AGS 4: The Best Man's Wedding

Chapter 28: Incoming

"Gusto ko sana ang offer, madame," paliwanag ni Clark. "Kaso alam mo naman, hectic ang sched ko. Anyway!" Inakbayan niya ako. "Ite-terminate na raw ang contract ni Sab."

"Oh." Madame O's cheerful face turned to a frown. "I'm sure, na-explain na ng lawyer ni Sabrina ang reason why we have to terminate the contract. Although, stated naman na since fulfilled na niya ang first five years of the brand, puwede na 'yong i-terminate without any violation, or i-amend based on the other clauses related to her age."

My right hand unconsciously held Clark's left leg and clawed at his pants out of nervousness.

"We're trying to keep the brand," Madame O continued, "pero marami kasing effect ang wedding since ang balita ni Tessa, may media. May interviews din. Nagpapa-reserve na siya ng slot for the magazine cover and other articles. Hindi namin puwedeng i-disregard 'yon kasi may market ang Sabrina's. We have to stay sa market na target ng brand, which, unfortunately, is not the market of a married woman."

That moment when I understood everything clearly but couldn't accept it because I wasn't prepared for it

For the past few years of my life, it was the only thing I've done apart from making suits and dresses. I am the face of Sabrina's, and now . . .

"May chance ba for rebranding para sa market?" tanong ni Clark. "I mean, iki-keep ang Sabrina's pero ie-expand lang ang market sa another age bracket."

"'Yan din ang napag-usapan namin ni Tessa last time, and she's still in consideration sa pag-extend ng contract. Gusto kasi niyang mag-focus na lang si Sabrina as a housewife after the wedding. Sabi ko nga, sayang naman."

Housewife?

Gusto ni Mum na maging housewife lang ako? Hell no! Anong housewife? No, not in a million years no!

"Wala pang amendments, madame?" tanong ni Clark, at siya na ang nagsasalita for me.

"Wala pang amendments na napagkakasunduan kasi wala pang update sa wedding. Basically, heads up lang ito for us, and for Sabrina kasi it will take us, at least, thirty days to process everything. May ongoing releases kasi ang Sabrina's and the whole cancellation process costs too much."

Clark clapped once and nodded. "Good! Bigyan kita ng offer, madame!"

All of a sudden, my heart beat ecstatically, and I didn't know what to do or what to expect. Si Clark ang kasama ko, not some lawyer na expert dito at alam kong magtrabaho.

"Oh, offer?"

"Magpapa-amend kami ni Sabrina ng contract niya for Sun-Dias," Clark started.

"Okay, then?"

"Magpapasa ako tomorrow ng copies ng amended articles para sa contract ng brand."

"Oh, bakit ikaw? Where's the lawyer nina Tessa?"

Clark grinned mischievously. "Ako na kasi ang magha-handle kay Sab."

And I could see Madame O's face starting to question Clark's plan. Ramdam na ramdam ko na hindi siya kumbinsido sa sinasabi ni Clark.

"Why you?" she asked. "I mean . . ." She waved her hands to defend her question. "No offense meant, Mr. Mendoza, pero . . . si Tessa kasi ang kausap ko regarding her kid."

"I'm Sabrina's soon-to-be husband," Clark answered so casually.

"Really?!" Madame O exclaimed, and she sat straight from her comfortable position just to listen to Clark's confession.

Hindi ako confident sa inamin ni Clark, pero nagliwanag ang mukha ni Madame O, as if may nalaman siyang good news.

"Wow! Congratulations to the both of you!"