CHAPTER 31

NARAMDAMAN NI HAPPY ang paghalik ni Blaze sa balikat niya, nakaupo ang kasintahan sa tabi niya kaya nang bumaling siya rito ay nagtama ang mga mata nila.

Halata ang pag-aalala sa mukha ni Blaze.

Akmang sasabihin sana niya rito na ayos lang siya nang tumunog ang cell phone niya. Nang tingnan niya kung sino ang tumatawag, agad niya iyong pinatay.

Helena had been calling her but she was not answering. Nag-iisip pa siya kung paniniwalaan niya ito o hindi. Hindi siya puwedeng magpadalos-dalos dahil baka buhay niya ang maging kapalit.

"Is my baby okay?" malambing ang boses na tanong sa kanya ni Blaze.

Bumaling siya rito at nginitian. "I will be. I'm still trying to process everything but I'll get there."

Blaze kissed her shoulder again. "If you need anything, someone to talk to, your handsome, hot and dirty doctor boyfriend is just here for you."

Nasa gitna silang ng napakaseryosong sitwasyon pero nagawa pa rin siyang patawanin ni Blaze.

"Thank you. I need that laugh," sabi niya na mahina pa ring tumatawa.

Niyakap siya ni Blaze mula sa tagiliran at pinagsalikop nito ang kamay nilang dalawa. Nasa ganoong posisyon sila nang bumalik si Themarie sa sala.

Pumunta sa ikalawang palapag kanina si Themarie kasama ang asawa nitong si Shun. Siguro para mag-usap dahil sa mga nangyari.

"I'm sorry," hingi niya ng tawad kay Themarie nang makaupo ito pang-isahang sofa na nasa harap nila ni Blaze. "Nagalit lang ako nang sobra. Pasensiya na at ginawa ko 'yon sa asawa mo."

Themarie sighed. "What my husband did, lying to me... he had it coming." Napailing ito. "I already told him not to get involved with the Count's business, he told me he wouldn't. He lied to me. For friendship. Naiintindihan ko naman ang pagkakaibigan nila, pero disappointed lang siguro ako. Sana sinabi niya sa akin at ipinaliwanag niya nang maayos bago niya ginawa. I'm his wife after all."

"Ayaw ka lang siguro niyang idamay," sabi ni Blaze.

"Asawa niya ako, Kuya," sabi ni Themarie. "Kahit ano ang gawin niya, damay ako. Ngayon tuloy napapaisip ako kung may mga pagkakataon bang nagsinungaling siya sa akin na pupunta sa bahay ng mga kaibigan niya at hindi naman pala."

"Talk to him," sabi ni Blaze.

Ihinilamos ni Themarie ang mga palad nito sa sariling mukha, saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "Nag-usap na kami pero galit pa rin ako. Anyway..." Tumingin ito sa kanya. "How are you feeling? You must be confused right now."

Tumango si Happy. "Medyo. Pero nasabi naman na sa akin ni Blaze ang tungkol sa organisasyong kinabibilangan ng daddy ko kaya medyo hindi na masyadong magulo."

Nag-aalalang tumingin si Themarie kay Blaze. "Sinabi mo sa kanya 'yon nang walang pahintulot ng Organisasyon?"

Blaze nodded. "But she's an Arkhon's daughter now so—"

"It doesn't matter, Kuya." May pangamba sa boses ni Themarie. "Even if Happy is a daughter of an Arkhon, she's still not part of the Organization. No one is allowed to tell her anything except her father." Napailing si Themarie. "Oh, God, you'll be in trouble for what you did, Kuya."

"I don't regret it," sabi ni Blaze na humigpit ang hawak sa kamay niya. "Happy needs to know who we are dealing with."

Themarie let out a loud breath. "In expense for your life?"

"She needs to know," matigas ang boses na sabi ni Blaze, saka bumuntong-hininga. "How did you know about Happy's tattoo?"

Hindi sumagot si Themarie at umiling. "Kuya, please, ayokong maparusahan. You know what the Organization is capable of. Even Knight can't do anything about his father's decisions."

Blaze blew a loud breath. "I know."

Themarie looked at her. "Ask your father. Siya lang ang makakasagot sa lahat ng katanungan mo. At pasensiya ka na, hindi ko puwedeng sabihin sa iyo ang alam ko. You may be an Arkhon's daughter but you're still not part of the Organization until your father perform a rite of passage for you. Until then, I can't tell you what I know."

Nagbaba ng tingin si Happy. Hindi niya puwedeng pilitin si Themarie na magsabi sa kanya. Ayaw niyang maparusahan ito.

And she had Blaze to worry about because he told her about the Organization without the Organization's consent.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin kay Themarie, saka masuyo itong nginitian. "It's okay. Thank you for everything. Please tell your husband I'm sorry."

Tumango si Themarie.

Siya naman ay hinila patayo si Blaze.

"Baby—"

"Let's go," sabi niya.

"But, baby—"

"Huwag tayong mandamay ng ibang tao, lalo na't we know that they will get hurt on the process," sabi niya kay Blaze na napipilitang tumango at nagpaalam na siya kay Themarie. "Salamat uli at pasensiya na sa nagawa ko sa asawa mo."

"Alis na kami," paalam ni Blaze kay Themarie.

"Ingat kayo," sabi ni Themarie.

Tumango si Blaze, saka sabay silang lumabas ng bahay kung saan naghihintay sa kanila si Yrozz.

"Have you checked your laptop?" tanong ni Blaze kay Yrozz nang makalapit sila rito. "Wala ka na ba talagang magagawa para ma-retrieve ang files na binura ni Shun?"

Yrozz sighed. "Shun is one of the best, Blaze. My laptop is clean... spotless clean."

Blaze sighed heavily. "I'm sorry about your laptop, man, and for you being shot. Kung hindi namin hiningi ang tulong mo, hindi sana mangyayari sa iyo 'to."

"Nah." Yrozz shook his head. "It's okay. I did say yes, and you didn't force me to do it."

"And Shun?"

Yrozz shrugged. "The things we'll do for our friends, Blaze. Normal na sa ating magkakaibigan 'to at heto, buo pa rin naman tayong lahat. I'm disappointed but it'll pass. Maybe after this mess, I'll ask Shun to drink beer and eat barbecue with me."

Blaze chuckled. "And Knight?"

"Ano pa'ng aasahan mo sa sinto-sinto na 'yon?" Yrozz tsked. "I don't want to judge him. Yet. Maybe he has his reasons. I'll wait for it. We both know how scary his father is. At may pamilya na siya. I will give him the benefit of the doubt." Then Yrozz looked at her. "You look sad, Miss Quinn."

Tipid siyang ngumiti. "Masama lang ang loob ko. Midnight's phone... hindi lang 'yon importante sa akin because of the file but because pag-aari 'yon mismo ni Midnight. Ng kuya ko. 'Tapos ngayon wala na. 'Yon na lang sana ang mayroon ako na galing sa kanya."

Yrozz gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I lost it."

"It's okay." Tinuyo niya ang mga luha na hindi niya namalayang nalaglag sa pisngi niya. "Hindi mo naman ginusto 'yon. Nabaril ka pa nga, eh."

Tumango si Yrozz, saka tinapik ang balikat ni Blaze. "Mauna na ako sa inyo. Aayusin ko pa ang mga gamit ko. After what happened, I'm fucking moving."

Blaze chuckled. "Thanks for everything, man."

Blaze and Yrozz did a handshake and a man hug before Yrozz got inside his car.

Nang makaalis si Yrozz, iginiya siya ni Blaze patungo sa sasakyan nila at pinagbuksan siya ng pinto.

Walang imik na sumakay si Happy sa kotse at hanggang sa makasakay si Blaze sa driver's seat. Hindi pa rin siya umimik hanggang basagin niya ang katahimikan nang nasa daan na sila.

"I'll ask Dad—no, I'll beg him to protect you," sabi niya na nakakuyom ang kamay. "Maybe he can make the punishment to go away. Pinoprotektahan mo naman ako, dapat protektahan ka rin niya. Give and take."

"Baby..." He breathed out. "I'll be fine."

"If magkatotoo ang sinabi ni Themarie, you will not be fine, Blaze. And I won't let you get hurt because of me. Kaya mo lang naman sinabi sa akin ang tungkol sa Organisasyon ay dahil nag-aalala ka sa akin. It's unfair for you to be in the middle of this mess!"

"Baby, I promise myself I'll protect you," sabi ni Blaze sa may diing boses. "And this is me doing that and loving you at the same time."

Napailing siya. "I started all this. Because of that file, someone got shot and now you're in danger of being punished. I swear to God, kapag hindi ka tinulungan ni Daddy, magagalit na talaga ako sa kanya. I'd been patient with him and trying to understand him, but if may mangyaring hindi maganda sa iyo, he will have a piece of my mind!"

"Happy..."

Panay ang tagis ng mga bagang niya.

Blaze sighed. "Maybe it's gonna be different. I'm not a member per se. I'm a freelancer who knows a lot about them. I'm not covered by their laws—"

"And you think hahayaan ka nilang i-violate ang rules nila, lalo na't freelancer ka lang at hindi miyembro? I don't think so, Blaze. I'm sure they also have rules for freelancers like you."

"I didn't read them." Blaze tsked like he didn't give a shit. "Blake did."

"That's why Blake was warning you." Bumuga siya ng marahas na hininga. "I have to talk to Dad to keep you from being punished. If he's really an Arkhon, maybe he can do something about it."

Hindi sumagot si Blaze at huminga lang ito nang malalim. At hindi rin siya umimik. Nabalot ng katahimikan ang buong sasakyan habang nasa biyahe sila pabalik sa mansiyon.

At nang tumigil ang kotse ni Blaze sa harap ng bahay ng mga ito, walang imik pa rin siyang lumabas at pumasok sa kabahayan habang malalim na nag-iisip sa kung ano ang magandang gawin.

She was angry, frustrated and worried.

She went straight to Blaze's room and Blaze followed immediately.

"Baby, I know you're not okay," sabi nito nang makapasok sa kuwarto nila. "Talk to me."

Hinubad niya ang sandals na suot, saka humarap sa kasintahan. "Masama ang loob ko. I feel so frustrated, Blaze. I feel so angry at myself. I failed Midnight... I failed the man who loved me like a sister. I'm worried about you and I'm mad at that organization!"

Hindi namalayan ni Happy na namamalisbis na pala ang luha niya habang nagsasalita siya.

Blaze sighed, took off his shoes and did a fighting stance. "Come on... I'll help you blow off some steam."

Gulat na napatitig siya sa kasintahan. "Really? A hand-to-hand combat?"

Blaze smiled. "I know my baby. My kisses and embrace can't help you calm down this time. So, come on. Let it all out."

Happy didn't need to be told twice. She felt so angry and she needed this.

Tinakbo niya ang pagitan nila ni Blaze at malakas itong sinipa at sinuntok. Bawat atake niya ay nasasalag nito kaya umikot siya at malakas na pinatama rito ang binti niya ng ilang beses. Then she released a blow after blow of strong punches until her fist made contact to Blaze's chest.

Blaze moved his hand to shove her fist away from his chest and he started attacking her. He was not holding back, his punches were strong, but she was fast to dodge and block his attacks.

Seryoso ang laban nila ni Blaze. Walang gustong magpatalo. Palakasan ng suntok at sipa, patalinuhan sa bawat atake at walang pagdadalawang-isip sa bawat paggalaw.

"Fuck!" Blaze hissed when she hit his chest and knees.

Lihim siyang napangiti at mabilis na umatake uli na madali nitong nasalag. Nahawakan nito ang kamay niya para pigilan siya pero mabilis siyang nakawala at sinipa ito sa binti at tiyan.

And they were both in a fighting stance again, while facing each other.

This time, Blaze attacked her first.

Fist versus fist. One wrong move and one of them would get hit.

And it was her.

But Blaze didn't hit her, he gripped her arm, his back on her, he bent over, squatted and he lifted her... pulling her arms upward and flipped her body high in the air over his shoulder.

A loud umph escaped her lips when her back hit the soft mattress of the bed.

She was catching her own breath; she was sweaty, and her hands felt sore for attacking and blocking Blaze but she still managed to laugh a little.

Napatitig si Happy kay Blaze nang kubabawan siya nito at pinakatitigan. "I can't believe you flipped me over your shoulder," sabi niya na mahinang natatawa.

"You're smiling..." he observed. "Is my baby feeling better now?"

Happy nodded. "Yes. Thank you for helping me blow off some steam."

Blaze shrugged. "You're my baby, of course I will," he said before pressing his lips on hers.

They were both sweaty, but they didn't care as they groped each other's body while their kisses became hungry and needy.

Maybe because they just finished fighting, the adrenaline was still pumping their blood and fuelling their desire for each other.

Halos magkagatan na sila ng mga labi ni Blaze habang naghahalikan at nagsisipsipan ng dila. Namalayan na lang ni Happy na hubad na sila pareho nang hinahalikan na ng kasintahan ang katawan niya.

Napaliyad na lang siya, lalo na nang maramdamang hinahaplos ng mga daliri nito ang pagkababae niya dahilan para madaing siya at mabasa.

Pabaling-baling si Happy habang kinakain ni Blaze ang pagkababae niya.

"Oh! Shit! Oh! Blaze!"

Nahihibang na naman siya na lalo lang nadagdagan nang dahan-dahang ipinasok nito ang kahabaan sa loob niya.

"Ohhh!" Mahaba at malakas siyang napaungol nang masagad ng kahabaan ni Blaze ang pagkababae niya. She could still feel pain but damn, it felt so good.

And when he started moving in and out, she started moaning. She was moving her lips to accept his every thrust inside her.

"Oh! Oh!" ungol niya.

"Fuck!" Blaze hissed as he moved faster inside her. "Fuck! Baby—fuck!"

Nakaluhod ito sa gitna ng mga hita niyang nakabuka, habang ang mga binti niya ay nakapalibot sa baywang nito. Hawak nito ang magkabilang puwitan niya habang naglalabas-masok ang pagkalalaki sa pagkababae niya.

"Fuck! Fuck!" Blaze moaned.

"Oh! Blaze! Oh!"

Umuuga ang kama kasabay ng pag-uga ng katawan niya. Mahigpit na napahawak siya sa bedsheet nang maramdamang lalabasan na siya.

"Happy..."

"Blaze!" she screamed Blaze's name as she reached her orgasm and her body arched.

At segundo lang ang lumipas bago sumunod si Blaze sa kanya. Nilabasan ito ng marami at pinuno ang loob niya.

Napadaing na lang si Happy at napaawang ang mga labi nang bumagsak ang katawan ni Blaze sa kanya at ibinaon nito ang mukha sa leeg niya.

"Happy?"

"Hmm?" She was still catching her breath.

"I love you."

She smiled, she could feel her heart being filled with happiness and contentment. She knew why she felt like this. Alam niyang kung bakit ganito ang puso niya.

This... whatever this was that she felt with Blaze, this was not just "like" anymore.

She knew... she knew this was more.

"Blaze?"

He slowly pulled away from her mound. "Yes, baby?"

"I lov—"

Napatigil si Happy sa pagsasalita nang biglang mabilis na kumilos si Blaze at hinila ang kumot, saka ibinalot nito iyon sa hubad nilang katawan.

And then she realized why Blaze did that.

He heard the footsteps before she did. And now those footsteps stopped in front of their room and the door opened.

Then Blake entered.

"Don't you know how to knock?" pagalit na tanong ni Blaze kay Blake na natulos sa kinatatayuan nang makita ang posisyon nilang dalawa.

"Don't you two know how to lock the door?!" Blake retaliated before stepping out of the room as fast as he could. At mula sa labas ng pinto nagsalita ito. "Nasa sala si Yrozz. Bumaba kayong dalawa. Hurry up, will you?"

Nagkatinginan sila ni Blaze, saka sabay na napangiti at umalis ng kama.

Sabay silang naligo sa usapang hindi na uli siya aangkinin ni Blaze dahil nasisiguro niyang sasakit na naman ang pagkababae niya at baka lagnatin na naman siya.

"One sex a day, remember?" paalala niya sa kasintahan.

Blaze groaned. "Fine."

Masama ang mukha ni Blaze habang naliligo sila dahil hanggang hawak lang ito. Natatawa siya sa hitsura nito na halatang nagtitimpi.

And while drying her hair with a blow dryer, Blaze slapped her butt cheek.

"Blaze!"

Hinalikan lang siya nito sa mga labi, saka inagaw ang blow dryer sa kanya at ito na ang tumuyo sa buhok niya. "Bilisan natin."

While Blaze was drying her hair, she was putting on sweatpants and a hanging blouse.

"Okay na ba ang buhok mo? Magbibihis na ako," sabi ni Blaze.

"Yes. Go," sabi niya.

Nang matapos magdamit si Blaze, tapos na rin siyang mag-ayos. Simpleng lagay ng powder, blush on and lip tint lang ang ginawa niya dahil nasa bahay lang naman siya.

Pagkatapos ay sabay silang bumaba ni Blaze sa sala kung saan naghihintay sa kanila si Yrozz.

"Ayaw niyang sabihin sa akin ang pakay niya hangga't wala kayong dalawa," sabi ni Blake na napailing pa.

Blaze asked Yrozz. "What is it?"

Itinuro ni Yrozz ang dalawang backpack na nasa sahig. "I told you I'm moving, right?"

"Yes," sabi ni Blaze, sabay tango.

Yrozz grinned. "Well, I'm moving here, in your house. Do you have a spare room for me?"

Napatanga silang tatlo kay Yrozz. That was unexpected.

"May I ask why?" Blake asked, still with a stunned expression on his face. "I mean, are you like the song, young, dumb and broke?"

Hindi pinansin ni Yrozz ang huling sinabi ni Blake at nagpaliwanag lang. "My house and condo had been compromised and this is the only place I can think of where it's safe for me to work."

"Work what?" Blaze asked.

Naglabas ito ng laptop mula sa bag. "I just bought this baby," imporma nito sa kanila, saka may inilabas ding flash drive mula sa bag at ini-insert iyon sa USB port ng laptop. Iniharap nito sa kanila ang screen. "This work, a-holes."

Lahat sila napatitig sa screen at sabay-sabay na napaawang ang mga labi nila.

"The file on Midnight's phone!" Happy exclaimed as a wide grin formed on her face. "Jesus Christ..."

"Fuck!" Blaze hissed. "Where did you get that?"

"Teka..." naguguluhang sabi ni Blake. "Akala ko ba kinuha nila lahat ng hard drive at flash drive mo sa bahay at binura nila lahat ng kopya niyan?"

Yrozz smirked. "I'm rusty but I'm not a fucking idiot. I do know how to copy a file and send it to someone for safe keeping. But I'm back to zero with these files. And because I copied it, another five encryptions are added to the original six encryption. So, I now have to crack eleven encryptions to open the files. And I have to start cracking the code again from step one. This will take a while... maybe weeks but not a month."

Nagtatalon sa tuwa si Happy at sinugod niya ng mahigpit na yakap si Yrozz. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so so much! This means so much to me! Thank you!"

In the middle of her glee and happiness, someone cleared their throat.

Then Blaze spoke. "Jealous boyfriend here."

Natigilan siya at dahan-dahang pinakawalan sa pagkakayakap si Yrozz. "Sorry," nakangiwing hingi niya ng tawad kay Blaze. "I'm just so masaya."

Blaze nodded but he still looked jealous. "Yrozz, if you want to continue working safely in this house, I suggest you don't touch my girl."

"She hugged me," Yrozz defended himself immediately. "I was caught off guard."

"Next time, know how to move away or there will be hell to pay," sabi ni Blaze, saka tumingin sa kanya nang masama.

Agad niya itong nilapitan at pinupog ng halik sa mga labi. "Huwag ka nang magalit. Gusto mo sayawan kita later?" she whispered over his lips. "I'm a good dancer, Blazey."

Blaze gulped and took a deep breath. "Why am I so soft to you?"

"Kasi marupok ka." Boses iyon ni Lucky na naglalakad palapit sa kanila.

Nakangiting nilapitan niya ang kapatid at inalalayan ito paupo sa sofa.

"Kung may kopya ka naman pala," sabi ni Blake na kay Yrozz pa rin nakatingin. "Bakit pumunta ka pa sa BV?"

"All pretense," sagot ni Yrozz. "Kailangang makita nila na wala na talaga akong kopya. Dahil kung hindi ko hahabulin ang laptop ko at susubukang i-recover ang files, matutunugan nilang may itinatago pa akong kopya ng files at hindi nila ako titigilan. Hindi lang sila ang marunong manloko ng tao."

Napatango-tango si Blake. "Sige, dito mo trabahuhin 'yan. What do you need to work with that?"

Yrozz clasped his hand. "I need lots of beers and barbecue."

"On the fridge," sabay na sabi nina Blake at Blaze.

"Halika, samahan kita," sabi ni Tita Beth na nakikinig pala sa kanila. "'Yong barbecue mo, gagawan kita."

Agad namang tumayo si Yrozz at sinamahan ni Tita Beth sa kusina.

Masayang silang nagkatinginan ni Blaze pero agad iyong napalitan ng pag-aalala nang makitang sapo ni Lucky ang dibdib.

"B-Blakey..." bulong ni Lucky na parang nahihirapang huminga.

"Lucky!" Puno ng takot ang boses ni Blake.

"I'll ready the car!" mabilis na sabi ni Blaze at tumakbo palabas.

Maingat namang pinangko ni Blake si Lucky at mabilis siyang sumunod sa mga ito. Binuksan niya ang pinto ng backseat ng sasakyan para tuluyang makasakay sina Blake at Lucky, saka isinara iyon. Mabilis siyang sumakay sa passenger seat.

"Step on it!" kinakabahan niyang sabi kay Blaze na agad namang pinaharurot ang sasakyan patungo sa ospital.

Habang nasa biyahe, panay ang dasal ni Happy. Panay ang pagmamakaawa niya na sana maging maayos lang ang lagay ng kapatid niya.

Please, please, God... please... huwag mong pabayaan ang little sister ko. Please... I'm begging you.

And in the middle of her fear and worry, the phone on her sweatpants pocket rang. Nang makita niya kung sino ang tumatawag, nagmamadaling sinagot niya 'yon.

"Da—"

"Is Lucky okay?" agad na tanong ng ama niya sa kinakabahang boses. "Is Lucky okay? Answer me, princess! Is your sister okay?!"

Happy took a deep breath, showing weakness in Lucky's state right now was not an option. "Lucky needs you, Daddy. I need you—we need you. Please, come see us."

"Hang in there, princess..." sabi ng daddy niya. "Daddy is coming. Tell Lucky that Daddy Is coming, okay?"

The call ended abruptly but Happy felt relieved.

Sinilip niya sa backseat ang kapatid, inabot ang kamay nito at hinawakan iyon, saka pinisil. "Hang in there, lil' sis. Daddy is coming. Hindi ka niya pababayaan."

Nang umayos siya ng upo, si Blaze naman ang umabot sa kamay niya at pinisil 'yon.

"It's gonna be okay," sabi nito.

Tumango siya. "It will be... it has to be. Hindi ko hahayaang may mangyaring masama sa kapatid ko. No... over my dead body."

Pinisil uli ni Blaze ang kamay niya bago binitawan iyon at mas binilisan pa ang pagmamaneho ng sasakyan.

Nilingon uli ni Happy ang kapatid.

Lucky... hang in there. Daddy and I won't let anything bad happen to you. I love you, lil' sis. I love you.

CECELIB | C.C.