Next to you

SEASON 2: CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4: Unofficial

"Hi Wess, long time no see. It's good to see you." She said smiling. No sign of animosity written in her beautiful face. I looked at her. She looked different. Gone was the girl I used to be friends with. She is very very beautiful, but I liked the old her.

"Hi" I said coldly. Ayokong ipahalata sa kanya na apektado ako. Shit, I'm having the urge to hug her right now. Parang yung naramdaman ko noong galing ako sa America. But I fought that urge. Ayokong magkaroon ng kahit na anong contact sa kanya.

"Momi! I wanna go down. It's hot in here momi." Napatingin ako sa bata sa likod ni Ianne. Is that her child? Yan na ba yung anak namin? I looked at Ianne, hoping to find an answer.

"Uhm, guys, si Drea pala anak ko." Nakangiti pa rin niyang sabi. Ni hindi niya itinanggi na anak niya yung bata. Sasabihin niya rin ba na anak ko yung bata? Aaminin niya ba? Aamin ba ako sa ginawa ko noon?

"Ay ang cute cute naman. Ipapakilala mo na kay kuya yung anak niyo?" I looked at En. I want to punch him right now. Can't he read the mood? Damn brother. I am so fucked up. But thank god, tinanong niya. Tanong na hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin.

"No. Andrea Elina is mine and Rhed's daughter. Pasensya na at hindi ko kayo naimbita noong kasal ko at noong binyag ni Drea." I was furious at that time. So mad. So tama pala ang hinala ko noon. That the child is not mine. Na gagamitin niya yung bata para lang mapalapit sa akin. Damn woman.

"Really? Buti naman at pinakasalan ka niya. After what happened." I can see Rine gasp. Parang anytime papatayin niya ako.

"Of course. At least Rhed had some balls para panagutan ako." She is still look unaffected even smiling.

"Buti naman at sa totoong tatay mo na ipinaako ang anak mo." What now woman?

"Yeah. He was really happy noong nalaman niyang buntis ako. He even asked me to go with him sa Canada. Syempre, hindi na ako nagkaroon ng second thought. I'm with my baby's father and the man who love me afterall. Anyways, pasok na tayo, itong baby ko kasi naiinitan na raw." Damn damn damn. I hate Ianne, but it seems like I hate myself more.

"Tara na Ianne, Drea." Inakay naman ni Rine yung bata. Naiwan kami ni Ianne na sumusunod.

"So kayo rin pala ni Rhed ang nagkatuluyan. I bet your happy. Secured na ang future nyo ng anak mo." I didn't mean to be sarcastic, but it seems like, ganun ang lumabas.

"Yes, akalain mo yun? Kami rin pala sa huli. As they say true love waits. He did, now we're happy. Me, Rhed and Drea. What more could I ask for? How about you? Not planning to settle yet? Afraid of being left at the altar the second time around?" She is still smiling. I really like to tear that smile. Bakit parang masayang masaya siya?

"She did not left me." That was lame.

"Oh e anong ginawa niya? Nagbakasyon mag-isa? O naghoneymoon na hindi ka kasama? Or maybe she spend all her money habang nagtu-tour, leaving her husband-to-be, brideless."

"She left because of you! At least she is not a slut, who would do everything para mapabilang sa pamilya namin. Hindi rin siya whore na magpapabuntis para lang magkaroon ng good future. At lalong lalo nang hindi siya bitch na-" I can't control my anger, but what I did not expect is that makikita ko ang sakit na bumakat sa mukha ni Ianne. For the very first time, I felt like being a complete jerk.

"What a warm welcome, you have there Wess. I hope ito na ang una't huli nating pagkikita." Nagmamadali siyang pumasok sa loob. I really am a jerk. Damn.

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I can't believe na sa loob ng apat na taon naming hindi pagkikita ay maapektohan pa rin ako ng presensya ni Wess. I am still inlove with him, aaminin ko. But I have to protect myself and my daughter from pain, and from total rejection.

Hindi naman totoong mag-asawa na kami ni Rhed. That was just my way of dealing with the situation. I don't want them to know that Drea is Wess' daughter, dahil maaaring ilayo siya sa akin. I know Wess, I know na kaya niyang baligtarin ang pangyayari at lalabas na itinago ko si Drea sa kanya.

Hindi ko naman gustong ungkatin yung kahapon. Ayoko namang ipamukha kay Wess that he was left at the altar, but I was pushed to my limit. Tama bang sabihin niya sa akin that I am a bitch? A whore? A slut? Damn Wess, so hanggang ngayon pala, ganyan pa rin ang tingin niya sa akin.

He will never understand my pain. He will never undersatnd the pain of an unrequited love.

"Ok ka lang ba?" Napatingin ako kay Lerine na ngayon ay nag-aayos ng hapag. Magla-lunch na kasi. En and Wess, are outside catching up. As if naman ang tagal nilang hindi nagkita.

"Yeah. Why?"

"You have that murderous look." Sabi niya sa akin na nakangiti.

"It's just that, I didn't expected to see Wess. Who'd have thought na kararating ko pa lang ay magkikita na kami?"

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be. Kanina ka pa nagso-sorry."

"Is it true that Drea is Rhed's daughter?" Nagulat ako sa tanong ni Lerine.

"Yes. She is Rhed's daughter." At least he is Rhed's daughter by heart.

"You can always talk to me about those things Van."

"There are things that you can never tell anyone, Rine. Even to your bestfriend." Panggagaya ko sa sinabi niya noon.

"I hope, you are doing the right decision."

"I am now." I said smiling. Yes, tama na ang desisyon na ginagawa ko ngayon. Dahil noon lahat ng desisyon na ginawa ko, mali.

"Babe kakain na?" Tanong ni En na papasok ng lanai. Kasunod niya si Wess. I looked at Wess, and I also saw him looking. I did not moved my eyes away. Hindi na ako ang dating Ianne, na bigla na lang mag-iiba ng tingin. Not anymore.

"Yes. Tatawagin ko na sana kayo eh."

While eating, nag-uusap ang magkapatid about Wess staying here in Tagaytay for the mean time.

"Bakit mo nga kasi gustong magstay dito? Diba you're ruling the Empire?"

"I heard na magbabakasyon daw dito yung clienta na kinakantahan namin."

"Which client? Bakit mo nililigawan kuya?"

"The president of Eclipse, brother."

Bigla akong nabulunan sa sinabi niya. Is he refering to me? Kilala niya ba ako?

"Ok ka lang 'Yan?"

"Yeah. So what happened sa president ng Eclipse? Why pursue her?" I ask Wess.

"Interested?"

"Oh come on Wess, kilala mo ba kung sino ang presidente ng Eclipse?"

"No, I haven't see her."

"Well, start pursuing me then." I said to him while smiling.

"Why would I?" Paghahamon niya.

"Cause you're looking at the president."

And with that, I gave him a very satisfying smile. What are you going to do now Wess? Are you going to make a deal with the enemy?

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Short UD guys!! Happy reading.. ^-^

-carmela-