Villa Martinez Series #4: So It's You

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Blame

Saglit akong tumahimik muna. "Would you like to take a seat first?" I offered politely.

She shook her head. "Hindi na siguro... Thanks. Hindi rin naman ako magtatagal."

Tumango-tango naman ako. All right, whatever suits her.

"So... what is it that you'd like to talk... about Ryder..."

Diretso siyang nakatitig sa akin. Hindi ko rin naman inurungan ang paninitig niya. "Alam ko ang tungkol sa arranged marriage ninyo ni Ryder." aniya.

Nanatili ang tingin ko sa kaniya. I... can't believe Ryder told her this? It might seem like that at may ganoon ding sinasabi ang media tungkol sa biglaan naming pagpapakasal ni Ryder pero hindi naman namin kinompirma iyon. We'd like people to just believe that we married each other because we like to after meeting at the beautiful island of Villa Martinez. Other than just for the sakes of our companies.

Pinili kong hindi na muna magsalita at hayaan nalang siya kung may sasabihin pa siya. Dahil tingin ko ay mayroon pa nga.

"He wants to save his family's company, at ikaw ang nakita niyang paraan..." she continued.

I tried to calm myself for a little more. Nagpatuloy pa siya nang makita niya rin sigurong wala pa akong balak na magsalita.

"I know Ryder loves me... And he will be happy with me..." she looked at me with bravery in her eyes. "You're a beautiful woman, Miss Alecxandra... At bata ka pa. You can find your own true love..."

"So what are you saying?"

"I just want to say that... Sana ay pakawalan mo nalang si Ryder. He's been miserable. Puwede pa rin naman sigurong magpatuloy ang business ninyo without this pragmatic marriage-" The way she's saying it seemed gentle with her gentle voice but her words are far from being gentle to my soul.

Nag-iinit ang ulo ko sa mga sinabi niya.

"He was miserable because of you."

Natigilan siya at nanlaki ang mga mata sa sinabi ko.

I smiled fakely. "He was miserable because you left him and married someone else, right? Now you want him back? Now that he's married and you're married as well."

"Inaayos ko na ang pakikipaghiwalay kay Dexter." mariin niyang sinabi.

I shook my head. "It doesn't work that way-"

"Maybe because you've already fallen in love with Ryder. Pero paano siya? Mahal ka ba niya? Set him free and let him be happy with me-"

She halted with her words when she heard me laughed a bit without any humor. Is she crazy? She sounded crazy.

We were interrupted when we heard my secretary. "Ma'am, paakyat po rito ang husband n'yo," pinaalam sa akin ni Julie.

"Alright, Julie. Thanks."

Pagkatapos nitong sulyapan si Isobel ay umalis na rin muli ang secretary ko. Julie even seemed worried. Alam na kasi kahit sa company that I'm already pregnant with Ryder Martinez's child. Kaya may pag-iingat na rin lalo ang mga employees. Dapat nga ay hindi naman talaga ako nagtatrabaho lalo at sinabi ng doctor ko na kung maari ay magpahinga nalang muna ako dahil medyo maselan din ang pagbunbuntis ko... But I know when to stop working. Sa ngayon tingin ko ay kaya ko pa naman.

Isobel also heard what my secretary said. "He will never love you. Kaya bakit hindi pa kayo maghiwalay-"

"Why are you begging me instead? Instead of Ryder. I think... kung talagang mahal ka niya ay hindi mo na ngayon kailangan pang magmakaawa sa akin..."

I saw obvious rage in her eyes. What? Tama naman ako... hindi ba? Alam kong kailangan nga ng pamilya ni Ryder ang pamilya ko but if he really wants to be with Isobel... then he should make a way for them... And then I remember how I warned him. How I told him that he should marry me and stay married to me. How I just threatened him... Bitter thoughts was filling my head again. At para ring may malulunok na ako na mapait sa aking lalamunan.

"Because..." she was angry but she doesn't seem to know what she should say to me anymore.

I heard the door to my office opened behind me. Hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko kay Isobel. Quickly she put a hand to her cheek. And tears threatened to fall from her eyes. Kumunot ang noo ko. Pero dumating na si Ryder.

"What's happening..." I heard him say behind me. Nanatili lang akong nakaharap kay Isobel.

"Rye..." Isobel called with tears already falling down her cheeks.

"Alecx... what did you do?"

Hindi makapaniwalang halos marahs ko agad na nilingon si Ryder na nakatingin din sa akin. "What do you mean?"

"You hurt her?"

Unbelievable! Hindi makapaniwalang nanatili ang tingin ko kay Ryder. Umawang din ang labi ko. How can he conclude like that right away... "I didn't..." I tried to shake my head. I didn't do anything! I did not hurt her.

"Rye..." Isobel cried. Lumapit siya kay Ryder but Ryder's attention remained on me.

Umiling ako--hindi makapaniwala at disappointed. Hinawakan ako ni Ryder. "Bitiwan mo ako!" binawi ko agad ang kamay ko sa hawak niya.

"Let's talk. You can't be like this every time."

"But I didn't! I didn't slap her!" matalim akong bumaling ng tingin kay Isobel sa tabi namin. Alam kong iyon ang pinapalabas niya sa paghawak sa kaniyang pisngi nang madatnan kami ni Ryder. This is petty! At ito namang si Ryder ay parang uto-utong agad nagpapaniwala sa sinungaling na si Isobel! Yes! She's definitely a liar! An actress! I cannot believe this.

"Let me go!" matagumpay kong nakalas ang hawak niya sa akin. "Magsama kayong dalawa nitong kabit mo!" And then I walked out with rage.

"Alecx!"

Tinawag pa ako ni Ryder pero wala na akong pakialam. I cannot stand it! It's making me sick!

"Ma'am!"

Narinig ko ring hinabol ako ni Julie but I was already walking angrily to the elevator. Pinindot ko iyon at agad na pumasok. I saw both my secretary and Ryder coming after me.

I cannot believe it. It was sickening! Ryder just kept on disappointing me. Kailan ba siya titigil sa pagiging ganito niya? I've already given him a chance! Dapat ay ayusin naman niya sana! Nakakainis! Nakakagalit.

Sa loob ng elevator ay nakaramdam ako ng biglang may kirot sa katawan ko. Napasandal ako sa dingding ng lift. May mga salamin doon kaya nanlaki nalang ang mga ko nang makita ang repleksyon ko sa mga salamin! I felt cold. I can see how colors left my face making it all pale. Nawalan ng kulay ang aking mukha at halos mapaupo na ako sa sahig ng elevator. Halos hindi ko maramdaman ang sakit dahil mas nangibabaw ang takot sa akin.

"No..." bumaba ang tingin ko sa akin white trousers. I saw blood. "No!" I shouted in horror.

When the elevator door opened and some employees saw me in blood they hurriedly went to my aid.

"Bring me to the hospital! Hurry! Please!" I cried.

With my blurry vision because of my tears I saw Ryder running to me. Mabilis niyang tinabi ang ilang empleyado at agaran akong binuhat. My mind almost went blank. I was so scared I didn't know what to think anymore...

Sinugod ako sa hospital. Ryder was there beside the hospital bed where they put me. Mabilisan iyong tinutulak ng mga nurses at nakita ko rin ang pagsalubong ng doctor ko.

May malay pa ako. And I used the last of my strength to lash out on Ryder. I was beyond mad at him. I wanted to physically hurt him if not for the exhaustion I was already feeling. "I hate you, Ryder! I hate you so much! This is your fault! Kasalan mo! Kasalanan mo ito! If something bad happen to my baby... I will never forgive you!" I endlessly blamed him until I lost consciousness because of the physical pain and exhaustion from everything I felt all at once...