False Pretense Novels & Stories

“Let’s pretend to be together, that we’re dating. We’ll show the world how happy we are together. We’ll make those two jealous for hurting us.” “Well… that sounds like a good idea… but…” "Evelyn, We both need to move on from our pasts. I need to show that I'm over Sophia, and you... you need a distraction from Kurt," sabi niya, at bakas ang pag-aalinlangan sa kanyang tono. "What if we pretend to be a couple? Just for a while. It might help both of us." Nagulat ako sa alok niya. "Pretend to be a couple? But... why?"

Umasa. Pero agad din niyang narinig ang sumunod — fake marriage lang pala. At ngayon, habang naglalakad silang magkasabay palabas ng opisina, paulit-ulit pa rin iyong umaalingawngaw sa isip niya. “Just pretend,” sabi ni Jerome. Pretend lang. Gaya ng dati. Gaya ng ginagawa nila ngayon — pagpapanggap sa harap ng lahat, sa opisina, sa pamilya nito, sa mundo. Pero paano kung siya lang ang hindi marunong magpanggap?

Nang-aasar naman na ngumisi si Jaewon. "What the hell Zeph? Convince her! Even my boyfriend approves of our pretend! It's all business--" "Sage, we've had enough of this fake arrangement. We needed the hype of play media before but we're all stable now, aren't we? The fake media image is long overdue." "No. You're just having a change of mind because of that girl. Nagpapauto ka naman kahit na wala siyang alam sa industriyang ito."

"Yes!.... and do you know why? because everything is just a pretension!" Nabigla si marigold sa tuwirang pag-amin ni chardon. Agad niyang tinakpan ang bibig nito. "A-ano? Anong pretension?" Inalis ni Chardon ang kamay ni marigold sa kanyang bibig at umabante pa ng kaunti kay Adelaida. "Your daughter and I have a deal to fake the engagement, and do you know what for? that is to help the fontabella, YOUR company to recover. So don't be proud Infront of me as if I owe you." Sarkastikong wika nito.

Kung papayag ako sa offer niya, ibig sabihin wala akong ilalabas na pera, tutulungan niya ako mapalabas si papa sa kulungan at matutuloy na ang surgery ni Clyde. Ngunit isasalang ko naman ang sarili ko sa entablado ng aktingan. I need to pretend and act as his girlfriend in front of his mother. Ibig sabihin din nito, handa akong manloko ng tao? Hindi ibang tao lang kundi mismong ina ng boss ko. Kaya ko ba? I’m not good at pretending, and especially I don’t think I could act sweet towards my boss when I secretly hated him. Do I really need to act it all out just so I can help my family?

My weakness is that I'm weak. "Then don't pretend." I deliberated for an answer, then sighed, "It's hard." "I hated you, you know." He said, changing the topic. I snorted at that, "So obvious. Wow. That's flattering really." "You acted all innocent and shy and pure but really, they don't know the true you. With Tita Maggie, Luke, with everyone. But all along..." He trailed off. Beaming, I said proudly, "What can I say? I'm a pretender. So much so that I have a master's degree major in pretending. I'm the master of all pretenders in the world."

Pagkatapos ay yumuko ako nang bahagya sa mesa. “Listen carefully,” sabi ko. Nakita kong nag-iba agad ang postura ni Dante. Ito na ang seryosong bahagi ng usapan. “Huwag na huwag mong ipapakita kay Andres na alam mo ang totoo. O kaya naman, alam mong ako ito,” sabi ko. “Meaning?” “Pretend.” Napakunot ang noo niya. “Pretend that you believe her and their scheme.”

"Eh di tapusin na natin 'to! Sabihin natin ang totoo! Na fake lang 'to lahat para hindi ka na ma-pressure!" Waeren stepped closer, holding my shoulders. "No. If we admit it's fake now, I'm finished. They'll see it as a sign of weakness and deception. We have to double down. We have to make them believe that you are indispensable to me." "Pero paano? I'm just a commuter! I'm just a girl in a hoodie!" "You're the girl who told my Uncle he was just an obstacle," Waeren smiled, a real, genuine smile. "And for that, I’m giving you a promotion."

Ginagap niya ang palad nito at nakikiusap ang mga matang tumunghay dito. “I disagree. Because that is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard, Joleen. Do you think you’re still in highschool? Don’t you think it’s a bit immature and selfish to plan fooling Lolo Nemo with a fake fiance just so he’ll leave you alone?”

I shivered on that thought, at mabuti na lang at tagong-tago ako, naka black cap at mask, kaya hindi nila malalaman ang katauhan sa likod nito na posibleng maibenta sa iba pag hindi ko matutupad ang usapan ng boss nila. Pinaupo ako ni Sarge, ang bugaw at manager ng online sex trafficking dito sa amin. Makikita sa kanyang mukha ang pagkagulat at tuwa nung hinubad ko na ang aking mask at nakita niya ang imahe ng babaeng kilala sa pagiging ulirang anak ng buong baranggay.