PRETENSE

1/23/2013

[Scene: Margarette made a scene at Emily's workplace. I can't remember what episode, but it's when Emily finally accepted Marco's proposal.]

Marco was so furious. Because of what his mother did to Emily. Because she could've done more horrible things to Emily if he hadn't come sooner. And he was absolutely mad because of the situation they were into. He was trying his best to win Emily's heart and trust again, yet her mother was making it not easy and impossible for him to do.

He dragged Emily out of the Hotel immediately after he told the whole room how much he loved her. "Pano niya magagawa 'yon!" It wasn't a question, but rather a cold statement. He had to let go of her hand and had to walk farther from her because he didn't know what he can do. "Para ano? Para pahiyain ka?" He paced back and forth. "Para ilayo ka sakin?" He pointed himself and asked her. Marco had no idea why he's asking her in the first place. How would she know? But he thought he needed to hear it from her. Her thoughts. What's going on inside her head because he couldn't stopped overthinking.

"Hindi ko maintindihan, eh. Bakit siya naakikialam sa buhay ko." Funny because despite the fact that Marco's already in his forties, his mother was still interfering his life and his decisions.

"Ako lang makaka-alam kung anong makakabuti sa 'kin. Hindi si Mama!" he looked at Emily as if he was telling her no one in his family could ever change his mind and so he continued, "Hindi mga anak ko. Ako lang!" 

Marco, for the first time was beyond rage. Never had he imagined himself to be that mad, not until Emily was on the line. Because it's about Emily. And that's when he realized that she haven't said a thing about what happened to her and so he asked.

"Bakit tahimik ka? Bat wala kang masabi? Wala kang, 'I told you so'? I'm sure kanina mo pa gustong sabihin yan."

Marco couldn't bare Emily's silence. He was so scared that it might gonna be the last time he would be able to see Emily after what his mother did to her. He had to turn away from her so she couldn't see the fear written all over his face.

"Marco." Emily called him for the first time since he arrived. And what she said next took away all the fear and madness he has been feeling.

"Mahal kita."

Marco's blood rose not because he was angry, but because of what she have said. He turned to face her and saw the look she was giving him. He couldn't understand it well, but he knew that look from before.

"Ano?" He had to ask again because he couldn't still believe what was happening. "Anong sabi mo?"

"Mahal kita." There. She said it again. What she said next surprised him.

"At tungkol don sa tinanong mo sakin nong nasa tagaytay tayo? Ang sagot ko ay, oo."

"Oo?" He stepped closer to her and asked her again to make sure he have not heard wrong. "Emily, pakakasalan mo ako?" He would gladly took his own life right then and there if what he have heard was all true.

"Oo. Pakakasalan kita."

Marco's heart jumped out of joy. He didn't expected to get that answer from her right away especially after what happened. But it's really happening. Emily said yes to his marriage proposal. Emily will marry him. He will be with Emily for the rest of his life.

He couldn't contain how happy she made him. He embraced her tightly and lovingly. And when they finally pulled apart, Marco didn't know what was happening. Emily cupped his face and his hands automatically found its way around her. Slowly, they closed the gap between them and Marco forgot about everything. Their nose touched and Marco was finally about to feel Emily's lips on him after two decades when suddenly they were brought to stop when the hotel's security came back to his spot. Marco didn't mind it, but Emily did. She backed her head away from him to stop him and even pushed him a bit when he tried to chase her lips. She gave him a look and glanced at the security then back at him. As if she was telling him, no. She won't kiss him in front of the security.

"Okay ka lang diyan?" He asked the lad because he would really want to continue what they were doing. He doesn't care. But when he faced Emily, he saw the 'no' look on her. Marco was obviously disappointed, but nevertheless he was ecstatic.

"Yakap na lang muna, Emily." He said and gathered her in his arms once again. Emily returned the hug as well. He kissed her hair when he felt her hands on his back. He was probably the happiest and the luckiest man on earth. Marco couldn't asked for more because his dream finally came true. His dream was her. And she was finally his and forever will be.

After the little incident outside the hotel, Marco didn't let go of Emily. Thankfully, Emily's manager was kind enough to understand what happened. That Emily probably needed some time and space to breath after the incident. She even thought Emily was traumatized because of what happened. It was Marco who asked the manager to let her off and Emily's' manager immediately agreed and even brought her things with her when she came to see her out.

Marco promised to take Emily home. As much as possible, he wanted to let his auntie, Manang Henya to know about the good news immediately. Of all people, Manang Henya was the only person who supported him with Emily. Marco knew that she will be very happy to know that finally, Emily agreed to his proposal.

The ride wasn't that long because Emily's house was not that far from the hotel. That's one of the reason as well why Marco didn't insisted on driving her home when he visited her at her workplace one time. He knew she'll be okay.

"Andito na tayo." He said when they stopped in front of a beautiful modern two storey house.

Emily glanced outside and smiled at him. It must be the smile or the fact that it's Emily because Marco's heart was abnormally beating so fast. All through-out the ride, Marco thought he was dreaming. A dream that he wouldn't want to end because he was afraid that he must be really just dreaming. But he was not. It's all true. She's true. He didn't even want to remove his eyes from her, afraid that she might vanished if he did.

"Marco?" Emily called out his name again for the second time. Marco didn't know for how long he have been staring at Emily, but he has only got back when he heard her call his name.

"Tara na?" She asked and once again gave him that smile. The smile that haunted him for so many years.
Emily unbuckled herself and so he was obliged to do the same. He went out of the car first and walked to her side to open the door for her. He offered his hand which Emily took with that smile again. Marco's heart melted. He didn't know what has gotten to him, but instead of giving Emily a way so she could finally get out of the car, Marco pinned her. His other hand held the car's door and the other which was holding her hand moments ago, found its way around her waist. And just that, Marco took Emily's breath away. With her back pressed against the cars door frame, Marco closed the almost invisible gap between the two of them and devoured her mouth.

Emily stood frozen on her spot. She felt his lips against hers, seeking and begging for entrance. She felt his hand around her waist, pulling her closer to him that she could already feel the burning desire out of his chest.

Marco let go of her lips for a second for air. His forehead pressed against hers. "Emily.." her name almost sounded like a plea and Emily thought it was all she needed to hear from him.

Marco's plea was answered when Emily kissed him back. It wasn't rough, but rather gentle. It's like they were taking their time together. Marco deepened the kiss when he felt Emily's hands on his nape, pulling him even closer to her. She opened her mouth when he asked for entrance and tweaked his hair when she immediately felt his tongue. A soft moan escaped from her when he played his tongue inside her mouth. Suddenly, nothing mattered to them. It was just the two of them. They shared the very first intimate kiss after twenty years of being away from each other, yet Marco thought it felt the same. If there was one thing that changed, it was probably his desire that he never thought have grown stronger.

None of them wanted to stop but they had to. Or else Manang Henya will see or people on the area will see them. Almost out of breath, Emily and Marco stood so close to each other. Panting. Bewitched. Lustful. They couldn't believe what just happened. It felt surreal. And that's when they realized what they have done. Feeling embarrassed, Marco and Emily found themselves laughing.*