The Crazy Rich Madame

Iritadong inilagay ni Lucien ang phone niya sa bulsa at nag-focus sa pagda-drive.

Wala pang ilang minuto nasa harap na ng opisina ni Vladimyr si Lucien at kumakatok. Pagkatapos niyang marinig ang pagpayag ni Vladimyr na pumasok siya sa opisina nito, hindi na siya nagdalawang isip.

"Vladimyr!"

NAG-ANGAT ng tingin si Vladimyr sa lalaking tumawag sa kaniya. Sa gilid ng desk niya ay ilang mga paperworks na dapat pirmahan. At ang laptop naman na nakabukas ay marahan niyang isinara at walang gana na sumadal sa silya. Habang nakatingin kay Lucien. Bakas sa mukha nito ang matinding iritasyon at pagkainis pero balewala lang sa kaniya ang pinapakita nito.

"Anong meron?" kaswal niyang tanong kay Lucien.

Natigilan at napatitig na lang ito sa kaniya. Umangat ang isang kilay ni Vladimyr habang sinusuri ang kabuuan nito at ang reaksyon nito na kanina lang ay parang sasabog na sa galit. Ngayon, wala siyang ibang nakikita kung ang purong pag- aalala at pagmamahal sa mga mata nito.

"B-baby... you made me worried about you. Bakit ka umalis sa ospital? Hindi ka pa magaling. Paano kung... paano kung may nangyari sa'yo na hindi maganda? Paano kung may nangyaring hindi maganda sa baby natin? Hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko kapag may nangyari sa inyo."

Napabuntong hininga na lang si Vladimyr matapos marinig ang mga salitang iyon ni Lucien. Kita niya sa mga mata nito ang hindi masukat na pagkabahala, at tila inuusig ang konsensya niya dahil pinag-alala niya ito.

Napaisip din si Vladimyr bigla dahil sa mga sinabi nito. Nakalimutan niya na dapat mas maging maingat sa lahat ng kilos niya dahil sa dinadala niya.

"A-ayos lang ako. Makakaalis ka na." malamig ang tono na ani Vladimyr. Pilit niyang itinatago ang pagsisisi. Muli niyang binuksan ang laptop para makaiwas sa mapanuring tingin ni Lucien. Pakiramdam niya napapaso siya sa mga titig nito, na nagpapalakas ng tibok ng puso niya.

"S-seryoso ka ba?" Dinig ni Vladimyr ang pagkamangha sa tinig ni Lucien. Pero hindi niya nilingon ito.

"Mukha ba akong nagbibiro?"

"Vlad... I'm here to take care of you. To take care of our baby. You can't push me so easily..." hindi makapaniwala na wika ni Lucien.

"I can take care of myself. I can take care of my baby... and my children."

"Your baby?" She heard him scoffed with amusement. "Ano to Vladimyr? Tinatanggalan mo ako ng karapatan sa anak ko?"

Dahil sa tinuran ni Lucien, napatingin si Vladimyr dito at buong tapang na sinalubong ang matalim na tingin nito. Saka siya paklang natawa.

"Anak mo? Hindi ba't una pa lang tinalikuran mo na sila?" she frankly said. Staring at Lucien's eyes. "Bakit ngayon... umaalma ka yata?"

She asks with her usual calm tone.

Tumikhim si Vladimyr nang matigilan si Lucien. Nagbaba ito ng tingin pero walang bakas ng pagsisisi. Hindi niya mawari kung ano ang nasa isip nito kahit subukan pa niyang arukin.

Kaya siya na rin ang bumasag ng katahimikan na namagitan sa kanila at pormal na umupo muli. She always keep her calm and collected gesture in every situation. She, again breathed a sigh and speaks,

"Masyado kang nag-iisip ng kung ano-ano Luvien. Wala sakin ang desisyon kung gusto mong maging ama sa mga anak mo o hindi." Aniya saka muling hinarap ang trabaho na parang wala siy doon. Naramdaman ni Vladimyr ang mga tingin ni Lucien sa kanya pero hindi na niya inintindi iyon.

"Thank you, baby. Let me take care of you too. I want to witness how our baby grow inside you. Gusto kong bumawi, maramdaman niya na ang pagmamahal ko. Please..."

Muling nag-angat si Vladimyr ng tingin kay Lucien. Ang mga mata nitong nagpapahiwatig na tunay ang nararamdaman. Bumuntong hininga siya at pinagmasdan na lang ito ng walang mababanaag na reaksyon sa mukha.

Tulad ng pangako ni Lucien kay Vladimyr, hinintay nya itong matapos magtrabaho hanggang mag-lunch. Sinamahan niya ito kahit sa center table lang siya nagtatrabaho kasama ang laptop niya.

Tumingin si Lucien wrist watch niya nang makaramdam na sya ng gutom. Natigilan sya at tumayo patungo sa desk ni Vladimyr saka isinara ang laptop nito nang walang babala.

Kaya naman napatingin ito sa kaniya na nakatingala dahil sa bukod na nakatayo siya, matangkad din siya. He stands six feet and two inches. Those calm and confused look in her eyes was so soft and bright with warmth and angelic. Luciens lips partially agape staring at Vladimyr's innocent yet confused look on him. His heart began to pound rapidly and flustered as well.

"Baby... My sexy Baby..." Lucien unintentionally muttered that made him quickly startled and his heart smile.

A twitch from Vlad's brow awakens him from a sudden daydreaming from her mesmerizing-angelic beauty.

"Anong sabi mo?" Kunot noo nitong tanong.

"I mean let's eat. It's past lunch now. I don't like to starve our baby." Biglang bawi ni Luacien kahit na sandali lang sya napahiya. But deep inside him, he really wants to hold Vladimyr again. He misses her warm body pressing against his, beneath him. Letting her be touched by his worshiping palms. As if memorizing every inch of her curves of perfection of her slender frame.

Lalo pa ngayon na magkaka-baby na silang dalawa. Literally, anak nila at hindi ng kakambal niya. His happiness is over the clouds. It's unmeasurable. He didn't know how ecstatic this feeling of being a father.

Napabuntong hininga na lang si Vladimyr dahil sa tinuran ni Lucien. Inayos ni Vladimyr ang mga nakakalat na gamit sa ibabaw ng desk, inilagay sa drawer na may lock ang laptop at iba pang importanteng bagay. "Okay. Let's go." she casually said.

Kaagad sinundan ni Lucien si Vladimyr, inabot ang kamay nito at ipinagsaklob saka dinala sa labi at ginawaran ng mariing halik.

Napatingin si Vladimyr sa ginawa ni Lucien. Gusto niyang magprotesta at bawiin ang kamay niya ngunit may kislap ng pagnanasa ang mga mata nito na pumukol sa kanya. Napalunok si Vladimyr sa nakikita niyang kislap ng pagka sabik sa mga mata ni Lucien. Na nagpalakas ng tibok ng puso niya at nanlalambot ang tuhod niya na ngunit nagdudulot ng tuwa sa likod nito. Kaya hindi na niya nagawa na umangal. Isa pa, tama naman ito sa sinabi. Kailangan niyang kumain para sa kalusugan ng baby.

Pagdating nina Lucien at Vladimyr sa isang Italian restaurant, kaagad silang sinalubong ng receptionist at inasikaso.

The receptionist brought them a nice and fine seat. Each table seat has a division, providing a bit of privacy for diners. The chair is made of woven rattan. Meticulously designed and detailed wrapped in soft hemp. Inside it has a soft cushion to make it a comfortable seat. The table is neatly set with complementary table wares. From white ceramic plates, crystal glasses and silver spoons.

In the center of the table is a slender glass vase with several stems of white rose. The place is elegant and cozy. The shiny color of the seemingly newly furnished wood brings a soothing atmosphere.

It was all a breathtaking view outside of a french window. Luscious green, man-made landscape like garden filled with yellow and pink flowers. Everything is bright and refreshing in the eyes. Hindi napigilan ni Vladimyr ang humanga sa kagandahan ng lugar.

Pakiramdam niya sinadya ni 'Luvien' na dalhin siya ganitong lugar. Though the intention is clear as day. This man in front of her, intends to impress her with these types of places. He knew she likes vintage and relaxing places like this. "What do you like to eat?" Lucien gently asked, still holding Vladimyr's hand. After the waiter came to assist them. The waiter gave them the menu list and stood straight on the side to wait for their orders.

"I want Veggie pizza, more cheese and green bell pepper. Don't overdone the bell pepper. Okay? Seafood pasta, Beef Lasagna, roast turkey thighs and spicy buffalo wings, Peach and mango smoothie and lemon Iced tea." dire-diretsong sabi ni Vladimyr habang sinusuri bawat pagkain sa menu list.

Kaagad itong isinulat ng waiter sa dala nitong nito. Yumuko sandali bago nagpaalam.

Bahagyang umawang ang bibig ni Lucien matapos marinig lahat ng pagkaing binanggit ni Vladimyr. Dahil sa dami ng gustong kainin ni Vladimyr, hindi siya makapaniwala na nakatitig dito. Her slim and slender figure could be ruined by taking these much food. But she seems not bothered about it.

"Sigurado ka na kaya mong kainin lahat ng iyon?"

"We're hungry. What do you want to expect? You said you want the baby healthy so you should feed me and spoil all my cravings."

"Yes! Of course I will spoil whatever your cravings for my sexy baby. For our baby..." he said grinning ear to ear.

Lucien chuckled at Vladimyr's cheerful mood and statement.

Few moments later, the food was served. Lucien happily watched Vladimyr eat all of them 'till the last bite.

She really has a good appetite and he enjoys watching her eating all the food that is served.

Halos hindi na masyadong nakakain si Lucien dahil sa panonood niya kay Vladimyr. Her proper gestures in table manner is elegant and dignified. Her gaze is calm and strict same as she talks, she is approachable and warm.

At napaka swerte niya para magmahal ng ganitong klaseng babae. An angel and devil at the same time. Depende sa taong kaharap niya. Naalala ni Lucien ang nangyari sa VIP Bar. Hindi naman ito umalma kung hindi siya inuhan. Treat her well and you will be treated the best of her. Treat her badly, and she will show you the beast side of her.

'Take note of the warning.' his mind said.

Napa tango-tango si Lucien dahil dun. Vladimyr always warned her enemy before taking them down if they didn't listen.

"I'm done. The food is magnificent." Vladimyr casually said after she wiped the corner of her lips.

"Kaya dito kita dinala. This is my favorite restaurant and I want to show it to you."

"Maganda ang place. Relaxing ang view sa labas. I like the peaceful silence here."

Lucien smiles.

"Do you like something more?"

Baling ni Lucien kay Vladimyr.

Its husky voice penetrating Vladimyr's heart. She startled at Lucien slightly when his deep, melodious -like tone serenades her ears. Vladimyr secretly clears her throat and averted her eyes away from him. She even felt her cheek burning as it heated up, her heart pounded loudly.

Vladimyr collected herself again before facing Lucien with her casual plain gesture.

"I want to go home." Vladimyr said.

Lucien looked up at her with a glint of love and admiration in his eyes. "I'll take you."

"You don't have to do that. I can do it alone." She declines.

“No. I want to make sure you and our child are safe."

Vladimyr just sighed and fell silent. It is useless to fight because this man will not allow her either. Apparently, she was conceived out of awkwardness.

Vladimyr did nothing with Lucien's carvings. Also, she found it's nothing wrong with letting him do what he wants to.

She felt tired, and she wasn't in the mood at Lucien's insistence.

Lucien opened the door for Vladimyr then supported her to ride while protecting her head from the bump.

Vladimyr sighed after sitting properly in the back seat and seeing Lucien turn around to the other side to ride. Casper was also in the driver's seat. He politely greeted Vladimyr who she just nodded.

Deafening silence prevailed between the two of them inside the car, while on the ride. The seat is soft and fresh to feel the cold temperature. The subtle smell of lavender inside the car was also pleasant to the nose.

One of Lucien's arms was wrapped around Vladimyr's thin waist as she leaned her head on his firm and muscular arm. Vladimyr inhaled Lucien's manly scent of perfume, and it's natural scent.

Lucien's warm body made her feel even more calm. Until she fell asleep, Vladimyr closed her eyes and let herself fall asleep. She felt Lucien's lips touch her head gently as he caressed her hair. It feels so good.

A few minutes had passed, but the car was barely moving. They were distracted when they heard the resounding siren of an ambulance and firefighters rushing down the road. That is why other vehicles were forced to give way. Vladimyr frowned and she was startled, at the firefighters and ambulances rushing. Something her guts said and thought of her children.