Rob's POV

I released a deep sigh. I can't sleep. There are so many things troubling me right now.

All about this woman sleeping beside me.

I can read women's behavior like the back of my hand. I'm use to dealing with them. So far, I know what they like and want. Tingin pa lang, ngiti o mga tagong laman ng mga salita nila. That's why, I know how to make them feel special. I know how to get a woman to my bed.

But Juno's quite different. Ito lang ang babaeng na-meet ko na na-offend dahil babayaran ko ang pinamili nya. Kaya nga inunahan ko na sya na ako ang magbabayad nang dapat e dinner sana namin since ako ang nagyaya.

Totoo nga yata yung sinabi ni Reid, na mahihirapan ako dito.

Well, I'm actually struggling pagdating sa kanya. Hindi ko lang pinahahalata.

Una, what the hell is her too much enthusiasm with self-defense and the weapons? For Pete's sake! I mean, I know. Reid told me that the young dela Cruz was really into this kahit buhay pa ang mga magulang nila and it was intensified after Andie's abduction plus the threats they received. She compelled herself as the family's protector. But Reid said that that even he was already around and assured Juno that he will protect Andie and Hope, Juno still continued learning and more.

I got pissed when she didn't answer my question about those weapons she has at home. I was just worried. This woman is hot-headed... and at times impulsive. Baka gamitin nya ang mga koleksyon nya sa kung kanino kapag nagalit ito. She'll be in trouble.

Ayan pa nga at napasok nya ang mundo ng drag racing. A perfect combo! Damn!

Tapos, after I unconsciously attacked her last night, she wasn't as terrified as I expected. And she was able to calm herself that fast. Normally, it would send someone frantic and all, especially a woman. Parang normal lang dito ang karahasan.

May criminal tendencies ba si Jun?

My God! Ayokong dumating ang panahon na ako pa ang huhuli sa kanya.

I just want to know right now, para kung sakali man, I can do something to stop her.

Pangalawa, naguguluhan ako kung gusto nya ba talaga ako o hindi. Umamin sya kina Paul at Troy na nalilito sya sa nararamdaman nya sa akin. Yet, that didn't keep her from being cranky towards me. Just like how she treats others. But then, there are times, she'd mellow down. Medyo nanibago nga ako nung pagbuksan nya 'ko ng pinto kagabi at asikasuhin ang pagkain ko. She was genuinely caring. Don't get me wrong. I felt important to her last night. Tapos masungit na naman kinabukasan. Then, we were ok while on travel at shopping.

Ang gulo. Para talagang bagyo sa karagatan!

I want to believe that it was just her defense mechanism to protect her emotions. Oo, siguro nga ganun.

Minsan kasi, pakiramdam ko, sanay lang syang makisama sa mga lalaki. So far, si Sarah, Rika at yung nurse ni Hope lang ang nakita kong kasundo nya. Siyempre, pati si Andie.

Pero, hindi talaga ka-close. I mean, alam kong mahal nito ang kapatid but she opted to keep her other stuff hidden from her sister.

Parang... parang mas kumportable syang makipag-usap dun sa Paul at Troy.

Yes, I heard her conversation with Troy sa skype kanina. I was already inside the house that time. I just didn't get to hear the last part because my phone kept on vibrating. I had to go out again to pick up the call. It was important, from one of my agents.

Anyway, I find it very hard to believe that they'd talk like that. Mga pag-uusap na dapat ay magkaibigang babae sa babae o lalaki sa lalaki lang dapat. Given the fact that she's a virgin, for fuck's sake! Well, that's my deduction base sa usapan nila. Though she'd shriek in disgust kapag sya na ang tinutukso sa ganung bagay. Just like the way she'd silently panic or blushes when I kiss her, or just threaten her with it, much more everytime I say I'll do her.

That was when I realized na yung 'pikachu' na binanggit sa akin dati ni Juno, was a man's penis. I got the idea nung tuksuhin ito nung Troy na makakatikim na rin daw ang babae ng 'thunderbolt', and I knew it was sex.

Damn! They even have those terms because I think Jun wasn't that comfortable hearing or saying those two words.

I know I just like Juno. I mean like her big time... but is that reason enough for me to feel jealous towards those two dweebs? The fact that Paul was her first boyfriend and Troy admitted in one of his comments in Juno's page that he had a big crush on her before. I don't understand why she and Paul broke up yet she treats them so fucking special! To the point that I felt like they are openly flirting with each other. And Juno isn't aware of it. I hate it! I fucking hate it because those two make me feel insecure.

Tang ina! Ako, si Rob Agoncillo...nai-insecure sa ibang lalaki!

I mean, yeah. Tamara made me feel the same thing pero na-insecure ako dahil sa pangarap nya. Ang broadway. She loves the theatre.

Yung mas matimbang pa ang pangarap nya kesa sa pangarap ko para sa aming dalawa ... ang bumuo ng pamilya.

Isang taon na akong graduate nun sa Charleston U sa kursong B.S Applied Science. Tamara just graduated Theatre and Performing Arts when I proposed. We've been a couple for almost two years.

She wanted me to wait ... but hell, I can't. Because she broke up with me but asked me to wait without a definite time frame. I tried to convince her to come back. Sumunod ako sa New York para kumbinsihin syang bumalik sa akin. Nagkasundo kami na babalik sya after two years...pero di nya ginawa. Ni hindi na nagparamdam.

Well, that's it. I was done. I know, I was at no fault. I did my best to be the perfect boyfriend to her. Kasi kilala ko si Tamara. With her previous relationships, she'd find fault with her boyfriends so she had reason to break up with them. Then she can do whatever she wants afterwards. I looked past that. Gusto ko sya eh kaya sumugal ako. I just thought na kung wala syang makikitang mali sa akin, she'd keep me. But I was wrong. I lost the gamble. Akala ko, ako na ang huli nya. Nagkaroon pa rin sya ng dahilan. Ang pangarap nya.

But she broke me big time nung panahong yun. Kaya nga di na uli ako pumasok sa seryosong relasyon. Women just come and go.

I concentrated in enhancing myself. My father and uncles, who were high rank officials in the army and navy encouraged me to put up my own business. Alam kasi nilang mahilig ako sa research, investigation and espionage. Magagamit ko raw ng husto ang pinag-aralan ko sa academics pati ang kaalaman ko sa self-defense, which was my hobby. Plus I'm a racing enthusiast. Not drag racing but the one on race tracks.

Kaya nagtrabaho ako sa NBI at PDEA as agent para madagdagan ang karanasan at kaalaman ko, while my father already started the Agoncillo Security and Investigation Agency. After more than two years, I resigned at binigay na sa akin ni Dad ang buong pamamahala sa agency. My mom's family is pretty well off. I'm the youngest among three brothers and I'm my grandparents' favorite both in father and mother sides. I have all the support and connections I need.

Si Reid ang unang nagtiwala sa akin. I first met him while watching FIA Formula 3 race in Europe years ago. Then we met again in Manila through Ralph. At that time, si Ralph ang nag-aayos ng legal papers for the transfer of Agoncillo Agency from my father to me. That was the time na hahawakan ko pa lang ang Agoncillo agency. So far, SchulzAS is one of my biggest clients, dahil sa akin nya ipinagkatiwala lahat ng personal at business nya pagdating sa seguridad hanggang ngayon. Those two men made a great impact for my company to flourish. That's why I made sure na hindi ako mapapahiya sa kanila.

And for the last three years and some months, my agency has been doing more than better. And the three of us became the best buddies.

Then here comes Juno.

Tang ina! Mukha akong gago kanina dun sa terminal ng van sa MOA matapos nya akong sungitan at hintayin syang makasakay. Buti na lang nadala nang ka-gwapuhan ko ang sitwasyon! Tsk!

First time kong makaranas na pagsarhan ng gate sa mukha. Yung sungit-sungitan ako kahit saan abutin ng toyo ng babaeng ito.

Tamara never treated me like this. She was socially graceful kahit kilalang heartbreaker dati sa Charleston U. She rejects men with grace. She breaks up with her boyfriends nicely, at kahit maghabol sa kanya, she keeps her cool. Kaya kahit kilalang maraming naging boyfriend sa campus, di iyon nakaapekto sa image nya as campus figure ng Charleston U.

Kabaligtaran nitong katabi ko. It's either magmukha kang tanga na parang may kausap kang hangin, or tatarayan ka. Worst, she'll beat you up! Haha!

Then, those two guys at the dining area. They were ogling at her. Bago pa 'ko makarating sa dining, alam ko nang may bisita sya. I watched them for some minutes bago ako magparamdam. Umaarte lang ako na bagong gising. Sinadya ko talagang lumabas lang ng naka-boxers ako para mag-isip ang mga bisita nya na merong namamagitan sa 'min. Totoo lahat ang sinabi ko kanina kay Juno.

Ang daming lalaki na umaaligid sa kanya and she seemed not to notice it at all or maybe she just doesn't care. Sa drag racing pa lang. Nabubwisit ako minsan na basahin ang mga comments at posts sa page nito. Di ko lang mapigilan. Dun ko kasi mas nalalaman ang mga bagay na di nya sinasabi sa pamilya nya. Natutukso na nga akong imbestigahan si Juno sa paraang alam ko, pero ayaw nga nito. Kunsabagay, sino bang may gusto ng ganun?

Isa pa si Mike Montecillo. Kung mag-usap at magbiruan sila ni Juno, parang mild version nina Paul at Troy. Ah, ewan. Lahat na lang yata, napapansin ko!

And finally, there's Louie.

Fuck!

Why the hell does he know Jun? Paano sila nagkakilala? Sa drag racing ba? O sa Charleston? Kung sa Charleston, bakit sya nandun?

At ang pinakamalaking tanong, bakit sya nasa Pilipinas? Kailan pa?

Naalala ko ang sinabi nito kanina tungkol sa posts ko sa page ni Jun. Ibig sabihin, follower sya ni Jun. Nababasa ko ang pangalan nya sa comments section ng page ni Juno. Pero di ko alam na sya yun. At wala akong nakikitang kakaiba sa mga comments nya. Katulad rin ng ibang naroroon na nagpapahaging kay Jun. Tipong fan boy ang dating. Di ko pinansin lalo pa at ang profile pic nito ay ang dalawang kamay nya lang na nakahawak sa manibela.

Hindi ko akalain na yung Louie Poging Racer at si John Peralta ay iisa. Yeah, John Louie Peralta.

Gaano na nya katagal alam ang tungkol kay Juno ... at ang pagiging magkakilala namin nito?

I have to know because my gut feeling is telling me something.

I will keep an eye on him ... and of course, kay Jun!

Nagpalit ng puwesto ang katabi ko. Paharap sa akin.

I put an arm under her head. Naramdaman ko na basa ito ng pawis.

Wala kasing aircon ang bahay na ito. Puro electric fan lang.

Ayos lang naman, presko pa rin unlike sa city proper. Kaya lang kasi, kinumutan ko ito.

Kasi kapag ganitong sa isang safe na lugar ako matutulog, mas komportable akong matulog ng naka-boxers lang.

And Juno was only wearing a big yet thin tshirt and panty pagpasok ko dito kanina. Wala nga itong bra.

Ito siguro ang karaniwan nyang pantulog kapag nasa sarili nyang kuwarto.

Tumayo ako at kumuha ng pamunas ng pawis ni Jun sa cabinet nya.

Like my first observation, malinis ito sa bahay gaya ng maayos ito sa gamit. Nakahiwalay ng tupi ang puti sa may kulay na mga damit. At iba ang lagayan ng pang-alis at pambahay. Ganun din sa maliliit, gaya ng underwear, panyo, medyas at mga face towels.

Pinunasan ko ito ng pawis. Dumilat lang ito ng kaunti tapos pumikit uli. Tapos inilipat ko yung electric fan mula sa paanan namin to her side.

"Gago ka... 'nung ginagawa mo?" antok nyang sabi nung alisin ko ang kumot na nakatabon sa kanya.

"Sorry naman at pawis na pawis ka kasi, senyora," mahina pero sarkastiko kong sabi.

"Hilig mo kasi sumiksik sa bahay ko. Di ka dun sa condo mo, may aircon," hinila nya uli yung kumot para itakip hanggang bewang nya.

"Imbis na magpasalamat..."

"Ay salamat ha! Imbis na solo ko ang kama at electric fan ko eh kaagaw pa kita. At napapakumot ako kahit summer."

Ayan sinasabi ko. Even in her sleepy state, she'd really do her smart mouthing!

"E di wag ka magkumot. Aarte ka, e ilang beses na kitang nakita ng naka-underwear ka at naka-bikini. Binihisan pa kita at nakasampa ka sa likod –"

"Shut up!" she hissed tapos tumalikod uli sa akin kipit ang isang unan.

Natatawa na naman ako.

"Rob, ano ba?! Istorbo ka na eh."

Kinuha ko kasi yung kipit nyang unan sa hita.

"Bati na tayo, please..."

"Oo na, oo na! Maryosep naman oh! Akina yan!" Humarap ito ng nakahiga sa akin at pilit inaagaw yung unan.

"Bati na tayo, ako na lang yakapin mo."

"Paksyet naman—"

Kinuyumos ko agad ito ng halik. Nagmumura na naman eh! Tsk!

Tinulak ako nito sa dibdib. Pero lalo ko syang niyakap ng mahigpit. Madali na lang i-subdue ang paa nya dahil nakakumot naman sya.

Hanggang di na sya kumikilos. I opened my eyes. Hers are closed. I thought nakatulog uli. Panibagong insulto na naman sa akin but then I felt it. It was almost nothing but she's kissing back. Parang nag-aalanganin lang.

Nabuhayan ako ng loob. I angled my lips to get a better position in kissing her. I teased her teeth with my tongue so she'd open up. And she did.

Medyo nanigas pa nga ito nung ipasok ko ang dila ko sa bibig nya.

Nagka-boyfriend na sya, di ba? Bakit parang di sya sanay? Sa ilang beses ko syang ninakawan ng halik, ramdam ko yun.

Minasahe ko ang panga at batok nya so she'd relaxed.

I withdrew my lips, "That was good," komento kong nakangiti.

"Syete naman, oh!" she murmured tapos itinago ang mukha sa leeg ko. Nahihiya.

Natawa ako. At the same time, it felt odd ... wonderfully odd.

The women I was intimate with were experienced. Iwas kasi ako sa mga walang karanasan. They have tendencies to be clingy. Even Tamara. I wasn't her first, obviously.

But...but Juno, I'm fine to make her an exception. I'm very fine if she gets clingy. I don't care.

Pilit kong inaangat ang mukha nya sa akin.

Lalong sumiksik sa leeg ko

"Naman eh! Ayoko!"

"E bakit?"

"Nahihiya ako!' Maktol nya sa leeg ko.

Ang ginawa nya, mahigpit na iniyakap ang braso paangat sa batok ko.

She thought clinging to me like that would help her. Dun sya nagkamali. She just gave me a better position. Haha!

Isiniksik ko ang braso ko sa tagiliran nya paikot sa bewang nya, tapos pinisil ko yung pang-upo nya.

Nabigla itong napatingin sa akin, "ROB!"

And there, I kissed her again. This time, it only took a few seconds and she was kissing back. I pressed her soft body more to me. At pasimple kong inalis yung kumot sa pagitan namin. Then kicked it off with my foot.

I rolled over her as we continue to kiss. Me on top of her small but firm frame. My hands started exploring the sides of her body.

Naumpisahan ko nang manggigil kaya pinipisil ko na ang kurba ng bewang at balakang nya. I caressed her legs and placed both on my waist.

Then I started kissing her jaw to her neck, then nibbled her earlobe.

"Dyus ko po... aaahhh..."daing-bulong nya, sabay hingang malalim.

Nung ipasok ko ang kamay ko sa loob ng tshirt nya, pinigilan nya ako.

"Rob..."

I looked at her. Umiling sya.

Napatiim-bagang ako.

"I'm sorry... Rob."

Naitukod ko yung noo ko sa noo nya. Ilang beses akong huminga ng malalim.

"...di pa ako ready sa ganito. Di nga tayo dapat naghahalikan in the first place."

Tss. She's really good at ruining things like this. Haay, Juno dela Cruz.

"It's alright, Dyosa," sabi ko na matipid na ngumiti sa kanya. I rained small kisses on her face.

"Rob..."

"Hhmm..."

"Higa na ka uli..."

"Am I heavy?"

"Uhm .. ano ...hindi... ano kasi..." umiwas ito ng tingin.

"Ano?"

"Yung Pikachu mo, parang nakatusok sa tyan ko."

Napahalakhak ako. "Ikaw kasi," then I gave her a quick kiss on the lips bago ako nahiga sa tabi nya.

Kinuha ni Juno yung kumot tapos nakangusong inilagay sa 'harap' ko.

"Why?" natatawa kong sabi.

"Naiilang ako. Nakaumbok," himutok nya bago nahiga uli... ayan na naman, patalikod sa akin.

"Jun, pwede bang humarap ka sa akin matulog."

"Ayoko." mahina lang nyang sagot. "Magpapayakap ka na naman tapos baka kung saan na naman mapunta eh."

"Do you know that women are more accessible from behind because there's no need to open their legs?"

"Huh?" Nanigas ang likod nito at napadiretso ng higa.

"So you chose : give me that hug while we sleep or I'll do you from behind. You see, I'm still hard as wood. I'm willing na ilabas ito kesa sumakit ang puson ko."

Pigil ang tawa ko nung humarap sya ng higa sa akin. Pero may distansya sa akin.

"Come here. What you're doing now is not in the option," hinatak ko ito sa akin.

Pinaunan ko sa kanya ang braso ko tapos kinuha ko ang kamay nya paikot sa bewang ko, "Sleep."

Huminga ito ng malalim, "G'night, 'Maw..."

I'm beginning to like her calling me Maw.

"'Night, Dyosa."

Di naman na ako nakatulog agad. Nung mahimbing na ito. Tumayo ako at nagbanyo.

Shit! Again, another first for me after highschool. Ang magsarili. Tsk! Si Juno talaga.

Tsaka lang ako bumalik sa tabi nya. Sumiksik naman ito sa akin nung yakapin ko sya.

Ito. Ito yung sinasabi kong nakakalito sa akin minsan. Ayaw nya kanina, pero nung tulog, she'd unconsciously snuggle to me.

Sometimes she's giving me this feeling that she's a lost kitten behind her tigress façade.

Umidlip lang ako ng tatlong oras. Bandang alas-sais, bumangon na ako. Nagluto ako ng heavy breakfast.

I was setting the table nung bumungad si Juno sa dining.

"Kain na," sabi ko then nilagay ko sa sink yung kawali.

"Agoncillo naman eh!"

"Bakit?"

"Bumaba ka na naman dito at nagluto,tas naka-boxers ka lang?!" Namumula na naman ang mukha nitong nakasimangot.

"Nawala sa isip ko. Ganito lang kasi ako sa condo eh."

"Pwes, wala ka sa condo mo,"

Eto na uli sya. Sungit mode activated.

Hinubad ko yung apron tapos umakyat para mag-shorts at pag-tshirt.

Actually, galing na ako sa isang hide out ko dito sa Cavite para kumuha ng gamit bago ako pumunta dito sa duplex. Kasi, talagang balak kong dito muna ngayong weekend.

Pagbaba ko, may pagkain na yung plato ko. Tinago ko ang pagngisi ko.

Pero di nya 'ko kinausap sa buong oras na kumain kami hanggang papaalis na kami.

"Saan ka after ng simba nyo?"

"Bonding kami ni Hopia," maikli nyang sagot.

"Tapos?"

"Magkikita kami ni Troy."

Damn! Bakit ba 'ko nagtanung-tanong pa!

Nasira ang araw ko.

"Wag ka nang bumaba," sabi nito pagkahinto ko sa tapat ng bahay nang mga magulang ni Reid sa Ayala Alabang. "Ayokong mag-isip ng kung ano sina Ate kung bakit ang aga-aga eh magkasama tayo."

Lalong nasira ang umaga ko.

"Yeah, right," sarkastiko kong sabing nakatingin lang sa kamay ko sa manibela.

Napatitig ito sa akin ng ilang saglit, tapos bumaba na.

Napabuga ako ng hangin sa bibig. Hinintay kong pagbuksan sya ng gate bago ako umalis. Sa sobrang badtrip ko, tinawagan ko si Ralph.

"Sa'n ka?"

"Playing golf with a client," sagot nito.

"Tangna! Larong pangmatanda," sabi ko.

"Badtrip ka na naman. Si Juno ba?"

Di ako sumagot.

Natawa ito ng mahina. "I'll be free around four pm. Let's drink that off."

"Alright."

Umuwi muna ako kina Mommy sa Dasma Village. Nami-miss ko ang luto nya.

Natulog muna ako sa kuwarto ko doon at pinagising na lang ako nung tanghalian na.

"How's work?" si Dad. We were eating lunch.

"Good. Just done with a big one," sagot ko.

"I heard nung Friday pa yun tapos."

I knew it. My father is still checking on me from time to time. I don't take offense about it. Sanay na kaming magkakapatid sa kanya at kay Mommy. Kahit nga ang mga kuya ko na may mga asawa na.

And eventhough they are like that, they do not meddle with our businesses and personal lives. Unless it is necessary or we asked for it. They trust us, their boys. And very supportive.

"Yes, dad."

"Hindi ka umuwi sa condo mo. I called there and no one was picking up. The receptionist said so, too," si Mommy.

"Found a new girl, I guess," amin ko.

"Well, that's good. After more than five years. I hope she's not like Tamara," si Mommy talaga.

I knew she didn't like Tamara but was mum about it. She became very vocal about not liking her, after Tamara rejected my marriage proposal.

"She's very different, Mom. Complete opposite, actually. She's giving me a great deal of difficulty."

Humalakhak si Dad, "When do we meet her?"

"We're not even official, Dad," naasar na naman ako.

Pareho na sila ni Mommy na tumatawa, "That's new, son! You've been playing with girls for years. Bring her home. I want to meet this woman."

"I'll give it a rain check," tumayo na ako. "Tulog muna uli ako.Pakigising na lang po uli ako ng three."

"Alright," si Mommy.

Malapit na ako sa may pinto palabas ng dining nung lumingon ako, "Dad, don't."

"What?" Patay-malisyang tanong nito.

"I know you. You'll have her investigated. She knows my job and my business. She already told me she doesn't want anything of it. So please. Whatever you're planning, wag na. It may blow up my chance. And she'll kill me."

"Kill you?" Natatawang sabi ni Mommy.

"Possibly. She was able to disarm me with my hunting knife when I accidentally attacked her."

"Good heavens! She that good?"

"I'm better and stronger...but she has a big potential. She's smart and fucking stubborn," sagot ko tapos I looked at my father. "Dad, please?"

"Alright. Alright. I promise. But in a condition. I want to meet her."

Napasimangot ako. "Baka matagalan, 'Dy."

"Maybe you can ask her to attend Reid's wedding?" Si Mommy.

Kilala nila si Reid at sinabihan na ako nito na invited ako at mga magulang ko sa kasal nila ni Andie.

"Oh yeah. I don't need to invite her. She's the bride's only sister."

"It's settled then," sabi nila.

Tumalikod na ako.

Bandang six ng gabi kami nagkita ni Ralph. He was laughing his ass off when I started ranting about my frustration with Juno.

"Tinatakot mo kasi. That young dela Cruz is matured when it comes to looking after her sister and niece. But she's still a girl when it comes to a man-woman relationship. Tingin ko kaya di sila nag-work out ng matagal nung ex nya. Malamang na-realize nilang pareho, they are better off as friends."

"Ewan ko. Tapos ito pa si John Peralta."

"John Peralta ... Wait... Yung ..."

"Yes, him."

"What about him?"

Kinuwento ko na magkakilala ito at si Juno. And that he is interested with her, "I don't know since when he knew that I'm in the picture. Hindi ko kasi alam na sya yung nakikita kong Louie Poging Racer account name na nagko-comment sa page ni Juno. His profile pic doesn't show his face. I knew him as a narcistic jerk before. Yung tipong laging nakabalandra ang mukha sa social media.  At iyun nga, I thought, his family had settled in Greece for good."

Natahimik si Ralph.

"Better check it out, dude," payo ni Ralph. "He may be genuinely interested with your girl but things may change nang malaman nyang 'merong' ikaw sa scenario."

"I know. And I will."

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