Hiding Mr. Valiad’s Heir

Chapter 09

Churie sat with a tensed body on a couch where Zader, her husband, was also sitting next to her. Her hands were sweating while her mind was in a mess. Pakiwari niya ay para siyang sasalang sa isang interview para makakuha ng trabaho sa unang pagkakataon. She secretly peeks at her husband while fiddling with her little fingers. Thinking that Zader might perish anytime . . . Dahil iniisip niyang nananaginip lamang siya na kasama ito ngayon.

“Are you okay?” Churie jolted almost forgetting how to properly breathe when Zader came closer and whispered to her ear. Pakiramdam niya ay nagtayuan lahat ng balahibo niya sa katawan. Even her precious little cúnt is betraying her sanity.

“Huh? Uhm . . . Me-medyo kinakabahan lang ako . . .” Churie looks down, not having the slightest audacity to meet her husband's gaze. Sa tanang buhay niyang kasama ito ay ito lamang ang unang pagkakataon na sinamahan siya nitong makipag-deal sa isang client. ‘Si Papa kaya ang dahilan kung bakit narito si Zader? Pinilit kaya siya ni Papa na samahan ako?’ Her mind wanders while her facial expression is constantly twitching.

“Am I making you feel uncomfortable?” Sa tanong nito ay parang may spring ang katawan niyang napaliko paharap dito.

“N-no. Not at all, mahal. Ano lang kasi, ba-baka pumalpak ako,” hilaw niyang pagdadahilan. She almost bit her tongue off nang ma-realize niyang masyadong walang laman ang kaniyang pagdadahilan.

“This was not your first time dealing with a stubborn and greedy client, Churie. Compared to your previous accomplishments, this is nothing.” Napanganga siya, wondering if her husband is telling the truth. O baka ay pinagti-tripan lamang siya nito. ‘Not that. Zader has never been a funny person. Hot . . . Scary . . . Intimidating and perfect. That's what describes him best.’

“Haha . . . Oo nga, mahal . . . Haha . . .” Her laugh sounds so awkward that even she could feel the blatant embarrassment.

“Oh, Mr and Mrs. Valiad, I'm so sorry for making you wait. Medyo natagalan lang kasi ang pakikipag-deal ko sa buyer namin ng mga palay. Ang barat talaga ni Mrs. Tresmundo. Parang hindi naman niya ako regular client,” pagmamaktol nito na parang bata. “Petra, ilabas mo ang tea na binili ko from Japan. You will surely love it, Mrs. Valiad,” excited na turan ng babaeng Almonte. Pumalakpak pa ito looking like a lunatic in Churie’s sight.

“Mr. Valiad, it's a pleasure to have you here in my humble place. Ilang beses kong sinubukan na maka-meeting ka, but who would have thought na paparito ka mismo sa tahanan ko,” magiliw na wika ng lalaking Almonte. Kita niyang nakipag kamay ito kay Zader, halatang matagal na nitong inaasam ma makilala ito nang personal.

“Oh,” maikling sagot ni Zader dahilan upang alanganin siyang ngumiti. ‘Tila mas naging awkward pa ata lalo.’ Tahimik na napalunok ng laway si Churie nang nabaling sa gawi niya ang tingin ng mag-asawa. Although tingin niyang intimidated ang mag-asawa sa asawa niya, pansin naman niyang maliit lamang ang tingin ng mga ito sa kaniya.

“Alam ko kung bakit ka narito, Mrs. Valiad. And sad to say, my answer is final. Saka nagsisimula na ulit kaming maghanap ng panibagong suppliers. Maliban na lang kung ibibigay ninyo ang mga ’yon sa ’min sa kalahating presyuhan,” ani Mrs. Almonte. Nakataas pa ang kilay nito na para bang pinaglalaruan siya.

“Uhm . . . Don't get me wrong, Mrs. Almonte. Have you forgotten? Pumirma kayo ng kasunduan sa S Furniture na magbabayad kayo ng penalties kung sakaling hindi kayo tutuloy sa pag-purchase ng mga orders ninyo. It's not a small sum either, for you will be charged triple the original contract amount. If my company will raise this to legalities, you will be charged as breaching the contract . . .” Churie might be nervous because of the thought that her husband is listening. But when it comes to work, Churie is beyond focus. For she loves what she's doing, and her job is making her feel more alive and useful.

“Heh! Mrs. Valiad, you are too young to meddle on this kind of matter. Ang mga ipinakita at dinala ninyong woods ay wala sa pinirmahan naming kontrata. Kayo ang dapat na ma-alarm dahil kayo ang unang ’di tumupad sa nakasaad sa Kontrata. It was stated there that what we need is rare woods, not a common rosewood!” Kita ang mga ugat sa noo ng lalaking Almonte habang ito ay nagsasalita. Churie felt irritated but it was only for a moment because she knows where she stands.

“What is written in the contract is clearly a rare wood. Rosewood is a rare wood since it's almost on the brink of extinction here in Asia. Aside from that, it's hard to find a large supply at this time. At ang amount sa kontrata ay sapat lamang para bumili ng rosewood. You also clearly know that, Mr and Mrs Almonte.” Churie’s voice is calm and accommodating even though she's already pissed.

“No! Klaro ang nakalagay sa kontrata natin na African Blackwood ang isu-supply ninyo!” pasigaw na turan ng babaeng Almonte. Churie couldn't help but scoff. Mas lalo pa siyang nairita dahil emotionless na nakaupo sa couch ang asawa niya. ‘I thought you said earlier that you will be backing me up! How come you're unfazed!’ Churie started to feel furious —but on the inside.

“Oh. So you mean, hindi na talaga ninyo babayaran ang mga rosewood na nai-deliver na namin, Mrs. Almonte?” Ngumiti pa rin siya nang maliwanag kahit pakiramdam niya ay sing-itim na ng nimbustratos cloud ang mood niya.

“Definitely yes! Lalo pa’t may nakuha na kaming African Blackwood sa ibang furniture shop. Kung tutuusin ay kulang pa ang idiniliver ninyong rosewood sa penalty na babayaran ninyo. As what you've said, Mrs. Young Valiad, it's triple. . . Means, kulang pa ’yon. And it's not even first class,” nakangising turan ng babaeng Almonte. ‘Ang pirang inilaan ninyo ay para lamang sa budget ng isang third class rosewood! The audacity of this old hog!’ Churie clenched her fist dahil pakiwari niya ay sasabog na siya sa inis. ‘This is nothing compared sa pang-iinis sa ’kin ng biyenan ko at ni Erish! I should show off too—seems Zader is observing kung anong kaya kong gawin!’ Huminga siya nang malalim.

“Oh, did you mean ang binili ninyong African Blackwood sa isang unregistered private plantation na hindi naman nag-eexist? Or what are you trying to say ay iyong mga binili ninyong African Blackwood made furniture illegally?” Kita agad ni Churie ang pagkabalisa sa mukha ng babaeng Almonte. ‘Good thing may mga connections ako. Kaya mas mabuting maging galante rin sa mga nakakasalamuha sa negosyo. I already see this coming too. The only way to deal with this kind of person is to be as sly as them—in a practical way.’

“Are you threatening us? Baka nakakalimutan mong nasa pamamahay kita!” Tumayo ito at dinuro-duro siya. But instead of being threatened sa sinabi nito, Churie was leaning on the couch while gracefully sipping the expensive tea that had been served to them. ‘Kung ’di lang masarap ’tong tea na ’to ay kanina ko pa ’to ibinato riyan sa mukha ng matandang ’yan!’ Pumikit siya saglit at ninamnam ang lasa ng tsa-a.

“No. I wouldn't dare, Mrs. Almonte. You are one of our precious clients. But, as of this time, the authorities are on their way para suriin ang inyong townhouse. It has been recorded na may nabili kayong mga African Blackwoods with such an economical amount. Haven't you heard, may nag-file ng report from overseas regarding smuggled African Blackwoods. Hindi biro ang halaga ng bawat isang furniture na African Blackwoods made—and you acquired it so easily. The last time I checked, nasa twelveth rank lang kayo when it comes to power and wealth here in Prestige City. I was just stating a fact and nothing else. No need to get angry or anything.” Basi sa reaksyon ng mag-asawa, Churie could tell na nadali niya ang itinatago nitong sikreto.

“Haha! You're making me laugh. Baka gusto mong kayo ang e-report ko dahil smuggled ’yang mga rosewood ninyo!” A creepy smile crept on Churie’s lip. She was also in awe dahil hindi ito nauubusan ng dahilan. Iyong tipong gustong lumusot kahit pitpit na.

“Be my guest, Mrs. Almonte. But I can always assure you na completo ang papers namin from legalities down to the simplest things. So, I think, tapos na ang usapan natin? I hope that you are prepared for whatever consequences that may come regarding your drastic measures, Mr and Mrs. Almonte. But . . . If ever you'll have a change of heart, nariyan pa rin ang contract natin. And I'm always free for further negotiations. But if that time comes, baka mas mahal na ang mga rosewood namin.” Churie stood at nag-bow sa harapan ng galit na mag-asawa. Kasabay niyon ay inilapag niya ang bagong gawa na contract sa mesa. Sa ginawa niya ay tumayo rin si Zader sabay hawak sa bewang niya.‘Hah! I made it!’

“Let’s go,” ani Zader at naglakad na dahilan upang mabilis din niyang nahabol ang bawat hakbang nito. Pansin niya ang mga nakapaligid na bodyguards ng mga Almonte, but no one dare’s. Or who would dare? Even Churie could feel that she's invincible ’pag kasama niya ang asawa niya.

“Start counting, Churie. I'm sure, before we could even reach the gate, you will receive a call from th—”

“Look, I might just chill in some Bape

I might just chill with your boo

I might just feel on your babe

My pússy feel like a lake

He wanna swim with his face

I'm like, "Ok—"(song by Cardi B)” Churie hit the screen of her phone multiple times bago tuluyang tumigil ang kaniyang caller ringtone. Hinihingal siyang napatingala habang nakatingin nang diretso sa main gate ng Villa Almonte. ‘Ba’t ba narinig pa ni Zader ang ringtone ko? Lupa, lamunin mo na ako!’

“Mrs. Almonte?” Nanginginig pa rin ang daliri niya with her voice, but she were good at hiding her true feelings and being.

“Ma-maari bang mag-usap tayo ulit, Mrs. Valiad?” Tumaas ang kilay niya sabay nakangiting napatingin sa gawi ng asawa niya. For a moment, Churie forgot about her embarrassed state earlier.

“May iniwan akong kontrata ngayon lang sa ’yo, Mrs. Almonte. About the further negotiation that I said? That will do. That contract will speak on my behalf. Just sign it at ipadala mo na lang sa S Furniture ang copy. Do not try to play tricks on us this time. You know that your little family couldn't handle the consequences.” Ngumiti siya sabay patay sa kaniyang phone. She could feel a slight guilt dahil tiyak siyang sobrang naipit ang mag-asawang Almonte sa bagong kontrata na ginawa niya. But there's also a part of her that saying, she did the right thing.

“Congratulations on your another successful deal, Churie.” Humarap sa kaniya si Zader sabay gawad ng halik sa kaniyang noo. She wasn't expecting it kaya ay napakurap-kurap pa siyang napatunganga saglit. With a bashful manner, ‘Okay lang naman siguro kung mag-request ako ’di ba? I mean, I did a great job!’

“Ma-mahal . . . Can I treat you to dinner?” Her voice was slightly shaking. For she's aware that she is asking an impossible thing since it's still practically Friday afternoon. Not to mention na maaaring nakaabang na si Erish sa asawa niya sa Valiad mansion.

“Sure . . . Make sure there are drinks too.” Kita niya ang ngiti nitong puno ng malisya. Though the smile didn't reached her husband's eyes, sapat na iyon upang masiyahan siya. Sapat na rin iyon upang mapuno ng anticipation ang puso niyang mababa lamang ang kaligayahan kung si Zader na ang pinag-uusapan.