CHAPTER 3

MAXIMILLIAN

"That's absurd Dad! Why her?"

"Why not her? She's got everything you can ask for in a woman! She'll do great beside you Max believe me," my father explaining like it's just a business plan, and I'm the business.

"She's sweet and nice Fox, she's also intelligent, she already knows the flow of the company so it will be a great help for you. I've seen her grow hijo, give her a chance," gilalas akong napatingin kay Mommy nang pati siya ay nakisali na sa kabaliwan ni Dad.

"Mom pati ba naman ikaw? Why are you pressuring me to get married anyway? Nakausap niyo lang siya kanina and then ngayon siya na ang napili niyong ipakasal sa'kin? What about Sharlene Castañeda and Lorraine Hernandez, 'di ba balak niyo rin silang ipakasal sa'kin noon?" puno ng inis na wika ko.

"Anak, we promised your Tito Julian that we'll take of her," mahinahong paliwanag ni Dad pero ako ay malayo sa hinahon ang nararamdaman.

"Kayo ang nangako hindi ako! Why are you putting me into this situation? Wala na ba akong sariling desisyon? I'm only 28 and I still want to explore!"

"What kind of exploration Fox? You dated women yes, pero wala ka ni isang pinakilala sa amin ng Daddy mo. As I've told you we're getting old and we want to have grandkids with you and Fawn," my Mom gave me her puppy eyes, konting pilit niya pa ay papayag na talaga ako.

"But I'm not in love with her Mom. How can I stay in a loveless marriage?" I answered menacingly, wanting them to realize that they're putting me in a tight situation.

"Get to know her Fox, along the way I'm sure you'll fall for her. You're going to be fine with her," I sighed heavilly and look at the both of them then shook my head.

I chuckled, "You're talking like it's that easy Mom. Don't you think this is unfair for me? You both loved each other to death, pero ako wala akong freedom na pumili ng pakakasalan ko?" puno ng dismaya kong saad.

Ibinaba ni Daddy ang kubyertos niya at tumingin sa akin, tinignan niya muna si Mommy bago nagsalita.

"Me and your Mom, we hate each other at first, we are in each other's neck and we fight a lot. You see, your Lolo Fabian is strict and he is business centered kaya naman nagpasya siyang ipagkasundo ako sa nag-iisang anak ng mga Queens, which is your Mom," napamaang ako, ngayon ko lang narinig kung paano sila nagpakasal dahil hindi rin nila ikinuwento 'yon sa amin ni Cora.

"She is a spoiled brat and I'm a serious business man, we are poles apart but that night that we conceived you? That's when I start falling for her. We weren't in love at first, but we learn to love one another in each passing day that we're together," he looked at Mom lovingly while holding her hand.

"I hate your father's guts, he's so damn serious and I thought I can't penetrate into his mind, but God has a plan and we both fell head-over-heels with each other," Mommy added then look at me, "It's possible Fox believe me, you are just like your father, you are stone cold outside but you have a soft heart inside. Alam ko 'yan dahil anak kita." Hinawakan ni Mommy ang kamay ko.

"But that doesn't mean na mangyayari rin sa amin ang nangyari sa inyo. We have different paths in life Mommy," nauubusan ng pasensyang paliwanag ko.

"Yes we do, but if you're destined to be, your paths will cross no matter what happens. Think about this Max please, for me?" She gave me her puppy eyes and mine rolled. 

"What if I won't?" panunubok ko.

"I'll strip you off of your inheritance," Dad answered with finality.

"You gotta be kidding me! You can't do that to me Dad!"

"Try me."

Tumayo na ako at lalabas na ng komedor nang lingunin ko silang muli, "What will I get from this?"

"You'll get Tierra Queens solely, Coraline is declining to stay there and she don't want anything to do with the business and the ranch, so if you don't obey me Tierra Queens will be given to a private company, or will be auctioned," pabalewalang sagot ni Daddy na ikinasinghap ko.

"Mommy that was your family's legacy! Hahayaan mong mawala sa pamilya natin ang pinaghirapan ng angkan mo?"

"If that's what this is all worth Fox, I'll be happy giving Tierra Queens to other people than letting my son play like a fool with women," pa-ismid niyang sagot sa akin at itinuloy ang pagkain niya. Tinignan kong muli si Daddy na nakatitig sa akin habang nakangisi.

The old man is staking everything just for me to marry that woman!

I'll find away to get out of this mess.

JILLIAN

Busy ako sa pag-aayos ng schedule ni Sir Max nang biglang tumigil ang ingay sa opisina. Napatingin ako sa glass panel dahil kanina ay rinig ko pa ang tsismisan at tawanan ng ibang empleyado roon.

Narinig ko ang sabay sabay nilang pagbati ng, "Good morning Mr. Lopez."

Mabilis akong napatayo at inayos ang suot kong damit. Napatingin ako sa relos ko at nakitang may isang oras pa bago ang oras ng pasok niya.

Nakakapanibago dahil sabi ng ilang empleyado sa finance kung saan siya ang Head of Finance ay 10am ito kung dumating. Palaging on-the-dot ika nga ng mga staff doon.

Pero ngayon ay alas-nueve pa lang, ang meeting nito kasama ang shareholders ay 1pm pa.

Narinig ko ang pulasan ng mga paa at ang matunog na paglalakad ng kung sino papunta sa direksyon na ito. Nang makita ang dulo ng sapatos niya ay agad akong yumuko.

Wala pa si Candice dahil saktuhan pumasok ang isang 'yon, hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko kapag hinanap siya ni Boss.

Pagbukas ng glass door ay binati ko siya agad, "Good morning Mr. Lopez."

Kinuha ko ang scheduler ko at akmang ididiscuss sa kanya ang schedule niya ngayong araw nang iangat niya ang mukha ko. Ilalayo ko sana sa pagkakahawak niya ngunit mahigpit ang kapit niya roon.

Ipinaling niya sa magkabilang side ang mukha ko at tumango, "Not bad."

Hindi ako makatingin sa kanya ng diretso kaya binuklat ko ang hawak na scheduler at magsasalita na nang pigilan niya akong muli.

"Sir you ha-"

"I don't care what I have to do later, what I need now is your cooperation." Malamig pa sa yelong saad niya. Maang akong napatingin sa kanyang madilim na aura.

"A-ano pong gagawin ko S-sir?" utal utal kong sagot, ang lakas talaga ng dating nito, nakaka-intimidate at nakakapanliit kung tumitig.

"Marry me." 

Walang emosyong saad nito. Tama ba ang narinig ko? Maximillian Fox Lopez, country's Most Eligible Bachelor and heir to the Lopez fortune, is asking me to get married?

Me?