Hunter's Wrath (Published)

Chapter 23

Kaagad na umahon ang kagustuhan kong matupad ang plano, nang sandaling mabuksan ko ang front door ng bahay niya. The familiar scent lingers in my nose. Bumulaga sa akin ang malinis at maayos na mga gamit ng bahay. Parang walang nagbago, na parang mayroon. Hindi ko maipaliwanag.

Sandali pa akong nagmasid bago piniling maglakad ng tuluyan papasok. I wonder where his men are? Apat na taon na rin. Si Jock? Si Lester... nasaan na kaya sila? Are they still working for him?

I don't know if I should even care about it.

Now, where is he? His library? O baka may bago na siyang opisina? Wala man lang kasing naghatid sa akin kaya kinailangan ko tuloy libutin ang buong bahay. Hanggang sa makarating ako sa likurang bahagi kung saan naroroon ang... hardin?

Kailan pa siya nagkaroon ng garden dito?

I held my head high as I walked out, my eyes roaming. The garden brought a relaxing feeling. Hanggang sa ang paghakbang ko'y napahinto ng mapadako ang tingin ko sa lalaking nakatayo at nakatalikod mula sa akin. I notice a circular table, may nakahanda roon ang isang bote ng champagne at dalawang champagne glass.

The corners of my lips rose as I walked towards him. I want him to see me, like I was the ghost in his past. I wanted him to see me, like I'd never loved him. Gusto kong makita niya kung gaano na ako ka-ayos.

"Mr. Martinez, it is a pleasure to meet you. Sorry, I made you wait." I tried my very best not to sound sarcastic.

Hinintay ko ang magiging reaksyon niya pagharap. I even watched how his body moved, but it was too smooth and modest. Marahan siyang humarap sa direksyon ko at sa nakaraang apat na taon ay nasilayan kong muli ang mukha niya ng malapitan. Our eyes met, but something about it doesn't excite me.

I'm so disappointed when he looks at me the same way he did before, or perhaps worse now. His dull, lifeless eyes stare blankly at me. Marahan siyang naglakad paupo sa upuan at imwenestra niya ang katapat.

"Have a seat," I stop myself from rolling my eyes and choose to sit down in front of him. Tahimik na sumunod ang mga mata niya sa direksyon ko at tinitigan akong muli sa mga mata. I prepared for this. I had to maintain eye contact with him, and I made myself strong to resist.

Tahimik siyang gumalaw at mahigpit na hinawakan ang bote ng champagne, bago sinalinan ang dalawang hindi pa gamit na baso, at sa mga sandaling iyon ay nanatili kaming tahimik.

His brows shot up as he lifted his gaze back at my face. I find it odd and unsatisfying. It wasn't the reaction or the emotion that I wanted. I want him shocked. I want to see some kind of reaction on his face, like he saw a ghost. I wanted him to stutter, but he didn't know how to face me or talk to me.

Pero sino nga ba ang niloko ko... this man... will never give me a satisfying view.

"What's your name? Age? Marcy told me about your qualifications." kumunot nanaman ulit ang noo ko at naiinis na. Ako dapat ang umakto na parang hindi siya kilala! This is bullshit!