https://youtu.be/4QTqu-QbEgo

Wayne's POV

She looked at me as if she'd seen a ghost. Surprise was evident on her face. I tried to keep my emotions hidden as best as I could. All those pent up anger that I had surpressed for a long time was begging to be released. After so many years, I thought I was over it. But now it all came rushing back.

"Hi." She croacked softly after a brief moment of silence.

She was no longer the teenage girl I knew ten years ago, she was a lady now and she had grown into her body well. She was more breathtaking now, more heart stopping. She might look beautiful and innocent but I knew how cold the blood was that run through her veins.

"It's been a long time, huh? I never thought I'd bump into you. How are you?" I forced my features to betray nothing as I talked to her.

"I'm fine." Her voice quivered slightly.

I nodded my head, keeping my smile intact. "Are you with someone?"

She opened her mouth to say something but before she could do so, someone called her name.

"Tanya..." A deep and smooth voice said. My head turned to the man walking towards us. George Sullivan. He wrapped an arm around the small of her back. My hands involuntarily clenched into fists. I used to be the only one who could hold her like that.

"See anything you like?" He asked.

Tanya averted her eyes from me to him. She smiled at him and shook her head.

"This painting would look good in the living room." He said, looking at the abstract painting on the wall in front of him.

"Um, George, this is Wayne." She introduced me to him.

"Oh, hi!" He looked at me and gave me a warm smile. He held out his hand, offering a hand shake.

My jaw clenched and stared down at his hand for a second before taking it.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Wayne." He said. "I'm George Sullivan."

"Wayne Cameron St. Croix." My voice came out formal and stiff.

"St. Croix? Are you somehow associated to St. Croix Land Incorporation?" He asked.

"My father owns the comapany." I answered. "But besides that, I am not in anyway affliated with it. I have my own."

He nodded his head. "I see. So what business are you in?"

"Bars, clubs, and lounge. I'm actually planning to expand my business and build another bar lounge. I'm looking for people who are willing to invest in my business."

"Interesting." George said. "I want to hear more. Do you mind sitting with us so we can talk about it?"

"Not at all." I said, throwing a glance at Tanya. She seemed to be tensed and seeing her closely fused my senses off.

I followed them to their table and sat with them. I could feel the tension in the air between us. Tanya was avoiding eye contact with me, staring down on the table. She looked so expensive now, so regal. Of course, how couldn't she? She was a mistress of an old, rich man. I felt angry and resentful.

I turned my attention back to George and we started talking business, Tanya was quiet the whole time.

"Your proposition sounds very attractive. I'm willing to invest as much as it takes, whatever amount is necessary. But I want to become more than an investor, I want to us to be business partners." He said.

I cocked a brow. I didn't want any business partner. I just wanted someone to invest on my business. I didn't want anyone deciding for my business other than me.

"Don't worry." He smiled, sensing my concern. "I have my own business to run. Hindi kita pakikialaman sa mga desisyon mo. I just want someone to mentor Tanya."

"George." Tanya's eyes widened. "I... I don't know anything about businesses. I don't want to get involved with it."

"I can't always be here, darling. I need someone to run the business while I'm gone. I can't stay here, I need to go back to Belgium. I'll visit you every now and then." George said.

Darling. My jaw clenched when I heard what he called Tanya. How fuckin' sweet.

"Ayaw kong magpatakbo ng negosyo." There was tension on Tanya's face and voice. "You know I'm not good with businesses."


"That's the reason why I want Wayne to mentor you. He'll teach you everything you need to know." George looked at me. "Won't you, Wayne?"

A sly smile appeared on the corner of my lips. I glanced at Tanya. "Of course."

Tanya's POV

Napalunok ako ng makita ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Wayne. Nakangiti siya pero iba ang sinasabi ng mga mata niya. Nakakapaso ang mga tingin niya sa akin.

After all these years, kabisadong-kabisado ko pa rin ang mga galaw niya, kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga tingin niya at kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isip niya. Nararamdaman ko ang galit sa likod ng mga ngiting iyon.

They had already made a deal. Pumayag na si Wayne na maging business partner si George. George had to go back to his family in Belgium and I had to work with Wayne. Tahimik lang akong nakikinig habang nag-uusap sila tungkol sa negosyo. There was fear but there was also anticipation. Takot na malaman kong wala na akong halaga sa kanya at pagkasabik na makasama siya ulit.

Nang makita ko siya, napatunayan ko sa sarili ko na wala pa rin nagbabago sa nararamdaman ko sa kanya. Hindi nabawasan kahit konti ang pagmamahal ko, nadagdagan lang iyon ng pagkasabik. Natatakot lang ako na baka hindi na kami pareho nang nararamdaman. Hindi ko siya masisisi. Ako ang nang-iwan at ako isa pa, maraming taon na ang nakalipas. We were both young and he had probably moved on.

I never did move on. I still thought of him, I still dreamt of, I still wondered if he was okay, what he was doing. He was still a part of me. He was still the love of my life.

Mapaglaro nga talaga ang tadhana. Hindi ko inaasahan na magkikita pa kami. Akala ko mananatili na lang siyang parte ng nakaraan ko. Ang nakaraan na hindi ko pa rin makalimutan hanggang ngayon. The moment I saw him, all I wanted was to throw my arms around him. I tried my very best to hold my tears when I said 'hi' to him.

George lifted his glass up. "Cheers to our new partnership."

"Cheers." Itinaas din ni Wayne ang glass niya. And he threw another glance at me.

I fiddled with my fingers out of nervousness and took my eyes off him. Hindi ko namalayan na kanina pa pala ako nakatitig sa kanya. I wanted to memorize face. Take it all in. Natatakot ako na baka pagnalingap ako ng tingin, mawala na siya. Natatakot ako na baka panaginip lang ang lahat ng ito.

"May I have a dance with you?" His deep and silky voice said.

Surpised, I lifted my gaze up to him again. He was staring at me. Tumaas ang isang sulok ng labi niya nang tumingin ako sa kanya. Pagkatapos ay nalipat ang tingin ko kay George.

"Go ahead." George smiled and gave me a nod. "I'll just stay here."

Wayne got up from his seat. Tumayo siya sa harap ko at nilahad ang kamay niya sa akin. I took it. Parang may kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan ko nang maglapat ang mga kamay namin. It sent shivers down my spine I'd missed the feeling of his skin against mine.

Tumayo ako mula sa kinauupuan ko at dinala niya ako sa gitna ng dance floor. The romantic melody was coming from the grand piano being played on the stage. There were no words or lyrics. Just the beautiful and gentle music emanating from the piano.

He put his hands on the either side of my waist and I put mine on his shoulders. He smelled of expensive cologne mixed with his distinct scent. Kusang pumikit ang mga mata ko nang maamoy iyon. My body seemed to have recognized him. There was this warm, calming feeling of "You belong here" that washed over me. I'd miss him, his hand, his arms, his scent, the heat his body emits.

"Tanya..." I heard him say.

I opened my eyes and was greeted by a pair of dark and beautiful eyes. Malamig ang mga mata niya habang nakatitig siya sa akin.

"I'm very excited to work with you." He said in a professional tone.

What happened in the past was long over. We were strangers now... strangers with a past.

"M-me too." I answered back with shaky voice.

"How have you been doing the last, what, ten years?"

He was so casual and here I was, trying to stop my legs from shaking.

"I've... had a lot of things happen to me. I've earned a degree liberal studies. I've worked at a company in Scotland and decided I want to go back here." I answered.

He nodded his head. "I see. You've done a lot in your life. You're staying her for good?"

"Yes."

"How did you meet George Sullivan?"

My eyes fell on the ground. "Noong nagtatrabaho pa ako sa Japan."

"I see." He said in a stoic tone. "Mukhang malapit kayo sa isa't isa. He seems to trust you well enough to let you handle his business."

"George is a wonderful person. I trust him just as much." Matipid na sagot ko.

I could see the bitterness and disdain in his eyes as he looked at me. I gasped when one of his hand began to move and carressed the side of my body, stopping just below my breast. 

"Can't blame him. It's hard not to trust a beautiful face like yours." Makahulugan na sabi niya. 

My chest clenching tightly. "Wayne... I'm sorry..."

He let out a low chuckle. "For what?"

"For leaving you." I swallowed my sob and let my head rest against his chest. I didn't do it conciously. My body wanted his warmth. Naramdaman kong humigpit ang pagkahawak niya sa akin. His familiarity was comforting. It was so cozy. This was where I belong.

"That was ten years ago, Tanya. We were young back then." He said, keeping the smug smile on his face. "We're two mature adults now. I've forgotten about it a long time ago."

I took in a deep breath. It confirmed my fear. It felt as if something inside me had collapsed. Masakit pa rin. Akala ko naghilom na ang sugat sa dibdib ko pero masakit pa rin. Ang mas masakit. Alam kong ako ang may kasalanan kung bakit nawala sa akin ang lalaking mahal ko. It wasn't anyone's fault but mine. 

Akala ko ba lahat ng sugat kayang gamutin ng panahon. Bakit parang mas lumalalim lang iyon? Parang gusto nang bumigay ng tuhod ko.

"Gusto ko nang umupo." Mahinang sabi ko.

"Why?" Kumunot ang noo niya. "We just got here."

"Please, Wayne." Pakiusap ko.

He let out a deep sigh. Dahan-dahan na binitiwan niya ako. The moment his hands left my body, I felt as though a part of me had been torn off. I felt empty...

I turned away from him, trying to hide the pain in my eyes and headed back to the table. Bumalik ako sa kinauupuan ni George. Wayne followed behind me. Our eyes met and he gave me a knowing stare. 

"Is everything okay?" Tanong ni George.

"Yeah." Napakurap ako.

"You look pale." Pansin niya.

"I'm just tired." Bumuntong-hininga ako.

"Do you want to leave?" He asked.

I nodded my head. It would hurt to leave but I knew it would be a torture to stay. I was just so overwhelmed with what was happening tonight. I needed a break from it. It was as if Wayne had broken a glass in which I put every emotion I'd locked so no one could touch it and everything escaped. 

Nagpaalam na si George kay Wayne. Wayne just nodded a goodbye and looked at me. His eyes were sharp and piercing. Hinawakan ako ni George sa braso at iginaya palabas. I glanced at Wayne one more time. I was leaving him again and it was heartbreaking.