Playing Innocent (Playboy Series 2)

Chapter 8

"Mmy... mmy.."

Napatingin ako kay Nhaire na kasalukuyang nakaupo sa gilid ko habang nag aayos ako for the Annual Ball tonight.

"Yes baby?"

"Can we... can we come?" Tanong nito hambal yakap yakap ang teddy bear niya.

I smiled and carress her chubby cheek.

"Baby bawal kasi ang babies dun. It will be boring and its almost your bedtime. You and your brother should go to sleep." Mahinahon kong sabi.

Napanguso naman siya.

"But i wanna come.. mmy please. Nhaire will behave."

"I know Nhaire is behave but the party is only for adults like mommy."

At tuluyan na nga siyang umiyak. Kaagad ko siyang kinandong at pinatahan.

"Hush now baby."

"I wanna come!! Huhu!"

Napahingang malalim na lang ako.

"Please understand mommy. You cant come."

At mas umiyak ito. Ito ang ayaw kong mangyari eh. Ang makikita ang pagiging matigas ng ulo nila. They always get what they want kaya nga natatakot akong maspoil sila.

"Alright, babawi si mommy. I will bring you and Lexus to the mall tomorrow and buy your dolls. Will it be okay baby?"

At tumahan na ito sa pag iyak. Kinusot kusot niya ang mga mata niya at tumingin sakin. Those eyes. I remembered him again.

"Promise?"

I kissed her forehead.

"I promise! Now go to your room and go to sleep."

"I love you Mommy!" And she hugged me bago tuluyan ng pumunta sa kwarto niya.

Lumalaki na talaga ang mga anak ko. They already need a father but i cant give them that. At ngayon pumapasok na sa isipan ko na magkikita kami mamaya. That ball invited almost everyone known for business kaya malamang andoon siya.

Pero handa na akong harapin siya. I already moved on. I can face him without any emotions ruling me. Hindi na ako ang dating babae na nagpakatanga sakanya. I already learned my lessons.

Nang makarating ako sa venue ay agad akong sinalubong ng mga bisita at binati. I saw my parents talking to some business colleagues, nauna kasi sila dito dahil pinatulog ko pa ang kambal at syempre gumawa pa ko ng konpromiso sa sakanila. Kaya medyo masakit ngayon ang ulo ko. Why do i have stubborn kids anyway?! Argh! I should blame him!

"Anak! Youre just in time. We will about to start." Sabi sakin ni mommy at inaya na akong umupo sa tabi nila ni Daddy.

I saw a lot of familiar places around. Mga business associates ni Dad at mga staffs namin sa company. At nagulat din akong makita na nandito pala ang taong ilang ko ring pinagtataguan.

The father of my children.

He is with someone whom i barely know. Teka, naghiwalay na sila nung babaeng yun?

Well, playboys will always be playboys. Hindi man halata sa itsura niya pero umaalingasaw ang pagkatao niya ng salitang yun.

"Ijah, come join us." Sabi sakin ni Daddy habang nakikipag usap siya sa mga investors niya.

"Gentlemen i would like you all to meet my daughter Candice, she will be the new incharge of the company." Pakilala sakin ni Dad.

"Ms. Rodrigo nice meeting you, as for the looks i can see that you can be just like your father when it comes to business, even better." Puri sakin nung isa.

"Ofcourse Mr. Horton, my daughter is my only heir. Sino pa ba ang magmamana ng lahat. RTC will be on waste without her."

"So, does this mean that the Merge with the MEC is still strong?"

Napatingin ako kay Dad.

Ofcourse that company! How can i forget the reason why im miserble and why my children are suffering now!

"Well, the merge is still there but we planned to build a new business. And it is about publishing."

Napakunot noo ako.

Bakit hindi ko to alam? Napatingin ako kay Dad pero ngumiti lang siya. I knew it!! He is planning something!

"Uhm excuse me po but can i talk to my father?"

At pumayag naman sila't bahagyang lumayo.

"Dad what is this im hearing? Seriously?! A new business with MEC?!"

"Sweetheart, for how many years MEC and RTC have been great partners in business and now we are planning to go on publishing."

"But why didnt you tell me dad?! Lalo na po ngayong ako ang papalit sa inyo. It means ill be the one who will handle everything! Dad naman. You know the history bakit niyo po to tinago sakin?"

But my dad still remained compose.

"Ijah, whether we plan this or not you know you cant hide forever. I know the kids is already looking for their father. Dont you think this is the best time for you to tell about them?"

Napaiwas na lang ako ng tingin.

Hindi pwede! I wont tell him about the twins! Minsan na niya akong sinaktan at ayokong oati ang mga anak ko maranasan yun!

"Im sorry Candice. I hope soon youll understand why i did this. Like you i also want the best for the twins."

"I just dont think this is the right time dad. You should have consulted me. As their parent i have the right to decide on them."

"Yes, but as your father i want you to face all of this. Hindi kita pinalaking duwag Candice. Youre better than this. You know it."

And he left me.

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako.

Kaagad akong pumunta sa mesang puno ng mga alak at kumuha ng scotch.  Hindi ako tumogil hanggang sa hindi ako nakaramdam ng hilo. I just needed to forget everything. Kahit sandali lang.

Nang hindi ko na nakayanan ang hilo ay lumabas na ako sa venue at pumunta sa parking lot. Pero hindi pa man ako nakarating sa kotse ko ay pakiramdam ko ay umiikot ang mundo.

I can feel the pang in my head at humawak agad dun. Napasandal ako sa isang kotse. I feel like vomiting.

"Hey miss!"

Rinig ko sa aking likuran. Hindi ko alam kung sino yun pero napakapamilyar ng boses.

"Are you okay-- C-candice?"

Napatingin ako dun sa tao but all i can see is dark blurry face. Sino ba to?

"H-how did.. you know me?"

I tried my best to stand straight at maglalakad na sana pero pinigilan niya ko.

"Youre drunk." Matigas niyang sabi but i didnt mind it.

Maglalakad na sana ulit ako when i felt my head spinning again. And everything went black.