Chapter 4

NIKOLAI POV

I didn't get any fish.

But I ended up taking home a woman instead.

She almost fainted after what happened on my yacht earlier, kaya agad ko siyang dinala sa penthouse. I called my butler to prepare some clothes for her and get the guest room ready. Then I dialed my private physician's number to check on her condition.

I settled her on the guestroom bed and asked a maid to help her change her clothes. The physician arrived shortly afterward to check on her while I waited outside the room.

My hunch was right. That's why she looked so familiar to me. Akala ko guni-guni ko lang.

She looked thinner now, and the youthful beauty I remembered seemed to have faded. She looked so different from the woman I used to know.

I entered the room, and the physician explained her condition. He told me that she needed proper treatment and follow-up care after her recent miscarriage. She might also need iron supplements because of the heavy bleeding she had experienced. The doctor suggested that she see a psychologist to monitor her mental health because of everything that had happened.

I didn't know she'd been through so much.

Bakas sa mukha ko ang awa at pag-aalala para sa kaniya.

It was past eight in the evening when the physician left. I sat on the right side of the bed and looked at her face while she slept.

“What happened to you over the past decade?” bulong ko sa sarili.

I adjusted the air conditioner's temperature and tiptoed out to get an extra blanket, but she gently tugged at the hem of my shirt.

“Are you cold? I'll get you an extra blanket.”

She shook her head without letting go of my shirt.

“It's alright.” I gently caressed her head. “I'll be here, okay?”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I stayed by her bedside for the rest of the night.

Two weeks passed, and she spent most of her time on bed rest while continuing her treatment. Meanwhile, I handled the company's affairs from home.

Sinabihan ko na lang ang secretary ko na ipadala sa bahay ang mga importanteng dokumentong kailangan kong pirmahan. I also rescheduled the important meetings that required my personal attendance for the following week.

She barely talked, but she answered whenever I asked her a yes-or-no question. She also told me her name, but I didn't ask what else had happened to her.

Most of the time, she stayed in the guestroom, sometimes just staring into space.

Baka nababagot na siya rito sa bahay.

Maybe I should take her out to get some fresh air.

I texted her OB-GYN to ask if Elysse could go out. The doctor said it was fine as long as she didn't overexert herself. I also asked my butler to prepare a wheelchair in the car, just in case she got tired from walking.

I went to her room and found her staring out the window, looking at the city.

“Elysse,” I said, knocking on her door.

She turned to look at me.

“Gusto mo bang lumabas? Baka nababagot ka na rito sa bahay.”

“Sige. Magbibihis lang ako,” she answered softly.

While waiting for her, I notified some of my store branches that I'd be dropping by that day.

When she was ready, we went downstairs, and I helped her get into the car.

“Okay, first things first. I have a challenge for you. Are you up for it?”

Pinangunahan ko na dahil baka kapag naroon na kami, tanggihan niya ako.

She looked at me, puzzled.

“Here's my challenge. When we get there, you can't say no. Okay?”

She hesitated before nodding.

“Okay.”

“Just make sure there are no takebacks, okay?” I said with a smile.

When we arrived at one of my clothing stores, all of my staff greeted me warmly.

“Please assist her in finding clothes that will fit her,” I told the store manager, pointing to the woman beside me.

Elysse looked around. Halata sa mukha niya na nahihiya siya dahil mukhang mamahalin ang mga damit na nakadisplay sa paligid.

“Nikolai... huwag na. Nakakahiya sa'yo,” she said shyly, grabbing my cuff.

“You can't say no, remember? Don't be shy around me. It's my treat. Go on, try some clothes.”

I patted her hand and motioned for the female staff to assist her.

“Guys, find as many outfits as you can that will look good on her.”

As soon as I said that, the staff escorted her to the fitting room.

Once she was out of sight, I noticed a rare pink diamond jewelry set in the display case. I asked the store manager to wrap it up for me.

That would suit her with any dress and look good on any occasion.

While waiting, I browsed the store and picked out more clothes for her. I also visited the shoes and bags section, choosing several limited-edition bags, trendy designs, and classic designer pieces. I selected a few pairs of shoes that would complement the outfits while remaining comfortable enough for her to wear.

Ano pa bang kailangan niya?

While walking around, I spotted the women's sleepwear and lingerie section.

Oh, shit.

Women's undergarments.

I caught sight of my slightly flushed face in the mirror and immediately turned away. Trying to remain composed, I called one of the female staff members and asked her to select some comfortable pajamas and undergarments for Elysse.

That was beyond my expertise.

When she stepped out of the fitting room, she was already wearing one of the outfits I'd picked for her. Sakto lang ang sukat ng damit sa kaniya, kaya iyon na rin ang ipinasuot ko sa kaniya for the day.

I paid for everything we'd selected and had the staff carry the shopping bags to the car.

After the clothing store, we headed to the beauty care section.

We were greeted by my staff again, and I asked them to give her a makeover. I also told them to recommend shades that would suit her and skincare products that would be good for her skin. I'd buy whatever they recommended.

Sa bawat pagtanggi ni Elysse, ipinapaalala ko sa kaniya na bawal siyang mag-“no” sa akin. I wanted to give her something as she started her new life.

After that, I noticed the bookstore nearby and brought her inside. Baka may magustuhan siyang gawin habang nasa bahay. She could choose some books to read or buy a diary where she could write down her thoughts. It might help her process the emotions she couldn't express.

But I noticed that her eyes were fixed on the coloring materials.

Or... pwedeng art therapy.

“You still paint?” I asked her.

She looked at me as if wondering how I knew she used to paint. I quickly shifted my attention to the paint sets and brushes.

“A-ah...” I stuttered before clearing my throat. “I mean, maybe you'd like to try painting again. Art therapy is also good for helping you relax.”

“Ah... hindi na. Marami ka nang nagastos para sa akin ngayong araw,” she answered. “Hindi ko na alam kung paano ako makakabawi sa'yo.”

“Wala sa'kin 'yon. You don't need to pay me back. All of these are my gifts to you as a token of your second chance at life. Think of them as a fresh start.”

“Pero—”

“You can pay me back someday, no rush. You can start by creating more beautiful paintings. I know some of my colleagues who appreciate art, and I can recommend your work to them. I’ll help you find buyers.”

I paused for a moment before adding, “And if you become successful someday, just give me one of your masterpieces. That’ll be more than enough.”