Andie was standing under the hot shower for only-god knows how long now. Doon siya iginiya ni Dax matapos niyang dumating sa safe house kanina. She must've looked distraught and confused that Dax offered her a hot bath before questioning her presence there. 

She lifted her head and allowed the hot water to drench her face once again. Bigla niyang nahiling na sana, kayang tangayin ng tubig ang mga kalituhan sa isip niya, ang mga nalaman niyang kasinungalingan at pagpapanggap ng mga taong malapit sa kanya.

But no matter what she does, the betrayal and deceit made by the two people she loved most is now imprinted in her memory-- making her heart heavier by the day. 

Nang hindi niya sinasadyang marinig ang usapan nina Chief at Dax noong isang araw, she didn't know where to go. She only had 3 people in her life to go to. Ivan, who was in deployment, and Kevin and Chief.

Pakiramdam niya biglang lumiit ang mundo niya and she found it hard to breathe.

After hours of driving, she finally settled in an inn far from the city and tried to think of her next steps.

But she found it was difficult to think when you are angry. 

Yes, she is angry. Who wouldn't? 

Chief and Kevin fed her lies and attempted to trick her into a decision she would've done if the lies did continue. She loved Kevin, yes. And should fate decides that Dax is really not for her, she would want to end up with someone like Kevin. He was a good friend and good man. Well that was she thought of him before she had known all the lies he and Chief had orchestrated just to keep Dax away from her.

If eventually she decides to fall in love with Kevin or any other man, that would be a decision she would want to make for her self. Why would they need to lie to her and trick her? The lies angered her so much. That's how much they wanted Dax out of her life that they needed to lie to her over and over? 

She doesn't understand. And she refuse to understand!

She felt like she's toyed-- unable to decide on her own. 

But more than anger, she's hurt. Too hurt. 

Nasasaktan siya dahil ayaw niyang magalit nang tuluyan kina Chief at Kevin. They're the only family she knew. Ayaw niyang magalit pero hindi niya mapigilan. 

She was blinded by anger and hurt and so she rejected their calls the other day and even yesterday. Ayaw niya munang makausap ang mga ito. In time, she'd talk to them but not right now. 

She's afraid that if she'd confront them any time soon, she'd just say things she'd regret in the future. She doesn't want that.

At dahil magulo ang isip niya at wala siyang mapuntahang iba, she thought of looking for Dax. If there's one person she wanted to be with and seek comfort from, it's Dax.  Kaya naman nakiusap siya kay Garcia, ang ka-batch niya sa AP program na nagtatrabaho  na ngayon sa control room, tungkol sa current location ni Dax.  Nang tanuningin siya nito kung bakit, sinabi na lang niya dahil sa mission nila noon sa Paris. Agad naman nitong ibinigay ang location ng safe house ng agency sa Switzerland. She had to blackmail Garcia with the fact that she knew about his continued relationship with his girlfriend from Guadalajara so that he won't spill to others about the information she had asked. Garcia was more than happy to oblige. Like her, Garcia must be fed up with the no-dating rule imposed to them by the agency. 

She booked a flight to Zurich under a different name and now here she is. Under the hot shower, still confused with other things but decided on only one thing that matters-- she wants to be with Dax. 

"Andie, are you okay?" narinig niyang katok ni Dax mula sa pinto ng banyo. 

She quickly turned off the shower. "I-I'm fine, " alanganin niyang sagot. 

"Okay," tipid na sabi nito bago muling nanahimik. 

He must be worried. Hindi niya alam kung gaano na siya katagal doon. But based on Dax's voice, she must've been taking longer than her usual bath time.

She sighed and grabbed the fluffy towel Dax provided for her. Maigi niyang tinuyo ang kanyang katawan at nagpalit ng leggings at t-shirt na dala-dala niya sa bag niya.

Paglabas niya ng banyo, nakita niya agad ang bulto ni Dax na nakatayo sa tabi ng pinto. Natitiyak niya, kanina pa ito roon. Tipid itong ngumiti. Mabilis din nitong ipinasada ang mata sa kabuuan niya. 

"Feeling better?" tanong nito, masuyo. 

She nodded a little. 

"You must be hungry," anito bago pumihit papunta sa may pinto. 

"D-Dax..." mabilis niyang tawag dito bago ito nagmamadaling hinabol  ng yakap mula sa likod nito. She felt his body tensed. "J-just stay with me, please," pakiusap niya, alanganin. 

Why she did that, she doesn't know. Maybe because she's afraid that when he leaves, baka hindi na ito bumalik. She's too distraught that her mind is filled with all these negative things.

Unti-unti itong umikot paharap sa kanya. Tiningala naman niya ito. His caramel eyes gazed down on her as if she's the most beautiful thing in the world. And it warmed her heart. 

Seeing him that close, feeling his warmth that close felt too surreal. Hindi na niya napigilan ang muling mapaluha. 

Concern instantly laced on his eyes. Magaan nitong pinalis ang luha sa pisngi niya. "Hey, don't cry.  I thought the hot shower will calm you but it seems I'm wrong. Stop crying, mon cherie. Hindi na 'ko aalis," anito bago siya dinala sa dibdib nito. 

Muling tumulo ang luha niya. She was thinking of how Dax had silently suffered for the past 2 years just for a chance to be with her.

What if she didn't find out? What if she didn't hear that conversation? Will she just be okay with the fact that she and Dax are really not meant to be? Mariin siyang napapikit at isiniksik ang sarili kay Dax. 

"Do you want to sit?" tanong nito maya-maya. Tumango lang siya. Bago siya nito iginiya sa kama. Nang makaupo silang dalawa, saka siya nito binitiwan. Hindi ito nagsalita, tumitig lang. His eyes were full of unsaid words. Things he had to endure for her. And secrets he didn't have the chance to tell her no matter how hard he wanted to. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked softly. 

"About what?" 

"I heard y-you and Chief. I was at the agency the other day for a supposed surprise visit," her voice trailed off.

His jaw clenched, hurt crossed his eyes. "Alam mo na pala," anito, pabulong. "I don't have anything to offer Chief to deserve you, Andie. Just my words."

She felt her heart grew heavy. Knowing what Dax has been through with his relationship with his father did that. She felt his pain. 

"I am not the queen of the world, Dax. You don't need to offer anything, just  love me and that's enough."

"But I want to prove my sincerity. You are the Chief's ward, Andrea. If there are no rules in the agency, you are still forbidden to me or to any other man. Chief would make sure he's got the best guy for you."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "And you think by putting me in the dark is what's best for me? Gano'n ba?"

Nagbuga ito ng hininga bago umiling. "They are your family, Andie. I don't want to put them in the bad light just for me to have you. I can't torture you like that. I can't hurt you with that." 

She swallowed the painful lump in her throat. How can he be this selfless for her? And how can his father, Chief or Kevin don't see his good heart? 

Bigla tuloy siyang nanliit. What did she ever do to deserve one Damien Xander Lavigne? 

She reached for his hand. "I am a grown woman, Dax. I get to decide what will hurt me and what's not. Please... tell me everything." Hindi ito umimik. "If you want to make us work, please tell me everything."

Tumitig ito sandali bago nagsimulang magsalita. Sinabi nito ang tungkol sa kasunduan nito at ni Chief. Ang tungkol sa biglaan nitong pag-alis sa AP Program maging ang pag-uusap nito at ni Kevin bago siya tumulak pa-Valencia para sa bakasyon. 

She stayed silent as she listened to him. She's sure there's many more stories about Chief and Kevin's deceit, but Dax was only choosing what to tell her. She can see it in his face, he's holding back. Probably not wanting to cause her more pain. 

She bit the insides of her cheeks as tears began to brim at the corner of her eyes. Now that she knew the whole story, it hurts all the more.

Dax gently reached for her cheeks, brushing her tears with his thumb. "H'wag ka nang umiyak, Andie. You're here now. We're together now," anito bago malungkot na ngumiti. "I love you, Andrea Cortez. Always have, always will." 

Humikbi siya at muli itong niyakap. She's too happy she can almost hear her heart sing. Oh how she wanted to hear those words from him for a long time. 

Maya-maya pa, bahagya siya nitong binitiwan. He looked at her lovingly before he lowered her head and claimed her lips for an endearing kiss. The kiss was slow at first, wanting to take its time, wanting to revel in that moment that they're finally together-- no more secrets, no more lies. 

Few moments more, she felt her responses to his kisses grew wilder in need and hunger.   A need only Dax could  fill. And hunger that she knew only Dax could satiate.

Kung paano at kailan sila tuluyang nahiga sa kama, hindi na niya alam. Basta ang alam niya, nang lumapat sa malambot na kutson ang likod niya, alam niya, kung saan siya dadalhin ni Dax sa puntong iyon, sasama siya. Susuko siya. 

Dax is gravity. Her gravity. She is and will always be drawn to him. She will always long for his warmth, his touch, and his love. 

And if that moment is crazy, then she'd gladly plunged herself to insanity. If that would mean he'd be with him. This close to him... Him loving her and her loving him. 

Dax continued kissing her, touching her, scorching her skin in all delicious places. And she is writhing in pleasure underneath him-- not sure of what to do but to just give in. 

 Dax tore his mouth from her and quickly took of his shirt. Nagmamadali rin nitong hinubad ang suot niyang t-shirt. Sinunod nito ang leggings niya. Panay ang kabog ng dibdib niya. She knew it's crazy jumping in bed with Dax the very moment they get back together but she loved this man. And whatever happens tonight, she knew she'd wake up tomorrow...happy.

Few moments more, Dax stared down at her. His caramel eyes glinted with raw desire and passion as he surveyed her only wearing her underwears. And she blushed a little as shame crept under her skin.

This is the first time that they had reached that far in making out. Noon, hanggang halik o haplos lang sila. Not even their encounter under the old bridge during their first mission had  went past kissing and touching. Ngayon lang. And  her heart kept on drumming wildly inside her chest in anticipation. 

Dax was looking at her as he gently peel his jeans from his thighs. She held a gasp as a delicious tingle ran down her spine when she saw his  bulging sex on the thin fabric of his boxers. She was huge... and beautiful. 

Dax joined her to bed and kissed her once again. This time, the kiss was urgent... more hungry. Dax 's lips lowered on her neck-- nibbling the sensitive spot. She closed her eyes as she moaned-- pleasure slowly filling her again. Carrying her slowly to that delicious high she has yet to discover.

She moaned loudly as Dax's hand kneaded one of her breast. She felt his lips trailed down to her chest and caught the other pebbled nipple in between his teeth through the lacy fabric of her bra.  The slight pain mixed with pleasure made her whimper. She unknowingly grabbed his hair and gave it a gentle tug. She arched her back and felt the painful knot of need inside her grew tighter. 

At that point, she's delirious. She was ready to give in to the crazy. She was ready to surrender everything. 

Maya-maya pa, nakarinig sila ng katok sa pinto. Agad silang natigilan, nagkatinginan. 

When the knob of the door slowly turned, panic filled her chest. 

A familiar blonde-haired man stuck his head on the door. "Lavigne, I'm leaving early tomo--" natigilan ito nang makita ang ayos nila. Sandali nitong pinaglipat-lipat ang tingin sa kanilang dalawa bago, "What in the name of the actual f*ck!"

She and Dax quickly scrambled on the bed. She tried to reach for the blanket pero unan ang una niyang nahawakan. She quickly threw it at Will Johnson, the one the door interrupting their crazy. Nasapol ito sa mukha. She took that time to quickly dress. 

Her mind was rolling in circles. Kilala niya si WIll.  She had met him two or three years prior. Personal recruit ito ni Chief. 

Chief. 

Shit!

Paano kung sabihin nito kay Chief kung nasaan siya? Nanlaki ang mga mata niya sa naisip. She won't let Will do that. Hindi pa nila napag-uusapan ni Dax ang dapat nilang gawin. She can't afford Chief finding her now!

"I can explain, Johnson," ani Dax habang nagmamadaling sinusuot ang pantalon nito. 

"What the... Andie! Alam mo bang katatawag lang sa akin ni Chief, hinahanap ka. I didn't know you're here getting busy with Lavigne!" Will said panicking, combing his golden hair with his fingers. 

Hindi niya ito pinakinggan. She quickly rummaged her bag and found what she's looking for. She quickly turned before aiming at Will the taser gun. 

Not a second longer, Will was on the floor shaking from the effects of the taser. 

She gasped in horror when she realized what she had done. Dax came rushing on the door. 

"Dammit, Andie!" he cussed. 

"I-I'm sorry. I-I panicked!" pagdadahilan niya, hindi malaman kung dadaluhan din si Will o hindi. 

Shit!

Maya-maya pa, tumunog ang cellphone ni Dax. Nagkatinginan sila. 

Dax's phone kept ringing. 

"You should get that. Ako na ang bahala kay Will," aniya. 

Muling pumasok sa loob ng kuwarto si Dax. Si Will naman tumigil na sa panginginig subalit nanatiling nakahiga sa sahig. 

"Are you okay?" nag-aalalang tanong niya. Tumitig lang si Will sa kanya bago marahang tumango. "I'm sorry," nakangiwing paumanhin niya. "I was hiding from Chief and I panicked when I saw you," paliwanag niya bago inabot ang kamay niya rito. Will reached for her hand and she helped him sit, his back leaning on the wall. 

"Shit, Cortez! R-remind me not to make you panic or anger you next time," ani Will habol ang hininga, panay pa rin ang iling. 

Hindi siya umimik. Maya-maya pa, lumapit si Dax sa puwesto nila ni Will. Worry was clearly written on his face. 

"It was Chief," anito. 

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