Falling for the Broken Billionaire

Chapter 28

Landon’s POV

“Happy birthday, Xamara.” I greeted Spade’s daughter. This little girl was so close to my heart. Maybe because I was there when Maya gave birth to her. She giggled and kept on baby-talking. Dumiretso agad ako sa lugar kung nasaan ang mga pinsan ko.

I saw Ingrid looking at me. She’s with her cousins as well.

“Hmm, hanggang ngayon ba ay hindi mo mahahanap ang asawa mo?” Agape asked. Ang bibig niya ay malapit na malapit sa tainga ko. I told her that my wife’s missing. She’s the only one who knows.

I shook my head as a response.

“Bakit mo naman kasi hinalikan si Ingrid nang gabing ‘yun? Sa totoo lang, nakakasakit ng damdamin ang ginagawa mo. If you don’t have plans on staying by her side for the rest of your life, then don’t look for her. Simple as that. Instead, you must be thankful—”

“I didn’t kiss Ingrid, Agape! She kissed me!”

Almost all my cousins looked at me.

“And why do you think she did that?”

Napaisip ako. Bakit niya nga ba ginawa ‘yun? Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin alam kung ano ang dahilan. Pero bakit paulit-ulit niya rin na sinabing dahil lang ‘yun sa kalasingan?

“Ako na ang sasagot para sa’yo. It’s because she still loves you.”

“But she has a husband!” pagkokontra ko.

“And you have a wife! But you loved Ingrid! Aren’t you two the same?” mariin na tanong nito. “You’re hurting her, Landon! You’re hurting her feelings just by keeping her by your side. What’s the point of marrying her… owning her and keeping her all for yourself, when you didn’t really love her?!”

Is she?

“Agape,”

“And now, what if Ingrid told you that she kissed you because she still loves you? What if she asked you to stay with her? What if she asked you to choose her because she’s going to fight for you this time? What will you do?”

Marahas akong napabuntong-hininga.

“That will never happen! She’s married–”

She cut me off. “See? You’re refusing it! You didn’t want to tell me because you know how much I hated her for what she’s done to you. But deep inside your heart, you know who you’re going to choose. It’s Ingrid, you just can’t tell me. You’re afraid to admit it.” Sabi niya.

“That’s why your wife left you.”

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin.

I wasn’t thinking about choosing Ingrid. None at all. Because I know, the moment she gave up on me, she’ll never be able to come back.

The moment I met Maya, I realized how Ingrid had hurt me badly. So I doubt I'd be able to accept her again once she’s going to tell me that she was able to fight for me.

Maya made me realize a lot of things way back. She was also the reason why I met Veronica, and I’ll forever be grateful to her. Though I wasn’t so sure if I’m really in love with Veronica yet, I know I will protect her and give her everything that I have.

My attention was caught by a woman whose hair was pink, and her lips were kind of pouting. Was that even real?

She’s wearing an elegant dress.

Her body shape kinda reminds me of Veronica‘s body shape. The arm, the hips, the butt and even her breasts. f**k! Since when have I been familiar with those? She was accompanied by Hiro… and they were holding hands.

“Wow! She looks like a super model!” almost all my cousins exclaimed.

“Hey! You might break the fork! Hindi sa atin ‘yan!” saway ni Agape.

I came to my senses when I poked my arm. That’s when I realized I didn’t break the fork, but I had already twisted it.

Damn!

Why am I even acting like this?

“Hey, could you call Spade for us?” Demetrius Ruston asked.

I shook my head.

“Just go. Nahihiya kasi kaming puntahan siya lalo na at naroon siya sa harap ng mga kaibigan niya.”

Upon hearing that, I turned to look where Spade was. He’s really with Hiro and their other friends. And the pink-haired woman was there too. She looks bold in her outfit but seems shy.

“Ako nalang ang pup—”

Hindi ko na pinatapos pa sa pagsasalita si Demetrius.

“No, I’ll go.” Sabi ko.

I don’t know, but something’s telling me to just go there and look at the woman’s face.

I quickly went to where Spade was. Kasama nito si Maya at iba pa nitong mga kaibigan na nagtatrabaho bilang private detective kasama ng ama ni Ingrid. And yeah, I know all of them except their wives and children.

Habang papalapit ako, napansin ko ang biglaang paglapit ng mukha ni Hiro sa kasama nito. I don’t know what’s gotten into me but I feel like I wanted to punch his face real hard. Hanggang hindi na niya maibukas ang mga mata niya.

“Spade Xandros!” I called to get their attention… most especially hers.

I saw how Hiro grabbed the girl’s head gently towards his chest.

Mas lalo lang akong naiirita. Gsuto ko siyang suntukin.

Fuck! This is not good.

Why am I even acting like this?

“What happened to Kara? Is she okay, Hiro?” I heard Devian ask.

Kara.

Is that her name?

Beautiful.

Shit! What are you even thinking about, Landon Maverick? You’re a married man!

“Girlfriend?” wala sa sarili kong sabi. Nanatili pa ring nakasubsob ang mukha ng babae sa dibdib ni Hiro.

Please, just a glimpse of her face.

The inner side of me asks.

The hell am I even thinking? This is f*****g cheating!

Or am I expecting anything just because she has the same body shape as my wife?

“Yeah,” matipid na sagot ni Hiro.

Lucky bastard!

Instead of telling Spade that Demetrius asked for his presence, I decided to just stay here for a while.

“May I sit beside you, Maya?” I asked.

“Sure.” Maya answered.

Good.

I felt relieved. Now, I’ve got a higher chance to scan her… everything about her.

“Kailan ka pa nagkaroon ng girlfriend?” I continued conversing with Hiro.

“I never thought I needed to report everything to you, Maverick! Hindi naman ako nag-tanong tungkol sa asawa mo. Does it matter when and where I had a girlfriend?” Hiro answered.

I don’t know why, but all of a sudden, this private detective is getting on my nerves recently!

On the other hand, I saw how this woman’s body had shaken. Is she afraid? Of what? Or should I say… of whom?

“Landon, let's go over there.” Spade invited me to the other empty table.

I never answered. Nanatili ang mga mata ko sa babae… until a tiny details caught my eye.

Her ring.

I was certain it was her.

Damn it! That was the wedding ring that I bought for her.

The design of the wedding was my own idea, para wala kaming ibang makakapareho. I looked at my ring and then at her ring.

Very similar.

Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.

“S–Sige na Landon, sumama ka na kay Xandros doon.” Maya said.

Hindi na ako kumontra pa at sumama na kay Spade.

But my mind was occupied by the ring she wore.

Veronica.

I looked at where she was right now. Napansin kong inangat na niya ang ulo niya nang makaalis ako. Naikuyom ko ang aking kamay habang nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa. It all makes sense to me now.

So, you were here all along with that bastard over there.

Damn it! Why is she even with him?

Nararamdaman ko ang pamimigat ng dibdib ko nang maalala ang pag-hawak-kamay nila kanina at ang pagsubsob ng mukha niya sa dibdib ni Hiro. I couldn’t help but swear that man inside my head.

I know I made a mistake by letting another woman kiss me! But damn it, I didn’t expect she’ll do more than what I did! Did they do it already?

Fuck!

So, what?!

I’ll make sure you’re going to come home to me tonight!

I won’t let you continue to cheat on me with that bastard… not now that I've found you.

Because you’re mine, and I have full claim on you!

Napansin kong tumayo siya papunta sa comfort room kasama si Maya kaya tinungga ko muna ang baso ng alak na binigay ni Xandros sa akin.

“Damn you, Landon Maverick! Bakit hindi mo—why the f**k did you give me this?” Binigay ko na kay Demetrius ang baso at agad na sinundan sina Maya at Veronica sa comfort room.

I was about to confront her right in front of Maya, but Maya told her that she would go to Melanie.

“Huwag kang lumabas hangga’t hindi mo naririnig ang boses ko, okay? Pupuntahan ko lang si Melanie saglit para ipakarga sa kanya si Xamara.”

I heard Maya say. I was thankful Maya requested to leave for a while. So, it wouldn’t be hard for me to confront Veronica.

While she’s inside, I lean on the door frame, waiting for her to come out.

I couldn’t wait… to see her priceless reaction.

Nang lumabas ito at diretsong tinignan ang sarili sa salamin. I smiled secretly.

Her eyes shifted to me, and I saw how surprised she was.

Ganyan nga. You should be afraid, dear wife. You should be afraid.

“Hey, Kara.” I greeted her warmly, but deep inside, I wanted to kiss her.

Those pouting lips were inviting me. If only I could take her right here, I would. But I will never do that. I want her first lovemaking with me to be special.

I saw how she bowed down. f**k! I f*****g missed that face of hers! I wanna see it again! If not for the ring, hinding-hindi ko talaga siya makilala. Hiro made her disguise like that so I won’t notice her. That son of a b***h!

Now I understand how Spae Xandros felt after I hid Maya from him.

It makes me f*****g insane!

“I was just curious about you… You caught my attention because your body shape reminds me of someone I know.” I teased.

Come on, wife.

How are you going to answer me this one? Huh?

“Why are you disguised like that? Do you really think I won’t—”

Before I could finish, she immediately pushed me and made her way out.

“Damn it!”

Did my wife just push me?

So, you want to run, huh? Fine, be ready, Veronica! Because I’m gonna f*****g chase until I catch you with my hand!

I quickly stood up and went outside before I lost sight of her.

And there, I saw Hiro holding her arm, and she was prepared to run away with him.

No! She’s never gonna run away from me again! Never!

“Stop running away from me, Veronica Alcazar Ruston!” I shouted, not minding other people around me. Ang importante sa akin ay ang maiuwi ko ang asawa ko.

I saw how everyone gasped from their seats and from where they stood, but I don’t care anymore! That’s my wife over there! And no one can take her away from me!

I walked towards them, my eyes were sharply watching Hiro, down to his hand, which was holding Veronica’s arm. Namimigat na naman ang dibdib ko. Bakit ba ang daling hawakan ng gagong ito ang asawa ko?

Nakarami na siya ngayong gabi! f**k!

Hiro immediately put Veronica behind him. Now, he’s facing me.

“Give me my wife back, you imbecile!”

“What are you talking about, Maverick?”

“Do you really think you could fool me? Ibalik mo sa akin ang asawa ko, bago ko pa makalimutan na kaibigan ka ng pinsan ko!”

“What if I wo— ahh!”

So, you won’t?

I didn’t hesitate to punch his face, which made him loosen his grip on Veronica.

I held her arm gently and pulled her towards me. I didn’t care for everyone’s reaction anymore.

The hell!

I’m taking my wife away from here!

I looked at Maya and Spadel.

“I apologize for causing trouble, Maya, Spade… but the subject here is my wife!” I said. “And you…” Then I turned to look at Veronica. "You have a lot of explaining to do… at home!” Mariin Kong sabi.

I’ll make sure you forget about that man tonight, Veronica! Whatever he’s done to make you choose him, I’ll make sure to erase it.

You will never forget this night! Never!