NEW YORK He didn't think he'd back here so soon, but for P— he did. The city looked the same way he left it. The bright lights still compliment the skyline and the amount of people who continuously roam around the streets are still there. "You missed New York that much?" nakangiting tanong ni P sa kaniya. He smirked at her. "Not really. You are the only reason why I'm here." Lulan sila ng sasakyan ni P at hindi kaila sa kaniya ang dalawang lalaking sumundo sa kanila kanina sa airport. They didn't look like an ordinary butler or driver, pero 'yon ang pakilala ni P sa mga ito kanina. The Mafia Don's princess could have more bodyguards. Sa Vancouver ay may dalawa rin na umaaligid sa kanila, at nang sumakay sila ng eroplano ay lumulan din ang mga ito. It was when they landed in New York and saw the other men's presence that they turned around and took the next flight. "Okay, if you say so. Do you want to go out for dinner or do you want to cook? I figured I can let you rest tonight. I
“Are they joining us?” tanong niya kay P habang naghahain.“Yes. You don’t mind, do you?” Pietra was back in no time. Nalaman niya na sa kabilang unit lang tumitigil ang dalawang matanda. Umiling s’ya. “It’s fine. Do they have allergies?”“Wala naman. Magnus loves lemons so you can add a few more slices on his plate. Rob is easy. He likes anything. Are we eating in five minutes?”“Yes. These are done.” Inilapag niya ang dalawang plato sa mesa. The table is good for four people and although the unit is modest, para sa isang kapatid ng Mafia Don, she could have a bigger suite— maybe a penthouse even. It showed me how simple P can be. Hindi s’ya maluho. And although there is nothing cheap in her things, kumpara sa iba ay mas mura pa rin ang mga ito. “Plating and all, look at you. Are you sure you’re on the right profession? Parang hindi ka naman bagay maging Chemical Engineer.”“Mas bagay akong asawa mo,” wala sa loob na sagot niya kay P.P laughed and waved her hand. “Masyado kang a
P remained quiet as he talked. It's not easy to open up about his family and even though he didn't want to keep things from her, there are certains things that he cannot share with her. Maybe in the future, but not at the moment. "I am the middle child and my parents always favored my brothers. I am no one's favorite and that's okay." "Was that the reason why you moved half way across the world? It's not easy to live on your own and leave your family." "You did it. You're living here." Sumimsim s'ya ng wine at ngumiti kay Pietra. He did not say that out of spite. He said it to point out that they did the same thing. "I did, but you do know that I keep in touch with my family and I go home to see them every chance I get. How about you? Can you say the same?" Hindi naman mukhang nairita si P. In fact, she answered it truthfully and quite calmly. Level headed din naman ito at wala s'yang nakitang bakas na gustong makipag-argumento sa kaniya. "I don't call them or visit them like you
And he forgot that he's not supposed to kiss her. Kanina pa s'ya nakahiga mag-isa sa couch pero umaalingawngaw pa rin sa tainga niya ang sinabi ni P. You're not supposed to kiss me yet, but I will let this one go since you've opened up to me a bit. Pietra even stole another quick kiss from him before she got up. Ni hindi s'ya nito nilingon at nagdiretso sa sariling silid. Akala niya talaga ay mababasted na s'ya. The thing with Pietra is you never know what you're going to get. She could be charming then savage the next. He closed his eyes and tried to get some sleep. Hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog pala s'ya na may ngiti sa labi. He forgot to ask P what time she gets up in the morning so he figured he'd get up at six to make breafast. It's the most important meal of the day and she should eat before heading to work. Her bedroom door is still closed pero naririnig niya ang lagaslas ng tubig. It was safe to say she's having a shower. He started brewing coffee and while cooking brea
It was weird how the man didn't even try to fight him. Tirik ang araw at kahit nasa makitid silang eskinita ay may mga tao sa paligid na pwedeng sumaksi. He can't help but feel paranoid that someone was sent to get him. The Gambinos after all crossed so many people in their lifetime. "I didn't mean to anger you. I just want to return your wallet. At least I think it's yours." Inabot nito ang wallet na pamilya sa kaniya. It was his, that's for sure. May emblem 'yon ng Gambino sa right corner. Hindi pa s'ya nalaglagan ng wallet kahit kailan. His back pocket was deep enough. Kung paano 'yon napunta sa kamay ng lalaking ito ay hindi niya malaman. He took his wallet from him. "How did you get it?" "I know what you're thinking, man. But I'm not that kind of guy." Nanatiling neutral ang expression ng kaniyang mukha. "My name is Joseph Munn and I work as a manager at the grocery store." Itinuro pa nito ang nakaburdang pangalan ng supermarket na kinaroroonan niya kanina. "I really just wan
Instead of thinking about what Antonello said, he focused on cooking. He wanted Pietra to come home to the perfect dinner. He also made leche flan. Mabuti na lang at bumili s'ya ng isang dosenang itlog kanina. May mga condensed milk din sa pantry. Saglit niyang nakalimutan ang mga isipin at masayang nagluto. When the door opened, Pietra was on the phone and motioned for him to be quiet. Hindi nito kasama si Magnus at Rob at malamang ay nagtungo sa katabing unit. "Yes, Kuya. I know." Napangiwi ito. "I can't. I have—" Tumingin si P sa gawi niya. "I have commitments and I can't just leave." Napabuntong hininga ito. Hindi niya marinig ang sinasabi ng kapatid nito pero sa tono ay mukhang pinauuwi. "I will come and visit when I can, but now is not a good time. Yes, I am okay. Okay. Yes. Love you too. Bye." Pasalampak na naupo si P sa couch at pumikit. She was at work all day at hindi man lang ito nagtext sa kaniya o tumawag. Taylor was right when he said she was not the clingy kind. Ikin
His hardwork paid off. He is finally on a real relationship with Pietra. Kung ano man ang kasunduan ng mga pamilya nila noon— labas na siya roon. All he wants is to make happy memories with her. She makes him happy and hopefully, hindi siya makagawa ng mga bagay na makasasakit kay P. Kararating lang nila sa Maynila at tumuloy sila sa unit niya. Napatawa siya nang makita ang expression ng girlfriend niya. Wala nga naman halos laman ito, at sa propesyon na mayroon si P— hindi 'yon acceptable. She breathes arts. Kahit yata tulog ito ay patuloy na nakapag-iisip ng mga bagong disenyo. "Did you get rob?" Hindi niya alam kung mauunang tumawa o sagutin ang tanong ni P. At 'yon nga, nauna na ang tawa niya. Maang na nakatingin sa kaniya si P. "What is so funny?" He raised his hand and gave her a signal to wait for a minute. Nang matapos siya sa pagtawa ay saka siya lumapit para yumakap kay P. "I didn't get robbed." "So wala kang gamit dito sa place mo??" Hindi pa rin ito makapaniwala
“Hello po, Ma’am. Maui po pala. Natatandaan n’yo pa po pala ako.” Nanatili ang staff sa labas ng pinto. Tumango si P. “Sa Sta. Monica.”“Opo. Bago po umalis si Ale— I mean Sir Ale po, inalok po niya na magtrabaho sa restaurant na itatayo niya." “Really.” Ngumiti si Maui at sumagot kahit hindi naman tinatanong. “Opo, Ma’am. Sige po at hindi na rin ako magtatagal para makakain na kayo.” Nagpaalam na si Maui at nang maiwan sila ni P ay dinala niya ang pagkain sa counter. Nagsimula siyang maghain. Nang maramdam niya ang matiim na titig nito ay tumingin siya sa direks’yon nito.“What is it?”“Did you date her?” P does not look happy. Kahit hindi ito umamin ay ramdam niyang nagseselos. "Don't you laugh, Gambino." Naiiling siyang naglakad papunta kay P. "I did not date her. I was just trying to help her. Actually, halos lahat ng mga staff sa restaurant ay may mga pinagdaraanan." Hinila niya ang silya at pinaupo si P. Walang imik itong tumalima saka siya naupo sa tabi nito. "Noong nag-eex