Reckless Revenge (Completed)

Chapter 27

With You

Kuya appeared from the entrance and saw Dalia with Dion in front of her. He knew what was happening, and his eyes widened at how I got everyone's attention, too. Marahan siyang umiling pero buo na ang loob ko.

I knew Dion and I should not see each other again. But I'd rather we met than my daughter. Hindi ako sigurado sa reaksyon ng babaeng kasama niya pero maaaring napuna niya ang pagkakahawig ni Dion at ni Dalia.

My daughter needed to leave the place immediately.

Pigil nga ang hininga ko nang hindi na naalis sa akin ang mga mata ni Dion. It was as though time had stool still. He rose and slowly stalked towards me. Wala sa sarili akong humakbang at hindi na pinansin ang waiter na tinanong kung kumusta ako habang ang kasama niya ay nililinis na ang mga bubog.

Dalia watched Dion as he walked past her, not once sparing her a glance. My brother took that chance to run to her and picked her up. May sinabi si Dalia kay Kuya na sinuklian lang niya ng isang tango at tipid na ngiti.

The woman noticed my brother's panic as he took Dalia out of the scene. Nagbalik-balik ang tingin niya sa kanila at kay Dion na tila ba wala sa sarili habang papalapit sa akin.

But he noticed how I watched his back. Kumunot ang noo niya at akmang lilingunin iyon ngunit muli akong umatras para kunin ang atensyon niya. I knew he was determined to approach me, no matter how calculated his steps were. Nang tuluyan na ngang nakaalis si Kuya at Dalia ay saka ako tumalikod at tumakbo. I ran to the back exit but I was almost at the door when a cold hand grabbed my arm.

I instantly knew who it was by the familiar scent lingering and because the siren in my heart said so.

Nagtama ang paningin namin. Bago pa ako makapagsalita ay bumalot sa pisngi ko ang mga palad niya.

"It's you," he breathed. "Damn, Trish. You're back!"

Umatras ako para bawiin ang sarili pero mas lalo siyang lumapit. Behind him, the woman followed him. Kunot ang noo niya habang pinapanood ang reaksyon ni Dion sa presensya ko.

I had to touch Dion's hand before I gently shook my head so he could put his hands off me. Aaminin kong may init na yumakap sa dibdib ko nang mahawakan ko rin ang kamay niya pero binalewala ko iyon. Whatever it maybe was no longer important.

He cleared throat after watching the distance I left in between us. Hindi na siya nagpumilit na lumapit pa.

"Are you still mad?" kalmadong tanong niya na ipinagtaka ko. He caught the surprise in my eyes with his question. "You were gone for over three years, Trish. I was waiting for you here."

Umalis lang kami sa hotel at sa mansyon pero hindi naman kami lumayo. Totoo nga ang sinabi ni Kuya na gusto niyang malaman kung nasaan ako. But I doubted he was really looking for me. Sa kabilang bayan lang naman kami. Besides, siya na rin ang nagsabi. He was waiting for me. Here. At the Archangel Hotel.

His eyes patiently waited for my answer. Umiling ako at muling umatras sa kanya. Tiyak na naghihintay na sila Kuya sa labas. Kahit narito pa ang mga gamit at ilang mga tauhan ay tiyak na ipipilit din niya na umalis na kaagad kami sa hotel.

"Y-Yeah," my voice broke. "It's been more than three years." Mag-aapat na taon na nga kung tutuusin dahil mag-aapat na rin si Dalia.

"It's been a long time."

I mimicked him and nodded, too. "Yeah, it's been a long time."

Muli siyang umatras pero tumigil din naman nang mapagtanto iyon. His lips parted but he concealed whatever he wanted to say after closely watching me. Sa huli ay bumuntong-hininga at kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi.