I sipped on my wine as I stared at the lively town of Calier from the balcony.
Maganda talaga tignan ito pag gabi na! Parang kumikinang.
Umalis muna ako sa ballroom at nagpahangin dito. Hinayaan ko nalang si Duane doon na makipag interact sa mga tao.
Parang nawalan ako ng gana bigla.
Is he married? Are they together?
Yung lang ang pumapasok sa isip ko mula kanina. Kahit may kausap akong iba ay siya pa rin ang iniisip ko.
Napalingon ako sa gilid ko when I felt someone's presence.
Gulat ko siyang tinitigan at napahigpit ang hawak ko sa glass ng wine.
He just stared blankly in front sipping his wine, kaya bumuntong hininga ako at tumitig nalang din sa harapan.
No one said a single word. This is awkward and I feel so uncomfortable! I can hear crickets now.
Pero ayaw ko rin magsalita. Gusto ko siya ang mag-initiate. Magtanong ka, sasagutin ko lahat!
"I never imagined I am going to be fooled from the likes of you," sabi nito at lumingon ako sa kaniya.
Say everything you want, I'll accept it.
Nakatitig pa rin siya sa harap. Never wanting to take a glance from me.
I took a deep breath readying myself for more painful moments with him tonight.
"How could I not remember you?" natatawang sabi nito but there's no humor in his laugh. It's blank.
Natatakot ako sa kung ano man ang sasabihin niya pero I'll accept it.
"You're probably having fun looking at me when I didn't knew you were the Northern Princ—!"
"No!" pigil ko sa kaniya.
I never did! Even though hindi niya ako maalala, basta't makita lang siya, okay na!
"I never fooled you—"
He turned to me, that made me stop talking. His eyes is full of anger and bitterness.
"Kung hindi, bakit ka pa nagpanggap na waitress?" galit na sabi nito.
Nanginginig ang mga kamay ko. He's so tall and strong. He can strangle me whenever he wants.
"Because you don't want high class people!" nanginginig na sabi ko.
"You think I'll believe you? With that reason? Really princess?" sarkastikong sabi nito.
It's true! Nung nalaman kong ayaw niya sa mga ganun, I stayed silent. I don't want to talk about my identity anymore. Baka iiwan pa niya ako!
There's no reason anymore to explain my side. I think he won't believe me at this rate.
We stayed silent. He's waiting for an answer.
"I like you, Felix," I confessed.
Narinig ko siyang natawa. Mas sumakit ang dibdib ko.
"You can't fool me again," umiiling siya and looked at me painfully.
It's like he's already full from it at hindi na siya magpapahuli sa bitag ko.
"Totoo!" pagpupumilit ko. Why can't he see that! My feelings are true! I won't lie about it!
He stopped and stared at me. Trying to figure me out. He then walked closely to me and lifted my chin up.
Bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko.
Tinagilid niya ang ulo niya at pumikit naman ako. I was waiting for him to do something but it didn't came.
Instead I felt him touching my necklace. I opened my eyes and saw him staring at it.
"But what can I do? I don't like high class women," sabi niya at binitawan niya ako.
Napalunok ako habang tinitignan siya paalis.
"H-how about the contract?" kabadong sagot ko.
He stopped for awhile.
"Binasura ko na," sabi niya at naglakad ulit.
I felt like my world shattered. I dropped to the floor, not minding the physical pain it caused. My heart is the one hurting the most right now.
I know, he would eventually let me go someday! But not like this! Not like this way!
I hate myself! Why am I so weak when it comes to this? Kinalma ko ang aking sarili. You're not like this Venna!
I still have a month before we go back to Monalian. I'll have him again before the month ends.
"Your highness, Princess Alisha is inviting you to a small tea party," nakayukong sabi ng katulong.
Well, that's suspicious. Tumango nalang ako.
"I'll be right there,"
Sinusuklay ko ang brunette kong buhok habang tinitignan ang sarili sa vanity mirror.
Suot ko pa rin ang necklace na binigay sa akin ni Felix.
Naglakad na ako papunta sa kung saan gaganapin ang tea party. Dito lang din naman daw gaganapin sa palasyo.
I saw Princess Alisha, sitting alone next to the window, sa harap niya ay mga sweets at tsaa.
"Greetings my lady," pag-aagaw ko ng atensyon niya.
Nagulat pa siya pero agad ding tumayo at nag bow. I saw her fidgeting at napapasulyap sa likod ko.
What's wrong with her?
Sabay kaming umupo.
"How's the—" tanong niya sana pero pinutol ko.
"You're forced to do this," sabi ko tsaka kumuha ng cupcake.
Nagulat siya sa sinabi ko at nagtataka kung paano ko nalaman.
She then looked away.
Binalewala ko ang reaction niya at kumain nalang.
"You and the Duke," I paused and looked at her.
Napalingon siya sa akin.
"Are you— two together?" tanong ko.
Kabado siyang umiling and then I felt relieved.
Wait— something's not right. She could've admitted that 'Yes we're together!' cause I thought she really like the Duke or something?
But what's this? She's blushing!
Tumikhim ako.
"Well you and my brother look better together though," sabi ko at uminom ng tsaa.
Sumulyap ako sa kaniya at nakitang mas namula siya! I almost choked!
Really, now— what's happening? Duane must've done something last night!
At lumaki ang mata ko nang may naisip pero agad ding inalis iyon! Hindi naman nila ata gagawin yun!
Kabado akong tumawa sa kalooban ko. Pilit kinukumbinsi na hindi mangyayari yun kasi galit si Alisha kay Duane!
Ang dapat kong alalahanin ngayun ay si Felix! He's not married! Hindi din sila ni Alisha!
Oo, dapat lang yan alalahanin mo Venna. This is your life story! Not theirs!
YOU ARE READING
Fake Wife of the Duke
RomanceLife is full of surprises and mysteries. Sometimes you just need to go with the flow and see where it leads you. Giving up something special to you would be the most difficult thing to do but for Venna, she doesn't hesitate. For her man, she would...
