Episode 18
1438 Words
Matteo's POV
Nakaupo ako sa veranda ng makita ko si Aurora palabas.
She was on her way to school, her backpack slung over her shoulder as usual.
I never offered her a ride, wanting her to learn to stand on her own two feet.
Hindi naman talaga ako galit sa kanya, pero naiinis lang ako sa smug niyang mukha tuwing dumadaan siya. Pero aminin ko, may nakakainis na cute sa kanya na mas lalo akong pinapainis.
Napahinto ako sa pag-inom nang tumunog ang telepono ko. Si Leonard ang tumatawag. "Ano?" maikli kong tanong bago muling tumingin kay Aurora, na hindi sanay sa mahabang lakad at patuloy na humihinto para magpahinga.
"Matteo, the bidding is happening tonight. Nakiusap si Don Carlos na kung pwede tayo magpakita?" Leonard asked me.
"Fine," I replied before ending the call.
Hindi ko talaga gusto ang mga bidding event, pero sumama ako sa mga kaibigan ko dahil sa kay Don Carlos na matagal na naming ka partner sa negosyo.
Later that evening, I joined Leonard and Enzo in the living room as we prepared for the event. We all dressed formally, a far cry from our usual casual style.
Enzo smirked at me as we walked towards the car.
"Matteo, you clean up pretty well. Who would've thought you could look decent when you're not scowling?"
I rolled my eyes. "Shut up, Enzo. Let's just get this over with."
Sinalubong kami ni Don Carlos ng makita nya kami. "Matteo mabuti at nakarating kayo!" masayang bati sa amin.
"Basta ikaw Don Carlos anytime," nakangiting sagot ko.
Matagal na naming ka partner si Don Carlos. Kaibigan sya ni Papa. Alam kong mapagkakatiwalaan ito kaya binigay ko ang respeto na dapat sa kanya.
Natahimik ang lahat ng magsalita na ang host.
I watched as the prices soared for artwork, collectables, and luxurious items.
It was impressive how much money was being exchanged for material possessions.
However, I knew that these events were a part of the social obligations that came with our position.
The bidding continued late into the night, and as the final items were presented.
The pursuit of wealth and status seemed endless, and I yearned for something more genuine and meaningful.
"Oops! Ladies and gentlemen, we're not done yet! We have more surprises in store for you that you'll surely love. Kindly pass around the small whiteboards. I'm sure you're wondering what those whiteboards are for! When you've chosen a surprise from our offerings, just write the number and your bid amount on the board. The highest bidder gets to take home a fantastic surprise. Fresh from the box, let's give them a round of applause. Let's go!" the host exclaimed, a moment that puzzled me.
This was a departure from the usual bidding routine. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight focused on the stage. I looked toward the stage, and a man came, grinning and clad only in swimwear.
The applause of the audience filled the air. Somehow, I had an inkling of what the host meant.
"Wow, Enzo, maybe you'll find someone you like! You too, Matteo, so you won't feel left out!" Leonard said amidst laughter.
"Hey, look! She's beautiful! I'm going to bid!" Enzo shouted.
I chuckled at his statement. I looked at the woman he was referring to. She seemed familiar.
Even with makeup on, she couldn't hide her true identity.
I was taken aback when I realized who the woman in the two-piece swimsuit, smiling confidently in front of the men, was.
"Aurora," I whispered in disbelief.
I glanced at the men around me. Each one held a whiteboard, scribbling their numbers and bid amounts. They all desired Aurora, even my friends.
A headache started forming as I tried to process what I witnessed. I couldn't fathom how Aurora ended up in such a place without me knowing.
I hastily grabbed a whiteboard, praying that no one would bid a higher amount than I would put. I wrote down 100 billion. It was the first time I had bid such an enormous amount, all for the sake of a woman.
"Aurora, you better explain everything, you little witch!" I seethed inwardly.
"It looks like everyone has made their decisions! Let's call each of our beautiful and handsome models one by one," the host announced before calling them individually.
As Aurora's name was called, most men raised their whiteboards. I looked at the amounts written on them and felt a wave of relief when I saw that mine was the highest. I lifted my board, which seemed to shock my friends.
"Ha?! Hindi ko alam na ganyan pala ang nararamdaman mo sa kanya at handa kang mag-bid ng 100 bilyong dolyar!" gulat na sambit ni Leonard.
I chose not to respond to his comment.
"Wow! We see a bid of 100 billion dollars! Shine light on Mr Allesandro Matteo Bernardi! You're a lucky one, Ms.!" the host enthusiastically declared, addressing Aurora.
I caught Aurora's widened eyes as she noticed me. I smirked to myself, finally having the upper hand after her stunt.
"Wow! I should have her instead, Matteo! Don't you already have Leyla?" Enzo tried to persuade me while Leonard joined in.
"Shut up, that's Aurora!" I snapped at them.
"Huh?! Is that really Aurora?!" Enzo exclaimed, stunned, as he scrutinized Aurora.
"Yeah, right? What is she doing here, Matteo? Isn't she supposed to be at the Mansion?" Leonard asked, confused.
"That's what I want to find out. Just give me a moment. I'm going to see Aurora in the dressing room," I said, my irritation evident.
Dali-dali akong pumunta sa backstage at hinanap ang dressing room. Kahit masikip, pumasok ako nang may determinasyon. Hinanap ko ng tingin si Aurora hanggang sa makita ko siya sa isang sulok, nag-aalis ng makeup. Mabilis akong lumapit sa kanya at hinawakan ang braso niya, halata ang galit ko.
"Ouch! Matteo, what's wrong? Why are you hurting me?" she protested.
"Of course, you're going to feel hurt after all the things you've done! Put this on!" I snarled, shoving a piece of clothing into her hands.
"And what do you think you're doing in a place like this, Aurora?!" I roared in my mind.
My anger boiled over as I confronted Aurora in the dressing room.
I couldn't contain my rage any longer.
The atmosphere was tense, with emotions that had been building up for too long.
"Aurora, how dare you!" I hissed through clenched teeth, my grip on her arm tightening.
Aurora winced from the pain, her eyes welling up with tears, a mix of fear and defiance in her gaze.
"Let go of me, Matteo! You're hurting me!" she shot back, trying to free herself from my grasp.
"You think you can just waltz into a place like this and sell yourself off like some object? What were you thinking?" My voice was filled with accusation, my frustration fueling my words.
"Who cares what you think, huh? This is my life! If you hadn't stolen our wealth, I wouldn't even need to find a job!" she growled.
"Trabaho?! 'Yan ba ang tawag mo sa ginagawa mo?! Nagmamaktol ka ba o nagmamaldita ka lang?! Alam mo ba kung ano ang pinasok mo? Bidding! Ang taong magbabayad ng pinakamataas para sa'yo, siya ang makakauwi sa'yo, at alam mo naman kung ano ang mangyayari pagkatapos! Kung hindi ko ibinato 'yung pera ko, may tao na sa audience ang mag-uuwi sa'yo ngayon!" galit kong sagot.
She fell silent after my words. Perhaps she honestly didn't comprehend the magnitude of her actions.
"Eh ano ngayon? Anong masama kung kunin nila ako, ha? At sino ba ang nagsabi sa'yo na magbayad ka ng 100 bilyong dolyar para lang 'iligtas' ako? Dapat kanina mo pa ibinigay sa akin 'yang pera, para hindi na ako maghanap ng paraan para kumita at makatakas sa Mansion!" sigaw niya, halata ang pagka-frustrate.
"What did you say? You want to leave the Mansion?" I asked her, my tone firm.
"Yes! I don't want to stay in your house anymore! You treat me like a maid even though you know I'm not accustomed to this!" she said, her voice filled with tears.
Napahinto ako sa sinabi niya. Hindi ko inaasahan na hahantong sa ganito ang lahat, pero itinago ko ang guilt na unti-unting pumapasok sa akin.
"Let's go home now!" I tugged at her, opening the door to the women's restroom.
"Ayoko! Kailangan ko pa ring kunin ang sweldo ko!" protesta niya, nakahawak sa pinto ng banyo para pigilan ako sa paghila sa kanya.
Frustration mounting, I lifted her as if she were a sack of rice, resting her on my shoulder.
- Writer
