Wicked Obsession

KABANATA 3

GALIT KONG tinawagan si Liam Galliano para alamin ang nangyari tungkol sa news! But he is not answering his phone!

"Paano mo naman nalaman na hindi si Silver 'yon?" Tanong ni Shaina na hindi pa rin pala umalis sa opisina ko hanggang ngayon.

Pinindot ko ulit ang telepono para tawagan si Liam. Hindi ba talaga siya sasagot?

I am sure my family won't like it if they find out about him! Silver is okay—pero si Sebastian siya!

Alam kong si Sebastian ang nagpakita doon! Once you know the person, it could only take a second for you to recognize which is which!

Kaya hindi ko masasagot si Shaina. The answer is complicated to explain.

After a ring, sa wakas ay sumagot na din si Liam!

"What is happening?" Tanong ko sakanya. Galit.

Narinig ko ang tawa nito sa kabilang linya. "Bakit parang hindi ka masaya? I thought you will be happy! Silver will run the company!"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi niya. "Are you fvcking kidding me? That is not Silver! That is Sebastian Jacinto!" Gigil na sigaw ko sakanya.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pina-plano ni Sebastian or Liam at mukhang pagtutulungan ako—but once thing is for sure!

Magpapanggap si Sebastian bilang Silver—and I will never get myself deceive again by him!

"Come on, Cara! Paano mo nasabing si Sebastian iyon? It's Silver! Umalis si Sebastian kahapon sa bansa!" He explained to me, but I didn't buy it.

Nagsalubong ang kilay ko. "Stop this stunt, Liam. If you are helping Liam with his wicked ideas, itigil mo! He is scary—"

"You are being paranoid, Cara. Hindi talaga si Sebastian ito. At sa tingin mo, papayag ako na magkita kayo ni Sebastian after what he did on the past?"

I mean, why not? Pero tama din siya. What happened between me and Sebastian are scandalous to their family name and ours.

And our obvious encounter to public may stir that issue again.

"I am your friend Cara, and I am sorry for what happened to you too," aniya sa kabilang linya. "Kaya sigurado ako na si Silver iyon."

EVEN LIAM assured mo about who is who, hindi pa rin ako mapakali sa sitwasyon ko.

"Are you okay working with Silver Galliano?" Si Papa habang kumakain ng kanyang hapunan sa lamesa.

Tumango ako sa ama. Everyone is convinced that he is Silver. Magkamukha naman kasi talaga silang dalawa—but... can't they tell?

Or I am being too paranoid?

"Okay lang. Si Silver po 'yon..." Bulong ko. Parang kinukumbinsi din ang sarili na si Silver ang mamamahala sa kumpanya.

"He likes Silver, Papa." My mom said. "Do you still like that man?"

Natawa ako sa sinabi ni Mama. Hanggang ngayon pala ay tanda pa nila ang tungkol doon. Well... I am still crazy over him.

"Yes po—"

"You cannot like him now. He is your business partner," deklara ni dad.

Ibinaba ni Mama ang kutsara niya at hindi makapaniwala na tinignan ang asawa.

"Oh my gosh, Admiral! Let your daughter like someone!"

"Mama, Silver Galliano isn't just someone. Kapatid at kamukha niya ang gumawa ng kawalang-hiyaan sa anak natin," my father explained in a commanding tone.

Natahimik ang aking ina habang ako naman ay napailing.

"Dad... Okay... No need to tell me that."

Kung siguro ay walang bumabagabag sakin na si Sebastian ang kinikilalang Silver ngayon... Baka nag-protesta ako sa ama at hindi pumayag sa gusto.

Should I confirm it myself to know? Am I being paranoid?

UMAKYAT AKO sa kwarto matapos ang dinner. It's been weeks since I signed a contract between Galliano's. Ngunit wala pa namang nangyayari.

He... didn't call or text me and ask for something. He is not chasing me around.

My forehead knotted. Gusto ko bang mahabol?

Hell, no! Isa iyan sa ayaw ko!

Pero bakit... naisip ko na si Sebastian ang nasa telebisyon?

This thought is bothering me for weeks! Gusto ko mang pumunta doon ng diretso ay hindi ko magawa! I am afraid that my assumption will turn right!

"CARA CORNELIA," my mother called me in our breakfast. "Please, go there. I already agreed in the arrangement! But I forgot that I have an appointment!"

Linggo iyon, at dapat makikipagkiga si Mama sa kanyang mga amiga. It was just a small gathering party, and she is telling me to attend as her representative.

"Why wouldn't you just tell that you cannot make it—"

Nagulat ako noong hampasin ni Mama sa balikat.

"Nakakahiya, Cara! Now, do me this favor and go here!"

WALA AKONG nagawa sa gusto ng aking ina. I am just going to a small-boring party. Isa pa ay rest day ko ngayong linggo... So I agree to what she wanted.

My hair is in pony-tail. I match it with a long diamond-earings and diamond-choker necklace. Suot ko ang isang white-silk dress at pinatungan iyon ng black blazer.

I walked with my studded silver shoes in the restaurant.

Tumaas ang kilay ko noong mapansin that... this feels like a normal restaurant. An extravagant resto.

Nagtaka ako. I didn't see... anyone partying or gathering around. Doon na ako kinabahan.

"Cara!" someone called me from afar.

There, nakita ko ang isang lalaki na nakaupo sa two-seat table!

This is not a party! This is a date!

Bakit ko nga ba nakalimutan na magaling umarte ang ina ko!?

I want to step backward and act like no one called me. Paatras na ako noon, pero bumangga ang likod ko sa kung saan.

"Excuse me," aniya.

Nilingon ko ang nagsabi noon—and my eyes widened in surprise! It was Sebastian Galliano!

Umayos ako ng tayo para maalis ang pagkakasandal sakanya.

He just looked at me for a second and then passed at me. Pero ako, nanatili ang tingin at alerto ko sakanya.

"Veronica Larasso," Sebastian told the name for reservation.

Larasso. He is going to see Lara? Ang girlfriend ng kapatid niya?!

Hindi ako nilingon ni Sebastian—kaya mas lalo kong na-kumpirma na si Sebastian iyon!

Silver will smiled at me, kahit kaunti! Pero siya? Tinalikuran niya lang ako!

This is confusing!

"Ma'am? Do you have any reservation?"

Umiling ako. "No, I saw my table already. Thank you."

I am not interested sitting in front of a guy who is recommended by my mother.

Tinignan ko si Lara na hinawakan ang kamay ni Sebastian. I winced in grimace. Oh my gosh! Alam ba ni Lara na hindi iyan ang boyfriend niya?

Si Lara ba ang bagong target nitong si Sebastian that's why he is acting up again?!

"Do you like wine or champagne?"

I shifted my glance to him.

"Wine please," I answered. Tapos ay muli kong nilingon ang table ni Sebastian.

Our eyes met.

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin, habang siya naman ay nag-iwas lang.

Inilipat ko ang tingin sa menu at masama iyong tinignan. How wicked he is! Lahat na lang ay niloloko niya! I wonder how will Silverio react to this!

"So I am glad the crisis is over," si Henry habang kumakain kami. He is talking about Alta, my company.

"Yes..."

Muli kong nilingon ang dalawa sa kabilang lamesa. Nandoon sila sa pinakadulong banda ng restaurant, pero hindi nakalagpas sakin ang magkahawak nilang kamay.

"So Galliano really did help, huh?"

Nilingon ko ang lalaki. "Yes... They helped."

Why is he going this far? Don't tell me, Sebastian likes his brother's girlfriend? At isa pa, nasaan ba ang tunay na Silverio?

How desperate you are, Sebastian!

Noong nakita kong tumayo si Sebastian at nagtungo sa comfort room ay mabilis rin akong tumayo para sundan siya.

"I am going to the restroom... For a bit," paalam ko sa kasama.

I walk to the quiet aisle papunta sa restroom. Binilisan ko ang lakad kahit mahirap iyon.

Pagkaliko ko ay nagulat ako noong may humilia sakin. He pushed me through the walls!

My eyebrows met.

"Sebastian!"

Nagsalubong ang kilay nito at nangitngit ang ngipin.

"What are you doing?"

At siya pa talaga ang may ganang magtanong niyan!

"Ikaw, what are you doing?" Galit na tanong ko dito. "You are acting like Silver again, Sebastian!"

Kumunot ang noo nito. "I am not Sebastian, Cara!" Giit pa nito.

Iritado akong nagpupumiglas, pero noong hindi ko kinaya ang lakas niya ay pumirmi ako at sinamaan siya ng tingin.

"You are Sebastian!" I hissed. "Tingin mo ba, hindi kita makikilala? You are deceiving your brother's girlfriend, Sebastian!"

I didn't expect him to go extreme or worse from the past!

"And I will not let you deceive one another again!"

Lalong dumiin ang hawak nito sakin. "At anong gagawin mo? Will you tell her that I am Sebastian?"

Ang nag-aagaw kulay itim at tsokalate na kulay nitong mata ay mas lalong dumilim ang pagtitig sakin.

There I confirmed—he is fvcking Sebastian Galliano!

"See? You are Sebastian! What are you planning again? Manira ng buhay? Chaos? A trauma?"

Nagtagis ang bagang nito—pero hindi ko siya hinayaang makasagot at tinignan ng masama.

"Nang-aagaw ka na naman ng buhay na hindi iyo, Sebastian!"

"What are you trying, Cara? I know you loathe Sebastian, but this is too much. I am Silver—"

"Stop your fvckery, Galliano! Kilala kita!"

"At paano mo naman nakilala ang nagpanggap lang sayo?" Maanghang na aniya.

I didn't know but that hurt me. Saglit akong natigilan sa sinambit nito at hindi alam ang isasagot.

"You don't know Sebastian, Cara. Dahil nagpanggap lang siya sayo. So stop staring at me and focus on your goddamn date because I am Silver," aniya at pinakawalan na ako.

Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay iniwan na ako nito—hindi na siya dumiretso sa banyo.

But I was sure that he is Sebastian! That fvcking eyes is Sebastian Galliano!

Mabilis akong humabol sa lalaki. I know how to confirm it! Pero wala na siya... kaya hindi ko nagawa ang naisip.

Masama ang loob ko na bumalik sa lamesa. I am not in the mood for date—at noong tumayo na si Sebastian at Lara, inaya ko naman si Henry na umuwi na.

"I see. You are not in the mood huh?" Aniya.

I felt guilty. I can be lively or whatever, but Sebastian ruined my mood.

Tinignan ko ang lalaki. "I am sorry... for being today."

"Am I going to expect another date?"

Napangiti na lang ako, hindi alam ang isasagot.

He casually smiled on me and nodded. He insist of driving me home, but I have my car.

Kanina pa wala sila Sebastian at paalis pa lang ako doon. I wonder what is he going to do with Lara?!

TAHIMIK AKONG nakaupo sa swivel chair ng opisina, habang si Shaina naman ay nasa harapan ko, nakakunot ang noo.

"So?"

"Anong so?" I asked my dear friend. "Can't you see it? He is trying to deceive Lara, Shaina! He is such a wicked and worst!"

I cannot help it but to tell all my assumptions to Shaina. Pakiramdam ko kasi ay sasabog ako kung walang pagsasabihan!

Kaswal na tumango si Shaina. "Yes, Cara. Let's say na nagpapanggap na naman si Sebastian bilang Silver and he is getting his brother's girlfriend—pero ano naman iyon sa'yo?"

Natigilan ako sa sinabi nito. Napaisip. Yeah... Where is my anger coming from?

"At least di ba, Sebastian is really creepy! Pero is he not helping you? Pag naging single si Silverio dahil inagawan siya ng kapatid niya, then Silver will be yours!"

Napaisip ako sa sinabi nito. It was a very plausible reason to let Sebastian be...

"Hindi ba galit na galit ka pa nga kay Lara kasi laging na kay Silver? Ayan, tinutulungan ka na ni Sebastian—"

"Shaina, what a petty reason! Hindi sapat na rason 'yan! Yes, I don't like Lara, but I don't... like the idea of Sebastian deceiving someone!"

Tamad akong tinignan ng kaibigan. "So what are you going to do with it, Cara? Anong gagawin mo kay 'Sebastian'?"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa tono ng boses niya. "Shaina, he is really Sebastian!"

"Yeah, and pigs can fly..." She snorted. "Nasa ibang bansa si Sebastian, Cara. Like, after of what he did, may gana pa siyang bumalik dito? Isa pa, base sa kwento mo... Mukhang galit din siya sayo. Typical Silverio pag pinainit mo ang ulo."

Natahimik ako sa mga conclusion niya. But I really know it... he is Sebastian!

"Kung ikaw nga na-recognize si Sebastian—how come Lara cannot recognize her long time boyfriend Silverio?" Isa pa ni Shaina.

She is right. Kung nakilala ko si Sebastian, how come Lara didn't notice that it was not her boyfriend?

Baka nga ako ang mali dito. Maybe I am seing things... because after all, I really don't know Sebastian... dahil nagpanggap lang siya sakin.

"Stop being paranoid, Cara. Do you want to see your doctor?"

"I am not being paranoid."

"Wala ka namang pakialam sa mga Galliano bukod kay Silver... Tsk—"

"But this is about Silver, Shaina!"

"No! I think this is just about Sebastian, Cara!" Aniya.

I stilled. Hindi nakapagsalita.

"You need to get laid, Cara... At uminom. Should we drink today and get wasted?"

I sighed to my friend. "I think we should do that."

Maybe I am just confused and scared because of our encounter over a month ago.

I MISSED how the bar smells and sound it makes. Loud. High. Everyone was banging there head habang ako naman ay kasama ang lalaki na kakakuha ko lang sa kung saan.

"Hey Cara..."

"Hmm?" I am a little bit tipsy. And... my body really needs an attention right now.

Kinuha nito ang beywang ko at pilit na isiniksik sakanya. This guy... is I think from Regal clan. Kilala ko ang lalaking 'to!

"What if we do business together?"

Wala akong balak. I hate collaborations with unnecessary companies. He is in technology I think. At ako naman ay beauty care. What a gap.

I sexily chuckled. "Hun, malayo ata ang agwat nating dalawa..." Isinandal ko pa ang katawan sakanya.

Inilapit nito ang mukha niya sakin at naramdaman kong dumaplis ang labi niyang may ngiti.

"Really? Parang hindi ko naman maramdaman ang layo, Cara..." Aniya.

I kissed his sweet lips to prevent him from talking. It was an aggressive, nice, and needy kiss.

His hands slip up into my chest and caress it a little. I just let him be–noong may naramdaman akong basa sa ulo ko!

Pareho kaming naghiwalay noong lalaki at basa ang buhok sa gulat!

"Sorry ma'am!" Ang waiter!

"Are you fvcking kidding me!?" Si Regal na talagang basa ang buhok! "Where is your manager? Hindi ka ba tumitingin sa dinadaanan mo!?"

"Naitulak po ako... sir—"

"Magdadahilan ka pa!"

"I'm sorry," the guy entered from the dance floor. Walang kaamor-amor kami nitong tinignan. "Hindi ko sinasadya na matabig ka. I am sorry, sir..."

His voice isn't even sorry at all! Bakit siya sa waiter nagso-sorry?! Kami ang nabuhusan ng juice!

Isa pa, anong ginagawa niya dito!?

"Call your manager because you're getting fired!" Sigaw ni Regal, habang ako ay na-surpresa pa rin sa taong nakatulak sa waiter.

"I think that's not necessary. I will pay for the damage..." Si Sebastian!

Natawa si Regal. "Dude, stop interfering. This is not your business!" Inis na sigaw ni Regal.

I sighed and held his hands to calm. He is making a scene and I don't like it.

"Calm down, Regal."

Muli kong nilingon si Sebastian–or 'Silver' na malaim ang tingin sakin.

"I think, this is my business..." si Sebastian.