Chapter 2:

The meeting was scheduled for 3 PM, and I barely had time to prepare. Sumakay ako ng tricycle papunta roon at ganoon na lang ang kabigatan sa dibdib ko nang sinuko ko kay Manong driver ang natitira kong trenta pesos.

I looked up at the building, and it seemed so tall. The glass windows reflected the sunlight, making the entire building look like it was touching the sky. Ilang beses pa ba ako gugulatin ng mayayaman na ito sa buhay ko?

I frowned as I eyed my dress. It wasn't exactly fancy, but it was the best I had. A simple black number, tight around the waist and flowing out slightly at the hips.

Hiniram ko pa 'to kay Celine last weekend dahil sa pinuntahan naming event. Akala ko sobrang tino nang tingnan para sa interview na ito pero wala, mukha pa rin akong bruha sa tabi.

The sleek glass walls and modern architecture of the lobby screamed wealth and power. A soft hush fell over the room, the kind you only get in places where everything is meticulously crafted to look perfect.

Hindi pa ata ako nadala kagabi at sinampal na naman ng katotohanan ang sarili sa buhay na meron ako ngayon.

Marahas na buntong-hininga ang pinakawalan. Kalma lang dapat. Oo at ninenerbyos ako pero hindi ibig-sabihin, e, aatrasan ko 'to. Trabaho na 'to, oh!

With confidence I just gained, I walked toward the revolving doors. Tanging ang ingay lang na naidudulot ng takong ko ang naririnig sa pasilyo.

The people working behind their desks were all dressed in perfect suits. They moved around quickly, like they had important jobs. It was obvious they didn't have time for anyone who wasn't part of this world.

"Excuse me," kuha ko sa atensyon no'ng babaeng naka-assign sa may reception. "I'm here for an interview. Alina Reyes po."

She barely looked at me and smiled a little. Kasing-edad ko lang ata siya. Blonde na straight na straight ang buhok. Walang binatbat ang suot ko ngayon sa kanyang suot.

"Please take a seat. Mr. Alcantara will be with you shortly."

I nodded, trying not to feel out of place. I sat down in one of the chairs, trying to calm myself down. Tumitig ako sa katapat na orasan at pinanood ang bawat minutong lumilipas.

Kada segundo ay lalo nadadagdagan ang kabang nararamdaman ko. Kaso sa ngayon, mas nangibabaw ang kalam ng sikmura ko. Hindi pa ako nag-aalmusal. Alas dos na ng hapon. Inagahan ko ang pagpunta bago ang call time.

Pero kahit na anong oras pa 'yan, wala rin naman ako pang-almusal. Iyon na nga lang na trenta pesos ang huling pera ko, e. Saka ko na lang iisipan ang kalalagyan ko mamaya pagkatapos ko dito.

"Ms. Alina Reyes?" the receptionist called after seemed like forever of waiting. "Mr. Alcantara is ready to see you now.

Mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatro akong tumayo. Nakasunod lang ako kay blonde girl sa likuran niya, pilit pinapakalma ang dibdib at tiyan na kanina pa nagkakagulo sa loob.

The elevator doors finally opened on the 45th floor, surprised by how quiet it was. The hallway was long and fancy, with dark wood on the walls. It was a very calm, almost empty feeling. The only sound I could hear was my own footsteps.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan kwestyunin ang sarili kung bagay ba ang isang maingay at burara na tulad ko dito?

Tuloy pa rin ang walang katapusan naming lakad ni Blonde girl mula nang lumabas kami sa elevator. Ang dami pa namin nilikuhan bago narating ang destinasyon.

We stopped in front of the door, and the blonde girl/receptionist knocked before opening it.

"Mr. Alcantara, Ms. Reyes is here," she said, her voice as calm as ever.

Binuksan niya ang pintuan at iniwan na lang ako basta pagkaapak ko pa lang sa loob. Una kong napansin ang malaking bintana.

Sa sobrang laki, e, halos kita na ang buong syudad. The office was big, with clean, simple furniture. It was so different from anything I was used to.

But none of that compared to the man sitting behind the desk.

Riel Alcantara.

He looked exactly like I imagined a billionaire would. His suit was dark, and it fit him perfectly. His black hair was styled just right. He had a strong jawline, and his eyes seemed to see right through me. I felt small, but also like I couldn't look away.

Pakiramdam ko para lang akong naligaw na langaw dito na walang karapatan na maparito. Ang gara na nga ng buong building, ang gwapo pa ng boss. Saan ka pa?

Tapos ako? Ayaw ko na lang talaga mag-talk.

Natutop ako sa kinatatayuan nang madapo ang tingin niya sa akin. I tried not to let my nerves show, but the truth was, I had never been in a room with someone like him before. Parang gusto ko na lang talaga kumaripas ng takbo palabas at magtalukbong na lang magdamag.

"You're Alina, right?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.

"Yes, that's me," I nodded, suddenly unsure of myself.

Iminuwestra niya ang upuan sa kanyang harap, senyales na maupo ako doon. Maingat ko naman itong sinunod at pilit iniiwasan ang kanina pa niyang mabibigat na titig sa akin.

Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa kaba o dahil sa kaniya kaya pinagpapawisan ang palad ko.

Gusto ko pa sanang magtanong kung may hinahanda ba silang pagkain para sa aplikanteng tulad ko, kasi sa totoo lang, gutom na talaga ako, pero mukhang wala 'yon sa timing.

Pero kahit man lang tubig, ayos na siguro ako doon. Nakakapagod din ang nilakad namin ni Blonde girl bago narating ang office na ito.

I glanced at Riel, trying to read his face. He was still looking at me, his expression unreadable. Pakiramdam ko tuloy, nababasa niya 'yong tumatakbo sa utak ko ngayon.

"I'm not here to waste your time," bigla nyang sabi na hindi inaalis ang mata sa akin. "I've been made aware of your current situation. You're struggling, and I think we can help each other."

Napakurap-kurap ako sa narinig. Saan naman niya nalaman ang tungkol sa paghihirap ko? Gano'n ba kahalata sa mukha ko ang pagiging dukha?

"What do you mean... po?" Naguguluhan kong tanong.

Iyan lang ang tanging naibuka ng bibig ko. Kailangan kong mag-ingat sa pagsasalita dahil baka ikasama ko pa kung hindi.

"You need money..." he leaned forward, his gaze unwavering, "And I need a wife. You'll get everything you want in exchange for playing the role of my wife. It'll be a marriage of convenience. You'll live the life you've always dreamed of, and I'll have the perfect partner in the public eye."

"Excuse me?" I asked, barely able to believe what I had just heard.

He raised an eyebrow, seemingly puzzled by my reaction.

"You heard me. Marriage. A business deal, if you will."

Umalingawngaw ang katahimikan sa paligid, pilit kong pinapasok sa utak ko ang mga narinig. Hindi nagtagal ay hindi ko na naiwasang hindi humalaklak, hindi dahil nakakatawa talaga ang kaniyang sinabi. But because the situation was so absurd.

"You can't be serious."

But he was serious. Every line of his face, his cold gaze that seemed to see right through me, was proof of that.

"Do I look like someone who jokes about things like this, Ms. Reyes?" sabi niya sa malamig na tono. Sa sobrang lamig ay para na akong natutop sa inuupuan.

Tinikom ko na lang ang bibig at hindi na nagsalita pa. Halata naman kasing hindi siya nag-jo-joke. Pero ano ba'ng nangyayari? Bakit may paganito bigla?

Bumuntong-hininga ako at pinakalma ang sarili, saka sya tiningnan sa mata.

"Why... why me? I mean, out of all the women you could choose, why someone like me? I'm broke, jobless, and basically a nobody."

Totoo naman kasi. Ang dami niyang puwedeng pagpilian. Kahit na sinong nababagay bilang asawa niya, kayang-kaya niyang mapa-oo. Posible kayang tama 'yong hinala ko na konektado ito sa party kagabi? Na ako talaga ang tinitingnan niya?

"Don't you have... girlfriend?" halos pabulong ko nang tanong. "Nevermind. Huwag mo na pala sagutin," biglang bawi ko nang makita ang hindi maipaliwanag na reaksyon galing sa kaniya.

"So, why me?" sunod kong tanong.

He stayed silent for a moment before answering.

"You're perfect for what I need. No attachments, no complications, and no ulterior motives. You won't demand anything more than what this arrangement offers."

Hindi ko alam kung maiinis o dapat ko bang ikatuwa ang naging sagot niya kasi finally, after so many rejections, e, I am finally seen.