Winning The Magnate's Heart (#LTNI Book 2)

#WTMH Roll 6: A Cupid named 'Boyet' (pt. II)

Kinaumagahan, nakaupo lang sa hamba ng bintana niya si Margaret at nakatingin sa basang kalsada sa buong gabinng pag-uulan kagabi. People are on their coats, jackets and umbrellas. Sumandal siya sa hamba ng bintana. Matapos niyang umiyak buong gabi, medyo gumagaan na ang puso niya. Tumayo siya. 'No, don't give up, Marga!' Sigaw ng utak niya. 'Di'ba sabi mo... okay lang kung sigawan ka niya... kasi di naman pakikipagbati ang pinunta mo rito kundi para sa mga tao mo. Kaya wag kang paghinaan ng loob.'

She was deeply hurt hearing those words directly from Isaiah's mouth. But that's what you get from hurting the only person who believes in you. Trust is earned not given and she just shattered his trust into pieces without thinking twice. Tama si Alban, ano bang in-i-expect niya? Ang sasalubungin siya ng yakap at ngiti?

Huminga siya ng malalim. "Kaya 'to, Margaret! Kaya 'to --- " At naputol ang self-motivation cheer niya nang may kumatok. Sumilip siya sa peekhole sa pinto. Nasa likod niyon ay isang lalakeng hotel attendant. "Hmm?" Binuksan niya ito. "Yes?"

Ngumiti ito. "Good morning, Ma'am." May nilahad itong papel.

"W-What's this?" Tanggap niya. Umalis na rin ang lalake kaya sinara niya ang pinto. Niyuko niya ang papel at una niyang nabasa ang salitang 'STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT.' "Ow s**t!" Sapo niya sa noo. [A/N: Statement of Account – is a detailed report of your payables to the service you rendered. In short, listahan iyon ng babayarin ni Margaret sa hotel]

Umupo siya sa kama at kinuha ang pitaka sa bag. Binilang niya ang perang natira.

She's doomed. She only has enough money to last her long for one more night in this hotel.

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Pumasok siya sa building ng Miller Headquarters at inayos sa pagkapusod ang buhok niya sa tuktok ng ulo. Kagat ang isang hairpin, pipindot na sana siya sa elevator button nang may humarang nakamay sa panel. Pagtingala niya'y dalawang malalaking katawan na lalake na naka suit and tie ang nakatayo sa magkabilang gilid ng elevator. "Hmm?"

"Are you Ms. Margaret Victoria Carolina?" Tanong ng isa.

Tumango. "T-That's me?"

"You are prohibited to use the elevator."

"Huh? A-Ako?" Turo niya sa sarili. "Bakit?"

"You are also prohibited to go up on 29th floor."

Napakurap siya. "S-Sino may sabi?"

"Orders from the chairman." Matipid na sagot ng isa.

She bites her lower lip. "Shit..." Tumalikod nalang siya at pumikit para wag sigawan ang dalawa. Ginagawa lang naman ng mga ito ang trabaho nila. Her confidence is wearing thin. Her chance for getting the approval is getting darker.

Pero...

Di siya hihinto. Agad niya kinuha ang cellphone at sa mahinang boses tinawagan si Baxter. "Boyet... saan rito ang fire exit?"

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Napatayo si Baxter mula sa pagkakaupo nito sa sofa sa lobby. "Fire Exit? Nasa tabi ng C.R. ng mga babae. Oo, dadaan ka pa sa canteen. Bakit --- sa 'Fire Exit!?" Nanlaki ang mata nito sa narinig na sagot ni Margaret sa kabilang linya. "Nahihibang ka na ba?! Aakyat ka sa Fire Exit hanggang 29th floor?!"

[A/N: Fire Exit in most buildings are majorly composed of stairs that leads to each of the floors in case of emergency or in case the elevator is unsafe or under maintenance.]

Sinapo ni Baxter ang noo. "Marga, higpit na pinagbabawala ni Sir Isaiah na pumunta ka rito. Baka ipadampot ka ng security. Pero ----" Pinatay na ng prinsesa ang tawag. "Baliw ba siya?!"

"Bakit?" Tanong ni Nadia.

"Umandar na naman ang saltik sa utak ng babaeng yun." Napailing nalang si Baxter.

FIRE EXIT

Hinihingal na huminto si Marga at yumakap sa railings ng hagdan. "Ha... ha..." Tiningala niya ang floor number. 9th Floor. Tinakbo niya uli ang hagdaan pataas.

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Tinukod niya ang mga braso sa tuhod at pinahid ang pawis sa leeg. Tiningala niya ang floor number. 15th floor.

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She groans as she sits on one step of the stairs to rest her aching legs. Sumandal siya sa bakal na railings ng hagdan. Slowly, she looks up at the floor number. 19th floor. Pumikit siya. Sinubukan niyang pumasok kanina sa 18th floor para gagamit sana nang elevator pero may nakabantay rin doong mga security. Every floor's elevator has two huge guys securing the steel box. Isaiah was really serious of not seeing her again. 'Kaya mo 'to, Marga. Kaya 'to...' Nanginginig ang mga binti niyang tumayo. She just imagines little Islanda's smile and uses it as her motivation.

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23rd floor. Napaubo na siya at marahas nang hinihingal. She forgot to bring water with her. "B-Bwesit..." Her vision starts to blur. Six floors to go. Niyuko niya ang two-inch heels na suot niya. Hinubad niya ang mga iyon, dinampot at nakayapak na nagpatuloy nang pag-akyat.

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26th floor. Umupo uli siya sa isang baitang at umungol na sa sakit ng kaniyang binti. "Shiiittt~" Sinandal niya ang ulo sa railing ng hagdan. Tasting her lips, dry and chap, her body is throbbing for a surrender. 'No, Marga... sakit lang 'to sa katawan. Maipapahinga mo ito mamaya. Pero ang tsansang bibitawan mo'y di na maibabalik kaya ---- ' Nagulat siya nang sinubukan niyang tumayo nang biglang umikot ang paningin niya kaya napaupo siya pabalik. "Okay... Okay... c-calm down." Her breaths are rapid. "C-Calm down... magpahinga ka muna nang s-sampung m-minuto... sampung minuto.." Tiningnan niya ang wristwatch. "Ten minutes and you're...." Her mind went blank as she starts to lose consciousness.

But before her body falls on the cold concrete, two arms suddenly encircle around her.

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Kahit gustong magpahinga ng katawan ay panaka-nakang dumidilat ang mata ni Margaret para aninagin kung sinuman ang nagbuhat sa kaniya. Her vision is still blurry, yet she can hear someone's talking.

"Sir..." Ani ng isang lalakeng boses.

Then she senses they entered an elevator.

"Close your eyes and sleep." The deep, baritone voice speak referring to her.

She leans her head towards his chest. 'Must be Boyet...' "S-Salamat, Boyet..."

While tapping his pencil, Isaiah reads Margaret's complete proposal until the last word. Crumpled and dirty from her frequent travels, the content is indeed meaningful. Nilingon niya ang babaeng nakahiga sa sofa sa loob ng kaniyang opisina na noo'y nagpapahinga. 'What kind of princess wears a dress that bares her legs too much.' It covers only half her legs and good thing he has a coat to cover those or else he can't concentrate on reading her proposal.

It was indeed a very opportunistic project. A man-made lake on a place where water is scarce. What Margaret wants is to geographically change Scotland by making a lake. She needs hundreds of geologists [an expert in studying the Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, body of lands like mountains and the processes by which they change over time.], and scientist to study the viability and cleanliness of the water, engineers, thousands of workers and maybe, two years project duration.

But the question lies on: Is there a water on that dry land?

It's a large-scale project she's planning, and no company would invest in this kind of project when upon studying the pictures she gave are almost a dead, wasteland.

His eyes turn to the woman on the sofa who finally gains consciousness.

"Uhhnn..." Dahan-dahang bumangon si Marga, tukod ang dalawang braso sa sofa. Agad napangiti ito nang makita ang baso ng tubig sa mesa. "Water!" Mabilis nitong kinuha ang baso at nilagok ang laman noon. As she finishes her drink, she saw a figure reflected from the glass she is holding. Binaba niya iyon at napaubo nang makita si Isaiah. "Ugh!!! Ugh!!" Hinagod niya ang masakit na lalamunan. 'Putek! Paano ako napunta rito?' Nilibot niya ang paningin sa loob. Nasa opisina nga siya ng lalake. With nothing but black, ash gray and dark gray as main colors of his office, it has a professional and masculine touch in it. "I-Isaiah?"

Tumayo ito at naglakad papunta sa kaniya. On his hand is her proposal.

Nabuhayan siya nang pag-asa na tiningala niya ito. "You read it..."

He stops few inches away from her and nods.

"S-So... w-what can you say about it ---"

"Still a no." He place the folder on the table.

Bumagsak ang balikat niya. "But --- "

"Let me be frank, Margaret. And listen carefully." He slid his hand on his pocket. "No one will fund a big amount on that project unless proven there is indeed a deep source of water underneath that wasteland."

Napayuko siya at kinagat ang ibabang labi. "Well, we could try --- "

"Business doesn't work that way. Hindi trial-and-error ang paggastos ng pera, Marga. You can't expect businessmen give you money and when the project fails, they'll have their money back 100%."

"I thought it was a donation --- "

"It's a charity, Margaret."

Tumingala siya sa blangkong mukha ni Isaiah. "What do you mean?"

"You think businessmen give money for free? No... they want something in return. One is to get their name publicized as a Good Samaritan helping those who are in need. Miller Foundation is one of them. Para bumango ang pangalan ng kompanya namin ay tumutulong kami sa walang-wala para masabing mababait kaming tao, attracting more investors. Some companies who have bastard's as CEO... wants more than that." His trails his gaze on her body. "And you know what I mean." Tumalikod ito. "If you can stand up, you can leave."

"Then fund my project!"

Lumingon ito sa kaniya.

"Fund my project and I promise... you'll get all the publicity you want. Gusto mo ilathala ang Miller Group of Companies sa lahat ng diyaryo sa Scotland and Ireland... g-gagawin ko. I'll put ads in the television. I'll ask our neighboring countries to invest in your company o-or... a-atleast put your name on their news ----"

"Are you living in your own fairytale, Marga?"

Her body froze. "What?"

"Wake up." Humarap ito sa kaniya. "A Scott and A Miller? You really think the Queen will put our name on any of Scotland and Ireland's property? Or even let one of my workers land a foot on your country's soil?"

Napasandal siya sa sofa. Because of desperation, she didn't think of that possibility.

"Unang-una palang... naisip mo na 'yun. How can our money enter your banks? You think the Queen won't know?"

Another good point.

"Next time." He continues. "Use your head. Nothing good comes out by following your emotions." Malamig nitong dagdag.

"But I h-have no choice." Mangiyak-ngiyak niyang sabi. "G-Galing na rin sa bibig mo... imposibleng may kumuha sa project ko. Pero alam kong kaya ng mga Miller 'to."

Umupo ito sa swivel chair at humarap sa kaniya. "We're not running a charity here, Margaret. Still a no."

"I-I have a deal with Grandma --- "

"And the more reason we won't mingle. What's your deal with your grandma is none of our business." He points at the door with his pencil. "There's the door."

"Isaiah ---- " Naputol siya nang tumunog ang cellphone niya. Kinuha niya iyon sa bulsa niya. "Hello --- Nelson?" Napatayo siya sa tono ng boses nito. "W-Wait... wait, c-calm down... calm down." Kahit masakit ang mga binti'y pilit niyang tumayo at lumabas sa opisina para makakuha ng maayos na signal.

Isaiah looks at the closed door then resumes his work.

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Pagkasara niya sa pintuan ay agad namang luminaw ang reception ng tawag. Di na niya pinansin si Nadia at Baxter na nagtatanong ang mga tingin. "Hello, Nelson?"

Nelson: "Princess... have you seen the news?"

"N-News? About what?"

Nelson: "It's about the Marchomont Village."

Agad umalsa ang kaba sa dibdib niya. "Bakit?"

Nelson: "Halos lahat ng mga tao roon ay nagkakasakit sa tiyan. Yung i-iba ay nagsusuka na."

"WHY?!" Mahigpit niyang hinawakan ang cellphone sa takot na maputol ang tawag.

Nelson: "It's w-water poisoning, Princess."

Nasapo niya ang bibig. "W-What happened?"

Nelson: "They've been drinking water from a spring that's contaminated by a nearby factory that produces... chemicals for plants."

Napaluhod siya at tuloy-tuloy na tumulo ang luha niya. "W-Where's Isla??"

Nelson: "Isa siya sa lubhang... naapektuhan, Princess Marga."

"Oh my God..." Sinapo niya ang noo. Pinatay niya ang tawag at tinawagan si Alban. "Alban... p-please answer my call." Di siya mapakaling naglalakad paroon at parito sa lobby.

"Marga, okay ka lang?" Nag-aalalang tanong ni Baxter.

Alban: "Darlin' ----"

"Pick me up outside Miller HQ. Now." She cancelled the call and runs towards the elevator.

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Saktong pagkababa niya'y nasa ibaba na sa labas na si Alban at naghihintay sa kaniya. "Darlin'!" Bungad nito. "What's up with your call ----"

Tumakbo si marga at yumakap rito nang mahigpit.

"W-What's wrong?? Marga?" Yakap nalang nito sa kaniya.

A maid places a cup of jasmine tea infront of Margaret. Ningitian niya ito at nagpasalamat. Kasalukuyang nasa malaking suite siya ni Alban at nakaupo sa isang upuan kaharap ang isang sala set kung saan siya dinala nito matapos siyang kunin sa Miller HQ. She looks at the guy on the balcony busy talking to someone over the phone. Tiningnan nalang niya ang repliksyon niya sa naninilaw na tsaa sa puting tasa. She looks like a mess. Her mind's in a mess. Her heart is in a mess. Everything is a mess.

Sinapo niya ang noo na kanina pa pumipitik sa sakit.

Pumasok si Alban sa kwarto at lumuhod sa tabi niya. "Marga, I already called some of my friends working on the hospitals. They assured me they'll send helicopters and ambulance to Marchomont to bring the patients to a proper hospital. Sinabihan ko na rin sila na daanan ang Muirhaus baka pareho rin ang nangyari sa mga tao roon."

She smiles as tears starts to sting the corner of her eyes. "Alban..."

"Shhhh..." He wipes her tears. "Don't cry. Everything's going to be fine."

Umiling siya. "N-Not anymore..." Kusang tumulo na ang mga luhang kanina pa niya pinipigilan. "Isaiah firmly rejected m-my proposal. I have nowhere t-to go.." Umiling siya. "Di k-ko na alam anong gagawin k-ko.."

Tumabi sa kaniya si Alban at ginagap ang kamay niya. "M-Marga... m-may a-alam pa akong paraan." Nagdadalawang-isip nitong ipagpatuloy ang sasabihin.

"Ano?" Pahid niya sa mga luha.

"Tomorrow's the Charity Event."

She sniffs and nods.

"But I don't highly recommend this knowing your regal status."

"What is it, Alban?"

"Along with the Charity Event is a raffle. Yung mga proposals na walang tumanggap ay i-ra-raffle ng organizer, at pag isa ang project mo sa nabunot... You'll stand in the stage to briefly explain your project and... and... there will be a bidding." Nag-iwas na tingin ni Alban.

"B-Bidding? You mean an auction?"

Tumango ito. "Oo. Your project will be put into an auction and who ever bids the highest will win."

Kumislap ang mata niya. "T-Talaga?"

Alanganing tumango si Alban. "Yeah. You're lucky if the bid will exceed your proposed budget but..." Napakamot ito sa noo.

"B-But?"

"There will be an exchange. I-I don't know w-what. Kasi yung nanalo na bidder ang siyang mag-de-desisyon kung anong gusto niya. Of course, the organizer will ensure no illegal or criminal acts will be done. Ang akin lang... prinsesa ka, Marga. Your image is at stake here and given you are engaged to a prince, mahirap kung hihingin ng highest bidder ay isang date mula sa'yo. Kaya iniisip ko kung ano pang posibleng hingin ng highest bidder kung sakali mabunot ka ---- "

Marga tightly holds Alban hands. "I'll take the risk."

"Huh?" Napakurap si Alban. "You're not serious --- "

"Drastic times call for drastic measures." Buong loob niyang tango. "Sasali ako sa auction bukas."

Alban saw firm decision on Marga's eyes which he thinks he can't convince her to think twice first.

The next evening, the night of the Charity Event, the huge and extravagant venue sparkles wherever your eyes lay upon. With her hands wrapped around Alban's arm as her partner for the night, Marga on a peach gown where the upper is a lace and the lower garment is made of a satin, peach cloth and her flaming red hair lusciously kept in a French bun atop her head adorned with little crystals; stunningly enters the venue.

Bumaba sila sa hagdan papunta sa marangyang bulwagan.

Humigpit ang hawak niya sa kaibigan. "A-Alban... w-why are they looking at us?"

"Not 'at us'. At you." Pagtatama ni Alban na noo'y nakasauot ng puting tuxedo. "You look gorgeous tonight, darlin'. Kung wala lang si Nadia, baka niligawan na kita." Sabay tawa.

She blushes as she looks down to avoid the guests stares who are on the food table drinking wines and eating the served finger-foods.

Due to her curvy frame, she was a indeed a head-turner.

Sinalubong sila ng isang waitress at matapos malaman ang apelyido ni Alban ay giniya sila nito sa naka-designate nilang upuan at lamesa.

Nang makaupo'y tumingala si Marga sa kisame na namumutiktik ng mga naglalakihang chandeliers. On the walls are expensive drapes of pink and white curtains.

"Please be seated, everyone." Announce ng host sa mikropono. "I believe all of our guests are here."

The lights then dimmed. A sign that the event will be starting.

She breathes deep in and out and looks at the stage as a group of little kids are performing with their instruments. 'Di siya mapakali sa kaba. Please... sana'y mabunot ang proposal ko.' She turns to her left and saw Isaiah with Nadia on a table along with some prominent figures in the business world. Nakatutok ang mga ito sa stage. He looks dashing on his dark, blue suit and tie. Naputol ang pagtitig niya nang may lumapit na waiter na nagsalin ng wine sa mga crystal glass.

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When the orchestra performance ended, umilaw uli ang mga chandeliers at umugong sa buong venue ang masigabong palakpakan. On the corner of his eyes, he saw something scarlet. Paglingon ni Isaiah ay nakita niya si Margaret kasama si Alban na nakangiting pumalakpak. Her soft colored gown compliments her delicate skin making her look so pristine. 'What's she doing here?'

The main event of the program then started. Projects are flashed on the large LCD Screen. Isa-isang tinatawag ang mga representative ng mga projects at ang mga companies/organization na magdodonate ng pera sa kanila. Each of them are given a short time to give their short speech of gratitude.

Margaret never saw the Miller Foundation listed on the name of the donors. Wala nga talaga itong napiling tulungan sa mga nag-po-propose. That includes hers.

The whole announcement event spans for almost three hours. Kaya nung matapos ang iyon, nag-serve na ang mga waiter at waitress ng mga pagkain sa mga mesa.

Matapos ang hapuna'y nag-announce uli ang host na magsisimula na ang raffle. Margaret is in the middle of her lemon cheesecake when the host and her attendant draw papers from a box. "Let's start from The Association of Animal Welfare and Protection!" Pumalakpak ang mga tao roon nang umakyat ang matandang lalake nitong representative na agad nilahad ang proyekto nitong ibalik ang mga Bengalese Tiger sa African Wilderness. The bidding then starts from 1 million dollars and it increase from then on. The project won 13 million dollars in exchange for a premium pass for the highest bidder's family to Africa. Bale, libreng makalabas-masok ang pamilya ng bidder sa Africa ng walang bayad.

Two more raffles are made. None of them are hers.

Unti-unting lumalalim ang hininga ni Margaret. Lima lang ang kukunin. Three are already named.

Alban massages her shoulder.

She nods and smiles.

"For our next raffle," Kumuha ng papel ang host sa box. "A Man-Made Lake for the People of Marchomont and Muirhaus."

Isaiah stops from drinking water from his glass.

Napasinghap si Marga at lumingon sa katabi. "OMG, Alban...."

"Stand up! Stand up!" Masayang ngiti ni Alban sabay tulak sa kaniya patayo.

Kinakabahang tumayo si Marga at naglakad papunta sa stage. All guests awed at her beauty. "Such beauty!", "She looks familiar...", "Muirhaus at Marchomont? Di'ba yun yung binalita kagabi?"

Margaret fidgets on with her fingers as she climbs the stairs up towards the platform.

"Ohh... What do we have here... A very stunning lady!" Puri sa kaniya ng host.

Ngumiti siya at bahagyang nasilaw sa spotlight na nakatutok sa kaniya.

"What the hell..." Sinundan ng mga asul na mata ni Isaiah ang babae sa stage.

"Sir..." Bulong ni Nadia. "Di'ba si Ms. Marga 'yan?"

The host then interviewed the woman. "Miss, please state your name and brief description of your project."

She clears her throat and holds the microphone. "I am Princess Margaret Victoria Carolina of Scotland and Ireland."

At umani iyon ng iba't-ibang reaksiyon mula sa mga dumalo. Murmurs filled the place.

"I-I know by now..." Patuloy niya. "Some of you recognize me before I went up the stage." She smiles. "I do also know that... some of you here are familiar with the name Muirhaus and Marchomont. T-They're far-flung villages in Scotland that graces the headlines of the news yesterday." Huminga siya nang malalim. "And yes, they are in need of water. Clean source of water." She looks straight at Isaiah's eyes. "Alam kong iilan sa inyo'y nagtatanong bakit ang isang mayamang bansa ay humihingi ng tulong mula sa inyo." She looks at the crowd who were entranced by her angelic look. "I am proposing a man-made lake. A very ambitious and expensive project. Water is a necessity for each and one of us. That is why I took the initiative to move fast in order to sustain a safe and livable place for my citizens. A-And I failed." She looks down. "The nightmare struck when I was wasting my time. My people were poisoned from taking water from a contaminated source. A lapse of judgement on my side. That's why I am here infront of you, knocking on your hearts to please consider my project. It's not for myself but for them. Think of the kids, the old people... their livelihood. I may not repay you through money. But I hope their smiles are enough to repay your kindness. T-Thank you."

May nagtaas ng kamay. Isang babae. "1 Billion dollars!"

"Woah!!" Singhap ng mga nakikinig.

She smiles at the lady.

"3 Billion dollars!" A man on the back shouted.

"3.5 Billion!" Sigaw naman ng isang matandang babae.

"5 Billion dollars!" Sigaw ng isang Chinese businessman.

"7! 7 Billion dollars!" Sigaw uli ng unang babae kanina.

Margaret looks at Alban who is also hopeful that they could hit their budget of 10 Billion dollars.

"8 Billion!" Sigaw ng isang binatang businessman. Tumayo pa ito at ngumiti sa kaniya.

She answered a tight smile.

The hostess waited for another bidder. "Wala na bang tataas sa 8 billion? 8.5? Anyone?"

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Baxter humming a tune inside the car, nearly jumps on his seat when his phone vibrates. "Hmm?" Kinuha niya iyon sa dashboard. "Hello, Sir Isaiah?"

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"8.5 Billion? 8.3?" Tanong ng host sa madla. "8 Billion? Going once? Going twice? Sold ----"

"15 Billion Dollars!" Sigaw naman ng isang Chinese businessman sa gilid.

Marga clenches her palms. They hit their mark. Now, the only thing she'll be worried about is how to convince this businessman about his condition. Mahirap pag date ang hihingin nito.

"Going once? Going twice?" Tanong ng host. "Sold to Mr. Lin for 10 Billion Dollars!"

Mr. Hunter Lin stands up and smiles as he walks towards the stage. "Hi, Princess Marga." Magalang nitong tango.

"H-Hello, Mr. L-Lin." Lumingon siya kay Isaiah na blangko lang ang ekspresyon sa mukha na nakatingin sa kaniya. Binalingan uli niya ang lalake.

"Hey, relax. I won't bite." Ngiti nito. His eyes disappear as he smiles, and she find it very cute. Bahagyang gumaan ang pakiramdam niya sa lalake.

"M-Mr. Lin, umm.. a-about the condition --- "

Hunter nods at the host and helps Marga off the stage. "Let's talk about that tomorrow, shall we?"

"Y-You sure?" She asks as they landed on the carpet. The raffle on the stage continues.

Tumango ito. "Yeah. Oh, I'm not a businessman, by the way. I'm just a pilot who owns an airline company of my own."

Doon na siya tumawa. "That's still a businessman, Mr. Lin."

Nag-isip pa ito at tumawa. "Oh, you're right!" At sila ng dalawa ang tumawa.

Naglakas si Marga sa tahimik na parking lot at agad nakita ang puting limousine na sinakyan nila kanina ni Alban. She leans on it and hugs her body. Dahil natapos na event, nagkakasiyahan na sa loob. And since Alban is a very extrovert person, he immediately made friends with a lot of people inside. Kaya minabuti niyang lumabas nalang at doon na maghintay sa parking lot. She also needs a time to think about her next move. Mukha namang mabait ang half-Chinese at half-Filipinong businessman na si Hunter Lin. Baka pwede niya itong ma-covince na huwag nalang date ang hingin nitong kapalit. Free pass nalang sa Scotland o Ireland.

She blew upward and smiles when a fog exits from her mouth. Ay! May problema pa pala siya sa hotel niya. Pag binayaran niya iyon, ubos na talaga ang pocket money niya. Yumuko siya at sinipa ang iilang peebles sa suot niyang heels. Uutang lang muna siya kay Alban. Hiyang-hiya na siya sa kaibigan niyang iyon. Dami ng nagawa para sa kaniya.

"Marga!"

Nilingon niya ang pinanggalingan ng boses. "B-Boyet?"

Lumapit ito at nag-brofist sila. "Andito ka pala?"

"Natural... driver kaya ako ng amo ko." Ngiti nito. "Anong ginagawa mo rito sa labas? Malamig rito."

"Nah... just wanted to be alone and think things. At least, my major problem was solved." Tipid niyang ngiti.

"Oo nga. Narinig ko kanina. Highest bidder yung intsik na si Lin?"

"He's half Filipino." Pagtatama niya.

"Oww..." Sumandal na rin ito sa limousine. "Oh, kape." Lahad nito sa paper cup. "Parang mas kailangan mo 'to sa nipis mong suot."

Tumawa siya at tinanggap iyon. She feels relief from the warm paper cup. "Thanks."

"Narinig ko ang speech mo."

She sips the coffee slowly. "Na-konsensiya ka ba?"

Tumingala ito. "Grabe... napaka-busilak ng puso mo, tomboy."

Marga looks at the steaming liquid in the cup. "I just don't want to make the same mistake, Boyet."

"Same mistake?" Lingon nito sa kaniya.

"Matagal ako kumilos noon para tulungan ang isang napakamalapit na tao sa puso ko." Her heart sunk remembering Aling Bebang. "Wala kasi akong pera noon kaya medyo natagalan ang tulong ko sa kaniya. When I had enough money..." She swallows a lump on her throat. "S-She died." Nilingon niya ang kaibigan. "Ngayong may pera ako at kakayanang tumulong, gusto kong ibigay ang tulong na iyon sa mga nasasakupan ko. Ayaw kong may mamatay dahil mabagal uli akong kumilos."

Inakbayan ni Baxter ito. "You did it."

She nods. "I did it." She then yawns. "Gusto ko nang umuwi. Kaso nasa hotel ni Alban ang susi ng kwarto ko. Naiwan ko roon nung nagbibihis ako para sa party." Yumuko si Marga at sinilip ang loob ng kotse. "At wala pa naman rito ang driver."

"Ihatid na kita sa hotel ni Alban?"

Umiling siya. "Di rin ako papasukin roon. Di naman ako doon naka-check in."

"Sa hotel mo? Baka may spare key sila sa kwarto mo."

Nahihiya siyang ngumiti. "Di muna ako magpapakita roon. Di pa ako nakapagbayad. Bukas na pag nakautang na ako kay Alban."

"Ikaw lang 'ata ang prinsesang mahirap na nakilala ko."

Tumawa siya. "Dami kasing nangyari sa buhay ko, Boyet." Suntok niya sa braso nito. "Sa totoo'y paubos na ang pera ko. Hahanap pa ako ng mumurahin na pwede kong matuluyan."

An idea pops on Baxter's mind. "I know a place."