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    Umiling siya. "I know you, Knight. Hindi mo sasabihin sa kanila ang mga sinasabi mo sakin. I know you put a distance between you and them and you always act tough in front of them. Kaya nga hindi ako umalis dito sa bahay mo, kasi gusto kong pagkatapos mong maging malakas at matapang sa harap ng maraming tao na umaasa sayo, nandito ako, para samahan at yakapin ka kapag gusto mo nang maging mahina. Paano ko gagawin 'yon kung malayo ako sayo?"


    Masuyong sinapo ni Knight ang mukha niya saka pilit siyang pina-angat ng tingin at pinatingin dito. "Baby, who's your boyfriend?"


    Naguguluhan man sa tanong ni Knight, sumagot siya. "Count Knight Velasquez."


    "Precisely." He smiled. "Wherever you go, i'll follow you. Hindi man tayo magkasama, pero sisiguraduhin kong malapit lang ako sayo."


    That made her eyes water. "I can see you whenever I want?"


    "Yes."


    "I can kiss and hug you whenever I want?"


    Knight chuckled. "Hell, yeah. I'll go crazy missing you, you know that, baby. So i'll just follow you."


    Gumuhit ang malapad na ngiti sa mga labi niya saka mahigpit na niyakap ang kasintahan. "I like that. Thank you, Knight."


    Mahigpit din siya nitong niyakap saka hinalikan ang balikat niya. 


    "Teka," kumawala siya sa yakap ng binata para magtanong dito, "paano mo malalaman kung nasaan ako?"


    Kinuha nito ang kamay niyang may singsing saka hinalikan ang daliring may suot nun bago sumagot. "I'll activate the tracking device on your ring. I put it there in case of emergency."


    Napatanga siya sa kasintahan kapagkuwan ay natawa. "I'm not even angry when I should be." Napailing siya. "Fine. I'll let you put a tracking device on me. Basta bilisan mong sumunod sakin, okay?"


    Knight nodded. "Of course. I don't want to miss my baby so bad now, do i?"


    Malapad siyang ngumiti saka hinalikan ang binata sa baba, pababa sa leeg nito hanggang sa pinaglandas niya ang dila pataas, patungo sa tainga ng kasintahan. 


    "Uhmmm..." Knight moaned, "that feels good, baby."


    Lihim siyang napangiti at habang pinaglalandas niya ang dila sa tainga nito ay kinakagat-kagat ang gilid niyon, gumagalaw ang kamay niya para buksan ang butones ng suot nitong button down shirt. 


    And when she kissed and run her tongue down on his chest, she moved her body to grind her core against his length. 


    Knight groaned lustfully. "Ohh..."


    Mas lalo pang bumaba ang mga labi niya, pababa sa tiyan nito hanggang sa natagpuan niya ang sariling nakaluhod sa harapan ng nakabukang mga hita ng binata. 


    Mas lalong lumalim ang paghinga ng binata ng paglandasin niya ang dila sa abs nito pababa sa puson.


    "Baby..." He was panting. 


    Gumalaw ang kamay niya para buksan ang belt nito at butones ng pantalon habang ang mga labi niya ay umakyat ulit sa dibdib nito at pinaikot ang dila sa utong nitong naninigas. 


    It's small and feels so good to nibble. 


    "Ahh..." Knight let out a soft moan. 


    Nang lumipat siya sa isa pa nitong utong, ibinababa niya ng mga daliri niya ang zipper ng pantalon nitong suot. 


    And Knight was just leaning on the back of the sofa, moaning and enjoying what she was doing. 


    "Ahh... fuck that feels good..." mahinang daing ni Knight habang nakapikit ang mga mata. 


    Napangit siya saka bumabang muli ang mga labi niya sa tiyan nito, pababa sa puson habang ibinababa niya ang harapan ng pantalon nito. At habang mas lalong bumababa ang mga labi niya ay inilabas naman niya ang kahabaan ng kasintahan. 


    As it sprang from it's confinement, SM gulped. 


    Even when see it a lot of times already, she's still amaze how endowed her boyfriend is in that department. 


    Hinawakan niya ang dulo ng kahabaan nito saka inilabas ang dila at pinaglandas sa kahabaan nito. Ilang beses niyang inulit iyon bago pinaikot ang dila sa dulo ng pagkalalaki nito at nilaro ang munting hiwa na naroon sa tuktok bago niya ipinasok ang matigas na matigas na kahabaan ng kasintahan. 


    Her mouth felt so full but she doesn't care, when she looked up at Knight, he was panting and lust filled his face as he looked down at her. 


    At dahil nakalugay ang buhok niya, inabot iyon ng kasintahan saka tinali iyon sa pamamagitan ng paghawak niyon gamit ang isang kamay para hindi ulit bumagsak at tumabing sa mukha niya. 


    "Baby..." he whispered while looking at her looking at him, "move your mouth."


    And she did. 


    Slowly, she moved her mouth up and down while her hand was masturbating half of his length. SM can taste her own saliva mixing with Knight pre-cum and it made her more aggressive. Mas binilisan pa niya ang pagtaas-baba ng bibig habang sinisipsip iyon at parang ahas na kumikiwal ang dila niya. 


    And every-time she would suck him and pull away a little, she would suck the tip of his sex softly then she would release it making a loud popping sound. Then she licked and licked, surrounding his shaft with her saliva and then she buried his shaft inside her mouth again. 


    "Ohh— fuck, baby!" Knight hissed as his hips moved to fuck her mouth. 


    SM knew Knight wanted to fuck her mouth hard and rough, she can see it in the emotion in his face that he was stopping himself from doing that — maybe because he was big and her mouth was already full.


    "Fuck..." Knight hissed again. 


    SM continued sucking Knight and licking him and eating him up like a lollipop until he felt him hardened even more. 


    "Ohh—fuck! Baby... Ahh..." 


    Mas binilisan pa niya ang paglabas-masok ng kahabaan nito sa loob ng bibig niya hanggang sa mapaigtad siya dahil sumabog na ang katas nito sa loob ng bibig niya na aksidente niyang nalunok ang kalahati, habang ang kalahati ay tumutulo pababa sa baba niya. 


    SM stands up, Knight was staring at him, there's still lust in his eyes. 


    "Sorry, baby," he said with his half-hooded eyes, "I made a mess in your mouth."


    SM wiped off the semen on her chin. Pagkatapos ay isa-isa niyang hinubad ang suot na damit habang hindi inaalis ang mga mata sa mga mata ng kasintahan saka kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi. 


    "That's okay." Aniya saka nang-aakit ang tingin na paharap siyang umupo sa mga hita nito at pinaglandas niya ang dila leeg nito bago bumulong sa tainga ng binata, "you can make a mess out of me and i'll be sure to enjoy it, my Lord."


    Knight gulped before holding her waist and pulling her ass down to his shaft, "ride me." Hinuli nito ang mga labi niya saka kinagat ang pang-ibaba niyang labi na parang gigil na gigil bago pinakawalan iyon ay tumingin sa mga mata niya, "grind that sexy ass of yours, baby."


    SM smiled before kissing Knight fully on the mouth and grinding her on her manhood that's now starting to hardened again. 


    She keeps on grinding while kissing Knight and their hands touching and caressing each other. 


    SM felt like she was dancing to the rhythm while their saliva and breathing mixed while kissing. 


    And when SM felt how hard Knight already is, she moved her hips and guided his hard, big and long shaft inside her. 


    "Ohhhh..." mahaba niyang ungol habang naka-arko ang katawan niya at nakaawang ang mga labi niya.


    Sagad na sagad ang kahabaan ng binata sa loob niya, nararamdaman niya ang hindi maipaliwanag na sensasyong lumulukob sa buo niyang pagkatao habang mas isinasagad pa 'yon ng binata. 


    "Ohhh..." hindi niya mapigilang mapadaing ng mahaba at sunod-sunod habang pumipikit ang mga mata niya. "Ahhhh..."


    She can feel all of Knight, inside. So good... it feels so good. She wanted more— more of this sensation, so she moved her hips and rode Knight hard and rough. 


    Sabay na gumagalaw ang katawan nilang dalawa, nagsasalubong ang maseselang bahagi ng katawan nila na lumilikha ng tunog na mas lalong nagpapabilis sa bawat galaw niya sa ibabaw ng mga hita ng kasintahan. 


    Gumigiling ang balakang niya, nagtaas-baba at napasabunot siya sa sariling buhok habang habol ang hiningang gumagalaw para masagad na masagad ni Knight ang kahabaan nito sa loob niya. 


    SM was panting and sweating but Knight was licking her skin, sucking her nipples and moving roughly inside her making her scream.


    "Ohhh! Ohh! Ahhh! Knight— uhmm!" She was so loud, she was shameless. "Ohh! Ohh! Knight. Knight. Kniiiight!"


    Knight sucked and bit her nipples earning a loud moan from her. 


    "Ahhh!" Sigaw niya saka napayakap sa leeg ng kasintahan habang binabayo nito ang pagkababae niya habang gumigiling siya sa ibabaw nito at ang bibig nito ay nasa utong niya. 


    And then he held her thighs before thrusting so hard and fast inside her. Umuuga ang dibdib niya habang walang habas siyang inaakin ng binata. Sa sobrang lakas ng bawat pagsagad nito ng kahabaan sa loob niya at tumaataas ang katawan at mas nabalot siya ng pawis. 


    "Ohhh! Oh! Knight— Oh! Ang sarap..." hindi niya napigilang bulalas habang sagad na sagad sa loob niya ang kasintahan. 


    SM was riding Knight but Knight was the one fucking her. 


    At mabilis siyang napayakap sa leeg ng kasintahan ng tumayo ito habang nakahawak ang mga kamay sa pang-upo niya saka habang nakatayo ay doon mas binayo ng binata ang pagkababae niya. 


    "Ohh! Ahh! Ohh!" Halos sumigaw na si SM sa sobrang sarap, "ohhh! Kniiight! Ohh, god, ohhhh!"


    Wala na, hibang na hibang na siya sa pag-angkin sa kaniya ng kasintahan na naging bingi na siya sa lahat. Kahit ang isip niya ay hindi na gumagana. 


    Her mind was black, the pleasure was already in her mind. 


    Kaya wala na siyang pakialam kahit pinasandal ni Knight ang likod niya sa pader habang inaangkin siya nito ng paulit-ulit. Nakakapit lang siya sa leeg nito, nakasubsob ang mukha sa balikat nito habang hinihinga at namamaos na umuungol. 


    "Oohhh... ohhh... Ahhhh..."


    SM already lost track on how long Knight was fucking her. Standing, leaning on the wall and now she was standing and leaning down, her hands gripping the edge of the center table as Knight fuck her from behind. 


    SM's whole body was vibrating at every thrust. She already lost her mind, now she's into slipping into lust mode where everything doesn't matter. 


    All she can focus on was the lust and the pleasure combined inside her. 


    Natutulak na niya ang center table sa bawat malakas na ulos ni Knight sa loob ng pagkababae niya at nanginginig na ang buong katawan niya dahil ramdam na ramdam niyang lalabasan na siya. 


    She can feel it— she can taste her orgasm coming. 


    Mas lalo pang humigpit ang hawak niya sa gilid ng center table, pinipigilan niya ang sarili na huwag munang labasan dahil gusto pa niyang magtagal ang nakakabaliw na sensasyong 'yon pero hindi na niya kinaya pang pigilan ng biglang tinampal ni Knight ang pag-upo niya. 


    SM came. Hard. She was dripping with her own cum. 


    And Knight immediately followed. Filling her core— burying all his seed inside her until there's nothing left. 


    At nang hugutin nito ang pagkalalaki sa loob niya, nanghihina ang tuhod na muntik na siyang mapaluhod at madapa sa sahig pero mabilis siyang naalalayan ni Knight saka pinangko siya at dinala sa banyo.


    "Let's clean up." As he laid her on the bathtub and open the faucet, he asked, "did I drain you?"


    Mahina siyang natawa saka tumango at namamaos na sumagot. "But it's so good. I like it."


    "And your wound?"


    Pilya siyang ngumiti. "Salamat at hindi bumukas ulit pero medyo sumakit." 


    Napailing ito. "Maybe we shouldn't do it again." Hinalikan siya nito sa nuo saka sinamahan siya sa bath tub ng mapuno iyon ng tubig. Nasa likod niya ito habang nakasandal siya sa dibdib nito. 


    "Let's do it again?" 


    Mahinang natawa si SM. "Akala ko ba huwag na muna nating gawin? At teka lang— hinihingal pa ako. I think my legs are shaking. You really did made a mess out of me."


    Knight chuckled before whispering over her ear, "baby, hindi pa nga 'yon nangangalahati sa gusto kong gawin sayo. I was holding back because of your wound. I wanna take you in every position I know. I wanna hear you scream in pleasure and I wanna love-fuck you so hard that when you think of making love, you'll only think of me." 


    SM closed her eyes as she leaned in on Knight's chest, "don't worry, baby, it's just you. Only you."


    Niyakap siya sa beywang ng kasintahan sa hinalik-halikan ang batok at balikat niya bayo isinubsob ang mukha doon. "I, ahm... I think i'm being unfair to you, baby."


    "Huh? Bahagyan niya itong nilingon na ngayon ay nakatingin na sa kaniya. "What are you talking about?"


    Kinagat nito ang pang-ibabang labi bago nagsalita. "You see ... I was engaged once."


    SM stared at Knight, shocked. She couldn't even say anything. 


    "It was an arrange engagement." Mabilis nitong paliwanag ng makita ang gulat sa mukha niya, "but we cut it off and she's married to my friend now."


    "Friend..." bulong niyang gagad, "s-sinong kaibigan?"


    "Iuhence."


    Napatanga siya, "si Mhelanie?!"


    Nakangiwing tumango ang binata. "Yeah. Her."


    Her lips parted open in shock. "She's a beauty—"


    "—so are you, baby—"


    "—hindi ako makapaniwalang umu-o siya sayo."


    Knight looked at her flatly, "baby, you're insulting me now."


    "No, no," natatawa siyang humarap dito saka umupo sa mga hita nito saka sinapo ang mukha nito, "of course, my baby is the most handsome man in the whole world and the most amazing and the most awesome but... does she know that you're weird and crazy before she said yes to you?"


    Umiling ito. "I was cold back then— still am, but, back then, I still don't know those lunatics. So I was a pretty serious guy."


    Natawa siya sa 'pretty serious guy', "unbelievable."


    "Believe it, baby."


    Napailing-iling siya. "But I guess it explains why she said yes to you."


    Tiningnan siya ng masama ni Knight. "Nakakadalawa ka na, Sweet Monday. Nasasaktan na ako."


    Malakas siyang natawa saka hinalikan ang tungki ng ilong nito, "you're so cute... anyways, bakit unfair 'yon sakin? Bakit nagso-sorry ka na na- engage ka na noon?"


    "Baka kasi magalit ka..."


    Napapantastikuhang napatitig siya sa kasintahan, "baby, that was what? Years ago? Ni hindi mo pa nga alam na nag-i-exist ako sa mundo kaya ayos lang 'yon. It's not a big deal for me and you said its an arrange engagement so that explains everything." 


    Knight blows a loud breath. "One secret off my chest."


    Natawa siya. "Mabigat ba?"


    "Very." Then Knight looked at her, "oh, and I smoke way back in College." 


    Doon nalukot ang mukha niya. "Still smoking?"


    Umiling ito. "Hindi na."


    "Buti naman. Ayoko sa taong naninigarilyo." Sumama ang mukha niya, "you're not just killing yourself, you're also killing the people around you because of second hand smoke. Masama 'yon sa katawan."


    Sumaludo pa ang loko. "Yes, boss."


    Pinanggigilan niya ang tungki ng ilong nito. "Anymore secrets I need to know?"


    "Hmm..." sumandal si Knight sa gilid ng bathtub bago nagsalita, "ano pa ba...well, I grew up in a very harsh place. Our family's own palace or mansion. Isang pagkakamali lang, pinaparusahan kaagad ako. It's either beating or lashes." Nakatitig lang ito sa kisame ng banyo habang nakasandal sa gilid ng bathtub, "when I was a kid, i'm not allowed to play because I have lots of things to do and study. Martial arts, school and then Psychological manipulation Training. I was raised like a warrior, I was force to know how to kill or i'll be killed. I was an obedient dog to my father and I keep all the pain and suffering I felt from my little brother. 


    "Midnight thinks that I was pampered and treated kindly and I want him to think that way forever. He doesn't need to know my pain. He already has so much baggage as it is. And then when I was fifteen, Papa gave me a dog to care for. I was so damn happy. Then years later, he told me to kill it because i'm being emotionally attached."


    Napanganga siya. "You didn't... right?"


    Tumango ito saka mahinang tumawa. "I let it loose and then I saw him again. And that's how I met my friends, Val and Shun."


    Napangiti siya. It's so clear that Knight treasures his friends, especially Valerian and Shun. They really had a special place in his heart and it makes her happy that he has such good friends who guided him and always there for him. 


    "Val is the kind of person who can't say no." Natawa ito saka tumingin sa kaniya, "he really can't say no. Especially if he has the means to do it. He'll really do it however pissed he is, he will. And Shun, he's a badass and a good friend even though he's the leader of the budol-budol Gang."


    Natawa siya. "Baliw ka talaga."


    Nagkibit-balikat lang si Knight saka bumuga ng hininga, "marami na kaming pinagdaanan para marating namin itong klase nang pagkakaibigan. Valerian controls the crazy side of me— the Knight Velasquez. Kapag may problema ako, sa kaniya palagi ang takbo ko. Because I know he'll insult me and cussed at me but at the end of the day, he'll prove to me that he's my best friend without saying the word best friend. 


    "And Shun, he, ahm, he controls the monstrous side of me — the Minrod Velasquez. He always tried his best to pull me away when i'm over doing my work as a boss. If i'm having problem at work, Shun is always just one call away. He's opposite to Valerian who doesn't know anything about my world and Shun's. But I guess that's what makes us tight, you know. Shun knows the dangerous side of me but still considers me his best friend— without saying the word best friend of course." 


    Hinaplos niya ang buhok ni Knight gamit ang mga daliri. "Masaya ako dahil may mga kaibigan kang tulad nila."


    Knight smiled. "I know some of my friends thinks that I only care about Val and Shun, but what they didn't know is that, it's not just Val and Shun— I do care for my thirty plus friends in my own way. And as of now, i'm keeping a big secret from two of my friends, they're twins and we've been fighting the Triad together. At nahihirapan ako kung paano ko 'to itatago kasi para sakin, ito ang mas nakabubuti sa ngayon. Para hindi sila mapahamak na tatlo. Pero paano ko 'yon ipapaintindi sa kanila pagdating ng panahon na kailangan ko ng magsabi ng totoo? 


    "It's their Mom for fuck's sake! Kahit saang anggulo tingnan, kahit anong paliwanag ang gawin ko, ako pa rin ang lalabas na masama. But that's okay," he smiled, "If pretending and manipulating everyone to keep them safe and happy makes me a bad guy, then I accept being a villain. I don't care if I look bad in their eyes, as long as they're safe, I can live with that." 


    SM caress Knight's face as she smiled proudly, "an angel in the devil's clothing. I'm so proud to call you mine."


    "Even when I chopped someone off and push someone off the building?" Nakangiwing tanong nito. 


    "Except that. Don't do that again. Ever." Pinagsiklop niya ang kamay nilang dalawa, "alam kong galit na galit ka sa bumaril sakin, pero huwag mo nang uulitin 'yong ganung klaseng kaparusahan. It's too brutal, Knight. I don't want you to fell into bloodlust. Promise me... you'll never do that kind of brutality again. It's not healthy for you."


    Knight took a deep breath before nodding, "okay... I won't do it anymore."


    "Promise?"


    Knight nodded. "Promise. If my baby says it's not healthy, then I'll try my hardest not do it again. Shun will be very happy with this."


    Natawa siya sa huli nitong sinabi at kahit papaano ay nakahinga siya ng maluwang. It really bothered her for days— what Knight did. 


    It was inhumane and it's not healthy for him. Sana talaga hindi na nito ulitin 'yon. 


    Hinalikan niya ito sa mga labi saka masuyong nginitian. "Knight, it's not easy being a villain with a soft and good heart— but know this— i'm just here for you. Magkaiba man tayo ng mga paniniwala, magkaiba man ang opinyon natin sa mga bagay-bagay lalo na sa ginagawa mo, nandito lang ako. I will wholeheartedly accept the hero and the villain in you."


    Knight hugged her tightly on the waist before kissing her on the lips. "You're the most amazing woman I have ever met, do you know that?" 


    "I know." Natatawang sabi niya saka hinalikan ito sa mga labi, "anyways, since you told me a secret, I will told you mine as well."


    Knight looked interested immediately. "Tell me. I'm all ears."


    Ang ngiti niya ay nauwi sa ngiwi bago huminga ng malalim at nagsalita, "I, ahm, remember Capt. Sanford?"


    Kaagad na sumama ang mukha ni Knight. "What about him?"


    "Ahm," kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi, "I had a crush on him." Mabilis niyang dinagdagan ang inamin. "Dati— pero hindi na ngayon. Wala na. Gusto ko lang sabihin sayo."


    After her confession, Knight didn't say anything for a minute. He just took a deep breath and blows a loud breath before saying, "good thing his grave is still there. I will bury him alive."


    SM immediately negate the bad thoughts in his mind. "Huwag kang magalit kay Captain, hindi naman niya kasalanan na nagka-crush ako sa kaniya, katulad ng hindi kasalanan ni Mhelanie na na-engage kayong dalawa, hindi ba? So kung magagalita ka, magagalit din ako, pero hindi kay Mhelanie, kundi sayo. Kasi sigurado naman akong ikaw ang nag-aya ng kasal, tama ba ako?"


    Knight immediately calmed down. "Baby naman. That was years ago."


    Tumango siya. "Years ago na rin naman 'yong sakin."


    "Baby, it's different—"


    "How so?" Tinaasan niya ito ng kilay. "I'm sure you proposed?"


    Knight blows a loud breath before smiling. "Baby, I yield."


    Nakangiting hinalikan niya sa labi ang kasintahan. "Thank you."


    Knight sighed then he stilled and frowned, "wait a minute, did you just manipulated me into calming down and not hurting that motherfucker?"


    SM gave Knight a mysterious smile, "you yield, remember?" Umahon siya sa bathtub saka nakangiting tinungo ang shower. 


    "Baby, that was bad!" Pangaral sa kaniya ni Knight. "Manipulating someone is bad!"


    Mahina lang siyang natawa saka nagpatuloy sa pagsabon ng katawan hanggang sa naramdaman niya sa likuran niya ang kasintahan. 


    Knight kissed her bare shoulder. "That was a smooth manipulation, baby, but that was not nice."


    Humarap siya sa kasintahan saka hinalikan ito sa mga labi at naglalambing na yumakap sa leeg nito. "You yield, right, my Lord?"


    Knight's breathing stopped before nodding. "Yes."


    "Then drop the topic and kiss me." She pouted her lips. 


    Knight chuckled before shaking his head. "This is manipulation 102, the 101 was earlier but hell yeah i'm kissing you."


    With that, he claimed her lips and sucked her tongue making her groaned and when he pinned her on the bathroom wall, SM smile inwardly. 


    Hmm... second round it is.




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    Still busy signing the books. Buti nakapagsulat pa ako ߘŠAnyways, Enjoy. 


    Hello, Buntis. Salamat sa spaghetti ߘ͠


    CHAPTER 29


    GUSTONG-GUSTO ni SM na buksan ang café niya dahil nami-miss na niya ang mag-bake ng cake pero alam niyang kapahamakan lang ang dala niyon sa kaniya at sa lahat ng taong malapit sa kaniya. She has to stay away from any risk or dangerous situations. Wala siyang balak na mabaril ulit. That's why she took her frustration in baking cakes in Knight's kitchen. 


    And her three bodyguards are just letting her do her thing in the kitchen.


    "Milady, that's your sixth cake today." Pansin sa kaniya ni Jacques, "are you okay? Are you not tired? You'd been baking since morning and it's already twilight."


    "Epekto ba 'to ng sugat mo?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Cloud. 


    "Or maybe the medicine?" Dagdag ni Dimitri.


    "Should I call ten Doctors to check on you, milady?" Kaagad na tanong ni Jacques. 


    "No need." She smiled while decorating her sixth cake. "I already made Carrot cake with Cream Cheese Frosting, Red Velvet Cake, Chocolate Mousse Cake, Apple Cake and now," tinapos niya ang pagdidisenyo sa pang-anim na cake, "Black Forest Cake." Mas lumapad pa ang ngiti niya. "Yum! Tiyak na matutuwa si Knight dito."


    "He'll be diabetic, milady." Ani Jacques. 


    Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi niya at bumukas ang lungkot sa mukha niya. "That's sad." 


    "But i'm sure boss will not mind being diabetic for your cakes." Kaagad na bawi ni Dimitri saka tiningnan nito ng masama ang Marquess. "Remember what boss said this morning? Make Miss SM happy."


    Umingos si Jacques. "That motherfucker is not my boss, but," tumingin ito sa kaniya, "your cakes are beautiful and surely delicious, milady."


    Cloud smiled. "My Lord loves cakes, Lady SM. I'm sure he will love and appreciate the cakes you made for him."


    Napatingin siya sa tatlong kalalakihang kasama niya na malaki ang tiwala niya. They're actually making her happy even though she was just pretending to be sad to see what their reaction would be. 


    These men are adorable. 


    "Thank you." Ibinalik niya ang ngiti sa mga labi saka kinuha sa Ref ang Apple Cake saka inilapag iyon sa hapag-kainan, "come on, let's eat this. Kapag nandito na si Knight, di na kayo makakakain ng cakes na gawa ko. Alam niyo naman ang isang 'yon, madamot."


    Mabilis namang umupo ang tatlo sa hapagkainan at natawa siya. They didn't even bother getting a plate and looks like Cloud noticed it. Akmang tatayo ito ng pigilan niya. 


    "Ako na." Aniya saka kumuha ng platito saka tinidor para sa kanilang apat at saka kutsilyo para pang-slice ng cake saka bumalik sa hapag-kainan. 


    Isa-isa niyang inilapag ang platito sa harapan ng tatlo saka ini-slice niya ang cake saka siya rin ang naglagay ng cake sa platito ng mga ito. 


    "Thank you, milady."


    "Thank you, Lady SM."


    "Thank you, Miss SM."


    Nakangiting tumango lang siya saka nilagyan ang platito niya ng isang slice. "Alam niyo kung anong masarap na kapareha ng cake?"


    Umiling ang tatlo.


    SM grinned. "Coffee." Pagkasabi niyon ay nag-timpla siya ng kape gamit ang 'commoners coffee' na tinatawag ng mga weirdo niyang kasama sa bahay maliban kay Dimitri. 


    And then she return to the dining table with four cups of coffee. 


    "Hayan," binigyan niya isa-isa ng isang tasang kape ang mga kasama bago umupo. "So... how's the cake?"


    Nagkaniya-kaniyang papuri ang tatlo na ikinatawa niya. 


    "Flatterers." Aniya saka kumain na rin ng Apple cake. 


    Moments later, her eyes settled on Dimitri's wound. "Kumusta na ang sugat mo?" Tanong niya rito. "Akala ko daplis lang yan pero nakabenda pa. Napuruhan ka ba?"


    Napapantastikuhang napatingin sa kaniya si Jacques saka si Cloud. 


    "Anong daplis?" Tanong ni Cloud. "He got stabbed."


    Bumukas ang kaba sa mukha ni Dimitri, "stop it, this is nothing."


    Hindi niya pinansin si Dimitri at nagtatanong na tumingin siya kay Cloud. "Stabbed? I thought it was a Sniper." 


    "Nope." Umiling si Jacques, "it was the Count.


    Namilog ang mga mata niya. "Say what?"


    "It's the Count." Ulit ni Jacques, "he stabbed Dimitri in anger because of what happened to you, and then he punched me and threatened Cloud." 


    Napatanga siya sa tatlo habang unti-unting nagsi-sink in sa isip niya ang nalaman. "But... Knight would never do that..."


    The three looked at her flatly like they're saying she's blind to ever think that. 


    "It's not the boss." Depensa ni Dimitri kay Knight. 


    Napatango siya. "Ahm, yeah ... I mean," iminuwestra niya ang kamay kay Cloud, "you are his butler," kapagkuwan ay kay Dimitri naman niya iminuwestra ang kamay, "you are his punisher, and you," iminuwestra niya ang kamay kay Jacques, "well... ahm..."


    Jacques gave her an arched look. "You're hurting me, milady."


    Matamis niyang nginitian si Jacques, "I just saw it coming, sorry, but by the way," bumaba ang tingin niya sa suot nitong shirt. "Your denim shirt looks good on you. Is that a Louis Vuitton?"


    Jacques immediately nodded. "Yeah. It is. Do you like it? It's a trend nowadays."


    Tumango siya. "Yes, it's very trendy. It suits you."


    Dimitri tsked. "He didn't even realize that he's being manipulated."


    Kunot ang nuo namang binalingan ni Jacques si Dimitri. "Who's manipulating who?"


    Walang emosyon ang mukha na napatitig si Cloud at Dimitri kay Jacques na bakas ang kaguluhan sa mukha. 


    Si Cloud ang sumagot dito. "Lord Jacques, Lady SM was manipulating your emotion."


    Kaagad namang tumingin sa kaniya si Jacques saka umiling, "no, Milady would never do that. She's a very nice person." Depensa nito sa kaniya. 


    Dimitri sighed and murmured. "Another blind person."


    Lihim siyang natawa kapagkuwan ay may pag-aalalang tumayo siya saka nilapitan si Dimitri. "Puwede ko bang makita ang sugat mo?" Alam niyang hindi magsasabi sa kaniya si Dimitri ng kahit na anong ginawa ni Knight dito. Kailangan siya mismo ang mag-imbestiga para malaman niya ang gustong malaman. 


    Tumango si Dimitri saka inalis ang benda sa sugat nito. 


    Napaawang ang labi niya. 


    If her estimation was right, It's a tri-dagger fixed blade knife. She can still see the lines the tri-dagger made when it got embedded on Dimitri's shoulder. 


    This is really Knight's doing. Nakita na niya ang pocket knife na pag-aari nito. It's a Costum made tri-edge dagger knife — Knight's pocket knife. 


    Kalmadong huminga ng malalim si SM para itago ang iritasyon sa mukha niya. Kapagkuwan ay pinalibot niya ang mata sa kabuonan ng dining hall na may hinahanap at sa ikalawang beses na pagpapalibot niya sa kabuonan ng hapag-kainan may napansin siya. 


    Hmm... looks like I was right. This is Knight's house after all. 


    There's four light power switch for,  one vintage crystal chandelier and one for the pillar lights. And the remaining two, it's a bit high for a light power switch and it has rectangular holes covered with glass, while the other has none. That's weird and suspicious. 


    Bumuga ng kalmadong hininga si SM saka naglakad palapit sa isa sa mga light power switch na nasa medyo may kataasang parte ng pader. 


    Pinakatitigan niya ang hugis-parihaba na light switch saka ngumiti siya doon ng makita ang munting pulang tuldok na kumikisap-kisap, "actually, i'm not shock anymore. You did put a bug on my café and a tracking device on my ring. No one can stop you from putting a secret camera in your light power switch since it's your own house ... am I right, baby?" 


    A phone rang. 


    Napalingon siya kay Cloud ng siyang may-ari ng cellphone na tumunog. 


    Sinagot iyon ni Cloud. "My Lord— yes, of course." Inabot sa kaniya ni Cloud ang cellphone, "it's my Lord."


    Tinanggap niya ang cellphone saka inilapit iyon sa tainga niya. Kaagad niyang narinig ang boses ni Knight.


    "— baby, I was just so angry that's why I did it. Huwag ka nang magalit sakin, baby. And the camera, it's a CCTV, baby, it's not a secret camera—"


    "So hindi lang camera, may microphone pa?"


    Ilang segundong natahimik si Knight. "Yeah. You mad?"


    "CCTV? No. But what you did to Dimitri?" Tumingin siya sa camera habang matalim ang mga mata. "See my eyes?"


    Narinig niyang napamura si Knight, "i'm coming home, baby."


    Pinatay niya ang tawag saka nagpakuha ng first aid kit kay Cloud na kaagad namang sumunod sa kaniya. Pagkatapos ay nilinis niya ang sugat ni Dimitri at nilagyan iyon ng gauze. 


    "Hayan," nag-angat siya ng tingin kay Dimitri, "palaging mong lilinisan 'yan ha? Saka gagamutin mo palagi para hindi ma infection. Pasensiya ka na sa nangyari sakin at sa ginawa ni Knight. Hindi ako natutuwa sa ginawa niya sayo. Wala ka namang kasalanan sa nangyari. Kung may dapat mang sisihin, ako 'yon dahil nasa tamang pag-iisip ako nang pumayag ako." 


    Dimitri gave her a soft smile. "Thank you, Miss SM. I thought you'll side him once you find out."


    SM let out a loud sighed. "Naiintindihan ko ang trabaho niya, kaya kong tanggapin ang ginagawa niya para maayos niyang magawa ang trabaho niya, pero ang hindi ko matatanggap ay ang manakit siya ng taong wala namang kasalanan. I can't accept that. I can't tolerate that."


    Natahimik ang tatlo kapagkuwan ay narinig niya ang pagbuga ng marahas na hininga ni Cloud. "My Lord will be very pissed."


    Sumama ang mukha niya pero hindi siya umimik. Tinabi lang niya ang first aid kit saka walang imik na inubos ang cake at kape bago nagpaalam sa tatlo. 


    Habang naglalakad siya palabas ng kusina, naririnig niya ang bulungan ng tatlo.


    "Milady looks really pissed." Ani Jacques. 


    "Ngayon ko lang siyang nakitang ganun." Wika naman ni Cloud. "She's always smiling and always nice and kind."


    "I saw how badass she is," sabi naman ni Dimitri, "boss is shaking."


    SM tuned out the three and continued walking towards the garden. 


    Huminga siya ng malalim ng makalabas siya ng bahay at naglakad patungo sa hardin na nasa likod. 


    Different flower pots are well placed on the corners and sides, a garden fountain shaped like a blooming flower in the center surrounded with different coloured roses and just meters away from that was a small round pavilion made with expensive woods with seven pillars and in the middle of that was a grey rattan corner sofa set with a large round bed in the center with lots of throw pillows. 


    Doon siya umupo habang iniisip ang ginawa ni Knight kay Dimitri. She didn't really like what he did. Tanggap niya lahat ng ginagawa ni Knight, kaya niyang intindihin lahat, hindi lang ang pananakit nito sa mga taong wala namang kasalanan. 


    Hindi mapigilan ni SM ang pagtatagis ng bagang niya hanggang sa maramdaman niya ang presensiya sa gilid ng pavilion. 


    SM knew its Knight but she didn't move to look or welcome him. Seconds later, he silently sat on the round sofa beside her. 


    "You mad?" Pabulong nitong tanong. 


    Tumango siya. "I can accept and tolerate everything you do, Knight, but hurting people that didn't do anything wrong— I just can't... what you did makes me angry. Alam kong ginawa mo 'yon para sakin pero hindi tama 'yon. Walang ginawang masama si Dimitri para saksakin mo siya. Kung sisihan ang pag-uusapan natin, ako ang dapat sisihin sa nangyari kasi ako ang nag-aya at pumayag ako sa gusto ni Jacques. Walang pumilit sakin." 


    Hindi umimik si Knight. 


    "I know you only want to keep me safe, but don't hurt the people who will keeps me safe when you're not around. Unfair 'yon kay Dimitri."


    Ilang segundong tahimik lang si Knight bago tumayo at naglakad paalis ng pavilion.


    SM sighed. She will not soften this time. 


    Hindi pa ito tuluyang nakakalayo sa kaniya ng tumigil si Knight at nilingon siya. "I'm not walking out on you, i'll just apologize to Dimitri. Wait for me here. I'll be back."


    Nakatangang napatitig siya sa likod ni Knight na naglalakad palayo, papasok sa kabahayan. 


    Hihingi ito ng tawad kay Dimitri? 


    Somehow, it made her feel relieved that he knew how to apologize even though his father raised him to think highly of himself. At masaya siya na hindi siya ang nagsabi na humingi ito ng tawad at nagkusa ito na gawin 'yon. Ibig sabihin ay bukal sa loob ang paghingi nito ng pasensiya at hindi pilit. 


    Ilang minuto siyang mag-isa sa pavilion bago bumalik si Knight saka lumuhod ito sa harapan niya at hinawakan ang mga kamay niya bago hinuli ang mga mata niya. 


    "Humingi na ako ng tawad." Anito habang nakatitig sa kaniya, "pero hindi ako mangangako na hindi na ako magiging ganun ulit lalo na pagdating sayo." Huminga ito ng malalim, "you see, I became a different person when i'm angry, Sweet Monday. I became Minrod, the monster that my father made me to be and I can't control that. I can't see reason when i'm mad. When i'm mad, i'm mad. I'm blind to everything. At alam kong hindi mo gugustuhing makita 'yon."


    Huminga ng malalim si SM saka inagaw ang kamay niyang hawak ng binata saka umangat iyon para haplusin ang buhok nito. "Knight, don't hide Minrod from me. Let me see him. Let me see the real you so i'll know and understand you better. Kaya kong intindihin lahat ng ginagawa mo, huwag lang ang manakit ka ng taong walang kasalanan o wala namang ginagawang masama. Doon tayo magkakatalo— doon ako aangal. Please, huwag mo nang uulitin 'yon." 


    Ilang segundong natahimik si Knight bago nagsalita, "hindi ako mangangako sayo ng isang bagay na hindi ko kayang tuparin, pero susubukan ko." 


    As SM stared at Knight's eyes, she can see stubbornness in them. And that's when she realize that there are things that Knight won't bend for her, just like there are beliefs and things that she can't bend for him. 


    And that's called individuality. They are different person with different opinion, belief and attitude. 


    And to get pass that, for their relationship to get pass that— they have to respect and understand each other. Which is one of the hardest part of being in a relationship.


    Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga saka tinitigan ito sa mga mata. "Kaya kong palampasin 'to ngayon, pero sa susunod, hindi ko alam Knight." 


    Humigpit ang hawak nito sa isang kamay niya. "I'll try harder."


    Tumango siya saka pinalibot ang mga braso sa leeg ni Knight at niyakap ito. "Naawa ako kay Dimitri." Aniya. "Hindi niya kasalanan 'yon."


    "I know. I was just so mad."


    Hinaplos niya ang likod ng ulo nito habang yakap pa rin ito. "And Cloud? 


    "I was mad at everyone."


    Napailing siya. "E si Jacques?"


    "Oh, him?" Humigpit ang hakap nito sa beywang niya, "kung siya ang una kong nakita at hindi si Dimitri, siya ang nasaksak ko. Pasalamat siya at nailabas ko na ang galit ko ng makita ko siya."


    "Knight!"


    "What?" Bahagyan nitong binigyan ng distansiya ang katawan nila para tumingin sa kaniya. "Alam naman niyang mapanganib, inaya ka pa niya sa Hong Kong—"


    "Pumayag akong sumama." 


    "Still..."


    SM sighed. "Please don't hurt or threatened again the people who are keeping me safe when you're not around, Knight. Kailangan maayos ang pagtrato natin sa kanila." 


    Knight just hugged her and buried his face on her stomach. 


    So stubborn. 


    She wanted to manipulate him into changing but then she remembered what her father always say to her. 


    'Do not try to change someone because it'll be useless, change should come from them for the changes to last a lifetime.' 


    Hinagod niya ang likod ng kasintahan. "Ang bilis mong nakabalik, ah." Pag-iiba niya ng usapan. "Napansin ko, hinihingal ka pa kanina."


    "You scared the shit out of me." Knight confessed. 


    Napailing siya. "Bakit ka naman matatakot sakin? Alam mo kung gaano ako karupok pagdating sayo."


    "Yeah, but," he looked up at her, "I know you have your limits. At ayokong masagad ang pag-intindi at pagtitimpi mo sakin. I know how nice and kind my baby is but I also know that you can kick ass— and I don't want it to be my ass."


    Natawa siya. "Buti alam mo."


    Knight smiled, gone the nervousness on his face. "Of course, you're my baby." Lumamlam ang mga mata nitong nakatitig sa kaniya, "salamat dahil hindi ka nagalit sakin at hindi mo ako iniwan."


    Hinaplos niya ang pisngi ng kasintahan. "Nagalit? Nandoon na ako kung hindi ka kusang nag sorry kay Dimitri. Iiwan?" Pinanggigilan niya ang tungki ng ilong nito, "Hindi kita iiwan lalo na't puwede naman nating pag-usapan." Hinawakan niya ang kamay nito saka hinila ito patayo, "get up. Huwag kang lumuhod diyan."


    Knight smiled before standing up and sitting beside her on the round bed sofa and hugging her waist.


    He looks excited like he just remembered something. "Uuwi na raw mamaya si Midnight."


    Napangiti siya dahil nakikita niyang masaya ito. "That's a good news. Ano ba'ng mga paborito niyang pagkain para lutuan ko siya?"


    "I should be jealous but since he's your future brother-in-law, okay, you can cook for him. This time only, okay?"


    Napailing siya. "Always possessive. It's not cute anymore."


    Knight buried his face ok her shoulder blade. "Sorry."


    Napailing ulit siya saka ginulo nito ang buhok nito. "Gusto mo bang papuntahin ko si Eli? I'll think of some alibi so you and Midnight can be with her. Alam kong miss mo na siya." 


    Kaagad na nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya si Knight saka masayang pinupog ng halik ang pisngi niya. "Thank you, baby. Thank you! Thank you! You're the most amazing woman ever!" 


    Pabirong pinanggigilan niya ang pisngi ng binata saka hinalikan ito sa nuo. "Sige na, bumalik ka na sa trabaho mo. I'm sure my Count boyfriend still has a lot of bad guys to punish."


    "Yes, boss."


    "Umuwi ka ng maaga." Bilin niya sa kasintahan. "Nag-bake ako ng cake para sayo— oh, wait, siguradong alam mo na 'yon."


    Knight gave her a lopsided smile. "Gusto kong tikman 'yong ginawa mong Chocolate Mousse Cake." 


    Natawa siya, "kapag cake talaga," hinalikan niya sa labi si Knight, "go, work that sexy round ass of yours. Ako na ang bahala sa welcome party ni Midnight. He'll like it for sure. Lalo na't kompleto kayong magkakapatid." 


    Ilang segundo siyang pinakatitigan si Knight bago pinupog siya ng mga halik sa mga labi bago nakangiting nagpaalam at umalis ng pavilion. 


    Siya naman ay natatawang napailing. 


    Masaya siya dahil hindi nauwi sa away ang pag-uusap nila ni Knight at kusa itong humingi ng tawad kay Dimitri. 


    SM took a deep breath before returning to the house.


    "Cloud, Jacques," tawag niya sa dalawang butler ng makapasok sa kusina, "can you help me?"


    Kaagad namang tuwid na tumayo ang dalawa. 


    "Of course, milady." Ani Jacques na mukhang nasiyahan na hinihingi niya ang tulong nito. 


    "Yes, Lady SM."


    Ngumiti siya. "We're going to prepare a welcome home party for Midnight." Pumalakpak siya dahil excited na siya sa pinaplano. "Cloud, tutulungan mo ako sa pululuto. Jacques, ikaw ang bahala sa dekorasyon."


    "Anong maitutulong ko?" Tanong kaagad ni Dimitri sa kaniya. 


    "Tulungan mo si Jacques." Aniya saka matamis na ngumiti, "siguraduhin mong hindi mahal ang dekorasyon na gagamitin niya. Kilala mo naman 'yan. Baka milyones ang dekorasyong bilhin niyan." 


    Sumaludo sa kaniya si Dimitri, "yes, Miss SM." Saka humarap ito kay Jacques, "we're going to visit Divisoria."


    Tinakpan ni Jacques ang tainga saka pabagsak itong naupo sa sahig. "Noooo! I don't want to go back there! What if my wallet got stolen again?!"


    Nilampasan ni Dimitri si Jacques, "don't worry, i'll protect your noble's ass." 


    Nagsalubong ang kilay ni Jacques saka tumayo ito at sumunod kay Dimitri. "Wait for me! I thought you're gonna protect my sexy noble's ass?" 


    "I change my mind." Dinig niyang sabi ni Dimitri na mukhang iritado na. "Just give me your wallet. I'll protect it."


    "You'll protect my wallet and not me?!" Kaagad na reklamo ni Jacques. 


    "Yes." 


    Napangiti nalang si SM sa bangayan ng dalawa kapagkuwan ay humarap siya kay Cloud. "Umpisa na tayong magluto?"


    Nakangiting tumango si Cloud. "Okay, Lady SM. What should we cook?"


    "Anong mga paborito ni Midnight?"


    Natahimik si Cloud bago sumagot. "... I don't know." 


    For some reason, SM felt sad for Midnight. Even Cloud doesn't know his favorite. He has been kept in the dark all his life. Kahit man lang sa ganitong paraan ay sumaya ito kaya ginagawa niya ito. 


    "May mobile number ka ba ni Midnight?" Tanong niya kay Cloud. 


    Umiling ito. "Wala."


    "Ganun ba," baka si Knight mayroon, "wait for me, Cloud."


    Mabilis niyang tinungo ang kuwarto ni Knight para kunin ang cellphone niya at tinawagan ang kasintahan. 


    "Baby," aniya ng sagutin ni Knight ang tawag niya. 


    "Baby." Ani Knight sa kabilang linya, "what is it?"


    Kumunot ang nuo niya ng mapansing parang habol nito ang sariling hininga at may naririnig siyang mga kalabog at mga nababasag na gamit. "At work?"


    "Yep."


    "Sorry." Kaagad niyang hingi ng pasensiya dahil alam niya kung anong trabaho ang ginagawa nito. "Bye—"


    "No." Pigil nito sa pagpapaalam niya. "May kailangan ka?"


    Napangiwi siya. He's actually working while talking to her? "Ahm... magtatanong lang sana ako kung anong paborito ni Midnight—"


    "Fuck!" Knight hissed before a string of curses flew out of his mouth. "You motherfucker!" 


    SM heard a loud grunt, then a loud thud and glass shattering. Then Knight blows a loud breath. "Sorry, baby. Anyways, Midnight favorite. It's Albondigas, San Jacobos, Paella, Empanada and for dessert other than ice cream, i'm pretty sure he'll kill for a delicious Crema Catalana." 


    Oddly, those words didn't seem strange to SM. Parang narinig na niya ang mga 'yon, hindi lang niya maalala kung saan at kailan. It's buried deep in her memory but it's there. 


    "Ahm... ano ang mga 'yan? Paella at empanada lang ang pamilyar sakin." Tanong niya na naguguluhan pero nagtataka naman sa sarili niya dahil parang narinig na talaga niya ang ibang sinabi ni Knight. 


    She even has an idea what it is...


    "Spanish dishes." Sagot ni Knight. 


    Natigilan siya. "Albondigas... it's a meatball right?" If her buried memory was serving her right and it's not just made up.


    "Yeah. And San Jacobos is a chicken breast with ham and cheese on the inside and crema catalana is—"


    "—is a Créme brûlée." She frowned. "How the heck did I know that?" She asked worried and confused. 


    A loud thud coming from the other line again. "Gusto mo bang umuwi ako? Want to talk about it?"


    "No." Kaagad niyang pigil dito. "Mamaya nalang. Magtrabaho ka nalang muna. Mag-ingat ka."


    "Sure, baby."


    "Sige. Bye."


    "Bye."


    Nang matapos ang tawag, habang hawak pa rin ang cellphone, napaisip si SM. It's been months since she and Knight got together but he still haven't said the three magic words. 


    Thought, she knew how important she is to him, she still wants to hear it. O siguro, hindi pa ito handang sabihin 'yon sa kaniya? Knight didn't grew up here in the Philippine, he has different culture than her.


    In here, I love you is a very important word from someone you're in a relationship with or it's an important word to say if you want to be in a relationship with someone. Kaya medyo gasgas na ang salitang mahal kita. Nawawalan na 'yon ng halaga dahil sobrang gamit na gamit kasama ng mga pangakong hindi naman tinutupad ng karamihan. But in other culture or countries, the word I love you is a big thing. People don't say it in the start of the relationship, they used to word 'I like you' instead, they only say the word I love you if they want to deepen their relationship more.


    Ganun din ba ang paniniwala ni Knight? 


    SM blows a loud breath. Hindi ito ang oras para isipin niya 'yon. Kailangan niyang mag-focus sa welcome party para kay Midnight. 


    Dala-dala ang cellphone, lumabas siya ng kuwarto at bumalik sa kusina kung saan naghihintay si Cloud. Kaagad niyang sinabi rito ang mga gustong pagkain ni Midnight. 


    Cloud nodded and they started working while they can hear Dimitri and Jacques arguing loudly from the living room. Hindi nalang nila pinansin ang dalawa at nag-focus sa nilulutong pagkain. 


    She wants it to be delicious... she wants Midnight to find it delicious so he'll be happy. Ito lang ang tanging magagawa niya para sa kapatid ni Knight na mahirap at mabigat ang pinagdadaanan. 


    Gusto niyang sa welcome party na gagawin nila, makalimutan nito pansamantala ang mga problema nito at paghihirap at kalungkutan. 


    Tonight, SM gave herself a mission, it's to make the Velasquez siblings — Knight, Midnight and Eli — feel all the happiness their heart can hold.


    CHAPTER 30 


    HABANG DALA-DALA ang cellophane na laman ang binili niya bago siya umuwi, kaagad na narinig ni Knight ang tawanan mula sa kusina ng makapasok siya sa kabahayan. Kaagad niyang tinungo ang kusina kung saan napatigil siya sa pintuan ng makita ang mga nasa hapag-kainan. 8  a  


    Jacques was being bossy at Cloud again, Dimitri saying something against Jacques. SM and Elizabeth laughing over something and Midnight gawking at his welcome home cake SM made for him — a cake design like a clock and the hands stopped at midnight. 133  a  


    And Knight can't help but to smile. Noon, tahimik palagi ang mansiyon na ito, maliban sa kanila ni Cloud, walang ibang tao sa bahay na 'to. He rather go to his friends house than invite them over because the whole house screams loneliness at every corner. 6  a  


    And seeing this now... his mansion never looked and feel so lively. Ever.


    Knight stared at the most amazing woman that made all this happened. Sweet Monday. Her name suits her very well. Such a sweet woman. And she's mine.  


    Tuluyan na siyang pumasok sa hapag-kainan at si Midnight ang unang nakapansin sa kaniya. He has a happy smile on his lips for him —he missed that. The way he looked and smiled at him sends him back to memory lane. Ganun palagi ang ngiti at tingin nito sa kaniya sa tuwing nagkikita sila pagkatapos ng mahabang panahon na tinatago ito ng ama niya sa kaniya. 17  a  


    "Kuya." The trust shining in the depths of Midnight's eyes, it's overwhelming. "Ang tagal kong nawala. Cloud said I made you worry."


    Ngumiti lang siya bago ito nilapitan at ibinigay dito ang hawak niyang cellophane saka tiningnan ito sa mga mata. "Welcome home, little brother."9  a  


    "Home..." Midnight whispered before grinning, "I like that." Kapagkuwan ay kaagad nitong tinanggap ang cellophane na binigay niya rito. "What's this? My welcome home gift?" 17  a  


    "Kind of." 


    Kumunot ang nuo ni Midnight habang magtatanong ang kislap ng mga mata kung ano ang laman niyon ng biglang nagbago ang emosyon sa mukha nito.  


    Midnight wide grin was back.  


    "Fuck, yeah!" Midnight pumped his fist like a happy kid. "Rocky Road and Double Dutch Ice Cream!" Ang lapad ng ngiti nito sa kaniya. "Thanks, Kuya."140  a  


    Natigilan siya ng excited na lumapit si Elizabeth kay Midnight habang nakasilip sa hawak nitong ice cream.  


    "Can I have some?" Tanong nito kay Midnight. 38  a  


    And Midnight looked at Elizabeth for a couple of seconds before smiling happily, "of course. Which flavor do you like?"17  a  


    "Rocky road." Excited na sagot ni Elizabeth saka kumuha ng kutsara at nang buksan ni Midnight ang takip ng ice cream kaagad na kumuha si Elizabeth kapagkuwan ay napapikit ito na para bang sarap na sarap. "Hmm... hello, carbs." 29  a  


    Knight can tell that Midnight was happy while looking at Elizabeth happily eating an ice cream, then Midnight looked at him, offering him a spoon. 24  a  


    "Gusto mo, Kuya?" Tanong sa kaniya ni Midnight. 1  a  


    He doesn't really like ice cream but for his brother, Knight accepted the spoon and digs in together with his siblings. At habang pinagsasaluhan nila ang ice cream, lumapit siya kay SM para yakapin ito. 13  a  


    "I'm home." Aniya sa kasintahan.15  a  


    SM hugged him back and kissed his cheek. "Welcome home, my Lord." Nakangiting sabi nito saka bahagyan siyang itinulak. "Go back to your siblings." Pabulong nitong sabi, "have fun." 4  a  


    Knight smiled at SM and whispered, "thank you."1  a  


    SM kissed him on the lips before helping Cloud, Dimitri and Jacques with the food, while he went back to Midnight and Elizabeth who are still eating ice cream. 2  a  


    At nahuhuli niyang panay ang sulyap sa kaniya ni Elizabeth. 1  a  


    "What?" Tanong niya kay Elizabeth.  


    Umiling ito habang nasa loob pa ng bibig nito ang kusara at nakatingin pa rin sa kaniya.  


    Knight blinked. Naaalala na ba siya nito? His blond hair was already showing. Gustong-gusto na niyang marinig na tawagin siya nitong kuya tulad noon pero alam niyang mahihirapan lang ito kapag nangyari 'yon.  


    Elizabeth deserves to have a peaceful life. She deserves a life that he and Midnight didn't get to experience. 5  a  


    "So..." Elizabeth drawls and she looked at him and then at Midnight. "Twins?"2  a  


    Umiling si Midnight saka tinuro nito ang sarili. "The little brother."1  a  


    "Oh..." napatitig ulit sa kaniya si Elizabeth na para bang pinag-aaralan ang mukha niya.  


    He smiled. "Just don't tell anyone about Midnight." 


    Midnight nodded. "It'll be a big trouble." 


    Napapantastikuhan man, tumango si Elizabeth. "Yeah... sure. Anyways... how are you and Matamis na lunes?" She was looking at him. 4  a  


    "We're fine." Sagot niya. "Happy."2  a  


    Ngumiti ito pero may kislap ng babala ang mga mata. "Make sure that you two are fine. Kilala ko yang si matamis na lunes, pangiti-ngiti lang yan, at mabait sobra saka maintindihin at sobrang haba ng pasensiya pero kapag yan napuno at nagalit, gugutay-gutayin ka niya. Trust me, that's scary as hell."48  a  


    Simple siyang napalunok habang kinakabahan. Of course he knows that. Every person has their limitation, be it kindness or patience and he knows that SM was not an exception. 6  a  


    Those eyes— her eyes— he can tell when she's mad. It glows with sharpness and fury, and it's no joke. She stared at the person with that kind of eyes that can make any men feel fear before her. 4  a  


    Midnight chuckled beside him. "Look, Eli," natatawa pa ring sabi nito, "he's scared."9  a  


    Tiningnan niya ng masama ang kapatid. "I just bought you an ice cream."3  a  


    Tumawa lang si Midnight. "You owe me five years of ice cream, Kuya."1  a  


    Napailing siya saka napatingin kay Elizabeth ng magsalita ito.  


    "You should be scared." Anito sa seryosong boses saka matamis na ngumiti sa kaniya na para bang hindi pa lang siya nito katatapos takutin. "Marami 'yang hindi gusto na ugali si Matamis na lunes, pero hindi niya sasabihin sayo hanggat kaya pa niyang tiisin dahil binibigyan niya lahat ng pagkakataon na baguhin ang sarili nila na hindi niya kailangang pagsabihan."15  a  


    "And what kind of attitude that she hates most?" Sa hindi malamang kadahilanan, kinakabahan siya.


    Elizabeth smiled. "Possessiveness. Ayaw niyang nasasakal siya. Pinalaki siya nila Tito at Tita na matatag at independent."


    Knight paled.


    Midnight laughed. "Bulls eyes. He," tinuro siya nito, "is very possessive."  


    Napalunok siya, "p-paano kung m-masakal siya sakin?" 


    "Then that means goodbye, Knighty-Knight." Walang pag-aalinlangang sagot ni Elizabeth sa kaniya.


    "No!" Hindi niya napigilang tumaas ang boses. "She promised she won't leave me." 


    Napansin niyang natigilan si Elizabeth at parang hindi ito makapaniwala sa narinig. "Nangako siya?" 


    Naguguluhang tumango siya dahil sa emosyon sa mukha nito. "Yeah..." 


    "Damn..." Elizabeth whispered.


    Knight immediately got worried. "What?" 


    Napatitig sa kaniya ang kapatid na babae, "Matamis na lunes seldom says the word promise. And if she asked you to promise something, and you promised, you better keep it or there will hell to pay. To her and to her family, the word promise is a humungous responsibility — that when they say it, they really mean it. At kung nangako siyang hindi ka niya iiwan," napailing ito saka bumuntong-hininga, "you can count on that. SM keeps her promises. Always." 46  a  


    Para siyang nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib at nakahinga ng maayos.  


    "Fuck..." Knight took a deep breath, "I need to be a better man for her."


    Masayang nginitian siya ni Elizabeth. "Mabuti naman." 


    "Here, baby." It was SM, handing him a beer.  


    But Elizabeth took the beer and drank it.  


    "What the hell?" Tiningnan niya ng masama ang kapatid. "Don't you dare drink again." 


    Tinaasan lang siya ng kilay ni Elizabeth saka uminom na naman ito mula sa bote ng beer. And he was shock that his sister can drink like that. 


    SM chuckled. "Masanay ka na kay Eli. Malakas 'yang uminom. Halos naka-limang bote na kaming dalawa ng tequila pero nakatayo at malinaw pang mag-isip." 


    Midnight whispered over his ear. "Our little sister can hold so much drink? My ego is shaking, Kuya."


    Mabilis na inagawa niya ang bote ng beer na hawak ni Elizabeth. "You're not drinking. Not on my watch."  


    Elizabeth pouted. "Pasalamat ka bahay mo 'to kung hindi nakatikim ka ng karate sakin." Umupo na ito habang mahaba pa rin ang nguso saka inirapan siya ng matalim. 6  a  


    Napatanga siya kay Elizabeth.  


    What happened to her cute, cuddly and beautiful little sister who adores him so much?  


    Midnight whispered over his ear again. "Sa mga kuwento mo, Kuya, akala ko ba cute siya at malambing?"


    Knight stared at Elizabeth and sighed. "Well... people changed. We have to accept her for who she is now." 


    Midnight offered him ice cream. "Pero hindi ka nga niya naaalala, lalo naman ako na hindi pinahintulutan ni Papa na magpakita sa kaniya." 


    Inakbayan niya si Midnight saka ginulo ang buhok nito. "One day, little brother, you'll be able to look at everyone eyes while introducing yourself as Midnight."48  a  


    "I know." Midnight glanced at him, "I trust you, Kuya." 


    He smiled back with the thought that he doesn't want to lost that trust. One day little brother. I'll free you. You can count on that.


    Mas ginulo pa niya ang buhok ni Midnight bago ito pinakawalan sa pagkaka-akbay niya saka lumapit siya kay SM na pinaghugot siya ng upuan.  


    Mahina siyang natawa saka hinalikan ito sa nuo, "what a gentlewoman you are, mi reina." 


    SM shrugged with a smile, "who says chivalry is dead?"  


    Natatawang umupo siya sa upuang hinugot nito saka hindi mapuknat ang ngiti sa mga labi niya ng lagyan siya nito ng pagkain sa pinggan.  


    Sweet Monday really lives up to her name.  


    Then she faced Midnight. "Now... you slice the cake. Ginawa ko 'yan para sayo, sana magustuhan mo." 


    Excited na tumango si Midnight saka ini-slice nito ang cake saka naglagay ng isang slice sa platito at nagulat siya ng siya ang pinagbigyan nun ng kapatid. 1  a  


    "... but it's yours." He said in confusion. 


    "Yes, and i'm giving it to you." Ani Midnight. "I know how much you love cakes. And it's my way of saying thank you for accepting me into your life again."5  a  


    Bumaba ang tingin niya sa isang slice ng cake saka napangiti. "Then i'll gladly accept it." 


    Midnight grinned before slicing the cake again. Sabay nitong binigyan si Elizabeth at SM.


    "To the women who's special to me." Anito.  


    "Aww..." nangingiti na nanunubig ang mata na niyakap ni SM si Midnight. 


    At kaagad siyang nagselos sa nakita pero pinigilan niya ang sarili ng maalala ang sinabi ni Elizabeth. Ayaw niyang masakal sa kaniya si SM.


    "Thank you for this, SM." Wika ni Midnight kay SM ng maghiwalay mula sa pagkakayakap ang dalawa. "I really appreciate it. And I know this is a welcome part and not a birthday party but I have one wish that only you can do." 


    Kumunot ang nuo ni SM habang tipid na nakangiti. "Kung kaya ko namang gawin, bakit hindi?"  


    Midnight glanced at him before saying, "take care of my big brother. He's very important to me." 


    Mahigpit na niyakap ulit ni SM si Midnight habang mangingiyak ito. "Of course. I'll take good care of him." 


    Nang maghiwalay ang dalawa, ang sunod na niyakap ni Midnight ay si Elizabeth na halatang nagulat. 


    "Hey! What the fuck are you doing?! Gago ka ba—"


    Pinakawalan ito ni Midnight saka pinakatitigan si Elizabeth na ngayon ay tahimik na, "someday, you'll know me. Someday, Eli." 


    Naguguluhang nagtatanong na tumingin si Eli kay SM na nagkibit balikat lang.  


    And in the middle of the silence... Jacques broke it.  


    "Can we eat now?"


    Cloud spoke with calmness, "they're still having a moment, Lord Jacques. Please wait."


    Sumama ang mukha ng Marquess. "Can't they have a moment while we eat? What are we, their audience?"155  a  


    Masama ang tinging itinapon ni Knight sa Marquess na tiningnan din siya ng masama. 3  a  


    Tumingin si Midnight sa Marquess, "sure, you can eat." Pagkatapos ay ibinigay nito ang natitirang cake kay Jacques, Dimitri at Cloud.  


    The Marquess glared at him and tsked. "I can't believe you have a brother who's nice. Maybe his niceness was from your mother and you took after your father."107  a  


    Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Knight sa narinig na sinabi ng Marquess at nanigas siya sa kinauupuan. Kahit hindi sabihin ng Marquess, alam niyang kapareho siya ng ama niya, isang halimaw. 37  a  


    Mapakla siyang natawa ng makabawi sa pagkabigla. "Like father, like son, I guess."12  a  


    Knight felt like shit but when he feels SM's hand holding his, he started calming down. 


    And when SM looked at the Marquess, her eyes— she wasn't glaring but it was authoritative. "Jacques, I will forgive you because i'm sure you don't know and have no idea, but the next time you say something like that to my Knight, comparing him to his father, I won't be so lenient. Please, be sensitive enough, Marquess."30  a  


    Natahimik si Jacques saka tumango. He looked sorry. 4  a  


    SM's face softened before she let go of his hand to put food on the Marquess' plate. "Kumain ka na, Jacq. Niluto ko 'yan." 8  a  


    Jacques looked up at SM. "You're not mad?" 


    SM smiled. "Basta huwag mo nang uulitin 'yon, okay?"1  a  


    Jacques nodded before returning to his idiot self again. 6  a  


    Lihim niyang pinagmasdan ang Marquess. Something is really not right with him— it's his gut feeling. Kilala niya ang Marquess. He is a very bossy individual, doesn't like taking orders, but with SM, he was ... docile. Like a dog trying to get his master's approval or affection. 185  a  


    Something is really up with him.  66  a  


    Then he looked at SM. He can't tell if it was her kindness or if it was subtle manipulation. She's good at it.  


    Then he heard Elizabeth spoke. "Trust me, you don't want Matamis na lunes angry." Napunta rito lahat ng atensiyon sa sinabi nito. "May boyfriend ako dati— well, ex-boyfriend na ngayon. Kapag nag-aaway kami, palaging sinasabi ni Matamis na lunes na mag-usap kami para maintindihan ko ang side niya o kaya naman intindihin baka may pinagdadaanan. And we always get back together, you know. And then one day, my boyfriend was sent to the Hospital. Sobrang galit na galit ako sa gumawa nun sa kaniya tapos nalaman ko kung sino.1  a  


    Natatawang bumaling ito kay SM, "it was her, my best friend, who beat him to pulp, because she saw him cheating on me."49  a  


    SM shrugged. "He wasn't even sorry for what he did to you, so I beat him up. You can't hurt him emotionally, but i'm pretty sure I can hurt him back physically."7  a  


    Malakas na tumawa si Elizabeth. "Yep. Ilang linggo siya sa Hospital. Tapos gustong kasuhan ng parents niya si Matamis na lunes, buti kinausap sila ni Tito at naayos na walang kasuhan na nangyari."  


    SM lips thinned. "He deserve it. I can tolerate any attitude, but not cheating because that means he's disrespecting you as a person and as a woman."6  a  


    Kinakabahan siyang napatingin sa kasintahan. He's pretty sure she will beat him too if he do something wrong. 24  a  


    My girlfriend is scary.  


    "Anong pangalan ng ex mo?" Tanong ni Midnight kapagkuwan habang kumakain ng ice cream.  


    "Gabriel Santos."


    "Did you cry?" Tanong niya kay Elizabeth. 


    She shrugged. "Syempre. Gaga pa ako nuong mga panahong 'yon e. Hindi ko naisip na hindi pala worth it iyakan yong gagong 'yon." 


    Nagkatinginan sila ni Midnight, parehong matalim ang mga mata nila. Alam niyang pareho sila ng iniisip. Whoever that Gabriel Santos, he's a dead meat.230  a  


    Cloud cleared his throat. "Looks like someone's gonna die." He whispered while eating.


    Sabay silang ngumiti ni Midnight at nagsabi ng, "he deserves it." 


    And Elizabeth was confused. "Huh?" 


    "They're just being weird again." Sagot ni SM. "I told you when I called, this house is full of weirdos. Except for Dimitri. He's kind of normal." 


    "Hey!" Sabay-sabay na reklamo nilang lahat sa sinabi ni SM maliban kay Dimitri na ngumiti.


    "What?" Tiningnan sila isa-isa ni SM saka tumigil ang mga mata nito sa kaniya, "lalo ka na. You're weird when you wants to. It's like you have an on and off weirdness switch and that's the most weird part." 


    Tumahimik si Knight. Alam kasi niyang totoo 'yon. 10  a  


    Samantalang tumawa naman si Elizabeth na parang nakakaloko saka bumaling sa kaniya. "Sorry, tumahimik ka kasi kahit parang gusto mong sumagot kaya natawa ako."10  a  


    Midnight chuckled. "He's scared of SM." 1  a  


    "He should be." Ani Elizabeth na tumatawa pa rin.  


    "I know, right?" Segunda ni Midnight na tumawa na rin. 13  a  


    Knight looked at her siblings flatly before looking at SM, asking for assistance. "Look, baby, they're ganging up on me."3  a  


    SM just smile and continued eating.  


    Knight just blows a loud breath and continued eating. His siblings are bullies. 15  a  


    "Thanks for the meatballs, SM." Midnight was smiling from ear to ear at SM. "Ang sarap." 


    SM smiled back. "Welcome." 


    Tinuro naman ni Knight ang sarili. "Don't I get a thanks? Ako lang naman ang nagsabi kay Sweet Monday sa mga paborito mong pagkain." 


    Kaagad naniminuwestra ni Midnight ang kamay kay SM. "She's still the one who cooked." 


    "Oh." Tumaas ang dalawa niyang kilay sa kapatid. "You want to switch now? Gusto mong si SM na ang maging kapatid mo?"7  a  


    Midnight frowned at him. "Well, she will be my big sister once you marry her, right?"1  a  


    Kaagad siyang natahimik saka pinigil ang ngiti na gustong kumawala sa labi niya. 85  a  


    Fuck! I'm such a pussy.  75  a  


    And looks like Elizabeth realizes that too because she laughed so hard. "Such a pussy."57  a  


    His beloved sister just calls him pussy. His lips thinned. What happened to my adorable little sister?  40  a  


    Si SM din ay natawa pero kaagad nitong sinupil 'yon ng tingnan niya ito ng masama. But everyone started laughing, making him glare at everyone.  


    And then SM left the table, still chuckling to herself, and when she came back, she has a Chocolate Mousse Cake for him, with words on too that says 'for my Lord and my Knight'. 


    Sinapo ng dalawa niyang kamay ang mukha niya para itago ang pamumula niyon na sigurado siyang makikita ng mga kasama niya. 92  a  


    Tumatawa namang niyakap siya ni SM pagkatapos ilapag ang cake sa mesa, sa harapan niya saka hinalikan siya sa nuo.  


    "Syempre, makakalimutan ba kita?" Wika nito.  


    He uncovers his face and looked up at Sweet Monday who's standing on his side. "Thank you." 


    SM kissed his cheeks before going back to her seat. Siya naman ay hiniwa ang cake saka binigyan ang mga kasamang kumakain.  


    "Eat it." Sabi niya kat Midnight ng ibigay niya rito ang isang slice ng cake. "That's my favorite." 


    "I know." Midnight said with a smile before eating the cake.  


    Knight doesn't share when it comes to cake but this is different. It's a welcome home party for Midnight. Tonight is not for him but for his little brother who deserves every attention in this room. 5  a  


    As they dine together, it was so much fun. There's jokes, sarcasm and laughter. After that, they move to the recreational area where they played— well, it was Jacques, Midnight and Elizabeth playing darts and Dimitri and Cloud was playing Billiard. Habang nakaupo naman siya sa sofa, sa tabi ni SM at magkahawak ang kamay nilang dalawa habang pinagmamasdan ang mga naglalaro. 7  a  


    "What the fuck?!" Midnight cussed when Elizabeth hit the bulls eye.  


    Elizabeth grinned. "Boo, yeah! Take that, hating-gabi!" Elizabeth made a rock 'n roll sign making Jacques laughed. "I won, jackasses!"296  a  


    Hindi makapaniwalang nakatitig lang si Midnight kay Elizabeth. "How the hell did it happen?" 


    "Always on the center." Ani Jacques. 2  a  


    "How did you know how to play dart this good?" Tanong ni Midnight.  


    Elizabeth grinned before putting her hands on her hips, "because, we, women, rocks you motherfuckers."203  a  


    Natahimik ang dalawang lalaki na kalaro nito.  


    "What happened to my adorable little sister?" Pabulong niyang tanong sa sarili na narinig ni SM. 3  a  


    Tumawa ang kasintahan. "She grows and became a strong independent woman." 


    That made him smile. "Yeah, I can see that." 


    "How the fuck did you made the ball curve?" Si Dimitri 'yon na naglalaro ng Billiards kasama naman si Cloud. 13  a  


    Cloud just smile calmly and continued playing without answering Dimitri.  


    At habang pinapanood niya ang mga ito, lalo na ang mga kapatid niya, nararamdaman niya ang nag-uumapaw na saya sa dibdib niya.7  a  


    This was just a dream before... a dream that came true.  


    Napabaling siya kay SM na ipinatong ang baba sa balikat niya at niyakap siya sa beywang. 1  a  


    "Yes, baby?" He asked. 1  a  


    She smiled softly at him. "Mahal kita."145  a  


    He froze, his heart hammered inside his chest but he still manage to say it back while acting cool— like her I love you did not shook the life out of him. "Yo también te amo, mi reina."  106  a  


    SM chuckled. "Baby, you're not breathing." 6  a  


    "Give me a couple of seconds. I'm trying to act cool." 21  a  


    SM laughed. "You're such an adorable weirdo."2  a  


    Hindi siya makapaniwalang bumaling sa kasintahan. "See! Iniinsulto mo na ako, mahal pa rin kita. Why is that?"4  a  


    SM grinned. "Because i'm awesome, why else?" 


    That made him chuckled before his face turned serious. "Maybe because I love you so much."11  a  


    Sumeryoso na rin ang mukha ni SM. "Mahal na mahal din kita, Knight. Tinatanong ko nga ang sarili ko kung bakit hindi mo pa sinasabing mahal mo ako e halata naman."3  a  


    Knight laughed. "Such confidence. I envy you."1  a  


    Natatawang-naiiling si SM bago pinupog ng halik ang pisngi niya. 


    Knight was in the middle of kissing SM back when the door to the recreational room opened and he felt his heart dropped and fear consumed him— fear for every people inside that room— when he saw who entered the room. 12  a  


    Napatayo siya. "Father..." he whispered. 335  a  


    Kalmado ang ama niyang pumasok sa loob habang sila nila Cloud, Dimitri at Midnight ay naninigas sa kinauupuan at kinatatayuan. 5  a  


    His father may look calm but Knight can feel the raging anger radiating throughout his body. He's mad. Knight can already taste the lashes he'll receive for this. 21  a  


    Tahimik ang buong kuwarto, pero dinig na dinig ni Knight ang malakas na tibok ng puso niya ng tumuon ang mga mata ng ama kay SM na hawak ang kamay niya ng mahigpit habang nakatayo na rin sa tabi niya.  


    At doon lumabas ang talim ng mga mata ng ama niya— habang nakatitig sa kasintahan niya.  


    "So this is what Knight has been up to, sleeping with a harlot." Anang ama niya. 135  a  


    Bumuka ang bibig ni Knight para ipagtanggol si SM pero naunahan na siya ng dalaga.  


    "I'm not a harlot, Sir." SM smiled calmly, "I have my credential to prove you that."17  a  


    "You insolent woman!"1  a  


    "I'm not insolent, Sir, you are." Ani SM na wala na ang ngiti sa mga labi pero walang takot na nakatitig pa rin sa ama niya. "You insulted me first, Sir. And I don't take insult to my womanhood lightly. My parents raised me as a decent woman, who are you to say that i'm not?"162  a  


    Nagtatagis ang bagang ng ama na bigla nitong kinuha ang baril na nasa holster ni Orlando at itinutok iyon kay SM. 1  a  


    And he automatically moved to used his body to shield Sweet Monday from any harm.  


    "Move, Knight!" His father hissed. "Don't you dare defy me!"2  a  


    But Knight held his ground. "No. I won't let you hurt her."5  a  


    Tumawa ang ama niya habang nakatutok pa rin sa kanila ni SM ang baril. "You will be punished severely for this."5  a  


    "I accept." 


    Humigpit ang hawak ni SM sa kamay niya. "Please... Knight, don't accept it."1  a  


    "You don't accept?" Bumaling ang ama kay Midnight. "Should Midnight accept it then?"10  a  


    "No!" Mabilis niyang sabi na halos sumigaw siya, "I accept, damn it! I will accept anything!" 57  a  


    And he was glad when he felt SM's arms hugging his waist from behind.  


    Then she whispered. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." 1  a  


    Knight was about to bargain with his father when they all heard a cocking of the gun from the door and a man with a golden eyes pressed the gun's barrel on the back of his father's head and on Orlando's temple — shocking them all. 219  a  


    Specially him. Orlando was a trained warrior but he didn't even heard the man with the golden eyes coming until the man was already there. 34  a  


    "No one points a gun at my princesa, you motherfuckers." Anang lalaking bagong dating. 583  a  


    And before anyone can speak, from behind him, Sweet Monday whispered. 19  a  


    "Dad..."1.4K  a 





    CHAPTER 31131  a  


    THE ROOM was silent, every eyes were trained on the new comer holding a gun at Knight's father and his companion. And while looking at the man, her tears fell. Sa mahigit isang taon, nakatatak sa isip niya na wala na ang ama niya, na hindi na ito babalik pa, na hindi na niya ito mayayakap pa. 18  a  


    Kahit nang mag-text ito sa kaniya, hindi pa rin iyon nag sink in sa isip niya.  


    But seeing him now... in front of her, fighting for her... 


    Gusto niyang takbuhin ang pagitan nilang dalawa at yakapin ang ama pero nakatutok pa rin ang baril ng ama ni Knight sa kanila. One wrong move and she will be in danger.  


    "Dad..." she whispered.  


    Tumingin sa kaniya ang ama at nginitian siya, at ang sumunod na mga nangyari pagkatapos niyon ay kinagulat nilang lahat.  


    Gumalaw ang lalaking kasama ng ama ni Knight para agawin ang baril sa ama niya pero mabilis ang kamay ng ama niya at pinatama nito ang hawakan ng baril sa mukha ng lalaki at ng akmang aatakehin nito ang ama niya, may pumasok na isang lalaki sa pinto at itinutok ang baril sa kasamahan ng ama ni Knight.23  a  


    She knew that man.  


    It's Don. Ambrose! 107  a  


    "Don't even think about it." Wika nito sa kasamang lalaki ng ama ni Knight.  


    Doon tumawa ang ama ni Knight, "come on, Stevan," ang ama niya ang tinutukoy nito, "you know you're not allowed to kill me."95  a  


    "Unfortunate, but you still have no right to talk back to me so shut the fuck up. I'm here for my daughter."53  a  


    Tumalim ang mata ng ama ni Knight habang nakatingin sa kaniya na nasa likuran ni Knight. "So she's your daughter, no wonder she has sharp tongue that needs to be cut."2  a  


    "Try and die." Anang ama niya, "I may not be allowed to kill you by the law of The Organósi, but if you hurt mi princesa, I will gut you open and dance on your entrails you motherfucker." 80  a  


    Knight's father chuckled. "Go then, take her. I don't want her to be with my son either. You're doing me a favour, Stevan."8  a  


    Her father looked at her, "come on, sweetie, come to Daddy. I miss you so much." 10  a  


    SM was hesitant. Alam niyang pinag-usapan na nila ito ni Knight, na susundan siya nito. Pero sa mga nangyayari ngayon, hindi siya makapagdesisyong iwan ang kasintahan kahit pa nga sabihing susunod ito.  


    He will be punished. Severely! And she can't do anything about it! 1  a  


    She promised she won't leave his side. I promised!  7  a  


    "Sweetie, come on," pakiusap ng ama niya sa kaniya, "let's go home. You and me. Come on, princesa."2  a  


    Tears feel from her eyes as she looked at the gun Knight's father was still holding and pointing at them.  


    Her father pressed the gun's barrel harder on Knight's father head. "Gun's down, Kelleon. Now."23  a  


    Nang mailapag ng ama ni Knight ang baril sa sahig, nagulat siya ng gumalaw si Knight para kunin 'yon.  


    And now his father's gun was pointing at Knight.  


    "Dad!" Nanghihilakbot niyang sigaw. 1  a  


    "Put that gun down!" Sigaw ng ama niya kay Knight pero hindi nakinig ang kasintahan.  


    Sa halip ay humarap sa kaniya si Knight at hinalikan siya sa nuo saka mahigpit na niyakap. "Go. Sumama ka sa ama mo para hindi ka mapahamak dito. I'm sending you away because I love you—"56  a  


    "You don't have to explain." She whispered back. "I know, Knight." Mahigpit siyang yumakap sa kasintahan. "Hihintayin kita."53  a  


    Knight gave her a happy smile like he wanted her to remember his happy face. "I love you so much, Sweet Monday. I love you so much, baby."43  a  


    "I love you too." 18  a  


    Knight kissed her forehead again. "Go. Be safe."4  a  


    Alam ni SM na kailangan niyang umalis pero kapag naiisip niya na mapaparusahan si Knight at naaalala niya ang kalagayan nito ng una niya itong nakita, nanghihina siya at hindi niya maihakbang ang mga paa.  


    "... but I promise not to leave you..." she whispered. 4  a  


    "Break it then." Wika ni Knight. "Break it for me, Sweet Monday, please?" 101  a  


    Umiling siya. "I never break my promises." 4  a  


    Knight smiled. "There's always a first time for everything."6  a  


    "Knight—" 


    "If you don't want to break it, change it to 'you will wait for me'."20  a  


    SM knew, Knight was manipulating her for her to leave. 4  a  


    Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "I promise to wait for you, however long I have to wait. Please, please, be safe."8  a  


    Knight smiled softly, "that's my baby." Pagkasabi nito niyon ay pinakawalan siya nito sa pagkakayakap at mahigpit na hinawakan ang baril at itinutok 'yon sa ama nito. 7  a  


    "One wrong move to hurt her, Papa, i'll shoot you." Pagbabanta nito sa sariling ama. 30  a  


    Mabilis naman siyang kumilos. Tinungo niya si Eli at Jacques, hinawakan ang dalawa sa kamay at tiningnan si Dimitri, Cloud at Midnight na napalapit na sa kaniya. 1  a  


    "Go." Sabay na sabi ng tatlo.  


    Her tears fell again, "please be safe."  


    Tumango ang tatlo.  


    Saka niya hinila si Jacques at Eli patungo sa pinto, at nang palabas na siya, nilingon niya ang kasintahan. 1  a  


    Knight...  1  a  


    He mouthed, 'te amo, mi reina.'48  a  


    She mouthed back, 'I love you too, my Lord'. 20  a  


    But before she can bathe in Knight's soft smile for her, her father held her wrist and pulled her out of the house. 3  a  


    While walking away, SM pulled herself together. Hindi dapat siya umiyak, pansamanta lang 'tong paghihiwalay nila ni Knight. She will see him again. 2  a  


    Don't cry. Be strong. Sabi ni SM sa sarili. For Knight and for the people around me.  


    Tinuyo niya ang basang pisngi saka binura niya lahat ng emosyon sa mukha niya na makikitaan ng kahinaan. I have to be strong for Knight.  


    Nang makalabas sila ng mansiyon, natigilan siya ng makita ang tatlong kalalakihan na kaedad lang siguro ng ama niya na nakasandal sa hood ng puting van. 70  a  


    Her father glared at the three. "I told you to use the black van for back up."1  a  


    Ngumisi ang lalaking may mahabang buhok at siyang nagbukas ng pintuan ng van para sa kanila. "White because we're the good guys."72  a  


    "You mean the lesser of two evil?" Sabad ni Don Ambrose. 1  a  


    "Oh come on, Ambrose." Anang lalaki na nakupo sa hood ng van na ngayon ay bumababa na, "don't be a bitch."4  a  


    Kaagad na itinutok ni Don. Ambrose ang baril na hawak sa lalaking tumawag ditong 'bitch'. "Who are you calling a bitch, mongrel?"36  a  


    The man just laughed and replied, "arf! Arf!"120  a  







    Her father just sighed before urging her to enter the van together with Eli and Jacques. Kapagkuwan ay pumasok na rin ang tatlong kalalakihan at si Don. Ambrose ang nagmaneho.  


    "Why the fuck am I driving?" Iritadong tanong ni Don. Ambrose. 17  a  


    "Because you're the messenger, that makes you the designated driver." Sagot ng lalaking nasa passenger seat na siyang tumawag na 'bitch' kay Don. Ambrose. "Like Hermes. Just think of this car as your winged shoes, less the shoes and the wings of course."11  a  


    "Fuck you, Keegan." Sagot ni Don. Ambrose na iritado pa rin. 71  a  


    Kapagkuwan ay nagsalita naman ang lalaking nasa likuran nilang nakaupo. Ito yong nagbukas sa kanila ng pintuan ng van. "Can we stop over somewhere to buy 'isaw'?"90  a  


    Sumabad ang isa sa tatlong lalaki na nasa hood kanina. "For fuck sake, Quenton, leash that glutton stomach of yours! We're here to insure the safety of the Princess."28  a  


    Sumabad ang ama niya, "I like some 'isaw' too. It's been a long time."1  a  


    Yong lalaki na ayaw sa ideya ni Quenton ay kaagad na sumangayon sa ama niya. "Then we should stop over to buy you 'isaw' my lord."15  a  


    Her father smiled. "Thank you, Raphael." 2  a  


    Sumabad ang lalaking nagngangalang Keegan. "What is that tagalog word? Sifsif?" 237  a  


    Raphael grunted. "It's sipsip you moron. And i'm my Lord's butler. It's my duty and responsibility to make him happy."17  a  


    Then her father whispered at her, "i'm so sorry, Sweetie, they're noisy but they're dependable."9  a  


    Tumingin siya sa ama. Mata sa mata. "Ang daming mong ipapaliwanag sakin. Akala ko patay ka na tapos malalaman kong buhay ka. You know I don't ask questions, Dad, but if you don't explain to me what's happening, you will lose your sweetie."13  a  


    Her father smile, unfazed by her threat. Maybe because he knew she's trying to manipulate him. "Sweetie, if you want your father to fold, you have to try harder than that."1  a  


    SM gave her father a smile. "Then I won't disappoint you next time, Mufasa." 


    Her father smiled back. "Good. I'm looking forward to it, mi princesa." 


    Mabilis na napatingin sa labas si SM ng tumigil ang sinasakyan nilang van. Nasa labas sila ng condo ni Eli.  


    Bumaling ang ama niya kay Eli na kanina pa tahimik. "This is your stop, Eli. Huwag kang mag-alala, may iniwan akong magbabantay sayo para hindi ka mapahamak."7  a  


    "Salamat, Tito." Ani Eli saka lumabas ng van at tumingin sa kaniya. "Mag-ingat ka. I don't know what's happening but I have an idea so please, be vigilant. I don't want to lose my best friend."  


    Tumango siya saka lumabas ng van para yakapin si Eli. "Mag-ingat ka rin. Call me if something happen, okay?" 


    Eli nodded. "I will." She chuckled, "you're my stress absorber after all." 


    SM chuckled as well before saying goodbye and going back to the van. Umalis lang sila ng makapasok si Eli sa Condominium Building. 


    SM took a deep breath and spoke to the men inside the van. "Everyone, my name is Sweet Monday Canja Lopez, and this is my butler," iminuwestra niya ang kamay kay Jacques na kanina pa tahimik, "Marquess Jacques Sotelo." 2  a  


    "We know." Sabay-sabay na sabi ng limang kalalakihan na naroon kasama na ang ama niya. 1  a  


    SM immediately replied. "I know but for formality sake, say it's nice to meet us and tell us your names."18  a  


    "So authoritative." Keegan said.  


    "Like father, like daughter." Don. Ambrose murmured before saying, "you two already know me so... i'll pass." 







    "Oh, yeah," Ani Keegan, "Mufasa sent you to Hong Kong." 


    "Yeah." Don. Ambrose grumbled, "while you went to Monkok to shop, you useless piece of shit."56  a  


    "Hey! Even shits has purpose! Fertilizers! And it was cheap." Natatawang sabi ni Keegan saka lumingon para tumingin sa kaniya at bahagyan itong yumukod, "i'm Duke Keegan Mejia, the sixteenth, and the head of the noble house of Mejia. But you can call me 'Kee', Princesa. Cut the Duke. I don't like tittles that much."73  a  


    Tumaas ang kilay niya. The sixteenth? Holy shit. 8  a  


    Sunod na nagpakilala ay ang butler ng ama niya.  


    "I'm Raphael Sanchéz, the fifteenth, from the noble house of Sanchéz in Zaragoza, Spain." He smiled at her, "I am his highness' butler."31  a  


    His highness? My Dad?  


    "And i'm Lord Quenton Cáceres, The nineteenth, Princesa. It's nice to finally meet you." 33  a  


    Keegan chuckled, "we called him Queen, because why not? Look at his hair. Long, silky and smooth." 34  a  


    Tiningnan niya isa-isa ang nagpakilala saka nginitian ang mga ito, "nice to meet you, Uncle Ambrose, Uncle Kee, Uncle Raphael and Uncle Queen." 20  a  


    "Uncle..." Tito Kee whispered, "I like it." 


    Kaagad na sumaangyon ang tatlo.  


    "Nice to meet you." Wika naman ni Jacques. 2  a  


    Kapagkuwan ay natahimik ang loob ng van hanggang sa tanungin siya ng ama. 2  a  


    "Galit ka ba sakin?" 


    Umiling siya. "Alam kong may rason ka kung bakit mo ako iniwan ng mahigit isang taon at pinaniwala na wala ka na — na wala na kayo ni Mommy." 


    Natahimik ang ama niya ng ilang segundo bago pabulong na nagsalita, "it's just me, Sweetie. Wala na talaga ang Mommy mo. She died that night. We both lost her that night, Sweetie."2  a  


    Kinagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi para pigilan ang pag-agos ng luha niya. "Mommy..." hindi niya napigilan ang luha sa mga mata niya, "Mommy..."9  a  


    Niyakap siya ng ama saka hinagod ang likod niya at hinalikan siya sa nuo. "It's okay, Sweetie. Daddy's here. Hindi ko hahayaang may mangyaring masama sayo. I promised your Mom I will keep you safe no matter what. I promise her that no one can harm you... no one."4  a  


    And when her family made a promise, they always keep it. 3  a  


    Napahagulhol siya habang nakayakap siya sa ama niya na mahigit isang taon din siyang nangulila.  


    "Daddy... I miss you so much." SM said in between her sobs and she was crying so hard. 3  a  


    All the hardship she endured in more than a year, all the longing and the tears she cried thinking about what happened to her parents was painful but now, she still has her father. She would give everything to see her mother again but she was relieved that she still has one parent left. 2  a  


    Mommy... please guide us. Please take care of us.  


    Humigpit ang yakap niya sa ama habang humahagulhol siya at hindi naman bumitaw ang ama niya hanggang sa unti-unti siyang tumahan at kumalma.  


    "It's okay, Sweetie, Daddy's here. I'm here." 


    Suminghot-singhot siya saka kumawala sa yakap ng ama at tiningnan ito. "Thank you, Daddy. I know I owe you and you know I love you but...I want to clear something. Remember what you asked of me through text before? I'm telling you now, i'm not gonna do it." 


    Her father blows a loud breath. "Sweetie, sa daming lalaki sa mundo, bakit siya pa?"10  a  


    She smiled while thinking of Knight. "He's a good man, Dad." 







    "He's not a good man." May diing sabi ng ama niya. "He killed— he—" hindi tinuloy ng ama niya ang sasabihin ng mapatitig ito sa mukha niya. "You really love that man?"218  a  


    Tumango siya. "I do."11  a  


    Ihinilamos ng ama ang dalawang palad nito sa mukha nito saka bumuga ng marahas na hininga. "You can't love him, Sweet Monday. You just can't."1  a  


    Kumuyom ang kamao niya. "Tell me why?"18  a  


    "Do you know what kind of a father he has?!"4  a  


    "Don't define Knight by his father, Dad!" Tumaas na rin ang boses niya. "Iba siya sa ama niya! Knight is a good man! He's selfless, loving and caring! Don't judge him because you don't know him, Dad!"23  a  


    "SM!" Her father snapped at her.  


    But she held her ground. She look defyingly at her father, "kaya kong gawin lahat ng sasabihin mo, kaya kitang sundin sa lahat ng hihilingin mo, pero ang hindi mahalin si Knight, yon ang hinding-hindi ko gagawin. I love him and I will fight for him because I know he's fighting for me too. And I promise to never leave his side and wait for him and you raised me to always keep my promise and you know me, Dad, I don't break my promises."


    "Sweetie..." 


    "Magkalayo man kami ngayon, hindi ko man siya kasama, pero sa puso ko, kasama ko siya. At sisiguraduhin kong matutupad ko ang pangako kong hihintayin ko siya at hindi ko siya iiwan."


    Her father glared at her. "Don't be stubborn, SM!"


    "Your death me this way!" She snapped back. "Nang akala ko ay wala na kayo ni Mommy, halos mabaliw ako. And I have to be stubborn to stay sane. I have to be stubborn so I could fight my fear and my anxiety! Kinulong ko ang sarili ko sa bahay sa loob ng kalahating taon! Kahit ng umpisahan kong ayusin ang buhay ko, wala pa ring halaga 'yon. But I keep on stubbornly living because I promise that what happened won't break me. Even if it's so hard, even when my life was bleak, I stubbornly fought to survive everyday until I met Knight.


    "He gave color to my life, Dad. He made me happy. He gave me purpose and it's to make him happy too like what he made me feel. Unknowingly to him, he helped me survive everyday until it became easy for me to live. So don't tell me not to love him, because he saved me, Dad. He doesn't know it but he was my light... he was my knight!"


    Parang hindi na alam ng ama niya ang gagawin sa kaniya habang nakikinig sa mga sinasabi niya.  


    He looks hopeless and scared and worried.  


    "He will hurt you." Anang ama niya.  


    She smiled. "He loves me." 


    Umiling ang ama niya. "As long as his father is alive, Knight will and he can hurt you."


    Umiling din siya. "He loves me and I trust my man, Dad."


    Napailing-iling ang ama niya. "He will be the death of you, Sweet Monday."


    She smiled again. "I'm sure Knight won't let me die. That man can't live without me as I can't live without him."


    "You trust him too much." Her father's voice was full of disdain.


    "Of course, he's my boyfriend. You told me that trust is what keeps relationship strong and as long as we trust each other, no one can break us. I promise you that, Dad."


    Pinanlakihan siya ng mata ng ama. "Stop promising!"


    SM chuckled. "Why? Scared because you know i'll keep it?


    Her Dad blows a frustrated breath. "Keegan, could you tell my daughter that it's bad going against her father?" Parang nanghihingi ng saklolo nitong sabi.







    Uncle Kee laughed. "Let her be, Mufasa. It's not like she's a child. She's old enough to decide for herself." Tumingin ito sa kaniya, "if your father keeps on bothering you, tell him to fuck off."


    "Hey!" Kaagad na reklamo ng ama niya. "I'm your King!"


    Uncle Kee just laughed. "Don't care. The King can kiss my ass."


    Uncle Ambrose tsked. "You can only say that because you're the best friend."


    Uncle Kee grinned. "The perks."


    Umingos ang ama niya. "He's not my best friend. It's just self-proclaimed."


    Parang nang-aasar pa na nag flying kiss si Uncle Kee sa ama niya at mas lalong sumama ang mukha ni Mufasa. Ito ang unang beses na nakita niyang ganito ang ama niya. Maybe because her mom was always calm and understanding, she never heard them argue.


    So seeing his father irritated, it makes her laugh.  


    Tiningnan siya ng masama ng ama. "What's so funny?"


    Hindi niya mapigilan ang matawa. "Ikaw."


    "Give me a fist bump, Princesa." Ani Uncle Kee sa kaniya na tumatawa pa rin.


    Kaagad namang inilapit niya ang kamao sa kamao ni Uncle Kee na kaagad na pinaghiwalay ng ama niya.  


    "Queen, they're ganging up on me."


    Uncle Queen grunted, "i'm sleepy, your highness."


    "Raphael—" 


    Uncle Raphael was snoring.


    "My Lord," ani Uncle Ambrose, "stop being a baby and be a man. Look at your daughter and say don't defy me."


    Kaagad namang tumingin ang ama niya sa kaniya na kaagad niyang sinalubong ang tingin.  


    She didn't blink nor back away.  


    Her father opened her mouth, "Sweetie, don't defy me—"


    "You let me suffer in loneliness for more than a year, Dad, remember?"


    Kaagad na natahimik ang ama niya saka dumausdos ng upo, "Ambrose, I can't do it. She's guilt-tripping me."


    Uncle Ambrose laughed. "Like mother, like daughter."


    While Uncle Kee showed her his fist like he's encouraging her. "Make your high and mighty father fold. I'll support you. I'm team Swight, after all."


    "Swight?" Naguguluhan niyang gagad.


    "Yes. Sweet and Knight. Swight." Wika ni Uncle Kee na para bang napakatalino nito at naisip nito iyon.


    Then Uncle Queen grumbled. "So dumb."


    Sasagot sana si Uncle Kee ng tumigil ang sasakyan sa harap ng isang pribadong eroplano. She didn't even realize that they're in the Airport.  


    Pasimpleng napahawak siya sa singsing niya. I'll wait for you, Knight. She won't take the ring off. He will follow her and she has to assist him to find her by keeping the ring safely.


    May tiwala siya sa kasintahan pero nag-aalala pa rin siya. Hindi mawala sa isip niya ang nangyayari rito ngayon. Kahit tumatawa siya at ngumingiti, sa likod niyon ay ang hindi mapakali niyang isip. 


    Is he being punished? Lashes? Is he gonna be okay? Will his wounds heal fast? Or would he endure the pain alone again? Would Cloud and Dimitri be punished as well? How about Midnight? Is he unharmed? Siguradong mababaliw sa pag-aalala si Knight kapag pinarusahan si Midnight.  


    "Sweetie, halika na." Boses iyon ng ama niya na pumukaw sa kaniya.  


    Huminga siya ng malalim bago lumabas ng van at tumingin sa pribadong eroplano na nasa harapan kung saan umaakyat na pasakay si Jacques.


    "Saan mo ako dadalhin, Mufasa?" Tanong niya sa ama. 


    "Spain." Sagot nito. 


    Pasimple siyang huminga ng malalim. "Puwede bang huwag muna tayong umalis?" Pakiusap niya sa ama. "Please... I wanna know what happened to Knight. Please, Dad?" 


    Her father looked at her, "puwede mo namang 'yon malaman kahit nasa Spain ka." 


    "Dad—" 


    "Now that i'm back to power, trust me, okay? You'll know."  


    Her lips thinned, "anong magagawa ko para sa kaniya kung nasa Spain ako?" 


    Nawalan ng emosyon ang mukha ng ama niya. "Sweet Monday, maybe i'm not clear enough to you. Nandito ako para kunin ka. Gusto mo man 'yon o hindi, sasama ka sakin."  


    SM took a deep breath. "Yes, Dad." 


    There's no point arguing with her father. Alam niyang hindi siya nito pakakawalan at pababalikin kay Knight, at kung bumalik man siya, siguradong mag-aalala sa kaniya si Knight at puwede siyang gamitin ng ama nito para saktan na naman si Knight.  


    What she can do was wait for him. He will come. He promised.  


    Humugot ng malalim na hininga si SM saka humakbang patungo sa hagdanan ng pribadong eroplano at umakyat.  


    Tahimik siyang naupo sa may window seat saka tumingin sa labas ng bintana. Hindi siya umimik kahit naramdaman niyang tumabi ng upo sa kaniya ang ama.  


    She left everything in Knight's house. Her clothes, all her things and her phone.  


    Is there another way to contact him?  


    Jacques!  


    Tumayo siya sa kinauupuan at lumipat sa tabi ni Jacques.  


    She looked at him knowingly. Jacques, then, took out his phone from his pocket and showed her a text message from Midnight.  


    'Dad took Kuya. I don't know where. He was mad. Keep SM safe, Marquess. I know that the only thing keeping Kuya sane right now is the thought that SM is safe with his father.'


    Kumuyom ang kamao niya at napatitig sa labas ng eroplano ng maramdamang umaakyat na 'yon sa ere paalis sa bansang kinalakihan niya.  


    Mariin niyang pinikit ang mga mata ng pumasok sa isip niya ang mukha ni Knight. The way he smiled and looked at her, the way he hugged and kissed her, the way he made her feel his love for her... she'll miss those moments with him.


    A lone tear rolled down on her cheek as the plane ascend, leaving the man she loves. 


    I'll wait for you ... my Lord.





    I apologize for the late update. I was busy. Nasa Manila kasi ako for the LIB event. At

    Gumala ako  ߘŠI visited Vigan, La Union and Baguio kaya wala akong time para mag update. Babawi nalang po ako. Salamat sa paghihintay. 


    Happy Reading ❤️


    CHAPTER 32 


    KNIGHT should be sad seeing his beloved Sweet Monday leave but he was relieved, relieved that she'll be far from his father's reach. Seeing SM's father, he now understood some things. Alam niyang hindi mapapahamak si SM sa ama nito kaya naman ibinaba niya ang baril na hawak na nakatutok sa ama niya saka ngumiti siya. 


    "She's safe." Pabulong niyang sabi. Eli's safe too. 


    Tumingin siya sa ama na nanlilisik ang mata sa kaniya. 


    "How dare you point a gun at me!" Nanggagalaiting sigaw ng ama niya sa kaniya. "How dare you defy me! I am your father!" Sa bawat pagsigaw na 'yon ng ama niya ay ang pagtama ng suntok at tadyak nito sa katawan niya na hindi niya sinalag.


    Wala siyang balak na salagin 'yon kahit alam niyang kaya niya. 


    It's good that his father's anger was solely focus on him. Wala siyang pakialam kung bugbugin man siya ng ama niya hanggang sa mawalan siya ng malay, ang mahalaga sa kaniya, walang nasasaktang iba, ang importante hindi nasasaktan ang mga taong pinapahalagahan niya. 


    So Knight accepted every punch and every kick, every curse and insult. He accepted it all. Hindi siya umiwas, wala siyang sinalag ni isa hanggang sa mailabas lahat ng ama niya ang galit nito. 


    Better me than the people I cherish. Better me than them. 


    "How dare you bite the hand that feeds you!" Pinagsasampal siya ng ama pero nanatili siya sa kinatatayuan. "How dare you go against me! How dare you keep secrets from me! You're an imbecile! Idiota!"


    Nalalasahan na ni Knight ang dugo sa loob ng bibig niya dahil sa pagputok ng labi niya at pagkasugat sa loob ng bibig niya dahil sa mga sapak at suntok ng ama niya. 


    "There are a lot of women you can play with and fuck! Why did you have to fuck with Stevan's daughter?! Do you know the mess you made?! Do you even have any slightest idea about the problems that you caused me?!" 


    Panay pa rin ang suntok at sampal sa kaniya ng kaniyang ama at nanatili siyang walang imik at tinanggap lahat ng 'yon. Nang napagod na siguro ito sa pagbugbog sa kaniya, ipinasa siya kay Orlando na malugod naman nitong tinanggap at ginawa. 


    Knight knew he can fight Orlando and win but he has Midnight to worry about. Baka kung anong gawin ng ama nila rito. He better act docile and be a good dog again until he knew he's gonna win. 


    So Knight let Orlando beat him up until he was coughing blood and limping. Orlando hit all the vital parts of his body weakening him and making his body fall to the floor. 


    At mula sa gilid ng mga mata niya, nakita niyang akmang lalapit sa kaniya si Midnight para siguro saklolohan siya pero umiling siya rito. 


    No... please... stay there... stay safe...


    Thankfully, before Midnight can do anything, he was dragged by Orlando outside by the collar. 


    Knight saw Cloud running after them. 


    "My Lord!"


    Dimitri was following Cloud. "Boss!"


    He couldn't see Midnight. Good. This is the first time Midnight saw him got beaten up by their father. He must be shocked. I hope he's okay. 


    Unti-unti nang bumibigat ang talukap ng mga mata niya, unti-unti na siyang nawawala ng malay, at kahit lahat ng parte ng katawan niya ay nananakit at hindi niya maigalaw, nagawa pa rin niyang ngumiti. 


    At least everyone is safe. That's what matters the most. 


    Knight passed out and was sucked into oblivion, he didn't know how many hours he was out, but when he woke up, he was on the plane. At nang makita ng ama nita na gising na siya, pinabalik na naman nito si Orlando sa pagbugbog sa kaniya. 


    Knight just grunted at every kick and punch until he passed out again... and when he woke up, his whole body was in pain.


    At ang una niyang napansin ay ang kadenang nakatali sa magkabilang pulsuhan niya na nakakonekta sa pader na malapit. 


    He knew very well where he was.


    In Spain. In their palace. In the basement. 


    This is my punishment. 


    "Ah, you're awake..." wika ni Orlando na kakapasok lang sa basement. 


    Knight just hanged his head down when he felt a strong lashes hitting his back. 


    "Do you know why i'm doing this, Knight?" Tanong ni Orlando sa kaniya. 


    Knight grumbled. "B-Because y—you're a p—p-piece o-o-f shit?"


    Humampas ulit ang latigo sa likod niya pero ni hindi siya napaigtad. Masyadong sakit na ang nararamdaman ng katawan niya para makaramdam pa siya ng karagdagang sakit. 


    His whole body was numb. 


    Orlando keeps on lashing him until he got tired of hitting him.


    "Let's have a deal, Knight."


    He keeps quiet. 


    Orlando continued talking. "I will stop beating you and let you rest if you say in front of Lord Kelleon that that woman, Mufasa's daughter, is not important to you. That she's just someone to play around with and fuck—"


    Knight laughed halting Orlando's words. "Don't b-bother. That's not h—happening."


    Humampas na naman ang latigo sa likod niya ng ilang beses. 


    "If you want this to stop, your father wants to hear you say that that woman is not important—"


    "I love her!" Knight hissed. "So don't bother. You're just wasting—" the lashes hit him but he didn't stop speaking, "—your breath."


    Lashes after lashes. 


    Vaguely, as Knight slowly lose his consciousness, he can hear Orlando asking him to say that SM wasn't important and he keeps giving him the same answer. 


    'I love her.'


    Even in his weak estate, he would never fold. Never! Orlando and his father will never get what they want from him, not this time. 


    SM is one the most important person in his life. 


    Loving Sweet Monday... was the best thing that ever happened to him and he's not gonna deny that— he's not gonna deny her. 




    NANG LUMAPAG ang kinalululanang eroplano ni SM at nakababa siya, napatigil siya sa paghakbang at hindi niya naitago ang pag-awang ng mga labi ng makita ang nasa harapan nila. 


    They're surrounded with— maybe— ten black cars and in the center of them were the two black limousine. Red carpet were laid on the ground from the limousine to the plane's staircase. 


    But that wasn't what shocked her, it was the men and women in expensive suit, standing on each side of the red carpet, bowing and greeting them with firm and strong voices. 


    "Welcome, Princesa! Welcome, your highness!"


    Kapagkuwan ay narinig niya ang boses ni Jacques malapit sa tainga niya. "I told you you're rich."


    Nakanganga pa rin siya kahit ilang segundo na ang nakalipas. "What... the... hell..." 


    At sa tabi niya, naramdaman niya ang ama niyang inilapat ang kamay nito sa likod niya. "Hold your head high, sweetie and walk."


    "But Dad—"


    "Show them the strong and fearless Sweet Monday," anang ama niya na pinutol ang iba pa niyang sasabihin. "You can be weak in my arms later, mi Princesa. Kailangan nilang makita na maasahan at malakas ang tagapag-mana ko."


    Wala siyang maintindihan kung bakit 'yon hinihiling ng ama niya sa kaniya pero tulad ng sinabi niya, kaya niyang gawin lahat ng ipapagawa nito maliban sa hindi mahalin si Knight. 


    So SM did what she was told. 


    She held her head high and took a strong and fearless step on the red carpet. Habang naglalakad siya, nasa likod niya si Jacques at ang mga uncle niya habang nasa tabi naman niya ang ama niya. 


    "Alam ba ito ni Mommy?" Mahina ang boses na tanong niya sa ama. "Does she know who you really are?" Because even she has no idea. 


    Her father smile, "she was a Duke's daughter, of course, she knew. I don't keep secrets from my wife."


    Her lips parted in shock. "She's a nobility?"


    Tumango ang ama niya. "Yes. She was very beautiful, smart and kind. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit niya ako tinanggap at pinakasalan maliban sa kadahilanang mahal niya ako. I maybe high and mighty to some but i'm no royalty or nobility like your Mom. Sa mundong ginagalawan ng Mommy mo, pangkaraniwang tao lang ako."


    Her lip thinned, "so Mom married a commoner."


    Mahinang tumawa ang ama niya. "Parang ganun na nga."


    "A commoner who has these people bowing down on him?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong niya sa ama habang nakatingin dito. 


    Mufasa chuckled. "It's a long story. I'll tell you some other time."


    Hindi na nagtanong si SM. Alam niyang iniiwasan ng ama niya ang usapin tungkol sa tunay nitong pagkatao. Mukhang hindi pa ito handang magtapat sa kaniya. 


    This is the reason why she hates asking questions— because people tend to lie or evade the question— especially when they're still not ready to spill and it annoys her. 


    There's no sense asking a person something when they're not yet ready to answer them. Kasi kung handa na ito, hindi na niya ito kailangan pang tanungin, kusa itong magsasabi sa kaniya kung sa tingin ng taong 'yon ay karapat-dapat niyang malaman 'yon. 


    Natigilan si SM ng nauna si Jacques sa paglalakad sa kaniya at binuksan ang pinto ng limousine para sa kaniya. 


    "Milady," Jacques slightly bows down at her. 


    Lihim siyang napailing saka sumakay sa limousine at sunod na sumakay ay si Jacques. 


    "Your father and his men are riding on the other limousines." Imporma sa kaniya ni Jacques pero wala rito ang atensiyon niya kundi nasa lalaking nasa loob ng sinasakyang limousine. 


    He's wearing a simple and slightly loose black t-shirt, faded blue jeans and a slipper. And her eyes were glued on the man's tattoo on the forearm. 


    It's a long knife tattoo, and on the blade, there's a quote— no, just some weird saying. 


    It says 'if you wanna fuck with me, I want it rough, so do it hard'.


    At mukhang napansin ng lalaki ng nakatitig siya rito dahil tumingin ito sa kaniya ng ilang segundo bago nito bahagyang iniyukod ang ulo. 


    "I'm Zaccheus Cáceres." Pagpapakilala nito saka nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya, "i'm your personal Lawyer."


    Indeed, never judge a book by its cover. Zaccheus looks like a bum at first sight but was actually a Lawyer. 


    "I'm Sweet Monday Canja Lopez." Pagpapakilala niya. 


    "I know." Tumango ito sa kaniya saka nagsalita. "I'm here because your father sent me here as your legal advisor from now on. Every legal transactions you had and you'll have will be handled by me. No worries, I studied your language in the Philippines so we can communicate better, milady."


    Bahagyan siyang napangiwi, "w-wala naman akong legal transactions maliban sa café ko at nasisiguro kong hindi iyon nangangailangan ng abogado..."


    Sa sinabi niyang 'iyon, binuksan nito ang attache case na nasa tabi nito at may inilabas doong mga papeles saka binasa iyon sa kaniya. 


    "Written here is your mother's last will." Imporma nito sa kaniya na ikinakuha ng buo niyang atensiyon. "I, Megaera Canja Lopez, gives everything I own to my daughter, Sweet Monday Canja Lopez. These includes All my assets, stocks, Bank accounts, mi Casa de Canja in Seville, Dulce Lunes— a chain of Malls and Supermarkets all over Spain and La Canja, a property development company." Nag-angat ng tingin sa kaniya si Zaccheus, "since your mother died and his highness resurfaced, i'd been taking care of all your legal documents. At dahil ikaw na ang may-ari ng lahat ng pagmamay-ari ng ina mo noon, that makes you one of the richest person in Spain right now."


    In shock, she turned to look at Jacques. 


    "I like Dulce Lunes Prestige," ani Jacques na tumatango pa, "that mall has everything I want, every luxury brands I could think of."


    Sumabad si Atty. Zaccheus, "Dulce Lunes Prestige is the mall made for rich people only. You need a membership to enter and shop."


    Napatanga siya sa nalaman, "membership? Para lang makapasok?"


    Jacques nodded. "It's an exclusive Mall for royalties and nobilities."


    I. Am. Shook. 


    Nakabawi lang si SM sa pagkabigla ng tumigil ang limousine na sinasakyan. Kaagad siyang tumingin sa labas sa isiping nasa bahay na siya ng ama, pero iba ang nakita niya sa labas. 


    Nasa harap sila ng pinag-uusapan palang nilang Dulce Lunes Prestige.


    Nagtatakang naging sunud-sunuran si SM ng igiya siya palabas ng sasakyan ni Zaccheus habang nasa tabi naman niya si Jacques at naka-alerto. 


    At mukhang napansin 'yon ni Zaccheus. 


    "No worries, Marquess," anito kay Jacques, "this has been planned ahead, we're clear. I will not endanger my client."


    Sa sinabing 'yon ni Zaccheus, parang nakahinga ng maluwang si Jacques at kumalma ito. 


    They're clear? Naging pulis siya kaya alam niya ang ibig sabihin nun. Pasimple niyang pinalibot ang tingin sa paligid ng mall. Kahit hindi sabihin ng ama niya, alam niyang maikokonsedera niya itong makapangyarihang tao. And with that powers comes great enemies, just like Knight. 


    Pasimple siyang bumulong kay Jacques, "are we surrounded with snipers or guards?"


    Jacques nodded. "Yes. If this was planned ahead of time, then we are clear by one hundred radius."


    Tumaas ang kilay niya. "How did you know that?"


    Jacques grinned at her, "connections, milady." Kapagkuwan ay iminuwestra nito ang kamay sa unahan, "ladies first."


    Pinapalibot ni SM ang tingin sa paligid ng Mall habang naglalakad patungong entrance. 


    "Parang wala namang tao." Komento niya. 


    "Wala nga." Ani Zaccheus, "the Mall is closed." Nilingon siya nito ng natahimik siya, "it's closed for you, so you can shop undisturbed."


    Halos malaglag ang panga ni SM sa narinig. "You closed a freaking mall so I can freaking shop?!"


    "Yes." Kalmadong sagot ni Zaccheus na para bang wala lang 'yon. 


    "But it's not possible..." SM whispered. 


    Zaccheus looked into her eyes, "do I need to remind you that you own this Mall?"


    Napipilan siya habang nakatingin sa entrance ng Mall. 


    I own this Mall... bumaling siya kay Jacques. "Why do I feel like you're very happy about this?"


    Jacques grinned. "Of course. I enjoy shopping after all."


    Walang imik si SM na sumunod kay Zaccheus papasok sa Mall. Wala nga 'yong costumers pero naroon pa rin ang iilang sales lady. 


    Humarap sa kaniya si Zaccheus. "You can have anything and put it in the cart."


    Walang imik pa rin siyang tumango habang si Jacques naman ay kumuha ng cart para sa kaniya. It was actually the sales lady who was gonna assist her but Jacques insisted that it should be him because he's her butler. 


    "Let's shop." Wika ni Jacques na malapad na nakangiti. 


    SM nodded, but instead of picking some clothes for her, her feet brought her to men's clothes. Hinaplos niya ang statement tshirt na siguradong magugustuhan ni Knight. 


    Maybe I should buy this for my Knight. Magkikita naman sila. Siguradong matutuwa si Knight na binilhan niya ito. 


    With that in mind, SM started shopping clothes for Knight and even picked some for Midnight. Nakalimutan niyang pumili ng sarili niyang damit dahil masyadong naka- focus ang isip niya kay Knight. 


    Alam niyang pinaparusahan na ito ngayon, nakikita na niya sa isip niya ang paghihirap nito at ang sugat na natamo nito kaya hindi niya magawang i-enjoy kung ano man ang mga nalaman niya ngayon. 


    So what if she's rich, that still doesn't change the fact that she can't do anything to save Knight. Walang gamit ang pera niya dahil hindi naman niya iyon magagamit para makasama ngayon ang mahal niya. 


    "Why is she only picking male clothes?" Narinig niyang tanong ni Zaccheus na sinagot naman ni Jacques. 


    "Just let her, at least she looks happy unlike earlier. Its for her boyfriend, Count Knight Velasquez."


    "That dangerous Count?" Zaccheus sounded shock. "... really?"


    "Yep." Jacques answered. "Who would have thought that that motherfucker knows how to love?"


    "Wow..." Zaccheus was astounded, "so even a monster falls in love..."


    Kumuyom ang kamao niya saka matalim ang matang tumingin kay Zaccheus na nanigas sa kinatatayuan ng makita ang titig niya rito, "the next time you call my baby a monster, i'll beat you up and I won't hold back." Pagkasabi nun ay tumalikod siya at nagpatuloy sa paghahanap ng damit para kay Knight. 


    "Don't let her hear you say bad things about the Count," wika ni Jacques kay Zaccheus, "He's like the switch that can make milady explode in anger. Milady is very protective of the Count."


    SM tuned the two down as she continued picking clothes for Knight. Paminsan-minsan ay napapatigil siya dahil nag-aalala siya sa kalagayan nito. 


    Pero wala naman siyang magagawa. 


    Huminga siya ng malalim saka humarap sa dalawang kasama. "Can we do this some other time? I don't feel like shopping."


    Tumango si Zaccheus bago tumingin sa mga panlalaking damit na nasa cart, "and these?"


    She smiled, "please pack them for me. It's for Knight."


    Tumango si Zaccheus at inutusan ang mga sales lady na naroon para gawin ang gusto niya, habang si Jacques naman ay masuyong nakatingin lang sa kaniya kapagkuwan ay nagsalita. 


    "You'll see each other again," ani Jacques, "I know you missed him but you have to be strong, milady. If you really want to save the Count, you have to be stronger that you already are."


    Ngumiti siya sa butler niya at tumango. "I know... thank you, Jacq."


    Jacques smiled back. "How about we go back tomorrow to shop? I'm sure the Count wouldn't like you naked since you don't have anything to wear."


    SM chuckled. "Knight will go ballistic for sure. Kilala mo naman 'yon. So possessive." 


    "Yeah..." Jacques drawls, "it's really annoying sometimes, but Cloud told me that he's like that because he doesn't want to lose you. That motherfucker Count sees everyone as a threat, a threat that can take you away from him, that's why he's like that."


    "I know." SM smiled, "bakit ba sa tingin mo tino-tolerate ko ang ugali niyang 'yon? Minsan nakakasakal, pero sa tuwing iniisip ko ang paghihirap na pinagdaanan niya, nawawala yong pagkasakal na nararamdaman ko. I want him happy, I want him to forget every pain he felt for the past years and if being possessive of me can help make him feel happy, then i'll tolerate that attitude of him." 


    Naiiling na nangingiti si Jacques, "lucky motherfucker."


    Ngumiti lang siya saka lumabas na ng mall kasama si Zaccheus. Nasa likod naman nila ang dalawang salesman na siyang bumuhat ng damit na napili niya para kay Knight. 


    SM was silent the whole ride. She was thinking of Knight. 


    When the car stopped, Jacques opened the door for her and when she steps out, a house— no— more like a huge black fortress welcomed her gaze. 


    It's scary to look at from the outside because of its dark color. 


    "K-kaninong bahay 'to?" Tanong niya. 


    Si Zaccheus ang sumagot sa kaniya. "This is the King's home, your father."


    Napanganga siya. "This doesn't look like a home."


    "It's not." Sabad ni Jacques, "it's more like a Headquarters but for your father, this is home so... welcome home, milady."


    Akmang hahakbang na siya papasok ng makita bumukas ang double door na itim na pinto at lumabas doon ang ama niya. 


    He looked at her and smiled. "Mi princesa... welcome home."


    Home. She already has a home— it's Knight's home. 


    But for the meantime— she looked at the black fortress in front of her— this is gonna be my home. 


    Until Knight came to take me back.



    CHAPTER 33


    ONE MONTH in Spain and SM knew nothing. Her father was seldom home and when he is, he avoids the topic when he's with her. He keeps saying he'll tell her soon, but nothing. Her father said nothing. At nitong mga nakaraang linggo, nararamdaman niyang iniiwasan siya ng ama niya. 


    Tatlong bagay lang ang siguradong alam niya. 


    Uma, may malaking bahay sila sa Spain— hindi, hindi iyon bahay— parang palasyo 'yon sa laki, mayaman sila tulad ng sabi ni Jacques at lahat ng tao sa mansiyon na 'yon ay parang Hari ang turing sa ama niya. 


    But her father is no King of Spain, but she's sure that he is a King of something. The way the people around him treat him, he's like a leader or some sort. 


    The Palace was always heavily guarded, she was not allowed to go out, and she has no news about Knight. Sabi ni Jacques, parang may nag-block sa mga text ni Midnight sa cellphone nito dahil tumigil itong makatanggap ng mensahe galing kay Midnight. 


    And SM knew her father has something to do with it. Alam niyang may kapangyarihan ang ama niyang gawin ang bagay na 'yon. Sa loob ng isang buwan na nagmamatyag lang siya sa paligid niya at sa ama niya, alam niyang makapangyarihang tao ang Dad niya. 


    And it has something to do with the Organósi. Narinig niyang binanggit iyon ng ama niya ng nasa bahay sila ni Knight at nakatutok ang baril nito sa ama ng kasintahan. 


    And maybe it was a wishful thinking but she was thinking hard on how to use her father's power against Knight's father. Pero wala siyang maisip, dahil hindi naman niya alam kung ano ang eksaktong kayang gawin ng ama niya. 


    Napatigil si SM sa pag-iisip ng may kumatok sa pintuan ng napakalaki niyang kuwarto. 


    Thinking it was Jacques, she immediately opened the door. 


    Natigilan siya ng makita kung sino ang nasa labas at may dalang laptop. "Uncle Kee..."


    He smiled at her. "I wanna ask you about your stay here. Have you adjusted already?"


    "I'm doing fine, Uncle." Niluwagan niya ang pagkakabukas ng pinto. "Come on in, Uncle Kee." 


    Pumasok naman kaagad si Uncle Kee at umupo sa sofa na naroon. 


    Then, Uncle kee tapped the space beside him on the long sofa. "Come sit, Princesa."


    Umupo naman siya sa tabi nito. 


    Ngumiti sa kaniya si Uncle Kee. "I'm sorry I haven't visited you these past few weeks. I was busy with your high and mighty father's orders. It's annoying how he keeps me busy all the time. I actually just snuck out from the office because I was so bored and I want to have some fun."


    Nginitian niya ang katabi. "Ayos lang, Uncle Kee. I understand."


    "That's good." Binuksan nito ang laptop na dala saka bumaling sa kaniya. "By the way, I blocked Midnight's number on Jacques' phone. Your father's order."


    "I know someone blocked it, but I didn't know it was you."


    "I'm your father's personal computer." Mahina itong natawa saka napailing ito at tumitig sa kaniya na parang humihingi ng pasensiya. "It was an order, I have no choice, but i'm Team Swight all the way."


    Pinakatitigan siya ng katabi bago bumuntong-hininga at nagtanong, "how much do you trust your man, Princesa? It's been a month."


    SM took a deep breath and smiled. "I know he can't live without me."


    "That much confidence, huh?"


    SM nodded with a smile. "Because I know the real him, Uncle Kee. Other people knew him as a monster and someone dangerous, but to me, he's just the man that I love. Iba ang Knight na nakilala ko at iyon ang tunay na siya. And it's very hard for him to be true to himself— and slowly he turned into an honest man when he's with me. We're in a relationship not just because we're attracted to one another ... we clung to each other because he's my light and i'm his too." 


    Uncle Kee smiled. "I'm now 100% percent Team Swight."


    "And you're not earlier?" Natatawang tanong niya. 


    "99.99% percent only." 


    Natawa siya, "thank you for making me laugh, Uncle Kee. I really need that."


    Ngumiti lang si Uncle Kee saka pinagpatuloy ang pagtipa ng daliri nito sa keyboard saka bumaling na naman sa kaniya. "Brace yourself, Princesa."


    "What?"


    "I pulled this footage when I was secretly looking for your man." Ani Uncle Kee na ikinaawang ng labi niya, "I love messing with your father so don't thank me. It was fun doing this behind his back."


    Mahigpit niyang niyakap ang katabi. "Thank you so much, Uncle Kee! Thank you!"


    Hinagod ni Uncle Kee ang likod niya, "trust me, you won't be thanking me if you see this."


    Kaagad siyang kinabahan at binitawan ito sa pagkakayakap at tumingin sa screen ng laptop nito. 


    "What is it? Is my baby okay?" She asked, impatient to see Knight. 


    Uncle Kee took a deep breath before doing something on the keyboard and then a video popped up. 


    SM gasped and anger and worry consumed her because of what she saw. 


    Knight was kneeling on a center of a dim-lighted room, both wrists were restrained from moving by chains, his back was profusely bleeding and his head was hanged low. 


    He was weak, in pain, SM can tell and her tears just fell while looking at the man she loves. 


    Kumuyom ang kamao niya ng makita niya ang lalaking kasama ng ama nito na may hawak na latigo at malakas iyon ihinampas sa likod ng kasintahan. 


    "Knight!" Malakas siyang napasigaw sa sobrang pag-aalala. "My baby..." 


    Lashes after lashes, SM keeps on flinching every time the whip hits Knight's back, shoulder and arms. Pero ni wala ngang reaksiyon mula kay Knight. No grunt, not even a flinched. 


    "Either he's passed out or he's used to the pain." Ani Uncle Kee sa pabulong na boses saka napailing, "how can Kelleon be ruthless to his own son? This is just too much."


    Napaigtad ulit si SM ng tumama ulit ang latigo sa likod ni Knight. 


    "Baby..." SM sobbed. "I'm sorry... i'm sorry..."


    "Tell Lord Kelleon that you don't love that woman anymore." Anang lalaki na lumalatigo kay Knight, "and this will all stop. Just tell me you don't want her anymore. That's all I want to hear."


    Her lips slightly parted when Knight let out a weak laughed before he looked up at the man lashing him. 


    Knight's eyes were dull but there's strength and stubbornness in their depths. 


    "Keep those lashes coming, Orlando." Ani Knight sa walang emosyong boses, "because I will never, ever, deny my baby to anyone. I love Sweet Monday Canja Lopez. And even if you kill me right here, right now, that will never change and you can't make me say it otherwise."


    Kaagad na namang nilatigo si Knight ng ilang beses at doon naputol ang video. 


    Hindi namalayan ni SM na nanginginig ang kamay niya sa sobrang galit kung hindi pa 'yon hinawakan ni Uncle Kee. 


    "Relax, Princesa. Relax."


    She has never been this angry. Never. She never wanted someone's blood on her hand. But at that very moment, she wanted to kill Knight's father. "I can't..."


    "That footage was three weeks ago." Wika ni Uncle Kee, "siguradong nagpapagaling na siya ngayon. Kelleon will not kill his heir." 


    Nagtatagis ang bagang na tumayo siya. "Where is Knight? I have to find him. I can't let his father keep hurting him!"


    "Princesa," mahinahon ang boses na tumayo na rin si Uncle Kee at hinawakan siya sa magkabilang balikat para pigilan siya, "calm down. I'm still working on his location, so please act coolly because i'm doing this behind your father. If Mufasa finds out what i'm doing, you'll never see your man. Team Swight, remember?"


    Napatitig siya sa kaharap. "Bakit?" Hindi niya maiwasang magtaka. "Bakit mo ako tinutulungan?"


    Uncle Kee smiled softly, "I promise my sister to make her daughter happy— whatever it takes."


    Napakurap-kurap siya. "S-sister... her daughter..." umawang ang labi niya kay Uncle Kee, "a-are you r- referring to me? Y-you're — you're my mother's b-brother?"


    Tumango si Uncle Kee saka hinaplos ang pisngi niya, "if Knight is my neice's happiness, then go for it. I'll back you up. I did promise your mother to make you happy whatever it takes and our family always keep our promises."


    She was worried and angry for Knight but she still managed to smile for her Uncle and hugged him. "Thank you, Uncle Kee."


    Hinagod naman ni Uncle Kee ang likod niya habang yakap siya nito. "Now, please act coolly, okay? Act sad if you have too. I'm having a hard time tracking Knight because Ambrose was monitoring my movements but no worries, Queen is Team Swight too."


    Uncle Queen is Zaccheus' father. Nalaman niya 'yon ng unang araw niya sa palasyong 'yon dahil narinig niyang tinawag ni Zaccheus na Papa si Uncle Queen. 


    That's when she realized that they share the same surname. 


    And Queen was her father's personal Lawyer, like how Zaccheus was her personal Lawyer as well. 


    Malapad siyang napangiti saka pinakawalan sa pagkakayakap ang Uncle Kee niya. "Salamat. I'll wait for your update while acting cooly."


    Tumango ito saka may kinuhang cellphone sa bulsa at ibinigay iyon sa kaniya. "Here. Your new phone. As per bitter Mufasa's order, you're only allowed to call us, your Uncle's and Jacques and your friend, Eli. Always remember that all phone calls that comes in and out of your phone is going to be recorded unless someone tapped into it and blocks us."


    She frowned. Why is Uncle Kee telling me this? A coded message? 


    "Now, text Jacques and tell him everything I told you. He might send you some naughty stuff and your father will kill him." He grinned and winked at her and she knew Uncle Kee was joking about Jacq. The Marquess would never do that, "and be happy, Princesa, okay?"


    Ginulo nito ang buhok niya saka pinakatitigan siya. "The last time I saw you was when you were four and my sister was carrying you to the private plane to escape the chaotic life your father has. And now, look at you, all grown up, smart and beautiful." He smiled at her, "welcome back to Spain, Princesa. Welcome home." 


    SM can feel it, the longing in Uncle Kee's voice. He had missed her and her mother. "Thank you, Uncle." 


    Tumango ang Uncle niya saka kinuha ang laptop sa lamesa at lumabas na nang kuwarto niya. Siya naman ay kaagad na sinunod ang sinabi nitong padalhan ng mensahe si Jacques. 


    She doesn't know if it's a coded message but she'll take the shot. 


    'Jacques, this is SM. This is my new number. If you call or text me, beware that my phone is being recorded unless someone block the recording so don't send me weird stuff. Mufasa will kill you.'


    'Jacques, this is SM. This is my new number. If you call or text me, beware that my phone is being recorded unless someone block the recording so don't send me weird stuff. Mufasa will kill you.'


    KNIGHT LOOKED at his back through the large mirror in his room. Habang pinagmamasdan niya ang mga sugat na naroon, ni wala nga siyang maramdaman. Actually, he already lost track of time and day. Basta sa araw-araw na nagdaan ay nilalatigo siya ni Orlndo para sabihin niya ang mga salitang gusto nitong marinig. 


    But he didn't fold. 


    Never. He would never deny his love for Sweet Monday. Kahit pa hindi iyon maririnig ng dalaga, hinding-hindi niya sasabihin 'yon. 


    After getting lashed, he would passed out and then after a few days of recovering, he will get lashed again. Palaging nakabantay sa kaniya si Orlando kaya hindi siya makatakas. At sa tuwing bumabalik ang lakas niya, nagigising nalang si Knight na nasa basement ulit siya at pinaparusahan. 


    Halos ilang beses palang silang nagkausap ng palihim ni Cloud sa loob ng isang buwan at hindi 'yon tumatagal ng ilang minuto dahil palaging nakabantay si Orlando sa kaniya. 


    Ito ang unang beses na nagising siya na kahit papaano ay maayos ang pakiramdam niya, na nakakatayo siya at walang Orlando na nakabantay sa kaniya o nilalatigo siya. 


    How long was I unconscious this time? 


    His strengths was coming back. He can feel it. 


    And now that he's mind was not hazy anymore and he can think clearly, all he could think about was how to get out of this hell hole. 


    Thank God Midnight went missing.


    At halos mabaliw daw ang ama niya sa paghahanap kung nasaan si Midnight pero hindi nito mahanap ang kapatid niya. 


    Of course that motherfucker was going crazy, Midnight was his weapon against him. 


    And that made him happy. He knew Midnight was safe wherever he was. He doesn't know what exactly happened but Shun sent a message to Cloud with only one word, 'safe', at exactly 12 midnight. That's how he knew that Midnight was safe. 


    And Elizabeth was safe as well. She's well-guarded and his father cannot used her against him.


    Ito ang unang pagkakataon na hindi niya kailangang mag-alala sa kalagayan ng mga kapatid niya. He's free to do whatever he wants. His attention was all focus on Sweet Monday. 


    I need to see he before I go insane. 


    Napalingon si Knight sa pintuan ng may kumatok doon at pumasok si Cloud. 


    "My Lord," bahagyan itong yumukod sa kaniya kahit alam niyang sumasakit pa rin ang likod nitong nilatigo rin bilang kaparusahan dahil wala itong sinabi sa ama niya tungkol sa ginagawa niya. "Lord Kelleon wants you to clean a household."


    "Tell him I said no. He can clean that house himself."


    "My Lord, you'll be punished again—"


    "It's a no, Cloud." May diin niyang sabi saka umupo sa gilid ng kama niya habang nakapatong ang mga siko niya sa mga hita niya. "Tell him he can punish me anytime. I don't mind. SM, Eli and Midnight are all safe. I have nothing to lose at this moment. Go tell him to fuck himself."


    "My Lord..."


    Napasabunot siya sa sariling buhok, "Now that my mind is getting clearer, I keep thinking of SM. Kailangan nating makaalis dito, Cloud, bago pa bumalik si Orlando. He will drag me to the basement again and I will not let him this time. I have to see SM ... I have to see my baby. I miss her so much."


    "I will find a way to escape, my lord."


    Nagtatanong na tumingin siya kay Cloud. "I already lost track of time and day. Ilang linggo na ba ako rito?"


    Cloud's lips thinned. "One month, my Lord."


    "Fuck!" Mahina siyang napamura, "what will Sweet Monday say? I promised her i'll come back quickly to see her!"


    "My Lord, i'm sure Lady SM will understand."


    He blows a loud breath as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I wanna see her so bad. I'm going crazy missing her. Even the ring I gave her was no use, I heard when you told me that Shun can't track her down." Mariing pinikit niya ang mga mata, "my Sweet Monday, miss na kaya niya ako tulad ng pagka-miss ko sa kaniya?" 


    "I'm sure Lady SM misses you too, my Lord." Cloud said, comforting him. 


    That made him smile. "Ayaw niya akong iwan, pero pinilit ko siya." Mahina siyang natawa, "do you think i'll hear an earful from her if we see each other again?"


    Cloud smiled. "She will beat you up, my Lord."


    He sighed. "It would be so nice if she beats me up in the bed— fuck! I missed her." 


    Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Cloud kapagkuwan, "ito ang unang beses na nakausap kita ng matagal-tagal pagkatapos mong magising." 


    "Yeah..." 


    "Is your back healing, my Lord?" Cloud asked. 


    Pinakiramdaman niya ulit ang likod saka nagkibit-balikat. "I'm still breathing so I guess it is." 


    "Thank God Orlando is not here to take you to the basement again..." Cloud sighed, "I can't even save you, my Lord."


    Knight smiled. "It's okay, Cloud. I'm fine. And I won't let him take me to the basement this time. My strength is finally coming back."


    Natahimik sila pareho ni Cloud ng tumunog ang cellphone nito na kaagad naman nitong kinuha sa bulsa kapagkuwan ay kumunot ang nuo nito at tumingin sa kaniya. 


    "It's from Shun Kim, My Lord. He said it's nice to smell some fresh air outside hell today. What does he mean by that?"


    A lop-sided smile appeared on Knight's lips, "ah ... that motherfucker."


    Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo at tama namang bumukas ang pinto at pumasok si Orlando. 


    "Time for your daily dose of pain, Count Knight." Anito sa may sarkasmong boses.


    Knight lost all the humour on his face as he walked towards his father's Ultor. "Not in the mood, Orlando." 


    "What do you mean—"


    Hindi na natapos ni Orlando ang sasabihin dahil mabilis na umigkas ang kamao niya ng makalapit siya rito ay sunod-sunod at malalakas ang binitawan niyang suntok na tumama sa dibdib nito at ilang beses niyang pinatama ang siko sa ulo at leeg nito.


    Orlando didn't saw his attack coming because he thought he's still weak. 


    And when Knight saw a chance, his hand was quick to reach out to Orlando's holster, pulled the gun and fired it on Orlando's leg— twice.


    "Fuck!" Bumagsak si Orlando sa sahig habang sapo ang hita nitong binaril niya. 


    Knight looked down at Orlando, "I told you, i'm not in the mood." Nilampasan niya si Orlando saka lumabas ng kuwarto, "let's go, Cloud. I don't wanna bore Shun."


    Kaagad namang sumunod sa kaniya si Cloud. 


    Lahat ng bantay na humarang sa kanila ay binaril niya sa mga hita saka kinuha ang baril ng mga ito para may gamitin sila ni Cloud. 


    When he and Cloud reached the door to the Palace, all the guards inside were limping and clutching their legs, unable to go after them. 


    Ayaw niyang patayin ang mga ito, pero ayaw din naman niyang masundan sila ng mga ito kaya naman sa taas ng tuhod niya ang mga ito binaril. They'll limp for the time being, but they'll live.


    "Oh," was all Knight said when he saw that the guards on the Palace gate were all unconscious. "Nice."


    Cloud opened the gate for him and when he steps out, he immediately saw Shun sitting cross-leg on the hood of a hammer car, with his laptop on his lap, Dimitri sitting behind the wheel and North leaning on the car with a lighted cigarette in between his lips. 


    Looks like his whole team is here. 


    Umalis si Shun sa hood ng hammer. "What took you so long?" Tanong nito sa kaniya ng makalapit siya sa sasakyan. 


    "Too many guards." Si Cloud ang sumagot. "At ito ang unang beses na nagising siya at hindi nakabantay si Orlando."


    Tumango si Shun saka tumingin sa kaniya, "how's your back?"


    Napakurap-kurap siya sa kaibigan. "I don't even know how to answer that."


    "North!" Tawag ni Shun sa cleaner nila, "spray some shit on his back."


    Kaagad namang tumalima si North. Ito talaga ang utusan nila dahil ito ang pinaka-bata sa kanila. 


    Lumapit sa kaniya si North na may dalang spray saka walang sabi-sabing itinaas ang damit niya at ini-spray-han ang likod niya. 


    Knight hissed. 


    "This is a pain relief spray." Ani North sa kaniya saka ibinaba nito ang damit niya, "you okay, boss?"


    He shrugged. "Still breathing."


    "Hop in, boss." Ani Dimitri. "We're here to pick you up." 


    Isa-isa niyang tiningnan si Shun, Dimitri at North. "You do know that this could get you into trouble, right?"


    Shun shrugged nonchalantly. "My wife knows this, that's all that matters to me."


    Sumabad si Dimitri, "Miss SM will be furious if I don't do my job and protect you."


    North shrugged. "You're my boss." 


    That put a smile on his lips. "Don't make me blush now."


    Nagtawanan ang mga loko saka sumakay sila sa hammer na si Dimitri ang nagmamaneho, si Cloud ang nasa passenger seat at nasa backseat silang tatlo nila North at Shun. 


    "Bakit mo ako hinanap?" Tanong niya kay Shun. 


    Abala pa rin ito sa harapan ng laptop nito. "Hinahanap ka na ni Val. Bigla ka nalang daw nawala."


    "Oh, so best friend is looking for me?"


    "Ilang linggo ka na kasing hindi ka niya nakikita. Nag-aalala na 'yon. You know, Val," Shun chuckled, "he's a hardcore on the outside but a marshmallow in the inside."


    Inilahad niya ang kamay kay Shun. "Phone. I'll call him."


    Kaagad namang pinahiram sa kaniya ni Shun ang cellphone at tinawagan niya si Val. 


    "Shun," tawag niya sa kaibigan habang nagri-ring ang sa kabilang linya, "how's SM's ring?"


    Umiling ito. "Nothing."


    "Fuck."


    "Don't fuck me!" Si Valerian 'yon na sinagot na pala ang tawag niya ng magmura siya. 


    "Hey, Bestfriend!" Masigla niyang bati kay Valerian. Ayaw niyang marinig nito sa boses niya na hindi siya okay. "Miss me?"


    Nawalan ng imik ang nasa kabilang linya bago nagsalita. "Knight?"


    He smiled. "Yes. It's me. You're gorgeous bestfriend—"


    The line died making him chuckled. Knowing Valerian, that's enough for him. Alam niyang gusto lang nitong malaman kung buhay pa ba siya.
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