Innocent Seductress (COMPLETE)

Counting Stars

"We humans always want more. Sometimes we ruin what we already have by searching for something we don't need."

"I'm home!!" Masayang bungad ni Mrs. Alquizar sa kanyang anak na si Harriet.

"Mom? What's going on? Ba't ang saya mo ata?"

"Look what I've got!"

"Woah! You went shopping?" Sabi ni Harriet habang tinitingnan lahat ng mga pinamili ng ina.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm so happy!"

"Wait, where did you get all the money? These are expensive, mom."

"Well,to me they're not."

"Mom? Could you please tell me what's going on?"

"I'm going to have an instant 100 million pesos!"

"What? How? Nanalo kaba sa lotto,mom?"

"Silly,no! It's because I sold my shares to this businesswoman."

"What?! So it means, you're not part of the A&C Inc. anymore?"

"Yes. I'm tired of managing that business, hija."

"But,mom! What were you thinking? Mas malaki ang kikitain natin sa A&C."

"I know. You see,I have plans. Now, we have an instant 100 million pesos. At isa pa, mababawi rin natin yang kompanyang yan."

"What? How?"

"Nakalimutan mo naba? Boyfriend mo ang anak ni kuya? At kung balang araw ay magpakasal kayo, mapupunta rin saiyo ang kompanyang iyon."

Nagtinginan silang mag-ina at napatawa nalang sa kanilang plano. Masayang-masaya sila sa pagsusukat ng mga damit at alahas na bagong bili palang.

"You're an evil genius,mom." Harriet said.

"I know right! Kaya wag na wag mong papakawalan ang lalaking iyon. Maliwanag ba,hija?"

"I won't, mom."

"Good. I've invested a lot in that company. I've invested a lot for money and I won't let anyone ruin it all for me."

"I won't let that happen either, mom."

"So, parang umiiyak ka ata. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just miss dad. It's his death anniversary. Ngayon siya nabaril diba?"

"Yes. Yes of course."

Biglang tumunog ang phone ni Harriet kaya agad siyang pumunta sa may pool at dun sinagot ang phone.

"Hello, Prince?" Sabi ni Harriet sa kabilang linya.

"I'm sorry but I can't go to dinner tonight."

"That's fine. I'm not in the mood either. It's my dad's death anniversary remember?"

"Oh yeah. Well, I have to go now. Bye." Sabi ni Prince at ibinaba ang phone niya.

Si Prince ay kasalukuyang nasa parking lot ng kanilang building. Sasakay na sana siya sa kanyang kotse nang napansin niyang di pa umaalis si Angel kasi naka park parin ang kotse nito.

"Nasan na kaya ang babaeng iyon?" Bulong ni Prince sa sarili.

Sumakay siya sa kanyang kotse at hinintay si Angel. Balak niyang malaman kung nasan ito nakatira. Hindi nga siya nabigo at nakita niya si Angel na sumakay sa kanyang kotse. Agad niya itong sinundan hanggang sa makarating sila sa isang condominium.

Pagkatapos niyang mag park ay bumaba siya sa kotse at palihim na sinundan si Angel hanggang sa makita niyang pumasok ito sa isang silid. Agad siyang kumatok sa unit ni Angel. Agad rin namang pinagbuksan siya ng pinto.

"Prince? What are you doing here? H-how did you know I live here?"

"Sinundan kita."

Inirapan lang siya ni Angel at bahagya namang napatawa si Prince.

"Bakit mo ba ako sinundan dito? Do you need something?"

"Yeah."

"What is it? Bakit kailangan mo pa akong sundan?"

"I need you."

"Pwede ba,Prince? Itigil mo nayang paglalaro mo. Hindi na nakakatawa."

"Well, can I come in you?"

Napakunot ang noo ni Angel at napairap. Bahagya namang napatawa si Prince.

"I mean, your room."

"At kung ayaw ko?"

"I will knock all the rooms here. I swear."

She expelled a heavy breath and opened the door wider. He walked inside her unit and sat at the sofa. She closed the door and leaned on it.

"So, my guest, what do you want?"

"Dapat bang paulit-ulit kung sabihin na ikaw ang kailangan ko?"

"For Pete's sake! Quit playing games,Prince."

"Do you think I am playing around? Well, for your information, I'm deadly serious."

Napairap nalang si Angel at napabuntong hininga. Di naman siya umaasa na totoo ang mga sinasabi ni Prince sakanya.

Hindi. He's just kidding, Angel. Don't get fooled. Never! She thought as she walked to the kitchen.

"Well then, for your information, I have a boyfriend."

"I know. But the question is, do you love him?"

Saglit na napatigil si Angel. Alam niya sa sarili niya na hindi niya mahal si Jake dahil iisang tao lang ang minahal at minamahal niya.

"Of course."

"I know you don't."

"How confident are you?"

Kumunot ang noo ni Prince at tumayo siya sa pagkakaupo. Naglakad siya papunta kay Angel at tinitigan ito ng husto.

"Now, tell me you love him." Prince said.

"I love him. Is that okay with you? Are you happy now? Nakuha mo na ang gusto mo? Pwede kanang umalis--"

Before she was able to finish her sentence, Prince sealed her mouth with a kiss. Angel felt like they're fireworks in her stomach right off. She wanted to protest but her body did otherwise. Instead, her fingers ran to his nape and his hands snaked around her waist. He broke the kiss and it made her unsatisfied.

"Your words says you love him, but your lips says the other way around." Prince said before leaving.

She's just standing and dumbfounded. She gave herself a massage on the forehead.

"Damn,Prince!" She said and threw herself on her bed.

Ibinaon niya ang ulo sa unan at nagsisigaw sa sobrang inis sa sarili. Nang mapagod ay napaupo nalamang siya. Wala siyang magawa kaya nagdesisyon nalang siyang tawagan ang ama.

"Hello,dad?" Sabi ni Angel sa sarili.

"Hija! Anak, kamusta?"

"I'm feeling much better, now that I've heard your voice."

"That's so sweet,anak. Me either."

"By the way, dad, I have a good news for you."

"Really? What is it?"

"I've sealed the deal. I've got my shares in A&C Inc. Our companies just merged."

"I know you can do it,hija. I'm just here to support your decisions."

"Thank you,dad. You're the best!"

"Anything for the perfect daughter."

Napangiti nalang si Angel at nagpaalam na sa ama. Dahil sa puyat at pagod, agad na nakatulog si Angel.