Chapter 16
1252 Words
Clea Mair’s Pov
After work hours, Mister Henan decided to take me out for dinner. Ako na ang namili ng kakainan namin at pinili ko ang restaurant na mayroong VIP room.
Nangako siya kanina na pag-uusapan ang sitwasyon namin habang nagdi-dinner kami at hindi ko hahayaan na makaligtaan niya iyon.
When we arrived at the restaurant, one of the servers guided us to the room that I reserved ahead of time before we came here. We ordered our food and when the server left, I immediately looked at Mister Henan.
“Mi—”
“Hep…” He stopped me before I could even say anything. “I already told you earlier to call me by my name, right?”
Naitikom ko ang bibig ko.
“Wala ka nang maidadahilan sa akin para iwasang tawagin ako sa pangalan ko, Clea Mair,” aniya. “So, please don’t be stubborn, okay?”
Bumuntong hininga ako. “Fine,” I said. “It is both clear to us that we like each other. But we both know that we will never go to work so entering a romantic relationship is out of the option. So, what are we going to do now?”
He smiled. “Straight to the point, huh?”
“Wala tayong mapapala kung magpapaligoy-ligoy tayo,” sabi ko. “Besides, since you know my identity, I am sure that you also know that I only have limited time outside the palace. Sooner or later, the elders of my clan will take me back home to force me to fulfill my duty as the princess of this country.”
Tumangu-tango siya at sumandal sa kanyang kinauupuan. “You have a point there,” aniya. “Well, we have the same situation, to be honest. Just like you, I also have limited time to stay here.”
Kumunot ang noo ko. “What?”
“Leon told you about me, right?” he said and I nodded. “My brother wanted to bring me back to our country to fulfill my duty as the prince of the Reveni Empire and it is only a matter of time before they succeed. And that got me thinking that if I leave this place, I don’t want to have any regrets.”
“And for you to leave this place without regrets, gusto mong sulitin ang oras na mayroon ka kasama ako?” Itinuro ko pa ang sarili ko.
“Yup,” mabilis niyang sagot. “I like you, Clea Mair. I can’t explain how and why but I really like you and I want to be with you while I still can.”
I have never imagined myself hearing this kind of word from a man. Hell! I don’t even think that someone would show this kind of affection towards me my entire life.
Buong buhay ko, inilayo ko ang sarili ko sa lahat. Lahat kasi ng magiging takbo ng buhay ko ay nasa kamay ng pamilya ko. They are the ones who decide for me and I don’t have the guts to fight them for that.
I don’t even have the freedom to love someone because the person that I am with in the future is also their choice.
I don’t have a voice over my life because they engraved in my mind that someone like me was just a tool that would give our family another ally and influence.
“Hey…” Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. “I am not pressuring you. All I want is your company. You know, eating outside. You can pick lunch or dinner. Or just a little bit of your time to hang out with you.”
Huminga ako ng malalim. “Hindi mo ba naisip na kung lalo tayong magiging malapit ay posibleng lalo lang lumalim ang nararamdaman natin para sa isa’t-isa?”
“I thought about that,” he said. “But let’s just be honest that we don’t have a future with each other. The only thing we have is the present that we can take advantage of to satisfy ourselves before we face the reality of our lives.”
Yeah, he is right.
Our future is not for us to make. Someone else will decide it for us. All we have for ourselves is the present.
“So?” he said. “What do you think? Are you willing to go on a date with me until our family comes for us and forces us to go back home?”
It is your decision, Clea…
I don’t know why I suddenly remembered Agares' words when I was with him in Yain City. But I think this is necessary in this situation.
For once, I can decide on my present. For once, I can do what my heart wants. For once, no one can tell me what I have to do.
I nodded and smiled at him. “Okay. Let’s go on a date until our freedom runs out.”
Even just for a while, I want to be happy. I will not ask for more, just a couple of days to be with the man that I like.
After all of this and I had to go back home, I will devote myself to my duty.
Our food was served and we started eating while we started talking about ourselves.
“So, you clearly knew me before meeting me, huh?” I said. “Leon said you have seen my profile that my family sent as a candidate to become your brother’s wife.”
“My cousin sent me a copy of all the profiles that came from this company,” he said. “They wanted me to do a background check on them to ensure that they will not choose the wrong girl to become the empress of the Reveni Empire.”
“Ibig sabihin nito ay kasama ka sa nag-desisyon na ako ang ipakasal sa kapatid mo.”
“Actually, I recommend someone else,” aniya na ikinakunot ng noo ko. “Aside from the Azaria, Dahlia, Suri, and Luena also sent one candidate. I chose the one from Suri Clan since they were less controversial in this land. When they asked me for a second option, I recommended the one from Dahlia Clan.”
“But they ended up choosing me,” I said. “But put the engagement on hold. I don’t even got the chance to know why and to be honest, hindi ko na din pinagtuunan ng pansin. Sinamantala ko na lang ang pagkakataon na iyon para makalabas ng palasyo.”
“When we parted ways at Yain City, I got a call from my elder brother,” he said. “Apparently, one of my men rattled on about my closeness to you and how I tried to keep you around me even though it was not part of your job. Then, he mentioned that you were engaged to him and threatened to lift the hold on your wedding if I didn’t go back home.”
Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. “Please stop him!” Naibagsak ko pa ang mga kubyertos sa mesa. “I only got a chance to get out of the palace and live alone independently the way I want because that marriage was put on hold. Kung magdedesisyon siya na ituloy ang kasal, doon na tuluyang matatapos ang kalayaan ko.”
“You are saying that the time we have for each other is in the hands of my brother?”
- Writer
