Chapter 2: Protected

"I grab this while your dressing me . Yes I'm awake but I pretend asleep. I wake when that scalpel hit my inner" paliwanag niya sakin na ikinatulala ko.

"A person like me has a big debt on you. I followed you two weeks ago and finally I got the chance to compensate" he explains in a serious tone na ikinatahimik ko.

"What do you even mean?" His lips curve a smile mischievously. It was naughty yet dangerous smile.

"I ow you my life. Expect me anytime when you need a help" Napakurap ako sa sinabi niya.

"So hindi ka talaga involve sa nangyare sakin kanina?" Umiling iling siya sakin.

"I just saw those men entered your cottage and as assassin I know what it means to happen" nagpantig ang tenga ko sa sinabi niya.

"A-aasassin?" He stop and rolled his eyes before he looks straight.

"Just call me Healer. That's the only information you need to know" napatango na lang ako sa kanya to think that his totally a dangerous person.

"We will return once things gets better , for now I must secure you" he said while biting his lower lip. Umiwas na ako ng tingin sa kanya at saka tumingin sa labas ng bintana.

"So you're an assassin named healer" I am really in big trouble. This is too much.

If I don't have a brain seguro naging hysterical na ako ngayon. I must think wiser.

"Hanggang kailan ako mananatili dito?" I ask him while looking around. It was a Bungalow. Still were in Batangas pero hindi na sa Catalagan kundi sa Lipa.

"Until Tomorrow. Let's pass the night here. Your not safe to return" i was stunned watching him undress himself.

Napatitig ako sa tiyan niya na until now may benda pero tanging sa sugat na lang. Panira ang sugat niyang yun sa yummy abs.

"Are you drooling?" Nag angat ako ng tingin sa kanya like what the hell? Ako maglalaway?

Awtomatikong napapahid ako sa labi pero wala namang laway. Pinagloloko ata ako ng lalaking to.

"Just kidding" he said then he chukles like a crazy man. I rolled my eyes at saka sumilip sa labas.

"It's going night. I'm hungry" lumingon ulit ako sa kanya but he's gone that instant.

I didn't hear he walk out. He's that really dangerous. I shrug my shoulder at saka umupo sofa at binuksan ang tv.

All I can say was boredom. Nagpapadyak akong tumingala sa kisame. Hindi ko nadala ang mga books ko. How boring could be.

I'm really hungry. Hindi ako makapag lunch dahil sa nangyare. I hope my friends we're okay.

Nakarinig ako ng tunog mula sa paper bag kaya lumingon ako sa may kusina. There he is nag lalagay ng pagkain sa ref.

"I don't usually buy foods. I use this house for my missions" he explains when I walk in the island counter.

"Uhm do you really need to save me ? I mean hindi ko talaga inaasahan ang tulad mo na dumating sa buhay ko especially in a deadly mess" Hindi ako mapalagay sa kanya. I really don't trust this freaking handsome man.

"May motibo ka ba para gawin to?" He act like he never heard me at nagpatuloy sa paglalagay ng karne. When his done kinuha niya ang kutsilyo at saka inilapag sa tapat ko.

"Stab me if that's the answer" tinitigan niya ako sa mga mata , I can feel something about those sparkling eyes.

"You know I can't do that" umiwas na ako sa kanya at saka kinuha ang pizza box at binuksan ito. Naunahan niya ako sa kutsilyo at tinanggal niya ang pagkakatali sa pizza.

"If my intention is to kill you. Your dead before them." he explains while getting one for me. Tinanggap ko naman ito at saka kinagat.

"Let's say you hit me but you save me too. An assassin mercilessly kill but also loyal to it's client with the amount of money"

"But he also have dignity and conviction" tumango tango naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"I owe you my life so I'm giving my life to atone you back , I may be worthless by now feist by animals but because of you I'm here standing infront of you lady " napalunok ako sa sinabi niya. He looks cool saying those to me.

"Alright I believe it" he smiled that really melted me.

"Eat up. I'm going to check the Perimeter" Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas siya ng bahay. Nilasap ko naman ang pizza at saka binuksan ang lasagna. He really bought in Greenwich. Does he know na favourite ko ay lasagna?

Who are you really healer?

Oh gosh nakalimutan ko rin ang phone ko. Mom must be worrying by now. Makikigamit na lang ako kay healer pagbalik niya.

I will full myself eating tonight. Maybe tommorow will be a stressfull day for the both of us.

He took hours before going back. Nakatulog na ako't lahat saka lang siya bumalik.

"Saan ka galing?" Natigilan siya sa presensiya ko na naka crossarms sa harap niya.

"Oh well" tumayo siya ng tuwid at saka tumapat sakin.

"I thought you want to be alone to think more so I give you space" I turn around at saka muling umupo sa sofa.

"I'm not stupid so I already understand" napahawak ako sa dibdib ko sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

"That's good" he said again then he sat next to me.

"Your friends we're good. Those goons clean their mess before your friends found out" tumingin ulit ako sa kanya. He looks serious while saying those seguro nga I can trust him.

It was relief na malaman kong safe sila. Pero hindi pa rin mawala ang kaba ko na baka bumalik sila.

"I found out that your dad pulled out the shipment to Mr. Chen because he notice that the ship contains smuggled cars"

"What? smuggled? Illegal na ipapasok sa port namin?" I ask in hesitance. Is that the reason why I am in this situation.

"They can't land anywhere because of that so they need your father's Port" he briefly explained

" Ung mga goons kanina ay tauhan ni Mr. Chen?" He nodded to me at saka tumayo na siya.

"Don't worry , the news didn't reach your dad since they fail on kidnapping you" then he wave his hand before going back in the door outside.

"Matulog kana , Ibabalik pa kita sa mga kaibigan mo bukas." Tumango na ako sa kanya at saka pumasok sa isa isa mga kwarto rito.

Napahimas ako sa pisngi ko. Pakiramdam ko kasi nag iinit na naman ako. What's wrong with Healer? Nagiging ganito ako kapag malapit siya.

I still wonder if having him as a protector would really keep me safe. I won't forget na assassin siya but he explained himself already.

I layed on the bed at saka binalot ng kumot ang sarili ko. I can sleep peacefully since I am protected.

Humihikab pa akong lumabas ng kwarto at saka umupo sa sofa. An aroma just sink into my nose , masarap at ang bango.

Lumingon ako sa may kusina and there it is. A shirtless man with an apron just cooking. Oh my goodness he looks really cool on it. Why I am feeling this way? It's too melting.

Tumayo na ako at saka umupo sa island counter at saka tinitigan siya. Hindi pa ako nagnasa sa mga lalaki kahit naka swim trunks. Palagi pa nga kaming nanonood ni Feliz at Rhea ng mga swimming contest.

But why do I feel like I'm starving with Healer's body. Gusto kong hawakan. Pisilin oh my gosh what's happening to me.

His back's curve was really nice. I wanna trace my hand on it. I want to pinch his shoulder down to his hand. About his finger I wanna kiss it all. I cleared my throat when he turn his gaze to me.

"I can sense your mind right here" nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. Am I too obvious? Bakit ba kasi ako nagkakaganito.

Inilapag niya sa harapan ko ang dalawang plate na may fried rice , bacon , egg and stir fried broccoli.

Tumayo ako at saka umikot para kumuha ng Spoon at fork ng hilahin niya ang kamay ko. My eyes widen in shock when it landed to his abs.

"There" he said calmly with his baritone voice.

"T-tanggalin mo , k-kakain na ako h-healer" nahihiya kong sambit sa kanya slash nauutal pa dahil sa sobrang gulat. My palm was really touching his abs roaming up to his chest. He's too strong hindi ko mabawi ang kamay ko pero parang ayokong bawiin.

Oh no no this can't be. Pakiramdam ko ay napapaso ang palad ko sa balat niya.

"H-healer h-hindi naman ako nagnanasa sayo e , tanggalin mo na" I beg like a puppy , baka hindi ko kayanin ung ginagawa niyang paglalandas sa palad ko sa katawan niya at baka halikan ko siya.

Crazy Naomi! Ano ba tong iniisip mo. Erase erase.

He stared at me seriously na ikinatikom ng bibig ko at tinitigan siya pabalik. Hindi ko mabasa kung anong nasa utak niya. He's too clueless.

He let go of my hand finally.

"I can read you in a little move you do. You're too obvious" a devious smile showed to his face. Ako obvious?

"Who says i am?" Tinapatan ko ang tingin niya na ikina lip bite niya. Napatitig ako sa lips niya it's really tempting.

I'm not a wanton woman. Hindi naman seguro. Binitawan niya rin sa wakas ang kamay ko kaya bumalik na ako sa inuupuan ko.

It was a relief. Almost there.

I breathe heavily when we landed back in the resort. I don't know what will happen to me. May interrogation ako mamaya.

"Are you coming with me?" Nilingon ko siya at umiling iling naman siya sakin.

"I'm just roaming around but not in your side. just watching you afar" tumango ako sa sinabi niya at saka lumabas ng kotse.

"Do you really need to do this? Wala ka bang ibang gagawin?" Sumilip muna ako sa bintana to know if he's busy with other stuff. Ewan ko lang sobrang weird niya kasi.

"It's my problem not yours. Just go back to your normal life " I let out a deep sigh bago tumayo ng maayos at saka tumalikod na sa kanya.

It's good to know na may buck up assassin ako but how long will he protect me?

Cost of his life that means as long as he lives. Ganon ba talaga ang virtue niya? Dad must be wise though , illegal stuff is wanting him.

I really don't count how rich we are but right now because of that Richness our life is at stake. I'd better talk to dad pero baka mastress lang siya.

What he wishes for me is sana maging happy ako and he'll do all the favor for me.

What if I ask favor to Healer. Papayag kaya siya? Lumingon ulit ako sa kanya at saka tumakbo papasok sa loob ng kotse niya. Nagulat siya sa ginawa ko at saka natigilan sa pag assemble ng baril.

Napalunok ako sa hawak niyang Riffle. Saan niya naman kaya Gagamitin.

"You forgot something?"

"You said you want to atone me with your life too right?" He simply nodded na ikinangiti ko.

"Then I want you to do something for me in just week pagkatapos non wala ka ng dapat alalahanin pa. I'm no longer your responsibility" Tumitig lang siya sakin as if he's trying to read my mind.

"Okay" napangiti ako sa sagot niya.

"Pretend as my boyfriend."His eyes widen like it was the stupidest thing he heard.

"Why so sudden?" Nagtatakang tanong niya sakin na ikinatango ko.

"Hmm kasi my friends will ask me a lot so i need you to explain " He sarcastically laugh at me.

"Just keep it quite and tell them I'm your Butler" nginusuan ko siya to say that I'm not satisfied with it.

"I want you intimately. Kasi kung Butler kita may distance pa rin tayo. Maghihinala sila especially si Feliz alam niyang wala akong Butler " did I say it in different way?

"A-at saka uhm ayokong magmukha kang Butler ko lang. Your better more than that" he nodded like it was his satisfaction.

"You know i don't like publicity right?" Tumango tango naman ako sa kanya.

"But you want to atone me right?" Bumuntong hininga muna siya at saka ibinalik ang riffle sa compartment.

"Okay, just this week lady" I giggle in happiness at saka niyakap siya. Realization hits me.

BOYFRIEND???

Nakakailang lunok na ako ng laway habang naglalakad kami pabalik sa beach. I hope things here were normal.

"Sabayan mo lang ako pwede?" He nodded. Buti napapayag ko siya na sumama sakin. Dala niya rin ang backpack niya at nag rent din siya ng cottage medyo malapit lang din samin.

"Naomi!!!!" That shout kilalang kilala ko. I wave back to Feliz at saka hinila si Healer palapit sa kanila.

Natigilan pa sila at nag bulungan habang nakatingin sa kasama ko. They rent a table at mukhang nag iinuman sila. I also saw Veronica na nasa tabi lang staring to Healer.

Nagsama sama nga silang lahat.

I don't think if this will ruin my name or I will gain more popularity and controversy.

"Good morning everyone , pasensiya na ngayon lang ako nakabalik" paumanhin ko sa kanila pero mukhang wala sakin ang atensyon nilang lahat.

"Who is he Naomi?" Seryosong tanong ng bitter kong bestfriend.

"Uhm actually this is-" he cut me off.

"Just call me H. I'm her boyfriend"

•Clove Verry•