Embracing His Wrath

Chapter 17

Klein’s Point of View 

"SO what's the reason you're here? Why did you want to see me? "tanong ka kay Miguel matapos niya akong tawagan para makipagkita sa kanya dahil sa importante niya dawng sasabihin.

Miguel Fauvier my private and legal investigator, an agent. The one I hired to search for Samantha. Naglapag siya ng isang brown envelope sa mesa. I immediately took and opened it.

"She's in France, "he said. I was electrified when I saw Samantha's stolen pictures. "She's managing her own botique's in Italy and still continuing modeling for exclusive brands. Kumpleto na lahat ng impormasyon niya jan, pati complete adress niya nanjan na. "He added.

I'm surprised and stunned. I finally found her, the woman I love. I've been searching for her for two f*****g years, and now I found her. Finally.

Kinalkal ko pa ang laman ng brown envelope at binasa ang mga impormasyon tungkol kay Samantha na nakasulat sa tatlong pahina ng bond paper.

I feel like all of my prayers have been answered with blessings. I never longed for anything else except for her. Only her.

Sa loob ng ilang taon, tanging sa magazines at TV ko lang siya nakikita. Even in the news. But I never knew where exactly she is. Sobrang hirap niyang hanapin. I just want to see her and talk things out. Pero siyang yung iwas na iwas. Damn she’s so hard to find, all her informations are almost covered even though she’s a celebrity.

But among all the things I want from her, there's this question that I want to be answered. It’s about her relationship status. I already looked up about it but her public status is, single. But that’s not enough answer for me. What if she already found someone else? What if she already love someone else?

"How about her relationship status? Yung totoo?" I got curious about it and asked it out. It's not on this paper.

"Gino Facioboni, an Italian model. Kalat sa France na dating sila. Hindi pa kumpirmado pero may mga sightings sila sa ilang restaurants. "He said. Naikuyom ko ang kamao ng dahil sa narinig.

And who the hell is he, not knowing what Klein Sage Montero owns? Once I put my marks on it, it's mine. No one can get it, unless I give it. And for the record I never gave Samantha away. f**k but that’s how it is, she’s still mine.

Masama kong tinignan si Miguel na umiinom ng kape.

"What? "Taas kilay niyang tanong nang mapansin ang masama kong tingin.

"I want you to check out for that Gino. Family, career, all of his informations,” sinilid ko pabalik ang mga kinuha ko sa loob ng envelope. “And keep an eye on Samantha. " dag-dag ko pa.

"What the f**k Sage!? "Mura niya at biglang tumayo. "Ang sabi mo ay hanapin ko 'lang' si Samantha at tapos na lahat ng 'to. Anong kalokohan na naman 'to? I even used that f*****g manners to you because you damn s**t—f**k you! "Nagtinginan ang lahat ng nasa coffee shop sa gawi namin.

"Bakit ba ang hilig mong gumawa ng eksena Fauvier? "tipid akong tumawa. "This will be the last. Promise. "

Pabagsak siyang umupo pabalik. "Wala akong pakealam. Eat your own words Montero, hindi uso ang salitang pangako sayo. "pinag-krus niya ang mga kamay. “I also have a job to do, the professional one.”

Hindi ako umimik sa huling sinabi niya. I know what he means by that. He’s searching for a man who’s named Black, one of the most wanted assassin in Asia, one of the biggest threat who kills for money, and his rival that happened to be a friend of mine.

"What do you want? Name it, " I said as I sipped my coffee. Alam ko ang kahinaan ng lalaking 'to, luho.

Kunot noo niya akong tinignan. It's like he's seriously thinking about what he want. Lumingon siya sa glass wall ng coffee shop kung saan nakaharap ang kotse ko. Oh f**k. Nahabag ako sa klase ng pagtingin niya sa kotse. Not my f*****g car, f**k.

"I want your car, "saka niya ako nginisihan.

I was about to stand up and beat him to death but, I was able to restrain myself. I need him, for Samantha. For Samantha Klein. For. Samantha.

I heaved a deep sigh before I spoke. "Do your job. Deal. "payag ko sabay lapag ng susi ng sasakyan sa mesa. Nagning-ning naman ang mga mata niya. "That's the whole payment. More expensive than your life. "

I don't have time to get a new one. Putanginang. Kung hindi lang talaga kailangan, hindi ko talaga siya pag-aaksayahan ng pera at panahon. I have the money to buy, but I don’t waste it easily.

I heaved a sigh. I’ll just think of this as my gift to him, I remember, I wasn’t able to attend his birthday last week. Nine years na kaming magkaibigan. Isa pa, masyado nang malaking abala ang nadudulot ko sa kanya. He slightly deserve the price.

"Yan ang gusto ko sayo Klein," nakangisi niyang sabi sabay kuha sa susi. "You will receive reports within twenty-four hours. "He stood up, drank his coffee. "Ciao." And left.

I watched how he flew away. Hinimas ko ng bahagya ang hawak kong brown envelope, I wasn’t able to stop myself from smiling. However, I strangely feel like I am not fond of it. Pakiramdam ko pa rin kulang, pakiramdam ko hindi ako ganun ka saya tungkol dito.

Sobrang tagal ng naging paghihintay ko, pero tangina lang, bakit hindi ko magawang sumaya? I should be happy about this but damn, I feel the excitement but not the happiness, strange.

"How's business Mr.Montero? Balita ko pataas na naman ng pataas ang sales and rates niyo? " The CEO of Reyes Royales Incorporated said as he approach me. 

Bahagya akong tumawa. "Yeah, as usual Mr. Reyes. "I said confidently. 

"So, how about we merge and be business partners? " Alok niya. Ugh, here we f*****g go again. We go round and round like circles about this matter. Every time our paths cross, he always brings up about this s**t. “You know, I need someone to ship my cargos around the world.” 

I deeply sighed. "Still no Mr. Reyes," I brought him down again. "And that 'no' will be forever. "Matigas kong sabi. Nawala ang ngisi niya at napalitan ng seryosong mukha. "I don't want my company to be associated with yours. Sorry for the words, but your company doesn't reach my standards when it comes to merging and partnership. So, no. "I said emphasizing the humiliating words while looking at him straight to his eyes. 

Anger became visible in him. What now? Gonna make a scene? Tsk, baka atakihin to pagpinatulan ko. Even my dad doesn't want to be partners with them. They have this smelly history and bad records. They play way more dirtier than I do. 

"Ang yabang mo! "he hissed trying to minimize his voice. "You don't know what I can do Montero. "Sabay duro sakin. "I will search for your holes kid."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Marahan kong binaba ang kamay niyang nakaduro sakin. He just threatened me, huh? 

"I don't care what you can and can't do old man," bahagya akong lumapit. "I'm Klein Sage Montero, don't dare to mess with me." 

I smirked before I turned my back on him and started to walk away. He's the one who doesn't know what I can do. I'm way more tougher than he thought I am. He will search for my holes? As if may makikita siya at kung meron man, in just a snap of my fingers my path will be clean again. Ang tanda niya na para manakot. He didn’t even made me flinch. 

"Klein-I mean boss, kuha lang ako ng maiinom. "I gently flinched when Luna whispered right next to my ear. f**k, nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko. 

I ignored her and continued to talk with the other businessmen. When she stood up and left, I traced her path. I swear to God, if she’s going to spread her dirty tricks here, I’m going to smack the hell put of her. I’m sure she's just going to flirt around again. Drinks huh? Lame excuse. Maraming nagkalat na bachelors dito, I will not be surprised if she’ll hit on one. 

I tried my best to remove the thoughts of her from my head. Usually ang lumalapit sakin ay ang mga babaeng anak ng mga business men, trying to get and seduce me. But sadly, they keep on failing. 

One of the things that I learned from my father are the tactics of other businessmen. One of it is the use of their own children as bait. Specially women. Just like how Luna’s family used her as bait for the sake of their family’s business. 

"Saji." A familiar voice called me in the middle of talking with a girl. Natiim ko agad ang panga nang mapagtanto ko kung sino ang tumawag sakin.

Dire-diretso siyang umupo sa harap ko at nakangisi pa talaga ang gago. "What's up?" he asked in a chill voice as he took a glass of champagne from the waiters. 

I tilted my head and glared at him. "Go away. "Taboy ko. He pouted sarcastically that made me want to vomit. 

"Chill, "maloko siyang ngumisi at pinaikot-ikot ang champagne sa kamay niya. "Too aggressive." 

I stayed quiet and averted my eyes away from him. Why is Satan summoning one of his allies all of a sudden? 

"Enjoying the party? Oh, I mean, the ladies?" he said as if we’re just to men hanging around. Nauulol ba siya? Why is he acting like we're close and like he did no bullshit before? 

I tsked. "Stop and go away from me. Nakakasuka ka. "Walang gana kong sabi. 

"Saji naman, akala mo naman wala tayong pinagsamahan noon—" 

"Wala tayong pinagsamahan, matagal ko ng kinalimutan lahat ng 'yon. And stop calling that name,” mas lalo ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin. “Now go away from me before I crush that f*****g face again. "I warned. 

His feel-good emotion dropped. He deeply sighed and stood up. "Okay then, "he put the champagne glass in front of me. "Guess I gotta talk to that interesting woman you brought here since you won’t entertain your business partner. " Nginisihan niua akoi bago naglakad palayo. 

He's being childish, again. Everything's not easy for me, if he wants us to be friends again or some f*****g closure? That won't f*****g happen. Hinding-hindi ko kakaibiganin ang traydor na tulad niya. 

I shook my head before I stood up and started to walk out of the cafe. Nasa ground floor lang ng naman condominium building na'to ang cafe kung saan ako tumutuloy ngayon. Sumakay ako ng elevator paakyat kung nasaan ang unit ko.

I have been staying here for two days just to avoid my wife. Don't know, I just don't feel like seeing her. I even skipped work last Saturday just not to see her.

After what happened that night, I felt so stupid. I don’t know why I even did that. I just felt a strong urge to kiss her after I saw how she smiled at Justin.

FLASHBACK

"How's business Mr.Montero? Balita ko pataas na naman ng pataas ang sales and rates niyo? " The CEO of Reyes Royales Incorporated said as he approach me. 

Bahagya akong tumawa. "Yeah, as usual Mr. Reyes. "I said confidently. 

"So, how about we merge and be business partners? " Alok niya. Ugh, here we f*****g go again. We go round and round like circles about this matter. Every time our paths cross, he always brings up about this s**t. “You know, I need someone to ship my cargos around the world.” 

I deeply sighed. "Still no Mr. Reyes," I brought him down again. "And that 'no' will be forever. "Matigas kong sabi. Nawala ang ngisi niya at napalitan ng seryosong mukha. "I don't want my company to be associated with yours. Sorry for the words, but your company doesn't reach my standards when it comes to merging and partnership. So, no. "I said emphasizing the humiliating words while looking at him straight to his eyes. 

Anger became visible in him. What now? Gonna make a scene? Tsk, baka atakihin to pagpinatulan ko. Even my dad doesn't want to be partners with them. They have this smelly history and bad records. They play way more dirtier than I do. 

"Ang yabang mo! "he hissed trying to minimize his voice. "You don't know what I can do Montero. "Sabay duro sakin. "I will search for your holes kid."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Marahan kong binaba ang kamay niyang nakaduro sakin. He just threatened me, huh? 

"I don't care what you can and can't do old man," bahagya akong lumapit. "I'm Klein Sage Montero, don't dare to mess with me." 

I smirked before I turned my back on him and started to walk away. He's the one who doesn't know what I can do. I'm way more tougher than he thought I am. He will search for my holes? As if may makikita siya at kung meron man, in just a snap of my fingers my path will be clean again. Ang tanda niya na para manakot. He didn’t even made me flinch. 

"Klein-I mean boss, kuha lang ako ng maiinom. "I gently flinched when Luna whispered right next to my ear. f**k, nagtayuan ang mga balahibo ko. 

I ignored her and continued to talk with the other businessmen. When she stood up and left, I traced her path. I swear to God, if she’s going to spread her dirty tricks here, I’m going to smack the hell put of her. I’m sure she's just going to flirt around again. Drinks huh? Lame excuse. Maraming nagkalat na bachelors dito, I will not be surprised if she’ll hit on one. 

I tried my best to remove the thoughts of her from my head. Usually ang lumalapit sakin ay ang mga babaeng anak ng mga business men, trying to get and seduce me. But sadly, they keep on failing. 

One of the things that I learned from my father are the tactics of other businessmen. One of it is the use of their own children as bait. Specially women. Just like how Luna’s family used her as bait for the sake of their family’s business. 

"Saji." A familiar voice called me in the middle of talking with a girl. Natiim ko agad ang panga nang mapagtanto ko kung sino ang tumawag sakin.

Dire-diretso siyang umupo sa harap ko at nakangisi pa talaga ang gago. "What's up?" he asked in a chill voice as he took a glass of champagne from the waiters. 

I tilted my head and glared at him. "Go away. "Taboy ko. He pouted sarcastically that made me want to vomit. 

"Chill, "maloko siyang ngumisi at pinaikot-ikot ang champagne sa kamay niya. "Too aggressive." 

I stayed quiet and averted my eyes away from him. Why is Satan summoning one of his allies all of a sudden? 

"Enjoying the party? Oh, I mean, the ladies?" he said as if we’re just to men hanging around. Nauulol ba siya? Why is he acting like we're close and like he did no bullshit before? 

I tsked. "Stop and go away from me. Nakakasuka ka. "Walang gana kong sabi. 

"Saji naman, akala mo naman wala tayong pinagsamahan noon—" 

"Wala tayong pinagsamahan, matagal ko ng kinalimutan lahat ng 'yon. And stop calling that name,” mas lalo ko siyang sinamaan ng tingin. “Now go away from me before I crush that f*****g face again. "I warned. 

His feel-good emotion dropped. He deeply sighed and stood up. "Okay then, "he put the champagne glass in front of me. "Guess I gotta talk to that interesting woman you brought here since you won’t entertain your business partner. " Nginisihan niua akoi bago naglakad palayo. 

He's being childish, again. Everything's not easy for me, if he wants us to be friends again or some f*****g closure? That won't f*****g happen. Hinding-hindi ko kakaibiganin ang traydor na tulad niya. 

END OF FLASHBACK 

Sinapo ko ang sariling ulo. I feel frustrated whenever I think about what happened that night. Inis kong sinabunutan ang sarili at ibinagsak ang katawan sa kama.

I don’t know why I did that myself. Going after her wasn’t my intention too. Hindi ko lamg talaga napigilan ang sarili ko na sundan siya. Tila ba nagsarili na lang kumilos ang katawan ko.

Kissing her is the biggest mistake I did that night. After heard how she threw words at me, the urge became stronger and then yeah, I kissed her soft and warm lips—

"Argh! "napasabunot ako sa sariling buhok. "Tangina!"binato ko lahat ng unan ng kami sa sahig ng dahil sa inis.

Why did I thought about how soft and warm her lips was?!

I stopped throwing the pillows when I heard my phone ringing. Inis ko 'yong kinuha sa tabi ng kama at tinignan kung sino ang tumatawag.

I dropped the call right away when I saw who’s calling me. Nagpatuloy ito sa pag-ring pero binalewala ko lang at humiga. It’s Claude.

It's been five minutes now, but my phone is still ringing. Ano na naman bang problema ng lalaking 'to? And why is he so eager?

I took my phone and opened it. May walong missed calls na galing kay Claude at limang messages na galing kay Luna. I immediately opened her messages.

'Umuwi ka na, please.'

'Are you okay? I'm sorry about last night. Please umuwi ka na.'

'Kailan ka uuwi? I've been missing you.'

'Umuwi ka na oh? Ako lang mag-isa dito. Huhu. T_T'

'I'm really sorry. T_T'

Ramdam ko ang lungkot sa messages niya. Wala sa sarili akong napangisi habang nakatingin sa screen. She miss me, huh?

What should I reply? I tried to type 'Ayoko' but immediately erased it, I also tried to send something else but I just can't press the send button. I ended up not replying.

Mas mabuti na wag ko nalang siyang reply-an, wala naman akong masasabing maganda. Bakit ko ba iniisip ang dapat i-reply sa kanya eh hindi ko naman gawain 'yon? You don't care about her Klein, remember that. Always.

Nag-ring ulit ang cellphone ko, kaya sa inis ay sinagot ko na. "Ano bang kailangan mo? "inis kong salubong sa kanina pang tawag ng tawag.

“ You, I need you,” nang-aakit na sabi nito. Nakakadiri, bakla.

"f**k you, then. "Mura ko at ambang ibababa na ang tawag nang magsalita siya ulit.

“I'm just kidding. Bakit ba ang init lagi ng ulo mo?” natatawa niyang sabi sa kabilang linya.

"Dahil walang kwenta kausap ko. "I smirked. "Ano bang kailangan mo?"

“Ahh nga pala,” he snapped. “It's about your wife.” Bigla na lang sumeryoso ang boses niya.

"What about her?"walang gana kong tanong.

“I saw her here in my nest, earlier.” He stated.

"And then?"

“I saw her here in my hospital, her nose was bleeding and she was crying, Klein.”

Napatayo ako mula sa pagkakahiga nang dahil sa sinabi niya? She was what??

"Anong ginagawa niya riyan?"punong pagtataka kong tanong. “ And why is her nose bleeding? Why is she crying? Is she sick?

“ Don't know.” simpleng sagot nito at bumuntong hininga.

"s**t. "mahina kong mura. I don't care, but I'm somewhat curious. "Do me a favor Claude. "I need to know.

“Nah! Stop it already, go ask her by yourself. She's your wife.”

"It's a simple favor. You know that I can't ask her. We only talk when we fight. Just do it, please. " I asked. Pinatay niya ang tawag imbes na sumagot. It's his way of saying yes. Such a brat.

I immediately opened my closet and dressed up. Buti na lang at may mga gamit pa rin ako dito. It's time to go home.

Since wala akong kotse, wala akong choice kung hindi mag-commute. Sobrang hassle lang. f**k Miguel for being so damn demanding.

Sobrang baho pa ng paamoy ng taxi'ng nasakyan ko, amoy strawberry, I f*****g hate those red ststrawberries. The smells making me dizzy. It was a slow bumpy ride, pakiramdam ko ilang taon akong nakaupo sa taxi'ng iyon sa bagal magmaneho ng driver, palibhasa matanda na.

"Here. "Inabutan ko siya ng isang libo nang marating namin ang harap ng bahay. "Keep the change. "

Agad akong bumaba sa taxi. I entered the gate of my house. Sa pathway pa lang, tanaw ko nang madilim ang loob ng bahay. She’s not yet home, I guess?

Tahimik at madilim, yan ang sumalubong sakin pagkapasok ko sa loob ng bahay. There's no sign of her. Nanibago ako bigla dahil sa katahimikan ng bahay, sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam at malungkot. As if naman may nagbago, mas lalo nga lang lumala ngayong wala siya.

Hindi na ako nag-abalang i-on ang mga ilaw dahil tinatamad ako. Dumiretso lang ako sa kusina at uminom ng tubig. It's already eight o'clock in the evening at wala pa akong kain, nagugutom na ako. Just where the hell is she?

Maybe she’s still at the hospital?

After an hour, I heard a car's groan outside the house. Sumilip ako sa bintana at natanaw ko sa malayo si Luna, kayakap ang isang babae. They talked for seconds and smiled at each other.

I remember that girl, she was the one who came to the rescue when Luna lost consciousness the night when I left her locked inside the storage room the whole day.

She entered the gate after the car left. Nakita ko kung paano napalitan ang kaninang nakangiti niyang mukha, ngayon para na siyang batang umiiyak habang nagpapahid ng sipon at luha.

Hindi pa rin siya tumigil sa pag-iyak hanggang sa marating niya ang front door. I immediately ran towards the hall edge ang leaned my body with matching crossed arms. Let's see if this woman will lie. For sure she’s not expecting me to be here.

Pagkapasok niya ay dumiretso lang siya ng naglakad patungo sa hagdan. She didn’t even saw me.

Nangunot ang noo ko dahil sa ginawa niya. Ang kaninang sobrang tahimik na bahay ay napuno ng hikbi niya. I cleared my throat aloud to get her attention.

"Where have you been?" I asked that made her stop and look.

Agad kong tinanggal ang gulat na reaksyon ko nang makita ang mukha niyang basang-basa ng luha kakaiyak. She was shock too, she's stunned and just stared at me. Para bang sobrang lalim ng iniisip niya at pinoproseso pa ng utak niya kung sino ang taong kaharap niya.

"Ang sabi ko saan ka galing?!"pasigaw kong tanong na siyang nagpakurap sa kanya. Pinunasan niya ng maayos ang buong mukha gamit ang kamay niya.

"S-sa bahay lang ni B-Bea, "she uttered. Liar. "Kumain ka na?"tanong niya.

"Tsk, "inis ko siyang tinalikuran. I climb upstairs and left her.

Pumasok ako sa kwarto at naligo.

"She lied, again. "Usal ko habang nagsa-shower. Naiinis ako sa tuwing naiisip ko ang pagsisinungaling niya.

Why did she lied? Pwede niya namang sabihin sakin na galing siya sa hospital at kung anong ginawa niya doon. Unless may ginawa na naman siyang kalandian.

Fuck, why am I getting so upset about this??

I was bathing when I heard my phone rang. It's Fauvier for sure, kaya minadali ko ang pagligo. I was wrong when I saw an unregistered number on my phone’s screen.

“Montero? It's me,” nangunot ang noo ko. “Alam kong nanjan ka, may itatanong lang sana ako,” I'm hearing weird sounds from the other line. It's like stuffs are being moved around.

“Saan ko ba pwedeng ilagay ang table ko dito?” Mas lalong nangunot ang noo ko sa tinanong niya.

"What kind of s**t are you talking about?"tanong ko.

“ I mean, saang banda ba dito sa opisina mo pwede ilagay 'tong working desk ko?”

"What the f**k are you saying? And who are you? "I cussed.

Ilang segundo siyang nanahimik bago nagsalita ulit. “Mukhang hindi ka sinabihan ni Tito Brandon. Starting tomorrow, we're going to be officemates. Amazed aren't you?”

"What?! "nabitawan ko ang hawak na towel. "f**k Justin?! Wag na wag kang magkakamaling ilagay yang mga gamit mo sa opisina ko!"

“Done. Ako na ang nagdesisyon kung saan ilalagay ang working desk ko, ang tagal mo kasi,” may halong pang-aasar ang boses niya na siyang kinabwiset ko.

Tangina ano ‘to? Hindi pwede ‘to!

"I'm telling you to take your things out of my damned office now Villanueva! Hindi mo magugustuhan ang gagawin ko sayo pag-nagka—"

“Bye~”

He dropped the call.

Napatanga na lanf ako. f**k? Saan siya kumuha ng lakas ng loob para magtrabaho sa sariling kong kumpanya? At sa mismong opisina ko pa talaga siya pumwesto? Mas dinadag-dagan niya lang ang galit ko sa kanya! Tanginang lalaki!

Fuck, si Dad! Pinapakialaman niya na naman ako. For f*****g sake nandun din si Luna! I don't wanna see how they flirt to each other. Lalo na si Justin, ayaw kong nakikita niya ang asawa ko.

Bumaba ako para kumuha ng canned beer. Pagkahugot ko ng beer sa ref ay nasagi ng mga mata ko ang pagkaing nakahain sa mesa with a sticky note saying;

'Kain ka na, alam kong gutom ka. :D'

Imbis na kainin ay inawan ko lang 'yon sa lamesa at binalewala. I already lost my appetite because of Dad and Justin.

Aakyat na sana ako sa taas nang madaanan ko ang hall ng guest rooms.

Wala sa sarili akong lumiko ay tumungo sa bandang dulo kung nasaan ang kwarto ni Luna. Lumapit ako sa kaisa-isang pinto sa dulo. I sat on the floor and leaned my back at the door.

Binuksan ko ang beer at sinandal ang ulo pinto. This is one of my habits, ang pakinggan siya habang umiiyak, it's like a beautiful melody of success and revenge.

Tuwing naririnig kong ang pag-iyak niya, pakiramdam ko nananalo ako. Masaya ako habang umiiyak siya, it's just so refreshing. Sounds ridiculous and weird right? Yeah, I have this really weird habit.

Naririnig ko mula sa pinto niya ang lakad ng hagulgol niya. Compared on how she usually cries. I think she's in deep right now, so deep.

I suddenly feel not liking it. I suddenly feel so much more curious. Something happened to her at the hospital. Something is wrong with her. And I want to f*****g know.