HINDI SIYA NILUBAYAN ni Ryker habang naglalaba, hanggang sa masampay niya ang mga damit nila. He set up the foldable table near her and work silently, and kept on throwing glances at her. No, it's safe to say that he's only looking at her body. And while he's at it, Cj observed that Ryker likes her breast and ass. Fucking pervert.

"I'm done. Hindi ka pa na aalis?" Naiirita na tanong niya rito.

"Great! Let's eat, parating na ang pagkain na ipapadala ni Yves." Ryker answered with a naughty smile plastered on his face.

Her brows furrowed. Unti unting hinahalukay ang utak niya sa mga pinagsasabi sa kanya noon ng kapatid niya, after all, that's the reason why she fell for him, a little. Her fantasies came crashing down when she finally met him. His a fucking asshole. Malayong malayo kung paano ito puruhin ng kapatid niya. And now, his mood was like a rollercoaster. Mabilis magbago.

"Zion?" She called and he just hummed. Hindi rin ito nag-abala na tumingin sa gawi niya dahil nililigpit na nito ang mga gamit. "Do you want to see a psychiatrist?" Marahan na tanong niya.

Ryker stop and glance at her. His face looks worried. "For what?"

"Para ipa-check up ka? I'm honestly bothered by how fast your mood shift. Last time you're pissed, and then you're saying perverted things to me, you're smiling to me and then maiinis ka ulit." She explained calmly.

"You think I'm crazy?" Nakangiwing tanong nito sa kanya.

"You want an honest answer?"

Tumango si Ryker sa kanya.

"Yes. I think you are." Deretsahang sagot niya rito and Ryker just laughed so hard and loud.

Napaupo pa ito sa kakatawa at nasapo pa ang tiyan. Who wouldn't think he's crazy? Nakatulala lang si Cj sa lalaki na halos maglupasay na sa sahig. Ayon din ang nadatnan ni Castiel na basta nalang pumasok dala ang paper bags na may tatak ng restaurant logo ni Yves.

"Shit. Have he lost it?" Nakangiwing tanong ni Castiel sa kanya. "May ipapa-admit na naman ba kami sa mental health facility ni Tito Brylle?" He added.

Cj shrugged her shoulder and looked at Ryker. "Should I get my gun?"

Castiel eyes widened. Dinuro siya nito at mabilis na lumayo sa kanya. Nang aakusa ang tingin. "Ikaw ha! Kung may galit ka kay Ryker at bet mong patayin, 'wag ngayon na kasama ako! Ayaw ko madamay!"

Kulang nalang ay umabot na sa kisame ng penthouse nila ang kilay ni Cj nang humakbang ito paatras, Castiel was acting like he was scared but his face says otherwise, he looks excited. Like he was going to witness how his friend will get murder by his so called fiancee.

"You know what?"

"Ano?" Maangas na tanong ni Castiel sa kanya.

Cj looked at him from head to toe. "You're watching too much movies. Manood ka nalang ulit ng The Cars." She suggested and walk towards him.

Hindi naman nalalayo ang agwat ng height nilang dalawa, inakbayan niya ito at kinuha ang paper bag sa kabilang kamay ni Castiel atsaka ito ginabayan palabas sa unit nila, she dropped the paper bag when they passed by the dining table. Nasa sala na sila pero rinig pa rin ang tawa ni Ryker.

"Shoo!" Pagtataboy niya kay Castiel. He pushed her outside the door.

Castiel made a face. "Thank you ah?"

Tumango lang si Cj at tumango bago pabagsak na isinara ang pintuan. Bumalik siya sa kusina para maihanda na ang pagkain nilang dalawa ni Ryker but she saw him already fixing the dining table. May mga pinggan, kubyertos, baso at pitsel na may malamig na tubig sa lamesa nila. Just like how she prepared the dining table.

"I heard you're planning to kill me?"

Umikot ang mga mata ni Cj. Umupo siya sa upuan at itinaas ang isang paa nito. Sumunod ang mga mata doon ni Ryker pero wala itong sinabi.

"Masyado lang malawak imagination ni Castiel." Sagot niya habang naglalagay ng kanin at ulam sa pinggan niya, she's sitting comfortably, kaya inusog nalang niya kay Ryker ang mga tupperware na may lamang pagkain.

"If you're planning to kill me, pwede mo bang sarapan?" Nakangising tanong nito sa kanya.

"Sure. I'll cut your dick first." She bluntly answered and started to eat her food.

Even though they have a automatic washing machine, at pagsasampay nalang ang gagawin niya. Nakakapagod pa rin 'yon. Lalo na at ang ibang damit ni Ryker, hindi pwedeng idaan sa washing machine, Cj glance at Ryker. Masama ang tingin nito sa kanya habang kumakain. Ang swerte naman ng tarantado sa kanya.

Ilang taon na siya nitong inaalila. And what did she get in return? Fucking heartbreaks and disappointment. Mabuti nalang at mild lang ang mga 'yon. Kung hindi, baka nga wala na sa mundong ibabaw ang gwapong nilalang na nagngangalang Ryker Zion Ramirez.

"Hey, I'm not going to fuck anyone. Just don't cut my baby." Anito na ikinatingin ulit ni Cj.

"Seriously?"

"Yep. I'm serious." Sagot nito.

"Dapat pala noon ko pa sinabi 'yon no?" She teasingly asked. "Zion, I don't really care how many woman you fuck. We're not in a relationship. We're just basically living in one roof." She stated and pointed the fork at him.

"Why do you like me?" He asked, mas naging seryoso ang tingin nito sa kanya.

She chewed her food slowly, thinking for a better answer to his question, but as usual, wala siyang maisip. Nilunok niya muna ang pagkain na nasa bibig niya bago ito sinagot.

"I honestly don't know. I don't have to give any reason why I like you, if I gave you one, then I'm just infatuated. You get me? If only I can control this certain emotion lingering inside me, I'll probably stop them to keep on liking you." Umingos siya sa lalaki.

"What? Why?!" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong nito sa kanya.

"You're a fucking asshole. Tingin mo ba likeable ka?" Sarkastikong tanong niya sa lalaki.

Although, she knows the answer, sinasampal na 'yon sa kanya.

"I am handsome and rich! Of course, I am likeable!"

"Aside from those? Tingin mo? Ano pa ang magugustuhan sayo?" She asked.

Ryker tapped his fingers against the table and looked up a little as if he was thinking deep. Muntik nang maibuga ni Cj ang pagkain na nasa bibig niya nang marinig ang napaka walang kwentang sagot nito.

"I am good at fucking. Want to try it?" May lakas pa talaga ito na magtanong sa kanya?!

"Sa ibang bansa lang ako lumaki, Zion. My family still raised me to be conservative, well, I act like one sometimes. But, if you want to taste me, then date me. Simple."

"What's with you and dating?" Iritado na naman na tanong nito sa kanya.

Bumuntong hininga si Cj. "I'm getting tired of you. I'll look for another man to date me, then I'll cancel this shitty engagement with you." She spat and stood up.

Matagal na sana siyang kumawala sa tali nilang dalawa ni Ryker. If only there's a brave man who have the guts to court her. Sadly, there's none. Takot ang mga ito sa kanya. She tried to be a fine lady before but she failed miserably.

Ano man klaseng damit ang isuot niya. May it be her normal clothes or dress. No man will ever talk to her. They don't have balls to talk to her.

Because she looks pretty intimidating. Her eyes were always sharp. She only smiles when she wanted to or when she's comfortable with the people that surrounds her.

Or maybe, wala ni isang lalaki ang lumapit sa kanya noon dahil alam ng mga ito na palagi siyang nakasunod kay Ryker.

Hinugasan ni Cj ang pinagkainan niya bago siya umalis sa kusina at dumeretso sa kwarto nilang dalawa ni Ryker. She quickly took a shower and dry her hair, so she can have have some sleep. Pabagsak niyang inihiga ang katawan sa malambot na kama, she's wearing a shirt and pajama, kaya hindi na siya nag-abala pa na takpan ng comforter ang katawan niya.

Her eyes were close but she's not sleeping. She's tired, alam niya 'yon sa sarili niya. Their bed smells a mixture of her and Ryker's fragrance, but that wasn't enough to put her to deep slumber. Hindi siya gumalaw nang marinig niyang bumukas ang pintuan, tanda na pumasok si Ryker.

Her breathing quickened when she felt the other side of the bed sank and someone comb her hair before gently grabbing her hand and squeezed it. Cj bit her inside cheek to stop herself from smiling.

"I figured you'll have a hard time to sleep. I'll hold your hand, rest well, Calista." Ryker whispered and squeezed her hand again.

A contented sigh escaped from her lips. She can't sleep without holding his hand.

MAHINANG NATAWA si Ryker nang makita na tulog na tulog na si Cj, but her hold on his hand was still tight. Before, he found it weird, she can't sleep without holding someone's hand. She used to hold Travis or Sean's hand whenever she wanted to sleep, but ever since they moved, ang kamay na niya ang nakasanayan na hawakan nito.

"It fits perfectly," he whispered as he intertwined their fingers.

Malalim siyang huminga nang maramdaman na tumayo na naman ang kaibigan niya. He seriously can't control himself. He tried to flirt with other woman, but his stubborn friend didn't stood up. Ryker was actually considering to go see a doctor for his situation.

Holding her hand feel so wrong and at the same time, it feels good. He used to hold her sister's hand. But God already take her away from him. He was broke until now. That sometimes he questioned himself, until when?

Lahat ng taong nakapalibot sa kanya, naka moved on na, siya nalang ang naiwan. O naiwan nga ba siya?

He stared at Cj's sleeping face. Magkaiba ang mukha nilang dalawang magkapatid. Clijay looks exactly like her mother while Calista got her looks from their father with a little mixture of her mother. Clijay's features can compare to a innocent Angel, kalkulado ang mga galaw nito, she thinks before she talks, she's friendly, and sweet.

Kahit isa sa mga 'yon ay wala siyang nakikita kay Cj. This woman holding his hand right now was savage as hell. Straight forward. Tackless. Wala itong pakialam kung masasaktan ang kausap sa bibitawan nitong salita. Her features were sharp and detailed. Her brows were thick and doesn't need to be shaped, her small eyes that always looked sharp, her thin lips, and heart shaped face.

Bahagya siyang napaigtad nang mag vibrate ang cellphone na hawak niya.

"Yes?" He answered, still looking at Cj.

[What the hell are you doing, Kuya? You weren't answering my texts!] Reklamo ni Nyker sa kanya.

"Is it important?" He asked.

He heard his younger brother sighed. [Yes, Mom finds out I'm doing half of your work again. She kept on asking me if you're doing something she doesn't like behind her again. Syempre, hindi ako sumagot. Malay ko ba kung saan kayo pumupunta ni Ate Cj!]

"Okay, I'll talk to her." He said and dropped the call.

Si Nyker ang sumalo sa trabaho niya habang sinasamahan niya si Kade sa mga nakaraan na buwan sa hide out nila. Maliban sa Lust community, his hide out was the only place where he can rest and think peacefully.

He didn't bother to read Nyker's message. Itinabi niya ang cellphone niya at tumabi ng higa kay Cj. He's not up for sleeping, pero hindi rin naman siya makaalis. Magigising ito kapag tinanggal niya ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay nito.

"Such a baby," he uttered when he heard her snoring softly.

Tumagilid siya ng higa at pinakatitigan ang mukha ni Cj. He cursed himself when he felt his manhood stirring up again! Fuck it!

He abruptly sat up and grab his phone to call Esel —without letting go of her hand, of course— but it was Shawn who answered the phone.

"Where's Esel?" Tanong niya rito.

[He's having a shower at the moment. You need something? Legal advice?] She answered and asked.

Ryker cleared his throat. "A serious advice."

[You can count on me!] Shawn sounded excited. Mukhang wala itong trabaho ngayon sa firm nila.

"But I need Esel."

[My husband is taking a shower, so?]

"My friend down there is only standing up when I'm with a certain woman."

[Oooh! Tough lust. As a woman, don't just fuck her. Hindi niya deserve 'yon. If it's Cj, date her, and it's up to her if she'll let you have your way...]

"It's not Cj. Bye."

Yeah, continue lying to yourself, Ryker!

☕