Chapter 19

When I was a little girl, my Mama would always tell me that it is important for a woman to know how to cook, not to please a man, but to be independent.

"You can't buy processed foods forever, Anna." I can recall her saying to me while preparing our food as I sat in the kitchen counter. "You need to learn how to cook."

And so, I spent most of my afternoons with her, learning how to cook different delicacies when I'm not in my ballet class. My mother introduced me to a cornucopia of mouth-watering recipes and secret cooking tips to make the dish more appealing.

"A woman who is well-read, knows how to cook, bold and has a voice is unstoppable. Always remember that, Anna."

I was shy and timid and very different from my mother. But I look up to her and promised that I would become someone like her, someday.

Now that she's gone, I lived to continue her legacy.

Maaga akong bumangon at mabilis na naligo. Nag-aalala na si Jessica sa akin at ilang beses akong tinawagan upang kumustahin. She knows my situation in the house, and she's itching to confront Valerie but I said no. I told her I am perfectly capable of handling my monstrous stepmother.

"Trust me, Jess. I can do this." I said, and realized that these past few days, I am asking the people to trust me to do things. I want them to put their faith on me because I wanted to prove to them, to let them see that the little Anna has finally grown up.

Nakakahiyang maging anak ng isang Anastasia Villafuerte De la Rua kung hindi ko kayang ipaglaban ang sarili ko.

Pagkatapos magbihis ay bumaba kaagad ako. I am an hour earlier today, which surprised Manang Joji who is just putting down the morning groceries atop the kitchen counter.

"Ang aga mo ata, hija? May lakad ka ba?"

"Papasok po ako ngayon." Magalang kong sagot sa kaniya, at binalingan ang mga pinamili. "Pwede po bang ako ang magluto ngayong umaga?"

She stared at me, scrutinizing, before our elderly cook hesitantly nodded.

"Sigurado ka?"

"Opo. Babaunin ko din po ang sobra."

"O, siya. Sige. Pero dito lang ako sa kusina at babantayan kita."

I smiled happily and nodded. Then, I rummaged through the ingredients she bought and immediately decided that I would be cooking pasta.

Moving quickly, I began to slice the red, plump tomatoes that reminded me so much of Blake's lips. Napailing ako. I've got to get him off my mind right this moment or I will be distracted again. With so much drama going on in my life, I wanted to take a break and surprise him this afternoon.

Manang Joji watched me with sheer approval, commenting every now and then and praising me for moving like a pro in the kitchen, just like my mother. Half an hour later, I am already stirring the simmering tomato sauce and sprinkling fresh herbs. Fused with meatballs and spareribs, I reached for the parmesan cheese and started slicing it.

"Lalong tumatagal, mas lalo mong nagiging kamukha si Anastasia." Manang Joji said proudly. "Hindi lang sa magandang mukha, pati na rin sa magandang asal, Anna..."

I smiled at her politely and thanked her. When I heard footsteps descending, I turned my head and saw my father. My heart bloomed when I saw he's looking better today.

"Is this my Anna cooking this morning?" he said in a gentle voice, and my heart almost melted.

I nodded and a girlish giggle escaped from my throat. "Morning, Papa..."

"Good morning, hija." He leaned forward to kiss my forehead and examined the boiling tomato sauce. "I've got to have some of this delicious pasta for my lunch later at the office. Think you can spare me a little?"

"Yes, of course."

He nodded and began to prepare his coffee. Tahimik lang na nakamasid si Manang Joji sa kaniya. I know she disapproved of my father marrying Valerie before and tried to talk him out of it but she failed. Even though Valerie had been nothing but a cruel woman to Manang Joji, she amazed me with her loyalty by staying with the De la Rua family even if my mother and I fled.

After cooking, Manang helped me to transfer the pasta to disposable Tupperwares. I saw Steve dressed for school. He stopped in the kitchen to grab an apple without a word, and left. Nagkatinginan lang kami ulit ni Manang. Maybe he finds it really awkward to share a breakfast with the food I cook.

Sunod na bumaba ay si Samantha. Tipid ko siyang nginitian, ngunit wala siyang iginanti sa akin. Tahimik lang siyang nakatingin, pinagmamasdan ang niluto ko, at umalis na rin.

"Maybe Val would love this pasta. She likes Italian food." My father said, trying to be cheerful.

Tinitigan ko siya. I know he'd be meeting our family lawyer sometime this week. He promised me that he will start arranging the annulment papers right away, but he has to break the news to Valerie first.

"Just know that I'm always here, Papa." I told him as we deliberated on how to get Valerie to understand that she's no longer needed in this mansion. If there's a less harsh way of telling her that she doesn't deserve our surname, I'm sure my father can handle it.

In the end, it's just my father, Manang Joji and I who ate my pasta. Valerie slept late that morning, and I'm glad that I get to enjoy a peaceful breakfast with my father and my second mother. Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila, bitbit ang ibinaon kong niluto.

The moment I stepped inside the car, I fumbled for my phone inside the bag and dialed Blake's number. Nakatingin ako sa tahimik na kalsada habang nagri-ring ang cellphone.

"Anna..." came his husky voice.

Umukit ang maliit na ngiti sa mga labi ko nang marinig ko siya. "Blake... nakauwi ka na ba?" he told me that he has a business trip again in Manila and will be gone for a day or two. Magtatatlong-araw na kaming hindi nagkikita mula nang magkasalubong kami sa hacienda.

"Yes, baby. I'm home..." may halong lambing ang natural na matigas niyang tinig. "Can I see you later?"

I bit my lip, trying to control myself. My voice held so much emotions that if I show as little excitement about seeing him, Blake would quickly get me.

"Actually, Blake, I don't think I can see you this afternoon..." I said in a dramatic voice. Bumuntong-hininga pa ako para mas lalong epektibo ang pagpapanggap. "May lakad kami ni Jessica mamaya—"

"Then I would accompany you—"

"—girls only." I strictly said. Tumahimik siya saglit. I cleared my throat. "I mean, matagal na kasi kaming hindi nagkikita ni Jess, at gusto niya sanang makapag-bonding kami kahit saglit lang."

"Alright. What time will you be coming home?"

"I'll sleep in their house." Wika ko, kahit na hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa alam ang hitsura ng bahay nila Jess. She mentioned it once or twice to me, that she's residing in the outskirts of San Juan, and emphasized that by outskirts, she meant the poorer section of the city.

"Hindi ka pwedeng pumunta dun! Pagpyestahan ka lang ng mga tao!" aniya pa.

Naghintay ako ng ilang segundo sa sagot ni Blake. Then, I heard him sigh from the other line. "Okay, then. Be careful. Tawagan mo ako kapag paalis na kayo, at kapag dumating na kayo sa bahay nila Jessica."

I swallowed a scream of delight and answered him in a curt voice. "Yes, Blake. Sige na, malapit na ako sa school."

"Alright."

"Bye."

"And Anna?"

"Yes?"

"I missed you so damn much..." he said huskily, as if he's in real agony right now. Guilt twisted in my gut, but I ignored it right away and proceeded with my drama. I'll be in his arms later on, unexpected and full of joys.

"I miss you, too."

We said our goodbyes after that. Nahihimigan ko ang panghihinayang sa boses ni Blake. He's silently pleading me not to go, and just to see him instead. Gusto kong matawa. This feeling is so new to me. Ganito pala ang pakiramdam na may taong gustong makita ka. I could feel my heart racing.

Nang makarating ako sa school ay kaagad kong hinanap si Jessica. She screamed when she saw me, capturing the attention of some of our classmates. Napatingin din si Samantha sa gawi namin. Tahimik niyang ibinalik ang tingin sa dalawang babaeng kulang nalang ay sambahin siya habang nakikipag-usap.

"You're finally back!" she squealed again in delight. "Taas ng bakasyon natin, ah?"

Pabiro kong tinampal ang kaniyang braso.

"Seriously." She chuckled. "Namiss kita. Sobra. Wala akong kausap dito sa classroom nung tatlong araw na hindi ka pumasok..." she heaved a burdened sigh. "O ngapala, magsisimula na ang practice sa graduation natin bukas."

I nodded, rummaging through the Tupperwares of pasta that I carefully placed inside a lunch bag. Iniabot ko kay Jess ang isa. Tila nagningning ang mga mata niya nang makita ito.

"Para sa akin?"

"Oo."

She screamed again and this time, just when our teacher stepped inside. She's the grumpy old lady that Samantha hates. She's a very traditional and conservative woman, and she lectured the two of us about being boisterous for about half an hour before the class began. Nagkatinginan lang kaming dalawa ni Jess at lihim na nagpapalitan ng hagikhik hanggang sa matapos siya.

We talked over hushed voices as the classes went on, and in lunch, we shared the pasta that I made. Nang matapos ang klase ay sinabihan ko si Jess sa balak na pagpunta sa opisina ni Blake.

"Sigurado ka? Marunong ka bang mag-commute?" nag-aalala niyang tanong sa akin.

"Uh..." I trailed off. I've never experienced riding a jeep before, and it never occurred to me that I have to ride one. There's always a driver who drives for me.

Nagtaas ng kilay si Jessica sa akin. I smiled sheepishly, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Hindi kita masasamahan, kasi may trabaho ako mamayang hapon. Pero pwede kitang turuan kung paano sumakay ng jeep, Anna."

I nodded gratefully.

"Syete pesos lang ang pamasahe papunta sa bayan, ha! Huwag kang magpapauto sa mga buwayang jeepney drivers."

I find it hard to believe that I only has to pay seven pesos for someone to drive me to the town. But then again, it's a public transportation. And I'm so used to my sheltered life that things that should've been normal for anyone are foreign to me.

Pagkatapos ng klase ay tinupad ni Jess ang pangako sa aking tutulungan akong makasakay ng jeep. Siya ang pumara para sa akin at siya na mismo ang naghabilin sa driver kung saan ako bababa. Siya na din ang nagbigay ng pamasahe.

"I-text mo ako kung dumating ka na, ha!" huling habilin pa niya bago umandar ang jeep.

I nodded and waved at her, grateful for her help. Bumagsak ulit ang tingin ko sa dalang lunch bag. Inaatake na naman ng kaba ang puso ko. What would he say about this? Will he like it? I know Blake is a man of sophistication. He's used to eating in exclusive clubs and being served by popular chefs. Anong laban ko sa kanila?

Sighing to myself, I tried to avoid overthinking until I arrived at the office. They have an office downtown, and another one in the hacienda. Blake is in their city office today, to take care of business matters that requires no field visit. But as much as he can, I know he spends more time in the hacienda to better the management.

Mahina ang boses kong umutal para pumara. The driver didn't hear me. binalingan ako ng katabi kong lalaki at siya ang pumara para sa akin, sa mas malakas na boses. I glanced at him, embarrassed and muttered a thank you.

Bumaba ako ng jeep, bitbit pa rin ang lunch bag at pinagmasdan ang paligid. Their two-storey brick building is cozy, yet sophisticated. The stone steps that lead to the glass door is guarded by a heavily-armed security guy, who looks very serious while scanning the surroundings with his expert eyes.

"San ang punta mo, Miss?"

Nagulat ako nang makarinig ng lalaking boses sa likod. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang ang lalaki palang iyon ang katabi ko sa jeep kanina. He's now looking at me with a boyish smile on his face.

"Uhm..."

He glanced at my uniform, and shamelessly stared at the breast part. Itinaas ko nang bahagya ang lunch bag upang takpan ang dibdib ko, kahit nan aka-uniporme naman ako. I feel so comfortable under his stares right now.

"Hatid na kita..."

I instantly felt scared at the sweet, sick tone of his voice as he advanced towards me. Nanlalaki ang mga mata ko sa takot. I glanced at the oblivious security man behind me, whose only concern is the safety of the Sobreval building.

"Ayos lang po ako, k-kuya..." nauutal kong wika.

"Sige na, huwag ka nang mahiya. Hatid na kita—"

Neither the two of us were expecting it. Kumurap lang ako at bumagsak na ang lalaki sa lupa. Isang malaking bulto ang sumunggab sa collar ng suot niyang polo shirt at marahas siyang hinila patayo. My eyes widened in fear. The man looked terrified as he struggled to breath.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Blake growled, and I've never heard him this angry before. I could see his nose flaring in so much anger as the veins in his neck protruded. His other fist is balled and ready to punch as red creeped to his neck and sides of his face.

"B-Blake..."

"Tinatanong ko lang pare, k-kung saan siya pupunta. Nawawala, eh." Nauutal namang wika ngayon ng lalaki. I could see the fear in his eyes, and it's completely understandable because Blake looks at him as if he wants to murder the poor guy.

"Tama na, Blake." I tried to say calmly. "Ayos lang ako." I lied.

Binalingan ako ni Blake. Bakas pa rin ang matinding galit sa mukha niya. He had a strong face of a warrior and when angered, looks dangerous yet very beautiful.

"Please, Blake..." I continued. Inilapat ko ang kamay sa matigas niyang braso upang usigin siyang pakawalan na ang lalaking ngayon ay hirap nang huminga. "I'm okay..."

Nagdadalawang-isip pa siya kung pakakawalan niya ang lalaki. He glared at the guy and in the end, shoved him away again.

"Hindi siya nawawala." Matigas niyang wika. "She's exactly where she belongs. To me."

The guy quickly got the message and nodded repeatedly. "Pasensiya na, p-pare...."

"At hindi kita pare."

He nodded again, scared, and then scrambled away. We both watch him until he disappeared from our line of sight. Nilingon ko si Blake.

"Do you really have to hurt him? You scared the poor guy!"

"He's touching you, Anna. I won't allow any other man touch as much as the strand of your hair." Kalmado na ngayon ang boses niya. He turned half of his body into me, inspecting if I got some bruises or what. Nakakunot pa rin ang noo niya.

"I'm okay, Blake. Really." Medyo naiinis kong wika sa kaniya. He's back to treating me like a kid again!

"I know, baby. I'm sorry..." he murmured, crouched to my level and then brushed a soft kiss to completely calm me down. "I'm just worried."

Itinulak ko ang mukha niya palayo. Naliliyo na naman ako sa mga halik niya at sa panglalaki niyang amoy.

"I'm okay..." I said this time, in sotto voce.

Sa puntong ito ay tuluyan na talagang kumalma si Blake. There had always been a relentless strength in him, and I admit it is one of the reasons that draw me closer to this guy, ever since the first time I met him at the mansion.

"What are you doing here?" nagpalinga-linga siya. "Nasaan ang driver mo?"

Napanguso ako. I wanted to surprise him, but it had all but gone to waste. Nang mapansin ni Blake ang dismayado kong mukha ay bahagya niyang itinaas ang baba ko gamit ang mga daliri niya. nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kahihiyan.

"I cooked pasta for you..." I said, almost inaudible. "But it's probably cold by now. Let's just throw it away and order some Chinese food—"

"No." he immediately answered. Naramdaman ko ang kamay niyang gumapang sa kamay kong hawak pa rin ang lunch bag. I am slightly trembling at the mere touch of his hand. "I'll eat this."

I nodded gently. This time, we were capturing the attention of some passerby. I know they know Blake already. Maybe some of them are wondering who am I and why I'm with him. After all, talks about the De la Rua family died down when we left and my father married Valerie.

"Let's go inside." Blake led me inside the building. The security man greeted him tonelessly, and as we entered, an attractive receptionist smiled at us. It was a professional smile.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Sobreval, Ms. De la Rua..."

I was a bit surprised that she knew me. Nahihiya akong tumango sa kaniya at si Blake naman ay hindi man lang siya pinansin. We headed towards the VIP lift.

Pansin kong madaming napapatingin sa amin, lalo na ang mga trabahante ng hacienda. They're all in their corporate attires. These are the blue-collared workers of the Sobreval hacienda. To better manage their business, they cater their investors and customers in the office building unlike us that only has a small trailer office in the field.

I couldn't help but be amazed of how the Cristophe and the Sobreval brothers have manage to expand their business in just two years. For all I know, they're direct suppliers of crops and animals to their international customers. They've done so well while we were getting drowned in debts.

We reached the fifth floor of the building and stepped into the carpeted floor. This is not the kind of office building you'd expect for a hacienda business. But now they've grown so rich that they could afford all their staff and their business.

As we entered a huge office with a gold pleated nameplate of Blake's full name, a young male secretary greeted us.

"Good afternoon, Sir. Meeting in 15 minutes."

"Cancel all my meetings, John." He nonchalantly said. "I have more important business to do."

Dumako ang tingin sa akin ng kaniyang sekretarya. Isang mapaglarong ngiti ang gumuhit sa mga labi niya at kaagad din naman itong nawala. Mabilis siyang tumango.

"I'll inform them, Sir."

Pumasok na kaming tuluyan sa opisina niya. It is big and airy. The floor-to-ceiling glass window gives him the perfect view of La Union's sunrise and sunset. Namamangha kong tiningnan ang paligid.

When realization sunk, I turned to him.

"Bakit mo kinansela ang meeting? Pwede naman kitang hintayin."

"They can wait for me." inilapag niya ang lunch bag sa coffee table at nagsimulang ilabas ang laman nitong Tupperware.

"At bakit lalaki ang sekretarya mo?" nagtataka kong tanong sa kaniya. My eyes darted to a door that leads to an adjoining room. I quickly wondered what's inside the room.

He stopped for a while, glanced at me with serious eyes and spoke in a husky voice. "Ayokong bigyan ka ng rason para magselos, Anna."

Uminit ang mga pisngi ko sa sinabi niya. kasabay nito ang malakas na pagwawala ng puso ko sa dibdib. I sat down in the creamy couch to calm myself.

"Hindi naman ako selosa!"

He only smirked at me and continued pulling out the contents of my lunch bag.

"I have a white wine here. I think this will be a good combination."

I nodded shyly as he rose to get the wine bottle strategically displayed atop the mahogany cabinet. Nang makabalik siya ay inilapag niya ang wine bottle tabi ng Tupperware. I leaned closer and was startled when he turned to me. Itinukod niya ang isang kamay sa sandalan ng couch at yumuko. Nakatingala ako sa kaniya.

"I really appreciate you being here, Anna..." he murmured.

I smiled shyly at him. If anyone would see us right now, they would have inappropriate thoughts. Blake is wearing a white button-down shirt, a glass wine in one hand while I am still in my high school uniform.

Inilapit ni Blake ang mukha sa akin. My body trembled again. I reached for his cheek with my shaking fingers and closed my eyes as his lips softly brushed with mine—teasing, testing.

It took all my willpower not to groan in both protest and pleasure. I wanted to feel the memory of his lips again, and I am getting impatient. Blake teased me more by biting the lower part of my lips and then tugging me closer. I heard a groan from him.

The door to the adjoining room suddenly opened, and I was startled to see the set of 15 pairs of eyes staring at us.

Nakapalibot sa isang malaking table ang mga board members. Sa gitna ay si Sr. Sobreval. Sa tabi niya ay ang isa pang Sobreval na si Reuben. They are all watching us. And I'm still in my uniform, kissing Blake!

For a moment, wala ni isang nagsalita sa aming lahat. A playful smile crept to Reuben's lips, watching his brother and me canoodling in his office while they are all waiting for Blake at the meeting. Mabilis ko siyang itinulak ngunit hindi nagpatinag si Blake. Nanatili siya sa ganung posisyon. Bumukas ulit ang pinto at natatarantang sumilip ang kaniyang sekretarya.

"John, haven't I told you that I can't attend the meeting right now?" he lazily said as he glanced at me. "I'm really busy..."