Chapter 8

"Ma'am, sigurado ka bang pusa lang talaga yan?" Salvador swallowed. Nagtitigan silang dalawa ni Barin.

I chuckled. "Of course. He's just a cat."

"Bakit ang laki naman, Ma'am?!"

"Mas malaki ka naman kaya huwag kang matakot. Tsaka, hindi yan nangangagat."

"Anong pangalan n'yan, Ma'am? Naiilang po akong tawaging kitty. Parang hindi bagay."

I laughed out loud and gestured Barin to come. Nang humakbang siya papunta sa amin ay humakbang naman paatras si Salvador. I smiled at him and signaled that he's really okay.

"His name is Barin."

"Barin..." he repeated after me.

"Don't worry. He's a good boy. Once he gets used to your presence, I'm sure the two of you will get along very well."

I explained to him a short history of my pet, his feeding schedule, and his grooming schedule. Salvador keeps on glancing nervously at my pet. Pagkatapos ko siyang kausapin ay pinainom ko muna siya ng juice sa living room para kumalma saka ko sinagot ang tawag mula sa pinsan.

"We're ready. Nand'yan ka na ba?"

"Oo, palabas na ako ng dormitory. Sa mall nalang tayo magkita!"

I agreed, even though it was such a hassle for her to go to the mall when we could just pick her up in a dormitory. The truck I rented for Barin's cage also arrived. We wrapped the things up and then I slid in the backseat of my car. Salvador is my driver for today.

"Dahan-dahan ka lang sa pagmamaneho, ha. Dapat nakasunod pa rin yung truck sa atin. Napa-praning ako kapag hindi ko sila nakikita sa likod."

Salvador nodded and stayed cheerful while we were driving.

"Susunduin natin yung pinsan ko sa mall. Daan muna tayo doon."

"Wala pong problema, Ma'am!"

Thankfully, hindi gaanong traffic ngayon. We arrived in less than an hour. Valentina is already outside the mall, near the waiting shed. She's wearing a simple pair of jeans and tank top. No one would suspect she's a doctor in her outfit. Nakasuot pa siya ng head scarf at shades. I rolled down the passenger window and waved at her.

"Savia!" she cheerfully hopped into the car as I opened the door. Pinaypayan niya ang sarili niya. "Grabe, ang init!"

I rolled my eyes. "Kung sa dormitory ka nalang naghintay, eh di sana hindi ka nainitan!"

"Ayos lang!" she quickly supplied. "M-May tiningnan din naman ako sa mall kanina," she shrugged.

Napailing ako. I gestured for Salvador to continue driving. Valentina smiled widely at me.

"Ikaw si Salvador? Ang bagong bodyguard ni Savia?"

"Ah, opo, Ma'am. Kakasimula ko lang po ngayong linggo."

"Great!" she clapped her hands in delight and then turned to me. "Now, I don't have to worry so much about you. May Barin ka na, may Salvador ka pa! Atsaka, yung Blake? Are you dating—"

"Look, here are the image data you requested from me. You can study it from here."

Ngumuso si Valentina at kinuha ang iniabot kong print sa kaniya. Kumunot ang noo niya habang binabasa ang laman nito.

Suddenly, her phone started ringing. She pulled it out of her pockets and I caught a glimpse of the caller ID.

Jerk calling...

Valentina rolled her eyes before answering the call.

"Ano?"

Nanatiling nakasimangot ang mukha niya habang nakikinig sa kabilang linya.

"Ano ba yan, Enzo! You can't keep calling me for random stuff! Busy ako, diba? Tingnan mo sa taas ng washing machine at kung saan-saan mo lang nilalagay ang gamit mo. Tsaka, nakakadisturbo ka! Day off ko ngayon at may date ako. D'yan ka na!"

She angrily ended the call and shut her phone before placing it inside her bag. Padabog niyang kinuha ang print at bumuntong-hininga.

"LQ kayo ng jowa mo, Ma'am?" Salvador chuckled.

Valentina rolled her eyes. "Hindi ko siya jowa 'no! Ang ganda-ganda ko naman para pagtiisan ang asungot na yun."

"Was that the same guy from the staff room last time? Yung doktor?"

Her eyes widened, but she was quick to compose herself. A transition from suspended shock to concealing her expression quickly took over her face.

"No! Of course not! Senior ko yun..."

"Yung ex mo."

"Yes! My ex!"

"Are you two living together?"

"What?! No!" she almost shrieked. "Hindi pa naman ako nasisiraan ng utak para makitira sa bahay ng ex ko—" she quickly stopped herself and shut her eyes close. Then she sighed. "Hindi siya yun," sinabi niya na lang.

I chuckled. Pati si Salvador na nakikinig sa usapan namin ay napangisi na rin.

"Okay. Sabi mo eh," I teased her and went back to reading the pocket book. Inubos ko ang oras ko sa pagbabasa hanggang sa makarating na kami.

The drive is long, yet relaxing. Wala namang masyadong nagbago sa La Union simula nang umalis ako. Everything is the same. It's still peaceful and the sunset is amazing. The locals are preparing for their night while we headed straight to the attorney's house.

Ibinigay na niya sa akin ang susi beforehand. It's hard to find a hotel that can accommodate a puma. Isa pa, ang dami namin ngayon. Good thing no one's living in attorney's house right now since they moved out to Manila. Tanging ang caretaker lang niya ang nangangalaga sa lumang bahay.

"Basta ang usapan ha, bukas ng gabi dapat nasa ospital na ako..." Valentina said anxiously. "Malalagutan talaga ako sa chief surgeon namin kapag hindi ako naka-duty bukas!"

I nodded and assured her that Salvador will drive her back whenever necessary. Baka bukas din ako ng gabi makauwi kung matapos ko kaagad ang gagawin ko dito.

I dropped my bags to the wooden floor and opened the sliding door that leads to the terrace. Malayo ang bahay nila attorney mula sa amin. Even though it's a bit far, I could feel my heart pounding. Bukas babalik ulit ako sa mansion. Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat asahan ko.

"Ano? Kanina ka pa tumatawag ah!"

Napalingon ako nang marinig si Valentina na ngayon ay may kausap na naman sa phone niya. We're sharing the same room tonight, the master's, while Salvador will be sleeping in a room downstairs. Inutusan namin siyang bumili ng pagkain sa bayan dahil wala nang bukas na kahit anong tindahan dito pagkarating namin.

She rolled her eyes. "Sinasabi mo bang nagsisinungaling ako? Nandito ako sa Tagaytay kasama ang date ko—" she stopped and scowled. "Si Savia? Paano mo nakilala si Savia?"

"Ah, kaibigan mo si Blake." Sarkastiko niyang wika pagkatapos ng ilang segundo. "Sabihin mo d'yan sa kaibigan mo, kung gusto niyang makita na okay talaga si Savia eh pumunta siya ng La Union! Hindi yung dinadaan-daan pa sa akin. Para kayong mga teenagers!"

She scoffed and ended the call. Nagtama ang tingin naming dalawa.

"Si Blake ba yung binanggit mo?"

Valentina rolled her eyes and nodded. "Oo. Tumawag si Enzo sa akin kasi hindi mo raw sinasagot ang mga tawag ni Blake. Gusto niyang malaman kung maayos ka namang nakarating dito sa Elyu."

"Enzo?"

She bit her lower lip and averted her gaze. "Uhm... CR lang ako!" aniya at nagmamadaling lumabas.

I stared at the bed, trying to pick up the pieces together. Everett Alonzo... is Enzo? Malamang siya yun!

Napailing ako at napangisi nang mapagtanto kung ano talaga ang tinatago ng pinsan ko sa akin.

Nang matapos na siyang mag-CR 'kuno' ay ako naman ang pumalit sa kaniya. I showered and changed into fresh clothes. Bumaba na kaming dalawa nang dumating si Salvador dala ang mga pagkain namin. We ate at the dining hall. Pagkatapos naming kumain ay pinakain ko na din si Barin.

"Siya ba talaga yung puma ni Lolo?" Tina wondered out loud, still staring at my pet.

"Siya nga."

"Isn't he too old for traveling, Savia?"

I bit my lower lip and sighed. I try not to think about it, but Barin is really getting older. He's spent his life in sorrow before he was rescued. He was an adult back then. Mga tatlong taon ata siya kay Lolo bago siya napunta sa akin. He's spent his eight years in the family already.

Nilinis muna namin saglit ang bahay pagkatapos ay umakyat na kami. Valentina occupied the wooden desk and started studying with all her medical books around. Hindi ko na siya dinisturbo. She put her phone on a silent mode so it only lit up when she received a call. Pinagmasdan ko lang na mag-ring ito hanggang sa naging missed call.

"I'm going to sleep," I announced.

Valentina distractedly nodded. "Good night."

"Good night."

Kinabukasan, maaga kaming nagising. I told her to bring a casual dress with her because we are going to attend a party.

Unlike yesterday, nagluto kami ng agahan namin dahil namalengke naman si Salvador. I gave him 500 for our breakfast and he said he only spent 200 of it pero ang dami na niyang dala!

"Salvador, baka naman binu-bully mo yung mga tindera sa palengke kaya ang dami ng mga nabili mo."

"Hala, hindi po Ma'am, ah! Alam ko lang talaga kung saan yung mga murang paninda!" depensa niya naman.

I chuckled and started cooking. Salvador offered to help. He's been a great help. I'm planning to enroll him in a combat class when we get back to Russia to improve his skills.

Pagkatapos naming kumain ay umakyat ulit kami sa taas upang maghanda. Nag-presenta na si Salvador na siya ang magpapakain kay Barin kaya hinayaan ko na.

I studied the red invitation card, flipping it back and forth. Her name is written in gold and all the details were there. I scoffed.

I could still remember the last birthday party I spent with her. She tried to kill me! If that's her way of celebrating birthdays then she must be sick and out of her mind.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin nang lumabas si Valentina mula sa CR. She's wearing a red low cut dress that fits her body perfectly. I'm not sure how she managed to maintain her body despite the night shift and lack of proper sleep. She's a doctor, pero siya mismo ay napapabayaan ang katawan niya dahil sa trabaho.

"Bagay ba?" she grinned, giving me a twirl.

"You look great." I said to her.

She pouted, looking at me. I'm wearing the black Medusa accent draped dress that I ordered from Versace. As soon as I saw that dress, I fell in love and decided that it's going to be my revenge dress. It is simple, yet elegant.

"Pero wala pa ring makakatalo sa katawan mo! Sana pala naging ballet dancer nalang ako!" she laughed.

Pabiro ko siyang inirapan at nagpatuloy na sa pag-aayos. Kinuha niya ang invitation card nang makita ito. She smirked.

"Parang debut lang, ah?"

"You know how she is. Valerie likes throwing extravagant birthday parties as if it's her last..." I said, clipping my pearl earrings and staring at the mirror. "Or maybe, it's really her last."

Hinampas ni Tina ang invitation sa ulo ko. It ruined my hair! I scowled at her.

"Sira! Hindi porket mamamatay-tao siya, magiging mamamatay-tao ka na rin. You could have your revenge without bathing in blood, you know that?"

I laughed. Inayos ko ulit ang buhok ko. "Alam ko yun. Kaya nga nandito ka, diba?"

"Kinakabahan ako sa iyo, Savia." She admitted. "Paano kung may mangyari talaga dun? I don't want to lose my medical license because of this!"

"You're not gonna lose it," I rolled my eyes. "I just want you there in case anything happens. Limang taon, Tina... sa tingin mo, wala akong sasabihin sa kaniya? Ang dami kong gustong sabihin at isumbat sa kaniya. Baka hindi niya kayanin, eh."

Nilapitan ako ni Valentina. She placed both her hands on my shoulders and squeezed it. Namumula ang gilid ng mga mata ko dahil sa pinipigilang mga luha. Whenever I think about her, all I could feel is anger. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin siya mapatawad dahil sa ginawa niya! Heck, I shouldn't even bring Tina in the first place because she deserves whatever that could happen to her but I did!

She deserves to suffer for everything she's done to me. But if I'm going to get my revenge, I'll make sure that I can still sleep at night after that. I'll make sure that I'll have no regrets after walking out.

Pababa na ako ng hagdan nang tumunog ang phone ko. Blake is calling me again. I picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?"

"I told you. I'm going home this weekend."

"Alam ko. Nasaan ka nga ngayon?"

Kumunot ang noo ko at napahinto sa paglalakad. Did he just follow me here?

"Are you in La Union right now?"

Blake sighed on the other line. "You're not answering my calls, Anna. Anong magagawa ko?"

Heck, he's really in La Union!

"Umuwi ka na," ani ko at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad. Valentina followed me, looking pretty in her dress and white heels. "Hindi kita maaasikaso. Marami akong gagawin dito."

"Alam ko rin yun. Gusto ko lang malaman kung nakaalis ka na. You're staying in Atty. de Guzman's house, right?"

"What the heck?! Paano mo nalaman?"

"Connections," he replied smugly. "So, did you leave already?"

"Paano mo nalaman? Are you a stalker? You're so creepy!"

Blake sighed. "Kinaibigan ko si Salvador, okay? Para alam ko kung saan ka nagpupunta. Hindi mo naman kasi sinasagot ang mga tawag ko."

I stopped and then glared at Salvador. Nalaman niya ata na siya ang pinag-uusapan dahil mabilis niyang dinipensahan ang sarili niya.

Tinakpan ko muna ang phone ko at kinausap siya. Naningkit ang mga mata ko.

"Kinaibigan ka daw ni Blake?"

"Hala, Ma'am hindi po! Binlack-mail po ako ni Sir! Inosente po ako, Ma'am!" agad niyang saad.

Inis kong binalikan si Blake.

"How dare you blackmail my bodyguard?!"

He chuckled. "Hindi yun blackmail, oy. Sorry na, desperado lang. Pati si Enzo, inabala ko pa."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa narinig.

"He's the one who's going to operate on Jessica, right?"

"Huh? Ah, oo. Si Enzo. Dr. Ciervo."

I grinned devilishly and then nodded. So my theories are correct! I glanced at Valentina who's busy typing on her phone.

"Actually, kasama ko siya ngayon. Nagpumilit. May importanteng gagawin daw siya sa La Union."

I chuckled. Valentina glanced up, looking at me with a confused expression. Humalakhak lang ako at patuloy na bumaba ng hagdan.

"We're going to the mansion. It's an exclusive party. Do you want to come with me?"

"Nasa labas na ako, Anna."

Napanganga ako at mabilis na pinutol ang tawag. When I swung the door open, I saw Blake and Dr. Ciervo outside. Blake is leaning against his car, his phone in hand while Dr. Ciervo is still in his white lab coat. He glanced at me briefly and then pulled his attention back to his phone.

"Kanina ka pa dito?"

"Kakarating lang namin," ani Blake. He looked a bit tired. Galing ba pa siya ng office at dumiretso dito?

"Sir!" Salvador acknowledged him. I scowled at the two of them. I feel like they're teaming up on me!

"Magkaibigan pala kayo ni Salvador, ngayon ko lang nalaman." I rolled my eyes.

"Ma'am, totoo po talaga yun! Binlackmail lang ako ni Sir. Sabi niya malilintikan ako sa kaniya kapag may nangyari sa iyo."

I raised a brow at him. Blake quickly looked away, already feeling guilty. Napailing ako.

"Enzo?! What the heck are you doing here?"

Napalingon ako kay Tina na kalalabas lang ng bahay at gulat na gulat na nakatingin kay Dr. Ciervo. He glanced at her, and then smirked. Bahagya niyang itinaas ang kaniyang hawak na iPhone.

"Date pala sa Tagaytay, huh?"

Valentina's cheeks burned in embarrassment. She glared and pointed at him.

"Sinunsundan mo ba ako, ha?! Anong ginagawa mo dito?"

"Luh, kapal nito. Kasama ko ang kaibigan ko."

"Whatever!"

Nagkatinginan lang kaming dalawa ni Blake habang nagtatalo silang dalawa. Nang hindi sila tumigil ay tumikhim ako.

"Guys, may party pa tayong pupuntahan. We don't want to be late..."

Valentina scoffed and stalked towards the waiting car. She slammed the door shut.

"Binadtrip mo, pre." Blake chuckled.

"Pakakalmahin ko lang yun mamaya," he smirked and then got inside the car.

"Are they really exes?" I wondered out loud.

"Bakit?"

"They act like they still care for each other. If they do, they should just get back, right?" I asked carelessly, looking at Blake, and then my eyes widened.

He smiled at me sadly. "Hindi naman kasi lahat pwede mong balikan, Anna." aniya at pumasok na din sa kotse niya.

I was bothered while we were driving to the mansion. Marahil siguro sa sinabi ni Blake. I couldn't get it off my head! Maya't maya ay nililingon ko sila at nakitang nakasunod pa naman ang kotse nila sa amin.

I took a deep breath, and then composed myself. After five long years, I am back. I've waited for this day. I shouldn't be distracted.

Inayos ko ulit ang makeup ko at nang makita ko ang mansion namin sa di kalayuan, I almost wanted to cry.

Nauna akong lumabas ng kotse at pinagmasdan ang mansion kung saan ako lumaki. Walang masyadong nagbago. It's the same Victorian-styled mansion in white pillars and big, black iron gates.

But the entire staff—from the guards, the housekeepers, the gardeners, and probably the cooks are all unfamiliar to me. I showed my invitation card and went inside.

The party is held inside. I stepped into the familiar grand parlor and saw a lot of familiar faces. Politicians, businessmen, lawyers, and bankers. They're all here. I guess Valerie managed to keep her elite circle after all the money she got from my family.

"Isn't that Savannah De la Rua?"

"Savannah? You mean, that little girl Anna?"

"Anak ni Simone at Anastasia, diba?"

"She's alive?!"

"I can't believe what I'm seeing..."

I ignored the whispers of the people around me as I entered the grand parlor. Nakasunod sa akin si Blake, Valentina, Enzo, at Salvador. Sa tabi ko naman si Barin. They moved in fear to make way for me and my friends.

Scanning the surroundings, I looked for that familiar face. I couldn't forget that face of a woman who had nearly ruined my life. As soon as I saw her, I stopped walking.

She's talking and laughing with an older man, who looks so expensive in his white suit. They were laughing about something and drinking champagne. Valerie smiled and took a sip. But as soon as our eyes met, her smile vanished.

I smiled at her, slowly, teasingly, as I watched the color from her face drained as I walked nearer. Hindi nawawala ang ngiti sa mukha ko hanggang sa tuluyan ko na siyang malapitan.

Now, everyone's attention is on us.

"What... how..." she was at loss for words as she stared at me. I could see her hands shaking as she struggled to hold the wineglass.

"Happy birthday, Valerie! I came here because I have a surprise for you..." I said sweetly.