Chapter 5

"Ma'am, nandito na po si Mr. Mongreco," bungad sa akin ng isang kasambahay pagpasok ko pa lang sa pintuan ng mansiyon. 

"Kanina pa?"

"Opo. Nasa study room siya."

Bumuntong-hininga ako at dumiretso sa kuwarto para makapagbihis. Nang umalis siya kanina ay hindi na rin ako nagtagal pa dahil alas dose na iyon ng tanghali. Louie was obviously irritated with his words, kaya umalis na rin ito at hinatid ako. Mainitin kasi ang ulo non kaya mabilis mainis. I don't blame him, though. Mukha naman talagang sinadya ni Reilan na inisin siya. He should have kept his mouth shut than insult him. What do I expect, anyway? Gago naman talaga ang Mongreco na 'yon.

When I entered the study room, his eyes automatically shifted on me. He's in his usual position, sitting on a chair in front of the circular table. Itiniklop niya ang hawak na libro nang maupo ako sa tabi niya.

"I thought you forgot about our session. Buti naman naalala mo," he said darkly, eyes are screaming in vigor.

"Of course. Sayang naman ang pinapasuweldo sa'yo kung wala kang gagawin."

"Well..." Inis ko siyang tiningnan, wanting so bad to confront him. I really hate his guts. He's always thinking so high of himself when he don't even have some manners!

"Why were you rude to Louie? Kung mang-iinsulto ka rin lang naman, sana hindi ka na lang nagsalita pa." 

His brow shut up.

"Who says I'm insulting him? Nagtatanong lang ako. Is that your another boytoy? Tss, such a bad taste."

"You should have asked him in a nice way. Hindi yung ganon ka kung makatanong. Kahit sino maiinsulto do'n! And what about that boytoy thing? He's my friend, you jerk!"

Umangat ang isang sulok ng labi niya, napailing-iling. He pursed his lips, stopping himself from saying more.

"At yung kay Marcos, inabutan ka ng kamay nung tao pero you completely ignored him! He's just trying to be friendly, while–"

"I don't like him." 

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa rason niya. How unreasonable! Ano naman ngayon kung di niya gusto yung tao? He should have showed even a little courtesy!

"As if he likes you. He was just polite because you're a friend of Cheska's brother. Kahit man lang maging civil, di mo magawa. Sinira mo lang ang mood."

His lips formed a grim line. Mukhang walang balak patulan ang mga sinabi.

Natapos ang session na 'yon na busangot ang mukha ko. He was very annoying the whole time, acting like a damn dictator. Tahimik lang ako habang naglelecture siya kahit gustong-gusto ng magmura. The lesson was tiring, nakakastress sa utak. He's a good teacher, I admit. Pero hinding-hindi ko 'yon sasabihin sa kanya. I'd rather rant about his inefficiency than appreciate him.

"Nananabik ka na ba sa kaarawan mo, hija?" tanong ni manang sa akin. Nakaupo ako sa harap ng tukador habang siya'y nasa likod, sinusuklay ang aking buhok. 

I sighed heavily.

"Of course, Manang."

"Magiging isang ganap na dalaga ka. Sigurado, mas dadami pa ang mga manliligaw mo. Pumili ka ng maayos, ha? Huwag yung katulad ni Harris," paalala nito, isang beses na sinulyapan ang aking repleksiyon sa salamin. Tumango lang ako. Well, she has a point. Ngunit kahit di pa niya sinabi ay talagang di na ako papatol sa mga kagaya ni Harris.

Bago matulog ay nagpahatid si Manang ng gatas kay Wamilda katulad ng nakasanayan. Ngunit hindi naman ako maagang nakatulog. I just stayed on the veranda while browsing my social media accounts. Hindi pa kasi ako inaantok at wala ring magawa.

Umihip ang malamig na hangin. Hinawi ko ang mga hibla ng buhok na tumabing sa aking mukha at inipit sa likod ng tenga. Inayos ko rin ang tali ng robang suot.

Out of nowhere, I searched Reilan's name on f******k. Agad ko iyong nakita.

He have a lot of friends and followers. Ngunit karamihan sa kanyang f* friends ay mga babae. Beautiful women to be exact. Tiningnan ko rin ang kanyang albums. Limitado lang ang mga pictures doon at kadalasa'y solo o di kaya'y grupo na maraming babae. May iilang pictures din na puro mga lalaki lang, may sa beach, bars at kung saan-saan. Maybe those men are his friends? Nandoon rin kasi si Morris.

There are also pictures that he was tagged. Natigil lang ako nang makita ang isang pamilyar na babae sa isang larawan kasama siya at si Morris. The two men are topless, between them is a beautiful woman on a beach dress. Tuwid ang buhok nito na medyo kulot sa ibabang parte. Her fair skin is shining because of sunlight. She looks sophisticated and very beautiful. 

Siya yung babaeng kasama ni Reilan sa isang restaurant last week.

Out of curiousity, I looked for her name. Nakatagged rin kasi siya kaya agad kong nahanap ang kanyang pangalan. My forehead creased when I saw her name.

Madeline Mongreco.

Wait, she's a Mongreco? Ibig sabihin magkamag-anak sila ni Reilan? Tinitigan kong mabuti ang babae, kalauna'y may nabuong konklusiyon sa isip. They resembles each other. Pareho ang hugis ng mga mata at ilong. So, probably they are siblings.

I just sighed and decided to turn off my phone and have my beauty rest.

Nothing special happened the following two days. Kahit papano'y nakahinga ako ng maluwag nang hindi sumipot si Reilan sa isang session namin bago ang debut ko. Bianca told me that he has something to do and he won't be able to come. Of course, that's a relief for me. Tumulong na lang ako sa final preparations para sa okasyong magaganap. I checked the decorations, tables to be used, invitations and all. Inilista ko na rin ang mga kasali sa eighteen roses ko. 

That's why when the day of celebration came, everything was perfectly placed.

"You look amazing, Des!" saad ni Marie. She's wearing a blue sexy dress. Katabi nito si Lilian na nakasuot ng nude dress na ipinadesign ng dalawa sa isang sikat na designer. Pareho silang kumikinang sa ganda.

"Oo nga, gandang-ganda mo!" Todo ngiti si Lilian. Nilapitan naman kami nila Louie at Marcos. They are wearing gray and black suits. Parehong guwapo at cool ang dating. For sure girls will have their eyes to these fabulous guys.

"Happy birthday, Des." Louie hugged me. Ganoon rin ang ginawa ni Marcos. I hugged them back, silently thanking my friends. Even though I wasn't given a chance to have a sibling, pinunan nila iyon. They showed me enough love as my brothers and sisters, not by blood but by heart. That's why I really treasured these people.

"Ang ganda naman ng birthday girl." Natatawang saad ni Marcos. Mahina kong tinampal ang kanyang braso.

"Nga pala, si Cheska?"

Ngumiti pa siya lalo. "She's coming. Gusto ko sanang sunduin siya kaso sinabi niyang magpapahatid na lang daw siya sa driver nila."

"How about Morris?" Tanong ni Marie.

"I don't like his friend," rinig kong sabi ni Louie. Mukhang hindi pa rin nito nakakalimutan ang nangyari dalawang araw ang nakalipas.

Marami ang dumalo sa selebrasyon. Most of them are socialites and mom's business-associates. I even saw faces of business tycoons, and of course many of my schoolmates attended. May mga media rin na pinayagang i-cover ang okasyon. All are shining in their fabulous dresses and suits, showcasing their wealth.

Mommy gave a speech, as well as my friends. Napatawa na lang ako sa mga pinagsasasabi nila. Reminiscing our happy moments, pati na rin ang mga katarantaduhang ginawa. I received a lot of greetings and wishes. Genuine or not, I'm still thankful. Isa pa, this day should be full of happiness and positivity. Hindi dapat ako mag-isip ng mga negative na bagay.

"Des..." Lilian called me. Nasa iisang table lang kasi kaming magkakaibigan.

"Hmm?" She didn't speak. Her lips were half-open while looking at somewhere. Pati ang ibang mga guest ay napansin kong napadako ang tingin doon. Inilapag ko ang wine glass na hawak, tracing their gazes that lead my eyes to the mansion's entrance.

Flashes of cameras are everywhere. 

Napasinghap ako nang makita ang sunod-sunod na pagpasok ng naguguwapuhang mga lalaki. They are all in white suits, screaming in wealth and power. Kanya-kanya sila ng ngiti, tila ba gustong-gusto ang atensiyon na nakukuha. Some were serious, though. But they really gained all the guests attention. Para kasi silang mga modelo na nagfafashion show. Ika-anim na lalaking pumasok ay nakilala ko, it was Morris De Luca. Purong puti rin ang suot nito katulad ng mga nauna. 

"Oh my..." Women gasped for air.

I gulped hardly, bahagyang nakaawang ang labi nang makita kung sino ang ikapito at panghuling pumasok. He's also wearing the same white suit, looking like a savage prince. 

It was the rude Mongreco. 

He remained stoic, following the steps of his companies who confidently strode towards my mother. Mom's lips parted, looking so overwhelmed by the presence of such fine men. Ako nama'y kumunot ang noo, bahagyang naguluhan.

"My gosh! The heirs of the most respected tycoons are here!" Marie giggled, smiling widely. 

"Ang gaguwapo talaga nila. How lucky we are to see them in one place..."

"They are fuckboys, Lili." Saad ni Louie. Napainom ng juice si Cheska sa narinig. Mukhang nakalimutan yata ni Louie na isa sa mga lalaking 'yon ay kapatid nito. I just shut my mouth while the two girls are busy fantasizing those men. Marcos remained silent, tila walang pake sa mga bagong dating.

My eyes went to Bianca who's walking towards our table. She's wearing a white elegant dress, conservatively-looking but classy.

"Miss Desire, your mother called you. She wants to introduce you to the newly arrived guests." Napalunok ako sa narinig. Slightly tensed, I stood up. 

Naglalakad pa lang ako palapit kina mommy at sa mga bagong dating ay napansin ko na agad ang tingin ni Reilan. Eyes are pitch-black, contradicting the color of his suit. His hair is in a formal cut, emphasizing the features of his face. Ngayong hindi ko nakikita ang kanyang ngisi ay napagtanto kong ni isang bahagi ng kanyang postura ay walang bahid ng kalambutan. And that made him look really dangerous... and untamed.

Nang makalapit kay mommy ay bahagya niyang hinawakan ang aking siko para maipakilala sa mga bagong dating na bisita. "This is my daughter, the debutant, Desire Alejandra." 

Tipid akong ngumiti.

"Happy birthday, Desire." Morris smiled boyishly. Agad namang naglahad ng kamay ang kanyang mga kasama. Si Reilan ay nanatili ang titig sa akin, tila ba sinusuri ang lahat-lahat.

"Raquim Sage." He has dark eyes, very manly and calm. Pareho ang intensidad ng tingin nila ni Reilan, mukha ring delikado.

"Carson," the one with a piercing on his left ear who looks like a baddass playboy.

"Jonas," the man with stark italian features.

"Livius," this one resembles Carson but he looks more playful.

"Markus," ang huli.

The resemblance of Markus, Raquim and Reilan was evident, kaya tingin ko related sila. Katulad sa mga nauna ay may angking kaguwapuhan rin itong taglay. Although they have different features, they have one common denominator.

They are wealthy, good-looking bachelors and heirs of different tycoons. 

"I guess there's no need for introduction between you and Revo since you already know each other, right?" Nakangiti akong tiningnan ni mom. I gave them a weary smile and nodded once.

We leaded them to a vacant table. Agad na tinawag ni mom ang mga serbidora upang mabigyan sila ng makakain at maiinom. 

"Enjoy yourselves, young men." 

"Thank you, Tita," Morris said, half-smiling. May kumausap na ginang kay mommy kaya bahagya silang lumayo, leaving me in an awkward situation. That's why I decided to excuse myself.

"Uh, sige mag-enjoy kayo. Maiwan–"

"As an act of courtesy, you should stay with us for a little while. We are guests, Desire. You should give us a little entertainment." Dumako ang tingin ko kay Reilan. His lips formed a smirk. Morris whistled, ang iba'y nangingiti na para bang may interesanteng bagay na nangyayari.

I smiled fakely. "Courtesy, a big word. Sa'yo ko pa talaga maririnig, yan ha? I mean, no offense but it didn't come in my mind that you know such word you can't even do." Mahina pa akong tumawa, hindi pinapahalata sa boses ang pagiging sarkastiko.

Carson bit his lower lip, like stopping himself from laughing. Ganon din ang iba. Parang natatawa ngunit pinipigilan lang.

"And also, I'm not an entertainer. I'm the debutant and you're just a guest who came all the way here on your own will. Kung entertainer lang rin ang hanap mo, I guess this is a wrong place for you, Mr. Mongreco."

"Boom, basag." Mapaglarong ngumisi si Morris. Reilan glared at him darkly.

"Enjoy yourselves." Hindi ko na hinihintay pa na may sasabihin sila at agad ng naglakad palayo, pabalik sa sariling mesa. How dare he talk about courtesy? Did he forgot how rude he was to my friends? Gago talaga.

"Anyare? Ba't mukhang nalugi ka yata ng ilang milyon?" tanong ni Lilian nang makabalik ako sa upuan. Kumuha ako ng wine glass at uminom ng kaunti.

"That Reilan Mongreco really sucks."

"Why? Did something happened?" Marie asked. Umiling ako, piniling manahimik.

"Hindi ka na sana lumapit pa sa kanya," si Louie. I glanced at him, but he's looking at something behind me. His brows furrowed, looking so irritated of what he's seeing. Dahil sa kuryosidad, lumingon ako upang makita ang kanyang tinitingnan. 

My fist clenched when I saw a familiar silhouette of a man. Harris. What the hell is he doing here?

Napatayo si Louie, ang mga mata'y galit na galit. Naalerto si Marcos nang makita si Harris na papalapit. Hinawakan naman ng dalawang babae si Louie para pakalmahin. Knowing him, hindi siya magdadalawang isip na gumawa ng eskandalo para maupakan lang ang kahit sinong lalaking nang-argabyado sa amin. Ganito rin siya noon nang malamang pinaglaruan si Lilian nung ex-boyfriend niya. He's short-tempered, but he's always very protective to us.

"Calm down, Louie," saad ni Marie.

"I'll talk to him outside." Napatingin silang lahat sa 'kin.

"We'll accompany you. Hindi puwedeng makipag-usap ka sa kanya ng mag-isa, Des. Wala na 'yan sa katinuan," si Marcos, tumango naman sila Lili.

"I'll be fine, don't worry. Usap lang naman. Isa pa, maraming tao kaya di 'yan gagawa ng masama."

"But Des–"

"It's okay, Louie."

I walked towards Harris, meeting him half-way. Nakangiti niya akong sinalubong, taliwas sa aking ekspresyon.

"Happy birth–"

"Let's talk outside." Hinawakan ko ang braso niya, tahimik na iginiya sa labas. Sa di kalayuan, napansin ko ang tingin ni Reilan sa akin. I didn't mind that and continue walking.

"Wait, what are we doing here? Dapat doon na lang tayo sa loob. We can talk there if you want–"

"Shut up." Inis kong binitiwan si Harris, diring-diri sa ginawang paghawak sa kanya. "Ang kapal rin naman talaga ng mukhang pumunta mo dito pagkatapos ng lahat! What the hell are you doing in my house?"

"Calm down, Des. Let's talk this in a proper way."

I smirked. Kung makapagsalita akala mo kung sinong mabait. 

"Proper way? No, Harris. I don't want to talk to you. I don't even want to see you. Tanggap ko na ang lahat ng nangyari sa atin and I already moved on. Kaya puwede ba, magpakalayo-layo ka na lang!"

"Des, babe... I already dumped Janna. I realized that it's always you. Ikaw ang gusto ko, ikaw ang mahal ko. I want you back, please..."

I laughed sarcastically. Mahal? What a damn big word. 

"You have lost your sanity, Harris. Ano na ba 'yang pinagsasabi mo? We are done. Tapos na tayo, at hinding-hindi na ako babalik pa sa'yo. Naiintindihan mo?"