Chapter 3: Party

Clara closed her eyes as she saw Nathan. Nathan is her ex-boyfriend. They were together for three years until she found out about Nathan's vices and secret relationship with her ex-best friend.

"Go away!"

"Is it true?" Nathan pulled her hand. "You are marrying Damon Barreto?"

Clara's eyes widened. Masyado na bang kalat ang balita tungkol sa pagpapakasal nila? Wala pa nga ang proper engagement announcement nila kaya nagtataka siya kung bakit nalaman ni Nathan iyon.

"How did you know about it?! Pwede ba bitiwan mo nga ako!"

But Nathan was too strong. Naiinis na siya kaya wala siyang choice kundi ang itulak ito. Kaya naman nakatingin na tuloy sa kanila ang mga tao.

"Clara... I am sorry. Alam mo naman na hindi ko sinasadya iyon. Iyong tungkol sa drugs... Clara... promise hihinto na ako," Nathan begged.

Clara closed her eyes. She doesn't want to make a scene!

"Nathan... please. Tumayo ka nga. Pinagtitinginan na tayo. Ano ka ba..."

"Take me back please. I'll finish my study in Spain. Tuloy ang plano natin. Remember?"

Tumingin siya sa mukha ni Nathan. Nangarap sila noon na magkasama nilang tuparin ang mga plano nila. From travelling and building a family—lahat ng iyon ay sinira ni Nathan. He shattered her. His eyes hold the memories of pain and self-destruction and she can't hold that.

"We're done, Nathan. I am getting married."

Nathan's jaw clenched. Umiling ito at ayaw maniwala sa sinasabi ni Clara.

"You didn't love him. I know it! Your parents arranged it!" He shouted, the reason why Clara needs to cover his mouth to shut up.

"Stop it!"

"That bastard... mayaman lang siya! Clara! Listen to me... you're better with me."

Clara shrugged.

"Nathan... look at yourself." Pain suddenly filled his face. "Look at you. Hindi na ikaw ang Nathan na minahal ko. We' re done."

Clara pushed him and left. She doesn't want to hurt Nathan anymore. Wala na siyang pagmamahal pero naging kaibigan niya ito. Kaya masakit sa kanyang nakikita ang kalagayan ng dating kasintahan.

"What a drama," sulpot ni Damon na parang kabute sa mansyon nila. Hindi niya inaasahang bibisitahin siya ni Damon dahil wala naman itong pasabi na dadalaw.

"Hey..."

"Ex-boyfriend?"

"We are not talking about him." She sighed. "Napadaan ka ata? Wala sina Mommy and Daddy." Tahimik lang si Damon pero nanatili lang ang tingin niya kay Clara.

"Look, I am sorry for that scene. I didn't expect na makikita ko ulit si Nathan. Hindi ko alam na nakauwi na siya after his rehab."

"He wants you back?"

Clara pursed her lips. "Doesn't matter. We're done. We're getting married so... I just want you to trust me."

Damon restrained himself to give Clara a sarcasm smirk. Alam niya naman na wala na sila pero kapag naiisip niya, binabagabag pa rin siya ng nararamdaman na iyon.

"I trust you," he said.

Clara gave him a smile. Tahimik na rin si Damon at abala sa negosyo.

"Nasa Guam ako," Damon said when Clara decided to call him one day. Hindi man lang alam ni Clara na nasa ibang bansa pala siya kaya.

"Ah, okay. H-have a safe trip. Take care!" then she ended the call to save herself. Ano bang nakain niya at tinawagan niya si Damon? She needed to remind herself that all was purely business.

Two weeks passed, the party is now all set. Naging masaya si Clara sa naging resulta ng pinaghandaan niya ng ilang linggo. She's wearing a black backless silk gown paired with black stiletto. Her jet black hair danced as she walked down the stairs to meet the guest.

Hindi niya pa nakita si Damon kaya agad niyang in-entertain ang mga bisita. Negosyante, politician, big bosses, VIP and well-known families attended the party. Of course, the main guests—the media tried to highlight it.

"Ms. Ardiente, Mr. Barreto is looking for you..."

"Oh, excuse me..." Clara said. Agad siyang sumunod sa isang tauhan ni Damon. Natagpuan ni Clara ang sarili niya sa suite ni Damon.

Then she knocked.

"Clara..."

Agad siyang pumasok at nakita si Damon sa kama. Ngumuso siya nang makita ang mga nagkalat na necktie sa gilid nito. Damon looked annoyed and... shy.

"Can you help me?"

Clara smirked. "Oh, the ruthless businessman can't tie his necktie?"

Sumimangot tuloy si Damon. "My secretary always ties it for me. She's not here so..."

"Secretary? She?"

Damon looked at her. "She is married, Clara."

Hindi niya naman tinatanong 'yon but it gave her a relief. Agad niyang inayos ang necktie ni Damon, binalewala ang tingin sa kanya habang ginagawa 'yon. She can smell Damon's usual scent. Napapalibutan man ng mamahaling pabango, amoy palang ni Damon ay mamahalin na.

She raised her brows to stop herself from complimenting him. Ayaw niyang ma-overwhelmed.

"Ang ganda mo," Damon suddenly said.

Natigilan siya. Damon fixed his suit and went to the mirror to check himself. Habang nasa likod niya si Clara na namangha sa papuri niya.

"Are you good?" tanong niya ulit.

Clara nodded.

"Tuwang-tuwa sina Mommy at Daddy na may nakilala silang possible investors. Sana makatulong," she answered.

Damon clenched his jaw. Tumingin siya kay Clara sa salamin.

"I am not asking about your parents, Clara. I am talking about you... enjoying the party. You worked this to happen, right?"

Clara pursed her lips.

"Yeah. T-this..." Hindi niya mahanap ang tamang sasabihin. "Okay naman ako. Nag-enjoy ako kahit hindi pa nagsisimula."

Pinagmasdan niya si Damon na inaayos ang sarili sa salamin. She started to feel something and she suddenly looked away. She won't recongnize it.

"Then let's do this."

"Okay."

"There's no turning back..." Damon said without breaking the stare. "You can't escape me. My last name will mark you wherever you go."

Clara felt uneasy about Damon's words. But he's right.

She signed the contract.

She can't escape.

"I won't." Clara said.

"You can't," Damon corrected her. "Starting now, I will take good care of you. Hindi ka maghihirap."

That's what she wants.

"Promise me." Clara said, looking at Damon.

Damon looked at her eyes through the mirror. "Promise."