He'll Always Be There (Always Series #1)

06

Trap In The Situation.

Natulala ako buong klase hanggang sa mag-ring a school bell. Agad ko niligpit ang mga gamit ko para maka-uwi agad. Lalabas na sana ako ng classroom pero biglang may humawak sa pulsuhan ko kaya napatigil ako.

"Celestine." Tawag nito. Napapikit ako at huminga ng malalim bago humarap sa kaniya.

Buti nalang din talaga ay wala na masyadong tao sa classroom. Nauna na si Maleah kanina pang second to the last subject dahil pinatawag siya sa SSG Office.

"B-Bakit?" Patay malisya kong tanong .

"I'm sorry for putting you in that situation. But I need your help. Pretend to be my girlfriend until my dad stops bothering me." Once again, my eyes widened.

-

"ANO 'TO, SIMON?!" Inis na palo ni Maleah sa pinsan niya.

Nandito kami ngayon sa bahay nila Maleah. Since she's Simon's family, na-received niya agad ang balita na may nililigawan itong si Simon. Nabanggit ni Simon na ate niya ang nakita kong kausap niya kanina.

Ngayon ko lang nakita kung gaano mainis ng sobra si Maleah. Madalas kasi ito nagtitimpi. Sa aming apat, siya ang may mahabang pasensya. Bago pa ulit niya paluin si Simon ay nagsalita na ako.

"Mal--"

"No, Cel! Alam ko 'yang sasabihin mo. You don't have to agree with him. With this stupid idea! God, I want to punch your face right now, Simon." She glared daggers at her cousin.

Hindi nakapag-salita si Simon dahil alam niya na kapag nagsalita na naman siya ay malinlintikan ulit ito sa pinsan niya.

Aamin ko na itong idea ni Simon ay kalokohan. Tinignan ko si Simon na hindi alam kung paano pa-kalmahin ang pinsan niya.

Hindi ko alam ang buong istorya kung bakit pinipilit ng parents ni Simon na i-arrange marriage siya. Sure, it is given na kapag both parents or isang parent ay related sa business ang trabaho, ipapakasal at ipapakasal ka talaga sa pinagkasunduan nila.

Maybe that was the reason. No, that's the reason.

But then again. I don't know the whole story.

"Maleah, pwede bang kausapin ko muna si Simon?" Tanong ko sa kaniya. Bakas pa din sa mukha niya ang inis. Ngumiti ako sa kaniya to give her some assurance that I can handle this situation. Wala ito nagawa kundi tumango.

Bago pa siya maka-alis ay tinignan niya ulit ng masama si Simon. Nang kaming dalawa nalang ang nasa loob ng living room, umupo siya sa tabi ko.

"Celestine, I really, really am sorry." Panimula nito. "But Maleah is right. You don't have to agree with this."

"What really happened?" Tanong ko.

"Sobrang taas ng expectations sa akin nila mom noong bata pa ako. You see, my big sister was the rebel one. Dahil hindi na-meet ng ate ko ang expectations nila sa kaniya kaya... Sa akin napasa." Panimula nito.

"I've always been the good kid in front of their eyes. Pero nung umapak ako ng Junior High... The rebel side of me started to show." He chuckled a bit before continuing.

"It started when I told them that I want a different career path. Both parents of mine are in the business world. Hindi nila matanggap na gusto ko maging doctor. Ayaw nila kasi, wala daw magmamana ng company nila dahil ayaw naman ng ate ko. But eventually they gave up. On one condition, they will set me up with someone that will inherit their parents' company."

"So, in any other way... Ikaw pa rin ang magmamana ng company nila. Together with your soon-to-be fiancee." Sabi ko at tumango naman siya sa akin.

"Yes..." Tanging sagot lang nito. Pinrocess ko lahat ng sinabi ni Simon sa akin.

I wanted to help him. But helping him will have consequences. Hindi ko ito maitatago at kahit sabihin ko na family lang niya dapat makaka-alam nito. Alam ko na malalaman din nila dad. Considering that his parents, especially his mom is in the business industry. Their connections are inevitable.

Hindi ko muna siya kinausap. Naisip ko din kasi na kapag pumayag ako, for sure ipapakilala ako nito sa parents niya. And after that, they'll meet mine.

I'm thinking something selfish. And I hate to use him. Pero hindi ba't ganoon din naman ang gagawin niya sa akin?

If I agreed to let this whole fake thing that he's courting me, he'll benefit something. But what do I gain from it? My dad's attention, I guess? Baka ito na yung paraan na mapansin niya ako after all these years. Madali agad magkakasundo ang parents namin, lalo na si dad. Considering, my parents' businesses are one of the greatest.

While Simon's parents are temporary staying here, they have business in abroad that is also something that my parents would love to negotiate.

It's like hitting two birds in one shot.

"Pumapayag ako but...before we continue this. You must know that my dad is powerful. I don't think na makakatakas o makakawala din tayo sa sitwasyon na papasukan natin. This is a big risk, Simon." His expression was a bit confusing. Hindi ko alam kung relieved ba siya dahil pumayag ako or he's same as me. Already thinking ahead about what's going to happen.

"We'll work it out. Thank you, Celestine."

"No. Thank you." Ngumiti ako sa kaniya.

"What for? I'm the one who trapped you in this situation. And it looks like I'm the only one who's gaining something." His brows furrowed in worry.

"Can I do anything for you?" He asked.

"Please, Simon. Trust me, I'm also gaining something on this one."

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