A Gentleman's Offer

(AGO eleven )

Ethan moved a step closer and grab Mia hand without hesitation. And Mia felt as if he  was force her naturally.  Ang kanyang reaction ay kakaiba, since he was touching her hand very warm, but she couldn't let go her hand away from him.
His eyes narrowed as he watched her face and she wondered what he was thinking.
Ang pangalawang pagkakataon nitong gabi, ang kanyang mga mata ay tila isang bituin na kumikislap, na napa-alaman sa sarili ng dalaga na hindi siya nakagalaw sa kakaibang naramdaman racing pataas sensation down her spine like tiny bolts of lightning.
Kinuha ni Ethan ang tea cup ng dalaga at ininum nito ang natira na walang alin-langan, kahit na parang directly kiss na sila sa paraan ay maliwanagan ang kanyang isipan. Nang nagsalita siya ay malalim, authoritative voice na katulad sa opisina nito.
"Kagaya mo, miss Salazar, my family is limited na ang Lolo ko ay nag-iisang natirang relative ko. So meaning my grandpa is only one family."
Na curious ang dalaga. Madami ang tanong sa isipan nya, pero tila hindi nya maibuka ang kanyang bibig.
Nakatayo lang si Ethan kasing tangkad lang sila at magsasalita ito like she was partner business.
"My grandpa nakakatakot siya, all respect to him, very impressively, capable sa lahat, kahit may edad na siya ay hindi parin mawawala ang katalinuhan, pero kapag kilala mo na siya makikita mo na may heart of gold ang Lolo ko."
"Grandpa?"bulong Ng dalaga.
"Yun ang tawag ko sa kanya,"paliwanag nito. "Hindi na ako bata, pero hindi maiwasan bumalik sa mga old habits, ang hirap not to break the rules.
" Mukhang ang sweet mo sa Lolo mo,"commented ni Mia, habang ang kanyang isipan ay na imagine nito ang batang Ethan na kumandong sa Lolo nito. Somehow ang alala nito sa kanyang Lolo ay pakiramdam ni Ethan ay mabawasan ang tinsyon sa isat-isa.
"He'll be seventy-four on his next birthday, at ang lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin na ang mortality is catching up with him. Mahina na raw ang kanyang mga buto at pinapayuhan ng kanyang Dr na kailangan madaming pag-iingat at tamang pahinga."
"Ganon ba,"tugon ni Mia, iniisip na baka kasali ito sa fake fiancee offer job, dahil nabanggit nya Ito kahapon na dati siya nag alaga ng matanda. Part of Mia was relieved that he didn't need a chambermaid, but on the other hand... Hindi siya sigurado o kaya paano niya e discribe ang halo-halong naramdaman nya, kasama na doon ang anticipation at apprehension. Being a companion ng kanyang Lolo, meaning doon siya titira under the same roof as Ethan grandpa, at mabasa ni Mia sa magazine news about the esteemed family and its legendary matron to know that Ethan lived in the same house as his grandfather.
"So, the fake fiancee position you mentioned involves caring for your grandpa?"
"Um, to some personal things,"Ethan said. "Actually, it's a little more complicated than fetching medicine and listening story."
"Mukhang nagkamali ka to hired me dahil hindi ako isang nurse,"Sabi ni Mia, once again thinking that she understood the direction he was taking her. "Pero inalagaan ko dati si Mrs. Willet on a daily basis. Pero hindi rin nag-tagal dahil hindi na nito nakayanan ang sakit niya, kaya Ang hirap tanggapin ang taong tinuring mo na isang pamilya ay mawala nalang sayo sa tabi mo."mahabang sabi ng dalaga.
"My grandpa isn't that sick really bad yet,"he said, while smiling bad he recalled the way his grandpa had teased about the condo on hills street. He searched for the words, then decided if the arrangement he planned had any chance of succeeding, it demanded a certain right of honesty between himself and the Yong lady he wished to hire as his fiancee.
He cleared his throat and said. "Perhaps I should stop and clarify a few things,"simula nito. "Una sa lahat, I admire you for being brave and deciding to come here in Manila to find your father. Most young lady, when faced with your hard circumstances, would return to the place they called home."
"Pero kung mahanap ko ang itay ko siya ang matatawag ko na home,"Sabi ni Mia, nagulat sa kakaibang expression of admiration of Ethan faced. "I mean, family is home you know."
"Absolutely you're right."he agreed. "Which is why I'm willing to do whatever grandpa says to make what remains his life as pleasant as possible."
Mia wasn't sure how to respond so she didn't say anything. She swallow her siliva and waited for Ethan to finish his explanation.
"Like most old family,"he continued," my grandpa is always convincing me that my complete happiness won't be perfect until I get married and have a wonderful family."
Ngumiti si Mia." My father was the same way. Palagi niya akong pinalalahan na kapag mag-asawa na daw ako naramdaman mo ang kakaibang saya at sakit."
"How about you miss Salazar? Most young lady would agree with thier parents. Did you leave someone special behind in cameguin island?"
Umiling-iling ang dalaga. "Wala akong nobyo sa amin at kahit na maraming nanliligaw sa akin ay hindi ko pinapansin, dahil wala pa sa isipan ko ang mag-asawa, at least hindi sa ngayon Mr. Murano."sagot nya.
Ngumiti din si Ethan. "Pareho pala tayo, dahil hindi pa ako handa mag-asawa, either. In fact, I'm almost sure that I never will."
The conversation was taking a personal turn and Mia wasn't sure how to reply.
"As I said, I have no desire to marry, but my grandpa is determined to see me happily married before he departs this world for the next life, which brings me back to the job I mentioned to you. It seems I can do you a favor, miss Salazar, and you in turn can do one for me."
Mia was getting confused and this time she couldn't blame it on the champagne. Ethan was dead serious and not making jokes time story.
"Alam ko na nawerduhan ka sa alok ko at hindi kapaniwalaan agad-agad. As I said earlier that you need a money to remain in the big city and look your father. And I need a fiencee who can convince my smart grandpa that she's willing to take responsibility for my future happily ever after."paliwanag niya.
Nang tumawa ang binata, mas lalong na confused ang dalaga. "Let me explain it another way,"tuloy nitong sabi. "I'm the only one son of Murano family, and I'm very wealthy young bachelor with a ailing grandpa and a huge house on the hill. At saka single ka at namumuhay mag-isa dito sa Makati at kailangan na matitirhan ng maayos habang hinahanap mo ang iyong ama. Kung papayag ka sa offer ko sayo, I promise I will help you to find your father and I will give you big salary and house to stay. As my fiancee, I l'll provide you with a new clothes and all you need that go along with being the future Mrs. Murano."
"So, hindi ka talaga nagbibiro?" Nanginginig ang boses ni Mia.
"I'm dead serious, miss Salazar."tugon nito sa kanya. Tiningnan ni Mia si Ethan ng dalawang minuto at si Ethan naman iniisip na baka na misjudged niya ito. Nang tumingin parin sa kanya ang dalaga, na realize niya hindi pang-insulto  kung di na shock lang ito sa offer job niya nito. "I'm sorry to shock you, but I realize my offer isn't exactly what you had in mind. But I'm sure if you think about it, you'll see it's a practical solution to both our problem."
"Practical sa iyo ito!"napa-sigaw si Mia. "Pero pareho tayong completely stranger. Kakilala ko lang sayo kahapon tapos...."
"Pero miss Salazar, ang position na ini-offer ko sayo ay hindi permanent job."Ethan reassured her. "I only offering you  as my pretend fiancee, nothing else. In payment for your best acting abilities, I'll grant your all you need and I stick my promise words. If you want more we can discuss it later."
Mia clear her throat and walked back into the dinner table. She was grabbing her bag when Ethan stopped her by saying her name. She turned around to look at him, unsure if she should run out the door or take the time to slap him.
"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang nasa-isipan mo Mr Murano, pero hindi ako bayaran na umarte sa harap sa Lolo mo at sa mga tao na nasa paligid mo. I'm sorry I don't want any part of it."sabi ni Mia.
"You're overreacting miss Salazar, my offer is strictly for business."
Napatawa na pagak ang dalaga. "Business ang tawag mo dyan? Nagpatawa ka ba ha? Business ba yan maging isang sinungaling sa sarili mong pamilya. Alam mo ngayon lang ako nakilalang tao kagaya mo, I think you're dishonest person and I hope you change your attitude, Mr Murano. At sana hindi na mag-cross ang landas natin dalawa, dahil ayaw na kitang makita pa."
Nang mahawakan ni Mia ang doornob, ay biglang hinila siya ni Ethan at panaharap siya at sabay corner nito sa dalawang kamay nito sa pintuan. Halos amoy na nito ang hininga at kinabahan siya sa maaaring gawin nito sa kanya. "Miss Salazar, I hope you understand what you miss the opportunity. At sana din baguhin din ang ugali mo na pilit maging isang matapang at mataas ang pride."sabi ni Ethan habang amused by her temper. "Ano nalang sasabihin sa mga tao, if I announce my engagement to a young lady with a strong manners of a...."
"Pwdi ba wag mo akong pag-salitaan na ganyan,"putol ni Mia sa binata, habang pilit umiwas sa mga titig nito at paatras siya, hanggang naramdaman nito ang wood door sa may likod niya.
Ethan  smiling at her with his one hand touch Mia bare shoulder. Agad inalis no Mia Ang kamay Ng binata, dahil pakiramdam niya parang may kurhinte sa buong katawan niya.
Tiningnan niya ito ng masama. "You're really..."
"Rich young man, na kayang bihisan ka na katulad ng isang prinsisa. Rich na kaya kang bilhin, kayang ibigay ang lahat ng gusto mo, at kayang hanapin ang iyong nawawalang ama."
"Wag mong iparamdam sa akin na Wala akong kakayahan without your money,"Mia said furiously.
Tumingin sa kanya si Ethan. Ang kanyang mga mata tila parang malamig na yelo. "Hindi mo talaga kaya hanapin mag-isa ang iyong ama without someone help, miss Salazar, at alam mo yan. Makati City ay malaki. Besides who knows your father is not here anymore. What if he's shipped out our country? What will you do then? Ah, work like a animals? And rented small room until you're forced to accept some cheap young man's attention and get married poorly. It's that would you rather choice, miss Salazar?"
Mia closed her eyes, knowing that if she let go of her temper, she'd end up being hauled off to jail for murdering the Rich man. Instead she took a deep breath, hoping that when she opened her eyes Ethan wouldn't still be standing as close as skin.
"Please think really carefully about it,"he said softly. His eyes slid over her  and he had to fight the urge to kiss her. She was still beautiful when she was angry. Her eyes, before she'd closed them, had sparked with amber fire. He wanted to kiss her until she purring like a kitten or clawing him hard like a wildcat. Either way, he'd still enjoy it.
"Think about it Miss Salazar." His voice dropped to a seductive whisper. "Ang gagawin mo lang ay play as my attentive fiancee and I'll take care of all your problems"
At this moment, Mia's biggest problem was Ethan Murano. He was standing so close she could feel his mouth on her ear. Her heart was racing and her head was spinning. Did the man think she was made of rock? How could he possibly think that she could easily pretend to love him without eventually falling in love each other.
Instead sabihin niya ito Ng malakas sa binata, kaya lang mas pinili nalang nito sa isipan lamang. Dahil Ang tutuo , hindi niya alam na attractive na ako sa kanya. Gusto Lang niya maging masaya Ang kanyang Lolo. At hindi ako. Gusto niya Lang ako maging fake fiancee at pakiramdam ko katulad Lang he hired me like a personal maid of his grandpa. But my problem without his help I will be useless. At tama nga siya, kailangan ko Ang katulad niya, dahil gusto ko talagang mahanap Ang tatay ko. Pero natatakot ako kapag tinanggap ko Ang offer niya. Una isang malaking mali na linlangin Ang kanyang Lolo at Ang pangalawa paano Kung mahulog na Ang puso ko sa kanya. May possible kaya na sasaluin din nya ako. Mia refused to finish the thought. Kailangan makita niya Ang kanyang ama sa madaling paraan.
Ethan tumingin sa kanyang mukha at Alam nito na nakipag-talo siya isipan niya. He also knew the moment she'd decide her decision. Her body relaxed and her eyes lashes fluttering ever so slightly before she raised them and looked up at his face.
"I'm going to think it carefully," she said in a low whisper. 
The urge to kiss her was almost uncontrollable as he removed his hand from the door and stepped back.
I'll take you home or I'll have Alex bring the car around,"he said, but instead of motioning her away from the door he walked to the service bell and pulled the cord again."I'm sure your landlady wanted you home at a proper hours."
Inayos Ang damit niya."Kung papayag ako sa offer mo, paano ko sasabihin sayo?"
"I will call you tomorrow afternoon and then we can discuss more detail later."

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