Chapter 3-UNWRITTEN PROPOSAL

Nakatingin ang lahat sa akin pagpasok ko sa Martinez Building. Naglalakad ako ng nakataas ang aking noo kahit hiyang hiya na ako sa ginagawa ko.

Hindi ko pa naman kasama si Clara kaya lalo akong kinakabahan tapos ay tumakas lang ako sa manager ko na nakabantay kanina.

Sumugal lamang ako na pumunta dito para makausap ni Noah. Hindi ko din kasi alam kung saan ko kokontakin ang lalaki na iyon. Ang huli naming pagkikita ay yung sa coffee shop.

Dumeretso agad ako sa front desk para magtanong kung saan ang office ni Noah.

“Hi!” masiglang bati ko.

“Hello po, Miss Zuzane. Ano ang maitutulong ko?” tanong ng babae sa desk. Masayang masaya ang itsura nito kaya nawala ang kaba ko.

“Uhm… I just want to ask if Noah’s here?,” nahihiyang tanong ko “He’s not answering his phone eh and it is my first time going here in this building” sabi ko pa kunyari.

I went to one of the most Noah buildings here in Manila. They exist in different provinces but here stands the highest. They also have two buildings in Cabanatuan but they are small compared to this building.

“Yes Ma’am. Sir Noah is here because of the meeting” Sagot ulit nito. Pinagtitinginan na ako ng lahat dahil sa malakas na boses ni ate. Kahit ang mga katrabaho niya ay sumisilip pa sa gawi namin at ang iba ay napapahinto pa para tingnan ako.

“Ma’am at the last floor of the building po. Pag akyat niyo po dun ay makikita ninyo ang secretary ni Mr. Noah,” sabi nito. “Pwede pong magpa autograph? Idol na idol ko po kasi kayo” bulong na sabi nito na mukhang paiyak na.

“Sure po but I can't take a picture baka po pagkaguluhan tayo hehe” Medyo nahihiya na sabi ko.

Naintindihan naman ni ate ang situation ko kaya pumayag agad siya. Naglabas siya ng isang marker at yung bag niya na kinuha pa sa ilalim ng desk. Mabilis naman akong pumirma at nagpaalam na pupunta na sa taas.

“Grabe sobrang ganda niya sa personal,” bulong ng isa noong madaanan ko sila sa tabi.

“Ang kinis at morenang morena ang kulay” Rinig ko din na wika noong isang empleyado ni Noah. Tumingin ako sa gawi nila at ngumiti ng napakaganda ganda.

Napatigil naman sila sa pag uusap dahil bumati sila sa akin kaya bumati na din ako pabalik. Nagtilian pa sila nung ginawa ko iyon. Walang tao sa elevator at wala ding nag aantay kaya sa tingin ko ako lamang ang sasakay dito ngayon.

Wow. nakakakaba, sa buong buhay ko ngayon lang ako nakaramdam ng ganito. Sobrang laki ng company naito kaya maraming tao.

I don't know how to describe the whole place so I can't tell you anything. The only thing I can think of is that it's so beautiful. It's like I'm in another dimension because there's only glass here, it's not really all glass, maybe I just thought because the whole place is so clean it seems like everything I pass by is shining.

“Hello, may appointment po kayo?” masungit na tanong nang dalagang babae.

“I’m sorry, do I need it? Pinapasok na kasi agad ako dito at tinuro nila ito” mabait na sabi ko.

“Walang free pass para sa mga artista, magpa appoint muna po kayo” Sagot naman nito.

“No need for that. Let’s go inside my office, Love” Boses na nanggagaling sa likod ko kaya napatingin ako dun. Oh the Martinez boy with his full outfit, huh?

“Sir, I’m sorry po but you have a meeting this afternoon” Sagot ng babae.

“That’s okay. My fiance is here. Just cancel it and reschedule” masungit na sabi na niya.

Grabe naman ang mga tao. Ang susungit nilang lahat. Inawaan pa ni Noah ng kasungitan ang secretary niya. Bago kami pumasok ni Noah sa loob ng office niya ay sinilip ko muna ang secretary na nakatingin sa amin pero hindi naman siya nagsungit bagkus ay ngumiti pa ito at kuaway sa akin kaya nginitiian ko na lang din siya.

“Fiance your ass” sabi ko pagpasok na pagkapasok namin.

The sterile silence of Noah's office screamed for me to flee. Polished chrome and glass walls reflected my turbulent emotions – a stark contrast to the billionaire who sat across from me, an infuriating smirk creasing his lips.

"So," Noah began,mukhang tuwang tuwa pa sa nakikita, "about that little proposition of mine."

"Proposition? You make it sound like a discount on a yacht." Ang taray, business minded talaga siya.

"Isn't that exactly what it is? A mutually beneficial arrangement." sabi nito.

Tumayo na sa inuupuan at lumipat sa harap ng sofa na inuupuan ko din.

"Except most arrangements don't involve walking down the aisle in a white dress," sabi ko naman, my voice laced with sarcasm.

"Details, details," Noah waved a dismissive hand. "Think of it as a...strategic partnership." Yung totoo bakit nga ba ako nandito? Parang walang sasabihing matino itong si Noah eh.

"Strategic for whom? Because last I checked, your name's the one plastered all over every financial magazine."

"True but a billionaire with a scandal-ridden actress clinging to his arm isn't exactly the image I'm cultivating." Realtalk na sabi niya.

Medyo malaki itong sofa na inupuan ko kaya lumipat ito sa tabi ko saka nag dekwatro at isinandal ang likod ng ulo sa sofa. Hinarap ko naman siya kaya nakatagilid ako ngayon sa upuan at ipinatong ko iyong braso ko sa sofa din.

Saktong pagbukas naman ng pinto at iniluwa nito ang secretary niya na may dalang juice, tubig at saka kape. Lumabas din ito pagkababa ng dala niya sa amin.

Gosh, wala bang balak kumatok ito? Buti na lang ay hindi agad ako sumagot sa sinabi ni Noah.

“Bat parang kasalanan ko?” Reklamo ko pagkayaring uminom ng tubig. "So you want to use me to polish your squeaky-clean image?" dagdag ko pa.

"Let's not be so dramatic, Zuze," Noah countered "Think of it as a shield. The paparazzi will be too busy dissecting our every move to unearth your little secret."

“Wala akong sikreto” sabi ko.

“Wala ba, eh may nakita akong video na umiiyak ka sa bar nun, naglulumpasag sa lupa” nangiinis na sabi nito. Gulat na gulat naman ako sa sinabi niya dahil akala ko ay walang nakakakita.

“Adi hindi na yon sikreto. Alam mo eh” balik na sabi ko.

“How about the Charity Foundation?” sabi nito, ngayon ay seryoso ng nakatingin na sa akin.

The "secret" – a hidden charity foundation that I poured most of my earnings into – was the only thing keeping me grounded. Noah knew about it, of course. He knew everything.

"How much are you offering?" I finally asked, the question heavy in the air. I lost the game now.

Noah's smirk widened. "Now you're talking about business." He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with an unreadable emotion.

The foundation was constantly scraping by. This could change everything. But the idea of being tethered to this infuriating man…

" What do I get in return for becoming Mrs. Martinez?" I asked.

Noah's gaze held mine. "Freedom from the vultures circling you. A chance to focus on your foundation, on what truly matters. And maybe," he added, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "a little peace."

The air crackled with unspoken tension. I knew this was a gamble, a dangerous game of chess with my heart as the prize. Marupok ako, okay?

Kaya nga nandito ako ngayon eh.

“Look, kailangan ko ang mana ko. Kailangan kong magkapamilya para makuha ko iyon.” sabi ulit nito.

"And what about the 'be my wife' part?" tanong ko.

Noah's lips curved into a genuine smile, the first I'd seen on him that wasn't laced with arrogance. "That, Zuzane, is entirely up to you."

The silence returned, thick with unspoken emotions. I knew this was a deal with the devil, but for the sake of my foundation, for the sake of the people who relied on it, I might just have to take a chance.

"Alright, Martinez. Let's see what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into." Mayabang na sabi ko.

A slow smile spread across Noah's face, erasing the usual arrogance. "Excellent decision, Mrs. Martinez," he replied, his voice warm.

I knew this was far from over. The real battle, the battle for control, for my hearts, had just begun.