Chapter 44

A/N: Please don't hesitate to correct my grammatical errors and typos. Enjoy reading!

...

Jax Blaine's POV

I'm still thinking about our conversation earlier. It keeps on repeating in my head. The way she told me everything, the way she reacted, the way she looked at me, and even the way she innocently tries to hide something from me, I never felt happy like this before. I'm excited for an unknown reason.

There are still things that I'm bothered about, but the positive feelings has more weight than anything else.

'Kung hahalikan mo ako, tayo na! Girlfriend mo na ako at boyfriend na kita!'

Tss! Even though I know she's that straightforward, I'm still surprised!

'Alam kong busy ka! President ka ng student council at busy ka pa sa ano. Kaya ako na bahalang manligaw!'

"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! Idiot!"

I just found myself smiling 'cause I can't help it. I was overwhelmed with happiness.

I glance at my wrist watch and saw it's already almost end of the last subject. Even we're classmates, I'm still not able to be with her because of the task and responsibility of being the president.

I hurriedly go to my locker to put these extra folders and books. The moment I open the locker, there's an envelope that fell to the ground.

The same envelope that Exseven usually use to give us letters, an X on the back of it. I look around and feel the surrounding but I couldn't feel someone's presence! I already expected this, that someday I'll receive something like this here because there's no CCTV around.

The moment I read it, I immediately put it in my pocket and call Kernel.

"Hello, Jaxie my loves!"

"I received another message from Exseven here in the campus, in my own locker! How's the update?"

"We're going there with Clent and of course with the fallen angel! We tracked Alfonso's whereabouts for the past few days and found out he's been sneaking to somewhere! Hoping no one will sabotage us this time! I'll update you later!"

"Make sure you get some useful info! I'm sure that someone's behind Kitkat and him.

She couldn't even tell me who helped her! That's what I'm worrying about!"

Since we suspect Alfonso that night, we tried following him but someone sabotage it! I and Kernel were being attacked by some members of The Unknown that's why we couldn't follow him!

I'm quite nervous thinking that those idiots were being used by someone we don't know! Violy even asked help from her husband, Hero to investigate who killed the members of The Unknown were Kitkat was kidnapped. Even them knew nothing about it!

"So what about the letter?"

I sighed and looked at it again. "I'll tell you when I meet you!"

The one who saved Kitkat wiped out everyone from those unknown assholes. But when we tried to follow Alfonso, who obviously know where Kitkat was, we were being attacked by The Unknown and lost track of Alfonso!

The second time we followed Alfonso, we were again being ambushed but it's by The Blues! It's as if he's able to manipulate our every moves! Ours, The Blues, and The Unknown!

'Who really are you?'

When I arrived at the classroom to fetch her, I saw her and Alfonso were arguing like idiots again.

"Why are you here?" I asked him suspiciously.

"Jax!"

I smiled when she quickly walk towards me, giggling as she hold my hand.

"Yucks! Nagpapa-cute pa, 'di naman bagay! Bakit kayo na ba?"

"Ang epal mo!"

"Para kang bulate na nilagyan ng asin!"

"Wag na na'tin siyang pansinin, Jax! Tayo na?"

I quickly hold her hand and look at her. I'm quite amused when she didn't give care about the gossips anymore and so do I.

"Wait! So kayo na talaga?"

"None of your business!"

"Ang bilis naman yata?"

"Wag ka ngang maingay! Anong mabilis ka diyan! Ilang months kaya akong nagpapapansin kay Jax! Mag-iisang taon na! Diba Jax?"

I clicked my tongue to suppress the smile that tries to form in my lips. Then glared at the idiotic bastard! "You can go home! Why you're still here?"

"Oo na! Oo na! Aalis na! Sige suluhin n'yo na ang isa't-isa! Nak ng!"

I saw how he gave her a meaningful look and how she slightly nod. After that, Alfonso walked out from our view.

Those signals, what are they hiding?

I helped her hop on my motorbike and helped her wear the helmet. She's still smiling and looking at me. Seconds later, I frown when she looked like she has something to say.

"What?"

"Wala, 'di ko talaga in-expect na gan'to ka caring sa 'kin. Parang nananaginip pa rin ako? Parang gan'on?"

"Silly! You just don't know what I feel! But I have feelings for you!"

I really love the way she react. It's as if she don't believe in everything I do or more like she's surprised. But I understand. Remembering those moments that I don't mind about her presence before. I was even annoyed by her and tried to push her away. I felt guilty when I even hurt her.

"So ibig sabihin tayo na?"

"Not yet!" I said to tease her and just laugh when I saw her pouting. Idiot!

"May mga nangyari ba n'ong wala ako?"

"Why?"

"Para kasing hindi ikaw eh! Marunong kanang tumawa ngayon!"

"I laugh when I'm happy or find something funny. A normal people do!"

I hop on and start driving. She quickly hug me tight from behind. I don't want this to end. I really dreamed of having a normal life like everyone else.

When we arrived at her house, I was about to help her hop off from the motorbike but she already did it before I could help. Her phone drop on the ground and I quickly pick it up.

There's a text message that pop up from unregistered number. I frown and so curios to open it but I didn't. I was taken a back when she quickly snatch it from me and held it tightly. She looks nervous as if she's hiding something.

She smile, a fake one.

I sighed and acted like I didn't notice anything. I glance at my wrist watch and still have 5 hours and a half until midnight.

"M-may lakad ka?"

"None. Why? What do you want for dinner? I'll treat you."

"Yiiehh! Sigurado ka? Nakakahiya naman!"

"Of course!"

"Ay sa susunod mo na lang ako ilibre! Kumakain ka ba ng pancit canton?"

"Pancit canton?"

"Dali! Pasok ka muna! Ipagluluto kita! Hihihi!"

She excitedly held my hand and drag me to get inside. I am really happy knowing that she invites me to her house. Well, I have already been in her before but she's unconscious that time.

"Umupo ka muna diyan, magluluto lang ako! Mabilis lang 'to mga 10 minutes!"

"Can I go to the comfort room?" I asked and she nodded. I quickly head to her room and is about to turn the knob when I sensed her looking at me.

"Why?"

"Ba't alam mong nasa loob ng kwarto ko 'yong CR?"

'Shit! I forgot!'

"Oh is this your room?"

"Ha? Ibig sabihin mukhang banyo 'yong kwarto ko?" she hurriedly run from the kitchen to me. Her house is small yet it's enough for one person to live. A small kitchen, mini living room and her bedroom.

"N-no! It's not what I meant! I uh... I was just mistaken!"

"Naiihi ka na talaga?" and she even glance at my... down there that makes me gulp. She really surprises me into a lot of things! She's even innocent doing that!

"Sige pumasok ka pero 'wag kang titingin sa kwarto ko ha! Diretso ka lang pumasok sa banyo! Halika!"

When we entered the room, I thought there's something she's trying to hide that made her anxious but I found out she's just shy because of the picture frames with my pictures that hang in the wall.

After taking my business, I saw how red her face is and couldn't meet my gaze. I wonder why?

She quickly grab my wrist then we get out of her room. Her hand is cold and is shaking. What happened to her?

"Ikaw pa lang kasi nakapasok sa room ko hehehe! Hindi ba magulo?"

Again, I'm surprised!

"Really? How about... nothing."

'So this means that Clark... nevermind. I win!'

"Your room is cute. It's clean and well-arrange. But don't worry, even though your room looks like Alfonso's room, I won't be discouraged!"

We looked at each other and she laugh. She hit me slightly then she go to the kitchen. "Oo nga! Dugyot kasi 'yong isang 'yon! Pero nang tumira na siya kasama ka, parang unti-unti na siyang naging malinis! Hahaha! Atin-atin lang 'yon baka mag-aalburto na naman ang engot na 'yon! Hahaha!"

"You got closer than I think. He told you that he's staying with me?"

I frown.

"Oo, naikwento niya n'ong nakaraang araw!"

"Nakaraang araw? You were with him?" She was nowhere to be found for four days. We're really right! Something's going on with them!

She flinched. "Ay hindi! Nakaraang linggo pala! Hehe! Makakalimutin na ako ngayon!"

She doesn't really know how to lie properly. I sighed and don't want to put pressure on her. I know she's trying her best to hide something. I don't want her to feel awful... even though curiosity is already killing me.

After she cooked her specialty, the pancit canton, she excitedly presented it to me. It smells nice and there are sliced boiled eggs on top of it.

"You really can cook!"

She laugh as if I told her a joke. "Sabi na nga ba! 'Di mo alam ang pancit canton!"

"It taste great! What is this? What are the ingredients?" I said then continued eating.

She even laugh more. "Ano ka ba! Sa grocery lang 'yan! Pwede mo nga bilhin sa sari-sari store at sa 7-eleven! Mabuti naman at nagustuhan mo! Mamahaling tao ka kasi kaya akala ko 'di ka kakain ng gan'to!"

"I am just amazed! I'll cook for you someday!"

"Yiieeeh talaga?"

"Yes, I know how to cook."

"Hindi pa rin ako nasasanay na ganyan ka! Bago pa rin sa 'kin ang lahat! Gusto ko pa kitang makilala!" she said smiling as if she's dreaming about something.

My heart's still beating faster than usual. I can't help it, I held her arm and pull her closer to me. I wrapped my left arm around her waist and let her sit on my left lap. She's again shock by what I did and is blushing!

"Kumakain pa po tayo!"

"I know!"

Then without a second thought, I kissed her. Damn it! It's hard to breath if the heart is beating faster. I wish this won't end!

"You know what this kiss mean. This is my answer," I said and kiss her again so that she cannot react.

How cute that she's not talking or making any noise. She's too focused on kissing back. I love the way she grip my hair, the sound we make because of the kisses and how she's breathing heavily! I love her!

I felt something in me. A sudden heat and that unknown tingling feeling down there! I know this feeling! Damn! She's this fast in making me turn on! I shouldn't be feeling this!

"Your lips taste like pancit canton!"

She gasped and hit me jokingly in my shoulder. She then bury her face on my neck as she felt embarrassed. I couldn't stop smiling!

"Meaning nito, tayo na?"

"I said yes!" I grinned. I love teasing her! Of course I don't want her be the one who initiate our relationship. But I couldn't help it. I'll make it up to her someday.

She was about to get off from my lap but I stop her.

"Dapat 'yong pancit canton, hindi pinapatagal, titigas 'yan at hindi na masarap kung lumamig na. Ehhh! Ikaw kasi nanghahalik bigla!"

'How will she react if she'll know I'm already hard down there? No way! She'll be discouraged!'

I didn't talk and just hug her. "I love you!"

She gasped! She probably didn't think I said it.

"Don't make that sound," I said as I look at her and let her get off.

"Anong sound?"

'The way you gasped!'

"Nothing!"

...

"Are you really sure you won't come to my house? I can't protect you here!"

"Hindi na hehe magkikita pa rin naman tayo bukas. At ano..."

"Hmm?"

"Di ko pa na-try matulog sa bahay ng lalaki. N-natatakot kasi ako!"

I again was surprised. She bravely ask to court me, follow me around and openly tell her feelings to me, yet she's still innocent.

"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean anything else. I was just afraid something will happen to you again... Like before... and I'm not there." I am still bitter about it. I don't think I can forgive the person who's behind it!

She hugged me tightly and I hugged her back. I don't want this night to end! I don't even feel cringe of the thought.

I even wanted to stay but I'm afraid if I'll ask her that, she'll think differently about me. Besides, I still need to go to that address that fake Exseven is pertaining in his letter. I don't want to force her to come to my place to. I don't want to put pressure on her.

I also couldn't ask help from Kernel and others. Kernel and Clent were going to check to where they tracked Alfonso. Veign isn't here. He's in the city right now to guard Alfonso's sister and watch Lavandeir. And Violy... I found out she's pregnant so I don't want her to involved in our mission again.

"Promise! Okay lang ako dito. Hindi mo na kailangang mag-aalala. Hindi na 'yon mauulit, Jax."

"I'm still worried. But I will trust you. Call me if anything will happen or if there's something wrong, okay?"

'I will just ask Alfonso to guard her house. I don't have a choice!'

"Okay! Yieeehh! Hindi ba talaga ito panaginip?"

"You can dream of me!"

"Yiieeeh! Jax naman eh! Nagiging corny ka na! Bigyan mo naman ako ng pagkakataong masanay!"

She jokingly hit me. This is her habit whenever she feel butterfly in stomach! Silly!

We're still hugging as I lean on the main door. I was about to leave minutes ago, but it seems hard to leave her here! Damn!

"J-Jax?"

"Why?"

"May nararamdaman akong ano eh!"

I pulled from the hug and look at her. I frown when her face is blushing and couldn't meet my gaze.

I cupped her face to look at me. "What is it?"

And then she slowly look at me down there for me to find out what she meant. I immediately push her away and she turn her back to me.

"M-magkikita na lang tayo bukas! Heheh! Paki-lock na lang 'yong pinto!" then she rushed inside her room.

'Shit!'

...

Third Person's POV

Jax pushed the lock button on the doorknob before going out. He looked at her window and saw her shadow jumping like crazy in her room. He turn around and glanced at his wristwatch. His smile fades away as he needs to get serious again to catch that someone who pretended to be Exseven.

'I'll catch you tonight, bastard!'

Umuwi muna siya sa condo para kunin ang letter ni Cath at ang dalawang USB. 'Yong isa ay ang totoong USB at ang isa ay walang laman. Noong tingnan niya ang laman nito, mga information ito tungkol sa The Unknown. Alam niyang may dahilan kung bakit itinago ito ng kanyang ama sa vault sa mismong kwarto niya kung saan siya lang ang makakabukas. May biometrics kasi ang vault at fingerprint lang niya ang mababasa dito.

Bumili agad siya ng katulad na USB na gan'on. Walang ibang nakakakita ng laman nito kundi silang dalawa lang ni Kernel. Kusa na lang kasi siyang nagtiwala sa binata. Kahit naiinis siya rito, alam niyang mas mapagkakatiwalaan si Kernel.

Nakita niya si Alfonso na nakahilata sa sofa at parang pagod na pagod. Alam ni Jax na sobrang busy nito. Sa klase, sa part time job sa coffee shop at sa palihim nitong pag-alis tuwing madaling araw.

"I want you to guard her but don't get inside her house! Here's the payment!" Inabutan niya ito ng pera dahil alam niyang pera lang ang magpapagalaw kay Alfonso.

"Ba't kailangan pang bantayan 'yon? Diba ikaw 'yong boyfriend?"

"I have to take care of something!"

Nagtaka naman siya nang biglang bumangon si Alfonso. "Hindi ko na kailangan ang pera mo pre! Sapat na sa 'king pinatira mo ako dito! May biseklita na ako! No need ko na ng pamasahe!" sabi pa nito at may pa-hand gesture pang nalalaman.

"You'll be dead if something happens to her again!"

Tiningnan naman siya ni Alfonso nang kakaiba. Nanliliit pa ang mga mata nito at parang ini-scan ang kanyang katawan.

"Anong oras na? Ba't ngayon ka lang nauwi? May milagro kayong ginawa no?" pang-aasar nito.

"What do you think a couple do?" nakangising tanong ni Jax dahilan nang nangisay sa pangdidiri si Alfonso.

"Yucks!"

"You and your idiotic mind! We're not doing something wrong! Stop imagining things!"

"Oo na! Oo na! Napaka-defensive mo naman! Siya na lang tatanungin ko! Hahaha! Nice id-- joke lang eh! 'to naman 'di mabiro!"

Narinig niya kasing nagkasa ng baril si Jax.  Dali-daling tumakbo si Alfonso tsaka kinuha ang mga gamit at umalis sa condo para puntahan ang dalaga.

...

Tiningnan ni Jax ang kanyang wristwatch at nakitang lagpas alas dose na ng gabi. Kanina pa siya naghihintay sa isang park habang inaantay ang kung sino mang darating. Hinanda niya rin ang kanyang baril.

Ilang sandali ay nag-vibrate ang kanyang phone at may text message na nag-pop up galing sa unregistered number.

*From 09000000000:

Leave the usb above the bench near at the fountain. If you don't, I won't appear.*

'This fake Exseven is an idiot!'

Hindi niya sinunod ang sinabi sa text. Kinuha niya ang mamahaling case ng sigarilyo tsaka kumuha ng isa. Sinindihan niya ito tsaka nag-antay pa ng ilang minuto.

Naiinis niyang itinapon ang ubos na yosi nang wala pa ring dumadating na kahit sino. Wala siyang choice kundi lapitan ang bench na sinasabi sa text tsaka inilagay doon ang USB na walang laman.

Umalis siya doon at muling naghintay habang nakatingin sa bench. Ilang sandali lang ay may isang taong naka-hood at naka-mask na lumapit doon. Nakakunot ang kanyang noo nang makitang maliit ito at hindi mukhang lalaki.

'So he even asked someone to get it and not show himself? Tsk! Of course he's really prepared!'

Umalis ang taong naka-hood at palihim lang itong sinundan ni Jax. Nang makalayo na sila sa park, nakita niyang may lumapit ditong isa pang naka-hood na matangkad. Dahan-dahan niyang nilapitan ang dalawa nang palihim.

Sigurado siyang 'yong matangkad na naka-hood na lalaki ang nag-utos sa isa para kunin ang USB. Palihim pa niyang nilapitan ito at inihanda ang baril. Balak niyang barilin ang paa nito para hindi makatakbo.

Pero kumunot ang kanyang noo nang makita ang dala nitong biseklita.

"Oh ito nakuha ko na!"

Muntik nang mabitawan ni Jax ang kanyang baril nang makilala ang boses ng babae.

'No way!'

"Hindi ka ba nasundan ni Jax?"

"Ha? Anong Jax? Si Jax ba pinunta natin dito?"

"Nakalimutan mo na agad ang pinag-usapan natin kahapon?"

"Hala! Ngayon pala 'yon? Akala ko si Exseven ang pupuntahan natin dito?"

At parang tinusok ang kanyang puso sa gulat, sa kaba at sa disappointment nang tanggalin ng babae ang kanyang hood at mask.

'Kitkat? Why?'

"Engot ka talaga!  Wag mong tanggalin 'yan! Baka may makakita sa mukha mo! Gusto mong malagot ha? At isa pa, hindi nga dito pupunta si Exseven! Pinapunta lang natin si Jax dito!"

Agad namang napalingon ang dalaga sa paligid na parang may hinahanap. Dahil doon, mabilis na nagtago si Jax sa isang puno sa madilim na parte.

"Nandito si Jax? Pa'no kung makita niya ako dito? Anong iisipin niya?"

Kinabahan naman bigla ang dalaga. Kahit malayo na sila sa park ay nakaramdam na lang siya ng kakaibang kaba.

"Kaya nga 'wag mong tanggalin 'yang hood at mask mo! Anak ng!"

"Nakokonsensya ako kay Jax! Para akong naglilihim sa kanya!"

"Hindi naman masama ang ginagawa na 'tin! Para ito sa kanya, gets? Tinutulungan nga tayo ni Exseven!"

Sumakay naman ang dalawa sa biseklita na dala ni Alfonso. Lalo pang nakaramdam ng inis si Jax nang nakayakap pa ang dalaga sa bewang nito.

"Wag ka ngang magulo matutumba tayo! Ano ba!"

Hindi naman maipaliwanag ng binata ang kanyang galit at inis. Hindi niya alam kung bakit dinamay ng nagpapanggap na Exseven ang dalawa! O kung ano mang ginawa nito sa dalawa!

Dahil sa inis, agad niyang pinagsusuntok sa poste ang kanyang kamao.

'They're in real trouble!' sa isip niya nang ma-realize niyang naloko ang dalawa!

...

Itutuloy...