Marrying Mr. Billionaire

Kabanata 6

After I bought some groceries, I saw Tita Amora who was patiently waiting for me outside. Akala ko ay umuwi na siya kasi sinadya ko talaga na bagalan para hindi na siya maghintay, but then she did!

Hindi naman sa ayaw ko sa kaniya. Actually, buong pamilya ni Ashton ay mabait. But ang weird lang kasi matagal na kaming hiwalay and Tita Amora treated me the same.

I composed myself bago ako lumapit sa kanya. She was wearing a floral dress with flowers on it. She has lots of jewels in her body and it suited her. I gulped and stopped.

"Tita, I'm sorry natagalan ako."

Tita smiled at me. "It's alright. I don't mind at all." And then she grabbed my arms that made me jump a bit. I cleared my throat and faked my smile.

The last time I saw Tita Amora was 2 years ago, noong hindi pa kami break ni Ashton at ngayon iba na sa pakiramdam kasi break na kami ng anak niya. Bakit ba ang malas-malas ko!

She clung her hand around my arms and slightly pulled me towards her. I saw a group of men from afar at hula ko ay bodyguards niya ito.

"Let's go! I treat you to McDonalds. I want to treat you to a fancy restaurant but then gutom na ako kaya dito na lang," she said and looked at me. I smiled at her a little. Oh, please! Help me!

"Ang ganda mo pa rin hanggang ngayon! Hindi ba pinasakit ni Ashton ang ulo mo?" My face heated because of her compliment. I cleared my throat and answered her question.

"Hindi naman po," I lied.

The truth is, halos matanggal na ulo ko dahil sa sobrang hiya at inis ko sa anak mo! Ako pa ang na-stress para sa kaniya. Hindi yata maka-move on sa 'kin at may frame at wallpaper pa sa phone niya.

When we went inside the restaurant. We headed to the vacant seat. The staff wiped the remaining dirt before he left us alone. I awkwardly sat down and put my grocery bags under the table.

While Tita was busy fumbling on her bag, I stared at her for a while and I noticed na mas lalo lamang siyang gumanda. She looked like on her late 20s but I bet she's now 50s or less.

Nang mag-angat ng tingin sa akin si Tita ay inayos ko ang upo ko and slightly shook my head. This is really awkward kasi wala na nga kami ni Ashton! And yet she treated me the same! She should at least hate me because I broke up with her son!

She smiled at me and put her hands on the table. " It's been a while, Katarina. I hope you and Ashton are doing fine. Hindi pa ba kayo magpapakasal?"

My brows furrowed. What does she mean? Hindi niya ba alam na wala na kami ng anak niya?

"Tita-"

She held my hand and squeezed it. Napatingin tuloy ako roon.

"Supportado ko kayo kahit anong mangyari. My son loves you so much, Hija, kaya sana kapag kasal na kayo, bigyan niyo agad ako ng apo." And then she grinned.

My lips parted and my face heated.

Tita! Wala na kami ng anak mo! At Apo? Doon ka na lang mag-request kay Sabrina. Tutal, wild naman yata ang babaeng iyon. Baka 'yon pa ang binabahay ni Ashton.

I took a deep breath and held her hand. "Tita..."

"What is it hija?"

PInagtiim ko ang bagang labi ko para malaman niya na hindi na ako makapagpigil.

"Wala na po kami ni--" I stopped from talking when she suddenly stood up. Napatingala tuloy ako sa kaniya. She smiled at me and pointed the counter.

"Order muna ako ng meal natin. Wait ka lang." And then she walked towards the counter.

I groaned and looked down. Naibagsak ko ang balikat ko nang makaalis na si Tita. Hindi ba sinabi ni Ashton na wala na kami? Kung gano'n, putang ina.

Balisa ako habang nakaupo, I can't help but to think about Tita Amora's belief! Did she really think that me and Ashton--s**t! Kung gano'n, gusto kong sampalin si Ashton kapag makita ko siya ulit!

Ashton, kapag totoo man itong nasa isip ko, kailangan mong ayusin 'to! Hindi ko tuloy kayang sabihin kay Tita ang totoo lalo na't nasa good mood siya at ayokong masira iyon.

"Darating na in a minute ang order natin."

I looked up and I saw her sat on her chair. She glanced at her wristwatch before she looked at me. "Well, It's still early pa naman."

I cleared my throat and composed myself. I hope na masabi ko na ngayon.

"Tita,uhm...may hindi po kasi kayo alam..." I took a deep breath before I continued but I stopped when I saw her---she was busy on her phone. Tita! Hindi na talaga ako makapagpigil. Can you at least pay attention?

I groaned silently when her phone rang. She waved it in front of me and smiled. "Sorry hija, sasagutin ko muna itong tawag."

I nodded and bit my lower lips.

"Oh, anak, I thought you were busy?"

She immediately caught my attention. That must be Ashton. I silently eavesdropping---pretending that I was busy checking the phone but the truth is, gusto ko makichismis!

"Nah, sa susunod na lang tayo kumain sa labas. I am here with your girlfriend." I gasped because of what she said. I am not his girlfriend!---anymore!

Tita looked at me and smiled. "I am with Katarina right now."

I simply slapped my forehead because of frustration. Bakit ko ba nakakasalubong ang mga kamag-anak ni Ashton? Ano ba naman 'to?

"Sige anak, Goodbye!"

Nang ibinaba na ni Tita ang tawag ay agad ko namang kinuha ang atensyon niya.

"Tita, Ashton and I already broke up," I said straight to her eyes.

This is it! I already told her and I hope she will understand and accept the fact! Ayokong maniwala pa siya sa mga kasinungalingan ni Ashton.

"W-What?" She stuttered. "I don't believe you, Hija." She awkwardly laughed and glanced at the counter. "The food was a little bit late, I'm starving."

Malungkot ko siyang tiningnan. I know she wants to avoid the topic pero I want her to know about this.

"Tita, I am telling the truth," I said with all my heart. "Matagal na po kaming wala ng anak niyo po and--"

"Kaya mo siguro nasabi ito ngayon kasi cool-off kayo," she said while nodding. Convincing herself that I was just lying. But what is she saying? Anong cool-off?

"Tita, ano--"

She looked up and pointed the food who was already served in front of me. I haven't noticed that the staff already put it on our table. He hastily ran back towards the counter, maybe to serve another meal for customers who waited.

"Sinabi ng anak ko sa phone na cool-off kayo ngayon so I understand what you are trying to say," she stated. "But please don't hurt my son, Hija. He is trying his best this time."

"Tita---"

"Let's eat na, Hija. Baka lalamig na 'yong pagkain," she said happily and started to eat.

Hindi ko maiwasan ang malungkot. I tried to explain to her about my side but Ashton, the idiot, telling her with lies! Ano ba ang balak ng lalaking ito? Wala ba siyang balak mag-move forward? Akala niya siguro ay kakagat ako sa mga pinanggagawa niya? I tried to live my life peacefully here!

Matapos naming kumain, nauna na si Tita kasi kailangan pa niyang puntahan si Ashley sa school. Ashley is Tita Amora's daughter, pinakabunso sa apat na magkakapatid. Si Ashton naman ang pangatlo.

***

I didn't go home. Instead, I rushed towards the building where Ashton was currently staying. I knocked three times before he opened the door. He was surprised when he saw me. His eyes went down to my groceries before he looked at me. Smile was attached on his face.

He leaned closer to me while his hand was pressed against the door. "Oh, my baby came back. You brought me some groceries?" He asked and smiled. "You're so sweet."

Sa likod ng malambing na boses niya, alam kong sarcastic ito at gusto ko siyang sampalin dahil do'n. At may gana pa talaga siya na ngumiti.

I glared at him. "Papasukin mo nga ako!"

He raised both of his hand, like he was surrendering himself to me. "Easy, I don't bite." He grinned and pinched my nose before he opened the door wide. I don't get him. He was always been serious and now, being playful? I seriously don't understand him!

Padabog kong ibinagsak ang grocery bags ko sa sahig at tiningnan siya ng masama. Gusto ko siyang suntukin sa totoo lang! He has the guts to smile at me!

I composed myself and looked at him. I was distracted because of his smiling face. He was teasing me.

"Stop smiling, will you!" I hissed.

I gasped when he leaned closer to me. His eyes were glowing and he was enjoying this.

"Why? Did I make your heart beats fast?"

Tinulak ko naman siya agad at tiningnan muli ng masama.

"Asa ka!" I exclaimed and looked away. I even crossed my arms.

Bumalik naman ang itsura niya sa seryoso. He looked at me using his cold gray eyes. "What brings you here?"

"I had a meal with your mom,"I began and looked at him coldly.

He nodded and clenched his jaw. "Yeah, she told me."

"And then what?" He startled when I raised my voice. I didn't mean it pero punong-puno na ako. I need to let this out. "Bawiin mo ang sinabi mo sa Mommy mo! Ano? Cool-off?" I laughed without a humor. "Matagal na tayong wala! Bakit may pa cool-off?"

He didn't look surprised though. Kaya mas lalo lamang akong nagduda. He knows about this. This is his plan!

"Sabihin mo kay Tita Amora na wala na tayong dalawa!" I said it out loud. "Alam mo naman na wala na akong planong makipagkita sa 'yo pero putangina mo! Don't play with me Ashton!" I said angrily.

His eyes darkened and his brows furrowed. He stepped forward and snaked his arms around my waist. I tried to push him away but his grip tightened.

"Ano ba?"

"Ano ang nangyari sa bibig mo at palamura ka na?" he asked, his eyes were not looking at me, he was looking at my lips. Tinikom ko naman ito.

"Aba, gago ka! Wala akong pakialam kung ano ang nangyari sa bibig ko!" I shouted. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. Parang nagpipigil pa siya sa 'kin. Bakit pa siya nagpipigil? I am not Katarina from the past! Hindi na ako 'yon!

He leaned closer to me. I gulped and my heart skipped a beat. I don't know kung ano ang gagawin ko. Parang may nagwawala sa sistema ko. s**t! This is not gonna happen!

"I'll kiss you if I hear you curse again. Bad mouth, baby..."

"Aba, gago ka!" I was about to punch him when he pressed his lips against mine. Para akong naubusan ng hininga dahil sa ginawa niya. I tried to push him away pero mas lalo lamang niyang inilapit ang sarili niya sa 'kin.

Hinihingal ako nang humiwalay siya sa akin. He was now smirking and he looked happy habang ako ay nanlumo. Tulala ako habang siya ay chill na chill lang. Wala sa sariling napahaplos ako sa labi ko na napudpod.

"Tsk, you're so stubborn!" he said and turned around. I clenched my fist but didn't say a word.

I saw him opened the drawer and took an envelope. Wala akong ginawa kundi ang tingnan lang siya. He closed the drawer and walked towards me. He gave me the envelope.

"Ano 'yan?" I asked, still angry at him.

He smirked. "Envelope."

Nanlaki ang mata ko. I was about to say something when he stepped forward and put the envelope above my head. Mas lalo lamang sumama ang loob ko.

I took the envelope from my head. Kuryoso kong binuksan at tiningnan kung ano ang laman. Nang makita ko kung ano ito ay napasinghap ako at napatitig ng matagal dito.

I looked at Ashton who was now on his serious face. Binalik ko ang tingin sa titulo ng lupa at sobrang saya at gulat ko nang makita ko na pangalan pa rin ni Papa ang nakalagay. Wait? Siya ba ang buyer?

He cleared his throat. "Sa 'yo na ang lupa na 'yan kapalit ng pagpapakasal mo sa 'kin." Umawang ang labi ko sa narinig. "Double ang price nang binili ko 'yan sa original buyer para lang pumayag siya na ibenta sa 'kin."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko. He has his damn plan at alam niya na weakness ko ito. Ang unfair niyang maglaro. Pero hindi na! Nasa kamay ko na ang titulo. The one that Papa treasured the most. I hugged the paper and closed my eyes.

Pa, narito na ulit ang lupa. I'm sorry kung nabenta s'ya!

I took a deep breath before I open my eyes. Our eyes met and I saw hope on his eyes. He was hoping? For what?

"Sige..."I nodded. "Papayag na ako."

Kasi kapag ganitong set-up. Pipirma lang naman siguro sa contract and viola! Tapos na!

"T-Talaga?" His eyes narrowed. "You will marry me?"

I just nodded and hugged the title again. Hindi naman siguro kami kasal habang buhay. I will risk para sa lupa. If he wanted to get married for his reputation then I will get married just for the title! That's it! No need to be pakipot now kasi may benepisyo din naman pala.

"Oo, nasaan na ang marriage contract? Pipirmahan ko na," I lazily asked while still hugging the paper.

His brows furrowed. He looked at me like I was just joking. Well, I'm not a clown!

"We will not gonna marry through papers!"

I arched my brows. Really? I smiled at him. "Wow, mabuti naman kung gano'n--"

"You will marry me in front of the altar." He cut me off.

My eyes grew wide and my lips parted. "K-Kasal? My voice stuttered. "As in literal na kasal?"

He nodded and turned his back against me.

"Yup, baby, you will be walking down the aisle."

***