A/T: Dinelete ko po yung chapter na ito at dinagdagan... sorry kung perwisyo... hindi po kasi ako satisfied doon sa isa..:))
Chapter 23
Deiderick
Nakatulog na pala ito habang angkas niya ito sa motor. He wondered paano ito nakatulog habang nakakapit sa kanya ng mahigpit at hindi bumitiw. Parang tuko lang.
“We’re home. You need to get off the bike now. Can you stand?” He asked her.
She just moaned in response. Ang kamay niya lang ang sumusuporta dito para hindi ito sumubsob sa kalsada.
“Isabella?”
“Bring me to bed.” She whispered.
“I don’t know where your room is.”
“Then bring me to your room.” Bulong nito. His muscles instantly stiffened. His room?
“Not a good idea. Just tell me where your room is.”
No response.
Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya. Bring her to his room? Let her sleep there with him? Should he consider that idea? Tiningnan niya ang mukha nito. She’s asleep. What harm can she do?
What a question. What harm can she do? Aside from stirring his pet between his pants alive? Yeah. She’s totally harmless. Damn!
Feeling trapped, he angrily scooped her feet and carried her to the front door of the house and was welcomed by the butler na hindi yata natutulog.
“What happened to Miss Izzy?” Natarantang tanong nito.
“She’s dead. I killed her.” Naiinis na sagot niya at nagpatuloy ng lakad paakyat. He did not see the horrified face of the butler. “Don’t worry, Satan would be very happy.” Pahabol niya pa.
Aatekehin yata sa puso ang butler sa narinig dahil pinagpawisan ito at kumuha ng gamot sa loob ng bulsa at nilulok. Hindi nito tiningnan kung ilang tablet ang pinasok niya sa tiyan niya. It was four. Kung hindi man ito mamamatay sa atake, mamamatay probably ito sa overdose.
Samantala, wala sa katinuan si Deiderick. Naiinis siya dahil kahit tulog na ang babaeng karga-karga niya, perwisyo pa rin.
“Isabella, wake up.” Niyuyugyog niya ito habang karga niya. “Where is your room?”
“Uhmm… My house.”
“Fuck!”
“Me?”
Pissed off, tumigil siya sa paglalakad at tiningnan ang babaeng karga niya. Remembering how good of an actress she is, he searched for signs that might give him clues if she’s just messing with him. None. He calmed himself by counting and then surrendered. Finally, he gave in to the idea of letting her sleep in his room.
Ang pagbukas ng door knob was a challenge but putting Isabella to bed made him wonder if he has anger management issues. Ewan niya kung bakit inis na inis siya na tingnan ito na natutulog sa higaan niya kahit hindi niya naman talaga ito sariling kwarto. Nakikitulog lang rin naman siya sa bahay nila Nina.
“Hmmm.” Nag-roll ito. Unfortunately, nasa paanan siya ng kama at paggalaw ng legs ni Isabella, lumantad sa kanyang paningin ang panty nito.
Shit! Nataranta siya sa pagtanggal sa duvet cover at tinakpan ito.
Ini-lock niya ang pinto. Pinatay niya ang ilaw pero iniwan niyang bukas ang lamp shade.
At ngayon, sa swivel chair siya matutulog. Iiling-iling siya habang umupo at tinanggal ang sapatos niya. Sumandal siya at in less than a minute, tulog na siya.
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“No! Don’t go!”
Nagising siya sa sigaw na iyon. Pinakinggan niya ang paligid pero wala namang ingay. Inaantok na pinikit niya ulit ang kanyang mga mata.
“Why are you leaving us?”
Bumuka ulit ang mata niya. Nahagip ng paningin niya ang nagpupumiglas na Isabella. Mabilis niya itong pinuntahan and realized she’s having a nightmare.
“Don’t leave Mommy. I promise I’ll be a good girl. I’ll fix my toys after I play. Hey! Don’t touch my Mom! Leave her alone!” Sigaw nito habang parang may kinakalmot at sinisipa ito sa ere.
“Isabella. Shhh. Wake up!” Gising niya dito.
“Dad’s coming home. You can’t leave. He’ll be angry with me if he’ll know I let you leave.” Humihikbi na ito.
“Isabella.” Yugyog niya dito. “Stop. You’re dreaming.”
“Leave her alone! She’s not going with you!”
“Isabella, you’re scaring the shit out of me! Wake up!” Mas malakas na yugyog niya dito.
“What do you mean she don’t love me and Daddy anymore?” Her voice sounded defeated.
Natulala siya. Her face is contorted with pain and showed agony that wrenched his heart. She looked like a girl that moment. A girl that is defeated. A girl that was once happy but entered the cruel world and nothing can bring back the happiness she innocently took for granted. She looked betrayed by someone she trusted with all her heart.
“I love you mommy.” Humihikbi na ito. “Dad and I love you. And no matter what he says, I don’t believe him.” Mahinahon na ito pero hindi niya itong kayang tingnan na umiiyak.
“Isabella…” He whispered helplessly while touching her face. His thumb brushed her tears.
“Noooo!” Bigla itong bumangon at yumakap ng mahigpit sa kanya. “Mommy, please! Don’t… Don’t leave me. Take me with you.” Umiiyak ito na parang bata and he can’t stop himself from rubbing her back.
“Shhh. I’m here. I won’t leave you. Wake up. I’m here.” He said with a strained voice.
“You said I should say please when asking a favor. Why won’t you grant my favor? Is there another word I should say when pleading?” Parang bata nitong sabi.
Pinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata. How dare her mother hurt her? Isabella was just a child! He hugged her tightly. “I’m here. I’m here. Shhh.” He said repeatedly.
“Dad? She left. She left us.” She sobbed uncontrollably and hugged him back tightly. He realized nab aka akala nito siya ang Dad nito sa dream .
It was minutes before she loosened her grip at kumawala sa kanya. Mugto ang mata pero ngayon ay dilat na. Tumingin ito sa kanya na parang nagtatanong. Nginitian niya ito. Hindi niya alam kung ngiti nga ba ang nakita nito dahil halos manginig pa rin siya sa galit.
Iniangat niya ang dalawang kamay niya sa mukha nito at tinanggal ang luha nito pero napalitan na naman ng bagong mga tulo. Nakatingin lang ito sa kanya at hindi niya magawang ibalik ang tingin nito. Tumayo siya at tumalikod dito. Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga at naglakad papunta sa kabilang side ng higaan. Umupo siya at nilagay ang palad niya sa likod nito. Iniakyat niya ang kanyang mga paa at tinabihan ito habang patuloy pa rin ang paghimas niya sa likod nito. Nang marinig niya ang mahinang hikbi nito, hindi niya na mapigilan ang sariling ilagay ang ulo nito sa dibdib niya. Ihiniga niya ito at tumabi dito. Sumuksok ito ulit sa dibdib niya at napapikit siya. Hindi dahil sa antok kundi dahil sa emosyon na nararamdaman niya.
“I’m here. I won’t leave you.” He said. He meant it.
At that moment, he decided he hates Isabella’s mother and he’ll do everything to protect Isabella from her.
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Brigham
“Sonovab*tch!” Mura niya nang marinig ang kwento ng butler.
It’s seven in the morning. Hinalughog na nila bawat sulok ng Paris tapos ngayong magpapalit lang siya ng damit malalaman niyang andito pala the entire time si Izzy? Dala ng Deiderick na iyon? Tapos makikita niya ang motorbike niya sa garahe? Mananagot ito.
Pupuntahan muna niya si Izzy. Kahit gaano man ka –hindi kapanipaniwala ang sinabi ng butler na pinatay ni Deiderick si Izzy, hindi malayong mangyari yun. Ang problema, pagbukas niya sa kwarto ni Izzy, wala ito doon. Baka nga totoo talaga? Oh shit! Where is that boy?
Pinuntahan niya ang kwarto nito. It’s locked. He came prepared kaya ipinasok niya ang susi. Pagpasok niya, he nearly choked sa nakita niya. Magkatabing natutulog sina Deiderick at Izzy. He smiled. Dahil kahit ano mang ibang maduming papasok sa utak niya, he knows walang nangyaring himala sa dalawa. Nakapantalon pa rin si Deiderick.
Pero nang nakita niya ang susi ng motorbike niya sa bedside table, uminit ulit ang ulo niya.
Tinapik niya ng medyo malakas ang noo ni Deiderick para gisingin ito. He’s a light sleeper dahil nagising agad ito.
“It took you time to find her.” Bungad nito sa kanya.
Pinigilan niya ang sarili niyang ibalibag ito. This kid is really different. He managed to cut their communication in the club. He was accurate sa pagpapatulog sa limang lalake without difficulty. At nagawa nitong makopya ang susi niya sa motorbike. Lastly, the kid’s got a sharp tongue.
“I almost believed the butler’s story that you killed her when I didn’t find her in her room.”
“Don’t ever think I wasn’t tempted.” Pumikit ito ulit.
“You did a good show last night.”
He snapped his eyes open. “I wanted to teach you a lesson.”
Itinaas niya ang kilay niya. “What lesson?”
Bumangon ito at isinuot ang sapatos. “You’ve been too lenient to her whims that you became lax in guarding her. A kid was able to kidnap her on your watch, Brigham. Good thing it was just me. The next time, she might not be so lucky.”
“Are you lecturing me?” He said. He can’t believe what he is hearing.
“I’m not. I’m warning you. My sister is included to your list to protect. She may not be rich but she’s best friends with this brat.”
“You can protect them yourself. Where did you learn doing the sleeper hold?”
(AN: Sleeper hold is a fast and reliable technique po na ginagamit to make someone unconscious. It is done by compressing the vein on the side of the neck so it will block the blood flowing to the brain thus, resulting to knocking someone out. Pero please lang,don’t try it po kahit kanino! Kahit kaaway niyo pa! )
“None of your business.” The kid snapped at umiwas ng tingin sa kanya.
Natahimik siya. Tiningnan niya ito. There is more to this kid than meets the eye. “Where are you going?” Tanong niya nang tumayo ito.
“Leaving.”
“”Why?”
“’Cause you’re not really a good sight waking up to.”
“Just be thankful it wasn’t my gun pointed at your genius head.”
“Like I’m scared. Don’t forget to give her aspirin when she wakes up.”
“Why?”
“She had a rough night. By the way, whoever is in charge with your system, fire him.”
Napakunot ang noo niya. How did the kid know na may system sila sa pag-po-protect kay Isabella? Andoon na lahat. GPS, her phone is tapped; her clothes, her shoes, her things and even her room have bugs. Pati na rin ang gadgets ng bodyguard nito sakop din noon. Pati security system ng mga mansion ng mga Stephens. And they have the top operator in whole Europe. “Why should I fire him?”
“Because it was the easiest system I’ve ever hacked.” Sabi nito at nawala na ito sa paningin niya.
“Sonovabitch.” He cursed. He just realized the kid also got the copy of his motorbike key from the system.
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Isabella
“Hmmm…” She stretched her limbs and rolled her body to the left and then lazily to the right.
And then all of what happened came back to her and realized someone was supposed to be sleeping beside her. Kinapa niya ang kama and realized his side is empty. Bumangon siya bigla at saka niya napansin ang sakit ng ulo niya.
“Stupid headache.” Hinawakan niya ang ulo niya at minasamasahe.
“Rise and shine.” A stupid voice greeted her. Okay, maybe just unfamiliar. Sino ba naman hindi maninibago eh nagpapaka-trying hard si Brigham maging lively?
“Lower down your voice or I’ll bite your head off.”
“Grumpy.”
Hindi niya ito sinagot at tumingin sa hinigaan ni Deiderick. Somehow, not seeing him beside her made her a little disappointed but she was also surprisingly thankful. Ayaw niya ng question and answer portion tungkol sa nangyari kagabi and wished na wala itong naintindihan kung ano mang pinagsasabi niya habang binabangungot siya. But the look on his face kagabi told her a different story. He solved the puzzle of her past from her words. Hindi niya naman kasi kailangang tanungin ito para malaman kung ano ang nasabi niya sa bangungot niya kasi the whole duration mula nang umalis sa buhay nila ang walang kwenta niyang nanay, nag-iisa lang at pabalik-balik ang bangungot niya. At ayaw niyang makita sa mukha nito ang awa. The last thing she needed from him is his pity. Does he know that she won’t be able to face him comfortably kaya ito umalis sa tabi niya bago siya nagising?
“Drink this.” Ibinigay sa kanya ni Brigham ang gamut at baso ng tubig.
“I’m not going to drink this.” Tiningnan niya ang mukha nito at naghanap ng senyales kung galit ba ito. “You’re not mad after last night? No hard feelings?”
“Drink it. You’re head is aching. And why would I be mad?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Is this a trick to make me feel guilty? And I told you, I’m not going to drink this.” Inilagay niya ang gamot at baso sa mesa.
“Drink it.” He looked icily at her at napaisip siya sa ginawa niya kagabi at naawa siya konti dito. Consolation prize niya na lang ang pag-inom ng gamot.
“Fine. But I told you my head’s not aching.”
“Right. You also didn’t cry yourself to sleep.”
Biglang naging alerto ang tingin niya dito. Who told him? The jerk nerd?
“He didn’t say a word. It was a hunch. He just told me to give you aspirin.” Sabat ni Brigham sa kanyang iniisip. Nakita siguro nito kung gaano niya katalim tiningnan ang hinigaan ni Deiderick.
She felt the warmth of gratitude slowly creeping in her heart. Wala itong pinagsabihan. At least, he respects her privacy.
“Where is that nerd by the way?”
“He left.”
“Why?”
“He said I wasn’t really a good sight waking up to.” Nakaismid na sabi nito.
“Gosh! My thoughts exactly.” Biglang tumunog ang isang phone sa mesa. Itinaas niya ang kanyang kilay. “New phone?”
“Your new phone. Your old phone was not exactly reliable in terms of security.” Tumalikod na ito sa kanya at dumiretso sa pinto. “We only updated one person about your new number so that would be him.” Isinara na nito ang pinto.
She just realized na hindi ito ang normal niyang kwarto pag andito sila kina Nina. Crap. She’s in the nerd’s room.
“Hello?” Sagot niya. She knows who it is.
“Alam mo ba anong oras na, Isabella?” Bungad ng Dad niya. He calls everyday pag may chance ito.
Tiningnan niya ang huge wall clock. “One in the afternoon, Dad. I guess I overslept. Sorry.”
“It’s supposed to be just twelve in London which means either your clock is advance or you’re time zone is different.”
Ipinikit niya na lang ang frustration niya. Alam niyang alam na ng Dad niya na nasa Paris siya pero as always gusto nitong siya mismo ang magsabi. She stupidly tested his temper. “Sabagay. Mali yata talaga tong orasan ko dito sa kwarto, Dad.”
Hindi ito sumagot. Still waiting for her to tell him the truth. “Fine! I’m in Paris.” Suko niya.
“Malapit ko ng hindi paniwalaan si Deiderick nang sabihin niyang andyan kayo ng mga kaibigan mo ulit. Bago ka lang diyan pumunta,ah? Kelan ka ba talaga matututong magpaalam sa akin? Pwede kang mapahamak sa ginagawa mo.” Said like a true father. Hindi niya mapigilang kumulo ng dahan-dahan ang dugo niya para sa nerd na nagsabi sa Dad niya na nasa Paris siya.
“Dad, si Brigham naman po ang bantay.”
“Unless I fire him. Palpak siya kagabi. We had a hard time controlling the internet dahil sa mga nagsusulputang pictures at videos mo kagabi. Brigham could have prevented that if he was really guarding you.” She can hear the strain in his voice. At nasasaktan siya dahil alam niyang siya ang dahilan ng galit nito ngayon.
“Dad, hindi niyo na sana pinakialaman ang internet. Wala naman akong pakialam-”
“Wala kang pakialam? Paano ako na nagpalaki sayo? Iniisip mo ba anong epekto sa ama mo ito? Isabella, anong pumasok sa utak mo para ipahiya ako ng ganoon? What you did and wore kagabi was for a Las Vegas showgirl! Not my daughter!” Sigaw nito. She guess she deserve it.
“Dad…” Pagpapakalma niya dito.
“Don’t Dad me now! I’ve tried to be the best Dad to you. Tapos ito ang isusukli mo sa akin? Isabella, sobrang haba na yata ng pasensiya ko para palampasin ito. ”
“Dad, I was drunk.” Helpless na pagrarason niya. She wants to cry. Kapag kausap niya ang Dad niya, everything that made sense before are stupid. And she hates it when he’s right.
“So sana hindi ka uminom. I can’t believe seeing my daughter demanding every man in the club to get naked so she could…”
“Sorry.” Tumutulo na ang luha niya.
“You just pray na hindi ito makarating sa Pilipinas dahil baka kukunin ka na talaga ng Lolo at Lola mo and this time I won’t say no.”
Her grandparents. Matagal ng pinipilit ng mga ito na ito ang mga mag-alaga sa kanya dahil walang panahon ang Dad niya pero ayaw niya.
“Dad please, I told you I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too, Isabella. You destroyed my trust. You’re grounded. Brigham will inform you of your new security drills at kung hindi mo siya susundin, I’ll fire him at papalitan ko ng ex-general. I’m not kidding.”
“Okay.”
“Go home.” And then he hung up.
And now, all she really wants to do is go home. But first she has to face that traitorous nerd! Sumbongero! Pakialamero! Walang magawa sa buhay! Nagngingitngit siya sa galit. Pagkatapos ng mga nangyari sa kanila kagabi? Akala niya truce sila. Makikita nito. Mapapatay niya talaga ito.
Wala siyang pakialam kung iba ang paningin sa kanya ng ibang tao, huwag lang ang Daddy niya. He has his share of troubles at hindi niya ito na pakukunsomisyonin. Okay naman sana. Alam niyang hindi siya ilalaglag ni Brigham pero ang asungot na inconsiderate na selfish na nerd na yun, walang patawad!
Patakbo siyang bumaba at nagsisigaw.
“Nerd! Nerd! Show your face!” Inikot niya ang bahay at nakita niya ang kanyang mga kaibigan sa kusina na may mga tasa sa kamay pero ang mga mata nasa iPad sa mesa kung saan andoon ang video niya kagabi habang nag-po-pole dancing. Sabay-sabay ang mga itong nagsilingunan sa kanya at hindi niya mabasa ang mga ekspresyon ng mga mukha nito.
“I guess Dad’s not really making a good job cleaning the internet of my videos right now.” She said and bit her lower lip.
“Izzy! What were you thinking?” Trixie bellowed. Her face full of disapproval. Hindi yata talaga nito matanggal ang dugong Stevens nito.
“Why did you go without us?” Nakasimangot na reklamo ni Missy. At least hindi siya nito pinagalitan.
“That was soooo cool izzy!” Patalun-talon na sigaw ni Nina. Oh, in times like this, she loves Nina the best. Medyo conservative pa rin kasi talaga si Trixie.
“You cried.” Trixie said. And in times like this, hindi din siya makakalusot. Napaka-observant kasi nito.
“I was so happy I cried. By the way asan Kuya mo?”
“Umalis.” Sagot ni Trixie pero andoon pa rin sa mukha nito ang curiousity kung bakit siya umiyak.
Si Missy at Nina naman na sanay sa kanilang nag-iiba ng language, itinuloy ang panonood ng videos.
“Anong oras babalik?” Tanong niya pa ulit dito.
“That hoodie looks familiar.”
She hates it when Trixie turns into a detective. “It is familiar. I raped him. So what time will he get back here? Malapit na ang flight natin pauwi.” Nagtitimpi niyang sagot.
“Stop worrying about him. Anong nangyari kagabi?”
“Trixie!”
“Fine! He’s not coming back. Umuwi na kaninang umaga. Nag-train.”
“That asshole! He’s gonna pay big time! Arghhh!!!” Sigaw niya. “Pack up! We’re leaving in an hour!”
Pumunta siya sa kwarto niya at pumunta sa banyo. Muntik niya ng basagin ang salamin sa inis pero bago niya nagawa, nakita niya kung bakit nalaman nila Brigham at Trixie na umiyak siya. Nagkalat ang mascara niya. Maga ang mata niya.
Ganito ang itsura niya kanina nang mag-breakdown siya at tinabihan siya sa pagtulog ni Deiderick at hindi lang man ito lumayo sa kanya. Instead, niyakap pa siya nito at sinabing hindi siya nito iiwan.
Hindi niya alam kung maiinis ba siya na wala itong pakialam sa itsura niya o magiging masaya dahil kahit ganoon ang itsura niya, hindi siya nito kinantsawan o ininsulto.
Ang alam niya lang, nagbago ang paningin niya dito noong akala nito tulog na siya at sinabi nitong, “I’ll protect you from her. I promise.”
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*Ito lang po ang nakayanan ko..:)) sorry pero i hope po okay konti...
Txaka po.. habang naghihintay kayo ng UD ko... may irerecommend ako na stories...
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NBSB Club's Timid President by hancock04
hope you enjoy!!!!
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