Ruthless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #1]

Chapter Five

THE FRIEND

JADE         

Dumaan ang maghapon at wala man lang akong ginawa kundi ang matulog at manuod ng tv. Pero mas marami ang time na natulog ako, effect siguro ng pain killers. Nang magising ako sa afternoon nap ko ay madilim na sa labas. Now I am here sitting by the window, watching the city lights. Kung wala lang akong injuries, iisipin kong nasa hotel lang ako at hindi sa ospital.

Sighhh…

I’m so bored here. I don’t even have someone to talk to. My mom and dad knows nothing about the accident na kinasangkutan ko. Hindi naman nabanggit sa news ang pangalan ko kaya hindi nila malalaman yon. Hindi ko na rin sinabi kasi ayaw kong mag-alala pa sila. Masyado na silang matanda and my father’s has a complication kaya mahirap na balitaan ng ganito. My brother naman is working in New Zealand kaya wala akong ibang pamilyang bibisita. Si Gabbie working overtime today kaya hindi pa niya ako mabibisita.

Ang tanging inaasahan ko lang na makakasama ko rito ay si Jared. Pero nagkaroon naman siya ng biglaang business trip to Korea kaya mawawala ng ilang araw. He’s very busy and I understand naman kaya habang paulit- ulit siyang nagso- sorry kanina pagbisita ng hapon ay tinawanan ko na lang bago sinabihang umalis na at maghanda para sa flight niya.

Thankfully though, hindi ko naman pala kailangang magtagal rito sa hospital. Pwedeng sa bahay na ako tuluyang magpagaling kaya naman pinayagan na ako ng doctor na ma-discharge bukas. Gabbie will visit naman tomorrow kaya siguro sasabay na lang ako sa kanya at magpapahatid sa condo ko. Kakayanin ko naman siguro mag- isa. Tutal naka- leave naman ako ng two weeks kaya hindi ko kailangan mag-work. Sa condo lang ako para magpagaling.

My wrist still hurts a bit lalo na kapag nagagalaw pero it’s not my main naman kaya makakilos pa ko ng ayos kahit paano. I’ll use the crutches on my right. I can’t deny though that it will surely be hard for me. Kahit na pilit kong kinukumbinsi ang sarili ko na kaya kong mag- isa, medyo nanlulumo pa rin ako. What a difficult situation.

Pang-ilang buntong hininga ko na ba ngayong araw?

Whatever. Now is not the time to be stressed.

It was already 9PM. Nakakain na ko ng dinner kasi sinigurado ni Jared na maraming pagkain sa ref bago niya ko iniwan kanina. He wanted to make sure that I will be alright  bago siya nagpaalam kanina. Madilim sa kwarto ko at tanging ang bedside lamp lang ang nagbibigay liwanag sa paligid.

Isinandal ko ang aking pisngi sa sofa habang patagilid na nakaupo roon. I stared at the citylights and then the full moon in the dark sky. Sinubukan kong kunan ng litrato ang tanawin sa labas pero I wasn’t satisfied. Habang tinitingnan ang picture ay aksidente kong naswipe ang screen kaya naman lumabas sa screen ang huling litrato na kasama ko si Quen.

It was an adorable selfie of us noong kumain kami sa fast food after niyang kong sunduin sa work. Iyong gabing sinabi ko sa kanyang handa na ako.

I bit my lip as I swiped through the pictures one by one. Halos lahat ng picture ko sa phone ay puro kasama siya. I don’t really do selfies, hindi rin ako ganoon kahilig sa pictures… saka lang kapag kasama siya. Kaya naman puro siya at ako talaga ang laman ng gallery ko.

Isang linggo pa lang nakalilipas mula iyong nangyari sa mansyon. Sobrang fresh pa kaya fresh pa din ang sakit na dulot niyon. Pero for some reason hindi ko magawang umiyak kahit na sobrang sakit. Ang tanging pag-iyak ko lang ay noong makalabas ako sa mansyon nila kung saan biglang sumulpot si River at hinalikan ako.

I shook my head. Why am I thinking about that guy now? Damn it.

Hindi na ulit ako umiyak after that. Kahit noong makauwi ako sa condo after that encounter, hindi ako umiyak. Basta na lang akong nakatulog that night, must be due to the emotional stress. Noong ikwento ko din kay Gabbie the following day, hindi ako umiyak. Kanina lang, noong kausap ko si Jared, pero dahil naman iyon sa nagpatong patong nang stress tapos isama pa tong nangyaring aksidente.

Parang namanhid na lang ako. Sa sobrang sakit na makita yon ng wala man lang warning, namanhid yung puso ko. Don’t know if that’s better or what…

Gaya ng nalaman ko mula kay River, arranged marriage iyong kina Quen at Lana. I didn’t know that something so primitive like pragmatic marriages still happen. Ganoon ba talaga kaiba ang mundo ko sa kanila? Honestly, I don’t want to doubt Quen’s feelings for me. We were together for five years, mahigit pa kasi ilang taon din naman siyang nanligaw. I don’t think it’s possible to fake your feelings for someone nang ganoon katagal.

Why did he drop me so easily? Kung mahal niya ako, bakit niya ako binitawan ng ganoon kadali? Bakit ang dali sa kanyang magdesisyon na magpakasal sa iba? Hindi ba niya ko kayang ipaglaban? O talagang mas matimbang ang mana at kompanya sa kanya? I highly doubt na walang kapalit iyong pagpapakasal nila kung ganong arranged pala ang lahat.

There must be something… and surely it involves money.

Sighhh… so hindi talaga ako ganon kahalaga, right? I mean he left me for their wealth. He can’t imagine living a simple life with me. He’s not willing to sacrifice his life as a billionaire for a life with me.

"Damn it." I curse as I wipe the tears from my eyes.

Alam kong sinabi kong hindi ako makikinig kahit na mag- explain siya… alam kong sinabi kong tapos na kami at wala na kong panahon para makinig… pero ano ba naman yung subukan pa rin niya hindi ba? Jared was right. I deserved an explanation. Kahit na hindi ko gusto ang maririnig, I deserve to hear it. Kailangan kong malaman kung anong dahilan, para hindi ako nag-iisip ng kung anu- ano… para hindi ko iniisip ng paulit- ulit kung ano bang mali saken at ano ang pagkukulang ko.

And I hate to admit it but River’s right. Quen you’re not a f*****g man. You’re just a coward…

Hahayaan mo na lang talagang matapos ang matagal nating pinagsamahan ng ganito…

You didn’t even have the decency to explain matapos mo akong iwan sa ere.

In my anger, I tapped the trash bin icon on my gallery and immediately clicked yes when the confirmation prompt appeared. Without any hesitation, I delete all our pictures… all our memories. Kasama rito ang gagawin kong pag-alis sayo sa buhay ko.

I don’t need a man like you…

Goodbye, Quen…

*Knock knock*

I almost jumped on my seat when I heard the knock on the door. Napatingin ako agad doon ng may pagtataka. Hinintay kong kusang bumukas iyon pero hindi naman bumukas. So it’s not the nurse. Anyways wala naman nang kailangang i-check ang nurse kaya I figured na hindi naman nurse yon. Usually din kasi pumapasok naman sila agad pagkatapos kumain.

So I have a visitor? At this time of the day? Sino naman? Imposibleng si Gabbie kasi umuwi na yon sa condo niya. Imposible ding si Jared dahil by now, surely nasa Korea na yon.

Agad akong kinabahan ng may isa pang naisip. Don't tell me yung jerk na yun ang nasa labas? Pero knowing how bossy and arrogant he is, hindi na siya mag- aabalang kumatok pa. Siguradong magba- barge in na lang yun bigla.

Bakit ba iniisip ko pa, pwede namang papasukin na lang. Safe naman ako rito sa hospital dahil private naman ito.

"Come in. The door’s open."

The door creaked open and from there, I saw the silhouette of a tall man emerge. s**t. Si River ba to?

"Hello. Uh, is this Jade Dela Riva's room?" I sighed in relied when I heard a different voice. Thank God it’s not that guy.

I cleared my throat. "Yes. I am Jade. Uh, can you please turn on the light? It’s by the door."

I saw the man’s arm extend towards the wall and his hand automatically searched the switch. Maya- maya pa ay nagliwanag na ang silid. Medyo nasilaw ako sa biglaang liwanag kaya napapikit. Nang makapag- adjust ang aking mata ay ibinalik ko ang tingin sa bisita. I almost sucked in my breath when I took a good look at the man. Wow, he’s gorgeous. He looks foreign. I wonder anong lahi niya? Spanish? Russian? French? German?

“Uh, hello?” Medyo alanganin kong pagbati. I didn’t know what to say. Gusto kong tanungin kung sino siya pero parang nahiya naman ako.

Naglakad siya palapit sa akin. Dahil doon ay agad kong napansin ang kulay berde niyang mga mata. Wow. I thought that was a rare eye color. I can’t believe I’m looking into one right now. “Hi. My name is Philip. I am Jared’s friend.”

“Ako din.” I said stupidly. Shiz. I immediately shook my head nang marealize ang stupid answer ko. Then I suddenly realized something. Philip…. Medyo familiar. Alam kong maraming Philip sa mundo pero wala naman akong kilalang Philip. I just heard about one from Jared, and that was Philip Karpov. The half Greek businessman na may ari ng Karpov Industries and Karpov Builders. The freaking billionaire na included din sa list ng Elite. Don’t tell me… “You’re Philip Karpov?”

“Yes.” He smiled.

Oh my gosh! Ilan pang miyembro ng heartthrob billionaires ang makikilala ko? Wow! I can’t believe that another one is in front of me! And he is damn good looking! He’s like a freaking GQ model! Mas gwapo pa nga siya in my opinion!

"H- hello Philip. Nice to meet you." I tried to stand up from my seat pero na- out of balance dahil hindi nakabwelo ng maayos. I almost fell back on the seat kung hindi lang naging maagap si Philip sa pagsalo sa akin. He caught me by the waist in an instant. Medyo napangiwi ako nang maidantay ang wrist ko sa balikat niya. s**t.

“Are you okay?” Philip asked in a worried tone.

Nakagat ko ang aking labi dahil masakit iyon. I didn’t say it though. Pilit pa rin akong ngumiti at tumango. “Y- yes. Thank you.”

“Let me assist you to your bed.” He offered. I just answered with a nod dahil medyo tinamaan na ng hiya. We were too close to each other. Gaya ng sinabi niya ay marahan niya akong inalalayan patungo sa kama. He lifted me up carefully so I could reach the bed and then siya na rin ang nag-angat ng injured kong paa para makapag-settle sa bed.

Once I was tucked in sa naka- recline na bed ay ngumiti ako sa kanya. “Thank you, Philip.”

“Small thing.” He chuckled.

“Mas pogi ka pala sa personal no?” Hindi ko napigilang sabihin. He’s foreign so nasa isip ko hindi naman niya maiintindihan.

"Salamat."

Agad kong naramdaman ang pag-iinit ng mukha ko dahil sa hiya. I was sure I was so red! Oh gosh! Nakakaintindi siya ng tagalog! Nakakahiya!

"You can speak Filipino?" Nahihiyang tanong ko saka napapakamot na lang sa ulo.

He nodded while chuckling. I must have looked so funny to him. "Yes, of course. I’ve been living here since I was 18. "

I didn’t know that! Hindi naman ako ganong ka-chismosa pagdating sa buhay nila! Kung alam ko lang sana di ko na sinabi yon. That was so embarrassing! I need to divert the topic!

"So, ano nga palang ginagawa mo rito? Gabi na ah?" I cleared my throat, trying to make it seem na hindi napahiya sa nasabi.

"I received a call from Jared this afternoon and he told me about you.” He smiled kindly. “He asked me to take you in while he’s in Korea for his business trip.”

“Huh?” Take me in? As in sa kanya ako makikituloy habang wala si Jared?

“He’s worried about you.” He said. “He said you’re alone in your condo and seeing your condition now, I don’t think it’s advisable for you to be alone. You will need help.”

"You agreed to his request?" He nodded. "Why? I- I mean, you don't even know me personally..."

"Jared is a good friend. I’ve known him for some time now and he doesn’t usually ask for something like this so I figured you must be very important to him…” He gave me a look that was so familiar to me. Alam kong iniisip niya ngayon na may something samen ni Jared kaya ipinagkatiwala ako nito sa kanya.

I shook my head right away. “Whatever you’re thinking, it’s wrong. We’re just very close friends. We’re almost like siblings… Yun lang.”

“That’s good then…” He said in a soft voice pero hindi iyon nakaligtas sa pandinig ko. I raised a brow at him and gave him an amused look. He just grinned at me, hindi nahiya na narinig ko ang kanyang sinabi. “Whatever the reason is though, I’m just glad to be of help.”

Tumango ako pero apologetic na ngumiti. “That is so kind of you, Philip. I appreciate your kindness but I’m sorry I have to refuse. Nakakahiya sayo. We barely know each other tapos makikituloy na agad ako sa place mo. I know it’s okay with you pero I really think that’s too much…”

I mean if you are in my position, hindi mo rin matatanggap ang ganitong offer. Okay lang sana kung friends kami. Pero kay Jared nga medyo ayaw ko pa sanang maging pabigat, what more sa isang kakakilala lang? Hindi naman ganoon kakapal ang mukha ko para basta na lang manuluyan sa bahay ng isang lalaking tulad niya.

“Pero thank you talaga. You even came here kahit na pwede mo naman iutos sa tauhan mo. Thank you for your kindness and consideration. Sorry for being a bother din."

He sighed. “Jared warned me about this. He said you will surely say no so he made sure you’ll have no choice but to say yes.” I got a bad feeling about this. “He changed the locks on your condo unit.”

Agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig. Napabangon na  rin ako mula sa pagkakahiga. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“I’m not sure. He just told me, but we can check it if you want.”

I don’t have to. Surely totoo yon! Knowing that guy, pag sinabi niya gagawin niya talaga. Napasabunot na lang ako sa sarili ko. Damn it, Jared! Puro ka kalokohan!

Frustrated akong napatingin kay Philip. “Are you sure it’s okay with you? Baka naman may magalit pag tumira ako sa bahay mo.”

He chuckled while shaking his head. “Jared would never ask me for this favor if he knew I have a girlfriend.”

Okay. That’s good then. Pero that doesn’t change the fact na I am uncomfortable with this set up.

“Don’t worry, Jade. I don’t bite.” He joked.

I pouted. Hindi naman iyon ang inaalala ko. I am not that familiar with him pero mukha naman siyang mapagkakatiwalaan. Alam ko rin namang hindi ako ilalagay sa pahamak ng sarili kong best friend, knowing how protective he is.

“I’m not worried about that, Philip…” I told him.

“I know… but I also just wanted to let you know.” He smiled knowingly. “I take consent very seriously.”

I bit my lip, feeling embarrassed. Bakit ba kami napunta sa ganoong usapan… Nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya.

“Please say yes, Jade. You’re already discharged and your hospital bills have already been settled by Jared, so you really got no choice but to go home with me tonight.”

“Akala ko bukas pa ko madi- discharge?” Nagtatakang tanong ko.

“The doctor gave a go signal. You can go home tonight.”

I sighed. You really left me with no choice Jarhead. Yari ka saken pag-uwi mo.

“Okay then. I’m really sorry about this, Philip.” Pag- uulit ko pa.

“It’s not a big deal.”

Akmang babangon ako sa kama nang biglang may naalala. I don’t have change of clothes with me. Wala akong kahit anong gamit na dala. Lahat nasa condo ko!

"Wait for a while. I’m gonna go get your change of clothes." I was a bit surprised dahil sa sinabi niya. Hindi naman niya hinintay ang tugon ko. He went to the door and sumilip lang roon tapos nakita kong may nag-abot na ng isang paper bag sa kanya. It was a paper bag from a luxury brand. Did he…

Pagbalik ay nakangiti niya iyong inilapag sa bedside table iyon. “Uh, thanks…”

“Some of your things has already been delivered to my place. Jared’s butler prepared everything for you.” What? So si Clyde ang kumuha ng mga gamit ko? That guy touched my things? Damn it. Jared!! “Don’t worry I think he asked a maid from his house to pack your clothes. The butler just took care of everything after that.”

I sighed internally. Buti naman kung ganoon! I can’t imagine a man touching my things, lalo na ang mga underwear ko. Jusko!

"You go ahead and change. I'll wait for you outside. I just need to make a call." He told me and I just nodded. Inalalayan muna niya ako para makababa sa bed and makapunta sa bathroom then nagpaalam siyang lalabas na.

When I got inside the bathroom, agad kong hinalughog ang laman ng paper bag. There was a pair of black undies inside. Lace type pa ang panty. Damn. Then isang floral black mini wrap dress. Mabuti na lang madaling isuot ang napili ni Jared.

Nahirapan pa akong maghubad ng hospital gown dahil nasa likod ang ribbon. Ang hirap abutin kasi medyo masakit pa ang katawan ko. Buti na lang at nahubad ko kaya nakapagpalit ako. Pawisan na ako nang matapos sa pagpapalit. I felt sticky and parang gusto ko nang maligo pero alam kong hindi pa pwede dahil bawal pang mabasa ang mga sugat ko.

Nakakahiya tuloy. Feeling ko I smell bad na. I need to make sure na hindi ako masyadong mapapalapit kay Philip. Baka ma- turn off pa siya sa smell ko.

Huh? What the hell, Jade? Turn off! Ano yang mga iniisip mo? Ano naman kung maturn off siya? And as if matu- turn off nga. It’s not as if the guy likes you.

Nasa gitna ako ng pag- iisip niyon ng walang pasubaling bumukas ang pinto ng CR. Napatili ako sa sobrang pagkabigla at kahit na nakasuot naman na ako ng damit ay napatakip pa rin ako sa aking sarili na tila ba nakahubad pa rin

Halos sakmalin ko si River nang makitang siya ang nagbukas ng pinto. Damn this guy!

His eyes looked dark and intense as he looked me up and down. Pero wala akong panahon kabahan dahil masyado akong iritable sa ginawa niya.

“Damn it! Hindi ka ba marunong kumatok?!” Inis na bulyaw ko sa kanya.

Hindi niya pinansin ang galit ko, sa halip ay hinigit lang niya ako palabas ng bathroom. Halos bumagsak ako dahil sa biglaang paghigit. s**t! He caught me right away though. Binuhat na rin niya ako dahilan nang muling pagtili. Binitawan lang niya ako matapos marahang ilapag paupo sa kama.

“What the hell, Villafuerte! Ano ba?!”

“Why is that Karpov guy here? And where are you going? Your doctor said bukas ka pa madi- discharge.” Sunud- sunod niyang tanong.

Wow! Close ba kami? Ang dami niya masyadong tanong!

I rolled my eyes at him. Mukhang nairita naman siya sa ginawa ko dahil bigla niya akong itinulak sa kama. Napahiga ako roon at agad siyang pumangibabaw sa akin. “Roll your eyes one more f*****g time and I’ll make f*****g sure it rolls back in pleasure right here and right now.”

Agad akong tinamaan ng kaba sa kanyang sinabi. Nakagat ko ang aking labi at tila parang maamong tupang napatingin sa kanya. Ayoko siyang subukan dahil may palagay akong kayang- kaya niyang gawin iyon. Damn it.

“Now, answer me. Why is that guy here? And why are you dressed like that?”

Alam kong tinutukoy niya ang soot kong wrap dress imbes na hospital gown pero bumaba pa rin ang tingin ko sa aking soot. At dahil nga sa posisyon namin ngayon, medyo nawala sa ayos ang suot kong dress. Medyo nagpapakita na ang bra ko and the skirt was way above my thighs.

I was about to fix the neckline of my dress nang si River na mismo ang nag-ayos noon. Because of that, I slightly felt as his finger grazed the skin of my chest. I bit my lip. Nang tingnan ko siya ay nag-iwas siya bigla ng tingin.

I swallowed, parang may nagbara sa aking lalamunan. “Philip’s here to pick me up. Jared’s in Korea kaya kay Philip muna ako.” I don’t even know why I answered. Dapat wala akong pakialam. Dapat hindi ko siya sinagot kasi ano bang pake niya? He’s just the asshole brother of my asshole ex-boyfriend!

“Sasama ka sa kanya? You barely know the guy.”

Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mata. “I barely know him pero I can see that he’s so much better than some other guy I know.”

His jaw clenched. “He just wants to f**k you.”

I gasped. Nainsulto ako dahil sa kanyang sinabi. Nainsulto din ako para kay Philip dahil sa paratang niya. “You always think the worst sa mga tao. Palibhasa alam na alam mo ang galawan ng mga tulad mo. You’re the worst of all kasi.”

“Goddamn it. Woman, I swear if you don’t shut up it’s not just my tongue that will invade that pretty mouth of yours.” I could see that he was was about to lose the last string of his patience kaya minabuti ko na lang manahimik. Hindi ko lang talaga mapigilang sumagot ng ganoon dahil naiirita ako sa kanya. He knows how to get on my nerves and God knows na hindi naman mahaba ang pasensya ko. I can be pretty tactless sometimes!

I frowned at him and tried to push him off me. Hindi dahil takot akong totohanin niya ang banta ay magiging maamo ako ng tuluyan. “Get off me, will you.”

“You’re not going anywhere with that asshat.” He said in a commanding tone.

“You don’t get to decide that.” Sagot ko pabalik. Although ayoko naman talaga sa nangyayari hindi ko sasabihin sa kanya. Seeing his reaction now parang mas gusto ko pang mang-inis sa kanya.

“You reject me so fast but with that asshat you’re willing to go as far as living with him?” He said with so much distaste. “Damn, don’t know if you’re easy or what. You let someone you just met take you home the first day you met him.’”

Hindi ako nakapagpigil. I slapped him so hard. This time nagtagumpay ako dahil hindi niya iyon nasangga. Agad ko namang pinagsisihan nang maramdaman ang matinding sakit mula sa wrist ko. f**k. It was broken pero mas lumala yata ngayon dahil sa ginawa ko.

I closed my eyes in my pain. It f*****g hurts so bad! I bit back my cry.

“Fuck.”

Sunod ko na lamang na narinig ay ang pagpindot niya sa button para magtawag ng nurse and then hindi ko na alam ang mga sumunod na nangyari. I think I passed out after that.

Nang magising ako ay maliwanag na sa labas and I wasn’t at the hospital anymore.