Chapter 5

WHILE PUTTING HER red lipstick, Nina couldn't help but remember what happened in the garden that night. Even a few days later it was still etched in her mind. Ilang gabi na nga rin siyang hindi makatulog dahil don.

Unti-unti, tila nakikita niya sa salamin ang halimaw na iyon. Ang mga mata nitong nakakapanindig balahibo, ang basa nitong balahibo at nakakatakot na pangil kaya ganon na lang ang gulat niya ng may kumatok sa pinto ng kaniyang walk-in closet saka dumungaw don si Soleil.

"Miss Nina—" tumigil ito ng mapansin ata ang reaksyon niya at pamumula. "Ayos ka lang ba? May nararamdaman ka ba?"

Tuluyan na itong pumasok, punong-puno ng pag-aalala ang mukha. She cleared her throat and before she could even touch her, umatras na siya.

"I-I'm fine, Soleil. Bakit naman ako hindi magiging maaayos, hindi ba?"

Bumalik siya sa paglalagay ng lipstick sa kaniyang labi pero ang mga kamay ay nanginginig pa rin. That's not true, of course, it's not true. But why does it feels so real?

When she asked Soleil how she ended up in her room after that night, she said a maid called them and said she was already home. She even said that they even went to her room to check her and saw that she was fine and that she was sleeping well.

But the truth is, she can't remember how she got home. The only thing she remembers is what happened in the hotel garden and that monster. So how in the hell did she get home?

"Miss Nina, your father has a visitor. They're having breakfast together while your mother left early."

Tumango lang siya. She's wearing a soft and light-eyed dress while she let her naturally curly hair loose. Of course, ang lahat ng iyon ay imposibleng mangyari. There are no such things so that's not true. Maybe she's hallucinating or seeing crazy things.

"You told me that my father has a visitor, Soleil?" She asked as they went down the stairs.

"Yes, miss—"

"Nina, come here and I will introduce you to my guest." His father calls her.

It's so weird to see her father smiling so wide at her but she knew she was not the reason why he was happy.

They were in the living room and when the man stood up and faced her, her mind was completely blank. She couldn't believe the man who is the reason for her sleepless nights was here, standing in front of her.

"This is Hayes Xavier, one of the new shareholders of the company. He's here because he also wants to be a benefactor of the foundation."

His eyes are deep like how she describes him that night, it is still the same. His lips were thinner and even redder than hers. His nose is pointed and he's fair too. He was staring at her like he wanted to know what she was thinking. She even thought he was smiling but he was not.

"This is my daughter, Mr. Xavier. Nina Celestine."

Nina's eyes dropped to the paper she was holding and she saw Xavier written there. That's not just a coincidence. Lagi niya iyong dala dahil hindi niya alam ang eksplenasyon sa lahat ng nangyayari sa kanya.

At hindi na rin niya nararamdaman ang paghihirap ng paghinga katulad ng mga panahong nakikita niya ito. Nakapagpa-checkup na rin naman siya at sabi ng kaniyang doctor ay wala namang problema sa kalusugan niya. He even said that she's too healthy.

When she looked up at him, she caught him also staring at the paper and she was so sure that everything that happened that night was real.

"Accompany Mr. Xavier to the company, Nina, and explain everything to him about the foundation."

Nina was riddled with fear.

"B-But, Dad—"

He looked at her with a warning but when he gazed at that guy, he smiled.

"Can my daughter ride to your car, Mr. Xavier? Pwede n'yong pag-usapan ang tungkol sa foundation habang nasa kotse kayo."

Suddenly the expression on the man's face changed. At first, Nina thought it was because of the idea that she would go with him but that doesn't seem to be the reason because his treatment with her father has changed.

THEY WERE BOTH silents the whole ride. He has his own driver Kaya magkatabi sila sa backseat. While Soleil and Argus were behind them and following his car, Nina was already comfortable at that. But even though she knew that what happened that night was true, she was still not afraid of him and that's what she was wondering to herself. But there's a part of her that says everything that happened last night wasn't real.

With his good looks and dignified stance, he can't be a monster. He looks so aristocratic in his suit. But his frightening eyes will never be erased from her memory.

Maybe he was just a dream. Like those restless nights. Those nightmares and troubled sleep.

"Relax, I won't hurt you."

She was playing with her fingers and trying to relax but because of what he said she was even more uncomfortable. She wanted to ask him a lot of questions but what if he denied it and laughed at her?

She gathered herself and put aside all her fear and worries. Not just someone like him would cause her to lose her poise and herself. It's not her, she's not like this but this man brings out her weaknesses and personality that she tries to hide.

As her father had instructed, even though she was not comfortable being around this man and his stares made her weak she ignored that and accompanied him and toured him around their company.

"I will prepare your contract, Mr. Xavier. Do you want anything? Just tell me—"

"Call me Hayes, that's all I want." He said with a growl.

"But Mr. Xavier—"

"Call me that again and I will kiss you."

Tumigil si Nina sa paglalakad dahil sa sinabi nito. Ang mga nakarinig ay napasinghap naman, pati si Soleil. Good thing Argus wasn't there otherwise he might have gotten into trouble.

If Titus is too straightforward then he is bold.

He turned when he noticed that she was no longer following him. His eyes are serious but full of mischief.

"I'll sign the contracts now, Miss Gabriel. I don't want you to get tired anymore." Then he even has the guts to wink at her.

"SIR DIETHER CALLED earlier, miss Nina while we were with the new benefactor of the foundation. I'm sorry that I forgot to tell you about it."

Nina just nodded to Soleil and when she sat comfortably on her swivel chair, she picked up her phone and as she said, Diether did call.

"Just don't answer it, Soleil. One of these days, he will be here too."

She has known Diether since they were a child, he's too stubborn and full of ego and pride. If he thinks that he can control her and manipulate her to follow him without a question like how he treats his women then he still doesn't know her that much.

She began arranging the contracts that Hayes Xavier signed earlier. He stayed there for a few more hours, the whole company was really a mess because of his presence. And she no longer wonders why women in their company are talking about him. Well, he's really worth being the main topic of all women because of his looks and charm.

So she is thankful that he finally left, but the commotion in their company has not been reduced.

"Baka masaktan ka sa mga ginagawa mo, miss Nina."

Nina smiled at Soleil, a smile that she was scared to witness.

"You know why I'm confident to do this, Soleil? Because I have you. You and Argus. You two both gave me strength and I trust you both. You two are the only ones I trust. I can do everything and impossible things as long as you two are by my side. "

Soleil's face softened but the worry is still etched on her face.

"All Argus and I care about is what your parents will do to you once they find out about your plans, miss Nina."

"Don't worry, Soleil. Oras na mangyari iyon ay sinisigurado ko na wala na silang magagawa at hindi na rin nila ako masasaktan."

"But what if that woman doesn't agree with your terms?"

"She will. I will make sure of that." Nina said with so much confidence and trust in herself. "Ang taong naiipit na sa isang sitwasyong hindi niya alam kung paano makakaalis ay siguradong gagawin ang lahat kahit labag man iyon sa kaniyang kalooban."

She knew that it's bad to threaten someone who is suffering already and used them for your own benefits but what can she do? Whether that woman knew about her and Diether or not, she would still use that situation for her own cause.

And she only hopes that in the next life of that woman, she will be lucky.

NAGTATAKA SI NINA ng makita si Hayes Xavier sa labas ng kanilang kompanya. Nakasandal ito sa kotse nito habang nakapamulsa na tila ba may hinihintay. Kalalabas lang nilang dalawa ni Soleil sa gusali, doon sila maghihintay dahil kinuha pa ni Argus sa parking lot ang kanilang sasakyan.

"Gusto mo bang itanong ko kung ano ang ginagawa niya dito, miss Nina?" Soleil asked, she seemed to have noticed her staring at the man.

Umiling siya. "Pakihintay na lang ako dito, Soleil."

As the heiress of the Gabriels, kailangan niyang pakisamahan ang lalaki. Add to that, he gave fifty million to the foundation. She was sure that her father would be very happy about it and she's not be shocked anymore once he threw a party.

Hindi pa nga siya nakakahakbang ay tumingin na ito sa direksyon niya. Dumiretso ito ng tayo, humarap sa kanya na para bang siya talaga ang hinihintay nito.

She shouldn't feel this way, she never felt this even before. Even when men try to court her or flirt with her. Even Diether. Kahit ilang beses siya nitong nilambing noon, sinuyo, binigyan ng kung anu-ano at dinala sa paborito niyang mga lugar. Walang nakapagparamdam sa kanya na ganito. And to think that he's still a stranger for her.

And he's not even doing anything. Nakatitig lang ito sa kanya pero nababalisa na siya. She will remember not to wear such high heels when facing him because she almost lost her balance and tripped a few times.

Habang hindi pa siya sigurado kung sino talaga ito ay hindi niya dapat maramdaman iyon. At dapat din ang itatak niya sa isipan ay ang nakakatakot na kaanyuan nito ng gabing iyon para hindi siya mailang dito.

"Mr—"

Nina stopped immediately when she remembered his warning this morning. Tumaas pa nga ang isang kilay nito na tila ba naghahamon. Lihim siyang napamura. 

"Hayes, what are you doing here? Waiting for someone?" Nina said in her friendliest tone but a fake smile plastered on her face.

"I'm waiting for you." Diretso naman nitong sabi, diretso din ang tingin sa kanya.

Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit parang may ibang kahulagan itong gustong iparating sa kanya ng sabihin iyon.

"Have we met before?" Unable to restrain herself, she asked because she would go crazy if she would keep that to herself.

Tiningnan lang siya nito na para bang sinasabi nitong matagal na niyang alam ang sagot sa kaniyang katanungan.

"Who are you?" She asked like how she asked him that night.

Umigting ang panga nito pero kahit ganon ay nanatili pa ring malamig ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito. His hypnotic eyes were sucking her deeper, melting all of her strength and destroying her walls that she didn't even get the chance to start building.

He's somewhat scary, too grand. He's oozing with power. He was even greater than his father. Actually,he has soft features, but his eyes and gazes make him more ruthless. His thick eyebrows alone can intimidate someone.

"I only came here to ask you for dinner but I guess some other time maybe."

Hindi niya iyon inasahan kaya alam niyang lumarawan ang gulat sa kaniyang mukha. Maraming lalaki ang nag-aayang ilabas siya kaya bakit ba siya magugulat ngayon? Wake up, Nina Celestine Gabriel!

"Nina," tawag sa kanya ni Argus na dahilan ng pagtikhim niya.

She thinks that's her wake-up call. Pero hindi niya pa rin alam ang gagawin.

Hayes cocked his head. "See you again, Miss Gabriel."

Tumango si Nina, umatras pero huminto din agad.

"Hindi mo pa sinasagot ang tanong ko." She said eagerly.

"I am Hayes Xavier."

"'The second one I asked." She murmured impatiently.

"Yes. We already met."

Kung sasabihin nitong sa party, imposibleng makapasok ito doon dahil hindi naman ito kabilang sa guest's list. Maliban na lang kung may nagsama dito sa party.

"Thank you for helping me that night, Hayes."

Bukal sa loob niya ng sabihin iyon.

His face lightened up, giving her a soft genuine smile. "You're welcome, Miss Gabriel."

She almost rolls her eyes. "Kailangan ko rin bang sabihin na hahalikan kita kapag nagpatuloy kang tawagin akong Miss Gabriel?"

"Why don't you try it and let's see what will be the outcome."

Nag-init ang pisngi niya ng bumaba sa kaniyang labi ang mga mata nito. At nandon na naman ang mainit na pakiramdam na umaalipin sa kaniyang sistema.

Dapat katakutan niya ito pero bakit iba ang nararamdaman niya para dito? She feels comfortable around him at kahit wala sa itsura nito, magaan itong kausap.

"Miss Gabriel." He teases, challenging her more. "Miss... Gabriel..."

Kahit anong pigil niya ay tuluyan na siyang napangiti, isang totoong ngiti na hindi inaral. Isang ngiti na hindi pilit. Isang ngiti na ngayon niya lang din ginawa. At ngayon lang siya nakipagbiruan ng ganito sa kahit na sino, at sa lalaki pa.

Bigla itong sumeryoso.

"You're more beautiful when you smile."

Her heart skipped a beat. Tila naduling din siya habang nakatitig dito.

"Thank you, Mr..." She intentionally paused, teasing him too. "Hayes Xavier."

He chuckled softly. "About the dinner, sana pag-isipan mo iyon, Miss Gabriel."

"Miss Nina," tawag na din ni Soleil at narinig niya ang papalapit nitong hakbang.

Tinanguan lang ni Nina si Hayes dahil hindi na niya alam kung ano pa ang sasabihin dito saka mabibigat ang mga hakbang na tinalikuran ito.

AGAD SINAGOT NI Argus ang telepono ng tumunog iyon. Kanina pa siya nakaupo sa sofa sa kaniyang silid habang nakalatag ang mga papel at larawan sa kaniyang harapan habang hinihintay ang importanteng tawag na iyon mula sa malapit na kaibigan.

Ilang taon din siyang nagtrabaho at nakasama sa investigation team noon bago niya iyon tinalikuran kaya alam niya kung gaano kahirap ang tiktikan ang isang tao at alamin ang mga bagay tungkol dito.

"This is Argus speaking." He said seriously with his deep voice.

Nakatitig siya sa printed ng lumang larawan ng isang lalaki sa mesa. Siguro ang orihinal non ay isang painting at talagang lumang-luma na. Mahaba ang buhok nito at nakasuot din ng makalumang damit.

"Iyong pinaulit mo sa akin na imbestigahan, ganon pa rin ang kinalabasan. Kahit anong gawin ko ay paulit-ulit na iyon pa rin ang lumabas, walang nagbago. Talagang matagal ng patay ang pinaiimbestigahan mo, Argus. Ilang libong taon na iyon. Pahirapan pa nga na makahanap ng impormasyon tungkol sa taong iyon."

"How can he be dead when I've seen him a lot of times?"

"Baka naman kamukha lang, Argus. Ang imposible naman kasi ng sinasabi mo. Siguradong buto-buto na lang iyon sa lupa. Sino ba ang kayang mabuhay ng ilang libong taon? Ano ka diyos?"

He tilted his head and messaged his neck, he stood up before he stood up then got out of the veranda. It was adjacent to Nina's room.

"Kung ganon ay may isang tao pa akong ipa-iimbestigahan sa iyo."

Napapalatak ito sa kabilang linya. "Iyong kaya ko namang hanapin, Argus o di kaya gumamit ka na lang ng historical book baka nakasulat pa doon iyang mga hinahanap mo. If only you weren't my friend, our comrades will think that you are crazy."

He frowned at him, gaze at Nina's room again before looking up at the sky.

"Sino ba ang ipapahanap mo? Anong pangalan?" Mayamaya ay tanong ng kaniyang kaibigan.

"Hayes Xavier."