Chapter 19

Ruthless

"We should put dimmer lights in this corner. What do you think?" Alec suggested.

Nasa loob kami ng spare room na nasa tapat lang ng mismong kuwarto namin ni Alec. We were planning on turning it as a nursery room.

I smiled at him.

Lumapit siya sa'kin at hinuli ang magkabilang siko ko.

Malambing niya akong tiningnan. "What?"

"It's just your excitement," I grinned. "It's cute"

He mischievously cocked a brow. "You think I'm cute?"

I nodded. Lumipat ang mga kamay niya sa baywang ko. Bigla niya akong inangat dahilan ng pagtili ko.

"Alec!"

He only chuckled. Our joyous laughs filled the entire room. He lifted me higher and had me sat on top of the cabinet in the far corner.

Without any warning, he took my mouth and dived in for a deep kiss. No tongue, but much hotter kisses.

I put my hands on his shoulders as I kissed him back. Trying to match his passion.

His hot and demanding mouth set the fire in me. When his kisses slowed down and his lips landed on the corners of my mouth, my insides melted.

"Damn. I want you," he murmured. "But in about fifteen minutes my great-grandmother will be here. Shall we cancel dinner?"

Natawa ako at mapaglaro siyang tinampal sa braso. His hold on me loosened but not completely.

"We have to go get ready," sabi ko.

Nanliit ang mga mata niya. "Let's just make out for five more minutes."

"I don't want to be a disappointment to your great-grandmother. She treats me well."

"She likes you," he admitted quite smugly.

"Really?"

"Yeah. She's strict and she doesn't like just anyone."

"I'm not just anyone. I'm your wife," I reminded him playfully.

"Well, my wife, do you wanna make out some more with this husband of yours?"

I chuckled and pushed him gently. Mas lumapad lang ang pilyong ngisi niya. Bumalik ang mga kamay niya sa baywang ko at ibinaba na niya ako.

"How's my lipstick?"

"All ruined, baby."

"I have to go back to our room and reapply." Tatalikuran ko na sana siya pero hinuli niya ang braso ko at marahan akong hinila ulit palapit sa kanya.

He kissed me again. Pumikit ako at muling nagpaubaya. I kissed him back. When I opened my mouth to indulge him for more access, I felt his teeth on my lower lip. He bit it gently. It was so hot, I moaned.

The kiss did not properly end. Dumilat ako at nakita ang lasing niyang mga mata na tila sabik pa rin sa mga labi ko.

"Your lips are red again," he whispered. "No need to reapply your lipstick ."

Hindi ko siya makapaniwalang tiningnan. The corner of his mouth playfully rose.

He took my hand and interwined his fingers with mine "Let's go, baby."

We eventually went down. Alec's great-grandmother was earlier. Nang bumaba kami ay nadatnan na namin siya na nagmamando sa mga dala niyang kasambahay.

They brought trays of foods as well. Kami lang naman ang kakain pero ang dami niyang dala. I paid my respect to her and Alec did the same. We then proceeded to the dining area for the dinner.

It was the first time that Alec's great-grandmother visited us in the penthouse. Siya lang mag-isa ang dumating maliban na lamang sa mga kasambahay na dala niya. I felt relaxed talking with her. She was kind to me.

Kalaunan pagkatapos ng dinner ay lumipat kami sa living area. We were having tea. Magkatabi kami ni Alec sa sofa at nakaupo naman sa tapat namin ang great-grandmother niya. It was then that I decided to finally break the good news to her.

"I'm pregnant po," I told her.

The tea cup on her hand hang in the air. Umawang ang labi niya at gulantang akong pinagmasdan. Pure delight was evident on her face.

Mabilisan niyang inilapag ang hawak na cup sa mesa at kinuha ang mga kamay ko.

"What an amazing news!" masayang komento niya. She glanced at Alec and she looked at him proudly.

Ibinalik niya ang tingin sa akin. "I shall talk to my lawyer and transfer some buildings to my great-grandchild's name."

"Um..."Sinulyapan ko si Alec dahil hindi ko alam ang isasagot doon. Ngumiti lang siya sa'kin.

"Have you told your elders yet, Jia?"

Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa great-grandmother niya dahil sa naging tanong nito.

"H-Hindi pa po. You're the first one we've told."

She smiled. "I'm glad. I will pass on the news to the entire Cuas."

The conversation went well. Hindi rin umalis si Alec sa tabi ko. Alam niyang minsan ay nahihiya pa rin ako sa great-grandmother niya kaya hindi niya ako iniwan.

Umalis din ito kalaunan kasama ang mga kasambahay na dala. Naging tahimik ulit ang penthouse. Maaga kaming pumasok na dalawa ni Alec sa kuwarto para sana magpahinga.

I could not sleep though. Siguro dala na rin ito ng pagbubuntis ko. Maingat kong tinanggal ang braso ni Alec na nakapulupot sa beywang ko. He was peacefully asleep and I didn't want to wake him up. I slowly got off the bed and decided to stay in the balcony for a while.

The wind was cold, it was a good thing I was wearing a robe. Pinagmasdan ko ang tahimik na siyudad. I wished my life would be as peaceful as it was.

Marahan kong inilapat ang palad sa tiyan. I slowly caressed it in circular motion. My tummy was still small so my pregnancy wasn't that obvious yet.

The hand on my stomach halted when I heard footsteps. I turned and saw Alec. Kanina ay nakasuot lang siya ng boxers sa kama. Now, he's in his robe just like me.

"Can't sleep?" he whispered as he embraced me from the back.

Luminga ako ng bahagya para matingnan siya. Ngumiti ako para mapanatag siya.

"Medyo. Sorry. Nagising pa yata kita."

I sighed again when I felt his chin on top of my head.

"What are you thinking?"

Marahan akong bumuga ng hangin. "Wala naman..."

"Are you thinking about your family?" hula niya. "When are you gonna tell them about your pregnancy?"

Bahagya akong naging tensiyonado. Naramdaman iyon ni Alec. His embrace loosen as he stared at me.

"S-Susubukan ko bukas." I tried to smile. "Sasabihan ko si Papa na imbitahan si Amma sa mansiyon. I'll... tell them."

"Hindi mo pa rin sinasabi sa'kin kung ano ba talaga ang nangyari sa mansiyon. Why your cheek was red..."

"I told you it was nothing." Pag-iwas ko dahil ayaw ko na ng gulo. "It was probably when I fainted and my cheek hit the floor."

Ipinalandas niya ang kanyang dila sa ibabang labi. Maingat niya akong tinitigan.

"I trust you then," pagsuko niya.

Naging tahimik kami ng ilang sandali. The silence made me overthink.

"What if they do something bad to our baby?" My fear resurfaced. "Pa'no kung saktan ulit nila ako at madamay—"

"What did you say?" His voice was lethal.

Huli na nang napagtanto ko ang mga salitang nabitiwan kanina. At huli na rin para bawiin ko ito.

Hinawakan ni Alec ang magkabilang balikat ko. Napilitan akong harapin siya. His head lowered as his eyes searched mine.

"Anong ginawa nila sa'yo? Is this about what happened back at your mansion? Tell me," sunod-sunod na tanong niya.

Iniwas ko ang mukha. Suminghot ako para paatrasan ang mga luhang gusto na namang kumawala. It was my pregnancy hormones kicking my emotions.

"My f-father... slapped me," I said weakly. "We fought because he brought his mistress in our mansion."

Narinig ko ang sunod-sunod na malulutong na mura niya. I felt his arms around me.

Tiningnan ko siya ulit. "I'm scared of my own family, Alec,"pag-amin ko sa wakas. "Takot ako sa kung anong kaya nilang gawin..."

May dumaang sakit sa mga mata niya. This time, he hugged me tighter.

"I won't let them touch you. They can't hurt you anymore."

I hugged him. His warmth calmed my worries.

Kinabukasan ay ramdam ko ang protesta ni Alec sa desisyon ko na pormal na ipaalam sa pamilya ko ang pagbubutis ko. Alam kong hindi pa rin nawawala ang galit niya sa pamilya ko pagkatapos kong sabihin sa kanya ang ginawa ni papa. However, I reassured him that it would be the last time I would communicate with my family in a formal way.

Kahit baliktarin man ang mundo, hindi ko puwedeng itanggi na pamilya ko pa rin sila. Gusto ko pa rin na sa akin mismo manggaling ang balita na buntis ako at hindi sa ibang tao.

Alec was with me when I went to the mansion. Nagdala kami ng bodyguards dahil na rin sa kagustuhan ni Alec. Kompleto ang buong Chen clan. They were shocked to see the entire security with us. Ramdam ko ang kagustuhan ni Ate Shen na lumapit sa akin pero dahil na rin siguro sa bodyguards na nasa gilid lang namin ni Alec,  hindi niya nagawang lumapit.

Nag-iwas ng tingin si Papa. Si Amma naman ay nasa akin ang buong atensiyon.

We were offered a seat in which Alec and I declined. Wala kaming balak na magtagal pa.

"Why the need to bring an entire security here, Jia?" si Amma. "You convened us here for a family meeting.

"I don't feel safe here," mataman kong sinabi.

My grandmother looked offended. My brother grimaced and I saw my sister-in-law looked away. Nagsinghapan naman ang ilang miyembro ng pamilya. Hindi pa rin ako magawang tingnan ni Papa.

"Pinagtipon ko lang ang pamilya para opisyal na ianunsiyo ang pagbubuntis ko," malamig na saad ko. "Gusto kong sa'kin mismong manggaling ang balitang 'to at hindi sa media."

Alec held my hand and squeezed it.

"C-Congratulations! We should hold a traditional—"

"My wife and I will decide on that eventually," pagputol ni Alec kay Amma.

Kita ko ang kagustuhan ni Amma na magprotesta sa sinabi ni Alec pero may nakita yata siya sa mga mata ni Alec na pumigil sa kanya para isatinig ito. In the end, she only nodded.

Hindi kami nagtagal sa mansiyon at umalis din. Iyon naman talaga ang plano namin ni Alec. Hindi ko alam kung anong ginawa niya pero wala sa pamilya ko ang kumontak at nangulit sa akin sa mga sumunod na araw. Even my own brother kept his distance.

It was the Cua clan whom we allowed to throw a party for us. I could not explain it but I became more comfortable with them compared to my own family. It was an intimate party na dinaluhan lang ng iilang kilalang pamilya.

My family did not attend. I guess they were too proud to bend. At siguro, hindi rin nila nagustuhan na ang pamilya ni Alec ang hinayaan kong magbigay ng party. I thought I would be hurt but I actually felt fine with their absence. Ang mahalaga lang naman sa akin ay naibalita ko na sa kanila ang pagbubuntis ko. And we sent them invites, it's just that they chose not to come.

Alec and I left the party early. He wanted me to take a rest in our own home. I took off the pearl earrings that I wore and put them inside the drawer. I looked at myself in the vanity mirror. Alec's phone on the bedside table suddenly vibrated. He answered it quietly and only listened to the person on the other line for a few minutes.

Sinulyapan ko siya sa vanity mirror. He glanced at me as well before he spoke.

"Do it," malamig na utos sa kung sino man ang nasa kabilang linya.

Tumayo ako. Naglakad na ako at lumapit na sa kama. He ended the call. I gave him a questioning look.

"I have to tell you something," mataman niyang sinabi.

"What is it?"

"I now own sixty percent shares of your family's parent company."

"How?" naguguluhan kong tanong.

"Some of the directors wanted to pull out because of the recession. I bought their shares."

Umawang ang labi ko. His eyes were careful. Tila tinatantiya ang magiging reaksiyon ko.

"What are your plans?"

Napawi ang pag-iingat sa mga mata niya at napalitan ito ng galit.

"I will destroy them for what they did to you."

Natigilan ako dahil sa nag-aalab na galit na nakita ko sa mga mata niya.

"You don't have to do anything, Alec. Gugulo lang ang lahat. Tumahimik na naman sila..."

Umiling siya at nagtiim bagang. "I won't let them get away for what they did to you." Bumaba ang tingin niya sa tiyan ko. "Your father could've harmed our baby."

Mataman ko siyang tiningnan. Napagtanto ko na hindi ko na mababago ang gusto niya. I slowly nodded.

Alec did what he wanted to do. My family's complete downfall was all over the news. Not even my pregnacy could cover it. Alec took over.

The Cuas celebrated his ruthlessness in the business as he conquered my family's group of companies. I could not celebrate with them because despite what my family had done to me, sa loob ko ay pamilya pa rin ang turing ko sa kanila kahit papaano.

I thought that I would feel happy. Akala ko ay magbubunyi ako sa pagbagsak ng pamilya ko pero hindi pala. Sa kabila nito ay hindi ko pinigilan si Alec sa mga plano niya.

Nagmamando ako sa mga kasambahay kung ano ang lulutuin para sa hapunan nang narinig ko ang kumosyon sa labas ng penthouse. Pansamantala ko silang iniwan para tingnan kung ano ang nangyayari sa labas.

I went out and saw my brother. Nakikipagtalo siya sa security na inilagay ni Alec sa labas. He looked drunk and his hair disheveled.

"I'm her brother! Let me in! I need to talk to her!" he shouted despite the two security staff blocking him.

I quickly stepped outside.

"Jia!" sigaw ng kapatid ko nang nakita niya akong palapit.

"It's okay. Let him go," utos ko sa head ng security.

"Delikado po, Mrs. Cua," malamig na protesta ng head ng security. "Utos po ni Mr. Cua ang hindi pagpapalapit—"

"Shut the fuck up!" marahas na pagputol ng kapatid ko sa kanya.

"I'll talk to my husband later kaya ayos lang."

Nagtiim-bagang ang head ng security. He nodded curtly and signaled na rest of the security to let go of my brother.

Mayabang niyang tiningnan ang nakahilerang security staff at pagkatapos ay binalingan na ako.

My brother looked untidy. Nagusot ang suit na suot niya. He grew some facial hair as well.

"Let's talk inside," sabi ko at iniwan na siya para maglakad papasok. I knew he would follow.

Nang makapasok na kami sa loob ng penthouse ay binalingan ko ang kapatid ko.

"Anong kailangan mo?"

"I want my position back. Sabihin mo sa asawa mo na gusto kong makuha ulit ang posisyon na dapat ay sa akin. I want to be one of the executives."

Hindi pa man siya natatapos ay umiling na ako.

"I don't meddle with his business decisions, Kuya—"

"Huwag mo akong gawing tanga, Jia!" naging malupit ulit ang tono niya. "You influenced him to destroy our family's companies because of your selfishness!"

I chuckled without humor. Mas lalong tumalim ang tingin ng kapatid ko sa akin.

"It was you who started the downfall of our companies. Huwag mong isisi sa'kin ang kinahihinatnan nito dahil ikaw naman ang naunang unti-unting nagpabagsak nito."

I saw his eyes falter.

"Akala mo ba hindi ko alam ang ginawa ng asawa mo? He fucking fooled all of us!" Tumaas ulit ang boses niya dahilan para umantabay ang security sa loob. "He married you to bring the Chen down!"

I shook my head. Napasok na yata ng mga ipis ang utak ng kapatid ko.

"It was the Chen who wanted this marriage so bad. Kayo ang nagpumilit nito!" paalala ko.

Marahas na humakbang palapit sa akin ang kapatid ko. My hand automatically went to my stomach. Umalerto rin kaagad ang security. They held his arms to stop him from moving towards me.

The veins on my brother's arms protruded because of wanting to get away from the security.

"I will find a dirt in him! Pagbabayarin ni Alec Von Cua ang ginawa niya!" With this last words, my brother pulled away from the security. Marahas siyang lumabas.

My hand went to my chest. Huminga ako at pinakalma ang sarili. Mabilis akong dinaluhan ng mga kasambahay.

"I'm fine. I'm okay," sabi ko sa kanila habang nakatingin pa rin sa pintuan.

Sa gabing iyon ay nagtalo kami ni Alec. Hindi niya nagustuhan ang pagpayag ko na makipag-usap lalo na ang hayaan na pumasok ang kapatid ko sa bahay namin. He said it was dangerous. He fired the head of the security without any hesitation. It made me feel guilty dahil ako naman ang nag-utos na papasukin ang kapatid ko.

"Bagay lang 'yon sa kanya. He wasn't loyal to my commands," malamig na sinabi ni Alec.

Umawang ang labi ko sa gulat. I've seen Alec being kind, but the past months, he's always ruthless.

"Ako naman ang nagpumilit na ayos lang, Alec," pagsubok ko.

He looked at me sharply. "If you don't want other people to suffer the consequences, next time be responsible with your decisions." He shook his head disappointedly and turned to his security personnel give some directions.

Tahimik ang naging hapunan namin. Wala akong ganang makipag-usap sa kanya. Parang ganoon din naman siya. But sometimes, I would still feel his heavy gaze on me.

Mas nauna akong natapos sa pagkain. I quietly excused myself and went upstairs to rest.

Hindi kaagad sumunod si Alec sa kuwarto. He proceeded to the study probably to work some more. I did not wait for him. Nakatulog na ako agad.

Halos tinanghali na ako ng gising kinaumagahan. I went out of bed and saw a note on the bedside table. I read it.

I have an early conference today. I love you.

-A

I sighed. Bumangon ako at naghanda na. I took a brisk shower. I was looking for something to wear from my walk in closet when my phone started ringing. Naka-roba pa ako. Bitbit ang susuoting damit ay naglakad ako pabalik sa kuwarto at pinulot ang cellphone na nakalapag sa kama.

It was Ate Shen who was calling. I stared at it for a while. Sumagi sa isip ko kaagad si Kuya. Ginapangan ako ng kaba. I had this bad feeling that every time Ate Shen would call, it would always be a bad news at home.

I nervously picked up the phone and answered the call.

"Jia..." may panginginig sa boses ni Ate Shen sa kabilang linya.

"Is something wrong? Si Kuya ba?" agap ko.

"I-It's Papa... He's in the emergency room. He had a heart attack."