Ruthless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #1]

Chapter Three

NOT MY MAN 

JADE 

I saw two families gathered at the dining.

Hindi naman ako ganoon katanga para hindi maintindihan kung anong nangyayari. I’m a f*****g summa c*m laude for God's sake! At kahit naman ata walang latin honor maiintindihan kung anong nangyayari sa hapag na iyon. They don’t even have to tell me what’s happening. I can see what it is… maliwanag na maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw ang katotohanan.

Parang sinaksak ang puso ko nang makita kung paano hawakan ng pinakamamahal ko ang kamay ng babaeng nasa tabi. Kung hindi rin ako nagkakamali that was an engagement ring on her ring finger. f**k… That’s a damn huge diamond… not that the size of the stone matters. Kahit siguro maliit iyon o peke ay tatanggapin ko. I would be so damn happy… just thinking about getting engaged and eventually married to him was enough to make me happy.

But I guess that ain’t happening now…

He clearly found someone else to marry… hindi ako ang pinili niya. He probably didn’t want me too much to put a ring on my finger. Damn it.

I wonder kung gaano katagal na niya akong niloloko… Gaano na sila katagal ng babae niya? Or baka naman ako ang other woman? Side chick kumbaga. The woman he dates before getting serious. f**k. It hurts just thinking about it.

I felt his sincerity though… I felt his love for me… Kaya ano to ngayon? Hindi ko maintindihan. Kahit anong pag- iisip ko hindi ko talaga mawari. Okay naman kami ah? Oo naging busy ako pero he never said anything naman. He said he understand... was that all a lie then?

Or was it because sinabi kong payag na akong makipag- s*x sa kanya? Tangina...

Dahil ba don? Naduwag siya? Bibigay na ko kaya tinapos na niya at papakasal na siya sa iba? Hindi ko alam kung magpapasalamat ako o sasampalin ko siya. At least hindi niya kinuha virginity ko? Pampalubag loob ganon?

I tried to remain calm as I stood in my position. I didn’t make a sound. I tried to gather my wits and relaxed myself. Like I said, I am not that stupid to realize the situation in front of my eyes, but unless I hear the truth of it from one of them, I will cling onto that faint hope…

Si Riri ang unang nakakita sa akin sa entryway ng dining. Sa panlalaki pa lang ng kanyang mga mata parang nasagot na ang tanong sa isipan ko. My heart broke even more.

"Ate Jade..."

Everyone turned to my direction when Riri stood up and called me all of a sudden. I almost cried when she called me but I managed to stop the tears from falling. No way! Hindi ako iiyak sa harapan nila. I am hurt pero hindi ko ipapakita sa kanila yon! Hindi ko ipapakita sa kanyang nasasaktan ako.

Riri almost ran to me and held my hand so tightly. She looked so guilty as if she made a huge mistake. “Ate, I’m sorry… I- I didn’t know…”

I forced myself to smile despite the pain I was feeling on my chest. It felt heavy and tila parang kay hirap nang huminga ngayon. “Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong…” I said softly. I squeezed her hand to tell her it was okay.

“Still… I’m sorry, ate…” Tears started to fall from her eyes.

I bit my lip and swallowed the lump on my throat. Hindi nakakatulong ang pag-iyak niya ngayon. I was barely holding it in. Baka tuluyan akong bumigay kung ganito siya.

“This is the truth she needed to see, Riri.” I heard again the familiar baritone.  I looked back and saw River approaching us. He stood beside his sister at inilagay ang kamay sa balikat nito upang aluin. He was stoic as he looked at me. Wala akong mabakas na emosyon sa kanyang mga mata.

I envied him for a while. Buti pa siya kayang hindi magpakita ng emosyon... kailangang kailangan ko yon ngayon at sana gumagana ang pagpapanggap ko.

"Kuya, I told you darating siya. I told you to stop her. She doesn't deserve to see all this. She had no idea... the least we could do was soften the blow!" Nanggagalaiti ang tinig ni Riri and tila galit na sa kanyang kapatid.

Now they are fighting because of me. I can't take this. Ayokong mag- away silang magkapatid nang dahil saken.

"Riri, it's okay... I'm okay." I smiled at her reassuringly.

Bumaling ako kay River na hanggang ngayon ay mariin pa ring nakatitig sa akin. He raised an eyebrow na tila tinatanong kung totoo ba ang sinabi ko. It wasn't a look of concern though. He was obviously being sarcastic. f**k it. Ano bang gusto niyang sabihin ko? Na nasasaktan ako? There's no way in hell I am going to admit that!

I glared at him before tearing my gaze from him. This guy is obviously enjoying the show. Bastard...

"Jade..." I heard Quen's voice from behind me. Gusto kong maiyak sa kinatatayuan ko. All I got from coming here is pain... and humiliation. 

Pero walang makakakita non! Wala ring makakarinig sa akin ng kahit ano! Bahala kayo sa buhay niyo!

I readied my fakest smile bago hinarap si Quen. "Hi Quen!" I greeted him... too happily. Kung nahalata man nilang peke and ngiti ko, hindi ko na alam. Ang mahalaga lang saken ay ang hindi maiyak sa harap ng dalawang pamilyang ito. "Hello po Tito, Tita..."

Kitang kita ko ang guilt sa mukha ni Quen pero wala na akong pakialam. He wanted this kaya alam kong hindi totoo ang guilty expression na yan. It was all an act. But I do know na totoo ang pagkabigla at kalungkutan sa mga mukha nina Tito, Tita at Rafael.

Nakatitig lang saken ang babaeng kanina ay katabi ni Quen. She's really beautiful. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit siya ang pinili ni Quen. She looked like a woman of class and prestige. Someone from the same stature as the Quen... nababagay lang silang dalawa... edi magsama kayo!

"Ate Jade..." I heard Riri call me.

Please Riri... Wag... Hayaan mo na muna ako.

"Al, who is she?" The girl asked nang makalapit na rin sa amin. The look on her face obviously states na may ideya siya sa kung sino ako pero marahil ay tulad ko, she's in denial.

"S- she--" Quen  was about to answer pero I immediately cut him off.

Agad akong nag-abot ng kamay sa babae at matamis na ngumiti. "Hi! I am Jade. Best friend ni Quen." I I saw her visibly relax, tila nabunutan ng malalim na tinik. She gave me a smile, a real one this time.

"Hello Jade! It's nice to meet you. I am Lana."

"You must be his fiancee. I've heard so many things about you!" I said with a fake wide smile.

Liar.

"I hope they are good things." She chuckled softly. Kahit ang pagtawa niya ay mahinhin. Napakapino ng bawat kilos at salita. Damn... I've never been so insecure of the women who tried to make a move on him... ngayon lang...

Nakitawa na lang rin ako. "Of course! He's so inlove with you. Actually he wouldn't shut up when he talks about you."

Napabaling siya kay Quen dahil sa sinabi ko. Bumaling rin ako sa kanya. He was looking at me with so much guilt. Isang malamig na tingin lang ang isinukli ko. Wag mo nang subukang magpaliwanag. Wala akong panahon makinig. Tatapusin ko lang to at puputulin ko na ang ugnayan natin. Tangina.

"Punta ka sa wedding namin ha?" I wanted to laugh. Sobrang inosente niya, gusto kong matawa. Damn. I really have to get out of here. Fast.

"Sure. Just send me the invite. I will be there." I said. I'm such a good actress, hindi na ako magtataka kung ma- award- an ako. Nilapitan ko si Quen. "Congratulations... Love." I made sure to whisper the last word to him.

I took a step backwards and looked at them one by one. Tita looked sorry, Tito looked grim, Rafael looked away, Quen's fiancée was still smiling, her parents looked confused and my ex- boyfriend... whatever. I don't care anymore.

"I'll go ahead now. Dumaan lang ako para dalhin tong cake to congratulate you both." Ang tingin ko ay nasa fiancee lang ni Quen. Ngumit ako sa kanya bago iniabot ang box na naglalaman ng cake. She happily accepted it naman. She had no idea what was happening... I turned to Quen and smiled fakely. "Congrats ulit. Sige, mauna na ko."

Tinalikuran ko na sila pero binalingan ko muna si Riri na nag-aabang sa tingin ko. I gave her a weak smile. Magsasalita pa sana siya pero umiling na lang ako. Kahit na tutol ay minabuti na lang niyang respetuhin ang desisyon ko.

With my head held high, I exited the Villafuerte Mansion. Nang makalabas ako ng pintuan ay saka nag- unahang pumatak ang mga luha ko. Pababa sa hagdan, naglalakad patungo sa aking sasakyan ay hinahabol ko ang hininga ko na para bang tumakbo ako sa isang marathon.

Hindi ko napigilan ang pagkawala ng isang hikbi nang dumapo ang kamay ko sa pinto ng aking sasakyan. Nawalan ako ng lakas para buksan iyon at napasandal na lamang habang nakayuko. Tuloy- tuloy ang pag- agos ng mga luha mula sa mga mata. Ang sakit. Tang ina lang... Sobrang sakit. Sa sobrang sakit pakiramdam ko, para akong sinasaksak ng paulit- ulit. Putang ina! Damn you, Quen. Damn you... Pano mo nagawa saken to?

"You need a hug for comfort?" From somewhere ay bigla na lang sumulpot si River sa aking tabi. "You probably need it after that heartbreaking encounter there..."

Hindi nakalagpas sa akin ang tonong nang-uuyam mula sa kanya. Agad kong pinalis ang mga luha at galit na hinarap siya. "No, thanks. I'd never let a jerk like you lay a hand on me."

He smirked. "Oh, really?" Naglakad siya palapit sa akin. Agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang ikulong niya ako sa gitna ng kanyang mga braso. He leaned down to me for a whisper. "You can still change your mind..."

Nang matauhan ay agad ko siyang itinulak palayo sa akin. I looked at him hatefully. "This is probably why Quen never wanted me to meet you! You're a f*****g asshole, River Villafuerte!"

He raised a brow at me. An evil, sarcastic look was plastered on his face. "I wasn't the one who cheated on you, woman... Ang magaling kong kapatid diba? So tell me, who's the bigger asshole now? Me? Or my brother?"

Nakagat ko ang aking labi. "You share the same blood! Of course the both of you are huge assholes! Your brother is a cheating asshole and you... you're a..."

"A what? What kind of asshole am I exactly?" He challenged.

"Asshole! Basta you're a freaking asshole! And I don't have time for your s**t! Magsama- sama kayo ng pamilya mo! Wala akong pakialam sa inyo! You can all burn in hell for all I care!!"

Agad nagsalubong ang kanyang kilay dahil sa narinig. s**t. That was so wrong... I didn't mean na idamay ang kanyang pamilya... si Riri...

"It's one thing you insult me on my face, woman... pero ibang usapan ang idamay ang pamilya ko." He said seriously. He took another step closer to me. Agad akong umatras. I wanted to reason out, bawiin ang nasabi ko pero parang naumid ang dila ko. I couldn't formulate the right words to say. "You need to be taught a serious lesson..."

"W- what? How dare y---"

Hindi ko na naituloy ang sasabihin dahil sa biglaan at marahas niyang pag-atake sa aking labi. Nanlalaki pa ang aking mga nang gumalaw ang kanyang labi, sinusubukang palalimin ang halik. s**t! Agad kong sinubukang kumawala sa kanya, I tried to push him away but he was too strong for me. Walang panama ang manipis kong braso sa laki ng kanya. He was lean and muscular for Christ's sake! My strength was like that of a baby's against his!

Sa isang iglap ay hawak na niya ang dalawang kamay ko sa likod ko gamit lang ang kaliwang kamay niya. Mahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya roon, hindi makawala kahit anong pilit ko. Ang isang kamay niya ay napunta sa batok ko and then he lightly pulled on my hair. It made me gasp and open my mouth. It was a wrong move because his tongue was able to gain access in my mouth. His tongue immediately searched me, making my already crumbling defenses break even further. 

But I won't let him win!

When I finally got my strength and senses back, I bit on his lip so hard, I immediately tasted the metallic taste of blood from his lips.

He pulled away from me in haste, he almost pushed me kaya naman marahas akong tumama sa aking sasakyan. Hindi ko ininda ang sakit na dulot niyon.

"f**k!" He cursed angrily.

Kasabay nang mura niyang iyon ay ang pagmumura at pagsugod ni Quen sa kay River.

"Gago ka Enrico! Tang ina mo!!" Before I knew it, nasapak na ni Quen si River. Pero dahil mas matangkad at medyo mas malaki ang pangangatawan ni River ay di niya ito nagawang patumbahin. River wiped the blood from his lip. Dalawa na ngayon ang rason ng pagdurugo ng kanyang labi. Serves you right asshole. "Gago ka! Kaya ba pinagpilitan mong hiwalayan ko si Jade may pinaplano ka?! Tang ina! Papatayin kitang gago ka!"

Susugurin pa sana ni Quen si River pero bigla muling bumukas ang pinto at lumabas mula roon sina Rafael at RiRi. Agad na umawat ang mga ito sa kanilang mga kapatid. "Tama na!!" Riri screamed.

Hindi nakinig si Quen, muli siyang sumugod kay River. Mali ang naging desisyon niya dahil this time ay si River naman ang umigkas ang kamao. Halos matumba si Quen dahil sa lakas ng suntok ni River. Napasinghap ako sa lakas niyon. I immediately worried got worried for Quen. Agad namang inalalayan ni Rafael si Quen at inilayo kay River. Yumakap si RiRi sa Kuya River niya.

"Kuya, tama na. Please?" Umiiyak na pagsusumamo ni Riri sa panganay na kapatid. Bumaba ang tingin ni River sa bunsong kapatid at agad namang nagbago ang ekspresyon nito. Like magic, his eyes softened.

"Tang ina, River! Nirespeto kita bilang kapatid! Bilang nakatatandang kapatid sa pamilyang to! Tinanggap kong mas magaling at mas marami kang alam saken. Pero gago ka, ginago mo ako!" galit na bulyaw ni Quen kay River. His face is red from anger, and he is already crying. "Jade, ano to?"

My eyes widened immediately. Don't tell me iniisip niyang may namamagitan samin ng walanghiyang kapatid niya! f**k! Ako pa talaga?! Sakin pa ang sisi ngayon? Ako yung ginago pero ako ang lumalabas na masama! Wow! You're f*****g unbelievable Enrique Alfonso!

"Don't you put the blame on me now, Alfonso Enrique. Ikaw ang nanggago hindi ako!" I yelled at him.

"f**k it..." Nag- uunahan na ang pagbagsak ng mga luha mula sa kanyang mga mata. Kumawala siya sa pagkakahawak ni Rafael at humakbang palapit sa akin. His hand was shaking when he tried to reach out to me. Pero bago pa niya akong tuluyang mahawakan ay sinampal palayo ni River ang kamay niya mula sa akin. He also stepped closer, shielding me from Quen.

Pare- parehong nanlaki ang mga mata namin dahil sa inakto nito. Litong napatingin ako kay River habang sinuklian lang ako nito ng madilim na titig. It's like he was telling me to stay still and not make a move.

"W- what is going on? L- Love..." Tila litong tanong ni Quen habang nagpapalipat lipat ang tingin sa amin ng kanyang kapatid.

River scoffed. "Love? You f*****g love is so shallow brother." Napasinghap ako sa sinabi ni River. s**t. I was about to get in between the two pero mariing hinawakan ni River ang palapulsuhan ko. Agad na bumaba roon ang tingin ni Quen. "You don't have the rights to call her that now."

I swallowed the lump on my throat.

"Tang ina Jade... Gaano na katagal?" Quen turned to me. Tears were streaming down his face. Akala mo sobrang nasasaktan sa nangyayari. Damn you. You brought this on you tapos iiyak ka? What gives you the right? "Since when?"

Since when have I been cheating? Ako pa ngayon ang tatanungin niya ng ganyan? Sino ba ang ikakasal na? Bigla ay nawalan ako ng ganang linawin ang katotohanan sa kanya. Wala na akong pakialam kung anong isipin niya. He can think I'm a cheater for all I care! I'll take this opportunity to get back at him.

"I don't see the need to explain to you. Tapos na tayo." I told him with a sharp glare. Tinalikuran ko siya upang makapunta sa aking sasakyan pero napabalik ako dahil sa lakas ng paghigit sa akin. Kung hindi ako naalalayan ng kung sino ay baka natumba na ako.

"Don't turn your back on me! We're not finished talking!" He shouted at me.

Siya ang humigit sa akin at si River ang umalalay sa baywang ko upang hindi matumba. Ang isang kamay niya ay nakahawak sa kapatid.

"Let her go, Alfonso." He commanded.

Quen only glared at River at mas lalo pang humigpit ang pagkakahawak sa akin. Sa sobrang higpit niyon pakiramdam ko ay magmamarka iyon. It hurt pero hindi ako nagsalita.

"I said let her go." Dumagundong ang tinig ni River.

The two engaged in a glaring battle hanggang sa si Rafael na ang nagsalita. "Quen, let her go. You're hurting her..."

I sighed and looked at him coldly when he returned his gaze on me. "You heard your brother Alfonso Enrique. Let go of me. I don't have time for you anymore."

"I won't let you go. Not until you explain to me." He held his ground, his hand still firm on my arm. "Jade... please. Please tell me you're not with him. Tell me he only forced you to kiss him."

Tila hindi na nakapagpigil si River dahil siya na mismo ang nagtanggal sa pagkakahawak ni Quen sa akin. Dahil doon ay naramdaman ko ang paggasgas ng singsing ni Quen sa aking balat. The sharp sting told me it left a mark and it was bleeding. Hindi na ako nag- abalang tingnan pa iyon.

Tiningnan ko siya ng diretso sa mga mata. Huminga ako ng malalim. "Do I have to rub it on your face? Huh, Quen?"

"W- what?" Tila naguguluhan pang sabi niya. Ginamit kong pagkakataon ang pagkalito niya para balingan si River. I reached out for his face with both hands. I looked into his eyes with coldness. Don’t think I’m doing this because I like you. You are both huge assholes. Magsama kayo ng kapatid mo.You can fight for all I care, wala na akong pakialam.

River just looked at me blankly. I think he already knows what I was planning pero hindi siya umiwas. He also didn't smile. His expression remained blank. Iyon ang huli kong nakita bago ipinikit ang aking mga mata at inilapat ang aking mga labi sa kanya. He was unresposive. I angled my face to kiss him deeper.

Akala ko buong halik na siyang magiging unresponsive kaya naman nagulat na lang ako nang gumalaw siya at humalik pabalik. He was kissing me gently this time, very unlike his forceful ones earlier.

Hindi ko na alam kung anong nangyari basta narinig ko na lang na pagtawag nina Rafael at Riri kay Quen. I guess Quen walked out.

I stopped kissing River and removed my hands from his face. Isang malalim na hininga ang pinakawalan ko bago umatras para makalayo sa kanya ngunit nanatili ang isang braso niya sa aking baywang. I glared at him.  "Bitaw." I said firmly.

He didn't remove his hold on me. Nanatili lang din siyang nanunuod sa aking ekspresyon. "Be mine."

"Huh?" Lito akong tumingin sa kanya.

"I said, be mine..." Ulit pa niya.

Agad ko siyang itinulak palayo sa akin. What kind of game is he playing now?!

"Tigilan mo ako, River. Wala akong panahon sa mga kagaguhan mo. Tigilan niyo akong magkapatid, please lang." Mabilis ko siyang tinalikuran ngunit hinigit lang niya ako pabalik. Napangiwi ako sa sakit. My skin still felt tender dahil sa pagkakahawak ni Quen. Dagdagan pa na nasugatan ako roon.

I looked at him sharply. Pero hindi siya nakatingin sa akin. His whole attention was on the wound.

"He isn’t man enough to have you." He gently traced the wound using his finger.

Binawi ko ang aking kamay mula sa pagkakahawak niya. "And you think you are?" I asked sharply.

"I'm man enough to reject to a marriage I don’t want." I stared at him. Does this mean... "Yes baby. It's all arranged... and he wasn't man enough to fight for you."

Fuck... Quen, you dumbass.

Napapikit ako nang muli dumaan ang sakit sa aking puso. Huminga ako ng malalim at pagod na tumingin kay River. "You're not my man, River."

And I left him there without another word.