Matthew Mariano.
Of course the one and only owner M & M hotels and resorts.
Bakit hindi ko naisip iyon? Kahit ako nagtataka kung paano nafford ni mommy ang magstay ako sa isang 5 star hotel. I have to remind myself to ask her. Ang dami kong nakakalimutan sa sobrang excited ko sa vacation na ito.
M & M hotels and resorts are the number one hotels not only in the Philippines but also in some countries, including Paris.
When it opened, the M & M hotels and resorts “one of the first international five-star properties at a time where few large chains were present in the Philippines capital”. It was developed by the Mariano family with an aim to keep the area as Manila’s luxury address.
Noong college ako, isa ito sa mga naging tour visit namin. As an interior design student. Hinangan ko ng sobra ang pagkagawa at pagkadesign sa hotels nila. It speaks elegance that only money can buy.
"Hi, I heard youve been sick. Im Dr. Sanchez. Let me take a quick look at you." Tingin ko masyadong bata ang doctor na ito. I give him a small smile as he replace Matthew in my view.
"Okay lang po ako. Dysmenorrhea lang. And maybe just a little residual fatigue. Namasyal po kasi ako maghapon eh." I answered.
Oh wait, nagtagalog ako. Pinoy ba sila?
Parang nahulaan naman ni Dr. Sanchez ang nasa isip ko. "A Pinay Patient. Kababayan pala kita, you are very lucky na nakita kita and very lucky that Matthew seemed interested in you."
"Shut up Luigi! Do your job and leave." hmm. Medyo masungit pala tong si Mr. Mariano. I know nothing about him basta ang alam ko his family and hotels are worth zillion. Hindi ko rin sure kung pinoy ba sila or may lahi. Their family is very private. Lahat ng info sa kanila tungkol lang sa pagtayo ng M & M other than that wala na.
Si Jamie ang maraming alam dito eh. I focused my life on our bakery and books. Kaya wala akong alam sa mga buhay socialite.
Matthew stood behind Dr. Sanchez. His arms crossed and his face...parang naiinis na galit na hindi ko siya mabasa. There was something about Matthew that had my heart thumping and my body on high alert.
I let Dr. Sanchez to do his exam on me. Mabait naman siya, tinanong niya ako kung may masakit pa ba sa akin maliban sa puson ko. Tinanong niya din kung may asthma ba ako or other sickness. Kinuhanan niya din ako ng body temperature.
Dr. Sanchez stood with a smile as he completed his exam. "You need rest and proper food. Uminom ka din ng pain reliever. Wag ka munang masyadong magpagod. Hindi natin pwedeng baliwalaan ang dysmenorrhea mo. As I can see hirap ka tuwing may monthly period. But dont worry, I knew some worst cases. May ibang nagsusuka at nagLBM kapag meron sila. Just rest and get some good sleep."
"Thank you Doc. Uhmmm...doc kasi ano po...pwedeng sa Pinas ko na bayaran yung pancheck up ko?" my eyes shot to Matthew's face. Nahihiya ako sa kanila.
Dr. Sanchez laughed. "Dont worry. Matthew got it all covered. Just call me Luigi, masyadong formal ang Dr. Sanchez. Tingin ko naman hindi nagkakalayo ang edad natin. Oh, what's your name again?"
"Kathy Stewart." Thank you Lord! Mabait naman sila.
"Nice meeting you Kathy! See you around!" I thanked him and gave him a smile. Tumayo na ito at lumapit kay Matthew. The two men talking quietly as they left the bedroom.
I sat up quickly. Sa sobrang bilis nakaramdam na naman ako ng pagkahilo. God, I was so weak. Ang hirap maging babae. I bent slowly and picked my shoes from the floor. Kailangan ko ng makaalis dito at magpasalamat kay Matthew.
"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" Nagulat ako sa biglang pagpasok ni Matthew. Hindi ko pa nga tapos isuot yung sapatos ko eh, nakakaisa palang ako.
"Uhmm...kailangan ko na kasing bumalik sa hotel room. Thank you Matthew for helping me it was very kind of you. Tinulungan mo ako kahit hindi mo naman ako kakilala." I answered, uncomfortable now that I was alone with him. He was too handsome, too demanding and too much of everything.
Tinulak na naman niya ako sa kama and pulled my shoes off.
"Ano ba yan! Kung alam mo lang kung gaano kahirap magsuot ng sapatos kapag nahihilo tapos aalisin mo lang tapos kanina ka pa tulak ng tulak, hindi naman tayo close!!!" kahit gusto kong sabihin sa kanya hindi ko magawa.
"Youre sick and youre staying here." Matthew told me sternly and his dark gray eyes swept over me and he grinned.
"I cant. May schedule ako for this vacation, ayokong masayang yung regalo sakin ng mommy ko. Please let me go to my room."
"Youre not going anywhere for atleast the next few days. I will call your travel agency. Para mapare-schedule ang vacation mo." His expression was disapproving as he covered me with the comforter. "I also took the chance of grabbing your keys from your bag. Pinakuha ko sa assistant ko ng ibang damit mo, in case na gusto mo ng magpalit."
"Pero----"
"Dont argue! This discussion is over. Ikukuha lang kita ng makakain and you will eat it. Then you'll go to sleep." he said with pure arrogance.
"What?! Sino ka ba para utusan ako? Niligtas mo lang ako pero hindi kita boss!!!!!" I said to myself only. Im fuming.
Gusto ko sana siyang batuhin ng unan pero lumabas na siya.
"Control freak!!!! Ugh!!!"
Pinagmasdan ko ang condo niya. A very nice condo! Malaki yung bedroom na decorated in shades ng tan and black. The carpet and furniture dominated the room. Malaki din ang kama na hinihigaan ko. It was a beautiful room, bold and dark, just like the man who owned it.
Mag stay ba talaga ako dito? Pero para saan at bakit ganoon nalang ang concern niya sakin? I can handle myself. Mukha ba akong bata na kailangan pang subuan? Im already 20 years old! He was bossy, impatient and a control freak! I dont take orders from a stranger and the last thing I needed was a domineering zillionaire calling shots in my life. Kaya ko ang sarili ko. Its been 3 days na mag isa ako sa Paris pero I did well. Hindi ko kailangan ng tulong ng may ari ng building na tinutuluyan ko.
I sighed and leaned back against the pillows. Nararamdaman ko na ang pagod na dulot ng pamamasyal at dysmenorrhea ko at antok na dala ng gamot. All I really wanted to do was bury myself in this warm, comfortable bed and sleep until I wasnt tired anymore.
Papatulog na ako ng marinig ko ang pagbukas ng pinto. Pumasok si Matthew na may dalang tray.
"I dont know what you like." he said. Nilagay niya yung baso sa may bedside table and handed me the bowl. Parang naiinis siya na hindi niya alam kung ano ang gusto ko. "Soup. Eat."
Talk about a man of few words. "Matthew, I cant really stay here. Okay na naman ako. I'll be fine. Besides hindi naman talaga kita kilala you can be a murderer, a rapist or what, I dont know." I told him. Kinuha ko yung bowl na hawak niya. Crab and corn. My favorite soup. Kinuha ko din yung spoon and started eating.
"You are staying." He scowled at me.
Hindi ko muna siya sinagot masyado akong nasarapan sa dala niyang soup.
"Thank you, again." I told him tapos inabot ko na din yung bowl. Im done eating.
"It's my pleasure." He smiled. "I like seeing you eat, properly."
He smiled? It took me away. Ang gwapo lang!!!
I yawned. Hindi ko na talaga kaya ang antok kaya hindi na ako nagreklamo ng ihiga ako ni Matthew sa kama. Bukas ko nalang ako makikipagtalo sa kanya. I need to power up, nakakadrain makipag usap sa isang Matthew Mariano. Pumikit na ako and I know in a few seconds makakatulog na ako.
"Sleepwell, Kathy." Matthew whispered in my ear and kissed my forehead.
Imagination ko lang ba yun? Ah bahala na! Sobrang inaantok na ako.
Matthew might be a control freak, but he had apparently appointed himself as my protector. It was somehow....comforting.
