Hopeless [Heartthrob Billionaire Series #3]

Chapter Two

BLUE

SKY

I was still sleeping so peacefully when I was suddenly awakened by the loud ringing of my phone. I knew it was still too early dahil maaga naman akong nagigising usually. I’m a morning person cause I always work out during mornings. Kaya who the hell is calling me at such an early time?

I got even more annoyed when I looked at the window of my room and saw that it was still dark outside. f**k.

I answered the phone without looking at the caller ID. “Fuck.” I cursed when the headache suddenly attacked me. f*****g hangover. “Hello.”

“Are you cursing at me, Maicky?!” My already aching head ached even more when I heard the familiar high pitched tone from the other end. f**k. Agad kong inilayo ang phone sa aking tainga. Damn. Ang aga-aga pa. Ano na naman kayang kailangan ng isang to? Hindi ba siya aware na masyado pang maaga para tumawag? Damn it. This better be important.

Napabuntong hininga na lamang ako. Kahit na gaano pa ako kairitable sa pagtawag niya? I can’t be grumpy with her or she’ll surely have my head for it. “I wasn’t. What is it, Maya?”

Maya is my older sister. She’s living in Vegas with her husband and two kids. Doon na sila nanirahan simula nang mabuntis siya at magpakasal sila four years ago. She calls me from time to time to check up on me. She’s my only sibling after all. She thinks she’s responsible for me as the older one.

“Ang aga-aga ang suplado mo.” She laughed.

I just groaned. “I’m still hung over, Maya. What is it? I want to get back to sleep so say it fast.”

“Don’t go back to sleep. Sunduin mo kami rito sa airport.”

What she said made me get up from bed instantly. My vision blurred due to my sudden movement. f**k. I hate this f*****g hangover. “You’re coming home today?”

“We’re already here at the airport, dummy.” She chuckled. “Now get up, sleepyhead! Sunduin mo na kami now na. I hate waiting. You know that.”

“You’re so demanding.” I couldn’t help but say.

She laughed. “It's okay, dear brother. You love me naman.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, right.”

“Bilis na! Don’t even think of taking a bath. Just go here as fast as you can.”

Napailing na lamang ako habang tinatapos ang tawag. Gaya ng sinabi niya, I didn’t bother showering. Damn. Buti na lang I showered before sleeping last night. I would surely reek of alcohol and smoke now if I didn’t. Wala talaga akong planong maligo pa cause I value my sanity than my shower. Maya will throw a b***h fit at me kapag pinaghintay ko sila ng matagal. My sister is spoiled rotten you see.

I hurried off to the bathroom to wash my face and at least brush my teeth. When I finished, I ran fast to my walk in closet and changed into a comfortable pair of grey hoodie and sweatpants. I didn’t bother wearing shoes too. I settled with a pair of Gucci sliders.

On the way out, I was about to grab the key to my Vanquish when I remembered I was fetching Maya and the kids. For sure, marami rin silang bagahe kaya siguradong hindi kakasya roon ang kanilang mga dala. I decided to use my Prado instead.

I checked my wrist watch as I made my way to the garage. It was fifteen minutes past five AM. Halos labing limang minuto ang ginugol ko sa pag-aayos. Now I have about twenty minutes more para makarating sa airport. Damn. Mas lalo kong binilisan ang mga kilos ko. Nang makasakay sa Prado ay agad kong ini- start ang engine at nagmaniobra palabas. Good thing the guard was quick enough to open the gates kaya mabilis rin akong nakaalis. Soon enough, I was on the highway papuntang airport.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako ng pagmamaneho nang tumunog ang aking phone. I connected it to the car immediately para mas maging komportable sa pakikipag-usap sa tumatawag. I was a bit worried na si Maya na ang tumatawag dahil naiinip na pero nang marinig ang tinig ng nasa kabilang linya ay napabuntong hininga na lamang ako. She’s not calling yet so that means hindi pa masyadong naiinip doon sa airport ang isang yon.

“Good Morning, Sir.” I heard the familiar formal tone of Simon, my executive assistant.

“Good morning, Simon. What is it?” I said in my usual business-like tone.

I heard him clear his throat from the other line before he spoke. “Sir, the Swiss client will be arriving at eight o'clock in the morning. The meeting will be at Empire Hotel. 9AM pronto, sir.”

“That is noted. Make sure the client will be comfortable during their stay, Simon. This is a huge deal for us. We can’t lose this.” I told him. This is a $50 billion deal we are eyeing. Our company recently developed a new drug that could be the cure for an ongoing virus in Switzerland. Being one of the first few companies to develop such drug, a private group from Switzerland is now eyeing the first batch of the said drug. The drug is soon to finish its clinical trial and in a few months will be available in the market.

We need to secure this deal because our competitors from Europe and China are also on clinical trial now. We wanted to be the first to officially be accredited for this drug. This will be an even bigger break for the company.

“You don’t have to worry, sir. Everything is under control. We will secure this deal.”

“Good. I trust you, Simon.” I said. “Also, make sure to contact Lewis from the Europe office. I also need updates about the thing I told you last time.”

“Yes, sir. Noted.”

“Okay. I will see you at the Empire later. For now, I have to fetch the witch at the airport.”

Agad kong napansin ang pagtahimik ng kabilang linya. I almost thought he hung up on me.

“Please do send my regards to Ms. Maya. Have a good day, sir.”

I cleared my throat. Now I feel bad about it. “Will do.”

Napailing na lamang ako matapos tapusin ang tawag. Maybe it was a mistake mentioning that to him. But then it’s been five years right? Surely, he moved on already. I mean, they broke up five years ago and Maya’s married for four years now. Hmmm…

Simon and Maya had a thing way before I even trained in handling the company. They were classmates in college and after graduating they realized just how in love they were with each other. Well that was based on my sister's stories from back then. Damn, I could still remember the torture of listening to her love life. It was seriously dreadful.

I didn't know what happened to them but after almost seven years into their relationship, they decided to call it quits. That was the same year I took over the company and Simon became my assistant. Simon became a friend because aside from being my sister’s boyfriend, he also used to be my father’s assistant. He actually helped me a lot with the work dahil nang mga panahong iyon ay mas gamay niya ang kompanya.

My father stepped down from the position of CEO sa pharmaceutical company namin and decided to focus at the hospital business. My father is a doctor s***h businessman. I decided not to follow on his footsteps of becoming a doctor kaya business and pharmacy ang tinapos ko noon. Inuna ko ang business and then I somehow jumped into pharmacy para mas maintindihan ko ang field. My sister decided to be a doctor though. But she prefers to work in the US since that’s where she’s living now.

So going back to the two… While my sister got married to a douche she now calls husband, Simon never had a relationship after her. He never dated again. Damn. Naiisip ko na lang minsan, inaasahan pa ba niyang magkakabalikan sila ng kapatid ko? If you ask me, I think that’s stupid. Why chase or wait for a girl who’s already committed?

Fuck. I can’t even imagine myself chasing after some girl. Magseryoso pa kaya? Damn… It’s more fun being single. Walang tali. Malayang magagawa ang anumang gustuhin mo.

But then that’s just me. And I guess there are two types of men in this world. Me and Simon.

Anyways, a few minutes later lang, dahil sa bilis ng pagda- drive ko ay narating ko na din sa wakas ang airport. I already texted the witch kaya alam kong naghihintay na sila sa arrival area.

Pero pagdating at pag-park ko roon ay wala akong namataang Maya. Napagpasyahan ko na lamang lumabas sa aking sasakyan para mas madali silang makita. I texted Maya again saying na narito na ako.

Habang iniikot ko ang paningin sa paligid ay agad kong namataan ang isang pamilyar na pigura. Well, she wasn’t that hard to spot. I mean with a towering height and slim body like that, anyone’s attention would surely be glued to her. Damn, look at those t**s.

Hmm… I really don’t know why but there really is that sense of familiarity I have with her. But it really is impossible for me to forget having s*x with her though. I never forget the women I slept with. The name, yes but the face? Never

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa naglalakad na si Aria Ross. She really has this cold air in her pero the girl’s f*****g hot, I admit. She’s like one of the hottest girls I’ve ever seen. Sayang lang dahil hindi ako pumoporma. Kahit gaano pa siya ka-hot, no way am I breaking my rules for her.

I did that once and I just felt stupid. No way I am doing that again.

And if what Shin said was true, magsasayang lang ako ng oras. I won’t even chase a willing girl, what more iyong nagpapakipot. Damn.

My forehead immediately knotted when I saw the scene in front of my eyes. Allergic my ass! Mukhang may itinatago lang naman palang boyfriend ang isang to. How else can you explain the hugging and kissing on the cheek scene then? And the way she smiled at the guy. Damn…

Napailing na lamang ako. Why the f**k do I even care?

Pero that girl surely is weird. I’ve never seen her before and I don’t remember saying that line to any girl before. Sky Contierra doesn’t hit on girls. f*****g weird. How the hell did she know about it?

“Tito Sky!!” I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard a small, high pitched voice squealed. I looked back at the direction where it came from and saw my niece running excitedly towards me.

A smiled formed on my lips and I instantly kneeled down with my arms wide open. I welcomed my adorable and beautiful niece as she threw herself at me. She wrapped her small arms around my neck and kissed my face all over. She was giggling when she pulled away to look at me. Her eyes were twinkling with happiness when she met mine. My adorable little princess is glad to see me.

“Hey, princess. Missed me?”

“Yes! Yes!” She yelled happily while nodding vigorously. Muli niyang iniyakap ang kanyang maliliit na braso sa aking leeg. Inalalayan ko siya at saka kinarga bago humarap sa papalapit kong kapatid. My beautiful but witch of a sister grinned as she approached me. Naglalakad sa kanyang tabi ang isa ko pang pamangkin na kitang-kita ko ang kasiyahan sa kanyang asul na mga mata habang papalapit sa akin.

I smiled and urged him to come to me. Blue walked to me at agad na yumakap sa aking baywang. Tinapik ko ang kanyang ulo. “Hey, buddy. Long time no see.”

“Uncle Sky…” Bleu smiled up at me, his blue eyes twinkling. “I’m happy to see you.”

“I’m glad to see you too, Blue.”

Napalingon ako sa aking likuran nang maalala ang tinitingnan kanina. When I looked back, my eyes immediately caught Aria’s. Her oversized sunglasses were already gone. I was stunned for a second. My forehead knotted. Without her glasses, I couldn’t help but really think I’ve seen her before. Damn it…

Where have I seen her before? That’s the kind of face you’ll never forget. Tangina.

I don’t know if I want her so bad in my bed that I am hallucinating things or talagang nakilala ko na siya noon.

Her expression didn’t even falter even when our gazes met. She looked so blank and unaffected. Totally different from the last time I saw her. Hmm… What kind of game is she playing right now? Tuluyan siyang nag-iwas ng tingin nang igiya siya ng lalaking kasama papasok sa sasakyan nito.

Aria Ross… who are you?

“Who was that?” Maya asked, making me snap back to reality. Nang balingan ko siya ay mayroon na siyang nakalolokong ngiti. Damn. Kung anu- ano na naman siguro ang naiisip nito.

I shook my head lightly. “Just a model…”

“You like her?” She queried. Kinunutan ko lang ng noo ang aking kapatid. When did she ever hear na may gusto akong babae. She knows me better than anyone. Hindi na niya dapat ako tinatanong pa ng ganoon.

“Well, I’d like to do her.” Kibit balikat kong sagot.

She snorted. “Naturally… pero iba tingin mo sa kanya, baby bro.”

“I look at her the same way as I look at the other girls, Maya. Stop giving meaning to it.”

“Why did you look so pissed when that man held her though?” Pangungulit pa niya. “You like her, Maicky! Don’t deny it.”

“I don’t, okay. I just remembered something.”

“Sure doesn’t look like it to me.”

“Stop pushing it, Maya.”

She just rolled her eyes at me. “Why are you so afraid ba kasi to fall in love? Kita naman sayo na you like her.”

“Just because I looked at her differently doesn’t mean I like her Maya.”

“It’s because you look at her differently that says you like her. Ang in denial mo masyado.”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at her words. She’s so in love that she thinks everyone around her can fall in love too.

Binuksan ko na lamang ang pinto ng backseat ng Prado at ipinasok roon si Daphne. Sunod kong tinulungan si Blue na makasakay roon. Nang maikabit at maayos ko ang seatbelt nang dalawa ay binalingan ko ang kapatid ko.

“Not everyone is capable of loving, Maya.”

She frowned at me. “Everyone has a heart, brother. Everyone is capable of falling in love.”

“The thing you call love doesn’t happen in the heart, dear sister. It’s all in the brain.”

Maya winced at me. “Same thing. You have a brain kaya you’re capable of loving.”

“I use my head wisely, Maya. I’m not gonna find a damn thing to hit my own head with. I don’t need that kind of problem in my life. I’m good.”

“God! You’re stubborn! Para kang si Da--”

“Don’t even go there, Maya.” I said sternly.

My sister is usually the boss pero sa mga ganitong pagkakataon na seryoso na ako, she knows better than to push my buttons.

She pouted and just sighed. Tinapik niya ang aking balikat bago tuluyang yumakap. “Okay. Ate will shut up na. Wag na gagalit ang baby ko ha?”

I just rolled my eyes. Nang nakita niya iyon ay umakma pa siyang hahalik sa aking pisngi kaya lumayo na ako. “Pasok na sa loob. I’ll take care of your things.”

“Suplado. Ayaw na pa-kiss sa ate. Gusto sa mga babae niya lang hahalik.”

“Just go, Maya.” Pagtataboy ko sa kanya. Pero ngumisi din ako bago siya tuluyang sumunod. “Don’t worry though. I don’t use my lips when I do my girls.”

“Eww! Maicky! TMI ha!”

Tinawanan ko lang siya. Well, she started it.

But what I said was true. I don’t kiss women on their lips. I also don’t do foreplay with my mouth. I never had a problem with it. I can satisfy anyone without having to kiss anyways.

Kissing is too intimate for me. And I don’t like that.

It’s all f**k for me.

But I don’t mind receiving oral. Just don’t expect me to do the same. Cause I will never.

Sumunod si Maya sa sinabi ko at umikot para magtungo sa shotgun. Mag- isa kong inasikaso ang kanilang mga bagahe at inilagay iyon sa likuran ng sasakyan. Of course I didn’t bother asking my spoiled sister for help dahil alam kong hindi rin siya tutulong. And I can do it on my own naman.

Nang matapos ang paglo- load ko ng mga gamit nila sa likuran ng sasakyan ay sumakay ako sa driver’s seat. I turned on the engine bago bumaling sa aking kapatid. “San ko kayo ihahatid? Sa bahay ko o sa mansyon?”

“Dad's. He's waiting for us there.” She answered. Nagsimula na akong magmaneho pagkatapos niyang sumagot. “I hope you’ll stay for breakfast and lunch, Maicky. Let’s catch up. Minsan lang kami umuwi.”

“Sorry, I can't today. I have an early morning meeting.” Agad kong sinabi sa kanya. I turned to her and gave her an apologetic look. She immediately frowned at my answer. “They’re VIPs, Maya. Investors from Switzerland and it’s billions of dollars deal. I can’t postpone. Sorry.”

She sighed, disappointment etched on her face. “Okay… there’s nothing I can do naman. Malaking deal nga. I know how much you love the company kaya go lang.”

“You won’t stay, uncle?” I heard Blue ask from the backseat.

I looked at him through the rearview mirror and saw the disappointed look on his face. “Yes, Blue. Uncle has a meeting today so I have to go after taking you home to granddad’s.”

“I thought we can bond now I am home, uncle… you’re like dad. You’re always busy too.” He sighed before looking away and directing his gaze at the window.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Maya. She smiled sadly at me. “He was so excited to come home because of you. Alam mo naman… palaging busy si George kaya he rarely spends time at home. Blue misses him so much. He craves attention from his papa so much…”

“He can’t even spend time with his son? Anong klase bang tatay yang asawa mo?” I said in a hushed but angry tone.

“Don’t get mad at George… I already told you before diba? Medyo malayo ang loob niya sa bata dahil sa past niya.”

“Bakit ibubunton niya sa bata? Iniwan na ng nanay ang bata. Kulang na lang pabayaan niya rin ang sariling anak niya.” I said through gritted teeth.

Muli kong ibinalik ang tingin sa pamangkin na malungkot ang tingin habang nanunuod sa labas ng bintana. Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon ko nararamdaman na may puso pa nga ako. My heart aches for the little boy. Alam ko ang pakiramdam na tila walang nagmamahal sayo… I know it all too well…

Kaya rin siguro kahit na hindi ko siya totoong kadugo ay ganoon na lamang kalambot ang puso ko sa batang ito. I could somehow see myself in him. I could see the young Sky in him…

“Don’t worry I will make sure to take you guys out during the weekend. I promise I will visit and spend the whole day with you guys.” I said.

Agad namang bumalik ang tingin sa akin ni Blue. The happiness and excitement filled his expressive blue eyes again. “Really, uncle? You promise?”

I looked at him through the rearview mirror and smiled. “Yes, buddy. It’s a promise.”

“Yay!!” He shouted happily.

I turned to my sister and saw she was smiling appreciatively at me. I just smiled back. I love these kids and I'll do anything to make them happy. I’ll do whatever I can for them. If I had to act like their father, I will.

I looked at Blue again. It’s enough that he’s happy.

Don’t worry bud. Uncle is always here for you.