Late update pero sulit naman kasi three chapters ang nai-pub ko. Enjoy reading!

CHAPTER 21

As I walked out of our plane, Baste opened his arms to hug me. I smiled and leave my baggage to run to him. I hugged him tight while he carried me and turned around.

"I miss you," he said sweetly.

Bumaba ako sa hawak n'ya at hinalikan nang mariin ang labi n'ya. "I miss you more,"

He hold my waist and pulled me closer to him. "How was it? Is my baby okay?"

I chuckled and buried my face on his neck. "I am, I graduated, hon. I'm happy,"

He kissed me temple and whispered. "I'm happy for you, you really achieved your dream without my help. That was worth of my proud,"

Inalis ko ang mukha ko sa leeg n'ya at tinitigan s'ya, it's been years since I last saw him. We're far away from each other for that long, skype lang ang paraan namin para makita ang mukha ng isa't isa.

"Am I that handsome?" he proudly said.

"Uh-huh, you're right." he chuckled because of my response. What's the use of lying anyway. Totoo din naman.

"Let's go?"

I nodded at him and just walked while he get my baggage and carried it. Both of us were having a good conversation while we were on our way to his condo where I was staying for a while, though, I have my own condo to stay with.

"I miss this," I said as I roam my eyes inside his condo. He owned this for seven years, and we've been together for five years.

Ang tagal na pala talaga namin.

"You missed everything, of course. You're away for years,"

I looked back at him when he hugged me from behind, I clung my arms around his neck and kissed him. "I really miss you so much, love."

He chuckled and kissed me back. "Me too, why do you need to study abroad anyway."

"Dad wants me to, that's not surprising."

"I want to hate your dad for reasoning for you to be away from me, but I still can't. He's still your dad."

I smiled at him. "Don't worry, I won't leave you after this."

"Promise?" he said like a child and buried his face on my neck, I giggled because of that.

"Promise."

After that, tinulungan n'ya akong ayusin ang mga gamit ko. While doing it, we shared stories from stories. Kung ano ang mga nangyari no'n habang nasa ibang bansa ako. It was fun, especially when I heard from him that he's having fun going out with my friends from high school.

Speaking of, kumusta na kaya sila?

Hindi ko na din kasi sila nakakausap pa, they're busy with their degree right now. As of now, I know they're still preparing for the last week of their perspective degree and just like me, most of them were graduating.

I'm happy for them, it's been years since the last time we've had a night out. How I miss our weekly drinking session.

"Where are you going?" Baste asked when I wore something decent after my shower.

"I want to meet up with the girls, I miss them."

He smiled and stood up. "Do you want me to accompany you?"

I looked back at him and cocked my head, I smiled as I shook my head. "No worries, love. Madali lang ako doon, and besides. I still want to cuddle with you."

He looked away and hide his sly smile. Cute.

Napailing na lang ako sa ginagawa n'ya at sinimulang ayusin ang mga gamit na dadalhin ko. "I'll get going, may pupuntahan ka pa ba?"

He nodded and stared at me. "I'm going to meet my brother, may pag-uusapan daw kami."

I nodded and gave him a smack before going out of his condo. When I got out, I smiled cheekly.

I drove my car to Vien's house, alam ko naman kasi na halos doon sila lagi nakatambay. We've been together for almost a decade so it's not that surprising to know that.

When I reach her house, from the outside, I already heard their noises. It's not new, talagang maiingay sila lalo na kapag nagkakasama. I even forgot our count, maybe seventeen? Including me. I don't know, we're too many to count.

But hell, those crazy people is my solace. Kahit ang iingay nila lagi ay wala akong pake-alam. They're my home.

I walked towards the gate and smiled inwardly. I heard them shouting while laughing, I guess they're having some fun with that truth and dare again. I smiled again, the memories with them will never go away.

I entered the house quietly, I walked inside and saw them sitting on the floor in a circle while the bottle of champagne was in the center. No doubt, they're playing truth and dare again.

"Truth!" Rheane exclaimed.

Angela protested and shouted. "No! You should pick the dare! Ang daya n'yo naman, puro kayo truth! Walang challenge!"

I chuckled sheepishly and stayed quiet. After that, Rizmen flickered Angela's forehead. "Silly, it's her choice so you should shut your mouth, hmm?"

Angela shouted and pointed Kryza. "S'ya nga dare eh! Ako din dare! Eh kayo? Mga duwag! Tse!"

Kryza raised her hands and looked at the rest. "I'm innocent, don't look at me."

Angelie glared at Angela. "Shut up! It's our choice nga diba!?"

Angela just rolled her eyes and didn't say anything. As if she'll won against those people.

"Sige na! Tuloy na!"

Malapit na sana nilang paikutin ang bote nang tumayo ako at sumigaw. "Hey! That's madaya! Bakit hindi n'yo ako sumasali d'yan!?"

They all looked at me in complete shock and after a minute, they started to scream and run towards me for a hug.

"Zhail! Oh my gosh, nakauwi ka na!"

I chuckled and hugged Sivan back. "Yes, it's been a while."

They let me sat on the floor and let me talk with no mess. "Ang tagal na talaga, mas lalo kang pumangit ah?"

I chuckled with what Iuna said. "I know I'm beautiful, Iuna. No need to tell that, I already know."

She rolled her eyes. "Naging mahangin ka ata? 'Yan ba ang epekto ng ibang bansa?"

Tumawa lang ako at tumingin kay Andrea. "You? You didn't miss me?"

She just stared at me and smiled a little. "You know what I feel, Zhail."

I smiled surreptitiously because of that. Hell yeah, she really is my best of friend.

After the long story telling, most of them passed out. As expected. Expect me, Andrea, Vien and the others, hindi kasi ako uminom at ang iba naman masyadong mataas ang alcohol tolerance.

After sending them to their home, I went to my condo–not the latter one, kay Baste naman 'yon. May sarili kasi akong condo, ibinigay sa 'kin ng papa.

Narating ko 'yon nang maggabi na. I want to go to Levi's condo at exactly seven pm but I think I won't be able to do that. Because right after I open my condominium's door, Tito Sebastian's face welcomed me. Ama s'ya ni Baste.

"Tama ang hinala ko, pupunta ka nga dito." Sabi n'ya sa nakakatakot na boses.

Napaatras ako dahil sa takot. Kahit ilang taon na kami ni Leviste, hindi parin maalis sa isip ko ang nakakatakot n'yang ama. Hindi ko alam kung saan nagsimula ang takot na 'to ngunit alam kong dahil 'to sa aura at pagkatao n'ya.

Masyado siyang nakakatakot.

"S-sir,"

He smiled. "Stop calling me sir, Zhail. Tutal malapit na naman kayong magpakasal, why not call me daddy?"

My lips were trembling as well as my body but I still nodded. "Y-yes, d-dad."

"Good, now. . . I want to discuss something with you."

I nod my head and followed him. We entered the room together and sat on the sofa.

"Hindi na ako magpaligoy-ligoy pa, I want you to do something for me–oh no, mali pala. It's for Levi."

I was confused but I chose to stay quiet as he talk about it. I feel scared because of his tone, I don't like it.

"Simple lang naman, gusto kong pagbigyan mo ang gusto ng kumpare ko."

My eyes widened because of that. "W-what do you mean, dad?"

He crossed his legs together and folded his arms together before answering me. "I know you know what I mean, Aizhalie. After all, you're Aizel's daughter. It's not that surprising if you'll agree right away,"

My breathing started to ragged, even my heart beats so fast. I hate this, I really hate it when everyone compares me to my mother. She's not me, neither do i!

"Kung ano man 'yan, hindi ako papayag, dad."

"I won't let you do that, admit it. You still want this even though you'd a relationship with my son, malay ba namin na may lalaki ka pala sa ibang bansa?"

Napatayo ako sa sinabi n'ya. "I'm not my mom, Tito Sebastian! Magkaiba kami! Don't judge me, I love your son! I won't let you ruin us!" I said before storming out of my condo.

When I entered my car, tears started to fell from my eyes. I gripped the steering wheel tightly and cried all over. After that, I drove my car to Baste's condominium. I was even afraid he might see my bloodshot eyes.

"Hey, natagalan ka. Bakit?" he asked right after I enter his condo.

I smiled and avoided his gaze by putting my bag on the table. "Nagkainuman sila doon, hindi naman ako uminom pero napasali ako sa chismis nila." I said slightly chuckled.

"Hmm, I see."

I went to the kitchen and get a water from the refrigerator, napaigtad na lamang ako nang maramdaman ang init n'ya sa likuran ko. He hugged me from behind and kissing my nape while I put the pitcher back.

"Levi. . ." I said when he started to nibble my neck.

"Hmm?"

I drank the water first before pulling him to the sala. We both sat on the sofa but he kept on kissing and clinging to me. I just let him and when he finally stopped and just remained buried inside my shirt, I chuckled.

"Stop playing with my stomach, Baste. It tickles,"

He just hummed and continue licking my stomach. I let him do what he wanted, I just caressed his soft hair while thinking about what happened earlier. What does Tito's kumpare son like to do with me? Why me? Hindi ko naman sila kilala.

But then I remembered my mother, she's one of the influential people in our region. She has a lot of connection and everything about her were leaked like there's no such a scandal happening. As far as I remember, she's the one who posted the video just to ruin that man and she did, what she doesn't know that i've been suffering because of that.

All of the people around me looked at me like I was some whore. I feel harass and embarrassed at the same time. I couldn't blame them, my mom has a lot of scandal video. I don't even know how she manage to smile and talk like there's no something wrong.

"Hun?"

But even though I want to hate my mom, she's still my mother. She give me love and affection that I need, she just didn't know about my suffering because of her scandal. Which is, I think I did tell her at the first place.

"Hun?"

Nakabalik ako sa kasalukuyan nang marinig ang boses ni Levi. I looked down and saw him looking up at me, nailabas na n'ya ang ulo niya sa loob ng damit ko.

"Hmm?"

He hugged my waist and buried his face on my chest but his eyes remained on my eyes.

"What's the matter? You're in a deep thought,"

I smiled at him. "It's nothing, hon."

Inalis niya ang ulo niya sa dibdib ko at saka ako hinalikan. "I don't think so, care to share?"

I chuckled but then I hesitated. What if he'll hate his dad if he found out about it, sure not gonna happen because I won't let it.

"It's nothing, I'm okay, hon."

Levi cupped my face and kissed my lips deeply. We stared at both of our eyes while he's kissing me thoroughly.

"You can say it to me, you know you can trust me."

I shut my eyes shut and savored the moment. I kissed him back and hummed, telling him I'll tell it.

"Then, what is it?"

"I met your dad. . .  earlier," his body stilled but he hummed and let me talk. "He asked me to do something for him–no that's for you pala. I don't know what is it but I think I don't like the idea, especially when he mentioned my mom."

I heard Leviste's breathing so I opened my eyes. I stared at his red face but he just looked away, he's blushing and I don't know why my baby looks like that.

"Hey, what's the matter?"

He lowered his head and shook it like a baby. "No, tell me."

He looked back at me and bit his lower lip, he looked away as he sighed. "We talked about that too,"

Nagulat ako doon. But I stayed quiet and listened to him.

"He asked me for help, that man–yung anak ng kumpare n'ya–was obsessed with you. He wants to own you so he did everything to do claim what's he want so he tortured my dad, are you aware of what dad and your dad doing?"

I swallowed hard. Yes, of course I do. I was trained to do something for dad, though, I know her loves me. I know that he's been doing a lot of illegal transactions especially with some politics and co-workers in his league. Which is him, being the general.

I nodded at him so he continued. "That bastard dad was an influencer, he would be a big help for the both of them so they would use you. In exchange, they'll let us marry each other."

I gasped because of that. Ever since Levi and I had a relationship, no one dared to support us. Especially my dad, even though he's partnering with Levi's dad he still doesn't want me to end up with him.

So it's surprising to hear that even though he had a request.

"Is that it?" I asked and he nodded.

"Ano bang gagawin?"

Levi looked at me in complete shock. "You'll do it?" he asked and I nodded, he blushed because of that. "I-i don't know what will you do,"

I nodded and smiled at him. "No worries, love. I'll take care of it,"

After that, we dozed off right after we layed our body on our bed. I woke up early to see Tito Sebastian. I'll talk to him about what he wants.

"I was expecting you, come in." he said when I finally got in his office.

"Ano pong kailangan kong gawin?" I asked and lowered my head.

"Simple lang naman 'yon, your dad agreed with it so you don't have to worry. You just need to be Kael's slave for a day, we will do something that will lose his interest with you. Can you do that?"

I swallowed hard. Slave? Does that mean. . .

I shook my head and stood up. "I'm going," I said before storming out of his room.

Dumeretso ako sa condo ni Levi at sinabi sa kaniya ang lahat nang sinabi ni Tito, hindi ko nabanggit ang mga ayaw ko kaya ngumiti siya.

"Ayaw mo ba 'yon? Slave lang naman, magiging alipin ka lang n'ya sa kaunting panahon."

I stared at his face in complete shock. Natulala ko siya papalayo sa 'kin dahil sa sinabi niya, nagtatakang tumingin siya sa 'kin gamit ang nagtatanong na mata.

"What are you talking about, Leviste? You want me to do what they want!? Iyon ba!? Are you out of your mind!?" I shouted.

He lowered his head and right after that I left him, pumunta ako sa condo ko at doon nag stay. Halos dalawang araw na simula nang mag-away kami at talagang hinahanap ko ang katawan n'ya.

Right when I started to think about him, a knock on the door catched my attention. I opened the door and saw Levi standing in front of my condo.

"I don't want to force you, just let me in."

I want to protest but he's persistent, I sighed and let him in. "Don't do anything stupid, please lang pagod ako."

He looked at me and nodded inwardly. "I will, let's talk hmm?"

And here I goes again. Binababa ko na naman ang sarili ko, dahil na naman dito.

"What is it? What do you want?"

He looked at me tenaciously and smiled. "I miss you, I know it's against your will to do that. Hindi na kita pipilitin... bumalik ka lang sa'kin?"

I bit my lower lip when I felt myself getting softer again. Na naman! Nang dahil lang sa matamis niyang dila. Pero ano bang magagawa ko? Kahit na ano pang gawin ko bumabagsak parin ako sa kaniya.

"I love you." I said as an answer.

He smiled because of my answer, he come near me and kissed my forehead. Napapikit ako nang dahil doon. "I love you, hon. I love you,"

"Would you mind if. . . I'll ask why do you want me to do it?"

"Because I want to marry you, kapag hindi mo ginawa 'yon natatakot ako na baka hindi na kita mapakasalan pa."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya and right then, I decided. I'll do it.

"Are you sure about this? I thought you don't want to?" Tito Sebastian asked right when I told him I'll do what they wanted.

"I'm going to do it, Tito."

He nod his head and give me a folder. "Read it and you will know what you'll gonna do,"

Tumango ako sa sinabi n'ya at saka tumayo na at umalis.

"Were you be able to do it? Aizhalie it's dangerous, no one can do that. And... you're betraying him."

I didn't listen to Sivan and just walked through the hallway.  I was in the front of Kael's penthouse door and Sivan was with me. I smiled at her when I reach the door.

"I'm okay here, Astrid. You can go now," she looked at me worriedly but I smiled, assuring her so she nod her head and started to walked away.

I took a deep breath and let it go softly, I know I'm betraying Levi for doing this without him knowing it but I know he'll like this. It's for our marriage, yes it is. So I need to sacrifice.

I sighed and touched the door bell. Two bells and the door opened, a half naked man opened the door. Mukhang kakalabas n'ya lang ng banyo, I blinked numerous time and when I saw his smirk I turned around.

"Come on, my lady. You'll gonna see it throughout the night, come in." he said in a raspy voice.

I took a deep breath again and tell myself that I'm doing it for Levi, yes, for him.

I came inside his penthouse and roamed around his unit. Napaigtad na lang ako nang may humawak sa bewang ko, napalayo ako sa kaniya ay yumuko.

"You're here to satisfy me, right? Why are you avoiding my touch?"

I shivered, I'm expecting this but not this early! I suddenly want to back out, yes, I want to get out of here!

I shook my head and started to walk away from him but he catch my waist and pulled me closer to him. "Where are you going?"

He suddenly carried me and throw me to the sofa making me shout in pain. I started to tear up when he ripped my shirt leaving me with my brasserie and my cycling short. I covered my body with teary eyes and prayed to every patron to save me.

Right when he's ready to touch me when I heard a familiar voice.

"Don't touch her or I'll kill all of you."

I shivered because of that voice, I was not use to it. I started to cry because of my dad's look, he pointed the gun at Kael's head and that's when he pulled the trigger. I was shock and my body can't move, Tito Sebastian entered the unit and saw he saw Kael dead body, he became aggressive.

I wasn't be able to hear what he's saying because of too much shock, my dad just killed someone in front of me!

Oh my god.

This is not my father!

"You know your daughter is fucking innocent, Auxy! She will tell everything to the press!" Tito Sebastian said but I still can't process everything.

Then a gunshot from outside made me shivered.

"Kill her, just do it. We can't risk it, kill her!"

"I-i can't!"

I started to tear up, then Tito Sebastian pointed a gun at me. Wala akong naramdamang takot, I just stared at Tito Sebastian's blank and cold stares.

"Sebastian she's my daughter! Put your fucking gun down!"

But Tito didn't even hear him at all, right when he pulled the trigger, I feel scared. But I was late, I was shot right in my head.

That's when I lose my consciousness.