A Hot Night with Uncle Travis

CHAPTER10

KASSANDRA JAYDEN’S POV

Binitiwan ni Timothy ang aking braso at galit niyang hinarap ang lalaking dumating.

“What are you doing here, Uncle?” he asked angrily.

The stranger man only smiled. “Did you forget?” You sent me an invitation.” He held out the invitation in his hand.

Tama ba ako nang narinig tinawag na uncle ni Timothy ang lalaking nakasama ko kagabi. Hindi ako makapaniwala na mag-uncle sila. Pakiramdam ko tuloy ang dumi-dumi kong babae.

“Uncle?” I asked, turning sharply to Timothy before my gaze flickered back to the stranger man from last night. My breath caught in my throat. “He’s your nephew?”

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa at pagkatapos ay sabay nilang hinawakan ang aking magkabilang braso.

“Yes, he’s, my uncle! And I need your explanation,” Timothy said.

“She doesn’t need to explain with you. After what you’ve done to her!” the man said furiously.

Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko ngayon dahil sa sobrang kahihiyan ko sa mga tao. Parang wala na rin akong pinagkaiba sa mommy ko. Ngunit nagtatalo ang isip at puso ko, ang sabi ng isip ko mali ang ginawa ko, ngunit iba ang binubulong ng puso ko, dahil hindi ko deserved ang saktan ng isang Timothy Mondragon.

Halos mapaluha ako habang pareho nilang hawak ang aking braso dahil mag-uncle ang tumikim sa katawan. I can’t imagine na darating ako sa tagpong ito.

“Let go—”

I never got to finish because my dad suddenly spoke.

“Jayden, were you with Travis last night?” he demanded, his voice thick with anger. “Did you even know who he is? He’s the outcast of the Mondragon family— the bastard son of Gilberto Mondragon and one of their servants. How could you end up with a man like him?!”

Lavinia let out a mocking laugh. “Poor sister. In your desperation over Timothy, you really fell into drain.”

I lifted my chin and faced my father without fear. “Dad, there’s nothing you can do about it now. I would rather choose a man they look down on than stay with someone like Timothy— a liar and a money-hungry cheat.” Then I turned to Lavinia, my gaze icy. “Timothy is all yours. You wanted him so badly— now keep him!”

Tinalikuran ko na sila at nagdesisyon na akong umalis sa simbahan dahil pakiramdam ko ay ako ang magiging latest news ng buong bayan ng Tayabas dahil sa eskandalong nangyari ngayon.

“Let’s go!” Sabay hila ko sa braso ng lalaki na ngayon ko lang nalaman na Travis pala ang pangalan.

Hindi maitatago ang inis ko habang papalabas kami ng simbhan dahil lahat ng tao ay nakatingin sa amin at nagbubulungan.

Nang makalabas kami ng simbahan ay dumiretso kami sa sasakyan ng boss niya na hanggang ngayon ay tahimik lang na sumusunod sa amin.

"You know, you're lucky to have a boss like him," I snapped at Travis, my voice dripping with anger. "He's completely wrapped around your finger!"

A smug smile tugged at Travis's lips.

"You should be thanking me," he replied calmly. "I was the one who saved you from those bastards."

"Saved me?" I laughed bitterly. "My reputation as a Montevista has been ruined because of you and your nephew! Do you have any idea what you've done to me?"

The tears I had been fighting finally spilled down my cheeks.

"I'm disgusted with myself," I choked out. "Every time I think about it, all I can remember is that both of you touch me."

My voice cracked as the pain I'd been holding inside consumed me. No matter how hard I tried to stay strong, the humiliation and heartbreak were too much to bear, and I broke down in tears.

Pakiramdam ko ay pinagsakluban ako ng langit at lupa nang dahil sa mga nangyari. Sa katugustuhan kong maghiganti kay Timothy ay nahulog ako sa isang apoy na sisira sa buhay ko.

Patuloy ako sa pag-iyak hanggang sa maramdam ko ang maiinit na bisig ni Travis na yumakap sa akin.

"Don't cry, my girl." Travis's voice softened as he gently wiped away the tears streaming down my face. "From now on, I'm on your side. You won't have to face this alone anymore. I'll stand with you through every battle."

I stared at him, confused by the sudden sincerity in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" I asked cautiously.

His gaze never left mine. "Marry me," he said in a low, steady voice. "And you'll never have to worry about your safety again."

My breath caught in my throat. "Marry you?"

"Yes." The corner of his lips lifted into a faint smile. "Become my wife, and no one will dare hurt you. As Mrs. Travis Mondragon, you'll have my name, my protection, and every resource at my disposal. Anyone who comes after you will have to go through me first."

I could hear nothing but the frantic pounding of my heart as I stared at the outcast, bastard will be standing before me, offering me the one thing I desperately needed—protection. But how can he do that he’s nothing; I need to give him a job in Montevista Corporation.

“How can the bastard an outcast can protect me?” I asked him.

“This bastard an outcast is your savior.” He looks at me and he wipes out my tears using his finger.

Habang yakap-yakap niya ako pakiramdam ko ay walang ibang makakapanakit sa akin dahil sa mga bisig niya. Sabihin ng mahirap siya pero kaya niya akong ipagtanggol sa taong nanakit sa akin.

A smile finally appeared on my face as I looked at Travis. "Then let me help you too," I said. "I'll give you a position at Montevista Corporation."

Travis chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry about me. The new CEO of Mondragon Corporation is already on our side." As he spoke, he glanced at the man standing beside him. "I'm his executive assistant," Travis admitted. "Though, to be honest, I can do just about anything—from handling executive tasks to working as a construction laborer or even a janitor if necessary."

My brows furrowed in confusion.

"The new CEO of Mondragon Corporation?" Slowly, I turned my gaze toward his boss, who had remained silent the entire time, merely observing our conversation.

The man's expression was unreadable, his powerful presence filling the surroundings without him saying a single word.

My heart skipped a beat.

“Wait... He's the new CEO of Mondragon Corporation?" I asked in disbelief, staring at the man whose quiet authority was impossible to ignore.

Suddenly, everything about him made sense—the expensive tailored suit, the commanding aura, and the confidence that seemed to follow him wherever he went.

This wasn't just Travis's boss. This was the man who now controlled one of the most powerful business empires not only in our town but in the whole country.

Hindi ako makapaniwala na isang misteryosong bagong CEO ng Mondragon Corporation ay nasa harapan ko. At alam ko na isa rin siya sa makakatulong sa akin upang tuluyang pabagsakin si Timothy Mondragon.