I stopped, making me open my heavy-lidded eyes.

The stormin his eyes are

unfathomable. Ang tubig galing
sa shower ay bumabasa sa likod niya pababa. Hindi ko siya matingnan ng maayos. I
feel dizzy and it's not
because of the chemicals I inhaled when I was being abducted. It's fromsomething
else!
In a swift move, hinawakan niya ang magkabilang hita ko, making my feet leave the
cold tiled floor. He
pushed me back against the wall as his lips crashed into mine.
Pressed against him, I'mall wet and flushed. At ang bawat atake ng halik niya ay
kakaiba. His kisses were
burning and hungry.
Isang braso lang ang pinanghawak niya sa aking pang-upo at ipinako niya akong
mabuti sa dingding gamit ang
kanyang katawan. His iron-clad abdomen parted my legs wide to fit him. His other
hand is on my jaw, trying
to make my head steady for his kisses.
My mouth parted like a slave for his kisses. Delirious, I snaked my arms around his
neck. Ang isang kamay
ko'y halos sabunutan na siya dahil sa kanyang nagbabagang halik sa akin.
His tongue flicked inside me making me moan. Its movements reflected something
primitive. Something I was
sure I know of. At kung kanina'y nagbabaga ako, ngayon ay tila sinisilaban na ako
sa kanyang ginagawa.
His hand frommy jaw went to caress my chest. Lumiyad ako lalo na nang naramdaman ko
ito sa gilid ng
aking dibdib.
"Oh!" I moaned when I realized what I want.
He caressed the sides of my breasts making me anticipate his touch.
At kahit nasa ganitong ayos na kami, hindi ko parin maiwasang mag-isip sa sarili
kong maipagmamalaki.
How I suddenly realized that I want to pleasure himso much even though I'msure, he
won't be satisfied... at
all.
P 23-9
Damn it!
Mas lalo akong lumiyad. He groaned when he realized what I want. And then he
withdrew fromhis hot
kisses.
Dumilat ako at una kong nakita ang pagdila niya sa kanyang pang-ibabang labi.
His eyes looked foreign. Something is clouding it and like always, I couldn't
fathomit.
"Do you remember my rules..." he whispered.
Mabilis akong tumango. Half of me is attentive. Half of me is heartbroken.
The phone rang. Dalawa iyon. Iyong nasa gilid ng kama at itong nasa bathroom. It
filled my ears like thunder.
I licked my lower lip when I realized that I'mjust being naive. Of course, he
wouldn't kiss me more than that.
Yumuko ako. He slowly put me down.
Parang naging jelly ang aking mga tuhod. Gusto kong ipaglapit ito at tuluyan na
lang na maupo sa malamig na
sahig ng banyo. He's made me feel so much. He's made me feel so foreign with my own
body. He's lit a
switch I didn't know was there. And now, he'll never finish it.
Hindi ko alamkung bakit masakit. Hindi ko maintindihan.
"Shower. I need to get this call..." aniya habang hinahawakan ang aking pisngi,
hinahagilap ang aking mga
mata.
Tumango ako. Inangat niya ang aking mukha para magtama ang tingin namin.
Pulang pula ang kanyang labi. Cherry red, it looked so soft. I want to taste it
more but...
Marahan siyang pumikit ng saglit bago dinilaan muli ang labi. Nilagay niya ang
takas na buhok sa likod ng
aking tainga. Bumaba muli ang tingin ko sa kanyang dibdib.
Patuloy ang pagtunog ng telepono. Patuloy din ang bawat malakas na pintig ng aking
bigong puso. I can't look
at himstraight. I'mtoo afraid to see the coldness in his eyes... Alamkong
masasaktan lang ako.
He planted one tender kiss before he went outside the shower to answer the call.
Ang pinaka hihintay ng karamahin sareaders???? Bwisit nato
P 23-10
Kabanata 22
533K 18.9K 12.9K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 22
Realize
Sinunod ko ang utos ni Radleigh na maligo. Before he left the bathroom, I heard
himanswer the phone.
"Yes. I'll be out in a minute," aniya at nilagay ang tuwalya sa kanyang balikat.
He went out of the bathroom, leaving me.
I understand that this is about what's going on. Inalu ko ang sarili ko sa
kaalamang iyon. I shouldn't be selfish
now. Now that everything's a mess. Lalo na't dahil iyon sa akin.
How could Caleb do that to me? Or did he? My account's hacked. At maaaring hindi si
Caleb ang may gawa!
Hindi magagawa ni Caleb iyon sa akin.
We've been friends for years. I've known their family and they're decent and good
to me. Kung may
kinalaman sila, dapat ay noon pang pagdating ko rito galing Spain, nadukot na nila
ako. And also, I don't think
they have any relation to a syndicate. Sa tagal naming magkaibigan, dapat noon pa
ay nalaman ko na. O kahit
may hint na lang ako. Even Calla's husband couldn't be involved in a syndicate.
I sighed and stopped overthinking. Sa huli, ako ang dapat sisihin. If only I
listened to Rad's rules and less of
my vanity, hindi sana ito nangyari.
I wore a short silky maroon dress and its maroon shorts terno. Sinuklay ko ang
buhok ko habang tinitingnan
ang repleksyon sa salamin.
Alamkong nasa labas si Radleigh ngunit hindi ako mapakali. I can't stay here
combing my hair and wait for
him. Iyan ang laman ng isip ko ngunit alamkong naging masyado akong suwail ngayon.
Leaving this roomand
joining themoutside would piss himmore.
Lumapit ako sa pintuan at tiningnan ang peephole. Nakita ko si Radleigh doon,
seryosong kausap ang isang
lalaking de uniporme. Nakapalibot sa kanila ang iilan pang sundalo at ang mga
tauhan namin.
I sighed and went back to the cold bed.
I don't think they'll stop talking soon. Rad's bleeding when we were in the shower.
Gusto kong gamutin. He
didn't seemto worry about his wound. Kahit na daplis lang iyon, kailangan parin
pagtuonan ng pansin.
Humiga ako sa kama at nakatulugan na lamang ang pag-iisip. And even in my dreams,
the nightmare of that
night visited me.
P 24-1
Biglaan ang pag gising ko. The sudden opening of my eyes made it hurt fromthe
light. Kinusot ko ang mga
mata ko. Tumihaya ako galing sa pagkakayakap sa isa pang unan.
I'malone in my bed. I scanned the sheets before I slowly rose. Bumagsak ang
hanggang balikat na kumot sa
aking katawan.
Agaran kong narinig ang marahas na hampas ng tubig galing sa sliding door. It's
open widely. And fromour
bed, I saw the rough waters trying to escape the rectangular pool.
Bababa na sana ako ng kama nang napagtantong nahulog ang strap ng dress ko. Inayos
ko iyon bago tuluyang
humakbang.
The warmcarpetted floor comforted my feet. Sa unti-unting paglapit ay nakita ko ang
paulit-ulit na paglangoy
ni Radleigh doon.
When he reaches the end of the pool, he bounces back immediately to swimto the
other side. Vice versa.
Hindi ko maipaliwanag ang nararamdaman ko habang pinagmamasdan siyang ganoon. The
muscles of his
broad back were more defined as he firmly maneuvered his swim. Hindi rin makatakas
sa akin ang rahas ng
ginagawa niya. It was like all his frustrations and anger was directed to swimming.
Hawak ang malamig na sliding door ay nanatili akong nakatayo habang pinagmamasdan
siya. He stopped
when he probably saw me.
Sa gilid ng pool ay humawak siya at nilingon ako. His dark hooded eyes looked at me
with so much restraint.
Iyon din ang nakita ko sa kanya kagabi.
Walang imik ay umahon siya sa pool. He gets the white towel and put it on his
shoulders. Umatras ako. Kahit
na malaki ang bukana ng sliding door ay umatras parin ako para makadaan siya.
I saw his eyes drifted on my body. Napalunok ako at napagtantong masyado kaming
tahimik. I can't even find
the right words to say.
"I-I waited for you last night but I fell asleep," paliwanag ko.
Kahit pagamot na lamang ng sugat niya'y hindi ko nagawa. I saw his wound and it
isn't bleeding anymore.
Though, it's not deep. Hindi parin iyon dahilan para hindi ko na pagtuonan ng
pansin.
"That's okay. I was busy talking to the bodyguards and to Gino."
Pinunasan niya ang kanyang buhok bago tuluyang dumiretso sa pintuan ng banyo.
"We'll have our breakfast downstairs," ani Radleigh at pumasok na sa banyo.
Naupo ako sa kama at tuluyang ipinasok sa kokote ang mga nangyayari.
Wearing a white t-shirt and a faded shorts, lumabas ako ng kwarto kasama si
Radleigh.
Agad kong nakita ang mga nakaaligid na hindi ko kilalang mga lalaki. Maaaring mga
bodyguard sila.
P 24-2
Diretso ang baba namin sa restaurant. I suddenly wonder if the night was fine. Kung
ano ang nangyari kagabi
habang natutulog ako. O kung ayos lang ba ang mga tao namin. He didn't say anything
to me. And I'mtoo
scared to ask himbecause I know that he's not yet over with what I did.
In an exclusive roomof the hotel's restaurant, pumasok kami ni Radleigh. Waiting in
there was a man, in his
white polo shirt and floral shorts. The smirk on the man's face told me that isn't
just a bodyguard or what.
Nagtagal ang tingin ng lalaki sa akin at muling tiningnan si Radleigh na ngayon ay
nasa likod ko. Tumayo ang
lalaki para batiin kami.
"Good morning, Miss Leviste!" aniya sabay lahad ng kamay. "I'mGino, Rai's friend."
"G-Good morning!" I shook his hand firmly before turning to Rad.
Inayos ni Rad ang uupuan ko. Bago kami sabay umupo noong lalaki. Umupo si Radleigh
sa tabi ko.
"Did you have a good sleep?" Gino asked.
Siya pala iyong tinutukoy ni Radleigh na Gino. He's tall. Almost as tall as
Radleigh. His skin is sunburned
and his features were hard. Sa tagal naming magkakilala ni Rad, ngayon ko lang
nakilala ang lalaking ito.
Although I find himfamiliar, I still don't think I met himbefore.
"Yes."
Naglagay ng mga pagkain ang iilang waiter sa aming lamesa. Panay ang tingin ko sa
mga nilalagay na bagel at
croissant.
"Is it safe to travel now, Gino?" Radleigh's hard voice made me look at him.
"Well, I have to admit that your idea to go back to the island is better. It's
safe, Rad. Are you going back to
Isla Fuego today?"
Rad clenched his jaw. "That's what I want."
Nilingon ako nI Radleigh. His hooded eyes made my heart leap and I hate how its
taking over my entire
rational system.
"We will leave for Isla Fuego later today..." aniya na tila iyon ang patakaran ng
aking buhay.
Tumango ako. I'mnot my usual rebellious self. I feel like I should submit my life
to himas of the moment. I
don't know what's going on. Feeling that way frustrates me. Nanatili ang mga mata
ni Radleigh sa akin na tila
tinatantya ang iniisip ko.
"The leader of the syndicate has been arrested last night."
Namilog ang mata ko sa impormasyong sinabi ni Radleigh.
Nilingon ko si Gino na ngayon ay tila natutuwa sa sinabi ni Radleigh ngunit
pinipigilan ang sariling reaksyon.
I looked at Radleigh again.
P 24-3
"Arrested? Where?"
Will that mean I'mfree? I won't have to hide again? I can go back to Manila?
"His men were in Boracay to kidnap you. He's back in Costa Leona."
Isa na namang kagulat-gulat na impormasyon. How did they arrest himif he's in Costa
Leona?
"Gino is part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines..." paliwanag ni Radleigh.
Nilingon ko si Gino. He sipped on his coffee confidently as he looks at me.
"I sought for their help regarding your case. The bodyguards you have are not
enough to prevent a kidnapping
froma large group of syndicate involved in illegal drugs. Last night, they were
desperate to get to you. To
kidnap you and hold you against your father's debts."
Napalunok ako. Kaba ang lumukob sa aking puso. Oo. Alamko. Dahil hanggang ngayon,
sariwa pa ang
pakiramdamko noong kinuha ako ng isang estranghero.
"You logged in to one of your social media accounts, Miss Leviste?" tanong ni Gino
dahilan kung bakit
napabaling ako sa kanya.
"Y-Yes. Noong nasa Caticlan kami. I-I'msorry. I did not take the rules seriously. I
thought it's all nothing,"
nahihiya kong sinabi.
"You aren't that attentive then, Rai. You let her just wander around out of your
sight?" patuya nitong baling
kay Radleigh.
Umiling ako. "I got tempted while he's fitting a jacket inside a secluded room.
Nanghiramako ng tablet sa
tindera. I contacted a... a friend and told himI'mgoing to Boracay. Is Caleb a part
of this?" Sa wakas ay
nasabi ko rin ang kagabi pang bumagabag na tanong.
"No. It's your message and the location that gave you away," ani Gino.
Even in this serious matter, I couldn't deny that amused look in his face. Hindi ko
alamkung bakit natutuwa
siya habang tinitingnan ako.
"Luckily, my men were stationed strategically. Iilan doon sa Costa Leona, dahil
naroon ang pamilya ni
Radleigh. Including his cousin and his Aunt. The threats there were astounding that
we couldn't just leave
themalone. Mas marami akong tao roon kumpara rito kasama ninyo dahil ang inisip
ko'y mas aatake sila sa
Costa Leona."
He sighed and sipped on his coffee again. The warmth on my left armmade me look at
Radleigh again. Halos
tumakbo ang puso ko nang natantong lumapit ang katawan niya sa akin.
Hindi ako nakagalaw nang nakitang kahit seryoso ay nakatingin siya sa aking
pinggan.
"Please, start eating..." he whispered.
P 24-4
Nakahawak ang kanang kamay niya sa edge ng upuan ko na tila inaangkin pati iyon.
Ginalaw niya ang
kubyertos ko dahilan kung bakit ko iyon kinuha sa kanya. Uminit ang pisngi ko at
itinuon ang mata sa pagkain
habang nagsasalita si Gino.
"We seriously did not expect they will attack here. I specifically asked Radleigh
to bring you somewhere
other than Isla Fuego dahil ayaw kong kapag pumalpak ay mawawalan kayo ng
mapupuntahan dito. We might
be forced to make you leave somewhere farther like Mindanao or abroad."
Tumango ako at bumaling ulit kay Gino. His eyes drifted fromRadleigh to me.
Tumikhimsiya at nagpatuloy,
naroon parin ang amusement sa mukha.
"Because you gave your location away, most of his men flew fromCosta Leona to
Boracay. Dahilan kung
bakit muntikan ka nang makuha. Nanatili ang lider sa Costa Leona sa pag-aakalang
patibong ang ginawa mo -
dahilan naman kung bakit namin siya nahuli kagabi."
"That means... it's all over! What about your men and our men? Are there any
casualties?"
"Sugatan lang. That's expected. However, I cannot say it's all over. May nakatakas
dito sa Boracay dahil
kaonti lang ang naging tao namin at masyado silang marami. Although their leader is
now arrested and their
operations impaired, I cannot fully say that you are safe. In the mean time... I
suggest you stay and follow
your boyfriend's rules."
Nagngising-aso si Gino sabay tingin kay Radleigh. Tumikhimako at muling binalingan
ang pagkain.
Isang malakas na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan ko. Parang nawala ang nakadagan sa
aking puso. I wish it
will all be fine fromnow on. I promise to obey every rule Rad says!
"Habang hinahanap nila ang nakatakas, babalik tayo sa Isla Fuego. Unless they find
them, you're not leaving
the island," si Radleigh.
Maraming importanteng gagawin sa Maynila. Kung hindi pa ako muntikan nang nadukot
ay hindi ko siguro
mararamdaman ang takot sa tunay na panganib na dala ng mga kalaban ni Daddy.
Magkano kaya ang utang ni Daddy? Although they resorted to doing something illegal,
I think that it will only
be fair to pay for Dad's debts properly. Kahit na utang pa iyon galing sa pagka-
Casino.
"Well, should we loosen up and talk about lighter things? We should actually
celebrate that their leader was
arrested. Hindi lang kaligtasan ninyo ang naging mas sigurado roon. Kaligtasan din
ng ibang tao."
Sumandal siya sa kanyang upuan at patuyang inangat ang wine glass na ang laman
naman ay tubig. Then he
sipped on it.
"Rai! I'mgonna earn a damn medal because of you!" He laughed and binaba ang wine
glass. "Thanks to your
boyfriend, Miss Leviste."
Kanina niya pa ipinagdidiinan na boyfriend ko si Radleigh. I ampretty sure he knows
what's going on in
between us. If they were friends. But if he's a new friend of Rad, maaring hindi
nga.
"He's my ex," sabi ko.
P 24-5
Halos maubo si Gino sa sinabi ko. He laughed and that shocked me.
Nilingon ko si Radleigh na ngayon ay mapupungay ang mga mata. Pero hindi iyon
mapupungay dahil
malambot ang pakiramdamniya para sa akin. It was more like he's too angry to glare
at me that he's made his
eyes soft as sarcasm.
Totoo naman, ah! He's my ex! Ex fiancee! Whatever!
Radleigh pushed my shoulders to him. Hindi ko namalayang ang kanang kamay niya
pala'y nasa likod na ng
upuan ko. Dahil sa pagtulak niya'y bahagya akong nabangga sa kanyang dibdib.
My left ear is closer to his mouth now.
"Will you follow what I say now?"
Kinagat ko ang labi ko at tiningnan ang pinggan. Hindi alamni Gino ang tungkol sa
amin noon. Of course,
will Rad say that to his friends? He won't. It's not something to be proud of.
Being left at our engagement.
"Eat, please..."
Tumuwid ako sa pagkakaupo at nagsimulang maghiwa ng pancake.
"Sorry, Rai. I didn't mean to laugh at that. You are just too serious."
"I don't really think I should be funny right now because of our situation," medyo
pagalit na sinabi ni
Radleigh.
"You didn't give me a chance to meet her years ago. Puro kwento mo lang habang nag
i-MMA tayo ang
naririnig ko."
Hindi sinuklian nI Radleigh ng kwento iyon. Sumulyap ako kay Rad na ngayon ay
tinitingnan ang kape niya.
So... ikinwento niya pala ako sa kaibigan niya noon. Ano kayang mga sinabi niya?
"And of course, Father's story about you picking her up at the mall because of a...
wrong accusation?"
Namilog ang mata ko sabay tingin ulit kay Gino. Ngayong sinabi niya iyon ay
napagtanto kong kaya pala siya
pamilyar ay dahil kamukha niya iyong pulis na umaresto sa akin noong naakusahan
akong shoplifter sa Shu!
Magsasalita na sana ako ngunit iniba ni Gino ang usapan. Isang topic na hindi ko
kayang uminsert.
"By the way, did you call Agatha. She called me asking if you're fine. You haven't
called to update them,
Rai."
Bahagya akong natigil sa paghiwa ng pancake pero pinilit ko parin isubo iyon dahil
ayaw kong makita nilang
naaapektuhan ako.
"And your parents, too..."
P 24-6
The image of his parents flashed on my mind. Hindi basta-bastang imahe. Iyon pang
hawak ng Papa niya ang
dibdib dahilan sa biglaan kong pag-atras sa aming engagement.
His Momwas already angry at me. I bet she's furious now.
Parang piniga ang puso ko habang naiisip iyon. They must've been very happy that
Rad's going to marry
Agatha instead of me. At milagro na kung maituturing kung hindi nagtanimng galit
ang kanyang mga magulang
sa akin sa kahihiyang tinamo ng pamilya nila sa pagtanggi ko.
Although, I tried my best to make it seemour family's fault, it bounced back to
them. Syempre dahil kung
titingnang mabuti, ako ang tumanggi. Ako ang may ayaw. Ang lumabas na sila ang
namilit sa aking pakasalan
ko si Radleigh ay ilang buwang nanatili sa utak ng mga taong imbitado sa araw na
iyon. That's a slap to their
family. I didn't know it will turn out that way. It was too late when I realized
that it did.
"I don't want to risk it. Lalo na ngayong alamna nila na ako ang kumidnap kay Zari,
Gino."
"You can contact themright now. Here. Tutal ay alamng lahat na nasa Boracay siya."
Their conversation went on. Especially their plan about tracking the remaining men.
Habang nag-uusap sila ay mas pinili kong isipin ang sulusyon ko sa lahat ng ito.
The leader of the syndicate will surely be jailed. But then, I would be willing to
pay my Dad's debts.
Malaman ko lang kung magkano ang tamang babayaran. Hindi lang iyon. I want to pay
his other debts to other
companies. Lahat ng mga tumalbog na tseke at kung anu-ano pa.
I don't mind if I finish my endless trust funds. If it has to be done that way,
then I will. Lastly, I will revive
the company without anyone's help. Naisip kong pagbalik ko ay babayaran ko ang mga
empleyadong gusto
nang umalis. Ang mga gustong manatili sa trabaho ay hahayaan ko. I will pay
themfairly and I will tell them
the real state of the company. I hope it all goes well.
Kapag nabayaran ko na ang mga pinagkakautangan ni Daddy, siguro naman ay pwede na
siyang mag bail out.
He's old. Watching himinside prison breaks my heart. He's just sad because my Mom's
dead. Kaya hinayaan
ko rin siya sa ginagawa niya dahil alamkong may kasalanan din ako. He spoiled me to
death and now I want
to spoil himas well...
Hindi ko na nasundan ang pinag-uusapan ng dalawa. Rad's fingers were on my shoulder
as he talked about
his suggestions to Gino's plans.
The way his calloused hand softly caressed me sent me shivers. Parang gusto ko
siyang pigilan at para ring
gusto kong ipagpatuloy niya iyon. Hindi ko alamkung ano ba talaga.
Sinulyapan ko ang daliri niyang nasa kanang balikat ko habang wala sa sarili siyang
gumuguhit ng paulit-ulit
na linya roon.
"Your cousins were in Manila last week. I was there in Tita Fely's party. They kept
asking where you were...
They asked Agatha, too. Though this should be a top secret, I'msurprised you didn't
tell them."
P 24-7
"Hindi na importante. Nalaman din naman ni Raoul na nasa Costa Leona lang ako."
They seemvery close. I couldn't help but realize that Agatha is close to them, too.
Parehong sa kaibigan ni
Rad at sa pamilya ni Rad.
Although he's my ex, I never really formally met his relatives. I never really met
his friends. Siguro dahil
bata pa ako noon. O baka naman... dahil...
Riegos were known for their honor and humility. While I ama spoiled rotten brat of
Manila. I might be an
abomination. A reason why his mother disliked me. She liked me at first but when
she realized what I really
was, she still tried to like me until she couldn't take it. Kung ibang ina pa iyon,
siguro'y mas marahas pa ang
sinabi sa akin. Siguro'y hindi papayag iyon na makasal ang anak niya sa akin. But
because she's a Riego,
she's able to give me a chance. She's able to accept me until she coudln't.
Kung alamko man noong spoiled brat ako, mas nadepina lamang iyon ngayon.
Even Engineer Percival Riego's wife looked rich, but not spoiled. She looked maarte
but not as rotten as me.
She would probably never think about kidnapping someone just to save their company.
Ako lang ang
makakaisip noon. Dahil syempre, hindi ko kayang maghirap kami ni Daddy. Syempre,
laging nasusunod ang
gusto ko. Syempre, hindi ako pwedeng tanggihan.
Akala ko'y nabawasan ang nakadagan sa aking puso dahil sa kaalamang nahuli ang
sindikato. Pero tila mas
bumigat yata ang puso ko ngayon.
Nagtutupi ng damit sa lamesa ng aming kwarto'y iyon ang sumakop sa isipan ko. Rad's
just sitting at the edge
of our bed, waiting for me to be done with everything.
Tapos na akong maligo. Nagliligpit na lamang ako ngayon ng gamit. The clothes I
unpacked just so I could
choose which one to wear is just too many. Kaya ngayon ay nahihirapan ako.
Don't worry. I know how to, at least, fold my clothes. Not sure if it's right
but... I know.
Dumaan ako sa harap ni Rad para makapagtungo sa cabinet at mailagay iyon sa duffel
bag na para sa akin.
Bumalik ulit ako roon sa lamesa, dala ang duffel bag para mas mapabilis.
Sinulyapan ko si Radleigh, ang ingay sa gitna namin ay tanging ang telebisyon. But
he's not watching it. He's
looking at my every move intently.
Binalik ko ulit ang mga mata ko sa tinutupi.
"You think I can go back to Manila within this week?"
He sighed heavily at my question. "If their operation is successful."
"Do you think their operation will be successful?"
"Magaling si Gino. He'll be able to do it."
P 24-8
Tumango ako. That's just nice to hear. At least, magiging maayos na rin ako. There
will be no need for me to
hide. No need to stay in Isla Fuego. Oh the bitterness I sounded in my brain...
what the hell?
"Is there any other threat to my life aside fromthat?" tanong ko.
Hindi siya sumagot. Nilingon ko siya para sa sagot. His face hardened and his
expression now more
dangerous.
He's wearing a white t-shirt with his gray shorts. Just another variant of that
stupid sweatpants I didn't like.
Hindi na nga lang ako nagprotesta dahil parang wala sa lugar iyon. Covered with
white sheets, his thighs
looked fine. Pero kanina, nang nakatayo siya galing sa banyo ay parang pinipiga ang
puso ko. I want so bad to
tell himto change or something. But that's just too "spoiled-bratty".
Exercising restraint frombeing a brat is hard but the change will be worth it.
Probably.
"I would know but... that's just it. Your father's mates fromhis gambling is the
only problem. At ang alamni
Ethan, iyon lamang ang pinagkautangan ng ama mo."
I don't really know why I didn't pay his debts right after Spain. Siguro nga'y
tsaka mo lang marerealize ang
lahat kapag napag-isipan mo na ng maayos. Masyado akong naging padalos-dalos.
"It's a good thing your friend, Gino helped us. I couldn't imagine kung nag rely
lang sa mga bodyguards.
Matagal na kayong magkaibigan?"
Nagpatuloy ako sa pagtupi ng damit. Nilalagay ko sa duffel bag.
"Since high school," sagot niya.
Oh the things I didn't know about him. How stupid can I get? I should get the hint
by now.
"Why are you interested?" pahabol niya.
Tapos na ako sa pagtutupi. I zipped my bag and then turned to him.
Umiling ako at tipid na ngumiti.
When I thought he bared his soul to me years ago, it was me who bared my soul to
him. I gave himmy
secrets. I told himmy problems. I told himmy feelings. I told himmy lack of it. I
showed himhow spoiled I
was. I showed himhow awful and rude I was. Hindi ako ang humawak sa kanya. Siya ang
humawak sa akin.
At hanggang ngayon, ganoon parin.
I was so confident in bringing up his feelings years ago when right now... I think
he didn't have it. Ako iyong
nagkaroon ng damdamin para sa kanya. Hindi siya.
"How are we going to go back to Isla Fuego?"
Hindi siya sumagot. Nakatitig siya sa akin na tila alamkung ano ang iniisip ko. I
looked away to stop him
fromrealizing whatever I just realized.
P 24-9
"By air. It will be safer. I can't risk your life again."
I sighed again. Without a doubt, he just stands by his name.
"It was not you who risked my life. It was me who risk ours. I'msorry, Rad. I've
been very reckless," mapait
kong sinabi.
Tumayo siya at lumapit sa akin. My heart started beating so fast. Sa ilang beses
nitong tumibok para sa kanya,
ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang ganito ka bilis. Siguro dahil sa katahimikan. Hindi
lang ng paligid ngunit
pati ng aking utak.
The tranquility of my mind is to the sky, now that I realized so many things.
The sheets that covered his thighs fell. His arms snaked around me and he pulled me
closer to him. He
planted a soft kiss on my forehead.
Pumikit ako at pinuno ang baga ng amoy ng kanyang pinaghalong perfume at personal
scent. He smells so
manly. Tila pinupukaw ng kanyang amoy ang aking pagkababae.
His kiss were now on my temples. And then on my hair. And then at the top of my
ear.
His breathing made me shiver.
"You'd never get away again, baby." he said breathily.
My lips twitched. Parang kinukurot ang puso ko.
"I'll make sure of that."
Hahahahahaha ndi nmn nia boyfriend asawa dawnia un ang svi nias
tindera???????????????? Tagalmo daw,kc matapos bhe haha
P 24-10
Kabanata 23
629K 20.6K 24.2K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 23
Let Go
Unti-unting humina ang ingay na galing sa rotor ng chopper pagkababa namin.
Nakahilera ang mga
bodyguards para salubungin kami nang dumating sa Isla Fuego.
The sun is setting. Nag-aagaw na kahel at dilimang kulay ng langit at mas mahinahon
ang dagat ngayon.
The violent wind blew my hair. Kinailangan ko pang sikupin iyon para matigil sa
pagkakagulo.
"Kumusta, Ma'am, Ser?" si Belinda na sumalubong sa amin.
Bakas sa kanyang mukha ang pag-aalala sa amin ngunit mas nanatili ang mata niya kay
Radleigh.
"Narinig ko ang balita, Ser?" aniya.
Radleigh nodded. "We're fine. We just need to get some rest."
"Ma'amZari," hinawakan ni Belinda ang kamay ko na tila ba hinahanapan ako ng
masakit para mapawi niya.
Radleigh ordered to eat our dinner earlier than usual. Kailangan niya yata kasing
magtrabaho o ano. I just
know that he's answered more than ten calls when we landed.
It is either fromhis work or family or fromGino who's now looking for the remaining
syndicates.
Tahimik na nagsisilbi si Belinda sa amin pero bakas sa mukha niya ang pag-aalala.
Parang isang hibla na
lang ang nagpipigil sa kanyang magsalita o magtanong ng kung ano.
"I will be in my roomfor some business matters. Just knock if you need something,"
Radleigh said when we
went upstairs to our rooms.
"Okay," sagot ko at pumasok na sa aking kwarto.
I hear his heavy footsteps to his room. Siguro ay napagod siya. Bago kami umalis ng
Boracay, nag final
discussion pa sila ni Gino. Ang alamko'y may nakapaligid na mga tauhan din sa ilang
isla malapit dito to
secure the whole island. Iyon ang sinigurado niya.
Lumubog ako sa bathtub. The water's just enough to cover my nose. Pinigilan ko ang
paghinga habang ang
mga kamay ko'y naglalaro sa mumunting bubbles.
The lavender I put probably won't calmme. As much as I want to relax, I probably
wouldn't. Hindi tulad
P 25-1
kahapon na masyado akong pagod, ngayon halos wala akong ginawa buong araw. And my
mind is wandering
too much. Overthinking. And that's the last thing I want to do tonight.
Umahon ako at kinuha ang roba para igapos sa sarili. Milk could probably warmmy me
inside. Baka mas
mabilis akong makatulog.
Lumabas ako ng aking kwarto at sinulyapan ang kwarto ni Radleigh. Ang pasilyo ay
tahimik. I wonder if he's
working or he's asleep. Well... that shouldn't be my concern.
Bumaba ako at dumiretso sa kusina. Nadatnan ko si Belinda roon na nagpupunas.
Nataranta siya nang nakita
ako.
"May kailangan ka, Ma'amZari? Ayos ka lang?" she looked at me fromhead to foot.
My slightly damp hair fromthe moisture of my tub isn't properly combed. Inayos ko
iyon. Siguro'y iniisip
niyang bigla lang akong umalis sa kwarto.
"I just want some hot milk," sabi ko. "Hindi ako inaantok, e."
She nodded.
Ako na sana ang kukuha ngunit hinigit ni Belinda ang high chair at iminuwestra sa
akin para maupo. Hinayaan
ko siyang maging abala sa nirequest ko habang umuupo sa high chair.
"Noong sinabi sa akin ni Roman na kailangan kong bumalik sa isla dahil nalamang
natunton kayo ng mga
kalaban ni Sir Geoffrey, parang ayaw kong bumalik. Gusto kong tumulong..." she
glanced at me. "Pero alam
ko namang magiging pabigat lang ako sa operasyon nila. Bakit daw natunton,
Ma'amZari?"
Oh great! The topic I dreaded. Siguro'y mainamna rin na pag-usapan para
makaramdamako ng pagod at
tuluyan nang mahila ng antok.
"I logged in to my account. Sa Caticlan pa iyon. They found out about my location,"
paliwanag ko.
Nilagay ni Belinda ang gatas sa microwave. Bumaling siya sa akin.
"Naku! Ganoon ba?" Umiling siya. "Kawawa ang pamilya nina Ser Radleigh, ano? Kung
ako ang nasa
kalagayan ng kanyang Tiyahin ay baka naisugod na ako sa ospital."
Hindi ako nakapagsalita ng ilang sandali. I looked at her with too much curiousity.
Alamkong nasa Costa
Leona umano ang lider ng sindikato noong nasa Boracay kami. It didn't really cross
my mind that his relatives
were involved or something.
"Sinugod nga sa ospital si Wanda! Iyong mayordoma nila? Dahil nabaril. Tapos iyong
pinsan ni Ser
Radleigh, galit sa kanya."
"Bakit naman?"
Nilapag ni Belinda ang gatas sa aking harap. Mainit na iyon. Sinalin niya sa baso
at agad kong pinalibot ang
malamig kong kamay doon.
P 25-2
"Syempre, Ma'am, halos napahamak sila! Malawak ang asyenda ng mga Riego sa Costa
Leona! Kahit na
marami pang pinadala na mga sundalo ay hindi nila mahahagilap lahat ng maaaring
umatake. Ang alamko ay
may nakapasok pa nga sa mansyon nila, e!"
Hindi sinabi ni Radleigh sa akin ito!
Halos mapatunganga ako habang pinapakinggan ang balita ni Belinda sa akin.
"Nagkaputukan sa loob ng mansyon."
Umahon ang kaba sa aking puso. He had all the reasons to be angry at me! Pinahamak
ko ang pamilya niya!
Hindi man sinasadya ngunit ako parin ang dahilan. I have been so reckless. I didn't
think about other people's
lives.
Kahit na sabihing nahati ang tauhan ng mga sindikato dahil nalaman nilang nasa
Boracay ako, what good will
it bring to Radleigh's family if they protected me? Nothing. And here I ambeing
such a pain in their ass!
Sapo ang aking noo ay huminga ako ng malalim.
"Bakit, Ma'amZari?" tanong ni Belinda.
Umiling ako at dumilat. Binalingan ko ang minicrowave niyang gatas.
"Magsalin ka sa isa pang baso."
Pinagmasdan ako ni Belinda na tila ba hinahanap ang sagot sa aking mga mata.
Sumulyap ako sa kanya bago
dinala ang baso sa aking bibig. The hot milk warmed my stomach. The information I
got fromBelinda only
made it worst.
"Ibibigay mo kay Ser Radleigh, Ma'am?" tanong ni Belinda sa isang malisyosang tono.
"It was my fault, Belinda. I messaged Caleb on my Facebook. Natunton kami dahil sa
akin. I just think that
while Radleigh's protecting me at the cost of the safety of his family, I
amrecklessly trying his protection."
Nilagay ni Belinda sa isang tray ang mainit na gatas. Kinuha ko iyon at wala sa
sariling umakyat. Dirediretso
ang lakad ko patungo sa kanyang kwarto.
I pushed the door open. Patay ang ilaw ngunit kahit paano'y mayroon galing sa lamp.
His bed is empty which
leaves me to himbeing on his laptop.
Pumasok ako at nakita siya sa dilimna nililingon ako. The light of the laptop's
screen illuminated his face.
His eyebrow shot up as he looked at me curiously.
Uminit ang pisngi ko. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang kahihiyan ng gagawin ko.
Although my intentions
were pure, I want to aplogize again, his stare at me made me feel so embarrassed.
"Uh... Uhm... Nagpainit ako kay Belinda ng gatas. Baka lang gusto mo."
I glanced at his laptop. Nasa mga email siya. Mukhang marami nga siya tinatrabaho.
P 25-3
"You can put it on the round table," he said coldly.
Sa kahihiyan ay agad akong dumiretso sa rounded table malapit sa bintana. Ilalapag
ko na lang ito roon at
aalis na pero hindi ko ginawa. Imbes ay nilingon kong muli siya habang pinipisil
ang aking mga daliri.
I have to say sorry for his relatives!
Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. As if he's expecting me to leave, he stared blankly at
me. Hinahagilap ko pa
ang mga tamang salita para makausap siya.
"Anything else?"
Isang mabilis na hagod ng tingin sa aking katawan bago niya ibinalik sa aking
mukha. Oh! Now I just realized
that I'mjust in my bathrobe! For Pete's effing sake, Zariyah Isla! Bakit ka ba
hindi nag-iisip? You could've
dressep up properly before finally coming here!
His computer chair squeaked. Tumayo siya at naglakad palapit sa akin. And then he's
already in front of me.
Kunot ang kanyang noo, tiimang panga, at parang may isang malaking pader na
nakaharang sa aming dalawa.
This is the reason why he's angry at me. Hindi niya man sabihin ay ramdamko iyon sa
kilos niya. No matter
how he tries to be nice to me, he's angry. May karapatan siyang magalit. Ipinahamak
ko ang pamilya niya.
"I'msorry..." sabi ko.
Nag-ugat ang aking mga paa sa sahig. Naupo siya sa upuang nasa harap ng rounded
table, kung saan ko
nilapag ang tray.
He tilted his head. The light fromthe bed lamp lit his face. I can see his
expression hardened. His sensual
mouth drawn in a grimline. Like it's only a matter of time now before he'd finally
hurt me because of
annoyance. Parang sinaksak ng punyal ang puso ko. How he's so patient when I
amnothing but annoying.
"I heard fromBelinda that your relatives back in Costa Leona got hurt. I'mreally
sorry, Rad," sa wakas ay
nasabi ko rin.
Hindi ko alamna kakayanin ko iyon. My insides are twisting. Parang gusto kong
tumakbo pero alamko na
hindi dapat ganoon. My problems should be faced head on.
"I wish you could extend my apologies to your relatives when this is all over.
Or... I want to personally say
sorry to them. To your Aunt and your cousins..."
He nodded curtly. Wala siyang imik. Pakiramdamko ay galit parin siya. Of course,
ipinahamak ko lang
naman ang kanyang pamilya.
Huminga ako ng malalimat sumulyap sa kanyang laptop.
"I'msorry for intruding. I know you're working but I just don't think I could let
this day pass before
apologizing," miserable kong sinabi sabay tingin sa aking mga kamay.
I know that I'ma pain in the ass to people. Yet, I selfishly continue to be one.
Pero ngayon lang talaga ako
P 25-4
natamaan ng husto. Naramdaman ko talaga kung gaano kahirap akong pakisamahan.
"Is that all?" he asked when I stopped talking.
Tumango ako at uminuwestra na ang pintuan. Sasabihin ko sanang lalabas na ako pero
naglahad siya ng
kamay sa akin.
His thighs were spread apart and his right hand rested on his right thigh.
Napalunok ako, hindi malaman kung
ano ang ibig niyang sabihin.
"Come here..." he said.
When I didn't move, inabot niya ang palapulsuhan ko at marahang dinala sa kanyang
inuupuan.
Nagdadalawang isip ako kung tuluyan ba akong susunod o aalis. His intense aura told
me that the anger he
has for me couldn't be contained.
He pulled me down to sit on his right thigh. His armsnaked on my waist. Tumuwid
siya sa pagkakaupo. His
nose rested near my left ear.
Ang kaliwang kamay niya naman ay naglalaro na ngayon sa ribbon ng aking roba. The
way his fingers ruffled
it sent shivers down my spine.
"What else are you sorry about?" he whispered.
Mas lalong lumakas ang pintig ng puso ko. Hindi ako mapakali ngunit hindi ko rin
magawang maging balisa. I
stilled on his thigh. I couldn't move an inch. His scent is intoxicating me and the
way he's slowly engulfing
my systemparalized my rational sense.
Hinagilap ko lahat ng kasalanan ko. Maybe I should say sorry about every little
fault I did.
Ngumuso ako.
"I heard your Mayordoma's hurt. I heard your cousin is furious. Your Aunt is
probably disappointed that you
risked their life for... some..." stupid girl.
Hindi ko maituloy. His nose and lips were touching the sides of my neck
annihilating my thoughts.
"Some?" he probed on my skin.
Halos mapapikit ako. Please, Radleigh, stop it.
Nanariwa ang alaala ng kanyang ginawa sa akin noong nasa shower kami. I suddenly
want to put my knees
together for some reason.
"Stupid girl?" Umirap ako.
Ayaw kong malaman niyang may pity party na nangyayari sa utak ko ngunit wala na
talaga akong maidugtong
na mas maayos pa kundi iyon. Besides, it's true. I have been very stupid for the
past days.
P 25-5
Well, days? Is that even true? Should I make it weeks? Or is it months and years?
"What else?"
He didn't protest. Pakiramdamko ay tinatanggap niyang stupid nga ako. Umirap muli
ako. Bakit ko ba
ineexpect na tatanggihan niya ang paratang ko sa sarili? Damn it! Of all people, he
knows how spoiled and
stupid I am.
"Sorry for being so stubborn. You told me not to contact anyone."
He crouched a little to reach the lower part of my neck. I licked my lowerlip and
started thinking about my
faults.
"You should be..." kasinlamig ng yelo ang kanyang tinig.
Yumuko ako at tiningnan ang kamay niyang marahang pinaglalaruan ang ribbon ng aking
roba. Nararamdaman
ko ang balahibo ng kanyang binti sa aking binti.
"What else did you tell him?" he asked in a serious and authoritative voice.
His question brought so many new questions within me. Half of me didn't want to
answer it. Bakit pa? But
half of me is scared of him. If I won't answer him, he'll only get more angry.
"That's all. I didn't have time to tell himmore..." I said in a little voice.
"If you had the time, you'd tell himmore, huh?" he sounded off. Like I just did
something wrong again.
Inisip kong mabuti ang tanong niya. May sagot ako roon pero napagtanto ko kung
gaano iyon ka mali. Pero
higit sa lahat? Paano iyon magiging mali? Ano ang pakealamniya kung gusto ko ngang
ipaalamkay Caleb ang
kalagayan ko? Beside the consequences of being followed by the syndicates, I feel
like he's attacking
something else.
Nilingon ko siya. Nagtama ang mga mata namin. The anger in his eyes were dripping
like acid. His jaw
clenched.
"What is it about him, Zari?" Ang lamig ng kanyang tinig ay lumukob sa akin.
Napapikit ako ng marahan. Ang bawat salita niya, kahit malamig, ay nangingiliti sa
aking tainga.
I pushed his left thigh just to loosen his grip of me a bit. Alamniya iyong ginawa
ko. Sinikop niya agad ang
dalawang palapulsuhan sa isang kamay lamang. He put it down on my thighs to stop me
frompushing him.
"You've cheated on me days before our engagement years ago. Now, you secretly sent
hima message while
you're with me."
Umiling ako. He's my friend. That's all.
"Hmm?" he gently said.
P 25-6
Umiling muli ako at ngumuso.
He pushed me closer to him. Para akong sinilaban nang tumama ako sa kanyang mainit
na dibdib. He's stonehard.
He's like a warmwall I probably couldn't take down.
"Please, don't be mad..." I used the sweetest tone I could ever muster.
Nilingon ko siya. Punong puno ng pagsusumamo ang aking mga mata habang siya'y galit
at pagmamataas ang
ipinukol sa akin.
Bumaba ang tingin niya sa aking labi. Para akong nahihilo lalo na nang nakita kong
nakaawang ang kanyang
bibig.
He pulled my wrists closer and then he kissed my lips thoroughly. Three consecutive
and gentle kisses were
given to me before he settled for another.
Ngayon ay tila niya binuntong ang galit sa bawat halik. Hindi ako halos makahinga
sa bawat atake niya. His
other hand went up my spine to support my head.
"Hmm. Rad..." tawag ko dahil nalulunod na ako sa mararahas niyang mga halik.
I amnot even sure if I wanted to stop himor I'mcalling his name for something else.
My eyes were shut as he
continued kissing me hungrily.
"Rad," I called again but it was partnered only with soft erotic gasps.
Damn!
Alamniya iyon. Binitiwan niya ang kamay ko. Alamniyang hindi ako manlalaban.
Instead of pushing him
away, my hands unconsciously gripped on his shirt.
Sa kanang balikat ko'y naramdaman ko ang pagkakahulog ng aking roba. I'mtoo far
gone to care if it fell but I
still withdrew fromhis kisses.
NIlingon ko ang robang nakalilis hanggang siko ko, revealing my right boob.
Dahan-dahan kong kukunin sana ang laylayan para maayos man lang iyon but he's
cupped it before I could do
anything. Nilingon ko si Radleigh na ngayon ay nakatitig din sa akin. His eyes were
full of pure and
unadulterated passion and desire.
Heat spread on me like wildfire when I realized that he's burning because of me. He
looked at me with so
much passion and desire that I felt so proud of myself.
I licked my lower lip as he drew circles on my boob with his thumb.
"Rad..." it was almost a sob.
"Hmm?" Nilagay niya ang knayang mukha sa aking tainga.
P 25-7
Paulit-ulit akong pumikit hanggang sa naramdaman ang kanyang daliri sa tuktok. I
was trying to hold on to my
rapidly vanishing self but because of what he did to me, I amtoo far gone to even
get a hold of anything.
Ang kanang kamay niya ay nasa hita ko. He gently stroked my soft thighs as his
other hand molded my boob.
Lumipat ang kanyang kamay sa kabila. His armsquished my right boob while his hand
was on the other. When I felt his calloused finger on my swollen peak, napaliyad
ako.
"Oh, Rad..."
Damn. I certainly didn't cheat on himbefore... It's an accidental kiss. Thoughts
about pleading in front of him
covered my mind like a blanket.
My head fell back. I panted for air but he never gave me a chance to. He captured
my mouth and kissed it in
the most sensual way.
He licked the corners of it. He pushed his tongue in and out of it, mimicking a
familiar move I've seen in
porn.
Mas lalo akong lumiyad. My booty is pushed back against his abdomen. I've kissed
boys before, but I have
never really felt this fucking good in a kiss. I never thought kisses could be this
erotic until him.
"Ah! Ah!" I moaned.
I was just too far gone. Lalo na ngayon. To feel his poking sex on my buttocks made
me lose all my damn
control. Oh! I forgot! I didn't have control. He has it! Damn it!
And I moaned louder when I felt his left hand going all out to my thighs. My robe
fell on his thighs. It
revealed my naked upper extremities. Nakita ko ang sarili kong kandong niya, walang
saplot, sa tukador ilang
metro ang layo sa amin.
Pumikit ulit ako lalo na nang naramdaman ko ang kanyang daliri.
"Rad!" I let out a long call of his name when his finger touched my folds.
Sinabunutan ko siya lalo na noong yumuko siya para hagilapin ang aking dibdib. His
hot and wet mouth
covered my peak making my head fall back. I'mlost!
And when his finger went a bit deeper just enough to find my deepest secret,
lumiyad pang lalo ako. It was
like my world built and then destroyed. Like an angel flew past in heaven and then
fell.
The earth-shattering spasms I felt when his finger went to my entrance made me
screamwhile my body
convulsed.
"Fuck! You're drooling so much..." he whispered on my ear as I try to get my shit
together after that.
Kinagat ko ang labi ko at mahinang sumalampak sa kanya.
"I'msorry..." marahan kong sinabi muli.
P 25-8
He chuckled on my ear before he lifted me up. I was so weak to even move.
Marahan niya akong nilagay sa kama, completely naked. While he's still on his
clothes. How embarrassing!
Damn it!
Before I could protest, he covered me with his body.
Pakiramdamko ay para lang akong balahibo nang dinaganan niya ako. He's too strong.
He's too much. Like if
he wants to break me, he could do it in just a blink. At hindi ko alamkung bakit
mas lalo akong nag-init
habang iniisip iyon.
He attacked my lips with so much passion as his hand covered my peak. Lumiyad ako,
now determined to
feel him. To make himhappy. To pleasure himwith all I got.
He stopped kissing. His eyes went to my chest. He looked at it intently like it's
pure entertainment to see my
nipples as hard as acorn.
Flushed, nagkatinginan kami. I couldn't maintain my eye contact with him. Masyadong
hinihila ang aking
talukap sa klase klaseng sensasyong pinadarama niya sa akin. He pushed his jean-
clad arousal on my
stomach.
His arousal was an absolute steel in the softness of my tummy down to my swollen
folds.
"Rad, oh my gosh. Rad..." hindi ko na malaman kung kaninong boses iyong
nagmamakaawa.
Sinubukan kong tingnan siya. Nakita kong kagat niya ang pang-ibabang labi habang
tinitingnan ang aking
dibdib na kanyang nilalaro.
Naputol ang litid ng pasensya ko habang tinitingnan siyang ganoon. It was such an
addicting honor to see him
so pleased and so aroused because of me that I want to beg himto please do it.
Hinagilap ko ang gilid ng kanyang t-shirt. He understood what I want. Hinayaan niya
akong hubarin ko iyon
sa kanya kahit na nanginginig ang aking mga kamay.
Siya na mismo ang nagbaba ng kanyang shorts at boxers nang napagtanto kung ano ang
gusto ko.
I covered my mouth with my palms when I saw his masculinity. He glanced back at me
habang siya'y
nakatayo pa at ako'y nasa kama. He licked his lower lip with all confidence. Seeing
himthis way makes me
shudder. He looked so raw, so mature, so illegal. Hindi ako inosente ngunit kahit
paano hindi pa ako
nakakaranas ng tulad ng pinaparanas niya sa akin. And I could tell why he's always
appealed to women
beside his looks. His damn sex appeal is oozing that you know he's hiding this
under him.
Damn it!
I never thought I could be the reason behind his full blast arousal. I couldn't
believe that I could do that to his
body. That I could affect himthis way.
He climbed on top of me and resumed his hungry kisses.
P 25-9
He thrusted on me. The tip of his arousal found its way to my entrance but it never
went in. He continued
doing that until I was pleading under him.
Beads of sweat formed on my chest as he started kissing my peaks wetly. I watched
himlick my peak
alternately andI'mon the edge.
"Rad... Please... Please... I can't take it any... more..."
He groaned and then his fingers went to my folds. The hypersensitivity gone now,
and all I can feel is the
build up of what's about to come.
"Ah! I want..." Hindi ko matapos tapos at alamkong alamniya ang ibig kong sabihin.
"Yes, baby? What is it?" He whispered on my ears playfully.
I amon the edge and he's just there chilling. Galing sa kanyang dibdib ay ibinaba
ko ang aking kamay. I
trailed his muscles with my fingers until I found his Adonis' belt.
I trailed the diagonal line until I felt him.
Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa. The humor's lost in his eyes.
He swallowed hard. He carressed my jaw. His legs parted mine wider. Ang isang paa
ko ay halos
pumasaere na.
"Please."
"This will hurt. A lot..." he whispered.
"Baby, I want it so..." Kinagat ko ang pang-ibabang labi ko.
Pumikit siya at tumingala. It seems that he's lost all his restraint to make love
to me thoroughly and softly.
Hawak ang likod ng aking hita ay inangat niya iyon para mas lalo kong maibuka. And
the tip of his arousal,
like steel, pushed on my entrance.
I gasped at the seemingly painful entrance. Kinurot ko ang kanyang braso. And he
let me hold on to his arm.
Nanatili ang mga mata niya sa akin habang unti-unti niya iyong pinasok.
"Ahh!" I screamed when he pushed it.
Niyakap niya ako. Gusto ko siyang itulak. Agad akong nagsisi sa masyadong
makamundong pagnanasa sa
kanya.
He halted. He felt my sudden regrets. It hurt. A lot. It hurt so much!
Tears fell frommy eyes. Nakita niya iyon at agad niyang sinalo ang bawat patak.
"Damn!" he whispered.
P 25-10
He kissed me sweetly and gently. He withdrew frommy entrance and I'msuddenly
heartbroken.
Hinila ko siya palapit sa akin sa pag-aakalang hindi niya gagawin iyon but he left
me. And then he pushed it
back to me gentler now.
Pumikit ako ng mariin at kinagat ang labi nang tuluyan niya nang maipasok iyon. I
screamed when the pain
was so electrifying.
"Hush, baby... I won't move any more," he whispered.
His hand kneaded my boob while his mouth covered the other. Masyadong nakaliliyo
ang ginagawa niya na
nang gumaan ang pakiramdamko'y hindi ko na naman mapigilan ang pagdaing.
He muttered some curses but still he continued kissing my boobs until I can't take
it anymore. I started
grinding my hips just so I could feel the building up sensations within me.
"Baby, please, stop," masuyo niyang sinabi nang ibinalik ang labi sa akin.
He kissed my neck with so much passion that I've forgotten about the pain. I
started grinding more.
"Oh. Fuck, Baby. Please..." his tone was desperate.
"Rad, I want it so bad..."
"No..."
Nagpatuloy siya sa paghalik hanggang sa bigla siyang tumigil. His hand covered my
waist, pinning it on his
bed. Stopping all my movements.
His jaw clenched as he started slamming himself so hard against me
"Ah!" I screamed when the searing pain was too much to bare.
I stopped myself thinking that he might stop when he realized it was hurting me so
bad.
Nakatitig siya sa akin, puno ng makamundong pagnanasa ang mga mata habang patuloy
niyang hinahampas ang
sarili ng buong buo sa akin.
With each thrust, I felt himwholly. With each pull, I cried. He closed his eyes.
Tumingala siya habang mas
lalong bumilis ang kanyang kilos.
The pain was covered with so much desire as I look at himpleasured by me. He glided
and coaxed inside of
me that the pain didn't matter. The terrifying waves of passion made my body
convulse. The mind blowing
release made me close my eyes and think about so many sweet, sweet things.
"Rad! Ah! Ah!"
My body spasmed, wiping away my consciousness until his slams became slower and
slower. Slower but
deeper.
P 25-11
He growled and cursed when the last slow and deep thrust was given and his dizzying
desire materialized.
His hot liquid spread on my womb.
Pareho kaming hinihingal nang daganan niya ako. He kissed me so passionately on my
lips.
"Baby..." he whispered.
I couldn't even moan my response.
"I won't let you go," he whispered breathily.
Patuloy ako sa paghingal.
"Hear that, Zari? Hmm?"
And then he buried his face on my neck.
Sana may ganito dn angKlariJah huhu kung ano ang reaksyun niEj hahah baby.. Mahilig
sasalamin siAuthor hahah..Pantaleonwer na u
mylabs?????
P 25-12
Kabanata 24
569K 18.3K 13K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 24
Good
Nagising ako dahil sa liwanag ng sikat ng araw na pumasok sa silid. Bago ko pa
madilat ang mga mata ay
nararamdaman ko ang mumunting haplos sa aking noo, pabalik sa aking buhok.
Quickly, I recalled what happened last night. Exhaustion got me that I lasted only
a few minutes after before
dozing off.
Pakiramdamko'y nananaginip lamang ako. Hindi yata totoong nangyari iyon. Dumilat
agad ako at nakita si
Radleigh sa aking tabi. Ilang saglit kaming nagkatinginan bago siya yumuko para
magsalita malapit sa aking
tainga.
"Morning," his voice was husky.
I couldn't equal his greeting. I amtoo stunned to process everything.
Last night was amazing! Uminit ang pisngi ko nang napagtanto kong ano ang nagawa
naming dalawa.
I remember himcatching his breath as the bed rocked so much, I thought it would
break. The images of him
looking at the ceiling, probably wanting more air, made my insides hot. Damn it!
Gumalaw ako ng bahagya. The soreness of my femininity told me that it's real. Hindi
lang iyon ang masakit.
Even my thighs and my back is sore.
Ngumuso ako at hinawakan ang pang-ibabang labi. My lips felt so soft.
Rad's curious expression told me that he's anxious of my reaction in the morning.
He continued threading my
hair until he can't wait for me to talk.
"How are you feeling?" he murmured.
"Hmm. Fine," sagot ko sa isang malambot na boses.
God. Ano ba itong ginagawa niya sa akin?
I amcovered with his white sheets while he's not. His upper body is exposed while I
can see his gray
sweatpants on.
Kinapa ko ang katawan ko gamit ang kanang kamay at naramdamang may suot na akong
isang t-shirt. May
panty pa!
Dahan-dahan kong tiningnan ang ilalimng kumot para kumpirmahin dahil baka
nananaginip lang ako. I saw
P 26-1
my laced pink panty on. Binalik ko ulit ang tingin ko kay Rad. His eyes were
nothing but serious.
"I have clothes on," I pointed out.
He carressed my cheek with the back of his index finger.
"I dressed you up last night," paliwanag niya.
Tumango ako at nag-isip muli.
"You hungry? We can have our breakfast here..."
Nilingon ko ang round table kung saan ko nilapag ang gatas kagabi. Nakita kong may
breakfast na nga roon.
Marahan muli akong tumango.
Umahon siya at nagpunta sa round table. Bumangon ako at ilang saglit pang
tumunganga kay Radleigh.
Ang kanyang likod ang tanging kita ko. Nang sumulyap siya't nakataas ang kilay ay
agad akong nag-iwas ng
tingin. Kumunot ang noo ko.
Did he really... Damn!
Nang bumaba ako ng kama ay napagtanto kong hindi akin ang t-shirt na ito. Masyadong
malaki. It would even
pass for a short dress when I looked at it fromthe mirror.
Lumapit ako sa lamesa. Nakaupo na siya roon at pinagmamasdan akong palapit din. Our
seats were too close.
It's not even across the round table. Masyadong malapit na halos magkatabi lang
kami.
We silently started eating our breakfast. Kahit hindi ko siya tinitingnan ay
alamkong pinagmamasdan niya
ako. Mas lalo ko tuloy siyang hindi tinitingnan. Anong pag-uusapan namin ngayon?
Iyong nangyari kagabi?
How I begged himto do me like that?
"Gino's operation last night was successful," he said under his breath.
Natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Radleigh. He means that the remaining syndicates were
caught?
"They found the men near Iloilo," dagdag niya.
Napalunok ako habang bumuhos sa aking isipan ang iba't-ibang mga konklusyon tungkol
doon.
"The government will file a case against the leader and his men. The leader is a
notrious drug lord. Kahit
hindi ka na magsampa ng kaso, mabubulok parin sa kulungan ang may kagagawan ng
lahat ng ito," anger is
laced in his voice.
"And are there any more casualties?"
He shook his head. Napabuntong-hininga ako sa nalaman.
Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa nalaman. But aside fromthat, realization about
what's going to happen next
P 26-2
dawned on me.
We're leaving Isla Fuego. There's no reason to hide me here anymore. We're leaving
the island.
Thinking about it slightly hurt my heart. Alamkong noong una ay gusto kong umalis
dito pero ngayon parang
gusto kong maghanap ng paraan para lang muling mabilanggo rito.
"Are you sure that all his men were captured?" Hindi ko alamkung bakit banayad at
matamis ang pagdududa
kong ito.
"Yes. I made sure of it, Zari."
Oh! I cannot believe that aside fromrelief, I'malso feeling a bit lonely.
Mali ka, Zari. Maling mali ang nararamdaman at iniisip mo. How you're always
selfish when it comes to all
these is just beyond everyone. I should do something about my attitude. Thank God,
it's just all in your brain!
"We're leaving for Manila, then?" the bitterness in my question is too much.
"Yes."
Bumaba ang tingin ko sa aking pinggan at pinaglaruan ang ulam.
There are things I need to face in Manila. Things I wish I could run from. How I
suddenly wish to just stay
here in Isla Fuego. Hindi bale nang wala akong ginagawa. Hindi bale nang mabagot
ako rito.
Again, that's one selfish thought.
"You can live with me when we're back in Manila."
My heart skipped a beat at his proposal. Tunay na nakakaengganyo ngunit masyadong
malabo.
"I have my own condo unit. I'mfine there," paliwanag ko.
He sighed heavily. He shifted a bit.
"Ethan's doing his best to hold your company together but most papers should be
approved by the President. Which is you..."
Tumango ako. "Aasikasuhin ko ang lahat pagka balik ko ng Maynila."
Nakaramdamagad ako ng hiya. Tila ba nakikita niya ako ng hubo't hubad sa kanyang
harapan. Hubo't hubad
ang kaluluwa at lahat.
I kidnapped himso he'd marry me. I wanted himto marry me and save the company. I
want himto support the
company's new projects - labor and materials. Ng walang kabayaran. Tanging ang
pagiging asawa ko lang.
Kahiyahiya ang nagawa ko. Now that it's all clearer to me now, I realized how I
want it to be done fairly. I
won't ask for anything fromhim. Heck, I don't even want himinvolved in ay way! Ang
problema ko ay
P 26-3
problema ko!
"I can give you money for your projects or buy your father's stocks."
Naibaba ko ang aking mga kubyertos. Ito. Ito ang gusto kong mangyari noon. Ito ang
ayaw ko ngayon. I would
never let my pride the wrong way. If we will fall, may we fall for the right
reason. If the company will sink,
may it sink with honor. I'mgonna pay my father's debts. I will not have anyone's
money to save the company.
If I should sell my father's stocks, I would. Even if it means I will hold only a
few percent of the company
that's supposed to be ours.
That is life. We tried. We failed. But it goes on.
If it means we won't rule the Vista Grande, I will go on with it.
"No, I can fix it my own," mataman kong sinabi.
Kumunot ang noo ni Radleigh sa sinabi ko. Mataman ko siyang tiningnan. Hinahamon sa
maaari niyang
sabihin.
I have been very confusing. Weeks ago, I want what he's offering now. Today, I'mnot
taking it.
"Why are you rejecting this, Zari?"
"I can do it, Rad. I may have forced you to do that weeks ago but that was an act
of desperation. I did not
think about it properly. I'mblinded with anger and frustration. That's all. Now, I
want to do the right thing."
I feel insulted. Alamkong wala siyang sinabing masama sa akin pero pakiramdamko'y
kinakaawaan niya
ako. Pakiramdamko'y iniisip niyang nasanay ako sa marangyang buhay at ngayo'y
kailangan niyang sagipin
ako sa pagkakalugi at paghihirap. I don't want that. I don't need that.
He leaned closer to my seat invading my personal space. I stopped breathing. Masuyo
niya akong hinalikan
sa ulo. Pinalupot ang kamay sa aking baywang.
"Then how can I help?" he whispered.
How can he help?
Ngumuso ako at may naisip na ibang paraan para makatulong siya sa akin. Pwedeng
pwede siyang
pampatanggal ng stress. You know if I'mso stressed, he can do me so I'd relax.
Halos dumugo ang labi ko sa kakapigil ng ngiti.
"Are you smiling?"
"Just let me do what I want."
"Hmm. Okay. I'mgonna support everything you want to do."
Gumapang ang isang kamay niya sa aking tiyan. His soft carress made me almost
forget the soreness I'm
P 26-4
feeling. Parang may pinupukaw siya sa damdamin kong hidni ko malaman.
"What if you get pregnant?" tanong niya na parang iyon ang sagot sa lahat ng
problema ko.
Ngumiwi ako sabay tingin sa kanya. "I won't get pregnant. I get a shot regularly."
Ramdamko ang gulat niya nang inangat niya ang tingin niya at medyo nanigas ang
pagkakahawak sa akin.
Kunot ang noo at busangot ang mukha niya akong tiningnan.
"For what?"
Umirap ako. "It's normal abroad. When I travel, it's more convenient if I get a
shot. Don't worry."
He muttered a curse and then went back to his position. Hindi na siya nagsalita.
Thoughts about the reality played on my mind. Like, how is his relationship with
his fiancee? Or what are
they? Alamkong parang sinabi niya na rin sa akin na papakasalan niya sana si Agatha
para sa negosyo. That
he doesn't really love her but it's contradicting his personality so much. Radleigh
Vesarius Riego won't marry
for business. There must be something about that girl.
I wanted to enjoy the moment. To feel himwith me as our separation nears. Pwedeng
mamaya, bukas, o sa
makalawa ay makabalik na kaming Maynila. To start a fight right now will only leave
bitter memories in this
island and I don't want that.
Tahimik ang buong isla. Pagkatapos kong maligo ay bumaba na ako. Nagpaalamsi
Radleigh na mangingisda
siya kasama sina Roman bilang katuwaan. At mamayang gabi ay magcecelebrate ang mga
bodyguards sa
kanilang mga nagawa.
We're not leaving today, that was for sure. And that's enough to make me happy.
Pumalakpak si Belinda nang pinatay ko ang induction cooker. She taught me how to
cook a Filipino dish
today and I think it went well.
"Mukhang perpekto itong Kare-kare mo, Ma'amZari!" humagikhik si Belinda at agad na
kumuha ng bowl
para maglagay doon.
Ngumiti ako at pinunasan na lamang ang pawis sa aking noo. Well, that's good news.
I don't think I have eaten
this dish my entire life but it smells good.
Naupo ako sa high chair habang pinagmamasdan si Belinda na inaayos ang niluto ko sa
bowl.
"Pwedeng pwede ka nang mag-asawa, Ma'amZari?" nangingiti niyang sinabi.
Ngumiti naman ako.
"Kailan?"
Napawi ang ngiti ko. Masyado rin talaga 'tong assuming si Belinda. O baka naman
nanghahagilap ng
impormasyon. Even when she saw my annoyed expression, she continued with the
teasing.
P 26-5
"Sus! Kunwari pa. Nagkakamabutihan na ata kayo ni Ser Radleigh, Ma'am, 'di ba?
Noong kinuha niya kanina
ang almusal n'yo sabi niya roon na kayo kakain sa kwarto niya dahil pagod ka."
Sinapo ko na lang ang ulo ko. Really, Rad? Kaya naman nati-trigger ang imagination
nitong si Belinda dahil
sa sinabi ni Rad, e!
"Hindi kami magpapakasal. Pwede ba, Belinda?"
Nilapag niya sa harapan ko ang Kare-kare. Itinuon ko ang buong pansin ko roon.
Naglapag siya ng maliit na
bowl at sinalinan ng sabaw noon. Siguro ay para matikman ko.
"Eh, hindi ba iyon ang plano mo, Ma'am? Papakasalan ka niya, e 'di salba na ang
kompanya ninyo pati si Ser
Goeffrey?" simpleng tanong ni Belinda.
I looked at her for a moment. Yeah. People will really think that it's going to
turn out that way. We have a
history. Sinira ko ang pangalan ko at ng pamilya ko noon at paniguradong hindi
natanggal sa isipan ng mga
tao iyong nangyari noon.
"Ako ang magsasalba kay Dad at sa kompanya. Hindi ko kailangan ng pera ni
Radleigh."
A line flashed on my mind. A line so significant and so true. Especially now.
"You're going to be the death of his career. You will bankcrupt him..."
"You will bankcrupt him..."
Tinikman ko ang Kare-kare ng wala sa sarili. Ayos naman iyon. I smiled at Belinda.
She looked at me with
curious eyes.
Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay narinig ko na ang ingay ng rotor ng chopper. Nagtaas
ako ng kilay at napatingin
kay Belinda. Her lips turned "O" and she clapped once.
"Si Ser Ethan ata 'yan, Ma'am."
"He's here?" tanong ko.
"Pumalaot na sina Ser Radleigh noong tumawag siya at ibinalitang sasama siya sa
atin bukas sa pagluwas sa
Maynila."
Sa sinabi ni Belinda ay 'tsaka lang talaga bumaon sa aking utak. Tomorrow, we are
leaving the island and I'm
gonna face my problems. Facing my problems is acceptable. Leaving the island isn't.
Damn!
Umalis si Belinda para salubungin si Ethan. Nanatili ako sa kusina at hinanda na
lamang ang lamesa para sa
aming tatlo.
Inayos ko ang mga pinggan at kubyertos. Pati na rin ang inumin.
Heavy familiar footsteps frommy cousin got me. Pagod ko siyang tiningnan nang
tumigil siya sa hamba ng
pintuan.
P 26-6
"Wow! This looks new. Zari, looking like a housewife," he chuckled.
Bahaw akong ngumiti.
"I expected you to come running at me. I was wrong."
"What do you want now, Ethan? Hindi ka ata makapag antay na makabalik ako ng
Maynila at naparito ka
talaga."
Tumuwid siya sa pagkakatayo. Now his hands are inside the pockets of his slacks.
"I want you to have an overview of my progress. Para pagdating mo ng Maynila, hindi
mo na kailangan ng
catch up."
I leaned on the table. Pinagmasdan niya ang buong mansion bago binalik muli sa akin
ang tingin.
"Where's Radleigh?"
"Fishing..." sagot ko sabay tingin sa mga pinggan.
Nagpasya kaming dalawa na salubungin ang pagdating nina Radleigh at ng mga
bodyguards. Sa malayo pa
lang ay kita ko na ang gulat sa mukha ni Radleigh nang nakita ang pinsan ko sa
aking likod.
Nang bumaba si Rad sa yate ay agad nagbatian ang dalawa. Then Rad turned to me.
Gusto ko sanang ibalita
na nakapagluto ako ng Kare-kare. Matagumpay. Ngunit the nosy Ethan Leviste is
watching us like we're some
sitcom.
"Let's eat our lunch," sabi ko.
Nauna na ako sa hinagdanang bato at sumunod ang dalawa na nag-uusap.
The smell of food filled my nose. But I'mnot hungry. Ganito talaga kapag ikaw ang
nagluto. I'mmore
concerned of Rad's reaction to what I cooked than anything else.
While they were talking, nilagyan ko ng sabaw ang maliit na bowl para kay Rad.
Although his attention was
for Ethan, nakita kong sinulyapan niya ang ginawa ko.
Nilapag ko sa gilid ng kanyang pinggan ang bowl at nagkatinginan kami. Tumikhimsi
Ethan. Napatingin ako
sa aking pinsan. Naglagay ulit ako sa isa pang bowl para kay Ethan para wala na
siyang masabi.
"Well, as I was saying... Let's talk about Tito Geoffrey first," si Ethan.
Nakuha niya ang buong atensyon ko.
"I bailed himout. Napakiusapan ko ang judge at ang bangko. He has a total of thirty
twenty-two checks na
tumalbog. All exceeding eight digits."
Para akong nadaganan ng langit sa sinabi ni Ethan. Alamkong maraming utang si Daddy
kaya nga ako naging
desperado pero ang marinig ang ganito galing kay Ethan, pakiramdamko'y tatanda ako
ng mabilis dahil sa
P 26-7
pasanin na ito.
"He's currently at the mansion. He's not very well. Prison has made himunhealthy.
Kahit na binigyan na ng
pabor ang kanyang kalagayan. I suggest he rests, be it here or abroad."
"Thank you, Ethan. Is he worried about me?"
"He is. Very. I assured himthat you're fine."
Kahit paano ay naibsan naman ang pangamba ko.
"As for the company..." bigo ang tono ni Ethan. "I really don't think there's a way
to boost it. Your proposed
project won't assure as any profit. Plus, the investors are withdrawing."
Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Lumang balita na iyan.
"My only suggestion, Zari, is to sell the stocks of Tito. Father is willing to buy
it..." sumulyap si Ethan kay
Rad.
Parang sinabi niya na rin sa aking isasara ko ang kompanya. Pero 'di gaya noong
una, parang mas
naiintindihan ko na ngayon.
"The project I proposed is already going on, Ethan. If I sell our stocks, I will
still pay for the project if the
new president won't push through it."
"We can push through it if you want. But... you know well that we're busy with our
company. I will sell half
of Tito Geoffrey's stocks to another investor."
"Pero, Ethan, who will invest in a failing company? Ikaw lang kasi pamilya tayo!"
giit ko.
Sumulyap ulit si Ethan kay Radleigh.
"He can sell it to me."
What? Is this a trick or something? Pero wala na akong panahong magreklamo. This is
all fair play if you
look at it. He's giving me money for the stocks. He's not giving me money for no
reason. Kaya tama lang din!
"It is okay to sell it to themespecially that his RHI can help you with the
building, Zari."
Tinikomko na lamang ang bibig ko.
"Some investors withdrew their stocks. Pinagbili sa iba. Madalas iyong nakikitang
wala nang pag-asa. So...
the board will be new. You will be a part of it since you've got five percent left,
right?"
Wala na rin naman akong magagawa. What's important to me right now is that the
company will remain.
Kahit hindi na ako ang major owner o president. Iyon naman ang importante.
"Pipirmahan mo pa iyan kaya sa ngayon, ikaw parin ang Presidente. And also, I
suggest you cost cut. Your
employees are furious. They're crying for money. They know the company is failing.
What are your plans?"
P 26-8
tanong ni Ethan.
"I will prepare a budget for their exit. Lalo na sa mga regular. I will cost cut
but I will give themthe liberty
to choose if they want to stay or not. Kapag aalis, I will give the right amount
for the parting. That's my plan."
"Good," si Ethan.
Pleased that Ethan agreed with me, nilingon ko si Radleigh. His piercing eyes bore
into me like I'mthe only
one in that room. Then slowly, the sides of his lips rose into a half smile.
Tumikhimako at nagpatuloy sa
pakikinig kay Ethan.
Ethan continued informing me about the other things. Sunod ay sila naman ang nag-
usap na dalawa. Dumami
tuloy lalo ang iniisip ko.
Kinagabihan ay natuloy nga ang plano ni Radleigh. With Ethan and the bodyguards,
nagcelebrate sila sa
matagumpay na operasyong nangyari.
They all recalled what happened in Boracay for Ethan. May bumagabag din sa aking
isip. Tulad na lang
noong mga naunang pangyayari. Iyong pagkidnap ko kay Radleigh at ang pagkakaiba ng
mga nangyari. Dulot
ng kahihiyan, hindi na ako nangahas na ibalik pa iyon. I amfine that now they are
celebrating for the other
important thing.
Rad's smiling as they talked about it. Nasa gilid niya ako at si Ethan ay nasa
harap, nakikinig sa kwento ni
Roman at Bon.
Humikab ako. Sa gilid namin ay ang bonfire na ginawa ng mga bodyguard bilang ilaw
at pampainit sa
malamig na gabi rito sa Isla Fuego.
Rad's smile loosened and he glanced at me. Medyo pula ang kanyang mukha, syempre
dahil kanina pa sila
umiinom.
Kanina pa naglalaro ang mga daliri niya sa aking palad. Kahit na may kausap ay
nanatiling ganoon ang ayos
niya. Inangat niya ang kamay ay nilagay sa aking batok. He massaged me a bit as I
try so hard to keep myself
awake.
"You're sleepy..." he noted.
Ngumiti ako.
He pushed my nape slightly as he leaned closer to me. Amoy pinaghalok alak at mint
ang hininga niya.
Something about it made me a bit uncomfortable in another way. I unconsciously
licked my lips.
"You should sleep now. Susunod na ako sa kwarto."
Napatingin ako sa kanya. His eyes looked tipsy and cloudy. I've never seen
himdrunk. This is the first time.
And boy, I don't know why this does something to my system.
Damn. I nodded in full submission. Iniisip ko kaninang 'di ako sa kwarto niya
matutulog dahil baka anong
isipin ni Ethan pero dahil sinabi niya ngayon. Doon nga ang tungo ko.
P 26-9
Tumayo ako. Sinundan niya naman ako ng tingin.
"Ethan, I'mgonna sleep now..." sambit ko sa pinsan kong medyo lasing na rin yata.
Nagpaalamako kay Belinda at sa iba pang mga bodyguards na naroon. Ilang sandali ang
nakalipas ay
umaakyat na ako sa hinagdanang bato. Then before I could step another, sinulyapan
ko sila sa baba.
I saw Rad watching me. Ang kanyang braso ay nakaakbay sa backrest ng silya ko
kanina.
My heart skipped a bit. I continued walking like nothing happened. I'mgonna miss
this all. Damn!
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha Ayunnnnnnnn eh
P 26-10
Kabanata 25
498K 16.2K 6.9K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 25
Relief
Masyadong naging mabilss ang oras.
I slept deeply that night. So peacefully, actually. Pag gising ko'y naroon si
Radleigh sa aking tabi, mahimbing
na natutulog at bahagyang nakadagan sa akin.
His heavy armwas wrapped around my chest, giving me so much comfort. Tinitigan ko
pa siya ng ilang
sandali habang siya'y mahimbing ang tulog.
And even when he's asleep, his eyebrows were a bit a bit creased. Napangiti ako.
Bakit ba kahit tulog ay
mukha parin siyang suplado?
Sa paggising, pagkain, at pag-iimpake, bumilis pa lalo ang oras. Like how I want
it. Before I could process
everything, kinamulatan ko na lang na pababa na kami ng chopper sa bakanteng lote
ng mansion.
Naunang bumaba si Ethan at nilingon niya ang pagbaba namin. Lumagpas ang tingin
niya kina Roman na
ngayon ay dala-dala ang mga gamit ko. He rolled his eyes and then waited for us to
walk towards him.
"She doesn't look isolated, Radleigh," komento niya.
Nagtaas ako ng kilay kay Rad. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa at sabay pang nilingon
ang tatlong naglalakihang
maleta sa aking likod.
A playful smile rose on Rad's lips. Umiling si Ethan.
"Well, what's new?"
"What's your problemwith my luggages? It has my essentials! I did not even bring
most of my clothes and
things fromthat island!" giit ko.
Ethan ignored my explanations and started walking towards our mansion. Palapit pa
lamang kami ay nakita
ko na si Daddy kasama ang iilang kasambahay. Ethan's parents were behind him, too.
Nagmamadali ako noong una para makasalubong si Daddy pero nang nakalapit ay humina
ang lakad ko. He
looked ill. Pumayat siya at mas lalong tumanda ang mukha sa loob lamang ng ilang
linggo kong pagkawala.
My tears immediately fell and I hugged himtight. His body feels so light and I
can't help but cry more.
He needs medical attention or a vacation, perhaps. He needs to be nourished. I know
that the past years
without my Mommy was hard for him. She was the love of his life. He won't stop
talking about his feelings
for my Mom. The reason why I indulged his vices is because I feel guilty for my
Mom's death. Ni hindi ko
P 27-1
alamna sa mga panahong nagkakasagutan kami, may sakit na siya noon.
"Daddy!"
"I'msorry, Zari," nabasag ang kanyang boses.
"It's okay..." sabi ko.
Bumitiw ako sa yakap at tiningnan siyang mabuti. Ilang sandali kaming nagkatinginan
bago niya pinuna kung
sino ang nasa likod ko.
"We're glad you're well, Zariyah," sabi ni Tita Eliza at hinagod ang aking braso.
I smiled at her. Hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay at niyakap na rin.
Natanggal ako sa pagkakayakap ng narinig ko ang bati ni Radleigh kay Daddy. Nagmano
rin si Ethan at
bumati.
Isang mababang tawa ang ginawa ni Daddy sabay tingin sa akin. Tumango siya na tila
may nahinuha sa
pinagmamasdan.
"I amglad that you two are working things out again. Para rin naman iyan sa
ikabubuti ng kompanya."
Para akong naestatwa sa kinatatayuan ko. Hindi ako makatingin kay Radleigh sa
kahihiyan at awa sa sariling
ama. I amnot sure if he even thought about his words when he uttered it.
"Goeffrey, they are tired fromtheir travel. Let us first give themtime to rest,"
sabi ni Tita Eliza sabay tingin
kay Tito Eugene.
The awkwardness in the air was very evident. Sa katahimikan habang uminumuwestra ni
Tita Eliza sa mga
katulong na alalayan si Daddy papasok sa mansion at sa tingin ni Tito Eugene kay
Radleigh, mas lalo kong
napansin kung paanong pinaglayo ng lahat ang aming mga pamilya.
"Thank you, Radleigh, for helping my son and niece out. Please, give Zariyah time
with her Daddy."
Napasinghap ako sa sinabi ni Tito. Si Tita at ang mga kasambahay ay tumulong na sa
pag-alalay kay Daddy
papasok sa mansyon. Nilingon ko si Radleigh. The look on his eyes almost made me
hide fromthe earth.
Parang may malamig na tubig na bumalot sa aking katawan.
"Hindi na rin po ako magtatagal, Tito. And, you can always count on me..." aniya
sabay sulyap sa akin.
Yumuko ako. Embarrassment got into my system. If someone heard what Daddy thinks
about all these,
mauungkat ang nangyari noon.
"Zari, mag-usap kayo ng Daddy mo tungkol sa plano mo. Ikaw ang magdedesisyon sa
lahat simula ngayon.
Hindi ba iyon ang gusto mo?"
Bumaling ako kay Tito. "Opo. Susunod na ako."
P 27-2
Nilingon ko si Radleigh ng isang beses bago ako tuluyang sumunod kina Tita sa
mansion. The thick
atmosphere between my Tito, Ethan, and Radleigh is too much to bear.
Huli na nang napagtanto kong kung paaalisin ni Tito si Radleigh ngayon, hindi na
ako makakapagpasalamat sa
kanya. I was in my Dad's study when I thought about it. And it was in the middle of
his accounts about how he
got so many debts.
"I loaned the project, Zari. I know I can pay for that. For the investors. I just
accidentally used the money one
night in a casino..." Daddy said huskily.
Nakahalukipkip ako at nakahilig sa malaking lamesa. Siya'y nasa sofa samantalang si
Tita Eliza ay
tumatanggap ng mga tray galing sa labas.
Ang gilid sa mga mata ni Daddy ay puno ng luha. I don't know what to feel while
I'mlooking at him,
miserable because of his own doings.
On the table behind me is the complete account of all his debts, including his debt
on that Drug Lord. Hindi
ko alamkung kaya ko iyong bayaran at mas lalong hindi ko aabalahin ang pamilya ni
Ethan para sa mga utang
ni Daddy na purong Casino lang ang dahilan.
Yes, I truly indulged himwith his vice because I remember how he's always indulged
me with mine.
Shopping filled the gap my parents made. They gave me the money to make me feel
loved. Iyon din ang
natutunan ko sa murang edad. Na mahal nila ako kaya ako maraming pera. And now, I
unconsciously did that
to my father.
It is a wrong way to express love. Hell, it is not even love! It is only relief. A
temporary alternative to
express what you think is love. A lazy excuse.
Iyon ang ginawa nila sa akin. Iyon ang natutunan ko. At ito ang ginagawa ko ngayon.
I want to stop Daddy fromtalking about his experiences but I guess it was
therapeutic for himto. Kinuha ko
ang mga papel at nagsimula na akong mag scan doon.
Noon ko pa alamang mga pinagkakautangan niya na mga kompanya at investors. Pero
ngayon, kompleto na
ang listahan, kasama ang mga utang niya sa pagca-casino.
With a heavy heart, nilapitan ko siya. He was shaking as he cried. Parang pinipiga
ang puso ko. There's no
point in blaming now. I can't solve the problemby pointing fingers.
"I'msorry, Zari... I'msorry, anak..."
The pain stabbed my chest. Halos hindi ako makahinga habang pinagmamasdan si Daddy
na sising sisi sa
lahat. I hugged himtight for minutes. We stayed like that for a while.
"Ayos lang, Dad. I can deal with all these..." I assured him.
Tumango si Daddy at umiiyak parin.
"For now, I want you to rest here," sambit ko.
P 27-3
Ilang sandali pa kaming nanatiling ganoon hanggang sa pumasok si Ethan sa silid. Si
Tita Eliza ay nagtatawag
na ulit ng katulong para alalayan si Daddy sa kwarto at makapagpahinga na ito.
Nang tuluyan nang lumabas si Daddy ay hinarap ko na si Ethan na ngayon ay siyang
naroon sa lamesa,
nakahilig, gaya ng posisyon ko kanina.
He looked at me with worry in his eyes. Umiling lamang ako at naglakad pabalik sa
sofa para maupo.
"We grant you a loan, Zari," si Tita Eliza.
Ngumiti ako at umiling. "I won't pay for his loans with another loan."
"What's your plan?" tanong ni Ethan.
"I'mgonna sell Mommy's properties."
"The island should be on your top list. Walang silbi ang isla na iyon, Zari," Ethan
said harshly.
Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Although it holds a place in my heart, the only thing I
want now is practicality.
Buy selling my Father's stocks to Ethan, I will have enough money to pay for the
employees and some of my
Father's loans fromthe bank. My trust funds can pay for his casino debts. And by
selling properties, I can pay
for his other small time loans. Pero ibig sabihin noon, hindi ko pa mababayaran ang
iilang utang niya sa ibang
investors na nawalan ng tiwala.
The island should be sold.
But that's going to be the last thing I'd do.
Mananatili ang kompanya, hindi man ako ang maging Presidente. My stock will
probably earn. I will have to
work under Vista Grande and I will look for other jobs. Maybe I can make it happen.
"I think I can pay for it."
"You need to have a press conference, too, Zari. For the sake of your employees,"
si Ethan. "Narito na rin
ang listahan ng mga bagong investors na nagplanong bumili ng stocks. Your approval
is the only thing that's
needed."
Tumango ako. I don't think I have any choice.
"What about you?" tanong ni Ethan na alamko agad ang ibig niyang sabihin.
"I will work under Vista Grande as an Architect. Besides, it will benefit me.
I'malso planning to get another
job aside fromthat."
Pinlano ko iyon lahat doon na halos makalimutan kong nakabalik na nga pala ako ng
Maynila. I did not
contact my friends. All I think about are my plans for the company.
Inilahad ko iyon kina Tita at Tito. Sinang-ayunan naman nila iyon. Buying my
Daddy's stocks is already a big
P 27-4
help. Kahit na alamnilang medyo tagilid ang Vista Grande, susugal parin sila. And I
won't abuse that.
Tiningnan ko lahat ng mga dokumentong nakalap habang wala ako. Halu-halo iyon.
Legal documents,
complaints, feedback, summons, party invitations, and so on.
Nakatulugan ko pa ang lahat ng iyon sa silid na iyon.
I also gave Ethan the right to issue the announcement of my press conference for
the whole Vista Grande,
pagkatapos ng closed door meeting ng mga dati at bagong investors.
Kinabukasan ay nagpaalamna ako kay Daddy na babalik ako sa condo. Aside fromit's
near the office, I will
feel more alert there compared to the mansion. I feel too comfortable at the
mansion to live there while my
life is haywired.
Kakapark ko lang sa basement ay nakita ko na agad si Calla at Caleb doon.
Nagmamadali akong bumaba para
mayakap silang dalawa.
Sinabi ko kasi kay Ethan na siya na lang ang bahalang magsabi sa magkapatid dahil
natatakot pa akong
humawak ng cellphone o mag log in sa mga social accounts ko. He told me he'll have
it checked if it is safe.
Ihahatid niya rin agad sa aking condo kapag tapos na.
"I missed you! Saan ka ba galing?" tanong ni Calla, mahinahon.
"Boracay?" nagtaas ng kilay si Caleb sa akin.
Hindi ko alamkung tama bang sabihin ko sa kanila ang nangyari.
Napag-usapan na rin namin 'to nina Ethan. Kasalukuyang nakakulong ang lider at ang
mga tao niya at mukhang
hindi na ata iyon makakalabas. Matunog ang tagumpay ng mga sundalo sa operasyon
nila pero hindi isinama
sa balita ang tungkol sa pagtatangka sa buhay ko.
Sa sobrang dami ng nangyayari sa buhay ko, hindi ko na alamkung alin ang uunahin
kong ikwento sa kanila.
I believe that it's therapeutic to tell someone about your problems. I trust
themboth. Even when I was in
Boracay, maaaring pinagdudahan ko si Caleb pero ngayong nakikita ko na naman siya
sa harap kong hindi
makapaniwala sa mga kabulastugan ko ay napagtanto kong talagang mabubuti silang
tao.
"You what, Zari?" halos pabulyaw na sinabi ni Caleb.
"I knew it!" si Calla.
Nagkakagulo na ang gamit ko rito sa Condo unit. Caleb's standing beside the window
while Calla's helping
me out with my clothes.
Natulala si Calla sa ibinalita kong kinidnap ko si Radleigh Vesarius Riego sa
engagement party niya.
Bumagsak ang balikat ko sabay tingin kay Caleb na ngayon ay may halong mangha at
kalituhan ang mukha.
He's wearing a black shirt and black jeans. His one ear piercing ringed on his
right ear and his thin silver
P 27-5
necklace hung loosely on his neck. Nilingon ko si Calla na punong-puno ng pang-
aakusa ang mukha.
Ang kanyang sobrang haba at itimna buhok ay tila kurtina hanggang baywang. Ang
puting t-shirt at blue jeans
ay humulma ng husto sa kanyang tamang siksik na katawan.
"I said I kidnapped himon his engagement day!"
I filled themwith the right information. Mula sa pagkidnap at pagkabaliktad ko.
Hanggang sa pagkakaalam
kong may humahabol na sindikato at sa barilan sa Boracay. Of course, minus all the
parts about Radleigh
cuddling me on his lap. Why the hell would I say that?
"Where is he now?" tanong ni Calla.
"You can file a case against him," tumango si Caleb at ilang sandali ay kumunot ang
noo. "But... he can also
file a case against you, too."
"I'mglad you're okay!" nag-uunahan sila sa kanilang opinyon.
"I replied to your message but you didn't. You were out before I could type!" si
Caleb.
Matalimna tumingin si Calla sa kapatid. "That should be enough, Kuya. Muntikan na
siyang napahamak dahil
sa pangungulit mo!"
Napakurap-kurap si Caleb sa sinabi ni Calla.
Our talk lasted for half of the day. Their presence means a lot to me lalo na
ngayong naghahanda na ako para
sa magiging meeting pagkatapos dito.
Caleb ordered for food while Calla remained on my roomas I perfected my eye make
up. Nakatitig siya sa
akin na tila ba isa akong palaisipan. Nakikita ko ang repleksyon niya sa aking
salamin.
"Are you sure about your decisions?" tanong ni Calla. "I remember you were so angry
and you won't let go of
your company the last time we talked."
Huminga ako ng malalimat nilingon si Calla. Hinagod niya ulit ako ng tingin.
Wearing my peach spaghetti
strapped dress with a deep backless, her lips protruded.
"Inisip kong mabuti ang lahat, Calla," sabi ko. "Wala na rin akong ibang paraan.
Ito na lang."
"Okay..." aniya at nagpatuloy sa mapanuring mga tingin.
Huminga ako ng malalimat binalingan muli siya.
"You don't look bankcrupt," puna niya.
Natawa ako roon. "Of course, I won't look poor! Isa pa, magtatrabaho ako para hindi
ako tuluyang mawalan
ng pera. I can work!" I proudly said.
Nagtaas siya ng kilay. Hindi naniniwala sa akin.
P 27-6
"Totoo!" sabi ko sa kanya. "I will be a good Architect to the Vista Grande! I will
make sure of that!"
"Hindi ako makapaniwala. I'mnot used to seeing you work like that. Just used to
seeing you shopping and
all." She giggled.
"Well, you have to get used to it now. I'll be a working girl fromnow on! Actually,
marami na akong naiisip
na designs para sa projects!"
Tinikomni Calla ang kanyang bibig. Isang multo ng awa ang nakita ko sa kanyang
mukha. It poked my heart a
bit. Insulted me a bit. In the end, I sighed.
"I will still shop. Don't worry, Calla!" ngumisi ako.
"I can ask Luigi to invest in your company-"
"No! Don't. The new investors are complete."
She's just worried about me. Alamko. At ayaw kong isipin niyang kaawa awa nga ako.
"And Caleb is probably thinking about doing that now that you told us..."
Umirap ako.
Tinagilid ni Calla ang ulo niya. She looked adorable. Kahit sino'y hindi
makakapaniwalang limang taon na
siyang kasal sa asawa niya.
Naglakbay ang isip ko bigla sa maaaring nangyari noon kung tinuloy ko ang pag-
aasawa kay Radleigh. Oh the
things I look forward to, before. Ang paglipat ko ng bahay. Ang mga damit ko. Ang
pag-aaral ko. Siguro ay
ganito rin ang nangyari sa amin ni Radleigh.
Damn it, Zari! Bakit iyan ang iniisip mo?
"How can this be your last resort when you clearly told me how you need Radleigh's
help before you went to
Isla Fuego?" may nahimigan akong pagdududa sa kanyang tanong.
Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at muling naglagay ng produkto sa buhok.
"Because I can do it? Isn't that enough reason now, Calla?"
Bumangon siya sa aking kama at ngayon ay nasa likod ko na. Inayos niya ang kulot-
kulot kong buhok sa likod.
"Kayong dalawa lang ba ni Radleigh ang nasa isla na iyon?" Ngayon, mukhang alamko
ang patutunguhan
nitong tanong niya.
"Hindi! Obviously, we have bodyguards. A lot of them. And Belinda, our housemaid.
Oh! Bukas pa ang punta
ni Belinda rito dahil pinauwi ko pa sa kanilang probinsya."
Nanliit ang mga mata ni Calla. Oh. This girl, really. Umirap muli ako at binalingan
na lang ang mga damit ko
sa kama para magsimulang magligpit. Yes. Magtutupi ako habang naka stilletos!
P 27-7
"Ever kissed himwhile on the island?" she inquired suspisciously.
Nakakapagod naman kausap ang isang ito. Kapag talaga may karanasan na, ang galing
manghuli.
Naka on leave yata ang mga brain cells ko, tulad ni Belinda, dahilan ng mabilisan
kong sagot.
"I fucked himonce and I have no intention to do it again. Happy?" Nilingon ko si
Calla na na ngayon ay
laglag ang panga, hawak ang dibdib na tila ba sinaksak ko siya roon.
"Talaga?!" Hindi ko alamkung maiiyak ba siya o matutuwa.
Pinapaulit pa yata sa akin. Nagpatuloy na lang ako sa pagtutupi ng damit. Bigla
siyang sumulpot sa gilid ko.
"Bakit hindi na mauulit? My God, Zari! Paano nangyari?"
Para siyang uod na binudburan ng asin sa likod ko. Kulang na lang ay hilahin niya
ang mga mata ko para
mapatingin ako sa kanya.
How ironic that I was the more playful one and she's reserved. And yet, now she has
more experience than
me. Five years worth of experience, huh?
"Who initiated first? And Oh my God! Are you two? Oh my God! I have so many..."
Pakiramdamko day-off din ng brain cells ni Calla ngayon dahil mukhang hindi niya
maayos ang kanyang mga
iniisip. Naghilot pa siya ng sentido.
"Do not tell me he's not good! He's casually dated a lot of women. Baka ikaw ang
hindi marunong at nahihiya
ka nang ulitin iyon?" she shamelessly accused me.
"Excuse me!" magagalit na sana ako ngunit nang nagflash ulit sa aking utak ang mga
nangyari.
I didn't do much than kiss him. What the hell?
"I have no plans of doing it again. We're not in a relationship. He has a fiancee
or girlfriend. I'mbusy. I have
so many problems. I have no time. Okay, Calla? Okay na?" sarkastiko kong tanong.
Gumulong siya sa kama at tawang-tawa. She looked possessed. Hinampas ko siya ng
damit. She pouted at me
and continued laughing.
Uminit ang pisngi ko. Damn it! I won't do it again. Whatever happened in Isla
Fuego, will forever stay in that
Isla Fuego!
"If you have plans to do it again, you can ask me for more ideas," tukso niya.
"Ewan ko sa'yo-"
Natigil ako nang narinig na may pumasok. Si Caleb iyon, sigurado.
"Now. Shut your mouth!"
P 27-8
I was pretty much annoyed with Calla's grin while we were eating our lunch. Hindi
matanggal ang ngiti niya
at si Caleb ay nagtatanong na kung anong nangyayari sa kapatid.
"May problema ka ba, Calla?" tanong ni Caleb, laced with pure concern.
Nakakunot ang noo ko pero habang tinitingnang mukhang tanga si Calla ay natatawa na
lang din ako.
Iyon lamang ang nagpatanggal sa kaba ko. As soon as I was alone in my car, driving
to the building, my heart
started to hammer.
I'mthirty minutes early. Gaya nang pinag-usapan namin ni Ethan dahil mag-uusap pa
kami ng iilang
empleyado ko bago kami magsisimula sa meeting.
Maraming empleyado sa labas. When they saw my BMW, halos dumugin iyon. Kung wala
lang ang mga
bodyguards ay baka hindi na ako nakadaan patungong basement.
The employees were not as furious than before. Siguro ay nahilot na ni Ethan ang
mga opinyon nila.
Media covered it and I understand that because Vista Grande is a leading real
estate company. Sa
magkabilang panig ko ay si Roman at Edgar. Maingay nang lumabas ako ng elevator at
dire diretso ang lakad
namin patungo sa conference hall ng building.
In there was Ethan, some leaders frommy employees, and the bodyguards.
Naging smooth ang pag-uusap. Alamna kasi nila ang plano ko dahil nasabi na rin ni
Ethan sa kanila bago pa
lang ako napunta roon.
"Nagpo-protesta ang mga regular employees na damay sa cost cutting. Iyan ang
pinagsisigaw nila sa labas,
Miss Leviste," sabi noong empleyado.
Tumango ako. "I understand. My plan is to give the regular employees a choice. To
remain with the company
or not. Ang tanging sapilitang matatanggal ay ang mga trainees at contractual. I
will give themtheir final pay
and at the same time, payment for the damages."
Nagkatinginan ang mga naroong empleyado. Ethan shifted on his chair. They deserve
more pay. Hindi bale na
kung maubos ko man lahat ng natitirang pera.
"The regular employees who will choose to stay will receive a bonus. The regular
employees who will
leave will receive their final payment, bonus, and the damages, as well. At sila
ang pipili roon kung alin ang
gusto nila. I will not force the regular employees to leave if they don't want to."
Pagkatapos kong sabihin ang mga iyon ay isa-isa na nilang pinuri ang desisyon ko.
And then I started signing
all the documents approving all my decisions. I hope these will all finally settle
everything.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA??????????????
P 27-9
Kabanata 26
456K 17K 12.9K
by jonaxx
Kabanata 26
Problematic
Pagkatapos kong mapirmahan lahat ng dokumento para sa aking mga empleyado ay ang
mga General Manager
naman ng mga banko ang kausap ko.
I clearly told themto transfer some of my funds to the companies and people my Dad
has debts to. Sobrang
bilis ng pangyayari na hindi ako makapaniwalang milyon-milyon ang mawawala sa pera
ko.
The checks were held until Monday. Right after this meeting, all the funds fromthe
stocks will be transfered
to one of my accounts at nakahanda na ang checkeng pambayad sa mga iba pang
pinagkakautangan ni Daddy.
My accountant will release the checks by Monday, along with everything. Later
today, I will receive the final
report of what's left of me. Masakit isipin pero iyon ang kailangan kong gawin.
Pagkatapos naman noon, isa-isa nang dumating ang mga panauhin.
On the long table in front of the roomis where I will sit together with my previous
board. The audience will
be composed of new investors, high ranking employees, and other affiliates
including the media.
I was being interviewed by a business magazine reporter nang unti-unting dumating
ang mga tao. Medyo
umingay nang nagsidatingan ang mga CEO at representatives ng malalaking kompanya.
I glanced at the double doors and saw Radleigh's entrance. Ethan came next together
with some other
corporate.
Tumikhimako at nagpatuloy sa pagsagot sa nag-iinterview. Sa gilid ng mga mata ay
nakita kong inaayos ni
Radleigh ang kanyang suit habang nakatingin sa akin. Agad pumalibot sa kanya ang
ilang pang mga
businessmen. Kamayan at batian ang ginawa.
"My Father is not fit to continue the company. It's been losing a lot for the past
years and right now, I have
finally decided to sell our shares to those who are interested."
"Will your company retain its name, Miss Leviste?"
"It will depend on the new President but I highly doubt they'll change it. Vista
Grande is a trusted name in the
Philippines. Mahirap nang magsimula ulit sa scratch."
I glanced at the crowd of businessmen again. Radleigh's standing there with more
businessmen in the same
field. In his black tux and clean cut, he looked dashing.
"Why are you not able to lead, Miss Leviste?"
P 28-1
Halos mabilaukan ako sa tanong na iyon. It's not a big secret that my Father was
jailed due to estaffa. And for
sure, these media put all the puzzle pieces together. Madali lang ang sagot: Wala
na kaming pera.
"I have other plans for myself. Selling it to our family is not a loss to us."
My little pride got me a bit. Tumango ang nag-iinterview at may isa pang lumapit
ulit sa akin.
It goes on until it's time for me to start the conference.
Parang pareho lang din ang nangyayari. Only this time, the ones who will ask me
questions are the new
investors and employees.
Pagkaupo ko sa Presidential table kasama ang ilan kong board ay nagulat agad ako.
Among the audience is,
Radleigh's fiancee, Agatha. She sits there along with an older woman!
Iritasyon ang lumukob sa aking puso. Why is she here? Why did he let her come here?
Alamkong kailangan namin ng investors at halos wala akong choice sa mag iinvest sa
kompanya pero...
damn! What the hell?
Parang tumalon ang puso ko sa aking lalamunan sa isa pang nakita. More familiar
women were there! Her