Elysian Secrets

Kabanata 19

Nananatili pa ring nakaupo si Raphael sa executive's chair niya kahit halos isang oras na ang nakalilipas nang ibinaba ni Lia ang tawag nito. Hindi niya pa rin alam kung ano sa samo't saring emosyon na nag-aagawan sa loob niya ang una niyang bibigyan ng atensyon.

When his secretary's name popped up on his phone, he thought of not answering it, but old habit dies hard. Sinagot niya pa rin ito. Like always.

He just cannot not answer Lia. Kahit pa sinasabi niyang huwag siyang istorbohin, basta ito ang tumawag, he'll stop whatever he is doing and pick up her call. Yes. Even when he was in the middle of fucking someone. Ilang kapareha na ang nakipaghiwalay sa kanya dahil doon.

When the woman started bitching about coming to his parent's house again, he thought of berating her back for the clusterfuck she has put them in. Pero wala siyang sinabi. Pinakinggan niya lang ang usual nitong reklamo kapag pinipilit niyang isali ang babae at si Niccolo sa mga event ng pamilya niya.

Knowing what he knows now, he heard the unspoken fear in her voice earlier. Oh, she should be scared alright. He's Raphael-fucking-Mondragon and she dared to make a fool out of him.

He could take everything from her. Everything.

He won't. She doesn't know that.

Tumayo siya sa harap ng floor-to-ceiling glass wall ng opisina niya at pinanood ang mabilis na pag-agos ng buhay sa Manila. Life continued while his world turned upside down with just one night.

His phone suddenly buzzed and he returned to his table to pick it up without looking at the caller ID. "Mondragon speaking."

"Really, that's it? You couldn't even be bothered to say your first name?"

"Who's the idiot who expects someone else to answer my private line?"

"Touche."

"The door's open," sabi niya na lang at ibinaba na ang telepono.

Kakasandig niya lang sa mesa niya nang bumukas ang pinto ng kanyang opisina at pumasok ang isang matangkad na lalaki. A Japanese gore design was emblazoned on the front of the man's black tee. His short, bouncy curls and perfect facial angles make him look like an angel a grunge shop spitted out.

"You went to the Suites in that?" hindi niya mapigilang ikomento.

"Does it matter what I wear?" tanong nito habang iniikot ang paningin sa loob ng kanyang opisina bago muli siyang tinitigan. "Kung naka-Brioni ba ako hindi na na-revoke ang invitation ko?"

"You got yourself kicked out, Ren," paalala niya. Hindi niya man marinig ang paninisi sa tono ng pananalita nito, it was implied in his words.

Ngumisi lang ang lalaki at pasalampak na naupo sa sofa right across from him and made himself comfortable. The guy stared up at him, all smiles.

"Meaning, you got overruled," ani nito. "Tsk. The Berserker never did like me. I wonder why."

He scoffed and push himself off the table. Binuksan niya ang isa sa mga drawer niya roon at inilabas ang isang bote ng Remy Martin at dalawang baso mula roon. He poured a glass for his visitor and another glass for himself.

"Oo," sarkastiko niyang sabi habang inaabot ang baso ng alak rito. "Nakapagtataka talaga."

The guy just chuckled, accepting the drink.

"You'll get me back in, won't you?" tanong nito bago tumungga.

He sat at the chair oppossite one of his long-time friend—Renault DeMille.

His three other friends and business partners despise this guy.

One time, after receiving yet another formal complaint from one of the Elysium Suites clients who had the misfortune to be partnered with Renault, Achim exclaimed, "That jerk is a psychopath. He belongs in prison."