The Billionaire's Case

28-Revelations

Rovic

Sa wakas ay nakabalik na rin ako. Nang makita ko ang babaeng mahal ko ay hindi ko napigilang umiyak. Sobrang pangungulila ko sa kanya at alam kong ganoon din siya sa akin. Narinig ko ang pinag-usapan nila ni Warren at alam kong hindi magiging madali para kay Sandy na tanggapin ang mga nangyari sa akin. Maging ako ay hindi pa rin makatulog hanggang ngayon dahil sa lahat nang sinapit ko. Masakit at masalimuot na pangyayari na ayaw kong sabihin sa kaniya. Mas gusto ko pang isipin niya na nambabae ako kaysa ang malaman niya ang totoo.

Nag-ring ang bago kong cellphone. Si Warren pa lang ang nakakaalam ng number na bago. 

["Dude, Maxine and Louise are both healthy! Come by at the house anytime so you can meet them. I just have to tell Denisse that you're back then all is well. We can all be quiet about it."]

"Sige Warren. Salamat. Congratulations! Sigurado ako kasing ganda ni Denisse ang anak ninyo."

["Yes for Maxine. But Louise looks just like me. I'll send you pictures later. . . Rovic? Are you sure you're okay? Do you want me to call Mario so he can be there with you?"]

"Ayos lang ako. 'Wag na. I'll manage. Hindi pa rin ako handang makita siya. Sige na enjoy your babies! Ah. . .Salamat pala kanina."

["You know I always got your back. Don't worry we'll find a way. Don't fret. It's good to have you back Rovic!"]

"I know. It feels great to be home. See you and the twins soon!"

I felt sleepy perhaps with the jet lag. I went to the guest room to sleep. Ayoko matulog sa kwarto ko dahil nandoon ang mga ala-ala namin ni Sandy. Lalo ko lamang siya hahanap hanapin. Kailangan ko muna magtiis hangga't hindi ko pa natatapos ang kailangan kong ayusin.

Napanaginipan ko na naman ang mga nangyari. Kung alam ko lamang ay sana hindi na lamang ako nagpagapi sa antok.

***

Ayaw mang iwan ni Rovic si Sandy ay wala siyang choice dahil kailangan. Finally confirmed na na silang dalawa nga ni Franz ang pinagpipilian for Sandy. Si Franz, dahil sa isang matandang kasunduan na gusto na sanang buwagin ng parents ni Sandy at siya dahil siya ang reason why they had to try and break the arranged marriage in the first place. Sandy's parents wanted to make their daughter happy. Okay na sana at masaya na ang lahat pero ipinagpipilitan ng pamilya ni Franz ang gusto nila.

"Hellow. Athalia, yes I'm here at the hotel now. Why do we need to meet here? Why not at the Wright's Hotel?"

["To be safe. I have some information on Franz. I'm on my way up."]

Naalala ni Rovic na hindi pa niya nakausap si Sandy simula nang dumating siya ng America. Minabuti niyang magsend na lamang ng mensahe.

Hon, I arrived safely. Take care of yourself. I love you always and forever don't ever forget that. – Your Rome

Pagkasend niya ng mensahe ay kumatok na sa hotel room si Athalia. Nang buksan niya ang pinto ay kakaiba ang itsura ng dalaga. Parang kinakabahan ito at balisa. Ngunit nang mapatingin sa kanya ay biglang lumiwanag ang mukha niya na parang nabuhayan ito ng loob.

"Athalia, what have you discovered?" Naupo sila sa couch ng kwarto.

"Franz is pressuring his parents so he could marry Sandra Wright. He even bought some shares and bought out some of the investors of the Wright hotel to sell their shares to him so that he will have some control over the company. He wanted to have the VP in Marketing position and he is also qualified for that job since the previous VP, his uncle already retired."

"Tell me something I don't know. You know I have been working my ass just to block that bastard from getting that position. I am already negotiating for Sandy to be the one appointed for that during her training. Her father will give me his final decision on our meeting tomorrow. Now, tell me some fresh news." Lumapit si Athalia kay Rovic at bumulong.

"Franz is bisexual . . He is in a serious relationship with someone, a guy, but his grandparents found out one year ago. They are now pressuring him to marry a girl from a prominent family or else he will lose his inheritance."

Nagulat si Rovic sa narining. Ni sa panaginip ay hindi niya naisip na hindi pala tunay na lalaki ang karibal niya.

"You mean, he is just using Sandy so he can get his inheritance? What are the terms?"

"He should marry and produce an heir until his 25th birthday and that's the only time he can acquire his inheritance. He's 23 right now. He's afraid of losing his wealth and even tried to pay some girls to marry him but his granfather always discover his plans. This engagement with Sandy is his last chance. His grandparents approve of her since they are supposed to be engaged in the first place."

Napasandal na lamang si Rovic sa malambot na silya. Pakiramdan niya ay para siyang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig.

"If this is the case, then I have to tell Sandy's parents. We can't have them use Sandy. What do you think Franz is up to? Does he know that I am interfering with his plans?" Sa sobrang pagkabalisa at pagkabahala, hindi na nakita ni Rovic ang matalim na mata at nakangising ngiti na pinakawalan ni Athalia bago ito sumagot sa kaniya.

"You are about to find out what he's up to. Consider what I am about to do to you as your payment for my services." Maliksi at unexpected ang kilos ni Athalia. She straddled Rovic, kissed his lips then injected his arms with a syringe. This signaled three huge men to appear inside the room. Nang masigurong hindi na makakagalaw si Rovic ay tumayo si Athalia at lumayo sa kaniya.

Hindi alam ni Rovic na may ibang tao sa kwartong iyon nang dumating siya. Kung saan nakapagtago ang tatlong lalaki ay hindi niya na rin naisip dahil lumapit ang mga ito sa kaniya at binuhat siya patungong kama. Mabilis ang epekto ng gamot na pampatulog na itinurok sa kaniya. Para rin siyang naparalisa at hindi na nagawang manlaban pa. Bago siya mawalan ng malay ay nakita niya ulit si Athalia na naghuhubad at may kung anong nakakakilabot na tingin sa kaniyang mga mata. Binalot ng matinding takot si Rovic at naging doble pa ito nang bumukas ang pintuan ng hotel at pumasok roon ang isang taong hindi niya inaasahang makita.

Si Franz.

"You know what to do Athalia." Ang wika nito habang nakatingin ng masama kay Rovic.

"Yes. Just do your end of the bargain and make sure he'll be mine after this." Tuluyan nang nawalan ng ulirat si Rovic. Ang huli niyang naisip ay si Sandy. Paano niya maproproteksiyunan ang babaeng mahal niya kung siya mismo ay nasa bingit ng panganib. 

***

A/N: I had to set the next few chapters into Private to protect my copyright.

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