Stolen Moments

01.

I was born rich, thanks to my parents, but I knew that it wouldn't last long. It was their money after all, I'm just having a taste of it.

Of course, may sarili akong mana galing 'kila mommy at daddy. They gave me full access to it when I turned eighteen. I used it to build my dream café, and so far, I have no regrets. I now have branches all over the country, and I made my own name. I was known for my hard work, not just because I'm my parents' heir.

Naibigay na sa'kin nila daddy ang mana ko. 50% ng lahat ng mayron sila ay nakuha ko na. I was a teen back then, and aside from the branches of cafés I built, I bought things and spent my money carelessly until my shares were swept to zero. Ubos na ang mana ko!

The remaining 50% of their money and properties will be inherited by Katelyn, my cousin. Maagang namatay ang mga magulang niya, kaya bata palang siya ay kasama na namin siya. In our hearts, she's part of our family. Kaya wala akong naging reklamo nang sabihin nila daddy na kahati ko siya sa mana.

But then, my dad suddenly offered to give me 25% of Katelyn's shares if I agreed to marry the man he chose for me. Katelyn urged me to say yes. Sabi niya ay ayos lang daw sa kanya, ang importante daw ay makapag-asawa ako para hindi ako tumandang dalaga. Of course she would think that way- she never saw me with a boyfriend.

I was certain that I'd say no to my dad's offer, but then, I had to think of the 'what ifs' in life. What if someday, I'll go bankrupt ? What if my café has to shut down? How will I survive? Will I find a job that's enough to support me? I know very well that I am high maintenanced, and I can't imagine myself being too broke to not afford my monthly salon getaways.

So ang ending, ito ako, ikakasal kay Zack para sa 25% na mana. I consider this as my backup plan. And besides, makakatulong pa ako sa mga Zamora.

Dad said that their company is failing, and the only way we can help is through merging their company with ours. And to do that, their heir has to marry me. So here we are now.

From: Mommy
Anak, can you do us a favor? Please help with the wedding planning. Kayo nalang ang makipag-coordinate sa wedding planner na kinuha ng mga Zamora. Para din ma-plano mo nang maayos kung ano ang gusto mo para sa kasal mo. Love you!

I gripped my phone while reading the text message that my mom sent me. Bakit kailangan na ako pa ang maghanda? Hindi ko naman 'to gusto ah? I mean, wala akong pakialam kung ikakasal 'man ako sa kung sino. Ang sakin lang, sana sila na lang ang mag plano at maghanda. Ang dami ko pang ibang inaasikaso, sa tingin ba nila ay wala akong mas importanteng gagawin? Bakit hindi nalang nila ipagawa sa mga Zamora, tutal sila naman ang may kailangan nito?

I groaned frustratedly and brushed my hair with my fingers. Hindi pa ba sapat na pumayag na ako sa kasal?

"Ma'am, may naghahanap po sa'yo."

I looked up and saw Cheska, my café manager, standing by the door of my office. My brows creased as I put my phone down. I'm not expecting any guests or clients today, who could that be?

"Sino daw at anong kailangan?" I asked her.

"Ah, Zayden Zamora daw po. Hindi ko po alam kung anong kailangan eh, basta ang sabi niya po ay tawagin kita dahil may lakad daw po kayo ngayon." she told me.

Mas nangunot ang noo ko. What's that ass doing here?

"Sige, Cheska, salamat. Pakisabi nalang na mag-antay siya." I told her and smiled a bit. She nodded and went out of my office, closing the door after she left.

Nag-ayos muna ako ng mga gamit sa lamesa at tumayo para mag retouch ng make up, hinayaan ko nalang din na naka buhaghag ang buhok ko.

Nang makalabas ako ng opisina ko ay nakita ko si Zayden na nakatayo sa may counter, nagtitingin sa mga cakes na naka-display.