Kabanata 6

Kabanata 6: Back to Reality III

Alessandro’s Point of View

Habang nakaupo sa likod ng kotse na itim na Mercedes, nags-scroll lang ako sa mga balitang lumalabas sa newsfeed ko pero hindi ko naman binabasa. Pinapakinggan ko rin ang pagmaneho ng driver ko kahit na sobrang traffic, hindi na bago. But my mind, however, was else where.

Heaven Jacinto.

That girl. Ang pangalan ng babae ay hindi sumagi sa isip niya nitong mga nakaraang araw, mas maganda ‘yon, mas magiging busy siya. Ang nangyari sa amin ay wala lang, it’s just a brief of distraction, just like other girls. Nothing more. I didn’t need to think about her — didn’t want to, even. My life was too full of more important things: meetings, contracts, the company. Women.

“Sir, we’re arriving at Villareal Enterprises,” his driver informed him, pulling up in front of the towering building that bore his family’s name.

I snapped out of my reverie, quickly slipping into my cold, business persona. “Park at the back entrance. I don’t want any distractions today.”

As the car slowed, I stepped out, glancing briefly at the bustling streets of Manila before heading inside. The moment my leather shoes clicked against the marble floors, my phone buzzed. A name flashed on the screen. Tiffany Huang.

This bitch again.

“Alessandro, darling,” boses na may halong landi kaagad ang bumungad sa phone ko, “busy for tonight? I’ve missed seeing you around, Alessandro. C’mon, just like the old times? I miss fúcking you, darling.”

Hinilot niya ang kaniyang sintido. Putangina! Nakakairitang babae. Tiffany was fun, sure, but the way she latched on irritated him sometimes. “I have a dinner meeting,” he lied smoothly.

“How about after? You can make time for me,” she insisted, laughing softly.

Pútangina.

I paused for a moment. It wasn’t like I had better plans, but something about her persistence made me want to push her away. “Maybe. I’ll let you know.” Without waiting for her response, I ended the call.

Habang naglalakad sa opisina niya ay hindi niya maiwasang hindi mapatingin sa glass window, nasa mataas na palapag ang opisina niya kaya kitang-kita ang landscape ng ka maynilaan. My office was immaculate, organized — much like ny life. I liked control, precision. No loose ends. No complications.

Pero hindi sa malamang kadahilanan, hindi niya mawala sa kaniyang isipian ang nangyari sa gabing iyon, sa nangyari sa kanila ni Heaven.

The way her eyes held a spark of defiance, how she stood her ground even when she had nothing at all. Hindi ‘yon mawala sa aking isipan.

“Mr. Villareal, you have a meeting in fifteen minutes with the investors,” saad ni Clara, my assistant interrupted while standing at the doorway.

“All right,” kinuha ko muna ang ibang papeles at tinignan ang cellphone ko kung may nag text ba.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit umaasa ako sa babaeng ‘yon. Hindi niya ata alam na nilagay ko ang phone number ko sa phone niya nang nakatulog siya.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapangiti. Dahil sa sobrang pagod ay mabilis itong nakatulog at ang mukha ay parang anghel, kasalunghat sa ugali niyang matapang, kahit na ang amo ng mukha nito.

“Do you need anything else, sir?” Clara asked, her eyes flickering with curiosity.

“No,” I said curtly. “That’ll be all.”

The day dragged on, filled with meetings, presentations, and cold exchanges. But every now and then, I caught myself thinking about Heaven. What’s wrong with me? She wasn’t important. She was just a student. They had no connection.

At the end of the day, as I loosened my tie and prepared to leave, Raphael Montenegro, one of my closest friends, barged into my office without knocking.

“Ales! It’s been a while? I mean— we see each other but you know? You’re always busy! So what’s up? No girls whóring around?” Raphael grinned. His remarks makes me boiled sometimes.

“Mind your own fúcking business, Montenegro. And none, I’ve been busy.” I replied, leaning on my swivel chair. “But how about you though?”

He smirked. “Dámn! Man I thought we should mind our own fúcking business?” I glared at him and he just chuckled. “Kidding, Ales! Same old shít. Busy but wild. Been handling some things with the family business. Anyway, let’s go out tonight. Grab drinks, maybe hit a club. I heard Tiffany’s been asking about you.”

My jaw tightened. “I’m not in the mood.”

Raphael raised an eyebrow. “This is not you, Ales. The Alessandro Villareal is not in the mood? Hm… I wonder.”

I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. “Just not tonight, Raph. I’ve got things to handle.”

Raphael leaned forward, his expression turning serious for once. “Things to handle, or is this about that girl? Heaven, right? The one from that party? Tinamaan ka na ba sa babaeng ‘yon?” nakangisi niya pang saad.

Bigla akong natigilan sa sinabi niya ngunit binawi ko ‘yon agad. “What the hell are you talking about? Hindi ako nakikipag gagóhan.”

“Really, Ales? Ako pa talaga lolokohin mo? Matagal na kitang kilala. We’ve known each other since we were fetus!” Madrama nitong asik, napakunot ang noo ko sa pinagsasabi niya.

Mukhang tanga tángina.

“Distracted ka these past few days. It’s been a week, Ales. That’s not like you. And you’ve been colder than usual to everyone around you.” Raphael grinned mischievously. “Plus, Tiffany told me something happened between you and Heaven that night.”

“Nothing happened,” I said, with voice low and dangerous.

“And the pigs can fly,” Raphael leaned back, smirking mischievously. “And you just you know? That Heaven girl of yours? Hinanap siya ng mga kaibigan niya. Aligaga sila sa party kakahanap and syempre dahil superhero ako, sinabi ko na magkasama kayo.”

Hindi niya na kayang pakinggan pa ang mga kagagúhang lumalabas sa bibig ni Raphael, tumayo na lang siya at kinuha ang coat niya. “Go back to your company, Montenegro. Fúck off man.”

Raphael held up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to get defensive.” He stood too, adjusting his own jacket. “But let me give you some advice, brother. Don’t let some girl get in your h”ad. You’re Alessandro Villareal. You have the world at your feet. But maybe? Mapabago ka ng Heaven na ‘yon. Damn! Mukha pa naman siyang langit. Ganda.”

“Shut up!” parang gusto kong sumabog sa sinabi niya pero itong kaibigan ko, pangisi-ngisi lang.

“Hindi ko kailangan ng advice mo. Get lost!” I muttered, heading towards the door. “And Raphael Montenegro, huwag kang puro tsismis sa buhay ko. Hindi lang ako ang may problema,” pagkasabi ko no’n ay bigla siyang nagseryoso.

Hindi ko na siya hinintay pang sumagot. Alam niya na ang ibig kong sabihin. Masyadong pakelamero, dinaig pa ang babae sa kadaldalan.

Habang naglalakad paalis sa opisina, napatingin ako sa glass windon kung saan ang tanawin ay puro ilaw na. Madilim ay puno na ng kulay ang Maynila, maganda ito ngunit tila lumilipad ang pag-iisip niya. I slipped into my car, the cool leather pressing against ny back as I leaned my head against the seat.

Why does it bother me?

Heaven was just another face. Another encounter. Yet the way she looked at me that night, the emotion in her eyes…

I clenched my fists. I don’t care about her. I don’t.

Pero iba ang nararamdaman niya. Iba ang nararamdaman niya sa babae, at ayaw niyang aminin ‘yon.

His phone buzzed. It’s Tiffany again.

Pinakatitigan niya ‘yon bago nagbuntong hininga. Hindi ko ‘yon sinagot at basta-basta nilang hinagis ang phone ko sa passenger seat, nag buzzed ‘yon nang paulit-ulit hanggang sa natigil ito.

Maybe Raphael was right. Maybe it was Heaven that had him acting out of character. But that didn’t matter.

He is Alessandro Villareal, he didn’t get involved with women like her. He was above all that.

I hit the accelerator, speeding off into the night, determined to bury the distraction once and for all.

End of Chapter 6.