One Lucky Bride (Ongoing)

Kabanata 4. Prize or Pawn?

Marry me?

Natigilan ako habang nakatitig lang kay Timothy.

Hindi parin nabura ang ngiti sa mga labi nya habang pinapakiramdaman ang magiging reaksyon ko.

May kung anong tumalon sa dibdib ko sa oras na iyon.

I dreamed of being asked that question a thousand times. But not in this way. Not when love is not involved.

Kumunot ang noo ko at pilit na hinanap ulit ang aking boses.

" Get out." I managed to say.

He leaned back to the sofa and crossed his arms. I know he's not willing to give up that easily.

"Think about it, Ms. Fuentes. You don't have a better choice right now. You don't have a boyfriend. Every suitor is a stranger to you."

I raised my brow. "And what makes you the best choice?" I tried to sound intimidating.

Nagbuntong hiniga si Timothy bago bumalik ang tingin sakin. He looks like a businessman trying to get an investment from an interested customer. A look of a hunter looking for it's prey.

"If you get married to me, no one will dare touch you. You will be Fuentes Group's woman. My woman."

Parang may kung anong kuryenteng dumaloy sa katawan ko sa pagbanggit nya sa salitang yun.

How can that statement send shivers down my spine.

" Fuentes Group has the largest network of companies in the Philippines. No one wants to be our enemy. If I officially declare you as my wife, the danger you're experiencing will stop at once. You get your peaceful life back, I'll get my share of benefits. Win- win situation."

Pilit kong prinoseso ang mga sinabi nya. He has a point.

But how can I trust this man?

Is everything just a game of wits for him?

" Mr. Fuentes, look, you don't even know me. How can you believe this crazy fortune-teller. You don't even love me and yet you want to marry me?"

He smiled. " Why not? Everything is possible. I just decided to follow the tide, and be the winner."

I laughed. " Is everything a business deal to you?"

He paused for a moment without looking away. "Yes. And this one is very important to me."

May kung anong kumurot sa puso ko. What are you expecting Kiara? That he possibly likes you?

Umiling ako dala ng frustration. I just can't find anything to say.

"All right. That's all I have to say." Timothy broke the silence.

He stand up and prepared to leave. "I'll be waiting for your answer. If you're tired of running away, find me."

Wala na akong nasabi at pinanood ko nalang syang lumabas ng pinto.

All the other men tried to court me the traditional way. Some even tried to barge into my personal space. But this guy just dealt me like a business partner. Diretso,walang paligoy ligoy.

Kiara, will you willingly enter his world?

Another week passed after that encounter. Here I am in the living room watching a reality show. I managed to survived the 2nd wave of crazy suitors. Hindi na ako makalabas ng bahay sa pagaalala sa safety ko. Nakakalungkot isipin that my almost perfect life has become this tragic.

"Kiara!" Sabay na pagtawag sakin ng kambal kong kuya na sina Heide & Henry Mendez. They are both models in our entertainment company run by my 2nd brother Kristopher.

Tumabi sila sakin at kinurot ang pisngi ko. "Aray!" Madalas itong gawin sa akin ng mga kapatid ko. Bukod sa bunso ay ako lang ang babae nilang kapatid. Parang bata parin nila akong ituring. Kumuha ako ng unan sa sofa at itinapon iyon sa kanila. "Get lost!" Sigaw ko.

"Ang sungit!" Komento ni Heide.

"Psssst! Hwag mong awayin, problemado na nga yung baby." Sabat naman ni Henry.

Tiningnan ko ng matalim ang kambal. Nakakainis. Mas lalo tuloy nasira ang mood ko.

"All right, all right. Sorry na baby girl. Anong matutulong namin sayo?" Ani Henry.

Bigla namang bumalik sa utak ko ang proposal ni Timothy. Maybe they can help me come up with a solution.

"Hmmm..." Tinawag ko sila para lumapit sa akin. Sumunod naman ang mga ito at nilapit ang tenga sa mukha ko. "Do you know Timothy Fuentes?" Bulong ko nang may halong hiya. It's the first time I asked about a guy.

Napaisip naman ang dalawa at nagkatinginan.

"Ah! Narinig ko na sya dati kay Kris, I heard Timothy suggested acquiring Aragon Talent Agency. His Holdings company is famous for choosing the best companies to invest." Sagot ni Heide.

"I saw him in a lot of business magazines. He was in the cover page way back 2018. Sabi sa article, he managed to revive their family's dying industry of furniture making. He's famous in the business world. I heard Anton say na hindi sya nawawala sa issues ng Business Headline.

I'm smiling while listening to them. Timothy definitely is not an ordinary guy.

"Bakit mo nga pala natanong?" Pagusisa ni Henry.

Kiniliti ako ni Heide sa tagiliran at napaigtad ako.

"Crush mo? Hmmm?" Pangaasar ni Heide.

Pinalo ko ang kamay nito at tinapunan ulit ng unan. " Crush! Woah, sya kamo may crush sakin." Namumula kong sabi.

Nagtawanan naman ang dalawa na tila ba nagbibiro ako. Well, di ko rin maexplain ang sitwasyon namin ni Timothy. Not love, like, or crush.

"Kiara, san mo naman napulot na crush ka nya?" Pagusisa ni Henry.

"Well, he asked me to marry him." I proudly responded.

"Eh, when did that happen?" Heide.

" Last Monday, he's one of my suitors." I replied plainly.

Nagkatinginan naman ang kambal at ngumiti na tila ba nagkakaintindihan. They looked like they're up to something.

"Hey!" Sigaw ko nang bigla akong binuhat ni Henry papasok ng kwarto. Tinulak nya ako sa loob at tinawag ang isa sa katulong namin, si Ate Nirma.

" Maligo ka na at magbihis. May pupuntahan tayo!" Sigaw ni Heide.

Pumasok naman sa kwarto si Ate Nirma at tinulungan akong magayos sa banyo.

San naman kaya ako dadalhin ng mga mokong na to?