Chapter 6

"Get out, Barin." I groaned when I felt him nipping at the edge of the bed. Pati ang paa ko, nadidilaan niya na rin. When he licked my foot once more, I grunted and got up, completely grossed out.

"What?" suplada kong tanong sa kaniya. He sat properly and stared at me, waiting for something. I glanced at the clock. It says it's still 7 in the morning.

"Do you want your breakfast?" tanong ko pa. I slid off the bed and grabbed my satin night robe. Ibinalot ko ito sa katawan ko bago lumabas. I am only wearing a white bra and lacey tanga. Itinali ko ang buhok ko at kahit na nahihilo pa ay nagpunta ako sa kusina.

I turned on the coffee maker and waited for it while boiling Barin's breakfast. Sumandal ako sa counter at pumikit. When I opened my eyes, I could hear the loud noises in the club.

"Do you want a drink?"

I glanced at the man who sat next to me. Wala naman talaga sa plano ko ang magpunta ng bar ngayon eh kaso bored na ako sa apartment ko. I wanted to have some fun while I'm here. My clothes are already packed. I will be going home to La Union any time this week. I might as well check out the bars here in this area.

"I already have a drink," I pointed to the three empty bottles in front of me. "And even if I don't, I can afford." I scoffed.

Ngumisi ang lalaki at tuluyan nang naupo sa tabi ko. I raised a brow at him, questioning his entire existence and why the hell he'd dare to sit next to me.

"I know. But I just wanted to treat you. You look like you need a drink."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin. I know I'm a bit tipsy pero hindi pa naman nasisira ang takbo ng utak ko. I squinted my eyes at him.

"As I've said, I can afford. And I'd rather go poor than let a man buy me a drink. Get lost."

He chuckled. "You're so feisty. I like it in a girl, huh."

"Am I asking you?"

Umiling siya nang marahan. I could see the amusement twinkling in his eyes.

"What's your name?"

"Why the hell would I tell you?"

"I am Atty. Verdano. I am the son of the renowned Atty. Verdano Sr. You probably heard of him. We own the largest law firm here in Manila," he boasted.

I cocked a brow again. Tinitigan ko na siya. He really seems well-polished but he's not the real deal.

"Young lawyers keep on disappointing me nowadays," I said out loud, thinking of Matty whom I met in a gala just a few weeks ago.

"Oh, trust me. My reputation does not end in court..." he leaned closer. "I am quite reputable in bed, too."

Itinulak ko ang mukha niya palayo at mas lalong sumimangot.

"Get away from me, freak. You're making me uncomfortable!" I hissed.

He chuckled and then disappeared in the crowd.

I refused to have another glass because I know I wouldn't make it to the apartment. Maaga pa pero kailangan ko nang umuwi dahil hindi ko pa napapakain si Barin. I need to get him some food before I fall asleep tonight.

Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko. I cursed at the harsh light from my screen and then squinted my eyes as I clicked the contact list. I scrolled down and frowned, not knowing who I should call and ask for help.

Muntik na akong mapatalon nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko. I quickly answered it without glancing at the caller ID just to shut it. Nabibingi na nga ako sa malakas na music, nabibingi pa ako sa ringtone ko.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" a calm, deep voice spoke from the other line.

I tilted my head to the side, trying to recognize the voice. "Blake?"

"My friend says he saw you in his bar tonight. Nand'yan ka pa ba?"

"Uh... yeah. But I'm going home in a minute."

Hindi na sumagot si Blake at pinatay ang tawag. What the hell? Kumunot ang noo ko at inis na ibinalik ang phone sa bag. I called the bartender and asked for my bill.

"Aalis na po kayo, Ma'am?"

"Oo, bakit?"

"Hala, ang bilin po kasi ni Sir sa amin bantayan kayo hangga't hindi pa siya dumarating."

"Sinong sir ba yan?" I glared at him. "Tsaka, pwede akong umalis kung kailan ko gusto! Wala namang nagmamay-ari sa akin."

"Si Sir Blake po, best friend niya kasi may-ari nito—"

"I'm going."

As soon as I paid my bill, I went out of the bar. Umiikot ang paningin ko. The cold air welcomed me as soon as I stepped out. I cursed and glanced down at my outfit. I am only wearing a white skirt coordinates from Dior and black pumps. Ni hindi man lang ako nagdala ng jacket!

Shaking my head, I fished for my car keys when a shadow fell over me. Distracted, I turned to the shadow and saw the annoying lawyer from earlier.

"Going home already?" he asked, taking a deep inhale of his expensive cigarette.

"Why do you care?" I asked him suspiciously.

"Hatid na kita." He throw away his cigarette butt and then walked towards me. "I have my car. San ka ba?"

"No, thanks." Maldita kong sagot sa kaniya. "I can handle."

"You're too drunk to drive..." he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him. "I should get you home."

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I pushed him with all my might but his grip on my arm became tighter. Panic rose at the back of my throat as I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. "Mas lasing ka pa sa akin!"

"Sige na... sa condo ko nalang kita iuuwi ngayon. What do you think?"

I yelped when he gave my firm butt a slap. Hindi na ako nakapagpigil pa at sinampal siya.

"What the fuck?!" he seemed mad, clutching his red cheeks. "Bitch, did you just slap me?"

"I did." Halos nawawala na ang kalasingan ko dahil sa galit sa kaniya. "Are you really a lawyer? Wala kang modo, bastos, at namimilit ng babae. Are you really sure of your profession? Huh?"

"Pasalamat ka nga pinapansin pa kita eh!" he spat. "Ano? Hindi ka sasama sa akin?"

"Ma'am!" napalingon kaming dalawa sa bartender na hinihingal sa kakahanap sa akin. Kami lang dalawa ng lalaking ito ang nasa parking lot, so seeing him is such a relief.

He stepped down and revealed the tall shadow behind him. Blake is staring at the two of us. Umigting ang panga niya nang makita kung sino ang kausap ko.

"Ma'am, nandito na po si Sir—"

Without a word, Blake walked towards me. Binawi niya ang kamay ko mula sa lecheng attorney na yun.

"What's going on?" he asked in a calm, yet deadly voice.

"Girlfriend mo 'to?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Atty. Verdano. "Pota, may boyfriend ka pala pero kung makalandi ka sa akin—"

Susugurin ko na sana siya pero pinigilan ako ni Blake. My chest is heaving up and down in anger. I glared at him with so much hatred.

"I didn't flirt with you and never in a million years I would flirt with a stupid man like you!" I yelled.

"Sir..." medyo natatakot na tawag ng bartender kay Blake. "Tawag na po ba ako ng police?"

Blake shook his head and calmly signaled him to go inside.

"O-Okay lang po ba, Sir?"

He nodded. "Ako na ang bahala dito."

Hawak ako ni Blake sa baywang. I grunted and punched his arms to let me go but he didn't budge a bit.

"Tara na, Anna. Uwi na tayo." He said in a soft voice.

"Buti pa! Iuwi mo na yang kaladkaring babae na yan—"

Ako dapat ang susugod sa kaniya but as soon as Blake heard it, he let go of me and then punched the guy so hard. He collapsed into the ground and clutched his nose. Then I saw blood and my eyes widened.

"Alam mo, tangina ka. Pinapalampas ko lang 'to dahil lasing ka. But you disrespected her again and again!"

"Shit..." the lawyer started shaking when he saw blood. "Shit! You're going to pay for this! I will sue you!"

"Sue me all you want. Kahit sa korte ng impyerno tayo makarating, ako pa rin ang mananalo, gago."

I gaped at Blake, not believing my ears. I've heard him curse a few times pero hindi ganito kagalit. Minsan ko lang siya nakikitang nawawalan ng kontrol. Hindi tuloy ako makagalaw sa kinatatayuan ko.

"Tara na, Anna." aniya sa akin at ginabayan ako patungo sa sasakyan niya. I glanced at my car. Blake suddenly spoke. "Ipapakuha ko nalang sa driver ko ang kotse mo at ipapahatid ko sa inyo. Don't worry."

I nodded and followed him to the car. Gusto ko sana siyang kausapin habang nagmamaneho kaso nawawalan ako ng lakas ng loob. I've never seen him this mad before. Siguro ay hayaan ko nalang muna siya?

Nakatulog ata ako sa biyahe. Blake tapped me gently to wake me up as soon as we arrived at my apartment. Lumabas ako na hilong-hilo at hinanap ang susi sa bag ko.

"Asan na ba yun..." I bit my lower lip and tried so hard but my vision is really blurry.

"Ako na," ani Blake at marahang inagaw sa akin ang bag ko. Wala naman akong magawa at ipinaubaya sa kaniya ang paghahanap habang pinipigilan ang sariling masuka.

After a few moments, I heard the click of the door. As soon as it opened, I bolted inside and ran to the bathroom downstairs. Narinig ko ulit ang pagsarado ng pinto.

I was so busy throwing up and getting grossed out when a shadow fell over me. Nakaluhod ako sa harapan ng toilet. I flushed it and with shaky hands, reached for my mouth wash before I felt my stomach flipping over again.

Lumuhod si Blake sa likuran ko at dahan-dahang hinagod ang likod ko. Sinikop niya ang makapal kong buhok at hinawakan habang sumusuka ako. From the mirror, I could see Barin by the door, curiously staring at us.

Nang matapos ako ay nagmumog ako at hinihingal na sumandal sa sink. Blake flushed the toilet for me and then reached for a towel. Iniabot niya ito sa akin.

"Thanks," I murmured.

Ipinagsiksikan talaga ni Barin ang sarili niya at pumasok sa loob. Napilitan tuloy si Blake na lumabas. He glanced up at me with curious eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'll get your dinner ready." I shut my eyes closed and groaned when I could feel the pounding of my head.

"Ako na magpapakain sa kaniya," ani Blake. I stepped out of the bathroom, still holding the towel to my face. "You should take a shower and change. Brush your teeth. Tapos matulog ka na."

"Kaya ko pa naman—"

"Ako na, Anna." Blake said, cutting me off. I blinked at him, and when I saw the firm determination in his eyes, I slowly backed out.

"Okay, then..."

I went to my bedroom and stripped my clothes before stepping into the hot shower. It made me feel a bit better. Pinapatuyo ko ang buhok ko nang lumabas ako at nakita si Blake na may nilalagay na isang baso ng tubig sa side table ko.

"Napakain ko na si Barin," aniya at pinagmasdan akong umupo sa harapan ng vanity mirror ko.

"Salamat..."

I reached for the hair dryer and switched it on. Pakiramdam ko ay mahuhulog na talaga ang mga mata ko dahil sa sobrang hilo at pagod. Nilapitan ako ni Blake. He gently took the dryer from me.

"Ako na ulit,"

Sumimangot ako. "Kasambahay ba kita? Baka mamaya may talent fee pala 'tong mga pinaggagawa mo para sa akin."

"Walang bayad ang mag-alaga sa taong gusto mo, Anna."

"Huh?!" my brows furrowed. Am I too drunk that I started hearing things? Hindi ko ma-gets ang sinabi niya.

"Ang sabi ko, wag kang malikot." Aniya at ipinagpatuloy ang pagpapatuyo sa buhok ko.

He held my hair gently and was so focused in blowing my hair. He looks so cute in the mirror so I reached for my phone and snapped a picture of us.

"Mirror selfie!" I giggled. Hinayaan lang ako ni Blake at ipinagpatuloy ang ginagawa. His concentration and focus makes it looks like he's doing a difficult operation when in fact he's just blow-drying my hair!

I posted it as my IG story and finally I got to tag him. Inilapag ko na ang cellphone at humikab.

"I'm so sleepy... can I sleep now?"

"Malapit na 'to." He said as he continued his work. "Naglagay ako ng gamot sa tabi ng kama mo. Make sure to drink it as soon as you wake up. Sasakit ang ulo mo."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm going to sleep now..."

Tumayo ako at hinubad ang suot kong roba. I'm just in my undergarments now. Blake cursed and averted his gaze away, putting down the hair dryer.

I slid under the covers and smiled like an idiot because it feels so warm. Ipinikit ko ang mga mata ko.

"Call me if you need help tomorrow," I heard him say, pero hindi ko na siya pinansin. I could still feel his presence inside the room but I ignored it. I shifted in my bed comfortably. Naramdaman ko ang kamay niyang pinapadaan sa buhok ko. I could hear his hot breath so close to my face.

"Miss na kita," Blake said with so much sorrow. "Miss na miss na kita, Anna."

Nagkunwari akong tulog at hinayaan siyang gawin kung ano ang gusto niya. I was being dragged from somewhere between losing my consciousness and being awake. But I could hear his words clearly.

"Pasensiya ka na kung ngayon lang ako bumabawi sa iyo. I broke my promise to your mother that I will take care of you. I promise from now on, I will never let you out of my sight, Savannah. I know you probably don't need me..." he chuckled bitterly. "But I will always be here for you."

Naramdaman ko nalang ang marahang paghalik niya sa noo ko at narinig ang papalayo niyang mga hakbang hanggang sa nagbukas-sara ang pinto.

I blinked and opened my eyes again. The coffee maker dinged, snapping me out of my thoughts. I quickly switched it off. Tiningnan ko rin ang pinapakulong manok at ini-off na ang stove.

Sighing to myself, I poured myself a cup of coffee. Umiikot pa rin ang paningin ko at sobrang sakit ng ulo ko. It didn't help that Barin is demanding his breakfast so early in the morning.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang may matanaw ako sa dining table. Carrying my mug with me, I went closer and checked what it is. Kinuha ko ang note.

I prepared you some breakfast. Eat first and drink your meds. Call me if anything happens.

Napailing ako pero hindi matanggal ang ngiti sa mga labi ko. Ibinulsa ko ang note at tiningnan ang niluto niya. Did he stay here the entire night just to cook me breakfast? Lumipad ang tingin ko sa couch. I saw the neatly placed blanket and pillow that wasn't there yesterday.

So, he really spent the night here, huh.

I ate in silence with Barin pooling at my feet. Nang matapos akong kumain ay ininom ko ang gamot na iniwan niya para sa akin. Pinakain ko na si Barin at hinugasan ang pinag-kainan ko.

My phone rang, making me jump. I dried my hands and then went to answer my phone. Blake's calling.

"Kumain ka na ba?" was his first question.

"Kakakain ko lang," I said.

"Good."

"Dito ka natulog kagabi?"

"Yes. I'm sorry. I just couldn't leave a drunk woman alone in her apartment. Don't worry, sa living room naman ako natulog. Hindi ko na naligpit ang ginamit kong kumot at unan. We had an early meeting in the office so I have to rush."

I bit my lower lip, imagining him cooking breakfast while talking to his secretary on the phone. I caused him too much trouble! Naalala ko ang walang modong attorney na nakasalamuha namin kagabi. If it's true that he's going to sue Blake, I would ask for help from Atty. de Guzman.

"Uhm... ano... s-salamat sa pag-alaga sa akin kagabi."

"It's nothing. Next time, please tell me if you're going to drink. Kahit na hindi kita masamahan, at least man lang masundo kita."

I rubbed my temple and then glanced at the window.

"Okay," I said, surprising both of us for accepting his help. Nagpaalam na ako sa kaniya pagkatapos naming mag-usap at naligo.

I am planning to jog to clear my head so I slipped into a set of crop top hoodie and gray sweatpants. Inaayos ko ang shoelace ng trainer shoes ko nang biglang tumunog ulit ang cellphone ko.

I got up and frowned at the caller ID. Atty. de Guzman is calling me. The last time we talked, he said he's going to be busy with a big case. Ang sabi niya tatawag lang daw siya kapag may update na.

"Yes, attorney?" inipit ko ang cellphone sa tainga at balikat ko habang ipinagpapatuloy ang ginagawa.

"Savannah, we have to meet."

"Bakit? Akala ko ba busy ka?"

"Busy nga," he chuckled. "But my wife found a lead."

"Lead?"

Kumunot ang noo ko. For some reason, my heart pounded so fast in my chest.

"A-Ano pong lead?"

"She's saying that the fire that killed your mother, grandmother, and grandfather is an arson case. You have to meet me right away, Savannah. I have to tell you something too... about Valerie—no, scratch that. About Kierra Sarriet. Kierra. That's her real name."

I abandoned my shoelace and swallowed hard. "Kailan tayo magkikita, attorney?"