Once the sun had gone rest, the moon took its place. Night had befallen and it was time to go.

It was almost eight in the evening and in just few minutes, Credell and I would leave. Ngayon ang gabi ng party na dadaluhan namin.

I was more or less prepared, still picking what should I wear, though. Looking at my reflection to my full-body mirror, my mind could not help but to bubble a question in my head.

As I stared to my half-naked body, I asked myself. "Where did I get these scars?"

I had this long scar on my chest. It was like I had been slashed and left a scar on my skin—especially above my bosoms—in a diagonal line.

I knew all along that I had been in a very fatal accident, but was it possible to have scars as these?

I had tried to rack and shake my brain just to have a slight hope that something about my past would appear, yet nothing happened. It was either my head would experience severe pain or I would just pass out instead.

I only sighed. I would wait for the return of my memories, then. That was only the way.

So in the end, I only picked a simple white tee and matched it with a very stylish field jacket. I wore a ripped jeans and a platform boots. As for my hair style, I only let it fall. Long, wavy, silky blonde hair. I colored it blonde since I was getting tired of having black hair, so.

Once I thought that I was all-prepared, I decided to go down. Soon as I reached the ground floor, I saw Credell sitting on a couch on the living area.

"You took long," he commented.

I stretched my lips into a smirk, "Well, you know, girls' thing."

"I supposed so." Credell chuckled, standing up. "Come on?"

I replied by grinning at him.

We went to garage and then he asked me, "You drive or I drive?"

"Ikaw na lang," sagot ko. "Ako na lang kapag pauwi na."

Tinanguan niya ako at pagkatapos, umalis na kami. Sabi ni Credell, sa isang club house na pagmamay-ari ng kaibigan niya gaganapin ang party.

"Sino ang may birthday, Credell?" tinanong ko siya na habang nagmamaneho.

"Ah, it's Travis Mullins." said he. "Still remember Atty. Mullins, Miracle?"

"Yes, how could I forgot?"

"That guy, my friend, is Atty. Mullins' son." Credell explained, eyes still on the road.

I nodded my head in redundancy while pursing my lips. "I see."

Atty. Mullins was a friend with the Mayrand's. Magaling siyang abogado. Sa sobrang galing niya, nagawa niyang gawing legal ang mga fake documents ko. Walang may alam kung sino talaga ako, kaya ginawan nila ako ng mga pekeng birth certificate, ID's, licenses, diplomas, and other legal stuff that regards my identity.

At ang apelyidong dinadala ko ngayon ay ang apelyidong Mayrand. Kilala ako bilang ampong anak nila. Ayos na iyon, kaysa sa wala.

Kung anumang mga legal documents ang meron ako ngayon, iyong lahat ay mga peke lamang. Iba talaga kapag malalaki ang mga koneksyon. They could turn the table in just an instant.

Nang nakadating kami sa club house, sinalubong na kami agad ng mga mga tao. Ang itsura ng club ay pangkaraniwan lamang. Maraming tao, madilim, amoy alak at sigarilyo, at maingay. Yeah, a typical club house.

"Come on, Miracle." aya ni Credell sa akin, sabay hawak sa aking pulsuhan. "I'll introduce you to Travis."

Sumang-ayon ako sa kanya at nagpatianod. "Wala akong gift para sa kanya, Credell."

He gave me a sideward grin. "Don't worry, I got it covered, honey." then he winked at me.

Iiling-iling na lang akong sumama sa kanya. Mga ilang minuto lang nang ipinakilala sa akin ni Credell si Travis.

"Hi, I'm Miracle." bati ko at ako na ang nag-lahad ng aking kamay.

"Travis Kyle." balik niya at kinuha ang kamay ko na naka-ngiti. "You can call me TK. My friends call me that."

Bahagya akong natawa. So he already considered me as a friend. "Got that, TK."

Well, gwapo rin siya. Square-sculpted face, refined jawline, aristocratic nose, thin and pinkish lips, thin almond eyes, and gunmetal blue irises. A common British guy. But I guessed, he was not a pure British guy. His skin was tanned, though.

Nakikinig lang ako sa usapan ng dalawa, habang naka-tambay sa may bar counter ng club house.

"TK!"

Sabay-sabay naman kaming napatingin sa direksyon kung saan ang may tumawag. Two ladies, with sexy clothes were approaching.

"Hey, girls." The Travis guy replied back. Well yeah, kamustahan and such.

"Omg, Credell?" bulalas ng isa nang makilala niya si Credell.

"Credell Haelan Mayrand?" dagdag pa naman ng isa.

There was only one thing I could tell. Biatches. I facepalm to myself.

Base sa narinig ko, magkaka-batch sila noong high school.

"C'mon guys, it's been years since we last met," tunog flirty na sabi ng isa, "let's have our mini reunion over there!"

Hindi pa man nakakasagot ang dalawang lalaki ay agad na ng dalawang babaeng hinigit sina Credell at TK. Palabas sila pupunta sa pool area.

Dali-dali naman akong binalingan ni Credell. "W-Wait . . . Miracle!" tawag niya sa akin na puno ng pag-aalala.

"It's okay." I mouthed to him with a small grin lining on my lips.

Wala namang nagawa ang dalawang lalaki sa gusto ng dalawang biatches.

So in the end, I was alone. This was the reason why I hated attending parties.

Bahala na. Magsasaya na ako lang mag-isa. Umupo ako sa may bar stool. I wanna drink until I became cool. Bad trip ang dalawang biatches na iyon. Bago kasi sila umalis, nginisihan nila ako. Feh.

Gusto ko sanang mag-order ng drinks, pero wala kasing bartender sa bar counter.

Nice party.

I sighed to myself. Maybe I would just play games on my phone.

Ginawa kong busy ang sarili ko. Hindi ko na pinapansin ang nasa sa paligid ko. Kahit na maingay at mabaho.

At dahil nag-iisa ako, may ibang mga kalalakihan lumalapit at nakikitabi sa akin. Kinakausap nila ako, pero wala naman silang nakukuhang sagot.

Katulad ng isang ito sa aking tabi. Kanina pa ako kinukulit kung may kasama raw ako. I huffed silently. Obviously, I was not with everyone. I knew it was rude not to notice them, but I was freaking annoyed to talk. Baka mapagsalitaan ko pa siya na hindi maganda.

I glanced at him briefly, nakangiti siyang naghihintay sa sagot ko.

"Now that you looked at me."

Muntik na akong mapasimangot, saka ko na siya tinignan.

"I'm Jake Hill." he introduced. "How about yours, lovely lady?"

"She's mine and her name is definitely not 'lovely lady'."

Napantig naman ang aking mga tanga nang may biglang sumagot naman sa tanong niya. Lalaki ang boses. Not my voice, or Credell's voice.

Akamang titingin ako sa likod, saktong naramdaman ko na may umakbay sa aking mga balikat.

Nakilala ko na kung sino. I had memorized his presence and voice. It was Travis Kyle Mullins.

"Hey, Jake." Travis greeted the guy.

"Hey." it was the casual answer of Jake. "I'm sorry, man, I didn't know that she's your girl."

"It's all right."

"Damn, man, don't you just leave her like that." reklamo ni Jake. Mabuti pa siya, alam 'yun. Mukha naman siyang mabait, kinausap ko na sana.

"Haha, yeah. That's my fault." tawang-tawa lang siya nang mahina. "But I'm here now."

Umalis na 'yung Jake guy. Hinarapan ko si Travis Kyle na naka-akbay pa rin sa akin. Gusto ko sana siyang bigyan ng masamang tingin, kaso pinigilan ko.

"Well, what was that for, Mr. Birthday Celebrant?" I asked him, trying not to be rude.

"That guy is a certified womanizer, so yeah, you're welcome." this guy retorted and then sat on the stool beside me. "And it's TK, mademoiselle."

I only shrugged, "Why are you here, TK? You should entertain your visitors."

"That's what in doing, can't you see?" he said coolly.

I chuckled while grinning sideways. "Yeah, right. Where's Credell? You left him?"

"Well . . . that can't be helped." TK rubbed the back of his head. I knew what he meant.

"Whatever." I whispered thinly. "By the way, I want a drink, but I can't see a bartender here."

"Oh, tell me what you want." Then TK stood up from his seat and went to the counter.

I gave him a perplexed look. "What's this? Are you the bartender?"

"Uh-huh. I'm the friendly bartender here . . . just for now. Someone will come later." he explained. "Can I now take your order, Miss Miracle?"

I smiled. "Surprise me."

His brow creased. "Any specific likes?"

I thought for a bit. I didn't know why I wanted a drink. I just wanted to try it, for once in a while. "Then I want something rich, fruity, and somewhat refreshing."

"Got it." TK gave me smirk before he started moving.

He prepared the glass and a bottle. The bottle he took was a bourbon whiskey. Bourbon, huh? Kinda strong drink. Then he started mixing. Oh, he was going to make a cocktail. Really, this man was sure good in this.

Not that too long, he served me the cocktail on a champagne coupe. "Here's your drink, mademoiselle. An earl grey blueberry bourbon cocktail."

Earl grey with blueberry and bourbon whiskey? This was a unique cocktail.

I took a sip and something blasted inside my mind at the taste of the cocktail.

I gazed at TK with a sparkly expression. He was just staring back with wide grin, head tilted on the side.

"So how it is?" he asked.

I pursed my lips, "This tastes so great." and told him, "You should do a business."

TK chuckled, "Do you think I'm capable of doing that?"

"Hm-mm," I only hummed and drunk the cocktail straight from the coupe. "Another one."

"Whoah, take it easy. That was a bourbon, y'know."

"Don't worry," I smiled. "I can handle it. Now serve me some."

"Haha, okay, okay." then he started working. Mixing this and that to this and then that to it. After a little while, he served me a drink on a lowball glass. "Mojitarita cocktail, for you."

"Mojitarita? Mojito and margarita?" he nodded, still his smile was on his lips. "Okay," I said and drunk the mojitarita. Gumuhit sa lalamunan ko 'yung alak.

A sour look etched on my face. "This have a stronger taste than the other one." then I straight it up again. It felt like someone punched me on the throat.

"You fine?" asked TK, while chuckling. "You want more?"

"Sure," I smirked.

"Be my guest." he smirked back.

He was challenging me. But nah, I didn't want to get drunk. That would be a pain.

A little longer, he placed a champagne flute glass in front of me. "Mexican Mimosa."

"What's this?"

"A mix of tequila, grapefruit juice, and sparkling white wine."

"Are you trying get me drunk, huh?"

He shrugged, "Can you still manage?"

"Yeah," I answered and drunk the half of it. "You're good doing something like this."

"Bar tending and flairing became my hobby, so." TK told me, "It's my stress-reliever."

"Oh, I see." I nodded twice while looking at the champagne flute. "Too bad, Credell couldn't taste this amazing liquor drink."

"Don't mind Credell," he muffled his face. "These drinks I made are exclusively for you."

That surprised me. I quickly gaped at him, "I'm flattered. Thank you for this."

"Haha, these are not for free, Miracle. There will be a payment."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "C'mon, it's a birthday party! It should be for free."

"You're the only exception, milady." he got this smug smile.

"You are so sly." Sabi ko sa kanya at saka tinungga ang natitirang lamang ng baso. At parang tinatamaan na rin ako ng lasing. Medyo tipsy na ang pakiramdam ko. Maybe, I should stop now.

"That's how it should be."

"Tch. Now, tell me what you want from me." I stated in lazy voice. Ah, liquor. Dammit.

His lips curved up, "I'll think about it."

I rolled my eyes. "Siraulo ka." nasabi ko sa kanya. Hindi naman niya maintindihan, so what.

"Naintindihan ko 'yon."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko saka napanganga nang nagsalita siya ng Tagalog! Nakangisi siya sa akin ngayon. "Ano?! Naiintindihan mo ako?"

"Yeah," nangkibit-balikat siya.

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata, "'Langya ka. Maka-alis na nga." Tumayo ako sa aking kinauupuan at tumalikod sa kanya.

"Hey, are you leaving Credell?"

"Yah, paki-ingatan na lang siya." naglakad na ako.

Pero hinabol niya ako. "Where are you going?"

"Don't worry, I'm just going to buy coffee outside."

"There's coffee here." sabi niya. "I can make you one."

"Ayaw ko nga." inirapan ko siya. "Mandurugas ka, eh."

Natawa naman siya sa sagot ko. "Sorry na. Pero seryoso, may bayad talaga ang mga cocktails na iyon."

Ang galing naman ng accent niya. Straight Tagalog.

"Iyon na nga, kaya ako aalis." nagtataray na ako. Dahil na rin siguro sa tama ng cocktails. "Kung may bayad naman ang kape mo rito, ba't 'di na lang ako pumunta sa coffee shop? Gano'n din naman. At isa pa, hindi kita makikita do'n, bad trip ka."

"Ouch," napasapo siya sa gitna ng kanyang dibdib. "I'm wounded."

Inismiran ko siya, "Bye. I'll be back right away."

"Fine, then. I'll expect your payment tomorrow."

"Blaah, whatever." umalis na ako.

Nang pagkalabas ko ng club house, ang dami nang mga kotse ang nakaparada. Lalo akong napasimangot. Hindi ko na alam kung saan nag-park si Credell.

I had no choice. I needed to find it. I started walking as I fished the car eyes inside my satchel bag. Pinipindot-pindot ko iyon sa iba-ibang direksyon, para kung tumunog man ito, malalaman ko kung saan banda.

Naglalakad-lakad lang ako. Nasa countryside kasi ang club house ni TK, walang gaanong mga bahay.

Mabagal lang ang paglalakad ko. I didn't know, I enjoyed all alone as I watched the surrounding.

The peaceful eerie didn't last when I sighted a group of men not from afar. Based on my observation, they were on mid-20's. And they were thugs. Apat sila

Nakabalibot sila sa isang kotse at sinusubukan nila itong buksan. Ah . . . Carnapping.

At isa pa ulit. Pamilyar 'yung kotse na kinakalikot nila. Kotse ni Credell. Hindi kasi pangkaraniwan 'yung kotse niya. Matte blue Tesla Model S. I thought, that car was more valuable than my life.

I quickly grabbed my tactical pen inside my bag. Credell was always reminding to bring something like this for a self-defense. He also taught me how to use it by teaching me where were the pressure points and vital points of a human body. Thank goodness because he was a one hell of a medical student. He didn't just study the human anatomy for nothing.

"Hey," I called out their attention. "What are you doing to my car?"

The four men immediately gazed at me.

Hindi ko alam, pero wala akong nararamdaman ni katiting na takot sa sistema ko. Basta papalapit ako sa kanila na kalamdong-kalmado lang. Walang pressure.

Ah, damn that liquor.

"Just give us the key, lady." wika ng isa sa kanila sabay labas ng isang kutsilyo. "We won't harm you after."

"Nah, no luck." bored na sabi ko.

Nang napagtanto niya na hindi ko ibibigay ang susi, inatake na niya ako. Agad akong umilag.

I had no idea, but my body felt like switched in a defense mode.

Ilang beses niya akong inatake gamit ng patalim niya. Mabilis kong sinalo ang pulsuhan niya nang nakahanap ako ng tiyempo.

And in a fast move, while the arm of the man is stretched forward to my direction, I pressed it lower to my reach and briskly kneed his elbow as strong as I could.

The result: he cried in deep anguish as he heard the cracks coming from his bone.

I just broke his elbow using my knee.

I sensed a two more presence behind me. I left the first guy growling on the cemented ground and faced the second and third other guy.

Having the tactical pen on my grip, I fought back. I was hitting their sternum, rib, inner arm, and inner thigh with a certain amount of precision to my attacks. It could cause a moderate damage and level of pain. I was very careful not to hit any vitals that would cause them death.

And shit. When and where did I learn close combat?

Now the three little devils were on the ground, having painful experiences.

Only one left, the fourth guy.

I looked at him, "Are you going to fight back?" the fourth guy violently shook his head in fright. "Good. Now take these losers out of here."

Agaran naman siyang sumunod at inakay ang mga kasamahan niya na hindi kayang tumayo. Dalawa naman sa kanila ay kaya pang tumayo, so magiging ayos lang sila.

Mabuti na lang, mabait ako.

In-unlock ko ang kotse at akmang papasok nang may tumawag sa cellular phone ko.

Tumatawag si Credell.

Sinagot ko. "Hey, you fine?"

"Erm," may tumikhim sa kabilang linya, "Miracle?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi siya si Credell. Pero, mabuti na lang, nakilala ko kung sino.

"TK, yeah?"

"Yep," he popped the 'p' sound.

"Whaddup?"

"Where are you?"

"In the car parked near your club house." I answered. "I haven't left."

"Good."

"So?"

"Uh, well, y'see . . ." he trailed, "Credell is currently wasted."

"Ano? Bakit naman?"

"Too much liquors." sagot ni TK, "Parang nalasing talaga siya."

I made face. Credell was not a high-alcoholic tolerant man. Hindi man nga siyang nag-iinom. Baka pinilit lang siya. Pwede namang tumanggi.

"Okay, I'll be on my way." I said to him. "Please wait me outside of your house."

I heard TK chuckling, "Copy that, ma'am."

The call ended and I started the engine of the car. Mabilis akong makapunta sa gate ng club house at nandoon nga si TK habang inaakbayan si Credell na halos wala ng malay.

Lumabas ako at nagbuntong-hininga. Nagsimulang maglakad si TK at walang kahirap-hirap na akayin si Credell papalapit sa akin.

Binuksan ko ang pinto sa passenger seat. TK carefully put Credell inside and wore the seatbelt on him.

Sumandal ako sa kotse habang nakahalukipkip. TK composed himself as he looked at me. As usual, he got the wide grin on his face. His grin was not a conceited one, but an amused one.

"Thanks." I told him. Sasagot sana siya pero pinigilan ko. "I know, there's a payment."

"Glad you know." Natawa lang siya sa akin.

"We're going home." Paalam ko at maglalakad na sana.

"Hey, you sure you're okay to drive?" he questioned.

I checked myself if I felt fine. Ayos lang naman ako, medyo tipsy. Medyo hard drinks ang pinainom niya sa akin. But I could handle it.

"How about I make you a coffee?" alok niya.

Ngumiti na lang ako, "Sige na nga. Magbabayad naman ako, kaya lulubusin ko na."

"Great," lumaki naman ang ngiti niya, "Trust me, you'll love the coffee. I'll be fast, wait for me."

Hindi pa man ako sumagot, umalis na siya at pumasok ulit sa club house.

Hinihintay ko lang siya. Binuksan ko kasi 'yung pinto sa may driver's seat at nakaupo ro'n. Lumilinga-linga rin ako sa paligid. Baka kasi dumating ulit 'yung carnappers na may kasamahan pang iba.

Pero lumipas ang ilang minuto, pero walang dumating.

Mga 10 minutes siguro, dumating na si TK, dala-dala ang isang coffee tumbler. Iniabot niya sa akin ang kape at agarang inamoy ito.

Ah, it smelled so nice, as though I had already drunk the coffee before I could taste it. It had a pleasing scent of coffee aroma. Then, I took a sip of it. And this was one of the best black coffees I had ever tasted.

Yeah, it was a black coffee, but it didn't taste bitter or tepid like the usual. I could actually taste the sweet after-taste of it.

The one who made this surely had a careful way of grinding the coffee. And the way it brewed, it was perfect. It was like, he had put his heart doing this.

"You seemed so speechless." pukaw niya.

"Yeah," I chuckled. "I got caught with the taste of this. You made this, right?" tumango siya. "You should build a coffee shop."

"Actually, I have." TK said shyly. "You should visit it. I'll give you a half-discount to your orders."

"Totoo 'yan, ah?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Baka may hidden charges."

"Wala," pagtanggol niya sa sarili. "Gusto mo, libre pa kita."

"Oo na." tumayo na ako, "We better leave."

"Okay. You take care, all right?"

"Sure, I'll drive moderately." I smiled at him.

Umayos ako ng upo sa driver's seat at isinarado ang pinto, ngunit nakabukas pa ang bintana ng kotse.

Nadungaw si TK sa bintana, at saka ko naman itinaas ang kape na binigay niya. "Thanks sa utang, TK."

"Sige lang." balik niyang tugon. "Maniningil ako bukas, okay?"

Tumango ako at nagsimula nang umalis doon.

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