4

SHE never got to sleep. Naging imposible para kay Aiah ang gawin ang simpleng bagay na iyon. Bakit? It's because of that man bearing the name of her future husband. Hindi niya mawari kung bakit ba hindi niya matanggal-tanggal sa isipan ang mukha nito. Was the first impression too strong that it even affected her to such extent?

She lied on her back and muffled her screams with her pillow. Hindi pa rin nawawala ang inis niya sa lalaki. Hindi dahil sa hindi niya nakuha ang loob nito. He even made her feel insecure about herself. And worst was her grandfather even acknowledge him na para bang kilala na nito ang buong pagkatao ng lalaki.

After a few moments of just staring blankly at the ceiling, Aiah get up and began searching the internet through her laptop. She fell across several articles about Rodrigo Dela Costa.

"Really?" Manghang sambit niya habang binabasa ang lahat ng achievements nito. So, this Rodrigo was some hotshot in the business field. She probably missed it earlier dahil sa inis niya sa lalaki. Everything about him was calculated, from the way he dressed, his actions, and even his manners of speaking. Lahat ay parang business transaction para dito.

She scoffed. Nakikinita ni Aiah ang mangyayari sa kanilang dalawa kapag nagsama sila sa iisang bubong. She'll be just like any other women married for business, a typical trophy wife. At ang lalaki ay hindi magbabago, still drive by work kahit hanggang gabi. Paano magiging maayos ang buhay mag-asawa nila kung walang pag-ibig sa isa't isa?

Bigla tuloy pumasok sa isipan niya ang mga salita ng kanyang lolo. Pag-ibig. Yes, it's the most complex thing any man and woman can ever experienced. It can make or break a relationship and even marriage. Hindi kailangan ng pag-ibig sa dalawang taong magsasama lamang sa papel. At magiging kabilang silang dalawa ni Rodrigo kapag nagkataon.

"Everything doesn't make sense," at muli siyang humiga sa kama. It's already past four in the morning and her mind was still high, thinking about him. "Bakit ba pinapahirapan niya pa ang sarili? She's Aiah Villegas, for Pete's sake. She'll find her way out of the loveless marriage sooner or later."

Kung paano niya nagawang makatulog ay hindi na inalam pa ni Aiah. Nagising na lamang siya na mataas na ang sikat ng araw. She glanced at the wall clock and it's already past ten in the morning.

"Explain this article to me," bungad ni Stacey sa kanya ng makalapit sa table. Halos ipagduldulan nito ang cellphone sa kanya. "Why are you with Rodrigo Dela Costa? Who's he, by the way?" Then she occupied the seat across hers.

"I'm getting married, Stacey," bagot na sagot niya. She met up with her at the last minute dahil hindi matapos-tapos ang pangungulit nito sa kanya. The last straw was her friend will barge inside their mansion despite her grandfather's disapproval of her. "At siya ang lalaking iyon."

Nagkita silang dalawa sa isang diner. Walang gana, she ordered some salad and coffee. Yes, she knew the combination was weird. Para bang bumili lang siya ng pagkain just to waste some time. At iyon ang naabutan ng kaibigan.

Stacey's mouth formed an O. "I can't believe I'm hearing this. Hindi bagay sa'yo ang ikasal."

That's a bit harsh but Aiah could only acknowledged her sentiment. "Wala ako'ng magagawa. He'll save the company. You knew where we ar standing."

Hindi pa man nagiinit ang pang-upo ni Stacey ay siyang dating ng kanilang pinaguusapan. Aiah couldn't take her eyes away from the approaching Rodrigo Dela Costa. It's as if she's instantly captivated of his unyielding charisma. At hindi lang siya ang biktima, maging ang mga kustomer ng naturang diner ay nakatuon ang pansin kay Rodrigo. Men are secretly envious of his dominating aura while women were obviously swooning over him.

Mukhang galing pa ito sa isang business dinner. Still, he look sleek and composed from head to toe. At ang black suit nito'y on point. There's nothing more to say. She's practically loss of words.

She appreciate beauty nonetheless. And she hate to admit that Rodrigo have tick all the marks with flying colors.

Speaking of the devil, sa kanilang table ang tinutumbok ng lalaki. At mukhang siya ang pakay nito.

Stacey couldn't utter a single word. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin nito sa kanilang dalawa. Si Rodrigo mismo ang bumasag sa katahimikan.

"We need to talk," iyon agad ang bungad nito sa kanya. And instantly, that spell vanished. Napalitan ng iritasyon ang paghanga niya para dito.

"We'll talk some other time. Can't you see I'm with my friend?" Tukoy niya kay Stacey. "How did you find me?"

"And are you even supposed to be here? Wala ka bang trabaho?"

"I'll feed you with the details, but not here," inabot nito ang kanyang kamay at hinila siya patayo. Before she could even retaliate ay nagsalita na itong muli. "I have a place in mind where we can talk privately."

"Hey, what's the rush. Ano ba?" At ang pagpupumiglas niya hindi nakaabot dito. They let the diner stunned with the sudden commotion. Even Stacey was in awe, at nagawa pa ng kaibigang i-video ang buong pangyayari.

~•~

HINDI na si Aiah nagreklamo pa. She let him take her wherever he wanted. If there's any consolation, hindi siya nasaktan sa ginawang pagkaladkad sa kanya ni Rodrigo from the diner. He lead her with firm resolute but just enough not to her her wrist. If that makes any sense...

Nasa loob sila ng tinted na sasakyan nito. There's a deafening silence between them. Nagkaroon lang siya ng ideya kung saan siya dadalhin nito nang i-verify ng driver and location. Ni hindi siya nito kinakausap. The. He got occupied talking to someone over the phone about business as usual. The typical set-up of any business man.

The main building of Dela Costa Estate.

She'd done her research already. Her soon-to-be husband was the CEO of Dela Costa Chains of businesses, at ang isa na doon ay ang Dela Costa Estate. At the heart of BGC rise the main office. Iyon ang unang beses na makakarating si Aiah sa lugar.

Well, BGC was never knew to her. She'd been a frequent patron of the high streets. But never been in the business side of the area. At manghang pinagmasdan ni Aiah ang nagtatayugang building sa bawat madaanan.

Ilang saglit pa'y nasa main entrance na sila nang naturang building. Rodrigo was gentleman enough to guide her inside. At ang ilang naroroon ay sa kanila nakatuon ang pansin.

Buong akala ni Aiah na walang makakatalo sa kanyang karisma. She's appalled to think na mas magnetic pa sa kanya ang katabing lalaki.

He lead him inside the executive elevator and brought up to the top floor. Again, hindi niya inaasahang ang buong top floor ang mismong opisina nito.

"Where's your secretary?" Na nang makapasok siya sa private office nito'y iyon agad ang una niyang napansin. No one had entertain them beforehand. Imposible naman wala itong sekretarya. A man of calibre like him would need a top calibre secretary to manage his business affairs.

"Have a seat, please," He closed the door behind and ushered her on his table. Isang folder ang kinuha nito sa lamesa at inabot sa kanya. With a straight laced face, he began feeding her with the details. "Inside the envelope was everything you need to do. You just have to memorize it..."

"Wait. This is confusing. Ano ito?" Na nang mabasa niya ang nilalaman ay puro schedule nito for the next two weeks maging lahat ng upcoming business agenda nito. "Oh, yes. I can read it perfectly. But what am I supposed to do with this, Mr. Dela Costa?"

"We're getting married soon. After that day, you'll fill the spot of my personal secretary," a brief explanation na para bang sapat na iyon to pacify her. Her eyes widen literally.

In just a span of days, no one had dare to humiliate Aiah Villegas more than Rodrigo Dela Costa had done.