THE ACTIVIST'S KISS: THE BILLIONAIRE'S VOW

Chapter 17 – SHADOWS OF DESIRE

Ang city skyline ay nababalot ng fog, at sa bawat ilaw na sumasalamin sa basa na kalye, ramdam mo ang suspense sa hangin. Si Hanna at Piolo ay nasa itaas ng abandoned rooftop, overlooking sa mga warehouses sa pier district—lugar kung saan huling nakita nila ang Limson’s men.

“Piolo… baka dangerous ‘to. Ang dami pa rin nilang armed men,” bulong ni Hanna, hawak ang waterproof folder na may critical files.

“Exactly why we need to be careful… and together,” sagot ni Piolo, tinitingnan siya. Ramdam ni Hanna ang intensity sa bawat tingin niya. “Handa ka na?”

Hanna huminga nang malalim. “Ready… if you’re with me.”

Sandaling tumigil sila, parang lahat tumigil sa paligid—hangin, ulan, city noise—lahat tila nakafocus sa kanila. Piolo lumapit, bahagyang lumalapit sa kanyang mukha. “We need to stay close… literally.” At hawak ang kamay niya. Ramdam ni Hanna ang sparks sa bawat touch.

Ngunit bago pa man sila makapag-daloy sa action, may movement sa pier below. Limson’s reinforcements, mas maraming armed men kaysa sa huli nilang intel. “There… multiple targets,” sabi ni Piolo, hand ready, eyes scanning.

“Piolo… ang daming shadows. Paano tayo makakapasok nang hindi nakikita?” bulong ni Hanna, adrenaline racing.

“Step by step… we improvise. And… stay close,” sagot ni Piolo, instinctively hawak ang kamay niya. Parang bawat touch ay nagbibigay lakas kay Hanna, at kahit may panganib, hindi niya maiwasang maramdaman ang init sa pagitan nila.

Nag-sneak sila sa alleyways, fog at water reflections nagpapalabo sa kanilang presence. Every brush ng hands or shoulders, sparks. Every whispered word, tension + kilig.

“Piolo… I… I can’t believe we’re still alive after lahat ng nangyari,” bulong ni Hanna, heart racing.

“You’ve been amazing… brave,” sagot ni Piolo, bahagyang lumapit, at bahagyang hawak ang kamay niya sa paligid ng fog. “And… you know… beautiful too.”

Hanna froze, ramdam ang init sa cheeks niya. “Stop… we have to focus,” bulong niya, half embarrassed, half kilig.

“Focus… but safe to enjoy a moment?” bulong ni Piolo, bahagyang smile, eyes locked sa kanya. Ramdam ni Hanna ang spark, kahit sa tension ng environment.

Paglapit nila sa warehouse, nakita nila ang isang clandestine operation—men carrying boxes na may forged documents, lights flashing, shadows moving. “Piolo… so many men…” bulong ni Hanna, slight tremble sa voice niya.

“Quiet… we move silently,” sagot ni Piolo. Hand in hand, nag-crawl sila sa shadows, bawat brush ng katawan, sparks. Piolo whispered, “Stay close…” Hawak niya ang wrist ni Hanna, instinctive protection.

“Piolo…” bulong ni Hanna, heart racing, “I… I feel… your touch…”

“Shh… moment later. Danger first,” sagot ni Piolo, pero ramdam ni Hanna ang closeness, ang spark, ang subtle intimacy sa midst ng tension.

Nang makalapit sila sa target, nakita nila ang crates na may label ng Sterling imports, pero sa loob, forged financial documents. Critical evidence. “We… we found it,” bulong ni Hanna, excitement mixed with fear.

“Good… now extraction,” sagot ni Piolo, scanning. Ngunit bago pa sila makalabas, Limson’s men noticed movement sa ibang side. Quick decision: split approach—Piolo distract, Hanna retrieve files.

“Piolo… hindi safe!” bulong ni Hanna, hands slightly trembling.

“I’ll cover you… just trust me,” sagot ni Piolo, bahagyang lumapit para siguraduhing close. Ramdam ni Hanna ang sparks sa bawat brush ng bodies nila.

Piolo moved swiftly, taking out threats silently while Hanna gathered documents. Heart racing, adrenaline pumping, every glance at each other, every accidental touch, nagiging kilig moments sa midst ng danger.

Finally, retrieval complete. Pero bago sila makalabas, Limson’s top lieutenant appeared—armed, ready. Quick combat scene: Piolo neutralized threat efficiently while Hanna covered his back. Sparks still palpable sa bawat close proximity.

“Piolo…” bulong ni Hanna habang humihinga nang malalim. “You… always save me…”

“Because I care… and… I like you, Hanna,” sagot niya, bahagyang lumapit, almost forehead-to-forehead proximity. Sparks everywhere. “Danger or not… I’m here.”

Hanna’s cheeks flushed. “I… I like you too… Piolo. Even in all this… chaos.”

Sandali nilang nag-hold ang kamay, slight embrace, kahit alam nilang may panganib sa paligid. City lights, fog, and rain—perfect backdrop sa sparks nila.

Ngunit hindi pa tapos. Limson’s network may backup plan—alarms triggered. Need for rapid escape. Piolo held her hand tightly. “Let’s move… now.”

Sila nag-sprint sa foggy pier streets, rain-soaked, every brush ng arms at hands, sparks. Heartbeats racing, adrenaline high, but trust + emotional connection unbreakable.

Paglabas sa safe rooftop, huminga sila nang malalim. “Piolo… we… we survived again,” bulong ni Hanna, looking into his eyes.

“Yes… together,” sagot ni Piolo, bahagyang smile, holding her hands, close. “Through danger, through sparks… always together.”

At sa gitna ng fog, ulan, at city lights, ramdam nila—kahit panganib at tension, connection nila deeper than ever. Romantic tension, action, at suspense perfectly intertwined.