Chapter One

KRT

The last time I was facing this man is when he was the one who had been knocked out. Ngayon ako na ang nakahiga sa kama.

"Are you getting deja vu, huh?" He says as he continued putting ointment on my bruised legs.

"Probably," sabi ko na lang at hinayaan siyang langyan lahat ng mga pasa ko.

Andami kong pasa kagabi. My legs are fucked up! They aren't shiny anymore because of what happened last night. Clint Steven is blaming me for wearing a dress on a mission.

Hindi na kami tumuloy sa pupuntahan sana na 'min kagabi. Ethan told us to retreat. He said that Saive's kidnapper was harmless, at hindi raw sila yung umatake sa 'min kagabi kung hindi ang mga sindikatong kalaban ng kapatid ni Steven.

My eyes roamed around the room and I saw a picture of him with his two Sisters. I was right that this is his place. The walls are painted beige and dark green, with a gold accent. In front of the big bed is the huge glass window wall.

Gabi na kaya kitang-kita ang ganda ng buong Makati.

"You could have at least brought me home, I have a car race tomorrow. I wouldn't to miss that one," I yawned as get up from the bed.

"My driver can get you home tomorrow then," he casually replied as he put back the first aid to its place, the kit.

"Hindi mo ako ihahatid?" Nakakunot noo kong tanong sa kanya.

"Why would I do that? I have a driver, why am I going to waste my spare time to deliver you home?" He shrugged his shoulders at nilampasan ako.

I was left in the room.

It was kind a disrespectful of him by the fact that he brought me to his place and he is not doing his responsibility of taking him home, at the same time it is embarrassing to ask things like that.

It makes sense that he has a driver and he would never have time for that. But the word waste really got on my nerves.

I followed him right away only to see him getting two packed foods from the fridge. 

"My Father would be disappointed if you don't take me home instead," I smirked as I sat down at the counter table chair.

"Your Father would understand. He knows I'm busy," he took out the food from the microwave.

He gave me the other one.

"My Mother," I opened the food and took a spoonful, putting it in my mouth immediately.

"Do you like me? Why do you keep on insisting? I already said no,"

"Don't you like me? Why do you keep rejecting it?" He massaged the bridge of his nose and positioned himself as he looked at me.

"I heard a lot of rumors about you. I heard one big time that your Father wants you to settle down, to get a man to marry and have a child with. Well, I am not the one you're looking for. I am sure that there are other guys who are the type that can probably love you," sabi niya sumubo.

"Who says you aren't my type?" Muntik niya ng masakal ang kinakain dahil sa sinabi ko.

He's indeed smart. He is pretty just like his ancestors. He isn't just rich, he got it all that every woman loved to have.

Everything he said was actually true. Dad wanted me to settle down with the guy he had chosen for me. And it is Clint Steven Villegas. He told me a lot of things about this man in front of me.

He is a good man. I feel bad for using him. I heard he had no exes, or either flings or any situation ship. Kumabaga, para siyang babaeng no boyfriend since birth. The reason why I don't want to meddle in his life.

We can produce children without doing the marital activity.

I am not looking for love.

I dated a lot back then. I even dated my best friend, pero palpak pa rin. My flings would easily give up on me dahil masyado raw akong perfect para sa kanila. So being perfect is an example of a disadvantage in a guy's reputation?

"Really? Sorry to say that you are not my type. You look pretty good, you are stunning, and you have long legs and a perfect body. You are rich and have good credentials, I have no plan of having a family even if I don't chase for love." He faked a smile.

"You don't chase for love? I can do the same thing," felt overwhelmed but he isn't.

"I can be your donor, I just don't want to be with someone. You can reach me anytime if you want to, I can provide for your needs during pregnancy. I am fine with you being with someone." He cleared his throat.

"What if the child will ask for his real Father...?" Alam kong sumusobra na ang kadaldalan ko.

"So you are already considering? Why are we even talking about these?" this time, his voice was very much serious and stricter. "Aren't you supposed to know the answers to it? For this? You are a lawyer after all,"

Hindi na ako nakipagtalo pa nang makita ko ang mukha niyang namumula sa inis. He looked pissed. 

I recalled what my father have told me.

"Be careful of him, ma init ang ulo ng batang iyon."

I sighed deeply. I ate my food quietly until we both finish. I was told that there were spare clothes from her sisters, so I went inside the closet and picked up something to wear. I took the pair of hoodies and shorts, they looked comfortable.

Matapos akong pumli ng damit ay dumiretso na ako sa room niya to use his bathroom, so that I can finally take a shower. 

I stink.

Disgusting.

My heart jumped off the moment I opened the door. He looked at me as he continued shaving his face. His abs were exposed, tanging towel lang ang nakatakip sa kanyang baba.

His brows raised. 

"What are you looking at and why are you here?" Tanong niya at ibinaba ang razor, he crossed his arms and looked at me with his monolid raging eyes.

"Hey, are you even listening?" Hindi agad ako nakasagot dahil nakatitig ako ng maigi sa kanyang mga mata.

I never thought like this that sometimes, chinese people can be this so attractive. Sobrang puti niya rin na parang wala ng dugong dumadaloy sa katawan niya.

"Ah... mag ha-half bath sana ako,"

"You can use the other room's bathroom, why here?"

"Because you told me it hasn't been cleaned! It is dusty," his face softened when he realized that he really did tell me.

He cleared his throat. 

"Go ahead," nahihiyang sabi niya at tumango naman ako.

Nilagpasan ko siya at pumasok na sa shower area. I pushed down the dress shirt, exposing my tiddies. I studied my body through the mirror facing me. I saw a cut on my side.

"Have you realized that I can see you like that?"

Gulat akong napalingon sa kanya.

I thought he already left! He was still here!

I immediately pulled my slit dress to cover up my body.

"You are not supposed to take a bath, whether it is half or not. I just put some ointment on your bruises, it will not heal."

"I stink! I will take a half-bath and apply again." I reasoned out.

"You don't smell like one. You smell stink because of the effects of ointment. I already took care of you," he says and looked away from my body.

"Sinabihan mo ba ako?" he didn't reply. "Diba hindi?"

"Fine. Do what you want. Your body your rules naman eh," And then he left me in here alone.

I guess the rumors were purely true, and it is an actual fact that he has a soft spot for every woman.

I didn't take a half-bath. I was just staring at myself in the mirror. I brushed my long straight hair for so long until I decided to go out with my clothes on.

Napaisip ko kung saan ako matutulog ngayon. As he has already said that the other room hasn't been cleaned yet. I hate to think the other way and predictable scenarios. The living room isn't aircon, and I couldn't sleep without it.

"Saan ka matutulog?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang pinapahiran ng ointment ang pasang hita.

"Saan ba dapat matulog ang may ari ng penthouse?" Natigilan ako.

"Ang rude mo naman! And may I remind you that I am older than you! I was just asking where are going to sleep so that I will know where I will be too." 

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to shout. Uuwi na lang ako, ngayon na ako magpapahatid. Or I'll just ask my friend instead to pick me up," seryosong sabi ko at lumabas sa kwarto niya.

I went to the balcony and calmed myself a bit. I closed my eyes to breath every inch of the air that is going through my nose. My heart was beating so fast and I do not know the reason.

Mabilis kong kinuha ang phone ko at hinanap ang phone number ni Ethan. The phone call didn't rang for more than a seconds, kaagad niyang nasagot ang tawag.

"I need you, let's meet up wherever you are." 

"What's up? I know this isn't just a meet-up that the both of us will ta—" I cut him off.

"Let's meet up wherever you are. It is what it is," I am frustrated.

"I'm already tracking you, and I will be there in 5 minutes."

"So you're near the location?"

"Yes."

I ended the call immediately and went back inside. Nakita ko siyang nakasandal sa may pintuan, I glared at him.

"Please take care,"

"How dare you!" I roared in anger.

I took one of his shoes from the rack and wore them on mine. I can feel his deep stare at me.

"Fuck you. Just fuck you," I said before I could pass toward him.

Pero pinigilan niya ako. He held my wrist.

"It is dangerous outside. You might get another set of bruises,"

"I can fight for myself. Don't you remember what happened to you last time?" He looked down and turned his gaze back at my eyes.

"I do recall that," he smiled.

"Again, I apologized for being rude. I didn't mean to say off-limits. I was wrong and I should be responsible for that... please stay here until morning." He pleasingly beggged.

It was sincere and I'm still not convinced ug buying it.

He was rude and I was offended. I easily get offended even if its small things. Small things can destroy someone easily. Some just don't realize it.

"I didn't mean to be with you on a mission too. I won't be staying in here until morning. I'll send someone for you to be with during a physical attack, I'll be observing. I don't want to be with you." I said as I took his hands off mine.

When I finally opened the door, I saw my best friend standing right behind it.

I didn't say anything and cared about the sorrundings. All I could do to make this feeling go away is to kiss him. I plastered my lips on his.

It was emotionless, but its making me feel better. Ethan wasn't responding to my kisses, he ws just standing stiffly as he let me invade his mouth thoroughly. I held his nape and was about to kiss him more when he held my wrist and broke the kisses.

I glared at him and he looked at me nervously.

I don't get it at first.

But I do now.

When I looked back at where I came from. I saw the man who offended me leaning at the door, crossed arms without any emotions on his face. He saw the scene. I hope it made him annoyed. Sinusumpa kong manginginig siya sa inis.

AVRLBNZ