Nanatili ang kanyang madilim na ekspresyon habang nakatingin sa akin pagkatapos kong banggitin ang pangalan na iyon. He didn't even seem fazed at all, malayo sa ekspresyon na ipinakita niya nang tawagin akong Klio.

He then looked at Dane beside me. "Your son?" He asked with his grim yet gentle expression.

Napalunok ako.

"Y-Yes." I answered and I don't know why I immediately looked away after that.

"Oh, another round of questioning?"

I immediately turned my back when I heard that voice at agad akong nakahinga nang maluwag no'ng makita si Denver, kahit na marami rin akong tanong sa kanya dahil sa mga bagay na nalaman ngayong araw. That can wait, I guess. For now, I just need to survive it first.

"Daddy!" Dane held his hand.

Denver looked at me and I immediately knew what he meant by that.

Now that Alaric's here, we need to take Astraea away dahil hindi niya pwedeng makita ang anak ko. Alam kong baka hindi rin niya makilala ang anak but then, I just can't risk it.

"I'll just take Dane to the car. Habol nalang ako, love." Denver smiled and kissed my forehead before turning his back.

Tumango ako at sinubukang tapangan ang sarili bago muling hinarap si Alaric.

It was a mind-wrecking moment. His gaze was piercing through me the whole time he was questioning, mabuti na lamang ay nagawa kong sagutin ang lahat nang kalmado at 'di nawawalan ng composure. The training I had with Denver really paid off, but then it still wouldn't change what I am feeling inside.

Things became smoother when Denver came back, mas lalo ring lumakas ang loob ko dahil doon.

While Alaric remained looking at us with his dark yet unreadable gaze.

"Attorney Denver Aranjuez. I didn't know you have a family already." He suddenly uttered when the interview was about to end.

Denver smiled and equalled his mysterious gaze. "Well, yeah. I got married years ago."

Alaric raised a brow. "Sa ibang bansa?"

Denver sighed calmly. "Yeah, sa ibang bansa."

Tumango-tango siya at muli akong tinapunan ng tingin.

"Congratulations. You have a beautiful wife." Aniya at ngumisi bago tumayo. "Thank you for your cooperation. This is a big help." He uttered before walking away.

Agad naman akong nakahinga nang maluwag no'ng mawala siya sa paningin ko. But when I looked at Denver, I remembered another thing I should do.

"Alam mo na bang matagal na akong patay?" I asked without tearing my gaze off him.

Kumunot ang kanyang noo.

I sighed. "11 years ago, during that accident. You know what happened, right?"

He sighed and closed his eyes a bit.

"I'm sorry. Hindi ko lang sinabi kasi I find it irrelevant already, baka mas lalo ka lang ma-bother."

I shook my head. "But I still deserve to know that, tungkol pa rin naman 'yon sa akin e. Ang sakit lang kasing malaman sa ibang tao." I paused and looked at him, trying to look at his eyes. "And about the Villamors, did you also know about what happened to them?"

Alam ko naman e na para makasimula ng bagong buhay ay kailangan huwag nang balikan ang nakaraan. Alam ko rin naman na hindi maganda ang trato nila sa akin, but then... I think I still deserve to know what happened.

Damn, I feel so unreasonable for this and I feel guilty to have doubts, but then... I still believe that I have grounds to feel that way.

He couldn't answer what I just asked which urged me to ask more.

"Ano pa ba ang iba mong itinatago sa akin?" I asked, not minding if I already sound disappointed. "I want to know...tell me."

He let out a sigh and grabbed my hand.

"Let's not talk here, Nel. This is not a safe place." Aniya at mabilis akong hinila palabas ng cafe.

Pinasakay niya ako sa SUV and immediately drove away.

"Saan tayo pupunta? How about the flight?" I asked.

"Do you really want to know about the things you missed during the past years, Nel?" He asked once again, without taking his gaze off me.

The atmosphere was making me tense dahil pakiramdam ko ay mabigat ang malalaman ko, but I ended up nodding my head.

"Okay, then. I'm gonna postpone our flight." Diretso niyang sagot.

"Is there really a need to?" I asked with my confused expression.

Hindi siya sumagot at mas lalo lang binilisan ang patakbo ng sasakyan.

"Just sleep," aniya.

I still want to ask why but I also felt sleepy kaya hinayaan ko nalang din ang sarili kong matulog.

Nang magising ay nagulat ako dahil nasa tapat na kami ng isang malaki at medieval-looking na bahay. Denver was looking at me with his worried expression.

"Are you sure about this?"

Tumango ako at inayos ang sarili. "Yes. But where are we now?"

"In Bataan. Our house."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "You have a house here?"

He immediately looked guilty when he looked at me.

"Yes, I'm sorry. This is an old house, but I got it renovated three years ago."

"And you didn't tell me..." I bit my lips as I followed him.

"I'm sorry, Nel. I just..."

I stopped him and gave him a pat on his shoulders.

"Okay lang, I understand. It's either you don't want me to think about the past anymore or it's because... I don't really have a say about anything dahil wala naman tayo sa gano'ng lebel."

He sighed and shook his head before holding my hand. "It's not that... ayoko lang talaga na...mag-alala ka."

Tumango ako. "Okay. Now, tell me."

He nodded and opened the door of the house. Agad naman akong namangha dahil sa kabila ng pagiging simple ng interior design ay maayos pa rin ito at classy tingnan.

"I always receive reports about your family, Nel. When I investigated what happened about you ay may nalaman din ako noon."

Naningkit ang mata ko. "Ano?"

He looked away. "Someone wants you dead."

Huh?

"Sino? The same person who wanted to end the Villamor clan?"

"It could be but we're really not sure about that."

"Wala ka bang nakuhang impormasyon kung sino ang nagdala sa akin sa Germany noon?"

He placed his fingers under his chin. "It could be because someone helped you or it could be because...they want you to die there. Either way, wala akong nakalap kung sino ang pwedeng gumawa no'n."

"How foolish! Kung gusto nila akong mamatay, bakit kailangan pa nila akong dalhin sa ibang bansa? Pwede rin namang patayin nalang nila ako."

Tumango siya. "Maybe they thought that they could use you kaya sinubukan nilang kunin at ilayo ka, and stopped, when they realize you know nothing."

Kumunot ang noo ko.

Denver let out a small smile. "Cliche as it may seem, you came from a wealthy family from both sides. Your father who's a well known personality and an heir to a large conglomerate, and your mother who's a wealthy haciendera back then. But aside from that, there's still one thing you should know."

"Ano iyon?" Nagtataka kong tanong.

"It actually gives me an urban legend vibe back then, but I think it makes sense now, given what they did to the hotel."

Nanlaki ang mata ko.

"T-Those murders..." I uttered but I couldn't let it continue dahil sa pangangatal ko.

Tumango siya. "Those were done by the people I hired to aid for our safety. Someone has been watching us, be it there or in Germany."

Napatakip ako ng bibig. "How long has it been already?" I asked with fear in my voice.

He sighed and pulled me closer for a hug.

"It's been two years, Nel. But they couldn't get near you because of the security."

Mas lalo akong natakot dahil sa narinig, hindi lang para sa sarili kundi para sa mga anak ko.

"I guess it's because of your face. They're starting to doubt you despite your new identity." He added.

"Pero bakit? Why do they have to go that far? Para saan?"

Ilang sandali siyang natahimik.

"It's because...you're the inheritor of both your father and mother's wealth." He paused and held my face to make me look at him. "You have a whole conglomerate and a four-generation worth of wealth to inherit. Nobody can claim that, except you."

Umiling ako. Paanong naging ako? I don't know about this.

"Hindi ba't ang alam nila ay patay na ako?"

He smiled. "Not all people believed that, Nel."

That day, he told me what he knew about the death of the Villamors and how suspicious it was, including Rachel's. And my father's death...

My hands were trembling as I read the papers regarding the case.

"I...It's not a suicide." Nanginginig kong sabi.

Denver nodded. "I also believe it's not. Someone killed him, Nel."

"And Rachel..." I clenched my fist.

He sighed and held it.

"You didn't kill her, I believe you. There's smeone behind all of these and that's what I want to find out."

Nagtataka akong napatingin sa kanya nang sabihin niya iyon.

"You're investigating this?" I asked.

He bit his lower and looked up, like he was hesitating to say something.

"Denver..." pagtawag ko sa kanya.

He let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. I just didn't tell you because..."

"You don't want me to worry, 'yon na naman ba?" Putol ko sa kanya.

Tumango siya at umiwas ng tingin. Ako naman ang napabuntong-hininga. To whoever who did that, I have a feeling na hindi talaga siya titigil kahit saan kami pumunta...unless...

"How can we catch the enemy then?" I asked as I let my bravery take over me.

Naniningkit ang kanyang mga matang tumingin sa akin.

"What do you mean?" He asked at agad kong nakita ang pagtutol sa kanyang mga mata. "No, you're not doing this, Nel."

Umiling ako. "Sawa na akong tumakbo at protektahan ng iba. Gusto ko namang lumaban ngayon. Hindi lang para sa sarili ko kundi sa mga anak ko. I just want them to have a normal life in the future. Hindi 'yong ganito na laging may nakasunod na panganib."

Puno pa rin ng pagtutol ang kanyang mga mata ngunit agad iyong lumambot nang lumapit ako't hinawakan ang kamay niya.

"You have a safe place for our children, right?" I asked, agad naman siyang tumango.

I smiled.

"Now, tell me. How can I help you in knowing who's behind all of these?" I asked and looked at him persistently.

He heaved a sigh.

"I don't like this but since you really want this...well..." he paused and looked at his wristwatch. "Do you want to attend a party?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Will it help us?"

He nodded. "Yes."

I immediately got dressed after that. Iniwan namin ang dalawang bata sa mansyon. Panatag naman ako dahil ang sabi ni Denver ay malakas ang security na hinire niya, the same security we have way back in Germany.

"Just call me if something happens." I instructed the nanny before leaving.

My heart was beating so fast the whole ride. Mahaba ang naging biyahe dahil sa karatig na lalawigan pa ang pagtitipon, and when we got there, hindi na ako nagtaka na maraming magagarang sasakyan ang nakaparada sa labas.

"It's a party exclusive for socialites and I'll try to talk to some suspicious people."

"Suspicious people?" I asked.

"The rivals of your father, may it be in politics or in business."

Oh. Agad akong tumango at inayos ang sarili.

"I'll try to talk to some people too. Tutulungan nga kita, 'diba?"

"Just please...be careful. Basta, if you need help, just call me. I'll always be right here, love."

Tumango ako at binigyan siya ng ngiti.

He smiled back and pulled me closer. Magkahawak kamay kaming pumasok sa venue. It was a masquerade party kung kaya't hindi ako masyadong kinakabahan because there's a small chance na makilala nila ako.

Wearing a backless fitted black gown with some swarovski crystals as details, paired with a black gorgeous mask that covers half of my face, I grazed the red carpet with confidence.

I smiled when I noticed the stares of people. And I suddenly wonder who I should talk to first. But then, I should be cautious yet natural. Hindi pwedeng may makahalata sa gusto kong gawin.

Denver and I split up after introducing ourselves to the celebrants. I went to the left side of the venue and started talking to some people. It surprisingly came easy dahil sanay naman akong makipag-usap. But then, I feel disappointed dahil tila wala naman akong nakukuhang makakatulong.

Sa gitna ng pakikipag-usap ay napunta ako sa balkonahe. It was quiet there at nang mapatingin sa taas ay agad akong nahalina sa mga kumikislap na bituin.

It looked so peaceful and beautiful.

But suddenly, a strong wind came and ruined it. Because of it, my mask fell, at kailangan ko pa talaga iyong habulin. And before I could get it, someone already bent to get it for me.

"Here," a familiar deep voice said and handed me my mask. Agad namang nagtambol ang dibdib ko dahil doon.

He's wearing a mask ngunit kahit na gano'n ay kilalang-kilala ko pa rin kung sino siya.

Alaric.

"Thanks," I uttered despite the panic I was feeling.

"No worries. Didn't expect I'll actually see you here. I thought you're going out of the country earlier?"

I sighed. Oo nga naman. He'll definitely recognize me because he saw me without a mask.

"A sudden change of plan." kaswal kong sagot.

Agad kong napansin ang titig niya sa akin pagkatapos nun, even when I'm already wearing the mask again.

"Bakit?" Tanong ko nang hindi na makatiis because it's really getting uncomfortable.

Umiling siya at ngumiti. "I'm sorry, you just really remind me of someone." Aniya sa isang malambot at mahinang beses.

Pakiramdam ko naman ay mas lalong lumakas ang tibok ng puso ko dahil doon.

"S-Sino ba?"

I wanted to slap myself after asking that. Damn, ako rin yata ang magpapahamak sa sarili ko.

But I was surprised with his answer.

"My fiancée," diretso niyang sabi habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko.

Fiancée, huh? Did he really consider me as one?

"They say she's already dead though," dagdag pa niya at nang muli akong tumingin sa kanya ay madilim nang muli ang titig niya sa akin.

"But I don't believe she's dead." He added which sent shivers throughout my whole body.