The ghost of one's past has a way of catching up with you when you least expect it. Napatunayan 'yon ni Tori sa sandaling itinapon ulit ng tadhana sa landas niya ang isang multong bahagi ng kahapon niya——walang iba kundi si Luke Alvarado, ang nag-iisang lalaking dahilan kung bakit luray-luray ang puso niya.

Si Luke din ang tanging dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay parang may malaking butas na dala-dala si Tori, isang butas na puno ng kahungkagan. That no matter what she does, there is no way to fill that big gaping hole. Maliban pa sa patong-patong na kasalanan sa kanya ng lalaki, nag-iwan ito ng naapakalaking espasyo na gustuhin man niyang alisin ay nananatiling naroon. That space seemed to mock her every waking moment.

And looking at the same man tonight across from her, something in her felt dead. Para bang biglang isa-isang nag-shut down ang sistema niya sa katawan. It left her feeling empty, devoid of anything. Noon ay na-i-imagine niya ang posibleng scenario kung sakaling adyain ng pagkakataon na magkrus muli ang landas nilang dalawa.

But it wasn't anything similar to this, to this actual moment where she was finally face to face with the man. She expected herself to blow up with anger, or something like that. Pero walang nangyaring ganoon. Kahit siya ay hindi niya maipaliwanag kung bakit.

Her initial thought was she would turn and run away. But she found her feet glued on the spot, unresponsive to the screaming in her head. Kaya minabuti na lang niyang manatili doon. Ano pa bang magagawa niya? Nandito na siya. Hindi niya bibigyan ng satisfaction ang lalaki na makitang apektado siya sa presensya nito.

She didn't try hard to pull herself together after she survived the assassination just to let Luke shatter it. Isa siyang Di Salvo. And a Di Salvo doesn't cower in the face of whatever adversity. Hindi siya ang magiging unang source ng karuwagan. Makukurot siya sa singit ng ina kung sakaling nabubuhay ito at nakikita siya ngayon.

She saw Luke stepped forward, meaning to get to her. Or should she call him Alexander instead? Ah, whatever. Hindi siya kumilos. Pinanood lang ni Tori ang paglapit ng lalaki, pinanatili ang mukhang hindi kababakasan ng anomang emosyon.

Maging nang tumigil ang lalaki sa harapan niya at unti-unting umangat ang kamay nito ay wala pa rin siyang kakilos-kilos sa kinatatayuan. Balewalang sinalubong niya ang tingin ng lalaki, para bang nakatingin lang sa isang tipak ng bato. Tori breathed through her mouth to keep herself in check. Gustong-gusto niyang bigwasan ang lalaki sa mukha, eh.

His hand lifted. Hindi umiwas si Tori until Alexander's digits caressed her petal-like skin. She didn't expect the warmth coming from his skin, considering the temperature tonight. Muntik na siyang mapapitlag. It took her tremendous amount of self-control that she gritted her teeth.

Biglang nag-flash sa utak niya ang huling sandaling magkasama sila sa Paris, kasama na ang pagsusumamo niya noon sa lalaki. She was at the lowest point that time, even her self-worth, because of this man.

"It's really you," he said, voice giving away nothing.

"Yeah, it's me," matabang na tugon ni Tori. Doon na niya iniwas ang mukha. "And I really hate it when strangers just touch me however they want."

She pushed her hands against his chest. Sinadya niyang lapatan ng lakas ang simpleng galaw na 'yon. Napaatras si Alexander. Tori hoped he got her message loud and clear without the need for words. Gusto niyang iparating sa lalaki na hindi siya natutuwang makita itong muli. Who would be?

Pagkatapos ng ginawa sa kanya ng lalaki, baliw na lang siguro ang tatanggap dito nang dalawang kamay at ikatutuwa ang muli nilang pagkikita. Pero sadyang may kakambal yata siyang malas sa gabing ito. The memories came flooding back, as well as her tear-stricken face.

Alexander visibly swallowed. Good thing he did not smile, or else she would have really punched his handsome face. Yes, he's still handsome. Wala na siyang magagawa sa katotohanang iyon dahil ipinanganak nang ganoon ang mukha ng lalaking kaharap niya ngayon.

Still, wala nang kahit na anong karapatan ang lalaki sa kanya. He forfeited everything when he dumped her like some piece of a dirty trash. Alexander cleared his throat. His face was an equal blank mask.

"Good to see you're alive," anang lalaki.

Kusang tumikwas ang kilay ni Tori. It wasn't what she expected to come out of his mouth.

"Really? I find that hard to believe. Your actions the last time we saw each other told me a different story."

Walang naisagot doon ang lalaki. She just found him staring at her for what felt like eternity. Kung kanina ay nagmamadaling umalis si Tori, ngayon ay kampanteng-kampante siya sa pagkakatayo. She would fake it until she makes it, that's the mantra swirling in her head. Kaya niyang umarte, sisiguruhin niya iyon.

"I trust that you don't have any problem accepting my proposal, Miss Di Salvo?"

Nilingon ni Alexander ang ama. Noon lang naalala ni Tori na hindi pala nila solo ang lugar. It was then that Alexander stepped back. Lihim na nagpasalamat ang dalaga sa dagdag na distansyang namagitan sa kanilang dalawa ng lalaki. Wala siyang magagawa sa pagkakataong ito. May mga bagay na namimili ng lugar.

"Funny though. Lalo lang akong nakumbinsi na 'wag tanggapin ang alok n'yo," matabang na sagot ni Tori.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Mr. Santander. "Sigurado ka?"

Hindi agad nakasagot si Tori. Mayamaya ay napahugot siya ng hininga, para bang sumusuko.

"I'll let you know after I've thought about it."

"Fair enough."

"If you'll excuse me."

"See you again, iha. Alexander..." tawag ni Carlos sa anak. Walang imik na lumingon kay Carlos ang tinawag. "Ihatid mo si Miss Di Salvo," pahabol na utos ng matandang Santander.

"No need. Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Good night, Mr. Santander," ani Tori. Her face is a hard mask, eyes dead as she met Alexander's eyes.

Iyon lang at tinalikuran na niya ang mag-amang Santander. Pilit na kinontrol ni Victoria ang panginginig ng kamay. She fisted her hands, hoping to discard the tremors. Halos mabingi na siya sa malakas na kabog ng dibdib. And now, she's heading back to the party downstairs. Sinamantala niya ang pagkakataon na napalilibutan ng mga reporters si Dominic. For all she know, nakawala na ang binata sa mga 'yon.

Tamang-tama ang balik niya. Nakita niya si Dominic mula sa di kalayuan na palingon-lingon, may hinahanap. Lumapit ang isang bodyguard sa binata at may ibinulong si Dominic dito. Pupusta si Tori na ipinapahanap na siya ng lalaki.

So she pasted a soft smile on her face, nothing exaggerated. Kailangan niyang maging maingat pati na sa mga emosyong nababasa sa mukha niya. Minsan ay kinaiinisan niya ang katotohanang kilalang-kilala siya ni Dominic. Hindi kasi siya makapaglihim sa lalaki ng mga bagay na gusto niyang itago dito.

And meeting Carlos Santander is something she must hide from him. Damn it! Alam ng matanda ang tungkol sa anak nila ni Lucien. O Alexander. It doesn't matter what she calls him. The big question is, how did Carlos know? Ah, sumasakit na ang ulo niya sa kaiisip!

"Princess, where have you been?" tanong ni Dominic kay Tori nang makalapit ang dalaga.

"Ladies' room. Mahaba kasi ang pila kaya natagalan ako," palusot niya.

"Okay." Hinagod siya ng tingin ni Dominic. Tori let him, trying all her best to appear non-chalant.

Kumapit siya sa braso ng binata. "May problema ba?"

"Wala naman. Medyo nag-alala lang ako dahil hindi ka mahanap ng mga bodyguards. I thought—"

"Akala mo, nakidnap na ako?" She laughed.

Tumango si Dominic.

"Dexter Liu is not exactly a patient man. Gagawa at gagawa siya ng hakbang para masukol ka."

Tinaasan ni Tori ng kilay si Dominic.

"And will you let him?"

"Hell, no!"

"Then I'm perfectly safe," anang dalaga.

"Princess—"

"Hush! Let's dance," aya ng dalaga nang pumailanlang ang isang waltz.

Wala nang nagawa si Dominic kundi pagbigyan ang dalaga. They went in the middle of the dance floor, joining other couples. Dancing is one of Dominic's forte. Lahat ng alam ni Tori na ballroom dances ay sa batang Dominic niya natutunan. Tuwang-tuwa ang Mommy niya noon dahil may constant dancing partner siya, dahilan para gumaling siya sa classical dances.

Her mother enrolled them into dance classes when they were young. Nang mapunta sa kanila si Dominic, nadiskubre ng mag-asawang Di Salvo na magaling ang bata. Apparently, Dominic was personally trained by his mother who was a ballerina before she married Dominic's father.

"Hindi pa rin kumukupas ang skills mo, Mr. Sanchez," tudyo ni Tori.

Ngumiti si Dominic at tinitigan siya sa mga mata.

"At nangangalawang ka na, Princess. Pang-ilang beses mo nang apak sa paa ko 'yan?"

Lumabi ang dalaga. Aminado siya doon kaya wala siyang naisagot. Hindi nagtagal ay bumalik naman ang groove ng dalaga sa pagsasayaw. Salamat sa matiyagang si Dominic. Somehow, dancing with him helped her forget what happened at the penthouse for a while. Pero kung iniisip niyang doon na 'yon matatapos ngayong gabi, nagkakamali si Tori.

Because just when she thought she could sweep her worries away with a mental broom, the devil came down and came after her. Tamang-tamang natapos ang sinasayaw nilang tugtugin ni Dominic nang may lumapit sa kanilang dalawa.

"May I cut in?"

Sabay silang napalingon ni Dominic sa lalaking nakasuot ng itim mula ulo hanggang paa. The ebony mask on the man's face covered it's entirety, leaving only his dark eyes visible. Napalunok si Tori nang wala sa loob. Walang maskara sa mundo ang makapagtatago ng mukha ng isang Lucien Alexander Santander sa kanya.

Saglit na sinuri ng tingin ni Dominic si Alexander. Inakala ni Tori na hindi kikilos si Dominic. But for some reason, Dominic behaved contrary to her expectations tonight. At sa pagkagulat ni Tori, ngumiti si Dominic at tumango.

"Yes, you may. Just return her to me safe and sound." Si Dominic pa mismo ang nag-abot ng kamay ng dalaga sa lalaki.

Nang abutin ni Alexander ang kamay ng dalaga ay nag-isang linya ang bibig ni Tori. Ganoon pa man, utos ng kagandahang asal ay wala siyang sinabi.

"Of course, Mr. Sanchez. Miss Di Salvo is my fiancee, I won't let any harm befall on her," ani Alexander.

Iyon lang at humakbang paatras si Dominic, tuluyang ipinagkatiwala kay Alexander ang dalaga. Tori and Dominic's eyes met, both devoid of any emotion. Ganoon pa man, alam ni Tori na hindi lalayo si Dominic. The look in his eyes is a silent promise that only the two of them can understand.

Pinili ni Tori na magsawalang-kibo lalo na nang mapag-isa sila ni Alexander. Bawat galaw nilang dalawa ay idinidikta ng ritmo ng musika na matapat naman nilang sinusundan. Tori tried so hard not to notice Alexander's dancing but it was impossible. The man moved with such grace.

"Did I pass?" tanong ni Alexander sa kanya, nasa malayo ang mga tingin.

Tori's eyes were elsewhere too. Simula nang iwan siya ni Dominic sa mga kamay ni Alexander ay hindi nagtagpo ang mga mata nilang dalawa ng kapareha. It was as if they're both refusing to meet each other's eyes.

"Hmm. Pwede na," ani Tori.

Noon siya niyuko ni Alexander. "You're not too bad yourself."

"Thank you," matabang niyang sagot.

Namayani na naman ang katahimikan sa pagitan nilang dalawa. Tori preferred it that way. Wala naman kasi siyang gustong sabihin sa lalaki. Their dance is nothing but a perfunctory socialization expected from them in that event. Isa pa, DS Foundation ang nag-organize ng event na 'to. Bilang namumuno sa DS Group, may mga bagay na kailangan niyang palampasin. She has to give face to some people regardless if she doesn't like them.

Alexander's touch were light. Hindi siya na-bother sa lapit nilang dalawa. Itinuring na lang niyang hangin ang lalaki. Tutal pagkatapos ng tugtog ay babalik naman siya kay Dominic.

"Any thoughts on our impending marriage?"

"Not gonna happen."

"Why?"

Doon siya napatingin kay Alexander.

"Because I don't like you. No woman in her right mind would want to get married to someone she doesn't love."

Natawa si Alexander. "Two years ago, you were singing a different tune."

Ginantihan ni Tori ang tawa ng lalaki.

"What can I say? Two years ago, I was naive. Had I known things I know now, it won't happen. But it wasn't anyone's fault but mine. Anyway, I realized it has to happen. Dapat nga magpasalamat ako sa 'yo."

Alexander's brows furrowed.

"Magpasalamat saan?"

The next smile she gave Alexander was disgustingly sweet it has the power to knock her teeth off.

"The tears I cried for you tempered the person I am today. And correction, Mr. Santander. I am not your fiancee. Hindi ko tinatanggap ang alok ng Daddy mo. Nor I am honoring our fathers' agreement. Sila ang nagkasundo, sila ang magpakasal."

Alexander's lips lifted.

"Paano kung sabihin kong pumapayag ako sa kasal?"

"Wala akong pakialam." She suddenly dropped her hands off his shoulders. "The dance is over, Mr. Santander. I'd like to go back to Dominic, please."

Binitiwan siya ni Alexander. Tori threw him a last glance before finding her way back to Dominic who was drinking his wine by the buffet table. May tatlong lalaking kausap ang binata. Hindi na niya nilingon kung nakasunod ba si Alexander o hindi. There was something about Alexander that tires the hell out of her. Biglang-bigla, pakiramdam ni Tori ay naubos ang lakas niya.

"Dom," tawag niya kay Dominic.

She couldn't hide the sudden rush of panic in her voice. She needed him. Fast. As always, Dominic is very attuned to her moods. Mabilis nitong inilapag ang hawak na kopita sa kalapit na mesa at kunot-noong umunat ang isang braso nito. Tori caught his hand as Dominic pulled her close to him.

"What's wrong?" mahinang bulong ni Dominic sa bandang sentido ng dalaga.

Iling ang naging sagot ng dalaga. Ipinikit niya ang mga mata at isinubsob ang ulo sa balikat ng binata. Tori felt like she was drowning. What is this? Mabilis ang tibok ng puso niya. Her limbs were weak. Anumang oras ay puwede siyang tumumba sa harap ng maraming tao. Alam niyang nakatingin sa kanila ang mga kausap ni Dominic pero wala siyang pakilaman.

"Thank you for the dance, Miss Di Salvo." Narinig niya ang boses ni Alexander. Sumunod pala sa kanya ang lalaki.

Hindi kumibo si Tori. She doesn't have the strength to respond anymore. Sa halip, humigpit ang kamay niya sa lapel ng damit ni Dominic. It was a silent plea she couldn't get past her lips.

"Come on, I'll take you home," ani Dominic. Bumaling si Dominic sa mga kausap. "Gentlemen, I'm afraid we'd have to leave. Tori's not feeling well. As you all know, she has been in coma for a long time. Hindi pa tuluyang bumabalik ang lakas niya. I hope you don't mind."

Halos sabay-sabay na sumagot ang mga kausap ni Dominic. They said they don't mind and wished to schedule a formal meeting with Dominic to discuss things they left out. Pinagbigyan naman sila ni Dominic. All along, Tori didn't open her eyes, not even once.

It was too easy to miss the dangerous glint in Alexander's gaze.