Chapter 30: Acting
I entered a restaurant that Tita Kathryne wrote in the invitation. It is a very beautiful place with a warm atmosphere. Very classic with a touch of modern art. Very expensive even looking at its emblem at the door. Not anyone can get a sudden reservation here except if they are super rich and sometimes they just don't accept sudden guests. And it is very cute because our dress code is black and it goes well with the place.
Hinatid ako rito ni Ruhan. Kahit pinilit niya akong gusto niyang sumama, hindi naman siya kasali sa invitation kahit Mama niya pa 'yon kaya umuwi siya.
"Good evening, Miss." bati sa akin ng isang waitress sa tanggapan.
Pormal akong ngumiti. "The reservation of Kathryne Buenavista."
"Right this way, Miss."
Giniya niya ako patungo sa loob ng restaurant. Hinawakan ko ang gilid ng aking dress. I bought this with Ruhan yesterday evening when I realized I don't like the black dresses I had in the closet. Black dress na slanted to my right ang maliit na strip ng single halter part nito making my chest more defined, much bigger. My curves are highlighted in the dress. And a black heels and bag black. I'm all black. We're all black today.
I am super excited to meet them. Tita Kathryne said she also invited the Figueroas to the table. I am scared because this is the first time for me to meet them but at the same time, I am so looking forward to it.
Pumasok ako sa isang exclusive glass room. It led me inside a room with the same exquisite interior as the outside and we had a big view of the city behind the glass wall.
Hindi ako makagawa ng isa pang hakbang. They are here, or some of them are already here at the table, laughing and talking. I froze a bit, the shame started to crept in. Napalunok ako at balak sanang lumabas nalang muna para hintayin si Tita Kathryne ngunit bigla may nakatitigan ako sa mata.
Mika, Eren's wife, gasped and stood up, making the four ladies turn in my direction. My heart starts to hammer against my ribcage.
"Oh, Amara is finally here." natutuwang sabi niya.
She walked towards me, followed by Amber Buenavista, Elijah's wife, and the three other beautiful ladies that I did not know the names of yet. Well, I have a guess that they are Figueroas but I just don't know which is which.
"Hello," mahina at nakangiti kong bati sa kanila.
Isa isa silang yumakap sa akin. They are so warm and so beautiful. I am not lying or biased. All of them are also wearing black dresses that fit their bodies so well. I can't believe most of them are married already.
"You are beautiful, Amara. I'm so glad to meet you," nakangiting sinabi ni Amber.
I smiled warmly. My heart is full of joy. She complimented me after she introduced the Figueroa ladies. Kaya pala pamilyar ang isa, she is the famous model, Heart Martin. She goes with Heart Figueroa now.
"Thank you. All of you are so beautiful too. I was scared when I entered hastily." medyo natatawa kong pagpapakatotoo. "I literally froze."
Tumawa sila.
"Oh, we don't bite." komento ni Divine. "We only bite our husbands."
I cracked a laugh with them. Oh my God. That sounded both right and wrong. Namumula ang pisngi ni Divine pagkatapos no'n.
"We should take a seat and wait for the Titas." natatawang puna ni Stella.
Umupo na kami at nagpatuloy sa pag uusap. We were in the middle of laughing when Tita Kathryne arrived with Tita Andresa, Tita Samantha, Tita Symfle Figueroa, Tita Eugenia Figueroa, and Tita Herminia Figueroa. They graced inside with elegance, looking like the Madames of the Victorian Era.
"Oh such beautiful ladies gathering in one table," si Tita Kathryne habang naki beso sa akin. "I invited someone too, hija. I hope she will come."
Ngumiti ako at bumitaw sa kanya. I don't know who might be that bit. It is exciting. Naki-beso kami sa lahat ng bagong dumating at kalaunan, sinabi na ni Tita Kathryne na ihanda ang first course.
"So, how was the trip to Amsterdam, hija?" si Tita Herminia, mother-in-law ni Divine. "I heard you two, Mika and Amber, went on a trip with your husbands."
"Uh, yes, Tita. It was fun. We toured the Netherlands every single day. Too exhausting but so much fun! Mika and I took so many photos too. It was in Mika's camera."
"I can only imagine those two brothers behind your backs like bodyguards."
Natawa rin ako sa komento ni Tita Andresa.
"They are giant bodyguards, Mama." tawa ni Mika.
"How I wish Fidai's woman is here with us today." Tita Symfle suddenly said.
"You didn't send her an invitation, Kathryne?"
"I did. I gave Symfle three invitations."
"Fidai is still winning her back po." si Heart. "We thought it is best to not go ahead Fidai's plans."
"Oh, we understand."
"How about Maddox and Zeke's relationship, Kathryne?"
Ngumiti si Tita Kathryne bigla sa akin bago sumagot. "You know my eldest, he is mysterious. But he's had this girl for a long time now. While Zechariah, I don't know. Ruhan is the only one very vocal to us about his lovelife."
"Don't start. I am getting annoyed with Rocco. I know he is hiding someone."
Stella gasped. "Rocco has a girlfriend, Tita."
"Really?"
"He did not told you, guys?"
"Oh, this is exciting." nakangising sabi sa akin ni Heart.
The conversation went on until all of us were asked about our lives with our partners. The talkings in between meals are very wholesome and heartwarming.
Pasado alas dyes na kami lumabas ng building dahil sa sobrang aliw sa usapan. Before I left the penthouse, all I thought about was that I would be extra silent throughout. And I am mentally prepared for it. However, that was not what happened.
Me and the ladies talked a lot of stuff and sometimes I get pulled into Tita's conversations or any of us. Sobrang bait nilang lahat at sobrang sarap kasama. I anticipated the someone that Tita Kathryne mentioned but she did not arrive.
"Oh! They are all here!"
Ngumiti ako ng malapad. There are luxurious cars waiting for us outside the building. The men looked in our direction and their big circle was disbanded. I immediately saw my boyfriend walking towards me.
"Hi," nakangising bati ko.
Lumapat ang mainit na halik sa aking noo habang pumulupot ang kamay niya sa aking baywang. We know everyone already so there is no need for another introduction.
"Ingat kayo pauwi,"
Napabaling ako sa kanila. Sa rami namin at lahat ay abala sa asawa o kasintahan kaya hindi ko na napansin kung kaninong boses iyon.
"Bye, guys..." si Heart habang nakayakap si Leese sa kanya at inalis iyon ng dahan dahan.
Lumapit ako sa mga bumitaw rin sa kani kanilang kasama upang yumakap at magpaalam. We hugged each other tightly like we didn't want the night to end. Nagpaalam din ako kina Tito Caerus at Tita Kathryne bago tinanggap ang kamay ni Ruhan.
"You had so much fun, huh?" si Ruhan habang hinalikan ang gilid ng aking ulo.
Kasalukuyan na kaming nasa sasakyan niya.
I giggled. "Of course. Sarap nila kasama. Maybe around this month we will have another dinner with them."
"Kasama na ako riyan?" seryoso niyang tanong.
Natawa ako at nagkibit ng balikat.
"Maybe no but maybe yes. Pero, why don't you guys have your own dinner date?"
He scowled lightly. "No one wants that. We have had it all our lives before. Now, we want to be with our love."
Napanguso ako at yumakap sa kanang niyang braso. His eyes are focused on the road and I am here, leaning on him without even bothering to wear my seatbelt.
He rested his right hand on my lap, pulling me more to his right and I followed. I rested my chin on his shoulder, staring at him while he drove. The night is high and there are a few cars moving around.
I pressed my finger on his cheek. He smiled widely which made me chuckle heartily. I am so lucky to have this man. I would trade anything for him too.
"My love for you is like all the sand in the whole world." I wholeheartedly said to him.
Nakita ko kung paano umawang ang kanyang labi at humigpit ang hawak niya sa hita ko. I smile so wide when I remember our past, before all of these, before me in his life, before everything about us.
"I remember I was twelve when I had a crush on you." bulong ko. "Without classes, I would always go with Papa to work to see a glimpse of you. I help in your Manor to see you even just for a few seconds. It was enough for me."
He turned his eyes away from the road to look at me for a short glance. I heaved a deep breath before continuing my heartfelt story.
"Growing up, I watched you horse riding with your brothers and cousins. I can still feel my eyes twinkling when I see you smiling and laughing. But I wasn't the only one who's got a big crush on you. Eventually, you went here, to Manila, to study. I only see you seldomly. I always looked for you. When Papa got invited to your Manor, you don't know how happy I was. I prayed more than I admit that you are home."
My love is listening to me eagerly. He looks so speechless right now. I shifted my chin a bit and hugged his arm more. If a traffic enforcer will hail us right now, I'll get sued for a lot of charges but I don't care, I am so lighthearted at the moment.
"Then I saw you. I was trembling when you talked to me that night. It was my dream come true. I thought, Ruhan Buenavista knew me. He talked to me." bulong ko at napangisi sa kwento. "Pinagtanggol mo ako sa mga bullies noon. You spent time with me in the kubo, in the forest. Spoil me food and was always there. I thought again, this is enough, being your friend."
"I have loved you since I saw you in that forest." paos niyang bulong.
My heart starts hammering much faster.
"When you said you like me, I could die of happiness that day. It was painful when I heard you were getting married. It was more painful because I got ahead of myself too much."
His hold on my thigh tightened and pushed me more to his side like he was proving to me something. I giggled silently, I love him so much. Kung pwede pa lang siguro na ilagay niya ako sa kandungan niya habang nagmamaneho, ginawa na niya iyon.
Papasok na kami sa loob ng building ng Vista Tower 2. I can feel his urge to drift the car so we arrive fast but he still maintained the slow pace.
"But you brought your whole family to our simple village house, with utmost respect to my parents to court me. I never thought my life would be like that. When that tragedy happened, I thought we would break up for real. I was so scared, I was nothing. At least that's what I thought, we thought. But you wouldn't let me go. I couldn't let you go."
I kissed his cheek lovingly. "It is love that brought us this happiness. From the past, your love for me is something that took me out of the darkness. Until now, it is the same love that made me stronger."
The car stopped and he pulled me into his warm embrace. It somehow tickles and I chuckled a bit as I submerge myself into his arms.
"Baby," he whispered with so much conviction. "Why are you saying all of this? My heart is racing like I'm in a marathon."
I giggled again. "You are feeling kilig."
"I love you with all my heart."
He got us out of the car without letting me go. He took my purse to his shoulder while carrying me to his penthouse, our home.
Sa gabing iyon, konting layo ko kay Ruhan sa paghiga, hinihila niya ako pabalik. I realized I did give him a hard time ruminating those things I said to him in the car.
I slept that night with arms around each other and woke up, I'm already on top of his chest. His legs are all covering mine that I am sure if I move, he'll cage me even more. It's okay, I love it anyway.
Sunday is our lazy day. We got to spend more time in bed however his phone rang. It was his brother, Maddox. The news he brought made us both stand up in bed and get ready to go to BFMASA.
Ruhan is walking ahead of me talking to his brother over the phone, after Maddox called, Zeke called. And he reaches out his right hand to me, wanting to hold my hand like he normally does whenever our hands are not locked with each other.
"Yes, Zeke. Ginawa ko na 'yan. I check mo lang. I-papa-follow up ko lang din sa sekretarya ko." seryoso niyang tugon bago siya yumuko ng konti at humalik sa aking noo. "Papunta pa kami ng BFMASA."
It made me smile so wide. He smiled too like he is not on the phone with his brother. Bigla siyang humalik sa akong labi ngunit mababaw lang.
Nasa lobby na kami ng BFMASA. It is very spacious with screens around, different news and other information were flashed on it.
"Okay. Sure. Thanks." aniya kay Zeke bago humalakhak ng konti tila may binibiro ang kapatid.
He placed his phone back in his pocket before he wrapped his left arms around my waist, pulling me to his left side, away from the passing crowd.
"What do you like to eat today, baby?" marahan niyang tanong. "After this,"
I pouted before answering. "I wanna treat you to a steakhouse,"
I anticipated his decline since he just didn't want me to pay for anything. Kapag nand'yan siya, ni sentimo wala akong expenses dahil siya lahat.
He softly sighed and pulled me closer. "Okay, bubby. You'll pay."
Natawa ako dahil parang napipilitan siya ngunit hindi rin magawang humindi sa akin. Hindi niya talaga gusto na ako ang nagbabayad sa aming dalawa. He breathed on my head harshly.
"Can we join our accounts now? I want you to use the money I earned for our expenses and for your shoppings." paos niyang bulong. "It is our money since you moved in with me."
Here he goes again with his offer. Napangiti ako ng malapad at tumingkayad upang halikan siya sa pisngi. Sa tuwa ay humalakhak ako habang ngumisi naman siya.
"Did you check the basket I gave you?"
Tumango ako agad. "Yup! It contains all my favorite treats, Ruhan. Thank you so very much!"
"I'm glad you like it."
I grinned. I can't wait to give him my gift. Excited na excited na akong ibigay sa kanya iyon dahil hinintay ko talaga kung kailan available iyon para hindi agad mag sold out lalo na that gift I will be giving to him later is a limited edition. Pinag-ipunan ko rin kasi gusto ko espesyal para kay Ruhan.
But before any of that, we have something to deal with first. Yuki. Which is just like we expected, she is doing something bad. Being away from that asylum did not do her good. She is getting so much worse.
Maddox said that the Agent 47 reported that Yuki is involved in human trafficking. But the evidence is not strong enough. She sold kids from the streets abroad using illegal means. But not only that, she is profiting from VICA under Mr. Rush which we believe is clueless about it.
Umawang ang aking labi habang nakatingin sa mga litrato at dokumento. She is really sick. Kids that were so thin and so dehydrated were smuggled out of the country. And in the report, she is holding twenty children and teenagers with no trace where she held them captive along with legal papers about Mr. Rush's investment in VICA.
"She has been doing this for years?" halos hindi ako makapaniwala.
Cassius Figueroa nodded. "And there is definitely a reason why she showed up now."
"Mr. Rush has no kids to claim his wealth even after he dies and he is the third highest shareholder in the company." puna ni Ruhan. "Yuki is preparing for that."
"Pero bakit si Mr. Rush pa? I mean, she could fish for other rich old man out there but why choose someone from VICA?" singit ni Howl Figueroa.
Natigilan ako roon. That was a good point. Why?
"Because of me."
My breath hitched. Maddox snapped his finger upon the same realization that I believe everyone here in the room has an idea speculating inside our head.
"I guess so too. Ruhan turned her down several times. It might be because she is out for revenge or she wants attention or..." Maddox purposely trailed off.
"She still loves Ruhan." sabi ko.
Agad humigpit ang hawak ni Ruhan sa baywang ko. I caress his thigh lightly to ease him. He is uncomfortable with this but I smiled to him for assurance.
"What should we do?" si Cassius ang bumasag sa katahimikan. "We can't just raid anywhere. We have no single clue."
Ruhan inhaled a deep breath. "We need to follow her closely. Look where she goes in and out. There will always be a hole. Maybe she is using someone to do her commands so we need to know everyone she meets."
"Okay. We'll set out agents for that."
"If something happens to Mr. Rush, this thing with Yuki Liang will cause big trouble in VICA."
Sumang-ayon ako kay Ruhan sa pamamagitan ng pagtango.
"Yuki, that girl, she is mentally ill, right?" si Howl.
"A hundred percent."
"Okay, so we need something to trigger her."
Kumunot ang aking noo. "Why?"
"Yeah, why?" si Maddox. "She is already sick."
Howl growled a bit. "Dox, that girl will reveal everything when she is triggered. You see, those people in the asylum react violently or happily when they see something or hear something that reminds them of their deepest fears, core memories, secrets, or even trauma."
"Yeah, Howl is right." si Ruhan. "Maybe I am one of her traumas, we can use that against her."
"How?" singit ko. "I don't think she can be easily baited."
Tumahimik ang lahat at napaisip.
"Maybe Amara can trigger her?" si Maddox.
Ruhan shook his head. "No, I am not gonna involve my girlfriend in this experiment, Dox. We need something else, something that will probably get her engaged."
Wala akong maisip na solusyon o paraan. I sighed a bit. Everyone is thinking so hard.
"I remember something. I think I heard she attempted suicide when she heard you are courting someone." biglang sambit ni Cassius.
Ruhan nodded. "She did."
"And that is it. That will trigger her." si Maddox. "Maybe you and Amara can pretend that you broke up, act like it so we can fool Yuki—"
Isang dagundong ang kumawala kay Ruhan. "You are asking me to break up with my Amara?"
"Stop with the possessive pronoun, Ruhan. I know she is yours. And basically, you forgot the word pretend. It's not like you and Amara should really break up. It is just about acting."
"This will make Yuki interested and hype, for sure."
"Even though that is just acting, I won't do it. The hell I do that! We will find another way to get Yuki to reveal everything." pagmamatigas ni Ruhan. "Rumors will surely spread that Amara and I broke up. Oh, those fucking boys will come at her, trying their luck."
Ngumuso ako at hinaplos ang braso niya. Humalakhak ang kapatid at pinsan niya. Nang iinit tuloy ang aking pisngi. Ruhan is very serious and when I caressed his arms, I could feel him calming down and his eyes went to my hand.
"Oh, that I understand." Cassius chuckled in a low tone.
Sa lahat ng kailangan alalahanin, iyan pa talaga ang tila pinakamalaking problema para kay Ruhan. He took my right hand and placed it on top of his lap. My other hand is on his left arm, consoling him softly.
"Well, what can you say, Amara?" biglang baling sa akin ni Dox. "
Ruhan became attentive to me. I slowly sighed and squeezed his hand before replying to his brother. Hearing all the bad things she has done, Yuki is beyond the help of the normal measures. Naawa ako sa mga batang ginagamit niya para sa kanyang pagkamakasarili.
"I find your suggestion very reasonable and I think we can do that—"
"Baby."
Ngumuso ako ng konti kay Ruhan. He is looking at me with those dangerous warning eyes. It sent shivers unto my spine, a good kind of shiver with a bit of nervousness, but still I continued.
"I think we can do that. Ruhan and I will pretend we broke up. I'm sure Yuki will lower her ground when she hears it." pagpatuloy ko.
"Yeah, that is the best way we can do this." sang-ayon naman ni Howl. "Of course, we can look for another way, other than this, the break up drama, but it will be harder. This is the most efficient step."
"Pretend lang naman. Hindi naman necessary na mag break up talaga kayo. You two just need to act more truthfully whenever Yuki is around or anyone she is acquainted with." si Cassius.
"We will monitor her whereabouts when this starts. Surely, she will reveal the location sooner." dagdag naman ni Maddox. "The agents following her need to be more discreet. Naisahan niya tayo noong una."
"Doesn't I have a say in this?"
I stiffened a bit with Ruhan's very cold voice. The ice is dripping cold from him. Kinakabahan ako kaya hinagod ko ulit ang braso niya. When I raised my eyes at him, his jaw was already clenched, his eyes were dark in a split of mixed emotions.
"Ruhan," malambing kong bulong. "Don't be mad, please..."
"Yes, brother. Please say something,"
I pouted and lightly tugged Ruhan's arm. Napatingin siya sa akin. Galit siya. My heart jumped then started hammering fast and loud.
Marahas na kumawala ang hininga mula sa kanya at tumayo bigla. Nagulat ako dahil aalis siya ngunit hinila ako. Kasama pala ako. Sobrang kinakabahan ako roon.
He pushed me to the wall lightly, caging me with his hands on the side of my head, looking at me with disbelief. I should feel scared but I am about to smile. He looks super hot.
"How can you agree to that stupid idea?" mariin niyang tanong.
Napahawak ako sa laylayan ng damit niya.
"It is the best solution. We can trap Yuki fast with that, all this trouble with her will end as soon as possible and it is just pretension. Of course, I don't like to think that I am breaking up with you but this is only an act." masuyo kong paliwanag.
He growled loudly. I had nothing else to say so I pouted. I don't want to talk more because he might stand much firmer in his opposition to the idea. I waited, averting my eyes on his broad shoulder, and then he sighed deeply.
"And how can we do this?"
My eyes sparked. "You agree?"
Binigyan niya ako ng isang tingin kaya napawi ang aking ngiti at napanguso ng konti.
"Well, I guess we have to limit our interaction in public. We go home in separate ways. Ikaw mauna o ako mauna. Kapag nandyan si Yuki, we act like we are strangers and I guess it includes fighting?"
His eyes narrowed at me. "You sounded so excited about this, huh."
I couldn't hold myself and I laughed a bit before nodding. The thought of this drama happening between us is thrilling. I think we can pull this off if Ruhan does his part well.
"Just agree, please..." malambing kong bulong.
He licked his lower lip making it extra soft to look at and redder. Bumaba talaga ang tingin ko roon at unti unting tumingin muli sa kanya. I placed my hands on his shoulders and his eyes drifted on it.
"Please, Ruhan..."
Kumawala ang mababa na paghinga sa kanya kaya napangiti ako. Nang tumingin siya muli sa akin, masuyo ito at wala na rin ang kunot sa noo. Abot tainga ang aking ngiti at pabiro siyang umirap.
"I hate to do this but okay."
"Yes!" I happily cheered and kissed his cheek soundly. "You are always the best."
Napailing lamang siya. "I can't believe you are having so much fun."
Tumawa lang ako at hinila siya pabalik sa loob kung saan naghihintay ang pinsan at kapatid niya. I immediately noticed their smirk when they looked at us.
"I guess this is settled, huh?" si Howl. "But don't act right away, just let Yuki sense first that something is, you know what I mean."
Agad akong tumango. "It'll be too obvious to suddenly declare our break up."
Ruhan growed in a low tone. Natatawang tinapik siya ni Maddox sa balikat.
"This is going to be fun, brother. Especially for you. I'm sure."
Supladong nag abot lang ang kilay ni Ruhan at humigpit ang hawak sa baywang ko. Maiging nakikinig ako sa sinasabi nila Cassius at Howl habang ito naman si Ruhan, nilalaro ang dulo ng aking buhok.
After making sure that our plan is flawless, the meeting has been dismissed. They still need to fetch their wives and girlfriends somewhere while Ruhan and I need to go to our dinner date but first we need to pick out groceries in Landers.
Papasok lamang kami ng Wolfgang's Steakhouse, hindi ko inaasahan na makita si Yuki. She is alone and she just came out of the steakhouse. Namilog ang aking mata at tinulak si Ruhan kaya mapabitaw siya sa akin ng biglaan.
"What the? Baby!"
I gave him a wide eye look as a sign.
"Yuki is here! We need to act now!" mariin kong bulong.
Pumikit siya ng mariin at gumalaw ang panga. I saw his lips muttering a deep and intent curse under his breath. I was about to console Ruhan when I kinda saw Yuki. She found us.
"Hmp!" umakto akong galit kay Ruhan at nag ekis ng kamay. "Don't follow me."
"Baby? Shit!"
Alam kong nakatingin si Yuki sa amin at umakto akong hindi siya nakita o hindi alam na nariyan siya. I walked towards the steakhouse.
"Baby, wait for me." masuyong sabi ni Ruhan at inabot ang aking siko. "Fuck."
I shrugged it off and made my voice a bit louder. "I am eating alone, Ruhan. Find somewhere else to go."
"Fuck this acting." he muttered. "No, we will fix our problem."
Pumasok na ako ng tuluyan. Sinabi ko sa reception ang apelyido na naka reserve na pangalan at giniya na kami roon. Ruhan is following me but with a distance. I sat down, facing the main entrance and Ruhan was in the front.
He is looking at me closely while I am making sure that Yuki has already left. For sure she will start wandering around tomorrow. I smiled when she was nowhere and turned to the grumpy Ruhan.
"She's gone." hagikhik ko.
He frowned. "You act so well, baby. I can't wait to punish you after this."