Blazing Mirror

BM13

WHILE sipping my lemon juice, I rolled my eyes at Daven whose still groaning in pain because of his friggin' hangover. Kahit alam niya na ang baba ng alcohol tolerance niya ay ewan ko kung bakit umiinom pa kasi.

Kagabi, nang dumating kami ay nadatnan namin si Daven at ang ama ni Astrid na nag-iinuman. Sage joined them at hindi ko na alam kung anong oras sila natapos.

Napaka-walang kwenta talaga nitong si Daven. May sasabihin sana ako pero iyon... hindi natuloy dahil sa kalasingan niya kagabi. In exchange, I didn't cook a hangover soup for him just like what I do every time we get drunk. Iyon ang pampalubag loob ko sa kanya.

He glared at me while still massaging his head. "You're so cruel, you know?"

Andito kami ngayon sa likod ng bahay. I sit comfortably in a sun lounger with my two-piece bikini on. I miss wearing bikinis and good thing it's Saturday kaya I decided to swim. Astrid doesn't own a bikini, so, I decided to buy one. Mabuti naman at kaagad dumating iyon kinabukasan.

Nakatali ang buhok ko into a messy bun and I'm wearing shades.

"It's not my fault, anyway," sagot ko sa reklamo ni Daven habang sumisimsim pa rin ng lemon juice.

"Hindi?! Ang tatay mo kaya ang nag-aya!" pagalit niyang wika habang minamasahe pa rin ang sintido.

Lakas ng tama ng vodka sa kanya.

"I discovered another secret." I changed the subject, still not looking at him.

"Another one?"

I nodded. "Sage's father is involved in my mother's death…"

"See? I told you!"

My jaw clenched every time I remember Avil's trembling voice yesterday. I hate it! She sounds like a freaking guilty! Kung guilty nga siya... dapat isinuko na niya ang sarili noon pa man! f**k!

"How about your lover? Is he involved too?" Nahihimigan ko ang panunuya niya sa sariling tanong.

I tsked. "Wala. Wala siyang alam."

"Ano na—f**k!" He groaned in pain again. "Ano ang gagawin mo ngayon?"

'Yan ang iniisip ko kagabi and yeah... I fell asleep still thinking about it. I have already my plans for Avil at ito ngayon ang hindi ko inaasahan.

"It's your advantage now." Napalingon ako sa out-of-context niyang sinabi. "Sage is your advantage in his father. Isa lang naman ang gusto niya, diba? Ang makasal kayo—f**k! f**k! I need to drink medicine!" And then he left me on his sudden plan. That man, he left me dumbfounded!

Marry Sage? In that way, I can give him false hope. I tried to stifle a devilish smile. Marrying Besabella's only heir would be a big attraction on investors and if I'll backfire on marrying Sage, it will be a big loss on his company.

Pagkatapos kong maligo saglit sa swimming pool, though not exactly I'm swimming, nasa gilid-gilid lang naman ako. Kaagad kong hinagilap ang puting robe nang makitang paparating sina Daven at ang ama ni Astrid.

Kanina lang ay nagrereklamo siya na masakit ang ulo niya pero heto siya ngayon at nakikipagtawanan sa ama ni Astrid. Nakaakbay pa ang ama ni Astrid sa kanya.

Lumapit ako sa ama ni Astrid at humalik sa pisnge nito. Hindi ko alam pero parang nakasanayan ko na itong gawin sa kanya sa tuwing nagkikita kami. He just threw a glance at me and smiled before putting his attention back on Daven.

I immediately rolled my eyes at Daven. Kahit hindi naman ito nakatingin sa 'kin. Kuhang-kuha na niya ang loob ng ama ni Astrid, ah.

HINDI na ako magpaligoy-ligoy pa. Pagkatapos kong magbahis ay kaagad akong nagtungo sa penthouse na pag-aari ni Sage. They said that it was his grandfather's birthday gift. The one on his mother’s side. Dumaan pa ako sa isang restaurant upang mag-order ng pagkain. Sana naman ay madatnan ko siya doon. I ordered a cordon bleu and abalone soup for his hangover. I don't know kung nalasing ba 'yon kagabi but whatever.

I called the manager of this building and he gave me a new card so that I can go inside Sage's penthouse. Una ay nag-alinlangan pa siya. But duh? I threatened him.

Nang makapasok ako sa penthouse niya, I was amazed! It's too big for someone whose living alone here. At paano naman ako nakakasigurado kung mag-isa lang ba ang isang 'yon dito? Maybe he brings his girls here? His penthouse and Claveria's mansion have almost the same ambiance but I think Sage's penthouse is a little bit lighter.

Nakapunta na ako dito at dahil sa bangayan namin ay wala na akong oras para ma-appreciate ang karangyaan nito.

I prepared the food that I ordered on his dining table bago ako umakyat. Nakapunta na kaya si Astrid dito?

I'm wearing a Sylvie corset top pairing it with simple black wide-leg jeans.

Kaagad akong tumabi kay Sage sa kama nang mabuksan ko ang pangatlong kwarto kung naasan siya mahimbing na natutulog. His penthouse had a f*****g five rooms. Nakadapa siyang natutulog sa queen-sized bed. He's not wearing any upper at kalahati ng kanyang tiyan ay natatakpan ng puting kumot.

Ilang dipa lang ang layo namin nang tumabi ako sa kanya. I supported my head using my left arm while staring at him with a grin on my lips.

His curtain-cut hair is a little bit messy and his not-so-dark features… hindi rin naman soft. I think, it's between dark and light. Ang mahahaba niyang pilikmata ay tila ba inaakit akong hawakan ang mga iyon at paglaruan. Kaagad kong hinawi ang iilang mga buhok na tumatabing sa kanyang mukha.

I think I'm staring at a deity today.

I trailed the tip of my finger on his pointed nose. Bahagyang nagtagpo ang mga kilay niya sa ginagawa ko. I tried to stroke it in a feathery touch so that it will tickle. His eyes might be closed but I know his senses are now awake. Bahagya akong dumukwang palapit sa mga labi niya at bumulong.

"I'm now ready to marry you." I tried to murmur it in as a soft voice as I can.

I don't know that I was this seductive! Maybe I learned it from the romance book I've read before. Nang dumilat siya, shock washed all over his face making him fell down on the floor.

That makes me giggle. He's cute.

"What the hell are you doing here, Astrid?"

Tumihaya ako sa kama bago siya nilingon. Nakatayo na siya ngayon and the mighty Sage just wore a white cotton pajama. I've seen a thousand models with a delectable body, kaya wala na sa 'kin ngayon ang nasa harapan ko.

If Astrid was on this position right now… siguro ay nagha-hyperventile na 'yon.

"Eavesdropping on you?" patanong kong sagot.

Tumayo ako galing sa pagkakahiga at pilit inabot ang magulo niyang buhok at bahagya iyong inayos.

"I'll wait on you downstairs." And then I winked.

To tease him more, nang dumating ako sa pintuan ng kwarto niya, I gave him a flying kiss and I know that it annoyed him.

PRENTE akong nakaupo sa four-seater dining table habang hinihintay si Sage at sa harap ko ay may isang medium-sized na frame with a picture of him, Avil and a woman that I think is his mother...

Ito lang ang kaisa-isang picture na nakita ko sa loob ng penthouse niya. I took a sip on the iced coffee that I made, still staring at their family picture. Nasaan ang ama niya? Bakit sila lang tatlo?

Lahat ng tanong ko ay nawala nang bumaba si Sage. My lips pursed. He looks sizzling hot in a simple white v-neck shirt and jeans. His 24-carat cross necklace is so freaking attractive. His hair is a little bit dump dahil siguro basa pa.

Habang palapit siya ay lumipad ang tingin niya sa bagay na nasa harapan ko. "What are you doing with that thing?"

I shrugged. "Bukod sa 'yo, 'yan lang siguro ang tao rito? Or maybe you bring girls—" Hindi ko naituloy kung ano man ang sasabihin nang bigla niyang kinuha ang frame at ibinalik sa kung saan ko man ito kinuha.

He saw how I winced but he just ignored it and he sat down in the chair in front of me. Sinuri niya muna ang pagkain bago nag-angat ng tingin sa 'kin.

"I don't have a hangover." I know what he’s pertaining for. "Mali ang dinalhan mo n'yan. You should f*****g give it to your Daven."

I winced secretly again. Dati ba kayong magkalaban sa digmaan ni Daven, ha?! But I still stay calmed and showed my ear-to-ear grin.

"I cooked all of that! You should try it!" pagsisinungaling ko. I don't know how to cook. Siguro 'yung mga piniprito lang na pagkain, oo, marunong ako noon.

I beamed at him bago niya ako tingnan at ang cordon bleu. Bakit hindi na lang kasi siya kumain?! Ang daming arte! Siguro kung si Daven ang pinakain ko nito, wala pang isang minuto ay ubos na lahat 'to!

Para siyang biglang napaso nang hawakan ko ang singsing. Mabilis niyang inilayo ang kamay niya sa kamay ko. Aba, bakit parang pakiramdam ko ay siya ang babae rito?!

"So now, you’re accepting me as your wife?" walang hiyang tanong ko na kinunutan lang niya ng noo ngunit hindi 'yon naging hadlang para hindi ko ipagpatuloy ang tinutukoy. "You're wearing our engagement ring now and I just proposed to you a minute ago..."

Though napansin 'kong suot niya na ito kahapon.

"Do you still think that the wedding is still in your father's mind?" Nahihimigan ko ang inis sa boses niya.

Noo ko naman ang kumunot ngayon. "Bakit hindi?"

He looked away while still chewing the food. "Your father wants to marry you off to Daven—"

"What?!"

Ipapakasal ako sa intsik na 'yon? Kaya ba… Anong kayang ginawa ng intsik na 'yon sa ama ni Astrid? He scowled at my sudden reaction. Hell, wala talaga akong alam! I'm innocent here!

Ngumisi ako at umaaktong binabalewala ang sinasabi niya. "But you’re still the one I wanted to marry, so, let's go on a date today!"

He didn't answer. Well, hindi naman 'yon tanong. I don't know but I felt a butterfly on my stomach when I saw how he tried to stifle his smile when his eyes dropped on the plate.

NANG makapasok kami sa grocery ay kaagad akong humagilap ng pushcart. Wala na siyang stock na pagkain when I rummaged his whole kitchen kanina, and I took it as my advantage for my plan.

As usual, he caught all the attention on this friggin’ place. Kaagad akong ngumuwi. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako naiinis! Sa mga babae bang tumitingin sa 'min na mayroong pagnanasa o dahil nasa kanya ang lahat ng atensyon? Well, I'm kind of an attention seeker…

I glared at those women we bumped who always turn their heads on us before hooking my hands on his forearm. Napalingon siya sa kin with teasingly eyes.

I just rolled my eyes at him, and focused on buying his stuff. Una kaming pumunta sa coffee area. Kumuha ako ng apat na box. Every person needs a coffee every morning.

"That's too much," komento niya sa ginagawa ko. Siya ang nagtutulak ng pushcart and he's leaning on it.

Hindi ko mapigilang mapanguso. "Why? You're not a coffee type of person?"

Daven isn't. At naghahanap ako ng coffee buds. Akala ko siya na! Nakita ko kasing may mga empty boxes of coffee siya roon sa kanyang kitchen cabinet.

"I have already you… my coffee in the morning."

I'm trying to friggin’ hide my cheeks right now. The side of my lips rosed. Gusto kong ipakita sa kanya na iritado ako ngayon. Ako lang dapat ang bumabanat dito! He raised a brow. Tinalikuran ko siya at iniwan doon. f**k, sana naman ay hindi pumula ang pisnge ko ngayon!

Hindi ko alam kung ilang minuto na kaming pa ikot-ikot ngayon dito. Halos mapuno na rin ang cart sa mga pinamili namin. Nakikita kong mga essential lang talaga ang pinamili niya. Nang mapunta kami sa vegetable area ay kaagad akong humigilap ng Chinese cabbage. I want to make kimchi!

"What was that for?" tanong habang nasa likuran ko.

"For kimchi. I want to make one…"

"What is that…?"

Iritado ko siyang nilingon. "A Korean side dish, duh!" He hurt my friggin’ feelings! Everyone knows what kimchi is!

Inirapan ko siya nang biglang tumunog ang kanyang telepono. Someone is calling him. Nagpaalam muna siya sa 'kin bago iyon sinagot. Inirapan ko siya ulit nang nakatalikod na siya sa 'kin.

He always has this manly physique featuring his broad shoulders.

My eyes turned chinky when I saw a familiar person because of his back. My lips suddenly turned into a devilish smile when I saw who he is.

Kaagad kong itinulak ang push cart papunta sa gawi niya. Kumukuha siya ngayon ng yakult.

"Dale?" I called him in a voice that I wasn't so sure kung siya nga iyon.

Nang lumingon siya ay kaagad kaming napangiti sa isa't isa. Napahinto siya sa ginagawa niya. I pushed my cart near on his push cart.

"Dean…"

"Alone?" tanong ko habang nakasulyap sa mga pinamili niya.

He nodded. "Alone?"

Kaagad akong umiling. "Kanina ka pa ba dito?"

"Uh, oo, naubusan kasi ng grocery si Avil and you know she's not feeling well yesterday kaya…" Nagkibit-balikat siya.

He continued putting some Yakult on his pushcart at kaagad 'kong hinimas ang braso niya making him stop from what he’s doing. Sinulyapan niya ang kamay ko sa kanyang braso bago napalunok ng konti. It's a go sign for me to continue what I started.

"I have a fun fact of Yakult. You wanna know?" magiliw kong tanong at dahan-dahan naman siyang tumango. "If Avil will drink that, sigurado akong magbubuntis siya ng kalabaw!"

His forehead knotted, confused at what I'm saying. "H-huh?"

I exhaled exaggeratedly. "Hindi mo alam? Yakult is made up of cow sperm! Nang malaman ko nga kaagad iyon ay agad kong iniluwa. Hell, I don't want to have a cow baby! I want a human one, to see if I have really pretty genes!"

At hindi ako nabigo dahil napatawa ko nga siya. Gawa-gawa ko lang ang fun fact na 'yon. Syempre, sino ba naman ang mabubuntis kapag ininom lang ang… you know.

Sa isang libro na nabasa ko noon, what made a person fall inlove, ay 'yong mga taong may sense of humor. Hence, ganyan din naman ang mga tipo ko.

"You’re funny, Dean." He is still laughing while putting away the Yakult from his pushcart.

Sinabayan ko ang tawa niya. Not until a warm hands covered my whole waist. Napalingon ako sa nagmamay-ari noon. It's no other than, the mighty Sage. Parehong nawala ang mga ngiti namin ni Dale dahil sa biglaang paglitaw ng presensya ni Sage.

"Alone? Where's my sister?" he asked Dale in a low rough voice.

"Uh, nagpapahinga?" patanong niyang sagot bago kumuha ng bagong pambatang inumin. "I won't ever drink Yakult again and so you're innocent, huh," aniya na tanging kaming dalawa lamang ang nakakaintindi bago niya kami tinalikuran.

Sinundan ko siya ng tingin. My lips pursed. Today is like two birds hitting in one stone for me.

I heard Sage's laughed in a sarcastic tone kaya napunta sa kanya ang attention ko.

"You're just bluffing about that freaking marriage. My bad…" he said bitterly before snatching the pushcart on my hands and leaving me there without giving me a chance to correct his words.