Deception

Kapitulo Dos

Unexpected

Lemuel's

I was late in the flag ceremony, but it didn't matter, because I realized that moment that having breakfast with Lia is a good way to start the morning. Ilang beses rin sinabi sa akin ng mga tao ko na kapansin – pansin ang ganda ng mood ko sa umagang iyon. Ngiti na lang ang sinasagot ko sa kanila. I did my morning routine. I met with the people and organizations that I needed to talk with – and just like that, my morning passed by. By lunch time, natagpuan ko ang sarili kong kumakain sa office ko habang pinanonood ang ilang interview ni Lia.

Naisip ko lang na panoorin ang isa sa mga suggested video sa youtube account ko. I have an hour to spend, maybe I could just look at some of her projects. Ang alam ko may bagong pelikula siya ngayon, hindi ko lang alam kung sino – sino ba ang mga kasama niya roon. Atlanta always makes sure that I have her schedule every week. Ang problema, hindi ko ito laging nabibigyan ng oras.

If Lia is a great wife – contract wife – I might be an asshole of a contract husband. Palagi kong nakakalimutang tanungin siya ng mga bagay na gusto niya. It's wrong, ako naman ang dahilan kung bakit nandito kami sa sitwasyong ito.

Gustong – gusto ko talagang manalong Mayor noong mga panahong iyon. I was born to win – iyon ang mantra ko and I am willing to do everything to win kaya nang sabihin ng political adviser ko na mas lalakas ang laban ko sa elections noon kung makikita ako ng mga botante bilang isang responsableng asawa, hindi ako nagdalawang isip – parang itinadhana naman noon na nakilala ko si Lia. She's something. Kulang ang sabihing nakuha niya ang atensyon ko. I remember seeing her that day of Diego's birthday almost five years ago, she seemed so innocent, I saw her looking at me, her eyes wide and yet it screams innocence. I liked her but I was too shy to ask for her number that time.

Naulit ang guesting doon at malinaw pa sa sikat ng araw na may chemistry kami sa screen. I really liked her that time, pero masyado akong abala to pursue her. But when my adviser laid out the plan of me being in a commitment to win the hearts of my constituents, isang tao lang ang pumasok sa isipan ko.

Si Lia.

Luckily, pumayag siya. Hindi ko pa nga siya natanong noon kung bakit siya pumayag, is it because of the fame that comes with tour fake marriage or is it because she liked me? Maybe she does like me, as a friend. Sa mga panahong magkasama kaming dalawa, Lia took care of me, kaya sinisiguro ko ring maayos siya – kahit na hindi naman kami palaging nagkikita sa bahay.

Napakaswerte ko kay Lia, she is the right woman for this job.

I focused on the interview. It was for a magazine photoshoot. Pinakikita ang mga behind the scenes para sa shoot na iyon. They showed Lia in a red gown – and she looked so stunning, then another clip was shown, si Lia ulit na nilalagyan ng make – up at inaayusan ng mga stylists niya. She was laughing with them, may isang babaeng nakatayo sa tabi niya na may hawak ng water bottle na may straw, she made Lia drink from it, and then she smiled and maybe mouthed thanks, that was when she smiled at the camera again, may kasama pang pagkaway iyon.

The next clip was Lia sitting on, a table was beside her with a box on it, sure akong may questions sa loob noon. Lia was smiling widely. I had always loved her smile.

"Hi, so, I'm here with Most Magazine to answer some of your questions. Start na ba?" She maybe asking the staff. Parang may nagsalita sa gilid, she, then smiled. "Okay, so first question. Is Mayor your ideal man?"

Lia looked at the camera. Kapansin – pansin na napapahagikgik siya. I could clearly see her doe eyes, parang nahihiya pa talaga siya.

"Well, I wouldn't marry him if he's not diba?" Sinabayan niya iyon ng tawa. "Next one, who cooks better, Mayor or you?" Lia shook her head while playing with the piece of paper in her hand. "Me? I guess. Hahaha! He doesn't cook much, busy iyon. Alright, next question."