Chapter 5

Chapter 5

ADDISON's POV

"THANK YOU for listening to my presentation," sabi ko nang matapos na akong magpresenta sa kanila. It's Friday supposed to be, day-off ko ngayon and then something happened.

"Thank you too, Ms. Takeshi for that wonderful presentation of yours. You know, you are beautiful." I blushed a bit kasi hindi naman ako sanay makatanggap ng papuri sa iba.

"T-Thank you po," nahihiyang sagot ko kay Mr. Davis.

"Your beauty should be exposed to everybody, dapat hindi mo 'yan tinatago."

"Actually, she's an actress. Female second lead and stuntwoman is usually her role," biglang sabat ng boss ko habang walang buhay na nakatingin sa akin. Actually, we're friends before but after he came back from nowhere, he changed.

Inirapan ko siya. "I'll deduct your salary for rolling your eyes on me, Addison." Tinuro pa niya ako kaya naman ay muli ko siyang inirapan bago umupo sa bakanteng upuan.

"If I were you, resign in this company and come to ours. We are launching our movie on-air and I might introduce you as a new actress of mine." Si Mr. Davis ang nagsalita, nang-iingganyo. I want to accept his offer but—

"She can't, hindi siya magaling umarte." Inis na tinapunan ko nang tingin si Zeus, I won't call him boss cuz he's not acting like one now.

"For your information, sir. I've trained in England for 5 years and finished five projects—"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever," sabi nito kaya naman ay sinimangutan ko nalang siya at tumingin kay Mr. Davis.

"Magkano po sahod?" Tanong ko at nakita ko naman si Zeus na napailing. Nasa harapan ko lang siya habang si Mr. Davis naman ay nasa kanan niya.

"Minimum of five thousand a day, it depends on your performance." Nakangiting sabi niya kaya naman ay lumabas ang dimples nito.

Ang cute naman niya kaso parang nakakatakot. He's smiling but there's something in him that I can't tell.

"I'll think about it," sagot ko na siyang ikinataas ng kilay ni Zeus.

"Okay, the meeting is done. You all may leave now," anunsyo ni Zeus at tumayo na kaming lahat.

"Here's my calling card, call me if you already think about it." Pagkasabi ay iniabot sa akin ang isang blue na card sa umalis.

Lalabas na sana ako nang magsalita sa Zeus.

"Addison, let's talk," aniya na ikinatigil ko. Tiningnan ko siya ng nakataas ang kilay bago umupo sa harapan niya.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "What?" May bahid na inis sa boses ko.

"How's Bao?" 

"He's fine so if you excuse me, I have to go." Tatayo na sana ako ng bigla naman siyang nagsalita na siyang ikinatigil ko.

"I heard that Liandre is planning to take his son away from you since pinagkait mo daw sa kanya ang anak niya, and he's willing to file a case to you." Napataas ang dalawa kong kilay at nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya.

Gagawin niya talaga yun? Wala akong dapat ikatakot dahil may karapatan akong ilayo ang anak ko sa kanya. That man ruined my future and family, kaya normal lang na magpakalayo-layo ako.

"Pake ko naman, I have the rights to take Bao away from him. Ako ang nagluwal sa anak ko, ako ang naghirap at nagdusa kaya ako ang mas may karapatan kaysa sa kanya. He's nothing but a father of my son, pasalamat nga siya at binigyan ko pa siya ng pagkakataong makalapit sa anak ko e. If it weren't for Bao I won't let that man talk or even to see my child, he's a monster." I said while clenching my teeth.

How dare him file a case to me?! Wala siyang karapatan, walang-wala! Gustuhin ko mang bumalik sa Venice ay hindi ko kaya, my son might be disappointed for the reason that he may not see his father again. And as a mother, I can't handle seeing my child with a sad face. Kaya as long as possible, I must talk to Liandre.

"Yeah, I know you have rights but Liandre is an uncrowned king in their country. You are no match with him," sabi niya na mas ikinakaba ko.

"You know, instead of scaring me why not encourage me? Wala ka talagang kwentang kaibigan," mataray na sabi ko bago siya inirapan.

An uncrowned king, huh? Meaning to say, he is so powerful and I am nothing compared to him. That he can pay the court just to win the case? What a coward jerk!

Padabog akong tumayo at kunot-noong binalingan si Zeus. "Uuwi na ako, don't call me if it's not urgent." Lalabas na sana ako sa conference room nang magsalita naman siya.

Kakabwesit, hindi mo ba talaga ako papauwiin?!

"Ahm, about y-your friend," nanginginig ang boses niya habang nakatingin sa mga papeles na nasa lamesa. He's currently sitting while playing with his thumbs.

He's nervous, if he started to play his thumbs, he's nervous. I've known him for so many years.

A friend of mine? Napaisip-isip ako bago ngumisi ng malawak. "Ahh, si Scarlet ba kamo?" May panunudyo sa boses ko habang nagtaas-baba ang dalawang kilay ko.

He frowned. "Stop wiggling your eyebrows, you look weird."

I chuckled. "Don't worry about her, she's fine, safe, rich, and married."

I saw him stilled before shaking his head. "So, totoo nga na kasal na siya. Kaylan pa?" Mapait siyang ngumiti sabay tingin sa akin. Sapat na ang mata niya para malaman kong nasasaktan siya.

I clear my throat before answering. I don't want to hurt his feelings but I can't hide it from him. Besides, may karapatan siyang malaman ang totoo.

"She's three years married, Zeus. Sorry for hiding this from you, Scarlet ordered me not to say it to you. I'm sorry," malungkot na sabi ko. Ang sakit siguro sa side ni Zeus yung ganun no, yung kasal na yung babaeng mahal mo sa ibang lalaki.

Nakita kong yumuko siya sabay masahe sa batok niya.

"It's okay, no need to say sorry. It's not your fault, it's mine. I was too late, I was too slow. I was too dumb, I was too naive. I was–"

Dali-dali ko siyang niyakap at hinagod ang likod. I may not know the new version of him but I know deep inside that he's still the boy I've known before. The sweet and caring one.

"Sshhh, stop it. You're good enough, Eus. I'm here, I'm here." Pang-aalo ko sa kanya habang patuloy na hinahagod ang likuran niya.

Naramdaman ko namang na nabasa ang balikat ko, tanda na umiiyak siya. His shoulder is moving up and down, and I can't do anything to lessen his pain. All I can do is to stay here and give him an advice.

"YOU OKAY now?" Tanong ko matapos ang tatlumpung minutong pagdadrama niya.

Nasa restaurant kami ngayon and it's already 6 pm. And Bao is with Wayzz again, I don't know where they are but I hope my son is safe. Dibale nang mawala si Wayzz wag lang ang anak ko.

"Medyo okay na, I can still handle the pain right now." Ningitian niya ako pero hindi yun umabot sa mata. Just forced smile.

"You really love her, huh?" Sambit ko at dahan-dahan siyang tumango.

"After three years, siya pa rin?" Tanong ko ulit. Hindi makapaniwala kasi hindi lahat ng lalaki katulad ni Zeus. He may look like a cold and arrogant man but deep inside, he's soft and sweet man.

"Of course, hindi naman siya nawala sa isip at puso ko e. And I will try to let go of her because she's already married. I don't want to ruin her happy marriage," mapait siyang ngumiti habang nanunubig na naman ang mga mata.

"Actually, she's not that so happy. I don't know why she accepted her father's request," napailing nalang ako nang maalala ko ang ikinuwento sa akin ni Scarlet.

"What do you mean?" There's a hope in his voice which makes me frowned.

"What's with the voice? You seem so excited to know it "

"Just fucking tell me, Addi." Walang emosyong sabi niya. He rested his back and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"She just married Lumos to save their company and pay her father's debts." His lips arched, it's like his smirking like an evil. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang malaman ko ang kahulugan ng ngising yun.

"Don't tell me—" my phone suddenly vibrated. I reached for my phone and saw a text message. It's from an unregistered number, again.

Is my son lost again?

Napagdesisyunan kong buksan ang mensahe.

From: 095******28.

Dining with someone, huh? Great, just great. Stay away from Zeus, Addison. I don't care if he's my friend, I'll surely skin him alive if I'll saw him touch you again. And I am not joking.

      –Liandre.

Mabilis ang tibok ng puso ko matapos kong basahin ang mensahe. Namumutla na siguro ako.

"Hey, are you okay?" Zeus tried to reached out my hands pero mabilis kong inilagay sa hita ko ang dalawang kamay ko

Is he threatening me? And I am scared? What the heck!