[Ivana's]
"What took you so long, Van?" bungad sa akin ni Dianne noong pumasok ako sa gallery. She's giving me a grin and I'm not liking it. What's happening here?
"Why? Is there something wrong?" tanong ko. Bumuntong-hininga siya at tinuro ang visitors' lounge sa'king likuran.
"What?! Why is he here this early?!" gulat na tanong ko kay Dianne pero hininaan ko ang boses ko para hindi marinig ni Gene. He's reading a magazine that's why he didn't notice my presence, at least not for now.
"I don't know. He's already standing in front of the main door when I came to open the gallery," aniya. He did send me a text last night pero hindi ko naman alam na mas maaga pa siya kaysa sa akin. "And he bro
[Ivana's]“You look absolutely stunning. Didn't I tell you to wear something that will make you ugly?" he said as he quickly scanned me from head to toe. My brow raised because of his statement.Nandito siya sa labas ng bahay para sunduin ako. I told him not to come but he insisted kaya hinayaan ko na lang, I don't want to argue with him again."I can wear anything and still look gorgeous, Mr. Carter," I boasted. A few seconds later, he burst into laughter making me raise my brow on him. "You good?" I asked, pissed and unhappy."I didn't know you're quiet proud, Van," he uttered while grinning from ear-to-ear. Alright, he's trying to mock me and it's pissing me off."Yeah, whatever. So, are we going or not?" Ayokong mag-aksaya pa ng oras dahil gusto kong umuwi ng maaga. I have to come back home early because we have plans for tomorrow."Sorry about that. Get in," he mutt
[Ivana's]“Mommy? Who was with you when you went out?" tanong ni Tyler sa akin habang pinapatulog ko siya.”I was with a client," I replied while combing his hair using my hand. Gene is just a client and it should stay that way, ayokong makahalubilo pa siya.“Hmm... Okay," inaantok na giit niya. Hindi ko masabing lumabas ako at kumain ng dinner kasama ang bastardo niyang tatay dahil wala pa siyang kaalam-alam.”Matulog ka na anak at maaga pa tayo bukas. Do you want our trip to be extended next weekend? No, right?" Palagi akong kinukulit ni Tyler na mag-beach dahil summer na pero busy ako sa trabaho. Mabuti na lang at pumayag siya noong sinabi kong tsaka na lang kami mag-bebeach kapag weekend na para wala akong trabaho.“Okay, mommy. Sleep na po ako, goodnight!" bulol na sambit niya. My son isn't used with speaking Filipino dahil sa lumaki siya rito sa Italy. Nakakaintindi siya at nakakapagsalita rin ng Filipino k
[Ivana's]“Yes, Mr. Carter. He's my SON," I quickly replied with a flat tone. I didn't hesitate to tell him that Tyler my son or he would start to suspect me. ”And thank you for looking out for him. I thought he was gone," I added.“Your son looks like someone," aniya habang tinititigan ng mabuti si Tyler. My knees went numb and I'm starting to ran out of breath because of panic. Pasimple kong pinaharap sa akin si Tyler upang hindi makita ni Gene ang kaniyang mukha nang matagal. ”Sino nga ba ang kamukha niya? He really looks like someone but I can't tell who," dagdag pa niya.Napalunok na lang ako at tumawa ng peke. “Why do people always think my son looks like someone? Hindi ikaw ang unang nagsabi niyan," kinakabahan sambit ko. Dyusko, h'wag naman sana siyang manghinala. I h
[Ivana's]Hapon na ngayon pero inaalala ko pa rin `yung sinabi ni Tyler sa akin noong umaga. He said he wants me to marry Gene because he wants him to be his dad. Totoo namang mag-ama silang dalawa pero hinding-hindi ako magpapakasal sa isang Gene Marcus Carter. Ang galing talaga ng taong `yon na magmanipula, kinuha niya agad `yung loob ni Tyler sa una pa lang nilang pagkikita.“Mommy! Mommy!" rinig kong sigaw ni Tyler habang naglalaro sa dalampasigan. Hinayaan ko muna siyang maglaro roon kaysa naman sa kukulitin na naman niya ako tungkol sa pagpapakasal kay Gene. He thought it's easy to just marry someone but I understand him because he's still innocent. Maiintindihan din niya kapag matanda na siya.”Don't go in the water, okay?!" pasigaw kong sambit. Gumagawa siya ng sand castle doon at ako naman ay tinatamad kaya nakasilong lang ako rito sa tabi. Konti lang ang tao ngayon kaya malaya si Tyler na naglalaro.“Okay,
[Ivana's]"Are we going home tomorrow, mommy? Can we please stay here for another night? I didn't spend much time here because of what happened," pakiusap ni Tyler sa akin habang kumakain ng hapunan.I'm actually thinking about it too since we didn't enjoy this day because of the incident. Iniisip kong mag-stay rito ng isa pang gabi at sa Monday na lang kami uuwi. Gabi na ngayon at hindi na kami lumabas pa after what happened. Inaalagaan ko si Tyler baka kasi magkasakit dahil kanina.“Sure. Let's stay here for another night but we have to go home on Monday morning because I still have to work," I replied. Sumilay ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi at naalala ko na naman ang ngiti ni Gene, parehas sila ng ngiti. ”Yes! I want to play in the sand again!" masayang sambit niya.
[Ivana's]Umagang-umaga pa, it's six in the morning but Tyler is wide awake. Pagkagising na pagkagising niya ay nagpaalam agad siya kung pwede raw ba siyang pumunta sa room ni Gene. Hindi ako pumayag dahil sobrang aga pa tapos hindi pa kami kumain ng agahan.“Please mommy? I won't stay there for too long," pakiusap niya ulit habang hinihila `yung kumot. Nakapikit pa ako dahil sa antok, inumaga ako ng tulog dahil sa kakaisip sa mga sinabi ni Gene. ”No, Tyler. Get back to bed because it's too early," ani ko.Titigil din si Tyler sa kakakulit sa akin kapag hindi ko siya pinansin kaya nagtaklubong ako at humarap sa kabilang side para matulog. Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas pero wala akong narinig na ingay mula kay Tyler kaya hindi na muna ako nagsalita dahil baka abala siya sa paglalaro. Tahimik lang ako habang nakapikit ngunit lumipas ulit ang ilang minuto ay wala talaga akong marinig na ingay kaya nagsimula akong magtaka.Akala ko nagtatampo si Tyler s
[Ivana's]"NO PLEASE! Don't do that! Stop it!" I begged when he tore my nightgown and threw it somewhere. Hindi ako papayag na gawin niya ang bagay na iyon sa akin! Masisira ang pagkatao ko kapag nawala ang iniingatan ko!"You should have listened with what I told you to do," he replied as he started kissing my neck down to the valley of my breast. I felt his hands moving down to my private part so, I crossed my legs but he forced me to open them. He even shamelessly thorn my underwear before rubbing his middle finger on my cunt."STOP IT! Stop it, please!" I screamed while pushing him away from me but my strength isn't enough. He's too strong that I can't even move my hands when he grabbed them. Ang baboy niya! Wala siyang awa! He's a devil!"I'll show you what it's like when you disobey me. This will be painful but I'll make it quick." He pinned both of my hands above my head before he inserted his long and think rod on mine. "Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!" I shoute
PRESENT DAY[Ivana's]I opened my eyes when I felt someone's finger running through my hair. Lumingon ako para tignan kung sino iyon pero agad naman akong nagsisi noong nakita ko kung sino yung nasa tabi ko."Gene," I called his name with all the hatred inside me. I even glared at him but it seems like he doesn't care. "You're awake," he told me with his fingers still running through my hair. I pushed his filthy hands away from my hair because I'm so disgusted with his touch. He raped me so, he doesn't have the right to touch me ever again."That's rude," he commented. "I think raping me is the worst," I disgustingly told him. "You deserve it anyway." Dumilim yung mukha niya noong narinig niya yung sinabi ko. Totoo naman iyon hindi ba? Raping me is worse than being rude tapos sasabihin niya na deserve ko iyon?! Wala siyang puso! Bumangon ako sa higaan tapos matapang ko siyang hinarap. Pinalaki akong may galang sa kapwa pero sa sitwasyong ito ay tuluyan na ako
[Ivana's]Umagang-umaga pa, it's six in the morning but Tyler is wide awake. Pagkagising na pagkagising niya ay nagpaalam agad siya kung pwede raw ba siyang pumunta sa room ni Gene. Hindi ako pumayag dahil sobrang aga pa tapos hindi pa kami kumain ng agahan.“Please mommy? I won't stay there for too long," pakiusap niya ulit habang hinihila `yung kumot. Nakapikit pa ako dahil sa antok, inumaga ako ng tulog dahil sa kakaisip sa mga sinabi ni Gene. ”No, Tyler. Get back to bed because it's too early," ani ko.Titigil din si Tyler sa kakakulit sa akin kapag hindi ko siya pinansin kaya nagtaklubong ako at humarap sa kabilang side para matulog. Ilang minuto na ang nakalipas pero wala akong narinig na ingay mula kay Tyler kaya hindi na muna ako nagsalita dahil baka abala siya sa paglalaro. Tahimik lang ako habang nakapikit ngunit lumipas ulit ang ilang minuto ay wala talaga akong marinig na ingay kaya nagsimula akong magtaka.Akala ko nagtatampo si Tyler s
[Ivana's]"Are we going home tomorrow, mommy? Can we please stay here for another night? I didn't spend much time here because of what happened," pakiusap ni Tyler sa akin habang kumakain ng hapunan.I'm actually thinking about it too since we didn't enjoy this day because of the incident. Iniisip kong mag-stay rito ng isa pang gabi at sa Monday na lang kami uuwi. Gabi na ngayon at hindi na kami lumabas pa after what happened. Inaalagaan ko si Tyler baka kasi magkasakit dahil kanina.“Sure. Let's stay here for another night but we have to go home on Monday morning because I still have to work," I replied. Sumilay ang ngiti sa kaniyang labi at naalala ko na naman ang ngiti ni Gene, parehas sila ng ngiti. ”Yes! I want to play in the sand again!" masayang sambit niya.
[Ivana's]Hapon na ngayon pero inaalala ko pa rin `yung sinabi ni Tyler sa akin noong umaga. He said he wants me to marry Gene because he wants him to be his dad. Totoo namang mag-ama silang dalawa pero hinding-hindi ako magpapakasal sa isang Gene Marcus Carter. Ang galing talaga ng taong `yon na magmanipula, kinuha niya agad `yung loob ni Tyler sa una pa lang nilang pagkikita.“Mommy! Mommy!" rinig kong sigaw ni Tyler habang naglalaro sa dalampasigan. Hinayaan ko muna siyang maglaro roon kaysa naman sa kukulitin na naman niya ako tungkol sa pagpapakasal kay Gene. He thought it's easy to just marry someone but I understand him because he's still innocent. Maiintindihan din niya kapag matanda na siya.”Don't go in the water, okay?!" pasigaw kong sambit. Gumagawa siya ng sand castle doon at ako naman ay tinatamad kaya nakasilong lang ako rito sa tabi. Konti lang ang tao ngayon kaya malaya si Tyler na naglalaro.“Okay,
[Ivana's]“Yes, Mr. Carter. He's my SON," I quickly replied with a flat tone. I didn't hesitate to tell him that Tyler my son or he would start to suspect me. ”And thank you for looking out for him. I thought he was gone," I added.“Your son looks like someone," aniya habang tinititigan ng mabuti si Tyler. My knees went numb and I'm starting to ran out of breath because of panic. Pasimple kong pinaharap sa akin si Tyler upang hindi makita ni Gene ang kaniyang mukha nang matagal. ”Sino nga ba ang kamukha niya? He really looks like someone but I can't tell who," dagdag pa niya.Napalunok na lang ako at tumawa ng peke. “Why do people always think my son looks like someone? Hindi ikaw ang unang nagsabi niyan," kinakabahan sambit ko. Dyusko, h'wag naman sana siyang manghinala. I h
[Ivana's]“Mommy? Who was with you when you went out?" tanong ni Tyler sa akin habang pinapatulog ko siya.”I was with a client," I replied while combing his hair using my hand. Gene is just a client and it should stay that way, ayokong makahalubilo pa siya.“Hmm... Okay," inaantok na giit niya. Hindi ko masabing lumabas ako at kumain ng dinner kasama ang bastardo niyang tatay dahil wala pa siyang kaalam-alam.”Matulog ka na anak at maaga pa tayo bukas. Do you want our trip to be extended next weekend? No, right?" Palagi akong kinukulit ni Tyler na mag-beach dahil summer na pero busy ako sa trabaho. Mabuti na lang at pumayag siya noong sinabi kong tsaka na lang kami mag-bebeach kapag weekend na para wala akong trabaho.“Okay, mommy. Sleep na po ako, goodnight!" bulol na sambit niya. My son isn't used with speaking Filipino dahil sa lumaki siya rito sa Italy. Nakakaintindi siya at nakakapagsalita rin ng Filipino k
[Ivana's]“You look absolutely stunning. Didn't I tell you to wear something that will make you ugly?" he said as he quickly scanned me from head to toe. My brow raised because of his statement.Nandito siya sa labas ng bahay para sunduin ako. I told him not to come but he insisted kaya hinayaan ko na lang, I don't want to argue with him again."I can wear anything and still look gorgeous, Mr. Carter," I boasted. A few seconds later, he burst into laughter making me raise my brow on him. "You good?" I asked, pissed and unhappy."I didn't know you're quiet proud, Van," he uttered while grinning from ear-to-ear. Alright, he's trying to mock me and it's pissing me off."Yeah, whatever. So, are we going or not?" Ayokong mag-aksaya pa ng oras dahil gusto kong umuwi ng maaga. I have to come back home early because we have plans for tomorrow."Sorry about that. Get in," he mutt
[Ivana's]"What took you so long, Van?" bungad sa akin ni Dianne noong pumasok ako sa gallery. She's giving me a grin and I'm not liking it. What's happening here?"Why? Is there something wrong?" tanong ko. Bumuntong-hininga siya at tinuro ang visitors' lounge sa'king likuran."What?! Why is he here this early?!" gulat na tanong ko kay Dianne pero hininaan ko ang boses ko para hindi marinig ni Gene. He's reading a magazine that's why he didn't notice my presence, at least not for now."I don't know. He's already standing in front of the main door when I came to open the gallery," aniya. He did send me a text last night pero hindi ko naman alam na mas maaga pa siya kaysa sa akin. "And he bro
[Ivana's]"Mom, why did you go home early?" tanong ni Tyler sa'kin no'ng umuwi ako. Sinadya kong agahan ang pag-uwi para matawagan si Mr. de Guzman. I need to talk with him regarding what had happened today."It's because I want to see you so bad," I lied. Buong araw kasi akong wala sa sarili at pauli-ulit kong iniisip ang nangyari noong umaga kaya umuwi na lang ako. "Don't you miss me, baby?""I miss you too, mommy. So, where's my magazine?" pag-iiba niya sa usapan."Go and get that paper bag," turo ko sa paper bag na nakalagay sa couch sa harap namin. Tumakbo naman si Tyler at agad kinuha ito."Your magazines are inside. Check them out, baby." Noong pauw
[Ivana's]"Good morning! My assistant told me that you wanted me see me. How can I help you?" I greeted him with a bright smile pestered on my lips. I can't let him see that I'm struggling to deal with his intimidating presence."Kate," pag-uulit niya habang nakatayo malapit sa pinto. I just frowned and pretended that I don't know what he's talking about. "Are you alright? My name is Van Perez and I heard you want to buy some of our paintings?" I asked him.Tulala pa rin siya kaya lumapit na lang ako at mahinang kinalabit ang kaniyang braso. Instead of recovering from his shock, he just hugged me tightly. Mahigpit an kaniyang yakap na para bang sabik sa sabik siya. Dahil sa yakap-yakap niya ako ay rinig na rinig ko ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso niya. What does it mean? Ano ba ang nais niyang ipahiwatig?"Kate. Kate. Kate," paulit-ulit niyang sambit. Nakabaon ang ulo niya sa aking balikat kaya hindi ko