Chapter 3
Nang matauhan ako ay ako rin mismo ang nagtulak sa kanya kaya naputol ang halik. After that I ran towards the exit."That won't happen again!" sigaw ko nang makalabas kami.That was a mistake!"I said I am engaged—""F*ck that! Kalimutan mo iyong nangyari kanina! Let's stick to our contract," I said and I am slowly losing my cool so I breathed hard before closing my eyes a bit.Nang medyo makalma ko ang sarili ko ay muli ko siyang tiningnan. I found him staring at me like a hawk."Did you hear me? Wala nang halikan na magaganap," I said while glaring at him."Ikaw ang lumabag sa kontratang ginawa mo, Ma'am," mahinang sabi niya kaya umirap ako.I am sure Kyla saw that. That's already enough for now. My main goal is to introduce him to my parents. And of course, they must like him.Dahil sa naisip ay bigla ko siyang tiningnan mula ulo hanggang paa. If it's the looks then he can literally pass."How much money do you have on your account?" I asked."Why? Importante ba 'yon?" balik na tanong niya imbes na sagutin ako kaya huminga na lang ako ng malalim saka umiling."Fine, let's go," I said before getting in my car.Sumunod naman siya sa akin. Siya ang nag-drive pabalik sa parking lot ng kompanya dahil nandoon ang kotse niya. We are silent during that whole time inside my car. I can't believe that I am literally experiencing this right now.I even kissed him.Nang makarating sa parking lot ng kompanya ay agaran siyang bumaba kaya walang imik akong lumipat sa driver's seat."I'll transfer the one million later," I said before driving away. Nang maipit ako sa traffic ay wala sa sarili akong napahawak sa mga labi ko. Ilang segundo lang na naglapat ang mga labi namin pero parang pakiramdam ko nandito pa rin. He's tall, masculine and he got a good built. But his lips are soft. So soft like a marshmallow.I sighed.Pagod na pagod ako nang makarating sa penthouse. Pagkahiga ko ay nakatanggap ako ng mensahe sa isang hindi naka-save na number sa contacts ko. I stared at his number before opening the message.Sarkastiko akong napangisi nang makita na bank account number iyon. I immediately transferred the money to his account before searching his name on f******k. Naningkit ang mga mata ko nang makita ang profile picture niya. It's just his silhouette.I scrolled his timeline. It's clean. He's totally lowkey on f******k. Pero natigilan ko sa isang picture na naka-tag sa kanya."Trisha Mercado," I murmured the name of the woman who tagged him.So he's really engaged. The woman's showing his ring on the came while they are both smiling sweetly. Napairap ako saka kaagad na pinatay ang cellphone ko.I don't care. Ang importante lang sa akin ay huwag matuloy ang plano ng mga magulang ko na ipakasal ako sa lalaking hindi ko kilala. I don't want to get married. Hindi pa sa ngayon. If I marry someone I'll make sure that it's all for love. Mom and Dad can't blame me. I am craving for attention and love that they didn't give me. Ayaw kong pumasok sa walang kasiguraduhan. Taking risks in life and in business is way far different.The next morning I went to the company very early because I had a lot of meetings inside and outside the company. "Snow queen," I heard someone say, so my forehead creased.I suddenly remember those exact word that Zale said last night. Hindi ko iyon pinagtuonan ng pansin at tuloy-tuloy na pumasok sa opisina ko. My secretary followed me while she's telling me my hectic schedule for today."Shut up, I get it. Get out now," inis na sambit ko dahil naririnig ko pa lang ay pagod na pagod na ako.I busied myself signing some important papers. At nang matapos ay umalis ako kaagad sa opisina para puntahan ang susunod kong meeting. I want the elevator alone for me right now and my employees know that so they backed off when they saw me entered.But someone has the guts to join me so I glared at him. "Didn't you feel that I want this whole elevator alone?" I said in the most sarcastic way that I could. Pero imbes na lumabas ay sinara lang niya ang elevator at hinarap ako.Napahalukipkip naman ako at taas kilay siyang tiningnan pabalik."Remember, you are just pretending to be my boyfriend and it's not all the time. Kapag kailangan lang. So don't act like you already have power because you still don't," I said using my cold voice.Umigting ang panga niya pero may pagkamangha sa mga mata niya na tila hindi niya inaasahan ang sinasabi ko. I was about to say something again but the elevator suddenly opened in the ground floor.I immediately saw my Dad's face. Sandaling nanlaki ang mga mata ko pero mabilis rin akong kumapit sa braso ni Zale na hindi niya inaasahan."Dad, what are you doing here?" I asked but he just looked at me grimly and the guy I'm with.I didn't expect this. I am planning to introduce my so-called boyfriend to them but not today. We still have a lot to memorise!"Cancel your meetings. We need to talk," seryosong sambit niya habang nakatingin sa kasama ko. I gently squeezed Zale's arm and he immediately get what I want him to do."Good morning, President," Zale greeted Dad. Walang naging reaksyon si Daddy at tinalikuran lang kami.Kung kanina ay tila naliliitan ako sa elevator gayong dalawa lang kaming nandito. Ngayon ay tila hindi na ako makahinga lalo na at dumagdag si Dad."Dad, what's with the sudden visit?" I gently asked.He's still the President of the company but I am the one who's working for everything. Isa o dalawang beses lang siya kung bumisita kaya gulat ako ngayon. At sakto pa dahil kasama ko si Zale."We will talk to Chloe," Dad seriously said so I sighed before looking at Zale.Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata. I just hope he'll act nicely this time especially that my Dad's here. And I guess he do because he grab my hand and he intertwined our fingers. Muntik nang manlaki ang mga mata ko pero napigilan ko.When the elevator opened Dad went out first. Sinundan naming dalawa na magkahawak ang kamay. Kaagad naming nakuha ang atensyon ng mga empleyado. They are shock not because the President is here but because their Ceo is holding someone's hand.Tuloy-tuloy si Daddy na pumasok sa opisina niya kaya doon kami sumunod. I want to curse so bad because Zale isn't prepared for this. Hindi ko pa siya nasabihan. Wala kaming nagawang kasinungalingan.Nang makapasok sa loob ay kaagad kaming hinarap ni Dad. Now I know where I got my emotionless face. Bumaba ang mga mata niya sa kamay naming magkahawak. Mas humigpit ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay ni Zale kaya bahagya niya akong nilingon."So this is the guy you are talking about? That is why you don't want an arrange marriage?" Dad asked in his coldest voice.Umigting ang panga ko."Yes," I firmly said."Seriously, Chloe? One of our employee?" mapanghusga na sambit ni Daddy kaya napalunok ako."Why, Dad? Is there any problem with that?" mtapang na tanong ko pabalik habang pilit na sinasalubong ang mapanghusgang mga mata ni Daddy.He smirked without humour before turning to the guy beside me."What's your name?" he asked Zale. My palm is sweating right now. I won't say that I'm nervous but I am literally nervous."I am Zale Villanueva, Sir—""Alam mo ba kung sino ang kahawak-kamay mo ngayon? Kailan kayo nagsimula?" muling tanong ni Dad kahit hindi pa tapos ang sagot ni Zale kanina."Yes, Sir. She's my girlfriend. I courted her for six months. She answered me last month. I am so proud to be her boyfriend. I love her so much," Zale answered very well, like it's really true.Napalundag ang puso ko sa pagkamangha at hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti saka bahagyang tumingin sa kanya na diretso ang tingin kay Daddy. Now, I can say that he deserve my three million.This is exciting.Dumaan ang inis ang mga mata ni Dad."I'll tell you honestly. I want someone for my daughter from a good family. I want her to marry someone that I chose for her. Not you," Dad said. Mas lalo akong kinabahan sa mga posibleng isagot ni Zale.Please, be worthy of my three million."I love her so much, Sir. She's mine. I respect you but I love Chloe. I love your daughter."Ngayon ay hindi ko na mapigilan pang mapangiti ng malapad. I am so proud that I offered the perfect guy for this."Seriously, Chloe? I expected a lot when you said that you have a boyfriend. And now, this? Our employee? Can he even afford a car?" nangmamaliit na baling sa akin ni Daddy.My smile immediately faded."I don't base on that, Dad," I answered, so he laughed sarcastically."Now, you made me hate you more. Get out," galit na sambit niya kaya mabilis wkong tumalikod dala-dala si Zale. Tiim bagang ako sa narinig mula sa kanya. I don't expect him to embrace me anyway.Tuloy-tuloy akong naglakad papunta sa opisina ko. I am still holding Zale's hand so he followed me inside my office. Nang makarating sa loob ay doon ko binitawan ang kamay niya."So that's the reason?" he asked but I ignored him.Mabilis akong pumunta sa maliit na fridge para kumuha ng malamig na tubig. My blood suddenly boils. "You are supposed to marry someone—""Get out!" I shouted before throwing the bottled water near him. Mabilis niya iyong nailagan pero nagkalat ang tubig sa sahig na naging dahilan para mas lalo akong makaramdam ng galit."I lied. I did what you wanted me to do. I even swallowed you father's insults—""I said get out! Now!" buong lakas na sigaw ko saka galit na naglakad patungo sa pwesto niya.I glared at him."Ang sabi ko umalis ka sa harap ko," nandidilim ang mga matang sambit ko pero bago pa ako tuluyang makalapit sa kanya ay aksidente kong natapakan ang boteng naibato ko kaya nadulas ako."D*mn," he cursed before catching me.He fell on the floor and since he catched me I fell above him. I heard a small groan but that is not the reason why my eyes widened. Gulat na gulat ako dahil sa malambot na bagay na dumikit sa labi ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pumasok sa isipan ko sa mga oras na iyon. I am sure our lips are touching accidentally right now."Now do your job, kiss me. Kiss me, Mr. Villanueva," I said while our lips are still intact. I know that it's not me. The devil inside me is talking.Hindi siya gumalaw. Dapat tinulak niya ako pero hindi. We stayed in that position while our lips locked."Kiss me," I dared.I smirked.Pero nawala ang ngisi ko nang unti-unting gumalaw ang mga labi niya. He nibbled my lips. I slightly opened my lips to feel his kisses better. He's lips are moving. He's eating me."You are cheating," I murmured in between his kisses.I thought he'll stop but he didn't. Naramdaman ko na lang na humigpit ang pagkakahawak niya sa baywang ko. I smirked again. I don't know how to kiss but I followed his movements."Namnamin mo. This won't happen again. You are kissing Chloe Lorin Navrus right now, Mr. Zale Villanueva," I murmured while kissing him back.Chapter 4"Ma'am, you still have an appointment—I'm sorry! I-I'm sorry!"My eyes widened when I heard that. Mabilis kong tinulak ng bahagya ang dibdib ni Zale at kapwa kaming nanigas dahil doon. Nagkatinginan kami at kapwang gulat-gulat pero mabilis akong nakabawi kaya ako ang naunang tumayo.I made sure that I look stiff and cool when I turned to my secretary. Namumutla siya at pabalik-balik ang tingin sa akin at sa kasama ko ngayon na dahan-dahang tumatayo at bahagyang tinataktak ang suit niya."What is it?" I seriously asked my secretary like she didn't see anything.Napalunok siya saka tumango."You still have an appointment po. Iyong isa sa restaurant ay ini-automatic cancel ko po. But you still have an important meeting," aligagang tanong niya kaya mabilis akong tumango saka naglakad patungo sa lamesa ko na tila walang nangyari.My heart is beating so fast right now but I chose to ignore it."I'll go," I said before glancing at my gold wrist watch. Kita ko sa gilid ng mga mata
Chapter 5Hours has passed and when I woke up it's already Sunday. Sunday is my rest time and work out time but today I am so lazy and tired that I want to sleep more but I can't. I still need to revise the contract between me and Zale.Tamad akong bumangon mula sa kama sa papungas-pungas na bumaba sa unang palapag na tanging cellphone lang ang dala. Pero sana iniwan ko na lang ang cellphone ko dahil pagkabukas ko ito ay message kaagad ni Mommy ang bumungad sa akin.Mom:I heard your boyfriend from your Dad. How can you be so proud if your taste are like that? Disgusting.Napalunok ako at napatiim bagang dahil doon. I chose ko ignore it. I did not reply.Wala na rin naman akong magagawa kung iyon ang isipin niya. I am slowly learning and accepting every hurtful words from them. Kaunti na lang at masasanay na ako. Back then, I was so young when I realized that. After my brother died their other daughter also died for them.I want to complain. I could still clearly remember now how I cri
Chapter 6"Get out now, Mr. Villanueva! We have nothing to talk about!" I shouted when we got inside my office.Tinapunan kos iay ng masamang tingin pero hindi siya umalis."No, my fiancee saw the news! She's mad at me!" he said in his controlled voice but it's still so loud that it made me even more angry.I laughed sarcastically."Then what? What do you want me to do? Are you f*cking crazy?! You accepted this and now you are acting like a bullied employee?! I f*cking paid you! Three million!" I shouted.My heart is beating so fast because of too much angriness. Kung malapit lang siya sa akin ay baka nasampal ko na siya sa pagtaas niya ng boses."Wala sa usapan natin na pwede itong kumalat," I said with his gritted teeth. Muli akong natawa ng sarkastiko at umiling na tila nababaliw."Alam mo na pwede pero bobo ka talaga!" galit na galit na sigaw ko kaya tumalim ang mga mata niya. Mabilis siyang pumikit na tila nagpipigil ng galit at nang muli niyang buksan ang mga mata niya ay nakita
Chapter 7Punong-puno pa rin ako ng galit nang makauwi. Parang bumubuga ako ng apoy sa init na lumalabas sa ilong ko. I can't accept that it happen. Hindi ko matanggap na tinawag ako ng nakakainsulto ng babaeng iyon.She's no way near me.How dare she?And how dare Zale let her woman step on my property?Pilit kong inaalis ang galit sa katawan ko nang biglang mag-ring ang cellphone ko para sa isang tawag. Nanginginig kong kinuha iyon nang hindi tinitingnan kung sino ang tumawag."Sana hindi mo na sinampal si Trish. I can accept your slaps but—"Mas lalong umusok ang ilong ko sa galit nang marinig ang mga katagang iyon at ang boses niya."How dare you?!" I shouted. Buong-buo na kumalat ang boses ko sa unang palapag ng penthouse at tila gusto kong magbasag ng kahit anong gamit ngayon din."Itutuloy ko ang usapan natin. But I won't let her hate me so I told her everything. And her reactions were valid because I hurted her—"I laughed sarcastically."Do I have to thank you for that, Villa
Chapter 8Biglang nag-iba ang oras ng kasal at huli kaming nasabihan. The time in the invitation was wrong. The wedding will start at three o'clock so here we are right now. Trying to change as fastt as we can because Mom's already flooding my inbox with her messages.Zale is done while I am not. I am still fixing my make up. This is pissing me off. Ayaw ko nang minamadali. Ni hindi ko pa naaayos ang buhok ko. I want to fix my curls but my mother will hate me even more if we'll be late. Matapos kong mag-make up ay mabilis na akong tumayo saka nilingon si Zale. The color motif for girls are peach so I am wearing a beack dress now while Zale's wearing his typical suit."Let's go," inis na sabi ko saka nauna nang lumabas.I heard that they are multi-millionare. They should have bought their own resort for the wedding. Or they should have rented this whole resort for them. Pagkalabas namin ng hotel ay kaagad kong natanaw ang venue sa dalampasigan. I shivered when I saw the strong waves.
Chapter 9I slightly moved when I felt a heavy thing on my stomach. Dahan-dahan akong gumalaw. Hindi ko pa man nabubuksan ang mga mata ko ay ramdam ko na ang hapdi nito. At parang binibiyak ang ulo ko kaya unti-unti akong napadaing.I tried to open my eyes. I blink a lot of times to make my visions clear. At nang bahagyang luminaw ang paningin ko ay pinilit kong umupo pero iyon na lang ang paninigas ko nang makita ang braso nakayakap sa tiyan ko.My lips parted and my eyes widened in shock."What the h*ll!" sigaw ko saka mabilis na bumaba mula sa kama.That's the reason why Zale woke up. Napakusot pa siya ng mata niya na yila hindi alam ang gagawin. Kabado akong napatingin sa sarili ko at iyon na lang ay paghinga ko ng maluwag nang makita na suot ko pa rin ang damit ko kagabi. Same as Zale. "What the h*ll are you doing?" inis na tanong kong muli at tila doon lang pumasok sa isipan niya ang lahat kaya mabilis siyang umalis mula sa kama at nagmura ng maraming beses.I am not that drunk
Chapter 10Dad and Mom never contacted me again after that. Nagkikita kami ni Dad kapag nasa opisina siya. But he never talked to me like I'm his daughter. I feel like he is slowly cutting my ties with them. But I know Dad's still into the plan to arrange my marriage for business so the pretence between me and Zale's still ongoing.Pero hindi na palagi. Kapag kailangan na lang. Kapag nandito lang si Dad o kaya si Mom.I want to end this. Kung mas maaga ay maaari. As long as my parents doesn't care anymore then I will stop this nonsense. Kahit hindi abot ng tatlong buwan."Ma'am, the presenter and its team are already in the conference room," my secretary suddenly said so I stopped signing some important documents before nodding at her.Tumayo kaagad ako matapos iyon at lumabas na para makalipat sa conference room. Ann followed me and she opened the door for me. Kaagad kong nilibot ang tingin sa loob at nagulat ako nang makita si Daddy na nakaupo sa gitna."Dad," I slowly said before lo
Chapter 11Dahan-dahan akong nagising nang makaamoy ng mabango ngunit hindi pamilyar na amoy."Ah," I moaned before hugging the soft pillow.Ang masarap na amoy ay mas lalong naging dahilan para makaramdam ako ng gutom kaya dahan-dahan akong umupo habang sapo ang noo ko. Parang binibiyak ang ulo ko. Ang sakit-sakit.Unti-unti kong binuksan ang mga mata ko. I blink a lot of times until my vision go clear. At iyon na lang ang gulat ko nang makita na nasa hindi pamilyar na lugar ako. My eyes widened. Nanginginig akong napatingin sa kumot na nakabalot sa akin. The black sheets and black pillow made me even feel dizzy. Napasinghap ako ng malakas. Tiningnan ko ang katawan ko at napahinga ako ng maluwag nang makita na suot ko pa rin ang damit ko. But I smell really awful.I tried to remember what happened last night. Pero ang huling naaalala ko lang ay ang paglalasing ko sa bar."Where am I?" nanginginig na bulong ko sa sarili.No way that I went out with a stranger last night.I did?No wa