Selfless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #4]

Chapter One

STAY IN LOVE

JARED

“I got her, man! Finally!”

Napangiti na lamang ako nang marinig ang sinabi ni Sky mula sa kabilang linya. It was a busy afternoon in the company when I received the call from him. It wasn’t a problem though. I wasn’t in an important meeting anyway. And I am glad that to hear from him lalo na at magandang balita iyon.

Isang araw pa lamang ang nakalilipas mula nang makauwi kaming lahat mula sa Nevada. Hindi ko masabi kung naging successful nga ang plano namin but since the end was good, siguro ay considered as successful nga iyon. A few things didn’t go according to plan but he has his woman now. That’s all that matters.

“That’s good to hear, Sky. Congrats!”

“Thanks, pre. Salamat sa inyong tatlo. You guys have been a huge help these past weeks. This wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for you guys.”

Napangisi na lamang ako. Even the worst playboys change when they meet their match. I still can’t believe it’s Sky Contierra I am talking to right now. “No big deal, man. Always willing to help… and I’m sure it’s the same for River and Shin.”

“So if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to call, man. We got your back now.” Sky said.

It’s good to know that there are still people aside from Philip that I could actually be friends in this crazy world of business. “I’ll keep that in mind. Although I hope that day won’t come. I’d like to keep my life peaceful as it is.”

“Yeah. Right.” He chuckled. “By the way, she’s pregnant! I’m going to be a dad!”

My eyes slightly widened at his news. Bahagya akong natawa. I was a bit surprised but nonetheless happy for the two. After the stressful events from the past weeks, a baby was a great news. I’m sure he’s thrilled. I could hear it from his voice. “Congrats, man! I’m happy for the both of you. Kasal na ba ang sunod mong itatawag samin?”

“I’m still trying to convince her to marry me before her stomach grows. She doubts I want to marry her cause I love her. She thinks I’m asking her for marriage because of the baby.”

Sounds like quite a problem. But I’m sure he can handle this.

“Hope it goes well. Pero I’m sure you’ll get her to say yes eventually. Just give her time, I guess.” I told him.

“Yeah. But I’m making sure she says yes before we go back to the city.” He said, sounding pretty determined now. “I’m not leaving this island without putting a ring on her finger. Speaking of…”

“You don’t have a ring yet, do you?” I chuckled.

“Yeah.” He tsked. “That’s also probably why she won’t accept my proposal… Hmm… I should probably go, Jared. I think I need to find a ring for my proposal.”

I could only shake my head. Hindi nga naman convincing kung walang singsing. “Yeah, sure, man. Good luck finding the perfect ring. I expect to hear good news from you again soon.”

He laughed lightly. “You’ll be the first to know.”

Matapos ang maikling pag-uusap namin ay tinapos na rin namin ang tawag. I was supposed to get back to the files I was reviewing before I got interrupted by the call but for some reason, nawala ang gana kong magpatuloy roon. Sa huli ay napabuntong hininga na lamang ako bago nagdesisyong bumaba at mag-inspect sa mga offices. Maybe that will distract me from this weird feeling I am getting all of a sudden.

***

When the clock struck five, tapos na ako sa trabaho. Well, not really finished. Let’s just say I procrastinated on work and just watched the time fly para makauwi na. I was suddenly not in the mood to work and no matter how I tried to distract myself, I just really couldn’t. I even attended a department meeting na hindi naman ako kailangan just to pass the time.

Now it’s time to go home.

I can’t believe I actually got tired of my setup after only a few months. I thought I would somehow last for a year. Seeing Philip in the same situation, I honestly thought I would last as long as he did. But just look now, I burned out real fast.

Sabagay, Phil has his breaks. Nakahanap rin siya ng ibang outlet for his frustration. Kaya nga nasa espanya ngayon. That’s our difference I guess. Aside from work, I got nothing else. It was just work, home, repeat for me. Kaya rin nang magkaproblema si Sky, they didn’t have to ask for my help. I volunteered. That’s how badly I needed the distraction.

My life has been pretty monotonous these past few months. Maraming naging pagbabago at hanggang ngayon ay sinasanay ko pa rin ang sarili ko sa mga iyon. One of the huge changes was of course with Jade. Back then I could just call her whenever I want to and we will hang out na. Even when she had boyfriends before, I was always on the top of her priority list. And of course, it was the same for me. That’s how close we were.

But things are different now. Her priorities have changed dahil may sariling pamilya na siya. She has a husband and a kid now. I know she still loves me the same and she would want to help me anytime pero I know my position in her life. Ako na mismo ang maglulugar sa sarili ko. I don’t want to complicate things for her by being the needy best friend.

After all, nagawa ko na rin namang sanayin ang sarili ko noon. Jade has been busy with River ever since they started dating but let’s just say that I didn’t feel totally left out because I had someone to keep me busy too.

Riri has been my constant companion since the River and Jade episode. Simula nang makilala ko ang nakababatang kapatid ni River, let’s say we got very ‘close’.

At first sight of her, I immediately got attracted. She’s very beautiful after all. But honestly, it was really her personality that made me fall deeper. The concern she showed to Jade at the time of her accident caught me. I could see how fond she was of Jade and vice versa. It was the first thing that really made me grow fond of her.

After that first meeting, I just couldn’t let the chance pass. I wanted to know her better kaya gumawa ako ng paraan upang magkalapit pa kami. I eventually asked her out on a date and our relationship progressed from there. A week after the party of Elite, she became my girlfriend.

It was quite fast, I know, but at that time I just really wanted to lay claim on her. I’ve never liked a woman as much as I liked Riri, much less someone as young as her. She was very young compared to me, and surprisingly very inexperienced, but all of it just made me fall harder.

She was one of the kindest and most understanding women I ever met. Even when she is still young, she’s already very matured when it comes to her views in life. I never expected that a girl born from such a family would be as humble and warmhearted as her.

I literally hit the jackpot when she agreed to be my girlfriend.

But I am not so sure now if that was really the case…

The thing with falling in love with someone younger is that there is always the case of falling out because of sudden grown up realizations. She was six years younger and you can already tell the difference of our level of maturity (despite her being already mature in my eyes and heart). While I was out there planning and looking forward to a future with her, one where I marry her and have a bunch of kids with her, she was out there contemplating about her life choices. I didn’t realize that another case was possible… falling for someone her age and realizing it was a better decision.

I honestly didn’t foresee that. And I guess I was also too busy with many problems that even when hints showed, I still couldn’t see. It was probably my fault. While I was trying to balance out my priorities, I failed to realize that I was actually failing to look after her…

And that’s where we didn’t meet eye to eye. It could be the difference between the levels of our maturity to handle such issues or maybe it’s just as it is… maybe she really just fell for the guy and realized she was better off with him.

Damn… I think I need a drink.

Sinabi ko sa sarili ko na hindi ako magre- resort sa alak pagdating sa bagay na ito. But I feel so damn depressed today.

There goes another playboy with a happy ending pero ang tulad ko, kulelat pa rin. Damn. I never played with anyone’s feelings. I was always serious with my relationships. So why is it that I am always the one to end up feeling miserable? What is it with me that makes me a heartbreak target? Is it because I am serious with relationships? Am I supposed to change and be an asshole para lamang hindi tablan ng ganito?

But I will not be the person I am if I change myself just to keep someone… To be a heartbreaker is not in my character and to turn my back on the only person who was there for me through everything is something I cannot do… I will not be the Jared that I am now without my best friend’s guidance. Without Jade, I wouldn’t have gotten this far… She was my rock during my most painful and lowest days.

Why am I even thinking of this… It wasn’t even the issue.

She clearly told me that she didn’t really love me… and that it was only some kind of infatuation or maybe lust. She slapped that on my face when I asked her… Kaya what’s the use of dwelling on every shortcomings I have and how I could have fixed it kung isa lang naman ang puno’t dulo nito…

She was in love with someone else. She wasn’t really in love with me.

Damn. How is it even possible to confuse your feelings for someone? How can someone mistake their feelings for love? Was that even possible?

I just cursed inside my brain and finally came to a decision while driving. I turned to the next street and headed for the familiar route leading to the city’s party district. So much for not drinking…

Pumarada ako sa harap ng pamilyar na establisyimento. There’s this specific bar that I go to kapag kailangan ng maiinom. I like this certain bar dahil hindi naman ito gaya ng ibang bar sa disctrict, this is much more chill and reserved. It was literally a bar and restaurant. Ang mga nagpupunta rito ay ang mga tulad kong alak lang talaga ang hanap.

As expected, hindi ganoon karami ang tao sa bar. There were a few groups on some tables and may iba ring solo or dala- dalawa lamang. It was just what I needed to calm my nerves. The last thing I wanted was a loud crowd. Pagkaupo ko sa isa sa mga table malayo sa ibang patrons ay nilapitan na ako ng isang staff.

Agad kong ibinigay ang aking order. Just a few shots of my favorite whiskey and I’ll be gone.

Soon enough, one shot became two and then three and until I couldn’t count them anymore.

Just for tonight, I keep thinking… I don’t drink much but I’m definitely not a lightweight. I can probably handle half a bottle and I will still be okay…

I smiled bitterly…

Will I really be okay though?

Isn’t the very reason why I am here right now is because I am not okay?

Putanginang pag-ibig…

I wish I was capable of unloving someone too… But why is it that even after she broke me, I still love her so much?

Too much f*****g love will kill you, they say… Is it even normal to love someone this much?

Why couldn’t she love me as much as I loved her then? Or at least just love me enough to find the will to stay…

Tell me Riri, why couldn’t you stay in love with me?