SUZY'S POV
"Son! You've finally came and------" the elderly man instantly paused the moment he had take a close look at him.
"Liam, what happened to your face? Bakit ang daming kalmot ng mukha mo ngayon and your nose! Bakit may nakasuksok na bulak diyan ngayon sa ilong mo? May nangyari bang aksidente kanina nang papunta kayo rito?"
When his dad asked him with that incessant questions, I couldn't help but secretly smirked when Liam throw me a dirty glare beside him.
Pagkatapos ng nangyari kanina, inis na nitong pinagamot sa isa sa mga flight attendant niya ang mga kalmot at dumudugong ilong nito while he kept grumbling some incoherent words. Hindi ko nalang ito pinansin habang panay lang ang tingin ko sa labas ng bintana. Keep thinking back at my work and school na naiwan ko.
And it took us only a few more hours before we've landed here in the airport and I've finally met this old version of Liam.
"Wala, dad. I just happened to take a lioness with me inside my cabin at bigla-bigla nalang akong inatake at walang awang pinagkakalmot." Yamot nitong sagot sabay tanggal ng bulak mula sa ilong nito. Halatang pinaparinggan ako nito while he kept making a noise under his throat.
"Lioness?? Anong ibig mong sabihin, Liam? Bakit naman may hayop na makakasakay sa eroplano mo? Hindi man lang ba ininspect ng crew mo ang eroplano before flying?" Naguguluhang tanong ng matanda na walang ideya sa kung anong ibig sabihin ng anak nito.
"They have, dad. Just don't mind my poor face now at umalis nalang tayo. I still have meetings to attend later this afternoon----"
"No. Wait. Hindi mo pa naipapakilala sa'kin ang maganda at maliit na babaeng kasama mo ngayon."
Gusto ko sanang magreklamo sa 'maliit' na description nito sa'kin but I opted to just let it that way saka ngumiti na lamang rito which he quickly returned with a smile as well.
"Hello po. I'm Suzane Brigante by the way but you can just call me Suzy." Pakilala ko sa sarili ko sabay lahad ng kamay ko rito.
His intelligent eyes instantly glinted with warm as his smile broaden.
"Oh.. Suzane or Suzy..." He answered with awe sabay tanggap ng kamay ko.
"What a beautiful name for a young lady you are.. Kapangalan mo pa ang first crush ko noong elementary at kasing cute mo rin siya noon."
I couldn't help but smile at him when he complimented that with a playful wink in his eyes and a squeeze in my hand. And in just one look, I can tell na sing babaero rin ito Liam noong kabataan nito.
"By the way I am Wilfred Montero, this bastard's dad.." he introduced sabay turo sa nakasimangot na anak nito sa tabi ko.
"May I ask kung anong ginagawa mo kasama ang babaerong anak ko ngayon, Suzy? I don't think you're that type---"
"Tama na 'yan, dad. Ang tanda niyo na para magpacute sa parang apo niyo na. Mahiya naman kayo." He suddenly butted in sabay tampal sa kamay ng dad nito.
His father instantly groaned in protest while glaring at his way.
"Aba'y ako pa talaga ang mahihiya ngayon eh ikaw nga itong hindi makahanap-hanap ng babaeng seseryosohin mo at ihaharap sa'min ng mom mo! You better be prepared for your mom's ire later."
"Oh no.. as if I'm even scared of her. Just you wait till she'd see us."
"Oh yes. And just wait till you hear her two pages long list of potential wives na ipapakasal niya sa'yo."
When his dad countered that, hindi ko mapigilang matigilan dahil dun.
Potential wives? So her mother was planning to set him up for a marriage?
"Oh yes. As if magagawa niya kong ipakasal sa kahit sinong babae niya gusto. There's no way I'd even allow her that. Mabuti pang umalis na tayo rito so I can tell mom that you're flirting again.."
"You wouldn't dare, Liam! Talagang ipapahamak mo pa'ko sa mommy mo!"
"Oh yeah... talagang mapapahamak ka mamaya kapag hindi pa tayo umalis ngayon." He answered with a shrug before opening the car door at the backseat saka itinulak na ang dad nito papasok sa loob ng sasakyan, ignoring the protest glares his dad was throwing at him.
"I really wonder why I've got a son like you. Mas mabuti ngang hindi ka rito naglalagi dahil lagi mo akong pinapahamak sa mom mo. You know Viola could be violent kapag narinig man lang niya ang mga bagay na 'yon."
"Oh yes. I know that so well, dad. That's why she was named as 'Viola', short for 'violence' para maging katapat niyo." He stated in a matter-of-factly tone in his voice sabay sara ng pintuan sa gilid nito na siyang ikinasimangot pa lalo ng dad nito.
Ignoring his dad, hinila na niya ko agad sa kamay papunta sa kabilang pintuan sa likuran.
"Get in now. Mom's waiting for us at home."
When he commanded that, agad na'kong pumasok sa loob and sat beside his grumbling dad before he opened the door at the passenger seat at the front seats.
"Umalis na tayo, manong." Utos na nito sa driver na nasa tabi nito na agad namang tumalima.
Hindi ko alam kung ano talagang dahilan niya kung bakit niya ko sapilitang dinala rito but just hearing their spat with his dad just now, mukhang may ideya na'ko kung ano 'yon and I just hope na mali ang iniisip ko dahil mapapatay ko talaga ang gagong 'to sa harapan mismo ng parents nito.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The ride through his home took us only a few minutes on the road. The sun was starting to shine bright at the east side, completely melting the remaining snows outside.
At kahit na naiinis pa rin ako kay Liam dahil sa pagdala niya sa'kin rito, I couldn't help but be awed by these unfamiliar sceneries outside. Magnificent stone houses and establishments were outside with its unusual pointed roof styles habang may mga konting snows pa ang harapan ng mga ito. Most of the people walking outside were in their warm clothings, knitted beanie and shawls around their necks. It wasn't snowing right now pero medyo malamig pa rin ang temperatura ngayon. I only have Liam's jacket with me right now and I hope I could wear such warm clothings as well.
I just hope Liam would lend me something to wear later dahil kahit isang kusing, wala akong dala ngayon.
When our car pulled over to the side at sa harap ng isang two-storey house na gawa sa bato, I couldn't help but gape at it. It's exterior was a combination of gray, white and silver colors of stones that gives out a pretty warm vibes. At dahil wala ng bakas na snow sa harapan nito ngayon, I think they have hired someone to clear out all the snows here everyday.
"We're here. I bet your mom was so ticked off now dahil sa kakahintay sa'tin."
"Oh as if may magbabago pa dun." Liam answered sabay baba ng sasakyan.
Bumaba na rin ako kasabay ng dad nito sa tabi ko.
"Whatever my mom would ask you, sagutin mo lang siya lagi ng 'yes', Okay?"
I frowned at him when he suddenly whispered that beside me sabay hawak sa kamay ko saka hinila na'ko papasok ng bahay.
"Yes? And why would I do that? Eh pa'no kung tanungin ako ng mama mo na babae mo ba ko, alangan namang sabihin ko ring yes?? Gago ka ba?"
"Basta. Kahit ano pa 'yon, sagutin mo lang siya lagi ng yes."
When he whispered that with a tone like it was an order, mas tumindi pa lalo ang suspetsa ko na may binabalak nga ito kaya naman dinala niya 'ko rito.
And just the thought of the possibilities na ginagamit niya lang ako ngayon para lang hindi siya mapakasal ng tuluyan, I couldn't help but grit my teeth right now while glaring at his way in silence.
Balak mo pala akong gamitin huh.. pwes, malilintikan ka talaga sa'kin ngayon!
I quickly hid my knowing smirk when the moment the double door was being opened for us by the two maids in uniforms, a grey-haired woman in robe appeared in sight.
"Willy!!"
"Stop calling with that name, mom. I'm Liam now!"
When Liam grumbled that complain, the woman just raised her brow and just pointedly looked at her son habang papalapit na ito ngayon sa'min.
She was only wearing a gold color sleeping robe right now while her hair was pulled up in a loose bun atop her head. At kahit matanda na ito, bakas parin ang kagandahan nito noong kabataan nito. She was just a few inches taller than me and by how powerful was her aura, I think she have the upper hand of these guys in this family.
"Well, you will always be my Willy, honey kahit na mag-asawa kana't magkaanak. You will always be my Willy."
"Oh yeah, yeah... And speaking of mag-asawa.. I don't agree with you setting me up for marriage------"
He was cut off when his mom suddenly gasped out saka gulat ng hinawakan ang mukha niya.
"What happened to your face?? Bakit ang dami dami mo naman yatang kalmot??? And your nose----"
"Aw! Aw! Don't touch it, mom! Masakit pa 'yan!" Napapangiwing reklamo na nito when her mom suddenly touched his injured nose.
And seeing his reaction now, I have to bit the inside of my cheeks just to stop my laugh to escape.
"Ano bang nangyari sa'yo? Nakipag-away ka ba sa isang pusa kanina that's why you have this ugly claw marks and a bruised nose right now??"
"Just dont mind my bruises, mom. By the way about that marriage thing you've mentioned, gusto kong malaman mo na hindi mo nako kailangang ipakasal sa kahit kaninong babae. May nahanap na 'kong babae ngayon and she's here now."
At laking gulat ko na lamang nang bigla nalang niya kong hatakin sa kamay palapit sa kanya at paharap sa natitigilang mommy niya.
"Sabi mo humanap ako ng babaeng seseryosohin ko and here she is now. Siya ang nahanap ko na seseryosohin ko. She's Suzy. My girlfriend."
Hearing that ridiculous lies, my eyes widened in surprised.
"I am what???!"
When I exclaimed that, the bastard even dared to send me a shut up kind of look in his eyes.
The gall!
At dahil hindi ko gusto ang nangyayari ngayon, hinarap ko na agad ang mama nito na tahimik lang na nakamasid samin with her perfectly drawn brow arched up in question at us.
"I am not actually his woman, ma'am. Im just here dahil dinala niya lang ako rito nang hindi ko alam."
When I blurted that out, his dad suddenly burst out in laughter behind us. Causing his son to groan in annoyance while glaring at his father behind us.
"Shut up, dad!" Asik na niya rito before he glared down at me.
"Hindi ba sinabi ko na sa'yo kanina ang dapat mong gawin??"
"Na ano? To just say yes kahit ginagawa mokong babae mo sa harap ng pamilya mo? Oh no, Liam. You can't make me. Baka akala mo, hindi pa kita napapatawad sa ginawa mong pagdala sa'kin rito kahit ayaw ko! And now malalaman ko nalang na dinala mo lang pala ako rito dahil akala mo papayag akong magpanggap bilang babae mo?? "
"Well you can just have pretended na ikaw nga---"
"Enough with you two!"
Our mouth snapped shut when we've heard that firm order from her mom. I stayed silent but I didn't stop glaring at him in annoyance kahit na nandito pa'ko sa harapan ng parents niya.
"Liam, be prepared for tonight. May pupuntahan tayong birthday party mamaya. The Laurence family invited us to come and during the party, we're going to talk about your impending engagement with her daughter, Magi."
Hearing that sudden announcement, a surprised look flashed through his face. Well, kahit nga ako nagulat rin sa news na'yon, ito pa kaya?
"Mom!! Anong engagement 'yang pinagsasabi nyo??"
"As I'd said. Kailangan mo ng lumagay sa tahimik na buhay at bigyan kami ng apo."
"Eh di dapat sinabi niyo nalang sana sakin na mamatay na'ko kung lumagay sa tahimik na buhay lang naman pala ang gusto niyo!"
"Huh! I doubted if you'd even want that, Liam. Alam kong hinding-hindi mo gagawin 'yon because you're just too afraid to leave your dirty whoring life."
Just hearing that fact from her mom, halos magdabog na ito ngayon dahil sa inis while he kept cursing under his breath. And I felt like I wanted to laugh at his face now dahil wala na itong kawala sa mom nito.
Her mother just shrugged at him and with a straight face, her scrutinizing eyes shifted to me. I quickly hid my smile and straightened up.
"And about you young woman, talaga bang dinala ka rito ng gagong anak kong 'to para lang magpanggap sa harapan ko?"
"I..I actually don't know his reason why he'd brought me here without my knowledge, ma'am.." I inhaled a breath before I continued.
"At ngayong alam ko na ganito pala ang balak niyang gawin sakin, gusto ko na sanang umuwi ngayon dahil may mga trabaho pakong naiwan sa Pinas."
"Because youre planning to kill yourself by working too much. Kaya naman gusto mo ng umalis."
I glared at his way when he suddenly butted that in with sarcasms in his voice.
"I am not working to kill myself okay? May kailangan lang akong bayaran sa school and unfortunately, you can never understand that dahil hindi ka naman mahirap!"
"Oh yes! Hindi ngako mahirap pero kung tinanggap mo lang sana yong alok ko sayo, eh di sana hindi mo na kailangan pa ng tatlong trabaho just to pay your----"
"ENOUGH!!!"
When his mom shouted that to stop us, inis ko ng tiningnan ito ng matalim habang tiim ang mga bagang.
Gusto ko na talagang kagatin ito ngayon dahil sa kayabangan nito.
Na para bang marangal na trabaho ang inaalok nito sakin when it wasnt!
"Wilfredo, take Liam into his room now and Ill take this woman with me. Balak pa yata ng dalawang to na magpatayan sa harap ko mismo."
"As you wish, honey. Come on now, Liam." His dad complied sabay hatak na ng anak nito paakyat ng malaking hagdanan sa gitna ng bahay.
"And you, young lady."
I sent her an apologetic smile when she called me that.
"I'm---"
"I'm Viola Montero by the way and it was rude of you to forget about introducing yourself earlier."
When she'd blatantly uttered that, hindi ko mapigilang mapahiya rito.
"I apologized for that, maam. By the way Im Suzy po. Suzane Brigante. At kailangan niyo pong malaman na talagang kailangan ko na pong umuwi ngayon. Hindi ako nakapag-alam sa mga boss ko na bigla nalang akong mawawala-----"
"No. Hindi ka muna aalis rito."
I frowned when she suddenly cut that off.
"Anong hindi po? Mahalaga po sakin ang mga trabaho kong yon at tiyak matatanggal ako kapag hindi ako uuwi ngayon."
She just shrugged at that saka nagkibit ito ng balikat.
"Kahit ganun kagago ang anak kong yon, alam kong ginawan na niya ng paraan yang problema mo so you dont actually have to go home now. Ilang araw lang naman rito si Liam so I suggest na dito ka na muna at sumabay ka nalang sa kanya pag-uwi."
"Pero---"
"No buts, darling. Sa narinig kong sagutan niyo kanina ng anak ko, mukhang puro lang trabaho ang ginagawa mo sa Pinas so now that youre here, away from your stressful life there, bat hindi mo nalang isiping nagbabakasyon ka lang rito? This is your rare chance to enjoy life for a while."
I like that idea of hers. Pero hindi ko lang alam kung tama ba na magstay ako rito. Hindi ko pa masyadong kilala si Liam at lalo na tong parents niya. Kaya lang.
Her invitation right now was just too tempting to be refused.
"Listen, young lady. If youre thinking na magiging problema samin ang pag-stay mo rito, please erase that in your mind right now. It was my son who forced you to come here so it was just right na magstay ka rito." She explained na para bang nabasa nito ang iniisip ko.
And just hearing her now, napapabuntong-hininga na lamang ako.Well, hindi naman masama kung dito na muna ako. Being in an unfamiliar place right now, na walang ibang nakakakilala sayo, hindi ko mapigilang matuwa at maexcite.
"I can tell youre about to say yes now so okay, Ill show you to your room here then. Come now."
And before I could even complain, hinila na niya ako sa braso at paakyat sa parehong hagdanan na dinaanan ng asawat anak nito kanina.
Having nothing to do now, sumunod na lamang ako rito as she led me through the second floor and to the room at the left wing.
Okay. Gaya ng sabi niya, why not just think about this as a short vacation then. Minsan lang naman ito nangyayari so fine. Ill just try to enjoy this accidental vacation.
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
LIAMS POV
"Dad? Hindi ba pwedeng wag nakong pumunta sa party nayon? You know I dont want to marry yet and mom was forcing me to do it and I hate it!!!"
Dad just bloody shrugged at me habang nakaharap ito sa malaking salamin ngayon habang inaayos ang sarili nito na siyang ikinainis ko pa lalo.
Its already seven in the evening at kasalukuyan kaming nasa sarili kong kwarto ngayon while sitting at the edge of my bed, cursing my bloody fate and mom in my mind.
Gusto ko ng lumipad pauwi ng Pinas ngayon para lang makatakas sa usapang engagement na mangyayari mamaya but knowing that mom would just have my ass kapag ginawa ko yon and I still have matters to take care here, pinili ko nalang na magbihis ngayon.
If Suzy just pretended as my girlfriend earlier, edi sana hindi ko na kailangan pang pumunta sa party nayon! That darn woman!
Just the thought of her, mas lalo pang umigting ang inis na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Lalo nat hanggang ngayon medyo masakit pa rin ang ilong ko. Good thing nagawa namang takpan ng concealer ang mga kalmot sa mukha ko so I dont look like a mess right now.
"You know what, son. Alam mong ilang buwan nalang, youll be thirty years old at dahil tingin ng mom mo na wala ka talagang balak na magseryoso at mag-asawa, siya nalang mismo ang naghanap ng paraan para tumigil ka na sa pambababae mo."
I groaned in protest when he answered that, now combing his old gray hair on his head.
"Thirty? And so what if Ill be thirty soon? Katapusan na ba ng mundo kapag tumuntong nako sa edad nayon, dad? Im still enjoying my life being single---"
"And being a womanizer. Ganun ba, Liam? Nasisiyahan ka pang makipaglaro sa mga babae and youre mom was just worried about you. Dapat mong malaman na hindi naman masama ang mag-asawa, Liam.'
"Ah kaya naman pala halos itakwil mo na sina lolat lolo noon nang ipakasal nila kayo kay mom dahil matatapos na ang pambababae mo, ganun ba dad?"
Agad na tumigil ito sa ginagawa nito saka matalim nakong tiningnan sa salamin.
"Well that was before, William! Wag mong ibalik sakin yong usapan ngayon. Hindi ko pa alam noon na maganda at malatigre pala ang mommy mo so shut up now. Wala ka ng magagawa ngayon kundi sundin ang mom mo before shed throw you in the pit of the hell herself. You know she can do that, right?"
When he reminded me with what my mom was capable of doing, mas lalo pakong naiinis ngayon.
Well, kung hindi ko man mapipigilan si mom sa balak niyang gawin sakin then I guess wala nakong ibang choice ngayon kundi kumbinsihin nalang ang Magi Laurence nayon.
"At malay mo rin, baka yong Magi Laurence na pala ang babaeng para sayo and you just have to know that once you've meet her tonight."
Hindi nako umimik when he added that. Babae para sakin? Huh! Tignan lang natin. Malay natin, I can even get our advance honeymoon tonight.
"Oh yeah. By the way, about Suzy.."
I groaned when he suddenly brought her up in this talk habang inaayos naman nito ang tie nito ngayon.
"What about her?"
"Mukha kayong aso't pusa kanina so I'm wondering kung bakit siya ang dinala mo rito."
Hearing that, di ko mapigilang mapabuga na lamang ng hininga.
"I just thought she'd agree to pretend as my woman, dad kapag dadalhin ko siya rito----"
"Kidnapin. I think that's the right term, son."
I scowled when he pointed that out.
"Whatever. Basta dinala ko siya rito in a hope that she'd save me from mom but no. Hindi 'yon nangyari at ngayon, kailangan kong pumunta sa party na'to ngayon to meet my future bride.. What a blessing!" Sarkastikong sagot ko na rito sabay higa sa kama ko.
I heard him let out a loud sigh saka ito nagsalita.
"You can't blame her with that, Liam. Pinilit mo siyang dalhin rito kahit hindi naman niya gusto so it was understandable na hindi nangyari ang gusto mong mangyari kanina.."
I didn't answered and just glared at the chandelier at the ceiling. Quite aggravated with what was happening right now.
"Liam? Wilfredo? Bumaba na kayo ngayon din dahil baka mahuli pa tayo ngayon sa party. The Laurence were probably waiting for us now."
I let out a disapproval groan when I heard moms loud voice downstairs.
"Let's go now, son."
When dad said that, tumayo nako agad saka sumunod rito palabas ng silid kong yon. Now determined to have a sweet night with Magi Laurence later.
"Oh You look gorgeous, William Montero. Im certain Magi would definitely like you kapag nakita ka niya mamaya."
I just rolled my eyes at that as I walked towards her way with pocketed hands. Wala akong ganang makipagplastikan dito ngayon.
"Lets go now, mom. Im sure my fucking future wife was already waiting for us now." Aya ko na sa kanya with my exhausted voice saka nauna ng nagtungo sa pintuan. Wanted to be done with all of this bullshit.
"Oh yeah. Mauna na kayo sa labas. Tatawagin ko na muna si Suzy ngayon."
I just shrugged at it saka tuluyan ng lumabas sa pintuan.
Hindi ko pa napapatawad ang babaeng yon dahil sa ginawa niya kanina.
"Oh.. You look lovely in that dress, Suzy.."
My steps halted when I heard dad complimented that.
Lovely?
Curious to know kung anong ibig sabihin nito, lumapit na'ko uli sa may pintuan. I peeked through the door and I groaned when dad was blocking her view.
"Thank you po. Ayoko na sanang sumama sainyo pero pinilit po kasi ako ng asawa niyo."
"Oh no. Mabuti naman pala at pinilit ka niya because Im certain men would definitely be glad to see you tonight."
When dad joked that, napapailing na lamang ako rito.
Men? As if----
I suddenly stopped with my thoughts when dad suddenly stepped away from her view and revealing her smiling face to me. Her who was wearing a nude off-shoulder fitted dress with her hair...
I straightened up on my feet when for the first time, nakita ko na sa wakas na nakalugay ang mahabang buhok nito.
Oh no. This woman must be very desperate now to catch men's attentions...
"Umalis na tayo ngayon. Mamaya na kayo mag-usap diyan."
When mom ushered them to my direction, dali-dali nakong umalis sa likuran ng pintuan and then ran to the waiting car at the front yard saka sumandal na sa sasakyan bago pa man makalabas ang mga ito.
"Drive the car now, Liam. Hindi maganda ang pakiramdam ni manong Armand ngayon so you do the driving tonight."
When mom ordered that, I just nodded at that before I opened the car door at the backseat for mom while throwing her a glare especially her shoulder na hindi man lang tinakpan ngayon.
At sa lahat ba naman ng damit na isusuot nito, she really chose to wear this over-fitted dress!