Chapter 4 — The Perfect Illusion

Gabi na sa Vale Dominion Tower.

Tahimik ang hallway ng executive wing habang dahan-dahang naglalakad si Celestine, suot ang simpleng trench coat.

Wala siyang intensyong maniktik — pero may kumakalabit sa isip niya: bakit nakatayo si Lysander nung una silang nagkita, tapos ngayon, paralisado raw siya?

Nasa harap siya ng glass door ng private office ni Lysander.

Madilim sa loob, pero bukas ang ilaw ng adjoining gym area.

Lumapit siya. Through the half-open blinds, nakita niya si Lysander, mag-isa — nakatayo, walang wheelchair, nakatukod lang ang isang kamay sa treadmill habang pinipilit maglakad.

Halatang hirap, pawis, 

Pinanood niya sandali — and for the first time, nawala ang inis.

May kakaibang lungkot sa hitsura ng lalaki — ‘yung tipong sanay magtago ng sakit sa ngiti.

Pero bago pa siya makaalis, bigla itong nagsalita nang hindi lumilingon:

“Curiosity suits you, Miss Alaric.

But stalking? Not very classy.”

Napatigil siya.

“You knew I was here?”

“I always know who’s watching.”

Tumingin si Lysander sa salamin — sa reflection, nagtama ang mga mata nila.

“If you’re that desperate to know the truth, you could’ve just asked.”

“Fine,” sagot niya, lumapit.

“What happened to you?”

Tahimik muna siya, bago sumagot.

“Plane crash. Three years ago. I survived. My trust didn’t.”

Tumingin si Celestine, curious.

“And the wheelchair?”

“A reminder,” mahinang sagot niya. “People are kinder to the weak. Easier to spot who’s real.”

May kirot sa tono nito

“You really don’t trust anyone, do you?” tanong ni Celestine.

“I did,” sagot niya

“Four times. Each one took something — money, power, or my heart.

So forgive me if I prefer steel over sincerity.”

Hindi nakasagot si Celestine.

Tahimik lang silang pareho, habang pinapatay ni Lysander ang treadmill.

“Now you know,” sabi niya.

“Still think I’m faking?”

“No,” sabi niya, mahina.

“But I still think you’re dangerous.”

Ngumiti siya, that familiar half-smirk returning.

“Good. Then you’re smarter than my exes.”

-----------------------------------

Kinabukasan, bumalik siya sa Alaric Manor para ipaalam ang engagement.

Pagbukas pa lang ng pinto, sinalubong siya ni Lucienne na may hawak na magazine — may headline sa front page:

“Lysander Vale’s Mysterious Fiancée — Celestine Alaric Confirmed?”

“So it’s true!” sigaw ni Lucienne, boses puno ng galit.

“You’re marrying him? For what — to steal the company from us completely?”

“It’s a merger, not a theft,” sagot ni Celestine, kalmado.

“Lola Beatrix arranged it.”

“Don’t use her name!” singhal ni Callista, sabay hampas ng baso sa mesa.

“You think just because you got lucky sa DNA test, ikaw na may karapatang magdala ng apelyido namin?”

“It’s not luck,” sagot ni Celestine, finally raising her voice.

“It’s truth. Something this family stopped caring about a long time ago.”

Lucienne glared, halos nanginginig sa galit.

“You ungrateful girl—”

Pero this time, hindi na siya umatras.

Lumapit siya kay Lucienne, tingin matalim, napa hinto si Lucienne

“You can call me anything you want, Lady Lucienne.

But from now on, you don’t get to control me. Not my career. Not my choices.

And definitely not my name.”

Tahimik ang buong sala.

Kahit si Callista, hindi makaimik.

Si Leandro lang ang napatingin kay Celestine — may halong guilt sa mga mata.

Bago pa magsalita ulit si Lucienne, tumunog ang phone ni Celestine.

A call from Mr. Han.

“Miss Alaric, the press conference is starting. Mr. Vale’s waiting.”

Flashbulbs. Reporters. Media chaos.

The grand ballroom of Vale Dominion Hotel was filled with cameras and questions.

Onstage, nakaupo si Lysander Vale sa wheelchair — calm, elegant, confident.

Sa tabi niya, si Celestine, breathtaking in an ivory dress, pero halatang hindi sanay magpanggap ng ngiti.

“Mr. Vale, is it true the engagement was arranged?” tanong ng reporter.

Ngumiti si Lysander, charming as ever.

“Arranged or not, I’d say I’m the lucky one.

Who wouldn’t be, with someone like Miss Alaric beside me?”

Tumawa ang crowd.

Celestine forced a polite smile.

“Miss Alaric,” tanong ng isa pa,

“you seem surprised by this arrangement. Do you truly love Mr. Vale?”

Natigilan si Celestine.
Love? The word hung heavy in the air.

Bago pa siya makasagot, si Lysander na ang nagsalita — nakangiti at may halong sincerity.

“Love,” sabi niya, “isn’t always instant.

Sometimes, it starts with trust… and the courage to see beyond appearances.”

Nagulat si Celestine. For a moment, may nakita siyang ibang Lysander — less armor, more human.

Pero bago pa siya tuluyang maapektuhan, tumikhim ito, bumalik sa smirk.

“Besides,” dagdag niya, “she’s already falling for my charm. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Natawa ang mga tao.

Si Celestine? Napapikit, pinilit ngumiti.

“Keep dreaming, Mr. Vale.”

“Oh, I will,” bulong niya sa kanya habang nagpa-flash ang mga camera.

“After all, dreams have a funny way of coming true.”