Game Of Seduction 1: Bathsheba

Chapter 1

MALALIM na ang gabi ng sinapit ni Benjamin ang mansyon ng De Costales sa Maynila. He was tired, and all he wanted to do is take a warm shower and sleep until the next week. Kung sa normal na araw ay hindi niya iindain ang ilang oras na byahe mula sa Idelfonso; isang bayan mula sa Norte, papuntang Maynila. Ngunit ngayon ay ramdam ni Benjamin ang pamimigat ng talukap at ngalay sa katawan.

And why not, if he was mentally and physically exhausted. Perhaps he had been pushing himself too hard. Wala siya sa tamang hwisyo nitong mga nakaraan. Ginawa niyang araw ang gabi, at nagpakawala sa trabaho. Kung may pinatutunayan man ay hindi niya masabi. Wether he was distracting himself, or trying to fool his own heart ay hindi niya rin mawari. Kung hindi lamang may importanteng seminar na gaganapin sa lungsod ay hindi niya binalak lumuwas. Manila wasn't his cup of whiskey. It had everything and anything, from malls to skyscrapers yet he still preferred the beauty of Idelfonso. The picturesque view of the mountains and the sea, and the fresh air could never be mimicked.

Benjamin looked up at the bright, and full moon. Ngunit ibang ganda ang nahagip ng kaniyang mata.

A woman. And she was standing at the veranda, gazing at the moon with a quiet and serene expression. Malamig ang simoy ng hangin ngunit bahagyang nakalaylay sa mga balikat nito ang suot na roba, silk and it outlined her beautiful curves. Gumapang ang kaniyang paningin sa mga binti nito, the pair of legs were long and they seemed to go on for ages. Ni walang galos, not even a fine hair if he were to say. Kahit na may kalayuan ang kaniyang kinaroroonan. She was an exquisite view, tempting enough to test a man's sanity. With fine, and fair skin like porcelain and black hair that fell like waterfalls. Ang mga mata nito'y mapangakit, haughty with her cat shaped eyes and naturally curled lashes.

Bathsheba looked like she was from a painting. Too beautiful to be true at tila walang alam sa mundo. He would be fooled if he hadn't known any better. She was a spoiled brat. Paborito ng press dahil walang preno ang bibig.

Benjamin could even recall that she set social media aflame dahil sa eskandalong kinasangkutan nito. Bathsheba dragged another model by the hair on a flight of stairs. According to some magazine articles ay lalaki daw ang pinagawayan.

Not that he followed her news, or bought her magazines. Madalas lumabas ng telebisyon si Bathsheba, malimit ay sa commercials. She was in billboards and magazines everywhere, at hindi pagmamalabis kung sasabihing maraming babae ang nagnanais maging katulad nito. Even sa probinsya ay sikat ang dalaga, at ilan sa mga empleyado niya ang tagabili ng bawat mamahaling magazine na lalabasan nito. He overheard that they were defending her fiercely. Kahit pa ba walang may alam kung anong totoong dahilan ng pagaaway. Para sa mga ito ay walang magagawang mali ang isang Bathsheba Emperatris.

If he were a vain man ay sinangayunan niya.We could all forgive a beautiful woman for an honest mistake.

He wasn't in the position to judge, anyways. Maging siya ay naging biktima ng maling pamamahayag ng media. Walang makakapagsabi kung ano ang totoo. Pwera na lamang mismo dito, at sa nakaalitan nito.

Maaring frank ang dalaga, outspoken and even wilfull. Ngunit wala siyang natatandaang pagkakataon na nagsalita ng masama tungkol dito ang ama. And to think na napaka-deceptive ni Alfredo. Mapili sa tao. The old man even seemed to be enjoying the company of his new daughter.

Yet, Benjamin was certain that she wasn't an ordinary woman. Oh, she was spelled trouble from head to toe.

“CHECKMATE.” Nangingiting wika ni Bathsheba. Napahalakhak ang kaharap, at hinayon ng tingin ang chessboard.

“Damnit. Kinakatalo mo talaga ako ah.” Kunwa ay nagalit ito. “Let's play again! Saulo ko na ang strategies mo.” Ani Alfredo, naniningkit ang mata.

Napangisi si Bathsheba. “Sorry, tito Alfredo. I'm tired of dealing a blow to your ego.” napatawa siya sa pagme-make face nito.

At fifty ay gwapong gwapo pa rin si Alfredo De Costales. Though there were some fine lines on his face, at may mga puti na ring buhok ay nananatili itong matipuno. The man aged like fine wine, at iniisip niya pa lang si Benjamin sa ganitong edad ay gusto niya pa ring papakin. She smiled foolishly at the thought.

“Only you and Benjamin could beat me at chess. That's a special priviledge.” saad nito habang inililigpit ang board. “Alam mo bang dito siya maninirahan sa loob ng tatlong linggo? There is an official seminar. Isama mo na rin ang bakasyon niya sa mahabang panahon.” Hindi nakalampas sa tainga niya ang suhestyon sa tinig nito. May pinupunto si Alfredo, na kunwa ay hindi niya maintindihan.

“The Villa is his house, more than ours. Hindi nakakagulat na dito siya tutuloy.” sagot niya sa pantay na tinig.

“I created an opportunity for you, darling. I would hope you're the slightest bit grateful.” he feigned a distressed expression.

“You're acting like i could just creep up in the middle of the night and go vamp on him, Tito.”

“At bakit hindi? Some men may like that.”

“Are you telling me that Benjamin has a peculiar taste?” tumaas ang kilay niya. Unbelieving. Half sa tinungo ng diskusyon nila ng step-father.

“Siguro. Hindi natin masabi hija. Walang tumagal na nobya iyang si Benjamin, the recent one was that news anchor—”

“Amy.” Salo niya.

“See, i got you. Hindi mo pwedeng itanggi na may kursunada ka sa anak ko. No woman, atleast, iyong walang kai-interes ang magpapakahirap sundan ang news tungkol sa isang lalaki kung walang personal na motibo.” mukhang proud pa ito sa sarili.

“Oh you caught me, tito. Is it a crime to admire the dashing Governor of Idelfonso? Young and handsome as he is, i'm sure maraming babae ang magtu-tumbling mapansin lamang niya.”

“You were not raised to admire just any man, my dear. Abot kamay mo si Benjamin. Besides, ang admiration ay hindi titimo sa isang kagaya mo. Born with everything and raised in luxury. Since sixteen ay nangingislap na ang mata mo tuwing si Benjamin ang pinaguusapan. I'm sure may pangalan na iyang bago.” Alfredo said cleverly.

Naputol ang kanilang paguusap ng dumating ang Mommy niya. Lillian Emperatris, clad in a white Vera wang dress. Her mom looked beautiful, sa morena nitong kutis. Ang itim na itim nitong buhok, at ang mga mata ay dito niya minana. She was lovely tonight, kasama nito si Alfredo sa pagdalo sa isang charity Ball.

“You look lovely, my love.” Puno ng pagmamahal na sambit ni Alfredo.

“I know as much dear. Halos malaglag iyang panga mo.” Lillian said smugly.“And my baby! Did this old man bore you with his nonesense talks again?” Anang kaniyang ina sa pabirong tinig. She smiled widely at tinanggap ang halik nito sa pisngi.

“Mommy, Tito Alfredo is pimping me.” Pagsusumbong niya. Binalingan nito ng masamang tingin si Alfredo.

“I did not raise my child para lamang gamitin mo sa political scheme, Alfredo.” Napahalakhak siya sa sheepish na expression ng stepfather, as he coaxed Lillian.

“I would never, darling. No man is worth enough of our treasure.”

“Senator? Nagiintay na po ang kotse.” Sumilip ang assistant ni Alfredo upang ipaalala na paalis na sila. Tumayo si Alfredo, at kinintalan ng halik ang kaniyang noo sumunod ang mommy. Papaalis na ang mga ito ng lumingon si Alfredo.

“Oh and by the way darling, hindi kami uuwi. Indefinitely.” Lihim itong kumindat. Hanggang sa narinig niya ang paglayo ng mga sasakyan ay nanatili siya sa ganoong pwesto.

Mayamaya ay tumayo siya. Tinahak ang papunta sa indoor jacuzzi. Closed the door, yet she did not lock it. Yari sa kahoy ang sahig, at ang pool ay malawak at mayroong kalaliman. The water was already quite hot, ngunit tama lamang iyon para sakaniya. Bathsheba discarded everything she wore, at sumuong sa pool. Kalmanteng ipinikit ang mga mata, relaxing her tensed muscles.

Benjamin has been using the jacuzzi room for the past few days. Madalas ay tuwing gabi. He wasn't secretive about it. Amo siya ng Mansyon, and he could do everything he pleased. Lamang ay gusto niyang gamitin ang pagkakataon na iyon. To her advantage.

Hindi rin aksidente ang pagkikita nila ng gabing dumating ito. Hindi aksidenteng magkikita muli sila ngayon.

Oh, she wanted to plant seeds of yearning in him. Ngayon pa't bigo ito sa pagibig. And a man is weakest when he is heartbroken. Ang nobya nito'y iniwan siya. Something about marriage, and children. All the boring pleasantries. Kung paano niya nalaman, she credits it all to money.

If it were any other man, she wouldn't need to use such schemes. But it was Benjamin.

Benjamin De Costales, who was the first man to make her heart skip a beat. Her most handsome stepbrother.