Chapter 48 | Vacation

Nicole Jane's POV

"Where are we going?"

I looked at Hiro, who is currently shaking his head. Beside him is Rei, then Miley, whose both keep on chanting, and next to her is Kira. He just keeps on smiling while looking outside the car window. I leaned forward just to see their fingers intertwined.

Kasalukuyan kaming nagbibiyahe patungo sa vacation house ng Clarkson family. We are all in the same van. Nakasunod kami sa van kung saan ay nando'n ang parents namin at kasunod naman namin ang mangilan-ngilang royal guards, protectors at vampire hunters. We look like a President's family with a lot of bodyguards which is following us. And I totally hate the idea.

I thought that this getaway will be our private moment. But Uncle Zach doesn't want to take a risk and want to be prepared at all time.

Muli na naman akong nalungkot nang maalala ko si Mikan. Nasaan na kaya siya ngayon? I really wonder on what happened to her after that fight.

I rested my head on Kyle's shoulder, who is busy listening to a music on his phone.

"It's been a long time since I last came to the beach. Masusuot ko na ang mga bikini ko!" Althea suddenly exclaimed.

But Athena just gave her a disgust look. "How gross!"

Althea tilted her head to the side and rolled her eyes. "Oh, yeah. Here comes my conservative sister again."

Kung titingnan silang dalawa mabuti ay masasabi kong carbon copy talaga nila ang isa't isa. The only thing that made me differentiate the two of them is the color of their hair.

And of course, their attitude.

Athena used to tell me that there is a big difference between the two of them. She's always the quiet, shy and conservative one.

While Althea, well, we can say that she is the bad girl, the talkative, the rebel and the liberated one.

Though they have the same set of emerald green eyes that suited them. From there, it looks like I already knew why Kuya Gino fall for someone like Athena. I am not saying that Althea is no good. But Kuya seems better with Athena.

"Bahala ka nga! Wala ka rin namang mahahanap na boys do'n, eh. So it's useless," Athena said. Binatukan naman agad siya ng kapatid kaya napanguso na lang siya.

"Magtigil ka nga riyan! Palibhasa kasi may—" hindi na naituloy ni Althea ang sasabihin ng biglang takpan ni Athena ang bibig niya.

"Ano 'yon, Ate Althea?" Miley asked curiously.

Pero umiling lang siya at ngumiti nang nakakaloko sa kapatid.

Napangiti na lang ako. Mukhang alam ko na ang gusto niyang sabihin.

I want to see my Kuya's reaction. But I can't because he's the one driving right now. And we are seated on the back seat. Though I know that he is blushing as hell.

I looked at our side, just to see Steph sleeping. Her head was peacefully rested on the car window. She looks tired and sleepy at all.

I just remembered right now that she was gone last night before I drifted away to sleep.

I looked in front. Beside Kuya is Vince, that I caught glancing through the rear mirror at Steph's side.

It seems that I have finally figured out something. They must have been together last night and stay up until late night. Until when will they stop playing the hide and seek game?

"Hey, you sleep first my princess. We still have a long ride to go," Kyle said. I felt him unplugging his earphones and placed it inside his bag.

"Okay." I smiled the moment I felt his lips on my forehead. Then he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me even closer to him.

Surely, there is no safe place other than being beside him.

-----

"We're here."

Unti-unti kong iminulat ang mga mata ko nang maramdaman ko ang marahang paghaplos sa pisngi ko.

I looked around and noticed that it's the only two of us left here. Kaya naman ay dali-dali na rin kaming bumaba at sumunod sa iba.

"Wow." I can't help but to admire the beautiful view in front of me. Sa isang iglap ay nawala ang antok ko.

Naghahalo na ang kulay ng langit nang dahil sa nalalapit na paglubog ng araw. I opened my arms and welcomed the cold wind that greeted me.

"Like what you see?" I almost startled in surprise the moment Kyle hugged me from behind.

"No. I love it. And I will love to go here again."

"Sure. Anytime for my princess." Naramdaman ko ang marahan niyang paghalik sa tuktok ng ulo ko.

Nasira naman ang moment namin nang marinig ang nakakalokong sigaw ni Hiro. "Stop it for now, lovebirds! They are now waiting for us inside."

Kyle cussed and I just laughed at him.

The feeling is so surreal and I couldn't ask for more.

But... why do I feel that something bad will going to happen?

Pagkapasok ay agad kaming inilibot ni Uncle Zach sa vacation house nila. Halos malula naman ako sa laki at lawak nito na nagmistula ng mansyon. Sa tingin ko ay mahihirapan kaming magkakitaan dahil sa laki nito.

Nang matapos ay hinatid na rin niya kami sa kanya-kanyang kuwarto namin. Magkasama kami ni Steph sa iisang kuwarto. Nang makapasok ay dali-dali na naming inayos ang mga gamit namin para makigulo sa ibaba.

Pero napasimangot ako nang sa pagbaba namin ay bigla siyang hinila ni Vince. Hindi ko pa kasi nasosolo at nakakausap ng seryoso si Steph dahil palagi na lang niyang hinihila.

Sabagay ay aalis na nga pala siya pagkatapos nito. Kaya hahayaan ko na lang muna silang dalawa.

Naisipan ko munang lumabas at doon ay naabutan ko sina Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Zach at Auntie Cass na nagkukuwentuhan sa front porch. They all turned their heads in my direction and I just waved at them. Tinanguan at nginitian naman nila ko.

Ngunit biglang kumalam ang sikmura ko nang may maamoy na kung ano na nanggagaling sa kusina. Ilang oras din kasi ang naging biyahe namin kaya nagugutom na rin talaga ko.

"Hungry already, babe?"

Nakanguso akong tumango-tumango kay Kyle na bigla na lang sumulpot sa tabi ko.

He laughed and pinched both of my cheeks. "You're so cute. Don't worry. Malapit na ring matapos ang niluluto ng mga royal chefs at pwede na kayo maunang kumain."

Napailing na lang ako. Pati pala ang mga royal chefs ay dinala rin nila rito.

Natigilan naman ako nang mapadako ang tingin ko sa hawak-hawak niyang sako ng uling.

"Where are you going to use that?"

Sinundan ko naman ng tingin ang direksyong itinuro niya. "I'll help Kuya Gino." He winked.

Sa hindi kalayuan ay natanaw ko nga si Kuya na nag-iihaw. Katabi naman niya si Athena na masayang tumutulong at nakikipagkuwentuhan sa kanya. Habang si Althea naman ay nakaupo sa isang tabi at mayroong nakasalampak na earphones sa tainga niya.

"Okay then. I'll go there later."

Tumango naman siya at nauna na sa paglalakad. If I know ay nagpapalakas lang siya kay Kuya, eh.

Nakigulo na lang ako kina Miley at Kira na kasalukuyang naglalaro at nagtatayo ng kastilyo sa buhanginan. Pero biglang napasimangot si Miley ng bigla na lang gumuho 'to.

"Bakit ba palagi na lang gumuguho?" She groaned.

Kira patted her head. "Ikaw talaga. Mali naman kasi ang ginagawa mo, eh."

Nang makalapit ako sa kanila ay agad akong napansin ni Miley.

"Ate! Let's play!"

Habang hinihintay na maluto ang pagkain ay nakipagkulitan na lang muna ko sa kanilang dalawa. Seryoso na ang mukha ni Miley habang muling itinatayo ang kastilyong buhangin na ginagawa niya. Habang si Kira naman ay panay lang ang asar sa kanya. Such a lovely couple.

Ilang minuto pa ang lumipas ay bigla na lang kaming nakarinig ng sigaw.

"Kainan na!"

Napabaling kaming lahat sa nakahandang mesa sa labas at bumungad sa paningin ko ang mabilis na pagsunggab ni Hiro sa mga pagkaing nakahain dito.

"Hey! Ang patay gutom mo talaga kahit kailan! Para kang hindi bampira, ah." Rei glared at him while swatting his hand away. "Let's wait for the others!"

Hiro pouted. "Sa nagrereklamo na ang tummy ko, eh. Anong gagawin ko. Sige ka kapag nangayayat ako ay mawawala ang abs ko. Wala ka ng paglalaway—"

Hindi na niya natapos ang sasabihin nang bigla siyang binatukan ni Vince.

"Aray naman! Kanina ka pa bro, ah. Nakakasakit ka na ng feelings." Tila batang hinimas-himas pa nito ang ulo.

"Stop calling me bro, will you? Because that will never happen. Not in your wildest dream." Vince pushed him away.

Habang si Rei naman ay napatampal na lang sa kanyang noo. Pero kita ko ang dahan-dahan niyang pagngiti. Kaya lang ay mukhang dadanas talaga siya ng katakot-takot na sakit sa ulo ng dahil sa dalawang 'to.

They're best friends. Pero ng dahil nga sa alam na ni Vince ang reputasyon ni Hiro ay mukhang mahihirapan siyang makuha ang approval at suporta ng Kuya ni Rei. I felt bad for him. Nakahanap tuloy siya ng katapat.

"Tara kain na tayo, Ate," yaya ni Miley.

"Mauna na kayo. Pupuntahan ko lang sina Kuya at Kyle."

Napatango naman sila ni Kira sa 'kin.

"Sa totoo lang ay hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit naging matalik na magkaibigan ang dalawang 'yan." Rinig kong sabi ni Kyle kay Kuya nang makalapit ako sa kanila, habang abala pa rin sa pag-iihaw.

"How's our baby?"

Natigilan naman ako at napalingon sa likod ko nang may biglang nagsalita. Nakita ko si Mommy na nakangiting palapit sa 'kin.

I rolled my eyes. "Mom! Stop calling me baby, because I am not anymore." I stomped my foot while she's putting some strands of my hair behind my ear.

Natawa naman siya. "Kahit graduate ka na o magkakaroon ng sariling negosyo at magkapamilya, you will always be our baby."

"Mukhang seryoso ang usapan natin, ah," Dad said while walking towards us. Agad siyang umakbay kay Mom nang makalapit.

"Si Mom kasi. She still treats me like a child," sumbong ko pero tinawanan lang nila ko.

I felt my stomach grumbled once again. Nagugutom na talaga ko at lalo akong nagugutom nang dahil sa dami ng naaamoy ko.

Napatingin ako sa puwesto nila Kuya. Pero kumunot ang noo ko nang hindi ko na siya makita. Tapos na rin pala sila.

I looked around. And there I saw him in one of the nearest coconut tree around, talking to Athena.

"Mukhang nagmana ata sa 'kin ang panganay ko, ah. Matinik din sa babae," natatawang sabi ni Dad pero siniko lang siya ni Mom.

"Okay na po 'to. Tara kain na rin po tayo," Kyle announced. Hindi na kami nag-abala pang tawagin sila Kuya dahil mukhang seryoso ang pinag-uusapan nila at nakigulo na rin kami sa mahabang mesa.

-----

Kyle Ethan's POV

"So, what's your next plan?" Kuya Gino asked.

I smiled. "To marry her after college graduation."

Pinigilan ko ang matawa nang bigla siyang nasamid. "W-What? Kasal agad pagkatapos n'yo sa kolehiyo? You're too fast, huh? Natatakot ka bang makuha pa siya ng iba?" He grinned at me.

I smirked. "Nah. It's not about that. Doon din naman kasi ang punta namin at hindi na kailangang patagalin pa. Kung pwede nga lang na pakasalan ko na siya agad ngayon ay ginawa ko na, eh."

Napailing siya. "Taling-tali ka na talaga, hah. Well, let's see what Dad will say about that."

Napatango naman ako. Naisip ko na rin naman ang tungkol do'n. Pero alam ko namang hindi ako mahihirapan na makuha ang approval nila Tito.

"What are you willing to give to my sister to be happy?"

Kasalukuyan kaming nandito sa veranda. Napabaling naman ang tingin ko kay Nicole na nasa dalampasigan.

Nicole is summoning a ball of fire on her hand. Pero hindi 'to basta apoy dahil napapaligiran 'to ng naghahalong kulay itim at lilac.

A poison made like a ball.

While Miley is just looking at her as she embraced herself. She maybe feels cold and it seems like she's talking to Nicole through her mind, because I saw Nicole nodded.

On the other side, Rei keeps on running to catch up and fight with Hiro. But to her dismay, she can't catch him and ended up facing the beach sand because of his strength when he pushed her. Mabilis naman siyang dinaluhan ni Hiro. I saw him mouthed sorry to her.

Pero halos mapasigaw naman si Reiri nang makita ang biglang pag-angat ni Hiro sa ere. Then there I saw Vince smirking at him. Steph just rolled her eyes at him.

I looked around. Agad kong napansin ang mga nagkalat na royal guards, protectors at vampire hunters sa paligid. They are just in their usual self.

"I am willing to give everything, even if it cost my life. Just for her to be happy and safe." I took a shot of a glass, with my eyes still focused from the beach side.

Halos kanina pa rin kami nandito. According to him, he wanted to have a man to man talk with me.

He chuckled. "Silly. Sa tingin mo ba kapag wala ka na ay magiging masaya siya? Oo nga at buhay siya. Pero para na rin siyang namatay kapag nawala ka."

This time, I faced him again. But before I could even react, the place where he seated is already empty.

I turned around and it was his back facing me right now. Napailing na lang ako. Sometimes, he is weird.

"Don't you know that eavesdropping is bad?" Tanging ang malakas na pagpagaspas ng hangin lang ang narinig ko.

"Mukhang tayo naman ang may kailangang pag-usapan, Kira."

I said once again as I pour my glass another round of drink. Alam kong kanina pa siya nasa paligid at naghihintay lang ng tiyempo na makausap ako.

Out of nowhere, someone landed from the rooftop. "I think, that's a good idea."

-----

Gino's POV

Damn! I almost forgot about Athena! May usapan nga pala kaming magkikita ngayong gabi.

I made my way towards to one of the cottage far from the vacation house. Hindi na ko nakapagpaalam pa kay Kyle ng bigla ko 'yong maalala.

I have decided already. Magtatapat na ko ng nararamdaman ko sa kanya. It is now or never.

I heaved a deep sigh the moment I reached the place. Napahawak ako sa sentido ko at bahagya 'tong hinilot. Napasobra ata ko ng inom. Athena might not believe in what am I going to say if I am in this state.

Kung bakit naman kasi napasarap ang kwentuhan at inuman namin ni Kyle. Pero ng dahil na rin do'n ay mas napatunayan ko na nasa mabuting kamay ang kapatid ko. Dad and I may not be always on her side to protect her.

But now I'm confident because I know that he can and he always will.

Napaangat ako ng tingin nang biglang bumukas ang pinto. Medyo madilim sa bahaging 'to at hindi na ko nag-abala pang buksan ang ilaw.

Ang unang nakakuha ng atensyon ko ay ang pula niyang buhok at ang emerald green na kulay ng kanyang mga mata na matamang nakatingin sa 'kin. Tila nakainom din siya.

"Gino," she called out.

I walked towards her. The moment I came near her, I reached for her hand and kissed it. "Athena, I'm glad you came."

She smiled. A shy one. That's one thing I love about her. She and her innocent acts. "Of course. So, ano nga pala ang mahalaga mong sasabihin sa 'kin?"

Napabuntong hininga ulit ako at hinila siya paupo sa kamang nandito. Well, this is not a usual cottage. Halos kumpleto nga ang nasa loob nito.

"I..." napahigpit ang hawak ko sa kamay niya. "I just want to tell you that I like you. Oh, no. Scratch that. I love you. I didn't know how or when it happened. I just felt it and as the day goes by, I can't help but to look forward to seeing you. This feeling is foreign to me and I have never felt like this before. I tried to fight this feeling. I tried to stop it because I might scare you. But I just can't." Halos maubusan ako ng hininga nang dahil sa bilis at dire-diretso kong pagsasalita.

Hindi naman siya nakaimik. Nakatitig lang ako sa mga mata niyang unang nakakuha ng atensyon ko. Ang mga matang hinding-hindi ako magsasawang titigan kahit magdamag. Ang mga matang tila ba maraming gustong sabihin.

I almost jump in surprise when I felt her hands softly caressing my cheek.

"Then don't."

Napakunot ako ng noo. "W-What?"

She smiled. Hindi ko alam pero parang may iba sa ngiti niya ngayon. "Then don't stop it. Because honestly, I don't want you to stop it either."

Before I could even utter a response, my mouth was shut by her soft lips. Pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo akong nalasing sa halik niya.

I was drowning by the kiss we shared. Hanggang sa unti-unti ko na siyang inihiga. I was waiting for her to stop me. Because I will if that's what she wanted.

But she didn't. And pulled me even closer to deepen the kiss.

Everything happened so fast. I just found myself on top of her, thrusting as fast and deep as I can, while she keep on chanting and moaning my name. It serves as music in my ears.

"Faster, Gino," she pleaded and I oblige. Her eyes were closed and she was biting her lower lip.

Goodness. That's turning me on.

Ramdam ko ang pagkakadiin ng mga kuko niya sa likod ko pero hindi ko 'yon ininda. I was too focused at the beautiful view in front of me and still can't believe that we are now making love.

"Oh! Oh! Gino, please! I'm almost there!" she shouted that made me smirk. I didn't know that Athena can be this wild in bed.

One more hard and deep thrust and we both reached our climax. Nanghihina kong humiga sa tabi niya at sumubsob sa leeg niya. I wrapped my arms around her soft body.

"Shit!" I groaned in frustration when she faced on my side. I looked down and saw that her full breast is just an inch away from my face.

"Ready for round two, honey?" she asked in a seductive tone.

Sa totoo lang ay kanina pa ko nagugulat sa mga sinasabi at kinikilos niya. But I couldn't care less. As long as she's the one that I will make love with.

"Hell, yeah." In a snap, I was on top of her again.

-----

Queen Cassandra's POV

"Are they asleep already?"

Zach turned to me and nodded. "Yeah. I just check each room and they were all there."

"Bago pa man kami pumunta rito kanina ay nakita na rin namin si Gino na pumasok sa kuwarto niya," Nathalie informed. Napatango naman ako.

"So, kailan ba magaganap ang lahat? Para makapaghanda na rin kami," Nick asked while eyeing the map in front of him.

"Tomorrow," Zach answered him. I turned to him and I can see determination on his face.

"Copy. We need this to get done with as soon as possible," Conrad said. Lahat naman kami ay napatango.

My husband stood up and walked towards the window. He looked up and stared at the bright moon. "We should kill him again."

I sighed. "Yeah. This time, we need to be sure that it will be for a lifetime."

All of us stayed silent. Kailangan naming makahanap ng paraan para hindi na siya tuluyang makabalik pa ulit.

We'll see you soon, Hans Croven.

-----

Third Person's POV

"Is everything and everyone ready?"

"Yes, master," nakatungong tugon ng kanang kamay nito.

"Good. You may go now." Mabilis namang sumunod ang alagad at umalis.

Mayamaya pa ay muling bumukas ang malaking pinto sa harap nito. "Any news?" bungad niyang tanong sa kararating lamang na nilalang.

"Yes. Tomorrow will be the day," imporma nito sa kanya.

Nakangisi naman 'tong tumango. "I know and I can't wait to see them again. Their greatest downfall will soon happen."

Hindi nakaligtas sa paningin nito ang isang nilalang na dali-daling tumakbo paalis sa lugar na 'yon. Alam niyang narinig nito ang usapan nila pero wala naman na 'tong magagawa pa.

Tinalikuran na siya ng kausap. Pero bago pa man 'to tuluyang makaalis ay may sinabi siyang nakapagpatigil dito.

"I'm sure that all of them will going to have a priceless face tomorrow."

Napuno ng malademonyo nitong halakhak ang buong lugar.

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