Contract Heartbeat

JUST SAY YES

“I’m sorry, he said what?”

Lana nearly choked on her milk tea as she leaned across the café table.

Yliah sank into her seat, stirring the drink she hadn’t touched. Her voice was tired. “He offered to be my fake boyfriend. Eliandro Salazar. The VP of Strategic Development. The Eli.”

Lana’s mouth fell open. “Girl, he’s practically allergic to small talk, tapos bigla siyang ganun? I mean, okay, he’s drop-dead gorgeous, but… that’s insane.”

“I know,” Yliah murmured.

Outside, the sky was turning gray, and the wind began to pick up. Inside the quiet café, the warmth only made her feel heavier. She was exhausted, not just from work—but from life.

“I didn’t even know what to say. Gusto ko lang sana ng lunch break tapos ayun, overheard niya yung usapan namin ni Mama…”

Yliah paused. The lump in her throat rose again.

“She doesn’t mean to be hurtful, Lana. Pero alam mo ‘yung feeling na kahit pagod ka na, wala kang choice? Gusto lang niyang hindi ako mapahiya. Wala na si Papa, tapos ako lang din inaasahan sa buhay.”

Lana reached across the table and gently squeezed her hand. “You don’t have to explain, Yl.”

“No, I want to.” She swallowed. “Si Mama, gusto niyang maayos lagi tingin ng tao sa amin pero hindi niya naiisip ang kalagayan ko, nahihiparan din naman ako from being breadwinner. Ayaw niya na pagtawanan kami ng mga amiga niya. Gusto niya, kahit iniwan ako ni Mark, may madadala pa rin akong bf sa kasal.”

Her voice cracked slightly on the last word, and she let out a short laugh, bitter and soft.

“Hey,” Lana said firmly. “You are strong. You are more than what they expect from you.”

“Sometimes, I just want to stop being ‘strong,’ Lana. I just want to be… free.”

Lana was quiet for a moment.

“So,” she said softly, “Are you saying yes?”

Yliah bit her lower lip.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “But for the first time… someone offered to help without asking anything from me. And it felt… nice.”