Scandalous Affair (Tagalog/Filipino)

Crown 3 ♛ THE BANKER

KYRA WILL NEVER sell their house, kahit pa anong sabihin ng mga kapaid niya. She will find a way to pay their debts without resorting to that. She still has a week and three days left before the bank throw her to prison, or out on the street. Neither was good, anyway.

Nakahanap na siya ng mapapasukan niyang trabaho sa isang bar bilang isang panggabing waitress. At sa ngayon ay pagtitiisan na muna niya ang kakarampot na suweldo niya para makabili ng makakain at gagastusin niya sa pang-araw-araw. Kailangan pa rin niyang makahanap ng ibang trabaho.

Who was she kidding? Kahit pa siguro siya ang tumayong manager ng bar na iyon, hindi pa rin niya mababayaran ang utang niya sa ganoon kaikling panahon. She has only at the end of the month!

And even if she decided to sell the house, wala pa ring siyang mahahanap na potential buyer sa loob ng isang linggo bago matapos ang buwan!

Kung hindi siya makakapagbayad, malaki ang posibilidad na mawala sa kanya ang bahay, pati na rin ang kotse at iba pang mga ari-arian na pinaghirapan at naipundar ng daddy nila. They will lose everything. And she will fail her father all over again...

But not if she would do something to stop it.

Maybe... maybe if she talks to the owner of the bank and ask for time… Kahit ilang buwan lang. Kaunting oras at palugid lang naman ang hinihingi niya.

Determination burned inside her, steeling her mind. Gagawin niya ang lahat para lang maprotektahan ang lahat ng mahalaga sa kanya, hanggang sa makakaya niya. She can't afford to lose everything right now. She can't give up, not after she fought and escaped death before. Alam niyang makakayanan niya ang pagsubok na 'to.

MAAGA PA LANG ay nagising na si Kyra sa araw na iyon. It's not that she was excited to do what she had to do today. Hindi lang talaga siya nakatulog sa buong magdamag sa kakaisip kung paano niya makokombinsi ang banko na bigyan siya ng sapat na panahon para makabayad.

She doubted if they will be so generous with her petition. But she had to try. After all, his father did what he did to keep her alive.

Ang sabi ni Stella, nagkaron ng malaking problema ang kompanya nang umalis siya papuntang France. At unti-unti iyong bumagsak.

She's a bad daughter. Hindi niya alam kung bakit hindi man lang siya umuwi para tulungan ang daddy nila. She failed him. At nong na-ospital siya, sa hindi niya malamang kadahilananan, tinulungan pa rin siya ng daddy niya.

He applied for a loan to pay for her hospital bills. At malaki ang nagastos nila dahil ilang buwan din daw siyang nakaratay sa ospital at walang malay. Hanggang sa inatake ang daddy niya nang muntikan na siyang mawala.

The doctors saved her, but not her father.

Minsan, naiisip niya na sana, siya na lang ang nawala dahil mukha naman siyang handang bumitaw sa mga pagkakataong iyon. She didn't die, but she felt neither alive living like this.

"Would you like some coffee while you wait, miss?"

Nabali ang pag-iisip ni Kyra sa boses ng sekretarya ng may-ari ng banko. Iiling na sana siya nang maramdaman niya ang pagkalam ng sikmura niya.

She’s been eating sandwich for the past days dahil iyon lang ang kaya niyang bilhin sa tuwing pumapasok siya sa trabaho. Wala na siyang oras na magluto dahil araw-araw pa rin siyang naghahanap ng matinong trabaho na may malaking sahod.

Pero nahihirapan siyang makapasok dahil sa nakalagay na health history niya. Her amnesia was not helping her land in a job she wanted—needed—to have. Pero wala siyang magagawa. If they find that a liability than an asset, then maybe it was.

Tumango siya sa babae nang maalalang nandon pa ito sa harap niya. "Yes, please. Thank you."

Mayamaya ay bumalik ang sekretarya dala ang maliit na tasa ng kape. "He will be here in fifteen minutes," anito nang maibigay ang tasa sa kanya saka siya muling iniwan sa sofang inuukopa niya mula pa kanina.

Halos mag-iisang oras na siyag naghihintay. Pero ayos lang. Maaga din naman kasi siyang dumating kanina, kaya nakalimutan niyang kumain man lang muna bago magpunta rito.

Humigop siya ng kape at nagpasalamat dahil kahit papaano ay nainitan ang sikmura niya. Mas okay nang may laman ang sikmura niya bago siya humarap sa manager ng banko. Sana lang hindi siya mautal mamaya. She suddenly felt so drained and tired. Exhaustion and hunger were taking their toll on her now. At bigla ay pumasok sa isip niya ang galit na galit na mukha ni Sage.

Sage.

Yes. She used to call him that, did she? It's like his name felt like silk that flows smoothly on her tongue. How much does she know about him? she wondered.

Kung hindi sana nagkrus ang landas nila nang araw na iyon, sana hindi siya nagkakaproblema ng ganito. Sana, may trabaho pa siya na may malaki ang sweldo, at sana wala siya sa lagay na 'to.

But if she manages to get out of this mess, pinapangako niyang magkakaron sila ng masinsinang usapang ni Sage. She will find out why he was so mad at her. And ask who was he? What role did he play exactly in her life? Ano ang nangyari sa apat na taong iyon?

He might be seething mad at her that he even took pains to ruthlessly and mercilessly fire her just because of that minor offense she only committed one time, but he has to give the answers she needed. And more than that, Kyra had to ask him, even if she can't forgive him for putting her through this ordeal, because he had the answers.

Kumalabog ang dibdib niya nang makita ang skretaryang naglalakad papunta sa kanya.

"He's ready to see you now, miss," nakangiting sabi nito saka naunang maglakad.

Muntik pang mabuhos ang ibang laman ng kape niya nang ibaba niya ang tasa sa mesa dahil sa biglang panginginig ng kamay niya.

This is it. Kailangan niyang ibuhos ang lahat ng makakaya niya. This is her only ticket to survive.

Tumigil sa paglalakad ang babae nang marating nila ang malaking itim na pintuan. Binuksan nito iyon at saka naglahad ng kamay upang papasukin siya. "Please."

Her knees were knocking at each other as she brushed past her, walking inside the room that surprisingly looked familiar. Very familiar. Minsan niya na itong nakita sa mga panaginip niya.

The red velvet lounge on the corner, the hand-woven black carpet lying under the visitor's seats, the white tiled floor, the floor-to-ceiling glass windows that she knew were tinted, and the chandelier she so adored... had adored. Lahat iyon nasa panaginip niya.

Or was it really a dream?

She pressed a hand to stop the wild beating pulse on her temples. Magsisimula na namang sumakit ang ulo niya at hindi niya iyon maaaring hayaan sa mga pagkakataong iyon.

Why does it always come when she's in a very compromising situation?

"Ms. Lagdameo."

A shuddering breath hissed out of her mouth. No! Please not him... God! Not him again!

"What a surprise you finally managed to crawl out from your hiding rock," Sage mocked.

"Ikaw?"

A brow quirked from that perfect forehead. "Still playing dumb, I see."

Oh my... Siya ba ang mayari ng banko?!

Pilit niyang inalala ang tatak ng banko sa sulat na palagi niyang natatanggap. SB... "Steele Bank."

"Yes. My bank," he nodded with confirmation that almost felt like a bomb explosion inside her gut.

"Your..." Mariin siyang napapikit para pigilan ang pilit na nagpaparamdam na sakit sa ulo niya.

Hindi siya makapaniwala. Her father borrowed money from him? Kilala ng daddy niya ang lalaking 'to? And he claimed to be her lover!

At kung siya nga ang manager ng banko—not merely a manager but the banker himself—then that means he knew all along about their debt. At sinasadya nitong pahirapan siya dahil may kasalanan siyang nagawa rito, hindi ba?

"Are you doing this on purpose?" She suddenly felt sick to her core.

Tumaas muli ang kilay nito saka marahaang tumawa habang umiiling. "No, you’re wrong. I am doing this because it is my job," malamig nitong sagot. "And you, sweetheart, have my money. Isn't that why you're here? Well, I should collect what’s mine. "

Somehow, she found that hard to believe. But it's not the right time yet to make him spill the truth. "Hindi," sabi niya sabay iling. "Nandito ako para humingi ng palugid," she added stiffly. Her pride long gone.

"And you think I'd grant your wish in a whim?" He laughed derisively before his mouth curled in contempt. "Now you completely forgot to remember I'm not the man you’ve met years ago, Kyra. Hindi mo na ako maloloko kagaya ng ginawa mo noon."

Lakas loob niyang sinalubong niya ang galit sa mga mata nito. "Believe it or not, I don't remember you, Mr. Steele. Nagpunta ako dito dahil ang akala ko..." Dahil akala niya magkakaron pa siya ng pag-asa na isalba ang bahay nila. Pero hindi din naman niya akalaing makikita ulit niya ang lalaking dahilan ng lahat ng ito.

"Kung alam ko lang na ikaw ang manager ng banko at ikaw ang kailangan kong kausapin, hindi na sana ako nagpunta." She wouldn't even dare to think of begging him either.

"Then I’m sorry your visit had been a disappointment to you."

Of course, he wasn't so sorry. Kung puwede nga, magtatataon na ito sa tuwa.

Nagkibit siya ng balikat, kahit na alam niyang unti-unting nawawala sa mga kamay niya ang pag-asa. "It seems so." Mahigpit niyang isinukbit ang strap ng bag niya sa balikat niya para umalis. "Thank you for your time, then."

"We're not yet finished, Kyra." Nahinto ang paa niya sa paghakbang. "Not by a long shot."

Pinigil niyang sumigaw. She will never let him see how she was suffering from all of these, dahil alam niyang masisiyahan ito kapag hinayaan niyang mawalan siya ng kontrol sa emosyon niya. She couldn't let him win.

Bahagya niya itong hinarap. "Halata namang hindi ako dapat nandito kaya aalis na ako. May mas importante pa akong dapat gawin." Than chat with him and listen to his degrading insults.

"What do you mean you don't remember me?" tanong nito bigla na parang wala siyang sinabi. Though the honest curiosity in his voice made her face him again.

"I—" she stumbled to a halt. No way was she going to tell him. May palagay siyang tatawanan lang siya nito at tatawagin siyang sinungaling. "Wala ka nang pakialam doon."

He c****d his head with impatience she knew too well. "Too bad because I make it my business when you owe me a mountain of debts. Now, answer me."

Even if I tell you, wala ka ring magagawa, sagot ng utak niya. Pero hindi iyon ang sabi ng puso niya. Her heart was telling her that he was the key to her past. So she met his too inquisitive eyes and felt the string of her body being strummed.

Huminga siya ng malalim. "I have a case of amnesia."

A long tense moment filled the silent air as Sage regarded her answer with a blank expression. And dread was swirling in her guts as she confirmed her fear. He did not believe her—not even slightly.

And it stung. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit gustong-gusto niyang paniwalaan siya ng lalaking ito na handang salungayin lahat ng lumalabas sa bibig niya.

Suddenly the throbbing pulse in her head intensified. Air pushed out of her lungs and her vision doubled.

She didn't know what happened, but it was Sage's voice calling out her name was the last thing she heard as her head hit the floor.

UNTI-UNTING BUMALIK si Kyra sa realidad at pikit-matang inalala kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya. Marahas siyang napadilat at bumalikwas nang maalala niyang nasa opisina siya ni Sage, ngunit agad din siyang napaungol dahil sa pagkahilo.

"You fool!" someone growled as she was forced to lie back again because of the arms closing around her, trapping her underneath. "Do you really want to kill yourself just to get away from me?"

Napakunot noo siya dahil sa tono ng boses nito. It was ridiculous, she thought. Because he sounded close to being hurt.

"Okay na ako," giit niya nang mapansing nasa pulang sofa siya nito pinahiga. Pero hindi gumalaw si Sage.

Her breath turned fast and shallow as she recognized the anger in his eyes as he looked down at her. And then it switched into something... and the angry tension turned into smoldering heat.

Bumaba ang ulo ni Sage sa kanya at mabilis na nahanap ang labi niya nang walang kahirap-hirap. It was just fleeting but then, maybe it was time slowing down for her. Her heart flipped from the achingly familiar feel of his lips, how they perfectly fit hers completely... how it feels so right.

Sudden fear rose up within her—alien fear that told her she was in danger of losing herself—again. Sinubukan niyang ibaling ang ulo niya at iwasan ito, but his hands were already cupping her face, holding her still. He was far too determined to punish her with every stroke of his tongue, the way he moved his mouth over hers was forceful. Savage. Barbaric. It was full of wild passion and... hate.

Isang boses ang nagpamulat ng mga mata niya. He hates me! This man hates me!

Kyra tried to clamp her lips together in a firm line, desperately trying to resist him after that thought hit her. Hindi lang iyon isang likhang isip lang. It was her memory telling her that this man hates her! And she should not be kissing him!

But the determined stab of his tongue between her lips was a temptation she couldn't withstand. It’s making her head spin for the second time. It’s making her absolutely weak.

Despair made her free hands work and braced them against his chest to push him off when she felt her body responding to his sensual attack. But the subtle scent of his male musk and the sensual heat of his body draping around her like a silk wool felt too familiar to her and trying to stop him with her last feeble strength was unsuccessful. Natagpuan na lang niyang lumalakbay ng kusa ang mga palad niya sa malapad na balikat nito at tuluyan ng nagpatangay sa sensasyong binibigay sa kanya ng mga halik ni Sage.

She just couldn't fight him anymore than she could fight herself. His kiss, even how brutal it seemed and felt, it still gave her a sense of wholeness. She felt ironically complete. With him. Like this. And she’s been craving it for two years of being lost and empty.

So, Kyra finally, finally, opened her mouth to his probing tongue and gave him access to plunder her moist inner warmth, with a burning need.

He made a low savage noise deep in his throat and held her closer to his hot body as he sought her tongue and sucked it hard with his mouth that sent a quiver through her body, waking something deep in the pit of her stomach. A need she couldn't identify and deny at the same time.

He continued to suck her tongue, he played with it with erotic precision until she moaned from the ecstasy of it. She was just surprised at herself how easy it was for her to dance with him and match him with equal fire that she never thought she had in her. Or perhaps she did and forgot, just like the rest of her missing life of four years.

Suddenly, Sage released her lips that felt swollen and stinging. Bumaba ang mga labi nito patungo sa pulsong pumipintig sa pagitan ng balikat at leeg niya. Isang imahe ang biglang lumarawan sa nakapikit niyang mga mata. Siya habang nakatayo sa harap ng salamin at ang mga labing nakadikiit sa parteng iyon ng kanyang leeg mula sa lalaking nakatayo sa kanyang likuran.

The touch of his hand making its way to her breast while he dipped his tongue below the hollow of her collarbone dragged her away from her thoughts. Kumawala ang isang mahinang singhap sa bibig niya nang matagpuan ng kamay nito ang umbok ng kanyang dibdib at marahang pinisil iyon. Nakagat niya ang ibabang labi niya nang matagpuan ni Sage ang tuktok at paglaruan iyon sa pagitan ng mga daliri nito.

She felt so out of her depths and she even fell deeper when Sage dropped his head and closed his mouth over the swell of her breast against her blouse. She whimpered at the strange sensation piercing her with such pleasure spiraling down through her pelvis.

Sage continued to tug her n*****s with his teeth and roll his tongue over it until she was arching her back. She wanted more. And Sage gave her more. She anchored her hands to his shoulders, digging her nails deep into them as she bucked away from the leather sofa, pressing the length of her body to him.

She was burning up, every nerve ending of her body was highly sensitive to the feel of Sage's hands and mouth on her skin. She could already feel the wetness between her thighs and twisted her hips restlessly against him, seeking for something that could relieve the need gripping her low in the pit of her stomach.

"Sage!" Kyra cried when he pinched her n*****s with his fingertips. Her voice sounded desperate to her ears but she didn't care. Her senses were swimming through the muddled sensations that no man had ever made her feel, only him.

She heard him growl before his mouth claimed hers once more in a deep, drugging kiss while his fingers adeptly freeing the buttons of her blouse, wanting him to remove the rest of her clothes and possess her completely.

Then, a sudden buzzing noise tore her out from her dream-like state. She opened her eyes and saw the angry disgusted glint of Sage's eyes.