Falling For Him ☑️

Chapter One

It was almost dark. Masyadong malamig na rin ang ihip ng hangin. But he simply ignored it. He loved watching the fading rays of the sun that had set already.

Hindi niya alintana na nababasa na ng tubig-dagat ang mga paa niya. Ang mga mumunting alon ay parang naglalaro sa paanan niya.

For the past three days, he'd been thinking a lot. He felt lost of many things to consider. He'd been through a lot. He's turning 35 and maturity suited him. He'd been alone for quite sometime. He even thought he was contented of what he had in life... and what he has now. He had more than enough that others would envy.
Wealth? It doesn't really make people happy or contented.

Are you happy, Anton? Ito ang naglalaro sa isip niya habang nakamasid sa kawalan.
He let out a sigh and took a deep breath while he started walking back the shore. He literally walked in the water at hinayaang mabasa ang mga paa. He walked without really thinking where he was going. Ang tanging alam niya ay gusto niyang maglakad. Tamad na siyang magmukmuk sa loob ng bahay bakasyunan niya. Sawa na siyang humarap sa laptop niya o manood ng TV o di kaya'y mag swimming. Mas gusto niyang mag-isip habang naglalakad.

He had been working all his life despite the fact that at birth pwede na siyang mamuhay ng masagana. Ang iniwan ng kanyang mga magulang ay sobra-sobra para sa kanya. Pero nagmana siya sa kanyang Dad. His father was a just man and very hardworking. He was also a good judge of character. Habang ang Mom niya naman ay isang napakabuting asawa at ina. She was a woman of good character at malambot ang puso sa mga mahihirap. He missed them so much. Maybe all his remaining days in life, he would be missing them. The sad truth was they were gone too soon.

He was 17 when his mom died of breast cancer. He cried a lot. The only woman he had loved so far was taken away. His father passed away when he was 20. Minsan naisip niyang madaya ang dad niya. Parang hinintay lang nitong matapos niya ang pag-aaral at kung saan handa na siyang harapin ang nakatakda niyang gampanan ay sumunod na ito sa mom niya.

They loved him to distraction. Ginawa ng mga ito ang lahat para sa kanya. He's the only child. Sometimes he was wishing may kapatid man lang sana siya para may makasama siya at maging katuwang sa naiwan ng mga magulang niya.

Para sa ibang tao, fame and money could make a person happy. Pero para sa kanya ay hindi. It somehow made him miserable. Minsan hindi na niya alam kung sino ang totoo o huwad na makakasalamuha niya. He wanted something new to break the boredom he was through. At hindi rin siya ang tipong lalaki na pag bored babae lang ang katapat. He's not a saint either. Pero nakaukit na sa puso at isip niya ang pangaral ng ina. His mom was a devoted catholic. Active din ito sa mga kawang gawa.

Could I ever find someone like you, Mom? Piping tanong niya sa sarili while still walking. He was always fond of mind-talking to his parents especially when he's confused or indecisive of many things.

“Master Anton,” tinig ng katiwala niyang si Sergio ang bumulabog sa malalim niyang pag-iisip. Naging right hand na ito ng ama niya at mukhang nalipasan na rin ng panahon sa pagsisilbi sa kanilang pamilya. Hindi na ito nakapag-asawa at tinuring na niyang kapamilya.

“Bakit, Sergio?” tanong niya rito sa wikang Italyano.

“Tumawag na ang secretary niyo at pinaalam na handa na ang arrangement sa gagamitin mong private plane bukas.” sagot naman nito sa wikang Italyano.

“Salamat kung ganon.” aniya. “Ikaw na muna ang bahala habang wala ako. I'm not certain yet how long I'll be away. My lines are open though, so just contact me anytime.” Pahabol pa niya rito bago ito tumalikod pabalik sa loob ng grandiyosong bahay bakasyunan niya sa Sicily.

“Makakaasa po kayo, Signor Anton. Sana maging masaya ang inyong bakasyon.” Anito at nagpaalam na. Siya naman ay bumalik sa malalim na pag-iisip.