Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I woke up the next day because of my sister's call. Ayaw ko sanang sagutin pero dahil sa inis ay sinagot ko rin. 

"What?" I was a little bit pissed.

"F*ck you, Chloe! I had no time to slap you last night! Don't drag me into your problems!" she shouted so my blood boils.

"Why, Kyla? Or should I call you Ate? Why don't you be productive and stop being a spoiled brat? Oh, my bad. Mom and Dad like you a lot so you can do whatever you want," I sarcastically said and she laughed evilly on the other line.

"Yes, I am the favourite daughter and you are the cursed one. It's your fault anyway. Live with it," she said before dropping the call. Inis kong naibato ang phone ko dahil doon saka galit na tumayo mula sa kama.

Cursed one?

If my brother is still alive I won't be like this. Hindi sana ako naghihirap ngayon. Hindi sana ako ang nagbubuhat sa lahat ngayon. 

Why are they blaming me for what happened when in fact I don't know anything back then? My parents loathed me. They are all blaming me that I killed my brother where in fact I didn't!

Tumulo ang masaganang luha sa mga mata ko nang makapasok ako sa banyo. I turned the shower on. At nang maramdaman ang init ng tubig ay mas lalong rumagasa ang mga luha ko.

I could still remember my parent's hateful stares towards me. Why are they blaming a nine years old child? Why are they blaming me for my brother's death?

I didn't.

Hindi ko gusto ang nangyari.

We were just playing back then. Me and my brother. I was nine and he's thirteen. We were playing at the shore. Our parents are eating with Kyla. Ni hindi ko alam ang mga bagay na iyon noon. I was completely clueless. Walang kaalam-alam ang bata kong pag-iisip.

Naligo kami sa dagat kahit mahigpit na hinabilin ni Mommy at Daddy na bawal. I want to swim so my brother let me. We were enjoying. I knew it. I could clearly recall it. We were laughing and we were trying to swim even if we can't. Mababaw lang naman iyon.

But a huge wave came. I laughed so hard because the waves pushed me back in the shore. Paglingon ko sa kapatid ko wala na siya. I tried finding him but I can't. I tried calling him but he didn't answer. 

It's not my fault.

I didn't kill him like what they said.

I love him so much.

I lost my family on that day. Mom and Dad hate me. 

I was just a kid yet they blamed me.

I accept that.

I promise myself to be tough and to make them proud. I followed them all my life.

Napakurap ako saka pinilit ang sarili na huminto sa pag-iyak. Ang tagal-tagal na no'n pero dala-dala ko pa rin. Walang oras na hindi pinaparamdam sa akin ang kasalanan ko. My parents hate towards me made me remember how useless and bad I am for killing my brother.

I just want to swim.

My nine years old self just want to enjoy. Hindi ko naman alam na mangyayari iyon.

Dahil sa mga alaala na iyon ay mas lalong hindi maipinta ang mukha ko nang makarating ako sa kompanya. Nasa ground floor pa lang ako ay kaagad na nagsitabi ang mga empleyado para padaanin ako. Tuloy-tuloy akong naglakad papunta sa office ko.

But before I could get it someone blocked my way. I raised my brow. Nakita ko ang aligagang mga mata niya kaya malamig ko siyang tiningnan bago ko nilingon ang sekretarya kong kabado na nakatingin sa amin.

I smirked.

"Do you have something to tell me, Mr. Villanueva?" I asked, like a real boss to my employee.

"Can I talk to you? Tungkol sa sinabi mo kagabi," he said so I rolled my eyes before opening my office's door.

Sumunod naman siya sa akin papasok. I sat on my swivel chair and I look at him boredly.

"I have no time for you. Yes or no lang ang sagot na gusto kong marinig. Do not waste my time," I boredly said.

From here I could see sweat on his forehead like everything was making him nervous.

"Ma'am—"

"I don't need monologues," I cut him off. 

Kung ayaw niya ay hindi ako mamimilit. I can find some guy better than him who can act like my boyfriend for three months or so. 

But if he'll agree then fine. I'm doing him a favour here. He needs money and I'm giving him sideline for that.

"I need money," matigas na sambit niya at tinaasan ko siya ng kilay para sabihing magpatuloy siya.

He sighed before he massage the bridge of his nose. Dahan-dahan akong naghalukipkip. Ang tagal. Naiinip na ako.

"Ang tagal," I said before rolling my eyes.

"I want to take it but—"

"I don't need your buts, Mr. Villanueva. Get out," I boredly said before reading some documents. Pero imbes na umalis ay nanatili siyang nakatayo sa harap ng lamesa ko na tila asong naliligaw at hindi alam kung saan pupunta.

"I will take it," mas determinado na niya ngayong sambit kaya muli ko siyang tininghala. I met his eyes and I smirked.

"Are you willing to cheat?" I asked.

Umigting ang panga niya.

I smirked.

"We'll just pretend," he answered, so I laughed without humour.

"Get out. Meet me again later after work. I'll discuss the rules," I said before eyeing my documents again.

I am amazed at what money can do. 

And now, I will do everything for me not to get married to the man I don't know. I am fine alone. Hindi ko kailangan ng asawa. Mas lalong hindi ko kailangan ng asawa na ang mga magulang ko ang pipili para sa akin.

I signed some important documents and after that I made a contract for my craziness. Exclusive between Chloe Lorin Navrus and Zale Villanueva. 

Ay exactly eight in the evening and I know my employees went home. Dahan-dahan tumayo dala ang isang puting folder kung saan ang kontrata na ginawa ko kanina. I was about to walk but the door of my office opened. It revealed the guy I want to talk to.

Imbes na lumabas ay bumalik na lang ako sa pag-upo saka tiningnan siyang papalapit sa akin. I think he's six feet and two inches. Hindi ako nagkamali na siya ang nagawa kong sabihan tungkol dito. He looks good, for real.

"Take a seat," I said when he went closer.

Nang makaupo siya sa harap ng lamesa ko ay dahan-dahan kong nilapit sa kanya ang folder. Kumunot ang noo niya pero tiningnan niya rin kung ano ang laman. Ang gulat at pagtataka niya ay nadagdagan nang mabasa ang mga nakasulat.

"What's this?" he asked.

"I am not stupid, Mr. Villanueva. Gusto kong siguraduhin lahat ng galaw ko. That's our contract. We'll both sign. I'll send this to my lawyer. Kapag may nilabag ka sa kontrata ay kakasuhan kita. I will put you in jail," I seriously said.

Umigting ang panga niya saka umiling siya na tila hindi makapaniwala.

"This is crazy. No sex? We won't even kiss!" nagtitimpi na sambit niya pero nilapit ko lang ang ballpen sa kanya.

"I want to make sure. Basahin mo ng ilang ulit. Kabisaduhin mo," I said while staring at his face.

"Three months? No sex,  I can't ask anything personal and I won't stay in you place? Miss Navrus, is this for real?" he asked like he's stressed.

"Do you have a problem? Why? Do you want to stay in my place? Do you want to have sex with me?" I asked. Nalaglag ang panga niya at nag-iwas siya ng tingin.

"I am engaged—"

"I don't care about your personal life. Just do what you need to do. I'll transfer one million to your account tonight," I explained pero nakatitig lang siya sa kontratang ginawa ko na tila nag-iisip pa ng malalim kung tatanggapin niya ba iyon o hindi.

"So we can hold hands? And I can kiss you?" tanong niya kalaunan.

I rolled my eyes.

"Hold hands yes but no kissing. We'll just pretend in front of my family and if needed, Mr. Villanueva. I am not desperate," I said.

Malakas siyang bumuntong hininga saka pikit matang pinirmahan ang kontrata na ginawa ko kaya mas lalo akong napangisi.

"Are you sure?" I asked after he signed.

"Paano kung umatras ako sa kalagitnaan?" he asked.

"Ipapakulong kita," sagot ko saka kinuha ang pinirmahan niyang kontrata saka pumirma rin ako.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked so I snapped my fingers in front of him.

"Do not ask anything personal, remember? In those three months that we'll pretend as a couple my name is already enough. Wala ka nang aalamin sa akin at wala rin akong aalamin sayo. After the contract we'll act as strangers again. This will benefit the both of us. So follow the rules, Mr. Villanueva," I said.

"Fine, kailan tayo magsisimula?" he asked before be took a deep breath.

Marahan akong umiling saka muling nilapit sa kanya ang calling card ko na mabilis niya namang kinuha.

"Right now, come on. Send the details of your bank account in my number later," I said before standing.

Tumayo rin siya at sumunod sa akin nang tuloy-tuloy akong naglakad palabas. I'll start this craziness. At uunahin kong paniwalain ang kapatid ko na alam kong naglalasing na naman sa isang bar.

"Where are we going?" he asked while following me but I did not answer him.

Nang makapasok kami sa elevator ay hinarap ko siya.

"Make sure that your so called fiancee won't ruin this. Dalawa kayong ipapakulong ko kapag nasira ang plano ko," banta ko kaya dumaan ang inis sa mukha niya.

"Bakit siya nasama dito?" tanong niya kaya nilapit ko ang mukha ko sa mukha niya para bumulong. He stiffed a bit but I still continued.

"Remember, I am Chloe Lorin Navrus. Hindi ako kung sino-sino lang," I whispered before grabbing his hand when the elevator opened.

Patakbo ko siyang dinala sa parking lot. Nang makarating kami sa tapat ng kotse ko ay binato ko sa kanya ang susi.

"I have a car—"

"So what," I said before rolling my eyes.

Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi pumasok sa sasakyan ko. Tinuro ko ang direksyon ng pupuntahan naming bar at sinunod niya naman iyon ng walang kahit anong sinasabi. I'll make sure that I won't marry anyone.

After an hour we arrived at the bar. I did the first move. Hinawakan ko kaagad ang kamay niya nang makababa kami sa kotse ko para dalhin sa loob. The loud music invaded our ears. Nakita ko kaagad ang pagngiwi niya pero nilibot ko lang ang mga mata ko sa dancefloor para hanapin si Kyla na nagsasayaw.

And when I saw my party goer sister I pulled my so-called boyfriend's to go near her.

Hindi nga nagtaka pa nang kaagad na napatingin si Kyla sa gawi namin.

Napatinghala ako sa kasama ko at nang makita ko na nakatingin siya sa akin ay napangiwi ako.

"Seriously? Dito?" tanong niya kaya nilapit ko pa ang mukha ko sa mukha niya para marinig siya ng mas malinaw.

"What's your impression about me?" I asked while glancing at my sister. Nakatulala na siya sa akin ngayon. She's the last person who will believe that I have a boyfriend. Kaya ngayon ay gulat na gulat siya.

"Snow queen," he murmured before smirking. Nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya dahil hindi ko iyon naintindihan.

I notice his small dimple on his right cheek because of that. Mabilis kong iniwas ang mga mata ko sa kanya para tingnan kung nasaan si Kyla. I saw her walking towards us so I held Mr. Villanueva's arm to pull him even closer to me.

"I need you to kiss me. I'll revise the contract. Kiss me now," utos ko kaya nanlaki ang mga mata niya.

Pinanlakihan ko siya ng mga mata. Dumaan ang takot at pagsisisi sa mga mata niya pero sa gilid ng mga mata ko ay nakikita ko na papalapit na ng tuluyan ang kapatid ko.

Mas humigpit ang hawak ko sa kanya. He's wearing a long sleeves button down now folded 'till his elbow. Mahaba ang kuko ko kaya alam kong nasasaktan siya. But I am eager to made this pretend thing realistic.

"I said kiss me!" I shouted using my authoritative voice before pulling him. I tiptoed to reach his lips and when I did I froze.

I didn't know that it's the effect of a kiss. Tila nakuryente ako at hindi makagalaw. The whole world stopped and my mind turned blank.