The Billionaire's Heart

Chapter 14

Kabanata 14

“Do you guys think that I’m dating her seriously?” I asked in disbelief, I’m sure that my good half-brother install that idea to my Dad.

Napailing ako habang natatawa.

“Dad? If I’m serious about her bakit ako makikipag date sa public library? Sa arcade ng mall?” hindi nakasagot si Connor.

“West bachelor’s party last last week, we have a dare that’s why I’m dating that girl. I am a Hart; we have high standards. I will never take her seriously. Imbes na ako ang pag usapan natin dito, why not we talked about Connor.” I saw how shocked Connor was.

“Me? Why me? I never dated a low-class woman, well technically a girl not a woman yet.”

“You never dated a low-class woman, but you are dating your brothers ex. What will others say? Tinalo mo yung ex ng kapatid mo?” biglang tumayo si Connor sa sinabi ko.

“I’m dating her kasi bigla mong iniwan sa ere si Monique. If I didn’t do that, what will happened to the cooperation between our families? You should be thankful na ginagawan ko ng paraan yung pagkukulang mo” sumbat nito sa akin, I looked at him from head to toe intending to mock him.

“Thankful? Hindi pa ba nasabi sayo ni Dad, that her father already signed a 10-year exclusive contract to our shipping company. If he breaks the contract because I broke up with her daughter, he will compensate us. So, yung ginawa mo na makipagdate kay Monique, it’s useless. And if the paparazzi sniff that news, what do you think the others will say?” I saw disbelief in Connor’s face. What does he think of me? Brainless?

“Duke is right. Wag mo ng kitain yung Monique, everyone knows that girl is a user and a leach. She portrays elegance but she’s a bad one. I don’t think you can handle her, Connor.” Kita kong nagulat si Connor sa sinabi ni Dad. That was a slap to his face.

“But Dad! Duke’s handle Monique well. I can also do that.” He argued back, Dad gently shakes his head.

“Duke is different” Dad looked at me, I can see that He is praising me. I smirked. He looked at Connor “You are different” Connor looked hurt, he shakes his head and storm out the living room.

He deserves it, he destroyed our family and yet ang lakas ng loob na siraan ako kay Dad.

“Change your clothes, son. Then join us for dinner also call your brother, wag siya kamong magmukmok sa kwarto” tumango ako kay mom at agad na umakyat sa hagdan. I take a half bath before changing into more comfortable clothes. Paglabas ng kwarto ay dumiretso ako sa kwarto ni Connor, he has this habit na hindi naglolock ng pinto.

Naabutan ko itong nakatalukbong ng kumot. I crossed my arms to my chest and lean my back into the wall.

“It’s already time for dinner, mom invited you” I calmly said, inalis nito ang kumot sa ulo niya at tumingin sa akin. From head to toe then to my eyes.

“I don’t get it. Why Dad is so impressed of you, obviously you are not that good” I smirked.

“He is impressed cause I do exactly what he wants me to do, unlike you. You make your move without thinking, as a result Dad is not so impressed.” Mahina itong tumawa.

“So, your robot then, program to do whatever he said or perhaps the right term is a dog” I still maintained the smile on my lips.

“Well, you can say that I follow Dad just like how you follow your slut mom.”

“What did you say?!” bumalikwas ito ng bangon at umupo sa higaan, he glared at my direction.

“Why? Isn’t true? She’s a slut, if she wasn’t, you wouldn’t be born” I saw how he clench his hands, but I don’t care.

“Slut is better than having a crazy mom” nabura ang ngiti sa labi ko at agad ko siyang nilapitan. I grabbed his neck and pulled him to stand. Matalim ko siyang tinitigan.

“My mom is not crazy.” My jaw clench when I saw his smile.

“Really? You know the truth; you can’t deny it.” I was about to tighten my hands around his neck when someone knocked the door.

“Duke? Connor? Dinner is ready, lumabas na kayo diyan.” Connor smiled while he looked at me.

“Your mom, she sounds normal. For now.” I really want to wring his neck, but I decided to calm myself. Binitawan ko siya.

“Do you know? You will never surpass me, even if your mom will open her legs to my Dad multiple times. All your life, I’ll make you realize how tiny you are compared to me” Connor smiles vanish when I said that. Tumalikod ako at binuksan ang pinto.

I smile to my mom who is waiting infront of the door.

“Hey, Mom. Let’s go, Connor will follow.” My Mom nodded her head at bahagya pang sumilip sa loob, agad kong sinara ang pinto at ginaya siya sa dining area.

I looked at my digital clock, it’s 11:32 p.m. and still I can’t sleep. I’m having insomnia for the last couple of months. Nakatingin lang ako sa kisame, I’m counting 1 to100 in my head just to sleep. But it’s not effective.

Napatingin ako sa pintuan ng bigla yung bumukas. There I saw my mom entering my room habang may dala-dalang gatas. Bumangon ako at natatawang kinuha yung dala niya pagkalapit nito.

“Mom, I’m not a kid. If Dad found this baka magalit yun” natigilan si Mom, nawala ang ngiti sa labi nito.

“I’m joking, I’m pretty sure he won’t care” mabilis na bawi ko. My mom looked relief but I’m in pain.

“Alam ko kasing hindi ka makatulog, a milk will help. Katulad noong bata ka, lagi kang nakakatulog after drinking a glass of milk.” Bahagya akong natawa.

“That’s before. Matanda na ako for a milk” she gently shakes her head and smiled.

“No. Nagmumukha ka lang matanda dahil sa beard mo but you are not that old. You are still my baby boy” napangiti ako sa narinig. The more I looked at her, I know she’s okay. She will always be okay.

“Oo nga pala, sana hindi ka magalit sa dad mo” nabura yung ngiti ko.

“Concern lang yun, you know how proud he is pagdating sayo. Gusto ka lang niya mapabuti” tumitig ako sa mata ni Mom. A lifeless eye.

“You love dad?” lumawak ang ngiti niya at tumango but those smiled don’t reach her eyes. Lifeless pa din ito.

“Hindi naman kami magtatagal kung hindi ko siya mahal. He loves you too, so make him proud and always follow what he said. Para sa ikabubuti ng pamilya natin lahat ng ginagawa niya” ngumiti ako at tumango.

“Do you think I look older with a beard?” pag iiba ko sa usapan. She caressed my face with her hands.

“You looked mature, I know you always wants to look mature and stable. You always look good” pangbobola nito sa akin, napangiti ako.

“But I want to see you without this beard. Feeling ko mas maraming babae ang magkakagusto sayo”

I remember Lili, I’m dating her pero napagkakamalan akong Kuya the worst ay Ninong niya. Maybe I should shave my beard.

“Well, let me think about it” nakangiting sabi ko, tumawa siya ng mahina.

“You should drink the milk and sleep.” Tumango ako.

“I will Mom. Goodnight” she pats my head and smile.

“Goodnight” after mom closed my door, my smile vanished. Tumingin ako sa gatas na hawak ko. Maybe that’s the reason why I enjoy Lili’s company, with her I can act the way I want. No one will dictate me, no one will judge. She is healing my inner child, yung pangungulit ko sa kaniya. How I enjoy our banter together. Because the only sweet memory I can remember when I was a kid, was how my mom give me a glass of milk every night. Until it stops and everything is bitter.

I decided to drink the milk and closed my eyes. Hope it will work.

“s**t!” I gasped for an air, the aircon is working but I feel sweaty. Kinapa ko yung bedside table to drink some water pero wala akong makapa doon. I open the bedside lamp and I’m right, wala ngang tubig. Inis kong hinawi ang buhok ko paitaas. Lumabas ako ng kwarto to get a pitcher of cold water. Paakyat na ako when I heard some moan.

Lumapit ako sa pintuan, may awang sa pinto. Hindi nasara ng maayos. I lean my back into the wall habang nakikinig sa ungol sa loob. I hear some nasty and vulgar words. But my heart broke when I don’t hear a response. Only dad moan and mom are like a lifeless doll.

I heard a slap. I clench my hands; I bit my lower lip.

I remembered my question earlier. I know, she stays because of love not for dad but for me. After hearing my dad last moan ay bumalik ako sa kwarto. What a crazy life we have. I closed my eyes pero naririnig ko pa din yung narinig ko kanina. I still can’t sleep.

Inabot ko yung phone ko and scroll to chat area. I saw Lili’s profile picture, which is a book, online. Kumunot ang noo ko at tumingin sa digital clock. It’s 1 a.m. Binuksan ko yung chat head and started typing a message.

Lili

Are you asleep?

Tulog na ako, sir.

Natawa ako sa reply nito, Tulog na pero nakakapagchat. Ibang klase.