Chapter 4: Ten Million Reasons (Part 2)

"Good evening, ma'am," bati ng driver nang lumabas ako. "This way po."

The car was a sleek black BMW. Sa buong biyahe, pinipigilan kong mangati sa kakanikay ng dress. Hindi ako sanay sa ganitong suot. Puro t-shirt at jeans lang ako usually, minsan dress pero 'yung cotton lang na comfortable.

La Scala was everything I expected – fancy, expensive-looking, intimidating. The maître d' led me to a private room at the back.

And there he was.

Alexander Del Rosario stood as I entered, his eyes quickly scanning my appearance. For a moment, parang may nakita akong appreciation sa expression niya, pero it was gone instantly.

"You're late," he said by way of greeting.

Tiningnan ko ang relo ko. 7:05 PM. "Five minutes lang naman po."

"In business, five minutes can cost millions." He pulled out a chair for me. "Sit."

Naupo ako, conscious na conscious sa lahat ng galaw ko. The dress was beautiful pero parang hindi ako makahinga.

"Wine?" he offered, already pouring.

"Hindi po ako-"

"You'll need it." He handed me a glass. "For this discussion."

A waiter appeared with appetizers I couldn't pronounce. Alexander ordered for both of us in perfect Italian. Eh di siya na ang magaling.

"So," he started once we were alone. "Have you reviewed the contract?"

Tumango ako. "May... questions po ako."

"Proceed."

"One year po talaga? Hindi pwedeng six months lang?"

Bago siya sumagot ay tinignan niya muna ako. "The board needs to see stability," he explained. "One year proves commitment."

"And..." I took a sip of wine for courage. "Separate bedrooms talaga?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Would you prefer otherwise?"

"Hindi!" Namula ako. "I mean... good po 'yan. Very good."

He actually smiled slightly. "Any other concerns?"

"'Yung ten million po..." I lowered my voice. "Bakit ganun kalaki? Hindi po ba sobra sobra po 'yun?"

"Miss Santos," he leaned forward. "Do you know how much a society wedding costs these days?"

I shook my head.

"The dress alone is two million. The reception? Fifteen million minimum. Add in the honeymoon, jewelry, pre-wedding events..." He shrugged. "Ten million is just a bargain."

Nasamid ako sa wine ko. "P-pero hindi naman po kailangan ng ganun ka-"

"Yes, it is." His tone was final. "You'll be soon a Del Rosario. Everything must be perfect."

Perfect. Para bang rinig ko ang boses ni Regina Del Rosario sa salita na 'yon.

"Sir..." I gathered my courage. "Bakit po ako? Surely may ibang babae na mas qualified-"

"Qualified?" He looked amused. "This isn't a job interview, Miss Santos."

"Hindi po ba? Kasi parang job description 'yung contract eh."

He studied me for a moment. "You're different from what I expected."

"Po?"

"Most women would be thrilled at this opportunity." He gestured around us. "Money, luxury, social status..."

"Most women didn't watch their father lose everything because of social status," I said quietly.

Something changed in his expression. "The Santos Construction scandal-"

"Hindi ko po gustong pag-usapan ang bagay na yan." I straightened up. "Sir, let's go straight to the point po. Kailangan ko ng pera para sa kapatid ko. And you need a wife para sa company mo. Transaction lang 'to, just a business deal gaya ng sabi niyo and clear po sa akin 'yan."

He nodded slowly. "So, naiintinduhan na natin ang isa't-isa."

"Perfectly po." I met his gaze. "Pero may conditions ako."

"You're in no position to make demands here, Miss Santos."

"Tatlo lang naman po." hinawakan ko ang kamay ko. "One, I keep my job sa coffee shop."

"Absolutely not." He frowned. "My wife can't be serving coffee-"

"Half-day lang naman po. Morning shift. Para may sense of normalcy pa rin ako."

He considered this. "Fine. Pero hanggang bago ang kasal ay titigil ka na." Um-oo na lang ako.

"Two," I continued, "I need five million in advance. Para makapag-start na ng treatment si Jenny sa Korea."

"Two million," he countered. "The rest after the wedding."

"Four million."

"Three." His eyes narrowed. "Final offer."

"Deal." I took another sip of wine. "And three... importante 'to..."

"Yes?"

Tinignan ko siya nang diretso sa mata bago sabihin ang panghuli kong condition. "No falling in love. Ever. Either of us."

For a moment, parang may dumaan na emotion sa mga mata niya. But then he smiled that cold smile again.

"Trust me, Miss Santos. That won't be a problem."

The main course arrived – something French with too many fancy ingredients. Habang kumakain kami ng tahimik, hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip...

Bakit parang may something sa dibdib ko nang pumayag ka agad siya sa 'no falling in love'?

"Miss Santos?" His voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Po?"

"The wedding will be in two months." He was all business again. "Tomorrow, my staff will brief you on everything – etiquette training, wardrobe, social calendar. I expect full cooperation."

Two months? Lord! "Pero sir-"

"We'll announce the engagement next week. I suggest you prepare your family and friends." Tinignan niya ang relo niya bago nagpatuloy. "The car will take you home. We start tomorrow, 9AM sharp."

And just like that, dismissed na ako. As I stood to leave, he called out one last time.

"Miss Santos?"

"Po?"

"The dress..." His eyes lingered for a moment. "Keep it. You look... acceptable in blue."

Acceptable? Wow ha. Parang di ako jatanggap tanggap sa sinabi niya. "Thank you po, Sir Acceptable." sarcastic kong sabi.

Nagulat ako ng ngumiti siya. I mean, was that almost a real smile on his face?

Sa car ride pauwi, hindi ko mapigilan mag-isip. What would Dad say if he could see me now? His daughter, marrying into the world that destroyed him. Pero para kay Jenny... para sa pamilya...

My phone buzzed. Another text from Alexander.

"Contract signing tomorrow. Don't be late. And Miss Santos?"

"Po?"

"Welcome to high society. Try not to spill anything on the paperwork."

Napangiti ako kahit ayaw ko.

Ten million reasons to do this.

And one heart to protect.

Game on, Mr. Del Rosario.