Shifting Glances

KABANATA 5

“A-Ate, ako nalang ang haharap sakanila—

“No, hayaan mo akong kausapin muna sila Shiela. Huwag kang magsalita hanggang hindi ko sinasabi, maliwanag?” Pagkausap ko kay Shiela at nang tumango ito ay tuluyan na akong bumaba ng hagdan.

They didn’t bring any police or authority. That’s so suspicious of them.

I smirked.

Now, I’ve got an idea on my mind.

Lumabas na ako ng mansyon at sinalubong sina Regan sa bukana ng mansyon, bago pa ito makapasok ay tumigil ako sa may pintuan. Nakakrus ang mga braso ko sa dibdib at sinalubong ang tingin ni Regan. Sinadya kong tumayo sa pintuan na animo’y hindi sila gustong papasukin.

Regan noticed that but just gave me a smirk. Masungit ang tingin ko sakanila, at maging ang lawyer niya na tiningnan ko mula ulo hanggang paa. Too bad that they didn’t become my friends. I could boast to Miles that I’ve met some good-looking guys in Laguna, pero malabo na ‘yon.

“Hindi ko na maiwasang isipin ngayon na kakuntyaba ka ng babaeng ito. Was everything just a play, and in fact you know where that attorney is hiding?”

Sabi ko na e’, malabong magiging magkasundo kami ng lalaking ito. Unang bungad ay pambibintang kaagad.

“Go on, do the investigation then. I have all the evidence and alibi. I’ve just recently met Shiela, and I’ve just found out that I have a mansion, and that the mansion I own is being sold by fraud. Accusing me huh? That’s not the right manners for someone who wants to get something from me.” I said confidently.

Mukhang nainis naman si Regan at hindi kaagad nakapagsalita. Umiwas ito ng tingin na animo’y nagtitimpi. Napataas ako ng kilay habang nakangisi.

“So, you’re willing to sell your cousin out? Participate in the investigation? Once proven guilty, we have a chance of getting rights of this land.” Seryosong sabi naman ng abogadong kasama niya. Tumingin ako rito at ngumiti. Alam kong naiinis sila saakin, iyon naman kasi ang talent ko, ang mang-inis ng tao. To get on their nerves.

“I don’t see any police or authorities in here.” I said mockingly as if figuring out their scheme, kahit na hindi ko naman alam kung ano talaga ang agenda nila pero nasisiguro kong may hidden agenda si Regan bukod sa pagbili ng lupa.

Regan and the lawyer exchanged glances. The glances that gave me hints that they’re hiding something.

Regan heaved a sigh and gaze at me again. Serious, authoritative, irritated, and annoyed.

“I hate nonsense chitchats. Coming here without the police is my way of showing you mercy, pero kung iyon ng hinihingi mo. Fine. At my advantage, and in my pleasure.” Seryosong sabi ni Regan at bumunot ng cellphone sa bulsa.

I swallowed when I heard Shiela gasped from behind. Totoo naman ang sinabi ni Regan pero sinusubukan ko lang din na sindakin sila.

“Tell me your conditions again. You came here for negotiations, hindi demandahan hindi ba? Let me hear them.” I said even before he could dial someone. Bumuntong-hininga ako ng marahas at salubong ang kilay na tumalikod saka pumasok sa loob ng mansyon. It was an unpleasant invitation for them to have a talk once again.

I glanced at Shiela and nodded at her, assuring her that everything would be alright.

Dumiretso ako sa receiving area at umupo sa single couch. I cross my legs like a boss while waiting for my unwanted visitor to sit. I even heard Regan grunt before sitting on the long sofa and beside him is his lawyer. Shiela quietly stood beside me.

“Allow me to introduce myself properly once again, I’m Icely Bennet, the sole owner of this land and mansion. If we won’t mention the incident yesterday, or the committed fraud, you should talk to me as the owner of this house, PROPERLY.” I smiled at a professional one, I even emphasized the word properly to let them see that I’m being nice and professional, and that I’m willing to hear whatever they have to say.

I can see Regan deeply staring at me, but I won’t waver. I heard his lawyer clears his throat, “We want to purchase the land for a reasonable sum of money. Kung sa normal na sitwasyon, Ms. Icely, papakiusapan ka naming ng maayos at ikaw mismo ang magsasabi kung magkano ang gusto mong ibayad namin, pero alam mo naman kung ano ang nangyari kahapon, at bilang isang abogado, maaari kong magsampa ng maraming kaso sa kasama mo—

“Please Attorney, I want to hear it properly first without mentioning the incident yesterday, and I already had a thought and have understood your losses, damages, and frustrations brought by the incident yesterday, so now as an owner of this land and house, I want to know why you really so BADLY wants to buy this land, and for what purpose?” Seryosong salaysay ko na nakapagpatahimik sakanila.

Their suspicious exchange of glances is really giving suspicions.

Regan nodded and stared at me once again, “I need this land, at maniwala ka sa hindi mas mabuting ibenta mo ito. I know, it must be ridiculous of me to ask you to trust me, but just sell the land, para na rin sa’yo.”

Nangunot ng noo ko at naalala iyong sinabi ng Tatay ni Shiela na mas mabuting ibenta ko nalang ito. Pero bakit? Can’t I live here? Can’t I keep it? Or use the land for future business? I don’t understand.

I gave him a confuse look, “Is there something that I need to know? Why are you all telling me to sell this land? I am not scared of ghosts if it’s hunted.” Ice, you liar.

“Listen here Icely Bennet. Hindi ko alam kung nagmamaangan ka lang o ano, pero hindi mo ba alam ang nangyari sa pamilya mo?”

Hindi ako nakapagsalita habang nakatingin kay Regan. Ngayon, parang sinasabi niya na may alam siya tungkol sa nakaraan ng pamilya namin na siyang hindi ko inasahan. Naguguluhang sumulyap ako kay Shiela at kay Regan hanggang sa umiling ako.

“I don’t believe you.” Sambit nito.

“Wala akong alam. Ang lahat ng ito ay bago saakin. Hindi ko nga alam na may mansyon palang iniwan saakin. I just lost my mother last week for Pete’s sake!” Tumaas ang boses ko dahil sa frustrasyon. Nakita kong tila natigilan si Regan habang nakatingin saakin at nawala ang pagkakaunot ng noo nito.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at huminga ng malalim saka umiling.

“My decision is final. I will not sell this house; I will not sell the land.” Umiiling na sabi ko saka tumayo. I don’t know why they won’t tell me about my family. What happened? What’s in the past? Does this mansion bear a history?

“But you need to—

“You don’t get to tell me what to do!” I raised my voice at Regan. Our eyes rivaled for a moment.

“Then give me back the 120 million I’ve lost.” He said angrily.

I was stunned. I felt so emotional and frustrated. My eyes watered but I immediately looked away and swallowed several times because my throat was drying up due to stopping my tears from falling.

“A-Ako nalang po ang ikulong niyo, huwag niyo nang idamay si Ate Ice.”

My tears fell when Shiela suddenly kneeled. Pero mabilis ko iyong pinunasan. It’s true I don’t have 120 million now, and I shouldn’t bear the burden of paying so. Hindi naman ako ang nakinabang o nagplano.

But Shiela’s family was the one who took care of all this for the past 20 years, and that sum of 120 million isn’t enough to pay for their kindness.

“If you really don’t want to sell it, and you don’t have 120 million to pay right now, most importantly, you don’t want the girl to be convicted, this is the last resort you have,” The lawyer paused when I glanced at him, and continued, “Have my client as a co-owner. You keep it all, but his name and right should be stated rightfully. Everything will be settled then.” Seryosong sabi ng abogado ng ikinabuga ko ng hangin pero hindi ako nakaimik.

Mukhang hindi rin inasahan ni Regan ang sinabi ng kasama nito dahil mukhang hindi pa ito pabor pero nagpalitan sila ng makahuluganang tingin.

“I want the whole property, Denver.” Ani Regan sa kasama.

“Baka mag-backfire pa saatin ito Regan. Ms. Icely don’t look like a dumb person here. She could sue us, kung tutuusin ay wala naman talaga siyang pananagutan sa kaso, so this is the best way to settle everything. Co-ownership is better than nothing. Ms. Icely may change her mind over the time and may sell it to you, at least you get to have a right.”

Ilang segundong natahimik si Regan hanggang sa tumango na ito at muling tumingin saakin.

“Sheila, get up.” Utos ko kay Shiela habang diretso rin ang tingin ko kay Regan. He’s looking at me like he’s waiting for my answer.

“You’re not good people.” I said coldly. Regan’s throat moved up and down. Seryoso ang mukha nitong nakatingin saakin.

“We’re not trying to be.” He said coldly.

“Taking advantage,” I laughed mockingly and took a step to close the distance between us. Hindi ako kumurap at diretso lang ang tingin ko sakaniya at inilapit ang mukha ko sa mukha niya, “Remember this, even if I agree to have you as a co-owner, hinding-hindi tayo magkakasundo kailanman. I don’t like you for some reason, and I don’t know what your hidden agenda is but you’re plotting something. I don’t like people like you.” Malamig na saad ko na may diin. Hindi natinag si Regan habang pinapantayan lang ang tingin ko sakaniya.

“I will get this land sooner or later, I’ll just let this pass for now. I’m never settling for less, you hear me. I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t care about you, and I don’t care whatever your principles are. It only happens that I want what you own.” Madiing pagsasalita rin nito sa harapan ko.

I swallowed and as much as I want to hit him and make him go away right this instant, I’m doing my very best not to burst out.

“That’s enough. We’ll take that as a yes, Ms. Icely.” The lawyer pulled Regan and stood between us facing me.

Doon ako nakahinga ng malalim at umiwas ng tingin. Madiin muna akong pumikit bago nagmulat at dinaluhan si Shiela nang hindi sinasagot ang tanong ng abogado.

“I’ll have a lawyer to consult with you too, but for the time being, we’ll be in mutual agreement.” Malamig na sabi ko hanggang sa maitayo ko si Shiela at hindi sila tinitingnan.

“Nice. Now we’re settled, I’ll make the papers, but for now I’ll have you sign a written contract saying that we’ve talked about this today and we’ve come to mutual agreement. So that we have our evidence if ever you’ve got a change of heart.”

Tumango nalang ako sa abogado at hindi na umimik. Masama kong tiningnan si Regan na nasa likod nito at mataman rin ang tingin saakin.

I just want peace of mind for now.