I can't trust my driving now that my emotions are quite mixed up. I cannot name the mixture but one thing is certain. They're all not good feelings.

I called one of my security detail as I approach the glass exit of the building.

"Drive for me. I'll wait at the front drop off," that short then I hung up.

Alam naman nito kung saan naka-park ang kotse ko.

While waiting, I started tapping on my phone looking for Rob's number. But I stopped.

If I asked him to look into the calls made by Navarro or received by Laila, baka kung ano ang isipin nito. And I hate when Rob hints that I'm finally hooked by a girl.

Hindi nga ba? Sundot ng utak ko.

Damn! No, I'm not!

So, why trouble yourself so much about the Centenos especially the daughter? And why are you bothered whatever your bestfriend would think?

I'm just... I'm just protecting the reputation of our lawfirm and... my ego!

So what about that night? Is that part of the reputation and ego, huh?

How about her reputation and pride as a woman? Is she just another good fuck like the others?

And hey, she's a client's daughter. Rob and the father entrusted you the woman because she's a PWD.

Shit! Shit!

Muntik kong maibato ang cellphone ko sa magkahalong pagkalito at frustration.

I immediately got in the backseat of my car as soon as it stopped at the drop off.

"Saan tayo, sir?"

"Home," then I fell into thinking again.

My mind is at war whether I should ask Agoncillo Agency to track if there are calls made between Navarro and Laila.

I trust Gina to tell me if she's contacted by anyone from the Santiagos.

But I'm not sure about Laila. Not that I don't trust her.

Kahit na pumayag siya na may mangyari sa iyo, you still doubt her? There it goes again.

Shit! Yun nga eh! Tapos di sya ngpapakita sa akin. It's her feelings for her ex is what worries me.

And then that call from Gina.

What would anyone expect me to think, right?

Kay Navarro talaga ako walang tiwala. And I don't understand what he's up to.

He was the one who implied that the Santiagos should not know about his visit to the Centenos but why the hell is he insisting the communication?

Something's really fishy.

You feel threatened?

Yes! About everything!

Oh fuck!

I just realized I admitted something to myself.

And it is not good.

I just hope the Santiagos won't figure it out.

I have to guard my weakness well.

If I boastfully told Laila that she baited a big beast into her trap, only now it ccured to me that she became that beast's Achilles' heel.

But I refuse to be as careless and reckless as Achilles. Because that guy from mythology was not made aware about his vulnerability... but know mine.

I'll be the stupidest person walking on earth if the Santiagos or Navarro uses Laila against me.

Fuck it!

Bigla kong naalalang tawagan si Elsa pero napansin ko ang dinadaanan namin.

"Where the hell are you driving me to?!" asar kong tanong sa bodyguard ko.

"Eh sa inyo. Sa mansion," takang sagot. "Sabi n'yo home."

Fuck! Fuck!

Napahawak na lang ako sa sentido.

Home.

I meant the Centeno's house. And I'm unconsciously calling it home.

This is bad. Very bad!

"Turn around," utos ko at sinabi na kina Laila ang destinasyon namin.

Hindi ko na pinansin ang tila pagtatawa sa mga mata nito. Simpleng gago rin gaya ng amo niya sa Agoncillo Agency.

Saka ko tinawagan si Elsa.

"Si Laila?" agad kong tanong pagsagot niya.

"Iniwan ko sandali sa CR. Bakit?" medyo naalarma agad ang babae.

"Did you notice if she got any phone call today?"

"Eh... hindi. Bihira ko lang makita na hawak niya yun. Ano, pero sigurado akong dala niya ngayon."

"Shit!"

"B-bakit?"

"Why would she need a phone in the bathroom?"

"E di bilhan mo nang bago kung mahuhulog niya sa toilet bowl. Mura lang naman ang – "

"Hindi yun," frustrated kong putol sa sinasabi niya. I can buy a better phone for Laila but with her being blind, it's understandable that she prefers a cellphone with keypads.

"E ano? Teka nga, babalikan ko lang siya."

That's when I realized, may mga nagsasalitang ibang tao sa background niya.

"Nasaan ka ba?"

"Huh? Tinawagan ka ni Laila kanina, di ba?"

"What?! Why would she? Pinagtataguan nga ako!"

"Eh... Narinig ko pa na nung patapos na kayo mag-usap. Sabi niya 'attorney'."

"Bakit sabi mo hindi siya nakatanggap ng tawag?!" mataas na ang boses ko.

"Hindi nga. Siya ang tumawag sa iyo. Hindi siya ang tinawagan. Teka nga."

"Hello?! Hello?!" naputol ang linya.

Nagmamadali ko siyang tinawagan uli, "Bakit mo ako binabaan?!"

"Obvious ba? Yung alaga ko niloko ako. Tsk!"

By the sound of it, Elsa is running.

They're not at home.

"Nasaan kayo?!"

"Sa mall," at sinabi ang pangalan.

I immediately instructed my driver to go there, then,

"Bakit kayo nag-mall? Rush hour, Elsa!"

"Gamit namin yung van. Na-miss niya raw kasi sumakay dun."

Kanina lang dumating yung van as per advice through call nung supervisor sa casa kung saan ko yun ipinaayos. Hindi ko inaasahan na excited siyang gamitin yun dahil sabi ni Elsa, hindi lumabas ng kuwarto niya si Laila para kumustahin ang sasakyan niya.

I am starting to hyperventilate. I hope my gut feeling is wrong.

"Bakit mo siya iniwan sa ladies' room?"

"Nagpabili ng napkin. Bigla raw nagkaroon. Tsk! Teka, andito na ako."

"Huwag mo ibaba ang phone," bilin ko.

I heard Elsa calling out Laila's name. No affirmative answer so she even asked some women there if they saw the blind woman. My heart is racing. My mind is getting paranoid.

"Bilisan mo!" sabi ko patungkol kay Elsa at sa driver ko.

"Ma-traffic, attorney," sagot ng bodyguard ko.

I looked around outside, then I got off my car.

"Teka, sir!"

Di ko pinansin. Ang atensyon ko ay sa isang bodyguard kong nakasunod sa aming naka-motor. Sinenyasan ko yun habang nilalapitan.

"Ako na sa motor. Akina ang helmet mo," utos ko.

Agad naman itong bumaba at ibinigay ang hiningi ko.

"Brod, si Attorney. Ikaw na ang bahala. Susunod kami kapag nakalampas sa traffic," ang sabi sa radio earpiece niya habang tumatakbo papunta sa kotseng iniwan kong nakahinto pa rin dahil sa traffic.

Alam ko na ang isa ko pang bodyguard yun na naka-motor din sa unahan ang sinabihan nito. Sinundan ko ang pagsikut-sikot niya sa mga sasakyan doon.

Palagay ko ay nasabihan na ito kung saang mall ang tungo ko dahil dun ang direksyong dinadaanan namin.

I left the motorcycle in front of the mall entrance. I don't care if it gets impounded. I'll just pay later. What's important now is to know and retrieve Laila.

That woman!

Nanggigigil na tinawagan ko uli si Elsa. May ilang missed call na ito sa akin.

"Did you find her?" I immediately asked.

"Hindi pa. Pero nagpa-announce na ako sa customer service."

Ayun nga at narinig ko na ang announcement tungkol kay Laila. Na isa itong PWD, at ang descripition ng suot nito.

"Nasaan ka ngayon?"

"Iikot uli ako sa grocery at foodcourt. Nag-iwan ako ng contact number ko at sa iyo sa customer service kung sakalaing may balita."

"Ipinaalam mo na ba sa agency n'yo?"

"Hindi pa. Tinatawagan kita kanina para kunin ang go signal mo. Pero di mo sinasagot."

"I was driving a motorcycle! What do you expect?! Shit!" napapamura na ako nang malakas.

I don't care kung napapalingon na sa akin ang mga kasalubong ko at kasabayan sa loob ng mall. Lakad-takbo ako, palingun-lingon habang ino-on ko ang Bluetooth earphones ko.

Hanggang matigilan ako.

I'm not sure if it was Navarro I saw going out of the west entrance-exit glaas gate of the mall. I can't completely confirm dahil nakatalikod ang lalaki at mabilis nawala dahil sa mga kasabayan niyang nanggaling din sa mall.

Agad umikot ang mata ko sa mga kalapit na shops and boutique.

My eyes locked on a Chinese restaurant a few meters away from the entrance. And I was right as soon as I stepped in there. I saw Laila sitting at a corner table for two with a tea cup, hot porcelain pot and snack-size servings of dumplings and vegetable spring rolls.

She's obviously waiting for someone.

Ipinaalam ko kaagad kay Elsa yun at sinabi kung nasaan kami ni Laila.

Agad akong binati ng isang guest relation staff.

"Nín hǎo! Table for two, sir?"

"No, I'm with her," sabay turo kay Laila.

"Oh, I see," tapos ay ngumiti. "This way, sir."

I discreetly stopped the young lady when whe motioned me to follow her, "Uhm, may dumating ba sa mga kasama namin?"

Parang nalito ito, "Sabi ni Ma'm, table for two lang daw po. Ilang guests po ang expected, sir? Para mailipat ko kayo."

"It's okay. I think di talaga makakarating yung mga kaibigan namin," I casually said. "Kanina pa ba siya naghihintay?"

"Mga ten to fifteen minutes pa lang po. Yung appetizers lang naman ang inorder ni Ma'am kaya nai-serve agad."

"Okay, just give me your best-selling tea. Di kami magtatagal."

Tumango ang babae.

"Anyway, has anyone paid for the reservation?" I asked fishing for information.

Umiling ito, "Walk-in po si Ma'm."

I handed her my credit card, "Charge everything here."

Palapit pa lang ako, napagawi na sa akin ang tingin ni Laila. Dahan-dahan na inilapag ang iniinumang tea cup. Halatang natensyon agad siya.

Despite my anger, I still couldn't deny that a part of me felt whole again. It was like eternity since the last I saw her.

I controlled the urge to pull her up and hug her tight. I calmly sat opposite her across the table.

Umilap ang mata niya. I stayed mum. I sat there just watching her. Pinagsawa ang mata ko sa kanya.

Gusto kong maawa dahil halata na guilty ito. Nanginginig ang kamay na kinapa ang chopsticks. I moved the plate to her direction. But she can't get anything with it.

Napailing na naman ako. It's so stupid to give a blind person chopticks to eat with. Gusto kong pagalitan ang staff na nag-serve sa kanya. But I just pushed that aside.

I came here for Laila. Not for anything else. I even hated the idea that she's in here ordering some effing dimsum.

Lalong lumakas ang hinala ko na si Navarro talaga ang nakita ko kanina papalabas. Maaring narinig nito ang announcement ng customer service at nakita ako kaya umatras.

"Sir... Ma'm..."

Kinuha ko ang leather bill holder at pinirmahan ang resibo para sa credit card charge, habang inilapag naman ng staff yung spoon at fork. Tapos ay muling sinalinan ng tea ang tasa namin ni Laila.

Pag-alis muli ng babae, walang-kibo kong kinuha sa kamay ni Laila ang chopsticks.

Bahagya siyang napaigtad nang magdikit ang balat namin. Like her, I felt that unnamed electric feel.

Laila got more tensed. At bago ko pa maawat ay kinapa ang tasa. Uminom doon at halatang napaso.

"A-aw..." mahinang daing.

It sent shiver to my spine. It reminded me of that night we shared together. I heard her uttered that when I first entered her.

A warm feeling ran from my stomach and down, making a big nerve flicker there. Oh shit!

I shook my head to shoo away the thought. Not now, please!

I reached out to her with a table napkin in my hand.

"A-ako na," tanggi niya nang simulan kong punasan ang baba niya.

Di ko siya pinansin. Pagkatapos ay inayos ko ang tinidor sa pinggan niya. Then I sip a little from my tea cup.

"B-bakit ka nagpunta rito, A-atty. Marquez?" mahina niyang tanong

"Tss... attorney, huh?" asar kong reaksyon.

"Ano'ng gusto mong itawag ko sa iyo, ha?" may pigil na inis sa tono niya.

"I dunno. Raphael or Ralph, maybe. Anyway," huminga ako nang malalim. "I should be the one asking you why you're here."

"Bawal ba akong mamasyal?"

"Mamasyal? Really? Bakit tinakasan mo si Elsa?"

"Na-naano kasi ako... uhm... nao-awkward ako kasama siya."

"You're stuttering."

"Malamig rito."

"No, because you're lying."

"I'm not!"

Napatikhim ako dahil tumaas ang boses niya. Naglingunan ang ilang customers doon.

"Let's go home. Magpapa-deliver na lang ako ng ganyan sa bahay," tumayo na ako at hinawakan siya sa braso.

Nanatiling nakaupo si Laila. Yung galit ko kanina na humupa nang makita ko siya kanina, nagsisimulang magningas.

"Laila, common," I said again behind cleched teeth.

"H-hindi pa ako tapos ano, k-kumain," mahina niyang sagot.

"Kasasabi ko lang, magpapa-deliver na lang ako sa bahay," madiin kong sabi.

"S-sandali lang, ano kasi...uhm..."

"He already left when he heard your name announced in the mall that we are looking for you."

Napasinghap ito sabay yuko.

Lalo akong nanggigil nang suminghot ito.

She's crying for that son of a bitch!

I breathe in a couple of times bago naupo muli sa tapat niya. That's when I noticed some of the diners are discreetly looking at our table.

Sinenyasan ko ang isang dumaang server.

"Yes, sir?"

"We'll take the food out. Make it quick."

Maagap niya yung kinuha.

"Laila..." tawag ko paglayo nung server. Inabot ko ang kamay niyang nasa ibabaw ng mesa.

Napapiksi ito. Kaya hinigpitan ko ang kapit sa kamay niya.

"A-ayoko pa u-umuwi," mahina niyang sabi. "Ano, nasu-suffocate ako sa bahay."

I don't know if I should feel bad or good about it.

Bad in the sense that she feels that way because I live in their house and there's Elsa. Or good because she finally wants to go out. Be with people.

I cleared my throat, "Alright, ipapasyal kita. Saan mo gustong pumunta?"

Wala siyang sagot.

"Gusto mo bang magbaksayon like out of town? Tell me. I know a lot of places to go to."

Di pa rin siya umimik. Pero wala na rin siyang nagawa nang bumalik na ang staff dala ang pinabalot kong pagkain niya, tapos ay alalayan ko siya patayo.

"Here," inabot ko sa kanya ang walking stick at wala siyang pagtutol nang ilagay ko ang malaya niyang kamay pahawak sa braso ko.

Naroon na si Elsa at ang bodyguard ko sa may paglabas ng Chinese restaurant.

"Saan ka nag-park?" tanong ko sa babaeng agent.

"Sa third floor. Malapit lang din sa van ipinark yung kotse mo, pati yung dalawang motor," sagot nito.

"Sa van tayo. You drive."

"Saan tayo?" tanong ni Elsa pagsakay namin.

"Sa intramuros."

"A-ayoko dun," sa wakas ay nagsalita si Laila.

Natigilan din ako. I forgot.

Navarro stood her up at the altar of San Agustin Church. Mahal ang magpakasal sa prestihiyosong simbahan na yun kaya kahit ako ay hindi inaasahan na ganun ang mangyayari.

Kaya nga may lihim akong pagkainis kay Laila dahil naroon ang impresyon ko na nagluluho ito gayong sinabi ni Navarro na aware ang fiancée niya sa mga responsibilidad na nakaatang sa balikat ng lalaki. Labas pa roon ang pag-iipon nito para sa pagpapaopera sa mata ni Laila.

"Then where do you want to go?" I asked.

"Kahit saan basta walang simbahan."

Nagkatinginan kami ni Elsa.

"Makati Triangle then. They've got small restaurants there where we can have dinner."

Hindi na siya tumanggi, gaya na hindi na uli nagsalita. But I'm itching to know what happened so when we got caught up in a traffic on our way, I asked Elsa.

"Why did you walk far when there are vendo machines for sanitary napkins and tissue in the malls ladies' room?"

"Hindi lang naman yun ang pinabibili. Pati underwear kasi may tagos na raw siya. Malay ko bang... tsk!"

"Did you not check?"

"Itim ang pants niya kung di mo napapansin. Hayaan mo, sa susunod, titingnan ko pundilyo nyan," may bahid asar na boses nito.

I can understand her irritation. Laila is one hard-headed client. And the mere fact that Rob recommended Elsa, meaning she's good. Tapos ay maloloko lang nang isang bulag.

Saka ko binalingan si Laila na katabi ko sa gitnang upuan sa van, "Do you really have your period now? Ouch!"

Siniko niya ako sa tagiliran. May kalakasan.

Napapailing na lang ako. That answered my question. She obviously lied to escape.

I'm getting mad again. Kung hindi tumawag si Gina, siguradong nagkausap sila ni Navarro. And that asshole is not using his brains.

What makes him think na hindi makakaabot kay Rebecca ang pagpuslit niya?

Aside from he is one of Santiago's pet lawyers now, he is the spouse of one of the owners. Tapos ganyang ex niya ang kalaban, at ako pa man din ang defense lawyer, imposibleng hindi siya pamanmanan ng asawa o bayaw niya.

The siblings are users and cleverly unscrupulous.

Around eight in the evening when we reached our destination. Nauna na kaming bumaba ni Laila dahil maghahanap pa ng parking area si Elsa.

"Let's grab a quick dinner," at inakay ko na siya sa hilera ng mga food establishments doon.

This time, dinala ko siya sa kung saan ang palagay ko ay magugustuhan niya. I made sure to order a slice of of triple berry cake for her dessert.

My three bodyguards ordered theirs as well but at separate tables strategically scattered in the resto. Naki-table si Elsa sa isa sa kanila.

We ate in silence.

"Uhm, gusto ko maglakad-lakad," sabi niya pagkainom ng tubig.

"Come," agad kong sang-ayon at tumayo na.

Binawi niya ang kamay na inaalalayan ko, "Ano, dito ka na lang. Gus-gusto ko munang mapag-isa."

Napabuntung-hininga ako.

"Hindi naman ako makakalayo agad-agad sa inyo."

"Baka mabangga ka ng mga taong naglalakad."

"Hindi naman maraming tao. Bibihira lang ang naaaninag kong kasalubong natin kanina. Sa aliwalas ng ng hangin at Makati ito, malamig para ikunsiderang maraming tao."

"We can't stay here waiting for you. Dyan lang ako sa isa sa mga bench sa labas. Yung tanaw kita."

Ganun na nga ang nangyari. Siya ang nasunod. Kaya lang ay di ko pa rin napigilang sundan siya nang medyo gumitna sa park.

"Attorney naman eh," bigla niyang reklamo. "Nakasunod ka lang eh. Dun ka nga sa malayo. Hayaan mo lang akong maglakad-lakad."

Napakamot ako sa batok gayong may limang metro naman yata ang layo ko sa kanya.

So I let her be but made sure that our four bodyguards are within safe distance.

I was nervous and all watching her stroll around. It's like baby-sitting a toddler who's just starting to learn how to walk.

When she finally settled on one of the park benches there, I approached and sat on the other edge.

"Makulit ka rin talaga eh," mahina man ay umabot yun sa akin kahit halos dalawang dipa ang layo namin sa magkabilang dulo ng bench.

I chuckled.

"How d'you know it's me, Laila?"

"Walang ibang lalapit sa isang bulag na katulad ko," she said with a touch of bitterness there. "Isa pa, parang obvious sa mga narito na may kasama ako. Kanina ka pa na parang anino ko eh."

I smiled a little, "That's not what I meant. Yung kanina sa resto sa mall."

"Kilala ko ang pabango mo."

"Well, you said Navarro uses my perfume brand."

"Uhm, medyo iba pa rin. D-depende siguro ang reaction sa body chemistry ng tao. Ano, t-tsaka kilala ko ang silhuweta at yabag mo."

Napangiti uli ako na agad nawala dahil,

"At tandang-tanda ko ang kay Justine," she said that with a poker face but no one can deny the nostalgia there.

She's still hanging on to the memories she had with that fucktard.

Pumitik ang galit na kanina ko pa pinipigilan.

"He called you, didn't he? That's why you tricked Elsa and tried to escape. You knew him so well up to now that's why you got so tensed I was the one who arrived not him."

Walang sagot.

Napikon ako. I stood up and walked towards her. Hinawakan ko siya sa magkabilang braso."

"If you really knew him, you should have expected that he'd see you or stay with you only when the coast is clear. Yung walang problema o kabangga," nanggigigil kong bulong sa kanya. "That he'd stood you up just like he did to you at the altar. Wala kang kadala-da—"

Pumaling ang mukha ko.

I got slapped again by Laila because... shit!

In my peripherals, I saw some people stopped to look.

"We're leaving," I said firmly holding her.

And when she tried to cry for help, I grabbed the back of her head and gave her a deep kiss on the lips. She ended up mumbling in my mouth.

She tried to hit me with her walking stick, so I enclosed her in a tight embraced with our lips stick locked.

I don't care if the public is seeing us. I almost forgot about them when Laila stopped fighting and kissed me back instead. I closed my eyes and savored every moment of it.

Napadilat lang ako nang parang may ilaw na bumukas.

I think Laila became aware of it too because she withdrew her lips from mine. Kaya agad ko siyang kinabig at itinago sa yakap ko.

"Let's go home," bulong ko sa kanya habang sinenyasan ang isa sa mga bodyguards ko na mabilis nilapitan ang nagbi-video sa amin.

Alalay ko si Laila na nilapitan sila.

"If that video circulates online, better be ready to post bail," sabi ko. "Because I'm the best lawyer in town."

Humingi ito ng pasensiya at binura ang video sa cellphone niya. My bodyguard made sure it was permanently deleted.

Under different circumstances, I don't care if it does. But not this. Not now.

I cannot afford the Santiagos using Laila against me and my law firm.

With that in mind, I decided to either lessen sleeping at the Centeno's house. Or maybe move Laila away. Away where Navarro does not know.

He left her at the altar to marry someone for money and fast career growth, and lawyering against Mang Ben. So why is he like that now?

I'm not sure if he'd let his wife and brother-in-law know that I'm giving special treatment to Mang Ben and the daughter. But my gut feels he won't, for now.

My basis was what he said when he visited Laila and I was there. He still somewhat cares.

It was a relief for me. At the same time, it brings worry.

I'm not sure if he's playing on Laila to win the case? Is he that heartless just to beat me in court?

We were all quiet in the van on our way home. Maybe both of us are drowned in our own thoughts. And Elsa does not want to say anything now because she's pissed off.

Laila immediately retreated to her room. So did I. But I couldn't sleep.

I haven't gotten all the answers I want from what happened tonight.

But first things first.

Laila's phone number has to be changed. Problem is my personal number's sim card is not compatible with her phone.

Bigla akong napabangon.

Ang phone ni Laila! Baka nagtatawagan sila ngayon ni Navarro!

Mabilis akong lumabas sa kuwarto ko. Kinatok ko siya pero hindi sumagot. I leaned on the door to listen. She's still awake.

Binaba ko si Elsa na natutulog sa sala. Pero gising pa ito. Nagkakape sila ng tatlo kong bodyguard sa bakuran.

Nagbukas pala siya uli ng tindahan.

"Bakit di pa kayo natutulog?"

"Kuwentuhan lang, Attorney," sagot nang isa.

"Sayang ang benta. May mga nagtanong kasi kung pwedeng humabol ng bili. Tsaka wala pang alas-onse," si Elsa. "Sanay sila na alas-dose nagsasara dito. Minsan hanggang ala-una bukas ako. Wala naman masyadong gawa."

I cleared my throat, "Can someone pick Laila's door lock? I need to talk to her pero ayaw akong pagbuksan."

"Binigla mo naman kasi sa park kanina, attorney," natatawang sabi ng bodyguard ko.

Nahuli ko paismid na ngisi ni Elsa. I think she knew about what happened that night.

"Kaya hindi ko ginagalit si misis," sabi naman nung isa. "Ako na, attorney. 'Lika."

"May extra simcard ba kayo? Yung hindi nano sim. I mean, just the regular one?"

"Nasa compartment ng motor ko. Bakit?"

"Meron din ako," si Elsa.

Sinabi ko ang dahilan.

Ang bodyguard na ni Laila ang sumama sa akin paakyat. Nasa hallway ng second floor ang lagayan ng personal niyang gamit, at siya na rin ang nagbukas ng pinto ni Laila gamit ang isang maikling alambre na kinuha sa tindahan.

"Attorney," untag sa akin bago ako makapasok, "Kahit naiinis ako sa ginawa niya sa akin, alaga ko pa rin yan. Sagutin ko kapag napahamak si Laila."

May laman ang sinabi nito and she meant well. Still, I got irked, "Don't forget that I was the one who hired you."

"Yun nga eh. Tss," saka inabot sa akin ang sim card tapos ay bumaba na.

Tama ako. Gising si Laila.

Nag-aaral ng braille, or at least she's trying to make it appear like that.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid dahil nasa desk niya rin ang phone niya.

"Wala sa rental contract moa ng pumasok sa silid ko, attorney," may igting niyang sabi.

Mabilis akong lumapit at inunahan siyang kunin ang phone sa desk. Saglit kaming nag-agwan dun. As expected, I got it without sweating.

"Bakit ka ba nakikialam sa gamit ko ha?" mataas ang boses niya.

Di ko siya sinagot. I immediately made a run through her call history.

She did receive a call from an unregistered number just before office hours was done. It was more than a minute. Kahit di ko alam ang bagong number ni Navarro, I know it was his.

"Ano'ng sinabi niya sa iyo para pumayag kang makipagkita sa kanya, ha?" mabigat kong tanong habang pinapalitan ang sim card niya.

"Wala kang pakialam!"

"Meron!"

"Akina na yan!"

She tried to grab it from me aimlessly but she landed on the floor when I side-stepped.

"Oh shit!"

Agad ko siyang dinaluhan.

"Huwag mo akong hawakan!" naiiyak niyang sabi sa iwinasiwas ang kamay pataboy.

"We did more than holding, sweetheart."

"Bastos! Lumabas ka!"

Di ko pinansin ang pagta-tantrums niya. Inupo ko siya sa kama at nag-squat sa harap niya. Then I fixed her phone book.

"Here's your phone with new sim," inabot ko nay un sa kanya. "Speed dial one is me, two for Elsa, and three for Rob."

"Hah?! Ano'ng –"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but I can't afford that you'll be used against me and your father's case. I'm not adding Gina's number. I'll tell her to visit you if she wants to talk to you."

"Inilalayo mo ako kahit sa best—"

"I'm not. And I don't know if Navarro told you he blackmailed your bestfriend to get your number."

Di ito nakasagot.

"You knew, don't you, Laila?"

Matigas siyang nag-iwas ng tingin.

"Why?"

"Ano'ng bakit?"

"Don't you know the repercussions of you seeing married man privately?"

"Wala kaming gagawing masama!"

"So, inaamin mo nga. Na kaya mo kami niloko kanina ay para makipagkita sa ex mo!"

"May importante raw siyang sasabihin."

"Then I'll call him and ask him. I'm your guardian, for fuck's sake!"

"Personal namin yun!"

"There's nothing personal you should talk about because he's fucking married! Of all people, to Rebecca Santiago! My God, Laila! Are you not using your head?"

"G-gusto ko lang malalaman... malaman kung ..." naiiyak niyang sabi.

"Hindi mo ba naiisip na pwedeng ginagamit ka nila para siguraduhing manalo sa kaso ng tatay mo?"

"Hindi mo naiintindihan!"

I'm trembling with anger. She just wouldn't listen.

"Ano ang dapat kong intindihin ha? Na di magtatagal, dalawa na kayo ng tatay moa ng idedepensa ko sa korte?"

"Wala akong ginagawang masama!"

"Hindi yun ang palalabasin ni Rebecca kapag nalaman niyang nagkikita kayo ng asawa niya! Gusto mo bang mabansagang kabit?!"

Nagulat ako na biglang nagwala si Laila. She started lasing out and clobbering me with her fist.

"Siya ang nang-agaw! Ako ang nawalan! Ang kapal ng mukha niya! Ang kapal ng mukha mong gusto kong matawag na kabit!" she shouted and cried.

Hinayaan ko siya. Nakalmot niya pa nga ako sa leeg.

Until she got tired. Naupo na muli siya sa kama sa panggigipuspos habang umiiyak.

"I'm sorry. Laila," I said as I sat beside her. "I didn't mean to hurt you when I said that. I just want you to wake up with reality."

She pulled her blanket and wiped her tears with it.

"Ano'ng reyalidad ba ang gusto mong paniwalaan ko?" she suddnely asked after moments of silence.

I let out a sigh, "That he's married. Unless he gets annulment, he will remain tied to Rebecca. And the Santiagos will not easily let him loose. He's a big asset in their firm now."

Di siya kumibo. Nag-iisip.

"Do you still love him, huh?"

"H-hindi ko na alam."

"That's a good start. So let me help you every step of the way."

"Ha?"

I enclosed her face in my palms and gave her a kiss. Just mild, but when she didn't push me back, I deepened it. She kissed back.

I don't care if she was just lonely or what reason she allows intimacy between us. All I know is that I want her now.

Unlike the first, I was more careful with her now. And she explored mine as well. And we took our time enjoying each other's body.

And was even surprised when after she reached her first climax when I gave her a good licking, she pulled me up to her then pushed me down on the bed. She on top.

I watched her sat on my crotch, just rubbing our privates, as she ran her palms on my chest... to my shoulders ... back to my chest then down to my stomach.

All I could do was to inhale deeply. I dunno if she's doing it intentionally but just rubbing her flesh wet with her own juice to my thing is adding up lust at the same time frustration to me.

"L-lai..."

"Hmm...?"

"Please..."

"Please what?"

"Stop teasing me. I want you now...please," pakiusap ko.

Napangiti siya nang tipid tapos ay yumukod at dinilaan ako sa dibdib.

Sinasadya niya!

Then I felt her mildly biting my nips.

"H-holy f-fuck... "I groaned. "Lai... please..."

She only continued rubbing ours.

I can't take it anymore. I held her butt up, then thrust mine inside of her.

"A-ahhh..." paungol niyang nasabi sabay napatuwid sa pagkakaupo sa harap ko.

I pumped in and out off her as I held on to her waist, and she holding on to my arms.

I liked it better now. She wasn't covering her mouth so I can here her soft moans.

Then she let go of my arms and got support by leaning back and holding on to my thigh.

"Oh God, Lai..." I love that position especially she started grinding on me.

I reached to her breast and massaged both in my palms.

She pulled me up on a sitting position and wrapped her arms around my neck.

This time she moved up and down on my length as I lavished on her twin mountains.

"I'm almost... shit...shit..." I groaned again. "Don't stop."

"S-sandali lang..." bulong niya. "Nangangawit na ako."

"No!"

I pulled her on the side of the bed and stood in between her legs.

I entered her again giving all my weight in every thrust.

"Oooh... G-god... Aahh..." she started whimpering because she already had her second relase but I didn't stop.

"It's payback for teasing me earlier," I said.

Despite the orgasm eating her up, I saw defiance in her eyes.

She held one of my hand and took my thumb in her mouth. She sucked it and played her toungue with it.

"F-fuck..."

I wasn't ready for that. I unexpectedly trembled, my toes stiffend. My release.

"Oh... aah..." I groaned again because she wrapped her legs around me and moved her hips.

I was panting like a horse after.

"You little she-devil," I whispered to her.

I was spooning her as we lay on the bed.

She only smirked.

I buried my face in her neck, "Don't try your stunt tonight again, Lai. Or else, I'm taking you far away where no one can find you."

I felt her body tensed up.

"I'll never allow you to be his mistress, Lai. You're too precious that. If you're lonely, just stay with me, you'll never be one."

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