Montepalma Series 3: A Paradise Between Our Distance

Chapter 9

"Come on in, Ivory. You're just in the right time."

My lips stretch into a sweet smile. I went inside of his modern house. I could see his men with a gun on their chest walking around. Until my eyes are welcomed by a white and black of his interior design.

"My maids cooked roasted chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, boiled asparagus, and a chowder soup. I hope you like it," he said. Nanatili ako naka sunod sa kaniya. "I hope you like the paintings as well. I bought it from the Philippines."

Napatingin ako sa pader ng hallway. May isang malaki na painting. Ang ganda rin ng painting dahil kulay pula lamang ang kulay ngunit parang may pinapahiwatig na mensahe ito. Nakarating kami sa dining area. Nandoon na nga iyong mga pagkain na hinanda niya para sa akin.

I wonder if he also treated his student assistant like this?

"This is too much, Mr. Moulin," I replied. I acted like I'm a shy girl in front of him. "But I appreciate your efforts."

Pinaghila niya ako ng upuan. "I'm glad you like it."

We began eating our quiet dinner together. His house looks like an expensive minimalist modern house. I was munching a chicken when his housemaids went in my direction to pour some champagne on the flute. I noticed that Hubert kept glancing at me with a wide grin etched on his lips.

“I really love your house, Mr. Moulin,” I started. I grabbed the flute then brought it on my lips to sip a little bit. “I was wondering why you have these bunch of men roaming around in your house.”

“It is to secure my safety.” Ngumisi siya at sumandal siya sa kaniyang kinauupuan niya. “Whenever we’re alone… just call me by my name.”

“Whatever the gentleman says.”

Bumungisngis ako para mapakita sa kaniya na interesado ako. Medyo nabusog ako sa kinain ko kaya mabuti na lang inalis na sa harapan namin. Nag palagay pa ako ng champagne kasi kumakalma ang sistema ko kahit papaano. Nasa harapan ko si Hubert na iniikot ang flute sa kamay niya habang mataman nakatitig sa akin.

“You look perfect tonight,” he complimented.

I grinned mischievously. “Thank you, Hubert.”

Naalala ko na hindi pa nasasagot ng maayos ni Hubert iyong tanong ko. Yes, kaya nga may mga tauhan siya para sa safety niya but for what reasons? He is just giving me some safe answers. I have to dig more. Kailangan ko malaman iyong tungkol sa vault at ano ang code para makuha ang mga gold bars.

“Is someone threatening your life?” I questioned. “I mean, you're a filthy rich businessman and a professor in a prestigious university. I get you, Hubert.”

“That is how our life works as a wealthy man in this country. Someone wanted to have what you have. It is better to be safe than sorry…”

He sipped from his flutes. Dahan-dahan ako napatango sa kaniya. Ganun naman talaga kapag mayaman ang isang tao. Iniingatan ang mahalagang bagay katulad ang kayamanan para hindi maagaw ng iba. Pero… nasaan naman nanggaling ang mga ginto? It still remain a mystery to me. I have to know everything because my curiosity can’t wait any longer.

I licked my lips. “Why don’t you have a wife? Or even have an heir so you can pass your wealth to someone?”

“That’s a great question. I’ve always received that kind of question from people.” His hand is scratching his stubbles. “Well, I really don’t trust someone. I don’t even want a wife.”

“Why am I here?”

Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin. “I really find you fascinating…”

Really, Mr. Moulin?

Sino ang maniniwala sa ganun? Syempre hindi ako. A powerful man can attract women who crave money. But I am definitely the opposite because I am here for a mission to take something that is important to him. He is just not interested in having someone because he is afraid that a woman might steal his golden bars.

“I really admire how you listen to me. I like you, Ivory.”

I got goosebumps when I heard those words. It felt absurd to hear that an older man likes me. I’m really grateful that I am collected and I can control my emotions. I can turn my disgust into something to manipulate the target.

I giggled. “If you like me… can you tour me around? I’m really interested in your house.”

His expression lightened. Tumayo siya ka agad para lumapit sa akin. Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya at tumayo na rin. Sabay kami umalis sa dining area. Naglalakad na kami ngayon sa mahabang hallway kung saan may mga paintings. I am not really fond of paintings but I can appreciate them.

“I bought this from Mr. Del Fierro from the Philippines. I like how his paintings have a deep meaning.”

Tuma-tango lang ako habang tinititigan ang painting. Nakarating kami sa library kung saan may fireplace rin para hindi kami ginawin kasi ang lamig na talaga ng klima sa France. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang may apoy na sa fireplace. May adjacent couch na nasa tapat para pwede ro’n magbasa ng libro.

“I hope you are comfortable here, Ivory,” he said, in a calm tone. “This is where I studied and also did my work at home. This place is the reason why I am powerful and sitting on the top of the mountain.”

“Can I study here so I can be as powerful as you?” I responded.

Humalakhak siya. “You are always welcome in my abode, Ivory.”

Nandito na naman ang mga nagtataasan na bookshelves at punong-puno ng mga makakapal na libro. May mga kandila para kahit papaano maging dimmed at kumportable magbasa. Umupo na ako sa couch habang nasa tapat ng fireplace. I watched the fire dancing on the wood.

“I guess you like books…” I noted.

He smirked. “That is where my wealth hides, Ivory.”

Naagaw ang atensyon ko dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. What does he mean that these books hide his wealth? I really couldn’t fathom his words. Siguro ito na ang time para magtanong ako.

“What kind of wealth?” I probed.

“Hmm… something gold,” he answered. He rested his arms on the arm rest while looking at me. “Why are you interested?”

“Because I like a man who is ambitious to be on top. A powerful one to be exact.”

“You’re making me want to have a woman for my success…”

My eyes squinted. “Who's the woman?”

“Toi, chéri.”

I smiled successfully. He grabbed my hands then gave it a kiss on my knuckles. Matagal ako napatitig sa apoy habang nakangiti.

Kinabukasan ay weekends kaya wala kaming pasok. Nasa dining area kami kung saan pinag-uusapan ang plano habang kumakain. Uno and Dos are impressed because our plan is going to be successful when Hubert begins to slowly spill his secrets.

"That means his gold bars are not in a bank?" si Hansen na kumakain sa tabi ko. He is wearing a black tight sando because of his ripped body.

"But what happened in his house? Did you f****d him?" Vivian beamed.

My eyes grew bigger. Binagsak ni Uno iyong kubyertos sa inis. While Hansen tightened his jaw while swallowing so hard. The edge of my lips rose in astonishment. Why is this b***h suddenly becoming so bitter? Ayaw niya ba na maayos ang misyon na ginagawa namin?

"What the f**k, Vivian," Uno barked. "Wala nangyari sa kanila."

"Nothing happened between them," Hansen agreed.

Habang si Dos ay tinatantiya ang tingin sa dalawa na bigla na lang dinedepensa ang sinasabi ni Vivian. Vivian clasped her hands together then rested her chin while grinning like a b***h.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot that this w***e has her princes to defend her," Vivian taunted. "They are so blind to see that he uses men to get everything she wan—"

"That's enough!" Hansen growled.

Napalunok ako habang tinitingnan si Hansen na sobrang sama ng tingin niya kay Vivian. His deep-set eyes darkened into an abyss. As his jaw keeps clenching in fury. He was glowering at Vivian who is still trying to mock me.

Vivain raised her hands in defeat. "Alright. My bad."

"Can we eat in peace?" Hindi na rin maipinta ang itsura ni Uno. "Let's respect the food in front of us."

Vivian is making a face as if she tastes a lemon. Nagkibit balikat na lang ako sa tapat para ipamukha sa kaniya na hindi naman ako apektado sa mga binibintang niya. I own my body. I am aware that I am still a virgin and no men tried to cross my boundaries. I didn't let them.

After we ate, tahimik na kami sa dining area. I saw Vivian march out due to humiliation she got after she tried to disrespect me. I smirked inwardly. I can't wait to kill her with my bare hands until she becomes pale and cold. I won't stop making her suffer as she makes my life living in hell.

I stood up from the chair confidently and walked out as well. Alam kong nakasunod lang sa akin si Hansen. He is quiet as well. He seems pissed on what Vivian told me. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganun ang reaksyon niya.

"Hansen," I called.

Umangat ang tingin niya. The dark pitch of his eyes dilated when our eyes locked. I angled my head while gazing at him waiting for me to say something.

"Can we stay in the garden for thirty minutes?" I requested. "I wanted to calm my nerves and think deeply."

He nodded his head. "Alright. Show me the way…"

My lips curled. Nauna na ako naglakad para sumunod na lang siya sa akin. Nang makarating na kami sa hardin ay napapikit ako dahil ang fresh ng simoy ng hangin. I sat on the concrete bench near the flowers. They are blooming and colorful in my sight. It is so lovely to see some flowers right now.

I tapped the space beside me. "Sit beside me."

He sat down beside me like an obedient child. I smiled sheepishly. My eyes went up to the sky as I watched the clouds slowly moving to the right.

"Why are you defending me?" I asked softly.

"It makes me mad whenever she insults you," he replied. Yumuko siya habang nagpakawala ng mahabang hininga. "I'm really sorry if—"

I cut him off midway. "Thank you for defending me. I really appreciate it alot."

He looks so stunned and unbelievable. He swallowed the bile hard until a tint of redness showed on his ears. Mas lalo ako napangisi. Iniwas niya ang tingin sa akin tila nahihiya.

I chuckled. "You don't have to be shy, Montepalma."

"I'm not." He gave me an eye-roll. But he was looking at me through the side eye. "I'm glad you appreciate me defending you. Because starting from now… I'm not just protecting you, I am also defending you."

"You know I can protect myself…"

"Not all times you can protect yourself, you will also need me in the future."

My eyebrow arched. "You can't even protect yourself from me, Montepalma."

He narrowed his eyes at me playfully. Nagpakawala ako ng halakhak. Alam ko naman na kaya niya naman sumuntok pero he is not trained to fight against dangerous people.

"Then f*****g teach me," he demanded.

"Okay. Later I'll train you…" Nilingon ko siya. "Why didn't Damon train you?"

"Because I left the mafia organization. They let me leave. They knew I don't like to get my hands stained."

I gasped. So that must be the reason, huh? Buti naman na pwede sila umatras? Siguro advantage na rin iyon since magkakadugo sila.

"Anong atraso mo kay Vivian?" I probed.

"I…" he trailed off. "I really don't have any idea. One thing I knew… I

I got kidnapped."

Maybe she wants to get even with Damien Montepalma? Naalala ko na sobrang obsessed si Vivian sa kaniya to the point na nanakit na siya sa campus. Kaya nga ayaw ako palapit sa kaniya ni Papa kasi baka ako madamay. Dahil sa ginawa ni Vivian nagkaroon ng war sa pagitan ng Marseille at Montepalma.

Nagulat ako nang pumitas si Hansen ng isang daisy sa tabi niya. Nilahad niya iyon sa harapan ko habang nakangisi. Now he is wearing his playboy mask on his facade, huh?

He grinned. "For you, baby."

"I'm not your baby, Montepalma," I hissed. Pero kinuha ko pa rin sa kaniya iyong daisy. Matagal ako napatitig sa bulaklak na binigay niya. "Thanks."

"These flowers remind me of your scent."

"While you reeked of women," I mocked. Nilingon ko siya na naka kunot ang noo. "Keep flirting, Montepalma. We have to get some information."

"Hindi ko alam kung nagseselos ka ba o hindi…" The crease on his forehead remained due to being clueless. "Always remember that you look so hot when you're jealous."

I released a heavy breath. My eyes shot at the flower in front of me. I will admire these flowers for now but at the right time… this will all turn into ashes when I’m able to get my revenge.