Nakailang katok at doorbell na ko sa pintuan nang penthouse ko. Hanggang ngayon walang sumasagot. Minsan nakakainis din si Shane e.
Wala akong susi, wala akong cellphone and all I have is me, myself and I. Kaya no choice bumalik ako sa penthouse ni Alfer.
"You came back faster than I imagined." He said when he opened the door.
"Don't dream while your eyes are open." I said.
Nilampasan ko sya at dumeretso sa telephone. I dialed the manager's number and asked if they can open the doors for me cause my fcking brother locked me out.
"Thank you dear." I glanced at Alfer who's leaning against the wall, arms crossed and smiling infront of me.
Naglakad ako papunta sa harap niya. Damn he is inches taller than me. I had to tip tow just to reached his face and granted him a kiss. But that's not all siyempre di nag patalo at talaga nga naman. He grabbed me and pushed my nape into him to deepen the kiss.
Hinawakan ko ang magkabilang braso niya at nilayo ang sarili ko.
"That's enough." I inhaled so I can catch my breath.
"Makukuha din kita." Hinaplos niya muli ang pisngi ko.
"Not today."
Lumabas na ako at nadatnan ang manager sa labas nang unit ko. Hawak hawak niya din ang isang spare key. Kinuha ko ito sakanya at binuksan ang pinto.
"Ah, good morning you must be Astrid."
The actual fck! I raised my eyesbrow and squint my eyes.
"Mamaya ka sakin. Where the fck is my brother?!" I yelled.
I never let a stranger come in to my precious penthouse tapos siya basta basta lang magpapapasok nang kasiping nya. The nerve of that guy talaga!
Binuksan ko lahat nang pintuan at nakita siyang natutulog sa isang kwarto malapit sa master bedroom.
"Shane!!"
I stand beside his sleeping pace and grabbed a handful of his ear. I dragged him outside with all my force.
"Ara-Aray! Ano ba?!"
Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko na nasa tenga nya pa at nagpupumiglas na tanggalin iyon. Kinaladkad ko siya hanggang sa harap nang kalantari niya kagabi at tsaka ko siya binitawan not to mention his almost naked. Naka brief lang siya tangina talaga nang lalaking to, ginagawang motel ang penthouse ko.
"Didn't you know you are not allowed to enter my property." Nanlaki pa ang mga mata niya sa sinabi ko.
This greek god looking guy acted hurt pa like he touched his chest part.
"I'm sorry but Shane said it's okay." Confused and unconciously pointed at my brother who is still rubbing his hand on his left ear. He is sincere in his apology kasi he frowned at me then look at my brother.
"Uso maging mabait minsan. I'm sorry Grey you can leave now." He said and face the guy.
Natauhan siya at tsaka pumasok sa isang kwarto. I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. Ayoko talaga na ginagawang motel itong pamamahay ko. It's my home first of all, ayokong pumapasok ako dito para lang maalala na may ginawang kababalghan ang kapatid ko sa isa sa mga kwarto dito.
"Sa susunod magcheck in ka naman sa Hotel, Your a Gonzalves anyway." I walk passed him na nakatingin sa akin na akala mo ako ang nakipag sex kagabi.
Hello we didn't kaya.
"You could've been nicer to Grey."
Right on time Grey guy went out in complete summer get up. Summer button down and a short shorts with a pair of loafers.
"About what happen, you shouldn't seen that. Anyway have a safe trip." I smile like an idiot and approached him.
Yayakapin ko pa sana kaso hinarangan ako ni Shane.
"Akin yan wag kang mang agaw." At tinulak pa niya ako palayo.
"Yayakap lang e."
They bid their goodbye to each other and Shane said he'll just shower. I continue to do my morning routine.
Habang pumipili ako nang maisusuot ay napaisip ako. Can Alfer be an ally? I cant just trust anybody. Pero he is willing to help me. I've been gone for 6 long years at the only wire I can pull are— but no... They hated me.
Nagayos ako sa harap nang salamit. I wear the most daring and formal clothes I can get. Kailangan kong maging prim and proper but a little baddie infront of that mang-aagaw.
"Astrid, Alfonso is here." Shane slip his head through the door.
"I have enough boys to handle." I heaved a sigh as I whispered.
I step out and walk like a queen to face the jerk of the jerk. Alfonso Devoughn, that guy na hindi na natapos sa kakakunsinti sakin.
"Goodmorning my Queen." He greeted na may pag bow pa. Well I'm worth bowing for naman.
"Ano nanaman ba Alfonso." Iritadong sabi ko sakanya at umupo sa sofa.
"Winewelcome lang kita." Mapilya siyang ngumiti.
"Is it your first day at the company?" He asked.
I irritatedly shut my eyes and calm the heck my self down.
"No. Its my first day to own the company. Ano ba kasing pakay mo dito? You wanna be my driver or something?!" I raised my voice to show how irritated I am.
I don't want to baby sit this guy. I have more important business to handle.
"Actually I was planning to help you. You know pwede kong kumbinsihin si Tito Laurix to accept you at the company then climb yourself up."
"No. Ayoko. Wag kana mag balak. Hindi ako empleyado, ako dapat ang namumuno."
"With that attitude of yours, you're so different from your dad. Nakita mo na ba kung pano tratuhin nang ama mo ang mga empleyado nya? No Astrid. You dont know. That's why you should be employed to him first before reaching the top. To know how manipulative your daddy is." Isinantabi nya ang mga hibla nang buhok na humaharang sa mukha ko.
Tumayo na siya at dismiyadong tumingin sakin.
"If power is all you want, what will happen next if you achieved that? Nothing. Clear your head and apply the things you learned. Dont always rush into things you didnt even think twice or thrice about. Im going."
Pero bago pa siya makaalis ay nagsalita na ako.
"I wanted this Alfonso, I badly wanted this." I said with every anger I can express pero tinignan nya lang ako at umalis na.
Why am I even bothered about this? Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Hindi ko kailangan ang kahit anong tulong nila. Hindi ko sila kailangan.
If I have to bring my own chair in the throne then I will !
Lumabas na si Shane sa sa kwarto nang makaalis si Alfonso. I know someone who can dig up dirt. He will help me.
"Let's go have breakfast at home. Sabi ni dad." Bungad nya sakin.
"Okay but before that can you gave me M's number." I said as I stand up and fix myself.
Pagtingin ko kay Shane ay nakita ko agad ang pagkunot nang kanyang mga kilay.
"Why?" He asked crossed arms and looking at me suspiciously.
"Kailangan nang ungkatin ang kung anong meron dyan sa babae ni dad. Diba nasa organisasyon pa din si M then give me her number." I hand out my phone to him.
Pero nilampasan nya lang ako.
"That organization your saying is long gone Astrid. I dont know what happened to that after you left. Let's go."
The fudge?
*
"Hindi man lang kayo bumalik para dito mag dinner sa bahay. Mas inuna nyo pa ang pag paparty nyo."
Ayan agad ang bungad saamin ni dad, the girl was sitting beside dad and facing me. Shane dodge me a bit kaya napatingin ako sakanya.
"Be nice."
"Who the hell are you to boss me around?" I whispered.
Hindi nya ako sinagot kaya hinayaan ko lang kaso— dumapo ang buko nang kanyang daliri sa bunbunan ko! Kinaltukan pa ko nang walang hiya.
"Dad! Astrid is disrespecting me!" Sumbong nya pa kay Dad.
"Please dont, nasa harapan tayo nang hapag. Kumain na kayo."
"Dad what can I do here?" I asked.
"Behave that is all I want you to do baby." He held my hand.
"I will." I smiled.
I blink twice before continuing on eating.
"Miss Astrid, there's a delivery for you."
Napatingin ako kay Greg dala dala ang isang bouquet nang bulaklak. The flowers are funnel-shaped, consisting of five fused or partially fused petals.
Pinilit kong ngumiti.
"Anong araw ngayon?" Mahinang tanong ko kay Shane.
"August 10th, why?"
And horror filled my system.
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