Heartless Vasiliev

Chapter One

Nathaniel

As I entered the house, the smell of freshly baked cake penetrated my nose. I walked to the kitchen while I was taking jacket off. The sight of my fiancee welcomed me as I saw her baking.

"Hi, hon? What's that?" I greeted and kissed her cheek.

"Pupunta tayo sa bahay ng parents mo ngayon, 'di ba? I'm baking a cake so we won't go there empty-handed."

I hugged her from behind and kissed her again on her neck. "Napagod ako sa work, hon."

"Last day naman na ng art exhibit ngayon, 'di ba?"

"Yeah, and we had to work extra hard."

"I'm sure you did great. Someday, hon, you will be one of the best artists in this country."

"You really think so?"

She nodded. "Uh-huh. Sa ngayon, tiisin mo muna lahat ng pagod."

I smiled with what she said. She's very supportive of my career. Kakasimula ko pa lang sa tatahakin ko, pero ang suporta niya ay abot langit na kaagad. I kissed her cheek again. I went to our room and took my clothes off then got a towel so I could take a shower.

I changed into a simple polo shirt and pants then went back down where I left her. The cake already cooled down and she's putting it in a container. She smiled at me as I walked to her.

"Maliligo ka pa ba pagkatapos?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I'll just change into a dress, maybe? Hindi naman ako mabaho."

"Really?" I teasingly asked then went behind her for a hug. I kissed her neck making her giggle.

"Oh, ano? Mabaho ba ako?"

I shook my head then placed my chin on her shoulder. She then told me she'd change into something presentable for my parents. As soon as she left, I took the cake to the car. Doon ko na rin siya hinintay.

The color of her dressed matched my shirt. She tied her hair in an updo and wore her brightest smile. Hindi na kami nagtagal sa bagay at pumunta na kaagad sa bahay ng Mommy at Daddy.

On our way, there was a motorcycle na sumasabay sa amin. Just by looking at it, I can tell that it's my brother's, Kuya Conrad. Sumabay siya sa amin hanggang sa makarating na kami sa bahay.

"Hi, kuya Conrad," bati ni Celeste sa kaniya.

"Hello, gorgeous," lumapit si kuya at bumeso sa kaniya. He gave me a ‘bro-hug’ as well.

"Saan ka galing?" I asked him. "I thought you're already taking over our business?"

"Diyan lang," he replied then tilted his head. He smelled like alcohol.

"Kuya, I swear, you'll become an alcoholic bastard one of these days."

"Sobra ka naman sa alcoholic. I only drink once or twice."

"Everyday? Geez, grow the fuck up. You're not getting any younger. Why don't you fix yourself then find a woman to be your wife?"

"Bakit pa ako hahanap kung puwedeng agawin ko na lang si Celeste?"

A part of me snapped. What the fuck is wrong with him? "Kuya, what the fuck?!"

Inawat ako ni Celeste. "Hon, he is joking. ‘Di ba, kuya?"

Kuya Conrad just laughed then walked into the house. Celeste and I stayed outside for a few more minutes. Pinakalma ko muna ang sarili ko dahil naiinis ako sa mga sinabi ni Kuya.

"Celeste–"

"Calm down, Tan. I am all yours." She gave me a peck on my lips. "At saka, kapatid mo 'yon. Walang dahilan para mag-alala ka."

But there is. . . And it's killing me inside already.

Pumasok kami at naabutan namin ang mga magulang ko at ang kuya na prenteng nakaupo. Mukhang pinagsasabihan nila si Kuya tungkol na naman sa pagiging lasinggero niya. Si Daddy ang nagagalit at tahimik lang si Mommy.

"Hey, Mom and Dad," bati ko at sunod naman si Celeste. She gave them the cake she made. Mom thanked her then they both went to the dining room ro prepare for dinner.

"Ikaw," baling sa akin ni Daddy. "Wala ka ba talagang balak iwang 'yang punyetang art exhibit na 'yan?"

"Dad, I told you a thousand times already. That is my passion."

Mukhang mas nagalit pa siya sa naging sagot ko. "Punyeta! Nagpakahirap akong umalis ng Russia at itayo ang negosyo pero hindi man lang ako nabigyan ng matinong anak! Kung hindi lasinggero, walang kuwenta!"

Hindi na ako nagsalita. He wanted Kuya and I to he businessmen like him, but I went on my own way. He hated me for that, and as soon as I graduated college and found a job on my own, I left the house. Si kuya naman ay dito pa rin umuuwi.

"Humingi ka ng apo kay Nathan, Dad. I think he and Celeste are ready to be parents." He looked at me then smirked.

Dad took a deep breath then massaged his temple. "Bakit nga ba wala pa kayong anak? Ang tagal na ninyong nagsasama."

"We're getting there, Dad."

Just then, Mom called us to eat. Dad sat in the middle. Mom is on his right, then kuya. Me and Celeste are on his left. Magkatapat si Kuya at Celeste, at kami naman ni Mommy.

"Celeste, hija," tawag ni Dad. "Kumusta naman ang buhay mo kasama ang anak ko? Naibibigay ba niya lahat ng pangagailangan ninyo?"

"Yes, Dad. Tan is working hard to provide and spoil me."

"Is that so? Sabihan mo lang ako kung pumapalya na siya."

"Give your son a break, Ivan," suway ni Mommy kay Dad. "We all know you don't like his art things, but it is what he wanted. Do not involve his girlfriend into your childish tantrums."

"Say, Celeste," saad ni Kuya. "Kailan ninyo balak ng kapatid kong magkaanak?"

My girlfriend blushed. "We're working on it."

I cleared my throat and looked away from them. I continued eating. Hindi na ako sumabat sa mga usapan nila. Celeste asked me if I was okay, tumango na lang ako.

After dinner, I went to my old room to get some things I left. Some of them are painting of Celeste. She's always been my muse. Sa pagbaba ko, hindi ko siya kaagad nakita. I looked all over the house, until I found her and kuya in the garden.

Kuya was telling her something intriguing. I can tell just by the way he smiled at her. Celeste on the other hand, had her eyebrows furrowed. I walked towards them then cleared my throat to get their attention.

"Hon, tara na. Uwi na tayo," I said.

She quickly nodded and paced to the car. Nagpaalam ako kay Mommy at Daddy na aalis na kami. Nang makarating ako sa kotse, nakasakay na si Celeste. Inilagay ko muna sa likod ang mga dala ko. Those were my old painting materials that I had left.

As I was driving, I noticed Celeste's silence. She held her gaze away from me. It made me worry. What did kuya tell her?

"Hon, is something bothering you? Ang tahimik mo," I managed to ask.

She looked at me with an expression I couldn't read which made me worry more. She then took a deep breath then shook her. After a few seconds, she finally spoke.

"May gusto ka raw sabihin sa akin?" she asked.

"Hon? Nasabi ko naman na lahat ng gusto kong sabihin."

"Kuya Rad told me something, e'."

"Really?" May naisip na kaagad ako kung ano iyon. "What did kuya say?"

"Hindi ko nga rin maintindihan. Ang sabi niya tanungin kita kung gusto mo na bang bumuo tayo ng pamilya. I told him that you're working on your career, but he laughed like that's the most hilarious thing he heard."

"And then? May. . . May iba pa ba siyang nabanggit, hon?"

"He also told me that you're dealing with something. He told me that focusing on your career is just an act of yours."

I cleared my throat. "Saan niya naman nakuha 'yon?"

"I don't know, Nathan, but I think he is on to something. Is it true?"

"Hon, the truth is. . ."