Desiring Mr. Carter (ONGOING)

Chapter Eight: VIP Client

[Ivana's]

Four Years Later......

“Mommy....... mommy....” Agad akong lumingon sa likod ko no'ng narinig kong may tumatawag sa'kin.

“Awww. Why are you sitting on the floor, Tyler?" I asked my three-year-old son when I saw him sitting in the cold marble floor. Instead of standing, he giggled and extended his arms telling me to carry him. ”Carry mommy. Carry little Tyler."

Umiling-iling na lang ako tsaka ko siya binuhat mula sa sahig. Tyler is my biological son and yes, his father is no other than Gene Marcus Carter. I was so lucky that I didn't die that night dahil may tumulong sa'kin. The person who helped me told me that Tyler and I barely made it but luckily, he performed first aid before some people came to help. Mayaman 'yung tumulong sa akin dahil no'ng gabing iyon ay agad akong ni-refer sa U.S gamit ang kaniyang private jet. I'm so lucky that a doctor was onboard with us dahil agad niyang na-detect na buntis ako no'n. I suffered from severe concussion. My back, including my arms and my legs was also damaged from that accident. They performed two surgeries on me to fix my bones and I was bedridden for three months. My family rushed to U.S when they heard about me but the person who helped me told them to travel in secret and that no one should know that I'm still alive. My family was so confused but Mr. de Guzman, the man who helped me explained everything to my family. He told them that in order to keep me safe, they should pretend that I'm still missing until a replica of me will be found dead on the shore. Since buhay naman ako ay nakiusap ako kila mommy na palitan ang aking pangalan from Ivana Kate Mason to Van Perez. I convinced them to pretend that I'm no longer alive until I get my revenge on the person behind my misfortunes and that is of course, Gene Marcus Carter. Mr. de Guzman is willing to cooperate because of his personal reasons. Ngayon ay namumuhay ako rito sa Italy bilang si Van Perez at hindi na si Ivana Kate Mason.

"I want to eat ice cream, mommy.... Mommy, Tyler wants to eat ice cream," my son asked me. Nginitian ko lang siya at hinalikan sa noo. "You can have your ice cream but be sure to behave when your Ate Jerica will look after you later. Alright?" ani ko.

"Where are you going, mommy?" he asked me.

"I'm going to the bookstore and buy you a book. Don't you want a new book? You always nag me about buying you a new book, right?" Tatlong taong pa lang ang anak ko pero advance na siya kumpara sa mga ka-age niya. He can talk straight and he has this weird hobby of watching business channels on TV.

"Really?! Buy me a book with a picture of men like the ones I'm watching on TV!" he exclaimed with his excited tone.

"You mean business magazine?" tanong ko.

"Is it called business magazine, mommy? Buy me a business magazine then!" he shouted and clapped his hands. Nabura ang ngiti ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Bakit mahilig siya sa business? For Pete's sake! He's too young for that kind of book!

"Uhmm, baby. Can I buy something else? You know... those books with lots of animals on it," I told him but he just shook his head. "No, mommy. I want a book with lots of men on it," he insisted.

What's the point of buying him a business magazine when he can't even read? A business magazine for a three-year-old? Tell me my son is normal like the other kids. "Why do you like those businessmen, Tyler?" I asked him.

"Because I want to be like them when I grow up," he answered with his eyes fixes on the television. "Look at how they make lots of money! I want to make lots of money so that you don't have to work anymore," he continued.

"You know what, baby? Moms should really work hard for their kids. We have lots of money too. Do you know that?" I told him. Tumingin siya sa'kin ng saglit bago ulit siya nag-focus sa pinapanood niya.

"But why do you have to work when we have lots of money, mommy?" he asked. Isang problema ko rin `yung palagi siyang nagtatanong sa'kin ng mga bagay-bagay. It's a good thing that he asks me questions when he's curious but the problem is naging hobby na niya ang pagtatanong. Minsan ay wala na nga akong maisagot lalo na kapag nagtatanong siya kung sino ang tatay niya. One time when he was watching business channel, he suddenly asked mw what his father looks like and I said he looks like him. Tinanong pa niya kung nasa'n ang tatay niya tapos ang sinagot ko lang ay pumanaw na ito. I said he's father is long dead without even hesitating.

"Baby, I have to work because I'm a grown woman. I can't depend on your lolo and lola's money for the rest of my life. Later when you turn into a grown man then, you will have to be inpedendent too," I explained.

"Alright. I get it, mommy. I can't wait to be a grown man!" he exclaimed.

"What? No, baby. You can't grown up so fast because I will be sad. I want to cuddle you while you're still a baby," ani ko. Ayokong lumaki siya agad dahil matututununan na niyang gawin ang mga bagay kahit hindi ko siya ginagabayan. Just thinking about him growing up so fast pains me. Hindi pa ako ready.

"But I'm not a baby anymore," aniya.

"You're still my baby," saad ko naman bago siya kiniliti. I like hanging out with my son and just do some silly stuff with him. Siya ang dahilan bakit pinilit kong bumangon at ayusin ulit ang buhay ko. I was a total mess back then to the point that my parents have to refer me to a psychiatrist. Ngayong ayos na ako ay naging maganda ang buhay ko kasama ang anak ko. My parents are in the Philippines together with my brother. They fulfilled my favor and that is to pretend that I'm dead.

"Stop it..... mommy!" Tyler barely said.

"No, I won't until you say you're still my baby," sabi ko naman.

The doorbell rang kaya tumigil ako sa pagkiliti kay Tyler. I think Jerica is here. "Umupo ka muna sa couch, Tyler. I'll just go and open the door," utos ko sa'king anak.

"Yes, mommy," sagot niya bago umupo sa couch. He's a good boy unlike his beast father.

"Magandang araw, Ate Van! Pasenya na po dahil late akong dumating may nakasalubong po kasi akong siraulo kanina habang papunta rito," paliwanag niya.

"Ayos lang `yon, Jerica. H'wag ka nang humingi ng tawad. Pasok ka muna sa loob," anyaya ko sa kaniya.

"Good morning, Tyler!" bati niya sa anak kong nakaupo sa couch habang nanonood sa TV.

"Hi, Tita Jerica!" sagot naman ni Tyler.

"Kumain ka na ba, Jerica?" tanong ko sa kaniya. Umiling lang siya at tumingin sa baba na parang nahihiya. "Hindi pa po Ate," saad niya.

"Bakit nahihiya ka pa, Jerica? Apat na taon na tayong magkasama tapos nahihiya ka pa. May naiwan akong pagkain diyan sa kusina kaya kumain ka na," ani ko.

"Salamat po, Ate. Pasok na po kayo sa trabaho at ako na ang bahala kay Tyler." Siya ang nag-aalaga kay Tyler kapag nasa trabaho ako. I met her four years ago no'ng siyam na buwan na `yung tiyan ko. No'ng time na `yun ay hindi ko alam na manganganak na pala ako kaya mabuti na lang at nakita niya ako. Tinulungan niya akong pumunta sa hospital at hindi rin niya ako iniwan hanggang dumating sila mommy. Pinay din si Jerica kaya naging magkaibigan kami pero ate ang tawag niya sa'kin dahil mas matanda akong ng isang taong sa kaniya.

"Sige. Aalis na ako dahil may importante raw kaming kliyente ngayon kaya kailangan naming mag-prepare," ani ko. Sabi ng assistant ko kanina na may buyer daw kami ngayon kaya dapat ready na lahat bago pa siya dumating sa studio ko. I'm a professional painter now and I'm selling my works with a fair price. I'm currently managing my own art studio because I quit ballet four years ago.

"Bye, Tyler. Be a good boy and I'll buy you a new book," paalam ko kay Tyler bago siya hinalikan sa pisngi.

"I'll behave and be a good boy. Goodbye, mommy. Ingat po," aniya.

"Ikaw na ang bahala kay Tyler, Jerica at aaalis na talaga ako," paalam ko rin kay Jerica. "Opo, Ate. Ingat sa daan," saad niya. Ngumiti na lang ako at tumango bago ako umalis.

Habang papunta sa studio ay nakaramdam ako ng kaba. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako kinakabahan. Baka may hindi magandang mangyari ngayon pero h'wag naman sana. Malapit na ako sa studio no'ng nag-ring ang cellphone ko kaya agad kong sinagot. My assistant is calling me.

"Yes, Dianne? Why did you call?" bungad ko sa kaniya. Dianne is from here and she's kind that's why I keep her very well. We're friends kahit employee ko siya.

"Our client will be arriving within an hour, Van. Where are you?" she asked me.

"I'll be there after five minutes," I replied shortly.

"Alright. The crew is waiting for you," she added. Ako na lang talaga `yung wala pa roon sa studio. "Tell them to get things ready. Gotta go, Dianne. See you later," I told her before cutting the line.

Pagkalipas ng tatlong minuto ay nakarating na ako sa studio. Nagmamadali akong lumabas muna sa kotse ko at nagmartsa papasok sa studio. "Good morning, everyone! As you all know that we're expecting a VIP client today so let's fix everything. Bring out our best paintings and display them on the lounge," utos ko sa mga employee ko.

"And Dianne? Kindly come to my office for a minute," I asked her before walking into my office.

"Did you talk with our client?" tanong ko pero umiling lang siya bago sumagot. "No, I didn't. His secretary called me and said her boss is coming today and buy a painting for his mom as a birthday gift."

"His?" I asked her. So lalaki ang kliyente namin? Sinabi rin ni Dianne sa'kin na VIP `yung kliyente namin dahil gusto niyang ipasara muna ang studio habang pumipili siya ng painting.

"Yup, our client is a businessman." Okay, businessman it is. Most of our clients are businessmen kaya gustong-gusto ni Tyler na sumasama sa'kin dito. Gusto niya raw kasing makakita ng businessman na nakasuot ng corporate attire.

"Did you prepare all the papers that we need?" I asked her. Hindi kami basta-bastang nagbebenta dahil dinadaan namin 'yon sa legal agreement.

"Yes, I did. Don't worry, Van. Just relax, okay?" she muttered. "I just have this feeling that this day won't turn good. I'm nervous, Dianne," pag-aamin ko.

"Why are you nervous?" she asked me with a frown.

"I don't know. You know what? You're right, I need to relax," ani ko.

"That's my girl. I'll go back outside and make a call to Mr. Webber's office because his wife wants to make an appointment with us," paalam niya sa'kin. Tumango bilang pagsang-ayon.

Umalis si Dianne pero hindi nagtagal ay nagmamadali siyang bumalik sa office ko. "The client is here, Van. He came forty minutes earlier," she informed me. Nagmadali akong tumayo sa table ko at inayos `yung suot ko bago siya sinamahang lumabas.

Nakatayo kami sa desk ni Dianne at tanaw ko mula rito ang pagpasok ng kliyente namin sa main door. No'ng una ay hindi masyadong kita ang mukha niya dahil nagsusulat siya sa log-in book pero noong tumabi ang crew ay nakita ko ang buong mukha niya.

"It can't be...." nanghihinang bulong ko. He's here! What is he doing at my studio? Alam kaya niya? Pero imposibleng alam niya na buhay ako dahil sinigurado ni Mr. de Guzman na hindi niya ako mahahanap.

"Dianne? Can you tell our client to come at my office when he asks for me," bilin ko kay Dianne.

"Sure. Are you feeling well? You're pale," nag-aalalang tanong ni Dianne pero tanging tango lang ang isinagot ko sa kaniya.

Tulala akong pumasok sa opisina ko. Bakit siya nandito? Anong gagawin ko? Ilang beses ko nang inisip kung ako ang saaabihin ko kapag nagkita ulit kami pero ngayong nandito na siya ay nawalan ako ng lakas para harapin siya. Ang gagawin ko ay magpanggap na hindi ko siya kilala at paniwalain siya na hindi ako si Ivana. Alam kong pagkakamalan niya ako bilang si Ivana pero kailangan ko siyang ma-convince na hindi ako ang babaeng minaltrato niya noon.

"Van? Our client wants to meet you," saad ni Dianne mula sa labas. Ito na nga ang oras para harapin ulit siya. I need to be strong in front of him. "Let him come in," I said.

The door opened and the man I haven't seen for years stepped in with his usual dark aura. He still has this strong aura and tge emotionless expression on his face. His facial features changed including his physique. I kust say he matured very well. He's more manly now but I loathe him very much.

The door closed behind him and I almost trembled when he looked at me. He's staring at me with familiarity mixed with pain, longing and.. love?

"Kate," he murmured.