Chapter 3

"Make yourself elegant in any possible way later, we will going to meet Mr. Weinstein and his son to close the deal." My father said over the phone. He called me in the middle of my working hours to told me that. Two days have passed after the news about me, getting married. I think this really is happening, huh? 

"Yes, dad. Ano po ba ang oras para maka uwi ako ng maaga mamaya?" I still manage to ask that question. I need to be ready for this because I should not disappoint them in any way. 

"We'll come by exactly 7:00 in the evening, so make sure you already dressed up by that." He answered. I nod my head even though he can't see me. 

"Okay, noted." I replied and he hung up the call without further ado, bumuntong hininga nalang ako dahil sanay na naman ako sa ganoong trato. I looked at my wrist watch to see what time is it now and it's already 3:30 pm. I think I will just finished half of these papers then I'll leave at 4:00 o'clock. 

I continue to work with the paperwork in my table until it is already 4:00 o'clock. Inayos ko na ang mga gamit ko sa lamesa bago ako lumabas. Kinausap ko pa muna ang aking sekretarya na maaga akong aalis bago ako tuluyang lumisan. 

When I arrive in our mansion, I quickly go to my room to pick a dress I should wear later. And while I'm trying to decide what I should wear, a naughty thought come to my mind. 

"What if I wear a jeans and a shirt later, like a typical clothes, maybe the son of Mr. Weinstein will be disgusted at me and call off the deal, and in that way, the marriage will be cancel?" I talked to myself but laugh afterwards. Who am I kidding? Itatakwil ako ng pamilyang ito kung mangyayari ang tagpong iyon. I started to pick a dress again. 

And after almost an hour, I have picked a one simple and decent dress that I should wear for the dinner later. After that, I decided to take a shower and washed myself before doing my routine for my dressed up. 

I don't have any accomplices when I'm dressing myself up, you see. Bukod sa sinabi nila na dapat ay matuto akong mag ayos sa sarili ko dahil nga 'im not a princess' ay pabor din naman sa akin iyon. I'd rather fixed my self alone, in that way, I can do what I want to my face, well not everything though, I still need to follow their expectations and wants. 

With my bathrobe hugged in my body, I sat on my vanity mirror to start my rituals in my face, I put on first the liquid foundation in my face then so on and so ford. I decided to put slight make up, para di naman masyadong over acting dahil dinner lang naman iyon, and to perfected my make up, I put on a red orange tint to my lips to make it look natural red, well, my lips is already red, one bite on it and it looks like I have a tint already, but yeah, I still need to apply lips product to perfected my face. 

When I am already contented in my face, I started to fix my hair. Ang buhok ko ay mahaba at natural ang kulot nito sa dulo kaya di ko na kinailangan pa ng curler, I just want it simple so I let it down in my back, I just spray a hair polish to make it tact. Then after that I proceed to my dress. 

I choose a simple yet looking so elegant baby pink cocktail dress. Strap less ang damit at hapit sa katawan ko dahilan para lalong madepina ang hubog ng aking katawan. The dress fit perfectly on my body, and it fits more to my porcelain skin. Then, I partnered it with my silver stilleto. I then wear a silver necklace to look more sophisticated. 

Pagtapos ko magbihis ay tinignan ko ang aking kabuuan sa harap ng aking whole body mirror. I look like a lost barbie in a movie! Umikot-ikot pa ako sa harap ng salamin dahil sa mangha sa sarili. Then I looked at my phone when I heard it beep. One text message arrived and it is from my brother. 

Kuya Ry:

Let's go, little princess. 

That's what the text contain. Kuya really loves to call me princess which can make my heart warm, but immediately disappeared, realizing I was really not. I didn't bother to text back, instead I pick my chosen silver pouch and put my phone inside then I exited my room. 

Pagbaba ko ay naabutan ko si kuya Ry na nag aabang saakin sa bukana ng hagdanan, he then, slow clapped when he saw me approaching. 

" My sister is a goddess, indeed." Kuya Ry's compliment at me.

"I know right, no need to say it out loud." Pakikisabay ko kanyang sinabi. Tinawanan nya lang ako at inaya nya na tumungo sa labas kung saan nag aantay ang aming sasakyan patungo sa dinner na sadya namin. I tried to find our parents but I didn't saw any shadow of them here, and I think my brother notice that. 

"They're already leave, hihintayin nalang daw nila tayo doon." He spoke. 

"Oh, right." I uttered. 

"So, Let's go?" He asked and offered his hand at me. I nod and accepted his hand to accommodate me inside the car. When we settled inside he started to drove off the car away. 

Habang nasa loob ng sasakyan ay hindi ko maiwasan na makaramdam ng kaba. Makikita ko na ang lalaking ipapakasal sakin, may bahagi sa akin na ayaw ko pa syang makita ngunit may bahagi din na gusto na. I release a deep breath when the car stop in front of a luxurious restaurant. 

"You ready?" Kuya Ry asked me, I saw I bit of concerned in his eyes when he said that. We remain inside the car for a minute before I nod at him. 

"Yes, I...I am." I replied. I need to calm down. Kailangan ko maging presentable sa harap ng mga kasama namin sa dinner. 

Rinig ko ang bigat sa buntong hininga ni kuya ng ginawa nya ito. Tutol sya sa gagawin namin pero wala naman kaming choice. I nod at him then, he left the car and opened the door for me. 

And for the nth time, I release a heavy breath. I'm nervous but I won't let them see that, I'm good at making people believe at my actions. 

Binigay ni kuya ang susi ng kanyang sasakyan sa ballet na nandoon bago kami tumulak papasok sa loob. Sinalubong kami ng isang babaeng naka uniporme at inilahad sa amin ang lamesa kung nasaan ko nakita ang aking mga magulang kasama ang dalawang tao na hindi pamilyar sa akin. 

Nang makalapit kami sa lamesa ay natuon ang atensyon nilang lahat sa pagdating namin. 

"Oh, my daughter is here." Father announced the obvious and come to my direction and kissed both of my cheeks, then suddenly whispered. 

"Huwag mo akong ipapahiya." Madiin ang pagkakasabi nya sa mga katagang iyon. Then he do the same to my brother who look have a stoic face beside me. My mother took the chance to welcome us too. 

Then the man who looked so old with it's all white hair stand up and offered his hands at me. I can feel my hands sweating, gosh! 

"It's my pleasure to meet you, hija." He said. I accepted his hand and smiled at him. I bet this is Mr. Weinstein. 

"Pleasure is mine, Mr. Weinstein." I replied. He let go of my hand. 

"Come, seat." He then said. Liningon ko muna si kuya bago ako naupo sa upuan na inihanda para saakin at ganoon din ang ginawa ni kuya Ry. 

And I almost choke in my own saliva when I glance at the man infront of me who is looking dangerous directly in my eyes. He looked so expensive in his looks and he looked so big in that chair where he was. 

Kitang kita ko ang ganda ng hubog ng kanyang mukha, with his sharp jaw, pointed nose, thin natural red lips, thick eyebrows and his dark eyes, I can say this man is really dangerous for me. The way he stare, parang pinapasok nya ang kaloob looban ng aking utak at nababasa nya kung anong laman nito. 

Sa totoo lang nag research na ako tungkol sa kanya. Kilala sya sa larangan ng negosyo dahil nga siya ang hahalili sa kanyang Ama, at mas lalong kilala sya sa pagiging malapit nito sa mga babae, hindi mo din naman maipagkakaila ang bagay na iyon, base sa kanyang postura, hindi na kaduda-duda ang bagay na iyon. 

I glance at him again at naabutan ko ang mariing titig nya sa akin, hindi ko alam kung bakit sa tuwing titingin ako kanyang madilim na mga mata ay para akong nahihipnotismo nito, at hindi ko din mapigilan ang kakaibang tibok ng aking puso.