Night in Paradise Series #1: Wild Scent

Chapter 1

Dreina POV

LONELINESS yan ang naramdaman ko ngayun habang nag-iisang nagkakape rito sa isang coffee Shop. I was living alone for 6 years and I'm now 29 years old, I've never had a boyfriend here in Spain, Yes I was In Spain. Walang araw at gabi na hindi ko iniisip ang mga magulang ko, namimiss ko na sila, kamusta na kaya sila? Wala pa akong lakas na loob para bumalik sa amin lalo na baka magkita kami ulit. Diko kinaya noon ng malaman kung ipapakasal ako ng magulang ko sa lalaking diko gusto, kahit na may nangyari sa min ni Yveeren di pa rin yung sapat para manatili ako at magpakasal sa kanya, marami pa akong pangarap na gusto abutin at di yun mangyayari kung magpapakasal ako.

I already tasted what freedom felt like since kontrolado ng ama ko ang bawat galaw ko nong una. I didn't want anyone stealing my freedom. Tumatawag rin naman ako sa parents ko kahit na may kunting galit pa sa akin ang ama. Maraming beses na akong gustong pauwiin ng mga ito pero nagpumilit ako na hayaan na muna nila ako at wala rin naman silang nagawa kundi pagbigyan ang gusto ko.

I already had my own gallery here in Barcelona, for 6 years I pursue my dream and I succeded. I also volunteer teaching sa mga bata dito sa Barcelona and it made my life colorful seeing them enjoying painting. Painting is my lifetime dream and when I finally achieved it, it made my life perfect.

"Hello pretty lady, can I sit with you?" pukaw sakin ng baritoning boses sa wikang Spanish

"You can have my table sir" sabi ako at umalis palabas ng coffee shop.

Ayoko munang tumanngap ng lalaki sa buhay ko, I'm afraid that they may steal my beloved freedom. Ayokong may kumukontrol sa bawat galaw ko, nakakasakal yun. Habang naglalakad ako patungo sa gallery ko tumunog ang phone ko. Kinuha ko iyon at sinagot.

"Hello Xyrielle Ciazzo speaking" sagot ko

When I stepped my feet in Barcelona I used my second name and my mother's surename, afraid of him searching me.

"Hello Ma'am," said a woman with English accent on the other line."Are you in the gallery right now?" she ask

Napangiti ako ng mapagtanto kung sino ito. "I'm almost near the gallery now, why" sabi ko

She took a deep breath before answering.

"Well, there's a emergency in my family so I had to take leave sorry I didn't tell you. I supposed to deliver 2 paintings in De Luca mansion but sadly I can't deliver it, so I wanna ask you a favor if it's okay with you to send Personally the paintings to the De Luca Mansion"

De Luca is well known throughout Spain. Most of the business dito sa Barcelona pag-aari nila, mula sa mga hotels, resorts and restaurants that spread in Europe, Russia and Asia. In short, they are a freaking rich and well known family.

"Sure, no problem." Sabi ko sa kanya

"Gracias Dreina" sabi niya thank you in spanish

"De nada" I said your welcome in spanish

The call ended and I hurriedly went to the gallery to get the painting and deliver it to the De Luca mansion. After a half an hour of drive nakarating din ako sa mansion ng mga De Luca, the magnificent elegant house stood before me, it's breathtakingly beautiful.

"Who are you?" sabi ng security guard na nagpatigil sakin na pagmasdan ang napakagandang mansion sa harap ko

"I am Xyrielle Ciazzo from Ciazzo Gallery" pagpapakilala ko

Recognition showned into the security guards face."You may enter" sabi niya

I drove my car towards the mansion where the Mistress of the house Camilia De Luca.

"Good morning" bati niya sa ginang habang lumabas ng sasakyan

"Good morning dear, is that the painting?" bakas sa kanyang boses at mukha na excited siya mga painting.

"Yes ma'am, sorry for being late because my Employee had an emergency so I had to deliver this myself" sabi ko na nahihiya

Her eyes widened

"Your Xyrielle Ciazzo? The owner of the gallery and the one who paint the paintings?" she said in surprised

As long as I wanted to keep a low profile marami pa rin talaga ang makakilala sakin na may ari ng Ciazzo Gallery.

"Yes Ma'am" I said

Her jaw dropped.

"My god sweety, why didn't you tell me in advance so that I can prepare?" sabi niya

"No, it's okay Ma'am it's not a big deal" sabi ko

Napatitig siya sakin."It's a big deal for me, it's my pleasure na bibisitahin ako ng isang sikat na painter at siya pa mismo ang naghatid ng mga paintings na inorder ko." sabi niya

My eyes widened> She can speak tagalog?

"You can speak tagalog Ma'am?" napatanong ko bigla

She chuckled

"Of course Iha, I'm a half filipina like you, nalaman ko kasi na half filipina raw ang may-ari ng gallery so I'm looking forward to meet her and here you are standing in front of me.Wag mo na akong tawaging Ma'am mas lalo akong tumatanda niyan, Tita nalang" sabi niya

Well I didn't expect this at nakakahiya naman na tawagin kong tita ang Mistress ng mga De Luca.

"Masyado naman pong nakakahiya." sabi ko

"Don't be shy Iha, halika let's go inside" sabi niya at iginiya ako papasok ng mansion. Tumawag rin siya ng mga katulong upang kunin ang mga painting sa sasakyan ko.

"Come here, Iha wag ka mahiya" sabi niya at pinaupo sa couch

The, a very handsome man stepped out from the door of the mansion.

"Mom, what's that noise" Anang lalaki na ikinagulat ko

"Oh, son, look at the painting aren't they beautiful Damian" anang ginang na nakangiti." And look whos here, she's Xyrielle Ciazzo the owner of my favorite Gallery and the one who paint this"

Tiningnan ng lalaki ang mga paintings na kakadating lang at ngumiti.

"It's beautiful" sabi niya

"Thank you" sabi ko

Ngumiti ang ginang sa anak niya."See, nagustuhan mo rin"

"Yes mom,it's nice to meet you Xyrielle and your works are splendid but I have to go now may meeting pa ako" sabi nang binata

"And sino naman yang ka meeting mo? Sana naman at may apo na ako diyan"

Tumawa ng mahina ang binata at ngumiti sa ina.

"I have a meeting with my Business partner from Russia and don't worry Mom, magkaka apo ka rin soon" sabi ng binata then she kissed her mother and walk away

"Pasensya ka na sa anak ko Iha"

"No its okay Tita" sabi ko

We talked for a while and it's fun talking to her mas lalo kung na mimiss ang ina ko. It's already 1:30 in the afternoon when I decided to go back to the Gallery, dun na rin ako nakapag lunch sa kanila dahil yun ang gusto ni Mrs. De Luca, she's really a mother material napaka bait nito at maalagain.

Pumasok ako sa Gallery na nakangiti.

"Hello Ma'am" bati sakin ng isa kung employee

"Hello Sophia, marami bang costumer ngayun?" sabi ko at umupo sa swivel chair ko here in my office

"Yes Ma'am, a lot of costumer buys painting and most of our displays were bought. And oh, one gentlemen bought the Moon embracing the Sun and the Starry Night painting and he wants you to deliver it personally to him" she said while looking at the papers in her hands

That two painting is my favorite, sayang nga at ibinenta ko pa di ko na lang sana ibinenta yun.

"Why me?" tanong ko

Bakit ako pa ang kailangan na mag deliver niyan, may taga deliver naman kami.

"He said he wants you to compliment in person for painting the most beautiful paint he has seen" she said

I sighed. no choice kundi e deliver yan.

"Okay, tell me his name and write his address for me" sabi ko sa kanya

"Hmm, he just said that he's Mr. H and for the address I'll write it for you now" she said and went back to the employee's office.

I took a deep breath lay my head down in my swivel.

"Here it is Ma'am" I slowly open my eyes and saw Sophia putting a small paper in my desk

"Thank you, just please put the paintings inside my car I'll deliver it right now."

She nooded and left. I tidy myself and prepare to deliver the painting, I get the paper where the address was written. I walk towards my car and the paintings is already inside with full shield to prevent damage. I went inside and drive my car to the address, and the address lead me to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel one of the most expensive Hotel here in Barcelona.

"Hello, where's the hotel room of Mr. H please I'm here to deliver his order" I said to the receptionist in spanish language

"Wait for it ma'am, i'll call his room first. She said and call someone."Room 25, 7th floor ma'am" she said nang matapos ang tawag

"Thank you" sabi ko at pumunta sa 7th floor dala-dala ang dalawang painting, di naman masyadong malaki at mabigat kaya nakaya kung dalhin ito.

KNOCKED!KNOCKED!KNOCKED!

"Hello sir, I'm here to deliver your paintings" sabi ko while knocking through the door

"Come in" said of the husky voice from inside of the room

I hit the door knob and find out that it's not locked, so I entered the room and a manly perfume welcome me.

"Hello?" I said nang nakapasok na ako

Napatingin ako sa isang pinto ng tumigil ang tunog ng shower. Wait, naliligo pa siya? Baka naman p*****t ang lalaking ito at ma r**e pa ako. My heart began to beat as the door of the bathroom open and a familiar handsome man appeared in front of me. The man I'm trying to avoid for 6 years.

"HELLO HONEY, I MISS YOU"