CHAPTER 3
1447 Words
My hand trembled as I shook hands with the man who had responded to my post on the bachelor site. I never expected him to be handsome or close to my age. I felt my cheeks heat up, ashamed to stare. It was as if I could melt under his gaze.
“For the sake of my brother,” I whispered to myself.
“This is my daughter, Bea,” he said softly.
I looked at the little girl clinging to his arm. She smiled at me, bright and warm.
“Hi, Tita Xheree!” she said cheerfully.
“Hello, Bea,” I replied, keeping my smile small and careful.
“Can we leave here and find somewhere quieter to talk?” Viel asked.
“All right,” I said, “but let’s at least stay inside the mall. I want a proper place to talk. Sorry! I’m just being careful.”
He nodded. “No problem. Let’s go.”
He turned and walked out of the fast-food chain with Bea trailing beside him. I followed, my steps hesitant. They didn’t seem like bad people, yet I knew better than to trust too quickly.
One question gnawed at me. Why had he answered my post? From what I knew, the site was mostly filled with adults and the elderly. Someone like him participating didn’t make sense.
We hadn’t even fully entered the restaurant when a waiter approached to give us menus and take our order.
“What would you like to eat?” he asked politely.
I scanned the menu, but many of the items were hard to pronounce. I chose based on the pictures.
“This roasted chicken looks delicious,” I said.
Viel nodded. “What else?”
“Just cold water,” I added suddenly, remembering that I might have to pay. I had no money.
After placing his daughter’s order, Viel handed the menu back to the waiter and looked at me expectantly.
“Tell me something about yourself,” he said.
My throat tightened. I felt like I was applying for a job.
I took a deep breath. “I’m the breadwinner of my family. I don’t have parents or relatives here in Manila. My youngest brother is still in elementary school. Life is hard, even with two jobs. My salary barely covers our daily expenses. I joined the bachelor site because I had to pay fifteen thousand pesos for our rent. If we can’t pay, our landlady will evict us.”
“Get out of there,” he said calmly.
I looked at him, confused. Did that mean he had changed his mind? I couldn’t hold back the tears welling in my eyes.
“Don’t cry,” Bea said, handing me a tissue.
“Thank you,” I whispered, smiling faintly at her.
He studied me for a long moment. “Be my girlfriend and the mother of my daughter. In return, I’ll buy you your own house and make sure your brother studies in a good school. Do you agree?”
I nodded quickly. “Yes. I agree.” I wouldn’t let this opportunity slip away. I didn’t care about what kind of person Viel was. What mattered was giving my brother a better life.
“Tomorrow, I’ll give you a contract. But for now…” Viel pulled out a check, signed it, and handed it to me. “Use this to pay your rent and buy what your sibling needs.”
I didn’t hesitate. I needed that money desperately. Twenty thousand pesos. I repeated it in my mind, letting the weight of it sink in.
“Thank you so much,” I said, my voice trembling.
Our food arrived, and we ate together. When we couldn’t finish, I wrapped the leftovers to take home for my brother, Xeldon.
“Sister, where did this food come from?” Xeldon asked as I placed the plate before him.
“I went to a party earlier. There was a lot of extra food, so I wrapped some for you too.”
Xeldon took a bite and his eyes lit up. “It’s delicious! I’ve never eaten this before!”
“Eat as much as you want,” I said, smiling. “I cooked plenty of rice.”
“Really?!” he chirped, excitement in his voice.
I watched Xeldon eat with pure delight, a small, satisfied smile tugging at my lips. Today felt like a miracle had happened. My burden had lifted in a flash. I no longer owed rent for our house; I had finally paid it. And I had even bought Xeldon some new clothes, something I’d been meaning to do for months.
“I have a gift for you,” I said, holding it behind my back. “I’ll give it to you after you finish eating.”
His eyes widened with curiosity. “I’m excited! Can I see it now?”
I chuckled softly. “Not yet. Just enjoy your food.”
Xeldon dug in, clearly savoring every bite. I watched him, heart swelling, feeling a quiet pride. Before bedtime, I handed him the gift.
“Sister… Christmas is still months away,” he said, confusion lacing his voice.
“Just open it,” I urged.
He tore the wrapper with anticipation. When his eyes fell on the contents, his face lit up like a Christmas tree, and without warning, he hugged me tightly.
“Thank you, Sister Xheree!”
I had bought him a new bag and shoes. Since school had started, I had never replaced his old ones. The ones he used were worn, frayed, and patched in places, yet he never complained.
“Sister… did you… maybe already pay the rent for our house?” he asked, eyes wide with disbelief.
I smiled. “I’ve paid everything.”
He blinked, stunned. “Where… where did you get the money?”
“My boyfriend gave it to me,” I said casually, though my heart raced at his reaction.
His eyes widened further. “Really? Why didn’t I know you had a boyfriend?”
“It didn’t matter,” I replied softly.
“Tell him… thank him for helping us,” he said, slipping on his new shoes, his excitement barely contained.
Watching my brother in those shoes, seeing his joy, filled me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time. Tomorrow… tomorrow, everything would change for us.
***
At six in the morning, I woke early to cook breakfast for Xeldon. Viel and I were meeting again at ten, so I had a few hours to make sure my brother’s day started well.
Seeing him leave with his new shoes and bag, excitement radiating from him like sunlight, filled me with an ache of happiness. He looked ready to take on the world or at least his school day.
“Here’s your allowance,” I said, handing him two hundred pesos.
“Sister?” Xeldon said, disbelief written all over his face.
“You don’t have to walk or scrimp on your food anymore. Buy whatever you want,” I told him.
“Thank you, sister! I can even go to the cafeteria!” he exclaimed, eyes shining.
“Be careful at school,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. But as soon as he left, tears streamed down my face. I couldn’t help it. This was the first time he had a glimpse of a better life, and I couldn’t hold back my relief and sorrow.
At ten o’clock, I met Viel at the same restaurant we’d visited yesterday. His daughter wasn’t with him this time. It was just the two of us.
He handed me a document with a check.
“Read the contract carefully before you sign,” he said, his tone serious.
I nodded and scanned the pages. My eyes froze at one clause:
6. You will give me a child when I ask.
“Why is this included?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
He looked at me evenly. “I included it because… I might ask someday.”
7. If you fall in love with me, you must tell me immediately so we can resolve it.
I felt my chest tighten. “Aren’t you going to sign?” Viel asked.
I exhaled slowly, my hand hovering over the ballpen. “I will,” I whispered, trying to steady my racing heart.
I signed the contract.
“Very good. On Friday, my driver will pick you up to take you to our house,” he said.
I nodded, feeling the weight of my decision settle over me. This was final. There was no turning back.
- Writer
