Ang Barako at Ang Prinsesa (ONGOING)

Chapter 10

Savannah didn't waste time after she got home. Binasa niya lahat ang nilalaman ng kontrata. 'Pag pumayag siya, isa't kalahati hanggang dalawang taon silang mananatiling kasal ni Camilo. Pagkatapos ng dalawang taon ay puwedeng-puwede na silang mag-file for annulment. Their marriage will strictly be for business and convenience purposes. No physical or intimate contact will be expected from both parties. Ibabalik din sa kanya ang full management ng kompanya once na fulfill niya ang nakapaloob sa agreement. But – they have to act like a real married couple in front of other people who does not know about their agreement, including their own families.

Tinawagan niya ang lalaki tungkol dito pero "I have my reasons" lang din ang sinabi nito. Other aspects of the contract seemed legitimate enough. Pinakita niya ang kontrata kay Billie at sa fiancée nitong si Benedict na isang abogado, under sworn secrecy. Sinabi nito na kilala niya ang abogado ng binata. Every aspect of the contract checked out. Umuwi na rin siya after nilang mag-dinner.

Went over the contract with my lawyer. I'll go to your office tomorrow, ang message niya sa binata.

Well then. See you, sagot naman nito.

Alas diyes pa lang ng gabi nang mapatingin siya sa digital wall clock nya. She spent most of her days thinking about ways to pay their debt. At ngayong bayad na, wala na siyang ibang gagawin. Kumuha siya ng isang bote ng lemon-flavored beer at pumuwesto sa harap ng TV niya. Nag-connect siya sa Youtube para manood na naman ng relaxing videos. This time ay ang videos naman sa channel ni Kimi ang pinanood niya. Isa itong Korean Youtuber na nagpopost ng relaxing videos ng cooking pati pag-harvest ng prutas, gulay, at bulaklak.

It was weird but she felt really at peace at that moment for a long while.

Ilang oras din siyang nanood ng iba pang videos bago niya naisipang maligo at mag-skincare. Mahimbing din siyang nakatulog ng gabing iyon.

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Kinabukasan ay sumaglit lang sa kanyang opisina si Savannah para mag-iwan ng instructions at i-check ang operations. By 9:00 AM ay nasa ibaba na siya ng Summit. Nag-take out muna siya ng apat na hot latte para sa kanya at kina Camilo.

Chantal gave her a surprised look when she opened the door for her.

"Good morning, Maam! Nag-message po ba kayo kay Sir Cam? Wala po kasi siyang sinabi na darating kayo medyo male-late daw siya."

Iginiya siya nito sa sofa na malapit sa table ni Camilo.

"Nag-message ako sa kanya last night. He told me it's okay. I can wait." Iniabot niya ang dala-dalang kape kay Chantal. Nagpasalamat naman ito at nilapag ang coffee sa table ng amo. Maya-maya'y nagpaalam ito saglit para ihatid kay Inigo ang kape nito.

Para magpalipas ng oras ay nagbasa muna siya ng mga magazines at coffee table books na naka-stack sa isa sa mga side table sa receiving area ng opisina.

Pagkalipas ng fifteen minutes ay narinig niyang may pumasok sa office. She was engrossed with one of the coffee table books featuring the designs of Summit to even bother to look around.

"You like our designs?" She looked up. Medyo natameme siya sandali nang makita niya ang binata. He was cleanly shaven and his hair had a just-taken-a-bath tousled look. Strangely he looked...hot. OMG what are you even thinking right now, Sav?!

Also, today he looked extra friendly because of his smile. It looked genuine.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Your designs are nice. No wonder Summit's the most sought after these days, from what I've heard." She sipped her coffee at malapit na siyang mabilaukan nang na-realize niyang medyo mainit pa ang kape.

"I didn't think you'd be this early. I'm sorry I had to take a quick bath. Galing ako sa site." Naupo ito sa harapan niya at ininom ang kapeng kinuha nito sa table.

"Anyway," pagseseryoso nito. "Have you decided?"

"Yeah, let's do it." Binigyan niya ito ng hilaw na ngiti bago inilahad ang kamay. Tinanggap naman nito iyon.

"That's nice to hear, sweetie." He had a smug smile on his lips.

She threw him an exasperated look. " Don't call me that!"

"Fine. Whatever you say, Baby Girl – What? I'm just practicing para natural na sa harap ng ibang tao."

Napailing na lang siya. They proceeded to talk about their wedding arrangements. He said that anytime will do and they just need to be present para ma-perform ng judge ang ceremonies. Ito na raw ang bahala after niyang ma-provide ang mga papeles na kailangan.

Two days after, she's already Mrs. Altamirano. But nothing changed...as of now.

It was the most lackluster wedding she has ever attended. And it was her wedding. She wore a cream-colored suit and he wore a simple white shirt with khaki chinos. They just stood there, signed some documents and they finally said goodbye to singlehood...for two years, at least.

After the wedding, witnessed only by Chantal and Inigo, ay pumunta na sila sa kani-kaniyang opisina. Everything was somewhat surreal.

This wasn't the wedding I had in mind. I can't believe I'm already married. But why do I feel a little bit pathetic?

Bago umalis ang asawa ay sinabihan siya nitong tatawag lang kung may kailangan ito sa kanya. Sabi pa nito'y mag-message lang din daw siya kung may kailangan siya dito.

This has gotta be the most sterile relationship ever...Ano ba'ng inirereklamo mo gurl? Umeksena na naman ang mahaderang parte ng isip niya, yours was a business relationship...it's only for convenience so bakit nagsi-self pity ka? You brought this upon yourself. Chus.

Wala rin siyang nagawa buong maghapon sa opisina dahil sa pagiging emosyonal niya. It's a strange feeling... na parang may iniwan siyang parte ng buhay niya kahit na sabihin pang sa papel lang ang kasalang iyon.

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Author's Note:

Hi all, I hope you like this short update. Pa-vote na lang (if you like). Stay safe!

Inaayos ko pa ang next chapter/s so wait lang po konti .