"I won't force you to tell me what you know. I just want to clear things between you and my wife. The rumor about you is spreading like a wildfire and as soon as possible I wanted to clear my wife's name. Then, if you won't admit everything with a written agreement, notarized, then let's see where this chase is going." 
He's been using the w word ever since we got the chance to talk with him.
Hindi man lang ako maka singit ni hi sa pag uusap nila. Because honestly, my heart is beating like crazy every time he mentions the w word.
Hindi 'ko nga alam bakit isinama niya pa ako kung hindi rin naman pala niya ako pag sasalitain?
I mean, I know that everything I will say can be use against me. I am not stupid enough not to know that. 
I only have one question to ask him, and whatever his answers were, tatanggapin 'ko naman ng buo.
I tap him from the shoulder, and he smiled at me. "Hm? What is it?" I was hesitating to ask him, but, whatever. 
"I know that I am brutally honest but are you some sort of a gangster?" just by judging the area, I know I am sure that he is. Malakas ang tawang pinakawalan niya habang ipinapakita ang blue print ng area.
Ahh, so it was the old company building. I supposed I had too much television. This is why I stopped watching dramas. "You're cute," he said while browsing from his phone.
The guy ran in  here knowing this is their property so I assumed that he knows we are looking for him, right? "I am not going to force you nor my husband's going to torture until you speak the truth, but, I just wanted to tell you that even if things don't go as we planned. Me and my husband will continue look for my freedom."
He isn't giving me any reaction. He looks so young for someone who's getting paid to ruin a Doctor's life. "What do we do now?" Zybe is asking me now? I mean, like I care of what's going to happen now?
Kibit balikat akong tumawa, "Kung hindi papalarin mag aartista na lang ako." I said joking making everyone laugh. Nakamasid pa rin sa aming ang lalake habang tahimik na naka upo. "We are not going to resort to any violence or I will not let anyone use force. Walang gangster dito."
"Serenity, you have to stop with the gangster thing." what? I am just trying to ease the tension. Para kaya siyang mafia boss. 
I rolled my eyes at him, "But you look like one." bulong 'ko na ikinatawa niya. Hanggang ngayon ay naka masid pa rin sa amin ang lalake. I nodded my head at him. "You know that you can always go, right? It's not like we are hostaging you."
"Love you are taking this too much. Why don't you wait outside? Let's eat dinner after this." hindi naman na niya ako hinintay sumagot at talagang pina alis na niya ako pina samahan sa mga bodyguards niya.
Nag pamewang na lamang ako sa labas ng kotse habang nag hihintay.
Hindi naman niya siguro tatakutin o kaya naman sasaktan ang isang iyon ano?
I should probably get back to work, hindi yung kung ano ano na naman ang pumapasok sa isip 'ko dahil sa panunuod 'ko ng telenobela.
This is why I don't like watching dramas, I could not move on easily.
Well, everyone's story is like a movie shown in the television. But unlike in real life, matters have to be solved by yourself. 
He came out from the building with phone on his ear. 
I have to remind him to use his ear piece from time to time. Kulang na lamang ay mapudpod ang tainga niya dahil halos walong oras siyang may kausap sa telepono.
"I don't think he is going to sing." he keeps smiling at me while eating. Ngayon lang ba niya ako nakitang kumain? He must have read the atmosphere. "I am just amazed how you easily adapt everything you watched."
"Who wouldn't? For a month now all I did was watched movies." From his seat, he pats me in the head as he answer the phone call. Ayan na naman siya, "Use this please." or your ears will rot. I wanted to add but did not have the energy to do so.
He's been walking in front of me back and forth, he must have felt how I find it so he left the table. "As I said, let's not give him what he wants. Who do he think he is? It's not like the company is going bankrupt just because he is going to pull his stocks." his eyebrows furrowed. I wish I could understand what he is talking about though. "Tell him to visit the marketing and sales department first thing in the morning so he could have an idea that we aren't sleeping on making new ideas."
Sa tagal niyang nakikipag usap ay natapos na ako sa pag kain. How long will it takes for him to finish a single conversation. "Are you going to eat or what?" I said boredly at him. 
Gulat din siguro siya na ganun na siya ka tagal sa telepono niya, "I'm sorry. Did that take to much of my time?" I nodded my head watching him eat. "Now, I am eating alone." he said awkwardly.
"Can I leave you alone?" he did not answer, he is busy with his phone yet again. Sa inis ay kinuha 'ko ang plato niya at mabilis na nilagay sa sink. "You have to decided what to do first, and just call me if you are ready to eat. Okay?"
I'm getting tired seeing him on his phone twenty four seven a day. Baka nga may kayo na ang tainga ng isang yun.
I am not a hypocrite though, when I worked, I only worked. 
Both of our jobs requires that much time, but, come on. It's dinner. Do I bore him that much? 
Hindi ba niya alam na mahihirapan siyang matunawan kapag pinag sasabay niya ang pag kain sa mga ginagawa niya?
Naalimpungatan ako nang marinig ang boses niya mula sa kuwarto.
Hindi pa rin talaga siya tapos? Naka tulog na lang ako't lahat lahat.
I was pretending I am sleeping the whole time because I wanted to hear him talk to other people. 
Ewan 'ko, I think it's the first time I've heard him speak seriously even though I have talked with him in a while now.
He sounds intimidating to others but not for me. I don't know, maybe I'm just used to people like him who uses words to woo people weaker than them.
I immediately wash my face and went down.
Nasa hagdan pa lamang ako ay rinig 'ko na ang ingay ng apat na itlog mula sa kusina. 
Mukhang pinag uusapan nila ang mga nang yari kahapon. But, when they saw me, kani kaniya silang nag patay malisya. Parang mga kriminal na huli sa akto.
May kani kaniyang kape naman na sila pati si Sutil. Nakamasid lamang siya sa amin habang nag aabang ng almusal.
Hindi 'ko nakasanayan ang pag kain sa umaga. Dahil minsan, sa dami ng operasyon hindi 'ko na namamalayan ang oras. Kadalasan naman ay, maswerte pa nga kung makakain kami ng dalawang beses sa isang araw.
I learned how to cook when I was in college. Syempre, okay lang kung ako lang ang hindi kakain. Syempre, kailangan ko pa ring pag lutuan si Papa ng kakainin niya para baunin.
They greeted me one by one as I gave them food. "You all should rest," nag ka tinginan silang apat bago ibinalik ang tingin kay Sutil I know how his parents are very strict when it comes to his safety. 
Kaya nga they had no other choice but to let me marry him, right? As a heir, natural na ata sakanila na maraming threat na nag aabang sa buhay nila. "I promise to take good care of your Boss Sutil." I patted his head and smiled at them.
Although hindi pa kami bati, hindi 'ko naman siya gugutumin.
I mean, kailan ba kami nag ka bati? Eh, sa araw araw ata na ginawa ng Diyos ay wala kaming ibang ginawa kung hindi ang mag talo.
Masisisi ba nila ako kung pinag lihi ako sa sarcasm at inaalmusal 'ko ang pait ng aking buhay?
He is listening intently to every word I am saying. "Ang swerte naman, Boss Sutil." One of his men laugh while smiling at us.
Siya nga ba talaga ang swerte?
Imagine having to eat dinner with me? Ni hindi 'ko nga maatim na makita ang mukha 'ko sa salamin paano pa kaya ang ibang tao?
He must be waiting for my reaction, and his eyes is smiling along with him. I love watching him this happy.
I was snap back from reality when my phone rung. Even before I can answer the phone I heard him say, "I am the lucky one."
I smiled from ear to ear when I answered the phone and I can already here Kris panting from the other line, "Guess what, Serenity Adel? I resigned! Don't get me wrong. But I think that this hospital was made for those bastards. Mag sama sama sila sa impyerno. I can't stand the heat! Naka aircon ang buong ospital pero sa tuwing maaalala 'ko na hindi lang isang beses na may na convict sa clinical malpractice dahil sakanila, pakiramdam 'ko ay kasama nila ako sinusunog sa impyerno! I can't believe those Doctors are really capable of doing things like these."
Sutil must have heard him that he stopped sipping his coffee. 
I mean, his voice is really loud that I won't expect na hindi maririnig kahit ng katabi 'ko lamang sa upuan.
Not just Kris, but a lot of people already endure not just the annoying guardians but also the hard headed patients.
I heave a deep sigh before answering him. It's not as if it's new to me. 
I have heard that before. Ganun na siguro sila ka bored at ka powerful kaya lahat ng makikilang surgeon ay para lang nilang pag lalaruan at biglang sisirain ang buhay. 
My fault was, I didn't listen. "Calm down, Kris. Tell me what happened." It was too late for me to listen now.
Narinig 'ko ang pagod sa boses niya. He's moving. Maybe he is preparing his things. "Serenity Adel, nag kaka gulo dito sa ospital dahil nag bigay ng ultimatum yung asawa mo. Kung hindi nila itatama yung mga ginawa nila, they will rot in jail." 
I opened my out, but nothing came out. "It turns out, the doctors want his parents out!" From here, I can hear a lot of them are crying. Probably, losing their minds. "They are threatening you, again, Adel. They will ruin your life as much as they can." Since his parents died, ngayon 'ko na lang ulit na rinig ang pinaka malungkot na boses niya. "Sabi nila, they will see you rot in jail."
I ended the call not knowing what to say..
I don't have the courage to hear him anymore. Am I really brave enough for things like this? Then, why do I feel like going back to the basics?
I know that clinical malpractice lawsuit is not one sleep away. It's not like heart break from a first love or a failed exams neither a need for a summer class.
But... everything seems unweary. That's why he sounded so desperate. That's why he is having a hard time all these times.
As soon as the four men left the house... I wanted to confront him. 
Pero hindi ako makakuha ng tyempo because he is already preparing to go to work and probably after a long tiring from work, he will again leave me behind and do things on his own.
Okay... I am guilty for the months off. But, I'm tired. As much as I want to fight for my innocence, how can I?
"You promised you will never use your power," he didn't bother looking at me. Ibinaba lamang niya ang hawak hawak na ballpen and sighed. "But, I am fool to think that the prosecutor will allow such trial to be moved for this long. Zybe, it's been a month."
I wanted to punch him in the face for looking so calm in the midst of confrontation. He sat beside me. He looks like a dad who is about to give her daughter an once in a lifetime words of wisdom, "Serenity, I promised to help you."
I rolled my eyes at him and move away from him, "You promised that you will help me. Hindi mo sinabing sosolohin mo. I still have the rights to know where will I end. Para kahit papaano ay maihanda 'ko ang sarili 'ko. Because honestly, I've been more than this."
My tantrums are getting worst everyday. It's like it is already part of my system.
He still stays calm after hearing everything from me. I don't know where he is getting all this patience. Because I want one, "Kung sasabihin 'ko ba sayo lahat ngayon will you still trust me after?" There was a long pause between us. But, I nodded.
He looked surprise. Pero hindi 'ko siya masisisi. I doubted a lot of people already, there is no more room for a selfish act. He might have simply hide the truth from me, but he is still helping me.
I can see from his face that he didn't know where to start. It's like as if I need to push the rewind button for him to remember where it all started.
But when he finished telling me the whole story, the only thing I can feel right now is my how my heart pounding so hard, my mind in absolute uncertainty, and my never ending tears.
It's not just by helping me... it's regaining everything from what has loss.
This 'scheme' started when his parents fought back from those Doctors. Well, they are the owners so they all have the right to do what they think is best for the hospital.
Like just Kris said, buhay pa sila pero inuuod na ang mga katawan nila.
Power makes people want more. They became the monster they never thought. Greed is what makes people do bad things.
I never thought that my life will turn out like a bloody movie.
"You look calm," he surprinsingly said to me.
I rolled my eyes at him, "I'm not a cold blooded teenager to throw tantrums just because you hid something from me. I am very much understanding."
"I wish I could believe you about your tantrums." But, I can still feel the tension between us. After all, I have to fight a long with them. Hindi basta basta ako nag pakasal sa pamilya niya to save my profession, my name, and even my face. "We will get through this," he said unsure of his statement. "Right?"
I smiled before answering, "We will."
The tension is still there when we got home. Pero as much as I can, iniiwasan kong banggitin sakaniya hanggat hindi namin nakakausap both of our parents.
Because, we aren't that stupid to shoulder everything.
That's the problem most of the generations... akala nila just because they are already working adults, dapat ay sarilinin na lamang nila lahat. 
Just imagine what the parents would feel knowing na wala man lang silang naitulong.
Our parents are getting old day by day. There is this insecurity and anxiety rising, na dahil matanda na sila wala na silang silbi. The least you can do for them is to tell them what worries you.
The burden will never be called burden if you are brave and thoughtful enough to share it with them.
I personally experienced that. 
I cried every night knowing my father is blaming himself and saying that he is incompetent to lend me a help. After that incident, whether it's going to be heartbreaking for him, I will still tell him everything.
Because no matter what happens, besides yourself, your family is the only one who'll believe in you.
Some of the cases, I believe.
"Good evening po," as I kissed them in the cheeks. Hindi naman kailangang patagalin ang lahat. Because the longer we wait, the longer the anxiety stays.
They smiled at me as they looked for my father. We have no time to fetch for him, kaya naki suyo na lamang si Sutil sa isa sa mga itlog and they gladly obliged. "I belive there are matters to be talk about thoroughly so I'll stay in my brother's room," the youngest of them commented.
I smiled at him pero tanging inis na ngiti lamang ang ibinigay niya sa akin. I stuck my tongue out and raised my eye brow.
After a long hissed, he went to our room.
Kanino kaya nag mana ang isang yun? Mahigit pa sa Sutil, "If you are wondering... Gabe was just like him. He is a aloof and unsocianle. Ultimo family gatherings ay tinatanggihan niyang puntahan," the eldest sister, Ate Lalie, commented while watching Ryu.
"Don't mind him. Galit lang yun sayo kasi he thinks you stole away his Kuya."
"That's perfectly normal," sagot 'ko naman sakaniya without breaking the eye contact. "If it were me, baka kung ano anong kalokohan pa ang ginawa 'ko just get my brother back." pati ang magulang nila ay na tawa sa sinabi 'ko.
The dinner went well, as I never imagined. Akala 'ko nga ay pag pasok pa lang ay hindi na ako makaka upo at mag uusap na agad.
But, they are all professional not just by profession. They are well mannered. 
Para silang may dugong bughaw. Pakiramdam 'ko tuloy ay isa akong aliping sagigilid dahil sa mga kalokohang patuloy na tumatakbo sa isip 'ko.
I felt Sutil's cold hand. Hindi 'ko namalayan na ipatong na pala niya ang kaniyang kamay, because whether I am ready or not, kailangan kong makinig for my future.
"This isn't part of the plan, but, anyways. Please let me introduce myself first." The eldest amongst them, "I am Lallaina Marie, the eldest daughter of the Lim and I am a neuroseurgeon." Looking at her proud parents, I can't help but feel envy. Ganyan din kaya ang mga tingin na ibibigay ni Mama sa akin?
"Of course. Mama is very proud of you. You became the Doctor you always dreamt of," he whispered as if alam niya kung ano ang nasa isip 'ko. I sinply nodded at him as answer.
"I just wanted to clear things out between my family and your family," she politely smiled at me as she puts her hands on her coat. "This wasn't planned an we are already investigating the anomalies inside the Hospital when this happened to you and in behalf of my family, I'm truly sorry. We aren't expecting any of this."
I smiled a little, "There is nothing to sorry about, Doc Ate. Things are bound to happen and no one in here have the power to stop it. Because it is inevitable. Mapigilan man natin ngayon, mang yayari at mang yayari pa rin yun in the near future."
She is smiling at me the whole time I talk. Para siyang si Sutil. This family really knows how to listen. "That's very optimistic and at the same time pessimistic of you," I don't know if I should take that as a compliment or what.
As I listened to her, I can't help but feel sad? All this time he was enduring all the hardships alone. Imagine, he knows everything but he couldn't do anything yet because of what's happening to me.
He least expect that something will came up while the investigation is on going.
Everyone in the Hospital knew about it, except me. That explains why, ako ang naialay para sa magic circle.
I don't blame him or his family and if it was me, I will propbably done the same thing. 
It maybe risky, pero as I can see from his face, he is confident enough na matutulungan niya hindi lamang ako pati na rin ang mga nakaranas ng false accusation before.
That's the ugly truth about the society. Kapag powerless ka, kayan kayanan ka ng tao.
Kapag lumaban ka naman, para ka lang humukay ng sarili mong libingan.
That's why Kris always hated my guts. Pakiramdam niya ay buhay pa ako pero ang mga paa 'ko ay nasa ilalim na ng mga lupa.
At least, now I know that I am not alone and now it's clear in my head that I didn't do anything wrong and that I can still keep my scalpel with me. That's okay for now... it will be okay, right?
Napa tingin ako sa malalim na iniisip na Sutil. He nodded at me smiling, reassuring me that this will end.
Despite the smile, he looked so stressed. 
Deprived of sleep and he seemed disturbed. 
This explains kung bakit konting kibot ay mabilis siyang nagigising. He have a lot worries. He thinks every time na matutulog siya ay nababawasan lalo ang oras niya and I can't blame him for having a restless days or even nights.
I wanted to console him.. pero diba dahil sa tapang 'ko kaya siya mas nahihirapan ngayon? 
He can't even blink. Dahil pakiramdam niya sa pag kurap niyang yun ay may mamiss na naman siyang detalye.
As much as I wanted to help him... I need to get my hands off of it.
Yun ang ka una unahang bilin ni Doc Ate sa akin. Not because I ain't trustworthy, pero dahil ayaw na lamang nila lumala yung sitwasyon 'ko. Dahil we all know na sila pa rin ang may hawak ng alas.
Even though, he got the chance to talk to him, wala pa rin ka siguraduhan na he will help me clear my name.
He is dead as the record says, hindi ba? So, how would he suddenly show up?
I don't know where this is going, and the only thing I can do is to do my role as the supportive and thoughtful wife.
"Just for tonight, stop worrying about other things. Okay? You heard Ate that we are already on the half of it. Baka nasa climax pa lang ay bumigay na ang katawan mo," I said as I hand over his tea.
He sighed. He never really did in front of his parents and I truly understand where he is coming from. Bukod sa Ate kasi niya, siya lamang ang inaasahan. "Thank you."
I patted his head and eventually laid his head on my shoulder, "When this is all over, I promise I will help you get back with her."
Mahina siyang na tawa, "There's no need for that. I have never lost contact with her anyways." He said, like he is so proud of himself.
"Does she know?" pabiro 'kong tanong sakaniya na ikitawa naman niya. That means, no. "Isn't that stalking?" I teased him.
"Is that what you call that?" He answered me while laughing and scratching his head. "I don't know. It's just that her smile gives me strength and hope to go on."
She's lucky, I wanted to answer him. She's stupid enough to let you go. I'd rather not say those words. Dahil hindi naman makakatulong, right?
He continued as I listen, "Her laugh is music to my ears and how she looks at everything positively is making me feel alive from all the burden." he sighed, remembering those happy memories with her. "There's not plenty of memories with her but whenever I feel weak, her smile is like a ray of sunshine."
"You sounds like a pervert stalking his prey," naramdaman 'ko ang pag tawa niya dahil sa pag alog ng balikat niya. "I'm sure, kung maririnig niya yan ay matutuwa siya."
"You think so?" He ask smiling at me. I nodded at him, at ibinalik niya ang pag kakahiga ng kaniyang ulo sa balikat 'ko. "Then, it's good."
The next thing I know, naramdaman 'ko na lang ang pag bigat ng ulo niya mula sa balikat 'ko.
Holding my hand from his left, and holding the cup of tea on his right hand.
Dahan dahan 'ko yung tinanggal sakaniya but when I was about to remove my hand, mas lalo niyang hinigpitan ang pag kaka hawak. 
This stupid heart is responding too much. Napa iling na lamang ako sa aking nararamdaman.
You really are stupid for loving that kind of girl. It's like Sutil is the Archangel sent for a lost angel, and I am talking about her.
I sighed as I put the cup of tea down on the bed side table and help him lay in bed. Hindi ako maka kilos ng maayos dahil hawak hawak pa rin niya ang kamay 'ko and what's worst, he is holding my left hand by his right hand. Yes, it looks like he is hugging me.
"Love," he whispered against my ear. Feeling mo naman totoo. I refrain my heart from 'making kilig' Huwag kang umasa, walang iyo. Suway 'ko ulit dito. "Love," he said again. The third time he said that mahina 'ko siyang tinapik sa braso niya.
"Zybe, it's Adel." I said trying not to look at his face.
He snuggled my neck and smiled! Parang tanga! "Yes, Love?" 
Dinaig pa ako sa pag ka deprived sa jowa. I rolled my eyes. Bago muli siyang tinapik na mahina. "Zybe, it's Adel." He might have thought I said her name.
But the obly thing he did was giggled like a child, "I know."
Right at this moment, gusto 'ko siyang sigawan o kaya ay ilaglag sa kama! But remembering how tired he was from all the things that is happening, hindi 'ko magawa.
People might have misunderstood me for being the person I am not, hindi 'ko naman kailangan patunayan sakanila ang kahit na ako. 
What matters is that I know myself more than they do. I'll forgive them for not knowing me first.
Tumunog na ang alarm clock niya pero himbing pa rin ang tulog niya kaya mahina 'ko ulit siyang tinapik sa braso pero imbis na gumising ay hinigit lamang niya ako papalapit sakaniya.
Maingat akong pumapalag sa pag kaka yakap niya sa akin pero kahit tulog ay hindi pa rin ako makawala. Ang bigat bigay kaya ng braso niya!
The next thing I knew, naka tulog na lang din ako habang naka ngiting naka harap sakaniya. Oh diba, mukhang talaga lang?
"Quiet," masungit na sita ni Sutil sa mga tatawa tawa niyang mga body guard. I don't really need to know why dahil alam kong nakakahiya. "Let her sleep in peace."
"Boss Sutil, nakita 'ko yun." Pang aasar pa ng isa. From the voice I'm guessing it was Carlo. Siya lang naman ang may lakas loob na mang bully kay Sutil at sa akin. "Secret lang ba yun?" Mahina pang tumawa ito.
From the looks of it mukhang nag eenjoy din naman si Sutil dahil tumawa rin ito, "At sino bang nag sabi sainyo na pumasok kayo dito?"
"We were worried. Kasi kadalasan ay hindi pa lumilitaw ang araw ay nandun ka na sa kusina," that early?! That's why he looked so disturbed.
"Napasarap tulog ni Bossing syempre," John Manuel added. Tuwang tuwa talaga silang inaasar si Sutil, ano? "Katabi si Misis."
That's when I heard him with his serious tone, "Stop. Baka marinig kayo ni Serenity at kung anong isipin. Mag si baba na nga kayo. Gigisingin 'ko lang siya at susunod na kami."
Hindi na umimik ang tatlo at sumunod na lamang sakaniya.
Naramdaman 'ko ang pag lubog ng kama thinking he sat down behind me so I decided to look back and when I opened my eyes his face was an inch away from me.
Sabay na nanlaki ang mga mata namin but he manage to move back, "Good morning. Did I wake you up?"
Umiling na lamang ako at agad na tumayo. I can still feel the burning hot on my cheeks. Sino ba naman kasi ang nag sabi sayo na makipag titigan ka sakaniya and ended up kissing him on the lips!
What a stupid move, Serenity.