Kabanata 8

Double update this weekend! Hindi ko kinakaya eh. Haha. Yung pagmamahal ko sa Montecarlo... hays. I hope you'll love this story as much as you love the two previous stories under Branding Series! You may comment down your thoughts about this chapter or the story.

Happy reading, enjoy! ❤️

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ENEMY'S PROPERTY
Kabanata 8
''Guilt''

''Are you that bored in your life?'' I couldn't help not to ask when Carlos ordered a few more snacks, and literally stayed with us. Abala siya kay Eli. Kahit ang kapeng kanyang binili ay hindi niya pa nagagalaw.

I blinked for a few times when he turned to me, flashing a smile.

''Yeah, before. But when I found you, not anymore.'' he admitted shamelessly.

I shook my head instantly. What a lousy line.

Nilingon ko na lamang ang kabilang dako. If he wanted to take care and play with my brother, bahala siya sa buhay niya. I sipped on my tropical drink as I watched the people and cars passing by.

Naramdaman ko nga lang ulit ang marahan niyang paghawi sa buhok ko kaya muli kong naibaling ang tingin. Pinagmasdan ko ang mga namumungay niyang mata habang nakatitig sa'kin.

''You always look beautiful, but you're beyond glowing today.''

I rolled my eyes. ''Your mouth seems flowery. Hindi mo ako madadala sa ganyan.''

''What?'' Halakhak niya. ''I'm not flattering you. I'm telling you. You are beautiful, Anya. And that's a fact. Truthfully, I have never seen anyone as beautiful as you.''

I almost choked on my own saliva. Ramdam na ramdam ko ang pag-init at pamumula ng buong mukha. My face has always been bare, aside from the sunscreen I always use, so how could he say that?

I glared at him, to hide both my embarrassment and annoyance. Marahan naman siyang nakangiti at hindi naman mukhang nanunukso... pero ewan ko ba. I can't just seem to believe that, nor anything that comes out of his mouth.

''Ano ba talagang gusto mo sa'kin, Lorenzo? Why do you keep on following me like a dog?''

Mas lalo siyang tumawa, tila nainsulto sa huling sinabi ko, pero natatawa pa rin. He even glared at me but his eyes still softened.

''I'm not interested in your family, you know.'' I added it so he would realize it, too.

''You don't have to.'' he said, tilting his head a bit to the side. ''You just have to be interested in me, Anya.''

Nagsasalita pa sana ako kaso nakita ko rin ang pagngiwi niya nang medyo may kalakasan ang paghila ni Eli sa kanyang buhok. Nataranta ako at agad na hinawakan ang kamay ni Eli para mailayo. My brother looked at me innocently.

''Eli, no po.'' I told him with my firm voice. But I made it a bit gentle when I explained it to him. ''We don't pull people's hair, okay? Mimi told you, it might hurt the other person. So we need to be gentle with our hands, hmm?''

He nodded his little head.

Hindi ko nga alam kung naintindihan niya nga ang lahat ng iyon pero malambing niyang dinantay ang ulo sa dibdib ni Carlos tila ba humihingi ng tawad. Ganyan siya kapag naglalambing. Even his hands were opening and closing, while rested in Carlos' chest as well.

God, he looks so adorable! Ngiting-ngiti ako dahil natutuwa sa kapatid. Napawi nga lang lang mapansin ang mabigat na paninitig ni Carlos.

Tumikhim na lamang ako at inayos ang buhok ni Eli. I glanced at him a few times though while doing that. Pero talagang hindi niya inaalis ang malambot niyang titig sa'kin. He has been staring at me for a while now.

Why is he even staring at me like that? This man has totally lost his mind!

I frowned when I noticed the clothes he was wearing, it's a white crisp long sleeve polo. Napatingin ako sa damit ko, I'm wearing something white, too. Eli's clothes... I paired it with mine when I clothed him before we left the house. I realized the theme of our clothes... tapos may hawak pang bata si Carlos, na inaayos ko ang buhok. Muli tuloy akong napalingon sa paligid. If people see us... they'll think we are... a family.

Oh, heaven.

I sighed heavily, bothered with that thought, and bothered with Carlos shameless staring.

My eyes lifted up to him, and I did not hesitate to ask; ''Do you like me, Lorenzo?''

He smirked at my confidence in asking him directly but his eyes remained tender. Nanatili ang matapang kong tingin.

''What's there not to like about you?'' marahan niyang bulong tila ba hinehele ako. ''I don't see any part of you that's unlikeable.''

Tumuwid ako sa pagkakaupo. His soft voice sent shivers to my spine and somehow I didn't like the feeling of it. It's a bit unusual and new to me.

''Y-you just like my face.'' I tried to be more confident but somehow failed.

''At first,'' he chuckled languidly. ''But not anymore... I mean, it's just the second thing I like about you now.''

Tumaas ang kilay ko. ''And what's the first thing?''

''I'll tell you if you agree to my offer.''

I snorted. ''Not interested.''

He chuckled more at that.

I scowled at him. At mas lalo lamang sumama ang ekspresyon sa aking mukha nang suklayin niya ang aking buhok gamit ang kanyang mga daliri. He's languidly fixing my hair, too. Like what I did to Eli.

Sobrang lapit na nga ng upuan namin hindi pa nakontento at talagang inaabot pa ako!

''This may all seem like a rush to you because even I, feels like it is. And I'm sorry about that. I just feel like I can't let this opportunity pass or you'll slip away from my hands forever. But please don't feel overwhelmed or pressured.'' he said, his voice sounding soft and sincere. ''I don't mind if it takes you months or years before you finally decide. But all I'm asking right now is a chance. A chance to get to know you more. A chance to prove myself, Anya.''

Unti-unting umawang ang labi ko.

''I've never been this serious in my life before.'' he trailed off, finding me eyes before he continued. ''I'm also willing to take you and Elias. I'll make him legally mine, and help you, in every possible way and everything I can, in raising him. I'm serious about this too. But of course, the decision is still yours, Anya. I'm just telling you that you don't have to worry about anything. I know how important your son is to you, so he is important to me too. If someday, you'll also give me a chance to have a role in his life, that would be so meaningful to me.''

Hindi ko alam kung bakit mas lalong nanikip ang dibdib ko nang marinig iyon. Maybe it's the guilt I'm feeling.

Or maybe it's about him, a man who is seriously willing to take a woman with a child without judgement, anger, indifference to the child, or anything. I find it very heartwarming. Sa dami ng lalaki na tumakbo sa responsibilidad nila... may mga lalaki pa ring kayang umako ng responsilibidad na iyon nang walang pag-aalinlangan sa kung ano pa man. To accept a child as his own, to love a child as much as he loves the woman. Isn't it touching and moving?

Carlos Lorenzo doesn't even look friendly. He looked harsh, dominant, territorial, and a very self centered man. That's why it's hard to believe all of this, that he has a side like this. But he looked so sincere. He doesn't look boastful nor arrogant. He looks so genuine in telling me these things.

I bit my lip hard, feeling more guilty than I already am. I am beyond guilty that I can feel tears forming in my eyes.

''I am not who you think I am, Lorenzo...''

''Hmm?''

''Aren't you... mad at the De Leons?''

Huminto ang kamay niya sa pagsuklay ng aking buhok. His eyes averted from me to Elias, who is now sleeping on his arms. Bumalik ang mga mata niya sa'kin, hindi galit o ano ngunit walang emosyon.

''Is Elias father a De Leon?''

That question struck me like lightning. I was lost beyond words. Guilt and other negative emotions crept on me like wildfire.

But before I could open my mouth to say something, I saw my cousin nearing. Mas nanlaki ang mga mata ko at agad na napatayo sa gulat.

''What the hell is happening here?'' Jakob's asked with his usual dangerous voice.

''J-jakob!''

Hindi ko alam kung mas kanino kinakabahan. In the fact that my cousin saw me with a Montecarlo, or with Carlos, who slowly stood up from his seat too, mirroring the same dangerous aura of my cousin.

''Why are you holding, Elias?'' si Jakob, na agad kinuha ang kapatid ko. His movements weren't even gentle. But thank goodness Carlos's hands were gentle enough to assist my brother in any way, while he was giving him to Jakob.

''Be careful with the child.'' he sneered at Jakob.

Mas mariin akong napakagat sa labi. Pakiramdam ko biglang sumakit ang ulo ko sa tunay na nangayayari.

''Is this the man, Anya?'' kalmadong ngunit mariing bulong ni Carlos sa sa'kin tabi. ''Is he the father of Elias?''

Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ni Jakob sa'kin, kay Carlos, at kay Elias na hawak na niya, tulog pa rin. Wala pang ilang segundo tila nalaman na niya kung anong meron. A mischievous smile appeared on his lips, like he caught something interesting.

Oh, no!

''Umuwi na tayo, Jakob.'' sabi ko at nagmamadaling hinagilap ang mga gamit.

''Anya...'' si Carlos.

I shook my head at him dismissively. Halos makulong ako sa kinatatayuan dahil nandyan siya sa dadaanan ko. I touched his arm to push him gently, he eventually gave me some space. Ilang hakbang ko palang, si Jakob naman ang humawak sa siko ko.

''I just left you for some time you are already on a date with other man, Anya?'' nanunuyang tawa ng aking pinsan. ''I don't like this. Iuuwi na kita sa bahay natin!''

I discreetly stepped on his foot but it seems like he won't just stop. Mas napansin kong nandilim ang mukha ni Carlos. He suddenly looked livid.

Pinilit kong hilahin si Jakob doon pero hindi siya nagpapatinag! He even stepped closer to Carlos, like he is declaring a war! I already feel like fainting.

''Wala kang maangkin sa mga De Leon, Carlos Lorenzo. We won't tolerate a Montecarlo coveting something from us again. Not a part of our land, not a property of ours, and definitely not our women.'' Jakob smirked arrogantly. ''What's ours is ours. And Anya, she may be a Fuentes, but she is ours. So back off.''

I glanced back inside of the Cafe. Carlos was there where we left him. He did not move an inch but his wrathful eyes followed us. Galit ang mga mata niya habang pinagmamasdan ako. Pero mukhang hindi galit para sa'kin kung hindi para kay Jakob.

I looked at him apologetically before getting inside of the car.

''Hindi mo dapat iyon sinabi, Jakob. He'd misunderstand things!'' I told him when we were already home.

''The hell I care about what that man thinks?'' aniya at binigay si Eli sa nanny na nagaabang sa amin. ''And besides, I didn't imply anything. It's true that you are a woman from our family. Did he not know about that? Well then, he's fucked up.''

Hinampas ko siya. Naghalo-halo na ang nararamdaman ko. His laughter only added to my annoyance and intense guilt.

''Right, he probably didn't knew anything. He wouldn't assume I'm Elias father if he really knew the truth.'' paliwanag niya habang tumatawa pa rin. ''And it looks like you did not tell him as well. And you made him believe you are Elias' mother-''

''I did not make him believe!'' agap ko, pero tila ba mas pinapaniwala ang sarili. ''H-he assumed things. I-I did not make him believe anything...''

He shrugged. ''He wouldn't assume if you made it clear.''

Natahimik ako dahil tama siya.

''Hmm, Anya, what have you done? You are indeed a true De Leon, cunning and devious.'' he whispered in a lingering voice, showing me a more playful smirk. ''Just be careful, and the things you have done might bite you back.''

I was left there dumbfounded as Jakob walked away. He did not even ask why I am with a Montecarlo. He did not ask if I know him. He did not ask anything. But seeing that scene a while ago, I'm sure he caught something... not from me but from Carlos Lorenzo.

Jakob's the type of person who likes playing. A dangerous or mischievous play with people, especially when he knows he has the upper hand. Everything amuses him, especially secrets and information he only knew. And he always uses them to his advantage.

Halos hindi ako makatulog sa pag-iisip ng mga mangyayari. I feel so anxious. I feel bad. I feel like I lied to him. I feel like I betrayed him, especially after all those things he said to me. But then, I hope in some way, Carlos will stop now. He assumed things, I did not clarify, and somehow Jakob added to that fire.

I don't think I'll be able to face Carlos anymore. He'll probably get mad... so mad that I can't imagine his wrath. But at least he'll realize that I am someone who is untouchable for him, right?

Lalo na't sinabi niya rin naman sa'kin noon na ayaw niyang magkasala. I remember it now! The sin he was probably talking about... I remember that it's been a talk in the family about how Isaac Montecarlo coveted my great-grandfather's first wife, Eliana Maridette.

Carlos told me he didn't want to do something like that, not just because it's a sin, but because he probably doesn't want to associate himself with the De Leons, their rival enemy!

Pero hindi ko nga lang talaga sigurado kung sobrang tapang lang talaga ng mga Montecarlo, especially Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo, who only not tried to pursue me, but stepped inside the mansion of the De Leons!

I feel like fainting when I saw him! Si Carlos! Sa loob ng pamamahay namin! Nakaupo sa hapag kainan! Heaven, what is happening?!

''Oh, my dear Georgianna. What time is it already...'' si Mama na umiling sa'kin.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa suot. I'm still wearing my cream silk pajamas. Hindi ako nakatulog nang maayos kagabi kaya tinanghali na ng gising. Pero sana pala mas hapon pa akong nagising! I can't believe I would see myself and be here on this tight spot.

''Georgianna...''

A man mumbled my name. My heart beat raced when I realized it was Carlos! Halos matulos ako sa kinatatayuan ko. His ruthless eyes darted at me that it almost made me flinched. He looked so mad and taunting... kitang-kita ko. Halos mangilabot ako sa tinging iyon dahil hindi ganoon ang paraan ng tingin niya sa'kin noon.

''Come, Georgianna, and join us in the table.'' tawag ni Mama.

Gusto kong umatras, umiling, at tumakbo na lamang papaakyat. Pero namataan ko rin ang tinging ipinupukol ni Lolo. Even with a trembling body, I walked towards my mother and sat beside her.

Agad na may naglatag ng mga kinakailangan ko kahit kaya ko naman sana. But I seem to be frozen in my spot. Hindi pa nakatutulong na kaharap ko si Carlos. Kabadong-kabado ako at literal na nanginginig ang kamay ko.

''Who is the beautiful maiden here, Catteleya?'' an old woman asked. ''Aba't tila bumaba ang isang anghel mula sa kalangitan.''

Nasulyapan ko ito. Mukhang kaedad ni Lolo. But even with her age, she still looked very graceful. Makikita mo rin na sobrang ganda niya noong kabataan dahil hanggang ngayon ay namumutawi pa rin iyon.

''Oh, Senyora. This is my daughter, Georgianna Eleanor.'' pakilala ni Mama, marahang tumatawa.

Agad kaming nagkatinginan ni Carlos. Mabilis kong naibaba ang tingin sa plato nang hindi kinaya ang kanyang tingin. His jaw was clenching hard and he looked so betrayed and furious.

''Georgianna, this is Senyora Amanda Montecarlo, the matriarch of their family.'' I heard my mother say, she even pinched my legs when I did not react right away nor lift my eyes. Napaayos ako ng upo. ''And her grandson, Carlos Lorenzo Montecarlo.''

Tumikhim ako. ''G-good morning po.''

I smiled a bit even though my whole inside is rumbling right now. Pagkatapos kong bumati ay muli kong ibinaba ang tingin.

What the hell am I doing here?! The guilt and nervousness I'm feeling only intensified as minutes passed.

This is what Jakob said... everything will definitely bite me back!

         
#ENEMYSPROPERTY