Chapter 39

My hand is still painful after punching Noah on the face yesterday, but it feels better now, thanks to Eli. The air is cold but refreshing. Ganito ba talaga pag nakatira ka malapit sa mga kabundukan?

"Skyla, you're scowling early in the morning." ani ni Eli, sumisimsim siya ng kape niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Akala ko ba 6 am ang call time? Bakit tayo lang ang nandito?" sabi nila masama sumimangot sa umaga dahil buong araw ng sasama ang araw mo pero di ko mapigilang mainis dahil wala pa si Noah. Ngayong araw kasi namin sisimulan ang training ko.

"Cut the guy some slack. Noah probably needs some rest. Jetlag siguro yun. Nineteen hours sa ere eh." dagdag ni Eli. He's sitting next to me on the porch. Ayon sa kanya madalas siyang mag-breakfast dito kasi presko ang hangin at tahimik.

"If that's the case, sana hindi nagpahinga nalang muna siya." I grumbled, maaga pa naman ako nagising.

I heard Eli chuckled, "Wait, why are you awake so early anyway?" I asked, paglabas ko kasi ng bahay ay nandito na siya nagbabasa ng newspaper at umiinom ng kape.

"I'm waiting for my girlfriend to arrive. Rylee has to attend a seminar for a week at ngayon ang uwi niya." Eli says, there's something lovely about how he said her name.

I smiled, "Oh? I hope we're not intruding on you guys. Parang naging evacuation center na kasi itong bahay niyo."

"Don't worry, Skyla. She will love the company for sure." ani niya. Eli continued to read his newspaper at hindi na ako nagtanong pa. Nabaling ang mga tingin ko sa mga puno at hinangaan ang magandang tanawin.

Detective Michaels left last night. Hindi niya rin kasi pwedeng iwan ang mga responsibilidad niya. He's a Detective after all. He told me that si Noah will take care of me, and he will visit a week from now to tell Noah and me the details of our upcoming mission.

He advised texting a few of my friends to let them that I'm okay. At first, I was a bit hesitant, but I did it anyway. I texted Alexavia last night; she wanted to know where I was pero hindi ko sinabi. Knowing my Uncle, he'd probably ask her about where I am, or maybe he already did.

I told her that I am okay, and there's nothing to worry about, but it took a while for me to convince her. Hindi ko pa naku-kuwento ang mga nadiskubre ko sa kanya pero pinangako na sa susunod na magkikita kami ay sasabihin ko lahat sa kanya.

I texted Aoede and Tyrone too. Dahil sa mga nangyari ay hindi ako nakasama sa National University Conference and I believe I dodged a bullet there. Kev works for Costa Mafia if I ended up going to the conference ay kaming dalawa ang magkasama sa loob ng apat na araw at hindi ko alam kung ano ang balak niya.

Now, it finally makes sense kung bakit siya sumali sa Photography club. I am a member of it and I am a Costa. Kung tama ang hinila ni Detective Michaels ay maaring habol ng Costa Mafia ang buhay ko dahil sa anak ako ni Isabella Costa.

Pero may isa pang bagay na gumugulo sa isip ko. Sino ang mga lalakeng umatake sa charity ball na nakasuot ng clown mask. They also attacked Ivo and I noong nasa isang restaurant kami. Are they members of Costa Mafia or am I dealing with another enemy?

The sound of a car approaching distracted me from my thoughts. Napatayo si Eli at binaba sa lamesa ang diyaryo na hawak niya. Bakas sa mukha niya ang ngiti habang naglalakad siya para salubungin ang babaeng kakababa lang ng sasakyan.

She's wearing black shorts, white shirt, and a denim jacket. When she saw Eli approaching her face lighted up. Binaba niya ang bag na hawak niya at tumakbo palapit kay Eli para yakapin ito ng mahigpit. I heard their laughter from where I'm sitting and smiled.

They hugged each other for so long akala mo hindi na sila bibitiw sa isa't-isa then Rylee tiptoed while holding on to Eli's shoulders to balance herself. She leaned towards Eli while pouting her lips. I heard Eli laugh and leaned forward to kiss her lips.

I can feel myself blush, so I turned my head to the right sabay yuko ko. For goodness sake, I am not a child anymore. I've seen people kiss before in movies, dramas, and real life, but here I am, blushing like a teenager. I don't know there's something intimate about how they look at each other, and it feels like I am intruding if I keep watching them.

"Now, that's a sight I didn't want to see in the morning." I raised my head to the source of the sound; Noah is wearing black sweatpants matching it with a green shirt. He made a fake gagging sound, and I glared at him.

I stood up, napahawak ako sa bewang ko habang tinitignan siya. "Anong oras ang usapan natin?"

"Hindi ko alam. May usapan ba tayo? If I remember correctly, si Detective Michaels ang kausap ko kagabi hindi ikaw." He rubbed his hair at napatingin sa akin. Tinignan niya ako mula ulo hanggang paa bago umiwas ng tingin.

"Don't be an ass." I checked my wristwatch, "It's 8:15. I waited here for 2 hours and 15 minutes." Iritable kong sabi sa kanya. 

"So? Anong gusto mong gawin ko?" he asked sarcastically.

My jaw dropped, the effin nerve of this guy. Kung hindi lang ako sangayon kay Detective Michaels, I wouldn't bother dealing with this guy.

"What's your problem? May problema ka ba sa akin?" tumayo ako sa harap niya pero hindi ako tinitignan ni Noah. He's taller than me so kailangan ko talanga iangat ang ulo ko matignan lang siya.

Bwiset! I hate tall guys. Hindi niya ako sinagot at bumuntong hininga lamang. Sa inis ko ay sinipa ko ang paa niya. "I am not a violent person, Noah, but you're turning me into one." ani ko.

If only my stares are scary enough, but then I am dealing with a professional assassin here. Yung mga tingin na binibigay ko sa kanya ay walang epekto.

Noah then stares down at me. He leans so close on my face kaya napaatras ako and then he holds my right wrist. "I'm turning you into a violent person? Great. You need a little violence in your body."

Kahapon ay sinapak ko si Noah. Ngayon naman ay sinipa ko siya. Anong susunod na gagawin ko? Binu-bwiset talaga ako ng lalakeng ito.

He then raised my right hand na hawak niya and his eyes traveled from my face to my wrist, "Are you eating?" Bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin, from my face, his eyes moved to my chest for a moment before smirking at me again, "Halos wala kang laman. Ang laman lang na meron ka ay yang nasa dibdib mo."

I blinked a few times trying to process what he just said, and when I did, I used my free hand to hit him on his shoulder. "Asshole!" sigaw ko sa kanya. Binitawan niya ako para himasin ang balikat niya na hinampas ko.

"Are you guys fighting again?" A voice said from behind me. Napatingin ako kay Eli. He's standing next to his girlfriend Rylee. She's probably around her late twenties, but she's adorable and nakangite siyang nakatingin sa amin ni Noah.

Noah speaks bago pa man ako makapagsalita, "The spoiled princess attacked me. Hindi mo ba 'to pinakain Eli? Nagta-tantrums eh." napakamot pa siya sa ulo niya.

I gaped at him then turned to Eli, "He started it. I waited for 2 hours and 15 minutes and the first thing he does is annoy me!"

Eli is frowning at him, "She waited for you Noah. You could have woken up a little earlier if you tried."

Noah chuckles, "I've been awake since 5 am."

"What?" halos pasigaw kong tanong sa kanya.

"Bingi ka? Sabi ko kanina pang alasingko ng madaling araw ako gising. Okay na mahal na prinsesa?" his tone is smug and somehow amused di ko masabi pero ang sigurado ako ay nakakainis si Noah.

I was about to hit Noah again when a woman laughed heartily. Napatingin ako kay Rylee habang nakahawak sa tiyan niya habang ang isang kamay ay pinupunasan ang kanyang mga mata.

She chuckles, "I'm sorry. Hindi ko lang mapigilan ang sarili ko. You guys are cute." Inabot niya ang kamay niya sa akin, "I'm Rylee," she beams.

I nodded at her, forcing myself to smile kahit na naiinis pa rin ako kay, Noah. "Skyla, it's nice to meet you."

"Pleasure's mine." Rylee's voice is soothing, yung tipong hindi ka kakabahan kung siya ang interviewer mo sa isang trabaho.

"Yo, Ry. Long time no see," Noah says to her.

Rylee is smiling at him, "Welcome back, Noah. I hope this time you will stay longer."

I heard Noah grumbles, "Well, this time, I'll be here longer. I have to babysit someone." Medyo may diin sa boses niya noong sinabi niya ang salitang 'someone.' I can feel him looking at me kahit nakatalikod ako. I rolled my eyes, "And she's probably rolling her eyes right now." he adds.

I turned my head to give Noah another irritated look, "Whatever."

"See what I'm talking about." He says na para bang naghahanap ng kakampi.

"See what I'm talking about," I say with a mocking tone. Noah then shoots me a glare, and I glared back at him.

"Guys, it's too early for this," Eli says nicely.

Still looking at Noah, "Kaya mo ba ako pinaghintay ng dalawang oras dahil sinuntok kita sa mukha kahapon? Did I hurt your manly pride?"

I heard Rylee gasped, "Babe, is that true?" tanong niya kay Eli. He only sighed as a response, "Whoa, really?" sabay tawa ni Rylee.

Hindi sumagot si Noah sa akin pero nanatili ang mga matalas niyang mga tingin sa akin, I grinned at him, "I'll take that as a yes then. You're so petty, Noah."

Noah's expression dulled. He was about to say something but then closed his mouth, but I can tell I hit a nerve.

I almost felt triumphant when he finally said, "Let's see who is petty when the training starts. Meet me in 20 minutes."

He walks out of the porch and heads toward the forest. I stared at him with my mouth open because there's a threat to his voice when he said those words. Papahirapan niya ba ako?

As if reading my mind, Rylee utters, "Don't worry, Skyla. He's a strict trainer, but lenient. You're in good hands."

I almost snorted at her, but she's right. I'm sure Detective Michaels wouldn't contact someone who isn't good. Hindi ko alam kung anong mangyayari sa training namin ni Noah. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay hindi niya ako gusto.

Hindi ko rin mapigilan ang sarili na mainis sa kanya dahil ang lakas niyang mang-asar. Akala ko malakas ang tolerance ko sa pang-aasar pero hindi pala. I think I have discovered na madali ako mapikon.

"Before you go and follow Noah. You should change." Eli says, frowning at my outfit.

"Why? What's wrong with my outfit?" Naka-jeans, shirt, at cardigan kasi ako ngayon.

"You can't wear those clothes, Skyla. You will only injure yourself. Wear something comfortable. Yung madali mong magagalaw ang iyong katawan." Eli explains he's right pero wala na akong ibang damit.

"I don't have any other clothes with me." sagot ko sa kanya, bago umalis si Detective Michaels kahapon ay humingi ako ng pabor sa kanya. I asked him to bring me to a women's store. Wala na kasi akong ibang damit at nakakahiya na hiram ako ng hiram ng shirts ni Eli.

"Hmm," napatingin ako kay Rylee, she's holding her chin as she stares at my body. "I have some spare training clothes. I think it will fit great on you."

My eyes are probably sparkling right now as I look at Rylee, "Really?"

"Yes, really!" she walks towards me. Hinawakan niya ang kamay, "Let's go to my room." sabay hila niya sa akin papasok ng bahay. "Babe, bring my bags inside. Thank you!" she tells Eli bago kami makapasok ng bahay.

"Okay," Eli laughs. Napangiti na lamang ako sa kanya.

Rylee drags me into the house's hallway, "I'm so happy you're here, Skyla. I can finally get some girl talks na hindi ko nakukuha pag nandito ang mga bruskong iyon."

Natawa ako sa sinabi niya, "Are they annoying you?" pabiro kong tanong sa kanya.

Rylee laughs, "Oh, no. Ay teka, yes. They do annoy me, but I still like them; however, it can be difficult with no other woman around this place. Hindi ko kasi maintindihan ang mga pinaguusapan nila minsan. Out of place ako." she pouted.

"I can imagine how frustrating it can be," I say, ganon din kasi ang nararamdaman ko noon sa tuwing puro business ang pinaguusapan ni Anthony at Uncle Bern.

They're strategizing, analyzing, and talks about business like a prayer. At first, I didn't mind, but it got to a point na halos yun nalang ang pinag-uusapan nila. I was pretty interested then it bored me.

One night, during our dinner. I asked them to stop talking about our family business during dinner. I suggested to talk about something else like if anything is interesting that happened during the day o kaya naman kahit anong kuwento basta tumigil lang sila sa pag-uusap tungkol sa business kasi nakakaumay ito.

I remember Uncle Bern laughing at me para daw kasi akong batang nagtatampo dahil hindi ako makasali sa usapan nila.

Rylee opened the door and closed it immediately when we got inside. Dumiretso siya sa closet, and I was left at the door standing awkwardly staring at the room.

The room contained a king-size bed, neatly made, and a small drawer next to the bed. Walang kurtina ang mga bintana, may mga ilang larawan na nasa pader. There's a photo of Eli and Rylee together smiling widely.

Eli's arms are wrapped around Rylee's waist. Her one hand is holding his arms while the other is on his face. There's another photo of them skiing together and a bunch more looking so happy and in love.

There's a beautiful mural of cherry blossoms in front of their bed—a beautiful picture they see whenever they wake up each morning.

Rylee is still rummaging through her closet, "Wait a minute, Skyla. Hindi ko pa kasi naaayos ang closet na 'to eh."

I smiled, "It's fine. Thank your time." I say, still staring the cherry blossoms mural, "Your room is beautiful." dagdag ko at umupo sa isang vacant stool.

"Thank you! Eli painted it," Rylee says.

My mouth opened in awe, "Wow, this mural is so beautiful. Napaka-realistic tignan."

"I know, right! My Eli is so talented," she says so lovingly and proudly. "Okay, here!" Rylee turns to me holding a pair of leggings, a sports bra, and some crop tops.

Tumayo ako para lapitan siya, "Are you sure about this?" Hindi pa rin kasi ako sanay na may nagpapahiram ng damit nila sa akin maliban kay Alexavia.

"Totally! Go change." Rylee pushes me to the direction of the bathroom. "Go, go, go, Noah is waiting."

At the mention of Noah's name, I can't help but snort. "Maghintay siya. Ako nga dalawang oras naghintay eh." I whined like a kid.

Rylee giggles, "Awww, you cutie." Is she teasing me? Hindi ko masabi dahil mukhang tatawa sa kahit anong bagay si Rylee.

I went inside the bathroom to change, and her clothes fit me perfectly. I'm wearing her black leggings and white crop top. I tied my hair to a bun for it not to get in the way during the training. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang unang training na gagawin namin ni Noah, but I hope it wouldn't be too difficult to do or follow.

Lumabas ako mula sa bathroom and Rylee is fixing her closet again; she stops when she sees me. "Wow, you look great." staring at my body and grinning like a proud mom.

"Thank you, Rylee." Nahihiya kong sabi sa kanya. Hindi kasi ako sanay when someone compliments my body. Well, Alexavia called me sexy before pero kahit na matalik ko siyang kaibigan ay nahihiya pa rin ako. Kay Rylee pa kaya?

"Aww, don't be shy. Flaunt it, girl."

Lalong uminit ang pisnge ko at natawa kay Rylee, "Matagal mo na bang kilala si Noah?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan namin.

"Hmm, most likely for about three years now." she says, then smiles at me, "He can be uptight, but once he warms up to you, he will be there for you no matter what."

I smiled at her, Noah and I started on the wrong foot, but I hope we get to know each other and get along. I don't think he's that bad, and I want to change his mind about me.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit spoiled brat ang tingin sa akin ni Noah. Do I give that kind of vibe? Is that why he's calling me spoiled?

"Sana magkasundo na kami baka mauwi lang sa asaran ang training na ito at wala akong matutunan." I jokingly said.

"Oh, I'm sure you guys will get along well." Napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Rylee because she sounded at natawa ako sa kanya. Sana nga tama siya.

"Right, I should go." ani ko sa kanya.

She nodded, "Okay, but you guys should come back before lunch and dinner, okay?"

"Alright," I say.

Lumabas ako nang kwarto at nasalubong si Eli, "Is she still inside?" tanong niya sa akin.

Tumango ako, "Yeah," ani ko, "Do I just follow the direction where Noah walked?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes, the forest is huge, so be careful and good luck."

"Okay, thanks! See you guys later," I say and wave my goodbye.

         Hindi naman ako nahirapan sundan ang landas na tinahak ni Noah. Medyo basa kasi ang lupa at naiwan ang bakas ng sapatos niya. Matataas ang mga puno dito sa kagubatan kaya hindi masyadong nakakapasok ang liwanag mula sa araw.

The air is cold too at napayakap ako sa sarili ko. Sana ay hindi sumakit ang tiyan ko dahil sa suot ko na kulang sa tela.

I kept following Noah's footprints when I halted because I don't see it anymore. I looked at the soil floor again to double-check If my eyes are deceiving me, but they're not.

Noah's footprints are gone, "How am I supposed to follow you, then?" I scowled at the soil. He did this on purpose. I'm sure of it. Gumaganti ba siya sa akin?

"Noah!" I shouted in the forest, only to hear my voice echo back.

I decided to walk north based on his footprints Noah kept walking north until I lost his steps, but he could have walked east or west too for all I know.

I decided to rely on my instincts and walked north. I can feel the sharpness of the leaves at buti nalang ay mahaba ang leggings na suot ko ngayon.

"Noah! Where are you?!" I swear, I'm going to hit him again once I find him. Paano kung maligaw talaga ako dito at hindi na makabalik?

Napatingin ulit ako sa paligid. May mga oso ba dito? How about snakes or lions?

"Noah! Nasaan ka ba? Akala ko ba training 'to? Bakit hide and seek ata ang habol mo?!" I say, frustrated. He's undoubtedly toying with me.

"Pag ako kinain ng oso dito mumultuhin talaga kita!" bigla akong napalingon sa kanan nang makarinig ako ng kaluskos sa damuhan.

"Noah?" I asked.

The movement is coming from my right, precisely behind a tree. I stared at it, "Noah?" but no answer came. Hindi ito huminto sa pag galaw. Deciding to get a closer look, I walked towards it.

I can hear my own heartbeat, napalunok ako nang makalapit na ako, "Noah?" Humawak ako sa puno at bahagyang tinignan ang nasa likod nito pero laking gulat ko nang may putting bagay na biglang tumalon.

I shrieked and closed my eyes, muntikan na ako mawalan ng balanse, but I held still. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko pakiramdam ko kasi ay aatakihin ako sa puso.

When no attack came, I slowly opened my eyes, a small movement near my feet. I stared down at the animal before me, blinking if I saw it right, "A rabbit," I whispered, then laughing at myself. This is not good for my heart, wala man akong sakit sa puso ay baka magkaroon ako ngayong araw na ito.

The wind blew, and I heard the leaves' sound, but there's another one. The grass rustled again, napatingin ako sa direksyon nito when a sharp object passed through my right, cutting a small part of my hair—kung hindi pa siguro ako nakaiwas ay baka natamaan ako sa pisnge.

Napasandal ako sa puno and glared at the man standing before me, "Nice reflexes," Noah says, as he grins smugly at me.  

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