Love Just Ain't Enough (BOOK TWO)

FOURTEEN: PRICE

Alejandro’s POV

“Matteo, I need you to check on something.” I spoke the moment I set foot in my penthouse. Flurry of emotions building up inside me. The danger laced in my voice was something no one couldn’t miss. Hinubad ko ang aking long sleeve shirt at hinagis sa upuan.

I went directly to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. Nang makainom ay bumalik ako sa living room at pabagsak na naupo sa couch.

Matteo, Romano’s former manager and now my right-hand man, startled. He lifted his head from pushing forward to the laptop screen.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Call the Queensland Hotel Manila and ask their techies to check the CCTV footages on the day Bea came back from the hotel. The date was after the Annual Company Party. Someone sneaked in her hotel room. Call the flower shop on the first floor. I have a feeling the flowers came from that shop.”

“Flowers?” Confusion crossed his face.

“Someone placed a bouquet of roses in her hotel room. She thought it was from me.” Napatiim bagang ako.

“Baka isa sa mga empleyado ng hotel ang nagbigay, boss. Alam mo na, secret admirer.” Inayos nito ang pagkakatabingi ng kanyang eyeglasses.

Naningkit ang mga mata kong napatitig sa kanya. “Secret admirer, my ass. Whoever that person is, he has some nerves to cross the line, huh.” I shook my head. “No, it’s impossible. Kung ang nagbigay ng bulaklak ay admirer niya na taga-hotel, it would make sense. But it doesn’t mean I will let it slide. Now here’s the problem. She received the same flowers with the same message again today. Wala na siya sa Manila kundi nasa Davao na. Someone knows her whereabouts. That someone has probably following her around for days now.”

“Hmm…” Matteo rubbed his thumb and forefinger against his chin. He closed his laptop at sumandal sa upuan. “Now that’s creepy. Ano ang sabi ni Miss Bea?”

“I didn’t correct her. I didn’t tell her that it wasn’t me who sent her flowers. Thinking about it, I should have sent her one.”

“You should have.” He smirked. “Talking about winning her back but you don’t even have the slightest sweet bone in your body.”

“You want to die?” I glared at him.

The jerk just grinned at me. He stood up and glanced at his wristwatch. “I will call the security in Queensland now.”

“Yes, please. Tell them it’s urgent.”

“Have you eaten yet?”

“What kind of question is that? I’m so anxious here and the least I want to do is f*****g eat!”

“I was just asking, bruh. You have to do something about that temper of yours.”

“You don’t have a say about what I should and shouldn’t do!”

“Alright, dude. Chill. Pag si Miss Bea talaga ang pinag-uusapan, napapraning ka.”

“I’m worried about her and her family.  I can’t help it.”

“Still, you need to eat. You still have pills to take.” Nag-angat ito ng kilay sa akin.

Fucker.

“Fine. Maliligo lang ako.” Tumayo ako at akma nang tutungo sa aking silid nang may maalala.

“Did Olivia call?”

“Yes.”

“What did you say?”

“The usual.” Nagkibit-balikat ito.

Tumango ako. “And Angelo?”

“Nakabalik na sa bahay nung sang araw pa.”

I sighed. “Thanks.”

“No biggie. But Alejandro….”

I rolled my eyes. When he drops formality, s**t is about to go down. Namewang akong humarap sa kanya. “What?”

Seryoso ang mukha nito. “You really need to tell her about Bea. That woman is obviously head over heels in love with you. Hindi ka naman siguro manhid.”

“Matt, she knows about Bea. At ilang beses ko na bang sinasabi sa’yo na walang pagtingin si Olivia sa akin? Why it is so easy for you to conclude that the woman is in love with me when I knew all this time she is not?”

He scoffed. “Your so dense, Alejandro. That woman got hots for you! Everyone knows about it! Can’t you see that when you look at her, she would duck her head and blush? When you’re not around, she would keep asking your people about you. Trust me, Olivia has feelings for you.”

“She doesn’t. Alam niyang iisang babae lang ang minahal at mamahalin ko hanggang sa huling sandali ng buhay ko. All of them can go f**k themselves because I won’t give a single f**k about their feelings.”

Umiling si Matteo. “Whatever, dude.”

“And don’t get me started about feelings, Matt. As if I didn’t know you’re still crying over my sister. You haven’t gotten over her yet, am I correct?” A smug grin spread across my lips.

He snarled at me. “Asshole. I’m not hypocrite. Yes, it’s been years and I’m still nursing my wounded heart but at the same, I’m happy for her. She found her happiness with him. They’re meant to be together from the very beginning.”

 Warmth enveloped my heart when I think of them. They are both special to me. I sighed. “It almost ended in a tragedy.”

“It was a tragedy alright. We lost our s**t back then. Now that we’re talking about it, I can’t help but admire you. You survived that f*****g family circus. And to think you had your own battles to deal with. I may have said it before, but I will say it again. I’m proud of you, dude.” He shook his head as he gave me that soft, proud look.

I nodded, smiling at him. “You’re such a drama queen.”

He chuckled. “But take this as a piece of advice. Olivia is becoming like Adrielle 2.0. If you don’t want to be her prince charming, you better stop acting as if you are her knight in shining armor.”

“You know exactly why I can’t leave Olivia and Gelo, Matt.” I gritted my teeth.

He sighed. “It’s not your fault, Ale. You’re no superhero. You can’t be held responsible for the rest of your life just because of what happened years ago. You have paid the price, dude. Enough is enough.” He walked and stopped beside me, giving me a tap on my shoulder.

Napatda ako. Yeah, I guess I did. And I have paid the highest price, indeed. By giving up the only person who meant the world to me. By walking out and hurting the only woman I’ve ever loved.

I embraced the blame and took the fall.

Matt was about to enter his room when he faced me again. “Speaking of Adrielle, I do hope you know that she’ll be arriving tomorrow?”

Fuck. I have forgotten about it. I wiped my face with my hand. “Call the hotel’s security and tell them to prepare the videos before midnight. Call Captain Jung.”

“Captain Jung? Why?”

“We are flying back to Manila. s**t, I will call him now.” I fished my phone from the back pocket of my jeans. In my peripheral view, umiiling si Matteo na nakamasid sa akin bago nito binuksan ang pinto ng kanyang silid.

I dialed Captain Jung’s number and it didn’t take seconds before he answered it.

“Sir. Good evening, Sir.” Matigas na bati nito.

“Good evening, Captain Jung. I know that we don’t have a flight schedule today, but do you think you can squeeze and fly us back to Manila tonight?”

“By all means, Sir. Let me get back to you once we’re given a clearance from ATC.”

“Yes, please. Thank you.” I ended the call. As I checked the time at my wall clock, there’s a high possibility that we will be flying off two hours from now.

When I entered my room, I sat on my working table and took a pad and ballpen. When I’m stressed, confused and totally bothered by the things happening around me, this is my only way to keep me somehow, sane.

If my hunches were correct, Bea would be in danger. And I must do everything to protect her. At all cost. I want to do the right thing this time. And leaving her again will never be an option anymore.

Two hours later, I found myself sitting on my private plane, taxiing on the ground. My hand gripping my phone. I wanted to text her, but I know I shouldn’t. She’s still angry at me. Although, when I pulled her for a hug outside her apartment, she had let me. I shut my eyes tightly as I remembered how warm and soft, she was in my arms. God, I missed her terribly.

One text informing her that I’ll be leaving Davao for the meantime will not hurt, yeah? I wanted to tell her to always look after herself, to always take care and be vigilant with her surroundings.

I wanted her to know that I missed her so much. That there are so many words left unsaid. I sighed and decided to turn my phone off instead.

I leaned against my seat as I heard Captain Jung’s voice filling the whole aircraft announcing we’re about to take off.

Bea’s POV

I’ve been staring at my phone for a while now. It’s been days since I last saw Alejandro. I was somehow expecting him to text or call me. He should have, at the minimum least, assured me that I have nothing to worry about, right? But he’s been quiet and it’s making me worry more.

I have no idea when will our schedule for the said weekly meeting take place.  Ang sabi lang nito sa akin ay maghintay ako sa kanyang signal. And it’s the waiting that is killing me slowly.

Maraming gumugulo sa isipan ko sa mga nakalipas na mga araw. The day Alejandro visited our apartment, kinausap ko sila lola. I finally decided to give in to my lola’s request. In fact, kaninang umaga ay hinatid ko sila sa Davao Airport. They flew back to Puerto Princesa and will stay there for God-knows-how-long. I didn’t let them see me cry. Kahit ang bata ay hindi umiiyak sa paghihiwalay namin pansamantala ay hindi ko pa rin maiwasang malungkot. Naawa din ako kay Nadine na kinailangan pang mag drop out sa school. Nakapagdesisyon na ako na sa Puerrto Princesa na ito maglagi hanggang sa makapagtapos ito ng kolehiyo.

Maiiwan ako dito sa siyudad habang inaayos ko ang maiiwan kong gawain sa opisina. Kailangan ko ring mag-file ng indefinite leave sa bar pero alam ko naman na papayagan ako ni Sir James.

May isang buwan pa kaming natitira sa apartment. At kung wala pa rin akong mahanap na malilipatang bahay, I will probably resign from my work and look for another job in Puerto Princesa.

Hindi naman siguro magpapakita si Ate Becky sa kanila dun sa isla, di ba? Nitong mga nakaraang araw, pakiramdam ko’y may mga matang nakatingin at laging nakasunod sa akin. I don’t want to be paranoid, but I can’t help it. Kung hindi si Alejandro ang nagpapadala ng bulaklak, sino? I am so worked up every time I am at work. My anxiety is getting worse day by day.

Nagbukas na ulit ang ClubMix bar. Papasok pa lang ako sa laundry room ay sinalubong na agad ako ng mapanuksong tingin ng mga co-waiter at waitress ko.

“Good evening, Bea.” Ani ni Benji, isa sa mga bartender.

“Oh. Nakabalik ka na. Haba ng bakasyon natin, a.”

“Oo nga, e. Back to normal na ulit.” Tukoy nito sa kanyang paa. Nadisgrasya kasi ito sa kanyang motor at ilang buwan itong nagpapagaling.

“Good to hear that.” I grinned at him.

“Kaya pala iba ang ganda mo ngayon, Bea. Wala na talaga akong pag-asa.”

I huffed. “Ewan ko sa’yo. Magbibihis lang ako.”

“Sige lang. May naghihintay pala sa’yo sa Employee’s Room.” Tumaas-baba ang mg kilay nito sa akin.

“Sino daw?” Sumikdo ang puso ko.

“That’s for you to find out. Magbihis ka muna. See you at the bar counter, my hot chic.”

I rolled my eyes at him before I opened the door of the laundry room. Mabilis lang ako nagbihis. Once I placed all my things inside my locker, lumabas ako sa room na iyon at tinungo ang Employee’s room.

Pagbukas ko, lahat sila ay nakatingin sa akin.

“Ohhh. Ayan na siya.” Ani ng karamihan sa kanila na nagkumpulan sa mesa.

“Kilig yan?” Panunukso ni Klare.

My brows furrowed while I scanned the whole room. Alejandro is not here though. Wait. Did I expect him to be here? The hell, Bea?

“May naghihintay daw sa akin dito? Sino sa inyo?” Namewang ako.

“Tsssaaarrraaannn!” Nahawi ang kumpulan sa mesa at tumambad sa akin ang isang basket ng red roses. My lips quivered at the sight. My heart starting to pound rapidly against my chest. I swallowed the bile forming behind my throat as I started walking towards the table.

I intertwined my hands to stop them for trembling but to no avail. The fragrance of red roses filled my nose. My whole body tensed as I picked up the card.

See You Soon :))

I gasped loudly as I dropped the card. I could feel ten pairs of eyes looking at me in bewilderment.

“Okay ka lang, Bea?”

Johnson came to me and held my forearm. Napatingala ko sa kanya at pekeng ngumiti. “Oo. Okay lang ako. I’m just overwhelmed. Sinong nagdala nito?”

Halos sabay silang lahat na nagkibit-balikat. “Ako ang unang dumating pero nandiyan na yan sa mesa pagpasok ko.” Si Thomas.

Tumango na lamang ako at tinignan ang direksiyon ng mga babaeng nakaupo sa mahabang sofa. “Hindi ako mahilig sa rosas. Sa inyo na lang.” I said in a casual voice. “And if ever there will be new flower delivery in the next days, you can assume that they’re yours.”

“Uh-huh. I feel bad for your admirer.” Ani ni Cheska.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. “You can him.”

Tinapos ko ang usapan sa pamamagitan nang hindi pagsagot sa iba nilang tanong. It was a good thing they didn’t see the fear in my eyes and trembling of my body. Lumabas ako sa kwartong iyon at tinawagan si Nadine. Sa ganitong oras ay alam kong nakahiga na sila at baka nga ay natutulog na. Sa isla kasi, ang mga tao doon ay maagang natutulog.

My heart was hammering while waiting for Nadine to answer. Relief washed over me when she answered.

“Ate?” She sounded sleepy.

“Nadz, sorry for disturbing your sleep. Gusto ko lang malaman kung okay lang ba kayo?”

“Natutulog na kami ni lola at Faye, ate.”

I could sense her pouting. “Sorry ulit. Medyo worried lang si ate. Sinarado n’yo bang maigi ang mga bintana at ang pintuan sa harap at likod ng bahay?”

“Oo ate. Tiniyak kong sarado lahat bago ako napasok sa kwarto.”

“Okay. Kung may problema, kahit ano o kahit walang kakwenta-kwentang problema, call me immediately.”

“Okay ate. Nasa bar ka na niyan?”

“Oo. Sige na, matulog ka na ulit. Miss ko na kayo agad.”

She chuckled. “Wala pa ngang twenty-four hours, ate. Pero miss ka na rin namin.”

I could imagine her grinning. I ended the call after I said goodnight. Sana nga nga ay nag-aalala ako sa wala. Sana nga simpleng admirer lang ang nagpapadala ng bulaklak.

Sana walang koneksiyon ito ngayon sa nangyari noon.

For the next hours, I kept myself busy running errands. When it was time for my break, umakyat ako sa rooftop. I was still so tensed. I lit up a cigarette and puffed at it. My other hand was gripping on the metal railing.

“I didn’t know you have learned to smoke.”

I was stunned. I turned my heels to face him. I narrowed my eyes as I ran them slowly down his body and up to his face. Sa kabila ng madilim na paligid at tanging sinag ng buwan at mga ilaw sa mga guasaling nakapaligid ang nagsisilbing tanglaw, I was able to see and observe his appearance.

He looked thoroughly exhausted, with dark circles around his grey eyes. His complexion looking paler than I’ve ever seen it but despite of that, he was still gorgeous as ever.

I mentally smacked my head. Focus on your worry, Bea. “Now you know.” After I puffed some smokes into thin air, I dropped my cigar and stepped on it.

“Anong ginagawa mo dito?” Ani ko sa matigas na boses.

“I just wanted to check on you.”

“If I’m still alive? If those flowers had poison, I would have been dead by now, Alejandro. Apparently, I received a basket of flowers and a card with the same stupid message again tonight.”

“Fuck.” He clenched his jaw as he expelled an exasperating breath. “Bea, I spent my days checking who the f**k sent you the flowers, but we don’t have leads yet. I went back to Manila to check the CCTV footages myself, but we couldn’t identify the man. He’s wearing mask and a ball cap. He hid his face too damn well.”

My lips went dry. My eyes starting to water as I hugged myself. A question I didn’t want to ask slip through my tongue.

 “Am I in danger, Ale?”

His Adam’s apple moved from swallowing. His eyes became hard as he gazed at me. “Baby….” He closed his eyes momentarily. “Whoever he is, I swear to God, I will catch him and make him pay for troubling you.”

“Bakit? Bakit ginugulo nila ako? Dahil ba sa’yo? Dahil ba bumabalik ka na naman sa buhay ko?” I trembled and made few steps backward. Tumama ang likod ko sa railings. Tears welled in my eyes. “Are they going…are they going to kidnap me again and…put their filthy hands on me?” Flashbacks of what happened that day years ago, appeared before me. The fear I was trying so hard not to resurface consumed my entire being. My knees wobbled. My whole body trembled.

Alejandro took a few big steps forward before he forcefully pulled me. Tumama ang mukha ko sa kanyang matigas na dibdib at humigpit ang yakap nito sa akin. Sobrang higpit na pakiwari ko’y mababalian ako ng buto. His ragged breathing touched my cheek. I felt his lips pressed on my temple. His body was shaking too.

“No one will ever lay a finger on you, baby. I will be f*****g raise hell if they even try to touch you. I will burn them alive and I f*****g mean it.” He breathed me in.

I instantly melted in his arms. It hurts so much thinking how he makes me feel safe but at the same time, how dangerous it is to be near him.

“The thought of somebody else watching you like I do, needing to touch you like I do…” He paused. I sniffed as I looked up to him. His distraught expression made my stomach churn.

“It’s terrifying, baby.” Nanginig ang boses nito. “But I’m more scared of what I’ll do when I find the man sending you shits like this. I swear, I will kill him with my own hands.”

I pressed my forehead against his chest. How f****d up this situation can be? It has rendered me speechless. We both stayed that way for few minutes before I decided to push him weakly.

“Hindi ko alam kung may dala bang panganib ang pagbabalik mo sa buhay ko, Ale. Pero kung may kaugnayan ito noon, mas mainam pa siguro kung hindi ka nalang muna magpapakita sa akin.”

His eyes widened. “That’s bullshit, Bea. Hindi ako papayag sa suhestiyon mo.”

I grabbed him on the shirt. “Alejandro. Hindi lang ang buhay ko ang nakataya dito. Kasama na rin ang aking pamilya, ang buhay nila!”

“At buhay ko rin, Bea! When it comes to you, I’m willing to put myself on the line if it means protecting you!”

“How can you protect me when you’re the one who put me in danger, Ale?”

His mouth fell open. He gnawed his lips and squeezed his eyes close. He angrily bit his lower lip. “Are you trying to say that you regret falling in love with me? Are you now regretting that if you hadn’t meet me, you wouldn’t be as miserable as you are now? Bea, you’re not the only one who’s miserable here. I went through hell and back but never for one second I regret that I chose you. I never regretted that I fell in love with you.”

Suminghap ako at saka umiling. “I don’t have time for this. Go home and take a rest, Ale. You look like you’re about to pass out.” I walked past him, but my steps halted when he spoke.

“Five years ago, you took something away from me.”

I turned around to face him. Ano ang tinutukoy nito? Ang kwentas?

My eyes questioning him, and he smirked.

“You took the heart of a Salvatore, Bea Samaniego. You must woman up and pay the price.”

My breathing hitched. “What price?”

His eyes sparkled as he grinned wickedly. “Ride or die.”