CHAPTER FOUR
1022 Words
The grand salon of the Laurent estate was filled with the soft clinking of fine china, quiet conversation , and the suffocating weight of formality. Sa paligid ay puro karangyaan- gintong frame sa mga painting, mamahaling chandelier , at mga ngiting puno ng kahulugan.
Pero si Simone na nakaupo sa dulong bahagi ng mamahaling mesa ay parang estatwa. Walang emosyon. Parang hindi siya tao, parang trophy na ipapasa sa susunod na pangalan.
Sa kabilang dulo, si Luca Saintclaire- maporma, disente, pero may bakas ng inis sa nanahimik niyang postura.
"Everything is settled." Simone's father announced,placing his glass on the table
"The Laurent and the Sainclaire's- finally aligned.
Gustong tumawa ng dalaga. Kilala siyang Iron Lady pagdating sa corporate world pero heto siya at sunod-sunuran sa kanyang ama. Alam na alam niya ang habol ng mga Saintclaire, ang kayamanan at kapangyarihan ng kanyang pamilya. Bagaman alam niyang pilit siyang sinisira ng kanyang Tita Celeste, hindi mahalaga ang dignidad niya bilang babae. Sa panahon ngayon- pera at kapangyarihan ang mahalaga.
After the night she met Luca Saintclaire sa labas ng ballroom, pinaimbistigahan niya ang lalake. May girlfriend ito sa Germany. Not just a girlfriend- kulang na lang ay kasal sa mga ito.
At lalo lang siyang nakaramdam ng galit para dito.
She stole a glance at Luca. He wasn't looking at her, just swirling the drink in his hand, his mind clearly elsewhere- sa girlfriend nito malamang.
They hadn't even spoken privately about this arrangement-not really. Ah, she needs to talk to him. Make things clear between them.
"So when do we announce the engagement to the press?" Senor Saintclaire asked.
Simone stood suddenly, her chair barely making a sound.
"Excuse me." she said softly, her tone polite, her posture perfect, but her eyes cold.
" I need air."
She didn't wait for a reply.
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Outside, on the balcony....
The night air was sharp against her skin, but she welcomed it. Anything to drown the heat of a quiet rage inside her chest.
Maya-maya pa ay nakarinig siya ng papalapit na yabag.
"Running away already?" Luca asked, voice casual but not mocking.
"I'm not running. "she said without turning.
"Just breathing."
He stepped beside her, hands in pocket.
"Do you want this?" he asked.
"Its a part of the family's tradition. I will gladly obliged. But after five years, I can file for a divorce."
Mukhang nagulat si Luca sa sagot niya.
She finally turned to face him. Their eyes locked. For a heartbeat, neither spoke.
"I don't want this marriage. And I know you feel the same way. Your company needs mine, and we want your patented drugs. We will both benefit. Five years will be enough for your company. After that, we will file for a divorce."
Hindi matukoy ni Simone ang emosyong nakikita niya sa mga mata ni Luca.
"Tomorrow I want to give you the contract. "
Bago pa man nakasagot si Luca ay tinalikuran na niya ito.
No, she will never let someone control her,.let alone a man like Luca Saintclaire.
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"She' so arrogant. Kulang na lang ay sabihin niyang tayo ang humihingi ng pabor sa kanya. She didn't even try to act civil."
Nagpupuyos ang kalooban ni Donya Minerva sa loob ng sasakyan ng pauwi na sila mula sa engagement meeting.
"How can our son marry her, Gustavo? Parang galit sa mundo! Pasalamat siya at maganda siya,kung hindi ay mukha siyang mangkukulam dahil laging salubong ang kilay!"
He can't blame his Mom. Simone Laurent was really snob. Despite her innocent beauty, inside, is a...monster.
But why?
Talaga bang matapobre siya kagaya ng mga narinig niya?
"We need their money and connection Minerva. Our son can manage. I believe he will tame her."
tumingin ng makahulugan si Don Gustavo kay Luca na abala sa pagmamaneho at pag-iisip.
Sa una ay pumalag siya sa gusto ng knayang ama dahil kay Maya, her girlfriend of four years. He wants to settle down with her.
But when he laid eyes on Simone that night at the party, something changed.
Hindi niya maipaliwanag. Maybe it's curiousity.
Or admiration..
She is a gem. Not because of her expensive dress and sparkling jewels.
He just felt it- the moment he looked at her mysterious eyes.
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"Sa wakas nagpakita ka din sa akin."
To Simone's surprise, Anya just smirked.
She is wearing a tattered pants with a huge tshirt. Her hair was dyed-purple?
What in the world?
And she's loudly chewing a gum!
" Galit ka na at nandidiri sa akin but still you manage to stay calm,Ice Queen."
Gustong-gusto na ni Simone na batuhin ng hawak niyang note pad ang sutil na kapatid,pero nagpigil siya.
" I told you not to bother me at work. Did you really lost your manners? Are you doing this on purpose?"
Umismid lang si Anya.
" I heard you are getting married?"
Hindi na siya nagulat na alam na nito na ikakasal siya.
"Ang buhay mo ang ayusin mo. I told you na ayaw kitang makausap hanggat wala kang maliwanag na sagot kung gusto mong magtrabaho sa kompanya. Your job as a CEO in our Retail business is waiting."
" Bakit ba sunod-sunuran ka pa din kay Daddy? You have your own life- pinatunayan mo na na kaya mong tumayo sa iyong paa. Bakit pumayag kang ipakasal ka niya sa taong hindi mo gusto?"
That left her dumbfounded. Nasagi kasi ni Anya ang pride niya.
"They are just after your money, Ate Simone. That man is connected to the Brujito's. There was a rumor that Julienne and Luca Saintclaire are friends with benefits."
Nagulat siya pero hindi niya ipinahalata.
" Are you concern about me now? After all the problems you've created? I'm touched." Simone replied sarcastically.
" Ayusin mo muna ang buhay mo bago mo ako-"
Huli na ang lahat para bawiin niya ang sinabi. Halata sa mukha ni Anya na nasaktan ito
May kinuha ito sa loob ng red na bag.
"Here are my proofs. "
sabi nito bago nagmamadaling umalis.
"A-Anya wait." gusto niyang habulin ang kapatid ngunit biglang sumakit ang kaliwa niyang dibdib.
This time ay kakaiba- mas malala.
She can't breath!
- Writer
