MONTEBELLO'S MAID FOR MARRIAGE

CHAPTER 5

Claire's Point of View

15 years later...

Wearing my black tube dress and black high heels and of course expensive silver earrings, I entered the bar. It's Saturday and it's my liwaliw time. Sinuway ko lang naman ang parents ko na pumunta ako ng airport with them, with valid reason of course!

"Hey! Claire, it's been a long time nang huli tayong nagkita-kita," Lisa said and gave me a drink, a tequila.

"Oo nga, sobrang tagal na rin because we have a busy life na as part of being adults and being independent. Anyway, pinayagan ka ba nina Tita and Tito na pumunta rito?" Risa also added and I laughed after having a sip of tequila.

"Girl, sa tingin mo nagpaalam 'yan?" tanong ni Lisa at umiling-iling na lang.

"We're adults na and I don't think or see ang sense na magpaalam pa to my parents. But anyway, for your information I told them but they don't want to let me so tumakas na lang ako. You know me naman, it's like not really na ayaw ko silang samahan pero... oh my gosh! Makikita ko ang damuho na 'yon ulit? No way! Buti sana kung sila ninang lang naman pero kasama na ang ultimate enemy ko ano, 'di ko ipapakita sarili ko ngayon. Wala akong time makipag-away ngayon. I need to think a ways paano ko mapapalago ang business ko because until now wala itong improvement and kapag nangyari 'yon, Dad will buy it then magiging part sito ng business niya. Ayoko mangyari 'yon, parang I let them think wala talagang mararating if I'm the one who decided or built it. Gagamitin nilang way 'yon para lang mapapayag ako i-take over ang company kasi nga nandoon ang nagawa ko kapag nabili na ako if ever I'll have no choice kung ma-bankrupt. I really need this time to think kung ano ang dapat ko na gawin," mahabang saad ko at nag-order pa ulit ng tequila.

"Girl, if you need help just tell us ah? I mean, we are willing to give more help. We're friends. Pero naniniwala naman kaming malalampasan mo 'yan at mapapalago mo ang business mo. You really love flowers and jewellery. Yung iba mabilis lumago ang business kasi may influence ng mga ka-business partner ng parents nila na kilala na rin, tulad na rin sa amin. Pero ikaw kasi, 'di ko rin gets kung bakit pinipigilan ni Tito ang mga kilala niya na maging partner mo para maging malakas sana agad ang influence. If you need models as jewellery or flowers for advertisement, we are willing to volunteer and it's free!" Risa responded to me and I felt touched.

"Yeah, we are willing to help you at any cost pero 'wag lang illegal way syempre. Charot! Pero ayon, tulad nga ng sabi ni kambal ay free lang!" Natawa naman ako sa paraan ng pag-tell ni Lisa.

"Thank you, girlies! Anyway, I am starting to have an idea kung kayo ang model ko but once I finalize it, tatawagan ko kayo so we can talk about it again during our free time. Is that okay lang ba talaga? Sorry if I am dragging this negative aura today. We're supposed to be just happy here," I replied.

"No worries. And yes, let's enjoy tonight. Siguradong pag-uwi mo mapapagalitan ka malala kaya i-enjoy at sulitin na ito. Come on, let's dance!" Lisa said and the loud music started. Obviously, it's crowded but we don't care. We're holding our drinks, purse, and phone. Taking a video, sipping from our drink, and dancing sexily without giving a fuck*ng care to our surroundings. Just enjoying it.

I am just happy to relax like this, not until I feel my phone vibrating. I stopped and giving a sign to my friends that I'll just go out because Mom is calling. When they gave me a go signal, I left the crowded part of the bar and went outside.

"Claire Alistair Montebello, where are you right now?!"

"Hey Mom, well, it's Saturday so I am just enjoying right now."

"Enjoying? Well, I already told your Ninang and Ninong na you're coming with us but look, you're not here! Bakit ba hindi ka sumama? Your dad is mad."

"Be mad at me. I don't care. I already told to the both of you na hindi ako sasama kapag nandiyan si Jax. Can you all please stop na ipilit na magiging close friends kami like sa inyo because we're not. It will never ever happen in our life, we are enemies with or without reason. Just accept it. Just say hi for me to Ninang and Ninong and take care. I just want to relax my mind right now. Goodbye."