The Billionaire's Son

Chapter 10

Pinilit kong makinig sa homily ng pari at iniwas ang aking tingin kay Sage. But the girls next to me are giggling and even trying to take pictures of him. One of them held up her phone and the sharp camera shutter echoed throughout the surroundings. May ilang napalingon sa aming direksiyon. The young girl blushed furiously and hid her phone. Isa na sa mga naagaw niya ng atensiyon ay si Sage.

He turned towards my direction. I melted on the inside when he locked his dark eyes with me for a second before he tore his gaze away and focused on the mass going on. My hands unconsciously clutched my chest. He's a good distance away from me and yet, he still managed to make me feel crazy on the inside.

Hindi ako mapakali sa aking upuan. But Sage remained focused and participative all throughout the mass. When they started collecting offerings, I wanted to jumped out of my seat when I saw him approaching my direction. Nagtilian na ang mga babae sa aking tabi. Nang itapat ni Sage ang basket sa akin ay napatingin ako sa kaniya.

"Good morning, Mal." Anito sa baritonong boses.

"G-Good morning . . ." nauutal kong sagot sabay lagay ng pera sa basket. He proceeded collecting offerings to the girls. Halos hindi sila magkamaway nang ngitian sila ni Sage.

I fidgeted with my fingers and tapped my feet impatiently against the floor. The mass went on until it ended with a joyous Christian song. Lumabas ako ng simbahan at bumili ng kandila. I'm actually thankful that Sage is not around anymore otherwise I'll act like a crazy.

Sinindihan ko ng kandila si Mama at umusal ng tahimik na panalangin habang nakapikit. I stood in front of the shrine for a long time and when I opened my eyes, I almost jumped to my feet when I saw Sage standing next to me. Suot niya pa rin ang kulay itim na cassock.

"What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"I'm praying for someone." Anito. Doon ko lamang napansin ang kandilang nasa tapat rin nya. "Your mother had been good to me."

I pursed my lips and looked away. Ayaw ko nang makaramdam ng galit para sa kaniyang ina lalo pa't nasa simbahan kaming dalawa ngayon. Sage closed his eyes and remained still for a while. Tinitigan ko siya habang nagdarasal siya. Does he have any idea of what happened to my mother? Or what his mother did to us? Because if he did, he will never have the guts to lit my mother a candle for her death anniversary.

Nang buksan niya ang kaniyang mga mata'y dumako ang kaniyang paningin sa akin. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin at napalunok.

"I-I never know you're an altar servant." I blurted out.

"My name's Christian, Mal." Anito. "And my family is religious. I had been serving since I was 12."

"Your mother, a religious woman?" pagak akong tumawa.

Sage ignored my hateful chuckle. "Yeah, she was the one suggested I served the church when I was still a young boy."

"Wow." Nasabi ko na lamang. I can't help the sarcasm and bitterness from dripping on my voice. Bago pa ako may masabing masama kay Sage ay tumalikod na ako. "Well, I'll see you around."

"Mallory—"

"Goodbye, Sage."

---

Sage, wearing a black cassock and serving the church never left my mind until I got to work. Tahimik lang ako sa aking desk dahil wala naman akong gaanong kakilala. The manager is my friend, and she managed to get me a job while I'm still here in the Philippines. Kaya ni isa sa kanila ay hindi ko kilala, kahit pangalan man lang.

I focused on working instead, trying not to get distracted by Sage's thoughts inside of my head. Hindi ko namalayan ang oras na aking ginugol sa pagtatrabaho. Masakit ang aking leeg nang matapos na ako. It's almost lunch time.

"Mallory Rose?" the security guard popped his head and looked for me.

Tumayo kaagad ako mula sa aking desk. "Yes?"

"May naghahanap po sa inyo, Ma'am."

Kumunot ang aking noo. I am not expecting someone today, so who could it be? Just then, a pair of bouncing curls started running towards my direction with a huge bouquet of roses in their tiny hands. Both of them are grinning widely, one of the boys have crooked teeth.

"Twins." Nasambit ko na lamang habang tinititigan ko ang kanilang cute na mga mukha. Both of them have curly brown hair and looks devilishly handsome in their young ages.

"Ikaw ba si Mallory Rose Castillo?"

Muntik na akong matawa sa tinuran ng bata. He speaks like a grown up man!

I crouched in front of them to meet their eyes. Ang iba kong mga katrabaho ay tinitingnan na ako at nakikiusyuso sa nangyayari.

"Yes, I am." Magiliw kong sagot sa kanila.

"Ako si Lim, siya naman si Sam." Wika ng batang lalaki. His cute little brows are furrowed and he always tries to bring his breast out. "Pinapabigay ni boss sa iyo."

Tumaas ang aking kilay at natawa ulit ako sa kaniyang sinabi. "Boss?" I asked, accepting the bouquet.

"It's a top secret. Hindi mo puwedeng malaman kung sino si boss." The other twin spoke for the first time.

"Oo nga, lagot kami kay boss kapag sinabi namin ang name niya." Wika naman ng isa.

I chuckled. "Well, tell your boss that he can't win me through flowers and a bunch of cute boys." I joked.

"Copy, Ma'am." Both of them mocked a salute to me.

Napatingin ako sa card na nakaipit sa bulaklak. I slowly pulled it out and open the scented paper.

"Sage . . ." I fought a smile from breaking off my face when I saw his neat and tiny handwriting. It's only three letters. Mal. And I immediately know that it's from him.

Just then, my phone rang in my desk. Inilapag ko ang bulaklak at kinuha iyon.

"Sage . . ." I don't need to guess the number just to know that it's him.

He chuckled on the other line, his rich baritone voice sending shivers to my spine. "So, did you like the roses?"

Humaba ang aking nguso. "What are you doing, Sage? Pati mga bata ay dinadamay mo pa sa kalokohan mo."

"Oh, they're my private assistants. But I still need to get them before Zian sends an entire army of search and rescue operation," he kidded.

"Si boss ba yan?" tanong ni Lim—o ni Sam. I could never tell.

Napatango na lamang ako.

"Pinapauwi na kayo ng boss niyo."

Tumango silang dalawa at nagsitakbuhan palabas. My eyes widen. Kaagad ko silang hinabol.

"Sandali!"

Dahil sa sobrang liksi at bilis nilang tumakbo ay hindi ko na sila naabutan pa. I scanned the lobby and found them racing towards the exit of the building. Mas binilisan ko pa ang aking takbo ngunit kaagad akong napahinto nang makita ko ang nakaparadang kotse sa labas. Sage is leaning casually against his car, dressed in black polo shirt and trousers. His phone is still pressed against his ears. An amused smile curled on his lips when he saw me.

Kaagad kong ibinaba ang telepono.

"Ano na namang gimik ito, Sage?" suplada kong tanong sa kaniya habang papalapit.

The twins immediately entered the car. Sage shut the door for them. "What?" pagmamaang-maangan nito.

I cocked an eyebrow and held out the bouquet in front of him. "Well?"

He chuckled again. I tried to pretend not to get affected by his sexy voice. "Can't you see, Mal?" he leaned closer and whispered on my ears. "I'm trying to win you back."