San Lazarus Series #4: Painted Sceneries [Ongoing]

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

“Everything is settled, Ms. Lavarez.” Wika ng assistant ni Sathiele sa kaniya.

Tumayo at kinuha niya ang red purse sa mesa at lumabas ng hotel room suot ang kulay pulang backless evening gown na may mahabang slit sa kaliwa abot hanggang taas ng hita. Para siyang narampa sa runway dahil sa nakasanayang paglakad ng tuwid na may halong konting kembot ng bewang.

Lumabas siya ng building at dali daling sumakay sa sasakyan na kanyang ipinahanda sa mga tauhan niya. Huminga siya ng malalim bago simulan ang pagmamaneho papunta sa Venue ng pagdarausang event.

She was invited to a grand event in San Lazarus. All of the famous personalities that have stayed for months or years in San Lazarus are invited. She had been receiving invitation emails from the locality for the past few years, but she ignored them because of her modeling career in the US.
 

She parked the car in the parking lot and went out after grabbing her purse. Pinakita niya sa guard ng event hall ang invitation. “Wala ho kayong kasama ma'am?” Tanong ng manong.

Ngumiti siya. “Yes, I'm alone.” Sagot niya. Tumango ito kasabay ng pagbukas ng pintuan. He gestured her to go inside. So she made her way.

Sobrang classy ng lugar. Iyon ang rumehistro sa isip niya. She fixed her mask as she walked to her table number. A lot of guests are here. Hindi niya halos kilala ang mga nasa loob.

Iginala niya ang paningin sa paligid. Napako ang tingin niya sa isang matangkad na binatang nakatanggal ang mask. Nakikipag usap ito sa iilang dalagang naroon at matatanda.

Biglang nanlamig ang katawan niya nang tumingin ito sa kanya. The man suddenly frowned. He's looking in her direction. Nag iwas niya ng tingin at kumuha ng maiinom sa dumaang waiter. He can't recognize her, not in this place.

She looked at her purse while drinking. Her eyes started to blur and were filled with tears. She took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
 
 
 
‘Bakit? Bakit apektado pa rin ako?’ Hindi mapigilang itanong sa isip niya. ‘Maybe coming back here is a big mistake, I'm just hurting myself more.’ She added.
 

A pair of Armani shoes suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision. She looked at the person who was standing by her side. Ang kaninang lalaki na tiningnan niya sa malayo ay nasa kanya nang harapan.

“Sathiele.” Rinig na bigkas nito sa pangalan niya.

Hindi siya nagsalita. Bagkos ay nakatingala lang siya rito ng walang kahit anong emosyon sa kanyang mukha. Wala na rin ang mga nagbabadyang luha.

“Mr. Hardin.” Tipid niyang bati rito at tumayo. “I didn't expect you to come here. It's nice to see you again.” she added. Kaylangan niyang ngumiti kahit pilit lang dahil may media sa paligid.

Kitang kita niya ang madilim na pagtitig nito sa kaniya. Ang mga mata nitong hindi nakakasawang tingnan na lagi siyang nilulunod sa tuwing titingin ito sa kanya. He looks so mature now, more manly than before.

She was surprised when he held her wrist and pulled her closer to him. He removed his coat and placed it on her shoulders. He wrapped his arm around her waist as he leaned closer to the side of her neck. She was stoned by the sudden movements.
 

“You clearly told me that you're not going back here in San Lazarus.” he whispered to her right ear. She felt nervous all of a sudden. “And once you come back, it means you're coming back to me.” he added, looking into her eyes.
 

She's in a daze. Bakit ba ang lakas ng karisma ng lalaking 'to sa kanya?
 

He smirked when he saw her expression. She didn't really expect na kakausapin siya nito. “Welcome back to my paradise, love.” he whispered. “I've been waiting for you to come back. I was thinking of going to the US, but, guess what? you're here. I'm not going to let you go again.”