A Man's Cold World

Fourteen

Forteen

Sometimes in life, you need to face the reality. Only that can give us the way and answer if we could still do the things we wanted to do. And for us to give a hint if we can still go further or need to stop and back out from the original plan. For us to see the reality and not focusing on the goal that we don't know if it's giving us the vibes and reach it all the way or not.

The reality that others don't want to accept and wanted to just live in fantasy.

Sabina is just sitting comfortably. Her, sitting and watching the man who is like a king walking to her place is like giving her the full heart attack.

The aura is shouting full authority and feels like she couldn't handle this one. She can handle everything, everyone including the two-faced Kurt Gazmen but this one? She doubt.

Nakatayo na ito sa harapan niya. Hindi umupo hanggang sa tumayo siya. Nang makatayo na si Sabina saka naman ito umupo.

Sa loob loob ng dalaga, mabuti na lang at hindi nito hinintay na yumukod siya! Ginawa niya ang lahat para pigilan ang pag ikot ng dalawang mata niya!

"Sabina Vazquez" anito. Hindi patanong na tono kundi isang siguradong saad nito.

At kilala pa ako!

Tumango na lang ang dalaga. She took the glass of water beside her right hand na nakapatong sa mesa and drunk it with class, she made sure she did it.

"Well, what is it that you want from me at inaya mo ako dito?" anya.

Renato Mallari raised the end of his right brows that made Sabina's eyes narrowed a little. "How is life?" anito.

Napakunot noo naman si Sabina saka ngumisi "Buhay pa naman. Buhay na buhay. Ano naman ang mapapala mo sa pagtatanong niyan? May utang ba ako sa'yo na nakalimutan ko at ngayon ang araw na kailangan mong ipapa alala sa akin at singilin ako? "

Mallari snort "I am not kidding kid, how's everything?" the voice had full of authority that anyone can flinch but for Sabina, she didn't let this man see what's inside her.

Control malala!

Nagkibut balikat ang dalaga. "Well first of all, last time I checked, I am not a kid anymore —"

Tumaas ulit ang kanang kilay ng lalaki. "—Matalas ang dila mo"

Sabina took the knife beside her plate and started cutting her roast beef "O sure I am! Lalo na kapag hindi ko naman kilala ang nagtatanong kung ano at paano ang buhay ko" she waved in the air saka isinubo ang nahiwang karne. It's more likely her original side came back at kapagkuwan ay ngumuya nguya at nilunok iyon saka ipinatong ang hawak na kutsilyo at tinidor sa pinggan. "Hindi ako artista na laging nag-a-update sa mga fans at mga marites sa buhay ko. And fyi lang po ha? I do mind if someone asking me those questions. I feel like that's interrogation rather than questioning" she added.

She took a table napkin ang wipe her mouth. Then she took the glass of wine and drink it. Mallari crossed his arms on top of his chest and lean his back into the back rest of his chair saka matamang pinagmasdan ang babae.

This is my... He tssk. In his mind, it's good to see this lady grown up to be this tough but then he wish she couldn't be bold as this!

She's too frank!

Mallari smirked. No one said from all his intelligence that this woman is as fierce as fire that can burn him anytime. Why not? She's like,'Listen up buddy, it might be Saint Patrick's Day, but don't try your luck' vibe.

And he didn't. This woman is something!

He gave the folder he's been holding since then to Sabina "Let's meet some other time" he said casually, he stood up after drinking the wine in front of him and walked out from the restaurant. And Sabina being Sabina, binalewala nito iyon. Ni hindi tiningnan at kinuha lang niya iyon at isinilid sa bag niya.

Lumabas siya sa restaurant na parang walang anumang nangyari. Nang makarating sa parking space at nakita ang sasakyan niya, dumiretso na siya doon at tuluyang lumayas sa lugar.

Meeting such a guy like that one is tiring as hell! Pero may parte sa puso niya na tila ba hindi siya natatakot sa lalaki. May emosyong nabuo sa kaloob looban niya na hindi niya mawari kung ano.

Imbes na pilitin ang isipang mag isip, dumiretso n lang siya sa café at tinawagan si Shaina. Minutes later, she came with an amazing look.

Shaina looks blooming while her was looking haggard!

"Girl, you look devastated!" sita pa nito. Sabay abot sa kanya ng pulang sobre.

Napasimangot na lang si Sabina. Ano pa nga ba e totoo naman? "What is this?" she asked.

"Invitation for the founding anniversary of BGC. Make sure to come" walang anumang saad nito "And o, bring some cash with you. May charity event doon" she added.

"O" napatangong saad ni Sabina saka isinilid ulit sa dalang bag ang pulang sobre.

The two had their coffee and after that, they went out and went to the nearest mall. Mag window shopping na lang sila kaysa naman lumala ang sakit niya sa utak.

Nang nakarating sa mall, hinila siya ni Shaina sa dress section. Nag umpisa itong tumingin ng mga naka display na dresses doon. Wala namang katinag tinag si Sabina dahil wala naman sa utak niya ang bumili.

Nawindang na lang siya ng hilain siya ng kasama at itinulak sa loob ng dressing room kasama na ang mga dresses na hinablot nito sa may display rock!

"What the.. Anong gagawin ko dito bruha ka?" takang tanong niya.

"Gaga. Just watch it until they vanish!" walang anumang saad nito.she even tssk " isuot mo and let me see kung anong mas bagay sa'yo. Magsuot dalaga ka naman minsan dai" saad pa nito.

Napa ngiwi naman si Sabina at napagtantong tama nga ito. Ni hindi nga siya nagme-makeup e. Simpleng pahid lang ng lipstick, ayos na.

She only dress when it's jobs call. Nothing more. She went to the fitting room instead of arguing.

The dress is made of signature bandage fabric and features a midi length, a side slit, a zipper on the back, and lace puff sleeves embellished with sequins. Napa ngiwi siya ng bumakat ang kurba ng katawan.

Itim iyon kaya bumagay sa kurbada ng katawan niya. She's slim but black dress made her hotter.

When she went out, Shaina gave her the admiring look, and that made Sabina's self confidence level up. Small things matter after all.

Meanwhile, Kurt is frowning as he is trying Jonas's reading glasses "Hey, is your vision went higher? Dati pwede sa akin 'to a" he's referring to the eye glasses he's holding. "Or mine?" aniya saka pumikit pikit pa.

"Are you using contact lenses?" walang anumang saad ni Jonas habang iniinspeksyon ang hawak na riffle.

"Oh yeah. I forgot" Kurt said saka ibinaba ang salamin sa mata. "Is everything ready?" he added.

They had to fix and finalize the plan López made. There's a note he got that the boss of the gang they're looking at is attending the event this evening.

And they need to focus on that no matter what, no matter how. López ordered them to catch the man, but alive. And to think that it's Samuel Bautista's event made them extra careful.

Hindi basta basta ang gagawin nila. At hindi din basta basta ang taong may okasyon. But Roderick said he can manage. He said, then it's considered done.

Roderick speaking e.

"Yeah. So, saan ka pupwesto? Ikaw na lang ang kulang sa desisyon gago ka" anang Jonas.

"Sa loob" walang anumang saad ni Kurt.

"Huh?"

"I have Sabina" he cleared his throat "To protect" he added.

"Is she coming?" kunot noong saad bi Jonas

Kurt nodded "Bait"

"What?"

"Yeah. López's decision" he nonchalantly.

"s**t. Mahirap 'to" anang Jonas.

"Same thoughts" anang Kurt na huminga pa ng malalim "But he said he got back up so — nagkibit balikat ito — we need to comply bud"

"It's dangerous. She's not ready yet. Baka kung—"

"We got no choice. López said, it's time" pinadaan nito ang mga daliri sa sariling buhok at ipinatong ang ulo sa head rest ng upuan, kapagkuwan ay pinag kurus nito ang mga palad sa ibabaw ng tiyan.

Habang naka tingala, nakatitig siya sa kisame na para bang nandoon ang lahat ng kasagutan sa mga tanong na naglalaro sa isipan.

Sa ganoong pwesto siya naabutan ni Goldwyn. "ilang milyon ang talo mo?" walang anumang saad nito saka ipinatong sa mesa ang dalang duffle bag "Nagsusugal ka na?" he added.

"Sana nga sugal lang e." walang ganang saad ni Kurt.

"Babae?" nakapa maywang na saad ni Goldwyn.

"Problemado na 'yan huwag mo nang dagdagan" Jonas tssk and opened the bag "Is this all?" anito sa laman ng bag.

Tumango lang si Goldwyn at pumunta sa kusina para daw mag timpla ng kape sa katirikan ng haring araw.

The night has come. And Sabina is now entering the venue. Her, being dressed like that gained a lot of eyes. Of course, who will not turn their head and not to glare with the gorgeous woman walking like a queen?

Habang may isang pares ng mata na nagbabagang naka titig sa kanya. Sabina felt uncomfortable with the attention she's gaining but then she manage to walk with a class and when she saw Shaina, dumiretso na siya doon sa kinatatayuan ng kaibigan.

"Gorgeous b***h" Shaina said with full of smiles.

"Ikaw nga diyan e. Sizzling" naka ngising saad niya.

"I'm in the mood to man-hunt tonight girl" natatawang saad ng kaibigan.

"Gaga" aniya na lang saka pumihit paharap sa stage ng may nagsalita na. The crowd went in silence as the emcee said the CEO is entering the venue. Pumalakpak ang lahat at nang maka akyat ito at nagbigay ng maliit na mensahe, tuluyan natahimik ang mga dumalo.

He is like a king when he talk. No wonder he has a nickname "The Lord" because he got the authority. When he talks, everybody listen.

Nang matapos na itong magsalita, bumaba na ito sa stage at dumiretso sa tabi ng asawa nito.

Sabina's eyes went narrow as she is glaring at he couple in front. The almighty president and ceo of the Bautista group of companies, Samuel Bautista and the first lady Mikaela Bautista.

They look good together. Full of love and sincerity.

They were just having their own moment. Very sweet and acting like ordinary people to blend in the crowd when someone came in front of them and hell, it was one scary moment for her!

The man that holding a cruel smile in his face is no other than the man who still hold the power to ruin her life!

Hindi pa siya nakaramdam ng ganitong panick simula ng mabuhay siya ng mag isa, malayo sa katotohan ng kanyang buhay.

Napagtanto niya na hindi pa siya handang lumaban. Hindi pa siya handang mamatay at higit sa lahat, hindi pa rin nawawala ang kahapong pilit niyang ibinabaon.

Mga ala-alang nagbibigay sa kanya ng kirot at hapdi sa mga gabing pilit itong pumapasok sa kailaliman ng kanyang utak.

She told herself many times that she can and she could. No, delete that —she must face the reality but this time, she can't even breathe!

The flashes of the past is now entering her mind. Ang kahapon na tila ba dagok sa buhay niya na hanggang ngayon nagbibigay pasakit sa katauhan niya.

Ang mga tunog ng mga paang papalapit sa pinag tataguan niya. Ang mahinang pag hikbi habang tinatakpan ang kanyang bunganga ng sariling nyang kamay hindi isa kundi dalawa habang umuusal ng panalangin na sana hindi siya makita. Na sana hindi siya masilip sa mga karton na nakatabing sa maliit niyang katawan.

Ang bawat patak ng luha niya ay usal nito ang mga katagang ' kaawaan mo ako Panginoon ko' habang nakapikit ang mga mata at ang alerto niya tainga na nakikinig sa bawat bagsak ng mga paa ng taong papalapit sa kinaroroonan niya.

Ang tunog ng baston na hawak ng nag iisang taong kaya siyang lusawin dito sa mundong ibabaw at ang katawan na pilit nilalabanan ang bawat nginig ng kalamnan dahil sa takot at nerbyos na nararamdaman. Ang unti unting bumibigay na lakas ng kanyang mga tuhod sa isiping makikita siya nito at uulitin na naman ang mga ritwal na ginagawa nito sa kanya.

Ang huni ng baril na siyang nagpapaiktad sa kanya sa tuwing tinatawag ang pangalan niya.

Ang alaala ng kahapong nagdaan na ngayon ay nagpapaikot sa mundo niya.

Lord...

When she's about to fall down because her feet weakened, an arm grab her waist. She felt relieved and relaxed but not the same heart-warming as she feels in Kurt's arm.

She wondered who,and forced herself to look at the person. Her eyes is like shutting but she needs to see. she turned around and smile automatically engraved in her lips when Renato's face filled her eyes. "K-kuya" and her world went black...