PROLOGUE
I was just barely retrieving myself from being useless. I was a happy-go-lucky kinda person back then. Wala akong ibang iniisip kundi sarili ko lang dahil lagi naman nakasuporta ang pamilya ko saakin. I never thought that I'd reach this point where I had to accept my boss's offer to be his fake wife.
Why would I decline it? I'm indebted to him and in exchange of my freedom I needed this arranged marriage. Kaya heto ako ngayon sa kwarto ng boss/husband ko. Para pag-usapan ang mga hindi pwedeng gawin during this arrangement.
"You are not allowed to enter any relationship within the period of this marriage," he said seriously.
My eyes widened. "As in kahit flings? Wala?"
Tiningnan niya ako ng masama. "I am a very possessive man, Iris. I don't like sharing."
Tumayo ng bahagya ang mga balahibo ko. I did find it sexy... Shit. Right at this moment I knew, I would fuck up if this end.
"Naiintindihan ko," pagsang-ayon ko sakanya.
"Don't be clingy in public or even in private. You have to ask for permission before doing so."
I almost rolled my eyes. Hindi ko akalain na ganito siya kalala. He was making me feel like he was way above me and all I need to do was to submit to him.
"You have to follow everything I say without complaining."
"I'm only your fake wife," I reminded him. "Bakit bawat kilos ko kailangan may approval mo?"
"Because I am your boss too, Ms. Villafuente," he said like a businessman trying to persuade his point.
Naririnig ko palang pero mukhang hindi ko kakayanin ito. I'm used to get what I wanted all the time. Hindi ako sanay na maging sunod-sunuran lang. Gusto ko na mag-walkout pero biglang pumasok sa isip ko ang pamilya ko. Yes, I need to do this for them. Ilan taon din naging maganda ang buhay ko. Sabi na nga ba, may kapalit ang lahat ng iyon.
"Okay, Mr. Esqueza," nanghihinang sagot ko.
He smirked. This man! Minsan ang sungit, minsan naman maloko. If he was not this charming, I'd never agree to this!
"But you still have every right to stop this arrangement."
"Kahit na may pinirmahan ako? Pwede ko ihinto kapag ayaw ko na?"
"Why can't you? This arrangement should be mutual. I don't like forcing things, Iris. You tell me to stop, I'll end it. It's simple as that."
Unti-unti siyang lumalapit sa pwesto ko hanggang naka-focus nalang ang mga mata ko sa mukha niyang perpekto. Napasinghot ako. He smelled so damn good. He was really too expensive for me.
"And then? Iyong utang namin sayo? Paano mababayaran?" Namamaos ang boses na tanong ko.
"I'll talk to your Dad then and the risk you'll be putting your family." He brushed the hair on my face then tucked it behind my ears.
"You are such a manipulative person, Zach..." bulong ko na hindi inaalis ang tingin sa mata niya.
His lips twitched. "What did you call me?"
"Zach..." ulit ko, wala na sa ulirat ang isip ko.
"I am the boss and you're calling me what?"
Oh, he was never backing down. I rolled my eyes. "Sir..."
"You can call me Sir or Mr. Esqueza all the time unless I tell you so to call me by my name."
"Paano kapag nakalimutan ko?"
His eyes darkened. "Then you have to face the consequence of that action."
"Consequence?" Naguguluhang tanong ko.
"Like a punishment, Iris."
Consequence? Punishment? As in ba? Parang bata lang. Ano naman kaya naisipan niya na punishment? Papaluin sa pwet? Gamit ang tambo o tingting?
Bigla akong natawa sa naisip ko.
His face went serious. He took a step back. Hindi nagustuhan ang pagtawa ko. "Is there anything funny, Iris?" tanong niya nang makalayo, may kinuha siya na papel.
Napalunok ako. "Wala po, Sir..."
"One of these days you'll know about it. But for now, read and sign this. You can leave it on your desk once you're done. Now, go to your room," he dismissed like a boss that he was.
Ibinigay niya saakin iyong papel. "Thank you, Sir," I told him again, exaggerating the word 'sir'. But he turned around and didn't answer me. Napaka-moody. Kanina lang parang nang-se-seduce tapos ngayon, wala na iyong pake niya.
I crossed my arms. "Lalabas na po ako, Mr. Esqueza," ulit ko para bigyan niya ako ng konting pansin.
Hindi na niya ako nilingon. Kahit mahinang sagot, wala. Suplado! Nagmamakatol akong lumabas ng kwarto niya. As soon as I'm out, my heart was a bit heavy. My thoughts consuming me. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba itong pinasok ko. It was like forgetting who I am for the sake of money.
Napasandal ako sa pinto. I hope this would be all worth it in the end. Hindi ako sigurado pero sana may magandang dulot na kalabasan. Hindi ko rin kasi alam kung bakit ako napili niya. He was a billionaire and also CEO of Esqueza's Corporation, why would he had to do this arranged marriage with me? Ang daming mas maganda saakin.
I breathe heavily, feeling overwhelmed all at once. Shooing my thoughts away.
"Goodnight, Mr. Esqueza..." I whispered one more time, hoping he could hear it.
When I gathered my strength and returned my senses I made my way to my room. Mukhang pupuyatin nanaman ako ng pag-o-overthink ko kasi. Nang makahiga ako nawala ang antok ko. Sabi na nga ba, e. Paulit-ulit ko nanaman tinatanong sa sarili ko kung ito nalang ba talaga ang solusyon sa problema ko.
Arranged marriage to my boss? For real?