Losing Control

Labing Anim

"Uh, uh, Sir, kasi..." nauutal na sabi ni Carlota.  

Tinignan ni Stephanie ang babeng katabi nya na hindi makatingin ng diretso kay Ashton.  Hinawakan nya ang nanginginig at ang nanlalamig na kamay ni Carlota.  Tumingin ang dalaga sa kanya at tumango si Stephanie na para bang sinasabing 'ako na ang bahala'.

"Best friend ako ni Carlota sa Manila.  May nangyari lang kasi...may malaki akong pangangailangan.  Tinulungan nya lang naman ako, eh.  It just so happened na hindi pwede si Darlene, so ako na lang muna ang pumalit.  I promise, wala akong masamang intensyon," she let go of Carlota's hand and walked up to Ashton.  "I was never planning on staying here long.  I just needed time...I just needed the money.  I will leave as soon as Darlene is able to come here, I promise, or pwede din akong umalis ngayon din kung gusto mo.  Lota was just being a good friend, sana huwag mo naman syang pagalitan.  Ako naman to, eh, ako ang nagpumilit..."

"Gigi, no..." Carlota interrupted her.

"Okay lang, Lota," she looked back at her friend.  I know ikaw ang may kailangan ng trabahong ito, Lota.  Kahit sesantihin ako, okay lang. "I know you need this job..."

"Gigi," Ashton reached for her hand.  "Wala akong paaalisin.  Nagtatanong lang ako kung sino si Darlene. Tumawag kasi yung secretary ko kanina na may tumawag daw sa kanya from the agency at nagpaliwanag.  Naguguluhan lang ako.  But I'm very happy with you," he touched her cheek.  "And I'm not going to let you walk out of this house, especially now na nililigawan na kita."

"Ash..."

"Gigi," he stopped her.  "Ako na ang bahala sa agency."

"Sir Ashton, sorry po talaga kung hindi namin sinabi sa inyo agad," sabi ni Carlota sa kanyang amo.

"Okay lang, Lota.  Sige na, okay na.  Iwanan mo na lang muna kami ni Gigi dito."

"Sige po," nginitian na lang ni Carlota si Stephanie bago umalis na ng dining room.

"G, sabayan mo na akong kumain, please," he held her hips and pulled her closer to him.

"Eh, kasi hindi pa ko gutom..."

"Sorry, did I make you lose your appetite?  I didn't mean to freak you out, babe."

"Pwede ka naman magalit eh," she looked down, she couldn't take his intense gaze anymore, mostly kasi nagiguilty sya. 

"But I'm not mad. You said na may matindi kang pangangailangan.  Kakilala ka naman ni Carlota.  You've been doing a good job while you've been here," he tucked her hair behind both ears.  "I have no complaints."

"How can you just trust me, just like that?" she looked back up at him.

"I just do," he kissed the tip of her nose. 

"Excuse me," kumalas sya sa paghawak ni Ashton sa kanya and walkd out of the house. 

Umupo si Stephanie sa may stairs sa tabi ng swimming pool.  She bent her body so that her torso was bent completely over and her chin rested on her knees.  Narinig nya na lang ang footsteps ni Ashton  na tumabi na sa kanya.  He's starting to question things.  I need to distract him.  I promise, aalis ako in one month.  I just need to clear my head.  I just need to ready myself for the rest of my life.  I need to be ready to marry someone I don't know...someone I don't like...someone I don't love.  Argh, why does my life have to be so hard?!  Buti pa dito, simple.  Buti pa tong si Abo, simple.  Alam na alam nya ang gusto nya sa buhay.  He's so sure; so confident.  I wish I was more like him.  I wish I was strong enough to say 'no' to my parents.

"G?" Ashton rubbed her back as she remained bent over.  "May problema ka ba?  You can always talk to me.  You can trust me."

"I know."