His Beautiful Mistake

Chapter 3. Neo's POV

PLAN

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"What are you planning this time, Neo?" tiim-bagang ni Zalde sa akin.

Bahagya na akong natawa at napailing sa sarili.

"Nothing," I shrugged my shoulder and then he chucked.

"Huh, the mighty Axel Neo Ferrante is here with me with no plan at all? Bravo!" He clapped loudly and shook his head.

"Talk to the f*****g stone, bro. I know you. Hindi ka pupunta sa puder ko, rito sa Isla dahil bored ka," napailing na siya at namaywang pa.

I sighed deeply while adoring the sunset. I couldn't take this heavy burden inside me. It's throbbing every time I think of Elias.

"Let it go, bro," tapik niya sa balikat ko. At umakbay na si Zalde sa akin.

Ininom ko na lang ang beer na hawak habang nakatingin sa paglubong ng araw.

"Ilang taon na ba? Hearing about the re-investigation upon the case will create trouble, but it will give you peace of mind, man," sabay inom niya sa beer na hawak.

"Elias boy. It's for you, man!"

Itinaas niya ang beer na hawak bago ininom ito.

Mabuti pa si Zalde, naging malapit siya sa kapatid ko. Samantalang ako noon? Naging abala sa negosyo sa Italya at napabayaan ko siya.

This is what regretting was all about. I don't seemed to care about my half brother before.

Financially he was okay. We have given that to him, it was provided. He was very timid. He thought he was being left out because he thinks he's not a real Ferrante.

Anak siya ni Papa sa ibang babae at naiintindihan ko ang bawat tingin at husga ng mga tao sa kanya. But we loved and accepted him. Hindi siya iba.

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"Your brother is plotting something fishy here, Elias. Keep an eye on him!" ngiti ni Zalde sa kalangitan at napailing na ako.

"So how long do you want to stay here in my paradise?" pagpatuloy niya.

"A month or more, depende. May liligawan lang ako," pilyong ngiti ko.

He smirked again. "Babae?" sabay inom niya.

"Alanggan naman lalaki," bahagyang tawa ko.

"Do I know her? Is she one of my employee? Don't you dare play tricks on me, Neo. I have valued all my staff here. Sino ba sa kanila? Gusto kong makilala?"

"No, bro. She's actually not here yet. Nasa isang branch ng hotel mo pa, nasa Maynila."

Nagtitigan na kaming dalawa at napatiim-bagang na siya. Gumuhit lang din ang ngiti sa labi nito.

"Now I understand why you are here. Tell me what is this all about, Neo? Ayaw kong maglipat ng tao rito na hindi naman kwalipikado."

"I just want to know her, bro. Wala akong ibang gagawin sa kanya. Gusto ko lang siyang makilala," seryosong titig ko.

"Wala kang masamang plano?"

"Wala, bro," pagsisinungaling ko. Umiwas agad ako sa titig niya.

"I just want to know her. . . I believe she was very special to Elias. Rinig ko marami siyang nagawang bagay na espesyal kay Elias."

Inubos ko na ang beer at maingat na nilapag ito sa mesa. Dumilin na ang lahat at ang tahimik na karagatan na ang naaninag ko.

The view here from the top deck of Zalde's yacht is beautiful. It's breathtaking and relaxing.

"Okay. I don't trust you, bro. My instinct is telling me a different story and I know you have your plan. What's her name?" pamulsa niya.

"Bree Solidad."

His brows furrowed while staring at me.

"Bree Nicole Solidad?"

A spark from the bottom of my heart ignited when I heard a Nicole on her name. May naalala lang kasi ako sa pangalan na ito.

"Yes, t-that's her, I think," tango ko. Hindi lang ako sigurado sa ikalawang pangalan niya. Pero sigurado ako na siya ito.

"I have heard about her. She's good and very dedicated at her job. Isa siya sa na promote noong nakaraang buwan."

"Oh really? That's great. Puwede mo ba siyang ilipat dito?"

"Unbelievable, bro," sabay iling niya at bahagyang natawa pa.

"Ikaw na lang kaya pumalit sa puwesto ko. Ano? Kaya mo? Work for me for a month, Neo. I will have my break. May pupuntahan akong importante sa buhay ko, at ikaw muna ang bahala rito."

I smirked and laughed a bit. But when we stared he seems serious about it.

"f**k. You're kidding right?" igting ng panga ko.

"Nope, I'm not joking, Axel Neo Ferrante. . . Manage the Island Resort for me. I know it's easy for you. Experto ka pagdating sa negosyo," pamaywang ulit niya at pilyong ngumiti pa.

"No way, bro. How can I make my move if I am her boss. Hindi puwede iyon. Mawawalan ako ng diskarte sa kanya."

"Damn it! Don't tell me you're serious about her, bro. Are you?" he chuckled.

"Did the cupid heart arrow hit you?" he jokingly said.

I bit my lower lip and smile a bit. I cannot tell Zalde the real story about this. Wala akong plano na ipaalam sa kanya ang plano ko. Akin na lang ito. Ayaw kong malaman ng iba, dahil ayaw kong masira ang ano man na sisimulan ko.

If I have to pretend then I will. I am not good in pretending, but for my brother's sake I will try to pretend and fake my feelings.

"Yes, that damn arrows cupid hit me. Right here." Pointing my hand on my heart with an evil smile.

"That couldn't be. You silly!"

Umakbay na si Zalde sa akin at pabirong sinuntok ang braso ko.

"Heard that, Elias? You're brother is in-love. Should I give in?" titig niya sa kalangitan.

Kinakausap ni Zalde ang kapatid ko mula rito. Gumuhit ang pait sa puso ko at nawala ang pilyong ngiti sa labi. Mabigat sa loob ko ito at masakit na pakiramdam.

I want to know the truth behind his death and at the same time I want to know the people that was once close to him, and Bree Solidad was not an exception.

Noong nakaraang linggo ay okay na sa akin at inalis ko na ito sa plano ko. Pero nang mabasa ko ulit ang pangalan niya sa lumang mga gamit ni Elias ay mas lalong nadurog lang ang puso ko para sa kapatid.

She's a one hell heartless woman to my brother. She toyed with Elias innocent and genuine heart. Ang tanging mali nang kapatid ko ay umibig siya sa babae na walang puso.

Damn it!

I'm sorry but not sorry, Bree. I will make you fall for me so damn hard, baby. . .

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C.M. LOUDEN