My Genuine Love for Him (Agent Dark Gaze Series #1)

Kabanata 2

I LOOKED sadly at my mother, Mang Daniel was behind her while carrying my two bags and Chian. Hinatid nila kami sa daungan ng barko kung saan nakatigil ang maliit na yate ni Tita Veron. Actually, It was my first time traveling on a yacht, but this time, I didn't know if I would be happy or sad because it was also my first time to be separated from my mother. We stopped for a moment on the stairs of the yacht. I sighed heavily as I looked at her. Kitang-kita ko ang pangingilid ng luha niya. Lumapit siya at hinawakan ang mga kamay ko.

"Anak ang bilin ko sa'yo ha. Mag- iingat ka palagi. Kapag nakarating na kayo sa Maynila, tumawag ka agad sa akin," there was a look of concern on her face. I nodded and hugged her tightly.

"Kayo rin po 'Nay. Mag-iingat po kayo ni Mang Daniel at lagi niyo po akong balitaan," I glanced at Mang Daniel for a moment and there was sadness in his eyes. I had a lot of respect for him because he was so kind to us. I trust him. I knew he wouldn’t leave my mom.

"K-ailan ka uuwi anak?" Hindi napigilan ni Nanay na itanong. Tumingin ako sa kaniya. Bumunghalit ng tawa si Tita Veron. Mang Daniel also chuckled. "Oh my God Lina, we're not leaving yet!" Mabilis siyang pumagitna sa amin nang tangkain ni Nanay na lumapit sa akin. Napailing siya at hinila si Nanay sa isang tabi na para bang kailangan nilang mag-usap ng masinsinan.

Parehas kaming napabuntong-hininga ni Mang Daniel dahil naririnig pa rin namin ang bulungan nila.

"Lina naman! Kailangan mong masanay. Hindi ba't nagkasundo na tayo? Kailangan mong isipin ang magiging kinabukasan nang anak mo. Hindi ba't pangarap ni Reign na makapagtapos ng pag-aaral at makita ang pamilya niya? Alam kong nag-aalala ka pero kailangan mong ipanatag ang loob mo. Walang mangyayaring masama sa kaniya."

Pagkaraan ay bumalik na rin sila habang nag-uusap pa rin. "Don't worry okay? We're going back on vacation because I want to visit my mom's grave." Hindi nagsalita si Nanay kaya muling umikot ang mga mata ni Tita Veron dahil sa pag-iinarte ng kaibigan.

Ang tinutukoy ni Tita Veron ay si Donya Veronica Vista ang nagmamay-ari nang mga resort dito sa Isla. She died because of cancer. Her only child is Tita Veron.

Lumapit ako kay Nanay. Lumambot ang ekspresyon niya. Niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit. "I love you 'Nay. Mamimis kita," I kissed every part of her face. She softy chuckled. Napawi ang agam-agam niya sa dibdib.

Masuyo niyang inayos ang tali nang buhok ko. "Sige na anak, umakyat ka na. Habang hindi pa nagbabago isip ko, baka hindi na kita ipahiram kay Veron," pagbibiro niya at sumulyap sa kaibigan.

Tita Veron laughed and gently touched my mom's shoulder. "I am so blessed to have such a good friend like you, Lina. Thank you for always being with me," she sincerely said.

"Salamat din Veron. Alam kong hindi mo pababayaan ang anak ko," pasimple niyang pinahid ang tumakas na luha. Napangiti ako.

While I'm looking at them, I realized that they have been friends for a long time. I think they only separated because Tita Veron got married and lived in the Manila. Ngunit hindi naging hadlang ang pagkakalayo nila upang maputol ang koneksyon sa isa't- isa. Thanks for the help of cellphone and social media because they still had communication.

Hindi ako sana'y na umaasa sa iba kaya pagdating ko sa siyudad ay hahanap ako nang part time job para sa maintenance ni Nanay na gamot at siyempre bonus na rin kung makakaipon ako nang pambiling cellphone para makapag-videocall kaming dalawa. Sa ngayon ay magtiya-tiyaga muna ako na marinig ang boses niya sa telepono. Buti na lang at mabait ang kapitbahay naming si Aling Perla dahil willing siyang magpahiram ng cellphone kapag tatawag ako.

Sandali ko silang iniwan upang makapag-usap ng masinsinan. Hindi rin nagtagal at parehas na kaming kumakaway sa isa't- isa ni Nanay. "Nanay mag-iingat po kayo!" Sa kahuli-hulihang sandali ay naisigaw ko pa 'yon habang nagpupunas ng luha. Mang Daniel hugged her because she was crying. I was suddenly sad. Ito na siguro ang pinakamahirap, ang mapalayo sa kaniya.

I stared at the small Island where I grew up for a long time. I can't believe this day is coming. Behind me, Tita Veron appeared and she leaned against the railings of the yacht. Her long dress with sunflower embroidery was blown away by the wind. While her hands were holding the hat.

"I've met a lot of women because of my son, but you're different from them, Reign," humarap siya sa akin at seryoso akong tinitigan. "You are an innocent, simple, beautiful and very kind person, so the man you will love is very lucky," malambing siyang tumawa. Uminit ang pisngi ko. Sanay naman akong pinupuri pero pagdating sa kan'ya pakiramdam ko, walang-wala ako kung ikukompara.

Konti na lamang ay lulubog na ako sa lupa sa sobrang panliliit sa presensya niya. I feel like I saw an angel and she's talking to me right now. Hindi ako komportable dahil sa pagtitig niya kaya bumalik ang tingin niya sa asul na karagatan. "I hope you can help him to change," I frowned because I couldn't understand the last thing she said because a speedboat had passed in front of us.

"Tita ano po 'yon?" She smiled and shook her head.

Ngumiti siya. "Don't think about it. Lina told me that you were afraid to get on a plane. Don't worry, I always use this yacht for a fast trip, we will get to Manila quickly," namilog ang mga mata ko. I was really embarrassed. Si Nanay talaga! Ang daldal! She laughed and messed up my hair. "Just rest in your room okay? I'm sure you might get dizzy later," she winked at me. "Come with me and we will go to your room," I followed her. I watched her walking like a model.

Hinatid niya ako sa pinto nang kuwarto. Ngunit sa hindi inaasahan, bigla akong napatili dahil sa gulat! I was surprised because she almost fainted! I held her hand to balance. I looked at her with concern.

"Tita okay lang po ba kayo? Namumutla po kayo. I think you need to rest first." Napalunok ako at bakas pa rin ang pag-aalala para sa kaniya. She smiled weakly. Pilit niyang sinandal ang sarili sa pader para ibalanse ang katawan.

"Thank you Iha. Medyo hindi nga okay ang pakiramdam ko. Over fatigue siguro." I nodded and watched her walk while holding her forehead. Mom told me, Tita Veron is a workaholic. Kahit nasa bakasyon pa raw ito ay mas iniisip pa rin ang naiiwang trabaho.

Pumasok ako sa maliit na kuwarto. Inilapag ko sa lamesa ang kulungan ni Chian. I was amazed because the room was beautiful and elegant. The interior is light. Sumalubong agad sa akin ang panlalaking pabango sa paligid. Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ko. A small chandelier serves as a light in the room. The color has a combination of white and gray. There are two soft sofa and a table next to the bed, near the window. At the end of the bed is a medium sized flat screen tv. While, on the right side there is a small cupboard where I can put my bags and there is a door next to it.

Itinulak ko ang pinto at tumambad sa akin ang malinis na banyo. On the right side there is a shower room, the door is made of glass. The bathtub was on the left and I was amazed at the nice view because the glass window next to it was slightly open. Mula sa bintana, matatanaw ang maalon na dagat at ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko habang naglalayag, the gust of wind feels good!

Lumabas ako sa banyo at sumampa sa kama. I leaned back on the pillow and immediately liked the masculine scent I had been smelling before. Hindi matapang ngunit mukhang mamahalin dahil hindi nawawala ang nanunuot na amoy sa loob ng kuwarto. I think the scent sticks to the bed sheets and pillows. My forehead furrowed, meaning Tita Veron didn't use the guess room for me? Kanino kaya ang silid na ito? Bumangon ako upang alamin kung kanino pero bumagsak muli ang likod ko sa kama dahil unti-unti na akong nakakaramdam ng pagkahilo.

I'll admit, I've only just experienced lying down on a soft bed and maybe because of the drowsy movement of the yacht, I slept well.

Dalawang araw ang naging biyahe namin at nakarating sa daungan.

Nagising ako sa marahang pagtapik. I immediately noticed her presence. Bumungad ang maamong mukha ni Tita Veron. I yawned as I looked out the window. The yacht has stopped and it looks like they are just waiting for me to get off.

"Reign, I'm sorry. But I don't think I can be with you at home. There was a problem with the company. I'll just send you to Harris before I leave," paliwanag niya at tinuro ang lalaking nakasandal sa hamba nang pintuan. I caught a glimpse of the man he was referring to. He was behind Tita Veron, silent and just looking at us. Nakangiting lumapit sa kaniya si Tita Veron at hinila ito papalapit sa akin upang ipakilala. Maamo ang mukha niya ngunit seryoso kung makatingin.

Harris Ageles was Tita Veron's son's bodyguard. I also found out that both of them studied in America with Tita's son and graduated as maritime pilots. Kuryuso akong nakikinig sa mga kuwento ni Tita Veron tungkol sa naging buhay nang anak niya kasama si Harris sa ibang bansa. Bakas ang matinding kasiyahan sa boses niya at kung paanong buong puso niyang nirerespeto at pinagkakatiwalaan ang lalaking nasa harapan ko. Ilang beses na palang nalagay sa bingit ng kamatayan ang buhay ni Harris para maprotektahan lamang si Dylan.

Si John Kher Dylan Dela Cruz Davis ang nag-iisang tagapagmana ng pamilyang pinakamayamang negosyante sa Pilipinas at Amerika.

JD is an advanced learning student so he was allowed to study in Russia even at a very young age. He took a Civil Aviation course of five years. Later, he also trained at the American Airlines Cadet Academy and Aeronautical University. He got two licenses. He completed full training courses from a Private Pilot license to a Commercial Pilot license within the American Airlines Organization. But all of that was just part of the experience he wanted to learn, meaning that Tita's son still doesn't have in mind what he really wants in life.

Kaya naman, pinauwi siya ni Tita Veron ng pilipinas upang mag-aral ulit ng Bachelors of Science in Business Administration, because he had to learn to run their businesses. Naisip ko, masyadong malaki ang gastos sa pag-aaral ng piloto at mas lalo akong namangha dahil libangan lang pala niya ang pagpapatakbo ng eroplano kaya kumuha siya nang magkakaibang kurso.

He was very lucky then.

Dumaong kami sa Pier ng Maynila. Iba't ibang mga barko ang makikita na kasabay rin naming dumadaong, samantalang 'yong iba naman ay umaalis pa lang. We got off the yacht and I immediately noticed the color of the sea water in the City. My forehead was creased because it was different from what I expected to see.

Households are contiguous. The environment is dirty because of garbage littered on the ground and drifting others into the sea. Medyo nadismaya ako sa nakikita. Bakit ganito? Hindi kasi ganito sa Palawan. Sa lugar namin ay walang nagtatapon nang basura sa dagat. Itinikom ko ang nakakangangang labi at umiling.

"Mag-ingat po kayo Tita," Tita waved and smiled at us. Bakas ang pagmamadali sa kaniya. She was busy answering the phone call now. At mabilis na sumakay sa itim na kotse. She's beautiful and looking lovely. When she left, we went to the expensive red car in the parking lot. Sa aking kinatatayuan, natatanaw ang magkakadikit na bahay sa paligid ng dagat.

I looked around at the vendors scattered around. Their basin are full of fish and they offer it to foreigners coming out of the public ship. I feel sorry for the young children trained to work inside the pier. Some lift heavy fish and ship cargo at an early age. Bata pa lang sila ay nagtratrabaho na at nagbubuhat ng mabibigat na trabaho. They must be studying at that age!

Bumagsak ang mga mata ko kay Chian at parehas kaming nanibago sa paligid. Mabuti na lang at hindi niya ako pinahirapan sa biyahe. Sandali ko siyang nilabas sa kulungan at itinali sa aking braso. "Ang ingay pala dito Chian." Naging maliksi ang alaga ko at mabilis na sumampa sa aking balikat. I softy chuckled. May sinisilip siya sa likuran ko. I turned around, I saw Harris silently looking at me. Kumunot ang noo niya at titig na titig sa unggoy na kasama ko. Mukhang ngayon niya lamang napansin ang alaga ko. "Aalis na ba tayo?" he just nodded at me. Madalang siyang magsalita kung hindi naman importante ang usapan, tango at pag-iling lamang ang sagot niya sa akin.

Bubuhatin sana ni Harris ang mga bayong na nasa labas ngunit umiling ako. "Salamat Harris, pero kaya ko naman ito. Alam kong sobrang pagod ka na, magdra-drive ka pa," he just stared at me and nodded. Hindi na niya ako pinilit. Binuksan niya ang pinto nang kotse upang makapasok ako. Kinuha ni Harris si Chian nang ibalik ko sa kulungan, inilagay niya muna ito sa likuran. Naiwan akong tulala sa labas.

Next to our car was a white car. The female driver peered out the window looking interested in Harris, but his full attention was still on me, wondering because I wasn't letting go of the bayong I was holding.

I caught another glimpse of the two women. They are beautiful and sexy. They only turned their attention to me because of the bayong I was carrying. Little by little, they frowned when they saw what I was carrying. I even caught them looking at me from head to toe and then laughing at the same time.

I only turned my attention to Harris as he tapped the car window. It grabs my attention to remind me that I need to get inside. He watched me as I forced the 'bayong' into the car, but it didn't fit, and since I was a provincial woman, instead of me sitting on the passenger seat, I put the 'bayong' there. Then I lost my seat because of stupidity. Harris's forehead was creased as if he couldn't understand me.

Bakit ba kasi malaki ang bayong na ipinadala sa akin ni Nanay?

Sinilip ko ang bandang likuran ng kotse. Puwede naman sigurong doon na lamang ako umupo sa hulihan 'di ba? Pilit kong hinila ang pintuan nang kotse sa labas pero hindi talaga mabuksan. Paano ko ba ito bubuksan?

Tuluyan na akong napasinghap ng makita si Harris sa aking likuran. "What are you doing? You don't know where to put your stuff?" naka-awang ang labi ko habang tumatango sa kan'ya. Siya na mismo ang nagturo sa akin.

Harris took the two 'bayong' from the passenger seat and carried them in the back of the car. He even explained to me that it was called a 'compartment.' My cheeks blushed with embarrassment.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng kotse na walang imik. Harris was also quiet while driving and ignored me, he looked straight at the road. Maybe he knew I was ashamed of my stupidity. Kung hindi ko lamang siya nakilala bilang butler nina Tita, iisipin ko talagang anak-mayaman ang lalaking ito.

I think Harris has foreign blood. Sa salamin, pasimple ko siyang pinagmamasdan.

He had tousled dark brown hair, which was thick and lustrous. His eyes were a mesmerizing brown. He had dark eyebrows. He had prominent cheekbones and a well-defined chin and nose. Harris' skin was tanned, but I doubt it. He just loves surfing so that's how it turned out. He always wears a white cotton shirt with a silky black vest and a pair of black pants, which ties everything together.

Napatingin ako sa braso niya. His strong hands, slightly rough from working in the steering wheel. Muscles rippled across every part of his body. He was obviously a seasoned warrior. Imposibleng hindi siya sinanay para protektahan ang amo niya.

Hindi kaya 'yon ang dahilan? Kaya siguro laging problemado si Tita Veron sa anak niya. Nai-kwento kasi sa'kin ni Nanay ang problema ni Tita Veron kay Dylan.

Nahihirapan daw si Tita Veron sa anak dahil sa pababago nito. Kaya napilitan siyang pabalikin sa Pilipinas si Dylan. Ngunit mas pinili nitong bumukod. Sa ngayon ay dalawang linggo na daw itong nasa Pilipinas ngunit hindi man lang nagpapakita sa kaniyang ama. At ito ang prino-problema niya dahil mukhang ipinapahanap na rin ito nang asawa niya.

And according to Nanay, the Davis made a last will testament last month. It is said in the agreement that Dylan must have a family before the entire property can go to his name. Sa pag-iisip ko, bigla akong napasinghap dahil may napagtanto.

Does that mean the heir of Davis family is a gay?!

Is that why Tita Veron is so desperate to find a girl for him?

Muli akong napasulyap kay Harris at namilog ang mga mata ko. Kaya ba ganito na lamang ka-guwapo ang butler niya?

Oh my God! Confirmed!