Chapter 4

Stephanie

It was such a tiring day. Nakakapagod makita si PJ.. I was such an idiot para punasan 'yung harapan niya. Naman kasi! Nataranta 'ko! hindi na 'ko aware sa ginagawa ko. naramdaman ko 'yung pamumukol ng ano niya. I can't help to flushed. Nakakahiya!

Tapos nung sa may entrance pa ng shop, nung nasalo niya 'ko.. It was like heaven.. being in his arms was so perfect.. I see his eyes blazing with passion.. with something I can't a name on it. Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaays!

I parked my car nest to Lolo Rafael's marecedez benz.. tulog na kaya si Lolo? It's 9:30 already. Hindi diya pwedeng magpuyat. Baka atakihin na naman siya..

Pumasok na 'ko sa loob. I'm not planning to eat anything. Mas gusto ko na matulog at magpahinga.. gusto kong itulog ang stress na binibigay sa akin ni PJ. He won't do good. As much as I want him, alam ko galit siya sa akin..

Umakyat na ako at papunta na sana sa kwarto ko ng maisip kong dalawin si Lolo Rafael.. checking on him every night became my habit. Nung inatake kasi siya 2 years ago, sobrang natakot ako.. he became my father.. my friend.. my angel..

I saw him eyes closed. Nagpapahinga na siguro.. lumapit ako,bent down and kiss him lightly on the forehead.

"Steph.." he open his eyes and smiled at me.

"I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to wake you.. magpahinga ka na po ulit Lolo.." i smiled back at him.

"I'm really waiting for you.. may sasabihin ako sa'yo.." bahagya siyang umayos ng upo at sumandal sa headrest ng kama.

"Bakit niyo pa po ako hinintay? Ano po ba 'yung sasabihin niyo? Hindi po ba pwedeng ipagpabukas?" inaantok na din kasi ako and I don't want to stay up late.

"I want you to marry PJ." Diretsong sabi sa akin ni Lolo.

My mouth hangs open. Eyes widen.. he wants me to what?

"Stephanie.." he called me. I looked at him puzzled. What doe he mean?

"Ano po 'yun Lolo?" my brow furrows. Ipapakasal niya ako kay PJ? Kay super snob, dominant, greek God, Mr. Know-it-all man? Ako?

"Gusto kong magpakasal kayo ni PJ. Tumatanda na ako.. I want to make things right. I want you two to be okay.. I know you love him.." napayuko ako dahil sa sinabi ni Lolo Rafael. I'm aware that my face turned crimson red. Paano niya nalaman?

"I know it Stephanie.. you keep a photograph of him.. kahit sinusungitan ka ng apo ko.. mahal mo siya.. mahal na mahal mo siya.." I looked at him and I saw him smiling at me.

"Lolo.. PJ hates me to the moon and sun.. pumayag man ako, hindi siya papayag sa gusto niyo.. he'll never marry me.." i felt something painful on my chest. Voicing out that PJ hates me makes me sick.

"Well.. he already agreed on this." He shrugs.

"Po? Pumayag siya?" nanlaki ang mata ko sa narinig. Pumayag talaga siya? si PJ Monteverde.. magiging asawa ko? di nga?

"Yes. He'll be here tomorrow to discuss it with you.. I suggest na hindi ka na muna pumasok sa Sweet Desire.."

Wait. My head is processing the information. Ano 'yung nagaganap? Ano 'yung kasal na sinasabi ni Lolo? I was just 22 years old tapos ikakasal na 'ko? that makes me shiver. Ang aga ko naman ikakasal? Tapos sa lalaki pang hindi ako mahal? Nakakalungkot din e nu? Life's unfair!

"Pero.." I wanted to say many things. Ang dami kong gustong itanong at malaman, but it all stucked up on my throat. Naiwan lahat dun.

"No buts hija.. sige na.. magpahinga ka na.. magpapahinga na din ako.. goodnight.." he reached my head and gently caress it.

"Sige po.. Goodnight.." tumayo na ako at madaling nagpunta sa kwarto ko. i lay on my bend and stare at the ceiling. Thinking how bad my day turned out.

Part of me is celebrating because of what Lolo said. Iakakasal kami ni PJ and he agreed on that. But another part is afraid on what's happening.. bakit siya pumayag? He hated me. Bakit siya papayag na magpakasal sakin?

I closed my eyes when I heard my phone rang.

♪The day we met.. frozen I held my breath..

Right from the start, I knew that I found my home

For my heart beats fast, colors and promises..

How to be brave.. how can I love when I'm afraid to fall..

But watching you stand alone..

All of my doubt, suddenly goes away somehow..

One step closer..♪

I reache for my purse and looked at my cellphone.. unregistered number is calling.

Sino naman kaya 'to? Late phone call? Oh I wish it was Christian Grey! :D

"Hello?" I greeted the caller. I heard a sighs on the other line.

"Who's this?" I looked at my cellphone screen trying to figure out kung sino 'to.

"Hello?" I asked him again. Still no response.

"Hello? Kung sino ka man.. Late phone call isn't my keen! Now if you'll-"

"It's me.." I stunned in that two words. I know that voice. Hindi ako pwedeng magkamali.

"PJ.." i whisper.

"Yeah.." he said huskily? i guess..

"Anong kailangan mo?" my heart is pounding. Looks like she wants to be out in my chest.

"Tsk. That question is really getting on my nerves.." he said in gritted voice.

"I'm sorry.. " tinawagan ako ni PJ! Oh my! Ngayon lang nagsisink in sa akin 'to!

"i pressumed that Grandpa told you what his plans are."

"Yes." I replied. I'm feeling cold sweats on my forhead.

"Anong sagot mo?" he asked in his super bossy tone.

"i haven't answered him yet.." i bit my lip. Mannerism.

"I want an answer now." He commands.

"PJ.. I think that is something I need to think about.. kailangan ko mag-isip.. kailangan kong-"

"Don't you want me for a husband?" he intterups me.

"What?" tumayo na ako muloa sa pagkakaupo and walk to the terrace in my room. I think I need fresh air!

"Gusto mo ba ako?" sooooo PJ. Dominant and bossy.

"Yes.. er.. no.. uhmmm.." shocks! Ano ba? Hindi naman ako makapag-isip ng matino dito!

"Yes or no?" his voice is now exasperated.

"Yes." Gusto ko naman talaga siya e.

"Then it's settled. We'll get married." Then he hangs up even before i can say my protests.

I took a deep breath and looked at the peacefully dark night. Then i saw a shooting star. I believed that it grants wishes.

I closed my eyes and silently said what i want. Sana matupad.

Pumasok na ako and took a quick a shower.

I was brushing my hair ng nagbuzz ang cellphone ko, indicating that someone sents me a message.

1 message from 0915*******

See you tomorrow my soon-to-be-wife.

A text form him can put butterflies in my stomach. I know it's him.

I saved his number and then I climbed up to my bed. Trying to not think what's gonna happen tomorrow.

Then a handsome man caught my mind and i fall asleep peacefully.

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I woke up because I'm in need of air. Like something is taking that away from me. i needed an air for heaven's sake! What's happening? I'm suffocating!

I opened my eyes and I saw PJ above me.. kissing me!

"Ummmmmp..." i tried to pushed him but he's so muscular that I can't even move.

"Hmmmm.." he moaned against my mouth.

"PJ.." that was all I managed to say.

He finally let go my swollen lips.

"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" I said gasping.

"Visiting my bride." He smirks.

"I'm not sick.. no need for the visiting.." i rolled my eyes. Pumayag na ba akong magpakasal sakanya? di pa naman diba? I haven't said yes.

"Never roll your eyes at me woman.. hindi mo alam kung ano ang kaya kong gawin.." I sense danger in his voice. Anong magagawa ko.. ang aga-aga, nambubulabog siya. i'm no angel. Minsan nagmamaldita din ako ng konti. I'm not the 'yes sir' so to speak.

"Look PJ.. pwede bang lumabas ka muna? I need a private time for myself.." i comb my hair using my hand. Jeez! Ano kayang itsura ko? baka mamaya, I look like a mess while this dropdead gorgeous man beside me is looking so fresh like he just came out from a magazine.

He shrugs then looked at me quizzical. "I want to see how you consume that private time you needed." I saw his lips quirks.

Ugh! Anong oras na ba? I looked at the bedside table and it's 8 am. Mukhang halfday nalang ako sa shop ngayon.

"Please.. lumabas ka na muna." I said in a pleading voice.

He chuckled then walk towards the door.

I sigh in relief ng makita kong binuksan na niya ang pinto. Ang agang PJ moment naman nito! Haaaays!

He turned at me again before stepping out. "By the way, I heard you calling my name while you're sleeping.. so i suppose you're dreaming of me?" he smirks. "Laters, baby." Then he's gone.

I flushed. Aish! Nakakahiya ka Stephanie Andrade! Tsk!

Tumayo na ako and scoot to the bathroom. I took a bath and glance at myself on the mirror when I'm dressed up already. I'm wearing a dress and a Chuck Taylors. I don't know why but it's my favorite get up. I'm really not into high heels or what so ever. I like it flat.

I brushed my hair at lumabas na 'ko. mukha naman na akong presentable.

I saw Lolo rafael and PJ talking sa sala. Lumapit ako to greet them both.

"Good morning. Sorry, i over slept." I contrite.

"Good morning hija. Kumain ka na muna. Nauna na akong kumain. I asked PJ to join me pero he told me na ikaw ang gusto niyang makasabay. I think this boy is farmished. He waited for 3 hours already." nakangiting sagot sa akin ni Lolo Rafael. Tumingin ako kay PJ and I saw him smirk.

"Sorry." I apologize once again.

"It's okay. Come on.. let's eat." Tumayo na siya at hinawakan ako sa siko. I felt a spark when our skin touches.

Lumingon ako kay Lolo rafael and I saw him smiling from ear to ear.

Nang marating namin ang komedor, I looked at him and asked him "What's this all about?"

"We'll get married soon.. what do you think it is?" he raised a brow on me.

"PJ.. I haven't said yes.." I said in a low voice. I looked down at my knotted fingers.

"You doesn't have to. Hindi naman kailangan ang opinion mo about the wedding. Now sit the fvck here and eat with me!" he hissed.

Napaurong ako sa pagtaas niya ng boses. Hindi kailangan ang opinion ko? ako kaya ang ikakasal for pete's sake!

Unwillingly, i sit down and started to eat. Tumingin ako sakanya and I saw him looking at me too. I flushed.

"We'll get married whether you like it or not.. but I think deep inside you.. you like the thought of it.." he said in a low voice.

Part of me is nodding. Yes, I like him to be my husband but nit like this! I want him to be mine because he likes me..

"So i don't have a choice?" i arched a brow on him.

"Sorry to disappoint you dear.. but no.." he smiled at me.

I sighed. Ano bang gagawin ko? Mahal ko siya and I know he hates me.. maybe there's a reason behind this marriage.

"Will you benefit from this wedding that's why you're pursuing it?" I bravely asked him.

He's stunned for a moment..

"Yes.. i'll get what I want.." he gasps.

That hit me. pakakasalan niya ako in return, magbebenefit siya. paano naman ako? baka masaktan ako.

"Pumapayag na 'ko." I sighs. Gusto kong maging masaya si PJ. And if the thing that he'll get from this marriage make him happy.. then fine. I'l marry him.

"Just what I thought." He smirks.

Living with this Greek God wasn't a bad idea after all right? Mahal ko naman e.

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