Stolen Heart

Kabanata 28

The Ferguson called me to meet them up for my final plan for the venue. I still have 6 months to prepare and I am almost finish for their gowns and suits.

I brushed my chest hair length. I don't have the short hair and beach waves hair anymore. I just want something new.

It is Queen's birthday but I need to meet the Fergusons. Queen doesn't want far away from Manila. She just wanted to have a dinner with us, iyon lang daw ang gusto niya.

"Mommy will be back, okay?" I said to  her kiss her.

"Yes! Don't forget about my gift!" she said.

"Paula, same rules, okay? Wag pakainin si Queen ng mga junk foods. Wag magpapasok ng bisita basta basta, at wag ilabas si Queen sa unit." paalala ko.

"Yes Ma'am, Iana."

Ng nakasakay na ako sa kotse ko sa basement ay tinawagan ko muna si Bern.

"Hello, couz?" kakagising lang nito.

"Okay na yung place for dinner?" I asked him. Siya kasi ang pina-plano ko sa dinner. He suggested the Secret Garden, kung saan ay pwede naming ma occupy privately. I occupied it for 2 days, may pool naman daw doon at iba pang recreational activities. For sure, Queen will enjoy.

"Yes. We should be there at four  in the afternoon because the food will be delivered five." at may kung anong details pa siyang sinabi tungkol doon.

I walked inside the Ferguson building with a smile on my face. May mga lalaking bumabati sakin na nagta-trabaho dito at ngumingiti rin naman ako. It's not called being flirt, it's called being friendly.

I saw how girls looked at my outfit. What? I am just using a denim tattered skinny jeans, a black ankle boots, a black inner top with white unbutton polo.

Mga kaibigan ko at ang mga nakakaalam na may anak ako, ilang beses nila akong sinabihan na para daw ako hindi na nganak. I maintained my body. Of  course, that's how you supposed to do it. Hindi porke't my anak ka na, magiging losyang ka. It depends on how you handle yourself, kung hindi ka pabaya, you will maintain your body and be better.

I was about to push the CEO's door when it already opened. Ramdam ko kaagad ang tibok ng puso ko kung si sino ang na sa harap ko.

He moved to let me enter. Parang ayaw pang gumalaw ng mga paa ko.

"Thanks." sabi ko. Pagkadaan ko sa kanya ay naamoy ko kaagad ang pabango niya! Damn Phoenix! Why you still have this effect on me?!

Sana ganito ka rin kabaliw sakin!

I kissed Tita Paige cheeks when she stood up.

"Ken's on his way. Papasundo pa sana kita kay Nix sa baba." sabi nito. Nakatayo si Nix doon malapit sa pinto. Na sa bulsa niya ang dalawang kamay niya. He is still hot on his office attire. Walang kakupas kupas ang kumag na 'to!

"No need, tita." sabi ko na nakangiti.

Umupo naman ako doon so couch sa tabi ni Tita Paige. Nix was still standing there looking at us- at me. Sa bagay! Dapat diyan siya, kasi kung uupo siya sa couch malapit sakin baka masapak ko siya.

"You said hanggang 11:30 ka lang. Why? May pupuntahan ka ba?"

"Yes, tita. My lunch ako with friend." and I need to prepare for my daughter's birthday, for your apo's  birthday.

"Oh... How about dinner? Makakabalik ka? Magsusukat na kasi sila Mama eh." she said.

What? Hindi pwede!

"Uh... I can't too. I have dinner because it's a special celebration for a special someone" I said. Tita Paige looked at my  back and I know he looked at Nix.

Queen is special to me! She is my daughter. At kung ano man ang isipin nila sa special someone na yan, edi sila na bahala mag assume especially Nix- mamatay siya sa kakaisip! Tseh!

"Re-Really? Is his birthday?" his?

Tumikhim naman ako at tumango na lang. So what Phoenix?

"Happy birthday to him then!"

"I'll tell him." your granddaughter.

Rinig ko naman ang pagbukas ng pinto at pagdabog nitong pagsara. My lips twitch on Phoenix' act. What happened, baby?  *rolls eyes*

After thirty minutes ay dumating si tito Kendrick. Saan naman si Phoenix? Lol.

I kissed Tito Ken on his cheek at nagsimula na kami mag-usap about the venue. Sinabi ko naman sa kanila ang magiging designs ko at gusto naman nila iyon.

The guest must only wear gold or black. Iyon lang ang motif.

"But about your gowns, tita. I prefer if gold kayo lahat na babae, and for their suits naman ay three piece na all black." and they agreed on that too.

I can imagine Phoenix wearing that hot three piece all black suit. Damn.

Sa gitna ng usapan namin ay bumukas ang pinto ng malakas. Pumasok doon si Phoenix na busangot ang mukha.

What?

Nakatingin kaming tatlo sa kanya. Diretso lang ang lakad nito papunta sa amin- sa harap ko. Tumaas naman ang kilay kong tiningnan siya.

"Nix?" his mom called him.

"Fit me again, Quiana."

"Ano?"

"Stand up and fit me again." sabi nito. May binigay siyang measuring tape sa  akin. Nakahawak siya sa pulupulsuhan ko at sobrang lapit naming dalawa. Napatingin naman ako sa mga mata niyang hinihigop ako.

"Kung sa ganitong paraan mo lang ako mahawakan at mapalapit ako sa'yo, hell, I want you to fit me 'til I die, baby." my jaw dropped. Tita Paige gasped.

"W-What?" napapaos kong tanong sa kanya.

"Baby, tell me, I will hire you as my personal designer so that I can be this close to you every time you fit me... Or I will offer you my soul to be the designer of my life..." napaawang naman ang labi ko sa sinabi niya.

What the hell are you doing, Phoenix?!

"Tell me, baby... Tell me..." parang may bumara naman sa lalamunan ko. I want to pull my wrist pero wala akong lakas para gawin iyon.

"W-We'll go now." rinig kong sabi ni Tita Paige. "Let's go Kendrick."

When I heard the door closed, doon lumabas ang luha sa mga mata ko. Still looking and standing in front of Phoenix. Nakahawak pa rin siya sa wrist ko.

"Quiana..." he called. He sound weak but I know he is not! Kung meron mang mahina sa aming dalawa, ako iyon!

He tried reaching for my cheeks to wipe my tears but I moved backward. Pwede pala iyon? Iyong sabik na sabik kang mahawakan ka niya pero kapag andiyan na ay parang natatakot ka? Kasi baka masaktan ka ulit. Putting yourself back together is the hardest shit I've done in my entire life.

"Baby...." I hate him so much!

Umaalab ang puso ko sa inis at galit kay Phoenix ngayon! Bakit parang ang dali dali lang sa kanya ang ganito? 

"What did you do when I was the one  begging you to be with me, Phoenix?" madiin kong tanong.

Gusto ko isumbat lahat sa kanya ang nangyari sakin! Gusto ko sabihin sa kanya lahat lahat ng tinago ko for 3 years! But I guess, he doesn't deserve any! Nix and I will remain a memory- a good memory and Queen Phoebe del Carmen is the proof of it.