Babysitting the Billionaire

Terrence Montemayor Saavedra

Terrence Montemayor Saavedra

I WAS tapping my foot on a rug underneath my seat as I rubbed my hands against my knees. I could hear the roar of the people outside. They're shouting my name, craving to see my band. This happened many times, more than the times that I think of, but why always I feel this way right now? I'm shivering.

Hindi ako kinakabahan dahil magpe-perform ulit ako, na panibagong concert na naman ng banda ko, kinakabahan ako dahil baka nandito na siya ngayon. The girl whom I'm trying to find, but still, I couldn't.

The girl who I do not remember, yet why am I possessed by an unconditional excitement. The girl who had babysat me. Hindi ko man siya maalala pero nararamdaman ko ang malaki nyang parte sa aking pagkatao.

The girl had been my babysitter.

"Jumbo..." I nodded as I whispered the word. Ito lang ang salitang tumatak sa isipan ko. The only lead I had aside from the thing I have in my pocket.

I let out a slow breath. I had been sitting here for a while, but only then did I notice Kyo Montenegro in front of me. He was lying on a couch a few steps away, fast asleep as always before a concert. He is my lead guitarist, by the way.

Marahas na bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa noon si Sadie. She was panting when she gets near me. "Why the sudden change of mind? You want to cancel our wedding? Again?"

Ni hindi ko siya pinagtuunan ng pansin na para lang siyang hangin.

In just a nick of time, iniluwa naman ng pintuan si Cloud Deogracia, the younger brother of Michael Angelo Deogracia, my drummer at the same time. Nakaakbay siya sa dalawang babae sa magkabila niya. His blonde hair is almost covering his eyes while he was smiling at me. "Sorry, T. She insisted." Ang tinutukoy niya ay si Sadie.

Sadie was still seething. "Terrence, when are you going to marry me? Our child is growing up without you. You think giving a large amount of money is enough? He needs a present father. Your son needs you!"

Matalim na mga mata ang ipinukol ko sa kanya. "He. Is. Not. My. Son."

Natigagal si Sadie. "A-ano bang sinasabi mo?!"

I stood and faced her. "If you had known your place and kept your mouth shut, you could have still bled me for money. I would not have minded continuing to give you alms for the rest of your life. But your greed was too great. You kept stirring trouble. Unfortunately for you, you've already gotten on my nerves."

Nangatal ang mga labi ng babae. "I...I don't know what you're talking about."

I tilted my head, cracking my neck as I fixed her with a cold stare. "Do you think I wouldn't know?"

Akala niya yata makakalusot siya sa mga Montemayor. No one could, ever!

Namuo ang mga luha sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata. "I-I can explain."

My hand grabbed her by the collar. "You've abused my patience for far too long. I was wrong to think you were just a harmless mutt. Turns out you're nothing but trouble." Balak ko na itulak siya papunta sa pinto.