Fate Be Told

Fixed

Hindi pa rin nag s-sink in sakin ang nangyayari. I was about to marry Jace Madrigal Aquino.

"Martha's not going to marry that bastard! That's final!"

The dinner ended earlier than we expected. Umuwi na si lola after nilang mag away ni papa. Even though I was still in shock of the events. Mama explained to me everything.

Papa, being the only son of the Sandoval, the owner of the biggest sugarcane plantation dito sa Negros was supposed to marry Thelma Madrigal from Dumaguete. Ferdinand Madrigal was the ex governor of the said province and good friends with my grandfather. Ipinagkasundo nila sila ang kanilang mga anak.

But unfortunately, the Aquino's from Negros wanted the hand also of Thelma Madrigal. They had to cancel the engagement dahil nabuntis ni Antonio Aquino si Thelma Madrigal.

Lolo had an attack right after, which led to his stroke. We were supposed to bring him out from the country when we found out that there are no remaining properties, the sugarcane plantation is gone, nakasangla pala ito sa Madrigal. The marriage should supposedly lift the situation sa lupa but then Thelma Madrigal got pregnant by Antonio Aquino.

Lolo died, ang mansyon nila noon nalihit ng banko. Everything turned upside down.

Ang sabi ni papa, he will not let me marry to the Madrigal, I mean kay Jace. I don't know what's going to happen but I know that papa will do everything just to cancel the agreement.

Well, I was about to get married to Jace.

About to.

Good thing.

I went to school the next day only to complete my lacking requirements for the graduation. Time is approaching very fast the finals are drawing near. The internship is also done. Now, I don't have to see Jace everyday sa hotel nila. Napag alaman ko kasi na, he is currently managing the chains of hotel nila ngayon that's why he was staying in the hotel na pinag-internan namin.

Everything is changing about him. Mas naging seryoso siya ngayon. Actually, hindi lang ako ang nakapansin, almost everyone got curious about him. He aced all the exams this sem, mas mataas pa nga ratings niya compared to me.

I am determined to avoid him even more, especially nung nalaman kong ipinagpipilitan ni lola na ikasal ako sa kanya. It is really embarrassing. Ano na kaya iniisip niya? Na ipinagtutulakan ako nang lola ko na ipakasal sa kanya upang mabawi ang lupain namin sa kanila. 

I applied to the Horizen as a hotel receptionist. I will be needing this experience since I am planning to apply as a cabin crew. And to further improve my customer service skills. I gave myself one year to explore more what hotelier can offer to me as experience.

Months after the graduation, I got a call from the hotel informing me to start immediately. But the problem is I was designated to the main branch sa Manila. I talked to my parents about sa job offer and they were really supportive with my decisions. Especially kung mas mapapalayo nila ako sa Negros, since lola is still bothering us with the proposal agreements from the Madrigal.

I haven't heard anything from Jace. I mean wala naman talaga kaming communication sa isa't isa. But I just act like I don't know what my grandmother is doing to his family.

Papa bought me a condo unit malapit sa Hotel which is hindi naman talaga necessary since my contract is only for a year. And right now, I am staying here for almost 3 months na.

"Hey"- nakayuko ako nung bigla akong may narinig na pamilyar na boses sa desk.

"G-good morning sir, how can I help you?"- I responded immediately, stuttering when I saw Jace in his blue suit in front of me.

"I'll wait for you later at 5:00, we need to talk"- he told me and then immediately continued walking.

I was shocked. What are we going to talk about? I mean what for?  All of a sudden? Anong pag uusapan? Bakit ako kinakabahan?

The moment I changed my uniform, umalis na ako sa hotel. I was about to get outside the building only to see him inside a car waiting for someone. I didn't think it was me until he guided me inside his car. And I complied!

It was a deafening silence! He drove immediately and he was silent that's when I decided to break the silence.

"Sir? Ano po ba pag uusapan natin?"

"Before that, let's have dinner first. I'm sure you're hungry"

Well, I am not hungry. I am curious!

We went immediately to the nearest restaurant and ordered something.

"Did you perhaps cancelled the engagement because of me?"

I was caught off guard. Hindi ko alam ang sasabihin ko. It wasn't because of me but my parents don't want it. And even though they want it for me, I will still reject the agreement. He's not good for me. I am not good for him

"Yes." I coldly reply.

"Well, as expected."- he was looking at me directly in the eyes while I was gathering the strength to look instead on the plate.

The dinner ended peacefully. He didn't talk to me while we were both eating. It was a warm dinner though. I liked it.

"Can I fetch you tomorrow?"