Chapter 28
What? Hi?
Did I hear it right? He said… hi?
The beat of my heart was amazingly thumping fast. Just like before. It was beating so hard and loud I’m afraid someone might hear it.
I looked at him with my widen eyes. My lips were partly open. Tinikom ko ang bibig at tumikhim. I opened my mouth again to speak but nothing came out.
Why is he here?
Kumunot ang noo ko.
“Sunshine, come here,” Grandma said while smiling warmly at me.
I stayed rooted on where I stood. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Icarus Del Cianco was standing tall, masculine, lean, neat, and down right handsome right in front of me. He had grown up handsomely. He’s no longer the boy before I used to have a crush with. He’s now a man. A man with a well-tone body and a man with a face of perfection.
“Sunshine?” I heard Grandma’s voice again but I couldn’t seem to understand it as my eyes fixed at the man I met since I was a kid and a part of my past I wanted to get over with.
We were still looking at each other’s eyes as if we see nothing in the world but our very own hearts and souls. He was looking at me with mixed yet familiar emotions on his eyes.
The sparks in my heart were still there, it was pulsating at a fast pace as the seconds became a minute and still, we didn’t look away.
Suddenly, memories of the past came rushing back. From our first meeting, school scenarios, at the park, in his car, mall, our friendly dates, in the café, and everything we had during our teenage days. It was still vividly clear to my mind how the strong friendship we had broke and made our life miserable in a snap of a finger.
And primarily, our goodbyes to each other. He stood up and held my hand as we swayed our hips simultaneously with the music he chose himself. He fulfilled his promise to be there on my 18th birthday and be my first and last dance as he kissed the tip of my nose.
It was still vividly delineated in my head how we started happily and ended up tragically. And every time I would remember it, the pain I tried so hard to forget seemed to be coming back.
He used to be my friend. He used to be my knight in shining armour. He used to be my foundation when I was so weak and tired. He used to be my light when the darkness was pulling me.
We never had a romantic relationship but he has a special place in my heart. He was the father of my unborn child, the man I allowed to dig into my life, and the first man I had a crush on. The man I only allowed to see me inside. The man I gave the chance to see my soul and pain… And the same man who broke my heart into tiny pieces until the pieces themselves couldn’t be seen as they vanished like how ashes got flew off by the wind of the past.
Right in the moment, I see nothing but the man I got to meet before but a stranger for me now.
I smiled back at him. It’s all in the past now…
“Mama!” I heard my son’s voice from my back that made me snapped my head away from looking at Icarus.
Franco was running towards my direction as tears fell down on his soft cheeks. Yumuko kaagad ako at niyakap siya. “Why are you crying, baby?” I asked softly, rubbing his back.
He often cries unlike his brother, Avan. He was kinda emotional about everything at talagang dinidibdib niya ang mga bagay-bagay sa paligid niya.
“Where have you been, Mama?! I was looking for you!”
Binuhat ko siya kahit na may kabigatan na ito. “Nandito lang naman ako, ah? Hindi naman ako umalis,” masuyo kong sabi.
Sumubsob siya sa aking leeg at mahinang humikbi. “I t-thought you left us,” he sniffed.
My eyes softened. “No, of course not. Mama loves you and Avan so much to leave you two. Mama is not going to leave you, okay?”
“I t-thought… I thought you already l-left us,” humihikbing sabi niya at mas lalong hinigpitan ang yakap sa akin.
“Hush now, sweetie. Mama is here.”
“I l-love you, Mama. Please, don’t leave us.”
“I won’t, baby. I love you, too.”
It hurts me knowing na inaakala ng bata na ano mang oras ay iiwan ko sila. I couldn’t blame the kid though. Kasi noong nag-aaral pa ako, madalas ay hindi ko sila nakakasama. They’ve been staying at their grandparents’ house kapag wala ako o ang papa nila. They thought any moment, mawawala na naman ako.
They’re just five and yet… I feel like a horrible mother to them.
“Bro!”
Nabaling ang tingin ko sa isang table nang may sumigaw na batang lalaki na sa tingin ko ay nasa walong taong gulang na. Around the kid were familiar faces on the table.
I felt my chest squeezed. I never thought I would see them here. Maybe, my grandparents invited them here? It’s not impossible naman kasi same industry lang ang mga pamilya namin. The Del Cianco family was here.
Umawang ang labi ko at napatingin ulit kay Icarus. He never looked away and it startled me when I looked to his direction again. I caught him looking at me still.
Pero hindi kagaya kanina, nawala na ang ngiting nakapaskil sa kaniyang labi. The emotions I’ve seen in his eyes disappeared and was replaced with hollowness.
Buhat-buhat ang anak ko ay naglakad ako patungo sa direksyon niya kung saan naroon sina Lolo at Lola. I averted his gaze and looked at my grandparents instead.
“Grandma,” sabi ko sa mommy ni Daddy at humalik sa kaniyang pisngi.
“What happened to our little Franco?” Grandpa said sweetly.
I smiled at the couple. “He thought I was going to leave them.”
“Aww…” Grandma uttered. “Come on, little Franco. Give Lola and Lolo a hug.”
Sumisinghot na bumaba si Franco sa pagkakabuhat ko at nakangusong nagpalambing sa great-grandparents niya.
I chuckled a bit. Franco is really a baby. He’s fond with his great-grandparents than anyone. Ang kambal naman niya ay mahilig magpalamhing sa mga lolo’t lola niya.
“Ehem.”
Nakarinig ako ng isang tikhim. Napapitlag ako at nagulat dahil doon. Napahawak ako sa aking dibdib.
Napalingon ang mga matanda sa likuran ko. I’m sure as hell he was just standing behind me. I could feel his intense stare on my back. His hot breathing was kind of touching my bare back. In a moment, parang gusto kong pagsisihan kung bakit backless ang isinuot kong gown sa gabing ito.
Kumalabog nang malakas ang dibdib ko.
Take a deep breathe, Sunshine. You’re going to be fine. Take a deep breath… It’s all in the past now.
“I’ll get going, Ma’am. Happy anniversary again,” I heard him say, cold and stoic. It sent shivers down my spine in an instant.
“Thanks, hijo,” Grandpa said.
Nang makaalis na siya ay pinaupo ako ni Lolo sa upuan nila at nagkuwentuhan kami nang ilang saglit bago sila pinatawag ng host at binigyan ng microphone para sila naman ang magsalita.
They thanked the people who came to their special day, then they started telling their stories and how time changes them. They told us how their relationship got to the point where they almost parted ways, but thank God, they got through it all. And now, they came to this. They got to celebrate their anniversary. Lolo Francisco was 89 years old while Lola Hera just celebrated her 87th birthday last month.
Aww… Sana all.
Hindi ko alam na kanina pa pala tumutulo ang luha ko habang nakikinig sa kwento nilang mag-asawa. It just sounds so good and very overwhelming to the point I felt jealous of the relationship they have. Sana all. Sanaol talaga at may ganyang klase ng relasyon. Tumatagal. Bagyuhin man at hampasin ng mga malalakas na alon, nanatili pa rin silang matatag para sa isa’t isa. Their story was one of a kind. Iyong mga pang-telenobela talaga. Nakakaiyak at napakasarap ulit-uliting pakinggan.
“Sunny pangit.”
I sniffed as I looked at the one who called me. “S…”
Ngumiti siya sa akin nang maliit at nilahad sa akin ang panyo niya. Kinuha ko ito at pinunasan ang luha ko.
“Inggit ka, ‘no?” he teased.
Natatawang tumango ako. “Sino bang hindi maiinggit?”
“Sabagay.” Nagkibit-balikat siya bago ako inakbayan.
“Ang mga bata?”
“Nakina Daddy,” he said as he kissed my temple. “Gutom ka na ba? Gusto mong kunan kita ng makakain?”
Umiling ako. “Busog pa ako,” I said.
“You sure?”
Napakurap ang mga mata ko. I cleared my throat and wandered my eyes silently.
“Ah… S?” Tiningala ko siya at nginusuan.
“Oh?” His brows shot up.
“Gusto ko pala ng cake. Pwede mo ba akong ikuha?”
“Sure,” mabilis niyang sagot at tumayo para gawin ang sinabi ko. “Iyon lang ba? Ayaw mo kumain ng kanin? Mamaya pa tayo uuwi ng bahay.”
I nodded again. “It’s okay. I’m full pa naman. Nag-crave lang.”
“Baka juntis?” He eyed me suspiciously.
Natawa ako at inirapan siya. He chuckled and kissed me on my forehead first before walking towards the buffet area.
When he was out of my sight, nilingon ko kaagad ang table kung nasaan ang hinahanap ko kanina pa. My heart took a leap.
He was sitting alone on a table as he sipped on his drink boringly. Nakatitig siya sa kawalan habang pinapatunog ng mga daliri niya ang lamesa. His eyes were cold and the hollowness in them was visible. I gulped down my nervousness as I stood up and walked towards his direction.
“Hi,” mahinang sabi ko nang tumapat ako sa kaniyang harapan.
Hindi siya lumingon o kumilos man lang kaya akala ko, hindi niya ako narinig. Tumikhim ako at walang pasintabing umupo sa upuang nasa harapan niya.
Lumingon siya sa akin nang malamig. Hindi man lang siya nag-react o kumilos kahit nakita na niya ako.
I flashed a soft smile. Slowly, his thick brows sloped downwards as his fingers stopped. He blinked his eyes like it was as if he got back from his trance just now.
“Y-yes?” nauutal na aniya. His voice was deep and husky. More manlier now than before.
I hid the awkwardness around the thin air by smiling. “It’s been a while,” I said casually. Mas lalo siyang napakurap. He sat straight and cleared his throat.
“Y-yeah…” he said, his voice was kind of shaking. “Uhm… Y-your family invited us…”
Tumango ako. Dad probably wanted to clear things out around between our families’ grudges and quarrels. The Madrigal and Del Cianco have been mortal enemies these past few years because of what happened between me and Icarus. And of course, because of the family’s revelation—Gebby’s real dad.
Honestly, matagal nang panahon ang nakalipas matapos iyon nangyari, eh. Everybody eventually moved on. Including me. I talked a lot about it with my doctor, especially when we were meditating. Nawala na ang galit ko sa nakaraan.
“I see,” I answered. A long pause of awkward silence stretched us.
I looked at his outfit. He was wearing a white dress underneath his black tuxedo. Bagay na bagay ito sa kaniyang malaking katawan. Kung dati ay ang muskulado na niya, ngayon ay parang mas humubog pa ‘ata ang kaniyang katawan. Mukhang mas lalong tumangkad rin siya.
His soft and black hair was brushed up nicely na para bang pinaghandaan niya talaga ang naturang selebrasyon na magaganap. I could also smell his familiar spray perfume and his natural manly scent that never fails to make me feel fascinated.
Nine years had passed but still, the familiar effect of his presence never set out of my system.
Nagbuntong-hininga ako at tiningnan siya. Bumuka ang bibig niya para magsalita pero walang isang salita ang lumalabas dito. He closed his parted mouth and cleared his throat.
“Uh, g-good evening,” he stammered. He cleared his throat again. “You look so gorgeous tonight, by the way.”
Uminit ang magkabilang pisngi ko. I looked down on his hand in front of me, waiting for me to accept it for a handshake. Nag-angat ako ng tingin sa kaniya. The hopefulness dancing in his hazel brown eyes got me surprised a bit. He looked away as his ears reddened.
Pinagmasdan ko ang dahan-dahang pagkuyom ng nakalahad niyang kamay. But before he could put his hand down, I held it and shook it with mine. I heard his audible gasped as he looked back at me, dumbfounded.
I smiled at him sweetly. “Hi, I’m Sunshine Madrigal. Thank you for the compliment, Mister.”
His lips parted as his eyes softened. Kinagat niya ang ibabang labi at napalunok. “I’m Icarus Del Cianco…”
“Uh-huh? Sounds familiar, hmm?” I giggled. My heart thumped fast.
He smiled a bit. “Yeah…”
The sadness and longing on his face stopped me. I shrugged it off. Siguro, namamalikmata lang ako.
“Big bruh!” Napalingon kaming dalawa ni Icarus sa batang nakabusangot ang mukha at nakapameywang sa ‘di kalayuan.
“Shit,” Icarus suddenly cussed.
A kid with the almost same features with him was glaring towards our direction. Kumunot ang noo ko. Hindi ako pamilyar sa batang ito.
“What?” Icarus asked the kid.
“Where are my chocolates?!” singhal nito habang nagdadabog na naglalakad papunta sa aming direksyon.
“What?! Are you accusing me?” hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Icarus sa bata.
“Nye nye! You’re so defensive!”
“Geez, Russet. Stop making a scene, will you? Maraming tao, oh,” lumilinga sa paligid na aniya.
“Give me back my chocolates!” The kid stubbornly stomped his feet.
“Wala nga sa akin. Tanong mo sa daddy mo,” he said and rolled his eyes.
A smile suddenly appeared into my lips. So this kid is his brother? Nagkaanak ba ulit sina Tito Vinnunt at Tita Veronica?
Magkamukhang-magkamukha talaga sila ni Icarus. Ang kulay na lang ng kanilang balat ang pinagkaiba. Icarus is moreno and the kid has a white skin. Itim din ang kulay ng mga mata nito kumpara kay Icarus na naiiba.
Lumapit sa aming direksyon ang bata at biglang sinuntok nito sa braso si Icarus. Napasinghap ako.
“Ano ba, Russet!” Napalakas na ang boses ni Icarus at gigil na sinamaan ng tingin ang bata.
“Akin na ang chocolates ko!”
“Wala nga sa akin, eh! Ang kulit.”
Sinuntok ulit siya ng bata sa braso. “LIAR!”
“Oh, goodness. You’re humiliating us!” Icarus exclaimed silently and glared at the kid. “Wala nga sabi sa akin, Russet, ano ba!? Ano namang gagawin ko sa chocolates mo, ha?!” mahina ngunit mariin niyang singhal sa bata.
Nangilid bigla ang mga luha ng bata. Patay…
As an instinct, nagsalita ako at inagaw ang atensyon nila. “Hi!”
They both looked at me. Icarus and the kid’s lips parted as they blinked their eyes in unison.
“I’m Sunshine. What’s your name, baby?” I asked the kid.
Mas lalong umawang ang labi nito at kumalat ang pagpula sa maputi at makinis nitong pisngi.
He pointed himself adorably.”M-me?”
I nodded. “Yup!”
“I… I’m Russet,” nahihiyang sabi ng bata. I heard Icarus scoff.
“Russet, wow! Whatta handsome name!” I cheered.
Ngumiti ang bata nang maliit habang namumula pa rin ang pisngi. “Thanks.”
“Ilang taon ka na, Russet?” I asked.
“Uh, eight.”
“Do you want some chocolates?”
Nagliwanag bigla ang mga mata nito. “You have?!”
“Yes.”
“Sure! I want some! Would you like to share it with me, Sunshine?”
“No problem.” I winked.
He giggled. “Alright! Thank you!”
Nginitian ko siya bago kinuha ang chocolate sa clutch bag ko. It was for the twin kaya ako may dala.
“Here.” Kinuha naman kaagad ito ng bata.
“Oh, God… such a thick-faced kid.” narinig kong bulong ni Icarus sa hangin. Humagikhik ako.
Russet thanked me again before turning his back happily and walked away.
“I’m sorry for his behaviour. He’s kinda spoiled,” Icarus said apologetically.
“Kapatid mo?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “Unfortunately.”
Natawa ako nang mahina. “He reminds me of Franco, my son,” I murmured.
“Hmm?”
Umiling ako. “Nothing.”
He nodded and a small smile appeared on his lips. “Thanks for the chocolates.”
“Yeah, welcome,” I said. “It’s actually nothing. Marami naman kasi akong chocolates dito for my children. Hindi naman nila ito makakain tonight kaya…” I trailed off and shrugged off my shoulders.
I looked at him and noticed the pained expression on his face. “Okay…”
“Sunny, babe!” Preece suddenly appeared from nowhere holding a plate on his hand. His eyes was fixed on me.
“S!” I exclaimed and stood up to take the plate midway.
“Kabute ka ba? Kung saan-saan ka na lang nawawala at napupunta.” His lips protruded as he handed me the cake.
Inirapan ko siya. “Exaggerated ka masyado, para kang anak mo,” I said. “Nandito lang naman ako. Hindi ako umuwi, ‘no?”
“Tss. Nahirapan kaya akong hanapin ka.”
“Weh? Talaga ba? As far as I remember, stand out ako rito.”
He chuckled as he encircled his arms on my waist. “Taas ng confidence, ah?”
I giggled. Babalik na sana ako sa table nang mapansin kong napahinto si Preece sa tabi ko. Nabaling ang tingin niya sa kaharap kong lalaki. Nagdilim bigla ang mga mata niya.
Napalunok ako. “Ah… Preece, si Icarus nga pala,” I said nervously and glanced at him. “You know, uhm, Gebby’s brother…”
“Why is he here?” mariin at matigas na tanong ni S. His jaw was tightly clenching.
“The Madrigal family invited us,” kaswal naman na sagot ni Icarus at walang emosyong tiningnan si Preece sa tabi ko.
Kinakabahan na pinulupot ko ang mga braso sa beywang ni Preece. “It’s okay… Tara na?” mahinang sabi ko.
Nagtagisan pa rin sila ng tingin at parehong umiigting ang kanilang mga panga. I was anxious about what would about happen next. Baka magsalpukan ang dalawang ito. Knowing Preece, he’s overprotective of me.
Mahinang kinurot ko si Preece sa tagiliran. Napaigik siya nang kaunti at napangusong lumingon sa akin. Pinandilatan ko siya ng mga mata.
But instead of pouting even more, the corner of his lips suddenly rose up for a mischievous smirk. His amber eyes screamed playfulness all of a sudden and an unexpected word escaped from his lips I never thought he would say.
“Alright, wifey. Let’s go? Our kids are waiting for us,” he said as he kissed me on my lips. Napasinghap ako.
From my peripheral view, I could see Icarus balled his fist. Bigla na lang itong tumalikod at walang pasintabing umalis at nilisan kami. Parang may kumurot sa puso ko sa biglaang pag-alis ni Icarus.
“Futah…” Humagalpak bigla ng tawa si Preece.
Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. “What the fuck was that, Preece?!” I hissed.
“Puta… HAHAHA!” He laughed hard, holding his stomach. Naiinis na napapadyak ako at kinurot siya ulit sa tagiliran.
“Ang gago mo!” Natawa na lang din ako.
THE ANNIVERSARY celebration ended with happy smiles plastered on the guests’ lips and most especially to my family. Pumunta kami sa mansion nila Grandpa rito sa bansa. They were Russians pero sa USA sila parehong lumaki at sa Pilipinas naman gumawa ng sariling pamilya. Grandpa is a half-filipino kaya ‘yong surname namin is Madrigal.
Humiga ako sa kamang nakalaan para sa akin. It was one of the rooms here in the big mansion, that’s like a castle, of my grandparents. They’re so wealthy, sa totoo lang. Nakalulula.
I closed my eyes. Katatapos ko lang maligo at makapagbihis ng komportableng damit. Si Preece ay nasa kabilang kwarto kasama ang mga anak ko.
Yep, they’re my sons. Hindi man sa dugo pero anak ko naman sila sa puso. I love them as my own children I never had and I treat them like how a mother should to her children. And that is to love, care, protect, guide, and support them for anything they like to do.
Tinatawag at kinikilala na nila akong mama nila simula nang magkaroon na sila ng kamalayan sa mga bagay-bagay.
They never got the chance to meet their parents, unfortunately. Sinon and Isha died from a plane crash months after Isha delivered their twin sons. At sa tuwing naaalala ko ang dahilan kung bakit maagang nawalan ng mga magulang ang mga pamangkin ko, kusang naglalandas ang mga luha sa aking mga mata.
Sinon and Trisha Saywer did nothing but to show me their love and support when I was on the verge of giving up.
I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes, hoping that the nightmare would pass away and let everything go back from the start and maybe, ask God to change the destiny.
I uttered a prayer to God before I fell off to sleep.
A week after, I went to Kuya’s company. His sexy secretary guided me towards his office and I faced her.
“Thank you, Miss Fretziel.”
“Yeah. No worries.” She smirked.
Tuluyan na akong pumasok sa loob. Travis immediately flashed a smile as soon as I got in. Ngumiti ako nang matamis at lumapit sa kaniya.
“Have a seat, Sunny.” Tumayo si Kuya at hinalikan ako sa noo.
“Thanks, Kuya,” I said as I sat on the chair across his table. “By the way, I brought a lunch for you.”
He sat back on his swivel chair. “Wow!” He gasped. “May I see?” parang batang aniya at inilahad ang kamay.
“Here!” Ibinigay ko sa kaniya ang lunch box na dala ko sa loob ng paperbag. “Adobo ‘yan. Your favorite.”
“Thanks, Sunny…” He smiled as he glanced at the food. Hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang paglumbay ng kaniyang mga mata. He sighed and picked up the spoon.
Uuwi na ako ng Pilipinas dalawang linggo mula ngayon. I’ll settle some stuff there. Pinapunta ako ni Travis sa opisina niya dahil daw pag-uusapan namin umano yung makakasama ko sa Pilipinas. He doesn’t want to let me go alone. Kailangan ko raw ng kasama.
It saddens me to think that he still sees me as a fragile person but I understand him naman. I know now how traumatizing it is to see someone get depressed. I witnessed it with my very own eyes when Travis broke down when we learned that his twin sister died.
I’m gonna go home, back to the Philippines. I also miss Tita Sali and my cousins. Si Seth naman ay miss na miss ko na rin. He’s an engineer now, the same with Aciel—our cousin. Ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas mula nang makita ko sila.
Through online na lang ang communication namin. Puwera na lang kay Seth na madalas bumyahe mula Pilipinas hanggang dito para lang bisitahin ako. I miss my family in the Philippines so much.
“Uhmm… Adobo. I missed this dish!” Travis exclaimed excitedly. Sumigla na lang bigla ang boses niya. Probably pretending he’s okay again.
“I know that’s your favorite kaya niluto ko talaga iyan para sa ‘yo. I also brought one for Quinn.”
Travis is the one who’s managing Dad’s company now. He replaced our father’s position as the CEO of the company. Quinn, on the other hand, became the vice president of the board and also the COO.
Ang layo na ng mga narating nila sa buhay samantalang ako, kahit trabaho man lang ay wala. I smiled sadly at that thought.
“Something’s off, Sunshine. Do you have any problem?” Kuya asked.
Umiling ako. “Wala naman po. Uh, ma-mi-miss ko lang ang mga bata ‘pag umalis na ako sa bansa. Hindi ko naman kasi sila puwedeng dalhin dahil hindi pa tapos ang pag-aaral nila rito.”
“You can bring them, though. I can pull some strings for that,” he simply said.
“Naku, ‘wag na. Magiging busy ako sa Pilipinas kasi, you know, may papers akong i-pa-process.”
Tumango siya at sumubo ng kanin. He munched and gulped it down first before speaking again. “About your body guard…” panimula niya.
“I know and I agree with it naman.” I shrugged one of my shoulders. “No need to worry. For sure, mapagkakatiwalaan naman ang pinili mo for me. I just hope na hindi siya masyadong pakialamero. I hope he won’t cross the line of my privacy.”
Natigilan nang bahagya si Travis. Sumeryoso bigla ang mukha niya. “You’re still single up to this day, Sunny. Why don’t you date around?” he suddenly said.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at nahulog ang aking panga sa gulat. “What the…” hindi makapaniwalang usal ko. “Ang irrelevant no’n sa pinag-uusapan natin, ah?” Humalakhak ako.
He cleared his throat. “I’m serious.”
Naiiling at natatawa akong tumingin muli sa kaniya. “Are you freaking kidding me, Kuya? Bodyguard ang pinag-uusapan natin, napunta ka na sa boyfriend boyfriend na ‘yan.” I laughed.
“Sunny,” he warned.
Napatikhim ako at napilitang umayos ng upo. I pouted at him. “Yes, Travis Kael Madrigal?”
He rolled his eyes as he shook his head. “Answer me, are you seeing someone now?”
I crossed my arms around my chest. “Geez, Kuya. Wala po. Wala akong kinikita ngayon. Happy?” sarkastikong sabi ko. “At saka wala pa iyan sa isip ko ngayon. I do have children now. They’re enough.”
“That’s the point. You have children. Ayaw mo ba silang bigyan ng buong pamilya?”
Natigilan ako sa sinabi niya. Nanliit ang kaniyang mga mata at tiningnan ako nang mariin. “Or maybe… you’re waiting for someone?”
Umawang ang labi ko at napakurap. Tumunog naman bigla ang intercom niya.
God! Thank you, Lord!
Dali-dali akong tumayo at nagpaalam sa kaniya na papasok ng banyo sa loob ng opisina. Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko at hinabol ang hininga. That brother!
Hindi naman na bago sa akin na tanungin niya ako ng ganiyang mga katanungan. Ewan ko ba at tila gusto niya akong magkarelasyon na ngayon. Eh, dati naman, ni ang makipagkita lang sa kakilala ay binabawalan niya ako. He keeps on bugging me to find someone. Although I already told him that I don’t need that someone in my life. Para siyang ewan.
I fixed my make up and put a little amount of red lipstick on my lips, then applied powder on my face before I decided to go out of the comfort room. Inayos ko na ang pustura ko para hindi niya mahalatang naiinis ako sa tanong niya kanina.
“Kuya, aalis na pala ako—“ Nabitin ang sasabihin ko nang makita ang hindi inaasahang tao sa harapan ko.
Napalingon ang dalawang lalaki sa akin. Napakurap ako.
“Oh, here you are,” I heard Travis say. “Have a seat, you two.”
“What… What is he doing here, Kuya?” Itinuro ko ang lalaking nakatayo sa harapan niya.
Kuya smiled meaningfully and glanced at Icarus na nanatiling nakatingin sa akin habang malamig at walang emosyon ang buong mukha.
“Icarus Del Cianco, your new bodyguard…” my older brother uttered. I stepped back dumbfoundedly. “…and he’ll be working with you starting today,” he added which made me get stunned by his sudden announcement.
I looked at Icarus questioningly. A sly smirked formed into his lips as his eyes darkened.
"It's a pleasure to work with you, madame."