Billionaire's Vow

Chapter 3

"Astrid.."

I was about to turn my head when someone grabbed my arm, napatayo tuloy ako sa kinauupuan ko.

Literal na hinihila ako ng lalaking may hawak sa braso ko.

"Let's eat somewhere else, nasundan ako ng mga kaibigang reporter ni Dad."

"Trey!" I hissed. "Can you slow down a bit?"

I was wearing my new heels, courtesy of my abuela of course, I told her I was meeting my friends, Iris and Grecia to invite them in my "wedding" day.

Nakalabas na kami sa exit door ng Silver Plates at dumiretso kami sa parking lot.

Hindi niya rin ako binitiwan hangga't hindi kami nakakarating sa sasakyan niya.

He opened the door for me. "Get in, Ash.."

Edi, pumasok. Umikot naman siya sa driver's seat.

As he shut the car's door, he immediately fixed my seatbelt.

"Trey.."

"Yeah?" tumingin siya sa akin. Let's head to my friend's restaurant."

He flawlessly grabbed the steering wheel, and manuevered the car.

Aaminin ko, napapatulala talaga ako sa lalaking ang galing humawak ng manibela ng sasakyan.

"Okay," I sat comfortably. Ilang minuto pang pagda-drive, nakarating na rin kami sa wakas sa restaurant ng friend niya.

Rouges. Basa ko sa magarang signage na nadaanan namin.

Gaya kanina, inalalayan rin ako ni Trey makababa ng sasakyan niya. Hanggang sa makapasok kami sa restaurant ay naka-alalay ang kamay niya, na nasa braso ko.

"Sir, Ma'am?" bati ng waiter sa amin. "This way please.."

Tumango lang si Trey at tinungo namin ang pinakadulo at tagong table.

Ipinaghila niya ako ng silya.

"I'm sorry, Ash.." umpisa niya nang maka-upo siya sa tapat ko. "We need to talk privately, knowing my father. Hindi niya ako - tayo titigilan."

"It's okay, I do understand."

Ilang sandali pa ay isi-nerve na sa amin ang pagkain.

Warm roasted cauliflower and chickpea salad at oranges & vanilla yogurt for dessert.

"Um-order na rin ako kanina," ani Trey. "I hope you like it."

Napangiti na lang ako sa inaakto ni Trey, ayon sa mga nababalitaan ko. He doesn't like eating lunch outside his office. Unless, kinakailangan.

Katulad ngayon. This not just an ordinary lunch, it's a lunch to start the beginning of a ridiculously weird ending of our single life.

"Eat first, Astrid before we discuss and settle things," he smiled. At least ngumiti naman siya.

We ate in silence. Habang kumakain kami hindi ko maiwasang hindi hangaan ang restaurant, na ayon kay Trey ay pagmamay-ari ng kaibigan niya.

The entire restaurant screamed with ambiance. Crisp white linens covered the tables and bouquets of fresh wild flowers rested in center.

Tamang tama lang rin ang lightings. Ibinalik ko ang atensyon ko kay Trey. He was now eating the dessert.

"Trey," tawag ko. "Kung kasal na tayo, should we live together? I mean sa iisang bahay?"

"Itatanong ko rin 'yan sa iyo, actually.." he put down his spoon as he finished his dessert. "We can purchase a house, if you want."

I saw a flash of emotions across his dark brown eyes.

"I don't want you to get stressed out sa family ko," he continued. "They were insisting na sa mansion ka tumira kasama ako."

Todo iling ako sa suhestiyon ng parents niya about sa set up na 'yon.

"I guess, that's an answer?" nangingiti na naman siya sa akin. "It's alright, Ash. Once we get married, everything will be under control. I'll take you out from your grandparents' and as for me, your saving me from my Mom."

"Win win situation pala ito kung ganoon?" natawa na lang ako. "I have also heard na minamadali ng elders ang wedding natin.."

"Yeah.." he grabbed a table napkin, then he slowly reached out on me. Dahan-dahan niyang idinampi sa gilid ng labi ko ang napkin. "That's another thing to settle, let's avoid the media as much as possible."

Nagulat at tila ba nanigas ako sa kinauupuan ko dahil sa gesture na 'yon ni Trey. Somehow.. parang sanay na sanay siyang ginagawa niya 'yon.

Marahas ako'ng napailing para mabura ang anumang papasok pang agiw sa isip ko.

"Ayaw ko rin naman pag-piyestahan ng media," napahawak ako sa gilid ng labi ko na pinunasan niya ng napkin. "I'm marrying you, remember? Baka mamaya may bigla na lang manghila sa buhok at awayin ako."

"Don't worry, Ash. Walang mang-aaway sa iyo," aniya na natatawa na lang. "I'll make sure you are safe and well protected when you are with me."

"Dapat lang," ingos ko. "Gawan mo ng paraan, ha? Ayokong ma-national television ang kasal natin."

Kasal natin. Kasal namin. Pati ang mga salitang 'yon naging normal words na lang na lumalabas sa bibig ko.

"What if we get married right now?"

Napamaang ako sa kan'ya. "Now na? As in ngayon? Now?"

"Silly, of course not today, not now," he chuckled. "Attorney ko na ang bahala sa bahay na 'yan, naisip ko lang kung uunahan natin ang parents ko at grandparents mo sa plano nila.."

"I think I'm pretty catching up what are you trying to say," naiiling na natatawa ako. "Paghuhurumentado ang mommy mo n'yan."

"I'll just tell my mom that you wanted it to be simple and intimate.." he grinned, hinuli niya pa ang ilang nakawalang strands ng buhok ko at inipit sa likod ng tainga ko. "And quick."

I was in awe and at the same time parang sasabog ang pakiramdam ko. Ano ba 'tong pinaggagawa ni Trey?

"Ayoko ko lang talaga humarap sa maraming tao," tumingin ako sa fresh flowers na nasa center table. Para hindi ko salubungin ang mga tingin niya. "Nakakapagod 'yon."

"Ano'ng sasabihin mo sa Lola mo?" usisa niya. "Or I'll just make it simple, pinakasalan na lang kita agad. Para wala na silang tanong."

Pati ako nangingiti na sa pinagsasabi ni Trey.

"Okay, hubby," when his dark brown eyes locked into mine, we both gasped.

"Yes, wifey?" he replied then he laughed. "This is weird, I never called someone like that."

"So do I," pag-amin niya. "So, Trey if you have plans after this, you can go na. I-stressin ko na lang ang sarili ko, kailangan nating kumilos agad, nagmamadali si Lola Hen, she keeps blabbering how should I look, what should I wear.. 'yung mansion ninyo raw.."

I can't help it but to sighed frustratedly.

He reached across the table and grabbed my hand.

Napatingin ako sa kan'ya. "Trey.."

"Don't stress yourself out, let me take care of it," he said with assurance. "Saan kita ihahatid?"