We stopped as we saw Dad walking towards our direction. Nasa likod niya ang ilang sa mga tauhan niya habang nakatutok sa amin ang mga baril nito.

Rinig pa rin ang mga putok ng baril na nanggagaling sa villa.

Muling pumalibot sa akin sila Ridge habang alertong itinutok ang baril sa direksyon nila Daddy.

Dasher's in front of me, shielding me from Dad. Though I know him, I know Dad won't hurt me.

My father's holding his gun but it wasn't pointed on our direction. Ang mga tauhan lang niya ang nakikipagtutukan ng baril kila Ridge. Mukha namang walang balak bumaril ang mga ito, maybe just for protection. In case someone from Cosmos pulled the trigger, they can easily retaliate and defend.

"Mauree, anak." He continued walking near me until he's already in front of Dasher and Ridge who are both pointing a gun on him.

Kasabay noon ang pagkasa ng mga baril. Una mula sa kampo ni Ridge, at ang kasunod ay sa mga tauhan ni Daddy.

"Don't you dare move, Rozelli," Dash ordered.

And a gasp almost escaped from my lips as Dad smirked at him.

"Dasher, d-don't." I held his arm, the one who's holding a gun, as I gently tugged it. Ngunit hindi natinag iyon at nanatiling nakatutok kay Dad ang baril niya. Ang isang kamay niya ay mariin ang hawak sa kanyang cane. "Please, don't," I whispered while still holding his arm.

"It was nice to see you, Doc."

I almost curse as my father's mocking tone.

"What brings you here, Rozelli?" Dasher's cold voice sounds more dangerous than the gunshots inside the villa.

I was inwardly shaking my head as I have a hunch that this won't end quietly.

"I came to fetch my daughter. Iyon lang ang pakay ko sa ngayon, Alterio," sambit ni Daddy bago siya bumaling sa akin.

"Come on, Mauree. Let's go home," he nodded his head, encouraging me to go with him.

I can't. How can I go with him when after that, I know Cosmos would still come and hunt him until death?

Bahagya akong lumapit sa kanya at hindi naman ako pinigilan ni Dasher. Slowly, I took a step forward. I'm now in the middle of Dasher and Daddy. I felt Dash lowered his gun, dahil sa akin na iyon nakatutok matapos kong lumapit kay Dad.

I shook my head. "Dad, stop this. T-tell your men to stop." My voice trembled as I realized tears already escaped from my eyes. "L-leave and stop this, please."

"Of course, Mauree. Uuwi na tayo. Let's go," he tried to reached my but I immediately took a step back.

I don't think I can go home right now. I'm sorry.

"I can't. But don't worry, I'll be safe. I'm fine, Daddy." I stretched the corner of my lips for a smile to assured him.

Agad na kumunot ang kanyang noo, tila hindi makuha kung bakit ayaw ko siyang sundin. "What did they do? Did they threatened you, huh? Y-you're now safe, anak. I'm here, I won't let--"

"No, no. They didn't. P-please ask your men to stop," I begged. "Ask them."

Mariin siyang napapikit bago walang pagaalinlanggang bumaling sa isa sa mga tauhan niya. "Do what my daughter's asking."

I saw the man hesitated a bit when Dad glanced at him once more, he immediately run towards the villa.

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang tauhan ni Daddy bago ko muling ibinaling sa kanyang ang aking mga mata.

"U-uuwi rin ako, Dad. I'll go home safe. Tell Mommy that she doesn't have to worry about me. I-I love you both."

The line in his forehead deepened. His hair who's almost turning white swayed as the wind blew. "Mauree, come on. What the hell is this?" Mahinahon ngunit may diin ang bawat salita niya. "I'm here already. No one can hurt you--"

I unconsciously looked at the villas as the gunshots stopped. My weary eyes turned to my Dad as I gave him a tight smile.

"Leave in peace, Dad. No gunshots, huh?"

"Camilla."

I heard Dasher called. Sandali akong napalingon sa kanya bago muling bumaling kay Daddy.

I took a step back as I chew my lower lip. "I'm sorry."

"Maureanne, what are you--" mariing napapikit si Dad at napahilot sa kanyang sentido.

I continued stepping back until I felt someone held my arm. Hindi ko na kailangan pang lumingon dahil alam ko na kung sino iyon.

Isang ngiti pa ang ibinigay ko kay Daddy bago iniwasan ang mga mata niya.

I didn't bother wiping my tears as I turned to Dasher. There's a glint of emotion in his eyes. It was something I can't explain when out eyes met as he's still holding my arm.

"I'll leave with the helicopter but promise me..." Tinantya ko ang mga emosyon sa kanyang mukha bago nagpatuloy. "Promise me y-you'll let them leave in peace. Please, promise me, Dasher."

Hesitation immediately etched in his face. Ngunit agad na nawala ang ekspresyon niyang iyon. I watched him clenched his jaw.

I am almost begging as I held Dasher's shoulders. Agad iyong dumulas patungo sa kanyang mga braso. "P-Please."

I know this is hard for him but I just want the both of them safe. Hindi ako matatahimik kung aalis ako rito kahit alam kong, sa oras na umalis ako ay muli silang magpapatayan. I need their words. Their promises.

Hindi ko maisip na si Dasher pa ang mananakit kay Daddy. I mean, I know what my father did to him. Alam ko kung paano walang awang ipinag-utos ni Dad na ipapatay si Dasher. And I understand if he wants to kill my Dad for what he did. I will definitely understand.

But it'll surely hurt.

Can't my father pay for all his mistakes without getting killed? Mas gusto ko pang makulong siya kaysa sa patayin. At least I can still see him when he's in jail.

"P-promise me," I murmured in between my sobs. "No gunshots after I leave. Don't hurt my father."

Nahuli ko ang pamumungay ng mga mata ni Dasher at ang muling pag-igting ng kanyang panga. Mariing napapikit ang kanyang mga mata.

At sa muling pagsasalubong ng aming mga tingin ay mataman siyang tumango. "I promise."

I felt the heavy feeling in my insides vanished as a smile showed in my lips even with my eyes full of tears.

My sobs muffled when the helicopter's engine started. Narito pa si Ridge kaya sigurado ako na hindi siya ang nasa helicopter.

"You need to leave." I clearly hear that familiar authoritative voice. At sa paglingon ko ay tama ang aking hinala kung kanino ang boses na iyon.

It was Mirae standing near the helicopter. Hindi ko na namalayan kung kailan siya dumating doon.

I glanced at my father's direction for the last time before walking towards the helicopter.

I was about to climb inside but someone immediately caught my arm.

Sa paglingon ay doon ko nakasalubong ang mga mata ni Dasher. "Susunod ako. Wait for me, huh? I'll make this quick."

Naguguluhan man ay nakuha kong tumango. My lips stretched into a tight smile.

Ilang segundo pa siyang nanatiling nakatitig sa akin bago siya bumaling kay Ridge. "Go with her. Make sure she's safe."

"To the headquarters," Mirae instructed.

Ridge glanced at Dasher, confirming what Mirae said. Agad namang tumango si Dasher.

I was mummed the whole time we're inside the helicopter. Tipid na tango at iling lang ang naisagot ko kay Ridge dahil na rin sa pagiisip ko kay Daddy pati na rin kay Dasher.

I have no idea on how long it took us to finally arrived to Cosmos' headquarters.

Agad akong idiniretso ni Ridge sa kwarto ni Dasher dahil iyon daw ang iniutos sa kanya.

Siguro ay si Dasher ang kausap niya sa phone matapos naming bumaba ng helicopter.

I stayed there the whole time. Nagpaalam sa akin si Ridge na kung may kailangan ako ay nasa labas lang siya. He told me to just call him through my phone, reasoning it'll be dangerous for me to go out. Dahil hindi raw ako kilala ng ibang miyembro ng Cosmos. O hindi kaya, baka raw may nasabihan si Mirae na anak ako ni Ysmael at makilala ako.

But I forgot to tell him I left my phone at the villa. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na ganito ang mangyayari at bigla na lamang akong aalis.

Ngunit sinabi naman niyang pupuntahan niya ako kung sakaling matagalan si Dasher.

I was pacing back and forth the whole room when I decided to calm myself.

I let air enter my insides through my nose. And when I've had enough, I slowly exhale with my mouth. Ilang ulit ko pang ginawa iyon hanggang sa gumaan ang aking pakiramdam.

I sat on the couch and sighed. I slouched a bit while eyeing the whole room.

This doesn't looks like a criminals' headquarters though. I mean, at least Dasher's room.

Parang normal na silid lang ang kwarto ni Dasher. Two colors are dominating the whole place. Tila kay linis tignan ng silid dahil na rin sa kulay nito. On the second thought, the room is really clean.

The bed is in the side opposite to the couch but they share the same color.

I glanced at the wall clock. My eyes followed the hands of the clock as I'm imitating the tick-tock sound in my mind.

Ilang minuto ko iyong ginawa hanggang sa marahas na bumukas ang pinto ng silid ni Dasher. It made my shoulders jump as my face immediately turned to the door.

I blinked when I saw Dasher with his cane entering. Napatayo ako at muling napasulyap sa orasan. My brows furrowed as I realized I was wrong when I said I was staring at the clock for only minutes.

Dalawang oras na ang lumipas matapos kaming dumating sa headquarters ng Cosmos.

"Camilla," he called.

I caught him scanning my body as I was doing the same, looking if there's gunshots or other indication of another fight the moment I left.

And I sighed in relief when I found nothing. But I need to confirm it.

Marahang sumara ang pinto sa kanyang likuran. Kasabay noon ang paglapit niya sa akin. "You alright?"

I cocked my head for a nod. "Yes. Ikaw? Are you alright? How about Dad? You promised me you won't--"

"Hey, calm down."

Calm down? He's asking me that when he himself looks like he can't. And how can I--

I caught him staring at me.

Alright. I will.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Tanong ko sa mas kalmadong tono.

He let out a deep audible sigh. "I thought I'll lose you."

"Huh?" Nahihiwagaang tanong ko. My eyes widened while I felt my heart rapidly pounding against my chest, creating a loud bang echoing in my ears. "W-what did you say?" I asked when he didn't speak.

Ilang beses siyang napakurap at napaayos ng tayo. He cleared his throat afterwards. "I... I said, everything went just fine after you left."

What... Am I hallucinating? Kaya't kung ano ano ang naririnig ko? Is this because of gunshots earlier?

"Your father leave the moment your helicopter's out of sight. There's no another round of exchanging bullets. Just a couple of threatening words between Cosmos and Rozelli. Wala na bukod doon."

Malaya akong nakahinga nang marinig iyon mula kay Dasher. I can't help but thank God because of it.

"Bakit hindi ka sumama kay Ysmael?" Nanantya ang tono ng pagtatanong niya.

I tilted my head with my brows creasing a bit. "Do you want me to come with Dad?" Naguguluhang lumabas iyon mula sa aking mga labi. I mean, I don't know why they want me to stay with them but...

"No! Of course not! He won't let me near you if--" Bigla siyang nabulunan kahit na wala namang kinakain at napaubo. He cleared his throat once more. "I-I mean, you need to stay. Give me time, even just a few days and I'll drive you home."

"Yeah," I slowly agreed. I angled my head to see him closer. "You alright? You sure?"

"I am." Ilang ulit siyang tumango habang nauubo pa rin.

Nahihiwagaan ko siyang tinitigan. "You said you don't want me to go with Dad because he won't let me near you?"

I felt him stilled. His eyes widened for a split second. "What? Well--"

The door of Dasher's room hastily swung opened. Napunta roon ang buong atensyon naming dalawa.

Frowning, Mirae entered the room. Agad niyang nahanap ang aking mga mata. "What are you doing in Dasher's room?" Isang ulit pang tumalon ang aking mga balikat dahil sa matalim na bungad niya.

"Milady--" Hindi niya pinansin si Dasher at agad na pinutol ang mga salita nito.

"You bitch! You should be at the torture room!What the hell are you doing here--" 

"Mirae." Dasher's cold and firm voice echoed in the whole room.

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