Chapter 5.2
1681 Words
Chapter 5.2
Gliterring event, glamorous set up and high end accolades. This is what Clarissa was expecting. At the event, she saw business attired visitors and she was very noticeable on her purple Sherri Hill dress. Even Bernard had no idea that this would be a formal event, and so they looked like the host of the convention. Being a businesswoman, this is her first time getting this much attention from the crowd. Para tuloy ay bigla siyang nahiya sa kanyang get up.
"Hi Ms. Corteza, you look so amazing tonight!" bati ni Mr. Senda - isa sa mga business partners ng Daddy niya.
"Thank you, Mr. Senda. Would you know my Dad's whereabouts?"
"I saw him kanina sa function room with some of our amigos. Balita ko ay ikakasal ka na, iha?"
After hearing him ask that, she chuckled not minding that Bernard is right beside her.
"Where did that news came from, Mr. Senda? But that's a good joke!" di mapigiling tawa ni Clarissa.
Bernard on the other hand can't take this woman's carefree attitude. She did not even honor her Dad's deal with him!
But, he is too kind not to twist the woman's flail belief. He is Bernard, and he know well what games this woman is starting.
Silence engulf their previously loquacious conversation and the host started to introduce the guest. For some years now, the Corteza's are held to be the outstanding leader in hospitality and it sure maintained. Sa mga nakaraang taon, lagi itong hotel chain nila ang nasa mataas na ranks and class. But things changed when the host announced a new winner.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you, Valderama Hospitality Group as this year's grand winner!" the host announced.
Kasabay non ay ang pagtanggap ni Bernard ng karangalan at ang pagbigay niya ng speech.
Clarissa felt dissapointment that they ended second this year. She was well expecting that their company is the real awardee, not that Mr. Valderama.
Bernard step up on the stage and gained the attention of the audiences. His eyes automatically locked at Clarissa. A wide grin appeared just before he provide his speech.
"I would like to thank the people of this wonderful organization for recognizing our efforts of great hospitality. This would not be possible without the help of the stakeholders and also my dearest employees. I would also like to offer this victory to my beautiful fiancé" and he automatically looked at her, grinning and intently locking his eyes on her.
Murmurs on the crowd also was heard. And all eyes diverted to Clarissa.
Clarissa didn't know how to respond. She can't even move an inch from all this unexpected attention.
"Ms. Clarissa Corteza and soon to be Mrs. Valderama. This is our victory." his eyes still locked on her. Clarissa felt sudden gushed of sweat on her palms. Her nerves twitching which happens only when she is nervous. She don't know what to say.
Gusto niyang sampalin si Bernard, but heck that would be a loss of class. She can't do it with the presence of his dad and other high profile people.
One more word that she isn't expecting that totally ruined her sleeping dragon.
"I love you, hon." the word echoed in her ears. Tila nabingi siya sa mga salitang binitiwan ng binata. Halo halong emosyon ang nararamdaman niya.
She can't stand it. She politely excused herself and went straight to the powder room. This night has brought so much embarassment to her. And that's a perfect revenge. Bernard knew how to play his games.
"Damn it! This can't be happening!" Clarissa hissed as she retouched her make up. Hindi maaring gawin ni Bernard iyon sa kanya. Or does he? Halong emosyon ang nararamdaman niya. Gusto niya magalit sa binata ngunit hindi niya magawa. The way he looked at her gave sparks to her. Eto na muli ang tila kuryenteng pakiramdam niya na naramdaman niya noong nagsama sila sa Alteresia. She wants to deny it but heck it was harder than she thought.
Muli nag paulit ulit sa isipan niya ang huling sinambit ng binata. He loved her? There was a part of her wanting to believe it, pero that is impossible lalo pa at hindi pa naman sila ganoong magkakilala. Isa pa ay marahil ito ay gumanganti lamang sa mga naganap sa kanila sa isla.
Lumabas na siya ng powder room and expected things will go worst. Everyone in the crowd started to congratulate her. She just responded them with a smile. Nais niya na makausao ang binata to protest of course.
When she saw him talking to Yael, she called his attention.
"Mr. Valderama, may we talk. Somewhere private?" and she instill a smile ecen if she is boiling inside.
"Oh, hon. Andyan ka pala. Sure, where do you want us to go?" nakangising turan ni Bernard.
"Just follow me." at ginawaran niya iyo ng pekeng ngiti.
He followed her and held her hands.
"Bitiwan mo ako" pabulong na sabi nito sa binata.
Nagkunot noo naman si Bernard "Why would I? Can't I hold the hands of my future wife?" mapantangi ang mga salita ng binata.
"Talaga bang paninidigan mo yan?" gigil na turan ng dalaga. Crowd were already noticing their closeness as they are still holding each other's hands.
Inilapit ng binata ang kanyang mga labi sa tainga ng dalaga at masuyo niting binulong ang kanyang sagot "Yes, baby. Until you completely fell for me. Thus, I will win this battle that you started"
Sparks of electricity flowed in her system and she is froze at the moment. She can't utter a single word now.
"You can't do that. I will end this battle and I will win" pilit na sabi ni Clarissa. She heard him chuckle and held her hands tighter and closer to him.
"Well see what you can do" and from that moment Clarissa knew that this man is a difficult contender. Her plans of making him hate her is definitely not working. It made him more and more close to him and she don't like it. Tila ay nagagapi siya sa sarili niyang gyera.
Music started and he's still holding her hands. One more minute and the dance ball opened. Hindi inaasahan yun ni Clarissa dahil tanging sila lamang ni Bernard ang may get up na pwedeng pang ball. All of the members wore business attires.
He automatically grasp her hands and she ended up at the middle of the convention. People around them were smiling, seemingly happy to see them both in this situation.
Nang magsimula ang tugtugin ay iniyaya ni Bernard si Clarissa upang sumayaw. She once again looked at the crowd and saw her father with his big smile. Masaya ito at ito ang unang pagkakataon na makita niya itong ganito kasaya. Never in her life she saw him smile like this.
"Shall we?" muling pag imbita ng binata sa kanya.
Lahat ng tao ay umaasa na tatangapin niya ang alok ng binata. She is used to impress people and to not turn down a request, lalo pa at masaya ang kanyang ama sa mga nakikita niya.
Labag man sa kayang isipan ay tinaggap niya ang alok ng binata. She once again trusted the man to dance with her. Upon him holding her hands, she felt that sensation again. A sensation she always succumb to no matter how much she denied it.
They danced in the rythym of "I know him so well"
They gracefully danced. Every step of the way, they looked much of a pro.
Bernard had his face closer to her while they dance. She can feel her breath heavily. He grinned on his thought. Mas lalo niyang napapatunayan na nagugustuhan siya ng dalaga. He can feel her needs and she will soon give in. The scent of her hair engulf his nose and it was a fragant one.
All his plans are well thought out and executed. He will soon get her to his bed and he will soon own her. One more thing is needed to be done to make this play a success.
After the music, the hall was dimmed and light was spot on them. Nagulat si Clarissa sa nangyari. She is not expecting this. As soon as the dance commenced, Bernard kneeled in front of her. Sweat flowed on her cheeks. Flashes from the cameras were all flickering around and an unnerving silence was felt.
"Clarissa Corteza" panimula ni Bernard.
"I was so happy when I met you first hand. I couldn't express the joy I felt when I was with you. Even if in the shortest time we had been together, I believed that you and I will be a perfect match. I once believed in love at first sight, now I still believed it when I saw you the first time."
Clarissa is speechless. She wants to run away. She wants to shout, but she can't. Lalo pa at napasaya niya ang Daddy niya.
This is all a game well played by the man kneeled in front of her. Everthing is now in favor of him. She has to change her strategy of removing him in her life - without hurting her dad.
"I want everyone here in this room to witness this special moment." and he get something from his coat pocket. It was a small box. He opened it and revealed a diamond ring.
"Clarissa, will you marry me?"
Clarissa did not expected this. Pero hindi siya basta basta malulupig ng binata. Magaling siya maglaro, at alam niyang pakana niya itong lahat.
She grinned with a thought that suddenly popped in her mind. She will unleash her secret weapon. Her last card.
With one more heavy breath, she answered.
"Yes. I will marry you" and she faked a smile. She went along with his game and she will not lose. That is her sworn promise.
Loud cheers of congratulations filled the room. Bernard slid the ring on Clarissa's finger and kissed her hand.
"Well played!" Bulong nito sa binata. Hindi na ito inalintana pa ni Bernard, but Clarissa knew exactly what she will do next. If engagement is what he wants then she's ready to engage. Hindi ito magpapatalo sa kasinungalingang sinimulan nito.
"Bring it on!" she said in her mind.
*to be continued.
- Writer
