Deal Breaker (Published under Pop Fiction, Summit Publishing)

Chapter 37: Only Him

"No way."

Si Ed dati, na si Charles na ngayon, na kakambal ng pootek na si Cassandra, ay ang FUTURE HUSBAND ko daw?!

"What's going on here?" Biglang dating ng nanay ko.

"Kayo ang magpaliwanag kung anong nangyayari dito." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"You told her?" gulat na tanong nang nanay ko sa nanay niya.

"She needs to know." malditang sagot ni tanda.

"Tita, goodmorning po." singit ni Ed *superslash* Charles, sabay tayo.

"Goodmorning hijo." sabi ng nanay ko tapos pinaupo niya ulit si Ed *superslash* Charles pero nanatili pa din siyang nakatayo. She smiled at him nervously. Pero hindi niya ko tinitignan. Iniiwasan niya ko ng tingin?

Tsk! 

"Explain this to me. Sino siya? AT BAKIT KO SIYA PAPAKASALAN?!"

Hinawakan ko yung ribbon ring ko, ONLY HIM.

"'Coz you have to. You have no choice my dear.." sabi ni tanda, umupo siya sa sofa at sa gitna talaga.

"I HAVE A CHOICE. And I choose NOT TO MARRY HIM."

Lumapit na sa kin yung nanay ko. "Umupo ka muna princess and we'll talk."

"No. I won't seat anywhere near those two.  We'll have this talk now. and YOU'VE GOT A LOT TO EXPLAIN."

Tumayo si Ed papunta sa tabi ko. Tss! As if namang kailangan ko siya sa buhay kong UBOD NG GANDA!!

"I'm sorry Nicole. I don't want this to happen but.."

I remember this scene very well, but with a different guy. The last time I'm with my mother and my grandmother, nandito si Dominic. And he saved me from this hell. Where are you now my love? I need you.

"But as I said, YOU HAVE NO CHOICE IN THIS MATTER." I heard the old lady say.

"At panong nangyaring kailangan ko siyang pakasalan?"

"Our family and your family, we need to merge." bulong ni Ed *go to hell* Charles.

"MERGE mo mukha mo! I won't marry you. Or anyone except domi--"

"Stop it princess." Si Jacob. He's walking towards us. "You have to listen princess. You're a part of this  family. So you'll do your responsibility."

Huh!

Now everyone's against me. "RESPONSIBILITY?? At kailan pa naging responsibilidad ang pagpapakasal?"

"Since you've become a part of this family." sabi ni tanda.

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "I thought you don't consider me as part of your OH SO BEAUTIFUL FAMILY? What changed your mind?"

Tumaas din yung kilay niya. "I changed my mind because.."

She was cut off by my mother. "This family needs you princess. If you don't marry Charles...."

"Mom... " Jacob's voice is full of worry.

Nakita kong nangingilid yung luha ng nanay ko. Hala! Ano ba talagang nangyayari? Ed *bakit di ka pa mawala* Charles whispers again something in my ears.

"I'm helping you here so just cooperate." he said.

Tinignan ko siya ng masama. Sobrang lapit na naman niya. Tss! I pushed him. "Subukan mo pa ulit bumulong sa tenga ko, tatanggalin ko ngala-ngala mo. Your opinion's not needed as*hole."