Zyrone angrily took a swig of brandy on the glass he was holding. He was facing the glass wall of his house, looking at the sunset.
His chest was burning in anger and disappointment. And his veins were pulsating with so much hate. Why wouldn’t he? Audrey just ditched him on their wedding day!
Should he had known Audrey would do this to him, he would’ve chosen another woman for him to marry. It’s not that he forced her to marry him. She agreed… willingly!
Kung nagsabi sana ito na hindi na nito gustong magpakasal, baka nagawan pa niya ng paraan. Hindi ‘yong ganito. Na bigla na lang itong naglahong parang bula.
He took the glass of brandy to his mouth again. This time he finished its content in one gulp. He wanted to punch something or beat the shit out of someone! He’s sure should someone bother him right now that he’s on his penthouse in Gold Hotel-Manila, will be in so much trouble.
He huffed and raked his fingers on his hair. Grandma Eve’s words, his father’s mother, were echoing in his ears.
“You need to get married now, Zyrone. I am dying and I want to see that your life is finally settled and that our line will continue with you.”
That’s what his grandmother told him four months ago when she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He would’ve just ignored Grandma Eve’s request for him to settle down but his grandmother threatened him that if he would not heed to her request, she’d sell the Gold Hotel International and he and his parents will not get any penny from it.
And while he knows that Grandma Eve can really do that since she’s the Chairman of Gold Hotel International at kahit na hindi naman talga sila maghihirap ng pamilya niya kahit na wala silang makuha sa pinagbentahan ng Gold Hotel—still the threat struck a nerve on him because Gold Hotel International was his grandfather’s legacy. They are not the Craigs without the Gold Hotel.
At imbes sana na mag-concentrate siya sa pagpapatakbo sa Gold Hotel at pagsiguro na nasa maayos na kondisyon ang lola niya kahit paano, he had spent the last three months looking for a bride—a contract bride.
Yes, that’s the only solution he had come up with to heed his grandmother’s request.
He’s not ready to get married yet. Idagdag pa na wala rin siyang karelasyon ngayon. At kahit na siguro may karelasyon siya ngayon, hindi pa rin niya papakasalan. He’s just 31 at ayaw pa niyang matali sa kasal. He’s in his prime and enjoying living his life as the most sought after bachelor of the country. Besides, he doesn’t really feel the need for him to be in a hurry when he’s rich, powerful and can have any woman he wishes to have.
And he wouldn’t ruin that by being stuck in a marriage. Moreso when that marriage was set-up by his parents who, like Grandma Eve, already wanted him to settle down with the girl they’d pick for him.
When his parents learned about Grandma Eve’s request, his father wasted no time to pair him up with the single daughters of their business associates. And because he knew that his parents would want to trap him to a real marriage with the girl they’d pick for him, he’d decided to look for a contract wife.
His exes were instantly eliminated from his choices. He doesn’t want any emotional connection to his would be wife- that would just mees things up when they'd part ways. And so he searched amongst his friends and acquiantances. Until he found Audrey to be the best choice. He had met and partied with Audrey a couple of times in the past. She was a perfect candidate because not only she was sort of a friend and wasn’t his type, she’s also an actress. He knew she would play her part as a loving wife to him well.
When he told his parents that he’d marry Audrey, he and his father had a big fight. He said that they already had a bride for him. But he remained unfazed. Agad-agad niyang tinawagan si Grandma Eve, na noon ay nasa bahay nila sa Reno, Nevada at ibinalita rito na ikakasal na siya. And that after the wedding, lilipad sila ng mapapangasawa niya patungo sa Reno at bibisitahin ito.
Itinuloy niya ang paghahanda sa kasal. People and the media went crazy with the news of him and Audrey getting married. People even dubbed their soon-to-be nuptials as wedding of the year. Why wouldn’t it be? He had spent hundreds of millions for it just to make it believable.
But then…today happened.
Muli siyang napabuga ng hininga at mariing pinisil ang pagitan ng kanya mga mata. He’s trying to rein in his anger. Kung siya ang masusunod, siya mismo ang maghahanap kay Audrey kung saang lupalop man ito nagpunta at kung sino ang kasama nito.
Audrey was already 30 minutes late on their wedding when James, his assistant, told him that Audrey’s parents found a note on their daughter’s room saying that she cannot marry him and she had had ran away with someone.
He was instantly livid when he heard the news. But like all unfavorable and hateful business transactions he had in the past, he maintained his composure and faced the humiliation head on.
His father was silent the whole time of their travel back at Gold Hotel-Manila. His mother was crying hysterically thinking of the shame his bride had brought to their family. And he, he remained quiet too—thinking of ways they could lessen the damage.
He instantly called his IT people to insure that any information about the news wouldn’t leak on any social media platforms. His mother immediately called for a news blackout to make sure that the news wouldn’t reach Grandma Eve. And his father pulled his connections to look for Audrey.
The matter is somewhat controlled but then again its effects will linger for only god knows how long.
Maya-maya pa bumukas ang pinto ng bahay niya. His parents quickly entered his house even though he had instructed his employees that he doesn’t want to be bothered by anyone tonight. But then again his mother knows the passcode to his door, so that instruction really doesn’t bear any weight when it comes to his mother.
Iniwan niya ang mga ito kanina sa opisina ng Daddy niya habang dumiretso naman siya sa penthouse niya. Mukhang tapos nang mag-usap ang mga magulang niya at handa na siyang pangaralan.
His father went straight to the bar and poured a glass of brandy for himself. Ang mommy naman niya, tensiyonadong umupo sa sofa. His father took a sip of brandy from his glass before he turned to speak to him.
“The incident is under control at the moment but we’re not sure for how long,” anito, frustration is still in his voice. Tumitig ito sa kanya bago tumawa, sarkastiko. “Didn’t I tell you, that girl you wanted to marry is junk. But you said no and gave that fool’s speech about love and commitment. Well look at you now, Zyrone! Look where you’ve brought us because of that girl!” singhal sa kanya ng Daddy niya.
“Richard!” Agad na tumayo ang Mommy niya, tensiyonadong pinaglipat-lipat ang tingin sa kanila ng Daddy niya. “Son, please don’t answer him back. The stress of this incident has all of us shaken. We need to stay together and solve this problem like a family--”
“A family? Tell that to your husband, he doesn’t seem to know what that word means. Here I am drowning in this fckin humiliation and he still blames me for it.”
His father scoffed, took a couple of steps towards him. “At sinong gusto mong sisihin ko? Ako? Kami ng Mommy mo? Marrying that girl was your choice. It’s your damn fault that you’re in this situation right now, Zyrone! It’s your damn fckin fault!”
When his father was about to charge at him, his mother quickly stood in between them. “Richard, please!” his mother cried.
“Tell that to your son who doesn’t know the meaning of respect! Kung nakinig lang siya sana sa atin, hindi hahantong lahat sa ganito!” Naniningkit ang matang sigaw ng Daddy niya.
He balled his fists and shook his head. He knew the argument will be endless kung sasagot pa siya. That isn’t what he needed right now. Agad siyang nagdesisyon, he’d better go someplace to think.
Agad siyang pinulot ang coat niya at humakbang patungo sa front door.
“Zyrone, where are you going?” sabi ng Mommy niya.
He didn’t reply and just stepped out of his house.
Mahigpit na ikinapit ni Belle ang isang kamay niya sa guard rail ng staircase. Bahagya siyang yumuko at itinukod naman ang isang kamay niya sa kanyang binti at doon naghabol ng hininga.“Sa ngalan ng pera at pahinga. Sa ngalan ng pera… at pahinga,” paulit-ulit niyang bulong, hinihingal pa rin. She needed to tell that to herself kasi kung siya ang tatanungin, ayaw na niyang magpatuloy.Suko na siyang talaga sa kahibangan ng araw na iyon! E kaso ambisyosa siya. Gusto niyang sumuweldo nang walang ginagawa kaya kahit na nanginginig na ang mga binti niya, sige pa rin siya sa pag-akyat makarating lang sa lintek na penthouse ni Zyrone.She would’ve taken the lift, kaso ang sabi ni Marie, isa sa mga hotel maid na nakausap niya kanina sa ibaba ng hotel, mula raw 10th floor, mahigpit na ang security ng hotel. Utos daw iyon ni Zyrone upang maiwasan ang unnecessary media presence sa hotel. At dahil wala siyang ch
Kanina pa hindi mapakali si Belle sa likod ng sedan. Bukod kasi sa gulat pa rin at naguguluhan ang kalahati ng huwisyo niya dahil sa mga pangyayari, pakiramdam niya ay puputok na ang pantog niya dahil ihing-ihi na siyang talaga!They have been driving for a solid two hours now, non-stop!Ngayon siya talaga nagsisisi kung bakit pa niya tinanggap-tanggap ang offer ni Lee Ann. She was forced to do attend and socialize with people not within her crowd. She was persuaded to talk to Zyrone, the most infuriating man she had ever met, just to get an exclusive scoop for their magazine. And now she was forced to go with Zyrone to wherever godforasaken place he plans to go! Idagdag pa na malapit na siyang magkaroon ng sakit sa bato dahil sa pagpipigil niya ng ihi.Lihim siyang nagngitngit. Gigil niyang kinalabit ang likod nito. Sandaling gumewang ang sasakyan.“Dammit!” singhal nito bago inayos ang manibela. Mukhang nagulat ito
Humigpit ang hawak ni Zyrone sa manibela ng sasakyan. He took in a sharp breath and focused on what he was doing—driving the hell out of the place as far away as he could. He was trying to rein in his anger for the writer who posed as his employee.What’s her real name again?Belle.Right. Belle Nolasco.How dare she invade his privacy? Going through such length as disguising as his employee just to get a story about him being ditched by Audrey.He scoffed.That’s why he doesn’t trust any of these people from the media. They’d pose as your friends and tell the world your secrets. They are all natural liars!And he can’t believe he’d almost allow one to pry into his life with ease!He raked his fingers through his hair. Belle Nolasco is the least of her concerns now. Ang dapat na iniisip niya, kung saan siya pupunta at pansamantalang magtatago—malayo sa mga magulang n
“Bakit mo ko binalikan? Akala ko ba galit ka sa mga gaya ko na ang trabaho ay pagkakitaan ang kamalasan ng iba?” nakaingos na tanong ni Belle kay Zyrone.He scoffed and slowly shook his head. “So, that’s what I get by saving your ass back there, huh? Right, you’re welcome, Ms. Nolasco,” sarkastikong sagot nito, ang mga mata nasa daan pa rin.Rumolyo na ang mga mata niya. She doesn’t mean to be an ingrate but she’s hungry, too shocked and too confused to even give a hell of a care to what he has done.Kung tutuusin, dapat nga talaga siyang magalit dito dahil kung hindi siya nito isinama sa pagkatakas, maayos pa sana ang buhay niya ngayon. She might be three thousand bucks poorer dahil sa ginawa niyang panunuhol kay Marie, but at least she would be in the comfort of her own home by now.But here she is again with Zyrone, driving to the dark of the night to some place only he knows.“
“Tell me something about yourself,” ani Zyrone sa kanya, ang mga mata nasa daan pa rin.They were still driving into the night to wherever but the only difference was, she’s now holding onto a siopao and a bottle of water. Dumaan sila sa isang bus stop na nadaanan nila at doon sila bumili ng pagkain. She’s thankful that the bus stop have a 24/7 souvenir shop and selling some shirts and shorts. Doon niya nalaman na nasa Pangasinan na pala sila. She bought themselves a pair of shirt and shorts. Doon na rin sila nagpalit ng damit. Mabuti na lang at hindi sila masyadong namukhaan ng mga tao na naroon sa bus stop kaya nagawa niya nang maayos ang pakay niya roon. And now she’s happily munching on her siopao and doesn’t care less to where they are going.“Well you already know my name and my profession. I’m 26 years old. Single but not ready to mingle. What about you?” kaswal na sagot niya bago muling kumagat
Nakahalukipkip na pinagmamasdan ni Belle ang guwapong mukha ng supladong si Zyrone. At habang tumatagal na nasa gano’n siyang posisyon, hindi na niya sigurado kung gusto pa niya itong gisingin o hindi.Hindi naman talaga kasi maipagkakaila na napakaguwapong nilalang ng suplado. Lutang na lutang ang American features nito—makakapal na kilay, matangos na ilong, at delectable lips. And his eyes… his cerulean eyes that can send to magic land in just once glance. Masarap pa rin talaga itong pagmasdan kahit na allergic siya rito. ‘Di ba, gano’n naman talaga ang allergens, enticing but deadly.Umirap na siya. Kung anu-ano naman ang naiisip niya. In as much that she wants to stare at Zyrone’s handsome face and keep him sleeping for her peace of mind, hindi niya puwedeng hindi gisingin si Zyrone. He has been sleeping for hours now! He even skipped lunch. At kahit na alas tres na ng hapon, hindi pa rin ito nagigising. And what&r
“Sige na, mag-igib ka na ng tubig,” ani Belle kay Zyrone nang nasa harap na sila ng poso. Latag na ang dilim subalit ngayon pa lang sila maliligo.Salubong ang mga kilay nitong bumaling sa kanya. “Where’s the faucet?”Agad na nalukot ang mukha niya. “Kuryente nga wala dito, faucet pa kaya,” nagsusungit na sabi niya bago ininaba sa harap niya ang gasera.May bitbit siyang gasera dahil bukod sa walang kuryente si Lila Mati, may ilang metro din ang layo ng banyo mula sa main house. Tipikal iyon sa mga lumang bahay sa probinsiya na napuntahan na niya.“So where will we get water?”“E d’yan nga sa poso,” sabi niya, tinuro pa ang poso na halatang luma na subalit gumagana pa naman.He looked at the manual water pump in front of him like it was a monster he needs to be afraid of.“Hindi mo ba alam gumamit n’yan?” tanong na niya.
When dinner came, wala silang imikan sina Zyrone at Belle kahit na magkatabi sila nito sa maliit na hapag ni Lola Mati. Ipinagluto sila ulit ng matanda ng piniritong isda at pinakbet. The dinner was simple yet scrumptious. Ang sabi pa nito, bukas ipagluluto naman daw sila nito ng ibang ulam upang hindi sila agad manawa sa pagkain. The old woman was really kind at hindi niya lubos maisip kung paano na lang at na may estrangherong gaya nila na aabusuhin ang kabaitan nito.And thinking about that, she was mentally reminding herself that she needs to wake-up early tomorrow to help Lila Mati in whatever way she could.Awtomatikong bumalik ang isip niya kay Zyrone nang magsalin ito ng tubig sa baso nito. He quietly downed the whole glass of water before he resumed eating again, silently.After Zyrone was done bathing, nakaligo rin siya… nang mag-isa. Hindi na siya nagpatulong rito sa pag-iigib at lalong hindi na siya nagpahintay rito s