A Deal
While she was having dinner with her granddad, he told her something that immediately lightened her mood.
"Tomorrow night, you'll be back in the Philippines." Agad na lumiwanag ang mukha niya nang marinig iyon mula sa kanyang lolo. Napangiti siya nang hindi man lang niya namamalayan. Nag-angat siya ng ulo tsaka nagsalita.
"Talaga? Is that true or you're just pranking me, granddad?" Di makapaniwalang saad niya.
"Do you think I'm kidding around, Cressida? Besides, hindi naman kita papupuntahin doon kung inaakala mong hahayaan na kitang maghiganti kay Stefan." Nawala ang kanyang ngiti dahil doon. Dismayado siyang tumingin dito.
"Don't tell me it was for my modelling business or something else?"
"Yes, it is. However, I'll let you do whatever you want there once you fulfill my condition."
"Condition? What kind of condition?" Takang-tanong niya habang halata sa kanyang reaksyon ang pagkainteresado sa sasabihin pa lamang nito.
"You have to make sure na kaya mong pabagsakin ang CMC. Malaki ang makukuha natin mula roon dahil everyone knows how much their contribution to our company. Once you do it successfully, you can do whatever you wanna do." Tumango-tango siya habang may bahid ng saya sa kanya.
"I won't fail you, granddad. I owe you this time." Nakangiting saad niya.
Buong maghapon siyang nakangiti sa kawalan. Marahil hindi niya inaasahan iyon na payagan siya ng kanyang lolo subalit may kailangan muna siyang gawin. Hindi naman niya alintana ang kundisyon na ipinapagawa nito sa kanya. It was easy for her, though. Dahil pagkatapos naman ay magagawa na niya ang matagal na niyang pinakahihintay. Vengeance. Hindi na siya halos mapakali na dumating ang kinabukasan.
Habang nasa biyahe, pinag-iisipan niyang mabuti kung paano o saan siya magsisimula na pabagsakin ang CMC. Totoong malaki ang makukuha nila mula roon dahil sa marami ang sumusuportang kumpanya doon at kapag nakuha nila iyon, mas lalo silang yayaman. Napangiti siya. Pero paano nga ba niya sisimulan iyon sa lalong madaling panahon na wala siyang nasasayang na oras? Hanggang sa sumagi sa kanyang isipan ang bagay na matagal na niyang gustong gawin. SEDUCTION. That's the only way she can think about that will surely be successful for her.
After nilang mag-usap ni Hugo, umalis na siya sa mansyon nito. She won't absolutely waste her time just staying in his place. Pumunta na siya sa CMC bldg. para makausap ang taong matagal na niyang gustong makita.
"What can I help you, ma'am?" Eirlys approached the reception desk. Inangat niya ang kanyang sunglasses bago magsalita.
"May I talk to Mr.Clinford? Is he there in his office?" She asked her back. The hotel receptionist nod.
"Yes, ma'am. Just let me inform him about you. May I know your name, ma'am?"
"Sorry, but I couldn't tell you. Call him instead."
"Okay, I will." Kinuha nito ang telepono tsaka nag-dial ng numero doon. Nagpalinga-linga muna siya sa paligid habang may kausap pa ito sa telepono.
"What did he say?" she curiously asked after the girl hung up the call.
"He's coming down here, ma'am. Just wait for him," she answered.
"I see." Finally, we're gonna see each other again, Stefan.
Voss POV
After the elevator opened, nakaseryoso akong naglakad patungo sa taong naghahanap sa akin. As I searched for that person, someone caught my eye and I knew exactly who she was. I frowned hard as I stepped in front of her. She smirked at me while I looked at her seriously.
"What the f*ck are you doing here, Eirlys?"
"It's been a long time, Stefan. Are you not happy to see me? I've traveled all the way here just to see you again,"anito which made me annoyed. Napansin kong nagtitinginan ang mga tao sa amin at nagbubulungan. Tsk! Who even told her to come back? I didn't.
"Come with me. Let's not talk here." I put my hands in my pocket. Nagpauna akong maglakad papuntang elevator habang nakasunod naman sya sa likod.
"Stefan--"
"Silence. Just keep your mouth shut or I'll call the guard to take you away here," I ordered which made her shut up.
Dere-deretso lang akong naglakad pabalik sa opisina ko. She just walked silently behind me.
"Now, sit. Tell me what you want to talk about? Don't waste my time on useless matters. If it is not important, just leave," I coldly said as I looked at her seriously. She grinned.
"Come on. After 15 years, you just treat me like this? So what? Is this because of your wife? Kaya wala ka nang pakialam sa akin ngayon? Really, Stefan?" demanding na saad nya.
"Stop being pathetic and desperate, Eirlys! Napakatagal na simula nung nagkahiwalay tayo kaya wala ka ng karapatan na sabihin yan sakin! I'm already done with this sh*ts! Kung wala ka ng ibang sasabihin kundi yang pagkademanding mo, umalis ka na lang dahil sinasayang mo ang oras ko," galit na saad ko sa kanya pero tila ba wala itong epekto sa kanya.
"She's too lucky to have you. But she had no idea that you'd been mine before. Paano kaya kapag nalaman nya? Maybe she would leave you? Or will she drive you away?" she threatened as she grinned and chuckled a bit.
"F*ck it! I'm never been yours! Now, leave!" I clenched my fist in madness. She just smirked as she left my office.
"D*mn it! What have I done?! This is a total disaster! Sh*t!" I cursed disgustedly as I hit my desk hard.
My mind was immediately coated with fear and sadness.
"No. She won't leave me. She'll never do that," I said. My knees suddenly felt weak kaya nanghihina akong napaupo sa swivel chair.
Buong oras kong ginugol ang sarili ko sa trabaho para mawala sa isip ko ang nangyari kanina. Subalit, ramdam ko pa rin ang takot at pangamba kung halimbawang malaman ni Zavie ang totoo. Halos alas dose na ng madaling-araw ng mapagpasyahan kong umuwi na. I urgently need to see my wife right now...
Dala ng takot na nasa aking isipan, halos wala pang ilang minuto ng makarating ako sa bahay namin. Pagkapark ko ng kotse sa garahe, halos malalaking hakbang ang ginawa ko hanggang sa makatapat sa kwarto naming dalawa. Ikinalma ko ang sarili bago dahan-dahang binuksan ang doorknob.
I automatically smile upon seeing her beauty while sleeping on her table near the bed. My exhaustion quickly vanished as I stared at her innocent face. I never get tired of her beautiful and gentle beauty. All my thoughts, all fear, apprehension, all that was erased like a bubble when I saw my wife. I caressed her soft hair and gently kissed it. I'm so addicted to her scent.
Kumuha ako ng upuan at tahimik na tumabi sa kanya. I carefully stare at her and I automatically smile. I was so into this gorgeous woman in front of me. I don't know what I can do if someone takes her away from me. As long as I live, I will protect her. That was a promise I made to her parents. And I will do it even if I didn't promise.