His Sinful Duty [SPG]

(22) The Portrait

ELEAZAR SERGIO'S POV

I can't believe I am watching Eveion and that bastard sharing a table together.

"Sir, your wine." Binaba ng waiter ang isang wine glass na inorder ko habang pinagmamasdan ko si Eveion mula sa aking pwesto.

I held the glass and slowly took a sip from it while watching them.

[Buksan mo na ang regalo ko para sa'yo. I know you'll like it.]

Rinig ko ang boses ni Dave sa kabilang linya habang pinagmamasdan ko sila. I am sitting at the very corner of the restaurant so it's likely impossible for Eveion to notice me.

I watch Eveion opened the present. It was a bag that looks awfully cheap.

[Happy birthday.]

Hindi ko maiwasang maikuyom ang aking kamao habang pinagmamasdan silang dalawa. Inside the bag was a long velvety box. Kita ko ang pagtataka sa mukha ni Eveion nang buksan niya ito atsaka doon tumambad ang isang kwintas.

Dave took the necklace and put it around her neck and swiftly left a kiss on her cheeks.

I clenched my jaw as I took another sip from the wine.

[S-Salamat, Dave, pero hindi mo kailangang bumili ng ganito.]

[Are you kidding me? Why wouldn't I?] Rinig kong wika ni Dave atsaka ito sinundan ng isang mahinang pagtawa. Instead of sitting back on his chair, he sat down beside Eveion.

What a sneaky jerk.

[You looked more beautiful with that necklace on, Eve.]

Hindi ko maiwasang mapangisi ng palihim sa aking kinatatayuan.

How could he manage to give her sweet compliments, buy her cheap things, spend her birthday over a dinner after f*cking her stepsister?

Dave Falcon, you really are one of a kind.

I salute your tactics.

Kating-kati na ang kamay kong punasan ang ngiti sa labi niya gamit ang aking kamao.

[Hindi pa ba tayo uuwi, Dave?]

[G-Gusto mo na bang umuwi?]

[Oo, medyo napapagod na rin kasi ako at inaantok.]

[Of course! Sure, let me just pay the bill and I'll drive you home.]

I never take my eyes off them as I watch them more closely. Kapansin-pansin na hindi paring kumportable si Eveion sa kanyang kinauupuan mula nong lumabas siya galing banyo.

Right after I saw her getting inside Dave's car earlier, I decided to follow them. Coz how the hell would she join this motherf*cker for her birthday and turn me down?

This is supposed to be a great night.

Alam kong kaarawan niya ngayon kaya ako naghintay at inayang ihatid ito pauwi. I was planning of surprising her after that but instead, this happened.

Kinuha ko ang isa kong cellphone sa loob ng aking bulsa atsaka tinawagan si Mauro. Ilang ring pa lang at sinagot na niya kaagad ito.

[I can't believe you're making me do this. Ano ba ang akala mo sa akin? Tagapagsilbi mong bata ka?-- Sir Mauro, san ko po ilalagay ang happy birthday banner?-- Anak ng, ewan ko! Ilagay mo sa kung saan. Diyan. Diyan sa ibabaw ng kama niya.]

I can hear Mauro's stressed voice getting mixed with one of my men.

Nasa apartment sila ni Eveion ngayon at kasalukuyang naghahanda para sana sa pagdating naming dalawa kanina.

I let my men including Mauro do this work for me, but guess what? It won't be happening.

"Mauro. Bring those things down." Utos ko sa kanya dahilan upang matigilan ito sa kabilang linya.

I heard a sudden pop of a balloon on the other line.

[Anak ng-- ano bang pipnagsasabi mo diyan, ha Sergio?! Ubos na ang pasensya ko sa'yong bata ka. Alam mo bang dapat nasa casa ako ngayon kasama ka at hindi nagdedesign ng birthday sa loob ng apartment--!]

"I know you heard me. Mauro. Just clean everything and leave that place. Now."

[You little rascal! I'm done with covering up your craziness. Tumakas ka na naman para lang dito. Wait till your grandfather know your--]

*toot* *toot*

Walang gana kong binaba ang tawag atsaka tinungga ang natitirang wine habang pinagmamasdan silang dalawa na tumayo mula sa kanilang kinauupuan.

I watched Eveion getting escorted by Dave out from the restaurant.

I ended the call between Eveion and I before taking out a bill from my wallet and placed it on top of the table. Mabilis akong tumayo atsaka pasimple silang sinundan, pero sinisiguro kong hindi nila ako mapapansin o makikita.

Just when I thought Eveion will go straight to Dave's car, I saw her walking towards the taxi stand.

Nakita ko kung paano sila mag-usap ni Dave. It seems like the bastard insisted on driving her home, but Eveion doesn't want to. So, in the end, Dave let her do what she wants.

Lumapit ako sa nakaparadang kotse ni Dave atsaka hinugot ang dala-dala kong tactical knife. I simply walked beside his car with my other hand inside my pocket while the other stabbed two of his wheels.

Son of a b*tch.

When I saw Eve got into the taxi, I immediately left the area and watched Dave getting frustrated to see his flat tires.

"ELEAZAR SERGIO." Kaagad na umalingawngaw ang boses ng aking lolo sa kwarto kung saan ako kasalukuyang nakatayo sa kanyang harapan.

The old man's face is looking straight at me.

"After letting you off because of your stubbornness for leaving Dr. Torres' party... here you are doing it again. " Rinig kong wika niya habang nakahawak sa tungkod niyang kayang bilhin ang isang mansyon.

Nanatiling nakalagay ang aking magkabilang kamay sa aking likuran habang nakayuko sa kanyang harapan.

I kept on clenching my jaw while listening to his boring words.

"Tumakas ka na naman." Ma-awtoridad niyang wika.

I can feel Atlas gaze on me and so does Mauro. My father is also in the room with us.

“You can’t just tie me with you all the times, chairman.” Sagot ko dahilan upang makita kong mapakurap si Atlas sa kanyang kinatatayuan.

My father didn’t budge a bit, but I know he didn’t expected my sudden response.

“I have a life to—“

“Eleazar.” My father cut me off which made me stop. Nang lingunin ko siya, kita ko ang seryosong mukha nito na nakatingin sa akin.

He’s giving me that kind of glare which made me look away.

“I completely understand your point, Sergio, but you must also understand me. Pinoprotektahan lang kita.”

“You’re protecting the legacy, not me.”

“You are the legacy, Sergio.”

Nang sabihin niya iyon kaagad na tumahimik ang buong kwarto. The atmosphere of this dark dimmed light room feels so heavy with the presence of these men.

“If you couldn’t give me an heir, I will keep on sticking my nose to your business. Ngayon, kung sakal na sakal ka na, then hurry up and choose your bride.”

Kaagad na kumunot ang aking noo pagkatapos kong marinig ang sinabi niya.

I’m still 20 for Pete’s sake.

Does he have any idea what he’s trying to put on me? Ayokong bumuo ng pamilya nang dahil lang sa rason na ‘yan.

Gusto kong bumuo ng pamilya dahil gusto ko at handa na ako. And also, does he think that I could just select any girls from his lists to be my bride will be that easy? That’s absurd.

If only they knew about Eveion…

But I know I couldn’t let her involve in my world. Ang laki ng pagkakaiba ng mundo naming dalawa.

Medyo nahihirapan pa ako ngayon lalo na’t ang daming humahadlang.

“I will let you pass this time, Eleazar, only this time. Mess this up again and you won’t like the consequences.” Hindi na ako nagsalita pa nang sabihin niya iyon.

THE AUCTION, we’re in an auction this time. Another boring event to attend to. At kasama ko ang aking ama at si Atlas.

I went in a separate way from them, in which I wished I didn’t do in the first place.

Dahil tulad ng aking inaasahan, andito nga ang taong ayaw kong makita.

“Mr. Montenegro!” Masaya nitong wika nang makita niya ako.

It’s none other than Dave Falcon.

He’s wearing the same classic suit as mine. This is a formal auction with the elites. Kadalasan na andito ay mga businessman, doktor, abogado, at iba pa.

The indescribable feeling that I felt during that night was still haunting me, especially that I’m facing the man who’s the reason behind it.

“I’m glad you’re here, Eleazar. Buti at nagkita ulit tayong dalawa,” aniya.

“Yes, I’m also glad, Dave.”

Kung hindi ko lang nahuli ang pagsiko ng isang babaeng katabi nito, hindi ko siya mapapansin na kasama pala siya ni Dave.

“Mr. Montenegro, this is Candice, my girlfriend. Babe, this is Mr. Eleazar Montenegro.” Pagpapakilala ni Dave sa akin sa babaeng katabi niya.

When I shifted my gaze at her, that’s the moment I realized that this is actually indeed Candice.

Eveion’s stepsister.

“Hi, nice to meet you Mr. Montenegro.” She smiled at me but I didn’t smile back. Tanging isang tango lang ang itinugon ko sa kanya.

Girlfriend… I see…

“Eleazar, ang dami ko nang party na napuntahan pero hindi kita napapansin.”

“That’s because party is not really my thing, Ms. Perez.”

“Oh please.” She smiled and then touched my arm which made me look at it. “Candice na lang. You’re too formal when in fact, magkaedad lang naman tayo.”

I smiled when she said that.

I can feel her eyes examining my entire face and physique, not minding her boyfriend’s words who is actually holding her right now. Wala talaga itong pakialam kahit na harap-harapan niya akong tignan ng ganito.

Ang nanlalagkit nitong mga tingin sa akin ang patunay kung anong klaseng babae siya.

She’s a flirt.

And the man beside her couldn’t overcome easy temptations like her that leads him to losing Eveion.

I smiled with my thought.

At dahil sa katangahan niya, nakukuha ko ang dapat na para sa akin.

I excused myself from the group when the conversation is getting serious already. I reasoned out that I’m going to find my father in which they immediately let me.

I left the pack, but I can still feel Candice’s glaze following me.

“Saan ka galing?” Tanong sa akin ni Atlas nang tumabi ako sa kanya. The auction is about to start.

“Got stuck in the receiving area with dumb people.”

“Hey, your words. Hindi porque’t ang tali-talino mo ay maggaganyan ka na.” He said but I rolled my eyes. Ngumisi lang ito atsaka ko binulongan kung bagay ba sa kanya ang maging strikto.

I rolled my eyes again.

“Definitely, not.”

This childish man who is actually just the same age as my father is acting like this all the time.

Hindi na rin ako nagtaka kung bakit sumuko na ang chariman sa kanya.

“Our item for tonight is the portrait of Saint Mary Magdalene. This item is from Rome and was made during the Renaissance period.”

Portrait of Saint Mary Magdalene…

I watched closely at the single portrait right in front of us and realized something.

Habang nakatitig ako sa painting na nasa aming harapan, hindi ko maiwasang maalala ang huling pag-uusap namin ni Atlas sa party ni Dr. Torres.

The painting in three Blanco mansion.

“Atlas.”

“Yeah?”

“Was the painting in the Blanco mansion real?” I asked and in just a snap, he immediately turned his gaze at me.

“Still can’t get over with it?” He said, laughing. “Of course! Anong akala mo sa akin, gumagawa ng kwento? Kahit na tanungin mo pa tatay mo.”

When Atlas said that, I saw how he tapped my father who is sitting beside me. Pinaggigitnaan nila akong dalawa ngayon.

“What?” My father said.

“Ikwento mo nga sa anak mo yung tungkol sa mansyon ng mga Blanco, Sandro.”

My father shifted his gaze from Atlas to me.

“The Blanco’s mansion, what is it that you want to know?”

“Just about the portrait.”

“Yung painting?” Napakurap ako sa sinabi niya.

“Have you seen the painting?”

“No, but I once saw the former owner of that mansion.” Nang sabihin niya iyon kaagad ko siyang hinarap, halatang interesado sa mga sasabihin niya.

“Bata ka pa non, like a toddler, I think. I always walk you under the sun early in the morning, at may isang pagkakataon na nakita kong may pumasok doon na babae. Kasing edad siya ng mama mo kung hindi ako nagkakamali.”

A woman… just like what Atlas told me.

Pero sa kwento ni dad, pumasok ito sa mansyon nong nakita niya ito habang sa kwento naman ni Atlas ay nakita niya ang babaeng lumabas ng mansyon.

That’s quite odd and very interesting.

“What does the woman looks like? Is she still alive? Was it the same woman Atlas saw?” Sunod-sunod kong tanong at imbes na manood kami ng auction ay nagkwentuhan na kami tungkol sa mansyong ng mga Blanco.

“You saw the woman?” My father asked Atlas.

“Yes, about more than a week ago, why? Pero bata pa ‘yon eh, kasing-edad siguro ni Elie, tsaka babae rin.”

Oh right, I totally forgot about it.

Nabanggit pala ni Atlas na parang kasing-edad ko lang yung babaeng nakita niya.

So, it’s impossible that it was just the same woman as my father used witness before.

“Baka may bagong nakabili na ng mansyon. That mansion was always empty ever since, I even wonder what’s the purpose of buying such property if you won’t at least use it.” Mahabang wika ng aking ama dahilan na ikinatango naman kaagad ni Atlas.

“O baka pinamana?” When Atlas uttered that, both me and my dad look at him in synch.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ni dad pagkatapos at halatang iisa lang ang iniisip namin.

Atlas has the point.

That’s actually cleaver of him to think the possibility of that mansion being inherited by new generations.

“I want to see that mansion,” sabi ko dahilan upang mapatingin sa akin si dad.

“Why?”

“So that I can see the owner.”

“Bakit?” Napalingon ulit ako sa gawi ni Atlas nang magsalita ito.

Kunot-noo niya akong tinignan dahilan upang mapairap ako.

“Don’t worry Atlas, I won’t try to take that woman from you.” I said when I remember how he throws compliments about how beautiful that woman was when he saw her.

“Curious lang ako sa painting na sinasabi niyo. I want to see it on my own eyes, and perhaps…” there’s a long pause when we heard the sound of a wooden hammer echoed across the room.

“SOLD! The painting of Saint Mary Magdalene is sold to bidder number 24.”

Napatingin ako sa painting na kinuha ng ilang mga lalake paalis ng stage.

I kept my eyes on the painting before saying something.

“… perhaps I can make arrangements with the new owner to buy that painting from her.” Pagpapatuloy ko dahilan upang mapatingin sa akin ang dalawang kasama ko.

If it’s really that beautiful, then I want to buy it.

I love owning beautiful things.

“If that’s so, then you better stay at the annex.” My father suggested before shifting his gaze on the auction.

The annex is like an extension of the Montenegro’s mansion in Greenwod, pero nakapangalan ito sa ama ko dahil siya ang bumili non.

It’s like a villa beside the main house.

“Bakit ako titira sa annex?”

“You think seeing the Blanco’s owner was that easy? Kailangan mo siyang hulihin kung kinakailangan dahil hindi siya palaging nandon.”

Ah, so we’re actually gonna play a little game of catching the owner. That’s cute.

“Fine, that’s better than living in the casa with the chairman.” Dahil sa lugar na iyon, ang daming nakabantay sa bawat kilos ko.

It’s disgustingly suffocating.

Napangisi si Atlas sa sinabi ko atska napailing habang si dad naman ay pasimple lang akong tinignan.

I don’t have to keep my words nice when we’re talking about the old man, dahil pareho lang naman kaming tatlo ng opinyon pagdating sa kanya.

“Kakausapin ko ang mama mo tungkol sa plano mong paglipat sa annex. The chairman will also let you when your mom asks for it so worry less.” Napantango ako sa sinabi niya atsaka namin muling itinuon ang aming atensyon sa auction.

Atlas wanted the new item so he bought it.

My father also bought the auctioned jewelry for my mom— which is already expected from him.

The Blanco’s painting…

I’ll make sure to have my grip on it.