Book 1: The Billionaire's Tattoo

The Billionaire's Tattoo

by chisenpai

。・°°・( t a t t o o )・°°・。

Travis Javierres is a ruthless billionaire who made a pledge that he will

only show his tattoo to the lucky girl that he will marry.

What if Kaira Chaves suddenly ruins the pledge for accidentally seeing the
billionaire's tattoo?! Will Travis marry Kaira for the sake of fulfilling the
pledge?

。・°°・( t a t t o o )・°°・。

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, songs, events, places, and

incidents are obviously product of the author's "wild" imagination that are used in
a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to any actual existence that answers who,
when, what, why, and where are purely coincidental.

No parts of this book may be transmitted, modified, republished, or derivated

without given prior authority from the writer. Plagiarism is a serious crime,
darling.

Warning: too addictive. Nah, kidding.

。・°°・( t a t t o o )・°°・。

watch the trailer now:

https://youtu.be/6qqB8XZoMkw

TBT - Simula

Prologue

"Guys, andito na ang prinsesa ng gabi! Introducing, Kaira Chaves!" sigaw ni

JM nang nakarating kami sa VIP lounge ng Custody Booze, as usual, nagpapakalunod na
naman sa alak ang mga kaibigan ko doon.

"Whoa! Na-miss ka namin Kai!" bungad sa akin ni Ethan, may hawak siyang
wineglass na may lamang Bacardi. Siya ang may-ari nitong bar kaya palagi kaming VIP
na kaibigan niya, the perks of having a friend who runs a bar!

Akmang yayakapin niya ako nang may biglang sumiko sa kanyang tagiliran, "Ethan
Andres Macario, huwag mong landiin si Kai!" biglang sigaw ni Trisha na namumula na
sa inis.

Binaling ni Ethan ang kanyang atensyon sa kanyang asawa habang nakanguso, yes,
he is married to Trisha, actually, mag-iisang buwan na nga ang kasal nila eh.

"Baby naman eh, yayakapin ko lang." napailing na lang ako sa dalawa.

 "Okay, so since kompleto naman na tayong lahat, let's start the real party!"
tumingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng masiglang boses, si Blue lang pala, kasama niya
si Vivien na kumaway sa akin. Nakaupo sila ngayon sa usual table namin, nasa second
floor kami ng bar which is actually the VIP lounge. Maganda ang view dito at may
terrace pa.

Umiling na lang kaming lahat at saka kami umupo, tumingin ako sa ibaba at
nakita ang mga taong nagsasayawan at inuman habang walang tigil ang malakas na
pagtugtog ng mga kantang nire-remix ng DJ. "Kai, Jack Daniels?" abot sa akin ni JM
ng wineglass na may lamang alak.

Ngumiti ako, "no thanks." I'm not really into alcohols, I just drink cocktails,
iyon lang. Ang pangit lang kasi ng lasa ng alak. Hindi ako sanay.

Ngumuso si Trisha, "still a good girl, eh?" natatawang iling niya.

"Hindi naman, I'll just drink the juice." sabi ko sabay kuha sa pitcher sa
table.

"What a partypooper." dismayadong singit ni Blue.

"Alam niyo naman na hindi ako umiinom eh." nakangusong sagot ko. "At saka paano
kung sobrang lasing niyo na naman? Sino na ang mabait na kaibigan na maghahatid sa
inyo kung maglalasing din ako?"

"Kai, hindi ka naman maglalasing. Isang shot lang." paliwanag ni Ethan. "Hindi
ba, guys?" Sumang-ayon silang lahat. I'm stuck in the crossroads.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako sabay kuha sa wineglass na may Jack Daniels na nilahad

ni JM, ininom ko agad ito para isahan na lang ang anghang at pangit na lasa.
"Aysh!" kumuha ako ng piraso ng lemon sabay subo nito pang-chaser.

"Whoa! Iyon oh!" tumatawang tugon ni Vivien.

"Guys, guys, narinig niyo ba ang balita?" lahat kami ay napatingin kay Trisha
dahil sa out-of-the-blue topic niya.

"Anong balita?" kunot-noong tanong ko.

Tumili si Vivien, "gosh! Oo nga pala, oh, my gosh!" biglang hirit niya kaya
naman napakunot-noo na rin sina JM, Ethan, at Blue.

"Okay? Mind sharing?" sabi ko.

"Travis Javierres is now on Philippines after two years stay in Singapore for
who knows why!" mabilis na paliwanag niya, halos mawalan na nga siya ng hininga
nang natapos niya ang kanyang sinasabi.

"Travis who?" mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

Suminghap sina Trisha at Vivien sabay tingin sa akin, "hindi mo siya kilala?!"
sabay na sigaw nila.

I rolled my eyes. "Magtatanong ba ako kung hindi ko siya kilala?"

"Hay naku girl, uso manood sa TV! Uso rin mag-internet! Or maybe you are just
kidding na hindi mo siya kilala?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Vivien pero
halatang kinikilig pa rin.
 "I know right!" sang-ayon ni Trisha.

"Why is he such a big deal?" tanong ko.

Tumango si Ethan, "yeah! Bakit nga ba?" sabi niya sabay akbay kay Trisha.
Halatang nagseselos na siya.

"Hays, si Travis Javierres ang president ng Javierres Company, he is a hotty

billionaire! Masungit daw siya at kinakatakutan, but asides all these things ay
super gwapo siya at hunk, they say he never dated a girl before... OMG lang!"

"Baka naman beki?" pagputol ko kay Vivien.

Biglang tumawa ang mga lalakeng kasama namin.

"No damn way! Hindi totoo iyan!" pagdepensa ni Trisha.

Ngumuso si Ethan, seloso talaga ito!

"No, hindi totoo iyan. I heard that he is hiding a small tattoo and nobody has
seen it yet, nobody knows kung saang parte ng katawan niya ito nakatago pero they
say na ipapakita lang niya ito sa lucky girl na papakasalan niya." pagpapatuloy ni
Vivien.

Tumawa ng marahan si Blue, "that has to be a lie."

"Of course it isn't, he already confirmed it last month na totoo nga ang rumor
na iyan!"

Napaawang labi na lang ako, this billionaire sounds like a big shot and weird
thanks to the tattoo rumor, I wanna meet him...

Napailing na lang ako. As if. In my big dreams. Saka bakit naman parang
interesado bigla ako? "Punta lang ako sa powder room." sabi ko sa mga kasama ko
sabay tayo.

Bumaba na ako sa VIP lounge at nakisukot sa crowd ng mga taong naghihiyawan at

sayawan sa tugtog ng maingay musika, habang nasa gitna ng crowd ay nagulat na lang
ako nang may biglang humila sa aking kamay, mahigpit ang hawak niya habang
kinakaladkad niya ako palabas ng bar.

"Ouch! Hey!" pinagsusuntok ko ang salarin nang nasa may madilim na parte na
kami ng isang eskinitang hindi pamilyar ngunit hindi siya natinag, "s-sino ka?"
tanong ko sa lalakeng nakamaskara.

Tinanggal niya ang maskara niya, nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "J-Jad?"

Hindi pa rin niya binibitawan ang mahigpit na hawak niya sa aking kamay, "Kai,
mag-usap naman tayo..." halatang lasing na sabi niya sa akin, his breath reeks of
alcohol and cigarrete! Ew!

"Jad, no. You're drunk." si Jad ang isa sa mga manliligaw ko ng ilang buwan na
binasted ko, I don't really want to be tied to any relationships, at saka isa pa, I
don't like him. I made it clear from the start. Alam niyang hindi ako interesado
pero mapagpilit lang talaga!

"Kai, ano ba ang kulang ko? Gwapo naman ako ah?!" nagulat ako nang bigla na
lang niyang halikan nang marahas ang leeg ko.
 "S-Stop!" tinulak ko siya pero masyado siyang malakas. Hindi ko maiwasang
maiyak nang bigla niyang pinunit ang dress ko, it costed me fortunes tapos
pupunitin lang niya?! "Jad, a-ano ba!"

"Huwag ka na kasing pakipot pa, Kai. We both know na may pagnanasa ka rin sa
akin." halatang lasing na nga talaga ang lalakeng ito. Naka-shabu na siya?! Oh,
god! Help me!

Napapikit na lang ako sa sakit habang pilit kong pinagtatakpan ang punit na
bahagi ng dress ko.

Nagulat na lang ako nang biglang nawala ang hawak niya sa braso ko, minulat ko
ang aking mata at nakita ko na lang si Jad na nakahandusay sa malamig na sahig ng
lot, putok ang labi niya.

"What the heck!" sigaw niya at tumayo, tumingin ako sa sumuntok sa kanya, isang
lalakeng kakaiba ang aura, kahit na madilim ang lugar kung nasaan kami ay halatang
gwapo siya at matipuno, he carries this invisible glow that gives off power and
authority.

Akmang gaganti ng suntok si Jad nang pinigilan siya ng estranghero, walang sabi
niyang sinuntok ulit si Jad dahilan upang mawalan siya ng malay at mapahiga nang
tuluyan sa sahig. I blinked, totoo ba itong nakita ko? Napatumba ng lalaki si Had
sa dalawang suntok lang?!

"Boss! Ano'ng nangyari?" may isang lalaking biglang sumulpot sa likod ng

nagligtas sa akin.

"Put him in jail, Grey." malamig na sagot niya sa lalaking kakarating at

tinawag niya sa pangalang Grey.

Tumingin siya kay Jad na walang-malay, "ano bang nangyari, boss?"

"I said put him in jail, no more questions." Saad niya habang seryosong
nakatingin sa akin, he was staring at me-rather!

Napakamot sa batok si Grey sabay tango at buhat kay Jad na tila isang sako ng
bigas. Is Grey working for this guy who saved me or something?

Ako naman ay nanatiling nakapako lang sa aking kinakatayuan, ayaw pa rin mag-
buff sa aking isip na muntik na akong magahasa, hindi ma-buff ng utak ko ang mga
nangyari, basta ang alam ko lang ay wala na si Jad dahil kay Grey at naiwan ako
kasama itong seryosong lalaki.

I gulped the lump in my throat. "U-Uhm, thanks..."

Napataas ang kilay niya, "your dress is ripped." sabi niya sabay turo sa may
dibdib ko, agad ko namang tinakpan ang punit na bahagi ng bestida ko habang
namumula ang pisngi.

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga ng lalake, "wear this." bigla niyang hinubad

ang suot niyang shirt, bumungad tuloy sa akin ang katawang nakakalaway, I must say,
this stranger have all the muscles in the right places and they seem to tense as
his body flex! May malalim pa siyang v-line na nakakaakit! And that six pack of
abs!

"H-Huwag na..." suway ko, umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya kasi pakiramdam ko
kapag titignan ko siya ng diretsa sa mata ay matutunaw ako sa takot at hiya,
pagnasahan ko ba naman siya ngayong muntik pa akong gahasain?

"Wear this." ulit niya. Napakagat na lang ako sa labi. Bakit ba kasi ang sarap
pakinggan ng boses niya?

Napalunok ako sabay kuha sa damit na hinubad niya, tumalikod na siya sa akin
bilang senyales na isuot ko na, pero bago iyon ay nilanghap ko muna ang mabangong
amoy ng damit. Ano kaya ang pabango ng lalaking ito?

Nang nasuot ko na ang damit ay hindi ko maiwasang mapailing, ang laki kasi nito
pero ang komportable sa katawan. I think I should wear boy shirts from now.

Napatingin ako sa lalaking nakatalikod sa akin, nanlaki ang mata ko nang may
makitang marka sa likuran niya na biglang nag-glow, hindi ko namalayan na bigla na
lang naglakad ang paa ko palapit sa kanya na para bang may sariling buhay,
pinagmasdan ko ang naggo-glow na marka sa likuran niya, I think it is a small
tattoo that glows when in touch with the moon's light, hindi ko maiwasang mamangha,
wala sa sariling hinawakan ko ang likuran niya dahil sa pagkamangha!

Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng glowing tattoo!

Ramdam ko ang paninigas ng lalake, "shit." bigla siyang humarap sa akin habang
nanlalaki ang mata, "y-you saw my tattoo?"

Tumango ako. Wait, tattoo? Parang napag-usapan namin iyon kanina sa loob ng
bar, na may isang bilyonaryo... sino na ulit? I forgot. Siguro dahil sa nangyari
ngayon.

Sumeryoso ang mukha niya. "What's your name?"

"K-Kaira. Kaira Chaves. Ikaw?"

Napataas ang isang kilay niya, "hindi mo ako kilala?" hindi makapaniwalang
tanong niya.

I nodded. "Magtatanong ba ako kung kilala kita?"

"I'm Travis Javierres."

TBT - Kabanata 1

Chapter 1

He focused his eyes on my face, "you will marry me."

Biglang nagkaroon ng nakakabinging ingay, minulat ko ang aking mga mata at saka
pinatay ang alarm clock na nasa headboard ng kama ko. Bumalikwas ako sa kama sabay
hikab, lately, hindi na ako nakakatulog nang maayos dahil sa gabing iyon.

Tinignan ko ang bintanang tinatakpan ng see-through curtains. Matapos ang ilang

sandali ay biglang tumunog ang call ringtone ng cellphone ko kaya naman bumangon
ako sa kama para sagutin ang tawag.

Tinignan ko ang caller, si Dad, tumaas ang isang kilay ko at saka ko sinagot
ang tawag. "Wow, akala ko nakalimutan mo na ang anak mo, Dad." I emphasized dad, I
know he is confused if I was sarcastic or not. Whatever.
 "Kai, what's with that attitude?" sagot niya mula sa kabilang linya. He's
pissed. A smirk formed in my lips.

Dad and I had been living separately since I was eighteen, I currently own the
entire fifteenth floor of the luxurious condominium Sapphira Tenshou where I live,
saka isa pa, ayokong tumira sa mansion ni Dad kasama ang step mother ko. We're all
on bad terms, ako lang talaga ang sadyang marunong mag-adjust.

"Why call?" I said, suddenly bored and losing the feels to talk to him.

"Kai, I want you to come with me tonight on a dinner with my bestfriend's son."

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko, "bestfriend's son? Since when did you have a
bestfriend?" I chuckled.

"Kai, don't start with me. This is important."

I smirked. "No, Dad. I have an appointment tonight." I lied. Why? Because I

attended a dinner with him and his colleagues once and I was bored as hell kasi
hindi ako maka-connect sa usapan nilang puro negosyo. I don't want my eyelids
getting heavy because of boring topics!

"You mean barhopping again with your cousin and bestfriends? You never learn,
Kai." suway ni Dad sa akin.

You never learn. Oh, whatever!

"If you called just to ruin my morning, then well done." akmang ie-end ko na
ang call nang pigilan niya ako.

"Wait! Kai, this is really important since my bestfriend's son is looking

forward to meeting you. I don't want to disappoint him."

I sighed. "Si Sandy na lang ang isama mo, Dad." Ang bruhang kung nasaan ang
pera, doon kumakapit. How funny.

"Is that how you call your mother, Kai?" halatang galit na sagot ni Dad.

"Step mother." I corrected.

"She's still your mom! Don't let me do this, Kai." inis na sabi ni Dad.

"Do what?" I whined.

"Kung hindi ka pupunta ngayong gabi sa dinner, I swear I will freeze all your
bank accounts and take your car. Try me." banta niya.

Siningkitan ko ang mata ko sa phone, seryoso ba siya?! Oh, my gosh... "fine!

I'll go!" labag sa loob na sagot ko, he really knows my weakness. Damn him. "Just
text me the details of the dinner. Bye."

Nagbuntong-hininga ako habang nakapikit ang aking mga mata nang in-end ko ang
tawag, why is Dad so desperate to make me go on a dinner with him and his
bestfriend's son? Why do I have to go? Ugh.

Matapos ang ilang minuto ay biglang tumunog ang phone ko, nag-message si Dad, I
think it's all about the dinner's details.
 Fr.: Dad

Dinner tonight @ Getsuga Hotel rooftop restaurant, 7:30PM. Table 8. No excuses

for being late. Wear a "decent" dress.

~*~

Pinagmasdan ko ang hotel kung saan kami magdi-dinner, in fairness, maganda

ito't malawak, hindi ko nga makita 'yong endpoint nito sa sobrang taas ng building,
to think na nasa rooftop ang restaurant nito kung saan kami magdi-dinner?
Nakakamangha lang.

Actually, I heard rumors na sobrang mahal raw ang check-ins rito. Expected
na iyan. Mukhang five star ang hotel at ramdam na milyon ang incomes nito araw-
araw.

My phone rang, tinignan ko kung sino ang tumawag, si JM. I accepted the call,
agad namang kumawala ang napakalakas na ingay sa kabilang linya. "Hello, coz?!"
sigaw niya.

"Oh? Bakit?"

"Ditch the stupid dinner, Kai!" narinig kong sigaw ni Vivien, napailing na lang
ako. Mukhang ako na naman ang maiiwan sa barhops nila?

"Heard her, right?" tanong ni JM, ngumiti na lang ako tsaka umiling, "andito
kami ngayon sa Custody Booze, VIP lounge, usual table."

I rolled my eyes. Halatang iniinggit ako nito, "grabe ka Ethan! Bakit mo naman
pinapak ang lemons? Wala ng pang-chaser sa alak!" rinig kong sigaw ni Blue.

"Eh sa masarap ang lemon!" sagot ni Ethan mula sa kabilang linya, I made a thin
line with my lip, oh jeesh! Gusto kong pumunta sa bar!

"Trisha, pagalitan mo itong asawa mong mataba!" suway ni Blue.

"Anong mataba? Baka ikaw?! Wala ka ngang abs eh!"

"Tama na, tama na." Suway ni JM.

"Jam..." tawag ko kay JM, "sige na at pasok na ako sa hotel."

"Sige Kai, bye coz! Kung matapos ang dinner and you feel like coming here, call
me! Baka kasi lumipat din kami ng bar, if ever. Bye, coz." he ended the call.

Pumasok na ako sa loob ng hotel matapos ang tawag, bumungad sa akin ang mga
furniture na halatang mamahalin, "how may I help you, Ma'am?" tanong ng babaeng
hotel receptionist.

Umiling ako, "actually, I'm going to have a dinner in this hotel's rooftop
restaurant, table eight."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya, "by any chance, are you Kaira Chaves?"

Teka... paano niya ako nakilala? Tumango ako. "Yes, ako nga."

"M-Ma'am! Allow me to assist you papuntang taas." she offered.

"Thanks, but no thanks. I can manage myself." suway ko naman sa kanya kahit na
naguguluhan pa rin kung paano niya ako nakilala, wala naman akong suot na nametag o
ID, dumiretso na lang ako sa elevator, sakto namang bumukas ito.

Pumasok na ako't pinindot ko ang rooftop button. By looking at the elevator

buttons, I can already tell that this hotel have thirty floors excluding the
rooftop.

Tinignan ko ang watch ko, it is already 7:31PM. Great, I'm already one minute
late, siguradong mababaril na naman ako ng armalite na bunganga ni Dad.

I silently watched the elevator numbers that lighted as it go up. Finally, it

reached the rooftop kaya naman biglang tumunog ang elevator at bumukas. I walked
out of it, bumungad naman sa akin ang rooftop restaurant at mini-rooftop garden,
may pool pa sa gitna ng rooftop. So this is the famous Getsuga Hotel's trademark?

Tumingala ako, bumungad sa akin ang kalawakang puno ng mga bitwin, parang ang
lapit lang nila sa akin ngayon. "May I help you, Ma'am?" tumingin ako sa biglang
nagsalita, isang babaeng naka-waitress uniform.

"May I know where table eight is?"

Nanlaki ang mata niya, "k-kayo po ba si Ma'am Kaira Chaves?"

I secretly frowned, kilala rin niya ako?

"Yes..." sagot ko.

"Ma'am, sa pinakagilid po ang table eight." halatang kinakabahang sagot niya

sabay turo sa isang table na wala pang tao. Wait... wala pa si Dad?

Tumango ako sa waitress sabay talikod at lakad papuntang table habang

nakangisi, look at this turn of events, mas nauna ako kay Dad at super late siya!
Hah! May gana pa siyang magsabi na there's no excuses for being late ah?! Look
who's talking, gosh.

Since bagot ako at mukhang nagse-senti dahil wala akong kasama dito sa table at
walang kausap ay binuksan ko ang phone ko at in-open ang camera para tignan ang
sarili, admiring how easy can makeup define your beauty.

I curled the tips of my long black hair kanina sa condo, I also applied a light
makeup since hindi kailangang dark kasi hindi naman ako sa bar pupunta, I wore a
navy blue dress that is one inch above the knee and matched it with a dark blue
prada heels.

Satisfied, I closed my phone and put it back on my gucci pouch.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, it is already 7:58PM. Dad and his bestfriend's son are
both late. Ugh. Edi sana hindi ko na lang binilisan ang magbihis para hindi naman
ako magmukhang nagmadali!

"We meet again." a familiar manly voice from my side echoed in my ears.

Napatingala ako matapos ang ilang sandaling pagkatulala ko at nahagip ko ang

pares ng matatalim na mata ng lalakeng nakatingin sa akin, nakasuot siya ng gray v-
neck shirt, fitted ito kaya naman halatang may abs siya, binaling ko ang atensyon
ko sa mukha niya, lumunok ako nang nakita ko ang mapupulang labi niyang nakangisi
sa akin.

"T-Travis?"
 He smiled devilishly.

TBT - Kabanata 2

Chapter 2

Napanganga ako, "i-ikaw ang anak ng bestfriend ni Dad?" hindi makapaniwalang

tanong ko.

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya saka siya ngumisi, "I'm your Dad's bestfriend's
son?" ulit niya, halatang naguguluhan, nagulat ako nang umiling siya, "no I'm not,
I'm your Dad's newest business partner and we are currently working on a project
Chaves & Javierres Resort Park."

Suminghap ako, "w-wait... asan si Dad?"

"He won't come tonight." yamot na sagot niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, "why not?"

"Because this is a dinner date." bigla siyang umupo sa upuan sa harap ko,
tanging ang pabilog lang na table ang nasa pagitan namin at ang flower na display,
"and there are only two chairs here. I didn't reserve one for your dad."

"D-Dinner date?" nanlaki ang mata ko. "Don't tell me you bribed me for
accepting Dad's business proposal?"

He smirked, "what if I did bribe you in exchange of accepting his proposal

which we are currently working on?"

Walang hiya! Na-setup ako ni Dad just for his business' sake! Damn him for
lying! Sa lahat naman kasi ng taong pwede niyang gawing business partner, bakit
itong lalaking ito pa?! He is hunting me in my dreams! Pati ba naman dito sa
riyalidad? Wala na ba akong takas sa kanya?!

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at tumayo, "where do you think you're going?"
seryosong tanong ni Travis sa akin.

"I'm going home."

Siningkitan niya ako ng mata, "no, you're not yet going home, not until we
finish this date." seryoso ang boses niya at nakakapanlambot ng tuhod.

Lumunok ako, "you don't tell me what to do."

"Are you sure about that, Kai?" seryosong tanong niya, umiwas ako ng tingin.
"Sit down, Kai." malamig na ang boses niya.

Hindi ko alam kung anong gayuma ang ginawa niya at napasunod niya ako sa utos
niya basta ang alam ko lang ay pinagpapawisan ako nang malamig.

"What do you want from me?" tanong ko kay Travis.

"I want you to marry me." nagulat ako dahil straightforward siya at wala siyang
pasikot-sikot na nalalaman. But me? Marry him?
 "Dahil ba sa nakita ko ang tattoo mo? Look, it was just an accident. I swear
I'll forget the fact that I saw your glowing tattoo, just leave me alone already so
that we could live a peaceful life." I suggested.

"Peaceful life? You expect me to have one? You took it, Kai. I'm a man of my
words, breaking my vow is like breaking myself."

"I took it? Look, ikaw ang kusang naghubad sa harap ko noon kaya kasalanan mo
ito! Huwag mo akong idamay dyan sa pledge mo sa sarili mo ah!" inis na sagot ko.

"Are you raising your voice at me, Kaira?"

Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko, nakakatakot siya kapag seryoso! Dios mio!

Matapos ang ilang sandali ay may mga waiters na naglapag ng mga pagkain sa
table namin, "let's continue the discussion about our marriage later." sabi ni
Travis sabay kuha ng ulam sa gitna.

"Marriage?!" I snorted. "Walang kasalan na magaganap."

"Are you sure about that, Kai?"

Hindi ko alam pero bakit ako biglang kinabahan sa tanong niya?

Habang kumakain ay hindi ko maiwasang sumulyap kay Travis, his hair was neatly
sleeked back, makapal ang kilay niya, his eyes were defined by his long and thick
eyelashes, what caught my attention was his chiseled jaw. He have the looks, the
money, fame, reputation. Everything.

He is out of my reach. Ideal man siya ng mga babae but that doesn't change
the fact that I don't want to marry him. I was the first one to see his tattoo, and
it was just an accident!

This billionaire is really weird, why would he marry the first one who sees his
tattoo? Paano na lang kaya kung lalake ang unang nakakita ng tattoo niya? Oh, gosh.
Bigla akong kinilabutan sa iniisip ko.

"Stop staring." nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumingin sa akin kaya naman
binaling ko ang atensyon ko sa pool.

Tumikhim ako. "Bakit biglang kuminang ang tattoo mo noon?" bigla kong natanong.

"It is a UV tattoo that only becomes visible with the touch of the moonlight."
he explained.

Tumango ako kahit na wala akong naintindihan sa sinabi niya.

"I have a plan! Let's just pretend that nothing ever happened and that I never
saw your tattoo, sounds like a good plan, right?" I offered.

He raised his eyebrow, "you have to pay for every single thing you see, Kai. I
won't buy that plan." seryoso ang boses niya, palagi naman eh! Do he even know how
to smile?

"I have to pay? Magkano ang bayad ng pagkakakita ko ng tattoo mo nang matigil
na ang kalokohan na ito?" I snapped.

He smirked. "The payment is simple, marry me."

 The guts of this jerk!

Feeling ko namumula na ang tenga ko habang kinakausap ko itong lalakeng ito,

tumingin muna ako sa paligid kasi ayaw kong nakatuon ang mata ko sa ka-date ko,
doon ko lang napansin na lahat ng tao sa rooftop restaurant ay nakatingin sa aming
dalawa, nakangiti silang lahat at 'yong iba naman ay halatang pinagpapantasyaan
itong lalakeng ito.

"Not to mention, bakit kaya kilala ako ng mga employees dito sa hotel?" wala sa
sarili akong napatanong. Nagtataka lang naman ako.

"Because I own this hotel, Kai. I held an employees' meeting yesterday and
announced them that Kaira Chaves is my date for tonight."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "You made our setup dinner date go on public?!"

"Yes, it is my first step on winning you and marking you as mine." sagot niya.

"Winning me? Ano ako? Laro mo?!" inis na tugon ko. "Trophy girl?"

"No, you are my fiancée."

"Dream on, Travis. I never imagined na ang taas pala ng pangarap ng mga
bilyonaryo." I retorted.

"Me? Dream? I never dreamt for anything, Kai. Because what I want, I get. Right
now, I want you." Travis smirked because he thought he won, I won't let him have
the last laugh!

"You only want me because I saw your tattoo." giit ko.

"Are you sure about that, Kai?"

Lumunok ako habang nakatitig sa kanyang mga mata, what is he trying to say?
Umiwas ako ng tingin kasi parang nilulunod ako ng malalim niyang mata.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang naglalaro sa isip ng lalakeng ito, basta ang alam
ko lang ay:

Travis Javierres is a dangerous man! Don't fall for him, Kai!

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga, "tapos na ang dinner date natin, goodbye,
Tray." tumayo na ako at walang sabing umalis.

Nagulat ako nang naramdaman ko ang init ng kamay niyang nakahawak sa braso ko
bago pa man ako makapasok sa elevator, lumingon ako para kumpirmahin kung si Travis
nga ba ang nakahawak sa braso ko. "Ihahatid na kita." sabi niya.

"I have my own car."

He smirked. "Since I didn't take my car, ihatid mo ako." aya ni Travis sabay
hila sa kamay ko, mukha tuloy akong bruha na kinaladkad papasok ng elevator!

"W-Wait, what? Mag-o-offer ka na maghatid sa akin tapos hindi mo pala dala ang
sasakyan mo? No way, hindi kita ihahatid, Tray. Mag-taxi ka!" sigaw ko saktong
sumara ang elevator. Mabuti na lang at walang ibang nakasakay sa elevator kundi
kaming dalawa lang.
 "I don't really know how to commute." namula si Travis matapos umamin.

Kumunot ang noo ko, matapos ang ilang pagkatulala sa namumula niyang pisngi ay
bigla akong humagalpak sa kakatawa, "pfft! Hahahaha. Hindi ka marunong mag-commute?
Hahahaha. A-Ano ka? Six years old? Hahaha."

Mas lalo siyang namula. "Dito na lang ako sa hotel matutulog." He snapped.

Tumigil ako sa pagtawa sabay punas sa mga luha kong sanhi ng sobrang pagtawa,
"okay, fine, ako na ang maghahatid sa 'yo Tray, para naman quits na tayo sa
pagtulong mo sa akin noong muntik na akong gahasain ni Jad. Wala na akong utang na
loob sa 'yo, ah?"

Sasagot pa sana si Travis kaso biglang tumunog at bumukas ang elevator, tandang
nasa basement na kami ng hotel which is the parking lot.

TBT - Kabanata 3

Chapter 3

"So, saan ka bababa?" tanong ko kay Travis habang nakatingin sa kalsada, funny
how I'm the one driving a boy home instead of the vice versa.

"Sapphira Tenshou." sagot niya habang nakatitig sa aking mukha, pansin ko lang,
kanina pa siyang nakatitig sa akin. Hello? I find it awkward. Seriously.

Kumunot ang noo ko matapos ang ilang sandali, napapreno ako, mabuti na lang at
naka-seatbelt kaming dalawa at walang masyadong mga sasakyan.

Tinignan ko si Travis, "Sapphira Tenshou?!" Hindi makapaniwalang giit ko.

He raised one eyebrow, "yeah, why?"

"It is where I live!"

Ngumisi siya, "consider it a coincidence, I just moved in. I own the entire
fourteenth floor."

"Are you stalking me?"

He snorted. "No, I just want to protect you from rapists so I settled

everything to live below your floor." nagtagis ang bagang niya, naalala ko tuloy
'yong unang gabing pagkikita namin, muntik pa akong magahasa no'n ni Jad na
nakakulong na't hindi ko alam kung paano nangyari 'yon at pabigla-bigla siguro dala
ito ng malakas na impluwensya ng lalakeng ito, hindi ko ma-imagine kung wala si
Travis noon sa gabing iyon sa eskinita, siguro wala na ang kinakaingatan kong
bataan ngayon kapag gano'n.

"Protect me from rapists? I can handle myself." suway ko.

"No, you can't." pangkontra niya. "I don't want you to be around with other
guys, not unless it is me, we don't know if they are bad or something."

"Stop acting possessive, Tray."

 He smirked. "Possessive? No, I prefer territorial Kai because being possessive
means I am jealous because you can't be mine but being territorial means I own you
and I'm marking you mine, you are mine. Got that?"

Ngumiwi ako, "ang dami mong alam."

Nagbuntong-hininga si Travis, "I've been thinking, how long are you planning us
to stay in the middle of the road?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang napagtanto kong natigil ko pala ang sasakyan namin
sa gitna ng kalsada saka may mga sasakyang nagbubusina na pala sa amin, kinagat ko
ang labi ko sabay paharurot ng sasakyan. How could I lose my focus in driving?

Nang nakarating na kami sa harap ng Sapphira Tenshou ay agad kong pinababa si

Travis, "get out of my car."

Tinignan lang niya ako, "are you planning to go somewhere else tonight?"

"That's none of your concern and business anymore, get out, Tray." utos ko sa
kanya. "Our night together is done."

He raised one eyebrow at me, "inuutusan mo ba ako, Kai?"

Lumunok ako. Bakit ang sexy niya mag-Filipino?

"Where the hell are you planning to go after our date?" seryosong tanong niya,
saktong iyon ay biglang tumunog ang phone ko which is nasa pagitan naming dalawa.

Kukunin ko sana iyon para sagutin ang tawag kaso naunahan ako ni Travis, "who
the hell are you?!" pasigaw na sagot niya sa tawag.

Suminghap ako. Tinignan ako nang masama ni Travis, parang sinasabi niya through
telepathy that I should shut up or else something bad will happen, "you are JM? You
are looking for Kai?" nagkaroon ng nakakabinging katahimikan, "no, she won't go
there tonight because she is with me! You can't take my Kai-"

Bago pa man gumuho ang mundo ay inagaw ko na ang phone ko kay Travis, this
time, ako naman ang tumingin sa kanya nang masama as if telling him not to do
something that will ruin our night, "J-JM?" nahihiyang bati ko sa pinsan ko.

"Who's that guy with you?" maingay ang background niya, rinig ko ang tawanan
nina Vivien at Blue.

"U-Uhm ano, bukas na lang ako mag-explain. Pupunta na ako mamaya dyan as soon
as I get rid of this puppy with me. Bye!" agad kong sinara ang phone ko matapos ang
tawag saka tinignan si Travis, "what the hell were you thinking? Pinsan ko si JM!"

"You are going nowhere but inside this damn condominium with me, Kai." he said,
sternly.

"Mas daig mo pa ang tatay ko kung makautos, get out of my car."

"That is a good sign that tells you that I am a father material and you should
marry me." he smirked.

Ugh! Mapapahampas talaga ako ng ulo kapag magpapatuloy ang kakupalan nito!

"Huwag mo kong lalandiin at dadaanin sa sweet words mo Travis, I won't fall for
your sweet words!"
 "Who said that you will fall for my sweet words, Kai? No, that will never
happen because you will fall for me, you will fall for me and not for my sweet
words. Got that?"

Biglang bumaliktad ang sikmura ko, masusuka ata ako sa kung gaano kakapal ang
mukha ng lalakeng ito! Lahat na lang binabanatan niya!

"Bakit ang landi mo, Tray?"

"Sa iyo lang ako nagiging malandi, Kai." ngumisi siya nang napansin ang
pamumula ng pisngi ko, umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.

Nagulat ako nang biglang namatay ang makina ng sasakyan ko, binaling ko ang
tingin ko sa ignition ng sasakyan, laking-gulat ko nang nakitang wala na doon ang
susi ng sasakyan, "I got the key!" hiyaw ni Travis sabay ngisi sa akin, binuksan
niya ang pintuan at lumabas.

Siningkitan ko siya ng mata, "how dare you take my car key! Give it back!"
nakakainis talaga ang bilyonaryong ito! Walang ibang ginawa sa buhay kundi mangulit
nang todo!

"Why should I do that? I have your key, meaning? You can't go anywhere without
this." sabi niya sabay pakita sa susi ng sasakyan ko gamit ang keychain nito.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, pinatong ko ang ulo ko sa manibela ng sasakyan habang

nakapikit, "fine, you win! Hindi na ako pupunta sa bar, bwisit ka!"

"Good to hear, now get out of your car and let's go to my place."

"I suggest you go to hell." I retorted.

"I'll only go there if you come with me."

Bumungisngis ako, "whatever, Tray! Iyong-iyo na ang susi ng sasakyan ko! Mabuti
na lang at may duplicate keys ako nito dito sa pouch ko, ngekngek mo!" sigaw ko
sabay sara ng pinto ng sasakyan, ni-lock ko agad ito para masiguradong hindi siya
makakapasok, binelatan ko siya mula sa salamin ng bintana ng saksayan ko, his
facial expression was priceless and I can't help but laugh as I put the duplicate
key into the car's ignition, muling nabuhay ang makina ng sasakyan ko kasabay ng
pagharurot ko nito papuntang Custody Booze.

"What a loser! Thinking he'd actually fall for that stupid trap? Lol siya!"
pagtawa ko nang nakalayo na ako kay Travis.

TBT - Kabanata 4

Chapter 4

"Ano'ng nangyari sa iyo, Kai?" kunot-noong bungad sa akin ni JM nang nakarating ako
sa VIP lounge ng Custody Booze, usual table na naman at usual na naman ang setting.

I shrugged. "Hays, wala."

Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Trisha, "hahaha. Is this about your dinner with your Dad
and his bestfriend's son? Tell me, is he hot and handsome?"
Kumunot noo si Ethan sabay tingin ng masama kay Trisha, I already get that look of
his, he is jealous.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, "to tell you honestly, it was a setup dinner date."

Nanlaki ang mga mata nila at sabay-sabay silang napahampas sa table, "who?!" sigaw
nila. Mabuti na lang at maingay ang loob dahil sa pop music na tumutugtog.

"This is a clue... dad bribed me to a date for his new business partner. Yes, he
sold me for one night to a totally possessive stranger."

Suminghap si Vivien, "business partner ng dad mo? Meaning matanda?!"

Tumawa sina Blue at Trisha.

I twitched. "Of course he isn't that old, I think he's in his late twenties but he
look like he is twenty-two for some reasons." Nagpakawala ako ng malakas na
buntong-hininga, "I know you guys know him very much, I mean really, you all do."

Umiling si JM, "maupo ka nga muna dito sa tabi ko and let's enjoy the night! Basta
ang mahalaga, you survived the setup date with Mr. Stranger! Hahaha. C'mon!"

Ngumiti ako, agad naman akong binigyan ni Blue ng baso ng isang cocktail. "I want
to loosen a bit, can I have one drink of Jack Daniels?" ngayon lang ako mag-
initiative na humingi ng alak kaya naman halatang nagulat sila.

"Kai... tell us, may nangyari ba sa dinner nyo?" takang tanong ni Ethan. Maybe
because I was behaving strangely. Hindi ko alam pero ayaw umalis ang mga sinabi ni
Travis sa akin sa aking isipan.

Huminga ako nang malalim, "yeah, a lot happened and my brain is still on the
processing stage. I think my life is ruined..." asar na sagot ko sabay inom sa JDs.

Umiling si Vivien, "pumapag-ibig na si Kai. Hahaha!" asar niya sabay belat sa akin
nang nginusuhan ko siya.

Hanggang ngayon, napapraning pa rin talaga ako sa mga pangyayari, lahat pabigla
bigla, habang lutang ang utak ko sa mga posibleng mangyari lalo na't nakatira na sa
baba mismo ng floor ko si Travis ay nakaramdam ako na may sumiko sa akin.

"What the hell?" inis na napatingin ako kay JM.

"Bigla kang natahimik." saad niya, hindi ko namalayan na kinakabahan na pala ako
lalo na't alam kong wala akong takas kay Travis, marami siyang koneksyon na
maaaring magamit para mapalapit sa akin, of course he have, he isn't a billionaire
for nothing.

I'm afraid of becoming close to him especially that he is someone out of my reach,
I'd rather become a nun than marry that billionaire, he will just ruin my life and
leave me when I'm broken up.

Hindi ko alam kung ilang baso na ng mga iba't ibang klase ng alak ang nainom ko,
basta habang nag-iisip ako ay umiinom ako ng alak.

"Kai, masyado ka nang maraming nainom, stop already." suway ni Trisha sa akin.

Ngumisi ako, "t-this is nothing... hik... I can manage my shelf.."

"You're drunk, stop." pagsuway din sa akin ni JM. Ano ba?! Kung ayaw kung uminom,
pinipilit nila ako at ngayong gusto ko pinipigilan nila ako? Yong tataa?!

Ngumuso ako, "I want more!" I don't know but I think my brain isn't functioning at
the moment, all I could think of right now is forgetting what happened the next
time I wake up, yes, pretend this is just a dream and that I never even met this
billionaire!

Akmang iinumin ko na sana ang laman ng wineglass sa kamay ko nang may biglang
humablot dito, kahit na malakas ang tunog ng musika ay dinig na dinig ko ang
pagkabasag ng baso. Napalingon ako, saktong iyon ay nakita ko ang pares matatalim
na matang nakatitig sa akin, malamig ito at nakakalunod na tingin.

Lumunok ako, naka-jacket siya ngayon na may hood na nakatakip sa ulo niya kaya
hindi halata na siya si Travis lalo na at madilim rin sa pwesto namin kaya mahirap
masabi pero alam kong siya si Travis, magaling mag-disguise ang lalakeng ito.

"T-Tra-"

Nagulat ako nang bigla nya akong hinila mula sa silya ko, halatang nagulat din ang
mga kasama ko, "wait dude! What are you doing with my cousin?!" sigaw ni JM.

Binaling ni Travis ang atensyon niya kay JM habang malamig pa rin ang ekspresyon sa
mukha, ako ngayon ay buhat-buhat ni Travis na para bang bagong kasal.

"Why didn't you try to stop Kai?" masyado akong lasing at nahihilo para
maintindihan ang pinag-uusapan nila. Naparami nga ata ako ng inom.

"Put her down, bro." boses ni Blue.

"Sino ka ba at kung umakto ka parang ikaw ang boyfriend ni Kaira?" halatang inis na
tugon ni Ethan.

Ramdam ko ang paninigas ng katawan ni Travis, "who I am? I'm Kaira's future
husband, you heard that right. I'm her future husband, she'll marry me."

After that, all I can remember is that... I puked, yes, I puked while I'm on this
billionaire's arms.

"What the fuck?!" sigaw ni Travis pero sa kabila ng pagsusuka ko sa kanyang damit
ay hindi niya ako binitawan sa kanyang pagkakabuhat. "Ugh! You are really going to
pay me for this, Kai." ramdam kong naglalakad na siya palayo... I tried struggling
but I'm too tired to do that, all I know was that... I felt comfortable in his arms
despite of my puke.

"Where are you taking my coz?!" sigaw ni JM.

"Home." plain na sagot ni Travis bago nakipagsiksikan sa dance floor.

Pinikit ko nang mariin ang aking mga mata as I realize how stupid I was to drink so
much and try to forget because this isn't a dream, I'm fully awake, I feel dizzy,
this is my reality. I have to confront it.

"Now Kai, try to escape me one more time and I'm going to do something you won't
like." mahinang saad ni Tray sa akin habang binubuksan niya ang likod ng isang
sasakyan, "tsk, you're really a pain in the ass." I felt him wipe my wet cheek bago
niya ako pinahiga sa likod ng sasakyan, I think it's my car, amoy na amoy ko ang
mabango niyang damit kahit na may halo itong suka ko.
"You made me worry so much, I'm going to punish you."

TBT - Kabanata 5

Chapter 5

I opened my eyes and heaved a different smell, napasapo ako sa aking noo nang
nakaramdam ng pagkahilo, damn it. My head hurts a lot.

Bumalikwas ako sa kama ko... wait... this isn't my room!

Napatingin ako sa paligid, this room is different. It isn't mine. Tumayo ako at
saka ko pinagmasdan ang paligid sabay tingin sa suot na malaking damit na hindi
naman akin, inamoy ko ang damit at nalanghap ang pamilyar na amoy ni Tray, saktong
iyon ay bumukas ang kwarto at bumungad si Travis na nakahawak ng tray na may coffee
at sandwich.

Nanlaki ang mata ko sabay baba sa damit na inaamoy. I already know where I am
basing the glass window's view, nasa Sapphira Tenshou ako, just below my unit's
floor. I'm in Tray's unit.

Ngumisi siya, "are you having a great time sniffing my shirt's scent?"

Namula ang pisngi ko, yumuko naman ako habang pinaglalaruan ang babang parte ng
damit niya, until something sinked into my head, "did you change my clothes??"

He nodded. "Don't worry, I didn't take advantage of you being drunk, in fact, you
should be thanking me for taking care of you."

Nabunutan naman ng tinik sa puso ko, "okay, salamat. Bye." Sabi ko, lalayas na sana
ako kaso sinara ni Tray ang pinto using his feet since may hawak siya.

"Not yet, you aren't going anywhere without paying me for my good deed. I stayed
awake until 2 in the morning looking after you, and you puked on me." Seryosong
usal niya sabay lapag ng tray na may breakfast meal sa study table.

Nanlaki ang mata ko, "nasukaan kita?!"

He frowned, "yeah."

Suminghap ako. OMG! Nakakahiya ka, Kai! Kinagat ko ang babang labi ko, why did I
even try to get drunk anyway? Oh yes, I wanted to forget seeing this billionaire's
tattoo and pretend that meeting him was just a dream.

Aysh, may utang na loob na ako kay Tray ngayon. Getting drunk only made things
worst!

"You must pay for my good deed and be punished for escaping me." Nagulat ako nang
bigla na lang siyang lumapit, napagtanto ko na naka-pajamas lang pala siya at wala
siyang suot na damit, kita ko tuloy kung paano gumalaw ang muscles niya habang
lumalapit, napalunok ako sabay urong hanggang sa na-trap niya ako sa pader ng
kwarto niya.

Tumingin ako sa gilid, sa kung saan hindi ko makikita ang mukha niya nang
malapitan.
"Why aren't you looking at me?" Malalim ang boses niya na nakakalunod.

Pakiramdam ko ay nanginginig na ang paa ko at nanlalambot na ang tuhod ko kaya

naman humawak ako sa mesa sa tabi ko bilang supurta.

Saktong iyon ay bigla na namang tumama ang sakit sa ulo ko, ugh! I hate hangovers
that's why I don't drink too much too, kahapon lang.

Narinig kong humalakhak si Travis bago siya naging seryoso nang napansing sumasakit
na ang ulo ko, "I prepared you a coffee and sandwich, eat it and sleep again. I'll
wake you up when it's eight sharp, we will spend this day together, huwag kang
magreklamo. Think of this as your payment to me for after you last night."
Tumalikod siya sa akin, kumunot-noo ako nang hindi na nakita ang tattoo niya.

Oh yeah, I remembered... his tattoo can only be seen with the moonlight. Why do I
seem to be so disappointed?

Bigla kong naamoy ang aroma ng coffee, saktong iyon ay kumulo ang sikmura ko. I
must be so damn hungry after all the puking-the-guts-out I've done.

Hindi ko lubos maisip na si Travis ang nag-alaga sa akin, but I'm thankful it was
him for some reason. I must be crazy for feeling that, I must be hating him! Not
feeling grateful!

Lumapit ako sa study table at saka ko sinimulang linantak ang sandwich, kakaiba ang
lasa pero masarap!

I sipped the hot coffee and felt my tummy relax with the small touch of it's heat,
napapikit ako habang ramdam na medyo natatanggal na ang sakit sa ulo ko, pumikit
ako at humiga muli sa kama...

I cuddled the cushion sabay kuha sa kumot na may parehas na amoy ni Travis, wala sa
sarili ko itong inamoy-amoy hangga't sa nakaramdam ako ng pagkaantok.

"What are you planning to do, Tray?" bulong ko bago ako tuluyang nakatulog ng
mahimbing.

"Tray! Tray!" nakita ko ang isang batang babae na umiiyak habang hinahabol ang
sasakyan kung saan nakasakay ang isang batang lalake kasama ang isang lalakeng
naka-business suit, mabilis ang takbo ng itim na sasakyan kung saan sila nakasakay.

Ang batang lalake naman ay nakalingon sa babae na para bang gustong bumaba sa
sasakyan at yakapin siya ngunit walang magawa kundi pagmasdan ang batang babae na
mukhang matalik na kaibigan niya.

Mabilis ang pagtakbo ng batang babaeng humahabol sa sasakyan hangga't sa ito'y

natapilok at nagasgasan sa tuhod, malakas ang pag-iyak ng babae habang nakatingin
sa sasakyang malayo na.

Hikbi ng hikbi ang babae, naglakad ako para lapitan siya at patahanin ngunit
biglang nagdilim ang lahat nang narinig ko ang boses ni Travis.

"Wake up, it's time to make you pay me back."

TBT - Kabanata 6
Chapter 6

Kunot-noo ako habang pinagmamasdan ang sarili ko sa body-sized mirror, I'm wearing
a royal blue dress, one inch above the knee, I hate to admit it but it's perfect on
me and it was Travis who chose this for me, some part of me thought he was gay but
no, it's just that he have this girly fashion sense a man rarely have.

Narinig kong may kumatok sa pinto ng banyo, "you done?" sigaw ni Travis mula sa
kabila.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako sabay kibit-balikat, "yes, I'm all done." Binuksan ko ang
pinto, bumungad sa akin si Travis na halatang kakatapos lang ring maligo dahil basa
pa ang buhok, nakasuot siya ng plain gray shirt at blue stripe shorts. Simple lang
ang ayos niya pero nagmukha pa ring bongga. Must be because of his charms, lahat
siguro ng isusuot niya magbabagay sa kanya, it was effortless.

"Where are you planning us to go?" Seryosong tanong ko.

He smirked, "church."

Nanlaki ang mata ko, "what?! Atat ka lang ba at gusto mong ikasal agad tayo?"

He frowned for a few seconds then smiled playfully, "magsisimba tayo." Why does he
sound sexy when speaking in Filipino? Pero hindi iyon ang kaso ngayon! Pakiramdam
ko ay lalamunin na ako ng marmol na sahig dahil sa hiya... "Well unless you want us
to get married right now, I can set things in just a snap."

I felt my cheeks blush dahil sa pagiging assumera ko. Of course Kai, magsisimba
kayo and no other else! Ano ba naman iyan, napahiya ka tuloy! Gaga ka!

"Tsk, I'd rather become a nun than marry you." I stomped my feet out of the
bathroom while my head looked down, still in shame. It feels like I'm having a walk
of shame with only Travis' eye watching.

Ramdam kong sumunod din si Travis sa aking likod pero hindi ako tumigil, binuksan
ko ang pinto ng kwarto niya at saktong iyon ay may bumungad na isang lalake kaya
naman nataranta ako.

"Oops." Sabi ng lalake, wait... si Grey ito ah? Yong kasama ni Travis noong gabi na
muntik na akong maano ni Jad!

"What the hell are you doing here?" Halatang inis na sabi ni Travis sabay hila sa
akin palayo kay Grey bago pa man ako maka-react.

"Sabi mo kasi sa akin boss ay pumunta ako dito." Napakamot sa batok si Grey.

Kumunot-noo si Travis habang mahigpit pa rin siyang nakahawak sa braso ko na para

bang mawawala ako sa harap niya kapag bibitawan niya ako. "Tss, wala ka bang balak
na bitawan ako?"

"Aysh sorry boss, balik na lang ako sa mansion." Tumalikod si Grey at umalis na,
nang wala na sa paningin si Grey ay binitawan agad ako ni Travis.

Siningkitan ko siya ng mata, "what the hell were you doing?"

"Marking you my territory in front of Grey and secretly saying to him that he must
never touch you."

I frowned, "look, I never agreed that I'm yours so please stop your delusional
ideas before I call the police."

Humalakhak si Travis, "try calling the police and see what a billionaire can do."

"Aysh! Let's just go to the church, late na tayo sa misa." I suggested and walked.

~*~

Pumasok na kami sa loob ng simbahan, lahat ng mga mata ng nadadaanan namin ay

napapatingin sa kasama ko, even with his stupid disguise-the usual eyeglass hashtag
nerdy and lame look-nakaka-attract pa rin siya ng atensyon lalo na sa mga
kababaihan, nagsesermon na ang pari, humanap kami ni Travis ng pwedeng maupuhan.

"Hi, pwede bang maupo dito?" Tanong ko sa lalake kung saan katabi niya ang
bakanteng pwesto na pwedeng maupuhan namin ni Travis.

Tinitigan muna ako ng lalake bago tumango. I heard Travis hiss, na para bang
naiinis dahil sa inasta ng lalaki sa akin, I glared at him as we sit down.

Matapos ang ilang sandali ay nakinig na kami sa misa pero minsan nadi-distract ako
kay Travis dahil magkalapit lang kami at amoy na amoy ko pa ang pabangong gamit
niya, I admit nakaka-turn on ang amoy niya. Paminsan-minsan nga ay pinapatong niya
ang kamay niya sa taas ng kamay ko kaya naman napapatingin ako sa kanya pero ang
atensyon niya lang ay nasa pari.

Napapailing na lang ako habang napapangiti na parang baliw. Ewan ko ba pero a part
of me is happy seeing a billionaire be this... religious. I never expected it would
be Travis, marami pa talaga akong hindi alam sa kanya. Not that I'm planning to
know him. It's just that this side of him is unbelievable yet here it is.

"Stop staring at me, natutunaw ako..." Travis whispered to me for a moment and I
felt my face flush in embarrassment. Kanina pa ba niyang napapansin?! Nakakahiya!

Time flew so fast at natapos ang misa, hinintay muna naming makalabas na ang mga
dumalo bago umalis sa simbahan dahil nakakatamad makipagsiksikan. "Where to go
next?" Tanong ko.

"Where would you like to go?" Travis asked nang nasa harap na kami ng sasakyan
niya.

Napaisip agad ako, matapos ang ilang sandali ay biglang may pumasok sa utak ko na
ideya, I smirked. "I know a perfect place, I'm going to drive the car!" Bago pa
makatutol si Travis ay naunahan ko na siya sa driver's seat.

Tinignan ako nang masama ni Travis bago humalukipkip, naglakad siya papunta sa
kabila at pumasok sa passenger's seat. "You better put us in a good place." Sabi
niya bago niya sinara ang pinto, after that, he removed his eyeglasses then shut
his eyes closed.

I think he fell asleep. Napaisip tuloy ako, he stayed awake so late for me so I
think I'll just let him rest while I do the driving to the place I missed so much.

I scanned the features of Travis's flawless face with no signs of blemish or

anything, something suddenly struck into me as if Travis seemed familiar but I
shook the idea away and focused on driving.
TBT - Kabanata 7

Chapter 7

I parked the car in front of a gate and went out, nakita kong may babaeng
nakasalong na lumapit sa akin, halos manlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang nakita niya
ako. "Kaira?" Masayang tawag niya sa akin at saka niya ako pinagbuksan ng gate.

Ngumiti ako. "Hello po, Sister Maria." Niyakap ko si Sister.

"Hija! Kay tagal mong hindi nakabisita dito, na-miss ka tuloy ng mga bata." Saad
niya.

"Ahh... sorry po Sister Maria kasi nagiging madalang na lang ako sa pagbisita dito
sa orphanage, na-miss ko na rin ang makipaglaro sa mga bata."

Ngumiti siya, "huwag mo na isipin yon hija, basta ang mahalaga andito ka na.
Halika't pumasok ka! Tiyak matutuwa si Sister Lucy 'pag makita ka niya!"

"Ah sige po, may kasama po ako, tulog sa loob ng sasakyan... gisingin ko lang."
Sabi ko, tumalikod na ako saka lumapit sa sasakyan upang gisingin si Travis ngunit
nagulat ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto nito.

"I'm awake." Sabi niya bago tumingin kay Sister Maria at sa bahay-ampunan. "House
of the Angels." Pagbasa niya sa nakadikit na golden plate sa pader ng orphanage.

Naglakad si Travis, nanlaki ang mata ni Sister Maria. "Ikaw ba si Travis

Javierres?"

Kumunot-noo si Travis kay Sister, siguro dahil sa taka, how Sister Maria see behind
his disguise, siniko ko siya saka ko siya tinignan nang masama as if telling him to
respect Sister Maria and never give her that kind of look. "Uhm... yup?"

Ngumiti si Sister, "it's good to meet Troy's son! You know, your dad is a great
man, isa siya sa mga donor ng maraming orphanage including this, without him, the
House of the Angels won't happen."

Napatango na lang ako, so his dad is a great man, unlike him.

Nagulat ako nang bigla na lang magbago ang ekspresyon ni Travis, parang bigla
siyang nagalit at nawala sa mood nang narinig ang pangalan ng dad niya, is there
something wrong?

"Oh..." sabi na lang niya nang napansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kanya, he smiled
and nodded to Sister Maria.

"Pasok kayo." Sabi niya at naglakad na papuntang loob ng bahay-ampunan, bumungad sa

akin ang fountain na may mga anghel.

"Ate Kaira!" Nagulat ako nang nakita ko ang mga batang nagsisitakbuhan palapit sa
akin, mula sa likod nila ay si Sister Lucy, ngumiti siya at kumaway sa akin.

"Hello, mga angels!" Isa-isa ko silang niyakap.

"Na-miss ka namin, Ate!" Hirit ni Ris habang mahigpit na nakahawak sa kamay ko.

I patted her head, "I missed you too, Ris." Agad ko naman siyang binuhat. Si Ris ay
isa sa mga batang pinakamalapit sa akin dito, I treat her like my sister pati na
rin sa lahat.
"Ate! Ate! Sino ang kasama mo?"

Tumalikod ako at nakita ko si Travis na mukhang nakukyutan sa mga bata, basing on

the expression his face is wearing, I think he like kids.

"Pakilala mo naman ang sarili mo sa kanila, Tray."

"U-Uhm, hi kids? I'm Kuya Travis, Travis Javierres. Just call me Kuya. Okay?"

Tumango silang lahat at saka nila binaling ang atensyon sa akin, "Ate! Ate! Asawa
mo?"

Nanlaki ang mata ko sa tanong ni Ris, "we will, soon." Ngumisi si Travis saka niya
ako hinila at niyakap sa harap ng mga bata, tumawa naman sina Sister Maria at Lucy.

"Siya pala ang pinagkakaabalahan mo kaya madalanh ka na dito." Tumatawang saad ni

Sister Lucy.

Siniko ko si Travis sa kanyang tagiliran, "tuturuan mo pa ng kababalaghan ang mga

bata. Stop flirting." I whispered, tumingin ako sa dalawang madre, "huwag po kayong
maniwala sa lalaking ito."

He pouted.

Tinitigan ko siya, did he just pout? As in... pout? Lip pout?

Umiling ako. "Mga kids, pakilala niyo ang sarili niyo kay Kuya Travis!"

Tumango sila. "Hello po, ako si Ris!"

"Renz!"

"Angelica po ako!"

"I'm Mario, super gwafu!"

"Hello po, a-ano... Therese po."

Ngumingiti ako habang tinitignan ang mga batang isa-isang nagpapakilala sa kanilang
mga sarili, habang nagpapakilala sila ay nakikipagkamayan sila kay Tray na
nakangiti. Matapos iyon ay tumingin sila sa akin.

"Ate Kaira, kwentuhan mo po ulit kami ng fairy tale!" Sabi ni Renz.

Due to my almost three years of visiting here, kabisado ko na mostly ang kanilang
mga pangalan although I'm a bit sad dahil minsan may mga batang naaampon dito. I
never have the chance to say goodbye to them which is why I cherish every moments
with them.

I also pray that they will have a family that will treat them like their real kids.
Kung pwede lang sanang ampunin silang lahat.

"Of course naman! Expert ako dyan!" Ngumiti ako sa kanila pero may nahalata ako,
someone is missing... "Sister Maria, asan na po pala si Angela?" I asked.

Biglang nalungkot ang ekspresyon niya, "she's with her new family, Kaira."

Angela was one of the kids na closest sa akin, isa rin siya sa mga palagi kong
kinekwentuhan ng fairy tales, I'm happy she found a family who'll treat her as a
daughter.

"Magti-timpla lang kami ng juice at magpapabili ng meryenda, kayo muna bahala sa

mga bata kung maaari..." Sabi ni Sister Lucy, tumango naman ako, pagkatapos ay
umalis na silang dalawa ni Sister Maria.

"Ate! Kwento ka na!"

Tumango ako, "okay kids, let's go to the kiosk!"

"You seem to be close with these adorable kids..." sabi ni Travis habang naglalakad
kami papunta sa usual place kung saan palagi akong nagkukwento noon sa mga bata.

I nodded. "Yeah, sila na ay parang mga kapatid sa akin." Sabi ko habang tinitignan
silang naglalakad.

"So you like kids."

"You too."

Namula ang pisngi niya.

"Do you like the place?"

Tumango si Travis. "I was an old brother once but my li'l sis died when she was
four..."

Nanlaki ang mata ko saka ako tumingin sa mukha niya, kahit na wala na itong
ekspresyon ngayon ay alam kong malungkot siya. "I'm sorry..."

He just nodded. "She died with Mom in a car accident three years ago and it was Dad
who was driving..."

"Oh..."

"It was supposed to be a very special day because it was her birthday yet in a
flash, both the two most important girls in my life disappeared."

"Travis, smile." I sighed. "May mga bagay talaga sa mundo na bigla-bigla na lang
mawawala, we never know when we'll become the next ones, but I know for sure...
your mom and sister is happy, so be happy for them even if it's hard because
there's never an easy choice, my mom passed too and it was never easy on my part."

Tumingin siya sa akin, for a moment, I made an eye-contact with his mysterious eyes
and felt something weird inside me, I felt my heart go wild for the very first
time... It seems like some of our strings suddenly knotted.

Nagulat ako nang hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, then he intertwine our fingers, "I'm
glad to have you."

"Ayieh!" Nagulat ako dahil lahat na pala ng mga bata ay nakatingin sa amin at sa
aming kamay.

TBT - Kabanata 8
 Chapter 8

"So kids, let's start the fairy tale!" Sabi ko sa mga bata, lahat naman sila ay
nagsiupuan na.

"Ate, ano ang ikwekwento mo ngayon?" Tanong ni Ris, I smiled at her but then Travis
held my hand again making me frown.

"Not in front of the kids." Bulong ko.

He smirked. "So we can when they aren't looking?"

Siningkitan ko siya ng mata, binawi ko ang aking kamay mula sa kanya at tumingin sa
mga bata, "okay kids, listen carefully... once upon a time..."

"There lived a happy princess named Kaikai." Napatingin kaming lahat kay Travis
nang pinutol niya ako sa pagkwento at siya ang magdugtong.

"Kuya Travis! Kayong dalawa ni Ate ang magkwekwento?" Natutuwang tanong ni Ris.

He smiled and nodded.

"Waaah! Tuloy nyo po!" Excited na sigaw ng mga bata sa aming dalawa, ngumiti si
Travis bago siya tumingin sa akin at tumingin ulit sa mga bata.

"One day, Princess Kaikai went out of her big castle in search for her prince
charming because she got tired of waiting in her room for someone to come and
rescue her..."

Kuminang ang mga mata ng bata, siningkitan ko si Travis. Is he creating our own
fairytale? I won't let him decide what happens next then! Magsasalita sana ako kasu
hindi nagpatinag si Travis...

"And so, Princess Kaikai went into the woods, hindi alam ni Princess Kaikai ang
panganib na naghihintay sa kanya sa loob ng gubat..." Lahat ng mga bata ay
nakatingin lang kay Travis, as if waiting for the next thing to happen in the story
that I was suppose to tell.

"Waah! Anong nangyari kay Princess Kaikai?!" Sigaw nila.

Travis smiled, "she met an ugly dragon named Jad who tried to eat her."

"Waaah! Namatay si Princess Kaikai?!"

Umiling si Travis, "no, she was saved from the dragon. She was saved by a stranger,
hindi alam ni Princess Kaikai na ang nagligtas sa kanya pala ay isang prinsipe, ito
ay si Prince Tray."

"Ano ang sunod na nangyari?"

"Princess Kaikai thanked this prince, halatang na-love at first sight siya sa
prinsipe..." Pagtuloy ni Travis, ngayon ko lang talaga siya marinig na magsalita ng
Filipino ng ganitong kahaba, "sa wakas nahanap rin ni Princess Kaikai ang kanyang
prince charming... ang kanyang matagal nang hinihintay na magpapasaya sa kanya."

"Nagpakasal sila?" Excited na tanong ni Angelica.

"Hindi!" Sigaw ko. Lahat tuloy sila tumingin sa akin, nanlaki ang mata ko... "I-I
mean, hindi muna sila kinasal dahil maraming hadlang sa kanilang pag-iibigan at
ayaw nilang masaktan ang isa't isa."

"Anong hadlang, Ate?" Ris asked.

Lumunok ako, "mga hadlang tulad ng pamilya!"

"Pero kahit na ganoon, Princess Kaikai and Prince Tray saved their story, they
escaped their families and made their own, they hid somewhere in a forest, far away
from their families... silang dalawa, they found home. A new home."

"Waah! Nagkaanak ba sila, Kuya Travis?"

Tumango si Travis, "yes, they had a twin daughter, Hope and Love was their name,
and then there came a third, it was a boy named Faith, and they all lived happily
ever after in the forest..."

Nagpalakpakan ang mga bata. "Kuya! Kuya! Ang ganda!" I rolled my eyes, it was
supposed to be me! Mang-aagaw ang lalakeng ito!

Biglang may tumunog na bell, napatingin kaming lahat sa pinagmulan at nakita sina
Sister Lucy at Maria, "halina kayo! Nakahanda na kami ng meryenda sa loob."

"Angels, time to eat." Sabi ko sa kanila. Lahat naman sila ay tumayo na at naglakad
papuntang loob.

"Did you like our fairy tale?"

"To be honest, iyon na ang pinaka-corny na fairy tale na narinig ko sa buong buhay
ko."

Tumawa nang marahan si Travis, "but I was looking at you the whole time as I tell
the story, you were listening and I know you were as excited as those kids with
what will happen next..."

Lumunok ako. He was looking at me the whole time? Gosh!

Umupo na kami ni Travis sa pahabang mesang may mga pagkain.

"Kaira, hija... heto na ang meryenda, pasensya na ha at ito lang ang mabibigay
namin."

Ngumiti ako, "okay lang po. Salamat, Sister Maria. Nakaabala pa kami ng kasama ko."

Umiling sila, "sa totoo lang, natutuwa talaga kaming lahat. Akala nga namin hindi
ka na bibisita eh." Sabi ni Sister Lucy habang naglalapag ng mga baso.

Matapos kaming kumain ay nagpaalam na kami nina Travis sa mga bata at kina Sister,
"Ate! Kuya! Talaga bang aalis na kayo?" Halos paiyak na sabi ni Ris.

Ngumiti ako saka ko siya p-in-at sa ulo, "don't worry, bibisita ulit kami."

"Promise po?" Sabay-sabay na wika ng mga bata.

I smiled. "Promise! Right, Travis?" Binaling niya ang atensyon niya sa akin matapos
ang ilang segundong pagkatitig sa phone niya na parang may binasa na message,
binulsa niya ang phone saka nagbuntong-hininga.

He nodded bago tumalikod na at maglakad papuntang sasakyan namin...

"Wait, Travis!" Sigaw ko at saka ko siya hinabol, what's wrong with him? May mali
ba sa phone niya? Parang kanina ang saya lang niya, ngayon ang sungit! Lumingon
ako, "bye kids! Bye Sister Maria! Sister Lucy!" Lahat sila ay kumaway sa akin
habang nakangiti.

~*~

Right now, si Travis na ang nagda-drive, "where are we going?" Curious na tanong ko
matapos kaming mag-stopover sa isang flowershop, bumili si Travis ng isang dosenang
white roses at saka bouquet na iba't iba ang kulay.

"What are we going to do with these flowers?" Tanong ko sa kanya nang nasa sasakyan
na kami.

Tumingin siya sa akin, "I'm going to introduce you to my li'l sis and mom..."

Napasinghap ako nang nag-sink in ang ibig niyang sabihin. "Oh..."

Nagulat ako nang pinatong ni Travis ang isa niyang kamay sa taas ng palad ko habang
ang isa niyang kamay ay nakahawak sa manibela. Malamig ang kamay ni Travis...

Tinanggal ko ang pagkapatong nito sa aking kamay saka ko pinisil ang palad niya,
ramdam ko namang unti unting nagre-relax ang kanyang katawan. "I'm sure they'll be
happy to see you visit them with me..."

Nakita kong ngumiti si Travis. "I know they like you."

TBT - Kabanata 9

Chapter 9

I silently glanced Travis' sad eyes, he was looking at his Mom and sister's grave,
humugot ako ng malalim na hininga bago naglakad palapit at saka hinawakan ang kamay
niya, tumingin siya sa akin. "Mom, Breiz... I want you two to meet Kaira Chaves..."

Kinagat ko ang labi ko, "h-hello po sa inyo..."

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong hinila ni Travis palapit at saka akbayan, "we're
getting married soon..."

Tumaas ang isang kilay ko, "not gonna happen."

Ngumisi siya. "See Mom? She have the exact personality of a girl you always wanted
me to marry."

Tumingin ako sa kanya habang nagtataka, what did he mean by that?

A silent wind passed us, "sorry Breiz kung ngayon lang ako nakabisita, ha?" Sabi ni
Travis sabay lapag ng isang dosenang rosas sa taas ng puntod ng kanyang kapatid.
Ganon din ang ginawa niya sa bouquet sa puntod ng Mama niya na katabi ni Breiz...

"Let's go." Sabi ni Travis matapos ang ilang sandali.

"Uuwi na tayo?" Sabi ko habang naglalakad pabalik ng sasakyan.

He nodded. "I have a meeting to attend today, I'm a president of the Javierres
Company after all, I just postponed it for later so that we'll have time together."

Napatigil ako sa paglalakad, pinagmasdan ko si Travis habang naglalakad palayo sa

akin, he postponed and delayed his work for me?

Lumingon siya. "What are you staring at? Let's go." Sabi niya sabay bukas ng
sasakyan.

Lumunok ako at saka tumango at tumakbo na papunta sa sasakyan.

~*~

Isang oras na matapos ako mahatid ni Travis, heto ako ngayon... nakatunganga habang
nakahiga sa sofa sa living room ng unit ko, bakit sa tuwing naaalala ko siya e
kinakabahan ako?

Pumikit ako...

"Kai!!!" Napamulagat ako sabay tayo, bumungad sa akin sina Trisha, Vivien, JM,
Ethan, at Blue.

"What the hell guys? Paano kayo nakapasok sa unit ko?!" Asar na sigaw ko.

"We have the keys! You gave us each, remember?" Trisha retorted sabay pakita ng
susi.

I groaned. Why did I even think of giving them each?

"Tell us what's happening Kai!" Utos ni Vivien, halatang nakikilig na imbes na mag-
concern sa akin.

"Why does Travis Javierres know you?" Pagsegunda ni JM, hindi mapakali at paikot-
ikot siya sa gilid.

"Are you hiding something from us?" Pakisusyo naman ni Blue na lumapit sa akin.

"Tsk, what's the big deal about it?" Iritang saad ni Ethan sa may pinto habang
nakakunot-noo.

"Dahan-dahan lang naman sa pagtanong! Mahina ang kalaban!" Nagpakawala ako ng

malakas na buntong-hininga sabay upo sa sofa. "Let me just say everything in one
word: I'm-in-trouble."

"Well, that's three words!" Trisha rolled eyes.

Siningkitan ko sila ng mata, "okay, seryoso, how should I start explaining? Uhm...
ok, let's just say I saw the billionaire's tattoo and right now as in 'now-now',
I'm suffering the consequences of what I saw."

Suminghap silang lahat. Hindi ko alam kung paano nila nalaman na mayroon akong
koneksyon kay Travis, but what can I say? These are my best friends, wala akong
maitatago sa kanila kahit ano man ang gawin ko.

"OMG! You're going to marry the billionaire! I'm going to be the flowergirl, okay?"
Excited na sigaw ni Vivien.

"Shunga! Hindi ka na bata para maging flowergirl!" Tumingin si Trisha sa akin, "I'm
going to be the maid of honor, okay?"
"Maid of honor, Trishalalabs? Seriously you can't, you're married to me." Ethan
pouted.

Kumunot noo ako, "walang kasalan na magaganap. Never."

"I agree." Sabi ni JM, "we don't know yet the real intentions of this Travis guy,
we can't trust him completely yet even if he is the richest guy who ever lived
because I believe he is gay."

Tumawa sina Blue at Ethan.

"Wait... paano mo nakita ang tattoo niya?!" Takang tanong nila.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, since alam naman na nila then I guess I should tell them
everything that happened.

"Okay. Makinig kayong lahat ha?! Walang sasabat habang nagkukwento ako kundi hindi
ko na itutuloy." Tugon ko, tumango naman sila at saka daling umupo para pakinggan
ang kwento ko kung paano nangyari ang lahat. "One more thing before I start, Travis
isn't gay."

TBT - Kabanata 10

Chapter 10

Isang linggo na ang lumipas after Travis lived below my floor at isang linggo na
rin matapos kong makwento sa mga kaibigan ko ang lahat ng nangyari. Of course, they
were shocked and mad about hearing I was almost raped by Jad.

"He is running my life like a boss!" Inis na buntong ko sa aking sarili habang
nagsusuklay sa banyo, nakakainis na talaga! How can he have so much access in my
life when I'm not letting him?!

"Kai!" Huminga ako ng malalim. Another day of hell is about to be unleashed.

"What are you doing here, Travis?!" sigaw ko mula sa banyo. Tinignan ko ang
repleksyon ko sa malaking salamin, namumula na ang pisngi ko sa sobrang inis
kasabay ng halos pagsalubong ng kilay ko sa pagkaka kunot-noo. "And wait! Paano ka
nakapasok?!"

"Let's just say I used my charms on the lady downstairs to get your room's key."
Sabi ni Travis sabay halakhak, "but don'cha worry, ikaw pa rin-"

"Shut up!"

"Boss! Nalakad ko na ang helicopter, mamayang gabi pwede nang magamit." Rinig kong
sabi ni Grey, lumabas na ako ng banyo matapos maghilamos at mag-ayos sa sarili.

"Get out, Grey."

"Tsk, wala man lang thank you?" Sabi ni Grey sabay tingin sa akin, "hello, Kaira!"

I nodded. "Anong meron at andito kayo sa unit ko? Get out, both of you. Hindi kayo
imbitado."

Grey pouted. "Ouchy naman!"

"Grey, lalayas ka o malalagot ka sa akin?" Travis said in a serious manner.

"Okay, okay. Bye!"

Nang narinig na ni Travis ang pagsara ng pinto ng silid ay tumingin siya sa akin at
ngumisi, "bakit ka nakatingin ng ganyan sa akin?!"

"Let's have a dinner later," at doon ko napansin na may hawak hawak siyang white
box na may tatak na V, binuksan niya ang box at may nilabas na dress. "Wear this."

Nanlaki ang mata ko ng nakita ang tatak nito. "Versace? What the hell? This is one
of the most expensive brands right?"

"It doesn't cost that much." Of course, he's a billionaire, Kai! What do you
expect? Normal na lang siguro sa kanya na isipin na $10000 is worth one peso only.
"Now to excuse myself, I have to go now since I have a conference later, if you
need something, just call Grey, he is just below this floor. Never leave the place
without him, ok? And I don't like to wait so be in the rooftop at 7PM in Javierres
Company building. I have something for you."

After that, lumabas na siya, leaving me curious about what he is plotting.

~*~

"Kai! We miss you!" Sigaw nina Vivien at Trisha sa phone.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, "sorry guys."

"Sama ka mamaya sa amin! Bar hopping!" Aya ni Blue.

"No thanks guys, I have somewhere else to go." I sighed.

"Lemme guess, Travis again?" Singit ni JM.

"Oo! That control freak jerk!" Alam kong halata nila na naiinis ako, at alam kong
wala silang magagawa dahil bilyonaryo ang babanggahin nila kapag sasama ako sa
kanila. Ayoko namang madamay pa ang mga kaibigan ko sa personal matters ko.

Nagulat ako nang biglang tumawa si Grey na nagmamaneho.

"Who's that?" Tanong ni Ethan.

"Just someone related to the control freak." I answered. "Guys, gotta go. Later!"

I ended the call at tumingin kay Grey. "Bakit ka tumawa?"

He smiled. "Wala boss! Si Travis ba ang tinatawag mong confrol freak?"

"Yes! Sino pa nga ba?"

"Just understand him." Sagot niya.

"Understand? No! I will just kill him if I ever have the chance." I was kidding, of
course. I know Grey got my joke.

"I'm sorry, pagpasensyahan mo na lang ang Kuya ko." Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Grey.

"Kuya?"
Tumaas ang isang kilay niya, "oh... yeah. Hindi ko pa pala nasasabi since hindi
naman tayo close at masyadong possessive si Travis, I'm Grey Javierres, younger bro
of Travis."

"Weh? Eh bakit parang nagtatrabaho ka sa kanya at bakit boss ang tawag mo sa

lalakeng iyon?"

"We played a game almost one month ago, though hindi basta-bastang laro ito, this
game is all about the winner getting the chance to make you under his control for a
year, I thought mananalo ako but no, Travis is a winning man, I can't beat that man
so right now, I'm suffering the consequences!" So he is really a control freak.

Tumango na lang ako, now to mention it, Grey looks like the younger and happy
version of Travis.

"We're here." Sabi ni Grey kaya naman bumaba na ako sa harap ng malaking building,
"don't tell Travis I talked to you, ha? Magseselos 'yon at magagalit sa akin. Haha!
Bye!" Sabi niya sabay paharurot sa sasakyan.

Tumingin ako sa orasan ng phone ko, it's 6:54 PM.

I sighed at pumasok na sa loob, all people eyed me with curiosity but no one dared
to talk to me. I went to the elevator and pressed the rooftop button kasabay ng
pag-andar nito.

Nang bumukas ang elevator ay madilim na rooftop ang nakita ko, kumunot ang noo ko.
Now where is Travis?

"Travis?"

Suminghap ako nang may tumakip sa aking mata. "Ssh... just follow my lead." Rinig
kong bulong ng isang malalim na boses na dahilan ng pagtaas ng mga balahibo ko.
"Don't take this blindfold off unless I tell you so, now hold my hand, and we
walk."

Hindi ko alam pero biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang naramdaman ko ang
kanyang kamay sa akin, umiling ako.

Right now, inside of me, I know that there's a beast growing inside my heart, and
if it continues to grow, it may not only break my heart but break me again as well.

I have to be extra careful... I don't want to hurt again.

But still, even if I know the danger, it feels like I am a beauty who is about to
tame a beast.

TBT - Kabanata 11

Chapter 11

"It's time to remove the blindfold." bulong ni Travis sa tenga ko, ramdam ko
pa ang mainit niyang hininga sa leeg ko at nakikiliti ako. Bigla tuloy akong
tinaasan ng balahibo.

Lumunok ako. "Anong pakulo ito, Travis?"

 He grinned. "This is just the beginning." sabi niya sabay tanggal sa blindfold
ko, saktong iyon ay biglang isa-isang umilaw ang mga makulay na ilaw sa paligid
hanggang sa bigla kong nakita ang isang helicopter sa gitna.

"Let's go!" Excited na sabi ni Travis sabay hila sa aking kamay, "we're going to
ride on that."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. I'm afraid of heights! I can't!

Umiling ako. "I thought we are only going to have a dinner?"

"Of course, we will have a dinner." Ngisi ni Travis. "Don't tell me Mrs.
Javierres is afraid of heights, well what can I say? She's still just a girl after
all." He provoked.

I gritted my teeth, "okay, fine!" Sabi ko at nagpadyak na sumakay sa helicopter,

hindi ko napansin na may piloto pala doon. "And don't call me Mrs. Javierres!"

"Let's start the ride!" Hiyaw ni Travis nang nakasakay na kaming pareha,
pinagpapawisan na ako nang malamig lalo na nong naramdaman ko ang paglipad ng
helicopter, lumunok ako at saka ko mariing pinikit ang aking mga mata.

Biglang bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko ng hawakan ni Travis ang kamay ko, "there's
nothing to be afraid of. I'm just here." Pinisil pa niya ang kamay ko. Hindi ko
alam kung bakit but I suddenly felt ease like I finally found my new home where I
can live safe and sound, Travis' voice makes me feel calm. "Open your eyes, Kai.
You have to see the view from here..."

Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero sinunod ko ang sinabi niya, humugot ako ng malalim
na hininga at tumingin sa bintana ng helicopter, nanlaki ang dalawang mata ko at
saka ako suminghap dahil sa gandang bumungad sa akin. The beauty overcame my inner
fears.

The buildings were glowing, kita ko pa ang paggalaw ng mga maliliit na ilaw mula sa
mga sasakyan. Wow. I can say that this city is beautiful at night dahil hindi kita
ang mga basura, I scanned the entire place with amazement, it was a dark starry
night and it feels like I'm in a fairy tale all of a sudden.

"Kai, look here!" Sigaw ni Travis, tumingin ako sa kanya, saktong iyon ay bigla
akong nakarinig ng snapshot. He smirked at me. "Gotcha!"

Nanlaki ang mata ko nang napagtantong kinuhan niya ako ng stolen shot using his
phone! Pinakita niya sa akin ang stolen shot, I thought I had a funny face but I
was smiling like a princess sa picture. So I never bothered to make him delete it,
maganda naman ako sa stolen shot.

Unti-unting lumanding ang helicopter sa rooftop ng isang building. "Getsuga

Hotel?" Dito kami unang nag-date ni Travis though it was just a set up, and yeah,
he owns this place.

Kumunot ang noo ko dahil nawawala ang pool. And that's when I realized that the
pool was below me and Travis, I was standing on top of a glass floor where the
helicopter is parked and below it was the pool.

Ilang milyones kaya ang nagastos ng lalakeng ito para lang sa pool na ito?

"So, shall we have our dinner?" Sabi ni Travis.

 Tumango ako.

Umupo na kami sa isang table, hindi ko namalayan na kaming dadalawa lang pala sa
rooftop. "Asan yong mga waitresses?"

Travis smiled. "They are not needed because today, I serve the princess." Sabi
niya sabay alalay sa akin.

"You don't have to do this, Travis. I can serve myself."

Umiling siya. "Don't take away my part."

I sighed. Makakain na nga lang! Nakakagutom ang mga nakahanda eh.

~*~

Pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha, "T-Tr-"

"Sssh..." pagpapatahimik niya sa akin. "Magpapabili na lang ako ng bagong doll mo,
huwag ka nang umiyak Kai, ok?" He smiled. "Don't cry, don't, don't, don't cry..."
sabi niya at saka niya ako hinila para yakapin.

I nodded.

Bigla akong napamulagat. Hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog pala ako sa gitna ng

dinner date namin ni Travis, must had been because lately I'm not getting enough
sleep.

I had a strange dream again of me when I was young and a boy with a blur face.

Tumingin ako sa gilid ko, it was Travis staring at me. Nagulat ako nang
lumapit siya sa akin and then wiped something beside my lip. "May laway. So
naglalaway ka pala kapag tulog ka?" Pang-asar niya sa akin.

Namula agad ang pisngi ko, "w-whatever!" Hirit ko.

He laughed.

Tumigil ako sa paghirit at saka ako tumitig sa tumatawang Travis. He laughed? Why
am I so shocked of this? Ah! Siguro hindi lang ako sanay na makita ang ganitong
side ni Travis Javierres, after all, this guy is a billionaire who bears the tattoo
that changed my life.

"It's already late so we'll just check-in here." Sabi ni Travis at saka siya
humikab.

TBT - Kabanata 12

Chapter 12

I was cooking when my phone rang, dali akong tumakbo palabas ng kusina to look
for my phone na nakatambay lang pala sa veranda.

I looked at the screen only to find out it was my Dad's wife ー my so-called step
mom, Sandy ー calling me. Tumaas ang isang kilay ko as I felt the need to release
the beast inside me. I controlled my anger before pressing the accept button, "this
is the very beautiful Kaira Chaves, what may I do to make you as beautiful as me?"

"Hija, next week na pala ang birthday mo. Your Dad and I will throw a party so
your presence is needed sa susunod na linggo! You don't want to disappoint your Dad
and I, right?" Now not to mention it, next week na nga ang birthday ko! How could I
forget? Hmm... maybe because of the billionaire. But before that, tinitigan ko ang
screen ng phone at ang pangalan ni Sandy that says Sa(ndy)tanas.

"I have a schedule next week so sorry, ikaw na lang ang mag-celebrate ng
birthday ko. Okay? I'm not interested. Kung may gusto ka pang sabihin, please say
it now because I am doing something."

Narinig ko ang malakas na pagbuntong-hininga ni Sandy as if controlling her

anger, hah! Santa-santina talaga ito! "Don't give me that tone, Kaira. I'm your
mother." Pagdidiin niya.

I chuckled. "Let me correct you, it's step mother!"

"And I'm still your mother!" She yelled. Frustration was visible in her voice,
"hindi mo ba ako pwedeng i-consider na mama mo even just for a day? Why won't you
let me treat you as my own daughter?"

"Because I am not your daughter! This conversation is getting us to nowhere,

tss, fine. I will attend my birthday party para wala kang masabi, bye." I hang up.

That's when I smelled something that was burnt.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Oh crap! Ang niluluto kong ham!

~*~

"Whoa, Kai! Don't tell us may nangyaring masama na naman sa iyo kaya nagyaya ka
na magkainuman?" Ethan said sabay akbay kay Trisha habang nakaupo silang dalawa.

I frowned. "Korek!" Kilala talaga nila ako.

"So, spill the beans." JM said sabay ngisi. "Is it Travis? Resbakan na natin!"

Umiling ako, "actually, hindi ko nakita ni anino niya sa araw na ito at masaya
ako dahil doon. Well, not until Sandy ruined it. Tsk!"

"What happened?"

"Nagkasagutan lang kami sa phone, that's all. By the bye, next week na ang
birthday ko!" I announced.

Suminghap si Vivien, "OMG! Tatanda ka na naman!"

We all laughed.

"Since ngayon na naman lang tayo magkakasama-samang bestfriends, let's seize

the night!" Sigaw ni Blue.

"Let's hit the dancefloor!" Humahalakhak na sabi ni Vivien.

I felt myself dancing with the beat of the music as well, tinignan ko ang mga
kasama ko only to find out that they left me alone in the table, Blue was dancing
with a beautiful stranger, Vivien was at the counter, Ethan and Trisha were making
out in the corner, and JM was... out of nowhere.
 Huminga ako ng malalim. They left me. Traitors.

Tumayo ako, not until somebody grabbed my arm, really firm.

Ngumiwi ako sabay lingon. "Excuse me, pwede bang bitawan mo ako?" Sabi ko sa
isang lalake, he have looks but he is drunk and he looks like a pervert. So that is
a turn off.

"Hey, you look like a fallen angel." He have a weird accent na hindi ko
maintindihan due to his drunkness, it confirmed that he is not from here. "Wanna
play at my bed?" He grinned.

Suminghap ako. "Bitawan mo ako!"

Mas lalong lumaki ang ngisi niya, "don't fight, sweetheart. How much do you want
to be paid? I can pay you if you want."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, tumingin ako sa paligid, we were alone in the VIP
lounge, even if I cry for help, nobody will hear me because of the noise of the bar
and the loud music that is drowning my voice.

Hinila ako ng lalake, I resisted but he was too strong, tsk! Magkakamarka lang
ang braso ko at magkapasa malalagot ito sa akin!

"Bitawan mo ako!"

"I don't understand you but let me guess you're saying you want us to do it
here, so, wish granted." Tumigil siya at saka niya ako tinulak sa pinakamalapit na
sofa ng VIP lounge, he sat on top of me, I can feel his crotch beginning to wake
up.

And then every memories of that night when I was almost raped came back and all
tears that I was holding back suddenly broke out.

"T-Travis..." I called out. Before the guy could land a kiss on my skin, he was
knocked out on the floor.

"That's why I told you not to go out especially at night, this place is
dangerous. Tsk. Isang araw lang na hindi kita binabantayan muntik ka na namang ma-
rape." Tumingala ako, tama nga ang hinala ko, si Travis.

He wiped my tears and I felt the urge that I needed to hug him. So I hugged
him. Naramdaman kong nanigas ang kanyang katawan siguro dahil sa pagkagulat but it
softened, he then hugged me. "Ssh, save those tears for our marriage."

Ngumiti ako kahit na umiiyak, "asa ka..."

He chuckled, binaling niya ang tingin niya sa foreigner, "you, get lost before I
kill you." Malamig na sabi ni Travis at halatang may bahid ng galit ang boses, ang
lalake naman ay natakot at daling tumakbo paalis.

He looked back at me. "Such a mess." Iling na wika ni Travis. Nakayakap pa rin
siya sa akin. "Let's go home."

Tumango ako at hindi na sumabat. "Tell me, did you miss me?" He said, lifting
the mood and breaking the ice.

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata habang pinapakiramdaman ang kanyang mainit na
katawan habang naglalakad, naka-piggyback ako sa kanya. "Hey, don't sleep on me."

I yawned, feeling comfortable on his arm. "Good night..."

TBT - Kabanata 13

Chapter 13

"There's no way I'm gonna wear that." Umiling ako, Travis grinned devilishly as
he showed me a white dress na may blue ribbon. "If I'll wear that magmumukha akong
patay!" Bukas ay birthday ko na, Travis and I are currently looking for a dress
that will be perfect on me, tomorrow, my party will be in Dad's mansion.

Of course, Travis is invited. After all, he is dad's business partner... that

reminds me of how be bribed me just to get Travis on his side.

"Hmm, walang magbabago. You look dead yourself." He remarked, base sa tono ng
boses niya, I can't sense if he is joking or serious.

Namula ang pisngi ko, "basta! Hindi ko 'yan susuotin!" Pagmamatigas ko.

Umiling-iling siya, "okay. Then how about this?" May nilabas ulit siya sa
paperbag, isang dark red dress na kakaiba ang disenyo, napanganga ako habang
iniisip ang sarili kong suot-suot ito. I will surely look intimidating but elegant.
Purrrfect.

"I like that. Mabuti na lang at may pagka-gay ang fashion sense mo." I praised.

Kumunot ang noo niya, "is that a compliment?"

I smiled as I grab the dress, "nasa iyo na iyon." I looked at myself at the
full-body mirror while the dress was in front, "thank you. Pwede ka nang lumayas sa
pamamahay ko." Pagpapaalis ko kay Travis.

He pouted. "No. I want you to come with me downstairs and help me choose what I
will wear too." It was already late and I need to have my sleep. Hays.

Tumawa ako nang marahan. "Ano ba Travis, you can use your talents... I mean your
gay fashion sense sa pagpili." Patango-tango pa ako. Humikab ako. "Matutulog na
ako."

Tinignan niya ako ng masama bago siya ngumisi, he closed the inches between us
hanggang sa kunting galaw mo lang ay magkakadikit na ang inyong mga labi. Bakit
biglang paiba-iba ang mood ng lalakeng ito? Split personality or bipolar lang
talaga?

Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ang kamay ko and then inserted something
on my ring finger.

Tumingin ako sa malamig na bagay na sinuot niya, it was a ring with a diamond. A
real one.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko, saktong iyon ay biglang tumunog ang alarm clock, it was
12AM.

"Happy birthday, my labs." He said, then kissed my forehead. "Sweet dreams."

 Biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. I wanted to melt, no, I feel like I was
melting! I feel so warm and loved right now! Hindi ko alam kung paano ako magre-
respond. My mind went blank.

Lumunok ako. "T-Thanks..." I mentally slapped myself for stuttering.

He nodded before opening my room's door, "gotta go."

~*~

Upon waking up, I checked my social media accounts to see a bunch of people
greeting me, humikab ako and did my first morning ritual, stretching my arms, at
doon ko napansin ang singsing sa aking daliri.

Travis.

Umiling ako at saka ko sinampal-sampal ang sarili, bakit sa tuwing naaalala ko

ang nangyari kaninang hatinggabi ay namumula ako?

Uggggh. This is bad. I thought I learned my lessons! Bakit hinahayaan kong

mangyari ito?! Saka na lang ulit ako magsisisi kapag huli na ang lahat! I should
stop this nonsense.

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata, naalala ko ang pangalawang beses na niligtas ako
ni Travis, kinaumagaan no'n ay sinalubong ako nina JM, Blue, Vivien, Ethan, at
Trisha ng sermon kung saan raw ba ako nagsu-suot at hinahanap nila ako, syempre
nagpalusot ako at hindi ko sinabi ang lahat ng nangyari, ang sinabi ko lang ay
biglang sumakit ang ulo ko kaya umuwi na lang ako.

Nasa gitna ako ng pagmumuni muni nang tumunog ang phone ko, it was JM
calling...

I pressed the accept button. "Hello!"

"Happy birthday, Kai!"

Ngumiti ako. "Don't forget my gift!"

He chuckled. "Of course! Tumawag lang ako to greet you a happy day para sa iyong
pagtanda, so bye! See you at the party!"

He hang up.

Umiling na lang ako pero nakangiti pa rin.

After several minutes, I decided to get up and take a morning jog. Nagpalit ako
into my running attire then went down.

Maaga pa naman, it was 5AM kaya hindi pa gaano marami ang mga tao. Perfect time
for having a jog.

Tumingin ako sa paligid habang nagja-jogging nang nasa park na ako. Lumingon ako
when I felt someone was following me.

"Travis?"

He grinned. "Hey."
 "Why are you following me?"

"Just making sure that my princess is safe." Seryosong sagot niya habang
tumatakbo rin tulad ko.

Habang tumatakbo ay natapilok ako, nanlaki ang mata ko nang napagtantong

nawalan ako ng balanse, I braced myself for the impact of falling while calculating
my wounds and the scars it will leave but then I felt strong hands hold my arm then
pull me up for a warm hug to prevent myself from falling and getting hurt.

"See. You almost fell." Umiling siya, "such a clumsy baby."

Namula ako. Pawisan kaming dalawa kaya naman tila naghalo na ang pawis namin.
Nakasunod ba siya sa akin all this time? But that's not it, iyong pawis kasi
namin...

"U-Uhm..."

"Hmm?"

"Pwede mo na akong bitawan." I managed to say, namula siya at pinakawalan naman

niya ako.

Bakit parang ang awkward namin ngayon?

"Let's go back," I offered, tumango naman siya at lumiko na kami ng direksyon

pabalik sa Sapphira Tenshou.

Habang naglalakad kami ay hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin kay Travis at

mapaisip...

If I only have met you sooner, would I still experience the pain of being
broken? If only we met sooner, will I still be afraid to love again?

Habang naglalakad kami ay biglang hinawakan ni Travis ang kamay ko, tumingin ako
sa kanya but he wasn't looking at me, nanigas ang kamay ko but then it softened as
I accept his hand and intertwine our fingers, I felt safe and warm while we were
walking but deep inside, my heart was bringing chaos to me.

I know this feeling and it should stop before I end up hurting again.

I don't want to cry again.

TBT - Kabanata 14

Chapter 14

I looked at myself in the body-length mirror and smiled sweetly. I am wearing

the dress Travis picked for me.

As I expected, I looked intimidating and gorgeous. The dress fitted me perfectly

emphasizing the curves of my body. I paired this dress with killer heels and I
curled the tips of my hair, applied light makeup, and put on a charmy perfume.

Nasira ang moment ko nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. "Ready?"

 It was Travis, tumingin ako sa kanya, he was wearing a dark longsleeves that he
folded into three. Somehow, it feels like we are couples because of the same color
our clothes have.

"Uso naman kasi ang kumatok muna." Inis na sabi ko sa kanya, I glared at him.

"No time for that. Let's go, princess."

I snorted. "Princess, mukha mo."

"Speaking of faces..." naglakad si Travis palapit sa akin, he held his hand on

my chin and raised it up making me face him, mas matangkad kasi siya sa akin kahit
na naka-killer heels na ako, "you look... captivatingly gorgeous."

Namula ako. Tinulak ko ang kamay niya at umiwas ng tingin, "tara na nga..."

~*~

"Kai!!!" Lumingon ako at nakita sina JM, Trisha, Ethan, Blue, at Vivien.
Nakaupo sila sa table malapit sa pool. My party is at the garden of the mansion.

"Hi guys!" I greeted them with a smile plastered on my face.

"Happy birthday!" Isa isa nila akong binigyan ng regalo na binigay ko sa maid na
dumaan at inutusang ilagay sa kwarto ko sa mansion. I can't hold them for long.

"Thanks guys!" I smiled. This was supposed to be my birthday party pero

karamihan sa mga bisita ay bisita ni Sandy, ang magaling na asawa ng tatay kong
matalino.

Well, at least I have these five people here.

"Tsk. I told you to wait for me."

Oh, six people.

Lumingon ako, "saan ka ba kasi pumunta?" Asar na tanong ko. Napanganga naman
sina Trisha at Vivien.

"Somebody called me, I won't stay for long in here." Sagot ni Travis.

Upon hearing that, mas lalong uminit ang ulo ko. "Edi wow."

Umiling siya sabay hawak ng kamay ko, "now if you excuse us," he said to my
group of besties, "I will steal Kai for a moment."

Hinila niya ang kamay ko, lahat ng nadadaan namin ay naggi-greet ng happy
birthday sa akin.

Tumigil na kami sa isang lamppost malapit sa fountain, in short, nasa harap kami
ng mansion, hindi gaanong marami ang mga tao dito kompara sa malawak na garden.

"Bakit ka ba nanghihila? My party is about to start!"

Tumaas ang isang kilay niya sabay kapa sa bulsa, after that, may bigla siyang
nilagay sa kamay ko, it was a key with a vintage ribbon.

Napanganga ako. "Is this a car key?"

 Tumango siya.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "For me?"

Tumango ulit siya, "p-pero... Travis, masyado nang marami ang naibigay mo sa
akin. Hindi ko kayang tanggapin ito. I don't even know how to pay you back."

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong hinila ni Travis para yakapin, "silly, I don't need
your payment, all I want is for you to let me make you my princess."

Tumingala ako to see Travis' face, his eyes were full of hope and light. I
couldn't help but stare at it as my heart begun to start racing.

"Hija! Andito ka lang pala!" Kumawala na ako sa pagkakayakap kay Travis nang
bigla kong narinig ang nakakarinding boses ni Sandy. "Pinag-alala mo pa kami ng dad
mo!"

Nag-alala? Why? Because they think I might ditch the party? Hah! I won't attend
this party if not for a reason I kept a secret.

Tumingin si Sandy kay Travis, naging malagkit ang kanyang tingin sa kanya. "Oh,
how are you related with Kaira?" Tanong niya, her voice was sweet. Makati ka talaga
at malandi.

"I'm his girlfriend." I said possessively, I don't know why I did that. I just
felt like it. Tumingin ako kay Travis who was grinning from ear to ear, siniko ko
siya at tinignan ng masama. He seems to be enjoying it.

Tumango si Sandy at saka ngumiti nang matamis kay Travis, "and your name is?"

"Travis Javierres." Sagot niya.

Her eyes widened, I smirked. Of course, being a gold digger, talagang dapat lang
na kilala niya ang isang bilyonaryong tulad ni Travis.

"Now Sandy, now's not the time to eye my boy Travis, keep your eyes closer to
daddy." Bulong ko sa kanya as Travis and I pass her. Ramdam ko pa ang paninigas
niya.

Sandy ruined my life. Someday, I will ruin her life too, but... not today. I
won't let her ruin my day.

~*~

"And now, presenting Kaira Chaves, let's sing her a happy birthday song!" Sigaw
ng emcee, lahat naman ng bisita ay kumanta ng happy birthday, they piled their
birthday gifts at the front of the stage, nang matapos na ay biglang nagsalita ang
emcee, "good evening, Miss Kaira! How are you feeling with your 20th birthday?"

Ngumiti ako nang matamis. "I've never been this happy before."

"So, I heard rumors that you're dating the billionaire you-know-who? Siya ba ang
rason kung bakit sobrang saya mo ngayon?" Tanong niya. I hear the flashes of camera
and newscasters not far from me, the perks of being a daughter of Karlos Chaves,
the second placer in the business world since Travis is number one. The news that
they've become business partners is also unexpected.

I embraced the spotlight, the flashes of the camera, everything.

 They are watching me, not Sandy.

"So?" Excited na tanong ng emcee sabay bigay ng mic sa akin. "Is Travis the
one?"

Tumingin ako sa mga bisita and saw him, he waved at me. Biglang nag-off lahat ng
ilaw kaya dumilim at biglang nagkaroon ng ilaw sa pwesto ko at kay Travis.

"Kaira! Lumalab layp!" Nagtawanan lahat dahil sa sinigaw ni JM.

"Well, I saw his weird tattoo. So maybe that's destiny? I mean we are destined
to meet? But really, Travis is annoying and possessive." Lahat ay tumawa, "but! I
like him the way he is." Lahat ay nag-ayiieh.

"Okay! So we have prepared a music video for you!" Sabi ng emcee, pinaupo nila
ako sa tabi ni Dad, then the big flat screen at the stage suddenly opened and a
music of May I echoed the whole place.

At the music video, it was a video of me when I was a baby, then pictures as I
grow up. It's so nostalgic. I was smiling from ear to ear. Then there was Mom.

Mommy...

I felt my tears streaming down on my face as I watch my picture with Dad and
Mom, we looked like a happy family. I was on top of Dad, and Dad was holding Mom's
hand. We were all smiling like the happiest family ever.

I can see Sandy twitched at the video na parang napahiya, but I didn't focus on
her. I was watching the music video.

May I hold you?

Then a video of me and my Mom appeared, it was Christmas eve, she gave me a
gift, it was a stuff toy Bunny.

"I love you, Mama!" My voice was cute, then I hugged Mom on the video.

The video suddenly shattered like my heart and then another appeared, it was my
sixth birthday, I guess. Dad, Mom, and I were hugging as I blow the candles on the
cake.

Then another video appeared when Dad was teaching me how to play basketball, and
Mom was cheering on the view like what she always do when I cry.

Habang tumatagal ay pinapakita ang paglaki ko.

And how my Mom disappeared.

And how Dad stopped being a father to me.

But no one saw that. It was only me. Ramdam kong mas lalong tumulo ang mga luha
ko.

That day I lost my mother, I did not only lose a mother, but a father too.

On my graduation day, it was only me on the stage, before my graduation, my Mom

died. And Dad... he forgot his daughter.

"Hi Daddy! I love you so much! I know that it's been hard on us since Mom is
already my angel, but please don't forget that I am still here!"

It was a video of me giving my personal speech after the valedictorian speech,

I was crying but smiling on the stage. I hoped he was watching my graduation but he
didn't attend. I remember that it was JM who handed me my medals and certificates.
Not Dad. He forgot one of the most important part of my life.

Ramdam ko ang panginig ni dad.

Then a new background appeared on the video, this time, it was me with my new
friends Trisha, Ethan, Vivien, and Blue... I didn't anticipated that we will become
bestfriends.

"Kami yan! Whooo!" Sigaw nila, tumawa silang lahat, pati ako nasama.

Then another appeared, this time... it was me and Marcus. I felt my heart break
again by the video and more tears came, the video was him hugging me during prom.
He was the reason why I was afraid to love again. I don't want to be left again.

Then the music video finally ended with Mom's voice in the speakers, "Don't let
someone steal the smile of your face, baby. Don't let your happiness disappear
because no matter what will happen, Mom is here, forever watching and loving you,
happy birthday, anak, mahal na mahal ka ni mama."

It was her last message to be on my birthday, it was my last birthday with her.

The music video finally ended.

Nagulat ako nang may pumunas sa mga luha ko, it was Travis. "Hush now, Kai." He
smiled, his eyes teary as well.

Kinagat ko ang labi ko and nodded. I managed a smile. "Akala ko ba baka aalis
ka na?"

"Not when princess is crying."

Mas lalo akong umiyak. "Hays, sabihin mo lang na ayaw mo akong umalis." He
joked.

Tumawa ako nang marahan.

I felt the pain in my heart disappear as I give a warm hug to Travis.

He returned the warm hug, I felt safe... and like I was home. Hindi ko na lang
pinansin ang mga camera na biglang tumutok sa amin.

I closed my eyes, "I don't want my love crying..." Travis said in a low voice,
"hush now..."

TBT - Kabanata 15

Chapter 15

I opened my eyes and yawned, tumingin ako sa study table ko at nakita ang susi
na binigay ni Travis.
 Wala sa sarili akong tumayo at kinuha ang susi, naisip ko na marami nang
naibigay sa akin si Travis at nagawa at wala man lang ako mabigay pabalik. He told
me that he don't want any payment for this, of course, he is a billionaire. He gets
everything he wants in just a snap. Except me.

Should I give myself to him? Should I marry him? Should I?!

Namula ako dahil sa aking naisip, I slapped my cheeks to wake me up from this
reality.

Lumabas na ako sa kwarto ko at dumiretso sa elevator, "might as well go and see

what the car looks like." Bulong ko sa sarili ko.

Nang nasa basement na ako, ang parking lot ng Sapphira Tenshou, pinindot ko ang
light button ng keychain ng susi at biglang may umilaw sa gilid, naglakad ako at
sinundan ang pinagmulan ng ilaw.

My jaw dropped upon seeing a dark blue Lamborghini Veneno Roadsters. One of my
dream cars na napag-alaman ko na limited copies lang ang nailabas at masyadong
mahal para ma-afford ko.

Dark blue. My favorite color. How the hell did Travis find out about my favorite
and dream?

He's a billionaire, he have a lot of connections, of course, he wasn't labeled

as billionaire for nothing.

This car right in front of me is one of the most expensive cars, might as well
look for my bucket list and put a check on my dream car.

Binuksan ko na ang sasakyan, amoy lemon ang loob dahil sa air freshener, pumasok
na ako, enjoying the feeling of being inside your dream car. Sa harap ng sasakyan
ay may greeting card na may nakasulat na happy birthday princess, ang ganda ng
penmanship ni Travis, Nagdalawang isip pa ako kung papaandarin ko ba ang sasakyan,
but this is now mine, right?

I put the keys in the ignition, umandar na ang sasakyan, the sound of it's
machine as it lit to life is music to my ears. Speaking of music, I opened the
stereo of the car and played a song that is from the flashdrive that is connected.

Nice choice of music, Travis.

Papatakbuhin ko na sana ang sasakyan nang may kumatok sa bintana, tumingin ako
at nakita ko si Travis, tulad ko, nakasuot lang rin siya ng pajama at halatang
hindi na rin nagpalit, he was smiling sexily with his messy hair.

Binaba ko ang bintana, he poked his head in, "like the car?"

I nodded. "Thanks, Travis."

"It's really nothing." Mayabang na sagot niya, pleased to see me happy.

Nothing? This car is not nothing! This is everything!

Naglakad siya papuntang kabila at binuksan ang pinto ng passenger's seat,

sumakay na siya at saka siya tumingin sa akin, "ok, let's go."

"Saan?"
 He grinned. "You lead the way, princess."

Tumango ako, so he is putting me in charge of our destination?

Nag-isip muna ako ng magandang lugar na maaaring puntahan, then I remembered a

good place, "I think I have something in my mind."

Pinaharurot ko na ang kotse, "whoa! Calm down, we're still inside the parking
lot." Sabi ni Travis na napakapit sa seatbelt.

I chuckled. "Let's go shopping for foods and clothes first."

~*~

"I think we're lost." Sabi ni Travis sa akin.

I shook my head. "No, trust me." Sagot ko sa kanya.

"Kanina pa tayong paliko-liko, and this place is unfamiliar, and there are no
houses nor a single sign of life I can see, we are in the middle of nowhere and
there's even no reception, we've been here for almost one hour." Sabi niya sabay
pakita ng phone signal.

"Calm down." Sabi ko sa kanya. "You will love what you'll see." Sagot ko sa
kanya. He sighed and nodded.

Matapos ang ilang sandali ay nakita ko na ang lugar, I stopped the car at
lumabas na, Travis followed from behind.

"Where are we?"

"My secret haven." Sagot ko sa kanya sabay pakita ng wooden resthouse. "Travis,
kunin mo naman ang mga pagkain at damit na binili natin sa likod ng sasakyan.
Thanks!" Sabi ko sabay takbo papuntang resthouse.

Tinaas ko ang floormat and saw the door key, binuksan ko ang pintuan at saka ko
binuksan ang mga bintana para hindi madilim.

"Where will I put these?" Tanong ni Travis na nakahawak ng maraming paperbags na

naglalaman ng pinamili namin kaninang mga pagkain at mga damit.

"Put them there." Turo ko sa shelf na nakadikit sa pader. "And put the clothes
there." Turo ko sa cabinet. He nodded and started to sort the foods out into the
shelf then the clothes.

"Is this place yours?"

Umiling ako, "this was my Mom's." Sagot ko habang nakangiti pa rin. "The two of
us used to come here when I was young and when Dad is busy."

"So he doesn't know of this place?" Tanong niya, tumango naman ako bilang sagot.

"Is this your Mom?" Tanong ni Travis sabay pakita ng picture frame, may
dalawang babae don, it was Mom and my younger version. Magkaitsura na kami ni Mama
ngayon except for our hair, because I have longer and she have shorter hair. She
told me it's too distracting and disturbing to have a long hair so she cut hers but
she told me she love my hair the way it is so I didn't cut it short.

Since then, I took very good care of my hair and I didn't let anyone touch it
unless it was Mom.

Hindi ko namalayan na nawala pala ako sa huwisyo kung hindi ako kiniliti ni
Travis, he laughed when he heard my loud laugh. "What the hell, Travis?!"

He laughed, nagulat ako nang bigla siyang may tinutok sa akin then I heard the
flashes of camera.

Bigla akong namula. Bakit ang hilig niya kumuha ng stolen shots?

"Your face is funny but still beautiful." Sabi niya sabay pakita ng picture kong
kakakuha lang niya.

"Bwisit ka!"

He smiled. "At ang bwisit na ito ay ang papakasalan mo."

I felt my heart skip beats. Umiling ako at nagbuntong-hininga, "we're camping

here until tonight."

"Sounds like a good idea." Nakangiting sagot niya.

~*~

Nagluto na ako, thankfully at may laman pa ang gas ng stove at may mga kitchen
utensils na nakatago sa resthouse, si Travis ay nasa porch ng resthouse, nakikinig
ata sa musika since walang signal. Liblib kasi ang lugar na ito.

Nagulat ako nang may biglang yumakap sa akin habang nagluluto ako, "Travis,
stop."

I felt his lip in my nape because he pouted. "Oops." Sabi niya. Biglang
nanlambot ang tuhod ko.

"What are you cooking?" He asked.

"Chicken casserole." Sagot ko.

His eyes twinkled.

"Hindi ka pa ba nakakatikim ng chicken casserole?"

Umiling siya, "I'm just amazed to finally have some homemade meal."

"Bakit?"

"Matagal na akong hindi nakakatikim ng homemade."

Tumango na lang ako at hindi na nagtanong pa dahil nakaramdam ako ng lungkot sa

boses niya.

"Ok, it's done. Tikman mo nga."

He nodded and took the soup spoon, I waited patiently as he taste the casserole.
"Hmm..." nag-isip siya, "so far, this is the best dish I ever had."

I felt my face flush.

"Makakain na nga tayo!" Sabi ko ng naluto na ang kanin.

 ~*~

It was already late, 6PM at nagiging dark red na ang kalawakan. Naligo kami
kanina ni Travis sa lagoon malapit lang sa resthouse.

Naglalakad kami ngayon ni Travis pataas, we are following a trail in the

mountain. Pareho kaming nakahawak ng flashlight.

"So, saan tayo pupunta?" Tanong ni Travis.

"You'll see." Sagot ko.

After how many minutes, we both stopped hiking, finally!

Tumakbo ako papuntang gilid, sumunod si Travis. Then I saw the spot.

Tinignan ni Travis ang paligid, "are we in a mountain cliff?"

Tumango ako, "have a seat with me." Sabi ko sabay bukas ng chichiria na nasa bag
ko.

Umupo na rin siya, "so... what are we doing in here?" Tanong niya.

I laughed. "Just wait until it gets completely dark."

He nodded. Habang dumidilim ay mas lalong lumalamig, I felt myself shiver,

nagulat ako nang bigla akong kinumutan ni Travis ng malaking jacket and the other
half was on his, "let's share." He offered. Tumango naman ako habang naaamoy ang
nakakakalmang pabango ni Travis.

Tumingin ako sa kalangitan, isa isang nagpapakita ang mga bitwin.

We both looked at the view of the cliff, ang buong city.

Namangha si Travis nang isa-isang umilaw ang mga gusali ng syudad, iba't-iba ang
mga kulay ng ilaw. "Wow..." he said in amazement. "I've never seen such a thing."
Sabi niya.

"There's more." Sabi ko kay Travis sabay kuha ng flashlight na nakailaw, I

turned it off, suddenly, the whole place became dark and then dots of flying lights
appeared, surrouding me and Travis.

"Fireflies..." sabay na sabi namin ni Travis.

I felt him hug me, "you made my day... and my night."

Ngumiti ako. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. All I know is that I am happy to see
Travis smiling, yes, he smiles a lot, but this smile of him is priceless. His eyes
had the glint of light and happiness, sparkling with delight. And his lips, curved
into a genuine smile I've never seen before.

Pinatong ko ang ulo ko kay Travis habang pinapanood ang paligid at ang mga ilaw
ng syudad. I felt his warm fingers intertwine with mine.

I wish... I wish this moment lasts, but... time won't let us.
TBT - Kabanata 16

Chapter 16

Pabalik na kami sa resthouse nang biglang kumulog at kumidlat, tumingin ako sa

itaas at nakita ang mabilis na paggalaw ng mga ulap, "I think it will rain. Bilisan
natin." Sabi ko kay Travis, he held my hand and nodded. "Baka mabasa pa tayo."

Binilisan namin ang maglakad, biglang umambon, "are we there yet?"

"Malayo pa ang lalakarin natin." I sighed. Bakit ngayon pa kasi uulan? Ang lamig
na nga eh!

Nagulat ako nang biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan, I felt my body shiver as
it receive the cold drops of rain, tila yelo ang bawat patak ng ulan na dumadapo sa
aking kutis.

Nagulat ako nang biglang hinubad ni Travis ang kanyang jacket at saka niya ito
pinatong sa likod ko, hinubad din niya ang kanyang shirt at saka ito pinatong sa
ulo ko, I suddenly felt warm.

"Travis... baka magkasakit ka!" I protested. Akmang tatanggalin ko sana ang

jacket at ibabalik sa kanya pero pinigilan niya ako.

Umiling siya. "I can handle this..." His voice was almost shaking. "I can't let
you get sick."

"I also can't let you get cold or... worst!"

He smiled. "I won't."

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, arguing with him will not do any good, mas lalo lang
kaming mabababad sa lamig ng ulan, "bilisan na lang natin ang maglakad! Bakit
ngayon pa kasi umulan?" Hindi naman cloudy kanina eh!

"Huwag kang tatakbo, baka madulas ka." Sabi ni Travis sa akin. "Ayos lang na
magmadali, huwag lang tatakbo, especially now that the land is slippery because of
the rain. Let's just walk." Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at naglakad nang mabagal, I
tried to walk fast but he refrained me from my attempts.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, saktong iyon ay tumigil ang ulan at ang liwanag ng

buwan ay tumama sa pwesto namin ni Travis, biglang kuminang ang tattoo sa likod ni
Travis. It was glowing, it was the best thing I've ever seen.

Pangalawang beses ko nang nakita ang tattoo niya ngunit hindi pa rin ako
nasasanay. Sadyang nakakamangha lang talaga at kakaiba.

My eyes stared at his marking in amazement, his wet back's tattoo was glowing
because of the presence of the moon.

Nagulat ako nang biglang napaluhod si Travis, "T-Tray???"

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga, his body was shaking so bad.

Nanlaki ang mata ko, tinanggal ko ang jacket na sinuot niya sa akin at tinakip
ito sa kanyang basa at nanginginig na katawan.

"Ka-Kai..." He was shaking heavily. Basang-basa kami sa ulan at malamig pa ang

hangin! Pero mas malala kay Travis because he undressed himself for me. To keep me
warm while letting himself shiver in the coldness.

Namumula na ang pisngi ni Travis, his eyes teary and tired. Malalim din ang
kanyang paghinga. I can't help but panic... I don't know what to do...

"Calm down... okay lang a-ako..." Travis managed to fake a smile.

"Gago ka ba? Okay? Sa lagay mong iyan?! Bakit ka pa kasi naghubad! Sabi ko sa iyo
magkakasakit ka eh!"

He coughed. "J-Just... help me walk. We need to reach the resthouse before it...
r-rains again."

Tumango ako at sinunod siya. Nilagay ko ang kamay niya sa balikat ko at pinaikot
ito sa kabila bilang supurta, I can feel his warm bare arm's flexing muscles
pressing on my nape, I shook the thought away and focused. Tumayo na kaming dalawa
at nagsimulang maglakad habang inaalalayan at ginigiya ko siya.

I can't think of anything right now but reaching the resthouse before it rains
again.

Sobrang init ni Travis. Damn it. Why am I so careless? This billionaire may look
intimidating and strong but he is not immune to sickness! He is also human!

"I-I'm sorry..." Bulong ko habang nakatingin kay Travis.

He was still shaking as we walk. Tumingin siya sa akin, "sssh... don't say
sorry, it's not your fault."

Suminghot ako, "I'm still sorry for putting you in that position."

Nagulat ako nang tumigil siya sa paglalakad, napatigil din tuloy ako dahil
sinusupurtahan ko siya. "Is there something wrong?"

Umiling siya. "I... I... my head... it hurts..."

Kinagat ko ang babang labi ko, "kailangan na nating bilisan ang paglakad so that
I can treat you as soon as I can." Kinakabahan na sagot ko. There are so many what
ifs playing in my head.

What if we won't make it?

What if Travis's fever goes higher?

What if... what if... what if... Travis dies?

Umiling ako. No. No. No!

"Ang pagkakaalam ko may tinago akong medicine at first aid kit sa resthouse
since once a month bumibisita ako at minsan sa pagha'hiking ay nasusugatan ako o
nagkakasakit."

He closed his eyes. He must be so tired.

Bigla kong nakita ang ilaw ng resthouse. "Malapit na tayo, hang in there...
Travis..."

He coughed.
~*~

Pinahiga ko sa maliit na kama si Travis, I removed his wet pants and the jacket,
nilagay ko ito sa hamper sa may gilid. Mabuti na lang at hindi nabasa ang kanyang
underwear.

Namula ako at the thought of removing it if it was wet.

Kumuha ako ng towel at pinunas ito sa kanyang basang katawan, I fighted the urge
to stare at his well carved body and fought the raging hormones away, pakiramdam ko
ay pinagpiyestahan ng mga anghel ang kanyang katawan, he was close to perfection!

I dried his hair before walking to the cabinet, mabuti na lang at bumili kami ng
extra na damit kanina.

Sinuot ko ang pajama niya at shirt. Medyo nahirapan ako dahil mabigat siya.

Nagpainit ako ng tubig sa stove at kumuha ng instant noodles sa may shelf,

habang nagluluto ay nilabas ko ang first aid kit at medicine kit, nilapag ko ito sa
maliit na mesang yari sa kahoy.

I went back to check Travis, halatang masarap ang tulog niya dahil sa hilik,
maybe because he was so tired and sick.

I guess magpapalipas kami ng gabi dito sa resthouse.

Pinatong ko ang palad ko sa kanyang noo, it was so hot. I placed a thermometer

on his armpit and waited for the results, biglang tumunog ang thermometer.

38.5°

He have a high fever, I need to cool him down.

Kumuha ako ng face towel at binasa ito gamit ang maaligamgam na tubig, pinisil
ko at pinaikot ang face towel sabay punas ng kanyang mga kamay, tinaas ko ang shirt
niya at pinunasan din ang kanyang katawan. Matapos ang ilang sandali ay pinatong ko
ang twalya sa kanyang noo.

Bumalik ako sa kusina para tapusin na ang instant noodles, nilagay ko ito sa
bowl.

Hinanda ko ang medicine para sa lagnat at ubo at kumuha ng basong may lamang
tubig.

Nilagay ko ang mga ito sa tray at naglakad papuntang kinaroroonan ni Travis.

Tinanggal ko ang twalya sa noo ni Travis at tinignan muli kung mainit pa siya gamit
ang aking kamay na nilagay ko sa kanyang leeg.

Medyo bumaba na ata ang kanyang lagnat. Nagbuntong-hininga naman ako. "Travis...
gising na, kailangan mong kumain at uminom ng gamot."

He opened his eyes, it was so red, he seems to be in so much pain.

"I-I... can't move my... body..." Sabi niya. Doon ko napansin na chinito pala
ito. O siguro dahil ito sa kanyang sakit at lumiit ang kanyang mata?

"Gusto mo bang masubuhan?"

 He managed to nod. "Yes, please..."

I sighed. "Okay." Kinuha ko ang kutsara at kumuha ng sabaw, I blew it to cool it

down a little, "say ahh..."

He opened his mouth. Sinubo ko naman ang soup sa kanya.

"Isa pa..." I smiled.

He shook his head. "Ayaw ko... na."

"No. You need strength. Hindi ka gagaling nyan kung may sakit ka."

"I don't care if I get sick as long as you will take good care of me." Pabulong
na sagot niya.

Umiling na lang ako. "Isang subo na lang?" I asked.

He sighed before nodding in defeat. I smiled, sinubuhan ko ulit siya, "okay,

this is your medicine, pwede ka nang matulog after taking it in."

Hindi siya kumibo, but horror was visible in his eyes.

"N-No... ayoko..."

"Don't be stubborn, Travis." Kinuha ko na ang medicine at baso, "say ahh..."

He hid his lips into a thin line and shook his head, "ayaw." Sabi niya like a
kid.

"Bakit?"

"I hate medicines."

I fought the urge to laugh. He was so adorable saying that.

I faked a cough. "Isang gamot lang naman eh."

"No..."

Binaba ko ang baso at gamot. "Tsk."

Nagulat ako nang hinila niya ako, napahiga tuloy ako sa kanyang tabi. Tatayo na
sana ako pero pinulupot niya ang kanyang dalawang kamay sa bewang ko, locking me
right beside him.

"You can be my medicine..." His voice was husky and deep.

Bumilis ang pintig ng puso ko.

"T-Travis... stop..."

"Please, Kai... d-don't leave me..." He whispered, his warm breath hushing my
heart to calm down.

Tinignan ko si Travis, our bodies were so close to each other that I felt him
warm, his face have no sign of blemish or marks. He only have a small eyebags
shadowed in his eyes maybe because of over work, but... he still is handsome. And
perfect to my eyes.
 Nagulat ako nang minulat niya ang kanyang mga mata, he caught me staring!

Namula ako. I thought he was about to tease me but... he closed the distance
between our heads and kissed me on my forehead. "Good night."

His hands loosened their grip on me but he was still hugging me, as if making
sure I won't escape him in his sleep. As if he was afraid that I will leave him and
that he will lose me.

Biglang bumigat ang aking mga mata, hindi ko namalayan na nakatulog pala ako...
I fell asleep in the billionaire's arm and it was the best sleep I had for years.

TBT - Kabanata 17

Chapter 17

"Where are you going?"

I sighed upon seeing Travis right in front of my door, his hands on his pocket,
magulo ang basang buhok niya which tells me kakatapos lang niya mag-night shower.

"I'm going out, obvious ba?" Pagtataray ko.

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Don't tell me you're going to the bar?"

"Hays. Bakit ba kasi ang bilis mong gumaling? C'mon, maligo ka nga ulit sa
ulan... please?" I said, joking it.

He glared. "You are not going out, it's too late." Pagbabawal niya. "At
delikado, kung ano na naman ang mangyari sa iyo."

Nagpumilit akong lumabas sa pinto pero hinaharangan niya ako, tinulak ko siya
nang malakas at napaurong siya, kinuha ko ang tsansa na ito na makatakas sa kanya
bago pa man siya makabalik sa huwisyo, dali akong tumakbo papuntang elevator, but
it was closed and is going down.

I sighed, I have no choice but to take the stairs.

Akmang tatakbo na sana ako nang may humablot sa kamay ko, "you're a bad
princess." Bulong ni Travis sa tenga ko, "and bad princess deserves this." Nanlaki
ang mga mata ko nang nakarinig ako ng click at nakaramdam ng malamig na bagay sa
aking kamay.

It was a handcuff.

"What the hell, Travis?"

Parehas kaming nakaposas ngayon, "oh, I think I lost my keys." Sabi niya sabay
kapa ng bulsa, I think he was pertaining to the key of the handcuff.

I glared at him. "Ugh! Way to ruin my night! Hindi naman ako sa bar pupunta eh!"
He eyed me with no interest in what I was saying, "pupunta ako sa bahay ni Vivien!
Magmo-movie marathon kami!" Well, what I said was true.

Biglang humikab si Travis na parang walang narinig, "movie marathon? Oh I have

a lot of CDs, let's watch a movie in my place." Naglakad na siya, hindi ako
naglakad kaya nahila ang kamay kong naposasan at nasama ako.

"Travis, ano ba! Stop!"

He didn't budge. I screamed and yelled at him, bumukas ang pinto ng elevator,
and so he entered at nakaladkad ako papasok. He pressed the number just below my
floor.

"Tsk." Inis na sabi ko.

Nakangiti si Travis na parang bata. "So what genres do you want?"

"I want nothing but I want you to remove the handcuff on my hand." Sagot ko sa
kanya.

He smiled devilishly, "but the key is missing."

Pumikit ako nang mariin, saktong iyon ay bumukas ang elevator, naglakad kaming
pareho sa floor niya, pumasok kami sa isang room na may malaking flatscreen TV, sa
gilid ay collection ng mga CDs na-sort into different genres.

What caught my attention was a horror movie.

"I want this one."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Travis, "no."

Tumingin ako sa CD na hawak ko sabay kay Travis, I smell something fishy. "Takot
ka ba sa horror movies?"

"H-Hah? Hindi ah!" Namula ang tenga niya.

I grinned. "Good. We are about to watch one."

Lumunok siya at tumango. Nilagay ko na ang CD sa DVD player na nakakonek sa TV,

mabuti na lang at may folded bed sa harap ng TV, "want some popcorns?" Travis
asked, ignoring the screen of the TV.

"Sure." Sagot ko, biglang nagkaroon ng malakas na sigaw na nakakarindi sa TV at

nagulat si Travis, ngumiwi lamang siya, tumawa ako. "Hahahaha! Takot ka pala sa
horror movies eh!" Halos paiyak na dahil sa sobrang katatawang saad ko.

"Tss." Namula ang pisngi niya at umiwas siya ng tingin.

"It's okay to be afraid, Travis." Sabi ko, "waaah may mumu sa likod mo!"

He look startled, he run to my other side at nahulog, no thanks to the

handcuff, nasama ako sa pagkahulog niya.

I laughed, "what the hell?" Inis na saad ni Travis. Namula ako at napatigil
nang napagtantong nakapatong ako sa katawan niya, oh, my god, I can feel his hard
body!

He groaned and glared at me. "Very funny. Now, would you mind to get off me? Or
we can stay like this forever if you want." He smirked playfully as his hand which
wasn't handcuffed trailed my back.

Biglang nagsitaasan ang mga balahibo ko. "Tse!"

 He laughed.

Ugh! Bakit nasa kanya lagi ang huling halakhak?

~*~

Nagising ako dahil may naramdaman akong mabigat na bagay na nakapatong sa tyan
ko, nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makita ang rason. "T-T-Travis?"

Tulog siya ngayon, he looked like an angel in his sleep which was ironic,
demonyo siya kapag gising, sana tulog na lang pala siya lagi. Para magmukhang
anghel. Napatingin ako sa kanyang kamay na nakapatong sa aking tyan. So that is the
reason why, kung bakit may mabigat.

I looked at the wall clock, it was 7AM.

Doon ko napansin ang malamig na bagay na nasa kamay ko, ang posas.

I sighed. Tinaas ko ang kamay ni Travis na nakapatong sa akin at ginalaw ito

papunta sa kanya, I scanned the entire room with my eyes and saw something shining
because of the sunlight.

It was a key! I think it's the handcuff's key!

Hindi ito kalayuan sa aking kinakahigaan, I slowly moved my body as I reach for
it.

Biglang gumalaw si Travis so I stopped on my attempt, tinignan ko siya to make

sure he was asleep bago gumalaw muli. Nasa likod ko ang kamay kong may posas habang
ang isa naman ay inaabot ang susi.

Nang maabot ko ang susi ay dali ko itong pinasok sa keyhole ng posas para ma-
unlock, narinig ko ang pag-click at naramdaman ko ang pagbukas ng handcuff. Ngumisi
ako matapos iyon dahil na-relax na rin sa wakas ang kamay kong namumula na.

As a revenge, pinosas ko ang dating nakaposas sa akin sa metal at pabilog na

bagay na nakakabit sa gilid ng couch-bed, hindi ko alam kung ano ang silbi nito
basta masaya ako dahil meron iyon doon.

"Travis Javierres, gumising ka!" Sigaw ko. Minulat ni Travis ang kanyang mukha
at halatang nataranta. "May sunog! Sunog! Sunog!"

"W-Where???" Sigaw niya, tumayo siya at akmang tatakbo nang maisama ang couch-
bed kaya napahiga siya. I laughed as I look at his priceless expression as he eye
my hand and his hand na naka-handcuff sa couch-bed.

"What the?!"

"Good morning to you too." Nakangising sagot ko sabay pakita sa kanya ng susi at
bulsa nito.

"Hey! Remove my handcuff!"

"Hala? Nawawala ko!" I faked a panic.

"I saw you put it in your pocket!" He hissed. "Now, remove my handcuff or else."

"Or else what?"

 He grinned devilishly. "Or else I will take back your Lambhorgini ー"

Agad kong nilabas ang susi bago pa man nya matapos ang kanyang sinasabi na
kinakatakutan ko sa lahat, "oo na nga heto na po!"

He smiled. Pleased to himself.

May araw ka rin sa akin, pisti!

TBT - Kabanata 18

Chapter 18

I was roaming in my walk-in closet when I saw a shirt that was hanging.

Bigla kong naalala ang gabi kung saan una kaming nagkita ni Travis, and this
was the shirt he gave me.

Wala sa sarili ko itong kinuha at sinuot. Bakit ang komportable ko sa damit

niyang malaki?

Hindi ko pa pinapalabhan ang shirt niya, mabango pa rin ito. Ano kaya ang
pabango ng lalakeng iyon?

"So when will you plan to give my shirt back?" Lumingon ako para makita si
Travis na nasa may pintuan, nakangisi siya na parang nagagalak dahil nakasuot sa
akin ang shirt niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad ko itong hinubad. "You can h-have it back."
Sagot ko naman sa kanya sabay bato ng shirt, natamaan ang noo niya dahil hindi niya
nasalo ang shirt.

I can't help but laugh. One point for Kaira!

He glared. "Ah ganun ha!"

Pinulot niya ang shirt at binato rin ito sa akin, agad naman akong nakaigtad
kaya hindi ako natamaan. Tinawanan ko siya at binelatan. Pero nagulat ako nang
pumasok na siya ng tuluyan sa walk-in closet ko at kumuha siya ng mga damit ko,
isa-isa niya itong binato sa akin.

"Waaah!" Nagtago ako sa may rack at kumuha rin ng mga damit na nakasampay,
"revenge is for real!" Sigaw ko sabay bato ng damit kay Travis, tawa ako nang tawa
habang nagbabatuhan kami ng mga damit ko.

My eyes widened upon realizing what happened. Kakatapos ko lang ayusin ang walk-
in closet ko!!!

Dahil napatigil ako ay natamaan ang mukha ko ng dress, Travis laughed. Nagulat
ako dahil bigla ulit akong nakarinig ng snapshot at flash, tama nga ang hinala ko,
kinuhanan na naman niya ako ng stolen shot!

Kumulo ang dugo ko. Hinablot ko ang pinakamalapit na bagay sa akin at binato ito
kay Travis na tumatawa pa rin, tumama ang binato ko sa taas ng ulo niya at... hindi
ito nahulog.
 Kinuha ni Travis ang binato ko sa kanyang ulo at tumaas ang isang kilay niya,
"of all things you can throw, why bra?" He stretched my bra.

Namula ang pisngi ko dahil sa kanyang sinabi. Hindi ko na-realize na bra na pala
ang nabato ko! Oh gosh! Shame on you, Kaira. Shame!

"U-Uhm... can you please put my bra down?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

He smirked. "Can't I have this as a souvenir?"

My nose wrinkled in terror. "Souvenir ka dyan! No!" Tutol ko.

Nagulat ako nang tumakbo siya para takasan ako. Hawak-hawak niya ang bra ko!

Dala ng adrenaline rush ay hinabol ko siya, I can't let him escape. No. Hindi
pwede, hindi maaari!

"Traaaavis Jaaavierres!" I yelled on top of my lungs, I feel sorry for my throat

because it will become soar for sure.

"Hahahaha!" He was laughing as he run. "Catch me if you can, princess!" He

yelled, still not letting go of the bra.

Habang tumatakbo ako ay biglang na-twist ang ankle ko, napasigaw ako sa sakit at
napahiga ako sa malamig na sahig, lumingon si Travis at nakita ang nangyari sa
akin.

His eyes widened in horror and the bra he was holding fell.

"Kai!" Tumakbo siya palapit sa akin, umayos ako ng upo at sinuri ang paanan ko,
it was red. I made a hurt face as I touch it.

"Ang shakeeet!"

Travis looked so concerned that I wanted to pretend it's not really painful.

"Do you have a compress bag and ice cubes?" He asked.

Tumango ako, "nasa shelf ang compress bag, nasa freezer ang ice cubes."

Tumango naman siya at tumayo, "don't move, stay right there, babalik ako."
Mabilis siyang naglakad habang may sinasabi sa sarili na hindi ko maintindihan at
wala akong balak intindihin.

Pagbalik ni Travis ay hawak-hawak na niya ang cold compress, he pressed it in my

ankle gently, I felt it relaxed as the coldness attacked, binaba ni Travis ang
compress at hinawakan ang paanan ko, he slowly twisted it and massaged it.

Nagulat ako nang tinaas ni Travis ang paa ko, then kissed my twisted ankle.
"Bye, baby booboo."

I suddenly felt something in my tummy, it wasn't butterflies, it was fireflies.

Because Travis glowed in my eyes.

"Why did you do that?" Tanong ko sa kanya, fighting the urge to blush.

"That's what mom would always do to me and Breiz when we get sick or when we get
wounded." He smiled, like he was in the middle of reminiscing his happy memories
with his Mom and Breiz, all locked in his past.

Nagulat ako nang bigla akong buhatin ni Travis in a bridal way, "T-Travis!"

He grinned. "You need to rest."

"But my bra!" Tinuro ko ang bra kong nakakalat sa sahig.

He laughed. "It's my souvenir."

Namula ako. "Travis Javierres!"

"Alam kong masarap sabihin ang pangalan ko Kai, pero huwag mo namang sulitin."
He joked.

"Peste!"

"Huwag magalaw, mahulog ka pa." Sabi niya as he firmed the hold on me making
sure I won't fall, I suddenly remembered the scene at the bar when Travis came to
me and I was drunk. Yes, I was drunk but I can remember anything that might happen.

I closed my eyes, my mind drifting away, I fell in slumber on his hands, body
pressed on me.

~*~

I opened my eyes to see it was already dark, don't tell me natulog ako
maghapon?

I looked on my side and saw Travis sleeping in a small chair and his head
pressed on his strong arms that were linked together and he was bent down to my
bed. He wasn't wearing any shirt, mukhang naghubad siya kanina dahil mainit. I
fought the urge to stare at his manly figure. Umiling ako saka ko sinampal ang
magkabilang pisngi ko.

He looked exhausted. I checked on my ankle at nalamang wala nang sakit.

Travis must have been massaging it while I was asleep.

"T-Thanks..." bulong ko kay Travis, tumayo na ako mula sa pagkakahiga sa kama

and I silently bent down to face him, "thanks..." Ulit ko sa tenga niya, I kissed
his cheeks for hell I know why, saktong iyon ay minulat niya ang kanyang mata.

Nataranta naman ako. "Nanantsing ka pala ng tulog." He grinned, "that's not

good."

Lumunok ako, "h-hindi ah!"

He laughed. Biglang tumama ang ilaw ng buwan mula sa bintana sa likod ni Travis
dahil gabi na, his tattoo suddenly glowed since he wasn't wearing any shirt and his
back was bare.

It was my third time seeing it.

"Travis, pwede magtanong?"

"You're already asking." He sounded sarcastic, he laughed when I did not respond
anymore. "Okay, you can ask." He sighed in defeat upon seeing my death glare.
 "Why do you have a weird tattoo on your back?"

He paused.

"Why did you make a pledge that you will only show your tattoo to the lucky girl
that you will marry?"

Nagtagis ang bagang niya.

I waited for his answer, nagulat ako nang hinila niya ako para akbayan, "let's
just say that when I was young, I had a crush on a cute girl, she was my childhood
playmate and bestfriend and she told me she wanted to see a glowing tattoo, that's
where I got the idea. But... I left her since my family had to move for business, I
came back to find her and show the tattoo to her because I made up my mind that I
will marry her, that's the pledge, to marry the girl who will see my tattoo."

I stared at him, "and I saw it accidentally?" I sighed. "I'm sorry for ruining
everything, Tray..." Bulong ko sa kanya, I felt my eyes teary and my heart pound,
bakit ako nagseselos sa childhood friend niya? No. It can't happen.

I stared at his glowing tattoo, that's when I realized the tattoo was two
letters with a weird design.

KT

"You didn't ruin anything, Kai..." Bulong niya sa akin. "In fact, you saved me
from the trouble."

I don't understand what he was saying but I felt relief.

TBT - Kabanata 19

Chapter 19

"I have something to tell you." Travis said, his eyes trailing the balcony. He
was holding something in his pocket, debating whether to reveal it or keep it
there.

"Ano iyon?" Tanong ko sa kanya habang naglalagay ng fresh milk sa cereals sa

bowl. 3PM na at tama, kumakain ako ng cereal na dapat pang-umaga. Eh sa gutom ako!

"I'll be gone tomorrow for three days..." Hindi makatingin sa matang sabi niya
at parang nagdadalawang isip pa na ituloy ang sasabihin.

Biglang lumiwanag ang paningin ko, "talaga? Edi maganda!"

He glared. "Since I'll be gone, you'll be spending the day today with me."

"Ayoko nga. Humanap ka na lang ng ibang makakasama mo." Sagot ko sa kanya sabay
kain. "Saka nakakasawa rin ang pagmumukha mo. Lagi naman tayong magkasama e, para
kang linta. Pramis."

Nagbuntong-hininga siya sabay pakita sa akin ng dalawang tickets ng isang

amusement park, ito ay isang ticket na may ride-all-you-can, hindi mo na kailangan
magbayad ng kahit anong ride, ipakita mo lang ang ticket ayos na. My eyes twinkled
upon seeing it.
 Hinablot ko ang ticket at niyakap ito.

"So?"

"Sa amusement park ba punta natin?" Excited na tanong ko.

He nodded. "5PM." Doon ko napansin na may hawak pala siyang paperbag, "wear this
shirt." Sabi niya, may nilabas siyang shirt na may tatak.

❣ He's Mine ↳

Dark pink ang imprint ng tatak. Sa likod ng shirt ay may letter K na tatak.

"Okay." Kinuha ko ang shirt at nilagay ito sa aking kama, hindi na pinansin pa
ang tatak ng puting shirt.

Binilisan ko ang pag-ubos ng pagkain at pasayaw na tumakbo papuntang banyo, not

minding if Travis was still in my place or not.

~*~

"Hi Grey!" Nasa loob na kami ng sasakyan, si Grey ang nagmamaneho ng sasakyan
papuntang amusement park, kaming dalawa ni Travis ay nasa backseat.

"Wow, naka-couple shirts." Puna niya. Kumunot ang noo ko sabay tingin sa damit
ko at kay Travis.

My eyes widened nang makita ko ang nakatatak sa shirt ni Travis...

↲ She's Mine ❣

Dark blue ang kulay ng tatak, I pushed him para tignan ang likod niya at may
nakitang letter T.

Bigla kong naalala ang tattoo ni Travis...

"Like it?" Travis smirked, putting me back to reality.

Namula ako. "No w-way!"

"Ayiie!" Grey sneared sabay hampas ng manibela na parang kinikilig.

Sabay kaming tumingin ng masama ni Travis kay Grey, "just drive." Sabi ni
Travis.

"Okay boss." Pabirong sagot niya.

Kalahating oras na ata nang tumigil kami sa harap ng amusement park, the time
was 5:30PM.

Bumaba na kami Travis sa sasakyan, bago kami naglakad ay nagbigay pa ata siya ng
instructions kay Grey. My eyes twinkled upon seeing the colorful lights in the
amusement park, the sky was getting darker and darker as the amusement park begun
to shine bright.

Pumasok na kami sa amusement park, maraming mga booths at rides agad ang
bumungad sa akin. But what caught my attention was the white human-sized bear with
a blue ribbon.
 Tumigil ako sa paglalakad, since nakahawak ang kamay namin ni Travis sa isa't-
isa ay nasama siya. "Kuya! Magkano iyan?" Tanong ko sa lalake sabay turo sa bear.

Tumawa ang lalake, "hija hindi ito binebenta eh, premyo iyan."

"Paano?" Tanong ko.

"Shoot the target." Sabi niya sabay turo sa likod niya, may mga moving targets.
"Dapat straight ten shots sa moving target para makuha ang malaking bear, 5 shots
for medium bear, 3 shots for small bear. Sa bawat pagbaril sa moving targets ay
bumibilis ang paggalaw." Nakangiting sagot niya.

"Sounds easy." Sabi ni Travis sabay pakita ng unli-ticket sa lalake, na-gets

naman agad ng lalake iyon kaya naghanda siya ng isang bow at labin-limang mga
arrows.

Ngumiti ang lalake at pumunta sa gilid.

"Go Travis!" I cheered. He aimed at the targets with the bow, when he released
the arrow, napana ang isang lata at nahulog.

He released another shot at tumama ulit ito sa isang lata, dalawang lata na!

"Go! Go! Go!"

"Kai, what will I get in return if I win that huge bear?" Travis asked habang
nakatungo ang armas niya sa moving targets.

"Kiss sa cheeks!" Wala sa sariling sagot ko. He grinned. I almost wanted to take
back what I said but I was already too late.

He released another shot at tumama na naman iyon sa isang lata, bumilis na ang
paggalaw nila.

Finally, it was already 9 straight shots, isa na lang! "Kai..." Nagulat ako nang
hinila ako ni Travis then he held my hand to hold the bow with him and the other
one to the arrow. He was almost hugging me, I startled but calmed myself.

"This is the last shot. I want to win this with you." Bulong niya sa akin,
lumunok ako at tumango. Concentrate, Kai!

"Ready?" Tanong niya.

"Yea..."

"Okay... release the arrow in 3... 2.. 1."

Gaya ng sinabi niya ay binitawan ko ang paghawak ko sa arrow, it flew towards

the remaining moving target. Suminghap ako.

Waaaaah panalo!

Pumalakpak ang lalake sabay kuha ng malaking bear, binigay niya ito sa akin,
"congrats!"

I nodded and hugged the bear.

"So where's the kiss on my cheeks?" Travis said.

 Namula ako. Tumingin ako sa kanya, he was grinning. "A-Ahm..." Naglakad ako
palapit sa kanya then gave him a quick kiss on the cheeks.

"That huge bear will just get in the way so I called for Grey who is waiting in
a maid café, he will come and get it, let's leave that here, I already told Grey."

Tumango ako.

Nagsimula ulit kaming maglakad, marami nang tao. "I want to ride that!" Turo ko
sa rollercoaster.

He smiled. "Let's ride it then!"

Nakipila na kami, using the ticket, hindi na kailangan pang magbayad. Diretso
kaming umupo ni Travis sa may gitna. The rollercoaster ride was fun, I don't know
why, I was supposed to be afraid of heights but with Travis holding my hand as we
ride, I don't feel afraid.

We enjoyed the moment with the rides of the amusement park and ate a lot of
foods, ang pinakagusto ko ay ang cotton candy.

Sumunod kaming nag-zipline, bago lang ito, kitang kita ko ang malawak at makulay
na amusement park, but something was strange... isa-isang namatay ang ilaw ng
amusement park and so it became dark, I panicked.

"T-Travis!" Tawag ko sa kanya, he was beside me on the other zipline. Tumingin

siya sa akin at ngumiti kaya bigla akong hindi kinabahan, bigla niyang tinuro ang
baba kaya tumingin ako sa ibaba.

Isa-isang nagkaroon ng ilaw sa amusement park, and the colorful lights formed
my name Kai in my view, it was so beautiful, the shining lights turned off then a
new one appeared, Will You, then it disappeared again, and a new one appeared
again, Be My, mabilis ang paggalaw ng zipline, I silently waited for the last word
to appear when the lights turned off again.

Wife?

Saktong iyon ay nasa endpoint na pala kami ni Travis ng zipline, hindi ko

namalayan dahil tulala ako.

Kai, will you be my wife?

Tumingin ako kay Travis, he smiled. "T-Tray... I can't..."

He put his thumb on my lip, making me shut and stop. "I don't need you to give
your answer right now, Kai." His voice was sad. I felt my heart break. "I'm willing
to wait for your answer..."

Travis was always giving me everything, he was always there when I needed him
the most. Why can't I pay him back? Why am I so afraid to open myself to him? He
did nothing but make me happy, why can't I do that to him? I'm so horrible.

I like Travis, but... I don't want to hurt again. I don't want to hurt him.

Mula sa pwesto namin ay biglang nagkaroon ng fireworks display.

I don't know if my eyes were playing tricks on me but... I think I saw a tear
falling in Travis' eyes as he gaze the fireworks.
 Wala sa sarili kong hinawakan ang kamay niya. Hindi siya kumibo at tumingin sa
akin. His hand was warm.

I closed my eyes. "I'm sorry..." Bulong ko. Alam kong hindi niya iyon narinig
dahil sa ingay ng pagsabog ng mga fireworks.

"Let's go home." Sabi ni Travis matapos ang firework display.

Hindi ko maiwasang maramdaman na tila pinili ko ang maling desisyon.

TBT - Kabanata 20

Chapter 20

"Kai!" Bumalik ako sa huwisyo nang sumigaw si JM.

Umiling sina Trisha at Vivien.

"B-Bakit?"

"Kanina ka pa naming kinakausap, hindi ka sumasagot." Sabi ni Blue.

"Hindi mo pa nga namalayan na pumasok kami sa room mo!" Ethan laughed.

Bigla akong namula, malalim kasi ang iniisip ko at tulala ako. Inaalala ko ang
mga nangyari kagabi, bakit naman ako apektado doon? Wake up, Kai!

"Bakit pala kayo andito?" I composed myself, I hope hindi nila maamoy na may
mali at bumabagabag sa aking isipan.

"May nangyari ba, Kai?" Sabay na tanong nina Vivien at Blue. Iyan na ang
kinakatakutan ko sa lahat. It's not like I don't want to tell them what happened, I
just don't want them to worry more.

Umiling ako at ngumiti. "So?" I changed the topic.

"We came here to get you, hindi mo ba na-receive ang message ni JM kahapon?
We're going to Chaves & Javierres Resort Park, your Dad's new resort!" Ethan
explained. Agad kong binuksan ang phone at may text nga from JM.

I nodded. "Ah okay."

"Don't 'ah okay' us!" Ginaya ni Trisha ang tono ng boses ko, "we are going now
and you are still not dressed up for beach!"

Tinignan ko sila at napansing lahat sila ay naka-beach clothes at summer dress.

"Just go without me. I'm sleepy." Humikab ako.

"Plan B, guys!" Blue yelled.

Nagulat ako nang biglang hinila nina Vivien at Trisha ang comforter ko at parang
mga palakang tumalon talon sa kama ko, sina Ethan at JM naman ay sumigaw ng sumigaw
ng napakalakas, si Blue ay yinuyugyog ako.
 I groaned. "Oo na! Andyan na! Magbibihis na!"

They all stopped, satisfied. Way to go, I'm so thankful to have annoying
bestfriends. Insert sarcasm.

"Bilisan mo ang pagbibihis." Pinakita ni Trisha ang relo, "we will give you 5
minutes, kapag hindi ka pa nakabihis, we will post your funny stolen picture."

"What? Pwedeng times 10?" Kinabahan ako, not that picture! They really know how
to blackmail a good girl like me.

Ngumiti siya at umiling habang nakatingin pa rin sa relo, "time is running,

Kai."

Nagpapadyak akong lumabas ng kwarto at pumunta sa walk-in closet na magulo dahil

hindi ko pa inaayos simula no'ng nagkabatuhan kami ni Travis, nahirapan tuloy akong
maghanap ng sundress at two piece. Ugh! I shouldn't have given them my spare room
key!

I took a very quick shower that I think lasted for two minutes, wow, world
record. Basically, kapag naliligo ako, it takes thirty minutes, dali akong
nagpatuyo at nagbihis na.

Nagpalit na ako into my dark blue pair of bikini then put on a sundress as fast
as I can.

Biglang may kumatok sa pinto ng banyo. "Kai! Five minute is over!" Vivien
yelled.

Binuksan ko ang pinto, "oo na po, ayan na!"

Ngumiti silang lahat, "ok! Taralets!"

I sighed as we exit my place.

~*~

Since I'm one of the owner's daughter of this resort park, the entrance fee was
free even the place that we will be staying, isang open space na malaking kubo na
may tables at upuan nang gawa sa kahoy.

Nilapag na nina Vivien at Trisha ang mga dala nilang pagkain at drinks. Sina JM
at Ethan naman ay bumalik sa parking lot para kunin ang iba pang mga gamit na
naiwan, si Blue naman ay nasa harap ng kubo para buksan ang videoke at kumanta.

I sighed habang nakaupo sa may gilid, pinagmasdan ko ang dagat, it was calm and
blue. The blue sea was twinkling because of the sunlight.

Perfect day and perfect weather.

Maraming mga tao sa resort park pero hindi crowded since malawak ang resort
park. May mga malalaking pools rin naman kaya hindi masyadong marami ang naliligo
sa dagat.

"Kai! Kanta ka!" Aya ni Blue sa akin sabay lahad ng wireless mike ng videoke.

"No thanks." Sagot ko.

He pouted. "Miss ka na naming kumakanta!"

 Kailan nga ba ako huling kumanta na may nakikinig? Hmm... that was before Marcus
left. So that was since high school. Kung kumakanta kasi ako mag-isa lang ako. I
don't know why.

"Kakanta na yan! Kakanta na yan!" Pagtutulak sa akin ng mga kaibigan ko.

I smiled. "Isang kanta lang." Sabi ko, nag-yes silang lahat at daling binigay sa
akin ang songbook, natatakot na baka bawiin ko ang sinabi ko. Halatang nagagalak
silang lahat lalo na si JM, of course, dati akong vocalist ng isang banda, JM was
the drummer and Marcus was... the guitarist. That was in high school.

I picked the song I used to sing, iyong pinakapamilyar ang tono upang hindi
maging sintonado.

I started to sing, lahat sila ay nagsasayawan habang ako ay kumakanta, hindi ko

namalayan na pinapaligiran na pala kami ng mga tao sa labas ng kubo, may mga nagvi-
video na rin sa akin habang ako ay kumakanta. Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin, I
made myself feel like I have my own world, I sang. Putting all my feelings in the
line.

Nang matapos na ang kanta ay nagpalakpakan sila. Then the crowd disappeared.

"Nice!" Yinakap ako nina Trisha at Vivien.

I smiled. "Gagala lang ako." Sabi ko sa kanila, hindi na sila nagtanong pa at

hinayaan akong umalis muna sa kubo.

I felt the cold white sand touch my feet as I take a walk, medyo natatakpan ang
araw ng mga ulap kaya medyo dumilim na. Nakatingin lang ako sa basang buhangin nang
may makabunggo ako.

I startled. "S-Sorry!" Sabi ko sa lalakeng nakabunggo ko.

"Are you sure?" Tanong ng lalake.

I stopped, dead on my tracks upon hearing that voice. Naging mas malalim na ito,
pero ang pamilyar na tinig ay andoon pa rin. I raised my head to confirm my
thoughts, I gasped. My anger took place and I successfully controlled it.

"K-Kais?"

That name. He called me that. This must be a dream. A bad dream.

I changed my pace and was about to walk away when he grabbed my hand. "Ikaw ba
si Kais?"

Liningon ko siya at nginitihan, "Mars..."

Nagulat ako nang hilain niya ako at yakapin. "So it is you!"

How can he act like nothing ever happened? How can he smile at me like that?

"Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" I asked.

"Oh, vacation with my family, next week babalik ulit sila sa Vancouver but I
will be staying here for good." I wasn't asking though. Why should I meet you
again? Ugh! Sana hindi na lang ako umalis sa kubo!
 "Good for you." Sabi ko sa kanya. My heart was beating so fast as I scan his
features, mas lalo siyang tumangkad at lumaki ang katawan niya, he must had been
working out in a gym or something. Walang nag-iba sa kanyang kutis, moreno pa rin
siya, ang hair style lang niya ang nagpalit. And the small scar on his eyebrow...

"Kaira! Andyan ka lang pala-" JM stopped upon seeing the guy who was with me.

"Jam!" Marcus called upon seeing my cousin.

JM frowned. "Anong ginagawa mo dito?" His voice was full of hostility, "are you
here to ruin Kai's life again? Job well done, bro." Sarkastik sa sabi niya.

Yumuko ako at daling pumunta kay JM to calm him down, Marcus' smile didn't
disappear. "That was in the past, okay? Let's move on." He said. "I want to fix
everything."

I felt my blood boil in rage, may gana pa siyang magsalita ng ganun after all
that happened in the past? Hah! Wala nga talaga siyang pinagbago, gago pa rin siya.
Wala siyang puso! Ganoon na lang ba kadali ang lahat sa kanya?!

I approached him and slapped his cheek. "That was for everything you did," I
gave him another slap, "and that was for ruining my life." Tinalikuran ko na siya.
"JM, let's go." Hinila ko na si JM. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, but I felt happy for
slapping that jerk twice.

"Kaira! I will have you back!" Sigaw ni Marcus, "we didn't have an official
breakup!" He yelled, hindi na namin siya pinansin pa.

"Sadista ka." JM joked to ease the tension as we walk back to the kubo kung saan
nagkakatuwaan ang mga kasama namin.

Nginitihan ko lang siya. Not in the mood to talk.

Marcus Favis. Dating member ng Ravels Band. He was my childhood bestfriend,

first love, and... ex.

He disappeared without a single word after our high school graduation and now
he is back to ruin everything again.

Like hell. I won't let him. I guess I'll have to put him beside Sandy, parehas
silang makakapal.

I hate him to death. I hate him. I hate him!

TBT - Kabanata 21

Chapter 21

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, naninibago ako ngayon dahil mag-isa lang ako sa unit ko,
nasanay na ata akong kasama si Travis.

Asan na kaya siya?

Sino kaya ang kasama niya?

Ano kaya ang ginagawa niya?

 I snatched my phone and scanned the contacts, hindi ko pa pala nakuha ang phone
number ni Travis, hays.

Wait... why did I even consider of calling him?

Tinignan ko ang paligid, I felt alone and lonely. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata,
today was the third day that he was gone, maybe tomorrow he'll be back.

Not like I'm expecting him.

"Boo, you're so cute." I cuddled the human-sized bear na napanalunan namin ni

Travis sa amusement park. Yeah, I already gave this cute bear a name.

"Bye, boo."

Naalala ko noong hinalikan ni Travis ang ankle ko na na-sprain then said those
words. Biglang namula ang pisngi ko sa kakaisip sa kanya. Why am I feeling this
way?

I rolled over my bed, back and forth hangga't sa nahulog ako.

Nagulat ako nang biglang nag-ring ang phone ko, thinking it was Travis, dali
akong tumayo para sagutin ang tawag. "Hello?" Excited na bati ko, not even minding
to look at the screen.

"Kais..."

Halos mabitawan ko ang phone dahil narinig ko na naman ang boses ni Marcus.
"Where did you get my number?"

"I have connections." Proud na sagot niya sa akin.

"Ano ang kailangan mo sa akin?" Inis na tanong ko sa kanya.

"Ikaw." He laughed.

May sayad ata sa utak ang baliw na ito.

"Kung tumawag ka para manggulo, nice job!" Sarkastik sa sagot ko sa kanya.

He faked a cough, "let's meet."

Kapal.

"No. I'm busy." I lied.

"I'm at the first floor of Sapphira Tenshou." My eyes widened. "Come down."

"No!" Dali akong tumakbo para i-lock ang pinto ng room ko. How did he know I was
living here? Is he a creepy stalker?

"Please, I want to talk to you." Halata ang lungkot sa boses niya, I won't fall
for that. "I just want to explain everything to you..."

Explain? There's nothing to explain!

"Well, you can explain on the phone," I answered.

 He sighed. "No. I can't explain without you here personally, there's a coffeeshop
in front of Sapphira Tenshou, I'll be waiting for you there." He ended the call.

I sighed. Since I'm curious why he left without a word to me, I changed and
fixed myself.

~*~

Pumasok ako sa coffeeshop, wala masyadong tao, then I caught a familiar figure
at the deepest area. Naglakad ako papunta doon. Tumingala ang nakaupong lalake at
ngumiti, "hi." Marcus greeted.

I nodded then sat. "Explain yourself."

Tumango siya. "Before the graduation, nalaman na may heart failure ako."
Suminghap ako. Mas lalong dumami ang mga katanungan sa aking isip.

Why didn't he tell me that? I kept my mouth shut as he continue.

"You remember the prom? Why I suddenly walked away in the middle of our dance?"
Tumango ako, "that's because I couldn't breathe, I didn't know why so I had a
check-up, then I discovered that I had a congenital heart disease."

I looked at his eyes, he was smiling but his eyes were sad. Biglang nalambot ang
puso ko, all my angers vanished because of what I learned.

"I didn't tell you because I didn't want to worry you." He sighed, "then I was
scheduled for a surgery in Canada after our graduation... but before I went to
Canada, I left a letter to you."

Letter?

Wala akong natanggap na letter!

He must had seen the look in my face at nabasa na wala akong natanggap, "I gave
the letter to your Dad. I told him to give it to you."

My eyes widened... did Dad hid the letter from me?

"How's your heart?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

He smiled. "It's fine now." Nagulat ako nang bigla niyang hawakan ang kamay ko
mula sa kabilang side ng table, "Kais... can't we fix us? Can't we work it out?"

Inalis ko ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko, "there's nothing to fix, Mars." I
smiled. "For the past years, I waited for you, Mars. Pero hindi ka nagparamdam. I
was miserable, I was afraid to be left again because of what you did. You basically
ruined me, not my life, but me." I laughed. "I loved you, Mars. I did. But there
can never be an us anymore, I waited long for this to happen but I am already
happy, let's just be friends."

He opened his mouth and closed it again. "Friends?" He held his hand for a
handshake. I took it and smiled.

"I missed you." Nakangiting sabi niya. "And the slap hurts." He joked, tumawa
naman ako.

"Sorry about that."

 He nodded.

I don't know why but I was happy, I was happy to know that my broken past was
already fixed. I was happy that we still can be friends above all things that had
happened.

TBT - Kabanata 22

Chapter 22

"I want to see a glowing tattoo!" Sigaw ng isang batang babaeng naka-ponytail.
She was watching a princess movie wherein the princess had a glowing tattoo on her
skin as her dress magically change.

A boy beside her chuckled as he pat her head. His face was blurred, but his
features were familiar. "Why?"

Biglang nagkaroon ng nakakabinging ingay, I opened my eyes and stopped the alarm
clock. I yawned.

I had a weird dream again. "Good morning." Travis greeted.

"Good morning ri-" I paused and search for him, he was at my bedroom's door,
smiling, "...ano ang ginagawa mo dito?!"

He laughed. "Missed me?"

I rolled my eyes. "Get lost please!" I joked. "Paano ka nakakapasok sa unit ko?"

"I used my charms again." He grinned.

It looks like Travis is finally back, now my day won't be dull anymore. "I have
something for you." Sabi ni Travis sa akin, I raised my eyebrow as he took
something behind him and walk inside my room without asking for permission.

I adjusted my eye since kakagising ko lang, then it landed into the puppy that
was in his arms...

My eyes widened. "OMG! Ang cute!" Dali akong bumangon sa kama at kinuha ang
puppy sa kamay ni Travis, "hi!" I greeted the cute white dog na may dark blue eyes.

"Arf!" Singkit ang boses ng aso at cute.

"Liked it?" Travis asked.

I smiled and nodded. Travis is really full of surprises.

I checked on the puppy's gender then looked at Travis. "What's her name?" Tanong
ko sa kanya.

He smiled. "You name her."

Nag-isip ako, "Tatty?" I blurted out. The puppy barked then licked my cheeks as
if she was telling me she loves the new name.

"Tatty?" Travis asked, confused.

 I grinned, "tattoo."

Parang na-gets naman niya ang ibig kong sabihin, he smiled. "I think she likes
the name."

"Saan mo siya nakuha?" Tanong ko kay Travis as I pat Tatty on her head.

"Let's just say while I was away, I saw her in a petshop and so I decided to buy
her since I remembered you upon seeing her." Is he implying that I look like a dog?

"Arf!"

I hugged Tatty and she seems to like it.

Habang nakayakap ako sa kanya ay nagulat ako nang bigla akong nakarinig ng
snapshot, I looked at Travis, only to see him smiling at me while holding his phone
with a camera. He took a stolen shot of me.

The moment was suddenly disturbed when my phone rang. Somebody was calling me.
I let Tatty walk on the floor before taking my phone, tinignan ko ang Caller ID, it
was Dad.

I accepted the call. "Ano ang kailangan mo?"

I heard him sigh. "You know this time would come Kai, and I gave you more than
enough time to get ready for this, I am getting old and tired already," nagpakawala
ulit siya ng malakas na buntong-hininga, "and you are my unica hija, the only
daughter of Karlos Chaves, you are my treasure's heiress."

"Ano ang ibig mong sabihin?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"It's time for you to learn on how to manage and run a business, Travis will
handle everything, he will teach you." Dad sighed in relief, "Kaira, you can't
outrun anymore your responsibilities."

He ended the call... I faced Travis, he looked at me and smiled. "So, let's play
the teacher-student roles?"

Ngumuso ako. "Ayaw."

He chuckled. "From now on, I'm Sir Javierres and you are my student Kai."

~*~

Naglagay ako ng dog food sa plato ni Tatty, agad naman siyang kumain, I smiled,
she's so adorable!

Travis excused himself and went to the comfort room, he left his phone in the
kitchen table. Ngumisi ako sabay kuha ng phone niya.

I opened it and saw Travis and I as his wallpaper, it was a stolen shot when we
were in the cliff to watch the city lights and fireflies. It was so beautiful.

I sighed. I opened the phone pero may passcode ito. I tried guessing 1234 but it
says incorrect pass, then I tried 0000 and it opened. Ngumiti ako. Ngiting-
tagumpay.

Una kong tinignan ang photos, nagulat ako dahil walang ibang laman ang photos
niya but me or the both of us, I scanned the photos, sa pinakadulo ay may nakita
akong picture. It was a picture of a younger version of Travis with a beautiful
woman, it must be his Mom, sa picture ay nakahawak ang kamay ni Travis sa kamay ng
batang babae, must be her younger sister, Breiz.

I smiled. They look like a happy family.

Dali kong in-exit ang app at sinara ang phone nang bumukas ang pinto ng comfort
room at marinig ko ang paglakad ni Travis sa sahig.

"Tatty, come here!" Tawag ko sa aso ko na agad namang sumunod.

TBT - Kabanata 23

Chapter 23

Humikab ako habang si Travis ay nakaupo sa swivel chair niya, tumingin siya sa
akin ng masama dahil sa malakas na paghikab ko. "As I was saying, as a head, you
must maintain an intimidating look and learn how to take control."

"Ang boring." I murmured behind my mouth.

"Kai, are you saying something?" Travis asked, his right eyebrow raised.

Umiling ako. Nasa opisina kami ni Travis sa Javierres Company, I'm here to learn
about how to run a company, pwede palang ituro iyon? Eh sa pwede mo naman palang
takbuhan ang kompanyang naka-destiny sa iyo. Oo, destiny talaga.

I must admit Travis' office is wide, para na rin itong kwarto na may pagka-
living room, white ang floor at black ang walls na may maliit na dark blue linings,
ang kurtina naman niya ay pale blue nagmumukha nang white sa sobrang pagkaputla,
mostly black and white na ang mga appliances at paintings, may black rose pa sa
flower base niyang white.

"Bakit puro black and white?" Wala sa sarili kong natanong kaya naman napatigil
si Travis.

He looked up at me, "black and white symbolizes power, authority, and success."
Oh, I thought he was going to say I'm a gothic freak.

Kumunot ang noo ko. How can such a stupid color represent power, authority, and
success?! I don't get it. Really.

"Tell me Kai, are you really listening to me the whole time?"

I nodded, "oo naman," well, half true since half of my attention was on the
features of his office, wala man lang kakulay kulay.

"If I find out that you are lying I will punish you." Travis grinned devilishly.

I was taken a back and so I gulped.

"Okay, let me ask a question, what was the last word I said?" Travis asked,
clearly liking the idea of punishing me if ever.

"Said is the last word you spoke." I said, his eyebrows raised in a mocking
gesture, "see, I was listening."

He smirked. "How about how you create your image as a head?"

Lumunok na ako. "A-Ahm..." think, Kai! Think!

Umiling si Travis, "so what punishment would you want?" He was obviously
enjoying the view of me shuddering.

But I won't give him the satisfaction so I gave him a wide smile.

"U-Uhm... a lunch outside may do." Sabi ko, I suddenly felt hungry and it was
almost lunch. At isa pa, the place is suffocating me, just thinking me in the
position of being stuck in an office like this for the whole day doing nothing but
paperworks is hard. I think might die.

He nodded. Pinaikot niya ang swivel chair niya at tumalikod sa akin, I think he
was calling someone based the view I can see.

"Grey," he paused, "reserve a table for two in the Mochae J's for lunch." Another
pause. "Oh, I change my mind. Reserve the whole restaurant for me and Kai." He
ended the call, umikot na naman siya to face me.

"So?"

He grinned. "Your punishment is all set. Let's go." Tumayo na si Travis at

naglakad, leaving me behind to gawk at his powerful walk.

"Travis, teka!"

"It's Sir Travis." I can feel Travis' playful voice as he correct me.

I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue at him while he wasn't looking, "still
enjoying the teacher-student thing? Utot mo please."

~*~

The fact that Travis and I are in a high class restaurant and only the two of
us are here was beyond my capacity. I knew Travis reserved the whole place for us.
But I think he was going too far...

A bunch of waiters and waitresses greeted us before leading the way to our
table, nang umupo na kami, a waiter was about to pull the chair for me when Travis
pushed the waiter and took the job to pull it for me. "I serve her." Travis said,
possessiveness was clear in his voice.

Nataranta ang waiter bago yumuko na parang napahiya na natatakot.

Siniko ko si Travis, "rude."

He looked at me and did a mini-pout.

Umiling na lang ako at umupo sa silya, "I would like to order the best dish and
best dessert this place have." Sabi ni Travis sa waitress, tumango naman siya, "I
would like to have a lemon juice for drinks and a water may do, same goes with my
wife." Travis added before letting the waitress walk away, not bothering to ask
what I want.

Arrogant jerk!
 Wait... my wife?

Tinignan ko si Travis, horror painted on my face.

Tinignan niya ako at ngumisi, our eyes met and for a moment I felt like I was a
statue, completely mesmerized by his dark hazel eyes that looked like dark emerald,
ok, I'm confused right now if what is Travis' eye color.

But that's not the issue here, he just called me my wife! My wife!

Calm down, heart.

When the foods and drinks arrived that made my mouth water, Travis made the
waiters and waitresses who were clearly looking at him intensely-not that I care-to
leave us alone. Hindi na sila pumalag at sumunod na lang.

"Subuhan mo ako." Travis mumbled when the persons were already gone and out of
sight.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "What?"

He grinned, containing every self-confidence he can use. "Your punishment is

that, you don't think we're really going to eat lunch and just that. No."

Lumunok ako. I feel my face heat up, I was obviously blushing myself to awkward
death.

"Ayaw ko nga!" Tutol ko.

"Okay." He made a sad face.

Somehow, I felt my eyes stare, I couldn't look away at the sight of adorable
Travis.

"Oo na, susubuhan na kita." I sighed in defeat. His face lit up, and by the time
that I was regretting on letting myself submit to his will, it was already too
late.

I just found myself holding a spoon and fork and feeding the baby-like
billionaire.

"Say ahh."

He opened his mouth, clearly enjoying this moment.

I grinned to myself as I add a spicy powder on the spoon when he wasn't looking
at me before feeding it to him. But before that, I made sure that I already drank
the juices and water.

"Masarap ba?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

His face suddenly became red, "w-water..."

"Hmm?" I acted innocent.

He looked at the glasses, nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata dahil wala nang laman na
tubig o juice. "K-Kai... I'm gonna k-kill you."
 Ngumiti ako, "ano sabi mo?"

Parang constipated na siya dahil namamawis na siya, "Travis, natatae ka ba?

Pinagpapawisan ka eh naka air conditioner naman dito."

He frowned. Namumula na rin ang kanyang labi dahil sa maraming spicy powder na
nilagay ko sa sinubo ko kanina sa kanya. "Hot." He pointed his mouth, "w-what did
you do?"

"Just added a poison." I laughed upon seeing his priceless expression.

TBT - Kabanata 24

Chapter 24

I slumped on my bed, "nakakapagod." Buntong-hininga ko, which was true. Ngayon

ang pangatlong araw na tinuturuan ako ni Travis na magpatakbo ng kompanya, hindi ko
lubusang maisip si Travis na hindi napapagod sa trabaho niya buong umaga hanggang
hapon para sa kanyang kompanya.

"Why does it have to be me to run that freaking company of my Dad?" Inis na

tugon ko.

"Well, you don't want your Dad's property to go to Sandy, right?" Biglang sagot
ni Travis.

I nodded, "oo, ayaw ko talaga! Nakakainis siya-" I stopped on my tracks at

tumingin kay Travis na nakatayo sa may pintuan, "what the hell are you doing?"

Pinakita niya sa akin ang susi, "let's just say I took a copy of your keys." He
wiggled his eyebrows. Doon ko lang napansin na basa ang kanyang buhok which was a
sign na kakatapos lang niyang maligo, he was wearing a fitted shirt kaya naman
kitang-kita ang kanyang matigas na dibdib at pajama.

"At least knock before you use the keys!"

He grinned, "next time, I will." Tinaas niya ang kanyang kamay na para bang
sinasabing peksman.

"Anyways, ano'ng ginagawa mo dito?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Sleepover." Sagot naman niya.

Napanganga ako. "Hoy! Ayoko! Layas!"

"Uhm, how about I say I have your souvenir bra and ー"

Tumakbo agad ako at saka tinakpan ang bunganga niya, tinignan ko siya ng masama.
"Don't continue." I knew what he meant, that frigging bra. Ugh.

Ngumiti siya na parang nanalo.

"I bought all the stuffs needed for this sleepover." Sabi niya sabay turo sa may
kusina.

I sighed.
 Hindi ko alam pero bakit parang ang saya ko? Bakit biglang napalitan ng
kagalakan ang inis ko? How can Travis make me feel like this?

Marcus never made me feel like this... somehow, mas masaya ako ngayon and my
heart... it was going wild. Then there, I realized Travis was making a lot of
effort to make a time for us, a time which was different from lecturing me on how
to run a company.

Ngumiti ako.

Then a flash interrupted me. "Nice." Travis smiled, sabay pakita sa akin ng
stolen picture ko na nakangiti ako. Bigla akong namula.

"Bakit ang hilig mong kumuha ng stolen pics?" I frowned.

"Because I want these special moments to be captured." Sagot naman niya, "and
you are special to me."

Somehow, I felt my heart flutter and fought myself not to giggle. Then... I
suddenly realized that I was special to Travis maybe because I was the first one
and only one to see his tattoo on that night I was almost raped by Jad...

Biglang naging malungkot ang awra ko pero hindi ko ito pinahalata, I didn't want
to assume that he loves me, I didn't want to say that I love him, but I didn't want
to lie to myself as well.

I wanted to know how Travis felt for me.

Pero natatakot ako.

I'm afraid that I might fall for a guy who only sees me as a trophy... something
that must be achieved. Something that must be won over. Not someone who must be
loved.

I can't risk the chances of hurting again.

"Kai, bigla kang napatulala." Nagulat ako nang kilitihin ako ni Travis sa
tagiliran ko, natawa tuloy ako ng malakas hangga't sa naging halakhak na.

"Ano ba! Hahahaha!"

Tawa kami ng tawa habang siya ay nangingiliti, syempre gumanti rin ako ng kiliti
sa kanya, kiniliti ko siya sa kanyang tagiliran pero hindi siya tumawa. "Wala akong
kiliti! Hahaha!" Travis smirked.

Hindi ako nagpatinag, this time sa leeg ko naman siya kiniliti at nagulat ako sa
reaksyon niya.

"Hahahaha!" He suddenly laughed.

"Wala pala ah?" I grinned. Mas lalo ko siyang kiniliti, he tried to push me but
I forced him into the wall, still tickling him on his neck.

"S-Stop. Hahaha!" Travis was on the verge of crying because of the endless
laughter.

Nang tumigil kami, parehas na kaming hinihingal at pawisan.

 "Kung ano man ang iniisip mo na sumisira sa ngiti mo, kalimutan mo na iyon."
Travis said, nagulat ako nang haplusin niya ang mahabang buhok ko, "you're still
beautiful even if you look like a mess." After that, he patted me on top of my head
kaya mas lalo nagulo ang buhok ko.

But I didn't budge... I just closed my eyes and let him do it, somehow, the
feeling of his warmth on my head calmed me.

~*~

"Let's wach a movie!" I suggested.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Travis, "n-no." Pabulong na sagot niya.

Tinignan ko siya, I suddenly get it why he acted like that and so I acted like I
didn't heard his whisper, "so let's watch a horror movie."

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata, I laughed upon seeing the priceless look on his
face. Of course, I was just joking. Gusto ko lang takutin si Travis.

Tinignan niya ako ng masama.

He huffed. "How about we play a card game?"

"Lucky 9?"

He nodded. "Wala akong cards." I pouted.

"Not a problem. I bought one just in case." Sagot ni Travis sabay pakita ng
cards. "Let's go to the living room, let's play there." Sabi niya at naglakad na.

Sumunod naman ako sa kanya, parang siya ang may-ari ng unit ko ah!

"In every rounds, there will be a punishment to the loser." Sabi ni Travis.
"Hmm... the punishment is simple, put a powder into your face."

Ngumisi ako. "Deal."

I'm good at this game, humanda ka sa akin Travis! Bwahaha!

~*~

Napanganga ako, I lost again! Ugh!

Sa may tray ay naglagay ulit si Travis ng powder sa kanyang fingertip at gumawa

ng linya sa mukha ko using the powder.

"Another round?" Travis smirked.

Parehas na kaming may powder sa mukha pero mas marami ang powder sa akin syempre
dahil mas maraming beses na akong talo.

Nakakainis! Why is luck not on my side today... rather, tonight?

"I suggest we should sleep." Sagot ko sa kanya sabay turo sa wallclock. "It's
11PM."

"Awts. How about the foods that I bought?" Sagot ni Travis.

 Nag-isip ako, "I'll think of some dish to cook using those foods tomorrow
morning for breakfast."

Ngumisi si Travis, "okay. Let's sleep."

Dali ko siyang pinigilan noong papasok na siya sa kwarto ko, "don't even think
of sleeping with me!"

He sneared. "Good idea."

"Travis Javierres! Sa sofa ka matutulog!!!" Namumulang sigaw ko.

"Sasamahan mo ako?"

"Pisti!"

He laughed.

TBT - Kabanata 25

Chapter 25

"La-la-lala-la-la~"

Napatigil ako sa pagluluto dahil naramdaman ko ang pagyakap ni Travis sa akin

mula sa likod ko, nagulat ako nang ilapit niya ang mukha niya sa batok ko at
umaktong inamoy ito.

"Good morning..." Ramdam ko ang mainit na hininga niya.

Lumunok ako. "G-Good morning..."

"What's that?" Turo niya sa niluluto ko.

"Kanin lang naman na nilagyan ko ng itlog at sausage." Sagot ko, "and on the
other hand is a chicken soup."

Kumawala na si Travis sa pagkakayakap sa akin, nakaramdam ako ng unting

kalungkutan. Binaling ko na lang ang pakiramdam na ito at pinokus ang atensyon sa
niluluto, why would I even want us to stay like that? No, no, no. This is a bad
sign.

Stop before you get hurt, Kai...

~*~

After I cooked, kumain na kami ni Travis, dali rin siyang umalis sa unit ko,
sabi niya sa akin ay magiging busy raw siya sa araw na ito at kung may kailangan
ako tawagan ko na lang raw si Grey.

Since wala si Travis, I decided to go shop with my besties, sina Vivien at

Trisha.

Matagal na pala akong hindi nakakapaggala sa mall.

"OMG, Kai!" Hiyaw ni Trisha, "mabuti naman at nakagala ka rin! Akala ko

sasayangin mo na lang ang buong araw mo kasama ang bilyonaryong iyon!" She said,
obviously stating Travis.

"We missed shopping with you though..." Sagot naman ni Vivien.

Tumango ako at ngumiti, "sorry huh, madalang na lang tayo magkasama. Alam niyo
naman na, masyado akong bantay-sarado ni Travis."

"At gustong gusto mo naman." Tumawa ang dalawa.

Tinignan ko sila ng masama, but at the thought of me liking how Travis corner my
world made me feel like I did. Or did I?

"Anyways, I called the both of you to shop and not to talk about my life." I
said, "so saan ang gusto niyong shop?" Tanong ko. We were currently walking in the
middle of the mall with no particular destination.

"How about Culture?" Vivien suggested.

"Sige. Doon na lang tayo." Pagsang-ayon ni Trisha.

"Uhm before that... kailangan ko munang magbawas..." Parang nahihiyang sabi ni

Vivien, "kanina ko pa talaga itong tinitimpi. Hindi na kaya ng powers ko."

"Okay ganito na lang, mauna ka na sa Culture shop Kai at kaming dalawa ni Vivi
ay pupunta muna sa CR." Trisha said. "Maghihilamos lang ako, feeling ko ang oily na
ng mukha ko eh."

"Doon na lang tayo sa culture shop magmi-meet." Sagot ko naman at naghiwalay na

kami.

~*~

Habang tumitingin ako ng mga damit ay may nakita akong magandang damit na
nakasampay, I was about to walk when somebody bumped into me.

Tumingin ako sa salarin and I felt myself froze on my spot.

It was Jad... my almost-rapist.

What was he doing here?

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng kaba, I couldn't move, at the simple glimpse of him
every bad memories of that night came back...

I was afraid, scared...

Tumingin sa akin si Jad, his eyes looked at me intensely, "Kai..."

Hindi pa rin ako makagalaw.

Somebody... help...

Ngumisi si Jad, is he high and taking drugs?!

Dali akong tumalikod at naglakad, pero hinablot ni Jad ang braso ko at mahigpit
akong hinila, "aray!"

Ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko habang nararamdaman ko ang kanyang

hawak sa akin, natatakot ako.

Jad was hurting me again.

Kinaladkad niya ako, much to my protest, he was too strong. Lahat ng mga tao ay
napapatingin sa amin but none of them tried to help me. "Jad ano ba! Bitiwan mo
ako!"

Parang walang naririnig si Jad, pero kita ko ang kanyang masamang balak base sa
pagtingin niya sa akin, "Kai, nabitin ako sa gabing iyon. We'll just finish what we
started on that night. Sa araw na ito, sinisigurado kong wala nang mang-iisturbo sa
atin, papasayahin kita Kai..." Nakangising sagot niya.

"Ano ba Jad!" Gusto kong umiyak...

Kinakaladkad pa rin ako ni Jad... I tried to get rid of his hold on me but it
was too deep and firm.

Travis...

I blinked my tears away, bumwelo ako at tinadyakan ko si Jad nang nasa

escalator na kami, nawalan siya ng balanse at natumba, mabuti na lang at nabitawan
niya ako. Ang mga tao naman ay nagbulungan.

Dala ng adrenaline rush ay mabilis ang pagtakbo ko, lumingon ako at nakita
siyang hinahabol ako. Wala akong pake sa paligid o sa mga taong napapatingin, I
tried to snatch my phone on my purse and called Vivien. Mabuti na lang at naka-
sneakers ako ngayon at jeans at hindi dress na may matching stilettos.

"Kai? Asan ka na? Bakit wala ka sa Culture?" Tanong niya.

"Vi, sorry! I had to to home! Pakisabi na lang kay Trisha sorry pati sa iyo!"
Sagot ko at binabaan na siya.

Then I scanned my contacts, I still didn't have Travis number...

I sighed and focused my attention on escaping.

Mabilis akong nagtago sa isang toy shop sa likod ng mga human-sized bears na
nagpaalala sa akin kay Boo, ang napanalunan ni Travis sa amusement park na human-
sized bear. Mukhang nawala ko si Jad pero alam kong hinahanap pa rin niya ako. I
told to the saleslady who was looking at me like I was a retard to keep her mouth
shut and don't mind me.

I searched for my contacts again and suddenly an unknown number popped up in my

notifs.

One message received.

I quickly tapped it to read the message from an unregistered number.

Kai, this is Travis.

Suddenly, I felt myself tear-up. Travis really knew how to find ways at the
right moment.

I quickly called him.

"T-Tray... help please..." Hinihingal na sabi ko.

 "Kai? What happened? Where are you?" Halata ang pag-aalala sa boses ni Travis.

"I went to the mega mall... and... I met Jad... I think he's on drugs... please
help me! He is chasing after me... pero nakatago ako ngayon sa toy shop, sa likod
ng human-sized bears, I think hindi ako mahahanap ni Jad but I can't stay here
forever!" Mahinang sagot ko.

"Tsk. Dapat nagpasama ka kay Grey! I didn't know that bastard was on the loose
again. Ok. Just calm down. Ok? I'll come and get you. Just stay where you are."
Travis muttered.

"Paano ang trabaho mo?"

"My work can wait. My princess comes first."

Somehow, I felt myself relaxed a little upon hearing him say that... but I
wasn't a princess, I was just Kaira Chaves, the woman who saw Travis' tattoo.

You are just a trophy... I reminded myself.

But if it was Travis who said those words, maybe I could trust him.

Maybe I was really a princess for him.

Maybe not.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako.

"I'll call you when I get there, trust me. Okay?" Travis said before he finally
ended the call.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Travis is coming to save me again...

TBT - Kabanata 26

Chapter 26

Travis was standing right before my eyes, hinihingal siya at pawisan siguro
dahil sa mabilis na pagtakbo. Agad naman akong lumabas sa kinakataguan ko at
niyakap siya, I felt my tears escape since I can no longer contain it anymore.

"K-Kai..." Travis sighed in relief, "did he hurt you?"

I sobbed. "It doesn't matter anymore..." Mahinang usal ko, "all that matters is
that you're here."

Wala akong pake sa mga tao at bata sa loob ng toy shop na nakatingin sa amin ni
Travis, "it's ok now, I already called the police, Jad is already with them and
this time, I'll make sure he won't get out anymore."

I nodded.

I'm so glad he was here... for this moment, I'll just think that he's mine even
if I know he isn't and will never be.

~*~

"Now Kai, you need to learn your lessons." Pagsermon sa akin ni Travis, hays.
Akala ko pa naman ayos na. Magpari na lang kaya siya?

I rolled my eyes.

"Kai! Are you listening?" Tinaasan niya ako ng boses.

"Aye sir."

"Tsk, I think I'll hire you a bodyguard. But... maybe no since I don't want some
other guys guarding you unless it was me, so my last choice is Grey." He planned.

"No! No! No! Don't plan my life!"

"I'm not planning your life, it's for your safety." Travis said, as if it was
the most obvious thing in the world. "I can't always be there to protect you, Kai."

I felt my heart pound.

Kaming dalawa ni Travis ay nasa kwarto ko ngayon, "hmm... bumalik ka na lang sa

trabaho mo, you're getting on my nerves." I said, flatly.

"Tinataboy mo ba ako, Kai?" Halata ang biglang pagkalungkot sa boses ni Travis.

I was silent.

He sighed. I guess he took my silence as a yes so he stood up on my bed and

went straight to the door for exit before I could even disagree, "bye..."

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng lungkot. Ang tanga mo, Kai! Travis was only concerned!
Wala ka nang ibang ginawa kundi saktan ang lalakeng nage-effort para sa iyo! That's
why you don't deserve him! He is too perfect for your level!

Nagalit ako sa sarili ko, I wanted to run after Travis but I didn't know what to
say or do when I'll catch him.

I closed my eyes and hugged the human-sized bear beside me. "I'm so stupid,
Boo..."

~*~

Isang linggo na at hindi pa rin kami nag-uusap ni Travis at nagkikita,

nakakadismaya lang at nakakapanibago. My room was silent, everytime I glance at a
corner somewhere in my unit, I see the fading figure of Travis as if saying I am
slowly losing the guy who is almost making me fall again...

Maybe, just maybe... I am falling.

And it hurts.

Tinawagan ko si Marcus at nagtanong ng advice since wala naman na akong ibang

maisip pa tsaka gusto kong malaman ang side niya as my friend and not as an ex,
syempre kinwento ko sa kanya ang nangyari, "simple Kai, you have to do to him what
he had been doing to you. Make an effort."
 Napaisip ako. "How?"

"Only you can answer that, Kai." Marcus laughed. "Ok. I have tah go. Bye!"

He hang up.

Make an effort..

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata at nagbuntong-hininga, now how can I make an
effort?

Suddenly, a bright idea covered my whole world and I just found myself calling
Grey, "Grey, I need your help."

"Huh?"

"Huwag nang maraming tanong! I'll just interview you."

"Sure." Grey answered.

"Ano ang favorite food ni Travis?" Tanong ko.

"Strawberry cake." Sagot ni Grey. "Bakit mo natanong?"

I paused. "No need to know, uhm... you know his schedule right?"

"Yup."

"What's his schedule tomorrow?" Nag-alinlangan pa ako kung tatanungin ko iyan

pero ginawa ko pa rin.

"None. He's free for the whole day tomorrow."

"Ok. Thanks, bye!" Binabaan ko na siya.

"Strawberry cake..." I sighed.

I am a good cook but cakes are an exception. In short, hindi ako magaling mag-
bake! Let me cook anything, huwag lang cake!

Make an effort Kai, for Travis...

I sighed and just found myself looking for a cook book for cakes.

~*~

I stayed up for the whole night in the kitchen baking, my first five batch was
a disaster. Ang una ay sunog, ang pangalawa ay hindi masyadong luto, ang pangatlo
ay walang lasa, ang pang-apat naman ay hindi lasang cake, ang pang-lima naman ay
masarap pero hindi maganda ang pagkakadisenyo at ang loob ng cake ay medyo hindi
naluto.

I looked at the wallclock, it was already 3PM. Hindi ko namalayan na ang tagal
ko na pala at bigla akong tinamaan ng antok.

I was silently waiting for the sound of the oven, it was my sixth batch of cake
at sana maayos na ito.

I yawned. Medyo marumi na ang apron ko pati na rin ang kusina. Biglang tumunog
ang oven kaya naman dali ko itong binuksan, I gently took the circle-shaped cake.
Inamoy ko ito, the aroma was perfect and it was different from the first five.

Dali kong kinuha ang toppings ko, but first naglagay ako ng strawberry cover at
slices ng strawberry sa gilid ng cake. I looked at my masterpiece...

Sana magustuhan niya ito...

"All that is left to do is let Travis taste it..." Nakaramdam ako ng pagbigat
ng mata ko at hindi ko namalayang unti-unti akong nawawalan ng malay, I was too
tired and sleepy...

TBT - Kabanata 27

Chapter 27

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga, of course, I have Travis' unit's key so I

can enter his place with or without permission like how he did to mine.

Hawak hawak ko ang strawberry cake na ginawa ko para sa kanya, it was 6AM.
Natutulog pa kaya siya?

Nagbuntong-hininga ako, may biglang pumasok sa isip ko.

"Ano iyan?" A young girl asked as she point what the boy was holding.

"Strawberry cake, mmmm. Gawa ni Mommy, want saaaahm?" Sagot naman ng batang
lalake habang ngumunguya.

I've been having a lot of flashbacks recently on my childhood, the boy seemed
familiar to me. Of course, I'm not too dumb not to know who.

It was Travis. I was the girl, I don't know what's my connection to his past or
what's our connection or if we ever had one, but all I know is that Travis knows
something I don't.

Kakatok na sana ako kaso bigla akong nakarinig ng apak sa sahig, I looked back
and saw Travis standing, pawisan siya at halatang kagagaling lang sa morning jog.

Lumunok ako.

Tinignan niya ang hawak ko.

"Excuse me." Malamig na sabi niya, he was telling me to move away from his door.

I gulped the lump in my throat away, "a-ano..." I sighed, get yourself together,
Kai!

Tinaasan ako ng kilay ni Travis, as if demanding me to spill the beans because

he don't have time.

"C-C-Cake..." Nauutal na sagot ko, "I... uhm... strawberry cake."

"Sige."

Why is he being so cold to me? I felt a pang of disappointment hit me straight

into my heart, "s-sorry kung naisturbo kita... I-I'll.. I'll just put this cake in
your ref, sana magustuhan mo." Nakayukong sabi ko at walang sabing pumasok sa
kanyang unit at nilagay ang cake niya sa loob ng ref na walang ibang laman kundi
wine at instant foods.

I closed my eyes and went out, hoping Travis would tell me not to go yet... but
didn't.

Am I losing him?

Wake up, Kai! He was never yours to lose!

~*~

"Kai?" Tumingin ako sa mga kasama ko, ngayon na lang ulit kami magsama na mag-
bar sa gabi, siguro wala naman talagang pake sa akin si Travis at siguro nagsawa na
siya sa akin.

"Mabuti naman at andito ka! Mabuhay ang Prinsesa ng gabi!" Natatawang sabi ni
Ethan sabay lagok ng alak, kumuha siya ng chaser na lemon slice at nilantakan ito.

"Malalasing ka na naman!" Suway ni Trisha, natutuwa ako sa dalawa. Buti pa sila

masaya... nasa Custody Booze kami ngayon, syempre sa usual place at VIP lounge.
Ethan is the owner of this place after all.

"Kai, may problema ba? Akala ko ba bawal na ang lumabas dahil kay Travis?" Tanong
ni JM.

"Or did something happen?" Blue insisted while Vivien just smiled at me as if
encouraging me.

Ngumiti ako at ininom ang cocktail ko, "nevermind that guys. Na-miss ko kayo!"

Umiling sina JM at Vivien, "come on, Kai..."

"Yeah, we're bestfriends!" Tugon ni Trisha.

"B-E-S-T-F-R-I-E-N-D-S!" Blue chuckled.

"So, sabihin mo na ang problema mo!" Ethan laughed. Sometimes, my bestfriends

would be so pushy that I want to kill them.

But... it makes me happy that there are people willing to listen to what I have
to say. Parang hindi ako nag-iisa sa mga problema ko sa buhay.

"I might had said mean things to Travis..." nagbuntong-hininga ako, "and we're on
bad terms, this had been going since last week. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko, I
tried to bake him his favorite cake but I guess it wasn't enough to make him see
I'm sorry. I think I'm slowly losing him... well... he was never mine to lose...
so... uhm..."

Umiling si JM, "look Kai, don't be discouraged. To even think you're doing the
effort to bake when you can't even bake..."

"We think you're falling for the billionaire..." Sabay na wika nina Vivien at
Trisha na siyang rason upang mataranta ako at mamula. Good thing the place was
dark.

"Or... you may had already fell." Blue added.

 "No! No! No way!" Suway ko.

They all laughed. Was I being too defensive?

Wait... defensive? Me? Why would I even be? No Kai, you are just confused. Not
in love. Just confused.

"Hays. Thank you guys for listening but I think I have to go." Nagpaalam na ako
at lumabas ng bar, I went into the parking lot and hopped on my car... my birthday
gift from Travis.

~*~

I don't know where I was going, I just found myself in my Dad's mansion.

Pinagbuksan ako ng mga gwardya nang nakita nila ako sa may gate, dali ko namang
p-in-ark ang sasakyan ko sa harap ng mansion.

"Hija! Bakit ka andito?" Tanong ng magaling na si Sandy pagkaapak ko pa lang sa

tiles ng mansion.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Wow, thank you for welcoming, now it's my turn to
ask. Bakit? Bawal na ba akong bumisita sa pamamahay ko?" Seriously? Nang-iinis ba
siya?

Ang init na nga ng ulo ko nandadagdag pa siya.

Nang biglang dumating si Daddy ay nag-drama si Sandy, "ganyan ka na ba talaga,

Kai? Hindi ka man lang pinalaki ng maayos! Wala kang respeto sa inay mo!"

"Don't question how I grew up, Sandy." Mahinay na sagot ko, "and I have a
respect for my Mom, for you? None."

"Kaira Chaves! Kung andito ka para mang-away, good job!" Dad said.

"Wow Dad, salamat naman at pinuri mo ako. Mang-aaway na ako palagi para ma-good
job mo ulit ako." I laughed at my own joke.

Namula si Dad.

"Hays. I'm not here to fight, ok? I'll spend my night here since I miss my
home." I was about to walk away when Sandy called me.

"Kaira! Don't turn your back against us! We have to teach you respect!"

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng inis pero agad ko itong binaling. Lumingon ako and
gave Sandy the sweetest fake smile I could ever manage but it looked like a
grimace, "respect is not taught, it is earned. And you don't deserve any from me."

With that, I walked like I own the mansion without waiting for Sandy's answer.

TBT - Kabanata 28

Chapter 28
 I woke up, my bed was too comfortable and so I had to fight the urge to sleep
again.

Tinignan ko ang paligid, it was my old room... kailan na nga ba ulit akong
natulog dito? One year ago? Two years? Simula noong nalaman ko ang tunay na kulo ni
Sandy?

Napatingin ako sa malaking picture frame na nakadikit sa wall ko, it was me and
Mom when I was still a girl. A young girl.

Biglang may kumatok, "sino iyan?"

"Hija, ang almusal mo ay nakahanda na."

Biglang nanlambot ang puso ko, it wasn't Sandy's voice, it was... it was...

Dali akong tumakbo para pagbuksan siya at saka siya niyakap ng mahigpit, "Lola
Dorora..."

Nginitihan niya ako, "mabuti naman at bumalik ka, hija." Si Lola Dorora ang
tagaluto ng mansion, Lola ang turing ko sa kanya at pamilya. Naging malapit na kami
sa isa't-isa dahil simula pa lang noong bata ako ay dito na siya nagtatrabaho.
Noong nawala na si Mama ay siya ang nag-iisang pumupunas ng mga luha ko.

"Bisita lang po, Lola. Mamaya aalis rin ako dito." Sagot ko naman sa kanya.

"Ah, ganoon ba." Halatang may bahid ng lungkot ang kanyang boses, "ibang iba na
talaga ang bahay na ito, simula noong nawala ang inay mo lahat nagbago." Niyakap
ako ni Lola Dorora, for the first time for years, nakaramdam ako ng pagmamahal ng
nanay na matagal ko nang inaasam.

"Hindi na po ako mag-aalmusal..." baka kasi andoon ang mag-asawang magagaling

at kumakain, "aalis na po ako agad."

Naging malungkot ang ekspresyon ni Lola, "gusto mo bang baonan kita ng

pagkain?"

"Sige po, Lola."

~*~

Umuwi ako kanina ng walang paalam sa mansion, kung magpapaalam pa ako sa mag-
asawa ay hindi ko na talaga matitiis pa ang kaplastikan ni Sandy at baka may masabi
pa ako na kasing pangit ng pagmumukha niya.

Binuksan ko ang kwarto ko, nagulat ako dahil nakita ko roon si Travis,
tatanungin ko sana sa kanya kung ano ang ginagawa niya sa kwarto ko pero nagsalita
agad siya, "where had you been?" His tone was demanding for an answer.

Yumuko ako, "wala ka na doon..." sagot ko.

Narinig ko ang bawat hakbang ni Travis palapit sa akin, "wala na ako doon?" He
mimicked. "Kai, you don't know how much you worried me."

Bigla niya akong niyakap ng mahigpit, tumingin ako sa kanya, he had dark circles
around his eyes but it only made him hotter and mature. Nagbuntong-hininga ako, "sa
mansion ako ni Dad natulog..." I answered.

"I thought..." Travis stopped, he looked at me, "I thought you were in trouble
again."

"Sorry..." Bulong ko, soft enough for Travis to hear.

"For what?"

"For... for everything." Sagot ko naman, I suddenly felt the urge to cry but I
blinked the tears away.

Tumawa si Travis, "don't be sorry, Kai... it doesn't fit the character I saw in
you."

"What character?"

He grinned. "Pasaway. Uhm... brat. Troublemaker. Hindi marunong makinig ー"

"Oo na! Tama na!" I glared at him.

Ginulo niya ang buhok ko, "you know the strawberry cake?" I nodded. "It was too
sweet..." I felt my heart shatter, "exactly as how I want it to be." Biglang
lumiwanag ang ekspresyon ko at nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

Tinignan ko si Travis, he was blushing...

"U-Uhm... thanks? Thanks... for baking the cake for me."

"Paano mo naman nalaman na ako ang gumawa?" Tanong ko.

"Your kitchen was a mess, it is enough proof to know it was you and you asked my
favorite food to Grey." Travis grinned. "Thanks for the effort, Kai."

"Masarap ba ang cake?"

"Yup. Hindi man siya ganoon kasarap tulad ng gawa ni Mama, but for me, it was
the best I ever tasted for years because I felt the love and effort." He chuckled,
"I'm saying stupid things. Right?"

"Not really."

~*~

I asked Travis kung tuturuan pa ba niya ako mag-manage ng kompanya, he told me

that he no longer have any to teach and the other aspects are already for me to
discover.

Habang tulala sa kama ay may nakita akong papel na naka-fold sa desk ko.
Kumunot ang noo ko at dali itong binuksan only to see a handwriting similar to
Travis' penmanship.

Pack your things, tomorrow morning, we'll be going to a private island of mine
for 3 days.

My eyes widened.

Dali kong tinawagan si Travis, he answered after four rings. "Don't tell me
you're in trouble." Bungad ni Travis, pinaikot ko ang mata ko.

"I saw your letter. Can I invite my friends?"

 He paused. "Yea." Sagot niya, "if that's all Kai, I need to go. I'm busy right
now finishing my works for the next three days."

"I can come and help."

"No thanks. You will only slow me down." Binabaan na niya ako ng tawag, that
jerk! Am I really a nuisance for him?

Umiling na lang ako at isa-isang tinawagan ang mga kaibigan ko at si JM para i-

inform sila na pupunta kami sa isang private island ni Travis for a little
vacation.

Mabuti na lang at wala silang appointments or schedules or plano sa mga susunod

na araw kaya naman go sila, syempre sinabi ko na si Travis ang may pakana nito at
isa na itong paraan para mas makilala pa nila si Travis at hindi lang siya makita
bilang bilyonaryo.

After a moment, I just found myself packing for my things for the next three
days.

TBT - Kabanata 29

Chapter 29

Nasa loob na kami ng bangka na malaki at high class, si Travis ay nakapang

vacation pants at pawad kaya kitang kita ang matitibay na muscles ng kanyang braso.

"Hi, I'm Vivien Cruize." Pakilala ni Vivien kay Travis na nagpa-andar na sa

makina ng ship.

"I'm Trisha Macario, and this is my husband Ethan Macario." Saad naman ni Trish
sabay hatak kay Ethan at halik sa pisngi.

"I'm Blue. Blue Sky Lee."

"Jam Maj Chaves. Cousin of Kai." Simpleng pakilala ni JM.

"Travis Javierres." Sagot naman ni Travis, "and this is my brother, Grey." Turo
niya sa lalakeng nagmamaneho.

"Ilang oras ang biyahe, bro?" Tanong ni Blue kay Travis.

"Just half an hour." Sagot naman niya, nasa gitna na kami ng dagat, mabuti na
lang at classy ang maliit na cruise ship ni Travis at may shaded part, syempre
medyo malaki ang bangka niya, sina Ethan at Trisha ay nasa gilid at kumukuha ng
pictures sa mga sarili nila habang sina JM at Vivien naman ay nakatingin lang sa
tanawin.

"Kai..." Napatingin ako kay Travis nang tawagin niya ako, bago pa man ako maka-
react ay nalaman ko na lang na nakuhan na naman niya ako ng stolen picture gamit
ang phone niya.

Ngumisi siya.

After an eternity, nakita rin namin sa wakas ang kabuuan ng isla mula sa
kalayuan. It was beautiful.
 "Naks naman! Ang ganda!" Manghang sabi ni Vivien. Of course, sino ang hindi
mamamangha? Kita ko na bulubundukin ang vacation island ng pamilya ni Travis, may
waterfall pa na matatanaw.

Kahit na medyo malayo ay alam ko na white sand ang isla, ang dagat rin ay
kumikinang dahil sa araw, ang mas kumuha ng atensyon ko ay ang napakalaking
resthouse kung saan kami tutuloy, sa hindi kalayuan ay may mga planks na
nagsisilbing parking area ng boat.

Mas binilisan ni Grey ang pagpapatakbo ng bangka.

"Just a little reminders, there's no reception or any signal in this island, I'm
still working on it but there's electricity source so don't worry." Sabi ni Travis.

"Sounds good." JM said, bakit parang may bahid ng pagkasarkastik ang tono niya?

Binaling ko na lang ito.

"We're finally here!" Sabi ni Grey sabay tali ng ship rope sa wooden pole na
nakakonekta sa planks para hindi maalon palayo ang bangka.

Binaba na namin ang mga gamit namin, "there are four rooms in the resthouse,
each have two beds." Sabi ni Grey habang naglalakad kami sa buhangin, I can smell
the salt of the seawater with the refreshing air swirling before me, "Travis and I
will share the same room, JM and Blue for the second, Ethan and Trisha for the
third since they're already married, and Kaira and Vivien for the last one."

Tumango kaming lahat. "And please, don't wander around too much lalo na sa
kalayuan dito especially when alone, maraming panganib ang maaaring mangyari sa
kagubatan. After all, this island is full of wild animals." Sabi niya sabay turo sa
may gubat.

"May swimming pool ba?" Excited na tanong ni Trisha.

"Yep, it's at the resthouse's back." Sagot naman ni Grey. "Bago iyon, punta muna
tayo sa mga kwarto natin para makapagpahinga ng ilang oras."

~*~

"Wala talagang signal." Vivien sighed, tanaw naming dalawa ang kumikinang na
dagat dahil sa sliding glass door ng veranda ng kwarto namin. Kakatapos lang namin
mag-unpack.

Nagulat kaming dalawa nang may biglang kumatok ng dalawang beses, "sino iyan?"
Tanong ko.

"Me."

"Me who?" I joked.

"Your husband, tsk."

Namula ako. Vivien giggled upon seeing my face and I glared at her. Tumayo na
ako at pinagbuksan si Travis, "problema mo?"

Tumingin siya sa akin tapos kay Vivien, "nanakawin ko lang si Kai."

"Sure." Sagot naman ni Vivien.

 With that, lumuhod si Travis, tatanungin ko sana kung ano ang pakulo niya pero
bigla niya akong binuhat at tumayo, nagsimula rin siyang maglakad. "Ano ba, hoy!
Ibaba mo ako!"

"Ang bigat mo..." Iling ni Travis.

"Aysh! Sino ba kasi ang nagsabing buhatin mo ako! Put me down! Stahp!"

"Tsk. Calm down and be quiet, the others are sleeping. I'm not going to do
anything bad to you." Travis smirked as we pass the rooms of the others, "I'm just
going to take you to the kitchen, the two of us will cook together for lunch."

I rolled my eyes, "wala ka bang balak? Ibaba mo na ako please! May paa ako!"

"But I want you to ride on me." Travis pouted.

Namula ako. "Travis Javierres!"

"Yes, Kaira Chaves?" He grinned.

"Put. Me. Down!"

He laughed.

~*~

In the end, Travis and I ended up cooking seperate dishes. Ang niluluto ko ay
pinakbet habang si Travis naman ay adobo. "Marunong ka palang magluto. Naks naman."
Sabi ko nang maamoy ko ang nakakagutom na aroma ng niluluto ni Travis.

"Not really. I'm only following the steps in here." Sabi ni Travis sabay turo
sa hawak niyang notebook. "This notebook was my Mom's, she used to put the steps
she does in making my favorite dishes here and the things needed."

Napatango na lang ako. I suddenly remembered Mom, she was the one who taught me
how to cook.

"You know Kai..." Travis said out of nowhere, "I wonder if you might have...
uhm... you know... have... memories of your childhood?"

"A-Ano..." I gulped.

"Wow naman! Ano ang naaamoy kong masarap?" Naputol ang pagsasalita ko dahil
biglang sumulpot sina Blue at JM. Somehow, I'm thankful because I don't know what
to say to Travis, I didn't want to lie but I also didn't want to let him know the
truth that I remember him being in my past... I'm not yet sure, maybe my memories
are playing with me.

But I know he deserves to know it... that I always have dreams of the younger
me with a boy who looked a lot like him. But why did he suddenly ask out of
nowhere? Travis really knows something I don't.

"Luto na ba iyan?" JM asked me, ignoring Travis.

"Asa. As if naman kumakain ka ng gulay!" I laughed, which was true. Somehow, I'm
happy to avert the topic, I sighed in relief because I just dodged Travis'
question, but I know...
 Someday, I'll have to answer that...

Someday, I'll have to answer him...

But... not now.

TBT - Kabanata 30

Chapter 30

Matapos kami mag-lunch ay tumambay kami sa likod ng resthouse, sina Ethan at

Trisha ay naliligo sa pool, si Blue naman ay nagbabasa ng nobela, sina JM, Grey, at
Vivien naman ay naglalaro ng card game.

Tumingin ako kay Travis na nakatingin sa kawalan, mukhang may malalim siya na
iniisip. "Oy." Sinundot ko siya sa kanyang tagiliran kaya naman napatingin siya sa
akin.

"Hmm?"

"Bakit mo naisip na bumisita dito sa isang private island?" Tanong ko.

"I just want to rest in a place where I won't have to think of my problems."
Sagot naman niya sa akin, "you're lucky to have friends like them." Ngumiti siya
habang nakatingin sa mga kaibigan ko na halatang masaya.

"Why not join them?" I laughed.

"Why not you join them?"

"I think I'll pass." Sagot ko at tumayo na. "Kuha lang ako ng maiinom."

Travis nodded, letting me go.

Habang naglalakad ay napaisip rin ako, a lot of questions suddenly played in my

mind, on that night that I was almost raped... what was Travis doing in such place?
Why was Travis there? Why is it that it feels like we were childhood friends? What
about the dreams?

I'm confused...

Nong nasa kusina na ako ay binuksan ko ang ref, naglagay ako ng malamig na
tubig sa isang baso at uminom. "Kaira!"

Muntik ko nang mabitawan ang hawak kong baso dahil nataranta ako, "hahaha! Sorry
to startle you!" Si Grey lang pala.

"O-Okay lang..."

"Mukhang may malalim ka na iniisip ah." Tugon niya, "is it about my brother?"

I nodded.

"Look, I want you for Travis." Biglang sabi ni Grey habang kinukuha ang pitcher
sa ref, "if anything will happen, please don't leave my brother, promise me that
you will always be there for him." Naglagay siya ng tubig sa kanyang baso at
uminom.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako.

"Ngayon ko lang ulit makita si Kuya na ngumiti at tumawa." Dagdag ni Grey, "you
changed my brother, Kai. You became the light to his dark world. Now, Travis might
be a pushover but don't hate him for that, he is just afraid of losing you so try
to understand him and again, promise you won't ever leave him..."

I suddenly felt my heart pound that it feels like I am about to break, I

suddenly found myseld nodding, "promise."

He smiled, satisfied with my answer before walking with me out of the kitchen.

~*~

Nagkaroon ng inuman noong pagabi na, syempre hindi kami nagpakalasing, noong
medyo madilim na ay lahat kami ay gumawa ng bonfire sa may buhangin at kumuha kami
ng medyo malalaking bato at pinalibot ito sa apoy para magsilbing upuan, rinig ko
ang bawat paghampas ng alon sa buhangin habang lahat kami ay kumukuha ng
marshmallow at tinutusok ito gamit ang matatabang sticks at saka pinapainit sa may
bonfire.

Noong naubos namin ang toasted marshmallows ay biglang tumahimik.

"I guess we will call this a day." Travis stood up, "time to sleep."

Lahat kami ay um-agree at tumayo na, naglakad na kami papasok sa resthouse.

~*~

The second day, lahat kami ay nag-fishing, may isa akong isda na nahuli pero
pinatakas ko dahil naawa ako, dahil doon pinagalitan ako ni Travis at lahat ng mga
kasama namin ay tumawa.

Bigla kong naalala si Tatty, ang aso ko na bigay ni Travis, I forgot to mention
that after a week, Tatty transferred to Travis' mansion so that Tatty would be
taken care of, after all... we became busy with me studying on how to manage a
company. I feel so bad for almost forgetting about Tatty, siguro miss na ako non.

Speaking of... hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa mansion ni Travis.

"Tray, pag-uwi natin... let's visit the mansion." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Mansion?" Tanong niya.

"Your family mansion." I smiled. "I miss Tatty!"

He sighed. "I'll just tell Grey to take Tatty."

I pouted. "I want to see your home."

"It's not home to me." Malamig na tugon ni Travis, biglang nanlambot ang mga
tuhod ko, Travis hard expression softened upon seeing me weaken, "look, I'm sorry.
But I'm not yet ready to go there, I'm not yet ready to see Dad."

I suddenly remembered. Of course, he was mad about his Dad!

Like me...
 Niyakap ko siya. Mabuti na lang at nasa pinakalikod kami na parte ng yacht at
lahat ng mga kasama namin ay busy sa pagfi-fishing at usap.

"Travis, I'm sure Breiz and your Mom are happy right now and so you have to be
happy for them and learn to accept that they're gone, and... you have to learn to
forgive and give a chance for your Dad to act as a father again, I know he is
suffering too from his mistakes, I know he is sad too and I know he needs you as
much as you need him. Well, I'm suppose to say that to myself but... you need to
hear it. Travis, if you hold back because of your pains and anger, you will wake up
one day and regret not doing it, you will wake up and realize your loss."

"Kai..." Travis uttered, his voice was almost a whisper, "okay... I'll face
Dad..." Ngumiti siya sa akin. "But you should do the same... Okay?"

I smiled and nodded. "Deal."

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata at pinatong ang ulo ko kay Travis. I felt his arm
beside me to trail into my side and pulled me closer, as if not wanting to let me
go.

~*~

Minulat ko ang aking mga mata, it was already dark and late. Tumingin ako sa
gilid ko at nakita ang tulog na si Vivien.

I yawned, I tried going back to sleep... pero gising na ang diwa ko kaya naman
pumunta muna ako sa veranda at tumambay.

"Psst." Napatingin ako sa gilid ko at nakita si Travis, nasa veranda rin siya ng
kwarto niya na magkalapit lang sa kwarto namin ni Vivi.

"Bakit gising ka pa?" Tanong ko.

"Same to you."

"Can't sleep." I muttered.

"Me too..."

"Want to walk around?" He offered.

Ngumiti ako. "Okay. Sure."

"Okay. Be quiet, we don't want to wake them up." He grinned.

Tahimik ako na lumabas sa kwarto at nakita si Travis na hinihintay ako, he

silently signaled me to follow him and so I did.

"Ano ang gagawin natin?" Tanong ko nang nakalabas na kami.

"Stargazing at the shore." Turo niya sa may malapit sa dagat.

"So you like the stars." Tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yup, I used too stargaze with Breiz and Mom when you know... when... they were
still here."

"Ang sabi ng Mama ko, pagka ang tao raw ay umalis sa mundo, nagiging mga bitwin
sila. I believe she was right, because I can feel Mom guiding me in my darkness
just by looking at the stars. I can see her, shining brightly. I guess your sister
and mom is the same too." Umupo kami sa may buhangin, not being bothered of the
sand.

Parehas kaming nakatingala, I suddenly felt Travis finger's intertwine with

mine, I smiled as the warmth of his fingers covered me and made me feel alive...
and... loved.

"Wishing star!" Turo ko sa bitwin.

Travis chuckled. "Where?"

Tumingin ako sa kanya, hindi ko alam na nakatingin pala siya sa akin at dahil
malapit kami sa isa't isa...

Our lips met.

TBT - Kabanata 31

Chapter 31

Masaya kaming bumalik sa mainland, sa tatlong araw naming magkakasama ay alam

kong kahit kaunti lang ay napalapit ang loob ng mga kaibigan ko kay Travis at Grey,
ganoon rin naman sila.

Agad akong naligo at nagbihis matapos naming makabalik sa Sapphira Tenshou,

paglabas ko ng banyo ay bumungad sa akin si Travis na halatang katatapos lang rin
maligo dahil basa ang buhok. "Ganyan ba talaga kayong babae? So slow in taking a
bath."

"Aba, kasalanan ko ba? Aber, meron ka naman kasing lungga. Bakit andito ka na
naman?" Pagtataray ko.

"Do I need a reason why?" He whined.

Akmang sasagot sana ako kasu biglang nag-ring ang phone ni Travis sa kanyang
pocket, I gestured him to answer it which he did.

"Grey? What?" Kumunot ang noo ni Travis, hindi naka-loudspeaker ang phone kaya
hindi ko marinig pero may kutob ako na masama ang usapan nila base sa ekspresyon ng
mukha ni Travis, "I-I.... I'm coming."

Binabaan na niya ng tawag si Grey, tumingin sa akin si Travis, his eyes

suddenly teary and sad.

"Kai... do you remember our talk when we were in the private island? About...
me... talking to and facing my Dad?" Tumango ako, "I-I... I think that won't happen
anymore..." Tears fell on his cheeks.

Upon hearing his last sentence, I already knew what he meant...

His Dad just passed away...

Hindi ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa, dali kong hinila si Travis at niyakap, I can feel
his warm tears that was falling on my shoulder but it didn't matter anymore. Travis
needed me and so I have to act on it.

"Kai... you were right... I'll only regret it... I'm a bad s-son... I didn't
tried to understand that I wasn't the only one suffering, Dad was too. I know how
good my dad is... and I've never been a good son to him." Ang kanyang boses ay
basag dahil sa pag-iyak, "Kai... I don't know what to... do..."

"Ssh... wherever your Dad might be, I know for sure he's already a star..."
Ngumiti ako ng mapakla. "It's ok to cry, Travis... we were all made to cry."

The Travis I knew who didn't know how to cry was crying and it breaks my heart
because I know I couldn't stop those falling tears, I was useless...

~*~

Nakaitim na damit si Travis habang ako naman ay naka-puting dress na may blue
embroideries, punong-puno ng flowers ang buong salas ng mansion nina Travis at
Grey, si Grey ay tahimik lang sa gilid, nang nakita niya ako ay simpleng ngiti at
tango lang ang kanyang binigay pero halata pa ring mugtong mugto ang kanyang mga
mata dahil sa pag-iyak.

Maraming mga taong bumisita. Lahat ay halatang maharlika at galing sa mayamang

pamilya, karamihan ay mga businessman at businesswoman. May mga madre rin at pari
na nakikidalamhati, nakita ko rin sina Sister Lucy at Sister Maria, pumunta ako sa
kanila at nakipagyakapan.

Nang umalis na ang mga bumisita at nakiramay ay kaming tatlo nina Grey at Travis
na lang ang natira, finally, tumayo na si Travis sa kanyang upuan at tinignan ang
huling larawan ng kanyang Papa...

Ako rin ay tumayo para samahan siya.

"Kuya... ikaw ang una niyang tinawag bago siya mawala... he was looking for
you..." Cried Grey. May kinuha siya sa kanyang bulsa, "Dad wrote a letter to us
bago siya mawala, he gave it to me a week ago, I already read the letter he gave to
me, now its your turn to read... yours..." Sabi niya sabay bigay ng letter kay
Travis. "Kai... he also wrote one for you."

My eyes widened as I took the letter...

My daughter-in-law, Kai...
I had been watching you this entire time. Of course, I have connections everywhere.
To introduce myself, I am Troy Javierres and I am glad Travis found a girl like
you.
Please try to understand my son and don't leave him. I've never seen him smile
and laugh and be happy but I know that you know that when he is with you, he does
that. You changed the world of my son, therefore, you have my gratitude.
I investigated on your background and saw that your Mom is Airel Kingsly-Chaves.
She was my wife's bestfriend.
I know that I won't live that long anymore and I won't be there for Travis
anymore, so... I want you to take my place. Not as a father.
But as a lover of Travis, as his wife.
You have to answer him already before it's too late.
I know I've never been a good father to him so please be a good wife for him.
Be the girl Travis sees you. I'm not forcing you but please think about it, I know
you love Travis. You are just afraid because something is pushing you back and
whatever that reason it, don't let it control you.
I am in favor of you, only you, for my Travis.
 Tumingin ako kay Travis, natapos na rin niyang basahin ang letter ng dad niya sa
kanya.

Tinignan niya ako at ngumiti ng mapakla, "I never even had a chance to say how I
love him..."

Niyakap ko ulit siya, "I know he knows you love him..."

~*~

Kumalat ang balita sa TV na wala na si Troy Javierres, ang Papa ng bilyonaryong

si Travis, naging usapan ito sa social networking sites.

Ayon sa report, ang sanhi ng kamatayan niya ay cardiac arrest.

Ngayon na ang libing ng Papa ni Travis, sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari.

Nagpakawala kami ng mga puting balloons at blue na favorite color ng Dad niya.
Nakayakap kami ni Travis sa isa't isa habang pinagmamasdan ang paglipad ng mga
balloons.

"Do you think the balloons will reach him?"

"Do you?"

He smiled, sadly. "No... but I know Dad will see it."

Magkatabi lang ang huling hantungan ng Dad ni Travis at Mama niya at si Breiz.

"Dad, I'm sorry..." Travis whispered, "and I promise I won't ever let her go."

Let her go?

Noong sinabi ni Travis iyon ay hinawakan niya ang kamay ko, "I won't let you
go."

TBT - Kabanata 32

Chapter 32

I was in Travis' room, halos dalawang linggo na matapos pumanaw ang Papa niya
at saka unti unti na naman siyang bumabalik sa dating personalidad niya, unti-unti
na rin niyang natatanggap ang pagkawala ng kanyang Papa.

Dahil naiinip ako at ang tagal niyang maligo ay tumayo ako mula sa pagkakaupo sa
kanyang kama at tinignan ang kanyang mga gamit. Binuksan ko ang isang drawer at may
nakitang brown box na may tatak na memory box.

Kumunot ang noo ko sabay kuha rito, binuksan ko ang memory box at ang bumungad
sa akin ay nag-iisang necklace na ang pendant ay kalahati ng puso.

"What's that?"

"Necklace. Isa para sa iyo, isa para sa akin..." Sinuot ng lalake ang necklace
sa babae...
 Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata, narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto kaya naman dali
kong binalik sa dati ang pendant at memory box sa loob ng drawer.

Tinignan ko si Travis, ang tanging saplot lang ng katawan niya ay ang twalya,
basang-basa ang kanyang buhok at may tumutulo pa sa kanyang katawan... lumunok ako
at umiwas ng tingin habang namumula, parang nakalimutan ko na rin ang naalala ko
dahil sa nakita ko, "a-ano ang ginagawa mo?!"

"I forgot to bring my clothes in the bathroom." Travis said.

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga, I was looking at the corner of the room where
I know I won't see his tempting wet body... ugh.

"B-Bilisan mo!"

"Fine. Fine." Travis laughed. "I'll change here."

"What?!" Halos pumutok na ang puso ko sa narinig ko, "sa banyo ka magpalit!"

"Well, this is basically my room." He said, sarcastically. "Wala namang malisya

ito ah, we're about to get married. Masanay ka na."

Those words echoed in my mind... about to get married? Us?

I felt a pang of happiness and at the same time confusion to cross into my
heart. I was doubting everything.

"Tray..." Tawag ko sa kanya, nakalingon pa rin at hindi nakatingin sa kanya,

alam kong nagpapalit na siya ngayon.

"Hmm?"

"Will you still marry me if I wasn't the first girl to see your tattoo?"

Nagulat ako sa sarili kong tanong. Why did you ask that, Kai? I wanted to take
back my words, I wanted to walk back in time and change it. But I knew that was
impossible. Katangahan, Kai.

Travis was silent...

And I took his silence as a no...

I felt a part of me break, completely aware of my place already. I have no place

in Travis' heart all along...

"Stupid question." I was caught off guard when Travis suddenly talked, "you can
turn around now." Sabi ni Travis, tumango ako at humarap na sa kanya, nakabihis na
pala siya. Naglakad siya palapit sa akin. Amoy ko ang mabango niyang buhok na
magulo pero maayos pa rin tignan para sa akin. "From the moment I laid my eyes on
you, Kai... I knew that you were the one."

Suminghap ako. Ramdam ko ang mainit na hininga ni Travis sa aking leeg dahil sa
bigla niyang pagyakap sa akin, "T-Travis..."

"Sssh... Kai, if you don't believe my words, then at least... believe in me."
Hinalikan ni Travis ang noo ko.

~*~
 "Tatty!" Masaya kong niyakap ang alaga ko dahil sa wakas makakasama ko na naman
ulit siya matapos ang ilang linggong pagkakahiwalay, masayang tumahol si Tatty at
hinalikan ako sa kamay. Tumawa naman ako dahil sa kiliti.

"How's my Tatty?"

"Arf! Arf!"

Tumawa ako. Halatang na-miss ako ni Tatty.

Matapos pakainin si Tatty ay pinasyal ko muna siya para hindi siya mainip.
Pabalik na sana kami sa Sapphira Tenshou nang may nakita akong pamilyar na lalakeng
nakaupo sa isa sa mga benches park at may hawak na libro, si Grey!

Dali akong pumunta sa kanya at umupo sa kanyang tabi, hindi agad niya ako
napansin siguro dahil sa nakatutok siya sa kanyang binabasa. "Yo!"

Ngumisi ako. "Ginagawa mo dito?"

Tinuro niya ang libro na hawak niya, "ikaw?"

Tinuro ko si Tatty. Nagtawanan kaming dalawa.

Sinara ni Grey ang libro na binabasa niya at tumingin sa akin, "lagot ka kay
Kuya, hindi ka na naman nagpabantay. Pasaway talaga." Pinisil niya ang pisngi ko,
tumawa siya nang umaray ako. Sadista ba ito?

"Eh sa ayokong dumagdag pa sa problema niya. Tsaka malapit lang naman ang S.T.
dito kaya ayos lang iyan." Sagot ko naman. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata at dinama
ang simoy ng hangin. Tumahol si Tatty at napatingin ako sa tinatahulan niya.

"Kaira Chaves." Malamig at malumanay na boses ni Travis, halatang nagtitimpi.

Lumunok ako, "y-yes?"

Tinignan niya ako ng masama bago tumingin kay Grey, "you have no idea Kai how
you made me worry."

"Look, hindi naman kailangan na sa lahat ng oras ay binabantayan mo ako, kaya ko

ang sarili ko."

"Says the girl who always finds trouble and asks me to come and save her."
Travis mocked.

Humalakhak si Grey, "makaalis na nga. Bye Kai!"

"Bye Grey!" Nginitihan ko siya.

"Tsk." Singhal ni Travis nang papaalis na si Grey.

"Problema mo?" Inis na tanong ko sa kanya matapos ang ilang sandali.

"Ikaw."

"Arf! Arf!"

"I don't know why, Kai... I just can't bring myself to take my eyes off you."
Travis said out of nowhere, namumula ang kanyang tenga.
 Umiwas ako ng tingin.

TBT - Kabanata 33

Chapter 33

"Waaah!" Sigaw ko habang pinipindot ng mabilis ang controller ng Xbox, naglalaro

kami ngayon ni Travis ng Tekken sa kanyang xbox, nasa game room kami ng unit niya.

Tumatawa si Travis habang umaatake sa laro, biglang na-K.O. ang character ko,
"Travis ten, Kaira zero." He teased. "You stand no chance against me, Kai."

Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga sabay bitaw sa controller, isn't there

anything that Travis is not good at? Lahat na lang ata ng mga bagay magaling siya!
Edi siya na! Siya na ang magaling at perpekto! Wengya!

"So what was the deal again?" Pagpapaalala ni Travis.

I sighed. "Whoever is the first one to win ten times gets to control the loser
for one day."

Ngumisi si Travis, tama nga si Grey, mahirap talunin si Travis. Hays.

"What are you planning?" Kinabahan na tanong ko.

"Nothing in particular, hmm... how about we go to the church?"

"And get married?!" Napaawang labi na pagtuloy ko.

Tumawa siya ng marahan, "silly no, but we can if you want..." He trailed off.

Namula ako.

"U-Uhm, ano... ok." Tumayo na ako, "I'll just dress up." Walang sabi akong
umalis sa silid at dumiretso sa 15th floor, not bothering to pause and feel the
beat of my heart race.

~*~

I was wearing a simple plain navy blue dress which was paired with a 3-inch
heel, tinignan ko ang sarili ko sa salamin and decided to curl the tips of my hair,
still unsatisfied, I put on a light makeup enough to put a beautiful accent to my
face, worried about my smell, I added a perfume on my dress.

Since when was I concerned about all these things?

Umiling ako. Tatayo na sana ako nang biglang bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto ko,
Travis was there, wearing his plain white v-neck shirt. Tinitigan muna niya ako
bago tumikhim, "leggo."

Tumango ako at agad kaming dumiretso sa parking lot, sa sasakyan ko kami sumakay
ni Travis, since akin naman ang sasakyan ay ako ang nagmaneho. "Saang simbahan ang
pupuntahan natin?"

"The usual one."

 I seem to understand what he meant and nodded. "Hindi naman Sunday ngayon eh.
Walang misa."

"We aren't going for mass. I'm going to offer my prayers for us, Dad, my little
sis, and my Mom." Tumango ako and decided to just focus on driving instead of
scooping his life or plans for today.

Matapos ang ilang minuto na biyahe ay narating rin namin sa wakas ang cathedral,
pumasok kami ni Travis doon habang nakahawak ang aming mga kamay. Tumingin ako sa
altar, I suddenly froze on the spot when an imagination suddenly occured.

Hindi ko labis akalain na mai-imagine ko ang sarili ko na naglalakad sa aisle

kung saan kami naglalakad ngayon ni Travis na nakasuot ng white dress at may hawak
hawak na mga bulaklak at makikita si Travis na hinihintay ako sa harap ng altar.

Namula ako dahil sa ideya na naisip ko. Binaling ko na lang ito at nag-pokus sa
ibang mga bagay, something that won't remind me of marriage.

~*~

Matapos kami magdasal ni Travis ay umalis na kami sa simbahan, si Travis na

ngayon ang nagmaneho ng sasakyan, "saan ang sunod na punta natin?" Tanong ko.

"Seaside." Simpleng sagot niya.

Tumango naman ako at tahimik na pinagmasdan ang tanawin sa labas, dahil mabilis
ang sasakyan ay parang mga blurred na linya lamang ang lahat ng aking nakikita. I
closed my eyes and felt myself drift in dreamland.

"Alam mo, gusto ko na balang araw ay dadalhin mo ako sa simbahan... at gusto ko

balang araw kakantahan kita sa harap ng dagat."

"Bakit naman?"

Tumawa ang babae. "Wala, gusto ko lang." Hinawakan ng babae ang necklace niya,
"hangga't sa meron ito sa akin, hindi kita makakalimutan."

"Promise?"

"Pinky promise!"

"Wake up, Kai."

Minulat ko ang aking mga mata, bumungad sa akin ang malapit na mukha ni Travis,
nataranta naman ako dahil sa lapit niya sa akin. "A-Ano?"

"We're here." Sagot niya, doon ko napansin na naririnig ko ang bawat hampas ng
alon sa seashore at amoy na amoy ko ang pamilyar na amoy ng dagat.

Pinagbuksan ako ni Travis ng pinto, "tanggalin mo ang heels mo, wear this."
Binigay sa akin ni Travis ang isang paperbag na naglalaman ng tsinelas. Kinuha ko
naman ito at sinuot, funny how it suited me well and I felt comfortable.

Inalalayan niya akong bumaba sa sasakyan, habang naglalakad kami sa may buhangin
ay tina-try kong alalahanin ang panaginip ko kanina. Kaming dalawa lang ni Travis
ngayon sa beach, siguro liblib ang lugar na ito.

Umupo kami ni Travis sa may malaking bato hindi kalayuan sa dagat, pinikit ko
ang aking mga mata habang nararamdaman ang malamig na simoy ng hangin, medyo maaga
pa kaya hindi pa mainit. "Hey, sing a song for me." He suddenly said out of
nowhere.

Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Ayaw ko nga."

"Remember the deal? You'll do anything I ask for one day ー"

I sighed. "Oo na. Ayan na."

Ngumisi siya.

I sighed. "What song?"

He yawned. "Any may do."

Tumango ako, pinikit ko ang aking mga mata, "Well you only need the light when
it's burning low, only miss the sun when it starts to snow, only know you love her
when you let her go..."

Nagulat ako nang hawakan ni Travis ang kamay ko sa gitna ng pagkanta ko, "I
won't let you go..."

Hindi ko gaano narinig ang sinabi niya dahil sa mababa ang boses niya at halos
pabulong lang, hindi ko iyon pinansin at tinuloy lang ang pagkanta, "Staring at the
bottom of your glass, hoping one day you'll make a dream last but dreams come slow
and they go so fast..."

His grip on our intertwined fingers became firm, "You see her when you close
your eyes, maybe one day you'll understand why, everything you touch surely dies."

"And you let her go..." Hindi ko namalayan na sinasabayan na pala ako ni Travis
na kumanta, ngumiti ako dahil doon. "Kai, look at me."

Tumingin ako sa kanya, nakatingin rin siya sa akin. Suddenly, I heard a

snapshot on our side, doon ko namalayan na kinuhan na naman ako ni Travis ng stolen
shot, no... let me rephrase that... kinuhan niya kaming dalawa ng stolen shot
habang nakatingin sa isa't isa na parang magkasintahan. Pinakita niya sa akin ang
picture, namula ako...

"You're so perfect, Kai. I wonder why?"

Lumunok ako.

Travis suddenly let go of our hands, I felt myself wanting to take it back, I
suddenly missed the warmth of his palms pushing into mine. "I'm Travis Javierres,
Kaira Chaves, I want you to share the last name I have." Suminghap ako, "I'm
willing to wait, I know you just need more time to think." Ngumiti si Travis, it
was a sad smile again.

"Tray..."

Tinignan niya ako. His eyes teary.

I felt my heart shatter.

"Do I even have a chance to you, Kai?"

TBT - Kabanata 34

Chapter 34

Nagkibit balikat ako habang nakahiga sa kama at nakatitig sa mga nakadikit na

glow-in-the-dark stars at moon sa kisame. Nagbuntong-hininga ako, dahil wala akong
magawa ay kinuha ko ang iPad ko at binuksan ko ang facebook account, ngayon na
naman lang pala ako magbukas ng account, nagiging madalang na ako sa paggamit ng
gadgets simula noong nakilala ko si Travis.

Tinignan ko ang newsfeeds ko, puro mga selfies ng mga kakilala ko ang
nagpapakita, marami rin akong mga friend requests which I just ignored dahil wala
naman akong kakilala doon.

Sa kailaliman ng friend requests ko, I saw something which made my heart... beat
fast.

Travis Javierres
Confirm | Delete

May facebook si Travis?! Hindi ko alam pero na-guilty ako, since tambak ang
friend request niya, nag-assume ako na matagal na niya akong in-add...

Agad ko namang in-accept si Travis, binuksan ko ang profile niya at nakitang may
688K followers siya sa facebook, I rolled my eyes. Of course, he is the
billionaire. Sikat dapat siya.

Hindi gaano karami ang status niya or post siguro dahil sa busy sa trabaho,
dahil bored ako at curious ako sa tao ay hinintay kong mag-load ang cover picture
niya at profile picture, bwisit naman, ang bagal ng free data! Hays. Magpapakabit
na nga lang ako ng internet dito.

Matapos ang ilang sandali, biglang lumitaw ang profile picture niya, laking-
gulat ko nang makita ang picture naming dalawa kahapon sa seaside, yong picture
namin na parehas kaming nakatingin sa isa't isa at nakangiti pa! That explains it.
That explains why I had a lot of friend requests.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang tignan ko ang caption ng picture, simple lang naman, it
says her smile keeps me fighting for us.

Bigla akong namula.

Pinikit ko ang aking mata at tinignan ang iba niyang pictures, karaniwang naka-
business attire si Travis at hindi nakangiti, habang lumalalim ang pag-stalk ko sa
account niya ay mas nagiging bata ang version niya sa mga pictures. Until something
suddenly caught my eyes...

Travis was with a girl in a dress, maganda ang babae, mas maganda pa siguro sa
akin. Nakangiti silang dalawa sa picture at nakaakbay si Travis sa babae.

I felt my heart shatter. Is that girl Travis' ex? Wait... ano naman sa akin iyon
kung ex niya ang babae? Ang mahalaga Kai, Travis is with you.

Pero hindi ko pa rin maiwasang mag-isip...

Why didn't he tell me anything? It's not like it is something on my concern...

it's not like I care...
 Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata, composing myself again and looking for more
pictures, gusto kong tumigil sa pag-stalk sa account ni Travis dahil bawat pictures
niya kasama ang babaeng maganda na hindi ko kilala ay nasasaktan ako.

Huwag mong sabihin panakip-butas lang ako, Travis?

Umiling ako, you have to trust Travis, Kai... trust him...

You have to trust your childhood bestfriend...

Everything was already clear to me. Oo, alam ko na dati kaming magkaibigan ni
Travis, he was the guy in my dreams. He was the guy who gave me a necklace.

Everything confirmed it all because of that necklace he gave me before he

disappeared... matapos kaming pumunta sa dagat ni Travis kahapon, umuwi na kami sa
Sapphira Tenshou but after that, I decided to visit the mansion, mabuti at wala
sina Dad at Sandy by that time.

Pumunta ako sa mansion dahil may gusto akong hanapin sa kwarto ko. Nakita ako ni
Lola Dorora and told her na huwag sabihing bumisita ako at oo, ang necklace ang
hinanap ko sa kwarto ko. I wanted to confirm that everything wasn't a dream, but
real.

And so I confirmed it. Everything was real...

Tinignan ko ang necklace na hawak ko at binulsa ito.

~*~

Dahil wala akong magawa, I decided to take a visit at Travis in Javierres

Company and give him a help, anyways, kilala naman na ako ng nga empleyado doon
dahil sa pagtuturo sa akin noon ni Travis kung paano maglakad ng kompanya. Syempre,
lagi nila akong nakikita.

Papasok na sana ako sa kompanya nang harangin ako ng gwardya, "Ma-Ma'am

Chaves."

Ngumiti ako. "Excuse me po."

"A-Ano po..." umiwas siya ng tingin. Bakit parang may mali?

Tinignan ko ang gwardya, "please let me through."

Lumunok ang guard, "M-Ma'am, busy po si Sir."

"So? That's why I came here to help." Hindi ko na hinintay pa ang sagot ng
gwardya at daling pumasok, walang nagawa ang guard kundi magbuntong-hininga. Ang
iba namang mga empleyado na nakakita sa akin ay umiiwas ng tingin at halatang
natataranta.

"Kai!" Lumingon ako at nakita si Grey, papalabas siya mula sa elevator. Nagulat
siya noong nakita niya ako pero pinalitan niya iyon ng ngiti para hindi ko
mahalata, which failed.

"Hi." Ngumiti ako. "Asan si Travis?"

Bigla siyang pinagpawisan. "A-Ano..." nagulat ako dahil bigla niyang hinila ang
kamay ko palabas ng kompanya, "wanna shop?" He offered.
 Tinanggal ko ang hawak niya sa kamay ko, "no thanks." Akmang papasok na sana ako
sa elevator nang hilain niya ulit ako. "Kai, si Kuya ay ー"

"Tsk. Bakit kakaiba ang kinikilos mo? May nangyayari ba sa taas?" I asked.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Grey. That confirms it all.

Mabilis akong tumakbo papuntang stairs dahil walang available na elevator,

hinabol rin ako ni Grey, mabuti na lang at naka-rubber shoes ako ngayon, "Kaira!"

Hindi ko pinansin si Grey, mabilis akong tumakbo pataas, I even skip steps in
the stairs. I know they are hiding something from me and I must know what it is.

Hinihingal na ako pero hindi pa rin ako tumitigil, lumingon ako at nakita si
Grey, he was catching up on me.

"Grey! Huwag mo akong pigilan! Ano ba ang tinatago mo sa akin?!"

"You don't need to know Kai, wala akong tinatago sa iyo!" Sigaw niya pabalik
habang hinahabol pa rin ako sa hagdan. Tinignan ko ang floor, nasa 14th floor na
kami, meaning, pitong floors na lang ay nasa floor na ako ng office ni Travis.

Hindi ako kombinsido, tumingala ako sa hagdan, ramdam kong pawisan na ako at
malapit nang mapagod. Nang narating ko ang pinto ng floor ni Travis ay binuksan ko
ito at agad na pumasok, ni-lock ko ang door para hindi makapasok si Grey at pigilan
ako. Which was a success...

"Kaira!"

"Sorry Grey!" Sabi ko.

He knocked the door and tried to twist the doorknob but failed. I sighed at
daling tumakbo papunta sa kinaroroonan ni Travis which wasn't far, I am completely
aware that Grey is holding a skeleton key and it won't be any longer that he may
open the door already.

I stopped in front of the office of Travis, tahimik ang floor dahil nga't ang
buong palapag ay opisina niya.

I was about to open the door when I heard a girl's faint voice.

"Travis, I love you." Sabi ng babae.

Parang nabasag ang puso ko dahil sa aking narinig, I gathered all my courage and
opened the door, mukhang hindi nila napansin na may tao pala dahil magkalapit ang
katawan nina Travis at yong babae. Tumingin ako sa babae, she was familiar... then
something struck to me, she was the girl in the picture with Travis!

"S-Stel, n ー"

I gasped. The girl Travis called Stel kissed him on the lips making him shut
up, what broke my heart even more was that Travis didn't push the girl away nor
broke the kiss.

Biglang nanghina ang mga tuhod ko, tears suddenly came out. Travis was too
preoccupied with the girl with him that he wasn't even aware that I was there right
in front of him, just how many meters away. I cried silently as I watch the
couples.
 Kai, why are you even crying?

"Kaira!"

Biglang natigil sina Travis at Stel sa paghahalikan dahil sa biglang pagpasok ni

Grey. Tumingin siya sa akin at kina Travis at sa babaeng kasama niya. Horror was
visible in his face.

Halatang nagulat rin si Travis dahil nakita niya ako sa opisina niya.

I wiped my tears away but they keep on falling, it was useless.

"Travis, who's that girl?"

Hindi pinansin ni Travis si Stel, instead, tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo sa

swivel chair at tinignan ako, "K-Kai..."

Ngumiti ako. I clenched my fist as I took the necklace with the half of a heart
pendant in my pocket, pinakita ko ito sa kanya at hinayaang mahulog sa sahig,
halatang nagulat siya, sinunod ko namang kinuha ang susi ng sasakyan na regalo niya
sa akin noong kaarawan ko sa bulsa ko at hinayaan rin itong mahulog sa sahig,
reminding him that he made me fall but didn't catch me.

I know he already knows that I remember everything... I know he already knows I

remember him, that we were once bestfriends in the past.

"Parehas kayong manlolokong mga lalake. Ang galing mong pumikot ng babae,
Travis, hanga ako sa iyo, ang galing mong lalake at nakuha mo ang puso ko, oo, tama
ka... mahal kita, haha, grabe, pinagmukha mo akong tanga." I laughed, sadly. I look
pathetic and I didn't care. "A-Ano..." Lumapit ako sa kanya at sinampal siya ng
malakas sa pisngi.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng sakit sa kamay dahil sa pagsampal, pero mas masakit pa
rin ang makitang may humalik na iba sa mahal mo pero hindi man lang pinigilan ng
mahal mo ang humalik.

Yes, I love Travis.

But fate is too playful.

Tumalikod na ako, "enjoy your day, Mr. Billionaire."

Tumingin ako kay Grey, so this was what he was trying to hide. That's why he was
acting weird.

Naglakad na ako palabas ng opisina, my tears still flowing in my cheeks.

Pumasok na ako sa elevator, still looking at the hallway, hoping Travis would
come running after me and explain everything, but there's nothing to explain.

I closed my eyes when the elevator closed. More tears...

He didn't come...

TBT - Kabanata 35
Chapter 35

I didn't know where I was going, pinagkakatinginan rin ako ng mga tao sa loob.
Paglabas ko ng kompanya ni Travis, agad akong pumara ng taxi. Wala na sa akin ang
susi ng sasakyan na regalo ni Travis, I already left it behind.

"Kuya, sa Aristocrat Subdivision po."

Agad namang tumango ang driver at daling pinaharurot ang taxi.

Ayaw ko munang pumunta sa Sapphira Tenshou, for sure magkikita at magkikita

kami ni Travis doon, ayaw ko muna siyang makita sa ngayon. Sa tuwing maaalala ko
siya bumabalik ang lahat ng sakit na nadama ko, mas masakit pa ito kesa sa amin ni
Marcus noon. I need to escape.

Dali kong hinalungkat ang cellphone ko at tinawagan si JM, "oh? Bakit ka

napatawag?"

I sniffed. "J-Jam..."

"Kai? Umiiyak ka ba?" Sino nga ba ang hindi makakahalata kung basag ang boses
ko? "Asan ka?"

"P-Papunta na ako ngayon sa bahay mo, pakitawag naman sina Trish, Than, Vi, at
Blue..."

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga ni JM, "si Travis ba ang rason?" Hindi ako
sumagot, "tsk, sabi na nga ba eh! Mapapatay ko siya!"

Ngumiti ako ng mapakla, "ok lang ako, Jam. Huwag kang mag-alala." Suminghot ako.
"I just really need someone to hear me..."

"Ok, susunduin kita sa entrance ng subdivision ko. Ok?"

"S-Sige. Bye."

I ended the call, pinagmasdan ko ang tanawin sa labas ng bintana, tears still
coming out of my eyes. Bakit parang hindi ako nauubusan ng luha? Siguro mugtong-
mugto na ang mga mata ko dahil sa sobrang kakaiyak.

~*~

Nagbayad na ako sa taxi at lumabas, bumungad sa akin sa guardhouse malapit sa

entrance ng Aristocrat Subdivision si JM, mabilis siyang tumakbo nang makita ako at
saka niya ako niyakap ng mahigpit, "you look completely like a mess."

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya.

"Pwede bang makikitulog muna ako sa iyong bahay?"

Ngumiti siya, "sige ba."

Hinawakan niya ang braso ko, "ang singkit mo na nga mas sisingkit ka pa, huwag
ka nang umiyak. Hindi ka naman iyakin eh." Pagtawa ni JM, I'm glad that he didn't
bother me with questions about what happened. Sa tuwing naaalala ko ang nangyari,
bumabalik ang lahat ng sakit, bumabalik ang lahat.

I feel betrayed. I feel fooled. I feel stupid. I feel broken.

 Habang naglalakad kami papuntang bahay ni JM ay hindi ko maiwasan ang
magbuntong-hininga, nakatungo lang ako at nakatingin sa baba, tahimik lang kaming
dalawa na naglalakad, "hinihintay ka nina Vivien sa bahay, nag-aalala sila sa iyo."

Ngumiti ako, "I'm really a bad friend, pinag-alala ko pa sila..."

"Not really." Sabi ni JM. "It's only natural for us to be worried when one of
our special persons are sad." Nagulat ako nang hawakan ni JM ang kamay ko, "look
Kai, you're not alone. Andito lang kami, marami kaming nagmamahal sa iyo."

I smiled and nodded. But still, everything still hurts, especially my heart.

~*~

"Kai!" Nagulat ako dahil pagbukas pa lang ng pinto ng bahay ni JM ay bumungad

na agad sina Vivien at Trisha, niyakap nila ako ng mahigpit, nakatingin sila sa
akin ng malungkot.

"Oy, chill muna. Sa loob na iyan." JM uttered, tumango naman ang dalawa at
hinila ako papasok sa loob. Sa salas ay bumungad sina Ethan at Blue na naglalaro ng
xbox, bigla ko tuloy naalala si Travis at ako noon na naglalaro ng Tekken sa xbox.

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata at umupo sa sofa malapit lang sa kanila, tumigil
na ang dalawa sa paglalaro at nagkatinginan.

Nagulat ako dahil pinalibutan naman na nila ako, "sabihin mo lang Kai kung gusto
mo, reresbakan ko ang bilyonaryong 'yon!" Maangas na sabi ni Blue.

"Ulol. Huwag ganun!" Sabi ni Ethan, "dapat tayong lahat ang rumesbak! Aba!
Paiyakin ba naman ang Prinsesa ng Gabi natin!"

Ngumiti ako. "Hay naku, huwag mo silang pansinin, Kai. Kanina ngang wala ka nag-
aalala silang dalawa, hindi sila mapakali kaya naglaro na lang sila ng xbox
pampalipas ng oras." Iling ni Trisha. Namula naman sina Ethan at Blue.

Hindi ko maiwasang maiyak ulit, mabuti na lang at meron sila...

Masaya rin ako dahil hindi sila nagtanong.

"Kai, basta kung ano ang desisyon mo, saludo at supurtado kami doon. We're
bestfriends after all." Sabi ni Vivi, ngumiti ako at tumango.

"So, ano na ang plano mo ngayon?" Tanong ni Blue.

"Ewan..." sagot ko. "Siguro lalayo muna ako kay Travis..."

Halata naman sa mukha ng mga kaibigan ko na sabik na sabik na sila na malaman

ang nangyari at ayaw kong nagtatago sa kanila ng lihim.

"Long story short, binisita ko si Travis sa opisina niya at nakitang may kasama
siyang babaeng tinawag niyang Stel, hinalikan ni Stel si Travis and Travis didn't
broke the kiss nor pushed the girl away. They literally kissed in front of me,
hindi man lang ako hinabol noon ni Travis para mag-explain noong umalis ako, tapos
may pa-I love you pang nalalaman ang babae bago ang lahat..." I cried again, just
by remembering that.

"Sssh, that's enough." Sabi ni JM, stopping me from saying more.

"That jerk!" Inis na sabi ni Ethan.

 Humikbi ako. "Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko..."

"Simple lang ang solusyon, alamin mo." Pagbibiro ni Blue.

Ngumiti ako.

Piningot ni Vivi si Blue. "Minsan kasi ilugar mo ang pagbibiro mo, hah?"

"Okay."

Ngumiti ako.

"JM, mag-sleep over na kami dito, ah?" Sabi ni Ethan.

"What?!" JM shook his head, "no."

"Yes daw." Sabi ni Blue, "so, it's been decided, matutulog tayong lahat dito. So
how about a party party para sa atin?"

Umiling na lang ako. "Alak na naman ang laman ng isip mo!" Trisha laughed.

Hindi ko namalayan na tumigil na pala ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko, at siguro
dahil sa matinding pagod ay nakatulog ako't nawalan ng malay.

~*~

"Mama!" Humihikbing tawag ng batang babae. I know for sure that it was me, my
younger version.

"Napano ka, Kai?" Halata ang pag-aalala sa boses ni Mama.

Suminghot ako, "M-Mama..." Tinuro ng batang babae ang kanyang tuhod na may galos
ng sugat.

"Natapilok ka na naman ba, Kai?" Umiling si Mama, nilabas niya ang kanyang panyo
sa bulsa niya at pinunas ito sa basang pisngi ng batang babae.

"Tahan na, halika't lilinisin natin ang sugat mo."

Tumango ang batang babae which was me.

"Kai, minsan nasusugatan tayo at nasasaktan, hindi masama ang umiyak, huwag mo
lang kalimutan ang ngumiti at maging masaya."

TBT - Kabanata 36

Chapter 36

Minulat ko ang aking mga mata, naninibago ako dahil sa iba ang pakiramdam ng
kama ko, doon ko napagtanto na wala pala ako sa kwarto ko. I'm in JM's guestroom,
tumingin ako sa katabi kong tulog, si Vivi, sa baba naman ay sina Trisha at Ethan
na magkayakap.

Tumingin ako sa couch-bed at nakita roon si Blue na humihilik. Ngumiti ako at

tahimik na tumayo para pumunta sa veranda ng guestroom. Sino kaya ang bumuhat sa
akin papunta dito habang tulog ako? Nakatulog ako kanina, alam ko. Medyo masakit
ang ulo ko siguro dahil sa sobrang pag-iyak, na-drain na ata ang ulo ko.

Tinignan ko ang madilim na kalawakan, pinikit ko ang aking mga mata habang
dinadama ang malamig na simoy ng hangin. Bigla kong naalala ang mga panahon na
magkasama kami ni Travis habang pinapanood ang mga bitwin at buwan.

The night had been a memory between Travis and me.

Gabi noong una kaming magkita after how many years after our childhood days, on
the night that I was almost raped, Travis came and saved me. On that night, I saw
his tattoo.

It was night when we had our first date, naalala ko noong sinakay niya ako sa
helicopter and I was so afraid of the heights but Travis' simple move to hold my
hand calmed me down.

Gabi noong nasa talampas kami at pinapanood ang mga bitwin, gabi noong
nagkasakit si Travis dahil sa ulan, gabi noong nasa private island kami at pinag-
usapan namin ang mga bitwin.

The night became special to me because of Travis, but today... the beautiful
night became scary, the night became sad and lonely, the night was suddenly alone.
It became dark.

Hindi ko namalayan na may tumutulo na palang luha sa aking pisngi, I sighed and
wiped the tears away. Everything that I see just keeps on reminding him.

"Can't sleep?" Nataranta ako dahil sa may biglang nagsalita sa likod ko,
lumingon ako at nakita ko si Blue.

Nginitihan ko siya at tumango.

"Me too."

Tumango lang ako habang nakatingin pa rin sa madilim na kalawakan.

"You know, the stars are like us." Biglang sabi ni Blue, tumingala na rin siya
para tignan ang kalawakan, "we can't shine without darkness, well what can I say?
This is life."

"Hindi ka ba giniginaw? Ang lamig kaya." Tugon niya, hinubad ni Blue ang suot
niyang jacket at pinatong ito sa balikat ko, "this should keep you warm. Babalik na
ako sa loob. Matulog ka na rin at huwag magpuyat, ok?"

I smiled and nodded.

"Good night."

~*~

Kinaumagahan, Ethan and Trisha left since may appointment raw sila para sa
extension bars ng Custody Booze, si Vivi naman ay isang teen model at may schedule
siya na photo shooting sa araw na ito, si Blue naman ay umuwi muna para ihatid ang
kapatid niya sa school.

"JM, punta lang ako sa Sapphira Tenshou, I'll just get Tatty."

"Tatty?"
 "My doggie. Hindi ko pa siya napapakain simula kahapon e, baka nagugutom na iyon
at malungkot. Ipapaalaga ko muna si Tatty kay Lola Dorora sa mansion." Sagot ko
naman.

"Ok. You can borrow my car."

Umiling ako, "no thanks. Mag-commute na lang ako, anyways, may sasakyan naman
ako sa S.T. parking lot e, yon na lang gamitin ko 'pag balik ko."

Tumango na lang siya. "If anything happens, call me. Ok?" Hinalikan ako ni JM sa
noo, ngumiti ako at tumango.

"Bye, coz."

He nodded.

~*~

Tinitigan ko ang Sapphira Tenshou at lumunok, I know there might be a

possibility that I may meet Travis, I know... but all I need to do is walk in and
enter the elevator then press my floor button and voila!

Umiling ako, kinuha ko lahat ng lakas ng loob ko at naglakad papasok. Mabuti

naman at walang kahirap hirap akong pumasok sa elevator, dali kong pinindot ang
button 15.

Noong nasa floor ko na ako ay mabilis akong dumiretso sa unit ko, tahimik ang
buong palapag dahil akin naman ang lahat ng units dito kahit na iisa lang ang
ginagamit ko.

"Tatty?"

"Arf! Arf!"

I sighed in relief when I saw her doing good. I patted her head and took a dog
food. Nilagay ko ang dog food sa kanyang plato.

I stopped on my tracks when I heard a footstep.

"Kai, where had you been all this time?"

Tumingala ako, it was Travis...

"A-Ano ang ginagawa mo dito?" I tried to act tough. I don't want to look weak
again, ever.

"I was up the whole night waiting for you..." Mahinang sumbat niya, pansin ko
iyon dahil sa dark rings na nakapalibot sa kanyang mga mata, he looked tired but
still hot. Umiling ako.

"Hindi ko na iyon kasalanan, maaari ka nang umalis." Malamig na tugon ko.

"Kai..."

"Bakit?"

"About what happened... the kiss..."

 Tumingin ako kay Travis, blinking the tears away, "did you had fun with the
kiss?" Ngumiti ako, "it's ok Travis, I knew from the start that you're just playing
around me... I knew that guys like you are all the similar in some ways."

Tumikhim ang bagang niya. "Let me explain. Stel is just the daughter of my Dad's
bestfriend and she is just an acquaintance of mine!"

"I'm not really asking." Matigas na sagot ko, "kung nakakaintindi ka, lumayas ka
sa unit ko, you're not welcomed here anymore."

"Ok, so that's really it, Kai? You're making decisions just because of a ten
second kissing scene? I was shocked because of the kiss that Stel gave and was
unable to push her away because my mind was thinking you! You're putting everything
away just because of one single thing that happened? Ganoon ba talaga ako kadali sa
iyo?"

Suminghap ako. "What do you mean?"

I saw Travis' tears fall on his cheeks, "ganoon mo na ba ako kadaling iwanan,
Kai?"

I felt a string of my heart break into pieces.

"I can tell Stel loves you, Travis." Sabi ko, "and whoever she is, don't hide
it. Alam ko naman na malapit kayo sa isa't isa e. Your facebook account's photos is
enough to prove that."

"Kai, will you please just listen to me?"

"After all that happened? No."

"Kai, mahal kita!"

TBT - Kabanata 37

Chapter 37

Literal na napaawang labi ako, bumalik ako sa huwisyo nang dilaan ni Tatty ang
kamay ko at tumahol, naubos na pala niya ang dog food niya.

Pero hindi pa rin ako makakilos ng maayos, mahal niya ako...

He just told me that he loves me!

Umiwas ako ng tingin, narinig ko ang malakas na buntong-hininga ni Travis, "Kai,

the kiss was just nothing compared to our first accidental one, ikaw ang first kiss
ko, Kai, and I'm making it sure that you'll be my last kiss, sa harap pa ng altar."

Tumalikod ako sa kanya at umaktong nilalagyan ng dog food ang plate ni Tatty at
pinapakain siya, nagulat ako dahil biglang may sinuot si Travis sa aking leeg,
tinignan ko iyon at nakita ang necklace na iniwan ko sa kanya.

"I thought you already lost the other half of mine." Halatang masaya si Travis,
bigla niya akong niyakap mula sa likod. "I'm so sorry for being a jerk..."

Hindi ako kumibo.

 "I dedicated my time investigating my childhood bestfriend's whereabouts when I
had the power then it led me to you, at first, I was doubting if my search were
really true so I came to confirm it with my two eyes. On that night that you were
almost raped, I was watching you and there was the nostalgic feeling, I suddenly
knew it was you and I felt stupid things play inside of me, sinundan kita noon
habang kinakaladkad ka ng lalake, I was fighting the urge to kill that guy, I
controlled myself..."

Tahimik lang ako, pero alam kong alam niya na nakikinig ako. So that explains it
all kung bakit nasa eskinita siya noon?

"It was really totally unexpected that you'd see the tattoo on my back because
I had to take off my shirt for your ripped dress and my tattoo reacts to
moonlight..." Tumigil siya, "when we were young, you said you wanted to see a
glowing tattoo." I remember that. "So I had one for you."

"So it was intended for me all along?"

He nodded. "It wasn't really an accident that you saw my tattoo."

Tumango lang ako.

"Kai, naalala mo ba noong sinabi mo sa akin na mahal mo ako sa opisina kahapon?"

Travis whispered.

Bigla akong namula. Mabuti na lang at hindi ako nakaharap sa kanya.

"B-Bakit?"

"I really felt happy when you said that, when you walked out, I came after you
to explain things but Stel stopped me, when I finally escaped Stel, I found out
that you were already on the move down at the elevator, hindi mo alam kung gaano
ako na-depress, Kai, I wanted to stab myself because of it."

Kinagat ko ang babang labi ko.

Binitawan na ni Travis ang pagkakayakap sa akin, "just hearing you say you love
me is enough for me to keep on going, Kai."

"But yeah, you were right, maybe I'm really like all the other guys. I really
hate myself for making you cry, Kai... I don't want to be any more reasons for you
to hurt or cry again, Kaira. I can't bear myself to see you cry because of me so
I'm going to let you go."

Those words echoed in my mind, tinignan ko si Travis.

Nginitihan niya ako at saka ako hinalikan sa noo, "always remember this Kai, I
love you, ever since I first laid my eyes on you when we were still kids, I had a
crush on you. You brought light to my world, Kai. You gave a new different meaning
to what love is."

"T-Travis..."

"I don't deserve you, Kai. I know I never even had a chance to begin with, I
know you were just confused with your feelings, time will tell you Kai, maybe we
weren't really meant for each other, I'm going, I love you, Kai."

The Kai almost sounded like bye to my ears.

 Lumingon ako at nakita si Travis na naglalakad na palabas ng unit ko. I wanted
to run after him and chase him.

But if I catch him, what would I say?

~*~

Pinaalaga ko muna si Tatty kay Lola Dorora dahil hindi ko pa maaasikaso si

Tatty, kinwento ko sa mga kaibigan ko ang buong nangyari. Halatang nagulat sila
dahil sa dami ng rebelasyon na nalaman nila.

"Walang mangyayari kung magpapataasan kayo ng pride ni Travis." Iling ni Trisha.

"Babaan mo muna ang pride mo, Kai! Mahal mo si Travis, di ba? Edi ipaglaban mo
siya!" Vivi suggested.

I closed my eyes. "Let Kai think this for herself." Suway ni JM.

Nagbuntong-hininga si Blue, "are you really alright with this, Kai?"

Umiling ako. "I need time to think about it." Simpleng sagot ko.

Umalis na silang lahat sa unit ko, alam kong alam nila na gusto ko munang mapag-
isa ngayon at mag isip isip, dahil mag-isa na lang ako tulad noong hindi pa kami
nagkikita ni Travis ay tinignan ko si Boo, another memory from Travis.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako at tumayo sa kama, bumaba ako sa hagdan ng floor ko at

dumiretso sa unit ni Travis, hoping he was there but no. He was there no more.

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata, right. Travis already left, he is already living
on his mansion.

Pinihit ko ang busol ng dating unit niya, nanlaki ang mata ko dahil nakabukas
pala ito. Pumasok ako at tinignan ang paligid, sa bawat corner ng unit niya ay
naaalala ko si Travis, ramdam ko pa rin ang presensiya ni Travis sa unit dahil sa
pamilyar na amoy niya.

Wala nang gamit ang silid, blangko na ito at walang kabuhay buhay, Travis really
left me, huh?

I was about to get out when something caught my attention, may papel na
nakadikit sa pader, agad ko itong kinuha at napagtantong isa itong letter at ang
pamilyar na penmanship ay kay Travis.

Kai,
Walang kasiguraduhan kung mababasa mo ito, but I just want to tell you how much you
mean to me. I just want to write my feelings for you hoping that if my voice won't
reach you, then maybe this would.
I wanted to marry you, Kai. Even if just in my dreams, I wanted to. I waited for
years to find you and I thought to myself when I finally saw you that you're the
one and I won't let you go.
But things didn't go that way, maybe I wasn't meant to be your prince in shining
armor. Maybe I wasn't really meant for you but even though, I wanted to be more
than that. Not just as your prince but a lover as well. I love you, Kai. Mahal na
mahal kita. I hope you feel the same. :)

I felt tears came out.

 Stupid Travis!

I sniffed as I hug the letter, the last letter I received from him. I was about
to return the letter to the envelop pero napansin ko na may iba pa palang laman ang
envelop. Tinignan ko ito at nakitang mga pictures ko sila, mga stolen pictures ko
na kuha ni Travis.

These were stolen special moments.

More tears came...

"Ang hilig mo talagang magpaiyak, Travis..."

TBT - Kabanata 38

Chapter 38

Minulat ko ang aking mga mata dahil narinig ko ang malakas na ring ng phone ko,
tinignan ko kung sino ang tumatawag at nakitang si Lola Dorora.

"Bakit po kayo napatawag?" Humikab ako.

"Hija, kailangan ka ng Papa mo! Nalaman lang niya na may iba palang karelasyon
si Sandy, hija, bilisan mo. Hinihintay ka ng Papa mo." Halata ang bakas ng pag-
aalala sa boses ni Lola Dorora. "Apo, galit na galit ang Papa mo kay Sandy kanina."

Suminghap ako. "Andyan na po ako, Lola."

"Sige, apo."

Biglang naputol ang linya.

Tinignan ko ang orasan, it was still too early in the morning but I got up and
got myself dressed up. Humikab ako habang naglalakad paalis ng unit.

Looks like Sandy ain't my stepmom anymore.

~*~

"Hija, salamat at dumating ka! Ang Papa mo ay nasa salas." Bungad ni Lola
Dorora sa may pinto ng mansion, halata ang kaba at takot sa kanyang mukha.

Tumango ako kay Lola Dorora na yumakap sa akin.

"Asan na po si Sandy?" Tanong ko.

"Napalayas na apo, kanina pa." Sagot naman ni Lola Dorora. "Ang mga gamit niya
ay iniimpake na ng ibang mga kasambahay." Napatango na lang ako bilang sagot.

Tahimik lang akong naglakad sa loob ng mansion papunta sa salas kung nasaan si
Dad.

Nang nasa salas na ako ay tinignan ako ni Dad na nakaupo sa sofa, mugtong-mugto
ang kanyang mga mata siguro dahil sa kakaiyak rin tulad ko. Umiwas ako ng tingin.

He gestured me to sit beside him which I did. Bigla niyang hinawakan ang kamay
ko.

"I thought bringing you a new mom would make you happy..." Bigla niyang
pagsimula. "I was afraid, Kai. I was afraid of losing you too like your Mom, you
are the only one left."

"It's ok, Dad, it's ok." I whispered.

"I'm so sorry, anak. Hindi ko inakala na gold digger pala si Sandy, I thought it
was the best decision ever to give you a mom, I know your mom is irreplaceable and
I tried to replace her. I'm the worst Dad. Hindi ko man lang inintindi ang anak
ko." A tear came down on his cheeks. I held my hand on his side and wiped the tears
away.

Niyakap ko si Dad.

Naalala ko ang usapan namin ni Travis noong nasa private island kami, na
kakausapin namin ang Dads namin to work things out bago pa man mahuli ang lahat.

I think now is the time...

"Mahal kita, anak. Remember that."

I smiled. Those were the words I wanted to hear from him for all of these years,
those were the words I missed. I am glad.

"Mahal rin kita, Dad..."

I closed my eyes and let our hearts open up once again.

Mom, can you see this? We're a happy family again...

~*~

Hindi naman ako maka-Diyos eh, hindi rin naman Linggo pero pumunta pa rin ako
sa simbahan para mag-alay ng dasal kay Mama at sa pamilya ni Travis kinabukasan.
Na-impluwensya na siguro ako ni Travis.

"Kuya, naranasan mo na bang magmahal?" Bigla kong natanong sa drayber ko nang

papasok na kami sa sasakyan.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Kuya Drayber at namula ang kanyang pisngi, ngumiti siya
na parang siya na ang pinakamasayang lalake sa buong mundo, "oo naman, ang
minamahal ko ang nagbigay direksyon sa buhay ko. Siya ang nagbigay lakas sa akin."

Napatango naman ako at natahimik. Biglang may sumagi sa isipan ko, "Kuya, bago
tayo bumalik sa mansion, punta muna tayo sa House of the Angels, matagal ko nang
hindi nabibisita ang orphanage eh."

"Ah, sige, sige."

~*~

Matapos ang short visit namin sa orphanage ay umalis rin naman agad kami ng
drayber ni Dad. Since pagod ako ay dumiretso agad ako sa kwarto ko para magpahinga.

Pagkagising ko ay gabi na, marami rin akong messages, tinignan ko ang lahat,
expecting to see it was from Travis but much to my disappointment, galing iyon sa
mga kaibigan ko.
 I decided to change into my clothes at umalis muna sa mansion, hindi ko alam
kung saan ako pupunta, tumingin ako sa buwan, it suddenly made me remember of
Travis' tattoo, tsaka lang lumilitaw kapag matamaan ng ilaw ng buwan.

"Ano kaya ang ginagawa niya?" Tanong ko.

Umiling ako.

Forget him, Kai...

"Saan ang punta mo, apo?" Tanong ni Lola Dorora.

"Wala po, mamamasyal lang ng saglit."

Tumango siya, "o'siya, hindi ka sasabay sa hapunan niyo ng Papa mo?"

"Hindi na po," simpleng sagot ko at lumabas na.

"Ingat ka, apo."

TBT - Kabanata 39

Chapter 39

Habang nagmamaneho ako ay biglang nag-ring ang phone ko, dali kong sinagot ang
tawag kahit na hindi na tinitignan pa ang caller ID.

"Hello?" Bati ko.

"Is this Kaira Chaves?" Kumunot ang noo ko habang inaalala ang pamilyar na
boses, halos mapreno ko na sa gitna ng kalsada ang sasakyan dahil sa napagtanto.

"Ano ang kailangan mo sa akin?" Tanong ko.

"I want to talk to you personally." Sabi ni Stel, "hihintayin kita sa Buttercup
Cafe." She ended the call habang ako naman ay naiwang nagtataka.

Ano ang pag-uusapan namin?

Of course, Travis. Siya lang ang maaari naming pag-usapan.

I sighed and had a u-turn.

~*~

Pagpasok ko sa cafe ay agad kong nakita ang pamilyar na likod ni Stel sa

pinakagilid ng cafe, wala masyadong tao. Perfect place to talk into.

Naglakad ako palapit sa kanya at umupo sa kanyang harap, tinignan niya ako.
Nagulat ako nang makita na ang kanyang mga mata ay mugtong mugto na.

"So ikaw pala si Kaira Chaves." She smiled, "mahal ko si Travis..."

"Kung tinawag mo lang ako para sabihin na mahal mo siya, pwes, makakaalis na
ako. Si Travis kaya ang tawagin mo at sa kanya mo sabihin iyan?" Inis na sagot ko.
 "Listen, just listen." Stel said. "Mahal ko siya pero ikaw ang mahal niya..."
Nagulat ako dahil sa sinabi niya, ngumiti siya ng mapakla. "I'm not really the bad
person to ruin my love's happiness for my sake, mahal ko si Travis kaya handa ko
siyang pakawalan para sa iyo pero sana ipaglaban mo rin siya..." Nagbuntong-hininga
si Stel.

"Bakit mo ito sinasabi sa akin?"

"I'm not doing this for you, Kaira. I'm doing this for the sake of Travis'
happiness. Alam kong ikaw lang ang nakakaintindi sa kanya at ang makakapagpasaya sa
kanya, I've been watching you and Travis for how many months in the shades, I know
you love him as well as I do..."

May tumulong luha sa pisngi ni Stel, pinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata.

"Unang tingin ko pa lang kay Travis noon ay minahal ko na agad siya,"

pagkukwento niya, "I befriended him, we became friends and I knew hanggang doon na
lang. I'm just a friend, maybe not even one dahil pinagpipilit ko ang sarili ko kay
Travis kahit na wala akong lugar sa kanyang puso."

Tahimik lang ako.

"Kai, don't leave Travis." Tumayo na siya at nagpaalam na umalis.

Tumungo ako, don't leave Travis...

How can I do that when he already left me? This is all my fault for realizings
things too late, for taking him for granted.

~*~

Isang linggo na ang nakalipas at wala na nga akong balita kay Travis, he really
left me for real.

Marami pa ring mga katanungan na bumabagabag sa aking isip habang wala sa sarili
akong nagmamaneho, hindi ko namalayan na nasa harap na pala ako ng mansion ni
Travis. What am I even doing here?

I sighed. I was about to drive away when I saw Grey's car move out, mabuti na
lang at nakatago ang sasakyan ko sa parte na hindi masyadong kita at mahahalata,
tahimik akong nakamasid habang pinapanood ang sasakyan, I expected to see Travis at
the back of the car of Grey but no sign of him at all, ang nakita ko lang ay mga
maleta.

"Travis..." I closed my eyes and stopped the tears that threatened to fall
before driving away to Aristocrat Subdivision, I decided to pay a visit to JM.

Matapos ang halos kalahating oras na biyahe ay narating ko rin sa wakas ang
bahay ni JM, dali akong pumunta sa frontdoor at kumatok. Bumukas ang pinto at
bumungad si JM na nakatingin sa akin.

"Oh, akala ko hindi ka na bibisita ulit." Ngumiti si JM sa akin, "kumusta na si

Tito?" By this moment, alam kong alam na niya ang nangyaring pagloloko ni Sandy kay
Dad.

I sighed. "Okay na siya, okay na rin kami." Ngumiti ako.

Ginulo ni JM ang buhok ko, "good for you."

 Tumango lang ako.

"Want to get inside? Nasa loob ang barkada natin, himala nga't day and night off
muna namin sa bar ngayon." He joked.

Ngumiti ako. "Sige." Pumasok na ako sa bahay ni JM, tama nga siya, nasa salas
silang lahat at naglalaro ng lucky 9. A hint of memory from Travis and that card
game suddenly came across my mind, I blinked the memories away with the tears.

"Kai! Laro tayo!" Aya ni Blue. Marami nang pulbos ang mukha, actually, lahat
sila may pulbos na. Ngumiti ako at umiling.

"Kai, narinig mo na ba ang balita?" Biglang tanong ni Vivi.

Balita?

Alam kong nahalata nila sa ekspresyon ng mukha ko na hindi ko alam ang balita,
umiling silang lahat at nagkatinginan, parang nag-uusap gamit ang mga mata kung
sino ang magsasabi.

Nagbuntong-hininga ako.

"Ano ang balita?"

Tumigil silang lahat. Tumikhim si Ethan at tinaasan ng kilay si Blue na agad

namang umiwas ng tingin at binaling kay Vivien na nagbuntong-hininga lang at
tumingin kay Trisha na yumuko lang.

"Si Travis ay aalis na papuntang Singapore." Maikling tugon ni JM.

My eyes widened. That explains it! Ang mga nakita ko sa sasakyan ni Grey na
maleta!

"A-Ano ang oras ng flight niya?"

"10:00. Basically, thirty minutes from now." Sagot ni Ethan with a shrug.

Lumunok ako, "p-posible bang makaabot ako sa airport before thirty minutes?"

Nagkatinginan sila. "Posible, as long as hindi traffic."

Mabilis akong tumayo at tumakbo papuntang sasakyan ko.

Ang nasa isip ko lang ngayon ay si Travis, I have to catch up and tell him how I
truly feel.

"Kai! Naiwan mo ang susi mo!" Binato ni JM sa akin ang susi na agad ko namang
nasalo, nag-thumbs up siya sa akin at tinuro ang sasakyan na para bang sinasabi na
bilisan ko bago pa umalis si Travis.

Habang nagmamaneho ako ay hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang mga mahahalagang araw
ko kasama si Travis, the way he smiled and laughed, the way he capture stolen
moments, everything that have something to do with him was playing inside my mind.

"Travis... please don't go..." Bulong ko.

Ayos na sana e, ayos na sana... pero traffic.

 Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata at frustrated na pinagsasapak ang manibela ng
sasakyan, tinignan ko ang airport mula sa hindi kalayuan.

"Kairaaa!" Lumingon ako at nakita ko ang mga kaibigan ko na nasa loob ng

sasakyan ni JM na nasa likod ko lang, "kami na bahala sa sasakyan mo, tumakbo ka na
papuntang airport bago pa siya makaalis, bilis!" Sigaw nila.

Tumango ako at ngumiti, "salamat guys!" Bumaba na ako sa sasakyan ko at tumakbo

papuntang airport, wala akong pakielam sa mga napapatingin sa akin basta't ang nasa
isip ko lang ay si Travis.

Travis, I'm coming.

TBT - Kabanata 40

Chapter 40

Tinignan ko ang paligid, "Travis! Travis?!" Sigaw ko. Lahat ng mga tao sa
airport ay napapatingin sa akin at nagkakabulungan, nagmumukha na siguro akong
tanga pero wala akong pake.

Mabilis akong tumakbo papunta sa departure area ng airport nang hindi siya
makita sa waiting area , hinabol ako ng mga gwardya para pigilan, mabuti na lang at
isa akong certified runner kaya hindi sila naka-catch up.

"Travis!" Sigaw ko habang hinahanap siya ng mga mata ko at abala sa pagtakbo.

Tinignan ko ang paligid, no sign of him at all. Where are you, Tray?

Tumakbo ako ng tumakbo, hinahanap pa rin siya.

I was almost out of hope, biglang tumulo ang mga luha ko. Am I too late?

"Travis!!!!" Sigaw ko habang pinagmamasdan ang mga eroplano, "Travis!!!" Humikbi

ako at umiyak ng malakas, ang pag-iyak ko ay nag'e-echo sa buong lugar. Tulad ng
pakikisama sa akin ng kalawakan ay biglang umulan ng malakas, at least alam ko na
hindi lang ako ang nag-iisang umiyak.

Sa gitna ng pag-iyak ko ay nakita ko si Travis mula sa hindi kalayuan na

pinapayungan ng isa atang piloto, nakatingin siya sa akin at halata ang pagkagulat
sa kanyang mukha, noong napansin niyang nakatingin na ako sa kanya ay umiwas siya
ng tingin at mabilis na pumasok sa isang private plane.

Mas lalong lumakas ang ulan.

Biglang naglaho ang sakit sa puso ko, para akong basang sisiw sa gitna ng ulan
pero wala na akong pake doon, mabilis akong tumakbo papunta sa kanyang
kinaroroonan. I wiped my tears away na hindi naman halata dahil sa ulan.

"Travis!" Kinatok ko ang pinto ng private plane. "Please let me enter!" Pag-iyak
ko.

"K-Kai..." Nakita ko si Travis at pinagbuksan niya ako ng pinto, hinila niya ako
papasok sa loob ng private plane. "How can I resist you?"

I sobbed when he hugged me, the warmth of his body gently covered me, making the
cold I feel to stop. I felt comfortable and the nostalgic feelings came into my
heart. I closed my eyes habang sumisinghot na parang bata.

"What are you doing? Basang basa ka, paano kung magkasakit ka?" His voice was
full of concern. Niyakap niya ako. "Don't ever do this stunt, again... ok?"

Hindi ako sumagot, "Tray, akala ko u-umalis ka na..." Pag-iyak ko.

"Hush now, okay? I'm here."

"Kuya, please signal me and the pilot for take off." Biglang sabi ni Grey sa
gilid.

Mas lalo kong hinigpitan ang yakap ko kay Travis, telling him not to go.

Travis faked a cough. "Cancel this flight, Grey. I'm not going anymore."

Halatang nagulat at nagtaka si Grey pero noong sinulyapan niya si Travis at

nakita niya ako ay ngumiti siya na parang naintindihan na niya at hindi na
nagtanong pa.

"Let's dry you up." Sabi ni Travis at hinubad niya ang kanyang jacket para
magsilbing pampainit ko dahil sa giniginaw na ako.

Akmang aalis sana si Travis para kunan ako ng towel pero hinawakan ko ang
kanyang kamay.

"Please don't leave me again." Basag ang boses ko at nanginginig.

Travis stiffened.

"I'm sorry..." Travis muttered.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya, ramdam ko ang pagsakit ng ulo ko siguro dala ng

pagkababad ko sa ulan, "Travis, mahal na mahal kita at hindi ko alam kung bakit
basta pagkagising ko lang isang araw ay nalaman ko na lang na ikaw pala ay mahal
ko. Travis, I love you for the way you are! I love the way you tease me, I love the
way you show effort, I love the way you protect me, I love the way you smile, I
love the way you make me feel. I love everything about you, Travis, I love all of
it..." Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata.

Halatang nagulat si Travis.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at niyakap siya ng mahigpit.

"Travis, I don't have a ring with me. I can't give you a ring right now but I
can give you my heart. Will you marry me and let me share the same last name you
have, Travis Javierres?"

Travis stiffened.

"Kai, it's supposed to be me to propose. Not you."

"Travis, yes or no?" Bulong ko.

"Kai, yes. I will marry you."

Tinignan ko si Travis, he was smiling at me. Ngumiti rin ako, he suddenly closed
the distance between our faces, I closed my eyes when I felt his warm lips pressing
against my lip.

It was the best passionate kiss that I would always wish for, biglang tumigil ang
ulan sa labas ng private plane.

"I love you, Kai. Mahal na mahal kita."

I smiled.

I finally found my happily-ever-after.

Even though from the very beginning I already knew, I was just afraid I'll lose
Travis, I was just afraid that if I fall he might leave, even if I saw all the
signs that Travis was really already permanent for me, I still chose not to see it.

His tattoo... when I saw it, it was two letters.

KT

Kaira. Travis.

"Please say it again..." Bulong ko. Feeling happy that we finally blurted out
our feelings to each other.

"Mahal kita."

"Isa pa..."

He held my hand and smiled, "mahal na mahal kita."

TBT - Wakas

Epilogue

"Okay kids, oras na para rumampa sa pasilyo." Sabi nina Sister Lucy at Sister
Maria sa mga bata na flowerboys at flowergirl. Ngumiti ako sa kanila nang tumingin
sila sa akin, syempre ngumiti rin sila pabalik.

"This is it, anak." Dad sobbed. "I'm so proud of you."

Bumukas ang magarbong pinto ng simbahan at nagsimulang tumugtog ng musika,

naglakad papasok ang mga bata sa House of the Angels na ginawa kong flowerboys at
flowergirls.

Nagsimula na ring maglakad sa pasilyo ang mga kaibigan kong sina Grey, JM,
Ethan, Trisha, Vivien at Blue.

Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata. Travis is waiting for me in front of the altar.

I gathered all my courage and walked when it was finally my turn hoping that I
won't accidentally fall because of my heels, nagpalakpakan ang mga tao nang makita
nila akong naglalakad sa aisle. Sa paglalakad ko ay nakita ko sina Marcus at Stel
sa gilid na magkatabi, umiiyak sila na nakangiti sa akin, kinawayan ako ni Marcus
noong nakita niyang nakatingin ako sa kanila at halatang nainis si Stel kaya't
kinurot niya si Marcus sa tagiliran. Umiling ako at tumingin sa harap.
 There I saw the man of my life, Travis.

Ngumiti siya sa akin.

"Anak, gusto ko ng lalakeng apo, ah?" Dad said, namula ako at umiwas ng tingin.
"Galingan mo sa honeymoon."

"Dad!" I laughed.

He smiled. "Don't be nervous, this day is supposed to be the happiest day of

your life." Bulong niya habang naglalakad kami.

Noong nasa harap na kami ng altar, binigay na ni Dad ang kamay ko kay Travis.

"Treasure my daughter, ok?"

He nodded. "Sure, Pa."

Pa? Did be just call Dad, Pa?

Umiling ako at ngumiti.

"You're so gorgeous, Kai." Travis muttered when Dad finally left and went to his
seat. Umiwas ako ng tingin at namula. Nagsimula nang magsalita ang pari sa harap.

Mabilis na lumipas ang oras, basta't ang alam ko lang ay dumating na rin sa
wakas ang pinakahihintay ko sa lahat sa kasal.

"Do you, Travis Javierres, take Kaira Chaves, in front of God's eyes, your
lawfully wedded wife, promise to take care of her, cherish her, be loyal to her,
and love her for as long as God plans to?"

"I do." Travis said, smiling at me.

"Do you, Kaira Chaves, take Travis Javierres, your lawfully wedded husband,
promise to take care of him, cherish him, be loyal to him, and love him for as long
as God plans to?"

I sighed. Two words. Just say those two words Kai and you'll officially be his
wife.

Ngumiti ako.

"I do, I do, I do, forever will do."

Ngumiti si Travis.

"Therefore, I pronounce you both husband and wife." Tumingin ang pari kay Travis,
"you may now kiss the bride."

He grinned.

Tinaas niya ang puting tela na nakatakip sa aking mukha, he closed the gap
between our face and kissed me passionately on the lips. I closed my eyes and let
his lip crash into mine.

"I love you, Kai." He whispered between our kisses.

"Magtira naman kayo mamaya sa honeymoon!" Sigaw ni Ethan kaya nagtawanan silang
lahat, binatukan ni Trisha si Ethan na umiiling.

"Isang kiss pa!" Hiyaw nina Vivien at Blue. Si JM naman ay nag-thumbs up sa

akin.

"Isa pa raw." Travis grinned.

Ngumisi ako. I grabbed Travis on his wrist and pulled him down, when I caught
him off guard, I kissed him.

"Whoa, not so cruel, wife." He smiled.

I'm officially Mrs. Javierres.

Tumingala ako, I know Mom is watching me and so is Travis parents and li'l sis.

I closed my eyes.

I finally found what princesses always wish for... a happily ever after with the
prince, but that doesn't mean that because I already found my prince then this
story ends. No, this is just the beginning of my story.

This is just the beginning of my new life, not as Kaira Chaves, but...

As his wife.

I am Kaira Chaves-Javierres.

The billionaire's wife.

I'm so blessed to meet Travis Javierres.

I love you, Travis.

BOOK 2: THE BILLIONAIRE'S WIFE

To be published

Salamat sa inyong supurta! This book is going to be published under Fairy

Publishing House. I will post more details as soon as I get in touch with the
publisher. Salamat nang marami!

Note

Hello! Pagsasamahin ko na po ang BOOK 1 at BOOK 2 para hindi n'yo na hanapin sa

aking profile. Alam kong marami nang naghahanap sa sequel kaya ipo-post ko na lang
dito.

Who missed Travis Javierres?

Before that, I just want to assure you guys, babawi ako sa sequel. Parang
introduction pa lang ang book 1. Wala pang masyadong problema dyan. Sa book 2,
tatadtarin ko sila ng sari-saring problema at syempre, plot twists.

I already improved myself. I waited for years for this moment. The long wait is
finally over, expect me to update this book daily. Expected date to finish? Around
Summer 2017.

Sana huwag kalimutang mag-vote at comment din. I will be expecting that from you
guys as well. Sa mga old readers nito, salamat! Ilang taon pa ang hinintay ninyo.
Babawi talaga ako. Expect na mala-Silician Trilogy (shameless promotion, hahahaha)
ang plot twists.

-chisenpai

Book 2: The Billionaire's Wife

The Billionaire's Wife

by chisenpai

。・°°・( w i f e )・°°・。

Travis Javierres is a ruthless billionaire who made a pledge that he will

only show his tattoo to the lucky girl that he will marry.

What if Kaira Chaves suddenly ruins the pledge for accidentally seeing the
billionaire's tattoo?! Will Travis marry Kaira for the sake of fulfilling the
pledge?

。・°°・( w i f e )・°°・。

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, songs, events, places, and

incidents are obviously product of the author's "wild" imagination that are used
in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to any actual existence that answers who,
when, what, why, and where are purely coincidental.

No parts of this book may be transmitted, modified, or republished without

given prior authority from the writer. Plagiarism is a serious crime, darling.

Warning: Not suitable for readers below 18 y/o. Read at your own risk.

°°・( w i f e )・°°・。

TBW - Simula

Simula

Kaira Chaves-Javierres. I still can't get over the fact that I'm finally married
with a billionaire! Parang nananaginip lang ako, first of all, tila nagpapakipot pa
lang ako kay Travis habang sinusuyo niya ako hangga't sa dumating sa puntong ako na
mismo ang nag-propose sa kanya.

Life is really unpredictable. I tried recalling the past and the silly moments that
I thought no man could ever be as high as my principles, unfortunately, I forgot to
put Travis in the picture. He even exceeded my principles of a true man.

Mabuti na lang at hindi pa huli ang lahat nang mapagtanto ko kung gaano ko siya
kamahal, the feeling of his kisses felt like a cherished home, like I was
cherished.

"Travis, pupunta lang ako kina Vivien, it's her birthday today." Pagpapaalam ko sa
kanya. He was busy reading emails on his laptop, seryoso siyang tumingin sa akin
mula ulo hanggang paa.

"And you're wearing that?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

I looked at my dress, it was one inch above the knee, it looks decent and neat.
"What's wrong with my fashion sense?"

"Masyadong kita ang iyong paa. Wear something that will not expose a lot of your
skin, they're only mine to see." He growled.

I rolled my eyes, "ayokong magmukhang madre! Sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, ito ang
susuotin ko!"

"Sa ayaw at sa gusto mo, magpapantalon at damit ka, hindi dress na masyadong
revealing. Kung ayaw mo, ikukulong kita sa kwarto." He grinned.

"Talaga? Ikukulong mo 'ko? Hah! Ang yabang mo! Why did I even bother telling you
that I'm going to Vivien's birthday party in the first place? Bye!"

Maglalakad na sana ako ngunit tumayo si Travis, masama niya akong tinignan. "Walk
one more step and I'll tear down that dress of yours until the only thing that's
left is your underwear."

Seryoso ang kanyang banta base sa tono ng pananalita niya, his voice sent chills
down to my spine.

"Wait there." Saad niya at umalis siya, pagkatapos ng ilang sandali ay bumalik na
siya, nagulat ako nang may hawak siyang pantalon at damit, "wear this before going
out."

Wala akong magawa kundi tumango na lang habang tinatanggap ang mga damit, somehow,
I was happy that he's like this to me. His overprotectiveness is melting my heart.

Kahit pa man na halos tatlong buwan na kaming kasal ay hindi pa rin siya nagbabago.

Bumalik ako sa kwarto at saka naghubad, nagbihis na ako gamit ang mga piniling
damit ni Travis para sa akin. Isang fitted na pantalon na may rip sa parehong tuhod
at saka damit na may tatak sa parehong likod at harap na I'm Married so Boys, Fuck
off.

Hindi ko maiwasang mailing at matawa kay Travis, everytime I go out for a party or
what, he tend to give me shirts with prints like this. Nang lumabas na ako ay
nakita ko siyang nag-aabang sa mismong harap ng pintuan.

Tinignan niya muli ako mula ulo hanggang paa, ngumisi siya, "perfect. Ihahatid na
kita sa bahay nina Vivien."

"No need, susunduin ako ni Grey."

"My brother?" He frowned. "No. Ako na ang maghahatid sa iyo."

"You're busy, ayokong makasagabal sa iyo. So just continue your work, okay?"
Lumapit ako at saka ko siya hinalikan sa pisngi, "don't worry, I won't drink
alcohol and I'll only stay with my circle of friends. I'll also keep in mind your
twenty reminders to me which includes never talk to strangers especially boys."

Travis shrugged, "ako ang maghahatid sa iyo."

"No, si Grey na lang. Look, he's your brother okay? Have trust in him."

"Kahit na." He pouted.

Nagbuntong hininga ako, I checked the time on my phone and it was already 7PM,
male-late na ako dahil sa kanya! "Fine." I gave up, nag-message na lang ako kay
Grey na huwag na lang niya ako sunduin, though I am sure he's already waiting for
me outside.

Ever since Travis and I got married, lumipat na kami sa isang simpleng bahay.
Though he wanted a mansion, ako naman ay tutol. Gusto ko lang kasi yong simpleng
buhay, ayoko sa magarbo. Ano nga ba naman ang silbi ng malaking bahay kung dadalawa
lang ang titira?

So, we live in a two-storey house with a modern look in La Mayor, though Travis
still found a way to make our house look rich even if it was simple. May simpleng
garden na rin ito, may limang kasambahay na rin at isang gwardya sa labas, he said
that it was to make sure.

Naglakad na kami palabas, tumungo si Travis sa garahe para paandarin ang kotse, ang
gwardya naman ay nagbukas ng tarangkahan, nang ilabas ni Travis ang kotse ay
sumakay na ako sa tabi niya. "Make sure to be home at 10." He said while driving
out of the lot.

Tumango ako, "titignan ko."

"No, make sure." Pagdiin niya.

I sighed, "fine." I whined.

Nagmaneho na siya, the city was busy even though it was already night,
nagsisitaasan ang mga gusali sa paligid at maraming sasakyan sa daanan, halos
dalawampung minuto ang lumipas bago kami nakarating sa harap ng bahay ni Vivien.

Sa loob pa lang ng kotse ko ay naririnig ko na ang ingay ng musika at ang mga tao,
bababa na sana ako matapos magpaalam kay Travis nang hawakan niya ang kamay ko, "if
you're in trouble, call me first."

I rolled my eyes, "look, kasama ko sina Vivien, Grey, Ethan, and Trisha later. So
why would I be in trouble?"

"I am only making sure that history doesn't repeat itself. Masama na bang ipakita
ang concern ko sa aking asawa?" Tinignan niya ako ng seryoso, "tell me if it's bad
so I'll stop."

Ngumiti ako, "nope, it's actually cute." I pinched his nose, "iuuwian kita ng
pagkain, you want?"

"Don't do that!" He said. Halos matawa naman ako sa kanyang ekspresyon, ayaw na
ayaw ni Travis na nag-uuwi ako ng pagkain galing sa isang party, hindi raw
magandang tignan. Though I don't see any reason why it's not beautiful to see, I
mean, I'm beautiful! No kidding.

"Sige na, punta na ako, we've already bought enough time together, baka mamaya
magtampo si Vivien sa akin. Bye, Tray."

"Be safe, Kai." He mumbled when I got out, tumawid na ako at pumasok sa loob ng
bahay, a lot of boys were looking at me as I walk, hindi ko na lang sila pinansin,
I clung unto my slingbag when I saw Vivien waving at me, I smiled and rummaged
through my things to get her my gift.

"Vivien, happy birthday sissy! You're 23 and the only unmarried girl in the circle
of friends!"

She pouted, "wow ha, salamat sa pagpapamukha! Kinasal ka lang, ha?"

I laughed, "here's your gift!" I handed her a small box, she eyed it curiously.
"What's this?"

"Buksan mo."

Tumango siya, she brutally torn the gift box and then opened the box, kumislap ang
mata niya nang makita niya ang isang necklace na may golden cat pendant.

"Ohemgee! Thanks for this!" Her eyes twinkled, lately, Vivien became interested
with cats especially with those who have different eye colors, she wastes her time
searching for cats like those, apparently, Grey owns one so Vivien is doing her
best to get that cat of his.

Speaking of Grey, hindi pa siya nagre-reply. "Andito na ba si Grey?"

Tumango si Vivien, "oo naman, kasama niya sina JM, nag-iinuman na sila sa loob."

I frowned, kaya pala hindi na siya nag-reply kasi abala na sa inuman!

Vivien led the way inside, as I expected, a lot were dancing in the dancefloor,
Vivien is lucky to have her parents in a trip to Alta Rio or else she's doomed.
Syempre, sino nga ba naman ang may gustong mag-wild party sa bahay mo?

So if her parents are here, she's dead, literally. Though that won't happen,
probably.

"Kai!" Trisha greeted when she saw me, kumaway pa siya. I grinned. Kasama niya si
Ethan na nakaakbay sa kanya, hindi ko maiwasang mapatingin sa baby bump niya, yes,
she is three months pregnant.

Bigla kong naisip si Travis, did he actually want us to have offsprings? Hindi pa
kasi kami nagha-honeymoon and we've never talked about it.

"How's my baby girl?" I asked as I caress her tummy.

"Girl? No!" Ethan scowled, "baby girls!" He grinned, "yep, we're having twins!"

I was shocked and happy at the same time, though there was something inside me that
felt jealous. They're having two babies in an instant while Travis and I still have
nothing...

"So Kai, kailan niyo balak magkaanak ni Travis?" Vivi asked jokingly.

Doon ako natigilan, when does Travis plan? He've never touched me yet, he only kiss
me. That's it. Ngumiti na lang ako.

"Guys, guys! Kalimutan muna natin ang mga bagay na iyan, ang mahalaga ay birthday
ngayon ni Vivien!" Grey shifted the topic and I was glad that everyone complied.

Tinignan ko si Grey, my eyes were saying gratitudes at him and he seem to know so
he nodded and smiled.

Dahil sa usapan kanina ay hindi ko gaano na-enjoy ang party, I excused myself while
my friends were chit-chatting to have some fresh air, lumabas na ako sa bahay.

"Nice shirt." Napatingin ako sa isang lalaking lumapit. "I'm Isaac, by the way."

Tinignan ko lang siya at ang kamay niyang nakalahad, he seems nice but I have to
ignore him or else Travis will get mad at me. So, I resorted to passing him without
a word.

"Ouch!" He shouted, nang lumingon ako ay nakita ko siyang nakatingin sa akin, may
ngiting nakaukit sa kanyang labi. "Salamat sa pag-ignore, ha?"

I nodded and continued to walk.

"Are you really married? You don't look like you are." He said.

Dahil doon ay tumigil ako, "bakit mo naman nasabi na parang hindi ako kasal?"

He grinned. "She talks." He said, proudly. "Bukod kasi sa mukha ka pang bata,
masyadong hindi kapaniwala na kasal ka nga talaga. So, why is a married woman
alone? Scratch that, are you really married?"

Sasagot na sana ako nang may humila sa kamay ko. I looked up to see who it was and
was shocked.

"Can't you read the words on her shirt? Well, let me read it for you. I'm married
so boys, fuck off. So why don't you do the favor and fuck off?"

It was Travis.

"Sino ka ba ha?" Sigaw ng lalaki, what was his name again?

"I'm her husband and you're flirting with my wife? Get lost before I punch you in
the face."

"Ang yabang mo ha!" Akmang susugod siya kaya naman pinikit ko ang aking mga mata,
in an instant, nakarinig ako ng paghampas ng katawan sa sahig, nang imulat ko'y
nakita ko roon si Isaac -wow, I finally remembered his name-na halata ang takot sa
mukha.

"Ano? Papalag ka pa?" Travis glared, pinagpawisan naman si Isaac.

Travis begun to pull my hand. "You've broke a lot of rules." He said in a serious
tone, "paano na lang kung wala ako?"

"Isaac's nice, Travis. He didn't look like he was about to hurt me or what."

"Isaac? You even know that fucking man's name, Kaira!" Namumula ang tenga ni Travis
na tumigil sa harap ng kanyang kotse, "and you're even defending him! I can see in
his eyes that he wants you!"
"Travis, you're so overprotective."

"And you told me you'll only be with your friends but what did you do? Iniwan mo
sila."

"I'm sorry, Travis. Okay? Sorry na."

He hissed, "get inside the car."

I frowned, "babalik ako sa party at magpapaalam kay Vivien."

"No need, I'll just text her that you already went home."

"Travis, ano ba! Stop being such a manipulator!"

Travis shifted his gaze at me. "Get inside the car, Kai."

Kumuyom ang kamao ko. I hate this!

Padabog akong sumakay sa kotse, leaving Travis outside who seem to message Vivien,
after that, sumakay na siya. Tumingin siya sa akin, "I'm only worried, okay?"

Hindi ko siya pinansin.

"Kai, talk to me."

"Bahala ka sa buhay mo."

He sighed, "Kai, you know I'm only worried."

"Kasi wala kang tiwala sa akin." I added.

"It's not like that."

"Talaga? Edi wow."

Hindi na nagsalita pa si Travis, sa halip ay pinaharurot na niya ang sasakyan

paalis.

"Doon ka sa sala matulog, ako sa kwarto." Sabi ko kay Travis nang nasa bahay na
kami, "huwag kang tatabi sa akin ngayon!"

"Fine." He whined, "may multo pa naman sa kwarto na nagpapakita kapag mag-isa ka

lang na matulog." He murmured, pero narinig ko naman.

Tinaasan ako ng balahibo, what if he's right?!

Announcement!

The Billionaire's Tattoo is going to be published under Fairy Publishing House for
just Php190.00. Yay! So, if you want to order, you can message my Facebook page
Chisenpai Stories and send the following details:

Name:

LBC Branch: (Exact address)

Contact no.:

No. of copies:

You can order until February 1st week ONLY. After your order has been confirmed
with a given codename just for you, automatically pay to:

Flordeliza Venenciano
0927 789 5342
San Juan, Ilocos Sur

You can pay via LBC, Palawan Express, or Cebuana Padala. This is how the
computation goes:

Php190 x no. of copies + 165 (shipping fee) = (payment)

If you are not so sure with your computation, you can ask for help via Chisenpai
Stories or just simply comment here.

Inquiries sent on my social media accounts will not be heed to except if it is

commented here or sent on my facebook page. Thank you.

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