"Purpose in life is a life of purpose..."
""""""
Clyde's PoV
Naglalakad ako papunta ng office ko nang makatangap ako ng isang tawag. Napahilot ako sa sentido ko, I still have a hangover because of the last night drinking session with that damn Willam.
"Hello?" groggy na sagot ko.
"As expected, you really don't know how to handle your liquors"
A smile formed on my lips as I check my wrist watch, its exact 8:00 AM. "Ang bilis mo namang namiss ako Lovely Ana"
"Yeah, let's believe on that Clyde" she remarked full of sarcasm.
May mga dumaang mga empleyada at nagsibati sa akin habang namumula sa kilig.
"Good Morning Sir" they greeted as I nodded.
"I just wanted on check you, baka kasi mamaya wala na akong balikan na trabaho. And also to remind you na bukas pa ang dating ni Briana" she informed.
"Briana? Who's Briana?" kunot noong tanong ko. First time ko atang marinig ang pangalang iyon.
"Ugh... your new Secretary?"
"Substitute, just a substitute secretary" pagbibigay linaw ko.
"Bahala ka, basta naibigay ko na ang schedules mo, pati appointments mo sa mga stockholders for the whole month. Naorrient ko na rin si Briana kung ano ang mga dapat niyang gawin so be nice to her. Siya ang hinugot ko mula sa HR dahil siya ang may pinaka busilak ang kalooban. I do worry for your virginity after all"
"Thank you so much" hindi ko alam kung maooffend o maaappreciate ko ang sinabi ng babaeng ito.
"And please Clyde, take care" bilin niya with a serious and yet caring tone.
"God Ana. You talk like my Mom" natatawang amin ko and rolled my eyes.
"Wag kang paranoid ok? Just enjoy your once in a blue moon vacation woman!"
She groaned "I'm trying"
"Then try harder. Enjoy Nueva Viscaya"
"Ok, ok, Good luck Clyde"
"Yup. I'll see you next month" and I ended the call.
I entered my office just to see the last person I would like to talk with. Agad napalitang ng inis ang good mood ko.
Prenteng nakaupo siya sa couch while browsing a magazine.
She's wearing her blue dress that exposes her cleavage and everything. Makapal ang make up at halatang halata ang pagiging sosyal niya.
"Hi babe" bati niya sa akin at ngumiti ng ubod tamis.
I shut my eyes, mas lumalala ang sakit ng ulo ko. As far as I remember, napagsabihan ko na ang security team na wag papapasukin basta basta ang babaeng ito sa building.
"What are you doing here Elizabeth?" she stood up and was about to kiss me pero mabilis akong nakaiwas at nagtungo sa table ko.
"Why are you so cold to me?" tampo niya and pouted her lips which I found more irritating.
"What do you want?" walang interes na tanong ko as I browse the papers Ana left me yesterday.
Elizabeth Chan is now a popular icon in the showbizness, not because of how great she is but because of the rumors that is linked to her name.
She is also using her family connections and now trying to be an actress. Just recently, she became a host of a comedy show which she hates because it was only a third-rate show.
"Masama bang dalawin kita? Asan nga pala ang nakakairitang secretary mo?" inis na tanong niya at nilibot ng tingin ang office ko. Agad siyang ngumiti nang makita niyang there's no signs of Lovely Ana.
"Did you already fired her like I requested?" She smiled excitedly.
"Never"
"Babe-"
"If you can provide me a secretary as good as her, then maybe I will think about it. But as long as she remains excellent and loyal to me, I will never fire Lovely Ana" seryosong pahayag ko. Walang nagawa si Elizabeth kundi mapaismir sa mga sinabi ko.
Alam ko ang totoong dahilan kung bakit naiinis si Elizabeth sa aking sekretarya. She sees Ana as a hindrance and for sure ay pinagseselosan din niya ito.
Hindi lang niya magalaw si Ana dahil ako ang makakaharap niya at alam kong hindi rin magpapakanti si Ana. Pasalamat na lamang si Elizabeth dahil hindi pa niya nasasagad ang pasensya ni Ana kundi ay paniguradong kakailanganin biyang magpasession kay Doktora Belo.
"Ang boring boring ng mga magazines mo babe, puro business articles lang ang laman"
"Maybe because I'm a businessman?" sarcastic comment ko at sinimulan nang pirmahan ang mga papeles.
"Ano ba talaga ang ipinunta mo dito Miss Chan? I can't afford to waste my time just on you"
Imbes na maoffened siya sa sinabi ko ay tumawa lang siya.
"Well... You see, Mommy and Daddy will be holding a party and I was ordered to give you the invitations" nangaakit na saad niya at inilapag ang invitation sa lamesa.
I looked at the invitation placed on my table and returned my attention on what I was doing "I'm busy, just send my regards to Mr. Chan" I replied coldly.
"Clyde! You have to be there!" she shouted. Lumalabas nanaman ang pagiging spoiled niya.
Pumanting ang tenga ko sa nakakarinding boses niya.
Galit na hinampas ko ang lamesa at napatigil si Elizabeth. "Listen Elizabeth! Wala akong pasensya sayo ngayon, so kung pwede lang ay umalis ka na"
Natahimik siya at dumapo ang mga mata niya sa kaliwang kamay ko.
"Why won't you just move on Clyde?" tanong niya with a sour face.
Napatahimik ako at napabuntong hininga "Eliza-"
"Clyde! It's already been nine years! And I don't understand kung bakit nagpapakatanga ka pa sa kahihintay sa taong hindi naman na babalik!" Sigaw niya.
Natahimik ako at napatingin sa singsing na nasa kaliwang kamay ko.
"Because she is my one and only wife"
"But what about me Clyde? Mas matagal na kitang minamahal kesa sa kanya. Siyam na taon na kitang hinihintay..." lumuluhang paalala niya.
I took a deep breath "You know my answer"
Anger flashed in her eyes. "I'll be back Clyde" paaalam niya at lumabas with her head held high.
Nanghihinang tinagal ko ang salamin ko at napatingin sa kalendaryo.
"It's almost the end of the year."
I smiled bitterly. Wala na akong pakialam sa sa mga petsa but I still kept on checking it.
It's always been the same. Alone in my birthday, in Christmas, new year and even in our anniversary.
It's just the same.
Me celebrating everything alone...
I live yet I do not have a purpose.
Pero sino ba ng may kasalanan?
Napatitig ako sa singsing ko.
Yes, it is all my fault, the decisions I chose that time led to this...
Eiffel's POV
"Hold that smile your excellency!" utos ng sikat at sought after photographer habang tuwang tuwa akong kinukuhanan ng letrato.
Nakaupo ako sa isang magarbong couch habang napapalibutan ng mga puting rosas at mga alahas. Nakakabulag ang bawat flash ng camera at ang back ground lights pero sanay na ako.
I am currently having my photoshoot for a famous magazine here in Europe, since I do some business with the chief editor of the company, I agreed on getting featured in their magazine spread.
Nakasuot ako ng itim na serpentine laced gown na tinernuhan ng 6 inches Chalani shoes. Fierce ang make up ko with my bloody red lipstick.
Manghang nanonood ang crew sa akin habang nagpopose na tila ba isa akong professional model.
Lumapit sa akin ang make-up artist at mabilis na niretouch ang make up ko saka pinalitan ng mas malalaki ang accessories ko. They fixed my raven locks that falls freely behind my back. I laughed when I was instructed to wear a huge crown with gold studs and adorned with diamonds. It was like a crown for a queen.
Paside akong umupo sa couch at ipinatong sa arm rest ang mga paa ko, itinaas ko ang kaliwang paa ko at lumislis ang gown hangang kalahati ng legs ko showing how pale and smooth it is. I pointed my foot to elongate it more then I looked at the camera with a smirk on my bloody lips as I held the crown on my head.
"Merveilleux! I love the aura full of vanity!" bulalas ng photographer.
I am really happy knowing that a famous photographer like him liked my poses.
Nakailang palit pa ako ng damit at lipat ng pictorial site.
"Ok! That's a wrap everybody!" sigaw ng photographer at lumapit sa akin.
This time ay nakasuot ako ng isang off shoulder old Victorian style red gown na may mahigpit na corset at makapal na petticoat. I looked like a princess in the Medieval period. Mas naemphasize ang shape ng katawan ko at ang laki ng dibdib ko habang napapalibutan ng kwintas na may naglalakihang bato ang leeg ko.
"This is one of the most fun photoshoots I've ever had, thank you Lady Eiffel"
"No big deal Nigel, I also had fun" sagot ko at ngumiti.
"If ever that you change your mind being a business woman, please call me any time. This month's issue will be one of the best! The Queen in her own Castle should be tittle" aniya at tumawa lang ako.
"Sure" pakikisakay ko na lang.
Tumingin siya sa akin "Your excellency, may I speak my mind?"
"Of course Nigel"
"You see, I can't help but notice how mesmerizing your eyes as blue as the sky, but at the same time, it is so lifeless" amin niya at natigil ako.
"In photography it doesn't only need smile to look happy. You have to show it in your eyes, or else, no one will believe it even if that is what they see on the pictures" makahulugang saad niya at ngumiti.
"Thank you for everything Countess" he said and bowed.
''''
Nakatulala ako sa full length mirror habang nakasuot ng haltered pink long gown na inilegaro sa akin ng isang sikat na british actor. He invited me for a dinner and gave me this thousand-dollar worth gown as a gift.
Nakaset ng maayos ang buhok ko at nakasuot ako ng chandiler earings. Pinagmamasdan ko ang mga mata ko na may make up.
Hindi mawala sa isip ko ang sinabi ni Nigel kahapon.
I'm definetly beautiful. Hindi nakakapagtaka kung bakit madaming mga lalaki ang nagnanais makuha ako. Men are so foolish; they love lavishing me with diamonds and priceless gifts.
Were my blue eyes indeed dead just like what Nigel had said?
Since when did I have forgotten how to look lively? Since when did I have forgotten how to smile full of happiness?
When did I lost myself?
"You look so breathtaking my lady, Mr. Franco will surely be pleased" puri sa akin ni Mrs Suzan.
I smiled "Thank you"
Lumabas ako ng kuwarto habang sumusunod siya. Tumigil ako sa harap ng isang pintuan at nagdadalawang isip na pumasok.
Every time I enter this room, I feel thousands of emotions linger inside my cold heart.
I don't even understand myself kung bakit ko pinagawa ang kuwartong ito.
Ang lugar na laging nagpapaalala sa aking mapait na nakaraan.
"Lady Eiffel" tawag muli sa akin ni Mrs Suzan.
"Would you like to come inside Mrs Suzan?" tanong ko and she looked at me with a smile.
Everyone who works insidebmy manor knows that it is a forbidden room. No one is allowed to enter this room aside from Mrs. Suzan, Silva and Mharya. Siya lang ang pinapayagan kong pumasok dito para maglinis at magayos.
She opened the door and I entered.
Ibat ibang naglalakihang sizes ng paintings at sketches ang bumungad sa akin. Hindi ko na nga alam kung ilan ang lahat ng mga ito because I never counted them.
Sa dami ng mga ito ay iisa lang ang subject ko.
Siya...
The man who became my world yet also the man who destroyed it.
He was the air I breathe. The reason why I smiled and my everything.
But it was a long time ago.
Now he is the reason why I became like this...
After the day I turned Eighteen, a letter was sent to me by an Attorney working for him. I opened it and saw something I never expected.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang mararamdaman ko that day where I became legally His.
"Alright, no matter what happens on those seven years. I will be the one to pass our Marriage Certificate, whether you like it or not, wala na itong bawian. Even if you came to hate me"
That was his promise when we both agreed on our marriage deal.
I was supposed to be the happiest woman when I saw the copy of our Marriage Certificate he sent to me but that happiness turned to hatred.
Mataman kong tinitigan ang portrait na ginawa ko.
A smiling face of that man.
My Husband...
My delicate pale fingers brush the cold canvass.
Ano kaya ang inisip niya nang tuluyang natali siya sa akin? Bakit pa niya iyon ginawa? Did he do that just to show me that he kept his words through all these years?
For his pride?
"The Late lord also looked the way you do when he hasn't met Mistress Pauline" saad ni Mrs Suzan at naputol ang malalim na pagiisip ko.
"Lord Raven was so like you back then Lady Eiffel. He never put any attention in things that doesn't concern business or wealth. He would wake up and sleep with no purpose in life. For years that I watched him as I raised him, all he wanted is to please his father" kuwento niya habang may mga ngiti sa labing inaalala niya ang namayapa kong ama.
"But everything changed when he met Mistress Pauline. He learned the meaning of the word love. He turned his back on his position also with his father. He fought for your mother and chose to leave the world where he was raised. It was hard for him but because of love, he had found his purpose to continue on living"
"How about you, Lady Eiffel? what is your purpose in your life?" tanong niya naman pabalik sa akin at napaisip ako.
Ano nga ba? Bakit ko nga ba sinikap makamtan ang lahat ng meron ako ngayon?
For myself? For my hatred? For revenge?
"My purpose in life was him... He was everything I lived for. Now he was gone along with my purpose of existence..." sagot ko.
"Then, why don't you face him?"
I looked at her with wide eyes as if she had said the most ridiculous thing on earth.
Lumapit siya sa akin with a gentle smile and held my face.
"Face your past and find another reason to keep you on living. It's not yet the end of everything my dear child" she assured me.
I smiled hearing how sincere her loving voice is and I opened my arms hugging my grandmother figure.
Humiwalay ako sa kanya saka tinangal ang pagkakaset ng buhok ko at kumawala ang kulot kulot na mahaba kong buhok.
"Mrs Suzan, call Franco and tell him that our date is now cancelled" Utos ko saka hinubad ang mga hikaw ko.
"And also, call for Zamantha. Tell her to book me a flight on Monday"
Mrs Suzan nodded "A flight to where my lady?"
Naglakad ako sa may malaking bintana at hinawi ang kurtinang tumatabing dito.
"Back to the Philippines"