#OLAPlayPretend
Chapter 22
Liberating
My eyes roamed around the lobby as soon as I got inside The Alley. It was my first time coming to one of their branches. Wala pang kahit anong meeting o events na dinadaluhan si Xaiver na kailangan naming puntahan sa mga hotel nila, and I think I know why.
The architecture and design of the hotel were more on the mediocre side. White walls and ceilings with the exquisite pattern of tiles were classic. Parang katulad lang ng ibang mga hotels. Makikita mo kaagad ang pagkakaiba no'n sa mga 5-star luxury hotels na madalas naming tinutuluyan. Still, it was a refined 4-star hotel. I researched at medyo budget-friendly rin ang rates ng suites nila—suitable for a short staycation.
I pursed my lips and realized that I should stop with the criticisms. Tingin ko ay pinapalubag ko lang ang loob ko sa lowkey na panlalait sa hotel nila. At least they have a family business they can be proud of, while I have only my little savings.
"No..." I whispered softly as I remembered Xaiver's reminder. Ayaw niya akong minamaliit ako ng ibang tao o ng sarili ko. I shouldn't throw a pity party. That's not for me. I'm gonna be his wife now.
Once I renewed my self-confidence, I lifted my chin and walked straight to the hotel's restaurant on the second floor. She reserved a VIP room for us to talk in private. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang maaari naming pag-usapan na kailangan ay pribado pa, pero mas mabuti na rin 'yon.
From the moment I became Xaiver's fiancée, I realized I should always keep in mind the things I do. Whatever I do will surely affect Xaiver's image and his family. I should always think of all the consequences before I act. Ayaw ko siyang mapahiya nang dahil sa akin.
"Good evening. I have a reservation with Zoe Bautista." I smiled at the receptionist at the restaurant's entrance.
Upon hearing Zoe's name, the woman immediately snapped straight and gave me the most positive and hospitable attitude she could ever give.
"You're Miss Chantal Bersales?" she asked.
"Yes."
"This way, Ma'am."
The receptionist personally assisted me. Hindi kami dumaan sa hall. Agad kaming lumiko sa ibang hallway kung nasaan ang mga private VIP rooms. We stopped at the last room, and she opened the door for me.
"Miss Bautista will be here in a while. Refreshments will be served as you wait," she said.
Muli akong ngumiti sa babae. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, Ma'am."
The receptionist slightly bowed her head before stepping out. Ilang sandali rin ay may pumasok na lang waiter para i-serve ang inumin. Juice iyon at saka malamig na tubig. I was also given light crackers and biscuits.
Sinulyapan ko ang cellphone ko para tingnan ang oras at malaman kung sakaling nag-text na si Xaiver o tumawag. I didn't want to miss his calls again. Nagsabi na siya sa akin kanina na tatawag siya kaya sigurado akong magagalit 'yon kapag hindi ko nasagot.
It was already three minutes past seven. So much for asking me to come here at the exact time. Hindi naman pala siya susunod sa oras na binigay niya.
Napabuntonghininga ako at uminom na lamang ng tubig. Halos limang minuto ulit ang nakalipas bago siya dumating.
Zoe was dressed to nines with her luxury pieces. Hindi ko na masyado 'yong pinansin dahil mukhang normal naman na sa kanya ang ganoong pananamit.
She quickly took the seat right in front of me. Inilagay niya ang mamahaling bag sa katabing upuan bago humarap sa akin. I saw how her eyes traveled from my face to my neck. Nagtagal doon ang titig niya at medyo naningkit pa ang mga mata. Alam ko na kaagad na ang kwintas ang nakapukaw ng atensyon niya.
"Ahem." Zoe cleared her throat as she shifted her gaze back to me. "Sorry. I just came from a meeting with my parents," she surprisingly still had the courtesy to apologize after being late.
I forced a small smile. "You're eight minutes late," paalala ko sa kanya kahit na humingi na siya nang paumanhin. "As the future leader of your company, hindi ba dapat ay trained ka nang umattend sa mga engagements mo on time?"
Zoe lost her cool. Kitang-kita ko ang pagdilim ng kanyang ekspresyon. "Excuse me?"
"Oh, sorry. Hindi ata magandang pakinggan ang pagkakasabi ko." I chuckled lightly while covering my mouth. "Masyado akong nasanay kay Xavi. He's always on time. Ayaw na ayaw niya ang mga nala-late."
As soon as I mentioned Xaiver, Zoe shut her lips tightly. She couldn't rebut dahil late naman talaga siya, no matter what her reasons were.
"Anyway, ano ba ang pag-uusapan natin?" Umayos ako ng upo at hinarap siya nang maayos. "Can we talk about it now?"
Zoe licked her lips, then maintained a proper, elegant posture. "Let's order first and talk over a meal. Maaga pa."
"Hindi na kailangan. Huwag na tayong magpaligoy-ligoy pa," sabi ko at bahagyang sumulyap sa orasan. "Xaiver will call me anytime tonight. Hindi niya alam na pumunta ako rito para makipagkita sa 'yo. I need us to finish talking before he does. Sigurado akong ayaw mo rin na makarating sa kanya 'to, 'di ba?"
I gripped on the skirt of my dress while spitting those words with the attitude I never thought I would wear. Hindi ako gano'n. My mother didn't raise me to be that kind of person. Pinalaki niya akong magalang at mahaba ang pasensya. Hanggang kaya ko ikimkim sa sarili ko ang galit at iritasyon, ganoon ang ginagawa ko. I was used to that. I was fine with that. Ngunit alam kong hindi na puwedeng ganoon na lang ngayon.
Xaiver trained me to be fierce and savage. He didn't want me bowing down to anyone. Ayaw niyang bigyan ko ng dahilan ang ibang tao na maliitin ako.
"Okay, then! Let's cut to the chase!" Zoe quickly grabbed her bag and pulled out her checkbook. Agad niyang pinilas ang isang check mula roon at saka nilapag sa harapan ko. "Ten million. Just leave Xaiver alone."
I kept my lips shut. Ibinaba ko ang tingin sa check. The words and numbers were clearly written there. Ten million for Chantal Bersales, huh? Ganoon lang ba kalaki ang halaga ko sa kanya?
Hindi ko akalaing aabot talaga ako sa sitwasyon na 'to. I thought these things only happen in books and movies. Sino'ng mag-aakala na nangyayari pala talaga 'to sa totoong buhay?
Hindi pala talaga basta nag-o-overreact lang si Mama. Tagala pa lang may ganoong nangyayari sa mundo nila. People like them are easily driven by money. They gained status, power, and stability through money. They think the world revolves around it. They believe they can control people with it. Unfortunately, no matter how much power it can give you, it can also destroy you completely.
Money is just made out of paper that you can easily tear into pieces. It is something you can light a fire on and burn. It will eventually turn into nothing once it turns into ashes... It will lose its value once torn apart.
Pero siguro nga, kahit papaano, tama rin naman. Ayaw kong magpaka-hipokrito. I was exactly in this situation because of money. Xaiver managed to lure me into marriage because of it. I was tempted because I needed it.
The amount Zoe offered me was enough to pay the damages if I would choose to breach the contract. Saktong-sakto 'yon sa kailangan ko para makakawala kay Xaiver. It was very, very tempting... Parang ang sarap sumugal ulit. Parang ang sarap talikuran ulit ang prinsipyo ko para sa pera.
Kaya nga lang, hindi ko na hahayaang mangyari ulit 'yon. I already gave Xaiver my word. Alam na rin ni Mama ang tungkol sa kasal naming dalawa. We were all set for the wedding. Hindi ko na rin kayang umatras.
"Ten million..." Pinasadahan ko ng daliri ang nakasulat sa checke bago nag-angat ng tingin sa kanya. "I'm about to be Xaiver's wife, pagkatapos ay 'yan lang ang iaalok mo sa akin?"
Zoe's jaw dropped. "What?"
I smiled at her and slowly slid the check back to her. "Masyadong mababa. I shouldn't have expected more from you, Miss Bautista. Ito lang pala ang kaya mo."
"You, bitch!" nanggagalaiti niyang sigaw. "Who do you think you are, huh?! You're just someone na papakasalan ni Xaiver! Without that, you're nothing!"
"Just someone?" I echoed with humor. "It must have bothered you a lot that Xaiver would rather choose 'just someone' to marry than you, who has name and influence."
Zoe's tears brimmed in her eyes. Naiiyak na siya sa inis at galit. For a moment, I felt guilty. Gusto kong tumigil. I didn't want to stoop down to her level, but did she even stutter when she insulted me?
No. She didn't.
Hindi niya naisip na baka may natatapakan na siyang tao. Wala siyang pakialam kung may nasasaktan siya. Kaya kahit ngayon lang, I'll be the bad woman. I'll make her taste her own medicine. I'll make sure she'll remember the bitterness of those words and how hard they are to swallow.
"Humble yourself, Miss Bautista. Hindi umiikot ang mundo sa 'yo at sa perang meron kayo," I calmly said then leaned forward. "Dati iniisip ko pa kung bakit sa dinami-daming nirereto kay Xaiver, ako ang napili niya. Ikaw... Hindi mo ba naisip kung bakit ako ang pinili niya?"
"That's because you seduced him! There is no other way! Pinagsisiksikan mo ang sarili mo sa kanya!"
"Seduce him?" Natawa na ako. "Why don't you ask Xaiver kung sino ang naghabol sa aming dalawa? When I resigned, he did everything just so I would come running back to his arms."
"You are lying!"
"Tanungin mo nga siya, Miss Bautista. I dare you to ask him," I confidently said.
"You..." A tear dropped from her eye that she immediately wiped harshly. "I'll make sure that Tita will know about this. You obviously just want him for his money and power. You just want his name."
"At ikaw?"
"What?"
"Why do you want Xaiver? Why do you like him? Is it because of his looks? His money? His power?" I bravely asked her. "Bakit kahit alam mo nang ikakasal na kami, ipinatawag mo ako rito para subukang kuhanin siya? Why didn't you respect our decision to get married instead of offering me this check and trying to break us apart?"
Natikom ang bibig ni Zoe. I saw her swallow hard when her throat moved. Kahit siya mismo ay hindi niya alam ang sagot.
"Paano mo siya nagustuhan? Do you really know him? Gaano mo siya kakilala? Gaano mo siya kagusto para magtapon ka ng sampung milyon sa isang bagay na wala namang kasiguraduhan? Tingin mo ba pipiliin ka niya o papakasalan ka niya kapag iniwanan ko siya?" sunod-sunod kong tanong.
Zoe gritted her teeth. "Shut up."
"Let's face it, Zoe... Hindi ako ang may kailangan sa kanya. Hindi ako ang naghahangad ng pera o kapangyarihan niya kung hindi ikaw at ang pamilya mo," pagpapatuloy ko at saka sinulyapan muli ang checke kung saan nakapirma ang ama niya. "Mukhang suportadong-suportado ka pa nga ng mga magulang mo at sa kanila pa galing ang ibibigay mong pera. Ayon ba ang pinag-meetingan ninyo kaya ka na-late?"
That was my final argument. Naramdaman ko na ang panunuyo ng lalamunan ko. I didn't think I could go any farther than that. I felt really bad and liberated at the same time. Masyado na akong madaming nasabi. I just hoped that those words would humble her.
Tahimik at pino ang galaw ko nang tumayo. Kinuha ko ang bag ko saka muling hinarap si Zoe.
"I hope this is the last time we'd meet under such circumstances. Ayoko ng away. Ayoko ng gulo. Hindi ko sasabihin kay Xaiver ang pagkikita natin na 'to at kung ano ang pinag-usapan natin dito. Alam ko ang kaya niyang gawin at sinabi niya na rin 'yon sa 'yo," sabi ko. "Thanks for the invite. Mauuna na ako."
Without looking back, I went out of the private VIP room. I booked a car on the way home. Mabuti na lang at agad din akong nakakuha. Wala pang limang minuto simula nang bumiyahe ay natanggap ko na ang hinihintay na tawag kay Xaiver.
Napanguso ako dahil video call 'yon. He would know that I went out without telling him. Nag-isip na lang ako ng dahilan na kapani-paniwala. Sasabihin kong pumunta lang ako ng mall dahil bored ako. Ayon lang ang naisip kong dahilan.
"Xavi." I smiled as soon as I answered his call, but he welcomed me with a frown. "Bakit ka nakasimangot?"
Mukhang kakauwi pa lang ni Xaiver sa suite niya. He was still fully clothed with his suit kahit na maluwag na ang necktie. Maayos pa rin ang ayos ng kanyang buhok. It seemed like he called me the moment he got home. Hindi man lang siya nagpalit para makapagpahinga na kahit namunungay na ang mga mata.
My chest tightened a little. He must be tired from all the ocular visits and inspections. Ilang properties kaya ang inikot niya?
"Umalis ka," sabi niya bigla na nagpatigil sa aking pag-iisip.
"Uhm, oo nga...."
"You went to see Zoe Bautista." That wasn't a question. Sa tono niya pa lang ay siguradong-sigurado na siya.
Bahagyang nanlaki ang mga ko at napaayos ng upo. Shit. Ang sabi ko pa naman kay Zoe ay hindi ko sasabihin kay Xaiver ang tungkol sa pagkikita namin, pero alam niya na. Hindi pa ako nakakapagsinungaling ay alam na niya agad ang totoo.
"You had me followed?" I asked just to make sure.
"No. Not yet," he replied. "Mr. Dizon saw you at The Alley. May ka-meeting sila ng asawa niya. You obviously went there to see Zoe."
"Not yet? Ibig sabihin, papasundan mo ako?" Ayon ang tumatak sa akin sa mga sinabi niya. I'd rather focus on that too para makalimutan niya ang pakikipagkita ko kay Zoe.
"I'll hire bodyguards for your safety pagbalik ko. I'll also assigned a driver to you para may magmamaneho sa 'yo kahit saan ka pumunta," he patiently explained while massaging the bridge of his nose. "But let's go back to the matter at hand. Nakipagkita ka kay Zoe? She asked you out? Ano'ng pinag-usapan ninyo?"
Ngumiti ako at sumandal nang maayos sa upuan. He looked stressed and worried. Parang mas na-stress pa ata siya sa akin kaysa sa paghahanap niya ng lupa. Lagi lang siyang poker face pagdating sa negosyo.
"Kung ano man ang pinag-usapan namin, sa aming dalawa na lang 'yon," sabi ko.
Xaiver's eyes narrowed. He didn't get the assurance he wanted from my answer. "You're not backing out of our wedding, are you?"
Medyo nagulat ako sa tanong niya, ngunit natawa rin agad. He looked and sounded so serious. Is he overthinking? Nag-o-overthink din pala ang isang Xaiver Dela Vega.
"Why are you laughing? What's funny?" he asked critically.
"Ano ka ba! Bakit naman ako magba-back out? Wala akong pambayad sa 'yo!" natatawa kong sabi at agad naman siyang kumalma kahit papaano. "Nakipagkita lang ako sa kanya because I wanted to settle scores with her."
Natahimik si Xaiver. I decided to go on and take that moment to open up.
"Pinag-isipan kong mabuti ang mga sinabi mo sa akin, and I realize you're right. I shouldn't let anyone think less of me. I know myself better than anyone. Dapat matuto akong lumaban kung kinakailangan," sabi ko at saka ngumiti habang nakatitig sa kanya sa screen. "Kaya ayon ang ginawa ko kanina. I made sure she would have no reason to pick on me again. It honestly feels great and liberating. It feels nice to have my confidence back kahit na medyo naawa rin ako. I think I need to work on that more."
Umiling si Xaiver. A ghost of a smile touched his lips as his expression softened. "You did well," he said huskily. "I might not be there, but I know you did well, and I'm proud of you."
My lips parted. Parang may mainit na kamay na humaplos sa aking puso. He's proud of me? I made Xaiver Dela Vega proud?
"I don't want you completely losing yourself, Chantal..." he continued. "This world is crueler than it seems. I just want you to be tough. I want you to learn how to fight for yourself because I know you can, and I know you'll like that better than me protecting you, right?"
I pursed my lips and nodded. "Yes..."