Chasing Fire (Completed)

Chapter 21

Fiancee

When I woke up the next morning, Marco wasn't there anymore that made me think I was only dreaming last night.

But then when I checked my phone, there was a message from him saying he had to leave early so he won't get caught by our guards.

I smiled sadly as I realized how difficult our situation is. Daddy wants me to marry Lex Maravilla. My boyfriend is Marco and Daddy doesn't know and when he will, I know he'll do something to Marco. I can't let that happen.

Pero ano ang irarason ko para hindi maituloy ang kasal ko kay Lex? What will I do?

Then my eyes drifted to the frame in far front of me. It was my Mom's picture during her wedding. She looked so genuinely happy that you won't be able to know her marriage with Dad was fixed.

She is my last resort. I know if she'll know about this, hindi siya papayag. She loves me so much so I know she won't let this happen.

I dialed her number but it can't be reached. So I texted her instead saying;

Mommy please help me. Ipapakasal ako ni Daddy kay Lex Maravilla and I don't want that. Please Mommy kunin mo ako dito. I want to be with you. Please Mommy. I miss you.

I stayed in my room the whole day. Hinahatid lang ni Nana yung pagkain ko ngunit hindi ko man lang ginagalaw. I know not eating is not good for me especially at times like this but I just don't have the appetite.

All I want is to come up to an idea to stop all this shit. For bitch's sake I am just twenty and in my second year in college! I can't imagine a married life at this age especially with Lex!

I decided to take a shower at magbihis ng jeans at shirt. I want to go somewhere and leave this house for a moment because I feel like I am suffocating.

Pagbaba ko ng hagdanan ay nakasalubong ko si Dad. I stopped and looked at him before walking past him. I heard him call my name but I pretended I did not hear him. I am so mentally and emotionally drained for another argument, alright.

Sinigurado kong walang nakasunod na bodyguards bago ako pumara ng taxi. I texted Lex to see me at six pm tonight. I have to talk to him and settle this. I should convine him not to agree too. I have to.

He replied something that annoyed me saying, "What are we going to talk about? Our marriage?"

Maaga akong nakarating sa restaurant dahil maaga rin naman akong umalis. I waited there for thirty minutes bago siya dumating. I do not like waiting for too long kaya subukan niyang hindi makipag cooperate at bubugahan ko siya ng apoy.

"Hello Vienna." Bati niya bago nakangising umupo.

He thinks this is funny?

"Hindi na ako magpapaligoy-ligoy pa. I want you to tell your parents you're not up to this marriage shit." Sabi ko pagkatapos mag order.

"Whoa, chill." He chuckled.

"Please. I'll do anything." I said desperately.

Ilang saglit niya akong tinitigan at ngumisi na parang may hindi magandang naiisip.

"Really? You'll do anything? Ganyan mo na ba ka ayaw magpakasal sa akin?"

Why would I want to marry you, asshole.

"Yes. Anything. And why would I want to marry you? You're not even that handsome." Hindi ko na napigilan ang bibig at ang pag-irap ko.

And I think that hurt his ego. That's right boy, you should not mess with me because I will surely pop your fucking ego.

"And who is handsome to you? Marco Melendrez?" Mapaghamon niyang sinabi.

Nanlaki ang mata ko dahil sa binanggit na pangalan. Paano... I mean... Baka alam niya nga dahil palagi kming magkasama ni Marco sa campus kapag wala ang bodyguards ni Daddy!

Hindi pa ako nakapagslita kaya sinundan niya ang sinasabi niya.

"I'm curious how your father would react kapag nalaman niya kung sino yung lalakeng tinatago mo."

Fuck you.

"Asshole."

He chuckled annoyingly.

"Break up with him and be with me for maybe a year. Kung ayaw mo paring magpakasal sa akin, then that's the time I'll disagree. We will still invest in your shitty company so don't worry. And take note, walang ibang interested Vien."

What? Is he serious? Is he crazy? He thinks gagawin ko yon? And for a year? For goodness' sake, wake the fuck up!

Halos matawa ako sa sinasabi niya.

"You're really into me that you'll go that far huh?" I chuckled. "Guess what, hindi ako tanga... I think wala naman pala akong mapapala sayo so this conversation is over. Tss, such a waste of time." I rolled my eyes and stood up bago diretsong naglakad palabas ng resto.

Nag-aabang ako ng taxi nang hindi ko namalayang sinundan niya pala ako!

"Are you going bankrupt kaya wala ka ng sasakyan? I can drive you home if you want. I'm really not a gentleman but because it's you..."

What? Hindi ko dala ang sasakyan ko dahil ayokong magdrive!

"Thanks but no thanks. My boyfriend is coming so no need. Hindi namn kita kaano ano kaya bakit ako papayag?"

Damn. I'm here to wait for a taxi at ni hindi alam ni Marco na nakipag-usap ako sa lalaking to. I thought aalis na siya ngunit nanatili siyang nakatayo malapit sa akin. I think mananatili siya hanggang dumating si Marco! Damn it.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko at nakita ng mga texts ni Marco kanina. I immidiately called him at salamat naman at sumagot.

"Nasaan kana?" Bungad ko kahit hindi niya alam ang pinagsasabi ko.

"What? I'm at my condo. Why? What's wrong?" Naguguluhan at nag-aalala niyang tanong.

"Okay. I'll wait here." Agad kong pinutol ang tawag at agad tinipa ang address kung nasaan ako.

Gosh, para na akong sasabog dito sa inis.

"Hindi ka pa ba aalis?" Naiirita kong tanong.

"Maghihintay ako hanggang sa dumating yung lalake mo. Malay ko ba at nagsisinungaling ka lang."

Lalake ko? What the hell?

Hindi ko na siya pinatulan at ilang minuto pa'y dumating na si Marco at agad na lumabas sa sasakyan niya. Kitang kita ang madilim na ekspresyon nang nakita kung sino ang kasama ko.

"You're here." May gana pa talagang magsalita.

"Ikaw? Ba't ka nandito?" Malamig pa sa yelo na sambit ni Marco habang hinahawakan ang palapulsuhan ko, at pinapapunta ako sa likuran niya.

Lex gave him a menacing look.

"Ask my fiancee. Siya yung nakipagkita, hindi ako."

Marco's grip on me tightened pero hindi naman ako nasasaktan.

"Fiancee? The last time I checked, she doesn't wanna marry you. And don't fuck with me with your marriage for convenience narrative dahil ang bobo pakinggan." Marco calmly said.

Hinila na ako ni Marco at pinagbuksan ng pinto sa front seat bago pumasok sa driver's seat. I can almost feel his anger. I regret not telling him.

Pinaandar niya ang sasakyan without even looking or talking to me.

"I don't wanna go home."

"Why." He replied. Ang iksi!

"Please? Marco... please please? I'm sorry." I made my voice a little bit cuter para mawala yung galit niya.

"Pinipigilan kong hindi magalit."

"Sorry na." Malambing kong sinabi.

But he only rolled his eyes! Ang arte!