Party

A DAY had passed and since that day, Severus was a bit tight on her. Yesterday, she visited Faith at her bar and Severus did not allow her to go without bringing a bodyguard with her and Reese did not have any choice but to bring one, she was too lazy to argue with Severus yesterday and because she was annoyed with him --- she did not talk to him up until now.

Kahit na ngayon papasok siya sa University ay kailangan niyang dalhin ang bodyguard na hinire ni Severus. She doesn't even know why she needs a bodyguard when in fact she can survive without this.

Reese went outside the villa and she looked at her back as she saw the bodyguard following her and Reese was really pissed off.

Naiinis na pinuntahan ni Reese si Severus na payapang nag-almusal. Reese slammed her hands on the table and Severus did not startle at all.

"Why do I still need to have a bodyguard with me? Hindi mo ba naaalala ang sinabi ko?" Malalim na napa buntong hininga Reese, "I was the one who saved the woman, and I did not even get any wounds! I can protect myself!" Reese convinced him using the lie she told him two days ago.

"It won't still change my mind, Reese." Wika ni Severus at nilapag ang coffee mug na hawak nito.

"Whatever, I don't need your consent." Masungit na wika ni Reese at tinalikuran ang binata. "I don't need your bodyguard with me, with or without your consent. I'm leaving."

"Say what you like, it still won't change my mind." Wika ni Severus at tumayo, kinuha nito ang bag niya at sabay silang lumabas ng villa.

Nilagay ni Severus ang bag niya sa likod at kaagad naman na sumakay si Reese sa kotse at sumunod naman si Severus.

Reese thought that the bodyguard won't follow them, but that's just what she thought. She saw another car behind them and the car kept on following them.

Reese doesn't really need a bodyguard for whoever's sake. She can protect herself and she already got it proven by herself!

"You'll take your half-day today. I already called your university." Wika ni Severus habang nagmamaneho. "Today is mom's birthday, we have to go. She's looking forward to seeing us." Dagdag nito.

Reese didn't even know that today is her mother-in-law's birthday, she wants to buy a gift for her mother-in-law who's been really nice to her.

"Okay then, I'll see you after four hours then." Wika ni Reese at huminto ang kotse sa loob ng unibersidad. "We should buy mom a gift. You should help me to pick a gift for her." Dagdag ni Reese at kaagad na bumaba ng kotse at pumasok na sa loob ng campus.

She immediately went on her class, but she stopped walking when she saw Reema wearing a neck brace and people around her looked at her with sympathy and Reese knew that people around them already knew what happened. And probably, Reema added some information that did not really happen.

Nakangising hinarap ni Reese ang kapatid, hindi alam ni Reese kung paano niya pipigilan ang galit na nararamdaman sa kapatid niya dahil dalawang beses na siya nitong pinagtangkaan n g buhay.

Tila parang bakas sa mga mata ni Reema ang pagka bigla nang makita niya, nakatingin rin si Reema sa bodyguard na na kasunod sa kanya. Napansin rin ni Reese ang panay na pag-iwas ng tingin nito sa kanya.

Hindi na nag-aksaya pa ng oras si Reese at kaagad niyang nilapitan si Reema at nakita niya kung paano inayos ni Reema ang ekspresyon na mayroon ito.

"How's your neck, my little sister?" Reese asked Reema in a teasing tone and people around her can't help but to look at her and it's as if they can't go near her because they already knew how dangerous she is. Nalaman na nila kung ano ang ginawa ni Reese sa sarili niyang kapatid.

"Why would you bring a bodyguard with you, Reese?" Pagtatanong ni Reema at panay ang tingin nito sa bodyguard niya. "I think that I'm the one who is in need of a bodyguard right now. I should have one to protect myself from your violence, Reese." Wika nito.

Mahinang natawa si Reese at bahagyang lumapit siya sa kapatid at hinawakan ang braso nito, "I'm been getting weird threats around me, I think it would be normal for me to have one, right." Nakangising wika ni Reese. "Plus, I know that the person sending threats to me is near me." Reese whispered to her sister's ears.

Napansin niya na natigilan ang kapatid niya at kaagad na nagpakita ng isang matalim na ngiti si Reese sa kapatid at panay ang tapik sa braso nito.

"See you." Paalam ni Reese dito at kaagad na nilagpasan ang kapatid na nanigas sa kinatatayuan nito.

People around felt very wary around her and Reese knows the reason very well.

Sino ba naman hindi matatakot sa kanya? She almost killed her own sister inside the campus by almost choking her to death, but instead of killing her sister --- she broke her sister's neck that resulted with what state she has now. The campus finally knows how dangerous she is --- but they don't even know half of her secret.

Pumasok na sa loob ng klase si Reese, her bodyguard stayed in front of the class' door entrance and as soon as Reese got inside the room she immediately went on to find Kier.

She wants to talk to him about what happened yesterday, this is not just a simple event --- he has to keep what he saw a secret.

And Reese assumed that Kier knows what she is, he kept on insisting that he knows her really well and Reese started to think that Kier knows what kind of state she is in and he probably might know what she is.

Reese sat on her usual seat, the class started and there were no signs of Kier getting in class and Reese thought that he skipped class today. Reese saw how her classmates distanced themselves to her and Reese didn't mind at all, it would be better this way.

She did not hear any gossip about her today, Reese expected that the gossip about her would go worse and that is just 'what' she expected. Reese guessed that the violence she did scared the students.

Reese hopes that her issue with herself won't affect her education, this is finally her chance to prove herself.

REESE finished her different subjects in her four hours in university, she has to leave after four hours because Severus will pick her up so they'll get a chance to choose the best gift for her mother-in-law.

Before Reese left the university, she kept on finding Kier and she still hopes that he's just around the campus. She badly needs to talk to him about yesterday's incident.

Reese found out what Kier was, for her it was a bit unexpected because Reese had a bad first impression with that damn jerk, Kier.

Reese saw Reema in front of her. Reese decided to ignore her sister, but Reema suddenly called her out.

"Reese. Can we talk?" Wika nito at dahan-dahan na napatingin si Reese kapatid.

The two of them were at the end of the side hallway where there were usually no students passing by.

Reese gestured to her bodyguard to just wait and leave them first, Reese saw how Reema gulped.

How can she not get scared, right? She was left alone in a place with the person who nearly killed her.

"What would you want to talk about?" Pagtatanong ni Reese at hinintay ang sasabihin ng kapatid niya.

Reese saw anger flare up right through her sister's eyes. "I can't take this anymore. Return everything that was supposed to be mine." Matapang na wika nito.

Reese gave a sarcastic laugh and she immediately turned her face into a serious one. "I don't remember stealing any of your shitty belongings. Anong ibabalik ko sa'yo? Sama ng loob?"

"Give me back my grandfather's attention, give me back my fiance and give me the happiness I deserve --"

"And do you really expect that I stole those from you?" Mapait na wika ni Reese. "You did that everything to yourself, don't ask things like that from me as if you were the one that should be pitied ---"

"Why? Because the past you can't move on?" Nakangisi na wika ni Reema. "I told you back then that you should not mess with me. You know that mama and papa loves me more than you." Dagdag pa nito.

Napabuntong na hininga si Reese at pinipilit niya na hindi isipin ang mga nangyari sa nakaraan niya na ayaw na ayaw niya nang balikan. For her, it was the most difficult thing to forget and up until now, she can't seem to bury those memories.

She can still hear herself screaming, the lash that was used to her and the cage she was scared to see once again.

Reese closed her eyes and she tried to calm the anger she could feel that was starting to build up.

"Wala ng mapatutunguhan 'tong pinag-uusapan natin. This is just a waste of my time ---"

"Bakit? Natatakot ka ba na marinig yung sasabihin ko?" Hinila siya pabalik ni Reema. "Still remember the old days, big sister? Still remember how mama and papa punished you?"

"Stop…" Mahinang wika ni Reese at pilit na pinaakalma ang sarili niya.

"---The cage that they used to torture you --- the lash that was used to beat you up and the blood from your body that can be ---"

"Stop!" Reese finally had it. She went to her sister and she was about to lift her palm to hurt Reema when suddenly Kier showed up and he stopped her from involving violence to her trauma.

Nakita ni Reese na nakapikit ang kapatid niya at nanginginig rin ito sa takot sa maari niyang gawin. Binawi ni Reese ang kamay niya at tiningnan ang kamay niya na tila ba mayroong kasamaan na sinisigaw ang mga kamay niya.

Iminulat muli ng kapatid niya ang mga mata nito, nagtatakang tinignan siya nito pati kay Kier. Napaatras si Reema at nakatingin ito sa kanya na tila ba hindi nito alam kung sino ba talaga siya.

"Leave already." Utos ni Kier at hindi na nag dalawang isip na umalis si Reema at dinig pa nila ang tagatak ng suot-suot nitong takong.

Mariing napapikit si Reese at bumuntong hininga. Hindi niya alam kung anong maaring mangyari kung hindi siya pinigilan ni Kier. Reese can't control anything about her anymore.

"You should stop yourself from using violence anytime, Reese. You have to control yourself." Wika ni Kier sa kanya.

Reese combed her hair out of frustration and she looked at Kier. "Why do you always show up at the right time?" Mahinang wika ni Reese, she looked at Kier with seriousness. "I want to discuss something with you."

Kier looked at her with triumph. "Look at you, Reese. I still remember how you kept shooing me away ---"

Reese looked at him in an incredulous manner. "I hope you did not hit your head somewhere and forgot what happened yesterday, though it would be good to hear if you did." Wika ni Reese at nakita niya na nagbago na ang ekspresyon ni Kier at ito ay ekspresyon na nakita niya kahapon.

Does he suffer from a double personality? Looking at him right now, Reese felt like she's talking with a completely different person right now.

Kier gave her a serious expression and he jammed his hands on his pockets. "Is there something you would like to ask me about?"

"Yes, there is." Panimula niya. "Gusto kong maging sikreto sa pagitan natin ang nangyari kahapon, you were there and saw me in action. I can't control my anger, my sister's been wanting to kill me since the other day." Dagdag ni Reese at nakita niya ang tila pag-ngisi ni Kier at lumapit ito sa kanya.

He raised her chin and she looked at Kier with her poker face. "Should I assume you finally know who you are?" Pagtatanong nito sa kanya.

Natigilan si Reese sa sinabi ni Kier, from what he just said, Reese felt like Kier knew something about her and her condition. She's been suspecting him since the day he gave her the same drink she has.

"You know what I suffer with." Mahinang wika ni Reese. "If I ask you about who I am, would you answer me?" Pagtatanong ni Reese kay Kier.

Kier took a step back and he gave her a bereft expression. "I don't think you would trust what I will say." Sagot ni Kier sa kanya. He looked down and gave a light chuckle, "You should figure it out yourself first, then I'll tell you the missing parts."

"Reese."

Reese heard someone call her and she looked at her right side and she saw Severus talking with one of her professors. Reese looked at her front and she did not see Kier at her front anymore, when did he leave?

"What are you doing there, Mrs. Lim?" Pagtatanong ng propesor niya.

Kaagad na nagpakita ng ngiti si Reese at lumapit sa pwesto ni Severus at propesor niya. "I just went to the bathroom." Wika ni Reese at tinuro ang banyo malapit sa pinupuwestuhan niya kanina. Reese looked at Severus and she clung into his arm, "You could have waited for me in the car." Nakangiti na wika ni Reese at kung sa mata ng iba ay porma ang ngiti niya, pero para kanya ito'y isang ngiti na may halong sarkasmo.

"No, it's fine. I also went to greet my uncle." Nakangiting wika ni Severus at hindi makapaniwala si Reese sa sinabi nito.

Her favorite professor was actually her husband's uncle. Reese can't even cover her surprised expression in front of her professor that made him chuckle. "I never knew that my favorite professor was your uncle!" Bulong ni Reese kay Severus.

"I never knew that one of my outstanding students was your wife, Severus." Nakangiting wika ng propesor niya at inayos nito ang pagkakahawak sa librong dala-dala nito. "Your wife's kind of popular with men here. I also saw the son of the mayor always following her."

Severus gave a chuckle and the two of them exchanged glances. "That can't be helped, my wife's pretty." Wika ni Severus.

Mahinang natawa si Reese sa sinabi ni Severus at nagpakita ng ngiti sa binata. "Men are scared of me, professor." Wika niya, "Plus, I only have eyes for my husband." Reese doesn't even know why she has to say that.

Her professor chuckled and gave Severus a glance. "What a nice wife you have here, Severus. You're lucky." Wika nito sa asawa. "But, it looks like the two of you have somewhere to go?" Pagtatanong nito sa kanilang dalawa.

"Yes, I actually came here to pick my wife up." Masayang saad ni Severus. "We still have to prepare a present for mom. Did you forget that today's her birthday?" Pagtatanong ni Severus sa propesor.

Tila napatampal ng nuo ang propesor niya sa sinabi ni Severus. "Thank you for reminding me about that, Severus. I forgot that today was Selene's birthday. If you didn't remind me, she would probably strangle me to death!" Pabirong wika ng propesor niya.

Mahinang natawa si Reese sa sinabi ng propesor, she never expected that her favorite professor was her uncle-in-law and she never expected to be able to talk to him like this. Her husband's really that reliable to her study.

"Mom would definitely do that if you would forget about her birthday. You should check your email, uncle. Mom had probably sent you an invitation." Wika ni Severus.

Napatungo ang propesor niya at mahinang natawa. "I'll do that. Well, see you at the party then." Wika nito at kaagad na nauna nang umalis sa kanila.

Both of them waved goodbye at her professor and the smile Reese was wearing immediately faded away and she looked at Severus.

"Let's go." Wika niya at inunahan niya na sa paglalakad ang binata.

She's still annoyed with the fact that she still has this damn bodyguard following her inside the campus. Severus caught up with her step and the bodyguard behind them opened an umbrella as they went into an open parking lot.

"My wife's popular, huh?" Severus said in a low voice but it was enough for Reese to hear. "Should I believe it or not?" Dagdag na wika nito.

Severus opened the car's door for her and without answering his question, she went inside the car and she buckled her seat belt up. Reese opened her cellphone and she went to the university's online page where the issue between her and Kier was still trending.

Severus got inside the car and Reese decided to show herself off. "Did you not know about the issues I have inside the campus?" Reese asked him first, if he answers 'no' then she'll show the article to him.

"Issue?" He started the car's engine. "What issue?" Pagtatanong ni Severus sa kanya.

Reese handed the phone to Severus and showed her the article on her university's online page, kaagad na kinuha ni Severus ang cellphone niya at habang binabasa nito ang artikulo ay napapansin ni Reese na tila'y dumidilim ang aura ni Severus.

Napangisi si Reese at pinag-krus ang braso niya. "See? People inside the campus hate me for having such connections with the mayor's son. That's what I call popularity." Wika ni Reese at kaagad na hinablot ang cellphone kay Severus at napansin ni Reese na tila nag-iiba na ang aura nito. "But, before you would misunderstand those photos as adultery, should I explain?" Pagtatanong ni Reese kay Severus.

"I would really appreciate it if you would be able to explain those photos, Reese." Nagsimula na si Severus sa pagmamaneho at napabuntong hininga si Reese.

As far as Reese could remember, the man beside her is capricious. She would like to explain things shortly and it would be troublesome if she won't explain.

Reese looked outside the window. "The photo was taken a week ago, it was when I visited Faith at her bar." Panimula ni Reese. "He was being a complete jerk. He used me to break up with his fling, he definitely used my lips. But, I gave him a punch. Nadismaya nga ako, bakit hindi nakuhanan ng litrato ang pagsapak ko sa kanya." Paliwanag ni Reese at sinadya niyang sabihin na aksidenteng na halikan siya ni Kier dahil gusto niyang inisin ang binata.

The car stopped in front of the mall. "Oh, the mayor's son? That Rivero you mentioned last time? Well then, I think I have to remember his name." Anito at tila bakas ang sarkasmo sa mukha nito habang tinatanggal nito ang seatbelt.

Reese then realized that they are now in front of the mall, the front of the mall was covered so Reese can freely step outside the car without any hesitation. She unbuckled her seatbelt and she went out of the car.

Nauna siyang bumaba sa kotse at sumunod si Severus, tila bakas pa rin ang iritasyon sa mukha nito. He gave his car key to the valet and Reese took a short glance at him and she can really confirm that he is in a bad mood.

Maybe seeing this other side of Severus is really interesting but Reese can't seem to understand the reason why he is acting this way.

Napabuntong hininga si Reese at nilabas ang cellphone niya kung saan nakalista ang mga naisip niyang regalo sa kanyang biyenan.

She wants to give something that her mother-in-law would definitely like. Reese really likes Severus' parents, they gave a feeling that Reese didn't feel with her own parents.

Without even telling a word, Severus went inside the mall without even calling her out. Reese rolled her eyes and she did her very best to catch up with him. How can this man walk really fast?

"What do you think your mother would like to receive as a gift? I don't really know what your mom likes and I want to give her something she would love." Reese started and she even stared at her phone with seriousness as she tried to check what's the best gift and she saw how Severus stopped walking and he looked at her with confusion.

"Why?" Severus questioned her.

Reese stopped browsing at her phone and she looked at Severus. "Why? You're really asking me that?" Mahinang natawa si Reese at binulsa ang cellphone niya. "The answer's simple. I like your parents, I want them to like me as well. But I hope you won't misunderstand what I'm saying." Paliwanag ni Reese kay Severus at binigyan ito ng ngisi.

"Like, huh?" Mahinang wika ni Severus. "I thought you find my mother annoying."

Reese sneered at Severus and she patted his suit, "Look here, Mr. Lim…" Panimula ni Reese, "Why don't you just help me with picking up a gift? Mas kilala mo ang mama mo, so try helping me will you?" Dagdag ni Reese.

Severus just gave her a smirk and Reese couldn't do anything but to roll her eyes at him, "Whatever. I have to rely on myself to buy your mother a great gift." Reese was about to walk away when Severus suddenly pulled her back and Reese was shocked that he suddenly kissed her on the lips.

Reese was really startled to the point that she never expected him to do such a thing. As soon as he broke the kiss, Reese looked really furious.

"What the hell are you doing? You really are a flirt!" Reese said in an irritated tone.

"This is normal, right? I just gave my wife a kiss, I did it to remove that man's trace on your lips." Severus looked at her with a smirk and he leaned towards her ears and he whispered, "I hope next time I would be the one to receive the phrase 'I like you'." Wika nito at nakapamulsang naglakad paalis na para bang walang nangyari.

Reese was definitely shocked with what just happened and Reese didn't really expect that he would do that! It's obviously flirting and Reese doesn't get him at all!