I WOKE UP so early to prepare a soup for Bastian. I know that he's drunk last night. I'm wondering if he always gets drunk? Gusto kong tanungin si Manang pero mas pinili ko na lang na hindi.
Bastian is stubborn with it comes to his father based on what I've saw and witnessed the other day.I was holding the tray where the soup on it. Tahimik ang buong mansion ng Contreras. Minsan nagtataka ako kung bakit ang laki-laki ng bahay ng mga mayayaman kung isa o hanggang tatlo lang naman ang nakatira dito. The place looks so quiet and it feels so sad. I don't know why I suddenly think of this. Or maybe I'm just thinking it that way?I pursed my lips and knocked three times on the door. Idinikit ko ang tainga ko sa pintuan para pakinggan kung may ingay ba sa loob. Ngunit wala akong naririnig. Nahulog ang tingin ko sa door knob. I tried to twist it, and to my shocked. My eyes brightened when it wasn't lock!Pinihit ko ang door knob at nag desisyon na pumasok. My brows furrowed when I didn't saw Bastian on his bed. Nasa'n siya?Inilagay ko ang tray sa ibabaw ng kaniyang study table. Narinig ko ang lagaslas ng tubig sa bathroom dahilan upang kumalma ako. Inilibot ko ang aking paningin sa kabuoan ng kuwarto. Ang wall ay kulay grey kahit ang unan at bedsheets ay kulay grey. I pursed my lips when I saw one poster of a sexy breasts. There's no face of the woman just the breasts. Okay? Is he obsessed with girls with bigger breasts? Cup C huh?I was about to look down at my chest when I heard the door opened making me jolted. Napatingin ako sa direksiyon ng bathroom at agad natagpuan ang malalim na titig ni Bastian.I felt my throat suddenly went dry at the way he stared at me.“I prepared a soup fo you...” I muttered and motioned the tray on the table. I'm mentally thanked myself that I didn't stuttered!Hindi siya tumingin sa lamesa. He just stared at me blankly while leaning on the door. My eyes went to his chiseled chest and saw how water dripped down from his wet hair.“Why did you get in here without my permission?” the coldness of his voice were like an acid rushing in my veins making me speechless“The door is not locked, so —”“Even so? You don't have the right to get inside without my permission. Learn to knock and wait for the permission from the owner of the room.” he cut my words making my lips to partI was about to open my mouth to explain when he didn't let me say anything.“Get out.” he ordered coldly and pointed the door making my throat to run dry.Hindi pa ako nakakabawi sa malamig na pakikitungo niya. Naglakad na siya sa pintuan at siya na mismo ang nagbukas. I was like a statue rooted in my place. I don't have any bad intentions. I just wanted to check on him. Nawalan ako ng mga salita.Nakita ko na lang ang mga sarili ko na dahan-dahang naglakad patungo sa direksiyon ng pintuan. Tumigil ako sa harapan niya. He was so tall for his age that I have to look up at him so that I can see his handsome face. I think he was already 6 flat? He's still nineteen and he's already six footer.I felt so small even though I'm 5'7!His green eyes just stared down at me with no hint of emotions in his eyes.“Sana kainin mo ang soup na ginawa ko.” I said softly while staring at his eyes.I saw an emotion flickered in his eyes but it immediately vanished and just looked at me with pure coldness in his eyes.He tilted his head to the side while licking his lowerlip. I saw his jaw clenched tightly like he's stopping himself.“I said get out. Magbibihis ako.” namamaos na saad niya dahilan upang manlaki ang mga mata ko nang may marealize. He looked at me again that made me cleared my throat.“Okay... I'm sorry. Hindi ko na uulitin ang ginawa ko.”He just nodded his head and brush his hair with his long fingers. Napunta ang tingin ko sa mahahaba niyang daliri. Tumikhim ulit ako at pumikit. Trying to kicked those dirty thoughts.“Eat the soup okay?” I reminded when I'm already out of his roomHe lick his lowerlip lip and nodded his head without saying anything. Isinarado niya ang pintuan. I heard a clicking sound inside making me pursed my lips. Napatampal ako sa noo ko dahil sa eksena kanina.I was about to get hurt when I realized that he's going to get dressed. Damn you Jazzy! Bakit anong inaakala mo? Manonood ka habang nagbibihis siya?!Pinaypayan ko ang nag-iinit na pisngi ko at mabilis na naglakad pababa sa hagdanan.“Blaise, gising na ba ang amo mo?” napatalon at napahawak ako sa dibdib ko nang marinig ang boses ni Manang.Bakit ba siya nanggugulat?!“Opo Manang. Dinalhan ko siya ng soup at gamot para sa hangover niya.”“Mabuti naman at maagang nagising. Halika dito mag-uusap tayo.”Tumango ako at sumunod kay Manang sa kusina.“Ikaw muna ang bahala dito sa mansion. Aalis muna ako para bumili ng mga kailangan dito sa kusina. Maglinis ka. Huwag kang tutunga lang dito. Sayang ang pinapa-sweldo ng mga amo natin.”I pursed my lips and nodded my head like an obedient kid. Manang cling the basket on her left arm. Gusto kong sumama ngunit na realize ko na walang maiiwan dito sa bahay at kailangan ko nga palang maglinis.Oh how I miss buying needs and things for someone...“Sige Manang. Mag-iingat ka.” Manang just smiled at me. Tinawag niya ang isang driver na kaedaran niya rin. Kagaya niya matagal na ring nagsisilbi sa mga Contreras.Busy ako sa paglilinis sa sala nang bumaba si Bastian. Agad akong umayos nang tayo at tinignan ang ayos niya. He's wearing his clean white uniform and his ID. His hair was a bit disheveled. Making my eyes twinkled in admiration. Why is he so handsome? There's so many handsome men in my age but why does he looks so attractive in my eyes? May problema ba sa mata ko?I blinked my eyes when I heard a sound of a tounge, clucking. Muntik na akong mapatili nang makita ang maaliwalas at malinis na mukha ni Bastian na sobrang lapit sa mukha ko!“Tell Manang that I'll be home late.” he rasped while staring at my eyes intently. Why do I felt like he's reading my inner soul when he's staring at me intently?Damn this. I never ever felt my knees weakened by just a stare! But right now I can definitely felt my knees wobble.“Bakit? Busy ka ba sa skwelahan?” tanong ko kahit na sobrang kabog na ng dibdib ko. Sobrang lapit ng mukha niya sa mukha ko. Naamoy ko ang kaniyang mabangong hininga.Umayos siya ng tayo dahilan upang makahinga ako nang maluwag. He straightened his back and put his hand on one of his pocket.“Just tell her. Stop being nosy.” he said with finality and a bit irritated with my question“You'll not going to cut your class right? Iinom ka ba ulit mamaya?” Jazzy! You're so nosy! I can't believe you can be this so nosy in someone's life! But I cared for him! Is it not enough reason to asked?I saw how amusement dance in Bastian eyes. His lips lifted for an amused smirk making my stomach churned.“You sounds like a big sister to me.” he probed and chuckled that made my eyes widened! What the hell did he just said?! Big sister?!“Don't worry. I will not going to cut class.” he playfully saidMy eyes darkened because of the irritation slowly rising in my chest. The. Hell. I don't want to be his big sister! Not in this lifetime!I smiled at him but without humor making his playful smirked to vanished. There's a sofa between us. Lumapit pa ako lalo sa sofa. Nakatayo sa likod ng sofa si Bastian na para bang isang prinsipe na kailangan mong pagsilbihan at ingatan.My hands suddenly flew to his nape and pulled him closer to my face. I saw how his eyes widened in fraction at the move I did.“I'm sorry to tell you that I'm not going to be your big sister.” I smiled sweetly while staring at his green eyes who looks so lost while staring at my faceWhere's your playful personality now?“Understand?” I sensually whispered while grazing my fingers on his lips. I pinched his lips. My nails dug into it enough for it to bleed.Bastian flinched making me smiled even more. Lumayo ako sa kaniya at nginitian siya ng matamis. He irritably looked at me while wiping the blood on his lips using his long fingers. He glared at me that made my inner self chuckled. Such a cutie.Iritado niyang dinilaan ang kaniyang pang-ibabang labi upang mawala ang dugo. He then lick the blood in his fingers making my lips to part. I heard him cursed a little while licking his finger. And damn the fuck it... I find him so hot!He looked at me with blazing anger in his eyes. I didn't flinched though. I smiled sweetly at him making him to scoffed irritably. He was about to open his mouth to fire another words but stopped himself.He rolled his eyes at me and turned his back making me chuckled. I saw him stopped when he heard my chuckles. I tilted my head playfully to watch his side profile. His jaw were clenching tightly.Walang paalam siyang umalis. Nangingiti ko siyang pinanood na umalis.What's his problem? He's like, he's having his period but not daily.Hindi ko alam kung bakit nasisiyahan ako nang makita ko siyang iritado sa 'kin. Sometimes I just don't understand him! Minsan maayos ang pakikitungo niya sa'kin minsan naman irita siya sa presensiya ko. Or he don't like me at all huh?He's only treating me as his slave is that it? A slave that would willingly do all his orders.Papaano ko siya mapapaamo kung gano'n ang ginawa ko sa kaniya? Goodness! I want to pull my hair because of the frustration that I'm feeling. Wrong move Jazziyah... Fucking wrong move.Itinuloy ko ang aking paglilinis dahil baka mapagalitan na naman ako ni Manang. I was busy cleaning the last painting on the wall. It's an art from a famous painter. I'm sure it cost millions. Perks of having many money. You can buy all the expensive things even though it's not necessary in your life.I squinted my eyes and watched closely the painting. There's a big cage with a helpless girl inside. The girl has so many wounds in different parts of her body. Her eyes looks in pain and hurt while she's lying inside the cage. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko dahil parang sumisikip ang dibdib ko. The girl eyes wants to seek for help but she's like she didn't try to do it.I suddenly remembered my young self being abused by my own uncle. I was so fragile but it didn't stop him for hurting me. I want to seek for help but I'm so afraid. Natatakot akong walang tumulong sa'kin. Nakakatakot humingi ng tulong. Ngunit hindi ko inaasahan na may darating pala na tutulong sa'kin na hindi ko inaasahan.Talliah. . . A faint smile pasted on my lips when I suddenly remembered her. I missed her. Did she missed me too? I'm sure she won't miss me. She won't even notice that I'm not living in my apartment anymore. She's happy now... with Rainer.“Who are you?” a deep and dangerous voice of a man echoed inside my ears making my body to froze.Humarap ako kung saan ko narinig ang boses. My eyes widened a bit when I saw who's infront of me! His face looks like Castriel a lot but a matured version. But their eyes are different from each other. Castriel has a deep set of green eyes while the man infront of me has a dangerous set of eyes.Oo nga pala. Hindi niya ako nakita noong isang araw. Kaya hindi niya alam na bago ako dito.“Bagong maid ho ako,” saad ko at ngumiti. Kumunot ang noo niya at tinignan ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Nakaramdam ako ng konting hiya dahil sa suot ko. Masiyadong hapit and uniform na 'to para sa katawan ko. Ngunit wala akong choice kundi ang suotin 'to dahil ito lang daw ang natitirang extrang uniform.“I didn't remember Manang told me that she hired a new maid?” malamig na saad niya habang tinitignan ang mukha ko. I saw how the quick shocked in his eyes when he watched my face clearly. Hindi ko na lang ito pinansin at ngumiti.I'm not used to smiling and I'm sure it looks so fake right now. Hindi talaga ako sanay ngumiti.“Ah, ‘yung anak niyo po ang nag hired sa'kin, Mayor.”The mighty Mayor brows furrowed even more. Everyone in this town is afraid of him. They said he's so cold and dangerous Mayor but he's good to his people. But I didn't know why I didn't even flinched with his presence. Mas manginginig pa siguro ako kung si Talliah ang kaharap ko at mas lalo kung si Bastian ang kaharap ko ngayon.“Ryker? He hired you?” he asked like he's not convinced. Like it's so impossible to happen.Magalang akong tumango “Oho Sir, siya ho ang nag hired sa'kin. Naawa ho kasi siya sa'kin dahil nakwento ko sa kaniya na galing pa akong probinsiya at naghahanap ng trabaho dahil ako na lang ang inaasahan ng pamilya ko. Ngunit wala namang tumatanggap sa'kin dahil hindi ako nakapagtapos ng pag-aaral. Mabuti na lang ho at may puso ang anak niyo at inalok ako bilang isang katulong dito sa mansion. Napag-alaman ko rin na anak pala siya ng isang mabuting Mayor.”Mayor Contreras watched me closely and listened to my lies. For the past years of having a cold heart. I mastered being a liar. And it's not hard for me to spit lies.“When did you start?” a part of me got irritated. Is this a job interview or what? Why I am complaining when this Mayor infront of me has the right to question me because it's his mansion that I'm working. And he's the father of Bastian.“Noong lunes lang ho,” I smiled politely that made him nodded his head. He fixed his white suit and roamed his eyes around.“I didn't know that he's having his own decisions without planning of telling it to me. By the way, is my son treating you nicely?”“Oho Sir, mabait po ang anak niyo. Kagaya niyo ho.” Lie again. I didn't even know if the man infront of me is really nice. Bastian maybe moody to me but I know he's nice.Mayor Contreras nodded his head and watched his watch.“Where is he?” he asked and looked at me again. Hindi ko alam kung bakit may iba talaga sa titig niya sa mukha ko. I don't know if I'm just overreacting or what.“Pumasok ho siya sa paaralan Mayor.”I want to snort when I realized that I'm really acting like a very good and so innocent woman right now.Mayor again nod his head and turned his back on me. Making my smile to vanished. Damn. My jaw hurts. Nakita ko ang dalawang tauhan niya sa ibaba ng hagdan at agad na silang umalis.Ang laki ng mansion ngunit minsan ko lang nakikita si Mayor dito. Pabigla-bigla siyang lilitaw na parang isang kabute. I wonder if where is he sleeping at night or is he sleeping at all. I just know that Bastian mother died after giving birth to him. That's all.I can see that Mayor Contreras is a good father. Because he's always checking Bastian everytime. But why does Bastian is so distant to him? And he's like he's angry with his father.“Blaise! Blaise!” nagising ako dahil sa mahinang tapik ni Manang sa pisngi ko. My eyes widened when I realized something! Wait! Nandito na ba si Bastian? Why is Manang panicking!? “Dumating na ho ba si Bastian, Manang?” my voice laced with panicky Huminga nang malalim si Manang na para bang ang laki ng kaniyang problema “Ayon nga ang inaalala ko Blaise. Malapit na mag alas dose ngunit hindi parin nakauwi ang alaga ko. Lumamig na ang mga inihanda natin hindi parin siya umuuwi.” My lips parted. Today is Bastian's day. Kanina ko pa lang din nalaman na ngayon ang birthday niya. Manang prepared for his birthday. I helped her. Rason kung bakit ako nakatulog dahil sa pagod. I looked at the wall clock above the door. Manang's right! It's nearly twelve but Bastian is still not here! Matatapos na ang birthday niya! “Si Mayor po ba umuwi?” tanong ko habang bumabangon para magbihis Sadness crossed in Manang eyes. She shook her head making my heart fell. Does Mayor forget his son's birthday?
After we came home last night. Hindi na muli kami nagka-usap ni Bastian. He said his gratitude to Manang for all her efforts for his birthday then he immediately went to his room to sleep. I answered Manang questions afterwards. Napansin ko lang na paiba-iba talaga ang mood ni Bastian. Maybe because he's angry at me last night?I can't help but to smile when I watch Bastian sleeping face. He looks so peaceful and calm. Like he's in a quiet paradise. I pouted when he snored a bit making me giggle. Damn. He's cute! I caressed his thick brows down to his pointed nose. Then my eyes went to his stomach. His body is not that massive. His stomach is flat with no hints of muscles but his biceps is to die for! Bastian is lean and tall with fair skin. I don't have a specific type when it comes to men. But, I guess I have a type now. My eyes slowly widened in fraction when I saw two pair of eyes staring at me with softness and gentleness. “Sorry, kinuha ko lang ‘yong mga damit mo. Utos ni Man
PROLOGUE How can you forget the pain from your past when there is so much evidence to not forget it? It's like the pain from your past already embedded in your whole body and soul. Na kahit anong pilit mong kalimutan ang nakaraan parati paring bumabalik ang mga alaalang pilit mo nang ibinabaon sa hukay. A sad smile crept on my lips when I saw my whole body and my face in the mirror. Should I be grateful that I have this kind of body and face? Dapat ko bang ikatuwa na ipinanganak akong ganito ang mukha? O dapat ko ba itong ikalungkot. Because of my face, I've been through so much pain. Because of my face, I suffered too much. They said I should be grateful because God gave me beauty. God gave me a unique and pretty face. They appreciated how beautiful and pretty my face was. But why am I not happy with the idea? Bakit mas hinihiling ko parati na sana hindi na lang ganito ang mukha ko. Para hindi ko naranasan ang muntik nang pangbaboy ng sarili kong tiyuhin sa'kin. It's so funny b
Makulimlim ang kalangitan kaya walang araw na lumalabas kahit tanghaling tapat. I slowly tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as I was looking outside. Sinusundan ng dalawang mata ko ang mga estudyante na papasok sa paaralan. Nakita ko kung paano magtawanan ang grupo ng mga babae at lalaking nag kwe-kwentuhan habang naglalakad. The smile on their faces tells me that they're enjoying their conversation. I saw how the boy gently held the waist of the girl who has a short hair when there's someone trying to bump her. Mabilis ang kilos ng lalaki kaya hindi nabunggo ang babae sa lalaking gusto siyang banggain. Why is there so many assholes in this world?Kitang-kita kung gaano kalawak ang daanan pero mas pinili paring gumawa ng isang kilos na maaring makasakit ng ibang tao. Would they be happy if they can hurt someone? Will they felt so statisfied after hurting others? I guess so. Some people loves to hurt others 'cause it's their happiness. They wouldn't consider others feelings, the
“Blaise ihatid mo na ang pagkain ni Sir Bastian baka sumupingin na naman kay aga-aga,” utos ni Manang Jenna na nag-pangiti sa 'kin.Kahapon lang ako dumating sa bahay na 'to dahil dinala ako ni Bastian dito. He said my punishment is to serve him. So here I am at his house being his maid and so ready to serve him. Akala niya siguro magagalit ako o hindi ko magugustuhan ang ideya na maging tagasilbi niya, dahil ang totoo nagbunyi ang kaloob-looban ko dahil araw-araw ko na siyang makikita. I smiled at that thoughts. Inayos ko ang pagkain ni Bastian na nasa plato. Namamawis ang mga kamay ko habang inaayos ang mga pagkain. Humingi ako ng pahintulot kay Manang kanina kung pwede bang ako ang magluto ng French Omelette. I asked her earlier what are the foods that Ryker loves to eat every morning before going to school. She said Ryker loves French Omelette since he was a kid. It's just an egg but he loves it so much. Inayos ko rin ang bread at coffee niya sa tray. Huminga ako ng malalim bago
I can feel my hands sweating and it's shaking a bit. Pinilit kong pinakalma ang sarili ko pero hindi parin maalis-alis ang pagkabalisa, pangamba at takot na nasa puso ko.Where is he? Hindi ba dapat kanina pa siya nakauwi? For fuck sake it's already twelve in the midnight but he's still not home! Gustong-gusto kong umalis at hanapin siya kung nasa'n man siya ngayon pero pinigilan ako ni Manang Jenna. I bit my lowerlip because of the heavy feelings I felt. Paano kung may nangyaring masama sa kaniya? Paano kung sobrang kailangan niya ng tulong ngayon? Mababaliw na ata ako kahihintay kay Bastian. Is my decision right to be his maid? Hindi ko na nababantayan ang galaw niya dahil nandito lang ako sa loob ng bahay! “Manang may alam ba kayong lugar na pwedeng puntahan ni Sir Bastian?” I don't know if how many times I asked this question to her! But she just keep her mouth shut! “Hindi ko alam, baka nagsasaya lang 'yon.” si Manang na parang normal lang na palaging late umuwi si Bastian. I