HIS HEARTLESS WIFE

Chapter 7

Biglang nag-init ang ulo ko at nawalan na akong gana na kumain.

"I have to go, Audrey. Marami akong naiwan na trabaho sa opisina. I'll have my driver drop you off. Call me when your done eating. Ipapasundo kita."

"Babe, please, stay," pagmamakaawa nito.

"I'm sorry. I have to go."

I kissed her temple and left. I can put my work on hold. I can't be with Audrey while my mind is going crazy who did Chevelle go with. Ang sabi nito may meeting sa DMMC, CEO. Hailed a cab? Hindi taxi ang sinakyan niya kung hindi isang mamahaling tinted na sasakyan. Hindi ako tanga para paniwalain ang sarili ko it was nothing.

'Why are you overreacting? Hiwalay na kayo. Wala ka ng karapatan sa kaniya. Asawa mo na lang siya sa papel. Kinalimutan ka na ni Chevelle, Alistaire Blaze. Walang kayo dahil wala naman kayo mula sa simula.'

I drove back to the office pero hindi ako makapag-concentrate sa trabaho. Dalawang oras na akong pasilip-silip sa opisina niya subalit hindi pa rin bumabalik si Chevelle. Then I remembered she told me she'll be visiting the plant. Nagmadali akong bumaba sa parking lot.

I drove to Valeho Manufacturing compound. Halos dalawang oras ang layo ng planta sa opisina. Malapit iyon sa karagatan kaya't malamig ang simoy ng hangin na dumadampi sa aking balat. Isa ito sa mga sangay ng O & V na hindi pinayagan ni Chevelle na palitan ang pangalan. Dito sa plantang ito nagsimula ang mga magulang niya. Dito rin sila namatay. Close to the plant is the Valeho's mansion na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa binisita ni Chevelle simula ng mamatay ang mga magulang niya.

My parents honored her wishes, VMC remained under Chevelle's maiden name. Hindi ito sinali ng mga magulang ko sa merger to respect their friend Chandria Silvanna and Kristoff Valeho.

Isang oras pa akong naghintay ng mamataan ko ang itim na sasakyan na sumundo kay Chevelle sa restawran. A millisecond later, I saw the man who stole Chevelle from me. Sinundan niya pala hanggang dito sa Davao ang asawa ko.

'Hinayaan ko na silang magkasama sa Boston pati sa London. Bakit hanggang dito sa probinsiya magkasama sila? They are not only friends but I don't want to believe they have secret love affair? Pero ano naman sa akin? Ako itong unang nagloko at hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa rin maiwan si Audrey.'

I walked to the entrance of VMC pretending I did not see them walking towards where I am.

"What are you doing here, Blaze? Don't you have a date with your fiancee?"

It felt awkward to hear those from her. Pinamumukha niya ng paulit-ulit that I cheated on her which evidently, I did, I still am.

"I had to personally follow up the vaccine research," sagot ko rito.

"Oh," sagot nito matapos ay tumikhim ang kasama nito.

"Ah, Blaze, this is Dr. Lionel del Mundo. I believe you remember him."

"Good to see you, Mr. Ortega," bati nito sa akin.

"Lionel, this is Blaze, my ex-hus--"

"Yeah, your fiance. Kayo pa rin ba?" He cut me

off.

"The last time I check, I am single but still tied up on a marriage contract. So, no. He is not. Dr. Del Mundo, is the CEO of DMMC. I'd like to tour him around on our facility. I am working on sealing a deal with him. Please, don't ruin my project dahil lang nagseselos ka. Wala ka dapat ika-selos, Blaze. Remember, asawa mo lang ako sa papel at may katipan ka na."

"I-I'll see you later," sagot ko sa kaniya.

She deliberately rub it on my face. How dare she? Saan kumuha ng lakas ng loob si Chevelle to be this bold in front of me? I remember her being so sweet and not the feisty lioness.

Love can turn people to evil. Love can twist people mind. My love for Chevelle is priceless. If she only knew how I desperately wanted to be with her. I envision myself sharing a bed with her but I couldn't. I have longed to kiss her soft lips again. Kung hindi lang sana dahil sa lintik na utang na loob ko kay Audrey.

Mahal ko si Audrey. I love her more than I loved Chevelle. But now, as I see my wife every single day my feelings have changed. Seeing my baby girl with Del Mundo pained me. I wanted to snatch her back. Gusto kong ikulong siya sa aking mga bisig. But how? If she despises me now.

Alas siete na ng gabi ng makalabas ako sa planta. Malakas ang ulan at humahagupit ang malakas na hangin. I looked around at the parking lot. There's still a few cars one of them is Del Mundos. Naririto pa sila. I can't drive back to the city. Delekado na ang daan malamang may mga kahoy ng nakaharang sa daan. I rushed to my car, immediately turn on my radio for the weather forecast.

I have no choice but to drive five minutes away from here and stay at Valeho's mansion for the night. Dinial ko agad ang telepono ni Mama para abisohan niya ang caretaker ng bahay to prepare food and room for us. Then, I called Chevelle.

"Chevelle, it's storming. Don't drive back to the city. Magkita na lang tayo sa mansion."

"You know, I can't--"

" It's not safe to drive back. Wala rin hotel o transcient house dito. You know this is secluded area."

"I-"

"I'll be with you, okay?"

Pagkakataon ko ng mapalapit muli sa kaniya. I was there for her while she mourns. Ako ang kasama niya while she's grieving when her parents died.

"You don't have to go there, baby. Our ancestral house is just a few minutes away from here.My parents are staying there. Mom and Dad will be glad to see you."

"You're right. I am due to visit Uncle Fabian and Aunt Lina.How's your baby sister?"

"You mean my sister's baby?"

I did not know na kilala ng mga Del Mundo si Chevelle. Hindi ko alam na malalim na pala ang pinagsamahan nila ng lalaking iyon. Even his parents and family knows my wife too well.

"It's okay, Blaze. I'm better off to stay with Lionel. I'll see you at work. Bye."

The moment she said 'bye' para niya rin sinabing 'paalam Blaze.' I spend my night emptying a few bottles of whisky. Hindi ako makatulog. I only meant to take a shot. But it didn't numb the pain. I took a few more until it's morning time and I have to drive back to Davao.

I looked like a lunatic with my disheveled hair and totally messed up clothes. I smelled alcohol which my mother will slap if she sees me at this state. I hurriedly showered. But, I remember I didn't have spare clothes with me. Wala akong choice kundi dumaan sa bahay para makapagpalit ng damit.

I wasn't expecting to see Chevelle sa bahay having breakfast with my parents with Lionel. They seemed happy. My dad was talking business with Del Mundo. I saddenly felt an outcast sa sarili kong pamilya. Then my phone started ringing, Every one stared at me with Chevelle darted a deadly glare at me. I pressed the end button without answering Audrey's call. Then it rang again.

"Are you not answering your needy lover, Blaze?You might need to take her to the ER," kumento ni Chevelle na kinainis ko. "You are not even married sunod-sunuran ka na agad sa kaniya."