"I want us to talk about your plans and... thoughts maybe. Kasi flexible naman ako sa kung anong gusto mo."

"What are we talking about?" he looked so confused.

Pinagsiklop niya ang kaniyang mga kamay habang nag-iisip.

"This marriage? For convenience? Because you know, this was never meant to happen. Kaso naipit din ako sa sitwasyon and you know, the rest is history."

I couldn't say that I didn't anticipate this marriage of convenience. Nang i-offer sa akin 'to, may kaunting pangamba at takot, pero mas nanaig ang kagustuhang makaalis sa bahay ng mga magulang ko.

"We got the certificate and it's not void. What do you want... Pomme?"

It took him a long time to say my name.

"Your name is... Apple?" he added in question.

"Technically, yeah. But Pomme is the one written in my birth certificate and other legal documents."

"And your complete name is...?"

"They didn't tell you that?" nagdududang tanong ko.

Umiling siya ng dalawang beses.

"Pomme Fée Stallman. I got my last name from my step-dad."

He looked confused even more.

"Fee? You're named after compensation? Apple compensation?"

Ay, gusto ko siyang batuhin ng vase.

"No. It's Fée. The letter e in the middle is an e-acute. Pomme Fée."

"Apple fairy. They named you apple fairy."

"Yes. That." I agreed. "Enough with my name. Alam ko na nagulat ka sa revelation ni mommy... mo, mommy mo, pero let me get straight on one thing first. I never took advantage of you while you were in that situation. Well, except sa pera na binibigay nila. Parang ang sama ko namang tao kung hindi ko tatanggapin."

"Bakit hindi?" his lips protruded in a sulky pout.

I can't believe this guy. After all that seriousness and untouchable act?

"And I certainly wouldn't push all this act through if you're uncomfortable with it. Aalis ako, we can get divorced, and I will not get a penny from your dowry. All the designer bags, shoes, jewelries, dresses, even the cars, I will leave them all behind. Wala akong dadalhin."

I was moving my hand rapidly as I tried to explain it as best as I could. Ang point lang naman dito, ayaw ko ng gulo. If he wants to separate, I'd agree to it.

Pero pwedeng makitira muna habang wala pa akong trabaho? Parang ang hirap yata maghanap buhay kung sinanay ka sa yaman.

"Alright. You can leave all those behind but I'm coming with you. You wouldn't mind having an ill extra baggage, would you?"

"Huh?" tila nag-loading ang utak ko sa sinagot nito.

"What are you so hesitant about? If I didn't like this set up, we would've been divorced even before you came home. If I don't like it, Apple, I'd find a way to end it. Did they tell you that?" he flashed a smirk.

"To make it clear, you're not..."

"U-huh. No divorce. No separation."

"Pero paano kung gusto ko? O kung dumating 'yong panahon na gusto ko na?" paninigurado ko.

"You want what? Another family member? I can work for that."

"We're still in the getting-to-know each other process here. And I have no plans for kids yet."

I'm sure that's a red flag for him. I'm still in my mid-twenties, still young, beautiful, and active. Ayaw ko pa. At ayaw ko ring pinagdidiktahan kung ano ang gusto kong gawin.

"Of course, whenever you're ready. You can tell me."

"Ang confident mo naman. Pero paano nga kung ako ang mag-initiate ng divorce? Papayag ka? You should know that forcing a woman can be a form of coercion or abuse. At isusumbong din kita kay mommy. She always have my back."

I maybe powerless in money and connection, but I'll fight with words.

"I don't force woman, Apple. I'd give you what you want."

"At ayaw ko ng gulo."

"I agree. So, are we settled here? That's my decision," may pinalidad sa kaniyang boses.

"I will think about it. Give me time."

"I'll give you a week. If you haven't decided yet beyond the given period, I'll take that as an answer that you'll stay and be my equal wife."

Ano 'to? Business negotiation?

Sasagot na sana ako nang marinig ko ang tunog n heels ni Sachiko. Nang lumingon ako ay sakto namang paglapag niya ng baso sa harap ko.

"What are you guys talking about? Are you bullying my Ate Pomme?" tunog pang-aakusa ang pagtatanong ni Sachiko.

Zane shrugged, picked up another magazine, and flipped through pages casually.

Sachiko sat next to me and clung her arms around mine.

"Si Kuya, wala ng pera 'yan. At ubos na rin ang savings niya due to his meds. Kaya ate, you will need to make gasto for him. If I were you, I'd leave."

"You're enjoying your leisure time so much, Sachiko Mavisha. Do you want me to give you some workloads to do?" Zane casually asked.

"I was just kidding, Ate ha. You know I love you and I can't bear to part with you so you'd have to stay here with us forever. Love you, Ate."

Sachiko's arms extended and wrapped around me.

Zane needed to rest shortly after so he left first.

"Ate Pomme, shopping tayo? I missed going shopping with you. And buying some kikay stuff tapos random stroll lang around this big city."

"Akala ko ayaw mo ng mainit?"

"What do you mean ayaw? What a privilege it is to experience the heat under the scorching sun!" she giggled. "Biro lang, ayaw ko talaga ng masyadong mainit. We can close the whole mall for the rest of the day para hindi na tayo lumabas. And then, we can stroll around later when the sun starts to set."

Napaisip ako ng ilang minuto. Nasabi nga rin ni mommy sa akin na may minsang pinasara ni daddy ang mall dahil nag-shopping sila.

"Or I can just invite designers at home para hindi na tayo mapagod."

Privilege rin 'to. Ang sarap maging mayaman. Isa 'yan sa mga napatunayan ko bilang isang mahirap na lumaki sa probinsya at itinakwil ng tatay na cheater.

"Let's just go, Sachi."

Sa dating kwarto niya na ako nagbihis. Sachiko lives alone in her condo and rarely comes home, she does only when she miss something, need something, or is stressed about something.

Mom and dad lets her explore things on her own. Ika nga nila, if you really want it, and it doesn't hurt you or other people, do it. And if it doesn't work, maybe that's not the right path to take.

Ganiyan din buhay ko dati e. Minus the wealth. E ngayon, kinupkop nga ng mayaman, inaapi naman.

We reached the nearest mall shortly after. And when I say nearest, it's an hour and a half drive from home. And the mall is massive.

Two of Sachiko's men in black was following us, prepared and ready to take serious matters into their own hands. Kami kasi, princess lang.

"I'll buy whatever you touch. Kuya Zane loaded my card with money awhile ago. He said you can buy whatever you want."

Pinagtiklop ko ng sobrang higpit ang dalawang kamay ko. I can't touch anything carelessly or else we'll be going home with some random stuff.