CHAPTER 3
1338 Words
My hand trembled as I shook hands with the man who responded to my offer at the bachelor site. I never thought he was handsome and not far from my age. I am ashamed to stare at him. I feel like I will melt under his stare.
"For the sake of my brother." I whispered.
"This is my daughter, Bhea."
I looked at the beautiful child clinging to his arm, and she smiled at me.
"Hi, Tita Xheree!" She smiled sweetly.
"Hello, Bhea." I sparingly answered.
"Can we leave here and find another place to talk?" Viel said.
"All right, but only here inside the mall we will find a place to talk properly. Sorry, I'm just careful."
He nodded. "No problem, Let's go!" he turned back and walked out of the fast-food chain with his daughter Bhea. I followed the two of them. They don't look like bad people, but I still need not to trust them right away.
A big question for me is why he answered my post on my wall. All I know is that there are many adults and elderly on that site, and I can't quite imagine someone like him participating in a bachelor site.
I can not say that we entered Fast food or restaurant because I have not been able to enter the restaurant as long as I know that a waiter approached us to give the menu and choose our order.
"What food do you want?" he asked me.
I read the foods on the menu, but it was not easy to pronounce, so I did, and I just based on the menu's pictures.
"This just roaster chicken looks delicious."
Viel nodded. "What else would you like to eat?"
"Cold water only," I suddenly thought that I might pay for my food order. I have no money to pay.
After Viel got his daughter's order, he gave the waiter the menu and then looked at me.
"Tell me something about yourself?"
I swallowed and was suddenly nervous. I feel like I am applying for a job.
I sighed before speaking. "I am a breadwinner of the family. I no longer have parents and relatives here in Manila. I have the youngest brother, who is in elementary school. Our life is difficult even though I have a double job. My salary is still not enough for our daily expenses at home. I tried to join the bachelor site because I had to pay fifteen thousand pesos for our house's rent. If we cannot pay it, our landlady would evict us.
"Get out of there."
I looked at him. Does this mean that he has changed his mind? I could not hold back the tears on my cheeks.
"Don't cry," Bhea handed me the tissue.
"Thank you," I smiled sparingly at her.
He stared at me. "Be my girlfriend and a mother of my daughter in return I will buy you, your own house and we will study your brother in a good school. Do you agree with what I want?"
I nodded quickly. "Yes, I agree." I will not miss this opportunity given to me. I do not care what kind of person Viel is. What is important to me is to give my brother a good life.
"Then tomorrow I will give you a contract but for now I will give it to you." Viel pulled out a check and signed it, then handed it to me. "Take it so you can pay your rent and buy what your siblings need."
I did not hesitate to accept that. I need that money so I can pay the rent. "Twenty thousand pesos." I read over and over in my mind.
"Thank you so much for this."
Our food orders arrived, and then the three of us ate. When we did not finish the food, I wrapped it so that my brother Xeldon could taste it.
"Ate, where did these foods come from?" Xeldon asked me as I put the food on the plate.
"I went to a party earlier with a lot of extra food. I wrapped it so you can taste it too."
Xeldon tasted the dish on the plate. "It's delicious. This is the first time I eat this kind of food." Xeldon chirped.
"Eat a lot. I cooked a lot of rice so you can eat a lot."
"Really!"
I watched Xeldon as he ate happily. I am so happy today because, in a flash, my problem is gone. I no longer owe the rent of our house because I paid it earlier. I also bought Xeldon's clothes.
"I have a gift for you. I'll give it to you later when you finish eating."
"I'm excited to know your gift to me."
I smiled at him. "Just eat there." I said.
Xeldon ate a lot because he liked the food I bought for him. Before we went to bed, I gave him my gift.
"Sister, Christmas is still a long time."
"Just open it."
He broke the wrapper, and when he saw my gift to him, he suddenly hugged me. "Thank you, Ate Xheree."
I bought him a bag and shoes. Since he started studying, I haven't bought him a new bag and shoes. The bag and shoes he used are rotten, but he never tells me to buy him a new bag and shoes.
"Ate, maybe you don't have to pay the rent for our house?" he asked.
I smiled. "I have paid all our debts."
He stared at me. "Where did you get the money you paid for the rent of our house?"
"My boyfriend gave it to me." my answer.
It's better now that he knows I have a boyfriend so that in case we leave this place, he will not be surprised.
His eyes widened in shock. "Really? Why did I just find out you have a boyfriend?"
"I didn't tell you because it doesn't matter."
"Tell your boyfriend, thank you for his help." He put on his new shoes.
I'm happy as I watched my brother in his new shoes. Tomorrow something will change our lives.
AT SIX O'CLOCK in the morning, I woke up to cook Xeldon breakfast. Viel and I will meet again at ten o'clock in the morning, so I still have time to cook for my brother.
I was thrilled to see him wearing his new shoes and bag. I can see the happiness on his face. I just saw my brother excited to go to school.
"Your allowance," I handed him two hundred pesos.
"Sister?" unbelievable Xeldon said to me.
"You no longer have to walk and save food. Buy the food you want."
"Thank you sister. I can go to the cafeteria too," he said.
"Be careful when you go to school." I tried not to cry in front of Xeldon, so I burst into tears when he left. I feel sorry for my brother because this is the first time he experienced a better life.
At ten o'clock in the morning, Viel and I met again at the restaurant we visited yesterday. He is not with his daughter. We are the only two talking today.
He handed me the document with the check.
"Read what is written in the contract before you sign," he said.
I nodded and read what's written in the contract. My eyes widened as I read the agreement.
6.You will give me a child when I ask you.
"Why is this involved?" I asked.
He stared at me. "I put that in the contract because maybe, I will ask you for that."
7. If you fall in love with me, you need to tell me right away to resolve it.
"Aren't you going to sign?" Viel asked.
I sighed. "I will sign." I took the ballpen, and I signed.
"Very good, on Friday my driver will pick you up to take you to our house.
I nodded at him. That is my final decision, and it can never change.
- Writer
