Chapter 5: A Strategic Conception

Cailin's POV

The black sedan drifted through the heavy traffic of Makati, but inside, the world felt silent and expensive. I leaned my head against the cool leather seat, closing my eyes for a second. The smell of the car that is a mix of high-end air freshener and new upholstery, was a far cry from the scent of fabric glue and burnt coffee that usually clung to me.

I opened my bag and stared at the contract. One hundred thousand pesos. Every. Single. Month. To some, it was a fortune. To Ellezar Mirano, it was probably just a rounding error on one of his construction projects. But to me? It was the seed money for my freedom.

"I’m not just carrying a baby," I whispered to my reflection in the window. "I’m carrying a masterpiece of financial security." Ang laki talaga ng magiging pakinabang ng anak ko. In fairness, investment agad bago pa man mailabas.

Love? Passion? Tigilan ako sa mga clichés. Ang kailangan ko ay financial stability. I didn't want Ellezar’s heart; I wanted his bank account to bleed for the sake of my child’s future. If he thinks I’m the type of girl who will cry over his coldness, he’s mistaken. Coldness is fine at mas pabor nga 'yun sa akin. Anyway, naiparanas na naman niya ang kakaibang init noong gabing 'yun, so quits na kami.

The first thing I did when I got back to my modest—este, cramped apartment—was to kick off my Saint Laurent heels. Ang sakit ng mga paa ko, darn! May paltos na ako! This is a painful reminder that "looking rich" always comes with a physical price. Hindi na ito 'tiis-ganda,' kundi 'tiis-yaman.'

I looked around my studio. Bolts of silk were leaning against the wall like drunken soldiers, and my sewing machine sat in the corner, silent and judgmental. Parang mga nangungusap na palitan na sila dahil sa sobrang kalumaan.

"Don't look at me like that," I muttered to the machine. "I’m doing this so we never have to settle for cheap polyester again."

Pinilit kong hindi maiyak. Sino ba namang mag-aakala na ang pagiging 'marupok' ko sa isang gabi pala ang magiging susi sa pag-angat ko?

I grabbed my tablet and started a new folder. I didn't name it 'Baby Plans' or 'Maternity.' I named it: OPLAN: YAMAN.

As a designer, I knew that every great collection started with a mood board. I looked up European nursery trends—'yung muted and minimalist aesthetics, hindi yung mukhang perya sa dami ng kulay. I wanted cashmere blankets in oatmeal tones, cribs made of sustainably sourced oak, and a baby wardrobe that would put most adult influencers to shame.

In the middle of my research, my phone buzzed. Isang sweet, sweet sound mula sa notification ng bank account ko.

PHP 100,000.00.

My heart skipped a beat. It was real. The Ice King actually kept his word. Pero alam ko na ang kapalit nito ay ang mga matang nakamasid sa akin. Ellezar said he would hire someone to track my progress. I knew it wasn't just for my safety; it was to ensure I didn't pull any stunts with his money.

"Fine," I challenged the empty room. "Watch me. See how well I can spend your money while looking like a million dollars."

The next morning, I started the 're-sketching' process. I couldn't keep living in a studio that smelled like industrial-grade thread and desperation. I needed a space that matched his lifestyle, or at least a version of it that I could afford with my 'Mirano payday.'

I spent the day looking at upscale condos sa BGC. I walked into one showroom wearing a simple linen wrap dress and my Loro Piana coat draped over my shoulders. The agent, a guy named Marcus, looked at me with that practiced politeness they reserve for people who look like they have a high credit limit.

"I’m looking for something with a view. High floor, quiet, and with enough space for a nursery," I told him, my voice bored but firm.

"Of course, Ms. Relova. We have a corner unit that just opened up. It has a floor-to-ceiling view of the city," Marcus replied, his eyes scanning my expensive bag.

As we stood on the balcony of the 32nd floor, looking down at the sprawling city, I felt a surge of power. Ito ang view na nakikita ni Ellezar araw-araw. From up here, everything looks like a sketch—isang toy world na kayang-kaya niyang baguhin with a flick of a pen. Love doesn't give you this kind of view. Only power does. At siyempre, power comes with money. That’s a no-brainer.

"I'll take it," I said, even before he could tell me the price of the association dues. Ang bilis ko palang matuto maging mayaman. Hindi na ako tumitingin sa presyo.

But the move wasn't just about the view; it was about creating a fortress. I needed a place where I could control the narrative. If Ellezar’s 'spy' was going to report back to him, I wanted them to tell him that Cailin Relova was living a life of quiet elegance, not acting like some pining mistress.

Later that evening, I met Emarie for dinner sa isang tucked-away bistro in Rockwell. I chose the place specifically because the lighting was dim and the tables were far apart. Confidentiality is now my most expensive accessory. Wala namang angal si Emarie dahil, of course, all expenses paid by yours truly.

"Loka-loka ka talaga," Emarie said after I showed her the photos of the new condo. "Isang daan pa lang ang nakukuha mo, kumuha ka na agad ng unit sa BGC? Paano kung bigla siyang mag-back out?"

"That's impossible," I said, sipping my lemon-infused water. Naisip ko na rin naman na in case ipapatay niya ako or ipasagasa para mawala ang problema, it’s his image that will break, not mine.

At isa pa, nagastos ko na ang isang milyon sa credit card niya noon nang hindi man lang niya namamalayan. Umangal ba siya? Wala akong narinig na pinasabog niya ako sa balita!

"He’s too proud to admit he made a mistake, Emarie. And besides, I’m not just spending; I’m investing in my leverage. Sinisiguro ko lang na hindi niya ako basta-basta pwedeng itapon. If I look like a liability, he’ll treat me like one. But if I look like an elite mother, he’ll have no choice but to keep the funds flowing."

"Grabe, Cailin. Wala ka na talagang balak mahalin 'yung tao? He’s literally the most eligible bachelor in the country."

I let out a sharp, cynical laugh. "Emarie, love is for people who can afford to be stupid. Lumaki akong hampaslupa, and trust me, love doesn't pay the rent. Ellezar Mirano is not a man to me; he’s a walking ATM with an attitude problem. And I plan to withdraw every centavo I can."

Emarie shook her head, but I saw the admiration in her eyes. "You're playing a dangerous game, Cailin. Siguraduhin mo lang na hindi ka mahuhulog sa kanya habang binibilang mo ang pera niya, huh!"

I arched an eyebrow. Her last sentence did not sit right with me. "Falling for him is not even in the contract," I countered. Besides, I am already in love with his black card. Not with its owner.

As the night ended, I walked to my Grab ride, feeling the weight of my plan. I knew the next eight weeks were crucial. Palapit na nang palapit ang schedule ng DNA test. Although I was 100% sure he was the father, the process itself was a battlefield. Kailangang physically at mentally prepared ang lola niyo.

When I got home to my new and still empty condo, I stood in the middle of the living room. The city lights flickered like diamonds below me. I placed a hand on my still-flat stomach.

"Don't worry, little one," I whispered. "Your mom might be a social climber, a gold-digger, and a bit of a bitch... but I promise you this: hinding-hindi mo mararanasan ang umiyak dahil lang sa walang panggastos. Mapapasaiyo ang lahat, at sisiguraduhin kong ang tatay mo ang magbabayad para makuha mo ang buhay na deserve mo."

I pulled out my phone and searched for Ellezar Mirano on I*******m. His profile was private, but his company page was full of photos of him at board meetings. In every shot, he looked untouchable.

"Untouchable," I smirked. I didn't follow him because that would be too desperate. Instead, I just stared at his face. Not because I liked what I saw, but because I was memorizing the face of the man who was going to fund my needs.

The needle was threaded. The fabric was set. And the first stitch had just been made.