"I know, Polo. Miss na rin kita. Kaya lang hindi pa talaga ako puwedeng umalis. Mahigpit si Dad. Mukhang mas dumami ang natatanggap nilang threat ni Mommy." Ate Vialka was pacing back and forth with her phone pressed against her ear. Abalang nakikipag-usap sa kaniyang boyfriend. "They wouldn't tell me anything, but I had a bad feeling na iba ito ngayon. Maging si Kelso ay pinapauwi ni Dad, eh. I heard them talking earlier about sending us to Tierra del Diablo for the entire summer. Bukas na rin siguro ang alis namin."

I sighed inwardly, taking a cautious step back just as Ate Vialka continued her agitated pacing, hindi naman malakas ang boses niya pero sadyang dinig ko dahil sobrang tahimik ng buong bahay. Not wanting her to catch me eavesdropping, I turned and hurried up to my room. Once inside, I tiptoed over to the window and peered out. Tama nga siya, mahigpit nga si Dad ngayon. The yard was crawling with more guards than usual—tight security had become the norm around here, but today, something felt different, more intense. Kaya siguro siya ganoon makipag-usap kay Kuya Polo, baka pati siya ay natatakot.

I sank back onto my bed, hindi naman ako natatakot pero hindi mawala sa aking isipan ang mga narinig kong sinabi ni Ate Vialka kanina. Tierra del Diablo for the entire summer. Iyon ang talagang nangibabaw sa akin. The thought twisted in my stomach like a knot. Kung narinig nga niya iyon kay Dad ay hindi malabong iyon na nga ang kahinatnan ng buong summer break na pinakahihintay ko. Kapag si Dad na ang nagsabi, pinal at buo na ang desisyon nito. Hindi na basta-bastang mababago.

An engineer and a shrewd businessman known for his ruthless streak, Dad wasn't exactly the most likable person outside our home. At hindi lang si Dad, kundi pati ang mga tito ko. The Yniguezes had made plenty of enemies, kaya hindi na bago sa akin ang mga threat na ganito. Nakasanayan ko na lang. Threats were a part of our life, a background noise that never quite silenced. Yet, none had ever materialized into reality. So it wasn't fear of the threats that unsettled me. It was the idea of being isolated far from everything and everyone I knew. At buong summer pa ang balak, ah! Iyon ang mas nakakatakot! Anong gagawin ko sa Tierra del Diablo? Mangangabayo buong bakasyon? Tatanaw sa mga lupain? Magpapahangin? Gosh. Isipin ko pa lang ay bored na ko!

With a frustrated groan, I reached for my phone on the dresser, thumbing it open to message my boyfriend, Gavin. Napangiti ako kahit paano. Boyfriend ko na nga talaga si Gavin. Gavin Calleja was two years older, perpetually surrounded by a halo of admiration thanks to his charm and status as the basketball team captain. And yet, amidst the swarm of his admirers, he had eyes only for me. It was dreamy, unreal at times, and I clung to that feeling. Hindi rin naman talo si Gavin, marami rin nagkakagusto sa akin sa school pero siya ang pinili kong maging first boyfriend.

I typed quickly, the words spilling out with my rising anxiety. Gosh! Kung totoong doon kami ikukulong ni Dad sa buong summer, ibig sabihin lang ay matagal kong hindi makikita si Gavin. That sucked!

Me

Gav, looks like I'm going to be shipped off to Tierra del Diablo for the whole summer. Dad's decision seems final. I'm going to miss you so much. Wish I could just run away and see you instead. 😔 Looks like I'll be leaving tomorrow.

No sooner had I sent the message than my phone buzzed with a call from Gavin. Okay, I expected that. I took the call immediately, my heart aching at the sound of his voice.

"Hey, I just got your text. Tierra del Diablo? That's insane, babe. Are you okay?" Nag-aalala niyang tanong, lalo tuloy akong nalungkot para sa sarili ko.

"I don't know, Gav. I mean, it's just another summer, but I hate being stuck there. It's so isolated, and I'll have zero friends," I replied frustratedly. "Anong gagawin ko doon? Tatanaw sa kawalan at mamamatay sa inggit kapag nakita ko ang mga ganap niyo for the summer sa socials? Gosh! This sucks!"

"Yeah, that sucks. And I was hoping we'd spend more time together this summer, especially now..." He trailed off, and I could almost see him running a hand through his hair, a habit of his when he was frustrated. Ngayon pa lang ay miss ko na agad ang boyfriend ko.

"I know, me too. I was really looking forward to just hanging out, going to the mall, you know, normal couple stuff," pilit kong itinatago ang lungkot sa aking tinig, enough na 'yung nararamdaman ko na lang iyon.

"Listen, we'll make it work, okay? I'll come visit, and we'll figure out something. Maybe you can sneak out, or I'll sneak in. We're not letting this summer go to waste,"

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya kahit pa nga ba gusto ko na lang matawa. Kasi, paano naman siya makakapasok sa Tierra del Diablo? Sobrang higpit ng security ni Tito Satan doon.

I bit my lower lip, contemplating the risks but also feeling the thrill of potential rebellion simmer in my veins. Mas posible pa kaming magkita kung dito kami sa Manila tatakas.

"Listen, Gav," tawag ko sa kaniyang atensyon. "I'm still in Manila right now. Why don't you swing by and we can sneak out?"

Ilang beses ko na iyong ginawa, lalo na kapag hindi ako pinapayagan ni Mommy umalis. Sa likod ako ng bahay dumadaan at hindi pa ako kailanman nahuhuli kaya malakas ang loob ko na i-suggest iyon kay Gavin.

There was a brief pause, and I could almost hear Gavin weighing the options in his mind.

"You sure? With the increased security and all? Makakatakas ka? Baka mahuli tayo, magalit lang si Tita Violet. Lalong hindi magustuhan ang relasyon natin, Thysie." Nag-aalala man ay nahihimigan ko pa rin ang excitement sa kaniyang tinig.

I nodded to myself, fully aware he couldn't see but feeling affirmative.

"Yes, it'll be a bit more challenging with the extra guards, but I know we can manage. Come on, it'll be fun," I urged, the idea growing more appealing by the second. "And... Ano bang sinasabi mo? Gusto ka ni Mommy, masungit lang talaga siya."

"Yeah, sure." Gavin let out a low chuckle mukhang hindi naman kumbinsido sa huli kong sinabi. "You always did have a way of making the impossible seem easy. Alright, I'll bring a car around."

A smile tugged at my lips. Alam ko naman na mapipilit ko rin siya dahil wala naman akong ginusto na hindi ko nakukuha. I had my way around people.

"Your car?" I teased, remembering his sixteen-year-old pride and joy that came with his learner's permit.

"Yeah, don't worry, I've gotten pretty good at driving it," paniniyak niya. Kahit hindi ko nakikita ay malakas ang kutob ko na mayabang na ang ngisi niya ngayon.

"Okay, then it's a plan. Let's hang out in BGC and enjoy the night," I suggested, already imagining the freedom of the city lights, the buzz of people, and the normalcy of just being teenagers out on a night.

"Sounds perfect. What time should I pick you up?" Gavin asked.

"Give me an hour to get ready and watch the patterns of the guards. I'll text you when it's clear. Meet me at our usual spot at the back of the house. There's a little path just past the garden that's less monitored," I explained, detailing the route I knew like the back of my hand. Sana lang talaga ay wala pa rin masyadong nakabantay doon ngayon.

"Got it. I'll be there. Be careful, okay?"

"I always am," I replied, though my heart raced with the mix of nerves and excitement. "I'll see you soon, Gav."

"See you soon, babe. And hey—" he added quickly before we could end the call, "text me as soon as you're on your way out, just to be safe."

"I will."

We hung up, and I tossed my phone lightly on the bed. Mas determinado na ako ngayon. I glanced at the clock, planning my outfit and the timing of my escape. The thought of seeing Gavin, of breaking away from all these heavy security, even just for a few hours, gave me something to look forward to—a brief respite from the looming summer at Tierra del Diablo.

Hindi ako mahuhuli dahil hindi naman ako magpapahuli.

Una kong ginawa syempre ay ang mamili ng isusuot ko para sa gabing ito. Well, dinner lang naman and probably a movie date. So, I chose a simple yet chic bralette top paired with a snug jacket and jeans, rounded off with leather boots that were both stylish and practical for a swift getaway. Napangisi akong lalo, hindi ako mahihirapang tumalon mamaya mula sa puno.

Dinner was being called just as I was smoothing down my jacket, but I was already formulating an excuse. Luckily, my parents hadn't arrived home yet, which simplified things considerably. Kami lang ni Ate Vialka ang nasa bahay ngayon.

I poked my head out my door and called down to her, "Ate, I'm not feeling great. I think I'll skip dinner tonight and just rest up."

Hindi naman niya iyon pinagdudahan dahil may mga pagkakataon naman talaga na hindi ako nagdi-dinner. Minsan kahit pa narito sina Mommy at Daddy.

From downstairs, her response was distracted but sympathetic, "Okay, just drink water ha, and let me know if you need anything."

Relieved, I returned to my room to make the final preparations. I surveyed the perimeter from my window one last time. As expected, the guards' presence was minimal around the back garden area—it was my best route out. Mag-a-alas siete nang i-text ko na si Gavin.

Me

Heading out now. Be ready.

Tagarito lang rin naman sila sa subdivision kaya ilang saglit lang ay makakarating na siyang agad. Slipping my phone into my jacket pocket, I opened the window as quietly as possible. Medyo mahangin pa sa labas kaya nakailang beses kong hinawi ang aking buhok para hindi matabingan ang paningin ko. Baka mamaya ay mamali ako ng hakbang, mahulog at mabalian. Lagot akong lalo kay Mommy.

The large tree just outside was going to be my ladder to freedom once again. Excited akong sumampa sa window sill, ang galing ko na talaga kapag nakatakas ako ngayon. This wasn't the first time I had snuck out, but the stakes felt higher tonight.

Carefully, I reached out and grabbed the nearest branch, testing its sturdiness before pulling myself up. The tree was an old friend, its branches strong and reliable. Hindi ako kailanman ipinahamak ng punong ito. I maneuvered, descending through the branches until I reached the lower ones that were close enough to allow a safe drop to the ground.

Hindi pa ako agad na bumaba, inilibot ko pa ang tingin sa paligid. A couple of guards were stationed at the front of the house, their attention fixed on the gate and driveway. Taking a deep breath, I let myself drop to the soft grass below, my boots absorbing the impact.

Staying low, I moved quickly and silently across the yard. Sa madidilim na parte ako dumaan, mabilis na mabilis ang bawat kilos ko. Hindi ako puwedeng mahuli. Paulit-ulit ko iyong sinasabi sa aking sarili.

I reached the back gate that led to a quiet, less frequented street behind our house. It was locked, but I had prepared for this—slipping out a slim pick from my jacket, I worked at the lock with a precision borne of necessity and previous practice. Talagang hindi ako puwedeng mahuli dahil papalitan nila ang lock na ito kung magkataon. Panigurado.

The lock clicked open silently, and I carefully opened the gate just enough to slip through, then closed it behind me. Tsaka lang ako nakahinga ng maluwag nang tuluyan nang makalabas.

I saw Gavin's car parked a little way down, its lights dimmed, engine running softly. Agad ko iyong tinakbo. See? Ang galing ko talagang tumakas!

I slipped into the passenger seat, nilingon ko si Gavin na nakabaling na sa akin. He was smiling proudly, halatang pinanuod ang ginawa ko mula sa malayo.

"That was quick,"

"Yeah, well, I've had some practice," I looked over at him, my excitement for the evening ahead mixing with the thrill of the escape. "Let's get out of here."

Gavin grinned, pulling me close by the waist. "Kiss muna..."

Malandi akong tumawa. Syempre, he was cute. I leaned in for the kiss. Our relationship, still in its budding stages at two months, consisted of kisses here and there. Saglit lang ang halikan namin, but I felt a rush of affection for him.

After the kiss, I smiled broadly and settled back into my seat. "Now we can go,"

Natatawang pinaandar niya na ang sasakyan. We planned to have dinner and catch a movie—a perfectly normal date night, a rare slice of ordinary teenage life that felt extraordinary given the context of my usual tightly controlled existence.

Sa Central Square kami pumunta. We had dinner at Shake Shack, burgers and shakes lang. Hindi kami nauubusan ng pag-uusapan ni Gavin dahil kahit mas matanda siya sa akin ng dalawang taon ay pareho naman kami ng school. Bukod pa sa iisa lang kami ng circle of friends.

"Yeah, nasabi nga sa akin ni Trent noong nakaraan." Sabi ko nang ikuwento niya sa akin na nagkabalikan na si Kuya Ram at ang Ate Bree niya.

Gavin's expression shifted slightly. Hindi rin siya nagsalita kaya naman napabaling ako sa kaniya. His brows furrowed into a frown that seemed to darken his mood instantly.

I paused mid-sip of my shake, setting it down as I studied his face with a raised eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking away before meeting my gaze again. "Nothing... it's just... it bothers me how close you are with Trent."

Huh? Kumunot ang noo ko. Best friend ko na si Trent mga bata pa lamang kami. Kaming dalawa talaga ang laging magkasama hanggang sa lumaki na lang ang barkada nang madamay pa ang ibang mga naging kaklase ko, sina Reina at Aouie ay naging malapit na rin kay Trent. Ano naman ang problema niya doon? Hindi ko naman gusto si Trent at hindi rin naman ako nito gusto. Si Reina ang crush nito, sa pagkakaalam ko.

"Trent's my best friend, Gavin. You know that." Ibinaba ko ang shake sa lamesa, pinipigilan ang inis na umaahon sa aking dibdib. Ganito ba talaga ang mga boyfriend? Nagseselos? Hm. Nakakainis naman pala kung ganoon.

Gavin sighed, his hands fiddling with the paper napkin in front of him. "I know, I know. It's just... Sometimes, I feel like you might share more with him than you do with me. It's silly, but it gets to me."

I leaned back, my expression softening as I tried to understand his perspective. "Gavin, Trent and I have been friends since forever. Parang kayo lang ni Shan, 'di ba?"

He was quick to respond, his tone slightly defensive. "Hey, Shan is just a friend, okay? There's nothing more to it."

"Exactly! So is Trent!" I asserted. "I've never once complained about your closeness with Shan. You guys hang out all the time, and I've always trusted you. Inaasahan ko na ganoon ka rin sa'kin dahil kaibigan ko si Trent."

Gavin rubbed his forehead, a sign he was feeling stressed. "Alam ko naman na hindi ka nagseselos at pinagkakatiwalaan mo ko. And I appreciate that. It's just... different, I guess."

"Different how?" I pressed, genuinely curious. "Because Trent is a guy? Unfair naman ata 'yun, Gav."

He looked at me, his eyes conflicted. "Ewan ko, Thysie. May tiwala ako sa'yo. Alam kong ako ang gusto mo. Sigurado ako. Ikaw rin naman ang gusto ko. Ikaw lang."

I reached across the table, taking his hand in mine. Hindi ko alam kung paano siya hindi na magseselos, hindi naman puwedeng iwasan ko si Trent. Kaibigan ko 'yung tao. "Gav, there's nothing to worry about. Trent is like a brother to me."

Gavin's features softened slightly at my touch, but he still seemed unsure. "I trust you, I do. It's just hard sometimes. You guys seem so close, and I guess... I guess I get a little jealous."

Napangiti ako, pinisil ang kaniyang kamay. "I love that you care so much about us, about me. But trust has to go both ways. Trent has been an important part of my life for years, just like Shan has been for you. We can't let jealousy get in the way of that. Isa pa, alam ni Trent na boyfriend kita."

He nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. "You're right. I'm sorry for bringing it up. I don't want this to be an issue between us."

"It doesn't have to be,"

Hindi naman nagtagal ay bumalik ring muli ang timpla ni Gavin at nagpatuloy ang aming usapan. Marami pa kaming napagkuwentuhan habang kumakain. After dinner, we headed to the cinema. The latest blockbuster was showing—a film we'd both been eager to see. Bumili muna kami ng ticket, medyo nakakainis nga lang nang may kahabaan ang pila sa snack bar. Ayaw ko pa naman ng ganito, naghihintay sa pila.

Gavin glanced at the line and then at me. Kilala niya ako, alam niyang ayaw ko ng pumipila. I was easily bored, may kasama o wala.

"Why don't you wait in the lounge? I'll handle the popcorn and sodas," he suggested, nodding towards the more comfortable seating area.

"Okay!" Masigla kong tugon na siyang nagpatawa naman sa kaniya. I found a quiet spot in the lounge, a plush sofa in the corner, and settled in. Pulling out my phone, I busied myself scrolling through social media, catching up on notifications and the latest posts from friends.

Wala pang text mula sa mga magulang ko o kay Ate Vialka kaya siguradong hindi pa ako nahuhuli. Hindi ako mahuhuli. I was so sure of that.

A few minutes passed, and I was deep into reading an article when the sudden wail of the fire alarm shattered the entire mall. The shrill sound pierced through the crowd, and in moments, chaos erupted as security personnel began herding everyone toward the emergency exits. Kinabahan ako, agad kong hinanap si Gavin pero masyado ng nagkakagulo ang lahat.

Nagulat ako nang may biglang humablot sa aking braso mula sa likuran. I spun around to see a tall woman clad in a black leather jacket, her hand pressing a communication device to her ear.

"I got her," she said into the device, her eyes locked on mine with an unsettling intensity. Mukhang iritado at galit siya sa akin. Hindi ko siya kilala!

I tried to pull my arm free, but her grip was like iron. "Let go of me!"

Before I could react further, a man appeared beside us. He was exceptionally tall and muscular, his presence dominating. The woman quickly pushed me toward him. Agad rin ako nitong kinuha. Mas lalo akong natakot.

"I'll get her out of here, Harrie. Go follow Cyan and Ridge," sabi nito sa babaeng kaharap namin.

The woman nodded once, sharply, then disappeared into the crowd.

"Who are you? Are you going to kidnap me?" I blurted out, my voice trembling. The reality of the longstanding threats against my family suddenly seemed very real, very imminent. Kung iyon nga ang dahilan kung bakit nila ako nilapitan. Gosh! So, totoo pala ang mga iyon?

The man didn't answer my questions. Instead, he looked down at me, his expression stern. "Let's get moving,"

"No way! My boyfriend—Gavin is still around. I have to find him!" I protested, trying to dig my heels in, but he was too strong, effortlessly guiding me through the crowd. Sinubukan kong hanapin si Gavin pero hindi ko na siya makita. Hindi ko alam kung nakababa na ba siya o nakaalis. There's a supposed sunog!

"We don't have time for this," he stated flatly. "You need to trust me if you want to get out of here safely."

Nagmatigas pa rin ako. Pilit na kumakawala. "Bakit ako magtitiwala sa'yo? Eh, I didn't even know you!"

I was adamant about finding Gavin.

"If there's really a fire, then we need to find Gavin too. You can't just pull me out of here without him!" I argued vehemently, trying to make the man understand the urgency of not leaving Gavin behind.

Clearly annoyed by my resistance and perhaps realizing the futility of arguing with me in the chaos, the man spoke into the communication device clipped to his ear, his voice tense. "She refuses to come willingly. She wanted her boyfriend. We might need to reconsider our approach here,"

Seizing the moment of his distraction, I bolted towards the snackbar area where the crowd was thicker, hoping to lose him and find Gavin on my own. My heart pounded in my chest as I dodged between panicked shoppers. Maingay pa rin ang fire alarm, pero mukhang mas nagkakagulo ang lahat nang may ilang putok ng baril ang pumailanlang.

In my frantic rush, I collided with someone. Firm hands gripped my arms, stopping me in my tracks. Startled, I looked up into the coldest, darkest eyes I had ever seen. They were emotionless, almost chilling in their detachment. The man's face was stern, his expression unreadable as he held me firmly in place.

Before I could react or speak, the man I had tried to escape caught up to us.

"Ridge, she was looking for her boyfriend," he explained.

The man named Ridge barely glanced at the other, his attention briefly flickering to me, then back to surveying the surroundings. I opened my mouth to argue, to demand that he let me go, that I needed to find Gavin, but Ridge acted swiftly. In one smooth motion, he hoisted me over his shoulder like I was no heavier than a sack of rice. Shocked and disoriented, I could only manage a muffled protest against his back.

"Secure the perimeter. I'll handle this kid," he said in a voice that was calm, cold, and frighteningly authoritative.

Teka? Anong sabi niya? Kid? Hindi ako kid! May boyfriend na nga ako, eh! And gosh! Gavin! I needed to find him first!

"Put me down! I am not a kid, and I need to find Gavin!" I yelled, my voice muffled against his jacket.

Ridge continued his determined march through the clamoring crowd, his grip on me unyielding despite my protests. I was about to yell again when the sharp crack of a gunshot split the air, causing a fresh wave of panic to course through me.

"What was that? What's happening?" Abot langit na ang kaba ko, nagpupumilit pa ring kumawala sa hawak niya.

Ridge's response was a quiet, controlled murmur, almost lost in the chaos around us. "The result of your recklessness,"

Lalo akong nabahala. Anong ibig niyang sabihin? Could it be na wala talagang sunog and this had something to do with the threats? Ayaw kong paniwalaan na totoo nga ang mga iyon. No. Goodness!

Finally, he put me down but didn't loosen his grip. Instead, he grabbed my wrist firmly and began leading—or more accurately, dragging—me down a flight of stairs that led to a more secluded, underground parking area. In his other hand, he held a gun, which he kept pointed down. Nagmamadali man ang mga hakbang ay kalkulado pa rin ang bawat kilos niya. Sino ba siya? Kidnapper ba? Nasisiguro kong hindi siya from De Rique Securities kung saan nanggagaling ang mga guwardya na pumapalibot sa aming pamilya. He seemed younger than most our men, pero 'di hamak na mas matanda naman sa akin.

I stumbled slightly on the steps, kahit dumadaing ako ay wala pa rin siyang pakialam. Sige lang sa pagkaladkad sa akin patungo sa kung saan. I didn't even know where we were going.

"Are you going to kidnap me? Is that what this is?" I asked, desperation creeping into my tone.

Ridge didn't answer. His silence was as telling as any confirmation, and it did nothing to ease the growing dread within me. His focus remained on navigating us quickly and efficiently through the less crowded areas of the building, away from the main throngs of evacuating shoppers.

As we reached the bottom of the stairs, the cooler air of the underground lot hit us, and he paused to scan the area before pulling me along once more. Hindi naman gaanong madilim ang paligid pero halos walang tao doon kaya lalo akong natakot. I didn't even know this place existed. Ang alam ko lang na parking lot ay sa labas. Doon kami nag-park ni Gavin kanina. And oh, God. Gavin!

"Si Gavin! Oh, gosh!"

Ridge's reaction to my panicked mention of Gavin was swift—a fleeting angry scowl that quickly smoothed into his initial emotionless expression. "You're in the middle of a serious danger, and all you can think about is your boyfriend?"

I hissed back, frustrated and scared, "What danger? Tell me, damn it!"

Despite the fear coursing through me, I couldn't help but notice just how strikingly handsome he was, kahit sa dilim ay pansin ko iyon. It was infuriating how his rugged features distracted me even now, nagkakagulo na't lahat ito pa talaga ang napansin ko.

Before I could dwell further on that inappropriate thought, the sound of a vehicle approaching snapped us back to reality. A black van pulled up abruptly next to us, its side door sliding open. Without waiting for any further explanation, Ridge grasped my arm and virtually threw me into the van. I stumbled inside, turning just in time to see him raise his gun and fire at an unseen assailant, then disappear from view as the van sped away.

"No!" Hindi ko mapigilang mapasigaw sa labis na pag-aalala na baka mapaano siya kung iiwan namin siya doon.

I spun around, my breath heaving, trying to make sense of what had just happened. As I calmed slightly, I recognized the familiar faces of some of our family's bodyguards seated in the van with me.

One of them, a gruff older man named Jude, who had been with the family since I was a child, spoke up in a stern but concerned tone. "Miss Amethyst, you need to stay calm. Ihahatid na po namin kayo pauwi."

"But Ridge—he was just..." I trailed off, the image of him firing his gun still vivid in my mind.

"Ginagawa lang po niya ang trabaho niya," another guard, younger and more solemn, added. "Wala po kayong dapat ipag-alala sa kaniya."

Galit na galit si Mommy nang makarating ako sa bahay. Her strides were quick and sharp across the floor, her face etched with deep lines of anger. I sat down beside Ate Vialka, na siyang diretso lamang ang tingin sa aming mga magulang at tahimik na nakikinig sa pagalit ng mga ito. Ni Mommy, mostly.

"You didn't even think about anyone but yourself, did you?" Mommy's voice was harsh, galit rin ang mga tingin na ipinupukol sa akin. "There were threats, and you decided that was the perfect time to sneak out with your boyfriend!"

Dad tried to intervene, kalmado niyang nilapitan si Mommy at bahagyan inilalayo sa amin ni Ate dahil galit talaga ito. "V, she's a teenager. Teenagers are bound to be reckless sometimes."

"That's exactly why she's spoiled!" Mommy shot back, her eyes flashing dangerously. "We give her a little freedom, and she thinks she can do whatever she wants. What if something had happened to her, huh? What then, Kier?"

Dad's expression softened slightly, but he held his ground. "Nothing happened. She's home safe, isn't she?"

"That's not even the point!" Mommy's voice rose an octave, her hands gesturing wildly. "Ikaw talaga ang may kasalanan nito, eh! You never reprimand her about sneaking out. Ilang beses ko na bang sinabi sa'yo na kausapin ang anak mo tungkol sa ginagawa niyang pagtakas, huh? Hindi ko ginawa! Hinayaan mo lang! You just indulge her every whim!"

Only then did it hit me—they knew. All the times I had sneaked out, thinking I was being so clever, so discreet. Dad had known and had chosen not to confront me about it.

"Oo, alam namin ang ginagawa mo, Amethyst." Mommy turned her fiery gaze on me. "What do you take us for? Stupid?"

I swallowed hard, feeling small under her scrutiny.

"No, Mom, I... I'm sorry," I managed to stammer.

Ate Vialka finally spoke up, her voice calm but carrying an undertone of disappointment. "We were all worried, Thysie. It's not just about you."

"Alam ko, Ate. Sorry... Hindi ko naman naisip—"

"Hindi ka nag-isip! Iyon ang problema!" Marahas na putol ni Mommy sa akin. "You never think about the consequences, about how your actions affect everyone around you."

Dad put his hand on Mommy's shoulder, attempting to soothe her. "Let's all just take a breath, V. We're all upset, but shouting isn't going to solve anything."

Mommy shook off his hand, though her pacing slowed. "I just want her to understand the gravity of the situation. We're not making up these threats, and her sneaking out like that puts her in even more danger. Kier, kung may nangyaring masama sa anak ko..."

Biglang nanghina si Mommy na tila ba hindi kayang isipin ang kung anong mas malala na maaaring nangyari. Agad itong inabot ni Dad at dinala sa kaniyang mga bisig para patuloy na kalmahin at panatagin.

"She's okay, V. She's safe now," mahinang sabi ni Daddy. He then looked over at Ate Vialka and me with a stern but concerned expression. "Go upstairs and rest. The chopper will be here by midnight."

Ate Vialka didn't need to be told twice. She stood up immediately, perhaps eager to escape the tension, or perhaps to gather her own thoughts. I hesitated, the evening's events replaying in my mind like a disjointed movie.

Dad, sensing my reluctance, added softly, "Gavin is safe, Thysie. Your Tito Lance called."

Relief washed over me at his words, easing one of the myriad worries tangling my thoughts. I nodded, feeling a semblance of calm return. But another image flashed in my mind—the last glimpse of Ridge. Mas nag-aalala ako sa kaniya. Nakikipagbarilan siya nang iwan ko doon.

"What about Ridge?" I blurted out. "I saw him shooting someone. Is he okay?"

My question seemed to catch Dad off guard. His brows furrowed, not expecting my concern to extend to Ridge. Paanong hindi siya magtataka? Eh, bago ang gabing ito ay hindi ko naman kilala si Ridge.

"He's trained for this, Thysie. You have nothing to worry about," Dad finally said, his voice firm, leaving no room for further inquiry. Yet, his assurance did little to quell the unease coiling in my stomach.

"But, Dad, he was right there—because of me. If anything had happened to him..." My voice trailed off, choked by the implications.

Dad sighed, a deep, weary sound that seemed to carry the weight of far more than just tonight. "Ridge knows what he's doing. He's very good at his job, and he chose this path. It's what he's trained for,"

Understanding that I wouldn't get more out of him and that worrying further wouldn't change what happened, I nodded slowly and left. "Okay."

Still, I worry about Ridge.

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