Sunset

Chapter 12

     Two weeks ng naka-uwi si Leila sa Manila. She had to re-set her mind as soon as she left the resort. Her dreamland is over. Troy was just a memory. It had been a sad, tearful goodbye. As much as she tried not to cry, few drops had escaped her eyes. Troy would not let her go from his embrace. She had to be the strong one. The last kiss was bitter sweet with their beautiful sunset. 

        Today she had to go to her parent's house. They will be meeting Tito Oliver, Tita Lauren and their son, her fiance.She cringed every time she hear or think about the word fiancee. She will be meeting for the first time her soon to be husband. That left a bad taste in her mouth. Husband, ughhh, she thought.

     She is running late. His dad won't be happy. She doesn't care. I am doing what he wants so if I am late.....im late. She had to go home and prettied herself just as requested by his Dad. She feels like being sold to the highest bidder. She didn't complain, she had to bite her tongue not say something sarcastic when when she was told to. What would be the point.She already lost the battle.

    She choose a green cotton dress. It is the best that she can do. She really don't feel like dressing up. She is late. She feels like the rabbit in Alice in the Wonderland. She wished she was the Queen of Hearts though so she can yell 'Off with their head", whoevers head that may need to be cut off.

She smiled for the first time since she got back to Manila. I am miserable and I am comparing myself to Disney characters. I must be going nuts now.

Nakita niyang nandoon na ang kotse ng mga bisita ' Crap' sabi nito sa sarili. She was hoping na late din sila but no such luck. She went inside the house. Nobody was in the living room. Siguro nasa may pool sila next to the garden. Her mom prepared a buffet style dinner so they can freely get the food.

She took a deep breath at tumuloy doon. Everybody was there. Lumapit siya  sa Daddy and Mommy niya na kausap ang Tito Oliver and Tita Lauren niya.

Napansin siya ng Daddy niya." Oh, you're here. This is Leila now," pakilala ng Daddy niya. " Leila, Tito Oliver and Tita Lauren."

She kissed and hug them both. Nakita niyang sumenyas ang Tito Oliver niya sa isang lalaki. he started walking at lumapit ang lalaki  sa kanila. He is tall and good looking. He doesn't look bad at all. Leila was told that he was 5 years older than she is. At least, gwapo, was all she thought.

" This is Terence, my eldest," pakilala ni Tito Oliver niya." Renz, This is Leila."

They akwardly kissed and hugged. Leila was looking at Terrence, so this is the guy I am going to marry.

" Im sorry that I was late," sabi ni Leila." My meeting with the last client took me longer than expected."

Tito Oliver and Tita Lauren smiled" Dont worry about it," sabi ng Tito Oliver." We perfectly know how that goes.",

She was going to  respond but Terence drew her attention." Lei, do want me to get you a drink?"tanong ni Terence.

Before she can answer, her Dad said," Why don't you guys get some food,"sabi nito clearly wanting to give them alone time.

Walang nagawa si Leila kundi ang pumunta sa may buffet table kasama si Terence. She got some chicken wrap and just orange juice. She really doesn't feel like eating right now. Terence got some too and umupo sila ng dalawa sa isang table.

" This is an awkward situation, I know,"Terence quietly said looking at her.

She looked at him and  smiled." That is the most understand Statement of the year.We are meeting for the first time and yet, we will be planning for our wedding soon,"sabi ni Leila shaking her head." If find it all unbelievable.Were you forced into this too?"

Terence sighed. "I manage Dad's business now. I am the CEO and the company will eventually go to me. Ang sumunod sa akin has his own business. I was told or warned that I will be removed from the position and dis-inherited if I refused,"sagot ni Terence." Magwala man ako, walang akong magawa. I devoted my time and energy on the company."

" Can you believe them? Planning this like our want, your dreams, our desires.....doesnt matter?" she said while looking at her parent and Terence parent's laughing and talking from across them.

Terence was gazing at them as well." I totally agree with you. I feel like a pawn in a game of chess,"he said.

She was shaking her head and looked at Terence." D-do you have somebody you love?"tanong ni Leila." I know this is a weird conversation kasi ngayon lang tayo nag meet, but we are in a weird situation."

He smiled weakly." Yes, I was but........and you?"

She took a deep breath." I-I........you know what..........it doesn't matter anymore,"sagot na lang nito.

Terence was quiet too for a bit. Leila was looking at him. She reminds him of somebody. Somebody she doesn't want to think about. Maybe this is not too bad. Terence seems like a nice guy. Maybe this would work out, maybe they could work it out, maybe ........ Leila sighed.

Terence looked at her sympathetic to how she feels.

"So what is the next plan now?"tanong ni Leila still looking at him.

Terence set the glass of his drink on the table." They want us to plan for the engagement party."

That got Leila's attention."Engagement party? May engagment party ?Bakit pa? What does it matter if we have an engagement party or not? Are we engaged?" sunod sunod na tanong ni Leila." It's not like this is a normal marriage.Why do we need to have one?"

" I guess our meeting today means we are engaged. To me, the engagement party is just a business move on their part so people would know that eventually they will be merging the two company,"sabi ni Terence.

She sighed. " Bakit di na lang sila mag create ng partnership instead of having us marry each other? They are best friends for crying out loud"

Terence smiled weakly. " I asked the same thing but I was given a bullshit explanation that partnership can be dissolved but if it is bonded by marriage then it is more stable,"sabi ni Terence.

'What if we annull the marriage later? Or we both say no?" tanong ni Leila." Then pwede din naman na ma dissolve yon di ba?"

Now it was Terence turn to sigh." Believe me Lei, I have asked all those......covered all the possible way out I can think of  to stop the arrangement and they made the contract so air tight I couldn't poke hole into it,"he answered sadly.

" Y-you r-read the contract?"tanong ni Leila.

He nodded." Dont bother asking for a copy. It wont do you any good.I even secretly copied the contract and have a friend lawyer dissect it."

She frowned then sighed. Wala talagang way out ito." So when is this engagement party and where?"

Terence shook his head." I dont think we can get out of this," he said." I think that is what they are discussing right now."

Now it was Leila who started shaking her head." So we dont have a say on when and where?"tanong ni Leila kay Terence.

"Do you really want to plan it?" Terence asked her smiling. This time his smile was genuine.

She smiled back, this time she meant it too." I guess, i really dont want or care too,"she answered.