His Caged Heart [Old Version]

Chapter 07

VERNE

The first thing I've noticed when I woke up was that it was already late in the afternoon. Sunlight streamed through the glass walls, bathing the living room in a sunset orange.

Second thing was: my hangover was gone. Maganda na ang pakiramdam ko kahit medyo nanghihina pa ang katawan ko. I sat up.

My stomach growled and I've realized na hindi ako nakapag-lunch. Tumayo ako para pumunta sa kusina at nadatnan si Vanya na kumakain ng brioche.

"Hewfow, khuuya." Pagbabati ni Vanya habang kinakagat ang isang brioche sa kanyang bibig.

"Sa'n galing 'yan?" Pagtuturo ko sa tinapay na kinakain niya.

She swallowed before answering. "Dala ni kuya Leontiy kaninang umaga."

"...I see."

Damn. He's only known me for a week and he's already this sweet. The hell. Pakiramdam ko dapat bumawi naman ako sa kanya kahit papano.

Tumungo ako papunta sa coffee maker. I was about to look for the coffee beans from Davao when I noticed an unfamiliar packet. La Colombe Coffee, it says.

...

Holy shit where did this come from!? This thing is my favorite! Damn!

"Reminds me, kuya," tawag naman ni Vanya. "May bago yatang coffee beans na dinala si kuya Leontiy."

My head whipped towards her. "He brought this?"

"Mhmm," patango-tango niyang sagot habang may kagat-kagat siyang tinapay. Hindi man lang nabubulunan ang kumag.

"Really." I said to myself, flabbergasted.

But damn. La Colombe! Nakapagtataka. How did he know this is my all-time fave? Or, alam niya kayang paborito ko ito in the first place?

But God, how will I thank him? I've been waiting for a chance to drink this coffee again! Usually kasi kapag bibili ako nito, out of stock.

I should buy him something.

Though I don't know what.

At na-realize ko. I didn't even bother knowing him.

All I ever did was judge him.

Ang alam ko lang ay husgahan siya.

Guilt crawled up my gut, forming ice. I feel so bad. Do I even deserve these gifts in the first place?

I took a deep breath. I'll drink the coffee some other time. When I've at least gotten back at him.

Inilagay ko na ang usual kong kape sa coffee maker at tinimpla.

"By the way, kuya Verne. Nag-chat sina tita," pagsasalita ni Vanya pakatapos humigop ng kape.

"What's up?"

"May party mamayang gabi. Partnership ng companies," she replied. "We gotta be there by seven. Yung reception nasa Ried Incorporation."

"New partnership without marrying off one of our kind? That's kind of new." Komento ko habang tinitingnan ang kape na unti-unting nagagawa sa coffee maker.

"Hah, as if," her snarky comment surprised me. "Hindi na ako magugulat kung engagement party itong magaganap, pinsan. Alam mo naman. Family business first."

I thought about it. Being in a prestigious family is a double edged sword. Sure, magarbo ang buhay mo, nasayo na lahat, marami kang perang pan-waldas, ikaw na yung rich kid. Pero ang downside, puro responsibilidad, imahe, negosyo, pera, at ang simpleng pagpapakasal ay nakasalalay sa desisyon ng pamilya.

Must be tough, being unable to decide for your own.

Unlike him, who's as free as the wind.

I shook my head at the thought.

Natapos na pala ang coffee maker. I poured its contents on my favorite mug and added a few sugar cubes. Usually I drink it pure black, pero sadyang hindi masyadong maganda yung beans.

The irony. I can't even buy my own preferred drink.

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Vanya wore a white silk dress, her auburn hair wavy and styled. Several trinkets adorned her figure, pero hindi kasing-lala nung nasa Trojans kami. My cousin looked quite the head-turner tonight.

I, on the other hand, was wearing a wine red pinstriped suit. My hair was pulled back and tied with a ribbon. My glasses were basically new kahit okay pa naman yung ginagamit ko. My folks just want to spend more money I guess...

The Ried Incorporation building was a massive structure of glass walls and metal. The reception was held at the rooftop with a swimming pool at the center that was practically glowing in a faint blue light.

The venue was crowded. Maraming tao ang nakaupo at nagchi-chismisan, marami rin ang nakatayo at nagchi-chismisan. Iilang waiter at waitresses ang parang mga langgam na wagas maka-serve sa mga bisita.

Nasa sulok kami ni Vanya, nakatingin sa view ng syudad. It was around seven-thirty in the evening and my God, hindi pa nagsisimula ang program. Asan na ba ang mga taong yun?

"Ewan ko, pinsan. Inaantok na ako," saad ni Vanya. "Ang sakit na rin ng heels ko."

Napatingin naman ako sa 5-inch stilletos niya.

"I don't get why you chose to wear those in the first place." Komento ko.

"Sana all matangkad."

I'm not really one to care about height pero around 177 cm ang last kong check. Vanya was significantly shorter of course. Pero ngayong gabi, umabot siya hanggang sa templo ko. Now that I think about it, she and Leontiy have the same height.

I can only chuckle.

Twenty more minutes at mag-aalas-otso na. Wala pa ring nagaganap na program. Nagsisimula nang makapansin ang mga tao at nag uusap-usap na kung nasaan na ang mga coordinators.

May maghahanap na sana sa mga hosts nang—

B O O O M ! !

Mahigpit akong napakapit sa railing ng rooftop nang yumanig ang buong building dahil sa biglaang pagsabog. Nadapa naman si Vanya sa sahig.

Marami ang nagpanic at nagsisigaw, gunshots could be heard from afar, presumably from the lower floors.

What in the world is happening!?

Terrorists?

May mga taong nakapang-mask na dumating sa venue. They wore masquerade masks of black with cyan blue swirls. They pointed their SMGs at the crowd.

"NOBODY MOVE! TELL US WHERE—"

Hindi naituloy ng leader nila ang sasabihin nang sabay sabay na bumagsak ang mga taong 'yon sa sahig. All five of the intruders lay bloodied on the ground, head bleeding.

Napatingin naman kaming lahat sa isang lalaki na may hawak na puting flintlock. He was tall, with neatly styled cream hair and crisp all black suit.

He blew the smoke off his gun and put it back his blazer. Tiningnan niya ang mga tao na nakadapa at nagtatago sa mga mesa. He searched the crowd.

Until his eyes met mine. Icy blue eyes pierced my soul.

He held his earpiece as if talking to someone, his gaze not leaving mine.

Who is this person?

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Votes and Comments are highly appreciated.

_Luuc_

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