For Keeps

Eighteen

Kiara

University Hall

Kitkat walked out on Gab and left Dominique with Vinci as they compiled books for their research. Paglabas niya sa library ay sinundan siya ni Gab sa paglalakad papunta sa main hall ng eskwela.

"Stop following me." She halted and warned.

"I'm not... following you," Gab said as he confidently stood there, but he put his hands in the pockets of his pants.

In the past, Kitkat attended a presentation workshop where reading body language was taught. She knew that Gab unintentionally put his hands in the pockets of his pants because he was either hiding something or he wasn't telling the truth.

Hindi nagsalita si Gab at patuloy lamang na sumunod sa kaniyang paglalakad . Hindi tuloy niya mawari kung nang-iinis ba ito o nagpapapansin.

Ngunit, gusto din naman niya ang presensya nito malapit sa kaniya, dahil madilim na ang building at natatakot siya. At kung maari nga lamang, sa kaibuturan ng kaniyang puso ay gusto niyang kapiling niya si Gab bawat segundo, minuto ng oras ng kaniyang buhay. But she tried to dismiss that yearning.

It's just so complicated right now and all I want to do is protect our baby. She thought, imagining that she was saying it directly to Gab.

Patuloy siyang sinundan sa pagalalakad ni Gab hanggang sa makalabas siya sa Main Hall exit. Tumigil siya sa harapan ng building at tinawagan ang kanilang family driver na si Kuya Richard upang sunduin siya nito.

"Andito na ako sa parking, Kat. Sinabi ng Mommy mo na tinawagan siya ni Gab kanina. Nagpapaalam ang bugoy na iyon na ihatid ka sa atin pagkatapos ng group research niyo. Hindi nga lang pumayag ang Daddy mo, kaya pinapunta na ako dito ng Mommy mo."

Napatingin siya kay Gab na malungkot na nakatingin sa kalsada at tila may inaabangan, nang maaninag nito ang paparating na sasakyan.

"Nakikita ko na kayo, Kuya Richard." Aniya sa kausap sa mobile phone.

Kinawayan ni Gab ang kotse upang makita ng kaniyang driver ang kanilang lokasyon, at bahagyang umatras upang hindi siya maharangan nito.

Agad na lumapit ang sasakyan sa tapat nila. Binuksan ni Gab ang pintuan ng sasakyan para sa kaniya. Inilahad pa nito ang kamay papunta sa kaniya upang alalayan siya nito papasok ng sasakyan, ngunit hindi niya ito tinanggap.

Natatakot siya na kapag hinawakan niya si Gab ay hindi na niya kayang magtimpi pa at mayakap niya ito ng mahigpit na mahigpit.

Mahigpit na lamang niyang hinawakan ang kanyang trench coat upang matakpan ang kaniyang tiyan. Dahan dahan siyang pumasok sa loob ng kotse.

Nang makaupo siya ng maayos sa loob ng kotse ay hindi din niya tiningnan si Gab. Hinawakan na niya ang handle ng pinto ng sasakyan at inintay si Gab na bumitiw dito. Tahimik at malungkot naman bumitiw si Gab.

Ayaw niyang sumulyap man lang kay Gab dahil naawa siya dito. Baka magbago ang paninindigan niya at bumigay siya kay Gab dahil sa effort na ginagawa nito para sa kaniya.

Tinanggihan pala ito ng kaniyang ama na ihatid siya, ngunit sinamahan pa din siya nito ngayon sa paglalakad papalabas ng university building at tiniyak nitong nakarating na ang kaniyang sundo.

Pag dating niya sa kanilang bahay ay agad siyang umakyat sa kaniyang kuwarto. Gusto niyang mapag-isa dahil nalulungkot siya na tila nanghihina na siya sa panindigan niyang lumayo na kay Gab. Humiga siya sa kaniyang kama at hindi napigilan na maluha hanggan makatulog siya.

***

Kitkat could hear her own gasp as Gab lunged his pelvic forcefully from the back, pushing her towards the hardbound books on the shelf. The intoxicating feeling that her nerve endings made her feel as Gab deepened his thrust was making her trance to a euphoric state. She felt like she was nearing her O.

She wondered how long has it been since she felt it because of Gab who was the first and the only man she ever had an intimacy with. At wala na siyang iba pang gusto makasama at maranasan ang tinuturing niyang sagradong bagay na iyon kungdi kay Gab lamang.

She wanted the sensation she was feeling now, and how much she had wanted it with Gab over and over. But she knew she couldn't enjoy this. She felt like she had no right anymore because it could hurt Gab... his career... and it could hurt their baby because of the death threats she received after people found out that she was pregnant with Gab's baby.

But she could not ignore the intoxicating feeling of his entrance inside her. She wanted the sensation that he was giving her. She wanted it so much that she would rather hurt herself just to continue with the secret intimacy she was enjoying. She did not want their intimacy to end. She wanted it on and on.

She held on to the hardbound books though it hurt her fingers with their shart plastic covers. She held them for fear that the bookshelves may fall and cause a domino effect. She thought it should not happen because it will expose their embarrassing coitus position.

No one should know of their illicit affair.

"To protect him... I need to stay away from him." She remembered she said that.

Ang kaniyang determinasyon na lumayo kay Gab ay dahil sa mahal niya ito. Pero si Gab ang ayaw bumitaw.

"Para sa'yo itong ginagawa ko, Love!" Nasambit niya. "Para sa inyo ito ng baby natin!" She felt scared and wanted to stop.

She looked behind her and told Gab to stop, but Gab made her face him and tore her garment away. He looked down and stared at her exposed stomach. She covered her naked body but realized her stomach was not big and round anymore. She immediately touched her flat stomach and wondered if she was happy that there was no baby involved in her hard situation anymore.

"No!" She screamed, wanting to end all of these things. But, then, she found herself surrounded by the millions of Infin8 Soldiers, and they were hurting her.

They hate me! She thought.

"You don't deserve GP of Infin8!"

"You're ugly!"

"You're a slut! You seduced GP!"

"You and your child will be cursed!"

"You're going to die and rot in hell!"

"I hope you die and leave that baby for GP alone!"

"Just give birth to our GP's baby and get lost!"

"We're going to take that baby!"

"Stop!" She screamed again. "Leave me and my baby alone!"

Kitkat woke up panting. She immediately checked her belly.

"Still big and round like a watermelon..." nasambit niya.

She protectively held on to her belly and repeatedly said thank you that it was still big and round.

She noticed the sweat on her forehead and her cheeks. Pinagpawisan pala siya at umiiyak na naman habang natutulog siya.

"It's just a dream," she whispered in relief. It comforted her and made her feel that she wasn't alone.

But, I'm not alone. Gab's here. A part of herself assured her. It's just complicated, but you know he's here. He came here for you.

She slowly forced herself to stand from the bed and went to the bathroom. She decided to take a bath. The warm feeling of the water cascading to her tensed body made her relaxed.

Sa kaniyang tantya, mag-aapat na buwan na pala siyang nagbubuntis at patungo na sa ika-limang buwan. Sabi sa baby book na kaniyang binasa ay buo na ang kaniyang baby. Ramdam na ramdam na nito ang kaniyang sariling nararamdaman, kaya mas pag-igihin pa niya ang pag-iingat ng sarili, ng kaniyang mga naiisip at emosyon.

Taking a bath was one of her favorite things to do. But lately, it has been one of the things she's tired of doing because she has to stand long which would give her backache ever since her belly started growing bigger.

Her parents forbade her to use her bath tube because it was slippery. Kapag hindi daw siya sumunod, mapipilitan daw ang kaniyang magulang na pabantayan siya sa kaniyang magiging assigned na nanny. She found it ridiculous to have a nanny at her age, and at the same time, she wanted her privacy, so she obeyed her parents.

Kitkat forced herself to stand under the shower room when she would take a bath.

Sa isip niya, kahit doon man lang mag-obey ako sa magulang ko para hindi na sila mag-alala sa akin.

Hindi na siya nagtagal pa sa shower room at agad na nagsuot ng bathrobe. Lumabas na siya ng bathroom upang maka-upo sa loveseat malapit sa bedside table.

Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga at napatingin sa bintana habang nagpapahinga. Napagtanto niyang gabi na pala. Hindi man lang niya nakausap si Dominique upang humingi ng dispensa dahil nag-walk out siya kanina.

She reached for her shoulder bag on her bedside table to get her mobile phone. She called her best friend through the Messenger app. Agad naman sumagot si Dominique.

"Girl, how are you feeling? Gab said you're not feeling well that's why you left." Bungad ni Dominique.

"Dom, sorry about that. I... uhm..." she wasn't sure how to explain what happened.

"Love," she suddenly heard a familiar man's voice. It was Gab. She thought he probably was with Dominique.

"Are you feeling better now?" there was worry in his voice.

Hindi siya nakasagot. She was tempted to assure him. Thankfully, she heard Dominique chime in.

"Give me nga my phone! Ako kaya ang tinawagan ni Kat kaya ako ang gusto niya kausap, hindi ikaw, 'kay?" She heard Dominique said.

"I just wanted to make sure that Love's okay." Narinig niyang paliwanag ni Gab. "I tried calling Tita Katniss earlier to check on her, and Tita said she wasn't feeling well and that she was resting. Please find out what's happening to her." She heard a slight commotion and Gab's frantic voice.

Napangiti siya sa paga-alala ni Gab para sa kaniya. Kinilig siya at napaisip kung ano ang hitsura ni Gab habang nag-aalala para sa kaniya.

Awtomatikong nilapat niya ang kaniyang kamay sa kaniyang tiyan. She wanted their baby to feel the positive feeling she felt at that moment.

"Fine! Fine! Will you just calm down, Gabriel?" Kitkat heard Dominique's voice. "Love, este Kitkat, ok ka lang daw ba?" narinig niyang tanong ni Dominique.

"Ayos lang ako."Tipid niyang sagot. "Napagod lang ako kasi... alam mo na..."

"You're tired na? Are you still up for dinner with us? Tita Katniss invited us kasi for dinner with you in your home. She said diyan na lang natin gawin yung research.... so we're on our way there na sa Rose Castle."

Nagulat siya sa narinig at napatingin sa kaniyang tiyan. She couldn't believe her Mommy would invite Gab over their home.She instantly worried about her round belly. Alam naman ng kaniyang Mommy na walang ideya si Gab na buntis pa din siya.

Si Mommy talaga! She bit her lower lip and tried to think of a way out of her situation.

"What's your ETA, then?" she tried to calm down.

"About fifteen minutes nandiyan na kami." Dominique replied.

"Okay. See you!" She said and ended the call.

Agad niyang tinungo ang kaniyang walk-in closet at naghanap ng maluwag na bistida upang hindi mahalata ni Gab ang kaniyang bumubukol na tiyan.

She reminded herself to relax, but then she couldn't stop and look at her full body in the large mirror. She noticed how pale her skin and lips. Nilagyna niya ng kaunting cheek at lip tint ang kaniyang pisngi at labi. Naglagay din siya ng kaunting pabango para kahit papaano ay makaramdam siya ng confidence sa kaniyang sarili na maganda pa rin siya kahit na tingin niya ay naha- haggard na siya sa pagdala ng kaniyang problema.

She heard the automatic gate of the castle beeped. Alam niyang may pinapasok ang mga guwardiya nila na panauhin. She went to the window of her room which was facing the gate. Hindi siya pamilyar sa sasakyan na dala nila Gab ngunit nakita niya ang isang itim na Maserati Quattroporte na pinapasok ng mga guwardiya. She was quite familiar with the car brands that her father prefers and she didn't remember her father having a black Maserati Quattroporte in his collections in their basement.

She felt butterflies inside her belly. Alam niyang lulan ng sasakyan na iyon ang lalaking pinakamamahal niya.

Nakaramdam siya ng excitement at kaba na makita si Gab. Huminga siya ng malalim at tinungo na ang kaniyang study desk upang kunin ang kaniyang laptop bag at tablet para sa kanilang research.

***

"Mommy, what are you up to?" Tanong ni Kitkat sa kaniyang ina na abalang abala sa pagmamando sa mga helpers nila sa mahabang lamesa.

Nakasuot ng eleganteng Pink na bistida ang kaniyang ina at nakapusod ang buhok nito. Tila pinaghandaan nito ang pag-dating nila Gab, Dominique, at Vinci.

"What do you mean, darling? Gab told me that you had a research, but you left early. Nakakahiya naman sa mga ka-group mo kaya I invited them over for dinner, and suggested na dito niyo na gawin ang research na iyan." Patay malisyang sabi ng kaniyang ina.

"Signorina Katniss, the guests have arrived." Ani ng isa sa mga helpers.

"That's good. Offer them refreshments, and guide them here in the Sampaguita room after 5 minutes." Utos naman ng kaniyang ina.

"But, Mom!" She said frustrated. "Alam mo naman ang situation ko diba? Yung tiyan ko baka mahalata ni Gab lalo na hindi ako nakasuot ng trench coat. Alangan naman mag-trench coat ako dito sa bahay!"

"Ano bang kinakatakot mo? Isn't it about time that he knew he'll be a father soon? That way, he would still have the chance to reflect and be ready for it? Magkaalaman na tayo dito sa bahay, where you are safe. Kesa sa labas pa niya malaman, mai-stress ka at matakbo ka sa hospital. Please don't give me a heart attack, Kiara!"

"Pero Mommy, hindi pa ako ready. At saka paano si Daddy? Baka magalit siya sa atin na pinapunta mo dito sila Gab." She felt worried.

"Don't worry about your Dad. He's coming home late because he had to attend an event. He was invited by the Italian Ambassador." Mahinahon na sabi ng kaniyang ina.

"Pero kahit na..." kinakabahan niyang sambit.

"Anak," sambit ng kaniyang ina at marahang hinimas ang kaniyang magkabilang braso. "Kung mahalata man ni Gab ang tiyan mo, so be it. Let him know. Hindi mo naman forever maitatago kay Gab yang tiyan mo." Anito. "Lalo na kapag five-months na yang apo ko sa tummy mo, biglang lalaki ang tiyan mo at hindi na rin naman yan maitatago ng trench coat mo." Anito.

"Not now, Mommy." Napapa-iling niyang pakiusap.

"Ikaw ang bahala, Kitkat. Basta ako, naka-alalay lang sa'yo." Ani ng ina. Pareho na silang napabaling sa pintuan ng dining room. Bumungad na ang mukha ng kaniyang bestfriend na si Dominique, Vinci at nasa huli si Gab. Agad nagtama ang kanilang mga mata. Hindi siya kaagad nakaiwas kaya nakita niya ang pagaaalala sa mata nito. Agad siya nitong nilapitan.

Mabilis niyang hinarang ang laptop at tablet pangtakip sa kaniyang tiyan.

"Tita Katniss, thank you for inviting us for dinner." Mabilis na binati ni Gab ang kaniyang ina, at nagmano ito.

Nagulat siya sa gesture na ginawa ni Gab sa kaniyang ina. Pansin niyang tila pamilyar na kaniyang ina at si Gab sa isa't isa.

"My pleasure GP of Infin8." Magiliw na sabi ng kaniyang ina kay Gab at nakipag-beso beso pa ito.

Inilahad pa ng kaniyang ina ang kamay papunta sa kaniya. Tila ginagabayan nito si Gab na bitbit ang paborito nitong Amiri Black bag. Ilang taon nang ginagamit ni Gab ang bag na iyon. Alam niya ito dahil super fan siya ni Gab at parati siyang updated sa kahit anong impormasyon tungkol kay GP of Infin8 noon. Dati rati ay sa picture lang niya nakikita si GP of Infin8 na bitbit ang Amiri Black bag na iyon. Ngayon ay aktwal na niyang nakikita ito na bitbit ni GP of Infin8.

Nakaramdam na naman siya ng kilig, na pilit niyang itinatago.

Napakagat labi siya at umiwas ng tingin.

"Are you okay?" Agad namang lumapit si Gab sa kaniya.

Gab could not restrain himself from touching both her shoulders. The sensation of his thumb gently caressing the skin of her neck, while he worried, sent a different sensation on her twin tips. She even worried that they might be evident in her brassiere and dress, especially since she has noticed that her breasts and the tips of her breasts had been bigger. Sabi pa naman sa baby book, extra sensitive ang mga breasts niya dahil nagkakaroon na ito ng milk.

"Yeah," her lips went dry and she had the urge to quickly lick it with her tongue. Napatingin din si Gab sa kaniyang labi at sa unconscious na bagay na kaniyang nagawa.

Kitang kita niya ang pamilyar na kislap sa mata nito kapag ito ay may naiisip na kapilyuhan noon. Pinamulahan siya ng pisngi at agad na umiwas ng tingin. Mas lalo din niyang tinakpan ng kaniyang laptop at tablet ang kaniyang namumukol na tiyan sa maluwag na dress na kaniyang suot.

"Hello, Tita Katniss. Thank you for having us. This is my husband, Vinci. Vinci, this is Tita Katniss." Narinig niyang sabi ni Dominique at doon na lamang siya tumuon ng pansin.

"Nice to meet you Vinci of Infin8!" Tugon naman ng kaniyang ina. She saw that Vinci lifted her mother's hand and kissed it as a sign of respect.

Bahagyang nagulat ang kaniyang ina. Napatingin naman siya kay Dominique na bahagyang napangiwi at tumingin sa kaniya.

Kahit sa tingin lang, nabasa na niya si Dominique. She quickly understood that Vincie was never like that with Dominique. She wanted to go to Dominique but it seemed Vinci escorted her to sit already at the long table, with her mother.

"Have a seat." Nilahad ng kaniyang ina ang kamay nito patungo sa lamesa. Naupo ang kaniyang ina sa pinaka-dulo bilang host. Malapit naman sa kaliwa ng lamesa naupo sina Vinci at Dominique. She decided to sit on the opposite side, without inviting Gab.

Ramdam niya ang presensya ni Gab sa kaniyang likod. Sumunod ito sa kaniya at inunahan pa siya upang hilahin ang upuan para sa kaniya.

"Thank you, " she shyly said amidst the violin playing in the background.

"My pleasure, my princess," Gab responded which only she could hear from their close distance.

Gab sat beside her and secretly reached for her hand underneath the table.

Napatingin siya kay Gab, habang dahan dahan niyang inaalis ang kaniyang kamay mula kay Gab.

Isa isang hinatid ng mga helper ang soup at vegetable salad.

"Let go of my hand." Palihim niyang sinabi kay Gab.

Gab charmingly smiled at her, and secretly let go of her hand, before the helpers came close to serve the plated food to them.

While eating, Katniss conversed with Dominique and the two members of Infin8. Napansin niyang tila ini-interview ng kaniyang ina na si Katniss ang dalawang miyembro ng Infin8. At tila parang marami itong alam mula sa mga kanta ng mga ito at sa mga tours ng mga ito ngayon taon.

Their dinner went well, and she was thankful to her mother for her warm hospitality and full bellies, especially since her Mommy did not serve scallops or any seafood that would make her throw up since her pregnancy started.

After their dinner, her mother took the lead of inviting Gab, Dominique and Vinci to the library where they could do their reaserch. Sinadya ng kaniyang Mommy na ayain si Gab na tumayo na sa dining char at umangkla pa dito habang nauuna na ang mga ito maglakad palabas ng dining room kasama din si Vinci.

Si Dominique naman ay umangkla sa kaniya at napatingin sa kaniyang tiyan.

"Is it obvious?" she whispered as they walked out of the dining room.

"If you put the laptop in front of you, no," Dominique assured as they followed.

Pagpasok nila sa library ay napansin niyang namangha ang dalawang miyembro ng Infin8.

Kinuha niya iyon na pagkakataon na maunang maupo sa mahabang sofa. Inilapag niya ang kaniyang laptop at tablet sa coffee table, at tinakpan ang kaniyang tiyan ng malaking throw pillow.

Si Gab naman ay napansin siyang naupo na sa sofa at tinungo na nito ang sofa. Tumabi ito sa kaniya kahit pa malaki ang espasyo ng sofa. Si Vinci naman ay abala sa pagtingin ng mga libro.

Gab dropped his bag on the carpeted floor and unzipped it. She felt curious as to what was inside his favorite bag. She watched as his arm flexed when he was getting the hardbound and thick books.

"Wow! Pangbitbit mo lang ng mga libro ang mamahalin at favorite mong bag na yan?" She wasn't able to stop herself from asking.

Napangiti si Gab sa kaniya. "Alam mong paborito ko ito, Love?" aliw na tanong ni Gab sa kaniya.

Shocks! Bakit ba kasi kailangan ko pa sabihin iyon, eh! Pagsisisi niya. She decided to change the topic.

"Ano-ano yung mga nahiram niyong libro sa school?" tanong niya. "Mag-start na tayo mag-basa at mag-type ng research natin." Aya niya. "Dom? Vinci?" tawag niya sa dalawang kasama.

Dominique and Vinci were busy skimming through pages of different books.

"Dom! Vinci!" Tinawag ni Gab ang dalawa upang tulungan siya.

"Ako na lang ang magta-type nung research natin saka magche-check ako sa internet." Alok niya.

"Okay," tugon ni Gab na tila naaliw siyang panoorin.

The proximity they had was making her conscious and blushing. It was also making her fingers clumsy, that her laptop almost fell off from top of the throw pillow on her lap.

Agad naman nasalo ni Gab ang laptop. He offered to be the one to type on her laptop, but when he turned the laptop on, he saw her screen saver and the wallpaper was a picture of him.

Lalo siyang napahiya at namula. Kung puwede lang matunaw at magpakain sa lupa ay ginawa na niya.

"I didn't realize I haven't changed my screen saver... and wallpaper..." aniya. "I'll change it now." Aniya na kunwari ay hindi malaking bagay na mabuko siya ni Gab tungkol sa laptop niya.

"Bakit mo babaguhin?" Iniwas ni Gab ang laptop sa kaniyang pag-abot dito.

"Babaguhin ko kasi mas gusto ko na yung mga background ng Microsoft ngayon tungkol sa mga places and---"

"Don't change it." Gab asserted. "Don't ever change it. Please?" pakiusap nito.

"Pag-iisipan ko." She tried to be unaffected by Gab and tried to reach for her laptop again.

Muling iniwas ni Gab ang laptop.

"Akin kaya yan!" She was starting to get annoyed.

"Akin ka naman," sagot ni Gab. "Kaya I have the right to your laptop, too." He said as if he was sure about those statements that he boldly said.

"Wow, ha!" She tried not to be perturbed by his statement. "Bumili ka ng sarili mong laptop." She was unsure if her answer was right because she did not deny or confirm his statement about his claim.

"Ang sungit mo naman, parang nung nasa US tayo... nung preg---" hindi naituloy ni Gab ang sasabihin nito. Ito pa ngayon ang namula. "I'm sorry, Love."

Hindi siya nakakibo. Nagiisip siya kung ito na ba ang tamang pagkakataon para sabihin niya ang totoo.

Muli siyang napatingin kay Gab. She saw hurt and sadness in his eyes, which made her feel more guilty. She knew he was suffering because of the lie that they lost their baby.

"Game na?" ang pagtitig nila sa isa't isa ay naputol ng pagsasalita ni Vinci. Sinalampak nito ang sarili sa mahabang sofa na katapat ng sofa na kinauupuan nila.

"Yeah," malungkot na tugon ni Gab. Hindi na ito muling bumaling sa kaniya at tumutok na lang sa pagta-type sa laptop ng mga dinidikta nina Vinci at Dominique dito.

"Excuse me, Signorina Kitkat. Your medicines." Ani ng helper na may dalang tray ng baso ng tubig at mga gamot niya para sa kaniyang pagbubuntis. Agad na tumayo si Gab at nagboluntaryo na ito na ang maglalapit sa kaniya ng tray ng mga gamot niya.

Kinabahan siya dahil baka pamilyar si Gab sa mga gamot na ito at mahalata nito ang kaniyang mga iniinom na gamot ay para sa kaniyang pagbubumtis.

"Ako na," she refused for Gab to accept the tray, but Gab was quick to bring the tray to her. He sat down again beside her, at binalatan pa ang mga gamot bago binigay sa kaniya para inumin. He then gave her water to drink.

"Salamat," nahihiya niyang tugon at tinanggap ang tubig upang inumin.

Sina Vinci at Dominique naman ang nagpatuloy sa pagta-type ng reasearch paper nila.

"Marami ka palang iniinom na gamot, Love." Nasambit ni Gab na may pag-aalala. "Are you sick ba?"

"I'm not sick," tugon niya. "Marami lang akong gamot for... for beauty enhancement." Pagsisinungaling niya.

Gab stared at her and seemed like he was in deep thought before he quietly just read the books.

Sa buong oras na ginagawa nila ang research ay napansin niya na mabilis mag-basa si Gab at magaling ito magbigay ng ideya kung paano papagandahin ang kanilang nire-reasearch. Napansin din niyang kaya ni Gab na magpokus sa ibang bagay at hindi man lang siya binalingan ng tingin nito.

Nakaramdam siya ng pananabik na tapunan siya ng tingin ni Gab. Ngunit kapag ito pala ay nagta-trabaho, nakapokus ito. Napagtanto niya na kung kaya nitong ibaling ang pokus sa ibang bagay ng matagal na hindi man lamang siya nililingon, paano pa kaya kung nagalit ito sa kaniya dahil sa nagawa niyang pagsisinungaling.

Nakaramdam siya ng kaba at agad niyang naisip na kailangan na niyang wakasan ang lihim niya. Mas gusto na niyang sabihin ang totoo at tanggapin ang maaring kahinatnan ng kaniyang nagawa kaysa magpatumpik tumpik pa siya.

Makailang oras ang nakalipas at napansin ni Dominique na mag- 10:30 pm na ng gabi.

"Ituloy na lang natin 'to bukas." Suhestyon ni Vinci.

"Let's do it naman sa house namin." Suhestyon ni Dominique.

"If this is okay with Kitkat." Ani Gab at bumaling sa kaniya.

"Sure," tugon niya, kahit pa hindi siya sigurado sa planong ito.

Ang tanging nasa isip lamang niya ay kung paano niya wawakasan ang paglilihim niya kay Gab, kahit hindi pa siya handa.

"I also have something to discuss with you..." aniya kay Gab. But, part of her wanted to make an excuse up tomorrow not to go to Gab, Vinci, and Dom's residence, and just delay further.

"Hey, Gab! Look at this." Biglang nabulalas ni Vinci habang nakatingin ito sa mobile phone.

"What happened?" Dominique got curious and viewed Vinci's mobile phone. Her eyes became big and quickly glanced at her.

Gab was just sitting beside her and automatically reached for her hand.

"What?" he sounded defensive.

Vincic quickly showed his phone to him. Nabasa niya ang nakasulat sa title ng electronic news.

"Liza Anderson, nasa Italya upang mag-aral at makapiling si GP of Infin8." Nabasa niya.

Humigpit ang hawak ni Gab sa kaniyang kama. They stared at each other for a while, without speaking a word.

Dominique pulled the mobile phone away and said something to Vinci which was not audible for her to hear.

"Why not discuss it with me now?" Gab was determined to talk to her in her current state-- when she was all red with jealousy.