Playful Haptic #1

CHAPTER ONE

The News

Ella Victoria Everette's Point of View

Loveless marriage. Some of you might think that a loveless marriage is unhappy and you're right. Many people were trapped in a loveless marriage like it's for business only and many more.

My husband, Soren Reuben Kenzo Benavidez and I were a product of arranged marriage. We are married not because of love but it is for business. It was fifteen years ago when we got married to connect two families and expand each other's business but it went well. 

Even though we don't want to marry each other, we have no choice but to follow our parents' orders. Hindi namin alam kung bakit hindi namin matanggihan ang mga magulang namin pero dahil siguro sa takot namin sa kanila kaya pumayag kami. 

Wala kaming magawa kasi business ang nakasalalay sa amin na kahit kapalit pa ang mga kalayaan namin. 

Fifteen Years Ago

"Prepare for a dinner meeting with the Benavidez, Evie," Dad informed while we are in the middle of our lunch. I just sighed and nodded at him. To be honest, I don't dare to say no to my Dad. She's my Dad and I don't have any reasons to disobey him.

Nakatatakot

siyang

magalit kaya wala akong

magawa kung hindi ang sundin ang gusto niya. We are currently eating our lunch here in our dining room with some housemaids who were lining up on the other side, waiting for our command. 

I took a glance at my Mom who's looking at me and smiled. Ngumiti lang din ako pabalik

sa

kaniya. I then continued eating. I guess, they will be planning my marriage with the eldest son of the Benavidez.

Bukambibig kasi ni Mom ang mga Benvidez, na ipagkasusundo raw ako sa pamilya na iyon kaya kilala ko na sila pero hindi ko pa nakikita 'yong panganay na lalaki. 

Sinasabi na kaagad

sa akin na ipagkasusundo ako sa

lalaking hindi ko kilala at mahal kaya hindi na ako magugulat kung tungkol

nga

sa

kasal ko ang pag-uusapan

mamaya. 

I don't know why arrange marriage is so popular. I mean, we don't have the freedom to choose who we want to spend the rest of our life with. Mom told me that they're a product of arranged marriage too but as time passed by, they learned to love each other and they had me. The only child of the Alejos.

I know that it is for my good but still, I can't accept the fact that they will force me to marry a stranger man who I didn't like or love. I just sighed and took a sipped on my freshly squeezed lemon juice.

It sucks to be born with a silver spoon. Some of you might think that being born into a wealthy family is good but we'll prove you wrong. Some of the wealthy families are not happy, especially us, the socialites. But I'm still thankful that I was born with a silver spoon.

After we ate, housemaids fixed our plates. Si Dad ay bumalik

sa

kompanya niya at may gagawin

daw

siya na mahalaga. I'm already a graduate in business management. I chose this course. Good thing, my parents didn't force me to take any courses. They were always supportive of me. Now, I'm currently studying for a veterinary degree. I want to be a veterinarian.

Pagkaalis ni Dad ay inaya ako ni Mom para pumunta

sa

isang salon. I don't have any choice but to agree. Wearing my AV Off Shoulder Crop Top Sleeveless Stretchy Solid Strapless Tube Top and an AV Navy Blue High Waisted Jeans, we entered our Lamborghini.

My sling bag was hanging on my right shoulder while Mom was carrying her elegant Enarmoire Handbag. Nasa backseat kami ngayon at nasa driver's seat naman ang family driver namin na si

Manong Dupe. Mom loves to go to a salon.

My Mom looks always so elegant wearing a Laceal Ruffled Dress that is perfectly fitting for her. Although she's in her late 30s she still manages to stay fit and beautiful as always. Just like Dad, they look younger than their age. Dad is still attractive and handsome while Mom is still as beautiful and sexy as before. 

"Evie, are you okay with your Dad's decision? We are not selling you, anak. It's just for business. To stay consistent, anak," Mom spoke as we are in the middle of the road making our way to the salon she always booked, D's Salon.

It has services like professional hair cutting and hairstyling, manicures, pedicures, massage, makeups, makeovers, etc. It offers a variety of cosmetic treatments and cosmetic services for both men and women. 

I took a glance at my Mom, alam ko naman na para sa

ikabubuti ng negosyo ang pagpapakasal ko. Isa pa, wala naman akong

napupusuan kaya maganda na siguro ito. Ngumiti ako kay Mom.

"I understand, Mom. Don't worry, I'm okay with his decision. Alam ko naman na para rin sa

ikabubuti ko ito," I replied that made my Mom smiled.

After a few minutes, we arrived at D's Salon. Mukhang napasarap ang kwentuhan namin ni Mom. Manong Dupe opened the car door for us. As we came out, heat from the sun immediately touches my skin.

I looked at the signage on top of the building, D's Salon.

Manong Dupe opened an umbrella for us and escorted us to enter the salon building. Nagpasalamat

si Mom sa

kaniya at pumasok na kami sa

loob. I was thankful that this building is air-conditioned because today's weather is hot.

A lady in her late 30s welcomed us and Mom spoke with her. It seems that they knew each other. Right, Mom was a regular here in their salon so I'm not surprised if they knew her. The lady took a glance at me that's why I smiled at her, she smiled back.

"This way," she then said and led the way. Sumunod naman kami ni Mom. We entered an elevator to reach the second floor. After a second, the elevator opened. We stepped out and a luxurious hallway welcomed us.

May mga rooms din na occupied na dahil

nakasarado na. My signage din na 'occupied'. The lady escorted us to our room which has signage of a 'VIP'. She opened the door and we stepped inside. I was amazed at how neat the room is. The VIP room that my Mom reserved was neat and spacious. No wonder, this is one of their VIP room. 

I roamed my eyes around the room. The interior is luxurious. A mini living were located here and two massage bed. It has brown massage chairs, vanity table that has several kinds of cosmetics. Two brown pedicure chairs were beside the massage chairs. 

Nang nakita ko na umupo

si Mom sa isa sa

mga pedicure chair ay umupo rin ako sa isa. A knock from the door filled our ears and the door opened. Two ladies in their mid-20s who's wearing a blue short-sleeve jacket women suit dress. Their hair was tied in a neat bun and their grooming is good. I can see that it's their office attire.

Ang ganda. No wonder, this salon is so popular. 

With that, the ladies started their work. They clean my nails first and asked what colour of nail polish do I want. I chose the nude colour. It fits my nails because I have fair skin. While my Mom chose the colour red.

"Ang ganda po ng kuko at daliri

niyo, Ms. Evie," the lady who's in charge of my nails complimented. I just smiled at her. Hindi ko na itatanggi pa dahil

totoo naman na maganda ang mga

sarili at kuko ko. My classmates back in college used to compliment my fingers and nails. Besides, I have beautiful handwriting.

We spent 4 hours in the D's Salon. Pagkatapos

namin

sa salon ay napag-isipan na naming umuwi na para makapagpalit. It's already 6 pm and in a few minutes, it's time to meet the Benavidez.

I sighed and wrapped myself using my bathrobe and entered my walk-in closet. I took a quick shower. As I entered my walk-in closet, a two-story closet welcomed me. On the second floor, it has my designer bags and purses from every luxury brand.

On the ground floor, my whole body was reflected on my glass wall. At the centre, there's an island counter which was chock full of shelves that offer me storage for my pieces of jewellery, accessories and undergarments. On the right side, a rack full of my ankle-tie sandals, heels, shoes, ankle boots and flat sandals were built-in on my wall.

Starting from AV which is Valerie's clothing line, Chicism, Glamity, Enarmoire, Stylereid, Silhoutteal, Trousseau, Apparel, Fabician, Yarnary, Zen Thread, Laceal, Pasha, Ritzy up to Flair. Those names mentioned were luxurious clothing brands. 

The room is full of a beautiful chandelier. On the left side, there's my vanity table which has my perfumes, makeup and skincare. The glowing blue backdrop adds a nightclub-esque vibe to this walk-in closet. I actually chose this design.

A silver tufted ottoman, glam chandelier and a curved clothing rack that calls to mind the spiral staircases usually reserved for palaces make this walk-in feel fit for royalty.

Brass pendant lights suspended above a central dresser make this closet seem like an upscale boutique. I chose to wear a Nude Round Neck Bowknot Decorative Button Skater Dress and I paired it with a Nude Bow Back Zipper High Heeled Sandal that perfectly matches my dress and my nail polished.

Umakyat ako sa second floor para pumili ng bag. I chose a Nude Launer Judi Handbag. Bumaba ako ulit at pumunta

sa centre island ko at binuksan ang pinakatuktok ng shelves ko.

Glittering pieces of jewellery filled my eyes. I chose Yarnary Moonstone Earrings and Yarnary Moonstone Pendant Necklace. Umupo ako sa vanity chair ko at sinuot ang hikaw

pati na rin ang kwintas ko. I decided to tie my hair into a tight bun and applied light makeup. I also sprayed an Enarmoire Perfume.

I smiled when I got satisfied with my look. Tumayo na ako at tinignan ang kabuuan ko sa full-length mirror ko. There, I look beautiful. When I got satisfied with my look, I came out from my walk-in closet and came out from my room.

I then made my way to the grand staircase and made my way down. Pagkarating ko sa baba ay nakita ko sila Mom na nakatayo

malapit

sa grand staircase. Sabay

silang

tumingin

sa akin at ningitian. My Dad looks so handsome wearing his three-piece suit while my Mom looks so elegantly beautiful wearing a Flair Garden Print Maxi Dress and carrying her Flair Purse.

"You look dazzling, darling," my Dad complimented which made me smiled. He offered me his hand and I accepted it. Inalalayan niya ako pagbaba. Napatingin ako kay Mom na kanina pa nakangiti

sa amin.

"Mana lang po ako sa inyo," I replied making my Dad chuckle. I'm not joking though, I was thankful because they got the looks that I inherited.

"Hmm, Soren will be stunned once he will meet you," Mom suddenly said. I just smiled at her. Hindi ko alam kung sino si Soren pero baka siya ang mapapangasawa ko. 

Binilin ni Mom ang mansion sa head maid namin. We came out from the mansion and a Bentley Limousine welcomed us. A chauffeur opened the door of the backseat and we entered.

After a few minutes of travelling, we arrived at the place. It's a famous luxury cuisine, the Del Luna Cuisine. The chauffeur parked the car and opened the door for us. Nauna

nang

lumabas

si Dad at inalalayan

si Mom. Sumunod naman ako sa

kanila.

Kaagad na kumapit

si Mom sa

braso ni Dad at nagsimula

nang

maglakad. Tahimik lang akong

naka

sunod

sa

kanila. Habang

palalapit kami sa entrance ng Del Luna Cuisine ay napansin ko na walang tao malinan

sa

mga crew.

Right, I think they rented the whole cuisine today. The guard greeted us as we arrived at the entrance and opened the glass door for us. Ngumiti lang kami sa

kaniya at pumasok na. A flash of soft lightning and a piece of background music filled my ears.

A hostess in her mid-30s welcomed us and escorted us to a VIP room that they reserved on the second floor. Many paintings were displayed here inside the cuisine.

I bet, Suzy will love this because she loves paintings. Nang

maalala ko siya ay hindi ko maiwasan ang hindi mapangiti. Sigurado

akong

masaya

siya kay Adonis ngayon. It's her longtime boyfriend.

Pagkarating naming sa second floor ay sinundan

namin ang hostess hanggang

sa

makarating kami sa

isang

sarado na pinto. The hostess knocked three times and we heard a baritone voice inside.

Kaagad na nagpaalam

sa amin ang hostess at in iwan na kami. Huminga muna ako ng malalim at inayos ang sarili ko. I suddenly got conscious with my outfit. 

In that fifteen years, we tried to learn to love each other but we always failed. Siguro nga ay hindi kami para sa isa't isa kaya hindi l-um-evel up ang relationship namin.

We have our rules. I let my husband do what he wants, same with me, he always let me do what I want and that because we are trapped in a loveless marriage.

Wala kaming pakialam sa isa't isa. He can have another woman if he wants, it's okay with me. Basta hindi niya iuuwi rito ang mga babae niya. Kahit hindi namin mahal ang isa't isa ay isang kahangalan din kapag iuwi niya rito ang mga babae niya. 

Kahit ganiyan ang set-up namin ay medyo sweet pa rin kami sa isa't isa. Magkatabi rin kaming matulog. We still treat each other as husband and wife.

Pero simula no'ng kinasal kami, wala akong napapansin na may babae siya o baka magaling lang siyang magtago? Gano'n din naman sa akin, wala akong ibang lalaki kung hindi siya lang. 

Good thing, he agreed with my conditions. We're good because of that. I was peacefully sipping from my tea when my phone rang. I gently place my teacup on a porcelain mini plate and reached for my phone that is above the coffee table. I looked at the caller's ID. It's my Mom.

I immediately answered it. Tinapat ko iyon sa kanan kong tenga at agad ko namang narinig ang boses ni Mom. 

"Anak, you need to open your TV right now. This is important," Mom spoke from the other line and with that, the call ended. Hindi pa nga ako sumasagot e binabaan na agad ako, para siyang nagmamadali.

I wonder what happened? Kahit naguguluhan ako sa sinasabi ni Mom ay binuksan ko ang TV. I placed it on the news channel and my eyes widened as I saw the headline. 

Soren Reuben Kenzo Benavidez of Benavidez Corporation had a son with his former girlfriend. 

I wasn't able to move and my heart beat increased as I watched the news. Oh my, this is ridiculous and huge. Naghihintay ako sa ipapakita nilang picture ng anak ni Soren ngunit nabigo ako. Walang pinakitang picture.

Does that mean, I'm going to be a stepmom soon? Oh, you must be kidding me, Soren. I think this time, I deserve a valid explanation and reason. I took a deep breath and stared at the television.

While watching the news, I suddenly remembered what happened years ago. Bigla ko tuloy naalala ang narinig at nalaman ko noon.

So, tama nga? Anak niya talaga 'yong dinala ni Rachel noon? At akala ko ba na hindi na niya guguluhin si Soren pagkatanggap niya ng pera? Gusto niya ba ulit ng pera? 

To be continued...