You're still a monster. You haven't changed, Castañeda.
I clenched my fist tightly when Levi's voice kept on ringing inside my head.
It has been a whole month since the last time he ran his smart mouth just to side with his bitch. Pagkatapos niya pang sabihin iyon sa akin ay binuhat niya lamang si Vivienne paalis at iniwan ako doon mag-isa.
I scoffed.
What? A monster?
The Levi I knew five years ago wouldn't even dare call me a monster...but that night, he just did.
For all these years, I just realized that it's only me who bared myself open in front of him. Pero pagdating sa kaniya, wala pala akong alam, hindi ko pala talaga siya kilala. Maybe that's the reason why I was so hurt about what he did. It's because I never expected him to betray me.
I'll show you what else this monster can do, Zardeleja. Just wait and you'll see.
"Raegan..."
I was snapped from my train of thoughts when I heard someone called my name.
Umangat ang tingin ko at nakita si Nara mula sa labas ng cubicle ko. Mistulang kanina pa nito tinatawag ang atensyon ko ngunit ngayon ko lamang siya napansin.
I released an irritated sigh.
"What do you need?"
Nag-alangan muna ito na tinignan ako bago nagsalita.
"Mr. Castañeda needs to attend a charity event on Saturday night but he will be away this week for a business conference so he can't come."
Kumunot ang noo ko.
"So?"
"He wants you to go instead of him."
"Bakit ako?"
Nara scratches her neck because of the annoyance laced in my voice.
"Pasensya na, Raegan. Mahigpit niya kasing sinabi na ikaw ang pupunta. He wanted you to attract attention from the public before you get married."
I rolled my eyes heavenward. Kasabay niyon ay ang pagdating din ni Ashton sa cubicle ko.
"I just went from your Dad's office. Perhaps Nara already told you that we're going to a charity event this weekend."
I lost count of how many times did I sigh for the day because of that. Sa buong buwan na nagsimula ako sa trabaho, I always attend events and occasions in his place. Kung tutuusin ay hindi ko dapat iyon ginagawa dahil iba ang linya ng trabaho na ibinigay niya sa'kin ngayong nagsisimula pa lamang ako.
Hindi ko alam kung nananadya ba siyang parusahan ako ngayong batid niya na ayaw kong nakikihalubilo o talagang ginagawa niya ito para unti unti akong ipakilala sa mga tao.
Wala rin naman akong nagagawa sa huli. I always end up doing what he wants even if I don't like it.
That unfortunate Saturday night, I ended up going with Ashton. I wore a red backless body hugging gown while Ashton wore a white inner polo and jet black tuxedo.
Late na kaming dumating dahil nagtagal kami sa pagtatalo kung kaninong sasakyan ang gagamitin. I wanted to use my own car since I already have my license. Hindi siya pumayag dahil ibig sabihin ay maghihiwalay pa kami ng gagamiting sasakyan papunta rito.
"Stick to me and don't go anywhere.", bilin niya sa'kin bago pa man kami makapasok sa hotel, kung saan ang venue.
Naiikot ko ang mga mata at hindi na sumagot.
Magkasabay kaming naglakad papasok pagkatapos ipakita ang invitation sa guard.
Marami nang tao ang naroon at nagsimula na ang event nang dumating kami.
Iginiya ako ni Ashton at nagsimulang makipagbatian sa mga taong naroon.
We met some business affiliates, some politicians, and personalities who have big names in the country.
I just go with the flow as Ashton initiated conversations with them. This is what he's good at given that it's related to his work. Magaling siyang makipag-usap at makipaghalubilo kahit alam niyang pakitang tao lamang ang iba.
This is why I hate going to this kind of event. The charity is just a façade because truthfully, people only attend for their hidden agenda---to get a business deal.
Habang kausap ni Ashton ang isang kilalang politiko, lumibot ang mga mata ko at namukhaan ko ang ibang pamilyar na mga tao.
I even noticed some of my former classmates and schoolmates who are now working in the business industry.
Namataan ako ni Chesca kasama ang mga schoolmates ko noon kaya't lumapit sila sa akin.
"Long time no see, Raegan! It's nice to finally meet you after five years!", salubong niya at nakipagbeso sa akin.
We're not really close. Kasosyo lang talaga sila ng kompanya namin sa isang business.
"Chesca.", I muttered, acknowledging her presence without forcing myself to smile.
Nakipagkamay naman ang iba niyang kasama na hindi ko na naaalala.
"Is that your fiancé?", pagkatapos makipagbatian ay sumilip sila sa likod ko at nakita si Ashton.
I raised a brow.
Of course. They are not here jumping excitedly for me. They are just curious of the guy I came with who also happened to be my fiancé.
As if on cue, I felt a hand that instantly snaked on my waist.
"Are you Raegan's friends?", magiliw na bati ni Ashton sa kanila.
Hindi nakaligtas sa tingin ko ang palihim nilang pagpipigil ng tili dahil sa kilig. Sure, Ashton also have the face. But for them to be swooning over him just for a simple gesture is overly dramatic.
I rolled my eyes.
"Not really. Just people I knew from my former school.", pagsagot ko bago pa nila maibuka ang bibig.
"Hi. I'm from Vallero's Corporations. The youngest heiress.", pagpapakilala ng isa.
She even offered her hand for Ashton to shake.
I grimaced in disgust.
"I'm the only heiress of the Alcantara Corporations. We own one of the highest buildings in the country.", hindi naman nagpapatalo na dagdag ng isa.
"I'm Chesca. My family is one of the Castañedas' business partners.", kiming pagpapakilala naman ni Chesca.
Pormal na nakipagkamay si Ashton sa kanila isa isa.
"I'm Ashton de Vera. Raegan's fiancé."
Pagkasabi ni Ashton niyon ay may narinig kaming tumikhim 'di kalayuan.
My head automatically turned to the side to see who made a sound.
My eyes darted on someone I haven't seen for years.
"That's Rafael Zardeleja.", isa sa kasama ni Chesca ang nagsabi.
Awtomatikong tumaas ang kilay ko nang sumilay ang pamilyar na nakakalokong ngisi ni Rafael na diretso ang tingin sa akin habang naglalakad palapit.
This another asshole changed a lot. If before, he just looks as someone with so much mischief, now he's emitting a dark aura that screams danger.
"Happy to see me?", nanunuyang saad niya nang tuluyang makalapit sa amin.
"Zardeleja."
His eyes lazily shifted from mine to Ashton beside me when he spoke.
"I've been seeing you around, de Vera.", he said smirking.
Bumaling din si Rafael sa iba nang mapansin na may ibang tao roon kasama namin kaya't saglit siyang bumati.
"I didn't know you also came, Chesca. Who's with you?"
"I'm with my Dad. Ikaw? Are you here alone?"
"No. I'm with my siblings. Teka, nasaan na ba sila?"
My insides instantly flared in anger when Rafael turned his head to where his siblings are. Itinaas nito ang kamay sa isang banda saka may tinawag ito palapit.
I pursed my lips as I watched Levi and Zara walked near us. Nakaangkla ang isang kamay ni Zara sa braso ng nakatatandang kapatid habang naglalakad sila palapit sa amin.
Tumaas ang kilay ko. It's a surprise that Levi didn't go with Vivienne this time.
Ipinilig ko ang ulo nang nagtama ang mga tingin namin ni Levi na mistulang hindi inaasahan na makita ako roon ngunit mabilis ding napalis ang pagkabigla sa mga mata niya nang bumaling ang tingin sa katabi ko. He quickly averted his eyes and look elsewhere like we are the most uninteresting thing to look at.
I scoffed.
Mabilis na natuon ang mga mata ni Zara sa akin nang bumaling sa amin at nanlalaki iyon habang tutop ng isang kamay niya ang bibig.
"Raegan!", she squealed, garnering attention from some of the people around.
Mabilis siyang bumitaw sa braso ni Levi tsaka patakbong lumapit sa amin.
She threw herself towards me as she engulfed me with a tight hug.
"Do you know how I've missed you so much?! You're so mean! I haven't see you for ages!", maligayang saad niya habang nakayakap pa rin sa akin.
I didn't even move. I just stood there because my eyes are already glued on someone who's standing tall in a red tuxedo in front of me.
I heard Rafael laugh maniacally like he's enjoying the untimely encounter.
Levi didn't bother to look at me again. He just formally greeted Chesca and the other girls. Saka lang ako nag-iwas ng tingin sa kaniya nang pakawalan ako ni Zara.
"Let's catch up after this! Where do you live now? Can I come to your---", nabitin sa ere ang sasabihin ni Zara nang dumapo ang mga mata niya sa katabi ko.
I felt Ashton stiffen beside me. Lumingon ako sa kaniya. He's clenching his jaw while Zara's mouth hang open.
I know their story and perhaps, this is the first time they saw each other again face to face.
Naunang nagbawi ng tingin si Ashton saka inabot niya ang kamay ko. He held unto my hand firmly like he needed it for support.
Bumaling ako sa kanila at kitang kita ko kung paanong bumaba doon ang mga tingin ng magkakapatid gamit ang iba't ibang ekspresyon.
Rafael is smirking sarcastically, while Zara froze on her tracks, lips slightly quivering like she's going to break down. It's only Levi who's wearing an impassive face.
Blangko ang mga mata nito habang nakatingin sa magkahugpong naming mga kamay.
"M-Maverick?", basag ang boses na pagkumpirma ni Zara habang nakatingin ito kay Ashton sa tabi ko.
Rafael chuckled foolishly.
"That's right. He was your Ashton Maverick and the person you hugged is his soon-to-be wife.", he mockingly said, clearly making fun of the situation.
Buhay na buhay ang tensyon dahil doon. I don't know why but my eyes went back to Levi's. Naramdaman siguro nito ang titig ko kaya't umangat muli ang mga mata niya sa akin. His eyes were cold when he stared back at me. I even caught an unreadable emotion that flickered in his eyes. Madali niya lamang naitatago iyon mula sa mabilis niyang pag-iwas ng tingin.
That simple move brought a devious smile on my lips.
I know I still have an effect on you Zardeleja no matter how hard you try to give me the cold shoulder. You can't fool me.
Saka lamang nabasag ang tensyon sa pagitan ng bawat isa nang may magsalita sa harap gamit ang mikropono upang kunin ang atensyon ng lahat.
Nag-iwas na ako ng tingin at bumaling sa harap.
I can still feel some of the grilling gaze of the people from our side but I paid them no attention. Tiningala ko lamang si Ashton na hindi na umimik sa tabi ko. I nudged him.
"Don't wet your pants. Show them you're fine.", I whispered to him when he didn't move.
He swallowed hard and glared at me.
"I'm fine.", matabang niyang bulong pabalik.
"Really? It felt like you were too close to collapse. Iiwan kita rito."
Nagbuntong hininga siya na parang nagtitimpi sa akin. He put his hand around my shoulders and squeeze it to shut me up.
I chuckled on how hard he's trying to look okay. Sabay naming itinuon ang mga mata sa harap pagkatapos.
May mga batang nakalinya doon sa harap at isa isang nagsasalita. They are from different charities being sponsored by multiple wealthy people.
"Ako po si Jepoy mula sa Big Hope Community ng Peñablanca, Cagayan.", may isang batang lalake na nagsasalita ngayon sa harap ang nagpatigil sa akin.
Jepoy
That name was familiar. Pinakatitigan ko pang mabuti ang bata saka inalala kung saan ko siya nakita. I'm bad at remembering names but I'm certain that I know him.
"Sampung taong gulang na po ako at kasulukuyang nasa grade 4 na po. Salamat sa tulong niyo sa pamilya ko at sa aking pag-aaral. Nawa'y marami pa po kayong matulungan na kagaya ko."
"I remember him. He's from the outreach we went to when Levi was the SSC President!", bulalas ng isa sa mga kasama ni Chesca.
Kumunoot ang noo ko sa narinig saka napagtanto na tama nga siya.
I remember it now. He was the one from that community from the outreach before.
"Salamat din po kay Kuya Levi na simula noong estudyante pa lamang siya hanggang ngayon ay tinutulungan niya po kami. Kuya! Andito ka ba? Nakarating na akong Maynila dahil sa'yo! May trabaho na rin si Tatay at naipagamot na si Nanay! Sana sa susunod na pagpunta mo samin kasama mo na si Ate Ganda! Kapag hindi mo pa iyon inasawa, aagawin ko siya!"
Umugong ang tawa mula sa mga tao dahil sa bibong sigaw ni Jepoy mula sa entablado.
Nakagat ko ang ibabang labi. I don't want to assume but I know that Jepoy was probably pertaining to me. I didn't know that Levi remained in touch with them.
I unconsciously glanced in his direction again. He wasn't looking at me. Nakatingin lamang ito sa harap habang sumisimsim ng alak sa kopitang hawak nito. I was just caught off guard when he tilted his head a bit and before I could look away, he already set his hard gaze on me.
He cocked an eyebrow and sneered when he caught me looking at him. Matalim ang mga matang iginawad ko sa kaniya.
Nawala ang nanunuyang ngisi nito kaya nagbawi na ako ng tingin.
Maya-maya pa ay tumugtog na ang malamyos na musika, signaling that the charity ball is starting. It's like a gala dance since people start to give donations as their requested song plays.
Nagsimulang magbagsakan ng donasyon kaya't napupuno na ng mga magkaparehang sumasayaw ang dance floor.
Ashton also gave the charity a huge amount which my father told us to give from the name of our company.
At dahil nalaman ko na kabilang ang Big Hope Community sa charity na tutulungan ay personal din akong nagbigay ng maliit na halaga.
"An amount of five hundred thousand pesos was given to the Big Hope Community by Raegan Seraphyne Castañeda."
Pagkasabi niyon ng MC ay iginiya ako ni Ashton upang sumayaw sa gitna. Normal na muli ang mga galaw nito na mukhang nakabawi na sa muli nilang pagkikita ni Zara.
I just let him lead me as he placed my hands on his shoulders and wrapped his hands around my waist.
Hindi nagtagal ay nagsalita muli ang MC.
"An amount of one million pesos was also given to the Big Hope Community by Miss Zara Amethyst, Mr. Rafael Iñigo, and Mr. Levi Zardeleja III."
A scowl crept on my face when not even a second that passed ngunit sumunod na agad sa amin sina Levi at Zara sa dance floor. Rafael also went with his siblings to dance with Chesca.
Hindi ko alam kung sinadya nilang pumuwesto malapit sa amin o talagang nagkataon lang. Halos magkakatabi lang kami doon.
Nasa likod lamang ni Ashton si Zara kaya't magkaharap kami ni Levi habang sumasayaw.
I've been waiting for you
To come around and tell me the truth
About everything that you're going through🎶
Dahil sina Levi ang huling nagdonate sa charity, their requested song was the one played on the background.
Crowded town, silent bed
Pick a place to rest your head
Give me a minute to hold my girl
Give me a minute to hold my girl 🎶
Narinig ko ang nanunuyang tawa ni Rafael nang magsimulang tumugtog ang kanta. Tinapunan ko siya ng tingin dahil malapit lang din sila sa amin. Nakatingin na ito sa akin at natatawang umiling. That moment, I just really want to aim my stilettos on his neck to stop him from laughing. Mistulang nang-aasar pa ito na binunggo ang balikat ko habang nagsasayaw sila ni Chesca.
I've been dreaming 'bout us
Working hard and saving it up
We'll go and see the man on the moon
My girl, we've got nothing to lose 🎶
Biglang gumalaw ang mga tao at gumawa ng malaking bilog habang sumasayaw. Maging kami ni Ashton ay nakigaya na lamang sa kanila. Maya maya ay mistulang may pinractice na choreo ang lahat, the ladies suddenly twirl away from their partners to exchange partners with the others.
Wala sa loob na ginaya namin iyon.
Sa unang pag-ikot ko ay napunta ako kay Rafael na ang lawak lawak ng pagkakangisi sa akin.
"Did someone already inform you that you look like a psychopath when you're smiling like that?"
He laughed like a lunatic because of my insult.
"Really? Well, that's better than looking like a murderous legend ready to run havoc just to get you back."
I furrowed my brows at him. He grinned when he knew that I didn't get what he said.
"Anyway, I like your short hair. Though your long jet-black hair suits you better."
Kumindat siya sa akin bago ako umikot ulit para magpalit ng kapareha. Ngunit nanigas ako nang pag-ikot ko ay isang mainit na palad ang sumalo sa akin.
Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko nang malanghap ang pamilyar na pabango nang pumulupot sa akin ang mga braso ni Levi at ikulong ako sa mga bisig niya.
I've got time, I've got love
Got confidence you'll rise above
Give me a minute to hold my girl
Give me a minute to hold my girl 🎶
Levi was right at my back enveloping me with his arms. It felt like my head suddenly ceased to function properly because of his hold. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa mga kamay niyang nakapulupot sa akin sa bandang tiyan ko.
He's back hugging me.
This is no longer a part of the dance!
Crowded town, silent bed
Pick a place to rest your head, and
Give me a minute to hold my girl
Give me a minute to hold my girl 🎶
My heart went thumping fast when I felt him holding me tightly. Na waring ninanamnam niya ang mga sandaling iyon. I can even feel his breath fanning the back of my neck. I instantly regret wearing this backless dress when my back rested on his firm chest. Ramdam na ramdam ko rin ang malakas na dagundong ng dibdib niya doon.
Lumingon ako sa kabila at nakitang si Zara na ang kapareha ni Ashton. Unlike us, they are not dancing. They are frozen on the spot while just looking at each other.
Nang makita kong umikot muli ang mga babae upang mag-iba ng kapareha ay pilit akong kumawala mula sa yakap ni Levi ngunit hindi niya ako binitawan.
"Let me go.", nagtitimping sambit ko na halos tunog nandidiri iyon.
Hindi siya gumalaw na waring walang balak na pakawalan ako. I sighed in annoyance.
"What is your fucking problem, Zardeleja?!", I snapped angrily.
"Watch your mouth.", mariin na bulong niya mismo sa tainga ko dahil sa pagmumura ko.
Mistula akong nakukuryente dahil sa sensasyong dulot ng ginawa niya. Alam kong ramdam niya ang epekto niyon sa akin kaya't mas lalo niya lamang akong inihilig sa dibdib niya.
That irritated me more.
"Fuck you, Zardeleja!"
I felt him smirk as his lips were just at the back of my ear.
"Not unless you cancel your engagement. After that, feel free to fuck me."
My girl, my girl
It takes one hard second to turn it around
It takes one hard second to turn it around 🎶
My breath was hitched.
I tried to let go of his grasp again when the girls already took a turn twice but Levi just won't budge. We even stopped dancing already at nakakagulo lang kami sa mag kaparehang nagsasayaw.
I hate how my heart is reacting weirdly from his hold. Idagdag pa ang mga lumalabas sa bibig niya.
I've got time, I've got love
Got confidence you'll rise above
Give me a minute to hold my girl
Give me a minute to hold my girl 🎶
"Bitawan mo nga ako sabi! I'd rather make love with Ashton than sleep in the same bed with you knowing that you're already fucked by somebody else!"
Naramdaman kong natigilan siya sa sinabi ko. Binitawan niya ako dahil doon.
Galit na galit na hinarap ko siya. Kunot noo niya akong pinakatitigan bago niya ako mabilis na hinila paalis doon sa dance floor.
"Ano ba?!", pagpupumiglas ko habang hila hila niya pa rin ako palabas ng event hall.
Tuloy tuloy siyang naglakad hanggang sa makarating kami sa tahimik na parte ng hotel na hindi masyadong nadadaanan ng mga tao. Isinandal niya ako sa pader upang magkaharap kami.
Marahas kong binawi ang kamay ko sa kaniya.
"What did you say?"
Hindi ako sumagot sa naguguluhan niyang tanong. Why is he even asking me that? He should be the one to know!
"I had sex with whom?", marahas na bumuntong hininga siya saka seryoso ang mga mata na hinarap ako. "I never had sex with anyone else before marriage, Raegan. Not before us, not even after us.", mabilis na pagtatama niya.
I scoffed angrily as I remember them naked on his bed again.
"You think I'm still going to believe you? Not a chance, Zardeleja!"
Tinalikuran ko siya para bumalik sa loob ngunit mabilis niyang napigilan ang kamay ko.
"We're not done talking.", saad niya saka pinihit ako paharap.
"No--"
"I gave you enough years to shut me out, Raegan. I'm sorry but I won't let you have your way this time."
"I'm engaged so fuck off."
"Don't use that bullshit on me. You don't even love him."
"I'm still marrying him either way. So let me go."
"Really? Then why is it that your eyes often meet mine from across the room? Why do I catch you staring at me when you think that I won't notice? Why does your gaze follow me around even if you're with him? Tell me, Raegan.", he narrowed his eyes on me as he search for answers in me.
"Tell me why are you marrying him if you want me?"
With all the strength I had in me, I keep my cool and stared back at him without letting him see through my eyes.
"I don't want you. I never did.", I managed to say with full conviction.
Umigting ang panga niya ngunit hindi pa rin siya nagpatinag.
"Don't lie to me."
I swear at that moment, I no longer know what's over powering my system. I'm not sure if it's still the rage that I'm feeling for him or something intense than that.
Mistulang may sariling utak na lamang ang kamay ko nang umangat ito upang sampalin siya ngunit mabilis niyang napigilan ang kamay ko.
His hold was firm but careful when his eyes glanced down at my hand. I saw how an emotion suddenly flickered in his eyes when he saw the engagement ring on my finger. His eyes narrowed there for some time and slowly, he let go of my hand like he was punched in the gut.
He was about to open his mouth to say something when someone called for him.
"Kuya Levi!"
Nakita ko mula sa likod niya ang tumatakbong si Jepoy papunta sa puwesto namin. Nakatutok ang mga mata nito kay Levi na waring hindi ako napansin.
Kinalma ko ang sarili saka bumaling kay Levi na hindi gumalaw sa kinatatayuan niya at nanatiling nakatingin sa kamay ko. Saka lang siya nahimasmasan ng itapon ni Jepoy rito ang sarili at niyakap siya.
Mistulang wala sa sarili na yumuko si Levi at lumuhod upang maabot ni Jepoy.
"Nakita ko si Ate Ganda kuya! Nandito siya nakita ko!"
Kumalas si Jepoy sa yakap saka magiliw at malakas na sinabi iyon.
Levi forced a smile then nodded. He ruffled Jepoy's hair.
"I know Jep. She's here...she's already here."
Levi motioned his head towards my direction as if signaling Jepoy to look at his back.
Takang lumingon nga si Jepoy. Nagliwanag ang mukha nito nang makita ako roon.
Tulad ng ginawa niya kay Levi ay niyakap niya rin ako.
Just like before, he also kissed my cheeks.
I forced myself to act normal in front of the kid. Na waring hindi ako galit na galit at natutuwa akong makita siya.
"Hi. You still remember me?", I tried to sound casual yet my voice sounded so forced.
Ngunit waring hindi naman alintana iyon ni Jepoy nang sunod sunod siyang tumango.
"Syempre naman! Gerlpren ka ni Kuya Levi e! Lagi't lagi ka ba namang ikwento sa amin ni Kuya aba't paano po kita malilimutan?"
I didn't respond to what he said as I glared at Levi's direction.
He clenched his jaw and reached for Jepoy. Tumayo siya nang maayos saka kinausap ang bata.
"Hindi ko siya...g-girlfriend. I-Ikakasal na ang Ate Ganda niyo Jepoy."
"Ikakasal po sa inyo?"
Natigilan si Levi doon at dahan dahang umiling.
"Hindi Jep. Hindi...sa akin."
Tumingin si Jepoy sa'kin dahil sa narinig. Nagkamot ito ng ulo sa panghihinayang.
"Aba't sayang naman! Bilin pa naman ni Lolo Ompyong bago siya namatay na dalhin ko kayo pabalik sa Big Hope Community kasama ang mga anak niyo pagdating ng araw."
Natigilan ako saglit dahil sa sinabi niya.
Was Lolo Ompyong the elderly man who teased Levi and me before? Yung inabutan namin ng relief goods at pinuri kaming dalawa ni Levi noon?
"He's dead?", I blurted out unintentionally.
Tumango si Jepoy kaya hindi na ako nakasagot agad dahil sa gulat.
"He died a year after you left the country. The last time I visited them, he specifically asked for you. He missed you...they missed you...", mababa ang boses na saad ni Levi na mistulang pinipigilan ang sariling may idagdag pa sa sinabi.
I went silent as I glanced at Jepoy. His big eyes are also looking at me intently.
"Ang laki ng pinagbago mo Ate. Kaya siguro hindi kita nakilala agad. Ginupit mo pa ang buhok mo? Gusto ni Kuya Levi ang itim at mahaba mong buhok---"
"Jepoy."
Hindi natapos ni Jepoy ang sasabihin nang maagap siyang pigilan ni Levi. It seems that even after I left, Levi still talk to them about me. I don't know what kind of stories were he feeding them but the fact that he was doing that amidst our awful past made my heart churn. I quickly averted my eyes from them.
Saktong pagbaling ko ng tingin sa iba ay siya namang dumapo ang mga mata ko kay Ashton na waring kanina pa ako hinahanap.
"Raegan."
Madilim ang tingin na naglalakad siya palapit sa amin nang matagpuan ako doon.
"Siya ba ang mapapangasawa mo Ate?", inosenteng tanong ni Jepoy nang masilayan nito si Ashton na papalapit.
Tumingin si Levi sa akin dahil sa tanong ni Jepoy saka nag-iwas din agad ng tingin.
Hindi na ako sumagot.
Nang makalapit si Ashton kung nasaan kami ay isang matalim na tingin ang iginawad niya kay Levi.
"Let's go.", malamig na saad niya tsaka mabilis akong hinila doon palayo.
Ni hindi ko na rin nagawang magpaalam pa kay Jepoy nang mabilis ang mga hakbang na iginiya ako ni Ashton palayo sa kanila.
"Ashton ano ba?!", reklamo ko nang halos hatakin niya na ako paalis doon.
Hindi siya nagsalita. Tahimik lamang itong nagtuloy tuloy sa paglalakad. But when we're about to finally reach the front door of the hotel, that's when we halted because of the man who just entered the building.
Just great.
I hissed as I started to flare up again because of the person in front of us.
"Look who's here.", sarkastiko niyang sambit nang makita kami ni Ashton.
Vince Zardeleja.
Awtomatikong kumuyom ang kamao ko nang huminto siya mismo sa harap namin.
"What a great pair we have here. You're leaving already? The night is still young."
I scoffed in disgust. I held my chin up as I face him.
"Of course. It's just you who's old here."
I felt Ashton's hand gripping mine, signaling me to keep my mouth shut but I didn't. I waited for this moment to come face to face with him again. He's one of the reasons I came back so why would I waste this opportunity?
"I really don't like your humor Miss Castañeda."
"I don't like you not just your humor but did you hear me complain?"
"Raegan.", madiin na pagpigil ulit ni Ashton sa akin.
Hindi na naitago ni Vince ang disgusto sa mukha niya.
"It's really good that I never approve of you for my son. After all these years, I was still right that Vivienne is a better choice."
I gritted my teeth because of the smugness laced in his voice. He snickered as he stepped closer to us, his secretary tailing at his back.
"Look at my son. He soared to greater heights since you were gone. See? He's better with Vivienne. Samantalang ikaw, walang magandang maidudulot sa kaniya. You will just weigh him down, pabigat ka. Even before, you are his only flaw, Castañeda."
Gustong gumalaw ng mga kamay ko upang dumapo sa mukha niya. Isang bagay na hindi ko nagawa kay Levi kanina. And it took me a lot of restraint not to do so. Kung hindi lamang malaking eskandalo ang idudulot niyon para kay Dada ay kahit masabihan pa akong bastos ay gagawin ko iyon kay Vince Zardeleja.
I smirked insultingly.
"It's okay. I never really wanted your son anyway. I just played him like a puppet just as how you raised him to be. I must say, you did it very well."
"Whatever you say Miss Castañeda. My son is still way better than a rapist you're going to marry."
Mabilis na nag-init ang ulo ko doon. Nagpanting ang tainga ko sa sinabi niya. Nanggagalaiti na gumalaw ako palapit kay Vince Zardeleja nang mabilis lang akong pigilan ni Ashton.
"Papa."
Natigil ang pagsugod ko nang marinig ang mariin na boses ni Levi na mistulang sumunod sa amin.
Nagpapalit palit ang tingin niya sa pagitan namin ng tatay niya bago siya lumapit sa kinatatayuan namin.
"I'm just greeting your old friends hijo. Paalis na rin sila.", pagpapatay malisya ni Vince Zardeleja na naging maamo ang boses nang kausapin ang anak.
Tumatahip ang dibdib ko sa panggagalaiti at puno ng poot na sinalubong ang nagtatanong na mga mata ni Levi. Hindi ko maatim na kaya niyang maging sunud-sunuran sa ganitong tao. Then he called me what? A monster?
"Raegan---"
"Calling me a monster just clearly made me realize that you never know the real face of evil, Levi Zardeleja. Up until now, even after all these years, you're just the same. You still disgust me.", I said those words full of hatred towards him.
No wonder I hate him so much. He's a Zardeleja. He's just like his father. It runs in their blood.
"Tara na Raegan. Let's just go.", rinig ko ang hirap sa boses ni Ashton habang pilit akong inilalabas na lamang doon.
Nakita ko kung paano ako hinabol ni Levi ng tingin nang tuluyan kaming makaalis ni Ashton doon. His brows are deeply furrowed when he confronted his father but I can no longer hear them.
Pilit na isinakay ako ni Ashton sa kotse at pinapakalma habang minamaniobra niya ang sasakyan paalis.
That old man. Screw him. Magsama sila ng anak niya.
Hindi ko alam kung may hangganan pa ba ang galit ko.
Since that night, I started digging about the Zardelejas, finding any dirt worthy to use in order to suffice my anger.
The raging desire to bring them down is overpowering my system.
Nagbasa ako ng lahat ng articles na lumalabas tungkol sa kanila. I read everything about how they own a TV Network and other subsidiary companies that are widely spread nationwide. I studied everything about it, searching for any foul play that can destroy them in a snap.
I also came across a known chain of banks in the country that I later found out that Levi Zardeleja owns. Iyon ang pinakatinututukan nito ngayon at tumutulong lamang siya kay Rafael sa sarili nilang kompanya. Zara on the other hand is handling a publishing company that published some of the works of famous authors in the Philippines. Their multiple assets and properties were also written in some of the information I read and all are skyrocketing.
At the end, I didn't get any information that can destroy their name. Malinis ang record ng mga bangko ni Levi at maayos ang pamamalakad ni Zara sa sarili nitong trabaho. It's only Rafael's field of work that is suspicious given that he's also directly working under his father. Ngunit hindi ako basta bastang makakapasok sa kompanya nila.
I resorted to the easiest option.
I immediately contacted Nara to get Chesca's number since she's also starting to work with some of the projects of both our families. I asked her to give me Zara's number which she fortunately has. A week after the charity ball, I decided to call her.
"Raegan?", pagkumpirma nito sa kabilang linya nang magpakilala ako.
"Yes, it's me. Are you free this weekend? Let's catch up."
May pag-aalangan sa boses ni Zara dahil sa sinabi ko. It was so out of the blue given that she's also perfectly aware that I don't like her. But eventually, she agreed. She can't even hide her eagerness to see me regardless of the fact that it's a first.
A sly smile crept on my lips as I ended the call.
I know that it's not that easy to go against Vince Zardeleja first. Kaya uunahin ko ang mga anak niya. At this point, Zara is my pawn. I'm going to use her against her own father.