A Chance Encounter

CHAPTER 7

“SIT DOWN AND LET'S TALK,” Emma said to her son the moment Emerson entered the house. Kababalik lamang nito mula sa business trip.

“What’s the matter, Mom?” Nagtatakang tanong ni Emerson nang makaupo siya sa sofa.

“When Audrey came to our house last weekend. She told me she wanted to have a civil wedding.”

Kumunot ang nuo ni Emerson. “Civil wedding? Bakit raw po?” tanong niya. “I have already spoken about this to her parents. I will give her a grand wedding.”

“We agreed, yes,” Emma said. “Her parents agreed, but did she agree? Mukhang hindi pa niya yata alam na next week na ang kasal ninyong dalawa. Did you tell her?”

Umiling si Emerson. “No.” Napakamot siya ng batok. “I planned to meet her after my business trip to tell her everything.”

“That’s the point, Emerson.” Mahinang napabuntong hininga si Emma. “Napansin ko kay Audrey noong pumunta siya rito sa bahay, nakikita ko ang alinlangan at lungkot sa mga mata niya. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa magpapakasal siya sa ‘yo o sa ibang bagay. Have you found out about her family’s situation?”

Tumango si Emerson. “Oo, Mommy. Her family treats her indifferently.”

“Kaya naman pala.” Wika ni Emma. Audrey was careful in her actions. And the fear in her eyes was visible even though she kept on smiling. What kind of surroundings did Audrey have that, in her eyes, being vigilant was visible?

Kapagkuwan napatingin si Emma sa anak niya. “Emerson, now that you are getting married. Baka pwedeng ibahin mo naman ang anyo ng mukha mo. Show a soft and cute face to your future wife. Baka mamaya matakot pa sa ‘yo ang magiging asawa mo at hindi ka siputin sa kasal niyo.”

Napakamot na lamang ng batok si Emerson. “Mom, I can be soft, but I can’t be cute. I’m too handsome to be called cute.”

Emma gave her son a deadpan look.

Tumikhim naman si Emerson saka tumayo. “Magpapahinga lang po ako saglit.”

“Sandali.”

Mabilis na napatigil si Emerson sa pag-alis saka hinarap ang ina.

“Anak, this is your wedding. Can I organize it?”

Emerson smiled. “Thank you, Mom, but no. I want to organize my own wedding.”

Tumaas ang kilay ni Emma. “You…” Tinignan niya ang anak mula ulo hanggang paa. “Are you serious about this wedding?”

“Of course, Mom. Kilala niyo ako. Hindi ko gagawin ang mga bagay na hindi ko gustong gawin.” Ngumiti si Emerson. “But you can help me, Mom? You know, my house was still under construction. I don’t have any idea about interior design. So, can you help me to fix and design my penthouse? I want Audrey to move there before our wedding.”

Ngumiti si Emma saka tumango. “Sige ako na ang bahala.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

Sinenyasan lang ni Emma ang anak na umalis na.

Emerson politely nodded his head and headed upstairs.

ISANG MALAKAS NA SAMPAL ang sumalubong kay Audrey pagpasok pa lamang niya sa loob ng bahay nila. Napabaling ang mukha niya sa kaliwa. Nasapo na lamang niya ang pisngi.

“Anong pumasok sa isipan mo at hiniling mo na maging civil ang kasal mo?!” Galit na saad ni Felicia kay Audrey. “Nasabi ko na sa mga Amiga ko na engrande ng kasal mo.”

Napabuntong hininga si Audrey. “Mom—”

“Your mother-in-law called me, and she told me you and her son would have a grand wedding.”

“Pero nakakahiya sa kanila, Mommy. They have already helped you to save the company—” hindi natapos ni Audrey ang sasabihin dahil sumabat na si Felicia.

“Your fiancé asked me and I told him you wanted a grand wedding. Magpasalamat ka nga at engrande ang kasal mo. Sisirain mo pa ang mga plano ko.”

Natawa ng walang buhay si Audrey. Siya talaga ang ginamit ng kaniyang ina upang matupad Kang gusto nitong mangyari. “So, gusto niyo lang magpasikat sa mga Amiga niyo?”

“Be careful with your words!” Felicia pointed at Audrey.

Audrey sighed deeply. Forget it. There’s no use in arguing with my mother. “Whatever you say. I’m tired. I want to rest.” Hindi na niya hinintay ang sagot ng kaniyang ina at nagtungo sa kusina. Kumuha siya ng ice pack saka inilapat sa pisnging sinampal ng kaniyang ina saka umakyat na siya ng hagdan.

Pagpasok niya sa kwarto, agad niyang tinawagan ang fiancé niya. Natawa na lamang siya dahil ramdam niya ang awkwardness sa tuwing tinatawag niyang fiancé si Mr. Emerson Montenegro.

“Hello, Audrey?” pagsagot ng isang baritonong boses.

“Mr. Montenegro, hi. Did I disturb you?” tanong ni Audrey sa medyo alanganing boses.

Emerson let out a sexy chuckle. “No, I’m not doing anything,” he answered, but at that moment, he just woke up. “What’s the matter, fiancée?”

Hindi alam ni Audrey kung ano ang mayroon sa pagtawag sa kaniya ni Emerson ng fiancée dahil uminit ang mukha niya. She’s blushing.

“Mr. Montenegro, my mom has told you I wanted a grand wedding. Actually, it was what she wanted. I don’t want to have a grand wedding. A civil wedding will do,” said Audrey. Nanatiling nakalapat ang ice pack sa pisngi niya. Ayaw niyang mamaga ang pisngi niya kinabukasan.

Sandaling natahimik si Emerson na nasa kabilang linya. He and Audrey had met, but Audrey didn’t know he was her fiancé. Ano kaya ang magiging reaksiyon nito kapag nalaman ni Audrey na siya ang fiancé nito?

“Let me think of it.”

“Alright, Mr. Montenegro.”

“Mr. Montenegro? Audrey, can you just call me by my name? It’s Emerson.”

Nakagat ni Audrey ang pang-ibabang labi. “I-I can’t just call you by your name—”

“I insist.”

Audrey took a deep breath. “E-Emerson… ang haba.”

Natawa si Emerson. “Then you can shorten it.”

Napaisip naman si Audrey. “Em?”

“Hmm… sounds good.” Ngumiti si Emerson. Si Audrey lang ang unang taong tatawag sa kaniya ng ganun.

Nahiya si Audrey. Hindi niya namalayan na nakangiti pala siya. “Em, I have a question.”

“Speak.”

“Have we met before? Pasensiya ka na. Pamilyar kasi sa akin ang boses mo.”

So, I didn’t have her attention before. Emerson thought after hearing what Audrey had said. Medyo nalungkot siya sa isiping ‘yon. “Yes, we have met before. It's just that you didn’t remember me.”

Audrey scratched between her brows.

“Anyway, tomorrow I’ll send Mark to your house. By then you will know my decision about the wedding you want.”

Audrey nodded. “Okay. I’m waiting.”

Emerson just hummed and ended the call.

Pagkapatay ng tawag doon lamang pinakawalan ni Audrey ang hininga na kanina pa niya pinipigilan. She tapped her chest. Kinabahan siya doon. Marami siyang naririnig tungkol kay Emerson Montenegro at isa na doon ang pagiging malupit nito. But his voice was gentle and he sounded nice.

“Have we met before? Pero wala naman akong maalala.”

Audrey researched about her fiancé but she saw nothing. It was just an article about Emerson Montenegro and there was no picture. “Right, he was a private picture. He never allowed the media to post his pictures.”

Humiga si Audrey sa kama. Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari. Sa susunod na araw ikakasal na siya. Her future mother-in-law told her that she had nothing to worry about. And she could always seek help from them. Pero hindi niya alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa mga susunod na araw pagkatapos ng kasal. Hindi niya kilala ang magiging asawa niya. But his rumors about him made him feel afraid.

“What a nice parent.”

Audrey closed her eyes.

PAGBABA NI AUDREY NG HAGDAN, nakita niya si Mark na nakatayo sa may living room na mukhang hinihintay siya. Naalala niya ang sinabi ni Emerson kagabi noong tinawagan niya ito.

“You’re here.”

“Young Lady.” Mark bowed his head as soon as he stood up.

Nakita ni Audrey na wala ang magulang niya sa kusina at kumakain.

“Young Lady, Mr. Montenegro wanted to express his sincere apology because he did not agree to the civil wedding you wanted. So, you have to prepare for your wedding. The wedding date was moved to the last week of this month.”

“Last week of this month? Bakit?” Nagtatakang tanong ni Audrey.

Ngumiti si Mark. “Mr. Montenegro said that he would personally organize your wedding.”

Tanging tango lamang ang itinugon ni Audrey. “What should I do?” she asked. Even though it was an arranged marriage, after all, it was her wedding.

“You don’t have to do anything, Young Lady. Also, please, pack your clothes, Young Lady. I will come and pick you up on weekends. Gusto ni Mr. Montenegro na lumipat ka na sa penthouse niya pero huwag kang mag-alala dahil hindi naman siya uuwi doon. And one more thing, your wedding dress will be delivered to the penthouse,” Mark said.

Sighing, Audrey nodded her head, uninterested. Her eyes were blank, as if there was no life in it. “Thank you.”

Mark bowed his head. “Then I will send you to school, Young Lady.”

Audrey nodded her head again. “Let’s go.”

Mark was stunned. “Young Lady, won’t you eat breakfast first?” he asked as he glanced at the kitchen. He saw the young lady’s family eating and being served by their maids.

Audrey smiled. “I’m not hungry,” she said. Nauna na siyang lumabas ng bahay at sumunod naman si Mark.

Nang makapasok si Audrey sa loob ng kotse, nakita niya ang isang food pack.

“Young Lady, Boss made you some breakfast.” Mark gestured his hand to the food pack sitting on the backseat beside Audrey.

Gulat na napatingin si Audrey kay Mark. “Em made this?”

“Em? Is that what you call Boss?”

Audrey nodded.

“Oh,” Mark reacted and nodded his head, “Yes, Young Lady. He made breakfast for you.”

Kinuha ni Audrey ang food pack saka ito binuksan. “Siya talaga ang gumawa nito?” tanong niya habang hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa pagkain.

“Yes, Young Lady. The Boss made it for you. I saw it with my own eyes,” Mark answered. Sa totoo lang pati siya ay nagulat dahil tamad ang Boss niya pagdating sa pagluto ng pagkain. It was either him or his brother, Martin, who would cook food for their boss. Ito ang unang beses na nakita niyang nagluto ang Boss niya para sa fiancée nito. Looks like the President of EM Technology, who was known for his ruthlessness, will be a lovesick fool in the future.

Kusang gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi ni Audrey habang nakatingin sa fried rice, bacon, hotdog at sunny-side up egg na nakalagay sa food pack. Wala siyang tiwala sa ibang tao pagdating sa pagkain pero kusa na lamang kinuha ng kamay niya ang kutsara saka nagsimulang kumain.

Napangiti naman si Mark. ‘Boss, Young Lady was now eating the breakfast you made for her.’ He messaged his boss.

‘Good. I’ll double your salary this month.’

Napasuntok si Mark sa hangin.

After Audrey ate the breakfast Emerson made for her, they left and Mark sent her to the university. But she didn’t forget to send a ‘thank you’ message to Emerson for the breakfast. For the first time in her life, she felt she was being cared for.