Hiding His Mistress: Diovanni de Marcel | B-1 ✔

Kabanata 40

KABANATA 40

Shuen's POV

I am in the kitchen, staring at the delicious strawberry pancakes I just cooked. These fluffy pancakes are garnished with tangy slices of mango. In front of me, a refreshing mango and strawberry shake is waiting, a combination that I couldn't resist trying. It's surprising how my taste buds were drawn to this particular flavor now. Earlier, while browsing a website, I saw a picture of a delectable strawberry that immediately sparked a craving in me.

Without hesitation, I instructed our housekeeper to buy it for me at the grocery store, and I quickly turned it into these mouthwatering pancakes. I have now finished nearly five pancakes and have indulged in the shake twice, but my stomach still doesn't seem satisfied, wanting more. I even thought that maybe I need to see a doctor tomorrow to find out why I am eating like this. Perhaps I have an ulcer from my frequent dieting before.

I also feel like my body is getting heavier as time goes by. I am becoming extremely lazy to move. Even simple tasks like brushing my hair and dressing neatly feel like a chore. I prefer to wear loose shirts and shorts with elastic bands. I haven't taken a bath in two days because I even feel lazy to go to the bathroom.

As I focus on eating, one of our house staff suddenly approaches me, panting. I am puzzled by their behavior, as if something big is happening.

"Anong nangyari?" tanong ko habang ngumunguya.

Humugot muna siya ng malalim na hininga bago ulit ako tiningnan. "Madam, may naghahanap po sa inyo sa labas," sabi niya.

"Sino 'yan?" tanong ko nang walang masyadong interes.

"Si Mr. Diovanni de Marcel daw po," sagot niya, at bigla akong napainom sa aking shake.

"D-Diovanni?" ulit ko, hindi makapaniwala.

"Opo, hinahanap daw po kayo sa labas."

Nabitawan ko halos ang pancake na hawak ko sa sobrang kaba. Ano'ng ginagawa niya dito? Paano niya nalaman kung saan ako nakatira dito sa Taguig? Hindi kaya sinabi ni Ester? Pero hindi, imposible 'yon. Alam ni Ester na mas importante ang trabaho niya kaysa sa pakikialam sa mga personal kong bagay. Sinabihan ko na siya na huwag na huwag niyang sasabihin kahit kanino kung nasaan ako. Pero paano nga kaya nalaman ni Diovanni ang address ko?

"S-Sabihin mo wala ako!" sigaw ko, taranta na. "Sabihin mo nasa ibang bansa ako, o kaya lumipat na ako ng bahay!" dugtong ko pa. "Gawan mo ng paraan para umalis 'yang taong 'yan! Dali!" sigaw ko ulit.

Bago pa man siya makakilos, isa pang kasambahay ang pumasok, mukhang may pinipigilan siyang pumasok sa bahay. Pero hindi niya ito napigilan, at ngayon, nasa harap ko na siya. Seryoso ang mukha ni Diovanni, nakatitig sa akin, kuyom ang mga kamao at bakas ang tensyon sa kanyang panga.

Napalunok ako. "D-Diovanni," mahina kong sabi.

Pumikit siya at huminga nang malalim. "Dito lang pala kita mahahanap. Iniwasan mo ba talaga ako o ayaw mo na lang talaga akong makita?" tanong niya, seryoso ang tono.

"Umalis muna kayo," utos ko sa mga kasambahay. Agad naman silang umalis at kami na lang ni Diovanni ang naiwan. "Paano mo nalaman kung saan ako?" tanong ko, pilit pinapanatili ang kalmado kong boses.

"Why did you leave me that day, Shuen?" he asked.

I knew this was the reason why he sought me out. I sighed before standing up. "You should have left," I said, turning away from him.

But he quickly grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. "Shuen, I still can't understand why you did that after what happened between us. I spent almost two months trying to figure out why you left that morning," he said, seeking an answer.