Kabanata 3

Fiancee

Natigilan ako nang nakitang sa front seat ang binuksan ni Royce na pintuan para sa akin. I thought we're going with a driver since it's a formal date. Napatingin tuloy ako kay Mama na nasa hagdanan at nakatunghay sa pag-alis naming dalawa. Papa is still in a meeting so only Mama is sending me off tonight.

"I drive my own car. Even on dates," malamig na sambit ni Royce nang napansin siguro ang pagkakatigil ko.

I sighed heavily and slowly slid myself inside his black, and very tinted car. Muntik ko nang makalimutan na hindi nga naman siya gaya ko, laking driver. Marunong man magdrive, mas madalas pa rin akong may driver at bodyguard.

Now that I think about his status, I wonder where we'll live after our wedding? Sa bahay ba? Probably... I don't think my father will let me live somewhere else. Maaaring pinaparusahan niya ako ngayon sa pagpapakasal sa akin sa lalaking ito pero ang kaisipang bumukod ako ay wala sa bokabolaryo ng ama. We have lots of properties and after graduating, I told him I want to live alone in a condo, he didn't agree. Ngayon pa kaya? Maybe Royce will live in our mansion?

Sumulyap ako sa kanya, seryosong nagda-drive. Tahimik kaming dalawa at wala siyang music na pinapatugtog. I think about some party music, EDM, and chill, but I don't think he's the type. Or maybe it is? Kasi saan nga ba kami nagkita sa gabing iyon kundi'y sa isang club.

"Don't you have music or something?"

Gumilid ang tingin niya pero agad ding binalik sa kalsada.

"Feel free to connect your playlist."

I took my phone out on my purse and started scrolling. Magtatanong sana ako kung ano ang gusto niyang music pero dahil wala naman akong pakialam sa isasagot niya, pumili na lang ako ng gusto ko at pinatugtog iyon. It's a chill music I usually hear in music festivals.

He tilted his head a bit as he watched the screen of his car flashing the song I'm playing. Bahagyang bumilis ang patakbo niya kaya nilingon ko siya. Bahagya kong hininaan ang music dahil napansin ko rin ang simangot niya.

"What's wrong? Don't like my music?"

Sumulyap siya sa akin nang tumigil ang sasakyan dahil sa isang traffic light.

"Iyan ba ang pinapakinggan mo kapag nagpa-party at nag-iinuman kasama ang mga kaibigan mo?" It wasn't just a question. I felt the insult etched around his tione.

"It's not too loud, and it's not too slow. Why do you sound annoyed with it?"

"I was just asking a question."

"Why don't you put on a music you like then? Hindi iyong hahayaan mo lang tayong tahimik na bumabiyahe, it's boring and awkward."

Tuluyan na siyang tumingin sa akin. Looking annoyed, he didn't say a word. Pinaandar niyang muli ang sasakyan nang nag green light na.

Umirap ako. "You won't because for sure you like old songs. That will suit you better," bulong-bulong ko pero sinigurado kong naririnig niya iyon.

Hindi pa rin siya nagsalita.

"You should like this, too. This is played in clubs and it seems like you're a frequent customer of some."

Medyo hindi ko napigilan ang sarili ko roon, ah. Hindi pa naman ako sigurado kung kaya ko nang pag-usapan ang tungkol sa gabing iyon. He glanced at me before he sighed and concentrated again on his driving.

"I go there when I'm bored. I don't particularly go for music so..."

I rolled my eyes. I was about to tell him that he comes there for the girls but I stopped. Niliko niya na ang sasakyan niya sa malapit na malaking hotel. Iyon ang napili ko. It is near our house and it is not owned by our company. We have stocks in here but then that's all there is to it. Royce agreed with my choice because it is in a central area, that means it will be a bit crowded than other hotels.

At dahil kailangan nga kaming makita, hindi na kami nagpabook ng private room. Sa malayong lamesa lang para pribado pa rin at hindi masyadong halata na sinadya namin iyon.

I looked at my phone and realized how annoying it is to see that I only have a few contacts on this new one. Bukod sa pamilya ay kay Royce lang ako may koneksiyon, parte ng gustong mangyari ni Papa.

Royce opened my door. The valet is waiting behind him. Ilang sandali kong tiningnan ang kamay niyang nakalahad. I almost smirked at how we both hate each other and yet, we have to do this. Nilagay ko ang kamay ko sa kamay niya bago tuluyan nang lumabas sa sasakyan.

Gaya ng suot niya kaninang umaga, naka coat pa rin siya ngayon. With a white button down top and a black slacks. Although it looked like what he wore earlier this morning, I've got a feeling those are fresh clothes. At sa amoy niyang bagong ligo na nahaluan ng mamahaling perfume, alam ko ring umuwi siya galing sa trabaho bago tumulak dito.

Umuwi siya? Saan siya umuwi? May bahay siya?

He's poor but he's got the money now. He probably had it some five years or so? If my father trusted him so much, he must work in a minimum of five years under his wing so I'm sure he has accumulated some... fortune... in those years.

Parehong diretso ang tingin naming dalawa habang naglalakad sa restaurant. Marami agad ang halos mabali ang leeg katitingin sa amin. Pati siguro ang hindi naman talaga nakakapamilyar ay medyo naagaw ang pansin. Nauna siya sa paglalakad pero hawak niya ang kamay ko at nakasunod ako sa kanya. He's tall and he looked commanding so anyone would be intrigued by his presence.

"This way Mr. Solarez," giya ng sumalubong na butler.

He uttered a cold "Thank you."

He did the usual formal courtesy with me even though I'm sure he would gladly leave me be. Plastik ko namang tinanggap ang pagiging gentleman niya kahit pa gusto kong barahin ng masasamang salita sa kalagitnaan ng mga niceties.

"Please give her some sparkling juice, instead..." ani Royce nang nakitang naglabas ng wine ang butler.

Napawi ang plastik kong ngiti. Lalo na nang nagkatinginan kami at nakita ko sa mga mata niya ang ibig niyang sabihin. He thinks I'm really an alcoholic and a drug addict. And then he's the savior who will rehabilitate me from all of my addiction... to sober me up!

"Right away, Sir!"

Naglabas ng panibagong bote ang butler at dumating naman agad ang unang course ng aming order. Tinatanaw ko ang paglalapag ng mga pagkain, nakasimangot na at gusto nang magsalita. Lalo pa tuwing nakikita ko na sa akin ang tingin ni Royce. He knows he just insulted me again, and for sure, he also knows what's coming. When all of these people will leave.

Nagpaalam ang butler para sa aming privacy. Tatayo siya hindi kalayuan at tatanawin kami paminsan-minsan para sa sunod na kurso ng aming pagkain. Hinintay kong tuluyan na siyang makaalis bago nagsalita. I caught Royce sipping on his glass when I started.

"You asshole. You really think I am alcoholic?" pabulong kong sinabi, nahalo na sa classical music doon.

Nilapag niya ang baso at nagpunas sa bibig.

"Wala ba tayong ibang topic? We will eat good food, we should stay away from the curses."

"You started it with your insult."

"I just want you sober for tonight."

"I will be sober with a glass of wine. It will take more than that to get me drunk."

He laughed mockingly. "And you're proud of that? Puwede mo ba talagang ipagmayabang ang alcohol tolerance mo? You think I will be impressed?"

My eyes narrowed. "And you think that I want to impress you?"

Tumitig lang siya sa akin.

"My point is, I can drink wine when I want to. I am not addicted to it so you should stop acting like you're my rehab."

"You're ruining our date just for a glass of wine? Really?" He shook his head with dismay and looked at the butler.

Mabilis iyong lumapit sa amin. Hindi ako nakapagsalita. Napakurapkurap na lang ako nang ilang sandali ay nagsasalin na ng wine sa isa pang baso ang butler.

Hindi alam bakit lalong nagpupuyos sa ginawa niya, nanahimik na lang ako at tiningnan na ang pagkain.

"Happy now, my fiancee?" he asked mockingly when we were left alone.

Asshole!

I smiled at him to equal his theatrics. "Thank you. This is why I love you so much."

Siya naman ang hindi makangiti ngayon habang tinatanaw ako. We ate silently. Pakiramdam ko sino mang magsalita sa aming dalawa ay laging nakakapagtrigger ng giyera.

I have no problem fighting him but I can't do it in a public place. Lalo na at alam ko ang plano ni Papa, lalo lang siyang magagalit sa akin kapag pati ito'y pinalpak ko pa.

"So... umuwi ka sa bahay mo bago mo ako sinundo?"

I'm trying to have a better conversation with him. Mamaya may nanonood na paparazzi at sasabihing hindi naman kami nag-usap sa buong dinner namin. Baka mapatunayan pa kung gaano ka peke ito.

"I have a condo. And yes, umuwi muna ako bago kita sinundo."

I raised my brows and looked at my food again. He ended our conversation with an answer. Wala nang tanong naman galing sa kanya at para sa akin.

"You know? I'm trying to make all of these easy for us. Maybe it will be easier if you do your own share, too."

Kumunot ang noo niya. "What do you mean?"

"I asked a question, you answered. It's your turn to ask a question. Hindi puwedeng nakatunganga lang tayo rito sa isa't-isa hanggang sa maubos natin ang apat na courses."

He sighed. "We can just let the conversation unfold naturally. I am waiting for more of your questions since it sounded as if you were curious about my daily activities."

Ako naman ang nagkunot ng noo.

"Yes, I went to my condo to dress up for our date. Hindi iyon malayo rito kaya mabilis lang ako. How about you? Were you in your house the whole time today?"

I smiled fakely at him. He smirked because he knew.

"Of course, like a good girl."

He shook his head and sipped on his glass.

"So you will leave your condo unit to be with us after our wedding?"

Kumunot kaagad ang noo niya habang tinititigan ako. Ilang saglit siyang nag-isip. "Bakit mo naman naisip 'yan?"

Nagulat ako. "Bakit? Hindi ba?"

"No. You are going to live with me."

"My father won't agree with that," medyo tumaas ang boses ko.

"It was your father's idea."

My jaw dropped a bit.

"Pagkatapos ng kasal natin, we will have our honeymoon. While we're away, your things will be sent in my condo-"

"I don't want to live in your disgusting condo unit!"

"It isn't a big as your mansion but it will be enough for us," medyo galit niyang sinabi.

"Hindi iyan ang inaalala ko. Really? Papatulugin mo ako sa kama mo? Kung saan mo ikinakama ang mga ka one night stand mo?"

"You are free to sleep on the other room if you want. And based on your experience, obviously I book a room. I don't bring temporary people in my place."

Uminit ang pisngi ko. Hindi ko alam kung paano napadpad ang usapan namin sa gabi na namang iyon!

"Happy now? Can we ask for the next course or do you want us to talk more?"

I glared at him. Nakuha ang pagsuko ko, tinawag niya na ang butler at hinayaan na mai-serve ang sumunod na pagkain. Tahimik na akong kumain sa ngayon, natuto nang wala talagang kuwenta ang pakikipag-usap sa kanya.

"About that, we have a lot of things to talk about. Maybe these dates of ours will serve as our meetings, so we can talk about our relationships."

I looked at him, annoyed. Ngumisi siya, mukhang natutuwa na iritado ako sa kanya.

"Like what your father wants, you're forbidden to be with your friends right now. At gusto ko, pagkatapos ng kasal natin, ganoon pa rin."

"So you want a wife with no friends."

"I've got no problem with you having friends. It's just that, most of your trusted friends are obviously bad influences. Hindi ba ginawa ng Papa mo ito para mapalayo ka sa ganoong buhay? Hmm. Maybe I can reword that better. You can have your friends but they will come over our condo. No parties. At kung gusto mo ng parties, puwede, pero isasama mo ako. Sa lahat ng lakad mo."

"Like an obsessed and possessive husband?" I fired at him.

"You can say that. But I know you know that I'm just being an efficient employee of your father."

I gritted my teeth as I looked at him.

"Don't worry. All of my projects and proposals were successful. I'm pretty sure cleaning your name will be a success, too. And hopefully, when the time comes, you will realize the help I gave you. Then, we can separate ways peacefully." He smiled.

This disgusting shark hotelier. I can't believe my father trusts him so bad. Should I tell Papa the truth? That his golden boy isn't as golden as he think he is? And to prove that, do I tell him about that night, too? Pumikit ako ng mariin at naisip na baka pa mas lalo lang akong ipakasal ni Papa sa lalaking ito kapag nalaman niya iyon! That old man is very primitive when it comes to me. Even when in my mom's stories, they were also as liberated!

The next course was served. Pareho na kaming tahimik ngayon, pero mas tahimik nga lang ako. Ang buong atensiyon ko ay nasa pagkain lang samantalang panay ang titig ni Royce sa akin.

"You'll stay in my condo and every weekend, we can go to places, if you want. So you won't get too bored."

My eyes darted at him. "On weekdays, I will work in the company."

Ilang sandali kaming nagtitigan bago siya nagsalita. "But you haven't worked a day in your life. You can just-"

"I will work! I will be so bored to death at home, waiting for you... and what? Watching cooking videos? Learning how to cook? Learning how to massage you after a hard day's work? No, thank you!"

He chuckled, this time, he really finds it funny. "Well, that's not what I imagine but... not bad. Hindi nga naman ako makakatanggi kung ipagluto mo ako at mamasahiin pa. Baka mawala ang pagod ko."

Uminit ang pisngi ko. "I will work and not be your fucking housemaid!"

"Of course, you won't. We will have someone to do that at home. I just thought you'd like to stay home and rest since you've been a jetsetter the past months."

My eyes narrowed. "So inaamin mo na talaga ngayon? Na kilala mo ako bago ang gabing iyon?"

His face darkened. "Tama ka at kilala naman talaga kita. Who would miss the Rockwell princess. You are the daughter of my boss, Miss Rockwell. I know you as Schuyler Rockwell. I knew, too, that you were beautiful and a party girl."

"Sinasabi ko na nga ba..." I said seething with new anger.

"But don't be mistaken... Kilala kita sa pangalan pero sa mukha, hindi. I'm not the type to obsess on someone's picture until I memorize the face. I have other more important things to do."

Nagpupuyos na ako sa galit habang tinitingnan siya. Kahit na galit ako'y naniniwala ako kahit paano. Tama nga naman siya. Do I expect every employee of our companies to know me? No! Lalo na dahil kailanman, hindi pa ako nakakapunta sa mga bagong opisina dahil kailanman hindi ko naisip na magtrabaho noon!

What are the fucking odds that the night I decided to give up my virginity, he'll find me? Sa dami ng lalaki at sa dami ng club, nahanap ko pa talaga siya at sa kanya lang din talaga pumatol?!