CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I stood outside the door. That’s what I’m doing for the past weeks. Hindi ako pumasok ng kwarto kung saan nakalagak si Dad. I don’t know. I’m not ready to see what’s inside the room. I hate hospitals. If only the situation would allow me, I don’t want to be here again. Not even near. Hindi naman ako hinahanap ni daddy.
He had a mild heart attack but he was recovering fast according to Manang. Kagagaling ko lang sa nurse’s station. I was about to pay for Dad’s bill, he’s going home this week. To my surprise, it was already paid. I am sure, it wasn’t Rainbow who paid it. Wala s’yang ganoon kalaking amount ng pera.
Paalis na ako ng biglang bumukas ang pinto. Iniluwa niyon si Rainbow. She was shocked to see me. I was too. Hindi ko ipinahalata iyon. Wala akong ideya kung alam n’ya bang andito na ako sa Pilipinas. Ang sabi ko kay Rainbow, uuwi ako. I didn’t tell them when.
 
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN “Look, who’s back!” an irritating voice filled my ears early morning. It was Justise Archimedes in flesh. She was earlier than the opening of my boutique, sitting in my upholstered bench designated for the guests, eyeing my creations. Abot langit ang ngiti n’ya. Lolay was already in my office. “What are you doing here?” I walked passed her. Dumiretso ako sa office. She was following me. “Oh, how sama. Is that how you bati kaibigan? Don’t you miss me? So cold!” maarte n’yang sabi. “We should have lunch together!” Oh, here is the conyo girl. Wala na ba akong magiging maayos na pahinga? Ang daming epal! I rolled my eyes. “You’re such a drama queen. Saan ka galing?” I asked her. Naupo ako sa swivel chair. I looked at my schedule for today. Naupo si Justise sa tapat ko. “Sa Paris lang. Nag-unwind
CHAPTER NINETEEN “What are you saying?” I asked her again. I was a bit confused. Si Sioux ba ang tinutukoy n’ya? Probably. I haven’t kissed anyone but him. Hindi s’ya makapaniwalang napatingin sa akin. “What? Magpapakatanga ka ba? Wouldn’t you confront them? It’s clearly cheating! I thought highly of you, tapos palalampasin mo lang?” She looked ridiculous. “Well, if you won’t do anything. Pwes, ako ang gagawa!” I was shocked when she turned to leave. Nagkaroon lang nang linaw ang mga sinasabi n’ya nang makita ko si Sioux. There’s a girl on his side. Kapit na kapit ito sa braso n’ya. “Hoy, cheater!” I rolled my eyes when I heard Lolay. Really? Mukha s’yang palengkera. Nagpahid ako ng napkin. This is so cringe! Lumapit s’ya sa dalawang mukhang wala pa ring ideya sa mangyayari. I almost gasped when I saw her pu
CHAPTER TWENTY “You are recommended by my daughter-in-law, Ms. Sy. You didn’t disappoint. I love the cut of the gown. It really looks like what I imagined it to be for our tenth year anniversary and vows renewal. You added color to my original idea.” said Mrs. Simpson gleefully. It was a cream-colored sheath gown I designed specifically for her. It’s very simple. It suits her personality. Ganoon ang gustong gown ni Mrs. Simpson, I just put some additions to it so it could be a little glamorous. It wasn’t even challenging on my part, wala s’yang taste. But it’s her choice. At least she let me do some adjustments, or it would be plain rubbish. Sumunod s’ya sa suggestions ko. That’s what I like about my clients. They know how to listen. Some clients are just too close-minded, they would push whatever they like, then, they shouldn’t have hired a designer at all. What’s the point?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONEMabilis s’yang naglakad papunta ng table ko. Inilapag n’ya ang tray without even glancing at me.“I’m not judging any of you. I’m not a judger! Pero ‘wag naman live porn, jusko!” Napa-face palm pa s’ya.Inabot ko iyong ballpen sa pen holder ko na may design resemblance ng haute couture. My friend from Paris gave it to me. Ibinato ko iyon sa kanya. Nakatakbo s’ya papuntang pinto.Muli s’yang lumingon. She stuck her tongue out. “I’m giving you permission to do it in your office, pero please lang, walang bakas o anumang kalat!” she said before she leave me with the devil.“Miles Janine, you’re so fired!” I hissed.The door is closed. She probably didn’t hear me.I stiffened, I felt his lips tracin
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO It’s not a one time thing --- those dinners and lunches become very much normal to me. It’s habitual when he is around. Susulpot na lang s’ya sa Reign’s Realm at dadalhin ako sa kung saan. I always went with him. When he isn’t around, someone’s going to deliver food for me. Sabi ni Lolay parang isang community ang gusto n’yang I-feed. I’m letting him into my system and it’s not good. Napailing ako. Muli akong bumalik sa ginagawa ko. I looked at Minerva Hermione. Sinusukatan ko s’ya para sa gown n’yang susuotin for her birthday. Si Justise ang kasama n’ya. Ngayon lang uli s’ya nagpakita matapos iyong insidente. And she’s being feeling close to me again. She knew she was at fault that time. “Hey, Reign, look at these.” Mimi showed me her tablet. I saw pictures of different breed of puppies. “What should I pick? I want one.” &nbs
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEIs the wall high enough? That’s the first thing that came in my mind. Matatag ba? Hindi basta - basta mabubuwag kahit anong bagyo ang dumaan?It is unknown otherwise, tested. Huminga ako nang malalim.Wearing my oversized round and tinted Dolce and Gabbana’s sunglasses, I walked inside a private cafe with grace and confidence. Kahit nanginginig ang buong katawan ko, I won’t let anyone see it. No one.People looked at my direction with arching eyebrows, some are awed. I was just wearing a black button tuxedo blazer dress I made for myself and a Jimmy Choo’s latest pointed toe t-strap stiletto.“Sino s’ya?” I heard them mumbling.The song Dangerous Woman is playing in the background while I enter the damn place to meet with someone. It’s like I am in the runway gracing them wi
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Agad akong dumiretso sa Reign’s Realm. I would busy myself with work. That’s how I cope. Hinayaan kong sakupin ng trabaho ang sistema ko. “Miss Sy, pinabibigay ni Ma’am Justise. Dumaan s’ya rito kanina para iwan sa’yo ‘yan.” I accepted the envelope with a crown crest Lolay handed me. Agad s’yang umalis sa harapan ko at nagpatuloy sa trabaho. I looked and examined the envelope. Akala yata ni Justise kasali s’ya sa royal family. Napairap ako. I could smell the vintage paper she used. Umaalingasaw ang pabangong Alessandrite from Storie Veneziane Collection by Valmont. Binuksan ko ang envelope. Tumambad sa akin ang invitation na galing kay Justise. She’s hosting a party this weekend and I’m invited. It was going to be held at the Inferium’s private lounge. Napangisi ako. I remember I gate-crashed a party there with her. Kinaladkad n’ya a
Pamilyar na pamilyar ang galaw n’ya. Pamilyar ang kabuuan lalo na iyong pagcle-clench ng kanyang panga ultimo iyong paglalakad with oozing confidence and appeal. He looks dangerously handsome. Wala na iyong playful and naughty aura n’ya. Ilang babae na kaya ang na-devirginize n’ya?Bigla - bigla na lang pumasok sa isip ko. Of course, I’m talking about Sioux Kyros Centauri. The only incarnation of a living Greek god. Medyo nakaramdam ako nang pagka-inis ng tuluyang luminaw iyon sa paningin ko. Andito naman pala s’ya sa Pilipinas, but he didn’t even come to see me. Wait?! Ano naman ngayon? It’s not his responsibility to do so! Mas lalo akong na-irita sa naisip ko. Bakit ba parang apektado ako? Naiinis akong sumunod sa kanya kahit pinigilan ko ang sarili ko. Napasinghap ako nang makapasok ako sa parking lot. It’s not an ordinary parking lot, that’s what I’m sure of. It’s parking lot for the