Chapter 44 Revenge

Days had passed by quickly ever since Rico's encounter with Carlos and Dina but he felt like he isn't contented yet and still feels bothered from time to time. He wanted to see Dina but he wanted to see her suffering and he wanted her to beg him. 'Hello", Rico unwillingly answered his phone while in his car. He is intently observing a woman outside. 'It's me… Alice.", the other line answered. 'Alice? Why did you call?", Rico felt annoyed as if the caller had disturbed him from his very important task. 'Hey, you're making me feel you don't want to talk to me at all.", Alice complained. 'I am sorry but I am just really busy.", Rico reasoned out while still observing the woman outside. 'I just want to say sorry… ' 'If it's about Dina again, forget it. You're not at fault." 'The truth is… I am." 'Wait, didn't you tell me that you're looking for a place for your friend's art exhibit?", Rico interrupted. 'Yes. Why?", Alice answered. 'Let me suggest a place, there's this perfect place for an art exhibit. Let's meet right now.", Rico sounded friendly. … 'So, for you, this place is okay?", Carlos asked Dina. 'I still like the previous one but we don't have a choice. This is the best place we can have for now. The important thing is this place is accessible to our prospect customers.", Dina answered. 'Okay, wait for me here. I'll just withdraw cash at the ATM nearby for our down payment.", Carlos smiled. 'Dad I want to go with you. I want ice cream.", Dino said. Carlos smiled amusingly at the child. 'Once Mom would start with her ice cream business I am sure you'll stick with her like a gum and won't come along with me anymore.", Carlos joked. Dina laughed. 'Come.", Carlos told the child, and Dino immediately held Carlos's hand. 'Say goodbye to Mom. We'll have our bonding moment first.", Carlos said to Dino. 'Bye-bye Mom. I will bring ice cream for you too.", Dino said to Dina. 'Enjoy.", Dina affirmed and kissed his son. 'Dad should also say bye-bye to Mom so he will have a kiss too.", Dino turned to Carlos. 'It's the child's request.", Carlos smiled naughtily. "Bye.", Carlos to Dina and kissed her cheek. Dino is happy every time he sees his mom and dad being sweet to each other. What they didn't know is that there's also a pair of eyes grudgingly staring at them, his heart was full of hatred. 'Take care.", Dina added before Carlos and Dino had finally left. It hasn't been five minutes yet when Carlos and Dino left when he recognized a familiar couple entering the place. Dina was surprised to see Rico and Alice together. Even though it has been three years already and Dina had been convincing herself every single day to move on… she still couldn't help but feel pained when she saw them together. "Does this place seems good for you?", Rico to Alice. 'Yes. It feels comfortable. I like the ambiance.", Alice answered. 'Do you feel the comfort this place brings? This is the best place for the art exhibit. It's vital that people coming here would feel a sense of comfort so they are able to appreciate the beauty of art.", Rico said casually. 'I agree, this place is well-ventilated and it is also elevated. For sure, this is free from floodings. I can't just afford to let those precious arts destroyed due to flood.", Alice answered. 'You seem so friendly with me huh?", Alice commented on their warm conversation. 'Ah, this place gives you that warm feeling to become friendly with people.", Rico just answered. 'So, so you like this place?", Rico asked again. Alice happily nodded. 'Shall we find the owner and get done with the contract immediately?", Rico offered. 'Sure.", Alice agreed merrily and she is genuinely happy with the favor Rico is doing for her. Alice and Rico were about to enter the office when they suddenly noticed Dina sitting in the waiting area. 'Dina.", Rico called when they saw her. Dina wasn't able to answer immediately but she stood up acknowledging their presence. Alice and Rico went to her. 'H-hello, Alice and Rico.", Dina greet the couple awkwardly. Alice stared at Rico, now she understood the reason behind his friendliness towards her. 'We meet again! What a coincidence!", Rico exclaimed, greeting Dina happily but Dina somehow felt it was meant to be sarcastic. Dina didn't answer, just like before, she felt intimidated by Rico's presence especially now that he's with Alice. 'What brought you here?", Rico asked again curiously. 'We are here to negotiate with the owner… for our shop.", Dina answered. 'Well… that's too bad. Alice would like to have this place for an art exhibit as well.", Rico said with a sad face but it looks too fake to believe him. 'But…", Dina tried to complain. 'And you know I couldn't say no to Alice.", Rico added. 'Rico!", Dina complained and was annoyed. She felt that Rico is doing this on purpose because it seems too impossible that everything is by coincidence only. 'Are you doing this on purpose?", Dina hissed. She won't be affected by her intimidation against Rico. 'Rico, let's stop here.", Alice interrupted, she could no longer play along with Rico. Dina saw how caring Alice is towards her. Dina thought that Alice is indeed a kind woman and just like before she is still delicate and she even looks happier now. Dina looked at Alice's finger… at her ring. It seems expensive and for an unexplainable reason, Dina felt a sharp pang in her heart while looking at it. It's painful for her to see the both Alice and Rico are staying strong together. 'Why Alice?", Rico turned to Alice, he doesn't look too happy at her. 'It's not fun, Rico.", Alice tried to convince Rico. Dina stared at Alice's pretty face, until now Alice still considers her dignity as a woman. You're both lucky to have each other. Alice is such a kind person and Rico…, Dina thought and wasn't able to notice that she had already let out a deep sigh. She doesn't want to argue with Rico because she's already feeling defeated. She has no energy to face them anymore. 'You can have this place, Dina. I'm sorry. Rico, we have to talk.", Alice seriously said to Dina and went to face Rico afterwards. Rico laughed, it was so fake that it sends chills down Dina's spine. Unwillingly, Rico followed Alice outside. 'How could you, Rico?! You used me to hurt Dina!", Alice complained. 'She won't get hurt because she is happy with Carlos.", Rico answered with a serious face and tone. Traces of his smile could no longer be seen, it had suddenly vanished the moment he took his eyes off Dina. "How I wish to see Dina crying in front of me. I want her begging me! That would be really fun", Rico exclaimed. He is full of hatred. 'That just simply means you still have feelings for her.", Alice commented. Rico was taken aback, but after few moments he became grumpy. 'Feelings? Feelings! Of course, I have! And that feeling is hatred! I hate her looking at me like that, like a helpless woman but in fact, she is capable of ruining my faith, my life!", Rico answered angrily. "Please, go away. I don't want to see you, Alice. Stop telling me things that would make me pity Dina! Don't even dare to convince me because you will only fail! I don't want to show mercy because I really want to destroy them both just like how they have destroyed me!", Rico exclaimed hatefully. 'You will regret this hatred, Rico." 'Regret! I have none of those! I just want revenge!" 'You will never be happy for doing that---' 'SHUT UP! Don't talk as if you know how I feel.", Rico shouted and before he ends up being scandalous of his rough behavior towards women, he decided to leave Alice alone. Alice was trembling on her knees. She was scared for a moment, Rico is just like a monster. A very cruel monster who is determined to swallow Dina in embarrassment and revenge. This is not the Rico she knew, she felt terrified. Rico stared at the bottle of alcohol he is holding. He's not an alcoholic anymore but ever since Dina had returned, there's never been a daw where he hadn't held a bottle of alcohol and he always ends up falling asleep being drunk. Now, he's currently in a family-friendly acoustic bar. They serve alcohol in a limited amount. He has no plans on getting drunk tonight but he needs an outlet for his pain. 'Well, they seemed to be a happy family right now… and me?", Rico murmured, laughing to himself… but after a while, his smile turned into tears. 'How could you, Dina… it's been more than three years already. How could I still not forget you? There are so many girls out there but none of them are like you… why didn't you believe me? Did I tell you that I really loved you, right? Why? Why did you leave me? Why did you go with Carlos? What have you done to me? Why did you make me become like this?!", Rico complained to the air. After few moments, a seductive girl had approached her. She had been observing Rico ever since earlier. 'Hi, I am Sheryl.", the woman introduced herself to Rico. Rico just stared at the woman. She doesn't look bad, she seems to be confident in her looks. But she wears too much makeup and for Rico, he utterly hates these aggressive types of girls wherein they are the ones provocatively showing their intentions to boys. However, if Rico is in a bad mood, he stoops down and went along to flirt with them too but in the end, he ends up hurting their feelings. For some reason when he is drunk, every woman he sees all looks like Dina and sleeps with them but when he wakes up, he faces the bitter reality that they're not Dina. He says harsh words and often times he becomes aggressive and pushed the women out of his hotel room. Rico was never happy, he never had any serious relationship… he changes his women just like how he changes his clothes. And right now, he's not in the mood to flirt. 'So… what do you want?", Rico asked sarcastically, he is just waiting for her to push his button because he's ready to embarrass her at any moment now. 'You look lonely. Mind if I join you?", Sheryl answered. Rico laughed bitterly and was about to embarrass her when one group of people nearby had caught his attention. It seems like a reunion of a group of friends but his focus was to the people who just arrived… it was Dina and Carlos, and as always, with their lovely little kid. Rico also recognized one among the group, he remembered him because he was his client and he won the case for him. 'Well, I don't mind you joining me.", Rico smiled in a flirting way when he thought of an idea. Rico stood up and aggressively held the woman on her waist. They both went over the group where he had just set his eyes on… with his mind already creating a perfect scenario for his revenge. ###Chapter 45 Broken and Desperate 'Welcome back Dina and Carlos! Wow, both of you look good together!", a friend, Jacob had greeted them warmly as he extended both his arms to hug Carlos. Carlos hugged his mate. They were all happy to see each other. 'It's been ages since the basketball club had seen you, Dina. It's really good to see you today. We missed you! How are you? Well, coming here along with Carlos, hmn? You both have lots of explaining to do, plus that little angel with you.", Betty said. She is one of Dina's teammates in the basketball club during her college years. Everyone teased them because they are all fully aware that both Dina and Carlos had a mutual understanding ever since their college years, oftentimes, people treated them as couples at school. Now, they are happy to see them together with a child, they have truly become a family now. 'Well sorry to disappoint you, it's not what you think between the two of us.", Carlos laughed, interrupting their teasing. Dina looked at Carlos and wondered why he hadn't introduced her as his lover even though she's already willing to marry him and of course they had been living together for more than three years now. 'Yeah right! If so, how about this little boy here?", Roger, another friend, probed curiously. He doesn't believe that Dina and Carlos are not together. 'Hello, I'm Dino Tan. This is my Mom and this is my Dad.", Dino answered. All of their friends laughed happily and they all find Dino too cute to handle. 'He's so cute!", Lyra, another friend commented. 'And you still try to deny that it's not like that between the two of you.", Roger teased even more. Carlos just laughed while Dina is still wondering why Carlos just wouldn't say they're already a couple to avoid complications such as this. It's hard to explain why this child is using Carlos's surname but actually not his. "I really mean it, it's not like that. It's just really complicated, I just can't explain especially in front of Dino.", Carlos smiled bitterly. 'Ehem!", A man cleared his throat loudly from behind interrupted the group. It was Rico with his girl. 'Mr. Ballestros!", Roger greeted Rico warmly and extended his hand to him. Rico gladly accepted and shook his hand for a bit. 'Good evening, Mr. Roger Dela Cuadra.", Rico replied. 'By the way guys, this Mr. Ballestros. Remember the case where I was framed-up? I won because of him.", Roger proudly introduced Rico to the group. Everyone cheered and was amazed except for Dina and Carlos, who both just fell silent. 'Oh, it's Mom and Dad's friend! Hello!", Dino exclaimed and waved at Rico. 'Hello, young boy… Dina and Carlos.", Rico answered Dino first and went to greet both Dina and Carlos as well. 'Oh, you knew each other as well?", Roger was surprised. Dina and Carlos just stared at each other, still reluctant to tell who Rico is in their life in front of their college friends. 'Why of course. I know them really well.", Rico smiled. "Wow! Well, what a small world. Come on in and join the fun Mr. Ballestros and your… partner, I guess?", Roger invited Rico happily. Rico didn't answer immediately but his eyes are focused only to Dina. 'Well, it would be such a shame if I decline such an offer? Thank you.", Rico answered with a smile on his face and immediately left Sheryl alone while he forced himself to sit between Carlos and Dina. Rico's sudden and seemingly rude action made the whole group shocked. They felt something weird happening between the three, Rico, Dina, and Carlos. 'Well, this seems to be really awkward between us, huh? My girl and I… and you, Dina… with Carlos and your son.", Rico smiled. Everyone felt their awkward ambiance. 'Your girl? Rico---', Dina was surprised because she believes he is together with Alice but why does he have a different girlfriend now? 'I guess, we better head home first.", Carlos immediately said, trying to avoid the upcoming conflict in front of their friends. 'Wh—', one of their friends tried to persuade the not to go yet but Rico did the talking for him. 'But why? You just arrived.", Rico said with his sarcastic smiles. Everybody in the group doesn't like the tension between them. 'Because… just as what you have just said, it is awkward for us to be together in one place.", Carlos answered, trying to be patient. Rico just smiled at his answer while everyone still wonders what's the matter with them. A friend took the initiative to mediate between the three. 'Come on guys, it's been almost four years since we saw each other then you'll just leave so quickly?",Betty persuaded, others nodded in agreement. Carlos and Dina were forced to stay even though they were reluctant and wasn't feeling good to be with Rico in one place. 'That's it! Everybody should be happy because this is a joyous occasion. I don't know what this awkwardness that surrounds you and Mr. Ballestros but he saved me in times when I thought I was about to be jailed for a fault I didn't even commit so I hope let's forget whatever beef is going on between you this time, even just this moment huh?", Roger pleaded. Carlos didn't answer. 'You know, Mr. Ballestros during our college years, we made a bet that they would end up together seeing how they care for each other.", Roger casually talked about Dina and Carlos during their college days. 'Yeah right, I know.", Rico agreed but sounded bitter. 'And look at them now, they now have a kid and still continue to deny they're together.", a friend happily said. 'It seems like they don't want to pay.", another friend agreed. They all laughed except for Rico, while Dina and Carlos continue to give each other awkward stares. Everybody went on to talk with each other happily while Rico continued drinking, he even drank other's share without even noticing the time slowly passing by. After few hours, most of the group had noticed that Rico had gotten drunk already. 'Mr. Ballestros, I think you're drunk already.", Roger to Rico. 'Drunk? He-he… I'm not drunk…", Rico denied. Dina was worried to see Rico acting like this. 'Stop it already, Rico.", Dina tried to stop Rico because he looks pitiful. "Dina!!! Ah—look, My wife is here! HEYYY! Everybody, my wife is back!", Rico suddenly blurted out and went to wrap his arms around Dina. 'Mr. Ballestros…", Roger tried to stop him. 'I am not drunk! This woman here… clearly is my wife! But look, she is with another man plus with their son!", Rico laughed loudly. 'Rico!", Dina shouted. 'Dina, let's go. We're sorry, guys but we better go now. We're sorry for ruining such an event---' 'Ruining such an event! Hah!", Rico interrupted bitterly. 'It's not just this event that both of you ruined.", Rico added and suddenly landed a punch on Carlos's face. Carlos fell down. 'Carlos!", Dina yelled in shock as well as everyone in the group. Dina was about to rush heading towards Carlos when Rico stopped her as he caught and held her arm tightly. 'So you thought you have gotten over me huh? Just because you ran away with that bastard?! DINA, I am still your husband!", Rico shouted hatefully but Dina wasn't frightened, she didn't care as she forcefully removed Rico's hand from her and hurriedly ran towards Carlos. They start to catch everyone's attention at that moment. 'Dad!", Dino cried and also ran towards his 'dad". "I'm not drunk! How I wish I was drunk so I would have the excuse for doing things that I really want to do without feeling the hatred and pain you brought me here!", Rico continued to yell, feeling each word full of hate while pointing towards his heart. 'Rico, you're mistaken---', Dina tried to explain but Rico suddenly starts to laugh. 'I want to embarrass you both because of what you've done to me! I want to see you crying in front of me Dina! Because…I really hate you!", Rico bitterly declared. Everyone seemed to be nailed on their position, they were stunned, shocked and no one even dared to have the initiative to stop and mediate between them. Dina wasn't answering immediately but she couldn't understand Rico's too much hatred… because she thought everything was okay between him and Alice. 'But you love Alice! I have no choice---', Dina tried to explain again but was interrupted. 'You didn't listen to me! You were deaf, Dina! I was begging you but you were deaf! You still ran away with this scumbag!", Rico shouted angrily pertaining 'scumbag" to Carlos. Dina looked directly at Rico's eyes, she saw it… it wasn't just mere anger, it was deep hatred for them. At that moment, Dina realized that explaining is useless, he will never listen… it's terrifying how one person who once cared for you could change and bury too much hatred for you. 'Yes, Dina look at me with fear in your eyes. It was you who made me the way I am now. You will see what I had become at it is all your fault!", Rico declared. Dino ran towards Rico and angrily gave little punches on his legs because it is where his hands could only reach. "You're bad! I thought you're Mom and Dad's friend! You're bad! You're not a friend! You hurt my dad!", Dino cried. Rico held the young kid to stop him from punching. 'It's not me who's bad, the bad ones are you mom and dad!", Rico answered bitterly. 'Dino stop! You shouldn't do that!", Carlos tried to explain. Everyone was still in shock, they knew Carlos is strong but at that moment he was humbly accepting all that is thrown at him. 'Carlos is it true? Dina is married and yet you…", One of their friends concluded, realizing what is happening now. 'No! You're all wrong!", is what Carlos could only say. 'Dino come here!", Carlos to Dino. 'We should go now. Please bring Dino, Dina.", Carlos told Dina and Dina immediately did what he told her to do. 'Ric, let's talk.", Carlos to Rico. Dina looked at Carlos, shocked. She doesn't know what Carlos is planning. Rico took what Carlos had just said as a joke and laughed. 'Dina, you and Dino must go ahead first.", Carlos repeated to Dina. 'But---', Dina tried to complain. 'So, were you fired from your teaching job? Were you able to find a good place for your business? What will you feed your family now that you have no sustainable income? Where's your cockiness now? You should've just stayed abroad.", Rico suddenly said while smiling arrogantly. Dina slowly stared at Rico as she came to realize how evil Rico had become and she couldn't believe it. 'It was you? You made Carlos forced to leave his teaching job?", Dina turned to face Rico. 'Yes, Dina. It was I… and I could do more than that. Expect more to come. Remember Dina, I am a lawyer and legally, I am still your husband. You know what I'm capable of doing especially you've got a little kid as a piece of solid evidence.", Rico answered sternly. Rico and Dina exchanged glares… this is not the Rico whom Dina had dearly loved up to now. Though Rico is smiling, he could still feel the pain in his heart when Dina looked at him that way. She doesn't look at him with fear… he looked at him with pity. This is Rico's harsh revenge but… is this what his heart really desired too?