CHAPTER 15
A long awful silence filled the church. The child's outcry boomed louder infront of me, bringing me back to reality. I was shocked staring to his hands that were extending to me. Hindi ako makakibo, ni hindi makakurap. Two. I had two children? Was this really mine? Despite of a cold heart and a dark past. Am I still capable of bearing my own flesh?
"Mommmehh, please! They're all scary! Even Tito Greg! H-he hid all my toys!"
Greg laughed hideously, enjoying the madness scenery. It was like watching a psychological movie for him, entertained by his sadistic game that who ever give up; lose.
I snorted, not letting Greg to win his game. "Is this version of me suppose to be the hero of the day? Shall I tell Rake to choose this child over me?" Lumingon ako kay Rake na palipat-lipat padin ang tingin sa amin dalawa ng bata.
He shot me a blameful stare. "Hey, this ain't my fault, come on. I don't know any of this, alright? Kill my other self for being such a bitch for hiding things from you. Gosh." I flipped my hair on the side and tapped my left foot to create some noise. "This is so dramatic, and I hate drama," I said, rolling my eyes.
"Quinn," seryosong saad ni Rake. "This isn't a fucking game anymore. Be serious just this once dahil hindi buhay mo lang ang nakataya."
Nakipagpantayan ako ng tingin sakanya at lumapit para bumulong sa tainga niya ng dahan-dahan. "Then choose the freaking child. I can handle myself, Rake..." I said seducingly. "And if his statement is true, you can take good care of him, Daddy," I teased.
"Enough with this nonsense, Ericka," Greg voice interrupted me from flirting infront of everyone. I formed a smile on my lips. "I need your choice, Rake Alicante."
Nawala na ang nakakaasar na ngiti ni Greg ngayon. Which means, my plan worked. Hindi ko na hinintay ang magiging sagot ni Rake, sinimulan ko na maglakad patungo kay Greg pero napahinto ako nang magsalita si Rake sa likod ko.
"Stop there, Quinn. Wala pa akong pinipili sainyo. Hindi ikaw ang magdedesisyon sa kung ano'ng gusto mo mangyari."
"Really?" I slowly looked at him, his eyeeing me painfully. Yes, we had a deal but that didn't mean I should go with the flow with him. "As in really, Rake? See, I know Greg enough and he wants to play game with me. Let's end this, ako lang naman ang kailangan niya wala nang iba." Ibinaling ko ulit ang tingin sa bata. Sunod-sunod ang tulo ng luha nito sa mga mata. "Aaaaah, leave the poor kid alone, and do whatever you want to do with me, Gregory."
"Mommehh! Why are you acting like that!" sigaw nito sa'kin.
Lumapit ako ng marahan sa bata. Good thing, hindi nila ito nilayo sa'kin. I gave him a soft smile. Hinaplos ko ang namumulang pisngi niya para punasan ang mga luhang pumapatak sa mata.
"Because mommy did something bad, and I've to be punish. And that man at the back? He's your daddy."
"What? Mommeh! I don't believe you! You said he's dead!"
"He's not." Tumayo na ako at tinapik siya sa balikat. Pilit padin itong pumipiglas sa hawak ng lalaki. "Enjoy the confusion, kid." I said as I walked through Greg.
"Quinn," pigil ni Rake. "Don't do this. You are important to me as much as he is to me. I-I can't lose you again."
My cold-heart skipped a beat for a nanosecond. Pero hindi ko iyon pinahalata. Tumawa ako ng mapakla nang hindi tumitingin sakanya.
"That's ridiculous yet sweet, I appreaciate the care. But no thanks, I prefer to be the Darna of the day. Now, Greg, shall we?" tuluyan na akong lumakad papunta sa matandang kinasusuklaman ng laman ko.
He was smiling winningly at inilahad ang kamay niya para abutin ang akin. Like an exchange, they let go of the child and Rake held him instantly. I gave them my last wink, but Greg stopped midway.
"Mayroon pa akong kailangan sabihin." Bumitiw siya sa pagkakahawak sa'kin at lumingon sa lahat na nanonood sa bawat yugto ng mangyayari. "Hindi ako pumunta dito para lang kay Ericka, gusto ko kayong anyayahan sa aking pamamahay upang magtipon-tipon at pag-usapan ang isang ideya para matapos na ang lahat ng kahibangang ito." Tumawa si Greg ng mapakla. "And I don't accept no as an answer."
* * *
We were in his room when he let go of my hand. Umupo ako sa sofa na harap ng malaki niyang kama. Just like what I remembered, this was where we always talk his evil plans. Kahit kakikita lang namin ulit, I knew he had something in mind.
"You have to cut the bullshit, Quinn. Pwede mo nang sabihin sa'kin kung ano ang plano ni Rake Alicante."
Napatigil ako sa paghihimas ng kamay ko sa tela ng upuan. "Plano? Sinong nagsabi sa'yo na may plano? I don't know what you're talking about, Greg," I told me him straight.
Tumayo si Greg at tumungo sa kanyang study table. He opened the drawer as I was watching him seriously. May inilabas siya na papel at naglakad patungo sa kinauupuan ko.
"Pumirma ka sa kasunduan natin, na kahit anong mangyari at kahit sino ang kausap ko. Your loyalty belongs to me. Or I will destroy every important people in your life," prente nitong sabi sa'kin at inilapit lalo ang papel sa mukha ko.
I rolled my eyes, pabalang kong kinuha ang papel para basahin ang nakasulat. Kumunot ang noo ko dahil nakasaad dito ang pangalan ni Erin pati narin ni Rebecka at ang iba ko pang... Anak? Tatlo sila?
"Wow. Sinong nagsabi sa'yo na maniniwala ako sa kasinungalingan---"
"You found your sister, Ericka. Long story. Ilan beses ko nang pinaulit-ulit ang kwento na 'yon sa'yo at kung gusto mo pang malaman, sa akin ka kakampi. Hindi ako tanga para hindi malaman na may binabalak kayo sa'kin." Tumalikod si Greg pabalik-balik ang lakad sa harap ko.
I crosses my legs, still not letting him bother me. "Hindi rin ako tanga, Greg." Tumayo ako para pantayan ang seryoso niyang pagkakatingin sa'kin. I slid my fingers to his neck, massaging it using my thumb. Hindi siya gumalaw. "I can easily switch side, ya know? As long as it will benefit me. Now here's the thing, after this all chaos I want my freedom back. Without you. Without this motherfucking paper, and without you destroying the name written here."
Ngumiti si Greg ng nakakademonyo, I smiled back. "You have my word, Ericka. Pero ngayon, kailangan mo munang sumabay sa agos ng plano ko."
Inilapit ko ang mukha ko sa tainga niya. I teased it using my tongue. Pumaikot naman ang kamay ni Greg sa bewang ko at niyakap ako papalapit sa katawan niya. I hugged him back, while staring at the old mirror behind him. I saw a woman looking at me, she was smiling at me devilishly. She was known playing her own game. She always wins. Oh, I forgot, it was me. Well, fucking hell, let the best actress win tonight.
____
Hi guys! Sorry for not updating for a very long time lols. Sorry kung maigsi lang. I'm trying to finish this pero wala talagang time at energy but believe me, gustong-gusto ko na mag-update, wala lang talaga akong energy magsulat kasi pagod na me sa life. Hahaha. Baka offline ko nalang muna ito tapusin kaya bahala na si Batman. Miss u all!!!!
By the way, may announcement ako sa group and if you're curious you can visit me there xMissYGrayx' Stories :) thanks, 'til next time!
