Mercedez 2: Blinding Lights

10

Past

I opened my eyes when I heard someone calling my name.

It's already super late. The busy streets of Ayala Lands didn't let the city sleep. Madilim nga but the city lights are still blinding me brightly.

The coldness of the city breeze caressing my exposed skin made me shiver. Dumagdag lamang iyon sa kaba na nararamdaman ko ngayon.

Roche was already in the reception desk, talking to the receptionist about his penthouse in the 34th floor of Ayala Towers. Nakasunod lamang ako sa kaniya na hawak ang mga anak namin. Ang mga mukha nila ay nakasubsob na sa magkabilang pagitan ng leeg at balikat ng kanilang ama. I think they're already sleeping.

Napagala ang tingin ko sa paligid.

The lobby is so big. Everything in here looks so modern. May floor nga rin daw dito na naging hotel so I wasn't shocked na when I overheard someone earlier na condotel building ito.

Puno ang recieving area sa lobby. Mukhang most of the businessmen who stays in this building ay dito na rin nagheheld ng meetings nila. Convenient nga rin naman.

"Gucci, come here."

I sighed. Kaagad naman akong lumapit sa kaniya kasi based from his stance, hinihintay niya ako.

"Welcome to Ayala Towers, ma'am. I am Levi, your receptionist for tonight. May I ask for your full name, ma'am?"

I bit my lower lip when he smiled at me.

Yes, the receptionist is a guy and he looked like my age! Gwapo pa...

Napaiwas ako ng tingin kaya naman halos mapaigtad ako nang nasalubong ko ang mapanuring tingin ni Row.

I cleared my throat and turned back to Levi. Tumuwid ako saka ngumiti. "Gucci Zarene Mer- oh!" Napahinto ako nang maalalang kasal na pala ako at kasama ko ang husband ko. He might get mad at me if I won't use his surname. I sighed before saying my name again. "Gucci Zarene L. Dela Vega..." I said in a small voice.

I heard Brooke purr in her deep sleep kaya lumapit ako sa kaniya at hinaplos ang kaniyang buhok kaya naman pumayapa ulit ang kunot niyang noo.

I can see Row raising his brow at me from my peripheral vision kaya naman hindi ko siya binalikan ng tingin.

"How are you related to Mr. Dela Vega, ma'am?" Levi asked curiously.

Bago pa man ako makasagot ay naunahan na ako ni Row.

"She's my wife. Matagal pa ba iyan? Our kids are already sleeping. They're already tired from a party. Gusto na naming magpahinga." Inip na inip na pagsingit niya.

Napasinghap ako because I felt like that was rude! I looked at him unbelievably but he just gave me an emotionless face!

"U-uh, how about ma'am Miles Delilah Janson, sir?" Confusion was very evident from his face and tone. "Isn't she your wife?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. Who? I don't know the woman he mentioned though... May iba ba siyang asawa?

Roche sighed in frustration. "You heard me. Gucci is my wife. Not Miles, not anyone else. Huwag na huwag kang tatanggap ng kung sinong magsasabi na asawa ko dahil isa lang ang meron ako at may dalawa kaming anak. Is it okay now?"

Nataranta naman kaagad ang lalaki at kaagad na nagtype sa monitor.

"I'm adding them in your records, sir."

Ilang saglit lang ang hinintay namin bago kami pinayagan na pumunta na sa penthouse ni Row.

Pagkatapos ng masinsinang pag-uusap kanina with my parents ay hindi talaga pumayag si Row na hindi kami uuwi sa kaniya kaya narito kami ngayon.