บท 20: Say my name
"It was confirmed that Alice died six years ago. She had a muscular dystrophy. Nagsimula iyon sa pamamaga ng muscle sa balakang niya. Actually, it was curable. Minor accident ang nangyari pero 'yung totoong rason kung bakit lumala ay hindi namin nakuha. Kahit ang source ng pamamaga ng balakang. Her medical records were in private. Even my connections can't find it. I think someone in higher position covered it. Do you have an idea?" A woman in a scandalous summer hat asked her.
She heaves a deep sighed. "Cielo Twinny?" Tumingin siya sa logo ng N.P. They are occupying the VIP cube of Nightingale Palace Lounge. Masyado kasing private ang topic nila at request na rin ng kaibigan.
"Twinny? Matunog ang pamilya na 'yan. They own the T-trix cruise line. They rein the world of the sea since 2005. They're filthy rich and... suspicious." Inayos nito ang suot na eyeglasses bago nagpatuloy sa pagtipa sa laptop.
Jyra's eyes were fixed on the two photos laid on their table. Her brows were deadly knotted as she scanned the two people on each picture. "Their line was on the sea, while, Hetch was on goods. Anong connection nila sa Hetch? Ano ang benefit? Peachy, she likes Malik. I don't see the logic of killing Alice just to get Malik." Tumaas ang kilay niya habang pinapatay sa titig ang seryosong mukha ni Malik sa picture. Latest kasi ang larawang ibinigay sa kanya ng kaibigan.
"She's an old woman. Gosh, thirty three... but wait. Cielo owns a company. She's more on housing field. Marami siyang pinatayong elite subdivision sa Cavite at Bulacan." Peachy, read on the screen. Inusog nito ang laptop para ipakita sa kanya ang nahanap.
"Yeah," she murmurs when she noticed the word Engineer on Cielos complete name. Ang ibig sabihin ay nasa parehas sila na linya ni Malik at Shawn. She's wondering now if Cielo was part of Vixie's builder. Pumakla ang panglasa niya nang maalala kung paano siya itaboy nito noon. Mukha siyang pulubing kuting habang ito'y malusog na tigreng handa siyang salakayin.
She greeted her teeth while checking out Cielo's latest photos on the blog.
She doesn't look like thirty three on the picture. Lalong humubog ang katawan nito at mas naging kaakit-akit gaya ng dati. Her golden hair remains the same, they we're shining and shimmering as gold.
She swallowed the imaginary lump on her throat while thinking her own credentials. She graduated in McMaster University on Canada with a degree of bachelor of business administration. But she didn't apply that to her career. Nakahiligan niya ang designing gaya ng ina kaya doon siya lumiko ng interes. Her last design became featured on Elegance and it hit the top sale on the same release year. Doon nagsimula ang pag-discover sa kanya ni Mrs. Swizz na hooker ng Elegance yearly release.
She didn't grab the offer. Afflicted about her fear of facing people, kaya nang mag-click sila ni Pause, ipinakilala nila si Vika. Carla is an effective pusher. Sinubukan niya kahit sobrang hirap. She became the most popular model who doesn't show her face for two years.
Sapat bang credential ang pagiging modelo para sa mga gaya ni Cielo?
Kahit malayo na ang narating niya, basta si Cielo ang ihaharap sa kanya ay hindi niya maiwasang mangliit. Hindi niya kayang angatan ang mga nagawa nito. Ang kung anong mayroon ito.
She's more capable of having Malik than her.
"Can you check the status of Malik Hetch... if... he is truly single?"
Natigilan si Peachy sa ginagawa at tumingin sa kanya. Kahit natatakpan ng malaking sombrero nito ang kilay, nakatitiyak siyang sumasaludo iyon sa kanya.
"What?" she asked annoyingly.
"I didn't ask you about this... everything. Marami kang utang na kuwento, Jyra. At sa Hetch na 'yan." Tumangu-tango ito. "I'll check everything about Cielo and Malik. I will send it all to your email, okay? This coming week I'll be flying to Singapore. I have case in there. Last minute scrub ang ginawa ko sa lahat ng information ngayon kaya napaka-kaunti. Alam kong lahat ng taong lumalapit sa akin ay may problema. At isa ka na roon."
She smiled, "I love you, Attn. Peachy. I really appreciate your effort to drop by. I know despite your busy schedule you managed to scribble it just for me."
Inilingan siya nito. "I'm sorry of not attending your mother's funeral. Alam niyang busy akong tao. My schedule today is just a one lucky ass because of urgent visitation for my grandad. Anyway, I saw your brother on Paris. He changed a lot. He became matured and real... hard man. Boom. Boom. Pak."
Tumawa siya sa biro nito. "Really?" Inayos niya ang suot na coat, doon gumawi ang atensyon ng kaibigan.
"May lakad ka?" tanong nito nang mapansin ang tinatago niyang dress sa loob ng coat.
She just answered her with a shy smile. Lumapit ito sa kanya para humalik sa pisngi, at ganoon din ang ginawa niya.
"Okay, bye for now, Jyra."
She fixed her imaginary hat mimicking Peachy's wink.
"Oh, please!" Peachy rolled her eyes while laughing.
She even laughed at that. "I miss you."
"Oh come on the drama is already over."
"You know I am not but really... thank you. Regards me to Tom."
Nakangiti siya kahit buong biyahe. Darcy even teased her for another roller coaster ride, but she refused it immediately. Kailangan niyang magmukhang tao sa event. Importante iyon kaya dapat niyang magseryoso.
The event was held on one of Sun of Vergina's introducing tie up Hotel; the Monssier de ime. She concluded the place will be look like French, but she got mesmerized with the ornamental motif but very huge.
There were lots of paparazzi and media on the entrance. Inaasahan niya na iyon kaya doon siya dumaan sa parking. She used the lift to proceed on the hall. Nagmadali siya dahil sa naririnig na background music. The event was already started.
Kasalukuyang ipinapakilala ang tatlong tao sa likod ng Vixie Empire, providing their achievements, few description, vision and mission. Mula sa pakikinig ay luminga siya. Hindi niya mahanap si Roena.
The hall was very formal and each table was full of guest.
She already removes her coat and now walking through the side of buffet table. Dumiretso siya sa hilera ng champagne flutes at patay malisyang dumampot ng isa.
When she's about to sit, the lights turned off. The big screen brightens up and played the 4D finish product of Vixie Tower. Doon napako ang atensyon niya dahil sa pagkamangha.
The racing track was actually the residential road. And what makes the crowd more amaze is when the three blocks of each crossing elevates while the rest of long roads can do horizontal or vertical.
There's an actual action of all roads moving together. While the three tower elegantly shines depending on the choice of design.
"The road looks dancing. And the towers were astonishing." She murmured in awe.
Muling nilamon ng liwanag ang paligid kaya nagulat siya sa pagsulpot ni Roena sa harapan niya.
"Sorry, Ma'am. Akala ko nasa entrance kayo. Tinatawagan ko po kayo, kaso mukhang naka-silent."
"It's alright, Roena." Masyado siyang humanga sa structure ng Vixie Tower kaya nakalimutan niya na ang tungkol kay Roena. "I actually forget you. I'm sorry."
Ngumiti sa kanya ito. "Ang ganda niyo, Ma'am... at ang sexy."
Napalingon siya rito. Na-conscious siya bigla sa suot, nilingon din niya ang katabing lamesa. Nahuli niyang nakatingin sa kanya 'yung chinitong malawak ang ngisi.
"Good evening everyone. I'm Cho Diaz, one of the Vixie head." Huminto ito sa pagsasalita para kamutin ang batok niya. "Huwag tayong maging formal mayado—" He chuckled.
Nagtawanan ang lahat dahil sa kakulitan nito.
Lumapit ng kaunti si Roena para bumulong sa kanya. "Si Mr. Cho ang head ng man power. Siya ang mas madalas na nakikita kaysa sa dalawang natitira. Si Mr. Caleb po ang sa management – ang utak sa tatlo. Si Mr. Tristan naman po ang safety and security, siya po ang pinakabata at bali-balitang wala pang nakakakita sa kanya."
Tumango siya sa mga narinig, kahit pa ang totoong atensyon niya ay sa binabahagi ni Cho. He was explaining why the roads like that and its purpose. Cho even explain that it was safe, and highly advanced. He even showed some slide show for the facilities and what to expect on the interior part.
"And thanks to HNM team for providing us this exquisite and surreal fantasy." Cho finally ended up his speech as he raised his hand towards the table he was referring too.
Malik with his team proudly stood up while clapping their hands. Lumapit si Cho rito para makipag-shakehand ganoon din ang ilang katandaang miyembro ng Vixie Empire.
Halos dumagundong ang dibdib ni Jyra dahil bagaman masaya ang lahat ay seryoso pa rin si Malik. He was clapping his hand with whole and hard stance. He seems bothered or irritated.
Tumayo 'yung nakabungisngis na lalaki para makisali sa grupo nila Malik. And surprisingly, Malik knew him. They even exchanged a hand shake.
"And for the creativity of dancing road, let's give a round of applause to T-chimes Company," Cho added.
Umuwang ang labi ni Jyra sa tumayong babae.
This can't be... Cielo?
Her faded green slit tank dress reveals her curvaceous body. Tinalo noon ang backless niya. Cielo is extremely stunning on her an effort hair style. It does compliment her nude but shiny lips, it reveals her natural beauty.
She doesn't really look like thirty-three.
Cielo gave a pleasant smile to everyone when she reached the stage. "I am very pleased that my idea was chosen. It's such an honor, honestly. And I'd like to mention my partner... please join me here... Mr. Andrei Holmes."
The man stood up with a proud smile on his lips. It sends irritation to Jyra, especially when he proceeded on the stage. Jyra felt spunk on her face when Andrei curled his hand to Cielo's waist. Kinikilabutan siya ng sagad sa nakikita.
The man was very happy while she's in hell of a holocaust.
She looks down to check her trembling legs. Gusto niyang pigilan iyon pero hindi niya magawa. She tried to touch it but her hands were shaking too. Nasapo niya ang sentido nang maalala ang ginawang pagsuntok ng walangyang lalaki sa kanyang inang si Jessica Holmes. Para bang ang pait ng nakaraan ay nangyari lang kahapon. It was very fresh and too painful.
She looked up to see him. Pero ang imahe ni Malik na nakatingin sa gawi niya ang kanyang nakita.
She closed her eyes to stop her outburst feeling but it was damn hard. Tumayo siya at agad dumiretso sa balkunahe. Nanginginig ang parehas na braso niya. Muntik pa siyang matalisod sa pagmamadali.
"Roena, I'm sorry—" Natigilan siya nang makilala ang taong humawak sa kanyang braso. Nakagat niya ang kanyang ibabang labi para pigilan ang nagbabadyang mga luha. Not now. Not in front of him.
He didn't say anything. He just clenched his jaw while staring roughly into her eyes.
"B-bitawan mo ako."
Imbes na sundin siya'y lalo pa itong lumapit at hinigpitan ang hawak sa braso niya.
That reminded her of the feeling of forcing her weak body on the bed. How Andrei savagely harassed her that night. Her vision becomes black, and the memory of the past clouded her head. Fear strikes her chest as she tightens her fisted hand. "Y-you? Don't do this to me." She said as she forced a hard punch on his chest. "Let me go. Don't touch me." Gamit ng dalawang kamay ay muli siyang sumuntok, but Malik catches her both arm and pulled into an embrace.
"Let me go!" Pilit siyang pumipiksi.
"It's me, Malik. I will not hurt you. Trust me." He whispered in her ears.
Takot na takot siya. The roar of thunder made her flinched and tried to escaped from his hard grip. "W-why you come back? A-are you going to kill me?" she asked in terror. She's shaking and still hearing noises. Jessica was screaming her name. Andrei's heavy footsteps were screeching on her head. She can't handle it anymore. She groans in terrible pain.
Malik's other hand assisted her head to lean on his chest. "Calm down, okay. It's me, Malik. No one will hurt you. I promise." His sweet voice was pulling her soul from the deep and dark dream. It was very gentle and tender.
She looked up and met his gaze.
She is not dreaming. Malik was caging her as if protecting her from a wild predator. He is comforting her just like before. Her old Malik comes back to save her from drowning.
"Breathe in and out. That's right!"
Tuluyan siyang kumalma at natulala rito. His familiar scent cuddled her as it brings her to cloud nine; soothing and relaxing her nerves.
"I'm afraid with my conclusion... but I am a fool to not recognize you from the very beginning."
Hindi niya maintindihan. Ano ba ang pinupunto nito?
Malik releases her and crouched to level her sight. He even caressed her face. "I finally found you."
His touches send a shiver down her spine. Ginigising noon ang matagal niya ng kinalimutang narararamdaman dito. It was sprouting again, and she can't help but get drunk with his intimidating gaze. "Say my name," she whispered.
Malik's hands traveled on her bare shoulder while his eye boring her luscious lips. "Hermosa," he drawled.
Droplets of tears start falling on her cheek.
"Jyra Keith Aldrich," he added.
Her shoulder began to shake as her tears flowed like a well-fed river. Sinubukan niyang takpan ang bibig ngunit hinila siya nito upang yakapin nang mahigpit.
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