Hindi ko alam kung hanggang kailan ko kayang tagalan ang pag-aaktong mabait sa harap niya. I'm very mad, and I don't think I can last long looking at this shameless criminal.
"I'm here as a client, Miss Da Vinci."
The way he uttered my surename was unfamiliar to my ears. Isang beses akong napalunok bago muling ngumiti.
"Oh, that's good. Having you as our client is such an honor."
"I want you company to supply furnitures on our newly built hotel. So, I guess we need to see each other often."
I almost gritted my teeth on his last words. Hindi ko alam kung anong eksaktong binabalak niya. But I'm sure he just wants me gone. Ano ito? Paglalaruan niya ako uli kagaya noon? Damn him!
If he wants to play fire with me, then yes! I'll give him a good play and gladly burn him with his own fire.
"No problem. You are a big client, so I'll willingly assist you with anything you need. We have good architects as furniture designers, and on our next me
"I'm so sorry, miss. Napahiya ang kompanya natin kay Mr. Mongreco dahil hindi niya nagustuhan ang mga disenyo namin," architect said apologetically.Sumandal ako sa swivel chair at bumuntong-hininga. I shook my head."It's not your fault. There's nothing wrong with the designs. Iyon ang kadalasang ginagamit ng mga high-end subdivisions at hotels rito, pati na rin sa ibang bansa. I just can't understand that Mongreco. Wala ang problema sa atin, nasa kanya."Suminghap siya. Walang balak dugtungan ang sinabi ko, siguro'y nagulat sa aking pagiging personal."I'll just work harder with my team. Baka sa susunod may magustuhan na siya," aniya at nagpaalam na. He's really thinking that's it's their fault. Pero sa tingin ko'y mukhang nananadya lang talaga si Reilan.Dahil doon ay mas lalo lang lumala ang galit ko sa kanya. He's too manipulative. Ni hindi man lang niya inisip na pinaghirapan ang disenyong iyon at pinaglaanan ng oras. If he'll continue
Wala pang mga tao sa loob dahil hindi pa naman ito nag-o-operate. May ilang pader na pinipinturahan pa, may mga maintenance na naglilinis ng paligid. Some of the laborers stopped what they're doing to look at me. Inignora ko lang iyon at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.As what I can see, the interiors have spanish inspired style with a bit of modern american. Kahit hindi pa fully furnished ay masasabi kong magiging maganda ang kalalabasan nito. It's grand just like any high end hotels.Tumigil kami sa second floor ng building. Doon namin nadatnan si Reilan, checking the water connection on some of the rooms with his men."Sir, nandito na si Miss Da Vinci ng Fontana Corp," Julianna said with her feminine voice. Inayos pa nito ang buhok at inilagay lahat ng hibla sa likuran niya. Maybe to emphasize her exposed chest and well-shaped boobs.Muntik na akong mapairap sa inis. How unprofessional. Ganito ba talaga palagi ang tipo niya? Masyadong malandi at agresibo?
"May napili ka na ba, Mr. Mongreco?" tanong ni Architect Ramirez pagbalik nito. Ako'y nanatiling tahimik. Napapansin ang mga sulyap ni Reilan habang pinagmamasdan ang mga designs."Yes," he answered. "This kind will be used in the regular rooms," turo niya sa isang picture. "But I need a variety of colors of that design.""Alright," si architect na sinusundan ang bawat sinasabi ni Reilan."Sa higher paid rooms naman ay itong mga klase ang gusto ko," he pointed three pictures and glanced at me once. Muling bumaba ang tingin niya at ipinagpatuloy ang pagsasalita."But I need more, can you give me new designs next week? Gusto ko na kasing mag-operate ang hotel kaagad, so if you can do it as soon as possible, it would be better."Umirap ako sa inis. He's so demanding as always. Hindi ba niya naiisip na marami rin kaming kliyente bukod sa kanya?Inayos ko ang pagtayo nang bumaling siya sa akin. "Is that okay, Miss Da Vinci?""Archite
Napabuntong-hininga ako nang tuluyang lumubog ang araw. It's still not that dark, though. Makulimlim ang kalangitan ngunit hindi pa naman ganoon ka dilim.Tahimik kong binuksan ang gate. Even though it's already been years, the paint of the iron fences is still in a good shape. Hindi pa ito nawawala at matingkad pa rin ang kulay. Siguro'y magandang kalidad ng pintura ang ginamit kaya nagtagal. I gasped as I surveyed the area inside the barricade.The two-storey house looks modern and good. May malaki itong balcony at maganda ang pagkakadisenyo ng exteriors. I bet this was designed by a famous architect. Hindi naman kasi magpapatayo ng bahay si mommy kung hindi magagaling na arkitekto ang may gawa. She's always a perfectionist, no wonder this property screams in perfection.Simple lang at hindi kalakihan ngunit maganda. And that makes it wonderful for me. It's simplicity makes it perfect.Madilim pagpasok ko sa loob kaya kinailangan ko pang gamitin a
"B-Bitawan mo ako!" Kahit ang boses ay nanghihina na rin. The emotions I'm feeling are making me weak. At hindi dapat ganito. Hindi ako dapat magpadala sa emosyon katulad ng nangyari noon.He fooled me once, imposibleng hindi niya ako niloloko ngayon. He just wants to manipulate me, to attack me at my weakest state and to break me into pieces at the end. He already did that, so why would I believe him?"What did they do to you? Why are you so full of anger?" halos pabulong ang mga tanong na iyon.I stopped myself from crying more. Imbes na sagutin ay tinulak ko siya. I pushed him again and again, creating a small gap between us. Hinayaan niya ako.I looked at his bloodshot eyes. It's dark, soulful... but so weak. Ngayon ko pa lang siya nakitang ganito kahina, na para bang kaunting tulak na lang ay matutumba na siya. His authorative stance is nowhere to be found. It seems like he lose all his energy for the first time.Nag-iwas ako ng tingin. Not wa
Inaayos ko ang tali ng roba habang naglalakad palapit sa couch. May mga paperbags doon, siguro'y laman ang mga isusuot ko. Sinuklay ko ang basang buhok gamit ang mga daliri bago ito tiningnan.I found t-shirts with different colors. May mga shorts rin at lingeries. My forehead creased. T-shirts lang? Umiling-iling ako at sa huli'y walang ibang nagawa kundi suotin kung ano ang meron. I don't have my wardrobe, so I don't have any choice but to compromise.Pagkatapos magbihis ay sumaglit muna ako sa veranda. Naengganyo kasi ako nang marinig ang mga alon sa di kalayuan. I hold the banister as my eyes feasted on the scenery. Right from here, I can see the stunning view of El Fuego coast. Kitang-kita ko ang malawak na dagat at ang mga alon nito. The rays of the rising sun reflects in the water, making it look shining and magical.This resort is damn beautiful. Looking at the crystalline seawater, it's making me want to take a dip and enjoy it's coldness. Gusto k
He looked at me. Iniwas ko ang tingin. He touched my chin with his finger and lifted it up to meet his dark gaze."Tingnan mo ako," he commanded. Lihim akong nagpasalamat na basa ang mukha sa tubig dagat kaya hindi halata ang pag-iyak kanina. He stared at me intently."What are you doing?" paos kong tanong."Staring at my most favorite sight." He remained serious. Natigilan ako at napakurap. Hindi kumibo.Slowly, he moved down his head. My body froze as he kissed me softly. Hindi ako umiwas o umpila. His lips that I missed for years made me melt in awe. Overwhelmed, I closed my eyes and let myself savour the waves of emotions he made me feel again.Mas humigpit ang paghawak niya sa aking beywang, tila ba natatakot na bigla akong mawala. He's holding me like it's his greatest fantasy to touch me, to press his lips against mine... again. Kumirot ang puso ko, nasasaktan sa isang bagay na kahit ako ay hindi sigurado. Alam kong imposible, pe
Nanatili akong nakapikit hanggang sa unti-unting kumalma ang aking paghinga. Nakahiga ako sa kama, walang kahit anong saplot sa ilalim ng kumot. Reilan is lying beside me while planting feathery kisses on my shoulder. Nakatalikod ako sa gawi niya kaya ramdam ko ang mainit niyang katawan na lumalapat sa aking likod. I stayed still, tired of what we just did."What do you want to eat, hmm?" he whispered huskily. Mas humigpit ang pagyakap sa akin. I sighed and opened my eyes."Anything."He hold my hand and lifted it up towards his lips. Pinatakan niya iyon ng mumunting halik. "Huwag ka na lang sumama kay Maddy. I know you're tired. Let's just cuddle here.""Pero naka-oo na ako sa kanya.""I'll just tell her that you're tired." He intertwined our fingers and buried his face on my neck. "She would understand."Gusto ko naman talagang samahan siya. But with my body's state, I'd rather sleep. Kaya sumang-ayon na lang ako sa gusto ni Re
The first time I laid my eyes on her... I got hooked. So bad.She was dancing wildly in the middle of the crowd, not minding the men's stares at her. Nang mga oras na 'yon, hindi ko pa alam kung sino siya o anong ugnayan niya kay Analiese Fontana. I didn't even think about that while watching her.I'm not sure why I got hooked by her at first glance. Maybe because of her drunk, yet mysterious innocent eyes. Maybe because of her sweet smiles while dancing. Maybe because of her fragility. I don't know.I've met different women. But I never do the first move. And dancing wasn't even my forte. Kaya kung anuman ang meron sa kanya ay gusto kong malaman. She was so submissive, but at the end of the night, I felt so frustrated.He mistook me for another man.I got confused and angry because of that. Ni minsan wala pang babaeng tinawag ako sa ibang pangalan. Especially in that kind of heated moment
I can feel someone holding my hand firmly. Iyon ang una kong napansin nang magising ang diwa. Kaya kahit mabigat ang talukap ng mga mata'y sinikap ko itong imulat. I want to confirm that it's him. Gusto kong masiguradong buhay nga ako at hindi lang guni-guni ang lahat.I saw the white ceiling as I opened my eyes. I blinked several times and checked my breathing. True, I'm still alive."Desire..."Napatingin ako sa gilid. There, I saw him. Puno ng pag-aalala ang kanyang mukha. He's still wearing his suit. Ngunit bahagya iyong nadumihan. Siguro'y nang pasukin ang nasusunog na bahay. Totoo nga, he came to save me. To fulfill his promise of protecting me and our child."Are you okay? May masakit ba sa'yo? Wait, I'll call the doctor. You need to be checked again." He stood up, but I hold his hand.Umiling ako."Please... stay."Muli siyang umupo. Hinaplos niya ang mukha ko. His eyes are filled with genuine care and concern. Pinatakan niya
Emosyonal akong niyakap ni Lili at Marie nang pumasok sila sa kuwarto ko. I'm done with my make up. Nakaroba pa lang ako samantalang sila ay nakaayos na. They look so happy for me. Ako rin, sobrang saya. Na sa huli, ito ang naging resulta. Na sa huli, mabubuo ulit ako."Stop crying, girls. Your make ups would be ruined. I don't want to have ugly bridesmaids. Kaya tumigil na kayo dahil baka mapa-iyak rin ako. Arte niyo, ha." I chuckled.Kumalas sila. Pinunasan ang mga luha."Ano ka ba naman, Des! We're just happy! Alam namin kong anong pinagdaanan mo kaya sobrang nakakagaan sa puso na makita kang masaya ngayon," si Lili na bahagyang namula ang ilong."Oo nga. Kaya hayaan mo na kami! Isang beses ka lang ikakasal kaya kami emosyonal. I'm sure mapapaiyak ka rin sa kasal namin," ani Marie.Tumawa ako."Let's see, then.""O, siya magbihis ka na at baka ma-late ka pa sa kasal niyo. Good luck." They both laughed before going out.Naiwa
Kakabangon ko pa lang sa kama ay agad na akong nakaramdam ng pagkaduwal. I quickly run towards the bathroom. Sinikop ko ang buhok at sumuka sa sink.Umagang-umaga ay ganito na ang nangyari. Kaya hindi ko maiwasang magduda na totoo nga talaga ang hinala ni Lili. As what I've heard, pregnant women sometimes have morning sickness.Narinig ko ang pagbukas ng pintuan ng banyo, hindi na ako nag-abalang lumingon dahil abala ako sa pagsusuka. Wala namang pumapasok sa kuwarto ko ng walang paalam maliban kay Reilan."Baby," his voice was soft.Nang matapos sa kalbaryo, inis ko siyang hinarap. I thought he already left last night but here he is, fueling my irritation again."Bakit ka nandito? Lumabas ka! I don't need you here! You should leave me!"Sinunukan kong lumabas ngunit hinarangan lang niya ako. With our body's closeness, I can smell his manly perfume. I inhaled his scent. Mabangong-mabango iyon sa pakiramdam ko na para bang gusto ko iyon
Reilan opened the car's door for me. Our bodyguards remained at our back as we stand in front of my father's home. The house where I stayed for four years in pain.I admit, living here was really hard. Wala ang mga taong nakasanayan ko. Wala si mommy, o kahit ang mga kaibigan. Though dad is there, he's still a complete stranger. Hindi rin kami ganoon kadalas mag-usap dahil abala siya sa kompanya.Kahit inaalalayan ako ni Rios, sa loob ng apat na taon, hindi pa rin ako nasanay. It was like I am trapped in such an unfortunate reality I can't escape. But despite of that feeling, I know this place helped me grow.I didn't despise living here. Because I know, I owe a lot to them, to my father who helped me live again. Maybe it was really destiny who brought me here. And maybe, at the end, I'll heal completely in spite the scars.Marami man ang masamang nangyari, marami pa rin akong natutunan.The pain made me become the person wh
Agad kaming nagsampa ng kaso laban kay Victor. Hindi siya umapila. Instead, he pleaded guilty during the hearing. Naging tahimik ang mga sumunod na linggo. I felt relieved that finally, he's now on jail. That finally, matutuldukan na ang madilim na parte ng buhay ko.I also talked to Rios in person. Pero hindi ako hinayaan ni Reilan na makipagkita sa kanya ng mag-isa. He was with me all the time but he gave us some privacy.Rios, until the end, tried to convince me that the Mongrecos are evil. He said that I will be safer by staying on his side, that I should come back to Scotland with him. Nagalit siya nang hindi ako sumang-ayon sa gusto niyang mangyari.Ngunit sa huli'y wala ring nagawa. My decision was already absolute. Hindi na ito mababago pa ng kanyang paninira kay Reilan at sa pamilya nito.Mr. Lucas contacted me a few days after Victor was captured. Sinabi niyang hindi siya sigurado kung paano nito natunugan ang aming imbestigasyon. I just t
Silence filled the whole place.No one dared to say something after we told them everything that happened including our child's death. Shock was evident on his mother's face. Ni isa mula sa mga kaibigan niya ay hindi nagbalak magsalita, tahimik na nakikiramdam sa paligid. Niyuko ko ang ulo, wala ng masabi. Reilan stayed silent while caressing my waist. Alam kong kahit siya ay gulat pa rin sa nalaman. Sa diin ng kanyang bawat salita habang nakikipag-usap sa mga magulang ay ramdam ko ang poot doon. He is having a hard time controlling his anger. Hindi man niya sabihin, ramdam ko ang galit na nararamdaman niya.I know because I also felt that kind of anger the moment I knew about it.Naputol ang katahimikan nang malakas na tumunog ang cellphone ni Reilan. Nanatili siya sa tabi ko nang sagutin ang tawag."It was Major Bonifacio," he said after the call. Nagtangis ang bagang niya, halos durugin ang teleponong hawak sa pinipigilang galit. I hold his hand
Tahimik akong iginiya ni Reilan papasok sa isang may kalakihang kuwarto. I didn't say anything as he commanded me to sit on a side of the bed. Saglit niya akong iniwan at pumunta sa closet. Pagbalik niya'y may dala na siyang damit. His clothes, probably."Wear these, for now. I don't have your clothes here," aniya sa mababang boses at inabot sa akin ang hawak. It's a mustard t-shirt and shorts.Tumango ako at inalis ang coat. I put it on the bed before looking at him again. Kinuha ko sa kanya ang mga damit saka tumayo.I walked towards the bathroom. Ramdam ko ang pagsunod ng kanyang tingin. When I finally escaped from his sight, I heaved. I looked at my reflection on the mirror. And damn, I look horrible. Ipinatong ko muna ang damit sa sink at naghilamos ng mukha. Ang malamig na tubig ay kahit papaano'y nagpagaan sa aking pakiramdam.When I went out, my eyes automatically darted on the man sitting in the king-sized bed. Madilim siyang nakatingin sa
After dinner, we decided to watch a movie. Sinang-ayunan ko ang suhestiyon ni Louie dahil sa tingin ko hindi ako makakatulog ng maaga sa gabing iyon.I'd just idle and think about the many things I need to fix in my life. Alam kong marami pa akong kailangang ayusin. Pero sa ngayo'y gusto ko munang magpahinga mula sa lahat at sa mga susunod na araw na lang isipin ang dapat gawing aksyon."Anong genre ang gusto mong panoorin ngayon?" he asked. Nakaupo ako sa sofa. Siya nama'y tinitingnan ang mga DVDs."Anything will do. Just make sure it has a good story line. Alam mo namang wala akong specific genre.""Wala ka pa rin talagang pinagbago."Action movie ang pinanood namin. He sit beside me with a bowl of popcorn. Kapag siya ang pumili ay patayan talaga ang gugustuhin niya. I don't have any problem with that, though. Okay naman sa akin kahit ano basta maganda ang takbo ng storya."Ang galing ng stunts!""Yeah. Galing ng bida,"