Rockefeller Series #1: Wicked And In Love

Chapter 1

Italia's Pov

"Lander sandali." Wearing a six inchs pumps and with his never faltering speed it's impossible for me to chase him down. I saw him stopped in front of his old and outdated car. He messed up his hair frustratedly before he began kicking the tire of it simultaneously. Mas lalo pang bumagal ang bawat paghakbang ko palapit sa kaniya dahil sa nakikita.

I feel disappointed with his action and behavior. Looking at him, I couldn't find the same man that I have fallen in love with back in our freshmen days in college.

"Lander." Isinangkal nito ang kaniyang ulo sa bubungan ng kotse. With his heavy breathing, I could sense how much he's mad at me and with the decision that I made right now.

"I told you already. I don't need their help. I could fix this. My company will be fine without my father's—,"

"You do. You f*****g do. Ilang investors na ba ang nagpull out ng investment nila? Hindi mo ba alam kung gaano na kababa ang value ng LR Aviation sa stock market? Kahit gaano ka pa kagaling hindi mo na mapagtatakpan ang pagkalugi ng kumpanya mo. LR Aviation is a failing company!" my eyes grow bigger after I see the changes in his face. He looks offended, more than that, he's hurt.

I shook my head. Hindi ko sinasadyang sabihin ang mga 'yon. Mapakla itong ngumisi. Humawak siya sa kaniyang bewang at tumingala sa kalangitang natatakpan ng nagsisilakihang ulap. Sigurado ako na maya-maya lang ay babagsak na ang ulan.

"Say it again."

Pinilig ko ang aking ulo. "I'm sorry," subok kong pagbawi sa mga salitang nabitawan ko dala ng emosyong hindi ko na rin nakontrol pa nang maayos.

"Ulitin mo nga!" he shouted. People who were passing by look at us for a moment before they get back with their own businesses.

He smirked dangerously. He lifted my chin. "If LR Aviation Services is a failing company then I must be a failure too. Pagod ka na bang panuorin akong bumulusok pababa? Masiyado ka na bang nahihirapan ha, Italia? Hindi mo na ba kaya?"

Waters from my eyes cascaded down to my cheeks. My lips quivered. With the remaining strength that I have, I moved my head.

Oo, pagod na ako. Mag-iisang taon na kaming ganito na lang. Only if he'll let go of his pride then we could have fix his problem immediately. Hindi kami aabot sa gan'to. Hindi aabot sa punto na kinailangan niya ng ibenta ang mga property maging ang sarili niyang sasakyan para lang mayroon siyang maibigay na pang-sweldo sa mga natitira niyang tauhan.

He let go of his hold on my chin. Looks like he never expect that response from me. He's not ready for it.

"You're so full of yourself. Masiyado kang mayabang. Akala mo kaya mo lahat mag-isa. Lander, hindi." I wipe my cheeks and pointed myself.

"I am your fiancee. We're bound to become one yet you never want my hand for help. Kung sa tingin mo na maayos mo 'to ng mag-isa. Kung akala mong kaya mo ang lahat, hindi mo ako kailangan kung gano'n." I took the engagement ring out of my ring finger and show it to him.

"Let's end things between us already, before we start to hate each other so much. L-let's stop," I said it with finality. This may be an impulsive decision of mine but I think this the best thing to do.

Inabot ko ang kamay niya para ilagay sa palad nito ang singsing na isinarado ko rin pagkatapos.

I tiptoed and peck on his forehead before I walk straight to the street where I can hail a cab that will take me home.

Tumigil ang kulay puting taxi. Hindi na ako nag-aksaya pa ng oras at agad nang sumakay. With my hands covering my mouth, my sobs fails to come out. Muli kong nilingon ang direksyon kung saan ko siya iniwan. Mas lalo pa akong napahagulhol nang makita kong nakatulala lang 'to sa kinatatayuan ko.

"Ms. Itália." Willow Anne's soft voice took me out from my deep thoughts. Taas kilay na pinasadahan ko 'to ng tingin bago sa binta ng limo na lulan kami.

Nakita ko ang nakaunipormeng lalaki na lumapit sa may pinto ng limo. Kinuha ko ang compact mirror na iniaabot sa 'kin ni Willow Anne at nang masigurado na perpekto pa rin ang ayos ng aking buhok at make up ay sinenyasan ko 'tong sabihin sa lalaki na tuluyan nang buksan ang pinto.

The door opened. Like a royalty, I slid my leg out of the car then presume on stepping out from the limo skillfully.

My lips automatically draws a commercial smile as I wave and poses for cameras of different people of press. Everything is smooth and going according to plan until I was asked by a woman slightly younger than me about an issue that already ruined my night.

"The circulating news about your marriage with a business tycoon, is that true?" humarang si Willoe Anne sa tapat ng video cam ng lalaking kasama ng babae. Ang mga escort naman ay hinawi na ang iba pang reporter na nagpupumilit nang makalapit sa 'kin.

"Damn it." I murmured. "Yes I wanted the press to feast on us tonight but not because of the damn issue." Willow Anne opened the door of my dressing room. Naupo ako sa tapat ng dresser at malalim na bumuntong hininga. Muli niyang sinarado ang pinto. Bitbit ang isang boquet na hindi ko alam kung saan at kailan niya nakuha, lumapit siya sa 'kin.

"Ecuadorian roses, your favorite," she said. Inilapit niya 'yon sa 'kin. Imbes na matuwa na kahit papaano dahil sa mga bulaklak na sobra kong paborito ay mas lalo pa akong nabalot nang pagdududa. Umayos nang tayo si Willow Anne at inilayo niya nang kaonti ang mga bulaklak nang makita ang gusot kong ekspresyon.

"My family already sent their congratulatory gifts. Maliban sa kanila ikaw na lang ang nakakaalam ng tungkol sa paborito kong bulalak. I assumed, hindi 'yan galing sa 'yo?" umiling ito bilang pagtugon. Tumayo ako mula sa 'king kinauupuan.

Napasinghap na lang 'to nang walang kaingat-ingat kong hinablot mula sa mga kamay niya ang Ecuadorian roses at walang panghihinayang na itinapon 'yon sa trashbin na nasa sulok nitong dressing room.

"Ms. Italia?"

"Call Atty. Primero. I need to know if I really am married." She stops dialing her phone and stares at me with unfathomable expression. I was about to hiss at her again for staring blankly at when a couple of knocks bombarded the door.

"Do you want me to open the damn door?" Pinilig niya ang ulo. Natataranta siyang lumapit doon. I'm about to busy myself looking for a perfect pair of jewelry that will go well with my red suede dress. Nahagip ng mata ko ang repleksyon ng isang lalaki na bigla na lang nagpahinto sa pag-ikot ng sarili kong mundo.

Nabitawan ko ang box ng crystal necklace na aking tinitingnan. Nawala na sa isip ko pang pulitin 'yon at suruin pagkatapos nang nangyari.

"What the f**k is going on?" Pinandilatan ko ng mata si Willow Anne. Where the hell is my security? Ba't nila hinayaan na makapasok ang lalakingan 'yan dito?

Tinapunan ni Lander nang mabilisang tingin si Willow Anne. With his unyielding hooded eyes, he manages to give a command to my secretary and personal assistant without even openning his sultry lip.

Tuluyan na ngang lumabas si Willow Anne. Guarded, my eyes carefully watch his movements. My heart react violently as the distance between as came close.

Nang matauhan. Kinuha ko ang aking cellphone at idinial ang number ng head of security. It took one ring and I could finally hear my man's voice.

"Yes, Ms. Itália—," hindi ko na nagawa pang magsalita. Walang kahirap-hirap na inagaw sa 'kin ni Lander ang cellphone at hinagis na lang 'yon nang walang pag-iingat.

That's the latest Iphone. How f*****g dare of him?

"You'll let your men in tux deal with me, Itália? Why? are you that scared of me now?"

"Don't touch me!" napapikit na lang ako nang makita ko ang spray mist na nahablot ko at planong gawing pandepensa laban sa kaniya.

He chuckled. Hearing it is horrendous, I cannot!

I breathe out. With the mist still in my hands, I searched for his ebony colored eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Binasa nito ang kaniyang labi. "I came here to support my wife."

"I am not your wife—,"

"Really? Are you not? Are you sure? Come on, baby. Think hard. Remember it. February 14, Westero cruise ship, you married me." A certain yet unorganize memories of ours flashback. Napatakip ako sa 'king bibig.

No damn way.