LOVE ME AGAIN

Chapter 2: Alliyah's Decision

Bakas na sa mukha ni daddy na may edad na siya. He's 4 years older than mama. God, I can hear my own heartbeat and I am too nervous to say a word while my dad is still busy signing some documents even mom kept quiet while looking at her phone, we both know that my dad hates being interrupted when he's working, again he's workaholic like that. Maya-maya lang ay pumasok na ang secretary ni daddy at kinuha ang mga papeles tumango lang siya kay mama at nag-aalangan naman itong lumingon sakin but I smiled at her anyway. She sheepishly smiled in return before she head out and gently closed the door. My dad looked up and gave me tiring smile. Unang lumapit si mama sa kanya at umupo sa harapan nito.

'Let's talk' I can sense the coldness in mama's words, she glanced at me and that was enough reason to sit across her. Dad remained in silence while observing the situation, ako ang unang tumikhim. They both stared at me.

'I'm not marrying anyone dad.' I want to slap myself after saying that. I should be more careful, damn!

'Tell me why?' Nanghahamon ang titig ni daddy sakin. Napasinghap ako sa namumuong iritasyon sa mukha ni daddy pero hindi ako pwedeng magpatinag. This is my life that he's trying to manipulate and I just can't do that. I can't let him win this time.
I can see mama silently examining my reaction.

'Emilio, your daughter is-' pinutol ni daddy ang sasabihin ni mama.

'I want her to speak for herself Clarissa.' Matalim niyang tinitigan si mama and I can see how helpless mama is. I just smiled at her indicating that I can handle myself. 'Stop playing hero for her.' My mom sighed and I felt guilty for what my dad told her, she's been so protective of me that she almost forgot that she is my dad's wife. Naiinis ko namang tinitigan si daddy na hindi man lang natinag. 'Talk Alliyah' he demanded.

'I can't marry someone I never met dad.' I strongly said.

'That's why you'll meet him on friday' which makes it 3 days from now. 'Is that your best excuse?'

'We are not even sure that he's going to help dad. What assurance do we have that he'll help us?' Come on Alliyah, you can do better than that.

'That's why you're marrying him. Your marriage with him is OUR assurance Alli.' God, why does he always have an answer in everything.

'What if he'll abuse me dad? Can you take that? Are you really going to make me suffer?' I studied his reaction but to my disbelief, he only laughed. I looked at mama at parang di man lang siya nabigla o nag-alala sa sinabi ko. I groaned and that caught my dad's attention, he stared at me bago tumikhim.

'You're an Esquibelle, Alliyah. My daughter. My heiress. And do you really think I'm that heartless and foolish to commit to someone not knowing his background? He wont physically hurt nor abuse you if that's what worries you hija. I am so damn sure.' He confidently stated.

'How sure are you?' I intentionally arched my brow on him, go on dad. Try your luck convincing me.

'So sure that i'd bet my whole life on him Alliyah. He wont hurt you, he'll never hurt you physically.' God, ano bang pinakain ng lalaking to at napapayag niya si daddy. 'Is that all?' He asked. Natitibag na ng unti-unti ang kumpyansa ko sa sarili, my last resort is mama. I looked at her and begging for her mercy to save me. She grasped my hand and squeezed it gently.

'Emilio, allow me to speak' I can see how nervous she is but she tried to hide it. I'm so sorry mama if i'm putting you in this difficult situation, I know that you never wanted to go against dad and that makes me wonder how on earth are you still staying with him? He's cold as an ice. Natigil lang ang pag-iisip ko ng tumikhim si daddy at tinitigan si mama, hudyat na pinapayagan niya itong magsalita.
'I know how important it is to save the company, not only for yourself or for our family but also for our employees that are depending on our business. We've been in this industry for God know's how long. And you've proven yourself to everyone. You're one of the most successful business tycoon, everyone who are into business look up to you like you're a God or what. You can play well with numbers. you've got that power to control anything under your supervision. I know that this marriage is not the only way to solve our company's issue but we both know that it is the easiest way out. Am I right?' Nakatulala lang akong nakikinig kay mama, God how I wish I have her sophistication. Nakita kong nakatitig lang si daddy sa kanya. I can see the admiration in his eyes for mama.. He maybe hard on her but I know how he adores mama for being a brilliant wife. 'But we are talking about Alliyah here Emilio, we are talking about your daughter, your unica hija and I just can't let you decide for her future that's why I've got a proposition to make.' Napalingon ako kay mama. She's prepared for this. I am like cheering for her in silence praying to all saints that it will work.