CHAPTER SEVENTY   He started the engine and drove me home. Mabagal lang ang takbo noon. Panaka - naka kaming nag-uusap habang nasa Chevrolet Corvette, he would ask me about my Paris life like he didn’t know anything about it. Sigurado naman akong nakasunod siya sa akin most of the time.   Nakaramdam ako ng antok kaya binuhay ko ang stereo habang nasa daan kami. Animal of The Cab is currently playing in the background. I really think that the lyrics suit them well    the Alphas or whatever they call themselves.   My heart may be missing But my hands will make up for it Don’t think this is innocent I’ll sink my teeth right into it My eyes and my mouth agree You’ll be coming home with me ‘Cause girl you know, ‘cause girl you know

CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO   The next day, the happiness I felt was drained away. There’s no Sioux in the bed. Hinanap ko siya sa kabuuan ng mansyon. He isn’t here. Ilang ulit kong tinawagan ang phone niya pero cannot be reached na ito. I was worried, at the same time, naiisip kong baka natauhan na siya at napagod na siya dahil sa paghindi ko sa proposal niya. But I trust him. I trust his love for me.   “Aba, kumalma ka nga munang bata ka! Baka naman and’yan lang iyon sa tabi - tabi. Isa lang ang nasisiguro ko, mahal ka noon.” Inabot sa akin ni Manang ang tubig. I accepted it.   “Why did he leave without saying goodbye or something?” I was frustrated at Sioux. Wala man lang pasabi ang lalaking iyon. Umalis siya without saying anything to me. Nagsalin pa si Manang sa glass ko.   “Babalik iyon. Naniniwala ako. Kaya maniwala ka rin, anak. Magtiwala ka.” pahayag ni Manang bago niya ako iwan sa

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR   Looking at the little girl, I was somewhat amazed. Bibo si Badiday at maraming kwento although some of the things she was saying were unfamiliar to me. Hindi rin siya magaling mag-pronounce ng pangalan. She calls Sioux ‘Soks’ and she calls me ate barbie. According to her, mukha raw akong barbie. Isa pa, nahihirapan siyang banggitin ang pangalan ko. And she’s more reliable in the kitchen than Sioux.   Siguro mas matanda sa kanya si Photia. And they could probably have been friends. I haven’t asked her age. Ipinapaala niya ang baby ko. I blew a loud breath while staring at her face from a far.   Muntik pa kaming mag-away ni Sioux dahil sa bata. She let the little kid alone in his yacht. Sinundo niya ako ng walang kasama si Badiday. Yes, he has men around. But it wasn’t enough. What if may masamang mangyari kay Badiday habang mag-isa siya? Accidents happen all the time. He’s not think

CHAPTER SEVENTY-SIX   “Oh,” mahinang ungol ko. It was wholesome kind of ungol if there is. Nagising ako sa masarap na sensasyon. “Right there, babe…”   “Like it?” Sioux asked with that serious expression on his face. Nagco-concentrate yata. He brought it to the next level. I moaned louder. Sarap na sarap naman ako.   Sarap na sarap sa masahe niya.   I was really tired and I appreciate his gesture. It was helping me at ease. Alam kong napapagod din siya, but his motto would be me before anyone else even himself. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagmasahe sa paa ko hanggang tuluyang guminhawa ang pakiramdam ko.   “Thank you, babe.” Dumukwang siya papalapit sa akin para bigyan ako nang masuyong halik. I caressed his face.   “Feel better now?”   I nodded.   “Good,” he replied tucking the hair behind my ear. “Let’s

CHAPTER SEVENTY-EIGHT   Naupo ako sa kama nang makaramdam ako ng pagkahilo. Hindi ko ipinahalata iyon kay Sioux. He can be so dramatic at times.   Sakto namang mayroong nag-door bell sa cabin suite namin. Hindi na niya nagawa akong i-interrogate.   Sinulyapan niya muna ako bago siya tumungo sa pinto para pagbuksan ang unlucky creature. Sioux was mean towards his men, he doesn’t want to be disturbed when he is with me.   Hinintay ko siyang bumalik. When he did, he is pushing a cart with different foods. Mostly, they are my favorite. Nagpaluto siya ng pagkain kaya natagalan pa siya ng ilang minuto sa pagsunod sa akin.   “If you still don’t want the food, just tell me. I’ll ask the chef to cook again.” seryoso niyang wika. “I just don’t want you starving, you haven’t eaten anything.” Itinapat niya sa akin ang food cart.   Napanguso ako. I don’t