"I would like to introduce you to my Dad as my girlfriend." He repeated and looked at me with those pitiful eyes, pleading as if he really need me back.
"Let's just pretend for one night."
My reaction quickly changed as I hear his boldness. What did he think of me? Do I look like a dress, which he can rent for a day and return the next day? What the hell! His audacity after everything that he did to me? Did he lose his mind? What did he take me for? I want to mutter a curse right now in front of him and with all these people inside the cafe. My angry fist is already tapping on my thighs under the table and at the back of my mind, I want to rip his thick face.
On second thought, so it means he didn't introduce Ivy yet as his girlfriend to his family after all these years?
What a pity.
Why not just introduce Ivy, right? He's just torturing himself. Is he really good at hiding and pretending like nothing happened? I believe his conscience also left his body.
Tss, a lump of fakeness.
He cleared his throat when he sensed my uneasiness about his request.
"When Dad heard about you and our relationship, he can't wait to meet you. Ivy and I lived together for the sake of the baby. We cleared things out and fixed our relationship but it didn't work out. " He heaved a deep sigh of frustration and I'm enjoying how he's spilling the beans right now.
"What will I have as an exchange?" I asked him directly with my eyes fixed straight on his.
He knew I had a fiancee and then out of the blue, he will introduce me as his girlfriend to his Dad. That won't be easy on my part but... an advantage as well for my revenge plot.
"Anything." He didn't even hesitate.
Impressive! I smirked a little secretly then reverse to a serious face again so he won't notice even a trace. I took the invitation to the table and opened it. I read the content to kill some time as if I'm thinking about his offer, although I already made up my mind. I returned the invitation in the envelope, then put it back on the table - a sign that I declined his offer.
Apparently, I propped my elbow on the table, placed my cheek on the back of my hand, then my eyes traveled from his shirt up to his face. I looked at him intently as I ran my toes to his legs while giving him a sexy smile, luring him to get drowned in my charm.
Charming yet playful.
He sipped on his coffee uncomfortably, averting my gaze. He looked back at me the moment I stood and leaned over the table with my hands. I fixed my gaze on him while exposing my cleavage a little.
"I'm sorry Jacob but you know, I'm engaged. Remember? I can't. I hope you understand." I looked down sadly before leaving him stunned by my last words. I left the shop with a smirk on my face heading to the parking lot where Kuya was waiting. I hopped in the passenger's seat and smiled at him meaningfully.
***
"WHAT?! He really asked that? Seriously?" Kuya exclaimed at me and he almost pukes the pearls he was drinking from his Okinawa milk tea on the steering wheel when I told him about the whole conversation.
"But why did you refuse? That's our chance." He sounded disappointed but I also have my reasons.
"If I agreed, that will blow off our cover and besides, I want him to chase me. I know that there's something more to that offer. I know his moves well. There is something he's not telling me earlier, why he needed me and I need to figure that out first before I will accept that invitation." I huffed as I pulled my hair back in a ponytail.
He nodded in agreement and reached for his phone in his side pocket.
"Look here." He shifted in his seat a bit to show me his phone with Ivy's location bookmarked on the tracker app.
I knitted my brows when I grabbed the phone out of his hand to get a closer look at the location.
"I know this place. I can't be wrong. This is the apartment that Dad opened last year." Kuya's brows furrowed, then he started the engine right away.
"That's why we're going there right now." He depressed the clutch to change gears and without waiting for further response, he drove to the location which was just 15 minutes away from the coffee shop.
"She visited the place twice a week? That's odd. He's living with Jacob, why would she go there? And who will she go there? Her parents had a permanent residence in a subdivision." I tried to think deeply because I can really sense there was something off about it. I had a hunch, but I can't prove it yet without seeing it for myself. Kuya nodded at my questions, thinking also about some possibilities.
"It's either she has a family member or another partner," he eventually answered with a theoretical look while his one hand was on the steering wheel.
"That's impossible Kuya. She's so in love with Jacob since we're high school. What's that? Quick change of heart? After she took Jacob from me, she vomited him and explored another meat for herself?"
I can't believe Kuya's wild guess but it's more likely to happen. After ALL we've been through, we can't help but think that everything is possible.
"Wait! I remembered something. Jacob said at the hospital, 'Impossible'. What if you're right?!" I pondered on the chances based on our previous encounters and connecting all the dots from the reunion until our conversation earlier at the coffee shop.
"We're here and it's up to you to find out." He held my hand and placed a key on my palm.
"Wait, how did you get this?" I raised a brow suspecting him that he contacted my Dad just for this.
"Connections. Don't worry, I didn't ask your Dad." I let out a relieving sigh after that.
Did he just read my mind? Or maybe I was just so transparent. We shared a moment of fixed stares, then his eyes lingered over my shoulder. My heart thudded uncontrollably when he leaned forward wearing that dangerous look to my young mending heart. I looked down when he fixed the strap of my coordinate dress that fell off exposing my bare shoulders.
"Be careful with your clothes. I don't want you to be molested outside." I gulped when he tucked some stray strands of hair behind my ears.
"Yeah, I will. Thanks." I tried not to stutter then immediately open the door to get out of the car.
I held my chest and exhaled forcefully to control my sudden palpitations. Why am I acting like this? This is not possible! I need to focus on the mission and not on unnecessary emotions. I cleared all my thoughts and get rid of all the unusual feelings before walking straight to the apartment. Dad's employees greeted me and a petite pale woman was assigned by the management to assist me upstairs.
When I first saw her, the first thing that came to mind was, 'Is she an albino?' I swear, she's as white as the glaciers of Antarctica. That's rare here in the Philippines. I didn't bother asking because she might be offended. I climbed to the second floor and looked like a client looking for a room. As soon as I found the room, I opened it with the key that Kuya gave me.
"I'll be fine here. Thanks... Mika. " I smiled at her after catching a glimpse of her name on the right chest of her uniform's chest pocket. She left silently, then I entered the room, leaving the door a little open so I could hear clearly if there was someone outside. I inspected the bedroom, dining, comfort room, and the small living area so I have a good alibi for going here in case Dad asked me why I ended up in the apartment without his notice beforehand.
Everything is okay and the overall area is well managed. The quality is good and the maintenance has been impressive as always. Knowing Dad, he's strict when it comes to the quality and cleanliness of all the apartments he owned.
I was about to leave the room when I heard the neighbor's door open, which was the room of Ivy's unknown friend. I hurriedly get out of the room and went down the stairs halfway just enough to eavesdrop and take evidence.
Ivy came out of the room next to mine with a familiar man. It's a good choice that I didn't wear high heels today. I climbed one stair forward to get a closer look and narrowed my vision to the familiar guy.
My lips parted when I recognized the man she was with and without wasting time, I quickly took pictures of them. The guy looked down at Ivy's tummy and knelt to hear something from it. Questions started to accumulate in my mind when they both smiled and hugged each other. The guy was overwhelmed with excitement by what Ivy told him although I didn't hear much of what they were talking about. I can read how they looked into each other's eyes and the movement of their lips. Ivy nodded in confirmation and they kissed passionately before entering the room.
I smirked as I swiped all their captured scenes. I can't believe that destroying them will be a piece of cake. Just one click away using my fingertips and this evidence will tear Jacob's world apart but... not so fast.
For now, I will keep this between me and Kuya. Let Ivy have her temporary happiness and when the time is right, I will give her the bitter taste of her own medicine. I can't take off my evil smile away when I get back to the car and Kuya seemed intrigued by my happy mood.
"Ivan Concepcion, does he ring a bell?" I showed Kuya all the pictures I stole with a smile that smells like an upcoming victory.
"See? I was right from the beginning," he bragged as he hit the bullseye and then started the engine.
We drove to the usual route heading to the mansion. We stopped at the main gate and I scowled a brow at Kuya when he suddenly got out of the car to scrutinize the main gate.
"Are you okay?" I automatically asked when he quivered a little when he saw the whole view of the main gate.
"Yeah. The gate was really familiar." He massaged his forehead and tried to shake off the things disturbing his mind.
"Of course it's familiar. You visited the mansion for the nth time." I tilted my head and gave him a puzzled look.
"That's what I said." He faked a laugh and scratched his nape, then we get back inside the car.
I honked at the gate and the guards opened it immediately. I greeted the maids and the bodyguards when we entered the gate and they also returned to their respective jobs. I missed the mansion so much, especially my training ground and my room.
"Manay, I'm going to practice now. Please prepare the training ground please, and Charlie as well. Thank you," I requested politely but her attention was on Kuya, examining him from head to toe.
She is Dad's loyal Nanny and he trusts her in running the household. For sure she will report about this later, who's with me, and what I am doing completely. I let it slide when she remembered him and left us not paying any greeting as usual. She's really not the warm type and I don't have any idea why Dad cherished her aside from the fact that she's his childhood Nanny.
"Amy, please take the merrienda to the training ground. Thank you." The newest maid directly attended to me and then head back to the kitchen.
"Is your Dad here?" he asked while his eyes wandered around our humble home.
"In Cebu." He followed me upstairs and I opened the door of my room.
Nothing much has changed in the mansion. The furniture, the interior, the paint on the walls, and the lively ambiance of the house remained the same. It was preserved as what my Mom always wanted. As expected, my room is spotless. Not even a strand of hair on the floor. The arrangement was still intact the last time I left. It seems like my things haven't been touched, which I found satisfying.
He sat on the couch while I opened my secret weapon drawer and grabbed my G19 Caliber. I threw it on the bed to Kuya's side surprising him yet recovered immediately. 'It's not his first time seeing a gun, he's just not used to me using it.
"Wait here. I'll just have a quick change."
He nodded without looking at me. Before I get into the dressing room, I smiled when he sat and pressed the piano keys and it produced a heavenly melody.
"Jess, do you still play the piano?" his voice echoed in the room while I slipped on my combat boots.
"Yes. You know I can't live without it." His eyes drifted to me as I get out of the door.
"Play our favorite piece please." He stood excitedly and gestured me to replace him on the seat.
"Later. We still have a match waiting outside." I refused then grabbed the gun on my bed.
"Do you even know how to use that?"
Doubt was written on his face. I raised a brow as I firmly extended my arms aiming directly at his left chest with a fierce flickering gaze. He wasn't looking at my hands that were off the trigger. His eyes stunned directly at the gun. Can't he see I'm repressing a laugh by his terrified reaction right now?
"I'm just kidding! I said you're good," he faltered and I stashed the gun in the side pocket of my pants.
"Are you nervous?" I teased him but he quickly denied it as if I didn't notice how he quivered a bit.
"I will defeat you later anyway," he confided.
My eyes fixed on the ground letting stray strands fall in front of my face as I looked down and scuffed the tennis ball on the floor.
"We'll figure that out later," I mocked him wearing a challenging smile. I approached him slowly while blowing the dust away on the cylinder.
"Let's make a deal." I pursed my lips with one brow arched when he stood and confidently offered his hand to me.
"If you won the match, I'll take you to Bukidnon. It's all in me."
I rubbed my chin, thinking how his offer sounded good and enticing. I've never been to Bukidnon though it's 3 hours away from here and I heard that it's one of the must-haves adventure journeys here in Mindanao. I got excited and became more competitive, so I shook hands with him with my luring offer.
"If you won otherwise, I'll give you a DWX. Deal?" I replied grimly and dragged him outside the room.
"Okay. Deal!" he confided with so much expectation running in his mind.
Kuya's face brightened up with my offer and he also became competitive. Manay greeted us at the main stairwell as Kuya and I went down.
"Ma'am, Charlie is out po."
"Thank you Manay," I politely replied and went straight to the living area where five bodyguards were lined up.
"Who's Charlie?" He tilted his head. I just shrugged and called one of the bodyguards.
"Yes ma'am?" He bowed before making eye contact with me.
"Please assist him in the guest room and give him training clothes. Thanks," he nodded and gestured Kuya to follow him.
"See you on the front porch." I waved and left him with the guard that I forgot the name.
At the front porch, Charlie was tamed by Manong Arthur while one of the bodyguards held the reins of Chase, Manong Arthur's horse. Manong Arthur was like a second father to me and he trained me on how to protect myself.
"Manong Arthur!" I shouted and ran towards him like a little girl to give him a big tight hug. I miss him so much.
"It's been ages since you left iha." He messed up my hair before handing me Charlie's rein.
Author's Note: Iha/ Hija was derived from Spanish culture when elders or parents addressed their female daughter or granddaughter.
"I'm sorry po. I'll be home more often." The last time I went home, that was the day Mommy left the mansion ... and our lives.
"Charlie, miss me? I miss you so much. Do they take good care of you here?" I brushed Charlie's hair and hugged his neck.
"You missed Mommy too, I know." Charlie neighed and a tear left my eyes as I remembered my Mommy. She gave me Charlie when I was 12. Her beautiful smile will be forever vivid in my memories.
She said, "If it's time for me to leave, don't be sad okay because Charlie will be here for you."
I wiped the tears on my face as I reminisced all the times when Mommy was still around. She taught me how to play the piano and horseback riding. She means the world to me and it still haunts me every night when I dreamed of her crying because of the excruciating pain she went through because of leukemia.
It was only wishful thinking that her pain will transfer to me so that I can lessen the pain she felt somehow.
My heart was shattered when she delivered her last goodbye to me last year. The wounds of her leaving were still fresh in my heart. Apparently, what hurts more was the picture of her playing the piano before she saved her last breath. She played "Safe and Sound" beside me with her beautiful smile like the intense ray of the sun letting me feel the warmth of her love. She hardly managed to finish the song, but she did. She was the most courageous woman I know. Apparently, she never let cancer ceased her from playing the piano. That was her last wish.
"I love you so much, sweetie." She saved those words before closing her eyes. She died beside me with a beautiful smile drawn to her lips.
I ride on Charlie's back and wipe my tears away when Kuya arrived wearing a solid white T-shirt that hugged his broad chest paired with black combat pants. I was wearing army green combat pants matched with a beige sleeveless top.
"So Charlie is... a horse?" He couldn't believe what he just asked.
"He's not just a horse, he's my baby? Why? Are you afraid of my baby?" I teased him but he tried to look not scared.
"I thought I was your..." I heard him mumbling something.
"Hop on," I chose to ignore what he mumbled and ordered leaving him no choice but to ride.
Nervousness was apparent in his shivering lips and reluctant eyes. I offered my hand and he accepted it. I pulled him up for support as he got up into the saddle safely. I checked our feet on the stirrups, and my hands gripped the reins.
"Hold on," I commanded yet he didn't seem to hear me due to nervousness. I could hear his heart beating behind me, so loud and insane. I bit my lower lip to repress a smile.
"Manong Arthur, please lead the way."
Manong Arthur nodded as he gave a couple of bumps with his heel on Chase. Kuya seemed indecisive about what to do while riding a horse so I grabbed his hands and enveloped them around my waist.
"There's a first time for everything," I assured him with a smile to calm him down and enjoy the ride. At the same time, at the back of my mind, the bad side of me is mocking him and dying to laugh. I gave Charlie a soft bump with my heel and he started walking.
"You want to fall from Charlie or what?" I hollered when his hands loosened up on my waist.
"I'm already falling..." My heart skipped when he leaned his head on my back and whispered, "for you." He tightened his grip on my waist and I loosened up my grip on the rein causing me to almost let go of the rein if not when he spoke.
"You haven't told me that you love horseback riding." I felt his breath on my back and I steered slightly sideways heading to the training ground.
"You didn't ask," I answered and sat tall as I set my sight on the bumpy road going to the training ground.
"Hey! We're not in a hurry! Are we?" he complained behind me as I accelerated Charlie's run.
This time, I can't contain myself but laugh loudly because I can picture his alarmed face that he might fall off the horse. So cute.
"Jess, we might fall," he shouted from behind.
I can't stop laughing because he's going crazy out of fear. It's funny to think that horses can drive him mad. How I wish I could document this moment so that I can annoy him anytime.
"We're almost there. Just hold on!"
He held on just like what I'd said and unexpectedly our cheeks touched when I turned to him. My heartbeat accelerated instantly when our eyes met and our lips were just a few inches away. Time stopped and all I can hear was the trotting sound of my heart galloping that seemed to dance with the beat of Charlie's hooves. I firmly hold the reins to bring Charlie to a complete stop.
"We're here." I looked away automatically still holding the reins. He managed to get off the horse then I dismounted.
I inhaled a large amount of air and forcefully exhaled before heading straight to the center where the shooting range was set. 10 meters away was our target. 20 empty canned cokes are lying distanced a few meters away from each other. I faced Kuya who was loading his gun with bullets.
"Safety glasses Miss." A tall Moreno guy approached me and handed me a couple of safety glasses.
"Thank you." I winked at him and he smiled back before taking his leave. Kuya raised an eyebrow at me and I just turned to him as well.
"Problem?" I stared at him and loaded bullets of my caliber.
"So unfair. Where's my glasses?" he growled like a child having an instant tantrum so I immediately gave them to pacify him.
"Let's take a picture first. Psst! Cute guy, take a picture of us pretty please," I cutely called the man who gave me the glasses earlier and he followed.
He's not allowed to refuse anyway. I handed my phone to him then Kuya and I strike a pose since our last photo was like 4 years ago.
"Here Miss." I mouthed 'thanks' to the person who took a picture of us and I showed Kuya our shots.
"Aren't we cute?" I giggled as I swiped to the next pictures.
"Yeah, you're so cute," he almost whispered.
My heart skipped again when I glanced at him shortly and caught him staring at me. Has he ever stared at me like that before?
"Hey! Don't look at my face. Eyes on the phone." I snapped my fingers on his face and he went back to his senses.
I repressed a smile when he chuckled a bit. I raised my phone above my head and get an angle to capture a selfie of us. I urged him to pose a peace sign and bunny ears and he playfully gave me a finger heart instead.
"Last pose. I'll just post it on social media please." I gave him puppy eyes and I hooked him right away. I pointed at my cheeks and he frowned at me, bewildered.
"Okay, you asked for it." He shrugged and looked at the camera.
"1, 2, 3 ..." I smiled at the camera then he gave me a quick kiss on the cheeks in timing as I tapped the capture button twice.
I shared it on IG with a caption of "training with my best buddy" and I smirked because Jacob reacted immediately to my story. My besties also reacted positively.
From: Marz
Wish all. For the Philippine Economy.
From: Jia
Can we train too?
From: Keira
Ayiie! Love the chemistry. Heart heart.
"Just as I expected." I scoffed then stashed my phone in my back pocket.
"Jess, are you ready for the next step?" I glanced at Kuya who was putting on his earplugs and safety glasses.
"Getting Ivy's trust." I smirked while practicing my accuracy in aiming the target.
"Playing with fire huh," he said looking straight at the target.
"Just be careful Jess." He glanced at me shortly then back to the target again.
"All set Miss." One of the bodyguards yelled from the distance and the other raised the red flag.
We both stared at the flag putting our guns down. I inhaled a large amount of air as I gripped the gun with both hands. The moment the man lowered it down, I recoiled the gun and raised the weapon towards my target. The rule of this challenge is to hit the 20 empty canned coke in 120 seconds and whoever hits the highest number will be the winner.
The second signal would be the whistle. I stabilized my stance and my extended arm while waiting for the whistle. I didn't look anywhere and just focused on the target. I became competitive when I heard the first blow and without further ado, I squeeze the trigger and applied constant pressure until the weapon fires straight at the target.
I was astounded a bit as lead fumes escaped into the air from firing numerous bullets. The amazing feeling was still like the first time but gladly my accuracy improved and my nervousness during shooting reduced as I fired comfortably at the shooting range.
I put down the gun and my fingers off the trigger as soon as we heard the last whistle, a signal that the 120 seconds is over.
"Ceasefire!" Manong Arthur yelled and everyone heeds as the men started to secure the area.
We handed the guns to one of the safety officers who was with Manong Arthur and Kuya approached me smiling triumphantly.
"It looks like we're having a trip to Bukidnon."