2 ~ INNOCENCE

CHAPTER TWO

HANGGAT kaya ay binibilisan niya ang pagbaba sa engrandeng hagdanan ng mansyon. Kasabay ng bawat hakbang ay ang mabilis din na tibok ng kanyang puso.

She's still can't believe that her parents had a plan of talking to the Guerreras. At tungkol saan ang pag-uusapan? Sa arranged-marriage ba? Si Zacariel ba ang napili ng magulang niya para sa kanya?

The Guerreras are not known for a fixed or arranged marriage thing. The Don and Doña allowed their children to choose the one that they loved. Unlike her family, she and her cousins have no freedom to choose and most of them are in unhappy marriage.

Ayaw niyang magaya sa mga pinsan niya!

But if Zacariel Guerrera would be her future groom, would it be fine with her? Magiging masaya ba siya?

Napalunok siya nang maisip na posibleng pumayag si Zacariel... pero may chance din na hindi. Now that she saw him again, she felt like he's not the type of a man that would allow other people to choose for him. He have his own decision and she's sure he could turn down her parents proposal if he wants to.

When Yelena opens the door of the restroom, she easily noticed the woman awhile ago. She's in front of the mirror while putting a powder on her face.

"Oh, it's you again. Are you alright?"

Mula sa repleksyon ng salamin, nakita niya ang sarili at ang pamumutla. Talagang kinakabahan siya sa nangyayari!

"I'm fine."

Yelena washed her hands as she tried to make her nerves calm. She needs a distraction and this woman can help her with that.

"Are you Zacariel's girlfriend?"

The woman smiles. "Not yet."

Hindi pa? Kaya walang problema kung pumayag si Zacariel na pakasal sa kanya sa susunod na taon?

If ever he agreed to marry her, then, he needs to stop seeing another woman. He can't have a girlfriend... oh well, while they are not yet married, he's free to be in a relationship. Yes, that's it. She don't want to be possessive.

Bakit pa niya ipagdadamot si Zacariel kung Alam niyang sa huli ay sa kanya naman ang bagsak ng binata?

"We actually going abroad next week for a business meeting. Ang plano ko, doon ko na siya sasagutin."

After she dried her hands, she rested her back on the wall and crossed her arms while looking at the woman.

She has a fair skin like hers. Her curves emphasized because of her dress. She smells nice too. She's neat and her hair is shoulder length.

She can't help but compare herself to the woman.

She's still very young compare to her. She's still studying while this woman is already working and have her own career. She's also probably supporting herself and don't depend with her parents anymore. Something that she can't do yet because she's still young.

Siguro, ganito talaga ang babaeng tipo ni Zacariel. Matured and independent. Bukod sa maganda at sexy, may maayos na trabaho at tila handa nang pumasok sa mas seryosong relasyon. Pang-matagalan.

Yelena felt the bitterness inside her chest. She's never been jealous with another girl, but to see a successful woman in front of her and to know that she's with Zacariel Guerrera, gives her heart a little pain.

She always envied people who has a freedom to do what they want for their lives. Isang bagay na pilit ipinagkakait sa kanya.

"I think, you and Zacariel won't happen..."

The woman paused from spraying her expensive perfume. She glanced at her with confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Yelena exhaled dramatically.

It's better if she tells to this woman what's really happening inside the library room of Guerrera's mansion. Kahit wala pa siyang tiyak na sagot kung pumayag ba talaga si Zacariel, dapat ay malaman ng babae ang tungkol sa usapan sa pagitan ng magulang niya, ni Zacariel at ng magulang nito. Para na rin hindi umasa ang babae na magkakaroon sila ng relasyon ng binata.

"Zacariel with his parents and mine are now inside the library room. Do you have idea why they are having a closed door meeting at this moment?"

"As far as I know, Zacariel went here despite of his busy schedule because it's his mother's special day. Nothing more."

"That's the reason too. But the other important reason is because both of our parents are now arranging our marriage."

Kitang-kita niya ang gulat sa mukha ng babae. Gusto niyang ngumisi ngunit pinigil ang sarili. Ayaw niyang masaktan ito kaya mas minabuti niyang ipagtapat dito ang nangyayari sa mga oras na 'yon.

"Is that a joke? Then, that's not a good joke, Yelena."

"You'll see, I'm not joking, Miss."

Tinapos nito ang pag-aayos at iniwan na siya roon.

Yelena faced the mirror. Slowly, a smile crept her lips. She's already thinking the possibilities once Zacariel agreed to marry her.

Hindi niya dapat iyon iniisip ngunit hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili. At bakit parang natutuwa siya na baka si Zacariel nga ang mapunta sa kanya sa huli? Hindi ba at ayaw niyang pakasal?

Ayaw niyang pakasal sa hindi niya mahal. Pero, kapag si Zacariel Guerrera ay ayos lang sa kanya? Gano'n siya kahibang?

After an hour or so of roaming around the mansion, Yelena saw her parents making their way down to the wide living room together with the Don and Doña. Zacariel was not with them.

"See? Zacariel is right. She's not ready for that kind of topic," si Donya Zarita sa mommy niya. "She's still very young."

Mabining tumawa ang kanyang ina. "We wanted to surprise her, we didn't expect her to ran away."

Nagbeso ang dalawa bago tuluyang bumaling sa kanya.

"No worries, hija, you're still free like a bird."

Yelena don't want to give yet an interpretation about what Doña Zarita's words. All that she wants is to go back home.

"I'll see you on summer, Doña Zarita!" she said merrily.

"I'll make sure that Zacariel is here on summer, Yelena. Para mas maging masaya ang bakasyon mo."

Pagkatapos nilang magpaalam ay hinatid sila ng mga ito sa pinto at hinintay na makasakay sa kanilang sasakyan.

Her parents acted casual as if nothing happened or everything is normal. Ibig bang sabihin niyon ay maayos ang naging pag-uusap ng mga ito at ni Zacariel? Pumayag ba ang binata?

She didn't dare to ask her parents about it. She'd rather wait for them to tell her what was Zacariel's answer for the arranged-marriage.

Yelena couldn't explain the excitement she's feeling as days went by before the summer vacation. Kahit sa eskwelahan ay ganado siyang mag-aral.

"Sigurado ka ba na pumayag siyang pakasal sayo?" Paninigurado ni Santi.

"Kung hindi siya pumayag, dapat sinabi na sa akin nila mommy."

"Tanungin mo kaya si Zacariel kapag nagkita kayo?"

Inilapag niya ang notebook sa kandungan. Nasa bench sila sa harap ng malawak na soccer field. It's their break time and one more subject before the class ends.

"Pwede rin. Para na rin masabi ko sa kanya ang mga gusto kong gawin kahit pa kasal na kami."

"I don't think he would stop you doing your passion, Yelena. He's matured and responsible. Siguradong papayagan ka niya sa mga gusto mo pang gawin."

"Dapat lang na payagan niya ako. Dahil kung hindi, I'll make sure he would have an unhappy marriage."

Tumawa si Santi. Akala yata ay nagbibiro siya.

"If a man is unhappy, he would find something that would make him happy. Handa ka ba kung sakaling mag taksil siya sayo?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. Imagine, Zacariel Guerrera having a secret affair? And his other woman is the woman that he brought on his mother's birthday?

Wala pa man ay pumait na ang timpla niya.

"Handa ba siya kung mag taksil din ako sa kanya?"

Santi smiled proudly at her. "That's what I loved about you, Yelena. Palaban!"

"You're right, Santi. I need to talk to him about our future together. Sasabihin ko sa kanya ang mga plano ko at gusto kong sabihin niya rin sa akin ang kanya."

"Tama 'yan. In that way, you'll both know if you're compatible. Isa pa, mas mabuti nang alam ninyo ang gusto ng isa't-isa bago kayo magpakasal."

Kinagabihan, isinulat niya ang mga bagay na gusto niyang mangyari, mga plano at pangarap na sisikaping maabot. She's just hoping that Zacariel would be considerate and would understand her.

Summer came and Yelena is ecstatic. Their van will take her to Hacienda Guerrera. Inilagay na rin ni Felipa ang mga gamit niya sa sasakyan.

"I'm gonna miss you, Meadow," she sweetly said to her Persian cat while hugging her on her arms.

"Senyorita, ipaalam mo agad sa amin kung pumayag si Donya Zarita na dalhin mo si Meadow sa mansyon. Ipapadala agad namin."

Nakalimutan niyang sabihin sa Donya ang tungkol kay Meadow. Ayaw niya namang dalhin ang pusa niya nang walang paalam sa may-ari ng mansyon.

"Okay. Ikaw muna ang bahala kay Meadow. Wag mong pabayaan, huh?"

Ngumiti si Felipa nang tinanggap ang pusa. "Walang problema, Senyorita. I-video call mo rin siya kung gusto mo."

Sa malayo ay narinig niya ang mabibigat na yapak ng kabayong paparating. She squinted her eyes to have a clear vision of her brother riding the black horse.

"Narito na si Senyorito Russo! Maghanda kayo ng maiinom!" utos ni Felipa sa mga kasambahay.

Pagkababa sa kabayo, iniwan nito 'yon at kinuha naman ng taga-pangalaga. Sa kanya dumeretso ang kapatid.

"Kuya, buti bumalik ka. Aalis na ako," tumingkayad siya at hinagkan ito sa pisngi gaya ng nakagawian.

"When are you going back?"

"I'll stay for a month or two. Doon ko na rin aasikaushin ang papers ko sa susunod na enrollment."

"Okay, then. Call me when you need anything."

Ngumiti siya at tumango. "Hindi ka ba bibisita sa Hacienda Guerrera? Baka nandoon sina ate Zalanna at Zakia. Kahit sino sa kanilang dalawa, bagay na bagay sayo."

Actually, she has this in mind that her brother would marry one of Zacariel's sister. She admired the two señorita so much that she wanted them to be her sister. At mangyayari lang 'yon kung papakasalan ng Kuya Russo niya ang isa sa dalawa... o kaya naman ay kung papakasalan siya ni Zacariel.

"I'm too busy. And..." he raised his thick brow. "Zalanna and Zakia are just a younger sister to me. Like you. So, stop your imagination that I'm gonna marry one of them."

Dismayado niyang binagsak ang balikat.

"Sayang! Gusto ko pa naman silang maging ate!"

"You can still treat them as your ate, Yelena. They wouldn't mind that."

"Wala talagang pag-asa na ligawan mo ang isa sa kanila? Bakit, Kuya? May nagugustuhan ka na ba?"

He shook his head. "Wala pa naman."

"Pero, may kasama ka raw babae noong nakaraang araw? Sino 'yon? Girlfriend mo?"

"No. Anyway, say my regards to Don Patricio and Doña Zarita."

Binuksan ng Kuya Russo niya ang pinto ng SUV at pinapasok na siya. Hindi malayo ang Hacienda Guerrera sa kanila. Sa katunayan niyan, ang lupa nila ang boundary ng pinaka dulong lupa ng mga ito. Iba lang ang daan kaya inaabot pa rin ng lagpas kalahating oras bago makarating sa mansyon.

Yelena is looking forward to see Zacariel and let him teach her how to ride a horse. Lalakasan niya nalang ang loob niya para matuto siya.

"Maligayang pagbabalik, Senyorita Yelena!" nakangiti si Lupita nang salubungin siya.

She smiled back. The helpers there are very welcoming. Alam niyang hindi lang sa kanya, kundi na rin sa ibang bisita.

"Hija!" the voice of Doña Zarita caught her.

Galing ito sa malawak na Hardin at suot ang mahabang bestidang halatang mamahalin kahit pa simple lang ang desenyon no'n.

A cheek to cheek kiss is normal for them. Dadalhin sana siya nito sa loob para sa hinandang pagkain at maiinom, kaya lang ay naudlot nang makita nila na naglalakad si Zacariel papunta sa gawi nila galing sa kwadra.

"He arrived last night. I'm really glad that he took a leave from work in Manila." Doña Zarita whispered beside her.

"Hi, hijo, Yelena is here. I heard you two has some activities to do while she's here? Ano pa ba bukod sa pangangabayo?"

Siguradong ang mommy niya ang nagsabi kay Donya Zarita na gusto niyang magpaturong mangabayo sa binata. Medyo nahihiya tuloy siya dahil hindi pa naman pumapayag si Zacariel, tapos umaasa na ang ina nito na gagawin nga nila.

"Uh, pwede rin pong pumasyal sa planta? Gusto ko pong makita."

"Sure! Zacariel can take you there. Right, son?"

Yelena can't believe with the way her bear pounded because of Zacariel's intense eyes that intently looking at her.

He's on a loose white shirt that reveals his neck down to his collarbone, a pants and a boots. That is his usual get up whenever he's in hacienda. She's used to it. Dahil gano'n din naman halos ang mga suot ng Kuya Russo niya sa rancho nila.

He's still looked bold and dark because of his whiskers. Maybe he's trying to grow them that's why he didn't shave. Pero, ayos lang din naman 'yon sa kanya. Besides, with that, he's more mature and vigorous.

"I can show her around," his thick manly voice made her swallowed.

Pinilit niyang ngumiti sa kabila nang hindi magkandamayaw na pintig ng puso.

"I don't know yet how to ride a horse. So, sayo ako sasakay."

She saw how his luscious eyebrow arched mischievously, then he licked his lower lips as if something is so ridiculous that he had to stop himself from smiling.

"Sa kabayo ka sasakay at hindi sa akin."

Ngumuso siya kasabay nang pag-iinit ng pisngi.

Doña Zarita laughed softly. "Zacariel, don't be too hard with Yelena. Tignan mo ang pisngi, namumula."

Halos takpan niya ang magkabilang pisngi dahil nag-iinit talaga 'yon.

"Mamá, I was just trying correct her sentence. Hindi ko rin naman siya papayagang sumakay sa akin..." tapos ay humakbang ito palapit sa kanya.

Her heart is really going wild. Kaunti na lang ay para bang mabibilaukan na siya dahil sa tindi ng nararamdaman sa dibdib.

"We will have our lunch together. I'll see you both later." Paalam ng Donya at umalis na.

Zacariel was smirking as he towered her with his massive body frame, and a height that would be hard for her to kiss him whenever she wants to. Unless, she'd tiptoe and grip the shirt on his chest before she could do that.

At naisip niya pa talaga 'yon? Sa gitna ng kaba at panginginig ng kalamnan, nagawa niya pang isipin kung paano ito mahahalikan? Ibang klase!

Inangat niya ang isang kilay sa mataray na paraan upang itago ang tunay na nararamdaman.

"Kailan mo ako papayagang sumakay sayo?"

"Sa akin? Hindi pa..." the smirk on his lips stayed. "...I don't do minors," he boldly said.

Unti-unti ay natauhan siya. Hindi sila pareho nang iniisip! While she was asking innocently, he's being sensual. The way he stares at her feels like he's trying to challenge her or what.

At dahil likas na palaban at mataas ang kompyansa sa sarili, hindi niya ito uurungan. Kahit pa sa gano'n na klaseng usapan.

She's still virgin and never been kissed, but it doesn't mean she's very innocent about sex and relationships. Santi is very vocal about it, the reason why she knows a lot even though she's still considered a minor.

Also, nowadays, social media is like an open book for everyone. Na kahit hindi para sa edad niya ang tema, nakikita niya pa rin. She's always curious like a cat, she won't stop until she get the answers that she needs.

"Kapag eighteen na ako..." she did a flirty smile at him. "...pwede na akong sumakay sayo?"

His lips parted a bit and his eyes darkened even more. He didn't expect her to play with his words.

"I'll turn eighteen before the year ends. Kaunti nalang ang hihintayin natin, Zacariel," patuloy niya at hindi winawala ang ngiti sa labi.

"No, I won't still allow you."

Yelena pouted her lips. "Why not? Eighteen is a legal age."

Umiling si Zacariel. Halatang ayaw pa rin pumayag!

"Yelena, I'll teach you how to ride a horse-"

"Thank you! Pero papayagan mo akong sumakay sayo?"

Napahilot ito sa sintido. Para bang kaunti nalang ay magrereklamo na ito na sumasakit na ang ulo.

Then he chuckled as if he realized something funny. She heard him muttered a curse. He's biting his lower lips in a way that he's stopping himself to make a laugh.

"Baby, your innocence turns me on," he muttered with a lazy smile and amusement on his eyes.

She's sure what he meant was not about being sexually turned on. He's just being so amuse with her innocence. Ibig sabihin, bata pa talaga ang tingin sa kanya ni Zacariel. Suddenly, she wants to turn eighteen as soon as possible so he won't treat her like a kid anymore.

Besides, she don't look like seventeen year old girl. She stands like about five and seven inches, with a right curves and of course impressive breasts that most of the girls her age doesn't have. Given the fact that she came from a family with a mixed foreign blood, her beauty always stand out like a beauty queen.

"Hmm," kinibot niya ang labi. "I was just asking."

"Yeah."

"Sasakay nga ako sayo, Zacariel."

"Sa kabayo ko, okay? Hindi sa akin," paglilinaw ulit nito.

"Okay! So... Payag ka na? Bukas?"

He nods his head that made her smile grew wider.

"Are you going to teach me how to ride a horse too?"

"Yes, while I'm here."

Yelena screamed in excitement and stopped herself quickly because the helpers' attention went on them.

"I'm free today. Would you like to roam me around?" She gave him a sweet smile.

Zacariel sighed. He's still thinking if he would say yes to her or no.

"Well, yeah, I'd like to show you a place."

Her eyes twinkled. Ang excitement na naramdaman ay tila dumoble pa.

"Surprise me with that place then."

He smirked. "You'd like it."

"Are you sure?"

"Uh-huh. I know your likes."

But he didn't know that she likes him?

"I'm just gonna take a nap after lunch. Then we will go to that place, how's that?"

"Anytime you want, Yelena. I'll be around."

After they talked, Zacariel went back to the horse stable. While Lupita showed her her bedroom. Her excitement made her energetic.

Iniisip niya kung saan siya dadalhin ni Zacariel mamaya?

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