Lies and Deception ✔ (Haciendero #4)

Ikatatlumpo't Pitong Kabanata

Kabanata 37

Best Actress award goes to...

Sunod - sunod naming tiningnan ang mga pictures na kuha. There were even camera footage in there. Pinanood namin iyon ng sabay ni Raius. My head was resting on his chest.

Natagpuan ko rin ang calling card ni dad sa ibabaw ng envelope. It was a futile gesture to get on my side. Hindi ko naman nakausap ang attorney niya, I have my own, Rye's family has their own legal team. It was during the time when my name was dragged to filth.

Napabuntong - hininga ako nang matapos naming tingnan ang laman ng envelope. Mas lalong humigpit ang yakap ko sa kanya. I wasn't expecting that. I wasn't expecting whom it would be.

"Love..."

"It's okay. I'm well. It was just totally unexpected, I was a bit blown away," saad ko naman.

The truth was unexpected. I had list of people who hate me and my guts, from colleagues, directors and bashers. None of them was the culprit, but they probably rejoiced my downfall. They were just happy it wasn't them who almost ruined my life.

It was... Michelle was calling.

Nagkatinginan kaming dalawa ng boyfriend ko. Sinagot ko naman ang kanyang tawag.

"Hey, what's up? Nasa gitna kami ng bakbakan ng baby ko. What do you need?" Hindi ko na siya pinagsalita pa.

"Ay, taray! Sige, sex well! Makakapaghintay pa naman ang kaibigan mo." Binabaan niya ako ng tawag.

Humalakhak naman ako. Rye was laughing as well. It had always been the drill.

"I told her, nagsi-sex tayo!"

Tumaas ang isang kilay ng boyfriend ko. "We don't do sex, we make love, baby."

"What's even the difference?" I asked him teasingly.

"They differ in words and spelling..." He smirked.

Sumimangot naman ako, well, naisahan niya ako roon, ah.

"Sex can be for everyone, doing it with deep emotional connection and passion can only be with someone you love. Making love sounds more intimate to us as a couple." He wriggled his eyebrows. "Pero there's nothing wrong naman with sex. I just prefer calling it making love, because I love you..."

I stared at him lovingly. "Kaya naman dumarami ang kaagaw ko sa'yo, eh." Hinalikan ko siya sa pisngi. Hinawakan ko ang kanyang kamay, pinagdaop ko ang aming mga daliri. "Are you comfortable?"

Rye nodded. "We're really meant to be, either way. Kahit harapin ko o takasan ang kinasangkutang scandal, magpapanagpo pa rin ang ating landas. Isn't it fate?" Muli akong sumandal sa kanya.

"Lilah..." Umayos ako ng upo. "We met even before that. Siguro hindi mo lang ako natatandaan, pero ikaw, tandang - tanda ko. I have the biggest crush on you even before."

Nabanggit na niya iyon sa akin, pero gusto ko uling marinig.

"Tell me more," engganyo ko.

Pinaglaruan ko ang kanyang palad, nakatutok ang aking buong atensyon sa pakikinig sa kanya.

"My first course was related in the industry... that time, we weren't supported with our college finances. Hindi lang si Cadence ang nawalan ng allowance, lahat kaming magpipinsan. That's how powerful Tita Oleya was."

"She rose from being the wife of the governor, namatay ang lolo na pag-aari niya ang halos lahat. It was complicated, to be honest. Iyong iba naman, sa kanya rin ibinigay dahil may tiwala naman ang lolo. It was hard. Kailangan naming paghirapan ang lahat, pero at least hindi kami nakadepende sa mana lang. We worked hard, we earned our shit. Naputulan kami ng sungay sa pagiging spoiled brat. Dahil baka nagpapatayan kami ngayon sa lupang pamana." He laughed at the last part.