CHAPTER 4 “NAKED TRUTHS”

ALESSIO’S POV

After the successful dinner meeting with my co-partners in the Excavation Project in my private office, I instructed one of my bodyguards to call the butler, Benjamin.

It made my blood boil to catch my personal maid peeking at the remote corner of the third floor.

‘Does she already have an idea of what’s in one of the rooms there? I have to figure that out.’

“Your Excellency, according to your bodyguard, you wanted to see me, sir,” Benjamin said as soon he entered the study room.

In the dimly lit, opulent study of my grand estate, I sat behind my imposing mahogany desk, seething with anger.

My sharp eyes, usually filled with authority, were now ablaze with irritation as I faced Benjamin, my loyal butler, who stood with utmost respect before me.

“Benjamin, can you explain to me why I had to personally catch my personal maid, Arabella, peeking at the remote corner of the third floor, which is explicitly prohibited?” I said, my voice dripping with frustration.

Maintaining a calm demeanor, Benjamin responded, “Your Excellency, Arabella is still quite new here. She might not fully grasp the intricacies of our estate and its rules. It could have been an innocent mistake.”

His response only angered me more. I slammed my fist down on my desk where it made a loud thud. “Innocent or not, Benjamin, ignorance is not an excuse in this house. That part of the mansion is a well-known restricted area for a reason. We can’t afford security breaches.”

“I understand your concerns, Your Excellency. I’ll personally ensure Arabella is informed about the restricted areas and the importance of following our rules.”

I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming rhythmically on the polished mahogany table. My furrowed brow showed my lingering displeasure but a subtle nod indicated a slight appeasement as I considered Benjamin’s words.

“Very well, Benjamin. But keep a close eye on her, and let her know the consequences of such actions. We can’t afford any mistakes. I expect nothing less than complete loyalty and discretion from all who serve me.”

Acknowledging his responsibility, Benjamin nodded and spoke, “Of course, Your Excellency. I’ll make sure this won’t happen again.”

**********

I UNDERSTAND if Arabella couldn’t wake me up this morning. I’m sure she got really scared when I yelled at her yesterday. That incident must serve as a lesson for her.

While walking down the hallway to my Hidden Vault Room, I passed one of my maids at the other end of the hallway who had her back turned and seemed to be resting while fixing her loose hair.

For some reason, I seemed to see a resemblance in her movements and stance to the woman I had spent the night with.

I stopped walking and looked back at her. As she gently fanned herself with her left hand, memories of that girl came rushing back.

I lost control of my actions.

I moved closer to her and promptly took hold of her arm, urging her to face me.

Only then did I find out that it was Arabella.

She took a sudden, deep breath and promptly displayed her respect by bowing to me.

“Mr. Conti! I’m sorry if I stopped cleaning for a while, I was just about to tie my hair. I’m really sorry.” I could detect the fear in her tone.

My typically stern expression softened, and I offered her a reassuring smile.

“Arabella,” I said in a calm, reassuring tone, “take your time. Everyone needs a moment to relax and groom themselves.”

I watched as her shoulders relaxed and the tension in the hallway dissipated.

It was a deliberate change from my usual demeanor, leaving Arabella both bewildered and relieved, as she realized I wasn’t about to reprimand her.

“Benjamin, do you recall the woman from that night? The one who accepted the offer to spend the night with me just last week.” I asked for Benjamin’s presence in my study room later that morning.

Benjamin’s brow furrowed, a hint of sadness crossing his face. “I’m afraid I never had the privilege of knowing her personally, sir. I never knew the woman’s identity,” he admitted somberly, his eyes casting downward.

I took a deep breath before continuing, “I don’t know, Benjamin, but it’s been haunting me. I feel like I need to find her, to know who she is and apologize for what I’ve done to her that night.”

Benjamin nodded, “I understand, sir. I may not know her name, but I can try to inquire discreetly to those who work in the cabaret I went to. Perhaps someone might have some information about her.”

“Yes, please do that, Benjamin. Find out everything you can about her—name, background, anything. It’s… important.”

Benjamin gave a curt nod, understanding the weight of my request. “Of course, sir. I’ll discreetly gather the information you seek.”

My fingers drummed nervously on the armrest of my chair. “Thank you, Benjamin. I need to know more about her, about that night. You know, something about that woman makes me feel restless these past few nights.”

Benjamin offered a reassuring smile. “I’ll do my best, sir. You can count on me.”

ARABELLA’S POV

ARAW NG MIYERKULES

MATAPOS magligpit ng mga pinagkainan ay inutusan naman ako ni Sir Benjamin maglinis ng kwarto ni Mr. Conti.

Ayon kay Sir Benjamin, may lakad raw si Mr. Conti ngayong umaga ngunit hindi niya natitiyak kung anong oras ito aalis. Kaya naman ang tugon sa akin ay kumatok lang daw ako, kapag walang sumagot, ibig sabihin wala ito sa loob.

Nakailang beses ako sa pagkatok sa pinto ngunit walang sumasagot.

‘Buti nga kung wala, para naman magawa ko nang maayos ang paglilinis sa loob.’

Pumasok na ako at gaya ng sa study room niya ay sasalubong rin sa’yo ang napakabangong amoy na nanaisin mong magtagal sa loob.

Kung ang kulay ng study room niya ay silver gray, ang kanyang kwarto naman ay napupuno ng kulay navy blue.

I really enjoy cleaning here by myself because no one is watching or scrutinizing my every move.

Sinimulan ko nang pulutin ang kaunting gamit na naka-kalat sa sahig.

Kung titingnan ang kanyang kwarto, masasabing malinis na. Wala nang masyadong dapat pang ayusin maliban sa kanyang higaan.

Kasalukuyan akong nag-va-vacuum ng malambot na dark gray persian rug nang marinig ko ang boses ni Mr. Conti sa aking likuran.

“Arabella… what are you doing here?” tanong niya sa akin.

“Ah, ano sir, naglilinis lang po---”

Mali yata ako nang ginawa nang lingunin ko siya.

Dahil wala lang naman siyang saplot. As in wala!

Mukhang kagagaling lang niya sa pagligo dahil sa marahang pagpunas niya ng kanyang basang buhok.

Agad akong nakaramdam ng embarrassment nang makita ko ang ibabang bahagi ng kanyang katawan. Mabilis kong tinakpan ang aking mga mata ng magkabila kong kamay. Kasabay nito ang aking pagtalikod.

“You’re blushing…”

Lalong nag-init ang aking mukha nang marinig ang kanyang pagbibiro.

“Sir, I…”

“Don’t tell me this is the first time you’ve seen a naked man, Arabella. Is that why you blushed?”

Nagulat na lamang ako nang maramdaman ko ang kanyang paglapit sa akin.

Hindi ko na naiwasang mapasinghap nang malakas. Hindi ako makagalaw.

“Arabella, one of the things I don’t like is that the person I’m talking to has his back turned.”

“Sir, k-kasi…”

“You don’t want to see me angry again, Arabella,” lalo pang naging seryoso ang kanyang pagsasalita.

Ito na ang naging hudyat upang humarap ako sa kanya ngunit nanatiling nakapikit ang aking mga mata.

At a short distance, amoy na amoy ko ang nalalabing halimuyak na bumabalot kay Mr. Conti pagkatapos ng shower niya.

“Look at me,” utos niya sa akin.

Dahan-dahan kong iminulat ang aking mga mata.

“Tell me, Arabella, have you never had a boyfriend in your entire life?”

Natigilan ako. ‘Maituturing bang boyfriend ang taong nakasama mo lang ng isang gabi at siyang kumuha ng iyong virginity?’

“N-No, Mr. Conti, I’ve never had a boyfriend in my entire life.”

“You mean to say, you haven’t had any experience with physical intimacy?”

Habang tumatagal ang aming usapan ay nagiging personal naman ang kanyang mga tanong.

Ako naman itong hindi na makapagsalita sa sobrang kaba.

‘Ano ba naman kasi ang isasagot ko? Yes? No?’

Nakagat ko ang aking labi. Nanatiling sa taas ang aking mga tingin.

“Ah, ano, sir… I think I forgot something outside.” Nagsimula na akong humakbang paatras. “M-Mamaya na lang po ako ulit maglilinis dito, sige po.”

Dali-dali na akong lumabas ng kanyang kwarto nang hindi man lang hinihintay ang sasabihin niya.

Bahala na siya kung magagalit siya sa akin pero hindi ko na kayang magtagal pa sa loob samahan pa ng nakakailang na sandali dahil hindi man lang siya nag-aalalang takpan ang ibabang bahagi ng kanyang katawan.