3 Chapter 02

"HAPPY Birthday, Kyline!"

"Gianna!" Isang mahigpit na yakap ang natanggap niya mula kay Kyline. "It's really you! Hindi nga talaga nagbibiro si Sage nang sinabi niyang nandito ka."

Natawa siya. "Why, of course. Ang akala mo ba'y nagbibiro si Sage?"

"Yeah, I thought that would be impossible. I mean you're probably too busy to even think of going back here."

Napailing siya. "Let's just say I ran away."

"What?" bulalas ni Kyline. "Are you nuts? Hindi ka na teenager para gawin ang ganun bagay."

She shrugged her shoulders. Maybe she was a nut for running away from her responsibilities, but for the first time she felt free. For the first time, she could breath. If only it could last forever.

Ganun na lang ang pasasalamat niya nang lapitan sila ni Sage kasama ang girlfriend nitong si Rainee. At least she could dodge the topic with the two of them here. Knowing Kyline, she knew she would press her further about it. And she didn't want to talk about it. At least not for now.

"Happy Birthday, Kyline," bati ni Rainee.

Her gaze went down on her arm which was latched on to Sage's. Nakuyom niya ang palad niya. How long did she need to act in front of this girl? She was getting tired of forcing herself to smile in front of her. "If you'll excuse me, I need to use the powder room."

Sa malalaking hakbang ay tinungo niya ang powder room. Pagkapasok niya sa loob ay saka niya naalala na hindi pa pala niya naiaabot kay Kyline ang regalo niya para dito. Naihilamos niya ang kamay sa mukha. She was distracted. And she blame those two for it. Seeing them together brought sadness and pain on her.

Kanina sa sasakyan lamang ay parang gusto na niyang lumabas at mag-isa na lang pumunta sa venue. Hindi niya alam ang pasikot-sikot sa lugar but she could ask for a direction patungong venue. As long as she could run away from the two. She couldn't stand watching them together. Naninikip ang dibdib niya at nahihirapan siyang huminga. But she needed to endure it, act like she's not hurting.

She heaved a deep sigh. She didn't have a choice but to go back there. Pero wala siyang plano na magtagal sa party. Siguro naman ay ayos lang kung maaga siyang aalis. She could just tell that she was not feeling well suddenly.

HER EYES searched for Kyline among the crowd but it was Sage who she first saw. Ganun na lang ang gulat niya nang makitang kausap nito ang mga magulang nito. Sa malalaking hakbang ay tinungo niya ang direksyon nila.

When Sage decided to be an actor, it caused a rift in his relationship with his parents. And in just a blink of an eye, his parents treated him like a stranger. They gave him a cold shoulder.

Bumagal ang lakad niya ng makitang biglang dumating si Rainee. She held his hand and she saw how relieved Sage was when she did. Nakagat niya ang labi niya. 'It's unfair. Let me hold your hand like that too, Sage.'

"You're staring at my cousin with your heart in your eyes, Ms. Suarez."

She nearly jumped out of her skin when someone spoke from behind her. She turned around and when she did, she met a pair of grey eyes.

"It's been awhile, Zaylee."

Her eyes widen when she heard her second name. There's only one person who called her by that name. "Hunter?" bulalas niya.

"I'm surprised you still remember me after all these years."

She stared at him. How could she forget someone who showed her nothing but hatred back then? His eyes, like before, were as cold as ice, sending shivers down her spine every time he looked at her. "Why, of course. You're the only person who calls me by that name."

Hunter Jade Ruiz—Sage's cousin. His mom was a famous actress while his dad was a businessman. He had a younger sister, Louraine. Just like Sage, she knew him since she was a kid. But she never considered him as a childhood friend. Hunter was… ever since the first time they met, he didn't bother to hide his hatred at her.

"So why are you looking at my cousin like that?"

"You're just imagining things."

"Really?" Tumingin ito sa direksyon nila Sage at Rainee. "But I know what my eyes saw and I believe it. You were staring at my cousin like he's your most precious thing in this world. Am I right?"

"Oh shut up, Hunter!" inis niyang sabi.

Pero sa halip na huminto ay lalo pa itong nagpatuloy. "You're a supermodel now and with that beautiful face you can have anyone you want. You're every man's desire. So why would you want someone who's already taken?"

Bakit nga ba? She hated to admit it but he's right. She's Gianna Zaylee Suarez. Numerous men were going crazy on her, fantasizing her, wanting her to be their girl. But why? If only she had known the answer, then she won't be hurting herself.

"That's none of your business," she answered coldly.

"Well it is," kalmado nitong sagot. Niluwagan nito bigla ang suot na necktie and then he muttered something incoherently.

"Did you say something?"

"I don't know why you came back here. But I'm telling you it's better if you go back in New York. Enjoy the limelight and the attention they are all giving you there. And whatever feelings you have for my cousin, forget it already. It's hopeless."

No matter how much time had passed, nothing had changed. His hatred for her was still there, never disappearing. "Why do you hate me that much? Ever since we were kids, you would always look at me with contempt in your eyes."

"Do I need a reason? I don't like you and that's it. And even until now, it still hasn't changed."

If only she knew something like this would happen, she would have not gone here. The night that she should be enjoying turned into hell. And it was because of this man standing in front of him. That little cub had now grown into a ferocious beast.

"Is there any problem?" si Sage. Hindi niya namalayan na nasa likuran na pala niya ito. "Are you two arguing?"

She didn't answer.

"Hunter! Nandito ka na pala. Kanina ka pa ba dito?"

Napahigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa paper bag nang marinig niya ang boses ni Rainee.

"No, kakarating ko lang. Where's Kyline?"

"If you're looking for Kyline, she's there." Itinuro ni Rainee ang table na kinaroroonan ni Kyline.

"Okay, thanks. Maiwan ko muna kayo."

Napaamang siya. Was he really going to leave her alone with these two? "Hunter!" she called out but he didn't bother to look back. Sa halip ay nagdire-diretso lang siya sa paglalakad.

"Are you okay, Gianna? Did the two of you argue?"

"I'm sorry," ang sabi niya ng hindi man lumilingon kay Sage. Hindi niya sinagot ang tanong nito. "Bigla ay sumama ang pakiramdam ko. Sa tingin ko ay uuwi na lang ako."

"Ihahatid na kita."

"No, thanks. You don't need to bother. I can manage. Magbo-book na lang ako ng taxi," she answered. "At isa pa ay nakakahiya naman kung bigla kang mawawala sa birthday mismo ng kapatid mo."

Liningon niya silang dalawa ni Rainee at pinilit na ngumiti. Sa malalaking hakbang ay dali-dali niyang tinungo ang pintuan palabas ng function room. Kahit hindi man siya lumingon ay ramdam niya ang mga mata ni Sage na sinusundan siya ng tingin palabas ng function room.

IN THE END, hindi din niya naibigay kay Kyline ang regalo para dito. Sa sobrang pagmamadali niya kanina ay nawala na sa isip niya ang regalo.

Nahiga siya sa kama. Inabot niya ang isang unan at niyakap yun ng mahigpit. How could she possibly forgotten Hunter? Why, of course he would be there for sure. It's Kyline's birthday, pinsan niya din. Only she was not prepared to see him again. It really made her sick every time he looked at her with hatred in his eyes. He's not human, he's a monster. And that any moment he's going to devour her.

"Whatever feelings you have for my cousin, forget it. It's hopeless."

Easier said than done. Akala ba nito ay hindi niya sinubukan? She tried but all were in vain. It's like her heart only wanted Sage and if it's not him, then there's no one could ever replace him...

"Let's break up."

Napaangat ang ulo niya at nagtatakang tiningnan si Adrian. "Why?"

"This is not working anymore. I know you know what I mean, Gianna."

Hindi siya kumibo.

"You always have a strange faraway look in your eyes. Heck, I don't even know if you still notice my presence. One year, Gianna! One year we've been together and yet I still feel the distance between us. I don't even know what I really am to you. Am I really your boyfriend?"

Naibaling niya ang tingin sa labas ng bintana. Alam talaga ni Adrian na gustong-gusto niya ang pwesto sa tabi ng bintana. Palagi sa ganitong pwesto ang pinipili nitong i-reserve sa tuwing may date sila. Sa pwestong ito ay tanaw niya ang kabuuan ng New York.

"Gianna…"

She turned her gaze at Adrian who looked like he was about to cry at any moment. Napabuntong-hininga siya. Ito na yata ang pang-apat na beses na narinig niya ang mga katagang yun. Same line, same reason. But she couldn't blame them. It's entirely her fault. She had been cruel and heartless—giving them a chance but never reciprocated their feelings. It's not like she never tried. She did. Pero gaya nga ng sabi nila, mahirap turuan ang puso.

"I thought we're here to celebrate our anniversary. Then why are you breaking up with me?"

"Have you not heard any of what I said, Gianna?"

"I did. And if that's what you want, then let's break up," kalmado niyang sabi.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" tumaas ng bahagya ang boses ni Adrian.

"You asked for it. Why, are you expecting me to beg? Ask for you not to break up with me? Sorry, but I don't do that kind of thing."

Adrian shook his head in disbelief. "I guess I was blinded by love that I ignored what they told me. They were right all along. You're one heartless woman."

"I guess I am," she muttered.

Napatayo si Adrian. Bakas sa mukha nito ang galit. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it after. Anuman dapat nitong sabihin ay hindi na nito natuloy. She heard him sigh pagkuwa'y tumalikod ito at umalis. She could only watch his back as he slowly disappeared from her sight.

"So it's not him, huh?" bulong niya habang nakatanaw sa labas ng bintana.

Wouldn't it be better if she pretended that she loved him also? If they still continued their relationship at that time, would she eventually fall for him? Or were they just going to end up hurting each other even more?

Was there no other way for her to forget Sage? Or habambuhay na lang siyang ganito? She couldn't care less if she would lose everything she had right now if that only means having him. She would gladly trade her everything just for his love.