I regained my consciousness when I felt a tight grip on my hair, pulling my head up. "Gising! Parating na si boss!"

I tried to move my hands and cursed when I realized I'm tied in a chair. Memory flashed back in my mind and I uttered a curse when I remember what happened.

I was adjusting my sight when I caught a familiar build walking towards my direction. "You're awake, my love!" His voice echoed on the whole warehouse.

"Fuck you," I cursed, directly looking at his face.

He smirked at me as he leaned forward. Ang dalawang kamay niya ay nasa magkabilang bahagi ng aking kinauupuan. I immediately tilted my head when he leaned more, trying to reached my lips. Tumama ang halik niya sa aking pisngi dahil sa aking ginawa. I watched him as his jaw clenched. His eyes darkened at me.

Tiim ang bagang siyang lumayo sa akin at bumalik sa maayos na pagkakatayo.

"Don't make this hard, honey. I told you, I can be the father of your son. Marry me."

This brute can't just move on.

Pagod at sarkastiko ko siyang tinignan. "If you're in a rush, I can find someone who can marry you. 'Wag ako, pwede ba?" I rolled my eyes at Calvin.

This past few years, everything's a mess. Thanks to this brute and his mother.

Those years are enough. I'll make sure that this will be the last.

"I want you, I'll marry you."

Nginiwian ko siya. "Let me go."

"Marry me or I'll kill your son. You choose, Auriese."

Marahas akong napabaling sa kanya. I tried to remove the tie in my hands I failed. "I'll kill you first, remember that." I gritted my teeth, matalim ang mga titig sa kausap.

"Can you?" Nanghahamong sambit niya na agad kong nginisihan. I shrugged at him. You know nothing, dear.

"I bet-"

Napapitlag ako at natigilan siya nang makarinig kami ng sunod-sunod na putok ng baril mula sa labas. One of his men hurriedly came towards us.

"Nasa labas ang Cosmos, boss!" He announced that made my eyes widened. Paanong may alam sila sa Cosmos?

"Fuck!" Calvin cursed. Naalerto ang mga tauhan niya at ngayon ay nakikipagbarilan na.

My heartbeat raced as I looked at Calvin. Puno ng takot ang mata akong tumingin sa kanya. "L-let me go, they will kill me. They will kill me, Calvin!"

I almost smirk when he immediately kneel on the floor behind me and started removing the rope tied on my hands. "C-Calvin," I called when I saw some familiar faces went inside the warehouse. Some's wearing a mask, I'm sure that's Mirae with her underbosses or maybe their capos.

"Shhh, I'll get you out of here, love. We'll use the back door."

Nang maramdaman kong kumawala mula sa pagkakatali ang aking kamay ay agad akong tumayo.

I immediately went in front of Calvin and held his head with both of my hands. Bakas ang pagtataka sa mukha niya ngunit hindi ko iyon binigyang pansin.

I forcefully thrust the front of my head to his face that made him groaned in pain. I snatched the gun on his pocket. Ikinasa ko iyon gamit ang isang kamay at agad siyang pinaputukan sa balikat.

Mabuti na lang at abala ang mga tauhan niya sa pakikipagpalitan ng putok ng baril sa Cosmos kaya naman walang nakapansin sa aking ginawa.

"Fuck, Auriese!"

I ignored him and started running towards the back door. May bala ng baril na dumaan sa akin kaya naman agad akong nagkubli sa isa sa mga poste sa loob ng warehouse.

I was running out of breath but I need to get out of here or else I'll surely die.

Bahagya akong sumilip sa pinanggalingan ng bala ng baril. I saw Calvin who's now holding a gun. Palinga linga at tila may hinahanap, hindi alintana ang nagbabarilan sa kanyang paligid.

I rolled my eyes as I eyed the steel door near me. I glanced at Calvin. Nang makita kong hindi siya nakaharap sa aking direksyon ay agad akong tumakbo sa pinto. Tama ako nang bumungad sa akin ang likuran ng warehouse.

I locked the door from outside as I run away the warehouse.

Nang makasigurong nakalayo na ay sandali akong huminto. I can hear my heart pounding my ribcage as I tried catching my breath.

I snatched my phone from my pocket as I started dialing Prestin's number.

"Pick up the phone, Prestin," I whispered while walking back and forth in the middle of the dark road.

"Auriese-"

"Thank God!" I said when he answered.

"Where are you? Rye's looking for you. Nakatulog na kakahintay sa 'yo. Do you know what time is it, Priscilla Auriese?" I almost rolled my eyes as I heard his preaching tone.

"Calvin abducted me, Attorney. Pauwi na rin ako. Book me and my son a flight. A flight early in the morning tomorrow if possible," I muttered as I catched my breath. Inilibot ko ang tingin sa paligid at naghanap ng maaaring sakyan.

"What? That fucker!"

"And Cosmos..." I trailed off as I catched my breath. "They might be looking after me."

Bigla na lang silang sumulpot kanina. I don't know what's their motive, if they're after me or Calvin, I don't know. But I need to go far from them, from Calvin, from that old hag and especially Cosmos. I need to go far from all of these.

Rye's already three years old, its been four years since I vanished and I know Cosmos' investigating about it. They're quitely looking for me, for Dellany. Una pa lang, I should have known.

I was packing my son's clothes when I heard Prestin's door buzzed. Agad akong nagtungo roon para buksan ang pinto. Naabutan ko pa ang aking anak na nanonood ng telebisyon.

"Did you forgot something-" Bungad ko at agad ring napahinto sa pagaakalang si Prestin iyon. Then realization hit me. Prestin won't buzzed in his own condo. "Calvin."

"Who else?"

"You fucker!" I gritted my teeth.

Nilagpasan niya ako at walang pakundangang pumasok ng condo ni Prestin.

He immediately kneel and faced my son. "Who are you?" My son's innocent eyes bore on Calvin.

"I'm your dad-"

"Calvin!" I shrieked, cutting his words. Tumataas at baba ang dibdib na lumapit ako sa dalawa.

Si Rye ang agad kong binalingan. "He's not your dad, honey. Go to your room, I'll follow you. I'll just talk to him."

Nagtataka ngunit agad ring sumunod ang aking anak. I turned the television off as my eyes darted at Calvin. Katatayo lang nito galing sa pagkakaluhod.

"Why-"

"You already know why I'm here."

Mariin akong napapikit sa agarang pagputol niya sa aking mga salita. Matapos ay matalim ko siyang tinignan. "And you already know my answer. Still the same, San Sebastian."

I saw his hand went on his back pocket. "Then I have no choice, Auriese."

My instincts immediately moved. I reached the vase resting on the center table as I got a glimpse of his gun when he pulled it out of his pocket. Everything went fast. Kasabay ng pagtutok niya ng baril sa akin ay ang pagbato ko ng vase sa kanyang direksyon.

"Bull's-eye." I know a ghost of smirk is evident in my face as the vase hit Calvin's head, leaving him unconscious.

I immediately went towards our room. Naabutan ko roon ang aking anak na naghihintay sa akin.

I pulled him closer as I envelope my arms around him and whispered. "Come on, we're leaving, baby." I let my lips touch the top of his head while my eyes' closed.

"Where are we going, mommy?"

I carried my son as I started pulling the baggage. "Somewhere far, honey. We'll meet your Tito Prestin first."

"Are we meeting daddy?"

Bahagyang bumagal ang lakad ko at napatingin sa anak. I opened my mouth as I searched for an excuse but nothing came out of it.

Sa huli ay nginitian ko siya. "I'm not sure, though let's hope we can see him."

The sides of Rye's lips tugged up that made me smile wider. Ngunit agad na napawi ang aking ngiti. My chest tightened as I saw his hopeful eyes.

Maybe that's what I get in return, for being selfish.

I walked out of the room while carrying my son. "Close your eyes, the bad guys are coming," I whispered when I saw Calvin lying on the floor, unconscious. But I'm sure he's still alive. He won't die just because of what I did.

I asked my son to closed his eyes until we got out of Prestin's unit. Nang makalabas ay nagmamadali akong naglakad patungo sa elevator.

Kaunti na lamang ang nakabukas nang may lalaking bumungad sa harapan noon habang nakatutok sa amin ang baril. My chest rammed my ribcage as I saw the man who's wearing a mask pulled the trigger. Laking pasalamat ko nang bago pa pumasok ang bala sa loob ng elevator ay tuluyan na itong sumara.

Is that Cosmos? Fuck, because he's wearing a mask means he's from Cosmos?

Pero imposible namang tauhan iyon ni Salvia.

My gripped on my son tightened as I shut my eyes closed.

"Is my brother inside?" I asked while looking at Prestin's secretary.

"Yes, ma'am. He's waiting for you."

"Thank you." Bahagya akong tumango sa kanya. I gently pulled my son's hand but immediately run towards the door of Prestin's office.

I shook my head as I watched him continuously knocking the door.

Nang nakangiting binuksan iyon ni Prestin ay saka ako lumapit sa dalawa dala ang aming bagahe.

"What is it? Your flight is scheduled at five in the afternoon," bungad niya bago inilagay sa kanyang bisig ang aking anak. Nilakhan niya ang bukas ng pinto at iginiya kami papasok sa loob.

"Calvin's in your condo, I left him unconscious."

Marahas siyang napabaling sa akin, kunot ang noo. "What?"

I heaved a deep sighed. "And I'm not sure but I think it was Cosmos. Someone tried to shoot us on the elevator. That's why we're here. Can we stay here before our flight?"

He made me sat on the couch near his table. Siya naman ay umupo sa aking tabi at kinalong si Rye. "Paano kung sundan niya kayo? At..." he trailed off.

"Cosmos? Are you sure, I mean-"

I shrugged and leaned on the couch. "Let's not talk about that. I'll be ready, if anything happens." Or I can file a restraining order against Calvin. Ngunit sa Cosmos, hindi ko na alam.

Marahan siyang napapailing, hindi sang-ayon sa aking isinagot. "I'll come with you. San Sebastian is a psycho. I can't risk you and this kiddo," sambit niya at bahagyang ginulo ang buhok ng aking anak.

I went back to reality when I heard someone cleared his throat. "Are you listening?"

"Huh?" Lutang na sagot ko kay Attorney. Nagpatuloy ako sa paglalakad palabas ng presinto. Attorney Archer Eliseo Fonacier who's walking beside me made the impossible possible.

I am the prime suspect of Calvin's case because of the evidences. Lalo na at mayroon pang lumabas na recording na pinagbantaan kong papatayin si Calvin. Hindi ko alam kung saan galing iyon ngunit sigurado ako na pinagbantaan ko nga siya. Sa kabila ng mga ebidensya ay nahanapan agad ni Archer ng butas ang mga iyon, kaya naman hindi na umabot na magkaroon pa ng trial na ako ang suspect. At hindi ko alam kung paano niya nagawa 'yon.

"Does your offer still stand, I said." Nakangising tanong niya sa akin. Malayo sa ekspresyon niya kanina nang nasa loob pa kami ng presinto. He looked ruthless and cold awhile ago, I almost shiver in his stares.

Though there's something in his eyes that I can't tell. Grieving? I don't know.

I tilted my head, slightly frowning. "What offer?"

"I can be your lifetime lawyer."

Sa una ay hindi ko nakuha ang sinasabi niya. Ngunit nang nagpatuloy siya ay doon na namilog ang aking mga mata.

"Or lifetime partner, you choose." He shrugged and slightly leaned on my ear. "But I prefer both, Aurie."

I gasped as he winked at me. I don't know if it's because of what he did or because of the way he called me, or because a familiar scene came on my mind as I heard what he said.

"I said, I'm Auriese but you can call me, Aurie," I muttered as I stood in front of Archer. His friend, Creed's beside him, napahinto rin sa paglalakad dahil sa biglaan kong pagsulpot sa kanilang harapan.

I glanced at Creed and saw him sporting a bored look on his face. Hindi ko pinansin iyon at kay Archer itinuon ang tingin.

"Aurie, 'cause I want you always beside me!" I said with conviction as I winked at him.

Nahihiwagaan siyang napatingin sa akin. Then it turned in to an 'anong connect' kind of look.

Sandali akong natigilan. Anong connect? Gaga, walang connect! Magkarhyme lang!

There's a ghost of smile in his lips. Bahagyang nakukunot ang noo, sa huli ay marahang napailing at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Bago pa nila ako malagpasan ay agad akong sumabay sa dalawa. The skirt of my school uniform swayed with the wind as my hair danced with them.

"I heard you're a future lawyer," sambit ko nang maabutan sila. Tumatalon talon akong sumabay sa paglalakad ng dalawa.

"Hmm, what is it to you, Miss?" He quickly glanced at me.

"I'm a future lawyer too! Kung hindi papalarin..." I trailed off, sinadyang bitinin ang sasabihin.

"Can you apply?" I said in a hopeful tone. Malawak pa akong ngumiti sa kanya, nakataas ang mga pisngi, hindi alintana ang matapang kong mukha.

"As what?"

"As my lawyer! Lifetime lawyer!" Matinis na sambit ko. I wiggled my brows at him while I'm giggling. "Or lifetime partner, you choose!" I slightly leaned on him, tiptoeing while walking to reached his ear. I placed my hand at the side of it and whispered. "I prefer both."

Nang lumayo ako sa kanya ay nahuli ko ang multong ngiti sa kanyang mga labi, bahagya pang umiiling ang ulo habang diretso ang tingin at paglalakad.

Pabiro kong binangga ang kanyang balikat. "Gusto mo 'yon, Attorney? Huh? Huh? Want mo 'yon?" Nakakalokong sambit ko sa kanya habang nakangiti.

Lalong lumawak ang ngiti sa aking labi nang huminto siya sa paglalakad at tuluyan na akong hinarap. Maging si Creed ay napahinto dahil sa kasabay. Creed's cold eyes darted at me. It only took a few seconds because he immediately darted his eyes somewhere, annoyed.

I'll be your friend's girlfriend, you should be nice to me, Ferron.

I looked at Archer, naroon pa rin ang multong ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. "So, you'll apply?" Tanong ko habang na magkahawak sa likod ang mga kamay at isinasayaw sayaw ang balikat.

He slightly shook his head. "I'm not interested, miss." Agad akong nanlumo sa sinabi niya ngunit ramdam ko ang paginit ng aking mga pisngi nang bahagya niyang guluhin ang aking buhok. "Aral ka mabuti, bata ka pa," nakangising sambit niya bago ako tuluyang tinalikuran.

"Aral ka raw mabuti, miss," Creed muttered as an annoying smirk crept in his face. Hanggang sa lagpasan niya ako ay naroon pa rin ang nakakaasar na ngisi sa kanyang mga labi.

Laglag ang panga at namimilog ang mga matang sinundan ko sila ng tingin. Nahihiwagaan ko silang tinignan.

I heaved a sarcastic, audible breath. Do I look like a kid?

__________