Hiding Mr. Valiad’s Heir

Chapter 10

Sa buong biyahe nila ay panay ang tingin ni Churie sa asawa niya—though her husband is busy doing his laptop, paminsan-minsan ay tumitingin ito sa gawi niya para pangunutan siya ng noo. But in in Churie’s side, sapat na iyon sa kaniya lalo na ang pumayag ito sa request niyang dinner date. It's an ambitious request since she's aware na nakalaan lamang ang free time nito para sa babaeng inaayawan niya—kahit makita man lang o isipin.

Churie took her phone while biting her lip. ‘Please let everything be completely fine and perfectly flowing for this is just one of my limited opportunities.’ Panakaw siyang tumingin kay Zader.

‘When was the last time na lumabas kami ng asawa ko together? Like a date . . . Tapos lately everytime na nakikita ko siya, kasama niya ’yong babae na ’yon.’ Umiling siya bago muling tumingin kay Zader. Like an idiot, Churie stared at him for a good moment. She was again reminded that not only the perfect face of her husband captured her—but also the unfathomable demeanor and stubbornness. All in one package perhaps.

“Excuse me, Ma'am, Sir, narito na po tayo sa Forest view hotel.” Churie flinches hearing their driver’s voice. She was so absorbed and captivated by her husband's stern face habang focus na focus ito sa ginagawa. At the same time, she's amuse dahil hindi ito nahihilo while reading and typing kahit na nasa loob sila ng sasakyan. Unlike her na hanggang ngayon ay mahihiluhin pa rin ngunit itinatago lamang niya gamit ang dakila niyang poised at award winning pagtitiis. Dahil gamit nila ay sasakyan nito, iniwan na muna nila ang sasakyan na gamit niya kanina sa isang private parking space.

“Ah, mahal—Zader?” Churie was having a second thought kung iistorbohin ba niya ito o hahayaan na lang na kusa siya nitong tingnan. Kahit naman mahaba ang time ng reservation niya, tiyak siyang maaaring marami pang mangyayari kung ’di siya magmamadali.

“Yeah?” Zader said not even looking at her.

“Narito na tayo, ma-mahal.” Saka pa lamang ito nag-angat ng tingin. Minasahe nito ang puno ng noo sabay isinara ang laptop at ibinalik sa loob ng lalagyan nito. Muli ay nakaramdam naman siya ng pressure. She was afraid of disappointing her husband dahil alam niyang precious ang oras nito.

Again, Churie checked her phone kung may update na ang taong pinadalhan niya ng mensahe. And she was elated nang makita ang confirmation nito. For she was just notified that the owner offered her a suite instead of an ordinary room. The reservation was given to her by one of her mother-in-law’s clients. Since nagustuhan nito ang huli niyang pakikipag-deal dito ay binigyan siya ng reservation sa hotel nito in one day for free—kahit anong oras o panahong gusto na niya iyong gamitin. This gift was given to her too tatlong buwan na ang nakararaan. She was not after the suite. Ngunit kung papalarin ay muli niyang ibibigay sa asawa ang buong katawan at kaluluwa niya. Churie was thinking that this is the right moment to use the gift. Pero alam niyang kahit kayurin pa siya ng asawa niya hanggang umaga ay ’di siya mabubuntis. Unless magawa niyang kontrahin kung ano man ’yong pinaiinom sa kaniya ng biyenan niya. ‘Sana bukas agad ay may result ng makuha si Nala.’

“Aren’t you coming?” Nanlaki ang mga mata niyang napatitig sa nakalahad na kamay ng asawa niya.

“Ah, huh? O-oo. Pasensya na, mahal.” Mabilis niyang tinanggap ang kamay nito at agad na kumilos palabas ng pinto ng sasakyan.

“Ma-may reservation ako rito, mahal . . .” panimula niya habang naglalakad sila tungo sa restaurant ng hotel.

“When did you make the reservation? This hotel has been fully occupied for a month since the inauguration of the new CEO is just around the corner.” Napangiti naman siya dahil tahimik lamang ito ngunit alam ang halos lahat ng nangyayari sa city nila.

“Uhm . . . Naalala mo ba iyong deal nina mama rito sa hotel na ’to three months ago, mahal?” Pansin niyang tumango ito, hudyat upang magpatuloy siya. “Binigyan ako ni Mr. Humbert ng one day free reservation rito. I can use all its facilities for free—except for the ballroom.”

“I haven't seen your name in the li—oh, is it Ms. C?” Wala sa sariling napatingala siya rito. Churie smiled at napatango-tango na lang. She was in awe too, couldn't believe na mapapansin nito ang ganoon kaliit na detalye, well of course. Kung paparito ito for the new CEO’s turn over, alam niyang sisiguraduhin ng security ang seguridad nito and the names of guests that should be and supposedly confidential is included.

“Ah . . . Tama ka, mahal. Since you're busy, hindi ko iyon magamit-gamit. So this may be the right time.” Hindi niya mapigilan ang kaniyang mga ngiti. Surely others may think that her happiness is pitiful. But for her, it's her everything.

“Is that so?” Kita niyang tumingin ito sa suot na mamahaling relo. Her husband was towering over everything. In short ay nagmumukha pa rin siyang unano kahit na naka-heels na siya. ‘May lakad kaya siya? Please do not check your phone or even contact your secretary. Please be mine tonight . . .’

“Good Evening, Mr. Valiad, young Madame. Welcome to FV hotel,” anang welcoming staff sa kanila sabay bukas ng glass doors. The place seems quite kahit may mga guest na kumakain. Indication na naroon lamang ang mga ito to eat and not to chat or anything. Churie can see couples dating but mostly, tahimik lamang na kumakain ang iba while enjoying the ambiance and classical music.

“Table three is ready, Ms. C. This way please.” Naglakad sila saglit hanggang sa narating nila ang isang table for two. Churie smiled nang mapansin ang mamahaling table na gawa mula sa materyales na siya ang nag-deal. The deal was tough, given the dominant and unpleasant attitude ng biyenan niya. ‘Impressive talaga ang rare wood na ’to. But the design is soso.’ Though she finds the design quite good, it's still common and a bit dull.

“The quality is good though the design isn't that impressive.” Alanganin siyang ngumiti. ‘Yes, Sir. Sobrang perfectionist mo talaga. Surely you're extra talkative this time, mahal.’ “What would you like to eat?”

“M-me?” Hindi makapaniwala na tanong niya rito. Obviously, Churie was caught off-guard. She thought she'll be the one who's going to ask that question. Ever since she got married to the Valiad family. She was already aware na hindi ganoon ka-considerate ang asawa. Even their previous dates ay gawa lamang ng chairman. Not the slightest na ito ang nag ti-take ng initiative to invite her.

“Ahm . . . Whatever you like, mahal. But I wanted to have a drink with you this time. Can we have Pinot noir?” She's tightly clenching her fist and fervently praying inside. She chose the wine thinking that maybe it won't affect her since it's only a light drink.

“Sure. Anything else?” Nagpalingo-lingo siya sabay malapad na ngumiti nang tingnan siya nito. Pansin niyang maging ito man ay may kakaibang pinapakita na ekspresyon. Or she was just seeing things.

After some good time ay natapos din silang kumain. Churie’s hands were slightly shaking while having her third glass of wine.

“You okay? That’s your third glass.”

“I’m okay. It tastes good.” She giggled and began sipping again.

“Would you like to go upstairs?” Her eyes widened for a moment. But later, Churie batted her long natural lashes bashfuly.

“I’m perfectly fine with that, mahal.” She wasn't sure if it's because of the liquor. But she's aware of herself being bold and blatantly on edge while looking at Zader. Muli ay naglilikot na naman ang wild niyang imahinasyon. ‘I’ve been waiting for this moment. Please, ’wag sanang pumalyada ’tong pagkakataon na ’to.’ Her brows were moving while looking at her husband. It was like her expression was conveying everything. Mas honest pa ang katawan niya kaysa sa kaniyang bibig.

Hawak ang kaniyang bewang, inaalalayan siya nitong maglakad tungo sa elevator. Dahil may kasabayan silang ilang guest ay mas lalo siya nitong hinapit palapit dito. Dito pa lang ay halos malunod na siya sa matinding excitement.

Ilang sandali lang ay narating na nila ang pinto ng silid. Saglit siya nitong binitiwan nang lapitan sila ng isang staff at kita niya muli itong tumingin sa suot na relo.

“Please enjoy your stay here, Ms. C.” Binuksan nito ang pinto at nag-bow bago umalis. Nauna namang pumasok ang asawa niya at hinubad ang suot na relo sabay lapag sa isang table.

“Are you sure about this, mahal? I-I mean, hi-hindi naman natin schedule. . .” Her mouth was talking nonsense. Because deep inside, Churie was beyond wanting her husband to ravage her. Not just ravage. But to take her nonstop.

“You sure want to ruin the mood?” Muli ay hinapit nito ang bewang niya. Churie closed her eyes nang maramdaman ang paglapit ng labi ng asawa niya sa kaniyang mukha.

“No. I want to be held by you . . .” bulong niya nang maramdaman ang mainit nitong kamay sa braso niya habang humihimas.

“Let’s take a shower together.” Hinila siya nito na para namang kailangan pa siyang hilahin upang sumunod dito.

Sa kabilang banda . . .

“Don’t you know me? I’m Erish Samsara Saturni!” Malakas ang boses niya. Halatang nawala ang pagiging timid.

“Please, Erish. Hinaan mo ang boses mo,” anang manager ni Erish.

“I am aware, Ms. Erish. You're famous and a celebrity. So please, watch yourself.”

“How dare you!”

“Please ’wag po kayong mag iskandalo, Ma'am.” pakiusap ng manager ng hotel.

“Then let me get through! I want to see Zader! Which room is it? Hurry!”

“As what I've said, we don't have reservations for Mr. Valiad, Ms. Erish.” Nanlilisik ang mga matang muling tumingin si Erish sa manager ng hotel.

“Don’t you dare lie to me!”

“I am telling the truth, Ms. Erish.”

“You know the consequences of messing with me, right?”

“I’m fully aware, Ms. Erish.” Tila mas lalo pang nainis si Erish sa kalmado na mukha ng manager. Mas kumulo pa ang dugo niya nang yumuko ito.

“Bilis. Dito. Dito raw nakitang pumasok si Ms. Erish Saturni.”

“E-ready ang mga cameras. Make sure na malinaw ang kuha.” Kahit may kahinaan ang mga boses, Erish was certain na mga paparazzi ang paparating.

“Yo-you will pay for this! I will make sure of that!” But instead of beckering ay nanatiling nakayuko ang manager.

“Erish, hurry!” bulalas ng manager ni Erish. Kaya wala ng nagawa si Erish kundi ang manginig sa galit.

“Shít! I’ll fúcking kill you, Churie . . .” bulong ni Erish bago tuluyang nagmamadali tungo sa exit ng third floor tungo sa secret passage gamit ang hagdanan pagbaba. Dahil kadalasang high profile ang mga guest sa hotel ay mayroon itong mga tagong labasan.