The Gold-digging Mastermind

Kabanata 5

The dog was like a child tying me to Daxiel Gustav Jr.

If the others do baby-trapping, I can, too… with our newest addition, Gustav the Third.

Kaya ko rin siyang i-trap sa akin hangga’t hindi ko nakukuha ang aking mana ng hindi ko ibinubuka ang aking hita. I was just teasing and taunting him until he gives in. Eventually, he will.

Duh, I’m confident with my power as a seductress. He’s just another guy, anyway.

Kung hindi naman ako magtagumpay, siguraduhin kong hindi ko babayaran ang utang ko sa kanya. It was just a few thousand. Hindi ako papayag na hanggang doon lang ang mahuhuthot ko. Ano pang silbi ng pagiging gold digger ko?

I was having my breakfast when I saw the tall figure approaching the dining hall. Kasabay ko si Gustav the Third sa breakfast. Mayroon siyang dalang malaking bagahe. Kumunot naman ang aking noo.

The dog happily wagged its tail seeing Daxiel Gustav Jr. Malaya naman siyang pinagmasdan ng aking mga mata habang sumisipsip ng tea… tea sa umaga. It was something I adapted living in the house for long.

Ang hilig niya sa fitted clothes, halos namumutok talaga ang biceps niya. Kayang – kaya niyang mang-headlock.

Sinalubong niya ang aking mata nang gumawi ang tingin niya sa direksyon ko. I gave him my sweetest smile. Binati ko siya.

“Sa opisina ka na ba titira?” I eyed his bag, it seemed heavy. Wala namang problema niya iyong buhat. “Kumain ka muna ng agahan. Nauna na ako, akala ko kasi nakaalis ka na.”

“It’s fine. I’ll be out of town to attend my friend’s wedding. I’m here to say goodbye in case you notice my absence the coming days.” He played with Gustav the Third.

Ganoon?

Ibig sabihin ilang araw ko ring hindi masisilayan ang biceps niya. That’s unacceptable!

Charot, nadadala lang ng damdamin.

“Saan? Is it a beach wedding? What kind of wedding are they having?” sunod – sunod kong tanong. “Pangarap ko iyong beach wedding. Pero hindi naman nangyari. My wedding was the most dull, but it was okay. At least, I married your father.”

His face was stoic.

Walang bahid iyon ng emosyon. He wasn’t even paying attention to me. Hindi niya rin sinagot ang aking tanong.

At wala rin akong pakialam kahit nakukulitan siya sa akin. He wanted that and he earned that from me. “Hindi ba p’wedeng magsama ka? Baka naman p’wede mo kaming isama ni Gustav the Third para naman maarawan kami. Matagal na rin akong hindi nakakapagbakasyon.”

S’yempre, para – paraan din!

Makapal naman ang aking mukha, kaya ayos lang. Natatabunan naman iyon ng foundation!

“Don’t you have shame? It’s strictly for friends and family.”

Ngumuso ako. “Magkapamilya naman tayo, ah? Hindi ba ako kasama sa family mo?”

Hindi niya ako pinansin. Tumayo siya upang tumungo sa main door. Our baby dog was following him, wagging its tail. Tinapos ko rin ang pagkain upang sundan ang dalawang Gustav.

Who knows I’m following the three Gustav? Hindi ko lang makita iyon isa dahil espiritu na siya.

“Are you sure you don’t want a company to your trip?” Nakangiti kong tanong.

Tanging pag-irap ang naging sagot nito sa akin nang sumakay sa sasakyan. Binuhat ko ang aso namin ni Daxiel Gustav Jr. I waved its paw in a delicate manner.

Pinanood kong umalis ang sasakyan. Nang makaalis ito’y muling pumasok kami sa loob ng mansyon. I headed to my room to start my unproductive morning. Hindi ako gaanong makagalaw dahil naka-freeze pa ang mana. Mayroon naman akong ipon, pero wala akong balak na gamitin iyon.

I let our dog play in a crib. Binili rin iyon ni Daxiel Gustav Jr. para sa aso namin. Nilinis ko ang kanyang mga kalat. I was training him to poop on a designated place.

Hindi rin madali ang mag-alaga ng aso. It felt like raising a child. It was a big responsibility.

Pero pagdating sa paglilinis ng kalat ni Gustav the Third, wala akong ibang inaasahan kung hindi sarili ko. Ayokong iasa iyon sa mga kasamahan namin sa bahay dahil desisyon at kagustuhan ko namang mag-adopt ng aso.

I was just asking them for a bit of assistance. And Daxiel Gustav Jr. is as active as I am. Hindi naman ako nahihirapan sa pag-aalaga, tinutulungan niya ako.

Noong isang araw, dumalaw kami ni Daxiel sa veterinary clinic para sa check-up ng alaga namin. I also asked my stupid questions about taking care of our new pet to make sure I was doing everything right.

Sunod – sunod ang narinig kong doorbell na parang wala nang bukas. Mapapagalitan ko talaga si Maricel.

When I opened the door, I was surprised to see a handsome man leaning on the frame of the door. Nakapamulsa siya at mukhang naiinip nang hindi ko agad siya napagbuksan.

“I thought, you’re leaving?” I asked Daxiel Gustav Jr.

“I am. Do you want to go with me?” Magkasalubong ang kilay niyang tanong pabalik.

My eyes widened in surprise. Tumango naman ako. I shrieked in excitement.

“Isasama mo ba ako?”

“No. I just asked you, then, I’m going back to the car and go.” He answered sarcastically.

Hindi ko pinansin ang pagiging sarkastiko niya. I was more excited with the thought of going with him at his friend’s wedding. Sinupil ko naman ang excitement ko, kailangan kong mag-prepare ng mga dadalhin ko.

Tumakbo ako papasok sa loob upang ibigay sa kanya si Gustav the Third. “It will take thirty minutes, I promise!” Isinara ko ang pinto ng kuwarto pero muli ko iyong binuksan. “Anong motif ng wedding?”

“Peach,” he answered. “Millaray, I know you love fashion and styling yourself in a way. May I ask if you tone it down for the wedding? Just for the wedding.”

Tumango naman ako. “Hindi mo kailangan mag-worry! May wedding ettiquette naman ako, ‘no!”

He doesn’t need to remind me that, I’ll oblige without question. Iyon ang mga okasyong hindi ako p’wedeng maging bida, unless I am the bride. Isa pa, sampid lang naman ako sa wedding nila… that’s the least I could do.

In thirty minutes, I was able to accomplish two baggage. Dalawang malaking bagahe ang napuno ko ng aking gamit. Mayroon akong dalang bikini at kung anu – ano pang sa tingin ko ay kailangan ko.

I smirked.

Another plan worked.

He’s such a softie, isn’t he?

***

My companion wasn’t exactly thrilled with the two suitcases I brought, and one small bag for Gustav the Third. He was asking me if I wanted to take everything in the house for the trip.

S’yempre, hindi. Next time na lang siguro. That’s what I answered him, and he got madder… I’m the one who made him mad. So, anong tawag sa akin? Ah, step-madder who mothered! I giggled at my own thought.

Sa mga ganitong pagkakataon, dapat suportado na ang sarili sa sariling joke.

Ilang oras din ang naging biyahe namin patungong San Juan, Batangas. Inabutan pa kami ng buhol – buhol na traffic.

I got more excited with the smell of the beach. They are renowned for having a white sand beach, and stunning views of the neighboring mountains. Sigurado akong mae-enjoy ko ang bakasyon.

Walang minutong hindi ako tumahimik sa loob ng kotse habang nagdi-drive siya. He seemed pretty annoyed when we arrived at the beach resort. Ginamit niya ang lumang sasakyan, medyo natakot pa akong tumirik na lang iyon bigla sa daan.

Natahimik lang ang buong pagkatao ko nang nasilayan ko ang karagatan.

I was mesmerized. I was in awe.

It wasn’t an everyday opportunity to see nature this beautiful. Where can I even find this beauty in the city?

Pumarada ang sasakyan sa designated parking ng mga turista. Nilibot ng aking mata ang kabuuan ng resort. It was such a breathtaking venue, but I wasn’t seeing guests. Ay, itinanan na ba ako ni Daxiel Gustav Jr.? Masyado naman siyang mabilis.

“Bakit walang tao?” I asked him.

Sumulyap siya sa akin. “I told you it was a private occasion. Only family and friends were invited.”

Oh. Ganoon yata talaga sa mayayaman. Sa barangay namin noon, lahat p’wedeng dumalo at makikain. Pakapalan lang ng mukha, tapos ira-rate pa ang pagkain na hindi masarap.

It didn’t faze me a bit. “Ipakilala mo na lang ako bilang alalay mo…”

“Really? Mas marami pang dalang bagahe sa akin, ikaw pa ang alalay sa lagay na ‘yan.” He raised his brow.

Hindi ko na nagawang sumagot nang bumaba siya ng kotse. Inayos niya ang mga bagaheng dala namin. Kinuha ko naman si Gustav the Third sa backseat. Mayroon siyang space sa backseat kung saan komportable siyang nakakapagpahinga.

I caressed his fur tenderly and he was licking my hands with affection. Our baby was very sweet. After a few minutes of playing with Gustav the Third, I collected my composure before I decided to come out of the car.

Pinagbuksan ako ni Daxiel Gustav Jr. ng pinto ng sasakyan. I gave him my warmest smile and said my thanks. Pinagmasdan niya lang ang bawat galaw ko.

The staffs of the resort helped us with our suitcases. Sumabay kami sa kanila patungong front desk.

Mula sa front desk, sinalubong kami ng isang lalaki. Guwapo ito at halatang mayaman. Itataya ko ang aking pulang t-back, iyon ang groom. I can easily identify the groom, dati ay naiimbitahan akong sumayaw sa mga bachelor’s party.

“Dude,”

Dude. Pare. T’song. Bro.

Kinagat ko ang aking pang-ibabang labi. It was the first thing that came to mind.

“Glad you’re here.” They shook hands. Tinapik nila ang braso ng isa’t isa.

They started talking in language I couldn’t comprehend — business. Ikakasal na nga, negosyo pa rin ang usapan. Saka lang ako napansin ng groom. He took an interest with me.

“Who is this lady, Daxiel? Well, my friend here didn’t tell me he would bring someone. I thought, there was nobody deserving enough to be his plus one.” Ngumisi ang lalaki. “I’m Cameron Gabe, the groom, Daxiel’s best friend.”

“I did. I texted you on our way,” saad ni Daxiel Gustav Jr.

The guy offered his hand. Nagpabaling – baling ang tingin ko sa lalaki at sa kasama ko. Hindi namin napag-usapan ang introduction. Hindi naman kapani – paniwalang alalay niya ako.

Tinanggap ko ang pakikipagkamay ng lalaki. “Olga Millaray de Clemente. I’m his step—“

Hindi ko naituloy ang sasabihin nang takpan niya ang aking bunganga. I wasn’t expecting that from Daxiel. In fairness, kahit ang palad niya mabango ang amoy. May mabaho ba sa kanya? Iyong utot niya kaya, anong scent?

“What did I miss?” Mas lalong lumawak ang ngisi ng lalaki. “Dude, that was fast. De Clemente na agad?” Humalakhak ang lalaki bago muling bumaling sa akin. “It’s nice to meet you, Olga.”

He released me from his grip. Hindi naman ako nasaktan sa biglaang pagkabig niya sa aking bibig. Maingat pa rin iyon. Pero kung gagawin niya iyon sa susunod, may iba akong ipo-propose na mae-enjoy ko lalo.

“Same.” Kinuha ko ang aking kamay pabalik. “Good luck on your wedding.”

Cameron Gabe laughed. Ah, masiyahin ang lalaki. Sana ganoon pa rin siya kapag naikasal na.

Tumungo kami sa reception area upang kuhanin ang key card ng suite. It was one of the best suite in the resort. Maganda raw ang view sa kuwarto namin. We would be staying in one room.

Nakasunod lang ako kay Daxiel Gustav Jr., hawak ko ang aming alaga habang dala naman niya ang mga gamit ko. The other suitcase owned by him was carried by the staff.

He briefed me while we were on our way to the suite. I learned about the couple. The family of the groom owns the resort and this whole villa. It was an arrange-marriage thing. Wow, interesting.

Uso pa pala ang arrange marriage sa panahon ngayon. Hindi ba masyado na iyong makaluma? Nagwo-work pa rin ba ang ganoong klase ng pagpapakasal? Siguro naman.

Hindi rin talaga magkalayo ang utak ng mayaman at mahirap. Kagaya ko lang sila — nag-iisip ng mas magandang buhay. The only difference, they are already rich and they want to get married to widen their connection, status, and wealth.

I married for convenience. They do that as well.

Natuon ang atensyon ko sa suite pagkalabas namin ng elevator.

It was an enormous room with a king-sized bed, a big bathroom with jacuzzi, and most of all, soundproofed. We had a balcony to ourselves. Mula sa balkonahe, tanaw ko ang dalampasigan at putting buhangin.

It exceeded my expectations. I was just happy. Nauto ko na naman si Daxiel Gustav Jr.

Nang humarap ako sa sliding door, natagpuan ko si Daxiel sa pinto. He was staring at my direction. Nanunuot sa aking balat ang intensidad ng kanyang paninitig. Binasa ko ang aking labi.

Namulsa siyang lumapit sa akin, napaatras naman ako.

“Don’t introduce yourself as my stepmom.” Mariin niyang wika. “Don’t make it awkward.”

“Why not? Totoo naman iyon. I was your father’s wife.” Namuo ang maliit kong ngisi sa labi.

“Was, Millaray. Was.” Mas lalo siyang lumapit. “Past tense. You’re no longer his. He’s dead. What can he do about it?”

Hindi ako nagpatinag sa kanyang tingin, sinalubong ko ang kanyang mga mata. I didn’t back down. Mas lalo kong tinawid ang ilang dangkal na pagitan namin. We were just inches away, I could stare at his handsome face freely.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanyang labi.

What does he want?

“How am I going to introduce myself, then?” I asked breathy.

“Acquainted. We’re acquainted,” seryoso niyang sagot.

“Acquainted lang?” Matamis akong ngumiti. “Sigurado ka na ba r’yan? Eh, bakit parang hindi ka na makahinga sa lapit ko? Do I make you nervous?”

Dumako ang kamay ko sa kanyang pisngi.

“Make up your mind, Daxiel.”

Iniwan ko siya sa balkonaheng may ngiti sa labi.

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