Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

Callum's POV (Spy)

"She's still not here?"

I almost gasped as I didn't see a trace of Patricia on the dining table. Is she going to ignore me again?

"Hahatiran ko pa lang po siya ng pagkain sa kwarto. Tinatanong niya rin po pala kanina kung narito na kayo sa ibaba,"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Nanay Nelia. Why she would asked that?

"What's her reason? Is she always asking you?"

"O-Opo sir..." nahihiya siya'ng tumango.

I greeted my teeth. If this is what she want, then fine! I was not forcing her.

Sigurado ako na ngayon ay hinihiling niya na sana ay mabilis lang ang isang taon para makawala na siya sakin.

As usual, mag isa ako'ng kumain at mabilis din umakyat sa kwarto pagkatapos. Its weekend, so today should be my rest day but that's not a trend for me. I need to review some reports and documents because next week I'll be communicating with the boards again.

Buong mag hapon ay nakaharap lang ako sa laptop at mga folders. I just told the maids to bring food to my room until the dinner arrived, I had no choice but to leave my room.

Akmang pababa na ako ng hagdan ay naaninag ko si Patricia sa gitna ng hallway, mukhang kalalabas lang din niya ng kwarto. Nakatalikod siya at may kausap sa telepono. She sounds frustrated while talking.

"I won't tell him unless I already accept it, Jess! I can't take it anymore..." sabi niya sa mahinang boses pero rinig ko parin 'yon. "We will be in that place earlier tomorrow, okay? See you and thank you" Kumunot ang noo ko. Isn't that Jess is her friend? She really have a problem and I need to find it out, maybe I can help her.

Pinatay niya na ang tawag at muling pumasok sa kwarto. Tuluyan na ako'ng bumaba at kukuha na sana ng pagkain ngunit nakita kong dalawang plato ang nakahain sa lamesa.

Tumingin ako kay Nanay Nelia. "Bring food on her room-"

"Sir, dito raw po siya kakain"

Umarko ang kilay ko at kasunod ang yabag na papalapit. Lumingon ako at nakita si Patricia. She's already wearing a pajamas. Nang makita niya ako ay mabilis siya'ng lumihis ng tingin.

It's so strange that she's with me to eat here at the table.

Tahimik kaming kumain, walang pansinan tulad ng nakasanayan. Bawat subo ko ng pagkain ay lihim ako'ng nakamasid sa kanya.

She's so prim. Kahit sa pagkain ay mahinhin.

Pansin ko rin ang munting sulyap niya sa gawi ko at kapag titingin naman ako sa kanya ay namumula ang pisngi niya at lilihis ng tingin.

Lihim ako'ng napangiti roon.

Nang patapos na kaming kumain ay parang hindi na siya mapakali sa kinauupuan. Pasulyap-sulyap siya at tila may gustong sabihin.

"What is it?" tuluyan kong tanong at gulat siya'ng napatingin sakin. "You want to say something..."

I was waiting for her words as I watch her hands trembled. She looks hesitant.

"U-Uh...I just want to ask if I can go out tomorrow with Jess, my friend? She actually-"

"Of course" I said without hesitation.

I was even surprised that she updated me. I'm really innovating.

"Ah, t-thank you" She slightly bow her head.

Alam kong kahit siya ay nagulat na pumayag agad ako. Pagkatapos ay umalis na agad siya na parang walang nangyari. She still nervous while talking to me and I want to remove that.

-

"Do you have some errands today?" iyon ang agad ang sabi ko ng sagutin ni Austine ang aking tawag.

"The hell? It's only 5:00 a. m, you disturb my sleep!" reklamo niya at mukhang inaantok pa.

"Just answer my question!" inis kong sabi. "May ipagagawa ako sayo,"

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

"And what is it? Tungkol na naman ba sa father in law mo-"

"No, it's about P-Patricia"

Narinig ko agad ang tawa niya sa kabilang linya.

"Just admit that you already fell for her, bro! You're such a lover boy-"

"Shut up! She's going somewhere today with her best friend, Jess. Alamin mo kung saan 'yon at kung ano ang dahilan niya. I think it's important" "But-"

"Stop complaining! Update me later and please, don't you ever go back to your bed and tried to sleep again!"

Pinatay ko ang tawag at umupo sa kama. I'm still sleepy but I can't sleep. I only slept 4 hours because my mind was occupied by Patricia.

Iniisip ko ang kalagayan niya. What's happening to her? She seems problematic and I was desperate to know that that's why I called Austine.

I don't have a choice but to prepare for work. It's too early so Patricia was still asleep. Bago pa man ako makaalis ng bahay ay pinaalalahanan ko na ang maids na wag kalimutang ibigay ang gamot ni Paticia.

Nang makarating sa kompanya ay panibagong sakit sa ulo na naman ang natanggap ko. Minsan ay nagsisisi ako na tinanggap ko ang posisyon na ito. My world was just revolving around it. Maybe mom was right. I don't have time for Patricia because I'm always busy that's why she's acting like that?

Damn! Why am I thinking about that?

"Sir? Miss Zara was calling" my secretary entered my office. "I suggested her to call you directly-"

"Tell her that I'm busy. Why did she able to contact us?"

"Nasabi ko na po na busy kayo pero...makulit siya"

Tumunog ang telepono sa tabi ko kaya pinalabas ko na siya.

"Hello?" mariin kong sagot sa tawag.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.org is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Finally, you answered!" Zara's voice echoed to my ear. "Damn your secretary! Alam kong hindi mo ako matitiis-"

"Don't disturb me again and it's your last call-"

"But-"

I impatiently ended the call. Her voice, words and attitude is just annoying. She's really nothing compare to Patricia.

I continued signing and reviewing some documents when my phone rang. Nakita ko ang pangalan ni Austine sa screen kaya agad kong sinagot.

"What's the update? Nasundan mo ba? Don't make it obvious-"

"Chill, bro! Relax! Isa-isa lang," narinig ko na naman ang pang-asar niya'ng tawa. "Yes, nasundan ko siya. We're actually here in Rodriguez Hospital..."

"What?" I shifted to my seat. "What happened to her?!"

Nag-init ang mukha ko ng tumawa ulit siya. Fuck, he got me!

"Chill out. Patricia's fine and she's with a hottie, huh? Jess, right?"

"Shut the fuck up, Austine! What are they doing there?"

Halos ibato ko na ang mga folders sa mga sinasabi ni Austine.

"Nakita ko siya'ng pumasok sa consultation room..." humina ang boses niya. "Kalalabas lang nila pero...umiiyak si Patricia"

Agad ako'ng kinabahan. "Find out the reason. Ask the doctor-"

"I already did" sabi niya. "But the doctor seems lying. Sinamahan lang daw ni Patricia ang kaibigan na magpa-consult. I didn't buy her alibi because I saw your wife seems affected after the consultation..." Napabuga ako ng hangin at napasandal sa upuan. What does it mean?

"But don't worry," Austine continued. "I saw your wife holding an envelope after they leave. You need to get that..."