In His Bed

CHAPTER 4

Chapter 4

Tatiana Louvre's Point of View

I wish I could afford to be a coward, where I could just disappear and escape my responsibilities. The truth is, I don't know what comes first. Is it to contact Noah or be at the venue on time?

Today is the day to meet my supposed husband. Mukhang pinaghandaan ito ng aming pamilya. It will be a small lunch with two families and where we will officially meet each other. Pero heto ako at mas tinutuon ang aking pansin sa phone ko para tawagan si Noah. Because once I attended that lunch, it's no turning back.

Sana ay sa pang-anim kong tawag ay sagutin na ni Noah habang pinapanood ko ang bagong labas na episode ng drama nilang dalawa ni Lana sa isang cellphone ko. I will be lying if I say that I didn't miss him. Kahit sa screen ko lang nakikita ang mukha ni Noah ay nangingibabaw ang pagkamiss ko sa kanya. I got this bad.

I haven't really moved on from our conversation last time. The bottomline is, his future did not feature me in the role of his wife. Wala lang ba ang apat na taon na aming pagsasama? Ano kaya ang naisipan ni Noah at bigla na lang nagbago ang desisyon niya? Sana naman ay walang kinalaman ang mga magulang ko rito.

"Smile, will you? Don't tell me you'll keep that scowling face when introduced to your future husband's family?" I almost jolted out of my seat when I heard my mother's voice at my back. I don't have to look at her since I could freaking see her reflection in the mirror. Nakatayo ito sa may pinto at mukhang gusto lang niya ako makita kung anong ginagawa ko. She checks up on me from time to time. Maybe she's afraid that I will vanish right from their eyes.

"What is it to you if I smile or not? Magbabago ba ang desisyon ng mga Vitelli kapag nakita nila akong hindi nakangiti?"

"Nothing will change. Be on the venue on time, Tatiana. Do not be late." She reiterated before she left the room again. Nakahinga ako nang maluwag ng makita ko na ako na lang ang nandito sa loob ng kwarto.

I tried my luck again, calling Noah, and my heart started racing when he finally answered the call.

"Noah!" I shrieked. I heard him sigh in the other line. The same sigh he lets out whenever he's tired.

"Tati, what is it? Busy lang ako sa shoot at ngayon ko lang nahawakan ang phone ko."

"Ayos lang. I just want to let you know that I'm..." I trailed. I don't know what words to say next.

"Do you want to talk in person? May thirty minutes akong break time. Magkita na lang tayo sa madalas natin na puntahan."

Mabilis akong tumingin sa orasan ng phone ko. Dalawang oras na lang at kailangan ko ng makapunta sa restaurant kung saan ko dapat kitain ang pamilya ng Vitelli. But who cares about them now? I have to meet Noah first. Mabuti at magkalapit lang ang restaurant na pupuntahan ko mamaya at ang coffee shop na madalas namin puntahan ni Noah. Mas pabor pa sa akin 'yon.

Wala na akong sinayang na pagkakataon at nagsimula ng ayusin ang sarili ko. I wore something different from what I usually wear. I made this outfit out of boredom, but who would have thought that I would be wearing this now? It's nothing but a dark crop top and pale blue jeans. I even wore a white jacket to exclude the aura they shouldn't fuck with me— with smokey makeup to finish the look. Most of my wardrobe is made by yours truly. Mas gusto kong ako ang gumagawa ng mga sinusuot ko. But this outfit is the most practical thing I made. I could wear this when I go to the office, when I have to meet Noah, or piss my parents in an official family lunch meeting. Perfect.

Ang coffee shop na madalas namin puntahan ni Noah ay pagmamay-ari ng kayang manager. Kaya mayroon kaming pribadong pwesto dito para makapagsama ng hindi inaalala ang tingin ng mga tao. We are really discreet not to be seen and make a headline. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa loob ay naamoy ko kaagad ang bango ng kape at pastry na tinitinda dito.