THORNS

CHAPTER 02: FINALLY, THE TIME HAS COME

RIEVE'S P.O.V

4 YEARS LATER

"What time is my meeting with Mr. Clifford?" I asked Luke, my secretary

"His secretary emailed me to re-schedule it to a dinner meeting because he is currently meeting with Mr. Loughty" he answer

"What's with Mr. Loughty? Why? What's happening?" Sunod sunod na tanong ko sa kanya

"Yes sir, Because his daughter from America is supposed to come home today" sagot nya sakin

"Daughter? I thought he only had a son?" I asked confusedly

I don't think Mr. Loughty has a daughter. During his time in the business world, he never once mentioned that he had a daughter in any of the interviews done with him.

"Everyone was also surprised by that news" Luke said

"Anyways, anong oras ang lalapag ang plane nila Reveka?" Pagiiba ko ng usapan

"Sa mga oras na 'to dapat nakalapag na sila" sagot nya

"Then let's go now" I said, and I immediately got out of the car to enter the airport and just wait there for my cousin Reveka from the UK.

Habang naglalakad kami ni Luke papunta sa waiting area ay may biglang isang batang babae ang bumangga sakin

"Ouch!" Sigaw nya sa sakit

"Sir, are you okay?" Tanong sakin ni Luke

"Yeah" maiksing sagot ko naman sa kanya

"I'm sorry" sabi ng batang babae sakin at laking gulat ko namang ng makita ko ang mukha nito ng tumingala ito sakin... She looks like someone I know!

"Noraaaa!" Rinig kong sigaw ng isang boses at agad namang tumingin ang batang babae sa direksyon kung saan nanggagaling ang boses

"Gwency!" Tawag ng batang babae sa isang babaeng naka-itim na tumatakbo habang papalapit sa amin

"Bakit ka ba bigla bigla na lang tumatakbo? Papagalitan tayo ng mommy mo nyan eh!" Saway sa kanya ng babaeng naka-itim at agad sya nitong binuhat

"Sir, tara na po" aniya Luke na tinanguan ko lang bilang sagot at nagpatuloy na ako sa paglalakad at habang naglalakad kami ni Luke ay napansin kong parami ng parami ang mga taong naglalakad sa paligid namin, I guess maraming umuuwi ngayong galing ibang bansa

"Ms. Nova!"

"Nova?"

"Ano 'yon sir?" Tanong sakin ni Luke

"Did you heard that?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"Ang alin po?" Kunot noong tanong nya

"Nova, someone said Nova" sabi ko sa kanya, inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa buong paligid ngunit wala akong makita kundi ang mga tao lang sa airport, I swear I heard someone mention that name!

"Nova? Gusto ko ng nova chips, sir?" Tanong ni Luke

"What the f**k?" I don't know if Luke was being sarcastic or what

"It's not a chips!" Galit na saad ko

"You mean, that Nova?" Nakangiwing tanong nya sakin

"Yes, I heard someone said that name"

"Sir, are you sure you heard it right?" He asked me as if he's not believing me

"Yes" mabilis na sagot ko sa kanya

"Hindi mo ba narinig?" Dagdag ko pa

"Hindi sir, baka naman namali ka lang ng rinig" aniya Luke. It's impossible for me to hear it wrong, it's clear that I heard that it's really her name.

"Kuya Rieveeeee!"

"Sir, andito na po si Ms. Reveka" Sambit naman ni Luke

I took a deep breath to calm myself before finally walking and meeting Reveka. "Why are you so slow?" Tanong ko naman sa kanya

"Galing kasi akong restroom eh" sagot naman nya sakin

"How's your vacation?" I asked

"Well, it's a so so" she answered in a bored tone

"Pero alam mo kuya kanina nung nasa restroom ako may maganda babaeng pumasok, She's not that tall, but her aura and appeal are very strong, and she is a very empowered woman" her mood changed so fast

"And? What are you trying to say?" Kunot noong tanong ko

"I want to be like her! The way she stand, the way she look at her in the mirror, the way she walk, the way she change her face expression... Her confidence is overwhelming!" She excitedly explained

"Okay, you will be more than her" sabi ko naman

"Yes! HAHAHAHA" she said happily

"Anyways, we should be in our way dahil naghihintay na sa atin sila dad" saad ko

"Okay, let's go" said Reveka

Luke took the two suitcases that Reveka was carrying to our car. After we got in the car, we immediately went to the hotel restaurant where our family dinner will be held tonight.

And when we arrived at the hotel, I immediately accompanied Reveka to the boutique next door to buy clothes that she would use for our family dinner.

ONE HOUR LATER

"Welcome home, Reveka!" Masayang bati ni dad sa kanya

"Thank you tito!" Bati naman sa kanya pabalik ni Reveka

"Dad, where's grandfather?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"He's outside talking to someone" he answered

Naupo na lang ako habang hihintay si lolo na bumalik habang si dad at Reveka naman ay naguusap. Maya maya pa ay dumating nanga si lolo at binati ni Reveka

"Bakit hindi na kayo naunang kumain?" Tanong nya samin

"We're waiting for you, lolo" sagot ko sa kanya

"Bakit kailangan nyo pa akong hintayin, eh kung mamaya pa pala natapos ang usapan namin ng kaibigan ko edi mamaya pa din kayo kakain?" Taas kilay nyang saad

"Lolo, 'wag ka ng magalit" paglalambing sa kanya ni Reveka

"Anyways, Rieve asaan si Trisha at bakit hindi mo kasama?" Biglang tanong sakin ni lolo

"In Palawan, they are doing a photoshoot for the next issue of the magazine" I answered

"You guys are always busy, What are your plans? You have been engaged for four years, but until now you have not been married" Here we are again in that wedding conversation, so I don't want to go to this family dinner.

"We have plans. The two of us are really busy with our jobs" pagdadahilan ko

"But I read in an interview with Trisha that she said she was excited about your wedding, but it turns out that you are the one who doesn't want to get married" dagdag pa ni dad

"Yes, you're already 32 years old, kuya Rieve, but you're still not married. How can that uncle have grandchildren?" Pakikisawsaw naman ni Reveka

"Akala ko ba family dinner 'to? Eh bakit parang ako lang ang gusto nyong pag-usapan?" Inis na saad ko sa kanila

"Lagi mo na lang iniiba ang usapan kapag kasal mo na ang paguusapan, tch!" Pagmamaldita sakin ni Reveka

"Anyways, anong balita sa meeting nyo ni Mr. Clifford?" Tanong ni dad

"Actually, na re-schedule yung meeting ko with Mr. Clifford because he has a meeting with Mr. Loughty" sagot ko

"Mr. Loughty? Anong meron?" Sabay nilang tanong sakin ni lolo

"I don't think their meeting was about business because Luke told me there was news that Mr. Loughty was preparing an announcement party to introduce his daughter from America to the media" paliwanag ko sa kanila

"Oh, ayan pala yung tinutukoy sakin ng kausap ko kanina" aniya lolo

"It's my first time hearing that news" said dad

"Hindi ako makapaniwalang may anak na babae pala si Mr. Loughty at nasa ibang bansa lang" sabi ko naman

"That guy is really mysterious" dagdag pa ni dad

As the number one business man in Asia, there are many people who really want to know about your life, and many reporters have done interviews and documentaries with Mr. Loughty, and all that Chase was the only one he introduced to his son, and he never mentioned that he had a daughter that was in another country.

RING! RING! RING!

"Excuse me, I have to take this call" paalam samin ni dad bago lumabas at sagutin ang tawag

"Are you still talking to your mom?" Lolo suddenly asked me

"Oh, yeah, she always calling me to update" I answered

"Pupunta lang po ako sa restroom" paalam naman ni Reveka na mabilis na tumakbo palabas

"How is she there?" Tanong pa ni lolo

"She's doing good, sabi nya ang babait daw ng mga bata doon" sagot ko

"I don't want to talk about what happened to your mom and dad, so I'm telling you this Rieve. Don't repeat your father's mistake" said lolo

"Lolo, alam kong gusto nyo na akong ikasal bu---" he cut me off

"I'm not telling you to marry just because I want you to, what I'm trying to say is I hope you don't regret your decision just like your parents" He reminds me

"I will never be like them" sabi ko na lang at maya maya pa ay bumalik na si dad kasunod si Reveka

"What's with the call?" Tanong ni lolo sa kanya

"It's my secretary, nagkaron ng pagbabago sa mga meeting ng ibang clients dahil sa balita tungkol kay Mr. Loughty" said dad

"What's his deal? Ipapakilala nya lang naman yung anak nya, bakit kailangan pang madamay ang mga business partners at clients natin?" Nakangiwing tanong ko

"Most of them at indepted with him, so if he invites them, then we have no other choice. Hindi natin kakayanin kung makikipag-bungguan tayo sa kanya" paliwanag ni lolo

"What the heck?" Galit na saad ko

"Anyways, tapusin na natin ang pagkain dahil alam kong may mga trabaho pa kayo bukas" pagiiba ni lolo ng usapan

"Kuya Rieve doon ka sa villa mo uuwi di ba?" Tanong naman sakin ni Reveka

"Yes, why?"

"Can I sleep there tonight?" Tanong pa nya

"Why?"

"Yung drawing material ko kasi andon sayo, may balak kasi akong gawing portrait kaya kailangan ko sila" sagot nya sakin

"Okay fine, just don't disturb me because I have a loads of work to do at home" sabi ko sa kanya

"Sure, you have my word" she said happily

"Finish your food now, aalis na ako pagdating ni Luke dito" saad ko at nagmadali na syang kumain

After a few minutes, Reveka finished eating, and we all left the hotel at the same time. Dad and Grandpa left earlier than usual because Dad's secretary arrived earlier than my secretary.

"You're late" sabi ko kay Luke ng dumating na ito para sunduin kami ng pinsan ko

"It's traffic tonight" sagot nya lang sakin

Nang makasakay kami ni Reveka ay agad na pinaandar ni Luke ang makina ng sasakyan at pinaandar ito.

"Kuya?" Tawag sakin ni Reveka

"What is it?" Tanong ko naman

"Are you really, marrying that girl?" She asked

"Call her by her name, Reveka" paalala ko sa kanya

"I don't want to"

"Hhyyss... Why do you asked?" Tanong ko

"You guys already know the reason" she simply asnwered

"It's not you who will marry Trisha, kaya wala ka ng dapat na ipag-alala" sabi ko

"Then do you love her?" She suddenly asked

"A 17 year old girl should not ask me that thing" nakangising sagot ko naman sa kanya

"Tch! Anyone can do but not that girl, alam ng lahat kung gaano kasama ang ugali nya" reklamo pa nya sakin. ever since then, Reveka really doesn't want Trisha anymore, and they don't really get along.

"Andito na tayo, sir" aniya Luke

"Mauuna na ako kuya" sabi ni Reveka at tumakbo papasok sa bahay

"Tapos na ba si Trisha sa photoshoot nya?" Tanong ko kay Luke

"Yes sir, she's already on her way back here" he replied

"Then tell her to stay at her place for now because Reveka is with me" utos ko naman sa kanya

"I'll contact her immediately" he said and went back inside the car and left

Pagpasok ko sa villa ko ay dumiretso ako sa office ko para tapusin ang iba ko pang gawain na pinauwi ko dito kay Luke.

RING! RING! RING!

"Hello?"

"Yow! It's me!"

"Anong balita, Seven?"

"Wala talaga eh, wala akong kahit anong lead bukod sa binigay mo sakin"

"Eh paanong wala kang mahanap?"

"Lahat ng record na pinapahanap mo sakin ay burado"

"How did it become erased? It is extremely unlikely that all records pertaining to that individual will be lost"

"That’s also what I was thinking"

"Did you find a friend or anyone close to that person?"

"I did find one person, pero ang sinabi nya sakin nabalitaan na nga lang daw nyang patay. Tinanong ko din sya kung alam nya kung nasaan nakatira yung pamilya nya pero..."

"Pero ano?"

"The family of the person you are referring to does not have any family"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know, ayon lang yung sabi sakin at ang balita din sakin ng isa kong informant yung huling school na pinasukan nya wala na syang record doon na patunay na nag-aral sya sa school na 'yon"

"So you're trying to say na parang ginawa ng multo 'tong pinapahanap ko sayo?"

"Just give me some more time or maybe it's time for us to stop finding that person"

"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU SAYING?!"

"Rieve, ang tagal na nating naghahanap pero wala pa din tayong nahahanap, ni anino ng taong 'to wala"

"We have to find that person no matter what!"

"Then give me some more time"

"That person needs to pay, so you better find it, Seven"

"Fine, I'm hangging up"

"Oh, thanks for the information"

Matapos ang usapan namin na iyon ni Seven ay saglit akong napatigil sa aking ginagawa, it's really impossible for thar person to not to have a family, isang tao lang din ang nakakilala sa kanya at wala pa kaming nakuhang impormasyon sa kanya.

"Huh? Where's my stomper?"

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Reveka, kinuha mo ba yung stomper?" Saad ko matapos kumatok sa pinto ng kwarto nya

"Yup! Come in!" Sagot nya mula sa loob

"Where did you put it?" I asked

"Andon sa drawer ko" mabilis nyang sagot habang abala pa din sa cellphone nya

"I thought you're going to draw something?" Kunot noong tanong ko sa kanya

"Yeah I did, fast sketch nga lang ang ginawa ko" she said

When I opened the drawer that Reveka pointed out, I immediately saw my stomper, so I quickly took it and closed the drawer again. When I closed the drawer, there was a piece of paper on Reveka's desk that caught my attention. There was another blank paper covering the paper I saw, but I still saw that someone had drawn on it and I think it was human because the shoulder was visible.

Out of wonder at what Reveka drew, I took it and when I saw her drawing, I was shocked to see who she drew, so I quickly turned to Reveka to ask her about her drawing.

"Reveka, what is this drawing of yours?" I asked

"A drawing?" She answered sarcastically

"I know it's a drawing, but what I want to know is how you met this person" I said

I feel like I saw a ghost because of Reveka's drawing. How did she meet this person? Where do they meet

"Didn't I tell you that I saw a beautiful woman in the restroom at the airport? She's the one I'm referring to. I couldn't get her out of my mind, so I thought of drawing her and that's the outcome" she explained

"So you mean you don't know each other?" Kunot noong tanong ko

"Oo, sa restroom ko nga lang sya nakita" sagot nya

"She's beautiful, isn't it?" Dagdag pa nya

Is it possible that he is this person, or do they just have the same face?

"Can I borrow your drawing?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"Bakit, anong gagawin mo dyan?" Pagtatakang tanong naman nya sakin

"Well, you know, because she looks like someone I know" Nakangiwing sagot ko sa kanya

"If you say so, basta huwag mong lulukutin ah" mabilis nyang pagpayag

"Okay, I'll treat you tomorrow" sabi ko na kanya naman ikinatuwa

When I got out of Reveka's room, I didn't go back to my office, but I just went straight to my room, and there I lay on my bed while still staring at the woman drawn by Reveka.

Kahit saang anggulo mo talaga tignan iisang tao lang talaga sila, Is it possible that she is alive?

Because of the many ideas that there is a high possibility that she is still alive, I quickly took my cellphone out of my pocket and quickly called Luke.

"Yes sir?"

"Open you laptop, I'm going to send you something but don't hang up"

"Okay sir"

"There, natanggap mo na ba?"

"SIR?! A-ANO 'TO?"

"Kahit ako din ay nagulat ng makita ko 'tong drawing na ito ni Reveka"

"Drawing ni Ms. Reveka? Paano?"

"Do you remember when she told us that she saw a woman in the restroom at the airport?"

"Certainly sir"

"It's her"

"So what are you trying to say, sir, that the woman Ms. Reveka saw in the restroom is this person, and now Ms. Reveka drew her?

"You got it exactly"

"P-paanong nangyaring sya 'to, sir?"

"I don't know either, that's why I call you to find it out"

"What do you want me to do, sir?"

"Check all the cctv footage on the time when Reveka arrived at the airport especially the footages around the restroom, gusto kong malamang kung sya nga ba talaga 'to o kamukha nya lang"

"Okay sir, ibibigay ko na lang sa inyo yung kopya bukas na bukas din"

"Thanks Luke, you may rest now"

"Then, I'll hang up now, sir"

"Okay"

After Luke hung up, I just put my phone down on my side and stared at the ceiling while thinking about the possibility that she was actually in Reveka's drawing.

Apat na taon na ang nakalipas pero patuloy pa rin akong hinahabol ng multo ng nakaraan, buhay ka ba talaga... Nova?

KINABUKASAN

"This is all the cctv footage I got from the landing of the plane that Ms. Reveka was on until she entered and exited the restroom" saad ni Luke habang nagmamaneho

"Did you look at the list of passengers with Reveka on that flight?" Tanong ko naman

"Yes sir, It's on the back, all the passengers' names, from the pilot and other crew to the passengers, whether young or old. That's all, sir" sagot nya sakin

"Did you find her?" I asked

"No sir, pati sa listahan wala ang pangalan nya, pinahanap ko na rin pati ang mga ID nila pero wala doon ang mukhang hinahanap natin" sagot nya sakin

"What about the cctv around the restroom?" Tanong ko pa

"Ayon na yung pinagtataka ko, sir" bigla namang naging seryoso ang tono ng boses ni Luke

"What do you mean?" Kunot noong tanong ko sa kanya

"Hindi ba ang sabi sa atin ni Ms. Reveka ay may nakasabay syang babae sa restroom, and it turns out that girl was actually looks like her" he said

"And? What are you trying to say?" I don't get him at all

"Kung nakasabay lang sya ni Ms. Reveka sa restroom, edi may malkaing posibilidad na hindi sila magkasama sa flight at nagkasabay lang talaga pero ang ipinagtataka ko eh kahit saang anggulo ng cctv sa buong airport ay hindi nakita man lang sya nahagip o nakita dito" paliwanag nya sakin

"Now that you mentioed that, parang may nangyayaring glitch sa bawat footage" dagdag ko

"Yes sir, at nung nakausap ko yung cctv operator ang sabi nila samin the time lumapag ang eroplano ng isang flight galing abroad may nang-hack daw ng system nila at yung ibang footage from that flight were cut or deleted" paliwanag pa nya

"And what plane is that?"

"B777-300ER plane, sir" mabilis nyan sagot

"Saad daw galing?" Dagdag na tanong ko pa

"America"

"That's odd" sabi ko naman

"It looks like someone doesn't want us to see the cut and deleted parts of the CCTV footage" sambit ni Luke

"Do you think this is connected to her?" Tanong ko kay Luke

"I don't know about that sir, dahil base sa nalaman natin wala syang kakayahan na gawin ang mga ganitong bagay at isa pa hindi naman tayo nakakasigurado na sya nga talaga iyan by just looking at Ms. Reveka's drawing, malawak ang mundo sir, maraming tao sa mundong ito ay may parehong mukha" sagot nya sakin

"You have a point there, but if we look at them, they are really very similar, but there are only a few changes" sabi ko naman

"You may leave everything under my care sir, because there is something you need to take care first" aniya Luke kasabay ang paghinto ng sasakyan

"Right, we're already at the company" saad ko

Hindi ko namalayang andito na pala kami, masyado akong naging tutok sa bagay na ito. I immediately got out of the car and went inside the company where I caught up with my employees who were in charge of their jobs as if they were chasing a deadline.

"Good morning, Sir Rieve" bati nila sakin ng makita nila ako

"What's going on why you all seem to be in a hurry and in a commotion?" Tanong sa desk secratary ko

"Kasi sir, si sir Greg pinagmamadali silang lahat sa deadline bago maabutan ng announcement party ni Mr. Loughty kaya lahat aligaga ngayon lalo na sa 6th at 7th floor" paliwanag sakin nito

"Ganun ba?" Saad ko

"Yes sir"

"Isa pa nga po pala, nasa office nyo po si Ms. Trisha" dagdag pa nya

"Okay, thanks you may go back to your work" sabi ko agad akong sumakay ng elevator

I didn't know that Trisha was here because she told me she had a photoshoot this morning, but why is she here in the company?

Nang makalabas ako sa elevator ay agad akong nagtungo sa opisina ko at doon ko na nga naabutan si Trisha na naka-upo sa couch at umiinom ng kape

"What are you doing here?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"Is it wrong for me to visit my fiancee?" She said

"I know you have a photoshoot today, but why are you here in the office just drinking coffee? Does our company look like a coffee shop?" I smirked at her

"Actually, I'm here to talk to you about something" she said as she put down the coffee she was drinking.

"What do you want to talk about?" Tanong ko

"What else can we talk about but our relationship?" Seh said sarcastically

"What about our relationship?" I asked

"Kailan mo ako papakasalan, Reive?" Bigla naman akong natigilan sa tanong nya iyon

"Aren't you satisfied with all of this?" Tanong ko

"I'm asking you, when are you going to marry me?" Serysong tanong ni Trisha

"Trish, I'm busy and I don't want to argue with you"

"See? You're dodging my question"

"Sinabi ko naman na sayo di ba? Papakasalan kita" sabi ko

"Rieve, hindi 'yan yung gusto kong marinig mula sayo" aniya Trisha

"Then what do you want from me? New car? New sets of bags? New project? Just name it and I'll give it to you" saad ko sa kanya at nagulat naman ako ng bigla na lang nya akong sampalin

"Seems like you forgot why I agree to be with you four years ago"

"Kung alam mo naman pala ang usapan natin noon eh bakit gusto mo pang pakasalan kita ngayon?"

"You know, of all the men I've met in my life, you're the most trashy habit. No wonder why all the important people in your life are leaving you suddenly" said Trisha

"Let's just split up. You asked me what I wanted, right? I want us to separate our ways and announce to the world that we are canceling our marriage. That's exactly what I wanted to tell you, so I came here. Bye" said Trisha before it finally left my office

"Hello, Luke?"

"Yes sir?"

"Come to my office right now"

"Okay sir"

FIVE MINUTES LATER

"What happened to Ms. Trisha? Why does she look angry and disappointed, sir?" Tanong ni Luke ng mapasok sa opisina ko

"She ask me to call off the wedding" sagot ko sa kanya

"Huh? What do you mean sir?" Kunot noong tanong nya

"What I said is what I mean, so publish an article about" utos ko naman sa kanya

"Anong rason naman ang gagamitin natin?" Tanong pa ni Luke

"Pareho kaming busy sa mga trabaho namin at may mhga ugali kaming dalawa na hirap kaming intindihin, that's all"

"O-okay, I'll do it right away" mabilis nyang tugonat agad na lumabas para gawin ang pinapagawa ko

Why do I feel like everyone doesn't agree with me these past few days? This is going to be another big issue because of what Trisha wants to happen. I'm sure dad and grandpa will be angry when they hear what happened.

But Trisha and I don't have a serious relationship. She just wants to be a famous model using our company, and I just want to expand the company's partnership with other companies using Trisha's face. So basically, our relationship is just a mere agreement. Who would want to enter a serious relationship anyway?

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago ko itinuloy ang trabaho ko, pakiramdam ko ay para kailangan ko munang magpahinga o tumigil ng ilang araw sa pagtatrabaho pero hindi ko magawa dahil sa sunod-sunod na project na gagaawin ng kumpanya, tambak ako ng mga papel na kailangan kong i-revise at mga bagong project proposal na kailangan kong tignan kung dapat bang aprubahan

RING! RING! RING!

"It's grandpa" bulong ko sa aking sarili

"Hello grandp-----"

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Anong sinasabi ko? Ikaw anong balita ito?!"

Oh? Seems like Luke already compeleted is task and it looks like they already seen the news base on grandpa's tone

"It's her choice and I don't have any choice but to accept it"

"You stupid dummy! Just because she wanted to call off the wedding doesn't mean na dapat ka ng pumayag!"

"Pareho kaming busy, and I'm also okay about it"

"Alam mo ba ang sinabi ng mga tao ngayon huh?!"

"What are they saying?"

"People say that there is a third party involved!"

"And you believe them?"

"No, ayoko lang maapektuhan ang kumpanya dahil dito"

"You don't have to worry about it grandpa, I have let Luke handle this situation"

"Yes, you better handle this because I heard Trisha's side will hold a press conference"

"I know that from the very beginning"

"Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang sinayang mo ang apat na taon"

"Grandpa you should rest and let me handle it"

"You better should or else I will give your position to someone who's worthy than you!"

"Sorry to disappoint you grandpa but there's no one in this world who is more worthy to be the owner of this company than me"

"Stop saying ridiculious words and go back here one you've done your work. We all need to talkl to you"

"Okay fine"

Hindi ko na hinintay na sumagot pa si lolo bagkus ay ibinaba ko na ang tawag dahil alam kong hindi agad matatapos ang pagsesermon nya sakin sa kabilang linya kapag hindi ko pa sya binabaan at alam kong kapag umuwi ako mamaya masesermonan na naman ako

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Come in!" saad ko ng makarinig ng katok sa pinto ng opisina ko

"Yow!"

"Seven? What are you doing here?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"Nothing, I just saw the news, so I rushed over here to console you" he said sarcatically

"Who needs to be console?" Nakangising tanong ko sa kanya at ipinagpatuloy ko na lang ang ginagawa ko

"But you and Trish just broke up" he said happily

"And you're happy about that" sabi ko naman

"Well, some people are happy about that tho" natatawang tugon naman nya sakin

"Alam kong hindi 'yan ang ipinunta mo dito" seryosong saad ko

"Wow, sharp as the edge of the knife" biro nya skain at naupo sa couch

"So anong ipinunta mo dito?" Tanong ko

"Narinig kong lahat kay Luke" panimula nya

"That was fast" sabi ko naman

"Eh ano ng gagawin mo kung iisang tao nga lang sila?" Tanong nya

"That's why I need to find it out" sagot ko sa kanya ng hindi man lang sya tinitignan

"You're playing with fire, you might get burn, Rieve" kahit hindi ako nakatingin sa kanya ay randam ko ang pagigign seryoso sa tono ng boses nya

"I hope so"

NOVA'S P.O.V

"Mommyyyyyy!" Rinig kong tawag sakin ni Nora na kakabalik lang galing sa labas at namasyal kasama at tito daddy nya at lolo papa nya

"Nora! You're back already?" Nakangiting tanong ko sa kanya

"Yes, because tito daddy told me that he will make cookies for me!" She said filled with excitment in her eyes

"Wow, that's nice" natatawang saad ko naman

"Her name really suits her personality, huh?" Said kuya Chase and handed me a paper bag

"What's this?" Tanong ko

"Your favorite" he said

"Oh nice! Sakto nagugutom na ako" sabi ko naman at dali dali akong nagpunta sa kitchen para kumuha ng lalagyan ng dala sakin ni kuya Chase na lasagna

"By the way kuya, asaan di papa?" Tanong ko sa kanya

"He went to the company to arrange the schedule of the announcement party for you, It's been a week since you and Nora came back here from America, so he's very excited about preparing everything to introduce you to the world as her child" paliwanag ni kuya

"Apat na taon na din kasi simula ng malaman kong sya pala ang tatay ko, siguro masyado syang excited kasi pagkatapos kong ipanganak si Nora pumunta agad ako sa America para mag-aral ulit" sabi ko naman

"Don't be nervous, gaya ng sabi ko sayo noong unang pagkikita namin ay tutulungan ka namin ni dad" kuya smiled at me

"I'll never forget that, and also I'm not nervous. In fact, I'm just as excited as papa because, after four years of preparation, the time for my revenge has come" I smirked at him

"Kumain ka na lang dyan" sabi nya sakin habang inaayos ang mga gagamitin nya sa pagluluto ng cookies ni Nora

"Well, the tables have already turns since the day they called off their wedding HAHAHAHA this is going to be lit" nakangising saad ko naman bago sinimulang kainin ang pasalubong na pagkain akin ni kuya Chase