Guarded (Alpha Sigma Omicron #5)

Chapter Fourteen

A warning.

I gave them a warning by chasing their car that it collided to a tree. Their faces had enough bruises to sent the message I was planning to tell. I wasn’t someone to be messed around. Kaya kong bumalik sa kinagisnan kong buhay upang isa – isahin sila.

I don’t accept a threat lightly especially if it came from Bernabe. We parted ways, I’ve won against them in battles, they should’ve let go by now. But they were still trying to terrorize me, somehow.

“Ate, kuya bayaw! Tingnan n’yo, oh! Very good ako ni teacher sa project ko!”

Russle ran toward us. His face was beaming with excitement. Nawala naman agad ang pagod at pangamba ko nang sumalubong sa amin si bunso. Napangiti ako. Even my grumpy husband was smiling seeing Russle.

Lumuhod ako upang pantayan siya. Gotham messed with his hair.

“Patingin nga si ate,” Pinisil ko ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi.

He handed me a bondpaper. It was a drawing of a tree with our pictures pasted on it. It was a family tree. Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko. I was surged with emotions seeing my bunso’s project.

“Sabi ng teacher ko ilalagay daw ang family… ang family daw may nanay, may tatay… eh, wala naman ako noon. Sabi ko sa kanya, iba ang family ko. May ate ako, saka may kuya bayaw na lagi akong inaalagaan at mahal na mahal ako.” He even explained. “Ganoon naman ang family, ‘di ba, ate… kuya?”

Kinabig ko siya papalapit sa akin at niyakap. Bumuhos ang luha sa aking pisngi, hindi ko napigilan ang pagbuhos ng emosyon. I was so happy… and a bit sad how I couldn’t give my brother the conventional family almost everyone has.

But hearing those words from him… parang hinaplos ang matigas kong puso. Siya lang talaga ang mag-iisang kahinaan ko. He was so innocent… so precious… I would protect him with my life.

Niyakap niya ako pabalik.

“Yes, big boy. Some families are unconventional, but it doesn’t mean the love’s less.” Gotham hugged us both. “Good job on your project. Kuya is honored to be part of your family.”

Pinahid ko ang luha sa aking pisngi. “Thank you, bunso. Masayang – masaya si ate…” It really warmed my heart.

“Eh, bakit parang malungkot ka, ate?” He questioned and pouted.

“Hindi, ah. Hindi malungkot si ate. Paano naman ako malulungkot? Eh, may dalawang nagpapasaya sa akin.” Tumikhim ako. Pinatatag ko ang aking boses upang takpan ang pag-iyak ko.

Mas nangingibabaw ang saya sa maraming emosyong bumalot sa akin. I smiled at him. “Hindi na ba mukhang malungkot si ate?” tanong ko.

Pinagmasdan niya ako ng ilang segundo bago siya tuluyang tumango. It made my smile even brighter.

“Let’s frame this masterpiece,” Gotham suggested.

“Gusto ko ‘yan,” sumang-ayon ako.

Hinalikan niya ako sa sentido. He caressed my back. Inirapan ko siya, mas lalo akong naiiyak sa gesture niya.

“Proud ba kayo sa akin?” Russle asked cutely.

“Sobra,” sabay naming saad ni Gotham.

“We’re so proud of you, our big boy. I think, it’s time for a celebration. How about an ice cream treat? Does anyone like that?”

“Me!” My brother even raised his hand.

Kumapit siya sa kamay ng asawa ko. Napailing lang ako nang nauna ang dalawa patungo sa kusina. Sinundan ko naman ang mga ito. There was still a smile etched on my lips.

Gotham Wolfgang Arkinson is someone I didn’t expect to be part of my messy life… but easily penetrated that family tree. If a way to a man’s heart is through to his stomach…

Mine would be: a way to my heart is through my brother. I treasure everyone who treats him with so much love.

***

Nothing was heard from Bernabe after that. Sa unang pagkakataon, nilumbayan niya ako. Maybe, he gets the message already. It’s a waste of time coming after me, I always win against him.

I was enjoying my time with my family amid my hectic schedule at school. Russle was doing good at his school, and I’m doing decent in mine. Gotham helps us both to make our tasks easier.

If it weren’t for him, I would be behind the curve.

Tumindig ako ng tawagin ng receptionist. I was allowed to go to my husband’s office. Russle and I baked some goodies and he couldn’t wait to give him the cupcakes and cookies.

I worked for Gotham in a short period, so I knew the protocols.

Sumakay kami sa elevator, hawak ko si Russle sa kanang kamay. Hawak naman ng kaliwa kong kamay ang boxes na dala namin. My brother offered to help me but he couldn’t even fit a chunk of his helicopter toy in both of his hands.

His secretary greeted us in the lobby. I told Russle to give Gotham’s secretary a cupcake before we went to his office. Nang pumasok kami ng opisina, hindi ang asawa ko ang nadatnan namin doon.

There were a bunch of good-looking men in his office. Some were familiar, the others were not. Ngumisi si Jianyu nang gumawi ito ng tingin sa akin.

Iniabot sa akin ni Russle ang dalang laruan at ipinagpalit iyon sa kahon ng cookies na hawak ko.

Lumapit ang kapatid ko isa – isa sa kanila upang magmano. He was distributing the cookies already to the men. They were looking at him with awe. Russle could hold a conversation with people older than him.

“Wow, green eyes!” Russle exclaimed. Hindi niya inalis ang tingin sa mga mata ng isang lalaki. “Ate oh, berde ang mga mata niya! Gusto ko rin n’yan! Paano maging berde ang mata, kuya?”

Napailing naman ako.

“Bunso, hindi ganoon.” I tried to get him out of his fascination, but he was really curious.

“I know why…” The man beside the green-eyed man grinned. “Do you want to know?”

“Sioux,” there was a warning tone from the man with green eyes.

Mas lalong lumapit si Russle upang pakinggan ang sasabihin ng lalaki. I just watched them intently. Kumunot naman ang noo ng kapatid ko at sumimangot. He said something I couldn’t hear.

“Isusumbong kita…” My brother pouted. “Ate, oh. Nang-aano ‘yan siya…”

“Anong sinabi?” I glared at the man. He just shrugged, smirking.

“Sabi niya pakasalan mo raw si kuya na berde ang mata. Iyong magiging baby n’yo raw, green din ang mata… eh, ‘di ba, si kuya bayaw na ang asawa mo… hindi p’wede ‘yon. Ayoko na pala ng green ang mata,” gigil na gigil si Russle sa pagkukuwento.

“‘Wag mo siyang pansinin, masama ang kanyang ugali kaya ganyan siya.” I told my brother.

“Okay po, ate…”

Sakto namang bumukas ang pinto, pumasok si Gotham. His expression was irritated seeing the men in his office, but when our eyes met, it softened.

“Get out everyone!” Gotham told his friends.

Humawak sa aking kamay si Russle. “Ate, galit yata si kuya bayaw. Tara na…” May kalakasang wika ng kapatid ko.

Lumapit naman si Gotham sa amin. “Not you, big boy.”

Kinarga niya ang kapatid ko. He even kissed me on the cheek to greet my presence.

“Nag-bake kami ni ate ko! Binigyan ko ang friends mo ng cookies.” Russle told him with excitement. When I looked around, they were eating the cookies my brother gave them.

“What about me? Where are my cookies?”

“Mayroon pa sa box, kuya bayaw.” But the box was stolen by Jianyu.

There were no more cookies there. And the cupcakes… were gone as well. Nasapo ni Russle ang kanyang noo nang mapansin ang walang lamang lagayan.

“Marami pa tayo sa bahay…” He pouted. Napakamot siya sa ulo. “Hindi ko alam na matakaw pala sila, kuya bayaw. Hindi ka nila tinirhan ng cookies at cupcake. Mag-bake kami ng marami ni ate sa sunod, promise!”

My husband was clearly annoyed by his friends, but he just hid it for the sake of my brother. Ngising – ngisi pa si Jianyu habang inuubos ang cookies niyang kinakain paalis ng office.

“Sorry, kuya bayaw…” Lumabi lalo ang kapatid ko. “Ang takaw pala nila. Kita mo ‘yon siya, inaano niya ako kuya bayaw.” Itinuro pa niya iyong Sioux na naglalakad palabas ng office.

“What did he do?”

Bumulong ang kapatid ko sa kanya. Umigting naman ang panga ng asawa ko. I shook my head and cleared my throat.

“Andito pa ako…” I said. They both looked at me. “Baka kailangan na nating umuwi, Russle. Naihatid na natin ang cupcakes at cookies.”

“P’wede po ba ako maglaro muna dito? Mamaya na tayo umuwi, ate. Para hindi mo ma-miss si kuya bayaw.” Namula ang kabuuan ng aking mukha sa komento ni Russle. Saan naman niya iyon natutunan? He’s the one missing his kuya bayaw.

“Sure, big boy. You can play here.” Ibinaba niya ang kapatid ko.

His attention went to playing mode. Sa laki ng opisina ng asawa ko, p’wede niyang paliparin ang laruang helicopter. Nang wala na sa amin ang atensyon ni Russle, he scooted to me closer. Both his hands grabbed my waist.

“I haven’t greeted you properly earlier,” his voice was baritone.

“Greet me now.”

“Hi, sweetheart. Do you miss me?”

I did. That ended with a hungry, passionate kiss. “I’m tampo. I didn’t have the chance to eat the cookies you two baked me.”

Pinisil ko ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi. He has no shame showing that other side of him to us… Gotham is such a softie when it comes to me and Russle. Muli ko siyang hinalikan sa labi.

“Hindi namin alam na marami kang bisita… how about we eat out for lunch?” I asked him.

“You know how to pacify me. The lunch would suffice.”

Tinawag ko naman ang kapatid ko upang ihanda siya sa lunch. Pinalitan ko ang suot niyang damit. Gotham asked his secretary to book us a reservation for lunch. Within minutes, we were ready to go.

“Sir,” hinarang kami ng secretary niya. “A certain Celeste Allegra wants to meet with you. It’s supposed to be for lunch. Shall I move her schedule for later?”

“No need. Cancel every meeting. I’m taking the time off to be with my wife and brother.” He said sternly.

Magkahawak ang aming kamay na umalis ng opisina niya habang nakakarga sa kanya si Russle. We went to a fancy restaurant for lunch near the area. Pinili niyang sulitin ang buong araw na kasama kami.

***

“Bakit malungkot ang bunso ko?”

Kanina pang tahimik si Russle, nakaupo siya sa gilid ng kama. He was holding a piece of his mini superhero toy. Tumigil ako sa pag-iimpake ng suits at casual outfits ng asawa ko, nilapitan ko siya.

Naupo ako sa kanyang tabi. “Anong iniisip ng bunso ni ate?” I asked softly.

I have a hunch what he was thinking. Gusto niyang sumama sa business trip ni Gotham sa ibang bansa, hindi lang ako pumayag dahil mayroon kami parehong klase.

Maluwag naman niyang naintindihan ang paliwanag ko, pero alam kong may parte pa rin sa kanyang nalulungkot. They were an inseparable duo.

“Okay lang ako, ate. Mami-miss ko lang si kuya bayaw.”

Ginulo ko ang kanyang buhok. “Sorry, bunso. Hayaan mo sa susunod, sasama tayo kay Gotham papuntang ibang bansa. May iba pa namang pagkakataon. Sa ngayon, kailangan muna nating magpokus sa pag-aaral.” Hinalikan ko ang kanyang tuktok ng ulo.

He nodded. “P’wede ba akong tumulong sa pag-iimpake ng damit, ate?”

“Sus, ilalagay mo lang ang toys mo, eh.” bintang ko sa kanya.

He just giggled.

Sometimes, I would find a piece of his toy on my bag. When I asked him about it, he would just giggle in response.

For my brother, a piece of his toy would protect us from any evil entity. It was one thing that we adapted from him. It was his way of saying he cared for us. I could just smile seeing a toy in my belongings.

It became a game. Binilhan siya ni Gotham ng tiny baby toys. They were small and he always hides it anywhere in the house for us to find. Sa tuwing akala namin tapos na ang paghahanap, there were more of those tiny toys.

I continued packing my husband’s suitcase. Russle helped me while planting his toys on every corner of his baggage. We both laughed when he finished what he was doing. He is so adorable.

“Ate, masaya ba ang may asawa?”

Napatigil ako sa pagtutupi ng damit.

“Bakit mo naitanong, bunso?” I asked back.

Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi. Kung maaari lang, ayokong pag-usapan ang bagay na iyon lalo na kung si Russle ang nagtatanong. My brother looks up to us so much, I don’t want to ruin marriage in his eyes.

We didn’t get married for love, it was mostly for convenience, especially on my part. I was struggling, his condition wasn’t getting any better, I had to make a leap of faith. Hindi ko pinagsisihan ang bagay na iyon.

When I married Gotham, I was expecting the worst given our history. I was thinking he was using me to get back at the mischief I had done. But it was different than I initially thought.

Gotham Wolfgang Arkinson came out different from what I viewed of him before.

Different and better.

Madalas kung mag-alaskahan kami, pero siya itong nanunuyo kahit ako ang may mali. I was able to see his soft side other than just the ruthless, and dangerous man I previously met.

Akala ko pagsisihan ko noong una at titiisin ko na lang para kay Russle, wala akong naramdamang kahit katiting na pagsisisi. I was liking the set up more than I should.

“Wala lang, ate. Kita ko kasi ang saya mo palagi. Masaya ka naman po noong tayo lang dati, pero mas masaya ka ngayong kasama natin si kuya bayaw,” paliwanag niya.

“Talaga?” Muli akong naupo sa tabi niya. “Siguro. Pero alam mo kung bakit mas masaya si ate ngayon? Kasi healthy na ang bunso ko. Masayang – masaya ako kasi masaya kang nagagawa ang gusto mong gawin, malaya kang nakakapaglaro, mas malinaw ang kinabukasan mo…”

It wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for Gotham. He made it possible. He made it happen. Lahat ng kasiyahan ko nag-uugat sa kanya.

Yumakap siya sa aking braso. “Sorry po kung pinag-aalala kita dati…”

“Hindi mo naman kasalanan na may sakit ka, bunso. Mahal na mahal ka ni ate kaya hindi ko maiwasang hindi mag-alala sa kalagayan mo, wala kang kailangang ihingi ng paumanhin,” I smiled at him.

Kaya ko namang isugal ang lahat basta sa paggaling ng kapatid ko. It was the reason why I married Gotham.

He just clung on to me, smiling. Hinila niya ako pahiga ng kama. I just stared at him with so much love. Russle is so much healthier now. Inalis ko ang buhok na tumatahob sa kanyang mukha.

“Ang pogi ng bunso ni ate…” Namula naman ang kanyang mukha at tumawa.

“Ate ko, maganda…”

“Hay nako, kita mo nga naman itong kapatid ko magaling na mambola. Saan mo ‘yan natutunan?” pabiro kong tanong.

Tumawa naman siya. “Hindi ‘yon bola po, ate. Lagi ‘yong sinasabi ni kuya bayaw ko. Ang ganda mo raw palagi,” sinabi niyang sinundan ng hagikhik.

It was my turn to get all blushy. Ramdam ko ang pag-akyat ng dugo sa aking mukha, paniguradong namumula ako. Pinisil ko ang kanyang magkabilang pisngi.

“Ano pang sinasabi niya tungkol sa akin?” I pried even more.

“Yie…”

Mas lalong tumingkad ang kulay rosas na namuo sa aking pisngi sa pang-aalaska ng kapatid ko.

“Dati po sinusungitan mo lang si kuya bayaw, ngayon love love mo na siya…” he even said.

Umiling ako at bumangon sa pagkakahiga ng kama. “Tatapusin ko pa itong ini-empake ko, Russle. Mamaya na uli makikipaglaro si ate.” I told my brother who was still smiling at me in a teasing manner.

Ipinokus ko ang atensyon sa mga damit na tinutupi ko at inilalagay sa bagahe ng asawa ko. I could still feel him staring at my every movement.

“Ate…”

“Hm, nagugutom ka na ba?” I asked without looking at him just in case he was tricking me.

“Gusto ko po si kuya bayaw para sa’yo… inaalagaan ka po niya tapos mabait siya sa akin. Love love ko rin siya. Mahal ko kayo palagi.” Wala na ang mapang-asar niyang ngiti. I messed with his hair.

“Mas mahal kita palagi,” Ginantihan ko siya ng ngiti.

Pinagpantay ko ang aming mukha, hinalikan ko siya sa noo.

Bumalik ako sa pag-aayos ng bagahe habang natuon sa paglalaro ang atensyon ng kapatid ko. Paminsan – minsan siyang lumalapit upang tulungan ako. Sa dami ng damit ng asawa ko, hindi ko alam kung alin ang dapat ilagay sa bagahe.

Within an hour, I was able to pack my husband’s goddamn suitcase.

I was a bit tired, so I lied onto the bed for a few minutes.

“Ate…” my brother called.

“Hm?”

“May nag-transfer na girl sa class namin…” kuwento niya. Bahagyang umalog ang side ng kamang hinihigaan ko. Sumampa ang kapatid ko.

“Okay. Anong meron sa bagong girl sa class n’yo?” tanong ko.

“Crush ko po siya, ate…” Napabangon naman ako.

Pakiramdam ko nawala ang pagod ko sa pag-iimpake kanina. My eyes widened at his revelation.

“Alam mo ang ibig sabihin ng crush?”

“Opo. Ang crush ay paghanga sa isang tao. Pero hindi pa naman po ako mag-aasawa, ate. Pramis! Kapag malaki na po ako.” Mas lalo yata akong kinabahan sa sinabi niyang iyon.

I wasn’t prepared for that. Ni hindi iyon sumagi sa aking isipan. But at the same time, it was telling me how normal Russle’s childhood was. He was able to feel and experience the same thing as his peers.

Samantalang wala akong ganoong karanasan dati. I was already out there, fighting to prove myself worthy of food and be kept by Bernabe for shelter.

“Anong pangalan niya?”

“Iliya…” sagot ng kapatid ko. “Ang ganda niya, ate. Mabait din siya. Inaya niya akong maglaro tapos sabay kaming mag-recess.”

Natawa naman ako pero hindi ko iyon pinahalata. My brother’s face was glowing the way he talked about those recess and play time he had with the little girl his age. Is that what they call a puppy love?

Ang bata pa ng kapatid ko, pero natutuwa akong kinukuwento niya ang mga bagay na iyon sa akin. I want to be part of his life growing up. I want to know his adventures, his problems, and everything he does. I want him to be comfortable sharing it to me.

“Nagpapatulong nga po ako kay kuya bayaw kung paano maging pogi,” he even said.

I caressed his face. Pinanggigilan ko ang kanyang pisngi. “Bakit pa? Eh, pogi na ang bunso ni ate…”

“Dapat may basbas po ng expert,”

Tumawa naman ako nang malakas sa kanyang sagot. Napailing ako. May pa-expert pa siyang alam.

Indeed, it was true. Gotham’s fucking handsome, it should be considered illegal. Hindi na makatao ang pagiging pogi niya, dumarami ang kaagaw ko pagdating sa lalaki. Some women don’t even try to hide they like my husband.

Bumalik na naman sa alaala ko ang mom ni Ashton, ang kaklase ng kapatid ko. His mother was trying so hard to be noticed by Gotham. Masyado akong nainis sa pagpapansin ng babae, hindi pa rin naman sila nagwagi.

“Bago manligaw, dapat hindi na tumatabi sa pagtulog sa ate at kuya bayaw…”

“Wala naman pong nagsasabing manliligaw ako.” Ngumuso siya.

“Dapat lang, bata ka pa. Aral muna ng mabuti, saka na iyang pag-girlpren, okay ba ‘yon?”

He nodded his head.

Matapos niya akong kulitin ng ilang minuto, nagpaalam ang kapatid kong makikipaglaro sa mga tauhan ni Gotham sa ibaba. He brought his toy cars with him. Tumanggi siya nang mag-apila akong ihahatid ko siya. So, I let him.

Naiwan ako sa k’wartong mag-isa. Muli akong nahiga sa kama. I stared at the ceiling for a bit too long. Hindi ko namalayang mayroong tumabi sa gilid ko. Gotham was already there in his suit.

“What are you thinking that deep? You seemed troubled.”

Inilapit niya ang katawan sa akin, ginawa ko namang unan ang kanyang braso.

“Naigayak ko na ang gamit mo.” I told him. “Nagbibinata na si Russle, mayroon na siyang crush.”

Pinitik niya ang aking ilong. “It’s normal, sweetheart. It’s part of growing up.”

“I know…” Ngumuso ako.

“Russle’s not the only one who has a crush. I have a crush on you, too.” He winked at me.

Sinuntok ko naman ang kanyang dibdib. Tumawa lang si Gotham. Mas lalo akong lumapit sa kanya upang yumakap. Maybe, I was just sentimental. But I was really happy my brother is living a normal life.

“Don’t you want to go with me?” He was referring to the business trip.

“Sa susunod, mahalaga iyong exam ni Russle. Hindi siya p’wedeng um-absent.” Mas lalo akong sumiksik sa kanya. “He really wants to go. Am I being too strict with him?”

“I don’t think so, sweetheart. You’re prioritizing what’s important than leisure. His exams are important. His education is important than just travel overseas to accompany me. You’re doing good, Fili.” Gotham assured me.

Nanatili kami sa ganoong posisyon ng ilang minuto. I was inhaling his scent, he really smells just good. Bahagyang nawala ang pagod ko kanina.

***

Gotham’s calls were part of our daily routine. He would call us before school. Russle and him would talk most of the time. Then, another call after school and before going to bed. He would stay with me ’til my tasks are done.

Hindi naman nagbago, ang pinagkaiba lang, nasa malayo siya. My brother wasn’t really a fan of the set up and kept asking my husband to go home already. It was just a week out of the country.

“Ate…”

Binati ako ng mga kaibigan ng kapatid ko. I met all of them from our weekend getaway last time. Naghihintay ang mga ito ng driver na susundo sa kanila. Russle got his bag and lunchbox. Nagpaalam ang mga ito sa mga kaibigan niya at teacher nila.

“May ipapakilala po ako sa’yo.” Kinuha niya ang aking kamay.

I bit my lower lip. Tumakbo siya patungo sa isang batang babae. Pinagmasdan ko ang dalawa mula sa tayo ko. Russle talked to her for some time. The kid was really cute like how my brother described her.

Tumikhim ako nang makita ang magkahugpo nilang kamay papalapit sa akin. Nagmana yata ang kapatid ko kay Gotham.

“Ate ko, siya po si Iliya, ang crush ko…” Russle introduced the little girl.

I wasn’t prepared for his blunt introduction. Walang paligoy – ligoy. He wasn’t even shy telling it in front of his crush. Nahihilo yata ako.

“Iliya, siya naman ang ate ko, Filantropi Agnes ang kanyang pangalan. Maganda siya, ‘di ba? Parehas kayo,” pakilala niya sa akin na may kasama pang pambobola.

Huminga ako nang malalim upang pigilan ang pagbunghalit ng tawa ko. I wish Gotham was here to watch the scene. Siya pa naman ang salarin sa mga natutunan ng kapatid ko.

“Hello po, Ms. Filantropi, I’m Iliya!” she beamed at me. “You look so pretty!”

“Hi, Iliya. P’wede mo akong tawaging ate Fili. Nice to meet you,” I smiled. “You’re prettier. You look like an angel.”

“Thank you po!” Her eyes glimmered.

I took a picture of them, I’ll send it to Gotham later. This is the last day of the trip. He would be back tomorrow. Excited na excited ang kapatid ko, hindi na siya mapakali.

Hindi naman nagtagal, tinawag na rin ito ng sundo niya, nagpaalam naman siya sa amin. “Bye po, ate Fili! Bye, Russle! Nice to meet you po!”

I waved at her. Ganoon din ang ginawa ng kapatid ko.

Muli akong hinawakan ni Russle, naglakad kami patungo sa kotse. A driver was waiting for us there. I could drive, but Gotham still wanted us to be taken care of. Nang makarating kami sa sasakyan, kiniliti ko si Russle.

“Akala ko ba, hindi manliligaw. Eh, ano iyong paghawak ng kamay? Tapos nambobola pa?” Tawa naman nang tawa ang kapatid ko.

“Hindi naman po ako nanliligaw, ate! Wala naman masama sa paghawak ng kamay! Saka po, honest lang ako. Maganda naman talaga kayo pareho.” He even said. I tickled him more.

Napailing ako. Nauna pa nag holding hands kaysa label. Iba na yata talaga ang mga bata ngayon. But they were adorable.

Dumaan muna kami ni Russle sa grocery store bago umuwi ng mansyon. I bought a lot of ingredients I needed for tomorrow. Balak kong ipagluto si Gotham. It is my way of welcoming him back. Binili ko na rin ang mga paboritong snacks ng kapatid ko.

We even ate outside for merienda. He deserved all the treats. He was telling me the results of his exams, and they passed him. Hindi lang pasado, mataas din ang nakuha niyang scores. He’s excited to tell it to Gotham.

Agad kong napansin ang isang kotseng nakaparada hindi kalayuan sa mansyon. Umarangkada ito papalapit nang namataan ang kotseng lulan naming magkapatid. Hinarang nito kami bago tuluyang makapasok ng gate.

Gotham’s men were alerted. Inaliw ko naman ang kapatid ko sa loob ng sasakyan sakaling umalingawngaw ang putok ng baril. They wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Bumaba ang isang babae sa kotse. Tiningnan ko ito mula ulo hanggang paa. Her bodysuit was flaunting her curves. Umaalon ang kanyang buhok na kulay brunette. The woman was undeniably sexy and beautiful.

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