Chapter 23

The Sobreval mansion is unlike any other mansion. It is erected in the middle of a highland, with no neighbors within the perimeter to disturb their privacy. The tall stone walls guarded the house. I could see the stretch of land that leads to their hacienda, but even it remains a mystery to most of the passerby. It is not my first time to come here, but it is the first time that I have come to admire this rough beauty.

A housekeeper opened the gates for us. From a distance, I could see the parked black car that belongs to Reuben, who stopped next to us earlier. Namula ulit ang mga pisngi ko nang maalala kung ano ang nangyari. Pinagbuksan ako ni Blake ng pinto nang maayos na niyang mai-parke ang sasakyan. As soon as I stepped out, I glanced consciously at my outfit.

"I should've changed into something more decent." I muttered, noting my tattered pants and baby pink blouse that I chose to wear because it's so hot today.

"You look fine," he said, assuring me before guiding me into the doorsteps. "It's not a formal occasion, really. Just a simple dinner with Dad and his sons. And the women of their lives." He said, which made me shiver.

Hawak ni Blake ang kamay ko nang pumasok kami sa mansion. He's unconsciously stroking my palm, as if to put me at ease. The gesture touched me as we went to the grand parlor.

Scanning the surroundings, I could tell that all men lived here. There was no touch of femininity in the room, only rough and manly colors. It isn't the coziest and it looks like a place where formal meetings are held due to its minimalistic designs.

"Blake!"

A baritone voice boomed in a distance and Cristophe Sobreval appeared, a bottle of wine in his hand. He was grinning from ear to ear. Mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti niya nang makita ako.

"I was just picking the best wine to serve for tonight's dinner." He said and tapped the bottle before turning to me. "Anna!"

I stepped out and hugged his father. His chest vibrated with laughter as he kissed the top of my head affectionately. I've always been closer to the Senior Sobreval, no matter how intimidating he could be at first glance. Maybe because he had always been there for me through my hardships and he's a close friend of my parents.

"Beautiful as always. I'm glad you're here."

"Thank you, Tito." I stepped back and smiled.

"Let's go to the dining hall. Everyone's waiting."

I eyed some paintings expertly hung on the wall while we were walking. Cristophe Sobreval has a fascination for paintings and as I've heard it, married an artist when he was young. That artist is the mother of these good-looking Sobrevals but I've never heard of her more than that.

The woman who was with Reuben earlier, a porcelain with fierce dark hair and soft eyes appeared carrying a huge pot filled with creamed chicken. She smiled and I swear with her softness, she could make flowers grow even in the roughest lands.

"Hello, Tito." She greeted in sotto voce. Inilapag niya ang hawak sa lamesa. She stood in an amazing height and standing next to her soon-to-be-husband, they look like a power couple modeling for GQ magazine. "Blake." She acknowledged.

"This is Savannah De la Rua." Blake said, and the woman smiled wider at me. "Anna, this is Cerise, Reuben's fiancée."

"Nice to meet you," I murmured.

"Nice to see you. I'm glad that Blake finally brought a girl in the house."

"Actually Cerise, she's a regular here. We're good friends with her family and Anna is the daughter I've never had." Tito Cristophe said, and my heart swelled in joy.

"Oh? That's good to hear, then. Ako pala ang baguhan dito," she chuckled and slipped an arm with her fiancé. "I guess we'll be spending more time here."

"That would be great!" Tito said with laughing eyes. "Malulungkot na ako kapag pati kayo ay bumukod pa. This mansion is huge. I really don't know why Gabriel decided to live separately from us." He tsk-ed, pulling a chair and sitting at the end of the table.

"A man's got to build a house for his girl, Dad." Reuben said, pulling a chair for his fiancé as more and more housekeepers came in to fill the table with food. "Where's Gabriel?"

"He's late." Blake commented, putting a hand at the small of my back and guiding me to a chair. Pinaupo muna niya ako bago siya pumuwesto sa tabi ko. "Busy with work, as always."

"That stubborn son of mine..." Tito said with a shake of his head. A few moments later, we heard footsteps and talking voices. Then, the eldest Sobreval appeared with his wife. He's still in his working clothes.

"Hi, Dad." He said casually, circling the table and then guiding his wife to a seat next to him as well. "Sorry. Kung hindi ako tinawagan ng asawa ko ay baka makalimutan ko pa ito. I've been really busy..."

"Siya, siya at kumain na tayo. I know you kids are hungry..." Cristophe said in a stern voice, but I could hear the understanding for Gabriel's excuse.

Maingay ang hapag-kainan. The brothers are throwing rude jokes against each other while their father didn't seem to mind it. Nahihiya ako dahil mukhang close na pala sina Cerise at ang asawa ni Gabriel na si Penelope. Sinasali naman nila ako sa usapan pero sadyang nahihiya lang talaga ako at baka masabihang FC sa kanilang dalawa.

The conversation went on as the empty plates were replaced with cups of coffee after dinner. Tito Cristophe is trying to discuss the wedding of Reuben and Cerise.

Nagdedebate ang mag-ama dahil gusto ni Tito ng engrandeng kasal samantalang ang magkasintahan naman ay gusto ng simple lang upang makatipid. In the end, Tito respected their decision of a simple church wedding. Reuben has savings of his own, and declined to accept the offer of his father to shoulder the expenses. I could tell that the Senior Sobreval is really excited to get his sons wedded. Palagi din niyang kinukulit ang mag-asawang Gabriel at Penelope ng apo.

Pagkatapos kumain ay nagpaalam na sina Gabriel at Penelope na mauunang umuwi. Si Reuben naman ay ihahatid si Cerise sa bahay ng mga magulang niya sa San Juan at babyahe pabalik dito. Tito Cristophe was sad to send them off.

"Ihatid mo si Anna sa bahay nila, Blake." He glanced at his silver watch. "Hindi ba magagalit si Valerie sa iyo na ginagabi ka ng uwi?" usisa niya.

I shook my head. "Hindi naman po, Tito." I wanted to add that she doesn't give a damn thought about me but decided not to tell him.

"I'll just check the car, it's making weird noises earlier when we were driving. Baka hiramin ko ang kotse mo ngayong gabi, Dad." Ani Blake na lumabas ng bahay upang tingnan ang kaniyang kotse.

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Tito Cristophe sa drawing room. Iginala ko ang paningin sa paligid at bumagsak iyon sa isang lumang litrato. I couldn't hide the surprise in my face even though it's a long-known fact to me that my parents are good friends with this man. Seeing the three of them in a single photo is the fist time for me. Nilapitan ko iyon at tinitigan.

Mama is glowing, as always. Sobrang mahinhin ang ngiti niya sa litrato. Pinapagitnaan naman siya ni Papa at ni Tito Cristophe. Both men are wearing their beach shorts while Mama is in her simple white dress. The faded background hinted that it was taken on a beach, a few years ago. Halos kumupas na ang iilang parte ng litrato. It was carefully sealed in a glass frame to preserve the images. Malawak ang ngiti ng dalawang lalaki. Sa baba ay may malinis ngunit kupas na sulat-kamay. San Juan, 1950.

"That's your mother when she was still 18." Tito Cristophe said when he saw I was staring at the picture. Napangiti ako at nilingon si Tito.

"Ngayon ko pa po 'to nakita."

"Mm-hmm." He pulled out a drawer and gently pluck the resting old photobook. Tito Cristophe flipped it through a few pages and then handed it to me. Ipinakita niya sa akin ang larawan nilang dalawa ni Mama.

Unlike her feminine smile in the beach picture, my mother looks more lively here. Malawak ang ngiti niya at nakakapit ang kaniyang kamay sa braso ni Tito Cristophe. Even though it was in black and white, I could tell that she's wearing a blue ball gown and her hair in a French twist. Tito Cristophe looks so formal in his tuxedo. Parehong malalawak ang ngiti ng dalawa. My mother has always been formal, elegant, and composed. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang ganito talaga kasaya. Kumunot ang noo ko.

"You would not believe me, but I once dated your mother."

Napanganga ako sa narinig. I turned to him with wide, questioning eyes as he snapped the photobook closed. Ibinalik niya iyon sa loob ng drawer.

"Best friend kaming tatlo ng nanay at tatay mo. Pero una ko siyang nakilala kaysa kay Simone. Your mother came from a rich family, while I am just a worker like Simone. At first, I was intimidated. But Anastasia is very friendly and soon, I started hanging out with the boss' daughter." He chuckled at the memory. "And then we dated."

"Hindi... hindi ko po 'to alam."

"It was so long ago, Anna. Your mother is my first girlfriend. And she's a very special woman to me, up until now. Things got complicated and we broke up. Simone started courting her and the next thing I knew, they were dating and they eloped. Naiwan ako ng walang kahit anong paliwanag. Not that I deserved it, hiwalay na kami nun. Still, I felt very sad when I lost two of the most important people to me. When they came back, Anastasia is pregnant with you and Simone finally have his own stretch of land. Doon pa pumayag ang Lolo at Lola mo sa kaniya."

Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa narinig. I thought they were just good friends! Hindi ko alam na mayroon pala silang ganitong nakaraan.

"You look so much like Anastasia and you remind me of her every day. Seeing you and Blake together makes me happy and sad. Happy, because I get the feeling that the two of you will be the one to continue our story. And sad, because it reminds me of how great of a woman I lost. Walang araw na hindi ko pinagsisisihang pinakawalan ko si Anastasia. But then, you'll never be born if we were together. And I won't have my sons if I didn't marry my wife."

I stared at him. His face is in pain yet his eyes are lighting with memories from the past. I never saw him this emotional. Hindi ko akalaing sa kaniya ko pa mismo maririnig ang mga bagay na ito.

"I hope you'll be the one for my son. He can be stubborn at times, but Blake is a good man. Ayokong maranasan niya din kung paano mawalan ng isang Anna sa buhay niya."

"Tito..." I reached for his arm and pulled him into a hug. Since he's a really tall man, I have to raise on my toes. I was immediately wrapped with the warmth of a father's hug the moment I did it. "I promise to be a good woman to your son. Hindi po ako mawawala sa kaniya."

A cry-like sound escaped from his throat in a form of a friendly chuckle. Tito Cristophe patted my back and hugged me tighter.

"Thank you, Anna. You and your mother will always have a special place in my heart."

On our way home, Blake keeps on nagging me about what happened earlier with his father. Nagulat siya nang makitang emosyonal na kaming dalawa pagkatapos niyang ayusin ang sasakyan at pumasok sa loob. I guess he had no idea either that his father dated my mother in their younger years. Ayoko namang ako pa ang magsabi nun sa kaniya kaya nanatiling tikom ang bibig ko.

"Just ask your father." I dismissed him. "He has a very interesting story to tell you."

On our way home, I wondered about their mother. Just what kind of a woman is she? She's an artist, so she must be a peculiar one. Alam ba niya ang tungkol sa Mama ko? The way Tito Cristophe describes it, the bond between the two of them is the kind of bond you don't experience twice in your lifetime. If my mother is Tito Cristophe's first love, how did she live with it?

Naputol din ang pag-iisip ko nang makarating na kami sa mansion. I turned to Blake and smiled genuinely.

"Salamat sa pag-imbita sa akin, Blake. Everyone made me feel welcome. Gumaan talaga ang loob ko."

"You're family to us, Anna." He said softly, reaching for my cheeks and caressing the soft skin with his rough fingers. "And you're welcome in the house anytime. Dad would love to have you."

I leaned closer and pressed a kiss to his lips, surprising the both of us. It had always been him who's initiating the kiss between the two of us, so it must have been a shock to him. Shocked, but pleased, Blake caught a lock of my hair and twirled his finger around it, before pulling me closer and deepening the kiss. I chuckled, breaking away, and then kissed him again.

"Nakakarami ka na," saway ko sa kaniya.

"Anong magagawa ko? I'm so addicted to you..." he murmured, still placing sensual kisses on the crook of my neck. Nang makita ko ang papalapit na kasambahay upang pagbuksan kami ng gate ay inilayo ko na ang sarili sa kaniya.

"That's enough for today." I said, squinting my eyes at him. "Umuwi ka na. Mag-iingat ka."

"Aalis na ako kapag nakita kitang nakapasok na sa inyo."

"Alright, then." I grabbed my bag and smiled at him. "Good night, Blake."

"Good night, Anna."

Kumaway pa ako sa kaniya bago ako tuluyang pumasok sa mansion. As promised, he remained inside the unmoving car until I reached the door.

I clutched my chest, trying to shrug off the smile because I'm just so happy tonight. But my happiness was short-lived the moment I saw an unfamiliar man inside the house.

Nagtitigan kaming dalawa. Nangungunot ang noo kong nakatingin sa kaniya. He looks young and a complete stranger holding a wineglass. I decided not to close the door behind me when I confronted him.

"Who are you?" my tone is firm and authoritative, as I hated seeing strangers inside my house.

Amused, he took a sip from his wineglass. "Who are you?" he questioned me back.

"I am the owner of this house." I declared with dignity as I moved closer. "And what are you doing here?"

"Terrific. I never knew Valerie had such a beautiful daughter."

"She's not my—"

"Herson!" Valerie suddenly appeared, tying the silk robe around her slender body as she moved downstairs. I felt utterly disgusted when she wrapped her arms lovingly around his waist. "What are you doing down here?"

"Who's this young lady, Val?" he asked, kissing her forehead.

"Oh, that's just Anna. Don't mind her. Let's go back upstairs..." malambing niyang wika.

Gusto kong magwala nang mapagtanto ang nangyayari. It has only been months since I lost my father, and Valerie brought a man into this house! Red haze of anger clouded my eyes as I stared at the two of them.

"Ikaw naman, pumasok ka na sa kwarto mo. Pasalamat ka at hindi ko pa inuutusan ang kasambahay na i-lock ang gate, anong oras na..."

"Why would you lock the gate of a house that isn't yours?" I said calmly, but each of my syllable sounded angry and ready to attack.

Herson lifted a questioning brow at my statement. Nanggagalaiti ako pero pinipigilan ko lang ang sarili ko.

"Valerie, I won't let you disrespect my house by bringing a man here! If you want to continue being immoral, I would have to ask you and this man to leave! Right now."

"Val, what is she talking about?"

Irita akong binalingan ni Valerie. "Ano bang problema mo? Bakit ka nag-iinarte, ha? Bahay ko din naman ito. Isa pa rin akong De la Rua."

"You keep on saying that, and yet, here you are! Canoodling with another man!"

"Val, you're married?" now, Herson looked so confused. "I thought you and your husband separated..."

"My Papa died. And unfortunately, he's still his wife. Alam mo ba ang pinapasok mo?"

"Fuck. I have to go, Val..." he said, getting annoyed. Inalis niya ang nakapulupot na mga kamay sa baywang at nagmamadaling umakyat. Moments later, he appeared with his case and coat.

"But Herson!" Valerie moaned, making me feel sick.

"I'll just call you." He said in a cold tone, shrugging her hand away and heading straight to the door.

When he disappeared, nagkatitigan kaming dalawa ni Valerie. Both of us are staring at each other, silently challenging to attack as the tension between the two of us went thick.

"Masaya ka na?" she said, her voice full of hatred.

"Kailan ba ako sumaya sa iyo, Valerie?"

"Kung gusto mong lumayas ako sa pamamahay na ito, ibigay mo ang perang hinihingi ko!" she almost shouted at me.

"Kahit na gustong-gusto kong palayasin ka dito Valerie, ngayon din, ay hinding-hindi mo makukuha ang pera. My family worked for it. This mansion is a legacy and the hacienda are the fruit of their hard work. You will never get your hands on it as long as I am alive. And if you threaten me to make my life a living hell, fine. I'll make sure to drag you to hell with me each time you try to ruin me. I'm not the good girl Anna. I can be nasty, too—especially to people who deserve it."

"Why, you little bitch—"

"Good night, Valerie." I said, walking past her and heading straight to my room.