Aftermath of Vengeance

Chapter 31

She stiffened, shocked by his question. Seryosong seryoso ang mukha ni Garett habang nakatitig sa kaniya. Sa mga sandaling iyon, hindi niya mahanap ang sariling boses at mga salita.

He is really telling her that she is his girlfriend.

He claimed her as his during the event that they attended. Sa harap pa ng maraming mga tao. Pero noong mga panahon na 'yon, alam naman niya sa sarili na palabas lang nila 'yon. Sinabi lang 'yon ni Garett dahil mahirap ipaliwanag sa mga tao kung ano ba talaga ang meron sila. At parte iyon ng paghihiganti. Nothing less and nothing more.

Kaya ano ang sinasabi nito sa kaniya?

"When I tell people that you are my girlfriend, that is for real. It is not for show. It is not for revenge, Mallory. I am serious about that. Hindi lang 'yon salita. It means the world to me."

Napakurap si Daneliya. "Pero, bakit? Walang magandang maidudulot sayo 'yon?"

"Do you think I am there for the benefit? Mallory, I helped you because I wanted to. When I claimed you as my girlfriend, it was an honor for me. I was in the cloud nine. I feel like my dream finally came true. And when I told them that you are my girlfriend, totoo ang lahat ng 'yon para sa akin. I never pretended. I am never forced. It was all true and natural to me," lintanya ni Garett. And with his gentle voice, she can feel his sincerity. It touches her heart. At gustong gusto niyang paniwalaan iyon.

Kumunot ang noo niya at bahagyang napailing. "Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan, Garett. Parang... parang ang hirap paniwalaan."

"I liked you so much. When Evans brought you to their home for the first time, you caught my attention. Ang nasa isip ko no'n, paanong nagustuhan ng katulad mo si Evans. You look so innocent, gentle, and kind. While Evans, I know him. He's not the worst but definitely not a good fit for you. I felt that you were scared of me and it was fine. I didn't care for you that much during that time. Hindi kami magkasundo ni Evans, he's not a good kid at nakikita ko 'yon. At gustong-gusto ko kapag napipikon siya. So to spite him, I always interfered with his plans. Tuwing gusto ka niyang dalhin sa kwarto niya, gumagawa ako ng paraan para hindi matuloy o 'di kayo tumagal do'n dahil ayokong sumaya siya."

Daneliya suddenly remembered all those times. Tama. Naaalala niya ang minsan na pagharang sa kaniya ni Garett, na huwag sumama sa kwarto ni Evans. No'ng naisama siya ni Evans isang beses dahil gagawa raw sila ng project, biglang may dumating dahil may aayusin, kasama noon si Garett. Malinaw ang lahat ng 'yon sa alaala niya.

"I enjoyed seeing him upset and annoyed. Pero sa kabila no'n, napapansin ko rin ang pamimilit niya sayo. And I noticed that you didn't want to do it with him but he always tried to trap or manipulate you. Doon ako nagsimulang makaramdam ng pagiging protective sayo. In my own ways, I stopped it. If you remember, he tried to bring you to the hotels and motels but it is always fully booked or any other reason. It is all because of me. Lahat ng pwede niyang pagdalhan sayo, hinaharang ko. The only way for him to succeed to his plan is if you really want to do it with him. And I would prefer that for you. Ayokong mapipilitan ka dahil lang sa pagiging mapilit ni Evans. And while I was doing all of that to annoy him and also to protect you, I noticed that I began to like you."

Evans really did all of that. Ang daming excuses nitong ginawa para maisama siya sa mga gano'ng lugar at naniniwala naman siya. Ngunit sa tuwing magche-check in ito, palaging puno o 'di kaya hindi tumatanggap ng guests. That is why Evans never succeeded in forcing her to have s*x with him. And it is all because of Garett's work.

But what? He liked her since then?

"And I didn't like the fact that I like you. Nasa legal age ka na no'n but still, you were way younger than me. You're also my step-son's girlfriend. And also, I am in a relationship with Priscilla. Our relationship was messy and complicated but still, it's not a reason for me to be attracted to another woman, especially to a lady. Kaya ikinasaya ko nang umalis si Evans at pumunta sa America. Dahil do'n, halos hindi na kita nakita. Ako na rin ang umiiwas every time na pumupunta ka sa bahay para iabot ang pinapabigay ni Evans sa Mommy niya. And I thought that it was really just a phase. Then my relationship with Priscilla became even more bumpy because of her unfaithfulness at nakikipaghiwalay na ako but she was attempting to kill herself if I left her that is why I was not able to leave during the time I already wanted to. At nalaman ko rin na may iba si Evans sa America and his mother is consenting to it. And after 4 years, I saw you again during your graduation. At doon ko naramdaman na gusto pa rin pala talaga kita."

Iniwasan siya ng isang Garett Adamson because he was scared of his own feelings for her? Wala siyang kaalam alam, that somewhere, someone was thinking of her.

"And that is when I started to plan how to get rid of Priscilla. The way that she would stop blackmailing me by trying to kill herself every time I try to leave. Iyong siya na ang kusang lalayo sa akin o gagawa ng paraan para maghiwalay kami. And then it succeeded. At oo, naisip ko na sana maghiwalay na kayo ni Evans because he didn't deserve you. Na malaman mo ang totoo, ang lahat ng panloloko niya but also, I was afraid to hurt you. Alam kong masasaktan ka ng sobra kapag nalaman mo. And all I could do was warn you that day you went to their mansion. Hiniling ko na lang na malaman mo ang totoo. But I never ever imagined that we would be possible. I know that you would never like me. You would never even approach me because you're scared of me. At lalong hindi ka papatol sa akin. So I never thought that it was possible. Ang gusto ko lang talaga ay makawala ka sa manlolokong lalake na 'yon because you deserve genuine love and happiness."

She remembers his warning. He even mentioned that they don't deserve each other. Akala niya noon ay tingin nito masyado siyang mababa kumpara kay Evans. Na iba ang halaga at estado nila sa buhay kaya ayaw nito sa kaniya para sa dati nitong stepson. All along, it was the other way around. Garett thought that Evans doesn't deserve her because Daneliya deserves more. For him, he deserves the best.

Magkatitigan sila ni Garett. Mukhang parehong muling bumabalik ang mga alaala sa isip ng isa't isa. Garett looked at her eyes with a small smile on his lips.

"I thought everything was impossible for the two of us to happen but I was wrong. You proved me wrong when you approached me that night. And I am no saint, Mallory. Wala akong pakialam kung ano pa ang dati nating koneksyon. I don't care if I was once the stepfather of your ex boyfriend. When I saw the glimpse of opportunity to have you as mine, I immediately grabbed it. I would not waste anything because it is my dream. I always thought that it would never happen but it was all happening in my dream. And you made it my reality, Mallory. And now that you are mine, there is no way that I will let this go. I only want the best thing for you. I want your happiness. And as long as I can do the best things for you and I can make you happy, I will never let you go."

Tears fell from Daneliya's eyes. His words made her heart melt. Sobrang emotional niya talaga. And she was so touch. Sa dami niyang inisip no'n, she always did overthink. Lagi niyang tinatatak sa isip na narito lang ito dahil din sa paghihiganti but she was wrong in everything. Because everything he showed to her was his true feelings for her.

Garett caressed her cheek with his thumb while staring at her intently. "I liked you so much before Mallory. But now... I love you. And this might scare you or assure you, whatever between the two, I want to be honest with you... I want to be with you in this lifetime. I want to be the one to show you all the best things in this world and I want to be the one to give you all the love and care that you deserve," he confessed wholeheartedly.

Hindi siya nakasagot pero mahigpit niyang niyakap ang lalake. Tears fell from her eyes and she was silently crying on his chest. She was expecting the worst scenarios but what happened was beyond good.

"Garett... Are you for real?" she asked with a shaky voice. Sumigok-sigok pa siya. "I am sorry, I am just so emotional for the past few days..." she apologized. Pakiramdam kasi niya ay ang OA na ng reaction niya but that is just what she was feeling at the moment.

He chuckled with his low voice and hugged her back. "I am real. Everything is real. My feelings for you are real, Mallory. And if for you we do not have a label in our relationship, then let us make it official. You are now my girlfriend, hmm?" he said. It is an assurance for both of them.

Tumango si Daneliya. "O-of course. I like you too, so much, Garett. And I feel like I love you, too. For real. Mahal na kita," she honestly said. Mariin siyang pumikit at mas humigpit ang yakap sa lalake. "Thank you for everything that you did since then and until now."

"Anything for you, Mallory. Anything for you."

Garett is a man of few words. Pero sa kaniya, habang tumatagal ay marami na itong nasasabi. And tonight was the night that he said so many words and it is during his confession of his once secret and also his current feelings for her. And she appreciates it so much. Grabeng assurance ang binigay nito sa kaniya.

"You're mine, right?" Daneliya asked. "Talagang hindi ka na babalik kay Priscilla?" she asked in a low voice.

"Mallory, my feelings for her have been long gone. Mas matagal pa ang nararamdaman ko sayo kaysa sa naging koneksyon namin. It was all business and connection. I am already all yours, since years ago." Mabilis siya nitong hinagkan sa labi. "The post was just a malicious post. I had it taken down by my men. They just captured a photo and made an assumption out of it. So I countered it. I am not the type of person who uses social media but for you, to make the world easily know that I am taken by you, I will sign up to all of those sites they know who owns me. And that is you Daneliya Mallory Echavez."

Muli silang nagyakap. Nanaig ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila. But it was the kind of silence that feels so good and light. Humiga sila habang magkayakap at dinadama lang ang init ng balat ng isa't isa hanggang sa makatulog na sila. Ang pagod na si Garett ay nakatulog sa dibdib niya.

Kinabukasan nang maaga ay nag-asikaso na si Garett para sa flight nito pabalik sa Cebu. Gising na rin siya at pinagmamasdan lang ito. Daneliya watched him choose his clothes. He is still wearing his boxer shorts. She just admired his face and godly physique. Nangalumbaba siya at napabuntong-hininga.

"My boyfriend is super gorgeous," she said in amazement.

Sumulyap sa kaniya si Garett at tumaas ang kilay habang may multo ng ngisi ang labi.

"Really?"

Tumango agad si Daneliya saka pinakita ang thumbs up niya.

Lumapit sa kaniya si Garett at yumuko para halikan siya sa labi. He kissed her so gently yet teasing.

"If you think that your boyfriend is super gorgeous, may he get inside you?" he naughtily whispered against her lips.

Daneliya smiled giddily and kissed him. Masyado silang nasarapan sa yakapan nila last night at pagod talaga si Garett kaya hindi na nila 'yon nagawa. Pero mukhang hindi talaga papayag na aalis ang lalake nang hindi siya nadidiligan.

Gumapang agad ang halik ni Garett sa leeg niya pababa sa dibdib. Dahil spaghetti strapped dress naman ang suot niyang pantulog ay agad iyon dumulas pababa sa katawan niya.

He hungrily sucked her bo*b alternately while his fingers immediately found its way to her femininity. Daneliya gasped when she felt his warm hand on her. Ilang haplos lang nito sa p-gkababae niya ay agad iyon nabasa. And when Garett felt that, he immediately went down to her and ate her p-ssy like he has been craving it for years.

Napapaungol si Daneliya habang mahigpit na kumakapit sa bedsheet, dinadama ang sarap na nalalasap sa ekspertong dila ni Garett. Then he inserted a finger inside her and curled it while playing his tongue with her cl*toris. Not long after, her body convulsed as she reached her climax. Agad pumaibabaw sa kaniya Garett. He folded her legs over her chest and positioned himself on top of her. He then pounded on her, thrusting deep and long inside her.

Their moans, groans, and gasps filled the air. He fvcked her even harded as they both neared their zenith. Maya maya ay hinugot na ni Garett ang p-gkalalake niya mula kay Daneliya at inilabas iyon sa puson nito. Garett showered her with his kisses na agad niyang sinagot. Pero maya-maya ay binuhat siya nito saka pinadapa. Then he made her in an all four position before he began pushing his steel hard d**k inside her from the back.

He pounded her hard and fast. Mahigpit siya nitong hinawakan sa pang-upo at doon pumipisil. Nang hindi makuntento ay inangat nito ang katawan ni Daneliya at inabot ang labi niya saka siya nito hinalikan habang patuloy ang paglabas pasok sa pagk*babae niya. It was already really hot and wild, early in the morning.

After that, they took a quick shower together. Sunod ay nagmamadali na sa pagbibihis at pag-aayos si Garett. Paglabas nila ng kwarto ay saktong kagigising lang ng mga kapatid ni Daneliya na mukhang nabigla sa presensya ng lalake. Wala pa sa wisyo ang dalawa ng abutan na naman ito ni Garett ng allowance at kahit ilingan niya ito ay wala pa rin iyon nagawa.

Hinatid niya lang ito sa may pinto. Garett hugged her for a moment.

"We are okay now, right? You won't avoid me anymore. You will not talk to me coldly again," saad nito sa kaniya.

Daneliya chuckled. Parang na trauma pa ata ito sa ginawa niya.

At siyempre, maayos na talaga sila. His words and actions were more than enough to assure her to the core. Talagang nagkaroon na siya ng confidence at peace of mind ngayon.

"Of course, Garett."

Lalong humigpit ang yakap nito sa kaniya. "I'll book you a flight this coming week. Makakasunod ka sa Cebu, 'di ba?"

Agad siyang tumango at lumayo na sa yakap nito. She smiled widely.

"Oo. Pupunta ako ro'n. I want to be with you."

Garett smiled and caressed her face. Yumuko ito para halikan siya.

"I am gonna miss you again but it's more tolerable now knowing that you will be with me soon," he whispered then kissed her again. "I love you, my Mallory."

Napangiti muli siya. "I love you too, Garett," she whispered back and kissed him again.

Nang makaalis na nang tuluyan si Garett sa condo ay nakangiti siyang bumuntong-hininga. Pagharap niya sa sala ay naroon si Daniella na nakakrus ang mga braso at inilingan siya.

"Totoo ba 'yon?" tanong nito.

Napakurap si Daneliya. "Huh?"

"Seryoso ba si Kuya Garett sayo? Ate, alam ko na ang koneksyon niya kay Kuya Evans dati. Sigurado ka ba sa kaniya?"

Daneliya nodded then smiled. "Alam kong nag-aalala ka Daniella, but don't worry, Garett is a good man. He loves me."

Nagkibit-balikat ito. "Sana nga. At ikaw, sana totoo rin nararamdaman mo sa kaniya. Baka naman hindi ka pa nakakamove on kay Kuya Evans. Hay, bahala na nga kayo. Matanda ka na lalo na si Kuya Garett," saad nito saka tumalikod na.

Hindi alam ni Daneliya kung matatawa siya o hindi. Nadamay pa talaga ang pagiging matanda ni Garett. But anyway, he's not old.Just in his mid 30's. At kahit naman matanda ito sa kaniya ng lampas sampung taon, ang energy naman nito, akala mo ay sa young adult pa lang. Nakagat niya ang labi sa naiisip saka napailing. She was being naughty in her mind.

Pumasok siya sa office ng umagang 'yon. Agad naman siyang nilapitan ng mga kaibigan niya.

"Okay ka lang ba?" Nag-aalalang tanong sa kaniya ni Lindy. "Although napaka-sweet naman talaga ni Sir Garett sa posts niya sa social media account niya pero, alam kong, overthinking ka pa rin..." Marahan nitong sinabi.

Tumango si Edith. "At huwag ka muna magbukas ng social media. Masyadong toxic. Oo, mas maraming positive comments and messages, pero siyempre, pwedeng maapektuhan ka pa rin sa negativities," saad nito.

She gave them a reassuring smile. "I am fine, don't worry. Nilinaw sa akin ni Garett lahat. Umuwi siya last night para mag-usap kami, kakaalis niya lang kanina pabalik sa Cebu."

Napatili si Lindy habang nanlalaki ang mga mata pati na rin si Edith.

"Batak mag-assure at manuyo ang isang Garett Adamson. Ikaw na girl!" ani Lindy at hinawi pa ang mahaba niyang buhok.

Pangisi-ngisi si Edith saka sinundot sunod siya sa tagiliran. "Patay na patay talaga ang Sir sayo, ano?"

Daneliya smiled which turned into a giggle. Kung alam lang ng mga ito ang totoong kwento na narinig niya mula kay Garett last night kung paano nagsimula ang feelings nito, baka lalo pang kiligin ang dalawa niyang kaibigan.

Wala naman siyang halos ginawang trabaho pero ayos na rin kaysa matengga siya sa condo unit. Nagbasa-basa na lang siya at nag review ng mga upcoming schedules at projects. Wala naman siyang ibang magagawa sa office kung hindi 'yon dahil hindi rin naman siya nagbubukas ng social media accounts niya.

Hinahanap niya ulit ang lasa ng mango graham shake at dahil wala naman siyang magawa, napagpasyahan niya na lang na bumaba para bumili no'n. Bibilhan niya na rin ng meryenda sina Edith at Lindy. Tinanong muna niya ang gustong drinks at food ng dalawa bago siya tuluyang bumaba at lumabas ng building ng kompanya.

Pagdating sa coffee shop ay nag-order na agad siya at umupo muna sa usual spot niya habang naghihintay na matapos gawin ang binili niya.

Maya-maya ay nakita niya ang pamilyar na mukha na palapit sa coffee shop. Nagtagpo pa ang mga mata nila sa glass wall. Alam agad niya na hindi kape o anumang beverage o pagkain ang ipinunta nito dito. Priscilla Alejandro will not just dine anywhere na hindi madi-display ang pagiging expensive niya. This coffee shop just offers cheap cost products.

At tama nga siya na hindi kape at ipinunta nito dito kung hindi siya. Malamang ay galing ito sa building ng kompanya ni Garett para puntahan siya pero hindi pinapapasok tapos ay nakita o nalaman nito na dito ang punta niya.

Priscilla stood behind her. Nakita niya ang repleksyon nito sa babasaging pader sa harap niya. Tumayo si Daneliya at hinarap ito. Priscilla eyed her from head to toe then smirked.

"Whatever expensive brand you wear and use, people will still smell the poorness out of you. But I must say, nice fashionable clothes, huh?" saad nito saka tumaas ang sulok ng labi.

Hindi siya kumibo o nagbigay ng kahit anong ekspresyon dito. Priscilla still looks sophisticated as ever. She knows what jewelry to use together with her outfit. Kahit mapuno pa nito ng kwintas na may gems ang leeg nito, she could still make it really pretty and go well with her style. Kaya talaga parte ito ng industry because she has a good eye and taste when it comes to fashion and arts.

"What do you need from me?" Diretso niyang tanong rito.

Nawala ang ngiti nito at muling lumabas ang mabagsik nitong ekspresyon.

"You have something that I own. Kindly give it back to me, Daneliya. Before I lose my patience."

Daneliya stood straight in front of her. "As far as I remember, wala kang gamit sa akin, Priscilla. Even all the things that Evans gifted me in the past, diretso kong binibigay sayo no'n pa. Wala na akong koneksyon sayo, wala kang kahit ano sa akin," mariin niyang saad.

Priscilla gritted her teeth. "You damn well what I am talking about. Give Garett back to me, you bîtch."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "You have a new boyfriend, right? A businessman who you thought was way richer than Garett but since you learned the truth, gusto mo ng bawiin?" ani Daneliya. She won't let this confrontation finish without her fighting back.

"Wala kang alam," mariin nitong sinabi. "You only know how to seduce my boys. Una si Evans, and now Garett? He is mine, Mallory!"

Umiling siya. "He is not yours. I also have nothing to give back dahil wala kang binigay sa akin at wala akong binigay sayo. I have Garett because it is his choice. I don't need to manipulate or blackmail him just to have him. He's with me because he wants to."

Namula ang mukha ni Priscilla Alejandro. She was about to slap Daneliya across her face but she caught her wrist. She stopped it mid air.

"Don't touch me ever again," ani Daneliya saka pabagsak iyon na binitawan. "But you must know na hindi ko hawak sa leeg si Garett. If he belongs to you, you will know it because he won't leave your side. But he is with me. He holds onto me, he even asks me to stay with him. So he will stay as mine as long as he wants. And how long is that?" Daneliya stared at Priscilla's eyes. "His whole lifetime..." dagdag niya.

Kitang-kita niya ang galit sa mga mata ni Priscilla. She knew that at that moment, she badly wanted to hurt her but she can't do that anymore. Hindi siya papayag do'n. At kung saktan man siya nito at mauwi iyon sa gulo, sisiguraduhin ni Daneliya na hindi siya ang uuwi na gutay-gutay na ang suot.

Years of well-kept rage for Priscilla Alejandro would be really hard to stop once it escaped.

Priscilla composed herself then looked at her dead in the eyes.

"I am telling you, Daneliya. Hiwalayan mo si Garett. We both know that he is mine. Akin siya mula noon hanggang ngayon. Even if you have him, you can't have him fully because he is mine. And you won't like what I would do if you won't give him back to me," she said in a tone filled with madness and warning bago siya nito tinalikuran.

Daneliya watched her leave the shop. Gusto niya na ng kapayapaan. Kaya nga nag-decide sila ni Garett na huminto sa paghihiganti. Pero sa naging tagpo ngayon, alam niyang hindi niya basta-basta makakamit ang gusto niya. There will be no peace as long as the Alejandro won't stop bothering her.