Dangerous Embrace

CHAPTER 9

ELLIOT sat behind his desk that afternoon, going through several reports when Noah entered his office.

Noah carried a thin folder.

“What is it?” Elliot asked, his eyes never leaving the document he was reading.

“Sir, it’s about Miss Isabelle Valencia.”

Agad na nag-angat ng tingin si Elliot at tinanggal ang suot niyang eyeglasses.

“Ano'ng nahanap mo tungkol sa kaniya?” tanong ni Elliot.

Noah opened the folder. “Miss Valencia is twenty-two years old. Graduated as a fashion designer but is currently working at a bakery called Sweet Hazel Bakery, owned by her friend. She has been working there since college.”

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Elliot. “Her family background.”

He wanted to know the answer to many questions appearing now in his mind.

“Nakatira siya kasama ang kaniyang magulang, sir. Her parents, Fernando and Lucinda Valencia, along with her younger sister, Sabrina.” Noah placed the folder in front of Elliot. “The Valencia family has been experiencing financial difficulties. Fernando has several debts and business obligations.”

“So, they’re not poor?”

“Well, kung bayayaran nila ang kanilang utang, mawawalan na sila ng asset. They will eventually become poor.” Sabi ni Noah. “And Miss Isabelle, half of her salary is apparently being contributed to the household?”

Kumunot ang noo ni Elliot. “Contributed?”

“Most of it, sir. From what we found, Miss Isabelle receives very little of what she earns. She’s living like a servant while the youngest daughter, Sabrina, lives in luxury.”

Elliot's jaw tightened.

Nagpatuloy si Noah. “She also seems to be the one blamed whenever something goes wrong at home.”

Elliot suddenly remembered the first time he saw her. At the bakery, the moment of pouring rain, at the park… Isabelle seems timid and always apologizes. Always looking like she was expecting someone to be angry with her.

And the way she apologized to him this morning, she looked like she was afraid that he’d lash out at her.

“Among the Valencia family, Miss Isabelle is the only one who has no record, scandals, or anything suspicious. She’s actually remarkably clean.” Sabi pa ni Noah.

“And Sir, Miss Isabelle is engaged to James Ramos.”

Kumuyom ang kamay ni Elliot. Isabelle did mention getting married this morning, but he ignored it. Akala niya kasi palusot lamang ‘yon ng dalaga upang iwasan niya. Isa pa, walang announcement ang Valencia Family tungkol rito.

“James Ramos. His family owns Ramos Holdings. His engagement to Isabelle appeared to be primarily connected to business interests.”

Pinaikot ni Elliot ang hawak na ballpen sa kaniyang daliri.

Of course, he knew James Ramos. He was one of the businessmen out there who begged for an investment from Rios Group. He got annoyed, so he agreed, but with a condition that he could pull out anytime if Ramos Holdings pissed him off.

Now, they pissed him off.

So, Fernando will use Isabelle to pay his debts. Elliot concluded in his mind.

“Sir, Miss Isabelle’s younger sister and James Ramos have a secret affair.”

Walang buhay na natawa si Elliot.

“So, this was like a drama. The eldest daughter will be used to pay debts, and the youngest daughter will enjoy luxury,” Elliot said. “Is Isabelle really their daughter?”

Hindi umimik si Noah dahil hindi naman niya inalam ang tungkol doon. “Aalamin ko ba, sir?”

Umiling si Elliot. “No need.”

Sinenyasan niya si Noah na umalis.

Noah slightly bowed his head and left.

Tiningnan ni Elliot ang larawan ni Isabelle na kasama sa mga iniwan ni Noah.

When he met Isabelle for the first time, he had seen the sadness in her eyes that was masked by a fake smile.

Hindi niya ito pinansin dahil marami na naman siyang nakitang taong ganoon. Some people who suffer hide their real feelings by smiling and saying they’re okay even if they are not.

But Isabelle…

She’s different.

“Isabelle,” Elliot gently caressed the photo, “what should I do? Sa tingin ko, gusto na kita.”

In the depths of Isabelle’s eyes, she saw an exhausted girl. He was taught how to read people since he was a kid, and he was sure he had not mistaken what he saw in Isabelle’s eyes.

She’s not weak… she was just tired.

Ipinikit ni Elliot ang kaniyang mga mata at bumuntong-hininga.

“Isabelle… Isabelle… you really caught my attention.”

AT THAT MOMENT, Isabelle is working at the Sweet Hazel Bakery. Ramdam niya ang titig sa kaniya ni Hazel, pero hindi ito nagsasalita. Alam niyang may gusto itong itanong sa kaniya, pero pinipigilan lamang nito ang sarili.

Kaya naman nang medyo kumonti ang customer, hinila siya nito patungo sa likurang bahagi ng bakery.

May wooden bench doon kung saan nagpapahinga ang mga staff ng bakery.

“Where did you go last night? I was worried. What did Sabrina do to you?” Sunod-sunod na tanong ni Hazel pagkaupo nilang dalawa sa wooden bench.

Hazel is her best friend, and she trusted her, so she told her what happened.

Hazel was furious. “That b***h! Talagang sasabunutan ko siya kapag nakita ko siya sa susunod.”

“Hazel, no need to dirty your hands. Hayaan mo na dahil hindi naman natuloy ang plano niya.”

And speaking of her sister, wala siyang natanggap na tawag mula sa kaniyang pamilya. Maybe Sabrina remained quiet and didn’t tell a single soul about it.

“But you nearly—” Hazel suddenly stopped. “Wait. Come again. Who helped you?” Lumaki ang kaniyang mata. “Elliot Amir Rios?! That ruthless man!”

“Ruthless man? I think he’s not. He’s actually quite gentle and kind. Siya nga ang bumili ng damit ko at breakfast kanina.” Sabi ni Isabelle. Not knowing she was already defending Elliot.

Hazel was surprised. “Teka, si Isabelle Valencia ka ba talaga?”

Isabelle frowned. “Of course.”

Tiningnan niya ang kaibigan mula ulo hanggang paa para siguraduhin na ito nga ang kaibigan niya. Sinalat din niya ang noo nito para alamin kung may lagnat ito o wala.

“Maayos ka naman,” sabi ni Hazel. She looked at Isabelle suspiciously. “Isabelle, you’re not like this before. The Isabelle I know would never say something like that.”

“Katulad ng ano?”

“That a rich man is kind and gentle.” Diniinan ni Hazel ang huling salitang binitawan niya.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Isabelle. “Sinabi ko lang naman na mabait siya.”

Hazel crossed his arms. “Isabelle, you literally spent years telling me that rich people are trouble.”

Tumango si Isabelle. “They are.”

Nakahinga nang maluwang si Hazel. Si Isabelle nga ang nasa harapan ko. But then she turned serious. “And yet you’re currently being helped by Elliot Amir Rios.”

Natahimik si Isabelle. Hindi rin niya alam. Maybe it was fate that their paths crossed last night.

Hazel gasped dramatically. “And not just any rich guy, ha? Elliot Rios. One of the eligible bachelors in the country. Women practically dream about getting his attention, and you got it effortlessly.”

“Wala akong ginawa at wala akong pakialam.”

“Talaga?”

“No.”

“Not even a little?”

“No.”

Hazel pointed at Isabelle’s dress. “He bought you clothes, and from the smell and fabric, your dress right now is expensive.” Then she smiled. “Hubarin mo na. Isanla natin.” Pagbibiro niya.

Agad namang nayaka psi Hazel sa sarili. “Hazel!”

Tumawa si Hazel. “Biro lang. Ito naman.” Sumeryoso na naman siya. “How did you two exactly met? Based from your story, last night wasn’t the first time you met him.”

Tumango si Isabelle.

Hinawakan ni Hazel ang kamay niya. “Can you tell me what happened?”

And since Isabelle trusted Hazel so much, she told her what had happened. Habang nagkukwento siya, palaki naman ng palaki ang mata ng kaibigan niya at hindi ito makapaniwala.

“…and that’s what happened. Elliot is nice and gentle.”

Isabelle played with her fingers while waiting for her friend’s reaction.

Natahimik si Hazel.

After few minutes, she spoke. “Okay. Fine. Let me get this straight.” Huminga ng malalim si Hazel. Hinawakan niya ang magkabilang balikat ng kaibigan. “The same Isabelle Valencia who once told me, ‘Hazel, stay away from rich men. they always have an agenda,’ is now saying that Elliot Rios is quiet, gentle, nice, bought her clothes, watched her all night last night, gave her breakfast this morning, and… what? he even bought her an ice cream before?”

Isabelle groaned. “When you say it like that, it sounded strange.”

“Because it is strange!”

Nagbaba ng tingin si Isabelle. “Hindi ko alam, Hazel. Elliot doesn’t feel like the kind of man I expected him to be.”

Nawala ang nang-aasar na expression ni Hazel. “Anong ibig mong sabihin?”

Huminga ng malalim si Isabelle. “When I’m around him, I don’t feel like I have to pretend. Ilang beses ko lang siyang nakita. Hindi ko alam pero ramdam kong komportable ako sa kaniya.” Nag-taas siya ng tingin. “Hazel, natatakot ako. I know he’s rich, powerful, and maybe he really is dangerous.”

Hazel leaned closer. “Are you saying you’re starting to like Elliot Rios?”

Isabelle nearly choked on her own saliva. “What?!”

Humagalpak ng tawa si Hazel.

“No! Abosultely not!”

“You’re blushing!” Hazel teased.

“Hindi ah!”

“You are!”

Mas lalo pang tumawa si Hazel.

Isabelle glared at her.

“Okay, okay. I believe you.” Sabi ni Hazel at nagtaas ng kamay. Then she pointed at her. “But remember one thing. You can convince yourself that you don’t like him. But don’t expect me to believe you when you start smiling every time his name comes up.”

Bumuka ang bibig ni Isabelle para depensahan ang sarili pero walang salita ang lumabas.

Because somewhere deep inside her… she knew Hazel might have a point.