F.L.A.W Series Book 3: RUBY

Chapter Three

Vixyn plastered a fake smile after hearing Marita's words. She felt she doesn't belong in that place. That her world is different from them and that she should stop herself from hoping for an impossible.

"Mom, don't say it out loud. You're pressuring Percy." Maarteng wika ni Lovely sa ina at sa binata naman bumaling. "By the way, Dad is looking for you, he wants to talk to you about something."

Nilingon ni Percy si Vix at halatang nag-aalangan sa magiging desisyon. Lahat ng mata ay nakatingin sa dalaga na para bang siya ang dahilan kung bakit hindi alam ng binata ang dapat gawin.

"It's okay. I'll be fine here. Go." Tulak ni Vixyn kay Perseus kahit na ang totoo ay ayaw niyang maiwang mag-isa roon sa gitna ng mga hindi kakilalang tao.

"I'll be right back." At saka umalis na kasama si Lovely na umabrisiete pa sa lalaki kaya't umiwas siyang muli ng tingin.

"Look, Mr. and Mrs. Krause is also here!" Bulalas ni Doña Adelina. "Let's go talk to them." At saka hinila na ang asawa at dalawang anak ngunit si Thadd ay nagpaiwan sa harap niya.

"Are you okay?" There's a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm fine, Mayor." Sagot niya at nagpakita ng ngiti upang masabi na totoong ayos lang siya.

"I'm sorry about our family. Ganyan lang sina Mama at Papa pero mababait sila. At ang gagong kuya namin, gago lang talaga yan." Humalakhak pa kaya't napagaya na din siya.

"Ayos lang po." At saka nahagip ng tingin ang kinaroroonan ni Percy. "Tama nga si Mrs. Zaldana na bagay sila." Hindi niya namalayang komento.

"Our parents paired them up since they were still kids. Ipinagkasundo na silang dalawa dahil matalik na kaibigan ni Papa si Mr. Zaldana. They are used to an arranged marriage that was practiced by both of our clans." Ani Thadd.

"So, where's yours?" Iniba na lamang ni Vix ang usapan dahil bumibigat ang pakiramdam niya. "Asan ang ipinagkasundo sayo, Mayor?"

Natawa ang lalaki sa komento niya habang umiiling.

"She's out there somewhere, living her life. We had an agreement that we will live our lives how we want them to be until before our wedding. She can go on a date with other men and I'll do the same too as long as no strings attached." Sabay kibit balikat.

"What? Is that even possible?" Hindi makapaniwala si Vix na mayroong ganoong klase ng deal.

"It is. She's in California, managing their business. Valerie is a liberated woman, Vixyn. I am too, so we're both open-minded. Gagawin muna namin ang gusto namin bago kami magpapatali sa isang kasal para sa pamilya."

"Will that make you happy?" Naitanong niya bigla. "It seems that you both don't love each other to go through marriage. Bakit pa kayo magpapakasal kung hindi niyo rin lang mahal ang isa't isa?"

"Marriage doesn't always for people who are in love. That's why it's called marriage for convenience. At isa pa, pareho kaming sumang-ayon para mas lumakas ang pwersa ng pamilya namin. I'm into politics and her family too. Our marriage will be useful for future projects, that's all."

"What if you found love? Would you still choose to marry someone for business? Or will you choose what will make you happy?"

Tinitigan siya ni Thadd na para bang gustong matawa sa biro niya.

"Love? I don't believe in love. Ang importante sakin ay ang karera ko sa politika. Ayokong masira ang imahe ko at ang tanging makakasira lang niyon ay ang pagmamahal na sinasabi mo." Sabay kibit balikat. "Matagal pa naman iyon, I'm still Twenty-Nine. I still have a lot of things to accomplish before going down that road."