Circulo Verde Series #1: Rough

When I got home that unforgettable afternoon. I didn't think I'd hear something  that was about to change my life. A change that you never sign for but has to deal with it. "Ania sweetie," sabi ni Daddy sa mas malambot at pinaka nang-aamo niyang boses. Madalas naririnig ko lang ang ganoong tinig niya kapag mayroon siyang kausap at nililigawang investor. I wonder what he needs from me. My mind screams at me to say no and react violently the moment he utter the news. To him and our business, the proposal is a salvation but to me who'll marry into that family---a curse. I could say no even if I wanted too. By the way he watch me with his scrutinizing eyes. I know he already came up with hundreds or even thousand of plan to have me agree on that marriage and so, I said yes. Hindi ko na sila pinahirapan pa pati na rin ang aking sarili. "What's his name?" I asked abruptly when he's about to leave me in our living room. Daddy halt and slightly dart his head back on my direction. "Atlantis Romanov," he said. The same night. I end up flipping the net trying to search for him but I find no Atlantis Romanov. Yup he exist but he's like very private? I don't know. He doesn't have his social media account. Not even an article with a picture of him. Damn, too mysterious. "Ania, smile. It's your debut, you should be enjoying this day," Eres, my cousin said casually. Pinilig ko ang aking ulo at pilit na ngumiti sa kaniya. "May naalala lang ako," wala sa sariling sinabi ko bago napatulala sa king repleksyon sa pabilog na salamin ng dresser na kaharap ko. Eres is right, I should be enjoying this day but hell, I cannot. Aside from my debut, this day is another way of celebrating my engagement with a stranger named Atlantis Romanov. Well, I am familiar with his surname, I often hear that family name whenever Dad tells Mom about the business industry. "Romanov is an empire. Marrying to that family will secure our position in the business world and your future." I smiled bitterly. Why am I even hearing Daddy's voice in my head now? Iniangat ko ang aking kamay para awatin saglit ang make-up artist sa ginagawa nito sa 'king labi. Natigilan si Eres sa ginagawa niyang pagpili ng setting spray dahil sa ginawa kong 'yon. Malalim akong napabuntong hininga. "May kilala ka bang Atlantis Romanov? He's son of Eula and Antonio Romanov." Umaktong nag-iisip si Eres. Hindi katulad ko, mas exposed si Eres at Itália sa business world dahil may sarili silang business--- Eres Cosmetics and Bella Donna. Baka lang nakasalamuha na nila miski isang beses ang lalaking 'yon. I hope they did. I badly want to have even just a single idea about him. Makalipas ang ilang segundo ay umiling ito sa 'kin. "I know him by name. Who wouldn't? But that Atlantis Romanov is the mysterious one among the Romanov brothers. He don't like showing up to business gatherings. Google, have you tried searching him there?" Natahimik na lang ako. Sinubukan ko na rin 'yon pero mukha ng iba't ibang lalaki ang nakikita ko. Hindi ko alam kung sino ba talaga siya sa mga 'yon. "P'wede bang iwan niyo muna ako saglit?" pakiusap ko. Kinuha ko ang lipstick mula sa kamay ng make-up artist. Saglit pa silang nagkatinginan ni Eres bago tumango sa 'kin bilang pagpayag. Hinintay kong sumara ang pinto ng kwarto at nang mangyari na 'yon. May pagmamadali kong kinuha ang aking cell phone. I dialed Lyell's number. After several rings, I get to hear his bedroom voice. Inilayo ko nang kaonti sa 'king tainga ang phone. Nagising ko ba s'ya? Tumingin ako sa orasang nasa bed side table. It's already five in the afternoon. Is he taking his nap? Hindi ba dapat nagreready na rin siya papunta rito kasi kasama siya—sila nina Kuya Lander sa 18 roses ko. "Aniá? Why?" he chuckled. "Don't worry I'll be there in time for your debut." His deep-panned voice conquered my ears. I shut my eyes. Goodness, my love for that kind of sound. Pinilig ko ang aking ulo. "Lyell, listen to me, help me. I don't want to get married to my so called fiancé. Take me away from here---," natigil ako sa pagsasalita matapos maagaw sa 'king kamay ang cell phone. "Forget about what she told you. Everything is fine," sabi nito kay Lyell. He pressed the end call button and give me that dark look. My mouth failed to open as my eyes met his dark looking gray orbs. Muscles of his sharp and well-defined jaws protruded. I looked away. My eyes landed on his body. His lean and manly man frame that homes his white button down and slacks perfectly makes me breathless, somehow. Is he an angel sent by God as my birthday present? "W-Who are you? Sinong nagpapasok sa 'yo rito?" sa wakas, nahanap ko na rin ang aking dila. The stranger's bow-shaped lips curves a menacingly beautiful mocking smile. "Your parents sent me in." Ha? Ba't naman 'yon gagawin nina Daddy? Oh, no... Napatakip ako sa 'king bibig. Siya ba 'to? "Don't you even try to leave and runaway, Espánia. You're stuck with me and starting today you must learn to deal with it, Espánia." Every words come out from his mouth smoothly. If it weren't for the way he looks at me. I'd probably forget to ask him who's he for I am busy fangirling over his handsome voice. Black suite. Sleek black hair. Expensive perfume. Aura shouts ruthlessness and perfection at the same time. Is he... "Atlantis Romanov?" halos bumara pa ang pangalan nito sa aking lalamunan. The stranger who did not confirm his identity yet casually sat on the edge of my bed. When he's already comfortable on it. He took a box from the pocket of his coat. "Wear this. It's our engagement ring," he said. He's really that mysterious Atlantis Romanov.