Ideal Men 1: Russo Mancini (On Hold)

24

Saka lang napansin ng tatlo na umaga na ng masilayan nila ang  lumiliwanag na madilim na kalangitan. They were lost in thoughts of finding solution and immediate ways to save Icy.

Not even hunger stopped them from being persistent.

"There are foods on refrigerator. You
should take a bite, we didn't even had dinner last night." Russo offered to Vandal who's sitting on sofa with messy hair.

"Okay. Hindi ka ba kakain?" tanong ni Vandal.

Umiling si Russo. The knot of worry in his stomach stifling any appetite he might have had.

"Then take a rest first. I'll watch your phone in case your cousin calls back."

Feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down, Russo nodded in agreement.

"Thanks bud."

Vandal shakes his head before going into the kitchen to fetch some food.  While Russo started laying down on the sofa and allowed himself to succumb to the pull of sleep, for a short while.

Vandal prepared simple breakfast, pancakes and coffees. He invited Icen to eat with him but Icen just took the coffee and went outside. Icen was too persistent to reach her twin. Alam nito ang kayang gawin ng ama nila kapag may hindi ito magustuhan na gagawin ni Icy. So he kept contacting his spy inside the Nayani palace.

Vandal didn't even hesitate to stop him. Inilapag niya ang platito at tasa ng kape sa center table. Sa kabolang sofa nagpapahinga si Russo. He didn't even tried to wake him. Kaya sinimulan ni Vandal kumain ng tahimik habang hinihintay ang tawag ng pinsan nito.

After twenty minutes, at exactly 5am in the morning, Russo woke up as the early morning light casting a faint glow in the room. Just then, Icen entered, bearing news that offered little comfort.

"My stubborn twin tried to escape," Icen relayed, his frustration palpable and glimpse of worries.

"luckily my spy stopped her. That's for better." He said while looking at Russo who seem puzzled.

"As for the airport, I couldn't find anyone that can help us. If only I had the same influence as that old man," Icen continued, his voice tinged with resignation.

A heavy sigh escaped on their mouth in horizon.

Inabot ni Russo ang cellphone niya. He noticed an answered call from his cousin. Nagtatanong itong tumingin kay Vandal.

"Your cousin ended the call after I talked. You should call her back." simple at mabilis nitong sagot.

Furrowing his brow, Russo dialed his cousin's number. Habang nagriring ang kabilang linya hindi maiwasan ni Russo ang mapatingin kay Vandal. Dahil may hindi tama sa kilos nito.

Relief flooding through him as the call was answered. He heard her cousin sighing on the other end.

"Cugina, it's me." Saad nito ng hindi ito nagsalita agad.

"Ohh, finally, about what you asked my best friend is going in Dubai at eight am there today. You should head to Viloria Airport before then." Damara explained.

Tumaas ang kilay ni Vandal ng biglaan na tumayo sa pagkakaupo ang binata. He assumed then, that it's a good news. Russo face and reaction say it all already.

"Thank you, cugina. You're a lifesaver."

"I know. Don't forget to invite me on your wedding, I wanna meet this girl." she teased.

"You will, cugina! Thank you so much!"

"Go get ready now. Be on time on going in the airport. Sending you all a goodluck."

They bid goodbyes.

With newfound determination coursing through him, Russo felt a mix of emotions. Excitement to finally track down Icy, longing to see her again, and a lingering fear of her father's reaction all vied for dominance in his mind. But he knew one thing for certain that he wouldn't let anything stand in the way of finding Icy and bringing her back home where she belonged.

PAGDATING sa airport, nakita nina Russo, Icen, at Vandal ng isang babae na may kasamang lalake na papalapit sa kanila. Ang presensya nito nakapagdulot ng kaba at pagkamangha sa kanilang tatlo ng tuluyan itong makalapit.

"Really? Fax Valdez, as in the woman who owns chain of businesses and properties around the world?" Gulat na saad ni Icen sa sarili.

Si Vandal ang lumapit kay Fax para makipag-usap. The two young ones was holding their mouth from falling. And in shocked.

"Kami iyong tinutukoy ni Dama," Ani Vandal.

Vandal saw her smirks but it faded in instant.

Fax just nodded in response. The man beside her guided them along with her. Lubusan na nagpasalamat si Russo sa dalaga sa pagtulong sa kanila.

"No worries Mr. Mancini. Damara..." sabay tingin kay Vandal. "is my dearest friend I can't ignore her." paliwanag ni Fax.

"Thank you Ms. Valdez," sabi ni Icen, na tila nakabawi na sa presensya ni Fax.

Fax excused herself after their small talk. Naiwan ang tatlo sa malawak na loob ng eroplano. There are flight attendants exclusively for them. When the plane ascend Russo felt excited to see Icy at the same time worried about what will happen. Habang si Icen naman ay agad na nakatulog dahil wala pa itong tulog mula kahapon.

Russo glanced at Vandal. Kukunin niya sana ang atensyon nito pero seryoso itong nakatitig sa screen ng hawak nitong cellphone.

"Bud," pag-agaw niya sa atensyon ni Vandal.

He called him three times before Vandal reacted.

"May sinasabi ka?" Ani Vandal.

Tumango si Russo. "Can you enlighten me about Icy father?"

Tumingin si Vandal kay Icen na natutulog bago nagsalita.

"He's dangerous and manipulative man. Wealthy but dirty." simpleng magpapaintindi ni Vandal.

Russo expected it. Nanatili pa rin ang pagmamahal nito kay Icy. Ang nalaman niya ay mas nagbibigay-liwanag sa katotohan tungkol sa mga koneksyon ng kanyang pamilya sa panganib. In that way he realized that he needs to be more extra protective.

Nag-aalala siya sa mga pwedeng mangyari dahil sa mga gawain ng ama ng ni Icy.

"Honestly, I already know a little about his father. I met Icy mother once. She told me about it. But I'm not scared. I need to be strong for tesorina."

Vandal tapped his shoulders. And gave him a warm smile.

Tumingin si Russo sa bintana ng eroplano at tumitig sa magandang ulap.

I missed her so much.