Chapter 1

"To get married?!" I exclaimed. "Are you crazy?"

"I'm not crazy. I am dead serious," She sighed. "If you want to be independent, then marry someone this season."

"Pero ayoko!" I insisted. "Pwede naman akong maging independent na hindi kailangan magpakasal. I have a job and I can completely satisfy my needs and wants. Nasa tamang edad na din ako. Why won't you let me go!"

"Kasi nangako ako sa Daddy mo!" She bursts.

Napahinto ako. He promised Dad?

"What do you mean?"

"Before my brother died, I promised to raise you until you get married," She paused. "Kaya kung ano man ang binabalak mong gawin para makawala sa akin ay itigil mo na. Walang saysay din 'yan kasi malalaman at malalaman ko din."

"What would you do if I escaped?" I asked.

"I'll have your account frozen," She smirked. 

"You can't do that."

"Fortunately for me, I can. And that is unfortunate for you," she smirked. "You have no other choice, do you?"

I stared at her, totally losing hope. Tama nga siya. Kahit ano pa ang gagawin ko, he will always be one step ahead of me. Let's just say she's powerful and has that influence to control someone's life, my life.

Dressed in black with make up on my face, I attended the party, or should I say a ball. Everyone is ready to find their match. I, on the other hand, am not ready, but willing to find someone for compliance. Hindi ako sigurado kung makakahanap man ako ng kapares but I'm willing to do anything. 

"Ngumiti ka kung ayaw mong umuwi na walang kapares," Bulong sa akin ng Auntie.

"Ayokong maging plastik," I whispered back.

She sighed and glared at me. "Ngumiti ka. Huwag mo akong galitin, Kaia. Kapag pinahiya mo ako, hinding-hindi mangyayari 'yung gusto mo. Kahit pa bukas na bukas ka pang magpakasal."

I rolled my eyes. "You can't control my life forever."

"Yes, I can. I will tie you to me even if I have to. Kaya tumino ka muna kahit ngayong gabi lang," She said before turning around, smiling to her friends.

Odiba? Wala pa rin akong kawala. Everything is planned. She knows what to do if ever I'd rebel against her. Ano ang magagawa ko? I'm not as powerful as she is. My dream of escaping is like waiting for the pigs to fly. Imposible.

I looked around, trying to adapt to the environment. Looks like I don't have to adapt. People around me are so far from my personality. Every girl was batting their eyelashes on attractive men while men kept on eyeing the girls. Ang layo-layo ko sa kanila. 

"Hi," Biglang may bumati sa akin kaya hinarap ko siya.

As a civilized person, I smiled at him and greeted back. "Hello."

"Ngayon lang kita nakita. It's your first time attending one of these balls, right?" He asked.

I nodded. "Oo. I don't usually attend gatherings. It's just not my cup of tea."

"Every year, men and women gather to find a match for a lifetime. I assume ngayon ay handa ka na?" He smiled.

I shrug my shoulders. "I'm not really sure about that."

"Then why are you here?"

"Come to think of it, I still need to ask myself about that," I replied flatly.

He smirked and nodded. "I'm Michael, by the way."

"Kaia," I replied and shook his hand.

"So, Kaia. Can I have this dance?" He offered his hand so I gladly took it.

"Sure."

He took me to the dance floor and danced. I don't actually know how to do it but I followed his lead. Ramdam ko yung mga mata ng karamihan na nasa amin. Hindi ako assumera pero talagang nasa akin yung tingin nila. They must be wondering of who I am. Hindi ko sila masisisi. Bago ako sa mga mata ng karamihan.

When the partner is switched, ibang lalaki na naman ang nakasayaw ko. He smiled at me genuinely and so I smiled back.

"Good evening," Bati niya.

"Good evening din."

"My name is Philip. And you are?"

"I'm Kaia," I replied.

"Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganitong kagandang babae. Where have you been?" He asked cheekily.

Natawa ako nang mahina. May ganitong mga lalaki pa pala? I thought pick up lines are not a thing anymore. Mukhang may mga tao pa palang gumagamit nito at isa na si Philip sa kanila.

"I'm sorry but I'm not a fan of pick up lines," I laughed.

"That's fine. I get that a lot," He laughed.

I nodded. Buti naman alam niya. I thought I was going to hear a lot of pick up lines while we were dancing. 

"So, Philip. Are you looking for a wife?" I asked. I was hoping na hindi din siya seryoso para naman madali lang sa akin na pakawalan siya after I get what I want.

"Yup. I mean, nandito naman siguro ang lahat para diyan," He chuckled. "Why? Isn't that the reason why you're here?"

"So so," I replied. "Are you serious, though? About settling?"

He nodded. "I actually am! May trabaho naman ako and I have my own house. I also feel like I'm old enough to leave the nest."

"Ditto," I sighed. "I also want to live by myself."

"Are you still leaving with you parents?" He asked.

"I wouldn't call it a parent, though, but a guardian." I paused. "Well, yes. Unfortunately I'm still living with my Aunt even though I'm old enough to leave, just like you."

He nodded. "I hope you'll finally leave the nest, like I do," He smiled.

Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya bago nagswitch yung partner. This time, isang banyaga ang naging kapares ko. I can tell by his strong features. Ang matatangos niyang ilong, mapungay na mga mata, at mapupulang labi. He just simply screams caucasian.

"Everyone's looking at you," He smiled at me. "The name is Arthur."

I confirmed that he's a foreigner by the way he talks. The accent and the facial expressions. 

"That's because I'm new," I smiled back. "Kaia, by the way."

"Very nice to meet you, Kaia," He said, took my hand, and kissed the back of my palm. "You really are new. If you are not then I would have noticed you before."

Kumunot yung noo ko. "So every year, you go to these balls to find a match?"

"Yup!" He nodded. "If we are fortunate enough then we'd find a partner."

"What happens next? Do you take her home and get married the next day?"

I actually don't know how these things work. Ang sa akin lang ay makahanap at ikasal agad. After that, I would have to make something to make my partner regret of choosing me and will call for a divorce. Wala na akong pake sa reputasyon. Tatanggapin ko lahat ng masamang salita. If that's what it takes to be free, then so be it.

"Not quite," He chuckled. "Well, I'll have to take her to a few dates and get to know each other. If we feel that we are compatible then we'll have to go to each other's parents' house for the blessing."

"So it doesn't matter if you love that someone deeply?" I asked.

Umiling siya. "Everything is business, Kaia. I'm sure everyone is looking for a business partner, not a wife or a husband. Well, except for those who really want to involve love."

That hit me. So ibig sabihin, kailangan ko lang maghanap ng lalakeng alam kong hindi ako mamahalin? We'll just think of it as a business. Both of us will benefit from it. 

"Are you one of those men who's in it for business?" I asked hopefully pero umiling siya.

"I'm here for love, Kaia," He smiled. "I admit, in the previous years, I was only looking for a business partner. But those relationships didn't work. So I made a promise to myself that this time, I have to love."

Nanghihinayang akong ngumiti sa kanya. There goes our hope. Akala ko business partner lang din ang hanap niya. I couldn't target someone as innocent as Arthur.

"You're in it for love, aren't you?" He asked me.

"I don't know," Iling ko. "To be perfectly honest, I am forced to be here."

"That explains your knitted brows when you got here," He chuckled. "You'll have a lot of years ahead of you. I'm sure you'll find love."

"I doubt it," Iling ko.

Natapos na yung kanta kaya yumuko kami ni Arthur sa isa't-isa. Nang magtagpo ang mga mata ay ngumiti siya.

"You'll get there, Kaia."

"I hope so."

Nagpaalam na kami sa isa't-isa at agad akong bumalik sa mesa kung saan ako iniwan ni Auntie kanina. The moment I sat on the chair, men started flocking towards my direction. Akala ko pa nga may fansigning ako. Kidding!

I think that they are most interested in knowing me. Pare-parehos lang yung mga tanong nila. They asked my name, even what's my ideal type. Medyo nahirapan akong sagutin ang tanong na 'yun kasi kahit kailan ay hindi ko rin ito naitanong sa sarili. Sinabi ko lang yung mga usual na sinasagot: mabait at loyal.

I saw women gossiping, whispering into each other's ears. Paniguradong ako ang pinag-uusapan nila. Sino ba naman ang may gusto nito? I'm pretty sure they planned their outfit ahead of time pero ito lang makukuha nila? Majority of the men are lining up to get to me. Does this makes me a narcissist? Yes and no.

It's flattering that they are gathered for me but it is not something I should brag about. It feels off.

The music suddenly stopped and all of our attention diverted to the woman, standing in the middle, holding a microphone.

"Good evening, everyone! I hope that you are all having a good time tonight!" She hyped the crowd.

"Yes," Everyone nodded.

"To welcome you all tonight, shall we call on the host for this ball. The Lauriers!" The woman introduced.

Everyone clapped their hands so I did the same. Bumaba mula sa grand staircase who seems to be a family. Dalawang babae na parang mas matanda sa akin, isang babae na may kaedaran na, at isang lalaki na nakasuot ng mamahaling tuxedo. He smiled towards the crowd which made the girls go crazy.

Sinundan ko ng tingin yung magpamilya hanggang sa narating na nila ang dance floor. The old woman extended her arms towards someone and that someone is my Auntie. Kumunot yung noo ko. Magkakilala ba sila?

"The Lauriers held this ball for one reason," The woman looked all of us in the eyes. "The gentleman is to be married, and one of you might be the lucky bride."

The girls started whispering and smiling excitedly. Kulang na lang tumili na sila. Paniguradong pinipigilan lang nila yung sariling gawin 'yun. That would be unlady-like at baka itaboy lang sila ng mga gents.

I look at the one and only gentleman of the Laurier. He's still smiling at everyone na tila ba tumatakbo bilang Presidente ng bansa. Does he also have the same agenda with the majority here? Andito ba siya para maghanap ng business partner? O partner panghabambuhay?

"Don't worry, ladies. All of you will have the chance to talk to him. Just enjoy the night and find love!" Sabi nung babae at bumalik na din yung music.

I sighed. Akala niya naman sobrang dali lang maghanap ng love. With this stone cold heart of mine, ang imposible.

Binalik ko nalang yung atensyon ko sa lalaki na nasa harap ko at pinagpatuloy ang pakikipag-usap. I was peacefully talking with someone when my Aunt approached me.

"Excuse me, can I borrow my niece for a sec?"

"Sure po!" The man agreed.

"Thank you," Ngumiti siya sa lalaki at dahan-dahan akong hinila patayo. Agad naman akong nagpaalam sa lalaki at humihingi ng pasensya.

"What are you doing?" May diin niyang tanong sa akin.

Kumunot yung noo ko. "What? You told me to find a husband. Kinakausap ko lang sila."

"You're like opening up a job and interviewing everyone," Umiling siya. 

"What do you want me to do?" Naguguluhan kong tanong but she didn't answer me.

I rolled my eyes and let her drag me. Hindi ko siya maintindihan. Ginawa ko lang  naman yung gusto niyang mangyari. I talk to guys and will find someone that would piqued my interest.

Huminto si Auntie sa harap ng matandang Laurier. She must be the mother.

"Elena, siya yung sinabi ko sa'yo," My Aunt started.

 "Kaia, this is Elena Laurier, my friend."

"It's nice to meet you po," ngiti ko sa matanda at nakipagkamayan.

"Hi, hija. I saw how the gents came after you tonight," Ngiti niya sa akin. Nahihiya naman akong ngumiti pabalik.

"It's in our genes, Elena," Pabirong sabi ni Auntie and they both laughed.

"Oh, by the way, let me introduced to you my son," Sabi ng matandang Laurier. Tinawag niya yung anak niya para ipakilala sa akin. "Lev, meet Kaia. Kaia, meet Lev."

Ngumiti ako kay Lev at inabot yung kamay niya para makipagkamayan pero nagulat nalang ako nang bigla niyang halikan yung kamay ko.

"Oh! Charming," Ngisi ni Auntie.

"Can I have this dance?" He asked.

"I suppose I can dance for one more," I smiled.

Ngumiti siya sa akin at inalalayan ako sa dance floor. I put my arms over his shoulders while he put his on my waist. We just swayed from side to side, not breaking eye contact.

"Tell me, Mr. Laurier," I asked. "Are you here for love?"