Blood Between Us

CHAPTER 20

VIREAUX ESTATE

Ciaran knocked on his mother’s office before he went inside.

“You’re late,” Celestine said, not looking up from her glass of wine as Ciaran entered her office.

Hindi lang si Celestine ang nasa loob ng opisina nito. Nakita rin ni Ciaran si Ramon ang bodyguard ng kaniyang in ana si Ramon at ang kapatid niya na nakatayo sa may glass wall, with his arms folded and his gazed bouncing between their mother and older brother.

“Ano bang sasabihin niyo?” tanong ni Ciaran sa walang emosyong boses. “And I’m not in the mood.”

Celestine finally looked up, cool and regal in her tailored blazer. “Then let’s not waste. I know about her.”

Napatigil si Ciaran. “About who?” tanong niya at sumulyap kay Lucien.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Celestine. “Don’t play dumb, Ciaran. That woman.”

Umigting ang panga ni Ciaran. “Her name is Esther, Mom,” he said. “Not that woman.”

Lucien shifted in his place, as of preparing for an impact. Parang nakikita na niya kasi ang mangyayari kapag ganito ang usapan ng Kuya Ciaran niya at ng kanilang ina. His brother was protective to Esther.

Celestine remained composed. “Fine. Esther. I had her background checked.”

Mahinang tumawa si Ciaran ng walang buhay. “Of course, you did.” At hindi na siya nagtaka pa doon.

“She comes from a modest family. Running a small construction firm and barely breaking into commercial development—”

“Their company values transparency,” Ciaran interject.

Celestine continued, otherwise. “—that kind of background won’t help our name. Vireaux Global needs alliances, not distractions.”

“Mom, Esther is not a distraction,” Ciaran snapped.

Tumayo si Celestine mula sa swivel chair na kaniyang kinauupuan. “You were raised for this. To lead and to expand what your late father had built. And marrying Grace would secure our stake in three different cross-continental ventures—”

“Stop.” Ciaran’s voice cut across the room.

Nagbaba naman ng tingin si Lucien at nanatili siyang tahimik. Sa totoo lang gusto na niyang umalis doon pero hindi naman siya makaalis.

“I don’t want Grace whoever that woman was,” maydiing sabi ni Ciaran. “I never did.”

“She’s suitable for you, Ciaran,” Celestine insisted. “You think with your heart now and that’s dangerous for a man in your position.”

Sinalubong ni Ciaran ang tingin ng kaniyang ina. “Esther is the suitable woman for me. Not because I like her but because I choose her.”

Celestine’s voice turned to warning. “Don’t make me remind you what loyalty looks like.”

Gumalaw si Ramon na nakatayo lamang sa gilid,

Ngumisi si Ciaran and pointed at Ramon. “Don’t try,” he warned without looking and looking at his mother. “No,” he said firmly. “For once, I get to choose. And I’m choosing the one woman who doesn’t want me for my name, my power, or the money in my blood. Ang Grace na gusto niya. Pangalan lang at pera ang gusto niya sa pamilya natin. And also, power. Because a Vireaux name could over turn the tide.”

Umatras si Ciaran habang nakaigting ang kaniyang panga. “I’ll fight for her,” he said. “Even if that means fighting you.”

And without another word, Ciaran turned and left the room.

Celestine stood there, unmoving but still composed. But her fingers tightening around her glass.

Napabuga naman ng hangin si Lucien. Aalis na rin sana siya pero napatigil siya nang tawagin siya ng kaniyang ina.

“Lucien.”

Lucien looked at his mother. “Mom, you’ve changed. Hindi na ikaw ang ina na parehong kilala ni Kuya na maaruga at mabait sa amin. Remember, Mom. When Dad died, he asked you to protect us, not to control me and Kuya Ciaran. I’m sorry but if you want me to talk to my brother to change his mind, I won’t do that. Because finally, I get to see my brother’s genuine smile and that’s because of Esther.”

And with that Lucien left without looking back.

Celestine slammed the glass on her table. Napabuga siya ng hangin. “They’re trying to fight against me.”

Dinukot niya ang cellphone sa bulsa ng suot niyang coat at tinawagan si Grace.

Meanwhile, Grace was at her office. Her manicured nails tapped on the marble top table. Then her phone rang.

Agad na gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni Grace nang makita niya kung sino ang tumatawag. “Tita,” she answered sweetly.

Celestine didn’t bother with greetings. “I’ve sent you an address, my dear.”

Napaayos ng upo si Grace. “What’s this?” she asked as she looked at the address sent to her.

“Go to that address and deal with the woman who bewitched my son.”

Naningkit ang mata ni Grace. “What? Someone bewitched my man? Who’s that girl, Tita?” she asked.

“She’s nothing,” Celestine said coldly. “An architect from a small-time family firm. But she has my son wrapped around her finger.”

Napatigil si Grace. Then she chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “You’re serious, Tita.”

“I’m always serious, Grace. You said you wanted my son. Now is your chance. I’ll send you her information.”

“Okay, Tita,” Grace replied, her tone bright again. “Consider it handled.”

And the call ended.

Unti-unting ibinaba ni Grace ang hawak na cellphone. Her hand curling tightly around it, so tight that her knuckled whitened.

She wasn’t angry.

She was furious.

Someone, some nobody, wanted to steal Ciaran Vireaux from her?

The man she dreamed of marrying ever since.

Not a chance.

Ciaran belonged to her.

They were practically promised to each other. His mother approved that she would be the next Vireaux Matriarch and the board was expecting it. She was the obvious choice

At ngayon may nagbabalak na aagaw ng lalaking papakasalan niya.

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Grace. Hindi siya papayag.

She stood abruptly and grabbed her coat.

That woman had no idea who she was dealing with.

She would make sure that this woman, who was trying to steal Ciaran from her, will understood one thing clearly that there was only room for one woman in Ciaran Vireaux’s life and it was only her, Grace Teves.

Siya lang at wala ng iba.

AFTER WORK, Ciaran fixed his things—compiled the folders in his table, turned off his computer, put his phone inside his coat pocket and left his office. Imbes na umuwi siya sa penthouse, dumeretso siya sa condo ng kasintahan.

Pero halos sa condo na ni Esther siya umuuwi.

Bilang na lang ang mga pagkakataon na nagagawi siya sa penthouse.

Para kasing hindi niya maramdaman na bahay ang penthouse niya. He felt homier in Esther’s condo.

After getting out of the building, he went to his car, slid inside and started the engine. Before driving, he removed his blazer, his tie and unbuttoned two buttons of his long sleeve. Then drove towards Esther’s condo.

A SOFT KNOCK echoed through the door. Katatapos lamang ni Esther na magluto ng hapunan. Napatingin siya sa may orasan. Alam niyang si Ciaran ang kumatok. Napailing na lamang siya. She had given Ciaran a key to her condo, para hindi na ito kumatok kapag pupunta ito pero ayaw nitong gamitin.

Hinubad niya ang suot na apron saka nagtungo sa may pintuan. Binuksan niya ito at nakita niya si Ciaran. No blazer, no tied and no cold business mask. Just Ciaran she gets to know with his shoulder’s tense, jaw tight, eyes full of something she hadn’t seen before.

“Hi,” Esther greeted quietly.

“Sweetheart.”

Esther stepped aside for Ciaran to come inside.

Pumasok naman si Ciaran at pagkasara ng pinto, agad niyang niyakap ang kasintahan.

“You okay?” tanong ni Esther sa maalumanay na boses.

Humigpit ang yakap ni Ciaran sa kasintahan. “I’m not okay,” he admitted. “I needed to see you.”

Ngumiti si Esther. “You always come here, Ran. This is your home now.”

“How?” Ciaran asked.

Napailing si Esther. “By using the key, I gave you.”

Tipid na ngumiti si Ciaran.

“Anong problema, Ran?” tanong ni Esther at hinagod ang likod ni Ciaran.

Ciaran let go of Esther and sat on the sofa. He gently pulled Esther and made her sit on his lap. Paharap na nakaupo sa kaniya ang kasintahan. He held her on her waist and Esther held onto his neck.

Esther was looking at Ciaran.

“Sweetheart, Mom had talked to me.”

Natigilan si Esther. Bumilis ang t***k ng kaniyang puso sa hindi malamang kadahilanan. “Anong pinag-usapan niyo?” tanong niya pero may ideya na siya kung ano ang pinag-usapan ni Ciaran at ng ina nito.

“She said you weren’t suitable for me. That I should marry someone… more strategic for the family business.”

Napalunok si Esther. Inaasahan na niya ito. Ciaran would either walked away, leave her or fight for her. But she hoped for the latter.

“But I told her I will fight for you.” Sabi ni Ciaran saka idinikit ang noo sa noo ng kasintahan. “Esther, trust me.”

Ipinikit ni Esther ang mata. “Ran…”

“Magtiwala ka sa akin,” Ciaran said softly. “I don’t want power plays. I don’t want alliance. I only want you. A genuine relationship with you.”

Then Ciaran took Esther’s hand and put it on his chest.

Ramdam ni Esther ang mabilis na pagtibok ng puso ni Ciaran na kapareho sa kaniya.

“Ran?”

“Hmm?”

“I want to ask you something,” Esther said as she opened her eyes. “And I need you to tell me the truth.”

Tumango si Ciaran. “Anything, sweetheart.”

“Why would you fight for me?” Esther asked.

Ciaran didn’t answer immediately. He reached out, brushing his knuckles gently against Esther’s cheek. “Mahal kita, eh.”

Nahigit ni Esther ang hininga.

“Mahal na mahal kita,” Ciaran said again, his voice was crackling softly like the truth had waited too long to be free.

Napakurap naman si Esther. “Paanong…”

“Esther,” Ciara cut her off, shaking his head with a tired and quiet laugh. “Don’t ask me because I don’t know how, what, why, when, or where I did fall in love with you.” Hinawakan niya ang kamay ni Esther na nakahawak sa kaniyang dibdib. “Basta ang alam ko, ikaw lang,” dagdag niya.

Esther bit her lower lip. She was overwhelmed.

“Ikaw ang gusto kong makasama sa lahat ng bagay. Gusto kong nandiyan ka. Ikaw ang gusto kong uwian at higit sa lahat, makasama ko hanggang pagtanda.”

Namuo ang luha sa mata ni Esther. “Ran…”

Ciaran leaned closer. His forehead gently pressing against Esther’s. “I’m not perfect, Esther. I’ve made mistakes. I’m not good at saying things right. Pero pagdating sa ‘yo, I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

Ipinikit ni Esther ang kaniyang mata. She let herself feel it and believed it.

And then in the quiet of that ordinary room filled with too many feelings for words, Esther whispered back, “mahal din kita.”

Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ni Ciaran bago niya kinabig ang batok ni Esther at hinalikan ito sa labi.

Naghiwalay lamang ang kanilang labi nang kusang lumayo si Esther dahil mapupugto na ang kaniyang hininga.

“Ran, lalamig na ‘yong dinner natin.”

Ciaran chuckled and carried Esther like a kid. “Then let’s eat. Bago pa ikaw ang makain ko.”

Esther bit Ciaran’s shoulder.