Chapter 007

The day of the meeting arrived. Hindi na nag-abala pang mag research si Zahara tungkol sa pamilyang ipinagkasundo sa kanya.

Her Dad gave her infos about them. Wala namang espesyal o nakakapanabik sa kanila.

The son of Hector’s friend died recently. At nalulong naman sa labis na sugal ang asawa nito na lalong nagpahirap sa kanilang pinansyal na kalagayan. The husband was thriving to make their company stay intact. Pero dahil na rin siguro sa stress ay hindi na nito kinaya at pumanaw na lamang.

Nang makarating sa hotel ay dumiretso na siya sa restaurant kung saan siya makikipag kita. She was at the door when she scanned the area. Looking for them.

“I see them my lady.” Sevi announced, pointing somewhere. Sinundan niya ito ng tingin.

Pakiramdam ni Zahara ay binuhusan siya ng malamig na tubig sa nakita. Oo naisip niya ang mga posibilidad na ang tinutukoy na pamilya ng kanyang ama. But she didn’t think much, she didn’t do her research. Because she knows how successful they are.

“My lady, isn’t that the man we saw at the orphanage?” Sevi asked.

Masyadong malayo ang pwesto nila kaya hindi agad sila nakita.

Nanatili si Zahara sa kanyang kinatatayuan. Sevi was waiting for her to say or do something. Hindi siya tanga para hindi mapagtanto kung sino ang lalaking ito. Definitely someone important from her past.

Zahara’s eyes stayed at them. Pinapanood ang kanilang bawat kilos. She felt Sevi’s hand on her shoulder.

“We can still leave my lady. Lord Hector won’t mind if you back out. He will understand once you explain everything to him.”

Napalunok siya. She already agreed. Nakapagbitaw na siya ng pangako. Her Father will lose face. Not only to them but to other people too.

“Let’s go. Harapin na natin sila. The sooner we meet them, the sooner we can finish off this deal,” hahakbang na sana siya nang lingunin niyang muli si Sevi. “Will you stay on the same table with us?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Thank you.”

The two made their way towards their table.

When they arrived, Sevi cleared his throat. The three people turned their heads. And as soon as they saw Zahara, shock was clearly evident from their faces with their mouths wide open.

“Hi, I’m Zahara Coreen Romano. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Isang pekeng ngiti ang pinakawalan niya.

“Z-Zee..” 

Nagpintig ang kanyang pandinig. It’s been years since she heard his voice, since he called her that. It was strange and familiar at the same time.

Naiilang man ay pinilit niyang salubungin ang tingin ni Arkhon. He looked shock, mortified and desperate.

“It’s nice seeing you again, Arkhon.” 

Muntik pa siyang pumiyok dahil sa paninikip ng kanyang paghinga.

Arkhon’s eyes went on the man on her side.

“H-How..I thought you were dead..” his voice was trembling.

“I almost did,” her eyes went to his Mother and to his sister who’s as shock as him. “Should we take our seat first? No catch ups needed, we are mainly here to discuss your deal with my Dad.”

They all sat and settled on their seats. Hindi nawala ang titig ni Arkhon sa kaniya. She felt uncomfortable but she didn’t show it on her face. Sevi ordered her a fruit shake to calm her down and little bit.

“Is this a joke?”

Corazon, Arkhon’s mother blurted out. Tila di makapaniwala sa sitwasyon.

“How can a poor orphan girl be a part of the richest family in europe? Are you their maid? Ayaw ba ng anak ni Hector makipag kasundo—”

“Does my lady look like a maid to you?” putol ni Sevi sa kanya.

Zahara took a sharp breath. Tinapik nito ang kamay ni Sevi, signaling him to stop.

“Sorry but I’m no longer an orphan. Do I really have to prove my worth to you? First of all, it was your family who approached my Dad first. Kayo ang may kailangan ng tulong.”

Nakita niya ang labis na kahihiyan sa mukha ni Corazon.

“I don’t need to prove myself to any of you. Sino ba kayo sa akala niyo? Baka nakakalimutan niyo, you’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”

Napansin ni Zahara na sa kanya pa rin nakapako ang mga mata ni Arkhon. She glanced at him. Napayukom ang kanyang kamao dahil sa sobrang pagkairita sa dating nobyo.

“What?”

“This feels like a dream.”

“Arkhon!” His mother snapped at him. “Don’t tell me we will push through this wedding? Nahihibang ka na ba? This woman—”

“No foul words against my lady.” Putol muli ni Sevi sa ginang. “Any negative words against us. Your heads will be the payment.”

She looked horrified. Alam nila ang estado ng mga Romano sa europa. They rich, influential and powerful. Pero nagpatuloy pa rin si Corazon sa pagsasalita.

“Didn’t Hector tell us that she already have a kid? Ano ito? Papatol ka sa may anak?” Tinapunan pa nito ng masamang tingin si Zahara.

Zahara laughed. 

“Y-You have a kid?” Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Arkhon sa kanya.

“So?”

“Mom, we can’t decline this. Mahihirapan tayo,” Ariane said, ang nakababatang kapatid ni Arkhon.

“Kuya said we won’t make it until the end of the year. That he will force us to work to help with him. Saakin ayos lang, pero ikaw? Cam you work?”

“Why would I? Your Dad never let me lift a finger when he was alive. Bakit ako magtatrabaho?”

Hindi na nakatiis si Zahara at kinatok ang lamesa sa harapan para kunin ang kanilang atensyon.

“Hey, I’ll give you guys few more days to think about this. Pakibilisan lang dahil marami pa akong gagawin. I’m a busy person.” She stood up.

“Wait Zee, can we still talk?”

“Arkhon!” His Mom tried to stop him.

Tinapunan ni Arkhon ng masamang tingin ang ina. Napairap na lamang ang ginang.

“Of course.” 

Kinuha niya ang kanyang wallet. She took a calling card and gave it to him. It was Sevi’s.

“You can contact him if you want to schedule a meeting with me.”

“Can’t I just have your number?”

“Hindi ko pa kabisado ang number ko.” 

Nakita niya ang bahagyang pag ngiwi ni Sevi. Pasimple niya itong siniko.

“We need to leave my lady. We still have some appointments and errands to do.”

Hindi na siya nag-abalang magpaalam pa at agad na umalis. She even heard Arkhon and his family arguing as she left. Hindi niya maiwasang mapangiti. 

They are now far from the family she once knew. Malayong malayo sa sopistikado at eleganteng La Palma na naaalala niya. Now they look stressed and tired. Halata sa kanilang mga mukha ang matinding pagbabagong nararanasan nila.

Is it karma? ‘I guess so.’

“What should we do now my lady?” Sevi asked as he drive.

Pauwi na sila ngayon sa bahay na kanilang tinutuluyan.

“I’ll talk to Dad. And do me a favor, investigate everything about them.”

“As you wish.”