Winter is dreadful with those dead trees and some pine trees coated in snow. The bitter cold wind was enough to freeze anyone but people still came to pay their last respects. He could be wrong because their reasons could be something else too. Regardless, they showed up.
Kons went to the funeral despite the murder case against his father. He had nothing to do with it. Kaya siya nagpunta ay para magbigay ng respeto para sa ninang niya sa huling sandali, at para na rin makiramdam kung sino ang posibleng may gawa ng krimen. It could be anyone. Ayaw man niyang aminin, nagpunta rin siya para bantayan si Vanessa. He doesn't like what he's seeing right now, pero wala siyang karapatan magcomplain. She can date anyone just like he did. Kons dated Taisiya for a bit but it didn't work out.
Tahimik na lumuluha si Vanessa habang hinahagod ni Damien ang likod niya. Damien Quijano is one of the biggest movie producers in the Philippine film industry. He has Russian features too, pero lamang ang pagiging Pilipino. There are about more or less fifty people in the cemetery aside from them. Hindi niya kilala ang iba, but some are familiar because they used to visit his godmother and bring files.
Nagsimulang umalis ang mga tao and it was his cue to leave as well. Hindi niya alam kung may threat sa buhay niya kaya nagsama siya ng ilang tao— to protect Vanessa as well. They are scattered around the area at ang iba ay nagpapanggap na employee ng sementeryo. Some are pretending to be families visiting some grave of people they don't even know. Nakaiilang hakbang pa lang siya nang marinig niya ang tinig ni Vanessa. He stopped walking but didn't turn around to face him. Ang babae ang nagpunta sa unahan niya.
They looked at each other and it took a lot not to give her a hug in this trying times. Hilam sa luha ang mga mata ni Vanessa. Hindi nito kasama si Damien at nagtataka siya na pinayagan itong kausapin siya mag-isa. Kung siya lang, hindi siya papayag. Vanessa was taking awhile to talk kaya siya na ang nauna.
"What is it?"
Her eyes showed so many emotions. "I just wanted to say thank you."
Iyon lang ang sinabi ni Vanessa sa kaniya at naglakad na ito palayo. He's not dumb. There is something else that she wanted to tell him pero hindi nito ginawa. Was it because they are out in public and she's afraid someone would hear? Hindi niya ito sinundan o pinigilan. But his plans of going home changed. Alam ng mga tao niya na bukod sa kaniya ay naroon sila para masiguro ang kaligtasan ni Vanessa.
He reached his SUV but Kons didn't get in right away. Hinintay niyang makasakay si Vanessa sa sasakyan nito. Nagtaka siya nang hindi sumabay si Damien sa babae at sa ibang SUV ito pumunta. Baka may ibang lakad pa ang mga ito kaya ganoon, but he will keep his guards up just in case.
***
"I'm going?" tanong niya sa abogado ng kaniyang ninang sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Kasasakay lang niya sa kotse nang magring ang cellphone niya.
"I sent you an email a couple of times when I couldn't reach you on the phone. Your godmother wants you there for the reading of her will." Sinabi nito ang oras at lugar and it's happening today.
"Okay. I will be there." He has not checked his emails nor checked his voicemails. Naka-focus siya sa kaso ng ama at bukod sa kapamilya niya at piling kaibigan ay wala siyang ibang kinakausap. His business is being looked after at wala siyang problema roon.
The Rostova Mansion is in Kolomna and almost two hours away from the city by car. The icy weather conditions didn't help. Madulas ang daan dahil bihirang i-plow ang snow sa rural areas. Mabuti na lang at SUV ang dala nila at hindi kotse. There were two cars following them at mga bodyguards niya ang mga 'yon. They are loaded but Kons is hoping there won't be any trouble. Babasahin lang naman ang will at tapos na.
After passing the security, the cars went in the huge driveway. Malaki ang property ng kaniyang Ninang Valya. He's only been here a couple of times when they had private parties, but most of the time ay sa city sila tumitigil dahil naroon ang eskwelahan nila ni Vanessa noon. One of the staff was waiting for him at the door and ushered him to the study. Dalawa lang ang pwede niyang isama sa may loob ng bahay, at mananatili ang mga ito sa labas ng study. The rest of his men will stay outside the mansion.
Nang pumasok siya sa loob ay naroon na si Vanessa at ang lawyer. Nauna itong umalis sa kaniya pero— Oh, right. She took the chopper to get here faster. Nasa Rostova Towers 'yon.
"Why is he here?" kunot noong tanong ni Vanessa sa lawyer ng kaniyang ina. She didn't know about her mother's will, he presumed.
Tumikhim ang matandang abogado. "Your mother included him in her will. It is necessary to inform him about it. I actually just got a hold of him a few hours ago." Itinuro ng abogado kay Kons ang bakanteng silya sa tapat ni Vanessa. "Please take your seat and we will begin the reading of Valya's will."
Natahimik si Vanessa at hindi na muling tumingin sa kaniya. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip nito at nakatitig sa antigong mesa. Kons looked around the study at bukod sa napakaraming lumang libro, pawang mga antigo ang mga kagamitan dito. It's weird how the other parts of this mansion including the exterior looked modern. Ipina-renovate siguro ito ng kaniyang ninang at nagdesisyong i-preserve ang parteng ito ng bahay.
"She's leaving everything to me except for this place?" gulat na tanong ni Vanessa.
"This place will be given to Konstantin Morozov."
"WHAT?!" Pati si Kons ay nagulat dahil hindi siya nakikinig kanina. Napahilot sa sentido ang matandang abogado.
"There is a clause in her will. You need to marry each other within the year or both of you will lose everything. It will all go to charity. And there is no room for divorce or annulment. You will stay together for the rest of your lives."
Nagtunog death sentence ang sinabi ng abogado. There is no way Vanessa is going to marry him. Hindi naman niya kailangan ng mansion. Condo nga lang ay masaya na siya. He frequently travels so he doesn't need a place this big. It's nice though and Konstantin knows his godmother loves this place. Kaya ba niyang biguin ito sa pangalawang pagkakataon?
"I am in a relationship. I can't marry someone else," sagot ni Vanessa sa abogado.
"Very well then. You have three days to think about this and if your decision does not favor your mother's wishes— please come see me in my office and sign the documents stating you are donating it to charity," pinal na wika ng abogado. Tumikhim ito at tumingin sa kanilang dalawa. "As an old friend of Valya, I suggest the two of you talk this out and find a middle ground."
Naiwan silang dalawa ni Vanessa sa study at umalis na ang abogado. They have three days to decide. Kung ano'ng gusto ni Vanessa ay 'yon ang gagawin niya. She's angry. Ramdam niya ang galit nito. Kanina lang sa libing ng ina ay umiiyak ito pero ngayon, Vanessa looked like she's about to explode. "Let me know what you want to do and I'll support you." She scoffed. "Funny how you could say that. We won't be in this stupid room having this conversation if you—" Hindi itinuloy ni Vanessa ang sasabihin. But Kons knew what she was going to say. If he showed up to their wedding day, walang magiging ganitong kondis'yon si Valya. "I just don't understand why we need to get married," frustrated nitong wika. Hindi alam ni Kons kung siya ang kinakausap nito o hindi. Maybe he is just voicing out her frustrations."If she's here, I'd ask her," wala sa loob na sambit ni Kons. Sinamaan ni Vanessa ng tingin si Kons. He was out of line and Kons knew it. Gusto lang naman niyang pagaanin ang lahat ng
Hindi kaagad nakapagsalita si Kons sa pagkabigla. He is pretty sure he heard her right. Pero suot pa rin ni Vanessa ang singsing na bigay ni Damien— how ironic is that? Balak ba niyang mamangka sa dalawang ilog? Kons doesn't share. "What did you have in mind?" It was safe to ask then make a comment that would make him look like a fool. At this rate, time is precious and he doesn't have time for games."I was thinking we can get married before the time is up. I am not in a rush to get my inheritance. We are just going to make sure that it doesn't go to charity." Kumunot ang noo ni Kons. "I am still donating— but I am not giving everything. My mother worked hard for it, and she told me it's all for me.""Point taken. Until then, what?" "I was thinking we'll just stay as is until then." Vanessa sipped his wine and looked into his eyes. Hindi niya mabasa ang gusto nitong laro. "So let me get this straight. You're agreeing to marry me but the wedding won't take place until before the ye
Kons woke up when he heard the announcement. Malapit na silang maglanding. Bukod doon ay ngalay na rin ang braso niya. Nakatulog sa pagod si Vanessa at nakaramdam siya ng awa rito nang makitang kung saan-saan napapabaling ang ulo. Nagkaroon si Kons ng pagkakataon na mapagmasdan ng malapit si Vanessa. How he was able to stay away from her all these years was unknown to him. Hirap na hirap siya nang una pero kalaunan ay nasanay din siya. At ngayong magkasama na sila, hindi niya hahayaan na magkahiwalay pa sila. Of course they still have to do ‘the talk’. But that’s the least of their worries right now. “Babe, wake up,” bulong niya kay Vanessa. Umungol lang ito at nanatiling nakapikit. Her lips looked inviting. Hindi niya napigil ang sarili at pinatakan ito ng halik sa labi. Whether she was dreaming or not, Kons felt happy that she responded. Pinalalim niya ang halik hanggang sa pisilin niya ang isang dibdib nito. His hand managed to undo the buttons of her dress at habang pinagsasaw
"Get your stuff and we'll come back for the rest of it tomorrow," wika niya kay Vanessa.She wasn't finish picking up the papers. Napakaraming papel ang nagkalat. Sana lang ay walang nakuhang importanteng dokumento ang mga nanloob. Ang driver na sumundo sa kanila ay katatawag lang at sinabing aakyat na para dalhin ang bagahe nang pigilan niya. He used the washroom earlier kaya hindi kaagad ito nakasunod. He's now waiting for them at the parking lot."Ha?" Tumigil si Vanessa sa ginagawa at hinarap siya."We can't stay here tonight and I need to keep you safe." Napailing si Vanessa. "Can we please not argue about this? You need to put this place up for sale too. Who's your realtor?" Napahilot si Vanessa sa sentido. "Teka nga. Bakit napunta na sa bentahan? I can't just sell this place.""Why? Sentimental reasons na naman?" He didn't mean to sound like an arrogant asshole pero ganito na siya kahit noon pa. He is not afraid to hurt her feelings kung totoo naman ang sinasabi niya. "Did Dam
When Vanessa woke up, Kons was nowhere in sight but he left a note. May pupuntahan lang daw itong importante. Kabilin-bilinan nito na huwag s'yang lalabas ng hotel dahil delikado. Wala naman s'yang balak gumala pagkatapos ng nangyari sa condo niya kagabi. Hindi niya alam kung uunahin ang pagligo o pagkakape. Sa huli ay pinili niyang maligo muna. That would wake her up the same way. She enjoyed her shower and looked for something to wear. White shirt and denim jeans. Bukod sa relo at pares ng hikaw ay wala na s'yang suot na iba pang alahas. Wala s'yang pupuntahan kaya pinili niya ang casual wear at sneakers saka nagtimpla ng kape. It tasted like crap. Siguro naman ay hindi magagalit si Kons kung bumaba s'ya at magpunta sa cafe. She's not leaving the premises anyway. She left the room and walked towards the elevator. Lumulan s'ya roon nang bumukas at nakasabay niya ang isang lalaki at babae. They looked like a married couple dahil lambingan ng lambingan. Sana all may happy ending.
Saglit lang niyang iniwan si Vanessa at tiwala s'yang hindi ito lalabas, pero heto at muntik pa itong mapahamak. He was scared shitless nang hindi ito makita sa silid. Mukhang nagkasalisi sila. Ang una niyang binalikan ay ang coffee shop dahil siguradong magkakape ito pagkagising. When he didn't find her there, nagtanong s'ya sa front desk kung nakita itong lumabas pero hindi raw. Nagkataon na fan ni Vanessa ang isa sa staff at sinabi nitong nakita niyang lumulan ito ng elevator. That's when he started to get worried. Kaagad niyang tinawagan ang mga tao niya at pinakalat niya sa premises para hanapin si Vanessa. He only had three men with him at the moment. It's not enough but soon, he will have more help with him. "Are you okay?" kaagad niyang tinanggal ang busal sa bibig nito at nakaramdam s'ya ng habag. She sobbed in his arms while his men took care of the man who tried to kidnap Vanessa. He will be taken for questioning and if he doesn't give the information, he's going to die. A
He knew it’s no longer safe for them to stay in the same place. They need a house. It would be better kung sa isang village na may mahigpit na security ang mabibili nila. It's what Vanessa needs pero kapos na sila sa oras. How fast is it to look for a house in a certain location and buy one? Isa pang problema ay ang citizenship niya. He's pure Russian and the only property he's able to purchase is a condo— nothing on land. Vanessa would have to buy it, pero siya ang magbibigay ng pera. Hindi niya ito pagagastahin.Dalawang araw lang ang ibinigay niyang palugit sa sarili para bumili ng bahay. And in those two days, hindi siya aalis sa tabi ni Vanessa. Ngayon na himbing ito na natutulog at may ilang tao siya na nagbabantay sa paligid ay hindi pa rin siya mapakali. Akala niya ay mawawala na ito sa kaniya kanina. Kung nahuli siya ng ilang minuto ay siguradong napahamak na ito and what then? Ininom niya ang natitirang whiskey sa baso at pagkaraan ay tumayo sa silya at naglakad papunta sa
“Do you realize that you could die?” He looked at Vanessa with boredom. “If you think this is a game, it’s not. Don’t feel obligated just because you agreed to marry me for the will.” “I don’t feel obligated.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s not too late to back out.” “I am not backing out. I already gave you my word.” “You did the same years ago and we both know exactly what happened. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Konstantin.” Naputol ang pag-uusap nila nang makarinig ng katok sa pinto. He was the one who got up from the chair and went to see who it was. It turned out to be one of his men at dala nito ang pagkain nila. Kinuha niya ‘yon at inihain sa maliit na mesa. “As I was saying, we need to move by the end of today. I am going to call a few agents to see whether they have.” “I have an agent,” sagot ni Vanessa sa kaniya. “Was it the same agent you and Damien used to buy your shitty place?” “It is not a shitty place—“ “Okay. If you say so.” Vanessa turned red in anger, but