Chapter 5-PROBLEM SOLVE

Noah winced. He knew I was right, but the board of their company, is a bunch of old men stuck in their traditions, couldn't seem to grasp that concept. "I know, Zuzane, believe me. I argued my case until I was blue in the face, but they're stubborn as mules." Dahilan pa nito sa akin.

"This is ridiculous! You're the best damn CEO Martinez Industries has ever had. Numbers are up, the company's reputation is stellar. What more do they want?" sabi ko sa kanya. Niyabangan pa na best Ceo siya. My ass…

"Apparently, a wife and 2.5 kids," Noah muttered sarcastically. Oo nga naman.

Pero nakakainis, bakit ba ako pumayag sa lalaking ito. Gusto ko lang naman na maging tahimik ang buhay ko eh, lumala pa. Jusko

Baka makarating ito sa nanay ko mayayari na naman ako ng bonggang bonga. Ayaw pa naman nito ay Noah lalo na sa mga Martinez.

"Well, that's just great. So, what now? Do they give you a deadline to find a wife?"

"Not exactly, and I already have a wife," Noah said. Natahimik naman ako dahil dun. "But the implication is clear. They want me to 'get my affairs in order' before they consider the promotion."

Lalo ako naasar sa sinabi niya. Anong klase ng pamilya yon. Wala na sila sa 19th century pero ganun pa din ginawa nila. Eh kung ayaw nga magasawa nitong mokong na ito eh.

"This is unbelievable! This whole arrangement...it was supposed to be a win-win. You get a shield from the marriage-hungry socialites, and I get some normalcy back in my life. Now, they're using this against you?” Mahabang sabi ko. “Akala ko wife lang bat need ng anak” dugtong ko pa.

Hindi naman nagsalita ang nasa kabilang telepono kaya tumahimik na lang din ako saglit. I felt that he’s guilty because of the silence he made.

I had been hounded by the paparazzi and marriage proposals for years. This arrangement, a marriage of convenience, was supposed to be a temporary escape for both of us.

"I know, Zuzane, and I hate it. I really do. This wasn't part of the deal." Sabi naman niya. Nakaramdam din tuloy ako ng kaunting uilt dahil sa mga sinabi ko. Nakipag deal din naman ako sa kanya.

Sa katunayan ay ako pa ang pumunta sa company niya at sinabi ang sagot ko tapos ngayon? Parang binibintang ko pa sa kanya ang mga nangyayari, pero kasalanan niya talaga ito. Period.

"So, what are you going to do? Cave into their demands and find some random socialite to play wife and give you children?" sabi ko nalang sa kanya.

"Absolutely not," Noah said firmly. "There's no way I'm marrying someone I don't even know. But I can't exactly ignore the board either. They hold the purse strings, Zuzane."

“Hoy ako man hindi mo kilala ah, anong pinagsasabi mo dyan” Pagtataray na sabi ko. Tumawa naman siya ng malakas dahil dun.

"Look, Noah, let's not panic. We'll figure this out. Together. Maybe there's a way to reason with them, show them the numbers don't lie. Or maybe..." I hesitated.

Ang taray ni ante, nagsusuggest pa.

"Maybe what?" Noah prompted, umaasa pa sa sasabihin ko.

"Maybe we can play their game...for a little while," I said slowly.

Noah frowned. "What do you mean?" oh akala ko ba matalino ito.

"We fake it," I said again. "We show them the picture-perfect family they crave. Public appearances, dinners, the whole nine yards. Maybe if they see we're 'happy,' they'll back off."

Noah will consider this. Wala na siyang choice eh.

It wasn't ideal, but it was better than marrying a real stranger. Mukha pa namang walang kaibigan itong si Noah

"Are you sure about this, Zuzane? I don't want to put any pressure on you." Concern na sabi niya.

"Hey," I said, My voice firm, "we're in this together, remember? Besides, acting isn't exactly new territory for me. Maybe I can win them over with my dazzling wifey performance." Mayabang na wika ko sa kanya. Tumawa lamang ito ng malakas.

“Wifey performance, huh?” sabi nito. “Let me see” sagot niya bago magpaalam at patayin ang cellphone.

“Gosh, anong gulo na naman ba ang pinasok ko,” wika ko sa sarili bago patayin ang ilaw ng lamp at nahiga na para matulog.