Chapter Four

“I signed it already” I told him after sipping the wine served. “I have nothing to lose anyway. Isang taon lang naman di ba?

Tumango lamang siya sa akin and smiled a bit. “It’s a deal, now, you can wear it.” Kinuha niya ang maliit na box, ask for my hand at inilagay ang isang diamond ring sa aking daliri. “It’s from my great grandmother, the family’s heirloom.”

I smiled. “Hindi ba pwedeng iba na lang ang ibigay mo sa akin?” I look at the ring, tamang-tama ang sukat sa daliri ko.

“Remember, no one must know about our contract, even my parents. They ask me if you will not wear that.” Ani Jay.

“I just have some clarification then.” Tumango siya sa akin signaling to talk. “I have a year with you, it means one year din tayong magkasama?”

“My answer is supposed to be yes, you will be my fiancé for a year.” He answered me.

“So….” Napatigil ako. Namumula ata ako.

“So?” tanong nya habang may kung anong tingin sa kanyang mga mata. I know he knows what I mean.

“So… We will do what a true fiancé usually do?” Lagot! Namumula talaga ako. Umiinit ang aking mukha.

Ngumiti siya and look me in the eyes. “Hon, I will do my best to control myself. But you know, I’m a man.” Tinakpan ko ang aking mukha mg aking palad at bumuntong hininga.

“I get it. Stop looking at me like that.” I told him. Pangiti-ngiti lang siya habang umiinom ng wine.

“Do your best to be natural with me, okay. Don’t worry, I’m a good lover.” Then he winked.

Hindi ako magpapatalo sa kanya. I look him in the eyes. “Fine. Hope you can resist me.”

Naningkit ang kanyang mga mata and teasingly smile. “Try me.”

Nanlaki ang aking mata at biglang nanlamig ang buong katawan. “Tama na nga, okay na po.” Tumawa siya inubos ang wine sa glass niya. “Let’s go?”

“Saan?” kabadong tanong ko sa kanya.

“Somewhere we can be alone together. Fiance na kita, hindi ba?” Tumayo na sya at nasa harapan ko na.

Tumayo na rin ako pero sa totoo lang ay kinakabahan ako. He is teasing me. the next thing I know, nasa beywang ko na ang kanyang mga kamay.

Jay’s POV

I know what she means with those questions. She seems innocent. I was suppressing my laugh. She’s cute with her red face. Kitang-kita sa mukha niya especially wala itong make up.

“Let’s go?” Tumayo na ako ang approach her. The moment na tumayo na sya ay hinapit ko ang kanyang beywang. Ang liit nga pala niya. I stand 6’1” and she’s 5’6”. Napangiti ako ng naramdaman ko ang lamig ng kanyang kamay habang nakahawak ito sa braso ko.

“Mr. Lim, nice to see you here.” Nakatayo ang lalaki sa harap naming.

“Mr. Al Mahna, pleasure.” Kinuha ko ang paghawak ko sa kanyang beywang at nakipagkamay sa kanya. “By the way, this is Tricia, my fiancé.” Nakita ko na nakipagkamay rin si sya sa kanya.

“I’m also with my family. Nice to meet you darling.” Ngumiti sila sa isa’t-isa. “What a beautiful woman, Mr. Lim.”

“Kuya Jay! You’re here rin pala!” Isang batang maliit ang tumatakbo papunta sa akin at yumakap. “I haven’t seen you for long.”

“Amber, call him Mr. Lim.” Saway ng kanyang Ina na sumusunod. “I’m so sorry Mr. Lim.”

“It’s okay Mrs. Al Mahna. Amber can call me kuya Jay.” Pangiti-ngiti lang si Amber sa akin. Bigla itong tumiwalag sa yakap at tumingin kay Tricia. “Who is she?”

“She’s Ate Tricia, Amber. My future wife. Hon, This is Amber.” Pinakilala ko sila sa isa’t-isa. Bilang umiyak si Amber.

“I am your future wife!” Umiyak na siya ng umiyak. Umupo bigla si Tricia to pat Amber at pinatahan ito. “Okay Amber, Kuya Jay is yours na.” She said.

“Really?” Lumiwanag na ang mukha nito at ngumiti ky Tricia. “Thank you. But we can share Kuya Jay too.” Ngumiti na lang si Tricia ang gave Amber a hug.

“We have to go Mr. Lim. I’ll see you soon on our annual ball.” Pagpapa-alam nito.

“We’ll see you Mr. Lim.” I pat Amber’s head and bid goodbye. We part ways na sa labas ng resto.

I can’t keep my eyes on Tricia. “I’ll drive you home.” I said habang binubuksan ang pinto ng sasakyan for her. Tumango lang ito at pumasok.

“Are you really living alone?” I ask her habang pinapaandar ang sasakyan.

“Yes. Safe naman sa unit ko. And nasanay na ako living independently.” Aniya.

“Would you mind living with me?” I ask her. “Just to convince everyone about us?”

“Hindi pa naman tayo kasal. Tell them I’m conservative.” Matimid niyang sagot.

“But I can’t leave you alone there, especially with Carla’s threat.” I’m trying to convince her.

“No, I can manage. Strict ang security and management ng buiding namin. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Sagot niya ulet sa akin.

Hindi ko siya mapipilit. Hatid-sundo ko na lamang siya to make sure. My ex-girlfriend is so obsessed with me. She’s after my wealth. After kong nalaman na niloloko niya ako with her ex-boyfriend, I investigated them. They’re planning to rob me. So having Tricia with me made her angry. Alam ko ang takbo ng utak ng babaeng iyon. Yes, I had love her. But not anymore. I heard with my investigator that she now in surveillance on Tricia.

“Okay, But make sure you’ll be safe.” I told her.