Binigyan ko si Jervis ng chance hindi dahil sa pagmamahal niyang nagtagal ng ilang taon, kundi dahil sa katapatan ng pagmamahal niya. It may be traditional but for me, love that came from the deepest core of your heart is the greatest love of all. I may not love Jervis now but I am making sure that I will try my very best to love him, not just as brother, but more than that.
Kagigising ko lang ay agad nang iyon ang nasa isip ko. I was still lying, staring at the white ceiling. I smiled at myself. If I will love Jervis, it feels like loving Paul the second time around. Ano kaya ang mangyayari kapag mahal ko na si Jervis? Will it be the same as his brother? Or more than that? Katulad ng sinabi ni Paul sa huling sulat niya sa akin, I should open my heart for the one who is deserving, and I think Jervis is the right term for deserving. Isn’t it?
I looked at the bedside table when my phone rang. Inabot ko lang iyon dahil tinatamad pa akong bumangon. It’s 5:30 in the morning, anyway. Alas otso pa ng umaga ang punta ko sa flower farm mamaya. Early riser lang ako kaya maaga akong nagising.
“Are you with Willard fucking Almante?”
Kumunot ang noo ko at tinignan ang caller ID. Sinagot ko na lang kasi agad iyon at hindi na tinignan. My brows creased. It’s Kimberly Tuazon who called? Unregistered number ito pero base sa sopistikada at maawtoridad niyang boses ay alam kong si Kim ito.
“Kim?” Tanong ko, paos pa ang boses ko dahil sa paggising.
“Yes, it is! So, are you with Willard?” She asked impatiently.
“Why don’t you call him instead of ruining my morning, Miss Tuazon?” I said in discomfiture. Umagang-umaga ay hinahanap sa akin ang lalaking iyon. Buti naman sana kung tinatanong niya ako in a nice way. O kung binati man lang niya ako. This girl is getting into my nerves!
“I did! But he’s not answering my damn calls!” She was seething. I can say that she was fuming mad based on her voice. “Ugh! That motherfucker knows how to push my buttons!”
“Yeah, nandito siya.” I heard her scowled over the phone. I bit my lower lip. “I mean, nasa ibang kwarto. Nandito kami sa Tagaytay. He invited himself to come with me here. Malay ko ba kung may naiwanan siyang trabaho?” I said, rising from the bed.
“I know that but... Ugh! Is he hitting on you, Athena Grace Quijano?” The way he mutter my complete name rings a bell of truth.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa itinanong niya. Napaisip din ako. Is Willard Almante really hitting on me? Of course not! Hindi ko lang alam kung ano ang trip sa buhay ni Willard Almante kung bakit nageexist siya ngayon sa buhay ko. I don’t really know. He just wanted me to know him, but beyond that? I have no idea.
“No. Why would he be?” Sabi ko at tumayo na sa kama.
Naglakad ako palapit sa glass window ng kwarto ko. Tinabing ko ang blue silky cloth na kurtina at pinagmasdan ang papasikat na araw. Napahinga ako ng malalim. Tanaw ko dito ang malawak na flower farm, ang Taal Lake at ilang establishments sa paligid. Such a nice view!
“You’re a pretty girl, Quijano! But being pretty is not enough. Use your common sense, feelings ad density level. Dapat ala—“
“W-wait!” I cut her off, suddenly pissed on what she said. “Wala kang alam so you better shut up, miss! No need to preach me on everything. Ngayon, kung tatanungin mo ako kung may nararamdaman ba akong kakaiba sa kinikilos ng kapatid o ng amo mo, wala akong pakialam. He just wants fooling around on everything!” Nagtaas-baba ang dibdib ko dahil sa galit.
“Oh,” She said, amusement filled her voice. “Then why would he become the super hero on your flower shop? Why would he waste money on putting up a coffee shop just to need flowers for the launching event for that shop? For Christ’s sake, he’s not even drinking coffee!”
“Hindi ko alam!” Tumahip ng kaba ang aking dibdib. “Like I said, he wants fooling around!”
Kinagat ko ng mariin ang labi ko matapos ang pag-uusap namin ni Kim. Hindi ko kinaya ang babaeng iyon. Bakit ba niya pinipilit sa akin na may gusto sa akin si Will? Damn! Ginugulo niya ang utak ko. After my work in here, kakausapin ko si Willard. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang intensiyon niya sa lahat ng ito. Is it because I judged him on the first hand and that he wants me to know him better? For what? I don’t get any point.
Napasabunot na lang ako sa aking buhok at tinignan ang oras. Six am. Great! Tumungo ako sa bathroom at naligo, iniiisip pa din ang pag-uusap namin ni Kim. Yeah, why would he waste money for me? They said that assuming hurts, so why would I assume something if I’ll get hurt? No. Hindi ko iisipin na may gusto sa akin si Will. He may have an ulterior motive why he was always around me.
I wrapped my body using a towel and get out on the bathroom. Halos mabitawan ko ang pagkakahawak ko sa tuwalya ko nang makita si Will na nakaupo sa edge ng kama ko! Nakayuko siya, nakapatong ang siko sa tuhod at sinasapo ang ulo gamit ang kamay. Parang problemado? He was wearing khaki shorts and fitted polo shirt.
“My God, Willard! What are you doing here? This is invasion of privacy!” I yelled at him, tightening my grip on the rim of the towel wrapped around my chest, preventing it to fall.
Nag-angat siya ng tingin dahil sa pagsigaw ko. Sumingkit ang kanyang mata at pinasadahan ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang paa. Pabalik-balik! I felt so naked.
“Damn it! Lumabas ka nga!” I yelled again.
“Why do you have to be so noisy, Athena Grace?!” He yelled back, standing up. “I’m here to tell you that the breakfast is ready. And what? You’re wearing that piece of cloth? Mabuti na lang pala at inunahan ko ang batang lalaking iyon na ako na ang magtawag sa ‘yo kung hindi... Tss!” Nag-iwas siya ng tingin. “Wear something decent, bumaba ka pagkatapos.” And he turned his back, leaving me jaw-fell and leaving the room.
Kumunot ang noo ko sa inasta niya. Bakit parang ang grumpy niya ngayon? Gone were the playful and leering smirks he was giving me before. Pati yong titig niyang kulang na lang ay hubaran niya ako ay wala din. Kinagat ko ang labi ko. Bakit ko naman hinahanap ang mga ngisi at titig niyang iyon? Those were dangerous, Grace. Umayos ka! Damn.
I wore cream cotton dress and paired with black faux leather boots. I shaded my lips nude. I let my hair clad along my shoulders. Kulot na naman ito sa dulo dahil malapit ng matuyo. After taking a last glance in the mirror, I took my pink handbag, with phone and other girly stuffs on it, I left my room.
“Good morning, ma’am!”
I smiled at the hotel staff who greeted me right after I got out on the lift. “Alam mo ba kung nasaan si Willard Almante?” Tanong ko nang mapagtanto kong hindi ko pala alam kung nasaan sila ni Jervis.
“Si Sir John?” Tumango na lang ako. Hindi ko naman alam kung ano’ng tawag nila kay Will dito. “Nasa restaurant po.”
Tumango na lang ako at tinahak ang restaurant. Hotel Kimberly has perfect ambience and relaxing interior design. There were floral paintings around, dim lights, swanky chandeliers and hospitable staffs. Right!
“Gracie!”
Napalingon ako sa pinaka-dulong party ng restaurant nang marinig ko ang boses ni Jervis. He was there, wearing classic jeans and white v-neck shirt, emphasizing his well toned body and biceps. Kasama niya si Will doon. Table for three at ako na lang ang kulang. Willard’s forehead was knotted as if irritated with the environs while Jervis has this cold and emotionless face. Napangisi ako. Hindi talaga magkakasundo ang dalawang ito.
“Good morning, boys!” I greeted them.
Willard frowned. “I’m a man. He’s a boy.” Turo niya kay Jervis.
“I’m a man either. With toned chest and abs, right, Gracie?” Jervis wiggled his eyebrows on me. Napatawa na lang ako. Jervis was being playful, alright.
“A man doesn’t need to be gorgeous. He just needs to be a man. That’s all.” Si Willard sa seryosong boses. Hindi na nakapagsalita si Jervis.
What’s with Willard Almante now? Bakit ang seryoso niya ngayon? I want him playful, just slight, not this grump and serious Willard. Nakakapanibago kasi. Umupo ako sa upuan ko.
“I already ordered our food.” Walang emosyon na wika ni Will.
Napatingin sa akin si Jervis. His chestnut brown eyes were questioning. Siguro ay nagtataka din kung bakit hindi mapaglaro ang aura ng mukha ni Will ngayong umaga. Will Almante maybe wakes up in the wrong side of the bed.
“So, sasamahan kita sa flower farm mamaya?” Tanong ni Jervis sa akin. Tumango ako. “We’ll use my car again.”
“Sure thing.” I said. “Pagkatapos magbreakfast ay tatawagan ko pa si Romina to check the flower shop.”
“What’s your profession, boy? A job?” Singit ni Will sa usapan namin ni Jervis.
Tumingin si Jervis kay Will, kunot ang noo. Siguro dahil maayos ang pagkakatanong ni Will. “Chief financial officer of our family’s company.” He replied curtly afterwards.
“What company?”
“A company of steel supplies and engineering cements.”
“How big is your company then? The name of the company?”
Tumingin ako sa paligid habang hinihintay ang inorder na pagkain ni Will. Hindi naman ako makaka relate sa pinaguusapan nila. Mabuti na din na may pinagkakasunduan silang usapan. Napansin ko ang ibang mga kumakain na tumitingin sa direksyon namin, specifically women, nakatingin sila sa dalawa kong kasama.
“Why are you suddenly interested?”
Hindi agad nasagot ni Will ang tanong na iyon ni Jervis dahil dumating ang waiter at chef kasama ng aming pagkain. Nagutom ako bigla dahil sa amoy ng mga pagkain at magagandang plating nito. Ultimong pancakes, bacon, cheese sandwich ay nilagyan ng arte at design para magmukha itong kaaya-aya sa mata at sa tiyan. Ang mga drinks naman namin ay iba-iba din. Willard’s drink was smoothies, mine was milkshake and Jervis’ was brewed coffee.
“Enjoy your meal,” Anang chief. Sinenyasan ni Will na umalis na ito. Napaismid ako. Bastos mo, Willard!
“Just answer my question, boy. I want to invest, perhaps.” Sagot ni Will sa tanong ni Jervis kanina, inaayos ang table napkin sa kanyang kandungan. Ganun din si Jervis. Nakigaya na din ako.
We started eating. Still, they were talking about business.
“Villegas Group Corp. So you’re just an investor?” Si Jervis.
“Just?” Kita ko ang pag-ngisi ni Will. “Unlike you, I’m not working for money. I let my money work for me. See the difference? You cannot just my stance.”
Napailing ako sa sinabi niya. Gusto kong makisingit at sabihin na mayabang siya pero hindi ko na inabala ang sarili ko.
“Mas magandang pinaghihirapan ang pera,” Kumento ni Jervis na tinanguan ko.
“Yeah, partly. But I have money, no need to sweat it up.”
“This is the company’s legacy. Mas maganda kung may tinitingala kang pag-aari mo. Hindi iyong nakikinabang ka lang sa kumpanya ng iba.” Giit ni Jervis. Napangiti ako, sumasang-ayon sa kanyang sinabi.
“I have my own restaurants across the map, bars across the Metro and soon, I’ll be having a coffee shop. I have my own property and business, boy. Hindi lang ako basta investor. Pero may mga tao akong binabayaran para i-manage ang mga iyon. No sweat, e.” Ngisi niya ulit.
“Ipinanganak ka kasing nasa iyo na ang lahat. Unlike us, we need to sweat in order for us to have money.” Singit ko. Napatingin ang dalawang lalaki sa akin, hindi inaasahan ang pagsasalita ko. “Yeah, we get it, Willard! You were born with a silver spoon in the mouth. No need to brag about it.” I said in distaste.
Willard brows creased, as if I’ve said something that crosses the line. “Come on, babe. You’re not judging me again, are you?” Aniya at binitawan ang kanyang utensils. Insult crosses his face.
Nagiwas ako ng tingin. “I’m sorry,” Yeah, why is it so easy for me to judge Willard? Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko. The way he delivered his words are somewhat boastful kasi and I find it... Ugh! Damn. Alright, Grace, you’re crossing the lines. Nanahimik na ulit ako nang magtanong ulit si Jervis.
“How many companies in the Metro you have shares then?”
Binalingan ni Will si Jervis. “Almost all of the companies, except for those, I think, incompetent companies.” Kalmang sagot niya.
Sinalo ko agad ang panga ko. Okay, he’s that rich? Eligible bachelor it is. Okay. Napaisip tuloy ako sa sinabi ni Kim kanina. Imposibleng magkagusto sa akin ang lalaking ito. Malabo at imposible.
“Entire Metro? With different identity or under your name?” Tanong ulit ni Jervis, mukhang amuse din sa yaman ni Will.
Uminom si Willard ng kanyang smoothies bago sumagot. “Pinipili ko ang mga kumpanyang pinaglalaanan ko ng pera. Some were under my name and some were different identity. And it’s across the map, boy. Not just in Metro.”
I breathed. Mas lalong naging malabo at mas imposible ang pagkakagusto niya sa akin. I can’t reach him. He’s that rich. I am nobody. The concept of him liking me is blurred and impossible. Paanong naisip ni Kim ang bagay na iyon? Lunatic.