Ruthless Beauty

Chapter 4

I also asked Mama to come with me, but she declined and said she has a headache. Itutulog niya nalang daw iyon.

"Ayos lang po ba kayo? I could stay here and ask Blake to take the basket instead."

Nginitian ako ni Mama at hinalikan ang noo. "No, darling. You should go and see your father. Ayos lang ako dito. Atsaka nakakahiya kay Blake, baka may iba pa yang gagawin."

Tinamaan din ako ng hiya dahil sa sinabi ni Mama. Inisip kong busy din pala si Blake sa sarili nilang hacienda. He's managing their hacienda with his three brothers and it's a truth that we cannot deny, that their hacienda is more bountiful and bigger than ours.

"Wala ka bang gagawin mamaya? Baka nakakadisturbo lang ako..." wika ko habang pababa ng hagdan. I changed my uniform into a white summer dress and a pair of flip flops.

Nag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Blake mula sa kaniyang phone. Mabilis niya iyong isiniksik sa bulsa.

"I'm not doing anything, Anna. I'm at your disposal."

Ngumuso ako. "Pwede namang ako nalang mag-isa ang pumunta sa hacienda eh. Umuwi ka nalang sa inyo."

"And what? Let you go alone in that..." tinitigan niya ang suot kong dress. It shows a bit of my skin due to the spaghetti straps and it stops mid-thigh. It's one of my favorite dresses from Brandy Melville because it's cool and refreshing to wear. "that dress?" he said, like he's restraining himself from pouring out his frustration.

Tiningnan ko ang suot ko at kumunot din ang noo. "What's wrong with my dress?"

"Too short, young lady."

Halos malaglag ang panga ko sa sinabi niya. "This is not too short! This is a summer dress!"

"I know. That's why I'm going with you." Tumayo na siya nang tuluyan na akong makababa at kinuha ang basket mula sa akin. I look so small, standing next to him. Hanggang kili-kili niya lang ata ako. "Let's go."

Hindi na ako nakipag-away pa sa kaniya at sabay na kaming nagpunta sa hacienda. Hindi naman kalayuan ang hacienda mula sa mansion namin. It's just down the hill, and we have a huge flower garden to pass by.

Papa initially built it to satisfy Mama. But it turned into business when some tourists are begging to come inside and see the beauty of the garden. Some would buy flowers and some would ask for tips in growing these beauties. Dito madalas iginugugol ni Mama ang oras niya. She's also part of the hacienda business, but mostly, it's Papa who's doing the work.

Medyo maputik ang daan dahil maulan kaya mabagal ang pagpapatakbo ni Blake. I didn't say anything when he turned the stereo on and a song from Nirvana blasted, making my ears bleed. Nakikisakay lang ako sa kaniya kaya dapat ay behave ako.

Nakita namin si Baste at ang tatay niyang si Mang Dante habang papalapit kami sa hacienda. Both of them are attending to the horses. Walang saplot na pang-itaas si Baste, at tulo nang tulo ang pawis niya. I suddenly felt bad for him. Dapat siguro ay niramihan ko ang dalang pagkain para makakain rin ang mga trabahante ng hacienda?

Blake frowned upon seeing me watching Baste in a distance. Nilingon ko siya. Mas lalo lamang lumalim ang kunot ng noo niya.

"Wala bang dress code ang mga trabahante ng hacienda niyo?" tanong niya na parang nagpipigil ng inis. "Bakit hubad nang hubad ang isang yan?"

Tumaas ang kilay ko sa naging tanong niya. "Si Baste?"

"Whatever his name is."

"Mainit kasi, Blake, kaya nakahubad siya. Tsaka nasanay na rin naman ako."