The Billionaire's Trap

Chapter 3

Nilalaro ko ang aking mga daliri habang hinihintay na makarating sa aming destinasyon.

Tanging tunog lamang ng umaandar na kotse at mga sasakyan sa labas ang maririnig. I didn't utter a single word the moment I entered this car. Neither did Vallen.

I still can't believe what's happening right now.

I'm getting married to Vallen Garret Alejo.

"Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" I flinched by his sudden question. He's asking me an obvious question. Of course, I'd be uncomfortable! There's no way in hell I'd be comfortable in this situation!

I held it in. I can't go against Vallen. "N-No,” kinakabahang sagot ko.

He went silent after that. I didn't dare to speak because I'm afraid of him.

"You.." tumingin ako sa kaniyang nang muli siyang magsalita. "You don't have to lie to me."

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Ngumiti ako ng pilit at saka sumagot. "O-Okay.. thanks." Crap, ano ba dapat isagot ko? Kinakabahan ako sa kaniya.

Tumingin na lang ako sa labas.

Now, I finally get away from my family. I'm figuring out what's awaiting me living with an Alejo. Vallen Garret Alejo at that.

"I want to hold our wedding as soon as possible. Is that alright with you?"

I turn my head at him. Nakatingin siya sa harapan kaya inalis ko rin ang tingin ko sa kaniya. "Whatever's f-fine,” sagot ko. Kung pwede sanang 'wag na lang kaming ikasal, 'yun ang pipiliin ko.

I have a lot of dreams I want to achieve. First, I want to graduate. Second, find a stable job, save money and travel. I want to enjoy my life and do the things I want. Lastly, I want to fall in love. Date and marry the man I love and carry his kids in my womb. Build a happy family and grow old together with my husband.

Ngayon, hindi ko na alam kung kahit isa man lang sa mga pangarap ko ay matutupad pa. Now that my fate is decided.

Katulad kanina ay hindi na siya umimik. Pinagmasdan ko na lang ulit ang tanawin sa labas. It's more calming this way, nawawala ang aking kaba gayong katabi ko si Vallen.

Lumipas ang ilang oras na byahe at pumasok ang kotse na aming sinasakyan sa isang malaking gate.

Looks like we've reached Alejo's mansion already.

Ilang saglit pa ay tumigil ang kotse. Kumakabog ang aking dibdib sa kaba. So this is it.

Bumukas ang pinto ng kotse sa aking tapat. Bumaba ako.

Nagtaka naman ako kung bakit hindi pa bumababa si Vallen. Nakita ko ang butler na si Ivan na may kinuha sa compartment ng kotse.

At doon ko naalala.

Vallen.. he's disabled.

I heard that he's got into an accident three years ago that caused him to unable to use to his legs.

Tinulungan siya ni Ivan lumabas ng kotse.

Should I go.. and.. push his wheelchair...?

Can I do that?

Nahihiya ako. I'll be his wife soon so I should be able to do at least that much, right? But.. will he let me? Baka isipin niyang...

"Leslie."

I almost jump when I heard him calling me. I lost in my reverie that I didn't even notice him getting near me.

"Y-Yes...?" I asked nervously.

He stared at me then heave a deep sigh.

Hey! What was that for?!

Tapos ay tumingin siya sa harapan. "Push me,” aniiya ng hindi ako tiningnan.

I blink a few times. He's allowing me, isn't he?

"What are you waiting for?"

"H-Huh? Ah! Y-Yes!" I'm at a loss for words. But then, nagpunta ako sa likod niya at tinulak ang kaniyang wheelchair.

Tinulak ko ito papasok ng mansyon. Maraming maids at bodyguards ang nandodoon, nakatungo at naghihintay sa amin.

Sa aking likuran naman ay nandoon si Ivan sumusunod sa amin.

"Welcome home, Young Master and Young Miss!" They greet in unison.

Ivan coughed and wave a hand to disperse the maids and bodyguards. Kaming tatlo lamang at isang maid, maybe the Head Maid, ang naiwan.

"Young Miss Leslie, this is Carol. The Head Maid in this Alejo Mansion." Pakilala ni Ivan sa naiwang maid.

I simply put a smile. "H-Hello." 'Yung kaba ko ay hindi pa rin ako nililisan.

"Greetings, Young Miss Leslie. Kung sakaling may kailangan po kayo, 'wag po kayong mag-atubiling tawagin ako,” magalang niyang sabi. Medyo nailang ako sa paraan niya ng pagsasalita at sa paggalang niya.

"Ah, y-yes, thank you,” tanging sagot ko.

"Miss Leslie, hayaan ninyong ihatid kayo ni Carol sa inyong silid,” sabi naman ni Ivan. Tumango na lamang ako bilang sagot.

Ah! "How about Vallen?" I asked. Pagkatanong noon ay bigla silang natahimik.

Pabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa dalawa. Mukha silang nagulat. Why? Did I say something wrong?

"We share the same room." Imbis na si Ivan o si Carol, si Vallen ang sumagot.

I laugh awkwardly. "I see." Magkasama kami sa kwarto? But we're not married yet. Although we are bound to marry... But is that alright?

"No need for assistance. I'll take her to our bedroom,” sabi pa niya. Mabilis na yumukod si Carol.

"Yes, Young Master,” aniya at umalis na. Gano'n din ang ginawa ni Ivan at nagpaalam na ito. He take the stair samantalanh itinuro naman sa'kin ni Vallen ang daan.

Ilang saglit pa, tumigil kami sa tapat ng elevator. Ah, yes, because we can't the stairs. I pushed the button, the door's open and push him to get in.

"Third floor,” sabi niya na siyang pinindot ko naman. Bumalik ako sa likuran niya. We waited for the elevator to reach the floor.

When I heard the ting sound, I grabbed the push handle of his wheelchair and pushed him out of the lift.

He told me which room to go. Nang nasa tapat na kami ng kwarto, he gave me the key to the room. Kinuha ko naman ito at binuksan ang kwarto.

Muli, tinulak ko siya papasok.

My eyes immediately wandered to every corner of the room. From the moment I laid my eyes on the exterior of the mansion to its interior, I know that it is far way better to what we have at Lambrente.

"Go and wash up first. We'll have a dinner."

Lumipat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. He's also looking at me. I gulped by the kind of his stare. "U-Uhm.. wh-what about y-you?" I asked. Hindi ba siya uuna? Does he need help? Should I call for maids? Do I need to wash him?

I was surprised when I saw him smirk. Mabilis lang iyon pero nakita ko. "Do you want to shower together?"

Biglang uminit ang aking pisngi at tila napunta ang lahat ng dugo ko doon.

That's not what I meant!

"N-N-N-No! What I m-mean...!" Gosh. I'm embarrassed! How can I explain it to him without me stammering?!

"Come here."

I went stiff. Crap. It's my fault! I was just asking! I don't mean anything!

"Leslie."

Pagtawag niya ng pangalan ko ay dali-dali na akong lumapit sa kaniya. I'm looking somewhere else, can't bring myself to look at him as how embarrassed I am right now.

"Look at me."

Napapikit ako ng mariin. Paano kung galit siya sa'kin?! I'm afraid of him!

"Leslie. I dislike repeating what I said."

Argh! I want to scream!

Dahan-dahan akong lumingon sa kaniya. He, on the other hand, is already looking at me. And the moment I completely set my eyes off him, our eyes met.

Pakiramdam ko ay mawawalan ng lakas ang aking tuhod sa paraan ng pagtitig niya sa'kin.

"Kneel."

Kneel? I need to grovel and beg for his mercy?

Hindi ako nag-atubiling sundin ang sinabi niya. My whole body is trembling in fear. Me and my mouth! I should've not asked that!

Pagkaluhod ko, nakatitig pa rin siya sa'kin. "I... I'm.." I look at his hand trying to reach my face. "...sorry.. I didn't..." binalik ko ang tingin ko sa kaniya and before I knew, his face is already an inch closer to mine.

"...mean to... mmp!"

My eyes widened. I felt his soft lips brushing in my lips. It's hot and wet. He's kissing me...? For real...?

I felt a tingling sensation in my stomach, as if all the butterflies that I thought faded away already, came back and flew giddily.

Ah..

I can't help but to close my eyes. But even before I could do that, he pulled himself away, leaving me rigid and dumbfounded.

He gave me one more peck in my lips. "Go now. Before I join you."

Hindi ako makakilos. Pero kahit gano'n at kahit pakiramdam ko ay iniwan na ako ng aking kaluluwa, nagawa ko pa ring tumayo at magtatakbo papasok ng banyo.

I slammed the door, locked it and leaned on it.

Hinawakan ko ang dibdib kong hindi tumigil sa pagtibok ng mabilis.

"What.. just happened?"