Surrender

PROLOGUE

Ashton

I took a deep sigh before playing the video. Again.

Play

???: Hi~

The guy on the line said.

Girl: Who are you?

???: Don't you know me? Everyone knows me sweetie~

The girl obviously looked shocked when the caller took off the beanie which was covering his face, she realized who he was. Untidy ash gray hair, pointed nose, eyes filled with anger. He's right. Everyone knows him. The girl thinks so, too. I still can't look at him, without anger.

Girl: T-TM?

My jaw clenched. She knows him. But of course not the way that we used to.

TM: The one and only. Teka? What's with that face? Bakit parang gulat na gulat ka naman? Hindi ka na nga ba talaga nakakaalala? Don't you miss me, Friar? My Raphaella Friar~

My jaw keep clenching and my fist kept on tightening.

Girl: Wait... How did you know my name? I'm hanging up.

TM: No, Friar wait. Can't you really remember me? Can't you remember us? You used to be mine.

This bastard. After everything he've done, talagang umaasa pa ba siya? I wanna fucking kill him.

Girl: What are you talking about? How can I be owned by a criminal?

Kitang-kitang nasaktan ang loko sa narinig mula kay Rafri dahil sa bahagyang pag yuko nito at pag-iba ng expresyon. I didn't know that devils feel pain.

TM: It is not my fault that I've came this far, Friar.

Gago pala 'to e. Hindi daw siya yung may kasalanan?! Sa dami na niyang kagaguhang ginawa sa bansa. Sa dami nang pinatay niya. Tss. Nang kumalma, umupo na ulit ang lalaki.

Kinuyom ko nalang ang mga kamao ko para mapigilan ang galit ko kay TM. 'Di ko dapat pairalin ang personal kong galit sakanya.

TM: Anyways, I called because I want to take what's mine. I can't endure longer without you. I'm sorry but I want us to keep our promise Raphaella Friar Imperial. Marry me.

I bit my lower lip to prevent myself from cursing. To the extent that my lip bled.

Girl: What?--

Stop

Hindi ko na tinapos yung video dahil ilang beses ko na rin naman inulit yun para pag-aralan, at tumingin na ako sa babae sa harap ko, si Raphaella Friar Imperial.

"Hindi mo ba talaga siya kakilala, Raf?" Tanong ko sa kaibigan ko. Sana hindi...

"Ash naman, you've been asking the same question over and over. At hindi magbabago yung sagot ko, hindi ko siya kilala, nor that I know his motives for calling me." Halata kong naiirita na siya pero pinipilit niya lamang na mag mukha paring kalmado. "Ash, hindi pa ba ako pwedeng lumabas? Naapektuhan na yung normal na daloy ng buhay ko oh, dahil lagi akong nakakulong dito. And I am beyond bored. Ugh." Maarte niyang sabi.

"Raphaella Friar, hindi nga pwede. That guy is the chief of a large notorious terror group and he seem to know you. He can abduct you in just a snap of his fingers. Just stay here! Hindi ko din mapapatawad ang sarili ko kung may nangyari sa'yo. I promised your parents. Remember? Baka multuhin pa nila ako." Sabi ko nalang, ang kulit talaga neto. Natahimik naman siya, alam niya kasing seryoso na ako kapag binuo ko na ang pangalan niya.

"Fine. But can you please make the food a little more edible? Hindi masarap ang pinakain nila saakin kanina eh. Asaan ba si manang?" Ehh? Pagkain lang pala ang habol. Sanay kasi 'tong puro fast food or resto, gala kasi. Medyo hindi nga masarap magluto si Nido.

"Noted. I'll take charge in the kitchen, nagbakasyon si manang eh. Hindi naman ako pwedeng mag-hire at magpapasok ng kung sino dito basta basta."

"Yes! I miss your cooking. Ang busy mo na kasi masyado eh." Nagpapacute pa siya.

"Of course, mamimiss mo. Panay ka sa labas kumakain e!" Sagot ko at muling binasa ang isa sa mga folder sa lamesa sa harap ko, agad akong napaisip sa nabasa ko. I shouldn't bring this up. Kinalimutan na niya 'tong masamang pangyayari na 'to.

Natigilan ako sa pagbabasa nang may marahas na nagbukas ng pinto.

Humahangos pang nagsalita ang apprentice ko na si Nido "Ashton, si TM tumawag sa office! Tara tignan mo, ikaw yung hinahanap eh!"