My First Love's Son

Chapter 38

KATE WINSLETT AGREED TO BE CEO CLARENCE’S GIRLFRIEND. Kate finally figured a way out of her mess, that’s taking advantage of Clarence’s feelings for her. Napagtanto niya kung gaano kahumaling ang binata sa kanya at handa nitong gawin ang lahat para sa kanya.

She was smiling from ear to ear. Her aura is relaxed. She is in full glam, wearing a red midi dress and her red stilettos. Samantalang nakapulupot ang mga braso niya sa mga braso ni Clarence na nasa kanyang tabi. Hinihintay nilang tawagin sila ng talk show host na si Boy Alvarez. Yes. She asked Clarence to make a schedule to the same talk show where Derek announced his blooming romance with Sapphire and introduced their son Drake. Nais niyang linisin ang kanyang nasirang image.

She went on stage with Clarence being a gentleman supporting her while they walked upstairs. Pagkaupo nila sa nakalaang couch para sa kanila ay patuloy lamang siyang ngumiti kahit na nakita niya mula sa entablado ang mukha ng mga dismayadong audience nang malaman na siya ang guest ngayong gabi. Hindi siya magpapatinag sa mga taong ito, her haters or bashers whoever they are, dahil mananatili siyang mas makinang at mas mataas sa kanila.

“Good evening, Miss Kate and to your partner that you brought tonight,” magalang na pagbati ni Boy Alvarez sa kanila. Nakipagdaupang palad ang host sa kanilang dalawa at halata naman dito ang nakapaskil nitong pekeng ngiti.

She knows, everyone dislikes her and that will never bother her. As long as she gets what she wants and she’s living the life of luxury.

“Good evening, Tito Boy,” she also plastered a fake smile as she greeted him back. “Good to see you again.”

“So huwag na tayong magpaliguy ligoy pa. Lahat kami rito sa set ngayon, and I know,” the host now started his business of interrogating them. Bahagya itong huminto at tumingin sa camera para ipahiwatig na ang mga televiewers ang tutukuyin nito sa susunod na linya. “...even the audience at home. Ang ating mga manunuod na matiyagang sinusubaybayan ang ating show kahit sa late night sched ay gustong makilala ang iyong guwapong kasama ngayong gabi sa ating panayam.” He also gestured his hand to point it towards Clarence.

Nanatili ang kanyang ngiti. Hindi iyon napalis. She knows that her bashers will be affected most if she shows them that they can’t take her down. Sopistikada siyang nagkrus ng mga hita at hinawakan niya sa hita si Clarence bago niya inihilig ang katawan palapit dito.

“This man with me right now is my new boyfriend. Please meet the dazzling CEO, Mr. Clarence Roberts,” she introduced him to everyone in her lively sweet voice.

Nagpalakpakan ang madla, hindi iyon pilit dahil nakita niyang interesado ang mga manunuod at audience na kasama nila sa set ngayon kay Clarence - lalung lalo na ang mga kababaihan. Not now but slowly she will be finally free from this deep and harsh shame on her public celebrity reputation.

“Magandang gabi ho,” nahihiya ngunit maaliwalas na ngumiti si Clarence at kumaway. The crowd goes crazy, mas lalo silang nagtilian. That’s one thing she’s enjoying from her bashers and haters, they will never have what she has. Hinding hindi nila makukuha ang kanyang natural na ganda, magandang hubog na katawan, karangyaan at ang mga guwapong lalaking dumaan at recent boyfriend niya ngayon.

“That is obviously shocking,” reaksiyon ni Boy Alvarez sa naging rebelasyon niya. “Pero can you explain how all of this happened? I mean, kamakailan lamang ay sumalang din sa aking one on one interview si Mr. Derek Velasco kasama ang kaniyang totoong fiancée at ang kanilang cute na cute na baby,” dagdag pa nitong pahayag.

Bahagyang napahiya ang kanyang kaloob looban ngunit nanatili siyang nakangiti at pinakatitigan lamang ang talk show host. She let him keep on talking. Naramdaman niya ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Clarence sa kanyang kamay, tila pinapahiwatig nito na relax lamang siya.

“Lately, ilang beses may lumabas na balita at nagtrending na di umano’y malapit na ang kasalan ninyo Kate Winslett at ang ex-boyfriend mong si Mr. Derek. Nalilito ang lahat and we all are quick to judge that you are the one behind all those false rumors,” nagpatuloy pa sa sinasabi ang host.

“Actually matagal na ang rumors na iyan dahil of course, ako lamang ang kaisa isang babaeng nagtagal sa buhay ng well-known billionaire womanizer na si Derek. And people are expecting na kami ang end game. Come on, guys. Hindi lahat ng bagay ay aayon sa expectations ninyo. Maraming nangyaring downs sa pagitan namin ni Derek,” she’s even gesturing her hands while spitting out the lines she wrote down and memorized last night, she came prepared. She paused for a while, she acted like she remembered how hurt she was of Derek and their circumstances. She faked a sniff. “We broke up. We decided to call it quits. Sa mga fans namin, I’m truly sorry if you expected that we will be marrying each other someday. Maybe you were all too hopeful that rumors had it that we will be getting married soon. We should face the reality and accept the end of our relationship,” pagbubuo niya ng sariling version ng kuwento sa nangyari sa relasyon niya sa bilyonaryong bachelor.

Tumikhim si Tito Boy. “Nalinaw mo na ang iyong panig, Kate Winslett. Ngunit nais ko lamang maging diretsahan sa iyo. Hindi mo naman ba ginagamit itong si Mr. Roberts para maging rebound or panakip butas?” This talk show host has the nerve to ask such insensitive question.

She’s caught off guard. Her jaw tightened and her smile disappeared. For a second, she gave a warning look to the talk show host. Maagap niyang binawi ang naging reaksiyon sa kanyang mukha. Napalingon din siya sa gawi ni Clarence. Makikitang medyo nasaktan ito sa katanungan at mababasa niya sa kilos nito na may antisipasyon sa paghihintay nito sa kanyang magiging sagot.

“Of Course not, Tito Boy,” pinabulaanan niya ang ibinatong maanghang na tanong sa kanya. “Who wouldn’t fall in love with such an amazing and gorgeous man like Clarence Roberts? I’m such a lucky woman to have someone like him in my life, most especially after being in a relationship with a womanizer. He’s a one woman man,” dagdag pa niyang suporta sa kanyang naging kasagutan.

Everyone was in awe with how she came up with an answer. They believed her. She’s such a great actress. Her smile brightened even more when the live audience clapped for her and for Clarence.

Clarence looked at her lovingly. “Thanks,babe. I love you,” he mouthed at her. Hinagkan pa nito ang kanyang kamay na hawak nito.

“I love you too, babe,” she replied and sweetly smiled back at him.

Nagpatuloy ang kanilang interview at tinumbok na nito ngayon ang makulay na relasyon nilang dalawa ni Clarence, dahan dahang pinapatay ang isyu nila ni Derek na sumira sa public image niya. Pati ang kanilang career ay napag-usapan din sa dulo ng interview.

Ika nga nila, when life throws you lemons, make lemonade. That’s her motto in life.

Pero hindi pa siya tapos kay Derek at sa asungot na bagong babae nito.