Chapter 33

I woke up early with my aching bones, and for a moment, I forgot where I was when memories from last night came back. Severin, Polina, Nikolai, and I were all up until 3 am watching this movie Nikolai recommended, but it turned pretty bad. He was complaining about how we do not have a taste kaya hindi namin na-appreciate ang movie.

They are all pretty chill, minus the occasional threat na papatayin nila ang isa't-isa. It turns out that Severin is good at cooking, Nikolai is loud, and Polina doesn't give a single crap about anything until it's an inconvenience to her.

The kitchen is not far mula sa kwarto kung saan ako natulog. For some reason, I woke up parch. I don't think anyone's awake, considering its 5 am. Pinahiram ni Polina yung nightgown nya sa akin na ayoko sanang suotin dahil kulang nalang ang ay mahubaran ang likod ko. The length of the gown is respectable. Not too short and not too long.

The front is pretty covered and decent, but when the back portion is not. My mid-back is exposed. Hindi ba nilalamig sa ganitong damit si Polina? Parang kakagabagin yung likod ko dito eh. Dumiretso ako sa kusina para kumuha ng tubig. My throat is so dry and pakiramdam ko ay lalagnatin ako.

My wounds still sting, and when I checked myself in front of the mirror last night, I know some of them will leave pretty bad scarring. I was facing the sink and staring at it na hindi ko man lang namalayan na may kasama na pala ako. 

"Sh--, Skyla?" napalingon ako agad. Severin is rubbing his left eye. His hair is so messy, and he looks half-asleep. Aga naman magising nito. He's wearing gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt.

"Hello, good morning."

"Why are you up so early?" he asked, his eyes still closed. Is this guy sleepwalking?

"Wanted some water. My throat feels dry."

"Okay," simple nyang sagot at dumiretso sa harap ng refrigerator. I watched him as I drink my water.

Finally, opening his eyes. Binuksan nya ang fridge at tinignan ito ng matagal bago nya ito sinarado ng padabog. "Gago talaga yun." Sabay sabunot sa sariling buhok.

"What's wrong?"

"Nikolai left an empty coffee mug inside the freezer. He does this every single day to annoy me."

Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Severin? Hindi ako makapaniwala sa kabaliwan ni Nikolai. Sumandal sya sa pinto ng refrigerator, "I'll add broccoli to his smoothies." Severin turned to me and smiled, "Nik hates broccoli."

"I hate them too, so I feel bad now on what you're about to do." Natatawa kong sabi.

"Don't be. Ang mapikon ay talo." He grinned cheekily at me then his eyes traveled from my face to my neck. I looked at him, confused at his sudden seriousness.

"Is there something wrong, Severin?" I asked nervously.

He shook his head, lumapit sya sa akin pero may tamang distansya pa rin sa aming dalawa. Napakamot sya ng ulo, "Skyla, can you turn your head to the right?" he smiled. Nodding, I did what he asked me to. "To your left." Severin paused, "Hmmm"

"Bakit, Severin?" tanong ko nang ibalik ko ang mga tingin ko sa kanya.

His face is serious, and I'm starting to feel nervous, "Uhm, Skyla?"

"Yes?"

"Is it okay if I touch your neck? I just need to confirm something."

Unconsciously, my right hand reached for my neck. "May mali ba sa leeg ko?"

"No. It won't take long. I promise."

I hesitated for a second then I nodded at him. Hindi nya naman siguro babaliin leeg ko, right? When he touched me, I flinched at the contact because his hands are cold. "Sorry."

I hummed, telling him it's okay. "Raise your chin." I did what he asked. His cold hands are now running around my neck as if it's his mission to find something there. I let him do it silently kahit medyo uncomfortable na ako. "Chin down."

Tahimik si Severin ng ilang Segundo and he's frowning na para bang binigyan ko sya ng Math problem na hindi nya ma-solve.

"Severin, you're scaring me."

"I'm sorry, Skyla. It's just that --- Can you turn your head to the left again, please."

I sighed but did it anyway. I hate it when people are doing something seem so important, tapos pag nagtanong ka tungkol saan ito ay hindi nila sasabihin. Yung anxiety ko sobrang taas na.

He pressed his fingers on the base of my neck, and it hurt a little. Mas lalo nya pang diniin ang mga daliri nya kaya napasinghap ako. "Aray, Sev—"

"What are you doing, Severin?" another voice entered the room. Severin and I were both startled at the source of the sound. When we both realized that it's Ivo, Severin raised his hands in surrender.

"It's not what you think."

Ivo is standing in front of the kitchen entrance. He stared at us na para bang may ginawa kaming masama ni Severin at nahuli niya kami. Napayakap ako sa sarili ko dahil biglang lumamig ang hangin and that's when I realized I'm still on my nightgown in front of two guys.

'Skyla, you dumbo!' I thought to myself.

"I think she's chipped." Dagdag ni Severin. Chipped? What?

Ivo then stared at me before walking towards me, and I stepped back because he looks angry. What does Severin mean by chipped? Bago pa ako makaatras pa palayo ay hinawakan ni Ivo ang braso ko. "Thanks, Sev. I'll confirm it myself." Ivo said na hindi man lang tinitignan si Severin.

His eyes are on my neck. What's wrong with these men? Ano bang meron sa leeg ko at bakit ganyan sila? May goiter ba ako?

Ivo removed his coat and draped around my shoulders, "Let's go."

Bago pa ako maka-angal ay hinila nya na ako palabas ng kusina. "Ivo? What's happening? Bakit ka galit?"

He's walking too fast at gusto ko magalit sa sarili ko dahil ang liit ng mga hakbang ko, isama mo na rin na masakit ang tuhod ko dahil sa sugat. His gripped on my wrist hurts. Gusto kong sabihin na nasasaktan ako pero I held it in. I'm sure he's not aware of his hold and to focus on his anger.

I bit my lower lip. Imbes na magreklamo ay pinilit kong sabayan ang bawat hakbang nya. It felt like forever when we reached this room na nasa dulo ng hallway. Halos ibagsak nya pasara ang pinto ng kwarto. Mas lalong humigpit ang hawak nya sa akin. I'm sure it will leave a mark later.

"Ivo," I whispered. We're now standing in front of a mirror, pinanood ko sya mula sa salamin. He moved my hair to the side, he tilted my neck and examined it with his fingers. Kagaya ng ginawa ni Severin.

He's still angry. I want to know what's causing this and I want to know if there's anything I could do to calm him down. At kung ako man ang rason ng galit nya, gusto kong malaman kung ano ang nagawa kong mali para makabawi at makahingi ako ng paumanhin.

"Ivo," I tried again, pero tila hindi nya ako narinig. Patuloy ang pag-kapa sa leeg ko. He's looking for something na kahit ako ay hindi ko alam. I haven't seen him in like a day or so, and things have escalated to this.

His touch became too harsh and uncomfortable. My neck hurts at namumula na rin ang buong mukha ko hindi dahil sa kilig kundi dahil sa pangangalay. Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto ang lumipas at mukhang matagumpay nyang nakita ang hinahanap nya.

He pressed on it so hard as if to confirm, and I screamed because of the pain. My voice probably brought him back to his senses because he's looking at me now with regret. Napahikbi ako. I don't even know why I am crying, and I hate it.

A sudden realization hit him when he looked at me from the mirror. The bruises around my arms and face. His expression turned furious, ready to kill someone. "Ivo," ani ko ulit, patuloy ang daloy ng mga luha ko.

I'm probably crying again because of the recent events, tiredness, and death threats. I don't think I can handle another bad news.

He hugged me from behind. It was tight, but it didn't hurt. I can feel his breath close to my ears, "I'm sorry," he whispered. His embrace was warm, and his big arms are wrapped protectively around my frail body. "I'm sorry," Ivo says again, as he rubs my arms gently.

I closed my eyes when his lips touched the crook of my neck. Everything seems to melt away. I don't want this moment to end. "I'm sorry, baby." I only nodded; he gently turned me to face him.

I didn't want to look at him, so I tried to turn my head to the side. I don't want him to see my bruises, but I know that's all too late now. Ivo has seen them all earlier. He leaned closer, and I froze from both fear and something unknown, I leaned, so our foreheads now are touching.

I closed my eyes, his warmth surrounding me. We stood like that for a few minutes then he pulled me to bed. I didn't question him. Hinayaan ko lang sya. "Let's get you some sleep."

"Okay," he tucked me in. I didn't want him to leave me. Not today. Not ever. "Don't leave me, Ivo." I whispered. I want him next to me. Close to me. "Stay."

Understanding what I meant, he raised the blanket na kanina lang ay nakabalot sa akin; I scooted so he can have some space. He then covered our bodies with the blanket. Ivo and I are on the same bed. We were staring at each other as if memorizing each other's features.

"Come here," I didn't hesitate. He pulled my body to him for a hug, "I'll always be here." He kissed my forehead. I sunk into his warmth and closed my eyes. It didn't take long for sleep to arrive.

           I didn't know how long I was asleep, but the growling of my stomach woke me up. Pero ayoko pang bumangon, I tried to snuggle closer to this familiar warmth.

'I can stay here forever' I thought, but I'm hungry. Gustuhin ko mang matulog pa ay ayoko rin naming malipasan ng gutom.

I didn't expect to see Ivo's handsome after waking up. "Good afternoon," his voice is still husky. Kakagising nya lang din siguro. His arm is on my bare back and rubbing circles around it. My stomach did a flip, but I can't help the feeling of melting away.

"Goo-d aft-er-no-on?" I stammered, surprised at our close contact. I have never shared a bed with a man, but this is not just any man. This is Ivo.

"I hope you slept well."

I nodded, "Yes, thank you." I blush at his gaze. He brought his hand to my cheek. His touch was light and careful. Before I could chicken out, "what did Severin mean when he said I am chipped?"

Ivo's face tensed for a second. I can sense his anger growing. Hinawakan ko ang kamay nya na nasa pisnge ko, "Tell me. I think I can handle whatever it is."

He searched my face; however, he closed his eyes as if he didn't like what he saw. I know it's not for me. It's a memory that he's trying to forget. "I'm sorry you don't have to tell me now. I can wait."

Ngumite ako sa kanya, I placed my head on his chest and watched him. Niyakap ako ni Ivo, he kissed my head. Nanatili kaming tahimik at magkayakap and I'm okay with it. His chest's rising and falling against my head, I can hear his heartbeat and feel his fingers running on my bareback.

I promised myself I wouldn't demand answers if Ivo is not ready to give them. I will wait for him to tell me. I will wait patiently. I trust him with my life. I believe him with my heart.

"Severin was a slave," it was a whisper. If I'm not laying on his chest baka hindi ko narinig ang sinabi nya. I tensed when he said the word 'slave.' I have read news about human trafficking in our country ages ago.

Our country was pretty fucked up hundreds of years ago. Human-trafficking was pretty legal. Anyone can slave people as long as they have money and power. Slaves were considered as properties, and your owner can decide if you're still useful or not.

It was then put to stop when our country elected its very first Prime Minister, but it was a long journey of fighting for human rights. At present, human trafficking doesn't exist anymore pero paano kung sa surface lang yun? What if it still exists in the dark corners of our country, and no one bothered to search for it?

"I met him when he was 8," he paused, "Human trafficking is illegal then and could get you to prison if you're caught, but everything's possible if you have a good amount of money." His body is tense at halatang nahihirapan syang mag-kwento.

"I found him at our garage. He was surprised to see me. I was surprised too. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano sya nakapasok doon. My father has tight security around our property, so I didn't understand how he got in." Another pause, "He was all curled up at the corner. His body is covered in blood, and I was sure as hell that it wasn't his. It turns out, he killed his captor for sexually abusing him."

My heart squeezed at the thought of young Severin. I can't imagine what he has been through. Napayakap ako ng mahigpit kay Ivo. Tears are starting to form, "He didn't just kill a man. He killed a Capo from one of the powerful families. When a Capo dies, it can lead to a lot of things, but in the Mafia, it's always been an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."

"What happened?" I ask, scared.

"I convinced my father to hide Severin," tumahimik si Ivo. Hindi na ako nagtanong pa dahil akala ko ay tapos na ang kwento, but then he said, "Unfortunately, my heartless father said no. He doesn't want to hide a murderer."

I closed my eyes. I was dreading what's to come.

"My father is a piece of shit, Skyla." Ivo scoffed, it's pretty apparent to me now that he hates his father. "He told me he would only do it if I become the next boss. I agreed to keep Severin safe. I knew I was sacrificing my freedom when I agreed to that monster, but I couldn't let a boy die because he protected himself."

There's a sad tone on his voice, and my heart breaks for Ivo and Severin. "To ensure Severin's safety, I asked one of our family doctors to check if he's chipped. Slave owners put a chip inside their slave's body to track them easily if ever they run away. We found on Severin's nape. I immediately destroyed it after it was removed."

I tensed, is he saying that I am chipped too? Bumangon ako mula sa pagkakahiga para umupo at ganoon din ang ginawa ni Ivo. We're now sitting and facing each other. I'm afraid of what he's going to say next, but I am not backing out now.

He smiled sadly, "Severin thinks he owes me a lot. I told him he could leave and move on with his life. He didn't need to dirty his hands again, but the man is loyal." I smiled too because although I don't know Severin enough, I can tell how he respects and admires Ivo.

"Skyla, when Severin said you're chipped, I got angry because it reminded me of things I wanted to forget. I allowed my anger to control me, and in the process, I hurt you. I'm sorry."

His sincerity is evident. I tried to look away, but I can't. Not when Ivo is telling me things he probably never shared with anyone. The tears flowed unchecked down my cheeks and dripped to my chin.

Ivo raised his hand to wipe my tears, "There's a chip below your right ear. I don't know how Severin noticed, but I am glad he did. Your Uncle probably chipped you. Do you remember any particular event that can confirm my hunch?" his voice my gentle and careful. 

Umiling ako sa kanya, "No, I don't remember... but I have this necklace. He said as long as I wear it, he will have no trouble finding me." During Tasha's birthday, I didn't wear the necklace Uncle Bern gave me.

Anthony said he tracked me kaya nalaman nya kung nasaan ako bago ang ball. I looked at Ivo, I can't hide the sadness now, "I guess my beloved Uncle lied again," humikbi ako.

Hindi ko magawang magalit gustuhin ko man. The only thing I know is how painful it is to be betrayed by the people you trust. My privacy was invaded, then it only explains why kung bakit nya alam na kasama ko si Ivo dati.

"Don't worry. We'll have it removed."

I cried in his arms. I cried for Severin. I cried for Ivo. And I cried for myself. The tears burst forth like a dam, spilling down my face. I feel myself tremble like a small child. Sa bawat hikbi at pag iyak ko ay ramdam ko ang mahigpit na yakap ni Ivo. I cried in his arms until I couldn't anymore. 

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