Chapter 9- Italy first, and last days plot twist
C h a s i n g D r e a m s, l o s i n g H e r.
Zarya's pov.
"Zar? are you still awake?" I heard Xylla knocking at my door.
I got up para pagbuksan s'ya ng pinto, it's 12:35midnight , bakit gising pa 'to?
"Hey, hindi ka makatulog?" I asked, kasi mukhang kahit idlip, hindi pa n'ya nagawa e.
"Are you in for this?" Hindi man lang sinagot ang tanong ko. She has a bottle of vodka in her hands.
"wow, come in." hindi naman ako hihindi e. Pinapasok ko nalang.
She's in her sleepwear, she looks hot with those, in fairness.
"are you sure kaya mo? don't you have important meeting tomorrow?" She asked.
Edi sana kanina mo pa tinanong bago ka pumasok dito.
"Yeah, lunch meeting naman." kaya kong maglaklak ngayon no.
She opened the bottle, and filled the shot glass. She only brought one glass.
"you go first." She offered me the first shot.
I took the shot. "hooo!! vodka never disappoint." That was fist fire.
"you're such a drinker." She smirked.
"Hey, you thought I forgot about the El Nido?" I opened the topic about that night when Ralph and Her had a commotion.
"It's not like it's a big deal, let it slide."
That's always been her answer.
"if it's not a big deal, then why am I so bothered?" I tried to play a lil tricky.
"okay, okay. I reacted badly that time, because I find his action very inappropriate." She explained.
"Is that all?" I asked. I feel like there is something deeper pa talaga e.
"Yes. That's all, of course. I know you're not comfortable around men."
"Okay, if you say so."
I didn't ask further, dahil alam kong iisa lang din naman ang sagot n'ya. I'll just move on, I guess?
"so when are you going home?" She switched the topic.
"I don't know, probably after this matter has been done."
"I'll come with you."
"I was about to ask you about that." Buti na lang pala parehas kami ng utak.
"Cheers" I raised the bottle, as she raised the glass.
I'm kinda feeling the heat, with just 3shots!
Well, I'm such a low alcohol tolerance girly, what should I expect?
"I forgot, so why are you here?" Muntik ko na makalimutan, I wonder why it's so sudden na nandito s'ya.
"visiting the hatest country." She said directly.
"Oh, I never thought you'd hate Italy." Who could hate italy except for me??
"Who said I hate it?" she raised her brows, messing around.
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"someone once told me, she hates this country. So I'm here to experience it myself."
Oh, so there is a person who hates this country than I do? I thought everyone loves this country.
"You know what? I hate this country as well." I said, seriously.
She didn't said a word, she went silent for a second. She just stares at me. "I know."
"How did you know?" I asked, kahit aware ako na ako mismo ang nagsabi non sa kanila.
"You said it yourself, remember?" She is chill. She just gave me a quick shrug.
Oh God, I love hearing people talking things about me. It's an unparalleled feeling when someone recalls a minor detail about you. It's making me feel special, known, and valued.
"Why are you silent? may nasabi na ako?" She asked, concerned. Hindi na kasi ako nakaimik pa.
"Wala, I'm just a little diz-"
A phone call interrupted me. "Oh sorry, wait lang Zar." Tumayo s'ya agad at pumunta malapit sa bintana.
"Hello, Attorney. Good morning"
I heard her greeting someone on the phone, it's her lawyer.
"what? ano na naman ang reason nila this time?!" Her tone was furious, hindi mo alam kung naiinis na o nagagalit.
"So kailan na naman? I can't bare the thought that he's inside of something he doesn't belong." Her tone changed. More like begging for hope.
"Okay, please do everything you can. I'll leave it to you, Attorney." Now, I can her hear sniffles. She also constantly rubbing her eyes.
"Yes, I'm doing it. As promised."
That was the last word, she ended the call.
Before she turned around, she wiped her face. But I can still see the eyes that were about to give in.
I don't know what is happening in her life, she doesn't like to talk about it. What I know for sure is, she is not okay right now. She's battling with something.
Something she can't control. Something where she has nothing to do with it. Hindi ko lang alam kung ano.
"What was that?" I tried to get something from her, but she's acting too much strong.
"It's nothing" Her lifeless tone is still there.
I leaned closer to her. "No, really. I wanna know, I want to comfort you Xy."
Why does she always answers with "Nothing"? What's so special about that word hmm?
I decided to push my limits. Bahala na kahit magalit s'ya, I need to know the reason, hindi p'wede na andito lang ako.
My presence is here, but not my comfort.
"Your presence is enough."
The alcohol is already kicking in, but I know I can manage.
She took a shot, one after another. She's not a drinker, I know. So if she can drink this much, then for sure she's dealing with something heavier.
She finally gave in, she cried.
As her tears slowly flowing down to her cheeks. My heart feels like it being crumpled.
Hindi ko ma explain, pero bakit parang ang bigat din ng nararamdaman ko.
I moved the alcohol away from her, and hugged her, tightly.
This is the least I can do for her, for now.
She's sobbing like an abandoned kid. Grabe ang hagulgol n'ya, na parang pati ako ay nasasaktan din.
"Zar..." she called my name, gently.
"hmm?" I responded, constantly rubbing her back.
"my dad." her voice is trembling. "he's... he's in prison." she finally told me.
All this time, she was indeed suffering. She came here to get her mind refreshed.
I'm in shock, but that's not what I need to show her. My own feeling with regards in this revelation doesn't matter at this point.
"Why? what happened?" I asked calmly so she could answer me with the same tone.
"he was accused... of-of killing someone." her voice cracked, her tears keeps flowing while resting in my arm.
"What? since when?" I am really fighting the urge to be shock by everything right now.
"he got arrested, a couple of months ago." Hindi pa rin matigil sa iyak, alam kong magbigat 'to para sa kanya.
"Then what's the matter? hindi pa ba s'ya na hearing?"
"that's the problem, his hearing keeps being postponed. Palagi na lang, naiinip na ako." I saw how tired her eyes were.
"What's the reason bakit na po-postpone? That's odd, you know."
She even cried harder. "Zar, I don't even know why. My dad wouldn't do anything like that, never... He's a good man, Zarya. I could not even imagine him hurting someone."
"I know someone, she's a lawyer. She could help your Dad." I tried to offer a hand.
I would lower my walls again, and climb hers. Just so I could help Xylla.
She probably would say No. But I won't take it as an answer, I will get that Yes. Iris.
"I already have a Lawyer, thank you for trying to help Zar. But no need to bother." She refused me. I know she would.
But I won't stop, I'll talk to Iris once I get back to the Philippines.
I may be missing for 8 whole years, but I've already know so much about her career since I went back home. She haven't lose any cases, and that made me so confident about this.
"Don't worry, Xy. Your dad will be out of that place, I promise you." I hugged her tightly.
She turned to me, "Thank you, Zar."
I met her gaze. "You can stay here. You're exhausted and clearly upset. Dito ka na." It wasn't a question, but an offer of refuge for the night.
She simply nodded, may mga luha paring namumuo sa mga mata n'ya. I gently wiped them away, then helped her towards the bed.
"Oh my-" The words I screamed as my foot slipped on the rug.
I instinctively reached out, but it was too late. I landed awkwardly on top of her, my hands braced on either side of her arms.
I immediately started to push myself up, mortified.
"Zar!" She gasped, her hand shooting out to pull me back down.
She cupped my face in her hands, her eyes locking onto mine. It felt as though our souls were tethered together, our bodies inexplicably drawn close.
"Thank you, Zar. For everything." Her voice was a soft whisper, yet it resonated deeply within me. Her hands remained firm on my face, preventing me from pulling away.
"I love you, my best friend." The words hung in the air.
I was speechless, utterly stunned.
Those words, spoken with such raw emotion, felt strangely Familiar, as if echoing from a distant memory. The sincerity in her voice tugged at something deep within me, a feeling I couldn't quite place, yet felt undeniably nostalgic.
The space between our faces dissolved, until we were almost skin to skin, our breaths mingling.
And then, she kissed me...
It wasn't a forceful, demanding kiss, nor was it driven by raw hunger. It felt... forbidden. Like a secret indulgence, something you yearn for but know you shouldn't have.
That's when I realized, with a jolt, that I was responding. I was kissing her back, my own emotions rising to meet hers passionately. na para bang sumasabay ako sa alon.
She stared into my eyes, her gaze intense, and then her hands moved to cradle the back of my neck, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. This time, I could hear her soft, ragged breath mingling with mine.
"Xy." The name escaped my lips that broke the scene. I pulled away, suddenly aware of the situation. This was wrong. Maling mali.
I had kissed her back, pero alam kong hindi s'ya ang dahilan. Kundi dahil sa may naramdaman akong kakaiba... na para bang naramdaman ko na dati.
I scrambled to my feet, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "Xy, I... uh... I'll sleep in the guest room," I stammered, mortified by my own actions. "dito ka na matulog."
Without another word, I fled the room, desperate for escape.
"What the fuck did I just do?" I muttered to myself, pacing the hallway, the taste of her kiss still lingering on my lips. Fuck.
"grazie, signorina De Luca" Mr. Suarez ended the discussion with a hand shake.
Tumayo na rin kami ni Ryan, para magpaalam.
"We are looking forward for our strong partnership, Mr. Suarez." Ryan said, professionally.
Mr. Suarez left the restaurant first, and we followed.
At last, I could finally go home.
It was a professional discussion, we spent almost 2hours discussing about the company. And it's totally worth it.
Our meeting with Mr. Suarez went really well. The papers have been signed, and I'm so happy about it.
I'm relieved that Ryan and I made it. Nabawasan na naman ang mga iniisip ko.
"So, where do you want to go and celebrate the win?" Ryan asked as we were driving back home.
"I want to go home." I simply said.
"Yes, we are about to." he looked at me while driving. "we're gonna get changed, and visit some places. Maybe get something to eat as we-"
"we just had our lunch with Mr. Suarez. And I'm tired." I directly rejected him.
"Zar, don't you want to roam around." He asked again.
"I lived here, for 8 whole years. Ryan, what do you think?" I said sarcastically. Ano pa nga ba ang ivivisit ko dito, eh dito na ako tumanda?
"Yeah, totally forgot." His tone changed.
"I'll try to book a flight for tomorrow." I informed him, dahil wala akong plano na mag stay pa rito dahil tapos naman na ang mga dapat kong gawin.
"Zar, we already have a ticket. Your dad booked a round trip, maybe let's just enjoy for awhile" he insisted.
I know, but who cares? Yun lang naman ang sadya ko dito, si mr. suarez. "Ryan, you can go home whenever you want. But I will be going back tomorrow."
"oh, okay. we're going home tomorrow then." his said calmly. Naaawa ako sa kanya, he just wants to enjoy. But I'm not that someone who suits to be his travel buddy.
"No, no. It's okay, I'll go home with Xylla na lang so you can visit some places here." I insisted na wag na lang s'ya sumama. P'wede naman s'yang gumala na s'ya lang.
He didn't respond to what I've just said. He just focused on driving instead.
Which is in favor naman sakin, para hindi ko na s'ya masungitan pa.
We arrived home, both of us were quiet. Walang handang umimik.
I was about to go upstairs to check Xylla. But I saw her at the garden, locked in her MacBook.
I'm a bit hesitant to talk to her, baka naalala n'ya 'yong nangyari kagabi. What if she'll ask me why I kissed her back?
I already know the answer, of course. But I can't just tell her that it happened because I remembered someone with her words.
No, I can't.
I found myself walking towards her, I'm feeling nervous. Pero bahala na, sana naman hindi n'ya naalala.
"Xy." she turned around, and smiled as I call her name.
She looks chill, and at peace.
"oh, you're back." she greeted me with a smile.
"Just woke up?" I asked her.
She just nodded, and pulled a chair for me to sit, so I sat beside her.
"How's your sleep?" I asked again.
"Good, medyo masakit lang ang ulo. Naparami ata ako kagabi." She giggled, na parang ang cool parin ng nararamdaman n'ya despite her dad being imprisoned. "Ikaw? kamusta yung meeting n'yo?" She added.
"It went really well, nakuha namin."
"Wow, congrats Zar. I'm happy for you." Her smile says everything, she is indeed proud.
"I'm going home tomorrow. Sasama ka ba or you want to visit some places muna?" I informed her, sabi n'ya kasi gusto n'yang mag visit ng mga places dito.
"sasama ako. I also need to go back na din, I have to visit my dad." Her tone changed as she mentioned her dad.
But, she mentioned her dad. Does it mean....
"Do you remember anything last night?" I asked, trying to catch her. Sana naman hindi n'ya naalala.
"Yes." She answered, and closed her MacBook. "I remember being wasted and told you about my dad. I'm sorry, you don't have to think about it. I know you're already in chaos." she answered further.
So that's all she remembered?
"no, it's fine. worry less about me." Tumayo na ako, para magpaalam. ''ll be packing my things, after mo d'yan mag pack ka na rin." pagod na pagod pa katawan ko, hindi pa nakaka recover sa travel papunta dito.
"Okay, sunod ako." she replied and opened her MacBook again to continue what she's doing.
I went back inside, and I saw Ryan sitting at the kitchen.
He looks so tired, na parang nahulugan s'ya ng langit at lupa.
"Ry, are you okay?" Out of curiosity, I checked on him.
He looked at me, his face changed. A sweet smile carved on his face. "Yes, thank you for asking."
I just nodded, "Good to know." I said and was about to went upstairs.
"Zar?" he called my name. So I stopped walking, and looked back.
I waited for him to say a word.
"will you have dinner with me later? I found a good steak house resto." He asked me. His tone was hesitant.
"I'm tired, I don't think I'll have a dinner." I rejected his kindness, once again.
"But-"
"Ry, I'm tired." he didn't get to finish his sentence.
"Xylla can go with us." He said.
"You can invite Xylla, you guys can have dinner together." I refused, again, and again.
I didn't wait for his response. Umakyat na ako pumunta na sa kwarto ko.
I closed my door, and lay in my bed.
Gosh, I'm sooooo tired. I covered my face with some pillow, and closed my eyes to take a short nap.
Maybe an hour of nap would do something.
"Ma'am Zarya!!!"
"Zarya, Anak!"
"Buksan mo!"
I was awakened by the loud knocks and voices behind my door.
Sa sobrang gulat ko ay napatayo agad ako sa kama. I Immediately got up to open the door.
"Ate wen, ate sela. Ano po ba 'yon?" I asked with my eyes still half close.
"Si Sir Ryan po, nandoon sa sala. Kakauwi lang, lasing na lasing!" Their tone wasn't scared, they are concerned.
Sumama na agad ako kila ate as they went downstairs.
As we were heading down, I can see him. He's laying in the sofa, if you look at him, you might think he's dead.
"Ikuha n'yo po ako ng towel, and warm water." I ordered ate Wen, and ate sela.
Ako na maglilinis sa kanya. We didn't pay ate Wen, and ate sela to clean this kind of mess. Nakakahiya.
"Thank you, ate." I thanked them, as they gave me the bucket of warm up water and a towel.
"Tulungan ko na po kayo, ma'am." They insisted, but I refused.
"Okay na po, you guys can go back to sleep. I'll handle this."
I started removing his shirt, gosh... he smells like a rotten beer.
Regardless of how he smells, I can't deny that he's....HOT.
6 huge abs, nice chest, broad shoulders, and massive triceps.
"Z-zar, is that....is that you?" He asked with a very very drunk tone.
"Where the fuck have you been." I'm so pissed right now.
"had fun." He laughed, which triggered me even more.
"do you know you're in Italy?? May mangyari man dito sa'yo, kami ng daddy ko ang mananagot. Do you understand?!" I yelled at him, while he's there, so chill.
"Pssshh! C'mon, Zar." Is he really trying to empty my patience?
"Fuck you." I threw the towel directly on his face.
He grabbed my waist, which made me out of my balance.
My hands are now on top of his chest, and our face was just inches away from each other.
He looked at me straight in the eye, as soon as I realized. I tried to pull my body away from his.
He was tough. It didn't even bother him, he even held my waist tighter. Which made me flinch.
"What are you-"
In just a blink of an eye, our lips touched. I can smell the alcohol, as well as the taste of it.
Pumalag ako sa halik n'ya, as soon as the situation sinks in.
I slapped him, it wasn't just any slap. It was hard, the sound of my palm reaching his face, echoed.
Tumayo ako, at tinitigan s'ya ng bahagya. That stare, wasn't just any stare. If stare could hurt, he's probably tortured right now.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, Ryan!?" with my voice cracking, I yelled at him.
"Zar, I'm... I'm sorry." He apologized.
He composed himself, hirap s'yang gumalaw but he managed to sit straight.
"what was that, Ryan?!" My tone didn't change at all.
"I... I'm sorry, I swear I didn't mean it." His voice is not that audible anymore.
"Then why'd you do it?!"
"Because... be- I need an answer."
"what the fuck?" The only words that came out of my mouth.
Is he really that drunk!?
"just... forget it please..." He pleaded, as if walang nangyari.
"Anong problema mo, Ry!? tangina, you have a girlfriend!." My voice keeps cracking.
"I'm drunk, okay!? Just fucking forget about it." I tried my best to comprehend everything, as he mumbled his words.
"How dare you?." my hands are now shaking in rage, I'm so pissed by this guy. "Ryan, you just kissed me. You fucking moron! what d-"
"I SAID, FORGET IT!" He raised his voice, too loud that it made me flinched.
My heartbeat is now at it's peak. I can barely breathe. Nagulat ako sa kanya.
I was too stunned to even say a word.
I took 3 steps back, away from him.
"I'm so-" as he was about to say a word.
I turned my back, and left him hanging.