1: What's Hidden Behind Her Mask

Thirteen

Shun Gabriel;

"Welcome home anak, tagal niyong bumalik ha?" my mother asked. The way she looked at me, I know she's teasing me again.

Nakauwi narin kami ni Madison sa Manila. She choses to go home by herself. Wala na rin naman akong nagawa. Alam ko namang matigas ang ulo nun.

Lumapit ako kay Mama para bigyan siya ng yakap. Napansin ko namang abala siya sa paghahanda ng pagkain.

She went back on arranging the table.
"Para saan toh, Ma?" I looked at the foods on the table. Parang may nagce-celebrate.

"Didn't your attorney informed you?" she stopped arranging the table and faced me.

"Didn't tell me about what?" I'm getting confused now.

"About the case of Mr. Huarez? Because of his death, marami na tayong nahanap na mga biktima niya. We won against his party and now the victims found their justice. Kalahati ng pera at pagmamay-ari ni Huarez ay mapupunta sa mga biktima niya. I'm so happy!" she even jumped in happiness.

At last... payapa na rin ang buhay ko. Would that mean, Madison will not be around anymore? No! I don't want that to happen.

"Don't worry anak. Wala ka nang iisipin pa kapag lumalabas ka. Wala nang magtatangka sa buhay mo."

"So Madison won't be around anymore?" fuck! I didn't mean to sound like a sad kid but it turns out as one.

"Of course! Pero depende na iyon sa'yo kung gusto mo pa siyang maging bodyguard. I already informed her about it. It's still your decision to extend her job as your bodyguard. If you still want her to be your bodyguard, then so be it." She tapped my shoulder and sat on the chair.

I sat beside her and joined her in celebrating. Dad also joined our celebration kakarating niya lang kasama ni Shaun Ysabell-my little sister from Greece. It's still summer kaya isinama siya doon para magbonding kay lolo.

I will not worry about my safety anymore. Sana lang talaga pumayag si Madison na magstay bilang bodyguard ko.

Arya Madison Kelly;

"-Are you still listening?" Xoan asked while I'm zoning out here.

"Where were we?" I looked at her and found out that we are not done cleaning up my room. We don't have a maid. Sagabal lang sila, baka ano pang malaman sa pinang-gagagawa namin dito at magsumbong sa pulis mahirap na. Tyaka nariyan naman si Cody para maglinis ng bahay. He's in charge of cleaning the house except for my room. Only Xoan can enter here.

"Ang sinasabi ko... Bakit hindi mo pa cino-contact ang Hospital na yun sa Greece and ask them why are they so dumb in guarding that woman. Nakatawag pa talaga. Hmp."

Ibang klase rin talaga tong buntis nato. Lumalaki na rin ang baby bump niya. Her curly hair are now long. Nagiging blooming din siya.

"What time is your check up? Ako na ang sasama." I shifted the topic. Ayoko nang pag-usapan pa yun.

Nakuha naman kaagad iyon ni Xoan kaya sinagot narin niya ang tanong ko. "Maya-maya pagkatapos natin dito. Kay Lumi na ako magpapacheck-up."

"Boba! Surgeon siya hindi obstetrician. Magtigil ka nga!"

"Ah basta doktor pa rin yun!"

Napairap na naman ako sa ugali ng babaeng toh. "Tsk. Bilisan na natin to para matapos na't matingnan kung imamana ba ng bata ang kabobohan mo"