Chapter 3

Alora’s POV

Pagkatapos ng announcement ay hindi ko na nakausap si Draven. Pinirmahan ko na rin ang marriage agreement matapos kong mabasa. And honestly, I didn't take those terms seriously. Ang tumatak lang sa isip ko ay ang positive benefits ng kasal, which is saving my father's company. That's all that matters to me.

Maraming businessman ang lumapit kay Draven at bumati kaya may pagkakataong iwan ko siya. Narinig ko ang komento ng ibang bisita tungkol sa pagpapakasal ni Draven. They insisted Draven's marriage is just for business. That means, people knew that a man like him would never marry for love. And I agree with that.

Sino ba naman ako para magustuhan ng Isang Draven Richmoore?

Lumapit ako sa buffet table ngunit wala akong ganang kumain. I just wanted to ease the pain in my heart, so I grabbed a glass of cocktail from the waiter’s serving tray. I sat next to my grandfather.

“Eat first, Alora,” Grandpa said.

“Wala po akong ganang kumain, Lolo,” turan ko.

“Masama sa sikmura ang alcohol lalo’t wala kang kinain.”

“Okay lang po ako.”

“I know you’re not okay.”

Hindi na ako umimik. Sinipat ko si Draven na kausap ang Amerikanong lalaki na nakasuot ng black suit. Kahit kausap niya ang ibang negosyante, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang ekspresyon ng kan'yang mukha. Kahit tumatawa ang ibang kausap, wala pa rin siyang reaksiyon.

Seeing him that cold made me question myself. How am I supposed to live normally with the man who can’t even smile? I hate prolonged silence in my surroundings, and it seems like Draven is the type of man who hates noise and company.

Nabuhay na naman ang galit ko kay Danzon na naglagay sa akin sa sitwasyong ito.

“Hindi ko palalagpasin ang ginawa mo, Danzon. Everything you have done has a price. Just wait for your karma, bastard!” gigil kong bulong.

Halos mabiyak ang baso ng cocktail sa aking kamay dahil sa gigil. At nang mabaling sa akin ang titig ni Draven ay napakislot ako. Awtomatikong kumalma ang aking galit.

What’s wrong with this man? Why am I distracted by his simple gaze, even from a distance?

I keep asking myself about my body’s reaction towards Draven. But soon I realized it wasn’t just fear. It’s also curiosity. Curious about what mystery my future husband has.

Inubos ko ang laman ng aking baso at tumayo. “Uuwi na po ako, Lolo. Pagod na ako,” paalam ko kay Lolo.

“Hindi mo man lang ba kakausapin muna si Draven nang malaman mo ang susunod mong gagawin?”

“Wala ako sa mood na kausapin siya.”

“Sige, magpahinga ka na. Ako na ang kakausap kay Draven.”

Tumango ako at iniwan na si Lolo. Sukbit ang aking shoulder bag ay naglakad ako palabas ng ballroom hall. Pero bigla rin akong napahinto nang harangin ako ni Draven.

“Are you leaving?” seryosong tanong niya.

“Oo. Gusto ko ng magpahinga,” walang buhay kong tugon.

“My driver will take you home.”

“No need. May kotse ako at may kasama akong driver at butler.”

Iniwasan ko siya ngunit pinigil niya ako sa kanang braso. Hindi ko siya nilingon at hinintay ang kan’yang sasabihin.

“I made up my mind. Our wedding is already set. It’s on the last Saturday of this month,” ani Draven.

Gilalas ko siyang hinarap sabay waksi sa kan’yang kamay. “Why so rushed? Three weeks na lang ang preparasyon?”

“Aren’t three weeks enough for you to prepare? Sabi ng lolo mo, kompleto na lahat ng requirements mo para sa kasal.”

“Hindi ‘yon sapat! Marami pa tayong kailangang papeles. What about the prenup?”

“We don’t need a prenuptial agreement.”

“Ano?” Tumawa ako nang pagak. “As far as I know, you’re one of the top billionaire business tycoons in this country with a net worth of more than ten billion. Are you sure you don’t need a prenup?”

Matiim niya akong tinitigan. “Instead of questioning my decision, why don’t you just be grateful, Alora? I think your lifestyle can’t spend my net worth in just one month. And I can make it triple monthly. Kahit waldasin mo ang pera ko araw-araw, hindi mo ito basta mauubos. But of course, I won’t let my wealth vanish without benefits from it,” aniya pagkuwan.

“So, what benefits do you expect from me, then, Mr. Richmoore?” Humalukipkip ako at taas-noong nakipagtitigan sa kan’ya.

“I like your personality, your genes. Give me an heir after marriage.”

Napamulagat ako ng mga mata, then, I let out a sarcastic smile. “Having a child right after the wedding isn’t mandatory, Mr. Richmoore! I want to make love with the man I love!” giit ko.

“Make love?” His eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. “That’s not necessary. Mabubuntis ka rin naman kahit walang love. Prepare yourself. My assistant will help you with your gown and everything you need.” Tumalikod na siya at naglakad pabalik sa party.

Mariing naikuyom ko ang aking mga palad. Na-trap na talaga ako sa sitwasyong walang daan palabas. What should I do? Once I get married to Draven, I can’t escape whatever rules he sets.

“No! I won’t let him cage me! I’ll find ways to force him to call off the wedding himself!” I said eagerly.

I walked out of the ballroom. But before I could reach the hotel's exit, Marga blocked my way. I stopped and looked at her mocking face.

“So, are you really going to pursue your engagement with Draven, Alora?” she said, her arms crossed.

“Do I have a choice? You and Danzon brought me into this forced marriage!” I replied, full of rage.

Marga chuckled. “Huwag ka na magkunwaring nagsisisi. You are about to marry the wealthiest man in the country. Actually, I was the one Draven’s father chose to be his wife, but I can’t afford to marry an ice-cold man, so I refused.”

“You refused because you want Danzon!”

Marga smirked. “Bingo! But before you blame me, you should know that Danzon chose me himself. He realized that even if he loves you, his company won’t survive. So he started courting me behind your back.”

Lalo akong nanggigil at akmang sasampalin ko si Marga ngunit nagkunwari siyang natamaan na ng kamay ko. Sinadya niyang pabagsak na umupo sa sahig saktong dumating si Danzon.

“Danzon, Alora slapped me! She can’t accept that you chose me over her!” sumbong ni Marga, nagkunwari pang umiiyak.

“How dare you, Alora! No matter what you do, my decision won’t change!” asik sa akin ni Danzon.

Sa gigil ko ay tinuluyan kong sinampal sa pisngi si Marga, pagkatapos ay sinampal ko rin si Danzon.

“You two deserve each other! May your marriage save you from the worst karma!” singhal ko sa kanila.

Tumayo na si Marga at handa akong sampalin ngunit itinulak ko siya sa balikat. Pero hinawakan naman ako ni Danzon sa kanang braso at itinulak nang malakas.

Nawalan ako ng balanse at wala ng chance na maisalba ang aking sarili mula sa pagbagsak. But strong arms caught me behind my back. His familiar perfume sank into my nose.

I instantly recognized him.