5

ENZO

“Dad’s been arrested...”

Biglang lumitaw yung message sa top ng phone ko while I was checking the stocks from the hotel balcony, and as fast as it appeared, bigla rin itong nawala before I could even process it fully.

Mabilis kong pinindot yung message from my brother and read it again, just to make sure I wasn’t imagining things.

Dad’s been arrested.

Agad ko siyang tinawagan, heart already picking up speed.

“Anong dahilan?”

Agad na pumasok sa isip ko na baka DUI, something reckless but still within the usual range for him.

“Insider trading,” sagot ni Alejandro, voice tight.

“Ano ba talaga?”

Laging mapangahas si Dad. Pero insider trading? Ibang level na ‘yon ng breaking the law, the kind that doesn’t just hurt him but drags everyone else down with him.

“Nakausap ko na yung lawyers. Nakakulong siya and he’ll stay there until the bail hearing tomorrow. Pero according to the lawyers, malamang hindi ito ma-approve, because they’ll treat him as a flight risk.”

“Ginawa ba talaga niya?”

“Sinasabi niyang wala siyang kasalanan. Pero if you ask me, let’s just say hindi malayo sa ugali niya ‘yan.”

“Putang ina.”

Ano pa ba yung magagawa niya in his anger this time?

“Kailangan nating ayusin ‘to before the public finds out.”

“Tama ka.” Malalim na buntong-hininga ni Alejandro. “Masusuriing mabuti yung buong Grupo until they figure out if Dad used company funds and if there are other people involved. Kakausapin ko si Matteo after this, and I want both of you to come to the office right away. Kailangan nating magpatawag ng emergency board meeting.”

Lumabas ako sa balcony, grabbed my clothes from the chair, and got dressed quickly. Pinag-iisipan ko yung possible scenarios while buttoning my shirt. Babagsak nang husto yung stocks once the shareholders find out, and the damage could spread faster than we can contain it.

“Tawagan mo ako pagdating mo sa company.”

Ibinaba niya yung phone without another word, leaving the silence heavier than before.

“Uy,” soft voice ng babae from behind me.

Dumikit yung soft chest niya sa back ko while she wrapped her arms around my chest, skin warm against mine.

“Aalis ka na ba?”

“Tatawagan na lang kita next time I need company.”

Bahagyang kumurot yung nails ni Valerie sa skin ko, just enough to leave a mark.

“Walang hiya ka.”

Sanay na ako doon, the same soft complaint every time.

Binitawan niya ako and stepped back, still watching me.

Masyado akong distracted thinking about Maris kaya hindi ko na alam yung ginawa ko when I called Valerie over last night. And like always, she didn’t disappoint when she showed up, ready and willing without too many questions.

“May kailangan pa akong tapusin na work.”

Nakanguso siya, then forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Sige. Maghahanap na lang ako ng other guy.”

If she’s trying to make me jealous, alam niyang hindi ‘yon gagana. Hindi ako ganoong type of guy, never have been.

Except when I remember Miguel’s hand on Maris’s back earlier, the way he leaned in like he still had some claim.

“Gawin mo yung gusto mo.”

Kinuha niya yung blanket and wrapped it around herself, then sat on the sofa with her legs tucked under. While I was walking toward the door, tinawag niya ako one last time.

“Tawagan mo ako next time you need company, or… whatever else.”

Napanguso ako and opened the door to leave, already halfway out.

“Enzo.”

Huminto ako and looked back at her, hand still on the doorknob.

“Ano?”

“Alam mo namang hindi ko pinapahiram yung lalaki ko, ‘di ba?” Nag-hesitate siya for a second, eyes searching mine. “Hindi ka naman nakatulog with someone else, ‘no?”