NANG makarating si Shun at ang mga kaibigan niya sa Tuscany, agad silang naghanap ng hotel. At sa hindi malamang dahilan, isa lang ang kinuhang kuwarto ng mga baliw niyang kaibigan samantalang sobra sa sampu ang bilang nila.
“Don’t look at me,” sabi ni Lash na nakataas ang dalawang kamay sa ere. “Ang mahal kaya ng room sa hotel na `to.”
Shun gaped at his friends. “Ang yayaman n’yo, `tapos namamahalan kayo?”
Umingos si Ymar. “Ikaw ang mandurugas sa aming lahat kaya sagot mo ang room na `to.”
Hindi na lang siya umimik.
Pumasok si Shun sa banyo at naligo. Nang lumabas, mukha na siyang tao ulit, though he was only wearing a boxers. Ang mga baliw kasi niyang kaibigan, nakalimutang dalhan siya ng damit. Ano ngayon ang isusuot niya? Alangan namang naka-boxers lang siya kapag nakipag-usap sa ama ni Themarie?
Tumaas ang dalawang kilay niya nang makitang may hawak na tuxedo si Knight. At lalong nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya nang iabot nito ang tuxedo.
“Ano’ng gagawin ko riyan?” nagtatakang tanong niya.
“Kainin mo, baka masarap ang tela,” sarkastikong sabi ni Valerian.
Shun flipped Valerian his middle finger and looked at Knight. “Ano’ng paggagamitan ko niyan?”
“Isusuot mo `to kapag nakipag-usap ka sa duke. Alangan namang denim jeans at sneakers ang isuot mo? Pupunta ka sa palasyo at kakausapin ang ama ng babaeng mahal mo, kailangang magpa-impress ka.” Knight smirked. “And this tuxedo is made to impress.”
Huminga siya nang malalim at tinanggap ang tuxedo. Nagbihis siya sa harap mismo ng mga kaibigan na walang pakialam kahit pa yata maghubad siya.
After putting on the tuxedo, he faced his friends. “Better?”
May inilapag na Italian shoes si Calyx sa harap niya. “Plus that shoes? Much better.”
Natatawang isinuot niya ang sapatos at humugot ng malalim na hininga.
“Ready?” tanong ni Dark.
Tumango siya. “As I can ever be.”
“Good.” May iniabot ito sa kanyang susi. “`Yan ang susi ng sasakyan na nirentahan ko para magamit mo. Pag-uwi natin sa Pilipinas, babayaran mo ako nang doble pa sa inirenta ko.”
“Gee, thanks.” Tinanggap niya ang susi.
Hindi na niya naisip na kinokotongan siya ni Dark. Bahala ito sa buhay nito basta makita lang niya si Themarie.
Shun was about to twist the door open when he heard his friends murmuring “good luck” and “you can do it.”
It was weird, but at the same time, it made him feel at ease. Halos kalahati sa mga kaibigang kasama niya ngayon ay pinagdaanan na ang kanyang pinagdadanan. Nasaktan at nakipaglaban ang mga ito para maging masaya. They lowered their egos and pride for the woman they loved. And now, it was his turn to fight for his happy ending.
And he would win. No matter what.
ANOTHER day had passed and still no sign of Shun. Araw-araw, umaasa si Themarie na darating ito, pero kahit anino ng lalaki, hindi dumating.
Sinubukan niyang tumakas, pero masyadong marami ang bodyguards na lagi niyang kasama kaya hindi niya nagawa. Sinubukan niyang kunin ang cell phone niya na nasa pangangalaga ng ama. Pero bago pa niya mahawakan, naunahan siya ng ama na binabantayan din pala ang gadget niya.
Themarie wanted to cry in frustration, but what could it do? Hindi maibabalik ng luha niya si Shun.
Humugot siya ng malalim na hininga saka napatigil sa paglalakad nang makita si Terron na palapit sa kanya.
“Terron?”
“I have a plan.” Hinawakan siya nito sa kamay saka hinila papunta sa opisina ng ama niya.
Sinubukan niyang makawala sa pagkakahawak nito, pero nabigo siya. “Terron, what are you planning? Tell me.”
“Just be silent,” sabi nito saka kumatok sa pinto ng opisina ng ama niya.
“Come in,” said her father’s faint voice behind the door.
Nagtatakang pumasok si Themarie sa loob ng opisina ng ama kasabay si Terron. Hindi pa sila nakakaupo nang may inilapag si Terron na parang stick sa ibabaw ng mesa ng ama niya.
His father frowned at the stick. “What is that?”
“A pregnancy test, your grace,” sagot ni Terron at pinisil ang kamay niya. “And it’s positive. Therefore, I decline marrying Themarie for she is pregnant with another man’s child.”
Napakurap-kurap siya at napatingin kay Terron. Ano raw? Buntis siya? Napunta ang tingin niya sa “stick” na nasa ibabaw ng mesa ng ama. Sigurado siyang hindi siya gumamit niyon, kaya saan iyon nakuha ni Terron?
Nang tumingin si Themarie sa ama, para itong natuka ng ahas sa sobrang gulat. Her father’s face was pale. His lips parted in shock. He was immobile.
“Terron!” Themarie hissed at the man beside him.
Humihingi ng paumanhin ang mga mata nito nang tumingin sa kanya. “That’s the only way, Themarie,” pabulong na sabi nito. “I’m sorry.”
Themarie let out a frustrated sighed and looked at his father. “Papa, I can explain.”
Her father’s icy cold eyes stared at her. “Who is the father, Themarie?”
Napakagat-labi siya at hindi sumagot. Ayaw niyang magsinungaling sa ama. Oo, sumasalungat siya sa gusto nito, pero ayaw niyang magsinungaling dito. Si Terron ang sumagot para sa kanya.
“Themarie told me that it was Shun Kim.”
Bago pa makapagsalita ulit ang ama niya, pumasok ang head ng security guard sa gate ng bahay nila at nagsalita.
“A man named Shun Kim is outside the gate. He wants to talk to you, your grace. And he also said that…” Tumikhim ito at naiilang na tiningnan siya bago ipinagpatuloy ang sasabihin. “He is Lady Themarie’s beloved boyfriend.”
Kumurap-kurap ang ama niya saka huminga nang malalim. “Terron and Themarie, you are dismissed. You may leave.” Tumingin ito sa head ng security guard. “Bring Mr. Shun Kim to me. Now.”
Halos lumuwa ang mga mata ni Themarie sa gulat. Her heart was hammering inside her chest as the thought of Shun coming back swirled inside her head. Bumalik ito? Para sa kanya? Pero bakit gusto nitong makausap ang ama at hindi siya?
Her heart was bouncing with so much happiness. He was here! He was back. The man that she loved came back.
A wide happy grin stretched over her lips. “Shun came back.”
“Yes.” It was Terron. “Thank God.”
Nakalabas na sila ngayon ng opisina ng ama niya at nasa hardin sila. Hindi nga niya namalayan na inalalayan siya papunta roon ni Terron. She was lost with the thought that Shun was really here.
He’s back for me!
Kung paano nakabalik ang nobyo, hindi niya alam. Basta ang importante, nakabalik ito bago pa siya ikasal. And she knew that Terron was relieved by the news as well.
Pero bakit si Dad ang gusto niyang kausapin at hindi ako?
Nagpakawala ng malalim na hininga si Themarie saka tiningnan nang masama si Terron na nakaupo sa bench, sa tabi niya.
“What were you thinking, Terron? I’m not pregnant!”
“I know.” He gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I was getting desperate. I don’t want to marry you as much as you don’t want to marry me. You know I love you and I’ll do anything for you, but you’re like a sister that I never had, Themarie.” Niyakap siya ng lalaki. “I’m willing to marry you because we both don’t have a choice. But now, you have a choice. Shun Kim is your choice of happiness, cara . If he hadn’t come back, I would have used my connection to ship you off to him.”
“But he’s here now,” she said softly.
“Yes, he is.” Hinaplos nito ang likod niya. “I know you’ll be happy with him.”
Themarie smiled. I know. I will be.
KINAKABAHAN si Shun Kim nang pumasok sa isang kuwarto kung saan nandoon ang ama ni Themarie. Inayos niya ang tuxedo na suot at nag-angat ng tingin sa lalaking nakaupo sa swivel chair, sa likod ng mahogany table.
The man looked intimidating and he was intimidated. Pero hindi niya ipinahalata ang nararamdaman. Lumunok siya at humugot ng malalim na hininga bago nagsalita.
“Good afternoon, Sir.” He didn’t know how to address a freaking duke. Fuck!
Matiim siyang tinitigan ng duke, hindi kumukurap. Mayamaya, tiningnan siya nito mula ulo hanggang paa. The way he was looking at him, Shun felt like he was a rat and the duke was the lion.
He gulped in nervousness.
“Take a sit,” the duke said in an intimidating tone.
Mabilis na umupo si Shun. Pakiramdam niya, nanginginig ang mga tuhod niya. It was official. Themarie’s father was intimidating and scary as hell.
“So…” Halata ang English accent nito sa pagsasalita. “Who are you and why do you want to talk to me?”
This is it! Help me, oh, Lord.
“I am Shun Kim, half Filipino-half Korean-half Japanese. I am here to talk to you about the woman I love, your daughter.”
The duke grunted and then leaned back on his swivel chair. “My daughter is getting married in three days’ time, Mr. Kim.”
Over my dead body!
“And I’m here to stop it.”
He chuckled coldly, it made the hair on his back rise. “Really? Funny. And how are you going to do that?”
“By telling you that I can love her more than anyone in this world. Sir, I love your daughter, from the top of her hair to the tip of her toe. I cannot function without her. When you deported me, my world just shut down. I need her to live. My world is bleak without her. I may not die physically, but my heart is already withering, losing its will to live without her by my side.
Tumingin si Shun sa mga mata ng kausap. “Sir, your daughter is lovely, amazing, smart, funny. I know that a man like me doesn’t deserve her. She is like a goddess and I am just a commoner who loves her more than anything. My name doesn’t have a title, but even though I’m no prince, duke or king, Themarie is my princess, my duchess and my queen. She’s my world, Sir. She’s everything to me. Please, let me marry her instead.”
Mataman siyang tinitigan ng ama ni Themarie na para bang pinag-aaralan siya at ang mga sinabi niya.
“If and if I let you marry my daughter, would you do the following for her?”
“Say it and I’ll do it,” puno ng kumpiyansang sabi niya.
“My guards will beat you up for three hours.”
Napalunok si Shun. “I accept.” For Themarie.
“You will be submerged in a swimming pool full of large ice cubes.”
“I accept.” For Themarie.
The duke grinned wickedly. “You will clean every inch of this palace with no help. And I want it spotless.”
For Themarie. “I’ll do it.”
“I want you to jump off a cliff.”
“Sure,” walang pag-aalinlangang sabi niya. “But I suggest I’ll do it after the other tasks. I might die.”
Tumango ang lalaki. “Good. But I do have a question before I let you do those tasks.”
Hindi siya umimik at hinintay lang na magsalita ulit ang kausap.
“When did you deflower my daughter?” His voice returned to its menacing sound. “And did you know that she’s pregnant? With your child?”
Tinakasan ng dugo sa katawan si Shun. Nanuyo ang lalamunan niya at halos lumuwa ang mga mata. “Oh, fuck.”
“Yes, oh, fuck.” Tumayo ang lalaki. He was big, buff and scary. He looked like a viking ready to kill a freaking dragon. “I should kill you for deflowering my daughter! I should kill you for getting her pregnant!” Lumapit ito sa kanya at kinuwelyuhan siya. “What can you say about that, Shun Kim?”
Wala na ang takot sa katawan niya. He was already in blissful heaven because of the news.
“I’m a dad? Really?” A grin spread his lips. “Hell! I’m a father!”
“Yes.” The duke grunted and glared at him. Kung nakakamatay ang tingin, inuuod na siya ngayon. “And why should I let you marry my daughter and be the father of her child? Answer me, boy.”
Sinalubong ni Shun ang nakakamatay nitong tingin. “Because, Sir, I love your daughter and I worship the ground that she walks on.”
The duke sneered at him. “You better not change religion, because if you will, I will kill you with my bare hands.”
His eyes widened a bit. “What? I’m a Christian, Sir. I would never change my religion—”
Pinandilatan siya nito. “I thought you worshipped the ground that my daughter walks on? What happened to that?”
He gapen and then blinked twice. Iyon pala ang tinutukoy nito. Dahil sinasamba niya si Themarie, dapat hindi siya magbago ng relihiyon.
Shun chuckled. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good boy.” Hinawakan siya nito sa braso saka walang sabi-sabing hinila palabas sa opisina at papunta sa ikatlong palapag ng bahay na iyon.
“How did you enter the country anyway?” tanong ng duke habang hila-hila pa rin siya.
“I have a Spaniard Count for a friend and he has connections.”
“That’s how.”
“Yes.”
Panay pa rin ang hila sa kanya ng ama ni Themarie hanggang sa makarating sila sa isang pamilyar na kuwarto.
It was Themarie’s room. What on earth?
The duke shoved him inside the room. “If you hurt my daughter, I will kill you in more ways than one.”
Tatalikuran na sana niya ito nang magtanong siya. He needed clarification.
“Did I stop the wedding?” Shun asked carefully.
Tiningnan siya nito nang masama. “Should I give you a memorandum saying that you are to be wed with my daughter?” Puno ng sarkasmo ang boses nito.
Happiness swelled inside him, but something was bothering him so he asked. “Why? I thought it was her responsibility to marry a soon to be duke and rule Tuscany?”
“Yes, it is.” May kalungkutan sa mga mata nito. “But it is my responsibility to make her happy. And you are her happiness, so I’m giving her the blessing to marry you.”
Isang malapad na ngiti ang kumawala sa mga labi ni Shun. “Thank you.” Hindi kayang ipaliwanag ng salitang masaya ang nararamdaman niya sa mga oras na iyon. God did bless him.
“Thank you, Sir,” ulit niya.
“I will send my daughter to her room. I expect you to be here, waiting and make her happy.” Bumalik na naman ang intimidating nitong aura. “Or else, I will—”
“You will kill me. I know.”
“Good.”
Then the duke left him alone… inside Themarie’s room.