Chapter 3

"You can have your leave at work for the next days or week," Commander told us.

I tried my hardest not to look disappointed by pressing my lips together. Tuwid akong naka tayo sa harapan niya. Vraxx Caldwell is currently standing beside me too, listening to the Commander's command. Pinatawag kami kanina matapos naming mag ayos ng gamit ko.

I honestly don't like that idea. All my life, I already vowed to myself that I should live only with my work. I know that it's not a usual and normal job, but I love what I am doing.

That's why being and letting myself be close to Vraxx, makes me think that I am sort of breaking my own principles. Hinahayaan ko lamang ang sarili ko ngayon na manipulahin at kontrolin nila ako. I just love my job so much that I can sacrifice myself, even if it means going out of my comfort zone.

If this marriage is just going to be my downfall, then I don't want it anymore.

"Nakapag usap na ba kayong dalawa?"

I glanced at Vraxx. I slightly shook my head and looked away when Vraxx caught me staring at him.

"We're planning to talk about the Marriage—"

"Not so fast, Mr. Caldwell," agap ko.

Commander questioningly lifted a brow. Nataranta ako dahil baka mamaya ay isipin niya na ayaw ko talagang mag pakasal sa lalaking ito.

Ayaw ko naman talaga.

"U-uh... W-what I mean Commander is... L-live in pa lang naman.. Well, u-uh... Hindi pa sure."

Gosh. Seriously Xiania? When did you feel so nervous again? Hindi takot sa mga kriminal at delikadong bagay, ngunit natatakot sa ganito?

I heard Vraxx's soft chuckle. "Don't worry Commander. Trust me, I won't let her back out..."

Isa pa ito! Why is he so arrogant anyway? Isn't he scared that he'll eventually get tied to me? Hindi na siya makakapag explore pa, kagaya ng mga gusto ng kalalakihan. Sex rito, sex doon.

Commander smiled meaningfully. "That's good. So, kailan kayo lilipat?"

I grabbed that as a chance. "U-uhm, Tito... Can we move it next week? I-I'm not yet ready to leave this house and just be with a stranger that I just met earlier.. Papayag naman na ako."

Sana lang ay kahit iyon paunlakan man lang nila. This is kinda hard for me. Natatakot ako na baka mamaya, mag bago ako at hindi ko magustuhan ang pagbabagong iyon.

That's not included in my plans, it's not that I have one though. Wala naman akong pakialam sa mga nangyayari. I just let things go with the flow.

"Okay, then—"

"I think that's not a good idea, Commander.."

I rubbed my teeth against each other when I heard Vraxx complained. Nalipat ang tingin sa kanya ni Tito Harry.

"Care to explain, Caldwell?"

"I just think that we wouldn't be able to appreciate both of our presence if we're still gonna wait for another week."

I scowled at him. "Are you even thinking rationally? Isipin niyo naman ako, kayo na nga ang namimilit—"

"Don't you get my point, baby? Kailangan na nating mag sama—" He even winked at me.

I groaned in disgust. "Can we please take everything slow first?!"

"Kaya nga. That's why I am saying that we should live together now. Para naman maka pag practice ka—"

"Practice? Really? Ano 'to laro—"

We just both stopped and jolted in shock when we heard a loud thud, coming from the Commander's table. I quickly lowered down my head.

"You two have a point, but I think Mr. Caldwell is right Xiania—"

"What?" hindi makapaniwalang angil ko.

Is that it? Minamadali talaga nila ako? Ano, atat na atat na maitali ako para mabigyan ko sila ng apo? Para makampante sila na may pamilya na ako? Grabe, hinding hindi ko talaga sila maiintindihan!

Napalingon ako kay Vraxx, para sana humingi ng tulong upang mapabago pa ang isip ng Commander, ngunit ano pa ba ang aasahan ko sa kanya? Of course, the manipulative asshole just smirked at me. Ideya niya nga ito, hindi ba? Malamang pabor sa kanya iyon!

I was mad for the next hours. Nanatili akong tahimik at walang kahit na sino ang iniimik. It was almost dusk when I just found myself, bidding my goodbyes to my family.

"I'm just one call away, Partner! Good luck to your first night!" It was Harriet.

Gosh, I want to punch her. She's the only person that has an audacity to tease me in this kind of state. Ang mga pinsan kong lalaki ay tahimik lamang at maamong nakamasid sa amin. They are all complete, including their own parents.

"You're forcing your daughter, Xylla."

I feel like I wanted to cry the moment I heard it from Tita Aisha, Wright's mom. Pero dahil ayaw ko naman mag drama, hindi ko na ginawa. Isa pa, ayaw ko na mahalata pa nila lalo na ayaw ko nitong ginagawa ko. Alam naman na nila iyon. I know that my parents are both nervous with the fact that I might neglected what they're doing.

"I was just worried about her, Aisha. Paano na lang kapag wala na kami ng Papa niya? Sino ang mag aalaga at makaka sama niya? She doesn't even want to be with someone!" Mom was about to cry.

My face contorted as I walked towards her. Nang makita na papasalubong ako ay mas lalong nalukot ang mukha niya, nagda drama.

"Her cousins will surely be with her when that happens," Tito Wince commented.

"You don't need to push yourself, Xiania. Kapag hindi mo natipuhan ang Caldwell na ito, marami pang nakapila na pagpipilian!"

I can't help but to laugh from Tita Daphne's advice. Everyone laughed too, making the atmosphere lighter.

Sumulyap ako kay Vraxx, I want to see his reaction from what he have heard.

My brow curled a bit as I surveyed his face. He has this small moking smile on his lips as he tore off his eyes.

Ano kaya ang iniisip niya?

"Just take care of yourself. Call from time to time, Vraxx, Xiania... Understood?" Mom gave her full attention to me.

I nodded my head. Ang mga kasambahay ay tapos na sa pag aayos ng mga gamit na naimpake ko sa compartment ng sasakyan. I sighed as I hugged my whole family, one by one.

"Take care, I'm sorry about this—"

"You want this Dad. This is your decision," I cut him off when I get away from his hug.

I didn't mean to guilt tripped him. I just want them to realize and understand my side and situation too. Masyado nila akong ginulat, napakabilis. Hindi na ako magtataka kung walang mapupuntahan ang lahat ng ito, dahil halatang minamadali ang mga pangyayari.

Regrets crossed on his face. "I'm sorry, promise.. If a month had passed, at hindi mo pa rin gusto, hindi ka na namin pipilitin... But now, you should try it first."

Gotcha. "Okay Dad. I'll give it a try.." Although it was opposite from what's on my mind.

Alam ko na kailanman ay hindi ko mapapabago ang isip ko ukol dito. This is me, no one could ever change my principles and beliefs. This is how I live my life, imposible na mabaga pa iyon.

"Good for you then. Sige na, baka gabihin na kayo sa daan."

Muli akong nag paalam isa isa sa kanila. My cousins are just pursing their lips silently as they all embraced me. Nakakapagtaka, hindi man lang umiiyak o nang aasar man lang?

"We'll be going now, Ma'am, Sir, Commander..." Vraxx slightly bowed down his head as a sign of respect.

I didn't bother to wait for him, I immediately slipped myself inside the front seat of the car. Kahit ang sasakyan ay pagmamay ari niya! Wala na ba talaga akong choice sa kahit saan?

They're depriving my privacy. Pinapangunahan na nga ako sa pagdedesisyon sa importanteng bagay na ito, kinukuha pa ang prebelihiyo ko upang pumili at gawin ang mga bagay na gusto ko.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in pragmatic love and marriage. Its just that, I really couldn't see myself having one. Hindi ako handa, bukod pa syempre sa wala naman sa plano ko. I also doesn't like it.

"See? Because of you, wala tuloy akong trabaho!" I hissed when we're already far away from the Flint's mansion.

Vraxx scoffed. "Ako din naman."

"And who's fault is that?"

"Sa parents mo," he cackled.

Nanliit ang mga mata ko. "What?!"

He looks so hot and serious while driving—Wait. Did I just complemented him? Okay fine. Maliit na bagay lang naman iyon. Nothing's big deal.

"Look, we're both not allowed to go for a mission for the mean time... And we need an alone time together—"

I grasped. Alam ko na iyon, pero ang marinig iyon galing sa kanya ay mas nagpapabaga pa ng inis ko. He will really follow it?

"What? Vraxx, can you hear yourself?!" I can't stand being with him alone in his house! Isa pa, hindi ako sanay na nasa bahay lang. I want to go back at my work!

Vraxx chuckled as he glanced at me. Right! I get it! He really want this huh?!

"What's wrong with it? Talaga naman na kailangan natin. Paano tayo magki-click kung pareho tayong nasa trabaho?"

I drastically leaned my back on my set. "Gosh, so what are we going to do inside your boring house?"

"Kahit anong gusto mo," he grinned.

I rolled my eyes and looked outside the window. "Well, I don't want to see you around."

"Nye, we're in the same room—"

Napalingon akong muli sa kanya. "What did you say?!"

"Pinapa-ayos ang guestrooms," he casually reason out.

Is that even an excuse or a problem? Damn you Caldwell. Pinipikon mo talaga ako!

"No, sa sala ka."

Humalakhak siya. "No, ikaw doon."

"Vraxx!"

"I just told you that we're in the same room, akala mo ba pareho rin ng kama?" nagtagal ang mapang asar niyang mga mata sa akin.

"Well, I just thought.." I shrugged and ignored him afterwards.

His house was a bit far from our Village. Kinabahan ako ng kaunti doon, pero hindi ko naman kailangan na mag alala para sa sarili ko. I know how to fight. I can defend myself against everyone.

And also, his family name is famous. Imposible na gagawa iyan ng makakapanira ng pangalan nila. Iyon pa naman ang pinakainiingatan ng lahat. Just like me, I wouldn't want to ruin my own reputation... The Flints reputation.

"Iyong totoo Caldwell? Bakit ka pumayag sa set up na 'to?" I can't help but to ask curiously.

Vraxx took a glimpse at me for awhile, before he turned back his focus on the road.

"My reason was actually too shallow.. You'll probably make fun of me, once you know about it."

"Really?"

Now, I am more curious.

Ngumisi siya. "Huwag mo masyadong ipahalata sa akin na gusto mo ako—"

Napaahon ako't napaayos ng upo. "You're too full of yourself!"

"Then stop thinking about it, wala lang 'yon," Vraxx chortled.

"Pwede ba 'yon?"

"Why are you so interested anyway?" he arched his brow mischievously.

"Of course, I need to know you well!" He's my Fiancee, after all. Well, kind of.

Vraxx smirked. "You'll eventually get to know me. Just trust me, love. Your future husband was a born ready."