Prologue

I love my parents dearly. That’s why I don’t understand why I didn’t cry when I heard the news about the accident that caused their death. Kahit noong burol ay wala ni isang luha ang pumatak mula sa mga mata ko.

Maybe it’s because I am trained by my own parents to always be strong-hearted. And I am. But I never expect myself to not cry when my beloved parents died.

My parents are famous because of their name and their business in jewelry line. Marami silang ka-kompetensya. Kaya malabo na mangyayari sa kanila ang ganoon ng basta aksidente lang. That’s why I refuse to believe that no one is behind the accident. I know… my parents were killed. And I am going to find whoever is or are responsible for their death.

Pinagmasdan ko ang listahan ng board of directors ng SLZR-JLC.

Zachariah Ricaforte is the biggest shareholder of SLZR-JLC. Kilalang kilala ko siya. He is my parents’ closest friend. But we never really met or talked that much because I grew up in States. This man is my number one suspect. I will make sure to reveal his foulness as a businessman and his deepest darkest secrets.

Because for some reason since I went home and became a multi-billionaire, taking the crown as a business prodigy, I noticed how he began watching me and my every move… closely. Then just months after I obtained the CEO title in our company… my parents died. It may be just an intuition of mine that he’s involved… but it’s a strong one.

I was about to shut my desktop down when an email notification caught my eye. Mabilis ko ‘yong binuksan. I checked first who the email came from at halos manlamig ang buo kong katawan nang mabasa ang pangalan ng aking ina at ama. The email contains a letter of their will and testament that is solely for me. Bukod pa ‘yon sa will and testament na binigay sa akin ng family lawyer ng mga Salazar. And I think it’s a scheduled email.

Binasa ko ang kabuuan ng sulat.

Because of the letter from my parents that I read last night, I can’t focus on my work and all of my meetings. This is probably the first time that I feel suffocated and literally out of the damned focus.

Sumimsim ako sa aking kape bago nagdesisyong magpatawag ng meeting with Zachariah Ricaforte and his wife sa secretary ko.

Pumasok ako sa room kung saan naghihintay ang mag-asawang Ricaforte. When they see me, they immediately stand up and greet me. Ngumiti ako nang bahagya at lumapit na sa kanila para makipagkamay.

“Thank you for taking the time to meet me, Mr. and Mrs. Ricaforte,” ani ko pagkatapos ay umupo na sa aking upuan.

“Please, hija. You can just call us Tito Zachariah and Tita Astrid since your parents were very close to our family,” ani Zachariah Ricaforte.

“Alright. If you insist po, Tito…” tugon ko.

“I’m actually a bit surprised that you want to meet us but I’m really glad that I’ll be able to finally talk to you this casually after your parents’ death…” aniya na siyang nagpatigil sa akin.

My lips form a thin line. Napansin ko ang pagsiko ng kaniyang asawa sa kaniyang tagiliran. Ngumiti ako at iminuwestra sa kanila ang upuan.

The moment they sit down, our foods arrived.

“Please…” I gesture the food, asking them to start eating already. “I hope the foods I ordered suit your taste buds. I especially ask my private chef from France to cook for us tonight.” I smiled at them.

“I will make sure to savor every bit of each food, hija…” ani asawa ni Mr. Zachariah.

Umiinom na lang kami ngayon ng wine. Pinapanood ko ang dalawa habang nagku-kuwentuhan sila ng kanilang reaksyon at pagkamangha sa mga nakahain sa aming pagkain kanina. I’m glad that they enjoyed the food I personally requested from my private chef.

“Ah, hija. I think we can now talk about the reason why you wanted to meet us both. Shall we?” tanong ni Mr. Zachariah.

Sumimsim ako ng wine bago nagsalita. “Very well, then…”

Ipinatong ko sa mesa ang wine glass ko at maayos na pinasadahan ng kamay ang aking buhok. I clear my throat as I face them with confidence.

“Dr. Zachary Alastair Ricaforte…” banggit ko sa pangalan ng kanilang nag-iisang anak.

Kita ko sa kanilang mga mukha ang pagkagulat. They didn’t expect that I would be including their son as the main agenda of our exclusive meeting.

“I’d like to marry your son, Tito Zachariah, Tita Astrid…” kalmado pero punong puno ng pag-asa kong sabi.

“W-What…”

Hindi malaman ni Mrs. Ricaforte ang kaniyang sasabihin.

Mr. Zachariah, however, is now smiling. And I think I just hit the jackpot. He wants me to marry his son.

“That’s a lovely idea, hija!” masiglang tugon ni Mr. Zachariah. “Right, Astrid?” Bumaling siya sa kaniyang asawa.

Mrs. Astrid Ricaforte’s hands are now covering her mouth because of shock yet her eyes are now twinkling brightly like the stars. She nods as she puts down her hands, resting them on her chest.

Ngumiti ako sa mag-asawa.

I never expected that my plan will go smoothly. Nevertheless, I’m confident that things will be much easier in the future.

I remove my shades off as I enter the main entrance of the Fajardo Medical. Agad nagtinginan sa akin ang mga taong nasa lobby. Imbes na pagtuunan sila ng pansin ay dumiretso na ako ng lakad papunta sa office ni Dr. Zachary Alastair Ricaforte.

He’s a Pediatric Surgery Resident, taking cardiothoracic surgery as combined residency. I have his full information inside my head, reviewing each of them as I walk toward his office. Tumigil ako nang nasa harap na ako ng pintuan ng office niya.

I didn’t knock. Basta lang akong pumasok at naabutan ko siyang naka-attend sa isang maliit na batang babae. She’s obviously having her checkup. But oh well…

I gaze upon Dr. Ricaforte and smile sweetly at him. He’s very pretty for a man. He looks so innocent in his lustrous and messy hair. He’s wearing specs with anti-radiation so I can’t really see his eyes properly. His nose bridge is perfectly slanted, creating a beautiful pointy nose. Lips are reddish.

Napasinghap ako. He looks prettier than me in person. How insulting.

Napansin ko ang pagdaan ng gulat sa kaniyang mukha. But he easily manages to go back to his usual innocent expression.

“May I help you?” he asks, with his voice so low and cold but also feels warm.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa mga naisip.

I am not here to compliment him, alright. I am here to ask him marry me.

“Dr. Zachary Alastair Ricaforte,” tawag ko sa kaniyang buong pangalan gamit ang mapang-akit na tono.

Kumunot ang kaniyang noo.

I chuckle before continuing. “Let’s talk…”

I can’t believe this!

Pinag-intay niya ako ng isang oras!

Nakabusangot ang mukha ko nang lumapit siya sa table kung saan ako nakapwesto at pagkatapos ay marahang umupo sa kabilang upuan sa harap ko. A round table is between us.

I clear my expression and send him a sweet yet fake smile. Hindi niya naman ‘yon napansin dahil mabilis niyang nilagay ang kaniyang sign pen sa chest pocket ng lab coat niya.

“Who are you again?” he asks the moment he fixes his sight on me.

Right. I still haven’t told him my name yet. But I can’t believe he doesn’t know who I am!

“Marthania Jade Louise Salazar is the name, Dr. Ricaforte. I’m sorry if I didn’t even introduce myself earlier after I barged in in your office. That was rude of me,” sabi ko sa malumanay na boses.

Tumango siya at bumuntong hininga.

“So, is there anything I can help you with, Ms. Salazar?” kaswal niyang tanong pero nandoon pa rin ang pagiging magalang niya.

He doesn’t only look pretty and innocent; he also seems like a gentleman. He’s the exact opposite of me. I cannot believe they want me to marry this man.

“Yes, absolutely…”

Tumayo ako mula sa aking pagkakaupo at naglakad palapit sa kaniya. Tumigil ako sa gilid niya. Tumingala siya upang matignan ako nang diretso sa mata.

I showcase my sweetest smile as I touch the tip of his hair covering his left eye behind his specs and move it away. His hair is also healthy and soft. I curse myself for it.

“Dr. Zachary Alastair Ricaforte,” tawag kong muli sa kaniyang buong pangalan. “Will you marry me?” I propose.

That was the first time I saw and asked him to marry me. And that happened 2 years ago. It has been a year since our marriage. And yet I still can’t find enough evidence against his father.

I married him for that. But for his parents, it was a successful arranged marriage because their company and mine both performed a great deal of earning during those 2 long years until now.

Their business is prospering rapidly because of my company while all my plans of destroying Zachariah Ricaforte are in complete mess!

After 5 months of residing in States and contemplating about my plans, I decided to go back here in the Philippines. I am determined to end everything with Zachary Alastair Ricaforte, my husband.

The first 9 months of our marriage after a year of fake dating went smooth. Maybe because he’s very considerate of me, regardless of how I treated him. He was nice and a real gentleman. And I couldn’t help but feel guilty for using him to spy on his father. And I have had enough.

Pumunta ako ng States in our 14th month of marriage. I reasoned out that there’s an urgent business trip that I have to attend. I told him that I will be gone for a year or so. At first he didn’t want to let me go, but I managed to convince him.

Umalis ako dahil naaawa ako sa kaniya. I’m not a cruel person and I still have my conscience with me so I had to go away. I had to escape for a while because of another reason I couldn't tell him as well. Pero hindi ko na kaya. Limang buwan pa lang akong namamalagi sa bahay ng pamilya ko sa States, balot na balot na ako ng guilt.

So… I decided to come back now.

Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang isang brown envelop na may laman na mga papeles. My guards are waiting outside the airport. Kinuha ko ang susi ng kotse sa isa kong bodyguard habang busy ang iba sa paglalagay ng mga gamit ko sa trunk ng kotse ko.

It took me almost an hour and a half before I stopped in front of the gate of my and Zach’s villa. It is situated in an almost isolated place because there are no other houses nearby. Malaki ang villa dahil sa garden nito at nasa pinakadulong bahagi ng villa ang mansion kung saan kami nakatirang mag-asawa.

The gate automatically opens for my car and I smoothly drive my way toward the mansion. Pagkatapos ay inihinto ko ‘yon sa parking. Bumaba ako ng sasakyan.

Naglakad ako patungo sa mansion. And the moment I enter the foyer, I hear a woman’s soft and sweet laughter. And instantly, I knew who it is.

They are in the living room. I saw their backs from the glass sliding door separating the room and the foyer.

“You definitely need a rest, Zachary…” malambing at matamis na sabi ni Therese, ang kababata niya.

For some reason, anger fills my whole heart. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit pero alam kong galit na galit ako. Sumikip ang dibdib ko kasabay ang paghigpit ng hawak ko sa envelope na nasa kamay ko.

I knew why he didn’t want to marry me in the first place. Noong una ay akala ko dahil lang sa pangarap niya. Ayaw niya pang matali nang maaga. He wanted to finish his sub-specialty program before marriage. He also had his research but wasn’t able to complete it because he needed to marry me. But it’s also because he’s in love with someone else. That someone is sitting beside him on the sofa of our living room.

I look away from them and decided to just go but my keys fell on the floor which caused a loud sound. So, my husband and his first love turn their heads and see me.

Zac isn’t wearing his specs so I immediately notice his eyes widening as he looks at me. Tumayo siya pero tumalikod na ako at lumabas ng bahay. Rinig ko ang pagsunod sa akin ng dalawa.

His hand catches my wrist and makes me turn to him. My eyes rested on his. He’s wearing his contact lenses. The ones I gave him for our 6^th monthsary. Mas lalong nanikip ang dibdib ko.

“I think you should go, Reese,” aniya nang hindi lumilingon kay Therese.

Nanatiling nasa akin ang mga tingin at buong atensyon niya. At ganoon din ako.

I didn’t notice her leave because my eyes remained fixated on Zac’s eyes.

“You’re… back…” napapaos niyang simula at parang hindi pa makapaniwala na nasa harap niya ako ngayon. “It has only been 5 months. I thought you’ll be gone for a year or more, but never mind that... because you're back,” dagdag niya.

Lumunok ako at inangat ang envelope na hawak ko. Nakuha noon ang atensyon niya at kinuha niya naman iyon agad at binuksan. He takes out the papers inside and read the documents.

His forehead forms creases as he continues reading. Pagkatapos niyang magbasa ay huminga siya nang malalim at muling tumingin sa akin.

“I want an annulment, Zachary,” kalmado kong sabi at matapang siyang tinignan sa mata.

“No.” Matigas ang pagkakasabi niya noon habang umiiling bilang sagot sa sinabi ko. Agad naman nangunot ang noo ko dahil hindi ko inaasahan ang hindi niya pagpayag.

Pero, bakit? Magandang opportunity ito para sa kaniya. Makakapunta na siya ng ibang bansa para sa research niya. He will also be able to be with his first love! So why is he saying no to the annulment?

“Ang sabi mo magtatagal ka sa States ng isang taon o higit pa. Hindi ka nagsabi na uuwi ka ngayon. Tapos ito ang ibubungad mo sa akin pagkauwi mo? Annulment papers?” kalmado pero ramdam ko ang galit sa tono ng pananalita niya.

At hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ganoon na lang ang reaksyon niya.

Huminga siyang muli nang malalim at mariing pumikit. When he opens his eyes, they are already a bit bloodshot, maybe because of the swelling anger inside him. Kinalma niya ang sarili.

“Why are you doing this nonsense, MJ?” Bakas ang pait sa boses niya lalo na nang banggitin ang pangalan ko.

“I just want an annulment, Zac. As simple as that…” kalmado ko pa ring tugon.

I refuse to give him any more reason. Because I cannot think of anything valid that he will accept.

“Don’t fucking give me that, Marthania Jade Louise!”

Nagulat ako sa bigla niyang pagsigaw. And it’s the first time he cursed! Hindi ko alam pero bigla akong nakaramdam ng takot. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang magalit. He’s not like his usual self. I was expecting to have a smooth and casual talk with about our annulment. Hindi iyong ganito!

Mas lalo akong naubusan ng sasabihin at ibabato dahil sa takot na muli niya akong sigawan.

“Fuck…” he curses once more as he looks at me with dismay in his eyes.

I sigh.

“There’s… someone else,” pikit-mata kong sambit.

Hindi ito ang plano kong sabihin pero alam kong ito lang ang makakapagpapayag sa kaniya na pirmahan ang annulment paper namin.

I open my eyes and gaze upon him again. The confidence in me fades as I see him looking at me with hurtful eyes. O baka naman namamalik-mata lang ako? I blink twice.

Diretso pa rin ang tingin niya sa akin. Galit at madilim na ngayon ang kaniyang mga mata. He’s not the usual Zachary I know and I don’t know why he’s making this hard for the both of us.

Kung sana ay mabilis siyang pumayag, wala na sanang ganito! He’s supposed to agree with me!

“You know him. It’s… V-Varez…” It’s not like me to stutter, but I just did.

Takot na takot at hiyang hiya ako pero nagpatuloy ako. Sinubukang tapangan ang sarili para lang mapapayag siya sa gusto kong mangyari.

“I know that I’m the one who asked you to marry me, causing you to not be able to pursue your research in States and I’m sorry. If you sign the papers, you will be free to continue your research and I’m going to help you find sponsors for it. So, please, Zac. Just… sign the annulment papers!”

Nanginginig kong hinawakan ang braso niya at pinisil ‘yon. May sasabihin pa sana ako pero agad niyang binawi nang marahas ang braso niya bago matalim na nagsalita.

“I don’t care if you’re in love with someone else or if you are cheating on me with him, but I am not going to sign that trash, Marthania Jade Louise. Reap what you sow in the most miserable way possible.”