@iHeart
Hello babe, your beautiful girlfriend is now awake.
When I hit the send button I immediately bit my lower lips as if I'm stepping on my own grave. I can't help it! Nanlaki ang mata ko, he just seen my message! He's active on instagram but he just seenzone me without saying hello too?! It's 10 o'clock in the morning and the first thing I did was to send him a direct message on instagram but he just ignored me?
@iHeart
Are you busy? Okay, I got it! Ingat ka mwuah!
Ngumuso na lang ako ng biglang mag-active 1 minute ago ang active status niya. I just pouted when I put my cellphone on side table of my bed. I cover my body using a white blanket. I'm just wearing my simple night pajama as I stare at my phone screen and waiting for his reply even I know that he didn't.
"Heart!" I rolled my eyes when the door of my room opened and my cousin Hailey appeared.
Where is my privacy?! They keep on going here without asking for my permission!
"What?!" I hissed and closed my eyes.
He just really seen my message huh? Can't he just say hello too? Or even response to my message?
"Wow! Galet?!" She asked teasingly.
Naramdaman ko naman agad ang paglubog ng kama paniguradong umupo siya. I opened my eyes and my gaze immediately landed at my phone. Wala... as in nothing, it's all black!
"Waiting for text? Call? Someone?" Sunod-sunod na tanong niya so I look at her. She smile at me, her black fitted longsleeve makes her curves too exposed! She partnered it with a black ripped jeans.
"Hey! Your flat shoes is making my blanket dirty!" I annoyed said and pushed her a bit. Syempre mahina lang baka mahulog siya ng tuluyan!
The color brown marked my white sheet! Omyghad! I can't believe it! Mabilis kong inayos ang blanket at pinagpag para mapunta ang mga buhangin sa sahig.
"Hailey! You know that I hate dirty stuffs so please if you're going here please make sure you are clean!" I said annoyingly.
She just chuckled and rolled her eyes "Grabe ka naman! Parang sinasabi mo na ang dumi-dumi ko! You are so maarte, alam mo 'yon?" She sarcastically mocked.
Umayos ako ng upo, I even crossed my arm over my chest and stare at her, waiting for her reason why she's here.
"Oh... I want to ask if want mo pumasok sa restaurant namin or sa restaurant niyo?"
I just rolled my eyes here we go again. "I don't want, Hailey." I confidently said my gaze immediately drifted at my phone when it notify.
@DawnVf
Stop messaging me!
I pouted and lifted my head while staring at the ceiling. I'm thinking what will I reply. Pinatunog ko pa saglit ang daliri ko. Why he need to be harsh even at his message?!
@iHeart
My cousin want me to work at our restaurant 👉👈
He didn't reply so I looked at my cousin who's sneaking at my phone screen. Agad ko naman nilayo ang cellphone para hindi niya makita. Mahirap na baka malaman niya pa.
"Who the hell is that?" She asked curiously.
I didn't mind her, I stood up and go inside the bathroom. I immediately hit the videocall button. I'm not surprise when he cancelled the call. Magen pa ba?! I tried again for second....third times but he always cancelled it!
Bigo akong lumabas ng bathroom. Hailey is now standing beside my bed while crossing her arm over her chest and gave me a curious look. She examined my face, nanliit pa ang mata niya na nakipagtitigan sa 'kin kaya umirap nalang ako.
"Just go and tell Tito that I don't want. I'm going to deal with my Dad," Walang ganang sabi ko bago sumalampak sa kama.
I held my phone tightly when I saw Hailey's gaze on my phone. Did she go here to ask me those stupid questions? She can text me or call me over the phone!
"Next month pa naman!" She hissed and throw a pillow at me.
Nagpapadyak akong umayos ng upo. I glare at her because of annoyance.
"If I said that I don't want then I don't want! So, just go and tell Tito that I'm not interested. I want to have a piece of mind," I said using my frustration voice.
"Whatever!" She smirked and put her tongue outside her mouth like a kid teasing her playmate.
I watched her walked away. Napatingin ulit ako sa cellphone ko but Magen still not replying! Puntahan ko kaya siya? I smiled because of my idea. I immediately ran towards the door of my room. I stopped when I saw a very beautiful women existed. Oh, I'm looking at my vanity mirror my reflection looks beautiful! Natatawa akong lumabas ng unit ko. I took a deep breath and tried my best to calm myself. I swallowed all of the nervous that my whole system has.
I knocked three times "Magen..." I called him.
Wala naman kasing doorbell 'to and we just need a keycard to enter the unit. I tried again to knock but I covered my mouth when I saw a guy wearing nothing but a red jersey short only. He has a towel on his shoulder! He looks like Magen!
"O-oh.." I can't find a words so I look away.
"Hello, What can I do for you, Miss beautiful..." he examined my whole "and sexy..." he added reason why my cheeks turn into a red one.
"Who's that?" Magen huskily voice echo.
Dahan-dahan na sumibol ang kaba sa dibdib ko. His bloodshot and dangerous eyes met mine. I tried my best to not get weak because of his expression. He simply wearing his white oxford shirt while the first two buttons are open partnered with his black slacks.
"I don't know but I think he knows you..." the guy said and tapped Magen's shoulder.
I swallowed hard, I can't move even I want! I want to go back inside my unit but my body didn't want. Magen is now staring at me seriously and I'll admit it, it's scary!
"Why?" Tipid ngunit seryosong tanong niya.
He slowly walked towards me. I stepped backward because its kinda scary. His deadly glare makes me weak.
"A-ah, e-eh..." napakamot ako sa ulo ko.
I'm trying to find a words because I can't think properly.
"Ih, oh, uh?" He teased before rolling his eyes.
I tried my best to not get annoy with his words "A-are you busy?" I asked nervously.
I want to ask him to eat lunch even here inside his unit or mine. Since it's officially our first day of being a couple. I want to celebrate even it's secretely.
"I'm always busy..." he answered quickly. His face is emotionless! Para bang hindi niya pinag-isipan ang sagot niya.
Tumingala pa ako saglit, trying to make a topic or question that I can ask him. It's much better than not talking to him.
"Hey, kuya Magen. Papasukin mo muna siya," The guy shouted.
I didn't look at Magen. Agad akong naglalakad papasok pero bago ko pa tuluyan na malampasan si Magen ay hinawakan na niya agad ang braso ko.
"Don't... just go back to your unit and sleep," he whispered so no one can hear than me.
I pouted and gave him a beautiful eyes but his eyes is just remain serious! "I want to stay here..." I said sweetly.
"But I don't want..." he looked directly at my eyes.
Parang tinutusok ang dibdib ko dahil sa walang filter niyang sinabi. I can't help it! I avoided his gaze. I nodded and hold my tears to not burst out like a fountain. I'm sensitive I know. The guys walked towards us, he's now wearing his white tshirt and the same jersey.
"Who are you?" He asked while smiling.
Napatingin ako kay Magen. Trying to ask for help.
Lumunok muna ako bago siya sagutin "I'm Poena Heart Nazario..." I introduce with a awkward voice.
He nodded "I'm Mint Villafueno, Kuya Magen's youngest brother," he introduce that didn't surprise me anymore. Their features looks the same but Magen's feature looks more mature than Mint.
"You are kuya Magen's?" He curiously asked.
Hindi ko alam pero sa tanong niya parang may tambol na nag-iingay sa loob ng dibdib ko. I played my fingers because I don't know what to say.
"She's...." Magen look at me that gives me a comfort. "She's my maid..." he said and turned his back.
My lips parted and my eyes widened while some of my tears fell down of my cheeks. I just... I know it's a secret but can't he just say that I'm his friend? Gano'n ba talaga nakakadiri at nakakahiya ako? Hindi ko alam, hindi ko alam kung pa'no ba dapat but I'm allow naman siguro na masaktan diba? May kumawalang paghikbi sa bibig ko kaya agad kong tinakpan. Magen stopped from walking when he heard my sobs. Nakapasok pa sa loob ng magkabilang bulsa niya ang kaniya kamay.
My eyes drifted at Mint who ran towards his brother and gave him a punched!
"Omyghad!" I panicked said when Mint held Magen's collar.
Gusto ko sila lapitan pero pakiramdam ko ay may rugby na nakadikit sa tsinelas ko dahilan para hindi ako makalakad.
"What the hell, Mint?! Bitawan mo 'ko!" Namumulang sigaw ni Magen habang pilit na bumibitaw kay Mint.
I looked at Mint na namumula rin sa galit. "You're a stupid! Maid?! Are you insane kuya?! She's your girlfriend! Nabasa ko sa instagram mo! So, how dare you to introduce her as your maid?! Ngayon sure na 'ko! Kaya hindi na talaga ako magtataka kung bakit sumama si Ate Phoebe sa boss niya sa Australia kasi wala kang puso. You are a heartless---" Mint didn't finish his word because Magen immediately punched him.
"Magen! He's your younger brother----" I tried to stop them with my voice.
"Shut up!" His voice thundered inside his unit.
Bahagya akong napaatras dahil sa takot. Ang ugat sa leeg niya ay kitang-kita na. He's gritting his teeth while holding his brother's shirt tightly. The anger is trace on his face and his eyes darkened while his jaw is clenching. He's truly angry!
"Don't you ever dare put Phoebe here in our talk! H'wag na h'wag! Dahil kahit kapatid kita. Makakatikim ka talaga sa 'kin!" Magen shouted and punched again his brother before grabbing the key of his car.
Hindi ako nakapagsalita miski pigilan siya ay hindi ko nagawa dahil sa takot. My hands and knees are shaking when I sat down beside Mint. My heart beats faster because of the atmosphere. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako babaling because I felt like my body is now numb. I can't feel anything but being afraid.
"Hey.. are you fine? Why your hand is shaking?" He held my right hand and massage it.
He's looking at me but my attention is out of place. So? Phoebe left him with his boss? Napahikbi na naman ako dahil sa sakit. Kaya ba siya pumayag kasi alam niya na gano'n ang nangyari? Because he doesn't have any option so he settle with me? Yes, I told him na subukan namin baka magwork but why this feeling makes me weak? Remembering his reaction when Phoebe's disapperance is the topic? Ba't kay Phoebe pwede siyang may pakialam? Ba't sa 'kin bawal?
Sabay-sabay ang pagtulo ng luha ko habang humikhikbi. I can't help it, It just hurt. I wiped my tears using my shaking hands.
"Hey!" Mint said reason why I looked at him. His face looks worried, my eyes drifted at his lips... blood.
"May dugo!" I shouted and force myself to stand up but my knees is too weak.
He immediately held my waist "Careful..." he said calmly. "It's just a two punched. It's not a big deal. Sanay na ako sa gan'to..." he said and help me to stand up properly.
We bothe stopped moving when the door opened again. Magen bloodshot eyes looked at us. Mabilis siyang naglakad palapit sa 'min dahilan ng tuluyan kong panghihinga. He is scary! He held my arm and force me to be beside him but Mint held me tighter.
"Don't touch her..." walang emosyon na sabi ni Magen na direktang nakatingin sa kapatid niya.
He slowly loosen the way he held my arm.
Mint chuckled "Hindi mo 'ko utusan, Kuya. I can do whatever I want. Kung ayaw mo dito sa girlfriend mo sa 'kin nalang. Tutal wala ka namang kwentang boyfriend. Dapat sa mga gan'tong babae ay---"
Napatili ako sa gulat ng suntukin muli ni Magen si Mint dahilan upang mabitawan ako ni Mint. My tears fell down on my cheeks sa sobrang takot but before I fell down on the floor an arm wrapped on my waist. When I opened my eyes, Magen's dangerous eyes met mine.
"Fuck you, Kuya!" Mint shouted out of anger.
His arm is on my waist, nakaluhod siya at ang kaliwang kamay ay nakatukod sa sahig habang ang kanan naman ay nakapulupot sa baywang ko while Magen looks shocked while looking at his brother's arm.
Mint slowly stand up "Let's go... may baliw dito," Mint irritatedly said ang grabbed my hand.
Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kaya nagpahila na lang ako sa kaniya. I can't think properly because I'm too scared. Hindi naman kasi ako sanay na makakita ng mga nagsusuntukan kaya mabilis akong matakot.
"Mint, inuubos mo ba talaga ang pasensya ko?! Just go if you want! Don't go with Heart!" Magen's voice thundered like a storm as he glare at his brother.
"Oh..." Mint gave him a 3000 thousand pesos. "Bumili ka ng pangrefill d'yan sa pasensya mo dahil wala akong pakialam sa sasabihin mo. You are too much," Mint said.
Nagsimula ulit siyang maglakad kaya ay nahila ako pero bago pa man kami makalabas ng unit ay hinawakan na agad ni Magen ang baywang ko at mabilis na hinila papunta sa likod niya. He kicked Mint's butt dahilan kung bakit siya napalabas ng unit. Magen immediately locked the door and glare at me.
I stepped backward kasi natatakot na talaga ako. Pa'no kung sa 'kin naman siya magalit? I stepped backward again but this time I didn't succeed because he stopped me using his arm on my waist.
"Pinagpapalit mo na agad ako, Heart?" He asked using his serious tone.
Napalunok ako, sobrang lapit ng mukha niya sa akin to the point that I can feel his breathe on my cheeks.
I shook my head "H-hindi..." kinakabahan kong sagot.
"Are you scared?" Seryosong tanong niya bago ako dahan-dahan na yakapin.
Bahagya pa akong nagulat. All I can hear are the loud pumping and beating of my fluttering heart because of what he did. I didn't know what answer do I need to say? Kasi sa totoo lang ay natatakot ako pero mas nakakatakot kung magagalit siya sa 'kin.
"You are..." he confirm it.
I bit my lower lips and didn't say a words. Humiwalay siya sa 'kin at naglakad papunta sa sala at umupo sa sofa. He look at me, emotionless. He raised his brows and pointed the sofa infront of him.
"Let's talk about this set up properly...." he said full of authority.
I nodded unconsciously "O-okay,"
"This will remain secret, okay?" He asked while raising his brows.
Tumango-tango ako, hindi ko siya matitigan direkta sa mata dahil kinakabahan ako.
"Look at my eyes..." he command.
I followed him immediately. Feeling ko napaso ako sa paraan ng titig niya.
"After this game when Phoebe already comeback here and want me then that's the game over..." he said so I nodded.
'Yun naman talaga e. I'm an option here, kapag kailang piliin then ako ang pipiliin. Kapag walang ibang choice. Pero ayos lang, I can still stand with that set up. I'm willing to be an option just to stay beside him.
"Pero... susubukan mo na mahalin ako," I tried my luck.
He stare at me, directly in my eyes. His jaw clenched and he slowly bit his lower lips before nodding "Yes, susubukan ko pero hindi ko pinapangako na mamahalin kita, Heart."
Parang dudugo na ang labi ko dahil sa malakas na pagkagat. I nodded, kahit na masakit... kahit na nakakalungkot... kahit nakakadurog.
Bakit ba kailangan kopa na magkagusto sa taong hindi naman ako mahal? Why can't I love those guy that wants me? Bakit hindi pwede na masaya lang? Na walang walang sakit? Na walang pagluha? Why loving someone means turning into pieces?
"But you will try..." It's not a question because it was a statement.
I looked directly at his eyes with full of desire. He just nodded before giving me a small smile. The excitement immediately wrapped my whole body.
"Did you eat na?" He asked casually as he stood up and put his both hands inside his pockets while waiting for my answer.
Tiningala ko pa siya, I read his dace expression and I admit it that I can't see the heartless Magen. He knows how to smile pala. Bagay sa kaniya... kaya bakit minsan lang siya nangiti? Or maybe it based on the person that he was talking about?
"No, I decided to eat lunch outside since Chave looks like he doesn't want to cook for me anymore..." I pouted and stood up.
Tumabi pa ako sa kaniya at dahan-dahan na humawak sa matipono niyang braso. I saw how his jaw clenched while looking diretcly at my eyes. I can feel that he's stopping himself to shout at me.
"Bitaw..." napapikit pa siya habang sinabi iyon.
My lips parted and immediately shook my head "No... where are you going ba? Cafeteria? Hang out? Sama ako..." I made a puppy eyes but he just slapped my hands but not too hard.
"Stop being clingy and let go of me. This is a secret relationship so they can't see us together! Kaya bumitaw ka," he command using his serious yet sexy tone.
He started to walked so I follow him. Pumunta siya sa kusina at may kinuhang tubig sa loob ng kaniya fridge. He lifted his head and gave me a quick glance before shooking his head. His biceps flex while drinking his cold water as cold as his expression.
"Where are you going?" I asked and go near beside him.
"I need to work, Heart." He rolled his eyes and put the pitcher inside the fridge again.
"Oh... okay," I said wearing my wide smile. "If you need anything just call me ha? By the way, I'll text you if aalis ako. So, updated ka..."
His brows furrowed and he crossed his arm over his chest while examining my face "How did you get my number?" Nanliit ang mata na tanong niya.
I giggled "Of course! Baka si Heart 'to!" I proudly said as I pointed myself.
"I'm asking..." seryosong sabi niya na nagpawala sa ngiti ko.
I took a deep breath "When I borrowed your phone. I told my cousin to save your phone number on my phone. Okay?" I honestly said.
"I don't need your update..." he said coldy.
I pouted and rolled my eyes. Siguro kung pagtatabihin sila ng tubig niya ay mahihirapan ako sabihin sino sa kanila ang mas malamig!
"Alam mo, you're so cold. Dapat sa 'yo---"
He cut my words immediately "Ano?" His manly tone makes me swallow my tongue.
"Dapat sa 'yo minamahal!"
Oo, dapat sa kaniya minamahal. I know that deep inside... he's a good person and I want to experience that person. Not a cold, scary and serious Magen! I want a soft, caring and lovable Magen!
"Good..." he laughed as he started to walk again.
Did he smile again?
Omg, why his smile looks like a masterpiece too?