Chapter 17
1294 Words
It was past midnight when a sudden ring cut through the silence of Eloise’s apartment. Sa dilim ng k’warto niya, kumislap ang liwanag mula sa cellphone na nakapatong sa tabi ng kan'yanh unan.
She groaned softly, her eyes still closed, but her hand fumbling blindly for the screen.
Napakunot ang noo niya nang makita kung sino ang tumatawag.
Estevan the Jerk Calling
"Of course," bulong niya nang inaantok pa, paos ang tinig mula sa pagkakatulog. "Walang oras ng tulog 'tong lalaking 'to."
She stared at the name flashing on the screen for a second longer, debating whether to answer or not. Part of her wanted to throw the phone under a pillow and forget about him, pero may kutob siyang hindi basta-basta ang tawag na 'yon.
With a sigh, she swiped to answer.
“Hello?” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Eloise.” His deep voice came through the speaker, and it was smooth and steady as ever. “Did I wake you?”
Dahan-dahan siyang bumangon at isinandal ang likod sa headboard. Her blanket fell to her lap, revealing the worn tank top and pajama shorts she always wore to bed.
“Seriously? It’s past twelve. Ano sa tingin mo?” inis niyang turan dito at inikot ang mga mata.
Ilang segundong nanahimik ang lalaki sa kabilang linya. Narinig niya pa itong nagbuntong hininga bago tuluyang nagsalita.
“I need you to pack a bag,” mahinahon nitong wika. “We’re leaving tomorrow.”
Napakunot ang noo niya, still trying to process what she was hearing. “Wait, what are you talking about?”
“There’s a business summit out of town. It’s only three days. You’re coming with me.”
“Seriously?” she looked at the clock. It was already 12:36 AM. “Estevan, I have a cafe to run, baka lang nakalimutan mo. Hindi ako p’wedeng basta-basta lang mawala ng gano’n katagal.”
“You can and you will,” he said. “Tell me—how much does Cafe Lune earn in three days?”
Mas lalo lang kumunot ang noo niya sa narinig. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Just answer.”
She sighed. “Mga forty thousand, bakit ba?”
“I’ll triple it. I’ll send the payment tonight.”
Natigilan siya sa narinig at tinapunan ng sulyap ang screen ng cellphone bago ito binalik sa kan’yang tenga.
“Eloise,” tawag nito sa kan’ya nang hindi siya nagsalita. “I need you with me. I don’t care how much it costs.”
Humigpit ang hawak niya sa cellphone. “This isn’t about money.” She sighed.
“Then what is it about?” tanong niya. “You agreed to this deal. This is part of it.”
Tumahimik si Eloise. Her heart was starting to beat faster now—not out of fear, but from the familiar edge in his voice.
“If you say no, I’ll drop by Cafe Lune tomorrow morning. We can talk about this in person. In front of your customers.”
Napapikit siya nang mariin, pinipigilan ang inis at kaba. Damn him. He always knew how to trap her, calmly and precisely, like he was just doing business.
“Seryoso ba?”
“I’m dead serious, Eloise,” he replied, calm and collected. “This deal is important. And you—you’re part of the image they expect to see. You don’t need to do anything complicated. Just smile, wear the dress I’ll send, and act like we’re in love.”
Napanganga siya dahil sa huling linya. “Are you hearing yourself?”
“Of course, why? Is it that hard?”
That hard mo mukha mo! Napasinghal siya sa isipan.
Eloise then closed her eyes, biting the inside of her cheek. He was always like this—so calculated, so sure she’d follow.
Pero hindi lang ‘yon ang dahilan kung bakit siya hindi makatanggi. Deep down, she hated that part of her wanted to see him again, even after everything.
“Fine,” she muttered. “But I’m bringing my own shampoo.”
Estevan let out a quiet breath—almost a laugh. “Bring whatever you want. Be ready by nine.”
Pagkatapos ng tawag, ibinaba ni Eloise ang cellphone sa tabi ng kama.
She stared at the ceiling for a long while after that. Sa loob-loob niya, alam niyang hindi lang ‘to basta business trip just like in the yacht.
There was something about the way he said it. The way his voice sounded like this wasn’t just business anymore.
THE BLACK SUV rolled to a slow stop in front of Sierra Azul’s main villa, tires crunching softly on the crushed white shell driveway.
Eloise stared out the tinted window, quietly stunned by what met her eyes.
Tucked away in a private cove of Siargao, Sierra Azul felt like a place the world wasn’t supposed to know about. Nakatayo ang mga glass villa sa ibabaw ng mga batuhang bangin, kumikislap na parang mga lihim sa ilalin ng ginintuang sinag ng hapon. The air smelled of salt, gumamela, and something impossibly clean, like new beginnings trying to disguise themselves as just another check-in.
The place was something else. Hindi lang ito basta maganda—it was unreal. The kind of place you only see in those curated travel pages or whispered about in expensive salons over champagne.
Sierra Azul wasn’t just a resort—it was a sanctuary.
Then the driver opened her door. Eloise stepped out, marahang tumutunog ang takong niya sa makinis na batong daanan. Beside her, Estevan emerged in his tailored black suit, sleeves rolled just enough to reveal his watch and the faintest trace of ink near his wrist.
They were in matching tones—black, white, and silver.
Unintentional, sinabi niya sa sarili niya.
“Let’s go,” he murmured, placing a hand lightly on her back.
That small touch sent a rush of awareness through her. It was not new. It was neither unexpected. But still disarming.
Dahan-dahan niyang sinuyod ng tingin ang paligid, parang kamera na kumukuha ng bawat detalye
To the east, a narrow trail curved upward towsrd the cliffs, lit by soft, golden ground lights. The butler who fetched them called it The Salt Spa Path—an exclusive area for detox, massages, and ancient rituals hidden behind a curtain of banyan trees. Halos hindi mo mapapansin kung hindi mo alam.
In the center of the sprawling property was a sleek floating platform—the Dock Pavilion—surrounded by water, glowing faintly under the setting sun. Doon daw gaganapin ang private dinner nila mamayang gabi. Romantic and secluded, yet dangerously open to anyone watching from afar./
Further uphill, carved into solid rock, was a discreet elevator. Keypad-secured and tinted black, it led to the Azul Wine Cavern—a glass-enclosed cave said to store rare vintages.
And at the very peak, watching over everything else, was their villa.
The Mirador.
“Ano ’to… spy base?” she muttered under her breath, her tone was a mix of sarcasm and awe.
Narinig siya ni Estevan pero hindi ito sumagot. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the glass villa above, as if analyzing its design for flaws.
“Walang makakaakyat doon unless may clearance,” sabi ng butler. “It’s a favorite for public figures who need complete privacy.”
“Perfect,” was all Estevan uttered before gesturing for her to follow.
Habang papalapit sila sa naghihintay na private buggy, may kung anong nagbago sa hangin, hindi niya lang matukoy kung ano. Mas malamig sa taas. The scent of gumamela and sea salt clung to the wind.
Every step felt like a descent deeper into something… intimate and dangerous.
- Writer
