The Billionaire's Slave [SPG] Filipino

Chapter Two

NAUPO si Athena sa mahabang couch sa office ni Jeric. Wala doon ang lalaki nang pumasok siya. Hinatdan lamang siya ng kape ng sekretarya nito na sa tantiya niya ay nasa fifties na ang edad. Agad din naman itong lumabas.

Pinagala niya nag paningin sa kabuoan ng opisina. It was huge and she could see almost half of Metro Manila from where she was sitting. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala na naabot ni Jeric ang ganitong klaseng success sa buhay.

Hindi niya maiwasang kabahan ulit. Simula nang makita niya ang magazine feature ng binata at nalaman niya kung paano ito mahanap, she had been rehearsing this moment a thousand times, pero ngayong andito na talaga siya, hindi niya alam kung makakapagsalita ba siya ng maayos. Sinubukan na niya lahat ng relaxing methods na alam niya pero parang walang epekto ang mga iyon. Hindi yata nakatulong na uminom pa siya ng kape kanina at ngayon ay binigyan na naman siya ng sekretarya ng isang tasa ng kape.

She tapped her fingers on her lap nervously. Nine years. Nine years at makakausap na niya ulit ito. But this time, ibang-iba na ang sitwasyon nila. This time, her whole life was at his mercy.

…………………………………

SINADYA ni Jeric na lumabas ng opisina nang paakyatin si Athena. Gusto niyang pagmasdan muna ang dalaga mula sa CCTV sa kabilang kuwarto habang nasa loob ito ng opisina niya.

He took pleasure in watching her wait uneasily. He wanted to watch her being vulnerable in the midst of his vast office. She was still sitting straight and proud pero alam niyang kinakabahan ito sa kinikilos nito. A part of him wanted to go straight to the office and strangle her to death to finally get his long-awaited revenge, pero alam niyang hindi siya masa-satisfy doon.

He would take his time. Don Alvaro Escalbar, Athena’s father, did not deserve a quick revenge. He deserved to feel every inch of hell na ipapalasap niya sa buhay ng mga ito. Jeric would make sure that it would be as slow and as painful as he could.

And what better revenge than to make the Don’s only daughter suffer? After all, si Athena ang puno’t dulo ng lahat. Si Athena ang dahilan kung bakit pinatay ng Don ang pamilya niya. Puwes, si Athena ang gagamitin niya para makuha ang hustisya na matagal na niyang inaasam.

After an hour, nag-desisyon siyang pumasok na sa opisina at simulan ang matagal na niyang pinagplanuhan na laro.

………………………………………

“WHAT can I do for you?”

Napasinghap si Athena nang marinig ang baritonong boses ni Jeric sa kanyang likuran. Bigla siyang napatayo.

“Jeri– Mr. Fundar, salamat at binigyan mo akong ng chance na makausap ka.”

He slowly smiled with his devilish grin. “Why so formal? You used to call me by my name. Sometimes you would even call me boyfriend,” Tumalikod ito at nagsalin ng alak mula sa mini bar.

“Akala ko nakalimutan mo na ako.”

Tumawa ang lalaki. “Why would I forget you? I dream of you almost every night.”

Natigilan si Athena. Totoo ba? Iniisip pa rin ba siya nito? Did he still miss her like she missed him so badly? Hindi pa rin ba ito nakalimot?

“And in that dream…” Patuloy ng lalaki. “Palagi ko kayong sinasakal. You and your goddamn father.” There was coldness and anger in his voice. Pero nang humarap ito sa kanya, nakangisi na ito at itinaas ang isang wineglass. “Care for a drink?”

Sunod-sunod ang pagkurap ni Athena saka umiling. Nalilito siya sa kinikilos ng lalaki. “J-Jeric, I’m sorry for what happened. Alam kong pinalayas ng papa–”

“Pinalayas?” Pakutyang tanong nito saka tumawa ng malakas pero walang kahit anumang tuwa sa mga mata nito. “That is an understatement of what he did, Athena.”

Biglang nawala ang ngiti sa mukha ni Jeric at napalitan ng matinding puot. Unti-unti itong lumapit sa kanya. Napaatras si Athena hanggang sa maramdaman ng mga binti ang center table na gawa sa drift wood. She felt trapped.

“W-what are you saying? I don’t understa–”

Jeric squinted his eyes. “You clearly have no idea what your father is capable of, Athena.” He leaned in closer. “And you have no idea what I’m capable of.”

There was something in his eyes and tone that made her shiver. Bigla ay parang hindi na niya kilala ang lalaki. He seemed so different from the Jeric that she knew nine years ago. Nagkamali ba siya ng desisyon na lumapit dito ngayon? Nanghihina ang mga tuhod na napaatras ulit si Athena pero nang wala nang maatrasan ay na-out balace siya at napaupo sa center table.

Tiningnan siya ni Jeric. His face was expresionless but his eyes were clearly full of hatred. He was now towering over her and she suddenly felt so vulnerable. He could easily attack her in that position. Pero biglang ngumisi ang binata at pumunta ito sa malaking desk para kunin ang folder ni Athena.

“So, why are you here?”

It took a few seconds for Athena to regain her composure. Nakailang inhale-exhale muna siya bago tumikhim at tumayo. “I have a business proposal for you.”

“Business proposal?” Tumaas ang dalawang kilay ng lalaki. “And why would a billionaire like me do any business with you?”

Humugot si Athena ng malalim na hininga. She could not let him intimidate her. This is too important for her. Hindi niya puwedeng ipakita sa lalaki na natatakot siya at unti-unting nawawala ang kompiyansa sa sarili.

“Costa Fuego is a thriving town,” umpisa ni Athena. “It has a majestic mountain and white sand beaches. You’ve been there. You’re from that town. You know it is a perfect place for tourists pero hindi pa siya commercialized area. Hacienda Escalbar can be great a farm resort. We can build bamboo villas near the beach just like in Bali and also open the farm for tourists. The hacienda is huge. We can even have a golf club or giant swings and ziplines. We can build a lot of facilities and attractions.”

“So why don’t you?”

Natigilan siya sandali. She needed to sound as confident as she could. “Well, that’s why I’m here. I need an investor.”

Muli na namang tumawa ang lalaki. He looked amused as if he’s talking to a 5-year-old kid na nagsabing gagawa siya ng spaceship papuntang moon ngayon din. “And you think I will be interested? I can get any place in this country. Why would I want your hacienda?”

“Dahil alam mo ang potential ng lugar na iyon. Galing ka doon at–”

“Exactly.” Bumalik sa pagiging malamig ang mukha at tono ng lalaki. “Galing ako doon at alam ko ang kabulukan ng pamilya ninyo at ng lugar na iyon. I don’t want anything to do with that place anymore.”

“As one of the country’s celebrated businessmen, shouldn’t you look at this objectively from a business perspective?” Hamon niya. “Or do you do business based purely on your emotions, Mr. Fundar?”

Ngumisi ulit ito. “Don’t try to manipulate me again with your words, Ms. Escalbar. I already know you too well. I know that you being here means only one thing: pabagsak na ang hacienda ninyo.”

Matagal bago nakapagsalita si Athena. Parang biglang nawala lahat ng mga hinanda niyang sasabihin sa lalaki. But she had to try one more time. “Well, sabi nila you’re a genius in the business world. They said that everything you touch turns into gold. I challenge you to prove their claims. Can you really turn a dying business to life?”

Suddenly there was anger in Jeric’s eyes. Can you and your father bring my family back to life? Iyon gusto niyang isigaw sa babae. Sa halip ay inilang hakbang niya lang ang layo nila at bigla itong hinablot sa braso. “Let’s stop all this pretending, Athena. I know who you are and I know your father too well. You are both manipulative and you will take advantage of everyone any chance you can get. You’re no different from him.”

“J-Jeric, nasasaktan ako.” Sinubukan ni Athena lumayo pero mahigpit ang pagkakahawak nito sa braso niya. “Hindi ko alam ang pinagsasabi–”

“Alam kong bago ka pumunta sa akin, you already tried to sell yourself to… ano nga ba’ng pangalan ng anak ng gobernador? Ah! Jobert.” Ngumisi ito but his face was twisting in anger. “You are just a w***e, Athena. What right do you have to make a business deal with me?”

Biglang nangilid ang luha ni Athena pero pinigilan niya ang pagtulo niyon. Daig niya pa ang sinampal sa sinabi nito. Hindi niya maintindihan kung saan nanggagaling ang matinding galit ng lalaki sa kanya.

Oo, alam niyang pinalayas noon ng papa niya ang lolo’t lola ni Jeric pero hindi pa rin ba siya nito mapatawad dahil doon? Hindi ba’t naging maayos naman ang kalagayan nila at naging bilyonaryo pa nga ang lalaki?

Ito pa nga ang biglang nang-iwan sa kanya noon nang walang paalam. For nine years she was waiting for him to come back, pero kahit minsan ay hindi ito nagparamdam sa kanya. Hanggang sa nakita na lamang niya ito sa magazine.

“Don’t try to deny it,” patuloy ng lalaki habang pinagapang ang hintuturo sa pisngi ng dalaga. “I still have ears in Costa Fuego. Jobert left you hanging at the altar. He must have realized that he was on the losing end of the deal. You’re worthless.”

Marahas siya nitong binitiwan at muntik na naman siyang ma-out balance. This time, hindi na niya napigilan ang mapaluha sa panghihiya nito.

One year ago, she got engaged to a family friend. Anak ng governador ng kanilang probinsya. Their hacienda was already in deep trouble at kung kani-kanino na siya humingi ng tulong. Wala nang banko ang willing na mag-refinance sa kanila at kahit ang mga dating kaibigan ng ama ay parang kinalimutan na ang lahat ng pagsasamahan nila noon.

All of her nightmare started a few months before graduating from a university in America. Na-stroke ang ama niya. She had no choice but to come home and take care of everything. Doon niya nalaman na wala na ang lahat ng asset ng pamilya nila maliban sa Hacienda Escalbar. She tried everything to keep it afloat for three years, pero mas lalo lamang silang nabaon sa utang. Si Jobert lamang ang nangakong tutulungan siya kahit na ayaw pumayag ng mga magulang nito. Ang sabi ni Jobert, once na maikasal sila, wala nang choice ang pamilya nito kundi tulungan sila dahil parte na siya ng pamilya.

Ngunit sa mismong araw ng kasal nila, hindi sumipot ang lalaki. Nag-iwan lamang ito ng sulat na humihingi ito ng tawad. Ni wala itong paliwanag man lang.

Grabeng kahihiyan ang dinanas niya nang mga sandaling iyon pero hindi siya puwedeng sumuko. Marami nang nagbabanta sa buhay nila ng ama dahil sa mga utang na hindi na nila nabayaran. Some of those men were well-connected at kayang-kaya silang burahin sa mundo anumang oras. Hindi na niya alam kung ano pa ang puwedeng gawin.

And then one day, she saw Jeric’s photo on the cover of a magazine. Hindi niya akalain na naging bilyonaryo na ang dating kasintahan. Bagama’t hindi naging maayos at hindi klaro ang naging hiwalayan nila noon, she knew she had to take her chance. It was her only last option.

Pero ngayon…

Tumalikod si Jeric at namulsa. “You said in your letter that you want to talk to me at any cost.”

Napalunok si Athena. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang isasagot dahil hindi niya mabasa ang lalaki at kung ano ang gustong ipunto nito.

“You must be very desperate to save your hacienda.”

Napapikit si Athena at saka tumango kahit alam niyang hindi siya nito nakikita.

“It’s funny, isn’t it? The once proud and untouchable Athena who was once the biggest spoiled brat in Costa Fuego, finally understands what desperation means. Hindi ba’t para sa aming mga dukha lamang ang pagiging desperado habang inaapak-apakan niyo noon ang karapatan namin? Nobody can understand desperation more than I do, thanks to your father. And now I want to see how desperate you can get.”

Saglit itong tumigil na parang iniisip ang susunod na sasabihin. “I can easily save your hacienda, Athena. But on one condition…"

Kinabahan si Athena. Inaamin niyang desperado siyang maisalba ang hacienda. Pero hindi niya alam kung ano ang aasahan niyang kondisyon kay Jeric base sa personality na nakikita niya rito ngayon.

Humarap ang lalaki at sinalubong ng tingin ang dalaga. His eyes were like fire and ice at the same time. “Are you willing to do anything?”

Napakurap at lumunok ang dalaga.

“A-anong kondisyon?” Halos pabulong niyang tanong.

“Be my slave.”