The wooden door of the villa in front of me opened. Ang villa na agaw pansin kumpara sa mga kalapit nito. Sa tingin ko, una dahil iyon sa disenyo na sa labas pa lang ay masasabi na, na isang magaling na arkitekto ang gumawa. At pangalawa, dahil sa kinalalagyan noon. This is the only villa that is standing near the shore. Ang mga kalapit na villa nito ay malayo na sa dalampasigan.

The pattern carved at the wooden door made it hard to distinguish what design it is. Pinaglandas ko ang aking mga daliri sa disenyo at noon ko natanto kung ano iyon.

Silence welcomed us as we entered the villa. The whole place looks ancient yet the furnitures and interior seems new. It dawned on me that this villa may be a newly built one but the theme is ancient. O hindi kaya ay karerenovate lang. I heard too that this is Ferron's property.

I watched Mirae as she pushed Dasher's wheelchair. I initiated to do it but she refused. Hayaan ko na raw muna na siya ang gumawa noon. Her husband's just eyeing her. Astrid sat on the couch as well as Hoax Devaughne. Agad kong naramdaman ang muling pagkalat ng init sa aking mukha nang maalala na nahuli kong naghahalikan sila.

Gusto kong lumubog sa kinatatayuan noon mga oras na iyon.

Atty. Fonacier's staring at Dasher. Tila hindi pa rin makapaniwala na buhay ang kaibigan. Naunang umuwi rito sa Pilipinas si Creed sa hindi ko malamang dahilan kaya't ngayon ay wala siya. The two underbosses of Devaughne looked around outside to check the whole place.

The side of my lips rose as I remember I know who are they, I mean the Devaughne.

I may be not involved in our organization but I know the basics. I know who the rivals are. Well, except for Cosmos. The only thing I know about them is, Creed Ferron is an underboss and Dr. Dasher Alterio might be the Universe. No other suspects on who the other leaders are.

Isa sa mga ipinagtaka ko ay ang presensya rito ng mga Devaughne. Why are they here? Dasher's the Universe of Cosmos while Ferron is an underboss. Imposibleng hindi alam iyon ng mga Devaughne kaya't anong ginagawa nila rito?

Or maybe they're here because Mirae and Astrid are Dasher's friend? Na halata namang may relasyon sa magkapatid na Devaughne. Or maybe there's something more.

"I'll check the whole place," paalam ni Astrid. She rose from her seat as she started looking around like she's inspecting the place. Nang mawala siya sa aking paningin ay agad na tumayo si Hoax upang sundan siya.

Binitawan ni Mirae ang wheelchair ni Dasher at muli akong hinarap. "Hindi na kami magtatagal. Creed had an emergency, we're needed at the hospital. Again, Maureen, keep your mouth shut."

I nodded my head. "I understand." Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses na niyang sinabi sa akin iyon. Though, I know she only wants Dasher to be safe.

"At huwag na 'wag mong iiwanan ng mag-isa si Dasher--"

"Milady, that's enough. I can handle myself." Putol ni Dash sa mga salita ni Mirae.

"In that situation of yours, you can't. We already talked about this and you agreed. I was just reminding Maureen," pinal na sambit nito bago lumapit sa akin. I can hear the sound coming from her stilletos as she walked towards my direction.

She stopped when there's only half a meter distance between the two of us. "Don't you dare go against me, I'll kill you if you do."

"Mirae!" It was from her husband and Archer.

I bit my lower lip as I slowly nodded my head. Something came in my mind as she said those. Like a flashback, a scene rushed through my mind.

Is it possible that they know me? I mean, Creed and Mirae?

I met them once before this. That time when Dad asked me to join him in a masquerade theme annual celebration.

We're all wearing half masks. But I know its them. Creed introduced hisself while Daddy called Mirae's name. Dad introduced me as his daughter. I'm wearing mask, kaya't malakas ang loob ni Dad na ipakilala ako.

Creed and Mirae's together at that annual celebration. Dad even said he thought Mirae would be with Dasher. That's why I assumed she's in a relationship with Creed but they aren't. I formulated an idea in my mind because of that. It is possible that Mirae have something to do with Cosmos.

Big bosses are expected to come with their partner a mafia member or not. That's what Daddy told me. Creed is not a big boss, means he can't bring a partner who's not a mafia.

That's why Dad assumed that Dr. Alterio will bring Mirae because he's the Universe of Cosmos.

But Mirae's with Creed. Then I assume Mirae's a part of Cosmos or perhaps, she's involved in mafia.

Unless my father is wrong and Creed is the Universe of Cosmos then he can bring Mirae even if she's not involved in mafia.

Therefore, if Mirae's really involved in mafia, what said is not just a mere threat. She definitely can kill me whenever I go against her.

Nakilala ko sila Mirae kaya posible bang kilala rin nila ako? But they won't let me go near Dash if they do. Or they're planning something.

"You're scaring her," saway ni Archer.

Mirae's brow raised as she meaningfully answered. "I was just telling her what I can do. Wala naman akong gagawin kung wala siyang gagawin."

Akmang sasagot pa si Archer nang makabalik sila Astrid. Diretso sa akin ang kanyang mga mata. "There are groceries in the kitchen. Everything you both need is already there. Every week, may pupunta rito para sa groceries niyo." She stopped as she glanced at Dasher. Matapos ay muling bumaling sa akin, may supil na ngiti sa mga labi. "I assumed you know how to cook?"

I bit my lower lip as I hesitantly nodded my head. I can cook fried foods, is that counted? I can learn how to cook other complicated dishes through searching.

"You're not sure?" There's a teasing smile in Astrid's lips as she asked.

"I can cook fried foods..." I trailed off. "And soups." Pahabol ko na tila pangpalubag loob iyon.

"Oh my God," rinig kong bulong ni Mirae. Bahagya itong napahilot sa kanyang sentido.

I lowered my head. Hindi kasi ako nagluluto sa bahay. I mean, I grew up with Mommy and she teached me how to cook because I insisted. Fried food lang ang itinuro niya sa akin dahil hindi na naman daw kailangan pang matuto ako. Maids can do it for me, she said. Minsan lang din nagluluto si Mommy dahil lagi siyang busy sa trabaho. Most of the time helpers will cook for the two of us.

"Baby, she can learn, like how you learned." My eyes darted at Vynz as for the first time when he got here, he spoke.

"What? Matagal na 'kong marunong magluto."

"Hmm. I miss korean barbeque as desert." Makahulugang sambit nito na nakapagpamilog ng mga mata ni Mirae.

Korean barbeque as desert? Archer and Dasher chuckled like they knew what Vynz is talking about. Si Astrid naman ay napangiti at halatang nagpipigil din ng tawa.

"Hey! Napasobra lang 'yon!"

Vynz hummed as a smirk formed in his lips. "Of course."

They leave a few hours after we arrived. Sa loob ng ilang oras na iyon ay panay bilin nila sa akin. Mirae also told me that a therapist with be here. Kasabay ng isa pang nurse na mag-aalaga kay Dasher. Though, they have a separate villa nearby and won't stay here.

If only I didn't know that Mirae's just being protective to Dasher because of his situation, I'll think that she knew I'm not a nurse and I'm not trained to be one.

Iniwan ko si Dasher sa tanggapan ng villa at nagtungo sa kusina nang matantong malapit na ang hapunan. Hindi pa ako nakakarating sa kusina nang may maalala. I went back on the living room where Dasher is watching on the television. Ngunit sa tingin ko ay wala roon ang atensyon niya dahil sa blankong ekspresyon ng mga mata.

"S-sir?" Walang emosyon siyang bumaling sa akin. He's still seating on the wheelchair.

"What do you want for dinner?"

Mataman niya akong tinignan. He glanced back at the television before he answer. "Anything."

"Do... you have allergies?" Nagaalangang tanong ko na inilingan lang niya.

I bit my lower lip as I smiled a bit before turning my back on him.

The twelve seater wooden table welcomed me as I entered the dining room.

Nilagpasan ko iyon at diretsong nagtungo sa kitchen. I went towards the wooden double door refrigerator. It stood and looks like a closet cabinet but it isn't.

Maluwag na binuksan ko ang dalawang pinto noon at pinasadahan ng tingin ang mga pagkaing nasa loob.

I scanned the whole ref as I looked for something I can cook for dinner.

I opened the fridge and when I saw the beef, an idea immediately came in my mind. Agad kong inilabas ang sirloin at nilagay sa countertop.

Matapos ay agad akong bumalik sa living room para muling tanungin si Dasher.

Hindi mabilis ang aking lakad patungong sala ngunit nawalan ng balanse ang aking kaliwang paa. I almost fell on the floor. Mabuti na lamang ay naabot ko ang pader na humahati sa dining room at living room.

Dasher's eyes swiftly went on my direction. Agad akong napaayos ng tayo nang magtama ang aming mga mata. Alanganin akong napangiti habang tumataas at baba ang aking dibdib dahil sa nangyari. "I-I'll cook steak for dinner. How would you like it to be done?"

Napakurap siya sa akin. Nahihiwagaan sa kung bakit tila hinihingal ako sa ginagawa.

An emotion glimmered in his black eyes. There's a small frown in his forehead and it made him more appealing in my eyes. His clean face compliments his clean cut hair.

Tumikhim siya bago tuluyang nagsalita. "You know how to?"

Napakagat ako sa pang-ibabang labi. "I can search how. M-madali lang naman siguro?" I saw Mommy cooked steak once and it seems easy.

His brow raised a bit as my last words turned into question. "I want it medium rare."

Kusang lumaki ang ngiti sa aking mga labi at napatango sa kanya. I want it that way too.

I fished my phone from my pocket while walking back to the kitchen. I tapped my YouTube app and started typing how to cook steak.

I scrolled and immediately played the video of a famous chef on how to cook steak. My full attention is on the video while nodding my head as the chef spoke.

Isa-isa kong kinuha ang mga kailangan sa paghahanda ng steak habang patuloy na nagsasalita ang chef. It says that I need to get the beef out of the fridge for at least thirty minutes before preparing it.

Matapos ihanda sa countertop ang mga kakailanganin ay muli kong binalikan ang akin phone. I set an alarm for thirty minutes before I went back on YouTube app.

Patuloy ako sa panonood ng iba't ibang video kung paano gumawa ng steak, sinisiguro na tama ang una kong napanood kahit na sikat na chef naman ang gumawa noon.

Doon ko inubos ang oras hanggang sa tumunog ang alarm ng aking phone, hudyat na maaari ko ng i-prepare ang beef.

It didn't took me awhile preparing it. Nakabisado ko na kung ano ang mga ilalagay upang magkaroon iyon ng linamnam.

I turned to the stove where the pan is in. Bago ilagay ang sirloin sa pan ay muli kong pinanood ang video para siguraduhing tama ang aking ginawa.

I started searing each sides of the beef on the pan. Sinunod ko kung ilang minuto ang kailangan bawat side para sa medium rare. But it says here that it'll be more accurate if I'll use food thermometer.

My eyes landed at my phone to see the time. I still have two minutes before I need to sear the other side of the beef.

I turned to the working place where I got the kitchen utensils that I used. Bago ang mga iyon at mukhang kabibili lang kasabay ng aming pagdating. Hinalughog ko ang ibang gamit na naroon, nagbabakasakali na may makitang food thermometer.

I sighed as I didn't saw one. Akmang uupo ako sa stool malapit sa countertop nang maalala ang niluluto.

I immediately run towards the stove as I turned to my phone. Namilog ang aking mga mata nang makitang ilang minuto na hindi lang dalawang minuto ang nakalipas na. Dali-dali kong biniling ang beef sa side kung saan hindi pa iyon luto. Napangiwi ako nang makitang iba na rin ang kulay ng gilid noon, tila napasobra sa luto.

Nanlulumo ko iyong tinignan nang masigurong malayo sa medium rare ang kalalabasan noon.

Buntong hiningang umupo ako sa stool dala ang aking phone. I glanced at the time. Muli kong inorasan ang beef, determinadong makuha ang tamang oras sa pagkakataong ito. I was tapping my fingers at the countertop, busy waiting for the time when I heard a loud sound followed with a crisp curse from the living room.

"Bullshit!"

Agad akong napatayo sa kinatatayuan dahil sa narinig. I run towards the sala and can't help but gasped when I witnessed Dasher lying on the floor, trying to stand and go back on the wheelchair but failing because he can't move his feet.

Nilapitan ko siya at niyakap ang braso niya upang tulungan siyang makabalik ngunit agad niyang pinalis ang aking kamay. "Fuck off!"

But I ignored it, muli kong inabot ang kanyang braso. "I-I'll help you--"

Marahas siyang bumaling sa akin kasabay ng muli niyang pagpalis sa aking kamay. His cold eyes made it looks darker than usual. "I said, fuck off! Will you?"

"I'm your nurse, Dasher! You can't stand, can't you see? Now, let me help you." Hindi sinasadyang napataas ang aking boses ang unang mga salitang sinambit. Muli kong inabot ang kanyang braso at tinulungan siyang iangat ang katawan. Wala siyang naging imik hanggang sa tuluyan siyang makabalik sa pagkakaupo sa wheelchair.

Nang tumuwid ang aking tayo ay noon ko malinaw na nakita ang kanyang ekspresyon. Pinaghalong pait at lamig ang mababakas sa kanyang mukha.

"You must be laughing at me, huh? You think I'm that useless?"

My lips parted at his words. Napakurap ako nang matanto kung ano ang aking nasabi. "D-Dasher, I'm sorry--"

"Just hand me the remote control." Malamig na putol niya sa aking mga salita.

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