Sharon Rose

CHAPTER 1

JECILE sauntered her eyes around the huge, white Travilla Mansion and her chest expanded as she heaved a sigh. She could not literally elucidate the concoction of overbearing emotions which engulfed her heart. She was torn between so many emotions.

The mansion remained fabulously and flawlessly beautiful as if it was not affected by the passing of time. It looked exactly as it was since the first time she stepped on its shiny, marbled floor.

Malaking bagay ang ginagampanan ng mansion sa kanyang buhay. The house fostered her for seven long years. It gave her shelter and placate. Sa bahay na iyon naranasan niyang mahalin ng mga taong ni sa hinagap ay hindi niya naisip na mangyayari sa tanang buhay niya. It was in this house that her young heart pulsed for innocent love. And it was in this very same house that she lost her naïveté in split seconds.

She wanted to frown… She wanted to smile… She wanted to cry…

She felt her muscles flexed disorientedly as she sighed. She had never been so helpless in her life, had never been so frail, unless every time she thought about that unforgettable past; the past that gave her bittersweet memories. Seven years were long enough to forget what had happened. Seven years were more than enough to burry the hatchet, yet she was still gravely affected.

Yes, the pain was gone. The wound was now healed. But to forget was next to impossibility. She knew she had moved on, she forced herself to. She needed to move on else she will be a jailbird of a dark past; a past which ruthlessly destroyed a once happy family. She will forever blame herself for it; a tragedy that never happened with her absence. Yet luckily, there were Barbara and Alejandro who constantly comforted her depression and showed her a new vision in life. And most of all, there was Lenard, the man where her future belonged; her only hope for freedom and happiness.

She had lived peacefully for years…until today. And it was all because Xander Travilla was about to come. He was going home after seven long years. That rocked her soul and pounded her spirit with a rigid mallet. She took a very deep breath. Her emotions started to churn again. She felt sick, mentally and emotionally sick.

Xander was always a pest in her life; she can reckon it as a fact. He can infect her with an illness no doctors can treat. She knew she was acting foolish. Hindi dapat siya nakakaramdam ng ganito; hindi dapat siya naapektuhan ng ganito. She had already prepared herself for seven long years to not feel such mediocre feelings again for Xander, for the person who was almost a brother, but for several times, she helplessly failed.

Muli, sunod-sunod na malalalim na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan niya.
Ngayong araw nakatakdang dumating si Xander Travilla, ang nag-iisang tagapagmana ng Travilla and Partners Steel Manufacturing Corporation o TPSMC. Isang higanteng kumpanya na nagmamanufacture ng iba’t-ibang construction products sa Pilipinas with steel fabrication as specialty. Si Xander ang nag-iisang anak ng mag-asawang Barbara at Alejandro Travilla. At siya, si Jecile Cosio Travilla, ang ampon ng mag-asawang Barbara at Alejandro, na sa ilalim ng batas ay maituturing na kapatid ni Xander.

She knew it was stupidity but she always abhor the idea. Though it was against her imprudent wishes, she needed to accept that she was but a Travilla. Her adoption papers testified to that. Hindi siya nakahindi ng ipaalam sa kanya ng mag-asawa na nilalakad na ng mga ito ang papeles upang legal nilang maampon. Gusto sana niyang tumutol ngunit hindi niya kayang salungatin ang pasya ng mag-asawa. She owed a lot to them. Kung wala ang mga ito, hindi niya alam kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya pagkatapos mamatay ng kanyang ina.

She was already an orphan and had nothing left aside from the very old and almost rotten wooden house in Pangasinan. And she was mourning for the loss of her mother. She knew that Xander will hate her further but she had no choice. If it was a consolation that he was in the US and that she was not around to thwart his vicious reaction, she was still very apprehensive.
But he was coming home at last. And she was not sure if he was still furious with her. He might still do. She cannot forget how Xander disliked her, how he hated her, how he looked at her with so much contempt in his deep, set eyes, though she had no idea why he hated her that much, aside from the fact that she almost ripped his family apart.

Kung sana’y hindi na siya pumasok sa eksena, sana ay hindi nagkaganito ang lahat. He must have been living happily together with his family. She sighed again and again and again as if there was no end to her melancholy.

Xander… She felt weak as his arrogant image flashed back in her mind. But she abruptly guarded her mind and regained her wits as she realized she was getting out of proportion.

She was a tough woman now, stronger and smarter. She had successfully erased any remnants of weaknesses a seventeen year old Jecile Cosio once had. She had evolved into a very smart and sophisticated woman. She was a million miles away from the naive and dumb seventeen year old hapless girl years back. She now used her head over her heart for any decision that she might entangled herself with.

Barbara and Alejandro already went to the airport to fetch for Xander. She preferred not to come at mas pinili na lamang na personal na isupervise ang paghahanda sa welcome party ng tagapagmana ng Travilla and Partners Steel Manufacturing Corporation. Well, it was an alibi. Dahil iniiwasan niyang makaharap si Xander. Kahit pa sabihing hindi niya ito maiiwasan sa oras na dumating ito, she wanted to prolong the moment of truth. She would like to give herself some time to prepare and digest the unescapable reality. She thought she had already prepared herself for Xander’s homecoming, but she discovered right now, she was not. Hindi niya alam ang kung papaano pakikiharapan ang lalaki sa oras na magkaharap sila.

Hindi na niya mabilang kung ilang buntong-hininga na ang pinakawalan niya. Pagkatapos ng pitong taong pamamalagi sa Amerika, muling nagbabalik sa Pilipinas si Xander Travilla, upang palitan sa pamamahala ng TPSMC si Alejandro Travilla, ang ama nito. Sa nakalipas na isang taon, dalawang beses ng inatake sa puso si Alejandro at ipinasya nitong ipasa na sa anak ang chairmanship ng kumpanya sa kadahilang humihina na ang kalusugan nito. And this time, Alejandro succeeded in persuading his son to come home. Ilang beses na nitong kinausap ang anak na umuwi na ng Pilipinas but he always refused it. His homecoming was actually a great news for his family.

But not for her… Hindi niya alam kung dapat ba siyang matuwa at uuwi na si Xander. Samot-saring emosyon ang naglalaro sa kanyang dibdib. Pagkalipas ng pitong taon, she could not deny the rotten fact that she missed him… had badly missed him like there was something lacking in her life. His absence almost killed her infantile heart. She groaned. Her dark past haunted her and she felt frustrated.

Hindi niya alam kung ano ang damdaming iuukol sa kanya ng lalaki. For sure he still hated her; like he used to do in the past. Lalo pa at ngayon nga ay ganap na siyang inampon ng mag-asawa. Isang alanganing ngiti ang gumuhit sa kanyang mga labi.

Sadly, she threw all the turmoils in her mind and she surveyed the wide, well decorated fabulous garden, where the welcome party was held; her eyes ardent but apprehensive.

Base sa nakikita niya, maganda ang pagkakaayos ng malawak na hardin. Ang malaking streamer kung saan nakasulat ang “Welcome Home Xander Travilla” ay nakasabit sa improvised stage na ginawa sa gitna ng hardin. Marami na ring tao ang nagkalat sa paligid, mga taong inimbita ng pamilya upang saksihan ang welcome party ni Xander at pag-aanunsiyo na rin ng bagong chairmanship ng TPSMC. Karamihan sa mga taong dumalo sa kasayahan ay nabibilang sa matataas na opisyal ng TPSMC, mga kliyente at malalapit na kamag-anak ng pamilya.

Kausap niya ang event coordinator ng mamataan ang pagpasok ng family van sa gate ng mansion, ang sasakyang gamit ng mga magulang sa pagsundo kay Xander sa airport. Kaagad na nagpaalam siya sa kausap at pumasok sa loob ng bahay. Tuloy-tuloy siya sa kanyang silid. Pagkatapos ay sumilip sa bintana. Nakaharap ang silid niya sa hardin at mula sa bintana, kitang-kita niya ang mga pangyayari sa ibaba. Nakalabas na sa van ang mag-asawang Barbara at Alejandro. Kaagad na hinanap ng paningin niya si Xander at nahigit niya ang hininga ng makita ang lalaki. Her heartbeat hastily increased to one hundred beats per minute. She felt a wicked thud in her chest as she splurged her eyes at a very familiar, masculine figure.

Her steady eyes focused at Xander Travilla. He was wearing a semi-formal black polo, black jeans and leather shoes. Ang shoulder length na buhok nito ay nakatali sa likod, giving him the signature, perennial bad boy look. He was always as menacingly attractive as he was in his long hair. His strong, masculine face with well endowed strange handsomeness was clearly evident with his hair pulled back. He used to do that. He used to tie his hair and leave his handsome face so very exposed, with screaming girls in the background. And he used to complement his look with a rugged outfit which made girls drool over him like he was God’s gift to women.

But he was wearing a semi-formal dress for the occasion. Siguro kung nakasuot pa ito ng rugged na damit, kompleto na ang bad boy get up nito. But he did not look less hauntingly handsome in his formal yet rugged look. He still commanded admiration from women around like he was the man of the hour. And he certainly was.

Sa paglipas ng mga taon ay hindi nabawasan ang kaguwapuhan nito, she thought. In fact, mas lalong gumuwapo ang lalaki sa paningin niya. Lalong lumapad ang dati ng malapad na mga balikat nito. His muscles became even leaner… deadlier! And the black jeans that he wore with pride fitted to his muscled legs perfectly, sexily, mightily. Maturity added more to his pagan charisma. Nonetheless, he was looking so dangerously attractive tonight; so dangerously attractive for her foolish heart.

Kuya… she murmured at lihim na napangiwi. She detested the word that she scowled acidly. Hanggang ngayon ay gaga pa rin siya at malakas na naman ang tibok ng puso niya. Hindi na siya ang dating vulnerable at helpless na teenager seven years back ngunit hindi pa rin nagbabago ang damdaming nararamdaman niya para kay Xander.

And to top it all, this gorgeous hunk na responsable sa malakas na pagtibok ng puso niya ay walang iba kundi ang kanyang nag-iisang kapatid sa ilalim ng batas. Oh well, even if they’re not blood related, still maituturing pa ring kapatid niya ito. Whether she liked it or not. Whether he liked or not.

Ang akala niya, matagal na niyang nabaon sa limot ang kahangalan niya para sa lalaki. Seven years had passed. At sapat na ang mahabang panahong iyon upang magmature siya at makalimutan ang matinding crush na tumubo sa kanyang batang puso para kay Xander Travilla. Iyon dapat ang nangyari sa kanya. Lalo pa at ngayon ay ganap na siyang inampon ng mag-asawang Travilla.

Hindi siya dapat nakakaramdam ng ganito. Kahangalan ang nararamdaman niya! This foolish feeling should be thrown in hell… should rot in eternal flame. It should not torture her soul… her mind… her body… the every ounce of her human flesh.

Napakapit siya sa dibdib and she felt the heavy thudding of her chest. Napaunat siya sa pagkakatayo. She jerked as realization hit her like sharp lightning. Stupid, stupid her! She was having a hypentension because of Xander. Napatampal siya sa noo as if sa paraang iyon, matatauhan siya. But somehow, she gained back her wits. Ano kaya kung batukan na lang niya ang sarili upang matauhan siya ng lubusan?

Kaagad na sinalubong ng mga bisita at kamag-anak ang mag-asawang Travilla at Xander. Marami ang nakipagbeso at nakipagkamay sa mga ito. Maya-maya pa ay napansin niyang panay ang linga ng binata sa paligid. Animo ay may hinahanap.

Akma na niyang babatukan ang sarili ng mapapitlag mula sa pagkakatayo sa gilid ng bintana ng tumunog ang kanyang cellphone. Kinuha niya sa loob ng bitbit na purse ang maliit na aparatu. She looked at the screen to check who the caller was. Ang Mama niya ang tumatawag. She sighed and pressed the answer button.

“Oh ija, nasaan ka ba? Kanina pa kami dumating ng kuya mo.”

“Nasa silid Mama. May inaayos lang po. Bababa na ako.”

“Dalian mo, okay?”

“Yes Ma.”

So this was the inevitable moment. Ngayon ay kailangan na niyang bumaba at salubungin si Xander. Bago tuluyang lumabas sa kanyang silid ay pinasadahan muna niya ng tingin ang sarili sa harap ng salamin. She smiled with satisfaction sa nakita. What she saw was a picture of a glamorous and sophisticated woman. Malayong-malayo sa dating gusgusin at tatanga-tangang disisiyeteng ulilang si Jecile Cosio.

She was wearing a dark blue spaghetti strap dress. Maliit ang cut sa beywang ngunit malapad sa hips at pabagsak ang balloon na laylayan ng damit. The cut of the dress emphasized her already narrow waistline. The delectable frock was two inches above her knee in length and showed her smooth flawless legs. Nakalitaw rin ang kanyang cleavage sa suot na bestida.

Hindi siya masyadong kaputian ngunit ang kulay ng damit na suot niya ay pinagmumukha siyang maputing babae. Her long wavy hair was in a French bun at may nakalaylay na ilang strands ng buhok niya sa tenga at batok in sexy curls.

Nag-apply siya ng manipis na make up sa mukha to enhance her splendid loveliness. But her make-up was pretty minimal that only enhances her natural beauty rather than outdo her face. She learned how to love putting make-up as she made her way into the corporate world. To complete her look, isang gold na four inches stiletto ang kanyang isinuot sa paa. With her slender but nicely filled figure, she looked stunning and seductive tonight.

She stood five feet five inches in height at idagdag pa ang suot na heels niya, she was already towering among other women. Tall and pretty, iyon ang kadalasang tawag sa kanya ng mga kakilala. Idinadaan na lamang niya sa ngiti ang mga papuri. She could not help but shook her head sometimes. She was torn between pride and humility.

Pagkatapos magwisik ng mamahaling pabango sa leeg at dibdib, tuluyan na siyang lumabas ng silid at bumaba sa hardin kung saan nagaganap ang welcome party. She faked a serene look but deep inside she was totally nervous.

NANG makita niya ang mga magulang, bantulot na lumapit siya sa mga ito. Lalo at nasa likuran ng mga ito si Xander. Isang magandang babae ang kausap nito at base sa nakikita niyang kislap sa mga mata ng lalaki, interesado ito sa kausap.

She could not help but felt pang of jealousy in her heart at the sight. Kausap lang naman ni Xander si Jea, a pretty socialite and a well known charmer. And she was a spoiled brat. What Jea wants, Jea gets, iyon ang motto ng babae. She disliked her personally but she had to be civil with her else TPSMC will lost millions. Ang mga magulang nito ay isa sa pinaka-iingatang kliyente ng TPSMC at nasa construction industry ang linya ng negosyo.

“Papa, Mama!” Hindi na siya makakaatras pa at nakita na siya ni Barbara. Lumapit na rin siya sa mga ito at humalik sa pisngi ng mga magulang. “Ang Kuya Mama?” Kunwari ay hindi niya nakita si Xander.

Narinig niya ang malakas na tikhim nito sa kanyang tabi. Nilingon niya ang lalaki at pinigilan ang paglukso ng puso ng makita ito sa malapitan.

He was looking at her with intimidating seriousness. His deep set, smoky eyes were looking at her intently like he was taking note of all the details that he can see. Ang mga mata ay naglakbay sa kanyang kabuuan mula ulo hanggang paa at pabalik sa kanyang mukha. Bigla tuloy siyang naconscious sa kanyang ayos. Lalo pa at nakita niya ang bahagyang pagngiwi ng sulok ng mga labi nito in disapproval.

Mukhang hindi yata nagustuhan ng lalaki ang nakikita nito. Why, she almost spent two hours sa pag-aayos ng sarili masiguro lamang na magandang-maganda siya ngayong gabi. But he looked not impressed. Instead, he seemed to contest her loveliness like she had no appeal at all.

She felt upset and her confidence tailed off. She knew he was a womanizer and women stalked him like mad dogs. And he had been in the United States, she was pretty sure he dated a lot of beautiful blondes. Hindi katulad niya na isang native Filipina lamang. But she tried to hide her disappointment by plastering a sweet smile in her pink lips. At bakit naman siya madidismaya kung hindi nito nagustuhan ang ayos niya?

“Oh, hi Kuya Xander!” Pinakapal niya ang mukha at tinatagan ang dibdib. Kunwari ay tuwang-tuwa siya ng makita ito. But she did not need to pretend. Dahil natutuwa naman talaga siya at muli itong nakita. “Welcome home.” Binalewala niya ang pagdidilim ng mukha nito at ang pagtiim ng titig sa kanya. Itinaas niya ang mga braso upang yakapin ito at kinintalan ng halik sa pisngi.

Ngunit hindi niya inaasahan ang ginawa nito. Nang yakapin niya ang lalaki ay niyakap siya nito ng mahigpit and pressed their bodies intimately. Lihim siyang napasinghap as she felt their bodies brushed. Pakiramdam niya’y biglang natunaw ang kanyang mga buto sa katawan ng dumikit ang katawan niya dito. His hard chest rubbed against hers and the impulsive tormenting sensation rocked her senses with scale hitting intensity nine.

Kaagad na itinukod niya ang mga kamay sa dibdib nito upang itulak palayo ang katawan ni Xander ngunit kaagad din siyang pinakawalan ng binata. Hindi pa siya nakakabawi sa kabiglaanan ng yumuko ito and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. Hindi niya alam kung sinadya nitong idaiti ang mga labi sa gilid ng mga labi niya but he did. Why, he almost kissed her on the lips!

Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatitig siya kay Xander. His lips curved into a sarcastic grin. His deep set eyes haunted her sight. She winced as she saw blazing hatred in his eyes and out of the blue she felt as if she was transported back seven years ago. She batted her eyelids for multiple times. Nang lingunin niya ang mga magulang ay nakahinga siya ng maluwag ng makitang hindi ito nakatingin sa kanila ni Xander at may kausap na iba.

“I’m glad I’m back home little ‘sis’,” there was sting in his jam-packed and deep voice. May diin din sa huling salitang binitiwan nito and she could not help but notice.

“Kuya…” Hindi niya alam kung ano ang sasabihin. Sa nakikita niyang galit sa mga mata ng binata, gusto na niyang tumalikod at tumakbo. She knew he was the same old Xander who hated and despised her. It was not hard for her to discover that. He was always transparent about his aversion. She was aware that offering him truce was as hard as Narra trunk but she was indomitable to try. She will do it for Barbara and Alejndro. Gabundok na ang utang na loob niya sa mag-asawa and she will start repaying them by uniting the family back. She felt it was her responsibility to do so sa pagbabalik ng lalaki.

Si Xander ay lalong nadagdagan ang pangungulimlim ng mukha sa narinig. He was looking at her pretty face and could not help but notice how pretty she had been. Jecile blossomed into a very alluring woman with full sophistication and sweet modernism. She was so refined like an expensive piece of authentic porcelain. Even her movement was beguilingly purified. Ang make-up nito, ang suot na damit, ang sapatos at ang hawak na purse were all signatured items. And when he held her in his arms awhile ago, she smelled expensive perfume.

Her tantalizingly sweet scent filled his nose and he was compelled to sniff it. He felt pressure in his body as his muscles involuntarily retracted. Why, but she really smelled so great that he wanted to bask his nose with her scent… only her scent for eternity. Bumaba ang mga mata sa dibdib ng babae and saw her rich cleavage and uttered silent curses as he felt his body’s swift reaction. The glorious sight was undeniably tempting that no man can resist. Her full and firm breasts carved in the soft fabric looked like dazzling perfect cones. Her skin was soft, smooth and glowing.

His eyes narrowed as he envisioned how beautiful her breasts were naked as if he had an x-ray vision. He knew her breasts were marvelous! He went insane the first time he saw it. Halos maglagutok na ang mga kamao ni Xander sa mahigpit na pagkakakuyom. He was moving mountains to stop his evil imagination. He was already thirty years old and he was supposed to act like a mature, dignified bachelor, not a sex-starved, libido driven youth!

But her alluring bod and seductive but angelic face were too much for his self-control. She was always a wild vixen who can bring out the maniac in him. Curse this woman! Why should Jecile look so lovely and hot in his eyes? He knew what he felt right now was immoral. How could he lust over a woman who was his adopted sister? Kararating pa lamang nito sa Pilipinas but insanity started to lure him again.

He knew he needed to stop this sheer madness but he had a really tough time to stabilize his thoughts. Blame this alluring woman who looked almost a goddess in his eyes. Her soft, round eyes can infest his mind filthily everytime she looked at him, unintentionally in a sexy way. And her soft lips, thin but scrumptiously filled, moved with haunting grace everytime she spoke.

Jecile was every inch a very beautiful woman. And she looked a knockout today. It was almost six o’clock in the evening and she looked stunning at twilight. The lights were on now and the garden was filled with dazzling colors. The lights reflected at her face, adding more loveliness to her already glorious appearance.

He sighed silently.

And why was this woman dressed in a sexy frock and looked so irresistibly gorgeous? Was she trying to get all the men’s attention? His eyes alternately landed at her chest and at her lovely, smooth legs. She looked like a bombshell and a temptress expensive bitch! Or maybe he was just over exaggerating.

Ang kausap niya kanina-kanina lang na si Jea ay mas malala pa ang kasuotan. Halter iyon at nakalitaw ang buong likod nito at mas maigsi ang haba ng bestida. But he was not a bit affected even if she had a sexy body too, though she was a few inches shorter but more voluptous. She had fatal curves, ngunit hindi niya iyon ma-aprecite ng lubusan Isa pa ay sanay na siya sa makabagong kasuotan ng mga babae dahil pitong taon siyang namalagi sa Amerika. Americans flocked the beaches topless. And he had seen a lot of naked women.

But looking at Jecile who was sexily clad in her blue dress but still managed to stay decent, he wanted to drag her away or cover her sexiness with a wide jacket. He cannot bear to think if all of the men around had the same thoughts like his. Oh hell, if that was the case, he wanted to pullout their eyes so they cannot see Jecile anymore! And that was one hell of a brotherly gesture of course. Why, this temptress was his sister after all!

Hell, but he never wanted her to become his sister. Never in his entire life can he treat her with brotherly touch or brotherly kiss or brotherly affection. Kanina ang balak niya ay bigyan ito ng sisterly kiss sa pisngi ngunit hindi niya napigilan ang sariling damhin ang gilid ng mga labi nito. At kung wala ang maraming tao sa paligid ay tuluyan na niyang binihag ang malalambot na labi ng dalaga.

Seven years had passed but she still had this tremendous effect on his masculinity. Nagpakasasa siya sa piling ng maraming babae sa Amerika makalimutan lamang si Jecile. He had a lot of girlfriends and short lived relationships until sa magsawa siya. He had been without a woman for a year now. And he thought he succeeded in stabilizing his active male hormone. Na nagsawa na siya sa mga babae and that he did not have active libido anymore. Ngunit ngayon ay nagkakamali pala siya. His manhood excitedly flexed as he saw her splendid loveliness. And he instantly knew that he desire her again, always desire her lovely, well toned bod.

And his hunger was deeper this time. Mas lalong gumanda ang babae at mas lalong lumakas ang atraksiyong nararamdaman niya para rito. It was a very dangerous form of attraction and he knew destruction lined next to it.

Jecile… He gnashed his teeth. He wanted to hate her… wanted to despite her for creating lunatic desire within himself. She was as usual his waterloo, his self-disappointment. Now he knew he made a wrong choice to celibate for months. If he did not celibate, maybe he was not feeling this awesome desire.

Now he smelled trouble. He was back for good. And that meant he needed to accept that Jecile was a sister. His parents already did legally adopt her. Iyon ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit mas pinili niyang manatili na lamang sa Amerika at hindi na umuwi ng Pilipinas pagkalabas niya ng rehab matapos malamang legal na inampon ng mga magulang si Jecile. She was already a legitimate part of the family and he cannot accept it. Drat, but she was carrying Travilla’s name for crying out loud!

“Did you miss me little ‘sis’?” Xander probed habang ang mga mata ay naglalakbay sa mukha ni Jecile and stopped at her lush lips. That soft apple red lips which can haunt any man’s fetish, was his nemesis.

Of course I do! Kung hindi lang niya agad na napigilan ang sarili ay nasabi niya ang mga salitang iyon. She missed him terribly that her chest seemed to burst with mixed overflowing emotions. Kanina pa nanginginig ang mga tuhod niya and the fact that Xander was staring at her with fierce but haunting eyes softened her knees even more. Idagdag pa na ngayon ay nakatutok ang paningin nito sa mga labi niya na siyang dahilan kung bakit biglang nanuyo ang kanyang lalamunan. She was forced to swallow the heavy lump in her throat.

“Of c-course,” her voice came out from her throat dry. “Matagal kang nawala.” Kaagad na hinamig niya ang sarili. Hindi niya gustong pagtawanan siya ng lalaki kapag nahalata nitong hanggang ngayon ay tatanga-tanga pa rin siya sa harapan nito. She hated stammering. It was a sign of weakness and she had toughened herself for years. She even attended speech and personality improvement colloquium just to develop her self-confidence.

“Pagkatapos akong ipatapon ng parents ko sa Amerika dahil sa iyo…” The accusation in his voice was enough to send chill down her spine.

“I’m sorry…” she said in the absence of words.

“Sorry will not alleviate the pain ‘sis’.” Muli ay ang sarcastic na paraan nito ng pagsabi ng salitang ‘sis’. “Nangyari na ang lahat. Seven years in exile were enough to pay for the sin I have committed with you. We’re already even. And why are you saying sorry? Ikaw ang biktima hindi ba?”

Nagyuko siya ng ulo sa sinabing iyon ng lalaki. Hindi niya kayang labanan ang pait na nakikita sa mga mata nito. This was supposed to be a welcome party at hindi okasyon upang magsumbatan sila. “Matagal ng nangyari iyon Xander. Kalimutan na natin. Alam kong pagod ka lang sa mahabang biyahe—“

“Kalimutan ang lahat?” He interrupted harshly. “Paano ko makakalimutan ang lahat ng namagitan sa ating dalawa, huh Jecile?” He hissed. His eyes were hard as igneous rock. Kakaiba ang kislap sa mga mata nito. There were sadness, agony and hatred. But there was a heavy lace of malice that unnerved her for seconds.

“Xander!” Napasinghap siya ng malakas at muling ibinalik ang paningin sa mukha nito. She can’t help but imagine some intimate moments that she had shared with him. And her body jerked at the thought, her senses abruptly sprung to life. But she immediately ripped the images apart as her sane mind mediated. “Magkapatid tayo—“

“Kailanman ay hindi kita itinuring na isang kapatid!” He hissed. “Will never treat you as one. You must understand that Jecile!” He was breathing heavily as if he was so mad. “You tricked my parents to adopt. Why, you had played your games so well by portraying a helpless and super sweet daughter. Sabik sa anak na babae ang Mama at Papa at sinamantala mo iyon.”

Ang nanlalaking mga mata niya kanina ay biglang naningkit sa galit dulot ng sinabi nito. Kung hindi lang niya alam na nasa gitna sila ng pagtitipon at maraming tao sa paligid ay umigkas na ang mga kamay niya upang sampalin ito. How dare him accuse her of that! She had nothing in mind but to please his parents because she owed them a lot. Hindi siya nagpasipsip, gumaganti lamang siya ng utang na loob.

They were exchanging heated words. Ngunit sa mababang boses. Ni hindi nga sila napansin ng mga magulang na hindi naman kalayuan sa kanila. Ang musika na nagmumula sa inupahang orkestra ay isa pang dahilan kung bakit walang nakapansin sa maaanghang na pag-uusap nila ng binata.

Kung hindi niya kokontrolin ang sarili ay tiyak na gagawa sila ng eksena ng lalaki. At hindi niya gustong mangyari iyon. Malaki ang utang na loob niya sa mag-asawang Travilla at hinding-hindi siya gagawa ng anumang bagay na magdudulot ng kahihiyan sa mga ito.

“Pagod ka lang sa mahabang biyahe Kuya Xander.” Kalmanteng turan niya. Sinadya niyang tawagin itong kuya to ease the tension away as well as to remind her of it. “Dapat ay binigyan ka pa namin ng pagkakataong makapagpahinga bago idinaos ang welcome party na ito.”

Si Xander ay madilim pa rin ang ekspresyon ng mukha habang nakatitig sa mukha ni Jecile. Tama ito, galing siya sa isang mahabang biyahe. Siguro nga ay stressed lang siya at may jet lag pa kaya siya umaakto ng ganito. Though he boarded a luxury flight at halos ay natulog sa mahabang durasyon ng biyahe mula Iowa hanggang Pilipinas, stressed pa rin siya. Kaya nga siguro madaling uminit ang ulo niya. And her hotness tonight added more to his irritation.

“Xander, Pare!”

Sabay silang napalingon ni Xander sa nagsalita. Nakahinga siya ng maluwag ng makita si Lenard. Kanina pa niya ito hinihintay. Ang sabi ay male-late daw ito sa okasyon dahil may dadaluhang importanteng meeting. But he will surely come. And he came at the right time.

“Lenard!” Kaagad na sinalubong niya ang kasintahan. She was more than happy at dumating na ito and that naputol ang pag-uusap nila ni Xander.

“Darling sorry. Kakatapos lang ng business meeting ko kay Mr. Ang and it turned out good. Nagkapirmahan na kami ng kontrata kanina.” Kaagad na paliwanag nito pagkatapos gawaran ng halik sa mga labi ang kasintahan. He was a practicing Civil Engineer at nagsisimula na ring magtayo ng sariling construction firm.

“Well, that’s good news darling.” Isang malapad na ngiti ang iginanti niya sa balita nito. Halos ay mag-iisang taon na silang magkasintahan ni Lenard. Sinagot niya ito pagkatapos ng limang taong panliligaw sa kanya. Oh well, seven years to be exact kung isasama ang mga panahong nagkakilala sila ng lalaki at nagpapalipad hangin pa lamang ito sa kanya.

“There are lots of good news tonight darling,” anito at muling sinulyapan si Xander. “Dahil sa wakas ay umuwi na rin ang kaibigan ko.” Hawak sa kamay si Jecile ay nilapitan nito si Xander. “Pare, kumusta?” Saka lamang nito pinakawalan ang hawak na kamay ng kasintahan at niyakap ang kaibigan bilang tanda ng pagbati.

“Well and good Lenard.” Tipid na sagot ng binata habang pormal ang mukhang nagpalipat-lipat kay Lenard at Jecile. There was a big question mark at his face. And he controlled himself as his fists turned into a very tight ball. He did not like what he had just witnessed. He needed to rein his hands else it will fly into Lenard’s face. He was holding Jecile as if he owned her and he abhorred it.

Now he felt the sting of jealousy again. He really needed to hold his sanity as destructive jealousy started to rule his feelings. She wanted to hate Jecile because he can turn him into his darkest being… that she had control over his dominating chauvinism. She was the only woman who can possess him like a mad man.

“I’m glad you come home. There are lots of things that you missed to experience here Pare.”

“Like hindi ko alam na magkasintahan na pala kayo ni Jecile?” His hands silently turned into a tight fists again. She was dangerous… in fact very, very dangerous! Having her around meant danger at bay. And if he will not rein his self-control he will surely be in grave danger. Katunayan ay napahamak na niya ang sarili dahil sa babae.

“Oh, hindi ba nasabi sa iyo ni Jecile?” Sandali ni Lenard sinulyapan ang kasintahan. Pagkatapos ay muling pinagtuunan ng pansin ang kaibigan. “You fitted well in the States Pare. Marami na namang babae ang magkakandarapa sa pagbabalik mo.”

“I did not get a chance to tell Kuya Xander, Lenard. Sasabihin ko pa lang sa kanya.” Si Jecile ay kaagad na namagitan sa usapan ng dalawang lalaki. She can feel the growing tension between the three of them. She felt sudden apprehension.

Isang matunog na halakhak ang naging tugon ni Xander sa sinabi ni Lenard and literally disregarded Jecile na para bang wala itong sinabi. “There are lots of women in the States Lenard. But I’m fed up with white women. Siyempre iba pa rin ang ganda ng Filipina.”

Men… lihim na nagkandahaba-haba ang nguso niya sa sinabing iyon ni Xander. So hindi pa rin ito nagbabago sa pagiging playboy. He was still the perennial playboy that she knew. Eh ano naman ang pakialam niya? She had Lenard already. Kung kaguwapuhan ang pag-uusapan ay hindi ito pahuhuli kay Xander. Matangkad din ito. The two men were six footers. Mayaman, gentleman, at higit sa lahat ay mahal na mahal siya. Ano pa nga ba ang hihilingin niya?

“Tama ka diyan Pare. And my Jecile was one of the most beautiful Filipina ever.” He looked at her tenderly.

Ngunit sa halip na kiligin ay biglang nakaramdam ng pagkaasiwa si Jecile. Paano kasi ay nasa harapan nila si Xander at kanina pa siya naapektuhan ng patuyang ngiti sa mga labi nito. Isang hilaw na ngiti ang iginanti niya sa papuring iyon ng kasintahan. Gustong-gusto na niyang putulin ang pag-uusap na iyon at hilahin ang kasintahan palayo sa mapanuring mga mata ni Xander. Nanunumbat ang titig nito sa kanya as if may nagawa siyang kasalanan.

“Kumain ka na ba?” She asked Lenard. “I’m sure di ka pa kumakain. Ako man ay hindi pa nakakapaghapunan. Excuse us Kuya Xander,” ngunit hindi na niya ito tinapunan ng pansin. “pakakainin ko lang itong nobyo ko.” At inakay na niya ang kasintahan palayo sa kapatid. Tinungo nila ang buffet table kung saan nakaserve ang maraming pagkain.

Pansamantala ay nakahinga siya ng maluwag dahil nakalayo siya kay Xander. Ngunit umpisa pa lamang ito. Dahil araw-araw ay hindi niya maiiwasang makaharap ang lalaki. They live under one roof. At sa oras na palitan nito sa pagiging chairman ang ama ay sa iisang opisina din sila magtatrabaho.

She was Alejandro Travilla’s executive secretary. Inalok na siya ng ama ng mas mataas na posisyon sa TPSMC ngunit tinanggihan niya iyon. Malaki ang utang na loob niya sa mga magulang at gusto niyang makaganti sa kabutihan ng mga ito sa pamamagitan ng pagsisilbi. She decided to stay as his executive secretary. At isang linggo mula ngayon ay si Xander na ang tatayong bagong chairman ng kumpanya.

Ngayon pa lang ay nahihinuha na niyang hindi magiging madali para sa kanya ang susunod na mga araw. She sighed. Bakit ba naman kasi hindi pa rin niya magawang turuan ang sarili na maging immune sa kaguwapuhan ni Xander. Hindi niya inaasahan na magiging affected pa rin siya sa presence nito. Oh well, this perennial playboy was a drop dead gorgeous hunk who can swoon all women of ages, her included.

Unfair para kay Lenard ang nararamdaman niya. Mag-iisang taon na ang relasyon nilang dalawa at wala siyang regrets dahil sinagot niya ito. He was wonderful. And when she thought she was already falling in love with Lenard, Xander went home. At muling nagulo ang damdamin niya.

But she was already old enough to know what was best for her. Xander was almost a brother… a family. At hindi tamang ipagpatuloy niya ang hibang na damdamin para dito. Maganda na ang naging simula nila ni Lenard. What she only needed to do was to nuture what they had and everything will follow.

She was somehow sure of that. Hindi mahirap mahalin ang isang tulad ni Lenard. He was a dashing bachelor, of elite status, very kind and romantic. Katunayan sa loob ng isang taon ay hindi man lang sila nagkaroon ng hidwaan bilang magkasintahan. Marami ding mga babae ang nagkakagusto kay Lenard. And she was actually lucky because he pursued her among other women. He was certainly a good catch and one kind of a gem.

Hay… Life can be difficult most of the time. Kung sino ang taong gusto mo ay mahirap mapasaiyo. Kung sino ang taong nagmamahal sa iyo, hindi mo naman masuklian ang pagmamahal.

Alam niyang problema lamang ang idudulot ng kahibangan niya kay Xander. Kung bakit kasi napakaguwapo nito sa paningin niya. She knew she was making her life too complicated. Maybe if she could just disappear and leave the world in order, she will be at peace. But it was a very hard thing to do. She never had the magic to do it. Or should she need to learn witchcraft instead? So she can have the powers to make herself disappear and leaving any trail behind?

She shook her head in amusement and despair. She knew she was thinking foolish things. Gusto na tuloy niyang pagtawanan ang sarili. Nahihibang na nga siyang talaga. O baka naman nasisiraan ng bait? Should she consult a psychiatrist then?

Muli, isang marahas na iling ang ginawa niya. Oh, how he hated Xander! She was acting lunatic because of him. Kailangan niyang makahanap ng antidote sa dala nitong lason o di kaya ay bakuna laban sa taglay nitong salot para ma-immune ang sarili niya and that she can protect herself from him.

Gusto niyang mapabunghalit ng tawa sa tinatakbo ng pag-iisip. Kung hindi niya mahahanapan ng solusyon ang kanyang problema, tiyak masisiran siya ng bait.