Caged [RWS #1]

CHAPTER 36: JUST A FRIEND

Vianca's POV

"What if.. hindi ko naman kailangan ng permission niya?" Nanghahamong tanong ni Clio. Umarko agad ang kilay ko.

What kind of question is that? That's not the Clio I used to know. I still want her to treat her wife fairly, kahit hindi ako 'yon.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. I wanted to make sure I heard her right.

"What if.. our marriage is just for show?" She asked in serious voice. "And Amber is not my daughter?" Dagdag niya.

I suppose Amber is their daughter's name but what did she say? A marriage for show? And Amber is not her daughter?

"What the heck?" I hissed. Bakit niya ako pinaglalaruan? Not because I'm letting her in my life's daughter, pwede na siyang mag-imbento ng mga kasinungalingan.

She licked her lips then composed herself. Huminga siya nang malalim saka ako hinarap. She stared at me deeply.

"Cora and I's marriage is just for show. Hindi ko rin totoong anak si Amber." She said with such conviction that I almost believed. "Cora and I are just friends from the beginning until now." Her voice is soothing, even her eyes are talking to me.

Just friends? May magkaibigan bang naghahalikan? How dare she lie to my face? Kitang-kita ng mga mata ko ang kalat na lipstick sa mga labi nila!

"Clio, look," I sighed in disappointment. "You don't need to lie just to see my daughter. From now on, I'm giving you the permission to see her. Pagbalik namin from our trip, you can visit her anytime you want." I said calmly.

The positive expression on her face changes. Bumagsak ang balikat niya. Why? Does she feel devastated that she can't convince me with lies? I'm not a fool.

"Vianca, I'm not lying." She said gently, her gaze softens. Her hands lift up, trying to hold my hand but she stopped halfway. A deep sigh before she speak, "Sa papel lang kami kasal ni Cora. She was pregnant when her mom asked me to marry her and pretend that I'm the one who made her pregnant, kasama na ro'n ang pagpapakasal namin. Lahat ng 'yon para lang sa image ng pamilya niya. Kapalit no'n, magkakaroon ako ng 30% share sa company nila, and I will be appointed as the CEO once I finish college. I thought it was a great deal so I agreed." Mahabang paliwanag niya.

"Wait.." I raised my hand to stop her if she still have anything to say.

Let me process these information first. I recalled what she said in my head. As I examine her face, I saw the Clio before. The Clio that doesn't lie, the Clio that made me a priority, and the Clio that made me feel that I'm worth it.. despite having a bad reputation.

"If you still doubt me, I understand. You can talk to Cora to confirm everything. Believe me, I'm not lying." Halos nagsusumamo ang boses niya. Nang ibalik ko ang tingin sa kanya ay makikita ang pamumuo ng luha sa gilid ng kanyang mata. I looked away again.

"How can I talk to Cora?" Tanong ko nang hindi tumitingin sa kanya.

I felt a cold hand on the back of my palm. I took a glance at my hand, nakapatong na ito sa kamay ni Clio. She's holding a pen and ready to write something on my palm.

She carefully write a phone number in my palm. Her touches were gentle, the pen was gentle, but her hands are trembling.

"H-here's Cora's phone number. Talk to her yourself to prove that I'm not lying." She said with trembling voice. Hawak parin niya ang kamay ko, parang ayaw bitawan sa higpit.

I gently pulled my hand back. She blushed and looked away as she release my hand.

To break the ice, I spoke, "I will talk to her later."