The Nasty Rancher (Freezell #12)

Seven

AEIRYN

HE let the woman sat on the sofa while there was a huge concern written on his face. He must've loved this woman too much in the past . . . or even now?

"Anong nangyari sa 'yo, Eunice? Bakit ganiyan ang itsura mo?" asked Ryl as he sat beside the woman.

She was crying non-stop and she was really bleeding. She might have undergone a tremendous casualty to be looking like this in front of us.

"R–Ryl, tulungan mo 'ko. I–ilayo mo 'ko sa kanila. I–ilayo mo 'ko. Lumayo na lang t–tayo," she said begging Ryl as she held his hand.

Wow! Just wow! How could she be back in his life acting as if she didn't abandon him before? Ang kapal ng mukha ng bobong ito. I didn't feel any pity for her, she chose this life when she abandoned Ryl. She was like a walking and a living proof of kabobohan.

"And who gave you permission to hold his hand?" taas-kilay na tanong ko sa babae na ikinalingon nito sa akin at ikinagulat naman ni Ryl.

Don't be too surpised, Ryl Lorenzo! I am acting like a loving wife here dahil baka mamaya ay padala pala iyang babaeng iyan ng mga gustong pumatay sa 'yo!

"S–sino ka?" tanong sa akin nito and I arched my brows in disbelief.

"Haven't you heard about me all the way here? I am Mrs. Aeiryn Lez Lawson," pakilala ko at nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata nito na mukhang hindi inaasahan ang isiniwalat ko.

Her amused face, amused me more. It was like, she was hiding something behind that innocent face of her. Wala siyang maitatago sa akin. Itinatago pa lamang niya, nahuli ko na.

"A–asawa mo si Ryl—"

"Shut your mouth, Lez. Please," ani Ryl sa akin na hindi ko na ikinagulat. I already saw this one coming.

"Why? Are choosing this one . . ." Pinasadahan ko ng tingin si Eunice bago ko itinuloy ang sinasabi ko. ". . . over me? Are you acting all sane now, Ryl?"

I laughed sarcastically that shocked both of them.

"N–no! I just want you to sympathize—"

"Oh no, no, no, Ryl. I am not sympathetic and never will I be one. You have to choose now. Your ex-girlfriend who abandoned you or me that has a future ahead with you?" I asked seriously as I looked straight to his eyes.

Huwag mo 'kong aangasan, Ryl. You could've took my virginity, but you are nothing to me.

Imbes na sagutin ako ay bumaling siya kay Eunice. "What really happened to you, Eunice? Walang ibang makasasagot ng tanong ko kung hindi ikaw lang. You see, I have my wife now. We can no longer act like we used to. And besides, naaawa na lang ako ngayon sa 'yo. Wala na iyong pagmamahal," he told Eunice that made me grin. That was too honest of you, Ryl.

I didn't care kung lilitaw man akong kontrabida sa kanila. I don't care about anyone. All I care for was my job, my profession, and mission.

"M–mula nang iwan kita at kuhanin ko ang perang bigay ng Mommy mo para ipampagamot ni kuya Eduard, ibinugaw na lamang ako nang ibinugaw nina Nanay at Tatay para lang makuha nila ang perang gusto nila. P–pinilit nila akong magtrabaho sa mga bar at ipalabas sa mga dayuhan sa loob ng isang gabi. P–pagod na 'ko, Ryl. Hindi ko na kaya—"

"You chose the path that you took and now you are asking for help? Such a thick face you have," I said cutting her off. Mukhang napahiya siya sa sinabi ko kaya't bigla siyang nanahimik.

"Lez, please. Refrain from saying meanful words—"

"That she deserves? No, Ryl. Truth hurts, and if slapping her the whole truth would awaken her in her own delusions, then I'd better give it to her the soonest possible time," putol ko rin kay Ryl na ikinabigla niya. "Just tell me if you are choosing this pathetic human being over me, and we're done. Madali akong kausap," patuloy ko, saka ko siya nginisian.