I'm Lucifer's Wife

16

Face Reality

"Gosh Ali, where the hell are you all this time?"

"Bakit hindi mo sinasagot mga tawag namin sayo?"

"We're all damn worried about you, bitch. What happened?"

"Sinaktan ka ba nung Damon na yun ha?"

I didn't say anything and let them all do the talking. Nakatayo sila ngayon sa harapan ko at pinalilibutan ako. It's been two weeks since dinala ako ni Dae dun sa private resort niya and ngayon lang namin napagdesisyonan na umuwi. And this is what welcomed me upon arriving at my unit.

I look at them one by one, and I have to bit my lips hard to stop myself from laughing. They're all looking worried, that's for sure. Halata sa mukha nila yun lalo na at nagsusumigaw at kumakaway yung malalaking eye bags nila sakin. Mukha atang walang tulugan ang naganap sa kanila habang wala ako at sobrang haggard nilang lahat. I know I should not be happy at times like this lalo pa at may kasalanan ako kahit pano, but looking at them I can't help it. I really know that these guys won't let me down. Hindi ako nagkamali na I choose them among others. I'm lucky that I found people like them among the crowd.

"Guys," I started, luckily, it got their attention and they all shut up and look at me, "I'm fine. Nothing to worry about."

I expected that it will calm them all up, but in the end, it didn't.

"What the heck are you talking about, Ali? Fine?" Irish snorted, "Fine my ass."

Ok. That was unusual. Just what the hell is her problem?

"Ali," I turn to Harold and he sighed, "Have you read the news?"

"News?" he nodded. "Why?"

But he just stared at me as an answer. I turn to look at the others and they're shaking their heads. Ano ba meron at ganyan sila magreact?

I saw Charm digging something in her bag, before offering it to me. I look at it then back to her. Silently asking her if she's sure with what she's giving me. But the look on her face told me to just shut up and comply. So I took her phone, and unlock it.

"Go to news page," she ordered, "Then tell me if you're still fine after reading it."

I look up at them and notice their weary looks. If I remember it right, two weeks na rin akong walang balita sa mga nangyayari dito. Of course, the only source I could have was confiscated and that was my phone. Hindi rin ako pinapayagan ni Damon na gumamit ng net or maging ng laptop since baka daw malocate kami. That's why halos parang namuhay probinsya ako for two weeks. It's just a miracle that I manage to survive for that long without my phone.

But I guess, I would love to have that time an extension with what I am seeing right now. What it is? It's a press conference of my parents along with the Alvarez's about a week ago.

"Holy shit."

"...As for the engagement party, yes, we'll still pursue it. The date's been decided and we expect all of you there. We'll just inform you of the exact date when the invitations are released."

"What about your daughter." A woman asked, "It's rumored that she eloped with the other Alvarez. Is it true?"

"As for my daughter, she'll be back that I'm sure of. She's just taking a break from the shock. We all know how she loves her independence, and this step is not easy for her. She's taking her time coming to terms that in just a matter of months, she'll be saying goodbye to that independence."

Wow. Just wow.

So, after all, they won't call it off? Shit. Parang yung good vibes na dala ko kanina biglang nawala. Ni hindi ko na rin tinapos pa yung video. I've seen and heard enough para malaman ko na kahit pala ginawa ko na yung stunt na yun e itutuloy pa rin nila whether I want it or not.

Now I know why they reacted that way. Hindi naman pala sila OA e. Because right now, I'm fighting the urge not to lose my composure.

Why is it that after years, ngayon nila papakialaman yung buhay ko? Yes. I admit that I have prepared myself for these arrange marriage-shits, but why now? Bakit ngayon pa na akala ko ako na may hawak ng buhay ko? And why him? Out of all million people out there, why to him?

----

The moment I park my car just a corner away from the building, I notice the crowd of people gathering around the entrance. Grabe. Hanggang dito ba naman ay nandito sila? Ang bilis naman ng balita na nakabalik na ko? If I'm not mistaken, since makabalik kami e wala naman akong sinabihan maliban sa barkada ko at kay Franz. Dae even made sure na walang media or even paparazzi na makaka-alam maging sina Mom.

So how in the hell did they know that I'm going here?

Unless, they've been here every day waiting for me? Ugh. Bitch please.

I fished my phone and dialed his number while surveying my surroundings. Mahirap na at baka may makapansin sa akin dito. Wala pa naman akong kasama, yes, alam ko naman na kaya ko sila, but hell, sure akong maiissue ulit ako kapag may ginawa ako sa kanila. And I don't want people to know that I'm back. Hayaan mo silang maghintay haggang sa dumating ang araw ng engagement party. I won't show up. Mamuti mata nila lahat kakaantay.

'Hello?'

Finally sinagot din.

"Prepare a room for me," I told him, "Diyan muna ako."

'Why?'

Hay... nagtanong pa. "There are paparazzi outside the Cliffs and I can't let them see me. Since you started this, might as well, help me until the end, Dae. You're the only one I can go now."

I waited for his answer while eyeing the people few blocks away. It's not my intention to lie, but I can't tell him the real reason behind. Alam ko naman na pwede akong tulungan ng mga bitches and jerks, but I can't risk involving them into this mess. It's not impossible na pinababantayan sila nina Mom for something that would hint them of my whereabouts.

His sigh brought my attention back to him. 'Fine.'

I smiled triumphantly. "Thanks, Dae."

I heard him chuckle. 'Alright. Alright. But can you do me a favor in return?'

Napakunoot naman noo ko doon sa sinabi niya. Tsk. Same old Damon. Hindi nagpapatalo.

"What is it?"

'It's simple. Just do some grocery shopping. Baka kasi kulangin yung naka stock kung dito ka din e.'

"Tsk. Whatever. Bye."

Pagkababa ko tsaka ko inistart yung kotse at umalis na. Buti na lang din at tinted yung kotse at hindi nila ako napansin kahit dumaan ako sa kanila. Hay... now, I need to do the grocery for the two of us. Damn. Halos masubsob ako sa manibela sa lakas ng pagpreno ko. Shit lang. I can't go out knowing that someone might report it to my parents. Argh.

'Hel──'

"Damn you, Damon."

'What the hell is your problem, Raph? Gandang hello ah!'

"I need a damn disguise you freak!" I shouted. "Alam mong mainit pa ako sa media tapos ako ang pabibilhin mo ng groceries. Are you out of freaking your mind? Kaya nga ako sa iyo tutuloy ngayon ay dahil ayoko na may makaalam na nandito na ko e."

'Fine.' I heard him sigh defeated. 'Forget it and come here. I'll take care of it.'

I didn't waste time and immediately take the U-turn and went in the other direction towards his place. It's a good thing that there's no traffic on the way. But what bothers me is the red mustang GT behind me. I'm not sure who the hell that person is, pero napansin ko na siya after I talked to Damon on the phone. I just hope that whoever he or she is, that they aren't part of the media or the press or I won't think twice to lead him or her to the grave