The Gold-Digging Goddess [Completed]

Chapter 4

Gulat na gulat siya sa proposition ni Xavier that she was speechless.

"Anya?" untag nito.

"S-seryoso ka ba?" she asked in disbelief.

Tumango ito. "I'm an art collector. That's how I know Ana. My father is a good friend of her. I'm Xavier Arturo Montenegro."

The surname rings a bell... Shit! She gasped. The Montenegros... They're basically a royal family, owning the famous chain of shopping malls in the country, the biggest bank and an airline. Heck, they even have their own art museum!

He smirked when he saw recognition dawn in her eyes. "I'm interested in your art. And you."

At halos maubusan siya ng hininga sa sinabi ng binata. "W-What do you mean?"

"What I mean is I think you have potential. Your art is... different from those pretentious piece of shit that I usually see."

Her heart glowed with pride. Ngayon lang siya nakarinig ng ganoong klaseng papuri at galing pa sa isang estranghero. "Salamat..."

"Now, if you'll just wait here. I have a collection to purchase." Iyon lamang at naglakad ito palayo sa kanya.

She was left staring at his broad back, still unbelieving. Did she just sell all her paintings? Her heart was beating fast. Hindi niya alam kung bakit. Is she that excited for someone to buy her paintings? Or is it because of that handsome, rich stranger that complemented her?

"Congratulations," Madame Ana greeted her with a smile, bringing her back to reality.

"Madame Ana."

"He's a Montenegro, Anya," makahulugang sabi nito.

"P-po?"

"The guy is quite smitten," she commented. "Xavier is the only son of the only heir of the Montenegro empire. Arturo Montenegro, his father, is currently running their businesses. Of course, with Xavier by his side. But eventually, he's going to take over one way or another."

"Well, that's... that's good to hear," she said, cluelessly. Hindi niya alam kung anong point nito.

"This world is a jungle, my dear. If you want to win, know how to play people. Congratulations on your sale today." And with that, she left to greet a new set of visitors.

Lumapit sa kanya si Andy, ang nagha-handle ng sales nila sa gallery. "Anya, oh my God! A certain Xavier Montenegro just bought all your paintings," she whispered excitedly to her.

Hindi pa rin siya makapaniwala. "Y-yes, we were just... talking." Hinahanap ngayon ng mga mata niya kung nasaan ang binata.

"Congrats, girl! Ang yaman mo na!"

Natawa siya bigla sa komento ng kaibigan. "Marami akong utang. At least, makakaraos na ako ng konti."

"Pero manlibre ka ha!"

Her friend was still talking but her mind was somewhere else. It was busy replaying the scene with Xavier.

****

She was opening a can of corned beef for dinner. Kahit na kumita siya ng almost one hundred twenty thousand for those six paintngs, hindi siya pwedeng maging magastos. One-third niyon ay ipapambayad niya sa maliit na studio apartment niya para sa limang buwang renta at sa iba pa niyang mga utang at pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan.

"Ang kuripot mo naman. Iyan talaga ang pang-dinner natin?" nagbibirong tanong ni Robbi na nakaupo na sa two-seater dining table niya.

"Huwag kang magulo diyan okay? Hindi ko pa nae-encash ang cheque. Tsaka, marami pa rin akong utang. Sinwerte lang talaga ako today." She poured the contents of the can on a pan to heat it up.