He rented an exclusive hotel near the ocean, and we stayed there for the night. Nakatulog akong nakayakap sa kanya habang banayad siyang kumakanta at nang magising ako ay may nakahanda na agad na pagkain.

"Don't get up yet," sabi niya nang makitang pabangon na ako.

Kumuha siya ng bed table at inilagay roon ang mga pagkain. He carefully placed everything there and smiled as he brought it to my front.

"Kobe..." I whispered, touched by the things he was doing.

Umupo rin siya sa kama. Magkaharap kami habang nasa gitna namin ang mesa. Pinapanood ko lang siya. Itinapat niya sa akin ang kutsara na may kanin at ulam.

Napalabi ako. "Ako na."

"Isa lang," he said as he shook his head. "If I knew you lost weight because of money, I would've given you my card."

Ngumanga ako at isinubo ang niluto niya.

"Hindi naman kailangan. Ibebenta ko naman ang mga gamit ko para magkapera ako," sagot ko habang may pagkain pa sa bibig ko.

He brushed the side of my lips. "Eat first."

Tumango na lang ako. Sinubukan kong kunin sa kanya ang kutsara ngunit umiling lang siya.

"Sabi mo, isa lang!" reklamo ko.

He chuckled. "You're forbidden to get tired."

Nahawa ako sa ngiti niya kaya hindi ko na siya pinigilan sa gusto niyang mangyari. Salitan kami sa pagkain. Dalawang beses niya akong susubuan tapos ay kakain din siya.

It was the most appetizing meal I'd ever had since the rumors about us began to circulate. We were laughing and joking around as if we didn't have a harsh reality and a cruel world to face. And I knew he was only doing that because of my meltdown yesterday.

Hindi niya nga ako pinakilos. Habang naghuhugas siya ng pinagkainan namin ay nag-ring ang cellphone ko na nasa mesa sa gilid ng kama. Kinuha ko iyon at agad na sinagot nang makitang si Ate Kat ang tumatawag.

"Karsen?" she muttered softly.

Pagkarinig palang ng malamyos niyang boses ay namuo na agad ang luha sa mga mata ko.

"Kumusta ka?"

I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from crying more. Baka kapag nakita ni Kobe na umiiyak na naman ako ay malungkot siya. I don't want that. He had done enough to soothe me.

"Hindi ako umuwi kagabi, Ate." My chest heaved. "Nasa hotel kami ni Kobe."

"Nabanggit nga sa akin ni Mari."

Tumango ako. "I miss you, Ate..."

"Uuwi ako kapag nakapag-leave ako sa trabaho. I'll cook for you." I could sense her smile as she said that. "Sorry wala ako sa tabi mo ngayon."

"Ayos lang, Ate. Kaya ko naman, eh."

Natahimik siya sa kabilang linya at naiwan akong nakikinig lang sa banayad niyang paghinga. Hindi rin ako nagsalita. Tumabi sa akin si Kobe at yumakap sa baywang ko.

"Si Ate Kat," I mouthed at him.

He nodded and nuzzled his face against my neck.

"Karsen, I have something to tell you," Ate Kat uttered.

"Hmm? Ano 'yon, Ate?"

She sighed. "Hindi ka muna p'wedeng umuwi dahil sinabi sa akin ni Mari kanina na marami raw reporters sa labas ng apartment."

Napakurap ako. Hindi naabot ng isip ko na posible iyon.

"At sa school n'yo..."

Worry started to fill my heart. No, not my education.

"Ate, third year na 'ko," nasabi ko. "P-Paano?"

Lumayo si Kobe sa akin at tiningnan ako. He didn't say anything.

"As much as I wanted you to focus on your studies, Karsen, mas gugustuhin ko pa ring masiguradong ligtas ka. Reporters are aggressive, and Jennifer's fans are even more aggressive. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang p'wedeng mangyari sa 'yo kapag nakita ka nila."

Umiling ako. "Titiisin ko, Ate..."

"No," she replied firmly. "People can kill you, Karsen. Ganoon sila kagalit... and I won't risk losing you, kaya makinig ka sa 'kin."

Tears formed in my eyes. Isa at kalahating taon na lang ay gagraduate na ako. I couldn't lose this now. Masyado na akong malayo para tumigil pa.

"Please, Karsen. Huhupa ang galit nila. Just wait." Rinig ko ang pag-aalala roon. "For the meantime, you should stay with Kobe. He could assure your safety."

"Gaano katagal? Isang sem? D-Dalawa?" My breathing hitched as I continuously shook my head. "Ma-la-late ako..."

"Are you with Kobe? Put me on speakers."

Tumingin muna ako sa lalaki bago sundin ang gustong mangyari ni Ate Kat. Parang hinahati ang puso ko sa mga posibilidad at sa mga bagay na kailangang magbago.

"Am I on speakers?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Oo, Ate..."

Umayos ng upo si Kobe. Kitang-kita ko kung paanong sumeryoso ang mukha niya. He heard our conversation. I'm sure he has an idea on what's going on.

"Kobe, after pulling the stunt yesterday, what's your plan?" straightforward na tanong ni Ate Kat.

"I have an exclusive online interview later because the media suddenly wanted to know our side."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko.

"Maraming reporters ang nag-aabang kay Karsen. Hire her own bodyguards."

"Ate Kat!"

Kobe nodded. "Consider it done."

"'Wag mo munang papasukin at pauuwiin," pagpapatuloy ni Ate Kat.

"Yeah..."

"Are you planning to file a lawsuit against your management?"

Umiling ang lalaki. "No, they would surely get away with it."

"Then how would you make them pay? Karsen is putting her life on line for this."

"I know." He glanced at me. "I have bigger plans for Soul Production."

"At ang pag-aaral ni Karsen?"

"Homeschool."

Naputol doon ang pagrehistro ng mga salita sa utak ko. Alam kong nag-aalala lang sila sa akin, pero hindi ko maiwasang masaktan sa plano nila para sa buhay ko. They were opening a new world for me... without even asking for my permission.

Alam kong mas alam nila ang ginagawa nila kaysa sa akin. Alam kong ayaw lang nila akong mapahamak. But I don't know. It felt as though my whole life wasn't mine to own anymore.

Tahimik lang ako nang ibalik sa akin ni Kobe ang cellphone. I should understand. They didn't want me to undergo the same pain and trouble again. Sumiksik si Kobe sa akin at hinigit ako pahiga ng kama. He hugged me, and only a few minutes later, I heard his steady breathing on my neck.

My heart ached at that. Alam kong hindi siya natulog kagabi dahil tuwing naaalimpungatan ako ay nakikita ko siyang nakatayo at nakatanaw sa labas, halatang maraming iniisip.

Umiling ako sa sarili. Karsen, he was risking everything for you... he only wanted you safe. Hindi ko na dapat isipin ang magiging pagbabago sa buhay ko dahil simula nang pasukin ko ang mundo niya ay alam kong maraming puwedeng mangyari. I didn't expect it to be this extent where he would lose his career, but it already happened... and there was nothing I could do about it.

"Thank you, Kobe, for choosing our show for your intimate interview," saad ng babaeng host. "I was delighted when you accepted our invitation."

Ngumiti si Kobe. Nasa harap niya lang ako habang nakikipag-usap sa babae sa screen kaya kita ko ang ekspresyon niya. "Well, the pleasure is mine."

"I will not beat around the bush," the host uttered.

Kobe nodded, and it doubled my heartbeat.

"Are you in a relationship with Jennifer Austria?" straightforward na tanong ng babae.

There was a moment of silence until Kobe shook his head.

"No. Not in any way."

He took a glance at me, but I couldn't give him any encouragement.

"So... it's all just a show?"

"You can say that," Kobe replied, with conviction. "She was chosen by my management to be the muse in my music videos, and they started promoting our team because people liked what they saw."

"You never liked her?"

Kobe pursed his lips. "She's nice and beautiful, but no... I wasn't interested in her in that manner."

Tumango-tango ang host. "Alam ba 'to ng Soul Production? Are they pushing you to be with her?"

Kobe clasped his hands together and nodded. "I told them I didn't want an on-screen partner because I knew this would happen... but when you work in an industry where you place yourself in a position to be criticized, there's not much you can do."

"Are you in conflict with your management right now?"

"I wouldn't say that." He shook his head. "Soul Production helped my music grow and they did nothing but the best for me over the years. But their statement about not renewing my contract was my initial plan. I wasn't really planning to renew my contract with them... not after what they did."

Tumango ang host. "Sinabi mo kanina na you told them that you didn't want an on-screen partner and they violated it. Why? I mean, can you elaborate?"

Kobe took a deep breath. Pansin ko ang kaba niya.

"I don't want an on-screen partner because I hate pretensions. Hindi ako artista. I don't need that. That's my only request to my management, but since we needed a leading lady for my music videos... I saw this one coming. Na pagtatambalin kami ni Jen at lahat ng babaeng makikitang kasama ko would be labeled as my mistress." Mabilis ulit siyang tumingin sa akin. "And before this thing fires up even more, I have to kill the ignition."

"Why are you doing this, Kobe? Even if you're a public figure, everyone knows that you value your privacy. Marami nang lumabas na issue sa 'yo before pero wala kang in-address kahit isa. And you showed up at a university yesterday with your rumored girlfriend. Why?"

Napangiti si Kobe. "Because this is the only way I can protect my priority."

"Your career?" she asked.

Umiling ang lalaki. "My girlfriend."

Umawang ang bibig ko sa naging sagot niya. The side of his lips rose when he noticed my reaction. Kahit ang host ay halatang nagulat sa sinabi niya dahil hindi agad siya nakapagsalita.

"Dior Kobe Gallardo is really in love?" The host chuckled heartily. "That's quite a headline, Kobe!"

He shrugged. "After what I did yesterday, isn't it obvious? She's receiving a lot of hate, and I can't just sit back and watch her endure everything just because she's in a relationship with me."

Naninikip ang dibdib ko sa saya.

"Dawn Karsen, huh?" magiliw na saad ng host.

"Yeah." He smiled. "And for everyone's information, she's not an entertainer or a hostess, and I didn't meet her in a club. Kasama siya ni Jen sa pinamimilian para maging leading lady ng music videos ko. Stop harassing her. I don't expect you to support my relationship, but at least respect us... or my girlfriend. She doesn't deserve any of your hate."

The online interview ended, but he caught me still staring at him. Isinarado niya ang laptop habang nakatingin din sa akin.

"Why?" tanong niya.

I stood up, sat on his lap, and pressed my face against his neck. "I love you, Kobe."

His chest heaved. Natahimik siya sa narinig ngunit maya-maya ay naramdaman ko ang kamay niyang pumapaikot na sa baywang ko.

"I love you, too... so much," he muttered gently.

Tumango ako... dahil ramdam ko iyon. Ramdam ko ang pag-iingat, pag-aalaga, at pagmamahal niya.

Our love is enough to overcome all the challenges coming our way. I was sure of that. Basta magkasama kami, kaya naming harapin ang mundong hindi kami tanggap.

Kahit na nang mag-viral ang interview niya nang mga sumunod na araw at wala halos naniwala, ayos lang. Kahit na mas sumang-ayon ang mga tao na si Jennifer ang kawawa, ayos lang. Kahit na tuwing lalabas kami ay may takot pa rin na baka may sumugod sa akin, ayos lang.

Ayos lang ang lahat dahil hindi kailanman binitawan ni Kobe ang kamay ko. He hugged me through all the storms and sunshine. Wala akong ibang dapat isipin.

His projects stopped coming. His well-established name was stained. His once good reputation completely took a turn. He had a mall show but only a few people bought his tickets, forcing him to cancel it. He lost his fans and supporters. May mga natira, pero hindi na kasing dami.

I knew it hurt him. He worked so hard, but in just a snap, everything was taken away from him.

Hindi na rin ako pumasok. The students were still fuming mad at me, and I didn't dare to face them again... not after everything they told me.

Pero ang pinakamasakit sa lahat, hindi na rin ako nakauwi. Kahit ilang linggo na ang nagdaan ay may mga pumupunta pa ring fans ni Jennifer sa apartment at tinetyempuhan ako. I knew it because Mill and Mari told me. Sa pad ako ni Kobe tumuloy kung saan ako nag-ho-homeschool.

From: Eddie

Puwede ba tayong mag-usap?

I received that text after my afternoon session with my teacher. Mamayang gabi pa darating si Kobe dahil may meeting siya ngayon sa Soul Production tungkol sa kontrata niya. Hindi ko na matandaan kung kailan kami huling nag-usap ni Eddie at ngayong may text siya ay hindi ko maiwasang ma-miss siya. He was my only classmate who stood by my side.

To: Eddie

I miss you :(

He immediately replied.

From: Eddie

Tatawag ako.

I was excited. After only a few seconds, my cellphone rang. Mabilis kong sinagot ang tawag, nakangiti at tuwang-tuwa.

"Eddie!" I exclaimed. "Kumusta ka?"

"Homeschooled ka na pala?" bungad niya sa akin.

"Oo..."

He chuckled sarcastically. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong kinabahan dahil doon.

"Sana sinabi mo sa 'kin para hindi ako parang tangang naghihintay ng thesis partner na hindi naman pala sisipot."

Umawang ang bibig ko sa timbre ng boses niya.

"Naiintindihan ko ang sitwasyon mo, Karsen, pero ganoon ba kahirap na i-text ako?!" galit na sigaw niya. "Kung hindi pa sinabi ni Ma'am na kulang ako ng dalawang libo sa thesis fee ay hindi ko malalaman na hindi ka pa pala nagbabayad! Hindi ko pa malalaman na wala na pala akong ka-partner!"

I trembled at the anger in his voice. Hindi siya kailanman nagalit sa akin at ngayon... I knew I was to blame.

"S-S-Sorry, Eddie..." My voice was small. "N-Nawala kasi sa... isip ko..."

"Naghihintay ako ng pagpapasa mo ng part mo... but you didn't." Bahid ko ang galit sa tinig niya. "And that's your reason? Nawala sa isip mo?"

Halos magdugo ang labi ko sa tindi ng pagkagat ko roon. "E-Eddie..."

"Sorry din, pero hindi kita kayang intindihin ngayon."

Before I could say another word, he dropped my call. Sinubukan kong tawagan uli siya ngunit hindi na pumapasok ang mga tawag ko. Natulala ako sa kawalan kasabay ng paninikip ng dibdib ko. Kasalanan ko... ni hindi ko naalalang sabihin sa kanya na hindi na ako makakapasok ulit dahil napuno ng ibang bagay ang isip ko.

I breathed deeply. Did I just lose him? The one who could protect me whenever my friends weren't around... did I lose him? At that time, hindi ako makaiyak. Puno ng pangamba ang puso ko pero walang tumulong luha sa mata ko. I knew I had to apologize to him. Siya ang nag-se-send ng notes sa akin kapag absent ako. Siya rin ang nag-aayos sa akin tuwing may raket kami. Hindi dapat kami matapos sa ganito lang.

Sa ganoong posisyon ako naabutan ni Kobe.

"What's going on?" he asked as he removed his jacket.

"Galit sa akin si Eddie," malungkot na sagot ko. "H-Hindi ko kasi nasabi sa kanya na mag-ho-homeschool na 'ko. May thesis kami tapos sinalo niya lahat ng parte ko."

"Do you want me to talk to him?" Lumapit siya sa akin.

"Nahihiya ako sa kanya." Umiling ako. "Hindi ko alam kung paano ko pa siya lalapitan."

"Wait some time... and then talk to him, okay?"

I nodded. That was the only choice I had. Hindi ko siya puwedeng piliting makipag-ayos sa akin dahil lang mabigat sa loob ko ang pagtatalo namin.

"My contract..." Kobe trailed off.

Naalerto ako. "Hmm? Kumusta?"

"It ended today," he whispered as he shook his head.

I knew it would happen, but my heart still throbbed in pain. Kobe and Soul Production mutually decided not to renew his contract. Alam kong labas ako roon... pero hindi ko maatim na tanggapin na ako ang nagsimula ng gulo sa pagitan nila.

"Bakit ka malungkot? It's okay."

Tumayo ako at niyakap siya. "Sa 'kin mo pa talaga itatago?"

"Hmm?"

"That you're hurting."

Natahimik siya. For several years under his management, he surely created a lot of memories with them. His confidence was boosted because of their constant motivation. His talents and skills had improved. Bago pa ako dumating sa buhay niya ay kasama niya na sila. I'm sure it would hurt. Kahit magkagalit na naghiwalay, I knew it would hurt.

"Bad day for us..." bulong ko.

He shook his head. "As long as you're here, I'm okay."

Lumipas ang mga araw na wala kaming ibang ginawa kung hindi ang manatili sa pad niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sinasabi niyang plano niya sa Soul Production pero hindi ko na iyon itinanong. Chloe, Kuya Enzo, and our bodyguards stayed by his side, and since he was still filthy rich, despite not doing tours and shows, he could easily pay them.

May mga araw rin naman na lumalabas na kami, hindi na alintana ang tingin ng mga tao. Sa mga restaurant, bistro, at mall. It was as if we had stopped caring about others' opinions of us. I tried reaching out to Eddie again, but he wasn't replying. Iniisip ko na lang na hindi pa siya handang kausapin ako.

"May nangyayari na ba sa inyo?" tanong ni Mill nang minsan siyang bumisita sa pad ni Kobe.

My eyes widened. "Wala pa!"

Nakakaloko siyang ngumisi. "Ang tagal n'yo nang nagli-live in, wala pa rin?"

"H-Hindi kami nagli-live in, Millicent!" Uminit ang mukha ko. "Nasa kwarto lang si Kobe. 'Wag kang masyadong maingay..."

"Live in ang tawag sa set-up n'yo, gaga." She laughed.

Ikinunot ko ang noo. "Ah, basta! Walang nangyayari sa amin."

"Hina naman ni Kobe."

"Mill!" I hissed.

"How far did you go?"

Nagmamakaawa akong tumingin sa kanya. "S-Stop it..."

"Damot sa details." She chuckled again.

Ngumuso ako. "Kiss lang."

"Weh?"

Alam kong kulay kamatis na ako ngayon dahil sa panggigisa niya. Hindi pa nakatulong na naalala ko ang mga ginagawa namin ni Kobe. Magkatabi kami sa iisang kama! Wala pang nangyayari sa amin, pero syempre...

I shook my head to erase my dirty thoughts. Bwisit kasi si Mill, eh!

"Ano nga?" pangungulit pa niya. "Nahawakan na boobs mo?"

Lalong nag-init ang mukha ko.

"Oh, my god! Talandi ka!"

Malakas kong hinampas ang braso niya habang tawa naman siya nang tawa.

"Kapag may nangyari na sa inyo, balitaan mo 'ko, ha?" Hindi pa rin siya nagpapigil. "Kailangan ko ng details at tutorial dahil hindi pa sapat ang nasa porn."

"Millicent!"

Hindi ko na naiisip na may maikukwento ako sa kanya dahil hindi ko naman naiisip na may mangyayari sa amin ni Kobe. We never crossed our boundaries. Kapag tumatagal ang halikan namin at nasa kama kami ay siya ang unang umiiwas. Tatayo lang siya at magpupunta na sa banyo.

But now that we are celebrating our anniversary since we met each other on a private island, Mill's teases haunt my trail of thoughts.

"What do you want to eat?" Kobe asked as he snaked his arm around my waist.

Napakasimpleng tanong, pero nag-init na agad ang mukha ko.

"K-Kahit ano..."

He chuckled. "My lips?"

"Kobe!"

"Chill, I'm joking!" tawa ulit niya.

Kaya nga nakakabadtrip kasi joke lang!

Kaming dalawa, helpers, at nag-aasikaso ng water activities lang sa buong isla ang naroon. May malaking villa rin kung saan kami nag-s-stay. We had planned our one-week getaway. Dahil wala na siyang masyadong pinagkakaabalahan ay mas marami na rin siyang oras sa akin.

We spent the entire day by the sea. Nag-kayaking, snorkeling, at paddleboarding kami. Wala akong kaalam-alam sa mga ganoon dahil pagsisid lang naman ang naaalala kong ginagawa namin noon kapag naliligo kami sa ilog. Mabuti na lang talaga at may kasama kaming professional divers ni Kobe. Kahit kasi sinabi sa akin ng lalaki na sanay siya sa ganoon ay natakot pa rin ako.

When sunset came, we sat on the shore and watched it together. Nakalingkis ang braso niya sa hubad kong baywang dahil naka-two piece lang ako. He was also only wearing his board shorts, which caused our skin to touch.

"Do you want to marry me?" he asked.

Ngumiti ako at humilig sa dibdib niya. "Oo naman."

Sa mga nagdaang buwan ay napatunayan kong hindi na ako magmamahal nang kagaya ng pagmamahal ko sa kanya. He was the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me. The one whom I loved... the one that God allowed... and the one who saw the light in me amidst the crowd.

Iniwan niya ang lahat, pero hindi ako.

"Like right now?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Huh?!"

Bumaba rin ang tingin niya sa akin, punong-puno ng emosyon ang mga mata. "I'd love that."

"Gusto mong ikasal tayo ngayon?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko. "Siraulo ka."

"I'm serious, Karsen."

Lumayo ako sa kanya at tinitigan ang mukha niya. I was trying to search for humor... but failed.

"N-Ngayon? Dito?"

He heaved a sigh. "Nah. I'll give you a proper wedding." He went near me and tucked some loose strands of my hair behind my ears. "But, yeah... I really want to marry you. I can't wait to marry you." He took a deep breath and tilted his head. "Isa pa, ayoko nang ikulong ka sa isang bahay nang hindi tayo ikinakasal."

It warmed my heart. Kasama niya na talaga ako sa mga plano niya. Wala na talaga sa isip niya ang paghahanap ng iba.

Hindi ko pinigilan ang sarili. Tumingkayad ako at inabot ang labi niya. I threw my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Mabilis na pumaikot ang braso niya sa baywang ko at halos mag-init ang buong pagkatao ko nang maramdaman ang marahan niyang pagpisil doon. Hinigit niya ako papalapit sa kanya at agresibong inatake ng halik ang labi ko. His warm hand went up to my breast and squeezed it lightly.

"K-Kobe..." Napahalinghing ako.

"Hmm?"

"Baka may makakita sa atin..."

He chuckled at my neck. "Then let them see how much I love you."

Mahihinang mura na lang ang nabanggit ko nang patakan niya ng maliliit na halik ang leeg ko. I moved lightly, and my cheeks heated when I felt his manhood. He grunted roughly, and before I knew it, I found myself lying on the sand, with him on top.

"God, you're breaking my principles," he said and kissed me more.