EUROPEAN BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR SERIES 1: One Night Pleasure (Completed)

CHAPTER 5 — NO ESCAPE

ONP 5: No Escape

"She badly needed to rest. I suggest that she may take a leave from her work! Bawal kasi siyang ma-stress dahil nasa unang trimester pa lang siya at maselan ang kalagayan niya."

I heard someone said that. Maingat kong ginalaw ang kamay ko at naramdaman na masakit iyon na tila may nakatusok. When I opened my eyes, I saw a white ceiling and walls.

Gamit ang kabilang kamay ay mabilis kong hinawakan ang aking tiyan. Inalala ko ang lahat ng nangyari sa akin bago ako mapunta rito sa ospital. Hindi ko alam pero bigla akong kinabahan.

"You're both okay now. . ."

Umangat ang tingin ko sa unahan at hinarap siya. He is still here.

Nagkasalubong ang tingin namin at nakita ko ang mga nagtatanong niyang mata. Nag-iwas ako ng tingin at patuloy na hinihimas ang aking tiyan.

Thank God my baby is safe.

"Where am I?" agad na tanong ko sa kanya na hindi siya tinititigan.

Hindi ko siya magawang masulyapan dahil natatakot ako na baka sa muling pagsalubong ng mga tingin namin ay hindi na ako makakaligtas sa kanya. His alluring eyes has the power to make me fall for his spell.

"You're not on your brother's medical lair. So, breath freely now!" He smirked.

He looks cool and gorgeous without his suit. More like he's ready for some outside semi-formal gig. I managed to stare at him for several heartbeats. Natigil siya sa harapan ko saka naupo sa gilid ng kama.

"You need to rest. The doctor also advised you to have your leave from your work to stay out of stress," dagdag pa nito.

I groaned. Ito ang iniiwasan ko na tuluyan akong pagbawalan magtrabaho. Naging careless ako kaya ganito ang nangyari. Somehow, I thank God for keeping my baby safe. Iyon ang importante sa akin ngayon.

Naalala ko bigla ang dapat sana'y meeting namin ni Khyfer. Sinulyapan ko siya at nakitang nakatingin lang din naman pala siya sa akin. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga at kinalma ang sarili.

"I'm . . . I-I'm sorry for what happened a while ago, maybe we can reschedule our meeting, Mr. Casteliogne," I said with so much formality.

He raised his brow then flaunted a snide smile. He looks so gorgeous with that. "Cut the formalities. We're not strangers since before." He fixed his cuff and looked at me. "You really think I came here for a business venture, really?"

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. "What do you mean?"

"Don't act like I didn't know everything . . ."

He hardened his face as his jaw clenched. He breathes out heavily. Nanatili ang mga mata niya sa akin. Para namang gustong kong matunaw sa paraan ng pagkakatitig niya.

Nakipagtitigan pa siya sa akin bago muling ngumisi. Bigla na akong kinabahan kaya mabilis kong iniwas ang aking tingin sa kanya. Isinandal ko na lang ang ulo ko sa headboard.

"Bryce is not here if that's what you're up to," mahinahon na saad ko.

Ayoko nang dagdagan ang stress ko sa araw na ito. Nagpapasalamat na nga ako na hindi ako nagawang i-admit sa Medicus Civitas kaya sana naman tuluyan na akong maabswelto sa problema kahit pansamantala lang.

"I'm not here for him," I heard him say that. Napaka-casual ng pagkakasabi niya kaya naman hindi ko maiwasang alamin ang ekspresyon niya.

"You two are best friends, so I must think that you're looking for him," sabat ko.

Khyfer is my brother's best friend. Childhood best friend, to be exact. Sa kanilang apat na magbabarkada ay silang dalawa ang close talaga. They also shared the same hobby, cars, and racing. I remembered they had a car venture, but it did not showcase in the market.

"Yeah, if he still considers me as his best friend until now. But . . . really, I'm not here for Bryce."

His cold stare bore on me. Tila ba hinihipnotismo ako nito nang walang kalaban-laban. Hindi ko namalayan na nakalapit na pala siya sa akin at ang kanyang mukha ay ilang pulgada lang ang agwat mula sa akin.

"I am here for you, mia amore," he almost whispered to me.

I suddenly bite my lower lip. My heart starts to strum a loud beat. I cursed myself for that vigorous reaction to what he said to me. Nakatulala lang ako habang pilit ipinapasok sa utak ko ang sinabi niya. Ni hindi ko man lang magawang gumalaw o kahit pa murahin siya nang harapan.

Alam ko na alam na niya ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis ko at doon ako mas natatakot dahil baka balakin niyang ilayo ang anak ko sa akin o anuman na labag sa kalooban ko.

"I am here for you and our baby . . ." He said again, and this time, he smirked.

Naitulak ko siya bigla kaya napatawa siya. He put his hand inside the pockets of his black pants as he continues to chuckle. Napuno ng tawa niya ang buong kwarto.

"Pwede ba? I don't have time for your wisecrack! I'll reschedule our meeting on Monday if that's what you—"

"Don't play games with me anymore, Blythe. The chase is over."

"What are you talking about?" Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang balingan ko siya.

"I know, you know what I am talking about." His expression changed, became even icier. "Why? You thought I wouldn't be able to know who's that woman behind that mask and the woman whom I shared a wonderful lusty night one month ago?"

Every heartbeat is a suicide feeling for me. Gusto kong umalis sa silid na ito at mawala nang tuluyan sa paningin niya. I want to stay away from him. Sigurado ako na hindi niya ako nakilala noong gabing iyon. He did not take off my mask from that night until I woke up.

"I am a Casteliogne, remember? I have my ways, mia amore . . ." he added as he swiftly managed to hold my chin and lift it.

The panic in my eyes was so obvious enough. I started to play with my fingers and palm as I calm myself. No way on Earth that I will fall for his bait. I had a hard time resisting his charm.

"This conversation is nonsense. Mas mabuti pang iwan mo na lang ako rito." I looked away, trying to avoid being magnetized by his enticing eyes.

"I told you, I won't let you slipped away again. So, stop pulling that kind of stunt. It won't work on me." His eyes became dark. He is damn serious about pulling all his strings to have me.

"Wala akong atraso sa 'yo para takbuhan ka!" I lashed out. He raised his brows upon my sudden outburst in front of him.

"Running away after what happened between us is an arrear to me, Blythe. I'm not here to be your client in the first place, but after what the doctor said . . . I have more effective reason to be with you." He looked down on my belly and slowly touched it. "I am the father of this baby . . ." He added with his eyes fixed on me.

Parang tumigil ang pagtunong ng orasan sa kwartong ito kasabay ng pagkatigil ng pagtibok ng puso ko. Wala ng himig ng paglalaro sa boses niya at malamig lang siyang nakatitig sa akin. The way he said his last sentence was like a spell successfully cast on me. It made me dazed.

Ang kamay naman niyang nakapatong sa aking tiyan ay tila yelo na nagpapamanhid sa bahaging iyon ng katawan ko.

"How can y-you be s-so sure of that—"

"Who took you one month ago, then? I know that you know it was me behind that mask, Blythe. Questo è il motivo per cui te ne sei andato immediatamente. Mi hai tolto la maschera e ti sei dimenticato di rimetterlo in faccia." (That's the reason why you left immediately. You slid my mask off, and you forgot to put it back on my face.)

Lalong naging tensyonado ang lahat matapos niyang sabihin iyon sa akin. Nanatili lang ang tingin ko sa kanya habang malayang binabalikan ng utak ko ang alaala ng nakaraan.

Kita ko ang pag-igting ng panga niya pero binalewala ko iyon. Inalala ko ang ginawa ko sa Italy. Sa sobrang pagkataranta dahil sa gulat ay hindi ko na pinag- aksayahan ng panahon na ibalik ang maskara niya at basta na lang akong umalis sa kwartong iyon.

"That night that I took you into heaven, that I pleasured you and worshipped every inch of you, I already marked you as mine, alone . . . And what is mine is mine, so I am here to get you!"

He stopped in front of that wide window as he finished fixing his necktie. Hindi siya humarap sa akin pero ramdam ko ang bigat ng mga tingin niya para sa akin.

Hearing those words from him made those unwelcomed memories back. Every touched he made into my skin, every moan I responded through his kisses, is just mind-blowing. That was the most adventurous thing I got myself into.

"So, don't you ever dare to make stories just to let me stay away from you 'coz it won't happen. We both know that I am the father of that baby!"

This time, seryosong humarap si Khyfer sa akin. Wala na ang mapang-asar niyang ngiti at napalitan iyon ng isang pag-ismid.He is disappointed by what I did to him after that? Na iniwan ko siya bigla sa hotel at hindi na nagpakita pa sa kanya?

I was about to utter something when the door opened. Pareho kaming napatingin doon nang makita ang babaeng kasama ni Khyfer kanina sa SDI.

"Ecco il cibo che hai ordinato signore." (Here's the food you ordered Sir,)

She placed the paper bag on the side table and fished out something there. The smell of the foods made my stomach crumpled in excitement.

"Grazie Helenore." (Thank you Helenore.)

I am amazed by his Italian prowess in speaking. He is such a formal Boss, and the woman has no hint of flirting with him.

"Hai bisogno di qualcosa, signore?" (Do you need anything Sir?)

Umiling si Khyfer at kita ko na napatingin siya sa kanyang relo. Hindi naman ako mukhang tanga na nakikinig sa kanila dahil nakakaintindi naman ako ng Italian.

"Chiama Atlas e lascia che ti porti in albergo, starò qui." (Call Atlas and let him bring you to your hotel. I'll stay here.)

Helenore nodded and left the room. Kinuha ni Khyfer ang pagkain saka dinala sa akin. He placed the tray table in front of me kaya mas lalo lang akong nagutom dahil sa amoy nito.

"You need to take your dinner. It's already seven," he muttered.

"I'm not hungry," tipid na sagot ko.

Ayokong alagaan niya ako. Ayoko na may koneksyon pa ako sa kanya. Iyan ang hindi dapat mangyari ngayon, ang magkalapit kaming muli.

"Don't starve our baby—"

"It's only my baby and not yours!" I cut him off. I don't want him to involve in my child's life.

Khyfer became idle for a short time. Napaismid siyang nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. Mukhang hindi niya nagustuhan ang sinabi ko.

"Oh, my bad! My sperm doesn't get applause for its contribution to that offspring inside your womb," sarkastikong sagot niya sa akin.

Halos mapunit ko na ang hawak kong kumot, and I could feel the pain from the needle being pinched at the back of my hand. Nakita ko ang paglabas ng kaunting dugo sa IV na humalo sa likido na galing sa dextrose. Napapikit na lang ako at itinaas ang kamay para bumalik ang dugo at maikalma ang sarili ko.

"Pwede ba umalis ka na rito? Leave this room now!" asik ko.

"Eat now, I know you're hungry . . ." Hindi niya pinansin ang pagtataboy ko sa kanya.

"Hindi ako gutom—"

I saw him smirked when we both heard my stomach rebel from my own words. Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin dahil sa pagkapahiya.

"Just eat . . . even just for the baby." Now, he is calm.

Natitigan ko siya nang dahil doon. I saw how concerned he was about my situation. Hindi ako pwedeng mag-deny sa nakita ko. The way he opened the Tupperware and arranged the spoon and fork for me, it was an all-care.

Hindi talaga ako magiging tahimik hangga't nandito siya. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin ko sa mga susunod na araw kung mananatili siya rito sa Pilipinas. Ayoko na sana sa gulo lalo pa at alam ko na hindi sila okay ni Kuya.

I tried calming myself as I took a glance at him. Nanatili ang tingin niya sa akin. Muling nagparamdam ang nag-aalburuto kong tiyan kaya wala na akong nagawa kundi tumango.

Pansin ko na ang lahat ng pagkain ay paborito ko. Italian's best ang nasa aking harapan. Hindi ko siya pinansin the whole time. Nanatili siya sa tabi ko but he is busy with his phone. Panaka-naka'y sinisipat ko kung ano ba ang pinagkakaabalahan niya roon. Baka babae niya o isa sa mga f**k buddies lang niya.

Pinasadahan ko ng tingin ang mukha niya. He is just calm and serious. I couldn't even sight a happy face on him. Mukhang mali ang hinala ko.

"Salamat . . . sa pagkain," I said after I'm done with my food.

Maayos kong tinakpan ang disposable Tupperware at binalutan ng tissue ang ginamit kung kubyertos. He stopped using his phone.

I saw him looked at his wristwatch again. "You may take your medicine after 30 minutes," he said.

Mabilis niya akong sinulyapan at saktong tumunog ang cellphone niya. Hinayaan ko siyang dumistansya sa akin ng sagutin niya iyon. Maririnig ko pa rin naman ang pinag-uusapan nila kahit nakasandal lang ako rito sa kama.

I know him well. Alam ko na hinding-hindi siya magpapatalo sa kahit sino. By having all the miracles and opportunity to see his very face, I can't deny how he can easily do business with anyone and how he became a king.

Ibang-iba na talaga siya sa paglipas ng taon. Before, he was just a typical son-of-a-wealthy-business mogul. Katulad ni Kuya na mahilig sa kotse at gala. Laman ng mga bar at clubs pati sikat na teen magazines noon.

He and his friends, including my brother and my cousin, is a well-known gent in the world. Simula yata noong mga bata pa kami hanggang ngayon ay sinubaybayan ng mundo ang mga buhay namin.

Khyfer Chevalier Casteliogne is the famous Italian Architect Billionaire Bachelor. This Italian god-like man is the Heir of Casteliogne Empire, the biggest airline company in the world owning first-class planes and airports, a world-class luxury aviation academy (Accademia Aeronautica Del Castello Reale), and an aircraft creator that build and assemble world-class aircraft. Pero, nasa balita na hindi raw ito ang nagmana at nagpapatakbo ng Casteliogne Empire dahil nagtayo ito ng sariling Architectural Empire na kinikilala na ngayon worldwide.

He is an Architect by degree and profession but a Marchese de Casteliogne by blood. Aside from being Bryce's childhood best friend, he was also very close to me as well. I cannot deny that way back in Europe when we're still kids, and we always see each other.

"I'm sorry, I just have to take that call," he said.

Hindi ko napansin na nakabalik na siya sa tabi ko. I must be preoccupied with his memories in me in the past.

"It's okay," I replied.

Isang mahabang katahimikan ang namayani sa buong kwarto. Para naman akong mabibingi. Kung sana ay may libro ako rito ay naibaling ko na ro'n ang atensyon ko.

I caught him staring at me blankly. Nagtaas ako ng kilay pero hindi man lang siya natinag. So, he is so persistent in staying here with me.

"Hmmm, you can go now. Kaya ko naman na ang sarili ko. I don't want to bother you anymore . . ." Akon na ang bumasag sa katahimikang namamagitan sa amin.

"I'll stay here, and that's the end of this argument."

I groaned in frustration. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang totoong pakay niya at bakit kailangan pa niya akong bantayan. Hindi na ako bata at mas lalong hindi ko siya kailangan.

Ngayon pa na pinipilit niya ang sarili para maging ama ng anak ko, mas lalo akong natatakot sa pwedeng mangyari. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon ay baka sobra- sobra pa ang kaligayahan ko sa sitwasyon na ito.

"Per favore, per favore . . . voglio essere solo. Vattene. È italiano per te capire bene." (Please, just please . . . I want to be alone. Just leave. That's Italian for you to understand well.) My voice is pleading with him.

Saglit siyang lumayo sa kama ko. He stood up fixing his coat. Ilang saglit pa ay humugot siya ng malalim na buntonghininga at malamig akong pinasadahan ng tingin.

"Hindi ako aalis dito at hindi ko hahayaan lumayo ka pa sa akin. Tagalog 'yan para mas maintindihan mo rin."