"GUSTO niyang makabawi sa anak namin..." I remarked while resting my chin on my table's office. "Hindi pa ako pumapayag sa gusto niyang mangyari..."

"Psh. You're thinking about Knight's request, but not your own health?" Xalvienne remarked sarcastically. "Puwede ba, Liliénné? Unahin mo muna ang kalusugan mo, bago mo intindihin ang ibang tao." Naiiling-iling siya sa huli.

I sighed. "I'm fine, Xalv. Don't worry about me." I shook my head. "I'm taking vitamins now... and I feel so... tough and strong as carabao."

"Tough and strong?" Napairap siya sa hangin. "You're not even resting. You're certainly using yourself too much. I told you to rest. Rest. Rest."

"Ayos lang ako, Xalv--"

"Bullshit." Mariing pag-putol niya sa akin. "You're not ok, Liliénné. You looked fvcked up. Can't you see yourself in the mirror?" He asked, getting irritated.

Napanguso ako. "Wala naman akong ibang nararamdaman sa katawan ko as of the moment." I sighed. "T'saka, bakit ka ba nagkakaganiyan? Why are you mad at me ba?"

"Because I care about you! I care for your health! Goodamn it!" He looked frustrated. "Nag-aalala lang naman ako para sa kalusugan mo! Ang akin lang, you must take care of your well-being, your health first, before anything else... before going back to business and take care of Knick, Liam! Bakit, madadala mo ba sa hukay ang pera't kayod kalabaw ka, ha? Pa'no na si, Liam, kapag nagkataon, ha?"

I sighed. "At least, my son's future is already secured if I die," I whispered, enough for him to hear me. Suddenly, I was shocked when he punched the table near him  in a vigorous manner. "What's your problem!" Suway ko sa kaniya.

"You're not going to die." Matigas niyang aniya at mabibigat ang mga paang lumakad papalapit sa akin. "Halika, pumunta tayong hospital. Ipapa-check-up kita." Nagulat ako nang hablutin niya ang kamay ko at pinatayo sa swivel chair ko.

"Hala, si OA 'to, ah?" Marahas kong binawi ang kamay ko. "I was just kidding, Xalv. I will not die, of course. You're too serious." Naiiling-iling ako.

"Puwes ako, hindi. Kaya tara na." Agad akong nagtitili sa loob ng opisina nang basta na lang akong buhatin ni, Xalvienne, nang pang-kasal at mabilis na naglakad palabas ng naturang office.

"Ano ba, Xalv--AY ANG GUWAPO! Susmaryosep!" Nagulat ako nang pagkalabas na pagkalabas pa lang namin ay tumambad na sa amin ang pigura ng isang maskuladong lalaki sa aming harapan.

"Xalvienne... Lili?" Malamig na ani, Knight Andrius, habang nakatingin sa amin gamit ang blangkong mga mata. "Where...?"

"None of your business, brat." It was Xalvienne who spoke. "Get out of the way and let me take, Liliénné, with me." Sinamaan niya ito ng tingin sa huli.

"He looks like he doesn't wants to be with you," ani, Knight. "Where are you taking him anyway?" Nag-iba ang tono nito.

"I told you, none of your business... brat," nakangising tugon ni, Xalvienne.

"But he doesn't want to be with you."

"Clearly, he wants to be with me."

"How do you say so?"

"Because I say so."

"No, he doesn't want to be with you."

"How do you say so?"

"Because I say so."

"Pinagsasabi niyo bang dalawa?" Marahas kong iginalaw ang katawan ko para makababa mula sa mga braso ni, Xalvienne. I looked at Knight "Anong ginagawa mo rito, Knight?"

Natigilan siya. "You're... not responding to my text messages--"

"Because I'm busy."

"--and you didn't answer whether you agree or not to my favor..." he continued.

Ako naman ang natigilan. Hindi agad ako nakasagot.

"Liliénné..." I heard, Xalv, whispered. "You don't need to mind that brat right now... we need to go to the hospital. I wanna make sure you're fine... and healthy."

I heaved a deep breath and pulled myself together. "Knick Liam is at the resto," I told, Knight. "Let's go to him and let us ask his opinion regarding your favor. I'll make him the one to decide."

Knight smiled at me lightly. "That is a good idea." he nodded. "Are we using my car? Or..."

"We'll use your car," I remarked. "My car's being wash right now. So..." I trailed off. "We're going to use your car." Marahan akong tumango-tango.

"Then, should we... go now?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Before you." And with that, Knight Andrius, immediately walk away, ahead of us. "I just hope I will not regret this..." I whispred to myself and sighed.

"What was that, Liliénné!" Xalvienne exclaimed when I turned my attention to him. "I told you! Magpahinga ka muna! Pahinga ang kailangan mo ngayon! You should rest, rest, and--"

"That is why I am agreeing to Knight's request, Xalv." I cut him off, my voice was calm. "So, while I am at the hospital, I know my son is well taken care of. Hindi naman siguro siya sasaktan ng ama niya, hindi ba?"

"Yes, hindi siya sasaktan ng ama niya. But I am certain, Diana would." Napailing-iling si, Xalvienne. "Ba't ba kasi hindi mo na lang ipaiwan si, Knick Liam, kay Cress? Kahit gano'n 'yon, mapagkakatiwalaan naman ang isang 'yon. He'll never hurt his inaanak. He's your bestfriend after all."

I shook my head vigorously. "Ayoko nga, 'no. Kung ano-ano ang itinuturo ng bruhong 'yon sa anak ko." Napairap ako sa hangin nang maalala ko ang sinabi ni, Knick Liam, kahapon habang kumakatok siya sa pintuan ng kuwarto ni, Knight.

He grimaced. "Mas ok na 'yon, kaysa naman saktan siya physically and emotionally ng ama niya at nung asawa."

"No." Muli akong napairap. "Isa pa, Knight and I already talked about it. His marriage with Diana is void, it's fake."

His forehead creased. "Void? How? Why?" Sunod-sunod niyang tanong sa akin.

Umiling ako. "Wala ako sa posisyon para sabihin sa 'yo ang plano niya. All we gotta do, is to trust him now," I whispered. "Well, I hope."

"Trust him?" Hindi makapaniwalang ani, Xalvienne. "Liliénné, they hurt you! Diana hurt you physically and her damn husband hurt you emotionally--"

"Shh." I put my index finger on his mouth to stop him from talking. "Let's just see what's going to happen, ok? Hindi tayo makikialam," I told him. "The end is near, Xalv. The truth and justice will win at the end, he promised me."

"Pangako na naman, Liliénné? Ilang pangako ba ang kailangang mapako para mawala ang tiwala mo sa spoiled brat na 'yon, ha?!" Nagsisimula nang tumaas ng tumaas ang boses niya.

Sunod-sunod naman ang iling at pagbuntong-hininga ko. I slowly moved my hands into his and locked it with mine. "Let's... give it a shot, ok?" I whispered. "Isa pa, my son is my top priority right now. I'll do what I think it's best for him, Xalv." I sighed. "Let us, Knick Liam, stay to his father..."

"Ayokong makipagtalo ngayon, Liliénné. I do not trust that brat--"

"Then, trust me." I squeezed his hand. "Trust my decision. Have faith that I am doing the right thing--"

"But you're not."

"Please?" I pleaded and used my puppy eye skills. "Please? I want you to trust me for this, Xalv. You know, I was not the head strategist before just for nothing..."

Salubong ang mga kilay niya--nakakunot ang noo. Panandalian siyang natigilan at nakipagsukatan ng tingin sa akin.

At last, he finally sighed. "Fine." Napailing siya, napangiti ako. "But if that bastard hurt you, and Knick Liam, I swear to God, Liliénné..." Humina ang boses niya. "I'll kill him."

Napatango-tango ako at yumakap sa kaniya. "Thank you, Xalv..." I whispered to his ear. "You've done so much for me and my family... I can't thank you enought... I owe you big time."

"Psh. Kayo nga itong malaki ang naitulong sa akin. If it is not for your parent, siguro hindi ako abogado ngayon. Siguro, nagtitinda pa rin ako ng buko juice sa kalsada kung nagkataon."

I chuckled. "Deserved mo kung nasaan ka man ngayon, Xalv. Thanks for everything." Hinimas ko ang likod niya, at gano'n din ang ginawa niya.

"Uh, what time tayo aalis..." Awtomatiko akong napahiwalay mula sa pagkakayakap kay, Xalvienne, nang marinig ko ang tinig ni, Knight, sa likuran ko.

Napaayos ako ng tindig at napansing wala sa amin ang atensiyon niya. "Uhm, now na. Puwede na tayong umalis." Namilog ang mga ko nang biglang gumapang at ipinagsalikop ni, Xalvienne, ang mga kamay namin.

"Let's go," he smirked at me. "Anyway, thanks for confessing your feelings towards me, Lili. That's deeply appreciated. Alam ko naman na gano'n ako ka-guwapo, ano."

Napanganga ako dahil sa sinabi niya. "What? Confess? Anong kinonfess ko?" I looked at him with my creased forehead. Now, what's he saying?

"Tsh." Imbes na sagutin ako ay bumaling siya kay, Knight, at nginisihan ito. Maya-maya pa ay itinaas niya ang magkahawak naming mga kamay. "Let's go?"

Kitang-kita ko kung paano dahan-dahang gumalaw ang ulo ni, Knight, at tumingin sa kamay namin ni, Xalvienne. Kitang-kita ko rin kung paano sumama ang timpla ng mukha niya at tumalim ang tingin sa aming magkasalikop na kamay. Gumalaw din ang kaniyang mga panga at naging matunog ang naging paghinga.

Pasimple akong gumalaw-galaw para subukang tanggalin ang kamay ko sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak ni, Xalvienne, pero hindi ako magtagumpay. Ngumiti ako at nagpasiyang ipagsawalang-bahala na lang 'yon.

Trip 'to ni, Xalvienne, e. Makisakay na lang tayo, 'di ba?

"Let's go." Nagtama ang mga mata namin ni, Knight, pero agad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin. May kung anong hindi mapangalanang emosyon ang dumaan sa kaniyang mga mata habang nakakunot pa rin ang noo niya. "Follow me." Mabilis siyang tumalikod at nagpatiunang naglakad sa amin papalayo.

"I always knew he's still have feelings for you," ani, Xalvienne, habang nakatingin sa papalayong pigura ni, Knight. "Do you still love him?"

Napaubo ako bigla dahil sa tanong niya sa akin. "What the hell?" Napairap ako sa hangin at marahas na inagaw ang kamay ko mula sa pagkakahawak niya, nagtagumpay ako.

"Answer my question, Lili--"

"Heh. Whatever." Ipinagkrus ko ang aking mga braso at mabilis na naglakad para sumunod kay, Knight Andrius.

"Wait for me, Liliénné!"

"Ba'la ka diyan." Mahinang bulong ko at mas binilisan pa ang paglalakad--nagpatuloy ako hanggang sa marating ko na nga ang parking lot.

I immediately saw Knight doing something on his car's door before I approached him.

"Let's go?" I asked.

"Hm, does Xalvienne also riding my car?" he asked coldly without looking at me.

My forehead creased. "No? Why? He had his car there." Itinuro ko ang kulay pulang sasakyan ni, Xalvienne, sa hindi kalayuan. "He'll just follow us from behind--"

"Bakit hindi ka na lang sa kaniya sumabay?" I was suddenly caught-off guard because of his question. He still didn't look at me as he spoke.

"H-ha?" Bigla akong natigilan. Napaawang ang labi ko at hindi alam kung paano siya sasagutin. "K-kasi ano... kasi kailangan din kitang kausapin. Oo. Tama." Napatango-tango ako. "I'll tell you what Knick Liam wants and such informations about him, para hindi ka masiyadong ma-stress sa pag-aalaga sa kaniya, you know..."

He sighed. "Is that so?" I nodded my head as an answer. He finally walk on the opposite side and open the door for me. "Fine. Get in."

Mabilis akong naglakad at pumasok sa loob ng kotse. He gently closed the door beside me and immediately opened the door on the other side to get inside.

At last, he finally started the car's engine, and I just saw my surroundings change as we moved ahead.

"Actually..." I trailed off. "Knick Liam is not that easy to take care--"

"I got him. Don't worry." He cut me off, his eyes on the road.

I sighed. "Well, if you say so."

"Just tell me some information about him..." I heard him said. "I want to know him better." Napasulyap siya sandali sa akin, bago ibinalik ang atensiyon sa daan.

"Hmm..." Nag-isip ako. "Knick Liam loves to drink banana milkshake... pero hindi ko siya inaaraw-araw ha, masiyadong matamis. I reccomend na ikaw mismo ang gumawa ng banana milkshake niya para ma-balance mo 'yong lasa."

"Copy."

"When it comes sa pagkain, he's a vegetarian. Hindi siya mababoy--I mean, ma-meat." Napailing-iling ako sa sariling sinabi. "He likes to eat; Homemade Potato Gnocchi, Pizza Margherita, Four-Cheese Stuffed Shells, Eggplant Rollatini, Ziti Bake and many more."

"Are those italian foods?"

"Yes." I smiled. "And for afternoon snacks you can make him Marinated Cheese and Pull-Apart Herb Bread."

He slowly shook his head. "I don't know how to cook those foods you mentioned..." He sighed. "Wala ba siyang favorite filipino food na kinakain?"

Natigilan ako. "Ah, meron naman..." I answered him. "Veges. Chop suey, pakbet, monggo, ginataang gulay, mga gano'n. Basta, walang meat, then you're good to go."

"No meat, just veges, noted." He nod his head. "Uh, how about his hobbies? Entertainments? Anong madalas niyang gawin kapag nasa bahay?"

"Hmm. Dancing and singing." I let out a small smile. "He's idolizing you, Knight, you know. He wanted to be like you. He wanted to be a k-star."

"Yeah, he told me that."

Nagpatuloy ang usapan naming dalawa ni, Knight, habang pabiyahe sa resto na pagmamay-ari ko. Tanungan at sagutan lang ang ginawa naming dalawa hanggang sa marating na nga namin ang aming destinasyon.

"We're here."

"Thanks." Pasasalamat ko nang pagbuksan niya ako ng pintuan ng sasakyan. "Xalv." I also saw Xalv already out of his car with both hands in his pocket. Nagngitian at tanguan kami.

"Let's go--STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" Napatili ako at agad tumakbo upang mailayo si, Knick Liam, na ngayo'y nasa bisig ng babaihan niyang ninang Cress. Papalabas sila ng resto at mukhang may pupuntahan 'ata.

"'La, ang O.A. ng bading na 'to, ah." Cress' grimaced as I took and distanced Knick Liam away from him. "Bibili lang kami ng ice cream diyan kina Bebang, nagpapaka-O.A. character ka na naman diyan."

"Baka kung ano na naman ang maituro mong mga kabalbalan na words sa anak ko." Inikutan ko siya ng mga mata.

"Excuse me? Hindi 'yon kabalbalan words, 'no. I'm just teaching him filipino words he didn't know the meaning. Like; iyot, kantot--"

"Ugh! Stop it!" Mabilis kong tinakpan ang butas ng tainga ni, Knick Liam.

"Psh. Feeling virgin 'tong baklang 'to." Napairap siya. "Anyway, hindi rin naman ako magtatagal, I need to meet some clients sa BGC. Dinalaw ko lang talaga ang pinakamamahal kong inaanak."

"Clients?" Nangunot ang noo ko. "Anong trabaho mo?"

"Gaga. Nakalimutan mo na ba?" Pinanliitan niya ako ng mga mata. "Peyk prends ka, ah. Hindi mo ba naaalala? Isa akong professional pokpok sa malate at BGC. Duh."

"Augh." I just sighed heavily. Wala na talang pag-asa itong kaibigan ko. "Sige. Sige na. Ingat ka. Paluwag well, ha." I grimaced because of what I've said. Hindi ko na siya hinintay pang makasagot at umikot na ako't naglakad papalapit kay, Knight.

"Sir K!" Mabilis na nagpabuhat sa kaniya ang anak ko. "You're here!" Yumakap pa ito sa kaniya.

"He really likes you." I mouthed to Knight Andrius while smiling. "Anak, Knick Liam." Mabilis na bumaling sa akin ang anak ko. "Me and your Tito-Ninong Xalvienne will have to go somewhere. You'll be staying with your..." Umubo ako. "Y-your father for this day, and I'll take you from him tomorrow... is that okay with you?"

Nakita kong namilog at kuminang ang mga mata ni, Knick Liam. "Of course! Yes, Papá! That is really ok with me po!"

"Will you promise to me that you'll behave while I am gone?"

"Yes, I promise po!"

I looked at Knight. "Ikaw na ang bahala sa kaniya. Kapag nagka-problema, don't forget to call me."

"I don't know your cellphone num--"

"Knick Liam memorized my phone number." I cut Knight's sentence. Lumapit ako at humalik sa noo ng anak ko. "I'll see you tomorrow. Mag-behave ka, ah?" Tumango lang si, Knick Liam, bilang tugon. I turned around and saw Xalvienne waiting in his car with his hands still in his pocket.

"Bye, Papá! Bye, 'Dy! Ingat po kayo!"

Tango at ngiti lang ang isinagot namin ni, Xalvienne, bago kami sumakay sa loob ng sasakyan niya.

"Let's go."

At last, the car's engine started, and I just saw myself falling into the abyss as we moved away.

"THANKS, Carla. I really appreciate it."

"Welcome, Xalv. If you need me, just call me outside. Magra-rounds lang ako." And with that, I heard the sound of door--opening and closing.

Marahan kong binuksan ang mga mata ko at tumama iyon sa puting kisame sa ibabaw ko. Are we in a ospital? Nakatulog ako... gaano ako katagal nakatulog?

"Finally, you're awake." I heard Xalvienne heaved a deep breath as he sit beside my bed. "I told you many times--"

"Rest. Rest. Rest." I cut him off and rolled my eyes. "Anong sabi ng doktor?"

"Fatigue... exhaustion... though they'll run some tests just to make sure."

I slowly nod my head. "What time is it now?" I asked under my breath.

"9:00 PM."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad napabalikwas sa kinahihigaan. "What?! Gano'n ako katagal nakatulog?!"

"Yup." Kalmadong tugon niya. "You're too tired... hindi na kita ginising pa, para na rin makapag-pahinga ka."

"Tumawag na ba si, Knick Liam?" Ibinagsak ko ang sarili sa kama at napatulala sa kisame.

"No... hindi pa. Pero 'yong ama niya, ilang beses nang tumawag."

My forehead creased. "Anong sabi? Bakit daw?"

"I don't know. Nung narinig ko 'yong boses niya, binabaan ko agad ng tawag, e."

Napanganga ako. "What? Baka may problema kaya siya tumawag! Call him! Now!"

He shook his head calmly. "I doubt it. If I know, he just want to know where we are." He suddenly smirked at me. "He's... jealous."

Napangiwi ako. "Ba't naman siya mag-seselos? May relasyon ba kayo?"

"Tsh. Slow." He rolled his eyes. "He's jealous because of me. Nagseselos siya dahil gusto niya... sa kaniya ka lang... Tsk. I know the attitude of that brat, Liliénné, trust me."

"Sa kaniya lang ako? Psh. Ang O.A. Bakit?" My forehead creased. "Boyfriend ko ba siya?" I shook my head. "As far as I am concerned, we are just doing co-parenting for our son... nothing more, nothing less."

"But not for him," he remarked. "Knight Andrius Fulgencio still have feelings for you, 'Li... I can feel it," he whispered. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko. "Ikaw ba? Do you still... have feelings for him?"

Napatigil ako at napatulala na lang sa kawalan dahil sa naging tanong niya.

Do I still have feelings for him?

"I... don't know..."

To be Continued...