BODYGUARD
"S-Spare me... N-Napag-utusan lang a-ako."
The man in front of me coughed after I kicked him hard in the stomach. He slumped in the chair and caught his breath. He has a lot of bruises. I locked him in my basement room for almost two weeks without food, but because I wanted him to live, I made him drink water. But I know he's weak now.
I clicked my tongue. I watched him on the ground, almost kissing the dirty floor. I felt no pity or even slightest sympathy. Because why? Did he feel one when he shot me twice?
Hindi lang naman ako ang humawak sa lalaking 'to. Before I played with him, my brother, my cousin and Maddieson beat him first. Muntik pa siyang mapatay ni Madd dahil sa malalakas at walang awang mga suntok at sipa. Fortunately, Phoenix calmed him down.
I squatted in front of him, umatras siya. "Hindi ko tinanong kung napag-utusan ka ba o hindi." I trailed. "My question is who ordered you. Magkaiba 'yon."
"B-Babae!-"
"Bobo ka ba?" Hindi mapigilang saad ko.
"Scarlet, come on. Chill..." Buntong hininga ni Maddieson.
"I am," I said, grinning.
Mahigit dalawang linggo simula noong makalabas ako ng hospital ay ito agad ang inalala ko. I can't just let this pass. Madami ng nangyari sa mga nakalipas na taon, ngayon ko pa ba pipiliing manahimik?
And besides, I believe na lintik lang ang walang ganti.
"Tell me, madami ba kayong tauhan niya?" Naging kalmado na ang tono ko.
Umiwas siya ng tingin ngunit tumango din kalaunan. I took a deep breath before I stood up. Sinenyasan ko ang isa sa mga bagong tauhan na pinadala ng aking ama, lumapit ito sa akin.
"Fix this man. I still need him." Bilin ko bago tumalikod, ngunit natigil nang may sinabi ang lalaking hawak namin.
I fisted my hand before we chose to get out.
"And you believed him?" Kumunot ang noo ni Phoenix sa akin nang itanong niya 'yon.
Dinama ko ang haplos ni Maddieson sa aking mga daliri. Lahat kami ay nandito sa living room, katatapos lang namin kumain at ito agad ang bungad nila.
And guess what? My father and Shanele are on a video call. Ang ipinagtataka ko lang ay kung bakit parang kumportableng-kumportable si Maddieson at ang aking ama sa isa't isa. My father never even asked who this man was, or what he was in my life.
"I'm not that stupid." I said then chuckled.
Umingos si Morgan. "What a cool... But then, let's ask Maddieson." Sinulyapan niya ang lalaki na katabi ko. "Are you perhaps, cool with her plans?"
Lahat sila ay napatingin kay Madd. Maging ang aking ama na nasa camera ay napasandal sa kanyang swivel chair at mariing tumitig dito. I also looked at Maddieson, he stared at me. Looking so serious... seriously handsome.
Yeah.
"I have no problem with any of her plans. As long as she will be safe and untouched, I'm also here to protect and support her... and besides, I have people to watch wherever she goes." Seryosong aniya.
My forehead creased immediately. "Your people?"
Tumango siya, umangat naman ang kilay ko at bumitaw mula sa pagkakahawak niya sa aking mga daliri. His face darkened because of that.
"You mad?" Sinubukan niya muli akong hawakan.
Muli ko din siyang kinabig palayo. Kulang nalang ay tumayo ako para lang iparating sa kanya na gusto ko ng seryosong usapan dito. Because I know, If I let him touch me, my mind will go clouded again. No, I won't let that.
"Years have passed, Maddieson. And I know everything, as in everything about you has changed! Damn, baka nga mas more powerful ka pa sa akin..." I hissed.
"...And who knows na baka magkakasabwat kayong lahat?!" Sinulyapan ko sila isa-iss.
"Fuck it. What do you mean, babe?"
"You! And you, Phoenix, Morgan, Dad!" Irita kong sinabi.
Sabay-sabay silang umiwas ng tingin maliban kay Maddieson na mariing nakatitig lang sakin. Nakipagtagisan ako sa kanya.
I'm not stupid enough not to notice, of course! I knew something was wrong from the very beginning. From the day I was shot. The day my father came here, and that night when Maddieson broke my heart. I did not do anything wrong to Maddieson for him to suddenly do that to me. So it was really surprising.
I have preached Law for almost half of my life. I also studied the actions and thoughts of people around me. They can't fool me.
"Now. Now tell me everything you planned five years ago." I grinned at them.
"Wala kaming plano." Saad ni Morgan.
"Mama mo?" Humalukipkip ako.
Nanlaki ang mga mata niya ngunit umirap lang ako.
"They threatened me." Ani Maddieson na ikinalingon ko agad at siyang pag tahimik ng buong sala.
"Fuck you, man!" Siyempre Unang nag react si Morgan.
"Early laglagan, really?"
"Damn it, kid. I told you I would tell her that myself!" Daddy hissed.
Sunod-sunod na murahan pa ang narinig ko. As for me, I was frozen in place because I couldn't believe it!
"What?" I asked in dazed.
He shook his head and offered his hand. "Come here." He commanded instead.
Nang hindi ako gumalaw ay siya na mismo ang gumalaw at hinila ako ng marahan patabi sa kanya. All I can hear is silence, and the fast beating of my heart. Maddieson wrapped his firm arms around me.
I want to scream right now because of anger that is running through me. Pinaghandaan ko na 'to, pero hindi ko pa din maiwasan because who wouldn't? In the five years that I was separated from Maddieson, I believed what he did back then. Yung mga salita, yung mga ginawa nila. I lived with anger towards him. Tapos ngayon ay ito pa ang malalaman ko?
What a good news.
"W-What exactly happened?" I found my voice.
"Rebecca..." My brother called, tumingin ako sa kanya. "Let us explain, princess. Alright?"
Nakitaan ko ng iba't ibang emosyon ang mga mata niya. I sighed and nodded.
"Remember when you got shot?" I slightly nodded. Naramdaman ko naman ang paghigpit ng yakap ni Maddieson sa akin. "Then our father came. From the beginning he knew Maddieson, Rebecca. You know he knew everything."
Sinulyapan ko ang aking ama na prenteng nakasandal lang sa kanya swivel chair. He groaned nang makita ang riin ng titig ko.
"Why do I seems to be the only one who's bad?" Reklamo ni Daddy.
"We talked to your man, Becca. Alam niyang nabaril ka, alam niya ang nangyari sayo. Lahat."
"I threatened him because he didn't want to let you go." Singit ni Daddy sa usapan.
So, he really did?! Oh, god!
"Dad!" Nanggagalaiting sigaw ko. "Your reason is not enough! Why do you have to... Why do you have to do that?"
"Because I want you to focus, Rebecca!"
"I am focused, Dad. You don't know how much pain I experienced when he did that to another woman." Muntik pa akong mapatayo kung hindi lang dahil sa yakap ni Maddieson.
"Scarlet, I'm sorry. Please calm down..." Maddieson coaxed me.
"All of that was just a show." Kibit balikat ni Morgan sa gilid.
The guts. He even point a gun at Madd.
"What kind of attempt did my father make on you, Maddieson?" I asked and glanced at him behind me.
"It doesn't matter, babe." He sighed.
"Won't you say?" Napalunok siya.
"Hindi na importante 'yon. Let's just move on-"
"Then no come back for you." Giit ko bago kalasin ang braso niya sa bewang ko at tumayo.
"What the hell?" I heard him hissed then groaned.
"Ano? Meron pa ba akong dapat malaman?" Hinarap ko sila.
Sabihin na, nang isang bagsakan nalang tayo dito! I have lots to do pa, madami pa akong iniisip ngayon.
"Oh, yes." Ngumisi si Phoenix at sinulyapan si Maddieson. "He's your new personal bodyguard."
Nag-unat ako nang makabangon sa kama. I looked at my wall clock and checked the time. Ilang sandali pa akong natulala nang maalala ang nangyari kagabi. Damn, too much revelation. Ano pa kayang mga darating?
Today, I have an appointment with an event organizer. Gusto nga nila Phoenix at Morgan na sila na ang mag-asikaso, pero dahil inis pa din ako ay hindi ako pumayag. While Maddieson is going with me, of course. Because he's my freaking bodyguard!
Oh, yes. That one. Until now, I still couldn't believe it. Kung bumubuga nga lang ako ng apoy ay baka sunog na siya kagabi palang.
Nag-asikaso ako sa loob ng aking kwarto. I wore a simple white sleeveless top and tucked into a pair of high waisted pants. I also put on my white rubber shoes. I tied my hair in a high ponytail and applied a light make up.
Bumaba ako at dumiretso sa kung nasaan sila. I found the three of them in the kitchen. Phoenix was sitting with his cell phone in front of him. Morgan is eating pancakes while holding a book. And Maddieson was leaning on the island counter, one hand in his pocket while seriously drinking coffee.
He straightened up when he saw me entered the kitchen. I couldn't help but stare at him. He was wearing gray trousers and a white shirt and white shoes. Kumikinang ang suot na mamahaling relo at ang isa pa sa napansin kong suot niya ay 'yong isa sa couple bracelet na binili niya para samin noon.
"You're here." Pansin ni Nix sa akin bago tumayo. "Eat first."
Umiling ako. "Hindi ako gutom. Sa labas nalang siguro ako kakain."
Binalingan ko si Maddieson at nagtanong. "You done? Let's go."
He put down his mug and licked his red lips. Tumikhim ako at nag-iwas ng tingin. Pinili ko nalang na lumabas na at hintayin nalang siya sa garage. Maganda ang araw ngayon. Sapat lang ang init, hindi nakakapaso sa balat.
Hindi din naman nagtagal si Maddieson dahil noong makalabas ako ay sumunod na din siya. Dahil nakahanda na ang kotse niya ay pinagbuksan niya nalang ako ng pinto. I even saw him looking at my motorcycle, I didn't mind it though.
Walang nagsalita sa amin hanggang sa pinaandar niya na ang sasakyan. I was just looking outside the window, ignoring his presence even though I could feel his hot stares from time to time. Amoy na amoy ko din ang nakakaadik niyang bango.
"Scarlet..." He called. Hindi na ata nakatiis.
"Are you mad?" Tanong niya nang wala akong tinugon sa tawag niya.
"No, I just felt betrayed." I said.
But it's true, feeling ko din ay pinagtutulungan nila ako. Hindi man lang pinaalam sakin ang mga plano nila.
"We just want you to be safe... And somehow I want to ease your problems." Sinulyapan niya ako.
Hindi ako nagsalita. Naghalo-halo ang mga nararamdaman ko. Maddieson has always been very thoughtful of me. Lagi niya akong iniintindi kahit na sobrang gulo ng ugali ko. He was there for every mood swing I had. He did nothing but support me. Hindi ko siya naringgan ng kahit anong reklamo, mas madalas ko pa ngang mapansin na natutuwa siya kapag pinapakitaan ko siya ng attitude ko.
"And you thought you were one of my problems?" Halos umismid ako.
"Yes." He simply answered, it doesn't seem like a big deal.
"Stupid." Hindi mapigilang saad ko at nilingon siya.
He bit his lip. Inabot niya ang kamay ko at hinawakan 'yon sabay lapag sa ibabaw ng kambyada.
"I hurt you because that's the only way I know to make you angry and not think about me. Your father threatened me that if I don't follow the plans, he'll take you away and I'll never see you again-"
"And you seriously believed him?" Hindi makapaniwalang saad ko.
Oh, Dad. You better ready your self, dahil talaga gigisahin kita!
"Babe, he is your father. I'm not afraid of anything nor anyone, but if you're involved, I'm ready to lose... Hands down."
"Maddieson..."
Itinigil niya ang sasakyan sa tabi ng daan at nilingon ako ng buo. He even unbuckled his seatbelt. Wala na, ang atensyon ko ay nakatuon na ng buo sa kanya.
"I'm sorry again, Scarlet, because that's how I chose to hurt you. Everything I said was not true, Crysel and I have no relationship. I forget all of them since you left. Crysel remained what she really was to me." He explained himself to me again.
Myself weakened again. Alam kong madami pa akong dapat na malaman tungkol sa kanya, pero ito siya... Hindi natatakot na magpaliwanag. Hindi napapagod humingi ng tawad.
"Mahal ko..." I gasped. "Tandaan mo, sapat ka. Karapatdapat at kailangang ingatan. I'm so sorry because I inflicted too much pain on you, I didn't mean... Hindi ko sadya, babe..." He looked down.
"Maddieson..." I called. "Hey, look at me." Sabay haplos sa kanyang pisngi.
"I promise to myself that I will wait for your explanations. This is it now, Madd..." I sighed. "Hindi kalang isang beses nagpaliwanag. And I believe you. I trust you now."
Naiwan ang titig niya sakin kaya bahagya akong ngumiti. Bahagya akong umangat para lang madampian ng halik ang kanyang labi, saglit siyang natigil ngunit yumapos din ang mga braso sa bewang ko. Our lips didn't move, until I slowly pulled way.
"I will give you more time. And whatever explanations you come up with I will believe them all." I gently said. "Just don't do it again, alright? I don't want you kissing other women-"
"It's actually disgusting." He cut me off. His face showed what he said. I laughed and shook my head.
"Really, though? I thought you liked it. I remember your face, you even closed your eyes-"
"I closed my eyes because I almost cried, babe!" He groaned.
Kumalabog ang dibdib ko.
"I-Impossible!"
He tsk-ed. "Let's just go and meet the event organizer for your birthday. I can't wait for the surprise."
I chuckled. Pinatakan niya akong muli ng halik sa labi bago umayos at tuluyang pinaandar ang kotse. May ngiti sa aking labi hanggang sa makarating kami sa una naming destinasyon. Naunang lumabas si Maddieson at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.
"This way, Ma'am, Sir..." Anang babaeng waitress na nag-assist sa amin patungo sa private room na ni reserved namin sa isang restaurant.
"Scarlet, do you trust the person you hired for your party?" Maddieson asked as we headed to the room.
We were just walking simply. No touching and both serious. Parang bodyguard lang talaga siya. Nandito siya para bantayan ako, that's his role... Pero bakit? Totoo naman, wala pa naman akong sinabi na kami na ulit. So apparently, we're casual.
"Oh, yes." Tiningala ko siya. "Evander actually recommended her to me."
He hummed at seryosong tumango. Gusto ko pang matawa dahil halatang gusto niyang haplusin ang exposed kong braso ngunit hindi niya magawa. He raised his right arm behind me as if secretly stretching but when I shook my head ay diniretso niya ang kanang braso at kamay patungo sa batok at hinaplos nalang 'yon.
Nang tuluyang makapasok sa pribadong kwarto ay bumungad doon ang isang babae na mukhang mas bata sa akin. She stood and smiled. Umalis na din naman 'yong waitress kasabay nang pagsarado ng pinto.
"Good morning." Bati niya.
I nodded. "Same to you." Dumiretso kami sa harap niya. "Thank you for accepting my request."
"No problem." Aniya sabay lahad ng kamay. "I'm Summer Lopez, anyway. CEO of Lopez Events Management." Pagpapakilala niya.
"Hi," I shook her hand. "I'm Becca Davies." I then turned to Maddieson. "This is Maddieson, my uh-"
"Boyfriend..." Putol ni Madd sa sasabihin ko na ikinalingon ko agad dito.
I stared at him warningly, but he just gave me an assuring smile.
"I know her, babe." He said.
I heard the woman, Summer, chuckled. Napataas ang kilay ko.
"Maddieson Montejo. Long time no see." Anito at nakipagkamay din sa lalaki. "This is surprising."
Ngumisi lang si Maddieson bago ako tuluyang hapitin sa bewang. Tiningnan ko muli siya. Ang mukha ay tila naging successful dahil sa wakas ay mahahawakan na ako ng libre sa buong oras na gugugulin namin dito.
"How?" I asked nang makaupo kami at naka-order.
"She is my batchmate. Together with Samantha." Simpleng sagot ng lalaki.
Tumango nalang ako at tinuon na ang pansin kay Summer. She started asking me basic questions and typing them on her laptop. She asked me where my party would be held, how many people would be attending and about the theme.
"I want to do it in a famous Banquet hall. More than fifty attendees. And the theme is bloody."
Umangat agad ang tingin ni Summer sa akin kaya natawa ako. Nilapit naman ni Maddieson ang bibig sa aking tenga at mahinang kinagat 'yon bago bumulong.
"So naughty."
I chuckled. "Bloody. I mean, iikot lamang sa kulay pula at itim ang hall."
"But that's your birthday. Ayaw mo bang lagyan ng iba pang mga palamuti?" Suggest niya.
"We can add white fairy lights. I also want flowers on every side, where people will walk..." Dagdag ko.
"What kind of flowers?" She asked.
"I want chrysanthemum..." I smiled.
"B-But..." She stuttered. "That's a flower that represents d-death, and is only found in eastern asia and eastern europe."
"Oh, no worries. In my country, that kind of flower is normal for any occasion." I said sweetly.
"Uhm..." Napasulyap siya kay Maddieson kaya napalingon din ako.
Nagkibit balikat ito. "That's her birthday." Tanging sagot niya na parang 'yon ang rason para hayaan ako sa aking mga gusto.
Ngumiti ako ng matamis at pinagsiklop ang mga kamay. "Don't worry. There's still plenty of time for you to prepare the things I want there. I'm willing to pay big amount." I negotiated.
She sighed. "There will be no problem with the theme you want and your other requests, our company can and will provide that. Anyway, when will this event be held?"
"Next month..."
Tumango-tango siya bago ngumiti. "Copy, Attorney Davies..." Aniya na bahagya kong ikinagulat.
"Uhm... You are a well-known lawyer in France and here. I watched one of the cases you handled and won. I am a fan." Paliwanag niya agad nang makita siguro ang gulat at pagtataka ko.
"Oh, that's, uh... Thank you, I guess?" Napatikhim pa ako.
Humalakhak si Maddieson sa pagitan ng aking tenga at leeg.
"I'm a fan too." He whispered lazily.
Napailing ako. My conversation with Summer ended peacefully. She also sent a waiver to my email and I will probably take care of that later. Ang sunod naming pinuntahan ni Maddieson ay ang Law firm ni Chandler. He messaged me earlier that if I was free today, I should go to his office because Detective Santiago was also there and we will talk about Sweet's case for a while.
"Hihintayin nalang ba kita dito, babe?" Maddieson asked nang makarating kami sa parking lot ng law firm ni Chandler.
Tiningnan ko siya. "Gusto mo ba?" Balik kong tanong.
"I would like to come with you inside, but your conversation with them might be sensitive and confidential" Aniya at naunang bumaba para mapagbuksan ako ng pinto.
I nodded. "Alright. Wait for me, then."
"Yeah..." He stared. "Love you po."
I chuckled and nodded. Tinapik ko ang braso niya ngunit may pasimpleng haplos 'yon. His eyes darken.
"Bodyguard, huh?" I grinned. "'Yan, hindi mo tuloy ako mahalikan sa public." Halakhak ko bago tuluyang tumalikod sa kanya.
"Fuck." I heard him cussed that made me grin while walking.