Chapter 4

AND for the first time, narealize ko na mas mahirap pala kapag hindi lang katawan mo ang kailangan mong i-guard-pati puso mo, baka mapasubo na rin.

Hindi ko alam kung alin ang mas weird-yung idea na matutulog ako sa master's bedroom with a complete stranger, or the fact na medyo kabado ako at the same time excited. Excited? Tangina, Leah. Delulu much?

Pagpasok ko sa master's bedroom, muntik na akong mapamura.

Grabe. Ang lawak. Ang bango. At ang laki ng kama-parang kasya buong barangay.

May sariling lounge area, balcony with city lights view, at walk-in closet na mas malaki pa sa buong kwarto namin sa bahay.

Pero ang pinaka-catch?

Nandoon si Damon, nakaupo sa single-seater couch habang may hawak na tablet. Nakasuot siya ng reading glasses, nakasandal habang nagbabasa ng documents. Parang out of place ako-like I just barged into a lion's den in pink pajama shorts.

"Um... saan ako pwede matulog?" tanong ko, awkward.

Tumingin siya sa akin saglit, tapos tinanggal 'yung glasses.

"Right side ng kama. Don't snore."

"Wow. Akala ko pa naman may separate bed or kahit couch. Di mo man lang ako inalok ng kutson or futon?"

"This isn't a boarding house. It's a marriage, remember?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fake marriage."

"Still marriage."

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Kinuha ko 'yung duffel bag ko, nilapag sa gilid, at nagsimulang mag-ayos. Habang naglalagay ako ng toiletries sa vanity counter, naramdaman ko 'yung tingin niya sa likod ko.

Lumingon ako. "Anong tinitingnan mo?"

"Wala."

"Ano ako, glass? Transparent?"

"You talk too much."

"And you brood too much."

Napangiti siya. I swear, nakita ko. Konting-konti lang, pero smile 'yon. Parang napilitan, pero umiral.

"Just sleep," sabi niya finally. "We've had a long night."

"Okay," sabay talon ko sa kama. "Basta walang gulatan, ha? Wala kang special monster mode sa gabi?"

"Ang kulit mo."

"Alam ko."

TUMALIKOD na ako, binalot ang sarili sa kumot. Pero kahit nakapikit na ako, hindi ko maiwasang maging conscious. Kasi kahit malayo siya sa akin, ramdam kong nandoon siya. Tahimik. Alert. Parang binabantayan ako-or worse, sinusuri ako.

At doon ko narealize, hindi lang siya cold and angry. He's careful. Calculated.

Parang may tinatago siya.

"Leah," tawag niya bigla. Mahina pero buo ang boses.

"Hmm?"

"Don't drink when I'm not around."

Napakunot noo ako. "Huh?"

"Yung sa ballroom kanina. Kung nakainom ka, things might've ended badly."

"Concerned ka ba?"

Tahimik siya saglit. Tapos sumagot. "No. Ayokong gumawa ka ng gulo habang dala mo ang pangalan ko."

Sakit, 'no?

Pero to be honest... I expected that. Kaya ngumiti na lang ako sa sarili ko.

"Noted, Mr. Monteverde."

Pagkatapos no'n, tahimik na.

Pero sa ilalim ng kumot, habang nakatalikod ako sa kanya, hindi ko mapigilang mapaisip.

Bakit nga ba siya ganito?

At anong klase kayang lalaki ang pilit binubuhay ang isang peke, pero mukhang sinasaktan siya ng isang bagay na ayaw niyang ipakita?

I WOKE up to a still, quiet room, the morning light filtering through the curtains. I was still curled up under the soft covers, the events from last night a blur in my head. Ang saya ko na lang na walang gulo, and somehow, I felt... normal.

Pero nang bumangon ako at napansin ko ang empty side ng kama, hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam ng konting pagkabigo. Weird, right? Hindi naman kami magka-kilala, pero may parte ng utak ko na parang gusto ko siya magising, kahit man lang mag-good morning or something.

Ano ba 'to? Ang corny ko.

Pinilit ko tanggalin 'yung thoughts na 'yon. Hindi ko na dapat ito pinapansin. He's just a contract husband. He's not my knight in shining armor, hindi siya prince charming, at least hindi sa ngayon.

I stood up, moved to the bathroom, and started getting ready. I didn't expect much today, just a normal day with cold stares and awkward silences, parang usual na routine ni Damon. Nakaka-irritate nga, eh. Para bang he's so perfect at everything na iniisip niyang wala siyang time for pleasantries. Ang dami kong gusto itanong, pero I know better than to poke the bear.

I was brushing my hair when I heard footsteps outside, and then the door opened.

"Leah."

I froze.

"Tumayo ka na. May meeting kami." Ang boses ni Damon, walang emotion, pero may authority na hindi mo kayang i-miss.

I glanced at him, but didn't speak. He was standing in the doorway, wearing his usual tailored suit, looking like he owned the entire universe. His eyes met mine briefly before he stepped inside.

"You're coming with me," he said, flatly.

I raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"Business."

"And where are we going?"

He looked at me as if I should already know the answer. "Your duty as my wife. I expect you to act the part."

"Hindi naman 'to wedding, Mr. Monteverde."

"I know that. Just... get ready," he said with a sigh.

I wanted to argue, to say something sarcastic, but I held back. Dahil alam ko na hindi ko pa kayang magpatuloy sa ganitong relasyon-o whatever this was. Pero, I had no choice. This was my reality. I had to help my family. I had to make sure my mom gets better. Hindi ko kayang mag-back out now.

"Okay," I said, putting down the brush. I didn't bother changing into something fancy. Instead, I opted for a simple blouse and a skirt-something modest enough for whatever business meeting he was dragging me to.

When I walked out of the bathroom, he was already sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone. Pero this time, may slight difference sa posture niya-hindi na siya ganun ka-tight.

He didn't look up when I entered, but I caught him glancing at me from the corner of his eyes. That moment felt strange-like he was studying me.

"Let's go," he said, standing up. He was already heading for the door, and I followed.

AS we stepped into the elevator, the silence was almost suffocating. I tried my best not to look at him, but the quiet between us felt heavy. My heart was beating faster than usual, and I couldn't figure out why.

Paglabas namin sa building, the world seemed different. The sun was brighter, the sky clearer. Everything felt a little too... perfect. Maybe that's what he was going for-his idea of a picture-perfect life. Ang problema ko lang, hindi ako part ng perfect picture na 'yon.

We got inside a sleek black car, and we drove off. During the drive, I tried my best not to speak, but curiosity was eating me up.

"Where exactly are we going?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

"To a business luncheon. It's important."

"Business?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Among other things," he replied, voice cold, eyes forward. "But we can talk about it when we get there."

Ang hirap makipag-usap kay Damon. It's like trying to crack open a safe without the right combination. Laging ganun. Hindi ko mahanap ang susi para magkaintindihan kami.

Kahit ganun, I still wondered-why me? Bakit ako? Out of all the women who could've applied for this ridiculous contract, why did he pick me?

Before I could ask, the car stopped in front of an elegant, modern restaurant. I didn't say anything, but I felt the tension creep up again.

"Just follow my lead," he said, as he opened the door. "And remember, you're my wife."

I nodded, but inside, I knew this was just the beginning of what I signed up for. The game had started, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for it.