Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

CALLUM'S POV (Empty)

"You're different now, huh. You look...in love"

Napangiti ako habang umiiling. Hindi ko pinansin si Austine at nag patuloy ako sa pag pirma sa bagong project na gagawin namin.

"Hindi ka pa nasanay kuya Austine," segunda ng kapatid kong si Ramon na hindi ko alam kung bakit narito. "Simula no'ng mag buntis si Patricia, mas lalo siya'ng sumipag sa trabaho..." Kumunot ang noo ko.

"Stop calling her just like that. Call her 'ate', Ram" saway ko sa kapatid.

"What's wrong with that?" his lips lifted. "You're 4 years older than her and she's 1 year older than me..." he said teasingly.

"I don't care! Tawagin mo siya'ng ate!"

"Oh..." umawang ang labi niya. "You're a jealous pet!"

He and Austine laughed so I got annoyed.

Maya-maya pa ay may tumawag kay Ramon kaya nag paalam na rin siya'ng aalis. Si Austine ay nanatili parin sa office ko. He's watching me like an idiot.

"Wag mo naman masyadong galingan sa trabaho, bro! I noticed these past few days you've been so tutok sa trabaho," ani Austine habang naiiling. "Yung sipag mo sa trabaho parang may binubuhay kang limang anak hahaha!" I glared at him. "Palibhasa kasi kahit girlfriend wala ka,"

His eyes widened and held his chest as if he was hurt. "Ang sakit. Foul yun, bro!"

Natigil siya nang may kumatok sa pinto.

"Come in," I said.

I quickly stood up when I saw Peter. The investigator that I hired to investigate and gather information or evidence against the Laurier. He slightly nodded at me before offering a folder.

"Maybe this time you have a positive report about them, Peter" Austine smirked.

Kinuha ko ang folder at agad binuklat habang si Peter ay nakatayo sa harap ko.

"It still doesn't make sense, Peter" I said coldly. "What is this all about?"

"Yung mga hawak natin na witness na nakakita kay Mr. Laurier na nakikipag-usap sa mga armadong lalaki, patay na,"

My jaw dropped and angrily stood up from the chair.

I looked at him darkly. "What the fuck are you saying?!"

His eyes flinched a bit. "T-They are shot to death yesterday when they just got out of the station, s-sir..."

I clenched my fist and swallowed hard.

"N-No way..." I said and shook my head. "How could that happen? Their security is too tight, right? But they still able to kill them?!"

Sinipa ko ang upuan at tumalsik 'yon malapit kay Austine. Paano nangyari na nawala agad ang witness namin? Paano na uusad ang kaso laban sa mga Laurier!

Austine cleared his throat. "It's because Mr. Laurier is too witty and desperate. You know, they chose to fight in a dirty way,"

"This is bullshit!"

I promised Patricia that I will do everything just to send in prison the Laurier's! At least in that way, she can feel that she's safe. That ambush was so traumatic for her and I know that she is still afraid now. I brought her life closer to danger.

"Our men didn't do anything. Sniper ang pumatay sa kanila..."

Nanginig ang kamao ko sa sinabi ni Peter. Bumuga ako ng hangin at tumalikod paharap sa glass window ng office.

I brushed my hair frustratingly.

"Wala bang kahit anong bakas ng killer? Some suspicious person that time that we can accuse?" umaasa kong tanong. "How about the CCTV's?"

“W-Wala po, sir...” nangangambang sambit ni Peter. "But there's something strange about Laurier's minion and your ex, Zara Banner-"

"She's not my ex for fuck sake!" I shouted cranky.

I heard Austin's secret laugh.

Just hearing her name makes my blood boils. "What about her?"

"It is not connected with our witness who was killed," I returned to the table when Peter sat down. "I reviewed some CCTV attached near Laurier's company and saw some clips of that woman with Laurier's minion..." Bumuhos ang pagtataka ko nang ibigay niya ang panibagong folder. I opened it and saw some photos of Zara talking to a man. Some photos show the man giving an envelope to her.

"What did he give to Zara?"

Dumilim ang mata ko at nalunod sa malalim na pag-iisip.

"Don't tell me she's in the side of Laurier-"

"No, sir" agad na putol ni Peter. "I think they're up to something regarding the incident of your wife..."

My brows furrowed. "Then find it out-"

"Isn't it better if you're the one who'll approach Zara?" Austine suddenly intervened in our conversation.

"Why would I?" I snorted and glared at him.

He raised a brow. "She's in love with you so it will be easier for you to get information from her. Who would have thought that she knew some Laurier's secret..." He had a point.

Even though I didn't want to and I was thinking about how Patricia would feel, I was forced to call Zara and decided to meet her at a café...

"I was really expecting that you would take the initiative to meet me,"

Zara smirked at me and crossed her legs in front of me.

"I will be quick, then. What do you know about Laurier's?" I seriously asked. "I know you have something in your pocket. Something about them..."

I greeted my teeth when I saw her laughed.

"How smart and investigative you are," she chuckled.

"Just answer my question, Zara," mariin kong sabi, nauubos na ang pasensya ko.

"Why in a rush, Callum? You don't want to see me?" saad niya sa malambing na boses kaya mas nairita ako. "Yes, I know something that you can use against them..."

"How can I be so sure that you're telling the truth?" I asked harshly and watched her closely.

She's a manipulative so I somehow felt unsure.

"You may know me as a liar but this time, I'm telling the truth. I hired some people to disguise as a trusted assets for Laurier's. I knew a lot about them. One of it is the ambush in the car involving the your driver, maid and your wife," I frowned and looked away.

"Oh, gosh" she gasped unbelievably. "Still not convinced, huh? Well, here's my evidence..."

Tahimik kong pinagmasdan ang ginagawa niya. She took out a small device on her bag, turned it on then I heard some familiar voice from it.

Tumingin muna si Zara sa paligid bago ngumisi sa'kin at inilapit ang device.

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!

"Our plan is not successful!" I heard Mr. Laurier angry voice. "Bukod sa hindi si Callum Velasquez ang naroon sa sasakyan kundi asawa niya ay hindi niyo pa natuluyan! I heard she was confine in a hospital!" My fist clenched.

Kung wala nga lang kami rito sa café ay baka kanina pa tumilapon ang lamesa sa harap ko. So it's really his plan all along. They want me dead even my wife!

He should be thankful that Patricia is alive because if not, I will really kill him!

"What are we going to do now? Their security are too tight now and that Velasquez will probably suspect me! Make sure that the men who worked on the ambush will not be recognized!"

He drop my name.

"And also... make sure to block their supplies to other businesses abroad! Ayaw ko na nalalamangan ako ng mga Velasquez!"

I knew it. He also has something to do with why our other deliveries are not reaching our business partners.

This will surely a big help and evidence against them.

"Just so you know, I hired some assets to watch over them and they unexpectedly reported me about this," Zara revealed and showed me some pictures of Mr. Laurier talking with our witnesses who've just killed! Inilhad ko ang kamay ko. "Give me those then if you want to help me,'

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay bago humalakhak.

"Do you think it's just that easy?" she mocked. "This is a heavy thing, Callum. I have so many thoughts in my mind..."

Parang umakyat lahat ng dugo ko sa ulo at masama siya'ng tinignan. Padarang kong ibinagsak sa lamesa ang kuyom kong kamao.

"What do you fucking need, Zara?"

"Oh, it's just so good to hear if you're saying my name..." she bit her lips and looked at me maliciously.

I suddenly think about Patricia. Her angelic face and sweet smile flashed in my mind that was so different with Zara.

I felt my phone vibrated and saw Patricia's messages. She's asking where I was because I promised that I'll be with her checkup today.

Bumaling ako kay Zara na malaki ang ngisi ngayon.

"Just give me those damn evidence-"

"Date me first," she said that made my jaw dropped. "You just can't force me, Callum. Kailangan may kapalit din. Hindi naman porket mahal kita ay ibibigay ko na sayo lahat ito-"

"Are you out of your mind?" I almost shouted. "I have a fucking wife and will have a child soon and you're still thinking of that?"

I glanced at my phone again when I saw Patricia's calling. She's surely mad now.

"Dump your wife today, then. Date me now, tomorrow and the other day-"

"Shut up! You fucking desperate-"

"We are both desperate here, Callum" she chuckled. "I'm desperate with your attention and you're desperate with these evidence. Patas lang tayo..."

In the end, I just got forced to be with her today...

Labag sa loob ako'ng nag text kay Patricia na hindi ko siya masasamahan dahil sa biglaang meeting. I lied to her.

"Uh, give me that cake and one cappuccino..."

Zara stared at me after she ordered. "What do you want-"

"I'm full"

Ngumisi siya. "You're really rude. Alam mong yan ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko 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!

Humigit ako ng malalim na hininga at mariin siya'ng tiignan.

"I don't have time for your games..."

"Sorry, but I love playing with you. If you don't want any drink, watch me finish my food then..."

Wala ako'ng nagawa. I'm just giving her a deadly stare the whole time and she seems enjoying it.

After in the café, she decided to go at the mall and be with her while shopping. I tried my best to hide my face while we were roaming the mall. I'm worried that someone might see us and tell it to Patricia. "Ihatid mo ako sa condo..."

I closed my eyes intently because of frustration.

Malakas kong hinampas ang harap ng sasakyan ko dahil nag demand pa si Zara na ihatid ko siya sa condo niya. Kita ko ang gulat at panlalaki ng mata niya sa ginawa ko.

After I got tired the whole day with her! We went to the café, mall, some restaurants and boutique! Yet she had the guts asking me to take her home!

"C-Callum, sige na. Wala ako'ng sasakyan ngayon..."

I let out a heavy sighed before entering my car.

"Faster!"

Nataranta siya at mabilis sumakay sa passenger's seat. Mabilis ako'ng nag maneho at nang makarating sa building, gusto niya pa na ihatid ko siya sa loob. Damn it! Nakita kong nginitian si Zara ng mga staff sa lobby bago lumingon sa'kin. Nag iwas ako ng tingin at halos gusto nang itulak si Zara dahil sa pag yakap niya sa braso. "Removed your fucking hands on me," I said with authority when we reach the elevator.

"S-Sorry...thank you nga pala sa pag hatid..."

Umismid ako. "You're nothing to me so why the hell I need to send you here. You just forced me,'

I suddenly felt guilty thinking about my wife, Patricia. She don't deserve this. I didn't accompany her to her checkup but I'm with Zara the whole day.

She got silent.

Nauna siya pag labas namin ng elevator at tumigil sa isang pinto. I'm just standing behind waiting her to get inside but the next thing she did was too fast. She suddenly faced me and kissed me passionately. Tila pinitik niya na ang huling gatiilyo ng pasensya ko.

I grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed her. She fell on the cold floor.

"Y-You fucking disgusting!" I shouted and pointed her. "What the fuck are you thinking? Or you were even thinking? Do you even know the word ashamed?!"

Her face turned to pale as I started looking at her darkly.

Mabilis ang pag hinga ko sa sobrang galit at tinalikuran na lang siya bago ko pa masaktan.

Ibinuhos ko sa sasakyan ang galit ko ngunit ng maalala na may asawang naghihintay sa'kin sa bahay, mabilis ako'ng nag maneho pauwi.

I got home late so Patricia is already asleep. I felt a lot of guilt while seeing her peacefully sleeping.

Akala ko mapapaikot ko na si Zara sa sarili kong palad pero hindi.

She tricked me.

She asked for another day being with her, bothers me and even call me in the middle of the night. The evidence in her hands are so important and I just can't force her for that.

But I didn't expect that my good relationship with Patricia would be destroyed because of Zara's deceptions. I never thought that in every moment I'm with her, she's taking advantage. Our pictures together especially the one she's kissing me broke not only Patricia's heart, but also her trust for me.

"Just prayed that she still forgive you..." Zara's last words before I knew everything she did.

In just a snap, everything I thought would be my happiness suddenly gone. My wife, Patricia, our relationship, our child and our future family...