1: What's Hidden Behind Her Mask

Eighteen

Warning: spoilers

Shun Gabriel;

I woke up feeling heavy when morning came. My head's spinning. When I look at the place, I realized, narito na pala ako sa condo ko.

I'm on my bed laying but who brought me here? Nasagot kaagad ang tanong ko nang lumabas ako sa kwarto ko.

It's Arya.

She's sleeping peacefully on the long sofa. Parang walang problemang iniisip. Like she hasn't been affected by everything that has happen to us. She even had a child with her!

Habang ako, apektadong-apektado pa rin kahit ilang taon na ang nakalipas. I sat on the floor while silently staring at her.

I can't help myself but to caressed her cheeks. Why am I missing her? Dapat galit ako dahil iniwan niya ako nang walang dahilan noon. She lied about everything.

Napatigil lang ako sa kakatitig sa kaniya nang unti-unti niyang iminulat ang mga mata niya.

Arya Madison Kelly;

I was shocked seeing Gabriel's face near mine. What is he doing?

Agad naman siyang umiwas ng tingin nang makitang gising na ako. Nakaupo siya sa sahig habang ako naman ay nakahiga sa sofa. Napagod ako kagabi sa kaniya.

"I have to go," I said and hurriedly stand. Fixing my things and walk my way to the door when he stopped me with his hand.

He held my elbow.

"Yes?" I asked. There's an emotion I can see in his eyes pero nawala kaagad yun.

I glance at him again. Nakabuka nga ang bibig niya pero wala namang lumalabas na salita.

"N-nothing... sige umalis kana," Aniya at binitawan na ako.

Nangunot pa ang noo ko. Anong problema nito?

I walked through the hallway going to the elevator and waiting for it to open when my phone rang. I got it from my purse and answered.

It's Esabella, my cousin.

"Hello, Esabella what's wrong?" I answered at Esabella's call as I waited for the elevator.

I knuckled my fist when I heard her sobs on the other line. What happen? Did her husband hurt her again?

[Arya, please take me home... Take me to the Philippines] she said. I can't hear any hesitations in her voice.

Desididong-desididong umalis sa poder ng asawa niya.

"Ayaw mo bang umuwi muna sa inyo?" malumanay kong tanong.

[Ayokong mag-alala pa si papa. May problema na nga kay Blithe, dadagdag pa ba ako? Come on, please! Ipasundo mo na ako ngayon na,] she pleaded. Naririnig ko parin ang hikbi niya. Di ko naman siya matiis kaya pumayag na ako.

"Sige, dito ka sa'min magstay kasama si Ellaija. I'll contact my men to fetch you, makakarating ka dito mamayang gabi." Bilin ko.

[Oh Goodness! Thank you Arya maaasahan ka talaga. I love you na!] naririnig ko pa ang mga insekto sa kabilang linya. Baka nasa labas na siya ngayon ng mansiyon, hinihintay ang sundo.

"Don't thank me, its my job as your cousin. You owe me a story to tell Esabella!" I ended the call after that.

I called my men to get her there and booked her a flight to the Philippines as soon as she steps in the car. Pinasikaso ko narin ang gagamitin niyang kwarto para mamaya.