Taming The Billionaire

Kabanata 7

KINAUMAGAHAN ng gabing iyon ay tumulak ako pa-Maynila. I had so much fun yesterday night. Nagpalitan sa pagmamaneho ang mga pinsan ko habang ako naman ay masayang nakaupo sa backseat. We were talking about random things. Si Sadie ang may pinaka-maraming kwento. Pati iyong tungkol sa nudes na pinagtalunan nila ni Vack ay in-open niya sa amin. That was one hell of a story. Ang kalat! Bigla ko tuloy naalala sina Bleu at Xash. They have stories like that, too. Mas malala pa nga.

We stopped midway when we found an open space. Doon namin napagdesisyonan na kainin iyong binili nina Benjamin. Naglatag si Sadie ng blanket sa trunk ng kotse ‘saka doon inubos ang mga nabili. We drank some beer, too. On our way home Vack insisted to drive. Si Benjamin, Sadie, Sordia, at Shio kasi ay may tama na. Hindi na ako magtataka kay Benjamin dahil sa bahay palang ay umiinom na ito.

It was already ten a.m when I reached Metro Manila. I told Kajik to pick me up. My male cousin from my biological father’s side. Since it’s Sunday, I’ll probably spend the day at my father’s house. I’ll meet my aunts and cousins to re-scheduled my birthday celebration with them since they won’t be able to go at the actual day. Huminga ako nang malalim. Kung kikitain ko ang mga pinsan ko ay hindi malabong makaharap ko si Harris. My brows furrowed remembering my last conversation with him. Now, what should I do?

I opened my bag to picked up my phone. I scrolled down through my contacts to message Vanica.

To : Vanica

On my way. Where u at?

Hindi ko pa ito nakakausap mula noong isang araw. She was messaging on my social media accounts but I wasn’t replying. I didn’t want to deal with Harris while I was in Isla Verde. Reunion namin iyon ng mga Solivan at ayokong mai-stress lalo na kung ang dahilan lamang ay iyong mahirap na babaeng nililigawan niya. She’s not even worth to think about. God, I hate her.

“How’s the meet with the Solivans?” Kajik asked.

“Great.” Nilingon ko siya. “Haven’t seen them in a while so it was worthwhile.”

“Uh-uh.” He responded. “Are the preparations done?”

Tumango ako at huminga nang malalim. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa daan. “Yup, except for the photoshoot.” Tumabang ang boses ko sa huling sinabi.

“That sounds bittersweet.” He chuckled. “What happened? Thought you’d settle everything there.”

Nagtaas ako ng dalawang kilay. “Akala ko rin. But Tita Charron’s daughters were there and that kind of triggered me.”

“The one that dated your crush?”

Umirap ako. “Please. She was a flirt.”

Nakita ko sa gilid ng mata ko ang paglingon nito sa akin. “So? Did you fight with the evil sisters?”

“Not really. But here’s what.” I licked my lower lip. “Edrianne knows that I’m meeting my dad and that I am a member of a band.”

Hindi siya sumagot. I waited for a minute but he was silent.

Nang pasadahan ko ito ng tingin ay seryoso na ang mukha nito. His expression was now stoic. Sa pananahimik niyang iyan ay natutunugan ko na ang mga naiisip niya. I know because I had that too when I found out someone from the Solivan know my behind-the-scenes.

“Did they threaten you to stop meeting us?” May pagpipigil sa boses nito.

Tahimik akong bumuntong hininga. Umiling ako roon. “No. Vack and Benjamin told me they would keep it.”

“You believe them,” he said.

I inhaled sharply before I slowly nod my head. “I had to.”

“And what happens if they don’t?”

Nanahimik ako roon. Of course. That thought already crossed my mind. Ilang daang beses ko nang itinanong sa sarili ko iyan. Na paano kung malaman nina Lolo at Mommy ang ginagawa ko sa Manila at paano kung dumating ako sa punto na kakailanganin kong pumili.

It was the Solivan who raised me. It was my mother who gave me everything I wanted. Ang mga Solivan ang dahilan kung bakit nakukuha ko ang mga gusto ko at kung paanong hindi ako nakakaranas ng hirap. Alam ko iyon. Lalo na si Lolo Asmodeous na mataas ang ekspektasyon sa akin. He already promised me my heritage. Ang mga ari-ariang mapapa-saakin balang araw at ilang mga bagay na makukuha ko sa paglipas pa ng panahon. I am his favorite. Lahat ng iyon ay mawawala kung saka-sakaling malaman nila na nakikipagkita pa ako sa totoo kong Ama. And that I joined a band— which isn’t necessary for my future.

Sa kabilang banda naman ay hindi ko rin kayang bitawanan ang relasyon ko sa mga Revelio. Especially my father. Hanggang ngayon ay masakit parin sa akin habang iniisip ang naging paghihiwalay nila ni Mommy. My mom cheated on him. Pero mas ikinatuwa pa iyon ng Lolo ko. Ang malala pa roon ay tinanggalan nila ng karapatan si Daddy sa akin. I hate how they decided things without my consent.

“I don’t.. know.” Matapat na sagot ko pagkatapos ng mahabang katahimikan. I drew a deep breath. “I.. don’t want to pick.”

Hindi ko siya narinig na sumagot. I looked to my side and refused to give him a glance. I don’t want to meet his eyes with uncertainty. Alam kong hindi siya natutuwa sa narinig. I could feel his doubts and disagreement.

Pumikit ako at pinilit na iiwas ang sarili sa pag-iisip ng ganoon. The air inside the car suddenly changed. It feels all gloomy. Paano pa kaya kung malaman ni Daddy na ganoon ang nangyari?

NANG makarating sa subdivision kung saan nakatira si Daddy kasama pa ng ibang mga Tita ko ay natulog muna ako. I let my father know beforehand that I arrived. Pagod kasi ako sa byahe at puyat rin. Lalo na’t kagabi lamang ay nasa labas ako nang hanggang alas onse. I woke up at four and didn’t sleep just until I came here.

Tanghalian na nang magising ako. It was Vanica, Irah, and Rouki who wake me up from their loud voices and knocks. Ni-lock ko kasi ang kwarto kaya’t hindi sila agad nakapasok. My hair was all fluffy when they greeted me with a hug. Funny since they always see me. Ilanga raw lang naman akong Nawala. I guess they miss having a living human doll here.

“Nagpasundo ka pala kay Kajik! Dapat ay sumama ako!” It was Irah.

Pumasok sila sa loob. I smiled and walked towards my closet to get some clothes so I can wash up. Nilingon ko siya nang maabot ang twalya. “Tanghali kang gumigising. Kung hihintayin ka naming ay baka hindi agad ako nakauwi.”

“True! Kung hindi ka nga naming pinuntahan ay baka natutulog kapa hanggang ngayon.” Si Vanica.

Pumasok ako ng banyo at mabilis na naligo roon. Habang nasa loob ay naririnig ko pa itong nag-uusap. Vanica keep calling my name, parang nag-aaya pa. Pero wala naman akong balak na umalis ngayon. I just came from Batangas. Bukas naman ay may pasok na. I want to stay at the house and rest.

Nang makatapos ay bumaba na kami para kumain. I ate with my Dad and other cousins. Sila Tita yata ay pupunta mamaya. My father, Rouse Revelio was the one who cooked lunch. Sa hapag kainan ay sinabi ko sakanya ang gusto kong mangyari. That we should set a scheduled date for my birthday to celebrate with the Revelio. Alam kong hindi ayos sa kanya na hindi makapunta sa kaarawan ko kaya’t gusto kong gumawa ng sarili naming selebrasyon.

I didn’t told my father about what happened in Isla Verde. Hindi ko gusto ang naging reaksyon ni Kajik kanina. I didn’t want my father to worry and think about it. Naniniwala ako kay Vack at Benjamin. Gusto kong manalig na hindi sila tatalikod sa napag-usapan. Afterall, we grew up together.

“Nakapili kana ba ng susuotin sa birthday mo, Niy?” tanong ni Rouki. Nakatungtong ito sa itim na skateboard niya habang binabalanse ang sarili. Iba iyon sa huling nakita ko na gamit niya. Mukhang nahawahan na talaga siya ni Reese. Pareho na silang nahahaling ngayon sa skateboard.

Tumango ako sakanya. Narito kami sa isang court malapit sa bahay. Lumabas lang ako para hintayin sina Reese at Harris na sabay na dadating. Hindi ko sila kayang hintayin sa loob dahil lalo na’t nandoon si Daddy. I want to talk to Harris. To clear things and if possible, without saying sorry to that poor girl.

“I want to be there. Sigurado akong engrande iyon.” Lumabi si Vanica. “Kilala ba nila ako bilang Revelio? Pumunta kaya ako?” tanong nito sabay siko sa akin.

“I’m not using Revelio on my social media accounts. Hindi nila ako makikilala. Can I go, too?” It was Irah.

“Huwag na.” Sumingit si Rouki. “Her other cousins will be there.”

Sumimangot sina Irah sa narinig.

“I’ll give you an invitation.” The side of my lips rose up. Agad na napatingin iyong dalawa sa akin. “Kayo nalang ang bahala kung pupunta kayo.”

Hindi naman sila ganoong mapapansin doon dahil puro business man karamihan ang dadalo. Isa pa, hindi naman kilala ng mga Solivan kung sino-sino ang kaibigan ko sa Manila. If they notice Irah and Vanica I can just tell them that they were my classmates.

“Will your bandmates be there?” Tanong ni Irah kalaunan. “I want to meet them. Especially that Marshall. She’s pretty and I like her skin. Anong product ang gamit niya?” Pag-uusisa nito.

“She doesn’t use beauty and whitening products.” I smirked. “Natural iyon.”

I had the same thought when I met Marshall. Iba kasi talaga ang itsura at kutis nito sa personal. Mukhang artista dahil alagang-alaga ang balat. Manipis at pink ang labi habang ang ilong naman ay matangos. She’s tall, too.

She shot up a brow. “Impossible. What about surgery? A rhinoplasty?”

“Hindi nga.” I leered at her. “Ask her yourself on my birthday.”

“Andiyan na yata ‘yung dalawa.” Si Rouki.

Lahat kami ay napalingon sa direksyon kung saan siya nakatingin. A blue Mercedes benz stopped across the court. Kilala ko ang gwapong sasakyan na iyon. That was Harris’. Humalukipkip ako sabay harap sa direksyon nila. The first one I saw was Reese. He’s wearing a polo shirt and a golf short. He’s even wearing a sunglasses. Typical Reese. Pero hindi yata nito dala ang skateboard nito.

Rouki stood beside me. Hindi na ako naghintay roon at lumapit na sa dalawa. Reese immediately approached me to greet me.

“Hey, couz.”

“Hey.” I greeted back, my eyes glued to the car. Narinig ko ang pagbukas at sara ng sasakyan kaya’t huminto ako roon. Sumenyas ako sa likod ko bago nag-angat ng tingin kay Reese. “Rouki was waiting for you. She has her skateboard.”

Tumagos ang tingin niya sa akin pagkasabi ko noon. Hindi niya alam na nagkaroon kami ng alitan ni Hrris at ayaw ko nang ipaalam pa iyon. He tapped my head and smiled before he walk passed by me. Huminga ako ng malalim. Nang muling mag-angat ng tingin ay nakita ko si Hariss sa gilid ng front headlight. Halos dalawang dipa at kalahati lang ang layo niya sa akin. I couldn’t read his face but I know that wasn’t his happy expression.

Ipinasok ko ang isang kamay sa bulsa sa likuran. I was hoping he’d talk first. Pero nang dumaan ang halos isang minuto at hindi ito magsalita ay napagtanto kong wala itong balak na magsimula.

“I’m sorry, Harris.” I managed to say.

“Saved it,” he said coldly. Tumigas ang tayo ko sa bahagyang pagkapahiya.

He’s really mad. Humugot ako ng malalim na paghinga. “Harris, I said what I said, okay? I don’t like Ylena.”

“I like her.” Kumunot ang noo nito. “I like her Nieoni, and you, have no say on that.”

I motioned my hand on the air. “Ano bang mali sa ginawa ko? Kaunting ganoon at magsusumbong na siya agad sa iyo—”

“I forced her to tell me because she was avoiding me. Damn it.”

Napailing ako sa kanya. Binasa ko ang ibabang labi ko ‘saka humakbang papalapit. He was looking at me spitefully. “Are we really fighting because of her? Harris.. that girl doesn’t deserve you.”

He scoffed. “Look at you,” saad nito, parang nagtitimpi nalang sa tono ng boses. “Look at you with the same attitude you learned from the Solivans. Who are you to dictate who deserve who?” His voice was then laced with repugnancy. “You don’t get to decide for others, Niy. Let’s not control something that isn’t for us to interfere.”