DFF 1: My Ex-Fiance, My Stepbrother (SPG)

CHAPTER 1

"What!? You're marrying another guy, Mom?!"

I gasped out of nowhere pagkatapos kong marinig si Mommy na kausap ang kaniyang abogado sa telepono. I just got home from the company at ito kaagad ang bubungad sa akin.

What a mess!

"I'll get back to you, Attorney," anito sabay harap sa akin. "Hija, Winter, we will talk about that later--"

"No! We are discussing that thing right now, Mom!"

Yes, I am furious!

She didn't tell me anything about marrying another guy and now malalaman ko na lang na planado na ang lahat?

Mom tapped my shoulders at nilapitan na ako. She faintly sighed. "You know, Winter, the company's not doing well and if we won't act real quick, baka mawala sa atin ang pinaghirapan ng lolo mo na kompaniya. I'm doing this--"

"So, you're marrying another guy to save the company?" pagputol ko pa sa kaniya.

Tumango-tango na siya sa akin dahilan para sa lalo pa akong nagalit. I felt disrespected.

"My goodness, Mommy! Can't you see all my efforts just keep the company intact? And most importantly, can't you respect dad's death just a few months ago para magpakasal ka kaagad?" sigaw ko sa kaniya.

I don't care if her Lawyer and other staff could hear every words I say, she made me do this.

"Attorney, Jennie, I'll talk to you back in my office tomorrow," mahinahon niyang sabi.

After everyone left, we settled inside her office while I'm still in the verge of rampaging.

"Winter, Hija, you should caml down now. Kapag nakilala mo ang step-dad mo, you'll be happy."

"Happy? Hindi ko alam kung ganiyan ka ka-insensitive about things happening in our family right now," anas ko sabay buntong-hininga. "For pete's sake mom! Sino ba 'yong Santo na 'to at gustong-gusto mo siyang pakasalanan? Are they even that rich-rich para matulungan ang kompaniya natin?"

Tumayo si Mommy galing sa swivel chair nito at humarap na sa akin. "This family is a actually one of the members of the World Monarch and owner of the biggest corporation in Asia--"

"Just tell me, Mom!" usal ko pa.

I don't like delaying things.

When Mom was about to say something, biglang may kumatok sa pinto ng kaniyang office dahilan para mapatigil kaming dalawa. Bumukas ang pinto at tumambad sa harapan namin si Manang Berly, ang head maid ng bahay.

"Donya Isabella, nandito na po ang mga bisita," anito.

"Really?" Biglang nataranta si Mommy sabay kuha ng kaniyang coat. "We'll be there in a few minutes. Make sure everything in the dining hall is ready, Berly."

"Masusunod po, Donya."

Umalis si Manang Berly sa opisina ni Mommy while I am confused about everything. Who the hell are coming? What's happening?

"Mom, do you mind--"

"Let's settle this the other time, Winter," pagputol niya sabay tingin sa akin nang seryoso. "Fix yourself and wear something attractive. You have someone to meet tonight."

Lumabas na rin kaagad siya ng kaniyang opisina after telling me to suit myself. Huwag niyang sabihin na ang mga dumating ngayong gabi ay ang bagong mapapangasawa niya?

Even though I'm really pissed, wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang sundin si Mommy. I wore a simple luxury wrap dress and paired it with a three-inch stilettos. I better be good looking before I roast that guy she's marrying.

"Ma'am Winter? Hinahanap na po kayo ni Donya Isabella sa baba."

I rolled my eyes after hearing one of our maids. "I'm coming, Yaya!"

I just applied a light make up on my face at padabog na lumabas ng kwarto ko papunta sa dining area. When I got there, I saw a familiar face in front of mom. Naka-upo na silang dalawa sa dining while chatting with each other.

The man around his 50's saw me and started smiling at me. "Is this the daughter you're always telling me about, Isabella? She's gorgeous!"

Napangiwi na lang ako nang marinig ko ang lalaki and went directly to the dining area. I really hate this set up pero hindi naman ako ganoon ka-bastos to disrespect my elders kaya tahimik lang akong pinagmamasdan sila habang iniisip ko kung saan ko nakita ang lalaking 'to. He's really familiar.

"Hija, Winter, this is Ferdinand, you're future stepfather," Mom uttered.

I was really disgusted after hearing that word but I didn't let my anger provoke me. Mapait na lang akong ngumiti sabay hinga nang malalim.

"I know this is a bit awkward to you, Hija, but I can assure you that I will take care of your Mom from now on," paliwanag nito sa akin sabay tingin pa kay Mommy. "This marriage isn't only for the sake of your company but Isabella and I have discussed about being together ever since we've met a few months ago."

Mas lalong umigting ang tainga ko sabay harap kay Mommy. "You're seeing him a few months ago already?"

"Winter, don't talk to me like that in front of Mr. Del Fuego."

"Wait, what?" I raised my brows. "A Del Fuego? He's a Del Fuego?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong ko.

Tumango sa akin si Mommy. "Yes. He's the third generation Chairman of the Del Fuego Corporation."

I can't believe this!

Kaya pala pamilyar siya sa akin, I saw him last week in a European channel showcasing his family as the powerhouse of Asia.

"It's nice meeting you, Sir Ferdinand. But with all due respect, I fully disagree about you marrying my mom," mahinahon kong pahayag sa kaniya.

Mas mabuti pang maging honest nalang ako keysa naman patagalin ko pa 'tong poot na nararamdaman ko between them.

"Winter, that's enough--"

"It's okay, Isabella. I understand you daughter right now," ani nito.

Our conversation got cut nang mag-umpisa nang pumasok ang mga staff ng Wolfgang na nag-cater for tonight's dinner. This has been our tradition ever since nagustuhan ng parents ko ang first home service nila noong 25th birthday ko.

"Is your son coming?" biglang tanong ni Mommy habang nasa kalagitnaan kami ng pagkain.

As far as I can remember, ang mga Del Fuego ay mayroong apat na anak. They're all successful businessman and career-driven din ang mga ito. They've got double degree just like me. I have a degree in finance and fashion. Double F as they say.

"I apologize for my son being late, Isabella. He had somewhere to go right before he gets here."

"It's fine, we can wait for him--"

"I'm sorry for being late."

Bigla kaming napatigil sa pagkain when a familiar voice echoed in the whole dining area. My heart started beating faster sa hindi ko alam na dahilan.

Wait, I seem to know that voice...

That voice that I haven't heard for a long time.

"Is this your lost eldest son, Ferdinand?" pagtatakang tanong ni Mommy.

"Yeah, this is my eldest son."

Dahan-dahan na umupo ang lalaki sa bandang harapan ko. I couldn't look at him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit.

I'm afraid, I'm nervous.

"Hey, it's been a while, Winter."

I slowly looked at the guy in front of me and frozed.

"What the fvck?" I cussed.

"Manners, Winter!" Mom disrupted.

Hindi ko napigilang mapamura sabay tayo nang makita ko ang lalaking nasa harapan ko ngayon. Hindi nga ako nagkamali, my fvcking ex-fiancee is right in front of me.

"What the hell are you doing here?" galit kong tanong sa kaniya, not bothering about what mom says.

"Do you know each other?" pagtatakang tanong pa ni Mr. Del Fuego sa amin. "Winter, Hija, I'd like you to introduce my eldest son, Arnaldo Del Fuego."

Biglang kumunot ang noo ko at nanlamig ang buong katawan ko.

This is insane!

Kailan pa naging Del Fuego si Arnaldo?

"Hey, it's nice meeting you, Winter," anito sabay ngiti sa akin.

Sinubukan kong pakalmahin ang sarili ko ngayon at galit na galit ako sa kaniya. I'm not mad because I hate him. I'm really mad because after all these years na sinusubukan kong mag-move on, I still can't get over him.

Fvck!

I still love this man! I still love my ex-fiancee.

Dali-dali akong tumayo at humarap kay Mommy. "I lost my appetite. Excuse me."

Lumabas kaagad ako ng dining area at pumunta sa veranda sa taas. I couldn't breathe. Palakas nang palakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko.

"Fvck, Winter! It's been five years! What are you even thinking?!" giit ko sa sarili ko.

"Hey..."

I frozed when I heard Arnaldo's voice behind me. Hindi niya talaga ako tatantanan.

Iritado akong humarap sa kaniya nang bigla naman akong ma-out of balance dahilan para matumba ako. Bago pa man ako bumagsak sa sahig ay mayroon nang mga bisig na sumalo sa akin. Of course, it was him.

"Let go of me!"

"Okay."

Bigla niya akong binitawan dahilan para masubsob ako sa sahig. I angrily gritted my teeth and stood up. "That's rude!"

"Sinunod ko lang naman ang sinabi mo. I let go of you...just like what you did to me five years ago," he answered.

Napa-irap na lang ako sa kaniya. "Past is past, Arnaldo. Besides, how did you even become a Del Fuego? You told me that your parents died a long time ago, right?"

"Didn't I tell you that I'm an orphan, Winter?" Naglakad na siya palapit sa akin. "You didn't know because during our relationship, you were so busy about other people's opinion and not our relationship. You didn't even know that I'm having a hard time when you broke up with me."

"So kasalanan ko pa kung bakit tayo nag-break? You took me for granted! Ginawa mo akong sugar mommy--"

I paused after realizing what I've said. I guess that was too much already kaya tumingin na lang ako sa kaniya. He was expressionless. He wasn't even giving me any reaction at all. His eyes were cold and...empty.

Nasaan na ang dating Arnaldo na kilala ko?

Naglakad palapit sa akin si Arnaldo sabay smirk. "Did you really think that I took you for granted, Winter? Well, it was all in the past now. Sabi mo nga, past is past. Don't worry, I won't do anything to annoy you from now on...besides, you are going to be my step-sister."

"What?!" I snapped.

Hindi na niya ako pinansin at tuluyan nang umalis sa veranda.

Did I hear it right?

I am going to be my ex-fiancee's step-sister?

What the actual fvck?

The next morning, umalis ako nang maaga to meet Madison and Nori. We're all busy with all our lives but we still find ways to meet. This is hella important.

"Arnaldo is the long lost son of the Del Fuego's? You mean the richest man in Asia?" Madison exclaimed.

Napasinghal na lang ako sabay tango. "Sadly, yes. I was also dumbfounded when I heard about it last night."

"And your Mom is marrying Fernando Del Fuego, right? So it means that Arnaldo is going to be your step-brother?" dagdag pa ni Nori.

"Exactly," I answered.

Biglang napatawa si Madison. "Correction, your ex-fiancee is going to be your step-brother. That's one in a million case. What a sore!"

"Ugh! I don't know what to do!" Napasabunot na lang ako sa buhok ko out of nowhere.

I can't even sleep last night thinking about the possibilities of us being together again.

"Halata ka talaga, girl. You still love your ex-fiancee and you better watch out for the happenings coming to you," Madison added.

Umiling na ako sa kanilang dalawa. "No, I will not focus on my ex-fiancee this time. I have other things to handle especially our company. Anyway, thanks for the time, guys. I need to go home, Mom's looking for me."

"I hope you settle things soon, Winter," ani Nori sabay ngiti sa akin.

"Good luck on getting back to your ex-fiancee, Winter," dagdag pa ni Madison. "Anyway, si Arthur pala, what about your suitor?"

Bahagya akong napatigil. "What about him?"

"May possibility pa rin bang sasagutin mo si Arthur ngayong bumalik na si Arnaldo?"

"H-hindi ko alam..." Kahit ako ay napapa-isip. Mag-iisang taon na ring nanliligaw sa akin si Arthur and he's really a nice person. "Let's worry about that thing soon."

Nagpaalam na rin kaagad ako sa kanila at umuwi pabalik sa amin. Dadaan sana ako sa kompaniya pero hindi ko na nagawa dahil sa pagmamadali sa akin ni Mommy. I don't know what's the fuss about.

"Mom, why are you in a hurry about getting me home?" bungad na tanong ko nang makapasok ako sa kaniyang opisina.

She smiled and walked towards me. "We are moving out today, Hija."

"Huh? What do you mean by moving out?" kunot-noo kong tanong.

"We will be living in your step-dad's house starting today."

"What?!"