Chapter 5

"Barin, stay still!" mahina ko siyang pinagalitan nang magsimula na naman siyang maglikot. He doesn't like his claws being trimmed and so do I because it is such a stressful job with him! Pinandilatan ko ng mata ang alaga.

"If you don't stay still, you'll only have a single egg as dinner tonight!" pambabanta ko sa kaniya.

He continued to whine while I struggled with the large metal trimmer. Both of us were sprawled on the wooden floor. Since I'm alone and I'm just at home, I wore nothing but a pair of tight dolphin shorts and white sleeveless crop top. I went to gym this morning but I made sure that I was early and carefully avoided the boy's locker room, only to find out that Blake did not come.

"Yung matangkad na lalaki? Si Sir Blake yun!" the lady manning the counter laughed at the girl in front of her. Nagtatanong kasi yung babae kung nandito pa daw siya. Looks like Blake is quite the celebrity here. "Hindi ata siya pupunta ngayon. Alam mo ba ang Sobreval Industries? Siya kasi nagmamay-ari nun kaya hindi na ako nagtataka kung minsan ay wala siya. He's a busy man."

Naramdaman ata ng babae ang pagtitig ko sa kaniya dahil nilingon niya ako. I stared back at her. She's pretty, I won't deny it. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Walang emosyon ang mukha niya at ibinalik ang tingin doon sa kausap na attendant.

"Sige, salamat nalang."

She walked past me and disappeared into the girl's shower room. Ako naman ay inaayos ang gamit nang makatanggap ng mensahe mula kay Cerise. We've already exchanged numbers since I promised that I would show up at her showings.

Cerise:

7 pm tonight! just wear anything formal :)

Savia:

sure! see u. i'm so excited

Umuwi kaagad ako para makapaghanda at para na rin asikasuhin si Barin. He's still being stubborn about his nails but when threatened of his dinner, he finally stayed still and lay his huge head on my lap.

"Good boy." I patted his head before I continued what I was doing.

My phone dinged. Napatingin ako sa lumabas ng notification at napakunot ang noo. Hindi ko na sana iyon papansinin nang makita ko ang pamilyar na pangalan.

[saviadlr]: blakesobreval started following you. 2m

I smirked and clicked his profile. Nagulat ako nang makitang kahit wala pa man siyang post ay sobrang dami na ng followers niya! Nagduda ulit ako. I clicked the message button but when I did, I saw that he already messaged me.

blakesobreval:

here, i already made an account.

saviadlr: is this really u?

blakesobreval:

not a poser, anna. i asked my secretary to verify my account.

I rolled my eyes and bit the insides of my cheeks, pinipigilan ang pagdalaw ng ngiti sa mga labi ko.

blakesobreval:

you'll be attending the showing tonight, right?

saviadlr:

yeah

blakesobreval:

good. you'll be my date.

Nagulat ako sa naging reply niya. So, he's going to attend, too? Akala ko ba ay busy siya? Wala nga siya kanina sa gym, eh!

I leaned against the foot of the sofa, totally abandoning the metal trimmer I have while Barin slowly walked away. Sabagay, Cerise is his sister-in-law. Naturally, he's really going to be there.

Inabandona ko na ang pagt-trim sa alagang ngayon ay umalis na at nilinis ang kalat. I went inside my room to check on the suit I ordered the other day. Dumating na iyon kanina pa pero dahil abala ako kay Barin ay ngayon ko lang makikita.

I lifted the black box to reveal the white Chanel suit and slacks that I ordered. A look of approval shone into my eyes as I ran a finger down its rough texture. Chic yet very professional, just the way I like it. It came with a black tube top that pleased me.

Pagkatapos kong maligo ay naghanda na ako. I slipped into the suit and did my makeup. I decided to do the white eyeliner makeup that took almost two hours for me to perfect! Then I applied a thin coat of lip gloss and put on the slithery snake Bulgari necklace that attorney gifted me on my birthday.

Nang matapos na ako ay lumabas ako upang hanapin si Barin. He's lounging lazily at the couch, chewing on the throw pillow. Napailing ako at nagpunta sa kusina upang asikasuhin ang pagkain niya. He might as well have an early dinner because I'm not sure what time I'll be going home tonight.

I arrived at the venue 15 minutes earlier to have a look at the paintings before it was crowded with visitors. Marami ng tao sa loob na palakad-lakad. Some were art enthusiasts, aspiring painters, and potential buyers. A mix of businessmen and businesswomen also roamed the area. Even the toughest business owners are also willing to invest for art and culture, I decided.

Huminto ako upang tingnan ang isang malaking painting ng dagat. The sea looks so familiar to me. The violent blue crashing against the rocks to declare its power and glory made my heart stir. I'm sure the artist made this painting with emotion and such attention to details that it draws me closer to it.

"So, do you like it?"

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang biglang may magsalita sa tabi ko. I turned and saw Ceris, dressed in a black evening dress with deep V-neck and open back. She looked so stunning in bold, red lipstick and pearl earrings.

"You're a brilliant artist, Cerise. I don't know why I haven't heard from you before!" I praised genuinely, pulling her into a brief hug.

Tumawa si Cerise at tinapik ang aking balikat. In her other hand is a wineglass, probably to soothe her nerves as I saw some of the most important men roaming inside the room. It's not easy to face them and convince why your art is so important and worth the investment.

"You're a ballet dancer, right?"

Tumango ako.

"I haven't seen any of your performance. I'm sure with all the years you spent in Russia that you're an excellent ballerina."

I bit my lower lip, contemplating if I should tell her about my being the lady behind the masked ballerina and the dancing puma. I'm sure she's heard of it. My performances hit international televisions and God knows how many interviews I declined just to keep my identity hidden.

"Maybe you'll see me perform someday," I assured her instead.

Ngumiti si Cerise at tumango. "Maybe..."

Pagkatapos naming mag-usap ay iniwan na niya ako. A waiter passed by and offered me a drink. I plucked a tall wineglass from the tray and continued to roam around slowly, staring at the paintings and thinking deeply.

The faint shutter of the camera made me turn. Nang lumingon ako, nakita ko si Blake na seryosong nakatingin sa naka-angat niyang cellphone.

"Nakalimutan mong i-off ang shutter ng camera mo," sita ko sa kaniya.

He grinned and then shoved his phone inside before joining next to me. "Kanina ka pa dito?"

"Mm-hmm."

Blake pulled me gently to press a kiss on my forehead, murmuring slightly.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. The meeting with the board was extended."

Tumaas ang kilay ko. "No one asked, Blake."

"Thought you should know..." he eyed the wineglass I am holding and then slowly unwrapped my fingers from the glass. Bago pa ako makapag-protesta ay ininuman na niya ang champagne ko!

I glared at him.

"You can't appreciate art if you're too drunk," he reasoned out.

"The same thing goes for you," I rolled my eyes and looked for the waiter to refill my glass.

Tahimik na nakasunod si Blake sa akin. Between the two of us, I've had more connection to art than he is. He's more into business and investment and stock market. But he's looking at his sister-in-law's paintings as if he's a proud father and it made my heart flutter.

"Ang ganda 'no? I thought a painting like this in my living room would take away all the stress from work," Blake commented, pointing at the field of flowers. The colors are bursting from red to yellow to violet and it just blended so beautifully. Napatango ako.

"Cerise is very talented. Swerte si Reuben sa kaniya. Meron siyang libreng self-portrait mula sa isang sikat na painter!" he chuckled at his own comment and then looked at me. Then his eyes softened.

"What? Why are you staring at me like that?" suplada kong tanong sa kaniya.

He shrugged and then smiled, slowly drifting his gaze back to his painting.

"Swerte din ako sa iyo. I get to see you dance for the rest of my life..."

Umawang ang bibig ko sa sinabi niya. I blinked, trying to regain my composure. Arrogantly, I lifted my chin at him.

"At sino namang nagsabi na makakasama mo ako sa buong buhay mo?"

"Kakasabi ko lang."

I rolled my eyes. "You won't even ask me if I want to spend the rest of my days with you?"

This time, sumeryoso ang mukha niya. Tuluyan na niyang nilisan ng tingin ang painting at tiningnan ako. Malamlam ang mga mata niya at nangungusap.

"Bakit? Ayaw mo ba?"

I was stunned at how serious his voice is! Nagbibiro lang naman ako nang tanungin ko yun. And regret quickly washed over me the moment it spilled from my mouth!

Straightening my back, I turned half my body to him and kept my face stoic.

"I'm a ballet dancer. My life belongs to the theatre, Blake. And I travel. A lot. I travel to many places to perform and let people see my art. That's the only way I can connect with them. I'm not born to be rooted in a house and become a wife. I'm a career woman and I don't intend to lose my independence to anyone... even if it's you."

A few agonizing seconds passed. Malakas ang tambol ng puso ko pero pinilit kong huwag magpakita ng kahit na anong emosyon sa kaniya. I am treating my career like a doctor treats his patient. Just full of passion and sweat and blood and sacrifices. The last five years made me realize that I can't be with anyone who plans to tie me to bed and stay in one place.

Blake smiled a small, rueful smile. He reached for my hand and then squeezed it. Tumango siya.

"Naiintindihan ko, Anna. Wala naman akong balak na itali ka o pagbawalan ka na gawin ang gusto mong gawin sa buhay. I can still love you even if you're thousands of miles away, just like how I continued to love you when you left for Russia. What kind of a man ends the career of his woman just to share a life? That's not how love works, Savannah..."

It would be easier if Blake is just some dominating alpha who demands his girl to be near him all the time so I could get angry and just walk away. But no. He's not something like that and it infuriates me because all this time, he's been so patient and rational while I breathe fire to anyone in my way!

"Let's talk about this some other time..." I murmured, pulling my hand away.

Tumango si Blake. Binawi niya pa rin ang kamay ko. Despite my protest, he intertwined our hands together while roaming around the huge exhibit. He'd greet some of his business colleagues every now and then and would introduce me to them. He kind of reminded me of my parents, of how they'd introduce me to their important friends during parties.

Pagkatapos ng showing ay inaya kaming dalawa ni Cerise for a private dinner party. Blake and I went and I finally saw her three adorable sons! Hawak ni Reuben ang dalawang bata sa magkabilang kamay habang ang isa naman ay nakasakay sa kaniyang leeg at hinihila ang buhok niya! The father and his sons looked adorable together. Kung hindi lang sila nilapitan ni Cerise, no one would suspect that the woman is married and has three children. Kinuha niya ang isang anak at kinarga, saka nilapitan kami sa table namin.

"O, mano ka kay ninong, Daniel..." she cooed.

Blake smiled and cuddled the little boy in his lap. Nakatingin lang ako sa kaniyang nilalaro ang bata. He even made funny faces just to make him smile!

I hid the smile and pretended I wasn't looking when both boys turned to me. Kinuha ko ang wineglass at uminom mula doon.

"Gusto mo siyang hawakan?" alok ni Blake sa akin.

"Mahilig ka ba sa bata, Anna?" nakangiting tanong sa akin ni Cerise, binubuhat na si Daniel patungo sa akin!

Nag-panic kaagad ako. Before I could decline, Cerise dumped the 50-pound baby on my lap! Daniel looked up to me and tried to reach me with his fat hands!

I looked up and saw Blake and Cerise smiling down at me. I didn't know what to do with it! So, I just smiled and let him nibble on my hand.

"He's teething..." Cerise laughed and then ruffled the thin hair of her son. "Baka makagat ka..."

Nagsisimula na akong matuwa sa bata kaya nilalaro ko na din siya. Cerise left the three of us when someone called her name from the other table. Umusog nang kaunti si Blake patungo sa akin.

"He's so cute!" I said in awe.

"Yeah... cute..." he absentmindedly answered.

"Oh! Look at his eyes! Ang gwapo-gwapo siguro ng batang ito paglaki, 'no?"

"Mm-hmm..."

"Are you even listening?"

Napaigtad si Blake nang panliitan ko siya ng mga mata. I caught him looking at me instead of the baby! He gave me an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. Ikaw kasi tinitingnan ko..."

I rolled my eyes. "I know I'm pretty, Blake. Huwag mo naman masyadong ipahalata kung gaano ka ka-baliw sa akin..."

"Oo na. Huwag ka nang magalit," aniya.

I puffed an annoyed huff and then continued playing with the baby until his mother came back. Parang ayaw ko pang ibigay ang bata sa kaniya pero wala na din akong nagawa.

Reuben saw us and joined our table to talk. He seems really happy with his three boys and a beautiful wife. Reuben doesn't mind fading into the background while his wife is adored by many for her exceptional talent and exquisite beauty.

"They're a handful..." Reuben confessed, chuckling as Daniel slept in his arms. The two boys are chasing under the table, butting heads with our knees now and then. Hinayaan lang sila ng ama. "Sometimes, Cerise and I would go mad just taking care of the boys. They're so full of energy!"

"Makukulit nga, Kuya," ani Blake.

He stared at the two of us meaningfully. "Mana sa nanay. Hindi naman makulit si Anna kaya siguro ang magiging anak niyo ay behave lang,"

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. I looked up with wide eyes, completely speechless. Tumawa si Blake sa sinabi ni Reuben tapos binalingan ako.

"Ano sa tingin mo?"

"W-What are you saying?" I said, flustered and totally uncomfortable! All eyes were on me now! Pati si Cerise ay hinihintay din ata ang sagot ko.

Blake laughed, sensing my discomfort. "Hindi pa namin yan napag-uusapan ni Anna."

"Dad will go nuts if the two of you don't get married by the end of this year. You know how he is."

Tumahimik si Blake at tumango na lamang. I did not bother to correct Reuben and was glad when the conversation shifted into different topic. When they started talking about business, I excused myself for some fresh air. Nagpunta ako sa kung saan ko ipinark ang Porsche at isinandaal ang pang-upo sa hood ng kotse. Saka ko inilabas ang cellphone ko.

Tired of all the social interactions earlier, I decided to do a quick visit of my Instagram. Pa-scroll scroll lng ako at naisipang bisitahin ang profile ni Blake.

It was the picture of me earlier, holding a glass of wine and staring at the wall of painting! With the suit and curly hair and the picture being a bit blurry, it looked totally like a high fashion aesthetic.

Umani kaagad iyon ng libo-libong likes, despite it being his first post. I quickly checked the hundreds of comments below.

@danavismer: OMG. real profile ba to ni blake?

@bautistaflor: saket. first post niya jowa niya

@claraaamory: yung asawa mong may iba ng asawa! isa kang taksil!

@theserenityofficial: hello! pls check my shop for new dropouts :)

@cerisesobreval: tag na yan @blakesobreval

Napasapo ako sa ulo! I didn't know he post this picture of me! I quickly exited the application and decided to calm myself when someone suddenly spoke.

"Ini-stalk mo ako pero hindi mo ako finollow back..."

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat nang biglang may magsalita. Muntik ko pang mahulog ang hawak kong phone! When I looked up, Blake is already staring darkly at me.

"What are you doing here?"

Hindi ako sumagot at kaagad na itinago ang phone ko. Matalim ang tingin ko sa kaniya. He posted my picture without my consent!

Blake stepped closer. Amoy na amoy ko na ang pabango niya ngayong ganito siya kalapit sa akin.

"Na-offend ka ba sa tanong ni Kuya kanina?"

I laughed without humor. "Ano k aba, Blake. Wala lang yun. Tsaka, hindi naman alam ng kuya mo ang nangyari kaya..." I bit my lip and trailed off. "Hayaan mo nalang siya," I said instead.

"I'm sorry."

Kumunot ang noo ko at tinitigan siya, nalilituhan. "Huh?"

"You must feel very pressured right now. I promise to tell my brother to be careful with his words next time when you're around."

Inikutan ko siya ng mga mata. "Like I said, it's nothing!"

Blake stood in front of me. Nakaupo pa rin ako sa hood ng kotse ko kaya sobrang tangkad niyang tingnan at nakatingala na ako sa kaniya. He stared at me and for a moment, I could see the ripple of intense emotions dancing in his eyes.

His other hand went to caress and cup my cheeks. Nanginig ako sa haplos niya. I did not break my gaze with him as I continued staring back. Blake's fingers traveled to trace my jawline. He remained silent, like a predator examining his prey before attacking. Then his finger went to clutch the middle of my lower lip, stroking it lightly. I parted my mouth just a little, feeling really hot right now. Narinig ko ang marahas na pagsinghap ni Blake.

"Damn it, Anna. I want to kiss you right now—"

Hindi ko na siya pinagsalita pa. I pulled him closer using the back of his neck and crashed my lips to him. He tensed at first, and then we both melted into each other's arms as he started kissing me back.

Blake took a handful of my hair to drag me closer as his teeth nipped at my lower lip. Then I felt his hot tongue entering my mouth again to dominate and deepen the kiss.

Napapikit nalang ako. He tasted like the first time I kissed him, some six or seven years ago. I couldn't remember our first kiss anymore but I remember how it felt, how I felt, and how it tasted. Walang nagbago.

Blake's hand is in a hurry right now. Gumagapang ang kamay niya sa kung saan-saan. I let him roam and responded to his kiss, wrapping both my legs around his buttocks to pull him closer. He tugged on the edge of my suit, desperate to tear it away from me as I clung unto his shoulders.

It was his greediness and hunger that made me ache. When his hands ran low below my breasts, the muscles in my stomach trembled. I threw my head back and Blake placed wet kisses against my heated skin as I went weak with his touch.

"Blake..." I couldn't suppress the moan from escaping.

His mouth traveled back to my lips and when our eyes met, I shivered at how dangerous and dark his eyes looked right now. He pressed another kiss to my lips and then pulled away. His breathing is labored as he tried to calm himself.

"I-I'll drive you home, Anna..." he cleared his throat.

Stunned at what happened, I slowly nodded and then smoothened the wrinkles of my suit. Inalalayan niya akong makababa. Nanginginig pa ang mga kamay ko nang iniabot ko ang susi ng kotse sa kaniya.

And then, both of us were silent on the drive back home.

#HanmariamRBII5