CHAPTER 2

Hindi ako nagpakita ng kahit anong reaksyon.

"Traffic," I simply just said and then umupo ako sa tapat ng desk niya nang hindi naghihintay ng pahintulot.

"And I had to deal with some idiots."

Mr. Aleksandr smirked, a dangerous twist of his lips. "You have guts, Miss Bustamante. Too confidence for someone who just lost millions and as someone who will beg for my mercy."

"Don't flatter yourself too much, Sir. I don't beg. I am here for your offer. The deal you offered last week."

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin sabay ngisi.

"Sexy. I like that."

"And what was the deal I offered again?" Nanghahamon niyang tanong

"To be your wife and to give you a child? It's what I remember." Walang pakialam kong sagot.

"And you'll agree with that?"

"Yes, that's why I am here. But of course with conditions." nakangisi kong sagot.

Humawak ang kanan kamay niya sa kanyang baba habang nakatingin sa akin ng may ngisi sa labi.

"Yeah, I expected that. Tell me what you want,"

"In order for me to sign that crazy offer of yours, I need you to sign a contract where you'll promise to erase my family's debt, kung hindi man sa'yo, ay kailangan mong ayusin sa iba and aside from that you'll have to promise to help me get rid of all the cases they filed for my father."

"For a woman, who's asking for my help, you have the—

"

"The audacity? Yes. Let's skip the part where you will tell me how lucky I am. Alam nating pareho na kailangan mo rin ng tulad ko. Kumpara sa mga babaeng nakapaligid sa'yo, I am the most suitable you'll ever find. Malinis ang medical records, pati ang police records—no health issues, no bad records and no issue. I am not dumb, and not weak, at higit sa lahat wala akong pakialam sa'yo pati sa pera mo. Kaya hindi mo kailangan alalahanin na baka gatasan kita habambuhay."

"You have point."

Finally, naglakad na siya patungo sa upuan niya at inabot ang folder tsaka nilapag sa harap ko. I unconsciously opened it at nakita kong mga papeles ito—yung kontrata.

"Two years of marriage. A child preferably a boy. After that, you will walk away with nothing but your family's freedom. No feelings, no drama. And most importantly, you will follow my rules while you are under the contract."

Kinuha ko ang fountain pen sa desk niya, pero hindi ko pinirmahan. Imbes, nilabas ko ang sarili kong pen at mabilis na binilugan ang tatlong paragraphs sa page five.

"What the fuck are you doing?" kunot-noong tanong niya.

"Editing," sagot ko habang abala sa pagsusulat.

"Rule number one: Your family doesn't get to bully me. Kapag naging bastos ang nanay mo o kung sinuman sa pamilya mo, may karapatan akong pumatol. Ipapaalala ko lang. Babayaran mo ako para maging asawa mo hindi para maging alipin ng pamilya mo.

Rule number two: I'm not a prisoner. I will continue my life as it is and also my work, and rule number three..."

Tumingin ako sa kanya nang diretso.

"You don't get to interfere with anyone I see. While I will honor you in public. Hindi palaging gano'n. Aba'y hindi naman puwedeng manatili akong single sa dalawang taon na kontrata. Hindi kita pakikialaman sa kung sinuman ang ikakama, iuuwi o isasakay mong babae basta huwag mo rin akong pakikialaman kung sakali may makikilala akong gugustuhin kong kilalanin."

Kita ko ang biglang pag-igting ng panga niya. Mas naging seryoso ito. Hindi na sumagot kaya inisip ko na lang na pumapayag siya. Silence means yes, ika nga.

"Lastly, the moment you lay a hand on me or any of my family, the deal is fuckin' off."

Nang wala na akong maisip na idadagdag. I signed the paper.

"Done, tell me what to do next."

I extend my hand for a handshake pero bigla na lamang siyang tumayo at lumapit sa akin. He leaned down, his face inches from mine. His presence was suffocating, yet strangely, it felt hot.

Ang bango naman nito tangina.

"I find your confidence sexy...," bulong niya.

"Ang akala ko, luluhod ka sa harap ko at magmamakaawa but then here you are setting pretty as if you own my territory."

I smile despite of the distance we have. "I told you, I don't beg," I said.

I crossed my legs and whispers "I don't beg. I negotiate."

"Sometimes I kneel but... not to beg,"

Kinuha niya ang pen mula sa kamay ko. For a split second, our fingers brushed. Nakaramdam ako na parang kuryenteng dumaloy sa balat ko. Pakiramdam na hindi ko maipaliwanag. It was electrifying.

"Deal," sabi niya bago mabilis na pinirmahan ang contract.

"But remember this, Miss Bustamante. You really have to maintain that tough facade because soon, you'll be entering a den of lions. You should always be ready to bite."

"I don't just bite, Mr. Aleksandr" I stood up, smoothing my blazer. "I also leave scars."

"Much better. Ayusin mo na ang mga gamit mo, ipasusundo na lang kita sa driver ko kapag kailangan mo ng lumipat sa bahay." He loosened his necktie.

Pagkatapos ng naging usapan namin ay lumabas na ako ng opisina niya at diretsong naglakad palabas tsaka pumara ng sasakyan at umuwi. My heart was pounding, but my face was stone.

Hindi man halata pero kanina pa ako pinagpapawisan ng malamig sa sobrang kaba. Kung hindi lang para sa pamilya ko, hindi ko talaga gagawin ang bagay na 'to. He's not my type. Ayaw ko talaga sa mga lalaking plain or too serious na personality. Too cold and serious. It bores me.

But as my parents' first daughter, of course I need to do this. Kailangan kong ayusin ang problema nila kahit pa kailangang maging asawa ako ng kung sinumang demonyo.

Sanay na silang ako ang umaayos ng problema.

Sanay na rin akong inaasahan nila.

Dito lang ako nagkakaroon ng silbi sa mga mata nila eh.