Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

PATRICIA'S POV (Hurt)

"I gathered these information by asking my parents since they are also in business!"

Nagkita kami ngayon ni Jess sa isang coffee shop. Nakabantay naman sa labas ang ilang bodyguards. Umalis ako sa bahay ng walang paalam kay Callum dahil sa ginawa niya kagabi. I was acting coldly towards him the moment I woke up and saw him hugging me.

"Here..."

Inilahad niya sa harap ko ang isang folder.

Nilalaman no'n ang mga printed papers at impormasyon tungkol sa mga tao na mga nakakasama ni daddy.

"You need to read all of that, Patricia" nahihimigan ko ang kaba ni Jess. "Base to the pictures you've send yesterday, your dad seems having a good time with those people,"

Hindi ko alam kung ano ba ang dapat kong maramdaman. Ngayon na nasa akin na ang ilang sagot.

"Should I be afraid now, Jess?" I asked emotionless.

She smiled awkwardly.

"I think...yes? I also asked my cousin who were working in the government field," she gulped nervously. "They are hearing some doing of Mr. Lim. Nasangkot na rin pala siya sa ilang krimen. Nakalaya lang dahil maraming pera..." Nangilabot ako.

Mabilis kong binuklat ang folder at mukha ni Mr. Lim ang bumungad.

"Hindi ka na mahihirapan dahil nakalagay na riyan ang mga background nila. Kahit ang mga kinasangkutan at nakaraang kaso,"

Roberto Lim is already 59 years old. A gambler and addict. Nasangkot siya sa child trafficking five years ago pero naresolbahan 'yon at nakalaya agad. Marami siya'ng negosyo na ang iba ay illegal. That's why some of businessman was avoiding him.

What the hell is this? He's an evil!

Sumunod naman na litrato ay kay Alfred Quizon.

Mayaman at may katandaan na ito. Sa kanya madalas umuutang ang mga negosyante para iwaldas sa mga sugal. May ari siya ng ilang club at casino.

Nanliit ang mata ko dahil siya ang nakita kong katabi ni daddy sa loob ng casino! Does it mean that daddy also asking him for money? Pero paano naman 'yon mababayaran ni daddy? Kung ang namamahala ng pera sa kompanya ay hindi sila?

Saan kumukuha si daddy ng pera?

I flip the next page and saw some pictures of Alfred Quizon. He's with daddy!

"That Alfred usually seen in his own casino with Tito...your dad" Jess said in a pity voice. "I was shocked knowing that. I though he stopped?"

Unti-unting nag init ang sulok ng mata ko. How could daddy do this? Maruruming tao ang mga nakakasalamuha niya! Paano niya ito nagawa? How could he lied to us! Pabalang kong inihagis sa table ang folder.

"I can't take it anymore, Jess..." mahina kong usal bago naramdaman ang mga luha na kumawala sa mata ko. "He came back to what he was doing before,"

I break down in front of her. I cried hard and didn't mind the people around. My heart is aching because of daddy.

"Hey, stop crying," rinig kong natataranta si Jess. "Baka kung ano'ng mangyari sa baby mo..."

Patuloy ako sa pag iyak ng maramdaman ko ang pag dampi ng tissue sa mukha ko. She's wiping my tears away but it continuously rolling down!

"I sacrifice my peace! I let them decide for me! I married Callum to bring back our company but turns out...they are the one who ruined it!" I said in a low voice.

Jess held my hand. "Stop crying, please. It's not good for you,"

I shook my head. I can't explain how wreck I am right now. I hate daddy! He fooled us.

Bumalik siya sa dating ginagawa kaya hindi na ako magtataka kung malalaman ko kay mommy na unti-unti ulit nauubos ang pera ng kompanya.

"Let's talk in my car, not here" ani Jess bago ako hinawakan.

I slowly stood up and we left the shop. Sa harapan lang naman naka park ang sasakyan niya kaya sumakay agad kami.

"Here..."

Tinanggap ko ang binigay niya'ng tissue.

Ilang minuto kaming tahimik dahil hinintay niya ako'ng matapos sa pag iyak.

"You done?"

Nilingon ko siya at marahang tumango. Nahihiya na talaga ako kay Jess. Siya na lang palagi ang takbuhan ko pagdating sa ganitong bagay.

"You shouldn't be crying that long. It might also affect your baby and your whole pregnancy"

I scoffed. "I can't help it, Jess..."

I lowered my head when my eyes started welling up again. I felt Jess's hand caressing my back.

"Kahit ako hindi makapaniwala" umiiling na sabi niya. "But I'm confused. Where did you get those pictures you've send to me? Did someone also send it to you to reveal your dad's doing?"

"I saw them in Callum's things..." nanginig ang boses ko.

"What?!" she exclaimed. "Why he need to have that?"

I shrugged. "Do you think it's connected to his investigation about dad?"

Biglang nag liwanag ang mukha niya at pumitik pa ang dliri.

"Right! Siguro dahil pinaiimbestigahan niya ang daddy mo kaya siya may ganoong litrato," nanlalaki pa ang mata niya.

"Ibig sabihin...matagal ng alam ni Callum ang ginagawa ng daddy mo? They hate liars and gamblers. Hindi ba kaya hindi natuloy ang kasal nila ni Zara dahil nalaman nila ang gawain ng pamilya nito?" may multo ng takot sa mukha ngayon ni Jess.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko at unti-unting nanikip ang dibdib. Ang sakit.

"Maybe they are already laughing at my family," mapait kong sabi.

Kung tama nga na alam ng mga Velsquez ang lahat, ano pa ang mukhang ihaharap namin sa kanila? Si mommy na walang malay sa ginagawa ni daddy? Si Callum...paano niya ako nagagawang pakisamahan sa kabila ng pag gamit sa kanila ng pamilya ko?

Nakakahiya!

"Don't say that!" she tapped my shoulder. "Focused on the bright side always. Kaya siguro hindi sinasabi ni Callum sayo ang rason ng pag iimbestiga niya, dahil ayaw ka niya masaktan❞

I froze and looked at her. "That's impossible-"

"It's possible, Patricia!" naging seryoso ang mukha niya. "Ano ka 'ba! What I told you last time? Communication is the key. If you keep insisting that negative side, you're just hurting yourself more!" Mas bumuhos ang luha ko.

"Talk to Callum," utas niya na may paninigurado. "In your situation, you must always prioritize the communication. Asked him calmly about this thing to feel you relieve. Then confront your dad," "Hindi ko kaya. I can't face daddy right now..." humikbi ako.

"Then fixed your problem with Callum first. Para may lakas ka na ng loob at kakampi na harapin ang daddy mo,"

Marahan niya'ng hinaplos ang buhok ko. Parang ayaw ko pa umuwi at sumama na lang muna sa kanya. May inilabas siya'ng panyo at pinunasan ang buong mukha ko. Oh, to have a friend like her is heavenly.

"You're too pretty to cry," she smiled and looked at my face. "You didn't really change. You're so soft and a crying baby!"

Natawa kami pareho sa sinabi niya.

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!

"Hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko kapag wala ka," I pouted.

Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap namin at pagbibigay niya ng advice ay nag paalam na ako sa kanya at nag pasalamt. Nag decide na ako'ng lumipat sa sasakyan namin na nasa tapat lang din ng coffee shop.

Pag upo ko sa back seat ay nakayuko lang ako. Namumugto ang mata ko at baka makita ng driver at sabihin sa boss niya.

"Mam?" biglang tawag ng driver. "Tumawag po si sir Callum. Nagagalit at tinatanong kung nasaan tayo, hindi raw ho kayo nag paalam,"

Umismid ako at tinignan ang mga text niya.

"Don't mind him, kuya. Ako na ang bahala. Uwi na po tayo,"

The driver looks hesitant.

"S-Sige po,"

I closed my eyes. Why those problems suddenly bursting?

After my relationship with Callum land in good way, I thought everything's perfect. I thought I would be comfortable facing the Velasquez's anymore but after knowing dad's doing, I think I'll be forever afraid showing my face to them. Idagdag pa ang hindi namin pagkakaintindihan ni Callum. He lied to me and didn't even mind to explain. Maybe he was thinking that I'm too stupid.

Nakarating kami sa bahay.

The moment I get out the car, Callum welcomed me with his serious face. Agad ako'ng nag iwas ng tingin na parang hindi siya nakita.

"Patricia, where have you been?" tumigil siya sa harap ko. "You didn't inform me,"

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Lalagpasan ko na sana siya pero hinapit niya ako sa baywang.

Tumingin pa siya sa likod ko kung nasaan ang driver bago ako iginiya papasok.

"Don't touch me," pag suplada ko at itinanggal ang kamay niya.

"Nag usap na tayo tungkol dito. Bakit hindi ka nag paalam?" bakas ang pagod sa boses niya.

Kung sabihin ko kaya sa kanya pabalik 'yon? He didn't inform me last night about his whereabouts.

"Nakipagkita lang ako kay Jess sa coffee shop," matabang kong sabi.

Mabilis ang lakad ko papunta sa kwarto, nakasunod din siya. Inihagis ko sa kama ang bag ko nang bigla niya'ng hawakan ang braso ko at ipinihit ako paharap sa kaya.

"Are you mad?" naniniguro niya'ng tanong. "Is this about last night? I will explain. Sorry, I wasn't able to do that, I'm too tired-"

"No need. Just saved it," I said coldly before removing my cardigan.

Nakaawang ang labi niya habang pinanonood ako na mag tanggal ng sapatos. Rinig ko ang singhap niya.

"Come on, don't be like this Patricia..." marahan niya'ng usal bago ako niyakap patalikod.

Pilit kong inilalayo ang sarili sa kanya pero mas humigpit ang braso niya.

"Callum I will change my clothes! Removed your arm,"

"No" he whispered. "What's our problem? I came home so late last night because of a sudden meeting. I also signed and reviewed some documents. It was all rush..." Huminga ako ng malalim bago marahang umiling. How can he still lied to me? Is he seeing someone? And who it is? Zara?

"You know what? I hate liars," I said straightly.

I felt his hug loosen. He was stiff.

Tinanggal niya na ang yakap sa'kin kaya dumiretso agad ako sa closet. Habang namimili ng damit ay narinig ko ulit ang yabag niya palapit.

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! "I already explained-"

"Really?" malamig kong sabi at humarap.

Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko. Malamig ko siya'ng tinitigan. Kita ko ang bahagya niya'ng pag lunok.

"Marami kang ginawa? But that's not what I heard on your secretary,"

His eyes flickered that eventually widened. Namutla ang mukha niya at napaiwas ng tingin. A piece of anger slowly building up inside me when I saw his guilty face.

"I thought were good?"

His face softened when my voice broke.

"You lied to me! You should have tell me right away what you were doing or where you are!" sigaw ko at tinabig ang kamay niya na hahawak sa'kin. "Bakit, nakipagkita ka ba kay Zara, huh?" Kumunot agad ang noo niya.

Pagak ako'ng tumawa. He can't denied because it's true!

"It's not what you thinking. I can't really tell you about it-"

"Because it's really about her, right?" I continued what he should say. "You are seeing her secretly"

He continuously shook his head. Sa paraan ng pag tingin niya ay para bang nasasaktan siya sa pag aakusa ko.

Nakakuha na ako ng damit at pupuntana sana sa banyo pero hinila niya ako.

"Don't touch me!" I commanded aggressively. "It's okay if you won't explain. Alam kong tungkol 'yon sa kanya kaya hindi mo masabi-"

"Fine," he uttered seriously and let go of my hand.

Kumalabog ang puso ko.

Napamaang ako ng pulutin niya sa ibaba ang nahulog kong damit at ibinalik sa closet. Bumaling siya sa'kin na malamlam ang mata.

"I lied because I don't want you to remember about that thing anymore," he sighed. "If keeping you that means I'm cheating on you, then I would fucking tell the truth" Nanlambot ang tuhod ko dahil sa pagod niya'ng boses. Umupo siya sa kama at tumango.

"I met those investigators that I hired regarding to your incident..." he sniff a little. "I asked about the improvement of the case and we're still finding more evidence," I don't know what to say. I though he's seeing Z-Zara?

"I don't want to open up that topic to you because your trauma might come back again. I don't want that, Patricia..." his voice was pleading makes my knees trembled.

I slowly sat beside him. I held his face with my trembling hands and slowly lift it up to face me.

"I-I'm sorry..." I whispered, my tears almost rolling.

His eyes were bloodshot makes my heart broke. I let go of his face and averted my gaze. Nakakahiya.

"Don't cry," he said softly and wipe my tears.

He then wrapped my arms around me for a hug. I continued crying. He caressed my back. "Please, don't see me as a cheater..." he whispered on my neck. "I only want you-" "S-Sorry..." namamaos kong sabi. "Hindi ko sinasadya. I-I would never do that again,"

Hinawakan niya ang mukha ko at iniharap sa kanya.

"Don't say that. I've never been happy and contented until you came. I will never do things that might destroy us..."