It Started With A Lie

--Chapter Three--

-Flashback: The Wedding and The Truth-

THREE WEEKS AGO

     Xandria was about to open the door ngunit napahinto siya ng marinig ang boses ng ama. Kararating lang niya mula sa pagda-jogging ng salubungin siya ng katulong upang ipaalam na naghinhintay ang kanyang ama sa opisina nito.

     Naulinigan niya ang boses ng mga nag-uusap habang papalapit siya. Hindi nag-iisa sa loob ng opisina nito ang kanyang ama. May kausap ito at tila nakikipagdiskusyon. Pero ang mga sumunod na mga sinabi ng kanyang ama ang nagpahinto sa kanya.

      "Xandria will follow whatever I tell her. She knows the consequences sa oras na sinuway niya ako. We will plan the wedding sa lalong madaling panahon."

        To say that she was shocked is an understatement. She was speechless. She's getting married without her knowledge? What was her father thinking? Nasa anon'ng era ba siya at nauuso pa ang arrange a wedding?

        Hindi na muna siya tumuloy at nanatiling nakatayo sa labas ng nakapinid na pinto. Nakahawak lang siya sa doorknob na animo'y humuhugot ng lakas mula roon. Different kinds of emotions are starting to rise inside her while her eyes started to blur.

       "We have to move fast then. The wedding should take place sooner rather than later," the man speaking sounded younger than her father and unfamiliar. "Kailangang mangyari iyon before the next board meeting."

       "I don't understand why you have to do this, James," tinig iyon ng kanyang ama. "Marami namang mga babaeng nali-link sa 'yo. Maraming babae ang magkakandarapang magpakasal sa iyo oras na inalok mo, why did you choose my daughter?"

      Hindi niya narinig ang naunang sinabi ng lalaki ngunit malinaw na malinaw ang sumunod nitong mga salita. "This is a marriage for convenience, Lorenzo. Somebody from the board tipped me off that isa sa mga guideline na tinitingnan ng mga Board of Directors para sa susunod na magiging president ng kumpanaya ay isang family man. They wanted someone who is responsible. I can be responsible even if I am not yet a married man, but the board won't think of me that way. I am not looking for a wife. I hate commitments. Kaya ako lumapit sa iyo. You owe me, remember?"

     'Hah! You just claimed na you are a responsible person pero hate mo mag commit! Contradicting yourself?' himutok ni Xandria.

      "Hindi ko nakakalimutan ang utang ko sa iyo James. At maging sa iyo David. But I hope by allowing my daughter to be married to you, you will forget everything I owe you. After all, nag-iisang anak ko si Xandria."

       Natutop ni Xandria ang bibig. 'OMG! So that's it! Ako ang pambayad utang mo Dad?' A sob escaped.

        "Think of it however you want, Lorenzo. Nasa sa iyo na rin naman iyon if you agree with this deal or not. But think about it, walang mawawala sa iyo. Instead you will gain pa nga. Kung mayroong dehado rito, ako iyon but then this is the easiest way to solve my problem." James said in all-business tone. "Once the marriage is done, your family will be connected to Kanes. It's favorable for you in dealing with your other businesses."

       "Don't worry Lorenzo," said another man, this one a bit older maybe. His voice is gruff and shaky. "The moment my son secures the chairmanship on the board, they can file an annulment. I have arranged a trusted lawyer to process their papers nang sa gayon ay madali ang pagpapakasal at ang paghihiwalay nila."

      "You're planning to annul the marriage after mong makuha ang posisyon sa kumpanaya?"

      "Again, this is a marriage of convenience. You don't expect me naman siguro to be a perfect husband to your daughter, di ba? Besides, maari ring hindi umabot sa annulment, if this daughter of yours will be obedient. Ayoko nga ng commitment. Mas lalong ayoko nga complications. I can provide her with everything she needs as long as she does not interfere with my affairs. The company is my top priority and I don't have time to cater trivialities."