Chapter 3

If there's something I regret in my life, it was when I met him on the stool of the bar drinking alone. I was with my classmates celebrating a birthday when he caught my attention. Mukhang malalim ang iniisip ng lalaki. I don't know what has gotten into me as I continue to stare at him. There's something about him that draws me to him. He looked like a mystery, something I wanted to unravel.

"Who are you staring at?" Michelle asked me. Napalingon ako sa kanya.

"Wala," sagot ko na lamang.

"Sus. You're looking at the guy oh. I think I know him, eh. Pero not sure, baka mali ako."

"What's his name?"

"See? You're interested."

Natawa na lamang ako.

"He's so hot! Look at those damn hands. Magpapasakal talaga ako!"

Napakunot ako ng noo sa narinig. "What are you talking about?"

"Nevermind," aniya. "Go on. Approach him. If you want his attention, you have to do something."

"O-Okay." I looked back at the guy. Uminom muna ako ng alak sa baso ko saka siya muling pinagmasdan. Lalapitan ko na sana siya nang bigla siyang lumabas. Mabilis akong tumakbo para sundan siya.

Where is he?

I roamed around to search for him, until I found him outside. He was on the bench puffing a cigarette. I should be turned off because I don't like being acquainted with a person who smokes but I found myself getting fascinated to him.

"Hi," I said.

Nakuha ko ang kanyang atensyon kaya napatingin siya sa akin.

"Do I know you?" he asked. Itinabi niya ang kanyang hawak habang nakatingin sa akin. Nanuyo ang balahibo ko sa sinabi niya. Napalunok ako nang mariin.

"I'm Velleria. You can call me Eyah." Inilahad ko ang aking kamay. He glanced at me, scrutinizing every bit of me. I suddenly got conscious with my attire. I should've worn something better.

"You look young," he said. His chill manly voice lingered. Napahawak ako sa aking kwintas sa leeg.

I gulped hard before I replied. "I'm turning 20."

"What do you want from me?"

"Uhhmm... Can you drive me home?" I wasn't thinking clearly when that proposition came out of my mouth. Dapat pala sinabi ko na lang na gusto ko siyang maging kaibigan. What if he's out of the way?

Most of the time I say and do things based on my emotions. Like I don't care if my decision is right or wrong. And this is something that I hate about myself. I didn't let the tug of war on my mind rule over me. Sinabi ko na lang ang gusto kong sabihin nang hindi nag-iisip. Wala naman akong masamang kutob na nararamdaman. So I think he's harmless.

He chuckled. "You're funny. What makes you think I'll do it for you?" Sa pagkasabi niya'y ibinuga niya ang usok mula sa kanyang bibig. That looked hot!

"I just know," tipid kong sagot.

"I'm dangerous. You shouldn't ask a person to drive you when you don't have any idea who you are with. Are you sure about this?"

"Mukha ka namang mabait."

His mouth formed an O. "Damn. You surprise me." Nakita ko ang pagsilay ng ngiti sa kanyang labi. He tossed the cigarette away.

"Where are you home?"

"A-Ayala heights," I answered.

"I see." Sinundan ko siya hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking area. He took the key from his pocket. May pinindot siya kaya tumunog ang kanyang Maybach S-class. As far as I could remember that's pricey.

"Hop in," aniya. Damn that voice! Why is that everything he does scream sexiness? From his tall and lean figure, to his voice, and his hands. Tama nga si Michelle. So sexy. I haven't even seen his face in broad daylight but here I am trusting a guy whom I don't know.

Tumango ako at sumunod sa kanya.

"Pasasaan ka pala? Baka out of the way ka."

He looked down on me before he started the engine.

"I don't mind at all."

Napatingin ako sa labas habang pinaglalaruan ko ang aking kamay. I should be nervous knowing I'm with a stranger but I couldn't feel anything. What did this guy do to me? Ngayon ko lang siya nakilala. He didn't even tell me his name.

"Is it okay if I ask you your name?" I asked. He stopped the car when the traffic lights turned red.

"Zachariel," sagot niya. What a nice name.

The street lights also helped me to get a view of his face. Seryoso ang tingin nito sa kanyang harap. My eyes went to his tousled hair, and a cut on his lips. I didn't know that it could be so attractive. I'm not quite sure if he's Moreno or fair skinned.

It knocked the air in my lungs when he licked his lips. Malalagutan yata ako ng hininga kakatingin sa kanya. Nang napansin niya ako ay kaagad akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

Nakakahiya ka, Eyah!

Nang makarating sa amin ay agad akong nagpasalamat. Tumango lang siya sa akin hanggang sa makababa ako ng sasakyan.

I waved my hand as I watched his car gone from my sight.

I thought the night of the encounter with him was my best memory but it turned out to be my nightmare.

Nabalik ako sa pag-iisip sa nakaraan nang makita muli sarili sa salamin. It has been a week since the talk with him but until now I was still haunted by his gesture. How he moved closer to me and whispered those words in my ears. Pilit ko man iwaksi sa isip na hindi ko dapat isipin ay hindi ko magawa. I should be more careful from now on.

Our wedding became the talk of town. Mabilis daw kasi na magpapakasal si Zachariel pagkatapos ikansela ang kasal kay Samantha. I honestly didn't care about the people's opinions about me. I knew from the start that no matter what we do, people would always do something against it and that's inevitable.

Nagsusukat na ako ng gown ko nang biglang dumating si Zachariel na hindi ko inaasahan. My dress was fitted enough for my body. Marahan kong hinawakan ang aking tiyan. Zach looked at me.

"Why are you here?"

"Of course, I'd be present witnessing my bride wearing her magical gown." He smirked.

Liar.

Hindi ko na lang siya pinansin.

"Ang ganda ninyo, Ma'am!" The girl who was assisting me said.

"Thanks," tugon ko. Zach sat on the chair still staring at me. I glared at him and almost rolled my eyes.

I was surprised to see him smiling. What he was up to?

After a few minutes, he paid for it. Ayaw ko pa sana pero pinilit niya kaya wala na akong magawa.

Nagpresenta pa siyang ihatid ko.

"No thanks. I'm with my driver."

"Ahuh. I told your driver I'd be the one to drive you home."

"I don't want to be with you," malamig kong sabi.

"We're going to get married. You need to get used to me," matigas niyang saad. One thing that I hated about him was his firmness. When he wants something, he does everything out of his will to let it happen.

Wala akong nagawa kaya sinundan ko na lang siya. Nang makapasok ay akma kong hahawakan ang seatbelt nang bigla siyang lumapit at inagaw sa akin iyon. He was now the one holding it with his hands. He helped me fasten it. He was so close that I could smell him. I rolled my eyes. So this is how he plays. He'd use his seduction over me. As if I'm going to be a willing prey.

Ngumiti ako sa kanya nang nakabit na niya.

"Anything for my soon to be wife." Nakangisi niyang saad.

I want to curse at him right now, but I stopped myself from doing so.

"Do you remember the night we met?" Napatingin ako sa kanya.

"Fuck you!" Marahas kong sabi. He's doing this to wrap me around his fingers.

"Let's talk about fucking the night when we'll get married, okay."

"Stop the car!"

Seryoso niya akong sinulyapan. "Hindi mo gugustuhing magalit ako, Vell. I'm done with all your bullshit."

Ako naman ay napatawa sa kanyang sinabi. "Really? You're fucked in head, aren't you? If only you didn't deny my child, I wouldn't do all this."

"I'm just mad."

"Mad?" Pagak akong tumawa habang nakatingin sa kanya. "Mad?" Paguulit ko. "Do you think I'm a fool to listen to whatever excuse you have? I'm not the same Vell that you met months ago, Zach! I won't ever forgive you in this lifetime. Get that into your head!"

Hindi na siya muling nagsalita pagkatapos kong sinabi iyon. Nang makarating sa amin ay padabog kong sinara ang pinto ng kanyang sasakyan.

"I fucking hate you!" I even wanted to kick his car. Huminga na lamang ako nang malalim. I watched his car disappeared.

Napahawak ako sa aking tiyan. "We don't need your Father, baby. Just the two of us. We're going to be okay." Pag-alo ko.

Pumasok ako kinabukasan. My classmates have been noticing about the changes in my body. I could even hear a mockery about me. Pinabayaan ko na lang.

"Don't mind them," Ani Gen. I nodded. Iyon naman ang plano ko. But I lost my patience when I heard someone talk about me as I was in the comfort room.

"Malandi talaga iyan, 'no! Nagpabuntis pa. Kaya siguro mabilis ang kasal kasi ayaw ipaalam sa media na buntis. As if namang hindi halata. Kawawa naman si Samantha," the girl stated.

"Kaya nga eh. Kakarmahin din 'yan. Nakakahiya siya. Pwe! Ang amo ng mukha, nasa loob naman ang kulo."

Insecure bitches!

"Why don't you just say your words right in front of my face?" They were startled when I went near them.

"U-Uy Velleria, ikaw pala iyan..."

Tapos ngayon nauutal? What the hell was that? Ang tabas ng dila pagusapan ako tapos ngayong nasa harap ako saka halos maputol ang dila.

"Just say it to me. Repeat what you said."

"Nagkakamali ka. We don't mean it, hindi ba?" Tumingin ang babaeng nasa harap ko sa katabi niya.

"O-Oo. Sorry, Velleria."

"Now you're sorry. If I didn't hear you saying those things, you won't be sorry for your behavior." Mabilis kong sinampal ang nasa harapan.

"The next time you talk about me, I'll make sure I'm going to ruin you and your family. You don't mess with Saavedra."

I combed my hair with my fingers before I went outside. Those bitches! Natapos ang buong klase na nilalaban ko ang antok. These days, I tend to get sleepy. Tipong ayaw ko na lang kumilos pero hindi naman puwede dahil kailangan kong i-take ang subjects ko.

"So you're preparing for your wedding na?" Gen said after she was finished chewing her baked Mac. She also drank her Orange juice as she was staring at me.

I nodded my head.

"Is he with you in the preparation?"

"To my surprise, yes. I'm sure that man's planning something against me."

"Si Zachariel pa. No one has ever objected against him."

"Pwes ako ang mauuna. He was even playing with me!"

"That's why you should be careful."

"Yeah."

"What about Samantha pala? Most of the comments on social media were sympathizing with her. Ikaw daw ang kabit at nabuntis kaya hindi natuloy ang kasal."

I incredulously looked at her. "I haven't read the comments. That must be why the girls were talking about her a while ago."

She frowned. "Huh?"

"Wala. About Samantha, let her. I'm planning something to get rid of her in the picture."

Napangiti na lang ako sa planong naiisip.

When we were finished, we went to the library for our homework. I was also browsing my MacBook pro for the topics for my thesis. Bukas na raw mag-de-decide sa group namin. I should be ready beforehand.

I massaged my neck after I'm done. Nauna na si Geneva dahil may gagawin pa raw ito. I scribbled everything I could think of on my paper. Natapos ako ng 5pm kaya mabilis akong nag-ayos.

I walked outside of the campus but a familiar car welcomed me. I clenched my fist in recognition.

Nauna akong maglakad pero hindi ko inaasahan ang sunod sunod nitong busina. Students were even gazing at me. I released a deep sigh. He was making a scene!

To my irritation, I opened his car. Padabog akong pumasok.

"Careful. You have a child," aniya. I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

"Oh really? So you care about the baby now?"

"Of course."

"Where do you get the nerve to say that to me after denying my child?"

Hindi siya sumagot. Nanatili ang tingin sa daan. Natawa na lang ako sa isip dahil wala siyang sagot.

"Don't you have something to do?"

"I do, but you're my priority."

Lies. Lies. All boys do is to lie. They'll do whatever they can to make girls fall for their trap. That was what he did to me. At, hindi na iyon mauulit pa.

"Don't lie to my face, Mr. Zachariel. I know your ways."

He manuevered his car when the engine started.

"Hindi pa ako nagsisimula, Vell."

"Then go on. As if I'm going to stop you."

"Are you sure you're not bothered by it?"

"I also know how to play this lame game of yours, Mr. Buenavista."

His lips turned upward. "Let's see who'll win. I'll make sure you'll be crazy for me again."

Ako rin ay tuluyan ng tumingin sa kanya. "You don't get to tell that to me right in front of my face, Zachariel. I own this game. You're just a mere pawn I'm using for my satisfaction."

He shrugged. "We'll see about that."

Silence enveloped the whole ride until I found my way near the mansion.

He smirked. "Careful, Vell. I'll make sure you'll fall for me again."

"I should be the one telling it to you. Baka ikaw ang mabaliw sa akin. One day, you'll crawl your way to me."

"I'm sure as hell that you'll going to eat your words. Have me as your dinner instead. That is if you don't mind," he huskily whispered.

It earned thousands of voltage inside my system. I should make him miserable. That's my plan. But this guy also has something on his sleeves. Napayukom ang aking kamao. Umiwas ako ng tingin.

"Cat got your tongue tied, eh?"

I pulled his necktie closer to me until our face was almost an inch. I lifted my finger and slowly touched his lips. Our eyes were locked together. Pinalandas ko ang aking tingin sa kanya pababa sa kanyang mapulang labi.

I drew a smile. "Careful too, Mr. Buenavista. I'll win this game. Once I do, you'll never get tired of me. Ikaw ang unang uuwing luhaan sa pagkabaliw sa'kin." He was lost for words. Ganyan nga. "See you in my dreams, Zach." I even winked before leaving his car.

Both of us we'll be damned in hell, Zach.