KABANATA 4

I am holding my tears now and holding the cup of hot chocolate, and Chrome is smiling to me, he looked nervous and anxious, dahil nakita ako sa labas na naiyak at naglalakad, but he didn't ask why I was there, maybe he has an idea why I am walking like I am at the middle of nowhere.

This is worst, maybe this is better, umalis ako sa bahay ni Chrome at para na rin matahimik ang buhay ko.

Sabi ko noon, ngayon na wala na sila Mama at Papa, pipiliin ko na matahimik sa iisang lugar at piliin ang sarili ko na kaligtasan.

She didn't know that I can press charges on what she did to me, but I am nice and inaalala ko si Chrome.

That woman is his fiance, and I am a mere client only, at ayoko na magkaroon ng koneksyon pa kay Chrome matapos itong hinihingi ng lalaki na pinagkautangan nila Mama at Papa.

I can survive harsh life, I can manage to live in this kind of life, and I know that no matter what, kakayanin ko lahat ng dagok sa buhay ko.

"I finally decided what I want to do with the assets and money that my parents left, but before that your fiance, binasa n'ya ang papers na tungkol sa pamilya ko at kaso na hawak mo." Napahinga ng malalim si Chrome at mapasampok sa kanyang mukha ngayon.

"I have copies of that papers, but my notes there was important, because I am noting some details that makes sense to me and to the case." Napakamot sa ulo n'ya ito, halatang stress at naiinis sa nangyare.

"Give the amount that they need, or the property that they are want so bad. I heard that they want the hotel so bad, you can give it to them," I explained and he stopped moving.

"Set an meeting with Mr. Chua. I want to settle all of this, ayoko na ng gulo, ayoko na ng ganitong sitwasyon, after all things that I've been through, I deserve peace." I take a sip at my hot chocolate and he sit beside me now.

"Charlotte, you have no idea how much that property worth—"

"I don't care, does the worth of that property is more important than my safety?" Tanong ko rito at napaatras s'ya ngayon at para rin napaisip sa sinabi ko.

"Your fiance, hurt me and force me to made up my mind. Can't you see, Chrome. Pagod na ako, hindi ko na gusto ang ganitong sitwasyon, I want peaceful life, gusto ko na lang maging payapa ang buhay ko." I explained and he is looking straight to my eyes.

"I know, I am sorry if I wasn't there." He hold my hand and mabilis ko binawi ang kamay ko at umiwas ng tingin.

This man is crazy, I know he want to protect me and he is doing his job, but I don't know why I have this feeling, or I am just making up a scenario that is not necessary at all.

"That is why, mas okay na iyon na lang ang maging desisyon ko, I want to live in peace, gusto ko na maging tahimik na ang buhay ko. A normal life that I can call." I said and close my eyes after sipping at the hot chocolate.

"I can't stop you, mukhang desidido ka na ngayon, at papaano pa kita mapipigilan, kung kagaya nga ng sabi mo, you just want a peaceful life, and this situation is no longer serving you." Tumango ako at hindi ko pa rin minumulat ang mga mata ko.

"When I say that, I mean all of it. And I just hope that this ends, lahat ng hirap at kamalasan, matapos na sila." I smile bitterly and took a deep breath.

"You know what is the most expensive in this life?" Napabukas ang mga mata ko, at tumingin kay Chrome.

"What is it?" I asked and he smile bitterly, pero natawa ito ng bahagya, labas ang ngipin.

He is indeed handsome, has a sense of humor and a talented attorney at his generation.

Siguro madaming babae s'ya na pinaiyak bago maging fiance si Tara. 

How lucky of Tara, having a man that she can call hers, and a intelligent man is a top tier.

"Peace of mind, kapayapaan sa buhay, because for me that is wealth." He take a sip at the brandy at tumayo, tumigil sa tapat ng glass wall at pinapanood pano umampiyas ang ulan sa glass wall.

Napakadilim na ng paligid, ang lakas ng ulan at ngayon ay parang may bagyo pa. Mabuti na lang din at nakahanap kami ng matutuluyan ngayon.

"I am amaze, on how you survive all of this, at a very young age, are you sure that you're alright?" He asked at lumapit sa akin, dala ang baso at alak. Nag-salin ito ulit at tumango ako ng marahan.

"I have no choice, I am obligated to live in this kind of life." Nakatingin ko na sagot sa kanya, I don't know kung anong nakikita n'ya sa mga mata ko, but when I shift my gaze at the mirror, my eyes look dead.

Parang wala na buhay ang mga mata ko, lalo na kapag natingin ako sa tao, even I, hindi na ako nagulat na ganito na ang mga mata ko.

Ang aga ko namulat, ang aga ko dinanas ang lahat ng ito, kaya hindi na nakakapag taka.

"I think, I know what course I will take." I said and lean at the sofa, still looking at Chrome, and I notice how many times his adams apple move. What does it means?

"Can you tell me, what course you are interested?" He quickly take a sip on the alcohol when I notice that he look at my lips, like he is watching how my lips move.

"I find that psychology is a interesting course, I want to learn how people behave." I don't know, but I lick my lips and look at the ceiling of the room.

I close my eyes and at the moment that I open it again, a pair of hazel orbs are looking at me, papalapit ito ng papalapit, hanggang sa may labi na dumampi sa aking labi.

Ang lakas ng kabog ng dibdib ko, parang hinihigit ang bawat pag-hinga ko.

And I finally came into my senses.

Chrome is kissing me!