Ideal Men 1: Russo Mancini (On Hold)

9

Their attention shifted to the door after hearing a knock. Tumayo si Jill para pagbukasan at salubungin ang kasambahay na dala ang inutos nito kanina.

Icy left her seat and helped them. Same for Russo. Nauna ang dalaga na naglakad, kaya pabulong na may sinabi si Jill.

"Hindi 'yan magsasalita hanggang sa 'di mo kausapin." she implies.

Russo let out a loud sigh. "Then, can I talk to her privately?"

Jill nodded and gave Icy an excuse. The two were left inside the room, bearing silence and a night breeze.

"Tesorina..."

Russo left his seat, sat beside her, and avoided her gaze.

"Do I look that badly?" asked Icy.

"You're the prettiest woman here, Icy."

"Paano? You're eyes never met mine, Russo."

Russo stared into her eyes. He caressed her cheeks and smiled.

"Whether you're in pajamas or dresses, you're the prettiest. I hope I can lend my eyes to you so you can see how beautiful you are right now. Everyone says the same."

"Why did you ignore me then?"

Russo was jealous of Vandal. It was childish, but he couldn't help her heart feel that way. The first person she asked was Vandal, although he was there waiting for her. When he first saw her, she looked pretty, glamorous, and elegant in her dress. He was smiling and felt proud while waiting for her. But Icy came asking for Vandal with an excited face and was disappointed when she found out Vandal had left. Russo was annoyed and consumed by jealousy, making him childish.

"Because you like Vandal."

Kumunot ang noo ni Icy.

"Pardon?"

"You're cheerful and bubbly. You helped him immediately when he asked for the pin. You looked for him. You're so happy, tesorina."

Russo honestly let go of the thoughts on his mind and felt relieved as well as nervous to hear what she would say.

"Wait. Mali ang pagkakaintindi mo."

Icy let out a loud breath. Inilabas nito ano kaniyang wallet at may kinuha doon. She handed a photo to Russo.

"The little man on the left side is my younger brother. Iyang nasa right si Kuya Vandal, our eldest. We had a happy and simple life when we were young. Like other children, we play, argue, and compromise. But we got separated after an accident. A guy came to our house. He took us and separated us. They threw us like an object to different families. We got new names, including surnames. So when I saw him, I'm about to cry in joy, but I tried to hide it. Baka sabihin nila baliw ako. Although I don't know what happened after we got separated, I'm just glad that he's doing well and alive, even if he can't remember me."

Russo felt ashamed for being childish. He even got jealous over her brother. The fact that Vandal is her brother made it more complicated.

Hinawi ni Russo ang buhok ng dalaga at yinakap ito. Icy burst into tears on his shoulders. She cried like a baby. Kahit na gusto magtanong ni Russo. Kahit na gulat na gulat siya sa mga nalaman. Hinayaan niya muna na kumalma ang dalaga. Based on her story, he can tell that it was a bad past. And his tesorina went through a lot.

Napagpasyahan nito na huwag magtanong tungkol sa nabanggit ng dalaga. Instead of digging deeper, she needed comfort the most, and that's what he gave her.

Nang umalis ang dalaga sa pagkakayakap pinagmasdan ni Russo ang mukha nito. Her eyes were swollen. The tip of his nose was red. He felt rage about the guy behind her sufferings. Pinunasan nito ang natirang luha sa pisngi ng dalaga at saka hinalikan ito sa noo.

Icy didn't say anything after it and was kept staring a far. Russo became worried.

"I'm just here, tesorina." he whispered.

Tumango si Icy saka pinunasan ang pisngi. Russo gave her a glass of water and she's thankful. She felt good after telling things. She felt blessed that Russo is there to listen and understand her deep emotions.

While the two were occupied inside, they didn't notice that there was a commotion outside. A group of men started to rampage into the party after Jilliana's parents insisted that the one they're looking for wasn't there. They had guns pointed at the guest and were threatening the people in there.

Jilliana came running to the room where Icy and Russo were, but it was too late. Nadatnan nito si Russo na nakahilata sa sahig at hindi niya mahanap si Icy.