SEDUCTION SERIES 3: SINFUL HEARTBEATS

Kabanata 5

MARIING lumapat sa isa't isa ang mga labi ni Zeus nang makita si Rosanna na umiiyak sa balikat ng kanyang abuela. Mukhang nagsumbong ito dahil sa pagtrato niya rito sa unang linggo ng kanilang pagsasama sa iisang bubong kaya heto ang kanyang abuela at matalim ang titig na ipinupukol sa kanya.

"Let me take care of it, hija," his grandmother said.

Rosanna took one glance at him before she sniffed. "Huwag na po, Ma'am—"

"Abuela. Mag-asawa na kayo ni Zeus." Nilingon siya nito habang ang mga mata ay kumikislap sa galit. "Whether he likes it or not."

Umigting ang panga ni Zeus at ang kanyang kamao ay kumuyom nang mahigpit dahil sa narinig. How could his own grandmother be this way towards him? He scoffed. Bakit nga ba siya magtataka? Iyong sarili nga niyang tatay, bawal niyang lapitan kung walang pahintulot ng kanyang lola.

Kung hindi lang sana ito ang makapagdedesisyon tungkol sa life support ng Daddy niya, hindi niya talaga pagtitiisan ang matandang babae. Hindi rin siya makapagsumbong sa mga Ducani dahil oras na makarating sa mga ito ang kalagayan ng daddy niya, baka biglang hugutin ang life support nito.

He cannot afford to lose his old man . . .

Rosanna sniffed. Talagang nagpapaawa sa kanyang abuela. "But, abuela, I'm sure hindi naman sinasadya ni Zeus. He's probably tired dahil sa rami ng trabaho niya ngayon and baka nirerespeto niya lang talaga ako that's why." Lumapit si Rosanna sa kanya at yumakap. "Naninibago rin naman po ako kagaya niya. Our lives are different now but I'm sure we can figure this out together."

Lalo lamang uminit ang ulo ni Zeus. Gusto niyang magsabi ng masasamang salita ngunit kilala na niya ang abuela niya. Rosanna's family are powerful and his grandmother will surely keep on ignoring his own feelings just to save their family from shame and poverty, and of course, to have the resources to take revenge against Kamino Ducani's legitimate son. Kung hindi lang talaga dahil sa daddy niya, hindi naman siya magtyayaga pa sa sitwasyong ito. He would rather mop floors and do labor works than turn a blind eye.

"Nakita mo kung gaano kabuting maybahay ang napunta sa iyo, Zeus?" His abuela pointed him with a warning. "You better fix your attitude. Do not waste such fine woman just because you couldn't man the hell up."

Sumikip nang tuluyan sa galit ang dibdib ni Zeus ngunit alam niyang hindi siya maaaring sumagot. His dad will just suffer if he will, and as long as his dad is in a vegetative state, Zeus could never choose his freedom.

Mabigat ang kanyang loob na nagtungo sa opisina pagkatapos ng tagpong iyon sa kanilang bahay. Ayaw niya namang mapagbuntunan ng galit ang mga tauhan kaya halos magkulong na siya sa opisina. He occupied himself with all the paperworks, and when office hours was over, he decided to stay a little more late.

Zeus ignored all messages from Rosanna. Sinabihan din niya ang sekretarya niyang huwag ipaaalam kay Rosanna na nasa opisina pa siya. Hangga't maaari, ayaw na muna niya itong makita dahil baka kung ano lang na naman ang kanyang masabi.

Pinakatitigan niya ang ceiling saka makailang ulit na humugot ng malalalim na hininga. Maya-maya ay umalingawngaw ang phone niya dahil sa tawag ng kanyang pinsan. He loosen his necktie and answered the call while he's slouching on his swivel chair.

"Ja," bungad niya sa pinsan.

"Nag-invite si kuya Konnar. He's wondering if we can attend Hotel Khallisa's anniversary party. Sa first branch ginaganap. Sorry, I forgot to inform you earlier. Nanuyo pa ako ng nagtatampo."

Napabuntong hininga siya. "Anything that can prevent me from coming home early, kakasa ako diyan."

"Cool. I'll see you there."

Pagkaputol ng tawag ay tumayo siya kaagad at dinampot ang importante niyang mga gamit. Sinabihan niya ang kanyang sekretarya na huwag ipapaalam kay Rosanna na may pinuntahan siya maliban sa trabaho nang hindi na naman ito mag-tantrums. That spoiled brat would surely throw a fit if she finds out he went on a party without her. Masyado iyong entitled at ngayong kasal na sila, siguradong mas lalala lamang ang ugali nito.

He doesn't want anymore headaches from that woman. At least, not today.

Nagtungo siya sa first branch ng Hotel Khallisa kung saan sinalubong siya ng pinsang si Jael na pinakamalapit sa mga Ducani. Everything that made Jael successful, he learned it from the legend himself, Konnar Ducani.

"Glad you made it," nakangising bati ng pamangkin nila sa kabilang angkan na si Kaius.

He's not really close with the Ducanis but he socialize with them if he needs to. Pakiramdam kasi niya ay dala niya ang kasalanan ng kanyang abuela na mas matapang pa kaysa sa legal na asawa ng kanyang lolo Kamino. Kahit na mukhang wala naman iyon sa mga Ducani, iba pa rin ang pakiramdam ni Zeus. Hindi naman kasi tulad ng lola ni Jael ang lola niya.

Sometimes he feel so little when compared to the powerful clan Khalil Ducani had built after throwing his own father to jail. Para kay Zeus ay napakatapang na tao ni Khalil Ducani, at kung hindi lamang masama, matagal na niyang hiniling na sana ay dito na lamang din siya nagmula.

Not that he doesn't love his Dad. He does. Sobra pa nga, but sometimes, Zeus wishes that his Dad had the same courage back then to cut ties with his grandmother. Baka kung nagawa iyon ng Daddy Kyro niya, hindi ganito ang sitwasyon nila ngayon.

Hindi sana niya kailangang pakasalan si Rosanna alang-alang sa kapakanan nito.

"Maagang natapos sa trabaho." He accepted the champagne Kaius was giving. Kahit kung tutuusin ay pamangkin na niya ito, hindi sila nagtuturingan nang ganoon. They treat each other like cousins nang walang masyadong ilangan tuwing magkakasama sila. "I heard you're working at the empire again?"

"Yeah. Khalid's busy. Kuya Klaze needed to take a break because his wife is about to give birth. Kailangang alalayan ang ibang pinsan na interesado sa negosyo."

"What about Keeva? Isn't he supposed to be taking over the spot when Klaze isn't around?" usyoso niya.

Umismid si Kaius. "As if grandpa would let Keeva put down his hundred-thousand dollars worth camera to do something he's not passionate about?" He pointed Konnar Ducani's unica hija, Khallisa, but Zeus' eyes landed on the woman standing next to his niece. "Lis is more efficient. At a young age, she can easily run the entire empire on her own."

Jael started talking with Kaius regarding a brotherhood he wasn't really interested about. Nang mawala siya sa usapan ng dalawa ay natutok nang husto ang atensyon ni Zeus kay Roxie na nakasuot ng simpleng peach dress habang naka-French braid ang buhok.

She looks very decent and classy despite her simple get up, and Zeus would lie if he didn't feel bewitched by the effortless goddess before his eyes.

He can't believe he had the honor to take her innocence away.

Napasimsim siya sa kanyang baso habang nakatitig pa rin kay Roxie. Nang mapatingin ito sa direksyon nila habang nakangiti pa rin ay matipid na ngumisi si Zeus saka niya isinenyas ang kanyang ulo.

As if he knew that Roxie understood him, Zeus went out of the hall and straight to the pool area of the hotel. Hinintay niya roon si Roxie, at nang maramdaman ang paglapit nito, hindi na siya nagpatumpik-tumpik pa't hinatak ito papasok sa shower area.

Roxie seemed surprised when he locked the door before he pinned her on the wall, his hand held her waist as he locked eyes with her.

"Hello, Roxie..." His gaze drifted down to her parted lips. "Mind giving me a taste of those sweet lips I've been craving for?"

Roxie bit her lower lip, and the moment her eyes glistened with desire, Zeus knew he already got the permission that he needs.

He kissed her on her lips in a slow, passionate way, but when Roxie started gripping on his coat, Zeus stopped before he gave her a meaningful smirk.

"What's the best suite you have here?" he asked while carressing her side.

"H—Huh?" she asked, disoriented because of the sultry feeling thrumming in her veins.

"Since you work at Hotel Khallisa, what's the best suite we can use tonight?"

Roxie gulped. "T—The... Emperor's suite..."

Zeus licked his lower lip then smirked. "Can you book it for us, baby?"

Her cheeks heated. "A—Are you... sure?"

Zeus took a sharp breath before he pressed his hardened length inside his pants, against her stomach. "What do you think, hmm?" he asked playfully.

Roxie nodded, and the next thing he knew, she's already calling the front desk to get her access card for the emperor's suite.

Zeus raked his hair as he watched her speak to the front desk via phone call.

Tonight, he's a free man.

Tonight, she's all that matters...