"I'm with Mirae. You know she's a friend. Even Dasher, Creed, and Arch. Why don't you let me?" Inis na sambit ko. I don't know what's with Hoax.

I told him I'll go to Xylo with them but he won't let me.

"No-"

"Why?" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi mataas ng boses. They're my friends, why can't I have fun with them? Sila Mommy nga hinahayaan ako, tapos siya naman ay ganito?

"Believe me, Mirae won't attend."

Sarkastiko akong napatawa sa sinabi niya. Mirae plan this night out. So she'll surely attend. Imposible ang sinasabi niya.

"I don't trust Ferron, as well as Alterio. Lalo na 'yong si Fonacier," Mariing sambit niya.

My jaw fell opened. I immediately bit my lower lip as I felt my chest tightened. Wala siyang tiwala sa kanila? What the hell was that?

I rolled my eyes. Hindi na dapat ako nagulat.

I didn't answer as I turned my back on him.

I walked towards the lift as I entered the combination number.

"Leave and don't come back," I heard him spoke.

Natigilan ako at bahagyang napalingon sa kanyang kinatatayuan.

He gave me a cold stare as his jaw clenched. Naramdaman ko ang lalong pagsikip ng aking dibdib ngunit hindi ko na iyon binigyang pansin.

The elevator opened. Agad akong pumasok doon. I pushed the ground floor button at nagsimulang sumara iyon. Sandali pang nagtama ang aming mga mata bago sumara ang elevator at nawala siya sa aking paningin.

"I can't believe it!" Impit na sambit ni Mirae. She drank a shot of black label as she wave the shot glass on the air.

"Finally, huh?" Archer muttered.

The lights were a bit dim. Nangingibabaw ang tunog ng ritmo ng musika.

We're at the Xylo, seating on one of their U-shaped couches. The couch is good for ten but we're only five. Kaya naman maluwag iyon para sa amin.

I'm seating on the middle with Archer beside me. Creed's seating on the left while Dasher and Mirae's on the right.

We're on the second floor, at the corner. That's why there's only few people in our place.

"What's our plan after we got what we want?" It was Creed who asked.

"Come on, let's enjoy this night, Creed!" I heard him let out a sigh because of Mirae's answer. Natigilan ako nang may nahagip ang gilid ng aking mata. I wasn't sure though.

"I'll just go to the restroom," Paalam ko bago agarang tumayo.

"Bumalik ka! Hindi sa dance floor ang diretso," Archer muttered and I chuckled.

"Yeah, whatever," I answered before I stood and started walking towards the restroom. Am I drunk already?

Bago ako ako makarating doon ay agad akong lumingon sa aking likuran. I felt like someone's following me. Hindi pamilyar sa akin ang mga tao sa aking likuran. Para bang may kanya-kanya rin silang pinagkakaabalahanan kaya naman inignora ko na lamang iyon at tuluyan nang pumasok sa restroom.

Hanggang sa makabalik ako sa aming table ay ganoon ang aking pakiramdam. I felt like someone's eyes were following me.

Pagbalik ko ay naabutan ko ang pagsasalin ni Dasher ng Bacardi at Tequila sa iisang lalagyan. I frowned when it formed bubbles. Ilang sandali ay nawala rin iyon.

"Game na!" Biglang sambit ni Dash.

Nagtatakang napabaling ako sa kanya. "Huh?"

"Secret truth." He even winked at me. Napabaling ako kay Creed ngunit nagkibit balikat lamang siya sa akin.

"Milady, game na!" Tawag ni Dasher ngunit hindi natinag si Mirae at nanatili lang na nakatitig sa kung saan.

"Milady!"

Napapitlag si Mirae at para bang natauhan.

"Lutang ka," Sambit ni Dash.

"Why?" Takang tanong ni Mirae. Napatingin siya sa akin at napamaang. Para bang ngayon lang niya napansin na nakabalik na ako.

"I said let's play," Dash casually said.

Mirae raised her brow up on Dash. "What the hell?! Play? Bata ka ba?" Inilibot sa amin ni Mirae ang kanyang mga mata. Para bang nagtatanong kung pumayag kami sa kalokohan ni Dasher ngunit wala siyang nakuhang sagot mula sa amin.

"Dali na, secret truth. Kung sino matapatan magsasabi ng secret na ikaw lang nakakaalam o kung walang masabi, may magtatanong at kaylangan sagutin ng katotohanan tapos iinom nito."

There's an empty bottle lying in the middle of the table. Nasa gilid na ang mga shot glass. May isang lalagyan din sa gilid at may laman iyong alak. Iyon ang nakita ko na kaninang hinahalo ni Dasher at iyon ang sinasabi niyang iinumin.

"What was that?" Mirae asked.

Dasher shrugged. "A mixture of tequilas, hennessy, Jack Daniels, bacardi.... Basta hindi ko na matandaan 'yung iba!" Nanlaki ang mata ko roon. What the hell?

"Do you know kung ano ang lasa niyan?"

"Hindi, basta nakakalasing 'yan."

Mirae hilariously looked at Dasher.
She turned to Creed and he just shrugged. Nang bumaling sa akin si Mirae ay ngiti lang ang isinukli ko sa kanya.

"Sige na. We're celebrating, remember?" Sagot ni Archer at napairap si Mirae dahil doon. Sa huli ay napapayag din siya.

Dash started spinning the bottle and no one dare to speak while it's still spinning. Nang huminto ang dulo ng bote sa tapat ni Archer ay narinig ko ang reklamo niya.

"Wala akong secret, magtanong na lang kayo," He said as he leaned on the couch habang. Idinantay niya ang kamay sa sandalan noon.

"What if you got someone pregnant?" Creed asked as the side of his lips rose up. Narinig ko ang pagsangayon ni Dasher sa tanong ni Creed.

I looked at Archer as I saw how the expression of his face slowly change. His eyes widened. "No way! Safe ako, always!"

"What if lang naman, anong gagawin mo?" I asked.

"Pananagutan ko, basta anak ko. Pero imposible 'yon," Sagot niya na para bang siguradong sigurado at sinumulang inumin ang eksperimento ni Dasher.

Sa dami ng inuuwi niyang babae ay hindi malabo na may mabuntis siya. 

Nang maubos ang nasa baso ay napangiwi ito at napahawak sa ulo.

"What if hindi mo anak pero mahal mo 'yung nanay?" Mapaglarong pahabol ni Mirae.

"Isang tanong lang, Babe," He answered as he gave her a smirk. Mirae just rolled her eyes at him.

"Next na!" Pinaikot ni Archer ang bote at tumapat iyon kay Creed.

"Magtatanong ba kami?" Nilagyan ng laman ni Dash ang baso ni Creed.

Creed shook his head. "I failed to protect Mirae. I hurt her," Sambit nito habang diretso ang titig kay Mirae. I saw Mirae's eyes widened after hearing Creed's words. While I was just listening, confused of what he have said.

Natahimik si Archer at Dash na kanina ay walang tigil sa pagiingay at para bang naghihintay pa sa sasabihin ni Creed.

Mirae poured the alcohol on her shot glass. Muntik ko na siyang pigilan nang inisang lagok niya iyon.

"I know it's not enough and my sorry would do nothing to ease the pain I've caused you. It was late for seven years but I'm sorry. For the words that I've said, I wouldn't deny it because I said what I've said but I would like you to know how sorry I am," Sambit ni Creed habang hindi inaalis ang tingin kay Mirae. I saw tears at the side of her eyes.

I have no idea that there's a misunderstanding between the two of them. But, late for seven years? Does that mean his lost memories came back already?

"What the hell?! Seven years?" Walang pumansin sinabi ni Dash at nanatiling tahimik ang mga nasa table kahit ang paligid ay maingay.

"You remembered?" Mirae asked.

Creed nodded. "Galit na galit ka sa'kin."

My eyes widened as my jaw fell opened.

"And so you are," Mirae replied.

"I'm sorry," Creed smiled but it didn't reached his eyes.

Suddenly I remember what I've done. I betrayed Mirae. I know she'll be mad and I need to face the consequences.

Mirae rose up as she walked towards Creed. Bahagya niyang ibinuka ang mga kamay. Seems like inviting Creed to hugged her.

Marahang lumapit si Creed at ipinaloob si Mirae sa kanyang mga bisig.

Bahagya niyang ginulo ni Creed ang buhok ni Mirae at bumulong.

Nang maghiwalay ang dalawa ay hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi magtanong. "Nakakaalala ka na?"

"Ano yon, bakit wala kaming alam?" Archer curiously asked.

"Anong late na ng seven years?" Tanong ulit ni Dasher dahil walang pumansin tanong niya kanina.

They started telling what happened. Nagulat ako ng tumayo si Dasher at Archer para lumapit kay Creed matapos nilang sabihin sa aming kung ano ang totoong nangyari.

Tumayo na rin si Creed para makapantay ang dalawa.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi mapatayo nang matanto kung ano ang gagawin ni Dasher at Arch.

"Pasuntok, isa lang," Sabi ni Dash at walang pakundangang sinuntok sa mukha si Creed. My eyes widened while looking at them. Nanigas ako sa aking kinatatayuan.

I opened my mouth to stopped them but nothing came out of it.

Nang si Archer naman ang humarap kay Creed ay agad na napatayo si Mirae at sinubukang pigilan si Archer ngunit huli na iyon.

Archer hardly punched Creed's face. I saw the side of his lips bleeding. Agad naman niyang pinalis ang dugo sa kanyang mga labi gamit ang daliri.

"What the fuck is wrong with the two of you?!" Mariing sambit ni Mirae ngunit walang pumansin doon. They went back on their seat. Ako naman ay walang nagawa kung hindi ang bumalik na rin sa kinauupuan.

"Kulang pa 'yan. Kung nasa penthouse tayo hindi kita titigilan."

Nangatal ako sa sinabi ni Dasher. Alam kong iyon nga ang mangyayari kung nasa penthouse kami at alam kong hindi lalaban si Creed.

I saw Mirae gave Dasher a death glare but he just gave her a smile.

"I know, I deserve it," Creed muttered.

Mirae leaned at Creed as she held his face. Marahang pinalit ni Creed ang kanyang kamay.

"Go back to your seat, Mirae. Kanina pa masama ang tingin sa akin noong nasa kabilang table," He muttered as he gazed on Mirae's back.

I unconsciously looked at that direction. My eyes landed on the table beside ours. I immediately met a familiar eyes. Napakurap ako sa pagaakalang guni-guni lang iyon ngunit mali ang aking iniisip. Hoax's still there, holding his shot glass while intently looking at me. He's with his brother and their other two underbosses, Callum and Ryder.

"Question na lang."

Binawi ko ang aking mga titig nang narinig ko ang boses ni Dasher. Hindi ko namalayan na sa kanya na pala tumapat ang dulo ng bote.

"Real score between you and Attorney Zaldivar?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders off. "Wala. Ayoko ng dagdagan ang mga natatanggap niyang death threats," Sagot niya bago inubos ang laman ng kanyang shot glass, matapos ay pinaikot na niya ang bote at tumapat ang dulo noon sa akin.

"Next ka na agad Milady, ikaw na
lang hindi natatapatan."

"Question?" Archer asked but I didn't answer.

I was thinking if I should tell Mirae what I did.

Sa huli ay napailing na lamang ako kay Archer. I bit my lip as I stared on Mirae.

"I'm sorry, Mirae. I-" I started but she immediately gestured her hand to stop me.

"I don't want to be emotional na tonight. Una kay, Creed and then ikaw naman, I can feel it. Come on, Astrid iba na lang. Bukas mo sabihin kung ano man ang sasabihin mo sa akin."

Nag-init ang gilid ng aking mga mata.

"Sige question na lang," I smiled. Agad namang nagtanong si Dash.

"Kailan kami magkakaroon ng pamangkin sa'yo?" Napamaang ako sa tanong niya.

"Wow! Sagutin mo muna kung kailan ka pa naging kapatid ni Astrid?" Mapangasar na tanong ni Archer at sinamaan lang ito ng tingin ni Dash.

"Hoax and I were divorced," Simpleng sagot kom

"Divorced daw pero-" Sinadya ni Archer na hindi ituloy ang sasabihin at mapaglarong tumingin sa akin.

"What?"

He shook his head on me as his lips' slowly curving into a sly smile. I sipped on my drink and slowly shook my head.

"Your turn, Mirae," Creed declared.

"Question," Agarang sagot niya.

"Bakit question, and dami mong secret. Magsabi ka ng isa!" Angal ni Archer.

"Wala akong secret, question na!"

"Dapat sinabi mo nalang na mahal mo si Devaughne," Medyo mahinang sambit ni Archer pero sapat iyon para marinig namin.

"Hindi na kasi secret 'yon, alam na kasi natin," Sambit ni Dash at agad namang hinampas ni Mirae ang braso ng katabi.

"What the?!"

"Bakit na lang kayo naghiwalay ni Aziel?" Tanong ni Dash.

"I thought you all knew? He proposed and I said no." Mirae sipped on her drink and I blinked at her statement.

She said no? I frowned she'll never do that. I mean, that's Aziel, her long time boyfriend.

"Bakit mo tinanggihan?" Pahabol ni Archer.

"Isang tanong lang hindi ba?" Mirae answered with full of sarcasm. Ngumisi siya nang makita ang pagngiwi ni Archer.

"The two of you are in good terms right?"

I saw her frowned because of Dasher's question. "Yes."

Maski ako ay napakunot ang noo ngunit hindi na binigyang pansin ang sinabi ni Dasher.

"Bakit kapag si Dash sinasagot mo!" I almost rolled my eyes at Archer.

Her brow rose up a bit on him. "Hindi mo rin sinagot ang tanong ko kanina."

"Buti na lang, Milady. Kung hindi ay dadami na naman ang basher natin. Una Devaughne at Amherst, ngayon Stonesteel. Buti nalang walang dadagdag," Litanya nito na para bang nakahinga ng maluwag sa sagot Ni Mirae.

Archer ordered a bottle of hennessy. Si Creed ay hindi na inimon dahil siya daw ang magdadrive sa amin pauwi.

Matapos ang ilang minuto ay nagpaalam ako at nagtungo sa dance floor.

Hindi pa ako nakakarating doon nang may humablot sa aking braso.

__________