HUGS #6 Poseidon Israel Smith (GOD OF THE SEA) -Completed

Chapter 4 -Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig

High & Untouchable Gods Society

Poseidon Israel Smith

GOD OF THE SEA

written by: Blackrose

Chapter 4 -Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig

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Coreen Louise

Habang papalapit ang birthday ni Pretty Bella ay nagkakaroon ako ng second thoughts if I'll travel to the Philippines or not. Partly ay gusto ko merely because I will be seeing Poseidon again whom I am missing so much. Right after kasi nang punta niya here in New York ay hindi na kami nagkita pang muli. Although he have called me to confirm the other day na nai-send na niya ang plane ticket ko. Actually, everything that I need for my trip was packed up already. Handa na ang lahat. Isa pa sa pinag-aalala ko is the knowledge that Poseidon's friends will all be there which only means that my sister will also be present. Wala pang kaalam-alam si Ate Lovely. She doesn't know my affair with Poseidon. In fact, binawalan pa nga niya ako to be near him or any of Kuya Genesis' friends. I knew she will be shock. Hindi lang yun, I truly believe that she will be mad at me lalo pa at ipapakilala ako ni Poseidon sa party ng anak niya as his fiance. But what will I do? The urge to see him and to be with him is stronger than the reality of my sister getting mad at me.

I am already boarded inside the plane. Hours from now ay nasa Pilipinas na ako ulit. As adviced by Poseidon ay ipapasundo niya ako sa chauffer niya which will take me to a hotel na magiging tuluyan ko while I am at my homeland. Dun na lang daw ako pupuntahan ni Poseidon according to him narin.

As planned, the chauffer is waiting for me the moment I stepped out of the arrival area. He helped me with my luggages then drive me straight to the hotel. Pagdating ko sa suite ko, exhaustion overcomes me kaya mas pinili ko na munang magpahinga. Darkness filled the entire room when I open my eyes. Gabi na pala. Agad akong bumangon to open the lamp sa sidetable tapos ay kinuha ko ang phone ko. I immediately saw 3 missed calls from Poseidon last 3 hours ago kaya kaagad ko siyang tinawagan.

'Where were you Coreen? You weren't answering my calls.'

'Nakatulog ako pagdating dito sa hotel.'

'Have you arrived safe? I got worried.'

Kung sana ay totoo ang pag-aalala niya sa akin, I will truly be happy kaso I know naman bakit siya nag-aalala. Nag-aalala siya na baka sumablay ang mga plans niya sa birthday ng nag-iisang anak niya. And that will ruin his reputation sa ex niya.

'Will you be coming over tonight?'

'I doubt that. I'm here at the society's meeting.'

'I see.' miss na miss ko pa naman siya. Akala ko pupuntahan niya ako ngayon.

'I'll pick you up tomorrow around 3. Be ready by then.'

'Sige. I'll freshen up first. I'm hungry.'

'Alright.'

Matapos kong maligo ay lumabas ako ng suite ko. I don't have any plans na kumain mag-isa sa suite kaya bumaba ako sa restaurant ng hotel. After ordering my light dinner ay nilibot ko ang aking paningin. Mostly ng nasa paligid ko ay mga couples and families having their dinners. Nakaka-inggit. I smile sadly at myself.

'Mind if I join you? That is if you are all by yourself.' inangat ko ang ulo ko to see a Mexican man in his late 30s.

'Sure.'

I guess it isn't bad if let myself to have a company tonight kahit sa dinner man lang. Ang boring kaya na kumain mag-isa.

'How come a pretty lady like you is dining alone tonight? Where's your boyfriend?'

'I'm single.' sumilay ang mapuputi at pantay-pantay niya teeth.

'How come?' I shrug my shoulder. 'Matt. I'm Matt Alejandro.' he extended his hand na tinanggap ko naman.

'Coreen.'

'What a beautiful name.'

This foreigner is hitting on me. Alam ko na ang mga styles ng mga kagaya niya. Hindi na bago sa akin ang mga ganito. Pero sorry na lang siya because taken na ang heart ko at wala na akong balak pang lumandi sa iba. Solid Poseidon lang kaya ito. Speaking of that man, ano kayang ginagawa niya ngayon sa meeting nila?

Matapos ang dinner ko with Matt ay minabuti ko ng bumalik sa suite ko kahit pa kinukulit ako ng foreigner na yun. I watch a late night movie hanggang sa nakatulugan ko na lang ang palabas. The following day, I was awaken when the doorbell rings. Kahit na nakapantulog lang ako na manipis ay tinignan ko kung sino ang nasa pinto.

'G-Good M-Morning M-Mam.' isang bellboy ang bumungad sa akin.

'Yes?'

'A-Ahm...' kita ko kung paano maglakbay ang kanyang mga mata sa harapan ko.

'What do you need?!' tinarayan ko ang boses ko.

'Ah Mam, pinabibigay po sa inyo ng driver ni Mr. Smith. Iniwan lang po sa ibaba kanina po.'

'Put it at the centertable please.' he obeyed me promptly saka mabilis na umalis matapos kong abutan ng tip.

I immediately look inside the boxes. I smile widely upon seeing the contents. Isang mamahaling sundress lang naman ang laman ng isang box then the other box contains an open toe high heeled sandals. But what caught my sight makes my heart jump. May note sa gilid ng sandals na agad kong kinuha at binasa.

Nothing fancy but I bought it myself. Wear this later. -pis

Mas lalong lumapad ang ngiti ko knowing that Poseidon gave me something na siya pa mismo ang bumili. Hmm. Plus 1 point for effort.

The most awaited time has come. As what he had promised ay sinundo niya ako sa suite ko. We are now heading to his home kung saan gaganapin ang birthday party ni Pretty Bella. I am anxious of what their reactions will be sa proclamation ni Poseidon about sa akin. Pero isa rin sa ikina-kakaba ko ay ang muling paghaharap namin ni Ate Lovely and her reaction afterwards. Hindi ko alam kung alam na ba ng mga kaibigan ni Poseidon about this plan of his pero sana lang ay huwag naman masira ang party ni Pretty Bella just because of that plan.

'We are here.' lalo akong pinanlamigan when he said those words. Hinawakan niya ang aking kamay. 'We'll make it through Coreen. I got your back. Just go with the flow.' tapos ay ngumiti siya sa akin ng pagkatamis-tamis. All of a sudden, my fears and worries disappears.

Whatever will happen inside this mansion, I might as well enjoy every minute of it habang fiance pa ni Poseidon ang tingin ng lahat sa akin. Kahit na palabas lamang ang lahat, kahit na sa araw lang na ito ay mahal ako ng lalaking mahal ko. Piping sabi ko sa sarili ko.

I put my most charming and most sophisticated look when we start walking towards the garden kung saan dun daw ang celebration. An adorable young lady in a princess-like gown rush towards us.

'Daddy!'

'Hi princess. Told you I'll be quick.' he carry his daughter then turn to face me. 'Pretty Bella, this is Tita Coreen. Say Hi to her.'

'Hi Tita Coreen.'

'Happy birthday beautiful.' I took my gift for her inside my clutch bag. 'This is for you. I hope you like it.'

'Wow! Can I open it Daddy?' nang tumango si Poseidon ay mabilis na binuksan ni Pretty Bella ang small box. 'Woah! It's a Chanel necklace Daddy!' kita ang amusement sa mga mata niya. 'How did you knew Tita Coreen that I love Chanels?'

'Simply because all pretty girls like us loves Chanel. It's my favorite too.'

'Really! Thank you Tita Coreen. I'll boast this to my friends.' natuwa naman ako sa reaction niya.

'You're welcome beautiful.'

'Oh princess by the way, I want you to be the first to know that Tita Coreen is my fiance. She'll be your future mommy.' hinintay ko ang magiging reaction niya. Pero bago pa siya makapag-react ay may tumawag dito mula sa likuran namin.

All 3 of us turned around to see kung sino ang nagsalita. Napansin ko ang biglang pagkulimlim ng kaninang magiliw na mga mata ni Poseidon. His jaws flexed.

'M-Mommy? Is that you?'

Binaba ni Poseidon si Pretty Bella habang papalapit naman ang babaeng kahit ngayon ko lang nakaharap ay kilalang-kilala ko. Siya lang naman ang nag-iisang Queen of the International Catwalk sa buong mundo na si Heide Flores. Who would have thought na siya pala ang ex ni Poseidon? She is so glamorous and so regal kahit sa paghakbang niya na para siyang rumarampa parin sa runway. Actually ay iniidolo ko siya. Especially when I was just starting in my modelling career. Alam kong Filipino rin siya kaya nga ganon na lang ang paghanga ko sa kanya at sa mga achievements niya.

'Hello Israel.' tumingin muna siya kay Poseidon bago ako tinapunan ng sulyap. 'You're Coreen Laroza right? I've watched one of your fashion shows in Italy.'

'Pleasure meeting you Heide.' I extend my hand as an act of respect na tinanggap naman niya.

'Let me formally introduce you Love.' pinagapang ni Poseidon ang kamay sa bewang ko. 'This is Heide Abata, Pretty Bella's mom. And this is Coreen Louise Laroza, my fiance.'

Automatic na umangat ang isang kilay ni Heide pero agad rin naman itong bumaba saka matamis na ngumiti sa akin.

'Heide Abata Flores that is.' she shake my hand firmly. Poseidon lean me closer to him kaya napatingin ako sa kanya.

'Ikaw talaga Love, you haven't officially proposed to me yet pero inaangkin mo na agad ako as your fiance.' I let out a cheerful yet composed laugh.

'I am just waiting for the ring that I've purchased in Europe to arrive Love.' he held my hand and kiss it. 'Don't worry, it will be official soon. Then we can plan for our upcoming wedding after a month.'

Kung may tagisan ng talino at talento ay may tagisan rin ng tingin. Hindi na ako inalisan ng tingin ni Heide, as if she is watching closely at me. Kahit pa nang iwan ako sandali ni Poseidon para lapitan si Pretty Bella.

Hindi ko naman nakitaan ng kahit anong pagkagulat si Ate Lovely nang makita niya ako. Lumapit siya sa akin tapos ay niyakap ako.

'Mag-uusap tayo mamaya Coreen.' yun lang ang sinabi niya saka niya ako binitawan na sakto naman na dating ni Kuya Genesis kasama si Poseidon at mga kaibigan nila.

'I couldn't believed that she still has the guts to show herself here Smith.' Timothy chuckled.

'Kaya nga.' umiiling pang sabi ni John.

'That's what my daughter requested kaya I can't defy that. Not on her special day.'

'Kaya pala kahit at stake ang kahihiyan ng kapatid ko Poseidon Israel.' ramdam ko ang talim ng mga words ni Ate.

'I've asked her for a favor and she willingly said yes Catherine Lovely.' Poseidon answered.

'Follow me Coreen.' ayoko pa sanang sumunod kay Ate but when she gaze upon me, wala na akong nagawa but to obey her.

I smile first kila Kuya Genesis before I followed my sister. Huminto siya sa labas ng gate bago pumasok sa loob ng isang white Bentley. Sinundan ko siya at pumasok rin sa loob ng car. Isang malakas na sampal ang lumapat sa left cheek ko.

'Hindi ka na nahiya Coreen! I've already warned you about him hindi ba! Pero ano! Pinairal mo parin ang katigasan ng ulo mo!'

'Ate kasi...' another hard slap hit my face.

'Nauubusan ka na ba ng lalaki Coreen! Huh! Tell me!' hindi na ako sumagot pa dahil alam ko naman na kahit anong sabihin ko ay mali parin ito kay Ate. 'Sinabihan na kita noon sa kasal namin ng Kuya Genesis mo! But you didn't listen! Tapos ganito ang malalaman ko sa mismong Kuya mo pa! Sa kanya pa talaga at hindi sa'yo! Bakit? Until when do you plan to hide this stupid affair na meron ka with Poseidon?! Until when Coreen! Sumagot ka!' hinampas niya ang balikat ko. Pero hindi parin ako sumagot. 'For what! Para saan at pumayag ka na gamitin ka ng lalaking yun for his own benefit? Para saan Coreen?' nang hindi parin ako sumagot ay niyugyog niya ang magkabilang balikat ko. 'Speak up! Para saan ang pagpayag mo dahil hindi ko makuha kung bakit ka papayag sa isang planong ganito! That's merely stupidity!'

'Dahil mahal ko siya Ate! Mahal ko si Poseidon! And I am more than willing to do everything for him! Beneficial man sa akin or not!'

Shocked. Yan ang nag-iisang nag-register sa mukha ni Ate the moment I spill out my feelings for that man. I felt sorry talaga pero what will I do? Talagang mahal na mahal ko na si Poseidon at handa akong gawin ang lahat just for him, just to be with him and to please him.

'ANG TANGA MO COREEN! MAGMAMAHAL KA NA NGA LANG, DUN PA SA LALAKING DI KA KAYANG MAHALIN PABALIK!'

'OO NA ATE! TANGA NA KUNG TANGA! SO STUPID OF ME! PERO ANONG GAGAWIN KO? SIYA ANG ANDITO SA PUSO KO! MAHAL KO SI POSEIDON ATE!'

'MAG-ISIP KA NGA! GAMITIN MO ANG TALINONG MERON KA! SAYANG NAMAN ANG PINAG-ARALAN MO KUNG HINDI MO GAGAMITIN SA TAMA! PLAYBOY ANG TAONG KAGAYA NI POSEIDON, COREEN! PAIIYAKIN KA LANG NIYA! KAPAG NAGSAWA NA SIYA SA'YO AND HE ALREADY GOT WHAT HE WANTED FROM YOU, IIWAN KA NA LANG NIYA AT HAHANAP ULIT SIYA NG IBA! HE WILL JUST USED YOU KAYA GUMISING KA! HINDI KA NAG-ARAL PARA MAGPAGAMIT KA LANG SA IBA!'

'That's not true.' kita ko sa gilid ng mata ko ang panlalaki ng mga mata ni Ate. 'Hindi siya ganon tao Ate. Mabait si Poseidon at napatunayan ko na yun sa ilan beses namin pagkikita.' hinampas ni Ate ang manibela.

'Ang bobo mo Coreen! What's with you! Are you out of your mind! For God sake Coreen, use your mind! Iwasan mo na si Poseidon because he's not the one for you! Makinig ka naman sa akin dahil ate mo ako! Alam ko ang tama at mali para sa'yo! Kapahamakan lang ang idudulot sa'yo ng taong yan! Makinig ka naman sa akin Coreen!'

'Ayoko Ate. I'm sorry pero hindi ko iiwasan si Poseidon.' hindi ko na napigilan ang emotions ko. My tears burst at nagsimulang mabasa ang sundress ko.

'Huwag na huwag kang lalapit sa akin when he broke your heart Coreen. Huwag na huwag kang lalapit sa akin at iiyak dahil niloko ka lang niya. Don't you dare. Pinasok mo yang problemang yan, lusutan mo yan ng mag-isa.' lumabas na siya ng car and slam the door heavily.

Pinilit kong patahanin ang sarili ko. I need to get back sa loob dahil baka kailanganin ako ni Poseidon. I don't want to fail him. After my emotions had subsided, inayos ko ang mukha ko saka bumalik sa loob. Pero bago pa ako makarating sa garden, naharang naman ako ni Heide na mukhang inaabangan talaga ako.

'What took you so long Coreen?'

'I've had catching up with my sister.'

'Mind if I talk to you for awhile? I guess Israel won't look for you since he's busy with his friends.' naglakad siya papunta sa living room.

'What is it that you wanted to talk about Heide?'

'I have this gut feeling na hindi naman all serious sa'yo si Israel. Don't get me wrong but you see, Israel was head over heels in love with me before. It was me who's the apple of his eye. And he was totally devastated when I've left him for my ambition.'

'Before. Was. Those were past tense. He was head over heels in love with you before Heide. Meaning nakalipas na. Meaning tapos na. Meaning nakapag-moved on na. Past tense na hindi ba?' I smile wickedly. All the anger in me stirred up.

Sino ba siya sa tingin niya? Ex na nga siya eh! Ang kapal naman nito.

'Actually until now. I can still see the love he has for me in his eyes. Even if itago niya ito with his anger, I knew him perfectly well. Ako parin ang mahal ni Israel. His eyes can't deny it.'

'Don't be over confident Heide. Masakit umasa sa isang bagay na akala mo iyo pa pero pag-aari na pala ng iba.'

'Have it ever came into your mind Coreen why until now ay single parin si Israel? Why he have chosen to be unmarried all throughout these years na hiwalay kami?'

'Sa kanya na mismo nanggaling na fiance niya ako Heide. We will be getting married soon. Don't be so bitter and move on.'

'Oh I'm not bitter Coreen. It's you whom I am worried at. Ikaw ang inaalala ko, not me. Because I love where I am right now. At tama lang ang ginawa kong pag-iwan sa kanya before because I am at the top of what I ever dreamed of.' she crossed her arms. 'You see, Israel is a great lover. Very generous indeed and all caring. Pero, nakakasakal siya. He tends to manipulate your life to the extent that you already become his shadow. You'll be his slave and you'll loose your personality. Yan siya. And that's the sole reason why I've left him.'

'I refuse to believe you Heide. Sinasabi mo lang yan because you are bitter that it's not you whom he'll be marrying. Ako yun at hindi ikaw.'

'Dream all you want Coreen. Anyway it's free.'

'Can you just go straight to the point? My fiance might be looking for me.'

'I'll be closely keeping an eye on you Coreen. I want to witness the day na ma-realize mo na tama lahat ang mga sinabi ko sa'yo.' from where she was looking ay hinarap niya ako. 'Just a piece of advice, Israel loves women. He loves to play with them and rule over them. You'll remember my words kapag nangyari na sa'yo ang mga sinabi ko.' she wave teasingly and left off.

Hindi ko alam kung mananatili ba ako to where I am standing or uupo muna ako.

Ano bang meron si Poseidon na halos lahat na lang yata ay ayaw sa'kin para sa kanya? Ano ito? Against all odds?

But like what I always say, I am Coreen Louise Laroza. Born to get what I wanted and born to be a winner. Kaya nobody can dictate me what I should or should not do. I love Poseidon and I will do everything to win him. Even if the whole world is against of it, nothing will waver my love for that man. Sa ngalan ng pag-ibig ko for you Poseidon Israel Smith, I will make you fall in love with me kahit gaano pa katagal ang abutin. I will make it happen, just wait and see.

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