Lifeless [Heartthrob Billionaires Series #2]

Chapter Two

KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMANI

ALEX

I watched the man in front of me intently. Nakaupo siya sa harap ko habang kausap ang parents ko. Hindi niya napapansin ang paninitig ko sa kanya dahil abala siyang sagutin ang mga tanong ng mga magulang ko.

Kahapon ay nakalabas na ko ng ospital. I only needed to stay there for a day since hindi naman ganoon kalala ang natamo ko. Medyo masakit pa rin ang ulo ko but the pain is tolerable naman. Hindi na rin naka- wrap ang head ko. May gauze pad na lang roon sa ibabaw ng sugat kaya hindi na ako mukhang critical patient.

Ngayon, narito kami sa living room ng aming mansyon dahil bumisita ang lalaking sinasabi nina dad na papakasalan ko. My damn ‘fiance’ was Philip Karpov. That fil-greek businessman na na-feature sa isang magazine last year. And oh, he was that guy who saved me from the stupid guys in Cavite. The guy in the black Armani suit. Would’ve suited the knight in shining… Armani title kung hindi lang ako inis sa kanya.

Turns out he was there dahil hinahanap talaga ako ng buong pamilya ko. Given his connections, mabilis niya akong na-track and nahanap nga niya ako roon. Hindi ko alam kung magpapasalamat ako sa kanya or wag na lang. He’s ‘bout to ruin my life anyway.

Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit papakasal niya saken. He’s a freaking renowned businessman and I bet he has a lot of women in his life. Bakit siya papatali? And through a pragmatic marriage pa? Dahil lang friends ang parents namin? That’s stupid!

Kung magkakaanak ako, hopefully not with him, hinding- hindi ko gagawin tong ginawa nina mommy! I will let my child decide kung kanino niya gustong magpakasal! Damn it!

And from what I know, he is years older than me! I’m only turning 22 and he’s what? 27? 28? What the hell! He’s even older than Avin! Nababaliw na talaga ang mga magulang ko!

Naiinis ako! Nabubwisit ako! Gustung- gusto kong magwala pero napipilitan akong manahimik ngayon dahil pormal na pormal sila ngayon. I can’t possibly throw a b***h fit and shame my parents.

Mag-isa lang naman siyang narito. Wala siyang kasamang parents dahil based sa sagot niya kanina, uuwi na lang ang parents niya two weeks from now. Sa mismong araw ng kasal namin! What the hell! Hindi talaga nagbibiro si dad. Determinado talaga siyang ipatali ako within this month.

Hindi man lang hinintay na lumipas ang 22nd birthday ko!

Ni hindi pa ako of age to drink sa American age tapos ipapakasal nila ako sa Philip na to.

This is damn crazy! This is what you call lunacy, dad!

Mariin pa rin ang titig ko kay Philip. I was analyzing him. Kung titingnan mo kasi siya, masasabi mong wala sa itsura niya ang basta na lang susunod sa mga utos. He looks powerful and dominant. Kaya why would he take orders from his parents? He's a freaking billionaire and he has complete control over their business now, kaya bakit pumapayag siya sa kalokohang ito?

Philip's handsome alright. I give him that. He has angled jawline, high cheekbones na kadalasang sa mga model lang makikita, medyo plump at pinkish ang kanyang mga labi, matangos ang ilong at maganda ang mga mata niya. From afar, parang green ang kulay pero nang makipagkamay siya saken kanina ay kulay asul pala iyon.

Gwapo, mayaman at makapangyarihan. Bakit siya papakasal saken?

Alam ko sa sarili ko na kahit sa kaninong lalaki, magiging last choice ako. Hindi na nga ako ganoon kaganda, hindi pa ako nag-aayos tulad ng ibang babaeng kaedad ko. Lagi lang nakatali ang mahaba at medyo kulot kong buhok dahil naiinis ako pag nagiging sagabal. Hindi naman bagay saken ang short hair kaya hindi ko pinagugupitan. Hindi rin ako dress type na babae. Lagi lang akong t-shirt and jeans tapos sneakers or boots. Saka lang ako mapagsusuot ng mga dress kapag kailangan sa mga social events, ganoon rin sa make up.

Kaya hindi talaga kami nababagay sa isa’t isa. Mas bagay siya sa mga babaeng kaedad niya tapos yung marunong mag-ayos at wife material na. Saken pa talaga siya papakasal? Ni hindi pa nga ako nagkaka- boyfriend tapos I barely know how to do household chores. Wala siyang aasahan saken! Sa iba na lang kasi siya! Para pareho kaming masaya! Badtrip naman oh!

Nagpaalam si mommy na aalis at pupunta sa kusina para tingnan kung kumusta ang preparasyon sa lunch namin. Si dad naman ay biglang naka- receive ng tawag kaya nagpaalam rin saglit. Dahil doon, kaming dalawa na lang ang natira.

Hindi na ako nag-atubili pa. Agad akong nagsalita. “Why are you doing this?”

When he turned to me dahil sa tanong ko, he had this indifferent look. Tila walang emosyon ang kanyang mga mata. I almost shivered. This guy is like living but not fully alive. f*****g lifeless if you ask me.

“What do you mean?” He asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Why did you agreed to this marriage? You don’t look like the type to follow orders from anyone. So I don’t understand how you can possible agree to something as ridiculous as this.”

“I have my reasons why I agreed to this marriage.” He said cooly as he picked up the cup of coffee on the table. “There is nothing to lose in this anyway.”

I looked at him, completely dumbfounded. “You can’t possibly like me so what is your reason for agreeing to this? You don’t even know me pero pumayag ka? Why? And hindi mo man lang ba naisip na alamin muna ang side ko?”

He crossed his arms on his chest and leaned back on the sofa. He gave me a bored look. “Hindi ba sapat na dahilan ang pagiging magkaibigan ng mga magulang natin? Isn’t it enough reason that this marriage is political and beneficial to both our businesses?”

“That’s total bullshit!” I couldn’t help but say. He seemed surprised with my reaction but he just smirked. “Ang parents natin ang friends, hindi tayo. So, hindi sapat na dahilan yon to get married! And our business is doing well, hindi namin kailangan ng help niyo.”

“Then just think we’re the ones who need help, whatever makes you comfortable.” He shrugged.

“You’re a freaking billionaire! Anong tulong pa ang kailangan mo?”

Maarte siyang nag-roll eyes sa akin. “What exactly do you want me to say? I answered your question but you don’t seem to believe me.”

“Then give me a more believable reason!”

“Whatever reason I have is out of the question.” He said. “While you, I think I already know why your parents put you up to this. They want the princess tamed.”

I instantly felt offended. “I don’t need to be tamed! And you will not be the one to tame me! Seriously, just get someone else! I’m sure other women are dying to get married to you! Bakit sakin pa?! I don’t even want to get married to you!”

“It’s not really my problem anymore, Alex. I agreed to this, but that’s just me. If you don’t want it, then say no. Simple as that.”

I gritted my teeth. “Kaya nga sayo ko sinasabi kasi I can’t do anything about it! My parents are dead set into getting me married to you!”

“Then congratulations cause you’re marrying me.” He said, the side of his lips rose.

What an asshole. Mayabang na asshole pa. Damn it.

I have nothing to say anymore. Mukhang desidido na talaga siya. But let me at least try to convince him otherwise for the last time.

“Wala ka bang girlfriend? Bakit hindi iyon ang pakasalan mo?”

He looked at me pointedly. He gave me a look that seemed to tell me I was stupid for even asking him that question. “Alexandria, do you think I will marry you if I have a girlfriend?”

“Okay sige. Sabihin na nating wala. Don’t you have someone you like then? I’m sure meron naman no. Hindi ka naman siguro bato. Don’t you wanna get married for love?”

Saglit siyang tumitig sa akin bago nag-iwas ng tingin. For a minute there, I thought I saw pain in his eyes. “Who still gets married for love?” He whispered, bitterness laced his tone.

“People who obviously love each other, of course!” I said, almost hysterical.

He raised a brow at me again. “So, you want to get married to the person you love? Didn’t see you as the romantic type at all.”

Tangina mo.

“Well I’d like to at least get married to someone my age and someone I am comfortable with! How can I even spend a lifetime with someone I’m not even comfortable with?!”

He smirked. Umalis siya sa pagkakasandal. He leaned forward, elbows propped on his knees, as he looked at me. “So, you’re saying I make you uncomfortable? How so? It’s only our first time meeting, Alex. Am I too intense for you? You think you can’t handle me?”

I gasped. This guy is a class A asshole! “I really don’t like you already.” I said, pissed and irritated.

“You don’t really need to like me. We can get married without liking each other.” He said with a shrug. “It’s better that we have no romantic feelings for each other. It gets rid of the complication. Love? We don’t need that. That kind of love fades after sometime anyway.”

Just what the heck is he talking about? What kind of person is he? Bakit ganyan siya ka-bitter mag isip? Ganyan na ba talaga siya mag isip noon pa or may nangyaring di maganda kaya ganyan siya makapagsalita? Wala pa naman akong interes sa pagbo- boyfriend or lalo na ang pag-aasawa pero gusto ko naman magpakasal someday no! Napaka-bitter nito!

I scoffed at him. “You know what Philip, forget it. There's no point talking to you. Ang bitter mo. Wag mo akong idamay sa pagka-bitter mo!”

With those words, I left him sa sala and went to my room. Kahit na tinawag ako para sa lunch namin hindi na ako bumaba. Wala na akong pakialam kahit magalit pa sila! Ipapakasal din naman nila ako sa lalaking yon! Ano pang saysay! Might as well make it hard for them!

Buong maghapon kong iniiyak ang frustration na nadarama ko. Ni hindi ko magawang magawang malungkot dahil nangingibabaw ang galit ko. Galit na galit ako sa kanya. He could have been a bit nice nung magkausap kami. Why did he have to be such an asshole about it! Hindi ba niya makita na ayaw ko talaga? Alam kong desidido na siya pero wala ba siyang pakialam sa opinyon ng papakasalan niya? I mean, how will we ever work out kung ayaw ko naman talagang pakasal?! And kung matuloy nga, how will we ever work out kung ang gago niya? Nakaka- turn off!

Actually, it’s not that I dislike him or something. It’s just the fact that I am getting married that I really hate. I’m way too young to get married! Pero dahil sa ugali niyang mukhang hindi ko mate- take, mas dumoble ang pag-ayaw ko! Sana yung mabait naman ang pinili nina mom and dad!

But anyways, it doesn’t matter! Kahit na gaano pa kabait ang papakasalan ko, hindi pa rin ako papayag! I just graduated from college! Ni hindi ko pa nagagamit ang pinag-aralan ko sa civil engineering dahil kakakuha ko lang ng license! I wanted to work for my dream company and I could only do that kung may hawak akong lisensya! Ano yon? Tapon pangarap na lang dahil papakasal na ko! Kakakuha ko lang ng lisensya tapos palit apelyido agad? What the hell! Ano ba namang sitwasyon to!

I’m starting to hate myself too. Did I really go too far this time? Suko na ba talaga sina daddy saken kaya naisip na lang nilang ipakasal ako sa isang mayamang businessman to get rid of me? Para wala na silang alalahanin pa?

Damn it! Sinabi ko bang alalahanin nila ako? I know they’re worried about me pero hindi na ako bata. I can decide for myself now. Hindi ko alam kung bakit hanggang ngayon parang babasaging kristal pa rin kung ituring nila ako. Hindi naman ako ganoon kahina. I am not that breakable!

I admit, may mga maling desisyon nga akong nagagawa. But if they have been a bit more lenient with me, hindi ba nila naisip na baka sakaling hindi ako pilit kakawala? Kasi the more they try to cage me, mas sumisigaw ang puso at utak ko na kumawala!

“AAAARRRRGGHHHHH!!!!” I buried my head on my pillow and screamed in frustration.

Who the hell thinks of marriage as a solution to straighten up their kid? f**k! Magulang ko lang yata! That idea is just so primitive! Who the hell does arranged marriages at this day and age? Edi ang mga magulang ko!

Hindi talaga mawari ng isip ko ang pinaggagawa ng mga magulang ko. Hindi ko rin mawari ang isip ng Philip Karpov na yon.

Kung makapagsalita siya tungkol sa pag-ibig! Bitter! Na-basted siguro yon ng babaeng gusto niya or baka iniwan ng girlfriend! Hindi na ako magtataka! He doesn’t look like the boyfriend material after all! He’s so cold and he’s such an asshole! Di bale nang gwapo, aanhin ko yon kung mayabang naman at rude. Sino ang magtatagal na makipag-relasyon sa isang yon!

And now, I am the unlucky girl na mapapangasawa niya. Congratulations my ass! Walang nakakatuwa kung sa kanya papakasal! Mas gusto ko pang tumandang dalaga!

What do I do now?!

I don’t want this! Ayokong magpakasal! Ayokong pakasal sa kanya o kahit na kanino! I am not prepared for this!

Is there really no way out of this?!

PHILIP

I took off my coat and loosened my necktie as soon as I entered my condo. I went straight to the bar and got myself a bottle of bourbon. I drank straight after pouring myself a glass. My mind was in complete chaos. I needed something to help me calm it down.

Don’t you wanna get married for love?

I smiled bitterly. Well, who doesn’t? Honestly, I would if I could. But then the woman I love is already happily married. Paano ko pa pakakasalan?

Her words kept on replaying in my mind. I couldn't get it out of my mind even when I was having lunch with her parents. Even when I left their mansion and I was driving home, it haunted me.

I don’t even know why it bothered me so much.

Ang bitter mo. Wag mo akong idamay sa pagka-bitter mo!

Am I really being bitter about it?

What the hell. What’s the point? Nothing will change anyway.

And this is normal… It’s normal to feel bitter, right? Especially when you lost the woman you love to a totally undeserving one…

Fuck… It’s been months, Philip…

Kaya nga gagawin ko ito… Hindi ko rin naman mapakakasalan ang babaeng gusto ko, so what’s the sense? Do I start over again, find someone else? It’s not like it would be that easy…

Kaya naman madali ang lahat nang sabihin sa akin ito ng aking ina. She asked me if I would be interested in getting to know the daughter of her friend. She noticed I was in a slump and she found out about it because she follows all the news about me. She was determined to get me out of it.

I didn’t expect though that she will get me married in an instant. Anyways, it’s not a big deal anymore. I have nothing to lose in this marriage after all. The Lopezes have long been friends with my parents. We do business with them too so I say it’s all beneficial. Both have nothing to lose in this.

I had no idea she was against the marriage though. I said yes without thinking too much about it. I can’t take it back now. How will I look then? And I don’t have a problem with her so why should I refuse?

But I think I was a bit harsh on her today… She’s still quite young and the announcement of the marriage must have shocked her… But how else can I act. I’ve always been straight up and frank with my thoughts.

I’m neutral about this marriage. I don’t really dislike her to break it so I’ll leave the decision to her. Kung ayaw niya talaga, I’ll let her break it off.

I don’t really care anymore what happens. Whether we get married or not, nothing will change. Hindi na ako magiging masaya… I already lost the woman I love…

“f**k…” I slammed the glass down and pulled on my hair in frustration.

I am so f****d up.

How can a girl hurt me this bad? I didn't think it was possible pero nang mangyari na, puta daig mo pa ang nasaksak.

Tell me Jade. How can I move on if I still love you this f*****g much? How can I forget you if you are still the only thing in my mind?

Fucking tell me how…