Branding My Minx (COMPLETED)

Chapter 53

Lumabas sandali ang mga Herrera brothers sa venue ng exclusive  wedding reception.

"That's a good one Will!" nakangiting sabi ni Thomas sa kapatid.

"Napapakinabangan talaga ang pagiging pinaka-babaero mo sa pamilya," natatawang komento naman ni Jake.

Malapad ang ngiti naman na tumango-tango si William. "That was a piece of cake. Ngayon ang problemahin na lang natin paano ang gagawin sa gustong pagganti ni Kim."

"She wanted Franchesca to see the video of the ceremony but I have to tell her  that there is a change of plan. For sure she could make the perfect scenario knowing my wife," Thomas said proudly with a sexy grin.

Aaminin nito sa sarili na hindi lang maganda ang asawa matalino pa. Maraming katangian si Kim ang napapahanga ito lalo. He is doomed because of her beauty, personality and brains combined. Kumunot ang noo nito sa naisip.

"I am willing to do anything for the family mga bro! I feel a little guilty for sort of betraying Franchesca because she confides in me. Dati pa hindi naman talaga nagtatago sa akin ng nararamdamdam para sa'yo ang babaeng 'yon lalo kapag lasing. She knows I am a shoulder to cry on for her pero siyempre ibang usapan na kapag panggugulo sa inyo ni Kim ang plano niya."

(Two nights ago)

Tinawagan si William ni Jillian dahil hindi halos maawat ng mga ito sa pag-inom si Franchesca na nagwawala na sa isang bar. Mabilis naman itong nagpunta sa sinabing lugar. Nang hindi makita nito ang mga babae sa loob ng bar, tumuloy ito sa kung nasaan ang mga restroom. Napatigil siya nang marinig niya ang mga boses nito pati ang pagsusuka ni Franchesca. Dahil nakabukas naman ang pintuan ng banyo, narinig niya ang ibang bahagi ng pag-uusap ng mga ito.

Jillian was gently rubbing Franchesca's back as she vomits into the bowl. Nakaluhod ito. Nasa labas naman ng cubicle si Sophie na hindi maipinta ang mukha. Bakas sa expression nito ang pagkakadiri pero may kaunting awa rin.

"You will feel better after tossing your cookies. Will is coming to take you home. Let's not do this again okay?" sabi ni Jillian.

Matapos ang pagsusuka, hinang-hinang sumandal si Franchesca sa dingding ng cubicle. Inabutan naman ito ng tissue paper ni Sophie.

"I hate that woman! He stole Thomas from me!" Franchesca said in a slurred speech. Mukha na namang maiiyak ito.

"Don't worry . Tomorrow Sophie will finally do what you've planned. She will meet that b*tch! We're always here to support you. Right Sophie?" tanong nito sa babae.

Tumango naman ito. "Yeah I know what to do. I'll tell her that their marriage is fake and for sure that gullible b*tch will believe me!"

"Shhh! Keep it low. Remember this is just between the three of us. Hazel and Marie don't have a clue!"

Napailing na lumayo si William. Hindi siya makapaniwala sa narinig. Nang makalayo ito tinawagan niya ang number ni Franchesca. Inasahan naman nito na si Jillian ang sasagot.

"Nandito ako sa entrance. Where are you?" he asked.

"Okay we'll be out in a minute."

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Ngayon nito napagtanto na sobrang desperada na talaga ng babae. Nagdududa na nga ito na may kinalaman si Franchesca sa mga nawawalang dokumento ng kasal ng kapatid. He is torn between telling Thomas or not. Natatakot din ito sa maaring gawin ng kapatid sa babae. Napailing na lang ito.  Ang importante tuloy ang balak ng kapatid na pakasalan uli si Kim. Mag-iisip ito ng paraan kung paano matitigil si Franchesca sa mga gagawin pa nito dahil sa kabaliwan kay Thomas.

"Will!" boses 'yon ni Jillian.

He raised his face and looked at the females. Inaaalayan ng mga ito si Franchesca na mukhang wasted. He walked to them to help pero hindi kaila dito na titig na titig dito ang chinitang maputi, si Sophie. He suddenly came up with an idea.

(End of Flashback)

"And of course you got Sophie's number and bedded her last night. Then you texted her a few minutes ago to tell her the wedding was called off. No doubt she feels special now," natatawang sabi ni Jake.

Hinimas-himas pa ni William ang baba habang may seksing ngiti sa mga labi. "Yup! And as I expected, she immediately called Franchesca."

Thomas' eyes narrowed but he released a smirk. "I can imagine how delighted she is now but not for long of course. Let me tell my wife about it so she can decide what to do next," tumango ito sa mga kapatid bago pumasok uli sa reception hall.

Nagkatinginan na lang si Jake at William pagkaalis nito.

"I wish Franchesca good luck. Thomas will not let what she'd done pass like that. But I think her punishment wouldn't be too severe since Kim will interfere,"kunot ang noong sabi ni Jake.

"She actually needs a lot of good luck. Kilala ko s Kim. Franchesca is in for a surprise," William sighed, "I warned her plenty of times but she didn't listen."

***

Namamanghang nakatitig lang si Jillian kay Franchesca habang nag-aayos ito ng sarili. Wala na ang bakas nang lungkot sa mukha nito. Parang walang nangyaring pagwawala at pagpapalahaw ng iyak kanina lang. She is all smiles as she dabbed perfume on the side of her neck while in front of a big mirror. Her friend's change of behavior after she told her the news was really impressive.

"So what's your plan now?" she asked.

Tumigil panandalian si Franchesca sa ginagawa bago lumingon sa kaibigan. She removed an imaginary dust on her sexy top.

"To be honest I don't have a concrete one yet. I am dying of curiosity why they cancelled the damn wedding but of course I can't ask William. I don't want Sophie to be in the hot seat. Oh by the way Jillian, you better warn her about William okay? I trust Will but I don't approve of his womanizing ways of course. I am betting that she had sex with him already but that poor girl doesn't deserve to be broken-hearted, " she heaved a sigh, "Those Herrera brothers are heartbreakers but I am not giving up on Thomas. It's enough for now  that I'm just so happy because what I was hoping for actually happened! We are really destined to be together. I of course will change him. He will only have eyes for me and he would eventually forget that trash of a woman! This time I will do my best not to do hasty attempt to eliminate her from Thomas' life completely to avoid problems. A carefully planned agenda is the best. " she added with a satisfied smile as she took her phone which was on the vanity table.

"Well don't forget that Sophie and I are ready to help you in any way we can."

"Thanks a lot Jill!" she replied with a big smile. Napatingin siya sa telepono nang mag-ring at vibrate ito. Lumapad lalo ang ngiti nito.

"Things are really falling into places," she murmured with a satisfied tone as she replied to the text message. "Could you call Yaya Belen so she could clear the mess? I want my room to be spotless," utos nito sa kaibigan.

From Thomas: I want to see you. Your place or mine?

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Kim nang basahin ang sagot ni Franchesca sa tinext niya.

Mine. I'll wait for you tonight. I will make it memorable. (heart emoji)

Sinagot niya ang text na nakatiim bagang.

Yes it will be an unforgettable night. :)

"Are you okay darling?" may halong pag-aalala na tanong ng asawa habang nakatingin sa kanya.

She raised narrowed eyes at him. "I'm okay but I can't say the same thing for that wh*re after I'm done with her!"

***