I slowly opened my eyes. Light was the first thing I saw.

"Hon, you're awake!" I heard a familiar voice. I heard him speaking on the intercom, informing the doctors that I'm already awake.

Ilang sandali pa ang aking hinintay bago tuluyang luminaw ang aking paningin.

I saw Hoax beside me. Agad akong umiwas ng tingin sa kanya.

Dasher came in his surgical scrubs with a nurse, my parents and my brother, Clyde.

I can hear Mommy expressing her gratitude while my Dad's hugging her.

Hoax never leave my side while Dasher's checking my vital signs.

"You good?" Dasher asked with a smile in his face.

I slowly nodded as I gave him a smile. Marahan niyang tinapik ang aking ulo bago bumaling sa aking ama at kinausap ito tungkol sa aking kondisyon.

"Thank God, you're awake!" Mommy muttered while walking towards my direction.

She sat on the chair beside me, opposite to Hoax's seat. Si Kuya naman ay nanatiling nakatayo at nakatingin sa akin.

Mommy held my hand as she speak. "Aatakihin ako sa mga nangyayari sa'yo."

"I'm fine, Mommy," I said to assure her. I let out a low chuckle when I heard her sighed.

"Astrid." Napabaling ako kay Kuya. "What happened?" He asked.

He pointed his forefinger towards Hoax's direction. "Anong ginawa ng nitong gago mong-"

"Clyde!" Daddy's voice thundered. Laking pasalamat ko dahil hindi na sinagot ni Hoax si Kuya.

"Why?" Sarkastikong napatingin si Kuya kay Daddy.

"You have no rig-" Napasinghap ako nang putulin ni Kuya ang sasabihin ni Dad.

"Ang hindi ko maintindihan, bakit mo pinakasal si Astrid sa lalaking 'yan! Hindi naman kayo nagkukulang sa pera hindi ba? Or maybe you want more? Hindi ka ba marunong makuntento?" Napasinghap ako sa tinuran ni Kuya. Matapos ay mariing napapikit.

"Clyde!" Saway ni Mommy kay Kuya.

I heaved a deep sighed. Minsan na lang silang magkita, pero sa tuwing magkakaharap sila ay hindi pwedeng hindi sila magkakasagutan.

"Why, Tita? Hindi ba totoo naman? He let Celestina marry this man for money!" Napakunot ang aking noo. I understand Kuya but I have my own mind and decisions. I won't marry Hoax if I don't want. Besides, we're already divorced. What's the point of this argument?

Alam ni Kuya ang nangyari sa amin ni Hoax. Hindi ko pa nasasabi iyon kila Mommy at wala pa akong balak sabihin.

"Don't talk to your father like that." I saw Mommy intently looking at my brother. Malamig ang mga titig at mariin ang bawat sambit ng salita. Mommy is a carefree woman, she's always smiling, nakikita ko lang siya na ganito kapag nagkakasagutan na si Dad at si Kuya.

"Astrid is my only child. Wala kahit sino, si Astrid lang." I felt my chest tightened on Daddy's words. That was below the belt. Hindi ko alam kung kailan matatanggap ni Daddy na anak niya si Kuya. Si Mommy nga ay matagal ng tanggap iyon.

Bumaling ako kay Kuya. Gusto kong lumapit sa kanya ngunit hindi ako makagalaw dahil sa aking mga sugat. "I know," Kuya answered as he walked out of the room.

I saw Mommy massaging her temple while slowly shaking her head.

"Sorry for Clyde's attitude, Hoax," Daddy apologized and Hoax just nodded on it, saying it's nothing.

"Hindi ba pwedeng 'wag na lang kayong magpansinan kung tuwing magkikita kayo ay nagsasagutan lang din naman kayo?" Dad's eyes softened when he turned to my Mom.

"I'm sorry. Don't stress your self on that thing, I can handle this."

"Yeah, sure." I bit my lower lip to suppress the chuckle coming out of my mouth because of my Mom's sarcasm.

Dad sighed before turning to me. Hindi ko magawang ngumiti sa kanya dahil sa sinabi niya kay Kuya Clyde. "Astrid, stay away from that man," Dad uttered, pertaining to Kuya.

My lips parted a bit. Nahihiwagaan akong napatingin kay Daddy. "I can't do that, Dad, he's your son. Bakit ba hindi mo matanggap 'yon?"

Marahan siyang umiling. "That son of a bitch is not my son-"

"Alejandro!" Mommy shouted. I panicked when I saw her clutching her chest.

"Tita." Dadaluhan sana ni Hoax si Mommy ngunit naunahan siya ni Dad.

Napasinghap ako nang hawiin ni Mommy ang kamay ni Daddy. "Just accept that Clyde is your son!"

"He's not my son, Hestia. Sinisira lang tayo ni Amira."

"Hindi naman tayo nasira hindi ba? Tinanggap ko ang anak mo, bakit hindi mo iyon kayang gawin?"

Dad's just staring at my Mom. Ilang sandali pa bago tuluyang nakasagot si Daddy at bahagyang umiling. "Let's not talk about this."

"Mommy, you need to rest," I interfered. "Look, you have wrinkles," Biro ko. Even with her age, actually she doesn't have one.

Agad na nabago ang reaksyon niya. Her eyes widened. "No way," Marahang sambit niya ay napahawak sa mukha.

"Alejandro, d-do I have..." Hindi niya maituloy ang sasabihin. Sa huli ay napangiwi na lang siya.

I saw Dad suppressing a smirk. "Hmm, there..." Dad pointed the side of Mommy's eyes and the side of her mouth. "And there."

"Oh God! I need to schedule an appointment with Dra. Sanchez," Sambit niya bago nagmamadaling lumabas ng kwarto.

I saw Dad slowly shaking her head while there's a smile crept in his face before turning to me. "I'll follow your Mom. We'll be back."

He walked towards our direction and kissed my forehead. He turned to Hoax as he slightly tapped his shoulder. "Take care of my daughter."

Hoax nodded. "I will, Tito."

"I'll go ahead," Paalam ni Dad bago tuluyang umalis.

Alanganin akong napatingin kay Hoax nang maiwan kaming dalawa. I caught him looking at me. "Sorry," He muttered when our eyes met.

"Why are you saying sorry?" I bit my lower lip. "Is that why you don't want me to leave the penthouse?" I continued.

Marahan siyang tumango. "Stonesteel found out that you're my wife. I don't how but fuck them."

"S-sorry, if only I'm not stubborn." I averted his gaze.

Agad akong napabalik ng tingin sa kanyang nang may maalala. "Y-you signed the papers. We're divorced, you filed it, right?" I asked even though I already know the answer.

He licked his lower lips before he answered. "Hmm. But they thought we're still married."

My mouth formed an 'o' shape.

"How's your back?" He asked as he gently placed his hand on my head and started caressing it.

"Seems okay. 'Wag kang magalala, normal na 'to. Sanay na," I jokingly muttered, pertaining to being shot by a gun.

His brow raised. "Seriously?"

I let out a chuckle and hummed.

I saw his jaw clenched as he intently looked at me, frowning. "You got shot on your back. Three bullets, Astrid. Now, you're telling me you're used to it?"

"Totoo naman kasi," Alanganing sambit ko.

"Wait," I said when something caught my attention. "Three bullets?" I asked with my eyes widened a bit.

"Yes."

Napangiwi ako sa sarili. "That was tough."

He pressed his lips in a hard line while looking intently looking at me. Sa huli ay napailing siya at muling nagsalita. "I have a question, it's okay if you don't want to answer."

I nodded. "What is it?"

"I want justice for my sister and I'll do anything just to find that fucking Universe."

"And?" Nagaalangang tanong ko.

"Your friend, Mirae. Is she a part of Cosmos?"

My jaw fell opened. How did he come up with that question?

He probably saw my reaction so he continued. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

I remember everything Mirae did. Posible nga kaya na tama si Hoax? We all want to top the mafia chart but this past few weeks, Mirae's getting desperate. Maybe Mirae killed Hoax's sister? No but-

"Y-yes." I bit my lower lip when I saw how his jaw clenched when I answered. Bumakas ang galit sa kanyang mga mata kaya naman agad kong pinagsisihan ang sinabi.

"Fuck that woman," He whispered.

"She's my friend, Hoax."

Para naman siyang natauhan sa aking sinabi. He looked at me and sighed. "I know, I'm sorry."

"Don't hurt her." Iyon ang mga salitang kusang lumabas sa aking bibig.

His jaw clenched as he answered. "I can't promise."

The next day, Hoax's still looking after me. He seating on the chair beside my hospital bed. Nakapatong ang ulo niya sa gilid ang aking kama habang ang isang kamay ay nakahawak sa aking palad.

Agad siyang nagangat ng ulo nang maramdaman ang aking paggalaw.

"How are you feeling?" He attentively asked.

"I'm fine."

"Let me clean you first. Can you walk? If not I can just-"

"I can," Putol ko sa sasabihin niya.

"No, just wait for me."

Wala na akong nagawa sa gusto niya. I let him clean me. Matapos ay dumating ang sekretarya niya na may dalang pagkain.

"I'll feed you," He muttered after preparing the food. He sat on the side of my bed.

"Kaya ko naman." Hindi naman ako naputulan ng kamay para pakainin pa niya.

"Still," Pinal na sambit niya.

I playfully rolled my eyes before I opened my mouth and eat the food from Hoax.

"Fonacier and Ferron visited a while ago, you're still sleeping so they left," Hoax informed, pertaining to Archer and Creed.

Muli niya akong sinubuan na agad ko namang tinanggap. I chew it and asked. "How about Mirae? Nagpunta na ba siya-"

I stopped when someone knocked on the door and it opened. Bumungad sa amin si Vynz at Mirae. It was Vynz who opened the door. Pinauna niyang pumasok si Mirae at saka sumunod.

Napalabi ako nang matanto na magkasama sila.

"Mirae," I muttered as I tried to sat on the bed. Agad naman akong pinigilan ni Hoax.

"Your wound," Sambit niya habang muli akong ibinabalik sa pagkakahiga.

I glanced at Mirae and saw her brow rose up because of what Hoax did.

Muli kong sinubukang umupo at wala ng nagawa si Hoax kung hindi ang alalayan ako. "Careful," He whispered.

"I want to talk to her," Mirae announced while staring at Hoax. I turned to Hoax and saw him looking at Mirae with his jaw clenching.

Mukhang walang balak umalis si Hoax kaya naman muling nagsalita si Mirae. "Alone."

"Hoax," Vynz called his brother's attention. Para bang sinasabi niya na sundin ang gusto ni Mirae. Mariin kong pinaglapat ang mga labi upang pigilan ang sarili na mapangisi.

"Kuya!" Angal ni Hoax na parang hindi makapaniwala sa kanyang kapatid.

"Sige na, Hoax," Sambit ko. Even though I'm nervous because I know at this moment, Mirae's wondering why Hoax is here.

I saw Hoax hesitated. Sa huli ay lumabas na rin siya kasama si Vynz.

"You okay?" Tanong ni Mirae matapos makalabas ng magkapatid.

I smiled as I nodded my head. "Yes."

"Talk to me," Mirae muttered in a serious tone and I know she saw how my smile faded.

"Let me explain, Mirae." I bit my lower lip as I felt my heart pounding out of my chest.

"Talk to me as a friend and not the Universe, Astrid."

Ilang ulit akong napakurap bago tuluyang nakuha ang sinabi niya. My lips parted as I lowered her head. I felt like there's a big lump on my throat. Ramdam ko ang paginit ng gilid ng aking mga mata.

I never talked to her as a friend the moment I felt what I'm feeling for Hoax. I know I'm unfair, I know she can feel it.

I bit my lip harder when I remember the days we're inseparable but because of Hoax I became distant. Natakot ako na isang araw ay malaman niya ang sa amin ni Hoax at alam kong hindi niya magugustuhan iyon.

"I should be mad at you because you didn't even invite me on your wedding."

I stilled as I looked at her. Namilog ang aking mga mata. "What?"

"We're friends right?"

I gasped as my tears started rolling down my cheeks. Mariin akong napapikit nang maalala kung ano ang sinabi ko kay Hoax. I betrayed Mirae. Why did I even tell him Mirae's a part of Cosmos? Hindi siya titigilan ni Hoax hanggang hindi niya nalalaman kung ano ang posisyon ni Mirae sa Cosmos.

"I'm sorry, Mirae." Lalong bumagsak ang aking mga luha nang maingat siyang lumapit sa akin. She carefully hugged me as she gently caressing my back.

We're in that position for I don't know how long and I just kept saying how sorry I am.

"Shh, Astrid."

Bumitaw ako sa kanyang yakap at muling nagsalita. "S-sorry, Mirae I didn't tell you. I was scared. I know we all want the top spot for the Cosmos, lalo na ikaw and they're our enemy b-but pinakasalan ko siya. I love him and I was selfish, Mirae. T-that's why natakot akong sabihin sayo, sa inyo," I stammered.

"Calm down, alright?" She said but I don't know how to.

"Si Dash lang ang pinagsabihan ko pero nalaman ni Creed. I-I don't know how but maybe he investigated dahil sabi niya ay may napapansin daw siyang kakaiba sa akin."

"But you said he's your ex?"

I gave her a small smile and looks like she already got it. She hugged me as she whispered. "It's okay, you'll be alright."

We heard the creak of the door. Naghiwalay kami at napatingin sa pinto.

"We're not yet done," Mirae said when we saw Hoax and Vynz entering.

Hindi siya pinansin ni Hoax at dumiretso lang sa akin. His eyes surveyed my whole body. Nagigting ang kanyang panga nang nagtama ang aming mga mata.

He turned to Mirae. "What did you do?"

I saw Mirae raised her brow up in him.

"Don't raised your voice on her, Hoax," Saway ni Vynz.

"I'm okay, H-Hoax. We just talked." Iyon naman ang totoo. Hindi naman ako sasaktan ni Mirae kung iyon ang iniisip niya.

"Sabi ko hindi pa kami tapos magusap," Paguulit ni Mirae.

"Then talk," Hoax sarcastically said.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes on Hoax then turned to my direction. "Mauna na kami ni Vynz. We'll catch up when you get better."

She immediately turned her back but I called her name and apologized. "Sorry."

She just nodded and smiled before she finally left the room with Vynz.

That's when my tears started rolling down my cheeks again. Hoax's asking me what happened but I just told him to don't mind me. Hindi naman niya pinansin ang sinabi ko at nanatili lang sa aking tabi. I don't know what he's thinking but I saw him looking at nowhere with cold eyes.

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