☞ SIX MONTHS AGO ☜
Maddox's point of viewMy brother Marlowe and I are here today at Jungle K to follow our sister because she is with her boyfriend, whom I don't want for her. Simple lang naman for the fact that mukha siyang adik."Kuya, we've been going around for a while now, they're gone, let's just leave them alone," Lowe sneered at me.I glare at him, dahil kanina pa siya nagrereklamo. "Don't talk, just open your eyes and find the f*ck where they are."I heard someone giggling. Narinig din siguro ni Lowe, kaya pareho namin nilibot ang paningin namin sa paligid, to see whether there is anyone else here aside from us. I noticed someone's head with a bunny not far away, so we walked carefully to ensure she wasn't able to notice us. We passed on the other side, nakatalikod lang siya sa amin. I think she is counting when she will peek to see where we were a minute ago."Where did they go?" she murmurs.She looks stupid, though. Is she a spy? Well, hindi ko malalaman if hindi ko siya tatanungin. "What are you doing?" I ask her.Nang humarap siya sa amin, the corners of her eyes become wider, and she shrieks in the middle of her throat. "Waaaaah!" Did I startle her?She puts her right hand on her pulsating heartbeat. "Homaygoshh! You just gave me a heart attac..." She didn't finish what she was about to say when she looked up at me. Who wouldn't be surprised by our stance, given that we look like ninja turtles? I also took a chance to look at her and assess how she looked.She has perfect porcelain skin, which is terrifying to touch since it may be scratched if it's mine. Given my callous hands, I like her facial expressions most, especially her eyes shaped like almonds, perfect for how she widens her eyes, and when she glances at me, it's as if she's sucking me in, in the same way that I've suddenly calmed down from being grumpy. Her lips had a seductive pinkish curve. I groan. If I don't have a chance to stop checking her out, I may kiss her right here right now. Damn. This isn't part of the plan, she held me captive by her beauty in just a second."Ahhhm? Guys? Is this perhaps a staring contest? You know you two didn't lose, panalo na talaga kayong dalawa. Damn, you two didn't blink for a second," Lowe snaps between our staring contest.She blinks her eyes several times. "Oh, I think I just saw a Greek god in front of me. It's like he has magic, and I was suddenly mesmerized by him," the girl exclaims. Lowe tilted his head to look at me, and he scrunched up his face. I glared at him dahil alam na alam ko na kung ano 'yung sasabihin niya."Ha! This? A Greek god? Naahh, I'm the most handsome ever, sa aming magkakapatid," he said while chuckling and winking at her after."Oh, gwapo ka rin naman," the woman says, smiling at him. Bigla namang lumukot 'yung mukha ni Lowe. I grin at him. Damn. Hindi ako palangiti pero dahil sa babaeng ito parang araw-araw na ata akong ngingiti nito."By the way, anong pangalan mo, miss?" I ask her. Kanina pa ako nagtitimpi dahil gusto ko ng malaman ang pangalan niya."I'm Sariel," she says, holding out her hand to me, which I accept immediately."Maddox, I hope we will get along," I say, slightly squishing our hands. I felt her body flinch for a split second before she gave me her loveliest smile. And I feel like I'm going to melt after this. Ha! kabaklaan na naman 'to."That's enough, Kuya, tama ka na, nakakita ka lang ng maganda parang na ulol ka na diyan." Lowe shoved my hand and replaced it with his hand. I clench my jaw and am about to smack him when Sariel still looks at me smiling. Damn. Maybe I just found my love of my life in the middle of this fucking forest."I'm Marlowe, call me Lowe.""Nice meeting you, Lowe," Sariel's says, pulling her hands after. Lowe looks like he got lost. I just smirked at him."So? You guys are brothers?""Yup." Lowe beams, popping the p. Sariel nods her head."So, What are you doing here, pala?" She asks, looking at both me and my brother."Oh, it's confidential. Family matters," I say, not looking away at her."How about you? What are you doing here alone in the middle of this damn jungle?" I muses."Ahhm, I'm here with my best friend slash with her boyfriend, but you know hindi ko talaga gugustuhing maging third wheel, so I make a detour myself, and that's when I get lost and then find you," she quips and winks at me. I smell someone's being naughty here."Oh, hindi na namin maaabutan 'yung sinusundan namin, lalabas na kami siguro," Lowe gave a lopsided grin at her."So? Pwedi ba akong sumama sa inyo? If you don't mind?" She looked at me with a smirk."Sure, I'll lead the way out," I said, nodding at her at nauna nang maglakad.I'm not certainly sure sa nararamdaman ko sa babaeng ito, but this is the first time I can't help but feel drawn to the sparkle in her eyes and her smile. I mean, I did fuck with the girls, nakipagtitigan at nakikita ko 'yung mga ngiti nila pero wala akong nararamdaman manlang. The other saying that they're my girlfriend, but I don't really have a girlfriend, they are just my flings, it's just pure lust and needs, you know. But with this girl? Damn. Kapag siguro sasabihin niyang boyfriend niya na ako ngayon ay hindi ko talaga siya tatanggihan.When I found the way out, we went to the nearest ice cream parlor. Well, Sariel requested it, and who am I to refuse? She's just so irresistible.Nang makapasok kami sa ice cream parlor, I looked for a table near the glass wall so we could see the people outside. When I found a place to sit, I went straight to it. Nilingon ko si Lowe at Sariel, who were already following me."What do you want?" I asked Sariel when they reached the table."Chocolate sundae with oreo for me, Mahal. Opppss—Maddox pala." I just laughed and winked at her."Sure," I muse.Tilting her head to the side, she looks at me and asks, "Can I call you mine? I mean Maddy?" She's grinning wide."Yeah, sure, why not?""Ayon, thanks, Maddy." I nod and smirk at her. When I turn to look at Lowe, his face is contorted. I also ask what he wants because I'm in a bit of a good mood today because of Sariel. When I got his order, I immediately went to the counter to order.After a moment of waiting, the orders are done. Binitbit ko na 'yung tray na may laman ng ice cream tyaka ice coffee."Here's your order, ma'am," I say, taunting Sariel. After sitting down, nilahad ko na 'yung order nila."Thank you, sir, for your good service," she said, shaking her head with a smile. Damn. I'm becoming gay right now. Why am I feeling that butterflies swirled within me?"You really like ice cream very well?" I ask her, not minding Lowe, nandito man siya kasama namin, but I'll pretend na wala siya dito."Well, definitely yes. I really like ice cream," she answered while still savoring the ice cream."Sabagay, you girls really like ice cream," I say. I'm not a big fan of ice cream, but if she likes it, I'll start liking it for the time being."Do you like it? It's delicious too." She handed her ice cream cup. I didn't refuse, and I took some with my spoon."Hmmm. It's delicious. No doubt," I spat.Of course, she wouldn't choose it if it wasn't delicious. Even if it's just ordinary ice cream, it's still delicious for her.We got quiet for a moment for the fact that we were busy munching our food. Sariel got up and made excuses to go to the restroom."Do you think our sister is okay with that asshole alone?" Lowe asks after Sariel leaves."Tsk. If she isn't, I'll kill that boyfriend of her if he gets to touch her," I spit, gritting my teeth."Kalma, big brother, I think he's harmless, naman," he says, sipping his iced coffee.We waited a minute for Sariel to get back. I glance at the restroom kung saan siya pumasok. Ilang minuto pa bago siya lumabas. She was about to walk straight towards us, but someone stopped her—a man in his business suit."What's that bastard doing in here at this kind of ice cream parlor?" I murmur, but Lowe hears what I'm just saying."Who are you talking about?" he asks, turning his head where I am looking."Holy sheemms. Is that what I'm thinking who it is?" I nod to reassure him.Sariel's point of view"I'm just going to the restroom; I'll be right back," I said to them and turned to smile at Maddy.I don't know how lighthearted I feel towards them, even though they look like ninjas who seem to be doing animal haunting at the Jungle K. When I was about to shout at him earlier, I got so shocked that I didn't even finish what I was about to say. His presence commands attention without uttering a word, kaya nga ako natulala kanina. It's like his piercing gray eyes are absorbing me. His rugged jawline, shadowed by a hint of stubble, parang Gustong-gusto kong paglandasin yung mga daliri ko doon at makikiliti ako. Errr.I'm so happy that he granted my request that, if possible, we're going here to the ice cream parlor. I haven't been able to eat it for a long time, ngayon lang. Kung hindi lang talaga ako inaya ng best friend kong lumabas nunka namang makakagala ako. Pero naiinis parin ako. Tingnan nyo nga naman, they didn't even look for me, nung mawala ako sa pani
Maddox's point of view"What are we going to do now, Maddy?" Lowe says, taunting me."Shut up! Or else I'll shove you out of this car." Sneering, I glared directly at him like a ninja turtle, ready to slash his throat."Oh, kalma, Maddy kalma, 'Wag mo naman akong bigyan ng dahilan para tabihan ka? Oh, kalma, pwede ka bang umalma?" He peers at me with a smirk. I'm not sure what he's singing about, but he keeps using the nickname that Sariel gave me."Isang ngiti para sa'kin, lalapitan talaga kita At habang tumatama 'yung Vodka, mas lalo ka pang tumitindi." Damn. He's so totally dumbheaded. Kapag talaga siya, 'yung kasama ko lagi, para akong lalabas sa katawan ko sa sobrang inis sa kanya."'Wag mo naman angasan ng sobra, hindi ako makaka-hindi, At wala akong pake, alam kong meron makakita, 'Di na mangyayari 'to ulit, 'di ako papayag nang 'di ka mauuwi, kaya, 'Pag nagpalagabog na si Sariel sobrang swabe, ang salbahe. Tignan mo siya kung pa'no gumiling, parang panlaban ang atake—" When I
Maddox's point of view"What the hell?" The corners of my eyes widen."Surprise? Let's go horseback riding." Lowe nudges at me."Bobo ka ba? We have a serious threat that we must face tomorrow, and you want to go horseback riding?" Sabi ko sa kanya at sinamaan siya ng tingin."Chilax, man. Tutulungan naman kita bukas, if things have all gone wrong, all we have to do now is freaking ride a horse." He chuckles and puts his hands on the girl's shoulder. Matagal na niyang nakilala si Sunny dahil dun sa horse racing na lagi naming pinupuntahan.Well, we also have our own private Haven for horseback riding, dahil mahilig talaga kaming magkakapatid sa kabayo. Palagi rin niya dinadala si Sunny doon. So, what can I say?"How did she end up here?" I inquire. indicating to Sunny. "Oh, I already texted her to come here while Daddy discussed the tea," he exclaimed. I gave him a stern look and said, "What the hell is tea? Do you think it's some kind of joke?" Humagalpak naman siya ng tawa. Nakakat
Sariel's point of view"Umayos kayo, humanda talaga kayo pag nag-hasik kayo ng lagim sa best friend ko. I will really kick you out of the house," I heard Meli threatening them. I got to laugh at her threat. Mahal na mahal talaga ako ng bff ko."Easy, insan. Hindi naman kami pumunta rito para mag-hasik a.k.a. ng lagim," a man wearing a V-neck shirt said it with a raised hand. Naka round-necked shirt naman 'yung isa. The two women are wearing crop tops."Pumunta lang kami rito para ayain kayo para mag horseback riding, ano, dun sa Haven ng rest house nyo," sabi ulit nung naka V-neck shirt."Hindi mo ba alam kung gaano ka hyper ang dalawang 'to? Sakay na sakay na 'yan sila," he said, pointing at the two girls and wiping his invisible sweat.Lumingon sa akin, 'yung babaeng naka white crop top. She's also munching on her lollipops. She took the lollipops out of her mouth and smiled at me. I smiled back at her. Nilingon naman ako ni Meli at napailing."Come on in, Baka magbago pa isip ko at
Sariel's point of view He groans and fixes his intense gaze on me, saying, "I am unable to stop staring at you. I got to tell you, you look amazingly hot.""Are you— trying to flirt with me?" I ask to taunt him. Pero parang luluwa na ata 'yung mata ko dahil parang ako mismo nilalandi ko rin siya.With a flirtatious tone, he asks, "What are you going to say if the two of us went somewhere else?" Oh no. We're not some type of slut here, come on.Nginisi-an ko nalang siya. "Come on, hindi tayo nagkita the second time around to flirt.""Because you're a little tease, wala ka pang ginagawa pero—" he says with a pause."What?""Nevermind, come on, and let's get this fucking horseback riding over with us so we can do something else later," pagkakasabi niya nun, sumakay narin siya sa kabayo niya. I maintain a calm and balanced posture while sitting deeply in the saddle. To keep light contact with the horse's sides, I relax my legs.I'm getting ready to signal my horse with a smooth voice. My
Maddox's point of viewI was about to kiss her until my sister interrupted us. I want her, I just wanted to taste her lips since it's as if they're whispering to me, imploring me to kiss them. Kakakilala palang namin pero I don't mind marami pa namang pagkakataon para mas makilala ko pa siya lalo, and I don't think she's particularly dangerous, dahil nga bestfriend siya ng kapatid ko. This time, I trust her.But when I first met her in Jungle K, I knew she was the right woman for me and someone I wanted to tie the knot with. Hindi ko pa naranasang manligaw pero para sa kanya gagawin ko. Is this what they mean by "love at first sight?" Damn. It's insane, but I don't care. I am going to pursue her, no matter what happens. Pagkatapos naming manuod ng Netflix ay umuwi narin kaming lahat. Marami pa kasing gagawin kinabukasan. Hinatid ko si Nyx sa bahay niya kasama si Sariel, sa bahay daw siya ni Nyx matutulog dahil gabi na kami natapos manood. Ang kailangan ko lang gawin ngayon ay ayusin
Maddox's point of view "What the hell? Are you serious? Saan mo naman napulot ang idea na 'yan?" Kenzie's the one to ask about his crazy plans."Luh, at least may naambag akong plano, ano," he sneered gritting his teeth."Sige nga parinig ng plano nyo?" He snaps. Pero walang sumagot sa kanya at parang may biglang dumaan na uwak sa gitna namin.His stupid plan is to set up Finn Dixon with his major client tonight by mixing bogus products. "So? Are you in or nah?" he asks, as if he lacks patience today."Wait... How did you know that he had his client meet up tonight?" Kenzie inquires.Lowe turned to gaze at me."Ask Kuya." I shrug my shoulders."Knight," I say briefly."Oh, by the way, where is he?""Probably busy with his dirty little secret," I say with a giggle."I agree," Chandler grunts. Then nag agree nalang din 'yung iba. We've planned how to successfully set them up. We all make sure that Finn Dixon breaks down after that. Hindi lang naman kasi ako ang naging biktima niya, pa
Maddox's point of viewMatapos ko silang bulyawan ay sinuri ko ulit ang mga nakahandusay. We can't get inside the building for the fact that it's completely covered in fire. Hindi naman kasi nakapasok dun sina Chandler at Owen for sure nandito lang sila sa labas. I heard someone groan. I turn to see where it is. When I realized who it was, I raced over to him. He's lying on the ground, as if someone has hit him. It's Chandler. "Hey, are you hit or what?" I wonder."Naah, I'm fine; I just stumbled upon stupid sh*t," he says, moaning. I helped him get up and walk to where the two fools were."Did you see, Owen? We came back here because you two aren't in there in the vehicle," I say with a quip."I saw him go on the south when the bomb explodes. I think he's going back right now. There's a lot of men exchanging fire. In order for me to stay alive and safe, I have to play dead," he said with a grimace."Where's Owen?" Tanong ni Kenzie ng makarating kami sa kinaroroonan nila."At the sou