Chapter 12
Ilang araw na ang lumipas at ngayon ang pang isang buwan mula noong deal namin ni Ace.
The old toad kept on bugging me about the papers, pero hindi ko naman siya ma-reply-an dahil hindi pa naman ito napipirmahan ni Ace.
And last night, I saw someone familiar nearby our condo. Seemed like it was into something or someone. And I could say that it was after me, sa ilang taon ko ba namang kasama ang mga bodyguard ni Daddy, halos kilala ko na ito lahat.
At kung totoo nga ang naiisip ko, it means, my baby's at stake! I wouldn't risk him for just a piece of papershit!
Sa sobrang inis ko kagabi kay Daddy, nandito na ulit ako sa building ng Walton. I need to get the signed paper right now!
And I would not take a no for an answer, Walton. Naibigay ko na lahat, perhaps, you're satisfied already. Sex is new to me. I may not satisfy you that much but, perhaps, I have satisfied you a little bit.
I heaved a sigh and faced the usual front desk employee. Ngumiti ito sa akin, tipid lang akong ngumiti.
"I'm looking for the CEO." I said even if I knew already where the CEO was.
"Oh. Can you wait for a minute, Ma'am? Mr. Walton's having a meeting right at this moment. But don't worry, it'll be quick. You can just wait and sit there, Ma'am." she smiled as she pointed out the waiting area.
Tumango ako. Ilang minuto akong naghintay hanggang sa tawagin ako ng front desk employee. I walked closer to her.
"Mr. Walton says, you can now go to his office, Ma'am. Thanks for the wait and patience," she genuinely smiled.
Tumango ako.
"Thank you,"
Naglalakad ako patungo sa office ni Ace Caspian nang biglang may nahagip ang aking paningin. Isang pamilyar na babae. My lips parted when I recognized the woman.
What the hell is she doing in here?! Was she part of the meeting?
"Alysha?"
Her gaze went to me. Shock and amazement were visible on her face when she saw me. My sight went to her outfit back to her face.
Hindi ako makapaniwalang magkikita kami rito sa kompanya ng Walton matapos ang lahat ng nangyari mahigit isang taon na ang nakalipas.
I wouldn't forget how she fooled me that night. Then here we are, in all places, dito talaga kami magkikita ulit?
How ironic. Sinikap ko pa naman na kalimutan lahat ng pagtatraydor niya sa akin pero ngayong nagkita kami ulit ay para bang kahapon lang nangyari ang lahat.
"Wait. Syden, is that you?" she asked.
Amusement was written on her face. Para bang masaya siyang makita ako, na parang hindi niya ako trinaydor noon. Lumapit ako sa kanya at habang papalapit ay nagsalita ako.
"Glad you've still recognized me. Hope that you still remember the thing happened more than a year ago. You fooled me," matigas kong sabi.
Nothing's changed on her expression, she's still smiling but I couldn't say that it's fake because it's more likely a genuine smile. Humalukipkip siya at saka ngumisi.
"I'm sorry about that." she smiled. "But I don't regret anything. Besides, we're already adults. It's a great experience, wasn't it?"
Uminit ang mukha ko sa sobrang galit at irita. That's it, she didn't even deny it. She planned everything. She fooled me. But, why did she do that?
I had all the guts to slap her really hard. I was about to do it when a man's voice interfered.
"Alysha, what took you so long? I've waited for two damn hours now, I've decided to get up here."
Sabay kami ni Alysha na napalingon sa nagsalita. The man with his gray v-neck shirt and khaki pants took the distance between him and Alysha.
I recognized him. He's Alysha's boyfriend since then. Sila pa rin pala ngayon. Buti nagtagal pa sila, sa ugali ni Alysha? She's a total bitch!
"Oh. Sorry for making you wait that long, babe. Okay, let's go." ani Alysha. She glanced at me, half smiling. "I'm sorry, okay? Bitch, don't hate me. I have my reasons why."
Kumunot ang noo ko. Magsasalita pa sana ako nang tumalikod na sila at nag-umpisang maglakad palayo. I was left speechless. What does she mean by that? What reasons?
I'm now confused. Hindi ko ma-point out kung ano man ang posibleng rason ni Alysha kaya niya ako niloko noon. Gulong gulo, litong lito na ako. Sapat ba ang rason niya para ipagahasa ako?! I lost something that should not supposedly be!
Siguraduhin niya talagang reasonable ang rason niya dahil kakalbuhin ko siya sa susunod na magkita kami! But I don't think asking for someone to violate someone has some reasonable and justifiable reasons.
Kahit na medyo ginusto ko ang nangyari. Mali pa rin iyon. Kung ano man ang magandang dulot no'n, iyon ay ang anak ko.
"Ano'ng ginagawa mo rito?"
Napatda ako nang may magsalita sa likuran ko. Nilingon ko ito at nakita si Ace na nakakunot ang noong nakatitig sa akin.
"Ace... uh..." nakagat ko ang pang ibabang labi. Pansamantalang nakalimutan ko ang totoong rason kung bakit ako nandito.
Ace turned back and started walking towards his office. I followed him until we reached at his office. I closed the door when I entered. I faced him, he's now sitting on his swivel chair.
"Napirmahan mo na ba ang mga papeles, Ace Caspian? Na-satisfy na ba kita? May I have the signed papers now?"
Umangat ang kanyang mukha at nagtama ang mga mata namin. I could see how dangerous his stare was. I swallowed hard. Gumalaw ang panga niya habang nakatitig nang matalim sa akin.
"So, this is all about the papers, huh?" he coldly said but I could sense the sarcasm.
There's something in his eyes I couldn't determine nor name. Is he mad? What's with him?! Ano na naman ba'ng ginawa ko? Is he expecting more than that?
"What do you expect? It started with the papers and it would end up also with the papers. So, hell yeah, this is all about the papers. Can I have it n-"
Napapikit ako nang mariin nang malakas niyang hampasin ang lamesa sa harap niya. The table was made of glass so it possibly crac8ks after he hit the surface table.
I opened my eyes and it met his. I shivered when I saw how mad his face right now while looking directly at me. Marahas siyang bumuntong hininga at saka nag-iwas ng tingin.
Dumako ang paningin ko sa lamesa, basag ang ibang bahagi at mayroon nang nakaawang. I swallowed hard and at the same time worried. Lumapit ako sa kanya at tiningnan ang kamay niya.
"Bakit mo ba hinampas? Ano ba'ng problema mo?!" asik ko habang hinuhuli ang kamay niya ngunit pilit niya namang binabawi.
Inangat niya ang paningin at matalim akong tiningnan. Gumalaw ang panga niya bago magsalita.
"Ikaw! Ikaw ang problema ko!"
My lips parted from what he said. What?! Tumambol nang mabilis ang dibdib ko sa sobrang kaba at lito. Paano ako naging problema niya? Ano'ng ginawa ko sa kanya?
Humarap ako sa kanya at pinatitigan siya. Mabilis ang pagtibok ng puso ko habang nakatitig sa mga mata nito at mabalasik nitong anyo.
"W-Why? What have I done this time?"
Instead, he stood up and faced me. His dark and intimidating stare sent chills onto my system, couldn't help but to look down. He's mad at me, I could feel that. But, why?
Gamit ang kanyang palad ay inangat niya ang panga ko saka ako ipinaharap sa kanya. My heart hurts everytime I see his mad face, most especially if I'm the reason of his anger and madness.
A tear fell out of me. His face softened like a tamed demon from the angel. He caressed my cheeks and wiped away my tears.
"I'm sorry." his voice was very soothing, so much different from his menacing voice earlier. "I didn't mean to scare you, baby. Please, I'm sorry."
Inilapit niya ang mukha niya at binigyan ako ng marahan at matamis na halik na sinuklian ko naman. He kissed me gently and then pulled out after a second. Nagkatitigan kaming dalawa.
"Can I have the p-" nabitin ang salita ko nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone.
I glanced at my phone and suddenly I trembled when I saw Eunice's number popped on the screen. Hinarap ko si Ace at nakitang nakatingin din siya roon.
"Uh... E-Excuse me."
Lumabas ako sa office niya at lumayo nang bahagya. I answered the phone call. I heard Eunice's shaking voice. Kinabahan agad ako.
"Hello, Eunice?"
"S-Syden, si Asher." nanginginig na tinig ni Eunice.
Doon palang ay tila nawalan na ako ng dugo. Nanginginig na rin ako sa tinatayuan pero sinikap ko pa ring sumagot kahit kinakabahan.
"Why? What happened to him? Tell me, Eunice!" mariing sabi ko.
Naririnig ko ang tunog ng kotse na umaandar.
"Kanina pag-alis mo, bigla nalang siya umiyak nang umiyak at ngayon, inaapoy na ng lagnat. Natatakot ako, Syden. I'm heading now to a near hospital, please meet me there! It's urgent!"
My lips parted. Nakagat ko ang pang ibabang labi. I'm so much nervous right now especially that it's my son. It's all my fault! I shouldn't have left there, I shouldn't have left my baby. Anong klaseng ina ako?!
"T-Text me the hospital's name. Paparating na ako." I said, almost crying.
Naririnig ko ang malalakas na atungal ni Asher. I bit my lower lip. Ano'ng nangyari sa anak ko? This is all my fault!
"Malapit na kami. Kinakabahan ako, Syden. Please, bilisan mo. Here's Asher, he needs you now."
Lumakas ang naririnig kong atungal sa kabilang linya. It's my son! A tear fell off, I'm now crying.
"P-Please, baby. Pupuntahan kita. Please. I love you." I sobbed as I turned my way back.
Pero ganoon nalang akong natigilan nang bumungad sa aking likuran ang malamig na mukha ni Ace. Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang may mapagtanto.
Naibaba ko ang cellphone. Parang huminto ang oras at tanging tibok ng puso ko lang ang gumagana. I trembled so hard when I saw how his face darkened.