CHAPTER 26

NASA LOOB sina Blake, Blaze at Happy ng study room ng mansiyon ng mga Vitale. Magkakaharap silang nakaupo sa sofa habang nasa ibabaw ng center table ang cell phone ni Midnight.

Ilang segundong tinitigan lang ni Happy ang cell phone bago niya nagawang kunin iyon at haplusin. Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi nang maaalala na naman ang pamamaalam sa kanya ni Midnight.

Happy looked at Blake. "Do you know where he is? Please tell me he's in a better place."

Umiling si Blake, malungkot ang bukas ng mukha nito. "He'll be there. We're working something out."

"Where is he?" tanong uli niya kay Blake. "Alam mo ba kung where he is? I'm worried of him."

Nagbaba ng tingin si Blake bago umiling. "Kapag naayos na namin ang lahat, sasabihin ko kung nasaan siya. I hope you understand me."

"But is he okay?" pangungulit niya. "Please tell me he's fine. Kahit hindi mo sabihin if where he is. Just tell me that he's fine."

Blake looked away before nodding. "He'll be fine."

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa cell phone ni Midnight. "Sabi ni Midnight his orders were clear, to not tell me anything... Wherever he is right now, sa tingin n'yo, it has something to do with that file?"

Umiling si Blake, saka malungkot na ngumiti. "He did something for us and it messed his life up. It was my fault that this happened to him."

Bumaba ang tingin niya sa cell phone, saka malungkot na ngumiti nang maalala ang usapan nila ni Midnight. "Sinabi nga niya sa akin that he did something for a friend that messes up his life. And when I asked him if it was worth it, he said yes." A lone tear fell from her eyes. "He's a good-hearted man. He treats me like a sister and he's an amazing brother and a friend."

Nakangiting tumango si Blake. "He is a good man. Kung hindi niya ginawa ang ginawa niya, hindi ko alam kung nasaan kami—ako ngayon. He's our friend."

Happy smiled. "Midnight loves having a friend who knows him as him. He treasures them because he only has few." Napabaling siya kay Blaze nang tuyuin nito ang luha sa pisngi niya.

"Don't cry," sabi ni Blaze. "Hindi magugustuhan ni Midnight na ganyan ka. I'm sure he would want you to be strong."

She nodded and pressed the cell phone's power button. When the logo appeared, they waited for a couple of seconds for the whole screen to show.

And there it was.

Happy breathed out and tapped the screen, then frowned. "It's face recognition locked." Nilingon niya si Blaze na katabi niya. "Alam mo ba ang password?"

Umiling si Blaze. "Hindi ba niya sinabi sa iyo?"

Nakakunot na umiling siya, saka ibinalik ang buong tingin at atensiyon sa screen ng cell phone. And to her surprise, it was unlocked.

"Oh." Napaawang ang bibig niya. "Bumukas."

"He added your face to his phone lock?" tanong ni Blaze na parang hindi nito nagustuhan 'yon. "How close are you, really?"

Nilingon niya ang kasintahan. "Are you jealous?"

"Hell, yeah!"

Happy frowned. "Why?"

"Because you two are close."

Nagkibit-balikat siya. "Of course, he's like my brother," sabi niya, saka ibinalik ang tingin sa cell phone.

Happy started going through Midnight's file, from photos—which he had few, only ten photos actually—to documents that couldn't be opened and labeled as confidential, and only one video.

Happy played the video.

It didn't open. It was asking for a six-digit password.

"Seriously?" She blew a loud breath. "I don't know the password." Tumingin siya kay Blaze.

"Don't look at me," sabi ni Blaze, saka bumuntong-hininga. "We have no idea."

"Maybe this is the file that he sent to me because it's encrypted. This must be really important," panghuhula niya. "Ano'ng gagawin ko? I have to see this file so I will know what's going on."

"Shun Kim," mabilis na sabi ni Blaze.

Mabilis si Blake. "No."

Sabay na napatingin sila ni Blaze kay Blake.

"Wait—why?" nagtatakang tanong ni Blaze sa kakambal. "Shun can crack that code in no time."

Umiling si Blake habang walang emosyon ang mukha. "No. Not Shun. Let's find another one. Kaibigan siya ni Knight. Who knows what he'll do and where his loyalty lies. Baka burahin pa niya 'yan sa utos ni Knight. You know Velasquez, he doesn't joke around when it comes to his job. And that file is encrypted because Midnight doesn't want anyone messing with it, especially his brother. That must be a high-level security file or video that contains lots of secrets."

Hearing Blake said that, Happy's mind was starting to piece something together. "Are they part of an illegal organization or something like that?"

Walang sumagot sa kambal.

"Hula ko lang," sabi niya, saka mabilis na nagpaliwanag. "Kasi Midnight talks about someone ordering him to do something. That means he has a boss. 'Tapos ayaw niyang ipahanap ko siya kapag nawala siya kasi it will endanger me and Dad. And then his brother came to see me to tell me na may sister ako. Paano niya nalaman 'yon? And he happens to know that my sister needs a heart. So much of a coincidence. And then may ginawa si Midnight na nagulo ang buhay niya, 'tapos nawala siya. And then the file in the flash drive has been deleted. And now, you don't trust this Shun guy because he is friends with Midnight's brother and he might delete the file too? In my point of view, it only means one thing, illegal organization or something close."

Tapos na siyang magsalita pero walang umimik. Lahat tahimik.

Tiningnan niyang mabuti si Blake, pagkatapos ay bumaling siya kay Blaze. Walang emosyon ang mukha ng dalawa.

Then a realization came to her. "You know Midnight and his brother and this Shun guy, and it's like you know a thing or two of what they're doing. Does that mean... are you... part of this organization? Or I'm wrong and just over thinking?"

"Ye—"

"Blaze!" Blake hissed at Blaze. "Don't you dare! You don't have a go signal."

"I'm not gonna lie to Happy, Blake," Blaze hissed back. "I'm serious about this relationship—"

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Blaze na ikinatigil nito sa pagsasalita. "It's okay. Don't tell me." Pinisil niya ang kamay ng lalaki. "Kung it will put you in danger, huwag mong sabihin sa akin." Sapat na ang pag-aalala sa mukha ni Blake para pigilan niya si Blaze. "I don't mind if it'll keep you safe."

"But I don't want to keep secrets from you," bulong ni Blaze. "Baka bigla ka na lang umalis kasi naglilihim ako."

"It's okay. I understand." She leaned in to softly kiss him on the lips. "I'm not going anywhere without you."

Blaze nodded. "Good."

Tumango siya, saka humugot ng malalim na hininga at tumingin kay Blaze. "May kilala ka bang iba na makakatulong sa atin maliban kay Shun?"

"There is someone," sabi ni Blake, saka madaling inilabas ang cell phone sa bulsa. "Siya ang unang contact ni Luther bago pa natin nakilala si Shun."

"Si Track ba ang tinutukoy mo?" tanong ni Blaze.

Blake nodded. "Yes. Him. Luther gave me his new number."

"Why? We have Shun."

"Luther said that if it's about Midnight or you know, those big manipulative bastards, Shun is compromised. He is friends with Knight after all."

Blaze blew a loud breath. "And you think Track will help? He's also friends with our friends."

"Yes. But I'll pick him over Shun," sabi ni Blake.

"But we stopped communicating with him after he went into the slammer. I don't think he'll be glad to help us with this."

Tumaas ang kilay niya, saka napabaling kay Blaze. "Slammer? That's a gangster slang for jail as I've seen on TV."

Blaze smirked at her. "Baby, I was in a gang once. And I was a badass."

"Bago ka naging doctor?"

"Yes. While I'm still studying to become a doctor."

Napatango-tango si Happy. "Kaya pala magaling ka sa hand-to-hand combat. And I actually want to see this badass side of you."

"If you stick around and marry me, you'll see it."

Mahina siyang natawa, saka napailing at napabaling kay Blake na may kausap sa cell phone.

"X said you owe him and I can collect with a favor. Yes. Dadalhin namin diyan. Thank you." Pinatay ni Blake ang tawag, saka pinulot nito ang cell phone ni Midnight at ibinulsa 'yon. "Come on, Blaze, let's bring this to Track."

Agad siyang tumayo. "Sama ako."

"No," pigil sa kanya ni Blaze. "Kung kasama ka, sasama si King. Hindi niya puwedeng malaman 'to. 'Di ba isa siya sa mga pinaghihinalaan mo na bumura ng file sa flash drive?"

Tumango siya at agad niyang naintindihan ang ibig nitong sabihin. "Sige. Ingat kayo. Balik ka agad."

Blaze smiled and pressed his lips on hers, slighting bitting her lips and pulling it, licking and nipping it softly before whispering. "Why don't you start getting ready for tonight? Nightfall is coming."

Nakangiting inilapit niya ang mga labi sa mga labi ng kasintahan at siya na ang humalik dito. "I will. Just mag-ingat kayo."

Blaze kissed her on the forehead one last time before leaving after Blake.

Siya naman ay lumabas ng study at nakitang nagpapaalam si Blake kay Lucky.

Nang makaalis ang dalawa, nilapitan niya ang kapatid at niyakap mula sa tagiliran, saka hinalikan ito sa gilid ng noo. "They'll be fine," sabi niya dahil may nakikita siyang pag-aalala sa mukha nito.

Lucky nodded and leaned on her shoulder. "I feel tired."

Agad niyang inalalayan paupo sa sofa si Lucky para makapagpahinga ito. Maybe this had something to do with her not taking her meds. "May gusto ka bang kainin? Ipagluluto kita. Pero 'yong pasok lang sa diet plan mo, ha?"

Mukhang pagod si Lucky pero napangiti pa rin. "Just water, Ate."

"Sige." Hinalikan niya ito sa noo, saka nagmamadaling tinungo ang kusina.

Nang pabalik na siya, nakasalubong niya si King na parang malalim ang iniisip.

"King..." Hinawakan niya ito sa braso para kunin ang atensiyon at tiningnan sa mga mata. "Stop reporting to Dad."

King stilled before looking at her innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about, Young Miss."

Tumiim ang mga bagang niya. "What you see and what you hear in this house stays in this house," she said in a commanding voice. "You said you work for me now and not for Dad, then prove it. I'm serious, King, stop reporting to Dad. I know that something is wrong and If I find out that you're a part of it and that you'd been fooling me and messing with me, I will show no mercy."

Instead of saying something against what she said, King smiled proudly at her. "You are indeed a Quinn. You made your ancestors proud."

Hindi siya nagpadala sa sinabi nito. "Stop reporting to Dad."

"I will."

"Promise me."

"He only wants what's best for you, Young Miss," sabi ni King.

"I know. That's my dad. He's overprotective of me and I never doubt how much he loves me. But he is keeping something from me."

"And I'm sure, you, Young Miss, can figure it out," nakangiting sabi ni King bago umakyat sa hagdan.

Siya naman ay binalikan ang kapatid sa sala at inalalayan. Binantayan niya ito hanggang sa makabalik sina Blake at Blaze na may dalawang magandang balita.

NAKAKATITIG SA KAWALAN si Happy habang nasa bathtub na nababalot ng bula ang ibabaw, dahilan para hindi makita ang kahubdan niya sa loob ng tubig. Ang daming laman ng isip niya sa mga sandaling 'yon. Mga katanungan na hindi niya alam kung saan uumpisahang hanapin ang sagot.

Bumalik lang sa kasalukuyan ang isip niya nang mapansin niyang may umupo sa gilid ng bathtub.

"Blaze..."

"Ang lalim ng iniisip mo," sabi nito. "Hindi mo ako napansing pumasok."

"Sorry." Tipid siyang ngumiti rito. "Ang dami ko lang tini-think. I have so many unanswered questions."

"And we will get an answer to all of that. Sabi ni Track tatawag agad siya. But knowing Track, it will only take two days tops before he calls with good news." Inalis nito ang bula sa pisngi niya. "I'm here, with you ... I'll help you with all of this."

Tinitigan niya nang matiim si Blaze. "Am I being a burdensome?"

He was stunned at her question. "What? No."

Pinaglaruan niya ang bula sa ibabaw ng bathtub. "Isang araw pa lang since we become boyfriend and girlfriend. 'Di ba dapat fun lang muna? I mean, I read somewhere that fun palagi ang umpisa ng relationship, like dates and all that sweet stuff. Pero sa atin, problema ko ang inuuna natin."

Mahinang natawa si Blaze. "Let's have a date tomorrow. Off ko pa rin naman."

Napatingin siya uli sa lalaki. "Hindi ba masisira ang day natin because of my problems?"

Umiling si Blaze. "I'm good at distracting people."

Happy chuckled. "That's true... You just have to show me your upper body and I'll be distracted."

"See?" Blaze grinned at her. "I have mad skills."

Her chuckles turned into a small laugh. "Yes, you have mad skills and I'm proud."

"You're proud that I have mad skills?"

Natawa na naman si Happy. "No, I'm proud that I'm dating a doctor, even when he is a little bit dirty. Well, I myself is rough around the edges... so, I guess we belong."

Blaze nodded while a smile was playing on his lips. "I like that we belong."

Happy chuckled while starting to wash her hair so she could finish bathing. "Can you hand me that shampoo?"

Agad namang iniabot ni Blaze ang shampoo na itinuro niya. Pero sa halip na ibigay sa kanya ay ito na ang naglagay ng shampoo sa buhok niya.

"Let me," he said.

Blaze was massaging her scalp as he spread the shampoo on her hair and she couldn't help but to groan on how much good it felt, especially when his hand started massaging her nape softly and the back of her ear.

"Oh, that feels good," she whispered.

Tumikhim si Blaze. "Stop moaning, baby, I'm having a hard on already."

Natatawang nilingon niya ang kasintahan. "It feels good, but go, I'll do the rinsing myself. Bibilisan ko para matapos na ako."

"Okay." Inalis nito ang kaunting bula na nasa mga labi niya at hinalikan siya roon bago ito naghugas ng kamay at lumabas.

Napangiti siya habang pinagmamasdan ang kasintahan.

Simple gestures yet it made her heartbeat fast. She was having a good feeling about this relationship they have. Maybe it would work this time.

Lihim siyang napangiti.

Nang makalabas si Blaze ng banyo, agad niyang binilisan ang pagligo.

Happy scrubbed every part of her body using a body scrub and after that, she used her favorite body wash and rinsed herself. She made sure that she smelled so good enough to eat.

She did know a thing or two about sex. Nakapanood na siya ng video noong nasa college pa siya at maraming beses 'yon dahil sa mga ka-roommate niya. Binibiro lang niya si Blaze kaninang umaga na wala siyang alam kasi gusto niyang makita ang reaksiyon nito. And it was epic... she made Blaze Vitale blush.

Happy was chuckling to herself as she wrapped the towel around her naked body. And as she faced the mirror on the bathroom, she was battling with herself if she would change or not.

This was her first intimate night with Blaze, it should be perfect—or close to perfect.

And she had decided.

Hindi niya isinuot ang pantulog na dinala niya sa banyo para doon sana magbihis. Ang tanging isinuot lang niya ay ang panty na dala habang nakapalibot pa rin ang tuwalya sa katawan niya.

Happy blow dried her hair, enough to look wet but not dripping wet, then she stepped out from the bathroom while biting her lips, thinking of what would happen next.

Blaze was seated on the edge of the bed, massaging his own neck and shoulder when their eyes met.

She smiled at him. "Hey... I'm ready—"

Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin dahil mabilis na nakalapit sa kanya si Blaze at agad nang inangkin ang mga labi niya nang walang sabi-sabi. Mapusok 'yon at nanghihingi ng katugon.

Happy groaned when Blaze pinned her on the wall, started licking her lips and sucking her tongue while his hands freed her body from the towel.

Pinakawalan muna nito ang mga labi niya para tingnan ang kabuuan ng katawan niya na tanging underwear na lang ang suot.

She bit her lower lip while watching Blaze looked at her body with admiration and lust in his eyes.

And in a blink of an eye, he was back to kissing her again while roughly pinning her on the wall. His hands touching and feeling her breasts, palming it and softly pinching her nipples until his hands made it way to her ass.

And because she was wearing a black T-back panties, Blaze's hands had full access to her ass.

Happy sucked a sharp breath when Blaze squeezed her ass as his lips travelled to her earlobe down to her neck and back to her ear again before whispering.

"The things I'll do to you..."

Nagsitaasan ang mga balahibo niya dahil sa sinabi nito at sa uri ng pagkakasabi nito niyon.

His deep seductive voice... it was like he was promising to eat her alive, promising to give her a night full of pleasure. A night she would never forget. Her first night being intimate with him.

And she was looking forward to it. Because this time, it was real ... and not a dream.

CECELIB | C.C.