Selfless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #4]

Prologue

JARED

"Jared, let's break up. Ayoko na. Wala rin naman tong patutunguhan." She told me, her expression blank and her voice so cold. It broke my heart upon hearing her words pero tila parang wala lamang iyon sa kanya. She didn't even flinch when she said those words.

"W- what? Bakit naman ganyan Riri? Bat naman ganito?"

"I can't continue being in a relationship with you. Let's just end this. This is for the best."

Halos matulala na lang ako at mawalan ng imik sa kanyang sinabi. Is she f*****g serious?

“How is this for the best, huh, Riri?! How the hell is breaking up for the best? Give me a reason! Give me a damn good one! Wag yong ganito na basta ka na lang makikipaghiwalay! Are you f*****g kidding me right now?!”

I could only rub my face with my hands in frustration. I don’t understand her! I don’t understand this at all! Sabagay, paano ko siya maiintindihan kung hindi siya nagsasalita? Ilang linggo siyang naging malamig. I tried so hard to know kung anong problema. I know I have been neglectful these past months pero I tried to make it up to her! She didn’t let me! And now babanatan niya ako ng breakup?! f*****g s**t!

“I don't love you.” She said all of a sudden.

Halos manlamig ako sa nakitang reaksyon niya. She didn’t even bat an eyelash. f**k!

"W- what did you say?"

“I said… I don’t love you.”

Putangina.

“What do you mean you don’t love me? Goddamn it, Riri! Hindi mo ako mahal? Paano mo nasasabi yan ngayon? Just because you want to breakup, magsisinungaling ka ng ganyan?! Don’t--” Hindi ko na nagawang tapusin pa ang aking sasabihin dahil inunahan na niya ako.

“I’m sorry… I’m just human… nagkakamali.” She said so simply na tila ba maliit na bagay lang iyon. She doesn’t even know how much her words were breaking me. f**k. Siya ba talaga ang babaeng minahal ko? How come I barely recognize her now? Hindi ganito ang Riri na nakilala ko… She could never do this to me… she was such a wonderful girl… “I’m sorry, Jared. Akala ko rin mahal kita… pero hindi pala. I guess, I just liked you so much… I liked how much you made me feel… I was overwhelmed… kaya inakala kong mahal kita… I’m sorry, Jared… pero hindi kita mahal.”

“Y- you don’t love me? Y- you mean to say h- hindi mo ako minahal?” I asked. She nodded.

Napasinghap ako dahil tila parang anumang saglita ay magsisipatak na ang mga luhang kanina ko pa pinipigilan. Putangina. She she loves me? Akala lang pala niya? Putangina! How could anyone f*****g misinterpret their own feelings?! That’s just f*****g dumb!!

“Damn it!!”

Hindi ko napigilan ang matinding bugso ng damdamin. Bago ko pa maisip ang aking gagawin, nadakma ko na ang malapit na vase at naibato iyon sa malayong sulok ng silid. I was fuming and shaking in anger. Pero kahit na ganoon ang galit na ipinakita ko, ni hindi siya tinablan. She wasn’t even fazed!

She only looked at me with cold, heartless eyes. f**k! She’s not my Riri! Hindi siya ang babaeng mahal ko! My Riri was warm. She was always bubbly and soft. She was never the type to look at anyone with such coldness!! What happened to her?!

I don’t understand her! She became a completely different person! Her personality changed 180 degrees! She’s so f*****g cold… and heartless. How could she do this to me? How could she be this heartless…

Anong naging pagkukulang ko? I loved her… Minahal ko siya ng lubos… What the f**k did I do now? What did I f*****g do to deserve this?

Putangina. Putanginang pag-ibig yan!!

“Fine!!” I shouted angrily. I looked at her through narrowed eyes. The tears have stopped now dahil mas matindi na ang galit na nadarama kaysa sa sakit. “Let’s break up! Kung yan ang magpapasaya sayo! Go ahead! f*****g break up with me! Pero don’t you dare come running back to me kapag na-realize mong mahal mo nga ako! I won’t welcome you with open arms. I won’t f*****g have you in my life again. Remember that, Anikka Riel!”

And I stormed out of the room.

***

It has been a month since Riri and I broke up.

Hindi gaya ng inaasahan ng lahat, I didn’t get myself drunk for nights or even hooked up with girls to forget. I was never the type of person to drown himself with alcohol kapag may problema. I was always rational and I always use my head kahit na nasa anong sitwasyon. Hindi magbabago iyon kahit pa nasaktan ang lintik kong puso. I would never f*****g change my habits for a woman… and to a totally underserving one at that.

Instead of spending nights in bars and clubs, I spent my times working in my company. Imbes na pagpapakalasing ang atupagin ko, mas mabuti pang ibuhos ko ang buong atensyon sa pagpapalago ng aking kompanya. Not that I still needed to work hard… My company is already at the top kaya kahit hindi na ako magpakapagod, wala akong magiging problema.

But I guess I’m that type of person. Hindi naglalasing kapag may problema, pero sa trabaho nagpapakalunod.

That’s better though. I mean I’ll only get a hangover if I drown myself with alcohol. Mas maigi na ang magpakalunod sa trabaho at saka magpakalunod sa pera. Nakatulong pa ako sa bansa.

Dalawang linggo matapos ang paghihiwalay namin ni Riri, hindi na ako nagtaka nang bisitahin ako ni Jade. If there’s anyone na unang makakaalam sa hiwalayan namin, siya yon. I mean, Riri is still her husband’s sister. Malapit din sila sa isa’t isa kaya alam kong mabilis makararating sa kanya ang balita.

Pero hindi pala iyon ang dahilan ng kanyang pagbisita. Turns out, she actually has news for me… well, not really news.

“Jared, did you and Riri break up?” Agad na tanong sa akin ni Jade nang patuluyin ko siya sa aking bahay. Buhat niya sa kanyang bisig ang sanggol na anak. I was about to get the baby from her pero natigilan dahil sa bungad na tanong niya. Bigla ay parang nawalan ako ng gana.

Tinalikuran ko siya at dumiretso sa sofa sa aking sala. I was watching the news when she came.

“Are you asking me dahil hindi mo alam? Or are you asking me just to confirm it?” I asked using a blank tone.

“Both.” She said. Naupo siya sa sofa sa aking harapan. “Ano? Did you guys break up nga?”

I rolled my eyes at her. Hindi ko mapigilang magsuplado. I really didn’t want to talk about it kaya nga hindi ko pa sinabi sa kanya. Aside sa alam kong abala siya sa pag-aalaga sa kanyang anak, she was busy too dahil katatapos lang ng kasal nila ni River.

“Nasabi niya na yata sayo. So why bother asking me?” I deadpanned.

“She didn’t! Kaya nga tinatanong kita!” She said while looking obviously frustrated.

Nagtaas ako ng isang kilay sa kanya. If Riri didn’t tell her, how did she know then? “Why are you asking me that then?”

“Well, Juan Ynigo Monteverde just came to the Villafuerte mansion last night! Riri and Juan Ynigo announced they are getting married!”

Natigilan ako roon.

Alam kong nakita ni Jade ang pagkabigla sa aking reaksyon dahil agad na lumambot ang kanyang ekspresyon.

“They’re getting married by the end of this month…”

Fuck. Hindi lang niya ako basta pinalitan… she even found someone she would marry. Ni wala pang isang buwan ang nakakalipas pero naitapon na niya ang lahat ng ganoon kabilis.

It f*****g stung so badly. Hindi ko pa tuluyang natatanggap na hiwalay na kami. I could barely process the fact pero ngayon ay malalaman kong magpapakasal na siya? Damn… Iyon ba ang dahilan ng pakikipaghiwalay niya sa akin? Hindi niya ako mahal dahil mayroon siyang ibang mahal?

It f*****g left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“If she’s getting married to him then obviously break na nga kami.” Malamig kong tugon bago ibinalik ang atensyon sa telebisyon. I needed to distract myself dahil ayaw kong makita ni Jade na nasasaktan ako ngayon.

Pero mukhang ginagago ata ako ng pagkakataon… dahil ngayon ang mukha ng babaeng minahal ko ang naka-flash sa screen ngayon.

Putangina… Parang dinurog ang puso ko nang makita ang dalawang taong kanina lamang ay ikinukwento ng aking kaibigan.

Riri and Juan Ynigo Monteverde were being interviewed by a local reporter. Ang kamay ng huli ay nasa kanyang baywang… and she was smiling so happily. Putangina… She could still smile after breaking my heart just like that?

“Ms. Riri, is it true that you and Mr. Monteverde are now engaged?”

Higit ko ang aking hininga nang itanong iyon ng taga media. Pinaghandaan ko ang tugon niya. At the back of my mind, I was hoping na ide- deny niya iyon pero sino bang niloloko ko?

She smiled. “Yes. It’s true.”

Agad na bumaba ang camera sa kamay niya at nag-flash sa screen ang isang diamond ring sa kanyang daliri. f**k!

“Ms. Riri, weren’t you previously dating Mr. Arguelles?”

Nabigla ako sa sunod na tanong na iyon pero hinintay ko ang kanyang kasagutan… I was expectant of her answer… kahit na batid kong maaaring masaktan ako maririnig…

“Yes.” She answered confidently. She wasn’t even fazed by the question. Tila napaghandaan niyang mabuti ang tanong na iyon. “Jared and I had a special something before. We dated and tried it out… but it didn't work out. And maybe it’s because Juan Ynigo is actually the one meant for me.”

Fuck! Special something?! Iyon lang ang lahat ng meron tayo para sayo Riri? f**k! What we had was more than a special something! Hindi mo ibibigay ang virginity mo sa isang taong ka-special something mo lang! Putangina!

“Jared…” I heard Jade's worried voice.

Kalmado kong inabot ang remote control para pataying ang TV at saka tumayo mula sa aking kinauupuan. Hindi ko ipinakita kay Jade ang totoong nararamdaman dahil ayaw kong mas lalo lamang siyang mag-alala… She’s happy now. Ayokong ako pa ang makasira niyon.

I tried to smile at my best friend kahit na ang totoo ay parang gusto kong umiyak. Putangina. Hindi ako ang tipo ng tao na umiiyak dahil lang sa isang babae pero tangina… it hurts like a b***h.

“Jade… I- I have to go… Pasensya na… pero kailangan kong magpahangin muna…” Kalmado kong sinabi kay Jade.

Kita ko ang pag-aalala sa kanyang mga mata but she nodded nonetheless. I know she understands me… “Just promise me you won't do anything stupid, Jared…”

I smiled. “Stupid is never in my dictionary, Jade.”

“I know…”

Isang tango lamang at tuluyan na akong umalis.

I honestly had no idea where to go. Basta na lamang ako sumakay sa aking kotse at nagdrive ng diretso. Mag- iisang oras na yata akong nagmamaneho at paikot-ikot lamang ako dahil walang tiyak na patutunguhan. It didn’t matter though. I just wanted to get out of there. I just wanted to be alone. I couldn’t really release my anger nang naroon si Jade…

God knows how much I had to control myself earlier. I was leering with anger. I couldn’t think of anything other than the f**k that she denied me! Hiniwalayan niya ako ng basta na lang at ngayon naman ay itinanggi sa harap ng sambayanan. Putangina!

We were together for months! We were never just a thing! Niligawan ko siya at sinagot niya ako! I was her damn boyfriend! I was her damn first f**k! I was her first in everything tapos sasabihin niyang special something lang ang lahat?! Na nag-date kami pero hindi nag-work out?! Sinong niloloko niya?

Now that I think about it… Dalawang linggo pa lamang mula nang maghiwalay kami pero nag- anunsyo na siyang magpapakasal. Putangina. Ayokong isipin pero… did she f*****g two time me?! Habang kami ay dine- date na niya ang gagong Juan Ynigo na yon?!

Nahampas ko ang manibela dahil sa matinding galit. Pero kasabay din niyon ay ang mabilis kong pag-apak sa break.

“f**k!”

Halos manlamig ang mukha ko sa kaba nang ma- realize ang muntik nang mangyari. Mabilis ang t***k ng kabadong puso ko nang tingnan ang harapan ng aking sasakyan. Putangina… Muntik na yon.

Hindi agad ako nakagalaw dahil sa pagkabigla. I was f*****g stunned… or shocked, ang mas magandang sabihin. Muntik na akong makabangga ng tao dahil sa distracted driving ko. If my car didn’t have such good clutch, baka tuluyan ko ngang nabangga ang babaeng bigla na lang lumitaw sa gitna ng daan.

Nang bumalik ang aking huwisyo ay agad na akong umibis sa aking sasakyan. I was still so f*****g nervous nang umikot patungo sa harap at hanapin ang babae. I know I didn’t hit her… I would have felt an impact kung nabangga ko nga iyon.

Pero agad na nanlaki ang aking mga mata nang makitang nakalugmok sa daan sa harap ng aking sasakyan ang babae. Mabilis koi tong dinaluhan dahil sa kaba at pag-aalala. f**k! Nabangga ko nga? Puta!

“A- are you okay, miss?” Tanong ko nang makaluhod sa kanyang tabi. Agad kong sinuri ang babae para makita kung nasaktan nga. I couldn’t see any blood but then internal bleeding is also possible right? Mas lalo akong nakaramdam ng pagkataranta dahil doon. Dagdagan pa na narinig ko ang isang hikbi mula rito. “S- s**t! I- I’m sorry. Hindi ko sinasadya. I- I didn’t see you… I’m sorry. Let’s go. Dadalhin kita sa ospital ngayon din.”

She didn’t say anything. Sa halip ay mas lalo lamang humagulhol na tila may kung anong masakit na iniinda. Sinubukan kong hulihin ang kanyang tingin pero tuloy lamang ito sap ag-iyak. I’m starting to think she wasn’t really crying about being hit… Pakiramdam ko ay may ibang rason ang pag-iyak niya ngayon…

“Miss… If you continue crying, hindi ko malalaman kung paano ka tutulungan… please… look at me. Please tell me kung anong masakit sayo… Or better yet, dadalhin na lamang kita sa ospital.”

Umakma akong kakargahin siya pero agad namang natigilan nang sa wakas ay mag- angat ng tingin sa akin. Mas lalo lamang akong natigilan nang matitigang mabuti ang kanyang mukha. She was damn beautiful. Kahit namumugto at namumula ang mga mata, she looked very beautiful.

Agad kong naipilig ang aking ulo. Damn it. Jared, umayos ka! Now is not the time to admire her beauty! She’s crying and it could be because you hit her with your car!

“Miss, please… Hayaan mo na akong dalhin ka sa ospital. I need to make sure you’re okay… Hindi ako mapapalagay hangga’t hindi ka nadadala sa ospital.”I tried to convince her again, but she only shook her head again and buried her face in her hands. Tuloy pa rin siya sa kanyang pag-iyak kaya hindi ko na malaman ang gagawin. “Miss, wag ka na umiyak oh? Y- you’re freaking me out… Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba nabangga kita o dahil may iba kang dahilan kaya umiiyak ka ngayon.”

She lifted her gaze at my words. Her tears were still falling but she tried to stop herself from sobbing. I could see how much she was trying not to cry again. I couldn’t help but feel bad for her. She looked so soft that I wasn’t able to stop myself from wiping her tears with my thumb. I gave her a small smile as I looked into her clear, brown eyes.

“You’re too beautiful to be crying like this…” I told her gently. She blinked as if she didn’t expect what I said. She sniffed and looked at me innocently. “Let me take you to the hospital, please.”

Umiling naman siya agad at nanlaki ang mata, para bang may na- realize siyang bigla. "I- I'm alright. H- hindi mo na ko kailangan dalhin sa ospital. S- sorry. Pasensya na sa abala."

Bigla naman siyang tumayo at saka umambang aalis. Agad ko naman siyang napigilan kaya napalingon siyang muli. "W- wait! I- I have to make sure first. Please. Let me take you to the hospital.”

“H- hindi na… You didn’t hit me. I just fell in front of your car. Y- you don’t have to worry. Wala kang kasalanan. It’s my fault. Ako ang bigla na lang tumawid nang hindi tumitingin sa daan.” She tried to assure me. She looked so apologetic.

Umakma siyang aalis nang muli pero pinigilan ko. All of a sudden, there was this nagging feeling inside of me… something that I couldn't quite comprehend. I didn't know why but... I couldn't just let her go without knowing her name.

Maybe I am just worried. Yeah, that should be it.

"Wait!" Napalingon siyang muli. "I- I didn't get your name."

She showed me an angelic and beautiful smile. "Juliette. My name is Juliette."