Chapter 14
1412 Words
I feel like I have to do something.
Napahiga ako sa kama at tumingin sa kisame.
So... we're married now.
Does that mean... we're going to do that?
Nag-init ang aking pisngi at pakiramdam ko ay napunta lahat ng dugo ko sa aking mukha. What the hell am I thinking?
I covered my face with both of my hands because I feel embarrassed of what I was thinking just now. Kahit ako lang naman ang nasa loob ng kwarto.
Inalis ko rin ang kamay ko sa aking mukha at bumuntong-hininga.
Naisip ko ang nangyari kanina sa reception. Masama ba akong tao kung sasabihin kong I feel satisfied seeing Lorraine in that miserable state?
I feel like I'm committing a sin just because I feel no pity for her earlier. But why would I? Of all the things she has done to me... shouldn't I at least feel nothing at all even if she's suffering like that?
That scene where Lorraine was dumbstruck looking at Dad for not choosing her is replaying in my mind. I can't help but to smile and feel triumphant.. note, just because of that.
I feel like a villain.
And now that I think of it...
Should I...
Should I try to fight back?
I've been holding back myself for the past years I was with them to avoid more conflicts and misunderstanding.
But I'm no longer with them, aren't I?
Should... should I try?
"Lady Lesley."
Kaagad akong napabangon nang marinig ang boses ni Kristine sa labas ng kwarto. Kristine is the personal maid Vallen assigned for me.
"Come in," sabi ko. Pumasok naman siya. Just like Ivan, she bowed first and greeted me.
"The reception has finally ended, Lady Lesley," sabi niya. Matapos kasi no'ng umalis ako doon kanina, hindi na ako bumalik. I just stayed here thinking about things.
Pinasabi ko na lang kay Kristine na hindi na ako babalik. Ivan went here earlier and relayed the message from Vallen, telling me to rest and it's okay if I do not go back there. Siya na raw ang bahala lalo na sa mga Lambrente.
And so, I stayed here.
Ngayon, gabi na. *evil laugh*
I took too much of my time staying here doing nothing.
"Where's Vallen?" I asked.
"Pinapasabi po niya na mauna na raw po kayong kumain sapagkat may kailangan pa siyang gawin." Pagbibigay-alam niya sa akin. at
Medyo nabawasan naman ang kaba sa aking dibdib.
"I see. Can you lead the way for me?" I asked kasi seryoso hanggang ngayon ngayon ay nililigaw pa rin ako sa mansyon na ito i haz many corners and hallways, and to have me here who has no sense of direction, I'd ended up getting lost for sure.
"Yes, Lady Lesley," she said. Iginaya niya ako palabas ng kwarto. Sumunod naman ako.
We've past many corners and hallways already bit we're still not reach our destination yet. Why is this mansion so large?
Wondering why we're walking instead of using elevator? It's because I suggested it para mas maging familiar ako.
Makalipas ang ilang minuto pang paglalakad, nakarating na kami sa dining hall. But to my surprise, may mga tao pala doon.
Yes, mga.
"Good evening, Lesley." Nakangiting bati ni Cohen.
"Good evening." Parehas na sabi ni Tyson at Liam.
"What are you doing here?" tanong ko. I was surprised so I asked that all of a sudden. "A-Ah, I mean—"
"Nakikikain lang kami. Aalis din kami kasi for sure, hindi magpapaistorbo si Alejo sa honeymoon n'yo." It was Tyson who said that. He wasn't looking at me and his focus was on his food.
But what did he say?
Did he just say honeymoon?
"W-What are you t-talking about?" I asked, looked away with flustered face.
I glanced at them and saw them looking at me. Mayamaya lamang ay ngumiti ng nakakaloko si Tyson.
"I see. Someone's looking forward to it, huh." Nakangisi niyang sabi.
"HEY! I'M NOT!" Depensa ko. It's not like I'm looking forward doing it. No, it's not like that. It. Is. Not!
"Too defensive." He grimaced.
Kumunot ang aking noo. Argh, bakit nakakairita si Tyson?!
"Stop teasing her, Tyson." Liam! Sabi ko na, siya lang talaga ang nakakapagtahimik kay Tyson.
"Oo nga. Kumain ka na lang dyan," sabi naman ni Cohen.
Tyson pouted. "KJs," aniya at pinagpatuloy ang pagkain niya.
"Kain ka na pala, Lesley." Alok sa akin ni Cohen. Naupo naman na ako. Pinaghandaan ako ni Kristjne ng pagkain kahit sinabi kong ako na.
Saka siya tumayp sang gilid nang matapos.
Nagsimula na rin akong kumain. They are having fun even while eating. They keep talking to me and asked me questions.
"I am meaning to ask this when I knew you're from Lambrente," sabi ni Cohen. "But you were Dylan's fiancée, weren't you?" Dagdag niyang tanong.
"You know Dylan?" I asked. So that's why when I said introduced myself as Lambrente, it's as if he's remembering something.
"Yeah, I do. His and my family are business partners and I hear it from them. But, what happened? They said you backed out?" Ah, he's curious.
It is not something I am comfortable to tell other people but how am I supposed to tell him that?
"That's—"
"That's because she's meant to be my wife."
Napatingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses. It was Vallen, tulak-tulak ni Ivan ang wheelchair niya.
I don't know why but I feel like my face brightens and my eyes shine when I looked at him.
Tumingin siya sa'kin. "Did you rest well?" he asked. Tumango lang ako.
"Are you done eating?" tanong pa niya.
"Almost done," I answered.
"Okay. Now continue eating." Utos niya na sinunod ko naman.
"And the three of you," tawag ni Vallen sa tatlo. I saw how Tyson flinched.
"Get out of here once you're done eating," sabi niya. Sabay-sabay tumingin ang tatlo kay Vallen at sinabing, "Yes, Master!"
Was that sarcasm? It doesn't look like one. More like, Vallen is the leader of the group. That's cute.
Naghintay si Vallen hanggang sa matapos akong kumain. Nagpaalam na ako sa tatlo na mauuna na ako sa kanila. They bid goodbye at me but Tyson was looking like an idiot for smiling playfully at me. I mean, seriously.
Ngayon ay ako na ang nagtutulak kay Vallen.
Habang naglalakad, isa lang ang nasa isip ko. Are we really going to do it?
With that single thought, my heart can't seem to help but beats fast and feel nervous. How am I supposed to calm in this moment?
Nakarating kami sa elevator. I pushed the button, the door opened and we get on.
Nang bumukas ang elevator, lumabas na kami. Vallen is telling me where to go kasi hindi ba nga, hindi ko pa alam pasikot-sikot dito.
Nakarating kami sa kwarto namin. I opened the door and pushed him inside. Pagkapasok ko, sinarado ko ang pinto.
Hindi tumigil ang puso ko sa pagpintig ng mabilis dahil sa kaba.
Humarap na ako sa kaniya but to my surprise, he's now taking his clothes off!
I immediately covers my eyes. I opened a gap in my right eye to still see him taking off his clothes. "W-W-What a-are you do-doing?!" Hindi magkadaugaga kong sabi.
Tumingin siya sa'kin.
"Help me shower," he said.
Napakurap ako sa ilang beses.
Ah, shower.
So I'm going to help him shower?
Just that?
Inalis ko ang kamay sa aking mukha at nag-iwas ng tingin.
"Okay," sagot ko.
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila palapit sa kaniya. He then place my hand on his face, hinalikan pa niya kamay ko.
It made my butterflies run wild for the nth time.
He looked at me and the way he looked sent shivers down to my spine. I feel like he's gonna eat me alive.
"Lesley."
Napalunok ako.
"Yes?" I nervously asked.
"Let's go and help me shower," aniya.
Napapikit ako. "Fine," sabi ko.
Pagmulat ko, tila tumigil ang mundo.
I was starstruck and couldn't move. I gaped and feel like my jaw would drop any time.
Vallen... he's laughing.
I don't know the reason he's laughing but this is the first time I saw him laughing!
Argh, he's so handsome that my heart couldn't take it!
"Let's go?" he asked, smiling at me.
"Yes, master," nasabi ko. He chuckled.
Dang, his laughter is like music to my ears.
Tinulak ko na siya papasok sa banyo. Hindi yata ako mamamatay sa kaba, mamamatay yata ako dahil kay Vallen mismo.
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- Writer
