Play Pretend

Chapter 6

Camellia

Agad kaming binalot ng katahimikan ni Mama. Doon ko naisip kung gaano ako masyadong nagpadalos-dalos sa tanong ko. I didn’t even know how I came up with that in the first place.

I was about to take the question back when my mother answered my question after giving it a serious thought.

“Siguro, oo?” May halong pagdadalawang-isip ang kanyang sagot. Halatang pinag-isipan talaga. “Sino ba namang hindi gugustuhin na isang successful na lalaki ang mapapangasawa ng anak nila?”

Napaawang ang aking mga labi. Wala akong masabi agad dahil hindi ko ‘yon inaasahan.

“Sa nakikita ko, mabait ang boss mo at matalino. Magaling sa pamamalakad ng kompanya, hindi lang sa paglulunsad ng mga projects kundi pati na rin sa pag-aalaga sa mga empleyado,” pagpapatuloy niya. “Bonus na lang na talaga namang napakagandang lalaki.”

Itinikom ko ang aking bibig at napanguso. Hindi ko maiwasang mapaisip na rin sa mga sinasabi niya.

“Pero kahit na gano’n, hindi ko alam kung talaga bang gugustuhin kong mapangasawa mo ang ganoong lalaki,” pahabol niya.

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. I didn’t expect that her answer would take such a huge turn after raining him praises. “B-bakit naman po?” kuryoso kong tanong.

“Aba’y syempre! Napakayaman no’n!” sagot niya na para bang sapat na ‘yong dahilan. “Magulo masyado ang pamilya ng mga mayayaman. Madaming alitan lalo na pagdating sa pera at negosyo. Posible ring hindi ka magustuhan ng mga magulang kaya huwag na lang.”

My mother’s reasons were very generalized and stereotypical. Sigurado akong napulot niya ang karamihan sa mga teleseryeng napapanood niya sa TV. I couldn’t blame her though because such things do really exist in real life. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung ganoon din ba ang pamilya ni Xaiver.

I had known his parents since I started working at DVH. Mabait naman sila sa akin at marunong makisama. They were casual with me as Xaiver’s secretary, but I didn’t know what to expect beyond that.

Sa mga napapansin kong nirereto ni Mrs. Dela Vega kay Xaiver, all women came from elite families. Most were even heiresses of their family business gaya na lamang ni Zoe Bautista. Kung hindi naman ay shareholders sa isang kompanya o investors. Natatandaan kong may babaeng anak din ng isang national politician at saka sikat na artista rito sa bansa.

To be honest, I couldn’t understand why Xaiver turned them all down. Ni hindi niya binigyan ng kahit pagkakataon.

“Teka nga lang!” Hinila ako ni Mama pabalik sa realidad nang muli siyang magsalita. “Bakit mo nga ba natanong, ah? Huwag mo sabihing nagkakagusto sa ‘yo ang boss mo?”

My eyes widened, and I frantically shook my head. “H-hindi ‘no, Ma!” kinakabahan kong pagtanggi. “Natanong ko lang kasi mukhang bilib na bilib ka sa kanya.”

I tried not to recall how Xaiver acted weird yesterday and earlier today. Ayokong bigyan ng malisya ang mga bagay-bagay. Baka nasa good mood lang siya dahil sa malaking deal na nakuha noong pumunta kaming States.

Tinapos ko na roon ang usapan namin ni Mama tungkol kay Xaiver dahil ayoko na rin siyang pag-usapan. The rest of the week went by in a flash. Nakalimutan ko kung gaano ka-busy lagi ang schedule ni Xaiver tuwing galing kami sa mahabang business trip. Ni hindi ko man lang naisip ‘yon kahit na ako ang gumagawa ng schedule niya. I was preoccupied with trivial things.

Since we got back from the States, the first day back to work in the office was like a vacation. The following days after that was hell. We had been swamped in meetings, paperwork, and other stuff that required Xaiver’s attention. We would always get home at around nine in the evening as Xaiver wanted to finish all his backlogs within the week.

“Chantal.”

Papalabas na ako ng SUV nang magsalita si Xaiver. Umayos ako ulit ng upo bago lumingon sa kanya.

Xaiver’s hair was disheveled. Namumungay rin ang kanyang mga mata at mas pumula ang nakaawang na mga labi. His stubble was visible. Nakahubad na ang kanyang coat at maluwag na maluwag na rin ang pagkakasuot ng tie sa leeg. The first two buttons of his shirt were also unfastened, habang ang manggas naman ay nakatiklop hanggang siko.

Even when he was tired and exhausted, I had to admit that he still looked handsome. Wala ka talagang maipipintas sa kanya pagdating sa pisikal na anyo.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow night.” Medyo namamaos ang boses ni Xaiver dahil siguro sa pagod. “Please be ready before six.”

“Okay.” Ayon na lamang ang nasabi ko saka tumango at ngumiti.

Agad din akong lumabas ng sasakyan pagkatapos madinig ang bilin niya. I went inside the house, then walked straight into my room. Kahit na gusto kong maglinis agad ng katawan ay natatakot akong mamasma.

Naghanda na lang muna ako ng isusuot na pantulog at inayos ang iilang mga gamit na nakakalat. Inilabas ko rin ang dress na binili sa akin ni Xaiver upang i-hanger. Mabuti na lang din at hindi na ‘yon kailangan pang plantsahin.

Pagkatapos kong mag-ayos kahit konti ay saka lamang ako naglinis at naghanda na sa pagtulog. I slept in like a baby until noon the next day. Binawi ko ang kulang kong tulog dahil sa trabaho.

Dahil maaga-maaga pa, nagligpit muna ako ng kalat at naglinis ng bahay. Bago ako maligo para magsimulang maghanda sa charity ball ay kakauwi lamang ni Mama mula sa kanyang regular dialysis session.

“Hinatid ka po ba ni Manong Henry?” tanong ko dala-dala na ang tuwalya.

“Oo. Nabayaran ko na rin siya para sa ngayong araw.”

Tumango ako at tipid na ngumiti. Service ni Mama si Manong Henry papunta sa dialysis clinic kung saan ang kanyang session. Medyo may kalayuan kasi ‘yon at hindi ako kumportableng mamasahe siya mag-isa lalo na’t mayroong mga side effects ang dialysis. Kahit na matagal na panahon na ang nakalipas mula noong nagsimula siya, hindi pa rin ako kampante.

“Anong oras pala ang uwi mo mamaya?” Si Mama naman ang may tanong.

“Baka mga hating gabi na rin siguro. Hindi ko alam kung ano oras matatapos ang event,” sagot ko. “Ite-text ko na lang po kayo at dadalhin ko naman ang susi ko. Nagluto na rin ako ng pang hapunan mo mamaya.”

Doon na natapos ang usapan namin ni Mama. Pinagmadali na rin niya ako dahil anong oras na at mag-aayos pa ako. Pagkatapos kong maligo ay agad akong humarap sa salamin.

Looking at my bare reflection, I somehow felt pressured coming to the ball with Xaiver. I didn’t know how many times he reiterated that he would be taking me with him as his date—not secretary. I felt the need to prepare more. Ayoko siyang mapahiya sa ibang mga guests doon.

I dolled myself up to the best of my ability. I put on makeup that would suit the expensive dress Xaiver bought me. Pagkatapos no’n ay inayos ko rin ang aking buhok. I tied it in a low bun and curled its loose ends on both sides. Bukod doon ay nagsuot din ako ng accessories.

Bago mag-alas sais ay natapos na ako sa pag-aayos. Xaiver texted me forty minutes ago that he was already on his way to pick me up. Sigurado akong malapit na siya kaya lumabas na ako ng kwarto para sa sala maghintay.

As expected, five more minutes later, Xaiver had finally arrived. I quickly went out of the house, bringing my purse and iPad with me.

Medyo napahinto ako na imbes na ang driver ang magbukas ng pintuan para sa akin ay muling nasa labas si Xaiver upang maghintay. When he saw me coming, he swiftly opened the door for me and patiently waited for me.

“Thank you,” sabi ko na lang. Hindi ko na masyadong pinagtuunan pa ng pansin ‘yon at pumasok na sa loob.

Agad din namang sumunod si Xaiver at dire-diretso na ang pag-alis namin papunta sa hotel kung saang gaganapin ang charity ball.

“You brought your iPad with you?” Xavier asked all of a sudden.

Napalingon ako sa kanya at saglit na sinulyapan ang iPad. “Uh, oo. Baka kasi kailanganin mamaya.”

“Just leave it here in the car. You won’t need it.”

“Huh? Pero pa’no kung—”

“You’re not going there for work,” Xavier cut me off before I could reason out. “You are there as my date. Just enjoy the night with me and stop thinking about other things.”

Enjoy the night with him… Napalunok ako saka umiling-iling sa mga naiisip. At gaya ng gusto niyang mangyari, iniwanan ko ang iPad sa loob ng sasakyan nang makarating kami sa hotel.

There was a sea of reporters waiting outside the hotel. It wasn’t surprising to me as the guests for the charity ball were big names in different industries. Sigurado akong nag-uunahan sila sa pag-cover at pag-report ng mga mangyayari sa event.

Sa pagkakaalam ko ay isa o dalawang media company lang ang invited sa mismong charity ball. Kaya naman halos lahat ay naghihintay lang dito sa labas.

Pagkababa namin ni Xaiver ng sasakyan ay nagulat ako nang biglang mayroong lumapit sa aming anim na bodyguards. They came from another SUV tailing us.

I was relieved to have them with us. Nagwawala ang mga shutter ng camera nang mamataan kaming dalawa ni Xaiver ng media.

It was something that I was already used to as his secretary. Kahit saan siya pumunta ay lagi niyang naaagaw ang atensyon ng media. They were all dying to get a scoop from him as he was the most influential man in the country as of the moment. All eyes were on him.

“Put your hand on my arm.”

Xaiver’s baritone drowned the sound of shutters coming from the cameras. Nilingon ko siya at bumaba ang tingin sa kanyang braso na bahagyang nakalayo sa katawan niya. It was as if he was already waiting for me to link my arm to him.

Nanginginig ang aking kamay habang maingat akong kumapit sa kanyang braso.

Napaayos ng tayo si Xaiver at sinulyapan din ang braso. He then cleared his throat and faced forward. “Let’s go,” he said.

Mas lalong nagwala ang media nang makita ang ayos naming dalawa. They tried to push the boundaries and invade our private space just to ask questions, but they were immediately blocked by Xaiver’s men.

“Who is your date?”

“Mr. Dela Vega, is she your girlfriend?”

“Miss, what is your name?”

“Ano ka ni Xaiver Dela Vega?”

“Which family did you come from?”

My lips parted at all the questions thrown at us. It was obvious that they got the wrong idea just because we were linking arms.

I glanced at Xaiver and was sure that he had no plans to answer the media. I wanted to stay silent like him, but I could only imagine the malicious content they might publish online just to create a buzz.

I took a deep breath, turned to the nearest reporter, and opened my mouth to clear the misunderstandings. However, just as I was about to speak, I felt Xaiver hold my hand on top of his arm.

The warmth coming from his palm pulled my attention away from the reporter. Pagkalingon na pagkalingon ko sa kanya ay inilapit niya ang labi sa aking tainga upang bumulong.

“Don’t mind them,” he softly said. “I’ll make sure that not a single word about you will be reported by the media.”

Xaiver’s words filled me with assurance. I knew how powerful he was that he could wrap the media around his finger. Doon pa lang ay alam kong wala na akong dapat ipag-alala. Once he had set his mind on something, he would do anything in his power to get what he wanted.

And so, despite the media trying to swarm us, we got inside the venue smoothly.

The function hall Hariette rented for the charity ball was huge enough to accommodate thousands of guests. Malawak na malawak ang venue kahit na medyo marami-rami din ang mga items na naka-display para sa auction. Bukod pa roon ay may naka-set up ding buffet at dining tables para sa mga gustong kumain ng dinner.

Sa pinakaharap ay nandoon ang stage kung saan gaganapin ang mismong auction. Chairs were also lined up in front for everyone who would participate.

“Kuya!”

Speaking of… Mabilis akong bumitiw sa braso ni Xaiver nang madinig ang boses ni Hariette. She hurriedly went up to us with a sweet but sophisticated smile.

Hariette was wearing a long halter gown in ivory white, accentuated with gold sequins on its bodice. The skirt also had a slit on the left side, going up to her mid-thigh. Her long dark brown hair had a natural curl.

Being Xaiver’s cousin, the two of them had a small resemblance. Nasa pamilya nila ang pagkakaroon ng magandang lahi.

“I’m so glad you can come!” Hariette welcomed his cousin with a hug.

Agad na yumakap pabalik sa kanya si Xaiver. Although he still looked a bit uptight, his gaze softened, and the corner of his lips lifted into a gentle smile.

Pagkatapos yumakap sa pinsan ay lumingon sa akin si Hariette. “Hi, Chantal! It’s been a while?” she said, then quickly surveyed my dress. “That dress looks very familiar…” She subtly glanced at Xaiver before smiling widely. “Anyway, you look beautiful.”

Tumango ako sa kanya at hilaw na ngumiti. “Thank you.”

“Welcome,” sabi niya bago nilingon ulit ang pinsan. “Oh, right, Kuya! She’s here already. Thought you should know.”

Napakunot ang noo ni Xaiver.

Noong una ay nagtaka rin ako kung sino ang tinutukoy ni Hariette, ngunit nang matandaan ko ang kanilang usapan sa sasakyan noong isang araw ay agad kong napantanto na si Zoe Bautista iyon. I suddenly felt conscious, thinking that she might be watching us from afar.

“She approached me earlier and personally donated one million to the charity. She said she would also join the auction,” kwento ni Hariette. “You know—I don’t regret inviting her. Her donation is a big help to my beneficiaries.”

“You’re acting as if I can’t donate double or triple the amount she gave you,” Xaiver said smugly.

“Oh, really?” Kuminang ang mga mata ni Hariette, ngunit ang boses ay tunog naghahamon. “Well, I’m looking forward to that, Kuya. I’ll get the check from you later.” She winked at Xaiver.

Knowing that he fell into his cousin’s trap, Xaiver just heaved a sigh. Kahit na ganoon, alam kong walang problema sa kanya ang mag-donate ng ganyang kalaking halaga para sa charity.

“So, this is why the media kept asking me questions if my cousin’s getting married already…”

Hindi pa nakakabawi si Xaiver sa usapan nila ni Hariette nang biglang dumating si Knoa para makigulo. Nagbago agad ang ekspresyon ni Xaiver at hindi ko siya masisisi. Kahit ako ay nabahala sa pagdating niya.

“Which cousin, Kuya Knoa?” Hariette shot her brow up. “Make it clear. I don’t want any marriage rumors about me. I’m still young.”

Nginuso ni Knoa si Xaiver at saka nagsuot ng mapaglarong ngiti. “The media are going crazy, trying to find out who’s your date for tonight,” he said, then licked his lips. “They’ll be very disappointed once they find out that she’s your secretary.”

“I have to talk to you,” Xaiver seriously said to Knoa.

Nabura ang ngiti ni Knoa at umayos ng tayo dahil sa tono ng boses ni Xaiver.

“Hari, I’ll leave Chantal in your care for a moment.” Xaiver turned to Hariette to ask for a favor. “May pag-uusapan lang kami ni Knoa.”

Hariette smiled and nodded. “No problem.”

Bago tuluyang umalis kasama si Knoa ay sinulyapan ako ni Xaiver. “I’ll be back.”

“Okay.”

Pinanood kong umalis si Xaiver kasama si Knoa. Nang makalayo sila ay inaya ako ni Hariette na libutin ang exhibit para tingnan ang mga naka-display para sa auction. Bukod sa mga paintings ay marami ding vintage and limited edition items for collection.

“This one is a part of my jewelry collection,” Hariette told me as we stopped in front of a limited edition jewelry from a famous luxury brand. The white gold necklace had an exquisite design of a camellia flower, filled with diamonds. “It was really hard for me to give this one up, but I still have the yellow gold one anyway.”

“Hariette!”

Sabay kaming napatingin ni Hariette sa lalaking lumapit sa kanya. I could recognize him as one of the prominent businessmen in the country. Dahil madalas akong sumama sa mga business and social banquets ay nakikilala ko na sila sa mukha.

“Saglit lang, Chantal. I’ll just talk to Mr. Arcanas,” Hariette excused herself to me, then proceeded to have a conversation with the businessman. Nadinig kong may ipapakilala pa raw ito kay Hariette kaya lumayo sila upang lapitan ang iba pang mga business tycoons.

Hariette was the host of the event, so it was only natural to be busy with entertaining her guests. Sigurado akong sinamahan niya lang ako at binigyan ng oras bilang pakiusap sa kanya ni Xaiver.

Napanguso na lamang ako at hinayaan ko na siya. Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kwintas at humakbang palapit upang basahin ang description doon. I admitted having limited knowledge about the flower, so it piqued my interest.

According to the note, camellia is a flower of simplicity and purity. In some Asian countries, it also symbolizes an unyielding love.

“Camellia…” I whispered as I became really interested in the flower.

“You seem to have also taken a liking to this necklace.”

Napatalon ako nang biglang may kumausap sa akin. Inalis ko ang tingin sa kwintas at nilingon ang babaeng kakalapit lamang. Pirmi siyang nakatitig noong una sa kwintas bago inilipat ang mga mata sa akin.

The woman exuded beauty and elegance. Even without much makeup, she looked effortlessly gorgeous. Her straight black hair was neatly combed. She wore a spaghetti strap embroidered gown in silver. The bodice has a deep neckline, and her back also showed a lot of skin.

Staring at her almost seemed like looking at the embodiment of the camellia necklace. There were just so many similarities that I could point out.

Before I could open my mouth to speak, she smiled and offered her hand. “Chantal, right? You are Xaiver’s secretary.”

Napaawang ang aking mga labi. Hindi ko maiwasang mamangha na kilala niya ako sa kabila ng pagtataka.

“You are?” tanong ko saka tinanggap ang kanyang kamay bilang respeto.

Her smile turned slightly mysterious as she introduced herself, “Zoe Bautista.”