Comfort

AIVAN smirked and took another step closer to her, "If you want me keep your secret and make you stay here for a long time, then —" He paused and he raised her chin making her see his cold eyes. "—will you be my woman?"

Natigilan si Kira sa sinambit ng binata sa harap niya. "W-What are you talking a-about?" Kanda utal na wika ni Kira. Bakas ang kaba at takot sa boses niya at kahit na 'di pa niya nasisiguro kung alam ba talaga nito ang sikreto niya.

Aivan sighed, "A daughter who ran away from home and made her parents go nuts on finding her. A daughter who changed her last name from Chua to Chiumenti and fooled everyone that she's a complete orphan."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Kira sa sinabi nito, kaagad siyang napayuko at mahinang tumawa. "You made someone investigate me? Do you really need to blackmail me like this?" Sa pagkasabi niyang iyon ay napatingin siya sa mga mata nito.

Nagkibit balikat si Aivan at ngumisi, "I need something from you. I need consent from you until I can tell that I own you." Paliwanag nito sa kanya at paunti-unting lumalapit ang binata sa kanya.

Napatitig si Kira sa malalamig nitong mata at napalunok ng ilang beses. Nang madiskubre niyang nalulunod na siya sa mga mata nito, kaagad siyang nag-iwas ng tingin at tinulak si Aivan.

She pushed him away, she looked away. "Ano ako? Teritoryo na puwedeng markhan? Kahit pa man na teritoryo ako, tandaan mo, nakasaad sa batas na hindi ko pupuwedeng sakupin o pwersang agawin ang isang teritoryo!" Laban ni Kira kay Aivan, "And I don't believe you, hindi mo ko ibabalik sa kanila. Wala kang pinanghahawakang pruweba." Dagdag pa niya.

Aivan tsk-ed and grabbed his phone from his pocket. He typed something and he showed it to her. "Proof? Here's my proof." Pinakita ni Aivan ang calling number ng magulang niya na mas ikinakaba ni Kira dahil lahat ng phone number na iyon ay sa magulang niya.

Kira gritted her teeth and looked at him angrily. What's his point for this damn blackmail? She didn't even offend him — Kira froze when she remembered something...

Maybe the reason why he's blackmailing her like this... was it because of the slap?

Tinignan ni Kira ang pisngi ni Aivan at medyo kita pa rin ang pamamaga nito dahil sa lakas.

Kira sighed. "If it was about the slap, I'll compensate for it. Just don't blackmail me like this. I'm willing to compensate for it, just don't ask me that stupid request once again."

Umiling-iling si Aivan, "I'm sorry, Kira. But, I don't want you to compensate it. Hindi ko 'to ginagawa dahil sinampal mo 'ko, I was at fault that time and I would like to say sorry, but the reason why I'm doing this is for other reason." Paliwanag nito, "If you'll accept it... I'll keep your secret as well and I'll keep you from your parents. But, if you won't. Then say goodbye to Philippines and say hi to Italy."

Hindi alam ni Kira kung ano ang pipiliin niya, ayaw niyang magpa-uto sa binata pero naniniwala rin siya na kaya siya nitong pabalikin sa Italya at mas mapupunta sa wala ang pinag-hirapan niya at ayaw niya nang bumalik sa kamay ng mga magulang niya.

Kira clenched her hands and she sighed before making her final choice. She doesn't have any choice but to agree, right?

"Fine! I'll be your woman!" Kira exclaimed. As soon as she answered him, she immediately went outside the room and she started running away like crazy.

Ilang beses niyang pinipindot ang down button sa elevator. Nang bumukas iyon kaagad niyang sinara at napahawak siya sa puso niya.

Talaga bang nagdesisyon siyang pumayag sa binata dahil kailangan o dahil gusto niya?

Her stupid mind's kicking once again and it is clearly making her crazy. Does she like him?

Kaagad na umiling si Kira at sinampal ang sarili, "No, you don't like him! You don't like that cold eyes!" Sigaw niya sa sarili.

She needs advice from her friend! She needs to call Marta.

PAGKAALIS ni Kira sa hotel, kaagad siyang nagpunta sa isang convenience store malapit lang sa apartment niya para kumain ng ice cream.

As soon as she arrived from the place, she tried calling Marta for the twentieth time already. She's clearly not picking up her calls.

Naiinis na binaba ni Kira ang cellphone niya at sinubukang tawag si Georges, and she hopes he'll be able to answer her call so she can ask about Marta's whereabouts. She's getting worried at the moment.

She lost hope when Georges did not also answer her call. Maybe they are busy from shoots? Are they travelling from one country to another for Marta's career?

She's getting too anxious by just thinking about both of her friends' whereabouts. They don't even update her anymore.

Hindi niya na alam kung sino ang pagsasabihan niya tungkol sa desisyon na ginawa niya. She's confused and she doesn't even know why the hell did she get that scared when he tried to use her parents against her.

Kira rested his forehead in her palms and started murmuring bad words.

"Is that you, Kira?" Napataas siya nang tingin at nakita si Iris na may hawak-hawak na ice cream at nakangiti sa kanya. "Ikaw nga!" Anito at kaagad na umupo sa bakanteng upuan sa tabi niya.

Tipid na ngumiti lang si Kira at kumain muli ng ice cream, she kept on sighing like there's no tomorrow.

Kunot-nuong tinignan siya ni Iris at tinanong siya nito bigla, "You look troubled. What happened? Kung okay lang sa'yo na ikuwento sa akin. I'm all ears to listen."

Kira looked at Iris and she's in the middle of arguing with herself if she will tell her about it or not. Hindi niya kasi alam kung sasabihin niya ito kay Iris dahil kababata siya ni Aivan.

Balak niya ngang hindi sabihin kay Chaun pero sasabihin niya kay Iris. But, she won't be able to sleep and she doesn't even what to do in this kind of situation. Marta's not picking up her calls nor Georges. Who will she talk to? No one?

Napakamot sa ulo si Kira at nahihiyang nginitian si Iris. "I'm really sorry, Iris. I can't tell you. It's a bit private."

Napatango na lamang si Iris at nagbigay ng ngiti, "Okay lang, naiintindihan ko." Sagot ng dalaga sa kanya.

Mas okay na na hindi niya sabihin sa kababata ni Aivan ang pagdadalawang isip niya at baka madulas pa siya at masabi niya na mayroong parte sa kanya na gusto niya iyon.

But, she can't fall with him that easily. She has a past, and that scar will remain in her heart. She can't risk anything like how she risked everything for Ricci. She's been fooled once, so she can't do the same mistake twice.

HINDI alam ni Kira kung paano niya haharapin si Chaun. Papasok na siya sa trabaho at hawak-hawak niya na ang tinapos niyang litrato sa apartment.

Kanina pa siya nakatayo sa harap ng studio at panay ang lakad pabalik-balik at paulit-ulit na iniisip kung ano ang puwedeng sabihing excuse.

Kira looked at the door and she stared at the doorknob while she's arguing with herself to open the door or not.

Bago pa siya ito buksan ay kaagad na itong binuksan nang kung sino sa loob ng studio.

Nabigla siya nang makita niya na si Ventus ang nakatayo sa harap niya. Mayroon itong lollipop sa bibig na kaagad nitong tinanggal at ngumisi.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't the photographer."

Pinilit ni Kira na ngumiti at batiin ito, "Good morning, Sir Ventus."

Binigyan lang siya ni Ventus ng masamang tingin at napatitig sa hawak niyang envelope.

Kaagad nitong hinablot ang envelope at nabigla siya dahil doon. Hindi pupuwedeng magkaroon ng damage ang mga iyon dahil raw palang iyon. Hindi siya kumuha ng extra para kapag may damage ang isa, mayroon siyang pamalit. Yung files ng litrato nasa apartment pa, pero hindi pa iyon nakaayos at kaialngan niya muling pagtuunan ng tatlong oras na pansin para maayos ang edit na kakailanganin.

Kaagad na hinabol ni Kira si Ventus sa loob ng studio, "Sir Ventus, ibalik niyo na po sa akin 'yan. That's still the raw, baka po malukot, iisa lang ang copy na mayroon ako ngayon." Paliwanag ni Kira at mapagkumababang hiningi ang hawak nitong envelope.

Isa-isang sinuri ni Ventus ang litrato na mas lalong ikinakaba ni Kira.

"Why does Lila look constipated in every photo? Why is it like this? I don't like it!" Reklamo ni Ventus sa kanya at walang kahit anong bakas ng pagkadahan-dahan ang ginawang pabalik nito sa envelope na ikinainis na ni Kira.

Kinuha niya iyon sa binata at nagpakita ng ngiti na nagtatago ng galit na nararamdaman niya. "Mawalang galang na, Sir Ventus." Panimula ni Kira. "Are you really testing my patience? This is what the company wants to see and you don't have the right to complain because you signed a contract from the clothing line you modelled, and it is statednin the contract that you will do the poses that'll be needed in the photos. So, why compain?"

"So, you're showing attitude now, huh?"

Hindi na sumagot pa muli si Kira at nilagpasan niya nalang ito. Nabigla si Kira nang kunin nito ang folder at biglang pinunit ni Ventus sa harap niya ito.

"Ventus! What the hell?" Kira exclaimed and she saw how Ventus stomped over the torned photos. Napatingin nalang si Kira sa litrato na nasa sahig at sirang-sira na talaga ito.

"You deserve this." Nakangising wika ni Ventus, "I bet you'll get fired today."

Bago pa man makapag-salita si Kira ay narinig niya ang boses ng boss niya.

"Anong nangyayari dito?" Pagtatanong ni Sir Aiden.

Bumuntong hininga si Ventus at tinignan siya na parang mayroong mapang-asar na tingin, "I didn't have any idea that you have this kind of employee, Aiden. She yelled at me and she even cursed me. How cheap!"

That's not what happened!

"Was that true, Kira?" Pagtatanong ni Sir Aiden sa kanya. "You're getting worst day by day! Hindi ko alam kung bakit pa kita tinanggap dito!"

Hindi makapag-salita si Kira dahil una sa lahat hindi niya mapapatunayan sa boss niya na wala siyang kasalanan kasi walang saksi at mukhang mas pinaniniwalaan nito si Ventus.

Nakita niya ang tingin ni Chaun kay Ventus at mukhang alam nito na wala siyang kasalanan, but how can Chaun help her? Chaun was with Sir Aiden earlier and they both came together when they heard her yell.

"Explain yourself, Ms. Chiumenti!" Napagulantang si Kira sa sigaw ng boss niya at napansin niya na nagsipasukan ang iba niyang katrabaho sa loob ng studio. Doon siya nakaramdam ng pagkahiya.

"She's clearly at fault," Singit ni Ventus, "she tore those photos in front of me, she told me that those photos were bad because I did a bad performance at yesterday's shoot." Dagdag pa nito.

Kinuha ni Chaun ang napunit na litrato sa sahig at sinuri. "Aiden, walang kasalanan si Kira. Hindi niya kayang gumawa ng ganoon —"

Hindi pinatuloy ni Sir Aiden ang sasabihin ni Chaun, "Clearly, you weren't able to see what really happened, Chaun. So, don't meddle with this and let Ms. Chiumenti talk."

Kira sighed and she tried to hold back her tears. She's being humiliated in front of her colleagues! She didn't even do anything wrong. In fact, she didn't do anything at all! It was this scoundrel's fault!

"Ano? Magsasalita ka ba o magpapaka-pipe ka lang d'yan?!" Nanginginig si Kira sa takot sa ginawang pagsigaw nito sa kanya.

Kira tried everything she can to completely answer him without stuttering, "I-It wasn't—"

"What gives you the right to shout at my woman, Aiden?"

Nabigla si Kira sa nagsalita at mas lalong gusto niyang magtago nang makitang si Aivan iyon. How could he address her like that! She could've just told him her condition!

Mas nabigla si Kira nang lumapit si Aiden sa kanya at kaagad siya nitong inakbayan at mas lalong hinigpitan pa nito ang pagkakaakbay.

Sir Aiden tsk-ed, "Your woman? Even if she's your women, she's still working at me, brother. Poprotektahan mo pa siya kahit na alam na alam ng lahat ang ginawa niya?"

Narinig niya ang pagak na pagtawa ni Aivan at kaagad na tinignan si Ventus. "Think about it, Aiden." He looked back at his brother, "Why would Kira ruin the photos she worked on? Bakit pa siya magsasayang ng oras para tapusin ito at maibigay sa'yo sa maayos na lagay tapos sisirain niya lang?"

Natahimik ang boss niya at narinig ni Kira ang malakas na bulungan mula sa mga katrabaho niya.

Nabigla siya nang iharap siya ni Aivan at nginitian. He caressed her cheek and he started to ask her something, "What did he tell you?" Aivan asked.

Kira gulped and she looked down as she answered him honestly, "He insulted the photos. Hindi niya sinusunod ang kontrata na pinirmahan niya."

Ngumisi si Aivan at inakbayan muli siya, "See? Kira won't yell at him without any reason." Aivan pointed out at Aiden. "Well, as a sorry for that, my dear brother. I'll just borrow my girlfriend, okay?" Paalam ni Aivan at kaagad siyang hinila palabas sa studio at bago pa sila tuluyang lumabas ay binalik ni Aivan ang tingin sa boss niya at kay Ventus. "Oh, and brother? Deal with him, I'll leave him to you." pagkasabi niya no'n ay tuluyan na silang lumabas sa studio.

Kira was still puzzled from what just happened.

Sinakay siya ni Aivan sa isang kotse at sinimulan na nitong magmaneho. She was still shocked from what happened and he really did save her from the ruckus inside the studio. If he did not save her from that situation, she might have been misunderstood and worst, she'll be fired.

Kira silently sighed, "Thank you for helping me." She thanked Aivan.

"That was nothing. I have to protect my woman after all."

Saglitang natahimik si Kira at hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin niya at hindi naman siya sanay sa ganito. She's been in love once, and she doesn't even know if she still loves Ricci or not, but she's feeling a bit for Aivan.

Maybe she's attracted to his looks and that's all. Nothing serious at all.

"Don't worry, my brother won't really fire you. He's a good guy." Biglang wika nito.

Good guy? Which part of her boss is good, huh? All he does to her are all the insults and shouting.

"I don't really think so. Ever since I started working to him, all he does was shouting and he keep on insulting me. I don't know..." Sagot naman ni Kira.

"Ganoon talaga si Aiden. He's harsh but he's nice. I mean, he wouldn't hire you if he's not nice."

Napatango nalang si Kira sa sinabi nito at napaisip. "Wala ka bang duty sa hospital?" tanong niya.

Tumango si Aivan, "Nasa day-off ako ngayon. So, I took the chance to bring you somewhere."

Hindi alam ni Kira kung anong tawag sa kanilang dalawa ni Aivan. She was once his patient but now? She's his woman. In what way? Maybe, someone like, a person who'll serve him? Since, it's pretty clear that the reason why she's in this situation is because of blackmailing.

Kira tgen realized that the car stopped. Kira took a glance at the window and she saw that they both stopped in Green Park. The park next to the hospital.

Sabay silang bumaba ni Aivan sa kotse at nagtatakabg tinignan niya si Aivan. "Ajong ginagawa natin dito?" Pagtatanong ni Kira kay Aivan.

Napatitig saglit si Aivan sa parke at kaagad na ibinalik din ang tingin sa kanya. "I'm using the purpose of this park. I need it." Sagot ni Aivan sa tanong ni Kira.

Hindi na nakapagtanong si Kira dahil nauna na itong naglakad sa kanya. Nakasunod lang si Kira sa likod ni Aivan at

Umupo si Aivan sa isang bench at napatitig lang siya sa ginagawang pagkilos ni Aivan. He patted the seat beside him, "Sit here, Kira."

Kaagad naman siyang umupo sa tabi ng binata at dahan-dahang tinignan ang kilos na ginagawa nito. Nakatitig lang si Aivan sa puno na nasa harapan nila at dahil doon napatingin rin siya sa puno.

May kalakihan iyon at mayroong swing na nakakapit sa puno. Napansin ni Kira na iba ang lungkot at lamig na pinapakita ni Aivan ngayon.

"Since you're my woman," Biglang putol ni Aivan sa katahimikan na ikinakuha ng atensyon ni Kira. "I have a request."

A request?

"What request?" Kira asked, curiously.

Nabigla siya nang ipinatong ni Aivan ang ulo nito sa balikat niya. Pinag-krus nito ang kamay sa dibdib at ipinikit ang nga mata.

Her heart suddenly started pounding continuously and she really felt her face getting hot. What is this feeling?

Kira was shocked. "U-Uhm, A-Aivan, what a-are you d-doing?" Kira asked out of nowhere.

"I need your comfort."