Business Proposal

_Chapter 08_💍💐

CHAPTER 8:

THE NIGHT WE CHOSE EACH OTHER

Saphire's POV

“You’re hesitating again.”

Napangiti ako nang kaunti kahit kabog na kabog pa rin ang dibdib ko.

Nakatayo si Phoenix sa harap ko.

Malapit.

Sobrang lapit.

Pero hindi niya pa rin ako hinahalikan.

His face was only inches away from mine. His eyes would move from my eyes to my lips, then babalik ulit sa mga mata ko.

Parang may hinihintay siya.

Parang gusto niyang siguraduhin na hindi ako aatras.

At sa totoo lang...

Hindi ko rin alam kung kaya kong hindi umatras.

Not because I didn't want him.

But because I wanted him too much.

“Why?” mahina kong tanong.

His jaw tightened.

“Because I'm scared.”

Napakurap ako.

“Scared?”

Tumango siya.

“Of you.”

Napatawa ako nang mahina.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Bakit naman ako?”

Huminga siya nang malalim bago tuluyang tumingin sa mga mata ko.

“Because you're the first person I've ever cared about this much.”

Unti-unting nawala ang ngiti ko.

Parang may humila sa puso ko.

Phoenix Pendleton.

The arrogant CEO.

The man who could make an entire room shut up with just one look.

The man who never seemed afraid of anything.

Pero ngayon...

Nakatayo siya sa harap ko...

At takot siya.

Dahil sa akin.

“Phoenix…”

“Don't.”

“Huh?”

“Don't say my name like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you care.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

“Pero nag-care naman talaga ako.”

Pumikit siya saglit.

Then he gave a small, bitter laugh.

“That's exactly the problem.”

“Bakit?”

“Because I don't know what to do with it.”

Tahimik lang akong nakatingin sa kanya.

For the first time, may nakita ako sa likod ng malamig niyang expression.

Fear.

Hindi yung takot na mawalan ng pera.

Hindi yung takot na matalo sa business.

Kundi yung takot na mawalan ng taong mahalaga sa kanya.

Someone he had finally allowed himself to love.

“Hindi naman kita hinihingan ng perfect answer,” bulong ko.

He opened his eyes.

“I know.”

“Hindi rin kita hinihingan na maging perfect husband.”

“I know.”

“Ang gusto ko lang…”

Napahinto ako saglit.

“…huwag mo akong tratuhin na parang stranger.”

Nag-soften ang expression niya.

“I never thought of you as a stranger.”

“Then why did you let her touch you?”

Ayan.

Yung tanong na buong gabi kong pilit nilulunok.

Juliana.

Her hand on his arm.

Her calling him baby.

Yung halik niya sa pisngi ni Phoenix.

At higit sa lahat, yung paraan ng pagtitig ni Doña Victorina sa kanilang dalawa na para bang hindi naman ako kabilang sa picture.

Napayuko si Phoenix.

“I knew you'd ask.”

“Then answer me.”

Napabuntong-hininga siya.

“I was trying to protect you.”

“Protect me?”

“Yes.”

“By making me feel invisible?”

Biglang nagbago ang expression niya.

“Saphire—”

“You could have told me.”

“I couldn't.”

“Why?”

“Because if my grandmother saw me choosing you openly tonight…”

Natigil siya.

Naghintay ako.

“She would've humiliated you even more.”

Napatingin ako sa gilid.

Biglang uminit ang mga mata ko.

“So I was supposed to understand that?”

“No.”

Firm ang boses niya.

“You were supposed to be angry.”

Napatingin ulit ako sa kanya.

“I was.”

“I know.”

“I was jealous.”

“I know.”

“I hated seeing her touch you.”

“I know.”

“I wanted to leave.”

“I know.”

“Then why didn't you stop me?”

Isang hakbang siyang lumapit.

“Because I was afraid if I did it in front of everyone, my grandmother would make you pay for it.”

Napasinghap ako.

“Like she did to your mother?”

Tumahimik siya.

At sapat na ang katahimikan niyang iyon para malaman ko ang sagot.

Dahan-dahan kong hinanap ang kamay niya.

Pagkakita niya sa kamay naming magkadikit, tumingin siya sa akin.

“I don't want to be the reason you remember your mother,” mahina kong sabi.

Kumunot ang noo niya.

“You're not.”

“Phoenix…”

“You're not her.”

Itinaas niya ang magkahawak naming kamay.

“And I'm not my father.”

Lumambot ang mga mata ko.

“I know.”

“No, you don't.”

Bahagyang nanginig ang boses niya.

“You don't know how hard it is for me to trust someone.”

Mas hinigpitan ko ang hawak sa kamay niya.

“Then teach me.”

Tinitigan niya ako.

“Teach you what?”

“How to love you.”

Parang biglang nakalimutan niyang huminga.

Ramdam ko ang pag-tighten ng fingers niya sa kamay ko.

“You can't say things like that.”

“Why?”

“Because I'll believe you.”

“Then believe me.”

Matagal niya akong tinitigan.

Sobrang tagal.

Hanggang sa dahan-dahang umangat ang isa niyang kamay.

Pero huminto siya sa kalagitnaan.

His fingers stayed suspended beside my cheek.

Nagdalawang-isip na naman siya.

Again.

Hindi ako gumalaw.

Neither did he.

Finally, his fingertips touched my hair.

Very gently.

Parang natatakot siyang baka sa isang maling galaw lang ay masaktan niya ako.

Inayos niya ang isang hibla ng buhok ko na nakatakip sa mukha ko.

His fingers lingered near my temple.

Pumikit ako.

“Are you sure?” bulong niya.

Dahan-dahan kong binuksan ang mga mata ko.

“About what?”

“About this.”

His thumb gently traced my cheek.

“This isn't just a kiss.”

Mas lalong bumilis ang heartbeat ko.

“I know.”

“You're still hurt.”

“I know.”

“You're still drunk.”

Napangiti ako nang kaunti.

“Not anymore.”

“Your eyes say otherwise.”

“Then look closer.”

Tinitigan niya ako nang mabuti.

And somehow...

Mas lalo akong kinabahan.

Because the way he looked at me...

Parang gusto niya akong kabisaduhin.

Every expression.

Every little movement.

Every breath.

Unti-unting bumaba ang kamay niya mula sa pisngi ko papunta sa gilid ng leeg ko.

Still gentle.

Still careful.

Ramdam ko ang dahan-dahang paggalaw ng thumb niya sa balat ko.

Napahinto ang hininga ko.

His eyes dropped to my lips.

Then back to my eyes.

Dahan-dahan siyang yumuko.

I instinctively closed my eyes.

Pero—

Huminto siya.

Napadilat ako.

Halos magkadikit na ang noo namin.

“Phoenix?”

“I can't.”

Nanikip ang dibdib ko.

“Why?”

“Because I want to.”

Napayuko siya nang bahagya.

“Too much.”

Tinitigan ko siya.

Then slowly, I placed my hand against his chest.

Mabilis ang heartbeat niya.

Katulad ng sa akin.

“You're not the only one.”

Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin.

“What?”

“I want you too.”

Nagbago ang expression niya.

Pumikit siya.

“Damn it, Saphire.”

“What?”

“You make it very hard to behave.”

Napangiti ako.

“Then don't.”

Pagbukas niya ng mga mata, may nakita akong kakaiba roon.

Something warmer.

Something softer.

Something I'd never seen before.

Dahan-dahan niyang inilagay ang isang kamay sa waist ko.

Hindi niya ako agad hinila palapit.

Hinayaan lang niyang nakapatong doon ang kamay niya.

Giving me the chance to move away.

Pero hindi ako umatras.

Instead, ako mismo ang lumapit.

Bahagyang humigpit ang hawak niya.

“Saphire…”

“Hmm?”

“If you want me to stop…”

Diretso akong tumingin sa mga mata niya.

“Don't stop.”

Napasinghap siya.

“You're sure?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me again.”

“Don't stop.”

For a moment, walang gumalaw sa amin.

Then he leaned closer.

Slowly.

Sobrang dahan-dahan.

Ramdam ko bawat segundo ng anticipation.

His nose brushed mine.

Naghahalo ang mga hininga namin.

His lips were almost touching mine.

Almost.

Pero huminto na naman siya.

Napadilat ako.

“You're doing it again.”

Bahagya siyang ngumiti.

“I'm trying to make sure.”

“Sure of what?”

“That tomorrow morning…”

His thumb moved gently against my waist.

“…you won't regret tonight.”

Umiling ako.

“I'll regret it if you keep making me wait.”

Bahagyang lumaki ang mga mata niya.

Then he laughed.

Isang totoong tawa.

Hindi yung arrogant CEO laugh niya.

Hindi yung pang-business.

Just Phoenix.

My husband.

“You're trouble.”

“You married trouble.”

“Apparently.”

Muli siyang lumapit.

This time...

Hindi na siya huminto.

His lips touched mine.

Softly.

Almost carefully.

At parang biglang tumigil ang mundo.

For a few seconds, pareho kaming hindi gumalaw.

Simple lang dapat na kiss.

Pero somehow...

It felt like everything.

Biglang nawala sa isip ko ang buong gabi.

Doña Victorina.

Juliana.

Yung mga insulto.

Yung kahihiyan.

Yung insecurity ko.

Lahat.

Gone.

There was only him.

And me.

At yung warmth ng labi niya sa labi ko.

Nang bahagya siyang lumayo, nanatili pa rin ang noo niya sa noo ko.

Pagmulat ko, nakangiti siya.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Because you're blushing.”

“Hindi ah.”

“You are.”

“Hindi.”

“Your ears are red.”

Agad kong tinakpan ang tenga ko.

Tumawa ulit siya.

“Phoenix!”

“Cute.”

“Don't call me cute.”

“Why?”

“Because I'm trying to look serious.”

“You failed.”

Napairap ako.

Then he kissed my forehead.

Natigilan ako.

Isang maliit at malambing na halik.

Ibang-iba sa nauna.

Mas intimate.

Mas comforting.

Hinalikan niya ang temple ko.

Then my cheek.

Dahan-dahan.

Parang bawat halik niya ay nagsasabing okay lang.

I'm here.

Hindi kita iiwan.

I wrapped my arms around his neck.

Tumingin siya sa akin.

“Still okay?”

Tumango ako.

“More than okay.”

Hinalikan niya ulit ako.

This time, ako na ang kusang gumanti.

Kumapit ang mga daliri ko sa likod ng shirt niya.

His hand remained on my waist, holding me close but never forcing me.

Unti-unting naging mas matagal ang halik namin.

Mas malalim ang emotion.

Pero hindi minamadali.

Hindi rin desperado.

Just two people finally admitting what they had been denying for so long.

Nang maghiwalay kami, napahawak ako sa dibdib niya habang sinusubukang ayusin ang paghinga ko.

“Phoenix…”

“Hmm?”

“Why did we wait this long?”

Ngumiti siya.

“Because I'm an idiot.”

Napatawa ako.

“Finally, you admit it.”

“I've always known.”

“Really?”

“No.”

“Phoenix!”

Tumawa siya.

Then he pulled me into his arms.

Ipinasok ko ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya.

For a moment, we simply stood there.

No words.

No pretending.

No business proposal.

No contract.

No family expectations.

Just us.

“I love you,” bulong ko.

Mas hinigpitan niya ang yakap.

“I love you too.”

Pumikit ako.

“Say it again.”

“I love you.”

“Again.”

He kissed my hair.

“I love you, Saphire.”

Parang natunaw ang puso ko.

“Again.”

Napatawa siya nang mahina.

“Are you going to make me say it all night?”

“Yes.”

“Fine.”

Bahagya siyang lumayo para makita ang mukha ko.

“I love you.”

His thumb brushed my cheek.

“I love you.”

Isang halik sa noo.

“I love you.”

Isang halik sa pisngi.

“I love you, wifey.”

Napangiti ako.

“That's better.”

Umiling siya.

“You're impossible.”

“And you're mine.”

Lumambot ang expression niya.

“Yeah.”

Lumapit siya ulit.

“I'm yours.”

Hindi ko na alam kung ilang minuto kaming nakatayo roon.

Maybe longer.

Maybe shorter.

All I knew was that every time he kissed me, parang unti-unting nawawala ang lahat ng doubts ko.

The next kiss lasted longer.

Warmer.

His arms wrapped around me, and mine around him.

Unti-unting nawala ang space between us.

Every kiss felt like another confession.

Every embrace felt like another promise.

At minsan, humihinto siya para halikan ang noo ko, para ipaalala sa akin na hindi lang ito tungkol sa attraction.

There was tenderness.

There was trust.

There was love.

At isang punto, tumigil siya at tiningnan ako.

“Last chance.”

Ngumiti ako.

“I'm not going anywhere.”

His forehead rested against mine.

“Neither am I.”

Hinalikan niya ulit ako.

And this time...

Hindi ko na naramdaman na ako yung poor girl from Nasugbu.

Hindi ko naramdaman na fish seller's daughter lang ako.

Hindi ko naramdaman yung babaeng tinawag ni Doña Victorina na palengke level.

I felt like his wife.

His chosen person.

The woman he was willing to be vulnerable with.

The woman he had finally stopped running away from.

Unti-unting napunta ang mga hakbang namin papunta sa bedroom.

Wala kaming sinabi.

Hindi na kailangan.

The door slowly closed behind us.

And the rest of the night belonged only to us.

No cameras.

No family.

No business.

No contracts.

No pretending.

Just Phoenix and Saphire.

Husband and wife.

Two hearts that had spent so much time fighting each other...

finally choosing to surrender.

Tahimik ang kwarto.

Dim ang ilaw.

And somewhere between the whispered confessions, lingering kisses, warm embraces, and promises na hindi namin kayang sabihin during the day—

the walls of the mansion witnessed something no business contract could ever explain.

Hindi na kami dalawang taong basta pinagsama ng isang kasunduan.

We became two people who wanted the same thing.

Each other.

Yung sumunod na nangyari...

sa amin na lang.

Private.

Ours.

At nang tuluyan nang maging tahimik ang gabi, nakahiga ako sa tabi niya, my head resting against his chest.

Nakapulupot ang braso niya sa akin.

His fingers slowly traced gentle circles against my back.

Wala kaming sinabi sa loob ng ilang sandali.

Then—

“Wifey?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you okay?”

Napangiti ako sa dibdib niya.

“Yes.”

“Sure?”

Tumango ako.

“Very sure.”

Hinalikan niya ang ibabaw ng ulo ko.

“Good.”

Tumingala ako sa kanya.

“Phoenix?”

“Hmm?”

“Tomorrow…”

Tumingin siya sa akin.

“Are you going to regret this?”

Agad siyang umiling.

“Never.”

“Even if Doña Victorina finds out?”

Nanigas nang kaunti ang jaw niya.

“I don't care.”

Napakurap ako.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Tinitigan niya ako nang seryoso.

“Tonight, I realized something.”

“What?”

“I've spent too much time worrying about what everyone else thinks.”

Magkahawak ang mga kamay namin.

“My grandmother. My father. The investors. Everyone around me.”

Itinaas niya ang kamay ko at hinalikan iyon.

“But I never asked myself what I wanted.”

“And what do you want?”

Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin.

“You.”

Napangiti ako.

“Just me?”

“Just you.”

“Not Juliana?”

Umirap siya.

“Definitely not Juliana.”

Napatawa ako.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Then tomorrow…”

Napahinto ako.

“Don't leave me alone.”

Lumambot ang expression niya.

“I won't.”

“Even if your grandmother says something?”

“I'll handle it.”

“Even if she insults my family?”

“I'll handle it.”

“Even if she says I'm not good enough for you?”

Mas hinila niya ako palapit.

“She doesn't get to decide that anymore.”

Biglang nangilid ang luha ko.

“Who does?”

Tumingin siya sa akin.

“I do.”

Then he smiled.

“And so do you.”

Ibinaon ko ang mukha ko sa dibdib niya.

For the first time that night, hinayaan kong makahinga ako nang maluwag.

Maybe I wasn't good enough for the Pendleton family.

Maybe hindi ako kailanman magiging sapat para sa standards nila.

Maybe there would always be people who would look at me and see only where I came from.

But tonight...

Phoenix looked at me and saw

who I really was.

Not a business arrangement.

Not a contract.

Not a poor girl.

Not an embarrassment.

His wife.

His love.

His choice.

And maybe...

That was enough.

Pumikit ako.

“Good night, husband.”

Hinalikan niya ang noo ko.

“Good night, wifey.”

Ilang segundo ang lumipas.

Then I heard him whisper—

“Thank you for staying.”

Dahan-dahan akong nagmulat.

At ngumiti.

“Thank you for finally letting me in.”

Mas hinigpitan niya ang yakap sa akin.

And that night, for the first time since our marriage began...

Hindi ko na naramdaman na nagpapanggap lang akong asawa ni Phoenix Pendleton.

Because somewhere between the tears, the jealousy, the apologies, the kisses, and the promises—

we finally became one.

Not because of a contract.

Not because of our families.

Not because we had to.

But because...

we chose each other.

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PLAGIARISM IS A CRIME COPYRIGHTS2025_Wattywriters07© AUTHOR: MS_KALIWETE07 2025®|Nov.2026