RBS 3: Suffered Love (FREE TO READ)

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 17

I puckered my lips nervously. Halos manlamig ako sa titig niya. Tahimik lang ako ng halos ang lahat ng nandoon ay binati siya. I'm was not informed that he will here. Russell stands up and greeted Nicholas.

"I'm glad you showed up, Martinez." He said to Nicholas.

They eyed each other for a moment before the both of them glance at my direction. I held my breath and hardly catch up.

"I have what's rightfully mine here. Of course, I would." He replied coldly to Russell.

I arched my brows. Napayuko ako at kinakabahang inabala nalang ang sarili sa mga papel sa harap ko. It's a sweet mistake, but I can't make an eye contact with him. Not now that I am hyperventilating.

What is he doing here anyway?

Is he one of the boards? Investors? Impossible, I don't think he needs to invest to the other company. He can stand on his own. I've known his status because he's one Google search away. He owns the one of the biggest bank in Asia, Martinez Chase & Co., and now he is starting his own construction company too.

"Elizabeth was about to end the meeting. You can talk to her if you have some questions about the project, after all you are the client." Russell said.

Nagpanting ang tenga ko doon. What? Napaangat ako ng tingin ng wala sa oras.

"Ms. Del Olmo?" Tawag pansin sa akin ni Tita Gregoria.

I unconsciously turned my gaze on them. "Are there any concerns you want to clarify more?"

Wala sa sarili akong umiling. "N-no." I cleared my throat. "The meeting is adjourn."

Mabilis ang pangyayari, nagsitayuan ang lahat at binati ako ulit. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang ngumiti sa kanila.

"It's nice to see you again, Engr. Martinez." I heard Architect Levista greeted Nicholas.

Tumingin sa kanya si Nicholas.

"Likewise, Architect Levista." He replied then immediately glance at me.

I hitched my breath. He smirked when he saw me how bothered I am because of him. Russell excuse his self for a bit when someone called him on the phone.

"Let's have a catch up bonding, hija.." It was Tita Gregoria.

I smiled, never minding the fast beating of my heart.

"Yeah, maybe sometime po. I'll cleared my schedule and I will let you know immediately."

She cheerfully clap. "That's great. I have to go now by the way." She kissed my cheeks afterward before walking out.

Dahan dahan akong umupo. Ngayon, mas lalo na akong kinakabahan ng mapagtantong kami nalang dalawa ang naiwan. I never tried to glance at him because I know he's looking at me. Naramdaman ko ang yabag niya patungo sa akin. I felt the chair on my side move. He sit there.

I gasped when I felt his hand snake through my waist.

"Nicholas!" Namamangha kong saad sa kanya.

He hummed and looked at me intently. Inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin. His perfume immediately spread throughout my nostrils. It was addicting, I can't help to breath in because of that.

Later on, I felt is chair move closer to me.

"What is it, sweetheart?" He whispered making my heart jump in a hundred times.

Kahit ang balahibo ko ay tumtayo dahil sa ang lapit ng mukha niya sa akin. Inilayo ko ang mukha sa kanya.

"Masiyado kang malapit."

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya at tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya. I thought he will give me space. Hindi pa nga nag-one week simula ng umalis siya. Now, he's giving me this somersault feeling again, like he doesn't want me to go away with his grasp. And that was not a good idea. I need space to find myself and if he continue this, it may blow off my mind.

"Because you are not cooperating.." His raspy voice said. Nakatitig lang ako pabalik sa kanya.

Naguguluhan ako. "Ano?"

He chuckled sexily and slowly touch my face. I almost close my eyes because of it. I purge my thoughts.

"We have a deal. Hindi mo dapat iyon kinakalimutan. Do you want to remind you again?" He kissed the side of my lips.

Agad kong tinakpan ang labi ko sa ginawa niya. He looks so amused at me. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at pilit niyang kinukuha iyon sa akin. Hindi ako pumayag.

He sighed. Walang sabi sabing hinalikan niya ang kamay na nakatakip sa bibig ko.

I immediately withdrew my hands.

Naniningkit ang mata kong tumingin sa kanya. "What the! What are you doing?" I hysterically said. "At anong deal ang pinagsasabi mo diyan?"

He tilted his head. He's still so handsome while doing that. I felt so giddy to touch him too. No! I shout to my mind. Really, Elizabeth?

"The claiming you." He said seriously. I saw his jaw clenched.

"You are unfair!" I was about to stand up but he didn't leave me. Nicholas caught my chin in his left hand and turned my face toward him.

Umiling siya. "I perfectly remembered what I'd said that night, Elizabeth. I'm claiming you when I see you again, wherever and whenever." He dangerously said. "This isn’t a request.”

His tone comes out rougher and is oozing with dominance. I heard the door opened revealing Russell. Hindi ko nakitaan ng gulat ang mukha niya ng makita ang kalagayan namin. He just smirked.

"Your husband looks sated." He said.

Namilog ang mata ko. "W-what?"

He sighed. "Alam ko na ang lahat, Eli. Nicholas finally confessed to me. Dahil kong hindi niya ginawa iyon, hindi ka na niya makikitang muli." Tumawa ito kaagad.

"As if you can stop me, Russ." Agad na sagot ni Nicholas.

Nawala ang mapaglarong ngiti ni Russell. "Fixed your family first, Martinez. I treated Elizabeth as my own sister, I hope that makes your decision strong."

"Kahit hindi mo sabihin iyon, gagawin ko yan. She's my wife, that's enough reason to keep her with me." Nicholas.

Walang isinagot si Russell sa kanya at nagkibit lang ng balikat.

"Come on, cous. Mom wants to see you. Kanina pa tayo hinihintay sa mansiyon." Si Russell.

I was about to go to him but Nicholas didn't let me. "Ako na ang maghahatid sa kaniya, Russell."

He smirked. "Hoy Nicholas! Huwag mong lubos lubusin ang kabaitan ko."

Nicholas rolled his eyes while he's still holding me on my waist pulling me closely to him.

"Shut up."

"Okay, I'll go first.Just take care of my cousin. Marupok din iyan pagdating sa iyo." Russell said to him. I mentally slap my forehead.

"Russell." I blushed.

Naiwan kaming dalawa kaya wala akong nagawa ng higitin niya ako palabas.

"S-saan tayo pupunta, Nicholas?" Tanong ko sa kanya. " I thought we are about to discuss something."

Natigilan siya. Nilingon niya ako.

"This is more important than that project. She really wants to meet you. And I can't say no anymore." He said. He is so serious.

"Please, sweetheart.."

"Who is she?"

"Just please, trust me." He said. He was so serious and I can't say no when he said please.

Wala ako sa sariling tumango sa kanya. I felt the loud beating of my heart. Hindi na mapirmi iyon.

Bakit ako kinakabahan?

Hindi kami natuloy sa lakad namin ni Nicholas. I recieved a call from Russell that his mom was admitted to the nearest hospital. Kaya wala kaming nagawa ni Nicholas ng tawagan kami ni Russell. Auntie suffered from a heart attack, Russell was even panicking when he called me. Mabilis kaming pumunta sa ospital habang kasama ko pa rin si Nicholas. He really insisted, I can't say no. At wala na rin akong oras para makipag-usap pa sa kanya.

Auntie Rosalie was never been to hospital since I knew her. Kaya pati ako ay kinakabahan sa mga nangyayari. Hindi ko alam kong paano ako napunta sa private room na kinauupahan nila, basta ko na lang natagpuan ang sarili ko doon. Tito Edwardo, Russell's father, was silently watching his sleeping wife.

"Tito..." Tawag ko sa pansin niya.

Umangat ang mukha niya. He looks tired and scared. Pero nagawa pa rin niyang ngumiti. Tumayo siya at yumakap ako sa kanya.

"I'm glad to see you well, hija." Kumulas siya sa yakap ko. Tiningnan niya ako. "It's been a long time since I saw you." Masiyado kang pinagkait ni Ate sa amin na kahit ang pagpunta mo dito ay bawal sa iyo." Tumawa siya pagkatapos.

Nagulat ako doon. Walang sinabi si Mama sa akin. "Talaga po?" I asked unsured. Wala akong naalala na pinagbawalan ako dahil ako naman ang nagsabing hindi ko gusto.

Tumango siya.

I sighed. I'm just maybe overreacting. "How's Auntie's condition,Tito?"

Agad na lumungkot ang mukha niya. "She's fine now. The doctors will run some test to her, once she finally woke up."

Thats great. "Nasaan po si Russell?"

He walked towards Auntie. "He just went out a bit to talk to the doctor. He's been so worried too. This is the first time we saw Rosalie in the hospital except for giving birth to Russell."

"Everything will be alright, Tito. She can make it."

Ngumiti siya. "I know."

As a cue,Nicholas entered the room. Hindi ko na kasi siya hinintay kanina dahil nagmamadali na ako. Pinauna na niya ako dito kaya mabilis akong nakarating.

"Hey." Malambing niyang tawag sa akin at mabilis na ipinulupot ang kamay sa aking beywang. I almost jump because of that.

"How was your Aunt, sweetheart?" He whispered. Nag-init ang pisngi ko.

Napalunok ako. "S-she is fine now." I stuttered.

He stared at me darkly before he nodded.

"Who is this young man, Eli?" Tito then asked.

Lumapit kami roon. "I'm Nicholas Martinez, Sir." Pagpapakilala niya sa sarili niya. He's so confident. Hindi ko mapigilang kabahan para sa kanya.

"What are your relationship with my niece?" Tito's serious voice echoed across my ears. Halos mangisay ako sa napaka seryosong boses ni Tito na para kaming ginigisa.

"I'm the husband, Sir." He blurted out without blinking.

I blushed. Tito laugh so hard when he eyed me.

"Hindi ko alam na nagpakasal ka na, hija?" He shrugged after. "Well, that's great."

"It's a long story, Tito." I sighed heavily.

Napatawa siya sa akin. Bumaling siya kay Nicholas. "Well, is it too late to say my congratulations?" Tito playfully asked.

Mariing umiling si Nicholas. "I've always welcome it, Sir."

"No. Call me Tito from now on, you are now part of the family." Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya na parang may naalala. "I'm just wondering, you're surname sounds familiar. Are you the son of the great Leonardo Martinez?"

Kaagad na tumango siya. "Yes, Sir."

"That's great." Puno ng paghangang sabi ni Tito. "I heard a lot of acheivements about you and you're own company."

Ngumiti lang si Nicholas. He's really famous, huh? I can't say a word. I felt a little bit proud for him. Tumingin ako sa kanya pero hindi siya sa akin nakatingin.

He's really handsome. I parted my lips.

"I heard you are the lead engineer in building the large luxurious hotel in Cebu?"

Tumango siya. "Yes, Tito. I have my power team also helping me won in the bidding."

Nagulat ako doon. Bakit pa siya nakipag-collaborate sa amin kung may sarili siyang construction firm? Nagtagal ang pag-uusap nila ng ilang minuto. Hindi rin nagtagal ay dumating si Russell at siya na mismong nagtulak sa akin na umuwi muna. Hindi sana ako pumuyag kaso pinilit niya ako. Kahit si Nicholas ay umapila rin. Wala akong nagawa kundi ang pumayag at nagpatiuna nalang kay Nicholas.

Walang akong imik ng bumababa ako sa kotse niya. Hinatid niya ako sa mansiyon.

"Elizabeth?" He called me.

Wala ako sa sariling tumingin sa kanya. "Yes?"

"I hope you didn't mind that I bring you here." Malaking hakbang na lumapit siya sa akin. He had a grim expression on his face.

Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Huh?" I asked him.

Masiyado na ba akong wala sa sarili dahil hindi ko napansin kong saan kami?

He chuckled. "I brought you here in my house." His jaw clenched.

Malalaking matang tumingin ako sa kanya. "W-what? Why?"

Hinapit niya ako. "I want you to meet Angela."

I arched my brows. Kabit niya? I gaped openly at him.

"A-angela?"

He surely has guts to do this. This things was not supposed to happen but he didn't give me time to even think. Lahat ng galit ko ay bumalik sa puso ko.

Iyon ba ang babaeng katawagan niya? I felt the love when he tells her name. Hinigit niya ako papasok sa malaking modernong bahay. It felt so familiar.

"Wait!" I protested. He didn't let me.

I felt sad.

I felt cold.

I felt hurt.

I felt forsaken and lonely.

I felt doubtful and hesitant.

I felt scared and deeply worried.

May ilang kasambahay akong nakita ng makapasok kami.

"Magandang gabi po, Sir." Bati ng isang matandang babae sa kanya.

Bumaling ito sa akin at agad nanglaki ang mata. "Diyos ko! M-ma'am Eli?!" Gulat niyang saad.

I jumped a little at her sudden burst. How did she knows me?

Nicholas sighed heavily. "She is Nanay Soling." Bumaling siya sa akin.

"Nay, pakitwag si Angela. Gising pa po ba siya?" He asked her.

Kaagad na tumango habang nakatingin siya sa akin pa rin. Kaagad rin itong umalis sa harap namin. I felt Nicholas hold me. I stared at him.

"Anong ginagawa ko dito?"

"You'll see." Iginiya niya ako sa kanilang sofa. I'm a little bit disoriented about this.

I felt a loud beating of my heart. Hindi ko mapirmi ang mata ko sa kakatitig sa kabuuan ng bahay. It felt so familiar. Did I leave here with him before I lost my memories?

"This is our house." Saad niya sa akin. I felt a light electrifying feeling on my heart.

"Who is Angela?" I asked him directly.

I felt him stiffened. I blankly stared at him. Why does he want me to meet her? I've never even know her.

I felt a little sound of footsteps echoing across the living room.

"Daddyyy!!!" Isang matinis na boses ng batang babae ang narinig ko. I felt a loud beating of my heart.

I saw a little girl with a very cute pajama running towards us. Nicholas immediately carry her. She's so cute and she looks like me when I was young.

Halos mahimatay ako sa nakita. It can't be! A lone tera shred to my face when I realized it

"I missed you, Daddy." She snuggled cutely at Nicholas.

Her curled hair makes her more cute in my eyes.

"Hinintay po kita. I have been a good girl!" She said entusiatically.

Nicholas kissed her cheeks. She giggled at that.

I smiled.

"I brought someone. Look who's here.." Tinuro niya ako.

Namilog ang mata ng bata. "Mommyy??" She burst.

"You brought mommy, Daddy?" She cried.

I felt a pang on my chest. Iminuwestra niya ang kamay sa akin na parang gustong magpakarga.

"Mommy!!!" She cried again.

I felt so rooted at my place. She looks so eager to make me touch her.

The tears burst forth like water from a dam, spilling down my face. I feel the muscles of my chin tremble like a small child and I look towards her, as if the light could soothe me.

"She's Angela, our daughter."

My baby...