Mikael smiled at Henrietta but didn't answer her question.
Well, if Mikael decided to, pasensyahan na lang sila. Henrietta will not show any mercy towards her enemy.
"Wala na 'yong dalawa, I guess aalis na din ako. Anyway, here's the bill." Inilatag ni Henriett ang limang libo sa mesa at naglakad na paalis. Napailing si Mikael at tinawag ang waiter para ibigay ang bayad. If he could, siya na ang magbabayad pero naunahan na siya ng dalaga. As he looked at her back, he suddenly remembered something.
He looked down and smiled meaningfully.
"Already done?"
Tumango si Henrietta pagkapasok sa loob ng kotse. Kinuha naman ni Vincenzo ang windbreaker sa likod at ibinigay kay Henrietta.
"I just wasted my time here," ani ng dalaga.
Vincenzo started the engine and drove off. He glanced at Henrietta, his left hand on steering and his other hand went to grab the woman's left hand.
"Really, now?" Hinayaan ito ng dalaga habnag nakatingin sa labas. Ang sarap mag-roadtrip 'pag gabi. Binuksan niya ang bintana ng kotse at pumasok ang malamig na hangin. This is what she needs right now. The cold breeze of the wind brushing on her skin.
Vincenzo reached out his hand and played music.
The strumming sound of the guitar resonated in the car.
I look at her and have to smile
As we go driving for a while
Her hair blowing in the open window of my car, and
And as we go the traffic lights
Watch them glimmer in her eyes
In the darkness of the evening
Henrietta cannot help but to smile. Passenger seat by Stephen Speaks gives a nostalgic feeling.
Oh and I've got all that I need
Right here in the passenger seat
Oh and I can't keep my eyes on the road
Knowing that she's inches from me
Nagulat si Henrietta nang sabayan ni Vincenzo ang chorus. He sounds so good and his voice was cold na bumagay sa kanta although it sounds gentle.
Napatingin si Vincenzo dito. "What?" he asked, then looked back to the road.
"I never thought that you could sing. You sound amazing," puri ni Henrietta. Totoo.
Vincenzo grinned. "There are so many things you should know about me, wife. And you're the only one who can hear me sing."
A charming smile stretched out on Henrietta's lips bago tumingin ulit sa labas. The stars were like smiling down at them, sparkling and twinkling. This is the first time she felt so relaxed. Maybe marrying Vincenzo is not bad at all.
That I've got all that I need
Right here in the passenger seat
Oh and I can't keep my eyes on the road
Knowing that she's inches from me
Oh and I know
That this love, it'll grow
Hindi binitawan ni Vincenzo ang kamay niya hanggang makarating sila sa kanilang bahay. Good thing, walang nangyaring masama habang nagmamaneho sila dahil nakahawak sa kanya ang isang kamay nito.
They went inside the house and through their room. Tumingin si Henrietta sa orasan at nakitang eleven-forty na ng gabi.
Nagpalit siya ng damit at naghilamos bago humandusay sa kama.
Kakatapos lang ni Vincenzo maglinis ng katawan nang maabutan n'yang nakatulog na ang dalaga. A towel was wrapped on his waist at may isa pang maliit na towel sa kanang kamay niya, pinupunasan ang basang buhok. Kumuha siya ng boxer at isinuot iyon. He didn't mind sleeping topless. Una ay hindi sanay si Henrietta but as the passing nights they're sleeping in the same bed ay nasanay na ito. What else? Vincenzo loves to sleep beside the woman, keeping her warm with his body.
Inayos niya ang kumot at tumabi sa dalaga. Gaya ng nakasanayan, hinapit niya ito sa bewang at inilapit sa katawan niya. Noong nakatabi niya ang dalaga ay nakakatulog na siya ng maayos at matiwasay. Vincenzo dips down and kisses Henrietta's nape before closing his eyes to sleep.
-----
Morning came. Iminulat ni Henrietta ang mga mata at tumingin sa kabilang kama. It's empty. Siguro ay pumunta na ng opisina si Enzo. Hindi na nakapagtataka 'yon dahil palagi iyong gumigising ng maaga.
Babangon na sana siya ng bumukas ang pinto at iniluwa nito si Vincenzo na may dalang tray ng pagkain. The man smiled at her.
"Good morning, wife."
Nagtataka man ay binati din ni Henrietta si Vincenzo. Hindi ito pumasok sa trabaho?
Inilapag ni Vincenzo ang tray ng pagkain. "Breakfast in bed," aniya.
Hindi na nag-inarte si Henrietta at kumain na. Vincenzo walks inside the bathroom. Habang kumakain si Henrietta ay tumunog ang cellphone niya.
Her eyes turned cold nang mabasa ang text ni Faye. Those bastards are taking advantage of her grandma's absence! Nawalan ng tatlumpung milyon ang kompanya at hindi alam kung nasaan na? Heh! Magkaka-sabwat pa ang ibang officers ito dahil kilala niya kung sino ang gumawa nito.
The moment Vincenzo went outside the bathroom, he saw Henrietta's cold face. And he already knows what happened.
"Finish your breakfast before you go," utos niya dito kaya napatingin ang dalaga sa kanya. Henrietta continues to eat while thinking about what she will do next.
-----
Sa loob Vanderbilt Corporation, nakaupo ang lahat ng board of directors. Nasa unahan nito si Reynold na isang acting CEO ng kompanya kahit na hindi ito ang itinalaga ni Helen. But who cares? He's the son after all, and eventually, sa kanya mapupunta ang kompanya.
"With all due respect, Mr. Reynold. As far as we are concerned, you cannot only decide who will manage the company. We are also part of this decision," ani ng isang board of directors. Bigla na lang kasing sumulpot ang anak ni Helen at sinabing siya na ang mamahala ng kompanya with no further notice and explanation why? Isa pa, hindi din ito sinabi sa kanila ni Helen so they doubt it.
"What's wrong with that? Mr. Reynold is the son of Mrs. Helen, so why is it important to explain this situation?" nakangising tanong ng isa. Of course, he is in the same team with Reynold. Imagine kung si Reynold ang magmana ng assets ng Vanderbilt? They can do whatever they want and will have money for themselves!
Reynold glared at the man who was against him. "Pwede kitang patalsikin d'yan sa pwesto mo. Hindi ka kawalan ng kompanya," asik niya.
"I cannot imagine what will happen if Vanderbilt falls into your hands! Ngayon pa nga lang pinapakita mo na 'yang character and you expect that Vanderbilt will rise? Mind you, Mr. Reynold. Kung wala kami, hindi magiging ganito ang kumpanya. Helen will be very disappointed knowing this. Now I know, kung bakit hindi niya magawang ipagkatiwala sa'yo ang ilang ari-arian niya." Hindi mapigilang sambit ng isa. This man, isang tingin mo pa lang ay hindi na mapagkakatiwalaan. Marami na silang naririnig tungkol kay Reynold and it's not good.
Pinalo ni Reynold ang mesa at tumayo na nanlilisik ang mga mata.
"Hah! Mga wala naman kayong kwenta at nakikilikom lang ng pera sa amin! Ano bang ginawa niyo, hah? Don't tell what to do 'cause I don't care about your opinion. Whether you like it or not—"
"Whether you like it or not, ikaw ang aalis sa kumpanyang 'to," sabat ng isang boses kasabay ng pagbukas ng pinto.
-----
© _eysteambun
BINABASA MO ANG
Henrietta's Blade
Romance"Divide your enemy so you can reign approach." Upon rebirth, she returned to the time when she was twenty-four years old. As she recalled the torture she had through, memories filled her head. Smarter, feistier, and more daring! She became the cold...
