The 5 Years Contract with Him의 모든 챕터: 챕터 11 - 챕터 20

Tahimik ang biyahe papuntang Makati. Sa loob ng kotse, tanging tunog lang ng makina at mabagal na tugtog mula sa stereo ang maririnig. Nakatingin ako sa labas ng bintana, pinapanood ang mga ilaw ng siyudad na parang mga bituing lumilipad sa gabi. Maaga pa, pero puno na ng buhay ang paligid. I wore the champagne silk dress Damian gave me last night. A dress that clung softly to my frame, its fabric flowing like liquid gold. The thin straps rested delicately on my shoulders, and the light caught every movement, making it shimmer subtly, like the sun through fine glass. It was simple, elegant, and unreasonably perfect, the kind of dress that didn’t scream for attention but quietly commanded it. Naramdaman kong napatingin siya. Hindi ko kailangang lumingon para malaman. Alam kong pinagmamasdan niya ako nang tahimik, nakikita ko sya gamit ang peripheral vision ko. He cleared his throat. “The dress fits perfectly,” sabi niya, calm but a little breathless. “Of course it does,” sagot ko,

Pagkalabas namin ng café, ramdam ko agad ang bigat ng hangin. Yung tipong pagod ka na pero kailangan mo pang kumilos. Damian checked his phone habang naglalakad kami papunta sa sasakyan, tahimik pero halatang nakatutok sa schedule niya.“Next stop is the venue décor supplier,” sabi niya, eyes still on the screen. “They prepared a sample layout for us.”Napasinghap ako nang mahina. Sa dami ng ginawa namin ngayong araw, parang gusto ko na talagang humiga kahit sa lobby carpet. Pero pinilit kong ngumiti kahit konti.“Kaya pa,” sabi ko, kahit hindi naman ako sure king kaya ba talaga ng katawan ko.Damian finally looked at me, at doon ko nakita sa expression niya na nabasa niya agad ako, lagi nalang nya nababasa ang nasa isip ko, habang ako, hirap na hirap syang basahin. “We’re not going,” he said, tone firm but calm.“H-Hindi tayo pupunta?” tanong ko, half-surprised.“No,” he answered. “You’re tired, Liana. And I don’t want you passing out on a décor consultation.”Medyo nag-init ang pis

Pagpasok namin sa mismong office ng Lumina Bridal & Event Styling, agad kong naramdaman yung lamig ng aircon na parang nanunuya sa init ng pisngi ko. Kahit anong pilit kong magmukhang composed, obvious sa’kin na hindi pa ako fully recovered from… well, everything that happened this morning.Meanwhile, Damian walked beside me with that calm, collected face na parang walang nangyaring anything inappropriate for a couple na supposedly nagwe-wedding plan lang.Ako? Para akong walking scandal sa gitna ng office. Hindi ko alam bakit ko to nararamdaman, pero sobrang nahihiya parin talaga ako sa nangyari. Pagbukas ng assistant ng pinto, dinala kami sa meeting room.And then…“Oh! Damian!”Boses pa lang, pero parang naiinis na ako sa tono. O baka dahil masyado pang occupied pa ang utak ko kaya namis-interpret ko kaagad yung tumawag kay damian. A tall woman in her late 20s stood up. Sleek, elegant, naka-fitted black dress, polished makeup.At ang ngiti? Akala mo'y nang-aakit. Camille Martinez

“Yes, Sir,” Damian answered. “I’ll protect her. I’ll respect her. She deserves that.” Mom sobbed. “Finally… someone worthy.” Hindi ko din maintindihan si mama, lahat ng nagugustuhan ko ayaw nya and now, she seems to be liking damian for me. Dad closed his eyes as if absorbing everything. Then… He weakly smiled. “I want to see her walk… down the aisle.” My chest broke and my tears blurred my vision. Damian didn’t hesitate, he held my father’s hand with both of his. “We’ll make it happen,” he promised. “As soon as possible.” Mom wiped her cheeks again. “Can we… can we see your invitations? If it’s okay?” I nodded quickly and handed them the folder. Mom gasped at the gold embossed invitations. “My God…” Dad smiled weakly. “So elegant…” Masaya ako, masaya ako na masaya sila sa akin. Pero nasasaktan ako sa katotohanan na nagsisinungaling lang ako sa harap nila. I never lied to them. Damian placed a gentle hand on my elbow. “They deserve to witness everything.” Tumango

“Liana…” his voice lowers, trembling, “mahal mo pa ba ako?” My heart stops.I close my eyes.“I care about you,” sagot ko ng mahinahon. “But caring isn’t enough to build a future anymore.”“So mahal mo si Damian?” he asks, voice almost gone.I slowly shake my head.“It’s not about love,” sagot ko. “It’s about choosing the path that will not destroy more people.” “Then I lost you to a decision, not to a man…” he whispers.I didn't answer. Nasasaktan ako sa kung anong iniwan ko. He was my comfort, He was my Diary. Never niya akong iniwan. Pero heto ako ngayon, pinili maging selfish para sa kapakanan ng mga empleyado at kompanya namin.“Jared… you need to let me go.”“No.” His lips tremble. “Hindi ko kaya. You’re getting married tomorrow. Bukas, Liana and I’m just supposed to watch?”“You’re supposed to live your life,” I say firmly.“And what about my heart?” I swallow hard. Kumirot ang dibdib ko.“That’s something only you can fix.” Pinipilit kong wag ipakita sakanya na nasasaktan ak