The Billionaire's Trap

Chapter 2

"Alam ko ba kung sinong ipapakasal sa'yo?"

Napatigil ako sa aking ginagawa nang marinig ang boses ni Lorraine sa aking likuran.

Bumuntong hininga ako at nagpatuloy sa pagsusulat. I still have a lot of homeworks to do and dealing with her comes after that. I have no time for her.

"This b***h!"

She suddenly grabbed my hair. It was tight but I can't feel anything anymore. I've decided that I will no longer ask for their affection and just do whatever they wanted me to do. At least, by marriage, I can get out of this house and stay away from them.

"I'm talking to you. How dare you ignore me?!" Galit niyang sabi. Ramdam ko ang panggigil sa kaniyang bawat salita.

Pft. How did I believe that she's a kind and lovely kid? Ni hindi ko naisip na ganito siyang klaseng tao.

Hindi pa rin ako sumagot. Mas tumindi ang galit sa kaniyang mukha. Pero imbis na mag higpitan ang pagkakaganot niya sa aking buhok, binitawan niya ako.

She scoffed. "Acting tough?" Her laugh rings in my ear. "Finally realized that Mom and Dad won't believe you anymore? How pitiful." I'm used to her mockery so this is not a news to me.

"Well, at least, hindi ko na makikita ang nakakasuka mong mukha sa bahay."

Tumingin ako sa kaniya. There's one question I wanted to ask her. "Why? Why are you doing this to me?"

Saglit siyang natahimik. Kalaunan ay tumawa siya. "My, my, you really are clueless."

Biglang nag-iba ang ekspresyon ng kaniyang mukha. Kita ang tindi ng galit at ang nag-aapoy niyang mga mata. "You. Stole. My. Mom. From. Me." Galit at may diin niyang sabi.

"What? I didn't steal Mom from you. She's our Mom! Why would I do such thing?!" We may be half-sisters but I never intended to have Mom all by myself! At bakit ko gagawin 'yun?

"SHUT UP! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I SUFFER BACK THEN! YOU STOLE MOM! ILANG TAON AKONG NAGHINTAY SA KANIYA! INIWAN NIYA AKO KINA LOLO AT LOLA NA WALANG GINAWA KUNG HINDI ANG SABIHAN AKO NG KUNG ANU-ANO! PAGTRABAHUHIN KAHIT AYOKO! TAPOS MALALAMAN KO NA LANG NA MAY ANAK NA SI MOMMY? AT IKAW?! YOU! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME! KASALANAN MO LAHAT NG ITO!"

"THAT'S WHY I TOOK EVERYTHING FROM YOU IN RETURN. PARA NAMAN MARANASAN MONG MAWALAN." Tumawa siya na parang nababaliw. "So how's it? HOW WAS THAT?!" She giggled. "MASAKIT DI BA? I DID EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE YOU SUFFER!"

I did nothing but clenched my fists. I didn't take anything from her. It's not my fault! Pero kahit siguro anong gawin kong paliwanag sa kaniya, hindi niya maiintindihan. I can't blame her but I can't also blame myself. Sarado ang isip niya sa paniniwalang sinira ko ang buhay niya.

"I see.. that's how it is." I muttered. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya. A sad smile, showing how I pity her. "It must be hard for you. It's alright." I said.

My head turn in different direction as I felt my cheek sting in pain. Ilang beses na bang nakatanggap ng sampal ang aking pisngi?

"HOW DARE YOU MOCK ME?!" Halos umusok na ang ilong niya sa galit. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS! I'M TELLING YOU!" She shouted and stormed out of my room.

I let out a deep sigh. I will no longer chase for them and try to please them...

Sumandal ako sa upuan at tumingin sa kisame. My mind is clouded with many thoughts. I can't seem to sort it out and think about a particular thing.

Kanino ako ipapakasal? I still have no idea. Whoever he is, I know he's just doing this marriage for his benefit as well. Our family is one of the wealthiest family in the city. Dad owns a lot of businesses which made us known and successful.

There's no one in the city who doesn't know our family. But of course, there are still other families above us in terms of success and wealth.

It doesn't matter who, as long as I can get out of this hell, I'd be happy to marry that person.

I shut my eyes tightly. I'm tired. Tatakas pa ako mamaya para sa trabaho ko pero mukhang mahihirapan ako sa pagkakataong ito. Knowing Mom and Dad, they'll resort to anything just to lock me up and keep me at home.

Should I quit my job? But Mady, my only friend, gave this job to me. I think I should call her. I will call her later and inform her that I'll be quitting my job because I have to get married.

Funny. My life is a joke.

Nagpakawala akong muli ng isang malalim na hininga. Umayos ako ng upo. I look at my desk seeing only my notes and pen.

Ilang buwan na lang. Makakapagtapos na ako.

Tinuloy ko na lamang ang pagsasagot sa aking homework at hindi na inisip pa ang mga bagay na nakakapagpagulo ng aking isipan.

-

Today's weekend. Kasalukuyan akong nasa kwarto ko, nagmumuni-muni. I locked the door of my room and told the maids that I won't be seeing anyone. Not that someone will look for me though.

I was staring at the ceiling when I suddenly heard noises from the outside. Hindi ako nagtangkang tumayo para tingnan kung sino iyon.

Moments later, I heard knocks in my door. "LESLIE! COME OUT!" It was my Mom. What is it this time?

May nagawa na naman ba akong mali ng hindi ko nalalaman? Hindi na nga ako nalabas ng bahay. Hindi na rin nila ako pinayagang pumasok sa school.

"LESLIE! OPEN THE DOOR!" sigaw ulit ni Mommy sa labas ng bahay.

Pinilit kong tumayo. Ang bigat ng katawan ko at parang anumang oras ay matutumba ako. Hindi ko iyon pinahalata pagbukas ko ng pinto.

My Mom immediately grab me on my hair and walk inside my room dragging me. I silently winced in pain.

"I'M CALLING YOU MANY TIMES ALREADY! BILISAN MO! MAGBIHIS KA! YOUR FIANCE WANTS TO MEET YOU!" Tinulak niya ako dahilan para bumagsak ako sa sahig.

Pinapasok niya ang mga katulong at inutusan niyang halungkatin ang closet ko.

Pinakita ng mga ito sa kaniya ang mga damit ko pero hindi siya natuwa. "WHAT TRASH IS THIS?! BINIBIGYAN KA NAMIN NG PERA PERO HINDI KA MAN LANG BUMIBILI NG MGA DAMIT?!"

I want to laugh. Pera? Pera na kulang na kulang pa? Tapos magrereklamo sila? Ako nga na nagsusuot, hindi nagrereklamo.

May kinuha siyang isang damit. It was a simple dress pero sa lahat ng damit ko, iyon ang pinakamaganda. "This. Wear this one,” aniya. Tumingin siya sa mga maid. "Go and help her. Come downstairs as soon as possible,” utos niya. Tumango naman ang mga kasama niyang maid. Pagkatapos ay lumabas na siya at naiwan kami.

The maids help me get up. Medyo nagulat sila ng hawakan ako sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. But they ignore it and continue with their work. Tinulungan nila akong maligo at magbihis. Inayusan din nila ng mabilis pagkatapos ay sinamahan pababa.

Pagkababa sa living room, I saw my Mom and Lorraine. Mom is talking with a smile in her face to a man who's back is facing me.

Napunta ang tingin sa akin ni Mommy. Ngumiti siya sa akin at agad na lumapit. "Oh, dear, my daughter is here,” she said sweetly. I felt a pang in my heart. When was the last time she talk to me sweetly and gently? I feel like crying although I know it's just a facade.

"Behave, Leslie. Don't embarrass me,” bulong niya pagkalapit sa akin. Mapait akong ngumiti. I know, Mom. Don't worry, I won't embarrass you.

Hinila niya ako palapit sa lalaki. "Mr. Alejo, this is my daughter, Leslie Lambrente." Pakilala niya sa akin.

Alejo?

That Alejo?

Tumingin sa akin ang lalaki. His deep black eyes stared right through my soul. My heart skips a beat and I feel like he's reading my entirety.

Vallen Garret Alejo.

The wealthiest man in the city.

Ipapakasal nila ako sa lalaking ito?

I heard rumors about him. That he was cold and indifferent to everyone, especially to women. He has never laid his hand to a single woman and chase every women who gets near him out. He's also known as being strict and fearful. He's making companies who get in his bad side bankrupt mercilessly to the point that they won't stand back up anymore.

He's merciless.

Nahugot ko ang aking hininga. I thought I'd be out in hell once I leave this house.. little did I know, I'd be sent to a place worse than hell.

Matapos niya akong titigan mula ulo hanggang paa, binalik niya ang tingin niya sa harap. He didn't utter any single word.

"Pft." Napalingon ako kay Lorraine. She's suppressing her laugh. Siguro ay natutuwa siyang hindi man lang interesado sa'kin ang aking fiance.

"Ivan."

"Yes, Young Master,” sabi ng butler na nakatayo sa tabi ng upuan ni Vallen Garret Alejo.

"Chase that woman out,” utos niya. Nagulat hindi lang ako, pati si Mom at lalong-lalo na si Lorraine.

"W-Wait... What?!" Hindi makapaniwalang saad ni Lorraine.

"Will do, Young Master." Inutusan ng lalaking nagngangalang Ivan ang mga bodyguard na nasa kaniyang likuran.

"Wait a m-moment, M-Mr. Alejo!" sabi ni Mom. Humarang siya sa harap ni Lorraine. Meanwhile, Lorraine looks pale and her face filled in horror.  Ako naman ay nanonood lang.

"What?" he asked coldly and indifferently. I saw my Mom flinched. Hindi niya siguro inaasahan na gano'ng pakikitungo ang matatanggap niya.

But she stand her guard. Of course, she's protecting her beloved daughter. "That was a m-misunderstanding!" Mom said.

"My daughter isn't laughing at you!" Pagdepensa niya.

"But whom?" he asked. Hindi makasagot si Mommy. She glanced at me but I look away. I won't help you. Get away with this by yourselves. Blame your beloved daughter for laughing at me that cause such misunderstanding.

"I-I'm so-sorry." Pilit na sabi ni Mommy. She dislikes apologizing because her pride is higher than everything else. So she must love Lorraine dearly.

Halos mapatalon ako sa gulat ng biglang hawakan ni Vallen Garret Alejo ang aking kamay. He pulled me closer to him. My eyes widened in shock and my heart is beating so fast.

W-W-Why? Why is he holding my hand and pulling me closer to him?

Hindi niya ako binigyan ng tingin at nakatuon pa rin ang atensyon kina Mommy. "I'll be taking her with me."

Napatitig ako sa kaniya dahil sa kaniyang sinabi. Tapos ay napatingin ako sa butler na binigyan ako ng ngiti. Pagkatapos ay nabaling ang tingin ko kina Mommy na hindi rin makapaniwala sa narinig.

"B-But you can't take h-her yet..." Mommy mumbled.

"Why? She'll be my wife soon."

Dinala niya ang aking kamay sa kaniyang labi at hinalikan ito. I stood there frozen as I felt my blood runs cold.

I felt shivers down to my spine. What.. is he doing?

"B-B-But—!"

"No more buts. I'll be taking her." He turn his face at me. Again, with his eyes staring at me as if he's reading my entirety. "Pack up your things, I'll wait for you here,” sabi niya.

Hah.

Hindi tumigil ang pagtibok ng puso ko sa kaba. Ni hindi ko magawang ikilos ang aking katawan.

"Leslie."

I took a step backward upon hearing him calling my name. Sumulyap muna ako kina Mommy na ngayon ay hindi maitago ang galit. But they can't do anything, can they?

Tumingin ulit ako kay Vallen. "Y-Yes.." nauutal kong sagot at kinuha ang aking kamay sa kaniya. He let go of my hand and I immediately ran away from them.

My heart is beating like crazy!

This is insane!