Kissing Fire (KD#1)

Fire 47

Passion

"Elena, let's talk please.." narinig ko ang nahihirapang pagmamakaawa ng aking ama sa loob ng opisina ni Mommy.

"Get your shit together and we will. Look at you! You're a mess!"

Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Narito lang naman ako para bisitahin ang ina bago pumunta sa opisina ni Heathcliffe. Hindi ko inaasahang makita ang ama ngayon.

"Marami lang kasing problema-" hindi siya pinatapos ng ina.

My mother pointed me and my father's eyes followed the tip of her finger. "Siguro hindi mo alam. Pero ang lahat ng problema mo nasolusyunan na ng anak mo."

His lips parted and his brows wrinkled in bafflement. "W-what do you mean?"

"Oh she managed to find a way to pay the debt that you kept from us.." my mother sneered at him.

Mas lalong naguluhan ang aking ama. Nakita ko ang tuluyang pangungunot ng kaniyang noo. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin sa aming dalawa ng ina na tila hindi makapaniwala sa narinig.

"On her own will?" pagtatanong ni Daddy nang hindi tinatanggal sa akin ang tingin. He was looking at me as if I wasn't real.

"On my own will, Dad." I answered for myself. "I wanted to do this. Even just for a year. I have a debt to repay too." I added solemnly.

"And the board agreed to go with her plan?" he asked, his face all bewildered.

"Yes, they did." tugon ng aking ina.

Nagsimula na muli silang magtalo. Nais ko sana silang pigilan ngunit pumasok doon si Niccolo at inutusan siya ni Mommy na palabasin na ako.

They were talking about annulment. I became apprehensive for the state of their marriage. Clearly, they didn't want me to hear about it. Ayaw nilang idamay kaming mga anak nila sa kanilang problema bilang mag-asawa.

Ipinag-drive ako ni Niccolo papunta sa opisina ng mga Lombardi. Niccolo and I entered the building. He said he also wanted to check-up on Margaret to see how she's doing in her new work.

"Hi! Sakto! Ito invitation para sa birthday party ni Markus." saad ni Margaret at inabutan si Niccolo ng white envelope. The two started talking about their work lives, Margaret insisted that I should enter Heathcliffe's office while waiting.

"Masyado ka atang napaaga ngayon, Miss Delangel. Pasok ka muna."

I halted and turned to Margaret. "But he doesn't want me inside his office, right?"

Nagtataka rin ako dahil sa mga nakaraang buwan, hindi ako pinapapasok ni Heathcliffe sa pinakaloob ng kaniyang opisina. Matagal na akong curious kung bakit lagi niyang iniischedule ang aming mga pagkikita sa labas o sa restaurant pero never sa loob ng office niya.

"Well, Sir Heathcliffe didn't give any notes or reminders for today so I think it's fine. At isa pa, malapit naman na kayo sa isa't-isa, di'ba?" Margaret uttered and started to wiggle her brows, probably suggesting something.

Dinala niya ako sa isang pasilyo na ngayon ko palang madadaanan. Nahinto ako nang makita ang mga paintings sa harap ng tanggapan ni Heathcliffe. It's not just one.. but tons of artworks from my shop in there.

"Saan niyo ito nabili?" I couldn't help but question Margaret.

"Ah sa Spain pa, Miss Delangel. Nagustuhan talaga ni Sir Heathcliffe yung isang painting na nilagay ng interior designer kaya bumili pa siya ng marami kahit na sa ibang bansa pa galing.."

I drew closer to the walls so I can take a good look at them. No doubt. These are made by me. I wonder if Heathcliffe knew he was buying from me?

"Who handled all the purchase?" kuryosong tanong ko pa sa sekretarya.