Remorseful Enticement

Pleasure 52

It's been almost a year after I got back to vlogging and everything went according to my plan. The first months were hard. Kinailangan kong kapain ulit ang dati kong gawain dahil matagal na mula noong huli akong nag-post. A lot of things changed since then.

It started when I posted a day in my life as a CEO's wife and a lot of people hyped it. My subscribers surpassed eighteen million subscribers. I got verified on different social media platforms and was featured a few times in different articles. Katulad daw ito ng mga napapanood at nababasa nila. A lot of people hyped me that's why I kept posting similar contents with the ones I originally post. My channel was immediately monetized and I had a lot of brands that worked with me. It became a stepping stone for me and I was able to start my business earlier than I expected. When I opened my own cosmetic line, Theo was there to support me all the way. Galing lahat ng pera sa mga kinita ko, pero palagi niyang tinatanong kung ano ang puwede niyang ibigay. He was so supportive of me.

Sa ngayon, inaayos ko ang inventory ng mga stocks ko. Last week lang ako nag-restock, pero sold out na kaagad ang karamihan sa kanila. Theo suggested that I should make bigger warehouse for my products, but I don't think my money is enough for that. While I was browsing my phone, a notification popped. It's an email from StarryFilms Network, one of the country's biggest broadcasting company.

They're inviting me to have a guesting at one of their shows that features the country's most influential people. My hands got cold and trembled, my heart beat fast because of the sudden excitement. At first, I thought it was a scam so messaged them om their official page and they confirmed that it's an authentic email from them. Saktong pumasok si Theo sa sa kuwarto namin at galing siyang trabaho. I ran to him as quickly as possible and lunged at him. I breathed heavily and it felt like I wanted to cry because of so much joy.

"Ano'ng nangyari, mahal ko?" tanong niya at hinaplos ang likuran ko.

My hands were still shaking when I showed him the email. "This is it, mahal. The big break I was waiting for."

"Congrats!" he happily replied then kissed me on my lips. Pinaulanan niya ng halik ang buong pagmumukha ko at saka niyakap ako nang mahigpit. "You deserve everything, mahal."

"I did it."

"Yes, and you did it all on your own. Proud ako sa 'yo."

Looking back, hindi naging sobrang hirap para sa akin ang maabot ito. Compared to others, I got my way easier, but I had to sacrifice one thing... Family. Isang taon na mula noong huling nakausap ko si Mommy at Daddy. As much as possible, I didn't want to be involved with either of them. Hindi ako galit, pero sa kinailangan kong tumayo para sa sarili ko. The more I associate myself with them, the more damage it does to my mental health. May plano pa rin naman akong kausapin sila, but I don't know when. Kung galit pa rin si Daddy sa akin, tatanggapin ko iyon, pero kailangan ko na lang ng closure.

"We should celebrate this success, mahal!" Theo exclaimed. "Teka, ite-text ko ito kay Jian."

He left the room without waiting for my reply. Hinayaan ko na lang din siya dahil alam kong magmamatigas din siya kapag pinigilan ko. He went back with a smile.

"Magdi-dinner tayo outside. Go, and get ready, mahal."

"Fancy dinner date?"

"Oo naman! Hindi puwedeng hindi!"

I gave him a peck before going to the shower, pero bago iyon, inayos ko muna ang mga gamit ko. He went downstairs and waited. I washed myself first and then blowdried my hair. I chose a nice lacey bodycon red dress and put a little bit of make-up on my face. I also curled my hair and let it down.

Bababa na sana ako, pero noong nakita ko mula sa puwesto ko si Theodore na nakatulala at nagsasalita mag-isa. He looked frustrated and even pulled his hair. Pinanood ko siya ng ilang minuto at ilang beses rin niyang ginawa iyon.

"What are you doing?" tanong ko at mabilis siyang tumingala sa akin.

"Mahal... Kanina ka pa ba diyan?" He looked nervous.

"Medyo. May problem ka ba? It looks like you were talking to yourself."

Umiling siya. "Wala lang 'yon. Halika na."

Umakyat siya and extended his hands to me. He intertwined our fingers and kissed the back of my hand as we descended from the stairs. Kahit mukhang maayos naman, halatang may iniisip siya.

"Where are we going?" tanong ko habang pasakay kami sa kotse.

"Dinner nga, 'di ba?"

"I know, but where?"

"Surprise na 'yon, mahal."

I let him drive. We arrived at the said place, the newly opened five-star restaurant. Inalalayan niya akong bumaba and he handed the key to the parking valet. The host greeted us warmly, and he recognized Theo fast.

Sinamahan niya kami hanggang sa pina-reserve ni Theo. Akala ko ay normal na table lang ang kinuha niya, but I was wrong. I should've known... Pina-reserve ni Theo ang buong top floor ng restaurant kung saan gawa sa glass ang walls at kitang-kita ang cityscape.

"You're so extra," sambit ko.

"Ako pa," he proudly replied.

He pulled a seat for me and then we ordered food. Mayroong live band na tumugtog para sa amin habang nag-uusap kami. Natawa na lang ako sa ginawa niyang ito.

Oh, God. Sobrang layo na talaga nito sa Theo'ng kuntento na sa naha-harvest sa garden niya. Now, he can buy anything he wants, but I have never seen him treat himself even once. Bumibili rin naman ng mga damit niya, pero minsan lang iyon at kung kailangan na talaga.

When our food arrived we quietly ate. Hindi na kami nag-usap at tinuon ang atensiyon sa pagkain. The food was great! Tama lang na five-star ang restaurant na ito.

After dessert, Theo asked the band to play a sweet classical music. He held his hand out and pulled me to dance. Nakahawak siya sa magkabilang beywang ko at ako naman ay yumakap sa leeg niya. We swayed our bodies in sync as the music played.

When it stopped, akala ko ay uupo na ulit kami, pero nagsalita si Theo. "Mahal, may tanong ako."

"What's that?"

"Noong ikinasal tayo sa China, masaya ka ba noon?"

"Yes! That was one of the happiest day of my life."

"Alam mo ba? Nangako ako sa sarili ko na kapag maayos na ang lahat, pakakasalan kita ulit. Sa tingin mo, maayos na ba ang lahat?"

"Well, except for my relationship with my parents, everything is great naman."

Tumango siya at may kinuhang maliit na box sa bulsa niya. "Ang tagal ko nang pinag-iisipan itong sasabihin ko, pero hindi ko pa rin sigurado kung maganda ba. Hindi ako nakakakilig kagaya ng mga lalaking nasa nobela o teleserye, hindi rin gan'on kalalim ang bokabolaryo ko para magsabi ng mga malalalim at magagandang salita pero..." He knelt on one bended knee. "Gusto kitang makasama habangbuhay, at gusto kong maranasan mo ang normal na kasal. Gusto kong mangako sa tahanan ng Diyos, sa harapan niya mismo, na mamahalin kita hangga't narito pa ako. Calista, mahal ko, pakakasalan mo ba ulit ako?"

My eyes got sore and tears started to form at the corners. Napaupo ako sa sahig at nakatingin lang sa kaniya, nagpipigil ng iyak. Ilang beses akong napalunok at parang nanginginig ang mga labi ko.

"Mahal, dapat nakatayo ka. Bakit ka umupo?" he suddenly asked which made me burst into laughter.

"I'd marry you again," I whispered.

"Ano 'yon?"

"I would marry you again and again and again. Kahit ilang beses, as long as it's you."

Sabay kaming tumayo and he crashed his lips on mine. He held my cheek with one hand, and the other pushed my head to deepen the kiss. When we parted he laughed, but his eyes were also red.

"Gago, 'tang ina," he cussed into the air. "Mahal, naiiyak ako, bakit ganito?"

My tears were also rolling down my cheek but I managed to laugh at him. Hindi na yata kami magkakaroon ng matinong usapan. He hugged me again and I heard his small whimpers against my ears. He kept whispering 'I love you's' and kept thanking me.

"Salamat, mahal ko."