EVELYN DeMARCUS

Mr. Romulo knew what he was saying when he told me about the time stamp. Kailangan ko na talagang makumbinsi si Third sa lalong madaling panahon. Dada was no longer a regular at the office, pero imbes na mamasyal sila ni mommy ay hindi siya makalayo dahil siya parin, technically, ang president ng kumpanya. There were still documents that he needs to sign. Not even my signature can act as a proxy.

So now I am visiting Third in their company. I know he is also struggling. Kailangan din niyang ikasal bago makuha ng buo ang kumpanya nila, pero kailangan gusto ng papa niya. From what I know, the elder Lounge does not like the Mangaoil family. Purely for business reasons, habang ang mama naman niya ay hindi gaanong boto kay Jane. The former supermodel wanted a daughter-in-law that was a social butterfly like her. Hindi man ako social butterfly, I still had a good style team behind me to ensure that I was on the best dressed list in all corporate events. That alone made Candice Lounge respect me.

I didn't bother checking in with his secretary. Dire-diretso nalang ako ng lakad at nang maabutan niya ako, I was already inside Third's office. He looked at me with disdain pero pinaalis din niya ang secretary niya. I made myself comfortable on the couch of his receiving area, not even bothering to say anything. Pinanood niya lang ako.

"Can I help you, miss DeMarcus?" mariin niyang tanong.

"Yes, you can, actually..." Nilabas ko ang isang binder mula sa dala kong bag at sinimulan itong buksan. I'm sure he will be annoyed again. "Do you think a royal blue color is okay? Or my mommy recommended gold din."

Kunot ang noo niyang tumingin sa'kin. Iniwan niya ang ginagawa niya upang tignan ang sinasabi ko. I eagerly pulled him down beside me and showed him shades of blue and gold. I pointed to my top options before looking at him. Mukhang nawawala parin siya.

I frowned and slapped his thigh lightly. "For the wedding, Third! I need a color scheme daw."

Gaya ng inaasahan, nandilim ang mga mata niya. He looked at me with so much ire. "Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa'yo, Evelyn? Hindi ako magpapakasal sa'yo."

I scoffed. "Ikakasal tayo, sa ayaw o sa gusto mo."

He just stood up and walked back to his desk. "You can leave now, miss DeMarcus. Wala akong panahon para sayangin sa'yo."

Ouch. Napasimangot ako dahil masakit ang sinabi niya. I have never begged for anything my entire life, but to even get his attention, I let go of my pride. Hindi ba niya naiisip na mahirap para sa isang katulad ko na magpakababa? I was the eldest DeMarcus, for goodness' sake! I never laced anything until... until I had to give up my pride for him!

He hurt me, pero hinding-hindi ko 'yon ipapaalam sakanya. I repacked the binder and stood up. I left as fast as I got there. Fine. I'll plan the wedding on my own.

By three that afternoon, kumapal na talaga ang mukha ko. I just said goodbye to Candice Lounge, Third's mother. Wala akong alam tungkol sa mga ganito and his mom was more than eager to help out with the preparations. Ni hindi niya tinanong kung ano ang estado namin. She even waved off any concern about Jane. Not only that, she offered to take the wedding off my hands and contacted my mommy instead. So ngayon, sila na ang magkikita para sa kasal. I would only have to think of basics; what color, what cake flavor, and what type of wedding would I like.

At the end of it, namuo ang guilt sa buong katawan ko. Like it always does when I think of Jane. Inosente siya sa lahat ng ito, it just so happens that she got caught in the web of our business. Babae sa babae, walang kapatawaran ang ginagawa ko sakanya. If I was in her position, baka kung ano na ang nagawa ko sa babae ng boyfriend ko. And to be honest, if she came up to me with a slap, I would accept it without any retaliation. My name and authority will never be enough justification for the hurt I am putting her through.

Doon ko naisip... maybe they really were madly and deeply in love with each other. Dahil sa kabila ng lahat ng opposition sa pagsasamahan nila, they remained together. Third refuses to let her go kahit na halata namang may atraksyon siya sa'kin. And Jane won't break up with him despite his family's dislike towards her.

Maybe... maybe I should...

The company, isip ko. It's for the company.

Since it was Wednesday at wala akong kailangang gawin sa opisina, I decided to have a night to myself. I haven't had one in a long time at masyado akong naiinis sa sarili ko dahil nasaktan ako sa sinabi ni Third. Dapat hindi ako apektado, pero heto ako at halos mangiyak-ngiyak na sa sinabi niya. I should be used to it. But I let him in my life without a second thought. I openly allowed myself to care for him, which I rarely do. Pamilya ko lang talaga ang hinahayaan kong makalapit sa'kin. And they never once treated my attention as a waste of time.

But Third? The first person I let in outside my family, the person I spend most of my time with, thinks that my attention is worthless. Talk about a lady's bruised ego.

In my corporate attire, I took an Uber to one of the bars near me. Nakita ko na masyadong manang ang suot ko kaya tinanggal ko ang button-up ko. I was wearing a lacy sando underneath, sexy enough that my long pencil skirt can be forgiven. I reapplied my lipstick before going in.

Four shots of tequila later, and my lightweight self was almost too drunk. But I was having the time of my life!

Some of them were younger than me, but there were more people around my age or older. Ilang beses na din akong nalapitan ng mga lalaki, but some girls I met at the bar were helping me get them off my back. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ngayon lang ulit ako lumabas ng ganito. Noong nasa college ako, I would go with my friends once a month. I didn't have the luxury of free time dahil inaaral ko na ang negosyo noon, but I made sure I had some fun nights to remember. I was far fro wild, but tonight was just too liberating for me.

Ha! What would my business partners say? The strict and uptight CEO of DeMarcus Group of Companies, Evelyn DeMarcus, out partying with college students!

Damn! Just imagining the headlines made my head hurt.

Nagpaalam ako sa mga nakilala kong babae, but one of them was kind enough to help me out of the dancefloor. Hinatid niya ako sa table kung saan kami umiinom kanina and I thanked her before watching her go back. Sinapo ko ang noo ko at napangisi nang makita ang ibang tao na mas nagiging wild na. I'm no prude, but I also can't see myself doing extreme PDA. Lalo na sa dami ng tao dito, hindi mo alam kung sino ang makikita mo.

I was out of my trance when I felt my phone vibrating from my purse. Nauupuan ko na pala. I took out my phone and saw several messages from my family and Third, then more calls from Third himself. Nang tignan ko ang oras, it was now past midnight. Dapat pala, kanina pa ako nasa condominium niya... Hmm. Whatever! He doesn't want me there anyway.

My phone beeped and I saw a new message from him.

From: Third

Got off the phone with your sister. Wala ka daw sakanila. Where are you, Evelyn? Call me.

Kumunot ang noo ko. How does she know Eva's number?

Another message popped out and it was now from Eva.

From: Baby Eva

Ate, kuya Third called me. Hinahanap ka. Should I send him your location?

Ugh. I forgot. My siblings have my location all the time. I'm surprised walang pumunta dito para sunduin ako.

I called Eva because I was not even going to attempt to text her. Baka mas sasakit lamang ang ulo ko. That did not stop me, however, from asking for another drink from the waiter.

"I won't be able to hear you, ate," pambungad sa'kin ni Eva. "But just text me the letter g and kuya Ruel and I will pick you up. Hindi naka-silent ang phone ni kuya para sa'yo."

Napangiti ako sa concern nila at medyo naguilty dahil late na. "I'm fine, Eva. Can you hear me?"

"Surprisingly, yes po. Hinahanap ka ni kuya Third..." may pagtataka sa boses niya pero buti nalang at hindi siya nagtanong. I'm sure they have a suspicion na kay Third ako umuuwi, but they have never confronted me about it.

"Hayaan mo 'yon. I'll talk to him when I see him next."

"He seemed really mad, ate. And concerned."

I ignored her. "Well, I'm setting up an Uber now. I'll text you kapag nakauwi na ako sa condo ko."

"Sa condo mo ka uuwi?"

I feigned innocence. "Saan pa ba dapat, Eva?"

"Hmm.. Take care then, ate. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Hm? No need, I'll be fine."

"Actually, may kailangan akong sabihin sa'yo, ate. Something about the last will and testament of lolo Adan."

Shit. Was there another provision? Ano, kailangan ikasal ako bago ako mag twenty-five?

"Okay... I love you, sis."

"I love you, too, ate. Mag-ingat ka please. Hintayin ko ang text mo."

I ended the call and asked the waiter to set up an Uber for me nang ibigay niya ang drink ko. Pipindutin ko nalang ang "book" kapag handa na akong umalis. I want finish my Jack and coke first before I leave. Who knows when's the next time I can do this...

My phone rang again. Pinanood ko lang itong mag-ring, the name "Third" on top. Nang matapos 'yon, another message got sent bago bumalik sa pagri-ring. I rolled my eyes and ignored them all, one by one.

"Iniinis mo na naman ba si kuya?"

I chuckled when I heard the familiar voice of Luis. "Alam mo namang favorite past time ko 'yon."

He gave me a toothy grin before sitting in front of me. Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay. "Ano'ng ginagawa mo dito? Hindi ba dapat nakaharap ka sa laptop mo?"

"I can say the same to you, Luis.."

Umiling siya. "I'll leave the paperwork to kuya. Besides, I'm taking over the restaurants. May naitutulong na ako sa kumpanya kahit papano."

He had a point. He was now a culinary genius and I'm sure mas mapapaganda niya ang menu ng mga restaurant nila. Especially with his experience, maku-curious ang mga tao na tikman ang luto ng isang chef na nag-aral pa sa ibang bansa. I also heard that he made enough connections to gain suppliers from other countries, mostly in Europe. Luis is definitely making noise in the food industry.

"So... Any success?" mapang-asar ang tono niya.

Umiling ako this time. We weren't close by any chance, but he was the most down-to-earth of all the three Lounge brothers. Siya lang din ang hindi nai-intimidate sa'kin at naglakas-loob na asarin ako sa unang pagkikita palang namin. Luis was as carefree as a free bird, but he was also very grounded and nice. Kung mas may interes lang siguro siya sa buong negosyo nila, I would've wished that he was the Lounge brother I had to marry.

But no, I'm stuck with the brooding hopeless romantic.

"Not really. Sila parin," I chuckled and sipped my drink. "At this point, ginagawa ko na ang lahat. If it still doesn't work... then I'll gladly reign as the CEO. Russell can take over as the president. At least nasa pamilya parin namin."

Luis raised a questioning brow. "You think that, huh? Kahit alam naman ng lahat na ikaw ang talagang mag-aangat sa DMC Group. Russell is not as passionate as you, Evelyn."

I sadly smiled and thought, He said my name right.

"I won't have any choice, Luis... Ganon talaga."

Hindi siya sumagot. Tahimik ko lang na inubos ang iniinom ko at nang tapos na ay nag-aya siyang ihatid ako. He just got here when he saw me at hindi pa siya umiinom ng kahit na anong alak pero aalis na daw siya. I felt guilty for being a burdern again but he just ignored my protest. Lasing daw kasi ako. Pero kahit naman walang alak sa sistema ko, hindi ko parin kakayanin ang magmaneho.

In the car, my phone rang again. Si Third na naman. Ica-cancel ko na sana nang kunin ito ni Luis at siya na ang sumagot.

"Hey, kuya, what's up?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko pero hinayaan nalang din siya. It's not like it really matters, anyway.

"Hmm, oo. Kasama ko siya. Kagagaling lang namin sa bar and I'm driving her home now." He paused for a bit at narinig ko ang boses ni Third pero hindi ko naintindihan ang sinabi niya. He must've been shouting dahil narinig ko. "Chill, chill! Okay! I'll drive her to your place."

Of course... Whatever.

"Sorry, Evelyn. Kuya's orders," aniya nang matapos ang tawag.

I faked a glare, pero wala na talaga akong pakialam. I just really want to sleep right now. "You're a traitor, Luis."

Natawa siya. "All I know is, you've definitely made progress, Evelyn."

I didn't respond to him at all.

Nabalik nalang ulit ako sa huwisyo nang maramdaman kong umangat ako. I opened my eyes and saw a very pissed off Third glaring at his brother. May sinasabi pa siya pero hindi ko makuha-kuha dahil sumasakit na ang ulo ko. I felt him walking and I was out again.

The next time I opened my eyes, suot ko na naman ang Lakers jersey na lagi kong hinihiram. I was alone for a bit, pero nang bumukas ang pinto ay pumasok si Third na may dala-dalang tray. It had a pitcher, a glass, and then some tablets for my headache.

"Ano'ng oras na?"

Masungit niya akong tinignan. "Four in the morning, Evelyn. Uwi ba 'to ng matinong babae, ha?"

Napasimangot ako. "Uuwi na sana ako kanina. Pinapunta mo lang si Luis dito."

Nakita kong mas nainis siya sa sinabi ko pero wala namang akong maling sinabi. Tama naman ah? Uuwi na sana ako sa condo ko nang pinapunta pa niya kami dito. I should be sleeping soundly in my nighties and on my bed by now.

"Nakauwi ka na. Saan pa ang uuwian mo?" Galit parin ang pakikipag-usap niya sa'kin pero nahimigan ko rin ang konting panunuyo. Panunuyo? Para saan?

"My condo, of course. I'll go home when I'm well, I promise."

Nanliit ang mga mata niya. "Ano'ng pinapalabas mo ha? Na hindi kita kayang alagaan, ganon ba, Evelyn?"

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi niya, unti-unti nawawala ang sakit ng ulo ko dahil sa inis. "May sinabi ba ako? My gosh, Third, you don't have to. I can even go home now."

"Go home!" he scoffed, na para bang hindi siya makapaniwal sa sinasabi ko. Inis niya akong binalingan. "Punyetang 'go home' 'yan. Itulog mo na."

"What?" Minumura pa talaga ako! I was serious!

"Drink up and go to sleep. Umayos ka na dahil tatabi ako."

I glared at him. Siguro dala ng alak ay mas dumoble ang inis ko sakanya. "No! Ayokong katabi ka."

"That's my bed," mariin niyang asik sa'kin. Namumula na ang mga mata sa antok at galit.

"Then I'll sleep in the guest—"

Tinakpan niya ang bibig ko at hinanda ang baso ng tubig. I pushed his hand away but waited for him to give me my meds. I swallowed a tablet of aspirin bago niya pinaubos sa'kin ang dalawang baso ng tubig. Tatayo na sana ako para lumabas na ng kwarto pero nagulat ako nang hawakan niya ang braso ko.

I was going to snap at him again but I saw the tiredness in his expression. Naguilty ako tuloy, dahil alam kong gising parin siya dahil sa'kin. With my mind clearer than a while ago, alam kong kahit papano ay nag-alala din siya sa'kin. If the roles were reversed, mag-aalala din kasi ako sakanya.

So when he softly pushed me to lay back, sumunod na ako. He took off his shirt before pulling me closer to him. Walang nagsalita sa'ming dalawa, pero halos maiyak ako nang maramdaman ang kakaibang higpit ng yakap niya.

It was at that moment that I realized how much emotion I've invested in this, in him. Hindi normal ang mga ginawa ko ngayong gabi and it was all because dinibdib ko ng masyado ang mga simpleng bagay na sinabi niya. I've heard him say it many times before, pero ngayon ko lang nadama 'yung kirot ng mga salita niya.

With his eyes closed, he didn't see me wipe a tear from my cheeks. Damn it! I am in love with him. Mahal ko na siya..

While I cannot bear to lose him, mas hindi ko ata kakayanin na maging miserable siya. Kung mas ipagpipilitan ko ang gusto kong mangyari, he will surely be miserable. He might even genuinely hate me. Because, I realized, his body might be attracted to me, but his heart was only for Jane. My parents always instilled a selfless kind of love within us. I would be selfish if I kept him when I had no right. Hindi ako ang mahal niya... so how dare I pursue him when his heart was in comfort with someone else already?

I felt horrible the next morning. Not because of hangover, dahil wala na akong maramdaman na sakit sa ulo. I'm a lightweight but I'm one of the lucky ones that don't feel much hangovers.

Wala na si Third sa tabi ko pero ramdam ko parin ang lahat mula kaninang umaga. I was so disappointed in myself. I've turned into a heartless and selfish bitch because of a mere position. Kanina lang talaga tumama sa'kin na may nasasaktan na ako. I tried to put myself in Jane's place and I realized... Heck, if I was this in love with Third, at may ibang babaeng gustong magpakasal sakanya, I would be devastated. I'm sure Jane loves him more than I ever can, kaya mas masakit 'to para sakanya. My love was new while hers has been there for so long and for so many years.

But am I willing to do it?

Am I willing to forfeit the presidency of DeMarcus Group?

I let out a shaky breath and stood up. Wala akong marinig na galaw mula sa labas kaya dumiretso na ako sa guest room. I opened the closet and realized once again that I've invaded his privacy, his home. And I did it thinking I had every right, when I had none at all. Naiiyak ako dahil sa sobrang paninikip ng dibdib ko pero pinilit kong kumuha ng damit para makapag-ayos na. It was one in the afternoon at tiyak ay wala na akong mahahabol pang gagawin sa opisina. I might as well spend tomorrow and Saturday working on whatever I missed.

Nang matapos akong ayusin ang sarili, I decided to do some packing. After this morning's revelations, parang nahihiya na ako ng sobra kay Third. How he tolerated me here was a mystery. This was not my home..

I packed most of my clothes away. Buti nalang at dalawang pares lang ng sapatos ang dinala ko dito. Most of my shoes were actually in the trunk of my car. But since my driver wasn't informed of my whereabouts, wala akong access doon.

All the clothes I brought here fit two huge luggages. Buti nalang at iniwan ko dito ang mga 'yon. Those were the same luggages I used to bring them here, about seven months ago. I've personally known Third for just over a year, pero masyado ko na atang pinagsiksikan ang sarili ko sakanya.

I closed the closet and decided to step out. May pagkain siyang iniwan and a note: 'Left for work. Eat and take your meds. Be home early tonight. -T'

Napangiti ako sa note niya. In my mind, it was his first love letter to me.. Shit! Kailan pa ako naging ganito ka-cheesy?

I folded the note up and put it in my transparent phone case. Kasama non ang isang polaroid shot ng pamilya ko and another one of Third and I. Hindi ko alam kung bakit nilagay ko 'yon sa likod ng phone ko. It was during his birthday. He spent the day with Jane and I had no comments, pero nang gabing 'yon ay nagcelebrate kami kahit papano. He only left me with thirty minutes until his birthday was over, pero ayos na sa'kin 'yon noon. At least I had some time to celebrate with him.

I didn't do much. I only littered his room with rose petals and candles. We made love for the first twenty minutes, then five minutes before midnight, I took out my polaroid for a quick picture.

Hinaplos ko 'yung shot at inalala 'yon. He refused, ayaw daw niyang ilabas ko 'yon dahil magagalit si Jane sakanya. But I promised him na akin lang 'yon, walang ibang makakakita. And after a while, pumayag din siya. We were both naked, pero natatakpan ng puting kumot ang dibdib ko. My eyes were closed and there was a wide smile on my face as I tipped my head towards him. Siya naman ay nakatingin sa camera habang nakahalik sa gilid ng mata ko. My arms were outstretched to take the photo, his arms were just below my breasts that showed a hickey or two. We looked... together.

If only pictures painted reality...