CHAPTER 3

“WHAT are we doing here?” Mikhail asked when they entered the Velasquez’ Compound. Sa pagkakaalam niya wala naman silang meeting na magkakaibigan.

The Underground work was a secret work and they aren’t wearing their mask so they were not on Cassiuz’ mansion because of the Underground work.

Honestly, Cassiuz was one of the dangerous men he ever met. Hindi lang sa mundo ng pagnenegosyo kundi pati na rin sa Underground. Pero totoo si Maverick, Cassiuz was cold and distant but once you get to know he’s genuine and a true friend.

“We’re here to make fun of him.” Maverick answered. “That idiot was getting married. It’s time for us to make fun of him.”

Natawa si William. “Are you sure you can make fun of him? I heard that everyone was afraid of Cassiuz.”

Nasa iisang kotse sila habang ang mga bodyguard nila ay nasa tatlong kotse na sumusunod sa kanila. Ang dalawang kumag, siya ang inutusan na magmaneho. Kung hindi niya lang iisip na kaibigan na niya ang dalawa, baka hindi siya papayag na utus-utusan ng mga ito.

“He’s getting married? Really?” Mikhail asked, raising a brow. “I never hear him dating. Some rumors but it’s only rumors. He never confirmed any of them.”

“That’s why he’s getting married.” Maverick said once again.

“What?” William asked.

“His bride was worth to know.” Maverick said. “Cassiuz was boasting about her and I’ve been wanting to know his bride.”

“Sounding like you ‘like’ Cassiuz’ bride.” William said quoting in the air.

“Shut up! It’s not what I mean.” Maverick sighed in frustration. “I just want to meet her, okay. Nothing else.”

“Okay.” Mikhail and William said at the same time.

“Wait, you don’t believe me?”

Nagkibit ng balikat si Mikhail saka itinigil ang sasakyan. Agad siyang bumaba, ganun din si Maverick at William.

Mikhail immediately noticed Cassiuz standing at the balcony.

Sa totoo lang hindi niya talaga alam kung bakit sila pumunta rito. He knew that Maverick has other motive coming here. Idinamay pa silang dalawa ni William.

“Hey, man.” Maverick waved at Cassiuz.

Cassiuz sighed seeing his friends. “Anong ginagawa niyo rito?”

Itinuro ni Mikhail si Maverick. “He said he wanted to meet your future wife.”

“Of course, I wanted to know who make my best friend fall on his knees. Masyado ka ng inlababo sa kaniya.”

Cassiuz rolled his eyes. “Come on in. Don’t leave so early. Let’s have lunch.” Aniya.

“Yeah, sure.” William said.

Tumango naman si Mikhail.

“That’s great!” Maverick exclaimed.

Napansin lang ni Mikhail na sa kanilang apat, si Maverick ang pinakamaingay. But a smart ass.

Pumasok sila sa loob ng mansyon, the four of them were all businessmen and their business was well-known through Asia and other continent, so, it wasn’t shocking to see the interior of Cassiuz’ mansion. It was screaming of wealth.

“Have a seat. I’ll call Wynter.” Paalam ni Cassiuz at umalis ito.

Nang bumalik ito, may kasama itong dalawang babae.

“And here’s come the bride.” Maverick said with a smile. “Hi, Miss Bride. I’m Maverick Coleman.”

Mikhail wasn’t sure who was the bride between the two beautiful women but he knew the woman beside Cassiuz was his bride and the other woman. His sister? He doesn’t know so, he introduces himself. “Mikhail Romanov.” Napunta ang atensiyon niya sa isang babae. The woman was the most beautiful woman he ever saw in his thirty-one years of existence in the world.

The raw beauty she exuded felt like a raging tornado as his eyes slowly moved up her body, appreciatively taking in. She was wearing floral dress and flat sandals. Her entire being captivated him, she was glowing, literally glowing.

Nawala ang atensiyon niya sa kanilang mga kasama at napatitig na lang sa babaeng katabi ng bride ni Cassiuz.

“Don’t mind him. Anyway, my love, wala ring kwenta ang mga sasabihin nila. Can we just ditch them?”

“So rude.” William commented.

“Yeah.” Segunda ni Mikhail. He looked at the woman beside Cassiuz’s future wife. “But who’s this beautiful lady? Your sister?” He asked as he looked at Cassiuz.

Nagkibit lang naman ng balikat si Cassiuz. So, there were no clear answer from him.

“She’s my best friend.” Wynter said. “Valerie.”

“Hi.” Mikhail greeted.

Tumango lang ang babae.

But there was a part of Mikhail that as if he already knew Valerie for long time and shamelessly asked, “married?”

Umiling si Valerie. “Don’t want to get married.” Then her attention shifted to Wynter. “Can I use the bathroom?”

Mikhail watched Valerie as she made her way to the bathroom.

“What happened to her?” Cassiuz asked, confused, to Wynter.

“Pregnancy symptoms.”

Mikhail was disappointed after hearing Wynter’s answer.

“She’s pregnant?” Gulat na tanong ni Cassiuz kay Wynter.

“So, she’s married?” Mikhail asked. Disappointment can be notice on his voice.

Tumango si Wynter. “She’s pregnant. And no, she’s not married. She doesn’t want to get married.” Pagsagot niya sa tanong ni Mikhail.

Ngumiti si Mikhail. “Oh.” He reacted. I will have a chance then.

“Iyang ngiti mo.” Sabi ni William saka siniko si Mikhail. “Huwag mo namang ipahalata.”

Siniko naman ni Mikhail si William pabalik pero nasalag ni William ang siko niya.

While they’re eating lunch, Mikhail couldn’t help himself but to stare at Valerie. For him, she doesn’t look like pregnant at all.

Valerie noticed Mikhail’s stares to her but she ignored it and pretending not notice it. Men are all the same after all. They will be fascinated at you first. At kapag nagsawa na sila, iiwan ka na sa ere. Ganun ang mga lalaking iba.

“Not everyone.” Wynter whispered to her ear. Wynter probably knew what was she thinking right at the moment.

Nagkibit lang naman ng balikat si Valerie saka nagpatuloy sa pagkain.

When they finished eating, Mikhail’s eyes were looking for Valerie but he couldn’t see her. “Where is she?”

“Valerie? Umuwi na siya.” Sabi ni Wynter na nakasalubong niya.

“I am not looking for her.” Mikhail denied but he couldn’t meet Wynter’s eyes.

Tipid na ngumiti si Wynter. “I heard you.”

Napahiya si Mikhail saka alanganing ngumiti.

Napailing si Wynter. “Just don’t do anything bad to her. I won’t spare you if you hurt her.” Seryoso niyang saad.

Looking at Cassiuz’ fiancée, Mikhail noticed the glint in Wynter’s eyes. A dangerous glint that could make someone freeze to the bone. Tumango siya. “I wouldn’t do anything. I promise.”

Ngumiti si Wynter saka siya nilagpasan.

Humugot ng malalim na hininga si Mikhail. “Scary woman.”

***   

IT WAS Wynter and Cassiuz’ wedding. Valerie is the maid of honor. At kahit pa tinatamad siyang gumising ng maaga, she pushes herself to get off from her bed and headed to the bathroom to take a bath.

Pagkatapos niyang naligo, nakasuot lang siya ng roba na pumunta sa kusina. She made sandwich for breakfast and a milk prescribe by her OB doctor. She needed to eat healthy for her baby. Finishing her simple breakfast, Valerie headed back to her room.

Simpleng damit lang ang isinuot niya dahil magpapalit rin lang siya mamaya ng damit.

She wore a simple light-brown dress below the knee and flat sandals since bawal sa kaniya ang may heels. She put a light make up and let her hair loose. She picked up her bag where she put her phone and wallet, and then took her car keys, left her house and went to her destination.

Valerie was happy for her best friend. Sa wakas ikakasal na ito sa lalaking mahal nito. Alam niyang aalagan ni Cassiuz ang kaibigan niya. She saw how Cassiuz looked at Wynter and there’s was an undeniable love in his eyes as he looked at Wynter and that was enough for her to be happy for her best friend.

Her heart melted hearing the newlyweds couple vows.

Napapangiti na lang siya habang isinasagawa ang seremonya ng kasal kanina but the same time, she was emotional. Hindi rin niya alam kung bakit. Maybe because she’s pregnant and a pregnant woman tends to be emotional.

“Valerie.”

Mabilis na napatingin si Valerie sa taong tumawag sa pangalan niya. Her heart suddenly became uneasy when she saw Mikhail. He was handsome with his suit and bow tie. Those gray eyes and brown hair were astonishingly handsome. Is that even a word?

“Do you need something?” Valerie asked with monotone voice. Well, she’s not in the mood to talk.

“Can I sit here?” Mikhail pointed the empty chair beside Valerie.

Tumango lang si Valerie.

They were now on the reception at kasalukuyang sumasayaw ang bagong kasal.

Valerie sighed. Inaantok siya at gusto na niyang matulog pero hindi naman pwedeng basta na lang siyang umalis rito.

“Let’s dance.” Aya ni Mikhail kay Valerie nang matapos na sumayaw ang bagong kasal.

“I…”

“Let’s go.” Hindi na hinintay ni Mikhail ang tugon ni Valerie. He stood up, held her arm and guided her to the dance floor.

Wala ng nagawa si Valerie kung hindi ang makipagsayaw kay Mikhail. Hindi na bale kapag natapos ito, hindi na sila magkikita. Might as well, she will enjoy herself dahil pagkatapos nito ay hindi na ulit ito mangyayari.

While dancing with Mikhail, his arms were on his waist and her arms were placed on his shoulders. Magkalapit ang katawan nilang dalawa. Valerie could really feel the uneasiness feeling while she’s too close with Mikhail. She felt this before, her past relationship. The feeling of uneasiness…and it’s a danger for her.

Sighing, Valerie looked down.

Gustong kausapin ni Mikhail si Valerie pero wala naman siyang maisip na sasabihin. Until the song has ended and he guided Valerie back to her chair, there were no words uttered between them.

William suddenly called Mikhail. Mikhail was reluctant to leave but he has no other choice.

“What is it?” He asked William.

“One of the Mafia Bosses was trying to sabotage the shipment that will arrive tomorrow night. Cassiuz cannot be disturbed since it was his honeymoon.” William said. “If those illegal drugs will reach the market, thousands of lives will be destroyed.”

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Mikhail. Those bastards! “Where’s Maverick?”

“He’s making sure the place was secure.”

Napatango si Mikhail. “Leave it to me. Ako na ang bahala.”

“Are you…”

Tumango si Mikhail upang kumpirmahin ang nasa isipan ni William. “We don’t have choice. Isa pa hindi natin kailangang mag-alala kay Cassiuz at Maverick. Wala silang pakialam sa mga narcotics. But we have to inform them.”

“Okay. I’ll do it.”

Mikhail and William parted ways.

But when Mikhail came back to where he left Valerie, she was gone.

Not again.