Risks and Chances

3

Kabanata 3

Cheaters

"Ma'am Ania, nasa labas na naman po ng building yung boyfriend ninyo—"

"Ex boyfriend..." I rolled my eyes at the way she addressed that asshole. Nagtuloy ako sa pagtitipa sa aking laptop at umaktong baliwala lang ang sinabi niya. "Tell the guards to shoo him away."

A loud ring from my phone stole my attention. Pahablot kong kinuha iyon mula sa tabi ng laptop at nakitang si Zadriel ito.

"What?" I asked irritatedly.

Hindi ako sa kapatid ko naiirita kung hindi kay Kris. Sa araw-araw na lang na lumilipas, wala na siyang ginawa kung hindi ang puntahan ako rito sa building para lang sa paguusap na gusto niyang mangyari. Luckily, the guards are always pushing him away like how I ordered them to do. But that asshole is too persistent. Hindi niya ba kayang intindihin ang salitang tapos na kami at ayaw ko na sa kaniya?

"I heard that your bastard ex is outside the building..."

Umirap ako sa hangin. "Tsismoso ka talaga."

He chuckled. "Hindi ko alam kung swerte ba siyang wala ako diyan at ako mismo ang haharap sa kaniya o malas dahil paparating na si Papa diyan."

Mabilis akong napatuwid mula sa pagkakaupo nang marinig ang sinabing iyon ng kakambal.

"Dad's gonna come here?"

"Uh-huh. And he's already on his way, Ania."

Hindi ko na nagawa pang patayin ang tawag at mabilis na tumayo mula sa swivel chair. I walked past my secretary and stormed out of my office.

Hindi puwedeng maabutan ni Daddy si Kris na nasa labas at nagwawala roon. I know how he can be evil and I don't want him to cause any scene there. Ayokong pagpiyestahan kami ng mga tao, malaman ang kung ano mang nangyayari sa amin, lalo na sa akin. Being the talk of the town is the last thing I want. Kapag nalaman nila ang tungkol sa nangyari sa amin ni Kris, kakaawaan nila ako. At iyon ang iniiwasan ko.

They can't pity me. I don't f*****g need that.

The sound of my heels stabbing the marble floor gave everyone around who's looking at me an intense feeling. Malayo pa lang ay natatanaw ko na si Kris na pilit inaawat ng mga gwardya.

"Let me go! I need to talk with Zephania. Can't you recognize me? I am his boyfriend!"

"Sir, si Miss Ania mismo ang nag-utos na huwag kayong papapasukin dito—"

"That's not possible—"

"It is. I already made it possible." I cut him off as soon as I reached their spot.

Nanglaki ang mga mata ni Kris pagkakita sa akin. Hawak pa rin siya ng mga gwardiya na tila ba nag-aalala na pagagalitan ko sila oras na bitawan nila ito at makalapit sa akin.

"Ania, mag-usap tayo. Pakinggan mo ako—"

"Only if you would stop making a scandal here."

"I won't, I promise..."

I casted him the kind of stare that would surely burn his soul with coldness. He looked down. Tumingin sa akin ang dalawang gwardya, humihingi ng senyales. Tumango ako bilang sagot. They let go of him as he fixed his crumpled polo shirt.

Hinagod ko siya ng tingin. He looks like a mess right now. Magulo ang mga buhok na siyang malayo sa nakasanayan ko. Maitim at lubog rin ang ilalim ng mga mata niya. It's like sleep was depriving him.

Ano namang kadramahan ang meron siya? Huwag niya sabihin sa akin na naaapektuhan siya ng paghihiwalay namin dahil hindi ako maniniwala. Ako nga itong niloko pero hindi naman ako umaastang katapusan na ng mundo. I am hurt — that's the truth. Nasasaktan ako dahil niloko niya pa rin ako sa kabila ng lahat. I'm a good catch and yet, he still cheated on me with just a random woman. Ngayon ay aasta siyang kawawa?

"Go back to work..." I ordered the guards without even giving them a glance.

"Yes, Miss Ania."

I set my eyes on Kris as I ambled towards him. Nang malapit na sa kaniya ay walang pasabi ko siyang nilampasan.

"Follow me."

Nagdiretso ako sa isang gilid kung saan wala masiyadong tao ang dumadaan. May iilang empleyado akong nakikita na nasa amin ang atensyon. Pinaningkitan ko sila ng mga mata. They immediately turned their heads away and acted that they didn't see us.

It's then I moved my gaze to Kris who's now standing in front of me. Nagtaas ako ng kilay.

"What do you want?"

He brushed his face using his palm and I can see the frustration rolling in his eyes.

"I want us to talk, Ania. Pakinggan mo muna ako—"

"The audacity. You have the guts to initiate a conversation with me after of what you did? Medyo makapal ang mukha natin, ano?"

"Listen. It's not what you really think it is. That woman, I just met her that day. She's just a stranger—"

"Exactly my point! Ginago mo ako ng dahil lang sa isang babae na hindi mo naman kilala! And what was your reason again? That you did it because you respect me? What's the definition of respect for you, Kris? To have s*x with anyone because you can't do it with me just because you f*****g respect me? Well, f**k you!" I yelled, feeling the veins popping out of my forehead.

Yumuko siya, tila tinamaan sa lahat ng sinabi ko. I don't think he has any more reason to contradict everything I said. Totoo naman. Ginago niya ako dahil lang sa ayaw niya akong bastusin, dahil lang sa gusto niya akong irespeto. Na hindi ko naman maintindhan kung saan banda mahahanap ang respetong sinasabi niya.

"You know I would never settle for the least, right?" I added that made him lif his eyes.

Sa totoo lang ay wala ako makita ni kaunting pagsisisi sa ginawa niya. Kung meron man, gatiting lang. Hindi sapat para patawarin.

And who in the right mind would forgive a cheater like him?

Kris started to hold my hands but I refused. I keep avoiding him, don't even let our skin touches.

"Ania, please. Give me a second chance. I won't fool you again, I swear."

Huh. It's actually feels insulting to hear that someone has the guts to fool me. Damn this pride. It's not making me sleep properly for the past few nights. Hindi matanggap ng isip ko na naloko ako.

"Not gonna let that happen. Once a bastard, always a bastard."

Napaigtad ako nang marinig ang boses na 'yon mula sa aking likuran. Bahagyang namilog ang mga mata ko nang matanaw si Daddy. Darkness was lingering in his cruel eyes as he walked towards my direction, beside him are two of his men.

"Dad..."

Isang mabilis na tingin lang ang ibinigay niya sa akin bago muling bumaling kay Kris. I looked back to him and saw fright through his eyes as he stares at my father.

I don't remember him being close even before. Dad doesn't like him. However, he's still civil with him as a sign of respect for me. Ilag rin si Kris sa kaniya. Hindi ko alam kung ramdam niya bang ayaw sa kaniya ni Daddy o ano.

"Good afternoon, Mr. M-Monasterio."

"Stop bothering my daughter, will you?" Dad asked rudely. His voice was stern and hard like a steel. "I didn't appreciate hearing that a man like you had the guts to cheat on my princess..."

Dad sighed and made a step forward. The sound of his shoes stabbing the ground brought the feeling of intensity to me. Or maybe, to Kris. He's just inches away from him when he stopped and leaned closer as if there's something he wants to say that only the two of us can hear.

"It makes me want to kill you."

Halos pigilin ko ang aking paghinga nang marinig iyon mula kay Daddy. I saw how Kris' complexion become ashen. I even witnessed how his Adam's apple move up and down.

Scared?

"I'm s-sorry, Mr. Monasterio. I d-didn—"

"Go. Before I break all your f*****g bones."

Muling lumunok si Kris. Somehow, I had the urge to feel pity for him because of his reaction. But a part of me honestly want to laugh.

Hindi ko rin naman siya masisisi. It's Zion Monasterio he's facing right now. Halos lahat dito ay takot sa kaniya. Si Mommy lang naman ang deadma kapag nagagalit siya.

Nilagpasan ni Kris si Daddy bago ako tiningnan. Puno ng pagmamakaawa ang mga mata niya habang nakatingin sa akin ngunit hindi ko na 'yon pinansin pa.

Meanwhile, Dad was looking at me with a cocky smirk on his lips. Napailing ako habang natatawa na rin.

"You are rude, Dad."

He chuckled and stepped towards me as we both walked to the main entrance of our building.

"Did you see his reaction? That son of a b***h looked that he's about to s**t on his pants."

"It might happen if you didn't stop threatening him."

He growled. "Really hate his face."

Hindi na napigilan pa, isang malutong na tawa ang kumawala sa akin. But if you'd compare him to the eligible bachelors here in town like my brother, or even Dashiel and Tobias Follosco, he's nothing.

Wala akong ideya kung bakit hindi man lang ako naiinis na nilalait ni Daddy si Kris gayong naiinsulto ako noon kapag pinupulaan siya ni Zadriel. Maybe because he cheated on me? Or maybe because... I didn't love him that much.

I'm not really an alcoholic woman. But sometimes, I find a great company in liquors. The disadvantage of not having a best friend, I guess. Minsan ay hindi naman talaga kailangan ng matalik na kaibigan. They are sometimes the one who will betray you. Kesa masaktan, mas mabuti pang huwag na lang makipagkaibigan.

"My, my. Don't tell me you're up for some suicidal thoughts again after this?"

Swirling my clear glass, I absent-mindedly glanced beside me and found a man in his denim longsleeve that's rolled in his forearm looking at his own drink. Halatang malalim ang iniisip niya dahil sa paraan ng pagtingin niya roon. Akala mo sumisisid.

Nilingon niya ako. The corner of his lips suddenly rose. Tumaas ang kilay ko sa reaksyon niya.

Makangisi. Close kami?

"Anong nginingisi-ngisi mo diyan?" mataray na tanong ko.

He chuckled, looking so amused. "Damn. You really don't know how to be grateful, huh?"

"What?"

Kung kanina ay bahagya lang nakasalubong ang mga kilay ko nang ngisian niya ako, ngayon ay halos dikit na dikit na.

"And why would be I grateful to a stranger?"

Natawa siyang muli. Kahit may kadiliman ang paligid ay tanaw ko ang pantay-pantay niyang mga ngipin at kung gaano ito kaputi. There's even tiny dimples beneath his lower lip.

He looks familiar. I think I've seen him in some billboards along the way. Kung sa liwanag siguro ay makikilala ko siya.

"I saved your life, hun. Just case in you do not remember." he said that snatched me out from gawking at him. .

"Saved me? You must be out of your normal state, stranger. And I don't even know you so you better stop calling me hun."

"Let me remind you then. I was the guy who stopped you from jumping off the bridge."

My eyelashes blinked a few times. Sandali. I remember someone who thought that I'd be jumping from the bridge that night. Siya pala 'yon?

"Oh! I see..." Umayos ako ng upo at muling lumagok sa aking baso. "But I won't still be grateful to you since your attempt of stopping me was futile. I wasn't going to suicide that time just so you know."

He chuckled. "If you say so. But just so you know too, not all men are the same. Hindi lahat mangloloko."

For the second time, I anchored my eyes on him as my forehead crumpled a bit. Ano ba ang pinagsasabi ng lalaking ito? Kaunti na lang ay iisipin kong lasing na nga siya.

"And what do you mean by that this time?"

He sipped from his glass and placed it above the counter after. Sumandal siya sa high chair niya habang ang isang kamay ay nakapatong sa ibabaw ng kaniyang hita at ang isa ay nasa counter rin. He's drumming his fingers while looking so... hot.

Damn it. It's beyond my character to compliment a man no matter how handsome he is but this one is an exemption. Hot is actually an understatement. He is oozing with s*x appeal.

Even from the dark, it is obvious that he has a fair complexion. He's clean cut and had clean shaven face. He has clear skin, makes me curious how it would feels like grazing my fingertips against his cheeks. His eyes are slightly almond shape and nose small but pointed. It's wet because of his constant drinking.

"You told me that I am like him, whoever that is. That we are all cheaters. You judged me even if you don't know me. That's one hell of a memorable first meeting." he let out a dry laugh.

I said that? Well, I didn't mean it. I was just mad at frustrated that time. Hindi ko naman iyon sinasadya. Kung sana ay hindi na lang siya nagpabida nung gabing iyon, e di sana hindi ko siya napagsalitaan ng ganoon.

Nagmamagandang loob nga lang siya, Ania.

"But you know what's the damn truth?" he asked that snapped me out of my thoughts. His eyes are suddenly holding fire for some reason. "It's the other way around..."

Naiwan akong nakatitig sa kaniya, panandaliang nawalan ng masasabi. The emotions in his eyes are making me stop on my track. Like this man in front of me is currently in pain.

"You women are the cheaters."