found something interesting? 

Busy huh? 

I miss you

Still ignoring me?

Hon

Ellisse Zerina

WTH! Is that f*cking file worth your d*mn seconds more than sparing some to at least f*cking reply??

Madami pa siyang sumunod na text messages at ang puro nahahagip ng mga mata ko ay ang malulutong niyang mura. D*mn! I can even hear his voice! 

Papalitan ko muna sana ang contact name niya pero naisipan ko na kaagad i-dinial ang number niya bago pa ako sunod na makatanggap ng death threat. Wala pa yatang ilang segundo, sinagot na niya. Here we go...

"Ren----"

[Why are you f*cking ignoring me, Ellisse Zerina?] Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ako dahil talagang ramdam ko ang inis niya sa kabilang linya. Siguro kung nasa harap ko lang siya ngayon, nag-kasa na siya ng baril. I smiled with the thought. 

I leaned against the backrest. "Alam mo namang busy ako tiyaka naka-silent mode 'tong----"

[I don't need an alibi.]

"Naka-silent mode nga kasi 'yong phone ko" Kontra ko. D*mn it! Sisimulan na naman niya ako. "Alam mo naman na ayoko sa istorbo kapag busy ako. I need to focus reviewing the dark list profiles..."

[And you're telling me that I'm a disturbance?] Halata ang pagiging sarcastic at inis sa tanong niya. 

"You're not an exception, Mr. Hilton." I smirked teasing him even more. D*mn! I ended up pissing him off again. Wala akong narinig na sagot. For sure, umiigting na ang panga niya ngyon sa inis. I went on then, "You're busy. I'm busy. We're busy helping each other, Commander, so I think ignoring you is a must during working hours." 

[F*ck!] 

Napakunot ako, "Minumurahan mo ba ako?" 

[No... F*ck it!] No ang sagot pero nagmura ulit. 

"Yes. You're cursing at me, Lorenzo."

[D*mn, Zerina, no!]

"Then why are you yelling at me?"

[I'm f*cking pissed off.]

Hindi ko na kinaya kaya kumawala na ang tawa ko na kanina ko pa pinipigilan. Teasing him is such a satisfaction. 

[And why the f*ck are you laughing?] 

Umiling ako kahit na hindi niya nakikita. Seriously? This man.... "I can clearly see your annoyed face, Commander."

 [You know, you'll surely hate the world once I take my turn to tease you.]

I raised my brow with a smirk on my lips, "Try the Knightress, Commander." Finally, I heard him chuckle. This man is really something. Kanina lang inis na inis siya, pero ngayon nakukuha na niyang tumawa. Tss! What a mood. 

[I'm almost done here. Will pick you up then in ten minutes.] 

I stood up. "Magpapalit lang ako sandali." Kinuha ko ang laptop na nasa mesa bago tinungo ang daan papunta sa kwarto ni Renzo para ibalik 'to. Hindi ko pa rin ibinababa ang tawag, "Wait...are we going somewhere? Kailangan ko bang magsuot ng battle suit? Should I also prepare ammos and guns?" 

I heard him chuckle from the other line, [Not today, hon. We're going on a date.]

Napatigil ako bago ko pa man mabuksan ang secret storage ni Renzo kung sa'n niya itinatago ang ilan sa mga armas niya. "Date?" Ulit ko. Does he mean, we're going back in that place again? Mabilis akong lumabas ng kwarto niya para puntahan ang isa pang kwarto. 

[Yeah. A date. A real one.] 

Napailing ako't napangiti. Maybe we're going on a real date this time. "Give me enough time to prepare then." Ibaba ko na sana ang tawag nang sumeg-way pa si Renzo. 

[You're gorgeous whatever you wear. With or without makeup, you're stunning, hon.]

"Tss, bumanat ka pa kung pwede mo namang i-deretsang bilisan ko. You can't rush me with this, Lorenzo, I'm a woman!"

[Fine. I'm on my way there. I'll be waiting.]

"See you, Mr. Hilton." With a smile, I ended the call.

Hindi naman ako OA sa pag-pili ng susuotin o pag-aayos ng sarili ko, but still, I want to look pretty though I know I already am. Hindi sa nagmamayabang ako, I'm just stating the fact. Anyway, I want to wear something nice and look fresh. I'm dating the Serpent Royal Commander, hello?

...

I decided to wear a lavender off-shoulder dress reaching above my knee. I'm not into dark auras unless there's a special event I must be, but today's different. Gusto ko laid-back lang ang vibes ko. 

After the last touch of my lips, I smiled, looking at my reflection. D*mn it! I couldn't help but feel excited! Hindi na ako nagtagal pa dahil ang sabi kanina ni Renzo, on his way na raw siya rito sa basement. Paglabas ko ng kwarto, wala akong nadatnang tao sa living room o sa kahit saang sulok ng basement so I decided to call him. Sinagot din naman niya kaagad. 

"Where are you?" 

[Garage. You done?] 

"Mmm. On my way." I can't help but smile, taking the way to the garage. Bigla akong kinabahan matapos niyang ibaba ang tawag. Hindi naman obvious na excited ako. Tss. 

Pagkarating ko sa garahe, nahagip kaagad ng mga mata ko ang itim na Lykan Hypersport kung saan naka-sandal at nakahalukipkip si Renzo. WTH?! Kung hindi pala ako nag-effort na nag-ayos edi sana siya lang 'tong naka-porma sa aming dalawa. D*mn! Why is he so dashing wearing that plain black long sleeve? Kung tutuusin, nakalislis lang naman ang magkabilang cuff nito at naka-unbutton ang dalawang butones pantaas. Ang simple niyang tingnan pero ang lakas ng dating. WTH, Mikael Lorenzo! 

"Done staring at me?" 

Napa-angat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. Nakangisi siya't halatang nang-aasar. I just rolled my eyes, "Tss"

Nakalapit na ako sa kaniya, pero wala ni isa sa amin ang umiimik. He kept looking at me and I couldn't read his thoughts. Hindi ba niya nagustuhan 'tong suot ko? Should I wear something else? 

"This is why I don't want you to fix yourself this way..." Natigilan ako. Pakiramdam ko parang gusto ko siyang hampasin dahil sa sinabi niya pero nanatili akong walang kibo. "You never fail to always completely take my whole d*mn attention fixed at you in every way, and what more, now that you're the prettiest among the goddesses?" Natigilan ako sa sunod ng mga salitang binitawan niya. Hindi ako halos nakagalaw ng lumapit siya sa akin. Too close that the gap between us are almost inch. He then bent down my ear and whispered, "Why are you so f*cking good at making me give in to you Royal Knightress? You're making me lose myself, big time, again."

Naramdaman ko ang pagdampi ng labi niya sa leeg ko and that made my entire soul feel the electrifying feeling and the butterfly thing in my stomach. Once again. I bit my lower lip. "Mr. Hilton." I tried my best to suppress the growing desire between us before it blaze up. Nagkatinginan kami ni Renzo nang lumayo sya nang bahagya. Nakangisi pa siya. He slid his hands through his pocket. "Guess, I must ask for permission next time before I trespass that part, Ms. Lorico." Sandali niyang sinulyapan ang leeg ko bago ako hinila at inalalayang makapasok sa kotse. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. 

If there's one quality I admire the most about Renzo, it's the effort he's putting in to hold back his desire to do something intimate like s*x you know. I know we already did his so-called physical touching session, but if we're going to talk about taking it to the next level, well, I'm not yet ready for that thing and Renzo knows it. Siya pa nga mismo ang unang nakapansin no'n the day we reconciled back in the Montana Peak. Nadala talaga ako ng emosyon ko when I pleaded him to do the touching thing back in the infirmary room. 

Having someone like him who respects that boundary is something I'm thankful for. I want to take it slowly...Slowly, but this time, surely. Gusto ko kasi na kapag ibinigay ko ang lahat ko sa kaniya, handang-handa na ako, 'yong sigurado ako sa gagawin ko. And when the time comes, hopefully, I could openly tell him my feelings, that I knew he's been waiting to hear from me.

 "Renzo" I called him. Naka-pokus siya sa pagda-drive pero sandali niya akong tiningnan, "What? Do you need something?"

Hindi ko siya nilubayan ng tingin kahit na sa daan ang focus niya. I smiled. "Thank you."

Pansin ko ang pag-kunot ng noo niya kahit naka-side siya sa akin at kahit hindi niya ako tiningnan. "What for?" 

"For being the man I want to spend the entire day with." I genuinely said. I got her eyes turned to me. And without any second thoughts, a word came out from his lips. "I love you." 

Hindi ko alam kung ga'no kabilis ang tibok ng puso ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Mabilis lang ang pag-sulyap niya kasabay ng mga salitang 'yon bago niya ibinalik ang tingin sa daan. It only took him seconds but I felt how genuine those words were. 

I smiled, but there was the guilt from within. Nagi-guilty ako na hindi ko masabi pabalik ang mga salitang 'yon tulad ng paano niya sabihin sa akin. Please, wait, Renzo. Please, wait for me, hon. I whispered to myself. 

...

"What the hell, Mikael Lorenzo! Are you serious about this?" Hindi ko makapaniwalang tanong sa kasama ko. Guess what? Oh d*mn! He just parked his fancy car in front of one of the most well-known, the grandest property of Stanford. Museo Del Grande. 

"Surprised?" He was smiling when he looked at me. "Sobra" I couldn't help but eagerly smile.  Automatic na bumukas pataas ang pinto ng kotse niya. D*mn! Is this for real? 

Pagka-labas ko'y, kaagad akong nilapitan ni Renzo. She held my hand as we walked to the golden double door. Tumigil kami sa harap ng pinto kung saan may dalawang lalaking bantay sa magkabilang gilid. They're both wearing a formal suit and they bowed down at us as we reached for them. Iniabot ni Renzo ang maliit at kulay itim na card sa isa sa kanila, pagtapos ay pinagbuksan kami. 

Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mapanganga sa engrandeng lugar na bumungad sa amin. Museo Del Grande is the top well known museum around the world. According sa article na nabasa ko back when I was still working in MCA, dito sa museum na 'to makikita halos ang mga sikat at nagmamahalng mga paintings back in history, well, I'm talking about the world history. May mga modern art crafts din, old books, at may mga gamit mula sa sinaunang panahon na malaki ang halaga sa kasaysayan. Pati nga mga tunay at nagmamahalang dyamante, perlas at ginto, they're all preserving those in this place. This must have a multiple security system. 

"You really love this kind of place huh?" I looked at Renzo. Nakangiti siyang nakatingin sa akin at kahit ako hindi mawala sa labi ko ang ngiti dala ng excitement. 

Well, that's one fact about me. I love museums. The tranquility inside this place is giving me this enthusiasm and peace from within. And I could say, comfort place ko ang mga ganitong klase ng lugar. 

Inilibot ko ulit ang tingin ko. "This is heaven, Renzo. Mga piling tao lang and mostly high-profile people ang nakakapasok sa lugar na 'to. This is really a dream come true." Magkahawak kamay kaming nilapitan ang isang malaki at lumang painting. 

"The first annihilation in the medieval era. It was during the first trial of the psychotic serial killer, Armando Scwarztsieri." I looked at Renzo. May knowledge rin pala siya tungkol sa history. Ibinalik ko ang tingin ko sa painting. 

"This reminds me of the Serpent's ritual back in the castle. Mafia thing." Komento ko. Naramdaman ko ang tingin ni Renzo sa akin pero hindi ko inabala pang dagdagan ang sinabi ko. I pulled him para puntahan ang iba pang bagay na narito sa ground floor.

Sandali pa'y naagaw ng atensyon ko ang isang covered space kaya rito ko hinila si Renzo papasok. 

"What the..." Sa lawak ng lugar, iisang bagay lang ang naka-display sa gitna. Binitawan ko ang kamay niya para malapitan ng husto ang glass box kung saan maingat na nakalagay ang kakaibang uri ng baril. 

Surprised, I looked at him then back to the gun, "This is..."

"There are lot of it inside this place, hon. Remember that Stanford owns this." He replied with a smirk, stepping closer to me. "Aside from our clan, Stanford is the most influential and powerful family in the world of mafia. They possess each and every invaluable weapon and luxurious thing around the world. Most are bids and some are personally acquired through direct buying. They're keeping it all here. If you might ask, this is one of their assets."

Stanford is the most powerful and wealthiest ally of Serpent. No doubt kung bakit gano'n nalang kalakas ang authority ng samahan nila. In the world of mafia, wealth is the life of an organization, and that explains a lot. 

Yumuko ako nang bahagya taking a little closer to the gun inside the glass box. I was about to touch the glass when Renzo swiftly held my hand, "Don't touch anything." Inilayo niya ako nang bahagya sa glass box tyaka hinila palayo. Nilingon ko pa ang box. "What's in there?" 

"Every glass inside has installed transparent live wires." 

WTH? Gano'n ka-ingat ang mga Stanford sa lahat ng bagay na nandito sa loob? D*mn! Kug hindi pa nahawakan ng mabilis ni Renzo 'yong kamay ko kanina baka lupasay na ako ngayon. 

...

"You enjoyed it huh?" Nakangiti kong nilingon si Renzo na mukhang napansin na kanina pa akong pangiti-ngiti rito sa passenger's seat habang isa-isang tinitingnan ang mga pictures namin sa Museo Del Grande. 

"Definitely" Ibinalik ko rin ang tingin ko sa phone ko. Mas lalo pa akong napangiti nang makita ang last pic. This was the moment earlier when Renzo asked me na siya naman ang humawak ng camera dahil mas matangkad siya. I was confused when he said, "Look at me, Zerina." And then when I did...D*mn! I was really stunned when he kissed me on my lips. Dampi lang 'yon but it took four seconds kasabay ng pag-click ng camera ng phone ko. 

"I think, we should kiss more often." Dahil sa sinabi niya ay napatingin ako sa kaniya. Nakangisi pa siya habang focus ang tingin sa daan. I think, he saw the pic I'm looking at kaya mabilis kong pinatay ang phone. I smirked, "Kiss me now then." Panghahamon ko. Buti nalang naka-seat belt ako dahil kung hindi baka nauntog na ang noo ko sa dashboard ng sasakyan dahil sa lakas ng preno niya. "D*mn, Renzo! Bakit ba---"

"You just f*cking asked me to kiss you in the middle of the road, hon. What do you expect me to do?" Natatawa niyang sagot. Tinanggal niya ang seat belt niya at akmang lalapit na sa akin nang iharang ko ang palad ko dahilan nang mapatigil siya. "Mag-drive ka nga muna." 

"What the f*ck?" Mabilis na nagbago ang mood niya. Tss, look at his annoyed face. Natatawa talaga ako but I suppressed it by raising my brow, "What? The kiss can wait, Commander." I smiled a little. He scoffed at lumayo. Isinuot ulit ang seat belt at padabog pang pinaandar ang sasakyan. Why do I always find him cute whenever he acts this way? 

"Heads on the road, Zerina." Seryosong utos niya. 

"I'm not even the driver." Halata ko ang paghigpit ng hawak niya sa steering wheel. Hindi ko maiwasang mapangisi pa ng malawak. 

"F*ck, Zerina. Stop that." Iritang-irita na ang hitsura niya, but I just couldn't help but smirk seeing his reaction. Look at this man. Kahit hindi nakatingin sa akin alam niyang nakangisi ako sa kaniya. "Stop it or I'll stop this f*cking car, drag you out and kiss you in the middle of this f*cking road."

"Okay, fine. Titigil na ako." Pag-suko ko. I even raised my hands. "My apology, Commander." 

Hindi siya umimik at nanatiling focus ang atensyons sa daan. I smirked with the thought playing in my mind. Tinanggal ko ang seat belt ko tyaka mabilis na lumapit sa kaniya para halikan siya sa labi. Halata ang gulat but he kept the car steadily on lane nang tugunin niya rin ang labi ko. 

"I love you," he whispered as we parted. Every time he uttered those words, my heart never fails to swiftly beat. I smiled genuinely bago ko ulit mabilis na pinasadahan ng halik ang labi niya tyaka ako bumalik sa ayos ng pagkakaupo. I looked at him at ang seryoso niyang mukha kanina, ngayon ay maaliwalas na. A trace of a smile was written on his lips.

D*mn! Do I really deserve this man? 

...

Halos kalahating minuto rin kaming bumyahe, pero hindi ko ramdam na matagal ang minutong 'yon dahil kasama ko si Renzo. We had a nice and smooth talk along the ride and I'm so glad for this day. Akala ko nga babalik na kami agad niyan sa HQ, but then dinala ako rito ni Renzo sa isang lugar na hindi ko malaman kung saan ba. It's already 6:30 in the evening no'ng makarating kami kanina.

"Saan ba talaga tayo pupunta? Hindi na maganda ang kutob ko rito, Lorenzo." Seryoso kong banta sa kaniya. Rinig ko pa ang mahinang pagtawa niya. "We're almost there, hon." 

Ramdam ko ang lamig ng hanging dumadampi sa balat ko. I can't see anything but dark dahil nakatakip pa rin ang mga palad ni Renzo sa mga mata ko. The ambiance somewhat seems familiar. 

We stopped. D*mn! Why am I feeling nervous? "You ready?" Ramdam ko pa ang init ng hininga niya sa tainga ko. I nodded and so Renzo removed his palm covering my eyes.  

My lips parted. WTH? I wanted to say something pero na-sorpresa ako sa bumungad sa akin kaya hindi ako makaimik. 

May comforter na nakalatag sa damuhan. There are scented candles around us na siyang nagbibigay liwanag sa lugar maliban sa bilog na buwan. 

"Do you like it?" I looked at him, waiting for my response. Wala akong ibang masabi kaya inilibot ko ang tingin ko dahil hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa sobrang ganda ng lugar. I looked at the stars watching us from above. I smiled as I remembered something...

Muli kong tiningnan si Renzo nang hindi naalis ang ngiti sa labi ko, "More than words could say, I like it. Thank you, Renzo." 

He smiled at me, "Anything for my Queen." Why is he so dashing? D*mn it! 

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko palapit sa nakalatag na comforter. Kinuha niya ang bouquet ng bulaklak tyaka 'yon inabot sa akin. Even my favorite flower huh? A boquet of sunflowers combined with white roses. Nakangiti kong inabot 'yon at inamoy. 

May mga pagkaing nakahanda rito para sa dinner. Mostly mga paborito ko rin. Hindi nawala ang zucchini at avocado ice cream for dessert. Bigla akong nakaramdam ng gutom nang kumalan ang tiyan ko. I even heard Renzo's chuckle. "Let's eat first." 

"I wonder kung ano ang magiging reaction ng kapatid ko kapag nakita niya tayo ngayon." Bigla kong naalala si Kuya. 

We're almost done eating. Sinimulan ko ng lantakan ang avocado ice cream habang mint flavor naman ang kay Renzo. "I think, this could convince him."

"You think?" Tumango ako sa tanong ni Renzo. "Didn't you hear him back in Mors? He wants you to formally court me, tss. For sure, he just wants to test you. He wants proof of sincerity and loyalty, something like that." 

Nakita ko ang pag-ngisi ni Renzo. "That man...is tough." Napailing ako't sumang-ayon sa kaniya, "Si Kuya pa ba?" 

"But I am tougher" I looked at him at nakatingin din siya diretso sa mga mata ko, "If proof is all he needs for a test....I don't mind doing anything he wants me to do if it's the only way he would let me keep you in my life." Hindi ako nakaimik hanggang sa marahan niyang hinawakan ang pisngi ko, "That's all I want, hon. Having you here beside me is all that matters now...And I will do anything for you."

I bit my lower lip dahil pakiramdm ko maiiyak ako sa sinabi niya. I never felt special like this before, not even with my d*mn ex. 

I closed my eyes when he kissed me on the forehead. Lumayo siya nang bahagya para magpantay ang mga tingin namin. "I f*cking love you so much, Zerina." 

Napapikit nalang ako habang nasa bisig niya ako. How could you fall for someone like me and love me this much? I asked at the back of my thought.

Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako kasaya habang yakap siya. All I know is that I don't want this moment to end. I want to spend not just an entire 24 hours with him, but more than that...more than life to eternity. 

D*mn! I know that I already fell. I love him, but there's still something holding me back. Paano ko ba sasabihin 'to? Paano ko ba aamining mahal din kita, Renzo?

...

It was almost 9 in the evening when we arrived at our next destination. Kanina pa ako nagtataka kung nasa'n kami simula nang makapasok kami sa mataas at malapad na gate. Medyo mahaba-habang daan din ang tinahak namin bago kami nakarating dito sa harap ng...oh d*mn! Bumaling ako ng tingin sa kasama ko matapos niyang maiparada ang sasakyan.

"Is this yours?" 

Ngumisi siya, "Ours, hon." 

"What the...." he chuckled before I could finish my line, "Soon. All my properties will be yours too one day since you'll be a Hilton soon." Napanganga nalang ako sa sinabi niya. D*mn this man! Ba't ba napapadalas ang banat niya kanina pa. Tss! Nauna na siyang lumabas at hindi ko na hinintay pa na pagbuksan niya ako.

Bumungad ang malawak na hall pagkapasok namin. May tatlong magkakasunod din na chandeliers sa taas at sa bandang gitna ilang metro ang layo sa amin may hagdanan. Bahay ba talaga 'to o kastilyo?

"Do you have maids here?" I asked following him upstairs. 

"None. Just a few men guarding the entire premises. Why?" he turned around to face me kaya natigil ako sa paglalakad. "Do you want me to get maids?" 

Napakunot ako. "I was just asking if you have maids or none. Hindi ko sinabing kumuha ka ng katulong, tss." Naglakad ako't nilampasan siya. 

"But you'll be living here soon." Hindi ako makapaniwalang nilingon siya and he went on, "We better get maids. I don't want you to do the house----" 

"Teka nga lang, Lorenzo, ano bang gusto mong sabihin huh? And why the hell would I live here?" Napakapamewang na putol ko. Trip na naman nito? Kita mo, nakuha pang ngumisi.

"Well, you're the Queen?" Napataas ang kilay ko sa walang kwenta niyang sagot, "And, I'm your King. They both live under one Kingdom, hon." I rolled my eyes because of his nonsense reasoning. "And dami mong alam." Tinalikuran ko na siya at narinig ko pa ang pagtawa niya. Tss! 

"But I'm serious. I want you to live here." Hindi ko siya pinansin habang tinatahak ang malawak na pasilyong hindi ko alam kung sa'n papunta. "We can't always stay in HQ." 

"I don't want to." Walang emosyong sagot ko. 

"You will and you have no choice at all. Aside from HQ, this is the safest place you could stay." I halted as I deeply shut my eyes bago ko siya hinarap. Tinaasan pa ako ng kilay. "What?" 

"Mas marunong ka pa sa 'kin? I said, I don't want to. Besides ano nalang ang iisipin ng kapatid ko at ng iba once nalaman nila na magkasama tayo sa iisang bubong." Reklamo ko. 

"And so? I don't f*cking mind. I'm talking about your safety." At talagang nagmamatigas pa ang lalaking 'to.

"Well, I care, and I'm talking about what would people think about us." Pagmamatigas ko. Nakipagsukatan pa ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Well, he was the one who gave up first and so I smirked. "You must follow your Queen, Commander." 

"Tss. Granted. For the meantime." 

...

Naka-pamewag akong nakaharap sa mga damit dito sa walk in closet ng kwarto. Ang sabi ni Renzo na dito muna ako magpahinga dahil may aasikasuhin lang siya sandali. He's in the next door across this huge room.

Ang ipinagtataka ko ngayon, lahat ng gamit dito sa walk in closet ay pambabae. And everything are well fitted in my size. Hindi lang 'yon! Well, mayro'n din akong mga madalas isinusuot as if they're my trademark garments and now almost everything I am seeing right in the closet are my likes. Ang assuming ko naman kung iisipin ko na ipinasadya talaga 'tong kwarto na 'to para sa akin. But seriously? Why are these for girls? 

"May kapatid bang babae 'yon na kasing-edad ko't ka-body frame ko? At ka-style ko pa talaga?" I asked myself, choosing a loose shirt and pajamas. I ended up taking the mustard yellow shirt with minimalist text printed on the front paired with beige pajamas. Mas comfy kapag ganito. 

Ibinagsak ko ang katawan ko sa malambot na kama. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, pero gising na gising ang diwa ko. I checked the time on the wall clock. D*mn! It's already twelve midnight! 

Dahil hindi ako makatulog kahit ano pang pilit ko, naisipan ko nalang mag-sight seeing. Naisip kong katukin si Renzo sa kwarto niya but I I ended up deciding not to. Baka busy pa o baka tulog na. Kaya mag-isa kong tinahak ang pasilyo papunta sa hindi ko malamang lugar. 

I reached the balcony at the end of the corridor. I was greeted by the cold breeze as I entered the opened sliding door and I was surprised when I saw Renzo. Nakatalikod siya sa akin kaya hindi niya ako kaagad napansin. His phone is placed on his ear habang hawak ng kaliwang kamay niya ang baso ng alak so I decided to not interrupt for a moment. 

"Since when did I f*cking need to explain myself?" Napakunot ako. And who's he talking with? Mr. Malriego? 

"Around 3 PM. But I expect earlier than that." 

And then he hang up. I was about to speak, pero hindi ko naituloy dahil pagkatapos ng mabilisang pag-tap ng ilang beses lang sa phone screen niya, itinapat niya 'yon ulit sa tainga niya. Seconds passed before he speaks "I was expecting that.......how are you by the way?" 

Hindi nakatakas ang nakakalokong ngisi sa labi niya. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mas ma-curious pa kung sino ang kausap niya. I crossed my arms across my chest and kept eavesdropping. 

"Of course. Who else are you expecting her to be with?" May halong sarkastikong tanong niya. Is he referring to me?  Sino ba kasi ang kausap ng lalaking 'to? 

"That. You don't have to know. Isn't it enough to hear that she's with me?" Malabong si Mr. Malriego ang kausap nito. Is it Beaurix? 

"You don't have to threaten me, you know that won't scare me at all. Besides, I know the apex of my duty." Uminom siya ng alak bago ulit nagsalita, "By the way, we're going to have an appointment with someone tomorrow night. It's almost time. You know the place."

What's with the appointment? At sino na namang someone ang tinutukoy niya? Pa-mystery pang nalalaman ang lalaking 'to. Tss! 

"Oh, and by the way...I've asked her if she wants to move in my place." Naagaw ng atensyon ko ang sinabi niya. Nakangisi na naman siya at mukha talagang pinagti-tripan ang kausap niya. 

"You know the safest place she could stay, and once she agrees, you have nothing to choose from but let her live with me...Just for a clean record, we have separate rooms."

Wait...wait...I think, he's not Rix he's talking to...It's more likely my brother! 

"Is that my...." Kaagad siyang lumingon bago ko pa matapos ang sasabihin ko. Nakakunot siya, "Why you still up?" He scanned me from head to toe and back to my eyes before he ended the call. Inilapag niya ang baso ng alak sa mesa't humalukipkip. 

"Si Kuya ba talaga 'yong kausap mo?" I asked ignoring his question. Naglakad ako palapit sa kaniya.

"Yeah" Tipid na sagot niya tiyaka sumandal sa railings paharap sa akin. "I've informed her 'bout our appointment tomorrow and that you're currently with me." 

"Can't sleep?" Pahabol niyang tanong.

"Why?" I asked ignoring his question again.

He shrugged, "Because that's what suitors do?" 

Natawa ako. Seriously? Si Renzo ia-update ang kapatid ko sa kung anong ganap sa amin? 

"And why the hell are you laughing in the middle of the night?" Natatawa parin ako kahit na medyo iritado na siya. I walked beside him. Ipinatong ko ang magkabilang braso ko sa railings tyaka pinagmasdan ang mga bituin. 

"He kept pestering you about me, isn't he?" Paniniguro ko. Si Kuya pa ba? Tss! 

"He doesn't f*cking care whether I'm the Serpent Commander or the son of a powerful Hilton." Natawa ako sa sinabi niya. He went on, "He cares for you more than anything and anyone in this world I guess?" I smiled. He's right. Sobrang protective sa akin ni Kuya kahit noon pa man at madalas dinadaan niya 'yon sa pagsusungit niya sa akin at panenermon. 

Napayakap ako sa sarili ko nang maramdaman ko ulit ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. "You should stay in your room. It's cold here." Natigilan ako nang maramdaman ko ang mga bisig niya sa likod na pumulupot mula sa braso ko. It feels too comfy and secured with his warmth wrapped around me. 

Isindandal niya ang chin niya sa balikat ko. "By the way, what's your plan about Mr. X? May intel ka na bang nakuha tungkol sa identity niya?" Bigla kong naalala.

"I found something but not enough to precisely point out who and what he is." 

Humarap ako sa kaniya nang hindi nilulubayan ng kamay niya ang baywang ko. "What did you find?" 

"I'll tell you as soon as we get back in HQ." Mabilis niya akong pinasadahan ng halik sa labi na ikinagulat ko. He smiled, "I love you." 

And again, my d*mn traitor heart started to beat rapidly. Gusto ko siyang sagutin pero hindi ko talaga magawa. Naramdaman ko nalang ang pagdampi ng labi niya sa noo ko bago ako ulit tiningnan sa mga mata. "You need to rest now. We're going somewhere first thing in the morning tomorrow."

"Where to?"

"You'll see."