Chapter 4: Safe Place 2

"Getting a solid connection with the Mondragons will give SSL an opportunity to finally work with the European market. We've been working on that for ages, Sam. But every effort doesn't seem to prosper. Maybe Charlie's marriage with Theo will do that. We need to enter the European market. In that way, SSL will be more stable when Charlie takes over."

"I know that but... it's marriage, Aaron. I feel like we're selling our child over some business connection."

"Please dont put it that way. I feel awful when you say that word sell. Hindi naman natin ibebenta si Charlie. We are just giving her and Theo a slight push. Besides, mukhang gusto naman ng mga bata ang isa't-isa. They even went out with just the two of them tonight for the first time. If that isn't a sign that they like each other then I don't know what is."

"What if Charlie will not agree with the plan?"

"Oh, she will. She's a good girl. Trust me, she will."

Charlie balled her fist as she recalled the conversation she overheard just an hour ago. At kahit na nasa labas na siya ng bahay nila at nasa park na malapit sa subdivision nila, hindi pa rin mawala ang kaba at hinanakit na naramdaman niya nang marinig ang plano sa kanya ng mga magulang.

How could her father think that she'd really be okay with an arranged marriage?

Sure she has seen this coming for a long time now but... she can't help but feel hurt! Hindi niya akalain na talagang tototohanin ng mga ito ang tungkol sa kanila ni Theo. They were manipulating her-- her life! And what did her fatjer mean when he said that she's a good girl? That she'd just agree into anything they tell her because she's always a good girl?

Tumungga siya ng alak sa hawak na beer-in-can. She stole around four of those in their fridge before she escpaed from their house and headed there. Madalas niyang gawin iyon tuwing gusto niyang mapag-isa o 'di kaya ay mag-isip. And she discovered the place when she was recovering from Gael's rejection.

She took in a sharp breath after and tried to take in the beauty of the night surrounding her. The park is overlooking the city. She can clearly see the flickering lights from afar, like a blanket of stars embracing the city. It's a beautiful sight to behold. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon siguro, baka muli siyang namangha sa tanawing nasa kanyang harapan. But she's too hurt and confused, all she can think of is the dreadful situation she's in.

Mabilis niyang inubos ang laman ng beer-in-can na hawak niya at muling nagbukas ng panibago, muling bumuntong-hininga.

All her life, she had always lived to the expectation of people. She had always known her place in soceity. She is the firstborn of Aaron Sandejas and the future leader of SSL. Therefore she carry the resposibility that comes with her name and position. And she's willing to do everything she can just to continue the legacy of their family. That's why people, like her Dad, thinks she always know the smartest thing to do in all situations. A good girl, like how he'd put it.

But what kind of good girl gives up love for the sake of business? Were they expecting her to be that kind of a good girl-- a toy, one who does whatever they pleases? Were they?

Lalong nanikip ang dibdib niya. How could they do that to her? How could they put her in that tough situation?

How can she fool her heart to love Theo when she cannot even look at him straight in the face now for he seemed to be a total stranger from the man she thought she knew?

She downed another can of beer and opened another one.

Kung siguro kinausap siya ng Daddy niya noong nakaraang linggo tungkol doon, she would have said yes to that stupid engagement plan. Because last week, she thought she liked Theo. But right now... there's Gael and...

Nanikip ang dibdib niya nang maaala si Gael-- the only man she had ever loved.

She looked up at the night sky and tried to look for any signs of a shooting star. Gusto niya kasing humiling. Gusto niyang humiling na sana, kahit gaano kaimposible, sila pa rin ni Gael sa huli. Na magawa rin siya nitong mahalin gaya ng pagmamahal niya rito. Na sana, dumating ang panahon na umayon din ang tadhana sa kanya-- sa kanilang dalawa ng mahal niya.

Sana. Pero...

Tuluyan na siyang napaluha. Ngayon palang kasi, alam na niya, malabo nang mangyari ang mga gusto niya. She knew life has always been unfair with her.

People thought that she had everything she needed because of her social status. But the only imporant thing she wanted is the very thing she cannot have. And that is Gael's love.

Lalong nanikip ang dibdib nya. Oh how pitiful she was.

Muli niyang tinungga ang laman ng huling beer-in-can na dala niya. Nang maubos niya iyon, nakaramdam na siya ng hilo.

Oh crap! In that state, how can she go home the same way she left-- unnoticed.

Napahiga na siya sa damuhan at sinubukang magpakalma ng hilo. Maya-maya pa, inabot niya ang cellphone niya. She dialled the number of the person that is both her curse and salvation-- Gael.

"Charlie?" He answered the call after just two rings.

"G-Gael, I think I'm drunk. I-I need your help to go home."

"Lumabas ka ulit? How did you.." He huffed, cutting his own words. "Nasa'n ka?"

She foolishy smiled when she heard the urgency in his voice. Hindi na siya nag-aksaya pa ng oras at sinabi dito kung nasaan siya.

"I'll be there in a few minutes. Don't hang up the phone," sabi pa nito.

"Okay," sabi niya bago muling itinutok ang tingin sa sa langit.

Minutes passed by quickly. Napapapikit na siya nang muling magsalita si Gael sa kabilang linya.

"Malapit na 'ko, Charlie. Don't fall asleep," sabi nito.

She can't help but giggle. "I won't."

Ilang sandali pa, nakarinig na siya ng mga yabag na papalapit sa puwesto niya. That's when she tried to push herself to sit. Ilang sandali pa, she felt Gael's familiar arms helping her to stand up. He circled his arm around her waist when her knees wobbled.

"Are you okay?" nag-aalalang tanong nito.

"I'm dizzy," pag-amin niya.

He shot a glance at the beer cans around them. "Naglasing ka at lumabas pa nang walang kasama. That's breaching two of your security protocols at one time, Charlize!" he declared in a dangerous tone.

Subalit imbes na matakot, lalo pa siyang napangiti. The care he's showing for her is wonderful and painful at the same time. "But you're here now, Gael. You have always been my safe place.

I'm safe with your, right? "

He just huffed and slowly shook his head. "C'mon, let me take you home."

Home.

"But I don't want to go home, Gael. Because when I do, they'd make do what I don't want to do and I won't be able to say no," pagdadahilan niya, sinubukang idilat ang mga mata na patuloy sa pagbigat.

"Why, what would they want you to do?" salubong ang kilay na tanong nito,

She held Gael's gaze and her heart hurt some more. Hindi na niya napigilan ang muling lumuha. "W-why can't I just marry you instead of Theo? I don't love him but they want me to m-marry him. W-why can't you love me, Gael? Why can't it b-be us?" aniya sa garalgal na tinig.

Gael remained silent while looking at her intently. His hands holding her still.

Tuluyan na siyang yumakap dito at humagulgol. Hindi ito nagreklamo o anuman. He just held her as cried... like the way he used to.

Makalipas ang ilang sandali, humiling siya. "P-please, don't take me home. Take me to your place, Gael. Let me sleep there. P-please, just for tonight."

She felt Gael stiffened for a while but she didn't need to ask twice. Gael gently scooped her in his arms before he walked over to his awaiting car. She smiled and leaned her head on his chest.

That's the last thing she did before she finally slept.