Love After Regrets

Chapter VII

Cloud's POV:

"Take this."

Maang na nakatingin lang ako sa bagay na nasa kamay ni Hestia habang inaabot niyon sakin.

"What's this?"

License?! Literal na nanlaki ang mata ko.

"Are you blind?" Balik tanong niya sa akin tsaka umirap ito na para bang hindi obvious yung bagay na yun.

Napakamot ako sa batok ko, "I mean, why are you giving this to me?" I asked. I inspected it and the name is mine, kumunot ang noo ko. "It's mine? How?"

"Can you please stop being dumb?" She sighed irritated. "I got you license so you could drive me around. I fired my driver." Balewalang sabi niya na para bang normal lang ang magpaalis ng driver. "And don't ask how, I'm a Dela Frontera." She said nonchalantly.

Lumalabas talaga ang yabang ng isang to paminsan.

Dela Frontera my ass, Sandoval sinisigaw mo sa kwarto eh.

"Hire him again. Maawa ka naman sa pamilya niya." Reklamo ko. Hestia is rich kaya parang wala lang sakanya yun but I know what it feels like. We've been there.

Hestia looked at me as if I'm being serious, nakataas ang isang kilay niya. Nakipag titigan ako sakanya upang malaman niya na hindi ako nagbibiro. Maya maya's ay huminga ito ng malalim at inirapan ako bago tumalikod.

"Let's eat." sabi niya saka lumabas na ng kwarto.

Isang linggo na din ang nakakalipas mula nung maging pormal ang relasyon namin ni Hestia. And that whole week has been bizarre. All we did was attend meetings, eat, watch movies and go out to some places I've never known existed until it did. That's just the cycle of our lives.

Kung s*x life ang pag uusapan; No, we haven't done anything more yet. Masyadong busy si Hestia kaya naman pag uwi ng gabi ay bagsak agad ang katawan niya.

As for my sister, tinanggap niya ang offer ni Mr. Dela Frontera, she's now living at one of the suites in Aragon's Suites. Ang sabi niya sa akin ay maayos naman siya dun at wala akong dapat na ikabahala and that I should enjoy being inlove.

Well, I am enjoying. Being with Hestia fills the void in my heart that's been empty for a long time now.

Hindi man halata sa kilos at ugali niya but Hestia is a great lover. Batid ko dito ang pagka seryoso sa relasyon na meron kami at alam kong mahal nga talaga niya akong tunay.

"By the way, sa University mo ako ihatid." Sabi nito habang kumakain kami ng breakfast. "I have something to discuss with Eunice."

Eunice... Isn't she the sister of Hestia's best friend: Hugo?

"May I ask why?"

"She texted me earlier. Sabi niya ay may sasabihin ito."

Tumango-tango lamang ako sa tinuran niya. Sabagay, babalik din naman ako ng campus this day tapos sasamahan ko si Pria at Monique sa photoshoot nila for a clothing line.

"Ah, yeah. I remembered, sasamahan ko nga pala si Pria at Monique sa photoshoot nila later." Paalam ko kay Hestia.

Ibinaba niya ang kubyertos sa plato saka pinunasan ang gilid ng labi nito. Tumingin ito sakin kapagkwan sa nagtatanong na mga mata. Her eyebrow raised.

"May I know why?" Balik tanong niya sakin. I chuckled.

"Nakasanayan na. They always bring me with them so I'm just tagging along." Kibit balikat kong sagot sakanya.

"Photoshoot for? And where?"

"Clothing line. Malapit lang sa campus namin. A 10 minute drive from there, I think."

She casually sipped her morning coffee as she stared at me. Hindi ko mawari ang iniisip nito at ang ibig sabihin ng mga tingin niyang iyan. Sometimes, Hestia is unpredictable yet predictable.

"What kind of clothes?"

Ang daming tanong ha.

"Uh, not sure, babe. They didn't tell me." I shrugged.

"Time?"

"Around 1pm."

"Behave." Banta nito. Napatawa naman ako.

"You don't have to tell me that, my love. Behave naman ako unless you want me to ram you then-"

"Shut up."

I laughed.

-----

"Call me when you're done, okay?" Tumango siya.

I leaned over and unbuckled her seatbelt, all the while she was just staring at me doing the work. When I looked up, our faces were just an inch apart. Ngumiti ako dito, siya naman ay umirap ngunit inilapat pa din niya ang labi sa labi ko.

She sucked my upper lip- her favorite thing to do everytime we part ways- then let go, marahan niya akong itinulak at binuksan na ang pinto.

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin mula ulo hanggang sa kaibigan ko.

"I meant what I said, behave." Iyon lamang at lumabas na siya ng kotse.

Napatawa naman ako sakanya. Her possessive side is always showing whenever some girls are involved. Wala naman siyang dapat ipag-alala sa akin. I'm a one-woman man. Isa pa, alam kong papatayin ako ng mga Dela Frontera once I hurt their heir.

----

Hestia's POV:

Dumaan muna ako sa business ad. department office kung nasan si Vera. Striding along the pathways alone always makes me upset.

These kids- by kids, I meant these college students- keep on looking at me everytime I pass by.

"Eunice." Tawag pansin ko sakanya ng madatnan ko siya sa opisina ni Vera.

Lumingon siya sa akin pero kita ko sa mukha niya ang lungkot. Lumapit ako sakanya upang yakapin siya- good old time's sake.

"Vera." Vera just nodded and continued working.

"You must be wondering why I wanted to talk to you, right?" tanong niya. Bakas ang pag aalala at lungkot sa kanyang mga mata. Her eyes always have been so expressive.

"Yes."

"Hugo," umpisa niya saka lumunok. Bigla naman akonh kinabahan sa susunod niyang sasambitin. "Hugo is in the hospital, right now."

"What happened?" I asked, getting worried.

"He was diagnosed with leukemia last month, Hestia. And now he's getting weaker."

I couldn't help but gasp, "Oh, no." Napaupo ako sa balitang iyon because it made my knees weak.

"He wanted to talk to you." Umupo sa tabi ko si Eunice.

Now that I've taken a good look at her, she really did lose weight and her eyes became lifeless.

"Where is he?" Agad na tanong ko sakanya.

"I will take you with me but right now, I have a favor to ask."

"Anything."

"We both know the real score between you two." She stared into my eyes, trying to decipher what's in them. "Please, Hestia. Give my brother a chance. It's all he's been wanting ever since he was diagnosed. He's crying for you."

My heart clenched, my heart ached. I didn't know he was sick, if only I had known...

"Eunice. You know he's like a brother to me." umpisa ko.

"Hestia's married already, Eunice. You can't ask that favor."

Bakas ang gulat sa mukha ng kaibigan ko sa sinabi ni Vera. We both looked at her. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa ako sa sinabi niya o hindi. But I'm worried.

"Is that true?" Kunot noong tanong ni Eunice sa akin. Marahan akong tumango. Gusto kong bawiin ito at sabihing hindi ako kasal ngunit hindi ko magawa. "Someone actually made you fall?" She asked. Hindi ko alam kung galit ito o nalilito.

"Uh, yes."

"I have to go."

Agad na tumayo siya at lumabas sa silid. Sinundan ko ito ngunit nakita ko ang kapatid ko sa labas kasama ang mga kaibigan.

Inirapan ko ito, "Vera is busy." Sabi ko saka ko siya minataan.

"Tara na. Busy pala eh." Naiinis na turan ng magaling ko kapatid saka niyaya ang mga kaibigan nito.

She turned to walk away when the door opened and Vera appeared. I smirked, she must have sensed Rien is here.

"Wait, Dela Frontera."

Kunwari pa tong Vera na to, patay na patay din naman sa kapatid ko. Kaasar kasi yung asungot na Adrianne na iyon eh.

Matapos yun ay umalis na ako sa University.

Sobrang nag aalala ako kay Hugo pero hindi ko kakayanin ang pabor na hinihingi ni Eunice.

I love Cloud.

Ayaw kong gumawa ng bagay na ikasisira naming dalawa. But Hugo...

I sighed.

Oo nga pala, wala nga pala akong sasakyan. Naisip kong tawagan si Cloud but thought better. I checked her location and called my driver instead.

The one I fired last night. Fine, I re-hired him. Whatever.

This is a lingerie store.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa inis. Sinasabi ko na nga ba't walang magandang gagawin itong babaeng to kundi mamba-babae eh!

Nag hintay ako ng halos sampung minuto bago dumating ang sundo ko. I told him where we're going at agad naman niyang pinasibad ang kotse.

"Hurry up." Utos ko dito.

"Yes, ma'am."

Hindi ko mawari kung bakit ganito na lang ang inis ko. Maybe because there are girls, maybe because Cloud is enjoying her every second in that building.

I huffed and crossed my arms. What a horny b***h!

Nang makadating kami ay agad agad akong lumabas ng kotse ay pumasok sa building. The guard knows me- of course, - kaya dirediretso akong pumasok sa loob.

I asked the front desk kung san ginanap ang photoshoot, she guided me there.

Everyone turned around and gasped as they didn't expected me to be there. The CEO of this company has been asking me to sponsor one of their runways, hindi ko lamang iyon nabibigyan ng panahon because of my busy schedule.

A young brunette -about two year ms younger than me- come towards me.

"Miss Hestia. We didn't expect your presence today." She said all smiley.

"Hi."

----

Cloud's POV:

"Hey! It's Hestia!" Excited na turan ni Pria kay Monique. They both looked at Hestia excitedly and happily.

Ako naman ay nagtataka kung bakit ito nandito ngayon. Nakaupo lamang ako sa couch kasama si Pria at Monique dahil katatapos lamang ng first set of pictures nila.

We're currently having snack habang nag pi'prepare ang staff sa next set when Hestia barged in and strutted inside as if she owns the place.

Hindi magkanda ugaga ang mga tao dito ngayon sa loob at para bang isang artista si Hestia at lumapit sila sakanya para makiusyuso.

I saw how her eyes roamed around not listening to the crowd around her. And then her eyes landed on me, she squinted. Nag simula na itong maglakad papalapit sa akin.

Tumayo naman ako para salubungin siya pero agad din akong natigil. Hindi nga pala nasa publico ang relasyon naming dalawa.

Baka hindi gugustuhin ni Hestia na lumapit ako sakanya at maging headline sa mga medias.

So I stayed standing up, waiting for her.

"Let's go." She said and grabbed my wrist saka ako hinila.

Lahat ay napatunganga sa aming dalawa. Their mouths are hanging at kulang na lang ay mahulog ito sa semento. Napatawa ako.

Iyong dalawang kaibigan ko ay kumaway sa akin habang natatawa sa paligid.

"Hey, babe." Bulong ko. "You can stop pulling me, now." Sabi ko.

"You horny ass slut." She said in gritted teeth.

"Huh?" ano na naman tong sinasabi niya?

"Nandito ka para mamboso ng mga babaeng naka bikini, ano?!" Naiinis na turan niya

Humagalpak ako ng tawa, "What the hell, Hestia."

Namula ito sa inis at iniwan ako dun. Wow, may pa walk out pa.

"Wait!" Habol ko sakanya.

"Unlock the door." Utos niya habang nakahalukipkip. I did what she told me.

Hindi na niya ako hinintay pang pagbuksan siya at agad na pumasoknsa kotse. Napakamot na lang ako sa batok ko dahil sa inaasta ngayon ni Hestia.

"What happened?" Tanong ko sakanya nang makapasok ako. "Ang bilis mo naman makipag usap kay Miss Eunice."

Umirap siya sa akin, "Don't even mention about that."

I could sense something happened earlier dahil sa tono ng boses nito. She might doesn't want to talk about it yet and I respect that. I'll just wait for her to tell me.

"You could've texted me before going here." Pag iiba ko nalang ng usapan.

"If I did you'll have the chance to hide your hoe."

Kumunot ang noo ko, "What hoe?" I asked her.

"Maybe lots since you can't even mention one."

"I don't have a hoe, Hestia. You're delusional." Natatawang sabi ko sakanta. Hindi ko naman akalain na ganito mag selos tong isang to. "Are you jealous?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes, "Jealousy are for someone who can't have something and I have everything."

"Why are you upset then?" Kapag talaga siya ang kausap mo e mapapalaban ka ng englis. Kaka nosebleed.

"I don't want trespassers in my territory." Saad niya.

Saglit na nalito ako sa sinabi niya at nang marealized ko ay humagalpak ako ng tawa. She is territorial, alright.

Oh to be loved by a Dela Frontera.

Lumingon ito sa akin na ubod ng sama ng tingin. Oops! I shouldn't have laughed, my bad.

"I'm sorry. I don't have a hoe, I have you." Sabi ko na lang.

Pero mas lalo atang sumama ang timpla ng mood ni Hestia ng mas lumalim ang kunot sa kanyang noo. Mukhang gahibla na lang ang pasensya nito at mamamatay na ako on the spot.

"So you mean I am your hoe?" Mahina ngunit galit na turan niya.

"No, no, no. Come on, love. Stop twisting my words." Kamot ko sa batok ko dahil napakahirap talagang lumusot sakanya.

Sana ay makalusot na din ako sa ibang bagay.

Sa wakas ay nawala na ang kunot sa noo niya at tumingin sa harap. She fished her phone out of her purse and texted somebody, I think.

"Let's go to the mansion. We'll have family dinner." She said.

"Okay."

"My sister will be there and my cousin, so behave yourself. I'll tell them everything."

Bigla naman akong kinabahan. Meet the family na pala ang haharapin ko ngayon. Napalunok ako, Hera and Andrienne will be there. I hate to admit this but they kind of intimidates me.

"I told Ava I'm gonna borrow you tonight."

"Borrow?" I chuckled. "Ginawa mo naman akong bagay."

As soon as I parked the car on their driveway, my phone rings.

"Susunod ako. I'll just take this call."

Hestia nodded at iniwan ako sa kotse. It was Ava.

"Hello, sis." Sagot ko.

"Kamusta ka?" Bungad niya, I chuckled. Ava has been the caring one.

"I'm fine. Didn't Hestia text you earlier?" I asked. Baka kasi mamaya hindi pala ako nito pinaalam sa kapatid ko, baka mag alala yun.

"She did. I was calling her, actually, pero she's not answering."

Ava and Hestia has been getting along quiet well. Minsan ay nag uusap ang mga ito at lumalabas paminsan kasama sina Miss Vera at Miss Alison.

"Well, she took a nap."

Nabaling ang tingin ko sa isang napaka gandang babae na lumabas sa mansion ng mga Dela Frontera. Kita ko ang bakas ng inis sa magandang mukha nito at ang pagmamadali. She went inside her car at agad na pinasibad iyon paalis.

Hindi niya ako napansin dun baka dahil occupied ang utak niya.

"Sige na. Tumawag lang ako para kumpirmahing buhay ka pa. I saw the photos, Ulap ha. Mag ingat-ingat ka." She said.

"What photos?" Takang tanong ko dito.

"Wait. Hindi mo pa alam?" Nalilitong tanong niya. "End the call and I'll send it to you."

Ava sent a photo.

Agad na binuksan ko iyon at literal na nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa nakita. It was me and Hestia kani-kanina lamang sa photoshoot- hila hila ako nito palabas ng studio habang nakakunot ang noo. The photo's a bit blurry ngunit makikilala mong si Hestia iyon.

Then another message popped up, it's a news article.

Oh god. Ang bilis naman nila.

It's the same photo with the caption: Hestia Cybil of Dela Frontera group with her alleged lover?

Should I be worried? Hindi naman kita ang mukha ko sa picture dahil blurry iyon, halatang minadali ang pagkuha nun.

I sighed and decided to get inside the mansion. Hindi naman na ako bago dito dahil minsan ay naglalagi ako dito pag pinapatawag ako ng dad ni Hestia.

"Babe." Tawag ko kay Hestia na abala sa pakikipag usap sa isang matangkad at napakaganda ding babae, and oh boy, I know this is Hera by the mischievous look on her face.

"Ulap, my man!" Napairap lamang si Hestia sa kanyang pinsan. Lumapit si Hera sa akin with her open arms and wide smile.

Awkward na napangiti ako sakanya, "Hera, my uhm-man?" Hindi siguradong sagot ko.

Humagalpak ng tawa si Hera sa tinuran ko. Iyong kaninang naka spread na kamay niya ay nasa tuhod na habang panay ang tawa.

"Oh my. She's very cute. I get what you mean now, my dear cousin." Nahihirapang turan ni Hera dahil panay pa din ang pag tawa nito.

Hindi ko naman mawari kung anong nakakatawa sa sinabi ko kaya tumingin ako kay Hestia upang humingi ng tulong.

Ngunit hindi niya ako pinansin at patuloy na pinanood kaming dalawa ni Hera. She's sitting on the love seat like a Queen.

Hera went to hug me and we did a handshake. I don't know, that kind of handshake where NBA players do. Hindi naman ako maalam sa ganon pero nasundan ko naman. Thank God, ayoko namang mapahiya sa pinsan ni Hestia ano.

"Ang cute mo nga!" tila hindi makapaniwalang saad niya saka ininspeksyon ang mukha ko.

Tangina, ang lapit.

"And what's your haircut called?"

Napakamot ako sa batok ko. What's with the Dela Fronteras asking for my haircut? Damn.

"Wolfcut. Nakikiuso lang."

"So." She hummed tapos ang dalawang daliri ay nasa chin niya na parang nag iisip. "I heard you're huge."

Agad na uminit ang pisngi ko at naubo ako sa tinuran niya. Tumingin ako kay Hestia, she's not listening at all. She's busy with her phone.

"Let my Cloud breathe, Hera." Hestia said habang tutok padin sa cellphone nito.

I sighed a breath of relief when Hera laugh and pulled me to the couch.

Ngunit hindi pa man ako nakakaupo ay biglang tumunog ang phone ko.

"Let me take this, excuse me." Paalam ko sakanilang dalawa.

Hestia grabbed my arm, "Who's that?" She asked without looking.

"It's Monique." Sabi ko.

"Answer that here."

Narinig ko ang pag tawa ni Hera sa tabi ko, "Possessive." Bulong niya sa akin.

Napakamot lang ako sa batok bago sinagot ang tawag. I put in on speaker nang sa gayon ay madinig na din ni Hestia. Binitawan niya ang kamay ko.

"Ulap, please fetch me." Batid ko ang nginig sa boses ni Monique kaya agad akong kinabahan.

"What happened? Where?" Tanong ko agad.

"My car broke down along the highway. I'll just send you my location." She said on the other line.

"Okay, stay there." Sabi ko saka binaba ang phone.

Tumingin ako kay Hestia para magpaalam. She's focused on her phone at nakakunot ang noo niya. Parang wala siya sa mood.

"Babe." Tawag ko sakanya.

"Go." Tipid at walang emosyong sagot niya. Napakamot ako sa batok ko dahil don.

"Please tell your dad I'll make it up to him some other time." Pakiusap ko ngunit hindi siya sumagot.

"Go, now. Baka lamugin iyong kaibigan mo doon." Hera smiled, "Ako na ang bahala sa asawa mo."

"Thank you."

----

"I told you to hire a new driver, Mon." Sermon ko nang madatnan ko siya sa gilid ng daan sa highway.

Mabuti na lamang at hindi masyadong dinaraanan ang parteng to.

I saw how she sighed in relief when she saw it was me. She opened the door immediately and hugged me.

"Thank goodness, you're here! I tried calling Pria but she's too busy with her fling, so I called you." Explain nito.

"What about your dad?" I asked.

She crosses her arm, "You know dad is out of town, right? Besides, ayokong makarinig ng sermon."

Umiling-iling ako.

"This brat." Bulong ko. Ininspeksyon ko ang kotse niya. Her tire is flat, "Do you have spare?" I asked.

Umiling siya, "Nope."

"Good Lord." I sighed. "Let's just tow this and go home or call one of your drivers to get this car here." Utos ko sakanya na agad naman niyang sinunod.

My phone is ringing, again. For the nth time.

"Hello, babe."

"Ilang oras ka pa ba mawawala?" Inip niyang turan sakin.

"Pauwi na. Ihahatid ko na lang si Monique." Sabi ko sakanya.

"Dad's waiting for you. Bring her with you." She said with finality in her voice and dropped the call.

Wala na akong nagawa kundi mag change lane kung san papunta sa mansion ng mga Dela Frontera.

"Where are we going?" Monique asked.

"I'm not going to ask if it's alright with you if we'll go to Dela Fronteras kasi wala naman tayong choice. It's Hestia's demand."

Ang akala ko'y matatakot na reaksyon ang makikita ko sa mukha niya pero mali ako. Bumilog ang mapupungay niyang mga mata at tila batang excited na mabibigyan ng paborito nitong laruan.

"Really??" She asked, she always was the bubbly one. "Omg, I'm gonna see Hestia again." She said excitedly.

Well, it's good that she's excited about this.

I parked the car on their driveway and just assisted Monique to enter the mansion. Si Hestia na lang at ang matandang Dela Frontera ang nadatnan namin doon.

They're currently talking at the sala when we barged in.

Pinasadahan naman ng tingin ni Hestia si Monique. Wala namang kamuwang-muwang itong kasama ko at tila masaya pang makita si Hestia.

"Hello, Lady Hestia!" She gasped, "You're really beautiful up this close. Wow! And oh-" She faced Albert at nag mano. "Hello sir, I'm Patricia Monique Aragetti po."

The old man chuckled, "Kids these days know how to give respect, unlike you my dear daughter."

Umirap lang si Hestia at mataman akong tinitigan.

"Nice to meet you, iha. I'm assuming that you're the daughter of Helen and Patrick?"

Monique nodded. Oh, great! They know each other, of course!

"Napaka ganda po ng mga anak niyo, sir!" Todo compliment pa din itong kasama ko na kinagiliwan naman ng matanda.

Now they're talking happily while me and Hestia just looked at them. Umupo ako sa tabi niya.

"You look tired." sabi ko nang mapansin kong napahikab ito.

"Yeah." she leans over my shoulder and closed her eyes.

Awww.

"Let's go home?" bulong ko.

"Dad was going to tell you something."

"I think that could wait, could it?"

"You two should go home." Narinig kong utos ng matandang Dela Frontera.

When I looked at them, they were looking at us back. I saw Monique snapped a photo of us at ngingiti-ngiti ito sa nakuha niya. I shook my head.

"What about Monique, tito?" Tanong ko.

"Oh, no. I'm fine. Dad will pick me up here." She said and waved her hand at us. Tumango naman ako saka nag paalam na sa dalawa.

"You should sleep. I'll wake you up when we arrives."

Hindi na sumagot pa si Hestia at ipinikit na ang kanyang mga mata.

----

Nandito kami ngayon Hestia sa isang mamahaling restaurant. Mayroon siyang ime-meet na importanteng tao ngayon dito dahil may pag uusapan sila tungkol sa isang project.

We're just waiting for that person to arrived.

"Tagal naman." Reklamo ko kay Hestia.

"He's here."

Lumingon ako sa bandang entrance ng restaurant at nakita ko ang isang lalaking naka formal suit. May katabaan ito at tingin ko'y nasa mid 40s na. May dala-dala itong briefcase habang naglalakad sa direksyon namin.

"Pleasure to see you here, Lady Hestia." bungad ng lalaki saka nakipag shake hands kay Hestia.

"Mr. Alas." Bati naman ni Hestia.

"This is my girlfriend, Cloud."

Oh, gosh.

"Nice to meet you, sir." Lahad ko sa kamay ko at agad naman niya itong kinuha at nakipag shake hands din.

"It's a pleasure. You know, this is the first time Hestia introduced someone to us. I've heard a lot about it with my co-stakeholders." He chuckled, "Siya pala ang tinutukoy mo that night, Hestia." Baling niya kay Hestia, referring to that grand ball night.

"Yes and let's get to the business."

I excused myself at lumipat ng table uoang magkaroon sila ng privacy at makapag usap ng maayos. Medyo madaming tao ngayon dito dahil oras na ng lunch break.

Maya maya pa ay biglang may lumapit sa table ko,

"Hello. Can we join you?" She asked. Isang medyo may kaliitan na babae ito saka nakapusod ang buhok. May kasama siyang dalawa pang babae, tingin ko ay nasa kolehiyo na din ang mga ito.

"Wala na kasing vacant eh. Pwede po ba?" She asked again.

"Yes, yes. Of course!" I said and gestured them to sit down. Nagpa-salamat naman sila saka umupo.

Awkward.

Kinuha ko na lang ang phone ko saka nag busy busyhan para naman may magawa ako. Naiilang kasi ako sa mga kasama ko and I could really feel some eyes burning at the back of my head.

"Hello ate. Ang cute mo naman po." Tawag pansin sa akin nung kasama ng babae kanina. This one is a chubby one at morena.

Ngumiti ako sakanya, "Thank you."

"Bakit po nag iisa kayo?" Usisa pa niya.

Napakamot ako sa batok ko at sasagot na sana ng biglang may nakita ako sa gilid ng mata kong nakatayo. Umangat ang tingin ko dito. Hestia is looking down at us with judging eyes.

"She's with me." Sagot niya sa tanong ng babae. "Sit beside me and don't leave again."

Utos niya sabay hila sa akin paalis sa table na iyon. I just waved at the girls na mukhang natulala sa nangyari. Poor girls.

An hour has passed and finally, tapos na ang usapan nilang dalawa. We've already eaten na din dahil nagutom ako kanina kaya nag order si Hestia ng lunch.

"Hey. Your phone's ringing." Sabi ko dito saka inabot sakanya ang personal phone niya. Iba kasi ang gamit niya for business.

I saw the caller ID and I don't know why pero bigla akong kinabahan.

Hugo.

When Hestia saw that she looked at me at kita ko ang pagdaan ng emosyon na kailanman ay di ko aakalaing makikita ko doon.

Fear.

"Excuse me. I'll take this call." She said and was about to walk away from me pero pinigilan ko ito.

"Can you talk answer that here?" Tanong ko hoping na pagbibigyan niya ako.

But her eyes turned sharp at inis na tinignan ako.

"This is important, Cloud."

Binitawan ko na ang kamay niya at hinayaan siyang umalis.

More important than me?