BS2: Chained by the Billionaire (On Hiatus)

Chapter 17

Napatango ako. Ngunit alam ko sa sarili kong hindi ako natuwa sa narinig ko.

"Close sila ng Mommy mo, 'no?" I looked at him curiously. "You both grew up together. And she became your girlfriend for how long?"

Ansel looks like he doesn't want to answer but he sighed. "Three years," napapaos niyang sagot.

Oh. Medyo matagal pala.

"Why did you break up?"

"Iana," Ansel pursed his lips, refusing. "I don't think now is the right time to talk about her."

Hindi ako sumagot. Okay. Ayaw ko namang namimilit. Humalukipkip lang ako at tumingin sa bintana. Tinatanong lang naman. As if I am jealous! Well wala namang nagsasabing nagseselos ako. Pero just to be clear. I am not jealous.

"Alright," pagsuko niya bigla. Ngunit nagulat ako nung abutin niya ang kamay ko at pinagsaklop yung mga kamay namin. He placed my hand on the driving shaft while his hand was on top of mine, doing the work.

I tried to pull away but he just looked at me. Sumimangot siya at tinuloy ang pagmamaneho. Napaawang tuloy ang labi ko.

"I'll answer you. Just keep your attention on me all the time please," he whispered.

"Attention.. the hell are you–" napalunok ako at pinigilan ang sarili ko.

Umiling siya. "Bianca and I grew up together. Growing up, I've always seen her as a younger sister until she confessed her love for me. Not as a friend, but romantically. Our parents wanted us to be together at the same time so it aligned with Bianca's feelings for me. I was unsure of how it should be. Pero sumugal ako," he glanced at me.

And worth it naman 'yung pagsugal mo?

"Bakit kayo naghiwalay?"

"Our three years relationship ended when she decided to leave me in exchange of studying abroad."

Three long damn years. That means he loved her, right?

"Minahal mo?"

Ansel nodded casually. "Oo."

Huminga ako ng malalim. "Mahal mo pa rin?"

Parang gusto ko na lang tuloy bawiin ang tanong ko. Ayoko pa lang marinig ang sagot. Tila kinukurot ang puso ko sa maaaring sagot niya...na mahal pa niya ito.

Bumaling ako kay Ansel nang marahan siyang natawa. Nung tignan ko siya ay nagtama ang paningin namin. He pushed his tongue inwardly to stop himself from smiling.

Anong nakakatawa sa tanong ko? Wala naman ah! Baka nga mahal niya pa rin–

"My attachment or love for her is long overdue, Iana," he answered, making my heart beat so fast. "Besides," ngumisi siya sa akin habang mas pinahigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ko, halos ayaw na atang bitawan. I stared at him when he guided my hand to his chest. "May nagmamay-ari na nito."

Mabilis kong binawi ang kamay ko mula sa kanya. Sa sobrang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko ay pakiramdam ko lalagnatin pa ako.

Ansel chuckled at my reaction. But I couldn't look at him. I refused to look at him! Kasi natatakot ako na mahimigan niyang...

Napapikit ako. I think I'm falling for this man without my intent. And I'm just too blinded with how our relationship started to even realize the truth.