kabanata 7

Jhonalyn's Point of View

"DON'T cry in front of us, jana. Hindi mo kami makukuha sa paiyak-iyak mong yan." walang buhay na sabi ni Dad.

I wiped away my tears. I looked at Dad with disbelief. How could he do this to me? Did he really have no heart when it came to me? Where was the old him who would do everything for his child? Where is the promise he made to Mom? Where is the old him?

"Dad, please..." I begged.

"Enough, Jana, this conversation is over."

My tears flowed even more. I hate him. I hate him for ignoring my feelings like this. I hate him for doing this to me, his own daughter. I hate him, but I still love him because even if I turn the world upside down, he's still my father.

We heard a noise from the side.

I quickly looked over. But I never expected to see those dark pairs of eyes again. They were looking straight at me.

'Kanina pa ba siya diyan?’ I ask in my mind.

"Mr. Damon Konstantinov?" even Dad was surprised.

‘Damon?’

But even when Dad called him, he didn't take his eyes off me.

"I forgot the contract," he said coldly to Dad, but his eyes became even more terrifying as he stared at me.

Kusang umangat ang mga kamay ko at pinunasan ang mga luhang umaagos sa pisngi ko. Nakita niya!

"A-ah h-heto," hindi ko alam kung tama ang narinig ko pero nanginginig ang boses ni Dad.

I gulped.

"Jack, take my daughter with you. Take her to your house." Dad suddenly ordered Mr. Valentino, which made my eyes widen. "What?" I asked confused.

"Go with him, Jana" Tita Carmen said firmly. I looked at them with disbelief.

I shook my head. "No. What are you all saying? Why would I go with him?" My mind was completely confused. We're not even married yet.

Dad was about to speak, but he stopped when he saw Mr. Virgin—or rather, Mr. Damon—take a step closer.

Everyone fell silent.

He's intimidating. Even my parents fell silent.

I eyed him cautiously as he reached for the document on the table.

Narinig ko ang mahinang pagtikhim ni Dad. "Huwag ka nang magtanong, Jana. Sundin mo na lang ako," matigas na sabi ni Dad sa akin.

I gasped and stared at him. My father's gaze was threatening. His glaring eyes were fixed on me, warning me that I'd be in trouble if I disobeyed.

While receiving my father's death glare, I stiffened as a man's back appeared in front of me, shielding me from my father's wrath. My father disappeared from my sight.

My lips parted as the man who haunted my dreams every night turned to look at me. His eyes darkened. "Tell me if you don't want to go with that man. I'll find a way," he said authoritatively. His tone was reassuring, his gaze piercing deep into my soul.

Nanghina ang mga tuhod ko, bumilis ang paghinga ko at nahigit ko ang hininga ko nang pumaikot sa baywang ko ang isang kamay niya.

I quickly removed Mr. Virgin's—Mr. Konstantinov hand from my waist. I gave him a knowing look.

Nanalangin ako na sana hindi nakita ni Tita or Dad ang ginawa niya. It would create a bigger mess if they had; it would be far more complicated.

It was good he didn't say anything. But his eyes remained stoic, darting a dark look at me.

I didn't really know him. I'd just had sex with him. A one night stand. He'd just entered in me. That was it. But why did I feel so safe when he put his hand on my waist? Why did I feel such a strange sensation when his eyes were fixed on me?

I looked away; I couldn't stand his stare.

Just great. He was witnessing how messed up my family was.

I looked at Dad, then at the man beside me. "The conversation is over, Dad. I'm not marrying him. And I'm definitely not going with Mr. Valentino. I'm sorry," I said directly bago ako nagmadaling makalabas.

Naging madali ang pag-labas ko ng bahay dahil hindi ako magawang pigilan at pilitin ng mga magulang ko kasi may ibang tao doon. Nandoon ang tinatawag ni Dad na Mr. Konstantinov. And I think Dad is afraid of him. Tingin ko din isang nakakatakot at napakayamang tao ang lalaking iyon.

The guy I gave myself to.

I immediately got into the car once I was outside and started the engine. I stomped the accelerator. It was better to get away than to be caught by Dad's men, because I was sure Dad would order them to follow me.

My phone rang. I ignored it. I focused my attention on the road while driving.

‘I'm sorry, Dad.’

I took a deep breath after parking my car outside the building where my condo was. I looked out the window hesitantly. If I stayed here, there's a big chance Dad's men would find me. This is a painful decision, but I know this is where I'll be happy. I don't want to follow my parent's orders if I know my life will be meaningless with their decision.

I'd rather stick to my beliefs.

I did everything for them. I followed everything they wanted. I let them decide for me. I let them control my life. Pero bakit ito ang isusukli nila sa akin? Bakit ganito ang kapalit?

My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I reversed the car before speeding away. I headed to Carlyn's place. I'll stay there for the time being.

Wala rin namang alam sila Dad tungkol kay Carlyn dahil wala silang pakialam sa akin at sa buhay ko. They don't know who my friends are. Because they don't care as long as I obey to their every order.

Nasa kalagitnaan ako sa pagmamaneho papunta sa kung saan nakatira si Carlyn nang mamataan ko sa side mirror ko ang isang magarbong sasakyan na nakasunod sa likuran ko. It's a deep shade of gray.

Pumasok agad sa isip ko kung sino ang may-ari ng pamilyar na sasakyang iyon.

Bumilis ang paghinga ko.

"What the?!" mahinang bulalas ko.

Why is he following me? Don't tell me we're going the same way? The same place? Or is he a stalker? No, I don't think so. I'm really sure that many women are crazy about him, and he doesn't have time for me. He's so handsome, after all!

And look at me, I'm even praising him when I was just crying in front of my parents a while ago! And he saw it! This is so annoying.

I continued driving to see if my suspicion was right or wrong. This is driving me nuts, come on. A voice in my head is screaming at me to stop the car. While another voice is screaming at me to just keep driving like it's nothing.

I chose the latter. I drove. And drove. Then, drove. Until I stopped my car at the Volkhonovov hotel.

My forehead creased as the dark gray car stopped right after I handed my car keys to the valet.

My eyes were swollen from crying earlier. I didn't care if I looked terrible. I stood at the entrance and glared at the man who had just gotten out of his car. He gave his car keys to a different valet.

He then looked at me. His face was devoid of emotion. "You're here too?" Tanong kong nakakunot-noo.

He nodded.

I swallowed hard under his intense gaze. Here we go again with that look. The kind of look that brings out my flirtatious side.

I pushed those thoughts aside. Muli kong binalikan ang nangyari kanina sa bahay. Of all people, siya pa ang nakasaksi sa pesteng pag-iyak ko.

I've always been tough. But family is a bunch of crap that can make me weak whenever I struggle to fight back.

I gave him a hard stare. "Forget what you saw earlier. Forget what you heard. Pretend you didn't see that. Pretend it didn't happen," I said directly.

The Jana he saw earlier was the Jana I've been hiding from everyone for so long.

Instead of just agreeing to keep it simple, a smirk played on his lips. "Why would I do that?" he asked coldly.

Umingos ako sa sagot niya. "Forget it. Wala ka namang sense kausap e." mataray kong sabi sa kanya.

'Gaga! Dapat nga magpasalamat ka kasi natulungan ka niyang makatakas kanina kahit hindi niya alam na malaking tulong ang nai-ambag niya!' Sigaw ng isip ko.

Tinalikuran ko na siya at tumungo sa elevator. Pero bago pa iyon sumara, may humabol na isang babae. Nakapasok rin ang gag0. Nakatitig pa rin siya sa akin at may naglalarong pilyong ngisi sa labi niya nang makasalubong ko ang tingin niya.

I tried to ignore that.

Sumandal ako sa pader ng elevator.

'Shit! Ang sakit ng ulo ko!'

I widthrew abruptly from my thoughts when I noticed an action from the girl infront of me. Kumunot ang noo ko nang makitang humakbang ito palapit kay Mr. Virgin.

Kita ko sa harap ang nangyayari dahil sa reflection ng pader. Ka-edad ko lang ata ang babae. She's taking secret glances at Mr. Virgin/ Mr. Konstantinov.

Pero walang kibo naman ang isa jan. Nakatayo lang siya sa gilid ko at walang pakialam sa nangyayari. His aura is screaming for threat and menace.

Tumaas naman ang isang kilay ko nang makitang mas lumapit pa ang babae sa katabi ko. Pumasok siya sa espasyong nasa gitna namin ng lalaking inaano niya.

Gwapo naman kasi at ang lakas ng sex appeal.

Kinagat ng babae ang pang-ibabang labi nito. Then I heard her moan softly.

'Yuck! Eww!'

Gusto ko tuloy matawa. Pero pinigilan ko. I swear, pinigilan ko talaga kahit tawang-tawa na ako dito sa pinanggagagawa ng babae!

'Gosh ang landi!' sigaw ng isang boses sa isip ko.

'Malandi ka rin naman, ah. 'di nga lang katulad nya.' sigaw naman ng isa.

Gusto ko nalang tuloy iuntog ang ulo ko.

Sa mismong repleksyon sa harap, kita ko ang pasimpleng pagbaba ng babae sa tube niya para mailantad pa konti ang suso niyang wala namang kalaman-laman.

I chuckled softly. But I quickly stopped when I saw the girl look at me.

Even Mr. Virgin looked at me. There was a frown on his manly feature.

Tinaasan ko lang sila ng kilay. Saktong bumukas naman na ang lift sa floor ni Carlyn. Diretso akong lumabas at narinig ang pagsara ng lift. "Bahala kayo d'yan na maglandian," Mahinang bulong ko.

Sinimulan ko ulit ang paglalakad pero hindi pa man ako nakakalayo, ngunit natigilan ako when someone grabbed me and pressed me against the nearest wall.

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#ToBeContinue

Xoxo 💖😘