Keep Me in Check

[PRESENT] There's a society hiding behind the humans. Yet, unlike these weak people the creatures in this hidden society have much stronger physique and longer life span, they have special abilities and characteristics that are distinct to them. Sa lipunan ng tao sila ay walang pinagkaiba sa mga kwentong-bayan, isang kwento na patok na patok tuwing sasapit ang Halloween. Unbeknownst to them that these creatures with sharp fangs, pale skin, red eyes, and blood lust exist. Sa loob ng isang malawak na conference hall ay makikita sa stage ang mahabang pangalan ng sikat na entertainment agency sa Pilipinas ngayon. 20 Years with Axellerate Entertainment, iyan ang mga salitang magarang nakaukit sa kulay pulang mga letra sa pader ng stage na pinapalibutan ng iba't ibang dekorasyon. Sa gilid ay ang dalawang paikot-ikot na spotlight. May dalawang higateng LCD screen din sa gilid ng stage, dito ipinapalabas ang pictorial ng poster ng mga artista na hawak ng agency. In the middle is the red-carpet sprinkled with silver paper, surrounded by flower arrangements of roses on the side. Sa harap ng stage ay ang mga bisitang suot ay mamahaling tuksedo at gown. However, among these civilians there are few from hidden society. The guards outside the conference hall, the head chef, the manager, the top former actress and the agency’s CEO himself — Axel Wesley. Behind his gorgeous face and successful life, Axel has been living for many centuries, just like the other vampires. He constantly changes his jobs, roles, and pretends to be dead. As of now, he has been dead for fifteen times... but only in certificate. This time is his 16th life, in his previous personality he was a medical specialist who died in a car accident after falling asleep while driving. Rasonable naman ang sanhi ng pagkamatay ni Axel considering the time he spent for duties. Halos hindi na nga siya nakakatulog noon dahil sa trabaho. But he must admit, it was the best job he ever had. Kaya nga hinintay pa niya na mag tatlumpu't limang taong gulang siya bago umalis sa trabaho at buhay na 'yon. He wanted to stay longer yet his young face wouldn't allow him, it could become too suspicious to the humans around him. 432 years old, that is Axel's exact age. Pero sa kabila ng tatlong numero ay masasabing bata pa si Axel kung ikukumpara sa ibang bampira. Despite his age, he looks like a human in his prime. Fresh, young, and energetic. Nakatayo sa gilid ng silid si Axel abala sa pakikipag-usap sa mga bisita. "Congratulations for the 20 years, it's a young entertainment agency but look where it is now, at the top of the social cycle," maarteng bati ng babaeng may puting mermaid dress na puno ng sequins. "Oh, don't exaggerate it Madam Victoria. Everything I have now, I owe it to my artists' hard work," tugon naman ni Axel na suot-suot ang isang maroon na tuksedo na may puting roses sa bulsa. "By the way," sabad naman ng isa pang matandang babae na may magara ring suot na kulay gray na infinity gown. "are you still single, Mr. Wesley? It's such a shame to see a successful young man like you waste so much time in work. I should introduce you to my daughter! She's a Harvard Student, taking up her doctorate degree in Chemistry. I know it's way far from your field but she's a beautiful and smart young woman, a great pair for a gorgeous young man like you. What do you say, Mr. Wesley?" Halos walang prenong pagsasalita ng matandang babae. Hindi maiwasan na mapunta palagi sa ganitong paksa ang usapan sa tuwing nakikipagkwentuhan si Axel sa mga matatandang investor ng kanilang kumpanya. Axel is a huge fish to catch for these parents, they absolutely want him as their son-in-law. Sino ba kasi ang ayaw sa lalaking katulad ni Axel. He has pale skin and beautiful pair of eyes caged in long and thick eyelashes. His aura screams royalty, like a prince brought out from a fairytale book. However, Axel would always tell them, "Oh no. I already have a partner." "You do?" "Really?" Gulat na tanong ng dalawang matandang babae. "But we haven't heard about her. There's no such news in TV. You know that it would be a big news if the young and handsome CEO of AE finds his partner," pasaring ng matandang babae na may suot na mermaid dress. "Indeed. Is it possible that you're trying to dodge our offer by lying, Mr. Wesley?" giit ng kasama nito matanda na naka-infinity dress. Axel waved his hands, a little flustered to the old woman's boldness. "No. No. Of course, I wouldn't. But I'm really telling you the truth." "Really? So, where she is now? Is she here in the conference?" ani ng ulit ng matandang naka-infinity dress. "I wish they could arrive in time before the party ends. They've been outside the country. They have personal matters to attend." "She must be a busy person," puna ulit ng naka infinity dress na matanda. Mukhang pinang-iinitan siya nito at ayaw pa rin maniwala sa sinasabi ni Axel. "Yes, they are. Actually, they were helping me with the company before they retired as the chief operation officer of AE. They had to retire to take much important duties," sabi ni Axel. Makikita sa kanyang mga mata ang saya at lungkot. He obviously misses his lover. "The former COO?" wika ng babaeng naka mermaid dress. Kumurapkurap ang kanyang mata nang may importanteng bagay siyang napagtanto dahil sa kanyang narinig. Napahawak siya sa kanyang dibdib at aktong hihimatayin. Magsasalita pa sana siya nang biglang dumating ang dating artista na si Maxine. "Mr. Wesley, nandito na si Miller." Lumiwanag ang mukha ni Axel, hahakbang na sana siya palayo sa dalawang matanda nang may maalala siyang dapat na sabihin. He stepped his foot back and faced them once more. "Yes, Madam Victoria. Mr. Miller De Leon is my lover. Excuse me for now," nakangiti niyang sambit bago iniwan ang namumutla na dalawang matanda. "Wow, ang harsh mo naman," mahinang sabi ni Maxine nang makita ang reaksyon ng mga babae, "You just crushed their hopes and dreams na maging biyenan mo," dagdag nito. "I'm sorry, dear Supreme but I am not a fan of playing hooky," Axel said frankly. Napatawa naman ng mahina si Maxine sa kanyang narinig, "Of course, hindi ka hooky." "Pardon?" "Wala, sabi ko huwag mo na akong tawagin na Supreme sa labas ng mansyon." Inakbayan ni Maxine si Axel para ipakita na pantay lang sila ng estado sa labas ng mansyon ng kaniyang pamilya. "Ugh. Why do I feel bad whenever you lower you rank to get along with me? Parang noong mga nakaraang taon lang ay boss pa ang tawag mo sa akin." Nagkibit-balikat lang si Maxine habang nakangiwi ang labi, "Well, I got lucky so... ganun." Axel was supposed to say something when Mateo suddenly arrived in the scene. "Axel! Miller's waiting for you in this room." Sabay abot ng isang key card. "I made your secretary prepare a room for you guys." "Oh! Nasa iyo pala 'yan, kung saan-saan ko na 'yan hinanap akala ko nawala ko," sabi ni Maxine. "Yes, you actually did. You dropped it right after I told you to give that to Axel," Mateo said giving Maxine a straight face. He's obviously done with Maxine's clumsiness. Pero imbes na sundan ito ng mga pasaring ay inilahad ni Mateo ang kanyang kamay kay Maxine sabay sabi ng, "We should also get our own room." Bago pa man nakatanggi si Maxine ay hinila na siya ni Mateo palabas ng conference room. Sa kabilang banda ay umiiling naman silang pinagmasdan ni Axel. "Those two never failed to amaze me," bulong niya sa sarili. But he quickly recovered by taking a deep breath ang grasped the key card. Axel's heart is beating rapidly by the thought of seeing his lover. It has been a year since the last time he saw him. Hindi na siya nagpaligoy-ligoy pa at mabilis na naglakad papunta ng elevator. He pressed the 5th floor's button, while waiting to the elevator to move down, he's fidgeting the key card with his both hands. At sa sandaling narinig niya ang matinis ba pagpitik ng elevator ay sabik siyang lumabas at dumiretso sa pinto na may numero ng silid na nasa key card na kanyang hawak-hawak. Room 302 Ito ang nakaukit sa harap ng itim na pinto. Huminga muna ulit siya ng malalim bago iswipe ang card. "Come on," he mumbled when he failed to swipe it in his first attempt. Nanginginig kasi siya sa sobrang sabik. "Great!" he exclaimed when he heard the brief beep of the door. Bukas na ang pinto. Ngunit napaatras siya nang sumalubong sa kanya si Miller. "Kumusta?" tanong nito sa preskong boses. If Axel who has a willowy physique – tall, thin and graceful — almost feminine. Miller, on the other hand, has the opposite body type. He is much taller than Axel and has thick arms and strong muscles, his chest covered in abdominal muscles yet not too much. Well-built is the best word to describe Miller's physique, and this has become more obvious since he is wearing a black tuxedo sliding beautiful to his chest up to the close button on his abdomen. "You're back," Axel uttered, his eyes dazzling with tears. "Yup," Miller replied, grabbing Axel's defined waist, "I'm back to keep you in check," he whispered in his lover’s ears. A tingling sensation crawled to Axel's body. Without hesitation, he reached for Miller's neck biting it like a fresh sweet red apple.