Chapter 41

Sa sobrang busog ko ay mas gusto ko nalang matulog buong hapon to skip my self-defense lessons with Noah, but I doubt it will happen.

Eli and Rylee's cooking is superb. Halos hindi na ako umalis sa lamesa kanina.

"Ano pang hinihig-higa mo dyan?" Napatingin ako kay Noah na nakatayo sa dulo. Nakahiga kasi ako sa sofa at gusto ko sanang umidlip pero may dumating na asungot.

"Nagpapahinga lang," sagot ko.

"Oh? Kakakain mo lang. Ano ka baboy?" pang-aasar ni Noah, "Bumangon ka na diyan. We will start soon."

Bumangon ako sa pagkakahiga and glared at him, "Ang bilis naman. Mag-iisang oras pa lang." reklamo ko sa kanya.

Lumapit si Noah sa akin saka pinisil ang pisnge ko, "We have a lot to discuss."

Hinawi ko ang kamay niya, "Aray naman!" hinimas ko ang parteng pinisil niya, "Sasakit ba katawan ko diyan? Halos hindi ko na kinaya yung pag-akyat sa hagdanan kanina," I say. Sakit ng pagkakapisil ni Noah sa pisnge ko.

"Probably if I get serious," he grinned at me, I shivered at his statement. "Believe me; it will come handy for you."

"How dangerous is the mission anyway?"

"Spying and gathering information without the enemy noticing is a tough job. You have to watch out for a lot of things without getting caught. Let's just hope none of the Capos know your face," Noah explains.

Noah sits beside me, "Out of all the Capos, Xavi is the most dangerous. I am not saying you shouldn't be wary of Aksel and Bowie, but be extra careful if you see Xavi."

Tumango ako, may kopya pa rin ako ng mga litrato nila. Kahit ipikit ko siguro ang mga mata ko ay nakabisado ko na ang mga itsura nila.

I am surprised that I should be wary of Xavi more, sa tatlong Capo ng Costa Mafia, akala ko talaga si Aksel ang pinakamapanganib.

"Have you met him?" I asked Noah.

"Twice," he simply says, magtatanong pa sana ako pero tumayo na si Noah, "Come on, let's start."

"Ngayon na?"

"Sinabi ko bang mamaya?" sakrastiko niyang tanong sa akin.

"Can you stop being sarcastic for a day? It wouldn't kill you," I scowled at Noah.

"Then don't ask me questions with obvious answers," Noah retorted.

Pinili ko nalang hindi pansinin si Noah at baka mauwi lang sa mahabang asaran kung magre-reply pa ako sa kanya.

I changed to a new set of clothes for this afternoon's session. Nakalatag na sa damuhan ang pinakamalaking yoga mat na nakita ko. May mga ilang puno ng kahoy sa paligid nito.

"Remove your shoes," utos ni Noah.

I immediately removed my shoes and stepped on the mat. The softness of it feels nice, and it is a bit relaxing.

Noah is standing before me, "I'll teach you self-defense techniques targeting the seven vulnerable areas of the body if ever you find yourself attacked. For starters, you have to memorize these vulnerable places."

I know the groin is one for sure, but I am not sure about the others, "Those are?" I asked.

"Remember it doesn't matter how big your attacker is because you can put them down if you know the vulnerable places," he raised his fingers to his eyes, "You're at an advantage if your attacker can't see you." Kinuha ni Noah ang mga kamay ko, "Your fingers will be your best friend. You have to poke or jab them on the eyes." He placed my hands on his forehead, "Now put your thumbs on my eyelid," he instructed.

I did what he instructed, "You just have to poke or jab hard enough and use the time while they're in pain to run away. Understand?"

I nodded, listening carefully to Noah's voice. "Next we have the nose," kinuha ni Noah ang kanang kamay ko at hinawakan ito.

He showed me my palm, "The nose is pretty sensitive because it has many nerve endings. Now, do you see this," he pointed the lower left portion of my palm, "This is the heel of the hand. You can use this to strike your attacker's nose. Like this," he then placed the heel of my hand on his nose.

My fingers not touching his forehead, "Your heel of the hand will cause enough pain. Once your assailant is writing in pain, use that chance to run away. Got that?"

"Okay," usal ko. Noah's expression is serious, but he is also making sure I am listening to him. He gives me glances every once in a while to make sure na nakikinig talaga ako. My hands are now back to my sides.

"Tell me if I am too fast or when my touches are uncomfortable for you," he licked his lower lips before adding, "Mukha ka kasing slow."

Hindi ko napigilang hampasin si Noah, "Hindi talaga matatapos ang araw na ito hanggat hindi mo ako naaasar no?"

"Need ko kasi ng pampagana," he then grins at me. Sabay pisil sa pisnge ko ulit, "Alright, back to lesson."

Hinimas ko ang parteng pinisil ni Noah. Ano bang meron sa pisnge ko at gustong-gusto niya itong pisilin?

"Now, what if the only body part of your attacker you can reach is the ears? What do you do?"

"I grab it?" I asked dumbly.

Noah nodded, "Just like the nose, our ears have several nerve endings. You can grab, pull, scratch, or even bite the ear. It will cause enough pain for you to get away."

"Noted, I'm going to pull your ears every time na aasarin mo ako."

He smirks at me, "That's it if I let you." I rolled my eyes at him, Noah only chuckles and continues the lesson, "Next is the knees. They're sensitive to pain just like the other body parts, so a good kick to the kneecap can shock an attacker. Now try to kick me."

"What?"

"Don't worry. I won't let you hit me for real. Demonstration lang, come on."

Nodding at him. I raised my left leg to target his left kneecap pero bago ko pa man siya matamaan ay umiwas na siya. "Good. However, you have to form a fist and raised it to your chest. Okay?"

"Like this? Parang boxer ako ganon?" I smiled at Noah.

"Yes, you have to be in your fighting position all the time."

"I understand."

"Great, next is the ankle."

Awtomatiko naman akong napatingin sa sarili kong mga paa. "I have to slam my foot on the attacker's ankle?" I guessed nakita ko kasi ang move na iyon sa ilang action movies na napanood ko.

"You're correct. You can slam your foot on your assailant's foot, or you can kick it hard. It will knock them off of their balance."

Noah stepped softly on my ankle, demonstrating how to do it. I'm pretty sure that if it's not a simple demonstration and if he meant to do it, he'd crush my feet. His body is lean but muscular. You can tell how he takes care of his body by how his shirt fits perfectly on him.

"Got it," usal ko sa kanya. He removed his feet on my ankles.

"Finally, the chest." My eyes automatically looked at his chest, "You have to hit him at the solar plexus," Noah says, pointing at the spot below his chest and above his stomach, "If you punch him correctly, you can knock the breath out of him. Now give me your hand."

I gave him my hand without hesitation. Nilagay ito ni Noah sa solar plexus. His body becomes rigid for some reason, but then he relaxes, "You have to punch with your all might. We will practice this more later."

Tumango ako sa kanya. Noah steps back from me, "Now that we discussed the vulnerable areas. I will now teach you three moves you can use in certain situations," He pauses, "Do you need a break?" concern in his eyes.

"No. No. I was just thinking na sana ay hindi darating sa punto na gagamitin ko itong mga tinuro mo sa akin," I explain. Ngayon palang kasi nagsi-sink in sa akin kung gaano kapanganib ang gagawin namin sa oras na magsimula ang misyon.

As if reading my thoughts, Noah nods and says, "I understand, but keeping yourself equipped with this knowledge will be useful."

I smiled at him, "Bakit hindi ka nalang maging professional trainer? Mas bagay sayo" ngumisi ako sa kanya.

"Naku, Skyla! Hindi pwede ang ganyang trabaho kay Noah," napalingon ako kay Rylee na may dalang tray.

"Why not?" I asked curiously.

"Walang pasensya si Noah," Rylee giggles, "This will be your snacks. I will put these on the porch. Kainin niyo ito mamaya."

"Thanks, Ry, and you're wrong. I'm the most patient man alive," Noah says smugly.

"Oh talaga? Baka naman mataas ang pasensya mo ngayon dahil si Skyla ang tinuturuan mo. Kasi noong ako yung tinuturuan mo ay nag-give up ka agad wala pang isang araw," Rylee grinned at him. She's teasing him, and there's a small blush on Noah's cheeks.

How cute.

My mouth twitched, "Is that true, Noah?"

He ignored me, "Eli, get your woman," Noah yells to the house.

Natawa lang si Rylee, "Una na ako. Psssh, ayaw pa istorbo" at bumalik siya sa loob ng bahay.

I'm surprised at what Rylee said kasi sa totoo lang napaka-patient ni Noah habang tinuturuan niya ako. He makes sure I am comfortable. His pace is easy to follow, too, and simple to understand.

Nakangisi pa rin ako kay Noah habang nakakunot naman ang noo niya, "What are you grinning at?"

"Nothing. I just enjoy it when Rylee teases you. Who would have thought that a professional assassin like you can blush? It's cute," I say.

"I don't blush," Noah says.

"Yes, you do. There's nothing wrong with a man blushing. Cute nga eh!"

"You should get your eyes checked. I didn't blush" giit niya

"Sure, Noah. Whatever makes you sleep at night," asar ko ulit. Then Noah walks towards me, "What are you doing?" napaatras ako sa kanya at umiwas.

"I'm not doing anything. Lalapitan lang kita. May self-defense lesson tayo di ba?" inosente niyang tanong sa akin.

"Bakit ganyan mga ngiti mo sa akin? May balak kang masama no?"

"What? No! Come here," sabay hakbang palapit niya ulit sa akin pero umatras ako at tumakbo palayo sa kanya.

Para kaming mga batang naghahabulan sa yoga mat. "Stop running," Noah laughs as he chased after me pero sadyang lugi talaga ako dahil naabutan pa rin ako ni Noah.

He snaked his one hand around my waist to put me on hold while the other tickled me, "Noah! Stop!" I say through my laughs.

"I'll stop if you say 'Noah doesn't blush'" banta niya sa akin. Habang kinikiliti pa rin ako sa aking tagiliran.

I threw my head back on his shoulder, still laughing like crazy, "I'll sa-y it, b-ut st-op!" Pakiramdam ko ay mauubusan na ako ng hangin kakatawa.

"No, say it first, or I won't stop."

"Okay! Okay! I'll say it! Noah is cute when he blushes it!!" sigaw ko sabay hagalpak ng tawa.

"Ah ganoon," Noah says, at ngayon dalawang kamay niya na ang hawak niya habang kinikiliti ako.

I tried to break-free, but Noah's hold is stronger. "I give up! Plea-se no m-ore," ani ko habang natatawa. Hihimatayin na ata ako kakatawa ako. Napaluhod na ako sa yoga mat habang patuloy pa rin si Noah sa pag atake niya sa akin.

Noah is crouching as he tickles me when I saw an opening, his left ear is exposed so before I could miss the chance, I forcibly raised my body to blow on Noah's ear then I nibbled his ear. Remembering the lesson, he taught me earlier.

I bit his ear lightly while my hands are on his shoulders. His hands are on my waist, and I felt him squeezed it, but not painfully. I can feel Noah tense in front of me, and I heard him release a groan na para bang nabilaukan siya.

I released Noah's ear to check on him. Still grinning at my success, "Did I do it right? I followed what you taught me."

Noah's hands are cold on my exposed waist. He's still staring at me with a look I couldn't recognize in his eyes. As if finally realizing what happened, Noah released his hold on me and stood, I did the same too.

"Noah?" I called, tumalikod siya sa akin.

"A second. I need a moment," sagot niya.

My eyes traveled from his back to his ears and seeing how red it is. Did I bite him too hard? Pero bakit pati yung kabilang tenga niya ay namumula?

"Okay ka lang? I don't think I bit you that hard," nilapitan ko si Noah pero lumayo siya sa akin, "Galit ka na niyan?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"No, I just need to do something."

"Uhm, okay."

Noah then walked to the nearest faucet to wash his face. He was uttering something to himself pero hindi ko masyado marinig ito. Bumalik din siya agad sa yoga mat na parang walang nangyari at mukha na siyang nahimasmasan.

Anong problema niya?

"Where was I?" tanong niya sa akin. Namumula pa rin ang mga tenga niya.

He looks more pressing now than before, and I wonder if I did something wrong. Gusto ko sana mag-sorry pero wala naman akong ginawang mali. I just followed what he taught me. Maybe his ears are sensitive?

"Uhm, natapos mo ng I-discuss yung vulnerable areas."

Tumango si Noah na tila wala sa sarili, "Alright, next are the moves. The first technique is catching the wrist," sabay taas ng kanang kamay niya, "You have to grab your attacker's little finger and ring finger with one hand, and his middleand index finger with the other. Okay come here. Do what I just told you."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay ni Noah gamit at pinaghiwalay naman ang mga daliri niya gamit ang dalawa kong kamay, "Now, you have to pull the fingers in the opposite directions at the same time. Remember, the wrist should be bending away from you."

And I gently pulled his fingers apart from each other. Kahit hindi ito totoong scenario; I'm pretty sure it would be painful as hell. I can't imagine pulling my fingers apart from each other.

"Good, now if you think you can't make the catching wrist move. You can always go for Plan B, and that's hitting the groin of your assailant. I don't think I need to explain why hitting us here can paralyze men," sabay turo ni Noah sa sensitibong parte niya. Awtomatiko naman na namula ang pisnge ko.

I awkwardly nodded at him, "Now, the final move for today's class," lumapit si Noah sa akin. "If you're grabbed from the front, and you can't lift your hands," I was startled at our nearness. It seems like he's hugging me, but at the same time he isn't, "If you are grabbed like this, move your hands forward and make a fist in front of your pelvis."

Ginawa ko ang mga instructions ni Noah, "It will create enough room between you and the attacker. With that, you can make your next move, and that is to hit your attacker's nose with your forehead. Finally, hit him in the groin with your knee."

I followed the instructions. Using my forehead, I hit Noah's nose slightly, and when he broke his grasp. I raised my knee to kick him on the groin. Pero bago pa man tumama ang tuhod ko doon ay nakaatras na siya mula sa akin.

"Excellent, you're a fast learner," ngise ni Noah sa akin.

"I know right," I winked at him.

Natawa lang sa akin si Noah, "We will practice more of this in the upcoming days. Sana hindi mo agad makalimutan ang mga tinuro ko ngayong araw"

"Hoy, grabe ka. I paid attention to everything you said. I'm sure I'll remember them all. Malakas memorya ko"

"Good to know. For now, let's rest and continue tomorrow. Don't worry; I have prepared notes and videos for you."

"Awwww, thanks, Noah"

"May bayad to"

"Mukha kang pera"

            The days passed quickly, Noah and I continued my training, and this time these demonstrations are real. Talagang pisikalan at sakitan ang training pero kahit ganoon ay maingat si Noah sa akin.

I did appreciate it, but his gentleness won't help me, and it's only stopping my learning capacity. Kaya sinabi ko sa kanya na sa tuwing gagawin namin ang mga drills ay totohanin niya. He doesn't need to hold back for my sake.

And Noah listened to me, on the third day to the last day of our training talagang totohanan ang mga drill na ginawa naming dalawa.

May mga oras na pakiramdam ko ang mababalian na ako ng buto o kaya naman baka sa hospital ang punta ko oras na matapos ang linggo.

Even though we only trained for a week, I feel like there has been a tremendous change in my body. Napansin kong hindi na ako madaling hingalin at mapagod. Pakiramdam ko rin ay mas naging masigla ako at puno ng enerhiya sa katawan. So, this is probably what it feels like to be not a couch potato.

Marami rin ako naging pasa sa katawan dahil sa training na ginawa namin. May ilang bruises ako around my thighs, legs, and arms. Masakit rin ang buong katawan ko. Pakiramdam ko ay binugbog ako masyado sa training, but it was all worth it.

Another surprising thing was how Noah helped me tend my bruises. He makes sure that I am eating, resting, and managing my wounds and injuries properly. It was endearing to watch, yun lang kasi yung mga panahong hindi ako inaasar at binu-bwiset ni Noah.

Ngayon ay nasa sala kami kasama si Eli, Rylee, Noah, and Detective Michaels, "Wow, Skyla. You looked beat."

I smiled at him, "Yeah, pinahirapan kasi ako ni Noah --- araaay!" sabay hampas ko kay Noah na nakaupo sa tabi ko ngayon. Pinisil niya kasi ang tuhod ko na may pasa pa.

"Aww, does it hurt? Want me to kiss your pain away?" sabay nguso ng mga labi niya.

Hinarangan ko ang mukha niya gamit ang palad ko, "Tigilan mo nga ako!"

"What? I'm just trying to ease your pain," he smirks at me.

I rolled my eyes, "Hard pass"

Nakatingin sa amin si Detective Michaels na para bang hindi siya makapaniwala sa nakikita niya ngayon. Napansin ni Eli ang reaskyon sa mukha ni Detective kaya natawa ito.

"I know what you're thinking, Michaels. Punching each other helped whatever tension they have for each other. My only complaint is they're still bickering at each other like kids."

"Yes, being physically close helps," Rylee giggles.

Uminit ang pisnge ko at ramdam ko ring nag-iiwas ng tingin si Noah. Ewan ko ba kay Rylee, lagi niya kasi kaming inaasar ni Noah. I don't mind the teasing pero minsan kasi naa-awkward din ako. Hindi ko alam kung ganoon din ang nararamdaman ni Noah.

Detective Michaels cleared his throat, "Well, it's great to hear you're not after each other's neck. Anyways, going back to business. I'm here to give you details about your upcoming missions," he handed folders to each of us.

I opened mine; the photos of Aksel, Bowie, and Xavi greeted me. "Ms. Vielle, are you planning to transfer your classes in the morning?"

"Yes, I'll do it once I get back right away," usal ko

"Okay, that's good to hear. Just like what I've told you before, you have to observe the Capos. You have to report the date and time of their visit. Kailangan mo rin I-report kung sino ang mga kasama nila kung meron man"

May kinuha siya mula sa briefcase niya at binigay sa akin ito. Binuksan ko ito, "Those are miniature microphones, great for spying. Ilagay mo ito sa shop. Ikaw na bahala kung saan, around the tables or at the counter."

"Will these record their conversations?" tanong ko sa kanya.

"Yes, I asked someone to program it already. Whatever it records will be saved automatically at my drive."

I nodded, amazed.

Detective Michaels then looks at Noah. His expression is too severe. It's almost scary, "Now, for Noah. You have to raid one of their bases. Get some information from their man. You can do it your way."

"Finally, some action!" Noah whistled like a happy kid.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. His face lit up when he heard the words 'you can do it your way' hindi ko alam kung anong ibig sabihin ng mga salitang iyon, but my gut is telling that it is something I shouldn't find out.

I know Noah is a professional assassin pero hindi ko mapigilan ang mag-alala sa kanya. Alam ko na isang linggo lang kami nagkasama ni Noah at marami pa akong hindi alam tungkol sa kanya, but I believe we bonded enough for me to worry for him.

"I'll go into detail to Noah about it later, and I will discuss Eli's mission separately, but that can wait. I have another concern for you, Ms. Vielle."

Inalis ko ang mga tingin ko kay Noah. I frowned at Detective Michael and I can feel everyone's eyes on me. 

He picked a newspaper from his bag and showed the headline to everyone. There was nothing unusual about it at first. 

Mukha lang naman itong ordinaryong pahayagan pero nilamig ang buong katawan ko nang makita ang sarili kong litrato at nang mabasa ko ang mga nakasulat dito. 

My jaw dropped when the newspaper headline says:

"Vielle Enterprises Heiress to wed Anthony Sergio"    

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