Grievous: Dhenmer Ramos

Chapter Three

Tahimik lang akong nakaupo sa passenger seat ng kotse ni Christine papunta sa bahay ng kaibigan niya. Kakababa pa lang namin ng helicopter five minutes ago, ilang minuto pa lang yata kaming nasa biyahe papunta sa bahay ng tinutukoy nitong kaibigan niya. She didn't say any name and I didn't dare asking.

I touched my lips again, remembering that stranger's soft and sweet lips. I closed my eyes tightly to erase the thought in my head. I wiped my lips with my thumb but I can still feel the warmness of his lips. That was just a peck yet it really got me hard.

That's the reason why I'm hanging out with Christine, to forget about him and his kiss. He's the reason why I got fired, because I'm always dazing because of I keep thinking about the kiss that we shared in the bar that night.

The world is really so small. I'm sure we'll meet again like he said since he's friends with my boss. Kaylangan kong maghanda sa araw na iyon, dapat ay hindi ako madala at dapat wala na akong crush sa kaniya. I shouldn't be infatuated just because of his looks.

"Earth to Frances, yow!" Christine snapped her fingers in front of me.

Napakurap-kurap ako at bumaling sa kaniya. "Y-yeah?"

"Are you even listening? Kanina pa ako kwento nang kwento rito! Ano ba kasing iniisip mo? Bakit parang namumula ka?"

"Oh," I pouted, "I'm fine. Ano ulit ang kinekwento mo? Promise, makikinig na ako."

Her eyes brightened. "As I was saying, this friend of mine is really rude but he's nice when you get in his good side. I'm sure he'll like you though, who wouldn't?"

"He sounds scary to me. What's your friend's name?"

"Dhenmer Ramos. Don't worry, hindi lang naman siya ang nakatira duon. He's living with his parents and his parents are really nice unlike him." She rolled his eyes. "Kaya naman ako pupunta duon because of Tita, bukod kasi sa rude si Dhenmer ay annoying din siya."

"Awhile ago, you're saying his nice tapos ngayon naman parang naiinis ka sa kaniya." Natatawa kong sabi.

Sometimes, I don't get this girl. But she's actually fun to be with since she's very friendly and talkative. Hindi talaga nauubusan ng kwento at may sense of humor hindi tulad ko.

"Just wait 'till we get there, his house is like the nature. Maraming mga puno, halaman at mga bulaklak. The reason why I like visiting there, pakiramdam ko nasa gubat ako." She seemed so excited. "Did you know that Dhenmer's a rich business man? His company makes the best wine!"

"I'm not a fan of wine or any kinds of alcohol, I have no interest in knowing company." I shrugged. "I really hate the smell of alcohols, kahit na wine pa."

"Kaya pala kapag nag-aaya akong gumala at banggitin ko 'yong bar, humihindi ka agad. Akala ko tuloy ayaw mo sa'kin."

"Hindi ah, hindi lang talaga ako mahilig gumala-gala at magwalwal. I prefer staying inside my house and reading books. Guess I'm an introvert kind of person."

"Honestly, I'm so glad to be able to hang out with you. Dati pa kita gustong ayaing gumala na tayo lang dalawa, you know, to get to know you better, kaso alam ko naman na wala kang hilig sa mga kinahihiligan kong gawin."

"Maybe I'm like this because of my past? I don't know." I looked outside. "I don't like to associate with too much people. Okay na si Hunter, 'yong mga friends niya na naging friends ko na din at kayo nila Kaye. I don't want to meet more people."

I'm an orphan at a young age, I've been alone not until Hunter found me and pulled me out of the darkness.

"Are you, somewhat, traumatized about something? Did something happened to you in the past?" She asked, being careful with her tone. I looked at her and gave her a genuine smile.

"But I'm sure I'm fine now, Christine. No worries, I'm just like this. Boring."

Ayoko rin na maraming makaalam ng pinagdaanan ko dati. I don't want to be a burden to them, the people surrounding me surely also has their own problems, I know I'm not the only one.

...

Christine was right, ang ganda nga ng tirahan ng kaibigan niya. Sa gate nito ay may kakaibang klaseng vines na may mga bulaklak, ngunit hi-tech din ang gate at kusang bumubukas nang sabihin lang ni Christine ang pangalan niya.

There's a clean cement pathway that leads to the mansion's porch, but in the middle, there's a beautiful massive waterfall. To our both sides, flowers are planted such as roses and daisies, there are even sunflowers! May mga maliit na puno rin na tulad ng sa mga movies. The grass surrounding the cement pathway are flat.

Christine pushed me towards the ceiling-height door, nanliit tuloy ang tingin ko sa sarili ko.

I never seen a home like this. It's beautiful.

"Actually, ayaw ni Dhenmer ng ganitong design, pero hindi naman siya maka-hindi sa mama niya. And you can't argue with Tita, hahaba lang ang usapan pero sa huli ay siya pa rin ang panalo. The reason why Dhenmer just let her do anything she wants with the house."

Nilibot ko ang paningin sa paligid, may ngiting nakaguhit sa labi ko habang pinagmamasdan ang paligid. Ang ganda sa mga mata ng mga halaman, that Dhenmer's mother did very good job. I wonder what it's like inside? But I still want to eye the beautiful surroundings, gusto kong sulitin ang oras ko rito.

"You look in love with the place so I'll leave you here, sumunod ka na lang sa loob, sasabihan ko sila Tita na may kasama akong kaibigan. Oh my God, I'm sure Tita and Tito will love you!"

Nginitian ko lang siya at inilingan, ang ugali niya ay parang palagi na lang siyang excited kahit sa maliliit na bagay. Talaga ngang nakakaaliw siyang kasama tulad ng sabi ni Kaye.

Pinanood ko siyang pumasok sa malaking pinto, ako naman ay muling tinanaw ang magandang kapaligiran. Kaya siguro mahilig sa nature si Christine, dahil totoo ngang maganda ito.

This place is in Villareal, Ahrlo's small but fancy village. Bukod sa mansyong ito ay marami pang naggagandahang kabahayan sa Villareal, parang gusto ko na yatang gumala dito.

That's new to me. Me wanting to explore the whole village I mean.

After a long moment of complimenting the whole place, I finally decided to walk in the entrance of the mansion. Napasingkit ang mga mata ko sa liwanag na sumalubong sa akin, maybe because of gigantic chandelier hanging on the ceiling. Just like the chandelier, the furnitures are also gigantic and king-sized.

Their living room has a mini-bar on the corner, maraming iba't ibang klase ng inumin at alak. Kahit na hindi ako fan ng mga alcohol beverages ay namangha pa rin ako sa disenyo nito.

I don't want to explore the place without the owner's permission so I decided to behave myself on the comfy couch.

"Who did you bring this time, Tin? What's your friend's name? I can't wait to see her!" A cheerful voice echoed, I searched my eyes for that person and found a beautiful lady in her 60s I think.

The beautiful woman was wearing a white floral dress, ang kaputian nito ay lumilitaw dahil sa kasuotan niya. Our eyes met, her eyes twinkled when she saw me and quickly approached me.

"There you are! Wow, you're so pretty! What's your name, dear?"

I stood up and returned the woman's smile. "Oh, ahm, Frances Callanta po. Christine's friend."

"Ngayon lang kita nakita, halos kilala ko na lahat ng mga kaibigan ni Tin-tin." Hinawakan niya ang dalawa kong kamay. "You're so beautiful, I can't wait for my son to see you."

"Tita, I didn't bring her for Dhenmer. She's here with me." Lumapit din si Christine, may lalaking nakasunod sa likod niya na kasing edad din ng babaeng nasa harapan ko.

"I'm Elizabeth Ramos, by the way. You can call me Tita Liz for short."

"Hello po, it's nice to meet you."

"Qué edad tienes? De dónde viene? I want to know everything about you!" She clapped her hands together. Just by her look, I can already guess that she's from another country.

"I'm 25 years old and from Manila, Tita Lizzie." May pagmamalaki pero magalang kong sagot.

"Oh, you understand spanish! Bien, bien!"

"Oh, Mi español es malo. Konti lang po alam ko." Nakangiting sagot ko. "Is it really okay for me to be here? I feel like I don't belong here, your home is too beautiful."

"What do you mean you don't belong here? You're really pretty, my dear! I can't wait for my son to see you!" I don't know what's the deal with her son and why she's so excited for her son to meet me.

"Tita Liz, hindi ko nga po dinala si Frances para kay Dhenmer. We'll bond here and magfi-feel at home kami rito."

Mahinang tumawa si Tita Liz, tinapik niya ang kamay ko at matamis akong nginitian.

"Like Tin-tin said, please feel at home here. We're delighted to have you in our home, Frances."

"Salamat po, Tita Liz."

"Tita, Tito, where's Dhenmer nga pala? Bakit parang walang siya rito? At work?" Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ni Christine kay Tita Liz at sa asawa nito.

"He has an important meeting with his friend, he said. I'm not sure if he'll be home tonight, sa Manila pa kasi ang meeting niya eh." Tita Liz answered.

"Yeah, duon nga kami galing, Tita. Malayo 'yong Manila, baka hindi siya umuwi which is perfect! We don't need a bothersome sa bonding namin ni Frances." Umirap ito, she flipped her long hair off her shoulder.

"I will cook dinner for us, okay? Feel at home, mi hijas." Nagpaalam na si Tita Liz para pumunta sa kusina.

It's surprising to know na kahit may mga katulong sila ay nagluluto pa rin ito. Mukhang nagugustuhan ko na agad sila, I guess it's not that bad to meet new people.

"If you need anything, just call me upstairs, girls." Tita Liz's handsome husband spoke, he looked at me and smiled. "Call me Tito Damon, hija."

Ngumiti ako pabalik. "Okay po, Tito."

...

"Gracias! Gracias, hija!" Tita Liz clapped her hands together after we finished cooking dinner. "Ang galing mong magluto, plus point 'yan sa anak ko."

I volunteered to help her since I know how to cook and know what she's cooking. She kept mentioning her son though, I guess she planned on introducing me to him. Well, maganda naman ako at maganda ang katawan, hindi ko itatanggi 'yon. Alam ko rin na matalino ako at maraming kayang gawin, baka nga magustuhan ako ng anak niya.

But I always known to myself that I can never have a boyfriend of my own.

"My boss taught me how to cook, he also taught me all the things he know. Actually, last week niya lang po ako tinuruan." Pagkekwento ko pa, mukhang naaliw pa ito sa akin dahil dumadaldal ako.

"Oh, you're a fast learner. Another plus point!"

"Tita Liz, hahanapin ko lang po si Christine." Nagpaalam ako sandali.

"Oh sige, ako na munang bahala rito."

I smiled at her before walking out of the kitchen, I entered the living room, expecting to see Christine sitting on the couch but found the room empty. I thought she went outside so I decided to just wait for her in the living room.

The picture frames on the long table caught my attention, I got curious and found myself standing in front of the frames. Nakaramdam ako ng excitement nang makita na mga litrato ito ng pamilya ni Tita Liz kaya kahit isang litrato ay wala akong pinalampas.

The first picture is Tita Liz and Tito Damon in their wedding day. Sobrang ganda ni Tita Liz, si Tito Damon naman sobrang gwapo, mga mukhang dalaga at binata pa lang sila rito.

The second picture is a male kid, his forest green eyes are twinkling and his smile was so cute. He looked like someone I know but couldn't remember who. His green nature eyes are so familiar, even his whole features.

He looks like...

Oh crap.

Nilipat ko ang tingin sa mga litrato nila Tita Liz at Tito Damon, nakakapagtaka dahil hindi kamukha ng bata ang mga ito. 'Diba ito ang anak nila? Bakit parang kamukha niya yata iyong taong...

Hindi ko matuloy ang iniisip ko, nagsitayuan ang balahibo ko sa kaba na baka tama nga ng hinala ko.

Ang sabi nila ay may importanteng meeting ang anak nila sa Manila.

Sa Manila...

I froze and my eyes widened when I suddenly got prisoned by a pair of strong arms, I could tell that the person is a man since I can feel his strong chest pressing against my back. I fept his warm breath against my nape, fanning my delicate skin.

His presence felt familiar, the feeling that I'm feeling now is similar to the feelings I felt in the bar with that p*****t.

"We meet again, Miss Callanta." That voice...

No, that's impossible! It can't be him!

I flinched in horror when his hand touched my waist, hinarap ko ito para sana itulak palayo sa akin ngunit binulaga ako nito gamit ang labi niya sa inilapat niya sa labi ko.

It is him!

I put my hands on his chest and pushed him with all my strength, his lips did left mine but his body didn't.

"H-hey! Manyak ka talaga!" Sinuntok ko ang dibdib nito.

Tatlong beses niya na akong ninakawan ng halik!

"I wonder what's my friend's secretary doing inside my house?" His smirk widened. "I didn't expect to see you here, baby."

My cheeks are burning for sure, it sounds so sexy when he said the word 'baby' and especially knowing that he's referring to me. But I shouldn't be flattered, I know he already called lots of girls with that endearment.

So... he's Tita Liz and Tito Damon's son? His name is Dhenmer Ramos?