I DIDN'T know what to say. I couldn't even defend myself. It was my idea to introduce a janitress as my fiancee because of a mistake. An idea I was supposed to hold on until the very end to achieve my motives of taking in charge of all the Talaserna's properties.

Pero ngayon, naguguluhan na ako. It all begun that moment I saw her with Ben. That split-second turn to forever I acted like an asshole, groping an innocent girl.

"Pare, huwag kang makialam dito. Problema 'to ng mga Talaserna." Fran automatically responded.

"I took an ought on my profession and one is to protect my students. Tungkulin kong protektahan si Mayumi." Tinapatan ni Pol si Fran. I couldn't think properly at the moment. That two piece white bikini is so fucking disturbing me.

"Huh! Student?" Sumagot muli si Fran. "And what are you teaching Mayumi? How to dress like that? How to kiss? Or how to make love?"

Mabilis na lumapat sa panga ni Fran ang kamao ni Pol. Napasigaw si Lily.

"S-Sir Apol..." Mahinang lumabas sa bibig ni Mayumi.

"Shit! Why did you hit me?" Fran immediately moved to fight back. Pero halos sabay na humarang ang katawan ng mga babae sa harapan nila, Lily in front of Fran while Mayumi stepped out to stop Pol. Like they were both partners and I'm just here as a fucking moderator.

"Ano ba? Tumigil na kayo!" I shouted at them. "You both don't have the right to intervene with us!" And I think I have made up my mind.

Mabilis kong hinila ang isang kamay ni Mayumi. This time, I will get her in any way I want.

"B-Brix," she said looking back at Pol. Subukan lang sumunod ng gagong iyon at ako mismo ang sasapak sa kanya! "Sandali lang..."

I ceased. But I still held her hand tightly. "What, Mayumi? Oras nyo pa rin ba ni Pol? Babalikan mo siya?" Inis at nauubos ang pasensiya ko siyang hinarap. "Dinala kita rito para makapag-usap tayo. Hindi para makipaglapit ka sa Apoloniong iyon! Anong gusto mong sabihin ni lolo? Na mas gusto mong kasama siya kaysa sa 'kin? Na mas kaya ka niyang turuan? Binabayaran lang siya ng lolo ko kaya siya nandito!"

Nagulat ako nang bumitiw siya sa kamay ko.

"Tama ka, Brix," napalunok ako nang tumama sa akin ang seryoso niyang mga mata. I couldn't break off myself looking at those eyes, down to her red lips, "Dahil pareho lang kaming binabayaran dito. Huwag kang magalit sa kanya dahil parehas lang kaming nagtatrabaho at nagsisilbi sa inyo." Nakita ko ang panginginig ng kanyang labi. Napalunok ako.

"M-Mayumi, I just want to say so—"

"Bumalik ka na kay Lily. Kayo ang bagay. Siya ang kausapin mo dahil hindi siya katulad ko na tagalinis lang ng mga dumi mo."

My head went blank. Gusto kong kumilos para sundan siya. I want to stop her from going away. But I couldn't. I just couldn't.

Naihagod ko ang kamay sa buhok ko. I wanted to pull my hair and hurt myself. To feel pain more than I am having inside right now.

Damn! Ngayon lang ako napahiya ng ganito. I haven't been this speechless and dumb in front of girl. My heart is beating like I had ran a million miles. My head is spinning, confused and disoriented like I'm going to lose my mind.

Muli kong tinanaw si Mayumi. Nakuyom ko ang aking kamao nang hawakan niya ang braso ni Pol. It's like there's a needle poking me I couldn't properly explain why.

Hell, Brixander! What is going on with you! Are you beginning to really fall for her? And how can you make her love you if you've been this goddamn asshole? Curse me!

SOMEONE started to light a bonfire at the middle of the night. It was shimmering by the lake around us. Lolo Emilio signalled everybody to follow him there. The people started to gather around. May mga bakasyonistang nakiumpok din. May mangilan-ngilang foreigners na tuwang-tuwa sa apoy na isinasayaw ng hangin. There was even a mild background music.

"This night is exemplary! Narito tayong lahat sa bundok ng mambukal. Malayo sa kabihasnan. Bakit hindi muna tayo magpalipas dito ng gabi?" si lolo na nakatingin sa mga kasama namin.

Actually, we just had our dinner at a small restaurant. Beside me were Lolo Emilio and John with his laptop and for signature papers that he said, couldn't wait.

Perhaps, afraid or due to respect for my grandfather, we all sat and ate together in a civilize manner. Pol was busy chatting with Arman during our meal. However, looking at Fran's face, still obviously annoyed at Pol. We never had the chance to even look eye to eye. But I have plans of talking to lolo about him. I want him out of this place by tomorrow. Nathan seems very busy entertaining Lily. While Ben sat beside them quietly kanina, simply glancing at Mayumi. He's really into her and so is Pol. Lalaki rin ako at alam ko kung kailan nagkakagusto ang isang lalaki sa babae. But fvck them for liking her. And damn her for being likeable!

No one seems to go back to their cottages. I was waiting for a perfect time to get near Mayumi. But she's so distant. Nakikita ko siyang madalas kausap si Wanda. I could not help blaming myself for her sudden changes. Dahil ang parating masaya niyang mga mata, ngayon ay hinahanap ko na.

"Brixander, apo, dalhin mo rito si Mayumi." Nagulat ako sa biglang utos ni lolo. May nakalatag na malalaking dahon sa paligid. Nakita kong naupo si lolo sa isang dahon paharap sa gitna ng apoy.

"L-Lo?" takang tanong ko. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan sa utos niya.

"Dalhin mo rito ang mapapangasawa mo! Ano ka ba apo? You seems out of your senses kanina pa." Natatawa siyang pinagpag ang lupang kumapit sa dahong katabi niya. "All of you, gather around the fire!" malakas niyang sabi kaya napatingin ang lahat sa kanya.

Inulit pa ni lolo ang nais niya. Na palibutan namin ang nagniningas na apoy. Some were hesitant. They could have some other agenda. Pero sumunod din sila sa bandang huli.

"Hayan na si sir." Narinig kong bulong ni Wanda kay Mayumi nang lapitan ko sila.

"U-Uh..." Fvck! Ano ba'ng dapat sabihin kapag gusto mong ayain ang isang babae? Sanay akong babae ang lumalapit sa 'kin. I never even had any experience asking someone without raising my voice. "G-Gusto ni lolo na..." Nahawakan ko ang batok ko.

"Hay naku, sir. Nahiya ka pa!" Wanda took my hand and she placed Mayumi's hand to mine. "You're getting married, Mr. T. You don't have to ask Mayumi to be with you. Ikaw ang may karapatan sa kanya." Wanda winked at me. Surprised of her unusual behavior.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pakiramdam ko ay nakatingin ang lahat ng tao sa aming dalawa ni Mayumi. I broke into a sweat and I unconsciously brushed my fingers to hers, until I felt the coldness of her palm against mine. I took that hand and we sat beside my grandfather who's smiling very wide.

Maingay na ang lahat. Nag-order pala si lolo ng unlimited wine for this evening. The fire is still burning. Glasses were thrown into the air. Music is becoming very loud.

May hawak na baso si Mayumi na paunti-unti lamang na umiinom. Hindi ako umaalis sa tabi niya. She's still so quiet.

"Hija, mahal mo ba talaga ang apo ko?" My grandfather asked out of the blue. Napapagitnaan namin si Mayumi habang pinanonood ang mga kasama naming nakikipagsaya na sa ilang mga guests dito.

Marami na ring naiinom si lolo. Kahit pinipigilan namin siya ni Arman ay ayaw niyang paawat. Bihira lang daw mangyari ang pagkakataong ito.

"Lo, ano ba namang klaseng tanong iyan?" Medyo inis kong balik sa kanya.

"Gusto ko lang namang malaman kung gaano ka kamahal ni Mayumi! Aba, Brixander! Maraming nagkakandarapang babae sayo. Isa na iyang Lily Suarez na iyan na kulang na lang ay yariin ka sa harap ng mapapangasawa mo..." Itinagilid niya ang ulo upang harapin ang katabing si Mayumi. "Gusto kong malaman mo, hija na maaari kong bawiin ang lahat ng meron si Brixander. Bahay, pera, posisyon. Kahit apo ko siya, hindi ko siya hahayaang dumepende sa mga materyal na bagay sa mundo..."

Hindi makatingin ng diretso si Mayumi kay lolo. Napansin ko ring humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa baso.

"Lolo, stop. Sa ibang araw mo na kausapin si Mayumi. Lasing ka na." Pigil ko sa kanya. Tatayo na sana ako para tawagin si Arman at pasamahan na siya pabalik ng cottage nang muli siyang magsalita.

"Halikan mo ang apo ko sa harap naming lahat dito!"

"L-Lo!" I was staggered. My throat got dehydrated. I didn't realise that he was that drunk to behave like this.

I'm about to stand up and get her out from here when I felt the coldness of her fingers through my face. Then she drew near. And our lips met.

[Dapat mayroong isang GIF o video dito. I-update na ang app ngayon upang makita ito.]