THORNS

CHAPTER 04: THE BANQUET PARTY AND HIM

"Malay nyo ito na ang maging chance nyong makatrabaho ang kumpanya namin by just entertaining my precious little sister and her daughter" dagdag pa ni kuya at para bang biglang may nabuong tensyon sa loob ng banquet hall dahil sa sinabing iyon ni kuya Chase

"Kami pa talaga ng anak ko ang ginawa mong dahilan ah!" Inis na bulong ko sa kanya

"Just act friendly with them but don't forget your motive because it seems like Rieve is still not here" bulong nya sakin pabalik at para naman akong nabunutan ng tinik sa lalamunan dahil sa narinig kong iyon mula kay kuya

"T-thanks" utal na sabi ko sa kanya

"Sweety, you want to down ang greet them or played with other kids?" Tanong ko naman kay Nora

"Just hold my hand mommy, I don't wanna get lost" she said, sabihin na nating may namuong trauma kay Nora noong isang beses na lumabas kami sa America para mamasyal at nawala sya and ever since that day kapag sinabi mo sa kanyang huwamak sya sayo ng mahigpit, hahawak talaga sya sayo ng mahigpit.

"Sure, let's go there" sabi ko naman

"Ms. Nova, ako na po ang hahawak kay Nora" pagboboluntaryo naman ni Ayane

"Sure, thank you" sabi ko naman at bumaba na ako sa stage kasunod nila Ayane at Nora

"Good evening Ms. Nova Loughty" pagsalubong samin ng isang balita

"Oh, good evening" bati ko sa kanya pabalik

"You look stunning tonight" he said, tch! Kahit hindi gabi I always stunning though

"Thank you so much... And you must be Mr. Milliare?" Sabi ko naman habang nakangiti ng peke sa kanya, humanda talaga si kuya Chase sakin mamaya

"Yes, that's me HAHA" he said

"My dad once talk about you being his golf buddy hehe" sabi ko naman

"I'm fluttered to know that" yes you should, f**k! Gusto ko na agad silang layasan pero kailangan kong magustuhan nila ako para sa plano ko... Damn...

"Well, since sa America ako simula pagkabata hindi kami masyadong nagkakasama ni dad kaya ganoon na lang sya magkwento sakin whenever he visits us" kwento ko sa kanya

"Oh, so that's why HAHAHAHA" sabi nya, bakit ba sya tawa ng tawa? May sapak sa ulo 'to?

"Anyway Ms. Nova if you haven't heard this news, I am currently building a playstation building..." Dagdag pa nya

"You must be fond to children Mr. Milliare" sabi ko

"Yes, I actually have three grandchildren who gave me the idea to build a building like this" paliwanag nya, playstation sounds doesn't sounds so bad pero hindi ko alam kung magiging worth it ba 'to sa kumpanya ni papa

"Mommy, what is playstation building?" Biglang pagsingit naman ni Nora sa usapan namin

"It's a place where you can play anything to your heart's content, little girl" nakangiting paliwanag naman sa kanya ni Mr. Milliare

"Wow! Can I go there mister?" Tanong pa nya

"Of course, but it's still under construction so you can't go for now" aniya Mr. Milliare

"Then after that can I go there and play?!" Excited na tanong sa kanya ni Nora na halos kuminang pa ang mga mata dahil sa pagkamangha

"Anytime little girl" Mr. Milliare said

"Well, if you really want to build that PlayStation with my dad's company's help, I just want to know something about it" saad ko naman, syempre hindi ako pwedeng pumayag na lang basta basta just because Nora was excited and looking forward to it

"Sure, what is it?" Tanong nya sakin

"Kung sakaling maging partner o pondohan namin ang pagpapagawa mo ng building na 'yan gusto ko lang malamang kung magiging open ba 'to sa lahat?" Diretsong tanong ko naman

"What do you mean?" Kunot noong tanong nya

"Pwede bang maglaro doon ang mga batang mababa ang estado sa buhay?" Hindi na ako nagpaligoy ligoy pa dahil ayokong tutulong sa isang business na hindi makikinabang ang lahat libang na lang kung mayaman at angat ka sa buhay

"Is that you want to know?" Tanong nya habang nakangisi sakin

"Yes, that's all I want to know" mabilis na sagot ko sa kanya

"Yes ofcourse, I used to live in slum when I was a child kaya bakit ko pagdadamutan yung mga taong nangangailangan?" Sabi naman nya

"Mas mabuti na kasi ang malinaw tayo Mr. Milliare because we're talking about business after all" tugon ko sa kanya

"HAHA I know that very well Ms. Nova" he said and he took a sip on what his drinking at kasabay naman nito ang pagdating ni kuya

"What are you guys talking about?" Tanong nya

"Sakto andito ka na kuya, I think si kuya na lang ang kausapin nyo tungkol sa iba pang details since mas may experience sya sakin sa ganitong field Mr. Milliare" sabi ko naman

"Ang alin?" Tanong pa ni kuya

"Mr. Milliare want to build a PlayStation Building and Nora was excited about it" maiksing paliwanag ko sa kanya

"Ooooh, our Nora wants to play there?" Tanong ni kuya Chase kay Nora

"Yeah because I'm tired of going on parks" pagmamaldita nito sa tito nya dahil sa park nya lang laging dinadala si Nora kapag bumibista sila ni papa samin sa America noon

"HAHAHAHA okay, tito daddy and Mr. Milliare will talk about it so you and mommy will go and greet the other guest, okay?" Sabi sa kanya ni kuya

"No, Ayane take Nora to children's table where she can socialize to other kids here" sabi ko naman

"Sure ka?" Tanong sakin ni kuya

"I can handle the guest and I'm sure she will find doing this boring so soon" sabi ko naman

"If that's what you say" sabi nya

"Can we talk over there Mr. Milliare?" Dagdag pa ni kuya Chase bago maglakad papalayo samin kasama si Mr. Milliare

"Nora, play with them okay?" Utos ko naman sa kanya

"Yes mommy!" She answered happily

"Ayane make sure na hindi sya malalapitan ah, call me or kuya immediately if someone approach her libang sa mga bata" bilin ko kay Ayane

"Yes Ms. Nova" sagot nya sakin

"Sige na at babatiin ko lang ang ibang bisita" sabi ko bago ko sila tuluyang layuan para batiin ang ibang bisita

I did nothing but wish them all a good evening, and they all wanted me to be a bridge to sign a partnership with Papa's company. I was so tired because I was walking and I was wearing high heels. I thought of sitting in our seat first and letting my feet rest for a while.

"You look tired, young lady" saad ng isang pamilyar na boses kaya agad ko itong nilingon at laking gulat ko ng makita ko ang Lolo at tatay ni Rieve

Para tuloy akong naging bato sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa kanila, pakiramdam ko gustong tumalon ng puso ko palabas ng dibdib ko sa sobrang kaba

"Get yourself together Nova!"

"Oh, I didn't know that the Elrod's will attend this banquet, I'm fluttered" I said as I finally get a hold of myself and smiled at them

"Oh no, the pleasure is ours" said Mr. Antonio, Rieve's grandfather... Hindi naman nila ako makikilala dahil hindi ako sa mismong mansion nila nagtrabaho kundi sa villa kung saan nakalibing ang lola ni Rieve

"But still, thank you for coming all the way here" sabi ko naman

"You look really young in close up HAHA" saad naman ni Mr. Greg, Rieve's father

"Oh, thank you but I'm already 27 years old" kunwaring natatawa na sambit ko sa kanila

"You're still young yet you already have a daughter" sabi ni Mr. Greg

"That's indeed, my grandson Rieve is already 32 yet still single, hhyyss" dagdag pa ni Mr. Antonio

"Rieve Elrod? The young CEO of EL Company" sabi ko naman

"He's on his way from his work, I think malapit na sya" dagdag pa ni Mr. Greg, well, I guess dito na magsisimula ang plano kong pagganti as soon as Rieve get here

"Yeah, you should meet him and talk about marriage" said Mr. Antonio na ikinagulat ko naman

"Dad, stop!' Saway sa kanya ni Mr. Greg

"No Mr. Greg, it's okay but I'm sorry Mr. Antonio wala po akong balak na magpakasal ulit at isa pa magiging malaking issue kapag ikinasal sa babaeng may anak ang tagapagmana ng EL Comopany kaya hindi pwede HAHAHAHA" pabirong tugon ko naman sa kanila

"You're right" pagsang-ayon naman sakin ni Mr. Greg

"Then if you don't want my ide----"

"Actually, gusto ko po talaga kayong makausap tungkol sa isang bagay" pagputol klo sa pagsasalita ni Mr. Antonio

"What is it?" Tanong nilang dalawa sakin

"I want my father's company sign a partnership contract together with EL Company" diretsong saad ko sa kanila at para naman silang mga nakakita ng multo sa gulat dahil sa sinabi ko. Of course, who wouldn't be surprised by what I said, right?

"WHAT?!" They asked in shocked

"I don't think I have to repeat what I said earlier, you heard me right Mr. Antonio and Mr. Greg" sabi ko naman

"A-are you for real?" Tanong pa ni Mr. Antonio

"Don't you want it? Because I think it will be a big deal that the two richest companies in Asia will be business partners, and I am also sure that no matter what kind of project we do, many people will wait" paliwanag ko

"Yeah, I'm thinking the same Ms. Nova, it's just we're so shocked about what you said" sambit ni Mr. Greg, sino bang hindi magugulat doon?

"Pero hindi na ako ang dapat mong kausapin tungkol dyan" sabi pa ni Mr. Greg

"I agree with my dad. Ms. Nova, I think it's okay if it's just my son Rieve and you will be talking about that because he's the owner and CEO of our company" aniya Mr. Greg

"And where is he?" Taas kilay kong tanong

"I received a text from his secretary and it said in the text that they would be here in 5 minutes" mabilis nyang sagot sakin... 5 minutes huh?

"Well, I guess we should just wait for him to arrive" limang minuto na lang at masisimulan ko ng masira ang buhay mo Rieve

"Yes, sure" said Mr. Antonio

"And if you'll excuse me, I need to go to restroom for a second" paalam ko

"Oh. feel free young lady" bakit parang pakiramdam ko ang gentleman ng lolo ni Rieve?

I immediately got up from my seat and quickly walked towards the restroom to fix myself. Mr. Greg said Rieve would be here in just five minutes, and he said that two minutes ago. So this time, Rieve is already here, or are they still on their way? Just thinking about meeting him makes me want to throw up, but I have to be strong and pursue my plan because in this game I am the one who should win.

Tama na siguro 'tong pagtambay ko sa restroom ng sampung minuto, get yourself Nova!

Sa wakas ay lumabas na din ako ng restroom. At habang pabalik naman ako sa banquet hall ay biglang may nakabunggo sa akin na dahilan para mapa-upo ako sa lapag

"Ouch!" Inda ko sa sakit, pakiramdam ko ay tumama ang ulo ko sa kung anong matigas na bagay

"Are you okay, Miss?" Para akong biglang nanigas at hindi makakagalaw sa pwesto ko ng marinig ko ang pamilyar na boses na iyon

Anong ginagawa nya dito? Huh? Ano bang pinagsasabi ko eh expected ko ngang dapat andito sya di ba? Ano ba Nova, you have to get yourself all together!

"Miss, are you alright?" Ulit nya pang tanong, guess the time has come...

Huminga muna ako ng malalim bago tuluyang tumingala sa kanya

"I-I'm a-alright" pagkukunwari ko nauutal-utal

"Nova?!" Rieve was taken aback, as if she had seen a ghost. And I could also see in his eyes the trace of disbelief in what he saw.

Bahagya naman akong napangisi dahil sa nakita kong reaksyon ni ipinakita sakin ni Rieve. Your nightmare is just starting, Rieve.

"Um... How do you know me?" Pagkukunwari kong walang alam

"I-is that really you, Nova?" Tanong pa nya na para bang hindi sya makapaniwala sa nakikita nya kaya agad akong tumayo at inayos ang damit ko, aaminin kong ang pagbubungguan namin ay wala sa plano ko pero ang pagkikita namin ni Rieve ay kalkulado ko

"Wait, you must be Rieve Elrod?" Kunot noong tanong ko sa kanya

"Rieve Elrod? You never call me that, Nova" he said

You must be referring to the old me, The old me was already dead, Rieve, and you are the reason.

"W-what are you talking about? Have we met before?" Kunwaring naguguluhang tanong ko sa kanya

"Huh? What are saying?" Kunot noong tanong nya naman sakin, pft! His expression is so funny!

"It's me Rieve!' He said

"Yeah, I know you well"

"Really?!"

"Yes, the famous young CEO of EL Company" sagot ko sa kanya at ngumiti sa kanya ng mapang-inis

"No, that's not what I want to hear from you! It's me your, Rieve!" He said and grab my shoulder

This person still hasn't changed the way he holds me. It still hurts me to the point that I want to be angry because of his touch.

"O-ouch! W-what are you doing? You're hurting me!" Singhal ko sa kanya

"Don't you remember me?!" He asked while shaking me

"I don't know what are you talking about, so can you please let go of me!" Sigaw ko

"NOVA!" Rinig kong sigaw ng isang boses na pamilyar, it's my brother

"Aaaah! Kuya Chase, help me!" Sigaw ko ng malakas at nagulat naman ako ng biglang tumilapon sa sahig si Rieve dahil sa pagkakasuntok sa kanya ni kuya Chase at bigla din namang dumating ang sekretarya nyang si Luke

Deserve.

"Sir!" Aniya Luke at agad na inalalayang makatayo si Rieve

"Are you okay, Nova?" Tanong sakin ni kuya

"Y-yeah, I'm okay it's just I'm shocked" sagot ko naman sa kanya

"What do you think you are doing to my sister?" Kuya Chase asked him while clenching his fist, for some reason I do feel like kuya is holding his back

"What?! Sister?!" Gulat na tanong ni Rieve

"Yes, she's my sister, so you better not mess with her or else you'll fall to hell together with your company" pagbabanta sa kanya ni kuya Chase, well, this is the first time I see him like this

"She can't be your sister, Chase, stop joking around" napakunot naman ang noo ko dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Rieve

"Excuse me?" Nakangising tanong ko sa kanya

"As I said, you, Nova, can't be his sister" mabilis na sagot nya sakin habang ang kanang kamay ay nakahawak sa kanang pisngi nyang tinamaan ng suntok ni kuya

"Stop talking nonsens, Rieve" saad ni kuya

"Kuya I think walang mapupuntahang maganda 'tong usapang na ito kaya bumalik na lang tayo sa loob" sambit ko at hinatak si kuya paalis pero bago pa man kami makalayo ay muling nagsalita si Rieve

"How did you survive the explosion?" Biglang tanong nya sakin

Are you admitting you're crime?

"Mr. Rieve I really don't know what you are talking about because this is my first time coming back to the Philippines in 15 years, as well as meeting you here is also my first time" pagsisinungaling ko dito

"That's impossible. You have the same face and the same name, so it's impossible that you're not the Nova I know" well, he's right but not really

"What's that girl name?" Seryosong tanong ko sa kanya

"Nova Martin" mabilis nyang sagot sakin

"Then it's impossible that I'm the girl you were referring to because I used to be Nova Sanches Loughty before I became Mrs. Nova Loughty Andres" pasensya ka na mama kung itinatanggi ko ang apelyido mo ngayon

"What?" Kunot noong tanong nya sakin at kasabay naman nito ang pagdating ni papa na kasama ang pamilya ni Rieve

"What's happening here?" Tanong ni papa

"These guy is harassing, Nova" mabilis na sagot sa kanya ni kuya

"What?! Rieve! Have you gone crazy?!" Sigaw sa kanya ng lolo nya

"No, it's okay now. He just mistook me for someone he knew" paliwanag ko naman

"I didn't because you and the person I know are one"

"And as I said Mr. Rieve ito ang unang beses kong bumalik dito sa pilipinas after 15 years at ito din ang unang pagkikita natin sa personal, oo kilala kita pero dahil 'yon sa lagi kitang nakikita sa mga billboard at magazine kaya hindi ko maintindihan bakit mo pinipilit na yung taong kilala mo at ako ay iisa" this matter will surely drive him crazy...

"Mr. Loughty, I'm sorry for what my son did to your daughter" sabi ni Mr. Greg kay papa

"It's okay Mr. Elrod since my daughter said it's okay" sagot naman sa kanya ni papa

"Sa tingin ko ang paguusaap tungkol sa partnership contract ay isantabi muna nating lahat, pa, I'm tired I wanna go home now together with Nora dahil panigurado akong hinahanap na nya ako" sabi ko bago tuluyang umalis at iwan silang lahat at magttungo kung nasaan si Nora

"Ayane!" Tawag ko sa kanya ng makita ko sila ni Nora sa lamesa namin

'Yes, Ms. Nova?" Tanong nya sakin

"Carry Nora, we will leave now" utos ko sa kanya

"We're leaving now mommy?" Tanong sakin ni Nora na abala sa pagkain

"Yes sweety, pagod na po si mommy eh" mabilis na sagot ko naman sa kanya

"Uummm, okay!" She said and let Ayane carry her

"How is it Ms. Nova?" Biglang tanong sakin ni Ayane habang naglalakad kami palabas ng building

"We met near at the restroom" maiksing sagot ko sa kanya at nagpatuloy na lamang sa paglalakad

When we got to the parking lot, we immediately got into our car. I didn't wait for Kuya Chase and Papa to come, and I told Ayane to start the car and go straight home. At ng makauwi kami ay agad kong pinatulog si Nora sa kwarto nya at ng makatulog ito ay dumiretso ako sa banyo ng kwarto ko at naligo bago humiga sa kama ko

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Who's that?" Tanong ko ng makarinig ng katok sa pinto ng kwarto ko

"Nova, it's me and dad" said Kuya Chase, so I immediately get up to open the door for them

"You guys need something?" Tanong ko

"How's your shoulder?" Tanong ni kuya sakin

"It's a bit painful because Rieve's grip on me is so tight, but I think the pain is bearable, so maybe tomorrow there won't be any more pain" paliwanag ko at pinapasok sila sa loob ng kwarto ko

"What happened earlier?" Tanong naman ni papa

"I was going back to the banquet hall earlier when we bumped into each other. That was unexpected, so I was a little surprised, but it's a good thing I immediately put myself together and he was so shocked when he saw my face and that's when he started saying that I was the one woman he knew before." I explained

"And after that Chase arrived?" Tanong pa nya

"Yup" maiksing sagot ko

"Pero ramdam ko yung galit sa suntok mo sa kanya kanina kuya ah" dagdag ko pa

"Talaga, yung suntok na natanggap nya sakin kanina eh kulang pa kumpara sa mga ginawa nya sayo noon" inis na saad naman ni kuya Chase

"Oo na, oo na, salamat" natatawang sambit ko naman sa kanya

"Kung okay ka naman na pala eh lalabas na kami ng kuya mo, you must be really tired" papa said

"Thanks pa" sabi ko naman sa kanya at lumapit sakin sina papa at kuya para halikan ako sa noo bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto ko, simula ng makasama nila ako walang araw o gabi na hindi nila ako hinahalikan sa noo kaya isang beses tinanong ko sila bakit nila iyon ginagawa and they just answered me "because we don't have a chance before"

After they left I quickly get on my bed and I immediately fell asleep because of exhaustion

THREE DAYS LATER

Three days have passed since the banquet party that dad prepared for me and my daughter to officially introduce us as Loughtys, but the news about me and my daughter is still going on, and many media reporters wanted to do an interview with me and my daughter, but I did not agree to it because Nora is still very young and I just want her to enjoy her young life like I experienced when I was young.

At ngayong araw na din na ito ay kasalukuyan akong nasa loob ng EL Company na pag-aari ng mga Elrod, kasama ko ngayon si Luke ang secretary ni Rieve para samahan ako paakyat 30th floor kung nasaan ang CEO's office

"Ladies first" aniya Luke ng bumukas ang elevator

"Thanks" maiksing pasasalamat ko naman sa kanya at pumasok na ako sa elevator gaya nga ng sinabi nya

"I'm sorry Ms. Nova for what my bos----" I cut him off

"I already told you that it's okay, so you don't have to say sorry anymore" sabi ko sa kanya kahit na ang totoo ay nagkaroon ng pasa ang magkabilaang balikat ko dahil sa kanya

"But still" Luke said

"I get the fact na kamukha at kapangalan ko yung taong tinutukoy nya pero hindi ako iyon, who's that person anyway at paano kami naging magkamukha to the point that Rieve grab me tightly?" sabi ko pa

"Well, that person used to be his maid" sagot nya sakin, yeah I'm just his maid before, in fact I'm a slave

"Katulong lang pala eh bakit ganun sya makahawak sakion na para bang papatayin na nya ko?" Iritadong tanong ko naman

"Don't get the wrong idea Ms. Nova, it's just... You know the Nova he knows used to chase sir Rieve because she likes him" dagdag pa ni Luke

Nakakadiri yung dating ako, naghabol ako sa taong gusto akong mawala na sa mundong 'to

"Are they lovers?"

"Ah no, may namamagitan sa kanila noon pero wala silang relasyon dahil ilang babae din ang inuuwi ni sir Rieve sa villa at may girlfriend si Rieve noong mga panahon na iyon"

"Such a total scum" I said wearing my poker face

I don't know why Luke tells me all this, but I shouldn't reveal that I'm really that person. Just by thinking about how I chased after Rieve then and let him do what he wanted to do to me and how I pretended that I was okay whenever he took a woman home to the villa, it was like I wanted to throw up everything I ate this morning.

"Well" aniya Luke

"Used to be his maid? Why did the girl runaway because she gets tired of her boss's bad attitude?" Nakangising tanong ko

"No, She suddenly disappeared, and some parts of her clothes were found on the yacht that exploded during the engagement party of Sir Rieve and Ms. Trisha" he explained

It's only natural that you see some of my clothes on the exploded yacht then, because you planned for me to go there to kill myself.

"Explotion? Who plotted that?" Syempre kailangan ko makakuha ng ebedensya laban sa kanila

"I believe I do have the rights to tell anyone about it" he just said

You will probably tell me that because no criminal will admit to the crime he committed, right?

"Is that so?" Sabi ko naman

"Yes"

"Okay, that kind of thing is very confidential after all" pagkukunwari kong saad

"But Ms. Nova, are you really not her?" Tanong sakin ni Luke ng seryoso

"What if I'm really that person, anong gagawin nyo?" Tanong ko naman sa kanya

"Well, you must be sharing same name and same face but the Nova we know is a gentle and shy type... Baka nagkamali nga lang kami, I'm sorry for saying such a thing Ms. Nova" he said and bow his head a little bit

"You're right, I'm not gentle and shy type person though" but I used to be like that kind of person before... Before they killed me

TING!

"We are here. Please follow me. Ms. Nova" saad ni Luke ng bumukas ang pinto ng elevator at agad itong lumabas na sya namang mabilis kong sinundan papunta sa opisina ni Rieve dahil ngayong araw kami maguusap tungkol sa proposal na sinabi ko sa lolo at tatay nya three days ago

"Andito na po tayo" saad ni Luke at tumigil sa harap ng isang itim na pintuan, this must be Rieve's office

"Sir Rieve, Ms. Nova is here, and we are coming in" sambit ni Luke at binuksan na ang pinto ng opisina ni Rieve at laking gulat naman naming pareho ni Luke ng makita naming may kasamang babae dito si Rieve at nakaupo pa ito sa kanayang hita at halos magpalit na sila ng mukha dahil sa lapit nito sa isa't isa

"Luke?! Nova?!" Gulat na saad nito

"I think I should just leave and come back tomorrow" sabi ko at tinalikuran ang mga ito upang maglakad paalis

He's still the same punk and womanizer I know, guess people like him never change.

Pasakay na sana ako ulit ng elevator ng bigla akong pigilan ni Luke

"No, Ms. Nova. Please don't leave" he said while grabbing my wrist

"You're boss seem so busy and I, as a human with consideration, I should leave and let them finish what they started" nsksngising sambit ko naman kay Luke

RING! RING! RING!

"Wait a second, Ms. Nova" saad ni Luke at mabilis na sinagot ang tawag sa phone nya

"Yes sir" he said

"Okay, I will" dagdag pa nya at binaba na ang tawag

"What is it?" Kunot noong tanong ko sa kanya ng muli syang tumingin sakin

"Sir Rieve said he want me to take you back to his office" mabilis nyang sagot sakin

"Guess I have to" maiksing saad ko at agad na sinundan si Luke pabalik sa opisina ni Rieve kasabay nito ang pagkasalubong namin sa babaeng nakapatong sa kanya kanina

Fuck! Is that her perfume?! It's making me want to p**e!

"Sir, I brought back Ms. Nova just like what you said" saad ni Luke at muling binuksan ang pinto ng opisina ni Luke

"Come in" he said and I quickly enter his room

"Good morning, Ms. Nova. Have a seat" Rieve said and point his hand to the couch

"Thanks" I said coldly and immediately sit there

"You may leave now, Luke" utos nya dito na agad namang ginawa ni Luke at iniwan na nga kaming dalawa

"Ehem, earlier it's just y----"

"I don't care about such a thing Mr. Rieve. Andito lang ako para sa business hindi para sa kung ano mang rason mo" seryosong saad ko sa kanya

"You've change" he said

"Sorry not sorry, but I don't what you are saying" nakangising sambit ko

"Do you really not remember me?" Kunot noong tanong pa nya sakin

"Kung ipipilit mo pa rin ang bagay na 'yan ay aalis na lang ako dahil walang magandang papatunguhan ang bagay na ito" saad ko at agad akong tumayo, paalis na sana ako ng biglang hawak ni Rieve ang kamay ko na sya namang ikinagulat ko

"What do you thing you're doing?!" Inis na tanong ko sa kanya

"Don't leave, we still need to talk, right?" He said smiling like how he smiled at me before whenever he wanted to please himself using me. Does he think his acting will still work on me?

"Is that how you hook with the other girl? If yes, then that's not working on me" taas kilay ko sa kanya at mabilis na tinanggal ang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak nya

"Ohh" he just said, did I hit the spot? Deserve

"Nova Loughty" dagdag nya naman

"What about my name?" Taas kilay kong tanong sa kanya bago maupong muli

"I saw on the news na may anak ka na, she takes after you she really looks like you" at para namang biglang nanlamig ang buong katawan ko dahil sa sinabi nyang iyon, expected ko ng makikita nya si Nora pero hindi ko akalain na ganito ang pakiramdam 'non

He better not know the truth or else he will take away my daughter from me

"Then? Is it related to what are we going to talk?" I asked wearing my poker face, I can't let him see my real motive here

"So ayan lang talaga ang ipinunta mo dito?" Tanong nya sakin

"Wala naman na tayong ibang paguusapan bukod sa trabaho di ba? Bakit? Mayroon pa bang iba?" Sunod sunod na tanong ko sa kanya at nagulat naman ako ng bigla nitong inilapit ang kanyang mukha sa aking mukha pero buti na lang ay hindi ko napahalata ito sa kanya dahil kung hindi madali nya akong mabubuko. Alam na alam ko ang ganitong galaw ni Rieve dahil ilang beses na nyang ginawa sakin ito noon pero hindi ko na hahayaang maapektuhan pa ako nito ngayon.

"Can you take your face away from mine?" Tanong ko at agad naman syang bumalik sa kanyang pagkakaupo kanina

"HAHAHAHA the Nova I know will turns red whenever I do that to her but you didn't" he said, just as I thought...

"Because I'm not that person, at kung ano man ang nangyari sa inyo ng taong tinutukoy mo ay labas na ako doon" sabi ko naman sa kanya

"You keep on saying you're not her, but I really have the feeling that you're her" nakangising sambit naman nya

"How do you say so?" Taas kilay kong tanong naman sa kanya

"You have a scar under your collar bone that you got when my cat scratched you before" he said smiling so confidently, but too bad that scar is already gone

"Do you see any scar, as you say?" Tanong ko sa kanya matapos kong ibaba bahagya ang damit ko upang ipakita sa kanya ang collar bone ko na kanya namang ikinagulat

"W-what a-are y-you d-doing?!" Utal utal nyang tanong sakin

"Ipinapakita sayo na wala akong peklat gaya ng sabi mo" nakangising sagot ko naman sa kanya