Habang pababa ang eroplano, tumunog ang telepono ni Logan. Nagsimulang magsalita si Erika, punong-puno ng kasabikan, at hindi napigilan ni Logan ang bahagyang ngumiti. Mukhang miss din siya ng batang iyon.The moment he answered, however, the background noise on her end made his face tighten – something was wrong."Mr. Santos, I never expected someone as low as you to still be around." Erika’s voice was calm and steady, betraying no hint of fear.Sinubukan niyang bigyan ng oras si Logan, kaya't sinadya niyang banggitin ang ilang pangalan para mabigyan siya ng babala.Logan glanced at Max. “Check out this Mr. Santos, and send a bodyguard over immediately.”Medyo matatagalan bago siya makalabas sa airport, ngunit patuloy siyang nakikinig sa boses ni Erika, nag-aalala kahit na sinasadyang hinahabaan ni Erika ang usapan kay Mr. Santos.Sa kabila ng kanyang tapang, isa pa rin siyang dalaga, matapang ngunit marupok, at matagal na niyang hinihintay si Logan upang siya’y samahan.How scared m
Ang higpit ng hawak ng lalaki sa panga ni Erika ay unti-unting kumakawala sa kanyang hininga.Her slender neck, so fragile, looked like it could snap with the slightest pressure.He held a twisted blend of hatred and desire for her, but love drew him in even stronger—a love so fierce he wanted to tear her apart.Kulog ang umalingawngaw, niyanig ang lupa.Sa isang kidlat, nagliwanag ang maputlang mukha ni Erika, kita ang tensyon sa kanyang mga mata. Si Mr. Santos, para bang nasa ilalim ng isang mahika, ay dahan-dahang lumapit, ang mga labi halos dumampi sa kanya.This was the woman he had obsessed over for years, the one who drove him to claw his way up from the depths.Ngunit bago pa man dumikit ang kanyang mga labi kay Erika, hinampas ni Erika ang kanyang ulo nang buong lakas.Bang!Kahit si Logan, na mabilis na patungo sa kanya sakay ng kotse, narinig ang tunog ng pagbunggo ng kanilang mga ulo.His heart clenched painfully, but he made no sound, focusing only on getting to her befor
Bumuhos ang ulan kasabay ng malalakas na kulog sa kalangitan. Mahigpit na kumapit si Erika sa tie ni Logan, ibinabaon ang mukha sa kanyang dibdib. Nanginginig siya nang di mapigilan, magulo ang emosyon at kalat ang isip—hindi niya alam ang gagawin o sasabihin. Tanging ang gabing iyon ang naiisip niya: ang kidlat, ang kulog, ang mga puno na gumagalaw sa dilim ng mga poste, parang mga anino ng halimaw na gustong lamunin siya.She remembered Mr. Santos’s ferocious, unrestrained grin as he yanked her ankle, pulling her down. She screamed until her voice went hoarse, but there were no passersby on that stormy night. Her body fell into muddy water, splashing it all over her face."Don't be afraid, I'm here." His voice was low and gentle, calming her frantic nerves.He had rushed over, arriving two minutes before his bodyguards, and found her drenched, her small frame soaked through. Her hair clung to her face, her forehead bruised and swollen, her wide, fearful eyes darting.Napangiwi si Lo
Naramdaman ni Erika ang init na kumakalat sa buong katawan niya. Sa gitna ng pag-init, narinig niya ang malambing na tunog ng isang kampanilya na bumasag sa katahimikan. May malamig na pakiramdam na dumampi sa kanyang bukung-bukong, kaya iminulat niya ang kanyang malabong mga mata upang tumingin.From her angle, the sight was enchanting.Her legs were lifted by the man, Logan kneeling between them. He bent his head, thick lashes shadowing his eyes, his lips drawn into a faintly focused line. His steady hands carefully placed an anklet around her ankle.At first glance, Erika was captivated.The anklet was crafted from seven glass-carved lotus flowers, each petal crystal clear, free of impurities. This was a high-quality jadeite; if it had been a complete bracelet, it would be worth a small fortune. Delicately carved with a few tiny bells, the anklet held a refined elegance, lively yet graceful as it lay against her fair skin, making it appear even more luminous."Is this the gift you
Si Logan pinakain siya nang sobrang bilis, kaya't agad na nalasahan ni Erika ang katas ng luya.Like a stubborn child, she resisted, pushing it away with the tip of her tongue. A little of the juice slipped out from the corners of her mouth before she could swallow it.Dumaan ang mapusyaw na dilaw na katas ng luya mula sa kanyang bibig pababa sa kanyang maputing leeg, na parang isang larawang sining.Erika frowned, opening her eyes to meet his dark, deep gaze.His pupils seemed like ancient wells, so deep that just looking into them could drown her.In a low, rough voice, with a hint of threat, he said, "Drink it yourself, or should I keep feeding you?"Nang lumitaw ang tunay na intensyon sa malamig at matapang niyang mukha, naramdaman ni Erika ang konting takot. Nanginginig, bumulong siya, "You… you do it.""Good girl."The man’s thin lips, still touched by the ginger juice, curved into a small smile, his intense eyes locking onto her as if daring her to refuse, ready to punish her e
Dinala ni Logan ang first-aid kit, pinutol ang nag-iinit na sandali sa pagitan nila.Tonight's encounter stirred something intense, but he knew there was still no rush; this flame needed to burn even brighter.Matiyagang hinintay ni Logan ang tamang pagkakataon—yung oras na hindi na siya tatanggihan ni Erika.Nakikita niya itong unti-unting bumubukas sa kanya, at ramdam niyang papalapit na ang araw na iyon.The key was to be patient and not too eager, as pushing her too hard would only scare her off.Siyempre, ang naging resulta ay sunud-sunod na malamig na paligo sa gabi, isang pagkadismaya na nararamdaman nilang pareho, bagama't sa magkaibang paraan.Maingat niyang ginamot ang maliit na sugat sa paa nito, "Buti na lang at maliit lang 'to. Bukas, okay na 'yan."Namamaga ng kaunti ang noo ni Erika, palatandaan ng kung gaano siya kalakas noon.Logan, nababahala na baka magkaroon siya ng concussion, ay nagtanong, "Are you dizzy? Any nausea or vomiting?"Tumingin si Erika sa mangkok ng l
Humupa na ang ulan at hangin sa labas, naririnig ang mahina at tuloy-tuloy na pagtama ng patak sa bintana.Erika was left dazed by his kiss, her eyes brimming with involuntary tears. His kiss was intense, carrying the strong scent of tobacco, dominating and fierce. It overwhelmed her, leaving her barely able to bear it.Alam niya na pinaparusahan siya ni Logan sa ganitong paraan.Not daring to joke with him anymore, she nodded repeatedly. "Yes, I feel it. It’s… intense."Halata sa boses niya ang bahagyang pangangatog, tila may lambing sa bawat salita.Logan restrained the wildness in his eyes. In the past, he would’ve thrown in a few teasing words to fluster her.Pero ngayon, matalim ang tingin niya at malamig ang ekspresyon. Binalik niya ang usapan. "I’ll get to the bottom of the Santos family."Naintindihan agad ni Erika ang ibig sabihin niya. "You think someone else might be backing Mr. Santos?""Don’t jump to conclusions. What you see isn’t always the truth." Logan's words held a
Naka-huddle si Erika sa bathrobe, nakaipit ang mga binti at nakasandal ang ulo sa kanyang mga tuhod.She looked like a stray cat or dog, curled up into a ball, as if she had been left out in the cold.Unti-unting natunaw ang galit ni Logan, napalitan ng awa sa kanyang puso. Tanging isang isip ang nanatili: Napakalaking pagkakamali ko.Napaka-delikado niya at napakahalaga—paano ko siya hinayaang magdusa ng ganito?Erika didn't stir when the door opened. Perhaps he was asleep?Lumuhod si Logan sa harapan niya. Nakapikit ang mga mata niya, mahahabang pilik-mata na nagbibigay ng lilim sa kanyang pisngi, at maputla ang kanyang mukha na may bahagyang pamumula.Realizing what was wrong, he placed his hand on her forehead. She was burning up—she had a fever!Naalala niya kung paano nitong iginiit na kaya ng salabat gamutin ang lahat—sipon, lagnat, kahit anong sakit. Ang lakas ng loob niya, ngunit napaka-fragile pala nito.Walang pag-aalinlangan, binuhat siya ni Logan at dinala pabalik sa kwar