PROLOGUE
958 Words
Venice, Italy
"All of the passengers of flight GX-ZKL3, non stop to Manila Philippines, please proceed to Gate 3B".
Eto ang mga salitang narinig ni Bernard habang siya ay naghihintay ng flight niya pabalik ng pilipinas. Anim na taon na ang nakakalipas matapos ang insidenteng bumago sa kanyang buhay. It was a bloody part of his life that he would not forget. After 6 years of being away and trying to forget about the past, it still haunts his dreams.
Hindi niya malilimutan ang kasalanan niya kay Aina at Arthur. He was an accomplice and a traitor, but what could he do? His everything are at stake - his wealth, family and secrets of the past. Loisa back then knew how to play her games. Until good deeds came in and he realized that he needs to save her because he loves her very much.
Napatawad naman siya ni Aina, pero hindi niya kayang patawarin ang kanyang sarili kaya siya ay nagpakalayo.
His phone rings and it was his mom "Bernard, makaka abot ka ba ng pasko, anak? I miss you so much." his mom now on the phone asking him if he can make it till Christmas eve. It was 23rd of December 2019 and he must be there before christmas eve. It is an important day, not because it is christmas, but because it is the day her twin sister Shirah died. It's her 8 year death anniversary and he promised that he would aways visit her grave yearly. But that was broken when he decided to be out of the country for 3 years now.
"Yes Ma. I think mahahabol ko naman. My flight is on time." bali nito sa ina.
Maya't maya pa ay tinawag na siya para sa flight niya. He was about to head to the gate when suddenly he tipped on the floor.
"The f**k!" mura niya habang nakapantuhod. When he looked who dared stumbled him, it was a lady wearing a totally uncool stare.
Tumayo ito at madali sanang tatakbo, ngunit nahawakan ni Bernard ang kamay nito.
"A sorry may work, lady?" he hissed. Nilingon siya nito at marahang tinanggal ang pagkakahawak ng kanyang kamay.
"Why would I? You were standing on the way and I was in a hurry. You should be the one who is sorry" anang babae na may bristish accent.
Napangiti na sarkastiko si Bernard matapos siyang bigyan ng ganoong sagot. Nagtitimpi lamang ito. Nais niyang tignan ang babae sa mga mata but she is wearing sunglasses.
"Look, I have no time for you, or for any words you still want to say, I need to go coz I'm late for my flight." at dali dali tumakbo ang babae
Tinangka pang tawagin ni Bernard ito, ngunit pinigilan na lamang niya ang kanyang sarili.
"May araw ka din sa akin." bulong niya, kahit wari niya na hindi na sila magkikita muli ng babaeng yun.
"Clarissa!" mariing sabi ng ama niya sa telepono.
"I have been calling you to come home because your mom wabts to see you" his father told her.
"Yes dad, I'm on my way now. I just had a little problem here at Venice" saad niya. Agad naman binaba ni Clarissa ang telopono para habulin ang flight niya.
Bakit ba naman kasi sa dami niyang trabaho sa kanilang companya sa Venice ay ngayon pa siya pina uwi? Ah yeah, his dad has been setting up marriages again for her para sa merger ng mga kumpanya. Again... She was used to the idea. Nakailang beses na rin naman siya naging runaway bride at hindi siya mag dadalawang isip na gawin muli ito. She has been a failure to his father's eyes and it is only her getting married to some of his business partner's son para maging proud sa kanya ang ama niya. Oh the cliche!
Madali niya iginuyod ang kanyang maleta patungo ng boading gate ng hindi niya mamalayang may nabangga siyang lalaki. Kapwa sila napaupo sa sahig.
Tumayo siya at tatangkain na huwag pansinin ang nangyari ng magsalita ang lalaki. "A sorry may work, lady?" sabi nito na may sarkastikong tono. She has no time for this. Late na siya sa flight niya and she does want to be on board dahil baka maiwanan siya.
"Look, I have no time for you, or for any words you still want to say, I need to go coz I'm late for my flight." saad niya habang gamit ang kanyang bristish accent. Hinawakan ng lalaki ang kanyang kamay, ngunit marahan din tinanggal ang pagkakahawak nito at agad na siyang kumaripas ng takbo.
" Hi Mr. Valederama, this way is you seat. " turan ng flight attendant kay Bernard ng marating niya ang boading gate. He placed his duffle bag on the available space on his suite. Yes, who would travel premium if he can do first class? Umupo siya at humalukipkip. Iniisip pa din niya ang babaeng bumangga sa kanya. Nagtataka siya na bakit sa lahat ng babae na tumngin sa kanya, siya lamang ang hindi nabighani sa kanya? Like he is damned hot and has on overflowing s*x appeal. No one would ever resist his charm. He's got some curiosity, but hell yeah, hayaan na lang niya. After all, sapalagay nito ay may edad na ang babae or may asawa na kaya walang pakialam ito.
He was about sip his complimentary champagne when suddenly a lady entered the suite next to him. Hindi siya maaring magkamali. Ang suot nitong shades and at tattoo nito sa may paa... Ah ang babae na bumangga sa kanya kanina lamang! Oh for heavens luck at dito din pala siya sa eroplanong lulan siya.
"Time to pay, Lady." he said and he grinned.
After all, he may enjoy this flight....
- Writer
