Chasing the Forbidden (SERIE FEROCI 3)

Chapter Two

My Mom and Xanthos were both quiet as I stare at them. I raised my eyebrow and made myself look intimidating. Mas lalong tumaas ang kilay ko nang hawakan ni Mom ang kamay ng Xanthos na iyon.

Seriously? In front of me? Really?

Sumandal na lang ako sa sandalan ng couch habang nakatitig sa kanila. Ang sakit nila sa matang dalawa, talaga bang ipagpapalit ni Mom si Dad sa lalaking mas bata ng ilang beses sa kanya?

I turned my gaze at Xanthos Archante. He's still quiet, there's no hint of emotion in his eyes, as usual, as if he's not intimidated nor affected by my presence. It's not surprising, that's what made him a well-known businessman.

Xanthos is incredibly attractive, I honestly don't like men with beard or stubble, but this man is probably an exception, he looks so handsome and manly with his stubble. He's kinda light-skinned but it suits him well.

I just cleared my throat and straightened my back, why am I admiring him in my mind? I just shook my head.

“So, makikipaghiwalay ka kay Dad para sa lalaking 'yan? Are you for real, Mom? Ang bata bata pa niyan!” I exclaimed and pointed her boyfriend.

I'm always calm, I rarely lose my composure but I really lose it this time knowing that Mom's boyfriend is way younger than her. Sobrang naiinis ako!

“You're exaggerated, she's just nine years older than me. Besides, who gives a f**k about age gap nowadays?” he asked in a kinda mocking tone. I just glared at him.

So, he's 34 years old, huh.

“I'm not talking to you, Mr. Archante.” My eyebrow shot up. I'm not a b***h, but this ridiculous situation is making me.

Kung iba lang ang boyfriend ni Mama, sasabihin kong pineperahan siya nito... but damn, he's Xanthos Archante. Is that means he's really in love with my Mom? I mean no, that's absurd. Bakit Mommy ko pa? Ang daming babae riyan, bakit sa may pamilyang tao pa siya pumatol?

“Anak.” Lumapit sa akin si Mom at umupo sa tabi ko. “Please understand, I just want to be happy this time. Of course, you are my happiness, but I want to be happy as a woman too. Your father agreed because we both know our relationship didn't work out in the first place. Just accept it, anak. We will sign the divorce papers next week. Nasa sa 'yo naman ang desisyon kung kanino sa amin mo gustong sumama. Hindi naman porke't maghihiwalay na kami ng Dad mo, hindi mo na kami magulang. Please, h'wag ka namang magalit sa 'kin, 'nak. I just want to love and to be happy.”

Natahimik ako sa sinabi ni Mom. Of course, I want her to be happy... but not this way. Hindi niya ba kayang sumaya sa piling namin ni Dad? Sa lalaking 'to lang ba talaga siya sasaya?

“Gaano na kayo katagal ng lalaking 'yan?” tanong ko at itinuro si Xanthos.

“Anak,” tila nananaway na sabi ni Mom.

“Just answer me, Mom.”

She sighed before answering my question.

“Four months.” Mom avoided my gaze.

I licked my lower lip to calm myself. Mas lalong nangitngit ang kalooban ko... four f*****g months, ganoon na pala katagal. Kaya naman pala palagi siyang wala sa bahay.

I looked at Xanthos. I just sighed and rolled my eyes. I need some time to think first, kapag kinausap ko pa sila ngayon ay baka mag-init lang ang ulo ko.

I stood up and took my car key.

“I'll take my leave. Mag-uusap ulit tayo bukas, Mom...” I looked at Xanthos. “...and you, I will never accept you for my Mom.”

He didn't say anything nor reacted with what I've said. Muli akong napairap at tinalikuran na lang sila pagkasabi ko no'n. Dali dali akong lumabas ng bahay ni Mom at sumakay sa kotse ko.

What a great birthday gift.

* * *

“Saan ka pupunta, anak?”

Natigilan ako at napatingin kay Dad nang akmang lalabas na ako ng bahay. Agad siyang lumapit sa 'kin at hinawakan ang kamay ko.

Dad seemed to be worried about me. I understand him, buong araw akong nagkulong sa kuwarto. Ngayon lang ako lumabas dahil pupunta ako sa bar ni Cad.

I sighed and gave my Dad a faint smile. Oo nga't naiinis ako, pero ayaw ko naman na pag-alalahin pa si Dad.

“Don't mind me, Dad. I just want to have some fun for a bit. Don't worry, I won't be a rebellious daughter like what you have in mind right now. I just need to ease this frustration. Don't worry about me. Bye, Dad, I love you.” I gave him a peck on his cheeks. Dad just sighed and nodded.

“I love you too, please take care.”

Nginitian ko na lang si Dad bago ako tuluyang lumabas ng bahay. Agad akong sumakay sa kotse. Kinuha ko ang phone ko para mag-leave ng message kay Cadence. Natigilan ako nang mapansing may message pala siya sa 'kin. Hindi ko na nabasa dahil umiyak at natulog lang ako buong araw sa kuwarto ko.

Cadence: Hbd, mbtc, tc, imy, ily... Kiss na lang pala regalo ko sayo. Punta ka sa bar mamaya. Mwah mwah tsup tsup!

Natatawang napailing na lang ako at muling ibinalik ang phone sa pouch ko. Pinaandar ko na rin agad ang kotse at hindi na ni-reply-an pa si Cad, papunta na rin naman ako ro'n.

My mind was preoccupied the whole day, buti nga at nagawa ko pang makatulog. My Mom called me several times but I didn't answer, I don't wanna talk to her yet, baka may masabi lang akong masakit sa kanya. Siguro nga naiinis ako sa kanya ngayon, but she's still my Mom.

“Kiarabog, here!”

Napangiti na lang ako nang makita si Cad sa counter. Agad akong lumapit sa kanya saka umupo sa stool. Cadence leaned closer and gave me a peck on my lips. 

“Mukhang badtrip ka na naman ah, anyare ba, sis?” tanong ni Cadence saka muling bumalik sa pagtitimpla ng drinks.

“Maghihiwalay na parents ko,” tipid na sagot ko at inilapag ang pouch sa hita ko. Napangiwi na lang si Cadence.

“Ayos ka lang?” he asked and gave me a drink. Agad kong kinuha 'yon at ininom ng isang tunggaan.

“Malamang hindi... at alam mo ba? Halos ka-edad mo lang ang ipinalit ni Mom kay Dad. Mas lalong nakakainis! Give me another drink,” I said and let out a heavy sigh.

Cadence gave me another drink, lumabas siya ng counter at lumapit sa 'kin. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at hinila ako papunta sa VIP room. Nagpatianod na lang ako dahil gusto ko rin naman ng privacy. I like the loud noise from this place but not this time, wala ako sa mood.

Cadence sat on the red couch. Hinila niya ako paupo sa kandungan niya saka humawak sa baywang ko. Yumakap na lang ako sa batok niya. Cadence really knows how to comfort me with his simple gestures. I can say that he's my only boy-friend, well, we kiss and make out a lot, but I consider him as my friend.

“Kwento na, makikinig ako. Nakaka-pogi raw kapag gentleman yung lalaki tapos palaging nakikinig,” nakangising sabi pa niya. Hinampas ko na lang ang dibdib niya at tiningnan siya nang masama.

“You're not helping,” I said and raised my eyebrow. Cadence let out a manly chuckle and gently squeezed my waist.

“Hindi na, sige na, ano ba 'yon? Make kwento, sis.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. I'm here to forget my family issue for a while but he wants me to make kwento. Sapakin ko na lang kaya siya?

“Basta, Mom's new boyfriend is pissing me off. He's so young, he's handsome too and effin' hot. Hindi lang 'yon, he's absolutely rich. Bakit sa dinami-dami ng babae si Mom pa ang pinatulan niya? I mean, pamilyadong tao ang Mommy ko, naninira siya ng pamilya. Bakit hindi na lang siya sa single pumatol?” pag-aalburoto ko. Napangisi na lang si Cadence.

“Kanino? Sa 'yo?” natatawamg tanong niya. I smacked his chest again.

“I'm serious here, Cadence Lettiere.” Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata.

Cad just shook his head and scratched his thick eyebrow. Saglit pa ay naging seryoso ang mukha niya na minsan ko lang makita, seryosong tumitig siya sa mga mata ko.

“I understand what you're feeling right now... pero sa tingin ko, dapat hayaan mo na lang ang parents mo. Mukhang desidido na talaga silang maghiwalay, saka palagi mong naku-kuwento sa 'kin na wala na talaga silang gana sa isa't isa. Saka wala naman siguro masama kung magmamahal ulit ang Mommy mo, 'di ba?”

Napaismid na lang ako sa sinabi niya, naiinis ako dahil may punto ang mga sinabi niya... pero naiinis pa rin talaga ako. I can't accept that just like that. I know I still can do something about this situation.

“Akala ko ba sa 'kin ka kampi?” nakasimangot na tanong ko kay Cadence. Natawa na lang siya saka pinitik ang noo ko.

“H'wag ka ngang ano riyan, doon ako palagi sa tama, sa kabutihan palagi ang side ko... Gano'n akong klaseng tao, Kiara,” nakangiting sabi ni Cad saka tinapik-tapik pa ang dibdib niya. Napairap na lang ako.

“Ewan ko sa'yo.”

Natahimik na lang ako at napatulala... that man, Xanthos Archante, I will never accept him for my Mom. I will do everything just to make him back off. Kahit ano yata ay gagawin ko mawala lang siya sa buhay ni Mom.

“Sino ba 'yang boyfriend ng Mommy mo?” Cad asked. I just rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“He ain't important,” sagot ko na lang. Cad just shrugged off and didn't ask me again.

“Ano na'ng plano mo?” tanong niya. Natigilan ako nang maramdaman kong bumababa ang kamay niya sa legs ko. Hinampas ko naman ang kamay niya.

“I don't know, that's why I'm here. I need your advice,” I said and encircled my arms around his nape.

“My advice won't change. Just let them be, malaki ka na naman, e. Hayaan mo ng maging malaya ang parents mo,” he said and pinched my nose. My eyes narrowed with his remark.

“That's not what I want to hear, Cad. Bigyan mo ako ng tips kung paano ko aalisin sa landas ni Mom ang lalaking 'yon,” I said as my eyebrows puckered.

“Kill him,” he instantly responded.

Nasamid naman ako sa isinagot niya.

“Hindi 'yan! Yung maayos kasi,” naiiritang sabi ko at kinurot ang tagiliran niya. Natatawang napangiwi na lang siya.

“Ano pa ba? E 'di inisin mo. Bwisitin mo hanggang sa siya na mismo ang umalis sa landas niyo. Tibayan mo lang kasi baka bumaligtad ang sitwasyon at ikaw pa ang mainis niya.”

Napatitig ako kay Cadence. Cad's brows drew together. I stared at him and my lips parted when an idea comes to my mind. Agad akong napatayo sa kandungan niya habang may malaking ngiti sa labi.

“Thanks for your advice, Cad! I know what to do now...” I said and held my chin. Cad remained staring at me, waiting for what I will say next. “...I will seduce him.”

Napaubo si Cadence sa sinabi ko. Agad niyang kinuha ang drinks na nasa table at tinungga 'yon habang nauubo pa rin.

“Tang ina ba? Hindi naman 'yon 'yung advice ko, e.” Cadence complained and scratched his nape.

“Kahit na, you still gave me a wonderful idea.” A sweet smile plastered on my face.

“Pag-isipan mo muna, paano kung ma-fall ka ro'n kagaya ng sa mga w*****d,” sabi niya saka napasimangot.

“What the hell is that?” I asked in confusion. Cadence just chuckled handsomely.

“Di mo alam 'yon? Ang boring naman ng buhay mo, girl. Magbasa ka ng stories sa w*****d para malaman mo kahihinatnan mo sa pina-plano mo,” tila nanenermong sabi niya. Inismiran ko na lang siya.

“I know what I'm doing. Wala ka bang tiwala sa 'kin? I'm a seductress. No one can resist me, Cadence, you know that, right?” I gave him a sexy smirk.

Sumandal si Cad sa sandalan ng couch saka napangisi.

“Couldn't agree more... Hay, dapat pala ako na lang ang naging boyfriend ng Mommy mo para ako ang aakitin mo,” nakangising sabi niya saka tumayo at yumakap sa baywang ko.

“Shut up... By the way, I'll go ahead. I'll start planning now, bukas na lang ulit. Bye!” I gave him a peck on his cheek and stormed out of the room. Hindi maalis ang ngiti sa labi ko habang naglalakad palabas ng bar.

Bakit ngaton ko lang naisip ito? Xanthos Archante... I'll make sure he'll be a prisoner of my charms.

* * *

“OMG, he's a real hottie, Kiara! Your Mom absolutely hit the jackpot!” Abi squealed on the other line. I just told her about Xanthos and she immediately searched about him on the internet. Kilig na kilig tuloy siya.

“Stop reacting as if he's the most handsome man alive,” naiinis na sabi ko habang inilalagay ang mga damit ko sa maleta.

“Are you really gonna seduce this almost perfect man? I mean, you're beautiful, but this man can make your panty dropped in any ways possible... Ako na lang kaya ang umakit sa kanya? Gano'n din naman 'yon, 'di ba? Saka may Kuya Archer ka na nga, may Cadence ka rin, tapos gusto mo rin 'tong Xanthos na 'to. Aba, pinagpala ka sa lahat... Sige na, Kiara, gagalingan ko.” Napahagikhik pa siya.

“Ewan ko sa 'yo. Sige na, I have to go, let's just talk again later. Bye,” sabi ko na lang at agad na ibinaba ang tawag. Kinuha ko ang maleta ko at agad na lumabas ng room ko. Naabutan ko si Dad na naghihintay sa akin sa living room.

Agad na lumapit sa 'kin si Dad saka napabuntong hininga. Tutol talaga siya sa desisyon kong 'to ngunit hinayaan na lang ako.

“Always take care, Kiara, and please, always visit me here.” Dad caressed my hair and smiled faintly at me. I smiled back and held his hand.

“Babalik din naman ako, Dad. Just give me three months, babalik ako rito together with Mom.” Napawi ang ngiti niya. Napailing na lang siya.

“I don't know what you're planning, anak. But I hope you'll realize and finally understand everything as you stay there with your Mom.”

I don't know what he meant by that. Hindi ko na lamang pinansin 'yon at nagpaalam na sa kanya saka umalis.

Mom doesn't know that I'll be staying there with them from now on. I want to surprise them, especially that assh-le, Xanthos Archante.

I'm sure I can make him surrender... Siguro nga ay guwapo siya, pero hindi ako bibigay ng basta na lang dahil lang do'n. Siya ang matatalo.

Agad akong bumaba ng kotse nang makarating na ako sa bahay ni Mom. Kinuha ko ang maleta ko mula sa kotse saka pinindot ang doorbell. Ilang saglit lang ay nagbukas na ang gate.

Natigilan ako nang si Xanthos ang bumungad sa akin. He's wearing a white long sleeve shirt and pajamas, his hair is disheveled. Mukhang kagigising niya lang. Agad na napataas ang kilay ko.

“Why the hell are you here? Bakit dito ka ba nakatira kay Mom?!”

Xanthos remained emotionless.

“I don't have anything to explain,” he said and was about to turn his back at me but I immediately grabbed his arm.

“I'm still your girlfriend’s daughter, Mr. Archante. I have all the rights to know everything about my mother, right?” I asked and raised my eyebrow.

Hindi nagsalita si Xanthos at tinalikuran na lang ako saka muling pumasok sa loob. Napaawang na lang ang labi ko sa ginawa niya. Is he for real?!

Naiinis na pumasok na lang din ako sa loob ng bahay.

“Mom!” I shouted.

Mom immediately came out from the kitchen. She's still wearing an apron, may hawak pa siyang sandok kaya alam kong nagluluto siya.

Halatang natigilan siya nang makita ang maletang dala ko. I just gave her a sweet smile and tapped my luggage.

“You said I can choose where I want to stay, right, Mom? Nakapili na ako, I will stay here, Mom,” I said and slumped on the couch.

Xanthos sat on the couch in front of me but he didn't even glance at me. Kumuha siya ng diyaryo at binuksan iyon saka nagbasa. Napairap na lang ako sa kanya.

“A-are you sure, anak?” Mom asked. I know she's shocked, galit na galit ako kahapon kaya alam ko na nakakagulat talaga ang desisyon kong 'to.

“Don't worry, Mom. Hindi naman ako maninira ng sweet momemts niyo ng lalaking 'yan,” I said and pointed Xanthos who's currently not giving a f**k about what's happening.

He's so stiff, mukhang wala man lang sweetness sa katawan. Paano ba nagustuhan ni Mommy ang lalaking 'to?

“Kiara Amaris,” tila nananaway na sabi ni Mom. Napairap na lang ako.

“Just let me stay here, Mom,” I said and pouted my lips. Napabuntong hininga na lang si Mom at tumango.

“Okay, you can stay at the room upstairs. Yung kuwarto na dati mong tinulugan dito. Babalik na 'ko sa niluluto ko,” sabi ni Mommy saka muling bumalik sa kusina.

I crossed my legs while staring at Xanthos. He's not looking at me and he seems so engaged with the news he's reading, mukhang hindi talaga siya interesado sa akin. Is that f*****g news more amusing than me? Impossible.

Natigilan siya nang hablutin ko ang newspaper mula sa kanya. I threw it beside me and stared at him. Hindi naman siya nagpatalo at nakipaglabanan din ng titig sa akin.

His dark brown eyes are beautiful. I always admire green and blue-eyed men... but Xanthos looks hot and manly with his dark brown eyes. 

“So... We're gonna live under the same roof now, right, Mr. Archante?” I asked and smiled sweetly at him.

Xanthos remained emotionless like he doesn't give a f**k about me. That pisses me off.

“Hmm, since you're my Mom's boyfriend, what should I call you? Mr. Archante is too formal, right?”

“Mr. Archante is fine,” he muttered. Damn, he really has a deep sexy voice.

“No it's not... Should I call you Kuya? Tito? Uncle? Hmm, how about...” I seductively touched my lower lip and gave him a sexy smirk.

“...Daddy.”