Falling for the Seductress

18. Chasing Abbigaile

BRIT'S POV

The cold weather and dark sky did not change any of what I am feeling right now. I am happy. I am now finally free from the marriage that took my heart and soul away from me.

One of the things na palaging sinasabi ng mga practical women noon, mag asawa ka ng 4 Ms. Matandang Mayamang Madaling Mamatay.. In my case...I did'nt ask for it, but it happened. Today is the day we are sending my husband to his grave. He immediately bought our company and saved our assets a day after I married him. Mahirap sa damdamin lalo na at alam ko na maraming nasaktan sa desisyon na ginawa ko.. particularly, Abbie. I know that she have suffered too much after I left. Ilang beses ba akong pinuntahan ni Miki at ni Tatiana para awayin at sumbatan kung gaano kong sinaktan si Abbie? On the process of trying to heal the pain, I became stronger. Too strong that I became numb.

Hindi ko na mabilang ang mga taong nakikiramay sa akin. Hindi ko rin naman kilala ang karamihan sa kanila dahil kundi mga empleyado, ay mga business associates ni Mr Lee. I never claimed him as my husband, pwera na lang sa mga panahong may mga social at business gatherings na kailangan ang appearance ko. I did my part of playing as his loving young wife.

I saw Ken walking towards my direction. This cousin of mine became my confidant lalo na nang mga panahong kahit si Akira ay hindi na ako kinakausap.

"Congratulations..."a woman whispered on my right ear.

I gave her a warning look, immediately scanning my surroundings. Natalia just gave me a peck on the cheeks at nakangising umupo sa harap ko..

"So, what's next?" Agad na tanong ni Ken pagkaupong pagkaupo nya sa kanan ko.

"Well, I have to fix some papers first. Lahat ng iniwan nyang ari arian, sa akin nya ipinangalan at hindi ko gusto iyon. I will have my lawyer take care of them para hati hatiin iyon sa mga naiwan nyang bastardo."seryosong sagot ko.

"Whoah!You mean to say, hindi ka magtatabi ng para sa iyo??"nanlalaki ang mata ni Natalia na nakatingin sa akin.

"No, I am not interested. Besides, hindi ko kayang i-shoulder ang responsibilities na iniwan nya. Not my cup of tea."kibit balikat ko.

Nasa pangalan ko na ang kumpanya namin kaya wala na akong iba pang gusto. Iyon lang naman ang dahilan kaya ako pumayag mapangasawa nya once and for all.

"It will just take couple of weeks, I guess. I'll go back to the Philippines afterwards."

"Ha!so eager to see her, huh?" a smirk formed on Nate's lips.

"Yes, I am.."excited kong sabi.

"Well, ni hindi mo gustong makarinig nang kahit ano about her before kaya bakit gusto mo syang balikan ngayon?"nakakunot ang noo ni Ken.

It's true. I shut everybody down, including any detail with regards to Abbigaile.. especially Abbigaile..

"Because I thought our love was hopeless. I thought na wala na kaming pag asa but look now, he suddenly passed away, everything fell back into place." Nakangiting sabi ko. With hope evident in my eyes..

"Don't you think it's too late?"nakangising tanong ni Nate.

"Nothing's too late in love.." Nothing has changed with my feelings for Abbie, I know that.

"Why do I have a feeling na nastuck up ka five years back at para kang nagmalling lang kung makaisip ka na everything is still the same?" Nate said in disbelief. Her eyes, so intently screaming at me to wake up.

Ken's face shows the same. I can see the worry on his face. The two of them looking at me na para akong nasisiraan ng bait.

"You can't walk away from everything in a snap and expect five years later that nothing has changed na parang same pa rin ang linen na hihigaan mo kagaya nang iwan mo ito." seryosong saad ni Ken.

"Oh-kay guys!!"sabay taas ng magkabilang kamay ko as if surrendering.

"May dapat ba akong malaman at ganyan kaintense ang pagpigil ninyo sa aking umuwi ng Pilipinas?"nakangiting tanong ko.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa and next thing I know, tumayo si Natalia para salubungin si Jae, leaving me and Ken on the table.

"Britney, Abbie is not in the Philippines anymore."he started.

"Then saan ko sya pupuntahan?"

Napapailing iling si Ken bago sinagot ang tanong ko.

"She's in Singapore, working as a Project Manager for a huge company. "He stated.

"Wow! I know she'll make it!"naiiyak na saad ko upon hearing the news. I never doubted Abbie, I know she'll make it big time. The focus and discipline that she had was great. Lalo tuloy akong naexcite na makita sya.

"Britney, marami nang nagbago.. hindi na ito kasing dali nang iniisip mo. She's mad at you for leaving her."

"I am expecting that.. I am ready to accept her rage."I answered without hesitation.

"Why not just stay here and continue to live your life here in the US? Masarap na ang buhay mo dito, magpapakahirap ka pang sumuyo ng ibang tao?Makakahanap ka din ng para sayo, Brit.."he said.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?!" I asked on a higher tone, blood starting to rush to my head.

"I said, magstay--"

"No!not that one!"immediately cutting him off.

"Makakahanap DIN ako nang para sa akin??!"reality starting to bite me.. slowly.

"What do you mean,Ken?"nanginginig ang boses na lumalabas sa nangangatal ko nang mga labi. Nanlalamig ang kamay ko pati ang buong katawan ko.

"She's in a relationship now... with Tatiana.Sana hindi mo na sila guluhin pa." Ken stated.

"How...when..? Kailan pa...?"I uttered in disbelief.

"I'm sorry. We tried to tell you but you did'nt wanna hear so we thought you'll be fine." He said on a low tone. He started to caress my back and wiped my tears na hindi ko alam na tumutulo na pala.

I am mourning ... not for the death of my husband.. but for the death of my heart.