2. The Deal

Tinawag niya akong Thea?

Iyon agad ang unang pumasok sa isip ko. Sa loob ng isang taon na pagtatrabaho ko bilang secretary niya, bihira akong tawagin ni Sebastian sa pangalan ko.

Usually, it was always—

“Secretary.”

“Get this done.”

“Cancel my meeting.”

“Coffee.”

At kapag galit siya?

“Ramos.”

Never Thea.

Kaya hindi ko alam kung bakit mas kinakabahan ako nang marinig ko iyon mula sa kaniya.

I was still holding Lucas in my arms when I looked at Sebastian. Tahimik lamang siyang nakatingin sa amin.

Kung kanina ay parang demonyong handang magpahamak ng empleyado dahil lang sa kape, ngayon ay ibang tao ang nakikita ko.

His expression was calmer. He is looking at me much softer and with more intent. At higit sa lahat, parang may kung anong desisyon na siyang ginawa.

Hindi ko lang alam kung ano iyon.

“Hilario.”

Agad itong napalingon a kaniya. “Yes, sir?”

“Pakilabas ang kontrata.”

Napakunot ang noo ko. “Kontrata?”

Sebastian didn't even bother explaining. He simply walked toward his desk and sat down. His movements were calm and deliberate, as if everything had already been decided.

Samantalang ako?

Parang naiwan ang utak ko sa pantry kasama ng kape.

“Sandali lang po.” Napatingin siya sa akin. “Kontrata agad?”

I couldn't hide the confusion in my voice. “Anong kontrata po?”

He leaned back against his chair.

His eyes traveled from me to Lucas, who was comfortably resting against my shoulder. Muli niya akong binalingan ng tingin.

“I want you to be my wife.”

Napasinghap ako. “What?”

He didn't blink. “My wife.”

Kinukurot ko ang braso para makumpirma na hindi ako nanaginip.

“One year.” He spoke as if he were discussing an ordinary business transaction. “One year expiration. No feelings involved.”

I stared at him. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o matatakot.

For several seconds, I couldn't process his words. Ako magiging asawa ng isang Sebastian Monteverde? Ni minsan di yun sumagi kahit sa imahinasyon ko

Muli kong kinurot ang braso ko kasi kung bangungot ito, gusto ko ng gumising.

“Ouch.”

Napatingin sa akin si Sebastian. “What are you doing?”

“Sinisigurado ko lang po na gising ako."

He raised an eyebrow. “You are. Unfortunately.”

Muntik na akong matawa pero agad kong pinigilan ang sarili ko. This was not funny. He was serious.

I slowly lowered Lucas onto the couch. “Pasensya na po kayo, sir, pero…” Huminga ako nang malalim. “I can't do it. Masyado pa po akong bata para magpakasal.”

His jaw tightened. “You're like what? 24?” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “Right age to get married.”

“Pero hindi naman po ibig sabihin nun gusto ko na.” Patulog na pagtanggi ko.

“I'm not asking whether you want to.” His voice was firm. “I'm asking you to do it. You don't have a choice."

Napakurap ako. Napaka-dominant talaga ng lalaking ito. Parang lahat ng bagay sa mundo ay dapat sumunod sa gusto niya.

“Hindi po ganoon kadali iyon.” 

“It is for me.”

Napailing ako. "Para sa'yo madali." He ignored my sarcasm.

“I don't know actually." His gaze moved toward Lucas. The little boy was now quietly playing with the buttons of his shirt. “There is one thing that's important with me. Lucas only calms down when he's with you.”

Napatingin din ako kay Lucas.

“See, I think you're the perfect fit.”

“Perfect fit?” Halos ismiran ko siya. “Parang nagha-hire lang po kayo ng employee.”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “This is not a joke, Thea.”

“I know.” I swallowed. “Kaya nga po ako natatakot.”

For the first time, he became silent. I looked down at my hands. Nagaalala ako na baka kapag hindi ko siya pakasalan ay nawawalan ako ng trabaho. I can't really get married with him. He is my boss. He is an arrogant, strict, cold boss.

And honestly? I was terrified of him. How could I possibly live under the same roof with someone like that?

“H-Hindi pa rin po.” Pagtanggi kong muli.

His eyes narrowed. Ishook my head one more time. “Ayaw ko pong magpakasal nang ganoon-ganoon lang.”

He stood up. I instinctively took a small step backward. His tall figure suddenly seemed even more intimidating.

“Fine. Then I'll double your salary.”

Napatingin ako sa kaniya. Hindi ko napigilan ang pagsama ng tingin ko. “Hindi po ako nakukuha ng pera.”

“Everyone has a price.”

“Ibahin mo po ako sa kanila."

He stared at me. “Then what is it?”

Binuka ko ang aking mga labi ngunit ni Isang salita ay walang lumabas. Dahil ang totoo ay hindi lang naman ako nagtatrabaho para sa sarili ko kung hindi para sa pamilyang ko.

I looked away. “Wala po.”

He studied me for a few seconds then his expression changed. “It isn't about money."

Tiningnan ko siya. Alam kong may alam siya.

“I heard your youngest brother is in the hospital.” 

My heart stopped.

“How did you—” Di ko pa tapos sabihin ang gusto kong sabihin ng magsalita siya ulit.

“Leukemia.”

Tuluyang bumagsak ang aking mga balikat. Alam niya pala.

Nalaman niya ang isang bagay na pilit kong itinatago upang hindi ko madala sa trabaho ko.

“I have my ways, Thea." His answer was annoyingly calm.

“I know you're struggling.” Lumakad siya paharap sa lamesa niya. “I know you've been working overtime because you need the money.”

Nanatili akong tahimik.

“And I know you haven't told anyone how difficult it has become to pay for your brother's treatment.” 

Para bang may bumara sa lalamunan ko. “Hindi ko po kailangan ng awa.”

“I'm not offering you pity.” Huminto siya sa harapan ko. “I'm offering you a solution.” I slowly looked up. “I can pay his hospital bills and I can get him into proper therapy. Whatever treatment he needs.”

Ang bigat ng puso ko at hindi na ko makapagsalita.

“And all you have to do in return…”

He paused.

“Is help me. Be. My. Wife." I swallowed hard. His voice was firm. “This is an agreement.” Nagsalit salitan ng tingin ko kay Lucas at Sebastian.

Hindi ito ang gusto o ang pangarap ko. Not even close. Pero ito ng kailangan ko sa kasamaang palad.

Kailangan ako ng pamilyang ko and I couldn't afford to let my pride get in the way of his life.

Sandali kong pinikit ang aking mga mata bago muli itong binuksan.

“Okay.” Sebastian's expression remained unreadable. "Tinatanggap ko na maging asawa mo pero may mga kondisyon."

For the first time, he almost looked amused. "O..kay.. What condition?"

Huminga ako ng malalim. "No touch and no kiss." His expression changed slightly. I continued despite my nervousness. “And you can only hug me or place your hand on my shoulder when NEEDED." I emphasized.

He stared at me. I refused to look away. Nakakabinging katahimikan ang bumalot sa amin. Tila ba naririnig ko pa ng tibok ng aking puso.

“You're making a lot of rules for someone who just agreed to marry me.” Umismir na lang siya na para bang hindi naniniwala sa mga narinig.

“Pinoprotektahan ko lang po ang sarili ko."

“From me?” Tumango ako.

Tiningnan niya ako ng ilang segundo bago siya sarkastikong tumawa. “You really think I'd force you?” Humakbang siya papalapit sa akin.

“Hindi naman po kita ganun kakilala."

His jaw clenched. “After one year?”

“One year of working for you,” Pagtama ko sa sinabi niya. "Not knowing you.”

May kung anong ekspresyon ang dumaan sa kaniyang mga mata ngunit nawala din ito agad. Nagtungo siya pabalik sa kaniyang lamesa at kinuha ang kontratang inilagay ni Hilario. Muli niyang inusisa ang bawat pahina bago ito ibinigay sa akin.

“Read it.” Napalunok ako, nagaalinlangan pa rin kung tama ang desisyon ko.

“Thea.” His voice stopped me. “I'm not asking twice.”

Ayan na naman ang kaniyang tinig. Tinig na nakakapagpasunod ng lahat ng tauhan niya dito sa kompanya.

Kinuha ko ang kontrata. Habang binabasa ko ang mga unang talata ay nanginginig ang aking mga kamay.

'Marriage Contract'

One year.

No romantic expectations.

No public disclosure of the arrangement.

And financial assistance for my brother's medical treatment.

Lahat ito ay nakasulat sa kontrata. Maliban lamang sa isang bagay.

“What happens after one year?” Curious na tanong ko.

Tiningnan niya ako. “Simple. We divorce.”

Hindi ko alam ngunit tila nakahinga ako ng maluwag sa kaniyang mga sinasabi.

Napatango ako. “Okay.” Ani ko bago ko pinirmahan ang kontrata.

The moment my pen left the paper, something inside me shifted. Pumayag lang naman akong maging asawa ng isang Sebastian Monteverde. The most intimidating and ruthless man that I know.

Kinuha din ni Sebastian ng kontrata at pinirmahan ito ng walang pagaalinlangan.

Inilapag niya ang kaniyang panulat bago ako tingnan muli.

“Deal.” Unti unti akong tumayo ng kumalas si Lucas kay Hilario at tumakbo para yakapin ako.

“Mama!”

Napatingin ako kay Lucas bago muling tumingin kay Sebastian. And for the first time, there was something almost satisfied in his expression.

“Simula ngayon…” Naglakad siya muli papalapit sa akin habang ng kaniyang titig ay nakapirmi lamang sa akin. “…Mrs. Monteverde ka na.”

Parang tumalon ang puso ko. 

Mrs. Monteverde...

I looked down at the little boy clinging to my leg then at the man standing before me.

Wala akong ideya kung ano mang bagay itong pinasok ko ngunit isa lamang ang sigurado ako. 

May katapusan din itong kontrata. Kaya kailangan kong ingatan ang puso ko.