His Revenge

Chapter 3 - Heartless

Chapter 3 - Heartless

"Lana!"

Napatigil naman si Lana sa pagbabasa ng mga notes niya nang biglang sumulpot si Cheska sa harapan niya. Nasa isang pulic library kasi silang dalawa. She was studying for an exam on her medicine course. Pagkatapos kasi niyang grumaduate ng Nursing, nagproceed siya ng medicine. While her best friend, Cheska, nagtapos ito bilang fashion designer. She was even now starting to build her own name in the fashion industry.

"Ches," she then kissed her friend's cheek after Cheska sat opposite at her.

"Remember Gino? Yung classmate mo sa medicine na ipinakilala mo sa kin, niligawan niya ako!" Cheska then squealed at her. Parang kilig na kilig pa ito nang sabihin sa kanya iyon.

Nagulat naman si Lana sa sinabi nito. She knew... She knew she was hurt.

"Ah.. K-Kailan ka niya niligawan?" she tried her voice to be lively too. Gino Marcus Cabrera was her friend and classmate sa medicine class niya. Yes, among all the male classmates she has, si Gino ang pinakaclose niya.

Nakilala ito ni Cheska nang minsan itong bumisita sa kanila sa public library. She was with Gino, they were studying together at that time. And starting on that day, both of the two quickly got along together. Nagkasundo kaagad ang dalawa.

Pero hindi naman niya aakalain na magkakamabutihan din ang dalawang taong may puwang sa puso niya.

"Kagabi, when he asked me to go out with him." Cheska answered enthusiastically. "Kaya nga kahit maaga, pinuntahan kita rito para lang sabihin iyon. Lana, kami na!"

—-

"You're on your smoking problems again, Chace. I thought you were out of it five years ago?"

Rinig na rinig ni Lana ang dalawang boses na nag-uusap ngayon sa loob ng opisina ng CEO ng Torres Corp. Yes, she still came here after all that happened last night. Kahit alam niyang medyo nabastos siya kagabi, when Mang Jeffrey gave him the newspaper, napag-isipan niyang intindihin na lang ito.

Besides, dapat din maging mahaba ang pasensya niya kung gusto niyang makuha ang restaurant ng mga magulang niya.

Ngayon, nasa labas siya ng opisina ni Chace habang may dala-dalang tray kung saan nakalagay ang tinimpla niyang coffee para rito. Baka kasi medyo lumamig ang ulo nito sa kanya with that kind of gesture.

"Hoo," huminga siya ng malalim. Aaminin niyang kinakabahan siya. Alam niyang not in good terms sila kagabi. But she's doing this for her parents, right?

Nabigla naman si Lana nang bumukas ang pinto sa harap niya at bumungad sa paningin niya ang isang pamilyar na lalake.

Si Chris Torres, the other brother of Cheska and Chace.

"Lana!" Nakangiting bati nito sa kanya as if everything was still okay. Magkamukhang-magkamukha talaga sina Chace at Chris sa pisikal. Both of the men were good-looking. The only difference is that Chris' eyes were always smiling while Chace were mere coldness.

"K-Kuya Chris." Nahihiyang bati ni Lana rito. Aminado siyang kalat na kalat na ang nangyari sa kanila ng kapatid nitong si Cheska. The issue which she was cheating with her best friend's boyfriend. At alam niyang alam na rin nito ang tungkol doon.

"Long time no see," Chris flashed a smile at her. Medyo nagtaka naman si Lana sa inasta nito, parang hindi ito galit sa kanya. "Dito ka pala? Akala ko ba nagduduty ka sa ospital? PGI ka diba?" naguguluhan nitong tanong sa kanya.

Napangiti naman si Lana rito. Nakakadala kasi ang mga ngiting ibinibigay nito sa kanya. Well, Chris was a celebrity that's why madali itong makakuha ng audience impact. If Cheska entered fashion and Chace entered business, si Chris naman ay pumasok sa pag-aartista.

"Uhmm.. Si Papa kasi kuya.. Ano.." nahihiyang sagot niya. Hindi niya alam kung dapat ba sabihin dito ang tungkol sa deal nila ni Chace, para lang makuha ang resto ulit ng mga magulang niya.

"Ah, oo." Chris then looked at her sympathetically. "Narinig ko ang nangyari kay Mr. Gregorio Tan. Sana gumaling na talaga siya."

Lana just smiled at him again, "T-Thanks kuya. Saka.. si C-Cheska? Kamusta siya? I mean.. I'm so sorry." Napayuko siya sa sinabi niya. Aminado siyang ang sobrang laki ng kasalanan niya sa best friend niya na kapatid nito.

Suddenly, she just felt someone patted her head. Naiangat naman niya ang ulo niya and then she saw Chris, giving her a smile of assurance. Alam niyang mas matangkad ito sa kanya. She was only at the neck level of the guy's height. "She's still recovering but I know both of you have different stories to tell, Lana. But I really hope na magiging maayos ang lahat sa inyong dalawa. Sige, mag-ingat ka ha? Kailangan ko ng kasi umalis eh." Anito saka tinapik siya sa balikat at nilagpasan siya.

Hindi namalayan ni Lana na may tumulong luha pala sa kanya. Kaagad niyang pinahid iyon gamit ang isa niyang kamay. Natawa siya. She didn't really expect that Chris Torres was still kind to her.

She breathed hard and prepared herself. Kumatok siya ng dalawang beses sa pinto ng opisina.

"Come in." A commanding male voice said. Then Lana finally entered the CEO's office.

—-

Naitaas naman ni Chace ang isang kilay niya nang biglang pumasok sa Lana sa opisina niya. He didn't expect na pupunta pa ito ngayon sa corporation remembering what happened to them last night.

"Why are you here, Ms. Tan?" he asked her suspiciously. Hindi ba dapat masama ang loob nito sa kanya dahil sa pinaggagagawa niya rito kahapon?

He noticed Lana gulped and breathed hard before she answered him, "N-Nandito ako.. k-kasi.. I'm still determined to get our resto back." She answered him fiercefully. Nakapangmaintenance uniform na ulit ito na tantiya niya, it was a new uniform because of what happened to them last night.

Chace was amused at the woman's answer. Matapang na matapang kasi ang dating nito.

"I'm still doing whatever you'll say para lang makuha ko ulit ang restaurant namin." She added. Napansin naman niya na may dala-dala itong coffee.

Chace grinned sarcastically, he was annoyed with the woman's attitude. Buong akala niya susuko ito at aalis na ng tuluyan. But no, that will not happen because first, he will make her life a living hell. "Fine," he put his hands up in the air, "Ikaw nagsabi n'yan so, if you still gonna do whatever I want then..." kinuha niya ang gabundok na files sa gilid niya. "Sort these files out, to credit and debit, whatever terms you will find out there, may form naman diyan kaya malalaman mo rin and also arrange them in alphabetical order."

He noticed Lana's expression became surprised. He smiled devilishly. He knew wala itong kaalam-alam sa mga business files and reports. And now, he's starting again to make her life a hell.  "You need to finish that today. Understand?" he commanded.

Tumango naman ito. "Y-Yes, s-sir." Halata sa mukha nito na mahihirapan ito.

"Good. I want you to prove yourself kung hindi ka nga stupid, Lana." He mischievously smiled. "Use my secretary's encoder and get the hell out here."

"And don't ask for help, kung malalaman kong humingi ka ng tulong, you and that f*****g person will be damned." He added sternly.

—-

Tapos na rin si Lana sa panghuling docment na i-eencode niya. Napabuntong-hininga na lang siya. Ewan ba niya, kahit aircon ang opisina ng secretary ng CEO, pinapawisan pa rin siya. Hindi nga rin niya alam kung tama ang pag-encode niya. Debit, credit, balance, sales, at kung anong pang business terms. Kung pangmedical terms lang sana iyon, madali lang para sa kanya gawin ang mga utos nito. Pero hindi. Aminado rin siyang 4pm na tapos hindi pa niya naaarrrange alphabetically ang mga files. Kasi ba naman, ang hirap talaga. Wala akong alam sa mga business terms. Ilang oras niya ginawa ang lahat ng iyon, isali na ang sobrang dami ng mga files. Mas okay na yata yung paglilinis niya sa mg CR kahapon.

"Ms. Tan, pinapapunta ka ni Sir Torres sa opisina niya, ngayon na raw." Sabi naman sa kanya ni Denise, ang secretary ni Chace. Sa mukha pa lang nito, talagang urgent na urgent na pumunta siya roon.

"S-Sige, pupunta na ako." Aniya at mabilis na umalis sa kinaroroonan niya. She immediately went to Chace' office which was just beside his secretary's office.

"S-Sir?" Nakapasok na nga si Lana sa opisina nito at napansin na nakatayo lang si Chace—specifically nakasandal sa office table nito sa gitna habang ang dalawang kamay nito ay nasa bulsa.

Nakaramdam na naman ng kaba si Lana. She's hoping what she is thinking right now is wrong.

"I'll be attending a party today. I don't have an escort, I'll bring you." He suddenly said, straight to the point.

Medyo nagulat naman si Lana sa sinabi nito. "P-Party? P-Pero.. ganito lang yung suot ko S-Sir." Sagot niya. Nakamaintenance uniform lang naman siya and it will be awful to see wearing those things in a party.

"No, hindi mo na kailangang magbihis, ganyan lang ang susuotin mo. Besides, escort lang naman ang kailangan ko." He coldy replied. Umayos na ito at lumapit sa kanya. "You'll be riding with me. We'll be going at my cousin's birthday party."

—-

"Chace, I'm glad you've come." Sabi 'nung babae na sumalubong sa kanila ni Chace at Lana. The woman immediately hugged Chace.

"Dadating ako. Para man lang may representative sa 'ming tatlo." Chace replied then the woman just chuckled. Lana guessed that the woman he was talking to was now in her late twenties. And the way the woman dressed was very elegant and poised. Halata rin dito na mayamang-mayaman din ito gaya ni Chace dahil sa mansion nito kung saan kasalukuyang nagaganap ang party.

Napansin naman siya 'nung babae, "Chace, who is this pretty lady?" anito saka ngitian siya.

"Lana," Chace quickly answered. "Ms. Lana Stephanie Tan, my date." He replied, rather poker-faced.

Medyo nagulat naman ang babae nang marinig ang pangalan niya. "L-Lana? You mean.. yung best friend ni Cheska?" it was obvious that the woman was surprised to see her. Siguro alam nito ang nangyari sa min ni Cheska.

"Yes." Chace answered firmly instead.

"P-Pero.. B-Bakit.. ano.. Si Tess? Nasaan siya? Akala ko ba.." the woman was stammering but Chace immediately cut in.

"Wala na kami, Ate. We.. split up." Chace answered dryly.

"You mean, totoo yung nabasa ko sa mga tabloids.. na ikinasal na siya sa iba?" tanong pa nito at tinignan silang dalawa ni Chace. But the man just remained silent.

Napansin naman 'nung babae ang pagiging tahimik ni Chace at nagsalita, "A-Ah, sige, pumasok na kayo. I'll wait here for some guests to come." Chace just nodded at the woman's remark at pumasok na sa mansion. Sumunod na lang si Lana rito.

"Chace!" naagaw ang atensyon nilang dalawa nang may sumigaw. Then they both saw a group people calling Chace.

Nilapitan naman kaagad ni Chace ang mga ito habang nakasunod pa rin si Lana sa lalake. The party was really elegant. Parang naoout-of-place siya dahil lahat ng suot ng mga bisita ay mga naggagandahang dress at suits. While she was only wearing a plain maintenance uniform.

Nang makalapit na sila, isa-isang hinalikan sa pisngi si Chace ng mga kababaihang nandun habang ang mga lalake naman ay nakipagkamayan naman dito. All of them looked in their mid-twenties.

"Long time no see, Chace." Sabi 'nung isang lalake na nakaeye-glasses. Sasabihin niya kahit nakaeye-glasses ito, the guy still looked ravishing.

"Chace, how are you?" sabi naman 'nung isang babae na naka red silk dress. "Balita namin, you're busy na raw sa corporation. You're the new CEO of Torres Corp." the lady added.

"Eww, who's that girl beside you, Chace? And why is that she's wearing that kind of clothes? Hindi ba niya alam na party 'to?" anito ng isa na nakablue dress na parang nandidiri pa kay Lana. Napayuko na lang si Lana sa sinabi nito. She felt humiliated.

"She's Lana. Lana Stephanie Tan. My date for today." Chace said instead.

"What?!" All of the group suddenly yelled in unison. Halatang gulat na gulat ito sa sinabi ni Chace.

"Y-Yung.. best friend ng kapatid mo? Yung cheater?"

"You mean.. Cheska's slutty best friend."

"The w***e?"

"Yes," Chace nodded and suddenly smiled at them, "My sister's.. b***h best friend."

"Oh my god. Chace!" napasigaw naman yung isang babae na kasama nila. "I thought you had taste! Pagkatapos n'yong maghiwalay ni Tess, ito ang ipapalit mo?" halatang iniinsulto lang siya 'nung babae sa harapan nilang lahat.

Lana bit her lip instead. Kaya pala siya pinasama ni Chace sa party para ipahiya? So that he could insult her and humiliate her in front of everybody?

"I have no choice, Layla. Siya lang ang nakita ko na nandun sa corp so I ended up with her. She's a slut so, it doesn't matter." Chace answered casually and everyone laughed at what he said.

Hindi maiwasan ni Lana na mapahiya sa sinasabi nito. As if everyone of them really knew the story.

"Buti na lang wala dito si Cheska." The other guy said. Pagkatapos, napatingin naman ito sa kanya. "Hey, w***e, how much are you? Mura ka lang siguro kaya nagawa ni Gino na pagtaksilan si Cheska." The guy ruthlessly added.

"Sa best friend pa kamo." Then all of them laughed, included Chace. Ngayon niya lang ito nakitang tumatawa.. at dahil pa sa mga pagpapahiya sa kanya.

Pinipigilan ni Lana na hindi maiyak. Alam niyang hindi nito alam ang buong storya. And she won't let them see her cry because she's not weak as what they thought to be.

"Ay, my wine's empty." Biglang sabi nung babae na nakablue dress, "Hey, Lana slut, can you get me some wine from that counter? I want Chateau Ste. Michelle by the way." anito sabay turo dun sa counter kung saan nakalagay ang iba't-ibang mga wines.

Kinuha na lang ni Lana ang goblet glass at pumunta roon. Huminga siya ng malalim. Hindi siya dapat sumuko. Para 'to kina Mama't Papa.

Pagkatapos kumuha ni Lana ng wine na sinasabi nito ay kaagad siyang bumalik sa kinaroroonan ng grupo.

"N-Nandito na ang wine.." she said as she handed the goblet to the lady.

Nang tinanggap na ng babae ang wine, the lady's face turned to sour. "Bakit ganito? I told you Chateau Ste. Michelle wine! Are you stupid? I said it clearly." The lady added incredulously.

"Stupid na nga, w***e pa." then everybody laughed at the sudden remark of the guy beside Chace.

Chace laughed too. Nasaktan naman si Lana nang makita rin itong tumatawa. So this was his plan afterall?

But everybody stopped when the lady holding the wine purposely spill it on her face. Nagulat na lang si Lana sa ginawa nito. Now, her face was drenched with the wine.

"Stupid whore." The lady smiled wickedly. "I'm sorry if I ruined your date, Chace."

Pati rin naman si Chace ay nagulat sa ginawa ng kasama niya kay Lana. The way he saw Lana now.. was very hopeless. "It's... It's okay, she deserved it." He answered instead.

But everybody in the party became silent when a fast hand landed on Chace' cheeks.

Lana couldn't take the humiliation she was getting from anyone anymore. Sumusobra na ang mga ito. Lalung-lalo na si Chace. "Wala kayong alam sa pinagdadadaanan ko." She cried then after that she walked out from the party.

Sumusobra na ang mga ito sa kanya.

Pero bago pa man makaalis si Lana, may biglang humawak sa braso niya. She quickly turned her head, "Lana," the woman whom she thinks was the organizer of the party, pati na rin ang sumalubong sa kanila kanina ni Chace ang tumambad sa paningin niya, "I'm sorry for their rude act but it's early to go home, won't you eat?"

Naiiyak na natatawa si Lana sa sinabi nito, "Thank you na lang po. Pero kailangan ko ng umalis eh. Salamat na lang po talaga." She replied and just turned her back instead.

"I know you're a good person, Lana. Despite what happened, I know, you're a good person." The woman suddenly said kaya naman napalingon si Lana rito.

She smiled, still crying. "T-Thank you." After that, umalis na siya.

—-

"Chace, man, are you okay?" sabi ni Kevin na kamag-anak ni Chace sa side ng Mom niya pagkatapos umalis ni Lana. Everyone at the party was shocked when Lana slapped him.

"I-I'm fine." He answered out of nowhere. He felt guilty.

"Chace, come'on. She's a w***e. Alam kong sinama mo siya rito para ipahiya siya. We know how much you love your sister." Layla, her second degree cousin said instead.

"I.. I need to go to the restroom, excuse me." Sabi na lang niya sa mga ito at umalis sa kinaroroonan nila.

But before he could even go, her cousin, Hannah, the birthday celebrant, interrupted. "Chace."

"Ate."  He stopped from his footsteps.

"I knew.. I knew you were hurt when you and Tess split up." Then Hannah smiled at her sympathetically. "Alam ko ring galit ka kay Lana kasi sinaktan niya ang kapatid mo.. but doing these things will not do any good, Chace."

Hindi kaagad nakapagsalita si Chace sa sinabi nito but he just kept himself silent, "I'm sorry for interrupting your party, but I have to go, Ate." He then went out.

—-

Nagising na lang si Lana nang may kumatok sa pinto ng apartment niya. Aminado siyang hindi siya nakatulog ng maayos dahil sa kakaiyak niya kagabi. She felt she did all the mistakes. She cried the whole night.

Pagkatapos kasi ng party, dumirecho siya sa apartment na tinutuluyan niya at doon na umiyak. She couldn't bear anymore the insults she was getting from Chace Torres. Sumusobra na ito sa ginagawa nito sa kanya. As if he knew the entire story. Hindi rin nga niya alam kung babalik pa siya sa corporation pagkatapos ng lahat ng nangyari.

Tumayo na si Lana mula sa kama niya at tinungo ang pinto. She quickly opened the door and was surprised to see a man delivering flowers. Tulips to be exact.

"Ah, ma'am, may nagpadala po sa inyo. Pakipirmahan na lang po rito." Anito ng lalake sa kanya at pinirmahan naman agad niya iyon.

"Manong, baka hindi sa kin 'to." Sabi niya nang tinanggap niya ang tulips. "Hindi naman po ako nagpadala." She was really confused now.

"Ito po ang address na ibinilin sa kin saka po, kayo po ba si Ms. Lana Stephanie Tan?"

Lana nodded.

"Ah, sa inyo nga po ito. Sige po." The delivery boy stepped out.

Naguluhan naman si Lana. Sino namang magbibigay sa kanya ng tulips? Wala naman siyang maalala kung nagpadeliver siya ng tulips.

She noticed a small white card from the tulips. Kinuha niya iyon at binasa.

I'm sorry for last night.

You can take an off right now.

—Torres, CN

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