CHAPTER FIVE

Mitch Alcantara was enjoying her dinner quietly, savoring the delicate flavors of the gourmet meal prepared by their household chef. Sa loob ng napakagarang dining hall ng kanilang mansyon, wala siyang ideya na isang malaking rebelasyon ang magpapabago sa tahimik niyang gabi.

Her father, Don Victor Alcantara, took a sip of his wine before speaking in his usual authoritative tone. “Mitch, may mahalaga kaming sa sabihin sayo.”

Nagtaas siya ng tingin mula sa kanyang plato, agad na napansin ang seryosong ekspresyon ng kanyang mga magulang. “What is it, Dad?”

Her mother, Isabella Alcantara, placed her utensils down carefully. “You’re getting married.”

Mitch nearly choked on her food. "I—what?"

Her heart pounded in her chest, disbelief washing over her. She let out a nervous chuckle, thinking this was some joke. "Wait. Ano 'tong sinasabi niyo? Kasal? Kanino?"

Her father gave her a hard look. "Luke San Agustin."

Mitch froze.  The name sounded vaguely familiar—isang sikat na businessman, kilala sa pagiging matigas ang ulo at mainitin ang ulo. But she had never met him in person. "You can't be serious."

Her mother sighed. “Mitch, this is for the best. Our companies will benefit greatly from this union.”

“Union? Mom, we’re talking about marriage, hindi business deal!” Mitch’s voice rose slightly, frustration creeping in.

"Exactly," Don Victor cut in sharply. "Marriage is the strongest kind of business agreement. And you, as our daughter, have a responsibility to uphold our family’s name.”

Mitch’s stomach turned. "I had no say in this at all? Wala man lang kayong sinabing plano? Bigla na lang? Just like that?"

Her mother tried to reach for her hand. "Mitch, alam naming magugulat ka, pero in time, maiintindihan mo na ito ang tamang desisyon."

She pulled away, shaking her head. "I don't even know him! Paano kung hindi kami magkasundo? Paano kung hindi ko siya mahal?"

Her father’s expression darkened. “Love is not a requirement in a marriage like this.”

A sharp pain stabbed through Mitch’s chest at his words. "So, I just have to accept this? Be a pawn for the sake of your business?"

Don Victor's eyes were cold. “You will do what is expected of you.”

Mitch swallowed hard, feeling trapped. The walls of the dining hall felt like they were closing in on her. “And what if I say no?”

A heavy silence filled the air before her father responded, his voice dangerously calm. "Then you leave us no choice but to take necessary actions to ensure that you obey."

Mitch’s hands curled into fists under the table. For the first time in her life, she realized something terrifying—her future was no longer in her control.

Pagkapasok ni Mitch sa kanyang kwarto, agad siyang napahiga sa kanyang kama, pilit pinapakalma ang kanyang sarili. Pakiramdam niya’y parang isang bangungot ang nangyari sa hapunang iyon. Kasal? Sa isang lalaking hindi niya kilala?

Napapikit siya, pilit nilalabanan ang lungkot at galit na bumalot sa kanya. Hindi niya napigilang kunin ang cellphone niya at i-dial ang numero ng kanyang matalik na kaibigan, si Freya.

Pagkasagot pa lang ni Freya, ramdam na nito ang bigat sa boses ni Mitch. "Uy, bes, anong nangyari? Bakit parang gusto mong pumatay ng tao?"

Mitch let out a heavy sigh, trying to keep her voice steady. "bes, you won’t believe this. My parents just dropped a bomb on me."

"Hala! Anong bomb?" Freya asked, half-joking, but concern was evident in her voice.

"I'm getting married."

A long silence followed before Freya burst out laughing. "Ha? Seryoso ka? Pinagpapraktisan mo lang ba ako sa script mo para sa isang drama?"

Mitch rolled her eyes. "I WISH na joke lang ‘to, Freya! Pero hindi. They just announced it like it’s the most normal thing in the world!"

Freya's laughter instantly died. "Wait, teka. Totoo ‘to? Mitch, kanino ka daw ipapakasal?"

Mitch groaned. "Luke San Agustin."

Freya gasped dramatically. "Girl, wait! Yung Luke San Agustin? Yung CEO na laging ini-interview sa business magazine dahil super galing na businessman at never pa na kita yung face? Gwapo nga daw pero ang sungit-sungit?!"

"Yes, that one! The infamous heartless businessman!" Mitch exclaimed, frustration dripping from her voice. "At ang nakakabaliw? Wala akong choice! Parang kasali lang ako sa isang business transaction na tinatakan ng kontrata!"

Freya sighed. "Oh my god, Mitch... Ang lala niyan. Wala ka talagang magawa?"

Mitch clenched her free hand into a fist. "Wala daw. Kesyo para sa pamilya, para sa kumpanya, para sa imahe namin. Pero paano naman ako, Freya? Ako mismo? Wala bang halaga ‘yung nararamdaman ko?"

Freya’s voice softened. "Mitch... I’m so sorry. Alam ko kung paano mo palaging ginusto ang kalayaang mamili ng sarili mong landas."

Mitch bit her lip, trying to suppress the lump in her throat. "I feel so trapped, besh. I don’t want this. I don’t want to marry someone I don’t even know."

Freya was silent for a moment before she hesitantly asked, "Pero… what if hindi naman siya ganun kasama? What if may chance na magustuhan mo siya?"

Mitch scoffed. "Pffft. Freya, hello? Lahat ng kwento tungkol sa kanya, puro bad attitude. Konting mali lang, sisigawan ka na. Gusto mong makasal ako sa isang lalaki na mas mainitin pa sa init ng kape?"

Freya chuckled softly. "Well… at least gwapo siya."

Mitch groaned. "Girl, seryoso? Yun lang talaga ang positive side?!"

Freya giggled. "Sorry na! Nagpapagaan lang ako ng loob mo. Pero Mitch, whatever happens, andito lang ako. Kung kailangan mo ng escape plan, alam mo namang game ako dyan."

A small smile formed on Mitch’s lips despite her turmoil. "Thank you, bes. Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko, but I know one thing—hindi ko hahayaang basta-basta lang nila akong kontrolin."

And for the first time since the conversation at dinner, she felt a flicker of determination rise within her. She wasn’t going down without a fight.