Suddenly Screwed

Prologue

Amaranthine

"Mom, I'm here." I sighed heavily. Halo-halong emosyon ang bumabalot sa akin ngayon. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano nga ba ako napunta sa lugar na'to? 

I roamed my gaze. Well, this private villa is beyond my senses. It's breathtaking! I rolled down my car windows. I closed my eyes as the cold breeze hugged me. Tall palm trees were like dancing with the wind. Sinasabayan ang bawat ritmo at galaw nito. Birds' chirping was like music to my ears. It's very rare na nakakapunta ako sa mga lugar na walang buildings, dirt and car honkings. Nakatitig lang ako sa isang napakalaking iron driveway gate. Makikita mo talaga ang long driveway bago ka makapunta sa bahay. I stop from my musing when I heard the screeching sound on the other line.

"Good. I texted Maxon's mother and she already told the guard na you're coming."

And with that napabuntong- hininga ulit ako. Pang ilang buntong- hininga ko na ba to? I just can't imagine na nandito na ako sa lugar na wala akong kamuwang-muwang. Daig ko pa ang batang iniwan sa kalsada. Or even worst. Pero konsolasyon na rin sa nangyayari sa akin ang lugar na'to. Kung pwede lang sana nandito ako for vacation sigurong mag-eenjoy ako. 

"Mom, do I really need to do this? "for the nth time I asked.

This time siya na naman ang bumuntong-hininga and I know this is something that she's sure about. Definitely no one can change it. Kapag siya na kasi ang bumuntong-hininga, wala na, game over na.

"Amara..." she trailed. "Alam mo naman kung bakit diba? Naiintindihan mo naman kung ba't natin to ginagawa? Our company is at its worst. We need to save our company. And..."

"Marrying him is only our choice." dugtong ko.

Not even a choice.

I thought this idea was stupid. Who thought na uso pa pala ang arranged marriage sa 21st century? Damn. Like, arranged marriage for real?! I thought it was just a nightmare until pinapunta na talaga ako dito. 

At kung hindi lang talaga importante sa legacy ng pamilya namin ang company, the hell I would accept this silly idea. But the company is the last thing I would give up. It's something that reminds me of my Dad.

I sighed. Kung nandito lang sana siya, I wouldn't be here. I'm sure magagawan niya ng paraan lahat, without selling his daughter. 

"Amara, Maxon is a good man,kung 'yan ang pinoproblema mo."

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, Maxon is good. Too good. A good and famous bachelor with multiple achievements that aren't normal for his age. He's the young daredevil in the business world as what they said and he's freaking a good-looking man too. God knows his only 25. I am three years younger than him, but here I am, trying to save our company's name. To save my family's reputation.

"Of course." sagot ko nalang kay Mama. Gusto ko mang sumigaw at umayaw sa mga nangyayari but I know these shouts were still useless. It may be loud but my mom won't hear it.  

Well Maxon is no stranger to me. I've known him all of my life or at least simula sa mga panahong namulat na ako sa mundo ng negosyo. Nagkikita kami during business trips and meetings. Until then, when Dad died. But still, I watched and read news about him. Halos mukha niya ang nakikita mo sa mga balita. I wonder ano ang dahilan bakit siya napapayag ng mama niya para pumasok sa sitwasyong 'to. He's too expensive para lang sa isang katulad ko.

After ng usapan namin ni Mama I ended the call and drove papunta sa guard house.  Napatigil sa kanyang ginagawa ng lalaking nasa early fifties. Tiningnan niya muna ako ng mabuti bago nagsalita at ngumiti. " Good morning po, ano pong kailangan niyo?"

" Well, I'm Amaranthine Acuesta. I assumed tumawag na sa iyo si Mrs. Go to inform you sa pagdating ko." 

When he heard my name he immediately opened the gate. " Maligayang pagdating sa Casa del Amore, Ma'am."

I took a deep breath before gripping the steering wheel. Damn. This is it. I'm going to meet my fiancé.