Chapter 05

-Josh-

From being the CEO of Dela Paz Manufacturing in Metro Manila, I took a leap of faith and flew to Cebu and studied culinary arts. One moment I was in boardrooms making big decisions, and the next, I was sitting in classrooms with a notebook in hand, starting all over again.

But even as I buried myself in studies, hindi ko nakakalimutan ang responsibilidad ko sa kumpanya. In between lectures and late-night readings, I was still glued to updates, reviewing reports, attending virtual meetings, and making sure the company stayed on course. 

Pero kapag nakabalik na ang ate Bianca ko sa company and takes over the position as CEO, pwede na akong magfocus sa sarili ko at sa gusto kong gawin pansamantala habang nagmomove on kay Alison.

Busy pa si ate sa pagbawi sa anak niya—kay Justin na inampon ni Vaughn, ang best friend ko.

And I was here in Cebu because of my ex-fiancée, Alison Santos. Naplano na namin ang lahat-lahat. From the venue, to the invitations that were printed in gold foil, and to the guest list that was finalized down to the last seat. 

Everything was set, like a dream waiting to unfold. But just a month before the wedding, she broke up with me. Sabi niya nasakal daw siya sa akin. Why would she even accept my proposal kung ganito din pala ang gagawin niya sa akin? Kung hihiwalayan din lang pala niya ako? Sana hindi na lang niya tinanggap ang proposal ko.

I had no idea what she meant noong sinabi niyang nasasakal siya sa akin. I gave her everything. My time, my heart, my every effort. I poured myself into her world like it was the only thing that mattered. I bought everything she wanted—bags, shoes, clothes, and jewelries.

But no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I sacrificed, it still wasn’t enough. I was still not enough for her. In her eyes, I could never be the good man she ever wanted.

And until now, I still blame myself for not being enough for her. Gusto kong malaman kung ano pa ba ang kulang sa akin. Ano pa bang gusto niya? Pero ayaw na niya akong kausapin kaya mas ginusto ko na lang ang lumayo.

Mabuti na lamang at hindi na kami umabot pa sa simbahan, kung saan ay hindi niya ako sisiputin. Mas nakakahiya siguro iyon.

Lumayo ako para matahimik, para mapag-isa, at para makamove on, pero pagdating dito sa bahay ko sa Cebu, nagulantang ako dahil isang spoiled brat, feeling rich na babae ang nabungaran ko.

After seeing her in the bathroom, bare naked, her image couldn’t get out of my head. Kahit noong nagluluto ako, ‘yung maganda at makinis na katawan niya ang naiisip ko. Naramdaman ko din ang biglang pagtigas ng sandata ko, kaya minabuti kong huminto muna sa pagluluto at baka hindi masarap ang kalalabasan nito.

I immediately called Uncle Lawrence to ask about her, and to get her off my mind, pero paano? When she was also our topic. “Uncle, who is this girl in my house?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Josh anak, hindi ko kaagad nasabi sa’yo. Naging busy din kasi ako kanina dahil may mga nagbayad sa kabilang apartment. That’s Sofia. Last month kasi nag-inquire siya sa akin ng apartment na malapit sa school. Eh hindi ka naman umuuwi dito kaya ibinigay ko na ang bahay mo, since puno na ng tenants ang ibang apartment. Ayaw niya sa condo or sa hotel dahil masyadong malayo daw sa school. She already paid one month advance and five months deposit.” sagot ni uncle Lawrence.

“What? Sana tinanong mo man lang ako tungkol dito.” naiinis na isinuklay ko ang mga daliri sa kulot kong buhok, at napangiwi ako.

Alison loved my hair so much that she used to run her fingers through it. Ang sabi niya pa, pahabain ko daw para maging kamukha ko si Harry Styles dahil favorite niya ito.

I scoffed, now hating my curly hair. Pupunta ako sa salon bukas para ibalik sa dati ang buhok ko.

“Sorry, anak. Ang sabi ko share muna kayo sa bahay since dalawa naman ang bedroom. Ililipat ko na lang siya kapag nagkaroon ng bakante sa ibang apartment.” uncle Lawrence added. “Okay lang ba sa’yo?”

“I’m sorry, uncle. Ibabalik ko na lang ang perang ibinayad niya. Ayoko ng may kasamang ibang tao dito sa bahay lalo na’t babae.” sabi ko sa kanya. "You know about my situation right now. I want to be alone wjile moving on."

I know naiintindihan ako ni uncle Lawrence dahil alam niya ang lahat ng nangyari. He was also invited in my wedding.

“Pero kawawa naman ‘yung bata. Start na ng classes bukas, baka pwede mo munang patuluyin diyan hangga’t hindi pa nakakahanap ng matutuluyan.”

“No, uncle. I’m sorry.” At pinalayas ko nga siya, pero hindi kinaya ng konsensiya ko, kaya sinundan ko siya. Mukhang bata pa ang babae, at mukhang walang kaalam-alam dito sa Cebu. 

Mukha siyang inosente, almost angelic, with her big brown eyes and long eyelashes that held just the right touch of vulnerability. Her nose was so finely shaped, and it added a gentle grace to her face. Her small, pouty lips seemed to yearn for affection, making her beauty catch you off guard. So charming, effortless, and eerily deceptive.

Her body was so perfect that I could imagine my large hands massaging her perfect boobs.

“Shit! What the hell am I thinking?”

I quickly shook my head to dismiss the thought. She was too young for me and a spoiled brat dressed in charm. Noong bumuka ang legs niya sa harap ko, I realized she wasn't that innocent. She's a bitch!

No matter how captivating her beauty was, I couldn’t ignore the truth hidden beneath it. She wasn’t what I needed and never would be.

Ayoko ng mga babaeng katulad niya. Gusto ko ng kagaya ni Alison, and if ever she would give me another chance, I wouldn’t hesitate to come back to her.

I fell in love with Alison dahil napakasimple niyang babae. Mula sa pananamit hanggang sa pagsasalita. Unlike this Sofia girl. Masyadong madaldal. Very liberated pa manamit, at halos wala nang itago sa katawan. And yet, there were moments when she looked more like a gold digger.

Her eyes sparkled a little too brightly when she saw my sports car. I know her kind. Hindi na ako magtataka kung isang araw ay akitin niya ako para makuha ang gusto niya, but I won’t fall for her charm. Never.