Dahlia's Lover

CHAPTER 02

The Negotiation

"Kailan ninyo po siya nakilala?"

I was leaning against the door jamb watching Revaz Montague play with the children. He's smiling from ear to ear. He seems really enjoying what he is doing. Lumalabas ang magkabilang dimple niya sa cheeks at nawawala ang kaniyang mga mata kapag tumatawa. Sikat na sikat siya sa mga bata.

I looked at Mother Zara as she spoke.

"Matagal-tagal na rin, hija. Napapadalas rin kasi ang pagpunta niya rito. At sa bawat pagpunta niya, hindi siya dumarating nang walang dala. Kaya siguro nakuha niya kaagad ang puso ng mga bata."

I sighed. There are too many questions about bombing inside of my head. "Alam ninyo po ba ang rason kung bakit niya ginagawa ito? I mean- didn't he have a job? Why bother doing this all the time?"

Mother Zara laughed. Dahilan para matigilan ako.

"Mahal niya lang talaga ang mga bata, hija. Na-ikuwento niya sa amin noong minsan na may nakababatang kapatid siya na sa mga litrato niya lamang nakikita. Dahil lagi niya ngang inaasam na magkaroon ng kapatid... at nang malaman niya na mayroon pala siya talagang kapatid, hindi siya nagsayang ng oras na magpunta galing sa Korea hanggang dito sa Pilipinas. Iyon nga lang, hindi niya na ito naabutan." paliwanag ni Mother Zara.

"Bakit 'daw po?"

"Ang tanging sinabi niya lang ay dahil half-sibling lang sila noong kapatid nila na iyon, hija. At ayaw nang magulang ng bata na makilala ang kapatid niya dahil sa ganoong dahilan." she looked at Revaz pitifully. "Nakakapanlumo. Bakit kailangang ipagdamot ng magulang ang kalayaan ng anak nila? Karapatan naman ng bata na makita ang kapatid ngunit hindi nila pinagbigyan. Kahabag-habag."

I was in the parking lot when I saw Revaz Montague. He seems to be talking to someone since nakatapat sa tenga niya ang phone. Ngayon ko lang napansin na magkatapat ang kotse namin, naka-vertical iyon pareho. I continued walking towards my car but when I exactly opened the door, he called me by my name.

"Mrs. Dahlia Airelle Prescott...?"

Why does he have to say it too slowly? Binalewala ko ang pagdiin niya sa pangalan ko at tipid na ngiti siyang hinarap.

He's still holding his phone in his left hand. Awtomatikong sumilay ang matamis na ngiti sa labi niya. Just like how he smiles at those kids at the orphanage.

I bit my lower lip. "You can call me Mrs. Prescott. And, yes? Is there something we need to talk about, Mr. Revaz Montague?"

He laughs. "Just call me Revaz. I want people to find me comfortable and friendly. But, yes. I have something to tell you. It's about... the orphanage."

He ordered drinks. I didn't expect that we would have the same taste when it comes to coffee. Ni-order niya rin ang paborito ko'ng flavor. Double Espresso.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the back of the chair. His eyes were fixed on me as if that was normal to do with someone he just met. Napalunok ako. Doesn't he feel awkward at all?

Revaz Montague cleared his throat. "So, I want to introduce myself first. I'm Revaz Zachary Lee Montague. Twenty-six in age, half-American, half-Korean. Uh, I own ninety-two businesses here in the Philippines." he paused. "I met Prosecutor Prescott because he's been buying a brand-new law firm. And I think it was a coincidence na napili niya ang isa sa mga binebenta ko'ng law firms. That was the start of our relationship as business partners."