Kabanata 23

Divorce

I didn't know who Lavender Soledad is in his life. Magkababata, o baka pa girlfriend niya iyon. Bakit naman ito papayag na maipakasal si Royce sa akin kung girlfriend siya nito?

But if she isn't his girlfriend, why would she be that kind of a bitch? Women will never say things like that to someone else. Lalo na dahil abogada siya. I expected her to be sophisticated, not someone who will pick a fight that way. Unless this is frustrating her.

Knowing Royce, he's ambitious. He wouldn't let someone else, even family, to know the real reason why we got married. Nakakatakot nga naman kapag nalaman ng maraming tao ang tungkol doon. Nakakasira ng kredibilidad niya.

There must be something.

I looked at them while they were talking. They look so comfortable with each other when they laugh. I was certain now that they are in some kind of secret relationship or fling. Dahil sa sinabi ni Lav at ang ebidensiya na alam niya ang tungkol sa amin ni Royce.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Royce. His eyebrow raised when he noticed that I was watching him intently. I smirked.

So what if they are an item, right? So what if they are an item, Sky? You will look like the third party if they were!

Technically speaking, though, I am Royce's wife. Any relationship out of this marriage is the third party. It's disgusting.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kay Royce at kinuha ang tsaang hinanda ng kanyang Tiya ngayong hapon habang nagkukuwentuhan tungkol sa mga karanasan nila bilang bata.

"Siguro interesadong interesado kang marinig ang mga ito?" si Lav.

Hindi ko alam kung may kahulugan ba iyong tono niya o wala. Pero dahil sa naiisip ko, lahat na ng sasabihin niya, may kahulugan.

"Oo. Hindi kasi siya nagkukuwento masyado," I smirked.

"Naku, hija. Itong si Royce, gusto kong magreklamo pagdating sa mga babae, pero dahil matalino sa eskuwela, hindi ako makapagreklamo."

Lavender laughed. "Buti at naniniwala naman siya lagi sa akin, Tiya."

"Oo nga. Itong si Lavender lang ang nakakapigil sa kanya..."

Nakatingin si Royce sa akin, there's a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"Hindi ko siguro inakala kasi pormal at tahimik."

"Ah, hindi po. Alam ko po na ganoon siya. At least noon. Ngayong, mag-asawa na po kami... nangako siyang faithful na siya sa akin."

Nagtaas ng kilay si Royce. I smiled sweetly at him. Lavender smile faded. Ngumiti naman ng malapad ang tiya.

"Dapat lang dahil mag-asawa na kayo..." si Tiya.

I smiled sweetly at her Tiya. "Oo nga po, e. Ako pa naman po iyong tipong, iiwan kaagad kapag nalaman kong may ibang gusto ang boyfriend ko. Alam naman po ni Royce iyon... pero pinakasalan niya pa rin ako."

"Nakaka proud naman, hijo..." his Tiya chuckled. "Talagang mahal na mahal mo itong si Sky."

Tahimik na si Lav. Royce opened his mouth to speak. He didn't take his eyes off me. He closed his mouth again, it seems like he is short for words.

Hindi na ulit gaanong nagsalita si Lav. Sumasagot lang kapag tinatanong hanggang sa umuwi na sila.

Nasa pintuan kami, hinahatid sila palabas ng unit. I waved at them good bye. Lav seems very silent and she wouldn't look me in the eye. Sinarado ko ang pintuan pagkatapos namin silang ihatid nang naramdaman ko ang paghawak ni Royce sa gilid ng magkabilang baywang ko. His breath is now on my neck, too.

I smirked and let him caress me.

Walang kuwenta kung tatanungin ko pa siya o aawayin dahil sa nangyari.

We got married even though we both didn't even like each other. We got into this marriage knowing that we will end it after it has served it's purpose. And we got physical knowing that it's all pure unadulterated lust, and we're both consenting adults who have physical needs. Kaya labas doon ang lahat ng nararamdaman ko sa sinabi ni Lavender Soledad kanina.

I faced him and then kissed him hungrily. He groaned and picked me up on his arms and kissed me back in the same intensity.

Pilit kong kinalimutan ang nangyari. Pati ang sinabi ni Lavender, ayaw ko nang isipin pa. We had a smooth another week. On weekends, we shopped again and had fun.

Madali lang naman palang kalimutan iyon. Isiniksik ko sa isipan ko na pansamantala lang ang lahat ng ito. I am married to Royce Solarez and yes, he gives good sex, so we both enjoy it. Whatever Lavender Soledad wants from him after this marriage is not my business. If they want to be together after this, so be it.

Posible kasi iyon. Maybe Lavender sacrificed just so Royce could get the higher position, not that he isn't in the high ranking officials of our company right now.

Minsan naiisip ko na hindi ba ako ginagawang third party ng dalawang ito? Royce says he doesn't have a girlfriend. Kaya posibleng si Lavender nga lang ang umaasa. If they are both consensual on this, then to hell with them. It's not like they can hurt me, anyway. It's all physical, reason why I didn't bug Royce about it.

"Okay na po ba 'yan?" tanong ko habang ipinapakita ang resulta ng first project na ginawa ko.

Tumango ang senior interior designer. Nasa ibang palapag ako para ipakita ng maayos ang lahat ng pagbabago. Ikukumpara iyon sa plano at titingnan kung nasunod ba ang lahat.

"This is good Miss Rockwell... I mean Mrs. Solarez."

"Really?" nangingiti kong tanong.

"Yes. Yes, actually. Good job!"

"Thank you!"

Kaninang umaga sinabi ni Royce sa akin na magsasabay na kami pauwi. Kaya pagkatapos kong ipakita ang trabaho ko, naisipan kong umakyat na. It's almost time so maybe he's done with his meetings.

Dahil isang palapag na lang ang pagitan, nagpasya akong mag stairs na lang. Lalo na dahil nang tiningnan ko ang elevator, nakita kong maraming taong nakapila.

I was alone on the stairs. I never tried this route before but I was sure it will lead me to the hallway of Royce's lobby.

Liliko na sana ako nang nakita kong palabas si Lavender Soledad sa opisina ni Royce. Royce came out with her, eyes dark as he looked at her. I immediately went back to the wall of the stairs. Bababa na sana ako pero sa gulat at kaba, nanatili muna roon at hinabol ang hininga.

"You should think about it..." I heard Lavender. "Akala ko ba isang buwan ang pangako ni Brandon Rockwell?"

Royce groaned. "A month or more, Lav-"

"You seriously put up with that spoiled brat? Luging-lugi ka yata rito. Nagtiis ka na nga, hindi pa agad binibigay ni Brandon Rockwell sa'yo ang posisyon."

"Will you stop it with their family? Why are you so mad with Mr. Rockwell, anyway?"

"Of course because you got into this shit because of him. I prepared the divorce paper gaya ng request mo. Madali lang 'yan. Just pressure him out of it, Royce. Schuyler seems like she's falling in love with you, kaya mukhang walang talk from her about the divorce. It's obvious."

My face went cold when I realized what they are talking about. Mukhang lumayo sila sa pasilyo kaya kaunting tinig na lang ang narinig ko at hindi ko na maintindihan iyon. I heard the beep of the elevator and I realized they must be leaving now.

Mabilis akong umakyat sa hagdanan. My mind crazily took a turn, from calm to livid.

Oo at ayos lang sa akin dahil alam ko naman na iyon lang ang habol ni Royce sa kasunduang ito. Pero hindi ko matanggap ang huling sinabi ni Lavender Soledad!

What do you mean I'm falling in love with Royce? No talk about the divorce because it's too early and it would be a bigger scandal if we divorce right now!

I gritted my teeth. I am so mad that I even feel at peace at one point.

Galit ako na ganoon ang iniisip ni Lavender. At lalo akong nagalit nang naisip si Papa. I used the stairs to climb up to his floor. Kahit pa ilang palapag pa iyon mula kay Royce. Maybe it was adrenaline or something but I didn't even feel tire from climbing up.

Sumagi sa isipan ko si Royce at ang nakakadiri niyang sadya sa kasunduang ito pero naalala ko na alam ko na iyon simula pa lang. He's not marrying me for nothing. He married me because he wanted a position my father is offering him if he does! He made it clear the very first time!

It's alright! I married him only to clear my name, too. And the sex? It's good, just a bonus part. I benefited from it so there's nothing wrong with it.

"Uh, Miss Rockwell-"

I opene the damn door on my father's office. Abala siya sa isang tawag nang nakita akong pumasok. He looked away and said goodbye to a business associate before he turned to me.

"Is there a problem, Sky?"

Nahabol ko na ang hininga ko at napayapa na sa sobrang galit. I sighed and even stifled a smile.

"Wala naman po."

Nakatayo na siya kanina pa nang pumasok ako. The lines on the side of his eyes were evident. He sighed and went in front of his desk and leaned on it.

"So why are you here?"

"Are you busy?"

"I was talking to a business associate about something but I put the phone down. It's okay. I know you won't come here for nothing. At kuing trabaho, alam ko ring susunod ka sa protocol at ipapaalam sa sekretarya ko. Since you came here in a rush, that means your question is urgent."

I bit my lower lip and realized that he really is my father.

"Well, it's been two months."

His eyes darkened as he watched me intently.

"Gusto ko lang pong magtanong kung ano ba talaga ang plano mo pagkatapos nito. Ilang buwan ba dapat kaming magsama."

He sighed and licked his lips.

Bago pa siya makapagsalita, nagdagdag pa ako. "Wala nang issue sa akin the past months. Even the wedding died down... I went to a club with Royce and drank alcoholic beverages but I was not in the news. Our marriage has served it's purpose."

Tumango siya.

"Kaya lang, Pa, why did you actually believe that this would work? Since everything is fine now for my tainted name, that means we can now divorce, right? Pero hindi ba bagong eskandalo naman iyon sa akin kapag nangyari?"

"No, sweetheart. I won't let that happen."

"Then what is your plan? Because now, it's impossible that I won't be involved in another scandal if I divorce Royce?" medyo tumaas ang boses ko kaya kinalma ko ang sarili ko.

"Well, I planned to send him abroad to be a regional director of our company."

My lips parted. So that's what he was pining for, huh?

Nanuyo ang lalamunan ko. Hindi ako makapaniwala kahit na alam ko na iyon noon, at narinig ko kay Lavender kanina. Ang marinig ito kay Papa ay mas lalong nagpa totoo sa lahat ng iyon!

"But we will still divorce-"

"I have a solution for that," napapikit siya bago dumilat at nag-angat ng tingin sa akin.

"What is it?"

"The media will forget about it after years of getting used to the both of you not seen on events. When he's abroad, everyone will think that you two are getting by in your long distance relationship. But you will separate and we will hush it down."

"What do you mean we separate? Eh, kung mag didivorce kami, malalaman at malalaman 'yan ng mga detractors mo."

"Don't worry, okay? I got it all under control..."

Nanliit ang mga mata ko. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. Tumayo ng maayos si Papa at unti-unting lumapit sa akin. Nanatili ang pagdududa sa tingin ko sa kanya.

He put his hand on my shoulder, his other hand on my chin.

"I promise you, your name won't be tainted, Sky. Believe in me. I will protect you," he said soothingly.

I swallowed hard after a while.

"So when are we going to divorce, Papa? Ilang buwan ba ang pangako mo kay Royce?"

He sighed. "I said a month or more but not more than a year."

Pumikit ako ng mariin. Tama nga ang narinig ko kay Lavender. Sa sulok ng isipan ko, umasa ako ng kaunti na nagsisinungaling siya. Kaya lang... mukhang alam niya ang lahat.

"Gusto mo na bang itigil 'to?"

I looked at my father furiously.

"Pa, I did not get into this marriage because I love him. Why do you sound like you're expecting that I don't want this to end?!"

"Hindi, Sky. Iniisip ko lang kung kaya mo pa bang magtiis. It's been two months and I'm waiting for Royce to come to me. Nasisiguro akong sisingilin niya kaagad ako sa posisyong ipinangako ko sa kanya. Hindi pa siya lumapit-"

"You're his boss. Hindi iyon lalapit at manghihingi sa'yo, Papa. He'll wait for a promotion."

"No... Royce is assertive to what he really wants. Even if I'm his boss, he always say what he really feels about the business. This is why I have him under my wing. All the others are like sheeps who follow and depend on my decisions. Siya, may sariling iniisip at desisyon. He's good at strategies so..."

I gritted my teeth. Oh cut the crap and praises for your golden boy.

"Iniisip kong baka kaya hindi pa niya hinihingi ang posisyon dahil alam niyang hindi ka pa tuluyang nilulubayan ng media. Maybe he wants it longer to make sure that everything is alright before he leaves."

Umiling ako. Hindi makapaniwala.

"Why? Do you want it over now?"

"Hindi ko po talaga alam anong plano n'yo. I am not even sure if it will really work or it will only destroy me."

"I will open it up to him soon. Titingnan ko kung ano ang tingin niya."

I swallowed hard and nodded.

"I'm sorry," he said breathily.

I nodded again before I stepped back.

"Is he treating you right?" pahabol ni Papa.

"Yes, Pa."

"Okay. Sabihin mo sa akin kung may problema ka sa kanya. At sige, susubukan ko na siyang tanungin kung panahon na ba para maghiwalay kayo."

"I think you really should."

Tumunog ang intercom. Binalikan ni Papa para sagutin. Napatingin siya sa akin habang sumasagot.

"Alright."

Magpapaalam na sana ako pero inunahan ako ni Papa.

"Royce is waiting for you outside."

I sighed and kissed my father. Sinundan niya ako sa labas at natanaw ko nga si Royce sa sofa, pasalampak na nakaupo, kunot ang noo at nagkakasalubong ang kilay habang tinitingnan ang cellphone niya. When we went out, he stood and greeted my father. Nang tumingin siya sa akin, nagtagal iyon.

"Uuwi na kayo?" tanong ni Papa.

"Yes, Sir."

I glanced his phone and saw that it was my social media account before the screen turned blank and he put it inside his pocket. I rolled my eyes. Nagpatiuna na ako sa elevator at impormal na nagpaalam kay Papa. Royce said good bye, too, and followed me to the elevator.