The Contract

Chapter 2

DASHIEL

I woke up with Shan beside me.

She’s still in a deep sleep, so I left her in our room to cook breakfast.

I didn’t like the idea of marrying her.

Paano nakaya ng parents niya na ipambayad siya para mapabangon ulit ang company nila?

The Freyas Modelling and Advertising Company is the second widely known company in the Philippines, pero dahil sa kapabayaan ng dad ni Shan, which is Rafael Cortez, ay bumagsak ang company nila at maibabalik lang kung may tutulong na makipag-partner sa kanila.

My dad was Mr. Cortez’s best friend since college, and he helped him to bring back their company. He isn’t that nice para tumulong nang walang kapalit, that is why he forced us to marry each other.

“Good morning,” nagulat ako sa pagbati niya.

“Morning,” sabi ko sa malamig na tono at agad tumayo mula sa kinauupuan.

Hindi ko na tinapos ang pagkain ko at dumiretso na lang sa mini office.

I just cooked for myself, so bahala siya kung ano ang kakainin niya.

Hindi siya prinsesa para ipagluto ko pa ng makakain.

While doing some papers, ay biglang tumawag ang friend kong si Andy.

“What do you want, dude?”

“How’s your wedding night?”

Tsk, pakialamero ’to!

“Hmmm, wala,” sabi ko sabay irap.

“Anong wala?”

“Walang nangyari.”

I smiled because of my reply.

Wala naman kasi akong balak.

“Really?! Bakit?”

Tsk! I hate this side of him! Pakialamero!

“I don’t like her! Why should I do that thing?”

I had dated some random girls, but I haven’t done that thing.

Ayaw kong gawin ’yon kahit kanino, unless we’re married and I truly love her.

Call me weird, but for me, it’s protecting my own dignity and every woman’s dignity.

“Tsk! Grabe ka naman…” tila nanghihinayang niyang sabi.

I can even hear his deep sigh on the other line.

“Sige na. Nakakuha ka na ng information, so it’s time to say goodbye.”

I didn’t wait for his reply and hung up the call.

Pumunta ako sa room ko at naabutan na nililigpit ni Shan ang gamit niya sa wardrobe ko. She gave me a glance at agad ding bumalik sa ginagawa niya.

Pumunta ako sa balcony at doon muna nagpahangin. Nagtataka siguro kayo kung bakit wala man lang akong yaya. It was because I don’t trust them. Ilang beses na kaming niloko ng mga yaya namin before, so nung nagkabahay ako ay hindi ako kumuha ng yaya.

I only got two security guards, at may bodyguard din ako. I also hired an agent for the maintenance of my house. Clarence was my bodyguard since I started working in the company, pero sinasamahan niya lang ako kapag may lakad.

I used to live alone, at nung dumating si Shan, I really think that it would be difficult for me living with her. She’s not living with me temporarily because this is a lifetime commitment. This contract hasn’t signed any papers that would support separation between us without a valid reason.

It was called contract marriage because if there’s any anomaly that her family will do, Shan would pay for it—and I am sure that she will suffer.

I was in deep thought when someone cleared her throat behind me.

“Dash, can I go to my brother’s house?”

“Why?”

“I just wanted to get some stuff,” sabi niya bago kinagat ang labi niya.

Tsk! Why are you doing that? It’s tempting!

“I won’t let you. Stay here!”

Tsk! Baka sabihin pa nilang wala akong pakialam sa kanya kaya hinahayaan ko na lang siyang umalis.

“Dash…” pagmamakaawa niya.

“If I said no, no! Understand?!”

“You’re too much! I hate you!” naiiritang sabi niya bago pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

I don’t care if you hate me!

“Sir, pinapatawag po daw kayo sa opisina.”

Hindi ko namalayang dumating na ang bodyguard kong si Clarence.

“Why?”

“May ika-clarify lang daw po sila, at ikaw ang kailangan doon.”

“Okay. Just wait. I’ll just fix myself.”

He nodded in reply.