Montepalma Series 2: Trapped by His Game

Kabanata 3

Chapter 03 | TBHG

“Stop fidgeting, Sianna,” Dad chastised.

We are currently eating lunch right now. I am gonna meet him again later for another meeting. Ayos naman ako these past few days, pero nang ibalita sa akin ni Dad na ngayon ang meeting ulit kay Mr. Montepalma ay parang hindi ako mapakali.

Hindi ko nga magalaw ang niluto ni manang sa amin. Napanguso ako at pinaglalaruan ko na lang iyong tinidor. Why am I even bothered that I am going to see him again?

I huffed. “I’m sorry, Dad.”

“Are you nervous to discussed the plan with Mr. Montepalma?” he inquired. Nanliliit ang mga mata niya parang inaalam niya kung ano ang tumatakbo sa utak ko. “He is a nice guy, Sianna. Just calm down.”

“Yeah…” My mind was really preoccupied. Hindi ko masyado nagalaw ang lunch ko kaya uminom na lang ako ng iced coffee. “I think I have to go. I have to meet him in thirty minutes.”

“Okay. Take a deep breath. You can do it, hija.”

Lumapit ako sa kaniya para halikan siya sa pisnge. Hindi ko mapigilan hindi mapangiti kasi alam ni Dad na kaya ko. I bolted in our house and I was driving my way to the Del Fierro Hotel in Makati.

Inabot ako mostly mga forty minutes bago ako makarating sa Del Fierro hotel. Bumaba na ako at binigay ko sa valet iyong susi ko. I wear my usual stoic expression. This is the typical Sianna that people see.

Gusto ko matawa kapag naririnig ko na Ice Queen ang tawag sa akin ng mga employee sa sarili kong drugstore. Strikta kasi ako at kailangan ko focus lang sa pagt-trabaho para maibigay namin ang gamot para sa mga bumibili.

Nagpunta ako sa lobby para tanungin kung saan reservation ni Mr. Montepalma. Alam ko na hotel restaurant kami na magm-meeting para sa new project.

“Reservation under Montepalma,” I said, coldly.

“He is in the restaurant, Miss Rodriguez,” she replied, formally. Ngumiti siya sa akin at iminuwestra kung saan ako pupunta. “You can walk to that hallway and turn right.”

“Thanks…”

Okay, this is it. Kailangan ko matanggal siya sa utak ko at isipin ang business namin. Nakatingin sa akin mostly mga tao. I could hear the audible thud of my heels against the marble floor.

Nakita ko naman na hotel restaurant kaya nagtungo ako roon. Nakita ko siya na nasa dulo ng table at pasulyap-sulyap sa kaniyang orasan. Shocks. I'm five minutes late. Nagtungo na ako sa direksyon niya. Our eyes met when I gaze at him.

Darn it.

The playful smug is etched on his lips. Kumakabog na naman ang dibdib ko at umupo na ako sa harapan niya. Hindi ko alam kung ano sasabihin ko. Nahihiya ako kasi ngayon lang talaga ako na late sa isang meeting.

“You are five minutes late,” he stated.

I cleared my throat. “I know. Sorry. Traffic happens in Manila.”

“I understand, mademoiselle,” he said. Inangat niya ang kamay niya para magtawag ng waiter. Napanguso lang ako. “Let’s eat together first before we discuss the business plan.”

“You can eat alone, Mr. Montepalma,” I replied.

“I don’t want to eat alone. Please.”

Dumating na ang waiter at binigay sa amin dalawa iyong menu. Fine. Mataas kasi ang pride ko. Nahihiya ako na nagkaroon ako ng utang na loob sa kaniya dahil sa pagligtas niya sa akin kay Preston. Tsaka nakaramdam din ako ng gutom nung nagmamaneho ako.

“I’d like to order wagyu kaiseki and iced tea,” Mr. Montepalma ordered. He took a glance at me waiting for me to order my food. “What is yours?”

“Mine is chopped salad and cinnamon danish roll please.” Binigay ko na sa waiter iyong menu at iniwas ko na iyong tingin ko.

I can see from my peripheral vision that he was hiding his smile. Bakit naman nakangiti sa akin si Mr. Montepalma? Talagang hindi ko siya nililingon kahit masakit na ang leeg ko.

“Why aren’t you looking at me?”

My heart is pounding inside my chest. I wanted him to stop looking at me. It was very awkward for me! Tsaka pinapatibok niya ng ganito iyong puso ko. Tumingin naman siya sa malayo!

“Sianna,” he called. “Baby… look at me.”

Ngayon nilingon ko na siya. “Why are you calling me baby?”

He smiled. “Because I want your attention all the time.”

It was painful to feel my heart wanting to get out of my chest. I want him to stop this feeling! Hindi naman ganito nararamdaman ko sa ibang lalaki. Mga nagtangka na manligaw sa akin hindi ganito pinaramdam sa akin. Pero bakit ganito nararamdaman ko kay Mr. Montepalma?

“Stop it, Mr. Montepalma,” I hissed.

“Make me stop, Sianna,” he whispered. The sensual tone rolled over his tongue when he mentioned my name. Damn it.

Nakahinga na ako ng maluwag nung dumating na ang waiter para i-serve iyong pagkain namin. Tahimik lang ako kumakain ng salad. In fairness, ang sarap ng pagkakagawa sa vinaigrette sa salad.

We were both so quiet while eating our lunch. Mabuti naman kasi I don’t feel like having a conversation with him. Pero nang magtama ang tingin namin ay nagsisiwalaan ang mga paru-paro sa tiyan ko.

“How’s the food?” he asked.

“Good,” I replied. Iniwas ko na iyong tingin ko sa kaniya. “Do you want me to start discussing our business plan?”

He bit his lower lip. “Be my guest, then.”

Sumandal siya sa kaniyang inuupuan at nag-utos sa isang waiter na iligpit na ang mga plato sa lamesa namin. Maingat ko nilalabas iyong mga documents at binuksan ko na iyong laptop ko. My fingers were a bit shaking when his intense ruthless eyes were watching me.

“There will be a new drugstore beside the hospital. And we will be your one and only supplier of medicines. The Salvador shipping line agreed that they will ship our medical supplier to the other parts of the Philippines,” I explained. Pinapakita ko sa kaniya presentation ko. “The amount of money will be doubled since you don’t need to buy some from another supplier.”

He was slowly nodding his head. “Where is the contract? I want to sign.”

“Uhm right here in my envelope.” Nilabas ko iyong mga contract sa brown envelope ko at pinakita ko iyon sa kaniya. “You can contact your lawyer to explain a vague statement.”

“No need,” aniya habang kinukuha ang fountain pen at nagsimula na pumirma sa harapan ko. Paniguradong matutuwa si Dad kapag maging successful kami sa business project na ito. “Hmm, is there anything else I need to sign? Now is the time.”

“These documents are for now. Kailangan ko muna itanong kay Dad iyong iba.”

“Good.” Nilapag niya na iyong fountain pen sa lamesa at mataman ako tiningnan. “You know what? I admire you so much, mademoiselle,”

Napakurap ako. “M-Me? How is that possible?”

“I’ve always wanted to be a cardiologist. But I am not allowed to since I am a Montepalma. Business is a priority over anything else. Our dreams won’t matter.” Biglang naging seryoso ang kaniyang tono at bahagyang tinagilid ang ulo. “And you are already a doctor or pharmacist. I am so proud of you for reaching your goals.”

I felt the heat rush to my cheeks like a crimson red. Parehas kami napaiwas ng tingin at nakaramdam ako ng awkwarness na sa atmosphere namin. I wish the time was ticking too fast. This feeling… that I don’t want to feel!

Fortunately, we tackled our business for two hours. My father wanted to invest in their hospital. Not only to have so much money in our bank account, it is also to help patients. My parents really desire to help. That they are willing to create new medicine for rare illness.

The fibers in my body are reacting to him. My heart was pumping as if it was losing its blood because Mr. Montepalma is in front of me. I don’t even understand the substance happening in my system.

“The meeting is adjourned,” I declared.

He clasped his hand together. “Can I have another hour with you, Miss Rodriguez?”

It made me stunned— running out of words. I was looking at him in shock and disbelief. It was out of his character. And the f*****g heat was pumping in my cheeks to cause a blush.

“For what?” I probed. My face remained as stoic as possible. “There is no need for another hour because our meeting is adjourned.”

“I have something to say, mademoiselle,” he answered. Then he stared at my eyes as if reaching for my soul. “You are making me crazy. You are always running in my mind. I always hear your voice all the damn time. Help me…”

Again, I was stunned for the second time. Why was he always this blunt all the time? Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin sa kaniya. I don’t want to speak either because I might say harsh words to him.

I gulped. “I-I think it’s very unnecessary to talk about that since we are business partners.”

He leaned forward and whispered, “You know that we are more than just business partners. You cannot neglect the obvious attraction between us.”

“Stop it, please.” I closed my eyes when I felt his slender fingers graze against my cheeks. Hindi ko nagugustuhan ang sinasabi niya. “I-I think I have to g—”

“You can run away from me but I will always chase you, mademoiselle,” he interjected.

I released a heavy breath. “I’m sorry. Let’s have another meeting next time. But it’s gonna be my father.”

I stood up and took my purse. It feels like I'm suffocating whenever he is near to me. Halos lakad takbo ang ginawa ko para makalayo kay Mr. Montepalma. Kailangan ko agad iwasan ito bago pa lumala. Lumingon ako at nakita ko siya na nagmamadali na binabayaran ang bills. It looked like he was going to chase me!

The valet came to me and handed me my car keys. Mabilis ako sumakay sa sasakyan ko at binuhay na ka agad ang makina ng sasakyan. The engine roared when Mr. Montepalma came out from the entrance. His eyes were roaming around until it found mine.

“Sianna!” he called.

I stepped on the gas forcefully. My chest was heaving up and down. My heartbeat was beating so fast. My hands were shaking against the steering wheel. My mind was preoccupied with his words. Damn it.

If he thinks that I am making him crazy, he is also making me crazy for heaven’s sake! But I don’t want to claim that I am attracted to him. I don’t want to fall in love. I don’t want to care about anybody but my family.

Screw you, Mr. Montepalma.

It has been two days… I feel peace when he is not around. I was reading a book while sitting on the bean bag on my balcony. Gusto ko magpahangin at magrelax kasi day off ko ngayon. Bigla ko narinig ang boses ni Dad.

“It’s open! Come inside!” I shouted.

Si Dad ay lumabas sa sliding door at naka suot siya ng white coat. Sinarado ko iyong libro at kinuha ko iyong iced coffee ko na nasa round table.

“Hello, Dad,” I greeted.

He put his hands in his pockets. “How are you, Sianna? I’m very sorry if I become busy lately.”

“Dad… it’s fine. I am already an adult and I understand if you are busy.”

“Thank you, hija.” Umupo siya sa harapan ko at sumandal pa siya ng bahagya para bang comfortable siya sa bean bag. “Your birthday is already near. What is your plan?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. Obviously I’m gonna work on my birthday.”

The wrinkles on his forehead became visible. Iniwas ko iyong tingin ko sa kaniya at nagpatuloy na uminom ng iced coffee. I used to celebrate my birthday with my Mom and now that she is gone— I don’t want to celebrate it. I will only treat it like a normal day and nothing special.

I heard him sigh. “I want to throw dinner to our family. I want to celebrate your birthday.”

“No,” I said, firmly. Nilingon ko siya at napasimangot ako. “Why are we even bothering to celebrate our birthday? We are just counting to our death!”

“I know that you miss your mother,” he replied, in a soft tone. Nakayuko na ito at dumaan ang lungkot sa kaniyang mukha. “Pero dapat nagsasaya ka, you should enjoy your life for once. I want you to go to a party and drink, or travel to another country with your friends. Or go grab a man to marry!”

I scrunch my nose. “Dad, you are crazy. Other fathers will strict their daughters for that. Aren’t you happy that I am not rebellious?”

“I am happy of course,” he answered. He gazed at me because he was very hesitant to say another word. “But I don’t want you to throw your life away because your mother is not with us anymore. You used to be a happy person, to have many friends. You are now different.”

Bigla ako napatingin sa langit na kulay asul. He was right though. I changed when my mother died. As if my life ended also when she died. With that, I smiled bitterly while staring at the sky.