章節 3: CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER 3
KANINA PA hindi mapakali si Victoria. She doesn't know what to do. Her career is going to be over now that she's married and can't annul her marriage.
She desperately looked at her mom. "I'm sure there's another way. We can use daddy's connections. May mga kilala siyang kayang i-annul ang kasal namin diba?" She cried.
Vincenzia laughed. "Did Victoria Salvador just begged and cried? Like, the most famous model desperately sobbed?"
Masama ang tingin na pinukol ni Victoria sa kapatid.
She then faced Noah who's quiet while reading a book. "Noah, magsalita ka nga. You're against this marriage too, right? You're a lawyer. I'm sure you can figure something out."
While still reading a book, he answered, "I told you, I'm not a popular lawyer. I don't have that kind of connection."
Victoria frustratingly ran her fingers through her hair. "Anong gagawin ko?! I don't want to ruin my career—"
"Enough!"
Silence filled the whole living room when Ophelia Almera, Victoria's grandma shouted.
Ophelia calmly but seriously placed the cup of coffee down on the coffee table. "Do not be a brat, Victoria. Sa tingin mo ba hahayaan ko ang mommy mo na ipakasal ka sa kung kanino lang? It was my idea to marry you off."
Victoria looked at her grandma, horrified. "Why?! You should know that I don't have any plans on getting married!" Galit na sambit niya.
Ophelia calmly looked at her granddaughter. "You need to change, Victoria. People are having a hard time keeping up with your bad attitude. If you continue being a brat, your career will fall."
Victoria's tears fell. "Who are you to tell me to change? If you don't like my attitude, then leave my life." She sobbed.
"Don't marry me off suddenly just so I could change! I'm not the one ruining my career. Your careless decisions are the ones ruining my life!" She shouted then stormed off na sinundan naman ni Aqua.
Napangiwi si Rita habang nakatingin sa mga magulang ni Noah. "I'm so sorry for what happened. Galit lang si Victoria kaya ganiyan. Please understand."
Noah's mom nodded and smiled. "Ayos lang, Rita. Naiintindihan ko."
Rita stood up. "We'll get going. Thank you for the coffee."
Tess nodded. "You're welcome." Aniya at hinatid sa labas ang mga bisita.
Aeign spoke, "tito, Noah, alis na rin ako. Kailangan ako sa opisina." Aniya at umalis na rin.
When Tess went back to the living room, Noah spoke, "bakit nangutang ka sa iba at hindi ko alam?" Seryosong sambit nito.
It was Noah's father, Norman, who answered, "nak, yun yung panahong nawalan ng trabaho ang nanay mo at hindi sapat ang kinikita ko sa jeep para sa tuition mo. Sakto namang nakita ulit ng nanay mo si Rita sa London."
Tess nodded and sat beside Noah. "Matagal na kami magkaibigan. Bago pa kita ipinanganak, magkaibigan na kami. Kaya hindi ako nahirapan mamasukan bilang caretaker sa kaniya. Sinabi ko sa kaniya ang sitwasyon natin at pinahiram niya ako ng isang milyon para sa tuition mo. Noong una, hindi ko tinanggap iyon dahil mahihirapan tayong bayaran iyon."
"And?" Noah asked.
"Pero ang sabi niya, hindi daw pera ang hinihingi niyang kapalit. Gusto niyang ikasal ang anak niya sa anak ko—ikaw." Tess explained.
"Why did you say yes?" Seryosong tanong ni Noah.
"Dahil desperado na kaming makakuha ng pera. Kung hindi kami magbabayad, mawawalan ka ng pwesto sa college."
Noah clenched his fists but managed to calm down. Walang mangyayari kung magagalit siya at magwawala tulad ni Victoria.
"Why didn't you tell me? Sana natulungan ko kayo." Aniya.
Umiling-iling ang mga magulang niya. "Masyado kang abala sa pagaaral. Ayaw namin maantala ang pagaaral mo dahil lang sa problema natin."
Noah sighed heavily before hugging his parents. "Sa susunod na may problema kayo, sabihin niyo sa akin. Ano pang silbe ko bilang anak niyo kung hindi ko kayo tutulungan, diba?"
Tess sobbed. "Salamat, anak. Sana mapatawad mo kami dahil sa desisyon naming ikasal ka nang walang paalam mo."
He smiled. "There's nothing to forgive, nanay. Naiintidihan ko ang sitwasyon."
Tess smiled with tears falling. Pinunasan agad iyon ni Noah. "Maraming salamat, anak. Kausapin mo si Victoria para maayos na ito."
Napangiwi si Noah. "You know that I hate strangers."
"Hindi naman stranger si Victoria. Nakalaro mo na ata siya noong bata ka pa o yung kapatid niya ata iyon.." nagiisip na sabi ng ina.
Napailing-iling nalang si Noah. "Susubukan ko, nay." Tumayo si Noah at inayos ang suit na suot. "Babalik na po ako sa trabaho. Ingat kayo rito." Aniya at lumabas ng bahay.
Habang nagaabang ng masasakyan, tumunog ang phone niya at may tumatawag. He looked at the caller.
"What?" He asked as soon as he answered the call.
"Noah, my man! How have you been?" His friend asked.
"I'm not fine, Asher. Ang dami kong problema."
Asher Suarez is his childhood friend. Dati itong nangbubully sa kaniya pero naging malapit na magkaibigan ang dalawa.
"Anong problema? May maitutulong ba ako?" He asked.
"Do you know any attorney or judge who can annul a marriage?"
"Huh? Bakit? Nirerequest ba ng kliyente mo?"
"No. I want to annul my marriage in a few months."
"WHAT?! You're married? Hindi mo manlang ako inimbitahan sa kasal mo?!" Saglit na inilayo ni Noah an phone sa tainga dahil sa sigaw ni Asher.
Tumingin siya sa relong suot. "Nasa opisina ka ba? I'm coming over."
"CALM DOWN, Victoria. Hindi nakakaganda ang masyadong stress at galit." Vivienne, Victoria's younger sister said through the phone.
Nakahiga si Victoria sa kama at kinakausap ang kapatid na si Vivienne. Vivienne is one year younger than Victoria at nagbabakasyon sa US kasama ang daddy niya at kapatid na lalake. Hindi katulad kay Vincenzia, mas close ni Victoria si Vivienne.
"I can't calm down. I hate the idea of marriage and the idea of having a husband. Ayokong may kumokontrol sa akin. Take note of this, Viv, my husband is a lawyer like daddy pero hindi naman sikat at hindi pa mayaman."
"What?! I thought all lawyers are rich and smart. Balak ko pa namang magjowa ng lawyer." Sagot ni Vivienne.
Victoria snorted. "Ugh, no. Huwag na, Viv. Sayang ang lahi natin."
Vivienne laughed. "Sino ba kasi itong asawa mo?"
Victoria rolled her eyes before answering. "Vergel Noah Alegre. Search him up at wala kang makikita tungkol sa kaniya."
Victoria didn't hear any reply from her sister. "Viv? You still there?"
"N-Noah is your husband?" Tanong nito
Victoria's brows furrowed. "Yeah, why?"
"N-Nothing. His name is just familiar. Anyways, I need to go. Bye, Victoria." Mabilis na sambit ni Vivienne at binaba na ang tawag.
Victoria just frowned. Saktong pumasok ng kwarto si Aqua. "You are supposed to meet with Asher Suarez today, Miss Victoria."
Victoria nodded. "Ready the car." Aniya at kumilos na rin para ayusin ang sarili.
"I DON'T know, man. I may have connections pero limitado lang pagdating sa mga politics. I only have connections in the fashion and model industry." Asher implied.
Noah went to Asher's office in his company at ngayon ay nagkekwentuhan ang dalawa tungkol sa kasal niya.
Aside from his parents and Aeign, isa si Asher sa mga taong komportable niyang pakisamahan dahil fifteen years na silang magkaibigan.
Noah took a sip from his tea. "If only I specialize in Family Law. I only expertise in Criminal and Civil Rights Law."
Asher winced. "Man, I don't know what you're talking about but hey, you're married! Wala namang masama sa pagaasawa."
Umiling-iling si Noah. "Yeah, being married is fun if you love your wife. Hindi ko pa nga tuluyang kilala ang asawa ko, parang gusto ko nang sumuko."
Asher laughed. "Bakit? Sino ba ang asawa mo?"
"Vic—"
"Noah?!" A voice shouted.
Noah and Asher looked at the entrance door and saw Victoria who looked shock and behind her is Aqua.
Tumayo si Asher at lumapit kay Victoria. "Miss Victoria! I thought our talk was clear. I don't accept models who're married." Sambit ni Asher
Hindi pinansin ni Victoria si Asher sa halip ay galit na humakbang palapit kay Noah na nakahawak sa noo at parang pagod na pagod na ito.
"What did you say to Asher, huh? Pumunta ka ba dito para takutin siya na ikukulong mo siya kapag tinanggap niya ako sa trabaho? Alam mo bang that's abuse of power? Ito ba igaganti mo dahil kinasal ka ni mom sa akin? Ha?! Ito ba?!"
Noah breathed heavily still holding his forehead while his elbow is resting on the table.
"Woah, Miss Victoria, kalma ka lang. Atty. Alegre is my visitor. He means no harm." Pagpapakalma ni Asher kay Victoria.
Victoria didn't speak instead she held Noah by his necktie and dragged him outside the office.
Naiwan si Asher at Aqua sa loob.
"W-What will Miss Victoria do to my friend?" Takot na tanong ni Asher kay Aqua.
Aqua smiled inwardly. "Let Miss Victoria do her thing. For now, pray for your friend while you wait."
NANG makarating sa labas ng office, Victoria let go of Noah's necktie. Inayos naman agad ni Noah ang suit nito.
"What now?" Noah asked.
Victoria furrowed her brows. "What did you tell Asher?"
Noah placed both his hand on his pockets. "What do you want to hear?"
"Everything! Sinabi mo bang huwag akong tanggapin sa trabaho, ha?" Victoria scolded.
"Why would I say that? Is it bad to visit a friend?" Noah answered calmly.
Victoria stilled. "Wait, friend? Kaibigan mo si Asher?" Her eyes suddenly lit up.
Noah looked at her suspiciously. "Yeah..?"
Victoria smiled before holding Noah's hands. "Then help me get into his company!"
Kinuha ni Noah ang kamay mula sa pagkakahawak ni Victoria. "Why would I do that? Kanina lang sinisigawan mo ako."
Victoria pouted. "I'm sorry, okay? Naparanoid lang ako. I thought you're getting your revenge on me because my mom married us off."
"Hindi ako mababaw na tao, Victoria. I don't care if your mom married us off. I'm looking for lawyers and attorneys who could annul us even without the judge's sign." He spat.
"Then help me get into Asher Suarez's company. This is a small company but I want to get in. Walang ibang kompanya ang tumatanggap sa akin just because I'm married." Victoria insisted.
Noah frowned. "Asher is not accepting you because you're married. Bakit mapilit ka?"
"Because he's your friend naman pala! You can vouch for me to enter his company. You're a lawyer. I'm sure you argue well."
Noah didn't answer. He's somehow hesitating whether he should help his wife or not.
Victoria continued, "please? I'll help you back. Maybe help you become well-known and have more clients."
Napantig ang tainga ni Noah. Hearing the phrase, "more clients" got him. He really needed that one.
"Sure." Mabilis na sagot ni Noah.
Victoria's face lit up and again, took his necktie and dragged him inside the office.
Naabutan nila si Aqua na nakaupo sa office chair ni Asher at kaswal na umiinom ng kape habang si Asher ay naglalakad pabalik-balik.
"Asher, anong ginagawa mo?" Noah asked.
Natigilan si Asher kapagkuwan ay sinalubong siya. He whispered, "are you hurt? Did Miss Victoria hurt you?"
Umiling si Noah sa halip ay nagsalita. "I'm here to tell you to accept Victoria's application." Aniya.
Asher stilled. Tumingin ito kay Victoria na nakaupo sa couch at tinaasan siya ng kilay habang nakangiti.
"Did she threatened you too? Noah, huwag kang magpauto kay Miss Victoria.."
"Asher, accept her application. She's my wife."
This time, Asher's eyes widen. "S-She...siya ang asawa mo?!" He shouted.
Tumango si Noah. "Come on, accept her proposal."
Umiling si Asher. "As much as I want to accept her, I can't. I have rules to apply."
"But rules can be bended. We will keep Victoria's status as a secret. Tutal, alam naman ng lahat na walang asawa si Victoria. We can keep it that way." Noah argued.
Asher shook hisbhead again. "Still, no. I have a small company. My company is not well known."
"Victoria is popular. She can make your company's income from thousands to billions." Noah insisted.
Mukhang natinag naman si Asher at tumingin kay Victoria. "You're hired. Photoshoot next week. I'll give you further details."
Victoria smiled in glee. "Looking forward to work with you, Asher."
Ngumiwi si Asher. "You should call me Mr. Suarez because I'm your boss."
Victoria grinned. "And I'm Victoria Salvador." Simpleng sagot nito at naglakad palabas.
When Victoria left, lumapit sa Aqua kay Noah. "Victoria's mom called. She wants to meet you and Victoria at your house."
Noah frowned. "My house?"
Aqua nodded. "Yes. You're house. Right now."
Noah bid his goodbye and stormed off. When he reached his house, he can hear Victoria's loud voice from the gate.
Nang makapasok siya, he asked his mom, "nay, anong nangyayari?"
Napangiwi si Tess. Magsasalita sana ito nang naunang magsalita si Rita.
"Noah, you're here! Nandito kami para ihatid ang maleta ni Victoria."
"W-Why?" Kinakabahang tanong niya.
"She'll be living here with you from now on."
And his world just crumbled into pieces.
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