Chapter 57
Better
Travis let out a deep groan after pouring his warm fluid inside me. Bumagsak siya sa aking tabi, isiniksik ang ulo sa aking leeg, at saka idinagan ang braso sa aking dibdib. Suminghap ako at isinara ang aking mga binti. Kahit nanghihina ay pinilit kong hilahin ang kumot para matabunan ang hubad kong katawan.
I feel so limp, sleepy, and tired. Madaling araw na. He took me over and over again and I can't believe I managed to do it with him many times tonight. I can't believe I survived! He's just really so strong and... uh... large... na kahit sabik na sabik din ako sa kanya ay hindi ko masabayan ang enerhiya niya. But it's worth it. He's worth giving my everything.
Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa akin. Our eyes met. Mapupungay ang mga mata ko habang tinitingnan ang mga mata niyang ngayon ay kulay tsokolate ulit.
"You aren't sleepy yet?" malambing niyang utas sabay haplos sa aking buhok.
I shook my head even if it's true. "Are you?" nagawa ko pang mang-asar.
He shot his brows up. Umangat siya para maabot ang aking tainga. His still fully aroused manhood brushed my stomach because of that and my folds immediately reacted to it. Damn it, Yani! Mahiya ka naman!
"Baby, I can still do you till morning if I only I'm not compassionate. Don't challenge me,"
Uminit nang husto ang aking pisngi. I glared at him but couldn't maintain it because of his chuckle. Sumimangot na lang ako.
"Damn, I'm so whipped!" he kissed my hair.
Ako naman ngayon ang ngumisi dahil doon. Dapat lang, Travis. Because I, too, is so damn whipped. Patas lang.
Natahimik kami ng ilang sandali. Only our stable breathing and the slight noise of the aircon can be heard in his room. And I so much appreciate the silence when I'm with him. How I wish we could stay like this forever.
Pinagmasdan ko ang kamay kong nasa kanyang malapad na dibdib. It feels so feminine when it's there. I feel like a full-grown woman when I'm in his arms. The way he makes me feel is just so out of this world. And I don't know why but I can only feel at peace when he's cuddling me. Malala na nga yata talaga ako.
Muli siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin pagkatapos ng ilang sandali. Uminit ang pisngi ko nang seryoso niyang tinitigan ang aking leeg at dibdib. Muntik ko nang isiping may balak na naman siya kung hindi lang siya nagsalita.
"Where's the anchor necklace I gave you?"
Napakurap-kurap ako roon. "Nasa... condo,"
Umangat ang kilay niya. "Why do you sound hesitant?"
Ngumuso ako. "Nasa condo iyon ni Brent,"
"Sure?"
"Yup."
I don't know but I can't let go of that necklace before. And it's surely not because of it's market value. Kahit wala na kami noon ni Travis, hindi ko iyon magawang abandonahin. I even brought it here with me! And now that these are all happening to us, unti-unti ko nang naiintindihan kung bakit hindi ko iyon mapakawalan noon. It symbolizes our love. And our love for each other can't be easily or maybe, cannot really be abandoned and forgotten. Just like that necklace.
"Why aren't you wearing it, then?" he said lethally.
I rolled my eyes. "We lost communication before, Travis. Do you really expect me to still wear it?"
"Your gift is still in my car key." he pointed out.
Ngumuso na lang ulit ako. So tama ngang 'yung regalo ko 'yung nakita ko sa susi niya noon.
"Well, I find it awkward to wear it then so..."
"Tss..."
Muli niyang isiniksik ang kanyang ulo sa aking leeg at mas lalong hinigpitan ang yakap sa akin. I bit my lip when he kissed it softly. Damn, this brute! He's really testing my restraint!
"We're back together now. Wear it," he said huskily.
I sighed. "Yeah..."
Hindi ko alam kung anong oras kami nakatulog. Basta't paggising ko ay puyat na puyat ang pakiramdam ko gayong alas syete pasado na ng umaga. And it doesn't help that my body feels heavy. My thighs are aching and I am so sore down there. Malas pa at kailangan naming magtrabaho. If I could just lay down the whole day, then I would. Ayaw ko nga lang sabihin iyon kay Travis dahil baka pa kumbinsihin niya akong dito na lang kami.
Naligo ako at nagbihis ng damit na ibinigay ni Travis. He told me he just made his secretary buy it but then I wonder if he keeps women's clothes here? At kanino naman iyon kung ganoon? Ipinilig ko ang ulo ko. It's still morning, Yani, yet you're overthinking again.
Paglabas ko ng banyo ay nakita kong wala na siya sa silid. Tinungo ko ang tukador para i-check ang phone ko. Ngumiwi ako nang makitang ni wala man lang nag-text at nagtanong kung kumusta ako gayong hindi ako umuwi sa condo kagabi! Alam kasi nilang na kay Travis ako, e. Well, I guess it's better that way since...
Damn!
I shook my head then put my phone down. Lumabas na ako ng kwarto at sinundan si Travis sa kusina dahil nasabi niya kanina sa akin na magluluto siya ng breakfast.
Amoy ng kape ang umatake sa aking ilong papalapit pa lamang ako sa kusina. At nang makapasok doon ay bumungad sa akin ang malapad na likod ni Travis.
In his crisp white longsleeves folded till his elbows and a black slacks, with his hair damp, he looked so out of place there but at the same time, manly and hot, as he manipulated the stove. Humilig ako sa hamba ng pintuan at saglit na pinanood siya. I crossed my arms.
Even when fully clothed, the flexing of his back muscles every time his hands move is still noticeable. With his height, the big kitchen looked small. And his built and stance... it's everything that makes my heart go crazy. I bit my lip. Is this man really mine?
Napatuwid ako ng tayo nang sumulyap siya sa banda ko. He arched his brow.
"You done?" his voice is so damn sexy!
Tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. "Yup," unti-unti akong lumapit sa kanya.
"This will be cooked soon. Maupo ka muna. I made you coffee,"
Ngumuso ako at natantong ako masyado akong pabisita.
"I'll set up the table," I presented.
Sinulyapan niya ako. "Sure,"
Nang matapos siyang magluto ay saktong tapos na rin ako sa pagsi setup ng table. Agad na kaming kumain.
"Saan nga pala ang meeting mo ngayon?" I asked while eating.
"In Cavite. Why?"
"Cavite!" I exclaimed and looked at the time. "Anong oras na, oh! Baka ma-late ka!"
He raised his brow like I'm saying something ridiculous. "I won't,"
I frowned. Binilisan ko na ang pagkain dahil paniguradong hindi ko talaga makukumbinsi ang isang 'to na mag-double time. He's enjoying this too well. Damn.
He chuckled while watching me. "Chill, baby. There's no need to hurry. Besides..." nagawa niya pang preskong sumandal sa kanyang silya. "We still have lots of things to talk about," he shot his brow up.
Kumunot ang noo ko. "Like what?"
"Like..." he played with his mug.
I watched his large fingers play with it. My cheeks immediately heated so bad when a memory flashed in my mind. What the hell, Yani?
"The transfer of ownership of your house to you," he looked at me.
I stared at him blankly for seconds. His lips protruded.
"I know what you're thinking." he smirked.
Umiling ako. "Don't you dare pull some strings, Travis. I will get our house back in a just way."
He let out a bark of laughter which I didn't understand what for. Tinaliman ko siya ng titig.
He licked his lip and leaned forward. "Come on, Giuliani. I really bought it just to give it back to you,"
Ako naman ngayon ang nagtaas ng kilay. "So you mean to say, these was all planned?"
Planned your ass, Yani. Ramdam mo na 'to noong una pa lang. You were just in denial.
His lips twitched. "Think whatever you want, Yani. I'll give back the house to you,"
Ngumiwi ako. "Yes you will. But after our contract is done. Please let me do my effort to... take it back." I rolled my eyes.
Nababaliw na yata talaga ako. From the beginning, I know I wanted to get the house back. Pero ngayong ibinibigay na, todo tanggi naman ako. But this is different. Kung hahayaan ko si Travis sa gusto niyang mangyari, para ko na ring pinatunayan na hindi pa rin ako nagbabago. That I'm still that same old Yani. Always dependent from others.
He looked at me menacingly. My forehead creased once again.
"You want to make an effort to get the house, huh?"
Mas lalo lang lumalim ang gitla sa aking noo. "Of course,"
He smirked and leaned closer. "Pakasalan mo ako, kung ganoon. That's an effort."
Nagkatinginan kami. My heart was frantically beating against my chest and it feels like a sign of a heart attack. Lalo na at walang bakas ng pambibiro ang ekspresyon niya. And that rendered me speechless until we're off to work. Tahimik lang din siya buong panahon. Saka lang niya binasag ang katahimikan nang nasa harap na kami ng office building.
He kissed my lips. "I'll see you later,"
Tumikhim ako at pilit na winaglit ang mga naiisip.
"Late ka na," my voice was too soft.
Mapaglaro siyang ngumuso saka inilagay sa likod ng aking tainga ang mga takas kong buhok.
"I told you, I won't. And what so if I'm late? It's fine as long as you're the reason," pinagtaasan niya ako ng kilay.
Umirap ako. "Corny,"
He burst into laughter. Hindi ko na pinatagal pa at lumabas na ako ng kanyang sasakyan.
I was spacing out while strutting the lobby. Thinking about my conversation with Travis is driving me insane and I don't understand why. Ngayong ganito na ulit kami, syempre sumasagi na rin sa isipan ko ang pagpapakasal namin balang araw. I love him and he loves me. Of course this will really end on the altar. Pero kasi, nabigla lang siguro ako kanina. Well, he just randomly brought it up! Ni wala pa kaming napag-uusapan tungkol doon.
Natigil lang ako sa mga naiisip ko nang makarating sa aming floor at makahulugang titig ang isinalubong sa akin ng mga ka-trabaho ko. Remembering what happened last night, I immediately felt guilty and embarrassed. Alam nilang lahat na sa condo ako ni Travis natulog kagabi! And with the way they look at me, parang alam nila kung ano ang mga nangyari! The hell?
Wanting so bad to save face and restore the dignity and respect I earned from them, I cleared my throat. Taas-noo akong naglakad patungo sa aking opisina. Nagawa ko pang magtanong sa isa kong ka-trabaho.
"Si Brent?" I asked out of context.
"Wala yata, e. Ang alam ko, may interview. Alam mo na, tungkol kagabi..."
Napatikhim ako sa makahulugang tono niya. Nagpasalamat ako at walang pag-aalinlangan nang pumasok sa aking opisina. I closed my eyes tightly when I got inside. Damn. Wala akong masisi rito!
And when my door opened for Sadie with that malicious look, nasapo ko na lamang ang aking noo.
"Good morning!" she declared.
Inignora ko siya lalo na't namimintang na ang mga mata niya. Dumiretso ako sa aking desk.
She chuckled and followed me. "Wala man lang pagbati pabalik diyan? Are you that tired to greet back?" ngumisi siya.
I sighed and looked at her. "I have so many things to do, Sadie. Please,"
Humagalpak siya sa tawa. "Baka nakakalimutan mong katatapos lang ng fashion show, Giuliani Morven. Sus! Sa susunod na magpapalusot ka, sana, iyong pinag-isipan naman!"
Ngumuso ako at hindi na nagsalita pa. She's just making it worse for me. Damn her.
"So, ano... How's the night with Mr. Zendejas?" her brows twitched.
Tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. I really hate how I cannot act normal around Sadie. Kaya niya ako nabubuking, e!
Humagalpak siya sa tawa sa reaksyon ko. She pointed at me but before she could speak, my telephone rang.
"Good morning, Ms. Almendras! Someone's looking for you," boses ng nasa frontdesk sa lobby.
Nagkatinginan kami ni Sadie.
"Sino, Miss?"
"Uh, si ano po e... Chairwoman ng... ZenOil..."
Marahas na suminghap si Sadie sa aking harapan. Hindi naman agad na-proseso sa aking utak ang sinabi ng nasa kabilang linya.
How long has it been? 4 years? Tulad kay Travis, wala rin akong naging balita kay Tita Brigette sa loob ng apat na taon. And now, she's here at my work, looking for me. What does this mean?
"Ms. Almendras?" the other line called.
Napatalon ako. "Ah, yes yes. I'll go there now."
"Ay, Miss, actually papunta na siya sa opisina mo ngayon..."
My eyes widened. "What?" napatayo ako sa taranta.
"I'm sure this isn't good," iling ni Sadie.
Umawang ang labi ko at agad nang nagpaalam sa nasa kabilang linya. Kabado kong binalingan si Sadie.
"Why do you think is she here?"
Sadie just stared at me. Mas lalo lang akong kinabahan. I quickly scanned my office for a possible mess but thank goodness, there is none. Kukunin ko na sana ang pressed powder ko sa bag para makapag-ayos konti nang makarinig ng katok mula sa pintuan. My heart hammered like a mad woman. Isang mura naman ang pinakawalan ni Sadie.
Bumukas ang pinto at sumungaw rito ang aking katrabaho.
"Chairwoman Zendejas is here,"
Halos mabingi na ako sa lakas ng kalabog ng puso ko. I even think it stopped from beating. Lalo na nang nagkukumahog na umalis ang aking katrabaho upang bigyang-daan ang pagpasok ng aking 'panauhin'.
The familiar sound of her heels when it hits the tiled floor gave me the intense fear I felt when I first met her in their mansion years ago. Napako kami ni Sadie sa aming mga kinatatayuan habang pinanonood ang pagpasok ng isang respetadong ginang sa aking opisina.
In a royal blue coat dress, black stockings, black leather gloves, and black chelsea boots, the Zendejas matriarch stoically went inside my small office. Taas-noo at parang kanya ang lahat ng tinatapakan niya. Her black pearl necklace and earrings were attention grabbing and with the latest Hermes limited edition bag on her forearm, imposible talagang ignorahin siya.
Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kumuha ng lakas ng loob para pasimple siyang suriin. In terms of looks, the respected woman didn't change at all. Her timeless beauty never fails to enchant me but my opinion right now is still the same as that years ago. Her strong and intimidating personality overlaps her meek, pretty face, making me tremble instead of amused whenever our eyes meet.
Dumako ang tingin ko sa babaeng katabi niya at naging blangko ang aking ekspresyon. Sporting a white sweetheart neckline top jumpsuit with white blazer, Elaine is looking at me tauntingly. Mayabang siyang humalukipkip at painsulto akong sinuri. I gritted my teeth. Kung kanina'y masama na ang kutob ko sa pangyayaring ito, mas lalo naman ngayon.
Naputol ang pakikipagtitigan ko sa kanya nang mapansing sinusuri ni Tita ang aking opisina. She scanned my whole office, including my designs, with unuttered disgust and belittlement. Parang may gumuho sa aking kalooban doon pero hindi ako nagpatinag. Imbes ay unti-unti akong lumapit sa kanila pero tumigil din kalaunan dahil hindi sigurado sa gagawin.
I feel like it's off to kiss her cheek as a greeting. At noon pa man, hindi naman kami close talaga. But of course it's rude to just stand here and show her that I'm this overwhelmed of her presence, right?
"G-Good morning po... Ma'am..." tila hangin ang boses ko sa huling sinabi.
I don't know how to address her. I feel like she doesn't allow me to call her 'Tita'. Lalo pa't nasa tabi niya si Elaine. This is really not a good sign.
She didn't acknowledge my greeting. Ni hindi man lang ako nilingon at nanatiling mapanghusgang sinusuri ang aking opisina. Mahinang tumikhim si Sadie at tumabi sa akin.
"I won't leave you here, don't worry," she murmurred.
Hindi ko na siya binalingan. Ang focus ko ay ang mga bisita kong hindi ko alam kung ano ang pakay sa akin.
Lumapit ang Mama ni Travis sa isang dress form na may display na wedding gown. The sound of her heels is really making me tensioned. At nang pasadahan ng mga daliri niya ang palda nito ay para na akong maaatake sa puso.
"Nakabalik ka na pala," ang lamig ng boses niya ay agad lumapat sa aking tiyan.
"Opo..." I was supposed to add more information to it but decided to stop myself halfway.
Hindi siya nagsalita. Hindi ko rin naman hinihiling. All I want right now is to be removed from this place because all I see is danger. Nangangatog ang mga tuhod ko sa takot at kaba at hindi iyon para sa kanilang dalawa kundi para lang sa matandang ginang.
"I hope you aren't." hinarap niya ako at halos matupok ako sa lamig ng kanyang ekspresyon.
Naramdaman ko ang pagpiga ni Sadie sa tela ng damit ko sa likod. Para namang nagmanhid ang buo kong katawan sa narinig. Elaine is smirking at me mockingly.
Galing sa akin ay ibinalik ni Chairwoman ang kanyang tingin sa aking mga disenyo. Ang panliliit at takot na nararamdaman ko ay mas lalong nadepina. Confirmed. Nagbago nga ang tungo niya sa akin. Kung bakit ay parang alam ko na.
"I heard you're seeing my son again," she trailed off.
Halos suminghap na ako sa tamang hinala. This is all about Travis. And from her tone, I think I already know her stand about this. About us.
Hindi ako nagsalita. I'm torn between wanting to hear everything she has to say right now or just run away because I really feel frightened. Oo. Sa kanya lang ako nakakaramdam ng ganitong kakaibang takot at hindi na iyon nakakapagtaka.
"I'd get this straight, Ms. Almendras. I'm sure you're not dumb to realize what I'm up to," she faced me and gave the most intimadating look I have never seen from her until today.
Humalukipkip siya at lumapit sa amin pero tumigil din kalaunan na para bang may nakakahawang sakit kami ni Sadie. She ran her eyes through my whole body and the insult I felt is already out of this world. Sadie beside me is muttering words I couldn't process anymore because of the extreme tension and fear I'm feeling.
Nang ibalik niya ang tingin sa aking mata ay sinlamig ng yelo ang kanyang ekspresyon. I don't even know now how I look like.
"Stay away from my son."
Shit.
"I don't like you for him."
Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Kung kanina'y insulto ang nararamdaman ko, ngayon ay ang matinding pagkirot naman ng aking puso. To hear from other people that they don't like me for Travis is alright. But to hear it from his mother is a different story. The woman who gave life to him is against us. She doesn't want me for her son. I don't know how to react.
She sighed. "They say you're a smart woman so I hope you understand... You don't deserve my Travis. You won't be of any help to him. You're poor-"
"Mawalang galang na-"
"Hindi ikaw ang kausap ko." she cut Sadie off.
Hinawakan ko ang siko ni Sadie para awatin siya. I appreciate that she's willing to defend me at all cost but right now, I don't think I need anyone's protection. I feel like I need to hear everything she has to say because I want to prove something.
Muling ibinalik ng ginang ang tingin niya sa akin.
"Layuan mo ang anak ko. I wanted you for him at first. I admit that. But now," umiling siya. "You've got nothing now. No business owned, practically homeless, penniless and almost an orphan. Your mom-"
"With all due respect, Mrs. Zendejas.You can insult me all you want but don't you dare involve my family here."
Nangilid ang luha sa aking mga mata hindi dahil nasasaktan ako o ano kundi dahil galit ako. No one has the right to put my family in vain! My chest hurt when I remembered my dear, precious family. Kung kanina'y nababalot ako ng takot, ngayon, wala na akong maramdaman.
Umangat ang gilid ng labi niya at ni hindi man lang natinag.
"If you don't want me to say that again, then leave my son alone. Hindi ikaw ang nararapat para sa kanya. He deserves someone on his circle and obviously, it's not you."
I bit my lip again and nodded like I fully understood what she meant.Panay na ang pakawala ng mura ni Sadie sa aking tabi lalo na nang tumango ako. Pero nagkakamali siya ng iniisip. Maling-mali.
Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. I need to compose myself first before speaking because I might just show an attitude I might regret later on. You need to remember, Yani, that no matter how bad a person is to you without even a basis, you still need to show them your respect. Because that I think, is also the most savage way of giving revenge.
And this is his mother. You need to respect her opinion because I know for sure that she just wants the best for her son. Sadly though, you're not the best for her. But it's fine. It will be fine.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am..." panimula ko.
Umayos siya ng tayo. Nagtaas naman ng kilay si Elaine.
"As much as I want to respect your decision, but I love your son so much, too."
"Liar! You're just using him-"
"Shut up. I'm not talking to you." matalim kong tinitigan si Elaine.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya at gigil akong tiningnan. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at binalingan na lang ulit si Mrs. Zendejas.
"I can't leave him, Ma'am, like what you want. Unless he'll ask me to," napalunok ako. "T-Then I'll willingly go..."
Bumilis ang kanyang hininga. Kinabahan ako dahil baka kung anong mangyari sa kanya. Kaya naman mabilis ko nang tinapos ang sasabihin.
"Your son has sacrificed so many things for me, Ma'am. All I can do now is to fight for us..." I shaked my head. "That's all I can do. I love him. I'm sorry,"
Napalunok ako. Travis, I'm true to my words. I'll love you better than before.