Love After Regrets

Chapter I

"Seryoso ka ba talaga sa plano mo?"

Isinukbit ko na ang aking backpack at dinoble check ang mga gamit na dadalhin ko. Kailangan ko nang umalis upang hindi ako maiwan ng eroplano. Flight ko na ng alas kwatro ng hapon, it's already 2:30 now. Mahigit isang oras din ang byahe mula dito sa amin papuntang airport.

"Hindi kaya ay masyado ka lang nagiging impulsive?"

"Nah. I've thought about this long enough."

Tinignan ko sa wallet ang ticket ko, pera at iba pang mahahalagang bagay to make sure na dala ko ang mga ito.

Okay, I'm ready.

"Ate, hayaan mo na ako. Pakiramdam ko ay ito na ang hinihintay kong pagkakataon."

"Paano kung mabigo ka?"

Napatigil ako. I honestly didn't think about that. Or maybe I did but I overlooked it. Ayokong isipin na mabibigo ako.

"Hindi naman ako susubok kung hindi ako sigurado sa kalalabasan." I said, pero sa totoo lang ay pinapaniwala ko na lang ang sarili ko. "I'm just doing what my heart is telling me to do."

Finally, my sister sighed. "Promise me you'll come back home no matter what." She went to hug me.

"Of course, I will."

————

This is it.

The long flight is over.

I wonder if she's already here.

Pumara na ako ng taxi para pumunta sa binook kong hotel at nang makapag pahinga muna ako. This will be my first time travelling abroad at nakakapanibago ang mga tanawin. Everything looks different from where I've been to. It's refreshing.

"Here, thank you." Bayad ko sa taxi driver. Tinulongan naman niya akong ibaba ang mga gamit ko.

Pumasok na ako sa hotel para mag check in.

"Hello, I have a room reservation here." Bati ko sa front desk. The lady smiled at me.

"May I have your ID, please?"

Ibinigay ko dito ang ID. Habang busy ito sa pag ta-type sa keyboard ay inilibot ko muna ang aking mga mata. This hotel looks elegant. Well, it's the Aragon Empire, you can expect much from them. I heard they're eldest daughter is engaged to a Dela Frontera, Hestia's cousin. Only the richest can get what they want easily, huh.

Naputol ang pagmumuni muni ko nang biglang may mahagip ang mga mata ko. Bumilis ang pagkabog ng dibdib ko nang makita ang babaeng dahilan ng pag punta ko ngayon sa Las Vegas.

Literal na bumuka ang bunganga ko ng mapag masdan ko siya. Gosh, she's the most gorgeous woman ever walking on earth. Hestia is oozing with confidence and elegance. Taas noo itong rumampa sa lobby kasama ang apat niyang bodyguard na nasa gilid nito.

Halos lahat ng tao sa loob ng lobby ay napatingin sa babaeng bagong dating. Tila wala naman itong nakikita dahil dire-diretso lamang ito ng lakad.

Samyo ko ang napaka bango nitong amoy ng huminto ito sa tabi. I nearly fainted seeing her this close. Her side view is magical. Unfortunately, her gorgeous eyes were covered with black sunglasses.

"Can you give me one of your presidential suites?" She asks the lady.

Mukhang napatulala din ang babae sa front desk kay Hestia dahil napakurap kurap pa ito ng mag salita ang huli. I laughed internally. I guess I'm not the only one affected by this goddess in front of me.

"Of course! May I have your ID, please?" Magalang na tanong ng babae.

Hestia looked into her purse tapos ay inabot nito ang ID sa babae. Panaka naka ko itong tinitignan, yung tipong nag iingat ka para hindi ka mahuling nakatitig sakanya. Mamaya nyan she'll think I'm a creep.

She must be feeling that someone is staring at her kaya naman ay tumingin ito sa gawi ko. Agad naman akong umiwas ng tingin.

God!

Muntik na ako dun ah. I could tell from my peripheral that Hestia is looking at me pero agad din naman nitong pinalis ang mga mata nang magsalit ang babae sa frontdesk.

"Here you go, ma'am. Here's the key to your room. Do you need assistance?" The lady asked.

Hestia shook her head, "No, thank you."

Agad na umalis na ito kasama ang mga bodyguard niya.

"Here you go, miss. Enjoy your stay!" Agad kong kinuha ang susi at ID ko upang masundan ko si Hestia.

But to my dismay, nakasakay na ito ng elevator at hindi ko na inabot pa ito. So I took the vacant lift.

Saan kaya ang room nito?

Nang makarating ako sa floor ng aking room ay ibinaba ko na ang aking backpack sa bed at pabagsak na humiga dito. I closed my eyes. My heart is still unstable from earlier. Yung ganong tagpo pa lang, parang hihimatayin na ako, paano ko pa ito malalapitan at kakausapin?

"Damn, what should I do?"

Pilit kong pinapagana ang utak ko pero sa sobrang pagod ko ay naka tulogan ko ang pag iisip.

Mag a-alas sais na ng umaga ng magising ako. I got up to find myself food. Baka magpapa room service na lang ako, total tinatamad pa akong lumabas ng kwarto ko.

I called home service at pagkatapos ay pumasok na ako sa banyo upang maligo. Magliliwaliw na muna ako at magpapalipas ng oras. Mamayang gabi pa naman ang party na dadaluhan ko kung san si Hestia ang speaker.

No, I'm not a stalker. I'd like to call myself an admirer from afar. Haha!

After taking a bath at mag bihis, I turned on the televesion to watch some news. Minutes later ay may kumatok.

"Home service." Sabi nito sa kabilang pinto.

Binuksan ko ang pinto, "Thank you."

After nun ay kumain na agad ako at nang maka alis na. As much as I want to stay inside the room and lay on bed all day, I have to condition my body to the weather here.

I went in the elevator and pressed the ground floor. Tahimik lang akong naka tingin sa reflection ko sa salamin habang pababa.

I'm trying to assess my feelings right now. I do feel nervous, really pero ginusto ko to. This is the first time I followed a girl to this extent pa. Ubos ang savings ko sa ginawa ko.

But I'll get by. I think it'll be worth it,

Hestia's worth it.

Kumbinsi ko sa sarili ko. Ever since that day we bumped into each other, pakiramdam ko ay banangga din nito ang buong pagkatao ko.

Nang makadating ako sa isang park malapit lamang sa hotel kung san ako nag check in. This is one of the best parks here. Madami dami na din ang mga tourists dito dahil lunch time na nung nakaabot ako dito.

I saw some shades not far away from here. Kakaonti lamang ang tao dun so I went there to enjoy my me time. Nakapa relaxing talaga ang mamasyal mag isa, it's always been my hobby. Minsan nga napagkakamalan akong loner, which is not actually wrong because I really love my personal space unless, Hestia will be the one to invade it, then I'll be gladly give her all of it.

Naalala ko nga pa lang mag message kay ate dahil hindi pa ako nakakapag update dito simula nang makaalis ako ng Pinas. She must be worried, right now. I chuckled.

Cloud, 1:15pm (Vegas time)

Hello, sis. Las Vegas is great, you should come next time.

Ava, 9:15pm (PH time)

You son of a f*****g b***h. Ilang oras na akong nag aantay sa chat mo!

Cloud, 1:18pm

Natulog lang naman ako. Anyway, I'm enjoying the view here.

Ava, 9:20pm

Sige. Ingat.

I'm busy using my phone kaya naman ay hindi ako nakatingin sa dinadaanan ko. Nagulat na lang ako ng may nakabangga ako at sa bilis ng pangyayari ay nahablot ko ang kung sinong estrangherong tao at parehas kaming natumba sa ground.

I heard the person screamed.

I groaned in pain as my eyes shut. Dinaramdam ko ang sakit sa ibabang bahagi ng katawan ko, most specifically at my ass.

Damn. I cursed.

"Are you okay?" Tanong ko nang nakapikit pa din ang aking mga mata.

"I am. Are you?" Sagot nito sa mala anghel na boses.

Wait... That voice.

Agad na iminulat ko ang aking mga mata and to my f*****g surprise. Bumilog ang mga mata ko ng mapagmasdan ang kanyang mukha.

This is like the first time we bumped into each other pero mas malapit nga lang ngayon.

Her eyes... Oh god, she stares like I'm some kind of a prey. Iyong mga mata niya ay natural na akala mo laging nagmamaldita, which is basically true.

"Hestia..." I whispered unconsciously. Kita ko ang gulat sa mga mata nito.

"You know me?"

Ngayon ko lang napagtanto ang aking isang kamay sa likod nito.

Damn, so close and soft.

"Do I know you?" I noticed Hestia inspecting my face.

Doon lamang ako natauhan at natagpuan ang sariling nakatitig lamang sa maganda nitong mukha.

"Ah--uh.." Bwesit. "I-uh" Tangina.

"Okay, Miss stutter." Inayos nito ang sarili at tumayo. Pinagpag nito ang dumi sa katawan saka tumingin sakin. "I'm sorry for bumping into you and as much as it creeps me out that you know me, I will let this slide since I'm late. Here." Inabot nito ang kanang kamay sa akin.

I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of her more kaya agad na kinuha ko ito at tinulongan naman niya akong tumayo.

Fuck! Ang lambot...

"Thanks." I muttered, "I'm sorry. I know you from magazines, who wouldn't? You're a Dela Frontera." I smiled sheepishly and even surprised myself that I said those complete sentence without stuttering.

Her right eyebrow raised tila hindi ito naniniwala sa sinabi ko but she then nodded nonetheless. Kumunot ang noo nito.

"Have I seen you before?" My heart skipped a beat, did she recognize me? "Never mind, I've seen many faces. I'd recognize you if you're someone important." Ouch. The ever so harsh, Hestia Dela Frontera.

I forced a chuckle. "Can I at least get you a cup of coffee?" I shoot my shot and hopefully I can get a point.

She looked like she's considering it as she stares at me. Baka iniisip nito if I'm harmless. Maya maya ay tumango ito and oh s**t. I'm actually not prepared for that. s**t.

"Okay. Consider it as your payment for bumping into me and ruining my afternoon run." I chuckled again. Wala talagang preno ang bunganga nito. "Let's go." Nauna na itong maglakad at ako naman ay sumunod lamang sakanya. "Can you walk beside me? Ginawa mo naman bodyguard sarili mo jan."

I walked faster to match her pace. Nang nasa tabi na niya ako ay tumahimik na ito at naglakad na lang. I noticed some people looking at us, or more like to Hestia. They might know her or they are just as star struck as I am.

Napakamot ako sa batok ko when I realized I didn't even know a coffee shop around me.

"What is it?" Hestia asked. Tinaponan ako nito ng mabilis na tingin.

"Well, it's my first time here so I don't know any coffee shop near."

She sighed, "I know a place around the corner. Just follow me." Bwesit. Nakakahiya na talaga to, Cloud. "I'm assuming you're Asian based on your features. Japanese?" She asked. Wow, sharp observing skills. No wonder she's a tycoon at a young age maliban sa pagiging Dela Frontera nito, she is very well skilled.

Tumawid kami sa kabilang kanto and turned left.

"Half." I answered, she nodded expecting it. "Half Filipino."

"I know."

"I'm Cloud."

"Bet you are." Ang hirap naman mapaniwala ng isang to.

"Should I show you my ID?" I chuckled, never expected to have a pretty decent conversation with her. Akala ko ay kahit sa hinagap ko ay hindi ko ito malalapitan let alone talk and have this conversation but here we are. Ang swerte ko naman.

"Nah. I don't need it."

Hestia and I entered a coffee shop. Maliit lamang ito but it's warm and cozy. Ang ganda ng ambience, tahimik. It's peaceful here.

"This is my sister's." Napa ohh naman ako. Akala ko ay sa Pinas lang ang branch ng coffee shop ni Andrienne. Well, guess I'm wrong. "And this will be my treat."

Napangiti ako. Ang bait naman pala. I internally laughed.

Hestia made an order at the cashier at ako naman ay umupo sa may bandang corner, since Hestia liked some privacy. It's her nature. Naglakad na ito papalapit sa akin and I couldn't help but stare at her. Para itong modelong rumarampa. Napakaganda ng tindig, napaka intimidating ng mga tingin.

Gosh.

"It will not surprise me if you fainted." Sabi nito and sat down gracefully. Tumawa na lang ako.

"Pardon me. It's just that I've never seen a goddess before." Hestia doesn't seem faze with what I said and just stared at me blankly. Napakamot ako sa batok ko, a habit I developed whenever I'm overwhelmed.

"I heard that a lot of times." Sabi niya. "Lucky, I find you cute." Straightforward at walang kaemo-emosyong sabi nito kaya naman hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ako o hindi. "You're blushing." She stated the obvious. Bwesit.

I never expected Hestia to be this blunt.

"Heard that a lot of times." Pang gagaya ko sa litanya niya. Her right eyebrow raised. I chuckled, "Don't you have some place to be?" Tanong ko bago ko pa man marealized ang aking sinabi. Her brows knitted together in suspiscion. f**k. "Well, I was invited as well." Palusot ko. Sana lang maniwala ito, but knowing Hestia, she won't.

"I know everyone on that event, Cloud."

"Okay, you caught me. I saw it once in my boss's invitation letter. I was supposed to accompany her but I resigned last week." It was half lie but it doesn't matter since Hestia already nodded her head.

I sighed a breath of relief when our coffee arrived.

"Cappucino, huh." I took a sip, "This is good."

"Of course."

Namayani ang katahimikan sa aming dalawa. Honestly it's a bit awkward and I'm pressured baka ispin nitong boring akong kasama.

"I won't attend that event." She said suddenly, her eyes fixated on her coffee. "It's a waste of time." She stared at me. Ayan na naman yung mga titig niyang nakapan lalambot ng tuhod.

"Then why are you here?" Takang tanong ko.

"Why not?" Hindi ako nakasagot sa tanong nito. Oo nga naman, diba? "I'm here to unwind." something flashes in her eyes but it was gone in seconds, I couldn't grasp it.

"I can accompany you if you want." Offer ko, she raised her right eyebrow. Ilang ulit ba nito itataas ang kilay sakin? "A dollar per hour." I giggled, she rolled her eyes.

"What does your family do?" She asked out of nowhere. Nasamid ako sa biglaang tanong nito.

"I'm a daughter of a divorced parents." Maigsing sagot ko. "Mom's the Japanese one. And uh, dad's six feet under." I chuckled.

"Sorry about that. Mom too." She smiled. Napatulala naman ako because she actually smiled. I know Hestia rarely show emotions in front of strangers. Baka nadala lang ito sa usapan.

"I'm sorry." Of course I'm aware of her mom's passing. "Do you wanna get wasted?"

"With you?" Taas kilay nitong tanong. Tumango ako. "How can I be so sure that you wouldn't do stupid things to me?"

Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko, feigning hurt. "Ouch. This cutie right here won't do anything to a goddess like you. Unless you want me to?" Taas baba ang kilay ko sa sinabi. She grimaced.

"God. I thought coming here would spare me from flirts but here I am again." Natawa ako sa sinabi nito. "Okay. I know a place."

Namilog ang mata ko sinabi nito. "Talaga?" I exclaimed.

"So you speak tagalog, huh."

"Lucky me." I said. Hindi man halata but my heart is beating hard on my chest right now. Damn, ito na nga ba ang sinasabi ko sa kapatid ko.

"Only because you're a stranger cutie to me." She smirked. Ramdam ko ang pamumula ng pisngi ko.

Hestia is here in flesh, flirting with me. Gosh, pwede na akong mamatay.

"I think you have a crush on me." Napatingin ako sa mata nito. "Konti na lang iisipin ko ng this is not coincidence at all." Patay. "Are you stalking me?" She squinted her eyes at me.

I swallowed a lump on my throat. "Of course not!" Tanggi ko.

"Whatever it is. I pretty confident you can't harm me. Well," tumayo na ito, "Give me your phone number." She handed me her phone, wow.

"Para paraan." I whispered.

"What?"

"Nothing." Kinuha ko na sakanya ang phone nito at nilagay ang phone number ko, ako na din ang nag abalang maglagay ng contact name ko don. Aba'y nandito na din naman kami, lulubos lubusin ko na. Nang matapos ako ay ibinalik ko sakanya ang phone nito.

"Cutiepie?" Kunot noong sambit nito ng makita ang contact name ko, I chuckled. "You're head is full of air. Anyway, I need your contact number in the Philippines as well." She handed me back her phone.

"I'm starting to think you're getting fond of me. We just met, woman." I teased but gave her my phone number.

"You're so full of yourself, stranger." Siya na ang naglagay ng pangalan ko sa phone nito. Just then I felt my phone buzzed against my pocket. Hestia looked at me. "Just want to make sure. I'll leave you here, then." Iyon lamang at tumalikod na ito upang umalis.

Nakatitig lamang ako sa likod nito habang naglalakad ito palabas ng shop. When she's out of sight ay saka ko lamang pinakawalan ang impit na hiyaw sa labi ko.

"s**t. What a lucky day!" I said, smiling from ear to ear.

-------

"Hello?" Sagot ko habang nakapikit pa ang mga mata.

"You just woke up?" Bigla akong napamulat ng mata ng marinig ko ang boses na iyon. Oh god.

"Hestia?"

"Hmm. I like your bedroom voice." Tangina. Nagwawala yung mga uod sa tyan ko. "Anyway, have you forgotten?"

Tumingin ako sa orasan sa bedside table at napamura na lang ako ng makitang alas otso na ng gabi. "I overslept." I mumbled.

"Looks like it. Where are you?"

Bumangon na ako at kinusot kusot ang mata.

"In my room."

"Yeah. As if I know where that is." I could sense her rolling her eyes over the phone. I chuckled.

"I'm on the same hotel as you, babe." I heard some shuffling.

"Floor and room."

"Fifth. Room 523."

"Mm'kay. I'm just a floor ahead of you. Coming down now."

Bigla akong kinabahan, "Teka lang. Pupunta ka dito?" Tarantag tanong ko.

"Yes."

"Hindi pa ako nakakaligo." Rason ko.

"I don't care. What your passcode?"

"011001"

"Okay. Maligo ka na at papasok na lang ako sa room mo." She ended the call at nagmamadali akong kumuha ng robe at pumasok na ng bathroom.

Binilisan ko na lang ang kilos ko para naman kahit papano ay decent akong abutan ni Hestia dito. Mahirap na baka may magising sa gitna ko. s**t.

I heard my door opened and closes. s**t again. Then seconds later I heard a knock on the door in the bathroom. s**t 100 times.

"Just sit in the sofa and wait for me. Damn woman. Atat ka namang makita ang katawan ko." Nakuha ko pang magbiro despite the nervousness I'm feeeling.

"Yeah. Let me take a peek." I rolled my eyes.

"You'll be surprised." I chuckled. "Sige na, mabilis lang ako."

Wala na akong narinig kaya naman ay ipinagpatuloy ko na ang paliligo. When I'm done, I put on the robe and let my hair as it is. Ngayon ko lang napansin, humahaba na pala ito. Time to get it trimmed again.

Paglabas ko ng pinto ay laking gulat ko ng makita si Hestia na prenteng nakaupo sa kama ko. Out of reflex, tinakpan ko ang bandang gitna ng katawan ko. She looked down on where my hands are and raised a brow.

"If you aren't aware, may ganyan din ako." Casual na sabi nito.

"You have no idea." sabi ko. You really have no idea.

"Can you get out?" Utos ko dito. Tinaasan lang ako nito ng kilay, tila hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi ko. "I'm going to put on some clothes."

"Get dressed in front of me." She said.

"Who's flirting who now?" Tuya ko. At dahil mukhang wala naman siyang balak na gumalaw ay napilitan akong magbihis sa harap nito. Tangina, pano ko gagawin to?

"I like your hair." Biglang salita nito.

"Thanks."

"What does it call?"

"Wolf cut."

Tumalikod ako dito upang magsuot ng underware. I'm only wearing trunks, sana ay hindi nito napansin. I didn't put any bra on dahil hindi ako sanay, isa pa ay hindi naman ito bakat sa katawan ko since I work out and it's naturally small.

I put on a shirt over my head and a pants on. Magdadala na lang ako ng coat incase malamig sa labas.

Ginulo gulo ko ang buhok ko para patuyuin ito.

"Ano ba? Tumatalsik." Reklamo naman ng kasama ko. I chuckled. "You're not feminine at all." Puna nito. Umiling lang ako at humarap sa salamin para ayusin ang aking buhok. Nang mapalingon ako sakanya ay nakita kong kagat kagat nito ang ibabang labi nito habang nakatingin sa katawan ko.

"You're openly staring at my body, babe. If you want it, you can touch it." I teased. Habang tumatagal ay gumagaan ang pakiramdam kong makipag flirt dito.

Hindi ko naman inaasahan na susundin niya ako. I felt her hand slide from my side to my stomach. Napalunok ako. s**t.

"Yeah. You work out. I'm right."

"Were you inspecting me?"

"Yes."

Hinawakan ko ang kamay nito at hinila paharap sakin. Now she's in between me and the table. Kumunot ang noo nito habang nakatingin sakin.

"You have no idea what you're putting yourself into, Hestia." I looked at her lips and she unconsciously bit the bottom. I smirked, "I suggest you behave." Banta ko dito at tumingin sa mga mata nito.

Her face turned red at tinulak ako nito at umalis na. I chuckled.

"f**k you." Dinig kong sambit nito bago makalabas sa kwarto ko.

"Oh you will, later." I mumbled under my breath.

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Errors will be edited once this story is done. This isn't proofread, yet.

ENJOY!