A Sinful Forbidden Affair

Chapter 20

"Mr. Andrada."

"Can we talk, man to man?"

Zenith almost raised his eyebrow, but he understood the lack of pleasantries from his highly unexpected visitor. From the way Vernon looked, Zenith knew the man was dangerous. Vernon might be calm as fuck, but he was menacingly dangerous. Sa dinami-dami na niyang na-cross examine at na-litigate, he could vouch in his skills in assessing one's character.

Mas nilawakan niya ang pagkakabukas ng pinto at iginiya ito papasok ng kaniyang condo. Hindi na siya nagtataka kung nalaman man nito ang tinutuluyan nila. Pinagmasdan niya si Vernon habang naglalakad papunta sa living room. He was taller than him by three. He was six feet, three inches in height, malaking lalaki. He got the looks that women would swoon over.

Vernon Andrada may not be as rich as he was, but his family was more influential than them. Most of his relatives were created both in public and private capacity. Among his family members, ito ang nabansagang black sheep for he followed what his heart desired: cooking and most especially, Era.

Si Vernon ay katulad ng isang lubog na buwaya. You never know when he would attack.

"Please, take a seat. What do you want? Coffee? Juice? Or whiskey perhaps?" alok niya kay Vernon.

"Thanks for the offer, a glass of whiskey will do."

Tinanguan niya ito. Bago siya tumungo sa kaniyang bar ay nakita niyang sinipat nito ang unit. Maybe he saw the feminine touch on some of his appliances and fixtures.

Zenith went over to the bar and brought out his best whiskey. Inilagay niya iyon sa tray kasama ang dalawang baso at ice bowl with small tongs. Inilapag niya ang tray sa center table. He poured whiskey on both of the glasses.

When he was about to put ice on his glass, he declined. Hindi na siya nagtataka, he was working in the hospitality industry.

"What brought you here?" Zenith said in a low voice. As if telling him he was not happy to see him nor for him to meddle with Era's relationship with him.

"I came here to talk things out with you," Vernon said after he sipped some on his glass. Ipinatong nito ang baso sa ibabaw ng center table.

"What about?" patay malisya niyang tanong. Pero kanina pa siya kating-kati na magtanong ng mga bagay-bagay about Era. Kung kumusta na ito? Ang anak nila? Kailan ba ito babalik sa kaniya?

"You can always put up a front, Attorney, but not on me. Alam kong nag-aalala ka at gusto mong malaman ang kondisyon nila. I am here to talk to you about the situation. At sana buksan mo ang isipan mo," Vernon said calmly.

Kinuha nito ang kaniyang baso na may lamang whiskey at simimsim. He did not see him blink nor make reactions to its bitter taste.

As to him? He needed a lot of relaxant. Alam niya ang ipinunta ni Vernon. Ang nag-iisang babaeng minamahal nila parehas at ang kaniyang dinadala. His child. Kaba at takot na tuluyan na siyang iniwan ni Era, and she would live with Vernon.

"This is not only for myself. This is for Era and your unborn child," Vernon said ever so calmly.

May inilabas itong sobre mula sa bulsa ng kaniyang button down shirt. He put it on top of the table.

Sa nanginginig na mga kamay ay kinuha ni Zenith ang sobre at marahang binuksan. Dahan-dahan niyang inilabas ang printed copy ng sonogram.

He failed to hide his emotion. He loudly gasped upon seeing the first photo of their baby. Ang anak nila ni Era. He couldn't contain his joy, he absentmindedly smiled while he traced the first photo of their child.