Taken

SHOULD she believe him? Of course she should not believe him! Maybe he was just bluffing and Kira doesn't even know him well. Hindi nito deserve and tiwala niya. Why would she even believe a stranger so arrogant like him?

"What took you so long, Kira?" Anna asked her as soon as she sat down.

Kira looked at Luther who's busy talking with Aiden and she should think of ways on how to distance herself. She should stay away from trouble, because it is pretty clear the he meant trouble. It will be hard for her to stay away from him. Lalo na at alam nito kung sino siya a kung anong tinatago niyang sikreto na kailanman ay hindi dapat malaman nang sino man.

Kira smiled at Anna. "Did I miss something?"

"You definitely did miss something, Kira." Biglaang saad ni Mika na nasa tabi niya.

Nagtatakang tinignan ni Kira ang mga katrabaho niya at ibinalik niya ang tingin kay Mika. "Really? What did I miss?" Kira asked with confusion.

"Nothing important." Wika ni Anna at sumandal sa kinauupuan. "Maybe we're just starting the game."

Kira looked at Anna confused. "Game? What game?" Kira asked.

Anna shrugged her shoulders and she pointed Mika out and next she pointed out Chaun. "It was their idea." Anito.

Another set of drinks were served. Kira knew that it was a branded liquor. Right in time, she wants to drink.

Kira drank the liquor and she heard how Anna gasped when she saw her drink like that.

"Kira, don't drink too much. I'll be in trouble, even though I'm the eldest." Matawa-tawang wika ni Aiden sa kanya.

Narinig ni Kira ang pagtatawanan ng iba pa niyang katrabaho dahil sa sinabi ni Aiden. It felt like she'snot talking to her boss, he'snot like that at all! But, who js she to complain? It already made her life easy.

"I know my limit, Sir Aiden." Nakangiting wika ni Kira at nabigla nang tumayo si Mika at Chaun.

Nilapag ng dalawa ang isang bote sa gitna at napatingin si Kira do'n.

"Shall we start the game?" Chaun announced.

Lahat ng mga kasama niya at naghiyawan at handa na para simulan ang laro. Kira doesn't want to join the game at all, she's clearly not in the mood.

"Sorry, I don't want join." Tanggi ni Kira sa mga ito at sumimsim sa inumin niya.

"What a killjoy, Ms. Chiumenti." Komento ni Luther na ikinainis ni Kira.

"Huwag ka nang killjoy, Kira. Join us na, please?" Pagmamakaawa ni Mika sa kanya at panay ang pakita nito ng mga matang parang bata na nagmamakaawa.

She looked at her colleagues and they were really looking forward for her to join.

"Uhm, I'm sorry —" Kira was suddenly cutted off by Aiden.

"Don't worry, she'll join us." Nakangising wika ni Aiden at tinignan siya, "Right, Ms. Chiumenti?" Wika nito na tila ba'y pinagbabantaan siya.

Kira sighed and she wiped her lips using the table napkin. "Do I have a choice?" Kira said and she looked at Luther secretly and gave him a death glare. What a jerk.

"I'll do the honor by spinning the bottle, okay?" Wika ni Mika sa tabi niya at tahimik lang na nanonood si Kira sa mga ito.

She thankful that she's lucky enough not to get pointed by the bottle. It's been the tenth time they got the bottle spinned.

Kira was slowly drinking her liquor by then. That's what she's been doing the whole time. She drinks time by time while watching her colleagues play their game. Though, she's one of players, she's luck enough not to get pointed by the bottle.

Kira was startled when Mika squealed out of nowhere. "Yes! Finally! It's Chef Luther's turn!" Masayang saad ni Mika at napatingin su Kira sa dalaga.

Napangiti siya sa reaksyon nito dahil mukhang ito talagaa ng rason bakit naisipan ng mga ito na laruin.

"Truth or dare, Chef?" Mika asked.

"How about... Truth?" Luther was uncertain on his answer. "Okay, I'll go for truth."

Mika's smile widen and she immediately asked Luther. "Nasa plano na ba ng sikat na chef na magka-pamilya o ikasal?"

"What a sly question, Mika!" Natatawang wika ni Chaun kay Mika at hindi iyon pinansin ni Mika.

Natigilan si Kira sa naging tanong ni Mika, ito ang magiging rason sa mga walang kuwenta na sagot ni Luther.

"So, anong sagot mo, Chef Luther?" Chaun asked.

She sipped once again on her liquor and as she silently looked at her colleagues until it landed on Luther's eyes.

There was something on the way he looked at her. Kira's not dumb to get it by now.

Ngumiti si Luther at tumingin kay Mika na para bang mayroon nang maisasagot sa tanong nito na siguradong-sigurado.

"I've been ready for a marriage for a year or so." Sagot nito at nabigla si Kira nang tignan siya ni Luther.

Kaagad namang umiwas ng tingin si Kira at napahawak ng mahigpit sa baso niya. What a bold man he is. So, he is saying that he was ready to get married on that year when she almost got married to Ricci. Kira can say that she's lucky not to get married wit Ricci or Luther that year. This idea made her think about not getting married at all!

"Huh? If that's the case then..." Mika paused, "Kasal ka na, chef?" Mika asked once again.

Narinig ni Kira ang bulungan ng mga katrabaho niya at alam niya na nagtataka ang mga ito sa sagot ni Luther at malamang ay mas lalo silang naintriga dahil sa tinanong ni Mika.

Mahinang natawa si Luther at binaba ang basong hawak-hawak. "Silly." Wika nito. "Handa palang ako ikasal, pero hindi pa ako kasal. I'll do marriage once the one I'll be marrying will be ready to face the truth. I'm still waiting for her."

"I'm ready to face the truth then!" Pabirong sigaw ni Mika na ikinatawa ng mga katrabaho nila.

"What kind of confidence do you have, Mika?" Natatawang wika ng isa sa katrabaho pa nila. Nakita ni Kira na inabot ni Mika kay Luther yng bote at ito na ang nagpa-ikot ng bote.

"Grabe, hindi ko kinaya ang pagkakapal ng mukha nitong si Mika." Halos mangiyak-ngiyak na wika ni Anna dahil sa kakatawa sa sinabi ni Mika.

She wants to leave already, but it'll only make her rude. So, Kira decided to go out just to calm herself.

"Bibisitahin ko lang yung hanging garden dito para makapag pahangin." Paalam ni Kira kay Anna at akmang tatayo na sana kasama ang cellphone niya ay biglaang tinawag siya ni Chaun.

"Bakit tumatakas ka, Kira? The bottle's currently pointing at you." Chaun said and Kira looked at him with shock.

Kira faced them and she had no choice but to answer them. "Hindi ako tumatakas. I just thought that I'm lucky enough not to get pointed by the bottle, but --" Kira chuckled and looked at Luther. "I guess I already got my bad luck!" She joked and her colleagues laughed.

"Is it a truth or... dare?" Luther asked with a smirk on his lips.

Kira doesn't know what to choose. But she thought that choosing 'truth' would be much safer for her. Kira smiled before answering Luther. "Truth. I choose truth."

"As I thought..." Mahinang wika ni Luther. "What is a secret that you have never told anyone before?" Luther asked.

Kira froze because of his question. This person's really testing her patience. She has to think a lie, a lie that won't reveal anything about her secrets.

Kira sighed and she looked at Luther. "Don't be shocked okay?" Wika ni Kira at napansin niya ang tila pag-ngisi ni Luther sa kanya. "When I was in highschool, I once tried to steal the answer sheet on my math subject and I got the highest score." Nakangising sagot ni Kira at napansin niya na hindi ito ang inaasahang sagot na makukuha ni Luther sa kanya. What does he think? She's not stupid to reveal something with something that should be just considered as a game not a confession room.

The game went on. Inabot sila hanggang alas-dose and Kira got tipsy because of the liquor she kept on drinking while having fun with her colleagues.

Kira went out of the restaurant and she was shocked when Luther stopped her from going outside. Her colleagues already went out and she just got out from the comfort room. "What do you need? Bakit ba ang hilig mong mang harang?" Masungit na saad ni Kira kay Luther.

"If you want to know what's happening to your family in Italy." Luther handed her his business card. "Contact me. I'll be happy to talk to you on what's happening to your parents."

Umalis si Luther sa harap niya pagkatapos iabot sa kanya nito ang business card, nabigla nalang si Kira nang bumukas ang pintuan at nakita niya si Mika at hinila siya nito palabas. "Nandito na ang sundo mo, Kira! What took you soo long?"

Kira looked ahead and she saw Aivan leaning on his car. Kira smiled at him and she looked at Mika, "Well then, I'll get going, Mika. Ingat sa pag-uwi." Paalam ni Kira kay Mika at kaagad na pinuntahan si Aivan at sinalubong ito ng yakap.

"Did you already have your dinner?" Kira asked Aivan as soon as both of them got inside the car.

Umiling ito habang sinimulan na ang pagmamaneho. "Not yet. I just finished my work and I thought of picking you up on the way."

Napangiti si Kira sa sinabi ng kasintahan. "Thank you." Nakangiting saad niya, "Ipagluluto nalang kita ng hapunan. Though it's a bit late, but its better to eat something than nothing, right?"

NILABAS ni Luther ang susi ng penthouse nito, binuksan ni Luther and ilaw at halos pareho silang nagulat nang makita si Aviana na nakaupo sa sala habang nakapatay ang ilaw. She almost died from being startled.

"What are you doing here, Aviana? I told you to stay at the mansion, right?" Iritadong wika ni Aivan kay Aviana at napansin ni Kira na walang pakialam si Aviana sa sinasabi ni ivan sa kanya kaya natawa lang si Kira.

Kaagad na tumbi si Kira kay Aviana at inakbayan ito. "Are you hungry, Aviana? It looks like you've waited for us for too long."

Napanguso ang dalaga at tumango. "Good thing my big brother has the sweetest and nicest girlfriend. You're unlucky big sister-in-law, you chose a dragon for you partner." Wika ni Aviana at napatingin pa kay Aivan na tila nang-aasar. "Dapat si eldest big brother ang pinili mo, big sis-in-law. He's much better than big brother."

"Aviana, say another word and I'll call the driver to pick you up --"

Tinaas ng kilay ni Kira si Aivan at tumigi ito sa pagsasalita at napabuntong hininga. Napansin ni Aviana ang ginawa niya at napangiti ito at niyakap siya. "What would the two of you want to eat? I'll cook your late dinner."

"How about seafood pasta?" Aviana suggested.

Kira gave Aviana a thumbs-up. Tumayo siya at kinuha ang bag niya. "I'll just leave my bag at my room and I'll start cooking then." Paalam ni Kira at kaagad na nagpunta sa kuwarto para iwan ang bag at tinali niya na rin ang buhok niya at kaagad na lumabas para sinimulan ang pagluluto.

Walang naririnig na bangayan si Kira at alam niya na nasa sala pareho ang magkatpatid and Kira thought that maybe the two of them are discussing something. After cooking the food, Kira also prepared iced tea for their drinks. Nilagay na ni Kira sa hapag ang hinanda niya at naghugas muna ng kamay bago puntahan ang magkapatid.

Kira removed her apron and her brows furrowed when the two of them looked like they just discussed something that the two of them are favored with. Mukha silang may pinag-usapan na bawal malaman nang kung sino man.

"Dinner's ready." Kira announced and the two of them looked at her with a smile. They almost looked the same when they smiled and Kira was shocked when the two of them stood up and went to the dining table.

Lahat ng kilos na ginagawa ng magkapatid ay parehong-pareho. Hindi man sila nag-uusap sa harap ng hapag pero makikita mo na magkapatid sila, sabay sila halos sa pagsubo at pag-inom. Para lang siyang nakakakita ng anino ni Aivan.

"Done!" They both announced in unison and Kira was shocked to see them finish it within just a minute.

"The pasta was great, big sis-in-law! Nabusog ako!" Masayang wika ni Aviana sa kanya at niyakap pa siya nito.

"Thank you, Aviana. I'm glad you like the dish." Nakangiting saad ni Kira kay Aviana. Bumalik si Kira sa hapag para kunin ang pinag-kainan ng dalawa at para mahugasan na.

Pero bago niya pa nakuha ang mga iyon ay inunahan na siya ni Aivan. "Ako na maghuhugas. Go and take a rest." Nakangiting wika sa kanya ni Aivan at kaagad niyang sinunod ang sinabi nito.

Bumalik siya sa kuwarto at napaupo muna sa gilid ng kama para kunin ang bag niya at tignan ang cellphone para tignan kung mayroon siyang mensaheng natanggap para sa schedule nila bukas. As what she expected, mayroon nga at galing iyon kay Chaun. Natuwa si Kira sa mensahe nito dahil mayroong ibang project na ipapagawa si Aiden sa kanya at ang maghahandle na kay Luther ay si Chaun at ang iba pang katrabaho niya. So, it'll be a solo project for her.

Tumayo na si Kira para kunin ang towel niya pero nagulat siya nang malaglag ang bag niya at nagsilabasan ang laman nito. Isa-isa niyang binalik sa bag ang mga gamit at natigilan si Kira nang makita ang business card na binigay sa kanya ni Luther, but nstead of putting it back on her bag, she crampled it and threw it in the trashbin near her.

Kira heaved a sigh and she stood up and reached for her phone. She sent a message for Marta. She needs answer, and the person she knows who'll give her answer would be Marta.

'Message me back as soon as you read this message. I have to ask something important to you.'

Nakita ni Kira ang mga nauna niyang mensahe kay Marta at naiwan iyong ganoon kung paano niya sinend. Walang reply o seen man lang sa mga mensahe. Hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang nangyayari sa kaibigan niya, at kahit na ang padalhan niya ng mensahe ay si Georges, wala rin siyang natatanggap na reply sa dalawa. Halos mag-iisang taon niya nang hindi nakakausap ang mga ito. Lalo na ngayon at kailangan na kailangan niya ang mga ito.

Kaagad na iniwan ni Kira ang phone sa lamesa at kaagad na nagtungo sa banyo para maligo at makapag-pahinga na. Pero muntik nang makalimutan ni Kira na asikasuhin si Aviana. She has to help her to get her room fixed. Dalawa lang ang kuwartong mayroon dito, at mas mabuti siguro kung magtatabi na muna sila ni Aviana.

Saglit lang ang ginawang pagligo ni Kira, sinuot niya ang nightgown niya at ibinalabal ang towel sa buhok niya. Napagpasya niya na puntahan si Aviana sa sala para sabihin na doon muna siya matulog sa kuwarto niya dahil pareho naman silang babae.

Lumabas si Kira ng banyo at halos atakihin siya sa puso nang makita niya si Aivan na ang ganda ng pagkakaupo sa gilid ng kama niya,

Kira pointed him out. "What are you doing here? Bumalik ka nga sa kuwarto mo!" Kira exclaimed.

Hindi nagsalita si Aivan pero tumayo siya at unti-unti siyang nilapitan nito. Panay ang hakbang ni Kira patalikod at nabigla siya nang malaglag ang balabal ng buhok niya at naharangan ng buhok niyang basa ang mukha niya.

Aivan caged her in his arms when Kira finally got her back on the wall. "S-Stop right t-there!" Kira demanded and she heard Aivan chuckled.

Dinampot ni Aivan ang towel na nalaglag at isinabit sa balikat niya. "What are you nervous about, Kira?" He asked with a smirk. "It's not like this is the first time we are sleeping together ---"

"Woah, woah, woah..." Kira pushed Aivan lightly and gave him a glare. "Anong sinasabi mo? You're sleeping here? No way! Aviana will sleep with me!"

"I know my sister, she can't sleep when she's with someone." Nakangising wika nito at kaagad na hinila siya at niyakap. "So, I decided to give her my room and sleep with you instead. Wala namang masama diba?"

Nanlaki ang mata ni Kira sa sinabi ni Aivan. This guy!

"You forced your sister to sleep on your room, you planned this!" Wika ni Kira at hindi pa rin naniniwala sa sinabi ni Aivan.

Aivan kissed her forehead and he broke the hug. "Go and ask her yourself if you think I'm lying/ "He said with confidence in his voice. "I'll take a shower here." Pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon ay kaagad na pumasok si Aivan sa banyo niya.

Kira did not waste a minute. She immediately went to Aviana's room and there she saw Aviana getting ready to sleep.

"Oh? Big sis-in-law what are you doing here?" Nagtatakang wika ng dalaga sa kanya.

"Is what your brother saying the truth?" Kira asked. "Hindi ka talaga nakakatulog kapag may kasama?" Kira added.

Aviana sighed and she gave her a nod. "This time big brother's not lying. He's actually the opposite of me." Nakangiting wika ni Aviana sa kanya. "Big brother can sleep tightly when he's with someone, especially you big sis-in-law. Don't worry, I'm open to this kind of conversation." Aviana added and gave her a wink.

Napakagat labi si Kira at alam niyang namumula ang mga pisngi niya ngayon dahil sa sinabi ng dalaga. Tumayo ang dalaga mula s pagkakahiga at kaagad na tinulak siya palabas. "Go on, big sis-in-law, dry your hair already so you can sleep na. Okay? Goodnight!"

"Wait ---" Hindi na naituloy ni Kira ang sasabihin nang isara na nito ang pintuan.

Napatingin si Kira sa pintuan ng inuukupa niyang kuwarto. Napasama ang tingin niya rito at bumuntong hininga. He planned this! That brute!

Nagmamartsang bumalik si Kira sa kuwarto at umupo sa dresser niya at pinaandar ang blower. He planned this!

How can she even get her goodnight's sleep if he's here? Kira looked at the couch beside her and a sinister smile formed on her lips.

She immediately dried her hair and she prepared another pillow and blanket. Nilagay niya iyon sa couch at masayang nahiga si Kira sa kama. Nang makaabas si Aivan sa banyo, akmang hihiga na ito nang pigilan ito ni Kira.

"Stop right there, mister!" Kira stopped Aivan.

Nagtatakang tinignan siya ni Aivan. "Why? I'm sleepy, can't I sleep? Besides, Aviana already explained it to you ---"

"Yes you can sleep." Nakangiting saad ni Kira at nakita niya ang tuwa sa mga labi ni Aivan, pero bago pa ito humiga ay tinuro ni Kira ang couch. "You'll sleep there, okay?" As soon as Kirainstructed him, she closed the light and she covered herself with a blanket.

She was about to close her eyes when he felt like someone's beside her. Kira gritted her teeth and she decided to face Aivan on the right side of the bed.

"I told you to sleep there ---" Hindi natuloy ang sasabihin ni Kira nang bigla siya nitong halikan. Kira was in the midst of shock and she just found herself kissing him back.

She felt the heat all over her body. She's slowly getting drugged by his kisses and Kira can't do anything about it anymore.

KUMATOK ng tatlong beses si Kira sa pintuan ng opisina ni Aivan. She wiped her sweat for the nth time before she entered Aiden's office.

"Goodmorning, Sir." Bati ni Kira.

Nagtatakang tinignan siya ng boss niya at mahinang natawa. "Does having my brother as a boyfriend make you dumb?" natatawang saad ni Aiden sa kanya.

Binigyan ni Kira ng isang masamang tingin si Aiden bago sumagot. "What do ypu mean by that, Sir?"

"I mean," Aiden looked at her from head to toe, "Why wear such outfit in the midst of the country's hot season? Really? Turtle neck and pants?" dagdag na sambit ni Aiden at pamay ang tawa.

Why does Kira felt the bullying vibes of Aivan by just looking at her boss? Magkapatid nga sila.

Walang nagawa si Kira kubg 'di sakyan ang pagtawa ni Aiden. Nang matapos na ito sa pagtawa, kaagad na nakahinga ng maluwag si Kira at hinihintay ang susunod na sasabihin nito.

"We'll be holding a photo exhibition next month, and I am assigning you for it as a solo project." Aiden handed her a paper containing the points she needs. "The theme will be confession."

Confession? How will she come up with this idea?

"I want you to think outside the box, Kira. Impress me and don't disappoint me with your ability. I want to have the copy before the given deadline."

Ngumiti si Kira at tumango. "Yes, sir. Thank you for trusting me."

"You can go out of town or out of the country, it'll answered by the company. Just send me a letter with the full details and reason for it. I want you to find a place where the theme will fit very well."

Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti ni Kira dahil sa sinabi ng boss niya. She can have fun and travel too! Lumabas si Kira sa opisina na mayroong ngiting tagumpay at nakita niya ang paraan ng pagtingin ni Chaun sa kanya.

"Nakapag-decide ka na ba kung saang lugar ka pupunta? You can serve this as a free vacation. Luck you!"

Natawa si Kira sa sinabi nito at napangiti siya. "I'm not familiar with this country yet. Hindi ko alam kung saang lugar ko makikita yung theme na kailangan. I hope I can find the perfect place."

"Ano ba ang theme?" Pagtatanong ni Chaun sa kanya at tinignan ang papel na dala-dala niya. "Oh, confession..." Binalik ni Chaun sa kanya ang papel at tinapik siya nito sa balikat. "I know a place that will fit the theme and the standard."

"Where? Tell me!" Kira said out of excitement.

"It's a Z city. It's five hours away from here. That city is well-known for it's themed attraction. I don't want to spoil the place and I want you to see the place itself."

Napatango-tango si Kira. "Okay, I'll look into it first. Thank you!" Pasasalamat ni Kira. "Well, I have to go." Paalam ni Kira kay Chaun. Chaun looked at her with confusion on what she just said.

"What do you mean? Tapos na working hours mo?"

Binigyan ni Kira si Chaun ng mapang-asar na ngiti at tumango. "Well... I have to prepare myself for this, right?"

"That's not fair ---"

"Says who?" Natigilan si Chaun nang marinig niya ang boses ni Aiden na nasa likod lang niya.

Natawa si Kira sa reaksyon ng kaibigan at kaagad niyang kinawayan ito. "Well, I'll get going. SSee yu when I see you!" Wika niya at mahinang natawa.

Lumabas si Kira sa studio at inilagay sa bag ang papel na binigay sa kanya. NIlabas niya ang phone niya para tawagan si Aivan. Pero bago niya pa matawagan si Aivan, nag-ring na bigla ang phone niya.

Nauna pa siyang tawagan ni Aivan at napangiti siya dahil do'n. Kaagad niyang sinagot ang tawag at maligayang binati ang kasintahan.

"Naihatid mo na ba si Aviana pabalik sa mansyon niyo?" Kaagad na tanong ni Kira sa kasintahan.

She heard him sigh on the line. "Is that your way on greeting your boyfriend, Kira? Shouldn't it be like 'how are you?', 'I miss you' or anything as long as its sweet?"

Natawa naman si Kira sa sinabi ni Aivan . "I didn't know you're that kind of person, Aivan."

"Why are you laughing? Is there anything funny?"

Kira stopped walking and she entered the cafe to order a coffee. "Sorry, there's nothing funny." Kahit na sinabi niya na walang nakakatawa, tawa pa rin siya ng tawa.

"Where are you now?" Aivan asked.

Kira looked around and she payed the cashier and she got her fresh brewed coffee. "I'm at a cafe, I'm picking up my coffee and I'll be on my way to the library."

"Coffee again? You're drinking too much coffee, Kira. You should lessen yourself from drinking it."

Kira smirked when she thought of a way to tease him. "What if I won't? I want to have my coffee four times a day."

"Well, I have my way to stop you from drinking coffee for a year. And if I tell you about it you'll be shocked."

Namula si Kira sa sinabi nito. Alam niya ang ibig sabihin ni Aivan at imbes na ang kasintahan ang maasar, siya tuloy ang naasar. "Whatever, Aivan. I'm ending the call, I have to go."

Narinig niya ang halakhak ng kasintahan sa linya. "Okay, okay. Go home early, okay? See you at home."

"Okay, bye." Paalam ni Kira at pinatay ang tawag. She took a sip from her coffee and she waited for the pedestrian lane to go green so she can enter the public library that is just in front of her.

Akmang ibabalik na ni Kira ang cellphone niya sa bag nang mabigla siya nang may humintong itim na van sa harap niya at biglaang bumukas ang pinto nito. She was the only person around and she got scared when they suddenly came near at her and they covered her nose with a handkerchief. She's slowly losing her senses and even though she tried to struggle away, she can't. Her body is shaking and it made her drop her phone and coffee.

Kira can't take the dizziness anymore and that's when everything went black.