[Ivana's]
Hindi na bumalik si Gene simula noong umalis siya kaya naman nakatulog ako ng maayos. Kapag nandito kasi siya ay parang palagi na lang na nasa hukay ang isang paa ko. I'm not safe when he's just around the corner.
"Senyorita Kate, bumangon na po kayo diyan para kumain ng hapunan. Naghihintay po si Don Marcus sa baba," giit ng isang boses mula sa labas. Hapon na? Ang haba pala ng tulog ko. "Hindi na ako kakain," maikling tugon ko. Ayokong makita yung mukha ng rapist na iyon! Baka masuka na lang ako bigla.
"Bakit po ayaw ninyong kumain senyorita?" tanong niya sa akin. Bumangon muna ako sa kama bago ko nagsalita. "Wala ako sa mood tsaka baka masuka lang ako kapag kaharap ko iyang DON niyo na kumain," mataray na sumbat ko. Gusto kong mamatay na lang sa gutom kaysa naman makaharap ulit si Gene.
"Hindi po magugustuhan ni Don Marcus kapag hindi ka kumain kasama niya," nag-aalalang giit niya. Lahat naman ng ginagawa ko ay hindi rin lang gusto ni Gene kaya bakit ko susundin yung utos niya? "Go and tell him to eat alone. I don't want to see him." Sana naman ay pakinggan ako ng utusan ni Gene. I just want to be alone, mahirap bang intindihin 'yon? "Sige po senyorita." Iyon ang huling narinig ko mula sa utusan ni Gene.
Humiga na lang ulit ako sa kama para sana mag-isip kung paano ako makatakas dito sa impyernong ito noong biglang bumukas yung pintuan ng kwarto. Hindi ba tinuruan ni Gene na makinig sa utos yung katulong niya? Ano bang mahirap intindihin sa gusto kong mapag-isa?! "Didn't I tell you to..." I paused. Standing in front of me, angry and mad is no other that Gene is Marcus Carter, my abductor and my rapist.
"Why are you here? I thought you were enjoying your luxurious dinner alone?" I asked with sarcasm. "So, you managed to gather your guts, huh?" he answered with his usual devilish grin. What a devil incarnate! "Wala ka ng pakialam doon!" pagalit kong saad. Lalo namang lumapad ang ngisi sa kanyang labi. Nilapitan niya ako at hinawakan ang aking panga. "Hmm. Damn it luv, you look sexy when you're mad. You're making me want to take you right now. Want me pleasure you?" he said with his husky and temptating voice. Instead of being tempted, it gave me fear and displeasure.
"Dream on! You raped me and I won't give you the satisfaction of doing it again!" galit na sabi ko. Baka talagang hindi ko na kayanin kapag inulit na naman niya ang pag-angkin sa akin ng labag sa kalooban ko. I can't stand seeing myself like this, molested and unclean. I'm not Ivana Kate Mason anymore, I'm just a woman who lost her dignity.
"But I can do it again, luv. You see? Between us two, I have the authority to do everything I want which of course, includes taking you every now and then. Now, open your legs and welcome me before I'll make you regret not obeying your master," he ordered me like a mere slave. No one treated me like the way he did, I have my pride held high but can I still uphold my pride in time like this? "Be a good girl before I go mad," he warned me.
I always hate being on the edge of saying I have no choice yet here I am, left with no choice but to open my legs for the devil. "I hate you," I hopelessly muttered as I opened my legs. I want to die than to suffer any longer. He kissed my lips gently as his palm started massaging my breast. He even pinched my nipple which gave me an unknown kind of sensation. What's that? I never felt that feeling before. His kiss went down on my neck and to the valley of my breast.
"Damn it, luv. Your breast is huge and luscious," he said as he shoved his mouth into it. Why is he gentle? His touch and the way he treats me suddenly changed from harsh to gentle. I thought he would hurt me again but he's acting different. I want to believe that he can be gentle with me but hell knows how a devil incarnate he can be! He's ruthless and I will always see him that way.
One speck of tenderness won't make any difference and if he's making amends then, I think it's too late. He tainted my innocence in a very harsh way hence, no amount of good actions from him can make me forgive him.
"Ahhh," I moaned when he bit my nipple. It was too late when I realized what I just did. I fvcking moaned! I shouldn't but I did, curse me! "You like it, luv?" he said, enthralled and amused. God knows how I hate his touch! "I.... I was just shocked when you bit my nipple!" I reasoned out. I saw him smirked as if he's telling me I'm worst at lying. Damn him!
"Then should I give you more shock to hear your ecstatic moan, luv?" he whispered as he licked my earlobe. Oh heavens! I just can`t seem, to stop myself from moaning. The pleasure he`s giving me is too much. “Hmmm.” I bit my lower lip when I realized what I just did. I moaned again!
“Make it louder, luv.” The tone of his voice makes me want to hear it all over again. What`s happening to me? It was like his gentleness conquered all my hatred towards him. I don`t want to act this way but I just can`t control myself.
“Gene…” I uttered his name in the most erotic way when he kissed my wet folds. I can even feel his hot breath down there and it`s giving me an electrifying pleasure, ghad! “Ohh!” Lumakas ang pag-ungol ko noong sinimulan niyang dilaan ang pagkababae ko. My body curved as my hand gripped his jet-black hair. “More… please,” I murmured under my breath.
“Is that you finally giving in, luv?” he teased. Am I really giving in? Tama ba itong ginagawa ko? I can`t really think straight right now. Whatever this will cause me then, I will always remember that it was I who willingly gave in. “Just…. Give me more pleasure, please,” I muttered without any hesitation on my voice.
“Gladly, luv,” he replied before he licked my clit. Hindi ako mapakali dahil sa init na nararamdaman ko. Para akong napapaso sa bawat paglapat ng dila niya sa pagkababaae ko. This is surreal and not just a fantasy but why does it feel like I`m in a different dimension? “Ah! Faster, Gene!” I flinched in pleasure when he played with my vagina. “Bilisan mo,” dagdag ko pa.
“Sure, luv.” Binilisan na niya ang pagdila kaya naman kumapit pa ako lalo sa buhok niya. “Ghad! You`re so good Marcus!” hiyaw ko noong sinipsip niya yung katas na lumalabas sa pagkababaae ko. Naramdaman kong malapit na akong labasan kaya lumapit pa ako lalo sa kanya. “I`m cumming. Lalabasan na ako.” Lalayo sana ako sa kanya bago ako labsan pero pinigilan niya ako. He gripped my legs as he shoved his tongue on my fold and started licking it in a circular way. “Let it out, luv,” he commanded.
“Oh gosh!” I exclaimed as I released my cum. Gene sipped all of it like his favorite juice. Ano kaya ang lasa? “Sweet. I just found my favorite juice luv” he said before licking his lips. Muli ay hinalikan niya ako habang mabagal na minamasahe ang hinaharap ko. “I want you, Gene,” giit ko.
“You want my c*ck inside you luv?” Maingat niyang hinaplos ang aking binti pataas sa pagkababae ko. He ran his fingers on my fold before slowly inserting one finger. “Ahhh… Nababaliw na ako Gene!” malakas na ungol ko. Ngumisi lamang siya bago binilisan ang paglabas pasok ng kanyang hintuturon. I felt him inserted another finger and it pained me slightly but it quickly faded away. “Malapit na naman akong labasan,” mahinang sambit ko. Pagkalipas ng ilang segundo ay linabasan na ako. I saw him licked his wet fingers while staring intently at me. He looks hot while doing it.
“C`mon, Gene. Fill me with your thick rod,” I eagerly told him. Pumatong naman siya sa sakin bago binasok yung pagkalalaki niya sa akin. “Damn it. You`re still tight, luv,” ungol niya. May naramdaman akong sakit noong pinasok niya ang kanyang kahabaan pero alam kong mawawala rin iton kapag nagsimula siyang gumalaw. “Gene, I want you to move right now, please,” I begged.
“Let`s take it slow, luv,” he said as he started moving slowly. Dumoble ang sarap na nararamdaman ko ngayon kumpara kanina. The pleasure is too much that I forgot about the reality. “Faster, Gene. I want it rough and hard,” I commanded him. Tumigil siya saglit bago ako tinanong. “You sure about that luv? I might hurt you.”
“It`s fine, Gene. Just be yourself, I can handle it. Trust me,” I gave him the assurance. Ginusto ko ito kaya wala ng panahon para umatras pa. “If you say so, luv,” he replied before thrusting hard and rough.
“Fvck it, luv,” he moaned. Gene gripped both of my shoulders and it hurts but the pleasure is more dominant. He moved faster while licking and nipping my breast. “Ahhh…” A moan escaped from my mouth when he bit my nipple.
“Moan my name instead, luv,” he barely said. He thrusted deep and hard which made me moaned his name loudly. “Gene!” Bumaon ang mga kuko sa kanyang balikat dahil sa malakas na paghawak ko sa kanya. He pinned both of my arms above my head and tied it using a rapo. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya kinuha yung tali pero hindi ko na binigyan pa ng pansin dahil sa sarap na nararamdaman ko.
“Ohh, fvck!” Maingat niya akong binuhat bago pinatalikod sa kanya. “Let`s try it this way, luv,” aniya bago pinasok ulit yung pagkalalaki niya. Naging mabilis ang kanyang galaw kaya naman mas lumakas ang ungol ko. “I`m cumming,” ani ko noong naramdaman kong malapit na akong labasan. “Wait for me, luv,” paos na sambit niya.
Hindi ko na namalayan kung ilang minuto na ang lumipas. All I know is that I`m so close with reaching my climax. “I can`t hold it anymore, Gene!” Hindi ko na kayang pigilan. “Let`s cum together, luv.” Tumirik nag mga mata ko noong nilabasan na ako, oh gosh! Naramdaman ko ang mainit na likidong pumuno sa loob ko at alam ko kung ano iyon. Pinutok na naman niya sa loob ko sa pangalawang pagkakataon.
“Thank you, luv,” he whispered. I gave myself to him without any hesitation and he took me without using a force this time. We did it out of desire.
“Hmm,” nanghihinang sagot ko bago pumikit. Bahala na kung ano ang mangyayari paggising ko.
[Ivana's]"Manang, nasa'n po ba si Gene?" tanong ko sa isang maid dito sa mansyon. Gumising kasi ako kanina tapos wala na siya sa tabi ko. I even called his name multiple times pero walang sumagot kaya inayos ko muna yung sarili ko bago bumaba para magtanong. "Magandang umaga sa'yo, hija! Maagang umalis si Marcus dahil uuwi raw siya sa bahay ng kanyang mga magulang. Kaarawan kasi ng nanay niya kaya kailangan niyang umuwi pero babalik daw siya mamayang gabi o bukas ng umaga," paliwanag niya.I sigh in relief upon hearing what she just said. Ayoko muna kasi siyang makita dahil nahihiya ako sa nangyari kagabi at tsaka namumuo na rin ang galit ko sa'king sarili dahil bumigay ako sa init na pinadama niya sa'kin. Aminado naman ako na kusa akong bumigay sa tukso kaya galit ako sa sarili ko at napapatanong na lang kung bakit ko nakalimutan ang ginawa niya sa'kin. He raped me and not to forget the fact that he kidnapped me yet I gave myself to him without hesitation. "Gano'n po
[Ivana's]Lumipas ang isang oras ay bumalik si Gene dito sa kwarto na may dalang pagkain na nakalagay sa tray. Inilapag niya 'yung tray sa lamesa sa tabi ng kama bago tinanggal ang mga nakatali sa'kin nang hindi nagsasalita. Tinakpan din niya ang katawan ko gamit ang kumot tapos inayos ang aking unan bago pumasok sa walk-in closet. Sinusundan ko lang ng tingin ang bawat galaw niya habang nakahiga rito sa kama. Ilang minuto lang ang lumipas ay lumabas siya mula sa walk-in closet na may hawak na sweatshirt, pajama at mga damit panloob. Maayos niyang inilagay ang mga iyon sa kama bago umalis nang walang pasabi. He didn't even bother to talk to me and his face is so serious and emotionless. Bakit nag-iba ang mood niya? He's so complicated. Ang hirap niyang basahin. Nagkibit-balikat na lang ako bago nagdamit at sinimulang kumain dahil kumakalam na ang aking sikmura.Dalawang araw na ang lumipas nang hindi ko nakikita si Gene. Simula noong dinalhan niya ako ng pagka
[Ivana's]"Hey, are you alright?" salubong ni Gene sa akin no'ng lumabas ako mula sa bathroom. Noong isang araw pa ako nakakaramdam ng kakaiba sa katawan ko. I gained weight and I feel dizzy sometimes. "I'm fine, Gene. Ilapag mo na lang 'yang dala mong pagkain sa bedside table. Don't mind me and make yourself busy," ani ko habang hinihimas 'yung tiyan ko. My stomach looks like it's bloated but I don't really feel like I'm bloated and it's really wierd. Yeah, it's totally weird."No, Kate. I'll stay here and look after you," he insisted and I just rolled my eyes. "You can't stay here, Gene. Asikasuhin mo na lang 'yung mga dapat mong asikasuhin and leave me alone," pagmamatigas ko. Sumeryoso ang kaniyang mukha at tumingin sa akin nang masama. "I'LL STAY HERE AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO," aniya gamit ang kaniyang nakakatakot na boses. He even emphasized every word just to make sure that I won't object anymore. "Fine! Stay if you
[Ivana's]Araw-araw na lang akong bumabangon na inaabutang nakatitig nang mabuti si Gene sa'kin. At first, I find it creepy pero nasanay na rin ako dahil hobby na niya yata 'yon. "Why are you here again, Gene?" I asked him with my sleepy voice."Just watching," he replied."Lumayas ka rito kung ayaw mong......" Hindi ko na tinapos ang sasabihin ko dahil agad akong tumakbo papunta sa bathroom para sumuka. "Hey, are you okay?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Gene sa'kin habang hinihimas 'yung likod ko.Hindi ko siya sinagot dahil masama pa rin 'yung tiyan ko. What's happening to me? Am I sick or something? "Sagutin mo 'yung tanong ko, Kate. Why are you vomiting early in the morning?" he asked again."I don't know, okay?" tanging sagot ko."Let me get you some water. Stay here and don't you dare moving your ass out from here," he demanded. Mabilis siyang lumabas sa bathroom at nagtungo sa table
[Ivana's]Four Years Later......“Mommy....... mommy....” Agad akong lumingon sa likod ko no'ng narinig kong may tumatawag sa'kin.“Awww. Why are you sitting on the floor, Tyler?" I asked my three-year-old son when I saw him sitting in the cold marble floor. Instead of standing, he giggled and extended his arms telling me to carry him. ”Carry mommy. Carry little Tyler."Umiling-iling na lang ako tsaka ko siya binuhat mula sa sahig. Tyler is my biological son and yes, his father is no other than Gene Marcus Carter. I was so lucky that I didn't die that night dahil may tumulong sa'kin. The person who helped me told me that Tyler and I barely made it but luckily, he performed first aid before some people came to help. Mayaman 'yung tumulong sa akin dahil no'ng gabing iyon ay agad akong ni-refer sa U.S gamit ang kaniyang private jet. I'm so lucky that a doctor was onboard with us dahil agad niyang na-detect na b
[Ivana's]"Good morning! My assistant told me that you wanted me see me. How can I help you?" I greeted him with a bright smile pestered on my lips. I can't let him see that I'm struggling to deal with his intimidating presence."Kate," pag-uulit niya habang nakatayo malapit sa pinto. I just frowned and pretended that I don't know what he's talking about. "Are you alright? My name is Van Perez and I heard you want to buy some of our paintings?" I asked him.Tulala pa rin siya kaya lumapit na lang ako at mahinang kinalabit ang kaniyang braso. Instead of recovering from his shock, he just hugged me tightly. Mahigpit an kaniyang yakap na para bang sabik sa sabik siya. Dahil sa yakap-yakap niya ako ay rinig na rinig ko ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso niya. What does it mean? Ano ba ang nais niyang ipahiwatig?"Kate. Kate. Kate," paulit-ulit niyang sambit. Nakabaon ang ulo niya sa aking balikat kaya hindi ko
[Ivana's]"Mom, why did you go home early?" tanong ni Tyler sa'kin no'ng umuwi ako. Sinadya kong agahan ang pag-uwi para matawagan si Mr. de Guzman. I need to talk with him regarding what had happened today."It's because I want to see you so bad," I lied. Buong araw kasi akong wala sa sarili at pauli-ulit kong iniisip ang nangyari noong umaga kaya umuwi na lang ako. "Don't you miss me, baby?""I miss you too, mommy. So, where's my magazine?" pag-iiba niya sa usapan."Go and get that paper bag," turo ko sa paper bag na nakalagay sa couch sa harap namin. Tumakbo naman si Tyler at agad kinuha ito."Your magazines are inside. Check them out, baby." Noong pauw
[Ivana's]"What took you so long, Van?" bungad sa akin ni Dianne noong pumasok ako sa gallery. She's giving me a grin and I'm not liking it. What's happening here?"Why? Is there something wrong?" tanong ko. Bumuntong-hininga siya at tinuro ang visitors' lounge sa'king likuran."What?! Why is he here this early?!" gulat na tanong ko kay Dianne pero hininaan ko ang boses ko para hindi marinig ni Gene. He's reading a magazine that's why he didn't notice my presence, at least not for now."I don't know. He's already standing in front of the main door when I came to open the gallery," aniya. He did send me a text last night pero hindi ko naman alam na mas maaga pa siya kaysa sa akin. "And he bro
[Ivana's]Umagang-umaga pa, it's six in the morning but Tyler is wide awake. Pagkagising na pagkagising niya ay nagpaalam agad siya kung pwede raw ba siyang pumunta sa room ni Gene. Hindi ako pumayag dahil sobrang aga pa tapos hindi pa kami kumain ng agahan.“Please mommy? I won't stay there for too long," pakiusap niya ulit habang hinihila `yung kumot. Nakapikit pa ako dahil sa antok, inumaga ako ng tulog dahil sa kakaisip sa mga sinabi ni Gene. ”No, Tyler. Get back to bed because it's too early," ani ko.Titigil din si Tyler sa kakakulit sa akin kapag hindi ko siya pinansin kaya nagtaklubong ako at humarap sa kabilang side para matulog. Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas pero wala akong narinig na ingay mula kay Tyler kaya hindi na muna ako nagsalita dahil baka abala siya sa paglalaro. Tahimik lang ako habang nakapikit ngunit lumipas ulit ang ilang minuto ay wala talaga akong marinig na ingay kaya nagsimula akong magtaka.Akala ko nagtatampo si Tyler s
[Ivana's]"Are we going home tomorrow, mommy? Can we please stay here for another night? I didn't spend much time here because of what happened," pakiusap ni Tyler sa akin habang kumakain ng hapunan.I'm actually thinking about it too since we didn't enjoy this day because of the incident. Iniisip kong mag-stay rito ng isa pang gabi at sa Monday na lang kami uuwi. Gabi na ngayon at hindi na kami lumabas pa after what happened. Inaalagaan ko si Tyler baka kasi magkasakit dahil kanina.“Sure. Let's stay here for another night but we have to go home on Monday morning because I still have to work," I replied. Sumilay ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi at naalala ko na naman ang ngiti ni Gene, parehas sila ng ngiti. ”Yes! I want to play in the sand again!" masayang sambit niya.
[Ivana's]Hapon na ngayon pero inaalala ko pa rin `yung sinabi ni Tyler sa akin noong umaga. He said he wants me to marry Gene because he wants him to be his dad. Totoo namang mag-ama silang dalawa pero hinding-hindi ako magpapakasal sa isang Gene Marcus Carter. Ang galing talaga ng taong `yon na magmanipula, kinuha niya agad `yung loob ni Tyler sa una pa lang nilang pagkikita.“Mommy! Mommy!" rinig kong sigaw ni Tyler habang naglalaro sa dalampasigan. Hinayaan ko muna siyang maglaro roon kaysa naman sa kukulitin na naman niya ako tungkol sa pagpapakasal kay Gene. He thought it's easy to just marry someone but I understand him because he's still innocent. Maiintindihan din niya kapag matanda na siya.”Don't go in the water, okay?!" pasigaw kong sambit. Gumagawa siya ng sand castle doon at ako naman ay tinatamad kaya nakasilong lang ako rito sa tabi. Konti lang ang tao ngayon kaya malaya si Tyler na naglalaro.“Okay,
[Ivana's]“Yes, Mr. Carter. He's my SON," I quickly replied with a flat tone. I didn't hesitate to tell him that Tyler my son or he would start to suspect me. ”And thank you for looking out for him. I thought he was gone," I added.“Your son looks like someone," aniya habang tinititigan ng mabuti si Tyler. My knees went numb and I'm starting to ran out of breath because of panic. Pasimple kong pinaharap sa akin si Tyler upang hindi makita ni Gene ang kaniyang mukha nang matagal. ”Sino nga ba ang kamukha niya? He really looks like someone but I can't tell who," dagdag pa niya.Napalunok na lang ako at tumawa ng peke. “Why do people always think my son looks like someone? Hindi ikaw ang unang nagsabi niyan," kinakabahan sambit ko. Dyusko, h'wag naman sana siyang manghinala. I h
[Ivana's]“Mommy? Who was with you when you went out?" tanong ni Tyler sa akin habang pinapatulog ko siya.”I was with a client," I replied while combing his hair using my hand. Gene is just a client and it should stay that way, ayokong makahalubilo pa siya.“Hmm... Okay," inaantok na giit niya. Hindi ko masabing lumabas ako at kumain ng dinner kasama ang bastardo niyang tatay dahil wala pa siyang kaalam-alam.”Matulog ka na anak at maaga pa tayo bukas. Do you want our trip to be extended next weekend? No, right?" Palagi akong kinukulit ni Tyler na mag-beach dahil summer na pero busy ako sa trabaho. Mabuti na lang at pumayag siya noong sinabi kong tsaka na lang kami mag-bebeach kapag weekend na para wala akong trabaho.“Okay, mommy. Sleep na po ako, goodnight!" bulol na sambit niya. My son isn't used with speaking Filipino dahil sa lumaki siya rito sa Italy. Nakakaintindi siya at nakakapagsalita rin ng Filipino k
[Ivana's]“You look absolutely stunning. Didn't I tell you to wear something that will make you ugly?" he said as he quickly scanned me from head to toe. My brow raised because of his statement.Nandito siya sa labas ng bahay para sunduin ako. I told him not to come but he insisted kaya hinayaan ko na lang, I don't want to argue with him again."I can wear anything and still look gorgeous, Mr. Carter," I boasted. A few seconds later, he burst into laughter making me raise my brow on him. "You good?" I asked, pissed and unhappy."I didn't know you're quiet proud, Van," he uttered while grinning from ear-to-ear. Alright, he's trying to mock me and it's pissing me off."Yeah, whatever. So, are we going or not?" Ayokong mag-aksaya pa ng oras dahil gusto kong umuwi ng maaga. I have to come back home early because we have plans for tomorrow."Sorry about that. Get in," he mutt
[Ivana's]"What took you so long, Van?" bungad sa akin ni Dianne noong pumasok ako sa gallery. She's giving me a grin and I'm not liking it. What's happening here?"Why? Is there something wrong?" tanong ko. Bumuntong-hininga siya at tinuro ang visitors' lounge sa'king likuran."What?! Why is he here this early?!" gulat na tanong ko kay Dianne pero hininaan ko ang boses ko para hindi marinig ni Gene. He's reading a magazine that's why he didn't notice my presence, at least not for now."I don't know. He's already standing in front of the main door when I came to open the gallery," aniya. He did send me a text last night pero hindi ko naman alam na mas maaga pa siya kaysa sa akin. "And he bro
[Ivana's]"Mom, why did you go home early?" tanong ni Tyler sa'kin no'ng umuwi ako. Sinadya kong agahan ang pag-uwi para matawagan si Mr. de Guzman. I need to talk with him regarding what had happened today."It's because I want to see you so bad," I lied. Buong araw kasi akong wala sa sarili at pauli-ulit kong iniisip ang nangyari noong umaga kaya umuwi na lang ako. "Don't you miss me, baby?""I miss you too, mommy. So, where's my magazine?" pag-iiba niya sa usapan."Go and get that paper bag," turo ko sa paper bag na nakalagay sa couch sa harap namin. Tumakbo naman si Tyler at agad kinuha ito."Your magazines are inside. Check them out, baby." Noong pauw
[Ivana's]"Good morning! My assistant told me that you wanted me see me. How can I help you?" I greeted him with a bright smile pestered on my lips. I can't let him see that I'm struggling to deal with his intimidating presence."Kate," pag-uulit niya habang nakatayo malapit sa pinto. I just frowned and pretended that I don't know what he's talking about. "Are you alright? My name is Van Perez and I heard you want to buy some of our paintings?" I asked him.Tulala pa rin siya kaya lumapit na lang ako at mahinang kinalabit ang kaniyang braso. Instead of recovering from his shock, he just hugged me tightly. Mahigpit an kaniyang yakap na para bang sabik sa sabik siya. Dahil sa yakap-yakap niya ako ay rinig na rinig ko ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso niya. What does it mean? Ano ba ang nais niyang ipahiwatig?"Kate. Kate. Kate," paulit-ulit niyang sambit. Nakabaon ang ulo niya sa aking balikat kaya hindi ko