KALAKIP NG AWITIN [ ISLA MILAGROSA COLLABORATION- Series 1 ]

THE MARRIAGE CONTRACT

CHAPTER 21

THIRD PERSON POV

Sa kabilang dako ng Isla Milagrosa, malayo sa maalat na hangin at payapang alon, nakatayo ang mansion ng mga Lombardi na parang isang tahimik na imperyo na unti-unting nilalamon ng sarili nitong anino.

Sa labas, everything looked perfect. The manicured gardens. The golden lights lining the driveway. The towering gates that symbolized power and legacy.

Pero sa loob wasak ang katahimikan sa gitna ng malawak na living hall, sa ilalim ng kristal na chandelier na tila saksi sa bawat lihim ng pamilya, naglalakad nang pabalik-balik si Isabella Lombardi. Ang bawat tunog ng takong niya sa marmol na sahig ay parang patak ng oras na unti-unting nauubos.

Si Leonardo Lombardi naman ay nakatayo malapit sa grand piano ang piano na matagal nang hindi tinutugtog dahil iyon ang paboritong instrumento ni Ferox. At iyon ang mas lalong nagpapainit ng ulo niya.

“I told you,” galit na galit na sabi ni Leonardo, ang boses ay mababa pero naglalagablab, “simula nang mahumaling siya sa music na ‘yan, nag-iba na siya.”

Isabella stopped walking and faced him sharply.

“Don’t start with that again.”

“Yes, I will start with that again!” sigaw niya. “A Lombardi does not sing in bars. A Lombardi does not write love songs!” Ang kamay niya ay napahigpit sa gilid ng piano.

“He was supposed to lead the corporation. Not chase some ridiculous dream!” Isabella’s eyes flashed.

“Hindi music ang problema!” mariin niyang sagot. “Ang problema natin ngayon ay ang kasunduan!” Ang salitang iyon kasunduan ay tila bomba sa pagitan nila.

Labingwalong taon na ang nakalipas nang makipagkamay sila kay Dominic Valez. A business alliance sealed with a promise of marriage between Ferox and Alessandra.

It was supposed to strengthen empires pero hindi nila inasahan na ang sarili nilang anak ang magiging hadlang.

“He disappeared, Isabella!” galit na galit si Leonardo. “Walang bodyguards. Walang update. Walang trace!”

“At kasalanan mo ‘yon!” sagot ni Isabella. “Ikaw ang laging kumokontra sa gusto niya. Ikaw ang laging galit sa pagkanta niya!”

“Because it’s beneath him!”

“Or beneath your pride?” malamig na tanong niya.

Bago pa tuluyang sumabog ang sigawan bumukas ang malaking pintuan ng mansion. The air shifted pumasok si Dominic Valez. Top 2 richest man in the Philippines.

The kind of man whose silence is more dangerous than shouting. Sa likod niya, nakahawak sa braso niya, si Alessandra Valez. She looked like she stepped out of a bridal magazine. White silk dress. Perfect posture. Eyes glittering with something unstable.

“Good evening,” malamig na bati ni Dominic hindi na sila nagkunwaring maayos.

“Where is your son?” diretso niyang tanong. Tahimik ang mag-asawa, walang nakasagot agad.

“We don’t know,” sa wakas ay sabi ni Isabella Dominic’s expression hardened.

“You lost him?”

“He left on his own,” sagot ni Leonardo. “He’s not a child.”

“He is part of a contract,” malamig na sagot ni Dominic.

Ang hangin ay tila naging mas mabigat lumapit si Alessandra, ang mga mata niya ay nagliliwanag sa kakaibang emosyon.

“Where is he?” ulit niya, mas mahina ang boses pero mas delikado ang tono. “He wouldn’t leave me. Hindi niya gagawin ‘yon.” Isabella avoided her gaze.

Wala silang lead, walang idea kung nasaan si Ferox. At iyon ang pinakakinatatakutan nila Dominic’s jaw tightened.

“You promised me,” sabi niya. “You promised that when they turn twenty-five, the wedding will happen.”

“And it will,” mabilis na sagot ni Isabella, kahit hindi siya sigurado.

“When?” malamig na tanong ni Dominic tahimik, Alessandra suddenly laughed softly.

“He’s just confused,” sabi niya, parang kinakausap ang sarili. “Maybe he met someone. Maybe some island girl.” Biglang nagbago ang ekspresyon niya. “But that doesn’t matter.” Her eyes darkened.

“He belongs to me.” The way she said it sent chills through the room.

“I’ve waited for him since we were kids,” tuloy niya. “I memorized his schedules. I learned Italian because of him. I practiced being Mrs. Lombardi.” Her breathing became uneven.

“He cannot run away. Hindi siya puwedeng magmahal ng iba.” Leonardo’s patience snapped.

“My son is not your property!” sigaw niya Alessandra looked at him with almost pity.

“He was promised to me.” Dominic stepped forward.

“If this marriage doesn’t proceed,” malamig niyang sabi, “I will pull out every investment. Every partnership. Every political protection you have.” The threat hung heavy in the air Leonardo clenched his fists.

“Are you blackmailing us?”

“I’m reminding you of consequences.” Isabella felt her knees weaken slightly.

Alam niya kung gaano kalaki ang mawawala sa kanila. Shipping lines. International deals. Government contracts, all tied to the Valez alliance.

“You can’t force him,” Leonardo said through gritted teeth Dominic’s eyes turned cold.

“Watch me.” Tahimik ang sala sa labas, tahimik ang lungsod. Sa loob, parang may lindol.

Alessandra walked slowly toward the grand piano. She ran her fingers over the keys.

“He writes songs here, right?” she asked softly hindi sumagot si Isabella.

“I hate that he sings about love,” she whispered. “Because he should only sing for me.” Her voice suddenly rose.

“I don’t care where he is! Find him! Lock him in this mansion if you have to!”

“Enough!” sigaw ni Leonardo but Alessandra was beyond control.

“If he loves someone else, I will ruin her! I will make sure she disappears!” Dominic didn’t even stop her instead, he looked at the Lombardis.

“You have one month.” Isabella’s heart skipped.

“One month to find your son,” he continued. “Or consider this alliance over.” He turned to leave Alessandra stopped at the door and looked back.

“When you find him,” she said softly, almost sweetly, “tell him his bride is waiting.” Her smile was beautiful and terrifying.

Pagkaalis nila, bumagsak ang katahimikan sa mansion. Leonardo punched the piano keys in frustration, producing a chaotic sound.

“I warned him!” sigaw niya. “I warned him that music will destroy everything!” Isabella sank into the couch, nanginginig.

“We’re running out of time,” mahina niyang sabi.

Sa malayong isla, hindi alam ni Ferox na ang pagkawala niya ay nagpasiklab ng alitan maaaring magpabagsak sa dalawang imperyo.At sa loob ng mansion ang kasal na hindi pa nagaganap ay tila isang sentensiya.