Chapter 28: Unveiling

Jhoanna's POV

Pagpasok ko sa bahay, unang bumungad sa akin si Mama na inaayos ang mga plato sa mesa. She had a small smile on her lips, looking content with how dinner turned out. Meanwhile, Johan was already passed out on the sofa-probably exhausted from all the laughing and teasing earlier.

I stretched my arms and took a deep breath, letting the warmth of the evening settle over me. But more than that, there was this lightness in my chest that I hadn't felt in a long time.

Grabe... ang bilis ng mga pangyayari.

I never expected Mama to accept Stacey that easily. Akala ko may konting drama, or maybe she'd hesitate a little-pero hindi. Turns out, Stacey and I were the ones overthinking everything.

My eyes drifted to the door. I wondered if Stacey had already made it home, if she was safe, if she was still driving.

Napangiti ako as I remembered her face earlier-how she blushed slightly while talking to Mama, how she gave that awkward yet adorable smile as she tried to impress her. Ang cute niya talaga...

But before I could get lost in my thoughts, Mama's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Anak, halika rito."

I turned to her. She had just pulled out a pitcher of water from the fridge, her expression calm yet unreadable.

"Tungkol kay Stacey," she started.

I immediately sat up straight. Bakit parang biglang naging serious si Mama?

"Bakit po?" I asked, a bit nervous.

She gave me a small smile, but there was something weighty behind her words. "Sigurado ka na ba anak?"

I blinked. "Ano pong ibig niyong sabihin?"

Mama reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. Her warmth was comforting, but the way she looked at me made my chest tighten.

"Anak, I will never stop you from loving whoever you choose. Kita ko naman kung paano ka niya pinapahalagahan. But I just want to make sure-na sigurado ka rin sa kaniya. Not just because you love her, but because you know that you're ready for everything that comes with it."

I swallowed hard. I knew Mama supported me, but this was the first time she had spoken with such weight in her words.

I love Stacey. That much, I was sure of. But this wasn't just about a relationship anymore-this was about the long run.

I took a deep breath and looked at Mama with certainty. "Sigurado po ako, Ma. Mahal ko si Stacey."

This time, Mama's smile softened, the worry in her eyes slightly fading. "I know you can stand by your feelings. Just remember, anak... love alone isn't enough to make a relationship work. There will be challenges, sacrifices."

I nodded. "I'm ready ma"

Before she could say anything else-

BZZZT! BZZZT!

My phone buzzed.

I glanced at the screen.

My brows furrowed. Unknown Number

I answered. "Hello, Sino toh?"

"Jhoanna, it's me Akira, remember?" Akira's voice was sharp, urgent-completely different from his usual composed tone.

"Yes, si Jhoanna toh? Paano mo nakuha number ko?"

"It doesn't matter now Robles, it's about Taneo, he escaped."

"A-Anong sabi mo?"

"Nakatakas si Taneo" he repeated, voice tight with frustration. "My contact just called me. Kaninang hapon pa siya nawala, but they kept it under wraps-until now. Jho, hindi ko gusto 'to. May CCTV footage na may kahina-hinalang lalaking sumunod kay Stacey bago siya umalis kanina sa office"

Biglang lumamig ang pakiramdam ko. Oh God...

"What?, saan mo nalaman 'to?!" I demanded, standing up so fast na muntik nang mahulog ang upuan ko.

"May tumawag sa akin mula sa loob," Akira answered, his voice tense. "Isang contact ko sa facility. Kaninang hapon pa nakatakas si Taneo, pero ngayon lang lumabas ang balita. Jhoanna, you need to find Stacey. Now."

I grabbed my car keys, hands shaking. "I'm going after her."

"Jho-!"

Hindi ko na pinakinggan ang susunod niyang sasabihin. I ended the call and bolted out of the house.

"Jhoanna! Ano'ng nangyayari?!" Mama's worried voice rang behind me.

"Si Stacey, Ma!" My breathing was ragged as I fumbled with my car keys. "Nakatakas si Taneo... at baka kung anong mangyare kay Stacey!"

"Anak, sandali lang-!"

Pero hindi na ako nakinig.

I jumped into the driver's seat, slammed the door shut, and tore down the road.

As I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my pulse pounded in my ears.

"Please, Stacey... Please be okay."

Stacey's POV

This wasn't real.

It couldn't be real.

But no matter how many times I blinked, hoping my mind was just playing tricks on me, the scene in front of me didn't change.

Taneo.

Standing right there.

His dark eyes glinted with something twisted, something wrong.

I felt my breath hitch, my body stiffening as cold dread crept up my spine. My brain couldn't process it fast enough. No. No, this isn't possible.

He was supposed to be in jail. I saw it. I was there when they dragged him away, when the court handed down the verdict. I testified against him.

So how was he here?

"Missed me, Sevilleja?" His voice was smooth, casual-like this was just a normal conversation between old friends catching up. But I wasn't stupid. There was venom in every syllable.

I stumbled back instinctively, my heart hammering against my ribs. "T-Taneo...?" The name barely left my lips, my throat too dry to form anything stronger. "You... you're not supposed to be here."

Taneo tilted his head, smirking. "And yet..." He spread his arms out like he was showing off. "Andito ako."

I shook my head. No, this had to be some sick nightmare. Maybe I was hallucinating. Maybe I had hit my head somewhere, and my brain was making up impossible scenarios.

But the way the cold air stung my skin, the way my fingers trembled as I clenched them into fists-this was real.

Too real.

I took another step back, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. I needed to get away. Now. "Ano bang gusto mo!?" My voice was steadier this time, though I could still hear the fear laced in it.

Instead of answering, Taneo reached into his pocket.

My breath caught in my throat, My entire body went rigid. He has a weapon, I braced myself, ready to run-

But then, he pulled something out.

My phone.

Taneo twirled it between his fingers, a slow, taunting smirk stretching across his face. "Go on." He tossed it once in the air, catching it lazily. "Call for help."

I swallowed hard. My mind raced, screaming at me to move, to do something, but fear had me frozen in place.

Taneo took a slow step forward. "Gusto mo siyang tawagan, right?"

I knew exactly who he meant.

Jhoanna.

My fingers twitched. If I could just-

But before I could react, Taneo suddenly hurled my phone against the road.

It shattered into a million pieces. I flinched, my breath hitching. My only lifeline-gone.

Silence hung in the air.

I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his. His smirk hadn't faltered. If anything, he looked even more amused now.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stand my ground. "Ano pa bang gusto mo!?" My voice came out colder this time. If I was going down, I wasn't going to make it easy for him.

Taneo took another slow, deliberate step forward, his lips curling into that infuriating smirk. "You know, Stacey... I've had a lot of time to think."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, forcing myself to keep my voice steady. "Think about what?"

His smirk widened, but his eyes were void of amusement. "About how everything went to hell."

He let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head as if the memory was entertaining to him. "Magkakaayos na sana kami ni Jhoanna eh-until you."

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "What the fuck are you saying, Taneo?"

His jaw twitched.

"So hindi pa rin pala sinasabi ni Jhoanna sa'yo," he sneered. For the first time, his smirk faltered, replaced by something colder, darker. "I'm Jhoanna's ex-boyfriend."

The world suddenly tilted.

What?

I felt the air leave my lungs as his words slammed into me like a freight train.

No. That... that wasn't possible.

Jhoanna never told me that.

She never-

She wouldn't-

Taneo must have seen the shock on my face because his smirk widened. "Ahh. Now that's interesting. So hindi mo pa alam."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "You're lying."

He laughed. "Am I?"

I wanted to deny it. Wanted to scream at him. But the doubt had already crept in. Why didn't Jhoanna tell me?

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay calm. Focus, Stacey. Don't let him mess with your head.

BANG!

A gunshot pierced the night air, loud and sharp.

My entire body jolted.

Taneo whipped his head toward the direction of the sound, his grip tightening on whatever he was hiding in his pocket. My pulse pounded as headlights suddenly flooded the dark roadway.

A black SUV screeched to a stop a few meters away from us, its tires skidding slightly against the asphalt. The door swung open, and out stepped- a woman

She was dressed in all black, her coat billowing slightly as she moved. Her expression was unreadable, but the intensity in her gaze was unmistakable. She wasn't just here by chance. She had come for this.

For him.

For a moment, I saw something rare-Taneo's face twisted in shock.

"What the-?" His voice was low, guarded.

The girl took another step forward, the gun in her hand still warm from the warning shot she had fired into the air. "Are you surprised hubby?"

I let out a shaky breath. She knew him. Of course she did.

Taneo scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "You seriously think you can stop me, Aiah?"

Aiah?

Aiah cocked her head slightly, her eyes flashing with something dangerous. "I've wanted to stop you for a long time, Taneo. Now, you can no longer escape from me."

Taneo's fingers twitched near his pocket. He was hiding something.

Aiah noticed it too. She raised the gun slightly. " Don't you dare my loving husband"

Taneo clenched his jaw. "You always did have a savior complex."

"And you always did have a problem knowing when to quit."

Silence hung in the air for a moment.

That's when I saw it-hesitation.

Taneo wasn't just angry. He was thinking. Calculating. Trying to find a way out.

"Aiah..." he started, his voice shifting slightly-smoother, more manipulative. "You're really gonna pick them over me?"

Aiah didn't even blink. "I left you a long time ago, Taneo. You can't fool and manipulate me anymore, I'm no longer the wife that you know!"

Taneo's nostrils flared. His hand moved slightly-

And then-

A car engine roared in the distance.

The sound cut through the tense silence like a knife.

Taneo stiffened. His head snapped toward the approaching vehicle, his entire body tensing.

A familiar red car skidded into view.

My breath caught.

Jhoanna.

The tires screeched as the car came to an abrupt stop. Before the engine had even fully died, the door burst open, and Jhoanna came running.

"STACEY!"

Her voice was raw, panicked. Her eyes immediately locked onto mine, filled with relief and fear.

I felt my whole body sag. "Jho-"

But before I could say anything else-

Taneo moved.

Fast.

In the blink of an eye, his hand snapped forward-pulling something from his pocket.

The glint of metal.

A knife.

I barely had time to react before-

BANG!

Another gunshot.

But this time-

It wasn't just a warning.

Taneo let out a strangled groan as he stumbled. His knife clattered to the ground, his hand flying to his leg.

Blood.

Aiah had shot him.

Taneo staggered back, his breaths ragged, his face twisting in rage.

"You-" he spat, his legs shaking beneath him.

Aiah didn't even flinch. She stepped forward, her gun still trained on him. "Come on husband, show me what you got!"

"You idiot-"

Before he could react, the wail of police sirens echoed in the distance. Red and blue lights flashed against the dark road, getting closer.

I exhaled sharply, my knees almost giving out.

I felt Jhoanna's hands suddenly grip my shoulders, pulling me toward her. Warm, steady, safe.

"Okey ka lang ba, may masakit ba sayo, sinaktan ka ba nya?!" Her voice was frantic as she cupped my face, scanning me for any injuries.

I nodded shakily. "I-I'm fine. Jho, I-"

But before I could finish, she wrapped me in the tightest hug imaginable.

I barely had time to process it before I was buried in her warmth.

"Stacey-" she mumbled against my hair. "Akala ko... akala ko-"

I clung to her, my whole body still trembling. "I'm okay. I'm okay babe"

She didn't loosen her hold on me. If anything, she hugged me even tighter.

Behind us, I heard the police officers shouting as they swarmed Taneo, pinning him down. He was cursing, struggling, but there was nothing he could do now.

I pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Jhoanna. Her face was still filled with worry, her brows furrowed as if she couldn't believe I was actually standing in front of her.

I let out a soft, breathless laugh."I told you I'm fine."

Her lips parted like she wanted to say something-but instead of speaking, she pressed her forehead against mine.

A few feet away, Aiah sighed, lowering her gun as the officers took control of the scene.

I turned to her, feeling a rush of gratitude. She had saved me.

"Thank you," I said sincerely.

Aiah gave me a small nod, slipping her gun back into her coat. "It's nothing dapat nga matagal ko ng ginawa yun "

She glanced at Jhoanna, then at me, her expression unreadable for a moment-before she smirked slightly.

Then, she stepped closer and extended a hand toward me. "Maraiah Queen Arceta- Uyam" she introduced herself smoothly. "Actually it's Maraiah Queen Arceta na pala ulit and yes that bastard was my ex husband"

My eyes widened slightly, my breath hitching at her words, ngayon alam ko na kung bakit familiar sya sakin. Jhoanna stiffened beside me, her grip on my arm tightening. I turned to glance at her, searching for a reaction, but she just looked as shocked as I was.

Aiah chuckled at our expressions. "Relax. I threw him into hell a long time ago, we're not married anymore."she said with a casual wave of her hand. "I just never expected na babalik pa siya para manggulo."

I swallowed hard, shaking off the unease that came with hearing Taneo's name again. I took her hand, shaking it firmly. "Stacey Sevilleja."

Her smirk deepened slightly. "I know, I've been visited your Company couple of times nun investors pa ang mga Uyam sa LSA Corp, I also attended your party by the way"

She then shifted her gaze to Jhoanna, raising an eyebrow. "And you must be Jhoanna."

Jhoanna hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah." Her voice was steady, but I could feel the tension radiating from her.

Aiah snorted, then turned back to me. "Anyway, I think tapos na ako magiging Darna tonight. Kayo na ang bahala sa susunod."

I exhaled slowly, still trying to process everything. "You didn't have to help, but... I appreciate it."

Aiah shrugged, slipping her hands into her coat pockets. "Let's just say, I owed someone a favor."

Before I could ask what she meant, she gave us one last glance before walking away, disappearing into the night.

Jhoanna's POV

I didn't let go of Stacey's hand. Not once.

Not when we walked back to my car. Not when I drove through the quiet roads, my grip on the steering wheel just a little too tight. Not even when we finally stepped inside my house, the familiar scent of coffee and old books filling the air.

I felt like if I let go, she'd disappear.

I kept my arms around Stacey, feeling every deep breath she took, every slight tremble in her fingers. Hindi ko pa rin siya binitawan kahit narinig kong bumukas ang pinto sa kusina.

"Jho?"

Si Mama.

Dahan-dahan kong inangat ang ulo ko, only to see her standing by the dining area with Johan peeking from behind her. Their faces were filled with concern.

Stacey shifted slightly in my arms, parang nahihiya bigla, pero hindi ko siya hinayaang lumayo. Mas lalo ko pa siyang niyakap.

"Anong nangyari?" Mama asked, stepping closer. "Bakit bigla kang nagmamadali kanina?"

Huminga ako ng malalim, trying to steady my voice. "Ma... si Taneo, muntik na nyang saktan si Stacey"

Halos sabay na nag-react sina Mama at Johan.

"What?! Talaga?!" Johan's eyes widened in shock. "Yung ex mong baliw?"

I shot him a sharp look. "Johan."

He raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry, pero totoo naman ah-"

"Anak, sigurado ka bang tapos na 'to?" Mama interrupted, her voice filled with worry as she kneeled beside Stacey. "Wala na bang dapat ipag-alala?"

Stacey finally lifted her head from my shoulder. She managed a small, tired smile. "Okay na po, Tita. This time... it's really over."

Mama's eyes softened, pero halata pa rin ang tension sa mukha niya. "Salamat sa Diyos."

Si Johan naman, dumiretso sa tabi namin. "Ate, sigurado bang hindi na siya makakatakas? Baka may inside job na naman 'yan-"

Bago ko pa siya masagot, biglang tumunog ang phone ko.

Mikha.

Sinagot ko agad. "Mikha?"

"Hoy, kamusta kayo?" Mikha's voice was sharp with worry. "I just got the news. Akira told me about Taneo-safe ba kayo ni Stacey?"

Napatingin ako kay Stacey, who was watching me carefully. "Yeah. We're home. Medyo pagod lang."

Mikha let out a deep breath. "Thank God. Akala ko kung ano na. You have no idea kung gaano ako natakot nung marinig kong nasa danger si Stacey."

Kahit kailan, talagang protective 'tong si Mikha sa kaibigan niya.

"We're safe, Mikha. Nahuli na ulit siya, wala nang dapat ipag-alala," I assured her.

"I still won't be at ease until I see that both of you are okay." Mikha huffed. "Papunta na ako diyan."

"Huy, huwag na," I said quickly. "Gabing-gabi na. Bukas ka na lang pumunta."

Narinig kong huminga siya nang malalim sa kabilang linya. "...Fine. Pero first thing in the morning, pupunta ako diyan."

Napatingin ako kay Stacey. "Gusto mo bang makausap si Mikha?"

Stacey hesitated for a second, then nodded. Kinuha niya ang phone at agad na lumambot ang expression niya. "Mikhs..."

"Staku!" Mikha's relief was evident in her voice. "Okay ka lang ba talaga? May masakit ba sa'yo? Anong gusto mo?"

Napangiti ako habang pinapanood silang mag-usap.

"Okay na ako, promise," Stacey murmured. "Pero... salamat."

"Don't be like that, you're making me cry, you idiot." Mikha huffed, though may halong tawa ang boses niya. "Sige na, magpahinga na kayo. Pero bukas, magkikita tayo, okay?"

"Okay," Stacey agreed softly.

Pagkatapos ng tawag, binalik niya ang phone sa akin. She looked exhausted, but more at peace than she had been in days.

"Tara na" I whispered, gently pulling her up.

Mama watched us quietly, then gave me a small nod of understanding. "If you need anything, nandito lang ako anak."

I nodded back. "Thanks, Ma."

_

Pagkapasok namin sa kwarto, dahan-dahan kong isinara ang pinto at nilock ito. Hindi ko alam kung bakit-kahit nahuli na ulit si Taneo, It feels like I still want to make sure that no one can get in to us.

Stacey stood in the middle of the room, tahimik lang, staring at the floor. Kita ko sa mukha niya ang pagod, pero alam kong hindi lang katawan niya ang bugbog-pati utak at puso niya.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at marahang hinawakan ang kamay niya. "Hey... gusto mo munang magpalit ng damit? Maliligo ka ba?"

She blinked a few times before finally looking up at me. "Huh? Oh... siguro."

I guided her towards my closet at kinuha ang isa sa oversized shirts ko. "Eto. Suot mo muna 'to."

Kinuha niya 'yon, then hesitated.

"Jho..."

"Hmm?"

She bit her lip, her grip tightening around the fabric. "Pwede... pwede mo ba akong samahan?"

Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, pero parang sumikip bigla ang dibdib ko. Stacey wasn't the type to ask for help like this-she was always strong, always independent. Pero ngayon, she looked so vulnerable, so unsure.

I nodded without hesitation. "Syempre."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at hinila siya papunta sa banyo. Sinamahan ko lang siyang pumasok, pero naghintay lang ako sa labas. Hindi ko siya pinilit magsalita-hinayaan ko lang siyang magbabad sa tubig habang naghihintay ako sa labas ng banyo.

Mga ilang minuto lang lumabas na din sya at umupo sa gilid ng kama ko.

Then, Stacey spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Jho... totoo ba?"

Bigla akong nacurious sa tanong nya kaya lumapit ako sa kanya.

"Ang alin?" I softly whispered

"Yung sa inyo ni Taneo"

I froze in my spot, baka kung ano nanaman sinabi ni Taneo sa kanya.

"Bakit hindi mo sinabi Jho?"

Huminga ako nang malalim. "Hindi ko alam kung paano sisimulan, Stacey."

Tahimik lang siya, hinihintay akong magpatuloy.

"I was supposed to stop a wedding that day... pero hindi sayo at kay Gelo" I admitted, my voice steady pero may halong lungkot. "Dapat yung kina Taneo at Aiah ang pipigilan ko but I messed up, at buti nalang"

Stacey let out a shaky breath. "So naging kayo talaga?"

"Totoo yun. Taneo is my ex-boyfriend," I admitted, my voice steady. "Pero matagal na yun. I don't feel anything for him anymore. Not since then"

She was quiet for a moment before whispering, "There's no one else... right?"

I stood up and stepped closer, reaching for the towel. Dahan-dahan kong pinatuyo ang buhok niya habang nakatingin siya sa akin, waiting for my answer.

"Wala, Stacey" I said firmly, looking straight into her eyes. "No one else. Just you."

I saw the exhaustion in her face, the doubt, but most of all... fear. Fear that I was still hiding something. Fear that after everything, someone else still held a place in my heart.

I cupped her cheek, my thumb gently brushing against the corner of her lips. "Stace, please... trust me. Tapos na 'yon. Wala nang iba. Wala nang ibang dahilan. You're the only one I want to be with, you're the only one I love."

She bit her lip, trying to stop the tears from welling up in her eyes.

I couldn't hold back anymore-I pulled her into a hug, my arms wrapping around her tightly. "Ikaw lang, Stacey. Just you, from the very start. If I could go back, I would still choose you every single time."

She closed her eyes for a second, inhaling deeply, as if trying to absorb my words. Then, she slowly nodded.

"Okay," she whispered.

I took her hand and pressed a soft kiss on it before holding it tighter. I smiled gently. "Tara, let's sleep?"

She nodded again.

I led her to the bed, and we lay down next to each other. The room was dim, the only sound was our breathing.

After a few minutes, Stacey spoke again, her voice softer this time.

"Jho?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you hug me until I fall asleep?"

I didn't even think twice. I just pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her securely. Mas hinigpitan ko pa ang yakap ko, making sure she felt just how much I loved her, how I was never letting her go.

"Sleep now Staku" I murmured, pressing a soft kiss on her temple.

She buried her face against my chest, her arms tightening around me as if she was afraid I'd disappear.

And for the first time in a long while, she closed her eyes and let herself rest-safe, secure, and loved in my arms.

⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ── End of Chapter 28 ── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆