Bound By Papers

Chapter 14

"It's nice to meet you.", pilit ngiti kong sabi.

"Really? Your face looks otherwise.", nakangising puna ng lalaking nakaupo or tinawag ni Cadden na Karl Austin daw.

Umirap nalang ako.

"The attitude.", bulong niya kay Cadden pero narinig ko pa din.

May itsura sana tong Austin na to eh. Kaso medyo feeling din pala.

Nakita ko namang natawa si Cadden.

"Look, let's just talk about the deal.", sabi ni Cadden.

"Sure. I hope you won't make me do something illegal.", sabi ko.

"I already told you, back in the coffee shop pa, we're not going to do something illegal Camille.", nakangiting sabi ni Cadden.

I nodded at Cadden and smiled at him but I didn't bother to look at Austin's way.

"So ano ba yun?", pag-uumpisa ko ng tanong.

May inilapag na papel sa harap ko si Austin at tiningnan niya ako ng mariin at bumuntong hininga na.

"Please explain it to her Cadden.", sabi ni Austin.

Natawa ulit si Cadden at tumingin na sa akin.

"Okay, so here's the deal. You're already nineteen as what you've said earlier. So technically speaking, this won't be illegal.", pagsisimula niya.

"You need to marry my friend here, Karl, and of course —", bago niya pa maituloy ay pinutol ko na ang sasabihin niya.

"No. I'm not into that stuff. I'm sorry.", sabi ko sakanya at tatayo na sana nang dinugtungan niya pa ang kaniyang sasabihin.

"An you will be paid ten million pesos for exactly a year and a half of marriage."

I looked at him with widened eyes.

"Ano? Magbabayad kayo ng ganyan kalaki para lang pakasalan siya? Sa sobrang arogante niya ba wala ng gustong pumatol sakanya kaya napipilitan kayong gumamit ng pera?", tanong ko kay Cadden.

Hindi talaga ako makapaniwala.

Nakita kong sumeryoso naman ang tingin ni Austin at natawa pa si Cadden.

"No. Alam mo, my friend here isn't into a serious relationship. He doesn't have a girlfriend. And I found you. You needed money right?"

"Sa tingin mo ganon ak kabaliw para pumatol sa kanya?", sabay turo ko sa mukha ni Austin.

Biglang tumayo si Austin at hinampas ang mesa na ikinagulat ko.

"No Cadden. If she doesn't want it, we shouldn't force her. I'm sure we can find someone who'll be needing the money."

He talked slowly but his last words just hit differently. Naalala ko si Astrid na nasa bahay.

She's waiting for me to go back home at sabihin natanggap ako sa trabaho. Pero kasi hindi naman to madali na pinapasok ko.