Until Forever (Published!)

Chapter 23

Mia stopped her pickup in front of the gate of the Travilla mansion. She took a deep breath, and composed herself.

She had spent the whole night contemplating on what to do, on what she should do, and on what would be the next thing that she would plan to do.

Micheal paid her visit, a move that totally surprised her. And when he left, she was a mess of conflicting emotions.

He offered to compromise, alright, but then, his option was absurd. But he made it sure that she only had one choice, that she had to comply to his terms, and that was to marry him. That was the only way that she could get to her mother fast. And even if she really hated the idea, she had no other better choice.

Bahala na. Ang importante sa kanya ngayon ay ang kapakanan ng kanyang ina. They didn't have time to waste. She had to race against time to make up for all the things that she had missed for growing up without her own mother by her side. More or less, that was what her mother wanted to do as well. She was sure of that. Kung hinanap siya nito noon ay siguradong gusto rin siya nitong makasama. And she would make that happen.

Kaya niyang ipakipagsapalaran ang future niya para sa kanyang ina. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa kanya sa oras na magpakasal sila ni Micheal. She was surely putting her future at risk by doing so. What if they wouldn't go along well as a couple? She would be stuck with him forever because they were already married. Oo nga at may annulment naman sa Pinas, but it was a pain in the ass going through the process. Hindi ganoon kadaling magpa-annul ng kasal katulad ng divorce sa ibang bansa.

But then again, the future was uncertain. No one really knew what would happen next. Kahit siya ay hindi niya alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa kanya sa susunod na mga araw. The one thing that she had learned in life was to live by the present. Tomorrow was entirely another day.

Her mother was sick. Iyan lang dapat ang isipin niya. She didn't need to bother about the future because even her own future was just as uncertain as her mother's. Hindi madaling magpasiya, pero sa sandaling naiisip niya ang kapakanan ng ina ay napapadali niyon ang pagdedesisyon niya.

And she had already made up her mind. That was the reason why she was here. She was ready to talk with Micheal.

Bumaba siya sa kanyang sasakyan at ini-lock ang pinto. She slid the keys inside the pocket of her jeans, and walked to the guard house. Wala na roon ang mga sundalong nakaharang kahapon. But the gate was closed.

"Hello, guard," bati niya sa guwardiya nang mamataan ito. "Please tell Micheal that I'm here, and that I want to talk to him."

"Yes, Ma'am," kaagad na sagot nito at may tinext gamit ang cellphone nito.

She waited for a few moments. Maya-maya ay lumabas ang guard sa guard house at binuksan ang gate. "Pumasok na kayo, Ma'am. Naghihintay sa loob ng mansion si Sir JM."

Pumasok siya at naglakad papunta sa malaking bahay. Her heart was beating rapidly as she approached the mansion. May naghihintay na katulong nang makarating siya sa malapad na porch.

"Nasaan si Micheal?" tanong niya sa may-edad ng katulong. Nakasuot ito ng unipormeng puti.

"Nasa library po, Ma'am," magalang na sagot nito. "Sasamahan ko po kayo sa library."

"Okay... please lead the way."

"Sumunod kayo sa akin, Ma'am..." anito at nagpatiuna nang maglakad.

Sumunod siya sa babae. Nakapasok na siya sa loob ng mansion tatlong araw na ang nakalilipas pero nalulula pa rin siya. Dumaan sila sa malapad at napaka-engrandeng sala. The design was pristine. White walls, white furniture and cream-colored curtains. The floor was made of white marble. Napakataas ng kisame that made the living room even look wider. Sa gitna niyon ay nakasabit ang pinakamalaking gold chandelier na nakita niya sa tanang buhay niya.

The house was a huge mansion in every sense of the word. Napakalinis at kumikintab ang mga kagamitan. The grand piano looked really expensive in one corner. It was showcased beside the elaborate staircase that looked like a well-ornated serpent as it shoots up the second floor of the house. Dalawang magkasangang hagdan iyon, napaka-engrande, katulad nang nakikita niya sa mga pamosong Architectural book.

The Travillas were really filthy rich. Kung ang pagbabatayan niya ay ang mga mamahaling kasangkapang nakikita niya sa paligid. They had expensive taste, and really knew how to splurge money in regal, classy interior design elements. Ang mga malalaking Chinese vase na nakapalamuti sa paligid ay mukhang antique at libo-libo ang halaga. Ganoon din ang mga babasaging kristal at figurines.

"Nandito na tayo, Ma'am," ang katulong na tumigil sa harapan ng isang nakasaradong pinto, getting her attention.

Sa library sila unang nag-usap ni Micheal noon, at pamilyar na siya sa lugar. Nasa isang gilid lang iyon nang malapad na sala.

Kumatok ang katulong.

"Come in..." boses ni Micheal na nagmumula sa loob ng silid-aklatan.

Binuksan ng katulong ang pinto. "Pasok kayo, Ma'am..." Bahagya itong yumukod sa kanya.

"Thank you," pagpapasalamat niya sa babae. Pumasok siya sa loob. The door shut behind her when the maid closed it. Naiwan sila sa loob ng library ni Micheal.

Now what?

Bigla yatang kinalamay ang loob ng kanyang tiyan. Her heartbeat intensified as she caught the figure of the man that was comfortably lounging in his swivel chair, behind his desk. Nagtama ang mga mata nila at mas lalong nagrambolan ang mga daga sa loob ng kanyang dibdib.

"Have you already made up your mind, Mia?" His dark eyes narrowed at her.

She swallowed hard. Buong tapang na sinalubong niya ang makasigid-butong titig nito. "Yes," she answered firmly. "That's why I'm here, Micheal. We're going to talk about it."