The Gold-digging Mastermind

Kabanata 30

I heard shouting from inside Daxiel’s penthouse.

Hindi na ako nagulat na naunang tumungo si Daniella sa penthouse upang ibalita sa anak ang recorded evidence niya. I just sat on the couch as I listened to their conversation.

Of course, I have keys to his place and I can come anytime I want.

I wouldn’t hear it if she wasn’t being too loud.

Para akong nakikinig sa telenobela.

I helped myself up to the fridge to get something to eat while listening to them. Kumuha ako ng scoop ng ice cream at bumalik sa dati kong puwesto.

“Daxiel, are you really out of your mind? It was clear that she was just using you! She was just using you for money!” sigaw nito.

“Like you did?”

Napatayo ako nang makarinig ng sampal na malakas.

“Oh, you think it would be a secret forever? I grew up with less than I should have because you chose to spend the child support and financial assistance from my father to all your caprices.” Napatigil naman ako.

“You’re threatened that you wouldn’t get any penny from me. Mahal ko si Millaray. Wala akong pakialam sa ebidensyang sinasabi mo. I know all things about her and I don’t care.” He told with finality.

“So, hindi mo na ako mahal? Ganoon ba?” Halos mangiyak – ngiyak siya.

“Not at all, mom. But I’m distancing myself away from you. Don’t worry, I’ll give you a decent amount of money to continue living your best life. That’s it. I don’t want a roleplay relationship as a loving son and parent,” wika niyang may diin.

“If you’re letting her milk you dry, why can’t I?!” she screamed at him.

“Of all people, why would you milk your son dry?” I heard him sigh. “She’s not even milking me enough, if she is, she would be demanding absurd things like you do.”

Sunod kong narinig ang paglapat ng kanyang kamay at sunod – sunod na pagsigaw. Hindi ko natiis na pakinggan lang iyon kaya pumasok ako sa opisina ni Daxiel at tinahak ang direksyon patungo sa babae.

Iginawad ko sa kanya ang mag-asawang sampal at pinanlisikan siya ng mata.

“Anong akala mo por que’t anak mo p’wede mong pagbuhatan ng kamay?” Anger was building up in my system. Some people are just never meant to be parents. “Daxiel would never, but I will.”

She tried to slap me, but I stopped her hand midway.

Nakabawi naman si Daxiel kaya pumagitna siya sa aming dalawa. Iginiya niya si Daniella palabas ng opisina. She was still screaming at the top of her lungs.

“Do you want me to call security?”

I dialed the number from the reception area to ask them to send security unit to the penthouse.

Within a few minutes, they arrived to drag Daniella out of the penthouse.

Humawak ako sa braso ni Daxiel habang pinapanood ang kanyang ina. Hindi pa rin siya tapos sa kanyang pagsigaw.

“Are you okay?” Bumaling ako sa kanya.

Hinawakan ko ang kanyang pisngi at siniyasat ang parteng tinamaan ng sampal ng kanyang ina. Mas lalo akong nakaramdam ng inis nang makita ang bakat sa kanyang pisngi. It was a little red.

He nodded, smiling.

Hinalikan ko naman ang parte ng pisngi niyang namumula. I kissed him on the lips, too.

“She texted me to meet at the restaurant. Pinaunlakan ko naman ang hiling niya. But I knew she was planning something right away.” Tumawa ako. “I just gave her what she wanted to hear… Para naman may twist at feeling niya mananalo siya.”

Humalakhak siya.

“You should’ve told me she was planning to meet you. We really never know what she’s planning, Millaray. I’m afraid she’s going to hurt you.” Sumeryoso ang kanyang ekpresyon.

“Hindi naman ako sasama kung hindi matao ang lugar na tagpuan… Isa pa, kaya ko namang makipagsabayan sa kabaliwan niya. Don’t worry about me too much.” I gave him a smile.

“You’re the one I should be worried about. Hinahayaan mo lang na ganoon ang trato sa’yo ni Daniella. But I’m glad that you wanted to distance yourself from her craziness. That’s a big step already.” I hugged him.

“But please, tell me if she does that kind of stuff again ahead of time.”

Tumango naman ako.

Pinaglapat niya ang aming mga labi para sa isang masuyong halik na nauwi sa mainit na pag-iisa ng aming katawan.

Inaya ko siyang manood ng movies pagkatapos nang mainit na tagpo, um-order naman siya ng snacks at dinner kahit kaya ko namang magluto para sa aming dalawa.

Madalas na pagkatapos ng kanyang trabaho ang punta ko sa penthouse para siguradong nasa bahay na siya. I still visit him on his company together with our baby, but mostly, we’re going at the penthouse.

“Do you have plans this weekend?”

Humarap siya sa akin habang nakahiga sa aking kandungan.

“Nothing important. Why? Do you have something planned for us?” tanong ko naman.

My eyes were already twinkling with excitement.

He smirked. “I’m not proposing yet, but there’s something I want you to see,” Hinaplos niya ang aking pisngi.

“Tell me…” Ngumuso ako. “You know, it makes me excited.”

Humalakhak siya at bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga.

“You don’t have to wait for long, the weekend’s near, baby.” Pinisil niya ang tungki ng aking ilong.

“What is it? Will I love it?”

“I guess.” He shrugged.

Pinisil ko naman ang kanyang braso at bahagyang kinagat, kahit anong pilit ko sa kanya, hindi niya man lang sinabi sa akin. Tawa lang siya nang tawa sa pagpupumilit ko.

Maybe, we would go shopping or go for a quick vacation trip.

Nagpatihulog naman ako sa malalim na pag-iisip. I was smiling as I was thinking of possible answers. Nang bumalik ako sa realidad, titig na titig siya sa akin na may nakapaskil na ngiti.

I caressed his face.

“‘Wag mo naman masyadong ipahalatang patay na patay ka sa akin kaya galit na galit si Daniella…” I laughed and teased him. “Mahal mo pala ako, huh?”

Pinagkrus ko ang aking braso sa dibdib.

“Isn’t that too obvious, baby?”

“Hindi!” sagot ko. “I thought you were toying with my feelings at first.”

I pouted.

It turned out everything he did for me was the real deal. Matagal na pala niya akong gusto. Grabe, ang haba ng hair ko. Hindi naman nakakapagtaka dahil maganda ako at nanalaytay sa akin ang pagiging perpekto dahil…

Perfecto ang apelyido ko.

Sumandal naman ako sa kanya at pinagsalikop ang aming mga daliri. My eyes focused on the movie, but I kept thinking about the man beside me instead.

Excited na ako para sa weekend getaway naming dalawa.

Surely, it’ll be fun.

***

Maricel looked at me with that teasing look.

“Lumipat lang si Sir Daxiel, hindi ka na pumirmi sa mansyon…” saad niyang ikinatawa ko.

“Well, hindi rin kumakalma ang pepe ko. Hayaan mo na akong lumandi.”

Tinapos ko ang paglalagay ng kolorete sa aking mukha. Nagbilin naman ako sa kanya habang wala ako. Imbes na isama ko si Gustav the Third, hiniling naman ng mga ito na ‘wag ko munang isama ang anak namin ni Daxiel.

I was glad that they were fond of our furbaby just like us.

They took care of him whenever I have errands and I couldn’t take him with me.

Sinundo ako ni Daxiel sa mansyon. Nakipaglaro muna siya sa alaga namin bago kami umalis.

Weekend came so fast. I was excited for whatever he prepared.

Pinisil niya ang aking kamay nang hindi lumilingon sa akin. His other hand was on the wheel. Nakapokus ang kanyang mata sa daan.

“That smile… I want that smile to be plastered on your lips always. I don’t want to disappoint you ever,” sambit niyang nakatutok ang mata sa unahan.

Mas lalong lumawak ang aking ngiti sa labi.

“Hindi naman ako mahirap pasiyahin, babycakes. Maghubad ka lang tapos hayaan mo akong paglaruan ang balls mo, nawawala na ang stress ko.” I laughed when he rolled his eyes at me.

“You’re making it obvious that you’re only after my body.” His lips pouted a bit.

Hindi ko napigilan ang malakas na paghalakhak.

Well, Daxiel Gustav Jr. is a full package.

G’wapo, matalino at mayaman.

Maganda ang genes niya at nanlalaban din ang genes ko. Ang suwerte ng supling namin. Sana lang sa kanya magmana ang mga ito pagdating sa katalinuhan. Wala akong masyadong maiaambag doon.

Bahagya akong lumapit sa kanya, dinampian ko ng aking labi ang kanyang pisngi.

“Si tampo naman…”

I squeezed our clasped hands together.

Pumasok ang sasakyan sa loob ng isang subdivision. Bumungad sa akin ang naglalakihang mansyon.

It seemed like the ultra rich people were residing in the area. Naaliw ako sa panonood ng mga disenyo ng mga mansyon. They were bigger than the mansion my deceased husband had left me.

Tumapat ang kotse sa isang modernong mansyon. It features exquisite landscaping and a large amount of land for a garden and gazebo. Moderno at elegante ang istilo nito. Out of all the mansions I’ve seen, it’s something that I like.

Humarap ako kay Daxiel na pinagmamasdan ako.

“Are you going to buy a mansion?” tanong ko sa kanya. “I like this one. Ito ang pinakagusto ko sa lahat ng nadaanan natin kanina.”

Bahagya naman akong nagulat nang bumukas ang gate. Pinaandar niyang muli ang sasakyan papasok sa loob ng mansyon. Lumingon naman ako sa kanya.

“P’wede ba tayo rito?” My eyes widened.

“Yes, I bought the mansion for you already. I’m glad you liked it.”

Mas lalong nanlaki ang aking mga mata.

Napanganga ako.

Nagpalipat – lipat ang aking tingin sa kanya at sa harapan. My jaw was on the floor. Humalakhak si Daxiel, hinintay ko namang bawiin ang kanyang sinabi. It didn’t happen.

“Seryoso talaga?!” namamanghang tanong ko.

Hindi siya sumagot. Sa halip, bumaba siya sa sasakyan at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

“You don’t believe me, then see it yourself, baby.” He smiled.

Inalalayan niya akong bumaba ng kotse.

Nanginginig naman ang kamay kong humawak sa kanya. He intertwined our fingers as we walked toward the front door.

The house is technologically-advanced, he just slid the keycard and the front door opened.

I was in awe with the interior design of the mansion. The chandelier hanging above us screams so much luxury.

Wala pang gaanong gamit ang kabuuan ng mansyon. Biglang nakaramdam ako ng excitement sa ideyang may karapatan akong iayon ang disenyo ng bahay sa kagustuhan ko.

Naglakad – lakad ako sa kabuuan. Sinilip ko ang kusina. It was spacious. I’m sure Maricel would love cooking in the kitchen area.

Tanaw ko rin ang infinity pool sa labas.

Napahawak naman ako sa aking dibdib. “Why would you buy a mansion? We can still live at the old one.” I was talking about his father’s mansion.

He snorted. “It irritates me, baby. It was old and was owned by my father. You don’t deserve to live there.”

I laughed at his cute expression.

Bumaling ako sa kanya, hinaplos ko ang kanyang pisngi.

“Nagseselos ka ba kay Gustav?” I asked him. “We didn’t marry each other because we had feelings for each other or anything. He needed company and someone harmless who was able to take care of him. I needed to secure that money.”

Matagal ko siyang tiningnan.

“As for you, may pagdududa man akong naramdaman… unti – unti pa rin akong nahulog sa’yo. Although, you made me angry at first, my heart was still swayed by your actions, Daxiel,” matapat ang binitiwan kong mga salita.

“There was nothing to compare to my previous marriage. Hindi mo rin kailangang pagselosan ang dati kong asawa dahil wala namang namagitan sa amin kung hindi magandang rapport.” I told him with all honesty.

Nawala naman ang kunot ng kanyang noo.

“Papansin ka masyado kaya nakuha mo ang atensyon ko… May pa-contest ka pang nalalaman.” Umirap ako sa ere. “Wala ka naman talaga sa plano kong gamitin ka o pag-interesan ang yaman mo, sapat na sa akin ang pamana ni Gustav. I only went after you when the inheritance was given to you.”

“That’s the plan, baby. You need to notice me. The attorney used me to carry out their plans while also fulfilling mine. I need to work my ass to get my bad girl.” He winked at me.

We were all cunning.

I sighed.

“But seriously, Daxiel, isn’t this too much?”

“There’s no such thing as too much for you, baby. I only want to give the best for you. Please accept this gift as my promise to always strive as a better partner for you. Mahal kita, Millaray.” Hinalikan niya ang likod ng aking palad.

Kinagat ko naman ang aking pang-ibabang labi.

“Mahal din kita, Daxiel Gustav Jr.”

Senelyuhan ko ang pagtatapat kong iyon sa kanya ng halik sa labi.

The kiss was extra sweeter now that we know our realest truth. Mahal naming dalawa ang isa’t isa.

“Nagustuhan mo ba, Millaray? This will be our new home with our baby Gustav the Third, our future kids…” He paused for a moment. “With the family we’re creating together.”

I nodded in response.

“Akala ko ba hindi ka pa magpro-propose? This is a proposal to me.”

Daxiel chuckled.

He didn’t need to give me a ring. Mayroon naman siyang alay na mansyon. Gosh.

Hindi ko napaghandaan ang pagdating niya. Wala sa plano kong gamitin siya. I shouldn’t be loving him…

But here I am…

Bukod sa pera, si Daxiel lang pala ang makakahuli ng kiliti ng puso ko. He was able to capture my heart.

Sa pag-ibig din pala ang bagsak ko…

Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo.

I just hit the jackpot. My man with big deck and fat chick.

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