The Untouchable Billionaire

Chapter 4: Engagement Party

“Don’t worry mommy, pagbumalik na si Daddy, Daddy and I will protect you. No one can hurt you ever again.”

I was a bit shock to her my son. His voice is cold. Luca’s voice is always sweet, especially when he’s talking to me, but now it’s very different. It’s different that it sounds scary.

I don’t know Luca. I don’t know if there is someone that could protect me from pain. All that I know is that, all I have is you, and it is my obligation to protect you, not the other way around.

“I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

I was about to close my eyes and sleep when my phone suddenly rang. I took it from the bedside table and saw Freya calling.

“Hello.” I greeted.

[Sandra, mom called me earlier, invited din kami sa engagement party ng ahas mong fake sister.]

She excitedly announced but her voice suddenly filled with disdain when she mention ‘fake sister’.

“Really?”

Well, it’s a good thing to have Freya in the party, atleast hindi ako mabo-bore.

[Yes! By the way, may susuotin ka na?] She asked.

“Wala pa, I’m planning to buy tomorrow. Sama ka?”

[No need. I’ll prepare our clothes. Punta na lang kayo dito, I’ll do your make up.]

She then stated.

“Is it okay?” Though magkaibigan kami, ayoko ko namang makaistorbo kay Freya.

[Of course, and gusto ko mag twinning tayo sa party hehehe.]

She sounds very excited especially when she mentioned the word ‘twinning’. Ever since we became bestfriends, gusto niya magsuot kami palagi ng parehong damit, especially pagnagbo-bonding kami.

“OK Ikaw bahala. Thanks, by the way.”

Freya is a fashion designer and a stylist, so alam kong maganda ang pipiliin niyang damit, and halos magkapareha lang kami ng size, so there’s no need to worry.

[Alright, Goodnight Sandra. Bye.] Pagpapaalam niya.

“Goodnight.” Then I hung up the phone.

Honestly speaking, parang ayoko ko nang pumunta ng party. Feeling ko kasi, hindi talaga ako welcome sa party.

And my Dad. Kung galit pa rin siya bakit niya ako papapuntahin? Pwede namang hindi.

And one more thing, ayaw ni Dad na dalhin ko si Luca sa party, wala akong pwedeng pag-iwanan kay Luca.

Pakiramdam ko rin may hindi magandang mangyayari.

Pero kung hindi ako pupunta, masasayang lang ang pagbalik ko ng bansa.

In the day of the party, I drive to Freya’s house at 4, mag-aayos pa kasi kami for the party. The party will start at 6 in the evening. Dinala ko din si Luca, wala akong mapag-iiwanan sa kanya at mas lalong hindi ko siya pwedeng iwan mag-isa sa condo.

“Freya, what is this?” I exclaimed looking at Freya, unbelievably.

Paano ba naman kasi, yung gown na pinili niya ay masyadong sexy.

“Why? What’s wrong? You actually looks undeniably seductive in that gown.” She stated while fixing Luca’s hair.

She just made me wear a crystal beaded fitted dazzling evening dress with linear crystal beading on net, and delicate crossing straps. The gown has a low cut, kaya medyo kita ang dibdib ko and has a long side slit na kita ang mapuputi kong legs. The evening dress was extremely sexy. I never worn anything like this before that it made me feel a little uncomfortable.

Bakit kasi hindi ko man lang muna tiningnan ang gown bago suotin?

Pagkarating kasi namin sa bahay ni Freya, she immediately pushed me to the bathroom to wear the dress. Akala ko ok lang ang damit pero nung lumabas ako at humarap sa salamin, I realize that the dress is too sexy.

I look at Freya raising my right eyebrow.

“Really, the dress suits you very much.” She continued at bumalik ulit sa pag-aayos kay Luca. My son looks so handsome in his two piece black suit partnered with red bow tie.

Pagkatapos niyang ayusan si Luca, ako naman ang hinila niya paupo sa harap ng salamin para ayusan. She tied my hair up, put a light make-up on me and painted my lips with a red lipstick. I look at my face carefully. Mas lalo akong nagmukhang seductive dahil sa ayos ng mukha ko.

Ang tagal na rin simula noong nag-ayos ako ng ganito to attend a party. Simula noong pinalayas ako at tumira sa L.A puro trabaho at pag-aasikaso kay Luca ang pinagkakaabalahan ko.

“There you go. Ang sexy mo tingnan. Siguradong maglalaway ang ex mo sayo.” She praised me as she look at my reflection.

“Ewan ko sayo. Mag-aayos ka na nga.” I said to her pero tinawanan lang ako.

“Ok then, hintayin niyo na lang ako sa baba.” She said then entered the bathroom.

Lumapit naman ako kay Luca, na naglalaro na ng games sa cellphone ko, at dinala siya sa living room para hintayin ang ninang niya. I took my red purse on the table before we walk out.

It didn’t take so long after Freya finished dressing up.

Magkapareho din kami ng damit ang kulay lang ang naiba. I’m wearing a red gown while she’s wearing pink. She curled her hair and put a light make-up and pink lipstick. She looks so feminine and sexy at the same time.

“Let’s go?” She said as she walk down the stairs towards the living room.

I just nodded at her then we walk out of the house.

———

It took us 20 minutes before we reach the venue. The party is held at Imperial Grand Hotel.

Talagang pinaghandaan nila ang engagement party. They really choose a very luxurious hotel for the party.

"Ada must be happy. She stole your man and will be celebrating her engagement party at the most luxurious and expensive as hell hotel." Freya stated as she roam her eyes around.

She must be. Lorenzo's family owns an aviation company. The San Agustin's will surely give her a dream-like engagement since she will be the bride of their unico hijo.

Inilibot ko rin ang paningin ko habang naglalakad patungo sa hall kung saan gaganapin ang event.

The building is really luxurious. Every corner of the building has a touch of gold color. I wonder who owns this building.

"She must be. This is her dream. She even destroyed me just to achieve this dream." I said as a matter of fact.

Hindi nagtagal narating din namin ang hall. Pagkarating namin sa tapat ng isang gold colored double door, inabot kaagad namin ni Freya ang mga invitation cards namin sa dalawang lalaking naka formal suit na nagbabantay. They also opened the door for us.

As we entered the hall, the noise of the guests welcome us. Some of the guests notice us then continued to gossip again.

Then suddenly, I heard a gossip relating to me.

"Isn't she Sandra Divino? The first daughter of Marcus Divino?"

"Yes, she's still so beautiful."

"I heard that she was engaged to Lorenzo San Agustin before."

"Really? She was engaged to the groom. Then why they didn't get married?."

"Rumor says that she sleep with another man. Lorenzo then cancel the wedding, and after that she suddenly disappeared."

"Oh gosh." Some of the guests who heard the woman's statement gasp in shock. Some of them even throw me a stares of disbelief.

"Look, she's holding a kid. Maybe that's her child with another man."

"The kid looks familiar, but I couldn't figure out who."

The group of five women continued to gossip as if their subject is not here. I think they're tita Tania's friends. And I'm pretty sure it was her who spread the rumors about me.

Freya then pulled me to the table in the corner with 5 seats kaya hindi ko na narinig pa ang pinag-uusapan ng mga kababaihan.

"Don't mind them."

Freya said as we sit.

Tinanguan ko lang at inayos ang pagkakaupo ni Luca. Luca is in my right side and Freya on my left. I roam my eyes around the hall. The decorations are very elegant. Red roses were decorated in every corner of the hall. The hall was filled with red and gold color. The hall became more grandiose because of the large crystal-made chandelier hanging in the center of the large hall.

It didn't take long when the party started. Tita Claire, Lorenzo's mother, made some introduction before introducing the two most important people of the evening. The future groom and bride.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome, the lovely couple, my son, Lorenzo San Agustin and my future daughter-in-law Adalaine Divino!" The host announced.

A woman in a red velvet backless evening dress with a man wearing a black suit walk to the center of the stage. Nakaangkla ang kamay ng babae sa braso ng lalake.

Ada is full of smile, happiness is very evident in her beautiful face. I look at the man I once loved. He is smiling, but the smile didn't even reach his eyes. He roam his eyes to the crowd until his gaze stop on me. His smile slowly faded, face painted with a slight shock.

"I told you, maglalaway sayo yang ex mo." Freya suddenly whispered kaya bigla kong inilipat sa kanya ang paningin ko.

"Tumahimik ka na nga, kung ano-ano pinagsasabi mo." I said and throw her a warning gaze.

"Kung ano-ano ka diyan, can't you see? He almost drop his eyeballs after seeing you." She exaggeratedly stated while looking at the stage.

I shifted my gaze back to Lorenzo. Nakatuon pa rin sa akin ang mga tingin niya. I withdraw my gaze and squinted my eyes at the woman beside him. She is also looking at me. Nakangiti pa rin siya pero hindi maikukubli ng mga ngiti niya ang galit sa mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin. I just look at her with a blank face.

Siya 'tong nang-agaw at ikakasal, siya pa ang galit.

Hindi ko inalis ang paningin ko sa kanya hanggang siya na ang nagbawi ng tingin at inabot ang mikropono mula sa kay tita Claire.

"Everyone, thank you for coming and celebrating this special event with us. I hope to see you again in my wedding day. Please enjoy the night." She happily said and return the microphone to tita Claire.

Pagkatapos niyang magsalita ay bumaba na agad sila ng stage at lumapit sa mga bisita para makipagkwentuhan.

"Cr lang ako." Pagpapaalam ko kay Freya. Tumango lang siya sa akin bilang sagot.

"Luca, stay here with ninang. Magc-cr lang si mommy." Pagpapaalam ko kay Luca.

"Yes, mommy." He said kaya agad akong tumango at hinanap ang Cr. Naiihi na talaga ako.

Nahanap ko naman kaagad ang Cr kaya nakaihi agad ako. I wash my hands before going out of the cr. Pagkalabas ko, isang taong hindi ko inaasahang lalapit sa akin ang nakatayo sa labas ng cr. I was shocked to see Lorenzo. He's looking at me, eyes full of longing. I was about to take a step and walk pass through him when he suddenly speak.

"Sandra... you're back." He said. Parang hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na nakatayo ako sa harap.

I just look at him and smiled.

"Yeah, congratulations pala." Hindi ako bitter kaya babatiin ko siya sa engagement niya.

"Where have you been all these years?" He asked ignoring my words.

"Sa lugar kung saan malayo sa mga taong nanakit sa akin." I replied.

" I'm sorry." He apologized, but for what?

"Let's just forget the past Lorenzo, and besides, I already moved on. Wag ka ring humingi ng tawad, I was too careless kaya nangyari ang mga bagay na yun."

Si Ada dapat ang sisihin sa lahat ng 'to. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit tayo nasira.

Hindi siya sumagot at nanatili lang na nakatingin sa akin.

"Excuse me." I excuse myself 'cause I need to go back to Luca.

Nakakadalawang hakbang palang ako when a big hand suddenly grip my wrist.

"Sandra..." Lorenzo called my name again. Halata ang lungkot sa boses niya. Bakit siya nalulungkot? Engagement party niya, hindi ba dapat masaya siya?

Binalingan ko ulit ng nagtatakang tingin si Lorenzo.

"What is it? Kung may sasabihin ka pa, sabihin mo na, kailangan ko nang bumalik sa anak ko." I asked.

Ayaw kong magtagal dito kasama siya, baka kung ano pang sabihin ng makakakita sa amin, though wala namang masyadong tao na dumadaan dito sa harap ng cr.

Unti-unting lumuwag ang pagkakahawak niya sa pulsuhan ko kaya agad kong binawi ang kamay ko.

"May anak ka na?." He asked. Parang hindi siya makapaniwala sa narinig niya.

"Yes, that unwanted night I had with another man five years ago, brought me an angel. Kung wala ka nang sasabihin, aalis na ako." Sabi ko at tuluyan ng umalis para bumalik sa anak ko. Iniwan ko siya doon na tulala.

Lorenzo, you left me back then without giving me a chance to explain myself, and now you're acting as if you're not getting married to someone

Pagbalik ko sa table namin, si Freya naman ang umalis para puntahan ang parents niya.

"Sandra, puntahan ko lang sina mommy." Pagpapaalam niya.

"Yeah sure." I said and look at my son.

"Luca gutom ka na?" I asked him and he just nodded his head.

"Tara, kuha tayo ng food." Pag-aaya ko sa kanya at binababa siya sa upuan. Hinawakan ko ang isa niyang kamay at nagsimula ng maglakad.

Nakakailang hakbang palang kami ng may tumawag sa akin.

"Sandra." I look at the person who called me and saw dad with an unfamiliar man looking at me.

We took a few steps towards dad. Dad has a smile on his face while looking at me. His gaze suddenly shifted to Luca. I clearly saw how his face darkened, but he immediately put his smile back and look at the man standing beside him.

"Mr. Lahzis, this is my daughter Sandra."

He introduced me to the man. It's been years since he called me his daughter.

"Ms. Divino, nice to finally meet you." He said and reach out his hand for a hand shake. Finally? What does he mean by finally?

I look at the man's foreign face. He doesn't look like a Filipino. I think he's an Indian. He seems to be in his 50s.

I hesitantly shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Lahzis." I greeted him back. He smiled at me but the smile doesn't seem to be a good one. His smile is wicked.

Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ko sa isang 'to.

"Your father told me many things about you. He's right, you are so beautiful. Mr. Divino is so lucky to have a daughter like you." He stated.

I look at my dad after hearing the man's words. He's just smiling while listening to the man, as if he just achieved something.

Why would dad tell stories about me to the man?

"Thank you." I said with an awkward smile. Suddenly, his malicious eyes drop to my son standing beside me.

"Who is this little gentleman here?" He curiously asked.

I noticed that dad is about to say something but I immediately answered the man.

"He's my son Mr. Lahzis." I proudly announce.

Nabigla naman ito sa sinabi ko at nagtatakang ibinaling ang tingin sa ama ko.

"You didn't mention that your daughter has a child, Mr. Divino." He asked.

" Oh my mistake, I forgot to mention it, I'm sorry Mr. Lahzis."

Dad responded with an awkward smile but the man just throw him an unsatisfied look.

"Excuse us Mr. Lahzis, I'll just talk to my daughter." Pagpapaalam niya sa lalake.

"Okay." The man said.

"Sandra, follow me." Dad said to me with a smile on his face but his eyes is very dark.

Naunang naglakad si dad at sumunod naman ako kasama si Luca. Tinapunan ko ng tingin ang anak ko na tahimik lang na nagmamasid sa paligid.

Pumasok si dad sa isang pinto malapit sa stage. Pagpasok namin ay inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa silid. This must be a dressing room or a guest lounge. The spacious room is very luxurious. It has a sofa made of pure leather and a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. There's also a TV hanging on the wall.

I shifted my gaze at dad. Wala na ang ngiti sa mukha nito. Galit lang ang nakikita kong emosyon sa mukha niya.

May kinuha ito sa bulsa niya kaya napatingin ako sa kamay niya. It's a phone. May tinipa siya dito bago ito ibinalik sa bulsa niya at muling itinuon sa akin ang nagbabagang mga mata.

"You disappointed me again." He said gritting his teeth. I didn't say a word and just look at him.

"I firmly told you to not bring that bastard here! Mas lalo mo lang akong pinapahiya!" He shouted pointing his finger to Luca.

"My son is not a bastard." I calmly said.

"Yes, he is! Bunga siya ng kahihiyang ginawa mo! Isa siyang kahihiyan sa pamilya ko!" He shouted again and again.

Hindi ko na mapigilan pa ang galit ko. Dapat pala hindi na nagsayang ng oras na bumalik sa bansang 'to.

I was about to speak when the door suddenly opened. Isang babaeng nakadamit pang-maid ang pumasok. Nagulat pa ito ng makita ako.

I remember her. She's Mila. She's Ada's p.a. Tita Tania spoiled Ada too much when we were young, kaya nung lumaki siya, sa sobrang arte niya, nag-demand siya ng personal maid na bubuntot sa kanya. Kulang na lang pati pagkain niya, magpapasubo pa siya.

Ibinaling ni Mila ang atensyon niya kay dad.

"Sir, may iuutos po kayo?." Tanong niya kay dad. So, siya pala yung ti-next ni Dad kanina.

"Get that kid out of here!" Dad ordered pointing to Luca.

Nagtataka namang tinapunan ng tingin ni Mila si Luca. Agad ko namang hinila si Luca at tinago sa likod ko.

"No! Don't touch my son!" I shouted to my dad. Hinayaan ko siyang saktan ako pero hindi ko hahayaang pati si Luca ay sasaktan niya.

But dad didn't even mind my words. Galit niyang lumapit sa akin at pwersahang hinila palayo mula sa akin si Luca, na agad namang kinuha ni Mila.

"Mommy!" My son shouted while struggling from Mila's grip. Sinubukan kong lumapit sa kanya pero hinila ni Dad ang braso ko.

"Luca! Dad please, not my son please." I beg. Hindi parin binibitawan ni Dad ang mahigpit na pagkakahawak niya sa braso ko kaya hindi ako makalapit kay Luca.

I look at my son who's still struggling to get away from Mila. Alam kong natatakot na siya at naiiyak na, but he's trying to suppress himself. He's trying to be strong for me. Luca knows very well that he is both my strength and my weakness. Kapag bumigay siya, bibigay din ako.

"Ilabas mo na yan!" Pagalit na utos ni Dad kay Mila.

Mila hesitantly took the struggling Luca out of the room.

"Mommy, mommy!" Luca shouted while being drag out of the room.

I tried to run after them, but dad is tightly holding me. I struggled to get off from his grip pero pabalya niyang binitawan ang braso na muntik ko ng ikatumba.

"I'm not done talking to you!" He shouted to my face.

"Dad please, ibalik mo sa akin si Luca." I beg him and tears slowly flowed out of my eyes.

"I will bring that bastard back to you if you'll do what I say." Dad stated, voice filled with viciousness.

Is this still my father. Why is he doing this? What does he wants?!

"What do you want me to do?" I asked trying to suppress my anger. I'm so mad and worried for my son right now.

"I want you to marry Mr. Lahzis." Walang paligoy ligoy na sagot niya.

Marry who? The old man? Is he serious? Is he really my father? Why would he want me to marry that man?

"Marry? For what? I don't even know him!" I exclaimed.

Hindi nga ako naghanap ng lalake tapos ngayon gusto niya akong ipakasal sa taong halos doble na ng edad ko.

"It doesn't matter if you know him or not. I want you to marry him. He will be a great use for my business." He said. So, lahat ng 'to para lang sa business niya? He will use me for his own sake. What kind of father is he?

"No! I will not marry that man!" I strongly rejected him. He's too greedy. He could even sell his own child for business.

He throw me a sharp stare and showed a wicked smile.

"Then you will not be able to see your son, ever again." He threatened.

No, I can't let that happen.

How could he do this to me? I am his child and Luca is his grandson, but he treat us so evil

I was about to speak when the door suddenly opened again.

Hingal na pumasok ulit si Mila, pero hindi na niya kasama si Luca.

"Sir, yung bata, bigla pong tumakbo. Sinubukan ko pong habulin pero hindi ko na po nahabol. Nawala po ang bata sa paningin ko. Hindi ko na po alam kung nasaan siya." Kinakabahang paliwanag ni Mila.

Bago pa man maka-react si dad ay nakalapit na ako kay Mila.

"Where's my son?!" I angrily asked her. Nabigla naman ito sa pagsigaw ko.

"Pasensya na po ma'am Sandra. Hindi ko na po alam kung saan siya tumakbo." Paliwanag nito.

I immediately run out of the room after hearing Mila's explanation. I need to look for my son. He must be scared kaya siya tumakbo.

Pagkalabas ko ng kwarto ay napadpad ulit ako sa hall. Tuloy tuloy pa rin ang party. Tumakbo ako palapit sa double door para tuluyang makalabas.

I was about to go out when someone called my name and saw Freya walking fast towards me.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"Freya help me, Luca is missing." I pleaded. I need to find Luca as soon as possible, baka ano ng mangyari sa kanya.

"What? Bakit nawawala ang inaanak ko!?" Gulat na tanong niya.

"I'll tell you later. Hanapin muna natin siya, please." Sobrang kinakabahan na talaga ako. Paano pag una siyang mahanap ni dad? I don't know what to do.

"Halika na, bilisan natin. Baka kung ano ng nangyari kay Luca". She said then we immediately walk out of the hall.

"Doon ka, dito ako." I decided that we split para mas madali naming mahanap si Luca.

"Sige, call me pagnahanap mo siya. I'll call you pag-nahanap ko siya." She said. I just nodded my head and started to walk. Sa kaliwang direksyon ako pumunta, sa kanan naman si Freya.

Naglalakad ako ng mabilis habang palinga-linga, nagbabasakaling makita ang anak ko.

Paliko na sana ako ng bigla akong mabangga.

"Arghhh" I groaned. Ang sakit ng noo ko. Napaatras ako ng dalawang beses dahil sa may kalakasan ang pagkabangga ko. Luckily I didn't fall off.

Inangat ko ang tingin sa nabangga ko. My eyes suddenly widened in shock.

"Luca..." I softly whispered my son's name.

Bakit.....bakit kamukhang kamukha ng lalaking 'to ang anak ko?