Feather (Self-Published)

CH 11: Alteri Stipulari Nemo Potest

I don't know what is it about men and marriage that make them think that a proposal is going to solve all your problems. If ever I decide to marry, it would never be for the wrong reason like just because I was fucking my boss.

"Does being Mrs. Vittorio Lawson Killian Santander appeal to you?" he asked his expression so proud as if he was offering me the universe on a plate.

"It doesn't," I answered without hesitation.

Lawson looked so taken aback by my reply that he just stared unblinking at me.

"What? Why?" he asked lifting his upper body off me to search my face.

"I like being Miss Montiel just fine."

"Juris, I am offering to marry you." There was disbelief in his voice. "And you're turning me down. Tinatanggihan mo ang kasal?"

"Dapat ba hindi?"

"Kasal 'yun. Isn't that every woman's dream, ang magpakasal?"

"Not this woman. Ang pangarap ko ay ang maging abogada slash haciendera."

He scowled. "You're not taking me seriously."

"I am. But, why would you want to marry me after one fuck?"

"From what I know women prefer to get married first before fucking."

I looked incredulously at him. "I didn't realize that you're extremely traditional. May dapat ba akong panagutan sa'yo?"

"Stop trying to be funny, Juris."

"I am not even trying, Lawson. Seryoso ako."

A frown marred his handsome face. "Tell me then kung bakit ayaw mo."

"Tell me first why you want to marry me."

"We're compatible in bed."

"Lawson, kama lang talaga ang basehan?"

He looked confused.

"What is marriage to you? Sex lang ba? Gan'un kababaw ang tingin mo sa pag-aasawa?"

"What do you mean?"

"Ako, hindi. I want a marriage that's deeper than sex. Hindi ako magpapakaplastik by telling you that sex isn't important to me. Moreso now that I have firsthand experience," I jokingly said. "Actually, napatanong nga ako sa sarili ko kung bakit ngayon lang—"

He scowled. "Ginagalit mo ba ako?"

"Ano namang nakakagalit doon sa sinabi ko?"

"You are trying to make me jealous."

"Kaunti na lang kikiligin na ako sa'yo," I kidded.

"Juris, come on..." He sounded frustrated. "You are really going to reject me?"

"Baka gusto mo muna akong kilalanin bago mo ako yayaing magpakasal."

"As I have said, I did a background check on you—"

"And you found out that my parents are dead and I have a bitch for a younger sister. That I was a consistent honor student. That I work fucking hard. 'Yun lang ang alam mo tungkol sa akin. Those things are superficial. Alam nga 'yun ng ibang sekretarya sa kumpanya mo, eh. Does that mean dahil alam nila ang mga bagay na 'yun tungkol sa akin ay pwede na nila akong yayaing magpakasal?"

"I don't get you..." he said as he started to move away.

I snaked my legs around him. "D'yan ka muna..."

He arched a questioning brow. "Gusto mo pa...?"

I nodded suddenly embarrassed of my forwardness. "Okay lang ba...?"