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"WHAT do you mean by that?" tanong ni Alice sa kaibigan habang nasa balkonahe at nakatingin sa malayo. There was nothing around but layers and layers of trees. It was beautiful, serene and peaceful.

It made Alice miss her safe heaven back in the States. A room filled with books with her favourite comfy couch beside the balcony while sipping tea. Outside the balcony, she could see a field of beautiful flowers. It was her perfect place. Away from the problems of her life, away from the hurtful reality she was in.

"Exactly what you heard, girl," ani Gi sa kabilang linya. "Your uncle has your trusted fellas on their necks."

"Why would he do that? He trusts them... a lot."

"Maybe he doesn't. Either way, I heard the whole gang might be going to the Philippines."

"What? Why?!" Hindi mapigilan ni Alice na magtaas ng boses sa kausap. "Do they really want to spill blood?" Hindi niya mapigilang mapahilot ng sentido. Her mess up plan was causing some damage and she needs to put things under control.

"Well, missy, the hunt is still on. They're still after your family. The real one."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Well... probably the fact that your dearest uncle Salvy could be highly suspicious of you right now."

Nagpakawala ng malalim na buntong-hinga si Alice. "I've thought about that multiple times already..."

"And...?"

"And I think he might have a clue already after my failed plan on killing my parents."

"As long as you haven't approached them out of purpose and they won't know that you're Kylien, you're fine, right?"

"One would assume that it would be the case. But you know how many people in the gang are not a fan of me since day one."

"Oh, darlin', you don't need to mention that. I know your life story like an open book. I can even publish it and it could get sales and make me rich!" pagbibiro ni Gi sa matalik na kaibigan.

"You're such a bitch!"

"I know, girl!" tili ni Gi sa kabilang linya.

"How's my brothers in Singapore?" May kaunting tono ng pag-aalala kay Alice. Sa kaniyang mga kapatid, sina Sebastian at Sander lamang ang hindi mahigpit ang mga bantay.

"Charm is in the lookout. Sander had an attack and she took him to the hospital."

"What?!" Nabalot ng takot si Alice. Kapag nalaman ng iba na may kinalaman siya—na patago niyang sinusubaybayan ang mga kapatid—baka manganib ang mga buhay nila.

"Don"t worry though. That was the only contact she made with him. He doesn't know and neither does Sebastian," paliwanag ni Gi.

"Okay. Just make sure, please. Also, when are you planning to come over?"

"In a few weeks time, Alice. So make sure you're still alive and kickin'! You still owe me a lot for my services!"

"Of course," nakangising saad ni Alice bago nagpaalam sa kaibigan.

Alice knew her circle well. Her inner circle group were the only ones she can trust and they didn't reach to the count of her fingers. Bilang na bilang lamang ang kaya niyang pagkatiwalaan.

Paglabas ni Alice sa kuwarto ay narinig naman niya ang pagsasara ng pintuan at pagharurot ng mga sasakyan palayo. Nakita niya si Eiffel na naglalakad patungo sa kaniyang direksyon.

"Umalis na sila?"

"Yep. Why?"

"Nothing much. Nakakahiya na nag-hi lang ako sa mga kaibigan mo tapos umalis na pala sila." It was the truth. Hindi naman niya inaasahan na magtatagal ang pag-uusap nila ni Gi kaya lamang ay hindi nito alam kung kailan muli makakatanggap ng report mula sa kaibigan.

"Don't mind those lunatics. Kagaya lang sila ng baliw mong kapatid. Walang magawa sa buhay," biro ni Eiffel.

Natigilan si Alice sa sinabi ni Eiffel. Lumingon siya sa binata na siya namang parang natauhan sa kaniyang nabitawang salita.

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry."

"No. It's okay." Sumandal si Alice sa pader. "Hindi lang ako sanay na marinig ng bokal na may kapatid ako. It just feels... different."

Lumapit si Eiffel at ipinatong ang mga kamay sa baywang ng dalaga. "Masasanay ka rin," ani Eiffel.

"Alam mo, hindi ko mapigilang isipin kung kaya mabait ka sa 'kin ay dahil naoobliga ka lang dahil kapatid ako ng isang Fuentes."

"Naoobliga? Heck, no!" Tumaas ng kaunti ang boses ni Eiffel dahil sa emosyon. "I feel honored and lucky to have met and keep you safe in here."

"Talaga?"

"That's the only truth." Pagtango ni Eiffel. "And while we're in this topic, hindi mo pa rin ba sasabihin sa 'kin ang totoo mong pagkatao, sweetheart? You know I want to know you better," he softly whispered.

"Kailangan ba talaga?"

"Well... We've been living under one roof for nearly two months now yet I still have no idea where you live and how you are so well-trained... I don't know kung anong plano ninyo ni Ysiquel at hindi niyo pa sinasabi sa mga magulang at mga kapatid ninyo na buhay ka?"

"I can't tell you anything... At isa pa, bakit parang kailangan kong sabihin sa 'yo ang tungkol sa buhay ko? I like how things are. There's nothing exciting about my life."

"Because... I want to see how things will go between us."

"Us? Anong ibig mong sabihin?"

"Gusto kitang mas makilala pa, Alice," sinserong sagot ng binata.

"Hindi kaya kulang ka lang sa pagba-bar? You've been stuck here with me in your fortress kahit na you're free to go out and meet girls. Alam mong wala sa 'kin 'yon."

Biglang nangunot ang noo ni Eiffel sa sagot ng dalaga. He felt an uncomfortable thug in his chest. "W-wala lang sa 'yo?"

"O-oo. Wal—"

"It's a big deal for me, Alice," pagputol ni Eiffel sa sasabihin ng dalaga. "Since day one, I enjoyed your company. Heck, I even let you stay in my house. And the moment I took you to my bed and branded you, I vowed that you would be mine." His eyes showed complete confidence.

"It's just se—"

"Do not think of even saying that it is just sex at this point. You know it's more than that. Papayag pa ko kung isa o dalawang beses lang may nangyari sa 'tin but you know that it can't even be considered a casual hook up when you are staying under the same house, cuddling and sleeping on the same bed, and even eating, training, and bathing together."

Napalunok si Alice. Totoo naman nga ang sinasabi ni Eiffel. She has long set aside the idea of a one-night stand and casual hook ups. Kahit nga fuck buddies ay inalis na niya sa pagpipilian. They weren't just fucking each other. Maaari silang mapagkamalan na magkapisan o ang matindi ay mag-asawa na dahil sa set up nila sa bahay.

If it weren't for Eiffel hiding her from the outside world, maybe she would have died already. Whoever is after her is still unknown and Eiffel has been keeping her safe in his fortress.

"So, please... kahit kaunti, try and open with me?" he pleaded.

Umiling si Alice. "No... Not yet."

Hindi pa siya handa na magpakilala. Kahit na si Eiffel ang nagpapakilala sa kaniya ng mga bagay na kailanman ay hindi niya naisip o pinangarap maranasan, hindi pa maaari.

Alice needs to do her role and accomplosh her plans—act like the good Brixton heiress to keep the people who cared for her safe but save her real family, the Fuentes, under the curtains. It won't be a clean fight and she had too much to lose, including her life.

"Bakit? Ipaliwanag mo sa 'kin. Ipaintindi mo, please?"

"If I tell you something, I will need to go because you will be in danger... and I don't want that to happen."

"No, sweetheart. You're not going to leave me. Okay?"

"Eiffel..." Nang-iwas ng tingin si Alice. His pair of beautiful green orbs were staring at her, trying to see past her walls to unravel her. "Stop with the sweet words. You sound like someone's lover."

"Because I want to be one." Hinaplos ni Eiffel ang pisngi ni Alice at iniharap sa kaniya. Their eyes were locked to each other once more. "I have the intention to be someone's lover."

"You know that's—"

"—not gonna happen?" biglang putol ni Eiffel. "Well then, if it's not going to happen, I suggest you push me away now."

Bumaba ang mukha ni Eiffel at tinagpo ang mga labi ni Alice.

Nabigla si Alice sa biglaang paghalik ng binata. Pero sa halip na itulak, sinagot niya ang paghalik nito. She reciprocated the man's hungry kisses. It was scary and Alice knew she would regret it...

...if she ignored her growing feelings.

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PrincessThirteen00 © 09 08 2020