CHAPTER 3

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Chapter 3: New Life 3 years later... "ELISE handa ka na ba?" nakangiting tanong ni Noah sa dalaga. Marahan namang ngumiti at tumango si Elise sa matanda. "Sir Noah, handa na po ako. Ilang taon na rin po akong naghihintay at gusto ko na pong masimulan ang mga plano ko." seryosong tugon naman ni Elise sa lalaki. Tatlong taon na rin kasi ang nakalipas matapos matagpuan at tulungan ni Noah si Elise. At gaya ng ipinangako ng matandang lalaki sa dalaga ay tinulungan nga niya ito. Ilang milyon din ang winaldas ni Noah para lang mapagtagumpayan nito ang plastic surgery ni Elise na pinangako niya para lang baguhin ang dating anyo nito. Hindi naman naging mahirap para kay Noah ang gumasta ng pera dahil mabilis niya lang na maibabalik ang perang nawala sa kanya. Bukod sa isa siyang tanyag na plastic surgeon ay pinanganak na talaga siyang may golden spoon sa bibig. Sobra kasing awa ang naramdaman ni Noah para kay Elise ng una niya itong makilala dahil alam ng matanda na hindi naging madali ang pinagdaanan ng babae kaya't ganun na lang niya ito kagusto na tulungan. At dahil buong katauhan ni Elise ang kailangang baguhin ni Noah ay matagal din ang naging proseso ng pagpapagaling ng dalaga. May pagkakataon pa nga na muntik ng pumalpak ang operasyon ni Noah rito pero dahil mukhang desidido si Elise na mabuhay ay nalampasan nito ang bingit ng kamatayan sa operasyon ni Noah. At ngayong magaling at naka-recover nang tuluyan si Elise ay balak na ni Noah na simulan ang plano ng dalaga. Gusto kasi ni Elise na hanapin ang mga may pananagutan sa kanya para makapaghiganti sa mga ito. Alam ng matandang lalaki na hindi tama ang maghiganti sa kapwa ngunit ng dahil sa nasaksihan ni Noah ay mas gugustuhin niya pang tulungan ang dalaga dahil hindi naging madali para sa babae ang nangyari sa kanya. Kung ipapalagay ni Noah ang sarili kay Elise ay maiintindihan niyang mabuti kung bakit ganun na lang nito kagusto na makapaghiganti sa mga nagtangkang pumatay sa kanya. Tumango naman ang matandang lalaki saka ngumiti sa dalaga. Pagkatapos nun ay huminga ito nang malalim bago nagsalita. "Sige, ganito ah. Itong hawak kong papeles ay ang bagong pagkakakilanlan mo. Mula sa araw na ito ay patay si Elise Garcia at ang papalit na sa katauhan mo bilang Elise ay si Eurydice Castillo." paliwag ni Noah sa kanya. Mabilis namang kumunot ang noo ng dalaga. "Castillo? Eurydice Castillo?" di makapaniwalang tanong ni Elise. Tumango naman nang marahan si Noah saka ngumiti. "Oo, hija. Ikaw na si Eurydice Castillo known as Aether's wife." "Huh? Sino pong Aether ang tinutukoy n'yo? Saka paano po ako nagkaroon ng asawa kung hindi naman ako naikasal?" naguguluhang tanong ng dalaga. "Aether is my one and only son. He's a business tycoon. He owns a well-known entertainment agencies." Noah explained. "K-kung anak n'yo po siya, paano ko naman siya naging asawa? Sa pagkakatanda ko 'ho ay wala akong pinakasalan," naguguluhang sabi naman ni Elise. "Hija you don't have to think about that. I have money and connections so it's easy for me to make it work." Noah explained. Huminga naman nang malalim si Elise. Kahit na naguguluhan ay pinili na lamang niyang maniwala sa matanda. "Kung ganun, alam ba ng anak n'yo na ginamit n'yo siya para lang matuloy ang pinaplano natin?" seryosong tanong naman ng dalaga. Umiling naman si Noah. "Hindi mo na kailangang problemahin iyon, hija. Ang kailangan mo lang naman gawin ay umuwi sa mansyon niya para maipakilala kita. Sa una, alam kong hindi magiging madali ang lahat para sa'yo dahil baka hindi matanggap ni Aether ang ginawa ko. But believe me, after you win my son's heart, it will be easy for us to make our plans. Another thing is that you need his help to succeed in the revenge you want to achieve." In the end, Elise chose to remain silent and listen to what Noah said. She knows that the old man has no other bad intentions than to help her facilitate her plans. Another thing is that the woman also thought that if the old man had a good heart, she was sure that his son would have the same. After the discussion between the two, they decided to finish Elise's preparation. Today is also the day that Elise will finally be able to leave the hospital after she has been living in the hospital for three years as she recovers from the surgery that Noah performed on her. Nang matapos ng asikasuhin ni Noah ang mga kailangan asikasuhin para makalabas na nang tuluyan si Elise ng hospital ay sabay naman silang naglakad palabas ng hospital. Mabilis lang na naglakad ang dalawa patungo sa parking lot para puntahan ang nakaparadang sasakyan ni Noah. Pagkarating nila sa tapat ng sasakyan ng matanda ay mabilis naman nitong pinagbuksan ng pintuan si Elise. Ngumiti naman ang dilag ng mapagbuksan siya ng pintuan ni Noah bago tuluyang sumakay papasok sa loob ng sasakyan. Pagkatapos nun ay agad din namang sunod na sumakay si Noah para magsimulang paandarin ang kanyang sasakyan. Hindi naman nabilang ni Elise kung ilang oras ang binyahe nila bago sila makarating sa harap ng mansyon ng anak ng matanda. Namalayan na lamang ni Elise na nakatayo sila sa tapat ng mansyon. Mabilis lang na pinindot ni Noah ang doorbell sa may gate at wala pang ilang sandali ay pinagbuksan na sila ng isa sa mga katulong ng anak ni Noah. Sumunod lamang si Elise sa matanda ng pumasok ito sa loob ng mansyon at habang naglalakad papasok ay hindi maiwasang mamangha ni Elise sa mga nakikita dahil sa sobrang laki ng mansyon at hindi lamang iyon, napakaganda rin ng mga display sa loob ng mansyon at aakalain mong nasa loob sila ng isang palasyo dahil sa lawak at laki nito. "Sir Noah, are you sure your son lives here? Why does it look like we are in a palace? Also, isn't this mansion too big for one person?" Elise couldn't stop asking. The girl did not expect the old man's soft laugh at what she said. It seemed as if he was amused by what she asked, so the old man took a while before he answered her question. "Hija, I guess I didn't tell you that our family has been really rich since the beginning. Also, apart from my family's wealth, my son has his own wealth due to being a business tycoon. You can say that my son is a billionaire, that's why he lives in this kind of mansion. Also, this mansion is not big enough for one person. Maybe you have forgotten that from this day you will be living here too." the old man said with a smile. Agad namang napanganga si Elise sa tinuran nito dahil hindi niya iyon lubos na inaasahan. Ang akala lang kasi niya ay ipapakilala lamang siya ng matanda sa anak nito. Bago pa makapagsalitang muli si Elise ay agad namang may sumalubong sa kanilang lalaki. He was a tall white man with a perfect male body. In addition to that, you can immediately see from the type of his clothing that he is indeed a billionaire because of the expensive clothes he is wearing. Elise used to be rich as well, so she has an idea of ​​how expensive the current man's clothes are, and even before Noah's son had approached them completely, the young woman could immediately smell his strong scent that did not hurt her nose. In addition to that, Elise sight didn't miss the man's broad shoulders and his muscular chest and arms that were showing in the long sleeves polo he was wearing, reason for the woman to swallow slowly and then slightly look away. "Dad, what are you doing here? Why didn't you even message me that you were coming? You probably know how busy I am right now, right? So if you need to tell me something, say it while I'm here because I still have a meeting to attend." Noah's son said seriously as soon as he stopped in front of them. And even though he was surprised, Aether didn't try to ask his father who his companion was. When Aether looked at the girl who wasn't looking at him, he saw a woman with a beautiful body and a gentle face. And when Aether's eyes stopped at the girl's cleavage, he immediately coughed as he realized how blessed the woman's body was. Aether shook his head violently before finally turning his attention to his father. "Aether, Son. Didn't you even miss me? We haven't seen each other for three years! Won't you at least say hello to me first?" Noah said to his son pretending to be sulking. Napailing na lamang si Aether sa sinabi ng kanyang ama. Kahit kailan talaga ay wala pa rin itong pinagbago. Tila bata pa rin kung mag-isip ang kanyang ama, kaya naman palihim na napangisi si Aether. Kahit kasi matagal ng wala ang ina niya ay hindi naging malungkot ang buhay ni Aether dahil hindi naman siya pinabayaan ng kanyang ama kaya naman ganito na lang din naging ka-successful ang naging buhay niya. "Dad, that's enough nonsense. Just tell me what you need so I can leave," Aether said seriously. Aether's father laughed softly before he patted him on the arm. "Aether, I can never make fun of you no matter what I do." Noah said shaking his head while grinning. "Just tell me dad what you need so I can leave." Aether asked his father calmly. Napalingon pa saglit si Noah sa katabi niyang si Elise bago muling bumaling sa anak niyang lalaki. Pagkahinga niya nang malalim ay agad niyang tinitigan ang kanyang anak. "I haven't even mentioned this woman to you yet. I want you to meet Eurydice, your wife. And I want her to live here in the mansion with you from this day on." Noah seriously explained to his son. Aether's jaw immediately dropped because he couldn't believe what he heard and it seemed as if the man was deaf to what his father said. "Huh? Wait a minute dad... Did I hear correctly that this woman in front of me now that you introduced to me is my wife?" Aether asked in shock and disbelief. Hindi naman malaman ni Elise kung paano magre-react ng mapansin niyang tinabunan siya ng tingin ng lalaki. Para kasing tutunawin siya nito sa klase ng pagtitig nito sa kanya. Kaya naman bago pa makaramdam ng pagkailang si Elise ay mabilis na tumikhim ang matandang lalaki para kunin ang atensyon ng anak niyang lalaki. "You heard right, son. Eurydice is really your wife. I know it's my fault why you didn't find out right away that you're married because I didn't mention to you that the papers I gave you before were a marriage contract." Noah explained. And when because of what Aether's father said, his eyes widened even more in shock and could not believe what he heard. The man scratched his forehead because his brain could not accept what his father said. Aether didn't think that his father would be able to trick him just to carry out his plan to get him married to the girl. "What the hell, dad? Why did you do that to me?! You know very well that I have no intention of getting married because that thing has not crossed my mind yet! And I know, that you also know that what I hate most of all is being cheated on!" Aether shouted in frustration. At dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Aether ay parehong natahimik si Noah at Elise. Parehong hindi alam ng dalawa ang gagawin para mapakalma ang lalaking nasa harap nila na nagpupuyos sa galit. Elise gently bit her bottom lip. Now she had an idea of ​​how she and Aether got married. The paper that the old man gave her that she signed at the hospital before was the marriage contract between her and Aether. "Aether, son. I didn't have any bad intentions in what I did. I just want you to settle down. Also, Eurydice needs you because she desperately needs your help." Noah calmly said to his son. "And how can I help her, dad, huh? How many times have you tried to arrange me with women you've met? Haven't you done it many times? And even though I refused so many times when you wanted me to get married, you never listened to me! Have you become so desperate now, dad, so I can marry the girl you want, so you tried to trick me? And how sure are you that the women you introduced—the woman you married me to—are not after my money or my wealth?" Aether said defiantly to his father. Hindi naman nakatakas sa pandinig ni Elise ang sinabing iyon ni Aether. Sa katunayan ay para ring tinamaan si Elise sa sinabi ng lalaki dahil may katotohanan nga naman iyon. Dahil ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit itinali sa kanya ni Noah ang anak nito dahil para matulungan siya nitong magawa ang mga plano niya sa kanyang paghihiganti. Maswerte na nga siya dahil nagawa siyang iligtas at tulungan ni Noah ng matagpuan siya nito. Iyon lang sana ay sapat na para kay Elise kung hindi niya lang naisipang maghiganti sa mga nanakit sa kanya. "Son, what are you talking about?! Do you think I'm going to tie you to a woman who only wants your money? Of course not! I'm not doing this to ruin your life! I just want to make things better for you! And this woman you're talking about, Eurydice, your wife, has no bad intentions towards you because I know her and she's a good person!" Noah said firmly to his son. Nang dahil sa sinabing iyon ni Noah ay masamang mga tingin ang ginawad ni Aether sa matanda. Inis at galit kasi ang nararamdaman ng binata ng mga sandaling iyon dahil alam ng lalaki na kahit anong gawin niyang pakikipagtalo sa kanyang ama ay hindi siya mananalo rito. Gagawin at gagawin pa rin kasi ng ama niya ang gusto nito hanggang siya na lang ang kusang sumuko rito. Malalim na buntong-hininga na lamang ang pinakawalan ni Aether bago muling sinulyapan ang babaeng pinangangalandakan ng ama niya na asawa niya raw kuno. Agad namang napansin ni Elise ang nakakapasong tingin ng lalaki kaya agad siyang napaiwas ng tingin saka humingang malalim nang palihim. Pagkatapos nun ay muli siyang nakipagsukatan ng tingin sa lalaki bago taas noong nagsimulang magsalita. "Your father was right. I'm not after your money. In fact, I didn't know that I was married to you. Also, all I want is to fulfill Sir Noah's wishes because I owe him a lot. It's not just a debt of gratitude because even my life is owed to him, so please don't think that his intentions are bad." Elise calmly explained to the man. Mabilis namang kumunot ang noo ni Aether ng marinig niyang magsalita ang babae. Hindi kasi niya inaasahan na ipagtatanggol ng babae ang kanyang ama. At base sa pananalita ng dalaga ay mukhang hindi naman ito nagsisinungaling. Ngunit hindi pa rin naging kumbinsido si Aether sa sinabi ng dilag. Mayroon pa rin kasi siyang sama nang loob sa ama niya dahil sa mga desisyon na ginawa nito sa buhay niya. "If that's the case, what do you want from me and why do you need my help? Maybe it's not a difficult question for me to ask you, right?" Aether asked the girl challengingly. Bahagya namang napangiti si Elise sa tanong ng lalaki. Hindi dahil madaling sagutin ang tanong nito, kundi dahil walang ideya si Elise kung ano ba ang dapat niyang isagot sa lalaki. Kaya bago pa man makasagot ang dalaga ay mabilis ng sumingit si Noah sa usapan ng dalawa. "It doesn't matter what the reason is and why Eurydice needs your help, son. It's too personal and you shouldn't bother her about that if Eurydice doesn't want to talk about it. Just let it go, son. I promise you that what I did will not harm you. All I want is for the two of you to get along as a couple from this day forward." the old man said seriously to his son. Napapikit na lamang nang mariin si Aether at saka muling napahilot sa kanyang sintido bago nagpasiyang sumuko na lang sa diskusyon nila. Alam kasi niyang wala namang mapupuntahan ang usapan nila dahil hindi naman magpapatalo sa kanya ang kanyang ama. "Fine! Whatever, dad. Do what you want, after all you won't listen to my complaints. You'll still do what you want so I'll just let you do what you want. Just make sure this girl won't bother me in my daily life because I wouldn't hesitate to file divorce papers if I didn't like her." Aether said completely giving up. "Maraming salamat kung ganun. Ipapadala ko na lang ang ibang gamit ni Eurydice mamaya. Ipaghanda mo na muna si Eurydice ng kwartong tutuluyan niya," sabi naman ng ama ni Aether. Saglit namang natahimik ang lalaki aaka matamang tinitigan si Eurydice bago muling binalingan nito ang kanyang ama. "There is no need. After all, you told me that he is my wife, he can sleep in my room. Apart from the fact that my room is big, I only sleep in my room once, so we won't sleep together in my room either," Agad namang nanlaki ang mga mata ni Elise sa sinabi ng lalaki dahil hindi niya inaasahan ang sagot ng lalaki sa ama nito. Tila hindi malaking bagay ang pagpapatulog nito sa kanya sa silid nito. "Are you sure you're okay with me sleeping in your room? I thought you didn't like me?" Elise asked the man in confusion. Elise saw the man's smirk then he gently shook his head before looking at her seriously. "When did I say that I don't like you? As far as I know, I just told dad that I don't want to marry the girls he arranged with me. And I also said earlier that I will file for divorce if I don't like you but I didn't said that I don't like you as a person. I haven't gotten to know you well yet so I don't have the right to judge you right away." he explained. Marahang napakagat na lamang si Elise sa kanyang pang-ibabang labi dahil sa kahihiyang naramdaman niya. Masyado niya kasing pinangunahan ang lalaki. Inisip niya kaagad na ayaw sa kanya nito kaya hindi niya napigilan ang sariling sabihin iyon sa lalaki. Lumunok pa ng ilang beses si Elise bago muling binalingan ang lalaki. "In that case, thank you very much for accepting me and for letting me live in your house. I will promise that I will not interfere in your life because it is enough for me that you let me live here in your mansion. But I hope you will help me when I needed your help because besides that, I don't need anything else from you," Elise said in a long line. Tumango na lamang si Aether bilang tugon sa dalaga bago nito tinawag ang isa sa mga katulong niya na nanonood lang sa kanila sa isang tabi. "Please just take this girl to my room. Help her arrange her things so that when I come home later, my room will be tidy again. And if she needs or asks for anything from you, give it to her and when she orders you, just follow her, is that clear?" the man instructed his maid. Mabilis pa sa alas-kwatrong tumango ang katulong ng lalaki bago tuluyang lumapit kay Elise. "Ma'am, sunod po kayo sa akin, ihahatid ko na po kayo sa silid ni Señorito," Napasulyap na lang si Elise sa matandang lalaki bago siya nito nginitian at saka sinenyasan na sumunod sa katulong ni Aether. "Just go hija, don't worry about me. I'll just talk to my son and after that I'll leave. Just call or message me if you need anything from me. For now I want you to rest and be able to relax first," Noah said smiling to Elise. Tumango na lamang si Elise bago nagpasiyang sumunod sa katulong ni Aether pa-akyat sa silid nito. At kahit na kinakabahan ay pinilit niyang pakalmahin ang sarili dahil mula sa araw na iyon ay magsisimula ng magbago ang pamumuhay ni Elise. ---
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