Boulevard to Polaris (Virago Series #1)

and the embraces of him

"Oh, and actually, ayoko ring mag-stay dito. Nagplano akong linisin 'yung bahay kung sa'n tayo nag-usap kagabi. Ayos lang bang iparenovate 'yun?" Pag-iiba ko.

Tumango siya, "I'll get some of the engineers I know to work on it. Nagp-plano rin kasi si Novan na magpatayo ng hotel atsaka infinite pool sa tuktok ng bundok."

"Whoa. He's that rich?" Nawindang kong tanong na agad ko ring binawi, "Of course he's rich. He owns this island. How stupid of me to ask."

Gaze chuckled at my demeanor, "C'mon, love. Antonov Novan Vitre is one of the richest man sa Western countries. We're on par and almost the same age kaya kami naging matalik na magkaibigan simula 'nung tuluyang mabayaran ng pamilya ko ang utang sakanila."

"How about you? Sa'n ka rich?" Pang-aasar ko.

Nginisihan niya ako pabalik, "Sa pagmamahal mo."

"Loko." Sabay hampas ko sakanya.

"But I really am wondering, what are your plans now?" Tanong niya, "I mean, with the Madrigals."

Napalis ang ngiti sa labi ko sa tanong niya. Pansin kong nabahala siya ro'n pero ngumiti lang ako pabalik to assure him that it's not about him.

"Forget them. I owe them no forgiveness. What they did to my Mom is irredeemable. No apologies can help minimize my anger, but if they choose to give up everything in my name, then maybe I'll reconsider." Sagot ko.

Taka niya akong tinignan, "Give up?"

"Autumn probably has zero interest in the Madrigals anymore. That leaves me alone to get what's for me. I'm still a Tolliedo, after all. What my Mom acquired as a Tolliedo should be put under my name or my sister's. Kukunin ko ang dapat na sa'min. Hindi ako papayag na maiwan 'yun sakanila lalo na't Mama ko ang naghirap do'n." Paliwanag ko.

Napatango-tango siya't sinuklian ang ngiti ko, "I'll help you with that. With your Mom's foundation and the companies I gave you back, you'll be one of the richest women in Asia. I actually didn't spend anything while I was managing the companies you left us, so you will really lavish with riches, love."

Nanlaki ang mata ko, "Then whose money did you spend to nourish the companies?"

Nginisihan niya ako, "Mine. I vouched to run your companies using the money I got as a Vuerrero and the assets I acquired from my late grandparent's will. Of course, you don't have to pay me back. Your love is enough, Ast."

My heart immediately softened at his gazes and words. He really did all of those for me? Unbelieveable. But then again, sobrang lamlam at lambot ng tingin niya sa'kin. Kitang-kita sa mata niya ang pagkamangha at pagmamahal kaya hindi na ko magtataka papaanong hindi niya magagawa 'yun. Hindi ko naiwasang pisilin ang pisngi niya dahil nac-cutean ako bigla sakanya.

"Wala na tayong gagawin dito. Should we just go and clean that house?" Tukoy ko sa bahay kung nasa'n kami kagabi.

Magiliw niya akong tinanguan kaya nagligpit muna ako sa kwarto bago lumabas. Nadatnan ko siyang may tinatawagan. Akala ko ay simpleng trabaho lang 'yun pero kitang-kita mula sa glass pane na hindi maganda ang mwestra niya't ekspresyon.

Confusion subdued me. For all I know, he's still keeping a secret from me lalo na't hindi niya hinayaang marinig ko ang tawag nang makita niya ako sa may glass panel.