The Night in Tierra Fima | Acuzar Empire Series 1 | COMPLETED

Kabanata 24

Kabanata 24

Happier

"Yes, Mr. De Silva. I'd like to apologize for the delay but I'll make sure to you that it will be sent to you today. Alright, thank you so much. Have a great day!" I uttered and ended the call.

"Akala ko ay pinakawalan ka na? Babalik pa rin kayo ro'n?" Yerim asked me at mataman akong tiningnan mula sa cubicle niya.

I finally click the 'save' button of the file before I look at her.

"Ria wants to stay here for good but I'm still not sure," kaswal na sagot ko sa kaniya at bumaling nang muli sa screen ng computer.

"And why is that? Kung gusto rito ng inaanak ko, bakit hindi mo pagbigyan?" dinig kong tanong niyang muli, ngunit hindi ko na iyon pinagtuunan ng pansin.

Inopen ko ang file na sinend sa'kin ni Sir Thompson na naglalaman ng details tungkol sa movie adaptation ng isinulat kong libro. I scanned it and suddenly notice one thing that made my forehead furrowed.

"What the hell." I whispered to myself while reading the name of the cast.

Bakit totoong pangalan namin ang narito? Kahapon ko lang 'to ginawa at siniguro kong hindi pangalan namin ang nakalagay sa details nito. Who changed this?!

"Rae!"

"W-what!" I shouted when I heard Yerim's scream.

Napatingin na ako sa kaniya na nakakunot na ang noo sa'kin. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay at parang naghihintay ng kung ano. Marahas akong bumuntong hininga saka tumayo.

"Hindi niya puwedeng makita ang..." I paused and look away from her.

"...anak niya. Yes, so what?" Yerim continued and walks towards me.

I can't even uttered his name nor my daughter's name beside his. Ni hindi ko maisip na magkikita sila isang araw dahil ayoko talagang mangyari 'yon. I know he's married. Jaxon told me everything when we were still in New York. That they are engaged! Hindi pa man ako siguradong kinasal na sila pero malakas ang kutob ko. I don't want to ruin someone else's marriage nang dahil lang sa may anak kami. Hindi iyon kakayanin ng konsensya ko.

"May asawa na 'yong tao. Limang taon na silang hindi nagkikita and Ria doesn't even think of asking me where is her father. Ayoko nang magkaroon pa ng koneksyon sa kaniya," I stated and left her there.

Napansin ko pa ang pagsunod niya kaya dumiretso ako sa pantry.

"And how can you be so sure that they haven't met yet?" she asked that made me stop from walking for a second.

Bigla kong naalala ang sinabi sa'kin ng anak ko noong nakaraang gabi. Someone named Emmanuel gave her a hairpin. I want to convince myself that he's not the one Ria saw but I'm losing every time the other thing she said—that they have the same eye color. Damn it.

"Listen, Rae. What if one day, Ria asks where her daddy is? Anong isasagot mo? Don't tell me, si Jaxon ang ipapakilala—"

"Ms. Kim and Mrs..." Someone interrupted us from talking.

Sabay kaming napalingon ni Yerim sa kung sino man iyon at halos lumuwa ang mga mata ko nang makita ko siya kasama si Ma'am Rochelle at Sir Benedict. Naka white itong long sleeve polo na nakatupi hanggang siko at nakabukas na naman ang dalawang butones niyang 'yon. He's also wearing black slacks and a black leather formal shoes. Malinis na rin ang gupit nito gaya noon, hindi katulad no'ng una ko siyang nakita sa bar. As if I'm staring at the old him pero maraming nagbago. Mas lalong naging bato ang katawan nito at pakiramdam ko ay mas lalo siyang gumwapo. What the fuck are you saying, Rae?