CHAPTER 23

AGAD NA MALAPAD NA ngumiti si Happy nang makita ang kapatid na hinihintay siya sa arrival area ng airport. Agad niyang tinakbo ang pagitan nilang dalawa at sinugod ito ng yakap.

"Lucky!"

Lucky immediately hugged her back with a bright smile on her face. "Ate! Na-miss kita."

"Me too." Kumawala siya sa yakap ng kapatid at sa asawa naman nito niya ibinaling ang atensiyon. "Blake... how are you?" tanong niya, sabay yakap din dito.

Blake hugged her back. But when she was trying to pull away, he was still hugging her like he didn't want to let go.

Kailangan pa niyang baklasin ang mga braso nito sa baywang niya, saka nagtatanong ang mga matang tiningnan ito. "What do you think you're doing?" pabulong na nagtatakang tanong niya kay Blake na titig na titig pa rin sa kanya.

"I, ahm, just missed you," Blake said.

Happy stilled. It felt like a déjà vu. She knew that voice. That was Blaze's voice. The Blake in front of her has Blaze's voice!

She could still remember her dream!

Pinakatitigan niya ang Blake na nasa harap niya. His face was clear. Ink-free. No tattoo. No Cassie in his face.

Pero kagagawan lang ng isip niya ang panaginip niyang iyon. This couldn't be true. Blaze would never erase the tattoo on his face. He loved Cassie so much.

"Happy."

Agad siyang napalingon sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Si King. Nagulat siya dahil iyon ang unang beses na tinawag siya nito sa pangalan niya at hindi "Young Miss."

"King..."

Naglakad palapit sa kanya si King habang hila-hila ang bagahe niya.

"Who is he?" puno na kuryosidad na tanong ni Lucky sa kanya habang nakangiti kay King.

Agad namang inilahad ni King ang kamay kay Lucky at nagpakilala. "King Zabat, owner of KZ System, Happy's boyfriend."

Tumaas ang kilay ni Happy, hindi dahil nagpakilala si King na boyfriend niya—it was one of her father's crazy ideas again—kundi dahil sa KZ System.

Happy knew that company. KZ System was under KZ Empire. And if King was the owner, why the hell would a multitycoon like him doing in their house as her father's butler and now her bodyguard? He had been with them for years and she just knew this now?

This is absurd.

"Lucky Vitale," pagpapakilala naman ng kapatid niya. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Zabat." May nanunudyo itong ngiti na sumulyap sa kanya. "My sister's boyfriend. Nice."

"The pleasure is mine," suwabeng sabi ni King, saka kay Blake naman nito inilahad ang kamay.

But Blake was just staring at her, not even giving King a glance.

What's wrong with him? Kanina pa ito titig na titig sa kanya na hindi na lang niya pinapansin.

Nang hindi tinanggap ni Blake ang pakikipagkamay ni King, agad na ibinaba ni King ang kamay, saka inakbayan siya.

"Play nice," sabi ni Lucky kay Blake habang masamang nakatingin dito.

"I don't want to," sagot ni Blake. "I'm pissed."

Lucky pouted. "Remember what I asked you? And remember why I let you tag along? Huwag mong landiin?"

"Wala naman akong ginagawa, ah," sabi ni Blake habang matiim pa rin ang titig sa kanya.

"Wala pa." Napabuntong-hininga si Lucky, saka ipinagkrus ang mga braso sa dibdib.

"Happy and I..." sabi ni ni King na kumuha sa atensiyon uli ni Lucky. "Will be staying in Racini's Hotel—"

"No need," pigil ni Lucky kay King, saka tumingin sa kanya. "Mom offered to let you stay in the house. We still have some bedrooms left."

Sinulyapan niya si King bago nakangiting sumagot sa kapatid. "I'm with someone. We don't want to impose on you."

"Mom and I insist," giit ni Lucky. "Please, Ate, for me? Isang linggo lang naman at gusto kong sulitin ang mga araw na kasama ka."

Sinulyapan niya uli si King. "Well?"

King shrugged. "I don't mind."

Happy looked at Lucky who was giving her this puppy eyes. She sighed. She was weak when it came to her sister. "Fine. We'll stay in Tita Beth's house."

"Yey!" Lucky beamed at her. "I can't wait! Come on. Let's go home and get you two rested."

Nangingiting napailing siya at sinundan si Lucky na naunang naglakad patungo sa sasakyan nila. Habang si King naman ay nasa likuran ni Lucky at siya ay nasa likuran ni King katabi si Blake.

Napapabaling siya kay Blake tuwing sumasagi ang daliri nito sa daliri niya habang naglalakad sila dahil sa kakaibang pakiramdam na hatid niyon sa kanya. At nang makarating sila sa sasakyan, bago sumakay si Blake sa driver's seat ng kotse, inilipat nito ang tainga sa kanya, saka bumulong.

"I miss you," he said.

Natigilan siya. Ang boses na 'yon. It was Blaze's!

Was it possible that he had his tattoo removed? Like in her dream?

Napatitig siya sa likod ni Blake na naglalakad paikot patungo sa driver's seat.

When the car started moving, she and Lucky started talking. Samantalang tahimik lang ang dalawang lalaki sa loob ng sasakyan. At sa pagkukuwentuhan nila ni Lucky, hindi nila namalayan na nakarating na pala sila sa mansiyon ng mga Vitale.

Tahimik silang lumabas ng sasakyan ni King, ganoon din si Lucky at... Blake? She was not sure anymore. Maybe it was Blaze.

But he had no tattoo on his face. She could be very wrong. Between Blake and Blaze, Blake was the one with clean face. Hindi naman niya itong puwedeng hubaran tulad ng sa panaginip niya.

Why was he wearing a sweatshirt anyway?

"Blakey!" biglang sigaw ni Lucky, saka tinakbo ang kamukha ni Blake na kalalabas lang ng pinto ng mansiyon. "I miss you, Blakey-baby."

Bahagyang napaawang ang mga labi niya. So, she was right! It was Blaze!

She looked at Blaze who was looking at her and wouldn't take his eyes off of her. Her eyes roamed around Blaze's face. No tattoo. Ink-free face.

Lucky was hugging her husband, so this was really Blaze.

He really had no ink on his face! Tulad ng sa panaginip niya!

Ramdam ni Happy ang mabilis na magtibok ng puso niya habang naglalakad sila papasok sa bahay. Hindi siya makapaniwalang ipinatanggal nga ni Blaze ang tattoo nito sa mukha.

Does that mean anything? To him? What does it mean?

Napabuntong-hininga siya. Dahil alam naman niya ang pasikot-sikot sa mansiyon, dumeretso muna siya sa kusina nang makaramdam ng uhaw.

But before she could get herself a glass of water, someone grabbed her arm, pinned her on the nearest wall and crashed his lips on hers.

And she just stood there with wide eyes, watching Blaze close his eyes as he kissed her.

Siya ang pumutol sa halik nito nang hindi tumutugon kahit iyon pa ang isinisigaw ng katawan niya. Bahagya niya itong itinulak sa dibdib palayo.

"Don't kiss me again," sabi niya sa mahinahong na boses. She might get swayed. "Please."

Blaze stared at her. "Why not? I missed you."

She just smiled and instead of getting a glass of drink, she returned to the living room without quenching her thirst.

Naabutan niyang nag-uusap sina Tita Beth, Blake, Lucky at King.

"Can stay here as long as you want," sabi ni Tita Beth na may mas magiliw na ngiti nang tumingin kay King. "Inihanda ko na ang kuwarto n'yo ni Happy. Puwede mo nang dalhin ang mga gamit n'yo roon..." Biglang natigilan si Tita Beth, saka natawa. "Silly me. You don't understand Tagalog. Let me translate it to English."

"No need," nakangiting sabad niya, saka masuyong niyakap si Tita Beth. "Thank you so much, Tita. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Happy. Come on, samahan ko na kayo sa kuwarto n'yo para makapagpahinga ako," aya nito sa kanila ni King. "Jet lag can be a pain in the ass sometimes."

Nagpaalam siya kay Lucky bago sumunod kay Tita Beth. Agad na umalalay sa kanya si King nang makitang tumigil siya sa pag-akyat nang nasa kalagitnaan na sila ng hagdanan.

"Are you okay?" King whispered.

Pasimple siyang umiling. "I'm a little exhausted. Maybe it's the jet lag."

Sa sinabi niya, walang sabi-sabing pinangko siya ni King. Sumunod ito kay Tita Beth hanggang sa kuwarto nila, saka maingat siyang ihiniga sa kama at kinumutan.

"Rest," pabulong nitong sabi bago lumabas uli ng kuwarto at kinuha ang bagahe nilang dalawa.

"Sige, maiwan ko na kayong dalawa," sabi ni Tita Beth. "Pahinga kayo."

Tumango siya, saka umayos ng higa habang si King ay inilalabas ang mga damit nila sa maleta at inilalagay sa closet.

"I already unpacked your luggage except for your undergarments," King said while looking uncomfortable. "I don't think you'll appreciate it."

Nakangingiting tumango siya. "Thank you, King."

King nodded. "I'll take the couch."

"You sure?" she asked. "I don't mind," sabi niya. "I know you're tired as well and the bed is huge, so, yeah..."

Ilang segundo muna siyang tinitigan ni King na para bang tinitingnan kung seryoso siya sa sinabi niya, at nang makitang seryoso siya, lumapit ito sa kama at nahiga sa pinakagilid.

Tumaas ang kilay niya. "You're acting weird, King."

"Am I?"

"Yes." Tumagilid siya ng higa paharap dito. "Can I ask you a question?"

"You already did."

Napangiti siya sa sarkasmo ng boses nito pero nagtanong pa rin siya. "Are you the owner of KZ Empire?"

Walang pag-aalinlangang sumagot ito. "My family is."

She frowned. "Then why are you my father's butler?"

"It's my job," simpleng sagot nito.

"You're rich," she pointed out. "How is being my father's butler a job for a billionaire?"

"It's a family thing," sagot ni King, saka ipinikit ang mga mata.

"Meaning?"

"My family has work for yours since the Dark Ages," sabi ni King. "It was my job to assist your father, now you, in any way I can. It's a duty that I have to honor for my ancestors."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "But you're rich," she pointed out again. Ilang multitycoon ba ang papayag na maging butler? Wala.

"Yes, I am rich." King opened his eyes and glanced at her. "But I have my family's tradition and my beliefs that I value. And serving your family has always been a great honor. I just wish we could find your hippeis soon."

"And now I'm lost," sabi niya na napapailing. "What are you talking about? What is hippeis?"

"I wish I could tell you more," sabi ni King, saka pumikit uli ang mga mata nito. "But I'm forbidden to do so. In the right time, Young Miss, you'll know. And I hope you make a right decision. But whatever you decide, I will be with you 'till the end as your loyal servant."

"You're creeping me out, King." Nagsisitayuan na ang mga balahibo niya.

King talked like she was some kind of a higher up—if her understanding was correct. And her family was some kind of a big deal in ancient time... and until now?

Well, her father came from an aristocrat family. Maybe it had something to do with that?

Still absurd.

Magtatanong pa sana siya kay King nang marinig niya ang mahina nitong paghilik.

Mahina siyang natawa, saka inayos ang kumot sa katawan at ipinikit na rin ang mga mata para makapagpahinga.

MAGMAMADALING ARAW na nang magising si Happy. Tulog pa rin si King at parang hindi ito gumalaw sa kinahihigaan. Maingat siyang bumangon para hindi ito magising at umalis ng kama, saka lumabas ng kuwarto.

Bumaba siya at tinungo ang kusina para kumuha ng tubig dahil nauuhaw siya nang makita niya ang isa sa kambal na mag-isang umiinom ng beer habang nakaupo sa stool at nakatukod ang siko sa island counter.

Malayo ang tingin nito at panay ang buntong-hininga habang umiinom. Parang problemadong-problemado ang hitsura.

At dahil pareho nang walang tattoo sa mukha sina Blake at Blaze na siyang palantandaan niya noon, ang tattoo nito sa braso pababa sa kamay ang pinagbasehan niya kung sino ang nasa harap niya.

And it seemed the man she had her eyes on was Blaze Vitale.

Huminga siya nang malalim bago tuluyang pumasok sa kusina at kumuha ng isang basong tubig. Ramdam niya ang tingin sa kanya ni Blaze pero ipinagsawalang-bahala niya 'yon.

And when she was about to leave the kitchen, Blaze spoke.

"I'm moved on," sabi nito na parang binabalitaan siya. "And it seems to me that you have too."

Happy sighed before turning back to face him. "You need to sleep. You don't look so good."

Pinaikot nito ang bote ng beer gamit ang sariling kamay. "Did you miss me?"

"Yes. I did."

Happy wanted to lie but she hated lying. It complicated everything. Just like lying about her relationship with King! If it wasn't her father's request, she wouldn't had not lied about it.

"Is King good to you?" tanong uli sa kanya ni Blaze.

She nodded. "He is."

He looked at her, his eyes looked so sad. "Do you know how much it hurts to have someone in your heart and in your mind all the time but you can never, ever have them in your arms and in your life even how much hard you try?"

"Cassie," she whispered.

Blaze nodded. "Before I met you, thinking of Cassie always brings me pain. Because she died in a very violent death, together with our unborn child."

Her lips parted in shock. "She was pregnant?"

Blaze nodded before smiling sadly. "At kahit ano'ng gawin ko, hindi ko na siya maibabalik pa. Hindi ko na siya mahahawakan at hindi ko na siya makikita. And then I met you. Her look-alike. Imagine the pain I was in, the hope and the what ifs. But you made me realize how different you two are and you motivated me to move on and let go of my past. After so many sessions with my therapist, I finally did. I was thinking of you the whole three months. In my mind, I keep imagining how it's gonna be if we see each again now that I've moved on. But this... seeing you with other man... I didn't imagine this. Well, I should have. I mean, you only like me, right? You don't love me. There's a difference."

Hindi makasagot si Happy. Sa unang pagkakataon, hindi niya alam ang sasabihin kay Blaze.

"When you left me, I felt that again. But more severe this time. The pain to have you in my heart and in my mind all the time but I can never have you in my arms because I have hurt you. I used you. I don't deserve you because I was so blinded by my past to see you as you. I was afraid to see you being mad at me or disappointed at me because that would be my new nightmare. That would be my new hell."

"Blaze..."

Blaze smiled... a forced smile. "When you left, it feels like, there's a hole in my chest that was ripped off. And when I started moving on and letting go of my past, I realized why there's a hole in my chest. It was because you took my heart with you when you left."

Happy lips parted and her eyes widened. "You... w-what are you saying?"

Blaze shrugged. "I'm saying that I'm in love with you, Happy Quinn." Titig na titig ito sa mga mata niya. "And I'm so stupid to let you go, I would know because I live with my stupid mistake every day for three moths now. And I'm so jealous of King, I wanna kill him actually but then, it'll hurt you and I don't want to hurt you again. Never again, Happy. Pinaiyak na kita noon, hindi ko na uulitin 'yon ngayon. Gusto kong maging masaya ka. Ayos lang na ngumiti ka kahit hindi para sa akin o kahit hindi ako ang dahilan, basta masaya ka. Ayos lang."

Natulos sa kinatatayuan si Happy habang naglalakad palapit sa kanya si Blaze. Tumigil ito sa harap niya.

Umangat ang kamay nito para masuyong haplusin ang pisngi niya. "Be happy, okay? Don't mind me. Don't give me any of your attention. Baka iba ang isipin ko at agawin kita sa boyfriend mo. Don't even look at me like you care, okay? Marupok ako pagdating sa iyo. Aagawin talaga kita kaya huwag mo akong subukan. Pinipigilan ko lang ang sarili ko kasi nirerespeto kita at kung ano'ng mayroon kayong dalawa ni King. Pero kapag tumingin ka sa akin tulad ng pagtingin mo sa akin noon na parang isa ako sa mga importanteng tao sa buhay mo, aangkinin kita at hinding-hindi na kita ibabalik sa kanya."

Blaze stared at her for more than a couple of seconds before he leaned in, kissed her forehead softly and then he left, leaving her in the kitchen. Alone and confused.

Blaze loves me. What will I do?

CECELIB | C.C.