Chapter 3: Brielle’s Home

Going to Brielle’s villa Ivana remains silent. The car entered in an exclusive villa town with different high rise western-inspired villas. She knows that Brielle has been very successful business tycoon at a young age but she wasn’t aware of his kind of lifestyle. Pakiramdam niya matutunaw siya sa sobrang kahihiyan habang nakiramdam sa presensya nito sa tabi niya mismo. 

Pinili na rin ni Brielle na manahimik dahil wala siya sa mood na kausapin si Ivana habang nasa loob sila ng sasakyan at nakikinig ang Assistant niya. She had blackmailed him using a video that she  recorded but she knows he can easily prove himself innocent but he accepted her proposal. Huminto ang sasakyan sa harapan ng isang malaking Villa. Bigla itong bumukas at diretsong pumasok ang kotse ni Brielle. Pagbaba nila ng sasakyan namangha siya sa laki ng bahay nito na puno ng iba’t ibang palamuti. It’s an expensive villa that costs millions of dollars. 

“Come inside!” she heard Brielle’s voice while heading towards the main door.

Pagpasok nila sa sala lalo siyang namangha sa nakitang dekorasyon sa loob, mamahaling muwebles at malalaking abstract paintings na nakasabit sa wall ng hagdan paakyat sa ikalawang palapag.

“Uhm! Brielle, your back!” bati ni Yaya Santina na lumabas mula sa dining room.

“Yaya Santina, please take care of my visitor Ivana Huo! She’s our house guest from now on. Don’t mention to my Mom and Dad about her, okay?” 

“Oh, sige sabi mo eh. Napakagandang dalaga, welcome home, Ivana!” nakangiting bati ni Yaya Santina

“H-Hello Yaya Santina! Thanks a lot. I’m Ivana Huo, Brielle’s---” she began to introduce herself.

Brielle immediately cut her words, “She’s my personal assistant!” sabay titig sa kanya ng masama.

Hilaw na ngiti ang namutawi sa labi ni Ivana bago sumagot, “Yeah, I’m his personal assistant Yaya Santina!”

“Ah, okay! Welcome home, Ivana! Halika may hinanda akong pagkain sumabay kana sa amin. Madalang kasing umuwi si Brielle dito dahil sa mismong condo niya sa City proper siya umuuwi dahil mas malapit iyon sa opisina niya,” sabi nito

“Yaya, you bring Miss Ivana later to the master’s bedroom. I will be heading to the office,” he said and looked at her in a stern manner.

“Ivana, I will be back tonight, I will bring some clothes later on,” he said again then turned to leave.

“Take care, Brielle. See you tonight,” she replied in a sweet tone.

Nakaalis na si Brielle at inaya siya ni Yaya Santina sa dining room. Nakita niya ang masarap na pagkain na nakahain sa dining table. Bigla siyang nakaramdam ng gutom at pagkaupo niya kaagad na pinagsilbihan siya ng Yaya ni Brielle.

“Yaya, I can do it! You sit now and let’s eat!” she said while smiling at her.

“Okay, you dig in!” Yaya Santina smiled back to her and talk again, “You know what, this is the first time Brielle bring woman in his house. Alam kong hindi ka niya personal assistant dahil kailanman di siya kumuha ng babaeng alalay sa mga gawain niya at iuuwi sa bahay. Hay, Brielle is like his Dad, so strict and serious. Maliit pa si Brielle ako na ang nag-alaga sa kanya,” mahabang paliwanag nito habang naglalagay ng pagkain sa plato.

Namula bigla ang pisngi ni Ivana ng marinig ang sinabi ng Yaya ni Brielle. Nag-uumpisa na siyang kumain at hindi niya alam ang tamang salitang sasabihin rito.

“Pasensya na po kayo kung nakaistorbo ako sa buhay ni Brielle. I have known him since childhood, back in Singapore. My mom is a Filipina and I learned to speak her language because of Denise, I've been her best friend since high school in London,” she said.

“I see, Denise is a naughty and carefree young lady. She’s only fifteen this year and still managed to follow her brother sometimes. Umaalis sa poder ng parents niya at pumunta dito sa Beijing dahil laging sinusundan non si Brielle,” 

“Opo, madalas kaming magkasama kapag nandito siya. Ang alam ko nasa Singapore pa rin nakatira sila Sir Brent at Maam Shantal,” 

“Oo kasi laging abala rin ang dalawang iyon sa kani-kanilang negosyo. Mabuti na lamang maagang namulat si Brielle sa mundo ng business na ginagalawan ng parents niya kaya siya ang humahawak sa ibang branches nito. Kahit saan tumira ang batang iyon dinadala ako. Sanay na siya sa akin dahil mula nga noong bata pa siya ako na nag-aalaga,” nakangiting sabi ni Yaya Santina habang patuloy sila sa pagkain.

“Brielle and I will be getting married in three days from now. He had accepted my proposal!” bigla niyang sabi na ikinagulat nito.

“Hahaha, sabi ko na nga ba, hay naku iba talaga ang mga kabataan sa ngayon. Bakit di man lamang sinabi ni Brielle sa parents niya para sana magkaroon kayo ng grand wedding.”

“Hindi na po kailangan Yaya kasi iba po ang arrangement namin bilang mag-asawa. Huwag nyo nalang po banggitin sa parents niya, hintayin nalang natin ang desisyon po ni Brielle. Masaya naman ako na siya makakasama ko po, matino naman siya at maayos ang family background,”

“How about your parents, did you inform them?” biglang tanong nito.

“Ah wala na po akong mga magulang, my mom died a few years ago and my Dad just recently. My relatives don’t have any interest in my life activities either. I live alone!”

Muling nagulat si Yaya Santina ng marinig ang sinabi niya ngunit hindi na ito muling nag-usisa pa hanggang matapos silang kumain. Hinatid siya nito sa master’s bedroom at ibinigay ang isang damit na galing sa kwarto ni Denise. Pagkabihis niya mabilis siyang sumampa sa kama at muling natulog.

Samantala, si Brielle naman ay dumating na sa opisina niya. Hindi pa rin siya mapakali ng umalis siya sa bahay . Iniwan niya kay Yaya Santina si Ivana at alam niyang magtatanong ito. He tried to contact her sister Denise to tell her about Ivana and him, but his younger sister wasn’t available in any of her social media accounts. He called his Assistant to get into his office. A few minutes ago, Harold stood in front of him while waiting for his instruction.

“Harold please prepare all my personal documents, I will get married in three days to Miss Huo, keep it secret to avoid gossip. Investigate Miss Huo's recent activities, asap. I want a report about her family business, Huo Group!” Brielle said while looking towards the window from his office.

“Okay sir Brielle, I will do it immediately. Nagulat ako sa mga pangyayari, kagabi lang nasa party pa tayo kinabukasan nakita ko magkasama na kayong dalawa sa kwarto mo?” nagtatakang sabi nito.

“She sneaks into my room. I don’t know how she got the key to my room. I’m human, and a beautiful woman who willingly offered herself can’t be rejected. That cunning lady is brave enough to blackmail me!” he said in an angry tone.

“Huh! She blackmailed you? Naku hindi ako makapaniwala. Iba talaga ang mga babaeng lumaki sa luho at western-culture, napaka-liberated talaga boss! Hahaha, pero sa totoo lang bagay naman kayong dalawa, tanda ko pa noong mga bata pa tayo at nasa Singapore pa laging sumusunod sayo iyon eh,” nakangiting sabi ni Harold.

“Yeah, I still remember an innocent cute little girl that used to call me big brother. She suddenly vanished without saying goodbye!” he muttered.

“Eh boss, alam ko naman na siya ang dahilan bakit tayo narito sa Beijing. Mas pinili mong mag-settle down dito instead na sa Europe. Nagtagpo naman ang landas ninyo ulit, di ko nga lang alam sa paanong paraan, nagulat talaga ako ng makita ko siyang kasama mo sa kwarto, tapos ngayon sinasabi mo magpapakasal ka na,” 

“Just keep silent and do what I’ve said. She asked me for help but I can’t let her go easily until she could pay back what she owed me,” Brielle said.

“Huwag ka lang mainlove, baka habulin mo balang araw. Kunsabagay, kung mananatili naman sa tabi mo aba  okay na rin kasi magandang lahi naman siya,”

“Enough! You leave now. This afternoon we will buy personal stuff for Miss Huo!” he dismissed him in a cold tone.

Pag-alis ng Assistant niya mabilis siyang nag-check ng business market update. He read some articles related to Simon Yun. He felt furious while reading that old entertainment news about him who was chasing Ivana. He felt relieved that Ivana had chosen him to be her husband, not his rival. 

Past eight in the evening Ivana heard a car sounds. She quickly went down to check if it’s Brielle. Nakita niyang bumaba ito at may bitbit na mga paper bags. Tila batang tumakbo siya palabas ng bahay at sinalubong si Brielle. He saw Ivana running towards him, he felt moved the way she acted. She’s like a young wife who is happily welcoming her husband with her sweet smile and stunning beauty. 

“Brielle, welcome home, hubby!” She smiled sweetly and stood in front of the main door waiting for him.

“Why did you go out? It’s cold outside. Come inside!” Brielle said in a cold tone while passing through her way.

She ignored his cold behavior and walked faster than clinging her arm into his. “Hubby, why you seem to be in a bad mood?”

“I’m tired! Get inside!” he still ignored her even though she clings into his arm.

“Kumain ka na? Ako hindi pa, inantay kita eh!” malambing na sabi niya rito.

Lumingon ito sa kanya at inabot ang bitbit na mga paper bags. “Check all of it! It’s your dresses and shoes, I include your undies too!” He handed all shopping bags and then sit on the sofa.

She blushed suddenly hearing he bought underwear for her“Wow! You are so generous, hubby! Thanks!” bigla siyang yumakap rito at mabilis na kinabig si Brielle at hinalikan sa labi.

“Stop it! Maids looking at us!” he sneered and blushed.

She smiled at him, sitting on his lap. She started to brush his hair while staring at his handsome face, “Hush, I don’t care if they will see us! I am your future wife, isn’t it good to be close to each other!” she whispered in his ears and her warm breath made him feel aroused.

“Your too much flirtation doesn’t need to be displayed in public. I don’t like it! Act like a proper lady of your man, got it? And let me remind you of our deal, we’re not a normal couple in case you forget it!” his cold voice comes out.

Tila natauhan bigla si Ivana sa sinabi ni Brielle. She felt a thousand pins that pierced into her heart after she heard it. 

“I’m sorry! I am just trying to be a good partner. Let’s have dinner!” bigla siyang tumayo at hinila ito papuntang dining room. 

Tahimik na silang kumain at di na rin umiimik si Ivana. Matapos ang hapunan mabilis itong umakyat sa master’s bedroom at binitbit ang binigay niya rito. Makalipas ang isang oras sumunod na si Brielle. Nadatnan niyang nakabihis na ito at nakatingin sa malayo sa labas ng maliit na terrace mula sa master’s bedroom. He quickly take a shower and change his clothes. Pagbalik niya ng kwarto napansin niyang nandoon pa rin ito at tahimik na nakatingin sa malayo. He felt her sudden loneliness.

“Ahem! Why are you still here? It's past ten in the evening!” he asked while standing at the terrace door.

Lumingon si Ivana nang marinig ang boses niya. “I wanted to feel better, I miss my parents!” she said in a sad voice.

“You felt sad, I sense it! Your loneliness is visible in your face,” he walked towards her and stood beside her. 

“I missed them so much! I felt alone and tired!” tears fell from her eyes suddenly.

“Release your burden and cry as much as you can until you feel better!” he said looking at her.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn't cry like this but I can’t control my sadness. When my Mom died it was the first painful moment of my life. I know my father had tried to become strong but daily I felt his hidden pain. I am just a weak human being and couldn’t stand for my family,” 

“Is that the reason why you do all of these? You wanted me to take revenge for you?” he asked.

“No. I only need your support in all of my plans. I will take my revenge alone. Don't worry I will serve you and pay you back. Brielle, you’re my only hope. Just this one, I am willing to follow all your orders and will never turn my back against you,” tears flowing freely in her beautiful face and her shoulders trembled.

“Okay, I will try to help you out but let me remind you, never make any mistakes that will ruin my reputation. I hate your guts and presence because you blackmailed me using your disgusting plans. I can’t imagine how you come up with this kind of solution!”

“Thank you, young master Brielle, I will pay you back once I can stand on my own,” she said seriously.

“A weak woman who planned revenge but used another person to support her, really annoying. Stop crying and never show me again your tears, it won’t help you at all. Come inside let’s sleep because it’s getting late,” he walked back inside their room.

Hindi umimik si Ivana. Ramdam niya ang galit sa bawat salitang binitawan ni Brielle. Wala siyang ibang paraan upang bawiin ang nararapat sa kanya, she gave her body to solve her problem quickly. It sounds unfair to Brielle, but she had no other choice this time. In fact, she liked him since childhood but she never got a chance to tell him because she left suddenly. Sumunod na siya rito at nadatnan niyang nakahiga na ito sa kama at pikit ang mga mata. Lumapit siya at humiga sa tabi nito. Bumaling siya at yumakap kay Brielle.

Bigla itong dumilat at lumingon sa kanya. “You still wanted to seduce me? Won’t you?”

“Of course not, I just want to hug you, I need your warmth to ease my loneliness!” she said.

“Matulog na tayo, huwag kang masungit hindi naman maganda sa mag-asawa ang nag-aaway bago matulog. You want me to do a full body massage to remove your stress?” she asked him again.

“Tsk, I don’t know why you’re doing this?” he said in a cold tone.

Biglang bumangon Si Ivana at inumpisahan ang pagmamasahe sa mga braso niya.

“Does it feel better? If it does, flip back so I could give you a full body massage!” she said to him.

Tahimik na sumunod si Brielle at dumapa. Naramdaman niya ang mahinang galaw ng kamay ni Ivana sa buong katawan. Hinihila na siya ng antok at tuluyan ng nakatulog. Matapos ang isang oras na masahe nakita ni Ivana na mahimbing nang natutulog si Brielle. Inayos niya ang pagkakahiga nito sa kama at tumabi na rin siya rito. She encircle her arm into his slender body. She planted a soft kiss on his lips and whisper her good night words.

“Thank you hubby, I know you’re too angry but I still love you. Goodnight!”