Chapter Three

The Doom

"Okay. I'll be back after three days. Ikaw na ang bahala diyan." bilin ko kay Tamara matapos makapag-ayos sa suite na hinatiran sa akin ng lalaking staff.

I thought I seen it all but experiencing the warm welcome and great hospitality of all people working at Sunset Royale was another thing. My amazement was through the roof. Kahit na wala pang isang oras akong nasa hotel ay manghang-mangha na ako to the point that I feel like I'm already betraying myself.

Tamara ended the call and assured me that everything will be fine while I'm gone. Bukod sa pag-spy at pagtingin kung ano ba talaga ang mga dapat naming gawin to keep up with this place ay gusto ko ring mag-enjoy. I want to relax a bit and so far, na-i-engganyo na ako sa huling part lalo na nang buksan ko ang glass door ng aking balcony kung saan may sariling transparent swimming pool.

My room was on the second floor and it was mind blowing how these architects came up with this idea. Ibang-iba talaga at pang-world class!

I was lucky to book this room because it's always fully-booked. Mabilis nauubos ang ganitong klaseng room dahil ito ang pinaka-popular bukod sa dalawang presidential room. Gaya ng mga nabasa kong reviews ay isa rin ito sa dahilan kung bakit dinarayo ang Sunset Royale.

The Gen Z's and popular influencers were the reason why it boomed so much. Who would have thought that a transparent pool could make such a huge difference? Nakaka-impress lalo na ang isiping almost fully booked ang five hundred plus rooms.

Maraming beses naman nang nangyari 'yon sa Coastal Rock lalo na iyong mga kasagsagan talaga ng kasikatan nito at sa tuwing nangyayari ay walang katulad ang tuwang naibibigay nito sa akin. I really take pride in building that place from scratch. Kahit noong una ay walang kita at puro pampasahod lang sa mga tauhan ko ay hindi ako sumuko at nawalan ng pag-asa. I had a vision and it worked, now I have to work harder.

My smile widened after seeing the kids from the lower pool na mayroong manmade waves. Dalawa ang pool na gano'n. Isang pang-bata at isa naman para sa mga adults. Bukod sa dalawang pool, they also have one infinity pool with great ocean view and another for party stuff. Hindi ko man natatanaw mula sa kwarto ko ay isa rin 'yon sa hinahangaan ko sa lugar.

I sit on the lounger with the cucumber welcome drink on my hand. Pinigilan kong kunin ang cell phone ko nang may dumating na text pero nang makita ang pangalan ni Matthaos ay nagkukumahog ko iyong kinuha.

It was just a usual good morning text but instead of answering him, I dialed his number for a call.

"Hey! Miss me?" malambing niyang bungad na kaagad nagpailing at ngiti sa akin.

"Kind of but you know why I'm calling."

"That hurts. Wala man lang lambingan muna," he joked, but got into what concerned me. "I'm still on it, Lace. I'm sorry kung hanggang ngayon wala akong matinong naibabalita sa 'yo."

Napayuko ako at pinanuod ang isang kamay na paglaruan ang mga butil ng tubig sa basong aking hawak. Nang mapabuntong-hininga at wala nang masabi ay nagsalita siya ulit.

"Don't think too much. It happened many times now. Pasasaan ba't magkakaro'n din tayo ng balita? Chill, all right? Everything will be fine. Huwag ka nang masyadong mag-isip, I'm on it. I promise you."

That put an ease to my heart. Kahit na hirap akong sundin ang payo niya.

"Thanks, Matt. Napakarami ko nang utang sa 'yo."

He chuckled on the other line. "Hindi naman ako naniningil pero kung gusto mo talagang magbayad, a dinner will do. Nakabalik ka na sa Palawan?"

"Yes, I'm here."

"You're at the hotel or your place at PPS?"

"You know I can't go back to my place. Puerto Princesa makes me lonely." malungkot kong sambit. I never even wanted to talk about it.

"Right. I'll drive by this afternoon. Dinner date tayo?" he shot.

"Not now. I'm not at Coastal Rock."

"What? I thought nasa El Nido ka?"

"I am but that place is giving me a lot of stress, too, so I'm staying now at the source of that problem."

"Wait, what? Paki-elaborate at hindi ko masyadong naiintindihan. You okay?"

"I am, Matt. I'm trying to be okay. Anyway, basta huwag na muna ngayon. Give me three days before you visit. Saka ko sasabihin sa 'yo lahat ng mga problema ko so prepare for a long ass conversation."

"I am always prepared, Lacey. Basta ikaw, 'di ba?"

I pursed my lips at that. I thanked him and say good bye. Kahit paano ay lumuwag ang pakiramdam ko sa pag-uusap namin ni Matthaos.

It's nice to know that someone has your back. Marami na siyang naitulong sa akin at napakarami pang itinutulong ngayon. Simula nang magkakilala kami eight years ago ay wala na itong ginawa kung hindi ang pakinggan ang lahat ng mga hinaing ko sa buhay.

He was a great listener and a problem solver. In those years, wala rin itong ipinakita sa aking masama. He was always vocal regarding his attraction for me. Sobra ring playful nito at siya lang nakakapagpatawa sa akin sa puntong hindi na ako makahinga.

I like him because he is a great man, but I never said yes to his playful banters regarding our relationship. Una pa lang kasi ay nilinaw ko na sa kanyang hinding-hindi kami lalagpas sa pagiging magkaibigan dahil ayaw kong masira ang relasyon namin. Hanggang ngayon ay matigas pa rin ako sa desisyon kahit na hanggang ngayon din ay umaasa pa rin siya.

My take on that is, I'd rather stay being friends with him that lose him forever. Ewan ko ba. I feel like love will never work for me. Naiintindihan niya naman at hindi naman nagpupumilit kaso lang hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nag-aasawa kaya kahit hindi kami ay nagagawa pa rin naming lumabas na parang magkarelasyon kahit na hindi naman. It was purely a platonic love.

I freshen up after the call. Sinulit ko na rin ang pool sa aking kwarto habang inuubos ang welcome drink. The sun was beaming and the weather is perfect. I enjoy a good ten minutes dip before I decided to rest and put some make up on before going down to the hotel's restaurant for a lunch.

They have two restaurant at the resort. Nang makitang puno ang unang nag-o-offer ng buffet ay dumiretso ako sa kabila kung saan puro naman plant-based ang inihahain. This is another point for Sunset Royale. Bihira lang kasi ang mga restaurant na focus sa plant based menu at nag-ki-cater sa mga vegan.

I am not that fan of meat myself so I got excited when I finally saw their menu. Bukod sa perfectly balance and cruelty-free dishes ay nakakamangha rin ang ambience at chill ng lugar.

Pakiramdam ko ay nasa ibang bansa ako dahil sa presko at inviting na architectural design. It was cozy with a Mediterranean vibe because of the wood accents and cream couches. The restaurant also has a three-sixty view of the ocean and as usual, the staff were great at making everyone comfortable and welcome.

Nakakatuwa rin dahil wala masyadong tao sa restaurant. They have ten tables and three long couches at ang occupied lang ay ang sa akin at ang tatlong couches na ang mga customer ay foreigners pa.

I ordered fava beans, tomato dosa, and beet in a clay. I had no idea how the food looks since there were no image at the menu but I was surprised when it was finally brought to my table with the chef who made it himself.

Bukod sa makukulay at nakakatakam na pagkain ay halatang maingat na pinag-aralan ang plating at presentation ng bawat dish. Mas lalo akong namangha nang tuluyan nang matikman isa-isa ang mga pagkain.

I found myself closing my eyes and let the flavors burst in mouth. The chef who did this knew what he was doing. It was delicious.

Kahit hindi usual na marami ang nakain ko ay busog na busog ako. Parang gusto ko na rin tuloy mag-rate ng five star online hindi ko pa man na-e-experience lahat ng ino-offer ng hotel at kahit ka-trayduran 'yon sa sarili ko.

My lips had a wide smile after leaving the restaurant. Saktong pag-alis ko ay dumagsa ang mga customer. Nang mapadaan sa malawak na bar area na nasa gilid ng infinity pool ay doon na ako dumiretso. I was greeted again with a warm smile and great service after ordering an apricot vermouth.

I gave myself some time to enjoy the drink. Nalibang ako sa panunuod sa mga batang naglalaro sa kabilang pool. Everyone was just having fun. Naging hobby ko na rin talaga ang manuod sa mga turista na nag-e-enjoy. Ewan ko ba. Bilang hotel owner ng Coastal Rock, ang makita silang masaya sa lugar na binuo ko ay nakakataba ng puso kaya dahil nasanay na at kahit dito, sa ka-kompitensiya ko ay nag-e-enjoy pa rin ako.

Napainom ako nang may mga dumaang foreigner sa aking harapan na kahit hindi ako nakatitig sa kanila ay nakita kong lahat sila halos mabali ang leeg sa pagtitig sa akin.

I get that a lot though. Hindi na rin bago dahil marami rin talaga akong manliligaw kahit na ngayon ay thirty-three years old na ako and maybe because I don't look like my age. May pagkakataon ngang halos mga binata ang nagpaparamdam sa akin pero kahit isa wala akong binigyan ng pag-asa.

Ewan ko ba. Being in a relationship never really excites me. Matthaos was physically handsome and mentally genius, too, but I never see myself being married or having a sexual connection with him. Siguro sign na rin 'to ng pagtanda. Hindi na maintindihan ang sarili. Though kahit walang love life, kontento naman ako sa sarili ko at sa buhay ko and that's what matters.

I ordered another drink after finishing the first one. I opted for sex on the beach. Inayos ko ang suot kong dress at aalis na sana sa bar para lumipat malapit sa pool pero kusang natigil ang katawan ko sa paggalaw maging ang lahat nang pag-iisip ko matapos mapunta ang aking mga mata sa isang bultong naglalakad papunta sa pool dahilan ng agarang pagkalampag sa aking puso.

Wala sa sariling humigpit ang kapit ko sa basong hawak. I instantly feel my hands beginning to sweat. Pakiramdam ko ay nahihilo ako sa paglakas nang pag-aalburoto ng bagay sa aking dibdib habang nakatitig na ngayon sa lalaking prente nang nakaupo sa lounger na ang tanging suot lang ay itim na swimming trunks at shades.

I swallowed hard when my eyes betrayed me for not ripping it off him especially on his perfect and muscular physique. My eyes maybe imagining things but my heart was so sure with who I'm looking to. I felt the rush of emotions. I saw flashbacks as I watch him move at his seat. I felt my heart on my throat. Kabadong-kabado ako at hindi mapakali pero hindi ko rin magawang umalis.

That curse from college was so strong now that the man who put that on me was just few steps away from where I am.

After fifteen long years, here he is. Casually drinking his favorite whiskey and puffing his vintage cigar like a reigning king and this place was his empire.

He was sporting a slick side-part hair cut. His physique became more define and huge especially in his chest area compare to the last time I remember. He has now a tanned skin. His face didn't have a major change but I almost gasped when he took his shades off—finally revealing the vertical scar on his left eye.

Tuluyan na akong nalulong sa pagtitig sa kanya. Kahit na nasa malayo ay kitang-kita ko 'yon. The angst, his charm, and powerful aura from fifteen years ago was still there but now ten times more intense than before. Even from a far, his presence still screams the man I used to know... The man I I once fell in love with and the man who also broke my heart into bits of pieces.

"Toine Andres Rozovsky." My lips mumbled after his presence instill fear in my heart knowing that the doom has finally chased me.