Yours Truly (R-18)

Chapter 4

Cassiopeia's POV

Time check: 5:00 PM

I decided to went home early dahil wala din akong magagawa sa opisina. My mind is too occupied with the thoughts of our bankruptcy. While driving, nadaanan ko ang bar na pinuntahan namin nina Alvin kagabi. And bigla kong naalala ang guy na naka-one night stand ko, what was his name again? Gio ba yun? I wonder anong nangyari sa kanya after I left him sleeping naked there lol.

Ilang minuto ang lumipas ay nakarating na rin ako sa bahay,

"Mom, Dad, I'm home." Sigaw ko sa buong bahay kahit hindi ko alam kung narinig ba nila.

Umakyat na ako papunta sa second floor namin at papasok na sana sa kwarto pero napalingon ako ng bumukas ang room nina Dad.

"Peia, is that you?" Tanong ni Dad na kakalabas ng kwarto

"Yss po, napa-aga ako, wala na po kasi akong aasikasuhin sa opisina. Where's mom? Is she resting?" tanong ko

"Nope, I think nasa may pool area siya nag papahangin. Hindi mo ba siya nakita?" tanong ni Dad

"Oh I didn't check, Dad." sagot ko at akmang papasok na sa kwarto but Dad called me.

"Anak.. Your mom told me what you told her earlier. Are you serious Peia?" Tanong ni dad.

Right.

"Yes, dad. Kung iyon lang ang tanging paraan, then I'm willing to do it." Saad ko.

Lumapit si Dad sa akin at niyakap ako.

"I'm sorry Cassiopeia. I promise I will make sure you won't regret your decision, anak." Saad ni daddy between our hugs.

"So when are we going to meet them?" tanong ko.

"Tomorrow at lunch. I already talk to Mr. Carl Silvius." nakangiting saad ni Dad. Matipid naman akong ngumiti at tumango. Ano pa nga bang magagawa ko?

~

-NEXT DAY-

Kasalukuyan akong nandito sa mall kasama ang bestfriend kong si Janessa. Lauren is busy since may photoshoot daw siya ngayon. My sister Cady? Lol as if namang susuportahan ako non. By the way hindi niya alam na pumayag ako sa engagement ni Dad since hindi siya umuwi ng bahay kagabi. Saan na naman kaya yun natulog?

Anyways, namimili ako ng damit na susuotin ko para mamaya. It's 10:00 AM in the morning and I told Mom and Dad na magkita nalang kami sa meeting place.

I turned around. "What? Do I look fine?"

Janessa shrugged. "Passable."

I frowned. "Yeah, right, Nes. Passable is what I am aiming for," I said sarcastically.

Since I am going to meet my 'future husband' of course, I should look pretty and not just passable!

Janessa flipped another page of the glossy magazine she was reading and said, "You know, Peia, that Silvius would not even notice what you wear so shake it off."

Really? Diba sabi nila first impression is the most unforgettable moment?

I didn't bother reasoning with her since she never really listens. She would never understand how I feel because she's never been in love. She's all books, studies and work, hindi ko nga alam bakit naging kaibigan ko siya eh total opposite kami lalo na si Lauren. Acad freaks with freaking mind.

I walked back in the private shopping room and rummaged through the place to find the perfect pair of shoes for this perfect dress I'm wearing. Even though we're in the middle of bankruptcy, may sariling pera naman ako galing sa ipon ko. I have a lot of designers bags, clothes, and shoes that I could not wear twice dahil sa dami.

Goodness! I can't find anything that will match this dress perfectly! I know I'm a pretty cool girl but when it comes to things like this. I am like this puppy lost in everything. It's infuriating but flattering at the same time. I have no idea why but this feeling strikes me like that.

Janessa glanced at her wrist watch and said, "Hoy malapit na mag-11:00 am, bilis bilisan mo kaya dyan?"

"Teka lang naman, ito naaa~" Sagot ko at sinuot ang silver pair of shoes at tinignan ko ang whole body ko sa salamin.

"Perfect." I grin while looking at myself. Kung itong lalaking makikilala ko ngayon ay ang lalaking makakasama ko habang buhay, then why not seduce him so he would fall in love with me?

"Opss here comes the warning Peia." she said at kinaway sa akin ang phone kong may 1 missed call from Dad.

"Better hurry up you slow poke!" Dagdag niya at natawa ako.

"Fine, fine," I replied. I settled for this strapped silver heels that kind of matched my dress. I called one of the sales lady and handed them my card to pay. This better be fine. I should look interesting in his eyes. But I wonder how does he look like? Sana gwapo naman para naman matutunan ko siyang mahalin. Lol!

After preparing up, I rode with Janessa and drive her to her workplace before I went to our meeting place.

"Thank you, bes. Maaasahan talaga kita sa mga ganitong bagay." Saad ko before siya bumaba sa kotse.

"Tsk ano ka ba, what are friends for? Oh siya sige na baka nag beast mode na yung tatay mo. Good luck Peia, mwah!" Saad nito sabay flying kiss.

I smiled and drove to Golden Valley where Dad asked me to went to. Dito yata nila napag-desisyonang mag meet and greet. Nang makarating ako I parked my car at dahan dahang pumasok sa loob.

Where are they?

I tried calling Dad but he wont answer my call, as well as Mom's.

"Any reservations ma'am?" Biglang tanong ng isang staff ng mapansing nagpa tingin tingin ako sa paligid.

"Oh uhm... Is there any reservation from Madrigal?" Tanong ko.

"Let me check ma'am. Please seat down." Saad nito at akmang pupunta sa may cashier nila.

"No thanks, I'll follow you." Nakangiti kong saad at sinundan siya. Agad niyang tinignan sa records nila ang mga naka book ng reservation.

"There's no Madrigal ma'am. Would you like to reserve yourself for lunch instead?" Tanong nito.

Huh? Dad clearly messaged me na nandito na sila sa Golden Valley eh.

Bigla kong napaisip na baka hindi sila Dad ang nag reserve nitong meet up.

"O-Oh how about Silvius? My parents told me kasi they made a reservation with Silvius." Saad ko.

Tinignan ulit ng staff sa system nila.

"Yes there is a Silvius ma'am. Carl Silvius." Saad nito.

"Yes that's it. Where are they?" Tanong ko

"Follow me ma'am." Sagot nito at nag simulang mag lakad kaya sinundan ko siya.

Ilang hakbang lang ay huminto ito sa tapat ng isang private dining room at binuksan ang pinto.

Agad na lumingon sina Dad sa gawi ko.

"Thank you." Nakangiting saad ko sa staff at tuluyan ng pumasok.

"Oh ito na pala ang anak ko. Peia, come here." Saad ni Dad.

Tumayo silang lahat at nag simulang mag pakilala sa isa't isa. Habang ako ay nakayuko pa lamang at nahihiya dahil palagay ko ay ako nalang ang hinihintay nila.

"Peia, I want you to meet Mr. Carl Silvius and his son, Jion." Saad ni Dad.

"Nice to finally meet you, sir. I'm sorry if I'm quite late. My name is Cassiopeia—" Saad ko pero napahinto ako ng mag tama ang tingin namin ng lalaking kasing edad ko na katabi ni Mr. Silvius. He looks familiar.

What's his name again? Jion daw sabi ni Dad right? Jion... i think I heard that name somewhere.

Nagka titigan kami at bigla itong ngumisi. At nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng naalala ko kung nasaan ko siya nakita.

He's that guy... ANG NAKA ONE NIGHT STAND KO!

"Y-You.." Hindi makapaniwalang saad ko.

Nag lakad yung Jion palapit sa akin and he suddenly held my hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Cassiopeia Madrigal." Nakangisi niyang tugon at hinalikan niya ang kamay ko.

No... this can't be!

Agad kong kinalas ang pag kakahawak niya sa kamay ko at napa iwas ng tingin. Shoot! Bakit sa lahat ng tao sa mundo, siya pa?!

"Have you two met already?" Tanong ni Mom.

"Yes, tita / No!" Sabay naming sagot ng Jion na ito.

"Huh? Ano ba talaga? Where did you two met?" Natatawang tanong ni Mommy. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin.

I glare at him ng sinabi niyang yes. Don't tell me sasabihin niya kung saan kami nag kita?!

He chuckled and said, "I met her at a coffee shop, she might not really recognize me that time." Sagot niya habang nakangising nakatitig sa akin. Ugh, nang aasar ba siya!?

"Let's take a seat. Jion, seat down." Saad ni Mr. Silvius.

Sumunod naman siya pero hindi parin nawawala ang nakakaasar niyang ngisi sa labi.

"So iha, how old are you again?" Tanong ni Mr. Silvius.

"Oh I'm 22 years old, Mr. Silvius." Sagot ko habang nakangiti.

"Hmm well you two would be such a good pair, right Jion?" Tanong nito,

"I think so." Sagot nung Jion at kinindatan ako.

What the heck, is he crazy?! Why is he acting so flirty?

Pilit nalang akong ngumiti pabalik. Lord, I swear hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Bakit siya pa?!

Kainin nalang sana ako ng buhay ng lupa!

"Hindi na ako magpapa-ligoy ligoy pa. Aside from this two, I also want your eldest daughter to marry my son, Caeden. I heard she's your adopted daughter right? That would cause no problem." Direct to the point na saad ni Mr. Silvius.

Medyo nakakatakot pala ang aura nito. Natigilan din ako ng sinabi niyang adopted si Ate Cady. How did they know? We told no one about that.

Tumingin ako kina Dad, at parang gulat din sila sa sinabi ni Mr. Silvius kaya nag salita ako,

"U-Uhm sir, my sister Cady still hesitant about this matter. I think kailangan niya pa ng oras para makapag desisyon." Saad ko.

"Hmm well sure but I won't give her a lot of time. I'm an impatient person darling, if your sister refuse to marry my other son, then this agreement is void. Right, Mr. Madrigal?" Sagot nito habang nakatingin kay Dad.

"I-I will convince my daughter, Mr. Silvius." Napipilitang saad ni Dad.

"You two. I want you to go out and enjoy yourselves outside. May pag uusapan lang kaming mga matatanda." Saad ulit ni Mr. Silvius.

What?!

Tumayo naman yung Jion at lumapit sa akin.

He offers his hand and said,

"Shall we?" Tanong niya and he smirk.

Akmang tatayo ako mag isa at hindi tatanggapin ang kamay niya kaso nakatingin sina Mom and Dad, lalo na si Mr. Silvius. Kaya wala akong choice kundi tanggapin ang kamay niya.

"How considerate of you, thank you." Pekeng ngiti kong saad kay Jion at sabay kaming lumabas ng dining room.

Agad akong kumalas sa pagkakahawak niya at sumimangot.

I roll my eyes as I heard him chuckled.

"What's so funny? Bakit kanina ka pa tawa ng tawa?" Naiirita kong tanong.

"It's really nice to see you again. How are you? And oh, why did you left me there alone honey? You disappoint me." Saad niya sabay aktong parang nalulungkot.

"Pwede ba? Huwag mo nang ipaalala sa akin ang gabing yun. That night was a mistake, okay?" Sagot ko.

"Bakit naman? Gagawin din naman natin yon ng PAULIT-ULIT. We are going to get married, don't you remember?" Tugon niya while grinning.

Napalunok naman ako ng inidiin niya talaga ang salitang 'paulit-ulit'. Like what the hell, is he really out of his mind?

"A-Asa ka namang mauulit pa yun!" Nauutal kong saad at hindi makatingin sa kanya.

"Are you hungry? Come on let's eat something else." He offers and grab my hand pero natigilan ako.

"S-Saan mo ako dadalhin?!" Defensive kong tanong.

"Restaurant. Pabayaan mo na yun sila, they should be happy kapag alam nilang we're trying to work this relationship out, right?" Saad niya

I look at him suspiciously. This guy should not be trusted.

"What's with that look? Wait.. don't tell me you're thinking about what happen the other night?" He asked and burst into laugh.

"Ano?! O-Of course not! Napaka-kapal naman ng mukha mo." Defensive kong saad.

Nakangisi siyang lumapit sa akin kaya napa atras ako. Pero lumapit siya ng lumapit hanggang sa naramdaman ko ang pader sa likuran ko. Shoot.

"L-Lumayo ka nga!" Singhal ko ng bigla niya akong i-trap. Dahan dahang lumapit ang mukha niya sa mukha ko, kaya napapikit ako ng mariin.

Pero ilang minuto I heard him chuckle again and he whispered something in my ear,

"Don't worry, I won't let that happen again YET. Not tonight, Cassiopeia. I promise, you have my word." He whispered at lumayo na sa akin. Tumayo lahat ng balhibo ko ng tinawag niya ako sa pangalan ko. What's happening to me?!

Lumabas kami ng Golden Valley, at nag lakad lakad sa street.

"W-Where are we going?" Tanong ko.

"Hmm actually I don't know. I did not bring my car with me tonight." Sagot niya. Seriously?

"Tsk then let us go back there. I don't have anything to tell you." Masungit kong saad.

Akmang tatalikuran ko siya but nagulat ako ng may motorcycle palang papalapit sa likuran ko. Biglang hinila ni Jion ang kamay ko and pull me closer to him na naging dahilan kaya napa-yakap ako sa kanya.

*lub dub lub dub*

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko ng mapag tantong he just saved me.

"Hey.. are you okay?" Tanong niya at hinaplos ang pisngi ko.

Napansin kong huminto yung motorcycle at humingi ng paumanhin.

"Ayos lang po ba kayo? Pasensya na ma'am." Saad nung driver. Jion glare at him.

"Umayos ka dude." Nakakatakot nitong saad sa driver. Habang ako ay naka titig sa kanya. Ganito ba talaga siya lagi? Why is he acting like he cares all of the sudden?

Bumalik ang tingin niya sa akin kaya napaiwas ako ng tingin at medyo lumayo sa kanya.

"T-Thanks." Saad ko.

"Did you get hurt?" Tanong niya at pilit na tinitignan ako pero yumuko lang ako. I can't look at him; feeling ko namumula na ngayon ang pisngi ko. Ugh! Bakit ba ang rupok ko?!

"No, I'm alright." Naiilang kong sagot.

"Do you want to eat nearby? I think that place is good." Pag change niya ng topic sabay turo ng isang Korean barbecue house na kaharap ng Golden Valley.

I nodded as a response at tatawid na sana kami sa daan but he held me hand again, para akong nakuryente sa ginawa niya.

"Just let me hold your hand, baka mapano ka pa." Seryoso nitong saad and we both cross the road.

~

Ilang minuto ang lumipas nag order kami ng Samgyeopsal set and he starts grilling some meat.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Tanong niya.

"Are you okay with this?" Bigla kong tanong.

"With what?" Tanong niya

"Itong set up natin. Hindi ba at napipilitan ka lang because of your Dad?" Tanong ko.

"Yeah, but I have no choice so I let it be." Nakangisi niyang sagot and he started giving me food on my plate.

"Eh ikaw ba? Why did you agree with this?" Tanong niya pabalik.

"Haven't you heard about what happen to us? This agreement exist because of what happen to our company." saad ko

"Hmm is that a good reason why you decided to marry someone you didn't even know?" tanong niya.

"I would do anything for my family." aniya ko.

He smirks, "That's sweet." Komento niya. Kumunot naman ang noo ko.

"Teka nga, bakit parang kalmado ka lang ha? Dahil ba kahit papakasalan mo ako, mambababae ka pa din sa harap harapan ko?" tanong ko sabay crossed arms.

"What? Ano ka, nasa pelikula?" he asked and burst out loud. Sumimangot ako at hinagisan siya ng tissue.

"Will you stop with that annoying smile of yours?!" reklamo ko

"Bakit? Do I look attractive?" tanong niya.

"Ew no!" Agad kong sagot.

"Don't worry I won't cheat on you. Besides, hindi ako basta basta pumupulot ng babae kung saan saan. Mark my words, baby." he said winking at me.

Nag simula na kaming kumain habang nag uusap ng kung ano anong mga bagay. He seems a good guy, if I were to judge about his current attitude. Maybe this agreement is not as bad as what I am expecting. Maybe... I can be happy in spending my life with someone like him.

He pays for our dinner at lumabas kami sa kinainan namin.

"Thank you." sincere kong pasalamat.

"Umalis na kaya sila?" dagdag ko referring to my Mom and Dad whose talking to his Dad in the restaurant in front of us.

"Shall we go back and check?" tanong niya

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at nakitang may message si Mommy.

From: Mom

: Are you spending good time with your future husband, honey? We will see you at home okay? Dont get home too late.

I guess nakauwi na nga sila

"Wag na, they are not there anymore." sagot ko kay Jion.

Biglang may humintong sasakyan sa tapat namin, lumabas ang driver at ibinigay kay Jion ang car keys. Wait, what was that?

"Let me drive you home." Nakangisi nitong sagot.

"No its okay. Nasa parking lot ng Golden Valley ang kotse ko." pag tanggi ko.

"I'll get someone to bring your car in your house before sunrise. For now, get in. I want to drive you home myself." Seryoso niyang saad.

Nagka-titigan kami saglit. Aaachkk. Bakit ang cool niya pakinggan habang sinasabi ang mga salitang yun?!

Hindi nalang ako umimik at ibinigay yung car keys ko sa kanya..

"You trust me with your car, right?" He smirks.

"Kailangang wala kahit kaunting gasgas pag check ko bukas, okay?!" saad ko. He chuckled,

"Sure, if mayroon man, I will immediately replace your car with a new one." Sagot niya.

Para naman akong nabilaokan sa sinabi niya. Lol edi ikaw na mayaman!

Sumakay ako sa kotse niya at tinuro ko sa kanya kung saan kami nakatira.

Nang makarating na kami ahad akong nag pasalamat,

" Thank you for tonight, Jion." Nahihiya kong saad.

"Wow, it's a first time I heard you calling my name." He said.

"Oh hindi pala, I remember you moaning my name the other night." Asar niyang dagdag at hinampas ko naman siya.

"What the hell! You know what, you're disgusting. You keep on bringing up what happened that night." kunwaring galit kong saad.

He zip his mouth but still grinning.

"I will see you tomorrow then." saad nito.

Napa-kunot ang noo ko, "Tomorrow? W-Why?"

"Because we are dating. Do I have to spell that out for you?" napa iling iling niyang tanong.

I can't believe this, parang kina-career niya na talaga ang mga nangyayari.

"Whatever. I'm busy tomorrow, I have a lot of works to do." sagot ko.

"I'll take care about that." he said winking.

Umiling iling ako at akmang bababa na sa kotse niya.

"Wait." bigla niyang saad

"Ano na naman--" Reklamo kong saad at hinarap siya pero natigilan ako ng bigla siyang lumapit and...

He smack a kiss on my cheek.

"Good night, Cassiopeia." He said and tap my head.

~