EPISODE 5- SECRET AND LIES

Nasa dalawang taong papasok sa sasakyan ang mga mata ko habang nakatayo sa harapan ng bintana.

Talagang inuna niya si Luisa kaysa ang puntahan ako rito upang suyuin? Wala talaga siyang pag-asang magbago. Meaning, susundan niya rin ang landas kung saan ay malulugmok siya at ang yaman ko ang magiging tagapagligtas niya.

The Hendricks are a powerful bloodline from the Mondragon family. They have the means, power, money, and a family that will back them up. But they need my family's assets and power in their family business.

But aside from that truth, I know that Allen's love for me is genuine way back in our college days. Not until the accident Allen was talking about a while ago came.

He became so obsessed in protecting and helping Luisa out. Wala siyang pakialam kung ako ang nagsu-suffer ng devotion niya na iyon sa pagkakaligtas sa buhay niya.

He sacrificed my feelings for her? What an idiot! He broke all the promises he told me. The protection and love he crossed his heart to do for me lost the moment he put me in the mental hospital. I begged everyday he visited, but he never listened. He was under Luisa's manipulation, and never thought of letting out.

"Fine, do whatever you want. I'll just make sure na hindi kayo magsu-succeed sa lifetime na ito."

Sinundan ko ang tuluyang paglabas ng sasakyan ni Allen sa bakuran ng mansyon. Then a sudden knock on the door burst. Wala naman ibang kakatok kundi si Luther. I let him in.

On his hand is a bucket of ice, while on the other one is an ointment cream for burns. He let me sit on the side of the bed, him in front of me. He didn't speak and so did I. Nakatingin lang ako sa ginagawa niyang pagdampi ng telang may yelo sa aking palad.

Okay naman na iyon, hindi na ganoong namumula pero nag-insist pa rin siya na gamitin.

"Thank you, Luther." I smiled.

He looked at me, his eyes were full of gentleness and care. "Are you really going to do this, Erin? This is not you," aniya.

Hindi ko naintindihan ang sinabi niya. How can he say na this is not me? We're not that close until what happened last night.

"Ano bang sinasabi mo riyan? 'Yung tungkol ba kanina? Tingin mo ba ay hindi ako lalaban sa maling nakita ko?" I smiled while shaking my head. "What I said to Allen is true. I am on the adulting stage, Luther. I realized, being so kind will lead me to my grave soon. So bakit ko pa hihintayin 'yon kung puwede ko namang pigilan na ngayon, hindi ba?"

He was just looking at me again. He licked his lips then bit his lower lip before getting the cream and putting some on the red spot.

"Then, that's good news, Erin. But does that adulting lead you to having a secret affair with me? Your brother-in-law? Kapag nalantad ito, masisira ang reputation mo," he asked.

Ako naman ang hindi nakapagsalita ngayon. Paano ko ba i-e-explain sa kaniya 'yon? Kung sasabihin ko ang totoo, maniniwala ba siya? Pagtatawanan niya lang ako at sasabihang nababaliw ako.

I cupped my hands on his face. "Luther, just trust me. Kung ano man ang ginagawa ko ngayon, this is the right thing. Being with you rather than Allen is my best decision in life. If only I thought of it sooner, I should not have done the wedding with him."

Yes, if I only came back sooner, I will not marry Allen at all.

"Are you saying you regretted marrying him?" The confusion on his face was painted. He lowered his voice to blend into the situation.

"Yes, Luther. If I will be given a chance to void it, I will. But can I really do that? This marriage is bound to secure our families. And breaking the rules is a forbidden sin in the Hendricks family."

The Hendricks have these weird rules in the family. "Sin and you shall perish." They said those rules keep their family in shape. But it seems their pride is thicker than blood. They are willing to sacrifice a family member over their own reputation.

"Don't worry, I will help you lead the way out. We have a deal, Erin, remember? Kaya kung may plano ka man, let me know everything, at 'wag kang magpapadalos-dalos sa mga kilos mo." Tumayo na si Luther.

Sa taas niya'y kailangan ko talagang tumingala para lang maabot ang tingin niya. He looks so sure and confident in saying he'll help me out.

"It will cost the price of breaking your name in your family, Luther. Kailangan ko lang ng sikretong mga mata at kamay na kikilos para sa ilang planong naisip ko. The rest ay ako na ang bahala."

Ilang segundo siyang nanahimik, malamlam ang kaniyang mga matang nakatingin sa akin. Na para bang tine-tsitsek niya ang kung ano sa mukha ko.

"Fine, if that's what you want, Erin. 'Wag mo lang kalilimutan ang kabayaran sa mga tulong na makukuha mo. You swear to give me your body."

Hindi rin ako natinag sa pagkakatitig sa kaniya, but there's a space inside my heart that protested. Questions flooded my brain. 'Yon lang ba ang nakapanalo sa kaniya? Dahil sa katawan ko?

Sikreto akong napalunok ng aking laway at saka tumayo. Nagkamali ba ako sa choice na ito? 'Yong actions niya noon on my death bed, is it genuine or full of hidden lies?

Luther grabbed me, my chest pinned into his rock-hard body.

Inilapit niya ang mukha sa akin, I can feel his racing breath.

"You're mine now, Erin. I don't care if it is in secret or an affair. I am holding on to that word. I own your body, mind and soon... I want that heart too."

Napakurap-kurap ako, sabay ang pagtulak sa kaniya.

"M-my heart? What do you mean by that, Luther?" May panginginig sa boses kong tanong sa kaniya. This is not part of the plan.

His husky voice filled my ears as he leaned his body to mine. "Erin, don't you know? You were supposed to be mine in the first place. Destiny just didn't play along. But this time, I'll make sure to have you."

Luther gave me a kiss on my forehead before heading out of the room. My heart is beating so fast that I clasped my hand on my chest. What just happened?

Why did he say that? What secret is he hiding?