Chapter 6: The Fine Print (Part 2)

Ang sumunod na tatlong oras ay mga napaka-intense na legal discussion na ngayon ko pa lang naranasan. Every clause, every condition, every possible scenario was covered.

"In the event of pregnancy..." began one lawyer.

"Not happening," Xander and I said simultaneously, kaya nagkatinginan kami ng panandalian.

"Nevertheless," the lawyer continued, "we need this clause. Any child conceived during the contract period will be..."

"Skip this part," Xander ordered. "Next section."

"Social media guidelines," Attorney Claire read. "Miss Santos must maintain appropriate online presence. No controversial posts, no personal revelations, no-"

"Wait," I interrupted. "Does this mean na kailangan kong burahin ang lahat ng social media accounts ko?"

"We'll create new ones," pagpapaliwanag ni Xander "Managed by our PR team."

"But my students follow me," I protested. "My online teaching-"

"Will end after the wedding," he said firmly.

"Pero-"

"Non-negotiable." sa tono ng boses niya ay halatang wala na talagang lugar ang pagpupumilit ko.

Ng mag a-apat na oras na ay medyo nahihilo na ang ulo ko sa mga terms and conditions na naririnig ko. Then came the part that made my heart stop.

"Family inheritance clause," Attorney Claire announced. "In the event of Mr. Del Rosario's death during the contract period-"

"Excuse me?" tumingin ako kay Xander. "Bakit may ganito?"

"Standard procedure," ang calm ng pagkakasabi niya. "You'll be entitled to-"

"Ayoko." I shook my head. "Tanggalin mo itong clause na 'to."

Ang lahat ay parang nagulat sa sinabi ko. And Xander just stared at me with an curious eyes. Hindi ko ba dapat sinabi iyon? Pero ayoko talaga ng ganon.

"Miss Santos," one lawyer began, "this is actually beneficial for you-"

"I said no." I met Xander's gaze. "Andito ako para sa napagkasunduan nating amount, nothing more. No inheritance, no extra benefits, no... no death clauses. Please."

Something shifted in Xander's expression. Was that... respect?

"Remove it," sabi niya sa mga lawyers. "Anything else?"

Finally, after what felt like forever, we reached the last page.

"Sign here," Attorney Claire pointed. "And here... and here..."

My hand shook slightly as I signed. Ito na 'to. Wala nang atrasan. Isabella, sana hindi mo ito pagsisihan sa huli.

Si Xander naman ay pumirma ma na rin sa kaniyang parte. Iyon nga lang, ang paraan ng pagpirma niya ay gaya lang ng pagpirma niya sa mga iba pang business deals. Which, I suppose, he was.

"Congratulations," Attorney Claire smiled. "You're now officially engaged."

Engaged. The word felt foreign.

"We'll announce it next week," Xander said, standing. "Simula bukas, you'll begin training with our social coordinator. The car will pick you up at 8AM."

"Sir- I mean, Xander," I corrected myself. "Tungkol ngayong weekend..."

"Yes?"

"Ang Tita ko... gusto ka niyang makita." I bit my lip. "For dinner."

Tumingin siya sa kin. "Dinner."

"Yes po. Sa bahay niya." I rushed on. "Simple lang naman, home-cooked meal lang, pero important po sa kanya kasi she's like a mother to me and-"

"Fine."

"Ha?" I blinked. "Talaga?"

"It makes sense," he said practically. "Kailangan nating i-establish ang relationship's legitimacy natin. Family dinners are normal."

Normal. Right. Because everything about this was so normal.

"Saturday, 7PM," I told him. "Dapat magsuot kayo ng casual attire po."

"I don't do casual."

"Subukan niyong magsuot." I smiled sweetly. "And that's an order."

He actually almost smiled back. "Don't push your luck, Miss Santos."

"It's Isa, remember?" Tumayo na rin ako at inayod na ang mga gamit ko. "And Xander?" tinignan ko siya.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." I meant it. "For agreeing to meet her."

He nodded once, then turned to leave. Pero nang nasa pintuan na siya, huminto ito.

"Isa?"

"Yes?"

"The outfit..." He glanced back. "Was better than the coffee shop uniform. Keep dressing like this."

At tuluyan na siyang umalis, leaving me to wonder – was that actually a compliment?

My phone buzzed. Si Jenny.

"Ate! Doc Mike said may mag-sponsor ng treatment ko sa Korea! Totoo ba? Paano? At sino?"

I stared at the message, tears forming in my eyes. Ito ang dahilan kung bakit ako pumirma sa kontratang iyon. This moment, this hope.

"Surprise, bunso," I replied. "May good news ako sa'yo. I'm coming to the hospital."

Another text came in, this time from Xander:

"Car's waiting downstairs to take you to the hospital. The first payment will be transferred today."

"Thank you," I wrote back. "Hindi mo alam kung gaano kalaking tulong 'to."

His reply was pure Xander: "I know exactly how much it is. Three million pesos."

But then, surprisingly, he added: "Good luck telling your sister. And Isa? You did well today."

Habang naka upo sa sasakyan niya, tumingin ako sa hawak kong kontrata na pinirmahan ko kani-kanina lang.

Ten million pesos.

One year of marriage.

No falling in love.

So simple, diba?

So why did my heart skip when he called me Isa?