CHAPTER 1

My grandfather is totally rich and he wants me to marry and give him a grandchild so I can get my share with the company. But I don’t have a girlfriend! After getting hurt because of that girl I’ve never been in a serious relationship, everything was pure pass time. Though, she’s never become my girl but the thought of being betrayed by someone who I think that she loves me, hurt not only my heart but my ego as a man. A lot of girls looked up for me because I am not only a gorgeous man but I am also a successful business man who can give someone a million just a snap of my finger. No doubt above it, its my own fortune but still I need to have that wealth of my grandpa by crook or by hook.

My grandpa knew that I don’t have a girlfriend and maybe he knows that I don’t have plan to have one. That’s why a tricky old man, just forcing me about it and it’s getting into my nerves. I don’t want to lose that wealth, no freaking way.

“Maybe, I can hire…someone?”

I immediately called my secretary to prepare everything. I will be the one to interview so I can ensure that I like the woman I can be with, not for being my wife but I also want to ensure that she will be a good mother to my child. I don’t care if she’s financially unstable as long as she can do everything that is stated in the contract. So far, this is the best way I can do. It is the easiest way. I know a lot will running for the salary I can offer.

It’s already quarter to eight, inaasahan kong marami ang mag-aapply pero hindi ko inaasahang ganito karami.

I started the interview and ended up in the afternoon but I can’t freaking choose.

Lahat ng na interview ko hindi ko gusto. Ang isa sobrang lantad kung manamit, ang isa ang kapal ng makeup, ang isa nerd, ang isa headphone lover ata, ang isa maingay, at ang isa weird. Tsk, I admit magaganda talaga sila kahit 'yong nerd na natatakpan na halos ang kabuuhan ng mukha dahil sa laki ng eyeglass niya but I don't like any of them.

I’m looking for something unique.

I thought it can be easy for me but I was wrong, very wrong. I rest my back in the swivel chair, and then I close my eyes. This day is so tiring. I never thought searching for a wife can be this hard.

Pabalik-balik lang naman ang ginagawa ko and my head is aching in annoyance.

Fuck that wealth.

I shouldn’t be doing this. I need a validation in the first place. But damn, this whole thing is getting into my nerves!

Nahawakan ko ang ulo ko ng matapos lahat. It's quarter to 4, who wouldn’t get tired of that?

"Sir, continue ba tayo bukas?" my secretary asked.

I opened my eyes and sighed. Kung pwede ko lang hindi ituloy to ginawa ko na pero kailangan kong makahanap agad. I should not give up.

"Yes, tell them that if they know they’re not qualified ‘wag nalang magpa interview."

"Yes, sir" she answered. My secretary is working for me for almost 5 years now and I am so thankful that she’s not like any other girls who flirted with me. She’s an efficient and hard-working employee and I should thank her for being one.

If only she doesn’t have a fiancée, then I’ll be willing to choose her to be my wife. Less hassle, but yeah, I now believe that before you can have something, you need to work for it.

Walang madali sa mundo, kailangan paghirapan ang bagay na gusto mo bago mo makuha.

I am so lost with my thoughts when someone knocked on the door.

I sighed.

"Come in!" It was my secretary. She was hesitant at first to speak. She knows me very well. She knows that I’m tired and freaking stress.

“What it is?”

"Sir, may isa kasing gusto humabol papapasukin ko ba? Nakiusap kasi siya, I think she really needs it." she said.

I was taken aback. I look at her and analyze what she said. My forehead creased. What a desperate.

"Go ahead."

"Okay sir, saglit lang po." sagot nito at agad lumabas.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Alster." she said while giving me a genuine smile that made me stunned for a while.

She is very simple in her floral dress yet beautiful. She has a perfect smile. She has an elegance radiation na hindi ko nakita kanino man kanina. Her nose is pointed and proud. Her lips are kissable and look so edible. Her eyes are brown but it’s swollen.

My forehead creased again.

She’s been crying.

I know it and I don’t understand myself for having a feeling of taking good care of this woman in front of me.

‘What the heck is wrong with you, Henry!’ My mind is cursing me.

"You may sit down."

"Thank you." sagot nito at umupo sa nakalaang upuan sa harap ng table ko.

I am looking at her intently, familiarizing every part of her face. My heart beats insanely and I don’t know what happened to me. I didn’t feel this way before, not the other way around. The feeling is so unfamiliar that even me cannot distinguish.

How is it possible to feel like this just by seeing this girl in just a couple of minutes?

I have no idea, not at all.

"So, where's your resume?” tanong ko at pinagsiklop ang aking mga kamay na nakapatong sa mesa.

Even my hands are lightly shaking because of my heartbeat.

Hell, what happened to me? Good God, she looks like an angel to my eyes sent from above.

"Ito po." sagot nito at ibinigay ang isang folder. Binasa ko ito at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit natutuwa akong malaman ang kanyang pangalan.

She is Lily Salva, 25 years old. Her name is so lovable. Lily, just like a water lily. She looks so amazing and breathtaking.

"So, may I know why you decided to apply? Do you even know the job? Are you aware that this job is not an ordinary job?” I asked. I can’t let her see me admiring her so much, it may looks creepy for her and I don’t want it to happen.

"Of course! And I want to be honest with you, I need the money." she answered directly and it stunned me.

How can she managed to be so honest despite the chance of being judge.

Pinakatitigan ko siya ng mabuti, sa bawat galaw niya at sa pagsasalita niya. Napakahinhin at simpleng simple lang ang suot nito pero bumagay ito sa kanya.

Absolutely beautiful.

“And may I know the reason why you ended up to be here?" tanong ko. Gusto kong malaman kung para saan. Hindi ako naging ganito ka curious noon. If I don’t like, I don’t like. But now, it seems like someone just appeared who destined to broke my self rules. This lady in front of me brings out the curiosity that I have.

The feeling of knowing something unfamiliar.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Alster but I think it's none of your business anymore." she answered with no hint of nervousness. The firmness of her voice are presents.

Damn! This girl is something special.

"It is… my business." I smirked, trying to be intimidating but I think its not working. Not with her coz’ she looks at ease without any hint of being intimidated.

"Well, it's not. No woman who dream to have a loving family would come here just to be your wife without any reason. It’s either because you have the looks or you have the money. Basically, I came here because I need one of those, and behind those needs are reasons that you are not entitled to ask for as long as I can do my job well.” She said and it hits me. I realized how absurd this idea. I realized how pitied I am for doing this.

“Sir, I wouldn’t come here if I have a choice. I may not have anything but I still dream to marry someone I love. But you know, sometimes you need to sacrifice your dreams just for the sake of your family and that’s what I’m doing right now. I am willing to lure myself to you even if it cost of losing my dignity just to save my brother. So please, I’m begging you, sir. Let me be your hired wife and save my brother. Please, I promise I’ll do everything you’ll said.” She added while her voice cracked.

She’s holding her tears and anyone who can see her in her state right now will definitely have a heart ache.

For the first time, she fully got my attention.

“I don’t know how to comfort you but don’t worry, my brother-in-law will be fine soon.” I replied. Hindi ko na kailangan pang humanap ng iba. Itong babaeng “to ay sapat na upang maging asawa ko at maging ina ng mga anak ko.

‘Mga anak ko? Tsk, now my thought is interesting!’

Nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata na parang hindi makapaniwala.

“Sir?”

"Go, you can leave now. I'll send you the contract tomorrow morning." pagtatapos ko sa usapan.

"Thank you, Mr. Alster. Thank you so much. Pangako, gagawin ko po lahat ng makakaya ko. Salamat muli, Mr. Al–"

“It’s Henry. From now on, call me Henry. We're going to marry each other so it's better if we used to call our names, right? Or maybe an endearment? Hmmm? What do you think?" putol ko sa kanyang sinabi. Napatanga siya at natigilan

"Names would do. I'll go now Sir– este Henry." sabi nito habang nakangiti at tuluyang tumalikod. May problema siya pero nagawa parin niyang ngumiti ng ganon ka ganda. Nakakabilib, nakakahanga.

Such a brave woman.

"Take care my, Beautiful Hired Wife." She faced me and there’s a small smile creep in her beautiful lips that makes me stilled.

"Thank you, my handsome future husband." nakangisi rin nitong sabi at muling tumalikod. Hmmm, hindi nagpapatalo. I like that. Sa halip na mag salita ay pinagmasdan ko siyang maglakad habang ang mga galamay ng kamay ko’y bahagyang pumipitik sa lamesang kaharap ko. Mula sa magandang kurba ng kanyang bewang pababa sa kanyang balakang hanggang sa dumapo ang paningin ko sa kanyang pang-upo na sadyang kay gandang pagmasdan. Napapailing ako sa aking ginawa at napabuntong hininga.

Nang tuluyan na siyang nakaalis ay hindi na nawala ang ngiti sa aking labi. Nakakahawa ang maganda niyang ngiti.

Her smile is contagious and her presence is light.

Kinabukasan ay dinaanan ko siya sa address niya para ibigay ang kontrata. Kumatok ako pero walang nagbukas sakin ng pinto kaya napagdesisyonan kong pihitin ang siradura at nagulat akong bumukas iyon. Nagmumukha akong magnanakaw sa ginagawa ko pero wala akong pakialam, sa halip ay sinilip ko ang loob at bahagya akong nagulat at nagtaka nang mapagtanto ko kung sino ang natutulog sa mahabang sofa. Pumasok ako at dahan-dahang naglakad palapit sa kanya.

Ba't dito siya natulog?

I am staring at her for a moment.

She looks tired.

Her eye bags were visible. Her lips were slightly parted. Damn! I am so tempted to taste her lips the moment I saw her in my office. But that is so creepy and disrespectful.

Kinuha ko ang isang upuan sa ilalim ng mesa at dinala iyon sa harap niya at doon umupo habang ang mga mata ko ay hindi inaalis sa kanyang mukha. She looks so tired. Makikita iyon sa kanyang malalim na paghinga.

"Beautiful." bulong ko at hindi ko napigilan ang aking sariling kamay na kusang hinaplos ang kanyang makinis at kaliitang mukha. Sandali ko pang ginawa iyon at ng gumalaw siya ay tinigilan ko na. Nais kong matulog pa siya, nais kong makapagpahinga pa siya. Ngunit nagmulat agad ang kanyang mga mata dahil sa aking presensya. Marahil ay nalanghap niya ang aking pabango dahilan upang napabalikwas siya ng bangon.

My smile creep in my lips, she’s so adorable. Her eyes were slightly red. Her hair and clothes were messy.

"What are you doing here?" taka nitong tanong na hindi man lang tumingin sakin. Bahagya niyang pinunasan ang kanyang bibig at pa simpleng inayos ang kanyang damit.

"Good morning, beautiful. Anyway, I have the contract here, I told you yesterday remember?" Nakangiti kong sabi at ibinigay sa kanya ang isang folder na naglalaman ng kontrata.

“Wait, I’ll just go to the bathroom.” she said while her hands are covering her mouth before pulling herself up and run towards the bathroom.

I chuckled and shake my head. Damn that shy gesture.

Minutes later, she came back and she looks more comfortable now.

“Sorry, naabutan mo pa tuloy akong natutulog.” she said before taking her sit in front of me.

“No problem, but why are sleeping here? You supposed to sleep in your room not here in the sofa. And you should lock the door, what if someone came in and do something bad to you? Be careful next time.”

“Sorry about that, I… amh… I came home late and I am so sleepy to do that. So yeah, I forgot.” she explained innocently.

"Okay, so all the information are there already. It is valid for 5 years. Kung hindi magwowork out, pwede tayong mag file ng annulment after 5 years since walang divorce dito sa Pilipinas. Nakalagay narin dyan na kailangan mo akong bigyan ng anak. We will live like a real couple. We will act like a real couple in front of everyone pero kapag nasa loob ng bahay ay ayos lang kung hindi. You will be present in all events na nandon ako and you will stay faithful and honest to me until the contract will end and vice versa. Are you alright with that?" paliwanag ko habang nakatingin parin siya sa dokumentong hawak niya.

I am not planning to file an annulment. I have planned to keep her. I know this is early but I can feel it to myself that she’s special.

"Sa tingin ko ayos na naman ito pero pwede ba kitang tanungin kung bakit kailangan mo itong gawin? I mean mag hire ng mapapangasawa? Diba ang weird ng ganon? Wala ka bang girlfriend na pwede mong pakasalan?” sagot nito at tiningnan ako na may tanong sa mga mata.

"We have the same reason but in different purpose." maikli kong sagot habang siya ay ibinalik ang tingin sa kontrata. Ano kaya ang kanyang iniisip.

“Alright then, kailan ang kasal?" diretsyang tanong nito. Bahagya pa akong nagulat sa agarang pagtatanong niya pero kalaunan ay napangiti ako.

"I want it early, so I planned that we will get married tomorrow. You should get ready now. Lilipat kana sa bahay at bukas gaganapin ang kasal. It's a private wedding so you don't have worry." sagot ko.

"Teka, ba't ang bilis naman? Hindi pa ako pwedeng lumipat, nasa hospital pa ang kapatid ko." nag-aalala niyang sabi. Batid ko ang kalagayan nila dahil nang makaalis ito sa opisana kahapon ay may inutosan ako na alamin kung ano ang nangyari sa kapatid niya and found out na may sakit nga ito at hindi pa nalalaman kung ano iyon sapagkat kailangan ng malaking pera which is wala sila dahil ulila na pala ang mga ito.

Yesterday, I contacted someone who can help her brother and hoping na hindi pa malala yong sakit ng batang ‘yon.

"I'll take care of it. I promise."

“I just want to clarify something, hindi ako mangingialam sa personal mong buhay. Not even to your wealth. Mapagamot ko lang ang kapatid ko sapat na ‘yon and I will do all my responsibilities to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means, if we get annulled, I can’t have any of your properties. By that, people won’t judge me for marrying you because of that. I am not like that you know, wala lang talaga akong choice and I don’t see a way to save my brother. Money is all what we needed its not that I want more, and I’m being practical right now and risking everything. Hindi bale nang gawin ko ito, maligtas ko lang ang kapatid ko.” she said with a smile in her lips but her eyes were sad.

Her eyes speak for her.

Napamaang ako at hindi ko magawang magsalita, kakaiba. Napakurap pa ako bago tumango ng wala sa sarili. Sa oras na ito, napatunayan kong tama ang babaeng napili ko. Her will of saving her brother is so strong and I admire her for that.

KINABUKASAN, araw ng kasal namin. Gaganapin ito sa loob ng mansion. It is a garden wedding. Hindi na kailangan maghanap ng venue dahil may malaking garden naman sa mansion. Ang garden ang pinakamalaking area sa mansion na ito. May malaking swimming pool sa gitna na nakadagdag ng ganda sa buong lugar. Pamilya lang namin ang mag-aattend at mga malalapit na kaibigan kaya ayos lang. We don’t need to have a grand wedding but it looks like one. I don’t know, I just have this feeling of giving her the best and memorable wedding.

The ceremony started, and the moment Lily walked wearing her white beautiful wedding gown, I smiled naturally. Who wouldn’t be? She's very beautiful and I’m proud. I have the right to be proud now. Bagay na bagay sa kanya ang suot niyang wedding gown. Hindi ko inaasahang ngingiti ako ng natural sa araw na ito. Hindi ko maintindihan pero masaya ako.

"I, Henry Alster take you, Lily Salva to be my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." Habang nagsasalita ako ay nakatingin ako sa kanyang mga mata at parang may kung anong hindi maipaliwanag na saya na aking naramdaman.

"I, Lily Salva take you, Henry Alster to be my lawful husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." Nakangiti niyang sabi subalit makikita sa kanyang mga mata ang kalabisang lungkot.

"Do you take Lily Salva as your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"

"I do." sagot ko.

"Do you take Henry Alster as your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" Tumingin siya sakin at kitang kita ko ang pag-ayaw ng mga mata niya.

"I d-do." mahina nitong sabi. Nakakubli ang lungkot sa mga ngiti niya. I will make you happy Lily, I promise.

"I now declared you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride." dahan-dahan kong tinanggal ang tilang nakatakip sa kanyang mukha. Pinakatitigan ko ang kabuuhan ng kanyang mukha hanggang sa tumigil ako sa kumikibot niyang mapupulang labi at nang mag-angat ako ng tingin ay nakita ko mismo ang pagtulo ng isang butil ng luha na nanggaling sa kanyang magagandang mga mata. Luha na hindi dahil sa saya kundi sa kalungkutang nangibabaw sa nararamdaman niya. Lungot dahil natali siya sa taong hindi naman niya lubusang nakilala. Napapikit ako at dahan-dahan kong inilapit ang aking mukha at idinampi ko ang aking labi sa kanyang noo. Sa sandaling iyon ay gusto ko siyang yakapin kaya ginawa ko. Niyakap ko siya ng mahigpit, ipinahiwatig na naiintindihan ko ang kanyang nararamdaman. Napangiti ako ng maramdaman kong yumakap siya sakin pabalik.

Nagpakasal ako dahil kailangan ko ng asawa. Nagpakasal siya sakin dahil kailangan niya ng pera. But I'm happy, dahil sa tingin ko hindi na ako mahihirapang mahalin siya kung gugustuhin ko. Because I think, I already like my wife. I already like My Beautiful Hired Wife at tiwala akong sa pagdating ng panahon matutunan din naming mahalin ang isat-isa dahil wala akong planong bitawan siya.