I had always admired the full length of Aidan's powerful physique. And now that he was standing naked before me, walking back and forth in our room as he gathered his things to dress up after a shower, I'm having a great view. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't awed.

He caught me staring at him rather at his massiveness. I wasn't quick to withdraw my gaze. Made him smile, teasing. I managed to ignore his whistles and focused more in front of the mirror where I'd get myself ready, putting some light makeup on my face. I tried so hard not to give him any fleeting glance, but I made it a lot harder with his build reflecting the portion of the mirror.

"You can't just look without touching it, that's rude. You're making it ache," his vulgar words never fail to cause tingling in me.

"I'm missing Ricos." I've changed the subject, I don't like Aidan making me want something I couldn't get at the moment.

"Yeah, miss him too," but he's not letting it go. "Will you pick a shirt I should wear?"

He then turned a full view in my direction, holding two different shirts in both hands, still very much naked. He would have teased me innocently with his stunts if I hadn't known him better. I cleared my throat and continued putting a gloss on my lips. "Any will do,"

"Or you'd rather see me naked?"

In an instant, I flushed. I started doing my hair in a bun, trying to focus more on the strands instead of Aidan, who remained standing with a grin of mischief. "Aidan, mom didn't like waiting."

Much as I'd like to see him naked and even more than just being naked, we don't have time for that. Mom called in earlier today, and she said she was heading to the city and had planned to see us for dinner. Aidan and I were set to fly to Monteguerro tomorrow to see Ricos, but now Mom is here. I'm not sure if she's with Dad and Ricos; she hadn't said much other than that she wanted to see us for dinner.

A bark of laughter filled the room. Aidan started dressing up. If I am to be asked, I don't want him to dress up. But there's always a time for everything.

I'm not quite sure if I'll have pregnancy to blame for these wanton and carnal things I had kept popping into my head. We both had satisfying moments in bed, but it seemed like none of us could get enough of each other. Since we got back together, I'd been more and more aggressive, and Aidan was there to match my ache.

After we were both good and ready to go, he wrapped his arm around my waist as we walked out of the room. I felt Aidan's hand resting on the side of my hips; it didn't do me any good. I swear if he ever starts caressing it or even starts drawing circles on it with his index finger, I'll have my nipples pebbled underneath the soft fabric of my brassiere.

Aidan felt me tense in his arms, he didn't say anything, but he tugged me closer. He held the car door open and guided me in. I wonder how many men are still doing this thing for their women? Perhaps Aidan is one of those very few cavaliers of this era. Well, I'm one lucky girl.

He started the engine, and we were on the road. I've kept my eyes outside because, I swear, being this close to Aidan and knowing that I need to keep things in my pants for now is something I'd say handful.

"Do you think she brought Ricos with her?" Aidan asked.

"She didn't say much, I'm not sure"

"Mm,"

I closed my eyes. Even that simple sound made me imagine him being relaxed, dishabille. God, I've gone bad.

"Are you craving for something?" Aidan seemed to be unsure of his question. I felt him look in my direction for a second before moving his eyes back to the road. He might be bothered by silence.

You. "Nah,"

I've managed to utter a little lie. I couldn't talk much without embarrassing myself by telling him how badly I wanted him buried deep inside me right now like I hadn't had a piece of him earlier that day. I'm starting to sound like a sex-starved addict. But Aidan is like an opiate I have no wish to kick.

"You okay, baby?" he asked again after a while.

"I'm alright, Aidan," I said. "Just go drive."

He reached for my hand and squeezed it. "I want a girl now,"

A smile curved on my lips. This isn't the first time I heard him say that. He's talking about it almost every day. Just like how badly he wanted Ricos to be a boy then. "Hmm, we'll have to wait."

"Yeah," he breathed. "We'll name our baby Riley, whether she or a he. You cool with that?"

My smile grew wider. Riley isn't a bad name, it sounds wonderful, actually. I gave him a nod. "I like it,"

"Thought so,"

I can't explain the happiness I feel knowing that I wasn't the only one excited about the soon-to-be growing ball in my stomach. Aidan is, too. Aidan let me name Ricos, so it's just fair if I'll give him the power now. Besides, I like how the name Riley rolled on his tongue, I wouldn't mind hearing that name from him going on and on all our lives.

Nang makarating kami sa bahay nila mommy ay agad kaming sinalubong ng unipormadong kasambahay. Hindi ko na kinakailangan pang mag-tanong, agad nitong sinabi na nasa drawing room sina mommy at doon ako pinapadiretso.

A sudden kick hit my chest. I think I know what's about to happen. I looked at Aidan, he was relaxed. Holding my hand as we walk. God, I should've known! With the cars parked outside. I really should've known!

Si Aidan ang siyang nag-tulak pabukas ng pinto matapos niyang mag-bigay ng dalawang katok bilang hudyat.

There, I saw Mom elegantly sitting on the leather sofa in the middle of the room. She was wearing a soft silk house dress, nothing but her diamond wedding ring jeweled her. But it is not how stunning she is that got me. It's her unpleased expression.

"Mom," I still managed to kiss her cheek. Aidan did the same.

I scanned the room and locked gazes with Romee who was sitting on the other side with Lance, Kourtney, Tami, and Anja. This is bad. She gave me a weary look and a smile. I turned to the other corner. There was Tita Moana standing beside a huge wooden table made for a dozen people. She immediately finished her cigarette on the ashtray above the table and slid her lighter back into the pocket of her worn-out jeans when I walked in her direction.

"Tita," I said. Kissing her on the cheek, I could still inhale the smell of smoke in her. Doesn't matter. She isn't Moana if she isn't smoking. I did the same with Tita Dana, Tita Nicole, and Tita Corrine sitting near her.

None of them greeted me back, though Tita Nicole and Tita Corrine, who'd always been sweet, smiled at me.

"Guess you now know why you're here," Mom finally said.

"Quite," I said. Aside from this, things sure have to do with Viel Ferrer. I'm as clueless as Aidan is. Who's now giving me the frown of a lifetime.

"Well, Paris Amanda, I'm afraid you all go to jail in no time." there's no hint of a joke in her voice.

Made my eyes went a little wider, mabilis kong nilingon sila Romee. Oh my goodness! They didn't kill Viel Ferrer, did they? That thought horrified me. I may be mad at her, but my thinking never went on her dying. That's too much.

"Why am I being caught in this? I didn't do anything, I didn't even get the chance to meet the girl," Tami said, shaking her head. "This is crazy, Tita Chi. All I did is drive Paris home, just as I'm asked by Romee in her little favor. What am I called now? A getaway vehicle?"

Tami is nothing but a sweetheart. Being caught in trouble like this isn't her thing. She'd always been prim and proper. Always tucked on the safe side.

"What's going on?" Aidan whispered near my ear. I intentionally ignored him. I don't know how to answer him.

"You're still there, Tami." Tita Moana said.

Mom is eyeing me as if waiting for me to say something. Her eyes are just so much for me to handle. I groaned inwardly. "Okay, I started this. But I didn't know what happened next when I left. So, I don't know Mom. I'm innocent after that three bitch slap I did. That's all. If I'll be behind frozen bars because of three major palm-kiss she deserved then be it. But more than that, I did nothing to her. They did!"

"Ah, putcha, Paris ganyan ka!" Anja snarled.

"Paris!" Romee groaned. I looked at her. She looked disappointed.

What? If there's one thing in this life that scares me so much as frightened me, it's mom!

"What the hell is this, Paris?" Muling bulong ni Aidan saking tabi na hindi ko na naman pinansin.

Lance stood up. She looked so bored, like all of this we're having is nonsense and isn't worth her time. "Alright, so you guys can all blame me. I'm the one who hit her. Though I swear I didn't know I'd hit her so hard. It's just my knuckles."

"You've mastered judo, jujitsu, and karate more than we did. So, yeah, Lance. It's just your knuckles and your skinny arms going." Kourtney ran with sarcasm.

Lance rolled her eyes, and there she went with her bratty tactics. "I don't mind her suing me, but I gotta send her huge good luck. My old man won't let me go to jail just because I knocked up a scheming bitch."

Lance knows how to make her advances. She was raised ruling her world, with the great Zanti Dela Paz being responsible for her ass all the freaking time. Lance is a brat. She always gets what she wants without a sweat. She's been pampered all her life. And she's right. Uncle Zanti won't let his baby girl settle behind bars. He'll use all his resources to shut everything for her.

"Lance," Tita Dana's voice is stern. "Hindi pa nga tayo tapos kay Zach, dadagdag ka pa. Sure, your dad will save your ass, but what if I told him not to. And just let you learn your lesson the hard way? You're starting to get under my skin. We still hadn't talked about the jet you flew up to Texas weeks ago, all because you were bored. Tapos ito na naman. Your father isn't fully aware he raised a demon in you."

I turned to see Lance's reaction. I can't decide if she's just used to hearing those words from her mom or if she just doesn't care. Because all she did was shrug.

"We're all in this, Tita Dana. It isn't just Lance's fault. I was there; I spanked her booty hard enough, intentionally hurting her." Kourtney owned up to her fault. "I'm not going to feel sorry about something I felt contented with doing,"

"Kourtney," Tita Corrine called her as if she wasn't sure if it was Kourtney who was talking.

Even I was surprised. Kourtney is never a badass. She most likely falls on Tami's side. The sweet one, always knowing what's right and not. But I long know that Kourtney had a temper; it might be something she got from her dad, but I don't think Tita Corrine has it. When Kourtney is mad, then she's mad. But it takes a lot to get her boiling.

"Oh, ikaw Anja? Ano na? Amin amin rin" si Tita Moana iyon.

Anja grinned at her mom, raising both of her hands. "Promise, Ma! Kinurot ko lang 'yong nipples niya. Medyo nanggigil kasi ako, laki ng dede. Tangina 'yon, tinesting ko lang kung totoo. Kaso hindi, peke. Kaya nabwisit ako. Kinurot ko nalang kesa mabaril ko pa siya."

I bit my lower lip to keep myself from laughing. I was tempted, but this isn't a good situation to laugh in. But to hell with Anja. What she said made Tami, Romee, and Kourtney laugh. Though they all tried not to.

"Magagalit sana ako sayo, kaso" Tita Moana shook her head. "I feel you, baka kung nandoon pa ko nabaril ko 'yon sa dede."

Anja is so like her mom. She thinks, acts, and speaks like Tita Moana. Compared to her siblings, it's only Oxygen that I could say that's close to her personality. That's why they always clash. Titanium and Audrey were the tamed ones. They behave more like Uncle Exodus than Tita Moana.

"Moan, this is something serious," Tita Corrine said.

"I am serious, Coconut" Tita Moana laughed. "Puta natawa lang ako, pero seryoso ako."

Romee cleared her throat. "Mom, it isn't our fault that her nose is fake and ductile. She can still breathe by her mouth though."

"Really, Romee?" Mom said in a stoic manner.

"Well the bitch deserves it, mom!" Romee stubbornly hissed. "Had she not been messing with Paris and kept her thongs stuck inside her pants, then she'll get to keep her artificial self preserved for life."

Romee isn't backing down. She'd been up for this, and I knew there was no way she was stepping the hell out.

Mom lifts her eyes on me. "You should know better than this, Paris. You're pregnant. You know how sensitive it is for you to dip your feet in trouble at times like this. You even swim."

"I'm sorry," I said in a small voice. Not that it's something Mom would want to hear, but I'd like to say.

"Walang magagawa ang sorry mo, Amanda. Paano kung napahamak ka? Do you really tend to have me kill a being before I get over with this life?" Her cold gaze fixed on me. "Because, Paris, I will really kill without second thoughts, kung sakaling may masamang nangyari sayo at sa dinadala mo."

I remained silent. I lowered my eyes to the ground. Feeling Aidan's gaze hitting me. I don't know what he might be thinking now. Funny how things turned this way. I'm the bad guy now, and Viel is the victim. This isn't right. Where's my father? I want him to shoot someone for me now.

"Viel's father filed a case against all of you after having his daughter hospitalized. Leaving her with broken ribs, unconsciously lying on the carpet of her unit. What had gotten into six of you is beyond me," Mom's predatory eyes can scare the shit on anyone.

"Ladies, you don't own the world. You live in it," Tita Nicole's soft voice sounded disappointed but understanding. "You don't just put the law in your hand and play along. She wronged Paris, alright. But getting even isn't always everything, can't you just forgive without getting even?"

What Tita Nicole said sounds right, but with feelings involved, it's ridiculous.

"Paano kung," Tita Corrine knocked above the wooden table. "Kung namatay siya. Kakayanin ba 'yon ng konsenya niyo?"

"I long live without it," Lance sighed. "Alright, what we did is wrong and unjust. Now, what does she want? Make amends?"

"She wants you in jail, Lance Dannice" masungit na sabi ni Tita Dana.

"Then come and get me. I won't run. I'm the one who hit her hard. It was me took her consciousness, got the cops and have me handcuffed." Lance looked at me. "Paris wasn't there, Romee did nothing but bitch with her hair, Anja just made fun with her boobs and Kourtney just kicked her ass. Titanium is totally out of this. If I hadn't hit her bad, her ribs won't get broken. I've seen her as an outlet of my frustration that day, it was all in me. Mom, Aunts, I'm all to blame."

Mom eyed Lance suspiciously. I even caught her exchanging glances with Tita Moana. They both set their eyes on Lance. It's as if something is going on that is beyond our knowledge.

"She should even thank me I didn't escort her to hell. Technically, I didn't," Lance added.

None of us uttered a word after that. Long silence enveloped the room. Aidan is as quiet as everyone, but I can feel his eyes not leaving me, and I'm too anxious to look back at him. He is mad at me because I was lambasted and even got physical with Viel. Thinking about it, Aidan used to be so protective of her. This might really be something for him. He cared for her, and we almost killed her.

But I was hurt. Muntik na rin naman akong mapahamak dahil sakanya. Not just me but also my little Riley. Heavens! This is unfair.

"I don't want this to ever happen again," Mom finally broke the silence. "Exodus will have this fixed and save your asses from hitting the ground. But do this again, I'll be the one to lock you all up in jail."

"I'm sorry, Tita Chi, Mama," Titanium said. "I'm the oldest, I know their plan. I should've stopped them, but I didn't because half of me wants her to have that after I heard what she did to Paris and Aidan."

"I've hated her beforehand," Kourtney said. "I got carried away. I'm sorry I misbehaved."

"Sorry na, pero kasi talaga" kamot-ulong bulong ni Anja. "Peke kasi yung boobs, nanggigil ako."

Mom turned to Romee as if waiting for her to say something.

"What?" Romee sighed. "I will never feel sorry for standing after my sister. That shit-ass messed with my Paris whom I've protected with all my life. I've seen how much she hurt her, I could've killed her with my bare hand. Don't expect me to say sorry mom, I don't think straight with things like this."

What Romee said squeezed my heart and instantly made me wanna weep. Romee is someone in my life who'll always be willing to kill and die for me. That's how she loves me. And I'll do the same for her if the situation has been reversed.

I looked at her, and she smiled and mouthed I love you. Her eyes are telling me that she's not letting his guard down.

"Something you'll do for your brothers, Chiara," Tita Moana said. "Romee is your daughter, after all."

Aidan remained silent until we reached home. He's still keeping his mouth shut. It's killing me. Things had been fixed. Mom is already fine. She let us go after we had dinner. Uncle Exodus will fix the case filed against us. Nothing is impossible with the money and connections he has.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako kinakausap ni Aidan. I was waiting for him to ask me questions but nothing came. Ano? Galit ba siya kasi sinaktan ko si Viel? Aba, should I snap in front of him and get into details on how Viel-fucking-Ferrer almost killed me.

"Aidan, if you're mad on what I did with your beloved psycho friend you're free to sleep outside." I can't help it. "I'm not sharing bed with someone who hates me,"

"Is that what you think it is, Paris Amanda?" He looked at me with a strangled expression.

"What else could it be?" I said without looking at him.

"Paris, you get yourself into trouble that could've cost your life," his voice sounded strange. "Your mom is right, paano kung may nangyari sayong masama? Paano kung sinaktan ka ni Viel? Heaven knows how bad I'm gonna kill her. Her mind is unstable; you said it yourself. She's a psycho."

Naiinis ko parin siyang sinamaan ng tingin. His eyes speaks so much worry and concern.

"I love you enough that I'll kill without a blink."