CHAPTER 4

He held my hand and lead me somewhere I don’t even know. We ride an elevator inside his office that directly went into the parking lot. I can’t even control myself or make myself calm down knowing that Mak-mak is in danger.

"Shocks." I broke down and cry while thinking about the kid. I should help him and get there as fast as possible but I can’t stop crying.

I can’t stop from worrying because my apartment is far from the office. What if his Mom will start beating him up again while I’m on my way? What if I don’t get there in time.

"Mak-mak, please be safe." I heard the cracking of my voice while I’m praying for his safety. I must protect him with all of my might because that’s what I should do as his older sister.

I felt the cold hands of Hades caressing my cheeks as if he’s afraid to hurt me. He wipe away my tears and held me in his arms. I can feel that he’s willing to protect me and the other people that I love by his touch.

"Hush now." I can see the sincerity on his eyes. He’s telling me to stop crying and to stop overthinking. He’s telling me that we will save Mak-mak using his deep and sincere eyes.

"I can't afford to lose him too." I whispered enough for him to hear it. I stared at his eyes as if begging him to help me to get through this; to help to save the kid.

"You won't lose him." I was shocked and my eyes grew bigger when I felt his lips touched my forehead. I didn’t expect it from him, I mean I met him a while ago and he actually fired me from his company and then what? He kissed me all of a sudden?

Nevertheless, I can feel comfort on his gestures. I feel safety inside of his arms which are hugging me right now. I am sure that I met him a while ago but I feel like he’s familiar, his scent and gestures are familiar.

"We're here." He whispered. I didn’t realize that I had closed my eyes the whole time while he’s hugging me. I almost fell down when I opened my eyes and we were in the alley of my apartment.

"How did we get here?" I curiously asked him because it makes me scared and bewildered at the same time. Instead of an answer, he only gave me a miserly smile.

He loosen up his tie and unbutton the three button of his tuxedo, I can see in his face that he get tired from doing the thing that he did, that I don’t even know what it is. He also run his fingers through his hair. His head was observing everything that he can see starting from my neighbors down to the people gambling in some area of the place.

"Hey! Devyn!" I woke myself up from fantasizing about him when I heard Rosa approaching us while shouting hysterically.

"Mak-mak." I called his name when I saw him on his mother’s side while crying and sobbing. I can see some fresh bruises on her face, legs, and even on his arms.

She’s gripping her own son in his sleeves and pulling him as hard as she can because he’s restraining himself from getting pulled. His clothes are already dirty and ruined. His cries are the only thing that I can hear from this dark alley.

Many people are watching us but they don’t have any intention to help us from this turmoil; they are watching because they need some news that they can spread to the whole community later on. As if they’re watching some drama.

It’s obvious that she’s under the influence of drugs. Her eyes are reddish and her eyebags are really big, they are not normal for someone who stayed up late for something necessary. I almost cough up because of the smoke coming from her cigar.

"Rosa, what now? What do you need from Mak-mak? Money? If yes, I will give it to you. How much do you need? Just let him go." I opened my bag and look for my wallet. I picked a five hundred bill and lend it to her.

"You’re becoming arrogant, Devyn. You’re now even brave enough to bring a handsome guy. Who’s that? You can’t even pay the rent!” You heard her right. She’s the owner of my apartment and I don’t even know why she’s short financially even if she has a three-building apartment.

"Here. Here’s my rent for last month and this month. Let him go." I harshly throw the 1,500 peso bill to her and tried to snatch Mak-mak from her but she didn’t let him go. I clenched my fist because of madness.

"Ate Devyn. Just let Mom be. I’ll just endure it." Every tears and sobs I heard from him is killing me. I pity him. I can’t let this happen in front of me, I must stop her.

"You! Shut up! Don’t interfere the conversation of the elders!" She pinched Mak-mak on his tummy and slapped him that caused his fall on muddy floor of the alley. I can’t stop myself anymore and pulled her hair. I am really pissed off with this oldie!

"Hey you! How do you put up with threatening and hurting your own child? Doesn’t your stomach hurt? If you can’t take care of him, I will! I will take care of him. He doesn’t need someone like you!” She fell on the floor when I pushed her hardly after slapping her.

I carry Mak-mak who’s crying because of what he witness, I feel very sorry for him but I know that I must do that to stop her. We went to my apartment and asked him to sit down on my bed, I wipe away his tears.

"Don't worry. I’m here. I won’t leave you, okay?" I smiled after hugging him tightly. I know on myself that I need to take care of him because if not me? Who? If not now, when?

"Thank you, Ate." I caress his back to make him stop from crying. I know that he’s tired from it because he’s been crying for the whole day. I must stop him from hurting even if it’s not permanent.

I saw Hades standing in front of the door while watching us. So I went near him and invite him to go inside. My apartment is just small and it’s just enough for myself so I expect him to be disgusted and uncomfortable but I didn’t hear anything from him.

"Come in, Sir." I fixed the couch and let him stay and sit in there so that he can at least rest after doing so much favor for me. A small token as an exchange of thank you.

"I’m sorry for my apartment and also for the situation a while ago. I also want to thank you for helping me." I gave him a glass of juice and watch him sip from it. I unintentionally watch him gulp it so I looked at the other direction.

"Mak-mak. Go ahead and take a shower. Check if the water came back already. I’m going to prepare your clothes after a while.” I sat down in front of Hades after watching Mak-mak go inside of the bathroom.

"Hey.." he held my hand which was placed above the table. I automatically got shocked and simply pulled it from his touch. I mean why should he do that?

"I'm sorry. It’s really embarassing. You already know why I am acting that way because I am one of the illegal settlers?" I let out a smooth and faint laugh while looking at him, expecting him to say yes but instead he frowned his forehead.

"You are different from them, Devyn." It seems like he hypnotized me again and I automatically smile because of what he said. He’s treating me as if I am special but I know that I am not.

"A-Ate Devyn?" I turned my gaze into Mak-mak. The tricky and naughty smile on his lips didn’t escape my sight. Is he kidding me or is he teasing me? If yes, for what? I don’t get it!

After that situation, I decided to leave this place behind. It is better if I can find a replacement for my apartment within this day. I saw an apartment from the other street so I’m going to try there later. It is better there than here because it is quiet and cleaner. It is better for Mak-mak.

I fixed and pack up my things. It is nothing much so I can lift it and carry it up until we reach the said place. I am sure that his mother will eventually kick me out because of what happened.

"Where are we going, Ate?/ Where are you going?" Mak-mak and Hades said in unison like a choir singing a practiced song for a big church performace. Mak-mak was shocked and he hid on my back like a scared cat. I let out a smooth chuckle. Is he afraid of Hades?

"Mak-mak, this is Kuya Hades. He is my boss.. I mean my former boss." I introduced him to Hades and let him called Hades as “Kuya” which mean older brother in Filipino.

"H-Hi." I saw his small hands waving at Hades so I pinched his cheeks because of his overloaded cuteness. I giggled after I saw him stared at me irritably.

"Hi." Hades answered coldly. Mak-mak hid again because of being scared so I laugh when I saw Hades looking at him intently as if he’s curious why he’s hiding from him.

"We’re going to transfer in another apartment. For sure, your mom will eventually kick me out." I said continuing the packing of my things. I looked at Mak-mak and I saw him sad so I told him not to blame himself from what happened.

"You're not going anywhere. You'll go home with me."