Herrera Series 6: Falling for Ms. Dangerous

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

"PHILIPPINES is quite impressive, isn't it, Edmond." Nakangiting ani Beatrice matapos nilang libutin ang buong manila. Nagtungo sila sa BGC dahil gusto nitong mamasyal. Wala naman siyang nagawa kundi ang pumayag dahil utos iyon ng kanyang ama.

Hindi niya sinagot ang dalaga. Nagtungo lang siya sa bar island at nagsalin ng wine sa wineglass. Hindi maalis sa isip niya si Nathalie at nag-aalala siya dahil hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin sa dalaga kapag nalaman nito ang tungkol kay Beatrice.

"You need to dress up, Ed. You're father said that we are going to meet someone."

"Who?" Kunot noo niyang tanong.

"I think that your father made some friends here." Sagot nito habang namimili ng isusuot sa pinamili nito. "And they invited us for dinner."

"That's so unlike him." Aniya.

"I know." Sambit naman nito. Humarap ito sa kanya at pinakita ang dalawang damit. "Which one do you fancy the most?"

"Which ever do you prefer to wear?" Walang buhay niyang sagot.

Bumagsak ang balikat nito. "Edmond, you have to be nice to me. Soon I will become your wife."

"Don't say it."

"You should introduce me as your fianceé. Maybe to Nathalie Herrera?"

Natigilan siya. Bagama't inosente ang mukha nito. Alam niya kung ano ang ibig nitong ipahiwatig.

Beatrice is nice and gentle. Pala-kaibigan rin ito. Pero si Beatrice ang tipo ng babae na hindi nagpapatalo kapag may gustong makuha.

"How do I know you and that woman?" Wala siyang nakikitang galit sa mga mata ni Beatrice. Bagkus nakikita niya ang selos at inggit rito. "She is quite beautiful. Not feminine but fiesty. Woman that I thought I can't compete with. There's a lot of different between me and her. I know she is the woman you were talking about."

"Beatrice..." ayaw niyang makipag diskusyon sa dalaga, lalo na kung tungkol iyon sa magkaibang nararamdaman nila. "I am tired."

"Don't you dare turn your back on me, Ed!" Nagbabanta ang tinig nito dahilan para matigil siya. "Ever since from the beginning, I had confess my feeling for you. I help you with everything. I became your strenght when you were so weak. Even when you think of yourself as some sort of a foolish lost boy, I guided you."

Humarap siya sa dalaga. "Now what?"

"I know where I stand in your life. I know I don't have a hold or even have a place in your heart." She said firmly, trying to speak as loud as she can. "I know I might never win against her. But I want to fight. I want to fight for a chance even if it's so little. I will hold onto it. Because I love you. Much more than you know."

"I can't love you in return, Beatrice." Aniya. Ayaw niya itong saktan. He knows how fragile she is, but he had to say it. He had to hurt her now so she wouldn't get hurt even more. Buo na sa puso at isip niya na ang tanging babae lang na mamahalin niya ay si Nathalie. There is no room for Beatrice. "Before I left you in your office. I thought I made all things clear for you."

Tulad ng inaasahan. Nakita niya ang sakit sa mga mata ng dalaga. Mula sa luhang tumutulo sa maamong mga mata nito, damang dama niya kung gaano kasakit kay Beatrice ang mga sinabi niya. Nabitawan nito ang mga damit na hawak.

Hindi niya ipinakita sa dalaga ang konsensyang bumalot sa kanya. Gusto niyang magalit ito sa kanya hanggang sa mapagtanto nito na hindi siya ang taong dapat nitong mahalin.

"Please." she beg. "Let me in your side--"

"No." He said, whispering. "I don't want to give you false hopes, Beatrice. If I let you, you will get hurt even more. Before things gets worst for you and I, please, I want you to stop. Stop or else--"