The Enticing Goddess

Enticing Thirty Seven

I'm back in Enchanteur. After what happened in Kristine's birthday, my brother decided to take over the Enchanteur. He is now the Enchanteur's Chief Operating Officer. And me? The President of the company.

We started our lives anew. I'm also working for a book. Trisha has a friend in one Publishing house, she asked me if I can make a book in two months. I agreed. But my condition is, I won't go in their company. I will work outside.

I'm working for my story Glimpse of Regrets. It's a tragic story. Of course, how am I going to write a happy story if I'm struggling to find mine. And after all that happened, how am I suppose to believe in happy endings? Hindi ako ganon katanga.

I don't anymore believe in "And they live happily ever after." It's the reality.

Love, Forever, Everlasting Love, Eternity, Unconditional Love, Happy Endingsㅡall of these are bullshits!

Right now, we're planning for the expansion of Enchanteur at the same time, working for the Magazine and the promotion of our new product.

"Why don't we promote it by the use of our magazine?" I suggest. All the board members are nodding in agreement.

"Excellent idea. Do you agree?" My brother assented. May mga ilang discussions pang pinagusapan. And fortunately, pumayag ang lahat sa suhestiyon ko.

While looking at my brother, he seems to be calm, happy and unbroken. Appearances can be truly deceptive. Napailing ako.

"Okay. Meeting adjourn." He dismissed. Inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko. Pero nahulog ko yung ballpen ko.

Isang kamay ng lalaki ang nagabot non. Napaangat ako ng tingin. My expression's kept phlegmatically stolid as ever.

"Pwede ba tayong magusap?" He asks. He's asking as if nothing happened. Hindi ako nagsalita. And I take the opprtunity to look at him this close. It's been a week mula nung birthday party. It's been a week since that unbearable revelations.

But it's been a hell month or so since I've been this close to him. He's still drop-dead gorgeous. But I can tell, he lose weight. I wanted to ask him how has he been these days. Why did he let himself lose weight? Has he eaten pretty much?

But hell, I can't talk. I missed him so much. And I know, from the deepest depth of my feelings, I still love him.

This man, who wanted me before, but also left me, is in front of me asking. I wanted to embrace him. I miss being in his arms. Ang tagal tagal tagal na mula nung nayakap ko siya..

I wanted to keep this distance between us. I wanted to be this close to him. I wanted to stay. However, I know I'd be hurt. Ayoko na. That's been a trauma. Masakit. Ayoko ng maranasan yun.

"Keith." Kuya Tim intrrrupts. His menacingly looking at Keith. This isn't good.

Mula nung party, nawalan na ng gana si kuya kay Keith. Hindi na ko nagsinungaling pa kay kuya, kinwento ko sakanya yung nangyaring pagtataboy sa akin ni Keith.

"We're busy, Mr. Carson. You could tell her secretary whatever you want from my sister. Excuse me." My brother grabs me by my elbow and we exits the conference room, leaving Keith with pain in his eyes.

I can't blame my brother. Kahit ako gagawin ko yung ginawa ni kuya kung susubukan siyang kausapin ni Kristine maging ni Romely.

While walking back to our designated office, my brother suddenly said, "I know you still love him." Napatingin ako sakanya. Ngumiti siya ng malungkot. Napayuko na lamang ako.

"Ayoko siyang pagusapan." Yun lamang at pumasok na ko sa office ko.

ㅡ

The next day, I woke up so early. It's just 5 am for fucking sake! Pinipilit kong matulog pero my mind betrays me.

By 7 in the morning, I decided to read Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with my eyeglasses on, when I heard my phone rings.

I saw the screen and saw it was Joyce. Kumunot ang noo ko. "Hello?"

"HerㅡMyrrh, si Keith.." My heart's pounding. Ano'ng nangyari sakanya? My gosh! That explains it. Yung hitsura niya kahapon? I felt a pang of guilty and at the same time, nervousness.

Hindi ako sumagot. I fight the urge to ask her. Marahil dahil alam niyang wala akong balak sumagot, nagpatuloy siya. I heard her sigh.

"Nagsusuka siya. We insist to bring him in the hospital pero ayaw niya. Ilang araw na siyang ganito, Myrrh.. Please.. Kausapin mo naman siya oh." Hindi ako sumagot. Gusto kong umiyak. Bakit pinababayaan niya ang sarili niya?! Nakakainis siya!

"Myrrh.. Please.. Ikaw na lang yung pagasa namin. Hindi na namin alam ang gagawin namin sakanya. Hindi rin siya kumakain, puro burger at siomai lang ang kinakain niya. Tatlong araw na siyang ganon.." I let out a heavy, long sigh. Gustung gusto kong tumanggi pero hindi ko malabanan yung urge na nararamdaman ko.

Please, let him be okay..

"I'll see what I can do." Take care of him.. Then I hang up.

I took a shower and ready myself. I felt a bit excitement. Siguro dahil gustung gusto ko na rin siyang makita at mahawakan..

"Where are you going?" Kuya asked.

"Keith's place." His face hardens. "Kuya he's sick. Joyce just called. Iㅡ I won't forgive myself if something worse happen to him. Kuya please.."

My brother shrugs. "If that would make you happy and at ease. Of course." Ngumiti siya.

Woah! I'm so thankful I have him as my brother. He's so understanding.. and loving. I wonder idly why those bitches can't see that to him.

"Thank you, kuya. You're the best as ever." I smile widely.

"Take care. And uhmㅡsay get well soon for me." He smiles shyly.

I know he still cares for him. They've been very close. And they share the same goalㅡ to protect me, before.

And then it suddenly came to me, how I truly miss him.. My mushroom.. My MK.. Him..