"Nababaliw ka na aking kaibigan. Malala ka na kung sisiputin mo siya."
Hindi ko pinansin si Tamara. Inayos ko ang sarili sa harap ng salamin sa bahay niya. Instead of wearing red dress as what Ezekiel told me nag suot ako ng maong fitted jeans at simpleng short tee. Hindi ako komportable sa mga bestida hindi na ako prinsesa na katulad noon upang magdamit ng magara at bestida.
"Anong gagawin mo aber?" Tamara spooned a bulk of her ice cream .
"I will give gim propositions. He's being a bastard and trying to get even with me pero handa akong makipag negosasyon if it is needed
"And you think it will work? You say so the bastard wants to get even. You lied to him and his family plus... his whole people wag ka ngang engot. Baka kung ano pang gawin sayo niyan."
I heaved a deep breath.
"I know him Tamara. Mabuti siyang tao... the only time he hurt me was..."
Napapikit ako. It was when he rejected my love and chose the real Equija.
"When you fell in love?"
Tamara gave me the knowing stare.
"But wala na ba talaga? Because kapag meron pa kahit katiting I am telling you... you will end up hurt and crying again."
"I know."
I walk to her and kiss her head and walk out.
Mabilis akong naglakad at kumuha ng taxi.
Paglarating sa Restaurant na sinabi ni Zeke ay agad akong nagtungo sa loob.
I didn't know its a cozy and for high profile resto and I feel small for not listening to his advise on wearing something nice. Damn Thalia!
"Ms Thalia?" Sinalubong ako ng isang magiliw na waitress.
"Yes"
"Mr.Ezekiel Titus Cuerido is waiting for you." Iginiya niya ako sa isang pwesto. I can sense the people eyeing me intently. But who cares?
Nakita ko ang likuran ni Zeke. Mabilis kong pinigil ang waitress at sinabihang kaya ko na.
Dahan dahan ko siyang nilapitan at nakita ko ang pag lingon niya sa akin. Diretsa akong naupo sa harapan niyang silya without farther ado.
"Wife." His eyes roamed around my body and he got amused smile in his lips.
"Hmmm I was expecting something elegant attire but you gave me an elegant posture and look wife you slayed that maong and hanging shirt. "
Hindi ko alam pero naging uncomfortable ako sa mga tingin niya.
"Ano ba ang pag uusapan natin?"
He chuckled. His deep baritone voice gave me heat.
"Oh come on. Nagmamadali ka ba? Or you don't wanna see me now? I'm hurt."
Nagugulat parin ako tuwing nagsasalita siya ng Tagalog
"I'm doing you a favor Ezekiel. I know what I did is something unforgivable and you hate me for that. We shouldn't meeting like this."
"Uh..uh. I really am pleased to see you wife. Very."
Nagulat ako sa kaseryosohan sa tinig niya.
"Time to get even eh?"
And I felt disappointed again. Wait am I really hoping na matutuwa siyang makita ako? Damn you Thalia!
"The negotiations please."
He just smiled amd called for the waiter. Hindi siya nagsalita after that. He kept eyeing me and it feels so awkward and scary. Pilit kong kinakalma anag nagwawalang tibok ng puso ko.
"Tell me. Who are you? I've been desperate to know for the last 2 years."
Nawala ang lahat mg kapilyuhan at ngiti sa mukha niya
All left was the curiosity and... pain?
"Why? You belong to royal highness hindi mo ba ako pina imbestigahan?"
"I did. No results. Who really are..."
"Thalia. My name is Thalia."
Magsasalita pa sana siya pero dumating ang waiter dala ang mga pagkain inorder niya para sa amin.
We eat in silence although I can sense there's millions of questions playing in his mind.
"Why did you do it?"
Mayay wika niya na ikinatigil ko sa pagsubo. I really cant tell him the reason. Maurico will do everything to destroy us once again kapag nalaman niyang siya ang dahilan ng lahat.
"I have my reasons."
"Tell me."
"Can't "
He smiled bitterly.
"Fine. Okay let's talk about the negotiations. "
He pushed his foods away and looked at me intently.
Kaya mo to Thalia.
"I can't offer a higher price. Naguumpisa pa lamang lumago ang business ko. I... dont have the mean."
"Oh. Okay. Madali lang naman akong kausap I can inform my secretary..."
"I am willing to work for you to pay the debt."
Natigilan siya sa akmang pag tawag sa kaniyang cellphone.
He got the evil smile but that doesn't make him less handsome. Shit Thalia shut up!
"Work for me? But wife... there's no vacancy for you in my office but..."
I know this well.
"If you insist I really need a P.A, housemaid and bed warmer. You could fit well."
He laugh hard I want to strangle him.
Agad akong tumayo.
"P.A and housemaid it is. But find some slut to warm your bed. Hindi ako parausan." And there I walk out
Nakita ko pa ang isang simple at payak na ngiti sa mga labi niya as if contented with what I said.
The encounter makes my feet jelly. Agad akong humawak sa isang poste na malapit sa akin ng makalabas na ako sa resto. Damn his effectis really hard!
Until now
Naramdaman ko ang pag vibrate ng cellphone ko.
"Hello?"
"I am looking forward of working with you wife. Your first job is to assist me into a masquerade ball tomorrow night. I need some sexy date slash P.A tomorrow. Dream of me." Narinig ko ang malalim na tawa niya bago ko pinatay ang tawag.
What the hell did I get myself into?
Handa na ba akong harapin ang multo ng aking kahapon?
Handa na ba akong masaktan muli?
Because I will always be just the substitute Bride.
A/N: Finallyyyyyyy! Hey there readers! Namiss ko kayo! 💓
BINABASA MO ANG
ANTHALIA IVVANOVICH: The Substitute Bride
RomanceAMAZON SERIES (COMPLETED) Prince Ezekiel Cuerido promised to marry Princess Equija Ivanovich when they were young. After 10 years, their marriage is now legally bonded. He married her in front of his people and Of his country and his throne. He st...
