Ruthless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #1]

Chapter Four

CHANGE YOUR MIND

JADE

For the third time this week, halos madaling araw na naman ako makakauwi. I checked my wristwatch habang nasa elevator ako. It was almost midnight pero pauwi pa lang ako at hindi na nakapag-dinner man lang. Maaga pa din ang gising ko bukas dahil papasok ulit sa trabaho. It’s fine with me though. I needed to busy myself. Ayoko ng masyadong mahabang idle time dahil kung anu-anong naiisip ko kapag nababakante. I already stopped thinking about what happened to my relationship with Quen. Kaydali para sa kanyang bitawan ako kaya ganoon din dapat ako.

I felt my stomach rumbling. I am hungry. Sa buong araw na ito, tanging lunch lang ang nakain ko and hindi ko pa naubos iyon dahil I was at a luncheon meeting. Pagkatapos naman niyon ay naging abala na sa dami ng trabaho dahil sa last minute changes na dinemand ng creative director at nang editor-in-chief. I couldn’t find time to eat and nawala na rin naman iyon sa isip ko.

Binabagtas ko ang kahabaan ng highway pauwi sa condo ko. Ilang minuto na lang at makakarating na ako. I couldn’t wait to go home and sleep. Feeling ko paglapat pa lang ng katawan ko sa malambot kong kama ay makakatulog na agad ako.

I was focused on the road when something caught my attention on the side mirror. Napatuon ang atensyon ko doon dahil sa kakaibang kilos ng itim na Fortuner sa likuran ko. The driving was so unsteady na nado- double lane pa. f**k… Hindi naman kaya? Bigla akong kinabahan sa naisip lalo na nang biglang mag swerve sa left ang sasakyan. Damn it.

I was almost panicking pero kinalma ko ang sarili ko. Panicking in this situation won't do me any good. Sa halip ay mas naging focused ako sa pagmamaneho. Bahagya ko na ring binilisan ang takbo ng kotse ko at saka nag- switch lanes para makaiwas sa kasunod kong sasakyan. I need to get as far away sa possible dahil baka kung ano pang mangyari pag masyado akong malapit.

Nang makapaglagay ako ng tamang distance ay inakala kong okay na pero mali. Napamura na lang ako nang maramdaman ang pagbangga ng Fortuner sa likod ng sasakyan ko. s**t! At dahil sa pagsusubok kong makalayo ay hindi ko na nakontrol ang pagmamaneho ko. Before I knew it, I was heading straight to the tall barricades.

Then everything went black...

RIVER

I was having breakfast with my family at the dining when the news caught my attention. It was a report about an accident in a main highway that happened last night. The news started with the reporter stating minor details about the accident followed by the interview with the police sheriff and then the video footage of the accident site.

Agad nagsalubong ang mga kilay ko nang matitigan ang sasakyang ibinalita na tumama sa barricade. It was a white Honda civic and it looked awfully familiar to me.

“Jade…” Our attentions turned to Alfonso when rose from his seat all of a sudden. I saw how his face paled as he stared at the television.

That’s why it looked familiar. It was his ex’s car. The customized sticker on the back was very unique that it gave the car owner away.

“K-kuya… Is that Ate Jade’s car?” Riri’s tone was a mixture of fright and doubt as she asked him that question. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanya. I already knew the answer to it but I was hoping to hear a different one.

When he made a move to leave the table, agad na pumailanlang ang tinig ng aming ama.

“And where do you think you’re going, Alfonso Enrique?” Father asked.

Lahat kami ay natigilan dahil doon. Mas lalong namutla ang kapatid ko dahil sa narinig mula sa aming ama. We all know that tone of voice.

“I need to see her, dad.” Alfonso answered in a nervous tone.

“Do you really think that girl would still want to see you after what you did?” Father raised a brow at him.

Napayuko si Alfonso habang lihim naman akong napangisi.

I cleared my throat before wiping my lips using the cloth. Prente kong inilapag iyon bago tumayo mula sa aking kinauupuan. Lahat sila ay napabaling ang tingin sa akin dahil sa ikinilos. Alfonso’s forehead knotted as he looked at me. Riri was pouting while watching me walk to our mother.

I leaned down to kiss her cheek. “I’m leaving mother. I have an early breakfast meeting with a client from China.” Mother nodded before kissing my cheek in return. Sunod kong binalingan ang aking ama na ngayon ay nakataas ang isang kilay habang nakatingin sa akin. I didn’t pay much attention to it. “I will see you in the director’s meeting later, father.”

Palabas na ako nang dining room nang marinig ko ang biglaan pagpapaalam ni Riri sa aming mga magulang. Maya-maya pa ay kumapit siya sa aking braso. I looked at her curiously while she just grinned at me.

“You liar. Alam ko kung san ka pupunta.” She whispered in a taunting voice.

I rolled my eyes at her and just continued walking. Bago pa kami tuluyang makaalis ay narinig pa namin ang pagdagundong ng matigas na tinig ng aming ama.

“Stay in your damn seat, Alfonso Enrique!”

Hindi ko napigilan ang pagdaan ng ngiti sa aking mga labi. I felt pain on my waist when my sister pinched me.

“Ang sama mo kay Kuya Alfonso huh.” She said with a pout.

“I’m not.” I said. “But you know he deserves it.”

JADE

"Are you really trying to kill yourself, Jade?"

Napabuntong- hininga na lang ako. Kagigising ko lang mula sa di masyadong komportableng pagtulog pero sermon na agad ang isinalubong saken ni Jared, my other best friend. The guy I practically grew up with.  Well except for the few years na nagkahiwalay kami dahil sa pagtira niya sa America.

“I already told you before that it’s not safe to drive pag midnight sa city. Alam mong maraming drunk drivers nang ganoong oras.” Aniya sa iritableng tono. He raised a brow at me. “And why were you even coming home so late, huh? You stayed so late at work na naman dahil ayaw mong masyadong naiisip yong gago mong ex?”

Muli akong napabuntong-hininga. Sino ba kasing nagsabi na nagpapakamatay ako? Edi sana naglaslas na lang ako diba? Ganoon naman usually ang ginagawa ng mga broken hearted. Pero hindi naman ako ganoon katanga sa pag-ibig. Hell! I will never do that!

And hindi ko naman kasalanan yung accident! I wasn’t the one who drunk drive! Umiwas lang ako kaya tumama sa barricade and who knew what would happen kung hindi ko umiwas? Baka mas malala pa rito ang natamo ko.

“Jared, you're overreacting. Why would I kill myself over a cheating asshole? Aksidente yung nangyari. I didn't want that to happen kaya!” I told him a frustrated tone.

Jared is really sweet and nice naman lalo na saken kasi best friend niya ako at parang magkapatid na. Pero dahil nga sobrang malapit kami, para siyang si kuya na nakakatakot din pag nagalit. I know he’s not really mad. Nag-aalala lang yan kasi hindi nga biro yung aksidenteng nangyari saken. I have a small wound on my forehead, I broke a wrist and naka-cast din ang paa ko dahil sa nangyari. I guess it’ll take a few weeks bago tuluyang gumaling iyon.

“I know he’s the reason why you’re doing this, Jade! Alam ko! I know you better! You’re a workaholic pero hindi ka ganito ka-toxic magtrabaho! Putangina, uuwi ka ng madaling araw dahil sa trabaho? Who the f**k does that? Even as the CEO of my company, hindi ko nagawa yon!”

“You don’t have to curse.” I said meekly.

“I’m f*****g pissed.” Gigil niyang sabi. “That asshole cheated on you! And he didn’t even care to explain? He didn’t have the decency to break up with you before proposing to another woman tapos hindi man lang siya nagpaliwanag pagkatapos nong naabutan mo sa mansyon nila?”

I sighed. “Hindi ko rin naman siya pakikinggan…”

“f**k that! Kahit na! You deserve an explanation! Is he even a f*****g man?”

He isn’t man enough to have you

I shook my head. I suddenly remembered what River said to me that night. Damn it. Pareho pa sila ng sinabi ni Jared.

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Pag-iwas ko.

"At bakit hindi? Dahil ayaw mong umiyak? Tang ina Jade, okay lang umiyak! Okay lang maglabas ng sama ng loob. You can cry and lean on me. I'm here..." His expression softened. He held my right hand. My left wrist was in a cast.

Ito ang ayaw ko kapag may nagko- comfort sa akin. Kaya ko naman kung ako lang. Pero pag ganito na hindi ko na mapigilan. Hindi nga ako umiyak sa kanya noong mag-chat kami sa Skype the day after noong nangyari sa mansyon ng mga Villafuerte. Parang wala lang iyon sa akin noong mapag-usapan namin pero ngayong nasa tabi ko siya at kitang-kita ang pag-aalala sa akin, di ko kaya.

“I hate you. You’re making me cry.” I told him when the tears started to cascade down my cheeks. I wanted to wipe them away pero di ko magawa kasi hawak niya yung free hand ko. “Bitaw. Pupunasan ko ang mga lintik na luhang to.”

“Ako na.” Magrereklamo pa sana ko pero di ko na nagawa nang siya na mismo ang magpahid ng mga luha ko. He used his handkerchief to dry my tears. Then all of a sudden, he pinched my nose so hard.

“Hey! I’m injured kaya!” Sinapo ko ang ilong ko after niyang torture- in yon. Lagi na lang ang ilong ko ang pinagti- trip- an niya. Matangos kasi. Well, yung sa kanya rin naman.

“Your nose isn’t though.” Pagbibiro niya tapos bigla akong niyakap ng sobrang higpit. Nasa ganoong ayos kami nang walang pasubaling bumukas ang pinto ng silid ko. Napanganga na lang ako nang makita si River sa hamba ng pinto. What the hell is he doing here?

I saw again the coldness in his eyes as he took in the situation. Bahagyang tumaas ang kilay niya. Agad naman akong napabitaw kay Jared. Pakiramdam ko ay nahuli ako sa isang krimen na hindi ko naman ginawa. Pero teka nga bakit ba ako natataranta?

"Another Villafuerte." Tumaas ang kilay ni Jared sa akin nang balingan ako matapos tingnan si River. I shrugged. Hindi ko rin alam bakit narito ang isang yan. Maybe he’s here to check if I am dead.

"Jared Arguelles." River said Jared’s name so coldly. Hindi ko alam kung iyon na ang pagbati niya or what. Pero magkakilala pala sila… sabagay they live in the same world. They are both successful businessmen and napasama sa bagong listahan ng Elite Magazine.

“Ate Jade!!”

Naputol ang malamig na tinginan nina Jared at River nang patakbong lumapit saken si Riri. Hindi ko napansin na naroon pala siya sa pinto. Sa sobrang tangkad ng kuya niya ay natakpan na siya nito.

Agad niya akong inatake ng yakap. Medyo napangiwi ako nang makaramdam ng sakit sa tagiliran. My body still felt tender dahil sa aksidente. Medyo masakit pa ang lahat.

“Riri, careful.” River said. Napatingin ako sa kanya dahil doon. He was just watching me, surveying my body marahil ay tinitingnan kung gaano kalala ang natamong damage sa aksidente. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin sa kanya.

“Sorry, ate.” Riri apologized immediately at agad nang bumitaw sa pagkakayakap.

I smiled at her. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”

She looked at me sadly. Inabot niya ang naka-wrap kong wrist at marahang hinawakan iyon. “I saw what happened to you sa news. I was so worried about you. What happened exactly ba? Sabi sa news binangga ka daw nung drunk driver kaya tumama yung car mo sa barricade?”

“The Fortuner was very unsteady kaya naisip kong baka nga lasing yung driver. Kaya medyo binilisan ko yung pagda-drive para makalayo. Pero for some reason the Fortuner caught up to me and bumangga siya sa car ko. I lost control nung sinubukan kong umiwas kaya tumama ako sa barricade.” Pagpapaliwanag ko naman sa kanya. Napasulyap ako sa kapatid niyang si River na ngayon ay tila wala sa sarili dahil sa lalim ng iniisip.

“OMG. That must have been so scary, ate.” Tumango lang ako sa sinabi niya. It was indeed very scary. “Pano na work mo? How long will you be staying here? Gagaling ba agad yung wrist and leg mo?”

“I’ll probably stay here for a few days. Pag okay na wrist ko, I can go back to work. Mag-crutches na lang ako so I can walk.”

“Hassle yon. You should take complete rest hanggang gumaling injuries mo.” Biglang singit ni Jared sa usapan.

Agad nalipat ang atensyon ni Riri sa kanya. Nang tumingin pabalik si Jared kay Riri ay may kung anong nabasa ako sa mga mata niya. Nakagat ko ang labi ko sa pagpipigil ng ngiti. Lumipat ang tingin ko kay River na ngayon ay nakakunot ang noo habang nakatingin sa akin. Lumipat ang tingin kay Jared sabay balik saken. Tinaasan ko ng kilay. What is your problem now?

Umirap na lang ako. I cleared my throat. “By the way. Riri, meet Jared, my best friend. Jared, si Riri Villafuerte.”

“I know him.” Nakangiting sabi ni Riri bago tumingin sa akin tapos bumaling ulit kay Jared. “Jared Arguelles. CEO and owner of JRA Holdings, billionaire, philanthropist. Kasama ka dun sa bagong ilo-launch ng Elite.”

I almost laughed when I saw Jared’s ears turn red. Hindi ko alam kung napansin yon ni Riri pero ako kitang-kita ko and I know what that means. Halatang nahihiya ang isang to. Wow! I didn’t think I would see the day na mahihiya ang isang Jared Arguelles sa babae.

“Uh, hello Riri. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve seen you in magazines too.” Jared you are so freaking awkward!

Ngumiti lang si Riri bilang tugon. Riri is a model kaya madalas siyang makita sa mga magazine and tv ads.

Muli akong binalingan ni Riri nang may nag-aalalang tingin. “Where will you go once you get discharged? Mag-isa ka sa condo mo, right? Your family’s in the province. Kaya mo ba mag-isa ate?”

“She’ll stay with me once she’s discharged.” Nauna pa si Jared sa pagsagot. I didn’t have time to argue dahil agad na ring nagsalita si Riri.

“Really? That’s good. I’m worried kasi injured pa si Ate Jade tapos maiiwan siya mag-isa sa condo niya.” Nag-aalala pa ring saad ni Riri. Alanganin ang naisukli kong ngiti nang bumaling siya sa akin and then kay Jared. “Ikaw na bahala sa kanya ha? Please take care of her.”

“Of course. Di na to makakaulit magpasaway kasi yari siya saken.” Pabirong sabi ni Jared saka ginulo ang buhok ko. Pinalo ko na lang yung kamay niya kaya tinawanan na lang kami ni Riri.

Napabaling naman ako kay River. Seryoso siyang nakatingin samen ni Jared. I really don’t know why he’s looking at us like that.

“Oh, kuya? Why aren’t you saying anything? You wanted to go here tapos hindi ka naman nagsasalita dyan.” Paninita naman ni Riri sa kuya niya.

Tumaas ang kilay ko pagtingin kay River. Siya ang may gusting pumunta rito? Bakit naman? Talaga bang sinisiguro niya if I am dead na or not? Ha! Sorry siya humihingi pa ko.

Walang nagsasalita sa amin kaya naman nang tumunog ang tiyan ko ay rinig na rinig naming lahat iyon. f**k. Nakakahiya. Pero halos one day na kasi akong hindi kumakain kaya gutom na gutom na ko.

“You must be hungry.” Jared said. Agad naman akong tumango at nahihiyang ngumiti. “What do you want to eat?”

"Chinese food. You know what I like naman." I told him.

He nodded. He turned to Riri. “How about you, Riri? Want me to get anything for you?”

Sa itsura ni Jared ngayon parang kahit ano ibibigay niya kay Riri. Oh my gosh. I think my best friend fell for her at first sight. Maybe not first sight. Haha pero mukhang tinamaan talaga.

“I’m good. Nag- breakfast na kami ni kuya kanina sa bahay.” Riri answered. Bigla namang nag- ring ang phone niya kaya nag-excuse siya saglit para sagutin iyon. Agad din siyang bumalik, she looked sad while biting her lip. “Oh no. I have to go na ate. May photoshoot nga pala ko ng 9AM. Sorry ate.”

I gave her an understanding smile. “Okay lang, Ri. You go. I’m fine here. Thank you sa pagbisita.”

"Sorry talaga! Don't worry, I'll visit you ulit mamaya or siguro tomorrow."

“Thank you. Ingat ka. Good luck sa shoot.” I smiled bago binalingan ang kapatid niyang ganoon pa rin ang ekspresyon sa mukha. This guy and his eternal scowling face.

Humalik si Riri sa cheeks ko bago bumaling sa kanyang kapatid para magyaya na. “Kuya, let's go.”

"You go ahead, Riri. I'll stay. May pag-uusapan pa kami."  Huh? Pag-uusapan? At ano naman yon?

“What? Wala kaya akong car. Sumabay lang ako sayo remember?” Pagmamaktol ni Riri.

“Then use mine. I will ask the driver to get the BMW later.” Ani River, hindi naaalis ang tingin sa akin. What the hell does he want now? Wala kaming pag- uusapan dahil strangers kami sa isa’t isa. The hell.

Iritadong binalingan ni Riri ang kapatid. “You know I’m not a good driver. Kuya kasi.”

I sighed. “Go, River. Wala naman tayong pag-uusapan.”

I saw his jaw clench bago siya bumaling kay Riri and then kay Jared. “Jared, I need to talk to you friend about something. If it’s not too much to ask, can you drive my sister to work? Her shoot is just within the area naman.”

“Huh?” Medyo gulat pa si Jared dahil sa tanong na iyon ni River. Kahit ako ay nagulat din doon.

Talaga bang humingi siya ng pabor kay Jared? At talaga bang basta niya lang hahayaan ang kapatid niya sa ibang lalaki? Damn this guy. Mapagkakatiwalaan naman si Jared pero hindi talaga ako makapaniwala sa naiisip ng River na to.

“Ugh, kuya. So annoying.” Iritadong saad ni Riri.

“A- alright.” Sagot naman ni Jared. Nagpabalik- balik ang tingin niya sa akin at kay River. Tiningnan pa niya ako na tila ba nagtatanong kung ayos lang sakin na maiwan roon kasama si River. Wala kong nagawa kundi ang tumango. Mukhang walang planong umalis itong si River, nagmamadali si Riri kaya walang ibang choice kundi magpahatid sa kanya. “Balik din ako agad.”

I nodded. “Ingat. Bye, Riri.”

Ngumiti lang si Riri bago nagpaalam at magkasabay na silang umalis ni Jared.

As soon as the door closed, River spoke. “Did you get into an accident because you were too broken about what happened to you and my brother?”

Hindi ko agad nagustuhan ang tono ng pananalita niya. Para akong nainsulto roon.

I bit the inside of my cheek to ease my temper. “I’m not that stupid to try and get myself killed. Your brother isn’t the only man on earth.”

“He isn’t dahil may reserba ka?” He raised a brown and smiled sarcastically. “Jared Arguelles, huh?”

“Whatever it is you’re thinking, mali ka. Jared is my best friend.”

“f**k that. You cannot be just best friends. Friendship between the opposite s*x isn’t real.” He scoffed.

“Maybe for you it isn’t. Wag mong idamay ang ibang tao sa paniniwala mo.” I said sharply. “And kung anuman ang mayroon sa amin, wala ka nang pakialam don!”

He glared at me. “You don’t want to be mine cause you prefer that guy? Baby, I’m the better man for you. I’m f*****g richer and I bet I can make you moan better.”

Agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya. What the hell! Kung malapit lang siya saken at hindi naka-bandage ang left wrist ko ay nasampal ko na siya.

“You asshole! Get out of here!” I yelled at him.

Hindi siya umalis, sa halip ay mas lumapit pa siya saken. He even had the nerve to sit on the space beside me. I glared at him so hatefully. I’m starting to hate this guy for real. I’ve imagined just how bad this guy can be dahil sa mga nasabi ni Quen noon pero I think he’s beyond what I imagined. He’s a class A jerk! A freaking asshole!

“You like good boys better?” He raised a brow. “Good boys are boring, babe. Good boys are so boring they’ll wait for five years just to f**k you.”

Napasinghap ako sa pagkabigla. Agad umigkas ang kamay ko upang sampalin siya ngunit maagap niyang nasalo iyon. He didn’t hold my wrist though. Sa bandang baba siya nakahawak at marahan lang dahilan kaya hindi ako masyadong nasaktan. Umiiyak na sana ako sa sakit ngayon kung tuluyan ko siyang nasampal. My wrist was injured for f**k’s sake.

“You were so ready for him, right? You even started taking the pill.” His deep voice sent shivers down my spine. How the f**k does he know all this? He’s not that close to Quen para maikwento iyon sa kanya. Kaya paano?! “You wanted to be f****d so bad that you voluntarily started taking the pill. And then he left you…”

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. f**k. His words hit the f*****g spot and kahit na gusto kong mainsulto na lang sa sinabi niya, mas nanaig sa akin ang sakit. Ang sakit kasi totoo ang sinabi niya.

I came from a conservative family. We are traditional. We believe in marriage before s*x. Kaya nga hindi ako bumigay kay Quen. Pero hindi naman ako santa. I’m a woman with needs too. I touch myself at night with thoughts of him. I fantasize almost every night doing it with him, the man I love. Nananaig lang talaga ang takot sa akin noon pero I got over it didn’t I? Kaya nga pumunta ako sa OB to get some prescribed birth control pills. I couldn’t wait anymore. I wanted to feel him, make love to him.

Pero wala ding nangyari. He f*****g left me.

Kaya hindi ko talaga alam kung masisiyahan akong iniwan niya ako na hindi man lang nagagalaw sa loob ng limang taong pagsasama o masisiyahan cause he at least got the decency to leave me with my virginity intact.

“You don’t need a f*****g good man, Jade.” Nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang sobrang lapit na ni River sa akin. He was leaning so close to me that I could feel his breath on my cheek. “They’re f*****g boring… won’t be able to give you what you need… won’t be able to satisfy you like I do.”

Iniharang ko ang isang kamay sa pagitan namin nang mas lumapit pa siya. He was almost kissing the side of my lips. Iniwas ko ang mukha ko at bumaling sa kanan. “Stop it, River. I don’t want to hear any more from you.”

“Why? Natatakot ka?” Pinigilan ko ang sarili kong mapatingin sa kanya. If I do, siguradong maglalapat ang mga labi namin. “Are you scared that I’d be so convincing you’ll end saying yes?”

I clenched my jaw. “You can’t get everything in this world, River. Hindi mo ako makukuha…”

He chuckled. Lumapat ang labi niya sa aking pisngi. Naramdaman ko ang paghinga niya sa aking balat. I almost shivered at the warmth of his breath. f**k. This isn’t good.

“I’ll change your mind…” It was like he cast a curse on me. “You’ll change your mind, baby.”