FROM LUST TO LOVE (Reluctant Bride No. 2)

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 21

Nginitian si Zed ng flight attendant habang inabutan ito ng hininging red wine.  He would’ve wanted to smile back.  Maganda ang flight attendant, in a Brazilian model kind of way.  In another time, he would’ve already asked for her mobile number and later he would’ve left the airport with the flight attendant in his arms.

But he has changed.  Since that night that he met Lyn everything just shifted on it’s axis.  Nothing is the same. 

He tried to forget her this past three months since Lyn left him.  He tried to go out with other girls, pero sadyang mapakla ang panlasa niya sa ibang babae.  Sinubukan din siyang ilabas ng ibang kaibigan niya, ngunit, talagang hindi mawala-wala sa isip niya si Julia Lyn.

Madalas siyang mag-alala dahil sa kalagayan nito.  He wants to see her, feel her warm skin, hear her moan as he made love to her.  It is difficult to admit to himself, but yes, despite his strong playboy personality, he misses her.  He often feels frustrated, and because of this frustration, laging mainit ang ulo niya at nakaka-apekto na ito sa kanyang trabaho.

Kaya’t imagine his relief when he met with Tony and Brix yesterday sa Kapeng Barako Coffeeshop na malapit sa office ni Zed.

“We got a real solid lead sir.” Panimula ni Brix.  Ilinapag nito ang ilang papel ng mga printed photos na galing sa internet at mga developed photos ni Lyn na nasa resort.  The developed photos are proof that Brix's group did their surveillance first before passing on the information to him.  This means this is quite reliable class A information.

Nabuhayan si Zed nang makita sa larawan si Lyn.  Nakatawa ito.  Halatang masayang masaya.  Naka sundress ito.  Malaki na at halata na ang umbok ng buntis na tiyan nito.

“Where is she?” tanong agad ni Zed na nakatingin kay Tony.

“She’s in Cebu.  Liloan, Cebu to be exact.”sagot naman ni Tony.

“Cebu?  What is she doing in Cebu?” tanong ni Zed.  Biglang kinabahan ito.  Baka may kinakasama na ito sa Cebu.  Matagal na din ang tatlong buwan.

“Well, apparently, she bought a resort there at about the same time that she left.  So now, she is running it.” Sagot ni Tony.  May inabot si Tony na isang flyer ng resort.  “Chez Julia”,  French for Julia’s Place. 

“That is how we found her Sir.  Her name appeared in a database for hotels and resorts in Cebu.  She is listed as the owner-manager of the resort.” Brix explained further.  Zed continued to read the flyer.

Your home away from home.  Your serene sanctuary where you could be one with nature.  A place where you can find yourself once again in tranquility.

“Get me on a plane immediately Tony.” Agad na sinabi ni Zed habang isa-isang tinitingnan ang flyer at mga larawan.

“I know you were gonna say that, so I came prepared.” At ilinabas na nga ng kaibigang abogado ang isang plane ticket kaya’t ngayon nandito na nga siya sa isang eroplano na any moment now ay lalapag na sa Cebu Mactan Airport.

Paglapag na paglapag ng eroplano, sinapian ng kaba si Zed.  Hindi niya alam kung saan galing ang naramdaman, dapat ay maging masaya siya dahil makikita na niya si Lyn.  Pero parang hindi na siya sigurado sa kanyang desisyon.

Tatanggapin kaya ako ni Lyn?  Paano kung magalit siya sa akin?

Iniisip pa lang ni Zed parang hindi na niya kakayanin na marinig ang tahasang pag-reject ng babae.  Parang pinanghinaan siya ng loob.  Nang nasa baggage claim area na siya parang gusto na niyang bumalik ng Maynila.  This feeling is just so foreign to someone who is so confident and full of himself.  If he always feels so powerful, this time he just feels so helpless.  Ito ang naisip niya habang inaabangan ang pagdating ng kanyang maleta sa conveyor belt.