Carisia
"Ma'am, Mr. Huego is requesting to schedule an appointment for 3 PM--"
"Block my 3 to 5 PM. I'm meeting with my friend," I instructed. "I think I deserve a little time to unwind and relax, don't you think?"
She smiled, subtly nodding her head. "Yes, Ma'am! Will block the sched. Enjoy!"
After she left, I continued reviewing the document that was sent for me to look over.
A bittersweet smile decided to appear on my face as I noticed the significant increase in finances as reported by the concerned department.
This is what they wanted, after all. It's good to see that we're achieving something here. All it took to rebuild this company from its losses were my freedom and happiness.
Alam ko naman na ang kahahantungan ko, mula pa noon. I was groomed to be the heir of our empire, but I didn't realize what that meant until my own happiness was being sacrificed already-- by my own blood, if I may say.
Sometimes, I just want to disappear and let everybody down to get back at them for mindlessly bringing me to my misery, but I can't blame them. Sino ka nga ba, Carisia, para sirain ang napakaraming taon ng paghihirap ng mga magulang mo at ng mga taong nagmamay-ari ng apelyido mo na nagdala sa'yo sa buhay na 'to?
I just wonder what life would've been like for me, if I had the guts to say 'no' to them before. Where would I be now?
***
"Girl, I wouldn't want to ruin your mood, but I feel like you should know this," Mia spoke as she scrolled across her phone screen.
I furrowed my brows in curiosity because it seemed like a serious matter. We've been laughing the whole time that we're together, but in a quick snap, the mood ended up totally different.
She handed me her phone, showing a photo of what seemed like two people talking in a familiar-looking place, almost like--
"I happened to have an appointment at Ignacio Holdings, and I noticed them at the parking lot. No'ng una nga, nakatalikod pa ako so I only heard their voices. Akala ko, ikaw ang kausap ni Enrico because of how his voice sounded. Eh ang kaso, hindi," she explained.
I coldly stared at the picture, not sure how to feel.
"Akala ko ba, wala na ang Amira na 'yan?"
I composed myself, flashing the fakest smile I could possibly do as I handed the phone back to her.
"That's his greatest love, and I happen to be their wrecker," I stated in a matter of fact.
"But you're his wife," she countered.
I scoffed. "Only because of silver rings and papers, nothing more."
I want to make it sound like I don't give a damn about it, but even my ego can't handle this betrayal.
Amira's name is enough to make my blood boil, and the fact that Enrico is still seeing her just gets on my nerves!
"So...you're gonna let this go on? That there's another woman in your husband's life?"
Nauna si Amira kay Enrico, but I'm here now. I don't care what kind of hell I have to go through, but I'll make sure that I am not sharing him with anybody else.
My dignity was already compromised when I had to marry him for business. I won't let what's left of me completely vanish just because of some woman who thinks their love is greater than the contracts which binds Enrico and I.
We may not love each other that strongly, maybe not even at all, but he is mine. The silver rings and legal papers said so.
***
It was past midnight when Enrico's car pulled up in the driveway. With a glass of Moscato in hand, I sat in silence in the living room, waiting for my ever so loving husband to arrive.
His keys jingled outside before fully opening the door to the living room. Sa sobrang tagal makauwi, ni hindi na siya naabutan ng mga katulong.
Our eyes locked the moment he stepped in. He was quick to look away, though.
"Bakit gising ka pa?" he asked while locking the door back up, the sound of the door handles slightly echoing around the dim and empty living room.
I swirled the wine in my glass as I leaned back against my seat.
"Bakit umuwi ka pa?" I countered.
He looked at me, puzzled. His 'clueless' reaction made me want to throw my wine at his face so he can come to his senses and realize just what he's guilty of.
"What do you mean? Bahay natin 'to."
His fake ignorance are about to get on my nerves. I don't even know where I'm getting all this patience from.
"You could've just stayed over at Amira's. How is she?"
His confusion immediately transitioned into a knowing look. "What?"
But still, he keeps on pretending to be innocent.
Slowly, I walked over to him. My tipsy-ness is making me feel more confident, giving me the courage to be a sassy b*tch in front of him.
I placed my wine glass down on the table, before I began loosening his tie. "Si Amira? How could you forget, eh kakakita niyo lang kanina, 'di ba? How was it? Was it as exciting as I'm thinking?"
He subtly pushed my hand away, and that was enough to push my buttons. "What? Why are you pushing me away? Bakit? Kakatapos niyo lang ni Amira? Wala kang gana?"
He pushed me out of the way as he began walking towards the stairs.
"Oh, come on, Enrico! Huwag mo akong takasan! Answer me, don't be shy! Let's talk about how good your day was with her."
"Pwede ba, naka-inom ka," katwiran niya.
I smirked as I pointed to the wine glass. "Ayan? I'm not drunk pa, so I know exactly what I'm saying."
He was already two steps high on the staircase but he got back down, and he looked frustrated as he was walking towards me.
"Para sa ikatatahimik mo, sige, nagkita kami ni Amira, but not in the way that you think! We talked, that's all," he explained, but instead of accepting his reason as is, I replied with my sarcastic expression.
"And you expect me to believe that? Hindi ako tanga!" I fumed, not noticing how I'm standing on my tiptoes just to reach his height and spit the words right in his face.
"You don't believe it? Alright!"
My eyes followed his hands as he began removing his suit. My tipsy-ness weren't quick to follow sudden movements so I was caught off guard when he harshly cupped my face, his lips dragging roughly against mine.
He was so aggressive, that I began running out of breath, but he still got his lips all over mine so I used up all of my strength to push him away, by the shoulders.
"What? Hindi ba 'yon ang gusto mo? Why'd you push me?" he arrogantly asked as the both of us were chasing our breaths.
My teeth gritted in anger as I felt pain on the side of my neck because of how hard his grip was. "Damn you, Enrico!"
He leaned his face inches away from mine, his eyes raging. "Next time, you should know better than test my patience," he firmly said before walking away.
*
End of Chapter 2
*
