Chapter 3

Hades found it hard to breathe. He is not sure if it's because of his wound or just the reality sinking in. The child is really his. Anak niya si Maki. That would mean she is now five and— Rachel hid her from him for five years? How cruel!

"What's her last name?" sunod niyang tanong sa babae bago pa ito makahuma.

"She's carrying my last name. We're not—"

"I will change it to mine." Magulo ang isip niya pero nananaig ang tuwa sa kaniyang dibdib. He has a daughter.

"I think it's best if you don't. Marami kang kaaway at—" Isang matalim na tingin ang ibinigay niya kay Rachel at kaagad itong tumigil sa pagsasalita. "I'm just trying to protect her, Hades."

"We could have protected her together if you told me about my daughter. Instead, you ran away with Troy." Tinitigan niya ito sa mga mata at tahimik na humingi ng paliwanag kung bakit nagawa ni Rachel 'yon sa kaniya.

She swallowed twice. "You don't know the whole story so just drop it." 

Hades frowned then later smirked. "Paano ko malalaman kung hindi mo sasabihin?"

"Hades, we can talk about it some other time. For now, can we just talk about Maki? I didn't know how to reach you that's why I called Estefan." Rachel sounded frustrated, but he doesn't care. Mas lalo naman siya. He felt cheated and robbed.

"You know where I work. Ang laki ng building ko, at imposibleng hindi mo makita. Mas lalo naman na hindi mo pwedeng ikatwiran na hindi mo alam puntahan." He can't help but sound sarcastic. 

"I called your office a few times but I couldn't get through." Kumunot ang noo ni Hades na para bang hindi kayang paniwalaan ang sinabi nito. "I am not making it up. I really did reach out to you."

Hades heaved a sigh and nodded. Pwede naman niyang ikumpirma sa opisina kung tumawag nga ito. "So tell me why are you really here? Ang sabi mo kalimutan na kita. I did that." 

"I need your help." 

"Magkano? I owe child support for five years, right?" Naisip niyang 'yon ang gusto nito. Also, he is aware that Rachel's family is in the brink of bankruptcy. Sa isip niya, tutulungan naman ito ng pamilya ni Troy kaya hindi niya pinansin nang minsan na nagbasa siya ng balita. 

Umiling si Rachel. She looked offended and ended up looking away. "Hindi pera ang kailangan ko." 

Napatawa si Hades. "You don't need to be so modest, Rachel. Lahat naman ay gusto ng pera. I'm just surprised that Troy is not helping you. Nagalit ba siya dahil nalaman niyang hindi niya anak si Maki?"

Naikuyom ni Rachel ang kamao at halatang pinipigil ang galit sa kaniya. "You are truly impossible to talk to. Do you know that?" Nagkibit balikat lang si Hades. "Hindi na kami dapat nagpilit pumunta sa 'yo." 

***

Malalaki ang hakbang ni Rachel na tinungo ang pinto, but Hades was quicker. With bigger strides, he got a hold of her and Rachel found herself pinned on the wall. Masyadong malapit sa kaniya si Hades at hindi niya alam kung paano pakitutunguhan ang lalaki. Napakaimposible nitong kausap at kahit ano'ng gawin niya ay ayaw siya nitong pakinggan. Tuwing susubok s'yang magpaliwanag ay palagi itong may sarkastikong komento. 

Alam niyang mali ang ginawa niya noon— ang itago ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis sa anak nila. But she thought at the time that it was for the child's best interest. Mahirap magpalaki ng bata sa uri ng environment ni Hades at hindi ito ang uri ng lalaking pinangarap ng mga magulang niya para sa kaniya. 

"Really? Mas gusto mo ba na hindi ako nakilala ni Maki?" bulong ni Hades sa kaniya. She can feel his warm breath against her neck.

"S-She knows you. Araw-araw kong sinasabi sa kaniya kung sino ka." She paused to take a deep breath. "Alam niya ang hitsura mo. But this long hair and... beard is new to her. Natural na matakot sa 'yo ang bata dahil hindi ka pa niya nakikita ng personal."

"And whose fault was that?" Nakahahalina ang boses ni Hades. 

Kahit ano'ng gawin niyang iwas sa lalaki noon ay palagi itong nakasunod sa kaniya. Napakakulit nito. He would watch every gig. At kapag uwian na sa trabaho ay naroon na kaagad ito para sunduin siya. While everyone treated their women as princesses, Hades was treating her like a fucking queen. She wasn't ready for a relationship, but Hades came out of nowhere at nagawa pa nitong alukin siya ng kasal sa unang pagkakataon na nagkakilala sila. 

She turned him down, and thought that he would stop there pero lalo lang itong nagpursige. At noong minsan na may after party siyang pinuntahan, muntik na siyang mapahamak. She was grateful that he came to her rescue. Naisip niyang kilalanin ang lalaki at pagbigyan ang sarili. It was just a silly infatuation, she told herself. Pero napakadali nitong mahalin at isang araw, namalayan na lang niyang mahal na niya ito. 

Kaya noong birthday nito, gumawa siya ng birthday cake. One thing led to another, and long story short— they slept together. Tapos bigla itong nawala at nagpunta raw sa Greece. When he came back, he was different. At nakita niya ang— Ipinilig niya ang ulo para bumalik sa kasalukuyan. Remembering the past is just too much.

"Magsisisihan na lang ba tayo, Hades?" Rachel shut her eyes na para bang doon ito pwedeng kumuha ng lakas ng loob. 

Kung matindi ang epekto ni Hades noon sa kaniya, doble-triple ngayon ang kaniyang nararamdaman at hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit. The pull is so strong.

Hades didn't bother to respond, instead laying claim to her lips with a passionate kiss. Rachel opened her mouth and welcomed him in. She felt his hand on her waist and puller her closer. Hades kissed her hungrily and she matched his kisses with the same intensity. Bahagya pa nitong pinanggigilan ang ibabang labi niya.

"Hades." She didn't utter his name to stop him. It's been so many years since the last time they did it. But Rachel remembered her first time— masakit, pero pinawi 'yon ng mga maliliit at matatamis na halik ni Hades. 

Hades sucked on her neck as his hand reached for the hem of her dress. He found her wet slit and Hades groaned. He slipped a finger inside her panties and traced it. Marami pa silang dapat pag-usapan pero ito pa talaga ang inuna ng ama ng kaniyang anak. Isang ungol ang pinakawalan niya, at hindi alam ni Rachel kung maiinis o matutuwa na itinigil ni Hades ang ginagawa. 

"I know you want me as much as I want you, Rachel. And yes, we can have sex whenever we want. But if you're expecting a marriage proposal from me— don't hold your breath." Parang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Rachel. "We can talk once we arrive in Manila. For now, let's enjoy the party."