Wild Nights 3: Tainted Obsession

Chapter 5: Agenda

C H A P T E R 5 :

A G E N D A

HEATHER wanted to p**e. Natural, hindi lang talaga trabaho ang dahilan kung bakit siya aalis papuntang France. She had her own agenda. Pero sino ba ang mag-aakalang mayroon din pala si Olivia? Sino ang mag-aakalang inilagay siya ng ina sa sitwasyong kailanman ay hindi inakala ni Heather kababagsakan niya pala?

Now, there she was: having her five-course meal. Nasa himpapawid, lulan ng isang magarbong private jet.

It was not less than an hour when they took off. Nasa harap siya ng hapag. Sa likod niya ay isang cheff. Sa gilid ay dalawang serbidor --- isang babae at isang lalaki. Mga unipormado. Ayos na ayos ang buhok ng mga ito. Maging ang kasuotan. Parang bawal malukot, lalo na ang mga mukha. Their faces were so light and so pleasant.

Bawat kagamitan sa eroplano ay Bentley ang tatak, maski ang toothpick na imbes na ipinantitinga niya ay tinusok-tusok lamang niya sa kakapiranggot na pagkaing hindi naman niya ginagalaw. Her tummy was full.

Bakit hindi kung nagkulong lamang siya sa kuwarto niya at nag-stress eating maghapon? She ordered food online. Five thousand ang inabot. Inubos niyang lahat habang si Henry ay panay sa pagkatok sa pinto ng kuwarto niya. Hindi niya ito pinagbuksan. Ni hindi niya ito kinausap. Hindi rin siya nagpaalam nang matino, partikular kay Olivia. Her father hugged her. Nevertheless, she did not hug him back.

How could she? If she felt like she was being sold . . . by her parents. Nagpaliwanag naman ang ama. Na-scam daw ito. His father founded a healthcare insurance company. Nag-uumpisa pa lang. Pero ang close to billions na in-invest ng mga kilyente, tinangay ng ka-business partner nito. Ang hinahabla ngayon ay ang kanyang ama. Patong-patong na estafa case ang kinakaharap nito. Walang ka-alam-alam si Heather sa mga iyon. Kanina lamang niya nalaman.

Kung bakit naman wala siyang alam ay hindi na rin siya nagtanong. She was angry and her anger got intense more and more as the time went by. Maski ang tiyahin na katapat niya ngayon sa mesa ay hindi niya kinikibo. Ano ba naman kasi ang magagawa niya?

Wala.

Kung tutuusin, isang hamon ang sitwasyon kung saan siya itinapon ng mga magulang. It should make her feel excited. After all, she loved challenges. Masabi mang ganoon, matatawag pa rin bang hamon kung ikinababaligtad na ng sikmura niya?

Maybe, the only thing she could do right now was to p**e, or cry, even. But she had to hold those back. Saka niya ilalabas ang suka at mga luha niya kapag nakaharap na niya ang lalaking pakakasalan.

"Iha, please, kausapin mo naman ako. I told you, it is still up to---"

"Up to me." Siya ang tumapos sa sasabihin nito.Kalmado ang tinig niya. Sapat ang bigat. Pero iyong bigat sa dibdib niya, naging triple nang angatan niya ng tingin ang tiyahin. "Don't patronize me as if you were on my side."

Bumagsak ang balikat ni Elle. Tinamaan ito, batid niya. "I've been on your side, Hea---"

Again, Heather cut her off, "No. You're not. You left me behind, remember?" Sasabog na sana ang luha niya kung hindi lang siya tumayo saka hinarap ang isang serbidor. "Do you have some booze?"

Agad na tumango ang dalawa. Bago pa man makapagtanong ang isa ay inunahan na niya. "Any kind of booze. Doesn't matter." She needed alcohol. Kailangan niyang kumalma. Kasi kung hindi, baka kay Elle niya maibuhos ang sama ng loob.

Bagaman sa katunayan ay talagang may sama siya ng loob dito. Matagal nang panahong hindi niya ito kinakausap. Hindi pa rin siya nakakalimot. Hindi niya kayang kalimutan nang magising siya isang araw ay wala na ito. Elle used to be her knight in shining armor. Mas tumayong ina niya ito kaysa kay Olivia. Elle was the one who treated her with so much care. Ito ang nag-alaga sa kanya noong sanggol pa lamang siya. Kung spoiled siya ni Henry sa pera at hinahayaan siyang gawin ang mga gusto niya, si Elle ang takbuhan niya noon kapag nag-aaway sila ni Olivia.

But then, suddenly, Elle left. Hindi ito nagpaalam. Kung hindi pa siya nagtanong sa iba pang mga kapatid nito ay hindi niya malalamang nasa France na pala ang tiyahin. Nasa second-year college noon si Heather.

Apat na taon ang dumaan, sa ngayon ay parang hirap siya na harapin ang tiyahin. Bagaman sa huli ay ginawa pa rin niya. "But I'm still proud of you, though. You're now a senior interior designer."

Malungkot na ngiti ang ginawa ng ginang. "And I'm glad you still get the course you wanted. Now you have your degree."

Wala nang umimik pa. Bumalik na rin si Heather sa pagkakaupo nang bumalik ang isang serbidor dala ang isang bote ng red wine. As soon as the staff filled up the wine glass, she gulped it. She decided to let go of the drama between her and Elle. May ibang drama pa siyang mas dapat isipin.

Noon binasag ni Elle ang katahimikan. "Listen, Heat, if you don't want to marry him, just don't."

"I got no choice. Makukulong si Dad."

"It's your father's mistake. Not yours."

Sa pagkakataong iyon ay inisang lagok niya ang inumin. Tumingin sa isang suite kung saan ang nakasarang glass door ay natatabingan ng makapal na kurtina. "When will he be getting out?"

Nagkibit-balikat si Elle. "Probably he's still in the meeting."

Ang paksa nila ay ang lalaking pakakasalan niya. Yup, the man she was about to marry was there too. But Heather had not seen him yet, nor his face. Wala siyang alam tungkol sa lalaki kundi ang pangalan lang nito. Binanggit kanina ng tiyahin.

Pinalagyan niyang muli ng wine ang baso niya. "So, this guy . . . Hugo Fabian . . . is rich, huh?" Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang eroplano. "I assumed this is one of his."

Marahang tumango ito. "His grandfather founded Fabian Global Group Incorporated, the leading conglomerate company in Europe. One of its subsidiaries, Édelie Designs, the interior design company where you're going to work, is owned by Hugo Fabian."

Napalunok siya. Sa isip ay marami nang tanong doon. She didn't voiced it out. Naghihinanakit, napipikon at nagagalit pa rin siya.

"Heather, you don't have to do this. I'm telling you: he is not an ideal guy. He's a sociopath."

~~**~~

Hugo Fabian was a sociopath, which gave rise to another question: if he was a sociopath, why did her aunt let this happen to her? Husto pa siyang nairita. Sa halip na makipag-argumento rito, tumayo siyang kinuha mula sa bucket na hawak ng isang serbidor ang bote red wine saka sa lounging area ay doon siya pumuwesto, dala ang wineglass niya.

Soon, she half-emptied the bottle of wine. Elle never approached or even got near to her again. Sanhi ng espirito ng alcohol at sa tindi ng stress ay nakatulog na siya roon. Nang magmulat ang mga mata, isang tinig ng lalaki at mga binti 'di-kalayuan sa ulunan ni Heather ang nabugaran niya.

The man was wearing black trousers, black leather shoes. Nang mas iangat niya ang tingin, agad na bumangon siya paupo sa hinigaang sofa. Noon niya nawaring nakakumot na pala siya. The man in front of her, whose back was facing her, was talking to someone over a satellite phone, speaking in French. His voice deep, so masculine. He was in grey dress shirt, ang manggas ay nakatupi hanggang siko. Ang isang kamay ay nakasilid sa bulsa ng pantalon nito.

It was Hugo, she knew. At parang bumibigat na naman ang dibdib niya. Inaasahan niyang matanda na ang lalaki, o kaya naman ay ubod ng bata. Pero higit na malayo ang totoong edad nito, kung sakali mang nasa mid-30's na, base sa hitsura. His body was well built. Parang nasa routine na nito ang magpunta sa gym. He was also tall. Pinkish ang balat at literal na kulay kahel ang buhok. His hair was wavy. Hindi pa nagugupitan.

All in all, his physique was exactly looked like Jean's body.

Nang saglit na saglit na lingunan at sulyapan siya nito, hindi na niya nagawa pang huminga. Not because this man surpassed Jean's godly face and physical presence. She couldn't breathe because the man's eyes were blank, emotionless --- a pair of dead eyes. Kahit dim ang ilaw sa ceiling ng eroplano, ilaw na dapat nagre-reflect sa mga mata nito, wala man lang kinang ang mga iyon. Seryoso maging ang mukha nito.

Indeed, he was a sociopath.

Parang nais na lang niyang maiyak. Bukod sa tila na-corner siya habang tinututukan ng baril ng sandamakmak na pulis, iyong pandama niya bilang isang babae, nagre-react. She wanted to admire this man's presence, particularly his face: plump lips, perfect shape of nose, prominent jaw, deep set of eyes and thicks brows... but she couldn't.

She missed Jean. She missed what Jean did to her. Nagbabalak siyang tumayo at tumungo sana sa banyo upang doon ay magkulong. Hindi natuloy. Naialis na ng lalaki ang phone mula sa tainga nito, hinarap siya, saka isinilid ang mga kamay sa magkabilang bulsa ng pantalon.

He looked at her. For how long, she couldn't count. Umiwas lang siya ng tingin. Trust her, she wanted to stand up but she couldn't. Mula sa peripheral vision ay nasipat niyang tumungo ito sa gilid kung saan naroroon nakapatong ang isang baso at isang bote ng alak.

As the bottle popped open, that was the time he spoke, finally. "So, how's your sleep, Miss Arellano?"

Unconsciously, she turned her head to face him. The sound of the liquor filling up the glass seemed to awakened her senses even more. The way he spoke in English didn't have a hint of a French accent. At pinagsisihan niya bakit siya lumingon. Sobrang lakas ng presensiya ng lalaking ito, hindi niya kayang ipaliwanag kung bakit. He wasn't scary, he wasn't even showing any signs to make himself looked charming.

But, God! Kahit seryoso ito, kahit simple lang ang tanong na tinanong nito, his charm almost felt like he bestowed some spell in the air that Heather felt her knees shaking, her heart pounding. Sa likod ng isipan ay parang nanliit bigla si Heather.

Sh*it! Nang magtama ang paningin nila ay agad na ibinaling niya ang ulo sa harap. Hindi niya kayang makatagal sa titig nito. Ayaw niyang ipakita ang kung anumang nadama niya sa kasalukyan. Doon niya itinuon ang atensyon sa harap.

Elle was lying on one of the seats at the other side of the plane, sleeping. Napayuko siya, "Not good."

Umupo ito sa kaharap na couch. Sumandal doon. He crossed his leg neatly over the other. Dala ang baso'ng naglalaman ng alak, ipinatong nito sa armrest ng upuan ang makabilang siko. "It must be shocking ---marrying a stranger."

She slowly breathed in and out. Noon niya rektang tinitigan ito sa mga mata. She didn't like the tone he used. He sounded arrogant, or maybe, it sounded like that because her heart was still pounding at hindi niya tanggap na ganoon ang epekto ng lalaking ito sa kanya. "No. It wasn't," sagot ni Heather. Matatag ang tinig. "I'm enraged, infuriated . . . displeased."

Hugo didn't talk for a few seconds. Nakipaglabanan ito ng tingin. His eyes didn't even blink. Parang noon lang napansin ni Heather na hindi pa niya ito nakitang kumurap kahit isang beses man lang. "Well, you don't look like one."

She expected the feelings she had said would be consistent. She also thought she could look at him incessantly. But she was wrong. Sa huli, husto pang tumahip ang dibdib niya; she cut their gazes, again.

Sumimsim ito sa inumin saka sinabi, "You're nervous."

Hindi siya umimik.

"Is my presence making you nervous?"

Umismid siya. "Are you Hugo Fabian? Just asking because you seemed to forget to introduce yourself."

Noon ngumiti ang lalaki. "Yes. I'm Hugo Fabian."

"How did you get the advantage of my misfortune?" She sounded more accusing than asking.

Sukat na tinitigan na naman siya ng lalaki. Actually hindi naman nito kailanman inalis ang tingin sa kanya. At sa kung anumang baliw na dahilan ay talagang hindi pa ito kumukurap. "I was in a board meeting with Elle when your mother called. I overheard what they were talking about. So, yeah, I took advantage of your misfortune, Ms. Arellano."

"Why me? You don't know me."

"Oh, trust me, Heat, I do." Inilagok nito nang deretso ang iniinom. As he put the glass on the coffee table, he gave her a sly smile. And finally, he blinked---once.

Bagaman ay anong kilabot ang gumapang mula sa gulugod niya paakyat sa anit at pababa hanggang sa talampakan niya. The way he said those words, it was as if he did really know every single thing about her. Umurong ang dila niya.

"You captivated me the time I saw you in the picture and read your curriculum vitaé. You captivate me at this instant, even more. Now I am sure that risking millions for marrying you will be a substantial investment."

Natawa siya. "Substantial investment." Napailing-iling ay nanlabo na ang mga mata niya. Bagaman ay nagpasalamat siya dahil iyong kaninang pagkabog ng puso ay napalitan ng kung anong bigat na biglang sumulpot doon sa dibdib niya. "You know what I think? You have an agenda."

"We both have. You need me, I want you; that's the agenda."

"I don't need you; my parents do." Bago pa man pumatak ang luha, mabilisang pinasadahan niya ng kamay ang mga mata. Bigla siyang nairita.

Hugo noticed she had teared up, Heather could tell.

But instead of having a remorseful expression, he just smiled. Gaya nang naunang ngiti ng lalaki ay hanggang doon lamang sa mga labi nito iyon nakareshistro. Sumandal itong ipinatong ang isang binti sa tuhod. "Either way, it is what it is."

Naikuyom niya ang kamao. Ah! Kaunti na lang ay aabot na sa tuktok iyong lebel ng iritasyon ni Heather. Aside from his arrogant behavior she couldn't get what this man really want from her. "Regardless, still, your agenda is insubstantial for a substantial investment, Mr. Fabian."

"No, it is not." Hustong sumeryoso ang mukha ng lalaki. "The thing is, I have civil disputes. I've been planning to request for a guardianship; I need protection, Heather. And you are the one who will protect me."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "Guardian---"

"I've been diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder; I am a sociopath. There could be times that I couldn't decide on any civil actions for myself. If I were to request for a guardianship, a judge will appoint a responsible person to be my guardian who will carry out civil acts, specifically regarding my finance, assets, and well-being. You, as my wife, will do it for me."

Abruptly, Heather got overwhelmed. Her irritation suddenly disappeared. Who would have thought that a successful human being, like Hugo Fabian, would choose to be controlled by another person? The worst case was, that another person was her. "So why me?"

"Because I know you."

"You don't"

"Yes, I do. I've asked Elle everything about you. I've carefully read your curriculum vitaé. You are bold, decisive, and self-assured." He said those with so much admiration. Sa unang pagkakataon ay nakita niyang nagkaroon ng buhay ang mga mata nito. "You know what you fight for. You know what you want, when should you stop. And, you're not compulsive when it comes to money."

May kung anong pagkabigla siyang nadama.

Agad na napansin iyon ng lalaki. "I've checked your background, Heat. You have a gross balance of one hundred fifty thousand pesos in your bank account. Your father had deposited that money for years. You just spent almost a quarter of it."

Sa hindi pag-imik ni Heather ay naging blanko na naman ang mga mata nito. He smiled again. Nga lang ay hindi pa rin umaabot ang ngiting iyon sa mga mata ng lalaki. "Look, if you're still skeptical about this whole thing, I can give you two options: one: we get married, treat each other as what married couple supposed to do---you do your responsibilities to me as my wife, I do the same, which means having kids, of our own, which also means having s*x with me." Anticipation glinted in his eyes.

Napakamot siya sa noo, napalunok nang ilang ulit. Isang pakiramdam ang kanyang nadama --- pakiramdam na hindi niya binigyang pansin. How she hated his face! "And two?" Sa halip ay iyon ang sinabi niya.

"We'll be married only in paper, be a married couple only in public, and then you do your responsibilities as my guardian."

"What if suddenly, in the future, one of us decided to file a divorce?"

"If you chose option one, we are free to do that. Unless otherwise, you have not yet to give me an heir. But if you chose the latter option, let me first ask you this, what's the use of divorce if you're free to do whatever you want? If you were to have another man, I won't barge, as long as you go behind the public." He leaned over. Ipinatong nito sa magkabilang tuhod ang mga siko. "Either you chose to be my child's mother for me to have an assurance that my assets won't go to the people who don't deserve to have it, or to just protect my assets, your father won't go to jail."

Sa puntong iyon ay gusto na talaga niyang umiyak. "Can I just be your guardian without marrying you?"

Tumawa si Hugo. "You can't. If we aren't married, you're not eligible to be my guardian. Technically, you're just a stranger. We just met, don't we?"

"Why not impregnate someone else?"

Natawa na naman ang lalaki. "I am very much willing to help you, Heat. Without my help, your father will go to jail. Your clock is ticking, mine too. So you have to choose."

For the time being, her heart was breaking again. Masyadong mabigat lahat. Nagrereebelde ang puso niya at parang nais nang i-reject ang kung anumang proposal ng lalaki. Sa pakiwari niya, may mga kamag-anak si Hugo na nais na manghimasok o kamkamin ang yaman nito --- at masyadong gahaman ang lalaki upang magbigay.

But who was she to judge the man she didn't know, yet?

Ang katanungang iyon ay sinabayan ng pag-ring ng satellite phone sa gawi ni Elle. Nagising agad ang babae, mabilis na sinagot ang tawag. "Olivia." Napatingin sa kanya ang tiyahin. Hindi pa nagtagal ay tumayo itong tumungo sa bahaging hindi na naabot ng paningin niya.

And Heather wasn't that stupid nor numb not to understand what was happening. May kung anong nangyaring hindi maganda. Noon siya tumayong pinuntahan ang tiyahin. Hindi pa man nakalalapit ay sinalubong na siya nito ng nag-aalalang tingin. The call just ended.

"Your father just got arrested by the police."

Believe her, she wanted to burst into tears. Bagaman pigil na pigil ang paghinga ay hinarap niya si Hugo na noon ay nasa likod na niya. "I will marry you right now. But I couldn't choose either of your options, yet."

"I understand," tugon ng lalaki. "I will give you enough time to let you get to know me."

Pagkasabing pagkasabi niyon ni Hugo, mabilis na tumakbo si Heather patungong banyo. Doon ay ibinuhos niya ang lahat ng emosyong naghalo-halo na. She was sobbing. At wala siya pakialam kahit gaano pa iyon kalakas.

Alam niyang mali na humiling ng isang bagay na masakit sa pandinig. Pero iyong sitwasyon kung siya ngayon naroroon, naihiling niya bigla na sana ay talagang may nakahahawa at nakamamatay na sakit si Jean.

Heather would rather die than doing something she didn't know if she could live with.

~~**~~