CHAPTER 20
1613 Words
JOSEPH was in his office and reading some documents sent by Amadeo through email when his phone rang. Mabilis niyang tinignan ang cellphone niya sa inaakalang si Iris ang tumatawag pero nadismaya siya nang makitang ang lolo niya ang tumatawag. His grandfather was from his father's side. His grandfather is one of the old foxes in his family that he doesn’t want to see.
Joseph didn’t answer his phone and continued reading his emails. He turned his phone into silent mode and his phone rang again. He ignored his phone and continued working. Not until Monti came to his office.
“Don, Old Master wanted to speak with you.”
Tinignan ni Joseph ang hawak ni Monti na cellphone. Napabuga na lamang siya ng hangin saka kinuha ang cellphone mula kay Monti.
“Grandfather—”
“Why are you not answering my phone, Joseph?!” Galit na saad ng kaniyang lolo mula sa kabilang linya.
“I’m busy.” Aniya sa walang emosyon na boses.
“Don’t lie, Joseph. You’re really stubborn, just like your father.”
“No, grandfather., you’re wrong. I’m more stubborn than my father,” he said in a sarcastic tone.
“Joseph Alejandro De Luca—”
“Wong again, Grandfather. You forget the Auclair in my name. I’m also an Auclair.” Saad niya ulit sa sarkastikong boses.
“Joseph! Show me some respect!”
“I am. That’s why I am talking to you right now.” Walang emosyong saad ni Joseph. “I’m busy, grandfather. What do you want?”
“Go back here. Your wedding will be next month and you will meet your bride. She wanted to see you.” Kalmado na ang boses ng lolo ni Joseph na nagsalita.
Kumuyom ang kamay ni Joseph. Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga upang kalmahin ang kaniyang sarili. He was upset because his grandfather decided again on his own without consulting him. “You’re forcing me to marry the heiress of the Esposito Family. Dream on. I.will.not.marry.her,” said Joseph in his determined voice.
“Joseph Alejandro De Luca, don’t be stubborn like your father! The wedding date was already set!”
Joseph frustratedly closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Grandpa, I’m not stubborn like my father. I’m more stubborn than him.” Pagmamatigas niya. “You can’t force me to marry the heiress of the Esposito family.”
“Joseph!”
“Grandpa, stop trying to control me. You can never control me. I respect you because you are my grandpa, but if you force me, I’ll send my men to kill the woman you want me to marry. I am not kidding and yes, I am threatening you.” Kalmado ngunit mapanganib na saad ni Joseph saka pinatay ang tawag.
Ibinalik niya ang cellphone kay Monti. “Don’t answer my grandfather’s call.”
“Yes, Don.”
“You’re dismissed.”
Monti bowed his head before he left the Don’s office.
Napabuga naman ng hangin si Joseph. Nahilot na lamang niya ang kaniyang sentido. His grandfather would really do everything to control him. Pero totoo ang sinabi niya kanina na kapag ipipilit ng lolo niya ang gusto nito, magpapadala siya ng papatay sa babaeng gustong ipakasal sa kaniya. He doesn’t care about being called ruthless because it’s true. He knew himself better than anyone else. He was a ruthless person, and he was not afraid to offend anyone.
Joseph looked outside the window. Gabi na pala. Kinuha ang cellphone saka tinignan kung may reply si Iris sa text niya kanina ngunit wala siyang nakita. His eyebrows raised. Tinignan niya ang oras sa suot na relong pambisig. Hindi pa naman malalim ang gabi, alam niyang hindi pa ito nakatulog.
Tinawagan niya ang dalaga ngunit hindi ito sumasagot kaya si Austin ang tinawagan niya ngunit hindi niya ito matawagan. Kaya tinawagan ni Joseph si Andrew.
“Where’s your twin?”
“He’s not home yet, Milord.”
“What?” Napatayo si Joseph saka mabilis na lumabas ng sariling opisina. Nagsimula na siyang makaramdam ng pag-aalala.
‘Did something happen?’
Joseph tried to call Iris again and thankfully she answered.
“Hello.”
“Iris, where are you? Are you home?”
“No.”
Naging seryoso si Joseph. “Where are you?” tanong niya. He could hear the music from the background.
“Wait. Hindi kita marinig, Joseph. Lalabas lang ako saglit.” Iris went outside and talked to Joseph on the phone. “I’m at a bar.”
Joseph could hear the faint music from the background. He blew a loud breath. “What are you doing in there?” seryoso niyang tanong. Hindi pumasok sa isipan niya na papasok si Iris sa isang bar.
“It’s a decent bar,” Iris said when she noticed Joseph’s tone. “Hey, don’t get mad at me—”
“Wait for me inside.” Seryosong saad ni Joseph.
“Why?”
“Pupuntahan kita.”
“Bakit?”
Joseph rolled his eyes. “To catch a drunkard.” Wika niya. “Who’s with you?”
“Ahmm, my friend Rose, Nate, Austin…” Iris stopped saying names when she remembered Joseph didn’t know her office mates. “Some of my office mates. Our boss wanted to celebrate because our project was successful. He invited us here. Hindi sana ako pupunta kasi pinilit nila ako.”
Napabuntong hininga na lamang si Joseph. Mabilis siyang bumaba ng hagdan. “Wait for me.” Aniya saka pinatay ang tawag.
NAPATITIG naman si Iris sa cellphone na hawak. Tumingin siya sa bar. Ayaw na niyang bumalik sa loob. Pinipilit naman kasi siyang uminom kahit ayaw niya. Gusto na niyang umuwi. Umupo na lamang siya sa bench na nasa labas at hinintay si Joseph. Napahawak siya sa sariling ulo. Ilang baso lang ‘yong nainom niya kanina pero alam niyang tinamaan na siya. She feels sleepy too.
Unbeknownst to Iris, Austin was secretly guarding her. Austin was hoping that Don Joseph would come and pick up Iris. His phone was out of battery kaya naman hindi siya makatawag kay Don Joseph upang ipaalam rito ang sitwasyon.
“Iris.”
Mabilis na nag-angat ng tingin si Iris nang marinig niya ang boses ng boss niya.
“Boss?” Papikit-pikit si Iris dahil ramdam niyang inaantok na talaga siya.
“Your drunk.” Wika ni David. “Ihahatid na kita.” Hinawakan niya si Iris sa braso upang itayo ngunit tinapik ni Iris ang braso niya.
“May susundo po sa akin.” Sabi ni Iris at ipinikit ang mata.
“Halika na. Ako na ang maghahatid sa ‘yo.” Pwersahang hinawakan ni David si Iris sa magkabilang braso saka niya hinila ang dalaga.
Mabilis namang nagmulat ng mata si Iris. “Ano ba, Sir? Bitawan niyo ako!” Nagpumiglas siya.
“Sumama ka sa akin!” Pwersahang hinila ni David si Iris upang dalhin niya ito sa kotse.
Iris was trying to get off his grip, but she was too sleepy. Hindi niya malabanan ang antok niya kahit anong gawin niya.
Austin quickly came to rescue Miss Iris. He stopped David.
“Austin? Anong ginagawa mo? Umalis ka sa daraanan ko!”
Austin smiled and punched David in the face.
Nabitawan agad ni David si Iris.
“Miss Iris.” Mabilis na hinawakan ni Austin si Iris bago pa man ito matumba.
“Austin, pakialamero ka rin ‘no.” Galit na saad ni David saka tinutukan ng baril si Austin.
Medyo madilim ang kinaroroonan nila kaya walang masyadong nakakapansin sa nangyayari.
Ngumisi lang naman si Austin habang nakatutok sa kaniya ang baril ni David. “Did you put something on Miss Iris’ drink?” he asked calmly. Tinignan niya si Iris at nakita niyang nakatulog na ito.
David snickered. “Ano naman ngayon kung may nilagay ako? Wala ka namang magagawa. Ano naman ang magagawa ng isang batang katulad mo?”
“Sorry, but I’m not a kid,” said Austin. “If I were you, I would leave now before your brain would be spilled on the cold floor.
Tumawa lang naman si David at hindi naniwala sa sinasabi ni Austin but his laugh was cut off when he felt something pointed at his head.
“How dare you point the gun at my brother?” Malamig na saad ni Andrew.
“Told you,” Austin smirked at David. Then he bowed to Don Joseph.
Mabilis na pinangko ni Joseph si Iris. “What happened to her?”
“He put something in Miss Iris’ drink, Milord. So, Miss Iris was asleep.”
Matalim ang mata ni Joseph na tumingin sa Boss ni Iris.
Napaatras naman si David sa talim ng tingin sa kaniya ng lalaki.
“Did he touch her?” Joseph asked.
Tumango si Austin. “Yes, Milord. He even forced Miss Iris to go with him.”
Tumaas ang sulok ng labi ni Joseph. “Kill him, Austin. And leave no trace.” Utos niya.
“Yes, Milord.”
With Iris in his arms, Joseph walked towards the van.
Hinawakan ng dalawang tauhan ni Joseph si David.
“Anong gagawin niyo sa akin?!” natatakot na tanong ni David.
“Relax,” Austin said, smiling. “It will be quick. And you’ll say goodbye to the world.”
Andrew put his gun in his gun holster. Tinapik niya ang balikat ng kakambal. “I’ll leave him to you.”
“No worries.”
“Have fun.” Wika ni Andrew saka sumunod kay Don Joseph.
Andrew let out a short breath. ‘Another person would experience a silent death again. Serves him. He should never touch Don Joseph’s woman.’
- Writer
