Mercedez 2: Blinding Lights

11

I Want These.

"What's your plan now, ate?"

Naglapag siya ng cup of tea sa center table na kaagad ko namang iniusog palapit sa akin para maamoy ang aroma galing sa usok nito. He then sat down on the couch across me.

Taliwas sa naunang akala ko na iaakyat pa ako ni Row sa mismong unit ni Viau ay nagpaalam na kaagad itong umalis dahil baka hinahanap na raw siya ng kambal.

Napahiya nga ako dahil I got alarmed. Pumasok sa isip ko na baka itakas niya ang mga bata habang wala ako. Kaya lang ay parang nabasa niya ang mind ko kaya he assured me that he won't do anything. He was even sending me messages every now and then since he arrived home, updating me what he's up to and what are the kids doing, updating me from time to time.

I have trust issues pero... pipiliin kong pagkatiwalaan siya sa ngayon. As a father, hindi naman niya gugustuhing saktan ang mga anak niya by taking them away from me, right? Siguro...

Sana.

"I'm thinking..." Panimula ko.

Biglang may kung anong pumasok sa isip ko na idea. And I think it will work naman.

"Hm?"

Napaangat ako ng tingin sa kaniya at alanganin na ngumiti. Ilang segundo iyong tumagal bago ako umiling at bahagyang natawa.

My idea is ridiculous! What the, Gucci?!

But I should have known Viau, he won't let this go. I left him curious so I should feed him.

"Say it, ate. Baka kung ano na ang plano mo tapos..." He trailed off.

I bit my lower lip and avoided his eyes this time, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"I was thinking of fighting for the annulment to court."

He straightened his back. I can see him tense a bit, parang naalarma sa sinabi ko so I continued.

"But gaya ng sabi niya... I know it will bring chaos to our company, and I never wanted that. Hiyang-hiya na nga ako sa inabot ko, ipapahiya ko pa ba lalo ang sarili sabay hila sa inyong lahat?" I shook my head firmly. "I don't want to do that."

Napabuga siya ng hangin, tila ba nakahinga nang maluwag.

"I'm going to compromise with this marriage, Viau."

I can't believe I'm agreeing with this ridiculous idea! I'm a romanticist. Although I don't know how to love or to feel loved the right way... I still value love in marriage. But then, gaya ng sinabi ko, ayokong i-sabotahe ang reputasyon ng pamilya ko lalo na ang imahe ng kompanya. I want to take care of it like how my mom protected it and kept it standing strong. I spent my whole existence promising a mission of being the best CEO for Salimpapaw.

"I'm telling you, ate... I'm looking forward to a positive outcome and thank you because I know this is a sacrifice for you."

Right. Para sa mga bata. Para sa company. And for the legacy of the Mercedez. I can't mess this all up. Pagkatapos kong maka-get away from the past... I have to bawi now.

Napahinto kami sa pag-uusap nang biglang tumunog ang phone ko sa isang tawag.

We both looked at my ringing phone on the center table. I immediately shifted my eyes to Viau after reading who was calling because for sure ay binasa niya rin! And I was right... Nag-iwas siya ng tingin sa'kin but the corners of his lips lifted a bit, signaling a teasing smile.

I pouted before picking up the phone.

"H-hi..." I cleared my throat when I stuttered.

I heard my cousin's silent laugh so tiningnan ko siya nang masama. His shoulders were even shaking!