Chapter 5

Hindi kaagad nakapagsalita si Kons sa pagkabigla. He is pretty sure he heard her right. Pero suot pa rin ni Vanessa ang singsing na bigay ni Damien— how ironic is that? Balak ba niyang mamangka sa dalawang ilog? Kons doesn't share.

"What did you have in mind?" It was safe to ask then make a comment that would make him look like a fool. At this rate, time is precious and he doesn't have time for games.

"I was thinking we can get married before the time is up. I am not in a rush to get my inheritance. We are just going to make sure that it doesn't go to charity." Kumunot ang noo ni Kons. "I am still donating— but I am not giving everything. My mother worked hard for it, and she told me it's all for me."

"Point taken. Until then, what?"

"I was thinking we'll just stay as is until then." Vanessa sipped his wine and looked into his eyes. Hindi niya mabasa ang gusto nitong laro.

"So let me get this straight. You're agreeing to marry me but the wedding won't take place until before the year is up. For the meantime, you'll date the fucker and pretend I don't exist?" He's livid. Kons is wondering if Vanessa has lost a screw on her head.

"You said you'll support whatever my decision is. Did you change your mind?"

Kons face fell. She's turning it around on him na para bang kasalanan pa niya kung tumanggi siya sa suggestion nito. "Have you lost your mind? I don't share, Vanessa. You know that. It's either you marry me or your marry that dickhead," malamig na tugon ni Kons sa dating fiancee.

It's the most ridiculous thing he has ever heard. Her mother is dead. His father is in jail and being accused of murdering her. Kons is angry that Vanessa has the time to make jokes like this. It's highly inappropriate and frankly— it's too much.

Their food is served but Kons lost his appetite. And the fucking ring keeps sparkling too which irritated him even more. He should have just asked her what she wanted to say over the phone.

"Break up with him and be with me. We don't have to live together and you can continue living your life without me around. You are free to do whatever you want, but there is one thing I will ask— you are not to see any man for the rest of your life or consider them dead."

After Kons said that, he felt better. He doesn't want to scare her. And it's not like him to give an empty threat either. Nagsimula siyang kumain habang ang babae ay walang kibo.

"Eat before your food gets cold, Vanessa. Deep inside, you know what you want. Follow what your heart tells you." His tone was back to its normal tone.

She cleared her throat. "The last time I followed it, I almost died. What makes you think it's going to be different this time?" Vanessa started eating and avoided his eyes.

"Because I don't make the same mistake twice." Wala siyang narinig na sagot mula sa babae and they ate in silence.

Para na rin niyang inamin na nagkamali siya noon and he doesn't even care. Kung alam lamang nito na ginawa niya 'yon para kay babae. At the time, he firmly believed he was doing the right thing. It was a few years after leaving her in the altar that the truth came out. By the time he went to see her, Vanessa has already moved on without him. Pero ayaw na niyang balikan ang nakaraan. He needs to focus on the present and the future ahead of them.

"I will give you a month to return the ring, Vanessa. Then you can decide when and where we're going to get married. I will make sure I show up."

Umismid si Vanessa. "I won't hold my breath. But sure, in a month I'll return the ring."

Kons thought it was better than Vanessa resisting him. It's a start. After they ate, Vanessa called the lawyer to say she's marrying Konstantin before the year is up. It made the will conditional until then. If they don't go through with it, they will lose everything.

They need to go to the lawyer's office before it closes to seal the deal. Maghihintay daw ito sa kanila. Instead of taking two cars, Konstantin offered to drive for the both of them at hindi naman tumanggi si Vanessa. Pinauwi na nito ang driver at sinabing may maghahatid na sa kaniya pauwi.

"Where's your boyfriend?" They were stuck in traffic so they had time to talk a little bit more.

"He flew home yesterday." That loser left Vanessa on her own? How irresponsible. Mabuti na rin at hindi tinanggap ni Vanessa ang marriage proposal ng lalaking 'yon.

"I see. When do you plan to go home? Sabay na tayo. I'm leaving tonight. Private plane." Kons would like to use that time to get to know each other again. Matagal silang hindi nagkita and if they're in it for the long haul— then it's better to be stuck as friends, than as enemies.

"Sure. I am already packed anyway. I didn't bring much. Just my things and a few stuff from mom. Are you sure you want me on the same flight?"

"Why not?"

"I might murder you." She sounded serious but he knows Vanessa. She can't even hurt a fly.

"Murder me... in bed?"

She chuckled. "Now don't hold your breath, Morozov. It's not going to happen and your dick is just going to fall off from lack of action. I don't get to date around, and you're going to the same thing for me."

"We'll see. You might just be the one to beg me to—"

"Not a chance." Vanessa replied confidently.

Aside from kissing and petting, they never went all the way. Vanessa wanted to do it on their wedding night and he honored it. But he's a changed man— she might just eat her words once they share the same room.