Chapter 5: En Passant

“RAYA, you have to accept my uncle's offer. It’s a good thing he hired you right away!” untag ni Sean dahilan para ilang ulit akong mapakurap.

Bigla kasi akong natulala nang umalis si Hugo kanina.

“Hmp. I don’t think she'll last. Given how strict your uncle is,” umirap si Annie.

I chuckled. “I get it now. You betrayed me because of the merger, right?”

“Oh, come on. Don’t dwell in the past, Raya. What we had was good, wasn’t it? I pampered and spoiled you.” Sean let out a sigh. “But right now, I can’t lose the mother company’s support. You know what I’m saying, Raya? Of all the people, I can’t offend Uncle Hugo.”

“My love, I can’t believe your uncle looks too young.” Marahang napatango si Annie at idinugtong, “maybe we could ask for help from your grandparents.”

Mariing umiling si Sean. “No, you don’t understand. Uncle Hugo is the youngest grandson from the main family. Ours is just the third branch. Uncle Hugo is a business genius that’s why the BH was entrusted to him at a young age. He is just seven years my senior. Once he cuts ties with this firm, my family will be left with nothing.”

I smirked upon hearing it. “Then that’s not my problem. Your relationship with your uncle is definitely not my concern. Besides, I don’t want to see you anymore. At hanggang maari, ayaw ko nang magkaroon tayo ng kahit ano pa mang uganayan. Because you're right, we’re done.”

Annie held Sean’s arm intimately. “Good riddance, Hiraya.”

I chose to remain silent. Wala na akong energy na makipagtalo dahil nasa isip ko pa rin ang offer ni Hugo na maging secretary nito. The Blaquier Holdings was one of the biggest companies in Asia, kaya isang malaking achievement ang makapagtrabaho roon. Plus, I would be working directly with the boss.

And looking at these two, I suddenly thought of a way to get even. Sean was afraid of Hugo, and come to think of it, what would be his reaction once he learned I became his uncle’s woman?

“Is there something funny?” Inis na tanong ni Annie.

“Nothing. I just realized now, bagay na bagay kayong dalawa.” I said with sarcasm as I shook my head and turned away. Deretso akong lumabas sa opisina at sisiguruhin kong ako mismo ang gagawa ng karma nilang dalawa.

Magaan ang pakiramdam ko pagkalabas ng gusali dala ang aking mga gamit. I was about to put on my seat belt nang biglang tumunog ang cellphone ko at nakita kong tumatawag si Camille. It was a video call.

“Ate…” Bungad ni Camille. She looked like a mess as she was crying.

Bigla akong nag-alala. “What happened?”

“Mom threatened with the engagement with the Torres family once I’m of age. Ate help me, I’m too young to be married off.” Muling humikbi si Camille.

‘Damn it!’ Biglang napahigpit ang paghawak ko sa cellphone.

“Take it easy. I will make sure that won’t happen, okay?” I reassured her.

“No, Ate. Kilala mo ang mommy. Her ambition to elevate our family’s status just like in the past made her blind for reasons. I’ll be eighteen in three months, I can’t just run away and let her ruin my future.”

Damang-dama ko ang matinding frustration ng aking bunsong kapatid. At may idea na ako kung sino sa mga Torres ang gusto ng kanilang ina—si Sander, an old widow but extremely rich. Kung hindi dahil sa relasyon namin ni Sean ay baka ako ang ipakasal dito ng mommy. It seemed my mother wanted to hit two birds in one stone, making Camille the leverage.

“Calm down, I’ll talk with Mom when I get home. Don’t stress yourself and just focus on your studies. She’d just pressured me to marry Sean especially now that she found out we broke up.”

Nagulat si Camille sa kabilang linya. “You broke up, but why?”

Umiling ako nang mariin. “Let’s talk about it next time. I will find a way about your situation, don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Ate Raya. I don’t know what to do.”

“I’m always here for you, Cam.”

Ilang sandali ko pang kinalma si Camille bago ito nagpasyang putulin ang tawag.

I drove home, and as expected, my mom was already waiting for me inside the living room. Nakahalukipkip ito na tila hindi maipinta ang mukha.

“Finally, you’re here,” salubong na wika niya.

“What is it again, Mom?”

“I’m marrying off Camille,” walang emosyong wika ni mommy.

I chuckled in disbelief. “Don’t make her the leverage forcing me to go back with Sean. Ayaw na niya sa akin, Mom. Why can’t you understand?”

“At bakit siya aayaw nang walang dahilan? It’s your fault! He’s been good to you.”

Lalo akong natawa nang pagak. “Sean cheated on me Annie. Satisfied now?”

Sandaling natigilan ang mommy nang marinig iyon. Pero agad din namang nakahuma. “You’re prettier than Annie, for Pete’s sake! Hindi sa ‘yo maagaw si Sean kung hindi ka nagpabaya!”

Pinigil ko ang sarili kong sumagot kahit nagpanting ang tainga ko sa narinig. Alam kong hindi makikinig sa anumang rason si Mommy. But I couldn’t let her ruin Camille’s future.

“Look, Mom. Camille is your youngest daughter. Where’s your conscience? Sander is an old man preying on her.”

“Then why don’t you take her place and marry Sander instead? Tutal naman ayaw mong makipagbalikan kay Sean.”

“Unbelievable!” I clicked my tongue. As expected, my mother was very meticulous indeed.

“Leave Camille out of this, Mom. Give me three months, I’ll try my best to win back Sean.” Nasabi ko na lang para matapos na ang usapan. Kahit wala naman akong planong gawin ang sinabi ko. I was just buying time.

“One month, Raya. You have one month to get Sean back and make him marry you. Or else, I’ll marry off Camille or you take her place.”

I rolled my eyes heavenward. “One month it is. I will rest now.”

Nilampasan ko ang mommy at mabilis akong naglakad pataas sa hagdan at tinungo ang kuwarto.

My mind was racing. I was thinking of running away with Camille, but my savings wouldn’t be enough to survive long term. Lalo na ngayon at nag-resign ako at hindi pa sigurado kung kailan ulit ako magkakaroon ng matinong trabaho.

I was concerned about Camille’s studies. I’d support her no matter what.

Bigla kong naisip si Hugo. Mukhang wala akong ibang choice kundi tanggapin ang alok nitong trabaho.

“This too, shall pass. Bahala na…” I mumbled.