Rough

Chapter Three

HINDI NA NANIGURADO PA SI MAXIMILLIAN kung susunduin nga si Sondra ni Renante. Tama ang asumpsyon ng dalaga, may importante nga siyang lakad kaya naman umalis din siya kaagad sa mansyon.

May napag-usapan kasi siyang dinner na pupuntahan kasama si Yrina at ang mga magulang nito. He was getting tired of how traditional the Romualdez' are but he had to comply anyway. Ilang taon na ring sinusuyo ang mga ito ng ama ni Sondra para maging distributor ng Gold Gears. Pero sa sobrang taas kung mag-demand ang mga ito ng presyo, medyo naudlot iyon.

He knew they were increasing prices for having an idea about the millions that Gold Gears earn every year.

Hanggang sa napunta sila sa proposisyon na kung ikakasal sila ni Yrina ay papayag ang mga Romualdez na maging supplier ng Gold Gears sa kondisyon na gusto nila.

Samuel insisted that they should grab the chance. Tutal, ang pagkakaalam din ng lalaki ay wala siyang anumang interes sa kahit sinong babae. Kaya sa palagay nito, wala namang masama kung ikasal siya kay Yrina. If things did not work out fine, they can have an annulment. Ang mahalaga lang dito ay makuha ang supplier at ma-bind ang mga ito sa isang kontratang sila ang mas makikinabang.

That's how manipulative Samuel was. And although it sounded evil, Maximillian was somehow impressed by that. If a man was capable to get what he wants, why not get it, right?

He didn't mind. After all... there's an annulment....

Ang kinababahala lang niya ay si Yrina. She was obviously...

His thoughts stopped upon seeing their table in that restaurant. Magalang ang naging pag-ngiti niya sa mga ito bago inokupa ang upuan sa tabi ni Yrina. Tinaas nito ang kamay, at alam niya na ang gagawin. He took it and kissed the top of her hand.

She smiled at him serenely.

Yrina's features loudly exude a posh lifestyle. Her skin was tanned to perfection and smooth. She glowed pleasantly and wore a decent pencil-skirted white dress. Maayos na nakapusod ang itim nitong buhok at nakasabit sa tainga ang diamond drop earrings.

Her lips were painted in a nude lipstick that complemented her so well. May pagka-chinita ang mga mata. She had subtle and womanly looks.

"It's so nice to have dinner with you," maluwag niyang ngiti sa mga ito.

"We don't beat around the bush, Mr. Gold and you know that," relaxed na wika ng ama ng dalaga na si Jerico Romualdez III. "We have concerns about the wedding that we think are best to talk about personally and between us."

He lowered his gaze. Pilit ang naging kanyang pag-ngiti ngunit may kalakip na pagkainis.

"What could possibly be the concern, sweetheart?" sulyap niya kay Yrina.

"You're not being cooperative with the preparations," wika ng nanay nito na si Guada.

"How come I am not?" kalmado niyang saad habang nilalatag sa kandungan ang table napkin.

"You see," patuloy ng ginang, mas singkit ito sa anak at patulis pa ang natural na kurba ng kilay, "Yrina's hands are full with all these preparations and you rarely even help her out."

"A family business with a net worth of 20 million, Mrs. Romualdez," maluwag niyang ngisi, "and we can't afford to get an experienced wedding planner to assist?"

"It's about the personal touches for the wedding," pailalim at tnagbabanta nitong titig. "How are we supposed to know what colors you like, Mr. Gold? What kind of songs to play? How the invitations should look like? You even forgot your fitting yesterday."

Pigil niya ang matawa. "I told you, Sondra is my priority above anything else. I picked her up from the airport," kampanteng sandal niya sa kinauupuan. "Now," tapon niya ng tingin kay Mr. Romualdez, "would it be alright to ask you, Mr. Romuladez if you helped for the preparations for your wedding with Mrs. Romualdez here?"