Four

Exelle

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.

"Miss Kim..."

Naagaw ang atensyon ko nang tawagin ni Audrey ang pangalan ko, kaya nilingon ko ito at pilit na nginitian. My mind has been occupied since Alexis left an hour ago. Maybe just because of those things na napag-usapan namin. Those things that I never thought had happened years ago.

"Here are the copies of your contract with Mr. Sanchez along with the papers regarding with the proposal of Vallejo Corporation to the EXiellene Royal. I already made four copies each of the papers, in case of an emergency. Are you sick, Miss Kim?" Sabi nito sakin sabay tanong kung ayos lang ako at abot nang isang white expanding envelope sakin. I just nodded as a response.

Hindi na ito nagtanong pa nang buksan ko ang envelope at tinignan ang mga files na nasa loob nito. Alam kong napansin niya ang mood ko ngayon kaya hindi na siya nag-usisa pa.

"How about the blueprint of the building? May I check on it again?" I ask her while I placed back the file of papers inside the envelope. I keep myself busy para naman makalimutan ko yung tungkol kanina.

***

"For you, maybe its forgivable. Kasi kung tutuusin, parte palang yun nang kasalanan nila sayo. Do you have any idea of what happened to your family's wealth?" Alexis suddenly asked me habang nakasandal ang likuran sa kanyang kotse.

Nakatitig lang ako sa kanya while standing infront of him. And about his question.

"The bank took the fifty percent of my family's wealth . Except for the house. Why?"

Umiling ito na ipinagtaka ko naman. I walk beside him and copy his position, leaning my back on his car. "Tell me what you know Lex." Walang gana kong sabi sa kanya. I know that there were more secrets that I didn't knew of, other than the case of Hans and Rylie who betrayed us.

"Hans took Mondregal’s wealth by transferring everything to his name and gave a considerable amount of shares to Rylie." He answered. "Hindi lang kalahati ang kinuha nila, they took the whole percent of it. Sinamantala ni Hans ang pagkaka-kasal mo sa kanya at ginawa itong daan upang makakilos nang mas mabilis. Lahat nang manang dapat ay nakapangalan sayo ay sekreto niyang inilipat sa pangalan niya."

So, that's it. The bank didn't really took all of it, dahil kinuha pala nila ang mga ito. I never thought na ang galing niyang magtago nang ganoong klaseng sikreto. Now it frustrate me, enough to cursed them inside of my head.

"He's good. Really good at hiding." I said at ibinaling ang tingin ko sa dalawang taong masayang nag-uusap sa loob ng cafe. "Actually, both of them were good."

"What do you want to do now?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya. His eyes were asking me more than what should I do. He looked at me with a worry. Pero bakit naman siya mag-aalala?

"Don't worry Lex. I'll work on it. Besides, its useless to be back in here just to do some business related to my business. Maybe I should used this time to have a bigger comeback." Sabi ko na lang sa kanya. I smile at him. Ngayon ko lang napagtanto, na hindi sa lahat ng bagay kailangan tahimik ka. Sometimes we should learn how to fight back those who fight you from the back. Maybe its really good to be back. Ngayon, mababawi ko na ang dapat kong bawiin.

Ayos na sana yung niloko ako at pinahirapan noon. But the case of taking away my family's property must be out of it. They should have at least forget about the treasures my family left for me as their memory but still they did.

"I'll contact you na lang Lex. I have a lot of work to do." I told him with a smile.

***

"Miss Kim, you have an event to attend tonight." Audrey reminded me while I was scanning all the file of papers on my desk. I am at my office inside my house, since wala naman akong iba pang lugar na pwede kong tuluyan nang trabaho ko. So for now, I had to bring all my paper works in my house.

"What for?" I ask her without removing my eyes on the paper then set it aside since I can not approves to its content, then took another folder and read it.

"It's an invitation from the Alva Company, a famous clothing company. Its a direct invitation for you ma'am, from Mr. Alexis Riguera, the CEO of the company. The event was said to be the celebration for the 7th year Anniversary of the said company." She said explaining to me further details. Pero ang mas nakakuha nang aking pansin ay ang pangalan nang may-ari.

I smile.

I never knew that he now owned a company. Ni hindi niya man lang nabanggit kanina nung magkasama kami. That guy is really something.

"Ma'am, I was wondering. What was your relationship with Mr. Riguera? I never heard of his name as one of our company's ally nor partners."

She's right. I just attended personally to invitations from trusted friends of the company. But if its not, I let Audrey attend to represent for my absence. Hindi kasi ako marunong makisalamuha sa mga taong hindi ko naman masyadong kilala, though its one of the things I must have as a CEO.

"I know. But I'll attend tonight's event. He's a friend of mine." I told her before finishing all the paper works and strech my arms na gaya nang sa bagong gising. Ang sakit nang buo kong pangangatawan and I am so sleepy. Kaya tumayo agad ako sa kinauupuan ko at kinuha ang susi nang isa kong kotse and throw to Audrey.

"Go find me something to wear for tonight. Something that will make me stand out with my beauty." Utos ko sa kanya and wink at her and aslo flip my hair to the air. Napailing lang ito habang nakangiti habang natatawa naman akong lumabas nang kwarto. Ganyan kasi ang pakikitungo ko kay Audrey. Para ko na rin kasi siyang kapatid. I am one year older than her, so doubt about her young looks. Agad naman akong dumiretso sa kwarto ko at patalong dumapa sa ibabaw nang kama.

Sometimes I think about the days that I'll never work instead, I'll be sleeping like this all day and eat everything I want. I sigh and mentally laugh. Kailan kaya ang araw na yun? Siguro kapag nag-asawa ulit ako. But that marriage will be a the better one. Not perfect, yet not tragic.

Gumulong ako paharap sa kisame at pasimpleng naghanap nang mga butiki sa taas. Nakakamiss magbilang nang butiki sa kisame kapag ganitong wala naman akong ginagawa. Noon kasi, kahit linisan ko araw-araw ang kwarto ko, lagi namang may butiki sa kisame o sa kung saang sulok nang bahay. Di ko nga noon malaman kung saan sila galing eh. I pouted wondering kung ilang butiki ngayon ang makikita ko. I also remembered those time kung saan binibigyan ko nang pangalan ang mga butiking nakikita ko. Nandyan ang butiki na si A, si B, si C. At marami pang butiki. Maybe I already finished all the letters in the alphabet. Siguro numbers naman ang name nila.

Hays. Nababaliw nanaman ako.

While doing it, I remember about the old days. Yung mga araw na kakaibang-kakaiba talaga ang itsura ko sa kung anong itsura meron ako ngayon. Natatawa talaga ako sa itsura ko dati. Minsan napapamura pa ako na parang isang teenager kapag naaalala ko ang lahat nang yun. Mukha kasi akong manang mag-ayos noon. Daig ko pa nga ang suman sa itsura ko noon na mukhang ibinalot na ang katawan tulad ng sa kakanin.

But then, remembering all of those funny things about me, makes me remember about the pained and tortured past life I had from the hands of my ex-husband.

My smile faded like how it used to everytime I remember those painful past. I thought about forgetting it, and I did. But I cannot deny that it is still inside me. Parang nakamix lang siya sa lahat nang memories ko. Nagtatago lang at naghihintay na lumabas ulit sakaling gustuhin nitong lumabas muli at ipaalala sa akin ang lahat nang yun. Parang hindi naman kasi talaga siya totally nawala. It is still inside of me and I can feel it. Pinaniniwala ko lang talaga siguro sa sarili ko na nakalimutan ko na ito, kahit hindi naman talaga.

Hans Kenji Alvez

The god-looking man that I met in my life. My former husband that I made and promised my sacred vow to fulfill with him. But turned to be a broken vow.

Yes.

He looks like a god. But it was just what he looks like. Because the truth is, he is a demon behind that god-looking face mask. The demon who totally ruined my life. The demon who supposed to be rotting in hell. The man I onced loved before, but now a stranger for me. How I wish na sana, hindi na maulit pa ang lahat ng nangyari. Or more likely to say, how I wish that it never happened. How I wish that I shouldn't have met him. I may thought about I have forgive him, but doing nothing and just letting go of that stupid past makes me feel regret. Regret of doing nothing without letting them pay for the price of pain and fear I felt before.

Naiisip ko, hindi ko kaya pang magawa na maupo na lang sa isang tabi at hintayin ang lahat nang susunod na mangyayari. Nakakasawa ang maghintay na makita silang naghihirap. I want something from them. Yung bagay na gustong-gusto kong bawiin sa kanila.

My dignity. My life.

They ruined my dignity as a woman and a wife. Sinira nila ang buhay ko. Kinuha ang lahat ng mga bagay na akin lang dapat. Napabuntong-hininga ako.

Matagal din akong nakatulala sa kisame. Thinking about something that would ease my mind. Maybe this is the time to forget of being a good one, and its time to learn how to fight like the bad one. Natahimik lang ako nang pitong taon, pero pakiramdam ko gumulo nanaman dahil sa mga nangyari noon. Wala akong inisip sa loob ng pitong taon, kundi ang mamuhay nang mag-isa, at malayo kay Hans. Pero ngayon, nalaman ko pa na dalawa pala dapat ang iniiwasan.

I sigh.

And I've decided. I'll make my move to have my revenge.

Napatayo ako sa kama bago ko kinuha ang aking cellphone na nasa nightstand, na nasa kaliwang bahagi ng kama. I dialed Audrey's cellphone number na agad naman na sinagot nito.

"Get me the list of the visitors invited in the party tonight. Look for the names Hans Kenji Alvez and Rylie Andrea Lux, and report it to me immediately if they were on the list." Mala-awtoridad kong sabi dito saka ko ito binabaan ng tawag. Pakiramdam ko naman naguilty ako ng babaan ko ito ng tawag ng walang paalam. So dial again her number and call her na agad niya namang sinagot.

"Hello Ms. Kim, what is it?" Tanong nito mula sa kabilang -linya.

"Basta. Thanks and sorry." I told her and end the call.

If they were invited tonight, then I must go with a very simple plan of starting a revenge. I must start with a show off.

***

I set up my starter plan at natatawang binasa ulit ang lahat nang naisulat ko sa leather notes kong kulay itim. Nandito ako ngayon sa backseat ng sasakayan na papunta sa venue ng party. This notebook Revenge 101, that I made myself has the list of all the plans I have for them. Sinilip kong muli ang laman nang unang page nang mga plano nang maramdaman kong tumigil na ang kotse na harap ng isang building. Para akong bata sa ginagawa ko pero nakakamiss kayang maging teenager ulit. Revenge is a childish game that I really missed out all the time living on this planet earth. I mentally laugh.

Napatingin ako sa unahan at nakita kong nakatingin sa akin si manong. Gosh. Mukha yata akong timang na tawa ng tawa mag-isa.

"Ah eh, Manong, nandito na po tayo?" Maang-maangan kong tanong dito kahit alam kong nandito na talaga kami. Tumango lang ito saka ngumiti sa akin. Hays. Baka isipin niya nababaliw na ako?

Nabaling ang atensyon ko sa labas nang mayroong nagbukas nang pinto mula sa labas. Staff yata nang hotel. From here inside the car, I saw many flashes of lights from the medias' camera around. I think this occassion is some sort of very known at inaabangan talaga ng lahat ng tao. Maybe because there's a lot of famous identity of businesses and celebrities were invited. Kaya siguro ang raming media mula rito sa labas na nasa magkabilaang bahagi ng red carpeted floor papuntang entrance ng hotel. Parang pangroyalties ang style niya.

And at th very most awaited persons that I know who were invited, I saw them walking on the red carpet papunta sa loob.

Rylie and Hans.

This may be called coincidence seeing them too early this night. I was planning to hunt them down pero tadhana na ang mabilis na naglalapit sa aming mga landas. Too bad. Rylie was waving her right hands sa magkabilang bahagi ng daan, na kinaroroonan ng mga media personnel, na pinagkukumpulan naman ng mga ito. She seems famous. Sabagay, isa siyang sikat na artista at kilalang fiancee ng isang mayaman na business tycoon who owned the famous brand of Te Amo, a brand for known cosmetics and perfumes worldwide, Hans Kenji Alvez.

Hmm. For seven years, mag-fiancee palang sila. And that sounds fishy. I learned everything about them from my hired trusted secret imbestigator.

Nang mabuksan nito ang pinto ay dahan-dahan akong lumabas ng kotse. Carefully holding the fabrics of my gown. Carefully stepped on the flat ground with my black and purple high heels. When I managed to come out of the car, I stand straight with pride and humbleness. Before I take my leave, I thank the guy who opened the door for me, seeing him looking at me with an awe.

I know right, maganda talaga ako. Charr.

And this is it. The most awaited moment that I am waiting ever since I got here. Ang maagaw ang atensyon ng lahat at mawala ang atensyon sa kanila. Hindi ako nagmamayabang. Kailangan ko lang talagang gawin toh dahil ito na ang nakaplano kong gawin.

Plan #01: Steal the Spotlight. check (√)

Nawala ang atensyon ng lahat kina Rylie nang mapansin nila ang pagdating ko. All of the flashes of light turn to stick on me as I started to walk on the carpet, waving my hand from left to right. Wearing my black tube, sparkling long mermaid gown, with the color of purple at the very end of the fabrics, that fits and revealed the perfect shape of my body, I make them look at me with an awe.

Not a single thread of lights escapes from my grand walk on this red carpet. Medias around me turned to be more interested to me now. And everything that was being planned is going smoothly as what I am expecting.

Nabaling ang tingin ko sa dalawang tao na ginawan ko ng espesyal na sorpresang ito. They were both looking at me with a surprised expression written all over their faces.

That's it.

Just look at me.

Look at me as the greatest unknown that you'll never expect to be known. Because I did this to let them know that I'm really back. Back to take and make my move and get everything that I must have and respectively must be mine from the start.

I look back at them and smirk. Stopping in front of them and shows them the sweetest smile that my enemies could ever receive.

"Xiellenna?!" Rylie called my name, enough for me to hear it.

Her eyes were wide open, obviously telling me that she's really surprised to see me. Napansin ko ang pagpapawis ng kanyang noo na para bang kinabahan siya na makita akong muli. Nabaling naman ang tingin ko sa kamay braso niya na nakalagay sa braso ni Hans. Maybe she noticed me looking at its kaya mabilis pa sa alas kwatrong tinanggal niya ang braso niya mula dito. How rude. She's not even moving to give me a friendly kiss on my cheek and welcome me for my comeback. Para naman sa gayon ay magmukha talaga siyang si Judas. The sign of being a traitor.

While on the other hand, Hans was just looking at me repeatedly from head to toe. Para siyang timang. Now what, he was looking at his ex-wife from head to toe. Baka hindi niya pa ako makilala. Well of course, nagkita na kami noon sa airport but it’s only a coincidence. Now it’s my purpose to show myself to them.

Seeing them like this filled the tension rising up inside me.

"What an accident to bump each other here. B-Beshi-ie." Nauutal na panimula ni Rylie sa akin.

I really wanted to laugh so hard hearing the words accident and Beshie from her filthy mouth, but I hold myself and calm down. So, she will still hold on from the old ways of acting like she's still my best friend? Na uhh. In her dreams.

"Beshie? Uhm. Have we met before?" Maang-maangan kong tanong dito.

I mentally laugh when I saw her face turned red, na para bang nahiya siya sa sinabi niya. Well, mahiya talaga siya sa kapal ng mukha niya. Anong akala niya sakin? Yung dating ako na kaya niyang madala sa tawag na yun? Well, everything changes, and I changed a lot. And even Hans was stunned hearing me say those words. Hanggang ngayon ba magtataka pa rin siya kung bakit ganito ang pakikitungo ko sa kanila?

"I am really sorry but either the two of you isn't familiar to me at all. My name is Exelle Kim. Maybe we could talk inside instead. But for now, I need to go first, so let me excuse myself." Yun lang ang sinabi ko sa kanila and walk in the middle of them because they already parted, giving me way to pass through.

Naglakad na ako papunta sa pinto ng hotel leaving them behind me. It’s only the start of my plans. There's many more to come.