Chapter 25 - The Feast
"See you soon," I kissed Selena's cheeks as we both stepped out of the mall.Nakahanda na ang sasakyan ko kaya nilabas ko na ang susi ko at sinenyasan muli siya. Isang mahigpit na yakap muli ang binigay niya. Na tila ba may gusto pa siyang sabihin o sadyang namiss lang niya ako.Pero alam ko... mayroon pang ibang dahilan. Ramdam ko rin na malungkot at nangungulila siya. Ilang ulit ko siyang tinanong kanina na tingin ko'y nakulitan na siya sa akin.Sinulyapan kong nag-uusap sila ni Sage — to the point na akala ko nagtatalo sila. I wanted to come to her rescue, but she glanced back at me and nodded — telling me that she got it.I drove all the way back to the penthouse. I was hoping I'd run to Lisa today, and ask her to clean the whole yard. Balak ko sanang mag-invite ng mga kilalang personalidad mula sa book club ni Mommy. It's a great way to maintain my image, and my reputation — as well as showing off how greaChapter 26 - Under Attack"I saw his post ah!" Selena giggled.We are out for a lunch date. Ander dropped me off at Venice then he went to go on his day. I understand the demands of his work, his private life, and La Stessa Cosa. Isa pa, masaya rin naman ako na kahit may asawa na ako, malaya pa rin ang pakiramdam. Kailanman ay hindi ko naramdaman na sinasakal ako ni Ander."It's nothing.""He's sweet. Aminin mo na.""Hindi kaya!""Parte pa rin 'yon ng front niyo? Ng facade niyo as a perfectly happy couple?""Oo.""Parang ang hirap maniwala.""That's because you watch too many drama these days.""Isa na lang!""Business Proposal it is?" I chuckled. Addict siya roon! Naeenganyo rin tuloy akong panoorin."But still," she grunted — refusing my denial. She crossed her arms. Tinitigan niya ako na tila ba gusto niyang basahin ang nilalaman ng isipan ko.Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at iniba ang usapan.
Chapter 27 - RescuedI knew how much Casino Real matters to Ander, the whole La Stessa Cosa, and even the La Russo family. So I understood why he's angry — he almost snapped. He almost turned the whole penthouse as he plans the thing he should do.I heard him cursed a few times. I knew how much this is affecting him. He's too livid — that I didn't bother speaking to him. I wanted to understand him, and the least I can do is to get in his ways.Tinignan ko ang Casino Real bago tuluyang bumaba ng kotse. Sinulyapan pa ako ni Ander para masiguro na naroon ako sa tabi niya. Nang makitang mabagal ako, kinuha niya ang kamay ko at pinagsiklop sa kanya.Gusto ko sanang tanggalin iyon dahil hindi nama kailangan kaya lang, ayaw ko na lang makigulo. The situation is not looking good. From this point, I can see a lot of black private vehicles in front of Casino Real, blocking all of its entrances. Ang mga security guards na naroon ay nakatali sa marmol na pund
Chapter 28 - SlowI don't even know why I felt so odd, so stingy... So off when I heard Ander's voice. Etched with concern. With worries, with uncertainty... Doubt, frustrations...And it echoed to my own voice of reason — telling me to continue doubting him.And to tell myself the inexplicable truth."Serena got shot."It kept on playing in my head. How his voice has that sudden edge, bladed with confusion as if he's doubting his own... That he needed help somehow, because he didn't want to fuck it up. After all, this is Serena's life we're talking about."Corelle, let's just go." Kinuha ni Selena ang kamay ko pero umiling lang ako at binitawan ang radio.Everyone's sense of urgency did not even gave me the adrenaline. I just stood there, a bit frozen and my heart's frantic beats aren't for the commotion. It was for the cold hard truth.Napalunok ako at tinitigan ang Casino Real sa harapan. Naroon na ang ilan p
Chapter 29 - PillsMaaga kaming nagising ni Ander kahit na medyo inumaga rin kami sa ginawa namin bilang mag-asawa sa papel.Maigi na 'yung malinaw.Inayos ko ang roba ko at tuluyang umupo sa upuan sa aming teresa. Si Ander ay medyo namumula-mula dahil sa iniy ng sikat ng araw. Inayos niya ang t-shirt niya at nilapag ang cellphone sa harapan ko. Napatikhim kami parehas."So, how's Serena?"He just got off the phone with Sage, and I am sure that it's not looking good.Nagtataka nga ako. If Serena is such a threat, and an enemy — why would Ander bother to save her?There is an answer at the back of my head. Bitterness crept like poison ivy — causing me to frown. I know this is not the right way to start my day. A bad mood would kill all the thunderstorms my way.I sighed as I look at our breakfast. Hindi ako naghanda niyan. Hindi rin si Ander. It is probably Lisa."She's fine.""Gising na?"
Chapter 30 - The Answer"What? Pakiulit nga."I blink abruptly. I took a step backward, trying to get enough space so I can think clearly. Somehow, when he's near... my mind's always clouded. Ni hindi ako makapag-isip nang maayos. Palagi siyang nariyan at nakakabit na ata sa utak ko.He wants me to get rid of my pills.With that, I am sure.Nagbibiro lang ba siya? Sinusubukan ako? Titignan kung kakagat ako? Is this one of his tactics?"I thought we don't like kids?" dagdag ko nang nanatili siyang tahimik.Parang tila gusto na rin niyang bawiim ang sinabi. Siguro, nalilito at naguguluhan na rin siya sa sarili niya. Ako, naloloka na ako sa kanya. Hindi ko alam kung biro nga lang ba talaga 'to! What if hindi? What if iyon na nga lang ang nakikita niyang tanging paraan?But then again, why would his parents hate me to the bones? Do they really loathe me that much to kill me?"Ander!"
Chapter 31 - Talk"Are you gonna be alright here?"Inaantok kong sinulyapan si Ander. After a tiring session at the gym, and after discerning all our plans in the next few weeks, we went home... Ate dinner... At siyempre, may pa dessert pa kami sa kama.Tumikhim siya dahil natagalan ako sa pagsagot. Lumapat siya sa paanan ko at marahang hinaplos 'yon na tila ba maamong pusa na naghahangad at nanghihingi ng atensyon."Concern ka masyado, hubby..." I chuckled. I know too well that it will surprise him.Ngumuso siya at humalukipkip. Mas lalong nadepina ang muscles ng kanyang dibdib at ang ng nga braso. Topless siya ngayon, rason kung bakit kitang-kita ang ilang geometric at Roman Numeral tattoos niya. Bumagsak ang tingin niya sa katawan kong balot na balot ng kumot."Hubby..." he echoed. "Baduy.""Wow! Kumusta naman sa'yo na gusto love ang tawagan!""For publicity.""Famewhore," pang-aasar ko.
Chapter 32 - The SuspicionI am annoyed with my mother the whole day. Iniisip ko pa lang na magtatagal ako rito at hihintayin lang ang pagbabalik ni Ander, gusto ko na lang tumakbo palabas ng estates at kumawala.When you outgrow certain people in your life, you'll realize how much a part of you — hates them. Nakatitig ako sa mga magulang ko na umiinom ng kape. Parehas na tahimik at tila ba naninimbang sa tensyon na mayroon kami. Kanina ko pa sila pinagmamasdan. Ni isa sa kanila ay hindi man lang nag try na mag-initiate ng usapan. Ni hindi man lang nila ako matignan nang matagal.Have we really been so damaged and scarred?It went like that for days. Bagot na bagot ako. Halos malibot ko na ang buong estates. Madalas, naroon ako sa hardin — sa labas. Nag-aaral din akong magluto. Minsan naman ay bumababa ako sa dagat at naliligo roon. I mostly eat alone. Ayaw kong sabayan ang mga magulang. Ni hindi rin ako makahanap ng tamang tiyempo para
Chapter 33 - ColdThe truth is, I am so scared to open the folder."Tignan mong maigi 'yan." ani Mommy.Paano kung ayaw ko?Gusto kong isatinig 'yon kaya lang tila nawalan na ako ng gana. Lugmok at bagsak ang balikat ko habang naglalakad palayo kay Mommy.Deep down, I know I am scared. I am sad and disappointed. A part of me learned to trust Ander... Kahit kaunti at kahit kakarampot — kahit pa sabihin ko sa sarili na hindi ko siya lubusang mapagkatiwalaan... ngayon, mas lumalaba ang totoo.That a part of me... has learned to trust him."Ma'am? Ipahahanda ko na po ba ang sasakyan?" tanong ng kasambahay nang matagpuan ako sa lanai.I told them that I will visit the ranch. Para na rin sana makapaglibang ako mamaya, at ngayon — tingin ko ay malabo na na makapag-enjoy pa ako dahil sa folder na hawak-hawak ko."Yes, please.""Sige po. May dadalhin po ba kayo gamit?"Umiling ako at