Lips That Lie

CHAPTER 17

Naturally, Antonio's confession and declaration of love should make her happy. This is the ultimate goal of her mother's plan and she succeeded! But happiness is far from what she's feeling right now.

Was it shock? She just made an unthinkable happen. Antonio fell for her in a short span of time. They were only married for less than two months and now he's willing to do everything that she asks him to in exchange of agreeing to make their marriage a real one? Kailan lang ba ng sabihin nito sa kanya na hindi ito kailanman madidiktahan ng iba at kikilos lang ng naaayon sa kung ano ang gusto at tama?

But was it really that shocking? Gamit nga naman niya ang mukha at pagkatao ni Celine Sandoval. A young, beautiful, and rich model and socialite. Gaano man siguro ang pagkamuhi ni Antonio para sa kakambal niya dahil sa hindi nito magandang imahe, hindi nito maikakaila ang ganda nitong nakakaakit at nakakabihag sa kalalakihan. Even him wasn't immune to her twin's charm, after all. At kung makakasama pa ito araw-araw sa iisang bubong, malabong hindi nga mahuhulog si Antonio gaano man ang pagmamahal nito kay Karissa.

Instead of feeling happy and triumphant, a wave of pain and sadness washed over her while having those thoughts. It was so weird. Hindi ganito ang pakiramdam na inaasahan oras na magtagumpay sa plano.

Bumalik lamang siya sa kasalukuyan nang maramdaman ang unti-unting pagkalas ng braso ni Antonio sa kanyang baywang. She looked at him with confused eyes while his was masked with frustration and failing control. Bumaba na rin ang mga braso niyang nakaharang sa dibdib nito.

"Don't rush with your answer, Celine. I will give you time to think," he said in a vulnerable tone. A tone that she has never heard from him. "I also want you to know that I'm not pressuring you into this. If you'd still opt to go for annulment, then...there's probably nothing that I can do anymore."

Time to...think. Why would she even need time to think? At bakit nga hindi niya mabigyan si Antonio ng tuwirang sagot ngayon? If she's still acting according to the plan, she'd immediately say yes to his proposal. Why not? His offer obviously only benefits her! Kasi ano nga naman ang makukuha ni Antonio kung seseryosohin ang kasal nila? Kumpara naman sa kung ano ang handa itong ibigay sa kanya?

Hinaplos nito ang kanyang pisngi at marahan siyang pinagmasdan.

"Let's go?" malambing nitong yakag sa kanya.

She went inside Antonio's car with no protest. She was spacing out the whole travel home and Antonio was also driving quietly beside her. Nang huminto sa stop light, saka lang niya ito narinig na magsalita.

"I didn't know you're fond of kids. Madalas ka sa ampunan na iyon?"

Nanatili ang tingin niya sa labas ng bintana. Wala na sa isip at basta na lang ang pagsagot.

"Oo."

"Iyon ba ang pinagkaka-abalahan mo nitong nakaraan?" patuloy nitong tanong.

She didn't know Antonio could ask that much questions. He also sounded so curious about her whereabouts. Nasaan na kaya ang Antonio na hindi siya pinapansin at halos ituring siya na tila kaluluwa lang sa bahay nito? Hindi niya alam na darating ang panahon na hahanap-hanapin niya iyon. He's easier to handle, then. Ngayon...hindi na niya alam kung ano'ng gagawin. Apektadong-apektado siya ng kung ano.

"Oo," tipid niya pa ring sagot.

"Hindi ka na bumibisita sa akin sa opisina."

Marahan siyang humugot ng hininga.

"H-Hindi mo naman kasi gusto—"

"I really miss you."

Tumambol ng husto ang kanyang puso. Hindi na siya naka-imik pa at lalong isiniksik ang sarili palayo kay Antonio. She heard him sigh before manoeuvring the car again. Wala na muling nagsalita pa sa kanila sa buong biyahe.