The Billionaire I Married By Mistake [Filipino]

4. CONDITION

|Javier|

“This is…” fvcking “...ridiculous, Dad.” I said as soon as my father was done telling me his condition. Binigyan niya ako ng makahulugang ngiti. He languidly took a sip of his tea as if he had all the time in the world.

I’m currently inside my father’s office at home. Kasama namin kanina si mom, but my father requested to have some lone time with me. After our tea was served, hindi na nagpaligoy-ligoy pa si Dad na sabihin ang dahilan kung bakit niya ako pinauwi.

I was expecting this talk anyway. Halos ilang buwan ko na rin itong hinihintay.

I just got back from an out-of-country business trip. I managed to seal a million-dollar contract. It was a big accomplishment for the company. Kaya pagkalapag na pagkalapag ng eroplano dito sa Pilipinas at nang makatanggap ako ng mensahe mula sa aking ama na gusto niya akong makausap, I immediately had a hint about what was going to be our topic.

It was about who’s going to be the next head of the Lanford Group.

I was anticipating good news from him. I was in a good mood, especially after I managed to seal a business deal. Malakas ang pakiramdam ko na ibibigay na niya sa akin ang posisyon na hinahangad ko.

But then, instead, I hear a ridiculous condition from my father.

“Ako? Magpapakasal?” I said in disbelief. I clicked my neck as I tried to calm myself. “Why don’t you just…hand over the position, Dad? Hindi ko na kailangan pang magpakasal para lang ipakita sa’yo ang kakayahan ko na alagaan ang kompanya natin,” I said out of frustration.

He slowly sets down his cup on the table between us. Then he lifted his gaze back at me. There was a knowing smile plastered on his lips. Tumikhim siya para itago iyon.

“I know, son. I already know of your capabilities.”

I shifted on my seat as I straightened my back. I balled my hands, resting on my legs, into fists. I couldn’t help but suddenly hope that I could convince him one last time. Pero bago pa man ako may masabi, agad niya akong naunahan.

“But like what I have said, meet my conditions and I’ll hand over the position to you,” pag-uulit niya sa sinabi sa niya sa akin kanina. I gritted my teeth as I equaled his stare. But all I could see in his eyes was his seriousness about the matter.

I let out a frustrating sigh. Hindi ko maiwasang hindi mairita.

Because…I don’t…fvcking understand. Bakit sa kinadami-daming kondisyon na pupwede niyang ibigay sa akin, bakit kailangan ang…pag-aasawa?

Well, they have been telling me to get married for the past couple of years. But I don’t see the need for it. I can take care of my s*x life. Women are just…trivial things to me. I don’t need a woman by my side to prove myself worthy of the company.

Pero iyon ang gusto mangyari ni Dad. Kaya…talagang hindi ko matanggap na ang kondisyon na binigay niya sa akin. I can propose another business idea with him. Heck, I could even assure him that the company will reach the top in the next five years! Yet, instead, he wanted me to get married.

Napasandal ako sa kinauupuan ko. Napatingala ako at mariing pinikit ang mga mata. I massaged the bridge of my nose as I tried to plan out my way on this. But…this is my father. I grew up looking up to him as he handled our business. I’ve known him as a shark in the industry, dealing with problems head-on.

Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ko ang plano niyang pagretiro. He was giving out hints to me and my brother. I have the confidence that I will be chosen as the next head given my achievements and skills. Hindi tulad ni Nicolas, I have better plans and vision for our company. Pero alam ng lahat na sa huli, ang desisyon pa rin ni Dad ang masusunod.

“I hope you understand why I am doing this, Javier,” Dad said.

I inhaled a sharp deep breath.

No, I can’t understand his reasons. Pero syempre, hindi ko isinantinig ‘yon.

“Your mother and I only wanted to see you settle. Tandaan mo, success will never be a success if you have no one to go home to, every night,” aniya.

I opened my eyes and looked. He gave me a small smile.

“I don’t care whoever the woman you bring home and introduce to us. Get married for a year and the position as the next head of Lanford Group will be yours.”

I raked my hair with my fingers as I stared at the ceiling as if there was something interesting on it.

My goal since I started working for our company has been to be the head of it. To be better than my father. I don’t see the point in why I needed to be married before I became the CEO. But if it's the only way for me to achieve my goals, then…I guess I have no choice but to concede to my father’s bidding.

The two of us were silent for a while, not until a phone started ringing. Pagkadinig na pagkadinig ko nang ringtone, alam ko na agad na sa akin iyon. It’s from my secretary. And hearing the familiar ring tone immediately made me remember that I should not stay here any longer. I have things to do.

I straightened my back as I reached for my phone on the coffee table. Nang makita ang pangalan ng sekratarya ko do’n, hindi na ako nag-atubiling sagutin iyon.

“Yes, Billy,” I said. Napasulyap ako kay Dad na muling sumimsim ng kanyang tsaa.

[“Hello, sir. I called to remind you about your meeting in thirty minutes?”] Billy reminded.

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at tumayo sa aking kinauupuan. Dad lifted his eyes and looked at me once again.

Pinagsabihan ko ang sekretarya ko na baka ma-late ako sa meeting pero makakadalo ako. As soon as I was done telling him that, I ended the call and gave Dad my full attention.

“Aalis na ako, Dad. I have an important meeting to attend,” sambit ko. I took my coat hanging on the armchair.

Dad shook his head as he sighed heavily. Nilapag niyang muli ang baso ng tsaa niya sa lamesa.

“Minsan, hindi ko alam kung magpapasalamat ba ako o hindi na mahal mo ang kompanya natin, Javier. You’re so workaholic. Cut some slacks, son.”

I smirked at him. “So, why don’t you just give me the position instead? When you know that I love working for our company,”

He smirked back at me. “My condition still stands, Javier,”

I sighed in defeat and just bid my farewell to him. Ganoon din ang ginawa ko sa aking ina bago tuluyang umalis sa ancestral home namin. I don’t live here anymore, and living near our company is the most practical thing to do.

As I drove my car out of our estate, naalala kong muli ang kondisyon ni Dad para sa akin.

Get married and stay in the marriage for a year.

Fvck. Sino namang babae ang pangagasawahin ko when I don’t even do girlfriends?

But then…I just know someone who knows a lot of women. Hindi ako nagdalawang isip na tawagan siya through my car’s display as I swiftly drove back to the company. After three rings, the bastard finally answered my call.

[“Hello, this is the famous Gabriel Gil, speaking.”]

I could hear the noise on his end. It seemed that he was doing some shoots. I suddenly felt bad for calling him during his work. But then, he must be on break if he answered my call.

“Gab. I need your help,” sabi ko.

The bastard fell silent for a little while before he started laughing in disbelief. Narinig ko pa na tinatanong siya ng mga kasamahan niya kung anong tinatawanan niya.

[“Tang-ina, tama ba ang pagkakarinig ko? Humihingi ng tulong sa akin ang isang Javier Lanford? Katapusan na ba ng mundo?”]

“Fvck you.”

Muli siyang humalakhak.

“Damn. It’s worth answering your call, Vier! Imagine, nasa gitna ako ng trabaho ko. I was on my water break when you called. Of course, I had to answer it dahil isang himala para sa akin na tumatawag ka!” kwento niya. I shook my head in disbelief as I swiftly maneuvered the car and stepped on the accelerator as I overtook someone.

[“So, what can I help you with, my dearest buddy? Himala na humihingi ka ng tulong kaya dapat pagbutihin ko,”] I could hear the eagerness in his voice.

I smirked as I sped up my sedan once again. “Help me find a wife,”