ALAS-DIYES PA LANG NG UMAGA, NASA TAGPUAN NA SI JARED. It was an open field of laid out green grass, scattered wooden table sets with blue umbrellas. Chilling December morning breeze freely crisscrossed. It touched his bare hands and cheeks, tousled a few strands of his hair.

Dinukot ni Jared ang cellphone mula sa bulsa. Walang tawag o text man lang galing kay Oliver.

From the way he spoke earlier, he sounded like he was already in the meeting place, waiting for him. Pero bakit ganito? Walang katao-tao sa paligid. Ang naglilibot na security guard lang ang natanaw ni Jared. Mangilan-ngilang mga crew at staffna nagta-trabaho sa mga establisyimentong nakapalibot.

Mula sa malayo, natanaw niya ang chocolate café kung saan sila pumunta noon ni Lily. Tapos, sa malayong dulo, sarado pa roon ang Japanese restaurant na tuwing gabi lang nagbubukas.

“Jared…” masiglang bati ni Oliver.

He spun around to face him. Nakasuksok ang mga kamay ng lalaki sa bulsang asul nitong hoodie jacket. Malapad ang ngisi. Magulo ang buhok.

“I am not here for your little seminar,” mahigpit niyang wika, walang paligoy-ligoy pa. “Nandito ako dahil mukhang hindi ka nalilinawan sa sinabi ko noong unang alok mo pa lang sa akin. Ayoko at hindi ko kailangan.”

Sumeryoso ang mga mata ni Oliver. He was clearly offended, yet managed a corner-lip smirk.

“But you’re here… it has to mean something.”

“I already told you what me being here means.”

Oliver shrugged. “Sayang naman. Nag-effort pa akong magpa-print ng mga printouts para sa’yo.”

Print outs.

Jared’s eyes narrowed.

Hindi niya balak magtagal kasama ang Oliver na ito. It would make no sense negotiating with this person. He did not plan to. Nakipagkita lang siya para makasiguradong wala na itong iba pang maiisip gawin para guluhin sila ni Lily bukod sa inisin siya nito sa pamamagitan ng pagpapamukha sa kanya na nauna ito sa babaeng mahal niya. Then, behold. May sinasabi itong print outs. At malamang sa malamang, si Lily o mga larawan nito ang laman ng mga print out na iyon.

“Ahhh…” malaki ang ngiting panunudyo nito. “Now you’re interested.”

Hindi talaga siya interesado. For all he knew, baka peke ang mga print outs na tinutukoy ng Oliver na ito. But Jared had to get those print outs. Then dispose them. Uunahan na niya bago pa maipakita ni Oliver ang mga iyon sa kung sino-sino.

Lily had been going through so much for years. He wouldn’t let anything abrupt her heart from healing.

Ever.

“Have a seat,” lapit nito sa isang mesa na nalililiman ng asul na payong kahit wala namang araw.

Makapal ang ulap sa langit. Naghalo ang kulay puti at abo kahit walang banta ng pag-ulan.

Tumalima si Jared sa paanyaya nito. Magkatabi silang umupo ni Oliver.

Nilabas ng lalaki mula sa bulsa ang isang package envelope na gawa sa makapal na papel. Dinukot nito ang makapal na kumpol ng naghalong papel at photopaper.

Siyang agaw ni Jared sa mga iyon.

“Hey!” panlalaki ng mga mata nito.

“I’ll self study these,” tindig ni Jared. “Pahiram din ng phone. Tatawagan ko lang ang driver ko.*

Naguguluhang tumayo si Oliver, humarap sa kanya. Wala sa loob na inabot nito ang cellphone sa kanya.

“Look. I’ll let you borrow my phone. Just call your driver and tell him that you’re coming with me,” pangungumbinsi nito, takot na umalis siya agad. “Hindi sapat na makita mo lang ang mga iyan,” tukoy nito sa print outs. “Ipapaliwanag ko sa’yo kung ano ang mayroon sa mga litrato—”

Naputol ang pagsasalita nito nang hablutin ni Jared ang cellphone. He dialed a number and pressed it against his ear. Habang naghihintay sagutin ang tawag, natameme na si Oliver, nababahalang nakaabang sa kanyang sasabihin.

Dumistansya si Jared mula rito. Oliver did not follow. All at once, Jared saw that it was common assumption for Oliver to stay away from people when they are on the phone— to show that he wouldn’t eavesdrop on the conversation. Hinatid lang siya nito ng tingin. Nag-aalala pa rin ito dahil sinabi niyang solo niyang pag-aaralan ang mga picture na dala nito.

At nang makalayo-layo na si Jared, kumaripas siya agad ng takbo.

“Jared!” gulat na tawag ni Oliver. Nataranta pa at hindi malaman ang gagawin bago siya nito hinabol.

Damn, it! Damn this and the things I'll really do for Lily! Jared glanced at Oliver, and ran faster when he saw him already running after him.

.

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“A RESTRAINING ORDER?” manghang ulit ni Lily sa suhestiyon ng abogadong katagpo.

Attorney Kirsten Avalon-David gave Lily an encouraging gaze. She sat at the other end of the table, wearing a pair of dark brown high-waisted slacks and a loose white button-down blouse. Her hair was cut short, shoulder-length and dyed in a light airy brown, tied back in a low ponytail. The middle-aged woman aired with sophistication and high class fashion despite her elegant and minimalist simplicity. Alagang-alaga nito ang sarili, maganda ang kutis at pulido ang suot na make-up. Make-up na halos hindi mukhang make-up. She looked fresh, clean and natural.

“Yes,” magaang sagot niton kahit seryoso. Hindi pa nagagalaw ng abogada ang cup ng latte nito at isang piraso ng honey-glazed donut sa platito. “(Just secure a proof that this man is harrassing you, keeps following you around a.k.a stalking, to the point he’s becoming a threat to your life and privacy, we can work on that.”

Napatango-tango siya. Tensyon ang magtulak para iangat agad ang cup ng iced chocolate at sumipsip ng maiinom sa straw.

“Is this really why you need my help?”

Gulat na napatingin siya sa babae.

“Nung tinawagan kasi ako ni Attorney Guillermo, tinanong niya ako if I still accept cases na may kinalaman sa employment.”

Clint really… did his best to accommodate me well… She melted at the thought. Whether it’s Nena or Jared who inspired him to help me, malaki pa rin ang pasasalamat ko kay Clint… Because he still considered helping me out.

Nangingiting yumuko saglit si Lily. Binaba ang cup bago binalik ang tingin dito.

“About that. Nabigyang linaw na ang side ko. Nakipag-meeting na sa akin ang management ng Variant and… I have proven myself innocent from the accusations.”

“Do you mind telling me the whole story? I just want to make sure na hindi ka na magkakaroon ng problema in the future regarding that. If that’s okay with you, Miss Marlon.”

Lily took in a deep breath. If she hadn’t met Jared again, if she hadn’t had those bdsm moments with him to serve as an eye-opener that she can speak up again… would she ever have this courage that she was feeling right now?

Malamang, sarilinin na naman niya ang lahat.

Takasan ang problema.

Takbuhan.

Lily replied. “This is how it happened. May nag-viral na post a few months ago.”

.

.

“MAY KOTSE,” anunsyo ni Paula.

Tarantang tumuwid ng upo si Basil. Nawala sa isip na nagtutulug-tulugan. Para makaiwas sa kahihiyan dahil sa mga pinagsasasabi at mga nakakailang na nangyari, pinasya nitong magtulug-tulugan.

Si Paula naman, naglaro ng games sa cellphone at nag internet gamit ang mobile data. Pampawala ng bagot at nakakailang na katahimikan. Tumigil lang ang babae nang ma-dead battery ang cellphone.

Tinanaw ni Basil ang gate ng bahay. With swuinted eyes, a familiarity made him feel so certain.

“Iyan ang kotse niya. Hintayin muna natin siyang makapasok ng bahay. At saka tayo pupunta,” kilos nito, naghahanda nang magmaneho.

“Paano natin ia-approach si Miss Jackie?” lingon ni Paula sa lalaki. “Baka nagta-tao po pa lang tayo, naghahanap na siya ng tataguan para iwasan tayong kausapin.”

Binuhay nito ang makina ng sasakyan.

“Eh, ‘di saktong paglapit niya ng gate, hihinto ako sa tapat ng kotse niya. Bumaba ka kaagad, lapitan mo siya.”

Paula nodded, returned her eyes to the front. She fell in silence, mentally preparing herself.

Basil found himself staring at Paula’s clenched fist. He could sense her struggle. All these years, Paula have looked up on Miss Jackie. Who wouldn’t? Miss Jackie had been the blueprint. She had an excellent work record and had been kind yet discerning with her treatment with everyone. She seemed to be a good example of an HR Head. To work with Miss Jackie felt like being the sidekick of your real-life hero, at least, for Paula. And now that things made an immediate 180 degree turn, Paula was still in disbelief.

“Huwag ka magpadala sa nerbyos,” mahinahong saad ni Basil, nakaabang ang mga mata kay Miss Jackie na bumababa na ng sasakyan. “Kung paano mo siya kausapin noon, ganoon mo pa rin siya kakausapin ngayon.”

Nakasunod pa rin kay Miss Jackie ang mga mata ni Paula nang lingunin ito ni Basil.

“Kapag nagkagipitan, ako na ang bahala sa lahat.”

“Pero, Sir—” nag-aalalang lingon nito.

“I am not saying this because I would fucking do anything for you. Trabaho ko ito. Bilang boss ni Miss Jackie,” mahigpit niyang paglilinaw at pinausad na ang sasakyan.

Bubuksan pa lang ni Miss Jackie ang gate. She heard a tire screeched behind which made her turn to see what the noise was all about. Nanlaki ang mga mata nito sa pagbaba ni Paula mula sa sasakyan.

“Miss Jackie,” humahangos na lapit nito sa kanya.

“Ano ang ginagawa mo rito?” hasik agad nito.

“Miss Jackie,” pagpapakumbaba ng dalaga, “inabot ho namin kay Gretchen ‘yong memo. Sana naman po, makapag-meeting tayo. Para mafinalize man lang ‘yong resignation niyo kung talagang gusto niyo nang umalis—”

Her anger mixed with a proud scoff. With head held high, Miss Jackie gave Paula the most bittersweet sarcastic grin and a wide-eyed condescending stare down.

“Masyado ka ring excited, no, Miss Paula? Kating-kati ka na bang palitan ako sa posisyon ko sa Variant? Madaling-madali ka?”

Pakiramdam ni Paula, nanlambot ang mga tuhod nito sa narinig. Bumalik saglit sa babae ang mga panahong bago-bago pa ito sa Variant. How Miss Jackie used to compliment her for every job well-done. How Miss Jackie usually told her that she found Paula to be the only reliable person in their department. Kaya naman ito lagi ang inuutusan ni Miss Jackie tulad ng pagpapahanap nito lagi kay Lily kapag naga-out of post na naman sa trabaho.

The sinking feeling crushed her down.

Inakala ni Paula noon na kaya ganoon ang trato rito ni Miss Jackie ay dahil naniniwala itong balang araw, magagampanan ni Paula ng maayos ang iiwanan nitong posisyon.

“Hindi ko naman ho ginustong umalis kayo—”

“Hindi pala, eh. Bakit nagmamadali kang maproseso ang pag-alis ko sa Variant?” Then the woman scoffed, disappointedly shook her head. “Huwag ka nang mapagkunwari, Paula. In the first place, panay lang naman ang himod mo sa puwitan ko dahil kating-kati kang palitan ako!”

Paula flinched. The pain was unbearable. In an instant, she began discrediting herself for all the good things she did at work. Maayos ba talaga itong magtrabaho? O nagawa lang ni Paula ang mga iyon dahil nagpapasikat lang sa mga boss? Kay Miss Jackie? Na ang totoo, palpak naman talaga ito sa trabaho. Na kung hindi siguro dahil sa gabay ni Miss Jackie, hindi ito magtatagal sa Variant. Dinumog  dalaga ng mga tanong, ng mga pagdududa.

Bakit nga ba madaling-madali siyang maproseso ang resignation ni Miss Jackie? Wasn’t Paula supposed to defend her hero at these trying times?

Or had she already become Miss Jackie? So professional to the point that she forgot to have consideration for people? A heart for people? All just for the fucking sake of a job well done, for the fucking sake to maintain being seen as a professional.

Nagbaba ng tingin si Paula. She was grasping in the dark, trying to find herself under the heaps of professional masks she had been wearing all this time.

She was desperately trying to find who she is, if she wasn’t an HR Staff. If her job would not define her, what is her meaning? Who is she?

“Ano? Akala mo, hindi ako marunong makahalata? Masyado ka pang walang muwang sa corporate world, Paula. Young people like you thinks that just because you have a newer perspective, you can outsmart the old wise ones.” Iling-iling nito. This time, Miss Jackie was looking at Paula with mockery. A sinister smile stretched her lips. “But truth is, we know better than youngsters like you. Madali kayong paikutin. Para lang sa katiting na validation, handa kayong tumambling mapasaya lang kami. Hindi ba, Paula?”

Nanliliit na nanatili sa lupa ang mga mata ni Paula.

“Now,” tuluyang humarap si Miss Jackie sa kausap, inekis ang mga braso. “I wonder. Anong klaseng tambling kaya ang ginawa mo para maging paborito ka ni Sir Basil?”

All this time, Basil was seated in his car. Nakaawang ng kaunti ang bintana sa tabi nito para marinig ang magiging usapan ng dalawang babae.

He was filled with disgust at Miss Jackie’s latest question. Nakuyom nito ang kamao sa malisyosang pinapahiwatig niyon. He immediately got out of his car. Pero bago pa nalapitan ng lalaki ang mga ito, nabuo na ang lakas ng loob ni Paula.

Paula braved her way to step up against Miss Jackie, met the HR Head eye to eye.

“Oo. Inasam ko ang posisyon ninyo,” mariin nitong amin, nilalabanan ang ambang magtaas ng boses. “Pero inasam kong makuha iyon sa maayos na paraan. Inasam kong ipasa iyon ng kusang-loob sa akin, hindi nang dahil sa awa o pabor ng kahit sino. Hindi nang dahil inagaw ko iyon.” She swallowed, suppressing an overflow of hee emotions before resuming. “Inasam ko maging katulad ninyo, Miss Jackie. Hangang-hanga ako sa inyo. Ginusto ko pa nga maging katulad ninyo. Ang galing niyo kasi sa trabaho ninyo. Parang alam na alam niyo lagi ang ginagawa ninyo. Ang bait-bait ninyo sa akin. Kung paghimod ng puwitan niyo ang tawag niyo roon, oo, sinadya ko iyon. Kasi ginusto ko maging kasing galing mo. Ginusto ko na balang araw, kung palarin ako at sa akin mo ipasa ang iiwanan mong trabaho sa Variant, gusto ko, buong pagmamalaki kong maipangako sa inyo na…” she almost choked, her eyes growing misty, “na… makakaasa kang hindi ka mapapahiya na pinagkatiwalaan mo ako. Na makakaasa kang makikita ng mga tao na… na naging mabuti kang halimbawa sa akin. That you trained me well. Na natuto po talaga ako sa inyo.”

Paula stepped back, successfully holding back her tears. Her shoulders shook in bottled up emotions.

“Ang sakit kasi, all this time, ang iniisip niyo, masama akong tao. Na aagawan ko kayo.” Napailing ito, na kay Miss Jackie pa rin ang mga mata. “Tama ho kayo. Bata pa ako at walang muwang sa corporate world. Kasi kung meron, sa umpisa pa lang, hindi ko na ginawa lahat ng ginawa ko.”

“You’re not wrong for trying your best,” Basil was already beside Paula. “As old timers in the corporate world, Miss Jackie is supposed to encourage amateurs and newly employed people like you to work honestly and be at their best. Hindi ang turuan kayo na utakan at lamangan ang mga katrabaho ninyo.”

Dahil hindi inasahan ni Miss Jackie na si Sir Basil na ang kasama ni Paula, medyo namutla ang matanda nang magpakita ito sa kanila. Napalunok. Sir Basil was not supposed to know everything that she just told Paula. Miss Jackie meant for all of that revelation to be known between the two of them! May galit pa rin sa mga mata nito, pero tumamlay na ang apoy niyon. Mistulang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig. Yet, Miss Jackie straightened her shoulders, did not put down her resolve. Her pride was the only thing left for her to cling on to.

She could still save herself. She could still reason.

But Basil cut off her chances.

“I demand you to show up tomorrow morning in my office, Miss Jackie. Ako mismo ang may gusto na maproseso na agad itong pag-alis mo sa Variant. Naiintindihan mo?” maanghang nitong saad sa kontroladong tinig. “I am so disappointed. All these years, you’ve done great. Kaya hindi ako makapaniwala na nangyayari ang lahat ng ito ngayon.”

Miss Jackie could not look away from the rage in Basil’s eyes. She stood frozen, filled with disillusion and defeat that her pride just could not accept.

Basil stood behind Paula and held her shoulders. Pinapaikot na nito ang dalaga para alalayan pabalik sa kotse.

Patalikod na ang mga ito nang magpahabolsi Miss Jackie.

“Pinagbigyan niyo si Lily. Kaya bakit ako hindi? Bakit?” Her voice slightly shook. “Bakit hindi niyo ako pagbigyang ibigay ang side ko?” sumbat nito.

“Buong umaga ka namin hinanap. Inabangan para sa bullshit mong side, Miss Jackie. Ikaw itong panay ang iwas sa amin,” iyon at walang-lingon na hinila ni Basil si Paula pabalik sa kotse.

Matamlay na umupo si Paula sa shotgun seat. Pagkasara ng pinto niyon, umikot si Basil. Inokupa nito ang driver’s seat at pinaharurot paalis ang kotse.

Doon lang lumabas ang pinipigilang emosyon ni Miss Jackie. She shook in equal parts of rage and horror. She felt being treated so unfairly. She felt unheard. She felt misunderstood. She felt  being set-up too by that Paula. Dahil kung alam lang ni Miss Jackie na hindi na si Jared ang kasama nito, she could have been more careful with her words.

And horror. It was a horror to think that this problem would affect her daughter. Her grandchildren.

Paano na ang mga ito kung wala na o?

Kung mawawalan siya ng trabaho?

Sa edad ni Miss Jackie, para saan ang pinatunayang loyalty sa kompanya at ang magandang record kung wala nang iba pang kompanya ang tumatanggap ng nasa retiring age na nito?

She clenched her fist.

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PAGKATAPOS MAKIPAG-MEETING SA ABOGADA, TSINEK NI LILY ANG CELLPHONE.

Nakahinga siya ng maluwag. Bukod kasi sa dalawang missed calls, may mga text message rin siyang natanggap mula kay Jared.

Umupo muna siya sa loob ng sasakyan. Sumandal. Nagbasa.

Sorry, hindi ko masagot agad ang calls mo. Nasa office na kami. Ikaw, nasaan? Get here quick. We have news for you… Out of post ka na naman…

Nangingiting binasa niya ang kasunod niyon.

Nadeadbat daw si Paula. Ngayon lang niya nareceive ang mga missed calls at texts mo. Did something happen? I’ll wait. Please, let me know if you’re okay.

Napatitig muna si Lily sa mga text ni Jared. Then she shook her head, still smiling.

“May ibabalita rin ako sa’yo, Jared.”

Once she got herself together. Lily brought the car to life. Siyang maneho niya pabalik ng Variant.

Maga-alas tres na nang makarating siya sa HR Department. Abala na ang mga katrabaho niya, inaatupag ang preparasyon para sa Team Building sa susunod na weekend— the week before Christmas.

“Sobrang eventful ng December natin. Imagine, first ever Team Building ng Variant, tapos Christmas Party pa natin sa Tuesday!” ani Arlene, nasa kalagitnaan ng pagkukwento habang nag gugupit ng pulang cloth ribbon ng pa-strip.

“Tapos, sa Wednesday,” si Isla, nag gugupit naman sa asul na cloth ribbon, “makikipagsiksikan naman ako sa terminal. Uuwi ng probinsya. Para bago mag-24 naroon na ako.” Tumigil ito sa ginagawa. Napatingala. Napangiti. “Bakasyon grande ako for the first time in forever ever!”

Natawa ang mga kasama nito.

Nilingon ni Isla ang katabi. “Eh, ikaw, Doc Jared? Saan ka magpa-Pasko?”

“Nandito lang naman sa Manila ang pamilya ko  Kaya, dito lang din,” mahinahon ang ngiti nito. Nakayuko ito at abala sa pag-rolyo ng mga papel. Nilagay ng lalaki ang mga natapos sa isang may kabilugang garapong gawa sa transparent na salamin.

Lily looked on as she entered her own cubicle. Nilapag niya sa desk ang chain-strapped bag bago tinungo ang mesa ni Arlene kung saan nagtipon-tipon ang lahat ng HR staff. Nagkalat ang mga ginupit na materyales, mga pilas ng papel, mga makukulay na foils at tira-tirang gift wraps. Palapit pa lang siya sa mga ito, natahimik na nang makita siya.

It was Jared who greeted her first with a big loose grin. Awtomatikong umalis ito sa pagkakaupo sa desk ni Isla. May hawak pa itong papel nang harapin siya.

“Hi,” he greeted, holding his breath until she replied.

“Hi,” Lily smiled, tilting her head to the side and sweetly lowered her eyes.

“Miss Lily!” bati agad ni Isla na binaba agad ang hawak na ribbon at gunting.

Ngumiti lang at tumango si Arlene bago tinuloy ang ginagawa nito.

“Si Paula?” tanong niya rito. Iyon kasi talaga ang una niyang napansin.

“Bini-briefing ni Sir Basil sa office niya,” ani Isla.

Namilog ang mga mata ni Lily. “N-Ni…” Naagapan niya ang muntikang pagnulas ng Kuya mula sa kanyang mga labi. She could not contain her shock and confusion. “Briefing para saan?”

“Nakausap na si Miss Jackie,” paliwanag ni Jared sa kanya. “Mukhang mafa-finalize na ang resignation niya. Pumayag na kasi siya makipag-meeting bukas.”

Really? Ganoon kadali? Hindi ba nakakapagduda iyon? What if Miss Jackie just said that to make them leave her house? Ganoon nga ba kabilis ang mga pangyayari kaya hindi niya na naabutan sa bahay nito sila Jared at Paula?

“Si Sir Basil, kinakausap na si Paula tungkol sa pag-take over sa posisyong iiwanan ni Miss Jackie.”

Paula… the new HR Head.

Lily could not help a strained smile. Nag-aalala siya sa dami ng sakit ng ulo na kakaharapin ni Paula sa bago nitong trabaho. But since she worked closely with Miss Jackie among the rest of them, Paula would really be the right fit for the freshly vacant position.

“Tanggapin sana ni Paula,” nakahinga si Lily ng maluwag. “Maganda na kilala na natin iyong magiging HR Head. Not someone recruited from other departments or… newly hired here in Variant.”

Nangingiting tumango lang si Jared, nakatitig sa kanya ang mga mata nito.

Makahulugan at matiim kung makatitig. Tumataliwas sa amo ng pagkakangiti ng mga labi nito.

Is this the news he was talking about in his text? Lily wondered.

Pagka-out nila sa trabaho, sinabayan ulit siya ni Jared sa parking lot.

“Let’s have some wine,” magaang imbitasyon nito sa kanya, pinapanood ang pagsusi niya sa pinto ng kotse.

The door snapped open. Nilakihan niya ang pagkakabukas niyon at pumuwesto sa likuran ng dahon ng pinto bago nilingon ang lalaki.

“Tonight? Hindi pa weekend, Mr. Guillermo. May pasok pa tayo bukas.”

He pulled an uncertain one-lip-corner grin.

“Just a few drinks. It’s not part of my plans tonight for us to get wasted, Lily.”

She narrowed her eyes, her smirk was suspicious of him, bickering.

“And why all of a sudden?”

Jared could not just take his penetrating gaze off of her. He had a gaze that penetrates so deep, as deeply as his massive cock could. Just getting lost into his eyes, was already driving her crazy with giddiness.

Then, he spoke soothingly. “To celebrate.”

Mahina siyang natawa. The cold chill of sunset air touched her skin, tickled the strands of her short hair as they stood in that open parking space.

As they stood right underneath the velvet sky smeared with strokes of enflamed strips of clouds in yellow, orange and red.

“Celebrate what? As far as I remember, si Paula ang mapo-promote.”

He stepped close to her, allowed the car door to be the temporary division between them.

Dahil sa paglapit nito, mas nanuot sa buong himaymay niya ang malakas na epekto ng matiim nitong mga titig.

His stare alone was enough for Lily to feel his heat…

His need.

His call for her to just come with him.

To spend the night and the rest of it with him.

“There’s a reason why today is called a present. And when do you get presents?”

Hindi niya alam ang sagot. Nabasa iyon ni Jared sa pagkakatitig niya rito.

“We get a present when there’s a celebration. So, to say…” He stepped to the side to diminish the distance between them, to carefully reach thesmall of her waist and pull her against his chest.

Jared lowered his face so their gazes would meet.

“While we’re still here in the present, let’s celebrate.”

Sinuklian ni Lily ang masaya nitong ngiti. Napadampi ang kanyang kamay sa dibdib nito habang ang isa ay humablot sa damit nito. Sa bandang bewang. She tugged him closer to her through that part of his shirt that she was clutching. Then she snaked that hand around his waist.

“Para saan naman ang ice-celebrate natin?*

“That your name is cleared.”

Napatitig siya kay Jared. Pero may problema pa, Jared… Nanggugulo na naman si Oliver…

She lowered her eyes.

Dapat ba siyang mabahala sa pagtawag ni Oliver kaninang umaga? Sa mga pang-iinis nito?

“Are you alright?” silip ni Jared sa kanyang mukha.

She did not bother to hide her worry.

“What about Oliver?”

“Oliver?” paglambot ng ekspresyon ng lalaki.

“Hindi ka ba… natatakot na manggulo siya?”

He stared into her eyes, understanding her first before he replied gently.

“Bakit ako matatakot?”

“What if he ruins us?”

“Do you think he can ruin us?”

His confidence, his conviction… All of that could be heard clearly in his rich tone. Lily's admiration for Jared just multiplied.

“You sound so sure… Nakausap mo na ba siya ulit? Natakot mo na ba siya para makasiguradong hindi niya tayo guguluhin?”

Napatitig ito saglit bago sumagot. “No. I didn’t talk to him.” He thumbed the left side of her cheek. “And I’ll never will. There is no need. Lalo na at alam kong ayaw mo. Kung may gusto man akong malaman tungkol sa’yo, ikaw mismo ang tatanungin ko. If you don’t want to talk about some things, we will not talk about it. Hm?”

Lily met his gaze once more and smiled.

Para kay Jared, tapos na ang mga problema namin. Hindi ko na dadagdagan pa ang mga alalahanin niya.

Whatever Oliver is planning to do to ruin us… ako na ang bahalang makipag-deal doon. Jared doesn’t have to always do the work. He already did a lot when he helped me get my courage back, when he helped in clearing my name.

This time, I’ll do something for him.

For us.

Mahina siyang tumawa at tumingkayad nang kaunti para madampian ng halik ang mga labi nito. She felt his chest stiffen, holding his breath before he released a wistful sigh as their lips parted.

Lily smiled with eyes serenely closed. And Jared loved that look on her. He contentedly smiled back.

“Let’s celebrate then.”

So that’s what they did.

They had a few wine. Then blasted the room with a rock music that has an earth shattering bass that vibrated against the walls, against the bed.

May nakisabay pa sa pagva-vibrate niyon.

Ang pag-alog ng kama habang tuloy-tuloy siyang inaararo ni Jared.

Lily’s naked body pushed up and down. She was a weed, weakly being carried back and forth at the shore by the tidal wave of Jared’s movements.

Her soft moans were consistent. Sumasabay aa bawat paghinga niya. Siyang adlib ng mga hingal ni Jared. And when Lily tightens hee pelvis muscles to squeeze his cock from within, a gutteral moan… a wild groan slipped from Jared’s lips.

Namumungay ang mga mata na tinitigan niya ang lalaki. Umaalog siya kasabay nang kama, pero nagawa niyang i-steady ang paningin.

She was still captivated by how hot he looked. By the way his hair curled when wet with sweat and matted against his forehead and the sides of his face. Maagap nitong nasalo ang kanyang tingin.

His eyes, dark with pools of desire, lit in satisfaction. His eyes reflected how fucked she looked— messy blonde hair, the wet open-mouthed sighs from her sore lips, and soft watery brown eyes. How she looked so vulnerable beneath him. Lily’s shaky delicate fingers trailed to wipe down droplets of sweat slithering on the side of his neck.

Jared grunted, gripped her waists to elevate her hips higher. To crush and grind their hips. Mariin siyang napapikit. She almost choked at how he had to stuff his fat cock roughly given the fact that she was already wet. So, so wet for him.

Jared pulled back, leaving her with relief from the tickle of his cock sliding out. Then it suddenly happened.

Napadilat si Lily. Namilog ang mga mata katulad ng bilog na pagkakaawang ng kanyang mga labi.

Humablot si Lily sa mga braso nito bago napaliyad.

Fuck. Damn. Sumagad na naman ito.

She felt his tip pressed against her belly from the inside.

“Fuck!” her moan and scream mixed, sweat filmed her naked body and bulleted on her forehead.

Diniin pa nito ang balakang sa kanya.

“Ah!” hingal nito bago sumubsob sa gilid ng kanyang leeg.

Manginig-nginig na napapikit si Lily. Dinadama si Jared. This passion with him… She would not replace this for anything in the world.

Before, her life felt so fucked up because she doesn’t have the freedom to speak and be believed in with her truth.

But now… how ironic is it.

How ironic now that she would rather keep her silence, than risk losing Jared.

When it come to the person Lily loves, it’s hard to put Jared’s feelings for her at risk. She just can’t take risks with something she doesn’t want to lose.

She held on to him as if clinging for her dear life. Lily pressed herself against him. Their skin were slick with sweat shimmering under the yellow low lights. Their skin were warm, hot by ir passion that burned from within.

Their skin could not even keep them aparr, now that he was already inside her. With his every drill, he was also drilling it deeper into her blown-away mind that this time, their beginning will never reach another ending again.

Hindi man maganda ang naging resulta ng pagsisimula nila sa Belgium, siguro naman… Siguro naman, iba na rito sa Pilipinas.

Siguro rito, ang kanilang umpisa na hindi na magwawakas.

She scooped Jared’s jaw, lifted his face from being sunken on her neck.

Lily lifted her eyes on Jared. She met his passioned, sultry gaze.

“I love you, Jared,” she said, lips quivering as he pushed in. Lily shuddered when she felt the deep, long stroke of his cock against her walls upon his entrance.

He pushed. Hit her spot. Making her body and head flick back with his force that hit her like a centripetal force.

“I love you too,” he murmured, planting sofrt kisses on the side of her neck.

She caressed the back of his head, her fingers trailed in between his hair strands.

Nagniig sila ng paulit-ulit hanggang sa kapwa sila makatulog. Lily slept way too good, which was unusual, it woke her up in the middle of the night.

Nasa The Org pa rin sila ni Jared— sa lugar kung saan pwede nilang angkinin ang isa’t isa nang walang makakakita. Nang hindi magiging isyu ng kahit sino.

She recalled every bit of the passion they just had. And how he said he loves her too.

Dinama ni Lily ang mga labi. Lumulutang pa rin siya sa kabila ng pamimigat sa pagod ng katawan. Everything from the beginning up to the end came back to her. She remembered the notes.

Lily smiled and thought of an idea.

Sinigurado niyang hindi maiistorbo si Jared.

Bumangon si Lily, dinala ang susi ng locker rooms nila ni Jared. Sinadya niyang dumaan sa receptionist area, maroon na satin robe lang ang suot, para humingi ng kapirasong papel. She wrote something on it then sneaked in to locker room where Jared’s bag was stashed along with his clothes.

Pagkabukas ng locker, nilabas niya ang bag nito. Siguradong binuksan ang zipper niyon para hanapin ang librong binabasa ni Jared. But as she pulled it out, the book was tightly stuffed in the bag, Lily struggled.

She gave it a yank.

Nahila niya palabas ang libro.

Pero kasabay niyon ang pagsambulat ng mga papel at litrato. They flew and scattered on the tiled floor.