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The day of the fashion show came, and I was more excited to see Devlin again than to walk down the runway. Well, I guess I had been doing this job for almost half of my life, while it was the first time Devlin had been away from me this long. I was excited to meet him. I longed to touch him again. I wanted to see his face and get enveloped in his arms again.

I miss him so damn much.

All the models were in the backstage area, and we were all waiting for our cue as the show started. Irina's assistants were making sure that there was nothing wrong with our wardrobe or appearance. They were instructing us, and I was just doing what they were saying. Isa pa, my mind was elsewhere.

I kept on looking around. I was looking for Devlin. Gusto kong sumilip sa audience just to check if he was there, but I couldn't do that. The show had already started. And he was still nowhere to be found.

Devlin was all in my mind when I went out of the stage and walked down the runway. Gusto kong igala ang mga mata ko para hanapin s'ya but I had to maintain my expression. Ako pa naman ang pinakahuli kaya mas naka-focus sa 'kin ang lahat. I didn't want to ruin the show.

But... I could feel him. He was here, staring at me. Ramdam ko ang pamilyar na pakiramdam na 'yon sa tuwing nakatitig s'ya sa 'kin. It was a feeling I hadn't felt for a while, and it was making me emotional. Pero pinilit kong hindi magbago ang expression sa mukha ko.

Later. I could see him later. May after-party pa at alam kong magpapakita na sa 'kin si Devlin doon. Maybe he just didn't want me distracted, as I still had to do my job.

The show was a huge success, and everybody was congratulating Irina. I planned to congratulate her later dahil hindi rin naman ako makakalapit sa kanya as a lot was trying to talk to her. Sa akin din naman pero hindi ko pinapatagal ang usapan. I wanted to look for Devlin. I knew that he was here.

The bodyguards that Dad assigned me were all around the venue, keeping an eye on me and anyone who might be a threat to me. I even saw Serj and Killian. Kaya kinakabahan akong baka hindi nila ako hayaang makalapit kay Devlin.

Shit, Devlin... where the hell are you?

"Yelizaveta."

Even before I turned to see who called my name, kilala ko na agad kung sino iyon. Hinding-hindi ko ipagkakamali sa kahit na ano ang boses na 'yon, especially that my heart skipped a bit as soon as I heard that deep, baritone voice.

It felt as if it had been years since the last time I saw him. Devlin was now standing in front of me, looking as intimidating and gorgeous as ever. He was wearing a black three-piece suit, just like the first time I'd seen him, like a devil that was going to take my soul to hell with him, and I would gladly let him take me.

God... I've missed him so much.

Pinigilan ko ang maiyak but I was having a hard time. I shouldn't be emotional, especially since there were people around pero hirap akong kontrolin ang emosyon ko. Maybe because the life inside me was feeling the same.

"Devlin..." I had to clear my throat as my voice croaked. "How long have you been here?"

He wasn't showing emotions on his face. I was used to it, but... maybe I've become unreasonable because of my pregnancy. I wanted him to show how much he missed me. I wanted him to give me a hint that he was happy to see me as well.

"Before the show started," sabi n'yang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa 'kin.

I knew it... I felt his gaze earlier.

"Sana kanina mo pa ko nilapitan."

He didn't say anything and just stared at me. I mean... I knew he wasn't really talkative, especially when there were people around. Pero kapag kaming dalawa ay madalas nagkukwento s'ya at sinasagot ang lahat ng mga tanong ko. So, I was really trying to understand why he seemed as if he didn't want to say anything right now.

I saw his gaze shift somewhere inside the room. Sinundan ko ang tinitingnan n'ya he seemed to be looking at a petite woman who was standing alone in front of a cocktail table. I couldn't recognize who the woman was. But she had ginger, chest-length wavy hair, which looked natural as she had pale skin. And even from a distance, I could see freckles on her face and shoulders, as she was wearing a black tube top and pants.

She looked... beautiful. She seemed to be looking at Devlin as well. Itinaas pa ang wine glass na hawak as if she was recognizing his presence.

Who was she? Magkakilala ba sila ni Devlin? Bakit ngayon ko lang nakita ang babae? He never told me anything about her.

I looked back at Devlin, and he was still staring back at the woman. There was a tightening inside my chest, which was so painful. Parang bigla ay gusto kong maiyak dahil hindi maalis ang tingin ni Devlin sa babae.

"Devlin... can we talk later?" I asked, trying to get his attention. "There's something I need to let you know."

"Can't you tell it to me now?"

He was still looking at the woman. I had to bite my lower lip to divert the pain in my chest pero mas lalo lang lumalala ang sakit doon.

What's this? Why does it seem like he didn't even miss me? Parang mas gusto n'ya pang lapitan iyong babae.

"I can't," I said. "There are too many people here. I need to talk to you alone."

It was only then that Devlin finally looked at me again. Wala pa ring emosyon sa mga mata n'ya and I think... that was how he felt too right now. But it was alright. At least he was looking at me again.

Nagtagal ang tingin sa 'kin ni Devlin. Parang pinag-iisipan pa kung pagbibigyan ako o hindi. He then glanced at our surroundings. Alam kong tinitingnan n'ya ang mga bodyguard na in-assign sa 'kin ni Daddy. I was thankful that they even let Devlin approach me.

He took a deep breath before he looked at me again.

"Alright..."

I smiled.

"After na lang nitong party. I still have to greet Irina. I haven't talked to her pa kasi." He just nodded. "You have to stay beside me all the time, okay?"

Ilang sandali s'yang nakatitig sa 'kin bago bumuntong-hininga at tumango. I didn't want to think na napipilitan lang s'ya kaya hindi ko na pinansin iyon.

"Okay," he said.

"Where have you been?" hindi ko na napigilang itanong. "You told me you'd come back that night pero ngayon ka lang nagpakita ulit sa 'kin."

"There's..." he trailed off. He then shook his head. "We can just talk about this later."

"But... is everything fine? You didn't get into trouble with my father, did you?"

Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa 'kin pagkatapos noon. But I knew that something had happened. Maybe Dad sent him away to separate us. Maybe he was even fired as my bodyguard. I was surprised that he could even approach me like this.

"You have nothing to worry about, Yelizaveta. Just let me handle it."

He said it in a way that made me think that I shouldn't meddle in his business, which surprised me. Devlin... he never talked to me this way. He would always explain everything to me so I would understand. He was very patient with me.

But why did it feel like napipilitan lang s'yang kausapin ako ngayon?

I don't understand... He said that he would see me today. I was even excited to see him again. But it looked like it wasn't the case for him.

Why is he being like this?

Wala sa sariling napatingin ako sa dereksyon ng babaeng tinitingnan n'ya kanina. The woman was eye-catching. I could see that a lot of people were curious about who that beautiful woman was. One might even think she was one of the models, as she seemed tall too.

The woman suddenly looked my way. Naramdaman yata ang titig ko. Dahil sa distansy ay hindi ko makita ang kulay ng mga mata n'ya. But they seemed pale in color as well making her look even more... mystical. Like a sun fairy especially with that ginger hair.

She raised an eyebrow at me. Nagtataka na siguro sa paninititig ko. Then, her lips stretched. She smiled but it looked more like she was smirking.

She's really... gorgeous.

I was about to put my hand on my tummy, but I clenched my fist instead. I was planning to tell Devlin about my pregnancy later, thinking that he would be happy with the news. But with the way he was acting right now...

Paano kung hindi n'ya magustuhan ang sasabihin ko? What if... he gets mad? What if I'm the only one who wants this?

Come to think of it... Did Devlin even want to have a child? Especially with a woman who was supposed to be his punishment? Did he even love me?

My hands trembled. The tightening in my chest grew stronger. Nag-init ang mga mata ko at alam kong ilang sandali lang ay maiiyak na ako. I didn't want to cry, especially since there were people around. But I was really having a hard time controlling my emotions.

"I think you can talk to Irina now."

I looked at Devlin at sinundan ko ng tingin ang tinitingnan n'ya. I saw Irina talking to a woman. I didn't want to disturb them, as they were so engrossed in their conversation pero naiiyak na talaga ako kaya nagdesisyon na lang akong lapitan sila.

"Dobryy vecher, Irina," I greeted them at pareho silang napatingin sa 'kin.

The woman with Irina looked gorgeous. She had short hair that reached her shoulders, and I really liked her black outfit. Ibang-iba sa white dress na suot ko that was also designed by Irina and made me look like an angel as well.

I wonder who her designer was. Ang ganda kasi talag ng damit n'ya.

The woman was staring at me before her gaze shifted behind me. I knew that she was looking at Devlin. While Irina was smiling widely at me before she looked at the woman.

"Hey... there's someone I want you to—"

It was right then that we all heard a frightened scream. Naramdaman ko kaagad ang paglapit sa 'kin ni Devlin and his hand on the back of my head.

"Get down!" he instructed before he pushed me down to crouch as a loud gunshot echoed in the room.

Nagkagulo ang lahat. Everyone was running around, hoping to find a safe place. Devlin became so alert, and I even caught a glimpse of him holding a gun. I didn't want to but I was suddenly reminded of the day when men tried to kidnap me. Mas lumala ang panginginig ng katawan ko.

I was so scared. I didn't know what was happening. I was so glad that Devlin was by my side dahil kung hindi ay hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko.

"Let's go," I heard Devlin say as he held my arm and pulled me up. May pagmamadali sa mga kilos n'ya.

I looked at Irina, who was crouching down beside me. And held out my hand.

"Irina."

Hinawakan muna ni Irina ang kamay ng babaeng kasama n'ya bago tinanggap ang kamay ko. Devlin was pulling my arm at mabilis ang naging paglalakad n'ya. I was so glad that I changed to flat shoes after I walked down the runway earlier, as the doctor advised me that I shouldn't wear heels. I even thought that crouching down earlier was bad for pregnancy, but I had no choice as the situation called for it. Besides, hindi naman alam ni Devlin ang kalagayan ko.

Naramdaman ko ang pagkakatigil ni Irina kaya napatigil din ako. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko when I saw Serj holding the woman in his arms and glaring at Devlin na itinago ako sa likuran n'ya.

"Let go of the woman, Romanov." Halata ang galit sa boses ni Devlin.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Oh, no... He just didn't say that to the Pakhan, did he? Hindi ko nakikita ang mukha ni Devlin dahil nasa likuran n'ya ako pero kitang-kita ko ang galit sa mukha ni Serj.

"You're making a fucking mistake, Alexeev."

"She's with us," sabi pa ni Devlin.

"They're with us," sabi pa ni Killian na hawak na si Irina sa braso. He pointed at her and the woman using his gun, which made Devlin more alert, and he pointed the gun at Killian before pointing it at Serj.

Oh, my fucking god! Devlin was pointing his gun at the Pakhan! Serj wouldn't let this go!

"Devlin, no!" I held his arm and tried to pull it down pero mala-bakal ang mga braso n'ya. It didn't even budge!

Shit! Nakatutok na rin ang mga baril nina Killian at Serj sa kanya and I knew they wouldn't hesitate to kill him!

"How would I know if you're telling the truth and not just kidnapping them? I know what a sick bastard you are, Romanov!"

Shut up, Devlin! Oh, my gosh, shut up! That's the Pakhan!

"It's okay, Mr. Alexeev," sabi ng babaeng hawak ni Serj. "I'm Serj's girlfriend. I came here with them."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. That woman was Serj's girlfriend? Is she even aware that he's the Bratva's Pakhan? Mukha kasing mabait iyong babae and she even looked gentle.

"How would I know you're not behind this?" tanong pa ni Devlin at gusto ko na talagang takpan ang bibig n'ya! He just accused the Pakhan!

"You're not a fucking dumbass, Alexeev. Do you really think I'd put my woman in danger?"

Devlin didn't say anything and just kept looking at them. Habang ako ay nanginginig na sa kaba at takot. Kaya sinubukan ko na ulit na ibaba ang braso n'ya but it was no use.

"Let's just go, Devlin." My voice croaked. Naiiyak na ako sa pinaghalo-halong emosyon.

I saw Serj look at me. Parang iniisip kung hahayaan ako kay Devlin o isasama sa kanila. Mas dumiin ang pagkakahawak ko sa braso ni Devlin. I knew that if Serj wanted to, he could take me with them.

Pero ayoko. Not now na ngayon ko na lang ulit nakita si Devlin. I was afraid that I wouldn't see him again kapag nalayo ako sa kanya ngayon. Besides, there's something I need to tell him.

Devlin finally put his gown down before he held my arm again.

"Let's go," sabi ni Devlin at hinila na ako palayo sa kanila.

I was relieved that Serj didn't do anything to take me away from Devlin. Maybe he knew that Devlin was going to protect me anyway. At sa tingin ko, mas gusto n'yang maialis ang girlfriend n'ya roon and took her to safety before he dealt with anything. I was so sure that Serj wouldn't let Devlin go lalo pa at parang naging bastos si Devlin sa kanya.

I was aware of Devlin's circumstances with the Bratva. Pero hindi ko inakalang he would treat the Pakhan that way. As if he didn't even care about his life, he didn't even try to hide the grudge that he had for him.

Devlin put me in a room that looked like an office na medyo malayo rin sa function room kung saan ginanap ang after-party. It was dark inside pero may liwanag namang pumapasok dahil bukas ang bintana na nasa likod ng desk. So, I noticed the silhouette of a woman sitting on the desk with her legs crossed.

"Finally," she said. "I've been waiting for ages."

Devlin turned on the lights before he drew the curtains closed. Pero ang mga mata ko ay nanatili sa babaeng nandoon din sa loob ng room na 'yon. It was the redhead woman I saw earlier. Nang makita n'ya akong nakatingin sa kanya ay ngumiti s'ya sa 'kin.

"So, you're Yelizaveta."

"Fiadh." There was a warning tone in Devlin's voice.

Natawa ang babae.

"What? I just want to introduce myself. After all, we're both mafia princesses."

"You're a Bratva's princess too?" hindi ko na napigilang itanong.

The woman smiled at me. Now that she was near me, I realized she had pale-green eyes.

"Nah-uh." She shook her head. "I'm from the Irish Mob."

I frowned.

"Irish mob?"

"The Irish Mafia. I'm the daughter of a Warlord."

My frown deepened. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi n'ya. Pero mukhang walang pakialam doon ang babae at bumaba mula sa table. Nakangiti s'yang lumapit sa 'kin at naglahad ng kamay.

"I'm Fiadh Hegarty. My name is pronounced as Fyee-eh, but spelled as F-I-A-D-H." She smiled sweetly at me. "Quite charming, right? Irish names."

Hindi ko alam kung tatanggapin ko ang pakikipag-kamay ng babae. I didn't even know her, even if she already introduced herself.

And... what was she doing here? A member of the Irish mob? I still had no concrete idea about how the Bratva works, but... I think it's bad news that she was here.

Napatingn ako kay Devlin. He was looking at Fiadh as if I weren't in the room.

Wait... he called her name earlier. They knew each other. Does that mean... Devlin have contact with the Irish mob?

Nang hindi pa rin ako gumagalaw ay kinuha na ni Fiadh ang kamay ko and she shook our hands. She then giggled and walked toward Devlin.

"She's cute," sabi pa n'ya.

Devlin just glanced at me before he looked at Fiadh.

"Keep an eye on her."

"Where are you going?" Fiadh asked him.

"The Pakhan saw me with her."

"What's wrong with that? You're her 'bodyguard', right?" Fiadh made a quote-unquote in the air with her fingers.

Devlin glanced at me again.

"Just keep an eye on her."

Nang akmang lalabas na si Devlin ay pinigilan ko s'ya. I held him in the arm and made him look at me.

"Devlin, where... where are you going?"

"He's going to hide." It was Fiadh who answered. "The Pakhan saw him taking the Bratva's princess. I mean... that would be bad for him, right? Since we're planning on kidnapping you."

"What...?"

Napatitig ako kay Devlin. He was looking down at me, and there wasn't any emotion in his eyes. Kung noon ay iisipin kong ganito lang talaga s'ya kung tumingin, but now... it seemed like he really wasn't feeling anything while looking at me.

"Dev—Devlin... what's... That's a lie, right?"

Devlin's eyebrow twitched. Parang naiirita pa. But I was surprised when he removed my hand that was holding his arm and looked at Fiadh.

"Keep an eye on her."

He took a step again pero muli kong hinawakan ang braso n'ya. He tsked and I almost cried when I saw anger in his eyes when he looked at me. Parang naiinis na pinigilan ko ulit.

No... no. This is not Devlin. He's not my Devlin.

I can't lose him again.

"I'm pregnant."

Nakita ko ang panlalaki sa mga mata ni Devlin nang sabihin ko iyon. May ilang sandali s'yang nagulat before he let out a curse in Russian.

"Fucking..." he said, taking a deep breath.

"I'm pregnant, Devlin," ulit ko pa. "And you're—"

"Shut up!"

Napapitlag ako sa pagsigaw n'ya. Hinawakan n'ya pa nang mariin ang mga braso ko at galit na tumitig sa 'kin.

"Shut up, Yelizaveta."

"Devlin... it's your—"

"I said shut up! You think I fucking care about that?"

Hindi makapaniwala akong napatingin sa kanya. Nanginig ang mga labi ko at hindi ko namalayang umiiyak na pala ako dahil sa matinding sakit na nararamdaman ko sa dibdib ko.

I saw Devlin grit his teeth and let go of me.

"Fuck!" He brushed his hair frustratedly.

I sobbed. Halos mawalan ng lakas ang mga tuhod ko. I was just staring at Devlin, who looked like I just told him a huge problem.

No... This is not him. Hindi ganito si Devlin. He was always... protecting me. Hindi n'ya ako sasaktan ng ganito.

I couldn't recognize the man in front of me anymore.

"Aww, don't be like that, Devlin..." rinig kong sabi ni Fiadh. "It'll make her think that you want her to get rid of the child, sige ka."

Devlin glared at her.

"Shut up. Don't you even dare tell anyone about this!"

I heard Fiadh giggle.

"Hmm... alright. Kung 'yon ang gusto mo."

I looked at Fiadh, surprised to hear her talk in Tagalog. Ngumiti naman s'ya sa 'kin.

"You seem surprised. Hindi ba halatang nakakaintindi ako ng Tagalog?" she said. "Where do you think Devlin learned how to speak the language fluently?"

Gulat na napatingin ako kay Devlin, who was looking at me with indifference in his eyes. Gone was the gentle and passionate glint in those dark orbs whenever he was looking at me before. Parang nakatingin lang s'ya sa taong kinagagalitan n'ya.

So, he's mad at me? What about those things we did together? What about those feelings he made me feel? Wala lang ba 'yon? Did he just... make me think I was the most important to him? Wala bang halaga sa kanya 'yung oras na magkasama kami?

Did he really think of me as his punishment?

"Go on, Devlin," rinig ko pang sabi ni Fiadh pero hindi ko inalis ang tingin sa lalaking nasa harap ko. "Tell her what we've been doing lately."

Mas lalo akong napaiyak dahil doon. She didn't elaborate pero hindi ako tanga para hindi maintindihan ang gusto n'yang iparating.

They knew each other. And maybe even more. Maybe this was the woman that Devlin truly loved. As far as I remember, he never even told me he loved me.

Sa mga panahong naghihintay ako sa pagbabalik n'ya ay kasama n'ya ang babaeng 'to. Those sleepness nights I had while thinking of him, he was with this woman, maybe even embracing her.

Shit... So, I was the only one thinking that we had something between us? I thought we had a relationship? Pero anong relationship ba 'yon? Nagkamali lang ba ako sa isiping mahal n'ya ako?

Fuck, I can't take this anymore. Hindi na ako makahinga sa sakit ng dibdib ko. I was sobbing so bad and Devlin didn't try anything to comfort me. Nakatingin lang s'ya sa 'kin na para bang hindi n'ya ako kilala.

He took a deep breath and looked at Fiadh.

"I'll leave her to you."

Iyon lang at lumabas na s'ya ng kwartong 'yon. He didn't even look at me again. Iniwan n'ya ako roon na para bang hindi n'ya ako kilala.

He left me with my heart broken and my soul shattered.