Gareth was pissed off. No! He was fucking angry. Magpasahanggang ngayon kasi ay hindi pa niya natatagpuan si Steffanie. She was gone without a trace. It had been a full day since Steff went missing.
He gripped his phone tightly. As of the moment, he was trying to exhaust every possible resource just to find her. He silently sought help with his brother, Prince Ares. Alam niyang malaki ang maitutulong nito sa kanya.
Natataranta na siya. Every fucking second counts! Paano kung may nangyaring masama na sa dalaga? What if she was being tortured right at this very moment?
May kung anong takot ang gumapang sa kanyang pagkataon. He felt very helpless. It was as if this fear like no other was quenching his heart, draining everything in him.
"Your highness, we are reviewing all of the CCTV footage in nearby areas," Clarence informed him.
He just looked at his chevalier. Did he think that he will be pacified with this? Hindi siya mapapalagay hanngga't hindi nila ito natatagpuan.
He stood up. Being idle and paranoid was not helping anyone at all. Kailangan niyang magpakatatag.
"Your Highness! Sir Clarence! Look at this." Tawag sa kanya ng isa sa kanyang mga tauhan.
"What is it?" agad naman siyang napunta sa station nito.
Agad naman niyang tinuran ang isang taxi mula sa monitor ng gamit nitong computer. Kuha ang video mula sa CCTV ng isang café may ilang kilometro mula Camelot Sky Garden. His man zoomed in the video. He could trace out some of the blurred images.
"Filter that one," he commanded.
Mabilis naman itong tumalima sa kanyang utos. His felt the sudden rush of blood inside him when he saw the filtered version of the screenshot. Nakita niya rito si Steff habang tulog na tulog ito katabi ng driver's seat. Nakita niya rin ang tatlong kalalakihan sa backseat at ang isang nakamaskarang lalaki na nagmamaneho ng sasakyan.
He felt an urge of violence boiling in his soul. He was now positive. Nasa hindi mabuting mga kamay ang dalaga. And by the looks of it, what happened was not an ordinary kidnapping.
'Trace the fucking plate no. of that taxi! Do it now!" He ordered his men. Determination was now written all over the place. He will find her. He will save her from those good for nothing men.
Steffanie felt a hand snaked her body. She was silently crying. She did not know what to anymore. Gustuhin man niyang pumalag ang hindi niya magawa.
"Come on, little girl. Open your eyes," nakarating sa kanyang pandinig ang nakakalokong tinig ng isang lalaki.
She kept her eyes shut. She wanted to spare her memories from this atrocity. Hindi niya gustong makita kung anong kababuyan ang ginagawa ng mga ito sa kanya.
"Please, stop... stop this... nagmamakaawa ako sa inyo."
But her voice was drowned in the laughter of Natalya.
"Magdusa ka diyan. Malanding babae."
"Please..." she kept begging them. Iyon lamang ang kanyang magagawa.
"Hala! Sige ituloy niyo lang sa kanya. May mas importanteng bagay pa akong pupuntahan. Make sure na hindi na makikilala ang babaeng iyan pagkatapos nyo."
Tuluyan nang naglaho ang pag-asa sa kanyang puso. She's not gonna make it. She'll be dead soon. And by the looks of things, she will be violated over and over again before she got to meet her Creator.
"Grabe ang sarap niya." The man said as he licked the mound of her exposed breast.
Pandidiri ang kanyang naramandaman. She felt dirty. "Pakawalan nyo ako! You beast! Pakawalan nyo ako! Pakawalan niyo ako!"
Hindi na niya kinaya ang nangyayari. She opened her eyes. Tears were now overflowing from her eyes. Nakita niya ng mukha ng mga ito. She wanted to curse them, to utter every bad word she knew.
She was naked except for her panties. Her body was now covered in bruise. She saw the men undressing.
"Let us have some fun! Pagpipyestahan namin ang katawan mo ngayong gabi!"
That's it. She closed her eyes once more. She felt breaking down. Natunay na ang lahat ng kanyang lakas. Ni kanyang boses ay hindi na niya makapa. She was numb all over. Then, by the mercy of Whoever was above, total darkness enveloped her being.
Gareth opened the rusty door with a kick. Tangan ang dalang baril, dali-dali siyang pumasok sa loob ng bodega. His men immediately followed.
What he saw inside was enough for him to see red. There were four men, two of which were totally nude. All of which are feasting the naked and unconscious body of Steffanie.
"Mga putang ina niyo!"
Mabilis niyang sinugod ang isa sa mga ito. He immediately pounded the butt of his gun on his skul. Papalag pa sana ito ngunit nabigyan na niya ito ng magkasunod na sipa. Naratay na ito sa sahig.
He looked at his surroundings, nakita niyang hawak na ng kanyang mga tauhan ang iba pang mga kalalakihan. But the adrenaline was still circulating in his system. Like a wild predator, he went for the other men. He was thirsty for revenge. What they did to Steffanie was unforgivable.
"Sino ang nag-utos sa inyo na gawin ito?!" he shouted at the man.
The man just looked at him blankly with the obvious fear written all over his face,
"Fuck! I do not want to repeat myself! Who asked you to do this!"
Makailang segundo na ang nakakalipas ngunit nanatiling tahimik pa rin ang lalaki. He went for his throat. Agad niyang sinakal ito gamit ang isang kamay.
"For the last time. Sino. Ang. Nag-utos. Sa. Inyo." Nanggigigil na siya.
The man was now choking. But still, nothing came out.
Nahagip ng kanyang tingin ang katawan ni Steff. One of his men was now putting decent clothes on her. Hindi nakaligtas sa kanyang paningin ang mga bakas ng pagmamalupit ng mga ito.
So they did torture her.
"You not gonna talk, huh?"
Tinutok niya ang kanyang baril sa kaliwang paa nito. And without any reservations, he pulled the trigger.
The man shouted. He was in pain. But the anger in him did not subside. He just threw the invalid man like a rug doll.
Sa isang lalaki naman siya lumapit. This time, hindi na siya nagpatumpik-tumpik pa. He went for the kill. Pinaputukan niya ito sa magkabilang balikat. The man was now writhing in pain that he crashed to his knees. He gave a hard kick on the guts. The man now thrown on his back to the cold hard ground.
Lumapit ito sa kanya. "Better think twice, homey. Now, talk!"
His feral instinct was now overwhelming. He felt like a beast that had just marked his new territory. And all in his mind right now is to seek vengeance.
He got no reaction from his prey. He dug the heels of his shoe on his throat. His Adam's apple was now furiously bobbing from his throat. Nanggigil na siya sa mga ito.
"Hindi mo alam kung sino ang kinakalaban mo," the injured man threatened him while choking in his own blood.
He kicked him hard on the ribs. "What the fuck, did you said?"
The man was now coughing blood. "Do you know who I am? Sumagot ka!"
Walang tinig na lumabas mula sa bibig nito. The man flinched just flinched as he saw the mark of the pain he caused.
"Hear me out! Confess to me who the hell did this! Or else, you will all rot behind bars in Tartarus! This is a decree from the Fourth Prince of the Kingdom, Prince Gareth Pendragon! Heed to the command of the Fourth-in-line to the Throne!"
Steffanie felt weak. She cannot move a muscle. She suddenly felt disoriented. Nasaan siya? She tried to look around. She was in a white room. It was serene and peaceful.
Pinilit niyang halungkatin ang alaala, trying her best to know what had happened to her. But she soon regretted doing it. Every bit of recollection that she had came crushing down on her like a lightning bolt. Agad na rumihistro sa kanyang utak ang kababuyang ginawa sa kanya.
She suddenly sobbed. She felt how the callous hands of those men touched her. She remembered how she wept as she tried to endure all of their exploitations. She felt dirty.
Everything was like a playback video in her mind. How she begged for them to stop. How she repeatedly said no. How she screamed to their every touch.
She was now in hysterics. She was raped! She was violated!
"Help me! Help me! Help me!" She was shouting but she still can't hear hear self. It was like that time when those men were feasting on her. The time when her voice was drowned in the silence of the night. Her mind was in blurr. She didn't know what to do anymore aside from shouting.
"Help!"
Gareth heard the non-stop scream from the other room. Steff! He immediately went for her. His heart fell at the sight that greeted him.
Steffanie was in hysterics. Nagsisigaw ito at nagwawala. His heart felt constricted in seeing her like this.
Agad niya itong kinulong sa kanyang mga bisig. At sa nagtatalong kalooban, he kissed her head.
"Shh... Sweetheart. Everything is now okay. I am here now. I am here now."
Dahan-dahan itong tumahan sa pag-iyak, but he could still hear her silent sobs. Every bit of it was like a sword slashing his heart.
He hugged her more tightly.
"Don't worry I am here to protect you. I promise you that. I will always protect you," he assured her.
"What happened to me... it was so vile..." she stuttered as she tried to speak.
"Let me be your strength, sweetheart. Lean on me."
He was trying to console her, to calm her. But who was he kidding? No amount of words could ever describe what she had been through. Alam niyang natrauma ito. At alam rin niyang malaki ang naging impact ng pangyayaring ito sa mental at emotional well-being ng dalaga.
The doctor informed him earlier that she only sustained minor bruises. She was not raped. Kahit papaano'y natuwa siya sa nalaman. He made it in time. Kahit papaano'y may mabuti siyang nagawa para sa dalaga. But he was still frustrated. As of the moment, hindi pa rin niya matunton ang tinuturo ng mga lalaking iyon na may pakana ng pagdukot kay Steff. He will definitely extract revenge. He will double whatever pain that he deliberately inflicted to Steff.
Kumalas ito mula sa kanyang pagkakayakap. She looked at him in the eyes. Her eyes were still teary. But despite that, he could read the overwhelming emotions mirroring in her eyes. "Thank you, Gareth. Thank you." She silently said those words to him.
Then, as if the time had suddenly stopped, he kissed her forehead. He respected her. He kissed the tip of her nose. He adored her. He gave a chaste kiss on her lips. He cherished her so very much.
Kasalukuyan pinapakain ni Steffanie si Ash. She always liked watching Ash eat with gusto. He was always so poised and majestic. Kagaya ng nagbigay nito sa kanya.
It has been almost two weeks since that despicable thing happened to her. The nightmares were still there but she was slowly coping. Salamat kay Gareth at kay Ash. They were the only ones who made her smile these days. Wala kasi siyang ibang pinagsabihan sa nangyari sa kanya. Nahihiya siya. She felt dirty and unworthy of anyone's time. Isa pa'y ayaw niyang abalahin si Sofia sa pag-aayos ng kasal nito. She did enjoy though the occasional petty talks with her best friend over the phone. It energized her.
Wala rin siyang pinagsabihan tungkol sa involvement ni Natalya. She just wanted peace. Hahayaan na lamang niya ito.
As regards to Gareth, he was nothing but a perfect gentleman to her. Lagi siya nitong hinahatid at sinusundo. He was always there for her.
Kinapa niya ang suot na kwintas. Sirius always reminded her of Gareth. He was always there when she needed her. He was the star that always guided her. He was her knight in shining armor. He was her prince charming. And he was the man that she loved.
kung wala ito, hindi na niya marahil alam kung anong gagawin. He always saved her. Utang niya ang kanyang buhay dito. From the day that she was released from the hospital, she vowed to stay by his side until he needed her, until he wanted her to be there for her.
Marahan siyang tumayo at inayos ang kanyang studio. Naging outlet ng kanyang depression ang pagpipinta. During the nights when endless nightmares haunted her, she just took her paint brush and expressed every emotion and anxiety in her art. She was engrossed in her craft that she could easily let go of those hateful memories.
Sa katanuyan, darating si Gareth sa kanyang studio para sa kanilang painting sessions.
She gave her place a look, checked if everything was tidy. She gave a hollow smile. Matatapos na rin sa wakas ang kanyang paintings para sa kanyang exhibit. Again, all thanks to Gareth. Mukhang baon na baon na siya sa utang na loob dito.
She heard a soft knock on her door. Kasabay rin nito ay ang pagdating ng isang text message sa kanyang cellphone. She checked the SMS first.
Hey, sweetheart. I am here already.
It was from Gareth. Hindi niya namalayang nakangiti na pala siya. It was an automatic reaction from her. In spite of everything that had happened to her, she could still smile for the world. All because of this man. Agad naman siyang tumayo para pagbuksan ito.
Gareth was greeted by the warm smile of Steffanie. She was very beautiful. Her smile was so refreshing. It was so irresistible; she was so irresistible, he couldn't help himself but to have a taste of her. He gave her a soft kiss on the lips. On that split second, his body was enflamed with overwhelming desire for this woman. But he kept himself still. Ipinaalala niya sa sarili ang pinagdaanan nito. He controlled his sexual urges like a friggin monk. He should be given an award being so tamed!
"Thank you for coming today, Gareth."
He smiled back to her.
"You are always, welcome, sweet heart. All you need to do is ask and I am there for you."
Hindi siya makapaniwala sa kanyang sinasabi. He was in his mid twenties and he was still into sweet talking. He should have already graduated but from that. But the thing was, he was not sugar coating. He was very sincere when he spoke those words. And that, for him, was a first time. Another things shot down in his bucket list of first times ever since he met Steff.
"Let's go?" he asked her.
She gave him a nod. Masaya siya't kahit papaano'y nakakamove-on na ang dalaga sa nangyari dito. But there were still times when he could feel her indifference.
Araw-araw niya itong dinadalaw. Araw-araw niya itong kasama. He wanted to make sure that she's alright, that he'll be with her every step of the way.
He stood at his usual place habang inaayos nito ang canvass.Natutuwa siyang panuorin ito. But her mood suddenly shifted. He felt her tense. Nagbitiw ito ng sunod-sunod na buntong hininga.
Lumapit ito rito. "Is there something the matter?"
She was currently emotionally unstable and he wanted to make sure that she was fine.
Nakita niya ang pag-aalinlangan sa magandang mukha nito. But she still gave her a smile.
"Wala ito." Agad namang naglayo ng tingin sa kanya ang dalaga.
"Please, Steff. Talk to me. I am here to listen." Nababahala na talaga siya sa ikinikilos nito. Patuloy pa bang dumadaloy sa isipan nito ang mga masasamang bagay na naganap ditto? If it did, he wanted to soothe all of her worries.
"Kasi..." she blushed before even finishing her sentence.
"Please. Tell me."
"You see here. I need to paint you in nude."
Agad naman itong lumingon patalikod sa kanya. But he could still see how red she had become.
Relief came to him. He blurted out a laugh. Natatawa siya sa kanyang inasal. He really thought something was wrong. But in the end, he was worried for nothing. Nahihiya lang talaga ito sa kanya. She was so candid that he couldn't help himself but to be amazed by her sincere nature. She was truly an angel.
"Yun lang pala. No problem." Pilyo niyang sagot dito. Lalo lamang namula ang mga tainga nito.
"Do you want me to be naked now? I'm warning you, woman. You might be shock at what you will see." He was teasing her.
Umiling-iling ito. "Nope. Not now. I am just giving you a heads up," bulalas nito habang nakatalikod pa rin sa kanya. She was still hiding her blushing face from him. He found it cute. Very, very cute.
"Come on now, sweetheart. Quit blushing. Magsimula na tayo so that we'll finish early."
It has been almost three hours nang simulan nila ang painting session. Dash was perfect. He was indeed the epitome of the Alpha male. Napakakisig nito. Every contour of his body shouted masculinity. And that triggered her drive to push herself to the limit, to create an art that will give justice to this man.
Although may pagkapilyo dahil sa sinabi niya kanina, he was still the same man she fell in love with. Napakabait at pasensyoso nito sa kanya.
And with a final stroke, she finished her piece. Kaunting improvement na lang ang kailangan nito.
"Thank you, Gareth. Tapos na ako dito."
Nag-inat muna ito ng katawan. Even the way he flexed his muscles looked very sexy to her. Agad niyang inilayo ang paningin dito bago pa siya pamulahan. Her heart was beating non-stop once more. She could feel the blood rushing in her cheeks and she wanted to hide herself. But it seems too late, nakalapit na sa kanya si Gareth. He was only just a few inches away from her.
"Wala ba akong reward?"
"What do you mean reward?"
"I acted like a friggin statue for three hours. Alam mo ba kung gaano kahirap iyon?"
"What about I'll cook us a sumptuous lunch?"
"I think a kiss is better."
Bago pa siya makapag-react ay nahigit na siya ng binata patungo rito. Next thing she knew, their lips were now touching each other. She gasped against the gentle touch of his lips. It was supposed be a simple and chaste kiss. But she suddenly craved for more. She kissed him more deeply, trying to seek solace on the intimacy that they both shared.
She suddenly found the inner vixen in her, daring her to be bold, daring her to be immersed in this unknown sensuality.
She followed her instincts. She tried to recall their previous encounters, their passionate kisses. She kissed him more deeply. He gasped against her lips. His tongue was now seeking entrance in her mouth, teasing and exploring it at the same time.
His lips demanded of complete surrender. And she was all too willing to abide by his bidding. She moaned under his kisses. Sudden waves of uncontrollable sensation were now flooding her system. She enslaved by the rough but pleasurable feeling of their kiss.
His mouth soon left hers. They were both out of breath. But it was from over. Muli siya nitong hinalikan. This time, it was more gentler. Slower. Tamed. Yet it was equally passionate as the last one.
Gumapang ang halik nito sa kanyang leeg. The ember that ignited earlier turned into a fire, an internal combustion waiting to explode. He was leaving hot trails of kisses from her neck to her chest.
His hand fisted her hair, pulling her closer and closer to his body. They were now entwined in the most sensual way. He grabbed her ass to pull her lower half towards his arousal. She could feel the throbbing rod piercing her bell. She felt hot all throughout.
"Gareth..." She was moaning his name. She was calling for him.
She was drowned in this catatonic pleasure when he tried to push her away. Waring binuhusan ng malamig na tubig ang hitsura nito. What's the matter?
"This is wrong. I'm sorry." Nasapo nito ang ulo. She could feel his sincere remorse.
"Why did you stop?" she asked.
Ngunit natatakot siya sa isasagot nito. Bakit ito tumigil? Dahil ba nandidiri ito sa kanya? De he find her vile for being nearly raped.
Tears were now forming as she hypothesized his reasons.
"Tell me. Do you find me dirty?"
"No! Not! At all." He took her inside his arms.
"Hindi ka madumi. You are not vile, sweetheart. You are treasure to be hold."
"Then why?" she was blank.
"Fuck!" He seemed out of words. Frustration was now painted on his face.
Dahil ba may apat na lalaking sumubok na kunin siya. Was that why he stopped? Ganoon na ba kababa ang tingin nito sa kanya? That a rag like her did not belong to a Prince like him.
"Look at me Steff!" He commanded her.
"I want you so much, you can't begin to know. But not like this. This is wrong."
"If you want me, then you want me. No preliminaries needed, Gareth."
She wanted to feel the warmth of his hands. She wanted to feel her kisses. She wanted to erase that despicable moment in her head. She wanted him to replace those with memories that are worth a life time. She wanted him.
"If you want me, then take me now." The words just slid down her tongue along with what's left of her sanity.