Kabanata 2: The Ultimatum

RENESE arrived in La Perla Lounge fifteen minutes before the call time. Hindi pa rin niya magawang bumababa mula sa sasakyan niya dahil sa totoo lang ay nagdadalawang isip pa rin siya.

Who sent the email? What if it’s a trap? What if pinati-tripan lang pala siya ng kung sino man ang nag-send ng email na ‘yon?

Kahit na alam niyang possibleng mangyari ang lahat ng iyon ay pumunta pa rin siya. She’s desperate. Her brand is on the line, and this might be her only shot at saving Danzari.

She took a deep breath and walk out of her car. Mag-isa lang siya kagaya nang nakalagay sa email. Hindi niya rin pinaalam sa kaibigan niya at sa manager niya ang ginagawa niya.

She’s wearing a sleek black jumpsuit with tailored fit, complete with gold-button detailing at the chest and wide-legged pants with the structured peplum design accentuates at the waist.

La Perla Lounge is a sleek and high-end establishment in Taguig City where only the elite gather. Renese can’t help but notice the surrounding opulence—crystal chandeliers, velvet couches, and polished marble floors.

“Good evening, Ms. Kensington. This way please…” nakangiting bati sa kaniya ng staff.

Hindi na siya nagtataka na kilala siya ng staff ng lounge. Nagkalat ba naman ang mukha at pangalan niya sa mga billboard, fashion magazine, fashion tabloids at mga advertisment. Her name has become closely associated with fashion because, even at a young age, she has already been excelling in this field.

Dinala siya ng staff sa isang VVIP room ng lounge na lihim niyang ikinabigla. Nagkakahalaga kasi ng mahigit tatlong daang libo ang pagpapa-book ng VIP room sa lounge na ito, paano pa kaya sa VVIP room?

Renese’s curiosity about the identity of the person who emailed her grew even more. Kumbinsido na siya na hindi basta-basta ang taong makakaharap niya ngayong gabi. He or she is powerful.

When she enters the room, there is no sign of anyone else yet. The lounge VVIP room has dimly lit with soft jazz playing in the background. There is also a glass of expensive rose champagne prepared on the table.

She checked her watch. Five minutes na lang before the arrange time. Wala sa sariling ininom niya ang champagne na nasa ibabaw ng lamesa na parang tubig dahil sa tensiyong siya lamang ang nakakaramdam ngunit napapikit rin kalaunan nang mapagtantong medyo matapang ito sa nakasanayan niyang inumin.

Nakakunot noong kinuha niya ang bote ng champagne upang basahin ang brand no’n.

“Bollinger…” she uttered.

She wasn’t familiar with that brand but she can’t deny na masarap ang champagne na ‘to. Hindi namalayan ni Renese na lumipas na pala ang limang minuto dahil na-enjoy niya masyado ang pag-inom.

At exactly 8:00 PM, a tall, commanding figure walks into the VVIP room. He is wearing a tailored suit and walks with an air of authority. Nang mag-angat ng tingin si Renese ay her breath catches in her throat as the man’s eyes lock onto hers from across the room.

Hindi makapaniwala si Renese sa kaniyang nakikita. She knows him! Nakita niya na ‘to minsan sa mga business magazine at tabloids. He is Mr. Zoren Caius Voss—the CEO of Voss Prime Estate!

He walks over to her table, his presence almost magnetic. Tumayo ito sa harap niya nang walang sinasabing kahit na ano bago umupo sa bakanteng upuan na nasa harap niya nang hindi man lang pinapakilala ang sarili.

Renese gulped and cleared her throat. “You’re the one you sent the email?” tanong niya.

Zoren slightly raised his eyebrows. “Let’s get straight to the point, Ms. Kensington. What do you want to happen?” tanong pabalik ng binata.

Renese winced. “Why are you asking me that? Isn’t you the one who emailed me?” She rolled her eyes.

“So don’t you need my help, then?” Zoren asked again.

“It’s not that—of course I do! You said in the email that there’s a way to save Danzari, right? What is it? Tell me,” she demanded.

Hindi niya alam kung saan nang gagaling ang inis na nararamdaman niya kay Zoren. Wala naman itong ginagawa sa kaniya pero pakiramdam niya ay inaasar siya nito!

Zoren smiled a bit at saka may nilabas na puting folder pero hindi nito iyon nilapit sa kaniya.

“I have an offer to propose, Ms. Kensington. I can save your brand over night. I can make the people behind this pay. All I ask is one thing…”

Kumunot ang noo niya. “What is it?”

“Marry me.”

“What?!” she breathes out in disbelief. She was completely caught off guard. “Are you on drugs?” iyon na lamang ang lumabas sa bibig niya sa sobrang gulat na nararamdaman.

“No. I’m dead serious, Ms. Kensington. Marry me. I’ll use my connections, my resources, and whatever it takes to help you rise again. But this marriage is the price you must pay.”

Walang kahit na ano siyang nakikitang emosyon sa mata ng binata habang sinasabi nito iyon. Hindi nga ito nagbibiro. Gusto niyang matawa pero hindi niya magawa.

Her pride is screaming. But so is her desperation.

Ilang taon niyang ginapang ng mag-isa para lang maging successful ang Danzari. Hindi siya humingi ng kahit na pisong kusing sa mga magulang dahil may gusto siyang patunayan pero paano kung hindi niya pa nga napapatunayan ang sarili niya ay babagsak na siya kaagad?

Renese took a deep breath and look at Zoren in his hazel eyes. “What are the terms?” she asks, her voice steady but filled with doubt.

Zoren smile knowingly at inusog papalapit sa kaniya ang puting folder. Nang buksan niya ito ay doon niya lang napagtanto na kontrata pala iyon.

“In return for full control and revival of the Danzari brand, Rense Diora Kensington agrees to enter a legally binding marriage to Zoren Caius Voss for a minimum of five years,” mahina niyang basa sa isa sa nakasulat sa kontratang hawak.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin sa binata. “Pwede ko ba ‘tong pag-isipan muna?” tanong niya.

“Of course. I can give you 48 hours to think, but you also need to consider what could happen to your brand within those 48 hours.”

She bit her lower lip. Tama ito. Kapag nag-isip pa siya ng ganon katagal ay maaring tuluyang bumagsak ang Danzari at gawin iyong opportunity ng magulang niya para tuluyang ilipat sa kaniya ang business nila. Maraming pwedeng mangyari sa loob ng 48 hours.

Danzari is her life. Ito ang rason kung bakit siya nagpapatuloy sa pangarap niya.

Nanginginig na pinulot niya ang ballpen na kasama ng folder bago dahan-dahang pinirmahan ang kontratang tiyak na magpapabago sa buhay niya.

Pagkatapos niyang pumirma ay tumayo na si Zoren mula sa pagkakaupo at saka kinuha ang pinirmahan niyang documents.

“You’ll get everything you want. But remember, I never lose control. Neither will you, my future wife.”

After that, Renese was left alone inside the VVIP room. Just like that, she already has a fiancé! She’s getting married!

“What did I just signed?” she whispered.