The Escort

Chapter Six

            ON THE WAY home, tears finally start to fall from my eyes. It has been another long exhausting day for me, but my mind has been preoccupied with what happened between me and Ma all day. Guilt starts seeping in, and my fingers are itching to send an apology to Ma but my mind digresses.

            It’s for the best. My mind tries to coax the unease I feel, but there is still that worry that plunges me deep underwater. My phone buzzes, and I realize it’s Janet, updating me that she has done everything I asked her to. A smile flits on my mouth but my mind wanders back to Ma, wondering what she thinks about my behaviour. I don’t like raising my voice against my parents, but my body feels energized when I asked her to leave, which is not the kind of response I want out of myself.

            When I arrive home, I see the kitchen table filled with food. Well, Janet doesn’t cook so she has ordered takeout. The smell invigorates my senses which makes me forget the long day I’ve had. Janet smiles at me as she sets the plates and the utensils, and she sets aside some food for my house maid.

            “How was your day?” Janet asks energetically. Her eyes sparkle as she radiates pure blissful energy. She seems accomplished which is the direct opposite of what I feel today.

            “Long,” I reply briefly. She picks up the monotone and her face morphs to sadness and worry.

            “Why? What happened?” She moves her seat closer to me, resting her hand on mine. I flinch at the touch but I don’t retract my hand, letting her warmth seep on me. Silence follows her question while my heart sinks deeper. I clench my hand to a fist, while my lips purse into a thin straight line. “It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me,” she assures. Without warning, she throws her arms around me. I don’t know if it’s her pregnancy hormones, but she seems warmer than she usually is.

            “How about you? How’s your day?” A huge smile encompasses her lips contagiously.

            In between munches, she replies, “Honestly, I feel so great, thanks to you. I’ve told my trainer why I went MIA. I told my boss about my pregnancy and I think he didn’t take it lightly but—.” She stuffs her mouth with rice and roasted chicken. I’ve never seen her eat this much but I’m glad she isn’t too conscious on putting on too much weight. “He told me that I’m still in for the shoot since I still don’t look like I’m pregnant… and they even complimented me how my skin is practically glowing.”

            My lips lurch to a smile. “Honestly, that’s great. I’m happy for you.” Seeing Janet happy makes me forget my encounter with Ma. “I also told John he’s going to pretend to be my fake boyfriend.”

            Glitters surround Janet’s eyes. “Really?” She smirks, and she lifts her brows as if she indirectly tells me, “I told you so.” Instead of those words, she says, “I knew you’d come around. You’re just playing hard to get with this guy.”

            “Come on, don’t give him too much credit,” I retort, rolling my eyes. I guess Janet is right, but I don’t want to admit that, or else it’ll inflate her ego. “So do you plan on going for a check-up this week?” I ask her in between my yawns.

            She blanches. “I-I don’t think I-I’m ready for that,” she murmurs.

            “It’s for the baby’s health. You know that, right?”

            She nods wordlessly but her face tells me she wants to drop the subject, a frown flitting across her features. But a few seconds later, she smiles. “Oh my gosh, your birthday is in two days! How could I actually forget!” She slaps her forehead, literally, sending me to a chuckle.

            “Don’t fuss about it Janet. It’s just a birthday.”

            She frowns. “It’s not just any birthday. It’s your f*****g birthday, puta!” I raise a brow at her cursing but a smile fights its way across my lips. This makes me forget about my mom making an appointment for me and Robert. I don’t know what to feel about him. The last time we talked we only said our hellos, and after that I haven’t even bothered texting him. He doesn’t either, which makes me wonder if he even wants this engagement in the first place.

            “Come on, Janet. It really isn’t a big deal.”

            She doesn’t listen. Instead, she babbles, “I still have to confirm how many guests have RSVP’d, and if the cake is good to go for the party. Oh my gosh, I have to check in on my favourite makeup artist and hair stylist for your big day.” She bolts to her room and I shake my head, hoping her baby isn’t affected by her abrupt bodily movements.

            Finally, guilt creeps up on me again like second skin because I’m alone with my thoughts, without Janet to keep me preoccupied. I turn on my phone to check if Ma has blown up my phone but she hasn’t which is both a relief and a disappointment. I don’t know why I even want her to blow up my phone, pestering me to go on a date with Robert. My mind echoes that I should give him a chance, and it won’t be that bad.

            After battling the thoughts in my head, I give up and I send my mom a short text.

            Me: I’m sorry.

            When Ma hasn’t replied a few minutes later, I change to my velvety pyjamas. I check up on Janet in her room and she looks quite busy preparing for my party.

            “Janet?” She snaps out of her serious trance.

            “Yes Ate?”

            “Please don’t hire male strippers for my birthday.”

            She laughs. “Of course, Ate. I’ve matured, not that you know.”

            I don’t know what she means but I let the thought slide and dip myself to bed, my muscles sore from an entire day of keeping the company afloat. I turn my phone on to check if Ma replied, and she has.

Ma: I’m sorry, too, hija. It was selfish of me to force you when you didn’t even know about this engagement deal with Robert’s parents.

            Me: I’m sorry for making you leave. It’s just, I’m not really interested with anyone.

            Ma: Don’t you have a boyfriend?

            I slightly panic. Why am I such a bad liar? But I calm my racing heart, hoping Ma has not caught the lie.

Me: I mean the entire time I worked for the company you’ve built from ground up. I love my boyfriend and it’s just… I wish you can support me with whatever I want to do with my life.

            Ma: I know, and I’m so sorry.

            There’s just something about Ma apologizing. I like that she admits she has a fault in this situation, too.

            Me: Can this be undone? Why do you want me to merge with Robert anyway?

Ma: I want to explain right now but it’s too complicated to comprehend as of now. But, can I ask you a favour? Will you please at least give him a chance?

            Me: Okay ma. But I can’t promise it will be entirely pleasant.

            Sleep takes over me after a few more conversations with Ma, but I feel a burden lifted from my chest and the sores on my muscles seem to be unnoticeable.

TODAY MARKS THE day I turn twenty-nine. As promised, Janet has done a flawless preparation with my party. The decorations are all set and her favourite makeup artist and hairstylist has done a great job in dolling me up. Even though wrinkles are slowly marking my face, I look young. I guess it’s because Janet’s makeup artist perfectly hid them.

            “You look gorgeous,” Janet’s makeup artist compliments. A blush reddens my cheeks.

            My phone beeps. It’s John Chu. He says he’s ready and he sends me a picture of him in a tux. Oddly enough, butterflies swarm my stomach. I dislike the feelings that he evokes out of me because these are dangerous territories.

            I send him the location of my birthday party. This is it. This is the day that I will be introducing John to my parents. My heart pounds achingly loud against my chest. Yesterday, John and I rehearsed our backstory so that we sound convincing. We agree we recently met a month ago at an engagement party of one of my closest friends—that my parents have no idea who it is, of course—and that my friend introduced me to him, and the rest is history.

            It will all be over soon before I know it. Before John and I know it.

            Ma and Pa arrive, and a few minutes later, Robert Go does, too. I recall the exchange I had with my mother the day before yesterday, and I promise her to give him a chance. I hope Robert isn’t as bad as I deem him to be, in my head.

            “Ma, Pa, thanks for coming,” I say. Their eyes scrutinize the makeup applied to my face down to the outfit I wore. They seem to approve the outfit Janet chose. It’s a baby blue teal dress that snugly hugs the curves of my body but not to the point I’m flaunting it. My parents find it appealing if I’m not flamboyant with the kind of clothes I wear, because according to them, they don’t want me to give the employees and people outside the company a bad impression. They want me to project myself to people as a sophisticated, well-educated woman.

            “Of course, hija,” Ma says, her eyes saying something. I know what she means but I pretend I don’t get it. I don’t want to talk about it because today is my day, and I don’t want to think about my job. An usher escorts my parents to their respective tables, which Janet has planned, too. She knows I’m not as close to them as they are to her, so they are seated a bit farther from my table. I love her so much for that.

            Robert approaches me, but this time, he doesn’t take my hand to kiss it. I release a sigh of relief. “Happy birthday Matilda,” he greets, handing me a small box. I don’t dare open it because I’m afraid it may be an engagement ring. “I hope you enjoy your birthday.”

            I genuinely smile, wrapping my arms around him which leaves him surprised. I chuckle and I see a small grin befitting his features.

            I see a car pull up, and John emerges out of it, his hair slicked back in a gel. He looks handsome, undeniably so, my cheeks blushing at his presence. “Happy birthday,” he says, planting a soft peck on my cheeks. My whole body warms up at that delicate touch, almost freezing me at the spot I’m standing.

            “T-Thanks,” I stammer, mentally palming my face. However, I immediately regain my composure. “I’m glad you could come.”

            He chuckles, thinking I’m pretending to be happy he’s here. I wonder if I only am, but there’s a bit of truth in my words when I told him I’m glad he came. “Of course,” he winks. “Just doing my part.”

            Without a word, we go to our designated table. The entire place quietens, and I can feel all their glances shredding me piece by piece. Everyone is surprised I brought someone, and I wonder how Robert feels seeing me with a man standing beside me. It’s not like he has feelings for me, but I wonder if he feels elated I’m dating someone else, so that we won’t have to go through the process of marrying each other.

            Janet, my birthday party’s host, greets everyone a good evening which takes off their attention away from me. Relief settles me. This is the only time I’m thankful that Janet easily captures people’s attention without making it seem like she’s an attention seeker.

            John sits beside me, his warmth seeping onto me. He smells good, his eyes never peeling away from Janet. Of course he finds her beautiful, especially she’s glowing because of her pregnancy hormones. I nudge him to get his attention back to me and he asks, “What’s up?”

            “We need to rehearse our lines again,” I reply, a slight hint of irritation laced in my voice.

            He shakes his head and smiles. “Relax. I got you.” He squeezes my hand which catches me off guard.

            “You don’t know what my parents are like,” I sneer but he ignores the brashness of my tone.

            “I know, but I’ve been in a lot of social situations.”

            With the way he says it brings me a bit of comfort. I search for my parents’ table and their eyes are staring daggers at me. Well, only Pa is glaring at me while Ma seems a bit disappointed. My heart sinks. I just want to go home right now, and sleep. I don’t think I can go through this, facing my parents.

            “Don’t worry,” John assures when he notices the worry marring my features. “It will all be alright.”

            I really do hope so.