CHAPTER 11
1276 Words
MAHINANG napabuntong-hininga si Lucien nang sunod-sunod na dumating ang mga email galing sa mga shareholders ng Verdan Group mula sa Pilipinas. They were complaining about the income of the company, and they were asking him to go back.
Mahinang bumuntong-hininga si Lucien saka hindi na nag-abalang buksan ang mga email. He shut down his laptop. Pinaikot niya ang kinauupuang swivel chair at tumingin sa labas ng glass wall.
He was in his office in the Verdan branch in London.
His father wanted his other son to shine, so he approved him to go to London and manage their branch here. Kaya nandito siya. And right now, he doesn’t want to do anything with the Verdan main group.
Pero wala nang dalawang buwan na CEO ang half-brother niya. Marami na siyang reklamong natatanggap.
His father wanted Lucas to inherit the Verdan Group, so he was training him, but he knew what kind of attitude his brother had—reckless, impulsive, and childish.
Napailing na lamang si Lucien nang tumunog ang cellphone niya at makitang ang ama niya ang tumatawag.
Looks like his half-brother made the Verdan Group lose millions this time. That’s why his father was calling and wants him back. Again. Saka lang naman siya maalala ng ama kapag may kailangan ito. Katulad na lang ngayon.
He didn’t answer the call and turned his phone into silent mode.
His father even texted him, but he didn’t read his message.
Fortunately, Neriah called. And that call put a smile on his lips.
“Yes? Miss me?” he teasingly asked.
And he was already expecting that Neriah would flirt back. “Yes, I miss you,” matamis na tugon ni Neriah. Then her voice turned serious. “Where are you? I’m hungry.”
“Mag-order ka.” Aniya. Pero nakatayo na siya at isinusuot na niya ang kaniyang blazer.
“Ayaw ko.”
Lucien could see that even if it was just a call, Neriah was pouting. “Bakit naman?”
“Mas gusto ko ang luto mo.” Sabi ni Neriah. “Nasaan ka ba?”
“I’m in the office. Pero paalis na ako. Hintayin mo ako.”
“Great!” Naging masigla ang boses ni Neriah. “I’ll wait for you. Bye! I’ll just take a shower.”
And the call ended.
“Shower…” Lucien muttered, and his mind started to imagine something wild.
Napailing siya saka pilit na iwinaksi ang namumuong ideya sa kaniyang isipan.
AFTER dinner, neither of them seemed eager to return to their own rooms. Neriah washed the dishes, and when she was done, she joined Lucien in the living room.
The television played softly in the background, but neither of them was paying much attention to it.
It was peaceful. The kind of feeling that Lucien had almost forgotten existed.
Komportable na nakaupo si Neriah sa tabi ni Lucien habang tinitingnan ang mga larawan na kaniyang kinunan.
Inabot naman ni Lucien ang nakatuping kumot sa armrest ng sofa. He unfolded it and placed it on Neriah’s lap. “It’s cold, and you’re wearing shorts. Baka malamigan ka.”
Ngumiti si Neriah. “Thanks.”
Then, his phone vibrated—three times. The screen lit up on the coffee table.
Father.
Nagbago ang ekspresyon ng mukha ni Lucien. The warmth in his eyes disappeared, replaced by something colder.
Tumitig siya sa screen. Patuloy lamang ito sa pagri-ring pero hindi siya gumalaw upang sagutin ang tawag.
Eventually, the call ended.
Only for the phone to vibrate again a few seconds later.
Umigting ang panga ni Lucien. Without a word, he turned the phone over so the screen faced down.
Tumigil ito sa pag-ring.
“What’s the matter?” Neriah asked as she lowered her camera and looked at Lucien.
Lucien remained quiet for a few seconds before answering. “It was my father.” Aniya. “Ayaw kong sagutin ang tawag niya.”
Hindi tinanong ni Neriah kung bakit. She didn’t tell him that family was important. Instead, she simply shrugged. “Then don’t answer it.”
Tumingin si Lucien kay Neriah.
“If you don’t feel like answering that call, then don’t answer it. Don’t force yourself.”
The simplicity of her words caught him off guard.
Napangiti siya.
“My father wouldn’t agree with that.”
Ngumisi si Neriah. “Good thing I’m not your father.”
Mahinang tumawa si Lucien.
“Alam mo…” ibinaba ni Neriah ang hawak na camera. “I’ve met people who believe blood means you have to endure everything.” Umiling siya. “I don’t.”
Nakinig naman si Lucien.
“You can respect someone without allowing them to keep hurting you. You don’t owe anyone unlimited access to your peace.”
Her words settled somewhere deep inside him.
For years, every phone call from his father had felt like a command—an obligation. A reminder that no matter where he went, the Verdan family could still reach him.
Pero habang nakaupo siya rito sa living room kasama si Neriah…
His phone buzzed again. It was his father. Sinulyapan niya ang screen. Then, without hesitation, he pressed the side button.
Tumigil ito sa pagtunog.
Neriah smiled approvingly. “See?” she said. “You chose yourself.”
Natigilan si Lucien sa sinabing ‘yon ni Neriah. Tatlong salita lamang ‘yon. You chose yourself. Pero may malalim na kahulugan para sa kaniya.
Lucien stared at the now-silent phone. He had spent twenty-six years obeying his father, following every order, accepting every burden.
Tonight… for the first time, he had simply said no without speaking a single word.
Napailing si Neriah nang makita ang emosyon sa mata ni Lucien. And she doesn’t like seeing him like this—feeling down.
“I have an idea to lift your mood.”
“Ano?” tanong ni Lucien.
But he regretted asking because when he saw Neriah’s lopsided smile, he already knew she was up to no good. And he was right when Neriah placed her hand on his thigh.
Tumingin siya sa dalaga. “Neriah,” he warned.
Pero hindi siya nito pinansin. Neriah continued sliding her hand up.
Lucien gulped. “Neriah, if you touch that part, you’re done.” He warned.
“Anong gagawin mo?” nanghahamon na tanong ni Neriah at tumaas ang kilay.
“Try, and we’ll see.”
Ngumisi si Neriah at mas lalong itinaas ang kamay. Her palm was slipping up on his thigh.
Mabilis na hinawakan ni Lucien ang kamay ni Neriah bago pa man dumapo ang kamay nito sa tapat ng p*********i niya. He looked at her, but Neriah just shrugged, smiling, and pulled her hand away.
“You’re done, Neriah.”
Lucien pulled Neriah into his lap, held her nape, and claimed her lips.
They kissed fervently.
Naputol na lamang ang kanilang halikan nang kapusin sila pareho ng hininga.
Silence fell on them, but rather, it became awkward… it was comfortable.
Lucien leaned back into the sofa and released a slow breath.
“Just stay,” he said to Neriah.
Hindi naman umalis ang dalaga sa pagkakaupo sa kandungan niya.
Instead, Neriah leaned toward him.
He wrapped his arms around her.
He was grateful that Neriah was with him.
Gumuhit ang isang ngiti sa labi ni Lucien.
He closed his eyes. “Neriah…”
“Hm?”
“Thank you for being here.”
Neriah chuckled. “Thank you for letting me touch you.”
Napailing na lamang si Lucien. In this mind, he was sure that next time Neriah would do that, he would lose his self-control.
Maybe it’s not a bad thing to lose it, especially when it comes to Neriah.
- Writer
