It's been weeks since that news circulated all over media. Ni hindi ko magawang lumabas ng condo dahil nakaabang ang mga reporters sa ibaba.

"Can I go now?" tanong ko sa front desk mula sa isang telepono.

"Ms. Sicillian, marami pa pong reporters at cameraman sa labas. Hindi pa po kayo maaaring magpakita sa media," aniya.

Padarag kong ibinalik ang telepono sa lalagyan. Shit! Tinawagan ako ni dad kagabi and he immediately closed the front door of the condo. Lahat ng renters dito ay walang nagawa kundi ang maglabas-pasok sa exit na exclusive for them.

My food is handpicked by the chefs downstairs. Ni hindi ko magawang umorder online kahit sawang-sawa na ako sa pagkain na paulit-ulit pinapakain sa akin.

"Damn, damn, damn!"

Hindi pa rin nakakabalik si Crescent since the day he told me na gagawan niya ito ng paraan.

My phone vibrates and saw Coleman's name.

"Hello, Cole?"

"Did you watch the news already?"

"News tungkol saan?"

Dali-dali kong binuksan ang laptop ko at nanood ng live News Channel. Hindi ko pa kasi napapalitan ang TV kong nasira dahil sa remote na tinapon ko.

"About you..."

"Hold on."

I saw Traxia's face appeared on the camera. She was approaching the stage with mics all over the front table. Cameras were flashing before her eyes pero hindi siya nabubulag nito.

"What is Traxia doing there?" I asked.

"We'll find out, George."

Iniharap ko nang mabuti ang laptop and Cole decided to face time me instead. Pinanood naming mabuti ang balita. Traxia started talking after greeting everyone.

"Thank you for coming in a short notice everyone. I would like to clarify that my dear cousin, Dr. Georgia Sicillian, has nothing to do with the death of the Torres' brothers," she said and glanced at the paper down her.

"Is she reading something?" tanong ni Cole. "Scripted yata yan, George."

I know that because my evil cousin will never apologize to me!

"Doctor's tries everything to save their patient's lives, but sometimes they fail. An accident killed Mr. Torres Raul. My cousin saved him but his body didn't fight. Meanwhile, Mr. Torres Romeo doesn't have any family member so the hospital decided to announce his death by the term 'DNR' or if that makes sense to you, guys."

I saw how Traxia's eyes averted to the audience, like she's trying to find someone in the crowd.

"A-And the chief executive officer, Mr. Federic Malavar knows about this. My cousin has his permission and decided not to take it out on the media because it's a casualty. Things happened for a reason," she again glanced at the audience.

Those eyes never lie, Traxia. I know you're looking for someone.

"I'm done. Questions will be entertain never!" matigas niyang ibinalik sa lalagyan ang mic at bumaba ng stage.

Nakita ko kung paano siya inalalayan ni Pierre. He really knows how to do his job with Satan's spawn.

"Ms. Pareidolia, may tanong pa po kami."

"Can you elaborate what you said?"

"Aksidente ba talaga iyon?"

"Did you lie to gain attention?"

I think Traxia heard that question because she looked back at the reporter with a gritted teeth.

"Yes! I lied to gain attention, happy?" she rolls her eyes and walked away.

Pierre protected her from all the reporters who tried to pull her back. Isinara ko ang laptop at huminga ng malalim.

"What just happened?" si Cole.

"Things happen, Cole," napangiti ako.

Sa wakas. Makakabalik na ako sa trabaho but that doesn't conclude na maniniwala ang lahat sa kanyang sinabi. Traxia is the biggest liar and fabricator ever! She's my cousin, but I despise her.

No one knows when she's telling the truth or not. No one knows whether she's lying or not.

Coleman decided to end the call. Nakangiti pa rin ako habang nagluluto ng omelette sa kusina. I can't believe Traxia did that for me. But... she looks nervous during the interview.

"Georgia," his deep voice called, sending shivers down my spine.

Gaya nang dati, ni hindi ko malaman-laman kung nakapasok na ba siya o hindi dahil sobrang tahimik ng kanyang galaw.

Nagpakita siya sa akin pagkatapos ng isang linggo! How could he?

"Saan ka galing?" pinatay ko muna ang stove bago siya tinignan. "Isang linggo ka ring nawala, ah."

"Sorry," naupo siya sa sofa at ipinahinga ang ulo sa headdress. "I fixed things for you."

"For me?"

"Have you seen the interview?" umarko ang perpekto niyang kilay.

"Y-You did that? You..." natigil ako sa paglalakad. "What did you do to make my cousin do that?"

"I threatened her a little," ngumisi siya. "She's so fun."

Nanghina ako sa kanyang sinabi at aksidente kong nabitawan ang plato kaya't nagkalat ang basag na bubog dito sa sahig.

What does he mean by that?

"What's wrong?" he looks at my feet.

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang makita akong lumalapit sa kanya. Nakapaa lang ako kaya ramdam na ramdam ko ang maliliit na bubog na lumalalim sa aking paa.

"W-What did you say?"

"Georgia, stop walking!" he demands in an authoritative voice.

Hindi ko siya pinakinggan. Nagpatuloy ako.

"D-Did you fuck my cousin, Crescent?"

"I didn't! Now stop. Huwag kang gumalaw, kukuha ako ng pamunas."

I paused. Pinagmasdan ko ang umaagos na dugo mula sa aking mga paa. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang hapdi kaya't naiyak ako.

"Crescent..." I cried.

Mabilis niya akong binuhat paakyat sa kwarto ko at pinaupo sa aking kama. Iniwan niya muna ako saglit upang kunin ang first aid kit sa cabinet. Iyak lang ako nang iyak dahil sa kahapdian ng bubog. Nakalimutan ko na sobrang sakit pala magkasugat.

"Stop crying. It's your fault," aniya habang ginagamot ang sugat ko.

"It's your fault! Kung hindi mo lang iyon sinabi, hindi ko sana nabitawan ang plato!"

Hindi siya nagsalita at ipinagpatuloy ang paggamot sa akin.

"I'm sorry. You must have misunderstood me," pinaikot niya ang bandage sa buo kong paa matapos kunin ang bubog sa loob.

"Is she fun to be with, Crescent?"

"Little kitten, it's not what you think."

"Ipaliwanag mo sa akin nang maintindihan ko," iyak ko dahil sa sobrang sakit... ng mga paa ko.

Oo, dalawang paa.

"When I said fun, I meant it. But her butler was also there. I threatened her to tell the media that it was all a lie. Because if she won't..." itinali niya ng maigi ang tela.

"What if she won't?"

"I'll kill her dad," hinarap niya ako pagkatapos niyang gamutin ang sugat ko.

I lower my head a little to meet his gaze.

"Did you do something to Pierre?"

"Who's Pierre?" nagsalubong ang perpekto niyang kilay.

"Her bodyguard."

Umiling siya at naupo sa sahig kaharap ko. "He's innocent but he did put up a good fight when I tried slashing your cousin's neck."

"You could have really killed her," I whispered.

"I will kill anyone for you, little kitten," malamig niyang sambit. "It was fun seeing her reaction when I managed to headlock her bodyguard."

Napayuko ako. Pierre has been good to me pero nadamay siya sa away naming magpinsan. He almost died. I'm sorry, Pierre. I should say sorry when we meet.

"Thank you, Crescent," I smiled.

I'm relieve. I'm happy. But...

"I've missed you," sabi ko nang wala sa katinuan.

"Don't say that, Georgia."

"Ang tagal mong bumal-."

Natigilan ako nang itulak niya ako sa kama pahiga. He captured my lips in two seconds and quickly removes his clothes and pants when he saw me breathing heavily.

"Crescent..."

He was panting, while staring at my eyes.

"Say that again."

He kissed me again as his right hand was roaming playfully around my waist like he's looking for something.

"Tell me... did you try to fuck my cousin?" tanong ko matapos niya akong bigyan ng pagkakataong huminga.

"I will only fuck you, my little kitten," he breathes. "You're all mine. And mine alone. I'll fuck you whenever you want and kill you after that."

Napangiti ako. That's it, Crescent. I love challenges from a hot assassin like you.

"I hate you so much," hinawakan ko ang kanyang pisngi habang nakatitig kami sa mata ng isa't-isa.

Kinuha niya ang aking kamay at hinalikan iyon. He licked it, he licked every inch of my fingers from my thumb to my pinky finger.

"It's my pleasure to be hated by you, little kitten," aniya bago ako hinalikan ng mariin.

Whenever you're ready. I'm here to fight for you. It's either we fight together or kill each other.

****

I heard my doorbell rang and saw Joey and Cole in front of my door. Nagtype ako ng passcode at pinapasok sila pareho.

"We brought ice cream and pizza!" Joey exclaimed.

"Hi, George. Sorry to intrude. Si Joey kasi," turo niya sa katabi.

Hinalikan ako ni Joey sa pisngi, ganun ang ginawa ni Cole sa akin. I told Cole to put the pizza and ice cream in the kitchen saka siya sinamahan ni Joey.

"What's wrong?" nahinto ako sa paglalakad nang makita ang galit na galit niyang itsura.

"Did that guy kiss you?"

"You mean Cole?"

Tumango siya.

"Beso ang tawag dun. It's a simple courtesy."

"On the cheeks?" tumaas ang kanyang kilay.

Inirapan ko siya at pumunta ng kusina. Hindi ko namalayan na nakasunod lang pala siya sa akin.

"Pakilala mo naman kami sa butler mo, George," si Joey.

Hinila ko si Crescent palapit sa akin.

"Guys, this is Crescent. Crescent, this my friend Joey..." I emphasized dahil akala niya lalaki si Joey. I turn to Cole na hindi maipinta ang itsura. "And this is Dr. Coleman Aranzure."

"Long time no see," sabi ni Cole at nag-abot ng kamay.

"Crescent Fritz," tinanggap niya iyon pero halos baliin niya ang kamay ni Cole.

"That hurt," si Cole.

Ang tatangkad naman nila pareho.

"Tama na yan, kumain na tayo," dinala ni Joey ang pagkain sa sala.

Day off namin ngayon, baka sabihin niyo ay hindi kami nagtatrabaho, ha. Besides, my feet is still healing kaya hindi pa ako nakakalakad ng maayos.

"Pepperoni ulit?" tanong ko kay Joey nang nakataas ang kilay.

"I love pepperoni," she pouts.

Tumabi sa akin si Cole when Crescent immediately pushed him off the couch.

"Crescent!" sita ko at matalim siyang tinignan.

"What?"

"Your butler's a bit zealous, don't you think?" ngisi ni Cole matapos tumayo at naupo katabi ni Joey.

"I'm not jealous!"

"He said zealous," Joey emphasizes.

Nakita ko kung paano bumaluktot ang labi niya. Tsaka niya ako tinignan. Si Joey talaga!

Inilipat ko sa Star Movies ang channel. Crescent bought me a new one and believe it or not kasing laki ito ng telebisyon sa sinehan. I didn't even know how it got here.

"Let's watch Avatar," suhestyun ko.

"Yeah, Avatar is good," si Cole.

"Avatar sucks," si Crescent.

"The Last Airbender," ngisi ni Joey.

Sabay-sabay silang nagreklamo kaya nilipat ko na lang ang channel. Bwiset naman.

"Not that Avatar, Joey!" nasamo ko ang sariling mukha.

Kumakain lang kami, nagchichikahan, at nanood ng palabas. Tawa rin nang tawa si Joey habang kinukwento ang nakaraan namin habang na-aawkward na nakinig si Cole kasi tungkol iyon sa kanya.

"Childhood days are awesome, akala nila naihi si George sa pantalon niya noon because I spilled water on her pants," tawa ni Joey.

Nahihiya akong yumuko dahil sa kanyang sinabi. Crescent looks at me with a smug face kaya nainis lang ako lalo.

"So you're all childhood friends?" tanong ni Crescent.

Tumango kaming tatlo.

"And the two of you are?" he means Cole and Joey. "Just friends?"

Nagtinginan sila. Joey looked at me. "You didn't tell Crescent?"

"Why would I? Ngayon nga lang kayo nagkakilala."

"We're more than just friends," sabi ni Cole.

"Fiancée?"

"Pfft!"

Halos masamid silang dalawa sa kinakaing pizza.

"No, silly. I will not marry this guy, nakakadiri," seryosong tinignan ni Joey si Crescent. "We're siblings, Mr. Fritz."

"Step-siblings," pagkokorek ni Cole.

"I see. That's why you don't have any resemblances," he scoffed at kumuha ng maiinom.

Umabot ng gabi ang chikahan at panonood namin. Joey was trying so hard to read Crescent and asking who he is, previous jobs, family, siblings, relationships, etc. Pero hindi siya pinagbigyan ni Crescent. Isang tanong, isang sagot lang ang ginawa niya, which made me impressed.

I saw Joey getting irritated kasi hindi madaling basahin si Crescent. Kung madali niyang nababasa si Pierre, ganun kahirap basahin ang assassin na ito. For me, Crescent is easy to read but Pierre is difficult.

Tinulungan ko si Joey na hugasan ang pinagkainan namin. She does chores everyday kaya tinuruan niya rin ako. Habang nililinis naman ng dalawa ang salas.

"George, your butler is dangerous," sabi niya bigla nang di nakatingin sa akin.

"What do you mean?"

Did she find out?!

"Crescent's necklace, I saw that before, George. I know I'm not supposed to ask you this, but where did you find him?"

Natigil ako. Joey does know how to read people!

"You're scaring me, Joey."

"I'm not. Better keep an eye on your butler. Baka patayin ka niya," she said that like a threat.

Kumuha siya ng tuwalya upang punasan ang basa niyang kamay. Of course he'll kill me, Joey. He is an assassin after all.

Nagpunta ako sa itaas ng kwarto kung nasaan ang mahangin kong terrace. I saw Cole smoking while watching the broad view.

"Mind if I join you?"

Ngumiti siya at umiling. Lumapit ako at pinagmasdan ang mga ilaw sa buildings.

"Damn beautiful view," Cole whispers before exhaling the smoke.

"I know right. Nakakawala ng stress."

"George, your butler seems off to me. May ginawa ba akong masama sa kanya?"

I shrugged. "May galit talaga yun sa mundo. Masama rin yun tumingin sa akin, e."

We both laughed that out when Cole pulls me closer to his chest. Magsasalita pa sana ako nang bumulong siya sa akin.

"Don't move, he's glaring behind us," sa sobrang hina ng kanyang boses halos wala na akong marinig.

"Who? Crescent?"

Tumango siya habang nagpipigil ng tawa.

"Let's prove if I'm right, George. Your butler likes you," he smirks.

"Stop it, Cole. I swear you'll be dead if you do this," seryoso kong sabi.

But he didn't listen and pulls me closer instead. I'm not joking! Papatayin talaga siya ni Crescent pag nagkataon!

"Get your hands off my girl, Cole," a deep voice threatened him.

Cole puffed the last smoke in the air before speaking.

"He's got a gun."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. He didn't even look back pero alam niya na andyan si Crescent na may hawak na baril.

"Paano mo nalalaman iyan?"

"I just..." Cole spun me like a step in a dance ball and pushed me gently to the side, pulling me back to his arms. "Know."

Doon ko lang narealized na pareho silang may hawak na baril at nakatutok iyon sa kanila isa-isa.

"STOP!" sigaw ko.

I was still on Cole's side, while his arms is wrapped around my waist. How did he manage to get a gun that fast?

"Get your hands off my girl, Cole Aranzure!" matigas niyang ingles.

"Put down your fucking gun, Crescent," Cole threatened in his raspy voice.

"What's happening here?" Joey looks at the two guys holding different guns and then looks at me. "What the hell is going on?"

"I don't even know."

"Put your fucking gun away, Crescent. I don't want to repeat myself," he sighed. "That's a real gun, mine is fake."

Crescent didn't faze na para bang alam niya yun.

"This is a lighter," Cole scoffed and smiles when he pulled the trigger. "See?"

Ibinaba ni Crescent ang kanyang baril, but he's still looks furious. He puts his gun away to his pockets and glared at me. Napalunok ako sa titig na yun.

"H-He's got a real gun?" turo ni Joey sa pababang assassin. "Are you out of your mind, Georgia? Why let him live here?"

"He's my butler, Joey. Syempre may baril talaga yan."

"What if he'll use it on you? Anong gagawin mo?" hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang balikat.

I slowly pressed her hands together. I smiled.

"Don't worry about me, Joey. May scalpel ako sa bulsa palagi."

She looks worried but managed to smile back.

Joey, you don't know what I'm capable of.

------