Innocent Seductress (COMPLETE)

A&C Incorporation

"Family is like branches on a tree. We all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one."

Prince drove back to their mansion together with Harriet.

"Di mo naman kailangang sumama eh." Sabi ni Prince.

"I want to have dinner with your family,babe."

Prince just shook his head and didn't talk until they arrived. Lumabas si Prince sa kotse at binuksan ang pinto para kay Harriet. Harriet snaked his arms around his and together, they went inside the mansion.

"Good evening, dad." Bati ni Prince sa kanyang ama.

"Good evening, tito!" Bati ni Harriet sabay mano.

"What a pleasure,Harriet! Haha! Halina kayo! Let's eat dinner." Sabi ng dad ni Prince na si Mr. King Constiago.

Agad silang nagtungo sa dining hall at kumain.

"You know,son? I miss your mom."

"Me too,dad."

"But I know she's watching us from above. Hmm..Well, enough of the drama.So, how's your day,anak?" Sabi ng dad ni Prince.

"Nothing unusual."

"Ahmm..Tito? The business is going well. Kami paba? We're a great team!" Sabi ni Harriet.

"That's great! Haha! So, kamusta naman ang relationship niyo?"

"We're okay,tito. Don't worry po. Everything is fine." Sabi ni Harriet.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang si Prince. Nawalan na siya ng gana sa pagkain.

"Hijo? Di mo ata ginagalaw yang pagkain mo ah? Is there a problem?" Sabi ng kanyang ama.

"No,dad. I'm just not in the mood today."

"Well, okay. So, I can see that you guys are going well. I'm hoping for a wedding soon,maybe?"

Binagsak ni Prince ang kanya kutsara at tinidor. Nagulat naman ang kanyang ama at si Harriet sa kanyang ginawa.

"Dad, marriage? No!" Prince exclaimed.

"Prince,calm down." Harriet said.

"Why not,son? I mean, look at you two, you guys are compatible! Mapapatakbo niyo ng maayos ang kompanya natin when time comes."

"But, dad! Sabi niyo dati, subukan lang namin at baka ma-develop ang feelings namin sa isa't-isa. Sinunod ko kayo. Look! After all these years, we're still together as a couple! But marriage?! Dad, that's insane!"

"Prince,please. Please calm down. Don't raise your voice at your father." Sabi ni Harriet.

"Oh c'mon,son! Why not?"

"Why not?!Are you really serious? Naririnig niyo ba ang mga sinasabi niyo?Dad, she's my cousin! Everything's wrong with that picture!" Prince blurted out and stood up.

His father just shook his head. Napailing nalang rin si Prince at lumabas sa papunta sa pool.

"Nakakainis! Bakit ba kasi dapat pakialaman pa ang buhay ko?" Sagot ni Prince sa sarili.

Prince expelled a heavy breath. He gazed at the stars and slid his hands in his pocket. Paano niya nasisikmura ang idea na ipakasal ako sa sarili kong pinsan?! Oh,mom. Sana nandito ka. Sana may kakampi pa ako. You always know what to do. He thought.

"Prince? Di kaba papasok dun sa loob?" Sabi ni Harriet.

"Just, leave me alone right now, Harriet."

"Babe, your father is right. I think--"

"Please! Leave me alone! I wanna be alone! So please, leave."

Agad namang lumayo si Harriet at iniwan si Prince ng mag-isa. Nakatayo lang siya at nakatingin si mga bituin. Angel, bakit mo ako sinasaktan ng ganito? Parati kanalang tumatakbo sa isip ko. If only I could tell you how much I love you since then. If only I'm free to do that. He thought and expelled a heavy breath. Nagpasya nalang siyang pumunta sa kwarto niya at naligo. Pagkatapos niyang maligo ay nagpatuyo muna siya ng buhok saka natulog.

Kinabuksan, agad na nagpunta si Prince sa A&C Inc. at may inasikasong mga papeles.

"Babe!" Sabi ni Harriet sabay yakap.

"Harriet,please. I'm very busy. I need to finish this today."

"Hindi kaman lang ba sasama sa akin para mag coffee?"

"Can't, babe. Go ahead."

"Come on! It won't take awhile." She said and snaked an arm around his.

"Okay,fine! I'll go with you. Just a second."

"Sabi ko nanga ba't hindi mo ako matitiis eh!" Harriet cheerfully said.

Maya-maya pa ay sumakay na sila ng elevator upang bumaba at pumunta ng coffee shop. Pagkapasok nila ay may mga empleyadong mga babae na nakasakay at binigyan sila ng espasyo sa gitna. Halata namang kinikilig ang mga babae kay Prince. Nahalata naman ito ni Harriet kaya hindi niya mapigilang irapan sila.

"Sir, ang pogi niyo po talaga." Sabi nung isa.

Agad naman siyang sinamaan ng tingin ni Harriet.

"At syempre, ang ganda niyo rin po Miss Harriet. Bagay na bagay po kayong dalawa." Dagdag nung babae.

"Well said. Thank you." Sabi ni Harriet.

"Anong bagay? Eh diba, mag-pinsan sila?" Bulong ng isa sa katabi niya.

"Psst! Ano kaba! Baka marinig kapa nila, paalisin kapa dito." Sabi nung isa.

Mag-rereact sana si Harriet pero pinisil ni Prince ang kamay niya upang hindi ituloy ang binabalak nito. Kumalma naman si Harriet at atat na hinintay ang elevator na bumaba sa ground floor.

"Babe? Do you have plans for an outing or something? Nakaka-stress na kasi dito sa work eh. You're all work and no play." Sabi ni Harriet sabay ayos sa tie ni Prince.

"We'll see." Sabi ni Prince at insakto namang bumukas na ang elevator sa ground floor. Agad silang bumaba at dumiretso ng coffee shop. Naka-upo lang si Prince sa may bintana at tila lutang. Napakalalim at napakarami ng iniisip niya at litong-lito na ang kanyang isip sa dami nito.

"Prince? Prince!" Sabi ni Harriet.

"Wh-what?" Sagot ni Prince.

"C'mon Prince! Ano ba? Bakit ba parati kang wala sa sarili mo?!"

"I'm really sorry,babe. Okay, I'll just make it up to you. Let's go out on an outing together with Shiena,Fiona and Jake. Happy now?"

"Yey! Thanks! I know you love me." Harriet said and hugged Prince.

Ngumiti nalang si Prince. Si Harriet naman ay masayang-masaya at nag-isip nalang kung saan sila mag-oouting ng mga kabarkada.

"I want to swim. Maybe on a beach or waterfalls?" Harriet suggested.

Prince just smiled and nodded. Ilang sandali lang ay bumalik na sila. Pinindot naman ni Prince ang elevator at hinintay ito. Inangkla naman ni Harriet ang kamay niya sa braso ni Prince at masayang hinintay ang elevator na galing sa basement o parking lot ng building.

As the elevator started to open, their eyes widened seeing the person standing inside it.

"Angel? What is she doing here?" Bulong ni Harriet