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"So, have you chosen your palette yet? I have some suggestions that would fit you well," ani Yoon habang tumitipa sa laptop nito.

Ito pala ang kinuha ng mga Montecillo bilang Wedding Coordinator ng kasal niya kay Inno. A part of her was relieved dahil close sila at alam nito ang gusto niyo. But another part was unsure dahil... kay Inno. Pero sinabi niya namang okay lang daw kaya't pumayag na siya. Hindi niya na lang pinipilit ang lalaki na sumama sa mga appointments.

"I'm okay with the champagne and lilac color palette," sagot niya sa kaibigan. "Hindi rin naman ako pihikan sa theme, so you can use the simplest you have."

Tumango ito at muling tumipa sa aparato. Then she suddenly sighed.

"Yoon?"

"Okay ka lang ba talaga, Naia?" diretsahang tanong nito. "I mean, you're marrying someone you barely know. And of all people, 'yang si Inosencio pa. Sigurado ka na ba sa desisyon mo?"

"It's Inno. We don't barely know each other," sagot niya. "Bakit?"

"Wala naman pero... It's weird," prangkang saad nito. "You're marrying your ex's brother. Para sa kompanya ng mga pamilya niyo. Buti na lang talaga at hindi ako anak mayaman. At least I can marry someone I truly love."

"And that's... Wes?"

Tumango ito. "He's perfect, Naia. Matangkad, gwapo, masipag... totally my ideal type. Sana talaga ma-meet mo siya. Sayang lang talaga kasi nasa business trip siya. You'd love him."

"I can't wait to meet him too," aniya and gently squeezed her friend's hand. "I'm glad you finally found your perfect guy, Yoon."

"It's the happiest I've been since forever," salysay nito. "When I first saw him, I knew he was the one. Iba kasi talaga yung naramdaman ko."

Napangiti siya. She understands her. Ganon rin kasi siya kay Jarvis when she first saw him. Alam niya agad—ng puso niya, that he was the one. But shit happens at hindi pala talaga sila ang nakalaan para sa isa't isa. He was meant to be with someone who isn't as stupid and cowardly as she was. Someone who deserved a person as amazing as him.

"Naia? Are you okay? You're spacing out again," pukaw sa kanya ng kaibigan.

"Huh? I'm sorry. Iba pa rin talaga epekto ng jet lag sa'kin," pagdadahilan niya. Yoon looked skeptical but just dismissed the idea. "So, aside from the color palettes and theme, wala naman tayong kailangan pang i-discuss, right?"

"Madami pa actually," sagot nito. "And it requires the attendance of your husband to be. Asan na ba 'yung ulupong na 'yon? I specifically told him to be here at eight."

"It's okay, Yoon," ani niya. "Busy si Inno with their company kaya I told him I'd go on my own. He gave me the freedom to choose naman for him—"

"Yoon? Naia?"

Agad na huminto sa pagsasalita si Naia and froze. Damn that baritone voice of his. Hindi na ata patatanggal sa sistema niya ang ga'nong reaksyon kapag naririnig ang tinig nito.

But what the hell is Jarvis doing here?

"Jarvis!" It was Yoon who immediately got out of shock. "What are you doing here?"

"Uh... tinext ako ni kuya to come here," sagot nito sabay upo sa tabi niya. "He said you and Naia needed him pero he's stuck in a meeting. Ako na lang daw muna humarap sainyo... if that's okay with you, Naia."

Hindi siya nakasagot. She just stared at him like the lunatic that she is. Napakunot bigla ang kanyang noo when she saw a faint bruise on his cheek.

"Naia?" pukaw nito sa kanya.

"You have a bruise," wala sa huwisyong sambit niya. Akmang hahawakan niya ang pisngi nito when she suddenly snapped out of her trance. Napatingin siya sa mga kasama. "I... I uh... it's okay, Jarvis."

"Ikaw ang pinadala ni Inno to be his... stand in?" takang tanong ni Yoon. Tumango lang si Jarvis that made the latter scoff. "That asshole. Anyways, since you're his brother, I'm sure you'd know what he likes."

"Pretty much," he said then turned to her and smiled. "So have you chosen the palettes and theme?"

Tumango siya.

Bakit ga'non? Bakit parang wala man lang awkwardness sa parte ni Jarvis? Wala rin siyang maramdamang panghihinayang o kalungkutan sa tinig niya.

Siya na lang ba talaga ang hindi pa maka-move on?

You left. You hurt him. Don't expect him to wait for you after what you've done. And besides, masaya na siya with George. So stop acting like the victim.

"Y-Yeah." Pumiyok siya ng kaunti so she cleared her throat. "Champagne and Lilac. Muted lang since I don't like loud colors."

"Great choice," anito bago ngumiti, "It would certainly look elegant. But you could add some silver or gray at least add a bit hardness. Parehong pastel yung napili mo so it would balance out the colors."

"You're right," segunda ni Yoon. "Mas maganda nga kung dadagdagan natin ng darker shade. Gray isn't that loud pero it can balance out the pastels."

Napatingin siya dito. He was smiling widely while flipping through the pages of the color palette book.

Unti-unting nalulusaw ang sakit na kanina'y nararamdaman niya at bigla iyong pinalita ng kakaibang saya. Seeing Jarvis so engrossed with the wedding and giving out suggestions made it seem like they were planning their own wedding which made her smile genuinely.

"What do you think, Naia?" pukaw nito bigla sa kanya. Agad siyang napatingin dito. "I know it's not a typical wedding theme but I remember you mentioned you loved old movies so a vintage themed wedding would be good."

"You think so?" tanong niya dito sabay tingin sa pahina ng librong laman ang vintage themed weddings. "This does seem like my kind of style. I like it."

"My brother's not that picky when it comes to things like these," he then said. Muli ay naramdaman nanaman niya ang lungkot at kirot sa dibdib.

Oo nga pala. Hindi sila ang ikakasal. She was marrying his brother. Tumutulong lang ito. But she can pretend, right? Pwede niya munang lokohin ang sarili na sa kanya siya ikakasal. Kahit ngayon lang.

"Kilala niyo naman 'yon," dagdag pa nito. "As long as he looks good, wala siyang alma."

"That's true," natatawa niyang sambit na agad sinundan ni Yoon.

"Napaka-vain talaga ng hayup," nakaismid na kwento niyo. "Lalakihan ko TF ko sa kanya. Bwiset yan. Oo may itsura siya pero for sure tulad ng iba eh mabaho din paa ng hinayupak na 'yan."

Hindi nila napigilannpareho ang matawa. As much as Yoon doesn't want to admit it, she has lingering feelings for Inno. Natatakpan lamang iyon ng inis dahil maloko talaga ang lalaki. And from what she found out from her fiancé, the those feelings were mutual. Nakakalungkot lang din dahil taken na ito. And hindi lang 'yon, masaya ito sa taong kapiling ngayon.

Kaya siguro sila ni Inno tinali ng tadhana sa isa't isa. Because they were both in love with someone who they cannot have. Kahit may pag-ibig eh, hindi naman para sa kanila.

"So food tasting will be this weekend," imporma sa kanila ni Yoon. "Baka naman by that time ay hindi na busy si Inno. Pero if hindi pa rin siya makakapunta, I'd love for you to join us, Jarvis. Gusto ko ang creative input mo. Sana all husbands-to-be eh kasing hands-on mo."

"Bakante naman ako this weekend so if Inno's busy, I can come," nakangiting sambit nito. Ayan nanaman yung puso niya. Hindi nanaman papigil. "I'd love to help out."

Nagtama ang kanilang tingin at tulad ng dati'y parang may tambol nanaman sa kanyang dibdib. His deep brown eyes drowned her. Napakalaking self control ang kinailangan niya just to stop herself from lunging into him.

"Ay nakalimutan ko pala tanungin. You'll be Inno's best man, right? Since you're his brother and all." It was Yoon. She was scribbling on her notebook with the word entourage on the top. "And Naia, si Uno ang maid-of-honor mo?"

Sabay silang tumango ni Jarvis. But she snuck a quick glance at him. Best man. Huh. Ang weird talaga ng sitwasyon nila.

"So it's a date then?" nakangising sambit ni Yoon. Agad niya itong pinandilatan.

But Jarvis wasn't even a tad bit affected. Nginitian lang siya nito.

Be still, my heart.

Masyado nanaman siyang umaasa. Masyado nanaman siyang nag-aassume.

He's doing this for his brother, Naia. Not you—

"Hey guys!"

Nagulat siya nang bigla na lamang sumulpot sa may table nila si George.

"I was having a meeting with one of my clients when I saw you," anito in a jolly tone. "So I decided to say hi. Hi!"

Napangiti siya. Usually ay parte ng coping mechanism ng isang babae ang pag-hate sa bagong girlfriend ng ex. But how can you hate someone like George? Napaka-approachable nito at mabait. An exceptional girl for someone exceptional like Jarvis. She suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

"E-Excuse me," she said as she bolted up. Napatingin sa kanya ang tatlo. "I... uhm... Restroom."

Nagmamadaling naglakad siya patungo sa restroom at agad na ikinandado ang sarili sa pinakadulong cubicle.

Eto nanaman siya. Iiyak at kakawawain ang sarili. She needed to just accept it and move forward. Dahil wala na rin naman siyang magagawa.

Get a hold of yourself, Danaia. Para kang tanga. Hold your head up high and stop acting like a child!

Pinalis niya ang mga luha at lumabas mula sa cubicle. It would be rude to George who's been nothing but nice to her kung magiinarte siya nang ganito.

"Well well well. If it isn't Naia Uychengco."

Nangunot ang kanyang noo sabay tingin sa kung sinong tumawag sa kanya.

"Ayra."

Umismid ang babae bago lumapit at naghugas ng kamay sa lavatory.

"Nakabalik ka na pala," nanunuyang sambit nito. "Akala ko habang-buhay ka nang magtatago sa Amerika after that scandal."

Tumaas ang kanyang kilay. "Why would I even hide? And what scandal? As far as I'm concerned, I did not do anything. Pumunta ako ng Amerika para sa Lolo ko."

"Hindi ako tanga, Naia. Alam kong alam mo ang tinutukoy ko," anito and folded her arms. "But it all worked out, right? You got the Summa award tapos ikakasal na kayo ng business partner mo. Iba talaga kapag Uychengco. And thank you, by the way. You fucking ruined my life."

Nangunot muli ang kanyang noo.

"What? I ruined your life?" hindi niya napigilan ang sariling napabulalas. Like something snapped. "You don't even know half of it, Ayra. Dahil sa kagagawan mo, I lost my father's love. Dahil sa kagagawan mo, my grandfather almost died. At dahil sa kagagawan mo, I lost the man I love. Kaya kung nasira man ang buhay mo because of your stupid machinations, you fucking deserved it."

"Bitch!" Bigla siyang inatake ni Ayra and started to pull her hair. Hindi naman siya nagpatalo at gumanti rin dito. Lahat ng inis niya at panghihinayang ay binuhos niya dito.

It was her fault to begin with. Siya ang nasa likod nung confession post na nagsimula ng lahat. Hindi dodoble ang galit ng ama niya sa kanya kung hindi dahil sa post na 'yon. Hindi rin aatakihin sa puso ang kanyang abuelo kung hindi sa post na 'yon. And she wouldn't have made that stupid decision of leaving Jarvis kung hindi dahil sa post na 'yon.

"Naia!"

She didn't stop pulling Ayra's hair even if she heard familiar voices around her. Hindi rin siya nagpapigil kahit pa may biglang pumihit sa kanyang baywang at pilit siyang inilalayo sa babae.

"You bitch!"

"Mas bitch ka!"

"You ruined my life!"

"You deserve it!"

"Naia, stop!" Ani Jarvis na ngayo'y ihinaran na ang katawan sa pagitan nila ng babae. "Stop it!"

Pero hindi niya ito pinakinggan. Sa sobrang inis at galit na naipon sa kanyang dibdib, she had to let it out. Kailangan niya ng outlet and Ayra was the perfect one.

"Damn it!"

Bigla na lamang niyang naramdaman ang biglang pagbuhat sa kanya ng lalaki na animo para siyang isang sakong bigas. They were already making a scene and Ayra was left in that rest room with a bruised cheek and a busted lip. Noon niya lang din naramdaman ang hapdi sa kanyang pisngi.

"What was that for, Naia?" agad na sambit ni Jarvis nang marating nila ang parking area. Sa likod niya ay sina George and Yoon walking towards them. "This is so unlike you!"

Hindi siya umimik. A part of her scolded herself for causing a scene like that but another part was giving herself a pat on the back for a job well done. Dalawang taon niyang tiniis at kinimkim ang lahat ng sama ng loob. And seeing Ayra again—with no remorse whatsoever, triggered the inner war freak in her. That gym membership did do her good.

"Naia, nakikinig ka ba?" pukaw sa kanya ng lalaki. Agad siyang napatingin dito. "Bakit mo ginawa 'yon? Hindi ka naman dati ganyan—"

"Because she deserved it!" bulalas niya na ikinagulat nito. Maging si George at Yoon ay nagkatinginan. "That bitch is the root of all the pain I'm feeling right now. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayon eh hindi ako matingnan ng diretso ni dad. Siya ang dahilan kung bakit muntik na mamatay ang lolo ko. At siya ang dahilan kung bakit—"

Inilayo niya ang tingin dito. She almost said it. Buti na lang ay napigilan niya ang sarili.

"But doesn't mean that what you did back there was okay," pagalit nito sa kanya. "You are an Uychengco, Naia. Dala mo ang pangalan ng pamilya mo. And now, you'll be a Montecillo. Malaki ang magiging epekto 'non sa mga pamilya natin if makalabas 'to sa media—"

"To hell with that!" sigaw niya. She was now crying. "If this is what I get for being an Uychengco, sana hindi na lang ako pinanganak! Do you know how much it fucking hurts?! Dapat naiintindihan mo ako. You, of all people should know how much it hurts. Dahil sa apelyidong 'yan... sa takot ko na gumawa ng eskandalo sa pamilya... I lost everything. I even lost myself."

Nanghihina siya. Tuluyan na talagang nawala sa kanya ang lalaki. He doesn't even care that she's hurting anymore.

"Naia..." Jarvis tried to touch her arm. But she backed away. Masyadong masakit.

"Thank you for reminding me yet again that I have to be perfect," aniya as she took a step back. "Don't worry, Jarvis. If ever this leaks in the media, my company will handle it. Hindi ko rin idadamay ang pamilya niyo. Inno will have his squeaky clean fiancée back."

And with that, tinalikuran niya ito. Wala na. Game over na talaga.

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