Maigi siyang nakikinig sa lahat ng mga sinasabi nito. He was telling her everything, mula sa kanyang mga magulang hanggang sa mapunta ito at ng kapatid sa Pilipinas. Habang nagsasalita ito ay mas nagiging kalmado na ang kanyang pakiramdam.

"My mom... she was everything to me. She was the prettiest woman I had ever laid my eyes on. I don't know how someone as kind and loving as her fell in love with a ruthless mafia boss." Napailing ito sa isiping iyon. Paiit at paninibugho ang makikita sa mukha nito.

"By the time she discovered Alessio's real nature, it was too late. We fled to Ireland, to her hometown, hoping he wouldn't find us. We had to conceal ourselves, but everything turned out to be pointless when his men learnt where we were.

My mom only wished for a normal and peaceful life, with a loving husband and kids. But life sure can be bitter and cruel sometimes. I can hardly remember since I was only six. My memories are vagued, but I know that my mom handed us to unknown people when Alessio's men were chasing after us. She said those people would keep us safe, and then she left. Afterwards, we found out she passed away in a car accident." Humina ang boses nito. She knew he was trying to contain his sorrow. She saw that his eyes looked sad, everything about him looked sad.

"Sino sila? Sino 'yong tumulong sa inyo?" tanong niya, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Carter's family." He smiled as memories seemed to rise in a whirlwind then immediately subsided into more gentle thoughts.

Nagulat siya sa kanyang narinig. Noon pa lang pala ay talagang magkakilala na ang mga ito. They were like childhood friends, and perhaps they even considered each other as brothers.

"They've been in a battle against the Italian mafia for decades. I don't know how my mom met them, but I'm still very grateful they came to our lives. Carter's parents had also fallen victims in the hands of the mafia. His grandfather was the one who adopted me, while his grandmother took my sister in. They were separated so I barely got to see Aoife." Mas naging kalmado na ang boses nito, and his words didn't sound forced anymore. The deep and masculine voice returned.

"Six ka lang no'n at siya na lang ang pamilya mo. Hindi mo ba siya na-miss man lang?" curious na tanong niya.

"Not really."

She let out a little chuckle when he answered the question as fast as she finished her sentence.

"Bakit?"

"She was cold, but I won't deny that she was always willing to risk her life for me. Unlike me, her memories were vivid. She's lived through  pain and a lot of heartbreaks."

"Nasaan na siya ngayon?"

"She's in London," he responded briefly, at naintindihan naman niyang ayaw nitong pag-usapan ang kapatid.

Tumango-tango siya. Back then, he had already mentioned about having a sister, ngunit hindi siya naniwala. Ang akala niya ay excuse lang nito iyon upang pagtakpan ang mga babaeng napunta na sa unit nito.

"Ano naman ang nangyari kay Carter? Akala ko no'ng una bodyguard mo siya."

The was a spark of melancholy in his eyes. "Carter refused to take after his grandfather's business. He said it wasn't the life for him. He didn't want to idly sit motionless in a swivel chair 24/7."

Hindi na siya magtataka kung gano'n nga ang sinabi nito sa abuelo. Carter was the kind of person to chase after danger rather than avoid it. Dull routines would surely bore him to death.

"Kaya ikaw ang napili?"

"Yes. I accepted right away since he was good at convincing people. He told me that Alessio would do everything to bring the company down. He was after the money since he needed it to fund his illegal business. Carter knew how I used to live--moving from one place to another, stowing away, hiding from the public eye. I really don't know what he had in mind back then, but he proposed to be my personal bodyguard." Sa tono ng binata ay tila gulat pa rin ito sa bawat pagkakataong maaalala nito iyon.

She looked at him, her eyes glistening with amusement. The tension of the atmosphere from earlier suddenly vanished into thin air.

"Gusto lang niya siguro ng thrill."

He smirked as he jokingly lifted his shoulders in a scornful shrug. "He got more than he bargained for," he remarked with a grin. "Your turn. I want to know everything about you before we start with heavier topics," he added.

She was hesitant at first. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang ikukuwento rito. Paano nga ba siya namuhay noon bilang si Althea at hindi si Anastasha? Dahil sa isiping iyon ay muli na namang napuno ng pait ang kanyang dibdib. Naramdaman niyang ang biglang pangungulila sa kanyang ina. She slightly shook her head to push the negative thoughts aside.

"Ang alam ko lang..." she paused right away, not knowing where to start. Rumaragasa na naman ang kayrami-raming tanong sa kanyang isip. On the edges of her memory, she could hear the faint laughters of her parents, the soothing words of her late father, the annual Christmas games. Ngunit humahalili roon ang masasamang alaala.

"Masaya kami noon. Matulungin ang mga magulang ko at maayos ang pamumuhay namin. Akala ko perpekto na ang lahat." She smiled bitterly as awful memories flooded her head. "Hindi pala. Fifteen lang ako noong kunin nila 'ko. Pagkatapos no'n... wala na. Wala na 'kong maikukwento sa 'yo. Hindi ko pa naaalala ang lahat, Wilder." There was a pain that settled deep inside her. She could only remember fragments of her past and most of them were still hazy.

Magtatanong pa sana ito ngunit nakita nito ang pagsusumamo sa kanyang mga mata, begging him not to delve further into details dahil alam niyang pati siya ay walang maisasagot dito.

He slid his hand across the bed to where her hand laid and he slid his fingers between hers, giving her hand a squeeze of apprehension.

"How did you..." He looked as though he was lost for words. "How did you remember?" he asked, his voice low and firm.

Ikinuwento niya rito ang tungkol sa mga larawan. Sa una ay hindi nito mawari kung ano ang tinutukoy niya, kung kaya't tumayo siya mula sa kama at tinungo ang kinalalagyan ng mga litrato. Nang makuha ang maliit na box ay ipinakita niya iyon kay Wilder.

Hindi niya namalayang nakaupo na sila sa kama habang isa-isang sinisiyasat ang mga larawan. Seryoso ang mukha ng binata habang pinagmamasdan ang mga ito. His eyes were thoroughly scrutinizing the photos one by one.

"I didn't know there were photos of him here. Must be Aoife," he said under his breath, not taking his eyes off the photo. He put his hand under his chin, pensive. Tila malayo na ang narating ng isip nito at siya naman ay nakatitig lang dito.

"So it was because of this."

Tumango siya habang ito naman ay ibinabalik  ang mga larawan sa loob ng box. Pagkatapos ay tumitig ito sa kanya at nagsimulang ipaliwanag ang lahat ng impormasyong natuklasan nito. While listening to him, hindi na niya maipaliwanag ang samu't saring emosyon na nararamdaman. She felt pained, threatened, relieved, sad, lonely and everything else in between.

"What do you want to do now?" His eyes were intent on hers, a worried frown on his face.

"G-gusto kong makita ang tunay kong ina," pag-amin niya.

Umiling ito. "We can't do that just yet. That'll cause too much chaos." He crossed his arms over his chest ngunit napangiwi ito nang maramdaman ang sakit ng sugat.

"Hindi ba tayo puwedeng magsabi sa police?" she asked. Her hands grasped the bedsheet without realizing it, her eyes anguished and distressed. Her tone was desperate and she was overwhelmed with fatigue.

His eyes darted down and away from her, reluctant to meet her gaze. "You have no idea how powerful the mafia is. They can conquer a whole nation if they want to and unfortunately, the police can do nothing against them." He closed his eyes and massaged his temples.

"There was an operation back then to eradicate them, but it miserably failed. Police cars exploded even before they could reach the destination. Not only police officers perished, many innocent civilians along the road got involved as well..." He fell silent after that, at hindi niya rin alam kung paano mag-react sa narinig.

Totoong makapangyarihan ang mga ito, ngunit hindi niya alam na ganoon pala katindi ang kasamaan ng mga taong kanilang kinakalaban.

A heavy silence sank down on them. She took a deep breath just to let out another one slowly. She couldn't help but ponder about the future, if she would ever have one. Palagi na lang bang ganoon? Palagi na lang bang sakit at poot ang mararamdaman niya? Wala na bang natitirang kahit katiting na kasiyahan para sa kanya? Para sa kanila? The thought of it stripped her energy away as she settled into a wilting posture.

"Ang dami mo na pa lang napagdaanan," pagkuwan ay saad niya habang nakasandal na sa headboard ng kama. Hindi niya alam kung naisatinig niya ba iyon o nanatili lang na isang isipin.

"You too." His voice was soft and a bit strained. He gave her a sideway glance and  his mouth curved into a gloomy yet captivating smile.

Muli na namang namagitan ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila. Walang gustong bumasag niyon. Walang gustong magsalita. The silence was a comfortable one and it seemed to calm their mournful hearts.

"Wilder," tawag niya sa pangalan nito.

"Ana," tawag din nito sa kanya.

Nagkatinginan sila at gumuhit ang isang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Ginagap nitong muli ang kanyang kamay at lumapit sa kanyang kinauupuan. Sa sobrang lapit nito sa kanya ay ang kanilang paghinga lang ang tanging namamagitan sa kanila.

They stared deeply into each other's eyes, establishing an unspoken communication.

"I promise I will protect you with all my might," he spoke in a hoarse whisper that it sent her mind into chaos.

"At hindi ako mawawala sa tabi mo," she responded in a voice as soft and murmurous as wings.

"As if I'd let you get away." Wilder caught her lovely face in his hands and marveled at her beauty. He then leaned down to capture her lips in a heated and gentle kiss, sealing his oath, willing it to be true.

Ipinikit niya ang mga mata, offering her lips to him. Ipinatong niya ang palad sa dibdib nito. She could feel his heartbeat against her palm and every pound seemed to scream his affection for her. Maingat ang paraan ng paghagkan nito, parang takot na masaktan o mabasag siya. Unti-unting nawawala ang takot sa dibdib niya, including other negative thoughts and emotions.

Sa mga sandaling iyon ay silang dalawa lang ang mahalaga. Ang mainit at magkahinang nilang mga labi ang patunay na hindi nila iiwan ang isa't isa. That kiss held many emotions that simple words wouldn't be able to convey. She was putting all her faith and trust in him, in his words dahil alam niyang hindi siya nito bibiguin.

Kasalukuyan siyang nakaupo sa tabi ng swimming pool. Ikinakawag niya ang paa habang nakatitig sa malinaw na tubig. Isang linggo na ang nakakalipas ngunit hindi pa rin lubusang nanunumbalik ang kanyang mga alaala. She needed something to trigger her memory, but nothing seemed to work. Palagi lang siyang nakakulong sa bahay at sa gabi lang niya nakikita si Wilder. Si Carter naman ay palaging masama ang aura.

"Hey," greeted that familiar and manly voice.

Mabilis niyang pinilig ang ulo at isang ngiti ang namutawi sa kanyang mga labi nang matiyak na pagmamay-ari nga ng binata ang boses na iyon. Naka-jogging pants ito at isang V-neck na t-shirt. Kahit sobrang simple lang ng gayak nito ay tila nagmo-model ito para sa isang kilalang brand.

"Kauuwi mo lang?" she asked in a jolly tone. Alas dos pa lang pero nasa bahay na ito. Bihira iyon mangyari dahil madalas ay pasado alas nueve na kung makauwi ito.

"Yes. I took a quick shower before coming to get you." Inilahad nito ang kamay na kanya namang tinanggap upang makatayo.

Nalilitong pinagmasdan niya ito. "Bakit? May ano?" curious na tanong niya habang iginigiya siya nito papasok sa loob.

His mouth twitched into a sexy smile. "Nothing, really. I just thought you'd like to go somewhere else. It's been a week and you haven't stepped out of the house," saad nito nang maisara ang sliding door.

Napaisip siya. Her mind had been occupied by a lot of things that she didn't even notice na isang linggo na pala ang lumipas. Mabuti nga siguro kung lumabas muna sila para naman makalanghap siya ng sariwang hangin.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" Nagtungo siya sa shoe rack at kinuha ang kanyang doll shoes. Nakasuot siya ng isang pares ng jeans at isang kulay white na blouse. 

"We're heading to a nearby park. I'm sure you'd like to get some fresh air."

Tumango siya at nginitian ito. Akala niya ay hindi na siya magagawang alalahanin nito. Sa isang linggong lumipas ay bihira silang mag-usap. Marahil ay sanhi pa rin ng pagkabigla sa mga natuklasan, but there he was, being sweet and thoughtful. That was more than enough for her.

Habang naglalakad sa park ay nagulat siya nang bigla nitong ginagap ang kanyang kamay at pisilin iyon nang bahagya. Iilan lang ang tao kaya't tahimik at mapayapa ang kapaligiran. Walang salitang namutawi sa bibig nito, ang mga mata'y nakatuon sa nilalakaran.

Somehow, she felt reassured beyond words to have him there; it was like having a shield to protect her. Ramdam niya ang init ng palad nito sa kanyang kamay and he was slowly caressing her palm with his finger.

"Wilder, pa'no  sabihin ang thank you sa Italian?" she asked out of nowhere to break the silence.

Sandaling napaisip ito bago sumagot, "It's Ti amo," he replied and there was a hint of mischief in his eyes.

She silently practiced the pronunciation in her head before saying it out loud, "Ti amo, Wilder." She smiled and said it with utmost sincerity.

Hinapit siya nito sa baywang at kinintalan ng isang halik ang kanyang sentido. "Ti amo anch'io," he murmed in a hushed undertone as his lips brushed against her temple.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kamay nito at sandaling naipikit niya ang mga mata upang damhin ang halik. She felt as though she was the luckiest woman on the surface of earth. Hindi man perpekto ang buhay niya, alam niyang basta't magkasama sila, masaya na siya.

Kasalukuyan silang nasa loob ng isang maliit na cafè. Malapit lang iyon sa park kung nasaan sila kanina. Mabibilang lang ang mga taong naroroon. The place had a classy vibe to it and the interior was exquisite. The soft hum of whispering people and the radio playing a classic R&B love song were all that filled her ears.

"Lagi ka bang nagpupunta rito?"

She examined the place carefully. The decorations were visually pleasing. Ang mga paintings naman ay hindi nakakasawang pagmasdan. She ran her fingers across the smooth, wooden table as she waited for an answer.

"Back then, yeah. But not anymore. I got caught up with work, so I had no time to slack off," he responded.

"Maganda ang lugar. Hindi maingay," komento niya.

"That's why I brought you here. Unlike Carter, I knew you would appreciate the place."

Natawa siya sa pahayag nito. Kung ganoon ay dinala na rin pala nito si Carter sa cafè. Habang hinihintay ang order nila ay patuloy lang silang nagkukwentuhan. Hindi sila maubusan ng sasabihin, lalo na ito.

Nang dumating ang order ay nagpasalamat sila sa barista na naghatid niyon. Tahimik na inubos niya ang kanyang mocha frappè at ito naman ang isang tasa ng kape.

"Ang lamig..." bulong niya nang maubos iyon. Mas lalo pa siyang nilamig nang dahil sa buga ng hangin mula sa aircon.

Wilder chuckled. "We're going home now. Wait for me here. I'll go get the car from the parking lot." Tumayo na ito mula sa upuan ngunit tila may nakalimutan itong sabihin kung kaya't umupo itong muli. "I have something to talk with you later."

Kumunot ang noo niya nang mahimigan na masyadong seryoso ang tono nito. "Tungkol saan?" kaagad niyang tanong.

"About..." He took a breath. "About consulting a doctor. I want you to completely recover your lost memories," seryosong saad nito.

She wasn't surprised anymore. Alam niyang sa kalaunan ay sasabihin nito iyon, ngunit iba pa rin pala kapag ito na ang nagsabi. Kinabahan siya at tila nahirapan siyang huminga.

"O-okay lang sa 'kin. Walang problema."

Umaliwalas ang mukha nito kung kaya't nakahinga rin siya nang maluwag. She just needed to trust in him. Tumayo itong muli at hinagkan ang ibabaw ng kanyang ulo.

"I'll tell you the other details in the car. Wait here," wika nito.

Mabilis itong nagtungo sa exit at pagkatapos ay tinanaw na lang niya ang papaalis na likod nito. Consulting a doctor wasn't a bad idea. Tiyak na malaki ang maitutulong niyon sa kanya.

Habang naghihintay ay naisipan niyang tumungo sa banyo. Binuksan niya ang wooden na sliding door at tinungo niya ang isang oval na washing bowl. Sinabon niya ang kamay at nang huhugasan na niya iyon ay may biglang nag-flush at isang babae ang lumabas sa cubicle.

Hindi niya sana papansinin kung sino iyon ngunit bigla siyang napaigtad nang may isang matalim at matulis na bagay ang dumantay sa likod niya.

A knife.

"We met again, Althea."

"P-paula..."

Kasunod niyon ay ang pagpasok ng ilang kalalakihan sa loob ng banyo. She wasn't even given the time to process everything, because the moment she opened her mouth to scream for help... she was already greeted by a profound darkness.

A/N: Hello guys! Medyo humaba ang chapter na 'to, I know. Nadala lang ako sa pagususulat. Haha. Anyway, more or less ay baka hanggang chapter forty na lang ang Wilder De Luca. I will try my best to update every week, on Saturdays. So I hope you guys continue to support the story until the end. Thank you so much! 💕