My Foreign Love Presents [Tagalog]

MFLP : Stranded On You - Chapter 16

Tatlong buwan na mula nang sila ay naging magkatipan. Mukhang maayos naman ang takbo ng relasiyon nila. Tinulungan pa siya ni Liam na bayaran ang kalahati ng naiwang utang ng lolo niya sa bangko. Kaya kampante na siya na hindi maremata ng bangko ang inn nila. Sa gayon ay makakapagpokus na sila sa relasiyon nila at pagpapatakbo ng inn. Talagang na-enjoy nila ang samahan ng isa't-isa.

Tinutulungan ni Liam si Angie na i-promote ang inn. Nakipag-ugnayan siya sa ilan sa kaniyang mga koneksiyon sa New York na may mga travel agency. Nag-post pa siya ng promosiyon sa ilang mga booking sites, lokal man o abroad. Talagang nagustuhan ni Liam ang kasalukuyang ginagawa, at ang pagiging content writer ay malaking tulong sa promosiyon. Nagsusulat siya ng blog at mga reviews tungkol sa isla at inn. Mabisa ito sapagkat nagsisimula silang makatanggap ng maraming mga inquiries at advance bookings.

Kasalukuyang binabasa ni Liam ang istatistika ng kaniyang blog nang biglang tumunog ang kaniyang laptop, isang video call mula sa kaniyang boss.

"Evening boss," bati ni Liam sa kaniyang amo sa kabilang linya.

"Liam, you're blogs is getting a lot of traffic. It's indeed a good place, however that's not what I wanted. I want that biography of yours. If you can pass that this weekend, I'll consider your promotion and bonus. The story is catchy and since so many people are interested in romantic settings, maybe it'll be a big help for that little inn to gain more exposure," wika ng boss niya.

"I really doubt this whole idea, boss. I don't want to cause any trouble anymore. I love my girlfriend, and this biography thing can violate her privacy. Can I talk to her about this first?" tanggi ni Liam.

"What if she will not agree? Are you able to refund all the expenses?"

"Please boss, don't do this to me. I can write another content for you but I can't send anything related to Angie," pakiusap ni Liam.

"Fine. You don't have to include her name on it. Let's make it a blind item instead."

"That's acceptable but can we have legal agreement on that?"

"Consider it done. I am gonna email it you later. For now send the manuscript so I can check it."

At pinadala ni Liam sa kaniyang boss ang manuscript.

"Wait, how long are you going to stay there?"

"My tourist visa will expire ten days from now. If I can extend that's great but if not then I'll go home."

"Okay."

Pagkatapos ng pag-uusap na iyon, nagtungo si Liam sa hardin upang tulungan si Angie sa pagbungkal ng lupa. Napagtanto niya napaka-rewarding pala ng ganitong uri ng trabaho. Hindi pa siya nakaranas magbungkal ng lupa noong nasa New York siya, dahil sa siyudad siya lumaki at ang nakikita niya lang noon ay mga skyscrapers, abalang kalye, at ingay sa paligid. Talagang nasisiyahan siya sa bagong kapaligiran. Pakiramdam niya ay malapit siya sa kalikasan, ang buhay ay napakasimple at ang mga tao dito ay mas relax.

Nang sumunod na umaga, tulad ng nakagawian, ang una niyang ginagawa ay ang pagbabasa ng mga email at stats. Pinirmahan niya ang kasunduan na ipinadala ng kaniyang boss at pagkatapos ay tiningnan niya ang kaniyang blog. Nagulat siyang makita ang biglang pagtaas ng visitors sa kaniyang mga articles. At ang kapansin-pansin ay ang mga komentong tungkol sa isang ministeryosong babae. Nagpadala pa sila ng pagbati sa kaniya. Palibhasa'y naguguluhan sa binabasa, agad-agad siyang pumunta sa kanilang mga opisyal na website at laking gulat niya nang malaman na nasa tampok na pahina siya. Oo, ang kaniyang talambuhay ay itinampok! Ang nakakawindang pa sa ay nai-post din nila ang mga larawan ng inn at ni Angie. Bagaman, walang pangalan na nabanggit tungkol sa misteryosong babae, ngunit lumalabag pa rin ito sa privacy ng kaniyang kasintahan. Dahil ang mga tao ay puwede nang mag-search sa internet gamit lang ang litrato upang malaman ang pagkatao ng isa, maging ang social media accounts nito. Wala siyang isinama sa larawan sa manuskrito na kaniyang pinadala. Kaya Naman hindi niya mawari ay kung saan nila nahanap ang larawan ni Angie. Hindi kaya dahil sa ads ng inn? Inilagay pa man din nila sa caption sa kaniyang talambuhay ang 'Straded On You - The Liam Sanders Biography'.

Dali-daling tinawagan niya ang boss para tanungin ukol dito.

"Boss, why did include her picture? It's not on the terms we agreed," reklamo niya dito.

"And it's not written there too that we can't include picture. As we agreed, we didn't include her name on it. You see how trending you are? So many people are interested in your story. We're getting hundreds of visitors in an hour. This is a big help for her business too."

"That's not the point. Her privacy is at stake here. The internet world is so scary. I am contesting that you'll remove her photo..." hindi natapos ni Liam ang mga sasabihin dahil biglang pumasok si Angie sa kuwarto niya at naamoy niyang hindi maganda ang mood nito.

"Liam!" pagalit na wika Angie.

"Y-yes babe," nauutal na tugon niya dahil sa takot.

"Why are so many people messaging me on my social media? They are asking if I'm your mystery girl. What's is going on here?" nawiwindang si Angie.

Nahihirapan si Liam na sabihan ang tamang salita upang simulan ang paliwanag, kaya naman sumingit itong boss niya.

"Hi there, I'm his boss. We published his biography yesterday and you're part of his bio," itinuon ni Angie ang kaniyang paningin sa laptop at isang sopistikadang babae ang nakita niya sa screen. Tingin niya pa lang dito mukhang mataray ito at demanding.

"What!" naiiritang wika niya sabay baling kay Liam at pinandilatan niya ito.

"Why didn't you talk to me first? They are violating my privacy. I don't want to be a talk of the town," patuloy niya.

"I'm so sorry babe, it's just an honest mistake. I didn't agree on this," dispensa ni Liam.

"Then explain why this happened."

"Look, I'll fix this. Just calm down, okay?" hinawakan ni Liam ang mga kamay niya. Kaya lang, sumingit ang boss nito.

"Excuse me. Angie, right? Well sweetie, I hope you'll cooperate. This is a win-win situation. You see, your boyfriend needs to revive his career and that article is a big help. There are thousands of people visiting the website now. And for you, this is a good exposure for your little business. Aren't you gonna help your boyfriend?" diretsahang wika nito. Pakiramdaman tuloy ni Angie, sinamantala siya.

"Are you using me now?" baling niya uli kay Liam.

"No, it's not like that," wika ni Liam.

"Well, spare me the details," sa inis ay nag-walk out si Angie. Hinabol Naman siya ni Liam, na hindi man lang inintindi ang boss nito.

"Babe, please hear me out," hinila ni Liam ang braso niya.

"Men are just users," madamdaming wika niya habang pilit na pinipigilan ang kaniyang mga luha.

"It's not what you think it is. Please, hear me out first. Calm down, okay? Look at me, look at my eyes," sinikap talaga ni Liam na mapakalma siya.

"I know you have trust issue but know this. I didn't not use you. I came here in this island just for vacation. Yes, I admit that part of my goal coming here is to find a good article for my comeback, but it definitely has nothing to with you. I never intended to use your identity nor our relationship just to attract readers and prospects sponsors. I already passed my article but my boss somehow blackmailed me to pass my biography instead. And that includes my past relationships and how I ended up here with you. She finds it interesting to feature our story because most readers like to read adventure setting love story in real life. I didn't agree on that idea, instead I proposed to her that I should keep your name a secret. However I don't have any idea why they include our photos. I didn't give them our photos, but maybe they used that one on my travel blog or ads. Believe me, I didn't not use you. I can show you our contract if you want proof," sincerely delivers his long speech hoping that Angie will believe him.

"Is that so?" wika ni Angie habang pinupunasan ang mga luha sa kaniyang mga mga mata. Naramdaman niya na ang pagiging totoo ni Liam.

"I maybe had some past relationships and I'm not hiding that fact. Because you're worthy of my loyalty and respect. I have never met a woman with such dignity. I know this is not the right time but I am sure of my feelings," bigla na lang lumuhod sa harapan ni Angie si Liam.

"Hey, what are you doing?" naluha-luha na naman si Angie sa ginawa ni Liam.

"This is not as romantic as those in the movie, and I don't even have a ring but I am asking your hand in marriage," maging si Liam ay nakuha din.

"Is this a prank?"

"No. I'm proposing."

Napatutop pa si Angie dahil hindi niya inaasahan na sa ganoong sitwasyon ito magpo-propose sa kaniya.

"So, what's it gonna be?" tanong muli ni Liam. Pero hindi pa rin maibuka ni ang bibig upang sumagot. Paano ba naman kasi, halu-halong emosiyon ang naramdaman niya. Napatango lang siya bilang pagsang-ayon sa proposal. Dali-dali namang tumayo si Liam at masuyo siyang hinagkan.

"Thank you, babe. We'll get married as soon as I fixed my visa," bulong ni Liam sa kaniya nang maghiwalay ang kanilang mga labi.

"I love you, Liam" she initiates to kiss him. And Liam reciprocates it so dearly. When they kiss that long, Angie realizes it's going somewhere so she pauses.

"Well continue this after the wedding," she smiles at him so brightly.

"I know. Let's get back to work."