CHAPTER 5 - UNDER THE STARRY SKY

THIRD PERSON POV

Alessio Conti entered the room, his presence commanding attention. He wasted no time and cut straight to business, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the blueprints laid out before him.

He gathered his most trusted business associates in his lavishly decorated private office to have a thorough discussion regarding the Excavation Project that held a potential to expand his empire.

Habang abala ang grupo sa kanilang diskurso, nagsimula namang maglakbay ang isip ni Alessio. Ang tagpo kung saan nakita siya ni Arabella na hubo’t hubad ay nagsimulang maglaro sa kanyang isipan na para bang eksena sa isang pelikula.

He leaned back, his thoughts racing. He couldn’t help but feel this unexplainable gladness at how Arabella blushed when she saw him in such a situation. Iyon ang unang pagkakataon na nasiyahan siyang pagmasdan ang reaksyon ng isang tao sa ganoong paraan.

Markel, his closest confidant and right-hand man, cleared his throat and with a stern look, said, “Time to decide, gentlemen. West side or waterfront?”

Markel’s voice cut Alessio’s wandering thoughts. Still, his response was quick, “West side. Less visibility, fewer problems.”

Markel nodded in agreement, “Noted, Ace.”

However, Lucas, Alessio’s younger cousin, who’s also part of his business associates, interjected, “Big Al, we’ve received information that a rival group has their sights on the same territory. This could lead to…”

“A rival group, you say?” Alessio said, his eyes narrowed as he leaned back on his chair. “They dare to encroach on our territory? We cannot allow this.”

As their meeting ended, Alessio received an unexpected message on his phone. He read it, his expression shifting to a mixture of shock and anger.

**************

AS NIGHT FALLS, Alessio decided to have dinner on the rooftop terrace, where he could enjoy a panoramic view of the island’s lights and dine at a table set with fine china under the starry sky.

But he was sure that this wouldn’t be as dramatic as what he was expecting without the help of his personal maid, Arabella.

As Arabella gently placed the Grilled Fillet Mignon dish that Alessio has requested to have at dinner, hindi niya maiwasang maalala ang galak sa mukha ng mayordomong si Benjamin habang binabahagi sa kanya ang espesyal na “kahilingan” ni Alessio.

“Arabella, mahigpit na ipinagbilin ni Mr. Conti na kayong dalawa lang ang nais niyang naroon sa rooftop terrace habang kumakain siya ng kanyang hapunan.”

Pinigilan ni Arabella ang panginginig ng kanyang kamay habang nilalagyan ng isang klase ng vintage wine ang baso ng kanyang amo.

Matapos nito ay nanatili siyang nakatayo sa tabi, habang abala si Alessio sa hapunan nito.

Manaka-nakang sumusulyap si Arabella sa kumikislap na mga ilaw sa ibaba. Lihim siyang nagpapasalamat sa pribilehiyong masaksihan ang gayong makapigil-hiningang tanawin mula sa terrace ng mansyon, samahan pa nang mapayapang pagkinang ng mga bituin sa langit.

Ang marahang kaluskos ng mga dahon sa mga punong nakapalibot ay lumikha ng isang nakapapawi na himig na para bang sinasabayan ang banayad na tugtog ng musika na nanggagaling sa isang antique vinyl record player.

“Does it make you feel bored watching me eat, Arabella?” Nagulat si Arabella sa biglaang tanong ng amo. “I can’t help but wonder if you might prefer a more exciting task downstairs.”

“N-Not at all, Mr. Conti,” maagap niyang sagot. “As your personal maid, it’s my duty to serve you, sir. And it’s actually quite peaceful, watching you enjoy your meal.”

Humalaklak si Alessio, umalingawngaw ang malalim niyang boses sa tahimik na terrace.

Kumunot nang bahagya ang noo ni Arabella. ‘May nakakatawa ba sa sinabi ko?’ bulong niya sa sarili.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that,” Alessio said, a smile playing across his face while chewing. “On a different note, how is your family, Arabella? Benjamin mentioned that your father is currently in the hospital. What happened?”

Tumingin panandalian si Arabella sa ibaba. Hindi niya maiwasang malungkot nang maalala ang kalagayan ng kanyang ama. “That’s true, sir. He is in the hospital because he was shot in the head. He’s in a coma.”

Umangat ang tingin ni Alessio at tinitigan siyang maigi. “Does your father have enemies?”

Mabilis na umiling si Arabella. “None that I know of, Mr. Conti. My father is a kind person and he is not quick to anger. I believe he was only a victim of a mistaken identity.”

He nodded. “How about your mom? Where is she?”

Sa sandaling ito ay napabuntong-hininga naman siya. “I never met my mom, sir. My father told me once that mom had a serious illness when I was born and that’s what caused her death at an early age.”

Natigilan si Alessio at muli siyang tiningnang maigi. “Arabella, let’s talk about something else. I believe you lose your beauty when you are sad.”

Ang huling sinabi ni Alessio ay siyang nagpabilis ng tibok ng puso ni Arabella.

“How about we discuss your romantic life, for instance?” He looked at her meaningfully. “Have you truly never been in a romantic relationship your whole life?”

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Arabella. Naalala niya na naman ang pangyayari sa loob ng kwarto nito. Ito rin ang naging katanungan nito kung saan nakausap niya ito ng walang saplot. Hindi mawala-wala sa isip ni Arabella ang makisig na pangangatawan ng binata.

Ramdam niya na naman ang pag-init ng kanyang pisngi. “Ah, ano, sir. I… haven’t been in a relationship before.”

Alessio leaned back, with a playful grin on his lips. “I don’t believe it for a second that nobody has ever noticed your beauty, Arabella. Why do you think you’re still single?”

Napakagat-labi si Arabella sa hindi maipaliwanag na pakiramdam sa tuwing pinupuri siya nito. “I’ve been focused on my studies and work, sir, and haven’t had much time for romance.”

Pinunasan ni Alessio ang magkabilang dulo ng kanyang labi gamit ang charcoal gray linen napkin cloth. “Don’t you think it’s high time for you to have a boyfriend?”

“Uh, I don’t have time for that… sir.”

Mula sa pagyuko, muling napaangat ng tingin si Arabella nang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo si Alessio at humakbang palapit sa kanya. “Do you know how to dance, Arabella?”

“Po?”

He extended his hand towards her. She hesitated, her heart pounding. “Mr. Conti, I appreciate the offer, but you are my employer and I’m just…”

He interrupted her with a reassuring smile. “Arabella, I promise you, no one will know. No one is watching except us.”

Overwhelmed by his charisma and the romantic ambiance of the moment, Arabella placed her trembling hand on his.

Dahan-dahan silang nagsimulang sumabay sa musika, nawala naman ang distansya sa pagitan nila. Sa una ay ingat na ingat si Arabella sa bawat galaw, ngunit hindi niya maitatanggi ang sayang dulot ng haplos ni Alessio.

While dancing, Alessio caught a glimpse of a shadowy figure in the distance. However, when he looked back, it was gone. So, he simply ignored it and continued to sway to the music.

“Arabella, have you ever had your heart dance to a melody like this before?”

Arabella was taken aback by the question.

“Um, no, Mr. Conti,” she replied with a slight blush. “I suppose, I haven’t experienced anything quite like this before.”

Alessio smiled and said, “Well, Arabella, I think your heart deserves to dance to beautiful melodies like this more often. And I’m here to make that happen.”

Hindi makapaniwala si Arabella na manggagaling sa binata ang mga katagang iyon. Ni minsan hindi sumagi sa kanyang isip na masasabi ito ng pinagsisilbihang lalaki.

Lumipas ang gabi na puno ng kagalakan ang puso ni Arabella habang binabalikan ang mga salitang namutawi sa labi ng binata.