[ This chapter contains some explicit scenes that are not suitable for age under 17 and below. ]
Chapter 3
"That was tiring!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
I dropped myself on my office's couch as I heard my Uncle's chuckle. "You should get used to this, Keith. Mas malala pa ang pagod na mararamdaman mo kapag may mga business trips ka na out of the country."
Napasimangot ako. Buong araw akong nakaupo rito sa loob ng sarili kong opisina at tanging mga paper works lang ang inaasasikaso. Ito pa lang nakakapagod na, paano pa kaya kapag ako na lang mag-isa ang magpapatakbo ng kompanya?
"If the day would come that you'll appoint me as the CEO, you won't leave me behind, right?" I asked in a low voice.
Ngumiti ito. "The moment I'll appoint you as the CEO, wala na ako sa kompanya. May isang pinagkatiwalaan ang ama mo na tutulong sa 'yo sa oras na maging CEO ka na ng kompanya."
My forehead creased in confusion. "Who?"
Nginisihan lang ako ni Uncle at inangat ang hawak niyang goblet. "Cheers?"
Pabiro akong umirap dito at pinulot ang baso ko. I raised my glass and collided it with his gently, enough to make a sound. "Cheers."
He closed a deal worth billions that's why we are celebrating here inside my office. Komportable ako kay Uncle dahil parang siya na ang pumapangalawang Daddy ko. He has almost the same features with my dad and that makes me miss my father. Marahil sa magkapatid sila kaya ganito sila kamagkamukha.
"You're staring at me again." Napailing si Uncle. "Are you thinking about your father?"
Wala sa sarili kong tinunga ang alak na hawak ko at mapait na ngumiti. "Yes, Uncle."
I heard him took a deep breath. Malapit sa isa't isa si Daddy at Uncle kaya niya pinagkatiwala rito ang kompanya. Mayroon ding sariling kompanya si Uncle kaya hindi ko alam kung paano niya hinahati ang kanyang oras para pamahalaan ang kompanya ni Daddy.
"How about your Mom?" he asked. "Was she good to you?"
Sumandal ako sa sofa at pinalobo ang aking pisngi. "She got married with a young man yesterday."
"With what?" Ramdam kong natigilan ito. "Kaka-annulled lang nila ng Daddy mo last week, 'di ba?"
Tumango ako dito at mapait na ngumiti. "Parang wala lang kay Mommy ang pagkamatay ni Daddy. I didn't even see her on Dad's funeral. Hindi ko alam na kating-kati na pala siyang mapawalang bisa ang kasal nila ni Daddy dahil may ipapamalit na siya."
"And did you happen to know your new step-father?" Ngumiwi pa ito nang sambitin ang dalawang huling salita.
I nodded and took a sip of my champange. "He's Leslie Scott."
Tuluyan nang natigilan si Uncle na ipinagtaka ko. I looked at him and witnessed how stiffened his body was. "Scott? Leslie Scott? That multi-billionaire who owned a lot of firms and companies all over the globe?"
Nag-isang linya ang kilay ko sa narinig. "Billionaire? Multi-billionaire? You must be kidding me, Uncle. That man didn't even look like a businessman at all."
"Looks can be deceiving, Berlin," he said.
Napasimangot ako sa tinawag nito sa 'kin. "Uncle! Stop calling me Berlin! I'm not a goddamn capital city of Germany!"
Natawa ito sa inasta ko at muli ay nagseryoso. "Bakit niya pinakasalan ang mama mo? Sa pagkakaalam ko..."
"Ano?" I asked when I noticed he wasn't planning to add something on his sentence.
Umiling ito sa akin. "Nothing. Maybe he has plans."
"Kilala mo siya?" Namuo ang kuryosidad sa katawan ko. Nagiging tsismosa na naman ako. "Kilala mo ang lalaking 'yun?"
He smiled and nodded. Sumimsim ito sa hawak niyang champange. "He's a good man, Keith."
Nakagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. Good man ba ang manghalik ng labi na walang pasabi? And worst is, sa step-daughter pa? Damn, they must be crazy!
"Paano niyo nasabi?" Tinaasan ko ito ng kilay. "Are you that close with each other?"
Uncle looked at me, and I don't know if it just me or sadness really passed through his eyes. Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga. "Someone introduced him to me and said he's a good man."
"Iyan ang problema sa 'yo, Uncle. Ang bilis mong maniwala." Nilapag ko ang baso sa mesa at tinignan siya. "Ayoko sa lalaking 'yun. Naiinis ako sa kanya."
"Bakit?" natatawang tanong nito.
I blow some stray stands of my hair and close my eyes while I leaned against the back rest of the sofa. "I just don't... I don't like him."
Lie!
--
Sinipa ko ang isang guping lata ng coke at napagdesisyunang maupo sa isang bench at tumanaw sa malawak na Manila Bay.
It's breezy. The wind was blowing my hair and the calmness of the surrounding is hugging me, and somehow, it was comforting. Mas lalo pang gumaan sa pakiramdam ko ang paghampas ng alon sa dalampasigan.
I took a sip on my favorite milk tea while staring over the horizon. Dito na ako dumiretso matapos ng usapan namin ni Uncle. Mabuti na lang at pinayagan niya akong magmaneho ng sasakyan dahil sa pinakitaan ko siya ng driver's liscense.
"I miss you, Dad," I muttered.
Siguro kung buhay pa si Daddy, siguro nasa bahay ako ngayon, busy sa pag-aaral dahil nalalapit na ang graduation ko. Siguro hindi ako namomroblema kung paano i-handle ang mga naiwang negosyo niya.
I took tourism for he told me that I am free to choose my desired career. That I shouldn't hold back because he can handle the company himself. But sudden blow of the wind turned my life upside down. And now, I was left alone. He left me. My father...
Wala sa sarili akong napahawak sa aking pisngi, doon ko nakapa ang luhang namalisbis mula sa aking mga mata na hindi ko man lang namamalayan. Suminghot ako at tinuyo ang mga nalaglag kong luha. I lifted my eyes to the sky and forced a smile.
I know he's watching me out there. Ayaw niya akong nakikitang umiyak, gusto niyang masaya ako lagi. Kaya siguro ay malungkot siyang nakatingin sa 'kin ngayon mula sa langit. Sobrang bigat ng dibdib ko hanggang ngayon ngunit alam kong unti-unti ay maiibsan din ito.
I fished out my phone from my pocket and dialed Kiara's number. A few more rings and she finally picked up the call.
"Hey, Ara. Did I disturb you?" malumanay kong tanong.
It's already midnight that's why I'm a bit hesistant to call her. I don't want to disturb her sleep.
"No, you didn't. Actually, I was about to call you." Narinig ko itong bumuntong hininga. "Where are you now? Your Mommy called me because you are not on-"
"I miss him," I cut her. "My dad."
Natahimik naman siya sa kabilang linya. Moments later, she spoke, "Are you safe? Kailan ka uuwi?"
"S-siguro mamaya. Gusto ko munang mapag-isa," sambit ko.
Rinig ko itong muling bumuntong hininga. "Mag-iingat ka, ha? Text me when you get home."
I just hummed and bade my good bye before ending the call. Muli na naman akong napabaling sa malawak na dagat ng Manila Bay. It's funny because I find being alone comforting. Parang mas gumagaan ang pakiramdam ko kapag ako lang mag-isa. Mas nakakapag-isip ako ng tama.
It took me almost an hour before finally I decided to go home. Nilalamig na rin ako dahil sa short na suot ko kaya gusto ko nang umuwi. My body demands rest, lalo na't may lakad pa ako bukas kasama si Marco.
Pumasok ako sa loob ng sasakyan at pinaandar ito. Saktong nagronda ang mga kapulisan sa gilid ng Manila Bay kaya agad kong pinaharurot paalis ang aking sasakyan para hindi nila mapansing nakatambay ito sa gilid.
My hand reached for the stereo and turned it on. A song from Kina 'Can we kiss forever?' blasted, perfect for a night drive.
Pinapakinggan ko lang ang musika at paminsan-minsang kinakanta ang mga linyang medyo pamilyar ako. My fingers are tapping the steering wheel as sing the familiar line.
Gano'n lang ako sa buong biyahe para mawala ang aking antok. Medyo masakit ang likod ko dahil sa buong araw akong nakasalampak sa opisina. My head is also throbbing in pain which means I really need to sleep.
The guards of the house greeted me. Pinarke ko agad ang sasakyan sa garage at lumabas. Hilot-hilot ang sintido, pumasok ako sa loob ng kabahayan at dumiretso sa hagdanan na hindi namamalayang may nakaupo pala sa couch ng sala.
"Where have you been?"
I halted on my spot as I heard his baritone voice lingered all over the quite room. Nilingon ko ito at natagpuang nakatitig ito sa 'kin habang nasa kandungan niyang kanyang laptop.
Umismid ako rito at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. "None of your business."
Nasa ikatlong baitang na ako nang may biglang humigit sa aking braso at kinaladkad ako paupo sa couch. I settled myself on the long couch while he sat on the single one. Binalingan ako nito ng matalim na tingin.
"Where have you been?" he asked for the second time.
I bit my lip and leaned against the backrest of the couch. "Somewhere..."
Natahimik siya. I choose to close my eyes to relax myself.
"Your mother was worried."
"Stop acting like a father to me." I opened my eyes and looked at him without any emotions. "Walang ama ang hahalik sa anak niya."
A devilish smirk formed on his thin lips. "We both wanted it."
"You wanted it," mariing tugon ko para pagtakpan ang pamumula ng pisngi ko. "You know what, let's just forget it happened."
His smirk fades. Muling bumalik ang matigas na expresiyon sa kanyang mukha habang nakatitig sa 'kin. "What?"
"Let's forget about that," I said. Damn butterflies, stop flying on my stomach. "I hate you and Mom. Step out of my- ahh!"
Napasinghap ako nang bigla niya akong tinulak pahiga sa couch at dinaganan. His hand gripped my both wrist and pinned them above my head. Halos matutop ko ang aking hininga nang bigla niyang siniil ang labi ko sa marahas niyang halik.
"I never agreed to forget that kiss, Kitty." His voice hoarsed.
What? Kitty?!
I tried to struggle away from his grip when he suddenly sucked and bit my lower lip that earned a groan from me. I felt his hand harshly pushed my legs sidewards and slapped my buttcheeks making me gasp.
"Why do you always object my words, Kitty?" he asked in a hum.
My body tingled when his hands caressed my bare legs. Ramdam ko ang init na nagmumula sa kanyang mga palad.
"Fuck, Lace!" halos mapatili ako nang biglaan nitong tinampal ang pag-upo ko at nilamas ang dibdib ko.
"Follow my words, Kitty." He leaned in and kissed my ear.
"Lace?"
Natigilan ako nang makarinig kami ng boses mula sa pangalawang palapag. Agad kong tinago ang aking katawan sa katawan ni Lace para matabunan ako.
"What?" he asked, ni-hindi man lang tinapunan ng tingin si Mommy.
Nakagat ko ang aking ibabang labi. Laking pasalamat ko na lang at nakapatay ang ilaw ng buong sala at tanging ilaw na lang mula sa lampshade na malayo sa amin ang nagbibigay ng kaunting liwanag sa paligid.
"Hindi ka pa matutulog? Maybe Kieth spent the night on her boyfriend's house," malambing na saad ni mommy.
Gusto kong umirap sa paraan ng pananalita nito. "Later, I'll just finish this. Matulog ka na."
"I'll wait for you in our room, hmm?" I heard her said.
"Yes, sure."
Nakarinig ako ng mga yapak. Nang mawala ito ay mabilis kong tinulak paalis ng ibabaw ko si Lace. Tumayo ako at akmang aakyat na sa taas ngunit muli na naman ako nitong hinigit.
He held my waist and sat on the couch that made me sit on his lap. Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin at pilit na tinatanggal ang kapit niya sa bewang ko.
"Stay still, Kitty," he muttered.
"Stop calling Kitty, damn it."
He chuckled and held my chin, dahilan upang tignan ko ito. His thumb brushed my lips back and forth that made me feel damn wet down there.
"You are my kitten," he said. "You should start calling me Daddy."
"Heck, no!" I exclaimed. "Why the hell would I call you that?"
Napasinghap ako nang bigla niya akong pinahiga sa couch at pinihit ang katawan ko padapa. A groan escape from my lips the moment he slapped my butt, again.
"I told you never object my words, didn't I?" His voice screamed danger.
Napalunok ako at pigil na napamura nang bigla niya na namang tinampal ang pang-upo ko.
"Say the magic word, Kitty."
He squeezed my butt and slapped it again. Damn this manipulative jerk!
"I won't," matigas kong saad.
Napasinghap ako nang bigla nitong piniid ang aking mga kamay sa 'king likod at muli na naman akong tinampal.
"Hmm?" he hummed.
Fuck, feeling ko namumula na ang pisngi ng pang-upo ko kahit may suot pa akong shorts.
"Fuck it, let me go!" malakas kong sambit. Sana marinig kami ni Mommy. "Damn it!"
"You're being a bad girl, I see."
Tang ina, humihithit ba siya? Bakit ganito siya? Putangina talaga!
"Stop slapping my butt!" I said. "Fuck... stop... Don't touch my boob... Damn..."
Tuluyan na akong napaungol nang bigla nitong hinimas ang dibdib ko. He may stop slapping my butt but he is now massaging my boob in a very sensual way.
"Damn, I miss you," he said something that didn't reached my ear.
"Ohh... D-dadyy..."
Natigilan ako sa biglang salitang lumabas sa bibig ko. I felt him stilled and moments later he began to curse out loud.
Binitiwan niya ang kamay ko at tinulungan akong makatayo.
"Fuck, sorry-"
Natigilan ito sa biglaang pagsampal ko. "If you want to be a father of me, then act like one."
Paakyat ng hagdanan ay dala ko ang sama ng loob. Gusto kong maiyak dahil wala pang kahit sino ang nangahas na humawak sa mga sensitibong parte ng katawan ko.
Ngunit nakakatawang isipin na kahit gaano ka-hindi sang-ayon ang isip ko sa ginawa niya ay kinukontra ito ng katawan ko.
Damn, I think I'm high.