Chapter 2: Changes

Clara groaned as she hugged her favorite Dior Saddle bag. Importante sa kanya ang bag na 'yun dahil bigay sa kanya iyon ng kanyang Tito Ariel. But she needs to sell it.

"Hija," her mother whispered.

Agad siyang umayos at isinantabi ang mga bag na nasa kama niya para lang harapin ang kanyang ina. Her mother walked towards her and caressed her hair gently.

"Do I need to do this?"

Her mother sighed. "We need to sell our other things, hija. Kahit naman na tutulungan tayo ni Damon, we need to find ways to have money."

Clara frowned. Her mother laughed.

"Magpabili ka nalang sa asawa mo."

"Do you really believe he is... the right man to be my husband? I mean... look at him! He's arrogant and I don't like the way he talks to me!"

Inabot ng kanyang ina ang kanyang kamay at hinaplos ito. Nagpakalma ito sa kanya at naisip na kailangan niya ngang gawin 'to para sa pamilya. She can't afford to look at her parents, ang kanyang mga magulang na ibinigay sa kanya ang lahat para lang paluguran siya.

"Fine..." Her small voice ended the silence.

"I am sorry for doing this, hija." She closed her eyes when she felt her mother's hand on her cheeks. "This is the only way to save our family. To secure your future."

Wala siyang karapatang magreklamo. Dahil kahit anong gawin niya, alam niya na ang totoo. Totoong nalulugi na ang kompanya dahilan para umatras ang iilang investors. Pinagbebenta na rin ang iilang shares at... lugmok na si daddy.

Nilingon niya ang mga nakahilerang high-end designer handbags. Huminga siya nang malalim at mas inisip na malaking tulong kapag naibenta niya ang mga ito. They can be re-bought! Magre-request siya sa asawa niya!

Clara finished all the things she needed to do. That afternoon, she decided to meet the organizer. Ang sabi ni Damon ay ipapaubaya niya ang plano kay Clara tungkol sa engagement.

"Hi, Madame! I am Fred. Pleasure to meet you," he even bowed a bit.

"Hello! I am Clara Ardiente. Pleasure to meet you also and... uh stop that." Natawa nalang siya dahil hindi niya naman kailangan maging pormal.

"The engagement announcement shook me, Madame! But seeing you today... I now understand why Mr. Barreto wanted to marry you!"

Clara's eyes widened.

She even chuckled. "Really?" Hindi naman siya naniniwala dahil alam niya naman na business lang 'to. Pero siyempre, hindi iyon sasabihin ni Damon sa lahat.

Fred gave her a booklet. Naglalaman iyon ng designer dress na pwede niyang isuot sa party. Hindi maitangging magaling na designer ang kinuha ni Damon para sa party. She can't even choose one!

"You can choose at least two, Madame."

Ngumuso siya. "I can change?"

"Of course!"

Pagkatapos mag-usap ng dalawa tungkol sa susuotin, sunod naman nilang pinag-usapan ang venue.

"There's a media?"

Fred nodded. "Mr. Barreto requested it."

Sineryoso talaga ni Damon ang sinabi niya. To tell everyone that they will be getting married. She sighed and nodded just to finish the day.

Clara received a call from her friends. Gulat na may natanggap silang invitation letter about the engagement.

"No way... You are talking about Damon Barreto?!" Alondra, her best friend shrieked. "That arrogant jerk?!"

"Yeah... that arrogant jerk." Clara answered against the phone.

"What the? How?!"

"Long story. Just... go, okay?"

"Of course!"

Clara went straight to her room. Gusto niyang magpahinga dahil pagod siya sa ginawa niya. But her phone vibrated, telling that Damon was calling her.

She rolled her eyes and picked up the phone.

"Hello."

"Home?" The coldness of his voice carried the chill of the room. Napangiwi siya dahil parang napipilitan lang siyang tawagan nito.

"Yeah. Nagkita kami ni Fred. We planned everything."

"Did you eat?"

Napakurap-kurap siya. Hindi niya naman inaasahang tatanungin siya ni Damon. Inisip niyang wala itong ka romantic sa katawan kaya nagulat siya.

"Yeah. I ate with Fred," she said.

Suddenly, there's a line of silence.

"Hello?"

"You eat with him?"

"Yeah?" Clara slowly rose to her bed.

"Why?"

Kumunot ang noo niya sa tanong ni Damon.

"Kasi nagutom ako? I stayed with him until the day turned into dusk." She heard Damon sigh from the other line. Nagtataka siya kung bakit parang masama ang timpla nito. Maybe, business works? Ilang beses niya na kasing nakikita ang daddy niya na bad mood dahil pagod sa kompanya.

"Matutulog ka na?" Clara heard a small noise . Nakauwi na siguro pero pinigilan niya ang sarili niyang magtanong.

"I'll rest after my evening routine."

"Okay. See you tomorrow."

Her eyes widened. "Tomorrow? Where?"

"Wait," Damon said. Narinig ni Clara ang pagbukas ng pinto. Kumpirmadong nakauwi na nga ito. Then she heard a soft clink of glass.

"You're drinking?" Clara asked.

Ilang segundo pa bago nakasagot si Damon. "Yeah. You better sleep now. Susunduin kita bukas. Good night, wifey." He chuckled.

"Hah... wifey ka diyan. Well, drink well, hubby..." Ayaw niyang magpatalo.

Damon didn't say anything. Pero nang tingnan ni Clara ang cellphone niya, hindi niya naman ito ibinaba. She decided to turn it off then went to her bathroom.

The next morning, Damon fetched Clara. Nalula siya sa bagong sasakyan nito dahil hindi ito Aston Martin na ginamit niya noong nagkita sila. Naitanong tuloy ni Clara sa sarili kung ilang sasakyan meron si Damon.

Kumain sila ng breakfast sa isang restaurant. Pagkatapos noon ay may iniabot si Damon na isang folder. Clara already knew what it is.

A contract.

"Read the terms." Damon sipped his coffee.

"Mutually agreed."

"Uh hah..."

"Mutual respect for boundaries. Fulfillment of responsibilities," Clara added. "Financial—"

"My money is your money," Damon cut her off. Clara's lips parted. Nagulat sa agreement.

"You can use my cards. Privileges and connections."

"Exchange of what?"

"Well, I don't usually compel sexual relations... but I am a healthy man, Clara. I have a wife. So... sex is part of the obligation."

Clara laughed bitterly.

"If you want a sexual relationship with me, then do it with only me. No other woman. I don't want a disease."

Damon eyes lurked at her... then smirked.

"No other man for you too." He said to seal the contract, at the same time, sounds like a curse.