This chapter is dedicated to: artyngel

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"Babe, its been awhile!"

He spreaded his arms as he walked near me. Habang ako ay agad na napaatras.

His smirk widened at my sudden back down. Lalong bumilis ang paglapit niya hanggang sa tuluyan niya akong maabot.

He held my cheeks as he tilted his head while started leaning forward. "Didn't you missed me?"

Akmang hahalikan niya ako ngunit agad na nahawi ni Spencer ang mga kamay niya na nasa aking pisngi.

"Wait. Wait, who are you?" Spence pushed him away from me. Matapos ay pumagitna siya sa amin.

Even Spencer's in front of me, I can see how the fucker grimaced at what Spence did.

Hinanap niya ang aking mga mata at hindi pinansin si Spencer. "Tangina! Ang dami mo talagang lalaki, Rylli! Akala ko ba si Markov? Sino na naman 'to?" Tiim bagang na sambit niya bago muling nagpatuloy. "Darn it! Should I chain you and fuck you ha--"

"Who the hell are you?" Muling ulit ni Spencer. He's now using his cold baritone voice. It almost sent shiver down my spine.

That's when the fucker faced Spence. "Draven Ynares, Rylli's boyfriend. You are?"

I clenched my hand into a fist as my teeth gritted. I can feel my insides shaking in anger.

"Really?" Tanong ni Spencer sa tono na tila hindi kapanipaniwala ang narinig.

"I don't believe you," natatawang sambit ni Spence. I can't see his reaction but it seems like its annoying Draven. Dahil nahuli ko ang pagtalim ng mga mata nito at pagyukom ng kamay. His chest's heaving up and down as he stared at Spencer.

"The fuck are you saying?" Draven muttered in between his gritted teeth.

"You're a dickhead. Hindi ka papatulan ni Rylli."

Agad na namilog ang aking mga mata sa sinabi ni Spencer. Alam ko na kung ano ang patutunguhan ng usapang ito. Though I can't help but chuckle at what Spencer said!

"Gago ka, ah!" Agad na lumipad ang kamay ni Draven kay Spencer.

He pushed me a bit, dahil baka ako ang maabot ng kamao ni Draven.

Hindi tumama ang kamao niya kay Spencer na lalong nakapagpabakas ng galit sa kanyang mukha.

Draven was still distracted on his missed punch when Spencer lifted his fist as it landed directly at the fucker's face.

He almost stumbled on the parking lot's floor but Spencer immediately grasped his polo, preventing him to fall on the ground.

Spence made Draven faced him as his fist flown for the second time at the fucker's face, this time in his nose. Dahilan para agad iyong dumugo.

I was wrong when I thought Spencer would let Draven go. Because after making him bleed, he harshly grabbed Draven's collar using both of his hands. This time they're now facing each other.

Wala pa rin sa sarili si Draven dahil sa suntok ni Spence. "Listen to me, you motherfucker."

At dahil bahagyang matangkad si Spencer ay nakaanggat sa lupa ang mga paa ni Draven. I can see Spencer's grip in his collar tightened. Muli niyang hinila si Draven ay mas inanggat ito upang magpantay ang kanilang mga mata.

"No one gave you rights to disrespect a woman, through words neither action, fucker!" mariing sambit ni Spencer bago ito muling sumuntok, this time it caught Draven's stomach, kasabay noon ang pagbitaw ni Spencer sa kuhelyo ni Draven.

Ynares kept cursing at Spencer but Spence's now walking towards the driver's seat. "Let's go, Rylli."

I was rooted in my place for a quite while. Maybe I'm still shocked. Ngunit ngayong nakabawi na, hindi ko hahayaang basta na lamang umalis ang lintik na Draven na 'to.

"Ynares!" I called.

From the side of my eyes, I caught Spencer stopped on his track. Bukas na ang pinto ng kanyang kotse ngunit hindi pa pumapasok doon at nakamasid pa sa amin.

Agad na umangat sa akin ang mga mata ni Draven. Sinusubukang tumayo ng maayos, bahagya ring nakangisi sa akin at tila wala lang ang sinabi ni Spencer. "Yes, babe?"

My feet immediately found its way towards him. At nang tuluyan kaming magkaharap ay matamis ko siyang nginitian. I held both of his shoulders as my knee forcefully flew on the thing in between his thighs. "Fuck you," I whispered while still smiling at him.

"Fuck!" Namilog ang mga mata niya matapos rumehistro ang sakit sa kanyang mukha. "Damn you, woman!"

"That's Rylli!" Spencer cheered.

I walked towards the passenger's seat without looking back at the asshole. Dire-diretso ako sa paglalakad kahit naririnig kong minumura ako ni Draven habang namamalipit sa sakit. The hell I care.

I was too preoccupied because of what happened earlier. Dahilan para hindi ko mapansin na huminto na ang kotse ni Spencer. Nakalabas na siya ng kotse at nakaikot na sa aking gawi para pagbuksan ako ng pinto. That's when I blinked as I shrugged the thoughts about Draven off.

He closed the door behind me after I got out of the car. Bumaling siya sa backseat para kunin ang mga laruan. While my eyes darted at the entrance of the place where Spencer asked me to go with him.

Agad na kumunot ang aking noo at namilog ang mga mata nang matanto kung nasaan kami. My lips parted as I angled my head. I let out a sarcastic breath as I turned to Spencer. "What the hell is this?"

"An orphanage," he answered in a matter-of-fact tone. It made my jaw clenched.

"I know, Spencer. Why the hell did you--" mariin akong napapikit. "Fuck," I cursed.

Muling nahagip ng aking paningin ang pangalan ng ampunan.

Haven of Hope Orphanage.

Of all places, damn it! Dito talaga? Dito siya magpapasama?

"Rylli--"

"You know how I hate going to an orphanage, especially this one!" Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili na hindi mapasigaw.

Marahas akong napahilamos sa aking mukha. "Alam mo naman na ayoko ng bumalik sa ampunan. Spence, naman?"

Napatigil siya sa pagkuha ng mga laruan ay tuluyan ng napaharap sa akin. "I know, I know. But come on, ngayon lang 'to. Just give me this one, Ry."

"Spencer," I whined.

"This won't take long. I promise." He gave me a smile, assuring me about what he said.

I let out a deep breath. "Half an hour."

"One hour," tawad niya.

Agad na naningkit ang aking mga mata kaya't napatawa na lamang siya.

"Alright, half an hour then." He sighed in defeat. Tila natakot pa na bawiin ko ang kalahating oras na ibinigay.

At hindi na siya nagsayang ng oras. He immediately dragged me towards the orphanage.

A nun named Josephine welcomed us. Iginiya niya kami sa silid kung nasaan ang mga bata.

Nagtakbuhan ang mga ito palapit sa amin, lalo na kay Spencer matapos makitang papalapit kami. Para bang kilala na ng mga bata si Spencer. Don't tell me he always visit this orphanage?

They cheered as they started speaking simultaneously. I even heard someone asked who I am and if I'm Spence's girlfriend.

Unfortunately, their Uncle Spencer can't talk to them because of the toys he's carrying. Tulad ng kanina, halos matabunan na ang mukha niya dahil sa dami ng laruan.

"Children, what did I told you?"

"Always behave, Mother Josie." Sabay-sabay na sagot ng mga bata, matapos ay agad na nagsitahimikan ang mga ito. Some even acted like they're zipping their mouth while giggling.

There were approximately twenty to thirty children and I think they're four to ten years old?

May mga dumating na staffs or I think volunteers at kinuha ng mga iyon ang laruan para tulungan si Spence at inilapag iyon sa table sa aming likuran.

"What did Tito Spencer promised?" He asked while he's grinning from ear to ear.

"Toys! Toys! Toys!" The kids cheered. Muling nangibabaw ang ingay ng mga bata at nangingiting napailing na lamang ang madre.

Even Spencer can't help but laugh at the children's reaction.

"I already have them with me!"

The children applaud once more at Spencer's declaration.

Nanatili sa mga bata ang aking mga mata. But I was interrupted when Spencer leaned on my ear.

"Akala ko napipilitan ka lang sumama rito?"

Nahihiwagaan akong bumaling sa kanya. "Yes, I was force--"

"Your smile looks pretty genuine, Rylli." He concluded, still whispering.

That's when I realized a smile is already plastered in my lips. Akmang sasagot pa ako ngunit muli na niyang binalingan ang mga bata.

"Alright. Fall in line first, kids."

He gave me a quick glance as he wiggled his brows. I playfully rolled my eyes on him. He smirked.

Bakas ang saya sa mga ngiti ni Spencer habang isa-isang binibigyan ng laruan ang mga bata.

I was just beside Spencer the whole time while still holding the doll house he bought. Ipinakilala niya rin sa ako sa mga bata bago namigay ng mga laruan.

Halos kalahati na ang nabigyan niya nang may isang madreng dumating kasama ang tatlo pang bata.

"Tito Spence!" One of the kids who just got in the room called.

Agad na bumaling sa direksyon ng mga bagong dating ang mga mata ni Spencer. The girl who called Spencer is wearing a dress while her hair is in a braid. Malawak ang ngiting kinawayan nito si Spencer.

Spence waved back while returning the same wide smile of the kid.

Akmang tatakbo papalapit kay Spencer ang bata ngunit agad itong napigilan ng madre, siguro ay sinabihang pumila. Hindi naman nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ng bata. She gladly obliged as she fall in line. Ito ang nasa pinakahuli ng pila dahil na rin nahuli.

My eyes narrowed as I eyed the kid. Her smile didn't falter as she patiently waited for her turn. Guess she's the favorite, huh? I shrugged.

And when the girl in dress is already in front of me, Spencer immediately squat. Dahilan para mapantayan nito ang bata. Spence immediately spreaded his arms, welcoming the kid.

Kami na lamang ang magkakaharap dahil abala na sa kaniya kaniyang laruan ang ibang mga bata.

"Tito Spencer!" She immediately run towards Spencer as she clung her little arms in his neck for a hug.

"Happy birthday, Hetty!" Spencer greeted.

So its her birthday? Well, the favorite and the birthday celebrant, huh?

"Thank you po!"

Ilang sandali lang ay naghiwalay na ang dalawa. Marahang ginulo ni Spencer ang buhok ng bata bago bumaling sa akin.

"Hetty, this is..." he trailed off as he cleared his throat. "This is your Tita Rylli."

He introduced us unto each other and I immediately gave her a smile.

Bumaling sa akin ang bata. Malawak ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. "Hello, Tita Rylli!"

Ginaya ko ang posisyon ni Spencer para mapantayan ang bata. Bahagyang nakaangat ang aking kamay dahil sa lalagyan ng doll house na hanggang ngayon ay nasa akin pa ring mga kamay. "Nice to meet you, Hetty!"

"How's the birthday girl?"

"I'm fine, Tito Spence!"

"Happy birthday, Hetty!" I greeted as I handed her the large paperbag containing the doll house Spencer bought.

Her eyes widened as excitement gleamed on it. "Thank you, Tita Rylli," sambit niya matapos kunin ang laruang iniaabot ko.

I somehow see myself from Hetty. Those smile I used to wear when I was a kid feels the same with hers.

"That's actually from your Uncle Spencer," I muttered.

"Your Tita Rylli bought that from her money. That's from her."

I shook my head. "No. That's from Spencer."

Hetty's alternately looking at us. Kung sino ang nagsasalita ay doon siya tumitingin na para bang naguguluhan din sa amin ni Spencer.

Ilang ulit pa kaming nagturuan bago sumuko si Spence. "Alright. That's from the both of us, Hetty."

We stayed at the orphanage until five and the moon's almost peeking at the sky. Hindi nasunod ang sinabi kong kalahating oras dahil ako mismo ay hindi namalayan na tumagal na kami roon. Mother Superior even invited us to lunch. There's a little celebration because of Hetty's birthday. Kaya't pagkatapos ng lunch, hindi pa rin namin piniling umalis. We watched as the kids played with birthday games.

And as Spencer started driving his car, that's when I remember what happened earlier.

I heaved a deep sigh but I make sure Spencer won't hear it. Agad kong kinapa ang aking phone at inilabas iyon upang magtipa ng mensahe.

Amaryllis:

Mav?

Hindi na ako naghintay ng matagal dahil agad naman siyang sumagot.

Maverick:

Yes, Rylli? Still with your friend?

Amaryllis:

Yes. Where are you? Still at your office?

Maverick:

In the conference room. Still have a meeting but will adjourn in a minute.

Why, want me to fetch you?

Amaryllis:

No, no need. Focus on your meeting. I'll see you later.❤️

I bit my lower lip as I stared at my message and the emoji I used in the end. Ibinalik ko na sa bulsa ang aking phone at hindi na hinintay pa ang sagot ni Maverick.

Matapos ay pigil ang ngiti akong bumaling kay Spencer. I caught him glancing at me and I playfully raised my brow.

"May pupuntahan pa tayo?" I asked.

Mabilis siyang sumulyap sa akin. "I'm planning an early dinner but if you have an appointment with someone, you can go. Do you have?"

I nodded. "Sa MPL na lang ako."

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