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"Inosencio Raziel Montecillo. But you can call me 'Inno' like you used to," ani ng lalaki sa kanyang harapan.

Naia and Jarvis were both dressed decently this time. Hindi na talaga nakapasok ang kasintahan sa klase nito dahil sa biglaang pagdating ng kapatid.

"Kuya Inno," pagtatama ni Jarvis sa kapatid. "You're a lot older than her so tama lang na tawagin ka niyang 'kuya'."

"Isang taon lang agwat natin, Javier. Tandaan mo 'yan," pagpaalala nito. "If Naia gets to call you 'Jarvis', she can call me 'Inno', too."

"But you're not her boyfriend," kontra nito.

"Might I remind you na ako yung gusto niya maging boyfriend nung mga bata pa lang tayo. Wag kang ano diyan, Vitus."

Hindi nakaimik si Jarvis. Tama si Yoon nang sabihin nitong hindi magkamukha ang dalawa. But they both share good set of genes dahil ang gwapo nila pareho. Jarvis was the manly kind of handsome while Inno looked angelically handsome. Basta iba. Ibang-iba talaga ang appeal nilang dalawa.

Muli ay bumaling sa kanya ang lalaki.

"So Naia. How have you been? I'm surprised na hindi mo ako natatandaan when you literally wanted to see me every single day sa ospital noon," kwento nito. She can feel Jarvis start to be anxious.

From under the table, she held his hand and squeezed it gently. Alam niya ang nararamdaman niya at nakasisiguro siyang walang kahit anong koneksyon siyang maramdaman sa kaharap. Maybe a small percentage of familiarity but not the same as when she first talked with Jarvis.

Like what she said, they were different.

"It was like, fifteen...sixteen years ago? I can barely even remember what happened on my seventh birthday party what more kung yung mga memories 'nung five ako," saad niya while still smiling. "But Jarvis already enlightened me about it."

"And you two are okay?" paniniguro nito.

She nodded. "Hindi pa ba obvious sa nakita mo kanina?"

"Buti naman," nakangiting sambit nito. "For a moment there I thought magmumukmok nanaman 'tong si Vitus kasi binasted mo. As much as I love teasing him about it, he's still my younger brother. Ayokong nasasaktan 'tong damulag na 'to."

Hindi niya napigilang mapangiti as Jarvis scowled at how cringe-y his brother's words were. Pero kitang kita naman sa dalawa na mahal na mahal nito ang isa't-isa. And Jarvis had always spoken fondly of his brother.

"Akala ko kailangan pa namin sugurin 'yung mansion niyo just to get you back. Buti naman pala at nadaan niyo sa maayos na usapan," dagdag pa nito. "Whether dinaan ka rin sa romansa, I'll leave that be. I don't need to know details about my brother's currently active sex life."

Pinamulhan siya ng mukha. Ga'non rin ang kanyang katabi. But nonetheless, it was particularly refreshing to finally put a face on the Inno Montecillo she was told about.

"So pano ba 'yan? I'll be heading off. May meeting pa ako with Cho. Hindi ko pwede ma-miss 'yon dahil ang hirap hagilapin niyang kaibigan mong daig pa si Dora sa pagiging layas," anito sabay tayo.

"So desidido talaga sina dad sa partnership with the airlines?" tanong ni Jarvis sa kapatid. "Namention sa'kin ni Cho 'yon the last time we talked. Akala ko passing thought lang 'yon."

"Alam mo naman sina dad. They want one of everything," anito bago bumaling sa kanya. "One of these days eh baka gustuhin niya rin maging parte ng academe. Pwede mo na mapikot si Naia kung magkataon."

"Inno—"

"He doesn't need a merger to have me," putol niya sa kasintahan. "I'm already his so hindi niya na ako kailangang pikutin para mapa-oo."

Jarvis was shocked. Hindi kasi siya vocal sa mga ga'nong bagay so siyempre, magugulat ito. Kung saan niya bigla nakuha ang lakas ng loob, she had no idea. Nginitian niya lamang ang katabi bago muling bumaling sa kapatid nito na kanina pa nakangisi.

"Akala ko naging mahiyain ka na, Naia," anito bago tumayo. "Glad you still have that boldness in you."

"I try my best," simpleng tugon niya.

"Well it was really great seeing you again," ani Inno sabay saludo. "You grew up to be a fine young lady. Send my regards to your friend Yoon for me, okay? Miss ko na kamo 'yung mga pag-irap niya. And raincheck na lang uli sa kissing lessons namin."

Kumindat pa ito bago dire-diretsong lumabas sa pinto.

"Kissing what?" bulalas niya sabay tingin kay Jarvis. Nagkibit-balikat lamang ito bago inayos ang mga pinagkainan nila. "Your brother is quite the character. Ang galing din with words. Family trait niyo ba 'yan?"

Natawa ito.

"VP for acquisitions si Inno ngayon sa kumpanya," paliwanag nito. "Kung sa tingin mo eh bolero na siya sa lagay na 'yan, you should see him on the field. He's La Monte's ace. Born and bred to be the next most powerful businessman in the country."

"And you're very proud of him. That's so cute!"

"Well, we grew up together. At lagi kaming magkadikit mula pa bata kami," kwento nito. "Minsan nga eh napagkakamalan kaming magkakambal kahit hindi naman kami magkamukha."

"Oo nga pala. Why is that?"

"Kamukha niya si Mommy, ako naman si Dad," sagot nito. "Pero nakuha ko yung dimples ko kay mom."

"So I finally met your brother. Pati yung tatlo mong pinsan," aniya as she followed him to the kitchen. "That's five out of the seven Montecillos. Dalawa na lang kulang ko."

"You did research, huh," nakangiting sambit nito as he washed the dishes. "May balak ka bang i-trade in ako?"

"Yoon briefed me about them before," sagot niya. "Pero mukhang reserved na lahat ng pinsan mo eh. So I'm stuck with you."

"Reserved?"

"Yoon likes your cousin, Dos. Si Arika naman, pinupuntirya 'yung River," paliwanag niya as when subtly walked closer to him. "And I don't think I can trade you in with Box, Seven and Yvo. Too young."

"And my brother?"

"Mas maganda pa ata sa'kin si Inno. So, it's a 'no' for me." Ngumisi siya. "Congratulations, baby. You're stuck with me."

Pumagitna siya dito at sa lababo. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tiptoed as she gave him a quick kiss on his cheek. Lumalim nanaman ang dimples nito na ikinahigkhik niya. Awtomatiko naman siya nitong hinapit sa baywang at hinalikan sa leeg.

"Mmm. Pwede bang mag dessert after breakfast?" tanong nito as he nuzzled her neck. "I'm cravin' for a little bit of Danaia Martienne."

She smiled widely.

"I don't see any problem with that, Mr. Montecillo," aniya habang nilalaro ang buhok nito. "We can start from where we were interrupted—"

Isang tili ang kanyang pinakawalan nang walang pasabing binuhat siya nito at dalhin sa kwarto.

And it's safe to say that it wasn't just the dessert he claimed. It was a full on ten-course meal.

Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang kanyang pinakawalan nang sa wakas ay i-dismiss na sila ni Mr. Santillan. Weeks passed at napakabilis ng oras. Sabi nga kasi, time flies when you're enjoying yourself. And she was. Inside the arms of Jarvis Montecillo. She can't wait to see him again after this torture of a class. Napaka-draining kasi ng subject na ito at nataon pang five pm ang sched niya. That meant 8pm ang dismissal nila.

"Miss Uychengco, may i have a quick word with you? May questions lang ako regarding you midterm exam."

Napatigil sila ni Yoon sa kinatatayuan.

"Ano po 'yon sir?" Tanong niya. Yoon stayed with her. Ayon kasi dito, napaka-creepy ng professor—which at times, she agreed.

Sa halip na sumagot ay bumaling ito sa kanyang kaibigan.

"You can go, Miss Suarez," anito. "I only have questions for Miss Uychengco."

"Sabay po kasi kami uuwi, sir," pagdadahilan nito. "I won't pry naman."

"This will take a while so I suggest na mauna ka na," pag-insist ng matanda. Agad naman siyang kinabahan.

"Akala ko ba sir, quick word? Bakit bigla ata nagiba—"

"Do you want me to fail you, Miss Suarez?"

"I was merely asking a question—"

"It's fine, Yoon," mahina niyang sambit. "I'll be fine. Hintayin mo na lang ako sa labas."

"Are you sure?" tanong nito na tinugon niya ng isang tango. "Okay. I'll wait for you outside."

Nang makalabas ng silid si Yoon ay bumaling sa kanya si Mr. Santillan. He had this weird smile on his face.

"Sir? Ano po 'yung problema sa midterm exam ko?" tanong niya dito. The old guy stood across her and was only a few steps by the door. "Sir?"

Isinara nitong bigla ang pinto and she heard a click. Panic immediately rose inside her. Not that she thought of anything obscene but, why suddenly lock the door?

"I've heard you've been taking Miss Rivera's Psychology class as your elective," simula nito. Isinilid nito ang kamay sa sariling mga bulsa. "And I also heard that Mr. Javier Montecillo is taking over that class."

"Uh... yes, Mr. Santillan," kahit confused ay sumagot pa rin siya. "Though I don't think that has anything to do with Econ?"

"Oh, there is, Miss Uychengco. Malaki." He had this smirk that would send chills—the bad kind. "I have been very fond of you since from before. Long nlack hair, silky white skin and... exquisite set of lips..."

The old man—not technically that old, took a few steps closer to her. On instinct ay she took a few back. Isang nakakatakot na ngisi ang gumuhit sa mga labi nito.

"Don't be scared, Miss Uychengco. Gusto ko lang naman malaman kung anong services and pwede ko makuha in exchange of a perfect mark," saad nito.

Napasinghap siya. "A-Ano po?"

"Don't play dumb with me, Miss Uychengco," he said as he stepped closer. Gumawa ng ingay ang natabing niyang upuan but Yoon wouldn't be able to hear that 'coz the rooms were soundproof. "I know about you and that Psychology professor."

Muli siyang napasinghap. But it was more because the guy forcibly held her by the arm.

"Nagkakamali po kayo—"

Nilapag nito sa mesa ang ilang litrato kung saan labas-masok siya sa apartment ni Jarvis. Meron ding kuha doon kung saan pumasok siya sa kotse nito.

"That doesn't prove anything," hayag niya. "We're... we're business partners. Sa coffee shop—"

"Business partners?" Mr. Santillan's gaze was that of a predator. And she was the prey. "Huwag mo akong gawing tanga, Miss Uychengco. You practically live in his apartment these past few days. And I've seen you two kiss. Your grandfather practically forced Miss Rivera to take a sabbatical dahil mababa ang gradong binigay niya sa'yo. Kaya naman pinapalitan iyon ng lalaki. You seduced him to give you higher marks to make up for that low prelims grade."

"Sir that's not true—"

"Hindi ba?" Tumawa ito ng pagak. "Huwag kang mag-alala, Naia. Hindi naman kita ibubuko. But you're failing my subject too. So ano and mai-ooffer mo saakin to salvage that grade?"

Mr. Santillan was too close for comfort. Hinatak din siya niyo sa kwelyo almost tearing it. She acted on stimuli. Tinuhod niya ito and pushed him—making him whimper and fall back. She took that chance to run towards the door pero nagawa siya nitong hilahin sa buhok.

"You bitch!" he yelled as he tried to pin her on the wall. Then she heard thumping on the door.

"Naia!" rinig niyang sigaw ni Yoon sa may pinto. Her best friend was frantically trying to open it but it was locked.

The older guy already had his right hand on her neck. All she could do was cry as her hand tried to stop him from choking her. Pero mas malakas ito. Even if she was insistently trying to break free from his grasp, she couldn't.

"You have the nerve to run away," bulong nito. "Wala ka rin namang magagawa, my dear Naia. I have copies of those pictures and I'm not afraid of sending those out. Kaya kung ako sa'yo, susunod na lang ako. You don't want to disappoint your family now, do you—"

Mr. Santillan suddenly fell to ground after being hit by whatever it was—no, whoever it was. Catching her breath, she felt her knees buckle. Buti na lamang ay nasalo siya ni Yoon na agad siyang niyakap.

"Putang—"

Hindi nito naituloy ang salita. The man attacked the professor like a rabid beast. Fist after fist, he didn't stop. Like he had no intention to. Only when he spoke, she instantly recognized him.

"You fucking bastard!"

"Jarvis!" sigaw niya. "Stop!"

But Jarvis was too mad to even hear her. Kung hindi pa dumating ang mga pinsan nito, hindi pa sana ito titigil.

Bumalandra sa kanyang harapan ang walang malay at duguang pigura ni Mr. Santillan nang magawang awatin ni Seven at Yvo ang kanilang kuya. But Jarvis had murder in his eyes. Ni hindi nga nito napansin ang namamagang kamay.

"Jarvis," she called out. Her voice a bit broken. Napatingin agad sa kanya ang kasintahan. His eyes softened at the sight of her at agad siyang ikinulong sa mga bisig. Again, she cried.

"Shh..." He gently brushed her hair. "It's alright, baby. You're safe now. I'm here."

"He knows," she said as she clutched on to his shirt crying. "He knows about us, Jarvis. He threatened to expose us kapag hindi ko ginawa ang gusto niya. He... he..."

Yvo walked over to the table at kinuha ang mga litratong nakalapag doon. Yoon and Seven walked over to the table too.

"Anong gagawin na'tin? If they find out... the school—my grandfather... ano na lang ang sasabihin nila? I can't—hindi pwede—"

"I won't let that happen." Humigpit ang yakap sa kanya ni Jarvis. He gently stroke her hair to try and calm her down. "I won't let him. I'll take care of it."

Napaangat siya ng tingin at nagkasalubong ang kanilang mga mata.

"Jarvis..."

"I promise," he assured. "I won't let him hurt you again. At hindi konhahayaang sirain niya tayo."

His words soothed the growing fear inside her.  She buried her face on his chest as she tightened her grip on his shirt. Ramdam niya rin ang mabilis na pintig ng puso nito.

"So anong balak mo gawin sa panget na 'to, kuya?" Rinig niyang tanong ni Yvo. "Pwede natin 'to idaan sa may tulay tapos ihulog siya 'don."

"Ikulong na lang natin siya sa balde tapos ipahagis sa dagat," suhestyon naman ni Seven. Napatingin silang lahat dito. "What? He deserves it."

"Balatan na lang natin siya ng buhay," ani Yoon. "What? Hindi deserve niyang hayop na manyak na 'yan ang leniency after what he did—"

"Hayaan na lang natin siya," mahinang sambit niya na ikinagulat ng lahat.

"What? Naia, you can't be serious—"

"Let's just take the pictures and go," putol niya sa kaibigan. "Ayoko nang lumaki pa 'tong issue na 'to. People will talk. At ayoko na rin gumulo ang natitirang oras ko dito sa university. So please, let's just leave."

Jarvis looked at her wearily.

"Naia, are you sure about this? That bastard deserves to be behind bars—"

She ignored him and took his injured hand.

"Let's go home," sambit niya as she gently touched his swollen knuckles. "Kailangang malinisan agad 'to at malagyan ng cold compress. Does it hurt?"

"Naia—"

"Please?" she pleaded. Isang malalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan nito bago tumango. He kissed the top of her head as well bago bumaling sa mga pinsan.

"I'll leave Yoon with you two," ani Jarvis sa dalawang lalaki. "I'll take Naia home."

Tumango naman agad ang dalawa before Jarvis took her bag and guided her out of the room. Medyo nanghihina pa siya and her vision was starting to turn blurry.

"I'm calling Uno. She'll know what to do with this pervert."

Iyon ang huli niyang narinig bago tuluyang mawalan ng ulirat.

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