Chapter 05

Tatlong buwan na ang nakalipas mula nang bumalik si Betty sa Europe, at sa loob ng panahong iyon, maraming nagbago. Ang mansion ng mga Moretti-Bergman ay naging parang isang golden cage ni Betty. Kahit na sunod sa layaw ang bawat galaw niya, ramdam niya ang bigat ng atmospera.

​Isang hapon, habang nag-aabang siya sa terrace, nilapitan siya ng kanyang daddy. Pansin ni Betty ang pait sa mukha nito, isang bagay na bihira niyang makita sa isang taong puro business ang nasa isip.

​"Betty, my lovely daughter," panimula ng daddy niya, medyo hesitant ang tono. "Nabalitaan ng Reyna ang tungkol sa pagbubuntis mo. At hindi siya natutuwa."

​Napatigil si Betty sa pag-inom ng juice.

​Umiling ang daddy niya. "But the Prince insisted. Sabi niya, he doesn’t care about the scandal or the baby. Ang deal? We have to frame it na sa kanya ang batang dinadala mo. He wants to own the narrative. He wants to be seen as the 'savior' who accepted you and your child."

​Napasinghap si Betty. "Wow. Grabe. The audacity? Bakit niya gagawin 'yun? Hindi namin mahal ang isa't isa. Ni hindi pa nga kami nagkita."

​"He’s playing a long game, Betty. And honestly? Kailangan natin ang support ng Royal Family para sa expansion natin sa Asia. You’re in deep, whether you like it or not."

​Napahawak si Betty sa kanyang tiyan. Ramdam niya ang bawat sipa ng sanggol. Sa isip niya, pumapabor talaga sa kanya ang tadhana. Though nanahimik na ang buhay niya after that cheating incident, bumalik ngayon sa ala-ala niya na it's time to roll her dice.

​"This is not just for our business, it’s for survival," dugtong pa ng daddy niya. "And you need to go back to the Philippines to meet him. Naroon siya for some business event. At tamang-tama, gusto ko ring i-supervise mo ang expansion natin dun for a week."

*****

Habang naghahanda sa loob ng kanilang walk-in closet, abala si Anna sa pag-aayos ng necktie para kay Miguel. The tension in the room was thick, fueled by the upcoming high-profile business lunch that could potentially save their crumbling startup.

​"Babe, make sure you look extra sharp later, okay?" sambit ni Anna habang inaayos ang buhok ni Miguel. "We need to bag those big-time investors. Kung makuha natin ang tiwala nila, we’re back on track. We're going to be the next power couple."

​Miguel stared at his reflection, fixing his cufflinks with a smirk. He turned to Anna, his eyes roaming over her silk dress. "I will. Pero ikaw, do your thing. You need to look drop-dead gorgeous. I need you to work your charm on the guest of honor."

​Napakunot ang noo ni Anna. "The Prince? You want me to flirt with royalty? Miguel, that’s risky."

​"It’s not risk, it’s strategy," Miguel replied, his voice cold and calculated. "Kailangan natin ang approval niya. If you can get him to trust us, investors will flock like sheep. Besides, you’re way better at this than anyone else I know. Siguraduhin mong mapapansin ka niya. I need his influence, and I know you can get it."

​Miguel stepped closer, brushing a stray hair from Anna’s face. "And don't worry about the past, Anna. Sometimes I look back and I just laugh. Pinili kita over Betty, and honestly? Best decision ever. That girl was such a bore. She's so predictable, so plain. Wala siyang ibubuga compared to you."

​Anna felt a rush of adrenaline. She wrapped her arms around Miguel’s neck, pulling him into a searing, possessive kiss. Nang kumalas siya, she let out a satisfied, wicked laugh.

​"You're right," she whispered, her eyes glowing with ambition. "Betty was such a pathetic loser. She was just a placeholder while you were waiting for someone like me. She’s probably rotting in some cheap apartment somewhere, crying over her wasted life."

​"She doesn't matter," Miguel muttered, his jaw tightening. "She's yesterday's news. Today, we're aiming for the top. Let's show them what a real couple looks like."

​Anna winked at him, her confidence peaking. "Oh, I’ll make sure to give the Prince a night he won't forget. And by the end of this lunch, everyone will know that we’re the ones to watch."

​Samantala, pagbalik ni Betty sa Manila, halos hindi siya makilala ng mga tao. Wala na ang simple at low-key na Betty. Ang bumaba mula sa private jet ay isang fashion icon na may aura ng isang reyna.

​Pagpasok pa lang niya sa hotel lobby para sa isang high-profile event, ramdam niya ang titig ng mga tao. At doon sa gitna, nakita niya ang isang lalaking may tindig na hindi maikakaila ang pagka-royal. Si Prince Harry ng Edelbourg.

​He was strikingly handsome, with eyes that looked like he knew every secret in the world. Nang magtama ang paningin nila, hindi siya ngumiti. Instead, he walked straight towards her, looking like a man claiming what he thought was his.

​"You must be Betty, my future wife," bulong ni Harry, enough for Betty to hear.

"Don't call me that," sagot ni Betty, her voice ice-cold. "Alam nating pareho na scripted lang ang lahat ng ito."

​"Scripted or not," ngisi ng Prinsipe, "Everyone is watching."

Pagkarating nila sa loob ng Presidential Suite ng hotel, hindi mapakali si Betty habang pinagmamasdan ang sarili sa salamin. The gown she was wearing wasn't just expensive. It was a statement. She was no longer the girl who settled for instant noodles.

​"Stay here, my future wife," utos ni Prince Harry habang inaayos ang kurbata. He looked every bit the royalty he was, but his tone was bordering on possessive. "The media will be all over the place. Mas mabuti kung magpahinga ka na lang. Ako na ang bahala sa mga taong 'yan. I can handle the business side alone."

​Napataas ang kilay ni Betty. "Excuse me? You’re not my boss, Harry. And you definitely don’t control me. I didn't fly all the way from Europe to hide in a room like some secret shame."

​"It’s for your own good—"

​Biglang nag-vibrate ang phone ni Harry. Assistant niya ang tumatawag. "Your Highness, the business tycoons are already waiting in the ballroom. We need you down there, right now."

​Binaba ni Harry ang tawag at tumingin kay Betty, frustrated. "Fine. Do what you want. Pero huwag kang magulo."

​"Oh, don't worry," madiin na sagot ni Betty, her eyes flashing with cold fire. "I’m exactly where I need to be."

​Pagbaba nila sa grand hall, the atmosphere was thick with opulence; chandeliers, expensive perfume, and the sound of hushed, sycophantic whispers. Eksakto namang pumasok sina Miguel at Anna sa main entrance na parang they owned the place.

Anna was wearing a revealing, high-slit dress, clinging to Miguel like her life depended on it. Miguel, on the other hand, was scanning the room with that arrogant, "I’m the next big thing" look.

Hindi nila napansin na sa kabilang bahagi ng grand hall, naroon pala si Betty, holding a champagne flute while standing right next to their target, Prince Harry.