NO CHOICE /r18

REALITY (2)

ALEX

He was about to leave his penthouse unit when his phone rang. It was his mom.

"Where are you son? You didn't come home last night. I waited for you." his mom said on the other line.

"Good morning mom. I went out with Jack last night at dito na ako umuwi sa penthouse ko kasi late na." he answered. He put on his coat while he put the call into the speaker. "May problema ba?"

"Oh, none at all. But I just wanna tell you we are having dinner tonight at your Old Pab's mansion ha. Something important came up that needs to be discussed right away. We will be there as early as 6 pm. Sumunod ka dun and don't be late. You know your Old Pad couldn't stay late." sabi ng ina sa kabilang linya.

"Yes mom, noted. Will go there right away after work. Is that all Mom?"

"Yes. Again, wag kang mali-late."

 "Ok, I won't. Bye!"

He made a frown and wondered what will the talk is all. Then he sighed.  

Bigla syang napaisip. He thought na parang malapit nang matapos ang masasayang araw nya.

It was past 5 pm when he went out of his office. Palabas na sya ng entrance nang makita nya ang isang familiar na babae sa reception na parang nag natatanong sa receptionist. 

What the hell! Si Cristy yun ah! What is she doing here????

Si Cristy ay isa sa mga babae nyang parausan at di nya alam kung bakit nandito ngayun.

Malamang, sya ang hinahanap.

Dali dali syang lumabas na nakayuko para di sya makilala at nagkunwari na hindi nya ito nakita.

He arrived at his Old Pab mansion at exactly 6 pm. His family were already there, gathered at the dining area na tila sya nalang ang hinihintay. 

He greeted his Old Pab.

After a few minutes, nagsimula na silang mag dinner.

After dining, he went to the patio with his dad, his uncle Ruben, his Old Pab, his cousin Miko and John for a quick drink. Dito na nagsalita si dad nya.

"So Alex, we have finally come up with the decision. I know this isn't a surprise for you. You know this is coming. We have chosen your wife. It's the Rivero heiress." diretsong sabi ng ama nya sa kanya.

Yes, it wasn't a surprise and because it was expected, Alex has no reaction.

"Hahahaha, cuz! Matatapos na ang bachelor days mo!" pabirong sabi ng cousin nyang si Miko.

"Lul! Anong matatapos? Walang magbabago maliban sa kasal. Ako pa! Hahahahah." he whispered at his cousin.

"We will set the engagement this weekend. The sooner, the better. Malaking company ang Riveros at ang merger ng company natin thru marriage ay malaking tulong sa pagpapalago ng pera at power natin. So, do you have something to say about this son?" his dad asked.

Napakibit balikat si Alex. "Come on dad, I knew this will happen. Do you really want to hear my side? Because I don't really care who I will marry. But as you've said, it's good for us and our family, so you know I would do it. I plan not to change my ways. I have no choice anyway, haven't I?" Alex answered as he sipped on his Bacardi.

"But Alex, you have to respect your wife. Galing sya sa isang prominent and mayamang family and we wouldn't want to start any trouble with them" mahinang sabi ni Old Pab nya.

"Don't worry Old Pab, I have my own secret ways. Ako na ang bahala dun. Hahhaah!!! "

*****

MYLENE

Three days nalang at engagement party na nya. Parang last week lang nang umattend sya ng engagement party ni Cel, ngayun ang sa kanya naman ang pinaghahandaan. 

Kasalukuyang nasa spa sila ni Ann at Rose for their girl bonding.

"I still can't believe it. In three days, ikakasal kana." exaggerated na reaction ni Rose sa balita nya.

"Gaga, engagement palang kasi yun." saway naman ni Ann kay Rose.

"Whatever you call it, it will only sum up to one. She's getting married to someone she hasn't met yet". Inis na sambit ni Rose kayat napa irap nalang si Mylene.

"Wait girl, have you ever tried hanapin or e stalk man lang ang profile ng mapapangasawa mo sa internet? For sure may info tayong makukuha dun, kahit na picture lang. What's his name again???" tanong ni Ann.

"I didn't exactly get his name but he is a Montreal." sagot naman ni Mylene.

"What? No way! Don't tell me it's that f*****g Alexander Montreal!"pasigaw sa sabi ni Rose.

"I think that's his name. Do you know him ba?" patay malisyang tanong ni Mylene sa kanya.

"Holy s**t! Sino ang hindi makakilala kay Alex Montreal eh dakilang fuckboy yun at ang mga tropa nya! He never took his girls seriously. Kung nasuka ka kay Juancho sa pambabae niya, dito magkaka cancer ka sa sikmura girl!!! Are you sure na Alexander or Alex ang name??? Gwapo sya, hot at masarap titigan. I have met him once or twice somewhere pero girl, different putahes ang tinitikman nila halos linggo linggo!!!!He is a well-known playboy!" patuloy na pagra rant ni Rose.

"Oh well, I had no choice anyway. And it is just a piece of paper lang naman. He can do what he wants sa buhay as long as di nya ako gagalawin at pakikialaman." blankong sambit ni Mylene.

"Have you tried talking to Tito about your real sentiments dear? I've heard so many things about him too although di ko pa sya nakita or na meet." pag-aalalang tanong ni Ann sa kanya. "Stalk natin sa social media. I'll help you."

"Nah, di na kelangan. I'm not interested in him. I just want this done and over. I don't wanna disappoint dad anymore. That face he gave when I failed him haunted me for so long. I wanna obey him this time."

Di sya interesado sa pakakasalan nya. Kahit magmukhang palaka o adonis man yan, pare pareho ang mga lalaki. Lahat sila, manloloko.

Bumubuo na sya nga plano sa isip nya, kung ano ang gagawin nya after marriage at mag merge na ang companies nila. Yes, she has a plan and she will see to it na gagana yun.

The information she has now about his soon-to-be husband is a big help to make her plans work. Kung ganyan pala sya ka gago, di mas mainam at mas mapapadali ang mga plano nya. Ang importante ngayon, magampanan nya ang pngako nya at responsibility nya sa family nya, lalong lalo na kay dad nya. She will do it whether she likes it or not.  Kasi no choice nga.

"Just please make sure andun kayo sa Saturday ha. I will need all your moral support, and of course, important sa akin ang presence nyo." malambing na sabi nya sa mga kaibigan.

"Of course ano! Kahit ikakasal ka na, andun pa rin kami. Subukan lang ng Alex na yan na saktan ka at lalagyan ko ng scar ang gwapo nyang face!" Rose said with all conviction.

"Don't worry girls, I won't get hurt again. I won't allow anyone to hurt me again. This is hard as rock na. Iba na ang Mylene ngayon." sabay turo sa dibdib nya.

"Aba, may magandang naidulot din pala ang gagong Juancho na yun sayo. " sambit pa ni Rose kahit na nakapikit na ang mata nya.

"Alam mo Rose, ambaho ng bunganga mo! Mag toothbrush ka nga! Kung ano ano ang lumalabas dyan sa bibig mo." sarkastikong wika ni Ann at kinatawa naman ni Rose.

"Well, sa true lang tayo. Look at Mylene now, ibang iba na sa dating sya. And it is for the better."

*****

ALEX

"So finally bro, the tea has been spilt! Ikakasal ka na nga! Hahaha!" sigaw ni Ryan sabay tapik sa balikat ni Alex.

Nasa exclusive bar sila ngayong apat. Nag yaya si Alex sa mga kaibigan na lumabas para ipaalam ang kanyang situation. His friends knew this will happen too. Matagal na. Di lang nila alam kung kelan at kung sino.

"Who's the unlucky girl ba??? hahaha" tanong naman ni Jack. " Do we have a name???"

"Oo nga no??? I didn't bother to ask dad! Pucha!" tawa ni Alex. "But it's a Rivero heiress daw. I don't know her name."

"Pare, andaming heiresses ang mga Rivero sa laki ba naman ng mayayaman nilang angkan! Pano natin masi stalk yun? Pero in fairness, may hitsura ang mga Rivero. Di mo nga lang type kasi mostly sa mga babae nila ay fair-skinned at ang cu-cute! I mean literally cute kasi mostly petite yung mga babae nila. At eto pa... may pagka-conservative at old school." bida ni Anton sa mga kaibigan.

"Huy pucha bro, dami mong alam ah. Pano mo nalaman yun?? Nag research??!" tanong ni Jack.

"Of course, I have my ways din. Hahaha. Di biro lang. Off-limits ang mga yan before. Di bagay sa toy world natin kasi matatali tayo dyan. Pero classmate ko sa Europe ang isa sa mga lalaking Rivero at naging close kami so naikwento sa akin ang about sa family nila." patuloy na kwento ni Anton.

"Stalk natin sa internet!" sabi ni Ryan na parang hi school na excited.

"No need. Ma me-meet nyo din lahat sila sa Saturday kasi engagement party na. Sinasayang lang natin ang oras eh di naman natin alam kung sino sa kanila, sabi mo nga di ba, maraming heiress ang mga Rivero. " wika ni Alex.

"Whoah!!! That fast bro??? So pano na yan? Playboy days are over na bah??? Hahahaha!" tawang sabi ni Ryan kay Alex.

"Syempre!!!....  Hindi!!!  Relax bro, ako pa! I have my ways!" sagot ni Alex.

"Gago! Parang BDO lang? " pabirong hirit pa ni Ryan sa kaibigan.