THIRD PERSON

Habang nasa loob ang doctor upang tingnan ang kalagayan ni Kage ay nakasandal naman sa labas ng pintuan si Apollo at ang ama nitong si Fabian. Parehong nakakrus ang braso ng mga ito habang nakasandal ang kanang balikat sa hamba ng pinto.

"What do you think about that guy, Pops?" Pagihingi ng opinyon ni Apollo.

"I believe he's crazy enough to risk everything to win over his in-laws." Iling-iling na saad ni Fabian. Sino ba naman kasing baliw kakain ng seafood kahit alam niyang allergic siya?

"With how he looks at her, he seems very possessive and overprotective. However, he shows qualities of responsibility and trustworthiness." Dagdag pa nito na siya namang sinang-ayunan ni Apollo.

"He can guide and protect and give her a bright future," Fabian concluded. Apollo nodded his head. If there is anyone who has a good judge of character, that would be his old man.

But, well, his daughter has good taste in men. He has a good family background and is a successful gentleman with his principles. His incredibly attractive appearance is worth noting.

Wala pa ngang kasal ay nai-imagine na niya ang magiging hitsura ng mga apo niya. They will be the cutest kids ever! And he began daydreaming of seeing little kids running around in the hallway of his house, calling him 'Lolo.'

Pinagkunutan naman ni Fabian ng noo ang anak niyang nakatingin sa kisame habang nakangiti na parang tanga. Gusto niya sana itong hampasin ng baston sa mukha para matauhan pero mas pinili niyang buksan ang pinto upang mawalan ito ng balanse at matumba sa sahig.

Sabay naman na napalingon si Distaunce at Sachal nang bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa roon ang nakangisi nilang lolo at ang ama nilang sumemplang sa sahig hawak-hawak ang balakang niyang mukhang napuruhan dahil sa pagbagsak.

"You nasty old man!" Asar na bulyaw nito sa ama niyang pinagtaasan lang siya ng kilay.

"Dad, are you okay?" Tanong ni Distaunce matapos tulungan itong tumayo na umaaray pa.

"I think I broke a bone. Doc, pwede paki-check na rin ako?" Pag-iinarte pa nito. Fabian rolled his eyes and left the guest room bago pa madagdagan ang puting buhok niya sa ulo dahil sa pagiging OA ni Apollo.

"While I check your father, can I request you to buy these medicines in a nearby pharmacy? Nagmadali kasi akong pumunta rito right when I receive an emergency call kaya hindi ko nadala lahat ng gamit ko." The female doctor apologetically said.

"Oh, sure. Do you have a list?" Binigyan naman siya ng kapirasong papel na may riseta kaya kaagad itong lumabas upang bumili samantalang lumipat naman ng kabilang kuwarto ang doctor upang doon i-examine si Apollo.

Hinila ni Sachal ang isang upuan upang tumabi sa higaan ni Kage. The doctor injected him with something that somehow relieved his rashes, but why wasn't he waking up yet? Hindi ba usually kapag nahihimatay dahil sa allergic reaction, nagigising naman after a few minutes?

Napatitig na lang siya sa lalaking mahimbing na natutulog. Now that she's taken a real good look at him, his sleeping face almost tricks you into believing he's an innocent, harmless man who can't even kill a single fly.

She stood up and leaned on the bed when she noticed him sweating. Kumuha siya ng bimpo at sinimulang punasan ang noo nito. As she gently wiped his face, she found herself unable to resist admiring the thickness and length of his eyelashes. From his perfectly shaped nose down to his lips, she couldn't help but be captivated by his features.

Napatingin siya sa puting long sleeves na suot nito. She carefully undid the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing his collarbone, and then proceeded to wipe his neck with a soft cloth.

Why is he sweating so much?

Akmang aalis na siya upang i-adjust ang temperature ng AC nang biglang may humawak sa pulsuhan niya. His grip wasn't too tight, but somehow she can feel the neediness of his touch—as if he don't want her to leave him.

"Salvatore?" She called his name but didn't answer.

Umusbong ang inis sa kaloob-looban niya dahil hindi niya maiwasang mag-alala rito. "Bakit kasi ang bobo mo?" Singhal niya rito. Kung pwede niya lang sana ito sabunutan ay kanina niya pa ginawa.

"You don't have to go that far just to gain their approval! Whether they like it or not, I will only marry you, and they can't do anything about it!" Matigas nitong wika, animo'y desididong-desidido sa desisyon niya.

"Paano na lang if mamatay ka, sino aasawahin ko?" Natigilan ang dalaga dahil sa salitang lumabas sa bibig niya. Where did that came from? She wasn't expecting to say those words aloud either.

"It's cute how you think death can keep us apart." Natatawang napamulat ng mata si Kage matapos iyon sabihin. He wanted to hear more of her monologues, but then, he could hear a glint of worry in her voice. And he doesn't want her to worry.

Napasinghap naman si Sachal at kaagad na napahawak sa kamay nitong nakahawak sa pulsuhan niya. She was relived that he had woken up. Napatingin naman ang binata sa kamay nilang magkahawak. When she realized what she did, mabilis niyang binawi ang kamay niya at tumikhim.

"How are you feeling?" Wala sa sariling pinakiramdaman ni Kage ang kamay niyang kanina'y hawak ni Sachal.

Her hands felt soft. He wants to hold it again. "I desire moisture." Sabog niyang sagot. Kaagad na kumunot ang noo ng dalaga dahil hindi niya naintindihan ang sinabi nito.

"I mean, I want water." Pagka-klaro nito. Kinunan niya naman ito ng tubig at kaagad na pinainom sa kanya. She watched him drinking the water with his adams apple bobbing up and down as he gulped.

"You've been unconscious for twenty minutes. If you had severe allergies, you should have refused to eat the food." He tilted his head, a small smile playing on his lips as he observed her. He was intrigued by the complex blend of emotions flickering across her face—a tinge of guilt paired with a touch of concern. Cute.

"What did your grandfather say? Your dad?" Namewang na nagkasalubong ang kilay ni Sachal dahil sa naging turan niya.

"Talagang yun pa ang inaalala mo? You nearly died!" Panenermon nito sa kanya. His eyes linger on her face for a moment before he averts his stare to her lips.

He almost died many times—this is nothing new to him. But how can he say those words without angering her even more? "Well, I need their permission to marry you. I might as well just die if they don't even approve it." Napasapo na lang ng noo si Sachal dahil kahit anong sabihin niya ay hindi niya makuha kung ano ang ipinupunto niya.

For fuck's sake, he can't die! He's the only clue to the mystery she'd been trying so hard to uncover!

They can't do this. If this happens, her family will become suspicious of their relationship. They were about to get married, and she didn't even know he was allergic to seafood? Baka nga kahit favorite color ng isa't isa hindi nila alam.

"Tell me something about you." Kage found himself getting up from the bed to sit. She wants me to tell her about myself? He thought to himself.

"I'm Arle—"

"I already know your name. Just tell me about the things you like or something you rarely tell anyone." Pagpuputol ni Sachal bago muling umupo sa upuan at inusog ito papalapit sa kama.

"Something I rarely tell anyone?"

"Yes! Like favorite color? Food? Ano type mo sa babae?" Sunod-sunod nitong tanong. He notice how extra attentive she was this time.

"I like the color of your eyes." He answered, pertaining to her natural hazel eyes. "I'm not a picky eater, so I can eat anything except seafood." Dagdag pa nito. "And my type of woman is you." Napakurap-kurap si Sachal.

How can he say those words with a straight face? Ganoon ba siya kasanay mambola ng babae?

"Uhh, so—do you have any past relationships? Exes na gusto mo balikan? Ka-fling na want mo halikan?" Napakagat na lang ito ng labi dahil sa mga naging tanong niya. Not that she's trying to pry on his past, she's just curious.

"I've never been in a relationship." She shot him a glare. Impossible!

"Wag mo nga ako pinagloloko! Yang mukhang 'yan walang naging jowa? Kahit tamaan pa ako ng kidlat!" She scoffed, kahit saang anggulo talaga tingnan ay hindi kapani-paniwala na wala itong nakarelasyon.

"I will never lie to you. In my line of work, I can't get attached to people and develop any special relationship because they will be used against me." With that being said, it makes sense. Even if he wants to, he can't.

But what he said could just be a warning for her as well, now that he will be married—she can be used by others to threaten him in any way possible.

"But no need to worry about that. I will make sure to protect you and your family." He assured. Kung sakali man na may mangyari sa kanila ay nakakasigurado naman si Sachal na matatakasan ito ng ama at lolo niya. They have many tricks in their sleeves just like what happened in their main house.

"O—kay." Tinanggap niya na lang ang sagot niyang iyon dahil kahit siya ay wala rin naman naging past relationship dahil nag-focus siya sa career niya. She finds relationship a bother. Specially when she's always there to comfort her friends crying over the worst things a man could do.

"So since wala ka namang past relationship, what about body count?" Natahimik naman si Kage habang napakagat naman ng labi si Sachal. Was the question too direct? Was it something he can't say at all? Pinamulahan ang dalaga sa hiya. What the hell! Kababae niyang tao siya pa nagtanong no'n.

"Body count? I. . .I believe I can't count anymore." Muntik na siya mapatakip ng bibig kung hindi niya napigilan ang sarili niya. He fucked that many that he can no longer count them anymore? Gosh!

"Estimate?"

"About a thousand?"

Napahigit ng hininga si Sachal. "Buti wala kang sakit?" Kumunot ang noo ni Kage sa narinig.

"Sakit?"

"I mean, besides your allergy. Wala ka namang ibang sakit?" Umiling ito. Para namang nabunutan ng tinik ang dalaga. At least wala siyang sakit. Kapagkuwan ay tinablan na naman ito ng hiya dahil sa naisip.

Am I actually thinking we will do it? She shook off the thought and cleared her throat to regain composure.

"How about you? Do you have anything to ask me?" She looked at him, her eyes filled with curiosity as she pondered her next question. His arms were crossed, and he studied her intently, fully aware that she was eager to ask more questions. It was clear that she would answer him thoughtfully if he were to ask about anything.

But he already knows everything about her because he did a background check on her when she saved him in the hotel. "What sports do you play?" Nakitaan niya ng pagkislap ang mata ng babae nang itanong niya iyon.

"I love playing board games, and hmm. . .I play golf with papá in my spare time. But I also love archery and car racing!" Hindi niya maiwasang mapangiti habang nakatingin ditong mukhang bata na nagbibilang gamit ang mga daliri niya. "And oh! Is riding a horse also a sport?"

Habang nagpapalitan silang dalawa ng mga katanungan ay siya namang paglalakad ni Distaunce pabalik ng rest house dala-dala ang plastic ng gamot na binili niya sa pinakamalapit na pharmacy. He was walking peacefully along the seaside when suddenly, someone fall from the sky.

Tumilapon ang plastic na hawak niya at natumba siya sa buhangin. May kung anong bagay na dumagan sa mukha niya. When he opened his eyes, he saw his face was underneath someone's skirt. Parang nawalan siya ng kapasidad huminga nang makita kung gaano kapula ang underwear na nakikita niya.

"Ah! You fucking pervert!" Hiyaw ng isang babae bago ito umalis mula sa pagkakaupo sa mukha niya at bigyan siya ng suntok sa pisngi na ikinaputok ng labi niya.

Napabangon siya sa buhangin at nanghahamong binalingan ng tingin ang babaeng kasalukuyang nagtatanggal ng parachute sa likuran niya. Napatingin sa himapapwid si Distaunce at nakita niyang may papaalis na chopper. Bakit ba ang daming baliw sa mundo ngayon?!

"You—"

"Stay there!" Saglit niyang tinitigan ang babae habang abala ito magtanggal ng parachute. She was short,a round 5'2 in height. Nakasuot ito ng floral dress at may kulay brown itong buhok. Mestisa at mukhang masungit.

Inirapan niya na lang ang babae bago pulutin ang nagkalat na gamot sa buhangin at pinasok ito sa plastic. Maya't maya ay umaaray-aray pa ito dahil sa sakit ng pagputok ng labi niya. "Kaliit-liit na tao napaka-bayolente." Bulong niya.

"Excuse me? Sinong bayolente?" Sukmat niya rito habang nakapamewang sa harapan niya. Dahil naka-dress ito at nagpupulot ng gamot si Distaunce ay nakatapat niya ang lantad nitong binti. Akmang sisipain na siya ito dahil sa pagtitig ng legs niya nang maiwasan ito ng binata.

"Can you stop being so violent? Oh my God!" Pagmamaktol ni Distaunce. Kulang na lang ay may lumabas na usok sa ilong niya dahil sa inis. Iritang-irita na siya dahil sa init dadagdag pa 'tong walang modong babae na 'to!

"Ang init-init naghahanap ka ng away! Anak ka ba ni Satanas?!"

"What?!"

"Inutusan lang ako bumili ng gamot nang lumanding ka sa mukha ko tapos imbis mag thank you, suntok pa inabot ko sayo! Ako na nga na-agrabyado mo sisipain mo pa ako?!" Hindi makapaniwalang dinuro siya ng babae habang nanliliit ang mata.

"How dare you blame me! Bakit kasi hindi ka tumitingin sa dinadaanan mo at hindi mo ako napansin?" Nakipagsukatan ng tingin si Distaunce rito. He will never back down and reason out things with her. Nananahimik siyang naglalakad e!

"You sat on my face! How am I supposed to know there's a crazy woman throwing herself in the air like some kind of stupid sport? Kapatid mo ba si Arlecchino at parehas kayong may sapi ha?!" Bulyaw niya rito. Ang kaninang inis na mukha ng babae ay mas lalong nadagdagan. Ngayon ay nagaalburoto na ito sa galit na ikinagulat ni Distaunce.

"Hindi ko siya kapatid! Nasaan na ang gagong yun?!" Napaatras ito nang hawakan siya ng babae sa kwelyo. Her eyes were dilated, demanding him to answer her before she does something violent again.

"He's inside! Why are you—Hoy!" Sinigawan niya ito nang itulak siya nito palayo at malalaking hakbang na nag-martsa papuntang bahay nila. Kapagkuwan ay bigla na lang bumunghalit ng tawa si Distaunce dahil para itong unano na nagta-tantrums sa buhangin.

Ha! Pandak!

"Oh, so you're two years older than me? That makes you twenty-eight years old?" Manghang wika ni Sachal. She thought they were the same age. It turns out he was older than her.

"Not yet, my birthday is on—"

"Kage! You prick!" Nagulat ang mga ito nang may sumipa ng pintuan. A woman with brown hair and pale green eyes emerged from the door. Mukhang stress na stress na ito dahil sa magulo niyang buhok at hindi maipaliwanag na ekspresyon sa mukha.

"Leticia?" Napalinga si Sachal nang marinig niya ang binata. As it turned out, he knows her, but how did she came here?

"Via! This woman—" Mas lalong nabahiran ng pagtataka ang mukha ni Sachal nang makita ang kalagayan ni Distaunce. Hingal na hingal ito at may putok pa ang labi.

"Get out!" Pagpapalayas ni Leticia kay Distaunce. He hissed at her. "Papalayasin mo ako sa sarili kong pamamahay? Are you out of your mind?!" Giit niya rito.

Sachal found herself glancing at Kage, who looked perplexed by the situation. Mukhang hindi niya rin alam kung paanong narito ang babaeng 'to. But she can at least confirm that he knows who this woman is. "Leave for a moment, Distaunce. I'll talk to her."

"So annoying!" She spat after Distaunce backed down and left the room in a bad mood.

"Why the hell are you here, Leticia?" Iginulong ng babae ang kanyang mata at iritang pinagkrus ang braso.

"How about introducing me to your future wife instead? How rude!" Reklamo nito. His attention immediately shifted to the beautiful woman by his side. He gave her a small smile, suppressing his irritation towards Leticia.

"As you can see, this brat is Leticia Salvatore. She's my cousin from my father's side." Tumango na lang bilang sagot si Sachal. Nanatili lang siyang nakatingin sa mga ito habang inoobserbahan silang dalawa.

"Nice to meet you. And oh, you don't need to introduce yourself. I've known you since this jerk frequently goes to my friend for psychiatric treatment!" Kaagad na tumalima si Kage dahil rito. How could she just expose him like that!

Naagaw naman nito ang atensyon ni Sachal. "What do you mean?" Leticia's lips formed into an 'O', and she smirked at her cousin. He was glancing at her, not to say anything, but to hell with it! This is her chance to get even with him!

"Didn't you know? He started consulting with a psychiatrist because he keeps seeing you in his dreams! Everywhere he goes, whatever he does, he sees you and thinks of you! That's just creepy!" He glared at her. "Girl, she's fucking obsessed with you! Run away from that man!" Bugnot niyang wika habang dinuduro si Kage.

Defenseless, Kage could not revoke her words because it was true. He can only wish Sachal didn't misunderstand and think of him negatively!

"Stop sprouting nonsense! Why are you here?" Pag-iiba ng usapan ng binata. Ang kaninang medyo kumalma na mukha ni Leticia ay bigla na naman nagkaron ng ekspresyon na tila ba'y galit na galit.

"You! Do you plan to die and make me the sole heir of Salvatore's? How could you throw your life away like that?!" Singhal niya rito.

"I've told you many times to take care of your health and make sure to live in a dying situation! Ayoko pasanin ang mabigat na responsibilidad mo kung sakaling mamamatay ka! Naiintindihan mo ba ako, ha?!" Kage released an exhasperated sigh, as if hearing her nagging was draining his energy.

As she listened to both of them talk, Sachal found herself unable to resist the urge to bite the inside of her left cheek. They're like the version of her and Distaunce. They bicker a lot but still care for each other. It's unexpectedly funny.

"I was taking care of your kids like a good aunt, and I'll hear Keegan telling me you are dying because of a damn seafood?!" Doon ay natigilan si Sachal. She felt like there was a lump in her throat she was unable to remove.

Did she just say kids?

"Can you stop shouting? Can't you see my wife uncomfortable? Go out—" Natigilan sa pagsasalita si Kage nang magtama ang paningin nila ni Sachal.

With a serious look on her face, she said. "I-I'm going to be a stepmom?" He facepalmed, and Leticia just dead ass stared at him as if she didn't cause a misunderstanding.

I will not just be the wife of the consigliere, but I have to be a mother of his kids as well? I didn't sign up for this!

𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐎 𝐀 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄
ᴮʸ ᴳᵒˡᵘᶜᵏʸᶜʰᵃʳᵐ