Fortress Island Series 3: Matteo, The Bastard's Sweetest Downfall

THREE: SPECIAL

Porsche’s POV

Inaalo ko ang aking bunso sa pamamagitan ng paghaplos sa kanyang ulo. Mahigpit na nakayakap ito sa aking baywang. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang unang maramdaman. Galit at inis sa dalawang anak ko o kahihiyan dahil nasaksihan ni Mr. Salvatore ang gulo at away ng dalawang bata.

“Shh…Tahan na. Tahan na.” Ani ko habang nakatanaw sa labas ng bakeshop. Nandun pa rin ang kanyang pigurang nakatalikod at tila ba may malalim na iniisip. Kanina, nahagip ko pa ang pagkadismaya sa kanyang mukha habang humahakbang ito paatras. Hindi ko maintindihan ang sarili ko kung bakit nakaramdam ako ng panibugho at dismayado din ako sa inakto nito. It felt like he decided not to get close to me anymore. It left a hole in my heart and I did not know why I felt like this in the first place.

Ang hindi ko lang maintindihan ay kung bakit ganun ang ekspresyon sa kanyang mukha? Hindi naman siguro ito nagbabalak na ligawan ang isang biyudang katulad ko?

I shook my head. Ano bang pinag-iisip ko? My thoughts had been gone too far. Liligawan ako ng isang Salvatore? Ako? My god. Matteo Salvatore, for him, I was only the woman he got f****d in the balcony. Hanggang doon lang ang koneksiyon naming dalawa. At pinangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi na iyon mauulit pa.

Pero ano bang sadya ng lalakeng yun sa akin? Malinaw naman na sinabi ko sa kanya kahapon na wala akong planong tanggapin kung ano man ang inaalok nito.

“Mommy.”

Napapitlag ako. Nagbalik ang diwa ko sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon dahil sa pagtawag na iyon ng aking anak.

“Pwede ba tayong maupo at pag-usapan ang nangyari?” Malumanay na paki-usap ko.

Sumimangot sa akin si Ahreum kasabay ng pagkrus ng kanyang mga braso sa kanyang dibdib. Nag-igting ang aking bagang. I was being patient. Ayokong humantong kaming dalawa sa sigawan at tampuhan.

Sa pagpasok ng aking assistant na si Lena na kagagaling lang sa kanyang break, sumenyas ako sa kanya. Sandaling dumaan ang kalituhan sa kanyang mukha pero agad namang nabatid ang ibig kong sabihin.

“Ako na ang bahala dito, ate.” Aniya.

“Salamat.” Sagot ko. Hinila ko si Ahreum sa kanyang braso. Pumitlag ito. Nilingon ko ang aking panganay at pinanlakihan ng mata. She pouted as she looked away. Napailing na lamang ako. Ang kabataan nga naman.

Dinala ko sila sa sala at pinaupo ng magkatabi. Ako naman ay piniling umupo sa center table paharap sa kanila.

“Uulitin ko ang tanong, anong nangyari?”

“I was just reading books—”

“Ayaw niya akong tulungan sa—”

“Busy naman kaya ako—”

“Hirapan ako sa Maths—”

I raised both my hands in the air, halting them to talk at the same time. “Ikaw muna magsalita, ate.” Ani ko.

“I was reading my book, Mommy!” Inis na sambit nito. “Malapit ko nang matapos basahin ang libro at sobrang engrossed ako because I love that book so much.” Nilingon nito ang bunsong kapatid. “I told you to wait. Ilang chapters nalang at matatapos na ako.”

Pumalag naman si Darren. “I did wait. And I waited patiently kaso inaantok na ako at di ka pa rin tapos sa book mo. Sabi mo ilang pages na lang.”

“Kaya mo nilagyan ng bubblegum ang buhok ko?”

“Dahil ayaw mo akong tulungan sa homework ko. You promised to help me, but you didn’t. And I was already sleepy.” His lips started to quiver.

“Your homework can wait.”

“Your book can wait.” He retaliated.

Ako naman na nakikinig sa banters ng dalawang bata ay napapailing na lang. Parehong mali ang dalawa.

“That’s enough.” I looked at my son. “Please go upstairs. I will talk to you later, anak. Kausapin ko muna ang ate mo. We will do your homework together, okay?”

Lumabi ang bunso ngunit tumango pa rin ito. “I’m sorry, Ate. I’m sorry, Mommy.” Maiyak-iyak na sambit nito pagkatapos.

I sighed. “I’m sorry too, anak. Sige na. Akyat ka muna. If you’re sleepy, umidlip ka.”

“Okay po.” He came to me and kissed me on the cheek. It made me smile. My sweet Darren.

Nang makaalis na ito sa sala, tumayo ako at umupo sa tabi ng aking panganay. She was biting her bottom lip and I could tell, by now, she already realized her mistake.

“I’m sorry, Mommy.” She spoke first.

“You’re way older than Darren, Ahreum. Do you remember what you told me when your father died?”

She nodded. “That I will help you taking care of Darren. And that I will also take care of you katulad ng pag-alaga ni Dad sa atin nung kapiling pa natin siya.”

“Right.” I said while standing up. Lumapit ako sa partikular na drawer at kinuha ang gunting doon. Bumalik ako at naupo ulit sa tabi ni Ahreum. Luckily, sa dulo ng buhok nilagay ni Darren ang bubblegum kaya kahit gupitin ko iyon ay hindi mahahalata.

“Here.” Pinakita ko kay Ahreum ang kapirasong buhok na ginupit ko. “Your hair is still looking good. Hindi halatang nabawasan.”

“I guess, I overacted.” She conceded. “Akala ko’y makakalbo na ako sa kalokohan ng batang yun.”

“You need to say sorry to your brother.”

“I know, Mom. My fault. I did promise him that I would help him with the homework. I’m sorry for hitting his arm. I’m sorry for making you upset.” She hugged me. “I love you, Mom.”

I hugged my daughter back. “I love you, too.”

She pulled away from me. “I’ll go upstairs, Mommy. Tutulungan ko si Darren sa homework niya then tatabihan ko siya sa pagtulog. I’m a bit sleepy, too. You can talk to him later. Just do your thing here. Alam kong marami ka pang gagawin.” She smiled.

Tumango ako. “Thank you, anak. Gigisingin ko na lamang kayo para sa merienda.”

“Okay.” She kissed me on the cheek at nanakbo na agad paakyat sa second-floor ng bahay.

Napailing akong nakasunod ng tingin sa aking panganay na anak. Well, that went well. Akala ko’y mahihirapan akong kausapin ito. Sa kabila ng kamalditahan ni Ahreum, mabait pa rin ito. My husband spoilt her rotten kaya may pagka-edgy ang kanyang ugali. I sighed as I played my fingers. It was then I realized that I wasn’t wearing my wedding ring. Hindi ko alam bakit tumatanggi ang puso ko tuwing binabalak kong isuot ang singsing. It was a very simple and light wedding ring, yet it felt too heavy when I tried wearing it back. Kaya tuluyan ko na lamang itong tinabi sa aking munting jewelry box.

“Ate. Wala ng stocks ng softdrinks. Kukuha ako ng isang case sa stock room.” Sumilip ang ulo ni Lena mula sa pintuan na naghihiwalay sa sala at bakeshop.

Napabaling ang tingin ko kay Lena. “Okay.” And then I noticed something on her face. “Bakit namumula yang pisngi mo?”

She giggled as she looked over her shoulders. “May mamang kakapasok lang at naupo doon sa dine-in area, ate. Ang gwapo.” Pabulong na sambit nito.

Naningkit ang aking mga mata. “Sino?”

Nagkibit-balikat ito. “Hindi ko alam. Tinanong ko kung ano ang kailangan. Ang sabi niya, ‘I’m waiting for someone.’ Pak na pak ang boses, ate! Ang lalim di ko maarok! Dagdag pogi points!”

Kumalabog ang dibdib ko. Ayokong isipin na si Mr. Salvatore iyon. Ayokong umasa.

I ignored the thoughts and the fluttery feelings in my heart. Humakbang ako palapit sa kanya. ‘Sige na. Kumuha ka na ng softdrinks sa likod. Paki-check na rin kung meron pa tayong stocks ng asukal. Nakalimutan kong silipin kanina.”

“Okie dokie.” She replied before she finally went inside the living room. Ako naman ay lumabas doon para tumao sa bakeshop.

Sa pagpasok ko sa loob, agad na napatigil ako sa paglalakad nang tumayo ang lalake at magtama ang aming mata. He stood up and fixed the buttons of his three-piece suit. He looked so damn tall and devastatingly handsome. So handsome that I couldn’t help but stare at him.

Tumalon ang puso ko. Anong ginagawa niya dito? Akala ko’y umalis na ito?

It took all my willpower to drag my gaze from him and chose to ignore his presence. Papasok na sana ako sa cash desk nang hinawakan ako nito sa braso. How he managed to get close to me in a matter of seconds was beyond me.

Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. “Why are you still here?” Nilakipan ko ng iritasyon ang aking boses. Sana ay hindi nito napansin ang panginginig ng aking katawan sa paghawak niyang iyon sa akin. His simple touch was slowly melting my inside and I hated him for it. Pasimple kong pinalis ang kanyang kamay sa akin. Thankfully, hindi ito pumalag at tuluyan akong binitawan.

“Are you done talking with your children?” He asked.

“What?”

“I stepped outside so you could give your full attention to them. Is everything alright now?” His burrows were deeply furrowed. Why does he sound so concerned?

I cleared my throat. “Uhm. Yes.”

“Good. Can I have your full attention now?”

Halos mabali ang leeg ko sa paglingon kong iyon sa kanya. My knees wobbled and I had to grab the edge of the counter to find my balance. Damn it. I did not expect that from him.

Humakbang ito palapit sa akin kaya napaatras ako. This physical attraction between us was killing me. Ngayon ko pinagsisihan kung bakit nangyari ang hindi dapat mangyari ng gabing yun. Now, I don’t know how to get him out of my system. He’s been living in my mind rent-free for weeks now.

“Bakit hindi ka nalang umuwi, Mr. Salvatore? Ilang beses ko pa bang kailangan sabihin sa’yo na hindi ko tatanggapin ang kung ano man ang iaalok mo sa akin. May sarili akong negosyo na pinapatakbo.”

“I did not come here to offer you that proposal. Alam kong hindi mo tatanggapin.”

“So, ano nga ang sadya mo?”

“I’m here to personally invite you for dinner, Porsche. You declined, I know, but I insist. Just think of this as my way of apologizing to you about what happened yesterday in the office. I was being rude.” Kalmado nitong sambit.

Umiling ako at pumasok sa loob ng cash desk. Thank God, he didn’t stop me from doing so. I needed space and distance between us. Dahil kapag malapit ito sa akin ay tila ba kinakapusan ako ng hininga dahil sa mga dagang naghahabulan sa aking dibdib.

“Mr. Salvatore—”

“Matt, please.” Putol nito sa sasabihin ko.

“Mr. Salvatore—”

“Hindi ako aalis dito hangga’t hindi mo sinasambit ang pangalan ko.”

My jaw clenched. He’s annoyingly insistent.

“C’mon, Porsche.” His smug face only made me hate him a little more.

“Okay fine, Matt! Now leave me alone!” My voice rose a notch.

“About my invitation—”

“Whatever! Just go away!”

He grinned. “That’s it. I’ll pick you up tomorrow evening. Seven sharp.”

“Wait! What?” Lumabas ulit ako sa cashier desk para lapitan itong namulsa habang nakasandal sa counter. Ang ngisi sa kanyang mga labi ay hindi pa rin mapalis-palis. “Anong pinagsasabi mo?”

He shrugged his shoulders. “I will leave now, Porsche. See you tomorrow.”

“Sandali!” Pinigilan ko siya sa braso. Umuusok ang ilong ko sa inis. “I don’t remember saying ‘yes’ to your invitation, Matt!”

Matt crouched down and his face came closer to me I could smell his minty breath. “You just did.”

To my surprise, he grabbed my chin and pulled my face to his. His warm mouth captured mine in an instant. He was kissing me ferociously. His hot tongue licking every corner of my mouth. And before I could even react, lumayo na ang mukha nito sa akin.

The mischief in his eyes was visible. A contented smile appeared at the corner of his lips as if he finally got what he wanted. He pulled my nape and dropped a kiss on my forehead. “I’ll call you tomorrow, cupcake.” He traced my lips using his thumb. “Your lips are so f*****g sweet.” He said before turning his back from me and graciously left my bakeshop.

And I was just here, standing frozen. Matteo Salvatore had just left and rendered me speechless.

**********

“Bomi! Zuri! I need your f*****g help!” I was hyperventilating. I kept pacing from here to there. Pasado alas dose na ng gabi pero hindi pa rin ako dalawin ng antok. Paano naman kaya ako makakatulog nito? Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin!

“Porsche, for Christ’s sake, anong oras na?” malditang tugon ni Zuri sa kabilang linya.

“Alam kong hindi ka pa natutulog, Zuri. Wag mo akong tarayan.”

“Bakit, anong meron?” Paos na sabat ni Bomi sa aming group call.

“Bomi, did I wake you up?”

“Nandito ako sa bahay ng boyfriend ko at oo, nadistorbo mo ang tulog ko—namin.” I heard her mumble something. Siguro ay nagpaalam itong lalabas ng silid.

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. “Kailan ka pa nagkaroon ng boyfriend?” I had no idea that Bomi was seeing someone lately. “Bakit hindi ko alam?”

“Seems like I’m not the only slutty one here.” Si Zuri na may halong panunuya sa kanyang boses. Sinabayan pa niya ito ng magaan na halakhak.

“You are twins for a reason.” Pinagulong ko ang aking mata.

“Whatever, b***h. So ano, bakit ka nga napatawag? Dapat ba kaming kabahan?”

I sighed. Here we go. “Apparently, I have a dinner date with Matteo tomorrow.”

“Date? Ay, bongga!”

“Finally, girl!” Halos sabay na sambit ng kambal.

“Ilang taon ko na ring pinagdasal sa Baclaran church ang pagkakataong ito. Dininig din ang panalangin ko.” Si Bomi na bahagya pang nabasag ang boses. She sounded emotional but I knew better. She was being overly dramatic.

“Makikipag-date ka lang pala. Akala ko naman kung ano na.” I could tell Zuri was smirking at me. “Don’t worry about your bakeshop. Ako na bahala diyan. Naku, buti nalang talaga at tumapat na weekend at wala rin akong schedule for hook-ups.”

“Ano bang pinag-aalala mo, Porsche? Mag-sleepover naman ako bukas diyan tulad ng plano natin. Ilang oras ka lang naman siguro mawawala. Ako na bahala sa mga anakis mo. At isa pa, narinig mo naman si Zuri. He’ll be there tomorrow as well.”

“Alam kong maaasahan ko kayo sa ganyang bagay, Bomi at Zuri. Pero hindi kasi iyan ang pinag-aalala ko.”

“E, ano pala?” Sabay na tanong ng dalawa.

“My problem is…” Paano ko ba sasabihin at ipapaliwanag sa kanila ang sitwasyon ko? Bahala na. “Ang problema ko ay ang mismong nag-aya ng date sa akin.”

“Si Matteo, sabi mo. Teka, sino ba itong Matteo na ito? Kilala ba namin? Isa ba sa mga Zumba instructors natin? Diyos ko, mga bading yun sis! Di yun kumakain ng puday!”

Bomi and I chuckled at Zuri’s choices of words. This idiot, really.

“Oo nga. Sinong Matteo ba ito, BFF?”

Kumagat-labi ako at tumingala. Humugot ako ng malalim na hininga. “You know him.”

“Itatanong ba namin sa’yo kung kilala namin? Gagang ‘to.”

“Matteo Sigrid Salvatore.”

There was a long pause on the other line. Akala ko’y naputol na ang linya pero rinig ko naman ang kanilang paghinga. They’re probably shocked. Well, it was indeed shocking.

“What the f**k, sis! Ang swerte mo!”

“Deserve na deserve mo, girl!”

“How did you two meet? Teka, hindi mo pa pala ako nasabihan kung anong resulta ng pagpunta mo sa Salvatore Building kahapon. Don’t tell me, kahapon lang din kayo nagkakilala at ito at inaaya ka na niya mag dinner bukas? Love at first sight ba ito?”

I don’t think I need to tell them how the two of us met. At kung sasabihin ko man ay mas gusto kong kaharap ko silang pareho.

“Go, besheywaps! Suportahan kita sa date na yan! Darating ako ng maaga diyan para matulungan kitang magpaganda. Aayusan kita ng bonggang-bongga.” Excited na salita ni Zuri.

“Diyos ko naman sa’yo, Porsche. Hindi ito problema. Blessings ito, blessings! And if he tried to seduce you, please lang wag ka na masyadong pa-inosente o pakipot. Lantakan mo agad. Matteo Salvatore is such a beautiful man at tiyak akong masarap siyang kainin. Wala ng kiyeme-kiyeme pa. Tandaan, bawal tanggihan ang grasya. Who are we kidding? Matteo is a god!” Bomi giggled as if someone was tickling her.

This was such a bad idea. Dapat ay hindi ko nalang pinaalam sa kanilang dalawa. For sure, they won’t shut up about this matter.

*********

The taxi pulled up in the parking bay of The Queensland Hotel. Mula sa pag-upo ko dito hanggang sa pagdating, my heart had been hammering so hard in my chest.

When Matteo called me four hours ago, nakumbinsi ko ito na ibigay na lamang ang address kung saan kami magdi-dinner at hindi na niya ako kailangan pang sunduin. Ayaw kong makita ng mga bata ang pagsundo sa akin ng lalake. As much as possible, ayokong magsinungaling sa kanila. When they asked where I’d go, and I told them that I’d be meeting a friend, sobrang guilty na ang naramdaman ko. Because who was I kidding? Matteo is anything but a friend. Laking pasalamat ko nalang dahil na-divert ng kambal ang atensiyon ng dalawang bata.

I thanked the driver when he came around to open my door. My stomach started to churn as I walked into the lobby.

“Miss Porsche Madrigal?” A man in suit approached me. Hindi nakaligtas sa akin ang paggamit ng Miss ng lalake. Of course, Matteo would not tell the world that he’s going to date a widow like me.

“Yes, that’s me.” I answered politely.

“This way, please.” He said, pointing the direction toward the fine-dining restaurant of the hotel.

When we arrived at the entrance, my eyes instantly caught the man who stood up, waiting for my arrival. I exhaled heavily as I walked to his direction. I knew this place was one hell expensive and even though I wanted to roam my eyes around the interior to appreciate, my eyes were glued at him.

Matteo Salvatore was wearing a dark charcoal suit. His beautiful face and light brown eyes were watching me, his lips were stretched with a sexy grin.

There was a voice inside me that telling me it’s not a good idea to be here. But I was already here, and he already saw me. Even if I chose to retreat, I was sure he’s going to follow me and probably drag me back in here.

I did not want to appear weak and coward. I had come this far. There’s no point running away.

“Hello, Porsche.” His deep, seductive voice welcomed me. He came to me and pulled my elbow, giving me a light kiss on the cheek.

“Ha—hi.” I stammered. For God’s sake, Porsche! Get your s**t together!

He stood back and his hungry eyes wandered around my body. I blushed. The hair on my skin came to life. There was nothing special with my dress. I chose a simple red cocktail dress na halos umabot lamang dulo sa aking tuhod. Kahit ba nahubog ng damit ang maliit kong baywang at nadepina ang malapad kong balakang, wala talagang espesyal sa damit ko. Mumurahin lang din ito.

He pulled a chair. “Please, have a seat.”

He took my hand and guided me. My heart was still beating so fast it seemed that it wanted to escape from my ribcage. I sat nervously as Matt rounded the table and took a seat opposite to me.

“You look as sexy as fuck.”

I absentmindedly pulled my dress down and smiled awkwardly at him. “I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you.”

His smirk widened as he raised one eyebrow. Pinaglalaruan ng kanyang hintuturo ang kanyang ibabang labi.

I swallowed. “Stop looking at me.”

“You’re the prettiest woman I had ever seen, Porsche. I feel delighted and ecstatic.”

“C’mon, Matteo, don’t patronize me. You are making me nervous.”

“As you should.” He grinned widely.

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve never been this physically attracted to a woman before, Porsche. If I’m making you nervous, that’s a good sign.”

“Matt.” My tone was reprimanding him. I was shaking.

He cleared his throat as he summoned the waiter. “Anything you would like to eat?”

“Something light. I am not very much hungry.” Did he really think I could eat in his presence and the way he’s making my stomach churn?

He ordered something I wasn’t familiar with. Nag-angat ulit ito ng tingin sa akin. “Drinks?”

“Diet coke, please.”

“Scotch on the rocks for me, thank you.” Nang makaalis ang waiter, binalik ulit nito ang atensiyon sa akin.

“How’s your kids, Porsche?”

“They’re doing fine.”

“Sino kasama nila sa bahay ngayon?”

“My friends. They’re twins. Bomi and Zuri.”

“Oh. Bomi. She’s working in our company, isn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.” He fished for his phone in his suit jacket and dialed a number. Nakamata lamang ako sa kanya.

“Hi, Bomi.” He sat back as he eyed me mischievously.

Napatuwid ako sa pagkakaupo. Is he calling my friend?

“This is Matt Salvatore. Yes. I would like to ask a favor from you. Yes. Would you look after Porsche’s kids while she’s away? I will return her on Sunday evening. Great! Thank you. Have a lovely weekend to you, too.” He dropped the call, and I was flabbergasted while looking at him. I could not process the whole thing. What is he talking about?

“Change of plan.” He muttered under his breath.

“Matt, what is this? Anong sinabi mo kay Bomi? What change of plan you’re talking about?” I was glaring at him.

“I was planning to take you upstairs since I reserved a room for us.” There was a smug grin on his lips.

“Ano? And I thought this would only just be a simple dinner?!” I was yelling at him and damn if I cared about the people gossiping around us.

“I need to get my tongue between your legs, Porsche.” He calmly replied.

Jesus Christ. I gasped in horror. “Tone down your damn voice!” I whispered angrily.

The bastard only chuckled. “You’re the one screaming here.”

“And do you really think that I will go with you upstairs?!”

“Yes, because I know you’re attracted to me too, Porsche. But then I realized, you deserve something more special than this so I’m taking you somewhere else.” He stood up and came beside me.

Hinawakan nito ang aking braso at maingat na hinila ako patayo. “Come with me.”

“At saan mo ako dadalhin, Matteo?”

“I’m going to take you to the Fortress Island.”