Chapter 11

ROTTEN

Peter left after dinner. He got a call that he was needed at home so even if he didn't want to leave, I told him to go and do what he needs to do.

While waiting for him to call me, I thought of having another holiday with him. Maybe if we spend more time together, I would be able to forget everything that happened and we could go back to normal.

I woke up from my fiancé's husky voice early in the morning. I wished him a happy birthday with a promise to see him in their party tonight. He wanted to spend his whole day with me but I reminded him about my parents arrival. Kaya wala siyang nagawa kundi maghintay na lang para sa party nila.

Sobrang excited ko nang makita sina Mommy and Daddy! Pati na rin si Kuya. It had been a while since the last time I saw them.

I ran towards my parents when I saw them approaching. They had big smile and opened arms. I jumped on my Daddy's arms. Then my mommy and lastly si Kuya na parang mas tumangkad pa ata at mas lumaki ang katawan! Same size na talaga sila ni Peter at Kuya Lindsey nang katawan.

I told them about my school and my holiday trip with Peter. Kuya had his eyebrows furrowed when I told him about Penelope.

He couldn't remember her at all! When we arrived back home, we had lunch and stayed outside our garden.

Kuya went inside to take a call at bumalik para nagpaalam na may pupuntahan lang. i just nooded because he looked agitated. Maybe it was important. Buong maghapon kaming magkasamang tatlo nina mommy. Sobra ko silang namiss so I stayed with them until Kuya came back in the afternoon to get ready for the party.

Mommy gave me a backless carnation pink dress. Then I accessorized it with a diamond backdrop necklace then a simple winged eyeliner and nude lipstick.

I smiled happily when I saw the result in the mirror. I looked matured tonight. It was just right for my fiancé.

Peter called me wanting to fetch me but I declined. Hanggat maaari ay gusto ko munang sumiksik sa parents ko dahil aalis na naman sila two days after the twins' birthday party.

I went with my parents to the Allison's residence and was greeted by Tita and Tito warmly.

Then in a slow motion, I saw Peter dashing and sexy on his three piece black suit and black leather shoes. My heart beat so fast when he approached me and kissed me on my cheek. I embraced him and greeted him again then handed him my gift. I did the same to Kuya Lindsey.

We all went to the lawn after a while.

Naramdaman kong may nakatingin sa amin so I looked around. Kung hindi lang siguro ako inaalalayan ni Peter ay baka nadapa na ako!

Penelope was wearing a black longsleeves fitted dress. Red lipsticks and fully made up face. She was looking sharply at me and shooting daggers. She was clinging to some old man that looked like her date. She looked expensive.

I tried to calm my heart. I felt uncomfortable that she's around. Paano pa kaya kung biglang sumulpot ung isa pa? Napahinga ako ng malalim.

Peter pulled me away from the crowd and made me sit on the couch near the poolside. Walang masyadong tao and it was a bit dim.

"Love, I badly want to kiss and touch you."he said then dipped his head. He kissed me hard like there's no tomorrow. Napakapit lang ako sa batok niya and kissed him back hungrily too.

I missed him as much as he missed me. When I pulled away from him, his lips landed on my cheek and I felt him smile. Napangiti na rin ako.

"It's time love."he whispered then knelt on his knee. And pulled out a small box. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. When he opened it. It was a big square cut diamond. Hindi ko alam ang gagawin. Ito na ba yong hinihintay ko?

Biglang nanlabo ang mga mata ko at humikbi. I held my bangle tightly.

"Love, I can't promise to be a perfect husband to you but I'm willing to learn.. I can't promise not to make you cry but I promise to kiss your tears away when that time comes. Will you accept my name and spend the rest of your life with me?" He said huskily. Napatango agad ako ng mabilisan. He put his ring on my finger then stood up to hug me tight. Napayakap din ako sa kanya at humalik sa mga labi niya ng kumalas siya sa akin.

Finally.. I would be his wife. In four years..

After Peter's proposal, we walked back to the crowd and saw Kuya Lindsey alone so nagpaalam ako kay Peter who was busy talking to an old businessman. He wanted to come with me pero itinuro ko lang si Kuya Lindsey. Hesitantly, he let my hand go.

"Kuya Lindsey!" I shrieked then hugged him by the arm. Natigilan ako ng makita ko siyang malungkot at tahimik.

"Happy birthday po ulit!" I greeted him then squeezed his arm. He looked at my hand and I bit my lip when the diamond glimmered under the lights.

"So he proposed.." he said quietly.

Napabitaw ako sa braso niya at inilagay sa likod ko ang mga kamay ko.

"Kuya, you should be happy! Birthday mo eh!" I said. Then looked at him worriedly.

He sighed then looked away.

"May problema po?" Kinakabahang tanong ko.

"None." Hindi talaga ako sanay na seryoso si Kuya Lindsey.

Nanahimik na lang ako at pinanood siya.

Then Peter came and pulled me closer to him. I looked at the men alternately. They were so serious and it seemed like they were talking using their eyes.

I furrowed my eyebrows. Biglang naguluhan. Then Peter nodded and pulled me back on our table.

I was laughing at what Peter said when a glass shattered on the concrete floor near the glass doors. Napatingin ang lahat and soon enough my body went rigid.

Sheena was confidently walking towards us with head held high.

Peter stood up instantly and met Sheena halfway.

She tiptoed and kissed Peter on his lips but she missed because Peter cocked his head to the side to avoid it. People started to whisper. It was still a big news seeing them together. Again.

Napahawak ako sa bangle ko at dahan dahang tumayo. Para puntahan sila. They were talking. Sheena looked around and laughed sexily. She pulled Peter and embraced him. She whispered something to him. Then winked.

Napahinga ako ng maraming beses. Ang sakit makita na hindi man lang gumawa ng paraan si Peter para makalayo sa yakap nung babae.

Pakiramdam ko basag basag na ang puso ko.

Then finally, Peter pulled Sheena away from the crowd.

Sheena just winked at us then waved slowly. Then pulled Peter's arm and walked with him.

Naiwan ako sa gitna at dahan dahan akong lumakad palayo to clear my head. I felt someone behind me but I didn't bother to check who it was.

What Peter did was the best idea. Dahil hindi magandang pagpiyestahan sila ng mga tao while talking. It should be done privately. Hindi ko nga lang alam kung ano ang dapat pa nilang pag usapan. Peter should have set the real score between them kasi he already propose to me even before.

"I knew she'll come and ruin our party." Napalingon agad ako sa nagsalita. It was Kuya Lindsey looking gravely at me.

"I can't understand anything.." i honestly answered.

"If you can only choose me Princess.." he said then sighed. Napalunok ako ng tumingin siya ng diretso sa mga mata ko. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko.

"But you set your eyes on him so I couldn't do anything but to give up the fight." Dumagundong ang puso ko. I could feel his sufferings. Paanong hindi ko naramdaman ito?

"K-kuya.." i tried to come up with something but my tongue couldn't move.

"I understand. He's my brother so I'm happy for the both of you." We walked quietly then decided to go back to the party.

"Just trust him Princess."he said then kissed me on my head before walking away.

Napasunod na lang ako ng tingin sa papalayo niyang bulto.

The party started without Peter. It wasn't only the birthday party that they were celebrating but also to thank my family for helping their company and our unending support. I found out that my father bought shares from their company as well. My father gave a speech thanking the Allison's. Then I felt Peter's presence beside me.

"Sorry love. I had to leave because she'll create a scene." He said anxiously while looking at me. Napatango lang ako kahit masakit ang loob ko.

I felt something is not right. It was nagging me after I saw Sheena tonight but I kept quiet. When they called Peter for his speech, he stood up and tried to pull me but I shook my head.

So wala siyang nagawa kundi magpunta sa harapan ng mag isa. I knew what he was thinking. But I didn't feel like telling everyone about our engagement after they saw him with another woman. It would be shameful for my part.

And I think naramdaman ni Peter ang hesitation ko kaya hindi na ako pinilit.

We clapped after his speech and everyone flocked to talk to him.

The dinner was served and I still couldn't relax. I felt like throwing up so I stood up and went to the bathroom. Peter was with his parents and Kuya Lindsey on the presidential table.

When I threw everything up, I went out and saw Penelope looking at me maliciously.

"So.. the princess is pregnant?" She said.

Napatigil ako sa akmang paghuhugas ng kamay.

I kept my silence then continued.

"Makati ka ring bata noh? Ilang taon ka pa lang? Fourteen? Pero nagpapagamit kana. Iba na talaga ang mga kabataan ngayon." She said.

"Sinadya mo pang magpabuntis para matali mo si Peter sayo? Amazing.."

"If you don't have any good thing to say, just leave me alone." I said coldly.

She laughed hysterically.

"Have you seen his new toy? Sheena Zuñiga.. she's well endowed like me. Peter likes his women sexy with big boobs and a screamer in bed." She laughed like crazy.

Napakagat labi nalang ako para pigilan ang sarili kong magsalita. The more I talk to her, the more she'll talk back.

"What about the news that your father paid the Allison to marry you? You're spoilt rotten Princess." I stared at her wide eyes.

"What do you mean?" I demanded.

She laughed again then sneered at me.

"Wag kang mag maang maangan because I know a spoiled rich girl when I see one. You like to get what you want so when your father knew about your undying love for Peter, he helped them when they declared bankruptcy and now, isa na kayo sa major investor ng company nila. In exchange of marrying you off to Peter. End of story.."

Napahingal ako sa mga pinagsasabi niya. Nanginginig ang mga kamay na napahawak sa sink.

"You're lying! My daddy will never do that! Im not desperate like you Penelope! Mahiya ka!" I screamed.

She laughed again her eyes couldn't focus. Then I realized she's drunk.

"I don't believe you. Leave me alone!" I shouted then ran away from her. I heard her laugh. Her voice echoing inside my head.

When I got back from the toilet, Peter was nowhere to be found. With my heart beating so loud I went inside the big mansion to talk to him. I wanted so bad to ask him about my father. Ayokong maniwala but I couldn't help it. I wouldn't let him marry me just because they owed my family some money. Thats not how it should be. I would never buy my husband.

My tears flowed continuously when I almost check all the rooms but I couldn't find him. The only room that's left was the library and his room..

It couldn't be.. I ran to his room and I nearly fell on my knees when I heard a female voice and his..

"I'll pay your family's debt with the Monteverde but in exchange of marrying me Leo.." she offered sexily.

Napahikbi ako. So totoo nga. Kaya ba lahat ng gusto ko ginagawa nya. Kaya ba sobra siyang patient at ang bukambibig niya ay ang pagpapakasal namin?

I remembered that he never told me that he loves me.. it was all because he was told what to do. It must be very painful for him to be tied up to a spoiled rotten kid like me.

My shoulders shook uncontrollably. Realization hit me hard.

"You didn't love her. You told me that two nights ago. When we spent the whole night together. Just cancel your engagement and I'll pay your debt."

"Stop this non sense. Leave me alone. I don't want Loveria to see us." Napatakip ako sa bibig ko. Ang sakit na hindi man lang niya itinanggi ang mga sinasabi ng babae nya.

"So ako ang gagawin mong kept woman mo? I'm better than her! Ni wala pa ngang maipagmamalaking katawan! You enjoyed my body admit it. You even came in between my breast." Nanginginig na isinara ko nang dahan dahan ang pinto niya.

That was enough proof. It was too much.

From now on, he could do whatever he wants. Fuck all the women he likes. He's free. For him, even if it's killing me.. I'm setting him free.

I removed his ring on my finger. Gusto kong matawa dahil parang hindi para sa akin ang singsing because it just easily slipped off my finger. It was bigger than my size...

How could my most awaited engagement became a nightmare for me? How could he hurt me like this? He should have just refused the moment his parents told him to court me.

Dapat hinayaan nya nalang ako.. para hindi ako nasasaktan ngayon..

I sobbed painfully then left his ring outside his door.

I hoped he'll be happy from now on. Dahil kung hindi nya magawang ipaglaban ang kaligayahan niya, I would do it for him.

Tutal ako naman ang puno't dulo nang lahat.

I dried my tears and some took deep calming breaths.

Now I'm ready to talk to my parent..