RS Stories Inc.

04/10/2025

Riley's POV

Preface


I turn the k**b to open his office door, and there I saw Liam. He was with someone. Not with his girlfriend but someone else this time. The two looks like they just made up as they now fixing their clothes. The woman whose hair is straight and long is obviously not Lovella, but Ivy.

My jaw tightened, and my blood rose. My hand rolled into a fist as I tried to calm myself.

I don't want to think that it is what I was thinking. I didn't see them doing something, but my gut is telling me that my best friend is cheating.

Damn him.

"Oh, Riley? What's up? How long have you been standing there?" Liam rattled in a surprise when he saw me. The two jump off their seat and their body separates like they've done something that's not meant to happen.

"This is Ivy. Kilala mo na siya 'di ba?" Liam flustered. "That's Riley there, Ivy, my bestfriend," pagpakilala niya sa akin.

"Riley, hi! How are you? Sige, sa susunod ulit, Liam. Salamat sa payo mo." She rattles and then quickly exits the room.

I gritted my teeth as my eyes followed her out.

"I was helping her with something," Riley explained.

"I didn't ask." I walked past him, heading toward the window to check. I can feel Liam's tension, and his eyes bore behind me.

I saw Ivy getting out of this building. She paused and looked up here. Our eyes met, and she quickly looked away. Bumilis lalo ang hakbang niya patungo sa staff area sa baba. Walang ibang sa paligid dahil hindi pa naman lunch break.

Ivy just recently started working here. I know her, of course. She's a good friend of Lovella.

"Kumain ka na ba? I can't join you for lunch, bro. I promise Lovella to have lunch together."

"Okay."

"Pero kung gusto mo, pwede ka naman - "

"I'm alright, Liam. Just go. She's probably waiting for you."

"Okay... are you gonna be alright here?"

I whirled my body back to see him, and his eyes went back to where his table was.

"Yeah, I'm good. I will do the remaining program for your company, and then I will go."

"Okay...sige. I'll see you later then, bro!" Itinaas niya ang k**ay at saka lumabas na sa opisina niya.

My jaw tightened as he exited his office. I could only look at his table. My feet don't even want to step closer to it.

I sighed. I hope he's not cheating at Lovella, because if he is, he will get more than a beating from me.

I came here on purpose. I was at the canteen earlier and saw Lovella waiting for him. I sat further away from her and watched her from a distance. I always feel jealous of Liam. He always got the attention I wanted from the woman I liked.

What a lucky bastard.

"Riley, ayaw mo ba talagang sumama sa grand opening ng kompanya? Papa wants you there. Ano ba kasi ang pinagkakaabalahan mo? Babae na naman ba? Sino ba kasi iyan? Ba't hindi mo pa pinapakilala kina Mama at Papa!"

I sighed as I walked past my sweet, young sister, Cindy. She's too noisy, constantly checking what I was up to. She's like a dog who sniffs into my business.

When she was young, I adored her so much. She was cute back then, but now? Annoying.

"Don't tell me there was no one and you're just imagining Megan again? My God, kuya! Can we move on? Ang tagal na kaya."

"Remember Lily? Kilala mo si Lily 'di ba? Sikat siyang modelo at mabait. Type ka niya, kuya!"

At talagang hindi siya hihinto hangga't hindi ako napapayag sa gusto niya.

"Kuya, are you listening? I said, what about Lily?" She's now in front of me. She crossed her arms and pouted.

I paused and looked at her dearly.

"I'm busy, Cindy..."

"Busy saan, Kuya? Sa resort mo sa Bataan? Eh, nasa kabilang banda iyon! May mga tauhan ka naman roon. Rinig ko kay Russel ay maraming guest, pero kaya naman nila ang lahat."

"Please meet Lily tonight, Kuya. I told her that I will take you with me tomorrow." The expression on her face changes. She looks like a cute puppy now, trying to lure me to her den.

I chuckled slightly. "Alam ba ni Mama at Papa ito?"

I know that she wants to become a model. She's still young, and she should be concentrating on her studies, but that's not the case now. She's eager to become a model.

"Is she promising you a gig?" My jaw tightened.

"Uhm..." She paused, stammering eyes.

I knew it.

"Okay. I will accompany you tonight."

"Yes! Thank you, Kuya!"

Cindy was spot on time, waiting for me outside the mansion. Wala sina Mama at Papa ngayon dahil nasa Italya pa sila. Sa susunod na linggo ang balik nila. Pinaghahandaan ang grand opening ng panibagon branch ng C&Co sa Central.

Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang branches na meron ang C&Co. Si Papa at si Jarrod ang namamahala into. Iba naman ang linya ni Mama. Siya ang namamahala sa paaralan na pinamana ng ina ni Papa sa kanya.

My father wants me to learn the business and manage the branch in Cebu. We have three branches in different areas in Cebu, but my brother Jarrod manages most of them. He also manages the branches in Manila.

I have no interest at the moment. Although I know how the company works as I studied it back then. Iyon nga lang mas naging interesado ako na gumawa ng sarili ko, at nahiligan ko ang hotel resort.

"Salamat, Kuya." She fastened her seatbelt and looked happy beside me. I started the ignition.

"You look so decent, Kuya. Ang gwapo mo talaga!"

I sweetly smirked. Cindy knows how to get me. She's my baby.

"Let's make things clear, Cindy. I'm against you doing modeling while you are studying. You can't trust those people who promise you something. They have other motives. You should do your research first before engaging in things," I explained nicely.

"I know, Kuya. Kaya gusto ko na kasama ka. Mabait naman sila, Kuya."

I shook my head. "I'm not sure about that. I will check how legitimate they are, Cindy. I'm your manager from now on, and you can't do business without me."

"Kuya naman eh!"

"Take me or leave me. It's all up to you. Hindi ka rin naman papayagan nina Mama at Papa."

Tumahimik siya. Napabuntong hininga.

"Okay..." she pouted, and I smiled a little bit.

I watch my sister carefully as she entered the area first. I was just behind her, a few feet away from her. My eyes surveyed the place and the people around it.

May iilang kilalang mga tao sa paligid, at halos lahat sa kanila ay nasa politika. I walked casually as I followed Cindy. She knows that I don't like this type of place. I hate the social life and the people around it. Napansin ko agad ang iilang reporters sa gilid. Siguro ako na nag aabang sila ng eksena na ibabalita mamaya.

"Lily!"

"Oh, Cindy!"

My eyes darted at them. Lily looks at me and smiled. I nodded a little. Bumulong siya kay Cindy habang nakatingin sa akin. Siguro pinakita na ni Cindy ang litrato ko sa kanya dahil agad niya akong nakilala. Tumalikod akong saglit at tinitigan ang mga tao sa paligid, at saka naglakad palayo sa kapatid ko.

I stopped when I found a spot to watch her from this far.

"Did you see him? He's very handsome."

"Sino?"

"Ang kapatid ni Cindy Mondragon. Ang kuya niya!"

"Si Jarrod ba?"

I gritted my teeth and my ears heated when I heard Jarrod name. I slowly look at where the voices are coming, and my heart pounded the heavest when I saw her. . . It was Lovella! She's with her circle of friends.

"No. It's not Jarrod. May isa pang kapatid si Cindy at mailap siya sa medya. Hindi nga nagpapakilala, at palaging wala sa mga events ng C&Co."

"Talaga? May kapatid pa pala siya? Sino? What's his name?" Lovella asked.

Damn it. I need to get out of here.

"Hindi ko kilala eh. Pero Kasama niya raw ngayon. Nakita ni Lily sa labas. Lily was sneaking, you know. She had her plans. She wants the brother I guess. Huh, ibang klase!"

Iniwas ko agad ang mukha ko nang mapatingin si Lovella sa banda ko. I panic and started walking away from them. I pulled my cell phone out and ring Cindy.

"Kuya! Where are you? I wan you to - "

"Get out, Cindy. Now!"

"H-Ha?"

"Get out now! I've found a way for your dream, Cindy. I'll count to ten. If you're not out by then, then forget about Paris."

"Oh my...I'm coming, Kuya!"

Pinatay ko agad ang tawag at saka mabilis ang hakbang ko patungo sa parking lot. I need to call Papa and negotiate something for this. I can't let Cindy blow my cover. I will send her to go to Paris. That's her dream anyway, and I will make it happen for her.

…

"Magugustuhan niya kaya ito?" Ipinakita ko kay Theresa ang nabili kong relo para kay Liam. Medyo may k**ahalan ito. Anim na buwan kong sweldo. Hindi ko na inisip ang presyo dahil deserve naman niya.

"Ang mahal niyan, Lovella. Installment ba?" Napangiwi siyang konti.

"Hindi naman problema sa akin ang pera, Theresa, dahil para naman kay Liam ito." Ibinalik ko na ito sa loob ng mamahaling box.

Ngayong Linggo ang kaarawan ni Liam, pero balak kung ibigay ito sa kanya mamaya. Alam kong nakabalik na siya mula sa out of town niya sa Palawan kagabi. Hindi man niya sinabi ito sa akin nang tumawag ako kaninang umaga ay nalaman ko naman ito kay Bimbo, ang assistant niya.

May company project siya roon sa Palawan. May pinapatayo ang kompanya at siya ang naatasan na Chef ng proyekto. Isa siyang Civil Engineer at magaling sa larangan ng trabaho.

He has all the qualities I want in a husband. He's perfect, sweet, and family-oriented.

"Installment nga. . ." she concluded because I did not answer her.

"Hindi naman siguro pihikan si Liam sa mga gamit ano?" She looked at me in dissapointment, and I laughed a little.

"Iyan kasi ang napapala mo. Ba't ba ang mahal ng taste ng boyfriend mo!"

Napailing nalang ako at hinayaan na siya sa nakasanayan kong litanya sa akin.

Theresa is one of the few people in my life I trusted. I don't need so much friends. Nabibilang lang sa isang k**ay ko sa daliri ang mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan ko. Wala akong social group of friends dahil ayaw ko ng gulo. Pero gusto ko na pinag uusapan kahit papaano.

I know that many women are jealous of me because I have Liam. He's quite a head-turner. Many girls want to be with him, while others flaunt themselves in front of him even when I'm right there with him. But Liam is dedicated to me. I never feel insecure with him. He always makes sure that my needs are met. His parents, especially his mother, love me, and that solves everything.

Dalawang taon na kami ni Liam at may plano na kaming magpakasal sa susunod na taon. Wala pa namang proposal galing sa kanya, pero inaasahan ko na mangyayari ito bago ang kaarawan ko sa susunod na buwan.

"Hay naku! Hala, sige! Gumastos kayo ng malaki sa mga boyfriend ninyo! Marami naman kayong pera 'di ba? Sino ba ang mas mayaman sa inyong dalawa ni Liam, Lovella?" Bahagya siyang natawa.

"Syempre si Liam!" Natawa na akong lalo. Nakakaaliw naman kasi si Theresa tuwing pinapagalitan niya ako ng ganito.

I know she's concerned about me because of the expensive items I buy for Liam. Most of them are costly, and I can't afford to pay for them in cash right away. Kaya dinadaan ko lahat ito sa credit card. Maliit lang naman ang interest at on time naman ako sa bayad.

Inaayos ko ang iilang damit na dadalhin ko para mamaya. Dalawang pirasong jeans, limang t-shirts at iilang underwear at bra. May kasamang swimsuits at isang kahon na condom. Sekreto ko itong binalot sa damit ko para hindi makita ni Theresa.

I have been preparing for this and am excited about it. Liam and I will have a one-week getaway at the Sunshine Villa Resort in Bataan. This is my birthday gift to him.

It has been six months since we last engaged in s*x. I decided that we should stop doing it because I don't feel aroused when he kisses me.

Mahal ko naman siya. Pero pagdating sa s*xual na eskena na bigla-bigla na wala sa plano ay nawawalan ako ng gana..

The fire of excitement within me faded for an unknown reason. I know it is abnormal, and I shouldn't be feeling this way about him because I love him, but somehow it happens.

My doctor told me that perhaps I lost the spark because we used to do it frequently. He advised me to take some time to regenerate. I was prescribed healthy pills for this.

Natatakot ako na baka hindi ko na mabigyan ng anak si Liam pagdating ng panahon na gusto na niya, kaya may iniinom ako.

"Have fun, okay? Balitaan mo na lang ako sa escapade ninyo!" Kinuha niya agad ang dalawang box ng dunots at saka nag martsa palabas ng condo ko. Sumunod ako na natatawa sa ugali niyang ganito.

"I will see you next week, Tere... I love you, BFFL!" Flying kiss ko nang makalabas na siya.

"Che! Nilalambing mo lang naman ako dahil kailagan mo ako. Oo na! Ako na ang bahala kay Kitty. Babalik ako mamayang gabi." Tumalikod na siya at itinaas lang ang kanang k**ay sa ere.

"Salamat, Tere! Bongga ang pasalubong mo pagkabalik ko!"

"Dapat lang!"

Hindi ko muna inalis ang mga mata ko kay Theresa, hanggang sa pumasok na siya sa loob ng elevator at nawala na. Ramdam ko agad si Kitty sa paanan ko. Naglalambing. Mukhang nararamdaman niya yata na aalis ako at iiwanan siya.

"Kitty, baby... be a good girl to Tita Tere, okay? Sa kanya ka muna ng isang linggo. Marami akong treats na binili para sa 'yo." Sabay halik ko sa noo ng pusa ko.

ALAS syete na. Hinintay ko ang tawag ni Liam, pero wala akong natangap ngayon mula sa kanya. Ang huling mensahi niya ay kaninang alas kwatro at nasa trabaho pa raw siya. May tinatapos siyang design at tatawagan niya raw ako pagkalabas niya sa opisina.

Nasa labas na ang maleta ko. Maliit lang naman ito. Nag-send na ako ng mensahi kay Theresa. Nasa cat cage na si Kitty at nakahanda na ang lahat ng gamit niya. Okay na ang lahat at handa na akong puntahan si Liam sa condominium niya.

"Kanina pa siya nag out, Lovella," tugon ni Bimbo. Siya ang kausap ko ngayon sa kabilang linya.

"Ah, ganun ba. Salamat..." Pinatay ko agad ang tawag at saka nagtagpo ang kilay ko nang matitigan ang huling mensahi galing kay Liam.

He did not call me yet, he was out two hours already? Ano ba ang ginagawa niya? Siguro tinatapos ang project sa condo or baka may inihahanda pa ra sa akin?

My goodness! Na-e-excite tuloy ako.

Nasa taxi na ako. Kabado sa sorpresa na gagawin ko sa kanya. Isang linggo ito, at sa isang linggo na iyon ay alam ko na maraming mangyayari sa amin. Hindi na ako makapaghintay. Ito na yata ang magarbong regalo ko sa birthday niya.

"Salamat, Manong."

Tumingala ako. Mataas ng gusaling ito. Isa sa pinak**ahal na condo residence ng syudad. Huminga ako nang malalim bago naglakad papasok sa loob. Nakilala agad ako ni Manong guard at malawak akong ngumiti.

"Manong! May dunots ako para sa 'yo."

Isang box na dunots ito. Nilaan ko talaga para sa kanya. Tuwing bumibisita ako sa condo ni Liam ay binibigyan ko si Manong ng pang snacks niya. Sa ganitong paraan ay alam ko na binabantayan ni Manong ang condo ni Liam.

"Ma'am Lovella..." Nawala ang ngiti ni Manong at napalunok siya.

"Nakabalik na si Liam 'di ba?"

"P-Po? Oo, Ma'am... p-pero..." Nangarag si Manong at natawa ko.

"Aakyat na ako, Manong. May sorpresa ako sa kanya." Sabay kindat ko. Napako agad ang tingin ni Manong sa maleta na hawak ko ngayon.

"Sige, Manong. Bye! Enjoy your donuts!"

Mabilis kong inayos ang sarili habang nakatingin sa numero ng elevator. Inamoy ko pa ang sarili at dikit pa rin ang perfume sa damit ko ngayon. Bigay ni Ivy ang perfume na ito galing Paris. Type na type ni Liam ang amoy nito, kaya ito ang ginagamit ko madalas.

Napangiti ako. Kabado na naman nang matitigan ko ang pinto ng condo niya. I know Liam's keycode. Madalas naman ako sa condo niya at bukas na kami sa mga bagay na ganito.

The door unlocked and opened. I stepped inside, surprised that it was dark when I entered.

Siguro nasa labas siya?

Okay lang. Maghahanda na lang ako para sa kanya. May dala rin naman akong paborito niyang pagkain. I'll heat this up and make something.

I turn on the lounge lights and surprised to see women's clothes scattered on the floor. My eyebrows knit together as my eyes follow the trail. Instantly, my heart races.

It leads down the hallway directly to his bedroom. The door was ajar, and my body felt numb as I walked closer to check inside.

All I could hear was their moaning and the slapping sounds of their skin. My mouth fell when I saw Liam on top of her, thrusting and grunting while she was calling her name.

Pamilyar sa akin ang boses ng babae, hanggang sa tumama ang liwanag ng ilaw sa mukha niya... si Ivy.

The shock on their faces when they saw me was evident. Liam's hooded eyes were cast on me, while Ivy's head was facing up as her or**sm shattered my heart.

"What the hell?"

Ito agad ang nabigkas ko nang mabuksan ko ang ilaw sa kwarto niya. Nataranta silang pareho at mabilis na kumalas si Liam mula kay Ivy.

"Lovella?" On his heavy breathing. He instantly grabbed the robe and put it around him.

Pumatak ang luha ko habang nakatitig kay Ivy ngayon. Binalot niya ang sarili sa kumot at tinakpan ang mukha.

"Walanghiya ka!" Hahakbang na sana ako para sabunutan si Ivy, pero mabilis akong nikayap ni Liam.

"F**k you! Let me go!" Nagpumiglas ko. Umiiyak ako, at balot ng galit ang puso ko. Ilang suntok sa dibdib ang ginawa ko sa kanya, pero dahil malaki at matigas ang katawan ni Liam, ay naging madali lang sa kanya na buhatin ang katawan ko palabas ng kwarto.

"Ibaba mo ako! Hayop ka! Manloloko!" Padyak ng paa ko. Panay ang ginawa kong pag-suntok sa likod niya.

"Ang bastos n'yo! Mga walanghiya kayo!" I screamed, cried, and my chest is hurting. Ibinaba niya rin ako malapit sa pinto.

"Walanghiya ka!" Malakas na sampal ko sa mukha niya. Hindi siya umimik, bagkos tinitigan ako ng mariin.

"L-Let's talk about this, Lovella... It's not what you think it is."

"Walanghiya ka talaga!"

Gusto kong sabunutan si Ivy. Siya ang ahas! Kaya pala madalas silang magkakasama ay may ginagawa na silang milagro! Ba't ba hindi ko ito naisip? Naging bulag ako at kampante sa pangako ni Liam. Nagtiwala ako, at heto ang napala ko.

"Magsama kayo sa imperyno, Liam! Magsama kayo!"

…

I have no direction when I step inside the taxi. Mukhang alam na agad ni Manong ang nangyari, dahil may taxi na agad na nakatambay sa labas.

Umiyak sa loob ng taxi na parang bata na inigawan ng candy. Masakit na masakit. Dalawang taon. Dalawang taon kami.

"Saan po tayo, Ma'am?" Nagtanong ulit si Manong driver. Hindi ko na mabilang kung pang ilan na tanong na niya ito. Hindi ko siya masagot, dahil hindi ko alam kung saan ako papunta ngayon.

Ayaw ko ng bumalik ng condo. Andoon na siguro si Theresa at ayaw ko na malaman niya ito. Wala ako sa sarili ngayon, at ang gusto ko lang mangyari ay mawala saglit.

Tumunog ang cell phone ko. . . si Liam na naman!

"Walanghiya!" Pinatay ko na ito at saka ini-off ang cell phone. Nilagay ko sa bag at saka nakapa ko ang maliit na box na regalo ko sana kay Liam. Ang relo niya.

"Mga walanghiya!" Panay hagulgol ko. Napabuntonghininga si Manong at nagpatuloy sa pagmamaneho. Napatingin ako sa labas, at napansin ko na nagpa ikot ikot lang pala siya sa syudad.

"Sa Pier, Manong."

Dapat ay bukas pa ito patungong Bataan, pero wala na ako sa sarili. Isang linggo ang leave of absence ko sa trabaho. Sayang naman kung pati ito ay e-kansela ko dahil lang kay Liam!

"Mga hayop! Manloloko!" Parang sirang gripo ang luha ko. Sumabay pa ang sipon ko.

"Tissue, Inday..." Inabot ni Manong ang tissue at tinangap ko na.

"Kung mapag uusapan pa ang problem, bakit hindi. Huwag padalos-dalos," sermon ni Manong.

"Wala na po akong babalikan, Manong. Wala na akong tiwala!" I blow my nose and dried my tears. My heart is aching so much.

"Binigay ko naman sa kanya ang lahat, Manong. Ba't pa siya naghanap ng iba? At ang masakit ay ang kaibigan ko pa!" Bumagsak ulit ang luha ko.

Napabuntonghininga si Manong. Hindi ko man natitigan ng maayos ang mukha niya ay alam ko na mabait siya. Siguro may anak rin siyang babae kagaya ko.

"Okay lang 'yan, Inday. Ganyan naman talaga ang buhay... kung hindi para sa 'yo ay sadyang hindi talaga kahit anong pilit mo. At isa pa, lalaki lang 'yan. Makakahanap ka pa ng iba na magmamahal sa 'yo ng totoo, anak."

Humagulgol akong lalo. Masakit ito pakingan, dahil kailanman ay hindi ko ito inisip na mangyayari sa akin.

I'm a romantic dreamer. I dream of having a perfect husband with a perfect family one day, and Liam was perfect for that role. Maramig akong manliligaw noon, at lahat sila ay inayawan ko. Siguro, karma ko na ito!

I want a successful boyfriend who got everything in life. Kahit na may nagustuhan din naman ako sa mga pobreng manliligaw ko noon, ay hindi ko na sila binigyan ng stansa. Ayaw kong maghirap! Gusto ko na marangya ang buhay. Gusto kong ipakita kina Mama at Papa ang buhay na gusto ko. . . ang buhay na hindi nila naibigay sa akin.

"Bwesit talaga," lihim akong napamura. Binuksan ko ang maliit na box at tinitigan kong maigi ang relo na dapat ay ibibigay ko kay Liam.

"Ipapasubasta ko na lang 'to, at ibabayad sa creditcard ko!"

Humagikhik si Manong. Napatingin siya sa relo at saka natawa.

"Gaano mo ba k**ahal at sobrang mahal pa ng relong inutang mo?"

Napanguso ako. "Eh, mahal naman po ako..." Ibinalik ko ito sa bag, at pinunasan ulit ang luha ko.

"Kung mahal ka ay hindi na dapat naghanap ng iba. Hayaan mo na. Maraming isda sa dagat, Inday. Bata ka pa."

Umiyak na akong lalo. Wala na akong pakialam kay Manong. Eh, mukhang naiintindihan niya naman ako.

Oo, maraming isda sa dagat, pero ayaw ko sa mga isda na 'yon! Pawang ordinaryong isda silang lahat! Ayaw ko! Gusto ko ng kakaibang isda, at alam ko na hindi sila basta-basta makukuha!

***

Riley's POV


I saw Lovella getting out of Liam's condominium building. She was crying while pulling her luggage. I stepped out of my car. I wanted to go to her, but right away, a taxi was waiting, and she hopped into it.

My jaw tightened as I looked at her. She was crying.

Damn him! What the hell did Liam do this time?

Tumingala ako sa palapag na kung nasaan ang unit ni Liam at hindi na ako nagdalawang isip. Sinundan ko ang taxi na sinasakyan ni Lovella.

It circled around a few times on the same street near the traffic light. I was about to take a different route to catch up with the driver of the car, but due to the light traffic ahead, I decided not to risk it.

At sa wakas ay wala na ito sa paikot-ikot na eskinita at mukhang papunta ng Pier.

Aalis siya? Where is she going and why?

I parked my car diagonally and hurriedly followed her. I saw her checking her things, scrambling to pull something from her bag. It was her ticket.

Damn, and how do I know her destination?

Sekreto akong nakasunod sa kanya, hanggang sa ticketing area. Mabuti na lang at walang nakapili sa bahagi na kung nasaan siya. Pumila agad ako. Nasa likod lang niya at kabado.

I can feel my heart in my throat as I stood behind her. She did not notice me.

"Miss, puwede ko ba itong palitan para ngayon gabi? Hindi pa naman umaalis ang barko. May dalawang oras pa 'di ba?"

She gave her ticket to the lady in charge, and the lady in charge checked it.

"Business class na lang ang natira, Ma'am."

"Okay. Kukunin ko." Nagbayad agad siya at mabilis ding umalis sa pwesto.

"Yes, Sir. How can I help you?"

"One business class, Miss. Same destination as hers," I said, pointing to Lovella ahead. The person in charge looked at Lovella and then back at me. I smiled sweetly.

"Okay, Sir. Gusto n'yo po ba na sa tabi niya lang? May isa pa pong bakante."

"Yes, please..." I gritted my teeth as my eyes followed Lovella. My brain is not working. I can't grasp the meaning of a clear decision now, as my heart is controlling everything.

Damn this. What the hell am I doing? Why the heck am I doing this?

"Where are you, Riley?" I inhaled deeply. Jarrod is in the line, calling me from Manila. Supposed to be tonight is my meeting to one of his investors. Nagkataon lang na nasa parehong lokasyon ito na kung nasaan ang gusali ng kondo ni Liam.

"I-I'm sorry, Jarrod. It was an emergency..." I sighed.

"What? The f**k, Riley? Get act together, bro!"

I shut my eyes, feeling disappointed in myself. Damn this.

"You're a f**king as***le, Riley! You know that Mr. Cheung is hard to please. The f**k will I do now?" He cursed again, hitting my damn nerves.

"Where are you? Where the f**k are you heading!?" Jarrod's voice slammed my ear drum.

"Simone saw you getting in and out of your vehicle at the area!"

I chuckled at my mistake and rolled my tongue inside my mouth. "I'm heading Bataan."

"F**k, yeah? And why is that? Akala ko ba pag aaralan mo na ang kompanya ni Papa? Ba't ka babalik sa lungga mo, Riley?"

I spun around to see the ocean. I'm feeling s**t already. Everything is so wild and twisted tonight, and I can't blame anyone but myself.

"I will get back to you tomorrow, Jarrod. I'm sorry again," I said, ending the call immediately. My shoulder slammed as I leaned against the railings. I cursed at my own mistake and laughed at the situation I was in.

Damn, wild heart. When am I going to stop this madness? I'm effing over it.

…

Kung nasusukat ang tubig na galing sa mga mata ko ay tiyak isang galon na ito. Mugto ang mga mata ko at wala akong gana na lumabas.

I was thankful that everything worked out well for me yesterday. While I was on the ferry, I called the hotel resort and made a quick change.

Medyo natagalan ako sa tawag dahil wala raw bakante ang resort. Kinausap pa nila ang may ari. Mabuti na lang at pumayag ang may ari at heto, nandito ako sa kwarto na hindi naman dapat sa akin. Bukas pa ako roon sa kwarto ko. Aayusin at lilinisin pa nila bago ako makalipat.

Tamad akong tumayo mula sa pagkakahiga at nagtungo sa likurang bahagi. Ang dagat lang ang makikita mo. May whirlpool bath rito sa gilid at may pool rin na yari sa dagat.

I honestly like this room because it is separate from the rest of the guests' hub. This one is situated in the middle, like a king. No one can see what will happen here during the day and night.

Lalaki siguro ang may ari nito, dahil sa desenyo. Kakaiba sa babae.

"I need to soak and wash away my pain..." I mumbled to myself.

Naghubad ako. Wala akong tinira sa sarili. Wala namang makakakita sa akin, at kung meron man ay wala akong pakialam!

I submerge my body in the warm water, and it soothes me immediately. I rest my head on the headrest, and the bubbles start to rise. My fingers play with them a little.

"I hate it!" I mumbled again as I shut my eyes.

Ini-imagine ko ang mukha ni Ivy na natatawa habang kasama si Liam. Hindi maalis sa isip ko ang ginawa nila. Kahit anong gawin ko, ay hindi ko maburo ang ginawa nila.

I need diversion. I want to forget their nakedness. I want to forget the picture of Liam thrusting hard inside her.

"Specialty ladies drink, Miss," tugon ko sa waitress.

Gabi na nang lumabas ako mula sa kwarto. Mahaba ang nilakad ko, dahil iba nga naman ito kumpara sa mga guests house na hindi kalayuan sa resto bar ng resort.

"Pulutan, Miss? Ayaw mo?"

"Peanuts will do."

Kinuha na ng waitress ang menu at nilingon ko saglit ang paligid. Walang masyadong tao sa bandang ito, dahil literal na pang isang tao lang naman. Halos lahat naman kasi ng mga guests ng resort ay mag asawa o mag jowa. Ako lang ang naiiba, at naiinis ako sa mga nakikita ko sa bawat gilid.

Couples are free to kiss and touch, while me? Huh, here, spending time alone because my jerk boyfriend cheated on me! And the worst part? I was with my friend!

Sana masunog silang dalawa!

Dumating ang order ko at ininom ko agad ito. Panay lang din ang subo ko ng mani at nang maubos ang inomin ay nag order pa ulit ako, hanggang naging anim na shots na ang naubos ko.

Tangina, nahihilo na ako! Hindi ko pala kaya.

Dinukot ko ang cell phone mula sa likod ng pantalon at saka ini-on ito. Isa-isang dumating ang mga notifications ko. At halos lahat ay notifications galing email. May dalawang mensahi mula kay Theresa, at binasa ko na. Picture ito ng pusa kong si Kitty. Mukha siyang masaya.

My heart squeezes because no missed calls or messages from Liam.

Huh, that jerk is heartless!

I scrolled my social media. Gusto kong e-unfriend si Ivy, pero nalula ako nang makita ang bagong post niya. . . Ang likod ni Liam ito at may caption pa. . . 'the man that completes me.'

"What a...bitch!" I laughed while crying without tears.

"Kailan ba hihinto ito. Ayaw ko na!"

I unfriend Ivy and unfollowed her. I deactivate my social account and blocked Ivy. Gusto ko rin na e-block si Liam, dahil mukhang wala na yata siyang pakialam sa akin, pero bago ko ito gawin ay tinawagan ko muna siya.

Iba nga ang dala ng alak sa katawan ng tao. Nabibigyan tayo ng lakas at nawawala ang hiya natin sa sarili. Nagiging totoo tayo sa kung ano man ang gusto natin na mangyayari.

"Lovella, where are you?" si Liam. Nasa kabilang linya na!

"Lovella, let's talk... I didn't mean to - "

"Let's break up, Liam. . . We're done!" I bit my lower lip hard as it could be.

Kahit kailan ay hindi sumagi sa isip ko na bitawan siya. Mag pagkak**ali rin naman siyang mga nagawa at pinapatawad ko naman, pero iba na ito. Ibang pagkak**ali na ito na nagawa niya, at hindi ko na kayang magpatawad.

"Are you drunk?"

Natawa ako at tumingala. "Oo! At anong pakialam mo! Magsama kayong dalawa ni Ivy! Bagay kayo sa isa't-isa!" Agad ko rin pinatay ang tawag at natatawa ako sa sarili.

"Miss, isa pa!" saad ko sa bartender na babae. Napaubo ako at inabot ko ang tubig mula sa katabi. Ininom ko ito. Mainit na ang pakiramdam ko at lumulutang na konti ang isip ko.

"Sorry ah... papalitan ko ang tubig mo!" I said to the person seated next to me. I did not look at him, but I knew he was a male. He wasn't that close to me because the seating arrangement on this part was a meter away.

Tumunog ulit ang cell phone ko at tinitigan ko lang ito. Hindi ko sinagot. Dumating ang order ko, at naubos ko ito nang isang lagok lang.

"Isa pa ulit, Miss!" Ngisi ko sa kanya. Kumurap na siya, at tinitigan lang akong mariin.

"May kasama ka ba, Miss?"

I chuckled at that and shook my head.

"Solo ako, Miss. . . Solo flight to heaven." Humagikgik ako. Konti na lang at tiyak mababaliw na ako.

Tumunog ulit ang cell phone sa ikaapat na pagkakataon. Nagtagpo na ang kilay ko, at inis kong tinitigan ito. Si Liam ulit! Hindi ba siya nakakaintindi. Break na kami!

"Ano ba! Sabing break na tayo!" Napasigaw ako sa galit. "I can't forgive you, Liam! You can go to hell with her, and I don't bloody care!"

"Good. It's good to hear it straight from you, Lovella."

Namilog ang mga mat ako dahil boses ng babae ito. Hindi ito si Liam!

"Ivy?" I weakly asked, and my lips trembled. My damn world shattered again as it pierce inside my heart.

"S**t..." I ended the call and turned my cell phone off. Sa inis ko ay pinukpok ko ang cell phone sa counter. Matibay nga naman siguro ang Iphone ano? Buo pa eh.

"What are you doing?"

Ramdam ko na lumapit na sa akin ang lalaking katabi ko. Inihinto ko ito at nilingon siyang bahagya. Kumurap ako ng makailang bese habang nakatingala sa kanya.

"R-Riley?" My mouth fell, and my brows furrowed a little.

Napangiti ako na parang nakakita ako ng kakamping liwanag sa madilim na tunnel ko ngayon.

"Ikaw nga! Riley!" Tatayo sana ako para sana yakapin siya, pero bumagsak na ang katawan ko lupa.

…

Riley's POV

Sleep


"Give her what she wants. Put her in my villa hub," I instructed the resort manager. "And also, please don't let the employees know that I'm staying here, Ella."

"Yes, Sir. Masusunod po."

I licked my lips as I watched her hair dance in the wind. She's secretly crying, and it hurts me to see her like this.

Magkatabi nga naman ang kwarto namin sa business class ng barko at kasama na rito ang balcony. Kanina pa ako rito sa labas, at dapat sana ay papasok na ako sa loob. Pero nang lumabas siya, ay agad lang ako napaatras sa bandang gilid.

I watched her in silence like a creep. She did not notice me as she always does. My novelty as a man does not affect her, and I always feel invisible. It seems like I'm insignificant in her life.

I called Liam to check on him and Lovella, but he claimed everything was fine. I can tell he's lying. I heard Lovella clearly say that he's cheating.

Sa isang quarters ako tumuloy dahil nasa villa hub ko si Lovella pansamantala. My employees here have no idea what I look like in person. Only the manager, Ella, knows me. I saw her when I arrived and had a brief meeting with her.

The Sunshine Villa Resort is the product of my hard work. Ito ang kauna-unang negosyo ko na akin. Walang koneksyon ito sa negosyo ng mga magulang at kapatid ko.

The Sunshine Villa has one hundred villa huts. It offers all the amenities and sports activities for adventurous tourists. May sariling complex ang resort at pagamutan. May isang residence doctor at dalawang nurse. Malaki ang restaurant, at dalawa ang klase ng bar.

Binisita na ito noon nina Mama at Papa, at pareho silang namangha sa negosyo ko. Ang inakala nilang maliit na negosyo, ay naging tahanan na ng sari-saring turismo. At ang gustong mangyari ngayon ni Papa ay e-merge ito sa negosyo niya sa El Nido. Gusto niyang mas mapalawak ito at nang sa ganun ay ma-e-apply ang kategorya nito sa labas ng bansa.

I'm confident enough about that, and I know I can do that in the future.

"Sir. Naayos na po ang kwarto ni Miss Lovella Lopez."

"Okay... ako na ang bahala," I said to Ella. I already told her that Lovella is my friend.

I spent half the day following Lovella around. She only went out to check the other villas and stayed in my villa the entire night. She didn't come out for breakfast or touch anything inside my fridge.

May iilang inomin ako roon sa loob ng refrigerator at sandwiches. May pakete rin ng noodles kung gusto niyang magluto. Nakikita ko ito dahil may CCTv ang kwarto ko.

I can easily turn the CCTV on and off whenever I want. I use it solely for my protection, and besides, all of the villas around have their own security measures. I set them up for security reasons. I paid for a legitimate, expensive account to ensure the best services.

May mga rooving guard sa lugar. Marami, pero hindi lahat nakikita ng mga gwardiya ang mga nangyayari sa loob ng villa hut. Kaya kahit papaano ay meron ako nito para sa kapakanan ng mga bisita ng resort.

My eyebrows crossed as I looked at Lovella. Until now, she still had not noticed my presence around her.

Sadyang bulag ba siya o sanay na ang mga mata niya sa mukha ko na parang hangin na lang ako sa kanya.

Damn her. She always makes me feel so small. I'm a different person whenever I'm with her, and my words get tangled.

She always gives me a fluttering feeling that I hated for years, and I can't do anything about it. And no matter how much I push myself away from her, the opposite always happens.

"Ikaw nga, Riley! Riley!"

I swallowed hard, and she smiled widely. Excitedly, she stood up and was about to hug me. My arms instinctively opened, ready to catch her. But before I could hold her, she collapsed right in front of me.

"Aray ko..."

"Lovella? Damn it." Agad akong napaluhod at hinawakan siya. Her arms wrapped around mine as she laughed heartily.

"Am I drunk, Rile? Shocks!" She laughs again, much harder this time.

"I'm totally wasted..." She lifts her chin, and her eyes show real sadness.

"Damn..." I swore softly as I picked her up. She wrapped her arms around me and buried her face against my chest, crying.

"May kasama ka ba? Pasensya na. . ." She mumbled against my chest, burying her face in it. I feel her warmth, and it's turning me on.

I can't deny the heat Lovella gives me. My arousal and heart have a massive impact whenever she's near me, especially now that I'm holding her.

"Wala. Ako lang mag isa." Tiim bagang ko at humakbang na ako patungo sa villa hub.

She's not that heavy. I was right with my estimation of her weight. Ella, the manager looked at me and she nodded.

Pa-simple niyang binigay ang susi ng villa hub ko sa k**ay. The other employees around us looked on curiously. They didn't know me at all. All they knew was that I was a regular guest at the resort.

"Ready na po ang room niya, Sir." Ella whispered as she got closer and stood behind us. I kept walking slowly, making sure not to miss a step because I was carrying something precious.

"It's alright. I'll let her stay tonight at my hub tonight, Ella. Thank you."

Ella walked toward the office, while I followed the path leading to my Villa Hub. It's a long walk, and my arms were starting to feel weary from carrying her. I'm not an athlete, but I've managed to maintain my figure the way I want. I don't even go out to the gym like Liam, because I have one with me.

The sensor activated when I tapped my thumb, and the door opened. I entered inside and paused. Naglalaban ang isipan ko kung sa k**a ko ba siya ilalapag o sa sofa.

"Hmm... just put me wherever you want to put me down, Riley. . . I'm so sorry."

My heart sank as her voice grew weak. She drank more than enough tonight. Her knees wobbled, and I bet her head was spinning. I just hope she doesn't vomit.

Ibinaba ko siya sa k**a. Dito dapat siya.

"Thank you. . ." She spread her arms across the bed and looked at me.

"Which villa are you staying? Malayo ba sa villa na 'to?" She shut her eyes and then opened them again weakly.

I swallowed the sand in my throat, and my eyes came down to her thigh as she spread it, too. My member twitches against my pants.

"M-Malapit lang naman."

Kinuha ko na ang kumot at saka tinakpan ang bahaging ito sa kanya.

Natawa siya.

"You look so cute, Riley. Napaka-gentleman mo talaga."

Her captivating eyes ignited a spark within me. I cursed softly, dipping my head to manage the heat, inhaling deeply with my hands resting on my hips.

"Would you like to sleep here tonight, Riley? You can sleep with me."

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