Chapter 5

NAPANGITI si Leon nang makapasok na si Claire sa banyo. He usually doesn't tease but seeing Claire’s comical reaction with her nose flaring seem to give him the enjoyment and satisfaction on doing such childish act. Kahit na manlisik ang mga mata nito o hindi ba kaya ay bumuka ang ilong dahil sa sobrang galit o inis ay hindi iyon naging dahilan para mabawasan ang akin nitong kagandahan. Mahina siyang natawa habang iniling-iling pa ang ulo bago bumaling sa nakangiti na si Klaus. Nang mapagtanto ang kanyang nagawa ay pinawi niya ang ngiti sa labi at tumikhim siya sabay hawi sa kanyang buhok.

He glanced at Klaus with a somber expression. “What? What are you smiling at?”

“That's the first time I saw you playfully conversed with a girl after you know...” wika nito at binigyan siya nang makabuluhan na tingin.

Sumipat siya sa pinagpasukan na banyo ni Claire at nagpakawala siya nang malalim na paghinga. “Having the family company is more important to me now. Claire's my only chance.”

“I'm aware of that, but seeing Claire and how she moves, I guess you will have to train her a proper etiquette,” pahayag ni Klaus at umupo sa sofa. “Although, she’s pretty even though she’s simple. In fact, she’s prettier than your comments last night.”

“I'm aware of that,” sagot ni Leon at hinimas ang baba. “But she moves unladylike, Klaus. I bet she couldn't even walk in heels.”

“Well, there’s only one way to find out and you know what to do...” wika nito at humilig sa sofa. “Besides, I can see that she’s determined. She can do her job just fine.”

“That's my hunch, too,” pagsang-ayon ni Leon at napalatak kalaunan. “But I still have to enroll her into etiquette class though. I'm worried that she can’t last one session.”

“You’re worried?” tanong nito at napapantastikuhan na itinuro siya. Hindi ito makapaniwala, muli pa siya nitong tinuro at itinaas ang kilay sa gawi niya. “Am I hearing you right? You are worried?

Kumunot ang noo ni Leon nang maintindihan niya ang pinapahiwatig nito. “Don't exaggerate, Klaus. I am not that heartless.”

“Well, what I hear about you is more negative than that insult, my friend,” pang-aasar ni Klaus para mapatingin siya dito nang masama. Itinaas ni Klaus ang kamay sa ere pagkatapos ay ipinikit nito ang mga mata. “Don’t blame me. It’s not my fault that you have a bad attitude.”

“And you think yours is any gooder?” balik-asar niya dito. “At least I don’t play with women’s hearts.”

Natawa si Klaus at hindi makapaniwalang umiling-iling sa kanya. “Correction, my friend. I play their hearts because they want me to. By doing that, I’m doing a lot of women a favor. Isn’t that a good act?”

He snorted before shaking his head. “Good act my ass.”

“Just focus on molding your soon to be wife,” wika nito sabay muling humilig sa sofa pagkatapos ay tumitig sa kisame. “I rush here after hearing your behest. You know I support you taking the family business. I always have.”

“Bull! I didn't know that you can talk with sense,” pang-aasar niya dito para mapatingin ito sa kanya gamit ang mga nanlilisik nitong mga mata dahilan para matawa siya nang mahina. “Don’t worry, I’m going to get the company as their heir and as I should. I am not far away to achieving that, actually, I’m confident, always am. I just have to train Claire.”

“Well, good luck on that...” tugon nito at muling tumitig sa kisame. Marahil may naisip itong ideya kaya ito bilang napatingin sa kanya. “Oh, we should try chemistry check after the etiquette class.”

Nag-isip si Leon at tumango bilang pagsang-ayon. “Yes, we should do that. I mean, I’m okay with that. I don’t know about Claire.”

Klaus grinned. “Since when did you care about others’ opinions?”

“Since I met Claire obviously,” sagot niya sa kaibigan nang walang pakundangan. “I’m somehow thankful because she agrees on this scheme. It’s the least I can do. But yes, I’ll talk to her about that.”

“Damn, I can hear the good husband type in you, man... it’s satisfyingly weird and undeniably good on you, why is that?” tanong Klaus sabay ngumiti-ngiwi

“Don’t humor me, Klaus,” tugon ni Leon sabay napailing. “You should go now as you should. You probably left some chick at home.”

“That! That's what I was trying to remember all this time,” pagsang-ayon nito at isinuot ang aviator sunglasses. “I need to go, Le. Call me when you need me, okay?”

“I will,” wika niya dito sabay nagpaalam.

Husto ang pag-alis ni Klaus nang bumukas ang pinto at lumabas ang nakapaa na si Claire, suot ang damit na pinakuha niya kay Klaus mula sa kanyang bahay habang bitbit ang tila kulay-pilak na takong. Her hair was down and wet but it was obviously comb using her hand. Claire’s face was bare while walking towards him yet it refreshing to his eyes, especially with her pinkish toes that complements with his white floor.

Claire is probably one of the women who look good even without makeup. He could proudly say that her soon-to-be wife's beauty is impeccably natural.

HINDI alam ni Claire kung ano ang mararamdaman nang makalabas siya sa banyo. She was hesitating to wear the heels because she don’t know how to use one. Hell, she didn't even use nor wanted to use one. Para sa kanya ay paggamit ng takong bilang panlakad sa paa ay napakadelikado, kaya naman hindi niya ito sinuot at sa halip ay binitbit na lamang palabas ng banyo. Eksakto rin ang napiling damit ni Leon para sa kanya; na para bang tantiya nito ang bawat sukat ng kanyang katawan magmula ulo hanggang paa. Maski na ang sapatos ay kasya rin sa kanya ng mga paa. Sapagkat hindi na importante sa kanyaang isipin na kung bakit ito may gamit na kasing-sukat niya dahil ang tumatakbo sa isip niya ngayon ay ang masasabi ni Leon sa kanyang naging anyo.

Leon was looking at her like he was silently criticizing her and that she failed on looking good with the dress. Even her hair was so plain she just comb it using her hand. Everything looks so expensive. Leon. The office. The dress. The heels. Even the bathroom itself. Kasing laki na ata ito ng kusina nila sa bahay-ampunan. Sa sobrang garbo na pinapasubok sa kanya ni Leon ay hindi niya mapigilan ang makaramdam nang panliliit sa sarili.

“Come closer,” utos nito sa malalim na boses para bumalik siya sa reyalidad.

Now he sounded like he’s disappointed. She couldn't pull the beautiful and graceful fiancé, she’s aware of that. Kung magbago man ang isip ni Leon sa kanilang pina-plano na pagpapakasal at pagbawi sa tulong nito sa kanya dahil hindi niya napunan ang kagustuhan nito ay hindi na siya magtataka.

Nag-alangan nang sandali si Claire ngunit nang humudyat si Leon na umupo so sofa ay wala na siyang nagawa kundi sundin ang utos nito. Nakayuko na lumagpas siya kay Leon at umupo sa sofa na hindi tinatagpo ang mga mata nito. Nang yumukod si Leon pababa ay mas lalong iniwas niya ang mukha palayo dito.

“Why are you looking down?” marahang tanong ni Leon para mapatingin siya dito nang pahapyaw bago muling iniwas ang nga mata. “Come on, Claire, look at me and tell me your reason.”

Tumingin siya dito at napabuntong-hininga. “I get it, okay? That I can’t pull that perfect fiancé you want me to do. I am not beautiful enough. Not graceful enough. And I won’t get shocked if you withdraw your plan on helping me and Sherry because you realized you made a poor choice about me as your pretend bride. I know, I disappoint you.”

“Yes, you did disappoint me,” diretsahang wika nito na walang pag-aalangan para gulat na mapatingin siya dito.

Kahit pa man inaasahan niya na ito mula kay Leon ay tila ba nagulat pa rin siya nang marinig ito mula sa bibig nito. She should have know better that it hurts and will make her even more dispirited.

“I’m disappointed that you think of yourself that way...” dugtong nito at kinuha mula sa kanya ang kulay-pilak na takong. “I’ve never been wrong with my choices and I chose you for a reason. Of course, you aren't graceful and I’m aware of that. That’s why you need training because my mother is very particular about that.” Isinuot ni Leon ang isang takong sa kanyang paa pagkatapos ay sinunod ang isa. “If it weren't for my mother’s preference, I wouldn't have you do it, because I believe that women have their own qualities and preference. However, I may have you following my mother’s predilection because we don't have a choice, okay?”

Walang nagawa si Claire kundi tumango-tango na lamang. Sa katunayan ay masyado siyang nabigla sa mga sinabi nito kaya ganoon ang kanyang naging reaksyon. Sa sobrang rahan ng pagkasabi ni Leon, pakiramdam niya ay parang hinehele siya nito sa duyan at kinakantahan ng pinakamasamyo na lullaby. Hindi niya inaakala na maririnig niya iyon galing dito, mula sa isang Leon na walang ginawa kundi mandusta ng tao kapag natipuhan nito at parte na ng pang-araw-araw na gawain.

It was so unlike him, she can’t help but smile, especially when he made sure that the shoes were perfectly fitted in her feet, never wanting to hurt her toes. She didn't know that he has this soft side and was capable of kind gestures.

Sapagkat ganoon na lamang ang pagkupas ng kanyang ngiti sa mga labi nang mag-angat ng ulo si Leon at tiningnan siya nang masama.

“W-Why?” she asked, bewildered, for his sudden change of demeñor.

“Your toenails look hideous,” komento nito para mapatingin siya sa mga kuko sa kanyang paa.

“Ha?” tanong niya dito at tiningnan nang maigi ang kuko sa pagyukod pababa dahilan para mauntog siya sa ulo ni Leon.

Sabay sila na napaigik sa sakit at tumingin sa isa’t isa. Leon’s glared at her as he touched his head and all she did was wince because she felt bad. This time, it was clearly her fault.

“God, Claire! Not only did your toenails looks hideous but you are also careless!” asik nito at tumayo. Inayos nito ang buhok at lumayo sa kanya upang maglakad nang paatras-abante sa tapat ng lamesa nito. “This won’t do. You need to be enrolled in etiquette class as soon as possible.”

“Fine...” napilitang pagsang-ayon ni Claire at tumayo, muntikan pa na matisod dahil nakalimutan niyang kasalukuyan siyang nakasuot ng takong. She cleared her throat and stand cautiously. “But please, can I visit Sherry in the hospital and the orphanage first?”

Lumingon sa kanya si Leon at lumapit sa kanya na kanyang ikinagulat. She shut her eyes and wait for his scowl but she recieved an unexpected gesture. Leon fixed her hair.

Iminulat ni Claire ang mga mata at patuloy pa rin sa pag-ayos ito sa kanyang buhok. He’s making a volume out her blunt and straight hair.

“Since when did you have your hair cut?” tanong nito sabay hawi-hawi pa rin sa kanyang buhok.

Abala ito sa pag-ayos sa kanyang buhok hindi na nito napansin na nakatingala na siya dito at gahibla na lamang ang layo ng mukha nila sa isa’t isa. And she was too astonished to stop him. If Leon was perfect from afar, he was immaculate up close. She can’t help but stare at his beautiful perfect face. Para itong artista. Hindi, mas guwapo pa ito sa mga artista na napapanood niya sa telebisyon. Kung ganoon lang naman ang kanyang titigan ay tiyak na hindi siya magsasawa.

Nang marahil nasiyahan na si Leon sa ginawa nito sa kanyang buhok ay tumigil ito at dumungaw sa kanya. He didn't give them distance even though he knew that their body was an inch away from touching. Tinagpo nito ang kanyang mga mata nang ilang segundo bago ito nag-iwas ng tingin at nagpamulsa.

He sighed and clenched his jaw. “Fine, you win. Let’s go to the hospital.”

Dahil sa tuwa ay hindi na napigilan ni Claire ang pagtili at pagyakap dito na naging dahilan sa pagninigas ng katawan ni Leon. Nang mapagtanto niya ang kanyang ginawa ay agap na napalayo siya dito at umakto na para bang hindi nahiya sa ginawa sa pamamaraan ng pagngiti nang pilit. Kung wala lang sa harap niya si Leon ay malamang kanina niya pa kinurot ang sarili sa tagiliran.

“Thank you,” pagpapasalamat niya para mapatingin sa kanya si Leon.

“Don’t thank me yet, you are still going to take the etiquette class I am talking abouut.” Naningkit ang mga ni Leon bago dinampot ang coat nito na nasa coat rack at hinudyat ang kamay palabas sabay ngisi. “Ladies first, baby...”