TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

No One Can Stand Roxanne- No One But Seann

Si Grand ay napa-ngisi sa sinabi ni Ryu. "It seems like you have a plan. Let's hear it, Boss."

Ryu smiled sheepishly. "Ituloy niyo ang pustahan niyo— but there should be no money involved. Whoever wins will have the price."

"And the price is...?" Grand asked, raising his brows.

"Something money can't buy," Ryu answered while smiling.

"You are making me nervous," sabi naman ni Jet na tumayo at lumapit sa television set na nasa kabilang dulo ng conference room. He opened the forty-five-inch flat-screen TV and searched for his desired channel.

"No one can ever make you feel nervous, Jet Yuroshi. Not even your father," nakangising sabi ni Raven.

Nagkibit-balikat si Jet at hindi na nagsalita pa. 

Ibinalik ng lahat ang pansin kay Ryu.

"So, what is the price? Pray tell?" Grand insisted.

"Whoever guesses the right timeframe— may it be the exact timeframe or closest to it— will have the power to decide the consequences for the losing participants."

Marco flipped his shoulder-length hair backward and leaned back in his chair. "That's interesting. The winner will give orders or assign someone to do something. This is definitely something money can't buy. Imagine the winner ordering Jet to smile to a random woman; that's gonna be interesting."

Ngumisi rin si Grand. "This is a breath of fresh air. I like it when we play games like this." Inikot nito ang tingin sa mga kasama. "So, who are the final participants?"

Si Raven na naka-de cuatro sa upuan ay nagsalita. "Sorry, but I can't participate. Kailangan kong bumalik sa New Zealand sa susunod na araw. Rache is starting school and she wanted me to be there on her first day."

"That's alright, Rave," sabi ni Marco na sinulyapan si Ryu. "You can't participate on this, too, Ryu. Kailangan mong bumalik sa Estados Unidos para sa therapy mo."

"Yeah," Ryu answered wryly. "I won't be back until next month. So, as much as I want to join in, I can't." Ngumiti ito. "But I'd like to be updated, so keep me in the loop."

Ngumisi si Marco at sinulyapan pa ang ibang mga kasama. Dumapo ang tingin nito kay Blaze na matagal na nanahimik. "Blaze? Are you joining the bet?"

Blaze shrugged his shoulders. "Of course. I'll bet on 48 hours— I'll give that to whoever Kane hires."

"That's very generous of you," Seann said, chuckling. "I'd stick with two hours. No one can ever handle Roxanne Marie Madrigal for more than 120 minutes."

"Well then, I expect everybody to be a good sport. Whoever loses will have to accept their consequences without argument," Ryu announced, which everybody answered with a nod.

Doon bumukas ang pinto ng conference room at iniluwa si Kane na sandaling nahinto nang makita ang mga kaibigan na napalingon sa direksyon nito. He frowned at everybody.

"What did I miss?"

Grand chuckled and stood up. "Nothing important. We just spoke about the person you hired to watch over Roxanne. When is he coming into the picture?"

"Tomorrow morning. My secretary will pick this person up from the airport. I have an important meeting for the Madrigal Enterprise tomorrow and I won't be around the house until midnight. Si Uncle naman ay bibisita sa clinic. Nag-aalala akong kapag wala kami ni Uncle ay mauto ni Roxanne ang mga katulong at makatakas. And by the way, the bodyguard is a she."

"You hired a woman?" manghang tanong ni Seann.

Nagkibit-balikat si Kane. "It has to be a woman, otherwise, Roxanne would use some tactics to lure her bodyguard s***h babysitter. If I hire a man, she can use tactics such as flirtation to buy her way out."

Nagkibit-balikat si Seann ay pinigilan ang sariling mapangiti. Lalo itong nakombinsing lamang sa pustahan. If a patient man like him gave up on Roxanne, how much more for a woman bodyguard?

"Let us know if something happens," sabi ni Marco saka lihim na sinulyapan ang mga kaibigan.

Ryu secretly smiled and turned his attention to the papers.

"So, when are you and Uncle Damien leaving for Singapore?" Grand asked.

"The day after tomorrow."

Jet, who chose to watch a cooking show where Gordon Ramsey was yelling at the contestants, turned to everybody. "If I am not mistaken, Roxanne's birthday is in three days."

Kane shrugged his shoulders and went back to his seat. "Uncle wanted to celebrate Roxanne's birthday but I told him to defer that until we're back. Naka-set na ang schedule ng operasyon niya at hindi pwedeng i-urong. Besides, Roxanne has been a really bad girl, I don't even feel bad not celebrating her birthday this time."

"Hmm, I can already imagine her fuming in anger even more. " Jet turned back to the television.

Si Raven ay sinagot ang komento ni Jet. "I'm surprised that you remembered Roxanne's birthday, Jet? And did I just hear concern there?"

"I remember things that I like to remember, buddy," Jet answered as his big chinky eyes still focused on the television. He was mesmerized by how Gordon Ramsey rattled the people around him. He seemed to be fascinated by the chef's rudeness and savagery towards the contestants. "And don't twist my words, I just simply stated my opinion."

Ngumisi si Raven at sinulyapan ang ibang mga kasama na napa-ngiti rin. "Well, he's right. I forgot that Jet only likes and cares for one woman."

Doon muling lumingon si Jet, giving everybody a fish-eye look. "Can we all please leave that woman out of this?"

Nakangising itinaas ni Raven ang mga kamay sa ere.

Si Kane ay napa-iling at tumayo na. "I have to leave now, see you all in two weeks."

***

"How long are you going to be away, son?"

Seann glanced at his mother and saw her eat her food with gusto. It was dinner time and it was only him and his mother in front of the dining table.

Nag-punas muna siya ng bibig bago sumagot. "I'll be away for ten days, Mom."

"And this is your first trip this year, is that right?"

"Yes. I have been busy with the Alexandros Corp that I haven't had a chance to travel until the second quarter."

"Kaya nagtaka ako sa'yo. You normally travel every quarter." Kinuha ni Mrs.Ventura ang baso ng tubig ay uminom bago iyon ibinalik sa mesa. Nagpunas muna ito ng bibig bago muling nagsalita. "Once you're back, I want you to meet someone."

He was about to put a slice of steak in his mouth when he heard what his mother said. Pilit siyang ngumiti at ibinaba ang kubyertos. "Meet someone?"

"She's the daughter of my old friend. I want you to meet and get to know her the moment you're back."

Is this some kind of a fixed marriage? Huminga siya ng malalim. "Sure, Mom."

His mother gave him a sweet smile. "Thank you, son."

Ibinalik niya ang pansin sa pagkain at tahimik na itinuloy ang pagsubo. Nararamdaman niya ang pagsulyap sa kaniya ng ina, subalit nanatili lang siyang nakayuko sa plato. It was the first time his mother asked him for something, and he couldn't say no to it— kahit hindi niya gusto kung saan patungo iyon.

"You don't have a girlfriend, do you, son?"

Doon siya muling nag-angat ng tingin. "None at the moment."

"I hope you find one the moment you're back."

"Why not? I might get attracted to your friend's daughter." Damn, why did he even say that?

"I am very pleased," naka-ngiting sambit ng ina niya bago nito muling ibinalik ang pansin sa pagkain.

Seeing his mother smile, looking so happy, pleases him. So he would probably just give it a chance. His mother never really talked about him getting a girlfriend. Ngayon lang.

Oh, he had some girlfriends back in the day— but after meeting his brothers, he got busy with things more important than having a woman in his life. But that didn't mean he's depriving himself of his body's biological needs. There were few, actually, who fulfilled his needs whenever he needed them. Karamihan sa mga iyon ay mga anak ng pulitiko na nakakasama niya sa mga medical missions o mga socialites na nakikilala niya sa mga corporate events. They were the kind of women who liked to hook up and forget about it the next day. 

So, no— he's not lonely at all and he didn't need a girlfriend. Yet.

Pero naisip niyang wala ring masama kung pagbibigyan niya ang hiling ng ina. Kikilalanin niya ang babaeng tinutukoy nito at susubukan kung magkakasundo sila. His mother never really asked him for anything, so, why not?

Matapos ang hapunan ay dumiretso na si Mrs. Ventura sa opisina nito sa loob ng mansion habang siya naman ay dumiretso sa kaniyang silid. The moment he went in, he immediately took off all his clothes, aside from his boxers.

He was about to enter the bathroom when his phone, sitting on the nightstand, started ringing.

Naked from his waist up, he walked towards the stand and took the phone. Kinunutan siya ng noo nang makita ang pangalan ni Ryu sa phone screen.

Ryu left for Philadelphia the day after their meeting, two days ago, so he wondered why he was calling.

"Hey, Boss," he answered, addressing him the way how they used to back when they were still studying.

"Hey," Ryu said on the other line. "Have you heard from Marco?"

"Marco? No."

"He won the bet."

Damn!

He almost forgot about the bet! Naging abala sila sa nakalipas na dalawang araw dahil sa mga dumating na investors mula Japan at Australia kaya nawala sa isip niya ang tungkol sa pustahan.

"The person Kane hired to look after Roxanne left after 38 hours."

"Hmm, so Marco is giving us orders, huh?" And he didn't know why he's nervous. "Alam na ba ito ni Kane?"

Kane left to Singapore the other day, kasama si Damien Madrigal, kaya hindi niya alam kung ano ang gagawin nito sa pag-alis ng taong inupahan nito para magbantay kay Roxanne.

"About the bet? No. About the bodyguard's departure? Yes," Ryu answered. "I got a call from him at sinabi niyang tumawag ang bodyguard sa kaniya upang magpaalam. Kane tried to make her stay, but she wouldn't. I told him I'll call Marco to arrange for a replacement."

He smirked. "Well, Marco needs to look for the toughest bodyguard."

Ryu chuckled. "I know. So, good luck, buddy."

Kinunutan siya ng noo at ang ngisi ay biglang nag-laho. "What?"

"Good luck with your consequence. Marco will call you about it sooner or later."

"No, don't tell me—"

"I gotta go now, I have a doctor's appointment and I'm running late. Talk soon, buddy."

Nang matapos ang tawag ay kunot-noo niyang tinitigan ang telepono. Sandali siyang ganoon bago niya iyon dahan-dahang inilapag sa ibabaw ng night stand.

"He didn't mean that I'll be watching that brat, did he?" tanong niya sa sarili. Umiling siya. "No, alam ni Marco na aalis ako at wala sa bansa sa loob ng sampung araw. He won't order me to watch over Roxanne."

Confident about his thoughts, he started walking towards the bathroom. Kung ano man ang consequence na ibibigay sa kaniya ni Marco ay may usapan sila— and that was to play his role and be a good sport.

***

Galit na pinagtatatapon ni Roxanne ang mga platong may lamang mga pagkain sa pinto ng kaniyang silid, habang ang dalawang katulong ay nakatayo sa gilid at napapa-igtad sa pagwawala niya. She was fuming in anger as she threw those expensive porcelain plates to the door. 

Damn, she was so hungry but she wouldn't take a single food her father and Kane sent to her room to show them how hard-headed she could get.

If she gets hospitalized due to starvation, her father would surely blame himself and he would not think of restraining her ever again. And if she dies, her father would regret his decision for as long as he lives.

Inihagis niya ang kahuli-hulihang mangkok na may lamang mainit na mushroom soup sa pinto— breaking the expensive chinaware. Bahagya pa siyang na-paso nang tumalsik sa kaniya ang laman niyon na lalo lang niyang ikina-galit.

"Miss Roxanne..." nanginginig na sambit ng isa sa dalawang katulong. Nasa tinig nito ang takot at pag-aalala. "Apat na araw na po kayong hindi kumakain. Maliban sa tubig ay wala na kayong ipinapasok sa inyong sikmura—"

Marahas niyang nilingon ang mga ito at sininghalan, "Sabihin niyo sa tatay ko na kapag hindi pa niya ako pinalabas sa silid na ito ay hinding-hindi ako kakain ng kahit na ano! Sabihin niyong patayin na lang niya ako!"

Nanginginig pa rin sa takot ang mga katulong— ang isa sa mga ito'y nag-umpisang damputin ang mga pagkaing nagkalat sa sahig at inilagay sa tray na inihagis din niya kanina.

"Kami na po ang nakiki-usap sa inyo, Miss Roxanne..." sabi pa ng isa na nanatiling nakatayo sa harapan niya. "Kumain na po kayo kahit kaunti lang... Ano ang mangyayari sa inyo kapag patuloy ninyong ginawa ito?"

"Mamamatay ako, ganoon lang ka-simple iyon!" Tumalikod siya at bumalik sa kama saka tumalukbong ng makapal na kumot. "Sabihin niyo sa tatay ko na kung gusto pa niya akong makitang buhay ay pakawalan niya ako rito! Or else, I will starve myself to death!"

Fuck, but she was so hungry she could eat her pillow. The smell of the food they brought in was hurting her stomach— pero paninindigan niya ang pagrerebelde niya. Hanggang sa hindi siya pakakawalan ng tatay niya ay hinding-hindi siya kakain!

Noong isang araw lang ay sa bodyguard-babysitter na binayaran ni Kane niya pinagtatatapon ang lahat ng pagkaing dinadala sa kaniya ng mga katulong. The woman tried to make her eat, but all she did was throw all the food to her. Lahat ng mahagilap ng kamay niya ay ibinabato niya rito, dahilan upang sumuko ito at hindi na muling nagpakita sa araw na iyon.

Nang maramdaman niya ang pagbukas at pagsara ng pinto ng kaniyang silid ay ipinikit niya ang kaniyang mga mata. Muli na naman niyang itutulog ang gutom niya— ano pa nga ba? 

She was suspended from school and she had no interest in studying anymore. Kapag nakalabas lang talaga siya sa silid niya ay maglalayas na siya nang tuluyan. Dadalhin niya lahat ng gamit niya at kukuha siyang muli ng pera sa safety box ng ama.

Pero mukhang mahihirapan siyang gawin iyon dahil sinigurado ng kaniyang ama at ni Kane na laging may bantay sa labas ng silid niya. Maliban sa babaeng bodyguard s***h babysitter, ay dinagdagan din ng mga ito ang guwardiya para masigurong walang sulok sa mansion ang hindi nababantayan. Kahit ang hardinero ay nagbabantay na rin sa ibaba ng bintana niya. 

Even all her belongings were taken by Kane; she had nothing!

Fuck. Magkaroon lang talaga siya ng pagkakataong makaalis ay hindi na siya babalik sa mansion. She would rather sleep on the streets than be a prisoner in her room. She didn't want to experience that all over again.

Nang maramdaman niya ang muling pagbukas at pagsara ng pinto ng kaniyang silid ay nag-init na naman ang ulo niya. Hindi yata talaga maintindihan ng mga katulong na kahit anong pilit ng mga itong kumain siya ay mas matigas pa rin ang ulo niya kaysa sa tindi ng gutom na nararamdaman ng sikmura niya.

"Get up and fix yourself. I am taking you out."

Sandali siyang natigilan nang marinig ang pamilyar na tinig ng lalaking nagsalita. Sa isip ay nagtatanong kung ano ang ginagawa nito sa kaniyang silid at kung ano ang ibig nitong sabihin.

Salubong ang kilay na inalis niya ang pagkakatakip ng kumot sa kaniyang ulo saka bumangon.

Her eyes met Seann's.

"The f**k are you doing here?"

***